Review: Forgive Me

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Forgive Me

Author: Eliza Freed
Series: Lost Souls, #1
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Forever Yours
Publication Date:
Format: ebook
Pages: 280
Source: Good Choice Reading Blog Tours
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Rating: ★★★★ . 5

When two lost souls find each other, are they still lost?

Charlotte O'Brien is lost in the devastation of her parents' death. With her foundation in ruins, she buries herself in an unlikely lover, Jason Leer.

When they're together it's everything, but when they're apart it's utterly frustrating. Can love survive when distance is measured in more than just miles?

Forgive Me is the first book in The Lost Souls Series.

(Goodreads)

Lost Souls series

Opening Lines

"My foot will bleed soon. Judging by the familiar curve in the road, I'm still at least two miles from home. Of course I end up walking home the night I'm wearing great shoes. The pain shoots through my heels as the clouds flash with lightning in the dark sky.

**WARNING: CAPS WILL BE USED**

Where do I even begin with this review? I don't even know. I read Forgive Me a couple of days ago now and I'm still trying to get my thoughts and emotions in check, thanks Eliza Freed. The minute I read the first page I was hooked. This author has a way with words, and boy does she know how to tell a story. Her description of the thunderstorm alone had me captivated, I couldn't put this down and I'm happy I finished it in one sitting. Well, happy might be a stretch of a word because I know for sure my heart, head, eyes, nose and throat are not happy with all the ugly crying and struggling to breathe. But what did I expect? Well I knew I was signing myself up for a contemporary new-adult read, but what I didn't expect was how much of an emotional roller coaster this was going to be and how much of me was going to be left sitting here with tears streaming down my face.

I know I probably sound like a broken record but this book broke my heart into tiny little pieces. I cried, I laughed, I got angry, and then I cried some more. And by the end of it all I felt like Forgive Me basically just sat there laughed at me and said "Well hey, now you have to wait until February." Seriously!? FEBRUARY?! GIVE ME THE NEXT BOOK NOW!!! Please? Pretty, pretty please with a fat juicy cherry on top? 

Charlotte is by far one a new favourite character. She's a fictional character but everything about her felt real. It takes a serious amount of talent to breathe life into your characters and Eliza Freed did that. I felt so connected to Charlotte it was almost frightening. She's been through so much and all I wanted to do was hug her. As much as I'm not a huge fan of Jason, since he can be a jerk from time to time, I really enjoyed the dynamics of their relationship. We see their long distance relationship put to the test and just when I thought everything was going to be okay, everything got flipped upside down and around! I wasn't expecting the religious aspect to things, and at first I was hesitant on how much of it would be used throughout Forgive Me. Why? Because I'm in a questionable state with my religion at the moment. But Eliza makes it work, she ties in everything and makes it alright to question your faith, love, humanity, and life itself.

What Kept Forgive Me from getting 5 stars?

Can I say the ending? No? Damn. Well then...

---

Overall, I can't express enough how heartbreaking and beautiful Forgive Me was! I only wish I didn't have to wait until February for Redeem Me, I know it's less than 3 months away but for me that's 3 months too long! Do I recommend picking Forgive Me up? Yes, I can't even express how much I want people to read it! This is seriously an underrated book that more people need to read! If you enjoy reading new adult, contemporaries, romance, a book with substance and that will make you feel things then pick this up. But you can't say I didn't warn you...

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About the Author

Eliza Freed graduated from Rutgers University and returned to her hometown in rural South Jersey. Her mother encouraged her to take some time and find herself. After three months of searching, she began to bounce checks and her neighbors began to talk; her mother told her to find a job.

She settled into Corporate America, learning systems and practices and the bureaucracy that slows them. Eliza quickly discovered her creativity and gift for story telling as a corporate trainer and spent years perfecting her presentation skills and studying diversity. It’s during this time she became an avid observer of the characters we meet and the heartaches we endure. Her years of study have taught her laughter is the key to survival, even when it’s completely inappropriate.

She currently lives in New Jersey with her family and a misbehaving beagle named Odin. An avid swimmer, if Eliza is not with her family and friends, she’d rather be underwater. While she enjoys many genres, she has always been a sucker for a love story…the more screwed up the better.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest

Hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours

ARC Review: The Hit List

The Hit List

Author: Nikki Urang
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Publication Date: November 11 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 203
Source: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Book Depository | Books-A-Million
IndieBound | Wal-Mart

Rating: ★★★★ . 5

The Los Angeles Conservatory for the Arts is supposed to be a new beginning for Sadie Bryant. Moving across the country is exactly what she needs to escape the gossip surrounding her injury, the devastating betrayal of her ex-partner, and to rebuild her career as a solo dancer.

When the school announces that the annual Fall Showcase, a performance that secures a spot studying in London, will now require each dancer to have a partner, Sadie’s fresh start is a nightmare. Now she has to dance with Luke Morrison, the school womanizer with a big ego. Sadie doesn’t know how to trust Luke enough to dance with him after her last partner left her broken, but Luke is determined to change that.

Then, The Hit List comes out. A game of sexual conquest where guys get points for all the girls they hook up with—and it seems like every guy at the school is playing.

The girl worth the most points? Sadie. (Goodreads)

**I received an advanced copy from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All quotes taken from a pre-published copy may be altered or omitted from the final version.**

Opening Lines

"I never should've agreed to do that stupid article. I shove the magazine back onto the shelf and pull another magazine over the top to partially cover it. Not that it will do any good. The bright red letters of the "Jete" in Jete Magazine are recognizable to half the students here. It's probably the most popular magazine at out little campus book store. Even hidden, my naive happiness taunts me from the glossy page."

I used to dance, a lot. I didn't really focus hard on ballet, but more so jazz, hip-hop, tap and I even tried my hand at lyrical. I loved dancing, there is just something about letting your body tell a story and how elegant and graceful one can be that I just find it to be so captivating and simply beautiful. Unfortunately, I had a injury that required me to quit dance. It was a sad time in my life, but I took some years off and discovered cheerleading, but my love for dance has never gone away.

When I first came across The Hit List I knew I had to have it. I mean have you seen that cover? Her position is beautiful! Looking at the cover and reading the synopsis made me Youtube So You Think You Can Dance? videos and clips from Centre Stage. Having been a dancer and the fact I have dealt with an injury I knew I would be able to connect with Sadie. That being said, you do not have to be a dancer or know everything or anything about dance to be able to enjoy this book! This just helped me connect with Sadie more. I finished The Hit List in two sittings, it was fast paced and I was so excited and curious to see how this would come to an end. I also really enjoyed the writing style, it was well-written and didn't feel forced. Nikki Urang's descriptions were perfect, I felt like I was actually in the room watching them dance!

"I'm fine. Just a little stressed."
"I hear sex helps reduce stress."
Jesus Christ. Of course he would know that my name is back on The Hit List. I hold up my hand. "I'm not interested. So stop. Stop with the lingering touches. Stop with the sexual remarks. Just stop."

I loved that not every character was perfect, there were characters that I really just wanted to kick (and that's putting it nicely). I loved how strong Sadie became throughout this book, she really learned to speak out and stand up for herself. And Luke, well Luke had his moments. We're introduced to so many great characters that I just didn't want to say goodbye to! This would have been perfect as a series, it book focusing on a different character or two.

This wasn't exactly sexual read, but you can definitely feel the sexual tension between Luke and Sadie. I really enjoyed seeing them evolve throughout this book. I will say though, I thought their romance would be extremely predictable...it wasn't. There was a certain about about 20 or so chapters in that had me sitting here reading screaming "NO!!!!". But everything turned out well in the end. So does this have a HEA kind of ending? Yep!

What kept The Hit List from getting 5 stars?

Very minor, but this was something that bothered me after a little while. I found Sadie to be a tad bit too whinny at times, I completely understand her injury and the betrayal she felt thanks to Patrick but I felt she went on and on complaining about it. This also made it hard to picture her as New Adult character, I wanted her to be more mature and accept what happened and move on faster.


Overall, I found The Hit List to be a great debut read! This book has made me dig up my copy of Centre Stage and re-watch it. This is definitely a book I will be re-reading again sometime soon, I only wish that it was a series instead of a standalone. Would I recommend The Hist List? Yes! Have you seen the two teasers I included? Doesn't think make you curious? If so, pick up this book!

Giveaway

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About the Author

Nikki fell in love with books at a young age and looked forward to reading a book with her mom before bed every night. It was only a matter of time until her love of reading turned into a love of putting those words onto the page. Now, her days are spent helping those overcoming opiate addiction and her nights are spent writing. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and two stubborn cats.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest

FULL SCHEDULE

November 6 - A Perfection Called Books (guest post), Oops! I Read A Book Again (excerpt)

November 7 - Lost in Ever After (guest post)

November 8 - Zili in the Sky (guest post), Kimberlyfaye Reads (review)

November 9 - Met in Eleven (interview), Bookish Wanderlove (review)

November 10 - Refreshingly Riki (review), The Cover Contessa (guest post)

November 11 - RELEASE DAY BLITZ

November 12 - Beauty and the Bookshelf (interview), FicWishes (review)

November 13 - Fly to Fiction (review), Curling Up With A Good Book (interview)

November 14 - Live To Read ~Krystal (review), Bumbles and Fairy-Tales (interview)

Thank you Spencer Hill Contemporary!!

Review: Bittersweet

Bittersweet

Author: Sunday James
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Publisher: Hothouse Fiction Ltd
Publication Date: October 2 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 320
Source: AToMR Promotions
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Rating: ★★★

Sparks fly between a sexy stranger and a small-town waitress in this steamy new contemporary romance…

When new teen TV series 'Bittersweet' begins shooting in Dogwood, Virginia, the small town is abuzz with excitement. But local waitress Cathy Johnson has too much on her plate to waste time being star-struck. To Cathy, "bittersweet" is just the word that sums up her love-life after her high school romance ended in disaster. Since then she’s hardly had time to brush her hair, let alone think about relationships. Certainly not the kind being played out in front of the cameras by impossibly beautiful actors posing as teenagers…

But all that changes when tall, dark, blue-eyed stranger Greg Moran arrives in Dogwood along with the 'Bittersweet' cast and crew. Cathy and the devastatingly sexy New Yorker have instant chemistry. But Greg blows hot (STEAMING hot) and cold with her romantically, leaving Cathy’s head in a spin. She has a feeling he’s keeping something from her… If Cathy is willing to drop her emotional walls, why is Greg still so intense and mysterious? What is it in his past – or present – that means he’s keeping Cathy at arm’s length? How badly has his heart really been broken before?

Cathy and Greg are magnetically drawn to one another, but they’ll have to fight to keep their relationship from turning sour. Will they make it? If it’s hard to let go of the past, falling in love can be BITTERSWEET… (Goodreads)

Opening Lines

“As the sun finally begins to sink lower in the sky, I stare at the piles of trash neatly stacked up in the dumpster with a smile on my face, drawing in a last breath of the warm summer air before I head back inside.”

Bittersweet was a good New Adult read, I found that it flowed well and had a cute small town appreciation. I had some problems being able to connect with the characters but I really loved how Greg wasn't the typical New Adult jerk-character that seems to be in almost every book. He was genuine and so sweet! And Cathy, as much as she had plans to get out of town she said to take care of her father and you can see how much she loves her family.

There was obvious chemistry between Cathy and Greg that just seemed to get hotter and hotter as the story progressed. I really enjoyed the writing style and how descriptive Sunday James was. I felt like I was really seeing Dogwood and it made me love the small town atmosphere more.

What kept Bittersweet from getting 5 stars?

As much as Bittersweet was an interesting read and had good characters I couldn't connect with any of them. There wasn't really anything about them that made me love them or hate them. I felt like there was so much we weren't told about Greg's character. We learned about his past but I still felt there was a lot missing. Also, this book was told completely from Cathy's POV. I would have probably enjoyed this more if there was at least a view chapters from Greg's POV, this would allot for the readers to really get inside his mind and to better understand him. Another issue I had with Bittersweet was I found there was just too many things taking place! It's was like the sub plot had a sub plot and made it very hard for me to follow he story at times. 

Overall, Bittersweet was a cute read! As much as I had some issues with it, I did find it to be a pretty good debut novel for Sunday James. Will I be continuing with this series? Maybe, I'll need to read the synopsis first to see where she plans to take the story.

Giveaway!

(1) $10 USD Amazon Gift Card

-1) $5 USD Amazon Gift Card.

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About the Author

Sunday James is the pen name of author Sareeta Domingo, when writing the New Adult contemporary romance series BITTERSWEET. She lives in London and works as an editor at creative book packager Hothouse Fiction, squeezing writing into her mornings, evenings and weekends – but promises she has a life…

She loves all things American – literature, history, popular culture – so much so that she even lived and studied in California, but somehow missed out on being swept off her feet by a devastatingly handsome but mysterious actor while she was there. Luckily, writing BITTERSWEET has allowed her to live that dream.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

ARC Review: His Frozen Heart

Author Nancy Straight will be touring His Frozen Heart from November 3-14, 2014.  Click here to join us for reviews and more!

His Frozen Heart

Author: Nancy Straight
Series: Brewer Brothers, #1
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Suspense
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: November 9th, 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 400
Source: WordSmith Publicity
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Rating: ★★★★ . 5

For best friends, Candy and Libby, money is tight with hardly enough to cover their living expenses. When they are desperate for grocery money, the girls bet on their pool playing skills to add to their income.

A simple wager on a quiet winter evening has devastating results, with a stalker determined to kill them both. With Libby in the hospital after a vicious attack, and Candy being pursued by the same stalker, she vows to find Libby's attacker.

What she finds is Dave, an old friend with a secret past filled with misfortune. Will Dave’s past provide the answer to all of Candy’s problems or will it become Candy’s worst nightmare realized? (Goodreads)

**I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All quotes taken from a pre-published copy may be altered or omitted from the final version. **

Opening Lines

“I ran to the shadow of an enormous maple tree and crouched low to the ground. I couldn’t believe I had let Libby talk me into this. We had set our alarm clock for 2 AM, then sneaked out of my house while my parents were sound asleep.”

The minute I read the synopsis for His Frozen Heart I signed up for the blog tour. There was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity, this was my first read by Nancy Straight and it was definitely a good one. The first chapter or two left me a little hesitant in a way, I just wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into and how this story was going to be delivered, but a few more chapters in and I was hooked! I read this is one sitting, I just couldn't put it down! The suspense of it all kept me on my toes, and there was a perfect blend of romance. I really liked how Candy's and Libby's problems were realistic and ones that I believe a lot of people can somewhat relate to. Mind you, yes there were easier solutions to their problems but then we wouldn't have this amazing book now would we?

“I’m saying I didn’t know how lonely I was until you came into my life. Before you I had a frozen heart, and you were like a nitro charge.”

As much as this story is more about Candy all I cared about was Dave! Don't get me wrong I really liked Candy's character, but Dave just took my heart and he was all I cared about. He's been through so much and when we get information about his past I felt my heart break. I just wanted to hug him, hold him, and tell him everything would be okay and that he's not alone! I also have a thing for Obsessive-Compulsive characters, so that just added to the swooning! All the characters that we were introduced to played an interesting part, even if it was small. I liked that towards the end we get an update of some of the characters and their parents. It was a nice way to not leave everything hanging. The romance was beautifully written, what I liked most about it was that it didn't fall prey to the typical New-Adult romance standard. I admit this genre seems to get a lot of frowns from readers because a lot of them focus on sex, but that wasn't the case with His Frozen Heart. There was a real romance written that gradually built, yes it happened in a some-what short time span but it wasn't instal-love and it was clean!


What kept His Frozen Heart from getting 5 stars?

Really minor, hence the 4.5 Stars, but I was left with so many questions when His Frozen Heart came to an end! Then when I was first putting my review together I noticed that Amazon has it listed as a series. Well dang!! If only I knew that before hand! I was expecting this to be a standalone (I'm not complaining!) so I thought what we saw of these characters would be all we got, I wanted to know what would happen to Mark and his background. Guess I'll get my questions answered in the books to come! Fingers crossed!

Overall, His Frozen Heart was a great suspenseful read! Like I said above, this is my first Nancy Straight read but it won't be the last! This was well written, flowed, and I didn't come across any errors. Will I be continuing with the series? Yes. Would I recommend His Frozen Heart? Yes! I recommend this to anyone that looking forward a great combination of New Adult, Suspense, Mystery and clean Romance!

Giveaway!

$100 Amazon gift card, 10 signed paperbacks, 10 audiobooks, and 20 ebooks

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About the Author

I LOVE Starbucks’ White Mocha Latte and Mountain Dew, (but not together). I have a lead foot so I set cruise control when I drive, even in 25 MPH zones. I almost never win when I play Angry Birds, but have my 9 year old close, so he can clear the hard levels for me. I grew up on a farm and am opposed to eating fresh chicken (not opposed to meat - just opposed to any meat that was alive a few hours before lunch). I am a huge fan of the show, Big Bang Theory, on CBS. I share my life with two fantastic sons, three rotten dogs and a husband that I adore.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Review: Blocked

Blocked

Author: Jennifer Lane
Genre: New Adult, Sports, Romance
Publisher: Psyched Publishing
Publication Date: Oct 21 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 300
Source: ATOMR Promotions
Purchase: Amazon

Rating: ★★★★

College freshman Lucia Ramirez has a secret crush on Dane Monroe. He’s a tall drink of water — blond, brash, and one hell of a volleyball player. ¡Híjole! Lucia hopes her volleyball scholarship to his school will make him notice her.

Too bad what’s noticeable is Dane’s obvious hatred for Lucia. Her family’s politics contradict everything he stands for. And politics are front and center in both their families. Dane’s mother is about to face Lucia’s father in the race for US President.

When Secret Service throws them together, Dane can’t deny his frustrating attraction to Lucia’s athletic curves and sweet faith in the world. Amid the intense pressure of college athletics and presidential politics, can opposites not just attract, but overcome overwhelming odds to be together? Or do their differences block their match from the start? (Goodreads)

Opening Lines

"As I plopped down on the bleachers and scanned my new teammates around me, one word came to mind: heaven. I wasn't the tallest girl in the gym for the first time in my eighteen years on earth."

It is actually so hard to write a review for this book without giving anything away! For some reason the idea of Dane's mother and Lucia' father running for president made me hesitant to read this at first. I don't know why, but I wasn't sure how that would really be written in a way that readers could find it realistic. I didn't really know what to expect when I started this, I was really looking forward to reading something with sports playing a high role but was nervous about the election/politics. I will say this, the synopsis does NOT prepare you for the different issues Dane and Lucia encounter throughout Blocked.

We get to see this story from Lucia and Dane's perspective, which makes this story 10 times more enjoyable! I don't think I would have enjoyed this as much if this was only written from Lucia's point of view. Both character were amazing! I felt I could really relate and connect with them, especially Lucia, her insecurities made her real and easy for young readers and athletes to connect to. Their relationship was perfect! It gradually built and there was no cringe worthy insta-love. Now the secondary characters, I wanted more parts with Maddison, China, Allison and Brad! I only wish we got to see more of the friendship side of things.

Why is this not a series? I'm just going to sit her and continuously chant "SERIES!!" until it happens. On second thought, scratch that I might be here for awhile. With all the great characters we are introduced to I would love to read their stories and of course have a little Dane and Lucia in the background! Blocked made me laughing, shake my head and giggle at Lucia's awkward/embarrassing/but cute moments at the beginning with Dane, cry when things got tough, and smile at how everything played out.

The ending. OMG, I loved it!! This was the ending I wanted but didn't think I would get. Yes, I can understand why some readers might not be a fan of it but it makes the most sense and it's just a perfect tie up to everything that took place in Blocked.


What kept Blocked from getting 5 stars?

Don't let this list foul you! I'm a picky reader and the smallest things will jump out at me. These are somethings that I kept thinking about and I'm probably the only one that had a questioned it.

• Situation overload!! - Although it all worked out in the end, I felt there were too many different things/topics covered in this standalone. Between Lucia's issues, Dane's issues, and their family  issues it just seemed like a lot of things crammed into one, mind you it did all work out in the end!
• VP, where are you? - Now I know that Lucia's father and Dane's mother are running against each other for US President but unless I missed it, which I'm pretty sure I didn't, there wasn't a single mention or indication about a Vice President. Uh, I found this to be kind of odd. 
• Behind the scenes - I felt like there was a lot of things that happened that we didn't know about until it's mention as an after thought. For example, when Lucia talks to Dane's Coach. Moments like this had me scrolling back thinking I missed something. 

Overall, Blocked was an awesome self discovery and coming-of-age read! This was filled with great characters, amazing character development and excellent writing. I wish this was released in paperback because this is a book I want sitting on my bookshelf! I recommend this to all Young-Adult and New Adult readers!

Giveaway!

- $15 Amazon Gift Card

- eBook of BLOCKED

- BLOCKED cover cookie

- BLOCKED bookmark

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About the Author

Get psyched for romance with psychologist/author (psycho author) Jennifer Lane! By day she witnesses growth in her psychotherapy clients, and by night she wrangles misbehaving fictional characters as she writes sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist. She can’t decide which is more fun.

A swimmer and volleyball player in college, Jen wove some of her own experiences into Streamline—a military mystery about swimmers. And readers can dip their toes into Jen’s world of swimming romance by sampling her free New Adult novella Swim Recruit.

College volleyball romance Blocked is Jen’s newest release, launching 10-21-14. Peek inside big-time college sports and even bigger national politics when the offspring of two presidential candidates find out whether opposites really do attract, or their match is blocked from the start.

Stories of redemption interest Jen the most, especially the healing power of love. She is also the author of The Conduct Series, a romantic suspense trilogy that includes With Good Behavior, Bad Behavior, and On Best Behavior. Ultimately, whether writing or reading, Jen loves stories that make her laugh and cry.

In her spare time she enjoys exercising, attending book club, hanging out with her plus-size, “I’m not fat, I’m big-boned” Izzie cat, and visiting her sisters and their families in Chicago and Hilton Head.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Review: Unethical

Unethical

Author: Jennifer Blackwood
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Publisher: Entangled: Embrace
Publication Date: October 20th, 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 277
Source: Good Choice Reading Book Tours
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Rating: ★★★. 5

Love burns hotter the second time around…

Two years ago, the medical world was shaken by scandal, and Payton Daniels's family was at the center of it. The second she graduated, Payton left everything behind―her high school sweetheart, her family, and the controversy surrounding her mother's death—and hid within the anonymity of college. But Payton’s ex, Blake Hiller, hasn't forgiven her for leaving, and when he enrolls in the same medical ethics class, she panics. She can’t run the risk of him telling everyone who she really is.

As if being at the same university isn’t enough, both Blake and Payton land the same internship. Forced together, their passion for each other reignites, but when Payton is asked to testify in her father’s high-profile trial, she must choose between risking her acceptance into medical school to help her father, and losing every connection to her past—including the only guy she’s ever loved. (Goodreads)

Join the Facebook Party taking place on October 22nd with some great authors and awesome prizes!

Opening Lines

"What did a homeless man, an AIDS victim, and a man in an

orange jumpsuit have in common?

Well, one of them was ruining my life.

I was about to find out how the other two were connected

once the professor began his lecture."

I've been racking my brain trying to figure out if I've ever read anything like Unethical before, but I don't think I have. I found Unethical to be a very unique and interesting read. I wasn't really sure what to expect when I first started this, would this be a wanna-be Grey's Anatomy? Private Practice? Nurse Jackie? Or maybe Mercy? Nope. While this is a medical drama, and boy did it have it's share of being on the dramatic side of things, I didn't find myself comparing anything to any of the previous television shows I mentioned.

I was a little worried that all the medical lingo would go completely over my head but I didn't find myself to be overwhelmed. Not only did Jennifer Blackwood do her research on the medical field but she touched on a topic that raising a lot of questions and scrutiny. I'm not going to give anything away (you'll have to read to find out) but the "scandal" with Payton's family really makes you stop and think. Which I loved because I wasn't really expecting a book that would make me reflect and second guess my views on certain things.

The romance, and Blake in general was swoon worthy! I loved the development between them and the sexual tension. But not only does Unethical focus on second-change romance, it also focuses on Payton having the opportunity at having a second-chance of living her life. As much as I liked the characters I found I spent time trying to figure out if Payton had a spilt personality. Going back and forth between being edgy and cautions to being an extreme flirt kind of gave me whip lash. I think Payton's portrayal of trying live a little could have been described better so that it didn't feel like two separate characters but one.

Overall, Unethical was an original and interesting read. I enjoyed my first medical drama and it's made me curious to see what else is out there. As an debut author, I think Jennifer Blackwood did a pretty good job. It read easily, which was extremely surprise for an ARC edition. I would have preferred a better tie up of things involving Andrew and Jules. Who knows, maybe Andrew will have his redemption in the next book? All I know is I want there to be a next book!

Giveaway!

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About the Author

Jennifer Blackwood is an English teacher and New Adult author. She lives in Oregon with her husband, son, and poorly behaved black lab puppy. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she’s binging on Veronica Mars episodes and white cheddar popcorn. Her debut novel, UNETHICAL, comes out October 20th from Entangled Embrace.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours

Review: Truth in Wildflowers

Truth in Wildflowers

Author: Kimberly Rose

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Series: Truth Series, #1
Publication Date: October 20, 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 280
Source: WordSmith Publicity
Purchase: Amazon

Rating: ★★★★. 5

Truth, love finds you.
Truth, love leads you.
Truth, love heals you.
Truth, love breaks you.

For college student Kensie, finding love hasn’t been easy. With a father she’s estranged from she finds it difficult to trust men, and with a past she’s ashamed of she is unable to trust herself. Kensie feels irrevocably stagnant with an unending desire to move. That is, until she meets August, and her life is set into motion.

After a tragic accident, August gave up on living. A captive to his guilt, he is unable to move on from his past. Then he finds a reason in Kensie. She awakes every dormant fiber of his being, but will she want him once she discovers he is everything she fears most?

Can Kensie let herself love August, or will the truth destroy her? (Goodreads)

Opening Lines

“Blurred. Black, and grey, maybe some white, but mostly black. There's a lot of black. My converse blur below me set amidst of a pile of bottles on the dry dirt. I should have never come here. I‘m not blind to the power of this place. I didn’t flee here to find any peace in my hell. I came here to add to the flames. I didn’t care much for improving my mood. How could I? ”

I still remember when I first laid eyes on Truth in Wildflowers cover, I couldn't stop staring at it. There's something so peaceful and beautiful about the set up. It makes me want a lot of things but mainly, it makes me want summer!

Now this book was just fantastic! Absolutely beautiful!!! I didn't really know what to expect when I started reading Truth in Wildflowers but I was not expect this book would make me laugh, swoon (I swooned hard!), cry, and laugh some more! I don't want to give away the story but basically Kensie hasn't lived an easy life, it's hard for her to trust men which leads to her not letting people in, and keeping her heart guarded. And she sure isn't expecting August to come into her life and break down all the walls she's keeping up. I really loved the dynamic relationship between Kensie and August, it was just...I can't find words for it!! Not only did I love their relationship but I also loved how everything played out, the secondary characters that really added to the story and added to the amount of times I laughed, the writing style, and how everything came together in the end.

Overall, Truth in Wildflower is a beautiful, heartwarming read!! Kimberly Rose has blown me away with her writing style and has left me wanting more! I can't believe this is her debut book, I'm so excited to read more from her. I hope I won't have to wait too long for book 2!!

Giveaway

10 ebooks (INT), 5 Prints (US)

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About the Author

Kim is a binge reader, devouring books one after another. She's creates characters and stories in the same way maintaing a notebook of thoughts and ideas. Truth in Wildflowers is the first time two characters have found a home in a full length book. 

Kim lives with her wonderful husband and fashionista daughter wherever the Navy takes them.

Website | Facebook

Review: Finding Her Way Back

**My review was originally suppose to be posted on October 9th, due to an error on my behalf I am posting this review on October 17th instead.**

Finding Her Way Back

Author: Heather Van Fleet
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Publication Date: October 7th, 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 248
Source: YA Bound Book Tours
Purchase: Amazon

Rating: ★★★

Meet Callie, a chubby-sexy nineteen-year-old girl who fears high heels, commitments, and has a love/hate relationship with her running shoes. Nine months of college down the drain and all she has to show for it is her freshman thirty.

But alas, life has other crap plans for her--one that includes a strict regiment of "do this and do that" from her she-devil sister, all while trying to avoid the unavoidable. The unavoidable being Ky: the ex-best friend-turned-sex god who lives across the street.

Meet Ky; a nineteen-year-old wanna be country music singer and a boy-turned-man who still wears a proverbial skateboard around his neck from wasted high school days. When Callie returns home, he realizes that she's exactly the muse he's been missing all this time.

Now, if only she can stop running long enough to find out where their love could lead. Finding Her Way Back is a new adult novel about finding love while learning how to love yourself. For all the chubby-sexy girls who tend to feel invisible, this one's for you! (Goodreads)

Opening Lines

“You need to lose weight. Pronto. I mean, look at how massive your hips have gotten, Callie. Freshman fifteen my ass…I’d say freshman thirty is more like it.”

Finding Her Way Back was an interesting and eye opening read. I really enjoyed Callie's character, I found her to be realistic and someone readers could actually relate to. My heart broke for her and all the things she had to go through. And then we have Anna, I never like using the word hate but I really REALLY disliked her. Even though we find out later on why she acts the way she does I couldn't find myself 100% sympathetic. And Callie and Anna's parents...they didn't seem realistic to me. I really didn't like the way they treated Callie.

At times I found Finding Her Way Back to be a little bit repetitive but I still managed to enjoy the story. As much as I really liked Callie and Kylan's characters I found it hard to connect with them. There was so much going on that I felt it took away from really focusing on Callie and Ky's relationship. I found myself constantly trying to keep up with all the different events happening that kept interfering with their relationship. Overall, Finding Her Way Back was an interesting read! I'm really curious to see if we'll get more Callie and Kylan in the future.

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Midwestern native Heather Van Fleet lives in a small town on the Iowa/Illinois border. She’s a wife to her hubby--and high school sweet heart--Chris, as well as a mom to her three little girls, Kelsey, Emma and Bella. When she’s not obsessing over her fictional book characters, cooking dinner, or running around chasing her crazy kiddos, you can usually find her with her head stuck in her Kindle, sucking down White Chocolate Mochas like they're water.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter

Review: The Reason I Stay

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The Reason I Stay

Author: Patty Maximini
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: September 9th, 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 283
Source: Xpresso Book Tours
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Rating: ★★★★

Jack Daniels is the cure to all evils.
Sex should be casual and, preferably, anonymous.
Giving a damn is for nurses, philanthropists and suicide hotlines.

My name is Mathew Rogers and those are the values I built my adult life around. They are also the reason I had to forsake everything I loved in Seattle and embark on a solitary road trip across the country, with no direction other than searching for the next small town, the next girl, and the closest liquor store.

Boredom, frustration and a series of unfortunate decisions led me to the rickety-ass town of Jolene, Alabama—a town I wanted to leave behind from the moment I passed the welcome sign. But it was there where I met her. The girl who made me question everything I’ve always believed in, and the only one who has ever had the power to break my heart.

Her name is Lexie.

She’s beautiful, and I’m pretty sure she hates me.

And for once in my life, I give enough of a damn that I keep finding a reason to stay. (Goodreads)

Opening Lines

“A moan comes from behind me and I freeze. Please don’t wake up.
I peek over my shoulder and see her beautiful face framed by a halo of bright pink hair resting on one of the pillows. Her parted lips are pulled up in the corners in that subconscious fully-sated smile women sometimes get after a night of rolling in sheets. And man, this woman deserves it.”

I don't pick books in the "normal conventional" way that I'm sure most people do, what I mean is I don't read the synopsis first. When I came across The Reason I Stay is was instantly drawn to the cover. The use of colours, the crop of her face, the lips, everything about this cover screams a softness and swoon worthy read. I was already hooked onto the cover and sold but decided to read the synopsis which only made me more excited to read this book.

The Reason I Stay is told in dual perspective from Matt and Lexie, which I loved. When most authors do this there is normally more chapters by the main character, but Patty Maximini has an even amount of chapters by both Matt and Lexie that made me feel like I was finally getting the full picture into their romance, thoughts, emotions, and the scenery itself.

“The more one forgets himself—by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love—the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself.”

Viktor E. Frankl – Man’s Search For Meaning”

Right off the bat I disliked Matt's character, ugh he got on my nerves! But I knew I would grow to swoon over him, and boy did I swoon. Throughout The Reason I Stay we really get to know Matt and I really enjoyed watching this character evolve, Patty Maximini perfectly executes on character development and growth. The above quote was place before the first chapter and I found it to be the PERFECT quote that related to Matt's personal growth and journey through The Reason I Stay. And then we have Lexie, now Lexie is on my list of favourite characters. She's strong and doesn't take crap from anyone or let people walk over her. I loved their first interaction, Lexie gave Matt what he deserved which let him really thinking about his life and how he treats people. Lexie didn't make things easy for Matt which had me sitting her yelling "You go Lexie!" at my computer, but their chemistry starts to build and the love between them is so touching to witness.

Overall, The Reason I Stay is a beautiful, swoon worthy read that everyone needs to get their hands on! I found myself to fully invested in the story and characters and I just didn't want it to come an end. I kept telling myself I wouldn't get emotional but I found my eyes watering at just how beautiful this story truly is overall. Do I recommend it? YES!

About the Author

Hopeless dreamer, tattoo enthusiast, Disney addict and hoarder of nail polishes and vegan recipes. Patty lives with her husband, her crazy cat, two dogs and elderly bunny in a house frequently visited by wild birds and chipmunks.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Review: Apolonia

We would love for you to join us in celebrating the release of   APOLONIA by New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jamie McGuire!

Apolonia

Author: Jamie McGuire
Genre: NA, Sci-Fi, Romance
Publisher: Jamie McGuire LLC
Publication Date: October 6th, 2014
Cover Design: Okay Creations, Sarah Hansen
Format: ebook
Pages: 297
Source: WordSmith Publicity
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Rating: ★★★★. 5

“They killed me, but I survived.”

Three years after Rory Riordan foiled her own murder, she still trusts no one. Not Dr. Z, the eccentric college professor who has taken her under his wing, not Benji, the endearing, attractive classmate who insists on following her around, and certainly not Cy, the beautifully dark and mysterious boy who sits on the first row in Dr. Z’s Astrobiology class and asks far too many questions.

When Rory witnesses Cy being abducted by soldiers in the middle of the night, she finds herself submersed in a world that holds even more secrets than she could imagine--even darker secrets than her own.

From #1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire, experience the perfect combination of her bestselling books Providence & Beautiful Disaster. This New Adult Sci-Fi Romance is an action-packed, whiplash-inducing roller coaster ride. Page after page, this unpredictable, dark and sexy nail biter will keep readers guessing until the very end! (Goodreads)

Opening Lines

“THEY’D KILLED ME, but I survived. While lying on the hotel floor, my long black hair saturated with blood, I’d thought my life was over, except it wasn’t.”

I've only read one other book by Jamie McGuire and its Happenstance, which is a Young-Adult, Contemporary Romance novella. From what I gathered her books are normally new adult/young-adult romance novels. So when I came across this on Goodreads I was intrigued! I read the synopsis and thought to myself "This isn't a Jamie McGuire book, Sci-Fi? Really?!" The geek in me let out a squeak of excitement. I was extremely excited and looking forward to getting my hands on Apolonia. Of course before I could even read the synopsis my eyes were glued to the cover. I love the use of colours and how distorted it looks. It has a real Science Fiction feel to it, also it reminded me of something out of ReBoot!!

“Everything that kills me
Makes me feel alive.”

—One Republic, “Counting Stars”

Just before you flip over to page one, Apolonia opens up with some lyrics from OneRepublic. So obviously I played "Counting Stars" a couple of times while reading this, okay fine, more than a couple. Apolonia had me hooked from the first page! I couldn't help but picture Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls) as Rory Riordan. Rory is the kind of character that makes you just want to laugh, she's sassy, a badass and 100% independent! I loved the other characters and secondary characters throughout this novel, they all brought something to the story. As much as Cy is attractive, I instantly swooned over Benji. He's just so, UGH!!! I want him. -

“My heart was ramming against my rib cage, pumping gallons of blood through my body with such force. My fingers, toes, and eyes were throbbing with every beat. My mind fought to stay in the present, but the yelling and the sound of panic in Cy’s voice brought me back to the night when they’d murdered the people I loved most—including who I used to be."

Jamie McGuire does a fantastic job of keeping the story alive and not once did I find myself bored! I found this book was able to pull out a lot of different emotions out of me, there was one part where my eyes just wouldn't stop watering! I love her writing style and how descriptive Apolonia was, my imagination was running wild with this one. Overall, Apolonia was amazing!! I wish it was series because I want more...well, I don't want to spoil anything. But I want to see these characters again!

Giveaway!

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About the Author

Jamie McGuire was born in Tulsa, OK. She attended the Northern Oklahoma College, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Autry Technology Center where she graduated with a degree in Radiography.

Jamie paved the way for the New Adult genre with international bestseller, Beautiful Disaster. Her follow-up novel Walking Disaster debuted at #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. She has also written apocalyptic thriller Red Hill, a novella titled A Beautiful Wedding, and the Providence series, a young adult paranormal romance trilogy.

Jamie lives on a ranch just outside Enid, OK with husband Jeff and their three children. They share their 30 acres with cattle, six horses, three dogs, and Rooster the cat.

Find Jamie at www.jamiemcguire.com or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook