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...

Giveaway!

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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!!

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: 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.

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Review: It Happened One Wedding

It Happened One Wedding

Author: Julie James
Series: FBI/US Attorney, #5
Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Jove
Publication Date: May 6th, 2014
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 292
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Rating: ★★★★. 5

SHE KNOWS BETTER THAN TO SAY “I DO”.
After a humiliating end to her engagement, investment banker Sidney Sinclair is done with commitment-phobic men. But when her sister winds up engaged after a whirlwind courtship, she’s thrown in to close contact with exactly the kind of sexy playboy she wants to avoid—the gorgeous best man. She’s stuck with him, for better or worse, until her sister walks down the aisle, but that doesn’t mean she has to give in to his smooth advances, no matter how tempting they are…

BUT HE MAKES IT HARD TO SAY “I DON’T”.
Special Agent Vaughn Roberts always gets his man on the job and his woman in bed. So Sidney’s refusal to fall for his charms only makes him more determined to win over the cool and confident redhead. Only what starts out as a battle of wills ends up as a serious play for her heart. Because the one woman who refuses to be caught may be the only one Vaughn can’t live without…(Goodreads)

Opening Lines

"Well-trained in the art of reading the subtle cues of body language, FBI Special Agent Vaughn Roberts was quite certain this date was going down in flames."

The Good

Julie James has done it again! I swear she can do no wrong. 

I read It Happened One Wedding in one sitting which seems to be a running theme with any books I read by her. Even after I finished it I went back and read it again...and again. The amount of times I re-read her books is insane, they're all just so humorous and upbeat that it's hard to read it once and not think about it again. I would love to see at least one of her books turned into a movie, obviously with the right production team so they don't ruin it (my biggest fear). From the day that this was posted on Goodreads I've been looking forward to read this, sadly the Chapters in my area didn't have any for the longest time! Luckily I ended up grabbing it from the library last month. 

At first I wasn't sure if I would loved Sydney. Don't get me wrong I liked her but I didn't instantly love her like all of Julie James' other characters. I think it was how her job and work ethics were described that made me a little ify of her, but after a couple of chapters she definitely grew on me! Now Vaughan, well I liked him from the first coffee shop scene. I really enjoyed the banter between the two of them, I couldn't even keep track of the amount of times I laughed out loud because of them. Vaughan's brother Simon is just hilarious with his "Oh. My. God!" If you've read this already you know what part I'm talking about. One character that I surprisingly didn't like was Isabella, I just couldn't warm up to her. Like how heartless are you to have your wedding at the same location!!! GRR. She just came off as really selfish to me. This book felt different from the rest of the books in this series. With Agent Vaughan working undercover I was expecting tons of action scenes however I felt like this one lacked action when it came to the FBI side of things.

Overall, It Happened One Wedding was an amazing read! Great characters, hilarious plot, and the romance and swooning was just perfect! I'm highly looking forward to the next book in this series Suddenly One Summer (FBI/US Attorney #6) which is about Ford!! I also need to read About That Night (FBI/US Attorney, #3) because I feel like I missed something involving Agent Seth Huxley! I swear Julie James is torching us on purpose with making us have to wait for Wilson's story...

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

Review: The Accidental Kiss

The Accidental Kiss

Author: Nicole Simone
Series: The Kiss series, #1
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: Nicole Simone
Publication Date: August 12th, 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 279
Source: InkSlinger PR
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Rating: ★★★★.5

They were like fire and ice.

But he was everything she didn’t know she needed.

Marked by tragedy, Sky Noel leaves Los Angeles with her mom to start anew in Castor, a small town in Louisiana. It was supposed to be Sky’s chance to have a normal life but she soon finds out normal isn’t written in her DNA.

When a mysterious boy named Daemon shakes up Sky’s fragile hold on reality, she is thrust into a world where zombies and voodoo not only exist in the pages of a novel. They are hidden in the darkest corners where danger lurks and death awaits. With a price on her head, Sky has to put her trust in the boy with the ocean blue eyes but is Daemon everything she was warned against and more?

Tricked into selling his soul, Daemon lives out his existence at the mercy of the voodoo priest. That is until one fateful night when his path is forever changed.

Desperate to atone for his sins, Daemon brings it upon himself to protect Sky at any cost. However, a secret hidden in his past could rip away the very person who makes him feel human again. (Goodreads)

Opening Lines

The stark white hallways smelled like cleaning fluid as I navigated my way through the throngs of students. I glanced down at the piece of white paper with the number 301 written on it and looked back up. Down right panic coursed through my veins when I realized the lockers didn’t have numbers on them; only weird symbols that looked as if they belonged in a geometry book. I was totally screwed. ”

Excerpt From: Nicole Simone. “The Accidental Kiss.” iBooks.

The Good

…she soon finds out normal isn’t written in her DNA.”

Oh Sky, I kind of giggled at how far from normal her life really is! The second I saw the cover for The Accidental Kiss I just knew I had to read it. I mean have you seen that cover? Go ahead; scroll back up at look at it. Hot right?! I love the pose of the characters, and the smoking background and skulls are a perfect touch for this paranormal book. I honestly had my fingers tripled crossed hoping I would make it onto the tour, and it was my Waiting on Wednesday pick on my other blog. This book sounded amazing and I knew there would be a lot of people signing up. Thank you InkSlinger PR!!

I devoured this book as soon as I received the ARC, I read it so fast that a couple of days later I had to re-read it. I did some research and found out that Nicole has been working on this story for 5 years, this just goes to prove that handwork really pays off! I loved this book so much. I don't read a lot of Paranormal books because I'm a picky individual but this one is making it onto my paranormal favourites list! The world building was executed perfectly, which is something a lot of authors struggle with in the fantasy and paranormal genre. There is a unique and interesting combination of zombies (omg, yes) and magic/voodoo that really works out well in this story.

Now let's talk about the characters, they are just PERFECT! Sky is an all around great character, she can handle her own and does a really good job at adapting to her new lifestyle, plus I loved her attitude. Now Daemon...can I have him? Please?! If I was to ever come across a real life Daemon I would jump him in a heartbeat! The chemistry between them is great, and the sexual tension. OMG! I had the biggest grin on my face while reading certain parts of this! And the little one liners Daemon would give had me laughing so hard. Daemon and Sky were seriously a perfect combination that really complemented each other. The only thing I didn't like, and it's really minor, was the ending! For me it came too soon and now I'm impatiently waiting for book two! I'll be stalking Nicole's Goodreads page & Website until I find a release date :).

“Due to my random intellect, the silence didn’t last long. “Did you know kangaroos have three vaginas?” All three pairs of eyes landed on me.”

Excerpt From: Nicole Simone. “The Accidental Kiss.” iBooks.

Lasting Impression

Overall, The Accidental Kiss did not disappoint me! I cannot wait to continue with this series, seriously I just can't wait. I also plan on reading more by Nicole Simone, I really love her writing style. I'll be re-reading this again later this month, yes I loved it THAT much!

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Nicole Simone works in digital media by day and at night, pen’s character driven romance novels that will make your mama blush. She lives in Los Angeles, C.A with her fat bulldog named Humphrey.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Review: Happenstance

Happenstance

Author: Jamie McGuire
Series: Happenstance, #1
Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Jamie McGuire LLC
Publication Date: May 9th, 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 131
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Rating: ★★★★.5

Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Erin Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin A. and Erin M. are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Erin Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Erin A. has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.

Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Erin Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Erin does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.

But when a shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, Erin's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything Erin thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated. (Goodreads)

First Impression

I first came across Happenstance when I signed up for a Book Blitz for Happenstance, #2. After signing up and reading the summary for the first book I went on the hunt for it. I feel like I know what's going to happen/how this will play out but let's just dive in and see!

Opening Lines

"Go home. Turn off the lights. And kill yourself."

The Good

Can I just drool over this cover first? It's so simple, yet so beautiful!

This is my first Jamie McGuire read. I own Beautiful Disaster but haven't felt like reading it. After reading the synopsis I felt like I knew how this was going to play out and I was right...well partially, allow me to explain. I don't want to spoil what happens but what I thought would happen does indeed happen, but there is a certain turn of events that lead up to it that I didn't see coming! I was shocked that Jamie McGuire did that.

While some might complain that Happenstance was too short, I actually happen to like the idea of a novella series. McGuire did an excellent job of giving us all the information we needed within the short span of 100 - 131 pages, although there was only one thing I felt was missing (which you can find below).

I loved Erin, having been bullied myself I could really relate and connect with her. This book made me so angry at all the different parts in which they bullied her. They were all just so cruel!! I enjoyed how she gradually built up to standing up for herself and the support she got from Weston. Now Weston, SWOON! There was just something about his character I can't place exactly what it is but he's just so sweet and you can tell he truly cares about Erin.

Favourite Quotes

There are more quotes than this that I just loved but they were spoilers! 

“Neither of us felt the need to fill the silence as we watched the storm clouds slowly close in on the stars above.”

“You smell like ice cream.”
My breath caught. “So?”
“I’m just kind of wondering if you taste like it.”

Excerpt From: McGuire, Jamie. “Happenstance: A Novella.” iBooks.

The In-Between

Maybe it's just me, but I really would have liked it if there was a chapter or two from the other Erin's perspective. It would have been nice to have some insight as to what went wrong, why did the Erin's and other students feel the need to bully Easter? Why did they stop talking to her? I don't think we'll get that in the upcoming book but I could be wrong, although I doubt it.

Lasting Impression

Overall, Happenstance was so good, SO GOOD! I was in a really bad reading slump and this brought me out of it. I'm really impressed with Jamie McGuire's writing style and I can't wait to read more books by her! But mainly, I can't wait for Happenstance 2 to be released! 6 more days!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Review // Lover Unknown

Lover Unknown

Author: Ellie Kincade
Series: Lover Unknown, #1
Genre: Romance, Erotica
Publisher: Ellie Kincade
Publication Date: July 22nd, 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 34
Source: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis (NetGalley):

Passion without boundaries.

The freedom of the unknown.

A night you’ll never forget.

Welcome to Club Q.

Hadley has never been one to shy away from a challenge between the sheets, but she’s been craving something she just can’t put her finger on. When a mysterious silver envelope shows up on her desk at work, inviting her to join Club Q, she’s about to get everything she didn’t even know she wanted.

A haven for the rich and beautiful, little is known about Club Q to those not on the list. For Chicago’s elite it means sex unlike anything they had ever experienced before

---

First Impression

I was looking for something short & sweet and I came across Lover Unknown. Something about this reminds me of S.E.C.R.E.T. by L. Marie Adeline, but that's probably just me. Either way this still sounds good!

Opening Lines

Attempting to look preoccupied, I twirled the silver envelope through my fingers, willing myself to take that one last step. All I had to do was walk around the corner-off the main strip of city lights, and into a dimly lit alley-and there I was. Club Q.”

The Good

Wait. No. NOO!! That’s it? Do you know how many times I kept clicking on the arrow hoping there would be more? At least one more chapter! There is so much I want to say but it’ll just spoil the story for everyone, so my lips are sealed! This book was Steamy with a capital S! Eight pages in and Ellie Kincade had my body tingling with the description of Hadley getting check! Oh boy. It just kept getting better and hotter and the last chapter I completely didn’t see that coming!

“I felt the unfamiliar body shift behind me as the check continued-this time up the inside of my legs, connecting with every inch of thing. Higher and higher his hands lifted, seemingly in slow motion”

The Bad

• Nothing!

The In-Between

• Zilch.

Lasting Impression

Overall, Lover Unknown was fantastic! Ellie Kincade, as a debut novella you deserve a pat on the back and a round of applause! I need book 2 now! Also, I want to read more about Nina. I know her story would be a good one!

Thanks for stopping by!