Friday, June 28, 2013

Feature & Follow Friday! (#23)


*Fun blog hop feature hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read*

Q: What is your preferred reading format? Hardcover, eBooks, paperback etc?

I prefer reading eBooks on my Kindle when I'm traveling because it's convenient, lightweight, and I can purchase books instantly if I need to. But when I'm home I love to kick-back and read paperbacks. I like the feeling of reaching the last page of a physical book copy. Also, I like viewing the artwork and putting it on my well-read bookshelf—in an age of digital it's still nice to have the real thing around. I still love shopping at bookstores and until that option disappears (hopefully it never does) then I'm a paperback person. Although eBooks are wonderful and are easily accessible they're not always best in my opinion.

Preferred Follow Method:
Follow on Bloglovin 

You can follow me here! Leave a comment letting me know and I'll follow you back! ;)  

What book format do you prefer? Or what's your opinion on mine? Let me know below! 






Monday, June 24, 2013

Just Like Fate (Giveaway!)


Hi everyone, I've decided to host another random giveaway for the ARC Just Like Fate! Just Like Fate is an upcoming YA Contemporary Romance penned by Cat Patrick & Suzanne Young. As promised I'm going to be hosting many more giveaways in the future and I hope you'll all spread the word. My giveaway rules are listed below, follow them and enter! & May the odds be ever in your favor! (I'm a huge Hunger Games fan, what can I say!)

Just Like Fate Synopsis:

Caroline is at a crossroads. Her grandmother is sick, maybe dying. Like the rest of her family, Caroline's been at Gram's bedside since her stroke. With the pressure building, all Caroline wants to do is escape--both her family and the reality of Gram's failing health. So when Caroline's best friend offers to take her to a party one fateful Friday night, she must choose: stay by Gram's side, or go to the party and live her life.

The consequence of this one decision will split Caroline's fate into two separate paths--and she's about to live them both.

Friendships are tested and family drama hits an all-new high as Caroline attempts to rebuild old relationships, and even make a few new ones. If she stays, her longtime crush, Joel, might finally notice her, but if she goes, Chris, the charming college boy, might prove to be everything she's ever wanted.

Though there are two distinct ways for her fate to unfold, there is only one happy ending...


Giveaway Rules:
1. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
2. This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents (I apologize but I can't afford shipping costs!!)
3. Cheaters will be found out - I check all entries!
4. I'm not responsible for any lost or damaged prizes (If this happens I'm truly sorry!)
5. Winners will be contacted immediately, if you do not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen in your place!
 
GOOD LUCK!!!

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Stacking the Shelves! (#11)

~ Stacking the Shelves is a meme post hosted by: Tynga from Tynga's Reviews. Stacking the Shelves is a blog meme where you share your recent book purchases, physical book buys, review books, borrowed books, or any books you have recently acquired. ~
 
Since acquiring so many wonderful books from BEA, I've been very careful with accepting more than I can read! But I did go out of my way to buy some new books (yikes! I can't help myself) at my local warehouse bookstore. They had some pretty unbeatable deals with most books costing only $1 to $2!! So with that I present to you my latest additions to my ever-growing book collection!
 
 
 
 
 
 
E-Copies for Review: Bound by Night by: Larissa Ione 
 
What books did YOU get recently? & What do you think of the ones I picked up? Leave a comment below!!

Friday, June 21, 2013

The Prophecy (Review)


*Hi fantastic readers, today is my stop on The Prophecy Blog Tour. Right below you can find my review of this engrossing paranormal novel!*

*Presented by: SupaGurl Tours*

 The Prophecy
(Divinity Stone, #1)

Release Date: June 15th, 2013
Genre(s): YA Paranormal

My Review: (4/5 stars*)

The thing about The Prophecy is that I had very mixed feelings about it. I was drawn to the cover the second I laid eyes upon it, but I also had such high expectations. These expectations were somewhat met because I did enjoy the story but I had a couple of minor issues with it. Almost instantly I wanted to know what was going on with the protagonist Starlette, and why she is so angry all the time. Her behavior made me curious, and I enjoyed watching her spiral further into darkness—the harder the fall the more difficult it is to climb back up—I like damaged characters that have to overcome their problems. I loved the contrast in personalities between Star's friends Rose and Brandon; they added a level of fun and playfulness to the disaster that is Starlette's life. I grew fascinated with the unfolding events, and random clues dropped, and strange outbursts. Starlette was relatable through her angeras we all feel that way at some pointit was however, incredibly amusing to see how she dealt with it.


Starlette McKinley is seventeen-years-old and has just moved from bustling LA to the small quiet town of Shiloh. Her parents have decided a fresh start is just what she needs, that, and for her to see a therapist. Her move to a lifeless town was motivated after an incident occurred with a previous friend of hers. Star has an uncontrollable temper and once she's set off her anger rears its ugly head and bad things happen. Their is darkness brewing in Shiloh and it would appear she's at the epicenter. Her emotions are quickly getting out of hand and she fears her dark side will consume her and endanger anyone that stands in its way.
 
Now what threw me for a loop was the shifting of everyone's personalities. Star's parents are painted out to be nice and caring but as the story progresses they flip a switch and suddenly they're incredibly mean. Star continually looses it on them multiple times over really inconsequential things and she realizes she's hurting them but continues to do it anyways. Now her parents recognize she's temperamental and dealing with something huge but instead of helping they make things worse for her. It's a continuous battle of anger against anger and it kind of felt nonsensical and disjointed. Another thing that caught my attention was that Star's new to town and all of a sudden these boys start tripping over themselves to integrate themselves into her life. Granted, she's oblivious to their strange magnetism to her but at the same time she wants them. As is the case with most young-adult novels I wasn't feeling the insta-love or the chemistry between her and the guys. But on the other hand their is the potential for them to develop their relationships in the next book so I look forward to seeing that. Their is also an astounding amount of bad language on every other page which I'm usually all for but it was unnecessarily placed that neither furthers the story or enhances the character's portrayal of emotions.


Overall I was entertained by what was happening to Star, and super interested to see how it would all end. It leaves off at an unanticipated cliffhanger that has a pretty big twist. The writing is good, their is a few plot holes but nothing too noticeable, the story itself is very compelling so I will be continuing with this series to find out what becomes of Star and her friends. I liked that The Prophecy purposefully builds up momentum to a larger picture, I only wish we got to see more of it sooner. Fans of the paranormal genre should find this refreshing in its deliverance. It's a great start to a gripping series, certainly worth a read! But be warned of the inappropriate language as this novel is best suited for those 15 years or older.

Synopsis:

The people of Shiloh, Virginia thought it was just a story. A legend to keep children from misbehaving. A challenge to prove you have courage. What they didn't know was that it was real. All of it was real.

When Starlette McKinley moved from the sparkling lights of LA to the sleepy town of Shiloh, she didn't know that she would be the catalyst. She didn't know that the rage and energy pulsing through her would be the key to unleashing an insurmountable power that would either be the saving of mankind, or its destruction.

The blood will run, and the prophecy will be revealed. But will she be able to overcome the insurmountable odds? Or will she succumb to the energy within, welcoming the darkness that has become her only friend. 




Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Anything But Sweet (Review)

(Sweet, Texas, #1)

Release Date: June 25th, 2013
Published by: Avon Books
Genre(s): Adult Contemporary/Romance

My Review: (4.5/5 stars*)

Anything But Sweet is contagious and charming with a sweet Texas blend. This novel is the equivalent of ice cream on a hot summer day—literally. I tore through each page with vigor because I was so enthralled with the story. It goes beyond what the cover shows, it has layer upon layer of character complexity entwined with rich character back-stories that will touch your soul with raw feeling. It has plenty of lighthearted moments as well as equally heartrending ones. Charli is the heroine and she's driven, intelligent, confidant, sassy but can also be whimsical. I loved her character because she's persistent—going after what she wants—believing in herself as much as she believes in others. Then there's Reno Wilder - a Texas bred cowboy of a man whose been through so much loss that he can't deal with letting someone as enticing as Charli into his life for fear of further heartache. He's the alpha male type who is protective, strong, tortured yet caring, generous, and the brooding hero of the story. Reno and Charli were my favorite characters because their banter and tension between each other is irresistibly fiery and mesmeric.

I was worried this was going to be another clichéd story but was more than happily proved wrong. Terry's writing speaks volumes about how refined it is. Anything But Sweet is very much character-driven and the pace at which everything unravels is spot-on. I got lost within the pages as soon as I started reading. The secondary characters are no less interesting, Reno's brothers are mysteriously sexy, and the town of Sweet is full of quirky individuals. I liked that everyone was flawed with scarred pasts yet they battled their inner demons to overcome them. The story isn't all peaches and cream, but rather realistic and relatable. Their is some dark content but it never eclipses the light of the story but nor does that make it any less pivotal. The unexpected yet best part of the novel is the wisdom weaved within—from life, relationships, to death and the importance of moving on and just generally conquering difficult obstacles. It had a bit of everything and I thought what really shaped the story was the emotional conflicts that needed resolving.

Charlotte "Charli" Brooks travels all over the country to give run-down towns makeovers for a living. Reno Wilder loves his Texas hometown called Sweet just the way it is—rustic and charming—but Charli has big plans for it and his business on her televised makeover show. Reno does everything within his power to make the gorgeous city girl think twice about bringing change to his area but her stubborn determination, and extremely high heels refuse to budge. Reno is a cowboy whose resistant to anything new and emotionally dangerous while Charli is looking to shake things up and have some fun if only just for a little while. As their opposite lifestyles collide they find themselves swept away in a whirlwind of change including their initial assessment of each other. Charli will stop at nothing to get what she wants and what she wants is Reno Wilder
bringing change to his life is only the beginning.

I really enjoyed every aspect of this book especially the romance. It was fun, flirty, chalk full of sexual tension and excitement all the way through and the characters pulled me right in. The writing is excellent, the story is absolutely entertaining, and the romance is perfect. The only slight problem I had was that Reno was stubbornly blind at times to Charli's advances. Other than that this was such a sweet read. It's a cute story with a steamy romance that revolves around a small Texas town with a close knit community. Candis Terry expresses her character's feelings and emotions splendidly, and does a wonderful job making the readers believe and feel each and every one. Anything But Sweet made me laugh, smile with satisfaction, and even get a little teary-eyed. I'd most definitely and highly recommend it for new adult & adult romance readers! You'll be utterly charmed by Anything But Sweet!

Goodreads Synopsis:


HE’S STUBBORN AND THOROUGHLY MALE . . .

If Charlotte Brooks thinks she and her TV makeover show can turn Reno Wilder’s hometown upside down, he’ll be happy to prove her wrong. The x-Marine has seen too much turmoil and he likes Sweet, Texas, just the way it is. Traditional. Familiar. A little dull. Everything Charli isn’t. But instead of backing off from his scowls like everyone else, Charli digs in her skyscraper heels.

SHE’S TENACIOUS AND WICKEDLY TEMPTING . . .

Reno Wilder is a one-man unwelcoming committee, but Charli isn’t budging. It’s clear the gorgeous cowboy needs an overhaul just as much as Sweet. Someone needs to break him out of that gruff shell and show him how fun and rewarding a little change can be.

THEY’RE ABOUT TO FIND THAT LOVE IS ANYTHING BUT PREDICTABLE.

LINKS: GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR | B&N | SHELFARI !

Disclosure: A review copy was provided for an honest review.


Monday, June 17, 2013

You're Only Human: A Guide to Life (Mini-Review)


By: The Gecko (allegedly)
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Published by: Workman Publishing
Genre(s): Humor

My Review: (4/5 stars*)

I will make this short and brief. This was a cute little book that has a bunch of laughs to go with it. It delivers humorous points about why we're all human and I think it's enjoyably entertaining. The fact that it's supposedly told by the charmingly funny Gecko from Geico only makes it even more intriguing. You're Only Human is written with intellect and wit that makes it appealing to anyone looking for a quick, fun read. I wish that it had more text as it's comprised of lots of doodles and illustrations which make up at least 80% of the book itself. Overall it will take you less than an hour to finish and it'll give you a good laugh. It's the perfect book companion for car travel or if you just have some time to kill and are in need of some quirky amusement; this will provide you with that! 

Synopsis:

At last, The Gecko has written a book!

You know him and love him as one of the most famous characters on television, that humble, hardworking spokeslizard with the fetching accent. Turns out there s so much more to him. He s a philosopher, an aphorist, a humorist, an artist, a warm companion, a natural storyteller and, in a grand tradition, a keenly observant and wise outsider who in the course of living and traveling among us has discovered quite a lot about the things that make us human. Figuratively speaking, of course. You re Only Human is his brilliant take on people, written and illustrated with considerable charm.

He makes curious and interesting observations on everything from dreams to job interviews to adversity, Twitter to the Golden Rule (it s not what you think it is) to talking animals: I m really not sure what all the fuss is about. Lots of animals talk, including humans. The bigger question is, what do you have to say worth listening to?

You re Only Human will reveal a remarkable character who is equally at home discussing the secrets of the universe, and pie and chips. How lucky we are to publish his first book.

LINKS: GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR | B&N !

Friday, June 14, 2013

Leigh Ann Kopans (Author Interview)


*Today new YA author Leigh Ann Kopans stops by for a fun interview Q&A style! Her debut novel One just released and you can pick it up HERE!*

*Presented by: InkSlinger Blog Tours*

~Author Interview~ 
Raised on comic books and classic novels, Leigh Ann developed an early love of science fiction and literature. As an adult, she rediscovered her love for not only reading, but also writing the types of fiction that enchanted her as a teen. Her debut novel, ONE, is about a girl with only half a superpower, the boy who makes her fly, and her struggle to make herself whole.

Leigh Ann, her husband, and four children live in Columbus, Ohio. When she’s not immersed in the world of fiction, you can find her obsessing over the latest superhero movie or using her kids as an excuse to go out for ice cream (again.)


AUTHOR LINKS: BLOG | WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TWITTER | FACEBOOK !
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


It's really great to have you here Leigh Ann!

Thanks so much for having me over to your blog today! I’m so excited to be here.

1. What made you want to write about teenagers with superpowers?

Ohhh I’m so glad you asked that question! I think teens with superpowers are an awesome exaggerated allegory for teens in general – there are all these things about them that they’re not even quite aware of how to cultivate and use in the best way. Superpowers make kids awkward, but when they figure out how to use them, superpowers make kids awesome. I think it’s great symbolism for the awkwardness that is being a teenager, even in normal life.

2. Have you ever wished that you had a special ability? If so what power would you want and why?

Yes, of course! Who hasn’t? I would KILL to need less sleep, or even no sleep at all. I love the dark, I love the quiet, and I love being in my house when everyone is calm and asleep. I get so much done at those times, but I need to sleep too, and it’s a huge bummer! Think of how many books I could write if I just. Didn’t. need. Sleep!

3. What are your favorite reads?

I really do write what I love to read – YA Sci-Fi, romance, and sometimes even fantasy. In recent years, I’ve loved Elana Johnson, Beth Revis, and Trisha Leigh’s books, I recently read a YA romantic mystery called TORCHED by Andrea Colt that I adored, and one of my top ten favorite reads of all time is GRACELING by Kristin Cashore. I’m also a sucker for the classics – A Tale of Two Cities, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Little Women, and The Count of Monte Cristo are all favorites of mine.

4. Do you have any other books planned for the future?

Yes! The sequel to ONE, called TWO, will be out on October 8th, and I even have something up my sleeve for early 2014 – a YA romance! I’m  very excited.

5. What are your top five favorite movies?

Clueless, Pride and Prejudice (with Kiera Knightley!), Mulan, And ALL the superhero movies. Except Batman. I don’t like those. (I’m strictly a Marvel girl!)

6. How much of yourself goes into your characters?

I think different parts of me go into each of them. You could probably find all of me if you put my characters all together! LOL. But seriously, the way I draft is through hearing conversations between characters – I’ll “hear” them talking to each other, and I’m sure it’s just different parts of ME talking to other parts of me.

Seriously, though, we write what we know. Every single thing I write, characters and plot, is a reflection, in some way, of something I’ve seen or experienced. So, the answer is…a lot of myself goes into everything I write, including characters!

7. Favorite superhero of all time?

Jean Grey. She was literally one of the most powerful mutants in history, and she was so badassed about it that she didn’t even need a superhero name. I’ve loved her since I was a kid.

8. What's the hardest obstacle you had to face while writing?

That pesky TIME again! LOL. I have four small children and my life is lived entirely in bits and pieces. So I’ve had to learn to write anywhere, any time, on any of my electronic devices. It’s quite the feat.

9. If your book were to be made into a movie who would you cast for your characters roles?

Alexis Bledel looks a lot like Merrin, even though she’s obviously a bit too old…and Cameron Mitchell from the Glee Project looks a lot like Elias, even though he’s a little short. I’m afraid I don’t know a ton about teen actors, so I’m sure these answers are not the best they could be. LOL



10. What type of music do you listen to? & Has a song ever inspired you to write?

I listened to ALL types of music for writing ONE – my playlist was about sixty songs long, and I absolutely needed it on in the background to write.  There are so many songs about the sky, flying, and escaping – Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz, Up Up Up by the Givers, Oh! Gravity by Switchfoot, Meteor Shower by Owl City, Such Great Heights by the Postal Service, Wake Up by Arcade Fire, Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer…and those are just the ones off the top of my head!

I’m also really lucky that I have a good friend, Nick Flora, who is releasing an album soon, and agreed to write a song just for the novel as part of his Kickstarter!  Check it out here (It’ll be available for purchase soon.) 

Thank you so much for inviting me over to your blog today! It was a pleasure to be here, this was a really fun interview! - Leigh Ann

Thank YOU!








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