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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

#Readingcram : Top Books I Read in 2013



The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta


Chasing the Star Garden by Melanie Karsak
The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher


The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton
Splintered by A.G. Howard

Across the Universe by Beth Revis
The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines

A Million Suns by Beth Revis
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Actually, these books (excluding Bloodlines) were the ONLY nine I rated 5 stars this year. Bloodlines was my best 4 star. Hopefully, I'll get a lot more 5 star winners in 2014.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Book Review: Up in Flames by Nicole Williams

Title: Up In Flames by Nicole Williams
Series: Stand-Alone
Released: December 19, 2012
Source: Nook Book
Genre: Contemporary/ Mature YA
Rating: 3/5

Summary from Goodreads:
One small town girl with a bright future. 
One smokejumper with a dark past. 
One summer that will forever change them both. 
They’re going . . .

Up In Flames. 


Elle’s life couldn’t possibly get any more small town than it already is. She was raised in the same home as the two generations before her were, her family owns the iconic downtown cafe, and she’s been dating the pastor’s son since she was allowed to go on her first date at sixteen. 

Cole’s life couldn’t possibly get any larger. He’s tried. Roaming from town to town for the past three summers as a smokejumper, Cole dreads the thought of putting down roots. The only thing he avoids more than that is settling down with one woman, especially when there are as many willing women as there are trees in the forest he jumps out of planes to save.

Elle Montgomery’s life is going one way. And Cole Carson’s is going the opposite. There’s no reason their paths should ever intersect, even in a small town in central Washington. 

But summer in the Methow Valley has other plans for Elle and Cole. After an awkward run-in at the local swimming hole, Elle tries to keep away from the guy who looks at her like she’s already lying beneath him in bed. She fails. Cole is about as successful at staying away from the girl who seems immune to his charms.

As the summer heats up, and tensions between Elle and Cole run high, he begins to realize there’s more he’s attracted to than Elle’s body, and she discovers there’s a lot more to the man that jumps out of planes into raging forest fires than meets the eye.

UP IN FLAMES is a New Adult Romance intended for mature readers due to steamy content and saucy language.
I am a huge fan of Nicole William's Crash series, but this one didn't impress me quite as much. It was a really entertaining and quick read, it was just missing that something to really make it stand out.

Basically, this is the story of Elle, whose life isn't really her own. She lives day after day doing whatever her father and boyfriend, Logan, ask of her. They pretty much make all her decisions and plans for her and she never questions them; she never really even thinks of questioning them. It's the summer after high school and Elle's future promises a marriage and settling down into family life with Logan... even though Elle secretly sent out a bunch of college applications. And then she meets Cole.

Cole is a sexy smoke-jumper and the complete opposite of Logan. He comes to town, shakes up Elle's world and makes her questions everything about her life.

Lots of angst and drama ensues.

I liked this book, and like I said before, it flowed nicely and was very entertaining, it just lacked a certain depth. Elle and Cole seemed much more lusty to me then crazily in-love and they had only known each other a very short time anyway. I had no issues believing their lust for each other, but I did have issues believing their love.

If you're usually a fan of the new adult genre I'd recommend Up in Flames. All the elements are there; girl figuring out who she is in the world, abnormally hot guy, and lots of steamy scenes.

3 STARS
Enjoyed it, but wasn't blown away.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Feature & Follow Friday: New and Unusual Things in 2013

hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.
Tell us at least one new or unusual thing you’ve done in 2013.


Well, the biggest "new" thing I've done this year was start nursing school. Which in itself leads to many more new things and I guess even usual things. But because of laws and stuff I can't really talk about that stuff on here.

Another new thing I did earlier in the year was volunteer at my local humane society. One of the most fun and awesome experiences ever. Also, further sealing my obsession with cats!

Oh, and I started working as a CNA for the first time, too! 

Have a great weekend, everyone!


2014 TBR Pile Challenge

I'm participating in the 2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge!
All of the information can be found here
My goal is to read between 21-30 books from my TBR pile. (Any books NOT published in 2014.)
This puts me at the "First Kiss" level.
My bookshelf and Nook are full of books needing to be read and I have quite a few on my Kindle app too. I have a whole system in place to get through all these books though and this challenge should be a lot of fun!
Good luck to everyone participating! <3

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Book Bangin': Contemporary Boys!


Contemporary fiction has some AWESOME book boyfriends. Here's some of my favorites:

Daniel from Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover: Because, seriously, funny & smart-ass guys are the best guys!
“It feels sort of euphoric, like we're in some sort of fairytale. Like she's Tinkerbell and I'm Peter Pan. No, wait. I don't want to be Peter Pan. Maybe she can be like Cinderella and I'll be her Prince Charming. Yeah, I like that fantasy better. Cinderella's hot when she's all poor and sweaty and slaving over the stove.” 
Holder from Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover: (Sorry, but she writes really hot boys!)
“I wonder if it's possible for people to fall in love with a person one characteristic at a time, or if you fall for the entire person at once.”

Jude from Crash by Nicole Williams: I've been swooning over him for the whole series!
“How does a guy like you promise someone forever at eighteen?”
“Easy,” he said, pressing a soft kiss into the corner of my mouth. “He finds a girl like you.” 
Matt from Flat-Out Matt by Jessica Park: Probably one of my favorite book boys of all-time. I just have a thing for the geeky ones!
“I did it, Finn. I did it. I was ready to jump, and now she’s jumping with me.” 
Beau from The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines. This doesn't even need explanation.


And for the hottie of the month:

COLE from Up In Flames by Nicole Williams 
Because he jumps out of planes to fight forest fires, duh!



Book Review: Chasing the Star Garden by Melanie Karsak

Title: Chasing the Star Garden by Melanie Karsak
Series: The Airship Racing Chronicles #1
Released: December 4, 2013
Source: Won through giveaway
Genre: Adult Steampunk
Rating: 5/5

Summary from Goodreads:
An opium-addicted beauty.
An infamous poet living in self-imposed exile.
An ancient treasure about to fall into the wrong hands.

Melanie Karsak's Chasing the Star Garden takes readers on a thrilling adventure from the gritty opium dens of gaslamp London to the gem-colored waters of the ancient world. Lily Stargazer, a loveable but reckless airship racer with a famous lover and shattered past, reluctantly plunges into a centuries-old mystery in a romantic adventure best described as Dan Brown meets Mary Shelley.

It all begins on one of the worst days of Lily’s life. She just lost the London leg of the 1823 Airship Grand Prix. To top it off, a harlequin fleeing from constables shoved a kaleidoscope down her pants, told her to fly to Venice, then threw himself from her airship tower. What’s a girl to do? For Lily, the answer is easy: drink absinthe and smoke opium. 

Lily’s lover, Lord Byron, encourages her to make the trip to Venice. Lily soon finds herself at the heart of an ancient mystery which has her running from her past and chasing true love and the stars along the way.
Okay, I know that no book is perfect, but I love absolutely everything about this one. I mean, read that synopsis! It's everything that it claims to be and so much more. This is my first time reading this author and this genre so I had no idea what to expect, but what I got was awesome! I was hooked from the first page and did not want to put it down.

I really enjoyed the writing. A lot of traveling and adventure takes place and the scenery gets set up fantastically. I had no problems imagining these foreign places, that I've never been to personally, in their historic setting. In fact, it was quite like I got to travel right along with these characters as well.

What we also get is a great crew of characters. I loved Lily as a main character and I was rooting for her the entire time; to finish her quest and find love. <3 (And yes, the romance, while not a main role in this story, is very good and realistic! Not rushed, fake, or over-the-top!)

My favorite thing about this book was the adventure, mystery, and mythology all rolled into one and the excellent way it was carried out. The plot moves along so smoothly and quickly that you can easily read for hours and not even realize it. Major points for no slow moments and no fluff! Just plain good writing and a wonderfully entertaining story!

I highly recommend!


5 STARS
Amazing! I'd make time to re-read it!

Saturday, November 30, 2013

2014 Prequel and Sequel Challenge

Goodness knows I need to do this challenge. I have so many unfinished series that I need to finish! 

Some of these series are:
* Cedar Cove by Debbie Macomber
* Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
* Beautifully Broken by Courtney Cole
* Too Far by Abbi Glines
* The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
* Matched by Ally Condie
* Love Me With Lies by Tarryn Fisher

I've read only the first book in all the above series and I'd love with finish the rest of them. I've also anxiously been waiting to get the time to read both the Lux and Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout!
Hopefully 2014 will be my year for series finishing. You can read the rule and sign-up here!

Thursday, November 21, 2013

2013 End Of The Year Read-a-thon #ReadingCram


Juliababyjen's Reading Room & Dana Sqaure are hosting a end of the year read-a-thon!

December 9-22 2013

During this time period I will be on Christmas break from school and before I even saw this I was planning on spending the whole break reading as much as possible! Now I get to participate in fun activities and challenges along the way.

This looks like it's going to be A LOT of fun. If you'd like to participate as well: click the links to the hosts at the top.

Personal goal: I had set a goal to read 75 books this year total and I am currently at 56. I want to get to that 75 by the 22nd or REALLY close!

Good luck to everyone participating!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Book Review: Unbreak My Heart by Melissa C. Walker

Title: Unbreak My Heart by Melissa C. Walker
Series: Stand-Alone
Released: May 22, 2012 by Bloomsbury
Source: Library E-Book
Genre: YA Contemporary
Rating: 4/5

Summary from Goodreads:
Sophomore year broke Clementine Williams' heart. She fell for her best friend's boyfriend and long story short: he's excused, but Clem is vilified and she heads into summer with zero social life. Enter her parents' plan to spend the summer on their sailboat. Normally the idea of being stuck on a tiny boat with her parents and little sister would make Clem break out in hives, but floating away sounds pretty good right now. Then she meets James at one of their first stops along the river. He and his dad are sailing for the summer and he's just the distraction Clem needs. Can he break down Clem's walls and heal her broken heart?
I absolutely love well-written, non-cheesy YA contemporaries and Unbreak My Heart did not disappoint. This was definitely a summer read, I mean the majority of the whole thing takes place on a sailboat during Clementine's summer break. Honestly, it made me so nostalgic of vacations with my own family when I was that age. This story was sweet and cute and perfect for poolside reading.

I fell so in love with Clementine's family! My favorite YA novels are the ones where the family is one I'd actually want to be apart of. And, IMHO, those are a little too rare these days. And the love interest-James, how cute was James?

The story was told in pieces. We don't immediately find out exactly what happened between Clem and her BFF before the vacation. We find out a little and then a little more here and there throughout. We also don't find out James whole story either. This whole set-up makes for a VERY quick read. It was one of those "one more chapter... uh one more..." kind of things because you just want to keep finding out more information. Then before you know it your finished.

I definitely recommend for fans of YA, summertime, sweet comtemps.

Warning: this book WILL make you crave a summer sailing trip with a group of freakin' awesome people AND reminisce about summer loves.


Monday, August 12, 2013

Bout of Books 8.0: GOALS

Since I'm starting back to nursing school in the middle of this read-a-thon and since I read a total of ONE book during last semester my goal of three books for this is actually going to be really good for me. I'll be really proud of myself if I get through three books in a week with my current reading habits being so poor.

That being said, the books I'd definitely like to get through are:





and if I manage to get through all of those I want to start:



and I'm not letting myself read Tatiana and Alexander until I finish the other three no matter what. That makes a huge extra incentive to read them quickly. I CAN'T WAIT consider The Bronze Horseman was beyond epic!

Monday
Book: The Island by Victoria Hislop // Pages: 68
Book: The Redemption of Callie and Kayden // Pages: 55
Total Pages Read: 123
Participated in two challenges!

Tuesday
Book: The Redemption of Callie and Kayden // Pages: 186 - Finished!
Total Pages Read: 186
Total Books Finished: 1

Wednesday:
Book: The Island by Victoria Hislop // Pages: 42
Book: Hopeless // Pages: 20
Total Pages Read: 68

Thursday:
8 hours of class directly followed by 8 hours of work. No time to read. :(

Friday:
School is already kicking my butt more than I thought it would! I read but in my snatches of free moments but didn't keep track.

Saturday:
^Same as Friday. ^ Blah. Kind of a fail.

Sunday:
I'm on page 92 of Hopeless which means I read 72 pages of it since Wednesday.

So during this week I have read a total of 443 pages and finished 1 book. Which is still better than no books!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Bout of Books 8.0

Bout of Books

I am super excited to be participating in my very first Bout of Books Read-a-thon! I have a gigantic to-read this made up of books I can't wait to get to. Hopefully, this will be a good opportunity to make a small dent in that list.

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Release Day Review: Starting Now by Debbie Macomber

Title: Starting Now by Debbie Macomber
Series: Blossom Street #9
Finished on: February 27, 2013
Released:  April 2, 2013
Source: ARC from LibraryThing Early Reviewers
Rating: 4/5

Summary from Goodreads:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber returns to Seattle’s beloved Blossom Street in this heartfelt tale of friendship, renewal, and discovering what’s truly important in life.

For years Libby Morgan dreamed only of making partner in her competitive, high-pressure law firm. She sacrificed everything for her career—her friends, her marriage, her chance at creating a family. When her boss calls Libby into his office, she assumes it will finally be good news, but nothing can prepare her for the shocking reality: She’s been let go and must rebuild her entire life . . . starting now.

With no job prospects in sight, Libby reaches out to old friends and spends her afternoons at A Good Yarn, the local knitting store. There she forms a close bond with Lydia, the sweet-natured shop owner; Lydia’s spirited teenage daughter, Casey; and Casey’s best friend, Ava, a shy yet troubled girl who will shape Libby’s future in surprising and profound ways.

As A Good Yarn becomes a second home—and the women a new kind of family—Libby relishes the different person she’s become. She even finds time for romance with a charming and handsome doctor who seems to be her perfect match. But just as everything is coming together, Libby must make a choice that could forever change the life she holds so dear.

Warmly told and richly textured, Starting Now is filled with the promise of new beginnings and the unending delights of companionship and love.
I've read quite a few novels by Debbie Macomber and I'm definitely a fan. In fact, I'd like to one day say that I've read all of her books. Starting Now, however, was my first trip to Blossom Street and lets just say that I was not disappointed.

This may be the ninth book in the Blossom Street series but having not read the previous stories did not effect my perception of this one at all. Prior knowledge of the previous books didn't seem to be a huge deal in understanding Starting Now. I did, however, enjoy this one enough that I'll be going back to check out the earlier installments. (:

In true Debbie Macomber fashion we get some wonderful characters. I wouldn't have expected anything less. We get an extremely hard-working and dedicated lawyer, Libby, who is all but obsessed with her job. Out of the blue one day, she finds herself laid off. Her bosses final advice to her is to "get a life". Starting Now is Libby's journey to finding a more fulfilling life and true friendships.  All of the lovely characters we meet as Libby meets them and builds relationships with them. We also get a small secondary story of a young girl, Ava, which I wasn't expecting but worked really well in adding some more depth to the novel. I won't say too much because I don't want to spoil anything!

Throughout the story Libby learns a lot of really valuable lessons about cherishing your friends and valuing things outside of work. Anyone, especially in the era, can take a lot away from this book and apply these lessons to their own lives.  I love Debbie Macomber's way of getting a read to take a closer look at their own lives without becoming preachy. Oh, and of course, the usual sweet and feel-good romance is there as well. Can't forget that!

*An ARC was providing to be in exchange for an honest review only.


Monday, March 25, 2013

Cover Reveal + Book Trailer: Tragic by J.A. Huss

Tragic by J.A. Huss
Publication date:  May 20th 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
Rook Walsh is TRAGIC
Because life so far – just sucks.  Some girls get parents.  Rook got the foster care system.  Some girls get Prince Charming.  Rook got an abusive frog.  Some girls get lucky…

Rook got a second chance.

And she took it.  Because when fate throws you a bone – you grab it with both hands and run.

Antoine Chaput knows the minute he spies Rook in his photography studio that she’s got The Look.  The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.

Rook is paired up with top model, Ronin, and he’s everything her abusive ex-boyfriend wasn’t. Patient, gentle, happy, attentive, and sexy!  He knows exactly what to do to make Rook blush for Antoine’s portfolio.

Rook’s luck changes in an instant and suddenly she’s the darling of the modeling world.  It’s a dream job to go with a dream guy and all she has to do is look pretty and follow directions. But there’s always a price to pay – and Rook is about to get the bill.

TRAGIC is a new adult contemporary romance.


  
Trailer:


AUTHOR BIO
J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Author links:

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Book Review: The Vincent Brother by Abbi Glines

Title: The Vincent Brothers by Abbi Glines
Series: The Vincent Boys #2
Finished on: March 21, 2013
Released: June 2012
Source: Nook Book
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary from Goodreads:
Getting a boy to fall head-over-heels in love with you isn’t easy. Especially when he’s been in love with your cousin for as long as you can remember.

Lana has lived her life in her cousin’s shadow. Ashton always made perfect grades, had tons of friends, and looks model-perfect. And she’s always had Sawyer Vincent—the only boy Lana’s ever wanted—wrapped around her finger. But now things are different. Lana has a chance to make Sawyer see her, and she’s taking it. If only he’d get over Ashton—because Lana is sick of second-best.

Sawyer’s heart is broken. He’s lost his best girl to his best friend. And then Lana comes to town. Ashton’s cousin has always been sweet and soft-spoken, but now she’s drop-dead gorgeous as well. Sawyer doesn’t know if Lana can heal his broken heart, but spending time with her might at least make Ashton jealous.

What starts as a carefree fling becomes a lusty game of seduction. Sawyer and Lana may have different motives, but their scintillating hookups are the same kind of steamy. . . .
What a great follow-up to The Vincent Boys. I will admit that I'm considering skipping every other book I've planned to read just to read through all of Abbi Glines'.

This one picks up right where the last one left off. Sawyer is broken and bitter over losing Ashton and can barely stand watching her with Beau. Sawyer would absolutely love to win Ashton back some how. On the other end of the spectrum we have Lana, Ashton's cousin, who has been in love with Sawyer for as long as she can remember. She'd do anything to make Sawyer fall for her and she plans to do just that by staying in Grove for the entire summer.

Honestly, I enjoyed Ashton's and Beau's story a bit more. I connected with them and felt the genuineness of the relationship more. They grew up together and brought out each others true personalities. With Sawyer and Lana it felt so rushed. Sawyer never gave Lana a second thought growing up but now that she changed her clothes and hair he's ready to jump all over her as first sight. Ashton and Beau were so romantic and cute. Sawyer and Lana were jut very lusty.

This story is jam-packed with conflicts making it a very entertaining and quick read. While I didn't get a "true love" vibe, it was still a fun journey to watch and the ending actually really surprised me. I didn't think something quite like that would happen. The Vincent Brothers is a book you can sit down and read in just a few hours but still feel satisfied at the end. Abbi Glines definitely has a way of writing a great story.




Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday [12]

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread


Graceling by Kristen Cashore
Fallen Too Far by Abbie Glines
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
Down to You by M. Leighton
Crewel by Gennifer Albin
Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl
The Truth About Faking by Leigh Talbert Moore
Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle
Eternal Eden by Nicole Williams

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Weekly Recap 3.17.13

 Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
This week on the blog:
Monday: Review of Splintered by A.G. Howard, Book Blast: Astarte's Wrath by Trisha Wolfe
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday
Thursday: Book Blast: Unbroken by Melody Grace, Review: Flat Out Love by Jessica Park


Books I Bought:
(Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews)


The Edge of Never by



What I Read This Week:
Flat Out Love by Jessica Park
(Only ONE book! That's so sad! But it was the first week of my new job.)

and next week I PLAN to read: The Vincent Brothers by Abbi Glines, My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, and Scarlette by Davonna Juroe

Challenges Update:
March Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge: 4 Books
2013 TBR Pile Challenge: 17/21
2013 Debut Author Challenge: 1/12
2013 Stand-Alone Reading Challenge: 0/12
2013 New Adult Reading Challenge: 3/10

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Giveaway: Celebrating 100 Followers!!!

I am VERY excited about this!
I want to thank all you wonderful readers so much!


I'd like to give you a chance to win 1 (one) book of your choice up to $15 dollars from The Book Depository OR a $15 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes and Noble (your choice) OR an E-Book of your choice up to $15 in your preferred format. 

Must be at least 18 or 13 and older with parental permission to enter, please.

Just fill out the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, March 15, 2013

Feature&Follow Friday

Today's Question:

Activity! Hopefully warm weather for most of us is here soon…so tell us about your favorite outdoor reading spot. Or take a picture.

I live in an apartment complex, but fortunately on the second floor with a pool view so during spring weather days thats always a nice place to read. We have a dog park in our complex, too, which also a great spot to let the dog run while reading. But when it gets really warm I'll be at the pool! :)

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Book Blast: Unbroken by Melody Grace + Giveaway




Sneak Peek...
“So, you own the bar now?” I say, “That’s great. Why didn’t you say?”

Emerson gives me a measured look. “You didn’t ask.”

I stop. How is this my fault? “Yeah, well I didn’t exactly have time, what with you pummeling a guy, pretending like you were going to make out with me, then judging every one of my life choices.”

My reply whips out before I can stop it. I clamp my hand over my mouth, and stare at the shocked expression on Emerson’s face. He so wasn’t expecting that! But why the hell shouldn’t I say it? It’s the truth, after all. I let out a giggle, unable to stop myself.

His expression changes.

“You’re drunk.” He says shortly.

I shrug, defensive. “So what if I am?”

“You never could hold your liquor.” He shakes his head, and takes another gulp of his beer. “I wonder, what else has changed…?” Emerson’s mouth curves into a lascivious smile. “You still make that breathy noise when you come?”

I gasp, shocked. “Fuck you!”

“Already been there, darlin’.”



About Melody Grace
 
Melody is a small-town girl turned SoCal beach-lover. After spending her life with her nose in a book, she decided it was time to try writing one for herself. She loves bad boys, steamy romances, and (of course) happily-ever-afters.

Find Melody Grace
Twitter: @melody_grace_



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Flat Out Love by Jessica Park

Title: Flat Out Love by Jessica Park
Series: Stand-Alone
Finished on: March 11, 2013
Released: April 11, 2011
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Kindle E-Book

Summary from Goodreads:
Flat-Out Love is a warm and witty novel of family love and dysfunction, deep heartache and raw vulnerability, with a bit of mystery and one whopping, knock-you-to-your-knees romance.

Something is seriously off in the Watkins home. And Julie Seagle, college freshman, small-town Ohio transplant, and the newest resident of this Boston house, is determined to get to the bottom of it.

When Julie's off-campus housing falls through, her mother's old college roommate, Erin Watkins, invites her to move in. The parents, Erin and Roger, are welcoming, but emotionally distant and academically driven to eccentric extremes. The middle child, Matt, is an MIT tech geek with a sweet side ... and the social skills of a spool of USB cable. The youngest, Celeste, is a frighteningly bright but freakishly fastidious 13-year-old who hauls around a life-sized cardboard cutout of her oldest brother almost everywhere she goes.

And there's that oldest brother, Finn: funny, gorgeous, smart, sensitive, almost emotionally available. Geographically? Definitely unavailable. That's because Finn is traveling the world and surfacing only for random Facebook chats, e-mails, and status updates. Before long, through late-night exchanges of disembodied text, he begins to stir something tender and silly and maybe even a little bit sexy in Julie's suddenly lonesome soul.

To Julie, the emotionally scrambled members of the Watkins family add up to something that ... well ... doesn't quite add up. Not until she forces a buried secret to the surface, eliciting a dramatic confrontation that threatens to tear the fragile Watkins family apart, does she get her answer.

Flat-Out Love comes complete with emails, Facebook status updates, and instant messages.

Warning: This is one of those annoying, fangirl-ish posts. Proceed at your own risk. I can't even guarantee any helpful information. Just gushing.

LOVE.LOVE.LOVE.LOVE. Jellicoe Road was my favorite book so far this year but Flat Out Love comes in a very close second. I wish I would have read this book so much sooner. I'm head over heels. This is one of those books that is so fantastic that it ruins all other books that come after for a long time.

This is such a character-driven story and the characters are just... I can't even come up with one word for them. Hilarious, quirky, adorable. I found myself laughing out loud so much at these characters and their interactions with each other. Flat Finn <3 omgosh best character EVER! And can I please be best friends with Julie. And can I please have Matt for myself. And can Celeste please be my little sister! This was such a awesome love story, beautifully written with fantastic dialogue. A story that will mess with your heart so much but in such a wonderful way.

No seriously, I already want to read this book again! This is such an addicting story but it's such an awesome addiction. If college-aged contemporaries are your thing: read Flat Out Love now. Skip everything else you had planned and read this one. This book was so much more than I was expecting and I'm totally charmed. These characters and their story will be in my heart for a very, very long time. It's been too long since I've really connected with a book like this and I'm so happy to have a new addition to my all-time favorites.

And I saw on the author's Facebook page that she's writing a follow-up from Matt's POV. I DIE!! <3

Anyway, I know this was such a crap review and probably helped no one in the slightest and probably shouldn't even be called a review, but I had to share this love with everyone anyway. Please forgive me.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday [12]

Waiting on Wednesday (WoW) is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

I've already Pre-Ordered this one!

The Forever of Ella and Micha (The Secret #2) by Jessica Sorensen
Expected Release: May 28, 2013 (E-Book)

It's the kind of love that owns you, the kind that last forever.

Ella and Micha have been through tragedy, heartbreak, and love. When they are with each other, anything seems possible. But the days of racing cars and passionate kisses are gone now that they are thousands of miles apart.

Ella continues going to school and tries to deal with her irrevocable mistakes. She constantly worries about how her life will end up, and with her father in and out of rehab, she’s having a hard time making it through the days. All she wants is Micha by her side, but she refuses to let her problems get in the way of his dreams.

Micha spends his days traveling the country with the band, but he knows something is missing from his life. Being away from Ella is harder than he thought. He wants her closer to him—needs her with him. But he won’t ask her to leave college, just to be with him.

The few moments they do spend together are fleeting, intense, and filled with passion, but it only makes it more difficult when they have to part. They quickly learn that a long-distance relationship is challenging and it tests their love.

They know they want to be together, but is wanting something enough to get them to their forever?
If you haven't read the first book yet, The Secret of Ella and Micha, then you must. Right now!


 

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday [11]

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

The Top Ten Books on my Spring TBR List

 1.) Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
2.) Requiem by Lauren Oliver
3.) Asunder by Jodi Meadows
4.) In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
5.) Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally
6.) The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
7.) Just One Day by Gayle Forman
8.) Wait for You by J.Lynn
9.) Raw Blue by Kirsty Eager
10. Out of the Easy by Ruty Sepetys

These were chosen based solely on the fact that I really, really, really want to read all of them very, very soon!
 

Monday, March 11, 2013

Book Blast: Astarte's Wrath by Trisha Wolfe











Astarte's Wrath is the companion novel to... 




Check out Trisha Wolfe's other books...

 
A peek inside Astarte's Wrath...
“I’ve found you.”

I turn to see Xarion leaning against the frame of my terrace door. A slight smile curves his beautiful lips, and his arms are crossed over his bronze muscled cuirass.

Feeling brave, I slip close and wrap my arms around his waist, the brass studs of his belt pressing against my stomach. “I wasn’t hiding,” I say, looking up into his face. I can see his exhaustion there, in the dark crescents under his eyes, though he’s putting on a good front. “I’d never tempt a great hunter.”

He chuckles as he steps away long enough to slip off his breastplate, then he embraces me. Leaning down, he whispers in my ear, “You’re always tempting.” Running his thumb over my cheek, he lowers his face before mine, his breaths shallow. “In fact, your power of seduction is having its desired effect on me right now.” His lips softly brush mine, sweet and inviting at first, then he deepens the kiss.

I realize that anyone could walk in, and I begin to pull away. “Xarion, my room is not secure,” I say between his kisses.

He groans against my lips, and the deep rumble sends my hands into his hair, pulling him to me. I feel him smile. He scoops me into his arms, his lips never leaving mine, and walks us inside.

My sense breaks through, and I whisper, “Lunia or Phoenix could come looking for me and—”

“That’s what locks were designed for,” he interrupts.

I laugh. “Oh, that will not stop either of them.”

He turns the bolt on my door, keeping his arm sturdy beneath my legs. Then he takes me to the bed where he lays me down. I let my head fall back against the coverlet as he hovers above me, his fisted hands pressing into the mattress on either side of my head, his knees parting my legs.

Suddenly he bounds up, and I think he’s come to his senses. My stomach tumbles as I realize how much I don’t want him to be responsible—but we can’t chance it here. Only he grabs the chair from my desk and kicks the back. My eyes widen in surprise. He places one of the panels against the door, securing its ends in the torch brackets.

“That should give them some difficulty,” he says as he unbuckles his belt, the action making my heart beat wildly. “And give me enough time to hide in your dressing room like a clandestine lover.”

A smile twitches at my lips. “You mean, like exactly what you are?”

Shaking his head, his dark hair falling against his eyes, he counters, “I’m offended.” He strips off his leather armor. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth as my eyes slip over him, and a crooked smile hikes his face. “Ah, but that does it for you, huh? You like stealing kisses in the shadows, the constant fear of being caught.” Climbing onto the bed, he positions himself above me. “I bet your heart is pounding hard right now, the adrenaline claiming your body”—he presses his palm over my heart—“with a need only your clandestine lover can satisfy.”



About the author...

I’m the author of the YA Steampunk DESTINY'S FIRE (Omnific Publishing), the upcoming YA Utopian FIREBLOOD (Spencer Hill Press, Oct. 2013), and a new YA Dark Fantasy series releasing June 2013, OF SILVER AND BEASTS.

I’m the creator of YA Bound, a promotional blog for the Young Adult genre. A proud member of the SCWW and The Apocalypsies. And I’m also a business owner, partnered with my partner, my husband. When I’m not busy doing all of the above, I’m a wife and the mother of a gorgeous teen boy who's the sounding board for my male characters.

Check out my website TrishaWolfe.com for more on my books and bonus material. You can also follow me on Twitter @TrishWolfe or like my Facebook page for updates. 



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