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:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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.

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

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

Wednesday: Waiting On Wednesday

Thursday: Book Blast: Unbroken by Melody Grace, Review: Flat Out Love by Jessica Park

Friday: Feature and Follow Friday

Saturday: 100 Followers Giveaway!

Books I Bought:

(Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews)

The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski
Ten Days of Perfect by Andrea Randall
Unbroken by Melody Grace 

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

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.

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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! :)

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’.”

Amazon † B&N † Smashwords

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

Website: http://www.melodygracebooks.blogspot.com

Twitter: @melody_grace_

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6926290.Melody_Grace

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/melody.grace.771

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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.

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!

 

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!

 

Book Blast: Astarte's Wrath by Trisha Wolfe

Amazon † Barnes and Noble

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. 

 

 GIVEAWAY IS OPEN INTERNATIONAL! 

Must be 13 or older to enter. 

Contest ends March 18th! 

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Book Review: Splintered by A.G. Howard

Title: Splintered by A.G. Howard
Series: Splintered #1
Finished on: March 8, 2013
Released: January 1st 2013 by Amulet Books
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Kindle E-Book

Summary from Goodreads:

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
 
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

Ooh, what to say about this wonderful book! I'm such an Alice In Wonderland fan: the books and movies, etc. Let's just say that this take on the story didn't disappoint. A.G. Howard came through as an amazing story-teller with her debut novel.

Howard uses the original tale as a guideline but manages to make this version of Wonderland all her own. And this one is even more creepily fantastic. It was so much fun journeying through this "new" Wonderland with Alyssa and Jeb and meeting the inhabitants of this world.

One of the greatest things about this novel are the plot twists. In true Wonderland fashion, nothing is at it seems. You're just frolicking along with Alyssa thinking you know what's going to happen next, etc, and then bam, uhm no. I definitely had a few "edge-of-my-seat" moments, especially in the last quarter of the book.

By the end of the book I was disappointed to leave this story. I still wanted more. Honestly, it ended so perfectly though and I felt everything got wrapped up nicely. This would have been fantastic as a stand-alone so I'm not sure how a sequel is going to work. I won't complain about another chance to be in Wonderland, however.

This was a short review, but it's truly one of those books that a reader needs to experience on their own. I definitely recommend everyone that is into this type of genre to read this book, meet the characters and get absorbed in this world.

Read this for:
2013 Debut Author Challenge: 1/12

Weekly Recap 3.10.13

 Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

This week on the blog:

Monday: Review of Stupid Perfect World by Scott Westerfeld

Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday

Wednesday: Waiting On Wednesday, Review of Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Thursday: Review of Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Friday: Feature and Follow Friday

Saturday: Review of Conjure by Lea Nolan

Books I Bought:

(Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews)

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Wait For You by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

The Forever of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen (Pre-Order)

What I Read This Week:
Conjure by Lea Nolan
Splintered A.G. Howards

and next week I PLAN to read: Flat Out Love by Jessica Park, My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, and Scarlette by Davonna Juroe

Book Review: Conjure by Lea Nolan

Title: Conjure by Lea Nolan
Series: The Hoodoo Apprentice #1
Finished on: February 25, 2013
Released:  October 23rd 2012 by Entangled Publishing, LLC
Source: PDF from Publisher
 Rating: 4/5

Summary from Goodreads:

Be careful what you search for...

Emma Guthrie expects this summer to be like any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry--hot and steamy with plenty of beach time alongside her best friend and secret crush, Cooper Beaumont, and Emma’s ever-present twin brother, Jack. But then a mysterious eighteenth-century message in a bottle surfaces, revealing a hidden pirate bounty. Lured by the adventure, the trio discovers the treasure and unwittingly unleashes an ancient Gullah curse that attacks Jack with the wicked flesh-eating Creep and promises to steal Cooper’s soul on his approaching sixteenth birthday.

When a strange girl appears, bent on revenge; demon dogs become a threat; and Jack turns into a walking skeleton; Emma has no choice but to learn hoodoo magic to undo the hex, all before summer—and her friends--are lost forever.

I went into this book knowing next to nothing about Hoodoo or the Gullah. Learning about all of that is what makes this book so interesting. The moments with magic are fun to read and there is enough mystery to keep you turning pages to the very end.

The characters are kind of hit-or-miss. They are described as being younger than a lot of YA characters (14 and 15) but they really read like 16 or 17 year olds.  I really liked Emma. She was the logical character that kept everyone calm and thought out the problems that needed to be solved. It was a good thing, too, since that was her main role in the plot: to solve Cooper and Jack's problems. I couldn't stand Jack. He was whiny, selfish, and lazy. If he wasn't Emma's twin I don't think there would be any reason for her to work so hard to try and save him. I really couldn't care less whether he got cured or not. Emma trying to learn the way to cure The Creep was the fun part. Cooper was just... Copper; a typical side-kick. Nothing too special about him, really. He just added a small bit of a romance element. (By the way, romance is a very, very small part in the plot.) In my opinion, the most special character was the Gullah "granny", Miss Delia. Her wit and wisdom added a lot to the story.

There were a lot of twists and turns and the mystery was written in a way that kept me guessing up until the end. I liked Lea Nolan's storytelling style quite a bit and I'll be looking forward to the release of the sequel, especially since she ended on a cliffhanger.

Oh, and I have to give Lea Nolan props: the dialogue, especially from Jack and Cooper, is some of the most realistic that I have ever read, especially considering the age group. Nothing that makes or breaks the story obviously, I was just impressed to see an author have such a firm understanding of the demographic she's writing.

If you're looking for a fun, adventurous, mystery or if you like stories with magic as a heavy theme, I definitely recommend giving Conjure a try.

I read this for:
The 2013-TBR-Pile-Challenge - 16/21

Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge March 2013 -2 Books

Feature & Follow Friday

Today's Question:
What is a book you didn’t like that all your friends raved about or what book did you love that wasn’t popular?

It's happened to me a few times that I just didn't love the books that everyone else in the world seemed to love. The ones I can name of the top of my head are Shiver, Under the Never Sky, and Fifty Shades of Grey. Don't get me wrong I thought all of these were okay, I didn't not like them, I just didn't understand the hype surrounding them. I was disappointed because I really, really wanted to love both Shiver and Under the Never Sky.

I don't think I'll continue on with the rest of the Wolves of Mercy Falls series because I really just wasn't that into it, but I will continue with the Under the Never Sky series. By the ending I was getting a little more intrigued.  Oh, I won't be continuing with Fifty Shades either. I only read that out of pure curiosity. I mean, even women that I know to NEVER pick up a book read and loved Fifty Shades!

Some books I really loved that haven't been too popular were Cold Kiss and Glass Heart by Amy Garvey. I really enjoyed these but I haven't noticed too many people reading them. I'd definitely recommend them though and I also have reviews up for them.

Cold Kiss Review
Glass Heart Review

Book Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Title: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
Series: Hundred Oak #1
Finished on: February 25, 2013
Released:  March 1, 2013
Source: Amazon Kindle
Rating: 4/5

Summary from Goodreads:

"Whoever said football and girls don't mix hasn't read Catching Jordan. I couldn't put it down " -- Simone Elkeles, New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry series

ONE OF THE BOYS

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

Okay, so I sat down to start this book with the intent that I'd just read a few chapters. I only meant to take a break from the other book I was reading at the time. Well, that plan didn't work out too well because a few hours later of straight reading I was completely finished with Catching Jordan and completely in love with Miranda Kenneally's story-telling.

Jordan is so different from the majority of the other contemporary protagonists I'm used to reading about. She's a football player and her entire world pretty much revolves around getting recruited to Alabama. She's definitely "one of the guys" right down to the slang she uses and the clothes she wears. I really liked her though. When it came down to having a crush on Ty she was absolutely no different than any other girl.

All the boys were awesome, too. Each one had their own little personality and I loved all the scenes with them. Henry, Carter, and JJ were all very fun characters! They definitely reminded me of everyday boys in my own life.

And the romance. Loved it! All of it! So adorable! I honestly had no idea, even up to the end, where the romance was going. But they way it worked out was very sweet and perfect. Not going to give any more details than that so as not to spoil it for those that haven't read it. 

I will definitely be picking up more of Miranda Kenneally's books and I'm very excited to do just that. I can definitely see her becoming one of my favorite contemporary authors.

I read this for:
The 2013-TBR-Pile-Challenge - 15/21

Take Control of Your TBR Pile Challenge March 2013 -1 Book

 

Novella Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi
Series: Shatter Me 1.5
Finished on: February 25, 2013
Released:  October 2nd 2012 by Harper
Source: Library E-book
Rating: 4/5

Summary from Goodreads:

Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

I really enjoyed getting to read from Warner's point-of-view. It really did change my outlook on him and his plans. This is one of the first times that I have read the novella that comes between books. I haven't read Unravel Me yet and I'm very glad I read Destroy Me first. I don't know if it'll effect how I'd otherwise feel about Unravel Me but I love having the extra information about Warner's side of the story.

I'll be honest; I really couldn't stand Warner at all in Shatter Me. I found him to be pathetic and terrible. While now I can't exactly say that I like him... I do understand him a whole lot better. He has a back story, just like anyone else; a reason behind his actions. His motives aren't all like they seem from Juliette's point-of-view in the first book. Destroy Me definitely made me soften towards Warner.

Just like with Shatter Me, the writing is well-done. I actually enjoyed the writing in this one even more. Warner's thoughts aren't quite as scattered and flow smoother than Juliette's. If you were a big fan of Shatter Me, I recommend reading this novella, even if it's just for some extra time in this world. You get a lot of extra history that you wouldn't otherwise get in the regular novels.

Waiting On Wednesday [11]

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

I think this one looks pretty good!

Reclaimed by Sarah Guillory

Expected Publication: October 15th 2013 by Spencer Hill Contemp 

Summary from Goodreads:

Jenna Oliver doesn’t have time to get involved with one boy, let alone two.

All Jenna wants is to escape her evaporating small town and her alcoholic mother. She's determined she'll go to college and find a life that is wholly hers—one that isn't tainted by her family's past. But when the McAlister twins move to town and Jenna gets involved with both of them, she learns the life she planned may not be the one she gets.

Ian McAlister doesn't want to start over; he wants to remember.

Ian can’t recall a single thing from the last three months—and he seems to be losing more memories every day. His family knows the truth, but no one will tell him what really happened before he lost his memory. When he meets Jenna, Ian believes that he can be normal again because she makes not remembering something he can handle.

The secret Ian can’t remember is the one Luke McAlister can’t forget.

Luke has always lived in the shadow of his twin brother until Jenna stumbles into his life. She sees past who he’s supposed to be, and her kiss brings back the spark that life stole. Even though Luke feels like his brother deserves her more, Luke can’t resist Jenna—which is the trigger that makes Ian's memory return.

Jenna, Ian, & Luke are about to learn there are only so many secrets you can keep before the truth comes to reclaim you.

As always, I'd love to hear about your WoW picks this week.

Top Ten Tuesday [10]

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

Top Ten Series I'd Like To Start But Haven't Yet

Summer by Jenny Han
Tatiana and Alexander by Paullina Simons
Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Luxe by Anna Godbersen
Lux by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The Chemical Garden by Lauren De Stefano
Secrets of the Eternal Rose by Fiona Paul
Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Only eight today. (:

What series are you looking forward to starting?

Novella Review: Stupid Perfect World by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Stupid Perfect World by Scott Westerfeld
Series: Stand-Alone
Finished on: February 3, 2013
Released:  December 4th 2012 by HarperTeen
Source: Library E-book
Rating: 4/5

Summary from Goodreads:

In this future-set novella by bestselling author Scott Westerfeld, Kieran Black lives in a "perfect" world. Disease and starvation have been eradicated, sleep is unnecessary, and it takes no time at all to go from the Bahamas to the moon. But now Kieran has to take Scarcity, a class about how people lived in the bad old days. And as if sitting through an hour of Scarcity every day wasn't depressing enough, it's final projects time. Each student must choose some form of ancient hardship to experience for two whole weeks. Kieran chooses having to sleep eight hours a night, which doesn't seem too annoying.

Maria Borsotti has never thought much of Kieran, but she decides to take pity on him and help him out with his project. Soon, Kieran is sleeping and having vivid dreams, while Maria, whose Scarcity project is to give up all teenage hormone regulation, is experiencing emotions she never knew she had. As their assignments draw them closer together, they begin to wonder if the olden days weren't so bad. Maybe something has been missing from their perfect lives after all?

I am so sad that this isn't a full-length novel.  This is a really unique story that I enjoyed immensely.

Basically it's a world set far in the future where pretty much every disease, illness, or general "bad" or inconvenient malady is eradicated; even sleep. The kids in a class called Scarcity have to each choose one of these things to endure for awhile. Stupid Perfect World show of the experiences through the eyes of Kieran, who must now sleep, and Maria, who lets her hormones go all wild.

It was extremely interesting to read Scott Westerfeld's take on this and the story seriously had be sucked in and left wanting for much more. I found myself so immersed in this world and with these very enjoyable characters that 80-something pages just wasn't enough time.

This was, however, my first taste of Westerfeld's work and I really liked what I got. I'll be looking into his novels very, very soon and hopefully getting some more of this great story-telling.

Stacking the Shelves [5]

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's reviews to share the books we've bought, won, received as gifts, or borrowed this week. 

In The Mail:

I got a bunch of romance samples from Harlequin! These will be perfect for this summer. My boyfriend's reaction when he went to check the mail, "Babe... what did you do?!". LOL

Tamed by a Texan by Tanya Michaels

The Marshal's Prize by Rebecca Winters

The One That Got Away by Kelly Hunter

How to Get Over Your Ex by Nikki Logan

The Taming of the Rogue by Amanda McCabe

A Texan's Honor by Kate Welsh

Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods

Summer Days by Susan Mallery

The Long Shot by Ellen Hartman

Like One of the Family by Kimberly Van Meter

Question of Trust by Laura Caldwell

This aren't my typical reads at all so I'm very excited

to break into something new!

Won:

As part of the Crazy, Stupid, Love: New Adult Giveaway Hop I won from Book Lovin' Mamas:

Avoiding Commitment by K.A. Linde

I love New Adult and I'm very excited to have won this title.

Bought:

I also bought two other "New Adult" titles.

Lost to You by A.L. Jackson

One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphey