Thursday, March 28, 2013

Review: Falling Into You by Jasinda Wilder

Falling Into You
by Jasinda Wilder
Published on: 3/16/13
Self Published
New Adult/Contemporary Romance

I wasn't always in love with Colton Calloway; I was in love with his younger brother, Kyle, first. Kyle was my first one true love, my first in every way.
Then, one stormy August night, he died, and the person I was died with him.

Colton didn't teach me how to live. He didn't heal the pain. He didn't make it okay. He taught me how to hurt, how to not be okay, and, eventually, how to let go.




My Rating: 5 Coffee Cups!!

Ever since I read Jasinda's teaser on her website (and freaking teared up! At a teaser!) I was waiting, not so patiently, to get my grubby little hands on this book. I sat on my computer on March 16th periodically refreshing Amazon until it showed up- I kid you not. And it was so completely worth it. This was a heartbreaking love story of two people using and helping each other to try and mend their own broken souls.

Like the blurb says, Nell fell in love with two brothers. They were entirely different men and it was entirely different types of love. Kyle was Nell's best friend. They grew up together and they learned how to fall in love together. They were each other's first in every way. 

"I know we are young. . . . . And I know most people would say we're just kids, or too young to know what love is. But screw that. I've know you my whole life. We have shared everything together. Every important thing in our lives has happened together. . . . And now we're learning how to fall in love together. I don't care what any one else says. I love you. I'll always love you, no matter what happens with us in the future. I love you now and forever. "

They begin to figure out their futures together and then tragedy strikes. Kyle, even in his last moment, is completely devoted to Nell. I'm telling you now, you WILL cry during Kyle's death scene. It's heartbreaking. You feel Nell's pain and guilt and sorrow as if it's your own. You feel her going thru the motions in robot-mode. Dealing with her parents, the funeral. Then her world is turned upside down when she meets Kyle's older brother Colton.

She had seen him briefly in the past, but when he moved out when he was 17 he stayed away so she never really knew him. He doesn't ask questions, he doesn't judge and his presence gives her comfort, which is what helps her get thru Kyle's funeral. And then she sees him on the dock...

Two years pass before they see each other again in NYC. Two years of Nell still feeling guilty and not allowing herself to be happy and actually relishing in pain because she believes she deserves it. Two years also pass for Colt who struggled to pull himself out of the mess that he had been caught up in. He knows, pretty succinctly, what Nell is going thru and he wants to be there for her and help her thru it. 

“We understand each other, Nelly. We’ve both lost someone we love. We both have scars and regrets and anger. We can do this together.”

“I can’t be fixed.”
“You’re committed to being broken forever?”
“Goddamit, Colton. Why are you doing this? You don’t know me.”
“I want to.” It’s the answer to both of her statements. 

They fall and they fall hard. Which adds another layer of guilt onto Nell. Not only has she moved on, but it's the kind of love that consumes you. She loved Kyle, yes, but she realizes that the kind of love they shared felt nothing like the all-consuming, needing, passionate, scorching love that she has for Colt (which results in a few spicy scenes I will say). They go thru a lot through the course of this book. Not only is Nell holding onto something, so is Colt. They hurt each other, they fix each other, they simply rely on each other to get through every day.

This book was amazing. It captured my heart. I smiled, I cried (a lot), I smiled again. If the blurb alone wasn't enough to catch me the dedication did.

“This book is for anyone who has ever lost a loved one, for anyone who has woken up crying and gone to bed the same way, for anyone who has had to learn that it’s okay to not be okay. Surviving isn’t strength, it’s continuing to breathe one day at a time; strength is learning to live despite the pain.”  

I lost someone extremely close to me, and not that long ago. This dedication felt like Jasinda was speaking directly to me. I couldn't not read it.        

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Cover Reveal! Before You Go by Clare James

And without further ado...


Before You Go
by Clare James
Release Date: 4/1/13

Forgiveness is the only option, but can she learn to forgive herself? 

Paralyzed by the past and terrified of the future, Tabitha Kelly is broken. 

After a public sex scandal at her college, Tabby moves to a new city with a new school, convinced she can start over. But she soon realizes the changes are not enough. Tabby must take action to help her heal and move on from the past. 


And though it sounds crazy, she believes a one-night stand is the best way to take back what’s hers. If she can choose where, when, and most importantly, who … maybe she can regain control. 

First, she needs a willing participant. 

She finds more than that when she meets Noah Adler. 

Unfortunately, she can’t go through with it. And when she tries to forget about the plan- and the guy- it becomes impossible. 


Noah quickly weaves his way into her new life and her heart. But as he comes dangerously close to discovering her secret, Tabby’s at risk of losing it all.
Ok, so a) GORGEOUS and hawt cover and b) is it April 1st yet, cus I really am all about reading this ASAP
Add to your Goodreads TBR Pile !
Tidbits on the Author:
Clare James spent her childhood, writing, reading, and dancing. Not much has changed since then, except she can no longer get up on toe shoes like she once could. And don’t even ask her to go into the splits because she may never get back up. 
A new adult and contemporary romance writer, Clare loves a happy ending. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son. BEFORE YOU GO is her debut new adult novel. 

 


Cover Reveal! Frigid by Jennifer L. Armentrout

And without further ado...


Frigid by J. Lynn (aka Jennifer L. Armentrout)
Release Date: 7/30/13 (eBook format) and 11/5/13 (Print copies)

For twenty-one-year-old Sydney, being in love with Kyler isn't anything new. They'd been best friends ever since he pushed her down on the playground and she made him eat a mud pie. Somewhere over the years, she fell for him and fell hard. The big problem with that? Kyler puts the 'man' in man-whore. He's never stayed with a girl longer than a few nights, and with it being their last year in college, Syd doesn't want to risk their friendship by declaring her love.

Kyler has always put Syd on a pedestal that was too high for him to reach. To him, she's perfect and she's everything. But the feelings he has for her, he's always hidden away or focused on any other female. After all, Kyler will always be the poor boy from the wrong side of tracks, and Syd will always be the one girl he can never have.

But when they're stranded together at a posh ski resort due to a massive Nor'easter, there's nothing stopping their red-hot feelings for each other from coming to the surface. Can their friendship survive the attraction? Better yet, can they survive at all? Because as the snow falls, someone is stalking them, and this ski trip may be a life-changer in more ways than one.

Ok, I want it NOW. Gimme, gimme, gimme!


Tidbits on the Author:
 


J. Lynn, also known as Jennifer L. Armentrout, is a # 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. She lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russel Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.
She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Review: Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan


Undeniable (Undeniable #1)
by Madeline Sheehan
Published on: 10/7/12
Self Published
Genre: Very Adult Contemporary Romance

Warning: This is not a typical love story. This is an all-consuming, soul-crushing, tear-your-heart-into-pieces story. It’s intense, gritty and raw, dark and disturbing, and it doesn’t happen overnight. This is an epic love story that knows no boundaries and has no time limits. It grows and develops—with hurt, sacrifice, and heartache—over the span of a lifetime.

Eva Fox is the princess of the Silver Demons Motorcycle Club. Growing up with bikers in the club lifestyle is all that she knows. When she’s a young girl, Eva meets the reason for her existence. Deuce West is the sexy, biker bad-ass of the Hell’s Horsemen Motorcycle Club. Like Eva, he was born and raised in the club—but that’s where the similarities end. Their first meeting is innocent, but as Eva matures into a woman, their chance reunions evolve into a fit of lust and love. Fate continues to bring them together time and time again, but their twisted journey is filled with pain, betrayal, and bloodshed that could tear them apart. Eva sees in Deuce what he cannot see in himself—a man worthy of love—and Eva spends her lifetime proving to him that her undeniable love is the one thing he can’t live without.

This is Eva and Deuce’s story.

It wasn’t easy.
Nothing worth doing ever is.
And love is worth everything.


My Rating: 4 Coffee Cups

I was originally going to do a short review in my "Week in Reviews" Sunday feature, but I realized once I started typing that I couldn't really stop. This book just had that kind of an effect on me. When I was at the Boston Author's Event a couple of weeks ago, I actually told the author Madeline Sheehan that I never wanted to go through my Kindle and punch a fictional character in the cojones quite as much as I wanted to punch Deuce (yes, this is verbatim). She then told me I would likely need Yoga or meditation for the next one, so yay. Ok, so back to this book. 

This story spans about 20ish years. You first meet Eva and Deuce while they are visiting their respective fathers in jail. You're brought into their world pretty much immediately. You are also introduced to the fact that there is an 18 year age gap, being that she is 5 and he is 23 when they first met. Yes, I will wholeheartedly say that reading that and knowing that this was going to be a love story made me cringe and say quite a few internal "eewww"s. They meet up a couple of times in the interim years until their next major meeting when she is 16 and he is 34 (oh and married with children might I add). Also, in the interim you're brought a little bit deeper into her life, namely you're introduced to a little psychopath in the making, also known as Frankie. He is the son of a fellow biker who was killed in the "line of duty" who Eva's father took in. He immediately becomes entirely dependent on Eva and extremely overprotective of her. He's also insanely violent - insane being the operative word here. But back to Deuce and Eva's second meeting. Let's just say daddy- head of the Silver Demons Motorcycle Club- was not particularly pleased with Deuce's- head of the Hell’s Horsemen Motorcycle Club- behavior. Doesn't end pretty. Which is why it is another two years before they see each other, and this time is entirely by pure stupid luck.  

And this sets up the ulcer creating events that take place going forward. It pretty much all goes to hell in a hand basket after this point. They meet up again- it's awesome, you begin to really fall in love with their love story, root for them and BOOM instance #1 for why I wanted to virtually castrate Deuce. It's pretty much a re-occuring theme throughout the book. He doesn't know how to keep it in his pants. 

I was not going to cry. Nope. Just because he wasn't the man I'd thought he was didn't mean I was going to cry. It was my own fault, putting him on some kind of pedestal when in reality he was just another biker, who lies, cheats, and steals and who can't resist slutty club ass. 

This, pretty effectually, pushes her into the arms of the now full fledged psychopath Frankie. They actually get married. And Frankie, becomes psychotically obsessed with her. Now, you get angry at Deuce and at times you even hate Deuce, but Frankie scares you. He does things that make you sick. And when Deuce's club has a confrontation with Eva's club to retaliate against Frankie for some bit o'crazy he pulled you see just how far Frankie is willing to go to keep Eva. And this sets off a whole new set of obstacles and events Deuce and Eva have to get through. I could compare pretty much the last 30-ish percent of this book to attempting to navigate through a minefield. It was also like a train wreck, in which you just couldn't take your eyes off of it. They hate each other and violence ensues. Then they love each other and try to be happy. Then they're not and hospitals become involved. And throughout this there are a few more instances where virtual castration would've been warranted. I can't go into much detail, hence the vagueness.

Oh and on a side note: I loved Eva's BFF Kami. Definitely a much needed comic relief. 

This book sucks you in, beats you up, chews on you a little bit before spitting you out and then attempts to haphazardly put you back together again. I say haphazardly because you still feel lingering effects even after this book is finished. The fact that I read this book nearly a month ago and I'm still reeling is the reason I gave it 4 coffee cups. Love it (like I did) or hate it, it did something to you and touched you in a way that no book before this really has. 


Blog Tour Stop! Shattered Soul- Review


Shattered Soul 
by Jennifer Snyder
Published on: 5/14/11
Genre: Somewhere between Young Adult and New Adult

Hellish Nightmare...

If seventeen-year-old Seth Bradson were to describe his life in two words, those would be the two he’d choose. Seth prefers to cope with his crappy existence by spending his days in a drug-induced haze. But when Ali Carson steps into his life, Seth finds something he’s subconsciously been seeking—a new drug, one that consumes his mind unlike any other.

Love.

In a moment of unforgivable weakness, Seth allows Ali to try crystal meth, his most addictive temptation. This single event begins the unraveling of both their lives and forces Seth to learn the definition of regret the hard way.

My Rating: 3 1/2 Coffee Cups

Ok, let me start by saying this is NOT a love conquers all kind of book. This story is dark and heavy and gritty and angry and even a little bit disturbing. 

Seth Bradson's life pretty much sucks. He lives in a crappy area with his drug dealing, douchebag of a brother Calvin and his drunken, unconscious more that conscious mother (who, when she is conscious, you just want her to pass out again). His brother is a crystal meth dealer who snorts almost as much as he sells and has tweaker friends and girls hanging all over him to do the same. He is also the major factor in Seth's use of the ridiculously addictive drug. Seth's only escape is his best friend Trip. Trip, takes him in when Calvin takes out his anger physically and he protects him from inquiring eyes and ears at school. Trip is all he has until one fateful day in April when he meets Ali. 
To Seth, Ali resembles an angel. Innocent, pure, untainted and most of all knows his demons and accepts them. She has her own issues, namely absentee parents who don't really seem to care about her. They start doing the "little stuff" together- weed, Xanex, Oxys. Until she comes across a small baggie in his room with rocks of meth. There was a voice in the back of his head saying he shouldn't give into her request to try it, that it goes against everything that he feels for her. But, at the same time, she is old enough to make up her own mind. 
You want to dislike Seth for putting Ali on this path, but you can't. His feelings for her are real, he wants to try and be protective of her, but he's so messed up that you feel bad for him and everything he goes thru. The spiral their relationship takes after her first taste is heartbreaking. And the ending is extremely unexpected (although a tad bit much and a little bit abrupt). This story makes your stomach go into knots, your heart squeeze and there are some parts where I literally held my breath for fear of what you just knew was going to happen.  

Add to Goodreads TBR Pile 
Buy on Amazon Here 
Buy on Barnes & Noble Here 



Tidbits on the Author:

Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina were she spends most of her time writing young adult fiction, reading, and struggling to stay on top of housework. She is an instant coffee lover with an obsession for spiral bound notebooks and smooth writing pens. Jennifer lives with her husband and two children, who endure listening to songs that spur inspiration on repeat and tolerate her love for all paranormal, teenage-targeted TV shows.
 

Monday, March 25, 2013

Blog Tour Stop! Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter- Review


Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter (Vol. 1) 
by Nikki Jefford.
Published on: 12/9/12
Genre: Urban Fantasy

If there is one thing eighteen-year-old Aurora Sky wants, it’s to get off the iceberg she calls home. Being kissed before she graduates wouldn’t hurt either.

Then a near-fatal car wreck changes everything. Government agents step in and save Aurora’s life in exchange for her services as a vampire hunter. In Alaska. Basically she’s a glorified chew toy. All thanks to her rare blood type, which sends a vampire into temporary paralysis right before she has to finish the job… by hand.

Now Aurora’s only friends are groupies of the undead and the only boy she can think about may very well be a vampire. And if he’s a vampire, will she be forced to kill him?
 
My Rating: 4 Coffee Cups!!
 
Aurora Sky is a senior in high school desperate to escape the frozen tundra she lives in (aka Alaska). She is the good girl. She is the easy to get along with daughter, non-confrontational friend, A student. She tries to stay in the background biding her time until she graduates. That all ends when on a particularly snowy day she gets into a horrific car crash. She shouldn't have made it out alive. And she definitely shouldn't have been able to move, never mind walk, when she woke up. In a government facility at that. She finds out that because of her extremely rare AB negative blood type she was a prime candidate to become a new weapon in the fight against vampires. Basically, when a vampire bites her and tries to drink her genetically altered blood, it poisons them into a paralyzed state making it super easy to kill them. I really like the author's take on how vampires came to be. That it is a disease that mutated the same AB negative blood type. It's a refreshing twist on an old (sometimes overdone) story. Aurora finds out that her mother essentially signed away her life and future in order for her to continue living. Of course, like any normal, relatively sane person, she doesn't believe a word these people say. I really liked the scene where it was proved to her. 
 
Aurora goes into a bit of a depressed, robotic stage at this point. Yeah she gets to live, but she has to stay in Alaska, around the same people she was so desperate to get away from. She dumps her old friends, makes a bucket list of things to accomplish (kill a vamp, get drunk, kiss a guy and lose v card) and watching her accomplish these things are pretty hilarious. It's not until she meets her mentor and fellow hunter Dante that she starts to come back to life. And Fane. She's known Fane throughout high school. He's the typical bad-boy, loner type of guy that she used to avoid. But he starts showing an interest in her, worrying about her safety and she begins seeing him as more. And by more, I mean possibly likes the taste of blood more?
 
Aurora goes thru a couple of misadventures, some pretty funny, some pretty dark which is one thing I really liked about this book. Nikki Jefford found an awesome balance between the heavy and the amusing creating a fun world to watch Aurora sift thru. I really am excited to follow this series.
 
Add to your Goodreads TBR Pile 
Buy on Amazon Here 
 
And feel free to Follow This Tour! It will be running until March 30th and there are some pretty cool giveaways you can enter!
 
 
Tidbits About the Author:
 
Nikki Jefford is a third generation Alaskan who loves fictional bad boys and heroines who kick butt. She is the author of the Spellbound Trilogy and upcoming Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter series. Nikki married Sebastien, the love of her life, while working as a teaching assistant in France. They now reside in the not-so-tropical San Juan Islands, 70 miles northeast of Forks, Washington.

Friday, March 22, 2013

TGIF: Freebie Friday # 8


Free on Amazon Today! (Pick it up!)

Bound (The Crystor #1) by C.K. Bryant
Genre: YA Fantasy

When a photo shoot ends in tragedy, Kira discovers her best friend, Lydia, has been keeping a secret. Knowing the truth, and accepting it, will change Kira's life forever and thrust her into a world of ancient curses, magical objects, and savage enemies. What happens next will challenge everything Kira knows about her world, herself and the shape-shifting warrior she's falling in love with. No longer the timid mouse her mother accused her of being, but a woman who finds the mental and physical strength to endure and survive.

BOUND is a heroic tale of true friendship, infinite sacrifice and untamed love.
 
My Rating: 4 Coffee Cups!!
 
Loved this book and love this series. 2 books out so far and I am eagerly waiting on the third!!
 

And for my not quite free, but $0.99 is your next best bet choice (a little wordy for a description, I know, but I'm working on it) is:

Consequences (Consequences #1) by Aleatha Romig
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Contemporary Romance

Besieged by memories of a brutal abduction, Claire Nichols wakes in an unfamiliar bedroom, within a luxurious mansion. Her recollections have one common denominator, the man she just met, Anthony Rawlings.
Unbeknownst to Claire, for a very long time, she has been within Anthony’s sights. Many of the pivotal events in her life occurred, due to his sinister manipulation. Every action has a consequence, and his actions result in their chance meeting.
More than a psychological thriller, Consequences is a vivid story of one woman’s struggle to survive incomprehensible circumstances. Every aspect of her being suddenly depends upon the tall, wealthy, dark haired, dark eyed businessman. Anthony Rawlings is known to the world as prosperous, benevolent, and kind. Claire quickly learns that he can also be a menacing controlling captor.
With few options but concession, Claire attempts to earn her freedom, while enduring a hellish existence that truly appears perfect. Persevering tests and trials, she struggles to retain her pure Midwest values and beliefs. Encouraged by memories of a loving upbringing, she gains strength in the simplest of joys: solitude in nature and good in the face of evil.
His goal in sight, Anthony’s calculated agenda encounters an unforeseen detour. He becomes captivated by Claire’s beauty, resilience, and determination. The interaction of these two compelling characters instigates strong emotions: fear, anger, love, and lust. Claire and Anthony’s tumultuous journey flows into uncharted waters of intrigue and passion.
Utilizing vivid detail, this 167,000-word novel unfolds like a movie, before the eyes of its readers. From the opening criminal abduction, through twists and turns, to the unlikely romantic thrills, the suspense climaxes as Anthony’s motivation becomes evident.
Anthony and Claire must decide if they will stay true to one another, or allow preceding actions to result in justifiable Consequences.
 
My Rating: 5++++++ Coffee Cups!!
 
This was seriously one of the biggest mind f*cks I've read in quite some time. You didn't know whether to be in pain, happy or just plain disbelief. I can't even do this book justice without cussing like a sailor. Just stop reading my lame attempt at a description now and go pick it up. Worth much, much more than a measly $0.99 trust me.
 
 

Feature & Follow Friday #2


Alison Can Read Feature & Follow

This Week's Question:

What is your guilty pleasure as far as reading? Is it a genre, or is it a certain type of book?

My guilty pleasure is Rock Star books lol. I don't know what it is exactly, but I enjoy reading the normal girl being able to snag a hot rock star. It gives all other normal girls hope lol.

 

How this meme works:

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools — keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them “hi” in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to WordPress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don’t have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

All features are chosen randomly to be the feature. They are not chosen by content or name.

 

 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Blog Tour Stop!! Shooting Stars by H.D. Gordon- Exclusive Excerpt

Shooting Stars (Surah Stormsong #1) 
by H.D. Gordon
Published on: 3/15/13
Urban Fantasy

Synopsis:

Once upon a time, a common boy fell in love with a princess. It was a hopeless, forbidden love, grown in a world where sorcery and magic rule over all. Now, dark times are brewing, and destiny will bring them together, while fate works to keep them apart. Extraordinary battles will be fought, and extraordinary choices made. Join the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga for the beginning of a tale of star-crossed lovers and magic, of hope and love and loss, of desperate wishes made on stars.


Exclusive Excerpt:

“Samson,” she said, her voice sounding strange in the unintelligible chaos of the room. Small somehow, and out of place.
The tiger’s huge head whipped toward her. He moved to her side immediately, leaping into the air again and severing the body of a demon with his powerful jaws in mid-flight. He landed on his paws in front of her, black blood marring his fur and teeth, and shook his head, whipping a piece of rotted demon flesh against the wall where it splattered like a bug on a windshield and slid down to the floor in a nasty pool.
Surah clutched the stone at her throat and closed her eyes, knowing that Samson would protect her while she did this. She ran through the spell Syris had taught her for closing portals, hoping that she would get it right. She had only ever performed it once in training with her brother, and he’d had to help a good deal.
She recited the words, her brow furrowing in concentration, doing her best to ignore the growls of her tiger and the cries of the damned, the pure wrongness in the room. Sweat trickled down her back as she clenched her fists and recited faster, the stone in the palm of her hand burning now. Her head grew light with the effort, the power washing through her and sweeping her away. She planted her feet and continued, her breath coming short and heart pounding like a death toll.



Now I don't know if you read any of the Alexa Montgomery Saga, but it was fricken AMAZING!! And this is looking to be a pretty good follow up series. I can't wait to review it for you all :)

Buy it on Amazon NOW!! Seriously people it's only $0.99!!


Tidbits on the Author:

H. D. Gordon is the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga. Blood Warrior, the first book of the Alexa series was her debut novel and has held a spot in the top 100 fantasy bestsellers for over a month. Half Black Soul is the second book in this series and H. D. plans to complete Alexa's tales by the end of 2012. In June of 2012, Joe, a fantasy novel about a young clairvoyant, was released as well. H. D. is a lifelong reader and writer, a true lover of words. When she is not reading or writing she is raising her two daughters, playing a little guitar, and spending time with her family. She is twenty three years old and lives in the northeastern United States.