Book Tour & Review: Competing with the Star by Krysten Lindsay Hager

COMPETING WITH THE STAR 

by Krysten Lindsay Hager

Genre: Young Adult

Release Date: March 22, 2016

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

– SYNOPSIS – 

Hadley Daniels’s life seems perfect…

Before the beginning of sophomore year of high school, Hadley and her family move to a beautiful beach town, where she makes amazing new friends and lands the boyfriend of her dreams—Nick Jenkins. He’s the kind of guy every girl swoons over, and it isn’t long until Hadley discovers some are still swooning.

A famous ex-girlfriend makes matters more complicated…

After some time dating, Hadley and Nick form a deep bond. But insecurity sets in when Hadley discovers her boyfriend once had a huge crush on her friend—who just happens to be the beautiful former teen TV star, Simone Hendrickson.

The past is the past—or so they say…

Hadley confronts Nick, who confesses about his history with Simone. Though he claims to only have eyes for Hadley now, it’s hard to believe—especially when she’s blindsided with the news that Nick and Simone kissed after school.

Now Hadley must determine who is telling the truth. Love, betrayal, friendship…who needs soap opera drama when you’re busy competing with a star?

– PURCHASE – 

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON PAPERBACK | B&N PAPERBACK 

– NEXT DOOR TO A STAR, Book 1 –
AMAZON US | AMAZON PAPERBACK 

– ABOUT THE AUTHOR –

Krysten Lindsay Hager is an obsessive reader and has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked as a journalist and humor essayist, and writes for teens, tweens, and adults. She is the author of the Landry’s True Colors Series and her work has been featured in USA Today and named as Amazon’s #1 Hot New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Values and Virtues Fiction and Amazon’s #1 Hot New Releases in Children’s Books on Values. She’s originally from Michigan and has lived in South Dakota, Portugal, and southwestern Ohio. She received her master’s degree from the University of Michigan-Flint.

LIMITLESS PUBLISHING | WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOOGLE +

MY REVIEW:

 4/5 Stars

Krysten did a great job getting the voice of a 15-year-old girl down. I felt like I was watching a teenage drama unfold, which, technically I was. The issues of trust and insecurities run throughout the entire book. And as a 15-year-old girl, the issues are spot on. Nick was great, he loves his family, especially his grandfather and his devotion to Hadley was really sweet. Then insert Simone, a girl we all love to dislike—strongly. Krysten did a great job portraying her as an insecure, manipulator with all the teenage angst of Regina George in MEAN GIRLS.

Even though Competing With the Star isn't something I would normally pick up, I would feel confident giving it to my teenage babysitter to read.

Book Review: THE OCEAN BETWEEN US by Delisa Lynn

════════ BOOK REVIEW ════════

★★★ THE OCEAN BETWEEN US by Delisa Lynn ★★★

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Release Date: March 15, 2016

★★★★ SYNOPSIS ★★★★

Masters Sweet Baked Goods—the best bakery in Benton Creek.

Run by Hendlee Masters and her grandmother, Masters Sweets is the heart and soul of what’s left of Hendlee’s family. Raised by her grandmother after her parents died when she was only five, Hendlee’s poured her time and energy into building her own life in the small town she loves.

Best friends are hard to find—and even harder to keep.

Hendlee didn’t start to notice her feelings for one of her friends—Quaid Castings—until she was in high school. By then it was too late. Unlike her, his plans for the future involved ditching town and enrolling in the Naval Academy.

Just one night with Quaid is all she wants, but when it finally happens, it’s not nearly enough. And he’s leaving in less than twenty-four hours.

The pursuit of happiness often requires leaving someone behind.

Quaid wants more than the country life. Joining the Navy is the best way to explore the world beyond the hills of Kentucky. Except chasing his dream means leaving behind the girl he’s been in love with all his life—Hendlee Masters.

When Quaid chooses a career in the Navy over the love of a small-town girl, will their fates once again align? Or will their love be lost in The Oceans Between Us?

★★★ ════════ #oneclick ════════ ★★★

KINDLE US: http://amzn.to/1RbOyi4

KINDLE UK: http://amzn.to/1Mcbkih

KINDLE AU: http://bit.ly/1TSSCof

KINDLE CA: http://amzn.to/21mORGj

★★ABOUT THE AUTHOR★★

Delisa Lynn grew up in Columbus Ohio, she is currently residing in Western New York with her husband and fur daughter Sophie. During the day she works as a Medical Assistant and at night, she types away on her laptop, allowing her characters to escape her mind. Pink is her favorite color, and she loves anything animal print. She loves traveling, shopping and baking. When Delisa isn’t working or writing you can catch her snuggled up with her kindle reading about her newest book boyfriend.

- social media links -

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/authordelisalyn

WEBSITE: http://www.authordelisalynn.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/authordelisalynn

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7302188.Delisa_Lynn

════════ MY BOOK REVIEW ════════

4 / 5 STARS
Lovely, emotion-filled read from Delisa Lynn about miscommunication between two people who have been in love for years. A fun, though slightly predictable read that will tug at your heartstrings.

Sex: Yes. Yes there is.

Language: 72 F-bombs, 42 Sh*t's, 13 bi**ch's, so...there's a lot

Violence: There is a short fight between two guys, but nothing off-putting.

Drugs/Alcohol: Drinking yes, and small mention of the possibility of prescribed drug mis-usage by a grieving friend.

Nudity: Yes.

What I Loved:  I loved that Que and Hendlee both loved each other at a young age, but never really realized it until it was almost too late. I enjoyed watching both characters tumble down the rabbit hole when both thought the other had moved on. Classic case of miscommunication that could have happened to anyone.

Why 4 Stars?  Language was a key factor in the rankings for me. I mention this all the time, I really don't like the F-word and feel it's overused. And for me, 72 times in one book, is over used. The other thing that made me give THE OCEAN BETWEEN US four stars is that I found bits of the story predictable - though I didn't enjoy it any less. I just was able to guess the twists.

Who Would Like This? I think anyone who enjoys reading contemporary new adult romance would enjoy THE OCEAN BETWEEN US. It will tug at your heart and make you sigh a few times - what's not to like about that?

 

Book Review: Paige in Progress

From author Brighton Walsh comes a fun, flirty, smexy read you'll fall into and remember just how much you liked Tessa, Jason, Winter and Cade.

PAIGE IN PROGRESS (releasing January 19th) is Brighton Walsh's third novel in The Reluctant Hearts Series. Brighton spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with her first love: writing. When she’s not pounding away at the keyboard, she’s probably either reading or shopping—maybe even both at once. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children, and, yes, she considers forty degrees to be hoodie weather. Her home is the setting for frequent dance parties, Lego battles, and more laughter than she thought possible.

She is multi-published with Berkley, St. Martin’s Press, and Carina Press, and is represented by Mandy Hubbard of D4EO Literary Agency.

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Book Blurb:
She wanted a one-night stand...and then he moved in next door.

Paige Bennett is more than content with her life and what she does—and does not—have in it. She’s got a supportive family, a great apartment, and the best friend a girl could ask for; so what if her relationships expire faster than a carton of milk? After a disastrous detour courtesy of poor judgment in the boyfriend department, her plan is back on track and her dream job is finally within her grasp. Nothing can make her lose focus now. Well, nothing except the one-night stand she had with her best friend’s surrogate brother. The one-night stand she can’t stop thinking about.

Adam Reid has always been reliable...the responsible son, the loyal friend, the steady boyfriend. Two years ago, he graduated Magna Cum Laude and is well on his way to making a name for himself at an accounting firm in Denver—a far cry from working as a helper in the Mom and Pop store his parents own in Michigan. But when said store starts failing, he’s the only one who can step in and help. So reliable Adam does what he always does, and he comes to the rescue.

Paige thought Adam was a safe bet because he lives halfway across the country. But then suddenly he’s moving back to their town, and then into her apartment building, and soon he’s worming his way right into her life. If she’s not careful, he might sneak his way into her heart, too...

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Review:

4.5 / 5 stars


Sex: Yes, and it's steamy and hawt and...steamy!

Language: Several F-Bombs, and other mild language.

Violence: Nope.

Drugs/Alcohol: There is casual drinking with friends.

Nudity: It's assumed.

What I Loved: The banter! Good grief, Brighton knocked it out of the park with this. I loved Paige's and Adam's flirty interactions.

Why 4.5 Stars? Language. I've said this before...but are the F Bombs really all that necessary?

What I want more of: Sadly, I'm guessing Brighton's Reluctant Hearts series might be finished since there were not any more characters introduced. BUT! Thankfully, you can go on to read her other novels and be just as satisfied!

Who Would Like This? Fans of Brighton Walsh's Reluctant Hearts Series will be excited to have Paige's story. Since it's a stand-alone, anyone 17 and older will dig her smexy story.

Where Can I Buy PAIGE IN PROGRESS?

AMAZON US ➧ http://tinyurl.com/znz9wxy

AMAZON CAN ➧ http://tinyurl.com/h97raeh

AMAZON UK ➧http://tinyurl.com/j3lm35s

Goodreads ➧ http://tinyurl.com/h2tnmcs

Where can I find Brighton Walsh?

Website: www.BrightonWalsh.com
Twitter: @WriteAsRain_
Facebook: www.facebook.com/brighton.walsh

>>>>SPOILER ZONE—DO NOT read past this if you don't want to know what happens in the book!<<<<

Seriously...stop reading if you haven't read the book!!

Paige and Adam are, in one word - HOT! Nearly ever scene they are together is just full of tension and smexy-ness. I loved the dual points of view and hope Brighton writes another novel like this. When Adam moves next door to Paige you can't help but laugh at all of Paige's blundering about it. She knows there is chemistry, he knows there is chemistry, but Paige is trying all she can to ignore it. Not going to happen with a guy like Adam. He's persistent and sets his sight on what he wants, and that is Paige.

Throughout the book you're just wanting Paige to get over her fears and be like - hey, it's okay. Adam and I can be a thing, because why not? We're good together. But then you're like, but Adam's leaving at the end of summer to go back to Colorado. You know it's coming - the meltdown. And it's sad, pulls at your heart and you just want to yell at Paige or yell at Adam, or maybe both. Everyone can see what they have, but neither one wants to admit it.

In the end, it was just how I would have wanted it to end. These two were made for each other!

>>>>PAIGE IN PROGRESS is yet another steamy, quick paced read from Brighton Walsh you'll want to add to your library!<<<<

Book Review: Catching Fox

From author Aimee McNeil, comes an emotionally driven story about one girl's unwavering love for a troubled boy named Fox, and his father's redemption.

CATCHING FOX is Aimee McNeil's third novel. She was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, where she continues to live today with her husband and three children. She is a stay-at-home mother that loves every colorful moment with her family. Aimee spends most of her free time indulging in her love of writing.

You can also find her lost in the pages of a good book, or making a mess with her paints. Aimee loves to explore anything that promotes creativity. It is one of the many reason she enjoys writing.

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Book Blurb:
A chance meeting between two young souls is all it took...

When Adalynne Fairweather was just a child, her entire life had already been planned. From Ivy League schools to a career in law, adventure was the one thing out of her reach. That was until a boy with bright green eyes and a monster truck t-shirt wandered into her back yard, giving the adventure she longed for.

Refuge can be found in the most unlikely places…

Damon Knight’s abusive home life left him longing for a childhood he never had—until he wandered into Adalynne’s yard. She took his hand, smiled at him, and even gave him a nickname. Fox. The woods became their escape—a place to flee from reality. He discovered music through Adalynne’s piano, and not long after that, she gave him a guitar. Little did he know that gift would change his life forever. 

Years later, their age is not the only thing that’s changed...

Adalynne’s love for Fox took on a life of its own. As they begin to build their lives, her heart aches for him in ways she can’t understand. As they slowly begin to drift apart, Adalynne becomes more desperate to cling to their secret romance. But Fox is no longer the bright-eyed child from the woods. Her shy, beautiful Fox has grown into a dark, troubled man with a guitar. And when her last attempt to salvage their relationship breaks Adalynne’s heart, catching Fox a second time seems just out of her reach. 

“You remind me of a fox because you are quick, quiet, and…beautiful.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Review:

4 / 5 stars


Sex: Yes, although for a new adult novel, the sex scenes are pretty tame compared to some.

Language: Several F-Bombs, and other mild language.

Violence: Nope, though there is some yelling.

Drugs/Alcohol: There is drinking, and some drug use by the male main character, Fox.

Nudity: Yes, it's mentioned a couple times.

What I Loved: I loved the way Fox and Addie fell in love as children. I loved how the tension grew and grew until Addie and Fox exploded, pulling at my emotions. I loved how Addie helped Fox's father and the relationship that grew because of it. I loved how much Fox loved Addie.

Why 4 Stars? I'm a reader who enjoys reading flowing sentences, and I found the writing a little choppy - not that a little choppy is a bad thing, it's just not the reading style I love. I did also find the ending a little predictable, but was so glad it ended the way it did.

What I want more of: I can't say Catching Fox left me wanting. All the pieces were tied up neatly in a pretty little bow and the ending was just about how I would have wanted it.

Who Would Like This? I think Catching Fox would appeal to most anyone who reads NA books. There isn't one thing I can think of that would deter me from recommending this book. Your emotions are tugged, relationships are tested, relationships are healed and more than that, the characters truly grow.

Where Can I Buy CATCHING FOX?

AMAZON US ➧ http://amzn.to/1TMalcT

AMAZON CAN ➧ http://amzn.to/1Yhm8RN

AMAZON UK ➧http://amzn.to/1Qlgjnl

FREE on #KindleUnlimited

BOOK TRAILER ➧ https://youtu.be/L1dy2n5uvxI

Goodreads ➧ http://bit.ly/1NQfErs

>>>>SPOILER ZONE—DO NOT read past this if you don't want to know what happens in the book!<<<<

Seriously...stop reading if you haven't read the book!!

Who doesn't love when a boy and girl meet and fall in love as children? Their love is innocent and sweet, and as it unfolds in Catching Fox, you can't help but want to see Addie and Fox together. Oh my gosh, when she finally gets to attend high school as a senior and sees Fox with his girlfriend, I was heartbroken! His admission to Addie that he never wanted her to know the part of him that wasn't "Fox" but Damon, made you want to slap him as the same time your heart was melting. It was so obvious how much he didn't like who he was and how much it hurt him to think he would never be good enough for Addie.

When we learn that for years he showed up at Addie's home to talk with her father you just fall in love with Fox even more. He tried so hard to prove he was worthy of loving Addie, yet time and time again her parents turned him down. Add that to his own father's abuse, it's a wonder Fox was half the man he turned out to be.

Addie's love for Fox keeps her from loving anyone else, and it consumes her. It's hard to read Fox blow up at her when she comes to him, but yet you can tell how much he's struggling to hold on. It's heartbreaking and some would wonder why Addie won't give up on Fox, but as her father says, "The heart loves who the heart loves."

I did think the ending was a little predictable with the concert and Fox being there and singing to Addie. But what I loved was the fort he had moved to their new house, it was sweet and very thoughtful. I also loved how much Fox loved his and Addie's son in the epilogue - it was very clear and touching.

>>>>If you love stories about young love and how it evolves, grab CATCHING FOX today!<<<<

Book Review: Eerie

From author C.M. McCoy, comes a story about love, loss and creepy things all rolled up into one amazing package that you'll have a really hard time putting down.

EERIE is the debut novel for C.M. McCoy who is an Irish dancer and former Air Force officer living in the Great White North. Though B.S.'d in Chemical Engineering and German, she’s far happier writing stories involving Alaska and a body bag (with an awkward kiss in the mix.) While working emergency dispatch for Alaska State Troopers, she learned to speak in 10-codes, which she still does...but only to annoy her family.

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Book Blurb:

Being a ParaScience freshman is a nightmare come true...

Hailey’s dreams have always been, well...vivid. As in monsters from her nightmares follow her into her waking life vivid. When her big sister goes missing, eighteen-year-old Hailey finds the only thing keeping her safe from a murderous 3,000-year old beast is an equally terrifying creature who’s fallen “madly” in love with her. Competing to win her affection, the Dream Creature, Asher, lures her to the one place that offers safety—a ParaScience university in Alaska he calls home. There, she studies the science of the supernatural and must learn to live with a roommate from Hell, survive a tunneling earworm, extract a carnivorous splinter, evade the campus poltergeists, and hope the only creature who can save her from an evil immortal doesn’t decide to kill her himself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Review:

5 / 5 stars


Sex: Nope.  There's is some steamy lip-locking, though.

Language: Is fairly mild, however there are a few sh*t's and only one f-bomb.

Violence: There is the mention of dismemberment a couple times, along with a few good punches thrown in. There is also the tying of souls which is quite painful to the one it's inflicted upon.

Drugs/Alcohol: The main character takes a few drinks of whiskey or wine.

Nudity: Yes, there is nudity but only because of poltergeists and the pranks they play.

What I Loved:  First and foremost, I loved the world building at Beartown University in Middle of Nowhere, Alaska. I mean there are yetis, bookworms who drink tea and blow up like balloons, and not to mention the carnivorous splinters and the 30 types of misquitos! The world is so well built, you'll want to journey up north and tour this strange, magical place. The next best thing is Hailey's roommate from Hell, Giselle. She is the complete and total opposite of Hailey: grumpy, dark, brooding, creepy and oh, NOT human. I love that I LOL'd literally a dozen times and that I had that tingly neck pulling feeling at other times (you know the one where you're reading something heartbreaking but you don't cry, you just FEEL the pain? Yeah, that one). I just plain LOVED this book!

Why 5 Stars?  This was an easy 5 stars for me because I just simply loved this book! I don't easily give out 5 stars because I do tend to pick out little things like language or cliche endings, but with Eerie, I was so pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the story and the world!

What I want more of: The rest of the story, obviously! Without giving the ending away, I want to know what happens between Hailey and Fin and even Asher, I have so many things I want to know...like when will book 2 be released?!?!

Who Would Like This? Fans of Harry Potter will remember why they fell in love with Harry Potter because of EERIE. C.M. McCoy has created a fantastical world within EERIE at Beartown University and Middle of Nowhere, Alaska. You'll love the carnivorous splinters and Giselle, Hailey's roommate from Hell. You'll love Hailey's draw to Asher and the sneaky feelings she feels towards Fin. Seriously, what won't you like?

Where Can I Buy EERIE?

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0176M19RM
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eerie-C-M-McCoy-ebook/dp/B0176M6MA6
Amazon Canada: http://www.amazon.ca/Eerie-C-M-McCoy-ebook/dp/B0176M19RM
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/9781623422332
Apple iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/eerie/id1052918810
BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/search?query=9781623422332
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/eerie-17
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/C_M_McCoy_Eerie?id=yfDPCgAAQBAJ

>>>>SPOILER ZONE—DO NOT read past this if you don't want to know what happens in the book!<<<<

Seriously...stop reading if you haven't read the book!!

So here is where we discuss more of "the book". And I don't just mean more summary or equivilant, I mean we're going to go into the nitty gritty (does anyone really still say that?) Alright, lets begin with the creatures called Envoys. So, Asher, he's one of the Envoys who is longing to go back home to the Aether, one of the three worlds/dimensions in EERIE (you have earth, Heaven and the Aether, a kind of in-between where energy is the Envoys) Being an Envoy, you can take any shape you want, and of course, Asher chooses to look somewhat like James Dean, because...James Dean. And Hailey met him in her dreams when she was young and kinda developed a crush on him, because...JAMES DEAN!

But then we're introduced to Fin who is a little older than Hailey and has girls dripping off of him because he's Hottie McFly. Hailey had a little crush on him for a short while too, but decided he was more like a big brother the way he looked out for her.

So then Holly, Hailey's sister up and gets her foot chopped off in the alley and...wait for it...DIES! She dies and we're like...wait! She and Hailey were going to go to this obscure college in Middle of Nowhere, Alaska and study Parascience. While she's grieving Holly, Fin, who's been there helping her through the funeral, just up and leaves and she doesn't see him again for almost six months! Way to be dependable, Fin...

Insert college now and the trip to Alaska is crazy! Fin AND Asher are both there and she's like..."Wait, what are you two doing here? You go to Beartown?" And Fin's all..."Yeah, something like that." And Asher's all...."I'm ignoring you..."

And then there's all this crazy stuff about don't get hurt because if you go the hospital on campus you might die because sometimes that happens...but hey! You won't be dead long. Oh, and don't forget your Yeti spray, because...YETI'S.

Let's not forget Giselle and her crazy sleeping cocoon on the ceiling or how she hates Hailey, but secretly doesn't. I just love her and her transformation and how Hailey is always trying to befriend her. It's such a great part of EERIE and makes it real.

So we're back to Asher and Fin and how they grapple over Hailey and I have to say, I am Team Fin, all the way. I kinda love that he tries to tell Hailey how he feels about her by being obscure. Sure, pushing her away as his did gave me the whole tingly neck pulling thing (remember from above??), but it added so much to her realization later on how he felt.

And then that rotten Cobon and his nasty trick at the end...I really didn't see that coming, oh, Cobon is an Envoy who has kind of gone insane and isn't too nice. Like at all (remember Holly from above? He orchestrated that whole deal - see...not nice!) I did, however, think that what happened in the very end, was going to happen...but I'm not really going to discuss that...if you really want to know how EERIE ends, you're just going to have to buy yourself a copy, because...EERIE.

>>>>EERIE and C.M. McCoy will soon be a household name, I am sure!!<<<<

Book Review: My Strongest Weakness

From author Brighton Walsh comes another fast-paced, sexy new adult romance novella set in the '90s where two people can't be so wrong for each other.  Nothing says opposites attract like an All-American college football star and a grunge-loving film student.

MY STRONGEST WEAKNESS is the first novella in this '90s PLAYLIST anthology and trust me, you won't be disappointed.  A great opener for the remaining five novellas, you'll be pulled into Tia and Mason's story from the start.

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Book Blurb:

She's the last thing he needs, but she's the only thing he wants...as long as it's behind closed doors.

It was supposed to be a one-time thing. No one would find out; no one would have to know. And then once turned into twice, and twice turned into several times a week, and now pierced, punk-loving, rebellious Tia Lanning is banging Mason Brooks, the big man on campus and Mr. All American.

But banging him isn't the problem. Falling for him is. Especially when he's content to let her remain his dirty little secret.

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Review:

4 / 5 stars


Sex: Yep.  Scenes are steamy with full description.

Language: MY STRONGEST WEAKNESS loses a quarter star for me because of the use of the *F* word more than 3-4 times.  Personally, I'm just not a fan of it and feel it's overused.

Violence: Nope.

Drugs/Alcohol: Yep, frat parties=alcohol.

Nudity: Surprisingly there really isn't any even with all the sex.

What I Loved:  I love underdog stories, and I really felt like Tia was the underdog here.  Even though she is strong in her own right, when she is with Mason it makes her question everything she's ever thought she knew about love. 

Why Only 4 Stars?  As I mentioned above, MY STRONGEST WEAKNESS lost a quarter star due to language. Another quarter star was lost due the abrupt ending.  I realize this was a novella, a short story really, and it has to end somewhere, but I really wanted more.  The remaining half star was lost because Mason and Tia's story was hard to relate to even though I went to college in the late 90s.  I am just not sure a guy like Mason and a girl like Tia would ever wind up together as they do in this story.  But then again, their story works because when they're together, their chemistry is hot.

What I want more of: I wanted a real HEA (happily ever after), not just a ending sex scene.

Who Would Like This? I think MY STRONGEST WEAKNESS is appropriate for anyone 17 and older who likes to read romance or stories about college life.  But be forewarned, the sex scenes are pretty explicit and detailed (not to mention steamy).

I am a child of the '80s and '90s, I even went to college in the '90s (albeit the late '90s), but I went nonetheless.  I remember frat parties, heck I was even in a sorority.  So to say that I was feeling a bit nostalgic is an understatement.  I felt as though I was right there with Tia as she went to her first frat party, however the frats at the college I went to weren't nearly as clean as Zeta Alpha Tau.

Mason's world of cheerleaders and sorority girls doesn't mesh with Tia's film lovers and grunge aficionados, but when they get together their chemistry is explosive.  Pushed together through their joint Econ class, they find each other unable to resist the other.

When their feelings begin to take over their primal urges, both are confused and afraid what it might mean for their reputations with their friends and family.  Mason's in line to become the next president of his fraternity and a girl who looks like Tia isn't someone who mixes with with Zeta Alpha Tau, not to mention his wealthy parents.

Brighton's prior New Adult novels are pretty amazing and you can be sure to have tons of stomach drops and twinges behind your ears with all the emotions you'll feel.  MY STRONGEST WEAKNESS follows suit with all those feels and make you want to break out your old Discman if you still have one.

Book Review: A Shot of Reckless

From author duo, Maddie Paige, comes a story about learning to trust in love when you have every reason to doubt it.  A new adult novel with friends you'll want to have and a steamy romance you won't forget, Roxy and Lake will win you over.

A SHOT OF RECKLESS is the debut novel for writing duo Maddie Paige who bonded over books, shirtless boys and Step Up movies. One lives for her coffee while the other prefers hot chocolate. Both lovers of romance, they tag teamed a manuscript over late nights at Steak 'n Shake. They live in Atlanta, GA.

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Book Blurb:

Art major, Roxy Thompson, is a ball of fun—but she's also careful to keep her walls intact when it comes to men. She likes relationships just like her coffee: light and sweet. After having her heart shattered once before, she’s determined not to ever feel that broken again.

College senior, Lake Foster, is just tempting enough to make Roxy rethink her rules of engagement. Suddenly, high-dollar shots and a no-strings night out aren't enough anymore. But Lake isn't looking for long-term. His future is set, and in four months, he intends to graduate and leave Georgia—and everything in it—behind. Luckily, short-term fun is Roxy’s specialty, and Lake can’t resist what he promises will be a fleeting taste.

Will Roxy and Lake really walk away when their time is up? They only have one shot to find out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Review:

4.5 / 5 stars


Sex: Yep.  Scenes range from fade to black to steamy with full description.

Language: A SHOT OF RECKLESS loses a quarter star for me because of the use of the *F* word more than 3-4 times.  Personally, I'm just not a fan of it and feel it's overused.

Violence: There isn't any violence that we the reader actually gets to read, but it's implied through Roxy's BFF's boyfriend.

Drugs/Alcohol: Yep, though no drugs, only legal age drinking.

Nudity: Umm, the main characters have sex numerous times, so yes.  There is nudity.

What I Loved:  I felt like I was part of the gang in Roxy and Lake's story.  The characters were real, likeable and gave you the sense that you could be hanging out with them.  I loved that the secondary characters, Taylor & Dylan both had their own sets of problems making them more than one dimensional.  I loved how Lake and Roxy's romance was intended to be a one-time thing, but their connection was deep and neither one wanted to admit what they were feeling for each other.   I felt Roxy's character showed a lot of growth in the novel especially when dealing with her parents and her BFF.  I love that Lake was a very caring individual who wants to help others including his BFF.

Why Only 4.5 Stars?  As I mentioned above, A SHOT OF RECKLESS lost a quarter star due to language.  The other quarter was lost because even though I truly loved this novel, I did find parts of the story slightly predictable.

What I want more of: I want to read Dylan's love story and Taylor's falling in love stories, and let's not forget about ever-cheerful Abigail - they all have to get their Happily Ever Afters, right?

Who Would Like This? I think A SHOT OF RECKLESS is appropriate for anyone 17 and older who likes to read romance or stories about college life.  But be forewarned, the sex scenes are pretty explicit and detailed (not to mention steamy) - so if you're not up for that, skip over those parts and read anyway!

>>>>SPOILER ZONE—DO NOT read past this if you don't want to know what happens in the book!<<<<

Alright, so let's get one thing straight—HOLY HOT Roxy and Lake painting sex scene...I'm not gonna lie, I was like, WHAAA??  There was something totally UMMM, and yet so very beautiful about the scene.  It showcased Roxy's vurnerability and Lake's care and concern for her.  It was magical.

Roxy's gallery showing - I knew, just KNEW Lake wasn't going to make it.  I mean you've got to have dips and valley's in a novel and this one I saw coming from a mile away.  What I didn't see what Roxy's car accident and how her friends treated her after it happened.  I mean come on!  Let the girl talk!

Let's not forget about Taylor and her schmuck of a boyfriend.  How can we not be proud of her for finally standing up for herself and breaking it off with him?  Her character goes from meek to even more meek as the story progresses so good for her for deciding to live for herself for a change.

And Dylan...props to her for going to Lake for help when she knew she needed it.  I want to know how she gets along in California without her best friend, Lake.  They've been BFFs for so long, how will she learn to cope without him?

Now, as far as Lake turning down Stanford...well, let's just say you can't get much of a happily ever after if he were to go, now could you?

>>>>A SHOT OF RECKLESS will be a smashing success, thank you for letting me review your book baby!<<<<

Props to Tahereh Mafi

TaherahBooks.com

I think it's time I posted a book review on here, not just a "I read this book" post.  So, since I just finished Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi, I figured I'd start there.  Besides, I can't get her writing out of my mind. 

SPOLIER ALERT: If you have not read either Shatter Me or Unravel Me, you may want to stop reading now as I'm going to be giving away some major plot points.

First I am going to start by talking quickly about Shatter Me, because it comes first in the trilogy.

Juliette has been imprisoned for the murder of a small child, locked up, studied and nearly tortured.  Her mere touch is lethal and the murder was an accident but people suddenly feared her and her ability.

A childhood acquaintance winds up imprisoned with her, Adam and her trust is slow to come by.  Over time, he does win her trust and her love after we find out that for some reason Adam can touch her.

But here comes Warner, the hot bad guy we all love to hate...or do we?  He uses Juliette's powers trying to teach her to become something greater than she is, but she hates his methods and him.

Adam and Juliette escape the prison and Warner only to be hunted as they work their way to Omega Point, a sanctuary for those against Warner and his father's regime.

Here's where Tahereh Mafi lost me:  it gets all X Men in the book.  See Omega Point is not only a sanctuary, but it's for people with powers.  Their leader has extreme telekenesis (Magneto, anyone?), they have healers, people that can blend into their surroundings, stretchy limbs, etc.  Juliette doesn't know where she fits in and moreover, will they let Adam stay?

Now, on to Unravel Me, the book I can't get out of my head.  Well, maybe not the book, the writing style.

Juliette struggles to find a place within Omega Point, her relationship with Adam is tested, so much so that we come to learn that Adam does have special powers too: he has the ability to disable other people's powers.  Which kinda sucks when it comes to him and Juliette, because even though they can touch, her power is so strong that it takes so much out of him to fight off her lethality (is that a word?) that it is literally killing him.

With the help of Kenji, Juliette's only friend, other than Adam at Omega Point, she is able to begin to fit in and learn more about her ability.  He gives her the trust she needs to start going out on assignments with other Omega Point people, which leads them into a trap set by Warner's father.

Anderson is evil, just like his son, Warner - but far worse.  In an attempt to rescue four Omega Point members, Juliette, Adam and Kenji agree to meet with Anderson - only Kenji blends himself and Adam into the surrounding so it looks like Juliette goes in alone.  Warner shows up only to find out that Anderson plans to kill Juliette in front of him because he's fallen in love with her, which is weakness in the eyes of Anderson.

His plan goes south after an argument occurs, Juliette gets a gun and shoots Anderson in the legs.  Adam and Kenji rescue two of the four hostages and take Warner hostage as well - only after we learn that Anderson is not only Warner's father, but Adam's father too.  While he's held captive at Omega Point, Juliette is assigned to question him and find out where the other two hostages are located.

Through her conversations with Warner, she begins to have feelings for him and feels guilty thinking she's betraying Adam - even if they are broken up.  We learn that Warner also has powers, and he's not happy about it.  Warner has the ability to transfer other people's power.

Warner tells Omega Point that there is going to be an all-out war, so all of Omega Point prepares.  He approached Juliette asking her to run away with him - followed by the longest make out scene I've ever read (seriously like 5 pages, maybe 6).

Warner escapes Omega Point, they go to war.  Juliette is captured and brought to Warner's mother's house where Anderson promptly shoots her in the chest in front of Warner.  The healers of Omega Point have been kidnapped, and Warner uses them to heal Juliette.  And now she's pissed.

The end.

Wow, this is turning into a really long post - oh well.  So, my overall review of Shatter Me and Unravel Me is that I like them, 3.75 stars for the plot, 4.25 for readability.  Book 1 flowed really well, and I read it quickly.  I really enjoyed it until it went down the X Men path.  Book 2 redeemed the whole X Men factor, though I found Juliette almost annoying this go around.  She is so depressed and unsure of herself or her purpose.  It's not until the end of the book that you get a sense of who she's becoming.  I also thought some of the plot was predictable, such as where we learn that Warner and Adam are brothers.

What I did REALLY like, is Tahereh's writing - more so in Unravel Me.  I feel like a lot of what she wrote was almost like poetry.  I felt like I could feel what was going on inside of Juliette's head. There were so many parts of the book where I felt the writing was just magical.

Would I recommend these books - yes, without a doubt, you'll just have to wait until Fall 2013 to finish up the series and to find out if Juliette picks Warner or Adam.