Thursday, August 15, 2013

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Trust in Me by J. Lynn

I have pretty much signed up for most of Jennifer L. Armentrout's reveals (cover/book trailer) and it's always a surprise how her covers only keep getting better, hotter and sweeter all the time! I'm still not used to it. LOL I am such a huge Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn fan! I friggin' loved Wait For You (my REVIEW) and I can NOT wait to read it all in Cam's POV. So without further ado, the cover for Trust in Me:

Title: Trust in Me (Wait for You #1.5)
Author: J. Lynn (Jennifer L. Armentrout)
Publisher: William Morrow Impulse


It’s Wait for You as you’ve never seen it. Trust in Me lets you in on Cam’s side of the #1 New York Times Bestselling story.

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life – literally – he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam’s not ready to give up. He can’t get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head.

Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?



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Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (44)

Waiting on Wednesday/s are hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine in which you choose a book or books that you're excited and waiting for.
This week's Waiting on Wednesday book is:
Title: Through the Zombie Glass (White Rabbit Chronicles #2)
Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Publication date: September 24th 2013
Pre-order the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble


Inspired by the childhood classic Alice in Wonderland, this harrowing and romantic story features teen zombie slayer Alice Bell who has lost so much—family, friends, her home. After a strange new zombie attack, Alice fears she may be losing her mind as well. A terrible darkness blooms inside her, urging her to do wicked things. The whispers of the dead assault her ears and mirrors seem to come frighteningly to life. She’s never needed her team of zombie slayers more—including her boyfriend, Cole—than she does now. But as Cole strangely withdraws and the zombies gain new strength, Ali knows one false step may doom them all.
(Image and summary taken from Goodreads.)

Why I am excited for this book:

I absolutely loved Alice in Zombieland (and Cole) I am pretty much dying for this book. White rabbit!

What's your WoW pick for this week? Leave us a comment and we'll check your post out! :)


Monday, August 12, 2013

Blog Tour: Excerpt: Uninvited by Leah Spiegel and Megan Summers

Click banner for the tour schedule.

Title: Uninvited
Authors: Leah Spiegel and Megan Summers
Pages: 260 pages
Format acquired: Paperback
Publication date:
Source: Received from authors (Thanks, Leah, Megan and Xpresso Book Blog Tours!)
Buy the book: Amazon



When Alley started her senior year at Upper St. Clair in the South Hills area, it was supposed to be the usual drag of hanging out with people who spent more on one outfit than Alley did on her entire wardrobe. That was until Kirsten, a girl in their clique, suddenly goes missing and the only people who seem to care are her friends. 

All evidence leads to the new comer Shane, a cocky and self-pretentious person in Alley’s opinion, but the police seem uninterested so she and the rest of the girls start a little investigation of their own. But they are nowhere closer to finding Kirsten than when they started and now they had the police’s attention; just not in the way they expected. 

The girls have to start over and discover that maybe it wasn’t an outsider who took Kirsten, but someone within their own clique who has something to hide; a secret that just might have gotten Kirsten killed.

(Image provided by Xpresso Book Blog Tours and summary taken from Goodreads.)


     ~A few serious looking lifters, wearing do rags over top of their heads, paused to watch us enter the main floor of the gym. I would have thought the wind was blowing through our hair like how it happens in movies by the way their mouths dropped at the sight of us. Feeling like hot stuff, I tried to hold back a smile until he led us off to a side room and explained, “First, I have to measure you.”
     “Lord have mercy,” Kayla groaned.
     “What did you sign me up for?” I hissed at Val, but she just grimaced and shrugged.
     “Is it too late to turn around?” Kayla groaned.
     “So who’s first?” Kellen asked brightly.
    Kayla and I shrunk back from the rest of the group, but Libby, who had the figure of a stick, confidently strode forward and held her arms out with a smug smile on her face as he took measurements.
     “Anorexic,” Kayla coughed, and both our shoulders shook in silent laughter. 

     ~I knew Buddy needed to go out and do his business, but for some reason, my big watch dog was either very lazy or afraid of the dark. He would drag me out of bed to go for a run in the morning, but when it’s time to relieve himself for the night, he acts like outside is a strange place. Standing at the wide open door, I pointed out and said very firmly, “Buddy, go pee.” To which he answered by whining and lying down. “Come on, Buddy, Mommy had a rough day, please go pee!”
     Buddy huffed loudly and rested his head on his paws. Not wanting to spend the next hour arguing with my dog for the entire neighborhood to watch, I went to my last resort. I bent over, half picking him up and half dragging him outside to use the bathroom. Once on the grass, he lifted his leg and did his business then walked back inside on his own accord.


About the authors:

Although we moved down to North Carolina several years ago, we’re originally from the Pittsburgh area. (That’s why a lot of our characters either live in the Burgh or reference our hometown football team, The Pittsburgh Steelers.) And yes, we even have the Southern accents to show for it now. Although Megan’s is considerable thicker, Leah still can’t understand the locals.

We are known as ‘the sisters’ among our neighborhood; when actually we’re probably really known as ‘the sisters with the Yorkies’. Our pups, Skippy Jon Jones and Captain Jack Sparrow, were given long names to compensate for their small size but not their large personalities.

If Leah’s not glued to her electronic devices, AKA her Kindle Fire and various laptops, you can find her training ‘the attack dogs’, running on the treadmill while conceiving the next great book idea with the Dave Matthews Band, Muse, Florence and the Machine, The Lumineers, and Pink (just to name a few) blaring out of her earphones.

If Megan’s not glued to her electronic devices AKA her iPad and Nook Color, you can find her teaching fourth graders, swimming marathon style at the pool, or cuddling with ‘the attack dogs’ as she watches Duck Dynasty, Gold Rush, Scandal, Person of Interest, Morning Joe, etc.

Leah graduated from Edinboro University with a BA in Art Education. Megan received her teaching degree from Edinboro University and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Technology from Grand Canyon University.

You can find them here:






Sunday, August 11, 2013

Blog Tour: ARC Review + Guest Post: The Apollo Academy by Kimberly P. Chase

Click on the banner for the tour schedule.

Title: The Apollo Academy (Apollo Academy #1)
Author: Kimberly P. Chase
Pages: 340 pages
Format acquired: eARC (ePub)
Publication date: August 6th 2013
Source: Received from the author (Thanks, Kimberly!)
Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble



As the heiress to Titon Technologies, eighteen-year-old Aurora Titon can have whatever she wants—clothes, expensive gadgets, anything money can buy. All she really wants is to escape her pampered, paparazzi-prone life for the stars. Becoming the first female pilot to train as an astronaut for the Apollo Academy is exactly the chance for which she has been waiting. Everything would be perfect if it weren't for her unreciprocated crush on a fellow student, the sexy astronaut bent on making her life hell, and the fact that someone keeps trying to kill her. 

The first in a four book new adult science fiction series, The Apollo Academy, is an action packed story of love, discovery, and survival.

(Image provided by Kimberly and summary taken from Goodreads.)

Review:

This is the first New Adult book I have read that isn't Contemporary... and I loved it! Badass heroine + two super swoony space guys + an awesome storyline = one heck of a fun book. I've always been a huge space fan (especially when I found out that microwaves came from alien technology. LOL) and reading about it in one of my favorite genres made it all the more enjoyable. (Note: there are no aliens in this book... yet.)

There are times when I get confused while I am reading a book with multiple point of views and I was so glad that I actually got to understand the ones written in The Apollo Academy. It was interesting reading from the perspective of different characters especially since they play such big parts in the book. The Apollo Academy is basically about a group of teenagers who passed their initiation and got into the academy, and a bunch of really crazy stuff ensues. Cray-zee. Oh, and did I mention that there's drama, action, romance and a bit of comedy as well? Well, there is.

Aurora was a pretty interesting character for me. It's not everyday you read about rich heiresses who aren't spoiled. Aside from that, Aurora has to be one of the most determined characters I have ever read about. She is so intent on not being known as the "Titon heiress" because she wants to be able to make a name for herself by becoming the Academy's first female pilot. I loved that she was so persistent and even when her instructor was being a douche to her, she was still able to tell him where to shove it and be professional at the same time. There are moments when she is vulnerable though, what with the constant bullying and boy trouble she had to go through, and I won't even talk about her father anymore. Aurora is a great heroine and I can't wait to read what's in store for her in the next books!

I. Am. So. Torn. Seriously...

I have no idea how Kimberly Chase came up with the idea of making two leading men... Okay, I know that love triangles are a pretty common thing since forever but I have never read about two guys who are so even with each other. I just can't pick whose Team I am on. (I may be leaning a bit toward Sky's side because let's face it, hottie instructor trumps teenager with a past most of the time.)

Let's talk about Zane first (teenager with a past.) If I was Aurora I'd most likely get whiplash from the mixed signals that he keeps sending me. I love Zane because I know he genuinely cares for her and he's awesome but come on! Make up your mind, man. Always better late than never... usually. I understand why he can't get close to Aurora because he harbors a secret that involves her father but he really doesn't have to be so obvious about it by ignoring. I really feel bad for him though, he chooses to make himself feel bad because he's afraid. There are times when letting it out may actually be the solution to all your worries. Man, I need book 2... *wink wink, nudge nudge*

Sky is your typical asshole-but-turns-nice-hottie-instructor. He was a huge douche towards Aurora at first and I am usually into those kinds of guys. LOL But moving on, Aurora really nailed him in the head. She didn't let him get away with his bullshit and she called him out on it as well. You'll find out in the latter part of the book why he acted that way but you'll have to endure with him at the moment... Sky has his good moments. When you see the sweet and pretty deep guy within and I really can't wait to see more of him in the next books. *swoons*

Kimberly Chase has created one pretty amazing (and successful) New Adult novel that will just leave you begging for more, I know I am. Need. Book. Two. NOW.

Rating:

What inspired you towrite THE APOLLO ACADEMY? 

I'm a voracious reader and over the years I kept feeling like there wassomething missing in my reading pile....

It wasn'tuntil I finished writing The ApolloAcademy, that I realized that this was the story I'd been missing.  A book about a young woman who loved tofly. One that wasn't historical. One that was fun and sexy....The ApolloAcademy stemmed from this idea. I don't think I've ever read a book aboutastronaut training that's been done in a fun, young way. 

When I lookback on my life, I can see that I'd been collecting pieces of The Apollo Academy my entire life. Fromnights spent looking through a telescope, attending Space Camp, flying lessonsat Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, my infatuation with Apollo 13, toreading science fiction books...these experiences were my inspiration.


About the author:


Kimberly P. Chase writes young adult and new adult science fiction. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, which basically means she's kind of a geek and loves flying airplanes. Naturally, her books tend to include aviation, hot flight instructors, aviator glasses, and—let's not forget—kissing! When Kimberly's not writing or reading, she's hanging out with her husband, four-year-old son, and two dogs.

You can find her here:


Thursday, August 8, 2013

Review: Easy by Tammara Webber

Title: Easy
Author: Tammara Webber
Pages: 310 pages
Format acquired: Paperback
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Publication date: November 6th 2012
Source: Purchased from Fully Booked
Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble



Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn’t easy…


He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl's struggle to regain the trust she's lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

(Image and summary taken from Goodreads.)

Review:

Easy was the very first New Adult book I read, and it was what got me addicted to the genre. It is such a simple book but it has such a deep and passionate plot that you can't help but love it. And yeah, I'm going to say it, it was so easy to love this book. No pun intended. Tammara Webber creates characters that are both inspirational and relatable. This book isn't a fairytale but I can assure you that you will find the happiness that you are looking for... but that doesn't come without a price.

A few people might say that almost being taken advantage off isn't that big of a deal because you got away unscathed, but it actually is. No one should ever have to go through that, the fear of the unknown. Not knowing whether you'll survive; physically or emotionally. That kind of thing will always be on your mind even if it becomes only an afterthought, it will still be there. Which is why I was absolutely terrified for Jackie. She didn't deserve to go through that, no one does. Jackie survived, she exists but does she really live? It was really difficult having to read that and it was a huge slap of reality to my face.

Even though Jackie had to go through that she still managed to be strong and like I said, she survived. Easy is a very raw and emotional book and it was easy to get caught in all the emotions that surrounded the book. Jackie is a great character, she was strong but also a had a very vulnerable side as well. It was natural for her to feel scared but I also felt really bad for her because she did end up harboring some guilt in the latter part of the book even though it really wasn't her fault. It was sad reading about how she blamed herself but as the book goes by, you'll see how much she grew from the start. Gone was this fragile and defeated woman and now we have a woman who stood up for what she believed in even though there were people who tried to bring her down. It was really cool that Jackie took self-defense classes because instead of crying about what happened to her, she decided to take action and learn to defend herself. Jackie is a great girl and I was glad that she was able to find her spirit again, in the end.

Lucas was an enigma in the book. He was there, he was here, he was everywhere but nowhere. I'm kidding... but seriously, he was everywhere. Lucas wasn't just the really hot tattooed guy who saved Jackie when she was about to be taken advantaged of, he was her (it may sound cheesy) beacon of light. He's helped her in so many ways and he's guided her to a path of recovery. I love their quips and banter with each other because it's what cut through the tension and lessened the sad mood of the book. And can I just say? Lucas and his artisticness (<-- is that even a word?) is so swoony. His and Jackie's "tension" was also pretty evident in the book. The line between wanting to comfort and being more was really blurred and I was glad for it. Lucas was the very first New Adult guy I had fallen in love with (Tammara Webber and Lucas took my NA virginity) and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I told my mom that I'd mention her in this review because she loooved Easy too and that she gives it her stamp of approval... (there you go, ma! You happy? Love ya!) Easy wasn't an easy book to read but it was easy to love, and that's all that really matters. Tammara Webber was able to create a story that just resonates and will reach into the very depths of you and make you love it. If you're still hesitant to try out NA, you should really read Easy because you will, without a doubt, love it.

Rating: