Exciting News!

Best news of the week!
Fisher Amelie, you know, the incredible author of Callum & Harper? Well, she's also got a new book out, Vain! 

But wait, that's not the best news-- don't get me wrong, that too is great news, but the best news is that Fisher asked for blog tour, and of course, you don't pass up that chance when the author of one of your favorite 2012 reads, asks you to, or even gives you the chance to host, read and review her book, and gift me with the book!

So what's in it for you?!

First, as if the book being only $2.99 isn't a great deal in itself, she's also giving away a Kindle Fire! I'll tell you, I got my Kindle fire earlier this year, and it's a nice, INCREDIBLE giveaway. 

Anyway, I'll be hosting it for January 2oth, so stop by here, read my review, and get in your chance to win a Kindle Fire. 

Hope to see you then! 

The Edge of Never by J. A. Redmerski

Buy it!

 

Dear Ms. Redmerski,
I feel the need to tell you, for several long, excruciating minutes, I hated you, and your book. I think you know why.

Whew. This had me at the opening, and kept me to the close. I laughed with Camryn and at Andrew, blushed right with Camryn, and cried too. Mostly I fell in love right with Camryn and Andrew.

You know I voted for a lot of great authors in the GR voting, but had I read this already by then... I'd have voted for The Edge of Never. It's that good.

So, just FYI I don't hate you anymore Ms. Redmerski. I'd probably downright love you even more if there just happened to be more of their story :)

 

Seriously, go buy this... right now.

 

Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A. Tucker

 

Buy it!

 

 

Happiness-- that’s the word I associate with this little gem.
Longing-- for inappropriate (in Trent’s eyes) things to happen.
Love—that’s what I feel about Trent and Kacey.
Hope-- that there’d be a happy ending.
Fear-- that I’d be wrong.
Forgiveness—I’ll be forgiving that there wasn’t more, because I loved every second.

I’ll also add: Beautiful--- that’s what I think when I see this cover.

I won’t say that I was surprised at where this was going, because I predict things, but, wow, I won’t say it was a bad thing. Some were exactly what I hoped for. I loved Kacey for knowing she was so full of it, and doing her best not to care what everyone thought. I love Trent—just because there are some scenes where he is exactly what girls want… and some scenes he does things that have you hating him as much as Kacey thinks she hates him. I love Cain, Nate, and Ben- and really everyone at Penny’s. Who knew a strip club could be one of my favorite settings in a story?

Some of my favorite memorable quotes:
“You don't want me, Ben. I'm seven layers of fucked up with a side of bullshit.”

At sixteen, everyone is “the one.”

I’m just going to say that for $3.99, you really can’t beat this.
Gah, even with the price aside, you should read this. It’s that simple.

Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

O. M. G.

You know, I sat down a few months ago and wrote my first review on Callum & Harper, and thought there aren’t a lot of books that I deem worth writing a review on.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being snobby, but as they say time is money, and if I have extra time or money, it ends up on my Kindle.

But again, O. M. Butterflying G.

I loved, loved, loved Slammed.  I did, and still do.  Its marked as a favorite on my Kindle so I can easily access it. When I bought it and read it, I didn’t think about how fast I’d read it to worry about getting its sequel, Point of Retreat. So of course, I finish Slammed at like 2 am, knowing I have to work the next morning, but I sat up downloading POR anyway, lying to myself, saying, “Laura, we’ll only read one chapter.”  Next thing I know, I’m like six chapters in. Just like Slammed, there are too many quotes to quote back to you guys, but again, I would. 

Okay, so maybe I should actually write about it?  POR follows up on the story of Will and Layken, aka Lake and their siblings Caulder and Kel.  Will Cooper, is butterflying awesome.  I’d marry Will Cooper in a butterflying second and have his butterflying babies. Good lord, let’s not get me started. 

Colleen’s writing is incredible, and I fell in love, heartbreak and laughter throughout, agonizing over the end, and how I did not want to finish, yet at the same time I couldn’t stop reading. I’ve been at work reading and getting frustrated to have to stop for the 5 minutes I have to get some real work accomplished. 

Colleen, you aren’t making nearly enough off your books.  I’d certainly pay more for either of them.  Of course, if they go up in price, I’m glad I got them at $3.99 each.  Best four bucks spent with Amazon yet- minus C&H.  After reading POR, you will never look at stars, butterflies, and hair trimmers the same.

** These books have now become bestsellers since I read them, and even are being published in hardback!!! They are a little more expensive than what I have quoted above but still worth the price.

Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Best Advice:  Look up some of the artwork and pieces from the book; it helps to know what they are discussing sometimes.

Good lord, why did I ever put off reading this one?  It’s wonderful!

“Julia never asked herself why bad things happen to good people, for she already knew the answer: bad things happen to everyone.”

“And any man who would leave you because you were sexually inexperienced is not worth missing.”

“If I have a soul, it’s yours.”

“Listen motherfucker, you’re lucky we aren’t in the same room or you’d be spending the evening in surgery trying to have your head reattached to your body.  If I find out that you’ve contacted her again, in any way, I’m going to come after you, and not even your father, whoever he is, will be able to make you sentient again.  Do you understand?  Never contact her again.”

So Julianne is in love with her Professor who is about ten years her senior. Only its not as taboo as it sounds, first, they met years prior- he just doesn’t remember. I can’t stress how much I love Gabriel, even when he is being an ass, and he is told several times.  I hate how weak Julia can be at times, but I understand from her circumstances why she is so, but I’m also thankful for Gabriel and he willingness and ability to bring out her stronger self.

Read it, and then like me, endeavor to read the sequel. I can’t wait to buy it!

Significance by Shelly Crane

Wow… what’s a girl got to do to have her own Caleb Jacobsen?

I freakin’ love this series by Shelly Crane.  Significance is about a young girl Maggie who meets and imprints with Caleb, thus becoming each other’s significant.  First off, Maggie is a strong independent girl which I love having main female characters this way.  I get so sick of seeing females cast as the damsel in distress at all times.  Don’t get me wrong- I’m sure we girls also secret dream of having a handsome man to protect and ride in on his white horse, and trust me Significance doesn’t fail in either respect.

Yes, there are some aspects that are not uncommon- special powers and fated love, but the way Shelly Crane incorporated what most consider reoccurring themes in most media, is refreshing and spun in an unsuspecting way.

Its literally $2.99 on Amazon.  There’s no excuse- it’s less than the price of a gallon of gas.  So don’t go anywhere- download it and park your butt in the driveway reading.  Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Consume by Shelly Crane

Best Advice:  Just buy everything Shelly Crane writes.

Starting off, I'm disappointed... disappointed that Consume is the end of this series.  I could really go for more Eli and Clara.  But I do think this was one of the best endings I have ever read.

Consume starts off right where Devour left off, and though I read in some reviews that it starts off slow, I didn't think it was.  I mean the romance lover in me wanted to skip some parts to where Eli was involved, but once they are on the run- it's fast paced and a total page turner.

So Shelly?  Uh, if you can't find it in you to add a third Eli & Clara, please, pah-leese, put out the next Significant book. 

I'm dying here.

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

"It wasn't death that punched you, Layken.  It was life. Life happens.  Shit happens.  And it happens a lot.  To a lot of people."

AND...


"I got schooled this year
by
a
Boy.
a boy that I'm seriously,
deeply, madly, incredibly,
and undeniably in love
with.
And he taught me the most
important thing of all...
To put the emphasis
On life."

AND...

He takes my face in his hands and wipes the tears away with his thumbs. "I love you, Lake." He smiles and presses his forehead against mine.  "You deserve to come first."


I can't even list all the great quotes from this book, because quite LITERALLY there are just too many to list.  I'm in love with Will Cooper.  I love Julia for all the things she does for her daughter, especially her encouragement and understanding.

I tend to fall in love with a lot of books, but this one is worth falling for. I finished it within 24 hours, and could not wait to get the second one downloaded.

Buy it, Loan it, Download it.
Totally worth the $3.99 or so, on Amazon. As a matter of fact, I'd have probably paid more than that for it.

LITERALLY ONE OF THE BEST OF 2012.

Devour By Shelly Crane

Best Advice: Mark this as a favorite.

“You have to make your own happy. You can’t depend on other people for that.”

“I love how guys say 'it meant nothing' like that's supposed to make it all ok. You only stopped because you got caught.”

This is my second series by Shelly Crane, and I loved it. Though I think I loved her Significance series even more, this is still a 5 star series.

It's a fresh new paranormal- and when I say fresh, I mean, unique and I don't know of any other novel or story with the same storyline.

Clara + Eli = Instant Attraction. Add in a boyfriend, soon to be ex, and you get tension. Add in revelations of power and you'll get drama. So basically? It has it all. Clara is strong, and despite what she believes of herself, is positive and coping with the death of her parents while Eli is struggling with himself and his power. They meet, instantly attract, and after injecting himself into her life, really get to know each other. Enter the drama, steroids, and evil and you get the perfect combination for a really great young adult read.

Deadly Obsession by Kristine Cayne

Honestly, this came out of NOWHERE.

I got this on a whim, for 99 Cents. I mean, you can rarely beat that especially to get a book with great writing, strong characters, and an incredible plot.

I know it sounds like the complete Lifetime expected type of movie story where star meets nobody girl and they fall in love. Oh, and they do, but its the characters and the writing that have you forgetting the cliches.

Now, I will say, the villain is pretty much clear, but honestly I don't think Cayne wrote this intending it to be some big twist- the fact was she's writing a love story- not a mystery.

Read this. Don't judge the cliche story you think you'll get, or you'll miss out on a great read.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief By Rick Riordan

Buy THEM ALL.

So what if I love young adult fiction? Who CARES?! I’m not really sure how I ended up reading this series, but I was literally finished reading the Percy Jackson series within a week. Rick Riordan’s writing style is so laid back and easy to follow, and it reminds of you of how you’d think, feel, and talk to both others and yourself at that age.

Gah, and I haven’t even talked about the concept of the Greek gods having children? I’m not sure what I love about it so much, but I like Greek lore, and the best parts are that even if you don’t know Poseidon from Hades Rick Riordan still spins a story in such a way you don’t need to know. Basically it has it all- love, action, suspense and mystery.

Just read them. Don't analyze the fact that its for young adult, because the worst thing you can do is assume, or think its beneath you.

Callum and Harper by Fisher Amelie

A. How can you not want to read this after looking at this cover?

B.  If you learn two words this year... let them be Fisher Amelie.

C.  Okay seriously I read this like five times, and I'm about ready to read it for a sixth. AND like 97% of it is highlighted on my kindle.


Anyway, review, shall we?

Okay, so suffice to say from the singular review I've ever written, that I don't generally take a lot of time to write a review after reading. Let's face it; If i have any free time, I can usually be found with my nose in my Kindle reading yet another story to engross my life. 

I wrote a review for Jamie McGuire's Beautiful Disaster, and thought wonderful things, thinking to myself I would probably have difficulty getting into a new read, as I often feel after someone's story has pulled me in, having me fall in love with the characters, writing and ultimately the story itself.

I fell headfirst in love with the book, and Fisher Amelie's writing style; I fell in love with Callum Tate and felt the love Harper Bailey felt with him too, as I also felt her love for him.  He's handsome, and perfect in everything a girl wants for a guy who has the power to take care of her, yet respect her to see her as a strong individual too.

Now, don't misread me to think I don't often fall for novel protagonists and charm, because I completely do.
But Callum Tate? Why yes, read this.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13122965-callum-harper

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Wow.  Seriously?  I think 2013 might be a little long for me to wait.  Ms. Rossi must hope this will encourage readers to read it like five times more. ..
... and she's right.

I fall in love with boys in books so easily.


Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky was really no different- I loved the premise of the book, the backstory of the characters, and the twists in the book I did not see coming.

The book centers on Aria, a "Dweller" of a protected society, and Peregrine- or Perry, who lives outside the Pod society.  Through the alternating POVs, you get to see how they both feel, and grow to feel.  I'm ready for more.  I want to see where Perry and Aria's relationship will go, more of Roar, how Cinder will cope, etc. (Read it if you want to understand anything this line means!)

 "He knew Perry had rendered to her."

 "She chased the sounds until all she heard was hisheartbeat and then his breath and his voice, right by her ear, telling her, in tones as warm as fire, exactly the words she wanted to hear.

I cannot,  cannot wait for the second book in this series.

Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine

I can't tell you how much I love Chelsea Fine.

Ahhh, Sophie & Carter.

This was recommended to me, and it reminds me of Callum & Harper.  Both books have similar attributes, but they are both great stories of love and struggle.  Sophie and Carter are neighbors and children of worthless parents- Sophie’s mom, an addict and prostitute; Carter’s mother, mentally unstable, delusional and paranoid.

What girl could not want a Carter Jax in her own life?  He’s completely in love with Sophie, as is she of him.  I love the loyalty to each other, and the generosity of the two towards each other.  My favorite parts are from Carter’s perspective, on Sophie’s life.

It’s a short read, so there are no excuses about not having time.  I finished this in a day!

“That was the night I decided Sophie needed protecting.  And if I couldn’t protect my mom, then I was going to protect the girl next door.”

“I spent all afternoon trying to shake off my jealousy.  Turns out you can’t shake jealousy off.  You’ve got to pet it and lie to it and soothe it until it settles comfortably in the back of your mind.”

“I’m crying because the boy next door loves me and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6339664-hush-hush

Book Jacket: 

A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL
A FORBIDDEN LOVE

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

Blown away.
That's the best phrase I can think of at the moment.
Disclaimer: This book reminds me in some ways to Jamie McGuire's Providence, though HH came out in 2009 and Providence in 2010. However, HH is maybe more high school young adult, where I felt like Providence was more towards mature, early twenties young adults. So far, no sex or anything... not that I'm trying to give anything away for the Providence series...

Hush, Hush starts off literally sucking you in. Nora's easy to relate to; she's not your average damsel in distress- though she does find herself in some "iffy" situations. She's strong and fights rather than just caving, especially verbally against Patch.

Oh, Patch, you ask? He's this mystery guy that shows up in Nora's bio class like the first day and there is an example too, of how you don't have to wait foreverrrrr just to even meet the male lead. He's not your average paranormal hero; he's dark and dangerous, yes, but when he says sweet things, he's so smart @$$ that Nora can't or won't even take him seriously.

Basically you have romance, mystery, action, and really cute banter between the main characters, along with building questions being set into motion. I already knew I'd have to start Cresendo soon, just to know where this is all leading. Thank goodness I have from now until October to read books two and three before the Finale is out.

So take my lead- get started reading this one, and its sequels so we can all swoon for the Finale, adequately named Finale, in October. 

The Fault in Our Stars By John Green

http://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/11870085-the-fault-in-our-stars

Book Jacket: Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 13, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.  Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.  Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind

Best Advice: Buy Kleenexs and a gallon of ice cream.

Good grief.  I mean talk about an emotional roller coaster.  I was smiling, laughing, scowling, laughing out loud, crying- and by that I really mean sobbing...

The Fault in Our Stars is about a young girl named Hazel who has cancer.  Forced to attend by her mother, she goes to a weekly support group and she meets Augustus Waters. He's in remission but there to support their mutual friend, and he becomes interested in Hazel.

Off the gate, I loved Hazel. I mean literally, I want to be Hazel if I'm ever diagnosed with cancer. I want to have attitude, sarcastic at times, and her reverence to her favorite book which she then makes Gus read. Gah, and of course, I loved Gus right off the bat too.  How cute he is when... oh yeah, you probably haven't read it yet :)

Simply said, this is a must read.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Mcguire

http://www.jamiemcguire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/33443_BeautifulDisaster.leftNoBack.png

Okay, so this is the first review I've taken the time to write.  Not that i don't have the intention to write others, but Beautiful Disaster, deserves one. 

I'll start by saying I'm not that difficult to please when it comes to reading; If the story can entice me and cause me to want to read the story rather than nearly anything else- it's a success for me. 

I fell in love with Travis Maddox, flaws and all; and felt frustration with Abby Abernathy as though I were Abby Abernathy.  There have been a lot of books I've read, and by the end, wished it were not.  But this one? Simply said, I love it.