Monday, April 21, 2014

Book #Spotlight & #Giveaway: A Secret Worth Keeping


Title: A Secret Worth Keeping
Author: Lakisha Johnson
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Delphine Publishing
Pages: 210
Format:  Ebook & Paoerback
Purchase Amazon for Kindle -  Amazon for paperback - Barnes and Noble for Nook -  Barnes and Noble for paperback - 
Synopsis
Shelby is a career woman turned housewife who enjoys the friendships that have been built with her 5 best friends; Camille, Lynesha, Raylin, Kerri and Chloe. They are all career women with different businesses, husbands and even children but something is missing and they can’t seem to find it at home, in a store or even in a book. So, they search for this missing piece in the beds, arms, cars and even offices of other men who don’t mind paying for what Dem Dam Divas can offer. They enjoy the thrill of sneaking, creeping and even vacationing on someone else’s dime but they soon find out that all good things come to an end. What happens when it becomes too much? From secretly wanting someone who doesn’t want you, loving only to not be loved back and being caught up in a dream that you’re about to be awaken from; will it be worth it in the end? Will they regret their actions or stand by them? Will they finally question whether this secret is really worth keeping?


Excerpt
Girls, this has been an amazing trip. I’m kind of sad that it’s ending but I am ready to get home to see my babies. “Well, good for you; I can’t say the same,” said Kerri. “Listen ladies, I know that these trips are supposed to be a release to renew our minds but they do no good if you go back to home and accept the same mess you left. If you all are not happy then make some changes. Life is too short to keep living in hell. You all are beautiful, educated and capable of taking care of yourselves so why continue to take less from your husband than what your husband is supposed to do? Please don’t get me wrong, I am in no way saying that you all should head to divorce court, however, I am saying stop lying down and accepting everything. Stop accepting less than what your husband should be giving. Why should you have to find part time love in the hands of someone else? Why should you find pleasure in the bed of someone else when your husband should be fulfilling your every fantasy and you should be filling his?” “Shelby, I hear you but you have all that at home, we don’t” Chloe said with tears streaming down her face. “Yea, you have a husband whose eyes light up when you enter the room, one who notices your new hairdo, one who doesn’t mind shopping with you, one who holds you when you cry, sit with you when you’re sick, stay up with you when the baby is sick; you have all that,” Kerri added. “Yes, I do but this is because I wouldn’t accept anything less. Understand, we have our ups and downs but we work through them. We are not perfect and I’d be lying if I said anything differently but he knows my faults and accepts them and I know his and accept them.” I said.

 Stalk Her: Twitter * Facebook* Website * Instagram

LaKisha Johnson is a girl after God’s own heart; doing what she believes to be her purpose..writing. In addition to being a self-published author, she’s also a wife of 15 years, mother of 2 and native of Memphis, TN. She comes from a huge family and has always been the go to girl whenever someone needed a poem written or read, an acknowledgement that would convey just what they were thinking or even an occasion written for that special day. She’s an all-around talented lady that makes everything she touch turn to gold. She has 2 degrees from Southwest TN Community College both in Information Technology and has worked in the corporate field for over 15 years. She is also a dedicated blogger, delivering a devotional blog 5 days per week entitled ”Kisha’s Daily Devotionals.” LaKisha wants readers of her books to step outside the box and read with imagination. She wants them reeled in from the front cover to the last word, enjoying every second in between, asking for more. She doesn’t proclaim to be the best writer or even author in the world..she just proclaims to be blessed because her motto is ”God’s purpose is bigger than any problem!” You can email the author  Email address – authorlakisha@gmail.com


What I Think So Far:   I actually haven't read this yet, it's on the TBR, I've read some excerpts and the premise sounds good. It has good ratings so it should be interesting to read. It's on my TBR before BEA list so I should be getting to it soon & when I do I'll post my review.

Giveaway:
The Author Will be giviing away a copy of the book in the winner's format choice to the top comment.  This is a tourwide giveaway, the more you comment the more chances to win.  Click here to see the other stops to increase your chances of winning!!

Good Luck!!!


Saturday, April 19, 2014

#Review: Tart ( A Delicious Novel)

Book Title: Tart (Delicious 2)
Author:  Lauren Dane |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Erotic Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: paperback
Cost: $15.00
Pages: 320
How I got it: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Publication Date: November 2012
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
Juliet Lamprey is having the time of her life running her successful bakery, TART, when Gideon Carter comes back into her life. Returning home to help his grandfather run the family farm, Gideon is back for good. When they meet again, the spark between them is immediate, and it isn’t long before the former childhood friends play catch up—in bed. That’s not good news for local lawyer Cal Whaley. Though the sexually open but strictly monogamous Cal has loved Jules for a long time, he’s hardly ever taken it further than friendship. When he sees her start to fall for Gideon, he knows he has to make his move or risk losing her forever. Who would have anticipated that all three of them would connect on such an intimate level? The trio’s scalding liaisons take them places they’ve never dreamed. But such an intensely passionate and unusual relationship comes with equally as complicated emotions, and when Jules must suddenly leave town, she wonders if she’ll have a choice to make when she returns…
SPOILERS CONTAINED ***SPOILERS ***SPOILERS**** SPOILERS**** BEYOND THIS POINT

Very rarely have I had a "go to author" disappoint me the way that this book has.  I normally gobble these books up in a day or two, three at the most.  This took me two weeks, I had never been so bored in my life.  The book starts off throwing a bunch of characters at you, explaining who they are as they go, but seriously a shyt ton of people as soon as you start in isn't good.  Going in I didn't know this book was a off shoot of the Brown Siblings series, pretty soon you learn though because we are dealing with the wedding of a Brown/Delicious family member and the whole gangs here. Spoilers for the Brown Sibling series are ALL OVER THE GODDAMN PLACE. With no warning!!!  I understand that Jules is a baker, but this is supposed to be their story and yet, we get all the other people's story, & even the start of a new one.  The wedding, and the friends took up a good chunk of this story and I really couldn't get a feel of the characters because we were learning about their friends more than we learnt about them.

The story of Juliet or is it Julie no is it Jules ( I don't know because everybody had a different name they called her. )  is cute to start out, I mean the lingo was a little outlandish, but this is Washington so I'll allow it. Some of the sayings sound like Grandma sayings and the moments that are supposed to be "aww" moments just get on your nerves.  The conversations between friends feel strained and forced. But I was willing to allow it, because we were going to get a hot menage right?? *Pause before we move on please sound out the following* Hoar & Whore, sounds the same right?? But no these girlfriends can tell when you're saying something else, cause she's not really a whore, she a hoar, same meaning less shame. O_o

First let's discuss the fact that  EVERYGODDAMNBODY in town kept asking her and Cal what they were going to do about the fact that she's now dating the new guy. Why?? Cal knew for years that I was available and I'm supposed to keep waiting for him to grow a pair and ask me out??? He's dated every single person they know and still has never asked Juliet out. Why is she supposed to wait for him but no one is making him grow up and ask her out?? That's when I started to get annoyed with this story.  Even his sister, Juliet's supposed best friend is telling him about her dating the guy and asking what's he going to do about it. Biotch?? I've made my choice and you are working to undermine that and you call yourself my best friend??!!?!?!? Nah that's not how this works AT ALL.

Errrmm no.  Jules starts dating this guy, everyone starts asking Cal what's he going to do about it, and then nothing.  No build up to them getting together, just Cal assaulting Jules in a dark alley 'cause that's f*cking sexy.  Personally I wanted to karate chop him in the throat and keep it moving.  And her boyfriend's reaction?? Yeah f**king NO, JUST NO.  I was so done with the book then, but nope I stayed reading and it just became one bad scene after another.  Them fighting with her about her fears, them deciding to be a menage,  nothing about this was sexy.  Even the sexy times felt forced and just so fake.   Everything Cal said just annoyed me, her boyfriend's sexy stuff was also forced and just UGH!!  It was also painful to read the times that it was just Cal and Gideon (yeah I finally learnt his name but only for the review..he was that forgettable)

I don't know any man who wouldn't be jealous, especially if they went into the relationship as a duo, there hadn't been any previous discussion of being polyamorous. It just miraculously happens.  Her boyfriend's reasoning as to why they should be a menage was so lame, are you serious sir?? Nope you're lying because nobody is this dumb, nobody can be this calm about their girlfriend being assaulted by a friend and then saying "yes, come on into our relationship because it's easier".  Then there is the convenient fact of their sexuality. They just happen to both be bisexual and even though they never EVER EVER felt anything before, now that it counts, they are hot for each other. Never mind that they have been friends forever and never once even thought that about each other, because you know that's how being bi works, you can turn it on and off at any point, It's not about the person and mutual like and respect it's "no he's here so I have to like him". Please sense the sarcasm here

By the end of the book I just no longer gave two damns what happened.  I despised Cal, I thought the other guy, I don't even remember his name that's how forgettable he was, was a first class idiot and I thought Juliet was dumb, if I never have to hear about them again I would be ecstatic.  This book has some much potential, but it all came down to talking about them instead of showing me why they are awesome.  It kept saying, and I mean everybody kept saying how cool Julie was, don't tell me how to feel about her, show me why she's cool.I'm smart, I don't need everything explained to me, I can remember what happened a few pages ago, a scene ago, and heck even who the characters are, but in this book it didn't seem like the author thought I had common sense, because everything was explained to me, several times over, several pages of it. UGH

It did this for every character, for every scene, for everything and it all felt forced.  I couldn't connect to the characters as they were portrayed, and I didn't care for the relationship being described. Important scenes were left out, like the blowout between Jules and her brother, we only get Jules second hand a whole week later thoughts on the matter. That should have been in there, but the description of Cal's mother's backyard, that was oh so essential to the story.(again with the snark, I'm trying to be nice, but this book soooo doesn't deserve anything nice)

This is a clear case of great idea, shyt execution.  It's not my mood, because I read three other menages this month, I read tons of contemporary, and I normally love Lauren's writing, but this book was just everything wrong to me.  So many people loved it and once again I'm left wondering did I read the same thing or was something wrong with my book because I just don't get it.

★☆
This is going to be the first time ever that I can't recommend a Lauren Dane book.  I'm not even sure what the heck I'm going to so with my copy, since you know I done bought it now. (Book/first world problems). Skip this one, save yourself!!  Did you read it already?? If you did why not share with me what you thought of it.

Better Luck next time

Friday, April 18, 2014

VLOG #Review: Second Chance Boyfriend (OWG 2) by Monica Murphy

Book Title: Second Chance Boyfriend (One Week Girlfriend Book 2)
Author: Monica Murphy |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: Bantam Books
Genre: New Adult Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 2
Format: trade paperback
Cost: $14.00
Pages: 210
How I got it: Borrowed From The Library
Purchase: B&N | Amazon |
Publication Date: April 6, 2013
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Synopsis:
**Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual content and language, mature subject matter** New Adult Contemporary Lost. That one single word best describes my life at this very moment. I lost the last games of the season and both my team and my coach blame me. I lost the last two months because I drowned in my own despair like a complete loser. And I lost the only girl who ever mattered because I was afraid being with me would destroy her. But now I realize how truly lost I am without her. She has become my story…and even though she acts like she’s moved on, I know she still thinks about me just as much as I think about her. She’s beautiful, sweet—and so damn vulnerable, all I want to do is help her. Be there for her. Love her… If only I could convince Fable to give me a second chance. Then I wouldn’t feel so lost anymore, and neither would she. We could be found together. Forever.
This is the follow up to One Week Girlfriend, in this one we really get into the meat of the troubles going on in Drew & Fable's lives.  This one comes two months after the events of One Week Girlfriend and we meet up with Drew & Fable; we see how they have fared, & how they have been changed by it.  We were left with a huge cliffhanger from One Week Girlfriend, and Dean is working on finding out what the real deal is. and trying to ascertain or not the information is legit. He's also trying not to sink beneath his fear of losing Fable or his family.

Fable however is moving on, she's taken the money Drew gave her and is trying her best to make new and better decision for her and her brother Owen (after all that's why she took the job).  She's also been given a new better chance to move forward in her life with a job offer that seems a little too good to be true.  I do have to say Colin is a little on the creeper side for a boss, even after everything has been explained I wanted to punch him in the nose for saying what he did to Drew then to Fable. Lookie here Sir don't be sticking in where you're not wanted!!

We see some serious growth of characters in this novel, along with a more in depth look at both character's lives.  With the enhancement of character came the addition of newer characters that aided in growth and grounding the characters in their newer lives.  I'm glad Drew began to fight back and embrace life instead of just coasting along with whatever was happening.  He was even learning about boundaries and what healthy relationships looked like.  This is a lesson Fable also had to learn.

Fable became one of my favorite women protagonist when she took it to the streets at the first hint that her brother was in danger.  I mean I totally felt like that when we saw the whole scene.  I'm not a fan of the crazy that came looking for them.  Not a fan at all.  Fable really grew up in this novel, not because she really wanted to, her mother gave her no choice but to do so, and she met the battle head on.
★★★★
I really enjoyed this series and highly recommend it to all the lovers of a good New Adult and Romance. It's totally worth making the space on the reading pile.

Happy Reading

Thursday, April 17, 2014

VLOG #Review: One Week Girlfriend (OWG Book 1)

Book Title: One Week Girlfriend
Author: Monica Murphy |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: Bantam Books
Genre: New Adult Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 1
Format: trade paperback
Cost: $12.00
Pages: 274
How I got it: Borrowed From The Library
Purchase: B&N | Amazon |
Publication Date: Aug 27th 2013
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
Temporary. That’s the word I’d use to describe my life right now. I’m temporarily working double shifts—at least until I can break free. I’m temporarily raising my little brother—since apparently our actual mother doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I always end up as nothing but the temporary girlfriend—the flavor of the week for every guy who’s heard the rumor that I give it up so easily. At least Drew Callahan, college football legend and local golden boy, is upfront about it. He needs someone to play the part of his girlfriend for one week. In exchange for cash. As if that’s not weird enough, ever since he brought me into his world, nothing really makes sense. Everyone hates me. Everyone wants something from him. And yet the only thing Drew seems to want is . . . me. I don’t know what to believe anymore. Drew is sweet, sexy, and hiding way more secrets than I am. All I know is, I want to be there for him—permanently.
I'm going to fangirl all over this book, so be warned. Also Trigger warnings for those who need it as sexual abuse is discussed (not really portrayed however is thought about by the victim).


I gave this a five star rating because I believed it earned it. I have already purchased it for my own shelves ( or as I'm being honest placed it in my cart for when this ban is over).   It's an amazing read. As I said in the video the characters are written in a way that makes them relateable, & realistic, they struggle with lots of things and yet they manage to make each other laugh & dare each other to be more.

This is a tough subject to handle & I thought Monica did extremely well, making the flashbacks, the triggered moments, the fear, and all the emotions so real and raw and disturbing.  When you realized the full extent of the damage wrought I knew I wanted to hurt the perpetrator, and of course the vile human waste was very well portrayed.

I highly recommend this for those looking for a good romance featuring excellent character development, growth and so much potential for the characters!!
 ★★★★
Happy Reading

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Non Fiction Book #Review: A Year Round Slow Cooker


Book Title: A Year Round Slow Cooker
Author: Dina Cheney  |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: The Taunon Press Inc
Genre:Cookbook
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: paperback
Cost: $19.95
Pages: 224
How I got it: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
Publication Date: Jan 22, 2013
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Synopsis:
Slow cookers are popular for good reason: They’re the ultimate kitchen problem solvers. If you’re watching your budget, they’re well worth the $30 they cost since they can turn the cheapest cuts of meat into unctuous, mouth-watering results worthy of a five-star restaurant. Slow cookers also do the hard work, cooking for hours while you’re out of the house only to come home to a meal just about ready to eat. And since slow cookers keep food warm, they allow different family members to eat at different times: a practical option in a world of staggered schedules. Yet, slow cookers have an image problem. Most home cooks use them for cold weather meals only, while others think slow cookers can only produce food that’s mushy, bland, and watery or rely solely on shortcut ingredients like spice packets, bouillon cubes, and bottled sauces. No longer does this must-have kitchen tool deserve to be stored away when spring months hit. In Year-Round Slow Cooker, home cooks will find 100 delicious, modern, practical slow cooker recipes featuring seasonal produce. Recipes speak to the home cook whose palate is more sophisticated and who wants to incorporate seasonal produce into all of her meals. Organized by season, Year-Round Slow Cooker features notes about the featured seasonal ingredients as well as invaluable tips throughout to help cooks maximize the power of the slow cooker.
I'm totally freaking out. The author is from CT, and she always has signings and classes I wasn't even aware of that until I was doing the review setup. I'm so excited now, I can get to meet her and get some of her classes.

I'm extremely happy that I received this book for reveiw. I have a slow cooker that I have been using for a few key recipes. I wanted to expand and learn more recipes, this book gave me a few really good ideas ( and of course they were delicious to try).  I personally loved that there were pages that helped you learn the basics of her recipes as well as the many ways in which to use your cooker.   I have a large cooker so I didn't try as amny recipes as I wanted because it just seemed a waste to mess up the large cooker for a small recipe but I'm going to get a smaller one so I can do the small servings recipes. (or that's the rational, I just want another awesome kitchen gadget).

I enjoyed how the book was broken down into seasons and recipes were listed at the front of each section.  There are a great variety of ingredients and recipes, many which could be made vegetarian quite easily.  There were also a few vegetarian recipes ( like the chili) that were included.  I loved that even with the complicated names some were actually quite affordable.

The author also gave information for switching from crockpot to stove or oven; gave spotlights on certain ingredients and generally made this a fun cookbook.

I will say that even though I truly loved the recipes I tried. There are a few that required pieces and cuts that not everyone can get, so while this is a great guide for the awesome recipes and it's broken down by season, some of the recipes are a little out there for those that might have a tighter budget.

I still enjoyed reading and using the recipes and will be adding the book to my collection. I mean the pictures alone made your mouth water, and I just wnated to taste the book.
 ★★★★☆
I highly recommend the book for the foodies and for those who want to learn to use their crockpots for quick delicious meals.
Happy Reading


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Book #Review: May Bride ( A Year of Weddings)


Book Title: A May Bride ( A Year of Weddings Novella)
Author: Meg Moseley |Website| Twitter| Facebook|
Publisher: Zondervan Fiction
Genre: Romance
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: ebook
Cost: $3.70
Pages: 124
How I got it: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Published:
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
She’s prepared for her wedding all her life … but she forgot a few things. Ellie Martin, a country girl in Atlanta, often de-stresses from city life by tending the flower beds of a church near her apartment. She has dreamed of a traditional wedding all her life, a wedding like the one her younger sister is planning back in their hometown. Their single mom will pay for Alexa’s wedding, but Ellie started her own wedding fund years ago. She only needs to find a groom. She bumps into a man who’s a guest at a wedding on the church grounds. She’s noticed him around the neighborhood, but today he introduces himself as Gray Whitby. They embark on a whirlwind romance, but her mother doesn’t trust freewheeling men like him. Standing up to Mom leads Ellie to stick up for Alexa too. When Ellie risks her own plans for her sister’s sake, Gray feels betrayed. Will he always play second fiddle? Will Ellie and Gray reconcile their differences so her dream wedding can come true, or will the romance they’ve begun come crashing down?
I enjoyed this story, it was a quick read.  It was a little different from the others, it didn't really glorify the wedding so much as the couple and I thought it was really good for that.

Granted the couple met and got married really quickly, they however worked pretty hard on aligning their lives and who they were.  I felt like it was a cute story, especially because it made them focus not on the trappings but on what they believed their faith was leading them to.  Ellie had a hard time connecting to her family due to her Mother's ultra conservative views which are making her sister's wedding plans hell.  I like Ellie and her sister (although her sister needed some serious growing up to do).

I however really couldn't get behind Ellie's decision in regards to her sister and totally got why Gray was so mad.  The side characters in the story weren't really fleshed out, and they kind of were props, except fot Ellie's mom who kept trying to take center stage.  I wish we knew Gray better, like we got facts but no real meat and potatoes on him, except that he loves Ellie and being spontaneous and he's a bit of a nerd.

I truly loved the wedding, both at the beginning and the end of the story.  I felt this story would have been better as a novel instead of a short novella. Although it conveyed much there wasn't enough time given for the characters to really grow on you or for them to really fall in love.
 ★★★
It's a okay story, something you should check out for yourself.. Make sure to check out the other weddings taking place. Click the banner.


 
Happy Reading

Monday, April 14, 2014

ARC Book #Review: Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley

Book Title: Ask Me
Author: Kimberly Pauley |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: SOHO TEEN
Genre: YA Paranormal
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: Hardback, ebook
Cost: $17.99
Pages: 304
How I got it: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
Ask Aria Morse anything, and she must answer with the truth. Yet she rarely understands the cryptic words she’s compelled to utter. Blessed—or cursed—with the power of an Oracle who cannot decipher her own predictions, she does her best to avoid anyone and everyone. But Aria can no longer hide when Jade, one of the few girls at school who ever showed her any kindness, disappears. Any time Aria overhears a question about Jade, she inadvertently reveals something new, a clue or hint as to why Jade vanished. But like stray pieces from different puzzles, her words never present a clear picture. Then there’s Alex, damaged and dangerous, but the first person other than Jade to stand up for her. And Will, who offers a bond that seems impossible for a girl who’s always been alone. Both were involved with Jade. Aria may be the only one who can find out what happened, but the closer she gets to solving the crime, the more she becomes a target. Not everyone wants the truth to come out.
"My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue?? It rather denotes a lack of courage!" Aunt Frances Owens, Practical Magic
Oh my, for a debut author this book has done really well. I loved this book!! I mean, I really enjoyed it, That very first page?!! Totally pulled me in, I dived right into the story and was kept totally engaged.  I laughed a bit in this story especially at & with the protagonist.  Aria is so thirsty for affection and peer acceptance that she's ignoring her own gift, and any warnings that it maybe trying to give her.  She refuses to embrace her 'curse' and it especially put her in a vulnerable position because she just wrote everything off as nonsense, even though it really was the truth.

I think this is a really unique take on the 'normal' teen books, she isn't the "Grand poohba of anything" she just happens to be a girl who is an oracle.  She's a litle afraid of her gifts because of what they had previously cost her. I mean we all say we want the truth but if given the pure unvarnished truth would pitch a fit of epic proportions.  I loved the characterization of Aria, and her Grandparents, I personally enjoyed that this was about Aria and her own personal truths, not about a love story (although there was a little bit of it in there).  Her personal history, her family's history totally made me interested in reading the story even more, especially after the Grandmother...Wait nope no spoilers.

Unfortunately for Aria, being so needy made her willing to overlook somethings. It was funny reading it, she reminded me of that character in the horror movie that you scream at the screen when she's going into the room with the killer, I had a blast reading this because it was so engaging. I loved freaking out at the things going on, I wanted to shake Aria, and at the same time I totally get why she's trying so hard to remain normal.

This is a good whodunit novel, with a great likeable protagonist.  I was rooting for her in the end.  I wanted her to get it; I made two guesses about who had done it, and I was correct on the second guess, but I didn't know until closer to the end, because man oh man Aria is so obtuse!!  As it got confirmed and the author revealed everything I found myself going back and re-reading the scenes and seeing exactly what she was saying, and I was so excited as we got to who it was. I totally didn't want to end the story so I kept delaying the last few pages, I kept putting it down and trying to leave it alone, but I couldn't, I needed to see how it ended.

I don't believe I'm expressing how much fun I had. I picked this up late one night, fell asleep after I had read half the book and my eyes wouldn't stay open anymore then work up, and dived right back in (thank gawds it was a Sunday).
 ★★★★☆
I also personally loved that the author named each chapter a different song. Which means?!! That we are going to a have a Book Soundtrack!!! Woohoo!!  I enjoyed this immensely. I highly recommend this book.

Have a blast my loves and I'll see you tomorrow!!

Saturday, April 12, 2014

#Review & #Giveaway: Reason Series (Books 1-4) CLOSED

Book Title: The Reason Series
Author: Zoey Derrick |WebsiteTwitter| Facebook|
Publisher: Zoey Derrick Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series/Standalone: Complete Series
Format: ebook
Cost: $6.99
Pages: 634
How I got it: eARC via Wordsmith Publicity
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords ~~ Book 1 is FREE
Publication Date: Feb 2014
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
The Collection All four books in Zoey Derrick’s Best-Selling Paranormal Romance Give Me Reason Give Me Hope Give Me Desire Give Me Love Vivienne Callahan has known only hardship. As if growing up with an alcoholic, drug addicted mother wasn’t traumatic enough, she’s escaped from her physically and verbally abusive boyfriend only to struggle every day to make ends meet as a waitress in a Minneapolis diner. Along comes Mikah Blake…
Make sure to Follow the Tour to the other stops for excerpts, quotes, reviews & guest posts by clicking here

Amazon Best Selling Angels, Demons & Devils and Paranormal Author of Give Me Reason - The Reason Series Book One comes from Glendale, Arizona. Zoey, was a mortgage underwriter by day and is now a paranormal, romance and erotica novelist full-time. She writes stories as hot as the desert sun itself. It is this passion that drips off of her work, bringing excitement to anyone who enjoys a good and sensual love story.
 

Not only does she aim to take her readers on an erotic dance that lasts the night, it allows her to empty her mind of stories we all wish were true.
 Her stories are hopeful yet true to life, skillfully avoiding melodrama and the unrealistic, bringing her gripping Erotica only closer to the heart of those that dare dipping into it. 
 

The intimacy of her fantasies that she shares with her readers is thrilling and encouraging, climactic yet full of suspense. She is a loving mistress, up for anything, of which any reader is doomed to return to again and again.


I'm glad I read this as the full collection because it wasn't until the end that I realized that the 'chapters' were the actual books.  They flowed well with very little break so you didn't feel the change from each book.  They do however change perspective each time the book changes and that's kinda how you know it's a new book.  The first book is solely from Viv's pov, then the second from Mikah's then the third & forth from both their points of view with a few others thrown in.

I liked the build up to whatever was coming. Books I & 2 gave a great background story for each of the main characters, and book 3 had a few surprises thrown in that helped to change the perspectives of each character involved.  The introduction to their powers and what they were came with great reactions (somewhat realistic if you asked me).Book four completed the changes in perspective, as we learned some secrets that others were keeping.

Viv's life hasn't been easy and she's not at all down for taking charity from someone even though she's struggling pretty darn hard.  There were moments of reading Viv's life where I really felt for her, to be that broke and to be that alone has got to suck.  I've been college student broke, but she's on a whole other level of broke, she was pretty darn close to not making it work at all.  Having been dealt a really bad hand she's trying to take it one day at a time, which means she's not at all aware of all the help out there, nor is she thinking about what that bump means.  Life is pretty tough as it is, thinking too far ahead might just break her.  Enter in Mikah, who is following a hunch which leads him right to the diner that Viv works, not knowing what else to do, he starts coming back and even bringing a few of his friends.  Viv is numb and hiding from the truth of her condition, but slowly with Mikah's constant attention she progresses towards hope.

I liked book one & two, because it was a great story of recovering from trauma, of learning to lean on others, learning to trust, and even going beyond what you thought was your fate. There are growing pains, as Viv isn't used to trusting and she sometimes overreacts to simple things & way under reacts to the big things.   I liked the story as the first two books laid it out: them growing together, healing, and getting rid of the bad guy.  Miakh is a guy who is used to getting what he wants, having suffered a bit in his personal life, he does what he can to help those in need. he has a feeling that draws him to the diner to where Viv is and he can't stop himself from trying to help.  His insistence on helping, makes Viv nervous because she's only ever know 'kindness with a price'. And Mickah doesn't know how to back down when he sees someone in need.

Then book three somethings happened and it kinds got weird.  I'll be honest I really didn't know what the whole series was about so the paranormal aspect was kinda new to me.  (Although it's been popping up throughout the whole novel book three takes it to a whole other level)  For me the addition of a certain character as a way to explain some of the earlier things going on in her life was kinda out of left field, because up until now, it's just been because humans suck, now it's someone else entirely. The reveal was weird and just didn't gel for me.

Once this character is revealed, Viv's whole story changes, it's no longer about her just learning to love and go beyond merely existing, she's all of a sudden the "biggest most important thing ever". Even with this transition change, it was still good enough to keep me entertained and engaged; the vagueness of the reasoning of why these things were happening kinda threw me, heck even the characters called out certain people for their vague answers.  Because it was so vague, the third book kinda dragged, there was no real action, very little character progress, just the mundane changes of their development. Although they grew more as a couple in book three and really began to explore who they were to each other. And I mean really explore each other!! The chemistry that's been banked before comes roaring to life in this book.

I did like Mikah, however I felt after a while like he wasn't a realistic portrayal of a guy. He felt too 'perfect' his reactions after a while became way too "just exactly" what they should be, maybe because he's grown up knowing the stories. I don't know, but it just after a while didn't feel like a guy, at least not an Alpha man, who by his age had turned his business into something so successful.  He started off great, strong, Alpha, then he kinda just became like a half version of himself (if that makes sense).  In books one and two he was really strong, and yet struggling with the changes in his life, after a while it became almost like the struggle never happened, he would say it, but nothing about his demeanor showed it.

In book four we begin to see the full spectrum of the story, and who each character really is and how they affect the full arc of the story.  Each person in their lives become a little more important than before, secrets are revealed, intrigue happens, someone get punished for stepping out of line, and shyt gets real.  We see the full growth potential in Mikah & Viv,and even though she's really grown as a character, she still has her moments of complete stubbornness.(and I'm here for it!!)

In the end I felt the books were great as a whole, however taken individually I would have personally skipped reading book three (although to be fair it would have been hard to know what was happening in four without book three). Book four gave a good conclusion to the story of Viv & Mikah, however it left room for I guess the other characters, as new questions and new romances were introduced before the end of the story.  There were a few plot holes, questions and characters that were not followed up on so I'm left wondering if there is going to be more  It should be interesting to see where the author takes this plot.
★★★1/2☆
And now it's time for the Giveaway, Best of Luck to everyone!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


eARC given to me via 




Friday, April 11, 2014

Thank You To Everyone:

Some days with Blogging you can feel lonely like you spend all this time and receive no comment, no retweets, no shares

You'll get told no all over the requesting world and then sometimes like these last few weeks you get slammed by Yes, yes, you can tour, yes you can review, here's our book, yes" I love your review" (the author), "OMG you're so right about that" (fellow reader), you get new blog followers, invited to share your opinion in a group and then you remember why yo write through the slow days, or weeks, because there will come a time when you won't have a chance to stop because you'll be so busy having fun on twitter, entering into contests, fangirl over the fact that your favorite author just RT your review *fans self*.

So to everyone this week. Thank You, every comment, every new follower, every new tweet; every new chance to share with you, to discuss books, to relax and not worry about how I'm going to sound freaking out about characters.  Thank You to everyone who sent me books.

Thank You, you have no idea how much I need this community, who talked to me when I felt like I was going to fail at everything.

To the authors, thanks for writing characters that allow us to escape, to the fellow fans, thanks for loving/hating/feeling 'meh' about the written word with me & of course to all the awesome publishing houses who send and publish & host events thanks for giving me the chance to be a  " reader who live many lives before they die" ~ George RR Martin (I hope that's the right attribution).

Have a blessed week!!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

#Excerpt: Ask Me by Kimberly Pauley

Book Title: Ask Me
Author: Kimberly Pauley |WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher: SOHO TEEN
Genre: YA Paranormal
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: paperback
Cost: $17.99
Pages: 304
How I got it: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:
Ask Aria Morse anything, and she must answer with the truth. Yet she rarely understands the cryptic words she’s compelled to utter. Blessed—or cursed—with the power of an Oracle who cannot decipher her own predictions, she does her best to avoid anyone and everyone. But Aria can no longer hide when Jade, one of the few girls at school who ever showed her any kindness, disappears. Any time Aria overhears a question about Jade, she inadvertently reveals something new, a clue or hint as to why Jade vanished. But like stray pieces from different puzzles, her words never present a clear picture. Then there’s Alex, damaged and dangerous, but the first person other than Jade to stand up for her. And Will, who offers a bond that seems impossible for a girl who’s always been alone. Both were involved with Jade. Aria may be the only one who can find out what happened, but the closer she gets to solving the crime, the more she becomes a target. Not everyone wants the truth to come out.
Excerpt
Who Cares What the Question Is? 
The problem with prophecy is that someone has to actually ask the right question at the right time for me to produce the answer to it. Otherwise, I’m as adrift in the world as anyone else. Maybe more. 
The day that changed my life and the lives of everyone around me started the same as any other day, though technically things had been set in motion the night before. I just didn’t know it then.

 It was a typical morning with Granddad Porter reading the paper or, more likely, studying the dog pages for the track. I sat down at the old wooden table in our tiny dining room and poured myself a glass of juice from the carafe. I took a sip and grimaced. Granddad gave me a knowing grin and tapped the side of his coffee mug, even though he knew I couldn’t stand coffee. I might need to develop a liking for it, though, if I had any hope of keeping my taste buds. Grandma Ellie’s juice concoction was far too heavy on the grapefruit that morning. She always said it was good to start the day with something sour, so everything else would seem sweet after. But truth be told, I think her taste buds gave up in disgust years ago. 

 “I’m thinking I might try getting the Powerball numbers out of you again,” Granddad said. I rolled my eyes. He’d been working on that ever since I’d moved in with them when I was thirteen, but my prophetic “gift” apparently didn’t want us to be independently wealthy. It didn’t seem to matter how he asked, the answer always came out as a cryptic riddle he could never figure out until after the numbers were picked. It wasn’t my fault, though. I’d tell him the numbers if I could. He knew I had no control over my answers. I think he enjoyed the challenge. It was like a running family joke between us.

 “You leave the girl alone, Porter, you hear me?” Gran called from the kitchen. “She doesn’t need any of your foolishness before school.” She poked her head in the doorway and waved a wooden spoon threateningly in his direction. “Pancakes and sausage in three minutes, Aria. Don’t fill yourself up on juice.” She disappeared back into the kitchen. 

 Granddad leaned forward and whispered to me, glancing at the kitchen as he did. There was little enough privacy in our house, but after the door between the kitchen and dining room had rotted off its hinges a few months ago, it was even worse. I could see the swish of Gran’s skirt as she whisked back and forth between the stove and the counter. “So, Aria … we could use a spot of help this month, even if it isn’t the lotto. Don’t want to worry Ellie about it.” He gave another furtive look toward the kitchen. What that really meant was that he was going to ask me for something that she wouldn’t want to participate in. She didn’t believe in divination for personal gain, even when we were flat broke. Gran had lost her ability to prophesize years ago when she turned seventeen. She still cast the stones, but the only answers you could find that way were far more general than specific. Not the kind of help Granddad was looking for. 
 I nodded, and he scooted his chair a little closer to the table.

 Read The Rest of the Excerpt Here

Make sure to check back on the 14th for my review and for a giveaway of a copy of the book!!!

Happy Reading

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Non- Fiction Book #Review: Hooked


Book Title: Hooked, When Addiction Hits Home
Author: Chloe Shantz Hilkes |WebsiteTwitter|
Publisher: Annick Press Ltd
Genre: Teen/YA
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: ebook, paperback
Cost: $12.95
Pages: 120
How I got it: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon | Indigo Canada | Publisher
Publication Date: March 2013
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Synopsis:
"Jenny dealt with the stress by forgiving her mom -- over and over and over again." This collection of ten true stories is based on interviews with people who, in their youth, lived with an addicted parent or sibling. The subjects speak honestly about what it was like to grow up with a family member addicted to alcohol, drugs, food, pills, or gambling. While describing how they managed to care for themselves and younger siblings, as well as the addicted family member, interviewees also touch on the topics of depression, social stigma, coming out gay or transgendered, and the health problems caused by addiction and stress. The maturity, sensitivity, and even the sense of humor in these accounts will give teens going through similar situations the important realization that they are not alone and that there are many ways to break free from the chains of others' addictions and to move on positively with one's own life. It's estimated that 1 in 8 Americans struggles with addiction to drugs or alcohol. "Hooked" is an excellent resource for both kids and adults affected by the addiction of friends and family members.
This has been a bit of an eye opener. Recently I have been reading a few fiction books that have been dealing with broken homes due to drug and alcohol. Normally when you read books it's about the romantic relationships that the addict is destroying very rarely do they discuss the effects it has on children so when I saw this non fiction look at the effects I had to snag it. (Plus I love reading anything to do with mental health).

Enclosed are stories told from the children of addicts of varying degrees, from high functioning addicts to those who had to deal with the major fallout each day.  It brushes on the fact that many of them deal with PTSD due to their home lives, have extremely hard times forming attachments and have emotional issues.

The stories here have been heartbreaking and eye opening, and made you realize there are more victims to an addiction than just the addicts themselves.  It highlights how much the children of addicts can suffer even if they aren't originally aware of the addiction.
 ★★★☆
It's a good read, and I believe it would help children who are in the situation to know they aren't alone.
Happy Reading

Monday, April 7, 2014

Children's #Review: The Last Akaway (Brody Boondoggle 1)

Book Title:The Last Akaway
Author:  Gary Karton |Website| 
Publisher: Brattle Publishing Group
Genre: Children's Fiction
Series/Standalone: Series Book 1
Format: ebook, hardcover
Cost: $3/99 Z$11.
Pages: 273
How I got it: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: 3/22/2014
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Synopsis:
What’s an Akaway? An Akaway is a rare and magical creature that connects you to your spirit animal. Once you’ve connected, you have all the special powers that your spirit animal possesses. But those powers are in serious jeopardy when the diabolical Uncle Skeeta tricks 11-year-old Brody Boondoggle into helping him steal the Akaway’s spirit. Now, aided by his skeptical big brother, Jake, and guided by his quirky Grammy, Brody must lead the way on an adventure to defeat Uncle Skeeta, save the last Akaway, and protect the special powers of kids everywhere.
I enjoyed this book immensely. I read this book to my four year old Goddaughter J who absolutely loved it. We read it at night time for a bout 4 days, with about 50 pages per day except the last day we actually started reading earlier and finished the story.  She ran around asking what is an akaway to everyone just so she could crack the joke.  I enjoyed seeing the way she and her brother determined what creatures powers they had that day.

I believe it's engaging enough to hold the attention of young children and certainly entertained both J and her older 10 year old brother, who helped to read to her.  The story is good and the moral of the story is clearly written in and completed in this book. I liked that it was a mystery, and an adventure book that encouraged children to explore the outside world.

The characters are written in a way that allowed the children to see them however they wanted (race wise, since how they looked wasn't mentioned).  The few illustrations made it interesting, I personally loved the chapter titles which kind of let you know what was going to happen.

Gary wrote in a way the younger children could understand and even had the explanations written for them.  My goddaughter J got a kick out of the Akaway joke and so did her brother.  I will be getting the book for him as well as any others that come out.

I think this books is great for children who maybe a little too invested in staying inside. It made the natural world a place to be, a place to want to save and a place of magical adventure.  As a pagan I truly enjoyed the book for what it was trying to teach.  There aren't too many books written for those of us in the 'alternative' lifestyle, the green moms, the homesteaders, the earth worshipers (you know those some call hippies/hipsters/new agey). Although I'm sure * or I don't think he intended to* the author didn't intend to write for us, this is a great book for those of those subcultures to read to their kids, because it speaks to many of our ideals.

I highly recommend this one and suggest getting the package with the animal necklace, or even making the necklace with your children so that it's something to bond over.  I think this is a book any parent would enjoy their children reading.
 ★★★★☆
Happy Reading & May you have many blessed adventures!!!