#Review: Hard Knox .@nwilliamsbooks

Book Title: Hard Knox (Outsider Series 1)
Author:  Nicole Williams |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Self Published
Genre: New Adult Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 1
Format: ebook

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 310

How I got it: Blog Tour Company

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | KOBO
Publication Date: August 12, 2014
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Synopsis:

Knox Jagger. The name inspires resent in every male at Sinclair University, want in every female, and contempt in Charlie Chase. Charlie can be summed up in three words: independent, independent, and independent. To Charlie, Knox epitomizes everything that’s wrong with college males: prolific one-night stands, drunken senseless fights, and a body that hints at prioritizing gym time over study time. As an up-and-coming writer for Sinclair University’s newspaper, Charlie’s tasked with getting to the bottom of who’s been dropping little white pills into girls’ drinks at parties. In an ocean of All-American boys sporting polo shirts and innocent smiles, Knox is the obvious suspect. As evidence piles up against the bad boy of Sinclair, Charlie becomes more and more certain it isn’t Knox. But when her drink is dosed at a party and she wakes up on Knox’s couch the next morning, Charlie’s left with more questions than answers when it comes to Knox Jagger. How can Charlie ever hope to uncover the truth behind a guy so closed off he’s become . . .

This is the first time I have read Nicole Williams' writing, and it won't be the last at all.  I'm so looking forward to Damaged Goods which is book two and I have no idea what it's about but I'm going to enjoy reading it that's all I know.

When I first started i thought " Ugh, why already her attitude is tired. Shut up judgmental bitch. I hate characters who are "superior" only in their own minds because they put others down" Yeah then she turned around and made me eat those words.

I bitched about this book but it actually pulled me in.  This relationship reminds me of Jess and Riley in Sweet by Erin McCarthy, in how frank, real, and raw they were together.  It's funny how much of who they ere was hidden from others but not really from each other.  They fought hard to remain separated and their own people yet they become pretty essential to each other.  When the book first began I hated Charlie because I hate when characters thing they are better than others. Charlie or Ms Chase was a bit of an asshat , shes really naive if she truly thinks that some effing sayings on her shirt is going to save the world. Seriously??? Bitch please, if the Dali Lama who actually works towards world peace can't make it happen you think your passive aggressive t-shirts are going to enlighten someone?? She looked up to a mentor who I disliked from the get go.  The privilege coming off these characters annoyed me so much, then shyt got real and someone got in her face and called her on it and I wanted to scream it was so amazing.  I hated that there were almost no positive female friendships within the book. Not every sorority girl is a bitch, we aren't all out to make other girls look bad, we aren't all dumb because of how we dress, or the letters on our clothing.  Charlie judged women harshly and I wanted to tell her if maybe if she wasn't such a smug judgmental bitch then maybe she would have more friends.

Knox isn't your typical "bad boy"  he's a badass and a bit of a bad guy and he embraces it, and even uses it.  Completely embraces it which makes him pretty unique as a character because normally the bad boy is a guy who really isn't trying to be, nope not Knox, he does his best to live up to his name.

Knox as a character is complicated, it's one thing if you didn't know the consequences of your actions it's another when you do and you still do it. I'm sympathetic to his plight, I get why he did it, he was desperate and needed help and there was no one to help him so he did what he had to do, I get we can't punish kids for their indiscretions because well they're to put it politely.. freaking idiots it's a wonder the world hasn't ended with the different generations but seriously my dude??  Does his actions later make up for his actions before?? I don't know but when we find out his back story I both wanted to kill him and to cry. UGH Nicole you suck!!

The devil however is going to get his due eventually and it's never who we think will pay the price who ultimately does.  Knox paid in the worst way possible and I wouldn't wish that on even my worst enemy.  It brought his actions home in the worst way possible and he could never have expected it and I'm of two minds, while I wouldn't want that to happen to anyone, and yet this way he got a taste of what others had to deal with because of his decisions.  His need to survive fueled their despair.  Nicole doesn't make this easy at all, the ethical dilemma is a hard one, and the clear black and white lines aren't as clear as they used to be in this one.

Can I just say I picture Knox and Charlie as the two people I follow on instagram??  He's big and she's little as hell, they met in college and they both cuss up a storm like Knox??  Yeah they totally remind me of F & D.  Isn't it sad thought that the university of course would rather cover it up?? Than face the truth?? Which is eerily real because recently a couple of big name schools got in trouble for this including Yale University (which is right where I live). (Article here)

This book wasn't cut and dried and it didn't make it easy to like the characters because they were convoluted and complex and flawed like hell but in the end, Nicole pulled it all together and gave all the feels that could be felt.  I highly recommend it. I yelled at the characters, I called them names, I freaked out when things went wrong and I totally loved them by the end.

 ★★★★★

Go read it y'all and come back so we can compare our notes on Charlie and Knox.  Have you read it?? Did you hate it, Love it, Like it?? Share down in the comments. 
Happy Reading

#Giveaway (CLOSED) & #Review: Sugar On The Edge ( Last Call 3) .@bennettbooks

Book Title: Sugar On The Edge (Last Call 3)
Author: Sawyer Bennett  Website | Facebook | Twitter

Publisher:  Big Dog Books LLC
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Series/Standalone:  Series
Format: ebook, paperback

Cost: $3.99

Pages: 200
How I Got It: Blog Tour Company 
Get Yours:  Amazon| B&N | BAM

Publication Date: July 28th, 2014
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Synopsis

He’s utterly alone…

Tortured and existing in a dark spiral of despair, bestselling British author, Gavin Cooke, has come to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to escape the seedy lifestyle he had been living in London and in a desperate attempt to regain his writing focus. He’s twisted, bitter and angry at the world. He’s a loner… needing not a single thing other than his Scotch and a laptop upon which he can bang out his next erotic, dark thriller.

She’s running in place and getting nowhere…

Savannah Shepherd’s life is falling apart. Her dream of being a wildlife photographer seems a distant memory and she’s barely able to make ends meet. Driving herself forward with no clear goals apparent, she’s about ready to pack up her bags and head home with her tail between her legs.

Two unlikely lovers…

He’s raw, forceful and a dirty talker. She’s a flowers and romance type of girl. Yet within each other, they find a mutual craving that can only be satisfied by giving in to their desires for one another.

Lust turns into something more… something they were not looking for but tentatively accept. Will it be enough to push them past the obstacles of Gavin’s bitter past?

*SUGAR ON THE EDGE can be read as a stand-alone*

 However if you want to read them:

Book 1: On The Rocks

Book 2: Make It A Double
Book 3: Sugar on the Edge

  

This book is extremely steamy.  At first when we get to meet the characters, I was like man oh man he's a bit of an ass, then the female lead calls him out on it and I laughed so hard.  I loved her so much!!  I'm glad the author knew certain sections where way too corny and had the characters talk about it., That made me laugh so hard!!  I loved that he was an author and that we got glimpses of his work and how what happened with him influenced his characters and what he wrote influenced him as well.

I loved how even though Savannah was a quite woman, she had a backbone of steel and gave Gavin as much as he tried to give her. Gavin was a wounded man and lashed out at whoever would attempt to get close, when he realized Savannah wasn't willing to fall over and be impressed, nor was she unfazed by him.  Their clashes were epic and steamy at times, and sometimes just wonderful to read as they clashed and learnt their limits with each other.

I loved that there was no real battle or horrible thing to prevent them from coming together, just them, I hate when it's a huge thing keeping them apart, It was good to see the other characters from the books and to see the way they loved Savannah and took Gavin in and then when he got his butt handed to him because he was too stupid to be a smart man and learn his lesson.

I enjoyed the characters growth and development and the fact that even though it's companion, it didn't feel that way. Enjoyed reading it so much.  Deeply engaging although even though he was British his thought patterns and inner monologue and wording were truly "Yankee".

 ★★★★1/2

Enter to get your own copy of Sugar on the Edge:
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Good Luck!!
I hope you take the time to check out Sawyer's work.
Happy Reading my loves

#Review: The Wanderer (Thunder Point 1) .@RCarrWriter

Book Title: The Wanderer (Thunder Point 1)
Author: Robyn Carr |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series/Standalone: Series
Format: Paperback

Cost: $7.99

Pages: 384

How I got it: ARC From Blogger Friend 

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million
Publication Date: April 2013
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Synopsis:

From Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the popular Virgin River novels, comes Thunder Point-the highly anticipated new series that will make you laugh, make you sigh, and make you fall in love with a small town filled with people you'll never forget. Nestled on the Oregon coast is a small town of rocky beaches and rugged charm. Locals love the land's unspoiled beauty. Developers see it as a potential gold mine. When newcomer Hank Cooper learns he's been left an old friend's entire beachfront property, he finds himself with a community's destiny in his hands. Cooper has never been a man to settle in one place, and Thunder Point was supposed to be just another quick stop. But Cooper finds himself getting involved with the town. And with Sarah Dupre, a woman as complicated as she is beautiful. With the whole town watching for his next move, Cooper has to choose between his old life and a place full of new possibilities. A place that just might be home.(l

The Wanderer is an excellent first in series book, Robyn laid the groundwork for us to see the entire town, To learn the layout, the quirky inhabitants, the hidden love stories, the long lost loves, the future residential loves, the newcomers and everyone who had been through.

I personally loved that we got to know the side characters, the towns folks and to really get to know Cooper before he met his love interest.  Hank Cooper is a Wanderer, a former Army helicopter pilot he's spent the last few years wandering wherever the wind blew him,  when his friend passes away he ends up in Thunder Point to say goodbye to his comrade and get the shock of his life.  I loved reading and getting to know Cooper, he wasn't an overly complex man, he had lived it up during his years in the military, he had had relationships and knew how they worked but he's never felt the need to settle down and be in one spot. Thunder Point works it's magic and gives him a glimpse of what life in a community feels like and he hangs around for a little bit.

I loved reading the budding romances of the other characters especially because I know she's going to flesh them out in their own stories. We meet some fresh new blood to the town, and even see the hidden lives of a few of the older crowd.  Of course you have your characters you want to push out a window, or give a good slap because they clearly need it.  And then there are the characters who are so slow they didn't even realize they were about to lose a good thing until it was almost gone.  I loved reading those lines and laughing so hard.

The love story wasn't insta love, they didn't fall into bed right away either, they were older people with a few years and a few heartaches under their belts so they came at the relationships a little differently.    I loved the good slow build to the relationship. I loved the flares of temper, the building of connections that would become friendships and the healing the characters embarked on. Yeah it's safe to say I'm in love with the town and can't wait to return in the next one!!

 ★★★★☆

Have you tried Robyn's writing?? If you haven't I suggest you do, she writes in a way that makes you really feel like you're there and could go driving into town any moment.  Have any suggestions based on this book?? Share them down in the comments my loves and I'll see you later.
Happy Reading

Austen In August 2014: Modern Adaptations: Books & Movies

This Austen In August Read a Long and monthly feature is hosted by Misty over at The Book Rat blog. She's been doing this for a few years now and this year I've decided to be apart of the festivities instead of just watching from the sidelines.

My Austen In August TBR is here and below I have my participation for this year with my collection of modern adaptations of Austen, a few I own and a few I have discovered online and love!!

You can watch the video and scroll down to find all the information in more details here as well as a few more links:

Movies:

Based On Pride & Prejudice:

My absolute favorite is Bride & Prejudice featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and a whole cast of amazing characters that just make you love them!!   This is a Bollywood adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. I absolutely love this movie!!!! The cinematography and the music just blow you away and make you love the story. You must watch if you're a lover of Jane Austen.

Bridget Jones Diary based on the book by Helen Fielding which is based on Pride & Prejudice.

Lost In Austen Featuring Jemima who is a huge Janeit, and she gets sucking into her favorite book. I loved this BBC adaptation that made me re-fall for Mr. Darcy (because Colin Firth is too awesome but man listen this Mr. Darcy?? Yasss!!)  Where To Watch

Death Comes to Pemberley  a BBC adaptation coming in the Fall of 2014. Based on the book by P.D. James, this is supposed to be a what happens after the end of Pride and Prejudice. I haven't read the book but I plan to before the show comes out.

Lizzie Bennett Diaries a youtube adaptation, that is done Vlog style and is absolutely wonderful!!! I really enjoyed watching this and I marathoned the entire series in a few days (I had vacation time so yep enjoyed it)  (Watch the Playlist )

Based on Emma

Clueless a real modern adaptation, and perhaps one of the best version but least known as an adaptation.  This had a wonderful movie and a spin off show ( i never watched the spin off but hey, it lasted a while so it might have been good).

Emma Approved  (another from the Pemberley Digital Group)

Based On Persuasion:

Bridget Jones and the Edge of Reason the follow up to the first book and movie is apparently based on Persuasion.

Books

Young Adult Persuasion Adaptation

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Perterfruend

Adult Adaptation :

Bridget Jones the Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding

Pride & Prejudice Adaptations:

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding

The Jane Austen Marriage Manual by Kim Izzo

Me & Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter

Using Jane Austen for Inspiration:

Austenland Shannon Hale

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

Haven't Seen Yet and Will be watching

• Pride Prejudice and Zombies by Quirk Books  (Doesn't come out until 2015) 
• Jane Austen Book Club
• Emma Approved
• Becoming Jane Austen
• From Mansfield Park with Love
• Welcome to Sandtion
• Miss Austen Regrets
• Austenland
• Aisha (From Bollywood)
• Sense & Sensibilities the BBC version

So there you have it my loves.  What are you doing for Austen In August?? Have you seen any of these movies, loved any of these books, have any good recommendations??  Leave it in the comments, and I'll add it into the growing list of ways to become a better Janeit!!

Thanks for stopping by

Book #Review: Bachelor Unclaimed by Brenda Jackson | Bewitching Bibliophile

Book Title: Bachelor Unclaimed (Bachelors In Demand)
Author:  Brenda Jackson |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Harlequin Kimani Romance
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 4
Format: ebook, Mass Market

Cost: $3.99, $6.25

Pages: 224

How I got it: NetGalley

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: Jan 2013
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

Are his playboy days over for good? In the wake of political defeat, former mayoral candidate Ainsley St. James does something totally out of character-she has a one-night stand with a seductive stranger. Never expecting to see him again, she accepts a job covering a breaking story in Hilton Head, South Carolina...only to discover that the island's most desirable recluse is the lover she has yet to forget. Winston Coltrane can't get that incredible night-or the sexy, sophisticated beauty-out of his mind. The marine biologist is developing a secret formula that could be a major medical breakthrough. But there's something Winston is keeping from Ainsley: his feelings for her have grown beyond the bedroom. Kiss by breathtaking kiss, Ainsley is transforming his oceanside sanctuary into a sensual retreat. Will they be able to turn a passionate fling into forever in each other's arms?

I always enjoy Brenda's writing and this one was of course another great addition to the read pile.  I did take away a star because of some of the thoughts the male protagonist had; they were kinda creepy and I really didn't feel like they went along with the characterization she had been giving us up until that point.  Other than that creepy moment, this story was a wonderful quick romantic, sensual read that I gobbled up really quickly, because I didn't want to leave until I saw how it all panned out.

I found the characters to be awesome,  Brenda gave us a believable story that was steamy hot and they just clicked together so well.  I loved that the characters believed that they were here for one story and totally walked away with something different.

I loved how spunky and tenacious Ainsley was and it's so funky that her town was so stupid.  I really liked Ainsley because she reminded me of me, she was a modern, fun, funky and happy woman. I want to meet the woman who decided doing what she did to Ainsley was smart or even really the way other women should be done  and just pop her in the mouth.  Ainsley was my favorite character because she didn't let Winston intimidate her and I loved how she handled him once they confronted the elephant in the room.

" Love didn't hurt you, someone who claimed to love you did" I say this on facebook the other day and this was perfect for the book. I just loved it.  This is a lesson both Winston and his cousin Virgil need to learn,. I can't wait to read the other god-brothers stories and enjoy the fullness of their fall.  I especially want to read Z's and Virgils' tales.

I really loved that Brenda dropped some serious history within the story.  Especially about the Civil War, Robert Small, the Gullah people and islands, and Mitchellville.  It all so awesome to read a story that discusses my history without making it a trite piece or somehow lessening the impact and the power of the tale. Also I totally love the little tidbits about marine biology that she interspersed within the story.

I loved that Winston's a cook, low country boil indeed, yes sir, I need the universe to send me one of these!!  Winston was a good character to read, he was educated, fun, funny and so smart, but yet, he wasn't as smart as he thought.

A definite must read and going on my faves of 2014 because it was humorous and sensual and I love Ainsley she deserves all the happiness. I can't wait to read the other stories. Brenda sure knows how to spin a tale . Now I want to go down south again.

 ★★★★☆

I hope you enjoy Ainsley and Winston as much as I did.  Happy Reading

Austen In August 2014 TBR @thebookrat

Hey everybody, I don't know if you are aware of Misty at the Book Rat who has a Austen In August read a long in August. It happens every year but this is the first year I will be participating.

I've mentioned before that I grew up on a all women's college campus, my mother was a Linguistics professor, I spent many a childhood afternoon hanging out in the English Department and because of it my mother kept me occupied each summer with reading of 2-3 classics per summer month and I had to write a report for her sharing my interpretation of the story and what lessons were to be learnt.  I was in the 6th grade when I read about Mr, Darcy for the first time and I can't help but to think he's why I was ruined for men for all time, I mean him, and Ossie Davis, Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Bob Marley and Dr. King (before I heard a rumor that he cheated on Coretta), with those beautiful specimens of male ideal what real man can hope to compete?? I'm willing to admit I'm not a hardcore Janeite, but I'm at a time in my life where I believe I would love to be one.  I'll also admit that I love Sense and Sensibility just a little bit more than Pride and Prejudice (because as a teen drama is what I wanted and Marianne was my kind of girl, willing to give up on life for love?? Be still my 15 year old heart), but not too much because after all P&P has Darcy.

 Here are the books I'm reading:

In my pile is:  ( I have an actual list on Goodreads as well, on there I have books I'm going to be pulling from).

Emma by Jane Austen and I'm going to re-read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Death Comes to Pemberley PD James  (This is going to be made into a show that will air on BBC/PBS in October 2014.)

The Jane Austen Marriage Manual by Kim Izzo

Me and Mr.Darcy by Alexandra Potter

In Movies:

I'm going to watch the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice, from BBC.and the Keira Knightley one, because well Keira Knightley!! 

I'm also going to watch Austenland  which Priscilla over at the Readables just gave a great star rating. I'm excited especially because Keri Russell is in it!!

and I'm re watching Lost In Austen which  I LOVE SO MUCH!!!! Which can be found on HULU 

I also plan to watch Emma, Sense and Sensibility and the modern adaptations which I will be sharing in a separate post!!!

What are you reading and watching to get your Jane Austen Fix?? Share down in the comments below my loves and I'm going to catch up with Mr. Darcy.

Author Guest Post: The Real Thing by Cassie Mae

A big THANK YOU! to this site for letting me invade for THE REAL THING tour :) (squishy hugs)

"Why don’t people date their best friends? We’re past the getting-to-know-you part, so we can jump right into the getting to know your body parts." 

Ah... my main character made it sound so simple in those sentences ;) But as someone who fell for their best friend, it is not without its hurdles. 

Let me take you back to when I was a 15 year old, embarking on her first new job (and to this day I don't know why they hired me at 15. I must've had a great recommendation from my mom, lol) at Jungle Jim's Playland. (Which is basically Chuckie Cheese but with way better rides and much lazier staff.) 

There I was, redeeming tickets for prizes when I looked up and saw an adorable guy with about ten kids hanging off his arms (oh his arms!) and they were all begging him to give them more tokens for games. He teased them for a bit, saying he didn't have any more, but he obviously did with his bulging pockets and the "jangle" when he walked. After they all got on the floor and begged, he rained tokens on them and made these kids the happiest ever! 

I was swooning under my fuzzy red and white uniform hat. His eyes locked on mine and I fumbled with the tickets, tried to be as good with the kids I was helping as he was with the ones he was tending. He must be there for a birthday party. Big brother, cousin, someone who I'd probably never see again. And he was walking up to me, jamming his hand into his back pocket. I jolted when he hopped the counter and set my time card on top of the ticket counter. 

And he uttered the first words he ever spoke to me. "I can finish up if you want your break."

Oh. My. Gosh. This was my boss! 

How old are bosses around here? Everyone I knew was either 16 or 80, so I'm instantly thinking, he's a twenty-year-old fart and I should not be thinking how cute he was with all those kids and how his smile really is one of those half-smiles that you only see in movies or read in books. (Fun fact... he actually got hit in the mouth with a baseball when he was younger, so only half his mouth will smile. No joke!) 

Anyway, I went to clock out... and ended up talking to myself by the timepunch. Like, out loud talking to myself. I don't remember the conversation... but I do remember looking up and there he was with my other boss, and they're both staring at me like I've lost my marbles. He laughed as he clocked out too, then we walked back to the break room together, my face a bright red tomato as I spurted who knows what just to try to prove to him I wasn't crazy. 

We talked the full half hour break... then the rest of that night. Found out he was a freshly graduated 17 year old. (Birthday in the summer like moi.) And he was into Star Wars hardcore! Video games, played the guitar, worked on trucks, and basically awesome. I was sort of against dating at this point in time. Up until him I'd always fallen for my friends and they ended up dating one of my other friends, so I didn't allow myself to have major crushes. He also told me I was too young and he didn't want to date someone he worked with. (He told me this later... like much later... like after we were married later when I asked him what took us so long to get together, lol.) 

So instead of dating or getting into a what I thought was one-sided infatuation, we became friends. He soon became my best friend. Talked on the phone daily, we'd carpool to and from work, and then when he quit he still took me to work. And mostly we'd just play video games and I'd make fun of his Princess Leia figurines while he made fun of my Harry Potter clad room. 

Totally not joking... he still has it, lol

Then one day, two and half years after we met, we were sitting in the dark theater for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and he leaned over and said, "Is this a good time to tell you I love you?"

That was when I finally allowed myself to fall for my friend, and I kissed him... after the movie, of course. I mean, it was Harry Potter ;) 

And the benefits of falling in love with your best friend? 

1. You already know their family, so you don't have to do the awkward meet-and-greet with their parents.
2. You already have an in with their other friends too.
3. You've most likely passed gas around each other, so you don't have to worry about that first part of the relationship when you need to hold it in till you pass out.
4. You've been buying birthday presents for each other since you became friends, so there's no stressing out any more than you usually do for gifts.
5. After you've gotten through the hot first part of the relationship when all you do is kiss, you'll still have stuff to talk about or do together when you're not lip-locked. 

So that's my own best friends to lovers story and why I love reading about them so much. :) You can catch these two best friends falling for each other in The Real Thing, info below! :)

Buy Me!

In this electrifying novel from Cassie Mae, two close friends surprise themselves by shifting from platonic love to sexual attraction.
Eric Matua has one friend—his best friend and childhood sweetheart, who needs a place to stay for the summer. Mia Johnson has thousands of friends—who live in her computer. Along with her email chats and Facebook notifications, Mia also devours romance novels, spending countless hours with fictional characters, dreaming of her own Romeo to sweep her off her feet. When she starts receiving supersweet messages from a stranger who thinks she’s someone else, Mia begins to believe that real love is possible outside her virtual world.

When the two friends become roommates, Mia finds herself falling harder than she ever thought she could. But Eric keeps his desires locked away, unsure of himself and his ability to give his best friend what she deserves in a boyfriend. As her advances are continually spurned, Mia splits her time between Eric and her computer. But she soon realizes she’s about to lose the only real thing she’s ever had.
Advance praise for The Real Thing
“Cassie Mae is awesome! The perfect balance between laugh-out-loud funny and achingly poignant, The Real Thing is the ultimate escapist read. I didn’t want it to end!”—Lauren Layne, author of Isn’t She Lovely
“Watching two best friends figure out how to fall in love makes The Real Thing a summer read of swoon-worthy perfection.”—Jolene Perry, author of The Summer I Found You
“Cassie Mae’s The Real Thing made me want to close out every social media app and electronic device I have, but I couldn’t manage to stop reading!”—Rebecca Yarros, author of Full Measures

Cassie Mae (who dawns the name Becca Ann on occasion) is the author of a few hundred... okay, maybe not that many... books. Some of which became popular for their quirky titles, characters, and stories. She likes writing about nerds, geeks, the awkward, the fluffy, the short, the shy, the loud, the fun.
Since publishing her bestselling debut, Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend, she has published and sold books to Random House, Swoon Romance, and Spencer Hill Press. She has a favorite of all her book babies, but no, she won't tell you what it is. (Mainly because it changes depending on the day.)
Along with writing, Cassie likes to binge watch Teen Wolf and The Big Bang Theory. She can quote Harry Potter lines quick as a whip. And she likes kissing her hubby, but only if his facial hair is trimmed. She also likes cheesecake to a very obsessive degree.
You can stalk, talk, or send pictures of Dylan O'Brien to her on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cassiemaeauthor

****************Giveaway!******************

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#Review: The Real Thing .@CassieCook2

Book Title: The Real Thing
Author: Cassie Mae |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Flirt ( Random House)
Genre: New Adult Romance
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Format: ebook

Cost: $2.99

Pages: 235

How I got it: Blog Tour Company

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: August 19th, 2014
Add To Goodreads
Synopsis:

In this electrifying novel from New Adult sensation Cassie Mae, two close friends surprise themselves by shifting from platonic love to sexual attraction. Eric Matua has one friend—his best friend and childhood sweetheart, who needs a place to stay for the summer. Mia Johnson has thousands of friends—who live in her computer. Along with her email chats and Facebook notifications, Mia also devours romance novels, spending countless hours with fictional characters, dreaming of her own Romeo to sweep her off her feet. When she starts receiving supersweet messages from a stranger who thinks she’s someone else, Mia begins to believe that real love is possible outside her virtual world. When the two friends become roommates, Mia finds herself falling harder than she ever thought she could. But Eric keeps his desires locked away, unsure of himself and his ability to give his best friend what she deserves in a boyfriend. As her advances are continually spurned, Mia splits her time between Eric and her computer. But she soon realizes she’s about to lose the only real thing she’s ever had.

Is it bad that I pictured the Rock (Dwayne Johnson, because he's Samoan as well) when picturing the male protag??  Naahhh, it's not bad because he's hot and Eric is hot, so yeah... on to the review!!

This book ends up on my faves list for 2014.  I truly loved reading this and I finished it in one night.  Em could be anyone of us, she's a book lover, and a little bit ok no really a lot addicted to the internet.  Her obsession with the internet almost cost her an amazing real life.  A great cautionary tale but also a great love story.

After reading Cassie's blog post (which goes up tomorrow) about how she fell in love with her best friend and I so got this book even more. It's hilarious because really Em could be me, she was addicted to her goodreads feed, her twitter, facebook, instagram and email notifications. (she was way more addicted than I was but I totally get her), she freaked out a lot when reading and when Eric described her I laughed because that was totally me when I read.

I loved that the hero wasn't the sterotypical 'bad boy' even though he had some issues like most of the men in new adult have. His are a little different, he had what are normally seen in the female character. I loved how he dealt with it.  A good guy who had a few issues to work through, Em wasn't aware of the issues and sometimes without meaning to would compound them.  At those times I wanted to kick her, but oh my gosh when she finds out?? Her reactions were epically awesome.

Emilia unlike the other female protags in new adult wasn't broken, didn't come from a tragic past,she had a good relationship with her dad, had lots of friends, but she was just a big fangirl.  Em's only problem was her addiction, and man oh man did she take it to the extreme, even though there was a warning shot in the very beginning of the book she ignored the foreshadowing and just totally threw herself into her online life.  She truly almost missed the forest for the trees.

My heart almost broke in several scenes and I totally laughed out loud at other scenes.  I totally get Em and I really loved Eric (especially because he was so freaking awesome).  This book really made me enjoy reading again, and it really improved my mood, because I was in a crap mood going in, but a great huge smile on my face mood when I finished.

I loved this one, read it in one night and can't wait to start reading more books from Cassie Mae.  She's an amazing writer and I loved her writing, I was totally involved and I really loved how social media was written in this book and how it was used to further the story. Highly recommend.

 ★★★★1/2☆

Have you read it?? How about her other writing??  Make sure to swing by romorrow for a chance to win some great prizes and to see what Cassie herself has to say on what inspired her writing.  Happy Reading

What is Romance?? A Definition & Example Post

Recently when deciding to clarify what I was going to be doing on my Booktube channel, I came to the decision to create a video about what romance was. What I was going to read, review and share. I wanted to clarify for those who didn't know that Romance is an overarching umbrella under which many sub genres exist.  This is my idea of romance is., If you have something else in mind please do share.

There are many sub genres including

Romantic Suspense  with authors like Heather Graham, Linda Howard, Maggie Shayne, Lora Leigh, and Julie Garwood

Paranormal Romance: Charlaine Harris, Laurell K Hamilton, Cheyenne McCray, Tanya Huff, Katie MacAlister, just to name a few.

Erotica Romance which has several different sub genres of it's own. Some of my favorite authors are Sylvia Day, Maya Banks, Tiffany Reisz, Lily Harlem, Jory Strong, Zane, Shayla Black just to name a few.  Their categories vary but include:

• Big Beautiful Women, 
• Interracial Erotica,
• Polyamouros Romance (romance with more than one love interest NOT CHEATING, but consensual multiple and multifaceted relationships) , 
• BDSM themed novels, 
• paranormal Erotica: Shapeshifters, and Witchs abound!!
• Contemporary Erotica (happening in current time with mention of most of social media, or well known and understood vernacular being used as well) , 
• Science Fiction Erotica (featuring time travel, alien planets, futuristic Earth and even other planets).  

Historical Romance which includes the sub genre of Steampunk Romance.  A few authors include Amanda Quick, Julia Quinn, and Elisabeth Lowell,

Dystopian Romance: These tend to be more of a sub category of SciFi Romance,   JD Robb

Christian Romance: This romance is categorized with having the main protagonists wait until marriage to consummate their relationships, Amish Romance stories and books with a strong Church focus within them.

New Adult Romance:  This subcategory is a new one; it's been gaining popularity recently even though before it was just considered regular romance and only broken down by it's content instead of the age of the characters, and it age of it's target audience.  It's mostly written with readers being between the age of 21-35, they tend to have characters who have recently graduated from college or are in their last year, attempting to find their way in the world.  Some characters haven't gone to college but the basic demographic is women and men who are trying to figure out what they want to really do with their lives.    Authors include: Erin McCarthy, Jay Crownover, Cora Cormack, J Lynn, Elisa Dane and many more.

Contemporary Romance hot men and even better women, struggling to figure out their romance lives while juggling their expectations for life and how to make it in this modern world.  This is the broadest category and it even has it own sub genres including cowboy romance, men in uniform romance, 'paranormal' romance where psychics and witches exist along with ghosts.  Heather Graham, Brenda Jackson, Lynn Emery, Sandra Kitt, Robyn Carr, Brenda Novak, Nora Roberts are some of the few who are well known for these books.

Interracial/African American/Native American Romance:  There are many book written that include interracial romance, including those by JJ Murray, Eric Jerome Dickey and many more.
African American romance has it's own category and it's own sub-genres as well.  Brenda Jackson, Beverly Jenkins, Sandra Kitt, Lynn Emery, Zuri Day, Omar Tyree, Eric Jerome Dickey, Kinberla Lawson Roby, Terry Macmillan are just a few of the greats.

The sub genres in AA Romance are vast and I'm only just beginning to explore, so I'm sorry that I don't have authors to recommend, but in 2015 that's going to change so be on the lookout for other videos and more discussion posts.

These are just some of the categories and some of the authors in each.  Do you have some favorites?? Please share as I'm always looking for new authors.

What do you think romance is?? Share in the comments and let me know.

Waiting On Wednesday August Edition (1)

Hosted by: Jill over at Breaking The Spines.  This is a weekly book lust prompt, asking for us to share our absolute can't wait to get our hands on a copy books. Swing on over to find out how to participate and to see what others are sharing.  

Young Adult/New Adult

Lair of Dreams ( Diviniers 2) Libba Bray 

After a supernatural showdown with a serial killer, Evie O'Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. Now that the world knows of her ability to "read" objects, and therefore, read the past, she has become a media darling, earning the title, "America's Sweetheart Seer." But not everyone is so accepting of the Diviners' abilities...
Meanwhile, mysterious deaths have been turning up in the city, victims of an unknown sleeping sickness. Can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld and catch a killer?

Due Date: August 5th

Print: Hardcover

Pages: 608

Publisher:Little Brown

Adult Fiction/Romance/Erotica

Hero of the Highland Wolf Terry Spear
The MacQuarrie werewolf clan has overseen the Playfair family’s Ardmore Castle for three centuries. So when a Playfair granddaughter from abroad inherits the estate, clan chief Grant MacQuarrie has to train her to manage it—and he’s not happy about having her in his way. Until the prim old lady he’s expecting turns out to be a sexy young wolf…
Colleen Playfair is excited and apprehensive about her new role at the castle, and she has big plans to change the way its run. But the stubborn Grant won’t make things easy, and she’s forced to turn to seduction to get her way…Due Date: Aug 5
Print: Mass Market
Pages:384
Publisher: Sourcebooks

Are you getting any of these?? What's on your book lust list?? Share in the comments down below!!

Happy Lusting

Completing My Collections otherwise known as Book Haulin':: (VEDA Day 4)

Here is today's vlog for VEDA otherwise known as Vlog Every Day In August.  I wanted to share some of the books that have been finding their way into my home and joining my read bookshelves. I love completing my collections.





I mentioned before that I am a book collector. I have entire series by authors that I love. If I love them, then they are on the autobuy lists (this especially worked well because for years I worked in WaldenBooks *until they closed* and I used to get my books on great discount).


Since I no longer work for a bookstore I keep a running lists of books missing from my catalog that I wish to get, and each year I try to get them.  I've promised myself that 2015 will be the year that I really collect as many of the missing books from my collection as possible.  We'll see how that goes.  Recently thanks to the vlogger The Girly Girl Bookworm I've found a source for getting these books for cheap.  Thriftbooks (I'm NOT sponsored or receiving anything in exchange this is an honest review of the service and a chance to share about my finds).

I got the following from them recently and I am extremely excited by the condition of the books and the fact that shipping is free in the US. After the video was filmed I tried to clean off those tags on the side and it actually ripped a bit of the cover art off. I'm NOT happy about that and want them to put the tags on the back, no one gives a damn about the back barcode bar, the spines are for showing off. If I ruin my book spine that's ok, but you shouldn't do that for me.  UGHHHH that was so frustrating, considering the books came in such pristine condition. (this has since happened on several other books so it's the stickers not the books)

Paperbackswap is a company I have been using for a few years now and they ave a really great system, you list books you wish to unhaul, you ship them media mail, then when the person receives them they click they have received and you get a point (which has a monetary value of $3.50), each point can then be used to get a book for yourself (you can purchase points however that kinda defeats the purpose of swapping books) .  I have used this system successfully and the books are always in great condition especially because you can specify what covers you want, and even the condition of the book you wish to receive (like from a non smoking household, or without animals things like that).  (I ALSO AM NOT SPONSORED BY PAPERBACKSWAP)

That's it, I'm so happy with my purchases.  What about you?? Have you ever used either services?? Share down below you experiences.

Thanks for stopping by

Month In Review: July 2014

Wait, how can it already be the end of the month??? That's so crazy. The month is already gone, y'all gone!! It's already August!!!!mNooooo where did the summer go?? Well since it's gone here are the books I have read, the reviews I have written and a recap of all the awesomeness that came my way.

Book Hauls:  I have only had two, and I posted them on Youtube, links down below:

Reviews on the Blog This Month:

Adult
Bonds of Hope
Bonds of Courage

Young Adult

Altered (The Academy Series Book 1)

Shattered (The Academy Series Book 2)

Books Read This Month: 13  At this rate I'll be finishing up my goal well before  December. I'm 11 books ahead!! Yassss. Even though I didn't feel like I completed that many books at all.
Yearly Goal: 150   Monthly Count:  13  Balance: 52
Young Adult
Altered by Aubrey Coletti
Shattered by Aubrey Coletti

New Adult:
Shatter (Book 4 True Believer's Series)  by Erin McCarthy. Oh my gawd it can't be the end!!! I need more !! I want more awesome stories, Erin, *sob* this is such an awesome series. I want to read more. I'm so getting all of these in physical form. I can't wait.

Adult
I finished a few series this month. including the following:

• Maya Banks' Surrender Trilogy: Letting Go, Giving In, Taking It All

The Fifth Avenue Trilogy   I read the prequel in June which wasTake Me by Maisey Yates

• Avenge Me by Miasey Yates
• Scandalize Me by Caitlin Crews
• Expose Me by Kate Hewitt

I can't wait to share with you my thoughts on these books, they were freaking amazing!!

Then I went back to The Den and caught up with my favorite group of people in Lynda Aicher's Wicked Play series:

• Bonds of Denial
• Bonds of Cuurage

I had an amazing time with these books in the series because it was ana amazing series.

I also read. Jennifer Probst's Executice Seduction, which was a good romanctic comedy, but wasn't really what the cover was selling me, but more of that in the review.

And I finished THORN JACK by Katherine Harbour and if you haven't picked this book up and you're a fan of dark Faerie tales then you are missing out.  

Book Reviews To Look Forward to Next Month:

1) Take Me On by Katie McGarry
2) The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness

Plus so many more!!!  I'm aiming to do VEDA (vlog everyday in august), and I'm going to try to also blog everyday this month. The last few weeks have been pretty light due to the new work schedule, but now that i have it down more I'm getting back into the swing of things.

What'd you do this month?? Care to share?? Leave it in the comments box and I'll swing on by!!
Happy Reading and Happy New Month!!