May 2013 | Book Nerds Across America

Friday, May 31, 2013

BOOK REVIEW: Off Sides (Off Series #1) by Sawyer Bennett

Goodreads description:

“I'm not sure what possessed me to do it. Maybe it was the impossible expectations I faced, maybe it was my own self-loathing. But I just knew I needed something different to happen. I needed someone...something...to derail me from my current path. Otherwise, I would become lost...a hollowed out shell of a man. So I did it. I approached her, then I pursued her, then I made her mine. And my life was saved...”

Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university’s hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family’s public image.

Forced her to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.

With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days...

Mary's Review:

Hockey player?!?!?! Well, you knew I had to read this book!

Best part of the book: I love the relationship between Ryan and Danny. It felt very real.

Everyone underestimates Danny. They see the her working her two jobs and piercings and think she is a no one. She is far from it. Danny has had a rough life but she she working on becoming something better.

Ryan has had a life of privilege and still feels like he is missing something. He is set for greatness in the NHL.

After they first meet (which was an awesome scene) Ryan pursues Danny and soon they are together all the time. It wasn't too long before Ryan figures out that Danny is so much more than what he thought. Then their two world collide and I felt horrible for Danny.

Not so great about book: I liked the book from beginning to end. I didn't see anything wrong with it and would recommend it to others.

Buy it here:

RELEASE DAY: Call Me Crazy by Quinn Loftis

Call Me Crazy

by Quinn Loftis

Synopsis

“I’m looking out from inside the chaos. It must be a one-way mirror because no one seems to be able to see back inside to where I am. The looks on their faces, the judgment in their eyes, tells me everything I need to know. The most frustrating part about the whole messed up situation is that even though I’m the one that they stare at in shock, I am just as shocked as they are. I know no more than they do of why I lose control. What they don’t know is that I am more scared of myself than they could ever be.” ~ Tally Baker

After a devastating turn of events, seventeen year old Tally Baker is admitted to Mercy Psychiatric Facility where she is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. She has come to a place where she honestly believes that her life is over. Her mind tells her that she will never smile or laugh again, that she will never be normal again. It is in this unlikely place that she meets two people, different in every way, yet both critical to helping her realize that she has so much more living to do.

Candy, a cantankerous sixty year old Mercy Psychiatric patient, is hell bent on driving everyone as crazy as she is. Candy shows Tally that, regardless of her diagnosis, the ability to push on and live her life to the fullest is her choice and hers alone. In the midst of Tally’s oftentimes humorous, sometimes heart-wrenching, escapades with Candy, a new patient is admitted to Mercy—a Native American woman named Lolotea. Along with this new patient comes a daily visitor, her son, Trey Swift. At first glance, it is obvious to Tally that he is incredibly handsome and unbelievably caring. But what she learns through her second glance, and many thereafter, is that there is much more to Trey than he ever lets on. It is during these daily visits that Trey and Tally build a friendship far deeper than either of them truly realize. With Trey, Tally feels for the first time since being admitted that someone is looking at her as a person and not as a disease. Trey begins to make it clear that he wants more than friendship, but she knows that she can never give him more. How can she, when she won’t even give him the truth? Tally doesn’t tell Trey that she is a patient at Mercy, and she doesn’t ever plan to. Her plans go up in flames when she finds out that Trey is a new student at her school, the school where her brokenness was found out in the floor of the girl’s bathroom in a pool of her own blood.

Call Me Crazy Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQok8tBYpdk&feature=youtu.be

Excerpt 1

“Crap Candy,” I growl at my snickering companion as I rub my side and glare at her. “What was that for?”

“A better question would be why were you hunkered down under the table drooling over Kemosabe?”

I frown at her. “That’s tacky don’t you think?”

“I’m sixty years old and crazy; I can do tacky if I want,” she snorts at me.

I can’t really argue with her there. Like pregnant women, old, crazy ladies pretty much get a free pass on crassness and eccentricity.

“So come on,” she pats the chair that I had so quickly vacated, “tell Candy all about it.”

I roll my eyes. “He just took me off guard, that’s all,” I lie smoothly.

Candy isn’t buying it. “He was hot, just admit it. Hot and he got you bothered.”

I cringe. “Candy, you calling a guy young enough to be your grandson hot is just not right.”

“Psht,” she flips her hand at me. “I’m old, not blind or dead. Besides, I didn’t say I wanted to jump his exotic bones.”

I groan as I bang my head against the table. “Where do you learn these terms? I mean it’s not normal for someone your age to blurt out crap like that.”

“Did you just use the term normal in a sentence describing me?” She raises her brow surprisingly at me.

I laugh. “Good point.”

Excerpt 2

“I may be in a mental hospital, but I am not dense. So please, un-complicate it for me.”

This was not my plan for tonight and I fight the urge to stomp my foot and tell her how I was supposed to be curled up in a ball on my bed freaking out. But I won’t say that, not to Trey’s mother.

“I have bipolar disorder. Everyone knows it: my parents, my friends, the entire freaking school. The fact that I am in a mental hospital is the gossip of the century. People whisper around me and refuse to look me in the eyes, like at any second I’ll snap and start screaming that the voices won’t shut up.” I’m crying again and it pisses me off. I wipe my eyes, frantically trying to clear them, to remove the evidence of how badly all of it has hurt me, is still hurting me.

“Trey treated you normally.” Her voice is softer, gentler, and when I look at her through the wetness in my eyes, I see understanding in them, not the condemnation from minutes ago. “He saw you, not the disease.”

My knees shake with the effort to hold my body up and I reach to the wall for support.

“He loves you.”

Author Bio

Quinn lives in beautiful NW Arkansas with her husband, son, Doberman and cat (who thinks she is a ninja in disguise). She is beyond thankful that she has been blessed to be able to write full time and hopes the readers know how much all of their support means to her. Some of her hobbies include reading, exercising, crochet, and spending time with family and friends. She gives all credit of her success to God because he gave her the creative spirit and vivid imagination it takes to write.

Quinn's links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
GoodReads

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RELEASE DAY and REVIEW: The Edge of Darkness by Melissa Andrea

About the Book:

The Edge of Darkness Blurb

After a tragic accident, Araya Noelle is left with a constant reminder that nothing is forever.

She is forced to give up her chance to be the youngest dancer accepted into Julliard & taking over their high society school by a graceful storm of determination is no longer an option. Instead of dwelling over her loss, she accepts the new future she’s been dealt. In a world as black as hers, there's no room for bitterness, no time for regret. Sheltered from the outside world, Araya has become suffocated by a life she has no control over. Until Ryland Dare comes crashing into her life.

You don’t know true darkness until you've felt light…

Like a firecracker, showering her with colorful sparks of freedom, Ryland quickly sweeps Araya away from her grey existence. For the first time since the accident, living in darkness is no longer something Araya wants to do willingly. Unleashed by the shadows of her reminder, being with Ryland, Araya touches light. Together they will learn what it’s like to feel alive for the first time.

At the edge of darkness, a ray of light, will dare them both to HOPE.

DARE them to LOVE

DARE them to LIVE

My Review:

I was so honored when Melissa Andrea contacted me and wanted me to beta read for The Edge of Darkness. I couldn't wait to read it because Melissa kept teasing all over the internet and it was outstanding.

Araya is by far one of my favorite characters. She has a lot to overcome, but yet she lives on. Ryland is from a rich family, but it isn't a easy home life. But, fate intervenes and Ryland meets Araya. However, it takes a lot for them to to finally get together and carry on a conversation. It isn't lack of trying from Ryland. Even though Araya has a certain outlook on life she is still guarded in a lot of ways. However, day-by-day Araya come out of her shell and Ryland sees life in a different perspective.

But, the happy relationship doesn't last long. Melissa Andrea puts a twist in there that I am SHOCKED about. SHOCKED!! I was crying so hard by the end of this book, that I could not even type.

My only downfall is that I don't know the release date of Book 2!!

Buy the book here:

Amazon
B&N
KoBo

Author Bio:

I find it hard to sum up my life in a paragraph, but I’ll try.

I am the author of Flutter, The Discover Series! Reading
has always been a passion for me, and writing as instinctive as breathing.
Every inhale is an idea; every exhale a creation. The only thing I do better than writing you ask? Making beautiful girls. My daughter’s will always be my greatest accomplishment.

I was born in Denver, Colorado–but I will always think of sunny Arizona

as my home. I don’t have a big family, but I’m close with my sister, brother
& my mom. My mom is my hero, my inspiration, and I couldn’t have asked for a
more amazing person to be raised by.

4 things you should know about me: I’m very girly, but I can get down and dirty

with the best of them. I adore the color pink and things that sparkle
(including vampires), I am a firm believer that chocolate cures ALL and I like
even numbers (hence 4 things about me, not 5) Okay, maybe I cheated a little
with my list, shhhh.

Stalker Link

Like me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/m.andrea.author

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissa_andreaa

Pin with me on Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/melandrea01/

Keep up to date on my website: https://melissaandrea.com/

The Rules by Stacey Kade

1. Never trust anyone.
2. Remember they are always searching.
3. Don’t get involved.
4. Keep your head down.
5. Don’t fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival—and that of her adoptive father—depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans in a small Wisconsin town, to hide in plain sight at her high school from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.” But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening—and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules… (from Goodreads)

Flo's Review
I really enjoyed this book. It was one of those that I read almost entirely in one sitting, only pausing to tweet author Stacy Kade, "Can I give Zane a hug?" (She responded that yes, he needs one.) I grabbed this book off of Netgalley after seeing someone tweet about it. I'd met Stacey at last year's RT conference, but have never read any of her books.

One really cool, interesting thing about this book was the idea of learning how to be human. We are an emotional, fun-loving, delicate yet powerful species. We form attachments to people and things, and we are motivated -- by love, by fear, by ambition. I really enjoyed reading how Ariane had to learn about humans -- what we are and what we do -- and then try to assimilate herself into our world. Stacey Kade did a great job of writing her so you never felt like, "This is WEIRD, I am reading about an alien." And the best thing is that Ariane comes to accept and use the best of both parts of herself.

But for real, though. I'm off to hug Zane. Talk to you after Book #2.

Jacque's Review

I really enjoyed The Ghost and The Goth and started following Stacey Kade on twitter. When she announced her latest trilogy Project Paper Doll, I was a little leery because I don't usually enjoy science fiction. I tried to read The Host by Stephenie Meyer and had to stop reading after a couple of chapters. I have been told countless times how great it is, but it just wasn't for me. I was afraid The Rules would be more of the same, but I LOVED it. I wouldn't really consider it science fiction. It is more of a contemporary with some paranormal elements.

Like her Ghost and the Goth series, this book is told from a dual character point of view. Ariane is half alien/half human and spent the first 6 years of her life living in a lab (GTX). There was an explosion at the lab, which provided one of its employees the opportunity to help her escape. Ariene has been living with the employee, Mark Tucker, for the last ten years posing as his daughter. She attends the local high school, but must live by five very important rules in order to keep GTX from finding and recapturing her.

Ariene lived a rather boring existence with minimal involvement with other students outside of school until Rachel Jacobs, the granddaughter of the head scientist at GTX, starts harassing her only friend, Jenna. Rachel is part of the high school's elite and decides to pull a prank on Ariene, which becomes very interesting when one of her friends turns the prank back around on her.

Zane is the other narrator in the story and I absolutely loved his character. He is not at all the person Ariene though he was. The more she gets to know him...the more she begins to trust him and that is where rule number one is broken. Once one rule is broken....the rest quickly follow suit.

There is a lot of action and high school drama mixed in with a love story that keeps the pages turning. I, too, will be counting down the days until the release of Project Paper Doll #2.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

BLOG TOUR and GIVEAWAY: Why My Love Life Sucks by Shevi Arnold

Book Info-

Title-Why My Love Life Sucks

Series-The Legend of Gilbert the Fixer Book # 1

By- Shevi Arnold

Published-March 23, 2010

Blurb-

Seventeen-year-old Gilbert Garfinkle is the ultimate tech geek. He likes to take apart, figure out, and fix things, and he dreams of someday fixing the world. But now his own life has been taken apart by the one thing he'll never be able to figure out. Her name is Amber, and she's a gorgeous girl with a killer smile who wants to turn him into her platonic BFF--literally forever! It's the ultimate geek's ultimate nightmare, and it leaves Gilbert asking life's ultimate question: "Why me?"

Why My Love Life Sucks is a funny novel about geeks, girls, gadgets, vampires, and the start of a most unlikely friendship. It's the first book in The Legend of Gilbert the Fixer, the series that proves it takes the ultimate geek to be the ultimate hero.

Links-

Goodreads

And here's the book trailer:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

Freado (where you can start reading the book for free)

About the Author-

I've always been super geeky about comedy, fantasy and science fiction.

When I was little, I'd take them apart and analyze them, kind of like what Gilbert Garfinkle--the hero of Why My Love Life Sucks--does with electronics. This continued into my college years, when I majored in English Literature and Theater Studies.

For twelve years I worked in magazines and newspapers as an editorial cartoonist, illustrator, editor, arts-and-entertainment writer (specializing in children's entertainment and, of course, comedy), and a consumer columnist.

My last job was at the Jerusalem Post, but I had to quit when my family decided to move to New Jersey to pursue better education options for my autistic son.

This was in February 2001. Since then I've written 40 picture books and seven novels for kids and teens, four of which I've indie published. I was an ABNA quarterfinalist with Why My Love Life Sucks, and I won third place in SmartWriter's Write It Now contest in the the YA category (which was judged by Alex Flinn, the author of Beastly) for my romantic, YA ghost story, Ride of Your Life.

Links-

Pinterest- http://pinterest.com/shevistories/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheviStories

Blog: http://shevi.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shevistories

Website: http://www.shevistories.com/Home.html

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SheviStories

Goodreads-http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4027770.Shevi_Arnold

Facebook Event-

https://www.facebook.com/events/592818107403748/?context=create#

Giveaway Info-

Author is giving away-

3 ebook copies of Why My Love Life Sucks by Shevi Arnold -open internationally

1 paperback copy of Why My Love Life Sucks by Shevi Arnold- US only

5 signed bookmarks-US ONLY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, May 24, 2013

COVER REVEAL: Melting Away the Ice by Mary Smith

This cover reveal is for debut author, Mary Smith. The book will be released July 1, 2013.

BOOK BLURB:

Melting Away the Ice

Sara Smith, a hardworking lawyer, thought she found her true love. Unfortunately, that was a huge mistake. Now she goes home alone at night and avoids people. Until one day her best friend forces her to go to a hockey game.

Lucas Sharp, the Capitan of the Chicago Eagles, has focused on one thing, winning the Cup. It was not until a meet and greet after a game that he saw Sara.

After finally going in a few dates Lucas knows that she is hiding something, but Sara won’t talk about it. Will Lucas be able to melt away the ice on her heart and still win the Cup? Or will Sara keep her true-self frozen away from finding happiness?

**This is an adult book with adult content**

Cover design: Bailey Ardisone

COVER REVEAL:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Smith was born in Chicago, Illinois but is currently living in West Virginia with her amazing husband. Mary never misses a Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears or a Chicago Bulls game. She loves her sports. Mary never goes anywhere without her Kindle, her laptop or a book in hand. If you can’t find her reading than she is reviewing books on her site, which she co-founded, Book Nerds Across America.

STALK HER AT:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryms1980

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarySmith?ref=hl

Author site: http://authormarysmith.blogspot.com/

Review site: www.booknerdsacrossamerica.com

BLOG TOUR and GIVEAWAY: Full of Grace by Misty Provencher

BOOK BLURB:

Running about 7 bananas strong on shots from Hale and Oscar Maree’s wedding bar, what happened between Landon Grace and Sher Traifere was supposed to be a one time thing. A quickie on a romantic night. Sher wanted a fast evening of fireworks to remember on the dull horizon of her life; Landon wanted to get his mind off his psycho ex by feeling Sher’s curves. By the end of the evening, a secret of Sher’s complicates Landon’s attempt to escape the girl’s chainsaw giggle.

Some one-night-stands just can’t be finished in one night.

Even more complicating, this one rises back up with a hard shot of morning sickness and an entire repertoire of questions. The most important being: how much pull does a guy really have in a woman’s choice to pursue or terminate a pregnancy?

And in this case, how clever can he be about stealing her pants?

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

REVIEW

Wow! If you have read any of my other reviews you know that I heart her big time! She is such an amazing author and is so so so talented! I was so happy when she announced that she was writing "Full of Grace".

Oh Landon! You are so awesome and Sher is just as awesome! I really enjoyed this book.

Sher and Landon met each other at Oscar *sigh* and Hale's wedding. After a night together, Sher and Landon seem to part ways. Well, Landon does try to contact Sher but she just ignores him.

Soon Sher tells Landon that she is pregnant (this is not a spoiler; read the blurb) and they go through the whole book on what to do and not do with their lives, possibly carrying out the full term pregnancies and their future. I felt their love and pain as trying to decide what to do with their child and their lives.

I love the way Misty writes. She make you fall in love with all her characters. She writes with passion and she pulls you into this amazing worlds!!!

This is a must read!!

AUTHOR BIO

Once a high school drop out and runaway, Misty Provencher became a college grad, and is now a full-time novelist with a close knit family. She doesn't do labels well. While she can ride a motorcycle, knows how to Karate chop, and has learned enough French, Spanish, and Sign Language to get herself slapped, Misty's life is the ruse she uses to connect with people. She is totally enchanted with them and spends her days trying to translate the soul bouquet of her muses into words.

Misty Provencher lives in Michigan. Knock on her internet blog door at: Misty Provencher's Books, http://mistypro.blogspot.com/ or find her on Facebook and Twitter as Misty Provencher.

STALKER LINKS

BLOG

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

GOODREADS

AMAZON

BARNES &NOBLE

GIVEAWAY:

FOR DOMESTIC:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FOR INTERNATIONAL:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros

Abigail Donovan has a lot of stuff she should be doing. Namely writing her next novel. A bestselling author who is still recovering from a near Pulitzer Prize win and the heady success that follows Oprah'stamp of approval, she is stuck at Chapter Five and losing confidence daily. But when her publicist signs her up for a Twitter account, she's intrigued. What's all the fuss? Taken under the wing of one of her Twitter followers, "MarkBaynard", a quick witted, quick-typing professor on sabbatical, Abby finds it easy to put words out into the world 140 characters at a time. And once she gets a handle on tweets, retweets, direct messages, hashtags, and trends, she starts to feel unblocked in writing and in life. After all, why should she be spending hours in her apartment staring at her TweetDeck and fretting about her stalled career when Mark is out there traveling the world and living? Or is he? Told almost entirely in tweets and DMs, Goodnight Tweetheart is a truly modern take on a classic tale of love and loss, a Griffin and Sabine for the Twitter generation. (from Goodreads)

Flo's Review
I'm obsessed with Twitter. So when I saw this book and discovered that it was a love story over Twitter, I was excited about it. I thought it would be super cute! Kind of like the movie "You've Got Mail," but the 2013 version instead of the 1996 one. (When did "You've Got Mail" come out?)

Unfortunately, this book didn't do it for me at all. Abigail is extremely melodramatic and just needs to make herself write. Since I consider myself a writer, follow a lot of writer on Twitter, and have writer friends, I know that if you have writer's block -- you just have to write through it. Ever hear of the Vomit Out draft? You just need to do it. So all of Abigail's "blah I just sit here all day and can't write my second great book and blah and my first book was so great but now I can't get past this chapter blah" -- it just kind of made her seem....not like a writer. And like she was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Then there's Mark. These are supposed to be two adults but they're all, "Let's go on a Twitter date!" And they do it. I was doing that stuff (not on Twitter, mind you, but on AOL chat room. And I just dated myself.) when I was in high school.

I thought that the Twitter conversations would be cute and make for a fun read, but I also thought there was too much. Pages and pages of Abigail and Mark talking about nothing.

I'm sorry, but this book just didn't do it for me.

Monday, May 20, 2013

The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise

The Boyfriend App by Katie Sise, super-smart, somewhat geeky Audrey McCarthy can’t wait to get out of high school. Her father’s death and the transformation of her one-time BFF, Blake Dawkins, into her worst nightmare have her longing for the new start college will bring. But college takes money. So Audrey decides she has to win the competition for the best app designed by a high schooler—and the $200,000 that comes with it. She develops something she calls the Boyfriend App, and suddenly she’s the talk of the school and getting kissed by the hottest boys around. But can the Boyfriend App bring Audrey true love? (from Goodreads)

Flo's Review
I received an ARC of this book in January, but I didn't get a chance to pick it up until my big trip a few weeks ago. I am sooo happy I finally got around to it! This book was GREAT.

The Boyfriend App looks like it will be your standard YA chick lit kind of book -- and it is. But it is also much more. I was very pleasantly surprised by the depth of it. This book is full of nerd, and seeing as how you are reading a review on Book NERDS Across America, you can understand why I found this so cool. I love that in this book being the nerd was what made Audrey cool, and ultimately gave her the power to write her life story the way she wanted it to be.

I loved that some of the couples that came together because of the app crossed the stereotypical social class lines. And Aidan, oh Aidan.... *sighs*

I love when a book pleasantly surprises me. I figured that I would like this, but not as much as I did. Author Katie Sise is coming to my area this summer and I wasn't going to go...but now I'm considering it. If you're looking for a fun summer read, I'd definitely pick this one up.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

BOOK REVIEW: The Iron Queen (Daughters of Zeus #3) by Kaitlin Bevis

Goodreads Description:

Life is hell for Persephone. Zeus will stop at nothing to gain access to the living realm and the Underworld, and as the only living god with a right to both, Persephone’s in trouble. Captured and tortured beyond the limits of her resolve, Persephone must find the power to stand against Zeus. But will she be strong enough?

Meanwhile, Hades contemplates desperate measures to rescue his queen. Persephone never thought of herself as dangerous, but there’s a reason gods never marry for love. A being with the power to destroy all of creation shouldn’t place more value in one individual than the rest of the planet. But Hades...Hades would break the world for her.

To save the world and stop both Hades and Zeus, Persephone must make a difficult choice. One that may cost her everything.

MARY'S REVIEW:

I don't think I have loved another Greek Myth series as much as this one. This series is AMAZING!! I know I have said it before but I will, gladly, repeat myself....I LOVE HADES!! LOVE HIM LOVE HIM!!!!

Best part of book: In Book 2: Daughter of the Earth and Sky we left off when Zeus confronted Persephone in the park. Then was left with a HUGE cliffhanger. So happy that Kaitlin Bevis picked right up where we left off at.

Well, Zeus really needs Persephone because with her he could gain access to the Underworld and the Living Realm. Zeus is a big ol' jerk, let me tell you and I did not like him at all. When he finally got Persephone and had her captive, he torture her. He need her to swear fealty to him and Persephone was a lot stronger. Although, I was not sure how long she was going to last because she still had not come into her powers yet.

This book was different than the other two because Kaitlin Bevis told it from three points of view: Hades, Persephone and Aphrodite. I really, really enjoyed Hades point of view because you could see his real struggle. He loves Persephone, a lot, and wants to save her. I did enjoy Aphrodite's point of view because we could see her struggle with being loyal to her family and doing the right thing. I felt really bad for her at time.

Hades came up with a plan to get Persephone back and then Aphrodite comes up with a plan. All of which made me hold my breath because I was scared what would happen to Persephone.

Now, I don't want to spoil what happens but TRUST ME you will not want to put this down!!!

Not so great about the book: I loved the progression of the story. I could not put it down. I LOVED IT!! The one thing I was confused about (and I am hoping that Kaitlin will answer me back on it) the story ended. There was no huge cliffhanger, but I felt like there was still an opening for a another story. Or, possibly, a spin off of the other characters in the book. THIS WOULD MAKE ME SO HAPPY!!!

You will not be disappointed when you read this series and YES you will fall in love with HADES!

You can purchase the series here:

Book 1:

Book 2:

Book 3:

Saturday, May 18, 2013

BOOK REVIEW: Ditched by Amity Hope

Goodreads description:

~*~*~ Young Adult Romance ~*~*~
Holly has her whole life mapped out. It’s simple, really. She just needs to finish her degree in journalism, marry Collin—her high school sweetheart—and live happily ever after.

Max has had a crush on his friend Holly since he moved to town four years ago. He’s been dreading her wedding since she first sent him a text telling him the news. He's dreading it so much, in fact, that he's decided to move back to his hometown in California immediately following the ceremony.

He never thought that a change of plan would include taking Holly with him, showing her that sometimes the happily ever after you really want, is the one you never knew you were looking for.

Mary's Review:

I just need to get this statement out of the way:

AMITY HOPE I HEART YOU BIG TIME!!!

I have yet to read a book of Amity's that I don't gush over. This one is no different!

5.0 stars out of 5.0 stars

This was just a great book. Holly and Collin have known each other forever and have been dating just as long. They were getting married very soon. She was going to get the happily ever after and her life was going to be perfect. Max was good friends with Holly and he was heading back to his hometown in California. He was trying to forget about the love he had for her.

Yep, that did not happen, at all! Actually, the opposite happened. Holly left Collin at the alter and ran off with Max to California. Holly's whole life has change in a matter of time. Holly is really unsure of what to do because all she knows is Collin and her parents.

Thankfully Max is there to help her learn that she is not just what her parents say she is. She grows while in California; however, she is not the brightest light bulb when it comes to the "hints" that Max is throwing out to her.

I just love Max. He is a great guy and truly cares about Holly. He is there for her whenever she needs him. Though, to me, it seems like she take advantage of him sometimes. Let me explain, he is there every, single time she needs him, but she doesn't catch any of his hints on his feelings to her.

This is a really good love story and I would recommend it!!

You can purchase it here:

BOOK REVIEW: One Tiny Secret by Adam Kunz

First, I would like to apologize to Adam Kunz. This review should have been up several days ago, However, due to a real-life issue I was not able to. Thank you Adam for understanding!!!

Book Blurb:

**Mature Content Warning** Recommended for 17+ due to language, violence, and sexual content.

Just one tiny secret has the potential to ruin everything.

Being the daughter of the sheriff in a small town like Holden Ridge means that eighteen-year-old Danielle “Dani” Marks’ life is under constant surveillance. She’s made a habit of staying under the radar by being a floater among social circles at school, which has kept her out of trouble—until now.

After a missing persons case stirs up the entire town, Dani finds herself caught right in the middle of the scandal. When she’s labeled a possible suspect, things quickly go from bad to worse. The sudden return of her old flame, Parker Reed, manages to make her whole situation even more complicated.

When an elusive unknown person begins to blackmail Dani by threatening to reveal her deepest secrets, Dani refuses to play along. That is, until the person’s actions take a violent turn. Holden Ridge begins to lose its sense of quaint town security, and Dani is caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Who can she trust when anyone around her could be a suspect?

One thing’s for certain though: Never underestimate the power of one tiny secret

Mary's Review:

5.0 stars out of 5.0 stars

This review will be a lot of words such as, "wow" "amazing" "outstanding" etc etc

Best part of book: I love a good mystery. I always like trying to figure out who did it, who was involved and how will the characters figure it out. This book has ALL OF IT!

Dani is a good girl, but that is because her dad is the sheriff of their same town. But, when Halloween comes around and there is a huge party Dani decides to go. She even brings along her neighbor friend, Janice. It seems like a party but a turn of events it changes and then Janice becomes missing. Now Dani is in the middle of the whole investigation. There are several characters in this book and just when I think I figured out who did it, BAM! Adam changes it up and I have no clue.

I don't want to spoil it, but this is a must read it. The ending is CRAZY!! I mean, the GOOD CRAZY TOO!!

Adam's talent just oozes into the story and it is outstanding!!!

Not so great about the book: NOTHING!! This book held my attention the hold time. With each chapter Adam pulls you into the story more and you are craving to know who did and what will happen!!!

This is a must read!!

Purchase it here:

Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )