30 September 2014

New Release & Review: Home Is Where You Are



Home Is Where You Are
by Tessa Marie




RELEASES SEPTEMBER 30 2014

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What they say: Anna’s life reads like a check list. 

Straight A’s (Check)

Editor of the school paper (Check)

Volunteering time at the local soup kitchen (Check)

Ivy League (So close she can taste it) 
Falling in love with a homeless boy (Not on the list) 

Dean has a plan too. Survive. After being subjected to his foster father’s violent attacks, Dean made the hard choice to leave. Now he lives on the streets doing everything he can to get by, refusing to let people help him. But when he meets Anna, he realizes not everyone is out to hurt him. 

Slowly, Anna and Dean let each other in, blending their two worlds into one. But when a series of events brings Dean’s world into perspective, he pushes Anna away. Not willing to accept the line that divides them, Anna sets out to bring Dean back to her. Her determination and faith in their future puts her on the tracks of danger, and he is the only one who can save her.


Buy Link:

AMAZON








Author spotlight: 

Tessa Marie lives in the same town she grew up in on Long Island, NY with her long time boyfriend and their fish. Under her real name, Theresa Paolo, she released her debut novel (NEVER) AGAIN, a NA romance, in Fall 2013 with Berkley (Penguin) and (ONCE) AGAIN released this summer. She is also the coauthor of the Amazon bestseller KING SIZED BEDS AND HAPPY TRAILS and BEACH SIDE BEDS AND SANDY PATHS, a YA contemporary series. She has a hard time accepting the fact she’s nearing thirty, and uses her characters to relive the best and worst years of her life. She put her love of writing on hold while she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Dowling College. When she’s not writing, she’s behind a camera, reading, or can be found on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.





I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!




What I say: Oh Dean!! I really wasn't expecting this to be so emotional or so endearing! Home Is Where You Are covers some pretty traumatic and upsetting topics, but it's done with great sensitivity and charm! 

I noticed another reviewer had commented on the book blurb underselling the story and I'm definitely have to agree. I had expected another YA story about an overachiever and a misunderstood bad boy. This couldn't have been further from the truth as Anna's achievements are the least of her appeal and Dean has far more important matters to consider than being a player. The same has been said about the cover. Yes, it's beautiful but it's only once you've read the book you understand the importance of the leaves. It's when you know Home Is Where You Are is more than a YA love story that the cover becomes very apt!

The book highlights the value of love and family. Life is hard, both Anna and Dean face a battle to survive, just in very different ways. Tessa Marie certainly puts her young characters through it, but she also offers them hope and love. 

We're treated to split POV, which really helps to demonstrate their personal struggle. For the most part I was more drawn to Dean's story. This isn't to say I didn't care about Anna because I did. It's just Dean's life is so hard and so different from anything I've known, I couldn't help but focus upon it.

Dean struggles with the simple things most of us wouldn't even consider. This is highlighted whenever Anna would comment on something amiss in her life, then worry she was being insensitive. I ended up spending hours looking up how I could help teens like Dean, not through pity, but because I don't think any body should be in such a sad situation. I couldn't help but think about how young people are often failed by society (sorry about all the heavy).


Onto a more positive note: I loved the friendship between the MCs and seeing them take pleasure in such simple things. The banter between Dean and Anna was super sweet - I liked how he still managed to smile and flirt. 

Home Is Where You Are also looks at conceptions and misjudgments. Anna never judges Dean by his situation and I think we could all learn something from her!

4 - 4.5 Stars in my Sky!










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Release Day Launch - As Long As You Love Me


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AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME is the second novel in Ann's New Adult Contemporary Romance 2B Trilogy Series, published by Harlequin HQN! If you haven't already read I Want It That Way, you can purchase it here



As Long As You Love Me


Amazon * B&N * BAM * IndieBound * Vroman’s * Book Depository * Powell’s * iTunes


AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME Synopsis:



Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. There are the justifications she gives to everyone else—missing her family, losing her college scholarship. And then there’s the reason Lauren can’t admit to anyone: Rob Conrad, her best friend’s older brother.

Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He can’t pinpoint exactly what’s missing until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her. But he’s the guy that women love and leave—not the one who makes them think of forever.

Though she’s terrified of opening up, Lauren’s ready to take that chance. Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.



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AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME on Goodreads



EXCERPT:


Mom was asleep, so I checked my email. I had the usual spam, plus notes from all my former roomies, which made me happy. I missed all of them, even Max, though things were unspeakably awkward between us at the end. I opened Nadia’s first:

LB! You know I miss you like crazy, right? Courtney’s in your bed right now, and she has completely alphabetized my books. I’m pretty sure there will be a lending library program implemented the next time I get home from work. So how’s Nebraska? Did you find a job yet? Have you started applying to any schools? I have like ten more questions but you’ll get grumpy if I dump them on you all at once. Hug and kiss my family for me, okay? Write back soon or I’m sending my brother to track you down.

She didn’t mention the hot single dad she’d broken up with right before I left. Mr. Hot Ginger had dumped Nadia for her own good, which would drive her quietly crazy. I’d felt horrible about the timing, but there was little I could do about it. I hadn’t gotten to know him well before I left, but Ty seemed like a good guy. He was only a few years older than us, but already had a four-year-old. That was the crux of the conflict.

Writing back, I didn’t quite nail the tone, talking about Rob too much and inventing interesting anecdotes because there was so little going on. I could’ve mentioned Krista, but Nadia had never been as close to her, and there was some tension by the time she moved. Mostly I didn’t want Nadia to worry; things would be fine once I got a job and had less time to fret about whether I’d made the right decision.

I opened Angus’s email next:

Hey, you. Got your check. It appears not to be rubber, but I said you didn’t have to pay me back. I hate you for leaving. Come back right now. I’ll wait. This is me, waiting. It’s been at least five minutes. You’re shattering my faith in humanity, Lauren. Take responsibility for it! Not sure what you’ve heard from Nadia, but she’s such a hot mess. I can’t believe you abandoned us. All the light has left my life. All of it! Okay, enough drama. I’m working on getting over Josh. Classes suck but I will survive. (You’re singing it now, aren’t you?)

“Damn you, Angus Starr. You know me too well.” I got up on my bed with a hairbrush and sang two verses before reading on.

In all seriousness, there is a Lauren-sized hole in my life. Please don’t lose touch. Write soon. Love and hugs, Angus.

It was simpler writing back to Angus; our friendship was sweet and uncomplicated. Briefly I considered deleting Max’s email without opening it, but that seemed like an asshole move. In the end, I read it, two lines only:

I’m sorry about everything. Take care of yourself.


Grab the whole series today!


2B Trilogy


         I WANT IT THAT WAY * AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME * THE SHAPE OF MY HEART





Author Spotlight:

Author PhotoAnn Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.



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Watch out for my review coming 8th Oct!








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Tweet Me Tuesday - Bookshop Sleepovers and Cute Dogs!



Because I spend WAY too much time looking at random stuff on Twitter, FB, Youtube & the web in general, I decided to dedicate Tuesdays to the random-awesomeness you can find online. So I give you 'TWEET ME TUESDAY'...


It won't always all be book related but at least some will. Please join in and share yours with us all and spread the love! (It doesn't have to be from Tweets - just anything random/interesting you've seen online this week!


In no particular order, my fav stories online this week are:


Bookshop Sleepovers (HELL YES)!!


Tweeted by Shelf Awareness (via The Wallstreet Journal blogs)

Apparently in Japan you can have a sleepover in a bookshop with ALL THOSE BOOKS!!!

What do you think? Sigh me up!!





Imaginary Doors.

So cute!! This dog won't come inside until an imaginary door is opened!

Tweeted by Lisa Renee Jones (via Huffington Post)





Read the story/watch the video here!


The English do Wales!

Tweeted by BuzzFeed UK

I'm the first to admit that I'm terrible at geography, but as a Brit I should be able to draw Wales, right?! Apparently I'm not the only one who can't. 

Z. Elizabeth this ones for you...


 



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29 September 2014

Cover Reveal: TAG

TAG
by Shari J. Ryan




Release Date: November 7, 2014
Hosted By: Romance Addict Book Blog






What if your family had a big secret... a life changing secret. My dad, the bigwig CIA agent, was always on the run, whether he was being chased or doing the chasing. I missed him. Then my mom passed away, and my sister was murdered. I turned my solitude to strength because the alternative was too bleak.

But my luck seemed to turn: I met Tango. And while I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my twenty-two years, danger lurks around every corner and I simply can’t take the chance of it finding me. But his tattoos, his smell, his darkness, and his body— that marine has taken over my every thought. But, what if he too isn’t what I think? A ticking time bomb isn’t going to leave me much time to waver. Even the bravest person can be in need of a miracle.

Before she was gone, my mom warned me to know everyone and trust no one. But what was I supposed to do when I found out I am the one not to be trusted? Turns out, I was always the bait in this conspiracy.

In author Shari J. Ryan’s New Adult novel, TAG, the canyons hold secrets, the waterfalls provide safety, and romance has a pesky way of showing up when you are sweaty and dirty and least expect it.







Shari J. Ryan hails from Central Massachusetts where she lives with her hubby and two lively little boys. Writing has become Shari’s great escape from the real world over the past few years. After a bout of postpartum depression with her first child, Shari was determined to occupy her brain enough to eliminate some of the blue moments in life. When she found writing to help as a newfound therapy, she started her first book. Her books brought her out of postpartum depression and helped her overcome it when her second son was born. Shari likes to think writing saves her mind. She even used one of the characters in the book (the main character’s protagonist mother), to veer away from the type of person she refuses to become. Shari has two happy little boys and the Schasm series to show for her unorthodox therapeutic method.

















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ARC Review: No More Mr. Nice Guy

No More Mr. Nice Guy
by Amy Andrews





What they say: A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint... 


He's done playing the nice guy...

Newly single school counselor Josie Butler just made herself a Sexy To-Do list (featuring Bad Boys only). To her mortification, her best friend's gorgeous older brother Mack finds it…and laughs. But when Josie goes looking for some sexy fun, Mack's nice guy side turns all hot bad-assery, and suddenly she's pinned against an alley wall. Hottest. Sex. Ever. 

Veterinarian Mack Kennedy can't believe Josie wants to ditch her sweet, girl-next-door lifestyle. Even worse, that she'd consider doing it with anyone but him. When she leaves for London they'll go back to being 'just friends' but until then, he's going to show her just how bad nice guys can be.

And it's the perfect plan, as long as no one finds out... and no one falls in love.


Coming 29th Sept 2014 by Entangled Brazen - ISBN: 9781633750951


Pre-order:



I received a copy from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review!


What I say: No More Mr. Nice Guy is short, sassy and kinda cute. I enjoyed the story and smiled at the character's antics. I've read a lot of dark and complicated stories recently, so the simplicity of Amy Andrews's story made for a welcome change. 


A recent break-up sees Josie staying with her best friend Sal and Sal's older brother Mac. Booze and boredom result in 'the list'. This list is basically Josie's plans to revamp her predictable sex life. You can probably guess who finds the list and what happens next?! The list itself had me in hysterics and the way they discussed the contents was hilarious.


I liked Mac because even when he's determined to be the bad boy and stop being 'nice', he's not really bad. He's just a sexier, more determined version of himself. The plot is sexy and funny, whilst managing to be engaging. The charm is in the simplicity of the story. 

My favourite parts were whenever Josie would do or say something embarrassing - her attempts at being a bad girl were really funny. I hadn't realised the book is set in Australia (a place I love) so I was pleasantly surprised to read the Aussie references and familiar places being mentioned.

3.5 Happy Stars in my Sky!



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28 September 2014

Again Tour & Review



Again
by Lisa Burstein




What they sayHow far would you go for a second chance?


Eleven years after flunking out of college, Kate has finally hit rock-bottom. Losing her job and boyfriend in one drunken night, she’s determined to fix her life by going back to the moment when she let partying and sex take over. And do things right this time. At twenty-nine, she heads back to freshman year of college, with a catch.

Pretending she's nineteen with a new roommate and full class schedule is easy. When she meets her shy, sexy and seven-years-younger RA, Carter, following her self-imposed sobriety and celibacy rules is proving to be anything but.


A senior enduring years of regret, Carter is more than ready to graduate. He’s anxious to move on from the party his freshman year where he witnessed his frat brothers about to commit a sexual assault. Instead of doing the right thing and stepping in, he looked the other way and left. His guilt has made for a lonely four years.

When he meets the new freshman on his floor, spunky and confident Kate, he wonders if his time as an outcast has finally come to an end.

Kate and Carter’s growing friendship and undeniable attraction make it harder to hide the demons from their respective pasts. But when their secrets are finally revealed, will their chance at starting over together still be there?





Buy Links:
AmazonB&N * iBooksKobo




Author Spotlight:



Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University. She is the author of Pretty Amy, The Next Forever, Dear Cassie, Sneaking Candy and The Possibility of Us. As well as a contributor to the essay collection, Break These Rules: 35 YA Authors On Speaking Up, Standing Out, and Being Yourself. Again is her self-publishing debut. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats.




I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!


What I say: In Again MC Kate has made a bit of a huge mess of things and wants a do-over. Her plan is to become a teenager again to get the degree she didn't complete the first time round. Again has a kinda of Never Been Kissed vibe but with an interesting twist and a New Adult upgrade. I've always wondered what it would be like to go back to Uni and do it all over again. But as young as I look, I'm not sure I'd ever have the gumption to attempt what Kate does (I ended up doing an MA as a *cringe* mature student* so it wasn't quite the same). 

I really enjoyed the story and Kate's antics had me in hysterics. The scenes where she considered how Uni freshers dress or when she commented on the weather made me laugh because it's exactly what I do. Lisa Burstein really nailed the age difference here.

Kate has more than her fair share of problems and it was nice to see her trying to fix things (just not necessarily in the right way). Every time she'd be tempted by certain things, I was desperate for her to resist and learn from the past. I wanted her to succeed and to be happy.

On to Carter. He reminded me a bit of the MC from Almost and I really liked him. It was sad to see how little he thought of himself and I loved how sweet he was *swoon*!

I had my suspicions concerning the twist fairly early on and I was pleased to see it all unfold. I would have liked to know what happened next with certain characters. I really enjoyed Again and loved the MC's. I wanted Kate to fix certain things for herself and would enjoy reading a spin-off with the secondary characters.

4 Stars in my Sky!
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