5 August 2015

Waiting on Wednesday: The Young Elites

The Young Elites #1 

by Marie Lu








What they say: An explosive new series from New York Times bestselling author of the Legend trilogy, Marie Lu

“By permitting her characters some grand failures, she raises the stakes in the best way possible…There is clearly more to know, and I look forward to it. This is a world worth revisiting.”— The New York Times Book Review 
 
Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.
Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.
 
It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

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The eBook i s already out but I'm waiting on the paperback coming 25th August 2015


Buy Links:




Book & Author links:

Why I'm waiting...



  1. I loved the Legend series.
  2. I saw a BIG FAT HUGE SPOILER when the eBook came out so I've been waiting for the hype to die down before I read this one - Now I'm ready for the paperback!
  3. I really like Marie Lu's writing style.



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4 August 2015

Release Blitz & Review - Home


Home - Songbird #4
by Melissa Pearl





Synopsis:

Rachel Myers never meant to stay in Payton. Her eyes were set on bigger things than waitressing at Clark’s Bar. She wants to perform on a stage of her own with bright lights, fame, and fortune. But something got in the way—Joshua Clark. He’s a good man who loves her, a solid rock she can depend on. She wants that to be enough, but it hasn’t quelled her yearning for the big city.


Josh knows Rachel wants more out of life and might leave one day. Yet so far, she hasn’t gone anywhere. Deep down, he believes his love is enough to keep her…or at least he hopes so. Until one night, a city boy from Hollywood promises Rachel a record deal and destroys everything.


Jumping at a chance she never thought she’d have, Rachel leaves Payton. And Josh. But the sparkle of Los Angeles is not all it’s cracked up to be, and Rachel quickly figures out that some sacrifices are not worth the risk. Is she too late? Will Josh forgive her, or has her desire for fame ruined the best thing she’s ever had?


Sometimes you have to say goodbye before you can say forever.


Buy links:

Smashwords * Amazon


Home Review (previously posted on 31st July here)


I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!


What I say: **Home is a part of Melissa Pearl's Songbird series but it works well as a standalone.**

Rachel is a fighter. She's survived some traumatic events and a sad past. She's managed to build a comfortable and happy life for herself with a wonderful guy. It seems that only her own insecurities, an unfulfilled dream and a promise, stand the way of realising what truly makes her happy and where she belongs.

I liked Rachel. She's passionate, demanding and kinda quirky. I appreciated her 'country girl' charm and although I completely understand her need to chase her musical dreams, I really wanted her to realise she needs Josh. 

I loved Josh - He's an interesting mixture of strong alpha and white knight. I don't think Rachel would have gotten to this point without his friendship, love and support. I did appreciate that she needs to be able to see the world and make decisions herself. As much as I like Josh, it became clear that he cannot do everything for Rachel, because she needs to realise how amazing he is for herself.

The story is poignant heartwarming. There were times when I honestly couldn't believe what Rachel was doing and I wanted to shout at her. On other occasions I wanted to give her (and tbh both of them) a big old hug. 

I liked the secondary characters and it was nice to catchup with a few old friends. I also loved the musical tie-in throughout the book - I love books with playlists!

3.5 - 4 Stars in my Sky!


Author Spotlight:


Melissa Pearl was born in
Auckland, New Zealand, but has spent much of her life abroad, living in
countries such as Jordan, Cyprus and Pakistan... not to mention a nine
month road trip around North America with her husband. "Best. Year.
Ever!!" She now lives in China with her husband and two sons. She is a
trained elementary teacher, but writing is her passion. Since becoming a
full time mother she has had the opportunity to pursue this dream and
her debut novel hit the internet in November 2011. Since then she has
continued to produce a steady stream of books. Recently she signed with
Evatopia Press and her first Evatopia book is coming out in February
2014 - True Colors, The Masks Series #1. She is very excited to be
trying out new things this year while continuing to publish under her
own name as well. She has six books planned for 2014 and is excited
about writing each and every one of them.





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New Release - Every Other Saturday


Every Other Saturday RDL Ban

It’s release day for MJ Pullen’s Every Other Saturday! I am so excited about this fun romance. Be sure to check out the new release and enter MJ’s giveaway!



Every Other Saturday Cover

About Every Other Saturday:

From romantic comedy author M.J. Pullen comes a unique story about finding help when you need it most, and love where you expect it least.

Even though their daughters have been in the same Jewish preschool class for three years, struggling store owner Julia Mendel and sports blogger Dave “from the Man Cave” Bernstein have never gotten along. She sees him as a definitely arrogant, possibly misogynist symbol of everything that’s wrong with the men in her life. He sees her as the odd, short-tempered PTA president, out to make his life more difficult at every opportunity.

As part of his job, Dave accepts an on-air challenge: go out with a different woman from a Jewish dating site every Saturday for the next four months, and blog the results. He quickly secures his daughter’s favorite preschool teacher (and super-nanny) Ms. Elizabeth to make the experiment possible. Little does he know Julia is in desperate need of the same sitter for the same schedule, so that she can take a part-time job while pacifying her son, who has severe OCD.

A confrontation in the carpool lane leads to an uneasy compromise: they will pool their resources to share Ms. Elizabeth’s services every-other Saturday night. After a while, Dave finds himself sharing his dating stories with non-Jewish Julia across her kitchen table; while she reluctantly turns to him for the masculine perspective – especially for her son – she’s been missing since her divorce. As the Saturdays wear on, however, they may discover they have more in common than car seats and custody schedules.



Buy Link:

Amazon

More info and future availability



Exclusive Excerpt:


Dave walked through the barn doors, following the sound of heavy metal music. He saw movement and gave his eyes a minute to adjust to the dark. Julia was facing away, sanding something on the work table in front of her. She had changed into a black tank top and frayed olive cargo shorts, cut off above mid-thigh to reveal the surprisingly athletic curves of her ivory legs. He could see more of the rose tattoo—a dark crimson bud in partial bloom, with a thorny vine that disappeared beneath the tank top. Dave let out a slow breath and forced himself to look around at the barn instead of gazing at the back of Julia’s neck.
There had once been horse stalls along both sides: a few of the large square posts at their corners remained. On these were tacked everything from power tools on orange utility hooks to an old straw hat and a bunch of dried flowers. There was an old school wagon-wheel chandelier in the middle of the long room, but most of the light came from a few open windows on either side. Someone had added a rough interior wall at the far end of the building, converting a couple of the stalls and maybe an old corn crib into a small apartment with a loft. Through the big open windows, he caught a glimpse of a kitchen on the ground floor and a double-bed with a faded plaid bedspread upstairs.
“And I thought I had an awesome Man Cave,” he said.
Julia jumped, startled, and dropped her sanding pad. “Jesus. Dave,” she breathed, chest heaving. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry. The lady inside said I would find you out here.” He gestured at the open barn door. “I couldn’t figure out how to knock.”
“Myra.” Julia put a gloved hand on her hip. There was definitely something about a woman in short-shorts and work gloves. “Can I help you with something? I don’t want to be rude but…”
The reason for his visit snapped back to him, along with a touch of the anger he had felt earlier. “Yeah. Listen.” He had an absurd impulse to call her “Mia Mendel’s Mom.” He swallowed. “Julia. I was thinking about our situation with the babysitter. I’m wondering if we can work something out.”


Author Spotlight:

swing

MANDA (M.J.) PULLEN, former therapist and marketer, is the author of complex, funny contemporary romances. She was raised in the suburbs of Atlanta by a physicist and a flower child, who taught her that life is tragic and funny, and real love is anything but simple. She studied English Literature and Business at the University of Georgia, and Professional Counseling at Georgia State University.

Manda has a weakness for sappy movies, juicy gossip, craft beer and boys who talk baseball. After traveling around Europe and living in cities like Austin and Portland, she returned to Atlanta where she lives with her family.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Instagram * Newsletter

 

Enter MJ’s Giveaway!

 



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3 August 2015

Sale and Cover Re-Reveal - The Journey Home by Kelly Elliott


The Journey Home
by Kelly Elliott





Fate has a way of stepping in and righting itself when we least expect it.


Maddison Powers has been regretting the biggest mistake of her life when she walked away from the only man who has ever sparked something deep inside her. After comparing every guy she dates to Cale Blackwood, she finally gives up all hope of ever finding him.

One dare by Maddison throws Cale back into her life...and into the arms of her best friend.

Cale Blackwood thought he had found the woman of his dreams, until she walked away from him one night and didn't look back. Attempting to find love again, Cale finds himself in a relationship built on one lie after another. Forced to take on the biggest challenge of his life, Cale must seek help from the woman who walked away from him and broke his heart.

Sometimes it takes more than one journey in life to truly be home.






Excerpt:


Maddie's POV


“Cale, you need to go


home.”


He closed his eyes and


shook his head. “You’re doing it again. You’re pushing me away. I’m tired of
it, Maddie. I’m so tired of it.”


I swallowed hard and


turned to find my phone. I needed Jack to come pick up Cale.


I was about to dial my


phone when Cale grabbed me. He turned me around and backed me up until I hit
the living room wall.


His eyes were filled


with lust. That look had my panties soaked in seconds.


He lifted up my dress


and, in one quick movement, he ripped my panties from my body. I wanted to cry
out yes. I wanted to let him take me, but I couldn’t.


“Cale,” I said. “Don’t


do this.”


He kissed my neck and


I started to give in. When his hand touched my inner thigh, I startled. His
lips moved to mine and I moaned, desperately, into his mouth as he lifted my
leg.


“Oh God,” I whispered.


I tried to come to my senses. “Cale, please don’t do this. We can’t do this.”


He moved his lips to


my jaw line as he kissed around to my ear. “Are you turned on by me? Or by
him?”


The moment he asked, I


felt like a whore. I dropped my leg and pushed him back.


I wiped the tears from


my eyes.


“Jesus. I didn’t mean


that Maddie. I just—”


“Get out,” I said. “Get out of my house and


don’t you dare set foot near me again. I hate you, Cale.”




Copyright 2014 The Journey Home Kelly Elliott









Author Spotlight:




Kelly Elliott is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has
a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and
dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!
She’s also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly
asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone
sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.
In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner
overlooking the Texas hill country and write.


One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her
property with Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose,
her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush,
move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, you’ll find
her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.





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2 August 2015

The Memory Hit - Review

The Memory Hit
by Carla Spradbery





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What they say: On New Year's Eve, Jess's life is unrecognizable: her best friend is in the hospital, her boyfriend is a cheater. A drug-dealing cheater it would seem, after finding a stash of Nostalgex in his bag.


Nostalgex: a drug that stimulates memory. In small doses, a person can remember the order of a deck of cards, or an entire revision guide read the day before an exam. In larger doses it allows the user detailed access to their past, almost like watching a DVD with the ability to pause a moment in time, to focus on previously unnoticed details and to see everything they've ever experienced with fresh eyes. As Leon, the local dealer, says 'it's like life, only better.' What he fails to mention is that most memories are clouded by emotions. Even the most vivid memories can look very different when visited.

Across town Sam Cooper is in trouble. Again. This time, gagged and bound in the boot of a car. Getting on the wrong side of a drug dealer is never a good idea, but if he doesn't make enough money to feed and clothe his sister, who will?

On New Year's Day, Jess and Cooper's worlds collide. They must put behind their differences and work together to look into their pasts to uncover a series of events that will lead them to know what really happened on that fateful New Year's Eve. But what they find is that everything they had once believed to be true, turns out to be a lie ...


Published by Hodder / Hachette Children's.


Buy links:
Amazon * Amazon UK


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


What I say: In The Memory Hit we see the dark side of being a teenager in England. Typical teenage issues are mixed in with more sinister topics, including murder and drug abuse. I did really like the mystery element and how Carla Spradbery kept us guessing as to who was orchestrating events. 

The concept was good and fairly simple. Nostalgex is a popular drug which allows you to relive your memories, good or bad, in their full technicolored glory. Imagine the potential for good and bad with this! It's a memory so you cannot change events, but it does have the bonus of being able to provide answers to certain questions, or to help you remember loved ones.

I did find the pacing a little slow and a lot of the book was taken up with Jess worrying about her clearly abusive and undeserving ex-boyfriend Luke. With friends like Luke and Scarlet who needs enemies? Sam/Cooper was my favourite character and I kept trying to work out why Jess would ever have prefered Luke. A lot of the plot deals with back story , with the characters thinking about past events (hence the Nostalgex). Whilst I'm all for learning more about characters I did find it a little distracting having the other POVs apart from Jess and Sam.

In terms of genre, The Memory Hit is a YA mystery/suspense story. It is probably worth noting that it's quite dark and the characters are faced with traumatic events. If you're a fan of lighthearted and sweet HEAs this probably isn't the story for you. I actually liked the grit and depth. I don't mind darker issues in YA books, if they serve a point. I wanted to love this book and from the blurb I really thought I would. Don't get me wrong I didn't dislike the book, but I just didn't love it.

3 Stars in my Sky!





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1 August 2015

Happy Release & Review - The Heartbreakers

The Heartbreakers #1
by Ali Novak





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What they say: "When I met Oliver Perry, I had no clue he was the lead singer for The Heartbreakers. And he had no idea that I was the only girl in the world who hated his music."


Stella will do anything for her sick sister, Cara—even stand in line for an autographed Heartbreakers CD…for four hours. She’s totally winning best birthday gift this year. At least she met a cute boy with soft brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes while getting her caffeine fix. Too bad she’ll never see him again.

Except, Stella’s life has suddenly turned into a cheesy love song. Because Starbucks Boy is Oliver Perry – lead singer for the Heartbreakers. And even after she calls his music crap, Oliver still gives Stella his phone number. And whispers quotes from her favorite Disney movie in her ear. OMG, what is her life?

But how can Stella even think about being with Oliver – dating and laughing and pulling pranks with the band – when her sister could be dying of cancer? 

Ali Novak wrote her debut novel My Life with the Walter Boys when she was just 15 years old, and has since penned her next book, The Heartbreakers. First a hit on the online community Wattpad, her second novel has over 38 million reads and is loved by readers around the world.


Coming 4th Aug by Sourcebooks Fire.

Pre-order:
Amazon * Amazon UK


Author Spotlight:

Ali Novak is a twenty-three-year-old Wisconsin native and recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s creative writing program. She started writing her debut novel My Life with the Walter Boys when she was only fifteen, and since then, her work has received more than 100 million hits online. When she isn’t writing, Ali enjoys Netflix marathons and traveling with her husband Jared.

Wattpad * Facebook * Twitter * Website * Instagram


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


What I say: I'm going to start out by saying that I haven't read any of Ali Novak's work as Fallzswimmer on Wattpad. This gave me the chance to approach her writing and The Heartbreakers as a complete newbie to her style and read the story as it is now.

I'm feeling slightly conflicted about The Heartbreakers because on the one hand it's a cute and charming contemporary YA romance, but on the other hand I've read several similar stories recently and I wasn't 100% convinced by the insta-love element. 

On a road trip with her brother, Drew, Stella meets young rockstar (to be honest he was more of a popstar) Oliver Perry. She doesn't recognise him as the lead singer for The Heartbreakers aka her sister Cara's favourite band. Cue her horror when she realises the hot guy she had a chance encounter with, was the singer from a cheesy band she hates. I did really laugh at Oliver's reaction to her dismissal.

The Heartbreakers is a coming of age story. It's about tackling difficult problems and overcoming your own insecurities. The book focuses on Stella and her trip with the band, but also on her relationships with Drew and Cara. I really liked Alec, Xander and JJ (the other guys in the band), and would happily read more about them. I did keep expecting Cara to end up with one of them. 

The story is sweet but it's also really sad in places (have a few tissues at the ready). The relationship between Stella, Cara and Drew was really sweet and I liked how the other two challenged Stella to branch out. 

Oliver and Stella were extremely sweet together and as much as I don't like insta-love relationships I don't mind it so much in YA stories. Their relationship reminded me of the kid's movie Starstruck (yes I have seen it). I did have a few issues with their age because they seemed to alter between behaving like much younger and more immature teens, to having adult problems. As much as I enjoyed the sweet relationship between Stella and Oliver I wasn't entirely convinced by the reality of their romance, but this didn't lessen my enjoyment of the story. My teenage self would have loved the idea of ending up with my favourite singer - there's no chance I'm telling you who that was.

3.5 Stars in my Sky!



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