Category: Blog Tour (Page 14 of 19)

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY – Say You’ll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY - Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

I fell head over heals in love with Say You'll Remember Me! So check out my 4.5 Star Review below, read an excerpt from the first day they met, check out the pre-order campaign and don't forget to enter an amazing giveaway. Enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY – Say You’ll Remember Me by Katie McGarrySay You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

"Doesn't matter who did it. Not anymore. I did the time. It's over."

When Drix was convicted of a crime--one he didn't commit--he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the Second Chance Program, the governor's newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.

Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor's daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn't may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.

When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle's parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix's messy life.

But sometimes love can breach all barriers.

Fighting against a society that can't imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves--Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence--and each other to finally get what they deserve.

Review:

Say You’ll Remember Me was a beautiful, tragic, heartwarming story that had my emotions all over the place.  I love that it reeled me in and that it felt as though I was right in the middle of their lives.  I loved even more that I got to feel every single smile, hope, hurdle and soul crushing moment with them.  So of course I found my heart beating faster at the tension between Elle and Drix.  I wanted them to have more.  So much more.  Ohhh I absolutely loved Say You’ll Remember Me and I can’t recommend it enough!

It’s like every time we try to dig out of a hole, someone’s shoveling more crap on top of us. There will never be a way out. – Drix

Stepping into the story, I was already a goner for Drix.  I always fall hard for the tortured hero, and he played the part so hauntingly well.  You see, he spent the last year of his life paying for a crime he didn’t commit.  Which was robbing a liquor store.  And he sacrificed himself to save one of those he loved. *clutches heart*  When he was released back to his family, Drix was lost, broken and unsure of himself and how he fit back into his life.  It wasn’t until he met Elle, at the Midway, that he finally felt as though he could be himself.  There was an ease between them that he wasn’t able to find with his friends or family.  But it was all so ironic, because Drix learned that Elle was the Governor’s daughter.  And Elle learned that Drix was the face and voice of the Governor’s “Second Chance” Program.  They shouldn’t be friends, let alone be anything more.  Yet fate had other plans for them.

“Do you always grow horns when you’re mad, or do you save that for me?” Drix stretches back out, too.
I sort of hate myself that my lips turn up. “Evidently just for you.”

So even though they came from opposite worlds, they clicked.  And the more time that Drix and Elle spent around each other on the campaign trail, a friendship easily formed.  I loved that their friendship consisted of them being brutally honest while also throwing jabs at each other.  It was impossible not to smile or laugh when they were near one other.  But as time went by, we got pulled deeper into their lives.  And we watched as hurt and pain bled from the pages.  It all tore at my heart, and I can’t even count how many times I cried or found myself sobbing.  The struggles, heart ache, betrayal and revelations for both Drix and Elle rocked me to the core.

“Elle, it’s okay.”
That’s the thing— it’s not okay. I’m seventeen years old, I don’t know who I am, and I don’t have any idea how to get my parents to take me seriously. I’m trapped, and I can’t breathe. – Elle

Thankfully we got to alternate between Elle and Drix.  So while I fell hard for Drix, I also found myself loving every single thing there was about Elle.  Elle was honest, strong, determined, found the good in people and she definitely didn’t have a problem speaking her mind.  Welllllll except certain moments with her parents.  And those moments hurt to watch, because while she loved so strongly, her parents idea of love didn’t always line up with mine.  Thankfully she now had Drix in her life, because they found solace with one another.  And that only pulled them closer together.  Their slow burn romance was super addicting and when you add in that they were forbidden in a way, it just upped my obsession with them!  Together they were sweet, sexy and such an honest relationship to watch unfold.

“Why can’t you be both?” she asks. “The guy who wants to kiss me and the good guy?”

On top of Elle and Drix, there was side characters that I loved so much.  Drix’s “family” was beyond amazing.  I’m definitely keeping my fingers crossed that maybe someday there will be another book about his sister, brother or even best friend?!  Please??  Because I’d love to hear about their HEAs!  So yes.  I highly recommend this book!  And that’s huge for me since it had one of my triggers View Spoiler ».  Say You’ll Remember Me was such a beautiful story of love, friendship, redemption and doing what’s right, no matter the price.  And I absolutely loved it!  

*ARC kindly provided by Inkslinger/Harlequin Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

 

Excerpt:

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~Ellison~

The two of us are different. Complete sliding scale different. The only thing we have in common, as far as I can tell, is that he appears about my age and that we are both wearing shoes. My sandals to his scuffed combat boots. His sagging jeans with rips and white T-shirt to my ironed khaki shorts and fitted blue top. My diamond earrings and gold bracelet with a heart charm to his black belt that has metal studs and silver chain that hangs from his belt loop to his wallet.

By looks, I should have more in common with the loser college boys, but it’s this guy I’m comfortable with. “What’s your name?”

He throws the ball, and he’s right, he sucks at it. While he has unbelievable power, his aim’s completely off. The ball hits the back curtain with a loud thud, then drops to the floor. “Drix.”

“Drix?” I repeat to make sure I heard him correctly.

“Drix. It’s short for Hendrix. Like Jimi Hendrix.”

“That’s cool.” Because it is.

I wait for him to ask for my name, but he doesn’t. Instead he says, “Are you here alone?”

He throws the second ball, and this time he hits the top of the three bottles, sending that one to the ground.

“No. My parents are here. I’m supposed to meet them at the convention center. What about you? What happened to the people you were with? Or are you here alone now?”

“Yes, but no.” Drix pulls his arm back, releases the ball, and when the ball hits the bottom bottles, my heart lifts with the idea that he won, but only one of the bottles goes flying. The other stays completely untouched.

He turns in my direction, but his gaze roams over my shoulder, then flickers to the left. Drix then glances behind him, and when he returns his attention to me he raises his eyebrows. “They appear to be gone.”

That’s awesome news, but I’m still stuck on his answer of “yes but no.” Honestly, I’m stuck on him. He’s a million questions without a single answer, and he makes me incredibly curious.

“My parents weren’t thrilled about me hanging out alone at the midway, but I didn’t think it would be that big of a deal. It’s just Whack-A-Mole, you know?”

“And a ball toss.”

“And a ball toss. None of it should have been complicated.”

“Shouldn’t have been.”

“Elle!” Part of me is relieved to see Andrew craning his neck over the crowd. Another part of me is majorly disappointed. There aren’t many times in my life I’m left alone. Not many times I’m able to explore new places and people without someone hovering and not many opportunities when I would meet someone like Drix.

“Elle,” Andrew calls again. I wave at him, hoping it will buy me a few seconds, and he waves back in a way that tells me he needs me to walk in his direction. That works well for me.

“Is that a friend of yours?” Drix asks.

“Yes, but no.” I borrow his answer because it’s apropos. Andrew’s a few years older. More friend of our family than a personal friend of mine, and I don’t like the idea of explaining that my parents think I need a babysitter.

Drix’s mouth twitches at my words, and my lips also edge upwards. “I just made you smile a third time. Is this a Guinness Book of World Records thing?”

“I liked your answer.”

“I’m just creative like that.”

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Pre-Order:

Amazon B&N iBooks Google Play BAM Kobo
        

Pre-order SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME, register and you will receive AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER, a novella that features your favorite Pushing the Limits and Thunder Road characters!

From the Pushing the Limits series, Noah, Beth, Isaiah, West and Logan are all grown up. Catch up with your favorite characters as one of them finally says, I do.

Pigpen, Eli and Addison from the Thunder Road series: Three separate personalities who still needed to find love…and still had someone important to meet.

This is a limited time offer! So hurry! Registration ends on February 3, 2018! You must register your pre-order to receive AND THEY ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.

https://a.pgtb.me/4tLZSM

 

About Katie McGarry:

Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan. Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine’s 2012 Reviewer’s Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.    

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumbler | Instagram

Givweaway:

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Follow The Tour:

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January 22nd

A Book Fanatic Obsession

Books, Coffee & Passion

Feed Your Fiction Addiction

Girl Plus Books

Lattes & Paperbacks

Read more sleep less

Sanaa’s Book Blog

Tales of the Ravenous Reader

The book slayer

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Boyfriends

 

January 23rd

Book Twins Reviews

E-Romance News

Kim’s Reading Nook

Milky Way of Books

phishbowl reads

Read. Eat. Love.

Resch Reads and Reviews

The Book Hammock

The Lovely Books

TSK TSK What to Read

 

January 24th

Actin’Up with Books

Binding Addiction

Booknerd1107

Ficwishes

Kindle and Me

Literary Misfit

Red Hot + Blue Reads

Star-Crossed Book Blog

The Book Maven

The Start of Something New

 

January 25th

Beyourselfbebhaltair

Books first work later

Broc’s Bookcase

Dazzled by Books

Eye in Bookland

KDRBCK

Movies, Shows, & Books

Reads and Thoughts

Sister Sister Book Blog

Taylor Fenner’s Bookish World

 

January 26th

Ali’s Reviews and More

Beneath The Covers Blog

BookWorm221

Collector of book boyfriends

Lauren’s Crammed Bookshelf

Little Read Riding Hood

MrsLeif’s Two Fangs About It Book Reviews

Rad Babes Read

The Bookish Sisters

The Reading Faery

 

January 27th

An Asian Chick & Her Cat Walk into a Book Blog

Angel Reads

Becky on Books

Book reader addicts

Brittany’s Book Blog

Contagious Reads

Geronimo Reads

Less Reality More Books

Romancing the Laser Pistol

The Escapist Book Blog

 

January 28th

Book Bitches Blog

Bookishly Yours

KatyaRath

Lo’s Lo-Down on Books

Mary Had a Little Book Blog

Not the Path to Narnia

Reese’s Reviews

Stuck In YA Books

The Butterfly reads

We Live and Breathe Book

 

January 29th

Adventures in Writing

Boundless Bookaholic

Book Boyfriend Reviews

Confessions of a Wordaholic

Rants and Raves of a Bibliophile

Reading with Jessica

Roasted Romance

The Heart of a Book Blogger

The Readdicts

Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews

 

January 30th

All Things Dark & Dirty

Book Reader Chronicles

Crazii Bitches Book Blog

Desert Divas Book Addiction

Dirty Girl Romance

Nerdy Soul

The Book Hookup

The Wandering Bookaholic

Total Book Geek

 

January 31st

Alotabooks13

Bookishly Nerdy

Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog

Greyland Reviews

Jen’s Reading Obsession

Little Bookworm Reviews

Mundie Moms

Readers Live A Thousand Lives

Recommended Reads

The Cover Contessa

 

February 1st

A Literary Perusal

Bibliobibuli YA

Book Hoarder Mom

Bookaholics anonymous

Ceres Books World

Dorothy Gale Reviews

In Between The Pages

Katy and Zetti’s Book Ramblings

Miss Riki

Perspective of a Writer

The Bookish Introvert

 

February 2nd

Angie and Jessica’s Dreamy Reads

Bookalicious Babes Blog

BookCrushin

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales

CJR The Brit

Crazy Chaotic Book Babes

Do You Dog-ear?

Jax’s Book Magic

Mean Girls Luv Books

The Book Avenue

 

February 3rd

Bookgasms Book Blog

Books & Tea

Chapter by Chapter

Defiantly Deviant

G & T’s Indie Café

Live Read and Breathe

Midnight Book Girl

Ms. Me28

The Book Addict’s Reviews

Vera is Reading

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BLOG TOUR + BOOK REVIEW: Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms #3) by Morgan Rhodes

BLOG TOUR + BOOK REVIEW: Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms #3) by Morgan Rhodes

In preparation for the impending final release of the Falling Kingdoms series *eek*, we are singing our praises for the third installment, Gathering Darkness! I must admit that this is the book that really made this wonderful series unforgettable to me. Magnus and Cleo start to turn a corner and *stuff* really begins to hit the fan! We are so honored to be involved in this tour and cannot WAIT for more people to fall in love with this addicting and unputdownable series. We are hoping for nothing but the best....but waiting this last month might just be the end of us as we await everyone's fate! Below is a 5 star review and all you need to know about anyone and anything from these stories (though, who needs to learn about anything other than Magnus? Hmmm...I may be biased). Enjoy!

BLOG TOUR + BOOK REVIEW: Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms #3) by Morgan RhodesGathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms #3)
by Morgan Rhodes
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

In GATHERING DARKNESS, book three of the New York Times bestselling Falling Kingdoms series, the stakes have never been higher as three teams push forward on a race to find the Kindred, the four elemental crystals possessing ancient all-powerful magic, first:

Prince Magnus has just witnessed torture, death, and miracles during the bloody confrontation that decimated the rebel forces. Now he must choose between family and justice as his father, the cruel King Gaius, sets out to conquer all of Mytica. All Gaius needs now are the Kindred - the four elemental crystals that give godlike powers to their owner. But the King of Blood is not the only one hunting for this ancient, storied magic...

• THE KRAESHIANS join the hunt. Ashur and Amara, the royal siblings from the wealthy kingdom across the Silver Sea, charm and manipulate their way to the Kindred, proving to be more ruthless than perhaps even the King of Blood himself.

• THE REBELS forge ahead. Princess Cleo and vengeful Jonas lead them, slaying with sweetness, skill, and a secret that can control Lucia's overpowering magic - all so they can use the Kindred to win back their fallen kingdoms.

• THE WATCHERS follow Melenia out of the Sanctuary. They ally in the flesh with King Gaius, who vows to use Lucia's powers to unveil the Kindred.

The only certainty in the dark times is that whoever finds the magic first will control the fate of Mytica... but fate can be fickle when magic is involved.

 

Cleo’s cheeks flamed. “I hate you.”

“Good. You should never forget your place in this palace. You continue to live only because my father doesn’t yet want you dead. You have no power here. And, most especially, you have no power over me.”

It’s always extremely hard to talk about each book in a long series in a review, because you begin to spoil and become repetitive….but for Magnus?? I’d try just about anything. This series, while easily dismissed by those who aren’t truly enraptured by one of the characters, has a way of really getting under your skin. It’s not so much the scenarios, though those are of some note as well, but about the characters and the deep-rooted connections you make with them.


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In all honesty, had I not connected immediately with Magnus, this series would have been discarded like many before. I am very busy, and I really only get to read around when I go to bed-about 10 PM, and then it’s right back to the 8-5 grind and I have to wait all over again. So, when I begin a book, series, whatever, I make sure it’s worth my time and that it touches my heart, one way or another. Some books touch me because of just their content (this is probably tribute to a couple years ago, more so than now) and some reach me on a far deeper level than I could possibly imagine….and that is because of the characters.

Magnus glanced at Cleo. She held her arms across the bodice of her rose-colored gown, which was far fancier than anything typically worn on a walk through a thick forest on a hot day. She regarded him with a silent, sour expression-not a new look for her by any means.
“And why are you here?” he asked her.
“I want to help,” she replied.
“Oh, yes. So helpful.”

I never realized, until recently, how much my favorite books really center on the characters and their development. It’s far more important to me now to have character-driven stories rather than all action and no character arcs. Sure, my absolute favorites are those that perfectly balance both story and people, but, lately, more often than not it’s all about if the characters reach me and touch my soul.

Some sought revenge against their mortal enemies with the edge of a sword. Her plan for vengeance began with the edge of a smile.


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And I’m not saying that action doesn’t pull me in….but it’s definitely not my only drive anymore….and you can tell solely on my reviews that my preferences have changed. So, my point? This series, while action heavy and full of blood, destruction, mayhem, and peril, didn’t grip me for that reason. No, this series gripped me on a far more addicting level, and that honor solely belongs to my dear Magnus….and even Cleo.


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As the series has progressed, these two characters have obviously grown, interacted, and became the obsession of many a fangirl-me included-and now, here in book three, we are really getting deeper into their minds, and with that, my obsession is reaching an all-time high. And, frankly, the stories have became far more interesting.

“I think that you hate your father. You hate him almost as much as I do.”
It took him a moment to realize he’d stopped breathing. “And what difference would it make if you’re right?” he finally managed.
“All the difference in the world.”

And, let’s face it, our ship is finally sailing…or is it??? The other best part about this series? I, for once, literally have no clue what’s going to happen and the sexual tension is DRIVING. ME. CRAZY. The twists and turns and admissions and deaths and ridiculous decisions…I swear, even halfway through book four, my head is still spinning. Stop it, Morgan Rhodes! Just…..STOP IT. Make it happen. Fetch TOTALLY needs to happen…PLEASE??


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UGH.

So yeah, this isn’t a great review, but it’s not like anyone can read it if they haven’t read the series if I go all spoilery, so I chose to just…blabber. I miss blabbering. Blabbering about boys and books really does make me happy. So. Yeah. Take what you will from this nonsense…I’m off to work…and then tonight I’m hoping to FINALLY get what I want. I’m totally trusting Brittney, here. She threw me a trust bone, damn it. So I guess I’m supposed to sit here and wait and…trust. You know, until this alleged bone gets here. Ugh.


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****************

Cleo’s cheeks flamed. “I hate you.”
“Good. You should never forget your place in this palace. You continue to live only because my father doesn’t yet want you dead. You have no power here. And, most especially, you have no power over me.”

MY HEART.


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About the Author:

Morgan Rhodes is the New York Times bestselling author of the Falling Kingdoms series and the Falling Kingdoms spin-off series, the Books of Spirits and Thieves. Under another pen name, she’s an award winning author of more than two dozen novels. Morgan lives in Southern Ontario, where she’s currently hard at work on the next Falling Kingdoms book.

 

 

Follow the tour here!

WEEK ONE (Book One: Falling Kingdoms and Two Book: Rebel Spring)
January 9 – The Book Nut
January 10 – Quirky and Peculiar
January 11I Fangirl About Books
January 12Lovely Loveday
 
WEEK TWO (Book 3: Gathering Darkness)
January 15Glimpses of my Books
January 16Book Briefs
January 17In Wonderland
January 18Star-Crossed Book Blog
WEEK THREE (Book 4: Frozen Tides)
January 22Ex Libris
January 23Ensconced in Lit
January 24Step Into a Book World
January 25 – Ria Reads –
WEEK FOUR (Crystal Storm)
January 29My Friends are Fiction
February 1A Page with a View
February 2Never Too Many To Read
 
 
Many thanks to Penguin Young Readers for including us! <3

REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Crowned (Beholder #4) by Christina Bauer

REVIEW + GIVEAWAY - Crowned (Beholder #4) by Christina Bauer

I’m so excited to be on the Crowned Blog Tour! This series was a ton of fun! Check out my 4 Star Review below and enter a fabulous giveaway. Enjoy!

REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Crowned (Beholder #4) by Christina BauerCrowned (Beholder #4)
by Christina Bauer
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

At last, Elea has found the love of her life. Unfortunately, the evil Tsar Viktor is about to unleash an army of twisted mages bent on killing everyone Elea cares about… including the man who’s stolen her heart.

So what’s a powerful witch to do? Why, fight back, of course!

Elea goes on a mission to find the Sword of Theodora, the only weapon that can destroy Viktor. That’s challenge enough, but on the eve of battle, Elea realizes that her true enemies may be far more powerful than even Viktor: The deities Oni and Yuri could be out to destroy her as well. With major battles brewing on two fronts, Elea’s not sure that she’ll win, but with true love to inspire her, she’s certainly ready to fight.

Review:

Crowned was a fabulous conclusion to the Beholder Series!  Here are some of my favorite reasons why I absolutely adored this series –

A story filled with action and intrigue –

Perhaps this would be the time my law-breaking tendencies caught up with me.

I loved how much action was found in the pages.  And even during the slower moments, there was still so much going on.  It made the books fly by quickly and I always felt as though I had to know what was going to happen next for Elea and Rowan. But behind everything was a story that was rich, full and came to life.  It was definitely a ton of fun!

A strong love story –

In the process, I might lose my heart, but too many people were relying on me across numerous worlds. I couldn’t fail them now.

At the heart of this, was a beautiful love story between Elea and Rowan.  Their strength, love and devotion to one another was breathtaking.  And I loved how they started out as just two people trying to work towards the same goal.  To take down an evil tyrant.  And through their trials and tribulations a beautiful friendship was formed.  And that friendship turned into something more.  Aw, I loved watching how their relationship progressed throughout this series.

Side characters that meant the world to me –

I closed in on the glowing orange gateway with one thought on my mind: this simply had to work. For all of us.

Nan, Ada, Amelia, Jicho and so many others played such important roles in these book.  Every single character, no matter how big or small their part, stood strong by themselves and were so multi-faceted.  I found myself caring for so many of them.  But in this final book, I loved what a huge role Jicho played.  He was so adorable and I always loved his antics!

I didn’t have any plan yet, but I knew I wasn’t going to simply bow down to this death. “I refuse.”

The Beholder Series was filled with a strong heroine, a book boyfriend that I desperately loved, and a story that had me flying through the pages.  I’m so glad I binge read this series!  The only thing I could have wished for would have been an epilogue.  Maybe there will be a follow-up Novella?  *begs…please, please, pleeeeaaaaseeeee* lol  Oh I can wish!  I just can’t ever get enough of Elea and Rowan and I’d love a look into their future,  especially because of how this book played out and their time together.  But regardless of my wishes, I’m definitely looking forward to all of Christina Bauer’s future books!

**ARC kindly provided by Monster House Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)

Cursed #1
Review:

Jen

Concealed #2
Reviews:

Jen

Cherished #3
Review:
Jen


Crowned #4
Review:
Jen

Cradled #4.5
Review:
Jen

 

About Christina Bauer:

Christina Bauer knows how to tell stories about kick-ass women. In her best selling Angelbound series, the heroine is a part-demon girl who loves to fight in Purgatory’s Arena and falls in love with a part-angel prince. This young adult best seller has driven more than 500,000 ebook downloads and 9,000 reviews on Goodreads and retailers.

Bauer has also told the story of the Women’s March on Washington by leading PR efforts for the Massachusetts Chapter. Her pre-event press release—the only one sent out on a major wire service—resulted in more than 19,000 global impressions and redistribution by over 350 different media entities including the Associated Press.

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn

 

Giveaway:

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BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Run Away With Me (Come Back to Me #3) by Mila Gray

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY - Run Away With Me (Come Back to Me #3) by Mila Gray

Run Away With Me was a beautiful story that I fell madly in love with. So check out my 4.5 Star Review below and enter a fabulous giveaway to win all three of Mila Gray’s books (I’ve loved every single one of her books btw!). Enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Run Away With Me (Come Back to Me #3) by Mila GrayRun Away With Me (Come Back to Me #3)
by Mila Gray
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Emerson Lowe and popular ice-hockey player Jake McCallister have been best friends since third grade but as their friendship starts to morph into something more a terrible event occurs that heralds the end of innocence for both of them.

Within a week, Jake’s living on the other side of the country and Emerson is left alone to pick up the pieces of her life in a small town determined to paint her as a liar.

Seven years later, Emerson is still living on the beautiful Pacific West island of Bainbridge, helping run her family’s business. The last thing she needs is Jake turning up, bringing with him old memories and opening up old wounds. But Jake—even better looking than Emerson remembers—seems determined to revive their friendship no matter how much Emerson tries to push him away.

Forced to work alongside him for the summer Emerson can’t help but fall for Jake, and soon they’re in the midst of a passionate romance that neither of them wants to end.

But both Emerson and Jake know that if they’re to have any kind of future they must first confront the past—a past that most people want to stay buried.

Review:

Mila Gray has become one of my favorite authors because her books contain emotional stories and the characters always find a way into my heart.  I know without a shadow of a doubt that each time I pick up one of her books that I’ll laugh, cry, sigh and fall in love.  And that’s exactly what happened when I read this friends to lovers romance.  Run Away With Me was a beautiful story that was filled with hope, friendship, family and love.  

I look up and meet Jake’s eyes. A hot sun rises in my chest. I quickly smother it to ash. – Em

Emerson Lowe and Jake McCallister had been best of friends since third grade.  But just when their friendship started to turn into more, something horrific happened – trigger warning for View Spoiler ».  It left Em’s life in shambles and Jake moved away with his family.  He left right when she needed him the most.  Yet seven years later, he came back.  And that’s where the story begins.  I loved that all of Em’s hurt, betrayal and pain was laid out on the table for us to see.  And I understood why she was cold and distant to Jake.  But Jake was beyond persistent and he wasn’t going to leave her ever again.

I’ve prayed for other things too. Lots of things. The universe never listened. My prayers were never answered.
Until now.
Jake came back. – Em

As the story unfolded, we slowly got glimpses into their past.  We got to see how they were the bestest of friends.  And we watched as their friendship started to turn into something more.  Those moments were so sweet and adorable.  But then we also got to witness the horror unfold, along with the aftermath.  And that gutted me to the core.  But having those moments from their past, interlaced throughout the story, added so much depth to who Em and Jake were.  It was beautifully and seamlessly done, and it helped me feel as though I knew the both of them inside out.

As stupid as it sounds, even when she was six years old and I was seven and we were playing Star Wars in my backyard I never wanted to play Luke. I always wanted to be Han to her Leia. – Jake

Run Away With Me was told in alternating views between Em and Jake.  And while it felt a little jarring it first, I ended up loving how it was told.  It was if I was right there with them, feeling everything that they were feeling.  And while Em felt like a bff, I loved listening and watching everything Jake did.  I fell incredibly hard for him.  He was such a kind hearted, good man who was also at times fierce and protective.  So of course I found myself rooting for everything I had for Em to accept the friendship Jake was offering to her.

“I wanted to, you know,”he says quietly.
“Wanted to what?”I ask, my voice hoarse.
“Come back.”

While there were so many moments that had me laughing and sighing out loud, this book does have a strong emotional side to it too.  I found my heart shattered again and again.  There were quite a few times that I found myself sobbing, and I just couldn’t stop.  And once I got to that point, it felt as though my emotions were always on the edge, waiting to tumble-down into an abyss.  But then something would happen that would pull me back into the light and my heart would beat with joy again.  This is definitely an emotional book, that was also filled with drama and angst, and I loved every minute of it!

“You remember you said you didn’t want to be friends?” he says.
I nod, unable to find my voice.
He licks his lips and swallows. “Well, I don’t want to be friends with you either . I want more.” He’s looking directly in my eyes as he speaks.
Slowly, I let out the breath I’m holding. Everything inside me is vibrating as if my body is a note on a piano that’s just been struck.
“And I think you do too,” he says next.
My breath becomes jagged and uneven.
“Tell me if I’m wrong.”

Run Away With Me was a touching story that I absolutely loved.  It was rounded out with fabulous friends and a home life and parents that also pulled at my heart.  So if you love a sexy friends to lovers romance, or a story that will pull at your heartstrings, then definitely give Run Away With Me or Mila Gray’s other books a try.  I hope you love them just as much as I do!

PS Each of these books can be read as a standalone.

*ARC kindly provided by Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks

Excerpt:

[scroll-box]I hear a voice behind me.

‘Need some help with that?’

I spin around.

It takes a couple of seconds for my brain to confirm that it’s actually him. That it’s actually Jake McCallister standing in front of me and not a hallucination. My heart does this fierce smash and rebound against my ribs as though it’s been violently woken from hibernation. I draw in a breath so big it feels like my lungs might explode, as if all that air is filling a vacuum and I’ll never be able to let it out again.

I hate this feeling. Hate the way the adrenaline floods my blood stream and tears sting my eyes. Hate the way my body reacts in a thousand contradictory ways at the sight of him, as though someone has plugged me into a wrong socket and fried all my synapses.

I have an impulse to throw myself at him but I’m not sure if it’s because I want to hug him or beat the living crap out of him. I drop the kayak, my hands fisting automatically at my sides.

I watch the smile on his lips fade when he notices the set of my jaw. His expression had started off wary but now I see him swallow and press his lips together, something he always does when he’s nervous.

I take note of that and at the same time notice a dozen other tiny, insignificant, monumental details about this new old Jake. I see the faded white scar on his chin—the one I gave him and the new scar cutting across his eyebrow. Then there’s his height – we were always the same height but now he’s tall. . . much taller than me. His dark brown hair is the same, though – unruly, untamed, falling in his eyes. He’s looking at me with the same mix of uncertainty that he looked at me the very last time I saw him.

I glance away, down at the sand. My whole body is shaking and I can’t seem to get it under control.

‘Em?’ I hear him say.

My head flies up before I can stop it. No one calls me that any more. His voice is deeper, mellower. The inflection though when he says my name is still just the same… and instantly something inside me starts coming undone. Jake always used to say my name like it belonged to him, and only him.[/scroll-box]

About Mila Gray:

Mila Gray is the pen name for Sarah Alderson, author of Hunting Lila, Losing Lila, The Sound, Fated and Out of Control.

Originally from London she has lived in Bali for the last four years with her husband and daughter.

As well as writing young adult fiction under the name Sarah Alderson and adult fiction under the name Mila Gray, she also writes screenplays.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

Giveaway:

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BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Haven by Mary Lindsey

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY - Haven by Mary Lindsey

I’m so happy to be on the tour for Haven! This paranormal tale wove mystery and suspense throughout the pages and was a lot of fun! So check out my review below and enter a fabulous giveaway! Enjoy!

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY – Haven by Mary LindseyHaven by Mary Lindsey
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

"We all hold a beast inside. The only difference is what form it takes when freed."

Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere. He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in, and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike Burkhart.

Freddie isn’t like normal teen girls, though. And someone wants her dead for it. Freddie warns he’d better stay far away if he wants to stay alive, but Rain’s never been good at running from trouble. For the first time, Rain has something worth fighting for, worth living for. Worth dying for.

Review:
Time had simply been a bookmark. Something that held his place while he waited to finish the story.

Haven was a paranormal tale that wove mystery and suspense throughout the pages.  It definitely leaned heavily on the mystery side, and we started out just as clueless as Rain Ryland.  When Rain arrived in the little town of New Wurzburg, to live with his Aunt Ruby, he realized that something felt off.  And as Rain started school, met his Aunt’s coworkers and even got a job, things become even more confusing.  While little clues appeared here and there, Rain became more than determined to get to the bottom of whatever was going on in New Wurzburg.

He’d never feared losing something before because he’d never had anything worth keeping. This girl, though. She was different. And he wanted her.

While I easily guessed what the paranormal element was, there was so much shrouded in mystery that I wasn’t able to decipher.  I loved being as lost as Rain sometimes, and I had fun trying to figure it all out right along with him!  Rain was by far my favorite thing about this book.  You know I’m a sucker for a tortured soul, and with his history of a hard life and being raised on the streets, it drew me right into him.  Rain wasn’t expecting much in this little town, but moving in with his Aunt Ruby was the new start he desperately needed.  He slowly started to make connections, find hope and even some happiness.  And I have a good feeling that a lot of people will fall in love Rain just as much as I did.  He was intense, put his heart on the line and I loved that he jumped in feet first.  His intentions proved again and again that he had a heart of gold, despite his hard past.  And when Rain first met Friederike Burkhart, I loved how he saw her.

“So, you want me to listen to my instincts.”
“Yes.”
He reached out and pulled her to him by a belt loop on her jeans. Her eyes widened as she crashed into him. The contact with her long, muscular body made the blood roar in his ears and other places. “My instincts aren’t telling me to go home. They’re telling me to do this.” He took her face in his hands and covered her mouth with his.

I was so addicted to Rain, that I thought I’d easily love Freddie and their romance too.  And while Freddie was intense, tough and struggled with her father’s recent passing, I just couldn’t connect to her.  Which made me not connect to the insta-love romance either.  But I still loved watching him fall in love with her.  And I loved even more how Rain vowed to protect Freddie, when he learned that her life was on the line.  Sigh, Rain was beyond amazing.  I desperately wanted to love and be obsessed with everything that he was, yet I wasn’t.  So I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you connect to Freddie and the romance much better than I did!

Never had he been kissed like that— like the world revolved around that moment. And he wanted more. He wanted everything.

But I still had a lot of fun reading Haven despite my inability to connect to Freddie or the romance.  So if you love stories that keep you guessing until the very end and have characters that will do anything to protect the ones they love, then definitely check this book out!  After finishing Haven I picked up Shattered Souls by this author, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I completely connect with that duology!

“I’m not afraid of dying,” Rain said. “I’m afraid of dying for nothing.”
Looking up, Petra met his eyes directly, and it struck him again how large and nonhuman they looked. “You’ll make a difference. It’s not for nothing.”

PS I loved Petra!  She’s a girl who is hmmm yeah I’m not going to tell you that lol.  But she was by far my favorite secondary character and I wish I got to spend more time with her!

*ARC kindly provided by Entangled:Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

 

About Mary Lindsey:

Mary Lindsey is a multi award-winning, RITA® nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on an island in the middle of a river. Seriously, she does. When not writing, she wrangles her rowdy pack of three teens, two Cairn Terriers, and one husband. Inexplicably, her favorite animal is the giant anteater and at one point, she had over 200 “pet” Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. The roaches are a long story involving three science-crazed kids and a soft spot for rescue animals. The good news is, the “pet” roaches found a home… somewhere else.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

 
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