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June 22, 2014

Review ~ Room 212 by Kate Stewart




Synopsis:

****Mature Audiences only**** (language, explicit sex, some drug use) 


In every life there is always that...one. 



Twenty-one year old Laura Sedgwick is a rebel without a cause. Her only plans for life are to make no plans She revels in her fascination of the unexpected as she navigates her way through mid -1990’s Dallas nightlife. One very bad night brings her face to face with the one man likely to change her mind about…well...everything. 



Twenty-three year old Seth Whitaker has every intention of seeing through with his well mapped out life. He is a hard working over-achiever that has no intentions of slowing his pace for anyone. With a fierce determination to not let life pass him by without taking a huge bite, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to the one distraction that could keep him from his best laid plans. Little did he know his determination to keep his life on track would be the very thing to trigger the events that change the course of both their lives. 



In this life she had only done one thing right... 



…and she was his only chance at salvation.







Review:


I have conflicted feelings for book. I like it because there is no confusing, I’m-not-good-for-you-but-I-can’t-stay-away-crap characters, and the female lead is badass. Two main things I look for in a book. But then the plot gets a little off for me.

I love the cover, and the title is cool. I find the meaning behind it sweet. I wish it was mentioned more or some other special things were said about it, though.

I like Laura Sedgwick a lot. She’s blunt, a bitch within reason, and very straightforward. She appears to be a very strong female lead to me. She doesn’t beat around the bush. She’s practically my ideal heroine. This book is more about her than their love story.

Seth Whitaker, on the other hand, is a little unclear to me. At times he is sweet and romantic but then his character gets vague and I can’t decide what to make of him. He doesn’t appear as the bad boy type to me but he doesn’t seem to be the quiet type, either. I saw his funny side but it was quick and I didn’t see it again, or maybe I just didn’t notice. He gave me the flutters, though, on the times he was being romantic. I liked that.

The plot is not bad, but I think it could be more. It lacks certain things like more details and for more than half the book, I had a hard time catching up because there are so many dialogues but there are no accompanying details to give me light as to where they are and how they got there. Many times a sudden argument in the beginning of a chapter threw me off track.

I enjoyed the first part of the book so much. It was funny at times, like how they met. I was entertained as I read how Laura tried to get her life together after she broke up with Chris, especially that time at the bar when she planted one on Callie. I enjoyed reading how the feelings developed between her and Seth, but as I’ve mentioned some parts are off because of the lacking details.

The ‘later’ part of the book wasn’t really that enjoyable anymore (for me). I didn’t see a character development. It seemed like Laura and Seth and their relationship got worse, or maybe it was just because the lack of supporting details. Anyhow, the story went downhill as I read further. The heavy emotions portrayed in the book didn’t quite get to me, but I think it’s because the words used didn’t trigger my emotion bomb.

I’m sure this book has touched and will touch a lot of readers’ soft spots, but I guess it’s just not for me.



~ Zee

June 15, 2014

Review ~ Burn by Julianna Baggott





Synopsis:

Inside the Dome, Patridge has taken his father's place as leader of the Pures. His struggle has led him here, intent upon bringing down the Dome from the inside, with the help of a secret resistance force. But things are not as simple from his new position of power and he finds himself tempted by his father's words: perhaps if the world is to survive it needs the Dome - and Partridge - to rule it...



As Partridge's resolve weakens, Pressia and Bradwell continue piecing together the clues left to them from the time before the Detonations. It is their hope that they will be able to heal the Wretches, and free them from their monstrous fusings and the Dome's oppression once and for all. But everything depends, too, on Partridge. Separated by distance and history, can they still trust their friend and ally? Or is the world doomed to an eternity of war and hardship? (From Goodreads)


Purchase Links:







Review:

Burn. Where do I start?

So I’m one of those bookworms who read Fuse the day it released last year and waited a full year for this book, Burn, to be released. It is one of my most-anticipated books of 2014. I didn’t get to read this the day it went live on February 4 because I wanted the paperback and it’s more expensive than the ebook, so I took my time saving up. When I finally had it and I finished reading it, I’m so glad of my decision not to read it right away.

The title is mocking. BURN. This series struck me as a dark, thrilling read. Julianna Baggott’s way of story-telling hooked me from the first page until the last. She’s got a way with words that capture a reader’s interest.

However, I’m a little disappointed in this book. I am not satisfied with the conclusion, mostly because it is open-ended. As a reader, I hate filling in the blanks because I think that I am just a witness in the story. Open-ended books, such as this one, irritate me to no end.

Anyway, in the first two books, several mysteries and questions were left for the third book to reveal and answer. So Burn is practically a book of revelations. I like it that Baggott has done an amazing job in revealing things without making the book predictable or boring. The pacing is a little slow, but it’s full of meaningful information about their “mission”.

In the outside, Pressia is looking for the formula for the cure to make the Wretches Pure again without side effects and bring peace and unity between the two parties with it. She, along with Bradwell, El Capitan and Helmud, discovered where Bartrand Kelly, one of the Seven, is. They saw a whole new community where there aren’t Wretches but the people weren’t like the Pures, either—at least not completely. But Pressia and Bradwell wanted different things. Bradwell was full of hate and bitterness, and he wanted revenge. El Capitan was sort of in the middle, getting both parties’ points and agreeing with both.

Inside the Dome, the power has been transferred to Partridge—or so he thought. Like his sister, he’s also trying his best to unite the Wretches and the Pures—but from his position in power, he realized that it isn’t as easy as he thought. Telling the truth doesn’t always bring good things. Sometimes, truth can cause destruction beyond repair.

Everyone, including himself, thought Partridge was in power. But the truth is he’s just a puppet being manipulated by those who wanted the power. Burn showed that power couldn’t be handed down just like that. You have to earn it by proving yourself. This book shows just how young and naïve Partridge is.

I like the way the book is written—the action, the conflicts, the sequence of events, the slow revelations that kept me hooked, the way every word builds the anticipation to what’s to come next. Julianna Baggott’s words are beautiful. However, this book built up so much anticipation and I was there on the top when it suddenly plunges down. Burn ended so suddenly and I hate because a lot of questions that the book built over the course of the whole series—not every one of them was answered. Instead, the ending of Burn just raised up a whole lot of questions and possibilities. I feel like there isn’t any conclusion at all. It feels like there should be another book.



~ Zee

June 14, 2014

Cover Reveal + Teaser + Giveaway ~ Found In Us (Lost #2) by Layla Hagen




Title: Found in Us
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publishing Date: 24 July
Series: Lost Series #2



    Book Summary:

**This can be read as a STANDALONE. The second book in the Lost series tells Jessica and Parker's story. **

All Jessica wants—as a college graduate — is to be a good girl. She landed the job of her dreams at a museum and is trying to eliminate temptations. No more short skirts (when she can help it). No wild parties. And no men.


She particularly excels at that last thing. . .


Until her path crosses Parker’s. Again. Jessica remembers the last time their paths crossed very well. She was left with a seriously bruised ego. She knows it would be best to avoid him altogether. But the charming Brit makes it hard for her to elude his electrifying pull. He is as irresistible as he is captivating.


And enigmatic. 


Because underneath the sleek Armani suit and the sweet British accent that makes her crave his touch, Parker isn’t the perfect gentleman everyone thinks he is.


He’s exactly what Jessica doesn’t want, but desperately needs.

A bad, bad boy.





~ ~




Other books in the Lost Series:






Lost In Us (Lost #1)
Lost (Lost 1.5)
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes








~ ~



Author Bio:



My name is Layla Hagen and I am a New Adult Contemporary Romance author.

I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.

I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.

And I drink coffee. Lots of it, in case the photo didn’t make it obvious enough.


Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter


~ ~

Giveaway!




~ Zee

June 13, 2014

Cover Reveal ~ Kids In Love (Saturn #1.5) by Nikki Godwin


In American Girl On Saturn, we met Tate Kingsley and got a glimpse of Darby McMillon (Darby's Daily dose Of Drama). Now they get to have their own story and we get to read it!



Title: Kids in Love (Saturn #1.5)
Author: Nikki Godwin
Release date: August 2014



Book Summary:

As one of the original Saturnites, Darby McMillon has been a longtime face of the fandom. From the days when the boys were just a YouTube band trying to gain fans up through their recent lockdown, Darby's channel - Darby's Daily Dose of Drama - was the "go to" spot for all things Spaceships Around Saturn. 

Until now, she's been trusted by most and envied by few, but her meet up with SAS girlfriend Chloe Branson shakes Darby's world. She learns quickly that when you're with the band, everything isn't always red carpets and music videos. 

And the closer she gets to her SAS crush Tate Kingsley, the closer she comes to losing her Saturnite status forever.


If you haven't read AGOS, you might want to pick it up now! Purchase links below. :)



American Girl On Saturn (Saturn #1)

Book Summary:


The summer after graduation is supposed to be that first real taste of freedom - but not for eighteen-year-old Chloe Branson. Just as that breeze of freedom is making its way into her galaxy, her secret-service-agent dad drops a meteor-sized bomb of bad news on her and her sisters. An attempt has been made on the lives of Canadian boyband, Spaceships Around Saturn, during their USA tour, and the guys have to go into hiding ASAP. The only problem? In the midst of the crisis and media frenzy, their dad volunteered to hide the guys...in their house.

Six-year-old Emery is as ecstatic as any self-proclaimed Saturnite would be, but Chloe and her seventeen-year-old sister Aralie watch their summer plans crash and burn like a falling star. The SAS guys aren't happy with the situation, either. Bad boy Jules picks fights with Aralie about everything from his Twitter followers to his laundry, and heart-throb Benji can't escape Emery's fangirlisms for more than three minutes.

But after the super-cute Milo kisses Chloe during a game of hide-and-seek, she finally understands what Emery means when she talks about SAS being "out of this world." If this is what Saturn feels like, Chloe doesn't want to come back to Earth.


And read my review right here!



Author Bio:


Nikki Godwin is a YA/NA/LGBT author. She can't live without Mountain Dew, black eyeliner, and music by Hawthorne Heights. When not writing, she internet-stalks her favorite bands and keeps tabs on surf competitions. She adores pro surfer John John Florence and has made it her life goal to meet David Desrosiers of Simple Plan.


June 08, 2014

Review ~ Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout





Synopsis:

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend. 

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?




Purchase Links:




Review:

This is the first Armentrout book I’ve read. I’ve heard so many good things about her books and how amazing of a writer she is but I’ve never realized just how good until I finally gave it a shot. For the sake of being a walking cliché, I don’t know why I waited this long before finally picking this book up. I’ve had it for a month before finally reading it.

Let me just say that I love that cover. I can imagine it being totally creepy when it’s animated.

Don’t Look Back centers around Samantha Franco who went missing for days with her best friend Cassie Winchester. Four days later Sam resurfaced, but she has no memories of who she was and everything about her life.

I like the concept and plot of the book and the way the author executed it. Yes, some parts are a little predictable but then something happens that makes you doubt and dismiss your suspicions altogether. Then you move on to your next suspect and the same thing happens. This book made me think real hard. I couldn’t put it down in my eagerness to know everything, my eyes sharp in each word, afraid to miss something. The sequence of events and how the mystery is slowly being unraveled is good.

I like the characters, especially Scott. His protective demeanor towards Sam is sweet and amusing at times. There are some characters, like Candy and Veronica, who I’m not fond of but I think they were portrayed well. There are teen agers who think like that, so it’s not exactly that fictional. One downside of it for me is that the emotions didn’t quite get to me. I didn’t feel that deep connection with the characters though the words used to describe their thoughts and emotions were precise and clear.

And then there’s the romance. I enjoy reading romance, and I’m so glad that this one isn’t overdone. It’s not the hovering/can’t-live-without-each-other type, which stripped the cheesiness. For me, anyway. Carson Ortiz is someone who has always liked Sam even when she treated him like trash, but he made a very good job hiding it in the past. His protectiveness rivals Scott’s, but less brotherly-like. It’s sweet. The romance between him and Sam met my liking in the highest scale.

Readers who like a good mystery with a healthy dose of romance will like this book. Maybe even love it.


~ Zee

June 06, 2014

The Rise of Chaos ~ Cover Reveal & Re-Release Blitz


The Rise of Chaos by AnnMarie Stone

The Reborn series, Book #1
New Adult ~ Paranormal Romance



**Previously Published as “Anastasia’s Suffering”**



All Anastasia has ever wanted was to start a new life, a normal life, a life without her parents. As soon as Anastasia gets that chance however, she discovers quickly that a normal life was never a possibility for someone like her.

Anastasia has always known that she was different, but she has never understood why. Two mysterious strangers, identical twins, offer answers that she desperately seeks, but can she trust what they tell her? One is evil and a creature of Chaos, the other is Light and a being filled with a Pure soul. Unfortunately for Anastasia, it's no longer clear which is which.

Chaos had already separated Anastasia from her soul mate, weakening her own purity. With her defenses down, she is a perfect target for Chaos to seep in and take control. Chaos has already corrupted her father, could she be next? Or will her determination to save her true love from the same fate be enough to protect her from corruption?

When Chaos threatens to extinguish Light once and for all, Anastasia will have to decide which side to fight on. The unique abilities that have always made Anastasia different from everyone else are the very same abilities that may save or condemn her.




I found myself in the forest again, or at least I thought that’s where I was at first. The same familiar Oak trees surrounded me, but there was a subtle difference. This time, I could see large trails that were clearly manmade. The trees canopied over the trails. There was something uniform about them. I felt as if I knew where to go, despite not fully recognizing where I was. I began following the trail as if it was a trail to my home that I would have normally taken without a second thought. It was guiding me to where I needed to be. It was different somehow. I was anticipating the moment when I would meet up with my love, but some part of me worried he was not coming. This was an entirely new dream. One that may have had nothing to do with him.

As the oaks grew bigger, the wider the paths became. I knew that this place had been manufactured. It was no longer in a natural state. It was beautiful. I found myself happy and content with the amazing landscape and the gorgeous serenity that surrounded me. Then I saw the bridge. It was breathtaking and something that I could only have concocted in my mind. How could a bridge hold so much beauty? Somehow, it did. I felt drawn to it. As I decided to move toward it, I realized that I had already changed my course.

The bridge was small and arched over a stream that was connected to a nearby pond. As I approached, the sky seemed to get brighter. I could see a stunning white Swan, wading in the pond. The bridge was made of stone. As I inched closer I could see the bright yellow steps within the stone walls of the arch. The oak trees cast a light shadow over the bridge, but I could see that the bridge was no longer empty.

I felt my love approaching the bridge from the other side of the pond before I ever saw him. He must have sensed me as well. He smiled when he finally saw me. I’m quite sure that I returned the smile, with the same love that he held for me. He walked to the center of the bridge at the highest point and waited. I ran to him and wrapped my arms around him as tightly as I could. Until that moment, I had no idea how much I craved his embrace and his touch.

He opened his mouth to speak, but I could not hold back any longer. I stifled his words as I pressed my lips to his, pulling myself closer, pressing the length of my body to his as if we had molded into one. The feel of his lips on mine as we kissed transcended anything that I had ever thought about love. I felt tingles from head to toe. I felt sparks of electricity everywhere he touched me. It was so amazing. As our lips and tongues explored each other’s mouths, I felt his hands sliding further down until he reached the small of my back. He continued to caress my hips, pulling me closer until I could feel his hard body pressed so tightly against mine.

In that moment, this man that I loved, that I knew nothing and everything about at the same time, was all that I could sense as the world around us disappeared. He was my world and I was his. I could not let go of that kiss. I didn’t know when I would get the chance to feel this bliss again. But alas, he reluctantly pulled his lips from mine, but did not release me from his loving embrace. He held me so close that I couldn’t feel anything but his body against mine. My eyes were still closed from the kiss and it took me a moment to regain my composure. All of that from a single kiss? Taking a deep breath, I slowly opened my eyes to take in all that I could before the dream faded away and left me alone in my room. For a moment, we stood there on that beautiful bridge, looking into each other’s eyes and holding on to the moment. Oh what a moment it was.

“My Love, you have come to me. I can’t believe that you are here.” I was so shocked to hear him speak, that it took me a moment to process his words.

“I have come to you?” I was more than a little confused. “You just spoke to me! I have waited so long to see your face, and feel your touch. And now I can finally hear your beautiful voice!” I was elated. The dream wasn’t fading. We were in each other’s arms, and speaking to each other!

He chuckled. “Yes. It’s the same for me. I have been learning how to send these messages, but something always messed them up before. I can’t believe it finally worked.”

“Maybe it’s this place? It feels…magical.”

“You know, I think you’re right. I’ve tried the lake so many times and kept failing. I was tired of waiting, so I thought I’d give the pond a shot. I’m so glad I was right.”

“Me too.”

It was wonderful to hear his voice and for him to still be there. I didn’t want to wait any longer and I reached for him, placing my hands on either side of his face. I pulled his lips to mine again. My need for him was overpowering my need for information. He returned my kiss and picked me up, setting me down on the stone wall of the bridge. The kiss turned more passionate as I wrapped my legs around his waist. It was my turn to caress his body. I placed my hands on his sides and slowly moved them up around his back and up to his shoulder blades. He cupped my face with his hands as he tenderly kissed me, deeper and deeper, moving his hands to my hair. There was so much need, so much desire and lust, yet it was all shadowed in comparison to the pure love that surrounded us.

Then, it was my turn to reluctantly pull away. I ended the kiss. We were breathing heavily as I buried my face into his chest.


“I hate to say it, but we should probably talk a little more and kiss a little less. We don’t know how much time we have.”

He lifted my face so that I could meet his eyes. I could see that he hated stopping as much as I did.

“You’re right. I have a message for you, although I wouldn’t really call it a waste if I don’t get to it.” His eyes took on a deeper look.  I could see through him and into the soul that occupied his body.

“Well then, tell me the message and then we can get back to the fun part.” As I spoke, I brought my arms back from around him, making sure that I felt the curves of his muscled torso as I did. My hands found their resting place on his hips. As I looked into his eyes, I returned the deep meaningful gaze that he had just given me.

He cleared his throat and blinked.

“Um…yeah. Ok. The message.” He was stammering and it was actually quite charming. “Ok, so first. I am totally breaking the rules right now. I’m not supposed to contact you like this, but as you can see I’m drawn to you just as much as you are to me.”

“Yes, I can see that.” I smiled up at him, still sitting on the stone wall of the bridge. I gave him a light squeeze, almost a hug around his waist.

“I have to warn you about Lukasz. Have you met him yet? I was hoping to tell you before you met him, but I never got the chance.”

I was taken aback by his words. Why would I need to be warned about Lukasz? I dropped my arms from around him.

“I met him a few days ago, but he’s not the one to worry about. It’s his twin, Tristan that’s the one I need to worry about. Do you know them?”

“Everyone knows them. At least around here they do. They’re kind of famous. But that’s not the point. You need to know that he’s not what he seems.”

“What do you mean?” Should I tell him about my gift? That I can ‘see’ what people are, not just what they seem to be? Yes. I decided I should.

“I know them both pretty well. Are you aware of my gifts?” I really hoped he was. I didn’t want to explain it. He’d probably think I was crazy.

“I am and so is he. He can manipulate that gift, he is very cunning. He shares your gift, but he’s had many years to learn how to use it to his benefit.”

I was shocked. Could Lukasz really have tricked me? No. I didn’t believe it. I couldn’t.

“I will have to really think this through. I want to believe you, I really do. I feel like you believe what you’re saying. But Lukasz? I don’t know. I saw everything. I saw into his soul.”

“Anastasia, think about it. Really think about it. Did you see everything?”

I thought about it. No, I didn’t. He blocked parts. He even told me that. Could he have affected the entire exchange? Altering my perception of him?

“Do you have more to the message?” I didn’t want to talk about it, but I knew that at the very least I needed to gather as much information as I could.

“I saw it in your face. You remembered something. What was it?”

“I remembered that he shielded some parts of himself from me. If he can do that, could he alter it altogether? No. I don’t think he could have affected it that much, could he?” I remembered the picture that my mom had. Was I wrong? Lukasz said that Tristan had been following me for years, but could it have been him? He did have the photos.

“You just thought of something else, didn’t you?”

“Yes. My mom, but don’t worry about that. What’s the warning?” I knew the picture was important, but that was a long story and I didn’t think we had the time to go into it.

“Just watch what you think you know. Focus on the facts and don’t let him manipulate you.”

“Got it. I’ll be careful. Consider me warned.” There was so much more I wanted to ask, so much I wanted to know. How much time did we have though? “How did you know my name?”

“I’ve always known your name.”

Ok? “What about your name?”

“He said that you will know me as Andrew.”

I opened my mouth to ask him what that meant and all that came out was “Beep, beep, beep.”

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Abruptly, I returned to my room, the embrace of my love so far away. You have got to be kidding me!

“Andrew? Why do I know that name? Who’s Andrew?”






Currently #2 on Listopia 2014 ~ Must Reads on goodreads

BOOK TRAILER LINK

Cover Reveal + Giveaway ~ What's Left Of Us by Amanda Maxlyn

Amanda Maxlyn and Bandit Publishing are excited to share with you the beautiful cover for Amanda Maxlyn's "What's Left of Us", the heartwarming conclusion to What's Left of Me. Make sure to join the FB Release Event, add to your Goodreads, and enter the GIVEAWAY for a $25 Amazon Gift Card below!


Expected Release: Summer 2014


Book Title: What’s Left of Us
Author: Amanda Maxlyn
Cover Designer: Mae I Design and Photography


The heartwarming conclusion to What’s Left of Me.

Love found me three years ago.I’m cancer free, happily married to the love of my life, and working toward my dream career.

Our life is complete. Perfect, really.Or is it? 

I’ve always wanted a family of my own, but never dreamed I could have one. Now Parker’s ready to make my dream our reality.

But sometimes our dreams are haunted by our deepest fears. Fears of failure, having a child, and in our case … death. How do I help the person I love get over his fear when I’m still trying to overcome that same fear myself? Together we must learn What’s Left of Us.
















Life works in mysterious ways.
Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer.
I refuse to cry.
And I refuse to give in.
A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants. Me.
He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.
But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him.
What if it changes everything?
Tragedy found me when I was seventeen.
Love found me when I was twenty-one.
My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.


Read my review right here!







I am the mother of two little boys, married to the love of my life, and living in one of the smallest towns in Minnesota. When I’m not chasing or cleaning up after my boys (yes, all three), I can be found writing or snuggled up with my kindle, a glass of wine, and spending time with my fictional friends and family.

Website - http://amandamaxlyn.com/
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7264050.Amanda_Maxlyn
Twitterhttps://twitter.com/AmandaMaxlyn
Instagramhttp://instagram.com/amandamaxlyn







~ Zee