Review: Wake By Amanda Hocking

Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.

Overall Thoughts:

This was the first book I'd ever read by Amanda Hocking, but it definitely won't be the last! I completely fell in love with this story!

Wake is about a sixteen year old girl named Gemma who is strong, beautiful, and a competitive swimmer. All of these characteristics cause three mysteriously alluring women - Penn, Lexi, and Thea - to choose her to become like them. A siren. Gemma has always been one to push the rules but never break them so when she starts breaking curfew and hanging out with those three girls, her older sister, Harper, becomes alarmed, especially because she doesn't trust them. She gets extremely protective of her sister and tries everything to prevent her from going to them. The sirens have the beauty of any goddess, the voice of any angel, and the confidence to do anything. Once Gemma starts hanging out with them, she discovers that she does as well. When they demand for her to runaway with them, she's torn because of her love for her family and boyfriend, Alex, and then people start to disappear...

What I liked about this book:

I found each and every character to have depth and were well personalized. The author did an amazing job with getting us familiar with each one, from the main character (Gemma) to a supporting character (Marcy, Harper's antisocial coworker and friend).

Also, I really loved each relationship. Gemma and Alex's relationship wasn't like most Young Adult love. It wasn't fast and instant, it was slow and cute. It wasn't cool and uber-romantic, it was shy and adorable. Even though Alex was described as a total hottie, he was still self-conscious but protective of her. On the other hand, Gemma and Harper's relationship was so strong it was admirable. They're complete opposites, but they also complete each other.

What I disliked about this book:

There wasn't really anything I disliked about this book, other than how unsettling the ending was. Don't get me wrong, I loved the ending! I was just mad... because it ended and it wasn't a "happily ever after" kind of ending. Gr.

Verdict:

I read this book within a day because I physically and mentally couldn't put it down.

4 TARGETS!

Blog Tour: Review of The Wild Princess By Mary Hart Perry (Release Day Blitz)

Four of the five daughters of England's Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were regal, genteel, and everything a princess should be. But one was rebellious, scandalous, and untamed.

This is her story. . . .

To the court and subjects of Queen Victoria, young Princess Louise—later the Duchess of Argyll—was the "Wild One." Proud and impetuous, she fought the constraints placed on her and her brothers and sisters, dreamed of becoming an artist, and broke with a three-hundred-year-old tradition by marrying outside of the privileged circle of European royals. Some said she wed for love. Others whispered of a scandal covered up by the Crown. It will take a handsome American, recruited by the queen's elite Secret Service, to discover the truth. But even as Stephen Byrne—code name the Raven—vows to risk his life to protect the royal family from violent Irish radicals, he tempts Louise with a forbidden love that could prove just as dangerous.

In the vein of Philippa Gregory, Mary Hart Perry tells the riveting story of an extraordinary woman—a princess who refused to give up on her dreams, including her right to true love.

Overall Thoughts: 
Historical Romance is not a genre I normally tend to gravitate to, but this novel has definitely restored my faith in it!

The Wild Princess mainly centers around one 23-year-old woman named Princess Louise. She has four other sisters, but - out of them all - is considered to be the most daring and feisty. The novel begins with her being forced to marry the Marquess of Lorne, who is a very attractive and gentle man. Once the two are wedded, Louise discovers something about Lorne that is slightly unsettling, and now she's stuck with him for the rest of her life because divorce was such a rare and "frowned-upon" thing. Also, Louise has reason to believe that her mother, Queen Victoria, knew about Lorne's little indiscretion and still continued to force the marriage onto her.

When the palace and royal family are deadly threatened by Irish radicals, Stephen Byrne - an agent of the Queen herself - comes into the story. It becomes his duty to protect and serve in favor of the royal family, which he takes extremely serious. As time progresses, a blue-eyed and fiercely wild woman catches his eyes - the very married, Princess Louise.

What I liked about this book: 
I was slightly worried when I started this book, but I know now that it was for no reason. Some of the hardest things about historical fiction is that it can sometimes be too detailed and have too many characters, which just ends up confusing me but I am glad to say that this book didn't. I was never confused, and it completely grabbed my attention right from the beginning!

Also, Princess Louise was a treat. I loved her! She was protective and intense, and I really liked reading about her.

What I disliked about this book: 
I understand that this is a fiction novel so I should treat it as such... but I was still disappointed to find out that Stephen wasn't an actual person. I liked him.

Verdict: 
I loved the story line. I loved the pacing. But most of all, I really loved the characters!

 

Author Online:

 

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Cover Reveal + Giveaway of Colonization By Aubrie Dionne

Finding a new home has never been so dangerous.

Andromeda has spent all seventeen years of her life aboard a deep space transport vessel destined for a paradise planet. Her safe cocoon is about to break open as Paradise 21 looms only one month away, and she must take the aptitude tests to determine her role on the new world and her computer assigned lifemate. As a great-granddaughter of the Commander of the ship, she wants to live up to her family name. But, her forbidden love for her childhood friend, Sirius, distracts her and she fails the tests. The results place her in a menial role in the new colony and pair her with Corvus, “the oaf”.

But when Andromeda steps foot on Paradise 21, her predestined future is the least of her worries. Alien ghosts from a failed colonization warn her of a deadly threat to her colony. And when Sirius's ship crashes on the far ridge in an attempt to investigate, she journeys to rescue him with Corvus.

Andromeda now must convince the authorities of the imminent danger to protect her new home. What she didn't expect was a battle of her own feelings for Sirius and Corvus.

Can she save the colony and discover her true love? 

Author Bio: 

Aubrie Dionne writes science fiction fantasy with romantic elements. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Inkspell Publishing, Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. She’s also a professional flutist in New England.

Please visit her website: 

www.authoraubrie.com

Goodreads: 

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2964057.Aubrie_Dionne

Twitter: 

@authoraubrie

Blog: 

http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com

Giveaway: 

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Contest Details:
Key ring
Limited to US and UK

In My Mailbox #17 / Stacking the Shelves #4

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Every week you are to share the books you received that week. It could either be ones you bought, or gotten at the library, and ones that you'd receive to review on the blog.

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Every week you are to share the books you've added to your collection.

Netgalley: 

Ironskin By Tina Connolly

I can tell that this book will be a huge hit once it comes out! The summary is so epic as well as the cover!

Beautiful Disaster By Jamie McGuire

Danny from Bewitched Bookworms made a post about the awesomeness of this book and I had been wanting to read it for awhile so I decided to get it.

Blog Tour:

The Wild Princess By Mary Hart Perry

I'm not a big historical romance junkie but... I dabble. And this book just sounded really interesting!

Whispers in Autumn By Trisha Leigh

Love of cover + Love of summary = One excited Shae :)

Leave the links to your post in the comments so I can stop by!

Blog Tour: Giveaway + Review of Four in the Morning by Christi Goddard

Kathleen Hayson thinks her biggest problem is her mother. The only runner up—her mouth. With a wit sharper than her mother's perfectly manicured nails, her clever remarks create more problems than they solve.

But it's not her clever remarks landing her knee-deep in trouble. This time, Josh Colby is to blame. Kathleen's former childhood friend has become the school's most stuck up jerk. Before, she'd have told him to piss off and write his own stupid letter to the town slut/minister's daughter. Now Kathleen's escalating problems at home force her to reevaluate how flexible her principles are. She agrees to write the controversial letter Josh has requested.

Enter Rigel, a smartass magical creature who invades her room one night, promising he has come to help. When a boy Kathleen hates turns up dead and her mother goes missing, the letter becomes a key piece of police evidence—implicating Kathleen. As she fights her way out of a web of lies, the trust she has in those closest to her shatters. In the end, she's pushed to a terrible choice: who lives, and who else dies.

Overall Thoughts:

This was a very quick and unconventional read with thrilling, hair-raising moments!

Four in the Morning is about a girl in high school named Kathleen Hayson, who is the epitome of sarcasm. Her mother is a pretty terrible person, who verbally abuses Kathleen about her weight and her smart mouth, and her father is always absent because of work reasons. Because of that, Kathleen has always used her sarcasm and bitterness to guard her, and is often seen as mean and unapproachable because of it. Then she meets a little creature named Rigel, who looks like any other skunk but is not. He has the knowledge and sense of any human being, and is also able to speak (in a British accent, may I add). This little beast turns Kathleen's life upside down...

What I liked about this book:

This book surprised me a lot. By just looking at this cover, I would have guessed that it's a more serious novel with little to no comedic points, but I was wrong. Kathleen was hilarious... and mean, but still funny nonetheless. Also, I loved Rigel! He was the complete opposite of Kathleen; he was sophisticated, and proper, and petite.

What I disliked about this book:

I wished that Rigel was introduced in a better way so that it was more believable. He kind of just popped up out of the blue which made him hard to grasp.

Also, I wished that the author explained more of the character's backgrounds, besides Kathleen. It would have given a better insight into them and how they function.

Verdict:

It was very different and I liked it!

Where to purchase:

Buy

Where to find Christi:

Website

Twitter

Giveaway:

There's another giveaway on the Dark Minds Book Tours where they will giving a physical copy of Four in the Morning to one lucky winner! Click HERE if you'd like to enter!

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Review + Excerpt: Dark Companion By Marta Acosta

Orphaned at the age of six, Jane Williams has grown up in a series of foster homes, learning to survive in the shadows of life. Through hard work and determination, she manages to win a scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy. There, for the first time, Jane finds herself accepted by a group of friends. She even starts tutoring the headmistress’s gorgeous son, Lucien. Things seem too good to be true.
They are.

The more she learns about Birch Grove’s recent past, the more Jane comes to suspect that there is something sinister going on. Why did the wife of a popular teacher kill herself? What happened to the former scholarship student, whose place Jane took? Why does Lucien’s brother, Jack, seem to dislike her so much?

As Jane begins to piece together the answers to the puzzle, she must find out why she was brought to Birch Grove—and what she would risk to stay there…

Overall Thoughts:

I really wanted to love this book and it had it's moments where I did, but I couldn't connect with it as much as I wanted.

Dark Companion is about a teenage girl named Jane Williams who grew up in a town called Helmsdale, also known as "Hellsdale" because it was a pretty poor and rough place. It was the kind of neighborhood that was used to drugs, prostitution, and other bad things. The story begins with Jane being absolutely miserable in her foster home due to her evil and verbally abusive foster mom, and we learn that Jane is a hardworker in school and makes extremely amazing grades. One day, she is chosen to be granted a full scholarship with free room and board at a school named Birch Grove Academy for Girls, which of course Jane jumps at.

Once she arrives at Birch Grove Academy, she instantly notices the obvious differences between herself and the other spoiled, rich Birch Grove girls. She then meets Mrs. Radcliffe who is the head mistress of the school and the teacher of a class called Night Terrors. Jane learns that there was once a girl named Breneeta "Bebe" Browning, who was also from Helmsdale and disappeared to supposedly run off with a long lost uncle. Also, she learns about a lady named Claire Mason, who was from Helmsdale and was married to Jane's chemistry teacher, Mr. Mason, until she supposedly committed suicide. Like anyone, Jane begins to question why the two people who she has the most in common with, up and disappears.

As time progresses, she becomes closer and closer to both of Mrs. Radcliffe's sons, Lucien "Lucky" and Jacob "Jack", who are complete opposites. Lucky is blonde, popular, cocky, extremely beautiful, and pretty selfish. Jack on the other hand is adopted, dark-haired, laid-back, funny, and eccentric. Jane finds herself attracted to Lucky and it seems that every person around her wants them to become closer for some unknown reason, but she totally connects with Jack alot more than she ever does with Lucky. Soon enough, Jane learns that the Radcliffe's are not who they appear to be and that Jack is alot more protective of her than she is aware of, especially when Janes finds herself being watched...

What I liked about this book:

Jack was my favorite character out of them all. He was really refreshing because he was the only one who didn't seem to have some kind of hidden agenda. I was so obsessed with him that I found myself searching for parts on the pages where his name appeared (sad, I know).

The ending of the story was so climactic and exciting. It was the best part of the entire book and I wished that the rest of the book was like that as well.

What I disliked about this book:

To sum it all up, this book had a great concept and great characters but lacked flow and sequence. For example, someone would say something totally critical and important and "big reveal-like" but then Jane would go on as if that didn't happen. Like, what? Aren't you going to address what they just said? No? *Groans* Fine!

Also, I really disliked Jane and Lucky's relationship. Basically, Jane was slightly obsessed with Lucky and obsessed with pleasing him even if it meant that he could disrespect her. Every time she didn't do something "correctly" and Lucky would scold her, she would just try harder to earn it. I just wanted to scream at her, "Jane, open your eyes. He doesn't want you, he wants someone else. Look at Jack! He likes you, protects you, makes you laugh! What is wrong with you?"

Verdict:

This book had great moments that were super thrilling and exciting with energetic and colorful characters, but lacked details and flow which made it slightly hard to connect with it.

3 1/2 TARGETS!

---

Excerpt:

When people met me, they saw an unassuming, hardworking, well-spoken girl. But inside I was still shrieking with rage for everything that I'd had to do merely to have the crumbs that others carelessly dropped.

I pressed down my fury until it metamorphosed, as soft messy carbonate does, into a diamond - a diamond so hard it could cut through steel and with such clarity that I could use it as a lens to see the world as it truly was, cruel and capricious.

It was rage that got me to Birch Grove Academy for Girls and out of Hellsdale. I nestled into my bed, knowing that rage would help me survive here too.

Blog Tour: Giveaway of Fractured Light By Rachel McClellan

Click to view blog tour schedule!

Llona Reese is used to living on the run. After the Vykens killed her parents, she knew they would eventually come for her too. But she never felt ready to face them---until now. Defying the Auran Council and everything she's been taught, Llona must learn to use her power over light as a weapon if she wants to survive.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Contest Details:
Ebook Copy
International
Ends 07/30/2012 (1 WEEK!)

There's an even bigger giveaway on the blog tour schedule page where the author is giving away 5 hard copies of FRACTURED LIGHT and an awesome necklace! Click HERE to enter!

Follow Friday #7

Feature & Follow is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read!

Q: Christmas in July! Someone gives you a gift card for two books (whatever that costs). What two books will you buy?

Halfway to the Grave By Jeaniene Frost

This has been out for a super long time and is kind of random, I know. I've been wanting to read this for a while but have never really gotten the chance and everyone seems to absolutely love it. 

Hidden (House of Night, #10) By P.C. Cast + Kristen Cast

I know this series has been getting a lot of slack saying the authors should end the series already and on some level, I guess I agree but I still like it and would totally pre-order it!

Leave your links in the comments and I'll stop by and follow!

Blog Tour: Giveaway + Review of Beneath the Surface By Joya Fields

She’s fighting to stay independent—he’s determined to protect her no matter what…

Brooke Richards survived the earthquake that took her parents and most of her leg, but she needs time to regroup. A trip to Florida for a state-of-the-art prosthesis and to visit her best friend Linda seems ideal. But the trip turns traumatic when Brooke witnesses Linda’s boat disintegrating in a fiery explosion.

Police officer Garrett Ciavello believes the blast was intentionally set to hide something Linda found on a dive. When Brooke offers her expertise in underwater archeology, Garrett accepts her help with the investigation. But since his fiancée’s death years ago, Garrett has become overprotective, and as they are drawn to each other, Garrett realizes he will risk anything to keep Brooke safe.

Brooke is fiercely independent. Garrett is fiercely protective. Will they heal each other’s wound and find a killer…before it’s too late?

Overall Thoughts:
This was a very unpredictable story with thrilling twists!

Beneath the Surface is about a young woman named Brooke Richards who is an underwater archaeologist. The thing is: She doesn't go underwater anymore. Why? Two years ago, both her parents died in an earthquake, which severed her left leg in half causing her to have a prosthetic for the rest of her life.

The story begins with two of Brooke's best friends severely injured when their boat explodes right when they were so close to finding a mysterious box in the ocean. Then enters Detective Garrett Ciavello! It becomes his job and personal mission to find out what's inside the box and who tried to harm the closest people to finding that out. But it seems to become rather difficult for him to concentrate on the task at hand when he's constantly fearing for Brooke's life, which he's determined to protect...

What I liked about this book:
I could totally see everything in this book as if it were happening right in front of me. It was very visual.

Also, I really liked how protective Garrett was of Brooke even in the beginning when he didn't know her that much. It was so sweet!

What I disliked about this book:
I found the plot to lag a little at times, not too much though.

Verdict:
Good concept with good visuals!

Blog Tour:

Smitten with Reading Reviewing Shelf My Cozie Corner Books, Books, and More Books   The Story of A Girl...
 Understanding Shae's Story Purple Penguin Reviews  ¡Miraculous! A Date with A Book Love to Read Romance   T B R Lissette E. Manning   Words I Write Crazy  Ramblings of an Amateur Writer

Giveaway:

Additionally, a grand prize drawing of a Beneath the Surface tote bag filled with goodies for one commenter, drawn randomly, who comments on all 10 blogs that day:  $25 Amazon gift card, autographed copy of Beneath the Surface, Beneath the Surface apron, notepad and pen, Romance Trading Cards, and autographed bookmark.

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Blog Tour: Giveaway + Review of Take This Regret By A.L. Jackson

Christian Davison has a plan for his life.  He is determined to become an attorney and to one day take his place as partner in his father’s law firm.  Nothing will stand in his way, not even Elizabeth Ayers and their unborn child.

After Christian cuts her from his life, Elizabeth spends the next five years struggling to provide for her daughter and willing to sacrifice anything to give her child a safe, comfortable life.

For five years, Christian has regretted the day he walked away from his family and will do anything to win them back just as Elizabeth will do anything to protect her daughter from the certain heartache she believes Christian will bring upon them.

When Christian wrestles his way into their lives, Elizabeth is faced with asking herself if it is possible to forgive someone when they’ve committed the unforgivable and if it is possible to find a love after it has been buried in years of hate.  Or are there some wounds that go so deep they can never heal?

They say everyone deserves a second chance.

Overall Thoughts:
This was absolutely the most touching and emotional book I've read in a while! I cried so much while reading it.

Take This Regret is about a woman named Elizabeth Ayers who is desperately in love with a man named Christian Davison, and one day finds herself pregnant with his child in a very critical time in both their lives - College. They both study to become attorneys for different reason, but the most contrasting thing between the two of them is: Elizabeth would gladly give up her career for her child, Christian would not.

He ends up giving her an ultimatum - True love or Motherhood... she chooses the later. Little does Elizabeth know, they'll be meeting again in the future and Christian, now a changed man, will want both, her and their child, back.

What I liked about this book:
This book was so touching and heartbreaking. The plot hit close to home because I, personally, had to go through the same exact thing growing up, except the parents were switched. Regardless, I honestly believe this story will touch anyone and everyone who reads it not just people of divorced homes.

Also, I really loved Elizabeth. I think it's important to like the main character or at least understand them and I became attached to her. She was so deserving and strong and heartfelt.

What I disliked about this book:
In the beginning, I thought I would hate Christian with a passion because of what he did, but while I was reading the book, I found myself wanting to hate him but never really being able to, of course I wanted to slap him around a little bit (A little bit = A lot) but I just felt sorry for him and wanted him to just... be good.

Verdict:
The writing was impeccable. The emotion was felt through the pages and completely believable in every way. The characters are people who stay with you even when you finish the book, especially Elizabeth!

Giveaway:

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Cover Reveal + Giveaway of The Star Child By Stephanie Keyes

The world is about to be cloaked in darkness. Only one can stop at night.

Kellen St. James has spent his entire life being overlooked as an unwanted, ordinary, slightly geeky kid. That is until a beautiful girl, one who has haunted his dreams for the past eleven years of his life, shows up spinning tales of a prophecy. Not just any old prophecy either, but one in which Kellen plays a key role.

Suddenly, Kellen finds himself on the run through a Celtic underworld of faeries and demons, angels and gods, not to mention a really ticked off pack of hellhounds, all in order to save the world from darkness. But will they make it in time?

Giveaway:

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Giveaway Details:
Celtic knot designed antiqued bookmark 
Open to US and UK
Ends TOMORROW

Follow Friday #6

Feature & Follow is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read!

Q: What drove you to start book blogging in the first place?

Lonely... I am so lonely... I have nobody.... but my own! Lol just kidding! (No, I'm not) I started reading book blogs for about half a year before I even thought about starting my own. It just looked to be so much fun, and the whole entire community seemed so nice and supportive so I was like why not! And I've been depressed  happy ever since! None of my friends or family members really read the same books as me and would glare menacingly at me whenever I tried to tell them about a book I just read and loved so I figured my life span might be a bit longer if I stopped taunting them in that way and just blogged about it instead :)

Please leave me your links and I'll stop by!

Blog Tour: Giveaway + Review of Dead Radiance by T.G. Ayer

Bryn Halbrook had always seen the glow. But it is only when her best friend dies that she discovers the meaning of those beautiful golden auras - Death. Alone, lost in the foster system, she struggles to understand who she is and why she was cursed with the ability to see the soon-to-be-dead. 

The new foster kid, Aidan, isn't helping any. Mr. Perfect seems to fit in no matter what, making her feel even more pathetic. But when his affections turn to her, Bryn finds him hard to resist. Impossible actually. A mystery himself, Aidan disappears, leaving behind a broken heart and a mysterious book that suggests Bryn might not be entirely human. Bryn stands at the threshold of a journey of discovery. Will destiny help her find herself, find her purpose and her place in a world in which she'd never belonged?

Overall Thoughts:
This book was the epitome of abnormal, which is completely refreshing!

Dead Radiance is about a teenage girl named Brynhildr "Bryn" Halbrook, who's always felt like the black sheep in life. Her father, Geoffrey Halbrook, was a well-known genetic scientist who died when she was only thirteen years old and her mother abandoned her when she was five so she's been forced into the foster care system.

Ever since Bryn was young she knew she was different than every one else because she saw strange auras that expressed the person's life was shortly coming to an end. Basically, she would see specific people with a golden hue around them and learned that it meant they would shortly be dead. Bryn never saw this ability as a good thing, especially when it starts taking the people closest to her.

She doesn't really know much about her ability until she meets her new and attractive foster brother named Aidan Lee, a leather-clad biker boy who leads Bryn to believe that she is a gifted Valkyrie (or angel).

What I liked about this book:
The plot is completely unique and is presented with a "bigger than life" air, which I really liked. It had so many supernatural creatures and elements that the only way to be fair to it was by creating a lot of flare and pizzazz.

What I disliked about this book:
I would sometimes get confused when they would describe certain aspects of the Valkyries lifestyle and history so I wished that was explained more.

Verdict:
This was such an easy book to lose yourself in!        

Giveaway:

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In My Mailbox #16 / Stacking the Shelves #3

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Every week you are to share the books you received that week. It could either be ones you bought, or gotten at the library, and ones that you'd receive to review on the blog.

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Every week you are to share the books you've added to your shelves.

Review:

Wake By Amanda Hocking

Thank you so much, Eileen, for surprising me with this book! Usually, I'll know what I'm getting in the mail but this totally surprised me! *Happy Dances*

Time Between Us By Tamara Ireland Stone

I don't think I've ever read a book on time travel so this should be interesting!

The Lure of Shapinsay By Krista Holle

Selkie Folklore is totally unique! I'm definitely reading this soon!

Dark Companion By Marta Acosta

The cover is so beautiful! I'm going to start reading it either today or tomorrow!

That's what I got! Leave a comment and I'll stop by!

Blog Tour: Giveaway + Spot Light of Dreaming Montana By Kim Nathan

Set in 1993, Dreaming Montana invokes the spirit of Seattle at the height of the grunge era, with the city as the backdrop for two strangers to potentially cross paths.

In a single day, Cara Gallagher experiences an erotic dream about a man she doesn’t know and has a premonition of her identical twin—at the exact moment her sister dies in a car accident. To escape her grief and a loveless marriage, Cara accepts a temporary job reassignment in Seattle, where she continues to have sensuous dreams of the unknown man. There she encounters an angel who claims to be sent by her dead sister to help her find the man in her dreams. Meanwhile, photographer Jay Amiens sees angel wings on his film and has recurring intimate dreams about a woman he doesn’t know—but would love to meet in person. 

Excerpt:

“Here she was back in Seattle, and the whole city lay before her like a giant maze. All she wanted to do was run to the center of it, where she would find him. Now she kept her head up when she walked, searching the faces of people passing by, looking for him everywhere in the crowd. Among the flower stalls at Pike Place Market, while she paused to admire the fresh bouquets, she wondered if he rambled these same aisles. She would see him; she had to believe that now. He was here somewhere, waiting for her. At any moment, she could meet him. Until then, she would walk the same city, breathe the same air, see the same stars in the same sky as he did. And she would wait.”

About the author:

Kim Nathan is an American author of historical and contemporary romance fiction. Her first novel was Sterling Redmond a historical romance. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, she relocated to Seattle, Washington in 1994, where she lives with her husband and cats.

Giveaway: 

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Blog Tour: Giveaway + Review of Maid for Pleasure by Lucy Rodgers

Click to view blog tour schedule!

Insurance actuary Libby Beckett is the epitome of a successful, independent, modern woman. With her six figure salary, she has a condo overlooking the beach, a BMW, and a closet full of fabulous shoes. So why isn’t she happy? And why do her fantasies always involve whips, bondage, and sexual slavery? Her desires are impossible to explain her buttoned-down accountant boyfriend, which is why when she stumbles across a website for a quasi-dating service for submissive women called Maid for It, she signs up. She’s quickly “matched” to Gavin Huntley, an engineer and inventor possessed of a small fortune and his own private island in the Caribbean. After carefully weighing the risks and rewards, as any good actuary should do, Libby breaks it off with her boyfriend and heads to Gavin’s island for what she promises herself will be two weeks to explore her darkest, dirtiest desires. When her time is up, she’ll say her safe word and, as outlined in Maid for It’s contract, Gavin will be required to release her.

But Gavin knows what Libby truly needs, and it’s not to be free. She’s made for pleasure—his pleasure—and he intends to put her to good use. Forever.

Overall Thoughts:

Reading this book was such a quick and steamy adventure!

Maid for Pleasure is about a woman named Liberty Beckett who seems to have it all. She has the well-paying job as an insurance adjuster, a beautiful beach side abode, a hot BMW, and a seemingly perfect boyfriend. But all of those physical indulgences mean absolutely nothing because she's unhappy, and she doesn't know why. Then one day, she meets a man named Gavin Huntley through an online dating agency named 'Maid for It', and her entire world has turned upside down. She decides to plunge ahead for once in her life, and not think just feel; she breaks it off with her vanilla boyfriend and flies to Gavin's private island for a two-week vacation from her job and an experiment for the BDSM lifestyle...

What I liked about this book:

This was a purely fun book to read! It's the kind of book you reach for when you're just looking for mindless entertainment, and I mean that in a good way. It's so fast paced and engrossing that it's hard to tear your eyes away for even a split second. 

What I disliked about this book:

I definitely wish it was longer, but I think that's apart of its charm. It's a sexy quick read!

Verdict:

Read it when you want a little fun in your life!

About the Author:

Lucy Rodgers
Lucy Rodgers writes dark erotic tales that explore the three C’s: consent, coercion, and captivity. Her stories always include some combination of forced seduction, questionable consent, lack of safe words, indoctrination, and slavery/ownership. Lucy’s books are intended for mature readers who understand the difference between fantasy and reality and who are looking for erotic literature that explores not just the physical but also the psychological and emotional elements of sexual bondage and domination.

How to connect with Lucy:

Website

Twitter

Email

Purchase Links for Maid for Pleasure:

All Romance eBooks

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Goodreads

Smashwords

Giveaway:

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Blog Tour: Giveaway + Review of Fate's Design by Lola James

A summer vacation in Italy with her twin sister, Morgan, is just what Megan Romano needs. But instead of fun, wine, and relaxation, she finds unexpected romance. Alexandros DiPiero, a sexy and mysterious Italian businessman, falls for Megan the minute he lays eyes on her, but Megan knows it’s too good to be true.

Increasingly haunting dreams that warn of danger and destiny plague Megan’s every sleeping moment. As her nightmares become deadly and her love life heats up, Megan will come face to face with her worst fear.

Overall Thoughts:

This was a simply enjoyable read, nothing too heavy or complicated. It was such an easy read!

Fate's Design is about a young lady named Megan Romano who always seems to pale in comparison to her twin sister, Morgan. She was always labeled as "weird" because of her vision-like dreams. They have been known to predict the future or even recall things of the past. One day, Morgan wins a fashion contest that sends her and her sister packing for a much-needed vacation in Italy. There, Megan runs into a beautiful stranger, who goes by the name of Alexandros DiPiero. He is tall, dark, and handsome... but also too good to be true. Alex not only hides who he is, but also WHAT he is from Megan, until all his lies start to catch up with them both. Can Megan get over the fact that her perfect prince charming may not be completely human, and that he may have planned out exactly how they met for a certain reason...?

What I liked about this book:

This book was super entertaining and easy to get through. Both the plot and the character's personalities were very clear and evident. Also, I really like the cover. It totally goes with the theme of this book.

What I disliked about this book:

There were times when the character's actions didn't really flow well. I would sometimes question why Megan did the things that she did, or felt some of the things she felt so I would've liked to see more explanations in that area.

Verdict:

I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a light, yet passionate read!

Giveaway:

There is also a tour wide grand prize giveaway on the tour site where you can possibly win a heart shaped 'Love' necklace, pink nail polish, and a $25 gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can enter that giveaway by going here: http://thesepaperworldsbt.blogspot.com/

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