Waiting on Wednesday (#35)

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train #2)

Author: Katie Ashley

Expected Publication: October 17, 2013

Synopsis:

After years of bad relationships and a cheating ex-fiancé, twenty-eight-year-old Mia Martinelli prefers healing her patients’ hearts on the Cardiac Care floor rather than risking having her heart broken again. But that all comes to a screeching halt when caring for the head roadie for Runaway Train puts her into the orbit of drummer and Latin Lover, AJ Resendiz. After a scorching weekend of steamy passion, Mia’s intention of getting out with her heart unscathed is challenged by the stud with the wicked sense of humor, especially when he wants to continue seeing her. But when the harsh reality of AJ’s hoard of female admirers sends her insecurities into overdrive, Mia bails, leaving him handcuffed to his bathroom shower. 

AJ never imagined that after two weeks of the best sex and female companionship he’d ever experienced, he would need rescued by his band mates from his shower prison. Although he tries to forget the sensual brunette whose curves made his mouth water, AJ can’t get her out of his mind…or his heart. Months later when he finally seeks Mia for answers as to why she left, nothing could prepare him for their life-altering reunion. 

Can AJ prove to Mia that regardless of the women after his body, his heart belongs only to her?

Thoughts:

I really like AJ in the first book so I can't wait to read his story!

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

BOOK REVIEW: Avow by Chelsea Fine (The Archers of Avalon #3)

Publication Date: December 11, 2012

Synopsis:

Scarlet remembers. Everything. Her past lives, Tristan, Gabriel, Nate: she remembers it all--including how to get to the Fountain of Youth. But time is running out. 

Heather and Gabriel have been kidnapped by Raven, while the curse that has plagued Scarlet and Tristan for centuries has shifted, putting the star-crossed lovers in more danger than ever before. Water from the Fountain of Youth is the only thing that can save Scarlet and her loved ones. But the water comes at a price.

With lives--and hearts--at stake, Scarlet leads her friends on a dangerous journey to the Fountain of Youth. Where eternal life is possible, but death is certain.

______________________________

Review:

Avow is the last installment of the series. The second book ended with Scarlet regaining her memories and learning that Raven is still much alive. Scarlet’s friend, Heather and Gabriel were both held captive by Raven.

Having her memories back, Scarlet realizes where the fountain of youth is. She remembers how to end the madness, cure herself and Tristan. But another thing happens between them. Their roles exchange. Scarlet now feels Tristan and having Scarlet too close to Tristan may be the reason for him to die.

The book answered all the questions I had in the first two books. There were flashbacks from the past from the time Scarlet died and how she turned up alive over and over. The book showed how Tristan struggled because of Scarlet’s death and how he changed throughout the years of heartache.

His twin brother, Gabriel, was cursed to never love any other girl other than Scarlet. With that, girls never loved him and he never felt alive. That changes everytime Scarlet comes to life.

Nate is another important character of this series. He is Raven’s cousin but they aren’t alike. He’s such a good friend to the brothers and Scarlet. He helped his friends go through the phase of having Scarlet back and watching her die. He dedicated his life to find the cure and the fountain of youth.

Heather is also one of the supporting characters. I like her quirkiness. It’s fun having a not so serious character which made me like this book more.

This book particularly had shown a lot of heartache. It has gotten me emotional and I really felt Tristan and Scarlet’s feelings. I’m glad it ended well. Great series!

Rating:

Memorable Quotes:

“I’d really love to explain myself, but honestly, you came up out of nowhere and I haven’t had time to put together a good lie.” 

“Is it okay if I love you forever? Even if forever is only for a lifetime?” 

Waiting on Wednesday (#34)

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: Gabriel's Redemption (Gabriel's Inferno #3)

Author: Sylvain Reynard

Expected Publication: December 3, 2013

Synopsis:

Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he’s confident that they can face any challenge. And he’s eager to become a father.

But Julianne’s graduate program threatens Gabriel’s plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront her about the subject of her presentation – research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel’s darkest secrets.

In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family.

Thoughts:

I've read the first two books and so far I liked both books. The author used a unique way of showing how love can flourish with both characters having difficult pasts. 

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

BOOK REVIEW: Firelight by Sophie Jordan (Firelight #1)

Publication Date: September 7, 2010

Synopsis:

A hidden truth. 

Mortal enemies. 

Doomed love.

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki, a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away;if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

______________________________

Review:

This is the first time that I read anything about dragons. This book has been in my TBR list for quite some time now and I didn’t even know that it’s about dragons.

I didn’t know what to expect from this so I was so eager to read it. I love its unique story and how I became so into it.

I really felt for Jacinda’s family. I understand her, her sister Tamra and her mother. I understand where all of them are coming from. Jacinda’s mom is very protective of her family. Since her husband died, she became strong for her two daughters. She will do anything just to protect them, even if it’s from their Pride.

Tamra, Jacinda’s sister hasn’t manifested or shifted into a drakir and because of that, she was neglected by their Pride. She was abandoned like she was sick of something contagious. She was left hurt of how she was treated.

Unlike Tamra, Jacinda has manifested into a kind of drakir that has never happened in thousands of years. She’s a fire drakir. Because of that, she was looked up to and was well treated. But not all good things come out of it. Her destiny has already been written for her. A lot was expected from her and one of them is to be with Cassian, the Prince of the Pride and who will soon be the ruler.

Jacinda is expected to behave in a way acceptable. So when she ignores the rules, she finds herself in a very bad situation. So her mom decided that all of them should leave the Pride.

If there are drakirs, there are also hunters. And Will is one of them. This part of the story, I expected. Jacinda and Will are drawn to each other. The thing happened between them was like love at first sight. They can’t help themselves but be in each other’s arms. So when secrets unveiled, both have accepted their fate. A hunter falls in love with his prey and vice versa.

I love the unique plot and the action brought by the book. The characters and supporting characters are lovely although not all of them. We have these infuriating characters that I wish Jacinda would blow fire in their faces. Sorry, I’ve gotten too emotional in there. The thing I somewhat don’t like is how the scene shifts from one to another. Other than that, I liked everything about the book.

Rating:

Memorable Quotes:

“Why do you care? I've ignored you for days."

His smile fades. He looks serious, mockingly so. "Yeah. You got to stop that.” 

“What good is safety if you're dead inside?” 

Waiting on Wednesday (#33)

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: Wild Cards (Wild Cards #1)

Author: Simone Elkeles

Expected Publication: October 1, 2013

Synopsis:
After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

Thoughts:

The only book I've read of Simone Elkeles is Perfect Chemistry and I loved it! Hopefully this one's good too!

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.

BOOK REVIEW: Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker

Publication Date: February 12, 2013
Synopsis:

Four years after losing her parents, best friend, and boyfriend in a drunk driving accident, twenty-year-old Kacey Cleary runs away to begin a new life in Miami. Hardened by the tragedy, she's determined to keep everyone at a distance—until she meets an irresistible and mysterious neighbor who is determined to melt the ice over her heart.

______________________________

Review:

This is a book about a broken soul named Kasey who experienced a tragic accident involving his parents, bestfriend and boyfriend. It’s been four years since the accident but she’s still suffering every night because of her nightmares. She travels with her sister to Miami to start anew. There, they meet Storm, their neighbor who’s a bartender with her cute daughter Mia. She also meets another neighbor who makes her heart flutter. Trent.

I know that I’m a sucker for this kind of story. I like to torture myself in reading books with characters that have painful pasts. And everytime, I can’t help but empathize with them. I liked that this is a fast- paced, easy to read book. And I love all of the characters.

Kasey is such a stubborn gal. I can understand her tough persona because of her shattered past. But with the tough shell she has, inside, she can be soft and loving. She’s protective of her sister and she thinks more for her sister rather than herself.

Livie, Kasey’s sister whose five years younger is the kinder and more mature one. She likes taking care of people and she’s smart.

Trent is a mystery to me since he came out. I like the mysterious vibe his character reflects. His relationship with Kasey has been awkward since the first time they had a conversation. It was fun to read how their relationship turned out.

This book also has its twist but I honestly figured it all out even before it was revealed. Anyway, I still like the effort to make this book more interesting.

All in all, I had fun with it so give this a try! 

Rating:

Memorable Quotes:

"Isn't it exhausting?"
"What?"
"Keeping people out." 

“Out past isn't who we are. I'm me and you're you and that's who we need to be.”

“No human can bury their past indefinitely. It’s only a matter of time before you crack.”

Waiting on Wednesday (#32)

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is:

Title: The Longest Ride

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Expected Publication: September 24, 2013

Synopsis:
Ira Levinson is in trouble. At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together – how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can’t possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local rodeo, a Wake Forest College senior’s life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death – loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he’s keeping doesn’t destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart.

Thoughts:

I'm a big fan of Nicholas Sparks through my sister's influence. I read almost all of his books and I loved them all. Although I admit there are similar concept of sadness and tragedy, I still liked how every story was told. So I can't wait to read this book!

How about you? What's your Waiting on Wednesday? Link me.