Thursday, February 14, 2013

BOOK REVIEW: The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen (The Secret #1)

Publication Date: October 4, 2012
Synopsis (Goodreads):
Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.

Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home. 

Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.

Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes. 
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Review:

The Secret of Ella and Micha is one of those books which didn't give me a hard time from reading it. I just read through the book without even realizing it's almost over.

I love everything about it! I can't help but fall in love with each character. It was fun, hot, sexy and heart-warming.

Ella went through a lot so she decided to change her image and run away from her past. Even when that means leaving the people she cares about. But when she came back to her hometown after 8 months, she reconnects to her past. Will she be able to put up with the mask she's wearing? Or will she go back to being the girl she left behind?

Ella is someone you'll learn to love. You can really understand where she's coming from as the author unravels her story. Micha is your typical bad boy. I love how he can be so real, loyal and sweet. He's got a bad boy vibe but the truth is, he's genuinely a good guy and son. He's so vulnerable in terms of Ella which makes me love him even more. I love how he can be so patient and caring. Ahh...I'm in love!




I have to commend how the author narrated the lives of Ella and Micha, from the past and present without changing the pace of the story. And how can I forget to mention the cover? Hmmm-mmm! 

The Secret of Ella and Micha is a fast-paced read which made me laugh, sad, cry and overwhelmed with emotions. If you're into Contemporary Romance, you most definitely should read this one! 


Rating:


Memorable Quote:


“Just because it's broken doesn't mean it loses its importance. And i figured i'd give it to you one day when you realized it was okay to make mistakes.” 


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First book for

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (#16)



“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: Insomnia (The Night Walkers #1)
Author: J.R. Johansson
Expected Publication: June 8, 2013 
Synopsis:
It’s been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me.

Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he’s had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people’s fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets—and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.

Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia’s eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he’s gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it’s Parker.


Suffering blackouts, Parker begins to wonder if he is turning into someone dangerous. What if the monster stalking Mia is him after all?


Thoughts:
I'm not a big reader on mystery, suspense, thriller kind of book but this book caught my attention. The blurb is interesting and creepy. Even the cover is creepy! Can't wait to read it!

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

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

BOOK REVIEW: Everneath by Brodi Ashton (Everneath #1)

Publication Date: February 2, 2012
Synopsis (Goodreads):
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her friends—before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. 

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she’s forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s...




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Review:


I've been wanting to read the book since it came out but it wasn't available in any bookstore here in our country until recently. So I didn't hesitate to buy it immediately!

One of the reasons why I wanted to read it is because of the plot. I'm not really a fan of mythology and we didn't discuss it when I was still in school but the book is too intriguing I can't keep away from it.

For those who don't know much of mythological stories, like me, don't be scared that you won't understand the book. One thing that I love is that the basis of the story was explained throughout the book so I wasn't confused at all.

When I started reading the book, it's so hard to put the book down! I was instantly hooked that I can't do anything other than reading. There are times when I have no choice but to stop reading and then I start thinking about what's going to happen next and so on. I was too distracted and useless. LOL

Nicole came back from Everneath. She came back for Jack, the love of her life. But will she able to get the life she left behind?

Nicole is one of those main characters that I love and hate. I love her for being true to herself. I hate that she made some bad decisions and because of that, she hurt Jack and other people she loves by abandoning her life. As the story went on, I understood where she came from and why she made those bad decisions. Anyway, we won't have a story if she didn't made those decisions so it's okay. Haha.

Jack is one of the best guy characters I've ever encountered. He's so great I want him to be real. He's such a sweet guy. Nicole left for 6 months and he experienced different difficulties in life but in the end, he still loves Nicole unconditionally. 




On the other hand, there's Cole. He's a badass but with Nic, he's vulnerable and his mask is easily broken. He's one of the examples of unrequited love who you want to hug and pat in the back.



The narration was good, not confusing at all because there are times when you have to look back in the past.

I should say, Everneath is one of the best books of 2012! There may be tiny bit of flaws on the book but I oversaw those because I truly loved and enjoyed the book! I loved everything about it! 

If you haven't read it yet, get a copy now and read it! You won't regret it,really! I can't wait for Everbound!


Rating:

Memorable Quotes:

"Remembering is easy. It's forgetting that's hard."

“Who loses hope first? And who never gives up? Because it’s not the supernatural abilities that set mythical characters apart. It’s the decisions the human characters make, in impossible situations, that have us still talking about them centuries later. Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” 

“You say you hate me, yet, you use me to stop hurting.” 

“If you're gonna leave, I wish you'd just leave. Why do you keep coming back if you're not going to stay? Because even when you're gone, you're never really gone... I won't get over it if you keep coming back. Losing you once was hard enough. And now you're here again and everything's coming back. I'm going to get screwed. And I can't do it again.” 

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Follower Appreciation Giveaway by Sparkles and Lighting



Annabelle of Sparkles and Lightning is hosting a follower appreciation giveaway wherein 3 winners will each get to choose a book from a fabulous list of favorite February releases this year.


So what are you waiting for? Enter now! Here's the link.

Goodluck! :)

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (#15)


“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: Dirty Little Secret
Author: Jennifer Echols
Expected Publication: July 16, 2013 
Publisher: MTV Books
Synopsis:
Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…



Thoughts:
I'm always interested in any book with music in it that's why when I saw the book, I didn't hesitate to add it in my TBR list. I have read Jennifer Echols' Such a Rush and I can't wait to read this!

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

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Evie's Knight GRAND FINALE

GRAND FINALE!!

On tour with Prism Book Tours

Our awesome Tour in images:

We announced the NEW COVER on the Tour Launch:

Original Cover                                   Our Shiny New Cover






1 – Kimberly Krey – Cover Change!


1 – Kelly Fox – Goodreads Review
"The action scene in the end had me on my toes wondering what would happen next."
1 – I Am A Reader, Not A Writer – Clean Romance I
2 – Monique Morgan - All You Need is Love I
3 – Getting Your Read On – Review - Clean Romance II
4 - Christy’s Cozy Corners – Review
6 – Passion and Life – Passionate Peaches Cobbler Recipe & Smokin' Hot Excerpt – English/Spanish
6 - Paulette’s Papers – All You Need is Love II
7 - Bookworm Lisa – Review - Clean Romance III
"This book caught my imagination from the beginning."
7 – Pages of Forbidden Love – Review
8 - Vanessa Morgan – All You Need is Love III
9 - Proud Book Nerd – Review
9 - Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Review/Interview
Watch for Fiona's Fight ~ coming soon ~.
10 - Geo Librarian – Review
"Whoa, baby. What a ride!"
10 - The Literary Forest - Exerpt
11 - InfectedLoser – Excerpt
13 - Welcome to Couch Potato Reader – Review
14 - Letters to the Cosmos – Review
"...the story took on a deeper tone..."
14 – One A Day YA – Drafts Guest Post
14 - Little Miss Bookworm – Review
15 -  Magical Manuscripts – Review/Top Ten things you would do if you could not write!

  1. Cry.  2. Muse story ideas in my head.  3. Cry some more.  4. Listen to characters converse inside my head.  5. Eat illegal amounts of chocolate.  6. Work through plots and scenes for the stories stuck within my head.  7. Throw up the chocolate.  8. Stubbornly search for a way to get the stories onto paper & out of my head.  9. More crying would take place here.  10. Slowly slip into a mind-numbing stupor.

Ultimate Grilled Cheese16 - Musings of a Reader Happy - Excerpt
17 – Proud Book Nerd – Ultimate Grilled Cheese

17 - Books, Books, the Magical Fruit – Interview
17 - Book Sake – Review
"...uber romantic."
18 - Kari’s Crowded Bookshelf – Aromatic Noodles Recipe

20 - A Life Bound by Books – Excerpt I
21 - Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Reviews – Excerpt II
21 - Oh, The Books You’ll Read – Review
22 - A Backwards Story – Excerpt III
22 - Passion and Life – Review – English/Spanish
"This is a perfect clean romance story, with some creepy moments when you will feel chills down over your spine!"
23 - Framed In Words – ART Exerpt
23 - Colorimetry – Random ART thoughts
24 – Unputdownable Books – The Raven-haired Ghost ART
24 - Living a Goddess Life – Crepe Cake Recipe










25 – icultgen – Review, The Raven-haired Ghost ART
25 – Pieces of Whimsy - Review

27 – The Reading Diaries – Review
"a perfect mix of romance and fantasy."
28 – Stressed Rach – Review
28 - Literally Jen – Review
"...modern day fairy tale where the damsel in distress is rescued by her one true love who just happens to have superhuman abilities."
29 – Min Reads and Reviews – Review
29 – Grand Finale, WINNERS drawn

Two original works of art of the Raven-haired Ghost:

  resenha_eviesknight_1
from Anna


From Naj

Kimberly Krey, the awesome author:



Grand Finale Giveaway!!

From January 29 - 31 - Evie's Knight will be available for FREE to download from Amazon.






Super Swag-a-licious Giveaway Winners:


Grand Prize: $50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

2nd Prize: $25 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

3rd Prize: $10 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of Evie's Knight, SoftLips chapstick, recipe cards, E.K. calendar card, postcard of The Storm, and bookmark.

Five more winners will receive an ebook version of Evie’s Knight!

Paperback winners may choose between old cover (shown below) or the new cover, featuring Calvin Knight (shown above).

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced on Colorimetry & Rafflecopter as well as emailed to winners who will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Laura, Burgandy Ice, @ www.burgandyice.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

(Winners will be drawn & notified 1/29 Pacific Time - will also show on Rafflecopter!!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW: Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J.R. Ward




January's Feature: VAMPIRES

MY CHOICE:
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward


Publication Date: September 6, 2005
Synopsis (Goodreads):

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.
 
The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.



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Review:
I haven't read other book that concentrates on vampires since Twilight. Then I saw this reading challenge and I thought it's an opportunity for me read more about the different creatures of paranormal books.

I chose Dark Lover because it's on my list for quite sometime now. I've been hesitating from reading the series because it's a long one and I've been contemplating if I can catch up. Then I saw high ratings other people gave the book so I finally decided to read it.

My first reaction: "WHY DID I WAIT THIS LONG TO START THE SERIES?!"

There's a lot of things to love about the book. I especially love all the characters! I had the tendency to be confused with a book with a lot of characters or guys in this case, but I wasn't. The author gave distinct characteristics about each character that you'll remember them well. They are not just the fighting and all serious types and I always love to see their witty sides. All of the brothers are so intriguing I can't wait to read their stories!

The romance part was predictably fast and steamy. What I love about Wrath and Beth's relationship is that they changed each other for the better especially with Wrath. Wrath learned how to love and be selfless.

There are a bunch of POVs which I think has it's positive and negative sides. The only negative side is that there are a lot and you may be confused at times. But I have to commend the author for pulling it off. I think it's a necessary move for readers to understand the sides of the protagonists and antagonists.

All in all, the story is quite unique and I can't wait to read the sequel! If you haven't started the series yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Rating:

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!


Memorable Quote:

“Some bridges you crossed on your own, no matter who drove you to the edge”