Tuesday, September 25, 2012

So Into You by Cecilia Gray




Book description:
"Modern retelling/based on Sense & Sensibility.

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And they're about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down…

Meet sweet and sensible Ellie who hasn’t met a problem her mom’s yoga mantras can’t fix. But when her parents threaten to pull her from the Academy just as her flirtation with the cutest boy in school heats up, will Ellie be able to keep her cool?"
 
Links to find/buy book:

 
Cecilia Gray
Social Media links:
Twitter: @ceciliabooks
 
 
Review:
 
So Into You is the second book in the "a jane austen academy novel" series. Having been given the privilege to read the first book, Fall For You  and really enjoying it I was eager to quickly jump into So Into You.  Both books were fun quick reads, filled with cute interesting characters. Fans of Jane Austen will enjoy the series as well as readers who haven't read Jane Austen books yet.  The realistic characters and story were well written and my interest was held through out the entire book. So Into You was a fantastic, clean YA read and a great second book to a series that I hope has many more.
 
5 out of 5 stars
 
 
Special Thanks to Cecilia Gray and AToMR Tours for providing an e-book in exchange for an honest review.

AToMR  So Into You  Tour Schedule


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Monday, September 24, 2012

The Wedding Cake Girl by Anne Pfeffer

Photobucket

Purchase Links:


 
Date Published: July 24, 2012
Synopsis:
"Seventeen-year-old Alexandra spends so much time helping others realize their dreams that she never has time for her own. An expert ocean diver and reluctant maker of wedding cakes, she longs to leave roses and frosting behind to study oceanography. Alex’s mother won’t have it—needy and dependent, Mom can’t run the family wedding cake business on her own. No matter what Alex does, things only get worse for her. When she saves a man's life while scuba diving and becomes the local hero, Mom's angry with Alex for going diving at all. Mom discourages Alex's new friendship with Jeremy, a fun and insanely wealthy boy who happens to have a secret. Then, Alex's best friend, Zack, a hunky island guy, starts to take an interest in her as well. The problem is, he's dating another girl.
If she doesn't do something fast, Alex will spend her life making wedding cakes and be buried in her "Sue's Wedding Cakery" apron with a spatula in her hand. The Wedding Cake Girl features a colorful island setting, dangerous underwater diving adventures, a family of billionaires, and lots and lots of buttercream. The book is Alex's journey toward not only finding love, but learning how to step forward and take control of her own life, a rite of passage that faces all young readers."


Review:
I really enjoyed The Wedding Cake Girl. The characters were very realistic and the setting descriptions were written extremely well. I loved the unpredictable plot so much that I had to finish this in one sitting. The Wedding Cake Girl was a wonderful coming of age story filled with swoon-worthy boys! 

4 out of 5 stars



Excerpt:
"Mom stands at the kitchen counter in her pink apron that says "Sue's Wedding Cakery, Santa Margarita Island." She’s experimenting with a new frosting. The kitchen smells like a bank of fresh wild mint growing along a stream.
On my good days, I think of Mom as "The Caked Crusader," whose mission in life is to fill the world with perfect wedding cakes. On my bad days, I think more like my friend Zack who, after we saw the film Titanic, began calling Mom "The Iceberg."
"Why?" I had asked him.
"Because she's in your way."
He didn't have to remind me what happened to the Titanic.



Author Bio:
Anne Pfeffer lives in Los Angeles near a large rotating neon chicken head with her daughter and her dachshund Taco.

Website: www.annepfeffer.com

Twitter: AnnePfeffer1





*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Dancing with Death by Andrea Heltsley



 
 
Blurb via Goodreads:
 
"Murders have plagued the woods in the past, making them a place of fear. Eighteen year old Wendy and her friends become worried when a new string of murders come to their high school. After a horrible car accident, Wendy returns to school, going from wallflower to popular overnight. As the murderer edges closer to Wendy she realizes things are changing. She is afflicted with nightmares that are all too real and she herself is undergoing unnatural changes. Learning the truth about her past, could be the key to saving her future."
 
 
Review:
 
 Dancing with Death was a good read.  The storyline was interesting and my interest was held through out the entire book.  There was a bit too much description in regards to what the main character was doing or wearing than the book needed, but overall I enjoyed the story.  The pace of the book was good and I read it in one sitting.  I recieved an ARC in exchange for an honest review
 
I rate Dancing with Death 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.   Good read.
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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Friday, September 21, 2012

Redemption (Series) by R.K. Ryals




 

Redemption  blurb “The Time has come when He will come looking. She is ready. I have faith in her. She is her father’s daughter. She carries my blood. And I will never forgive myself for feeding her to the wolves.” Bezaliel from Redemption

Dayton Blainey is a foul-mouthed, grief stricken teenager forced to live with a religiously eccentric aunt she barely knows following the death of her parents. Often upstaged by her moral older sister, Amber, Dayton is often flung into the shadows. Little does she know that there is more to her than meets the eye.

When Dayton's Wiccan best friend, Monroe, sees a vision outside Dayton's bedroom window, a catalyst of events is set in motion that will change Dayton's life forever. She is faced with one major question: Who is she?

Dayton and her friends discover the truth behind this question is so much bigger than anyone ever imagined.

Redemption is the story of one young woman who must disentangle herself from a web of lies endangering her soul, and who discovers an attraction to a mysterious stranger that may just kill her."

Review:

I absolutely loved Redemption! The characters were fantasticly written and the story held my interest through out the entire book. The pace of the book at first was a little slow but over all Redemptions' pace was perfect. This had just the right amount of action, suspense and romance.  Redemption was a refreshing read and I highly recommend!

5 out of 5 stars



Ransom blurb:"Vengeance is the path of the Damned. It is not a path taken lightly. For a Naphil, it could mean ransoming his soul.
~Bezaliel~

Dayton Blainey is caught between two worlds: Heaven and Hell. Bound to a Demon she's beginning to care about, she is thrown into an adventure she may not survive.

But she will try.

Separated from her friends, she is forced to use powers she just discovered she had while surviving the wrath of a Demon queen.

She will be tested.

And in the search for a ring that may unbind her from Marcas Craig, Dayton will discover that the bond between an Angel and a Demon goes much deeper than blood.
She will endure."
 
Review:
Thank goodness I had Ransom waiting for me after finishing Redemption! Ransom starts right where Redemption ended and it did not disapoint. I always worry when I find a first book of a series that I enjoy that the second wont be as good as the first. This was not the case with Ransom. This was just as good, if not better! The characters are so well thought of and combine together extremely well. The descriptions are superb and the story was well written. There is a love triangle in the series but it was written in a good way. Wonderful read!
 
5 out of 5 stars
 
 
 
Retribution Blurb: "Love can overcome many odds. And while this emotion is worth many trials and tribulations, it can also lead to death.

~Bezaliel~

It is a love that is forbidden . . .

Dayton Blainey is the only sane Naphil ever to walk the face of the Earth, and she's in love with a Demon she's been bound to by blood.

Can love triumph over fate . . .

Marcas Craig is the Demon son of Lilith and Cain. He has a destiny he has turned his back on for Dayton.

There is only one choice . . .

Kidnapped by Marcas' insane twin brother, Damon, Dayton has become a pawn in Damon's fanatical attempt at securing his own redemption. The Seal is now in the hands of a mad Demon, there is a civil war brewing in Hell, and Dayton and Marcas' love could destroy Earth.

In the end, will love conquer all?"

Review:

Retrubution was fantastic! This was a emotional ending to a absoultely wonderful series, that I really hope has a few "spin offs".  I can easily see the Redemption series become a movie or a t.v. show.  The action and romance written in all three books was superb. The characters were written so realisticly. A wonderful series that I highly recommend.

5 out of 5 Stars


Special Thanks to R.K. Ryals and AToMR Tours for providing all three e-books in exchange for an honest review.



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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Send Me a Sign by Tiffany Schmidt


Blurb via Goodreads-

"Mia is always looking for signs. A sign that she should get serious with her soccer-captain boyfriend. A sign that she’ll get the grades to make it into an Ivy-league school. One sign she didn’t expect to look for was: “Will I survive cancer?” It’s a question her friends would never understand, prompting Mia to keep her illness a secret. The only one who knows is her lifelong best friend, Gyver, who is poised to be so much more. Mia is determined to survive, but when you have so much going your way, there is so much more to lose. From debut author Tiffany Schmidt comes a heart-wrenching and ultimately uplifting story of one girl’s search for signs of life in the face of death."

I absolutely loved Send Me a Sign. I am a superstitious person who highly believes in signs and I loved that Tiffany Schmidt included this in the book. This was an excellent debut and I loved the realistic characters. Send Me a Sign is an excellent take on the teenage perspective of having cancer and how it affects the people around them. Wonderful book, I hope to read more from Tiffany Schmidt!

5 out of 5 stars Highly Recommend!!!

Special Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Eve & Adam by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate


Amazon / Goodreads

Blurb via Goodreads-
"Sixteen-year-old Evening Spiker lives an affluent life in San Francisco with her mother, EmmaRose, a successful geneticist and owner of Spiker Biotech. Sure, Evening misses her father who died mysteriously, but she’s never really questioned it. Much like how she’s never stopped to think how off it is that she’s never been sick. That is, until she’s struck by a car and is exposed to extensive injuries. Injuries that seem to be healing faster than physically possible.

While recuperating in Spiker Biotech’s lush facilities, she meets Solo Plissken, a very attractive, if off-putting boy her age who spent his life at Spiker Biotech. Like Evening, he’s never questioned anything... until now. Solo drops hints to Evening that something isn’t right, and Emma-Rose may be behind it. Evening puts this out of her mind and begins her summer internship project: To simulate the creation of the perfect boy. With the help of Solo, Evening uncovers secrets so big they could change the world completely."


I loved Eve & Adam! Being that I am not a huge dystopian or Sci-fi fan, I was a little nervous going into Eve & Adam at first. After reading the first few chapters my nerves went away and I was instantly hooked. Eve & Adam is an excellent, fact- paced read. The Sci-fi aspects were written extremely well without being too overwhelming, which also made me really enjoy the contemporary feel of the book. The characters were interesting, entertaining and at times humorous. This was a wonderful read that left me wanting more.  I also love the gorgeous cover, it fit perfectly with the book.

5 out of 5 stars!

Special Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Opposite of Hallelujah by Anna Jarzad

Amazon / Goodreads

 Blurb via Goodreads-
"Caro Mitchell considers herself an only child—and she likes it that way. After all, her much older sister, Hannah, left home eight years ago, and Caro barely remembers her. So when Caro’s parents drop the bombshell news that Hannah is returning to live with them, Caro feels as if an interloper is crashing her family. To her, Hannah’s a total stranger, someone who haunts their home with her meek and withdrawn presence, and who refuses to talk about her life and why she went away. Caro can’t understand why her parents cut her sister so much slack, and why they’re not pushing for answers.

Unable to understand Hannah, Caro resorts to telling lies about her mysterious reappearance. But when those lies alienate Caro’s new boyfriend and put her on the outs with her friends and her parents, she seeks solace from an unexpected source. And when she unearths a clue about Hannah’s past—one that could save Hannah from the dark secret that possesses her—Caro begins to see her sister in a whole new light."


I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was slightly concerned that the religious aspect would be overwhelming or "preachy" but it wasn't. The Opposite of Hallelujah is focuses on family relationships and their struggles. Caro isn't a very likeable character at first, but that made the book more interesting. I thought this was a wonderful story and well thought of. The only thing that bugged me was that we never found out what was written in a certain letter.... I wont go into details about what I mean by that thought :)

Great read, recommend to YA and older.   4 out of 5 stars

Special Thanks to Random House Children's Books, Delacorte BFYR and NetGalley for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Monday, September 17, 2012

COVER REVEAL :Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter by Nikki Jefford

 
I am extremely excited and happy to announce the cover reveal for Aurora Sky, Vampire Hunter by the fabulous Nikki Jefford!!
 
Blurb via Goodreads:
 
"HER BLOOD IS TOXIC TO VAMPIRES.

If there is one thing eighteen-year-old Aurora Sky wants, it’s to get off the iceberg she calls home. Being kissed before she graduates wouldn’t hurt either.

Then a near-fatal car wreck changes everything. Secret agents step in and save Aurora’s life in exchange for her services as a vampire hunter. In Alaska.

Basically she’s a glorified chew toy. All thanks to her rare blood type, which sends a vampire into temporary paralysis right before she has to finish the job… by hand.

Aurora is alienating friends at school while attracting attention from the last person she wants noticing her – the dark prince of temptation himself: Fane Donado. And that can’t lead to anything good."

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Planet of the Lawn Gnomes by R.L. Stine




Amazon / Goodreads


Blurb Via Goodreads-

"Catch the most wanted Goosebumps characters--undead or alive...

The infamous, Most Wanted Goosebumps characters are out on the loose and they're coming after you! There is no place to hide. Nothing is safe!

Jay Gardner is a mischievous kid who can't stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, Jay gets in so much trouble, his family is forced to move. The new neighborhood offers Jay a chance at a fresh start. But there's something odd about Jay's new town. Why does everyone have lawn gnomes in front of their homes? And why is everyone afraid to go outside at night? The lawn gnomes don't come to life at night-do they? Jay is about to learn that mischief can quickly turn to horror"



Okay I have to admit right away that I was a huge R.L. Stine Fear Street fan back in the day...we're talking like oh um 19ish years ago. Now that I think of it, R.L. Stine's books could be the reason why I still read YA books. I aslo happen to be a huge fan of garden gnomes, I just love them! So, when I saw this on Netgalley, I just had to check it out. R.L. Stine still does not dissapoint. I loved the story, it was interesting yet silly and creepy at the same time. This was a quick read and its ending was very very good! (no spoilers) :)     Although the Lawn Gnomes were creepy in the book, and if the scenario happen to me in real life, I would be pretty freaked out. I still love my gnomes.

Great read. R.L. Stine is an amazing children's author. This was a perfect, forget all your troubles, read something fun book.

5 out of 5 stars

Special Thanks to Scholastic Inc. and NetGalley for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review

Friday, September 14, 2012

Dreamwalker by Andrea Heltsley




Buy here on Amazon 
Buy here on Barnes and Noble 
Buy here on CreateSpace


Blurb via Goodreads-
"Noel Kennedy lost her boyfriend, her job and her dignity all in one week. Then something happened and she began to dream of this stranger she had never met. She couldn’t resist the man of her dreams named Jared especially when she met him in real life. Entranced, she slowly unraveled a world she was meant to stay out of. Her life was not what she thought it was once a sexy Boone stepped into the mix and shook things up. Can she escape a life of servitude or immortality for a chance at love?"



Review:
I really enjoyed Dreamwalker! The story was unique, held my interest, and had the perfect blend of paranormal romance, action, and mythology. The characters were likable (well, after Noel finally gets over her boyfriend) and the book was written well. Dreamwalker was a fun, fast paced read and I can't wait to read book 2!

4 out of 5 stars

Special Thanks to Andrea Heltsley and AToMR Tours for providing an e-book in exchange for an honest review.







About the Author: Andrea Heltsley

I am a biology nerd who decided it was more fun writing than dissecting. I have written two novels and my third will be out this summer. I live on coffee and read like a robot. My husband and two Italian greyhounds usually have to tear me away from the computer...imagine that. :)

Social Media links:
http://andreaheltsley.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/andreaheltsley
http://www.facebook.com/AndreaHeltsley
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5766043.Andrea_Heltsley



Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Skinny by Donna Cooner

Amazon / Goodreads

Blurb via Goodreads-
"Find your voice.

Hopeless. Freak. Elephant. Pitiful. These are the words of Skinny, the vicious voice that lives inside fifteen-year-old Ever Davies’s head. Skinny tells Ever all the dark thoughts her classmates have about her. Ever knows she weighs over three hundred pounds, knows she’ll probably never be loved, and Skinny makes sure she never forgets it.

But there is another voice: Ever’s singing voice, which is beautiful but has been silenced by Skinny. Partly in the hopes of trying out for the school musical—and partly to try and save her own life—Ever decides to undergo a risky surgery that may help her lose weight and start over.

With the support of her best friend, Ever begins the uphill battle toward change. But demons, she finds, are not so easy to shake, not even as she sheds pounds. Because Skinny is still around. And Ever will have to confront that voice before she can truly find her own".


Ok first I have to point out that the cover does not do this book justice. Without a doubt the cover model should be a "real" girl, not some gorgeous model who won the genetics lottery. This is an arc so hopefully that will change by the time it gets published.

anyhoo... I LOVED this book!!! I completely related to Ever (i love that name btw) I think a lot of people big or small can relate to that certain voice in your head.   Being that Ever was only fifteen, I think she should have tried other methods first, before going straight to surgery. But, being overweight my entire life, I completely understand.  I had the same problems Ever had, nervous that I wouldn't fit into any of my school desks, constantly made fun of..etc... Skinny was wonderfully written and definitely became a new favorite.

Highly Recommend to anyone.  5 out of 5 stars.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Last Wish Of Summer by Phllip Overton

Photobucket

Links to Buy (currently paperback only)
 
 
Young Adult Contemporary
Title:Last Wish of Summer
Author: Phillip Overton
Date Published: 1/18/12
Synopsis:
 
 Synopsis:
"As the sun prepares to rise on the last day of summer, three friends find themselves totally unprepared for the events that are about to take place around them. For Tanya it is a chance to find peace three years after losing her parents in an auto accident. Deciding she simply can’t continue blaming God for her loss, she places a heartfelt poem in a bottle and throws it into the sea on the eve of her birthday, granting her birthday wish to whoever finds it.
Early the next morning, her best friend Anton and his buddy Johnno find the bottle washed up on the shore and set about putting it to the test. When Johnno falls for the new waitress at the café where Tanya works, it stirs up feelings of jealousy in Tanya. Surely Johnno couldn’t be the man that God had in mind for her? Suddenly, strange wishes are beginning to come true, but is it all a coincidence? Or is God about to change people’s lives for the better?
Welcome to Kings Beach, where the forecast for the last day of summer promises to be hot,hot, hot, with a definite change in the air."
 
Review:
 Last Wish of Summer was a great coming of age book. While I'm not very religious, I found the religious themes in the book to be light and not too over powering.  The characters were wonderful, while there was suffering of loss there was also humorous fun moments. Last Wish of Summer was a wonderful book about growth, told a great message, and was a fun read.

4 out of 5 stars
 
 
 
 
Author Bio
"Phillip Overton’s writing has been compared to none other than Nicholas Sparks(http://www.readerviews.com/ReviewOvertonAWalkBeforeSunrise.html), and his latest novel Last Wish of Summer offers readers the perfect book to spend a summer’s day reading at the beach. In a book that reminds us to be careful what we wish for, it manages to weave the
wholesome, virginal qualities of the main character Tanya with her band of misfit friends in their pursuit of being able to reason why a washed up message in a bottle is somehow
granting their every wish come true. Often in a manner that is both coincidental and strangely bizarre.
 
Just as a movie adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel will appeal to people of all ages, so too
will this story that follows the adventures of a group of twenty-something’s on the last day of summer. The book not only manages to cut through any pre-conceived ideas we hold on morals, body-image and social status, but delights in helping us discover what may already be right under our nose to begin with."

 
 
Twitter: @phillipoverton
 
 
Excerpt:
"“No way dude!” Anton whistled. “It worked, it actually worked.”

“What worked?” Tanya asked him sternly. “What’s going on with you two this morning? You haven’t been acting yourselves from the minute you walked in here.”

“It’s just that Johnno ordered the raisin toast,” Anton said matter-of-factly.

“I’m sorry,” Tanya apologized. “I must have grabbed the wrong order from the kitchen. My head was a million miles away. I can go and find out what happened to your order if you like. Otherwise you’re welcome to have this for no charge.”

“No it’s fine,” Johnno reassured her as he sat back down, “the eggs are fine.”

“Anton, what’s really going on here?” Tanya pulled up a chair and sat down opposite the two boys. “I’m not leaving until you explain to me why you are both acting so weird.”

Johnno looked nervously across at Anton who then nodded his head silently and pulled out the letter for Tanya to see.

“We found this on the beach this morning,” Anton said quietly. “Apparently we’ve been granted the power to wish for whatever we like.”

“It’s true,” Johnno spoke up. “I wished for sausages and scrambled eggs and it came true.”

Tanya’s face went pale with shock as she first recognized the letter, and then the opened bottle in the middle of the table. The same bottle she had decorated with all the different shades of nail polish she possessed in her collection. The letter written on the pages she had torn from her diary and poured her heart onto. She had hoped that today was going to be more than just the beginning of another day, and here they were making fun of her.

“Hey you read the letter, what did it say?” Kim asked as she too pulled up a chair and joined the other three at the table.

“It was a poem,” Johnno said. Once more he seemed intoxicated by the very presence of the sultry waitress.

“Ooh a poem. Is it romantic?” She asked, moving in closer to Johnno who now held the letter for her to see.

“She knows about it too?” Tanya asked. A look of embarrassment spread quickly across her face that luckily wasn’t noticed by any of the other three.

“You should read it Tanya,” Anton said excitedly from across the table. “We we’re going to show you once we’d finished reading it. But you are not going to believe how deep this girl’s thoughts are. You can tell simply by the way the words float off the page. Honestly you’ll have to read it for yourself. It’s beautiful.”

“I can imagine,” she fumed quietly.

Tanya watched the three as they fussed over the letter. Fascinated at the same time by the apparent chemistry that had sprung from virtually nowhere between Johnno and the new waitress. Only then did it occur to her. No-one suspected it was her. In their own naive eagerness to embrace the idea of the letter actually being magical, they had all failed to recognize that the person responsible for writing it was sitting at the same table. She quickly hid her fingernails from view beneath the table. The others had failed to notice that they were painted in the same beautiful shade of turquoise that matched the love heart she had painted on the letter.

She smiled secretly at the thought of their childish excitement. Surely it was just a simple mistake on her behalf when bringing Johnno his breakfast that now had them convinced that the letter was going to make all their wishes come true. Or was it in fact a strange coincidence that they had tested their theory by wishing for scrambled eggs. Surely she couldn’t have created magic. Surely this was all a coincidence.

Either way, she was going to have a little fun with them! "


 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*





Friday, September 7, 2012

Breaking Lauren by Jordan Deen


Book description:

"Seventeen-year-old Danny Cummings' life is far from a fairytale, but that's okay since he doesn't believe in happy endings. After spending a year in juvenile hall for maliciously beating his sister's boyfriend, Danny embraces his badass image. Spending most nights drinking, fighting and collecting gambling debts for his Uncle, Danny's life is out of control. His addiction to the bad boy lifestyle won't let him do anything about it, even with his family begging him to go straight. But, when fifteen-year-old Lauren McIntosh stumbles into one of his nightly escapades, the self-proclaimed anti-romantic can't concentrate on anything except Lauren and the fact that she's on the same path his sister was on. Danny knows true love happening for the villain is as common as gamblers paying their debt on time, but he's never backed away from a challenge before and he hates the idea that history will repeat itself.

Growing old with the man she loves—in the small town where she was born—is the only dream Lauren McIntosh has ever had; that is until her family is practically run out of town amidst rumors of arson and adultery. So, when she meets Danny at her new school and hears the rumors about his activities from her new friends, she wants nothing to do with him or the gossip that seems to follow Danny everywhere. After a dangerous and ill-fated attempt at sneaking out, she develops unwelcomed feelings for Danny that he seems to reciprocate. But, Danny’s unrelenting pursuit makes Lauren nervous, especially since he's the only one that wants to know the secrets surrounding her family’s move. Lauren can't tell if Danny's intentions are true or if he has other plans for their newfound and unlikely friendship. The only way to figure out is to let him in and that could destroy everything, including the popularity and social acceptance she desperately seeks."


I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) for this tour, not a finished book.

Review:

I really enjoyed Breaking Lauren, I was instantly hooked and couldn't put it down. The characters were realistic and the story was a roller coaster of emotions and drama. Breaking Lauren was told in 2 POV's Danny and Lauren, and I'm glad Jordan Deen wrote it that way.  I absolutely loved Danny, he made the book all the more interesting and I can't wait to read more about him.

4 out of 5 stars



Twitter: @Jordan_Deen, https://twitter.com/Jordan_Deen
 
 
 
 
 
Special Thanks to Jordan Deen and AToMR Tours for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
 
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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Dissolve by Andrea Heltsley



Book description:
"Everything seemed to be going right for Cora. She had a wonderful fiance, a great best friend and a fulfilling life. One day, a tragic event caused that life to crumble around her. She turned to her best friend in her time of need. They embarked on a search for answers, delving deeper into a web of magic and destruction. The closer they got to the truth, the more questions they had. To Cora, magic was the stuff of fairy tales. Immersed into a very different kind of world, the real storm was just beginning to take hold.
“It felt like I was nowhere yet everywhere all at once. I was invisible and completely panicked. The millions of pieces I had dissolved to drift on the breeze and away from my nightmares. It was kind of like floating weightless in a pool, perfectly relaxing. The warm breeze from the window embraced and soothed me. I let the air current carry me as far as it could through the summer city.”
“Defeated, I closed my eyes and took a few calming breaths trying to relax myself. I pictured the dandelion in the park today and took a deep breath as to blow the fluffy seeds in all directions. I pretended I was light and fluffy and started to feel a tingling in my body. I began to feel as light as the dandelion seeds and soon I felt like mist floating. This time, I tried to keep myself in the room, swirling in a humid block.”


Review:
I enjoyed Dissolve, the concept was interesting and unique. The story was well written and most of Dissolve was at good fast pace. The characters were good but I needed just a bit more development, I wanted to learn more about them. There was a great mystery aspect to Dissolve, however the mystery isn't solved, meaning Dissolve ends in a cliff hanger! I'm not a fan of cliff hangers but I enjoyed Dissolve enough to continue reading the next book, Detour, which will be published next year.

4 out of 5 stars




Andrea Heltsley
Social Media links:
 
@andreaheltsley
 
 
 
 
Links to find/buy Dissolve
 

AToMR Dissolve Tour Schedule


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Special Thanks to Andrea Heltsley and AToMR Tours for providing an e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Butter by Erin Jade Lange

Amazon / Goodreads

Blurb via Goodreads-
"A lonely obese boy everyone calls "Butter" is about to make history. He is going to eat himself to death—live on the Internet—and everyone is invited to watch. When he first makes the announcement online to his classmates, Butter expects pity, insults, and possibly sheer indifference. What he gets are morbid cheerleaders rallying around his deadly plan. Yet as their dark encouragement grows, it begins to feel a lot like popularity. And that feels good. But what happens when Butter reaches his suicide deadline? Can he live with the fallout if he doesn’t go through with his plans? With a deft hand, E.J. Lange allows readers to identify with both the bullies and the bullied in this all-consuming look at one teen’s battle with himself"

Butter was honestly really hard for me to read and review. Having weight issues my entire life...ok, wait..that was the "nice" way of wording it.let me start over..Being obese my entire life, I without a doubt can relate to Butter. No, I never decided to eat myself to death. But I was bullied constantly and to this day I still get horrible looks.  For those ignorant individuals who mock..verbally abuse..etc, you have no right to judge unless you've walked in their shoes. I certainly didn't get to choose they way I look, in fact I'm not even an over eater. Ive never been an over eater, I eat less than a lot of "normal" sized people I know, including my husband. He's often finishes my food.

anyhoo..back to the book. 

 Butter was original and honest. The writing was realistic and well thought of. It had a good mix of humorous, dark, and heartbreaking moments. Butter is a powerful read that I highly recommend.

An absolutely superb read. 5 out of 5 stars


Special Thanks to Bloomsbury Children's Books and Netgalley for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Every Day by David Levithan

Amazon / Goodreads

Blurb via Goodreads-

"Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.

Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

With his new novel, David Levithan has pushed himself to new creative heights. He has written a captivating story that will fascinate readers as they begin to comprehend the complexities of life and love in A’s world, as A and Rhiannon seek to discover if you can truly love someone who is destined to change every day."


Review:

I absolutely LOVED this book!! Every Day was intriguing, original, unique, and beautiful. I was instantly drawn in from page one and I literally could not put it down.  While there is a certain aspect of the story left untold and the fact that there was an instant romance, I could understand why some readers would rate Every Day a little lower. However, the story itself just totally amazed me. This was such a beautifully written book and It will stick with me for a long time.  The ending in my opinion was perfect and I definitely needed tissues.  Every Day has made it to my top favorite books of all time and I without a doubt will be reading more from David Levithan.

5 out of 5 stars!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Special Thanks to David Levithan, Random House Children's Books, and NetGalley for providing this amazing e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

On the road to GB surgery.. part 3

For those of you who haven't read my first two posts I have decided to change my life for the better by getting gastric bypass surgery.  My insurance and the surgeon said that I have to try to lose 70lbs in 3 months, I am currently on month 2 (yaaay!) I haven't posted an update in awhile so I thought Id do so now.

So on August 24th I had my first month check up with the physicians assistant. They were quite impressed that I lost 21 lbs!!!  Yep that's right, in ONE month I lost 21 pounds. I honestly never thought I would be able to lose so much weight so fast, but when I want something bad enough I go for it. All I did was follow the dietitian "rules" and exercised almost every day.  So, during the first month check up I was hoping that they would be happy enough with my progress to actually get the surgery scheduled...but no. I was basically told to keep doing what Ive been doing and it will "most likely" be scheduled in November.  I'm really really really trying to be patient, I just want it all over with.   The PA did ask me about my menstrual cycle and after explaining that it pretty much doesnt exist she prescribed me a diabetic medicine called Metformin. She said that although I'm not diabetic the medicine will help my blood sugar, help with the weight loss, and help me ovulate. She also gave me a sturn warning about using birth control from now on because I could easily become pregnant with just a little weight loss and taking the metformin. The fact that I could easily get pregnant astonishes me, I never thought Id ever be able to and a very little part of me wants to see if she is right. But I cant blow my chance at getting this surgery. I cant put it off any longer, and although I'm doing great losing weight by myself, I know that I can not do it on my own.   The pregnant factor can wait a year.

So that weekend after my first month check up something weird happened. I got really really sick. I was in bed all day slept for over 14 hours straight. I didn't have any energy to exercise or even really eat. My husband quickly blamed the Metformin and the PA.  He told me to stop taking them and that this whole surgery/diet stuff is crazy. See, he's ok with the weight loss but he doesn't want me to have the surgery. He says I just need lose weight the healthy way.  He just doesn't understand what I'm going through, what Ive been going through my entire life. I know he's just worried and he doesn't want to see me suffer and he just wants me to be healthy. But, he is always trying to find every negative aspect about this. So, sickly me called my mom in for some much needed support.(she always makes me feel better) I explained to her what was happening and after some talking she thought "Hey wait, maybe you have the low carb flu"  For the month of August I went serious low carb and I was feeling great, I had so much energy. So I googled low carb flu and I'm about 90% sure that my mom was right.  Unfortunately low carb flu can last a while but I'm trying to get back on track. Ive been in a bit of a funk all week and haven't exercised as much as the past few weeks. On the bright side, the Metformin makes me feel full all day, infact I have been having to remind myself to eat a little something or I'll completely forget. AND I officially lost 27lbs last Tuesday. But, I had a crazy craving all of the sudden for some homemade nachos...and well you know... I wont be able to eat like this in a few months so I indulged. It was Deeelicious! So I might have gained a few back...time to go for a walk!  oh and Rock Lobster by the B52's is a great workout song!