May 21 2013

Review – The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller

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TITLE: The Summer I Became a Nerd

AUTHOR: Leah Rae Miller

GENRE: YA Contemporary Romance

PUBLISHED: 7th May 2013 by Entangled Teen

SOURCE: Review copy provided by publisher

Find The Summer I Became a Nerd on Amazon UK || Amazon US || Barnes & Noble

On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl’s body isn’t just unknown, it’s anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.

I’m going to start my review by talking about the cover. I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned a cover in a review before but I just LOVE this one. I don’t really know what it is about it that I love but I do. It might be the bright colours on it, it might be the quirky font, hell it might even be the killer legs on it (I WISH I had those legs!) I just really like it. It’s different, and that fits the story. because Madelyne is different.

Madelyne is a nerd. Only no-one knows that and no-one can EVER know that. Madelyne has worked too hard to hide her true nerd self, after a traumatic nerd shaming experience, to let it be exposed. But then there’s a disaster of epic proportions when the final issue of her favourite comic is delayed. Maddie has to go to the local comic book store to get her fix, and the fun starts from there!

I absolutely loved this story! I will hold my hands up and admit that lots of the comic book references and in-jokes, that I’ve read about since finishing, went over my head, but that didn’t stop my enjoyment of this book. It was fun, cute, geeky, quirky and perfect, and I loved the overall message of the book

“Be true to yourself and others will be true to you, too”

Madelyne learned a valuable lesson as the story went on. She was faced with two choices – she could either continue to hide who she was or she could show her true self and possibly find happiness with someone who liked her for exactly who she was - a nerd.

I liked Maddie a lot. I liked how she was “normal”. What 17 year old girl isn’t obsessed with how people see her and what they think of her? I thought her going backwards and forwards with her feelings was normal too – did she really want to out herself and suffer what she thought would be the consequences?

I love, love, LOVED Logan! What a sweet guy! How many other guys would go help a girl out and pick her up when she calls out of the blue like that? One who hasn’t even been able to tell him who she really is by this point.

So, yeah, I can definitely say I would recommend The Summer I Became a Nerd. In fact, I already HAVE recommended it to a LOT of people! As sweet and cute as it was I didn’t expect to have a book hangover after finishing it, but I did. It took me another week to find a book I wanted to stick with after TSiBaN. That’s definitely the sign of a good book for me Go read it!

May 19 2013

Stacking The Shelves – 19 May

Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga’s Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual.

This means you can include books you buy in bookstores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and ebooks!

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Here’s my haul for this past week …

FOR REVIEW

Dangerous to Know and Love by Jane Harvey-Berrick - courtesy of JHB’s publicist, Lisa

Unbreak Me by Lexi Ryan - courtesy of the author via AToMR

Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend - courtesy of Harlequin UK via Net Galley

I also got an ARC of Shattered by C.C. Brown but there isn’t a cover at the moment,
look out for the reveal on Friday 24th May.

BOUGHT – KINDLE

Until I Break by M. Leighton - this book is being pulled from publication tomorrow so if you want it but haven’t got it you’d best do it now!

Ever Enough by Stacy Borel - I got this to read as part of Gitte and Jenny’s read along over at Totally Booked but I haven’t got around to starting it yet. Whoops!

Love Me by Diane Alberts

FREE KINDLE DOWNLOADS

Chasing Beautiful by Pamela Ann

Geoducks are for Lovers by Daisy Prescott

Translation of Love by Alice Montalvo-Tribue

GIFTED TO ME

Arouse by Nina Lane - from my friend Beth

A Different Blue by Amy Harmon - from my friend Fred

Signed hardback copy of The Last Hour by Charles Sheehan-Miles - from Charles himself.
If you haven’t read this book yet then you’re missing out.

I love my reader and author friends SO MUCH! Thank you to Beth, Fred and Charles for their generosity

WON – KINDLE

Unbeautifully by Madeline Sheehan - from the girls at Talk Supe. Thank you!

And that’s my haul this week!

Have you read any of them?

Which one should I get around to first?

What’s in your haul this week?

Be sure to leave me a link so I can come and see. I love finding new books to add to my TBR!

May 16 2013

Spotlight – Four Summers by Nyrae Dawn

I am a HUGE Nyrae Dawn fan and have been since I discovered indie books.
What a Boy Wants was actually the VERY FIRST indie book I read around this time last year.
I loved it and I wanted more, both from Nyrae, and the indie book world.

I have read a lot of Nyrae’s other books over the course of the last year and loved them all
so I am super excited to get to read her latest book, Four Summers.

Just take a look at this …

… that makes me want to read it before I even know anything else about it!

Have a look at the cover and blurb and see what you think …

A moment can change everything…

Charlotte Gates is tired of being Charlie Rae. She loves the lake she was raised on, their rental cabins, and spending her nights under the stars…but inside she yearns for more.

After his freshman year, Nathaniel Chase’s family spends their first summer at The Village. From the beginning Charlotte intrigues him. She’s the girl who always says what’s on her mind, wins at night games, and each time she looks through her telescope, gets lost in the sky.

Over the course of four summers together, Charlotte and Nathaniel become best friends, share firsts, mend broken hearts, protect each other’s secrets, overcome tragedies…fall in love. And say goodbye…

Charlie wants out of The Village. Nate wants her to have her stars. And they dream of being able to do it all together. But life isn’t as easy as their summers.

Each summer is told in alternating points of view between Charlie and Nate. Journey with the pair, and their friends, as they share their story about growing up, discovering who they are, making tough choices, and falling in love again and again.

Find Four Summers on Amazon UK || Amazon US || Barnes & Noble

May 16 2013

Cover Reveal – Keep Me Safe by Elaine Breson

Title: Keep Me Safe

Author: Elaine Breson

Age Group: Adult

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Expected Release Date: July/August 2013

Cover Designed By: Wicked by Design

Sadie is thriving in her new life and taking every moment to enjoy her new freedom. After a failed marriage that changed everything she knew to be true, she gets the courage to start over on her own. Sadie’s world quickly changes from her new normal when one night she gets pulled over by the most gorgeous police officer she’s ever met.

Feeling optimistic about opening up again, she hopes that begins with Officer Stevens. He’s protective, sweet and seemingly trustworthy. She wonders if her past will ever allow her to get close to someone again. Her friends keep telling her how much she finally deserves to be happy. Will their chance meeting give her an opportunity to find out how fulfilling true love really should be? She wants to put her past to rest and move on, but will she finally allow herself to trust him when she feels like her life might be in danger?

Teaser

When I got home I saw that Parker and Matt were outside working under the hood of his Mustang. I went around to the back of my car to get my grocery bags out and waved over to the guys. Parker waved back and by the time I looked up from getting my first batch of groceries, he was jogging over to me.

“Need some help?”

“That would be great, thanks. I usually pile enough bags on my arms to make them feel like they’re going to fall off.”

We both carried the bags into the house and laid them on the kitchen counter. When all the bags were on the counter, Parker started taking everything out and setting it on the counter. I noticed he was separating the food into groups based on where it belonged. I stood with the fridge open and smiled, thinking to myself how natural it felt to have him standing here helping me unload groceries. He turned around with the milk and the eggs and realized I was watching him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I didn’t even think before I started helping you unload this stuff.”

“No that’s okay,” I moved out from in front of the fridge so he could put the stuff in there, “I was just thinking how nice it was to have someone in the kitchen with me; someone helping me.”

“Did your ex-husband not help you? A woman should never have to bring in her own groceries if she’s got a man around.” He turned around to grab the rest of the fruits and vegetables I bought and I cringed at the mention of Brent.

“No, not very often. He was either busy or not speaking to me.” I leaned up against the back of the counter and hoped this conversation wouldn’t go much farther; I didn’t want to ruin this by talking about Brent.

“That’s too bad,” he put the last of the food in the fridge and shut the door, brushing his arm against mine when he closed it, “his loss for sure.” His lips turned up a little bit and it was just Parker’s way of flirting with me subtly. “I’ll be at Matt’s if you need a big, strong man to help you with anything else.” He winked at me, walked out of the kitchen and out the front door. How did he do that? He managed to waltz into my life and leave me reeling. By looking at him, you’d never know he was nervous or unsure around me. I wonder if he knew what he was doing to me.

About the Author

Elaine is a Florida native who recently packed up and moved her family to Utah. She is a stay at home mom to two younger children and runs a crafting business from home. When she’s not cleaning up after her kiddos or using her creative mind for a customer, you can find her satisfying her need for her favorite TV series or listening to music. Though finding time to write often seems like a lost cause, she uses every free minute to work on her debut novel, Keep Me Safe.

Facebook || Goodreads

If you fancy winning one of a ton of prizes that Elaine is offering up then be sure to enter on this Rafflecopter entry form.

May 15 2013

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway – Restore Me (Wrecked #2) by J.L. Mac

Click the banner to find the full tour schedule at Shh Mom’s Reading.

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Today is my stop on the tour for Restore Me (Wrecked #2) by J.L. Mac.

Read on for my review and an amazing giveaway to win LOTS OF GOODIES!

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TITLE: Restore Me (Wrecked #2)

AUTHOR: J.L. Mac

GENRE: Adult Contemporary Romance

PUBLISHED: 29th April 2013

SOURCE: Review copy received from author for blog tour

Find Restore Me on Amazon UK || Amazon US || Barnes & Noble

Navigating the world alone is all Josephine Geroux has ever known. Life altering tragedy struck early on for her. She endured an admirable struggle through her youth and learned the hard way how to adapt and survive. She managed to arrive at adulthood in one piece in spite of it all.

After such chaos, maintaining a life free of complications is a priority for her.
Everything changed when a man with amber eyes came through her door and claimed her heart. She fell hard in more ways than one. The pull between Jo and Damon seemed like fate bringing things full circle.

With another devastating loss looming, Jo fights to hold on to the very thing that brought her to her knees. She finds herself torn between a promising future and clinging to a devastating past.
But that’s not the most worrisome problem on her hands.

She must convince more than just herself to let the past stay in the past, where it belongs, but on her journey to find closure and resolution, she does the exact opposite. An old wound caused by a heinous act becomes exposed for what it is. The truth is catastrophic and Jo is helpless, watching as the ruins of her fragile world endure more turmoil.

Can something conceived from tragedy and malice end well? Can something so completely poisoned conquer adversity? Jo is left to make a decision; accept the circumstances she finds herself in or fight with unwavering ferocity to restore what has been damaged.

I was eagerly awaiting Restore Me after absolutely LOVING Wreck Me. When my ARC turned up in my inbox I cursed the other books ahead of Restore Me on my TBR. I wanted to read it and I wanted to read it NOW!

I did enjoy Restore Me, and I would recommend it to other readers who loved Wreck Me – after all you need to know what hapenned next after that cliffhanger ending in Wreck Me – but it didn’t quite live up to the first book for me.

I felt like Damon’s problems were very serious at first but then he seemed to overcome them quite quickly without much medical help, or none that we read about, since the writing is in Jo’s POV. I think that was the problem for me – because I wasn’t reading about his road to recovery in this own words it made it hard for me to imagine that and connect with it. Also, I do think, looking back on it now that I’m writing this review, that I’m missing the point – he needed Jo’s reassurance and unwavering support, those were the things that were key for him.

I loved Jo. I loved her in Wreck Me and I loved her in Restore Me. She’s just so loyal, even in the face of a lot of tough stuff happening. Can you imagine how YOU’D react after finding out secrets about the car crash that killed your parents and left you living on the streets as a kid? I think she handled it all pretty well!

My heart broke for Damon as I read on and learned more about his past. He was so full of doubt and at such a low point as the past caught up with him. In Wreck Me we saw him as a typical alpha male – hot, sexy, strong, dominant, did I already say HOT?! In Restore Me the past, and the thought of losing Jo, took it’s toll and he just wasn’t the same man. That were definitely a few teary-eyed moments for me.

Other than feeling like Damon’s problems were resolved too easily/quickly I did really enjoy Restore Me. I would’ve liked it to be longer, those scenes between Jo and Damon are H.O.T and I wanted more of them! It did leave everything in the perfect place to start up Accept Me, though.

**Oh, and I just have to give myself a pat on the back for working out a mystery that went through the most part of the book! I was feeling very clever until I realised that maybe it wasn’t that hard to work out after all! Read Restore Me to see what I mean for yourself!**

Now, I just need Accept Me STAT!

USA Today Best Selling Author, J.L. Mac is twenty-six years old and currently resides in El Paso, Texas, where she enjoys living near her family. She was born and raised in Galveston, Texas, until she married her husband in July of 2005. She has two young children and is married to a soldier in the United States Army. J.L. and her family have lived all over the United States and have enjoyed each new experience in each new place. J.L. admittedly has had a long and sordid love affair with the written word and has loved every minute of it. She drinks too many glasses of wine on occasion, and says way too many swear words to be considered “lady-like.” J.L. spends her free time reading, writing, and playing with her children.

Facebook || Twitter || Goodreads

Want to win yourself one of the amazing prizes on offer from J.L. Mac?

All you need to do is go to the

Rafflecopter entry form

Ends 27th May. Some prizes US ONLY, others are INTERNATIONAL.
Check the Rafflecopter form for details.

Good luck

May 14 2013

Pimp The Indie – Tiffany Aleman and Ashley Poch

Pimp the Indie is a new weekly feature here at Have Book Will Read.

Each week I will be featuring a different indie author to help spread the word about them and their books.

Stop by each week to find out more about the authors, read excerpts, enter giveaways and more.

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My featured authors this week are Tiffany Aleman & Ashley Poch

Tiffany and Ashley are the authors of the upcoming new adult contemporary romance, Luck of Love, which will be published on 24th May. Make sure you add it to your calendars!

About Tiffany and Ashley …

Tiffany

I am 27 years old, my husband is in the Army, and we have two wonderful children. Ashley and I have been best of friends since we were 13. I recently graduated from South University with my Associate’s Degree as a Paralegal. I enjoy listening to music, playing with my kids, going to the beach, and anything that has to do with the outdoors pretty much.

I’ve always liked to write, but never really had an interest in reading until the summer of 2012. I am so excited to be taking my writing journey with Ashley. We cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on Luck of Love, which is the first installment in the Luck Series. I have many authors that I consider my favorite so I’ll just name a few: E.L. James, SC Stephens, Molly McAdams, Rebecca Donovan, K.A Linde, Marie Coulson, and S.H. Kolee.

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Ashley

Ashley grew up in Texas but now has joined her husband to reside in North Dakota. She is a military wife and mother to two adorable children. She’s always wanted to travel having grown up in a small town. Her interest in reading sparked last summer and now she’s a lost cause without her e-reader. Since she loves to travel, the places she gets to go in her fictional books are what any girl could ask for.

When Ashley isn’t glued to her computer you can find her outdoors either playing with her children or relaxing and enjoying the sun reading a good romance novel.

Twitter || Facebook || Author Website || Goodreads

About Luck of Love …

Blake Riley thought she could leave her traumatic past behind when she left for college. Starting a new life and moving forward never sounded so good. Living carefree with her best friend in Ocean City, New Jersey gave her the freedom she had always hoped for.

But sometimes life isn’t so carefree.

When Blake finds herself torn between the affections of two men, emotions that have been buried for years will be exposed. Derrick, a powerful CEO of a popular casino resort, instantly captivates her. Being drawn into his domineering passion, she bares herself to him in a way she least expected. With Landon, a successful attorney, she can be someone new; someone free from her haunting past. Each man evokes a different side of Blake. As both relationships grow stronger, walls will slowly begin to crack.

What will happen when the past slowly creeps its way into the present?

With two worlds filled with secrets and lies, it’s only a matter of time before they crash and truths are revealed.

Excerpt…

Silently, we stare at each other for a while, trying to convey what we both want with just our eyes. Leaning into me, my eyes flicker first to his mouth and then back up to his eyes. His eyes mirror my actions as he leans in further, a breath away from my lips. He looks back into my eyes and whispers, “Blake, I really want to kiss you right now.”

Wrapped up in the moment, adrenaline surges through me like a wildfire gone rampant. My heart beats uncontrollably, and the sound of blood flow in my ears, thunders like a herd of cattle on the move. “Okay.” It’s the only word that I can say.

Leaning in, his soft lips lightly brush against mine, kissing my top lip first, then my bottom. My body falls limp in his arms as he pulls me closer to him, molding our bodies together. My hand that has been caressing his jaw is now cupping his face, pulling his mouth closer to mine. The tip of his smooth tongue flicks against my bottom lip seeking entrance. My mouth opens on its own accord to him. Propping himself up on his elbow, he angles his head, deepening the kiss. Our tongues dance in soft unhurried strokes. A dam of years’ worth of pent up hormones bursts free, sending shockwaves through me. This kiss is soft yet demanding. The grip he has on my hip is almost painful as he tries to control himself.

He’s the first to pull back, leaving me panting and reeling for more. I can hear his heavy breathing as he tries to catch his breath. Slowly my eyes drift open, and the only thing I see are a set of gorgeous hazel eyes staring back at me. “Wow,” I breathe out in a rush.

A slight chuckle escapes him at my open admission. I can feel the bunching of my shirt as his hand caresses my side. Leaning down he gives me one more peck. “Wow is right.”

Grinning like a kid on Christmas morning who has just received her favorite Barbie doll I whisper, “What does this mean, Derrick?”

“It means, why don’t you come and have lunch with me today and we’ll figure it out. Because right now I have to go back to my hotel room and take a cold shower,” he says, raising an eyebrow, “and then I have to hurry up and finish the rest of my business so we can have lunch.”

Check out this –> trailer <–, made by Mary from Mary Elizabeth’s Crazy Book Obsession and don’t forget to add Luck of Love to your TBR on Goodreads

This week I asked Tiffany and Ashley a few fun questions and this what they had to say …

Favourite colour?

Tiffany: Pink. I know it might be so extremely girly, but what can I say, I still haven’t grown out of that stage.

Ashley: Baby blue and hot pink are my two favorite colors.

Favourite candy or chocolate bar?

Tiffany: I absolutely love Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. They are like an addiction to me J

Ashley: I’m not a fan of dark or milk chocolate. But my favorite is the white chocolate Kit-Kat bars. Yum!

Best/earliest childhood memory?

Tiffany: My best memory from being a child was when I was seven. I lived in Ansbach, Germany and my grandparents had flown in from the United States. They wanted to travel around Europe and so we went to Paris, France. My parents, grandparents, and I rode on a boat at sunset under the Eifel Tower as it lit up. To this day, I long to go back and visit that magical city again.

Ashley: The best memory that I can remember as a child was when I went camping to Arkansas with Tiffany’s family one summer. I was middle school age and we had just started summer break. It was great to be a part of a family and do things together. I think this was my first time riding and driving jet skis and also camping. It was the best summer of my life!

Morning person or not?

Tiffany: NOT!!! I’m a night person all the way. It’s so much easier for me to stay up all night than it is for me to wake up early in the morning. Unfortunately for me, I have two kids in elementary school so I have to wake up early in the morning to get them ready for school.

Ashley: I am so not a morning person by any means!!! Not only do I have to wake my daughter in the morning but I also have to literally kick my hubs out of bed as well. They are both heavy sleepers. My son and I are the exception.

Favourite book character you wish you could be?

Tiffany: Wow!!! This question is really hard … but if I had to choose one Lexi from Avoiding Series by K.A. Linde. I think a lot of us still have that one “first love” that we can’t seem to let go of. In a lot of ways, I can relate to Lexi and her relationships with Jack and Ramsey.

Ashley: Hmm…fav book character. Let me see … I would have to say Taryn from Love Unscripted/Love Unrehearsed.

Favourite book character you wish you could’ve written?

Tiffany: I honestly don’t think that I could ever portray another author’s character the way they do. But…if I had to choose one, I would have to say Kiera from the Thoughtless Trilogy by S.C. Stephens. I really loved the fact that Kiera loved Kellan with so much passion, but still felt a tremendous amount of guilt for what she did to Denny. The emotions were so raw and so real, that I literally could feel how Kiera was feeling.

Ashley: Like Tiffany said cannot and will not ever portray another author’s character like they can. But if I had to choose, I would say Tony from Consequences and Truth by Aleatha Romig. To get some sort of understanding as to what Tony was thinking…okay maybe that’s for my own personal use.

Favourite movie character you wish you could be?

Tiffany: Amanda Seyfried’s character in Dear John! I mean seriously who doesn’t love or want to play a part next to Channing Tatum! I think that’s enough said

Ashley: I would have to say Rachel McAdams’ character for The Notebook. It was such a sweet romantic story. What’s there not to love about a HEA?

Going to the gym. A fan or not?

Tiffany: I actually really enjoy going to the gym, when I have the time. I find working out to be very cathartic, and I love to push myself to the limits.

Ashley: When I actually make it to the gym I’m definitely a fan. It’s hard being a SAHM and making it out there. Well that’s my excuse anyhow.

Hobbies?

Tiffany: I enjoy just about anything that has to deal with the outdoors. I love going to the beach, planting flowers, or just sitting on my porch writing. I also love going to concerts. I try to go whenever one comes in town or is close enough by. I’ve actually driven to Atlanta, GA once just to go to a concert and that’s four hours away from where I live.

Ashley: You mean besides reading?! Well, being here in North Dakota my options are limited to what I’m used to being from Texas. During the winter here my hobbies are just reading and sipping on hot cocoa. I tried to plant some fruits and veggies but that turned out not to work. They died because it was too cold

What writing project are you working on now?

Tiffany: We’re currently working on Luck and Faith, which is due to be released in August and is the sequel to Luck of Love. We’re about a quarter of the way finished and we can’t wait for all of you to be able to read where Blake, Derrick, and Landon go from Luck of Love. Along with the sequel, we’re am also working on a stand-alone novel titled Serenity Falls which is scheduled to be released at the end of November/beginning of December.

Ashley: What she said. LOL!

Do you plan your books from start to finish? Or just see where it takes you while writing?

Tiffany and Ashley: We actually do plan out of some of our books. For the most part though, we just normally throw caution to the wind and see where the story takes us.

Animal lover?

Tiffany: Absolutely. I have a miniature Schnauzer named Sadie and a Boxer named Bruiser. I love my animals, they are a part of my family and definitely get treated like it.

Ashley: I have my moments. For the most part I’m an animal lover though. We have a black lab which my 18 month old is terrified of now.

Do you collect anything?

Tiffany: I do. I collect concert ticket stubs. I have saved every single one since my first concert that I went to when I was ten years old. I have some very fond memories with my dad from those concerts.

Ashley: Actually, I do. I have collected all my birthday cards and other misc. cards since I can remember. I keep them in a small keepsake box.

Favourite ice-cream flavour?

Tiffany: Mint Chocolate Chip all the way. Something about the way it tastes is absolutely delicious.

Ashley: I’m still a kid at heart when it comes to ice cream. I love those creamsicle popsicles. My fav is the orange cream filled ones.

Favourite vacation destination?

Tiffany: I love to travel and see different places, so I can’t honestly say I have a favorite vacation destination. The next place I would love to visit would have to be England, no city in particular, just all over. I love history, learning about different cultures, and other people’s customs.

Ashley: This girl travel?! Yea right. But I would love to travel somewhere tropical and definitely somewhere where warm weather is 24/7 so I can sit and lounge and sip margaritas all day or some sort of concoction.

Favourite book boyfriend?

Tiffany: Jake Wethers from The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle. Not only is he a rock and roll bad boy, but he likes to take charge in the bedroom too!!!

Ashley: Do we really have to pick one? Geez … I would have to say my fav book boyfriend is … ahh I can’t decide … but my fav is Ollie from Bound Together! I still think about that book to this day!

Favourite book girl you’d like to be best friends with?

Tiffany: Harper from Taking Chances by Molly McAdams. Harper (yes I know she’s fictional) would actually be a person that I could see myself getting along with.

Ashley: Ari from Saved by Kelly Elliott. She’s a tough little firecracker and she reminds me of my best friend that is not fictional

What book are you reading right now?

Tiffany: At this moment, I am actually just starting Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines. I know I’m so far behind…but I’ve been busy writing my own novel

Ashley: I just finished Losing Me, Finding You by C.M. Stunich. Any suggestions on what to read next? I have Breaking the Wrong, Twisted Perfection, Music of the Heart, The Bet … the list goes on and on. I’m unsure of what my next read will be.

Did you write stories as a child?

Tiffany: I actually did writes stories when I was child, but they were always in my diaries. I have always enjoyed writing, and I am so happy that I am finally at a point in my life where I can do that.

Ashley: Only when required from school School as I got older wasn’t really my thing.

Favourite childhood book and/or character?

Tiffany: My favorite book as a child was always Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. I always found different connections within that book every time I read it. I didn’t really care for reading when I was a kid, but I always found myself drawn to that one book.

Ashley: As a toddler I was always drawn into pop-up books. The one book I can remember is ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ as well as ‘The Very Hungry Catepillar’.

Want To Win A $5 Amazon giftcard? …

Tiffany and Ashley have kindly offered a $5 Amazon giftcard to one lucky winner.

To enter make sure you go to the

Rafflecopter entry form

Winner will be picked 21st May. Good luck

May 13 2013

Review – Remember When by T. Torrest

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TITLE: Remember When

AUTHOR: T. Torrest

GENRE: Adult Contemporary Romance

PUBLISHED: 29th December 2012

SOURCE: Free Download from Amazon

REVIEWED BY: Joanne

Find Remember When on Amazon UK || Amazon US

Ever wonder how often Brad Pitt’s high school girlfriend must ponder jumping off a bridge? Ever think about the girl that had her hooks in George Clooney before he took off for TV stardom? How about Leonardo DiCaprio’s ex, or Johnny Depp’s first groupie, or any number of young women who got left behind when their boyfriends set off for greener pastures and eventually achieved unfathomable Hollywood fame?

My name is Layla Warren and I don’t need to wonder about any of those things. I already know. Because years before Trip Wiley could be seen on movie screens all over the world, he could be seen sitting in the desk behind me in my high school English class.

This was back in 1990, and I cite the year only to avoid dumbfounding you when references to big hair or stretch pants are mentioned. Although, come to think of it, I am from New Jersey, which may serve as explanation enough. We were teenagers then, way back in a time before anyone could even dream he’d turn into the Hollywood commodity that he is today.

In case you live under a rock and don’t know who Trip Wiley is, just know that these days, he’s the actor found at the top of every casting director’s wish list. He’s incredibly talented and insanely gorgeous, the combination of which has made him very rich, very famous and very desirable.

And not just to casting directors, either.

I can’t confirm any of the gossip from his early years out in Tinseltown, but based on what I knew of his life before he was famous, I can tell you that the idea of Girls-Throwing-Themselves-At-Trip is not a new concept.

I should know. I was one of them.

And my life hasn’t been the same since.

This is a book for everyone who grew up in the 80′s and even if you didn’t, you will still enjoy it. Set in New Jersey in 1990/1991 it is told in the POV of Layla who is in her senior year, and has a crush on new boy Trip.

We know from the prologue that Trip is now a famous actor, and Layla narrates at the beginning of the book. Explaining her history with Trip is similar to imagining what would it have been like to have gone to school with a young Brad Pitt or George Clooney and known them before they were famous.

They meet when Trip is assigned to the seat behind Layla in English class on his first day at her school. Layla & Trip soon become work mates out of school and class partners in school. Their relationship develops to a comfortable friendship where Layla is treated as one of the guys by Trip, but she is slowly falling in love with him, and then she has her best friend telling her that she’s setting herself up for heartbreak.

I was the one who was heartbroken at the end of this book. When the group of friends start breaking up at the end of summer to go off to college, it was gut wrenching. Remembering what it’s like to feel your childhood officially come to an end as you move off in to the unknown. With the setting of the book and the references to Bon Jovi, I was singing in my head ‘Never say Goodbye’ from their Slippery When Wet album. It seemed very apt! I loved the nod to New Kids On The Block, and finding out the inspiration behind her brother’s name was funny!

This book will have you laughing out loud and then crying – and those are my kind of books!

Even though I am not American, have never been to America, and yes, my opinions of New Jersey are basically of the stereotypes T. Torrest mentions at the beginning of the book, I still felt a connection to the book because people, I too am a child of the 80′s! I left school in 1991, the year that this is set/when the characters graduate. I remember going to the video store to hire video tapes, the days where we had no mobile phones, MP3 players, Facebook etc, those were happy times!

I loved this book, and the best part for me is that I didn’t even know that it was a trilogy until the end, so I have the next book to look forward to. I downloaded this from Amazon when I saw it was free. It was billed as a flash back to the late 80′s/early 90′s and that sold me so I didn’t notice the title on Amazon stating it was book 1. It was sat on my kindle for a while (so many books, too little time!) and I picked it up a few days ago because I thought it would be a light-hearted stand alone read, which was what I felt like reading at the time. Well now I’m glad it isn’t a stand alone, seeing as when I was about 80% in I started worrying, thinking this isn’t going to have a HEA because there wasn’t enough book left! PHEW! **Wipes brow, panic over now!** Now I get to find out what happens to Layla & Trip in the next part, and I can’t wait!

May 12 2013

Stacking The Shelves – 12 May

Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga’s Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual.

This means you can include books you buy in bookstores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and ebooks!

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It has been SOOOOO LONG since I posted a Stacking the Shelves and I am excited for this one.
So, here we go with my books for the last 2 weeks …

FOR REVIEW

The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles – courtesy of Random House Childrens Publishers UK via Net Galley

Dear Thing by Julie Cohen - courtesy of Transworld Publishers via Net Galley

This Girl by Colleen Hoover - courtesy of Atria Books via Net Galley

BOUGHT – PAPERBACK

Under The Never Sky and Through The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
These were super cheap! I paid £3 (less than $5) for BOTH of them brand new!

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt
I’ve been so excited to read this since I saw Brittany at The Book Addict’s Guide’s review

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
I already have the signed self-published edition and a Kindle version but I just HAD to HAVE the Atria one too!

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

FREE KINDLE DOWNLOADS

Always There by Carol Ann Albright-Eastman

GIFTED TO ME

Almost by Anne Eliot

All The Broken Pieces by Cindi Madsen

Unmaking Hunter Kennedy by Anne Eliot

These are all SIGNED and were gifted to me by my super duper awesomely generous friend, Anne Eliot
and I HEART her so much!

And that’s my haul this week!

Have you read any of them?

Which one should I get around to first?

What’s in your haul this week?

Be sure to leave me a link so I can come and see. I love finding new books to add to my TBR!

May 10 2013

Cover Reveal – Forever Too Far (Too Far #3) by Abbi Glines

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OH. MY. FREAKING. GOSH!!!!
Do I have a treat for you today!

I am sooooo excited to be sharing this post with you all, like beyond excited!

What is it, you ask?

It’s the cover reveal for Forever Too Far (Too Far #3) by Abbi Glines!!!!

Title: Forever Too Far

Author: Abbi Glines

Genre: Contemporary

Age Group: New Adult

Expected Release Date: 10th June, 2013

Rush promised her forever … but promises can be broken.

Torn between his love for his family and his love for Blaire, Rush has to find a way to save one without losing the other. In the end one has to be more important. Letting go isn’t easy.

Blaire believed in her fairytale … but no one can live in a fantasy.

Her love for Rush and desire to have a family keep her believing that they can find a way for this to work. Until she has to make the right decision for her and the baby. Even if it breaks her heart.

Can they find the forever that they both want or has it all just gone … too far?

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Eeek! Do you love it?! Can you wait until 10th June?
If you’re feeling anything like me right now, you’re thinking …
HELL YEAH and HELL NO! I want it now!

May 9 2013

Review – Ten Days of Perfect by Andrea Randall

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TITLE: Ten Days of Perfect

AUTHOR: Andrea Randall

GENRE: Adult Contemporary Romance

PUBLISHED: September 2012

SOURCE: Downloaded for free from Amazon

Find Ten Days of Perfect on Amazon UK || Amazon US || Barnes & Noble

Scars from her first love and the reckless lifestyle of her parents force Ember Harris to chart a new course. She favors practicality over spontaneity and rules over a broken heart.

An encounter with a musician at a local pub forces Ember into making a decision to let go or hold on for dear life as passions are unlocked and deceptions revealed.

I’ve had Ten Days of Perfect on my Kindle for so long! My Kindle account tells me I downloaded it in November last year and I finally got around to reading it at the beginning of April. Wow, I am so glad I finally made time for it.

TDoP is a love story, but it’s a love story that will break your heart.

Ember and Bo meet, fall in love in record time and THEN learn things that they should’ve known before starting their relationship. The things they learn are DEAL BREAKERS. Bo has been hiding a secret from Ember and it’s one that will tear them apart.

I loved this book so much but I was a MESS after I’d finished! The one good thing to come out of waiting so long to read it is that I could dive straight in to the follow up, Reckless Abandon, straight after finishing. I NEEDED to know what was next for Ember and Bo.

I worked out Bo’s secret very early on, I don’t know if I was meant to know it so soon. I think maybe I was, it was just not something that Ember knew. I was holding my breath a lot of the way through, just waiting for her to work things out.

I did struggle to “feel” Ember and Bo’s instant connection. I’d like to think it does happen like that but because it hasn’t happened to me it was hard to put myself in their place. It was like MEET – boom – IN LOVE! After saying that, though, I really loved their relationship and I was rooting for them the whole way through, even more so when smooth charmer Adrian turned up. Ugh! I didn’t like him!

The ending of TDoP BROKE MY HEART! It wasn’t meant to go down like that! I honestly don’t know how I would’ve managed without Reckless Abandon to move on to! I’m serious!

I LOVE Andrea Randall’s writing. It’s full of detail but easy to read at the same time. This book sucks you in and before you know it you’ve sat there and finished the book (that wasn’t just me, was it?!) The characters aren’t perfect and neither are the situations they’re in, they’re realistic (well, maybe apart from the insta-love) and people I can feel invested in.

Well done to Andrea Randall on a BRILLIANT début.