Servants of the Storm by Delilah S. Dawson

A year ago Hurricane Josephine swept through Savannah, Georgia, leaving behind nothing but death and destruction — and taking the life of Dovey's best friend, Carly. Since that night, Dovey has been in a medicated haze, numb to everything around her.
But recently she's started to believe she's seeing things that can't be real ... including Carly at their favorite cafe. Determined to learn the truth, Dovey stops taking her pills. And the world that opens up to her is unlike anything she could have imagined.
As Dovey slips deeper into the shadowy corners of Savannah — where the dark and horrifying secrets lurk — she learns that the storm that destroyed her city and stole her friend was much more than a force of nature. And now the sinister beings truly responsible are out to finish what they started.
Dovey's running out of time and torn between two paths. Will she trust her childhood friend Baker, who can't see the threatening darkness but promises to never give up on Dovey and Carly? Or will she plot with the sexy stranger, Isaac, who offers all the answers — for a price? Soon Dovey realizes that the danger closing in has little to do with Carly ... and everything to do with Dovey herself.

I cannot get Servants of the Storm out of my head. As I’m writing this review (8 months before you will see it), all I can think about is Servants of the Storm. And I read it a month ago. This story, this world, these characters will hold on to you and not let you go. Every single character in Servants of the Storm is electrifying. I long to read more about them, and I’m really hoping that at some point down the road, I’ll get to. Delilah S. Dawson is a fan-freaking-tastic writer and I just want to sing her praise from the rooftops.

I loved Dovey. I loved the way she saw the world and the way she approached most of her challenges, and most of all I loved her determination. Dovey is an extremely motivated character and it was genuinely fun to follow her on her journey. Baker and Isaac were polar opposites, and I loved that about them. Isaac was brooding and serious, whereas Baker (though at times serious) it a pretty fun guy. They balanced each other out really well, and I loved how they interacted with Dovey in different ways. It was apparent to see the differences in character relationships.

Servants of the Storm is a phenomenal book. Dawson is a grade-A writer who knows how to write the perfect balance of action and other things. Her characters jump off the page, and as does her story. Servants of the Storm is beyond amazing.

FTC- Received for review via Edelweiss.

Fan Art by Sarah Tregay

When the picture tells the story…
Senior year is almost over, and Jamie Peterson has a big problem. Not college—that’s all set. Not prom—he’ll find a date somehow. No, it’s the worst problem of all: he’s fallen for his best friend.
As much as Jamie tries to keep it under wraps, everyone seems to know where his affections lie, and the giggling girls in art class are determined to help Jamie get together with Mason. But Jamie isn’t sure if that’s what he wants—because as much as Jamie would like to come clean to Mason, what if the truth ruins everything? What if there are no more road trips, taco dinners, or movie nights? Does he dare risk a childhood friendship for romance?
This book is about what happens when a picture reveals what we can’t say, when art is truer than life, and how falling in love is easy, except when it’s not. Fan Art explores the joys and pains of friendship, of pressing boundaries, and how facing our worst fears can sometimes lead us to what we want most.

This book is so great. So, so great. I read it in a day, and it was my first book of the year (I’m writing this review in January. Hello from the past.) Going into Fan At, I honestly had no idea what to expect. The cover was cute but I hadn’t read the summary. What I found was a serious, yet quirky novel that absolutely captured my heart.

Jamie (though I honestly couldn’t tell if they were a girl or boy for the first few chapters. A boy, by the way) was an incredible narrator. I love that Fan Art is an LGBT book about someone who is on the verge of coming out. Jamie isn’t “out and proud” and he isn’t “in the closet” he isn’t really sure of where he is, and it was absolutely fantastic going on that journey with him. He is one of those main characters that you root for, no matter what happens. Jamie’s story is one that will hopefully help readers.

This is the second book by Sarah Tregay that I’ve read, and I have to say, I absolutely adore her writing. Though Fan Art wasn’t always the most joyful book, Tregay’s writing still always keeps you on the surface of happy. It shows that happiness and struggling can coexist without either of them being overbearing.

I cannot recommend Fan Art enough. It is beautiful, touching, and impeccably written.

FTC- Received via Edelweiss.

Great by Sara Benincasa

In Sara Benincasa's contemporary retelling of The Great Gatsby, a teenage girl becomes entangled in the drama of a Hamptons social circle, only to be implicated in a tragedy that shakes the summer community.
Everyone loves a good scandal.
Naomi Rye usually dreads spending the summer with her socialite mother in East Hampton. This year is no different. She sticks out like a sore thumb among the teenagers who have been summering (a verb only the very rich use) together for years. But Naomi finds herself captivated by her mysterious next-door neighbor, Jacinta. Jacinta has her own reason for drawing close to Naomi-to meet the beautiful and untouchable Delilah Fairweather. But Jacinta's carefully constructed world is hiding something huge, a secret that could undo everything. And Naomi must decide how far she is willing to be pulled into this web of lies and deception before she is unable to escape.

Being a huge fan of The Great Gatsby, I was a bit weary when it came to starting Great. However, my curiosity got the best of me and I couldn’t resist reading it. I know that Great is a retelling of Gatsby, so this really shouldn’t bother me. But I didn’t like how similar it was? That sounds weird, I know. But I was hoping that the story would be altered at least a little bit (besides gender-bending the characters and setting it in a more current era). That being said, I understand that if Benincasa were to have changed it, there probably would have been a lot of backlash. Other than that, I really liked Great.

I loved that Benincasa changed around the genders of the characters, and it was really interesting to see the similarities and differences between her characters and how they were originally by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Naomi’s voice was fantastic, and it captured the essence of Nick’s voice perfectly. Jacinta had all of the mystique and wonder of Gatsby, and Jacinta’s attachment to Delilah was wonderfully written as well.

Though I would call Great one of my favorite books, I think Benincasa did a really nice job of retelling a classic story. The Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books, and Great did a pretty good job of doing it justice. Sara Benincasa captured all of the wonder of The Great Gatsby while still adding her own original flare. I recommend this to people who liked Gatsby, but are still open to experiencing it in new ways. Great takes awhile to get used to, but it is definitely enjoyable.

FTC- Received from publisher via Edelweiss.

Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell

Rule One—Nothing is right, nothing is wrong.
Rule Two—Be careful.
Rule Three—Fight using your legs whenever possible, because they’re the strongest part of your body. Your arms are the weakest.
Rule Four—Hit to kill. The first blow should be the last, if at all possible.
Rule Five—The letters are the law.
Kit takes her role as London’s notorious “Perfect Killer” seriously. The letters and cash that come to her via a secret mailbox are not a game; choosing who to kill is not an impulse decision. Every letter she receives begins with “Dear Killer,” and every time Kit murders, she leaves a letter with the dead body. Her moral nihilism and thus her murders are a way of life—the only way of life she has ever known.
But when a letter appears in the mailbox that will have the power to topple Kit’s convictions as perfectly as she commits her murders, she must make a decision: follow the only rules she has ever known, or challenge Rule One, and go from there.

Oh, this book hit the spot. As soon as I heard about Dear Killer, I wanted to read it. I’m a huge fan of the TV show Dexter, and I had heard that Dear Killer shared some similarities with Dexter. Though it did share some of the same aspects, Dear Killer wasn’t a copy of the show at all. It was original and fantastically addicting. Dear Killer kept me interested. I was on the edge of my seat, waiting to read what Kit would do next.

Kit is a fantastic narrator. Though she’s a killer, it’s incredibly easy to empathize with her. I found myself wanting to befriend Kit, rather than fear her. The whole aspect of her being a vigilante-type killer was fantastic. In some ways, it made her easier to understand her point of view. The inner-turmoil that Kit faced was the cherry on top of Dear Killer. It added tons of depth to both Kit, and the story. Katherine Ewell did an amazing job writing Dear Killer.

Ewell’s writing is meticulous and tight. There isn’t a dull moment, and every sentence leaves you wanting more. Dear Killer is an original novel that you won’t be able to get out of your head. The main character Kit has one of the strongest voices that I’ve read in awhile. Katherine Ewell is an author that I recommend looking out for. Her books are sure to be hits.

FTC- Received for review via Edelweiss.

Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

Life. Death. And...Love?
Emma would give anything to talk to her mother one last time. Tell her about her slipping grades, her anger with her stepfather, and the boy with the bad reputation who might be the only one Emma can be herself with.
But Emma can't tell her mother anything. Because her mother is brain-dead and being kept alive by machines for the baby growing inside her.
Meeting bad-boy Caleb Harrison wouldn't have interested Old Emma. But New Emma-the one who exists in a fog of grief, who no longer cares about school, whose only social outlet is her best friend Olivia-New Emma is startled by the connection she and Caleb forge.
Feeling her own heart beat again wakes Emma from the grief that has grayed her existence. Is there hope for life after death-and maybe, for love?

Elizabeth Scott has done it again. Heartbeat is beautiful and fantastic in every way. Emma’s story is unforgettable. Though Emma is dealt a really bad hand, she is an incredibly strong character. Though she had her weak moments, she was never a weak person. At times I think Emma was a bit too hard on her stepdad, but I ultimately understand why she acted the way she did. Scott does a wonderful job of illustrating each character’s views. So even if you don’t agree with how they act, you can always understand where they’re coming from. Caleb is a lovely character. I loved all of the scenes between him and Emma. Their relationship was strong, in a healthy way.

Usually Elizabeth Scott’s books are either super adorable with a killer romance, or super serious. Heartbeat, however, is a nice medium between the two. It triggered my emotions (or, you know, tears), while also making me curl up with delight at the chemistry between Emma and Caleb. The romance provided relief to the more serious happenings in the book, and the two aspects balanced out really well.

Heartbeat will most definitely tug at your heartstrings. Emma and her family go through a tremendous journey that isn’t easily forgotten. Elizabeth Scott has once again written a novel that you won’t be able to forget. Her writing is beautiful and haunting. Heartbeat is one of my favorite Elizabeth Scott novels.

FTC- Received for review via Netgalley.

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.
Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?
Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

This review may be considered semi-spoilery. Just a warning.

I have honestly just been sitting at the computer for what seems like hours, trying to muster up my thoughts on The Moon and More. It isn’t my favorite Dessen novel (The Truth About Forever is, if you were wondering), but I did like it. It took me over six months to read this book because I was afraid that Dessen couldn’t possibly top her previous novels. Though The Moon and More isn’t my new favorite, I did really like it. It had the beautiful, eloquent writing that Dessen is known for. It makes you yearn for summer and beaches and everything that “normal” teenagers are supposed to do.

My one main problem with this book is the actual lack of swoon-worthy love interests. I know that Dessen always gets reamed for having books that follow a general formula. They always have a swoon-worthy boy that knocks you on your feet and gives you butterflies, and they always have that beautiful summer-feeling. And though I do love Dessen for not following that exact model with The Moon and More, I can’t say that I’m not disappointed that there wasn’t a swoon-worthy love interest. Being the creature of habit that I am, I picked up The Moon and More wanting to read a YA romance that knocked me off of my feet. What I got was a semi-romance with a guy (Theo) who I honestly wanted to slap in the face. However, I feel horrible about getting mad at Dessen for this. Don’t get me wrong, I ultimately loved how the story turned out (I’m just being a moody teenager). I admire Dessen for breaking out of the shell that people had put her in, and I loved that there’s more to the story than just some cheeseball romance.

Emaline was such a fantastic narrator. She was snarky and independent and incredibly caring. She was an all-around good person, and even though I disagreed with her on some points, she had a really strong head on her shoulders. Emaline is probably one of my main characters out of all of the Dessen novels. Her brother is the cutest kid on the planet, and I just wanted to hug him. He is infinite amounts of adorable.

Though the teenager part of me is sad how The Moon and More ended, I understand and admire Sarah Dessen for making that decision. The Moon and More keeps the Dessen-charm that we’re all familiar with, while still adding an unexpected spin on what we’re used to. I really do recommend The Moon and More, even to people who don’t usually go for Sarah Dessen novels.

FTC- Received from publisher.

Blog Tour: Out for Blood by R. Barri Flowers- Excerpt and Giveaway

Count Dracula's Teenage Daughter (Book 1)

Published December 17th. 2012
Published by Create Space
Genres: YA/Paranormal
From R. Barri Flowers, the bestselling author of young adult novels, GHOST GIRL IN SHADOW BAY and DANGER IN TIME, comes the first book in an exciting new teen vampire series, COUNT DRACULA'S TEENAGE DAUGHTER: A Transylvanica High Novel.
Sixteen-year-old Kula Lockhart has been living in the town of Harbor Heights, Michigan for two months now, after moving there with her adopted mom from Cheyenne, Wyoming. She attends Transylvanica High School--one of several integrated pilot schools across the country where human and vampire students peacefully coexist.
Kula has no problem with the human-vampire bonding because she has always believed in equality among the living and the living dead. But she is caught completely off guard upon learning that she is the half human daughter of Count Dracula, leader of the oldest and most powerful vampire clan.
She soon discovers that there are some sworn to protect her and others out to get her.
Someone is killing vampires and Kula fears she may be on the hit list. Staying alive becomes a priority as she adjusts to her birthright.
She also has a hot human boyfriend named Eriq. Will he accept her for who she is?
Fans of popular teen vampire, paranormal, and horror fiction series such as Twilight, True Blood, Vampire Diaries, Vampire Academy, and Vampire Kisses will love COUNT DRACULA'S TEENAGE DAUGHTER
Goodreads: 
Amazon: 
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Out For Blood (Transylvanica High #2)

Published November 3rd, 2013
Published by R. Barri Flowers
Genres: YA/Paranormal
From R. Barri Flowers, the bestselling author of the young adult vampire novel, COUNT DRACULA'S TEENAGE DAUGHTER, comes the exciting book two in the Transylvanica High series, OUT FOR BLOOD.
Sixteen-year-old honor student Kula Lockhart is in her second year at Transylvanica High School in Harbor Heights, Michigan. It is one of several integrated pilot schools across the country where human and vampire students peacefully coexist.
Kula recently learned that she is the half human, half vampire daughter of Count Dracula. This has made her a target for those who hate her powerful Dad and vamps in general.
As she comes to terms with her heritage and newfound abilities, things begin to heat up between Kula and her mortal boyfriend, Eriq Pratt. She also has her vamp guardians Ivan and Amelia, as well as several human and vampire friends, to balance her evolving life and times.
When Kula suddenly finds herself being pursued by a new handsome half vamp at school, Sebastian LeBlanc, she is strangely drawn to him, even if her heart belongs to Eriq. Yet Kula can’t help but wonder if it is more than coincidence that Sebastian just happened to arrive in town at around the same time that a vampire or vampires began killing humans. Could Sebastian be behind these vicious attacks?
Another new vampire, Gabryela Roswell, befriends Kula, but has a hidden agenda.
In the meantime, Kula has competition from an attractive human girl, Yvonne Elwood, who has her eye on Eriq. She also has to deal with the gorgeous and mean-spirited cheerleader vamp, Jacquelyn Brossard, a member of the rival Doerzic clan.
As Kula grapples with these issues and the changes in her life, she tries to learn more about her mother, who died in childbirth, from the only person who can give her answers--her dad, Count Dracula.
Goodreads: 
Amazon: 
B&N: 
You can read an excerpt of Out for Blood HERE.

And you can also enter a giveaway to win a PDF copy of Out for Blood!



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Top 10 Books of 2013

I know I have been absent from the blog lately, and I am so so sorry for that. I’ve been caught up in the world of college applications and scholarships. But, since Here are my top 10 reads of 2013 (in no particular order). 4 of these books are going to be released in 2014, but I just can’t resist putting them on this list.

1. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

2. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

3. Golden by Jessi Kirby

4. Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

5. Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

6. #Scandal by Sarah Ockler (June 17th)

7. Servants of the Storm by Delilah S. Dawson (August 5th)

8. Dear Killer by Katherine Ewell (April 1st)

9. Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott (January 28th)

10. This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

I hope you all have a fantastic New Year! I’m going to try and post more on here.

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.
Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how.
One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.

I really enjoyed The Promise of Amazing. It’s Robin Constantine’s debut novel, so I didn’t have any expectations in terms of what to expect from Constantine writing-wise. However, the cover and summary are both adorable, so I had fairly high expectations when it came to the actual story. Though I wouldn’t call The Promise of Amazing one of my favorite books, I like it a lot. While I was reading it, I couldn’t bring myself to put the book down. Constantine’s writing and characters captured me completely. The story is adorable, the characters are unforgettable, and the writing is superb. That being said, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing from the story. I’m a huge fan of adorable romances that make you think, and The Promise of Amazing accomplished that. However, it just seemed to be missing something that would really set it apart from all of the others.

That being said, I did really enjoy it. Wren and Grayson’s story is fun and easy to read. In terms of being a YA romance, Constantine did everything right. The characters never fell flat and neither did their chemistry. I loved every part of The Promise of Amazing. I wish I would have had more time with the characters, because they were all so darn adorable. Wren’s family is crazy, but you can’t help love them. Grayson, though at times got on my nerves, was ultimately a great character and companion to Wren.

The Promise of Amazing is adorable and addicting. It will appeal to fans of John Hughes movies and Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson. The characters and their story come alive and practically jump off of the page. Robin Constantine is definitely a writer to watch.

FTC- Received from publisher via Edelweiss.

Blog Tour and Scavenger Hunt: Another Little Piece of My Heart by Tracey Martin

In my post, you’ll notice that I’ve linked to one song from the Another Little Piece of My Heart Claire’s Summer Survival Playlist. There are 12 songs on the playlist in total, and therefore 12 stops on the scavenger hunt (posting from November 29 – December 1). Find them all, and discover 12 chances to win great Harlequin TEEN books and Another Little Piece of My Heart swag.
But there’s more! One grand-prize winner will be randomly drawn to receive a $25 iTunes gift card in addition to books and swag! To enter for the grand prize, send the complete, 12-song playlist, along with your contact information (including the address where you’d like to receive your prize) to the author by using this contact form: http://tracey-martin.com/contact/. The winner will be notified by email after the contest ends on December 5th.

Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the playlist using the contact form above by December 5th at noon Eastern Time. Entries sent without the correct playlist or without contact information will not be considered.

Song Number 11 on the playlist is Afterlife by Nemesia!

You can buy Another Little Piece of My Heart HERE.

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The Originals by Cat Patrick

17-year-olds Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey Best grew up as identical triplets... until they discovered a shocking family secret. They're actually closer than sisters, they're clones. Hiding from a government agency that would expose them, the Best family appears to consist of a single mother with one daughter named Elizabeth. Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey take turns going to school, attending social engagements, and a group mindset has always been a de facto part of life...
Then Lizzie meets Sean Kelly, a guy who seems to see into her very soul. As their relationship develops, Lizzie realizes that she's not a carbon copy of her sisters; she's an individual with unique dreams and desires, and digging deeper into her background, Lizzie begins to dismantle the delicate balance of an unusual family that only science could have created.

This is the first Cat Patrick book that I’ve read, and man did it make me want to read more of her books. The Originals was fantastic. I had no idea what to expect, and what I found was a shockingly original novel that I couldn’t put down. Cat Patrick executed her idea beautifully. There was never a dull moment, and there was action on nearly every page. It was impossible to put down.

Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey are triplets, but their differences set them apart from each other wonderfully. Though Sean isn’t the only love interest to appear between the three sisters, he is definitely the best. Sean forces Lizzie to see that she’s different from her sisters, which leads to Lizzie uncovering some shocking secrets about her family. This leads them on a wild adventure that adds awesome twists and turns to the story.

I highly recommend The Originals. It has made me want to explore Cat Patrick’s other novels, and I’m sure it will have the same effect on you. The Originals is addicting, original, and an overall really fascinating read. Every single character is written flawlessly, and it’s most of them are really easy to relate to.

FTC- Received for review via Netgalley.

Presenting- Entangled Flirt! and a Giveaway

Today is the launch of 5 new stories that are a part of Entangled Publishing’s romance imprint, Flirt! Flirt focuses on publishing romance short stories for every type of romance reader. Here is a bit about each book that Flirt is launching with, and at the end of this post there will be a Rafflecopter giveaway for three lucky winners (Grand Prize: Kindle Fire, Second Place: $50 Victoria Secret Gift Card, Third Place: $25 Amazon/B&N Gift Card)
Conned
by: Chloe ColeHuman sexuality professor Cricket Malloy typically likes bad boys, but when buttoned-up science teacher Tucker Lamb needs help with an experiment on aphrodisiacs, she goes the extra mile to help him out. After all, what could go wrong? He’s totally harmless…
Tucker Lamb was born into a life of a grifter. He used to pride himself on his fast fingers and quicksilver tongue, but ever since being placed in the witness protection program, he’s been on the up and up. Still, something about Cricket Malloy makes him ache to see if his tongue is as fast as it used to be.

Buy it from Amazon HERE.
Buy it from B&N HERE.
Cowboy’s Way
by: Cathryn Fox
Sports medicine doctor and weekend cowboy, Chase Cooper, is ready to settle down, and he’s beginning to wonder if his best friend from high school, Mari Blair, could be the one that got away.  Coop and his buddies have come up with a plan, but he never imagined it would be Mari’s sister, Julia—the girl who was always off-limits—, who would take him up on his invitation.
When lawyer, Julia Blair, finds herself on a dude ranch half way across the country, only to discover the invitation was meant for her vivacious twin sister, she knows she has two choices—go home alone or walk a day in her sister’s shoes. When she sets eyes on sexy cowboy Chase Cooper, the choice becomes easy. She's determined to stay and have some carefree fun while at the ranch.
Coop can’t believe the mix up, but when he discovers Julia wants to play, then play they will. When things get steamy and playtime becomes so much more, he’s determined to prove she’s the girl for him. And he’s not above using a few tricks of the trade to get his point across…

Buy from Amazon HERE.
Buy from B&N HERE.
Falling for the CEO
by: Audra North
Finance genius Meredith Klaus prefers numbers to people, especially around the holidays. At least the large sum of money that’s mysteriously vanished from the company accounts will distract her from the ghosts of Christmases past. Until her sexy boss asks her to be his last-minute date to a fundraiser gala, that is, and the promise of a special evening calls to something long-buried in her.
Andrew Stanton, Manhattan’s best-known philanthropist, has worked hard building his reputation in the industry. He offers to work closely with Meredith to fix his company’s financial crisis, but the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to look at her as just a colleague.
A beautiful dress. A handsome man on her arm. A challenge she can’t refuse. Can they find the missing money and fulfill their holiday wishes, or will Meredith be unable to overcome the demons of her past and lose her chance at happiness?
Buy from Amazon HERE.
Buy from B&N HERE.
If You Dare
by: Jessica Lemmon

SHE'LL MAKE HIM A BET…
Lily McIntire is tired of losing every office wager to her overly cocky—and yeah, devilishly handsome—coworker, Marcus Black. After a few too many tequila shots, and a taunt from Marcus that she's a wuss, Lily lays down a bet he can't refuse: One night in the abandoned and spooky Willow Mansion alone for his recent office win, a trip to Hawaii.
HE CAN'T REFUSE…
There's only one thing Marcus wants more than his upcoming vacation to Hawaii, it's to take his sexy coworker on a real date. Every time he's tried to get close to her, she's shut him down cold. Too bad the sexual tension just keeps climbing the charts. Now, he'll have to scare her out of the mansion if he has any chance of going out on a real date with her any time soon.
UNTIL ALL BETS ARE OFF…
But in between trying to scare Lily out of her pants and get his hands into them, Marcus realizes there’s more to Willow Mansion than either of them counted on. Suddenly, it’s not just he and Lily that are going "bump in the night".  If they manage to survive the night and escape the mansion unscathed, can they survive each other in the light of day? Or will what happens at Willow Mansion stay at Willow Mansion?
Buy from Amazon HERE.
Buy from B&N HERE.
Playing Doctor
by: Jan Meredith
When a fellow RN jokingly predicts that Beth Roberts will meet a tall, ripped and totally lick-o-licious stranger who will fulfill her deepest desires, it’s supposed to be from across a crowded room, not giving CPR to a wedding guest. Given her tragic love life, Beth has no desire to become involved again, but who could have predicted the ponytailed doctor with the mischievous smile would break through her defenses?
Dr. Gabriel North blamed himself for his wife’s death. Now, after two years of battling guilt and meaningless hookups, he’s ready to move on. When he sees the sexy brunette at his friend’s wedding, his attraction is swift and strong, and he wastes no time in pressing his advantage. One night with the woman who makes him feel alive again isn’t enough, but gaining her trust as a man was going to take more than medical school had prepared him for.
Buy from Amazon HERE.
Buy from B&N HERE.
Take a Chance series bundle
by: Diane Alberts
TRY ME
What happens in Vegas...can lead to romance.It took one wild night for Sergeant Jeremy Addison to realize that Vegas? Was a bad idea.Bloody. Bruised. Dehydrated. Abandoned in the desert, and left to stagger down the road. The only way this leave could get worse was if his savior was his ex-best friend's sister...and the girl he'd loved since childhood.
The last person Erica expected to find on the roadside was her high school crush. She hadn't seen Jeremy in seven years—ever since the night he said he loved her, and she ran away. Losing him then had been a mistake, but wanting him now could be catastrophic if he discovered the secret that chased every other man from her life. But with a tall, tattooed Marine determined to prove he's always been faithful, can Erica resist his advances...or will she surrender ground and give love a try?
LOVE ME
Thomas Jones has come to Vegas to win yet another account for his marketing company. But when he sits across from beautiful and sensual Brianna Falk to deliver his pitch, his desire to leave Vegas as quickly as possible is replaced by the need to get closer to her. Yet she resists his charm.Brianna knows a date with Thomas could jeopardize her job, but he’s so maddening and insistent, she has a hard time denying him just one date. But that’s all it can be: one date. Because she has to protect her job and her secrets, even if it means giving up a chance at a life she never thought she’d have again.
PLAY ME
Even the best-laid plans can go awry. Single-mom Kiersten Worth knows a bottle of champagne and night of hot, no-strings-attached sex is the perfect solution to her jilted bride blues…and Garrett Kelly, long-time friend and her teenaged son’s sexy basketball coach, is just the stud for the job. Garrett wants more from the elusive temptress than a casual affair, but he never expects it to come in the form of an unexpected pregnancy. When he proposes an unorthodox solution—move in and raise their baby together—Kiersten has to decide whether to let down her guard and open her heart to the man who secretly loved her for years, or risk losing his tender embrace for good.
TAKE ME
Married in the morning…Professional heartbreaker Mike Worth thrived on the chase—and dancer Morgan Collins represented the ultimate prize. But there was no way he was going to throw away his single-man status…not even for an elusive redhead with sparkling eyes and mile-long legs. So how did he let one drunken Vegas night end with I do instead of hell no?
Morgan’s life revolved around her career and she had no intention of letting a man interfere—even if Mike made her question all her rules about love. At his urging, she reluctantly agreed to give their spur-of–moment marriage a chance. But once their trial-honeymoon ended, would she choose to follow the dance and leave her unforgettable husband behind?
Buy from Amazon HERE.
Buy from B&N HERE. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hideous Love by Stephanie Hemphill

An all-consuming love affair.
A family torn apart by scandal.
A young author on the brink of greatness.
Hideous Love is the fascinating story of Gothic novelist Mary Shelley, who as a teen girl fled her restrictive home only to find herself in the shadow of a brilliant but moody boyfriend, famed poet Percy Shelley. It is the story of the mastermind behind one of the most iconic figures in all of literature: a monster constructed out of dead bodies and brought to life by the tragic Dr. Frankenstein.
Mary wrote Frankenstein at the age of nineteen, but inspiration for the monster came from her life-the atmospheric European settings she visited, the dramas swirling around her, and the stimulating philosophical discussions with the greatest minds of the period, like her close friend, Lord Byron.

I really wanted to like Hideous Love more than I did. I love books in verse and I love books that involve people writing books, so I had fairly high expectations when it came to Hideous Love. That being said, I was pretty disappointed. Stephanie Hemphill thought of an amazing idea. I love the fact that this is about Mary Shelley while she was writing Frankenstein. But to me, the writing just fell flat. I usually find myself flying through verse books, and can usually finish them within a few hours. However, I found myself trying to force myself to get through Hideous Love. The writing isn’t bad per-se, but it was just really slow and at times it felt like Hemphill was holding back.

I enjoyed getting to read about Mary Shelley, and in the beginning her story really interested me. However, as the book progressed I found myself getting tired of her. Yes, Shelley’s is a story wrought with scandal. Though this is interesting and added more depth to the story, the barrier created by the slow-paced prose distracted me from a story that I probably would have otherwise enjoyed.

Though I didn’t enjoy Hideous Love as much as I would have liked, I think fans of historical fiction and those interested in the life of Mary Shelley would really enjoy it. Despite not being able to connect to the writing, I admire Stephanie Hemphill for thinking of writing about Mary Shelley’s life through verse and will be on the lookout for her next book.

FTC- Received from publisher via Edelweiss.

On Reviewing Books

Hey everyone!

I know the reviews have been slim around here, but I promise that there will be more posting soon. I’ve been reading a whole bunch, I just haven’t had time to write the reviews. However, I also have a question for you all.

I started this blog in 2008 (5 years ago, eep!), when I was 12. Since then, my reading taste has kind of changed (but only recently). I still read YA, since it is my one true book love. But more recently, I’ve started to read adult romance and New Adult. My question for you is- would you be interested in reading reviews of those types of books too? They obviously deal with more racy/sexual content. So how do you feel about me posting reviews of romance and new adult books on here? Let me know in the comments!

I’m still teetering on whether or not I want to write reviews of the romance books I read, so your opinion will help me decide that. If you don’t want to voice your opinion in the comments, you can always email me at zaser_jam AT yahoo DOT com. I always love hearing from you.

Happy Reading!

Zoe

Legend by Marie Lu

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

I have no idea why I put off reading this for so long. Once I started reading Legend, I couldn’t stop. Marie Lu kept me under her spell until the very last page, and even then I couldn’t help but want more of the story. Legend is unlike any dystopian book that I’ve read before. It has action and romance, which coexist flawlessly.Though I know that writing is a difficult task, Lu made it seem effortless. Her prose is smooth, and always leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat.

June is one of my current favorite book characters. She was independent, smart, and totally kick-butt. Though June is basically a genius, I loved that she didn’t go around flaunting it. Yes, she used her smarts to get where she wanted to go- but she never flaunted her intelligence. She was a genuine character, and I couldn’t help but love her. From Day’s first chapter, I was enthralled with him. He’s this really interesting, badass crusader and I completely succumbed to his appeal. Though both characters have pretty intense emotional and familial issues, Day’s issues were more in the moment and therefore I think they were written better. That being said, it was still easy to empathize with June’s situation.

The world building in Legend was incredible. Legend is the kind of book that needs really intense, detailed world building in order to work- and Marie Lu is an excellent world-builder. Though the world that Legend is set in has the opportunity to get kind of confusing, I never once got confused regarding what was going on.

Marie Lu is a fantastic writer. I honestly can’t believe I put off reading Legend for as long as I did, and I regret putting it off. Legend is a one of a kind novel that isn’t easily forgotten. The writing is beautiful, the characters are magnificent, and the story is one like you have never read before. I can’t recommend Legend enough.

FTC- Received for review.

Cover Reveal: The Thrill of It by Lauren Blakely

Today I have the cover reveal for the fantastic new New Adult book by Lauren Blakely, The Thrill of It! Here is a summary of the book, and at the bottom of the post you can enter to win a giveaway for one of three signed copies of The Thrill of It! You can pre-order the book HERE.

A new adult story of Love. Sex. Addiction. Blackmail. And Power...

Some say love can be an addiction. Others say it's the thing that
makes life worth living. Let me tell you everything I know about
love...Love isn't patient, love isn't kind. Love is a game, a chase. A
thrill. Love is wild and war-like, and every man and woman must fight
for themselves. At least that's how it was for me. A high-priced
virgin call girl by the time I started college, I was addicted to love
and to sex. Even though I've never had either. I controlled love,
played it, and held the world in the palm of my hands. Then I fell
down from those highs, and I'm being blackmailed for all my mistakes,
forced to keep secrets from everyone, except the only guy I don't
regret.

Trey...

With all the other women, I knew what they were. They were temporary.
They were pills, they were bottles, they took away all the pain, and
numbed the awful memories that wore down my ragged, wasted heart.
Until I met Harley. She's the only girl I ever missed when she walked
away. But now she's back in my life, every day, and there are no
guarantees for us, especially since I don't know how to tell her my
secrets. What happened to my family. All I know is she's the closest
I've ever come to something real, and I want to feel every second of
it.

How can you love with no regrets when regret is all you know?

Without further to do, here is the cover!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just One Year by Gayle Forman

After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, Just One Year is Willem's story, picking up where Just One Day ended. His story of their year of quiet longing and near misses is a perfect counterpoint to Allyson's own as Willem undergoes a transformative journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining himself.

I can’t even explain how excited I was for Just One Year. I loved Just One Day so much, so when I got the sequel in my mail, I basically screamed and danced around my house. It was all worth it, because this book is fantastic. I loved the whole concept of Just One Year. I loved that it had the same events as Just One Day, but from Willem’s perspective. Since I hadn’t read Just One Day in a few months before reading Just One Year, parts of the book were confusing. However, I was still able to figure out what was going on. I just recommend that you reread Just One Day before picking up Just One Year.

Ever since the first book, I’ve loved Willem. Given, there were some times where I got really annoyed with him. However, in the end, Willem is a fantastic character- and Just One Year reinforces that. Willem was sad for a lot of this book. It got to the point where I was kind of getting annoyed with him. However, I understand why he was so sad- and his emotions were both justified and realistic. I loved how his perspective provided a whole new depth to his and Allyson’s story. This sort of series hasn’t been done before, and it’s a great idea. Though she didn’t appear in the story much, I still love Allyson. Even weeks after first reading Just One Year, I still can’t get her and Willem out of my head. These characters are unforgettable. As soon as you start reading about other characters, these ones just pop right back into your head.

Gayle Forman has been one of my favorite writers since I read If I Stay, and her books have never disappointed. Just One Year is an unforgettable novel about how there’s two sides to every story- and how someone’s life can change in just one year. Forman’s writing is spot-on. If you haven’t read Just One Day (or Just One Year) you need to go pick up a copy right now, because it’s amazing.

FTC- Received for review.

An Interview with Trish Doller, author of Where the Star’s Still Shine

Today I have the amazing Trish Doller here for an interview. She wrote the recently released novel, Where the Star’s Still Shine. It’s fabulous, and you can find my review of it here. Without further to do, here is the interview-

1. Which character in Where The Stars Still Shine can you relate to the most, and why?

I think I most relate to Callie’s dad, Greg. While I’ve never had a child go missing, I am a parent and to write Greg I had to put myself in his shoes. Callie is frustrating and I can imagine that sometimes he wants to lash out at her and be angry, but at the same time he’s fearful that he’ll push her away. Greg and I both had to coax Callie slowly out of her shell.

2. Did you have to do any research before/while writing Where The Stars Still Shine? If so, what was your favorite and least favorite things to research?

The most fun research was visiting Tarpon Springs--the town in which the book is set--where I ate a lot of Greek food, visited gift shops, and took a ride on the dive tour boat that was inspiration for the boat in the book. It was much more difficult to research sexual abuse and mental illness. But I wanted to make sure that Callie’s mother’s illness was handled with sensitivity--and accuracy--and that Callie’s responses to sexual situations rang true.

3. Both your first book, Something Like Normal and Where The Stars Still Shine deal with really intense topics. What do you think draws you to write such intense novels?

The easy part of my answer is that I like reading intense books. The harder part is the why...and I guess it’s because I find the darker parts of life more interesting. That’s not to say I’d never write a light-hearted romance, but I’m fascinated with finding out what my characters will do when life is hard.

4. Where The Stars Still Shine has a wildly swoon-worthy love interest. Can you recommend some YA books (besides your own, of course) that have some swoon-worthy boy characters?

I swoon so hard for Ryan in Raw Blue, an Australian YA novel by Kirsty Eagar. He’s my hands-down favorite book boy. Followed a close second by Jonah Griggs from Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta and I really love Brigan from Kristen Cashore’s Fire.

    5. Can you tell us anything about what you have coming up next?

My next book is tentatively titled Arcadia Falls, but that will be changing soon, and it’s due in April 2015. It’s about Arcadia Wells, a small town Florida girl who impulsively joins a couple of good-looking boys on a road trip through Florida. Except one of the boys is not what he seems. The trip goes tragically wrong and Arcadia hopes she’ll make it home alive. It’s a little bit of a departure from Something Like Normal and Where the Stars Still Shine because it’s kind of a psychological thriller, but I’m really excited about it!

Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.
Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Simone Elkeles’s books. I loved her Perfect Chemistry series. Naturally, I was excited to read Wild Cards. Though I appreciated that this book had less “boy from the slums falls for the good girl” than the usual Elkeles books, it did still have a little bit of that vibe. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE those stories. but after awhile, it gets old. That being said, Elkeles’s writing is still as amazing as usual. Overall, I think I liked this plot better than her other novels, but it also seemed less steamy (and I love steamy).

Though Derek puts on the front of being a “bad boy”, it’s evident to see that there’s more to him. It was easy to get annoyed with Derek. He made confusing decisions that didn’t take anybody into consideration other than himself. A lot of the times, he didn’t treat people fairly, and was quick to judge. However, he did have his moments. Derek was also sweet to Ashtyn and ultimately was driven to do the right thing. Ashtyn is tough. She wasn’t afraid to go out and get what she wanted. At times, she got a little weak- but that’s what makes her more realistic. Though the relationship between Derek and Ashtyn is a rocky one, it is a signature Simone Elkeles romance. It makes you swoon and go weak in the knees.

Though I had problems with some aspects of Wild Cards, I ultimately liked it. The book was addicting, and the romance was to die for. Elkeles stays true to her writing style, and produces unforgettable characters.

FTC- Received for review.

Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

Words cannot even attempt to describe how much I love this book. Trish Doller is such a talented writer. Her debut novel, Something Like Normal, was one of my favorite books of 2012. Where the Stars Still Shine is one of my favorite books of this year, and it is unforgettable. I keep wanting to talk about it and shout my love of it from the roof tops. This book is beautiful.

Callie’s story isn’t an easy one. It’s hard to process, and even harder to read about. However, she’s an extremely strong character, who is able to overcome the difficulties she faces- and ultimately succeed. It was nice seeing Callie take hold of her own life. The boy in Where the Stars Still Shine is the best. He is one of my favorite YA boys of 2013, and totally swoon-worthy. Trish Doller excels at writing good, unforgettable characters. These ones are still stuck in my head, and I finished the novel awhile ago.

Trish Doller is an amazing writer. Her writing is lyrical, fast-paced, and genuine. These characters are the best. I didn’t think I could love Where the Stars Still Shine as much as I loved Doller’s debut, but I do. Her writing just gets better and better, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

FTC- Received for review.