Blog Tour: Trying to Score [Assassins #2] by Toni Aleo [Review/Excerpt/Giveaway]

Hello and welcome to Dreaming In The Pages! I am so glad to have you stop by today, because over the last few months I have grown extremely close and fond of this author right here. She is just pure amazing and, like her books, hard not to love. Today I am going to be giving you guys a review and a little peek at what book two, Trying to Score, has in store for you. If you missed my review of Taking Shots, the first book in the Assassins series just head on over here and check it out. But now I know I am boring you, so let's get on with it!

[:

Trying to Score [Assassins #2]
Toni Aleo

Release Date: April 11th 2012

( Barnes & Noble / Amazon)

Fallon Parker’s dream was to have her family’s wine company at the top of all wine magazines and to have a cellar of her own. After graduating from college, she has worked hard to make that dream a reality, even if that meant having a nonexistent love life. She had her chance at love and that was a bust, so she put everything into the wine company. After becoming the official sponsor of the Nashville Assassins, Fallon finally feels like everything is falling in place, that is until Lucas Brooks comes back into her life.

Lucas Brooks hates his life. He is lonely, he is sober, and he is angry. On the ice, when he’s not in the sin bin, he the leading scorer in the NHL but off the ice, he is a mess. He threw away the most important person in his life, and has regretted it ever since but when Lucas sees Fallon again after being traded to the Assassins; he is bound and determined to get her back. Even if she wants nothing to do with him.

The sexual tension between Fallon and Lucas is electrifying as Lucas tries to convince Fallon that he is a changed man. Fallon tries to resist Lucas, but it is so hard when all her body wants is his. But when Lucas finds out that Fallon has been keeping a huge secret from him, the game he is playing stops and penalties are called.

With new rules and new players on the ice, will Fallon and Lucas be able to work out their differences and work as a team or will they be left trying to score alone

-Goodreads-

*A copy of this book was given to me by the author for the blog tour hosted by AToMR* 
:Thoughts/Review:

*sigh*

Yes folks. I am starting out a review with a sigh. Because 1) I can. And 2(I am in total and complete love with the second book in the Assassins series. I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t nervous as hell to pick up this book either. I was so enamored with Shea and Elli in Taking Shots I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to open up my heart to yet another Hockey stud muffin who was gunning for my heart. But alas, I was so very wrong. A little steamy, a little heartbreaking, and a whole lot of fanning yourself are in order this time around readers. Are your cheeks feeling a little pink yet? Get use to the feeling.

Now, as I said, I didn’t know if I was even able to love a story as much as I did Shea and Elli’s. I KNOW Elli [I swear, she is me] and how could I love someone more than I love Shea Alder?! [I’m still not sure I actually can…] After the first chapter I had no doubt Toni was going to be blowing me away yet again. Fallon and Lucas’s story is a total 180 from what we read in Taking Shots. Like Elli, Fallon has her own sets of faults and personal problems going on, but once Lucas Brooks enters the story we notice that Fallon and Lucas’s relationship is far more intertwined than we could have first imagined. I quickly fell for the banter and quirks between these two. As Fallon was extremely slow to even warm up to Lucas, I fell for him hard and fast and couldn’t help but to cheer him on as he tried to get Fallon back into his arms.

Now, before I go all gaga over Lucas Brooks some more, I wanted to say how much I LOVED being able to see Elli and Shea in this book. It was AMAZING to get to see their story even after we thought it was ‘over’ when their book ended. Now, since that is aside, I can address how much I love how Toni sets a story up. I love that when I am done with one of her books, I feel like I’m complete. Like Taking Shots, Trying to Score was no short story. You are taking through the up’s and down’s of this relationship and you feel like once you take one step forward you take five steps back and then your heart is aching for what almost happened. Toni gets me so wrapped up in this story that once even something little happens [like Fallon coming to her senses on certain subjects] I seriously jump up in my seat and squeal out in glee. There is nothing like seeing someone completely turn around.

Fresh, new, and something completely unexpected I quickly became glued to Toni Aleo’s second work of masterpiece and, to be honest, it has actually made me start watching hockey. [Go Preds!] If you fell in love with Taking Shots, I have no doubt in my mind that you will fall for Trying to Score. There is nothing like watching a story you thought was long over, blossom and become everything you ever wished it would have been. There is also nothing like a little steam and fanning oneself either. But why are you sitting there reading the end of my review?! Shouldn’t you be rushing out to go buy this?! Oh, and be sure to say hello to Lucas Brooks for me. I have a feeling you two will get along swimmingly.

 ; ]

:Excerpt:

“So how long have you guys been together?” Lucas asked. Lucas’ eyes watered from trying to keep in his laughter, and Fallow swore if she could hit him, she would.

“Together?” Rob asked looking over at Fallon.

Acting before thinking - not one of her best traits - Fallon nodded before leaning up and placing her lips on Rob’s. It was only for a second but it felt like an hour because everything went quiet around her. Lucas stopped laughing and Rob froze underneath her lips. She swore the whole room stopped, but really it didn’t. Oh gosh, this just kept getting worse by the minute.

When she pulled back, she smiled up at Rob’s shocked face and said, “A long time, right honey?”

Fallon glanced over at Lucas, one of his eyebrows was arched as his face quirked up on one side. It made Fallon’s heart skip a beat since it was the exact same smile Aiden would give her when he was amused. “It is that serious that you had to kiss this kid to make me believe you have a boyfriend?”

“He is,” Fallon answered.

“Who? Me?” Rob sputtered.

“Yes you, silly! Goodness me! Am I that horrible?”

“No,” Rob said with his hand in front of his chest, “not at all.”

“Thanks Rob,” Fallon said, and at that moment, Fallon knew her plan had just gone to shit. Rob was still wiping his mouth as Lucas just grinned widely at her.

“So Rob, this hot woman, is your girlfriend?” Lucas asked, and Fallon shot daggers at him with her eyes.

Rob looked at Fallon before looking back over at Lucas. He started to shake his head no as he said, “Yes, she is.”

That had Lucas in a fit of laughter as Fallon glared something crazy at him. “Thanks a lot Rob.”

“I’m sorry, but who picks an openly gay guy as their boyfriend!” Rob said throwing his arms in the air. “I’m wearing an orange suit!”

“A nice suit at that,” Lucas added.

“Thanks!” Rob said before looking back at Fallon, “but really, I’m the worst person to pick for a fake boyfriend, since I like guys.”

With that Rob walked off, leaving Fallon extremely embarrassed and actually considering firing him. She would if he wasn’t so good at the marketing reports that made her head spin. Fallon couldn’t help but to watch her ‘boyfriend’ clad in an orange suit walk away. She wished like hell that Rob wasn’t gay so he could act like her boyfriend because this reunion between Fallon and Lucas was not going the way she wanted it too.

Posing a gay guy as he boyfriend? Not one of her best ideas.

Fallon wanted to look successful, sexy — a stronger woman then he left behind. She basically wanted to make Lucas jealous, not give him the entertainment of the night! That’s what she paid the band for! She hated that she had made a mess of things. Lying was never her strong suit; and she knew Lucas wasn’t gonna let her live this down.

 “So how about that dance, since I think your boyfriend is gay,” Lucas determined.

Heat filled Fallon’s face as she wished Lucas to the fiery depths of hell. “Oh fuck off, Lucas Brooks.”

⚜
Now, if you are not completely hooked already [which how could you not be?! did you just read that excerpt?!] I have a little something for you...
An eBook giveaway! Because let's face it, after that excerpt Toni knew you all would need to get your hands on the book right away.; ]
Are you jumping up and down on your seat with anticipation?! Want to know how to enter?!Just leave a comment below with your e-mail address and let me know why you've just got to win a copy of Trying to Score!
Simple as that! The winner will be selected at random on May 9th so don't forget to get those comments in!
Good luck to all!And...Thanks for stopping by!

This blog tour runs through the 5th. To follow the other tour stops which include, author interviews, book excerpts, giveaways, and more click here. 

 

Review: Taking Shots [Assassins #1] by Toni Aleo

Taking Shots [Assassins #1]
Toni Aleo
Published By: Toni Aleo/Amazon
Release Date: October 5th 2011
( Barnes & Noble / Goodreads )

Elli Fisher has never thought she was good enough. Let it be her job, her weight, her love life, nothing, she was convinced she couldn’t do anything right. She had walked through life for the past six years in a daze, never thinking that life could be good again after the abuse she endured from her ex boyfriend. She is lonely, sad, and depressed, that is until she meets Shea Adler. After doing a promotional shoot for the NHL team, the Nashville Assassins, she meets the hunky hockey player who shoots a puck, shattering her world. 

Shea Adler was tired of the life he was living outside of the rink. The girls, the money blowing, the drinking, everything had to stop and it all did when he met Eleanor Fisher. He had never met anyone like her. She is feisty, witty, shy, and simply gorgeous. When he laid eyes on her, it was as if he was taking the hardest hit of his life into the boards, and he had to have her. 

Elli is a little skeptical of Shea, but he knows that they were meant to be together, and he needed her in his life. But Elli just doesn’t understand what Shea could see in her. She is overweight, loud, and not even that pretty, so why would someone so gorgeous and so amazing want to be with her? It seemed that no matter how hard she tried to shake Shea off, he wasn’t going anywhere, and for the first time Elli didn’t feel alone. 

But could Elli throw her insecurities out the window and love Shea with everything inside of her? Or will she let a past relationship, and her family ruin any chance of her being happy?

Would Elli miss her shot at love?

:Thoughts/Review:

I have been very fortunate lately when it comes to book recommendations and Taking Shots is no exception. Not knowing exactly what to expect when I stared, I was blown away by just about everything I read. It has been FOREVER since I read a contemporary romance that was so emotionally packed and had enough sexy action to keep those pages turning well past my bedtime. This book was a long one, but I mean that in the best possible way. There are a lot of emotional problems going on, and it was so refreshing to see a book tackle those emotional problems fully and realistically. Taking Shots took me by surprise and I just have one question…Where the hell can I get my own Shea Alder?!

What I really want to do is give Toni Aleo a giant hug and a ton of kisses for making the ultimate lead character[s]. It was so easy to identify with Elli and her problems that I was instantly in love. You often come across girls who are self-conscious in books, yet they are described as beautiful, skinny, and yadda yadda yadda. With Elli, I felt her issues, I KNOW those issues and I was eager to see how she worked through them, in a relationship with a sexy hot hockey player nonetheless.  Oh and don’t even get me started on Shea Alder. That man was meant to be in my life, and I need my own ASAP! I am no hockey fan, but I swear to you, after reading this book I am going to watch myself a few games and promptly drool all over myself while I am doing so.

I may have loved the characters first and foremost, but what comes in a close second is how real the book felt. Like I said, this is a long book, but it covers every topic it addresses realistically. There is no ‘I looked into his eyes and knew I was in love so we immediately had sex and got engaged and married within a month!’ There is depth in the relationship due to the problems these two faced together or mentally on their own. You get to see Shea and Elli grow and fight together and with each other. And the emotions Toni made me feel! Agh! I went from blissfully happy, to steamy hot, to wanting to beat someone ass in just a few pages. When I start punching pillows I know the book has made its way into my heart for good, and I wouldn’t want this one anywhere else.

When all is said and done, this book took me for the best spin I could ever imagine taking. I got to see probably my favorite female lead of all time get her dream ever after. Not only did Taking Shots fill me with giddy passion, but filled with blissful closure as well. If you are any kind of romance fan this book will take you by your teeth and have you begging for more when it is over. Toni Aleo, I will follow you anywhere you go from here on out because damn it, you have shown me and everyone else out there how real women and relationships are and I love you for it. But I still have one question for you. When and where can I get my own Shea Alder? Seriously, I’m dying here. *runs off looking for the perfect man*

:Rating:
★★★★★
Five Fever Inducing Stars
[I never knew hockey could be SO entertaining and yummy]

⚜

Wow! My first review posted in over a month. I am SO SORRY you guys! But it couldn't be over a better book I am sure! I loved this one people. I was swooning, crying, and pissed beyond belief. All you romance lovers out there have GOT to give this one a shot. Add it to your lists today and be prepared to fall head over skates for one Shea Alder.

; ]

Blog Tour: On The Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves [Review/Excerpt/Giveaway]

 Hello and welcome to Dreaming In The Pages! It is my pleasure to be a stop on this blog tour because, lets face it, I LOVED this book. I could honestly go on and on gushing about how much I enjoyed the book but I figured you guys would like to read my review and get a little excerpt from it instead. Who could blame you?! So if you are in the mood for a read that will definitely take you away, get to reading below!

On the Island
Tracey Garvis Graves
Released: October 11th 2011
Published by: CreateSpace
( Barnes & Noble / Goodreads )

When thirty-year-old English teacher Anna Emerson is offered a job tutoring T.J. Callahan at his family's summer rental in the Maldives, she accepts without hesitation; a working vacation on a tropical island trumps the library any day. T.J. Callahan has no desire to leave town, not that anyone asked him. He's almost seventeen and if having cancer wasn't bad enough, now he has to spend his first summer in remission with his family - and a stack of overdue assignments - instead of his friends.

Anna and T.J. are en route to join T.J.'s family in the Maldives when the pilot of their seaplane suffers a fatal heart attack and crash-lands in the Indian Ocean. Adrift in shark-infested waters, their life jackets keep them afloat until they make it to the shore of an uninhabited island. Now Anna and T.J. just want to survive and they must work together to obtain water, food, fire, and shelter.

Their basic needs might be met but as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.'s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.
-Goodreads

*A copy of this book was given to me by the author for the blog tour hosted by AToMR*

:Thoughts/Review:

I am not going to lie to you. When I first looked at this book and read the synopsis I did the first thing everyone who has read the synopsis probably did. I said “Wait, am I reading this right?! A 30 year old and a 16 year old?!” But readers, don’t judge a book by its synopsis…wait…I mean…well… Just take a chance and read it! While I went into it with skepticism, what I ended up with was a smile on my face that was probably ridiculously large and goofy. From beginning to end  Tracey Garvis-Graves will have you on the edge of your seat and I promise, you have never read an island story quiet like this.

Any doubt I had about this book disappeared as soon as I was finished with the first chapter. What I think first endeared me to this story was not only the characters [Anna and TJ] but how each chapter was told from alternating points of view. This gives you so much more depth to the story and really helps you identify and connect with Anna and TJ and before you know it, you are throwing age out the window. But, for those still squirming in their seats…nothing happens until TJ is old enough, you know, for it to be against the law. But really, when you read it, you wonder how it would ever be deemed wrong in the first place.

Their situation is scary, yet I wondered how I was going to stay hooked about a book of two people living life stranded on an island. Well, I was blow away at how fast I was turning the pages, and how it never felt fast enough. Frantically wanting to find out what happens next, what TJ thinks of this or what does Anna think about THAT?! I couldn’t put it down for one second. And just when you think things are looking up they go south, and when you think things really couldn’t get any worse, they totally do. You feel as though your feet are never firmly planted on the floor, which makes for one hell of a rush. And I, for one, couldn’t get enough.

On the Island is one of those stories that makes you realize love comes in the most unexpected packages. You can’t help but to fall and feel for these characters and the situation they are in. From the gripping beginning to the edge of my seat ending I knew that I was hooked on Tracey Garvis-Graves and I had to have more of her. Her writing kept me skillfully hooked the whole time and I adored how I felt complete at the end. I will tell you one thing readers, I WILL be waiting in line for Tracey’s next book. After a story like that, I would follow her anywhere.

:Excerpt:

We ate nothing but coconut and breadfruit for the next eighteen days and our clothes hung on us. Anna’s stomach growled in her sleep, and I had a constant ache in mine. I doubted the rescuers were still looking for us, and a hollow, empty feeling that had nothing to do with hunger joined the pain in my gut whenever I thought of my family and friends.

I thought it would impress Anna if I could spear a fish. I managed to stab myself in the foot instead, which hurt like hell, not that I let her know.

“I want to put antibiotic ointment on it,” Anna said. She dabbed it on the gash and covered it with a band-aid. She said the island humidity was perfect for germs and the thought of one of us getting an infection scared the crap out of her. “You’ll have to stay out of the water until that heals, T.J. I want to keep it dry.”

Great. No fishing and no swimming.

The days passed slowly. Anna got quiet. She slept more, and I caught her wiping her eyes when I came back from collecting firewood or exploring the island. I found her sitting on the beach one day, staring up at the sky.

“It’s easier if you quit thinking they’re coming back,” I told her.

She looked up at me. “So I should just wait for a plane to randomly fly overhead someday?”

“I don’t know, Anna.”

I sat down beside her. “We could leave on the life raft,” I said. “Load it with food and use the plastic containers to collect rainwater. Just start paddling.”

“What if we ran out of food or something happened to the raft? It’d be suicide, T.J. We’re obviously not in the flight path for any of the inhabited islands, and there’s no guarantee a plane would fly over. These islands are spread over thousands of miles of water. I can’t be out there. Not after seeing Mick. I feel safer here, on land. And I know they’re not coming back, but saying it out loud seems like giving up.”

“I used to feel that way, but I don’t anymore.”

Anna studied me. “You’re very adaptable.”

I nodded. “We live here now.”

✸✸✸✸ ✸✸✸✸ ✸✸✸✸ ✸✸✸✸

Now, if all that doesn't have you itching in your seat to read this book, I don't know what will. Should I dance around? Throw confetti up in the air for you all to frolic in?!

Oh I know, how about I tell you about the awesome eBook giveaway that I get to give to you?!

Check it out!

☟

Review: Pandemonium [Delirium #2] by Lauren Oliver

Pandemonium
[Delirium #2]
Lauren Oliver
Release Date: February 28th 2012 by HarperTeen
( Barnes & Noble / Goodreads )

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push, push, push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence, behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.
-Goodreads

*I won an ARC copy of this book from HarperTeen*

Thoughts/Review:

If you are looking for a book that will leave you on the floor screaming at the top of your lungs with your hand clutching your heart then look no further readers. Pandemonium is the most kick ass sequel I think I have ever read and it left me hanging so bad I swear I have whiplash. If you have/had any doubt in your mind about Lauren Oliver delivering a knock out sequel to her trilogy then push that thought out of your mind NOW! I promise you, Pandemonium will leave you screaming for more and then some. A year is an excruciating wait after that ending.

The thing I really enjoyed about this book [and was super worried about how Oliver was going to do it] was how the chapters are told from alternating times. Every chapter flips between Now and Then and was the perfect way to show how Lena has grown since she jumped the fence and left her old life behind forever. We definitely get to see a new side to Lena that never existed before. While Delirium was all about love, Pandemonium is all about hate and anger. Anger towards herself, anger towards others and the hate she has in her heart for the things that went wrong. In order to grow and move forward you have to come to terms with the past and that is exactly what Lena is forced to do.

Now, I really wish I could babble on and on about all the things that shocked me, stole my breath, and caused me to faint but I can’t.  What I can tell you is that Lena is one bad ass chick once she finally starts to grow into herself and you are all in for one crazy heart wrenching ride. A new book comes with new characters and new problems to face and it was done magnificently. Now, I KNOW you all don’t want to hear this, but there IS a new man in the picture. Before you flip out and pull all of your hair out, just breathe! You have to read it for yourself and make your own opinion but boyyyyyyy are you going to be torn and confused and pissed off at yourself for enjoying a certain shower scene that shouldn’t make you smile [but totally does anyway]. Curious?! You should be!

I know I have been entirely vague but you will thank me when you read the book for yourselves. I need you all to make your own opinions on this one because I am so torn I feel like the other half of myself is floating off somewhere. Deep down I KNEW it was going to end like that but nothing compares with actually reading and feeling it. Lauren Oliver I just have one thing to ask you…Do you enjoy stomping on my heart and then making me wait a year to fix it?! All I have to say readers is buckle up. You are in for one intense ride. Pandemonium is all you could want in a sequel and more. Heartbreak, loss, determination and a drive that will inspire you to go beyond what you think you can do. Say goodbye to everything you knew, because nothing will ever be the same.

Rating:

★★★★★

Five Heart-Stopping Stars

[Seriously, a year?! I have to wait a YEAR?!]

**** **** **** ****

Uh people. I finished this book a month ago and I STILL feel my heart breaking. The only problem I think you will have with this is the fact that you will have to wait A YEAR to see what happens next. Seriously folks. Get ready, your world is going to be turned upside down.

Review: Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

Wanderlove
Published by: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Kirsten Hubbard
Release Date: March 13th 2012
( Barnes & Noble / Goodreads )

It all begins with a stupid question:

Are you a Global Vagabond?

 No, but 18-year-old Bria Sandoval wants to be. In a quest for independence, her neglected art, and no-strings-attached hookups, she signs up for a guided tour of Central America—the wrong one. Middle-aged tourists with fanny packs are hardly the key to self-rediscovery. When Bria meets Rowan, devoted backpacker and dive instructor, and his outspokenly humanitarian sister Starling, she seizes the chance to ditch her group and join them off the beaten path.

Bria's a good girl trying to go bad. Rowan's a bad boy trying to stay good. As they travel across a panorama of Mayan villages, remote Belizean islands, and hostels plagued with jungle beasties, they discover what they've got in common: both seek to leave behind the old versions of themselves. And the secret to escaping the past, Rowan’s found, is to keep moving forward.

But Bria comes to realize she can't run forever, no matter what Rowan says. If she ever wants the courage to fall for someone worthwhile, she has to start looking back.

Kirsten Hubbard lends her artistry to this ultimate backpacker novel, weaving her drawings into the text. Her career as a travel writer and her experiences as a real-life vagabond backpacking Central America are deeply seeded in this inspiring story.
-Goodreads

*An eARC was provided to me by the publisher/NetGalley for review purposes*

Thoughts/Review:

As soon as I read the synopsis for Wanderlove I knew it was going to change me. I’ve always enjoyed traveling books and I have to say this is the best one I have ever read. Not only was it a traveling book where I felt like I was honestly there, but the love story behind it had me week in the knees. There is just so much more to this book than traveling and love though. It is about finding yourself when you thought you couldn’t be found, and learning that sometimes you have to face forward and use the past as a stepping stone to move on.  A journey has never taken my breath away such as Wanderlove has, and I must tell you all to get ready for a ride that will leave you wondering if you have even found yourself yet.

Suffering from not only a terrible breakup but losing her art as well, Bria Sandoval has never felt more lost in life. But one brochure with one question [Are you a Global Vagabond?] changed her life forever. Fast forward a few plane rides and a less than thrilling touchdown that brought to light that instead of backpacking, Bria Sandoval was stuck with a tourist group. Not the ideal trip that she had in mind. But once Starling and Rowan enter the picture Bria’s trip takes a turn she never knew she was ready for. Trading a tour bus for the unknown of backpacking and learning just what the heck Wanderlove is, Bria is going on one trip she will never forget.

When it comes to books that you absolutely adore, the hardest thing to do is write a review, so I will try my best here. When I opened this book the first thing that hit me was the artwork that was done by the author. Seeing as that our MC Bria is a use to be artist it was very fitting and, pleasantly, it shows up more and more as our story goes on. The words were jumping off of the pages at me as I read and I can only thank that to the fact that the author of this book , Kirsten Hubbard, is a backpacker herself. That gave this book a huge advantage and felt so real I had to keep pinching my arm to make sure I wasn’t there myself. Artistic and amazing with her words Kirsten Hubbard had me hooked.

I wasn’t only enthralled with the scenery but with the cast as well. Bria was easy to connect to, as being at one point or another we have all been lost [physically or emotionally…] There were times I was reading and I just wanted to help shove her along and get her out of the box her ex put her in. There was so much in her wanting to be let out but Bria was scared of it. Like I said, connecting with Bria had never been easier.  Oh, and then there was Starling and Rowan. A brother and sister pair has never made me laugh or enjoy myself like these two did. Starling never ceased to amaze me as the pages turned and Rowan…oh, what can I say about him?! Dreamy, thoughtfully and moving forward with his life, this man had my heart from the first time I saw his pony tail. Who wouldn’t fall for a tan backpacking god?

When all is said and done this book wrapped itself up perfectly. Squirming in my seat I couldn’t contain my emotions and I am pretty sure I let out a scream or two when I was finished. I know this is a standalone book but I have gotten so attached to these characters I would kill to just read what happened when everything was over… But I think ending on the note we did made it so much more amazing and inspiring than anything else. All I want to do with my life now is go backpacking and hope to find myself like Bria and Rowan found themselves. Kirsten Hubbard, you have infected me with a traveling bug I may never be able to get rid of, and I thank you for it. Don’t pass this one up folks, you just may want to get infected with the traveling bug too.

Rating:

★★★★★

Five Finding Stars

[I'm behind on life. Gone backpacking]

**** **** **** ****

Ah people! This book was amazing and better yet it comes out on my birthday!!! If you are into traveling book or just a book about moving forward in life then DON'T forget to click on the B&N link above to pre-order it. You don't want to miss out on this one.

Review: Because Of Low by Abbi Glines

Because of Low
Published by: Abbi Glines
Abbi Glines
Release Date: February 14th 2012
( Barnes & Noble / Goodreads )

In my debut novel, Breathe, Sadie may have fallen in love with the teen rock star, Jax Stone, but readers fell head over heels for Marcus Hardy. This is his story… 

Marcus Hardy had hoped to enjoy a year away at college while he put the summer he’d rather forget behind him. But instead, he’s jerked right back to the coastal town of Sea Breeze, Alabama due to a family crisis. His dear ol' dad found himself a girlfriend only a few years older than Marcus. So now his sister needs help dealing with their mother who is mentally falling apart. The only bright spot to returning is the fascinating red head who sleeps over several times a week. The problem is she's sleeping in bed with his new roommate, Cage Watson. 

Willow “Low” Foster needs a place to live. Running to Cage’s apartment every time her sister kicks her out isn’t exactly a long term solution. Juggling her courses at the local community college and a part time job doesn’t produce excess income. But Cage has a new roommate and suddenly sleeping over at her best friend’s apartment isn’t such a bad thing. Not when she gets to see those sexy green eyes of Marcus Hardy’s twinkle when he smiles at her like he wants her there. Even though Cage seems a little territorial where Low is concerned, Marcus finds time to spend with Low without upsetting his roommate. Cage may use his small college baseball star persona to sleep with every hot female in his path but he’s still under the disillusion that when he’s through sowing his wild oats, he’s going to marry Low. Marcus intends to change that assumption for both Cage and Low. Until his carefully laid plans come crashing down with a revelation he never expected. He’ll have to choose between Low or his family. Because once the truth comes out.... there’s no other choice.

-Goodreads

*An eARC was provided to me by the author for review purposes*

Thoughts/Review:

Oh Abbi Glines the words you weave! If any of you know me at all [or stalk my twitter], you know I have read and immensely enjoyed every single book Abbi has written and this one just blew the top off of them all. Not only did she make me fall even more in love with her writing and characters but she transitioned into the world of New Adult flawlessly. I was fanning myself, giggling like a school girl, and swooning all over the place. Don’t let that fool you though folks. You also get a heaping dose of frustrating angst to go with it. Sounds like the perfect mixture does it not? One can never be disappointed when it comes to a Gline piece of genius.

Now, if you have read Breathe [which you should have by now!] you already know Marcus. I was more than ready to see Marcus get his own happy ending since everything with Sadie went to shit for him in Breathe. But nothing could have prepared me for this story.  It consumed me from page one, no joke. Not only do we get to see Marcus’s journey of trying to open up and find love again while juggle a family crisis he could have never seen coming but we get Low’s own story complete with her own set of family drama. See, what I think I enjoyed most about this book was it was told in both Marcus and Low’s point of view. I revel in double narratives like this and it made me so much more emotionally attached to the story being told. Once I picked it up I didn’t put it down until I was done a few hours later. My eyes were glued.

Now I never became super attached to Marcus in Breathe because I knew he was getting this book, so once I started reading I was captivated. It is safe to say I love Marcus more than Jax. [Pst, you get to see Jax in this book.  You didn’t hear it from me…] But what I really think made Marcus pop for me in this book was the fact that Low was introduced. Low is struggling with the worst possible circumstances and she managed to completely capture my heart. I loved everything about Low, even if she was so down on herself.  I adore a character building book and damn it if this wasn’t the best one I have read this year. I ate up seeing Low and Marcus go through their highs and lows together and getting to see each of them really grow into a new phase of themselves.

If their own personal troubles weren’t enough to keep you hooked then the relationship that these two go through will. I guarantee your fist will meet a pillow, or two, possibly three I lost count. There was SO much I wanted to happen and then I got the rug pulled out from underneath me and my heart went plunging on more than one account. I found myself yelling with my headphones in [listening to a heart breaking song no doubt] and someone had to tell me to be quiet. I just, I couldn’t.  The relationship between these two was enough to make my heart explode.  And for that reason right there is why I will ALWAYS run to an Abbi Gline book to feed my hunger for a good romance. Even if I do want to seriously hurt someone half way through. 

When all is said and done Because of Low is an epic tale of love, loss, and the ultimate sacrifice you are willing to take to make it all work. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed reading this story and falling for a whole new set of characters. Hell I can’t tell you how much I loved Low. I hope I get to see her and Marcus again somewhere in the future. People, Abbi Glines has done it yet again and I have a feeling she will keep us on our toes for many years to come. Falling in love has never been so frustratingly sweet and I am always going to be coming along for the ride. Don’t miss your chance! Pick up Because of Low now!

Rating:

★★★★★

Five Flourishing Stars

[Playboys don't always get the girl]

**** **** **** ****

I was going to wait to post this review, but Because Of Low got released early! The link to Barnes & Noble is above so click your way on over! DO NOT miss out on this one people. Go get your copy of Because of Low today and revel in all that is Marcus Hardy! Happy reading. [:

Review: Obsidian [Lux #1] by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian
Lux #1
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Released: December 6th 2011 by Entangled Publishing
( Barnes & Noble / Goodreads )

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.
-Goodreads

Thoughts/Review:

For the love of all that is steamy and sexy, what have I gotten myself into?! I wasn’t trying to get wrapped into another bad boy [or maybe I was] but it was inevitable with this book. Who knew aliens could be so hot, or so infuriating? I am the happiest person ever that a few choice friends basically forced me to read this book NOW instead of waiting a few more weeks. I was pissed, coveting, drooling and yelling basically the whole time. This story, the characters, everything got under my skin in the best way possible and I don’t think I can ever look at aliens the same way again.

This story wasted no time what so ever getting my attention and connecting me to the story and our MC Katy. See, Katy is a book blogger [awesome right?] who has had to move to a new state 3 years after her father passed away from cancer. A new start is what her mom wants for them and a new start is exactly what they get. See since Katy is pretty much a recluse [what book blogger isn’t? Or is it just me?] her mom wants her to play nice, make some new friends and get out of the house more often. Luckily for Katy her next door neighbors are her age, but playing nice is easier said than done when it comes to Dee, more accurately her brother Daemon.

If you know me then you know I am such a huge sucker for bad boys. And this book had the best one of them all. Because not only was he a bad boy who could kick anyone’s ass, he is as arrogant as the come. Yes, I know, arrogance is not an admirable quality in a man. But trust me, in Daemon it is. As you should know any good bad boy has layers to him people! As soon as Katy meets him at his front door [shirtless mind you] I knew I would never be the same. There is just something about the way that boy carries himself that just makes me want to slap him in the best way possible.  Daemon is sexy, I will give him that but I wouldn’t have loved him and his arrogance as much if it weren’t for Katy.

Katy is snarky, witty, and is a huge breath of fresh air for the YA genre. She isn’t whiny, she doesn’t complain all the time and when she needs to she takes everything into her own badass hands and takes care of it. One reason I fell in love with this cruel angsty relationship was the fact that Katy didn’t let the intolerable Daemon turn her into an introverted little girl. She stood up to him and that made the sexual tension rise so high it consumed me all the way over here. I adore a book that makes me feel all the angst of a situation and then some *fans self* A little heat is never a bad thing people! I also have to say I am a huge fan of Dee. I love how hard she tried to seem normal before everything is blown sky high and how hard she works at trying to handle Daemon when he is at his worst.

This book took me by surprise and I am proud to say that I am now a Jennifer L. Armentrout fan. Her writing has captivated me and thrown me into another unhealthy crushationship with a bad boy who is bound to break my heart before all is said and done.  Wither you are an existing Armentrout fan or new to her work, DON’T pass this one up. And watch out for the second book Onyx [which I am impatiently waiting for] that comes out in May. This series is going to be the death of me people but I think I am going to like it. As long as Daemon is there. With his shirt off. Dayam.

Rating:

★★★★★

Five Fearsome Stars

[Arrogance never looked so good]

**** **** **** ****

Well. What can I say. You totally can not blame me for falling head over heels in love with this one people. If you don't know what I am talking about then you need to head on over to goodreads or Amazon or Barnes & Noble and check it out. I can't WAIT for May. ;]

Review: Shift [The Protector #2] by M.R. Merrick

Shift
The Protector #2
M.R. Merrick
Released: February 1st 2012 by M.R. Merrick
( Amazon / Goodreads )

Devastated by the loss of his mother, Chase is trying to balance the life he’s been left with, a family he’s still getting to know, and power he never thought he’d have. He doesn’t understand why the Goddess has named him the Protector and granted him two gifts: the Mark, a tattoo that now covers his back, and the ring. But between getting interrogated by the Circle and psychic attacks from Riley, the Mark is the least of his concern. There’s a demon inside Rayna that’s fighting to be released, and it’s not her inner witch. It’s something else–a monster threatening to tear her apart. 

As Chase struggles to control his magic, his enemies are closing in. Everyone has staked a claim on his ring, and destroying it may be his only chance to stop Riley. But Chase must decide if stopping him is worth risking the lives of everyone he cares about, or if protecting the ring will be enough to save his world.

-Goodreads

*An eARC was provided to me by the author for review purposes*

Thoughts/Review:

Wait. Could you just give me like 2 seconds? I can’t catch my breath from all the sheer awesomeness that I just witnessed. Yeah, that’s right, I said witnessed. Because what I just experienced wasn’t just reading. I don’t know how M.R. Merrick does it but he took me on an all-out thrill ride with this one folks. It’s no surprise to you, if you have read his first book Exiled, that we are dealing with an action guru and [I didn’t think it was possible] he stepped up his game. I am always a bit nervous reading the second book in a series. It’s a make or break kind of thing and M.R. made it his bitch. Sorry for the language, I am just all pumped up! Blame Merrick!

Shift starts right where Exiled left off, which I loved. Because to be honest, I was a tab bit [okay, a huge bit] scared of how Chase would cope with all that happened to him. Chase has this wall around him and I was scared he was going to let it crush him. So, this book had me biting my nails like, the whole time. If not worrying about Chase I was freaking out about Ryan [who is a badass heroine if I EVER saw one. Seriously. She is the shit.] or having my mind blow at the changing roll Willy [my dear dear Willy] endured. I really wish I could go on this big long ramble about what I am actually trying to say to you guys, but really. You HAVE to read this book and see for your own eyes. I want you to feel what I felt when I was flipping these pages!

If you ever read my reviews, you might get the hint that I LOVE books that have character building. Most books do, I know, I know. But I was already super in love with Chase from Exiled and getting to see him open up and trust people was just like, awegasmic. The character building wasn’t the only thing that took my breath away in this book. It was the sense that the whole time I was reading I was seriously right there with them. And with Shift focusing on these characters finding out about and facing all these demons within themselves it blew me away. I seriously wonder if Merrick doesn’t have some kind of portal that allows him to travel to these people. Honestly, M.R. is there something you’re not telling us?! I’m on to you. [And if you really do have said portal, can I come with you?!]

Overall, I think it is pretty safe to say this book blew my mind. I couldn’t have dreamt of a better way of continuing not only Chase’s story but those around him and I can’t wait to see where we will be taken next. But, let me warn you. Once you pick it up, you truly can’t put it down. So turn off the television put the kids to bed and buy this book. Have your coffee ready in the morning though, you will need it after that all night reading binge.  

Rating:

★★★★★

Five Action Packed Stars

[I warned you people]

**** **** **** ****

People. If you have not read Exiled yet then you need to head on over to my review page, check it out and go buy it! In fact, I think it is still on sale over at Amazon. So I will even make it easy for you. Click here to nab that sucker up! Then when you are done you can enjoy all the epicness that is Shift. Happy reading all!

Review: Breathe by Abbi Glines

Breathe
Published By: Wild Child Publishing
Abbi Glines
Released: May 17th 2011
( Barnes & Noble / Goodreads )

Sadie White's summer job isn't going to be on the beach life-guarding or working at rental booths like most kids her age. With her single mother's increasing pregnancy and refusal to work, Sadie has to take over her mother's job as a domestic servant for one of the wealthy summer families on a nearby island.

When the family arrives at their summer getaway, Sadie is surprised to learn that the owner of the house is Jax Stone, one of the hottest teen rockers in the world. If Sadie hadn't spent her life raising her mother and taking care of the house she might have been normal enough to be excited about working for a rock star.

Even though Sadie isn't impressed by Jax's fame, he is drawn to her. Everything about Sadie fascinates Jax but he fights his attraction. Relationship's never work in his world and as badly as he wants Sadie, he believes she deserves more. By the end of the summer, Jax discovers he can't breathe without Sadie.
-Goodreads

Thoughts/Review:

You know, the more I read about sexy rock gods in books the more I love them. I am genuinely surprised it took me so long to pick up this one up, and I really don’t know why I waited so long. If you know me, you know I am a huge Abbi Glines fan and how I managed to read her first book last remains a mystery to me. I oh so wish I would have read this first, not that is has anything to do with any of her other books, but it is just so darn great! It’s a great opener for all the epicness that is an Abbi Glines romance. So even if this is your first Glines book, or your last there is no doubt in my mind that you will enjoy every second of it.

This book was just so easy to fall into and not want to get out of. The writing was seamless and made me feel every ounce of joy, sorrow, and longing that each character felt. It was so easy to love and connect with every character that graced the pages and Abbi even made me love the parts I hated. You know, those parts that break your heart so much you just don’t want to go on anymore? [Yell at people, throw things, punch a pillow or two, maybe even use an intense glare or two at your man…] Yeah, those were GREAT. How she managed this, I will never know, but I am always grateful for it. It’s so nice to be able to start a book and then by the time your flipping the last page see that a few hours have passed only to wonder how it happened. Hooked is an understatement.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed reading and connecting with Sadie. I related so much to her problems at home that I just felt like we were related. It was nice to see her emotional development throughout the story and see, even though her mother was not the best and put her through hell, she came out of it a better person and never once gave up on her mom. No matter how much she didn’t deserve it. Oh, and then there was Jax. I have to applaud this young rock god, because he was just what my Sadie needed. Sweet, thoughtful and so swoon worthy I thought I was going to have to call an ambulance. Always knowing just what to say and being all vulnerable, god. *Melting* I loved every second I got to spend with him.

I do believe there was one more man that had my heart a thumpin’ in this book. Marcus. Oh Marcus, how I love you! Going into this book I knew he was going to get his own book [Because of Low] so I knew things were not going to work out for him. But god, that didn’t stop me from falling for him and being crushed when Sadie didn’t even give him a full out shot. Oh and Ms. Mary. It was so nice to see Sadie get a voice of comfort in this book since she wasn’t getting any from her mom. Abbi always manages to have such a strong supporting cast that I kind of forget they aren’t main characters.

Having to go through my emotional rollercoaster to make it to the end I would have not had it end any other way. Though I had a major freak out and bit my nails so low they hurt the ending was so worth it. That is one thing I love with Abbi’s work. Her standalone books always have the best endings. This is a great read no matter what age/location/emotional state you are in. If you love a good YA romance then look no further. Jax and Sadie have everything you need [and then some]. So sit back, relax, and go buy this book. [:

Rating:

★★★★★

Five Breathless Stars

[I do love myself a rock star]

**** **** **** ****

You guys. I will ALWAYS love Abbi Glines. She never fails to impress me with her amazingness and if you haven't checked her out by now, I don't know what you are doing!! Go click on that goodreads link and get your Abbi Glines on people!! [: