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Sunday, August 31, 2014

It's Monday! What are you reading? (13)

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 It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.

What I Read Last Week:
(Busy week. I didn't get much reading done.)
Tro   
Tro by S.T. Bende

What I Listened To: 
 Enchanted (Woodcutter Sisters #1) Edenbrooke
 Enchanted by Alethea Kontis (finished)
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson (started)
 
My Reviews Last Week:
 Misunderstandings (Woodfalls Girls, #2) Playing With Fire (Phoenix Fire, #3) 
Skygods (Hydraulic Level Five, #2) Beauty and the Mustache (Knitting in the City, #4)
Misunderstandings by Tiffany King (my 4-star review)
Playing With Fire by Cynthia Eden (my 4.5 star review)
Skygods by Sarah Latchaw (my 5 star review)
Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid (my 5+ star review)
 
 What I'm Currently Reading:
Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3) Tangled (Tangled, #1)
 Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Tangled by Emma Chase

http://booksojourner.blogspot.com/2014/08/review-beauty-and-mustache-by-penny-reid.html
Click & enter to win this awesome book:
Beauty and the Mustache (Knitting in the City, #4)

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Stacking the Shelves (74)

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Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Signed Book Win!
Better When He's Bad by Jay Crownover (my review)
 
Book Purchase:
Play (Stage Dive, #2)
Play by Kylie Scott (my review)

eARCs for Review:
Anyone but Alex (The English Brothers, #3) Claimed By Light (A Bound By Hades Novel)
Anyone But Alex by Katy Regnery
Claimed By Light by Reese Monroe
 
For My Kindle:
Loving Mr. Daniels
Loving Mr. Daniels by Brittainy Cherry
 
Used Book Finds:
Nevermore (Maximum Ride, #8) Welcome to Bordertown (Borderland, #5) Ender's Shadow
Nevermore by James Patterson
Welcome to Bordertown - Anthology
Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card (1st edition) (my review)
 
http://booksojourner.blogspot.com/2014/08/review-beauty-and-mustache-by-penny-reid.html
Click & enter to win this awesome book:
Beauty and the Mustache (Knitting in the City, #4)

 

Friday, August 29, 2014

Giveaway & Review: Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid

Beauty and the Mustache (Knitting in the City, #4)
Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid
Knitting in the City #4
August 28, 2014
387 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance 18+
(Contains: sexual references and sex)
Source: eARC for Honest review
 
Synopsis:
This is a full-length novel, can be read as a standalone, and is the fourth book in the 'Knitting in the City' series.

There are three things you need to know about Ashley Winston: 1) She has six brothers and they all have beards, 2) She is a reader, and 3) She knows how to knit.

Former beauty queen, Ashley Winston’s preferred coping strategy is escapism. She escaped her Tennessee small town, loathsome father, and six brothers eight years ago. Now she escapes life daily via her Amazon kindle one-click addiction. However, when a family tragedy forces her to return home, Ashley can’t escape the notice of Drew Runous— local Game Warden, bear wrestler, philosopher, and everyone’s favorite guy. Drew’s irksome philosophizing in particular makes Ashley want to run for the skyscrapers, especially since he can’t seem to keep his exasperating opinions— or his soulful poetry, steadfast support, and delightful hands— to himself. Pretty soon the girl who wanted nothing more than the escape of the big city finds she’s lost her heart in small town Tennessee.
My Review: 

  Penny Reid has done it again! Beauty and the Mustache has it all, and here's just a hint:

1. BEAUTY: Yes, it's in the title. But I'm not talking about beautiful people, though you might say they are. I'm talking about beautiful words, beautiful writing, beautiful moments that steal your breath and grab your heart. There are so many layers to this story: family heartbreak and rebuilding, coping with tragedy, trust and hope, forgiveness, vulnerability, new love and hope, and more. Each layer and each person is important and they are beautifully interwoven into the fabric and seams of this story. The story itself, the heartache and the joy, all of it, was a treat. Though, just because it's a beautiful story, doesn't mean Penny's trademark awkward situations and humor hasn't also been infused. Let's just say with six bearded brothers, and Sandra, something's bound to happen.

2. MUSTACHES: And beards. Hairy brothers and philosophers alike. There is incredible character development. From the oh so swoony Drew, to the half dozen Winston siblings, who each has a standout personality of his own, I was in love with the bearded goodness. (Nietzsche's 'stache was good for banter, not so much for looks.) These men are funny, strong, sensitive, firm, intelligent, determined, and hot. I vote for a Winston brother spin-off series! Beyond the menfolk, our heroine Ashley is all kinds of fire and sass, but also sweetness, heart, and a mix of humility as she faces so much in this story. I loved getting to know her. And let's not forget about the old friends who offer their support, their banter, their opinions, their humor, their private jets, their private jokes, and their love.

3. ROMANCE: Yes, I'm saving the best for last. This is full of romance! Drew's romance. Because Drew is all kinds of subtle gestures, sensitive insights, and soft considerations. But he's also all man. Manly man. Sexy man. But he also writes poetry. Sexy, romantic, bearded, woodsy, sensitive, strong, deep, and poetic. Penny managed to make all these qualities in one man completely work. And while Ashley had so very much to deal with, Drew was ever the strong presence, yet not overtaking the enormity of what Ashley and her brood were facing. (Though Drew's poetry was epically swoontastic and scene-stealing.) Watching the romantic gestures and natural progression of their love story was so beautiful and genuine and touching. I absolutely loved Drew and Ashley's story.

Bottomline, I absolutely loved Beauty and the Mustache! Penny continues to outdo herself, and I have once again found a favorite to add to my shelf and my to-read-again-and-again pile. If this is your first Penny Reid book, you are in for a real treat. Penny is a favorite of mine, and I've yet to be disappointed by her amazing writing. If you've been following this series, then prepare yourself for a new level of awesomeness. If you have not been following this series, Beauty and the Mustache can be read as a standalone. It is a complete story by itself. And then you'll have to go back and read the rest of the series because you won't be able to stop yourself.

 
5+ STARS
 
Swoony Drew!
 
Ashley's Bearded Brothers!
 
 Book Links:
 
Also in the Series: 
Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City, #1) Tour: Neanderthal Marries Human by Penny Reid
Friends Without Benefits (Knitting in the City, #2) Love Hacked (Knitting in the City, #3)
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
 Sale Alert!
 

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Review Tour & Giveaway: Skygods by Sarah Latchaw

Skygods (Hydraulic, #2)
Skygods by Sarah Latchaw
(Hydraulic #2)
August 26, 2014
Omnific publishing
Genre: Women's Fiction
(Contains: some strong language, sexual references)
Source: eARC for Honest review

Synopsis:
Kaye Trilby and her ex-husband, world-famous author Samuel Cabral, vowed to fight for their rekindled love in rain or shine. They didn’t realize they’d be caught in a deluge so quickly.

A near-fatal skydiving accident shows Kaye how her reckless behavior affects the ones she loves. But while she knows Samuel is afraid to lose her again, she isn’t ready to give up the thrill of the wild backcountry.

Something darker is slipping into Samuel’s mind, though. The specters of his past are re-emerging. His polish is deteriorating, just as all of Hollywood braces for his blockbuster book-to-movie adaptation. When he appears on Kaye’s doorstep late one night in a rumpled tuxedo, erratic and agitated, it seems that romance with her ex might be her biggest leap yet. A string of failed relationships has pushed Samuel to the brink, the fall-out leaving him in a dark place—a place where Kaye is powerless to help him. She is reluctantly drawn back into Samuel’s glittering and backbiting world of celebrity, all the while clinging to the steadfast peaks of home.

Can Kaye risk her heart with Samuel a second time? Will they ever find their blue skies?
My Review:

Skygods is the second book in the Hydraulic trilogy. I fell in love big time with Samuel and Kaye's story in the first book, Hydraulic Level Five, and couldn't wait to get my hands on this sequel. It was everything I wanted it to be and more. I am completely in love with Samuel and Kaye. If you have not started this series, I highly recommend it.

What I love about this series is the incredibly thoughtful way the build-up, break down, and then repair and renewal of a relationship is handled. There are no quick fixes here. There is damage and deceit and drama to be dealt with. And that just touches on what we learned from the first book. Then here we add in more layers of revelations and discoveries. But all the while these twists and turns do not overwhelm the baseline that is a beautiful love story between two souls connected since childhood. I loved watching the way Samuel and Kaye are learning so much about themselves and about each other, the way they are connecting all the pieces of their past, but also connecting to each other in the present at a level far deeper than I think they could have imagined.
 
As for Samuel and Kaye, I just love them. They have completely captured my heart. Their love story is so beautiful and tender. They've made mistakes, they've had many challenges, the depths of their characters are being tested, and their future road has more bumps to traverse. But their love is strong, and watching them grow through it all is a touching, refreshing journey. And while this one does not end on a cliffhanger or anything - it ends in a good place - I already can't wait for the last book. Because I simply want to read more and more about this incredible and enchanting couple and their heartfelt and thoughtful (and very romantic) journey.
 
5 STARS
 
Series Links:
Hydraulic Level Five (Hydraulic, #1)
Hydraulic Level Five #1

Skygods (Hydraulic, #2)
Skygods #2
 
About the Author:
author Sarah Latchaw
Sarah Latchaw was raised in eastern Iowa and appreciates beauty in mud-splattered gravel roads and fields. She also loves to explore far-away places, thanks to countless family minivan trips across the States. This passion for finding stories led to college adventures in many different countries, and each place’s story rests in the back of her mind and in her photo albums.

Sarah received her BA from Wartburg College in public relations and media, and entered the workforce, ready to climb the ladder. However, when researching MBA applications evoked feelings of dread, with the loving support of her husband, she pursued a career in creative writing and was awarded her MA from Iowa State University.

These days, Sarah wakes every morning thrilled to cuddle her small children, show them the world, then capture that world and shape it into stories on paper. She is not thrilled when she wakes to her cats smothering her face. She and her family reside in Des Moines, Iowa—one of the best places to live and work.


Social Media Links:
 

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Release Day: Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid

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Beauty and the Mustache
by Penny Reid
Publication Date: August 28, 2014
Genres: 
ContemporaryHumorRomance
Purchase from: Amazon • Nook • Kobo • iBooks • 

Blitz and Tour: Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid
Add to Goodreads.

 

Synopsis

There are three things you need to know about Ashley Winston: 1) She has six brothers and they all have beards, 2) She is a reader, and 3) She knows how to knit.

Former beauty queen, Ashley Winston’s preferred coping strategy is escapism. She escaped her Tennessee small town, loathsome father, and six brothers eight years ago. Now she escapes life daily via her Amazon kindle one-click addiction. However, when a family tragedy forces her to return home, Ashley can’t escape the notice of Drew Runous— local Game Warden, bear wrestler, philosopher, and everyone’s favorite guy. Drew’s irksome philosophizing in particular makes Ashley want to run for the skyscrapers, especially since he can’t seem to keep his exasperating opinions— or his soulful poetry, steadfast support, and delightful hands— to himself. Pretty soon the girl who wanted nothing more than the escape of the big city finds she’s lost her heart in small town Tennessee.

This is a full-length novel, can be read as a standalone, and is the fourth book in the 'Knitting in the City' series.


Allow your heart to swoon with these teasers!

 
Don't forget we get to meet Ashley's brothers!!
 
Also in the Series: 
Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City, #1) Tour: Neanderthal Marries Human by Penny Reid
Friends Without Benefits (Knitting in the City, #2) Love Hacked (Knitting in the City, #3)

About Penny Reid

Author-Photo-Penny-Reid-300x300
SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).
By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.
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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Review: Playing With Fire by Cynthia Eden

Playing With Fire (Phoenix Fire, #3)
Playing With Fire by Cynthia Eden
(Phoenix Fire #3)
August 26, 2014
Brava publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance 18+
(Contains: strong language, sex, violence)
Source: eARC for Honest review

Synopsis:
Cassie Armstrong has plenty to atone for. The daughter of the most immoral researcher ever to pick up a scalpel, she's determined to use her own brilliance in genetics to repair the damage her family has done to the paranormals. Especially Dante, the first of the phoenixes, the one they call the Immortal. He's been haunting her dreams since she was a little girl, and she's been trying to ease his pain for almost as long. If only he remembered any of it. . .

Dante doesn't know what Cassie's story is. He almost doesn't care. The minute he sees her, all he can think is mine. But there's more to the pretty little doctor than meets the eye. And Dante isn't the only one to notice. He can't trust her, but he can't stay away--and if he wants to learn her secrets, he's going to have to fight like hell to keep them both alive. . .

My Review:
 

Loved it! Playing With Fire is a fantastic paranormal romance read that sucked me in and kept me going until the very end. I think this can be read as a standalone despite being the third in the series. I haven't read the first two books yet and felt like whatever information I needed from the previous books was given to me in just the right amounts to completely enjoy and be engaged in this one. But I definitely want to read the first two now. The concept of a shape-shifting phoenix is completely fascinating!

This storyline was action-packed, full of intensity. We've got people chasing Dante and Cassie, trying to either capture them or destroy them. We've got the damage control Cassie desperately wants to complete. And of course we have a very complicated relationship between Dante and Cassie. Throw in lots of other crazy paranormal people and situations, and this book took me on a wild ride.

As for Dante and Cassie, I really liked them. Actually, I loved them. They are damaged and difficult, but also determined and dynamic. Their relationship was fascinating, and I loved the twists and turns Eden threw in there. Add in the fact that Dante and Cassie have some seriously intense chemistry going on, with a heat beyond just his phoenix fire. This couple is hot!

Simply stated, I loved this book. It had it all - action, intensity, romance, trepidation, heat, and a fantastic ending. I love Cynthia Eden's writing, and look forward to more books from her.  

4-1/2 STARS
 
Series Links:
Burn For Me (Phoenix Fire, #1)
Burn for Me #1
 
Once Bitten, Twice Burned (Phoenix Fire, #2)
Once Bitten, Twice Burned #2
 
Playing With Fire (Phoenix Fire, #3)
Playing With Fire #3