Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday (24): Top Ten Books I Read In 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
For more information and a list of past and future topics, go here.

Top Ten Eleven Books/Authors I Read In 2014
(alphabetical order by author)

Middle & Young Adult:
Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1) World After (Penryn & the End of Days, #2)
Angelfall & World After by Susan Ee
Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3)
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Wonder
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Flat-Out Celeste (Flat-Out Love, #2)
Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park

New Adult & Coming-of-Age:
Painted Faces (Painted Faces, #1)
Painted Faces by L.H. Cosway
Rowdy (Marked Men, #5)
Rowdy by Jay Crownover
Play (Stage Dive, #2) Lead (Stage Dive, #3)
Play & Lead by Kylie Scott


Adult Romance:
Awaken (Spiral of Bliss, #3) Break the Sky
Awaken & Break the Sky by Nina Lane
Skygods (Hydraulic, #2)
Skygods by Sarah Latchaw
Seduced by Stratton (The English Brothers, #4) Wild About Weston (The English Brothers, #5)
The English Brothers Series by Katy Regnery
Neanderthal Marries Human: A Smarter Romance (Knitting in the City, #1.5) Love Hacked (Knitting in the City, #3)
Beauty and the Mustache (Knitting in the City, #4) Scenes from the City (Knitting in the City, #4.5)
And last, but certainly not least... gems from the Knitting in the City Series by Penny Reid
 

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Review: Undertow by K.R. Conway

Undertow (Undertow, #1)
Undertow by K.R. Conway
(Undertow #1)
October 11, 2013
Genre: YA Paranormal
Content: Clean, minimal language
Source: eARC for Honest review

Eila Walker knows luck is not a friend, so she is downright shocked to inherit a million-dollar Cape Cod home. And yeah, her new town isn't perfect: the cheerleaders are heinous clones, the local undertow can kill ya, and her Great Grams was supposedly fried by lightning in the harbor square. Still, Eila is hopeful her luckless days are in the past . . . until history decides to repeat itself.

When drool-worthy Raef O’Reilly becomes her friendly, yet weirdly protective shadow, Eila thinks life is pretty darn perfect – until she is hauled beneath the waves by an unnatural undertow. Revealing coal-black eyes and iron-like strength as he rescues her, Raef can no longer hide what he is . . . or what she can do. Eila, last of her kind, can supposedly channel the power of human souls, while Raef is more adept at stealing them. Even worse, the legend about her ancestor isn't such a myth, since Eila’s grandmother was one kick-butt warrior until her lightning-like power backfired. A power that is written all over Eila's DNA.

Determined to stay one step ahead of a dangerous clan that is hunting her, Raef, along with three unlikely allies, will do all they can to protect her. But as hidden pieces of their brutal histories unravel, Eila begins to understand just what went down in the harbor square. She soon realizes that following in her grandmother’s fearless footsteps may be the only way to save those she loves . . . including Raef.


Undertow was a refreshing read for me, a nice chance to read a clean YA paranormal series that I not only personally enjoyed (even though I am not in the target audience), but can also comfortably recommend to any YA audience, conservative or not. It has all the great elements of suspense and intrigue, drawing the reader into a fascinating and new paranormal/fantasy world. It also has great character development with a range of intriguing abilities but they are also so down to earth.

Eila has been thrust into a new world where she learns of her family's past in a very unexpected way, as she moves to a new home in Cape Cod and starts school as a senior in high school. She is soon befriended by MJ and Ana, and of course, the gorgeous Raef. But life is not simple, and hers quickly turns upside down. I loved taking this journey alongside Eila. Her voice and personality are very relatable. I enjoyed the budding friendships, the glimmering romance, and the suspense, mystery, and danger she faced alongside her friends. It was exciting to unravel everything with her, figuring out what was what and who could be trusted. And while Eila acted her age, she also had a maturity of purpose as she learned more and more about her true self and her family's past and present. Then throw in a sweet romance with its own touch of mystery, and I loved getting to know Raef and his connection with Eila.

Overall, I loved Undertow and the exciting start to this new series. With strong characters, fascinating world building, and a suspenseful plot, I was not only pulled in by Undertow, but am excited to start the next book in the series, Stormfront.

Note: There is no cliff-hanger, very minimal language, and no sex.

 

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Review: The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak

The Heart of Christmas (Whiskey Creek, #7)
The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak
(Whiskey Creek #7)
October 28, 2014
384 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Contains: sex, some language
Source: eARC for Honest review

Eve Harmon has always enjoyed Christmas, but this year it reminds her of everything she doesn't have. Almost all her friends are married now, and that's what Eve wants, too. Love. A husband and kids of her own. But the B and B she manages, and even Whiskey Creek, the small Gold Country town where she was born and raised, suddenly seem…confining.

Eve's worried that her future will simply be a reflection of her past. There's no one in the area she could even imagine as a husband—until a handsome stranger comes to town. Eve's definitely attracted to him, and he seems to have the same reaction to her. But his darkly mysterious past could ruin Eve's happily ever after—just when it finally seems within reach. And just when she's counting on the best Christmas of her life!

I hadn't read any of the books in this series prior to this novel, but I love Christmas books, so I jumped on the chance to read this one, and hoped to find a new series to get into. Though this is part of a series, I think this can be read as a standalone (as I did), and if you like the other characters that come into play from previous books (which they do), then you can easily go back and catch up on their stories.

The main story of Eve and Rex was quite engaging. I enjoyed the chemistry between them, the way they got to know each other, the trust the gave despite the overwhelming mystery surrounding Rex. There was something very sweet and endearing about them, and I couldn't help but root for them and their relationship. Eve was a real sweetheart, and Rex was such a softy under that mysterious exterior. I really liked getting to know them, past, present, and hopeful future. If I could rate their story alone, I would give them 4.5 to 5 stars. But...

While I really liked the two main characters of this story, Eve and Rex, the subplots negated some of my good feelings for the overall book and made it weird, distracting, and overly lengthy. Chey, a character from a previous book(s), was deceitful and unlikable. I did not appreciate her lying storyline. Ted's storylines were also an issue. His history with Eve and current pushiness made him a real jerk in my eyes. Then add in the Little Mary research and it was a bit weird. All these extra subplots and tie-ins made the story much longer than it needed to be, which was unfortunate. Instead of all these other people and their issues, I wished the epilogue would have been longer as I felt like so much was building up to the point in the epilogue, and then it just ended.

 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Novella Review: Merry Christmas, Baby by Jill Shalvis

Merry Christmas, Baby (Lucky Harbor, #12.5)
Merry Christmas, Baby by Jill Shalvis
(Lucky Harbor #12.5)
December 2, 2015
Novella: 64 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: eARC for Honest review

Wild child Chloe Thompson can't believe how much things have changed. She still can't get enough of her sexy husband Sawyer, but he seems to prefer working to thinking about impending fatherhood. So tonight, a very pregnant Chloe is escaping her troubles at the town Christmas party.

Sheriff Sawyer Thompson hopes surprising Chloe at the party will give him a chance to set things right. But as the snow begins to fall and the wind rages, he wonders whether he can make it back in time. While mother nature conspires to keep Sawyer and Chloe apart, an unexpected arrival will require them to kiss and make up . . . and ring in the happiest holiday Lucky Harbor has ever seen. 13,000 words


This is a very cute, short novella, perfect for the holidays. Admittedly, I didn't start reading the Lucky Harbor series until book 9, so I didn't read Chloe and Sawyer's story beforehand. This novella takes place after they are married and expecting their first baby very, very soon. But now I want to go back and read their story, which is book 3, Head Over Heels, because I really liked them.

This novella showcases that weird time in life for those expecting a baby with the spouse they love, yet the baby was unplanned. All the insecurities have surfaced, the doubts, the worries. Chloe and Sawyer love each other, but this impending bundle of joy is testing them, particularly their communication. But never fear, love and hope and faith and commitment have a lovely way of bringing everything and everyone together. Even mother nature can't keep Chloe and Sawyer from renewing their love for one another and their newest family member. This holiday short was super sweet and tender.

 

Top Ten Tuesday (23): New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.
For more information and a list of past and future topics, go here.

Top Ten Eleven New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2014
 
Paranormal Paradise!
Susan Ee
Wow, this world she created sucked me right in. I can't wait for book 3!
Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, #1) World After (Penryn & the End of Days, #2)
S.T. Bende
Modern Norse Mythology! The romance is sweet and the action is exciting.
Elsker ( The Elsker Saga #1) Endre (The Elsker Saga #2) Tro (The Elsker Saga #3)
C.C. Wood
Intriguing characters, exciting world-building, and steamy romance.
Bite Me (Bitten, #1) Once Bitten, Twice Shy (Bitten, #2) Bewitched, Bothered, and Bitten (Bitten, #3)
 
Ahh, Sweet Romance!
L.H. Cosway
Wow! These books are simply amazing! I'm a new Cosway fan!
Painted Faces (Painted Faces, #1) Killer Queen (Painted Faces, #2)
Catherine Bybee
I love the romance of these books with a side of medicine.
Not Quite Enough (Not Quite, #3) Not Quite Forever (Not Quite, #4)
Tammy Falkner
I fell for the brothers in this series. Looking forward to continuing the rest of the stories.
Tall, Tatted and Tempting (The Reed Brothers, #1) Smart, Sexy and Secretive (The Reed Brothers, #2)
 
Whoa! That's Quite Steamy!
C.D. Reiss
Girlfriend knows how to write. And not just sexy, but also quality, writing. But there's nothing mild about them. Be prepared.
Beg (Songs of Submission, #1) Spin (Songs of Corruption, #1)
Laurelin Paige
I love the couple in this series. They were simply fascinating.
The Fixed Trilogy (Fixed, #1-3)
 
Let's Hear It For The Boys!
Kevin Hearne
My husband and I love this series! We're listening to it on audio and it's amazing!
Hounded (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #1) Hexed (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #2) Hammered (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #3)
Allen Zadoff
A teenage assassin with a mysterious past. Really enjoying this series.
Boy Nobody I Am the Mission (The Unknown Assassin, #2)
Ransom Riggs
Such a fascinating story and amazing use of old pictures. And there's gonna be a movie!
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #1) Hollow City (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #2)

Monday, December 8, 2014

Release Day, Excerpt & Giveaway: Breaking The Rules by Katie McGarry

BTR RDL Banner  

We are so excited to bring you the Release Day launch for Katie McGarry's BREAKING THE RULES! BREAKING THE RULES is a Young Adult contemporary romance published by Harlequin Teen, and is the follow-up book to Katie's PUSHING THE LIMITS. You do not want to miss Noah and Echo's story! Grab it today!

  Breaking the Rules Cover

Amazon ** Barnes & Noble ** Books-A-Million ** Kobo ** iBooks ** Google Play

A summer road trip changes everything in this unforgettable new tale from acclaimed author Katie McGarry. For new high school graduate Echo Emerson, a summer road trip out west with her boyfriend means getting away and forgetting what makes her so . . . different. It means seeing cool sights while selling her art at galleries along the way. And most of all, it means almost three months alone with Noah Hutchins, the hot, smart, soul-battered guy who's never judged her. Echo and Noah share everything--except the one thing Echo's just not ready for. But when the source of Echo's constant nightmares comes back into her life, she has to make some tough decisions about what she really wants--even as foster kid Noah's search for his last remaining relatives forces them both to confront some serious truths about life, love, and themselves. Now, with one week left before college orientation, jobs and real life, Echo must decide if Noah's more than the bad-boy fling everyone warned her he'd be. And the last leg of an amazing road trip will turn . . . seriously epic.

BTR Teaser 1
 
From Echo’s POV
There’s nothing like the rush of being chased by the great Noah Hutchins…
I hold my breath and strain to listen past the late-day birds singing in the branches above. The fine hair on the back of my neck rises as if Noah has appeared behind me and deliciously blown over my skin. I close my eyes. He’s so near I can imagine his body wrapped around mine.
Noah is wily and good at seeking, but I’m crafty and better at hiding. I edge to the side again and in painfully slow movements look behind me and…
“Gotcha.”
I scream. Loudly. My heart ramming through my chest. Birds’ wings beat together as dozens of them take to the sky. The moment I spot the laughter in Noah’s chocolate-brown eyes, my scream quickly morphs into a fit of giggles. He reaches for me, but I stumble back from the solid arm attempting to sneak around my back.
“You’re not getting away this time.” Noah’s deep voice vibrates down to my soul.
Noah’s arm slides one way and in a maneuver so slick it seems choreographed, I slip to the side, once again barely dodging his grasp.
“You’re too slow,” I taunt as I gain traction and sprint for the field of untamed wildflowers. The white-and-yellow daisies brush against my legs as I push forward. My skirt swishes against my thighs, and I love how the smooth material grazes my skin. Clean air fills my lungs, and my blood beats manically in my veins. Never in my life have I felt so alive. So high that I’m soaring.
“I’m letting you win,” he calls out.
“You are not.” I slow and pivot to watch as he struts behind me. The tall grass and flowers reach his jean-covered legs. For once, his dark hair doesn’t hide his eyes, and I love the spark of naughtiness in them. “You’re sore that you’re losing.”
He flashes the type of grin that encourages tingles. “You’re becoming cocky, Echo.”
I laugh, and the sound causes his smile to widen. Even though he’s slow in his approach, his wide gait closes the distance between us faster than I’d like. I steadily walk backward, unable to tear my eyes off the fluid way he moves. “Now, now. Out of the two of us, we both know you own that title.”
“Own it, wear it, I am it. I’ve never claimed differently.”
Nope, he never has. Noah is exactly who I see. A few months away from Kentucky, away from home, the rough foster kid is evolving into a man.
“Hey, Echo.” Noah gestures with his chin that he has something important to say, and I stall, watching as his gaze falls to my midriff. “Your tank rode up.”
I peer down and in a heartbeat realize my mistake when grass rustles and Noah grabs my waist. In a dizzying circle, my arms wrap around his neck and somehow we both end up on the ground. Me on top. Noah on the bottom. As always, Noah becomes my safe place to land.
With a wink, Noah rolls us, reversing our positions, but I don’t complain. I dream of his body over me. The heavy sensation is familiar and addictive. Noah skims his nose along the side of my neck, and the pleasing tickle causes me to suck in air.
“I won,” he whispers against my skin.
I find myself in a waking dream as I savor his caresses. “Did not.”
Noah presses a kiss to that sensitive spot behind my ear. A stream of warmth floods my body. Longing for more, I twist to expose my neck.
“Did, too.” His hands roam, sliding to my side. I melt and tense at the same time. We’re in the wide open, but I can’t stop the way my body molds to his. My fingers bunch the material of his shirt as I play with the idea of removing it. We’re far from the walking trail, far from the campsite. How many people, besides Noah and me, allow themselves to wander to the point of being lost?
“You said you could find me in five minutes,” I say softly. “That was longer than five minutes.”
“Echo,” he says as he raises his head. His fingers begin this little dance. Moving up then slowly down. Each down is slightly lower and promises very wicked things.
“Yes?”
“I’ve got you beneath me and not a person in sight. That’s winning.”
A peacefulness unfurls within me. I have to agree. That is winning.
 
And don’t forget to read the first books in the 'Pushing the Limits' Series…
 
  BRT Teaser 2  

Katie McGarry Author PhotoAbout Katie McGarry: Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan. Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON, BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.

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