Monday, March 31, 2014

RIPPLE EFFECT ROMANCE BLOG TOUR: REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: SILVER LININGS by Kaylee Baldwin




Title: Silver Linings
Series: The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series, #2
Author: Kaylee Baldwin
Publisher: HEA Publishing
Publication Date: March 24, 2014
Genre: Romance
Reviewed by: Angie Edwards
Source: Received Review Copy for Blog Tour
My rating: 4/5

SUMMARY

Drew Westfall wants nothing more than to forget what he had to do in the name of "smart" business. Cutting off all ties with his parents—including handing over the entire contents of his trust fund to a charity—he takes off for Bridger, Colorado where his best friend has an extra room for him. It doesn't take long for him to realize that his business degree won’t do him much good in a town as small as Bridger, but he's broke and has nowhere else to go.

Eden Torresi has every reason to wallow. Not only did she have to sell her house to pay for her mother’s medical expenses, but she had to drop out of school and is in a relationship with a guy unwilling to commit. But Eden isn't the wallowing type. Instead, she spends most of her time taking care of the seniors at Silver Linings Assisted Living. When she learns that her boyfriend's new roommate is down on his luck, she reaches out to offer what help she can. But the more time they spend together, the more complicated things get, especially when the seniors of Silver Linings decide to play matchmaker.




REVIEW

The minute I finished Home Matters, the first book in this set of romance novellas, I couldn’t wait to get started on Silver Linings! I was enthralled by the first book, and I just knew the second book was going to be as fantastic. Drew, a character we meet briefly in Home Matters, unexpectedly finds himself in a small town he hates on arrival. To him it seems the town dislikes him as much as he dislikes being there. What he doesn’t count on when he literally stumbles into Silver Linings, is falling in love with a girl who offers help to others as much as she needs it for herself. The catch? She is already in a relationship with his best friend, Jace.

I enjoyed this short story for many reasons. One reason is that Drew and Eden doesn’t fall in love at first sight. It’s more a progressive kind of falling in love. Very little focus is placed on their physical appearance, and their attraction to each other rather stems from how they react to each other, what they learn from each other, and how they connect on an emotional level by being supportive. In fact, there are very little physical displays of affection between them. That’s how I like my romance novels: more emotional intimacy and connection, and less kissing and...well, you know what follows once the hormones kick in.

***SPOILER ALERT***

The one tiny thing that bugged me a little is the fact that Eden leaves Jace once she realizes she’s in love with Drew. What I mean to say is that she was relatively content with how things were between her and Jace, but once she falls in love with Drew, suddenly the flaws in her relationship with Jace are magnified. I would’ve felt better had she fallen in love with Drew long after she had broken up with Jace instead of breaking up with him, and finding fault in their relationship, because she realizes that she’s actually in love with Drew. This bugged me because in the real world I take issue with people who only end problematic relationships they’re involved in once they already have their sights set on, or are involved with, someone else, instead of ending said relationship BEFORE meeting or getting involved with their next love-interest.

***END OF SPOILER***

Despite my personal opinion on such matters, I still had fun reading this novella, and finished it in one afternoon. I didn’t particularly bond with any of the characters, but I had my favorites. Wanda and Maud’s distinct personalities stood out, and they shined in their roles as matchmakers. The writing is flawless, and the pacing is perfect. Overall this is a feel-good romance with a great ending, and I’m looking forward to reading Jace’s story in the third book titled, Righting a Wrong.




EXCERPT

Eden opened the door and hopped out. “I’ll be just a second, if you want to stay out here.”

          Drew could tell a non-invitation when he heard one, so he nodded. He did get out of the car—where somehow it was less cold—and stomped his feet a few times while she walked up the stairs, a firm grip on the rail. She disappeared through the door.  A few minutes later, she came out, the worry lines back on her face. Instinctively, he moved closer, but before he could say anything, her heel slipped out from under her and she slid down several stairs. He rushed over to stop her fall, catching her just before she fell down the last three steps.
          “Are you okay?” Drew’s heart pounded with adrenaline.

          She moaned and used the railing and his hand to pull herself up to standing. “Guess I should have scraped and salted those this morning.”

          “Your landlord doesn’t do it?”

          She let out a short, humorless laugh. “No.” He noticed her limping when they started toward the car and he slid his arm around her waist.

          “Do you need to go get that looked at? Did you break something?”

          “No. I just twisted my knee. It’ll be okay. This happens like once a week.”

          Drew stopped walking and stared at her in disbelief. Once a week?

          “I’m fine. Really. But we’ve got to go before it gets too late. Thank you, though.” She glanced up at him and Drew’s breath caught in his throat. The sunlight kissed her pale hair, skin, and eyes, reminding Drew once again of an angel. She was so beautiful. So kind. And so taken.

          He forced himself to step back and pretended nothing weird had just happened by running a hand through hair still slick with the gel he’d put in it after his shower. He discreetly wiped gel off onto his pants. “So, Silver Linings?”

          “Yes. Silver Linings.” She wouldn’t meet his eyes, and he didn’t think it was his imagination that she sounded breathless too.


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ABOUT the AUTHOR


Kaylee Baldwin grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in English literature. She currently lives in southern Arizona with her husband, Jeremy, and their three children. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, starting new craft projects, and spending time with her family.


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Sunday, March 30, 2014

GUEST REVIEW: THE LAST CALL (Hayle Coven, #20) by Patti Larsen




Title: The Last Call
Series: Hayle Coven, #20
Author: Patti Larsen
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: August, 2013
Genres: YA, Paranormal
Reviewed by: Ellen Fritz
Source: From author for review
Ellen’s rating: 5/5

SUMMARY

Syd is ready to have the freedom to pursue Ameline and avenge Liam’s loss. But being a mother is far more pacifying than she expected, and she finds it easy to get lost in her new baby. It turns out, Ameline is the least of her worries. How much pain can one heart take? Syd is about to find out...




REVIEW

The Last Call, grand finale to the Hayle Coven series, brings the tale of Syd and the Hayle family to an exciting and highly satisfying conclusion. A birth, several deaths, a couple of executions, and a marriage or two combined with lots of nail-biting suspense and riveting action are some of the things you can expect to find in this novel.

Having read and reviewed all the books in this series, I want to start by pointing out the wonderful world building done throughout the series. The author skillfully and methodically builds a picture of the supernatural world. She never causes confusion by introducing too many new concepts in a single book. Thus, in this final book of the series, I could sit back and simply enjoy the story without having to concern myself with which plane is which or how travel between planes is accomplished.

As a character, Syd grew from a rebellious teen who hated magic to a woman who embraces her power and takes responsibility for her own actions, her loved ones, and the wellfare of the whole world when given the opportunity. With every new book the author added new characters until, in this final book, we have a large cast of beloved characters. Characters whom I'll be sad to say good-bye to.

Apart from the edge-of-my-chair moments in this book, I was, once again, on an emotional rollercoaster. From joy to sadness to laughing out loud, this brilliant page-turner has it all.

I would advise readers to get the previous nineteen books before reading The Last Call. For those who enjoyed the whole journey with the Hayle Family and Syd in particular I want to recommend this book as an absolute must-read. A standing ovation for a wonderful, exciting and heartwarming final book, and a brilliant series overall, by a highly gifted author.




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ABOUT the AUTHOR


My official bio reads like this: Patti Larsen is an award-winning middle grade and young adult author with a passion for the paranormal. But that sounds so freaking formal, doesn't it? I'm a storyteller who hears teenager's voices so loud I have to write them down. I love sports even though they don't love me. I've dabbled in everything from improv theater to film making and writing TV shows, singing in an all girl band to running my own hair salon.
But always, always, writing books calls me home.
I've had my sights set on world literary domination for a while now. Which means getting my books out there, to you, my darling readers. It's the coolest thing ever, this job of mine, being able to tell stories I love, only to see them all shiny and happy in your hands... thank you for reading.
As for the rest of it, I'm short (permanent), slightly round (changeable) and blonde (for ever and ever). I love to talk one on one about the deepest topics and can't seem to stop seeing the big picture. I happily live on Prince Edward Island, Canada, home to Anne of Green Gables and the most beautiful red beaches in the world, with my very patient husband and four massive cats.


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Friday, March 28, 2014

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: THE ROMEO CLUB by Rebekah L. Purdy




Title: The Romeo Club
Author: Rebekah L. Purdy
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Publication Date: March 25, 2014
Genres: YA, Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Angie Edwards
Source: Review copy received for blog tour
My rating: 4/5

SUMMARY

What happens when you agree to help your brother “de-nerdify” so he can catch the attention of the popular Chloe Anders, and to everyone's surprise, he actually lands her? 

And what if his equally geeky friends come running with girl wish lists of their own, offering money for your services? 

Well, if you’re sixteen-year-old, Delyla Denson, then you start The Romeo Club. A secret club where she’ll teach these guys how talk, act, and be cool around girls. It’s a win-win situation. 

She’ll get enough money for the awesome prom dress she’s had her eye on, and the guys, well, they’ll get dates and maybe learn how to do something other than beat the next level on their video games.

There are only two problems with this plan. One, her quarterback/track star boyfriend is getting jealous of how much time she’s spending away from him and decides to try and figure out what’s going on. And two, Delyla is kind of falling for her brother’s BFF, Trey who she’s been hanging out with a lot more. And who thanks to her help, has caught the attention of the beautiful, perfect, and popular, Portia Rickard. With Portia and Trey heating up, Delyla realizes that maybe the person she’s meant to be with has been in front of her all this time. 

But falling for Trey means she’ll have to take drastic measures including sabotage, with a capital S.



  
REVIEW

This book has been on my 2014 book wishlist since the beginning of the year, so imagine my excitement when an opportunity came my way to read and review it! Yep, I was super excited. Going into it I knew that this was going to be a romantic comedy, so I was fully prepared for an astounding amount of candyfloss light and fluffy romance. Still, The Romeo Club managed to surprise me with the number of times I laughed out loud while reading it, and the fact that there was one scene that actually had me sobbing. It was the scene where Delyla offered to take care of the neighbors’ troublemaking dog for a week. You’ll have to read it to know why I cried during that part. I’m not going to spoil it for anyone. But just so you know, Jimbo (the dog) was an absolute treat and I loved how the author brought him into the story for comedic relief.

Like I said earlier on, this was a fast and fluffy read. The only thing that gave away that it was written by a self-publishing author is the handful of grammar errors. Nothing serious, but it was there.  The characters were all terrific and I appreciated the fact that the author didn’t stereotype Delyla’s ex boyfriend and Trey’s girlfriend. Those two characters could’ve easily been the typical popular high school kid antagonists, but they weren’t. It was so refreshing. The Nerd Herd is the stereotypical nerds you find in your everyday YA rom coms, but it didn’t matter to me because they were absolutely adorable! Especially CC who had me in hysterics with his antics.

The romance is what you expect: sweet, butterflies, sunshiny, and predictable. Again, it didn’t bother me at all because I was distracted and entertained to the max by Delyla and Kenadi’s actions to sabotage Trey’s relationship (the scene with the seagulls was classic!).  Of course it’s easy to figure out what will happen with whom right at the end, but I didn’t feel let down by the outcome. I rooted for Delyla because she is such an amazing character, so I was happy for her when things turned out the way it did at the conclusion.

I recommend The Romeo Club to anyone looking for a few hearty laughs and a feel-good romance. Fans of YA books by Meg Cabot and Eileen Cook might very likely enjoy this offering from Rebekah L. Purdy. I know I did!




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ABOUT the AUTHOR


I was born and raised in Michigan (just look for the giant mitten on the map—it’ll likely throw a snowball at you). I spent most of my time in Michigan, but while in the army got to call KS, SC, MO, and CA home for awhile as well.

As a kid my family moved around a lot. Try spending both your freshman and senior years at new schools (yeah, loads of fun). I could’ve changed my name to “new girl”. 

I love writing for teens because those are the years I remember falling in love with most of my favorite books. Some of the authors I couldn’t put down were L.J. Smith, Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine, Richie Tankersley Cusick, Joan Lowery Nixon, Lois Duncan, amongst several others.

My husband and I have a large family. There are six kids total! So we have LOTS of fun on vacations (although hours on the road, cooped up in the Expedition is kind of stressful—although we pass the time with MAD LIBS and hoping no one gets carsick).

In my spare time I like to write (obviously), read, sing, hang out with my kids, play with my animals, camp, play soccer, check my email (hehehe), watch football (go LIONS). I also love hanging out with my sister and hubby!



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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

BOOKS ON MY WISHLIST FOR 2014!




Title: Take Me On
Series: Pushing the Limits, #4
Author: Katie McGarry
Expected Publication Date: May 27, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

SUMMARY

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.







Title: Black Ice
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Expected Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

SUMMARY

Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late. 

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage. 

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target. 

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally? 

BLACK ICE is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…







Title: I Wish
Author: Elizabeth Langston
Expected Publication Date: November 18, 2014
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

SUMMARY

Lacey Linden is hiding the truth of her life—a depressed mom, a crumbling house, and bills too big to pay. While her high school classmates see a girl with a ready smile and good grades, Lacey spends her evenings seeking ways to save her family. On a get-cash-quick trip to the flea market, Lacey stumbles over a music box that seemingly begs her to take it home. She does, only to find it is inhabited by a gorgeous "genie." He offers her a month of wishes, one per day, but there's a catch. Each wish must be humanly possible.

Grant belongs to a league of supernatural beings, dedicated to serving humans in need. After two years of fulfilling the boring wishes of conventional teens, he is one assignment away from promotion to a challenging new role with more daring cases. Yet his month with Lacey is everything that he expects and nothing like he imagines. Lacey and Grant soon discover that the most difficult task of all might be saying goodbye.







Title: Blind
Author: Rachel DeWoskin
Expected Publication Date: August 7, 2014
Publisher: Viking Juvenile

SUMMARY

Imagine this: You are fourteen, watching the fireworks at a 4th of July party, when a rocket backfires into the crowd and strikes your eyes, leaving you blind. In that instant, your life is changed forever. How do you face a future in which all your expectations must be different? You will never see the face of your newborn sister, never learn to drive. Will you ever have a job or fall in love? This is Emma’s story. The drama is in her manysmall victories as she returns to high school in her home town and struggles to define herself and make sense of her life, determined not to be dismissed as a PBK – Poor Blind Kid. This heartfelt and heart wrenching story takes you on Emma’s journey and leaves you with a new understanding of the challenges to be faced when life deals a devastating blow.



   

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Monday, March 24, 2014

$0.99 BOXSET: BREATHTAKING: SEVEN BESTSELLING NOVELS OF LOVE AND SUSPENSE



Breathtaking: Seven Bestselling Novels of Love and Suspense
Boxed set is only $.99 March 24th through March 29th.


Unbelievable by Sherry Gammon

Deliah Dreser's in town to take care of family business. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but there's more to Lilah than meets the eye. Cole's in danger of losing his heart when this firestorm throws sparks his way. Is she simply playing him for the fool in order to exact revenge for her brother's murders?

Bestselling author Sherry Gammon's reviewers exclaim; "She has a gift for touching her readers with beautiful, gripping stories that you can’t put down."






Home Before Dark by Christy Barritt

Nothing good ever happens after dark. Those were the words country singer Daleigh McDermott’s father always repeated.

Now her father is dead, and Daleigh finds a hidden journal hinting that his death was no accident. Small town mechanic Ryan Shields is the only one who seems to believe Daleigh. As the two work to unravel the mystery, it becomes obvious that someone wants them dead. They must rely on each other—and on God—if they hope to make it home before the darkness swallows them whole.

Award-Winning Suspense Novelist and Bestselling Amazon Author, touted as "scary, funny, passionate, and quirky" by USA Today.



Baggage Claim by Amanda Tru

Rachel Saunders is looking forward to her all-expense paid weekend trip to New York. But, when her luggage is lost and she is accosted by an infuriating Homeland Security agent, events take a dangerous turn.

Amanda Tru, Bestselling Amazon Author of Romance and Suspense. Discover the author who, as an Amazon reviewer raves, “continues to impress me and dominate my time with a book I can’t put down even after it’s ended.”





Cassie's Cowboy Crave by Kimberly Krey

In a moment of weakness, Shane steals a kiss.

In return, Cassie steals his heart…

When Cassie is forced to join the witness protection program, she fears her life is over… but then she meets Shane Emerson — the hunky cowboy posing as her husband. Will this sham marriage turn into the real thing, or will a hidden danger put it all at risk?

Kimberly Krey writes romance that’s clean without losing the steam. What’s Beyond Forks calls this Best-selling Western Romance author “the master of romantic tension.”








A Perfect Fit by Heather Tullis

Cami DiCarlo is not happy when her father forces her into heading up guest services at his newest five-star hotel and unveils the existence of four half-sisters at the same time, insisting they live together while they launch the new resort.

When she meets Vince, the sweet, sexy landscaper her father would never have approved of, Cami can’t say no. If only she could be sure she is on the right track—and that they will be able to stop the person who is trying to destroy everything.




You Belong with Me by Shannon Guymon

Layla Kendall is a burned out social worker one step away from a major depression. When she and her sisters inherit their grandmother's bakery, she doesn't know if she can trust her good fortune or not. But the chance to be with her sisters and get away from the heartache and pain she's faced day in and day out is a chance she's going to take. With Layla's new life, come new friendships, including Michael Bender, a single dad. She doesn't trust men but Michael's little girl grabs her by the heart and won't let go.

Shannon Guymon is an Amazon Bestselling Author of lighthearted and clean romance who according to her many fans, has the ability to paint pictures of her characters so real that readers would know them if they saw them walking down the street.




Blog This by Cami Checketts

Devastated by the loss of her brother, Natasha Senecot exposes the dangers of Matthew Chrysler's violent video games, bankrupting and humiliating him. Chrysler sends a hit man after her. In a race against time, can Natasha expose Chrysler before his assassin murders her family and shatters her world?

Bestselling author Cami Checketts has been touted as, "A genius! She writes about topics that aren't widely discussed, and she does such a brilliant job of crafting these things into wonderful stories that touch your heart and remain with you for days afterwards."



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Sunday, March 23, 2014

GUEST REVIEW: LANDRY PARK (Landry Park, #1) by Bethany Hagen




Title: Landry Park
Series: Landry Park, #1
Author: Bethany Hagen
Publisher: Dial
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Genres: YA, Dystopia, Sci-fi
Reviewed by: Ellen Fritz
Ellen’s rating: 4/5

SUMMARY

In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire.




REVIEW

Refreshingly unique, Landry Park combines the historical and the futuristic into a beguiling tale of romance, changing values, and rebellion. All Madeline ever wanted was to go to university rather than getting married and running the Landry estate. David Dana, bringing with him a realization of the oppression of the rootless, is about to change Madeline's life as well as her future ambitions. Enter Jude MacAvery to complicate matters even more and bring about a carefully crafted love triangle.

The author skillfully places a typical Victorian romance in a dystopian futuristic setting. Think ball gowns, lady's maids and debutants in a world that is mainly run by nuclear power; a world which is divided into classes with the lowest class, the rootless, getting a very raw and dangerous deal. 

The characters in Landry Park are well crafted and complex enough to make the book really interesting. Madeline, the main character, has a balanced variety of weaknesses and strengths to make her a truly realistic female lead. She struggles with her values and ambitions and must make choices despite her prejudiced gentry upbringing.

David Dana, on the other hand, is a total enigma. Right up to the end I couldn't really decide whether he was a hero, a rebel, or simply a weakling. As for handsome, gallant Captain Jude MacAvery completely astonished me in the end.

Starting with an attack on Cara, one of the gentry’s girls, Landry Park is full of scenes of action, violence, tragedy and nail-biting suspense. Towards the end of the book several mysteries are cleared up while new mysteries are created which, hopefully, will be cleared up in the sequel. Suitable for readers of all ages, I highly recommend Landry Park as a beautiful tale of romance, human values, and a great deal to keep the reader's adrenalin flowing.




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ABOUT the AUTHOR


I'm a born and bred Kansas Citian, meaning I can tolerate jazz for brief amounts of time and I'm offended by dry rub barbecue. I grew up reading Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, and all things King Arthur. When I’m not working at the library or running around with the kids and the husband, I’m writing or thinking about writing.



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