From Ashes by Molly McAdams Review

From Ashes by Molly McAdams
★★★★★
Release Date: December 11, 2012
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Age: Mature YA/ New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Realistic Fiction, Abuse, Love Triangle, Love, Romance, Friendship
Format: ebook
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

When Cassidy Jameson's best friend Tyler took her to Texas with him when he left for college, she was expecting his cousin, their new roommate, to be a Stetson-wearing cowboy since his family owned a ranch; not this incredibly gorgeous guy with a husky Southern drawl that seemed to make the world stop whenever she looked at him. Because of her past, she's only ever trusted two men in her life, Tyler and her dad whom passed away when she was six. But there's something about Gage that draws her to him in a way she can't explain, only problem? He's always telling Tyler that he doesn't want Cassidy living there and sees her as nothing more than his little sister.
Gage Carson was excited his cousin Tyler was coming to live with, and go to college with him. When he'd called to ask if he could bring his friend Cassi with him, Gage didn't care. Gage had heard about this mysterious friend since they were kids and felt like he already knew her. Nothing would prepare him for watching her jump out of Ty's Jeep though. Not only was Cassi the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, but there was something about her that within seconds of meeting her, made Gage want to protect her, and make her his. Too bad Tyler made it a point to remind Gage on a daily basis that he was dating her and she was completely off limits.
For a year and a half, Gage and Cassidy dance around their feelings for each other as Tyler continues to keep them apart; until one day Tyler unknowingly pushes her right into Gage's arms. With Tyler unable to keep lying to them, they finally start a relationship both have been craving since their first meeting. But when an accident and disaster sends her back to Tyler and California, will Cassidy be able to come face to face with the demons from her past to live a life she and Gage deserve; or will the fact that she once again ran to Tyler be the final push that ends Cassidy and Gage for good?
Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

Molly McAdams is a rockstar. While From Ashes didn't completely destroy my resolve to live, as Taking Chances did, I loved it for its beautiful story and the way it made my heart swell. It is turbulent and frustrating, but also a very rewarding read.

When Cassidy escapes the harsh life she's been living since her father's death and joins her best friend, Tyler, in Texas she meets Gage Carson and wants nothing more than to get close to him. But, unfortunately according to Tyler, Gage can't stand her. So, what's a girl to do? Give in to the one guy who has always been there for you, right? I loved that the book alternated between Gage and Cassi's POVs. I enjoyed knowing what they both were thinking, even if it made the entire ordeal harder to digest.

This book frustrated the bejesus out of me. Well, more Tyler than the book; I WANTED TO SHAKE STRANGLE HIM. Tyler is the king of deception. I couldn't help but hate him a little, even though I loved him a little too; he was manipulative and calculating. He's the best friend, the one who has always been there for Cassi but he is one of the most selfish characters I've ever encountered. This character flaw works in Gage's favor though. Molly created a love triangle that left me rooting solely for one leading man, even if I really wished the best friend turned boyfriend thing could've worked out.

In Molly's writing she excels at getting a reader lost in her story; for me, the outside world did not exist. This whirlwind story takes an exceptionally well developed turn as Cassidy ventures back to her home in California and comes face to face with her past. I was shocked and horrified for this girl and the demons she had to overcome to stand upright again. The whole book is uplifting, even when it's not. My favorite parts of the book included Gage's family and his home life.

I still can't forgive Tyler.

From Ashes is an excellent read. A book that will bury itself into any readers heart. I loved it and cannot wait to see what else Molly McAdams has to offer!

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Up In Flames by Nicole Williams Review

Up In Flames by Nicole Williams
★★★★★
Release Date: December 20, 2012
Age: Mature New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Realistic Fiction, Love Triangle
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

One small town girl with a bright future.

One smokejumper with a dark past.
One summer that will forever change them both.
They’re going . . .
UP IN FLAMES.

Elle’s life couldn’t possibly get any more small town than it already is. She was raised in the same home as the two generations before her were, her family owns the iconic downtown cafe, and she’s been dating the pastor’s son since she was allowed to go on her first date at sixteen.
Cole’s life couldn’t possibly get any larger. He’s tried. Roaming from town to town for the past three summers as a smokejumper, Cole dreads the thought of putting down roots. The only thing he avoids more than that is settling down with one woman, especially when there are as many willing women as there are trees in the forest he jumps out of planes to save.
Elle Montgomery’s life is going one way. And Cole Carson’s is going the opposite. There’s no reason their paths should ever intersect, even in a small town in central Washington.

But summer in the Methow Valley has other plans for Elle and Cole. After an awkward run-in at the local swimming hole, Elle tries to keep away from the guy who looks at her like she’s already lying beneath him in bed. She fails. Cole is about as successful at staying away from the girl who seems immune to his charms.
As the summer heats up, and tensions between Elle and Cole run high, he begins to realize there’s more he’s attracted to than Elle’s body, and she discovers there’s a lot more to the man that jumps out of planes into raging forest fires than meets the eye.

Question. Why is it that I am just now learning about Smoke Jumpers? Holy crap and holy hotness. Thank you Nicole! This book is really hot. I mean yes, it does feature a bunch of firefighters so I was expecting a hot factor, but it is seriously steamy.

Elle Montgomery is a good girl. She's always done what she was supposed to and what is expected of her. She knows that now that she has graduated high school she'll probably marry her high school boyfriend and work for her father. But when her boyfriend starts talking about marriage she avoids it at all costs; something inside her wants to be set free and that part of her is not okay being tied down. Enters Cole Carson who spends his summer at the smoke jumper camp near her home town, upon meeting him she begins to question what exactly she's doing with her life. Cole's philosophy of living in the moment and doing what you want piques Elle's interest. And so begins one of the hottest love stories, EVER.

Cole Carson is like sex on a freaking stick. OH MY GOODNESS. Nicole made me blush, a lot. And I loved it. A lot.

"Like sex, seduction, and sin had decided to get it on and Cole Carson was the result."

Amen Nicole, Amen. Loving him was so wrong, especially while dragging her poor boyfriend along, but who could resist that. Elle didn't stand a chance. She has this hidden spark that Cole ignites, a fire kindling until she lets loose around him. Everyone else knows her as the prude good girl, but for once she gets to be herself. I loved their banter, especially when they first meet. The chemistry and electricity between them was seductive and so fun to experience.

"Yeah, if I was an angel, then mankind was screwed."

Nicole does every single thing right. She is one of my favorite authors and when I finished this book I was reminded how wonderful she is; and I also had this yearn to go back and read everyone of her other books again! Nicole kept me up late into the night to finish this one. I couldn't stop once I started, and I started pretty late. It features everything I look for in a book and one incredible ending!

Other must-read books by Nicole Williams:
Crash, Clash (Crash #2), Eternal Eden (which is FREE), and more!

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Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens Review

Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens
★★★★☆
Release Date: August 2012
Publisher: Simon and Shuster: Gallery Books
Age: New Adult/Mature New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Love Triangle, College, Musician
Format: ebook
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

For almost two years now, Kiera's boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she's ever wanted: loving, tender and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together, Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university, everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart.
Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source—a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he's purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes...and none of them will ever be the same.

This book is hot. Like, literally hot, on freaking fire hot. I liked it. Ok, I really liked it. But, I can't say that I loved it. Book 2, Effortless, now that one I loved. Just to tease you! :) Both Thoughtless and Effortless are sexy and awesome and while I don't condone cheating (what kind of a person would I be if I did) I do condone following your heart and I know stuff gets tough and life happens ( I do try not to judge). This book is about life happening. And boy does it happen, a lot. ;)

I started hearing about this book through lists like: You've read 50 Shades now read these... And I was all, ehhh, why not. I mean, did I read 50? Yes. But, did I love it? Not really, no. It was a good escape but not for everyone. So when a book is recommended to me through that one, I'm a little skeptical which is understandable, correct? But this series, I'm enjoying this series. I'm glad I checked it out and can't wait for more! Where 50 Shades is steamy this one is real and real is so much more fun for me.

Back to Thoughtless. Kiera and her boyfriend move in together states away from her hometown. They move in with a friend of his who happens to be an extremely hot musician. When work forces Denny away for a while Kiera and Kellan grow close, neither want to hurt their friend but with the chemistry between them it's only a matter of time. There were some parts of the book that completely wowed me, then others where I found myself skipping ahead. It is a great read, and one I definitely recommend!

The entire book was perfectly frustrating. I loved that about it. S.C. couldn't have made it any better in my eyes. It did make me run to Edelweiss and put book 2 on my iPad immediately. That's how you're supposed to feel after a great book, right? The love triangle in Thoughtless is one that there is no right choice, it's all about choosing one and hurting the other. There were a lot of times that I was unsure who Kiera was going to pick, S.C. definitely kept my eyes glued to the pages!

It's hard to write this review as both this book and the next run together for me, they flow effortlessly. As Kiera and Kellan's relationship builds and Kiera and Denny's comes crashing around them this book gets intense, nail biting and fist clenching intense. The love story that is woven throughout this heartbreaking read is beautiful and crazy at the same time. It's a wild ride full of sexual frustration, stolen kisses, promiscuity, hot guys, and more.

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Taking Chances Review and Giveaway

Taking Chances by Molly McAdams
★★★★★ OH SHITAKE MUSHROOMS READ THIS BOOK
Release Date: September 2012
Age: New Adult, Mature YA
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Love, Realistic Fiction, College, Friendship, Love triangle
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble (ebooks currently only $.99! prices subject to change)

Eighteen year old Harper has grown up under her career Marine of a father's thumb. Ready to live life her own way and experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit; she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.

Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family and emotions. Some she wasn't expecting yet, and others she never knew she was missing.
She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with her boyfriend Brandon, and her roommate's brother Chase. Covered in tattoos, known for fighting in the Underground and ridiculously muscled...they're exactly what she was always warned to stay away from, but just what she needs. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both adore and would do anything for Harper, including stepping back if it means she's happy.

Her first year away is turning out to be near perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything.
Due to sexual situations and language, this is Mature YA/New Adult. Recommended for ages 17+

When I started reading Taking Chances I thought of The Vincent Boys, I thought of all of the YA/NA/ and Adult contemporary romances that I've read and I was excited but expecting pretty much your run of the mill romance. Oh holy *bleep* *bleep* *bleep*. Taking Chances is, well there is nothing ordinary about the feelings that I had after putting down this book. I cried and cried and cried. I sat in a dark room and stared off and was depressed. I saw the characters in my dreams and thought of them often. I was wounded, and it felt great to feel such strong emotions from a book. I loved it.

When I say more than 5 stars, I usually mean WAY MORE THAN 5 STARS. I mean, there is absolutely no number (besides like a trillion stars) that can come close to rating this book. So I'm just going to make a new rating. It's called "OH SHITAKE MUSHROOMS READ THIS BOOK"! Yeah. Now you know I'm serious, I don't play games with Shitake mushrooms.

Harper is escaping a father who doesn't really know her and a life she doesn't care for. She's leaving the East coast for the West coast and couldn't be happier. She befriends her fun roommate quickly and then is introduced to her uber hot brother Chase. Oh my Chase. He is just about the hottest thing this side of the sun, no really. But, since he is Chase, player pain in the ass (and sexy) Chase, Harper starts dating the sweet Brandon and then things get crazy.

This book is filled with sexual frustration, and I loved it. It's stolen glances and late mornings, it's a house full of crazy guys and a new family to come home to. It is just an incredible journey one that I am so thrilled to have read and excited to share. The best aspect of the book is the love triangle, it is done right and by right I mean so wrong. Because both guys are utterly perfect. I know who I was rooting for.

The way the book unfolds was heart breaking and intense. It is one of the most emotionally shattering books I've ever read and this feeling in my heart won't go away. It is everything I look for in a contemporary romance and those things I didn't think to look for.

GIVEAWAY

One Kindle copy of Taking Chances by Molly McAdams

ends 12/1 at Midnight CST

I haven't been crazy about Rafflecopter lately, so.. I am going old school with this giveaway. 

Fill out the form to enter.

International.

Must be 13 or older to enter.

Plenty of ways to gain extra entries.

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Closed to entries

I recommend this book to fans of:

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire, Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens, The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines and anyone breathing!

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The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines Review

The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines
★★★★☆
Release Date: October 12, 2011
Age: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, Love Triangle, Realistic Fiction
Format: e-book
Source: Purchased
Buy it: Amazon
I do not receive any compensation for links

Being the good girl isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Ashton Gray has grown weary of playing the part to please her parents, and to be worthy of the town’s prince charming, Sawyer Vincent. Maybe That’s why she’s found herself spending time with Sawyer’s cousin, Beau, while he’s away for the summer camping with his family. Beau is nothing like her perfect boyfriend. He’s the sexiest guy she’s ever seen, dangerous in ways she’s only day dreamed about, and the one guy she should stay away from. Beau never envied Sawyer his loving parents, his big nice home, or his position as quarterback. He loves him like a brother. Which is why he's tried everything in his power to keep his distance from Sawyer’s girlfriend. Even if he has loved her since the age of five, Ashton is Sawyer’s girl, so therefore she’s off limits. But when Sawyer leaves for the summer, Ashton, the one girl Beau would move Heaven and Earth for, decides she wants to get into trouble. Stabbing the one person who’s always accepted him and stood by him in the back, is the cost of finally holding Ashton Gray in his arms. Is she worth losing his cousin over?.... Hell Yeah.

In a tweet I mentioned Miss Abbi Glines being a literary rockstar and I wasn't joking, in fact I am so serious, this woman ROCKS. After reading and reviewing Breathe I knew I'd be putting some books aside to sit down and read The Vincent Boys, which I gobbled up in one sitting (my husband calls me antisocial, but I just prefer fictional characters over real ones). This book is a fast paced summer romance with the suspense of we-shouldn't-be-doing-this tension, which makes the passion that much more amazing.

So, The Vincent Boys... I don't even know where to begin.. I guess I'll start at the beginning. Our main characters are: Beau, Ashton, and Sawyer. I love the best friends turned relationship status, and it works very well for this book. Ashton, while always closer to Beau growing up, chooses Sawyer when he becomes interested in her. When they become a couple, she changes everything about herself to be with him. For 3 years Ashton and Sawyer have been dating and one summer apart brings Ashton closer to Beau. She's turned into this perfect person in order to be worthy of Sawyer, but she's not happy and it takes special attention from Beau to make her realize what she really wants. Beau is a bad boy, and Abbi Glines really knows how to create bad boys that are exceptionally drool worthy. Everything about him screams sex appeal and he's so different from his straight laced cousin that I can see why being near him opens Ashton's eyes.

In my opinion, which this may be a miniscule spoiler, Sawyer did not stand a chance. The story starts with him being away. The reader has no chance to ever root for him before Beau enters and steals the show and the girl. He seemed sweet and all, but how can anyone compete with Beau Vincent, he reminds me of Patrick from Hush, Hush (well a Patrick with a southern accent), I'm not sure why, I think it was the part where they played pool that did it.

I feel like I'm saying too much, just go buy the book and read it for yourself. I obviously really liked The Vincent Boys, and if you're looking for a YA romance that will leave you grinning I highly recommend it. I can't wait to checkout Abbi's paranormal romance Existence which I will be reading very soon. And from what I've heard the sequel to The Vincent Boys is due out this summer, plus Because of Low due out in just a few weeks. Like I said, literary rockstar, Abbi Glines is a book writing machine.

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