Showing posts with label Family Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family Issues. Show all posts

5/10/2013

Blog Tour: Lost and Found Review and Giveaway




Lost and Found by Nicole Williams
★★★★★
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Age: Mature YA/ New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, Family, Love
Format: eBook
Source: AToMR Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
There’s complicated. And there’s Rowen Sterling.
After numbing pain for the past five years with boys, alcohol, and all-around apathy, she finds herself on a Greyhound bus to nowhere Montana the summer after she graduates
high school. Her mom agreed to front the bill to Rowen’s dream art school only if Rowen proves she can work hard and stay out of trouble at Willow Springs Ranch. Cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn for a couple dozen ranch hands and mucking out horse stalls are the last things in the world Rowen wants to spend her summer doing.

Until Jesse Walker saunters into her life wearing a pair of painted-on jeans, a cowboy hat, and a grin that makes something in her chest she’d thought was frozen go boom-boom. Jesse’s like no one else, and certainly nothing like her. He’s the bright and shiny to her dark and jaded.

Rowen knows there’s no happily-ever-after for the golden boy and the rebel girl—happily-right-now is a stretch—so she tries to forget and ignore the boy who makes her feel things she’s not sure she’s ready to feel. But the more she pushes him away, the closer he seems to get. The more she convinces herself she doesn’t care, the harder she falls.

When her dark secrets refuse to stay locked behind the walls she’s kept up for years, Rowen realizes it’s not just everyone else she needs to be honest with. It’s herself.
Nicole Williams is an author that I sit on the edge of my seat when she announces new titles. I would stalk and follow her around like a lost puppy if I didn't have a job to get to and children to teach. And, the best part? This lady is INCREDIBLY sweet and easy to talk to! Meeting her last at RT was seriously the highlight of my year (and years to come).
"Rowen? Is something wrong?" He sounded like he was about to start snapping his fingers in front of my face. "Because your eyes are doing something kind of crazy right now."
That's because you're practically naked and were descended from gods.
Lost and Found is a story about a life changing move for Rowen Sterling. Relocated to a ranch in Montana Rowen agrees to work for the summer but has no idea what's in store for her. She trades in her fishnets and mini skirts for some jeans and boots and begins a journey of self discovery and ultimately finds herself and someone to love like she's never loved before. Shedding a negative skin and self image Rowen's transformation is uplifting and freeing, while she becomes better to and for herself she doesn't change who she is inside just makes herself a little better and adds some self worth.

Nicole does troubled boys right, we learned that with Jude Ryder; but what she does even better is troubled girls. Girls with secretive pasts, buried secrets, demons, problems, and mommy issues. Girls who wear their emotions in their makeup and hair color. Her characters in Lost and Found are immensely diverse from each other and the other characters of hers we're familiar with. The only similarities I found was that Garth made my skin crawl like Anton did. Nicole's writing and the way she builds up her characters around each other amazes me with each new book of hers I read, she is a GENIUS.
"That was one hell of a dance."
I loved the way Jesse and Rowen meet, I love the shock she receives when she finds out who he is, and I love the way their relationship forms. I also enjoyed his back story and his close relationship with his family. His mother, Rose, is amazing and one of my favorite characters in the book. Everything about this book screams masterpiece! Seriously. There isn't anything I'd change. Except maybe his inexperience, but that made the story just a little bit unexpected.
"I love you, and I'm sure, Rowen. Now why don't you help me figure out how thiat whole rocking-your-world thing works."
I'm no stranger to Nicole Williams writing and as a huge fan I can say that other fans will not be disappointed in this new love story. So, read on and share the book love! Then go read all of Nicole's other books (Up in Flames, Great Exploitations, Crash, and Eternal Eden[FREE]) you will thank me later!

ABOUT NICOLE
I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here's to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* . . . care to join me?





TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY

4/24/2013

Blog Tour: Twisted Perfection Review and Giveaway


Twisted Perfection (Perfection #1) by Abbi Glines
★★★★☆
Release Date: April 22, 2013
Age: New Adult/ Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Issues, drama, love, family issues
Format: ebook
Source: AToMR Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. There was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…
Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help.
What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came.
The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine…
Every time I read an Abbi Glines book I can't help but fall in love with the story, become immersed in the characters, and become obsessed with finishing the book. Twisted Perfection was no different, but it is a different kind of Abbi book. This book is darker and I found it to come just a little deeper than the others. If you thought you loved Rush and Blaire, well, Della and Woods will uproot and obsess you as well. A book about self discovery that winds up becoming about first love, changes, and facing your issues head first; Twisted Perfection is not only a must read for Abbi fans but New Adult fans in general. Plus, it's Abbi Glines so the steamy scenes are VERY steamy. ;)
"You're keeping these boots on. I want it all off but the boots,"
Della and Woods' story begins completely physical. And, we all know how well Abbi does the physical. Oh em gee, I'd lie if I said I wasn't almost panting myself. Yeah, that freaking good from the very beginning and only gets better as the book goes. But, as the book continues they get past (not really it's still there) the physical and move right into full on emotional upheaval in the form of their feelings, their pasts, and their baggage. It is an incredibly eye opening read that will not only have you smiling but crying too.

Della's on a mission to live, to discover life and where she fits into it. Woods is on a mission to secure his place in his fathers business at the Country Club, his plans don't include this sexy waitress but then he decides he wants her above everything else. And, DAMN does Woods do emotional and in love well! My only issue, his borderline obsessive behavior. Della makes a comment about not becoming co-dependent, but I found her to be exactly that. Does she need and want Woods? Yes. It works well in the story but stepping out of the bubble some of his actions are kind of crazy. He wants to protect her at all times and tries his hardest to make that happen. As the past is unraveled it becomes one of those books you will never forget.
"Baby, I'm so far gone you could tell me anything and I'd be okay with it. But, if it makes you feel better then tell me. I want to know everything. I want you to be able to tell me everything and have faith that I'm not going anywhere."
I grew to love with Woods in Abbi's Never too Far (Too Far #2) and was very excited to get the chance to read his story. And in true fashion when I read an Abbi book, I am floored. My heart can't take anymore, the ending was excellent, I can't wait to delve into the next book, and Woods is the guy I think a lot of women fall asleep dreaming about. Way to go Abbi, you still (and will forever) hold your literary rock star status!

We do get to see Blaire, but briefly which I was perfectly fine with. This is about Della and Woods and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I'm still desperately needing that third Too Far book, though. ;)

I know this is an issue for some, but I honestly have no problem with books in series, I HATE waiting (because I'm impatient) but hey what can I do. I actually love reading and owning series; it's like a world to escape too. And, I love how you can go from one series, Too Far, to another, Perfection, and see some familiar faces. Abbi Glines definitely fills this one to its brim, and then some, stuffing it with drama, passion and more; it's not a first in a series that's lacking it's perfect the way it is.

Woods and Della's story is complicated and rough around the edges, just how I like them. Their future will be hard work and uncertainty floods every corner, but together I think they can do it and I can't wait to read more. There are a few authors that I always get their books as soon as they are released and Abbi is one of them! Make sure you not only check this one out, but all of her books!!


ABOUT ABBI
Abbi Glines was born in Birmingham, Alabama. She grew up in the small town of Sumiton, Alabama where she left the summer she turned eighteen. She didn’t get far… she chased her high school sweetheart down to the coast and she’s been there ever since.
Abbi now lives in the quaint southern town of Fairhope, Alabama with her three children and husband Keith (the high school sweetheart she chased after). Her life is never dull and Keith always makes sure there is another “experience” for them to explore.
Books published by Abbi include The Vincent Boys and the USA TODAY bestseller The Vincent Brothers, Breathe, Because of Low, the USA TODAY bestsellers While It Lasts and Just For Now, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless, and The New York Times bestseller and Wall Street Journal bestseller Fallen Too Far and Never Too Far.
When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.



TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY
An iPad Mini
International

2/11/2013

Blog Tour: Lennon's Jinx Review


Lennon's Jinx (Lennon's Girls Trilogy) by Chris Myers
★★★★☆
Age: New Adult (17+)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Drama, Family Issues, Health, Music
Format: ebook
Source: AToMR Tours
Buy it: Amazon
Sometimes, we don’t get to choose who we fall for.

Lennon spends most of his time raising his little sister Currie while trying to skate through his senior year of high school. He prefers groupies with no-strings attached but finds himself strangely attracted to Jinx, the straight-A student in his choir. Lennon’s curiosity overrules his good sense as he tries to peel away the layers to discover the reason for Jinx’s skittishness.

Jinx conceals the black truth about herself from her friends. She won’t admit to them that she screwed up big time, losing her first love and what she once held most precious. 

When Lennon’s band holds auditions to replace their keyboard player, Jinx comes to tryout and almost leaves after seeing Lennon. Despite the fact she despises him, she joins the band to nurture her love of music that will hopefully ease the guilt gnawing away at her. 

Like the rest of his band mates, Jinx soon witnesses Lennon battling his infamous father for the custody of Currie. While confronting his pent-up anger at his dad, Lennon exposes vulnerabilities he had no intention of letting any girl ever see, especially Jinx. Their reckless pasts may bring them together or further complicate their already messy lives.
All of the characters in Lennon's Jinx have their flaws. They have their real problems, their secrets, their lies, their issues, and their intact humanity. They are not perfectly drawn up and they are incredibly frustrating. Following this story was not only tear jerking but memorable; from the beginning to the end secrets are spilled and lives are altered. As the characters come to terms with the hands dealt to them and overcome the obstacles in their way, one can't help but to plunge into the book and into lives of the characters. This was a book that I enjoyed reading. I liked the music aspect, the drama, and the twists throughout.

Currie and Zoe stole the show. Currie is Lennon's younger sister and Zoe is her best friend. They brought flare and an undeniable and crushing love that immerses all of the characters involved. Their large part in this book was beautiful and I looked forward to more as I read. He spoils them both rotten and is this cuddly teddy bear, or hunky monkey, to them. He's this completely different person around them and it's evident that he would do anything for them. As a rockstar absent father tries to wiggle himself back into their lives; Lennon finds himself torn between forgiving the past and holding onto his little sister as tight as he can. Heartbreak and devastation litter their story and it brought an amazing element into the book.

Lennon's role as Currie's guardian is defining for him. He is forced to leave his childhood behind and raise his younger sister. In the middle of his responsibilities he's never had a serious relationship and never cared to; until Jinx tries out for his band. Lennon, who begins as nothing special, really took me by suprise. He's the common male character that we have all read about. He's the bad boy heart breaker, who sleeps with everyone, and is incapable of love and a musician. Following him around the story I was sure I knew how it would turn out, but then as I discovered more about him and his past and this person he really is, I was thrown. Well done Chris Myers, well done.

Jinx is the ice cold girl at school. She's the smart one, the one who can't seem to get over her ex, and the one fighting demons of her own. She wants nothing to do with Lennon, but as she gets to really know him the layers begin to peel off. She sees a different boy than the one she's known all along and what she sees she really starts to like. I absolutely loved the fact that Chris didn't just throw these character together and call it a happily ever after. It's called real life and Chris writes it well. There was no instalove and no wrapped ending with a pretty bow. It's messy, complicated, and torturous for all involved.

It's a messy and complicated book, it made me cry and made me crazy. It's the first book in a series and I'm looking forward to continuing Lennon's journey.


Giveaways
US ONLY: 3 print copies of Lennon’s JINX



US/International: 8 ePub or Mobi copies of Lennon's JINX

7/31/2012

Blog Tour: Arson by Estevan Vega




Arson (Arson #1) by Estevan Vega
★★★★☆
Release Date: 2011
Publisher: Stonehouse Ink
Age: Mature YA (due to some subject matter)
Genre: Suspense, Paranormal, Contemporary, Thriller, Family Issues, Relationships
Source: A Tale of Many Reviews Blog Tours
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
ARSON GABLE FEELS LIKE A FREAK. HE CAN CREATE FIRE. HE NEVER ASKED FOR IT. HE NEVER WANTED IT. BUT HE CAN'T SHUT IT OFF.
Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl--who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin--moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. After years of living in fear, he will be forced to confront his haunting past and embrace the unknown as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Edgy, realistic, and breathtaking, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated teenager with unimaginable ability, is set to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.
Arson is a dark and twisted book by an incredibly talented author. The build up and flow of Arson's story is haunting while mesmerizing and allows the reader to lament for this unfortunate character. It's a story that I found to be mainly about relationships and self worth, a mostly realistic novel but with a hint of paranormal suspense. The author knows his subjects and creates a real life story that features a thrilling and not so real element.

Arson Gable knows he's not normal. His character is battered and emotionally damaged, and he's living with guilt that he's never been taught how to deal with. Growing up with a grandmother who is physically and emotionally abusive, not to mention a little delusional, Arson has created this shell around himself until he can no longer feel. His life brightens a bit when a new family lives next door, and with it comes Emery (a wonderfully constructed character, the perfect addition to this intense drama). The phrases that come out of Emery's mouth are sarcastic and pungent. Her life is as messy as his and soon they find a real and slightly damaged (with the baggage they both are lugging around) relationship. Arson and Emery, coupled with the multiple characters of Estevan Vega's mind, this book is a complex network of emotional story lines.

Estevan Vega writes with purpose. He tells this story well, and tells it from everyone's point of view. His angles on various relationships and stages of life made me feel like their were multiple authors to this book. He has every personality down to an art.

Throughout the book we continued to learn things with the characters as they grow. Their flaws and characteristics develop as the story builds, and the piercing ending was the perfect conclusion and cliffhanger. It's hard not to get involved. I really enjoyed this book and think that Estevan is one writer to watch!

This book has a shocking there-will-be-a-book-two ending that leaves the reader searching for information on how the story continues. The sequel, Ashes, is also available. This book is magnificently constructed and full of real feelings and people.


Giveaway
One signed copy of Arson (US/CAN)
and a $25 Amazon Giftcard

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