Cover Reveal: That One Night by Josie Wright

Book Title: That One Night (That One Series: Book One)
Author: Josie Wright
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 26, 2015
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

All it takes is just one moment to change the course of your life. For me, it was one perfect night.

I have always had a thing for my brother’s best friend, Ben. When I found him on my parents’ couch, drowning his sorrows in a whiskey bottle, my attempts to comfort him quickly turned into a night of raw and intense passion.

My foolish heart hoped he might feel the same way I do.

But Ben wasn’t there to stay and I woke up the next morning alone with a broken heart.

I attempted to forget the guy with a smile to die for and a touch that sets me on fire.

I thought I was over him.

I thought he was gone forever.

Until, eighteen months later Ben returns and learns my secret. Now, he is hell-bent on winning me back.

He plays dirty.

And he won’t stop until he gets what he wants—me.

But he has secrets of his own.

Secrets that could destroy everything we might have and everything we are.

Josie Wright has always been a bookworm, spending every free moment with her nose buried in a book. While Josie Wright has always been a bookworm, spending every free moment with her nose buried in a book. While others were out partying, she spent her evenings with Heathcliff, Sydney Carton or Snape. Romance, fantasy, thrillers - you name it, she read it.

Thanks to the Kindle, she finally arrived in the 21St century and discovered the Indie literature world. Josie has been lost to it ever since. With her love for the written word and her promiscuous feelings for countless book boyfriends, the next logical step was to start writing. The voices in her head and her imaginary friends wanted out to play and so she wrote her debut novel "That One Night", that's to be released early summer 2015. And the good news is, there are more voices and imaginary friend where Ben and Frankie came from.

Josie is a financial expert by day and a writing junkie by night. The rest of the time she's a bit of a hippie, a bit of a goth and many things in between. Josie loves to spend time with her husband when she can tear herself away from her book boyfriends. She loves video games, movies, good food and even better music. She's addicted to chips, long baths and shoes. Oh, and books of course. Definitely books.

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Review: Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

Summary:

When Rachelle was fifteen, she was good—apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless— straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later, Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in an effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son Armand—the man she hates most—Rachelle forces Armand to help her find the legendary sword that might save their world. As the two become unexpected allies, they uncover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic, and a love that may be their undoing. In a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Crimson Bound is an exhilarating tale of darkness, love, and redemption.

Publication Date: May 5, 2015

I fell in love with the author’s writing in Cruel Beauty and I was so excited to read another book by her set in an entirely different world. Crimson Bound didn’t disappoint and I would probably say I ended up liking the novel better than Cruel Beauty.

Although the book is a dark retelling of Red Riding Hood, the mythology is poles apart. The world building was truly exceptional in Crimson Bound. Hodge has the ability to write beautiful, dark descriptions that make the reader feel immersed in the setting.

Rachelle is a complex character who lives in the gray area between good and evil. She has made some horrible mistakes, but she doesn’t want to end up controlled by the evil living in the Great Forest. She accepts her doomed fate, but crafts a plan to help save humanity before the evil consumes her.

I really loved the book up until the final third. I just grew a little irritated of Rachelle and some of her choices. Plus, I didn’t really care for the love triangle. I liked the characters involved in the romance, but I just didn’t feel the development was realistic. 

Overall, despite a few plot points I didn’t care for, I really still liked Crimson Bound. I can’t wait to read what the author comes up with for her next book.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!

Review: The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard

Summary:

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling series Pretty Little Liars comes a thrilling new novel about five perfect girls who are framed for a murder they didn’t commit.

In Beacon Heights, Washington, five girls—Ava, Caitlin, Mackenzie, Julie, and Parker—know that you don’t have to be good to be perfect. At first the girls think they have nothing in common, until they realize that they all hate Nolan Hotchkiss, who’s done terrible things to each of them. They come up with the perfect way to kill him—a hypothetical murder, of course. It’s just a joke...until Nolan turns up dead, in exactly the way they planned. Only, they didn’t do it. And unless they find the real killer, their perfect lives will come crashing down around them.

From Sara Shepard, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, comes another story of dark secrets, shocking twists, and what happens when five beautiful girls will do anything to hide the ugly truth.

Publication Date: October 7, 2014

The Perfectionists was a good read that drew me in from the very beginning. I loved the setup as well as the backstabbing and drama as the five girls must figure out how to avoid jail time for a murder they didn’t commit.

Although I’ve watched Pretty Little Liars on TV, I haven’t read the series yet. However, I did find some of the characters reminiscent in the way that the author excels at crafting relatable, imperfect female characters. I liked the girls for the most part, but keeping up with five characters’ storylines felt a little tedious.

The twists and turns were fun, but I was a little disappointed to come to the end with no resolution. I knew the book was a series starter, but I figured the conclusion would offer some closure to at least one of the storylines.

I know Pretty Little Liars is a long series (I believe there is more than fifteen books) and I feel like that’s what The Perfectionists is shaping up to be. I’ll likely read the next installment, but I’d hope for at least some answers before continuing on with subsequent installments.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!

Review: Ticker by Lisa Mantchev

Summary:

A girl with a clockwork heart must make every second count.

When Penny Farthing nearly dies, brilliant surgeon Calvin Warwick manages to implant a brass “Ticker” in her chest, transforming her into the first of the Augmented. But soon it’s discovered that Warwick killed dozens of people as he strove to perfect another improved Ticker for Penny, and he’s put on trial for mass murder.

On the last day of Warwick’s trial, the Farthings’ factory is bombed, Penny’s parents disappear, and Penny and her brother, Nic, receive a ransom note demanding all of their Augmentation research if they want to see their parents again. Is someone trying to destroy the Farthings...or is the motive more sinister?

Desperate to reunite their family and rescue their research, Penny and her brother recruit fiery baker Violet Nesselrode, gentleman-about-town Sebastian Stirling, and Marcus Kingsley, a young army general who has his own reasons for wanting to lift the veil between this world and the next. Wagers are placed, friends are lost, romance stages an ambush, and time is running out for the girl with the clockwork heart.

Publication Date: December 1, 2014

I usually have mixed feelings about steampunk books, so I have a tendency to avoid them. However, the description of Ticker intrigued me and I figured I’d give the genre another try. Ticker was a good, quick read, but I think the steampunk elements overwhelmed the rest of the story.

Ticker jumps right into the story which was a little problematic since I could’ve used a little world building before the introduction of all the wild steampunk contraptions. Hearing about the gadgets were neat, but I felt there was a lot of story left out that could’ve cleared up a lot of my confusion over the plot. I did appreciate the story being action-packed because I never felt bored while reading.

The main character Penny was relatable and I loved her strength and independence. She was protective of the people she cared about and willing to take risks if they are being threatened. I really enjoyed the romance in Ticker. It was slow building and didn’t take away from the central plot.

The villain was super scary and I did enjoy the suspense as Penny and her friends try to stop him. The novel concludes in a satisfactory way and I was happy that the book was a standalone. I could see a novella though focusing on the backstory that led up to events in Ticker.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!

Stacking the Shelves #125

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and features books you've added to your shelves, both physical and virtual.

Purchased:

End of Days by Susan Ee

For Review:

The Scamp by Jennifer Pashley

The House by Christina Lauren

Captive by A.J. Grainger

Damage Done by Amanda Panitch

Blood Red by Wendy Corsi Staub

Memorial Day Weekend Sales and Giveaway

Now through Monday, pick up The Dark Dreamer and Pretending Hearts for just 99 cents on both Amazon.com and Amazon UK! I'm also hosting a giveaway to promote the event. Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card and a signed paperback of your choice from my book catalog. Enjoy the weekend!

The Dark Dreamer

For as long as she can remember, Rebekah Clayton’s life has been dictated by her dreams. As a dream interpreter, she has become privy to her clients’ deepest and darkest secrets. Affairs, financial ruin, even murder—nothing shocks her anymore. But Grant Raskin’s dreams are unlike any she has heard before.

If Rebekah’s interpretation is right, Grant has foreseen the end of the world. A plague is coming and everyone Rebekah cares about will succumb to the illness. And Grant can trace the origin of the disease back to two men: Dr. Mark Holman and his son Drew.

Grant enlists Rebekah to track down the Holmans and determine their connection to the viral outbreak. But uncovering Drew Holman’s secrets will lead her down a dangerous path—unearthing a deadly conspiracy she never could have predicted.

***The first book in a two-part series from bestselling romance author Heather Topham Wood.***

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Dreamer-Heather-Topham-Wood-ebook/dp/B00W1R6GYO/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Dreamer-Heather-Topham-Wood-ebook/dp/B00W1R6GYO/


Pretending Hearts

Delia Bridges is done living in the shadows cast by her ex-convict father and her football star brother. Attending Cook University will finally give her the chance to be her own person and hopefully find love at the same time. When she meets Wyatt Johnston, she knows immediately he’s the one.

Wyatt fulfills all of Delia’s requirements for the perfect man: he’s rich, handsome, and a talented forward for Cook’s soccer team. However, Wyatt turns out not to be the man she thought. When he dumps her and simultaneously ruins her reputation, she has to start over once again.

Levi Caldwell has every quality Delia doesn’t want in a boyfriend. He has no money, works for the maintenance staff at Cook, and has no problem sharing his judgmental opinions about how Delia is living her life. Despite her growing attraction for the tattooed drummer, Delia tries to avoid Levi. But when a new crisis threatens to destroy all she has rebuilt, she finds Levi is the only person she can trust.

***Standalone New Adult Romance-Ages 17+ Due to Strong Language and Sexual Situations***

http://www.amazon.com/Pretending-Hearts-Falling-Autumn-Book-ebook/dp/B00PB84HQE/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pretending-Hearts-Falling-Autumn-Book-ebook/dp/B00PB84HQE

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Book Blitz: Sophie's Time by C.S. Minsky

Summary:

"I sense something behind me, and when I turn around I see a bright golden light out in the distance. It is warm and inviting. I know what this means, and I don’t want it. I get up and begin walking away from it, but I am weary and don’t want to fight it. It quietly calls for me like it’s inside my head. It pulls at me like gravity, so I turn and walk toward the light."

It’s been almost a year since Nick Amante departed, leaving Sophie with many unanswered questions as she attempts to move on.

Sophie has now completed her first year of college and as she drives away from the Stanford campus, Sophie thinks about her life and wonders what direction it will take. Like the previous year, she will be spending her summer in Sonoma with her father. On the first day Sophie and her father arrive, an unfortunate fall propels Sophie into another haunting experience.

Something unusual happens to Sophie during the time she remains unconscious from the accident. While Sophie recovers, she believes her dreams and flashbacks relate to her fall. As she struggles to remember and put the fragmented pieces together, Sophie remains determined to discover the truth and in doing so, she creates her fate and her future.

Excerpt:

I am standing in the middle of my bare dorm room. All that remains of me are the framed photos scattered on the desk. First I pack my friends, carefully wrapping them in crisp newspaper and placing them in the box. Next are Max, my loving dog, then Aunt Gina and Uncle Sal. I reach for Tom, my stepfather, and gently wrap him. Dad is tucked away with loving care. I stare at Mom, my favorite photo of her on the beach in Santa Monica. She has been gone for two years, and I miss her every day. I lovingly wrap her and place her next to Dad. Then it’s him. Nick. Nick Amante.

I know it’s wrong to have his picture staring at me, and I definitely don’t need any reminders. But it’s a great photo of him. I snapped it one day when he was working in Dad’s garden creating beauty with his hands. He glanced up and I clicked. The camera perfectly caught his hazel- colored eyes filled with warmth, love and intensity. I reminisce to the first time we met.

It was last summer in Sonoma at a J Crew store. While my friends shopped for a birthday gift for me, I meandered into the store. I was in the men’s section buying Dad a shirt, and I didn’t see Nick when I turned around bumping right into him. I looked up to apologize, but instead stood speechless. His eyes captivated me. Their brown and green irises with large dark pupils were mesmerizing. I stood there staring. It took a few seconds until finally an apology came stumbling out of my mouth.

It gives me comfort having his picture share a spot among those I love. It’s not like I haven’t moved on, I have. My first year here at Stanford was amazing and the small band of friends I have is perfect for me. I am not a girl who desires having tons of people in my life. I did go out with a guy for a brief time, but he didn’t work out for me. We were different and it’s hard to let someone new in when your heart secretly aches for someone else.

I’ve seen Nick unexpectedly at various moments like on University Avenue, or on campus, or when my friends and I went hiking in the hills. I would glance up and there he was at a short distance, but in the blink of an eye he was gone. It also happened once when I went home for winter break. I’m sure it’s my imagination, but he seems so real.

I wrap him in a sheet from the food section. It seems fitting for Nick since he loved to garden and planted his own fruits and vegetables. He’s tenderly placed in the box and then I tape it. Everyone I love neatly contained in a brown box. I am glad the packing is over because packing is my least favorite activity.

I look around for a moment and check the closet once again. Kayla, my roommate, left yesterday for Oregon to spend the summer home with her family. I am lucky because she and I connected immediately. Before I arrived I was nervous about having a roommate. As an only child I am not accustomed to sharing, but I generally adapt easily and this was no exception. The fact that we are similar made the transition a piece of cake.

The only one left to say farewell to is Jack. “Hey, girl! I was hoping you didn’t leave without saying goodbye,” Jack announces as he breezes into my room.

“Of course I would say goodbye,” I tell him. “This is it, the last box.”
“So, Sophie, you think you can come see me in New York?” Jack asks.
Jack was born and raised in Manhattan, but he lacks a New York accent. He’s brilliant in just

about everything. When I asked him why he didn’t apply to Harvard, he said he wanted to try the West Coast, and he was concerned Harvard would be too snobby for him. Jack is like a teddy bear–sweet and cuddly.

“Don’t you have a summer job waiting for you?” I ask.
“Yeah, but you can come for a long weekend. Think about it. I want to take you around.” I believe Jack harbors a deeper emotion for me but since he’s smart enough to know the

feeling isn’t mutual, he respects that and we remain friends. I wouldn’t be comfortable being alone with him in New York. Being alone for a long weekend could open a portal for him to release his emotions. I do not want to deal with that any time soon.

“Maybe you and Kayla can come visit me,” I suggest. “My dad has a house in Sonoma where I’ll be spending the summer. He loves having guests.”

“Oh, you have two homes?” Jack asks.

“Yes.” I say shyly. I am not one to flaunt my father’s wealth. “We have the house in San Francisco, and we have a summer place up north.”

“Oh, cool. Maybe I will. That night at your house in the city, man, your dad cooked a hell of a meal. A long weekend of Papa Benedetto’s cooking? I’m in!” Jack exclaims.

I laugh, but Jack is right. Dad is amazing in the kitchen. I’m about to lift the box when Jack grabs it and offers to take it to my car.

“Thanks. I’m ready!” I take a quick glance, silently thank the room for a great year and walk out closing the door behind me. When I hear it click shut I am reminded of the year gone by and how life continues to confound and inspire me. I know how quickly a day can change, and with that knowledge I have learned to value moments most people my age would never reflect upon.


About the Author:

C.S. Minsky is a former award-­‐winning California high school teacher and mentor for at-­‐risk students. She loved teaching teens but decided to pursue her passion for writing. She is bilingual and has traveled throughout Europe. She supports sustainable and organic farming, enjoys cooking, hiking, bicycling and is a lover of dogs. Her favorite reads are both adult and young adult fiction and at times, non-­‐fiction.

Review: Compulsive by Lia Fairchild

Summary:

From Bestselling author, Lia Fairchild

Lies hurt.

Lies destroy.

But some lies protect…and heal. At least that’s what Gray Donovan had hoped for. She’s a compulsive liar using it as a defense mechanism to survive life and her shattered past.

When she starts seeing therapist Daniel Harrison, she can no longer deny the truths that have haunted her for so many years. She must now stand and face them.

Opening up to Daniel leaves her exposed and vulnerable. When her soul is bared to him, she can’t contain the attraction or the feelings he elicits.

Daniel feels drawn to his new patient, but knows he will have to fight it in order to resurrect Gray from her demons. His will and his judgment are tested when he must overcome his own doubts and face his own secrets.

Publication Date: May 12, 2015

This was a really, really good book. I was drawn in by the concept, but stayed for the writing. The author took me on an incredible emotional journey with Gray and Daniel and Compulsive will definitely stay with me for a long time.

Gray is unlike most romance heroines. She’s a compulsive liar and has been forced to undergo therapy because of her issues. Despite her constant lying, she’s funny and vivacious and easy for readers to connect with. She knows that she’s her own worst enemy and I could tell early on she wanted help.

Daniel and Gray have a very intense relationship from the get go. I liked the restraint he showed and how he struggled to remain professional in order to help Gray. They develop a mutual trust and I enjoyed seeing how Gray started to realize that there was hope for her after all. Her admissions about her childhood were truly heart wrenching. And I was shocked to find out that Daniel also had stuff to deal with from his past.

The ending was a bit cliffy, but I’m excited to read more about Gray and Daniel. I feel like the first book just touched on the start of their journey.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!

Re-Release: The Memory Witch by Heather Topham Wood

My YA paranormal romance is back on Kindle! Newly revised and with a brand new cover. Now available for only $2.99 and free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

Excerpt:

My hands were shaking with anticipation. I set out a gold plated bowl in the middle of the three candles. The candles were bone white and were intended to attract those from the spirit world. I lit the candles and kneeled before the bowl. I removed a picture of my father from my pocket. I moistened the paper with manuka oil and concentrated on thoughts of my dad. I concocted fabricated memories in my head. My father lifting me into his arms. Pushing me on a swing. Reading me a story until I fell asleep.

I set the picture aflame with one of the spirit invoking candles. “Come forth Ronald Jacobs to me. I command thee.”

Nothing happened. The ashes scattered into the bowl. I called again. “Come forth Ronald Jacobs to me. I command thee.”

The wind picked up. The new fallen snow stirred at my feet. I watched my breath escape my mouth in billowing puffs. Still nothing. No sign of my father.

I clenched my fists together. I was angry. I had been so successful in the past. Each spell had come easy to me. Stella insisted this was proof I was meant to live out my life as a practicing witch.

I dug deep inside myself. I wanted to harness all of the magic that lived inside of my blood. I had avoided using magic for my own gain, but I was ready to make an exception. I needed a real memory of my father. I screamed into the wind, “Come forth Ronald Jacobs to me. I command thee.”

A gust of wind sent my hair flying in my face. Turning back, I cursed aloud since I was certain the breeze had blew out the candles. However, when I peered down, my altar was gone. I gasped and tried to make sense of what was going on. I shook my head in an attempt to clear my thoughts and establish whether I was dreaming or not. My movements stilled as I saw something in the corner of my peripheral vision. A figure was standing about ten feet away.

He looked like he had stepped out the photograph I had just burned. He hadn’t aged a day.

I had prepared myself for several scenarios. I expected an apparition. I would be able to see through him and not be able to touch him. As fear took hold of my heart, another vision came into my head. My dad had been shot in the head. What if he appeared as a horrific zombie complete with blood and gore?

Hesitantly, I took a step towards him. His eyes were what struck me at first. They weren’t the laughing and kind eyes of my mother’s collection of pictures and videos. They were the eyes of a sad and tormented soul.

“Dad?” I asked.

His eyes filled with recognition. “Quinny?” My heart soared when I heard his voice. My father had a nickname for me. He was here and he was saying my name.

Pick up your copy here:
Amazon US:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XNKLLPM
Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00XNKLLPM

Review: The Memory Key by Liana Liu

Summary:

In a five-minutes-into-the-future world, a bereaved daughter must choose between losing memories of her mother to the haze of time and the reality-distorting, visceral pain of complete, perfect recall.

Lora Mint is determined not to forget.

Though her mother’s been dead for five years, Lora struggles to remember every detail about her—most importantly, the specific events that occurred the night she sped off in her car, never to return.

But in a world ravaged by Vergets disease, a viral form of Alzheimer’s, that isn’t easy. Usually Lora is aided by her memory key, a standard-issue chip embedded in her brain that preserves memories just the way a human brain would. Then a minor accident damages Lora’s key, and her memories go haywire. Suddenly Lora remembers a moment from the night of her mother’s disappearance that indicates her death was no accident. Can she trust these formerly forgotten memories? Or is her ability to remember every painful part of her past driving her slowly mad—burying the truth forever?

Lora’s longing for her lost mother and journey to patch up her broken memories is filled with authentic and poignant emotion. Her race to uncover the truth is a twisty ride. In the end, Liana Liu’s story will spark topical conversations about memory and privacy in a world that is reliant on increasingly invasive forms of technology.

Publication Date: March 3, 2015

I have mixed feelings about The Memory Key, but I do have to say I enjoyed the topic immensely. I loved the idea of our memories being controlled by corporations and how scary it must be to not know what’s real and what’s fake.

The setting was unique and I found myself drawn into a world where memories are fleeting. I’ve read memory wipe novels, but never a book about a viral Alzheimer’s like disease. The author did a good job of not info dumping at the start of the book and allowed the reader to get a feel for the world naturally. I also liked the pace of the book. It’s fast paced and kept my interest from waning.

The characters were difficult to connect with. The main character was a little all over the place and I couldn’t quite get a read on her. She seemed to blow up at minor things, but when a major event took place, she almost had too little of a reaction. I also wasn’t totally feeling the romance which is usually one of my favorite elements in YA books.

Overall, I think The Memory Key was enjoyable since I found many of the themes and plot elements thought provoking. The book is very clean and would be an appropriate choice for younger teens.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy to review!

Review: Blood and Bone by Tara Brown

Summary:

Listen, listen to the wind and stone.
Listen, listen to the sounds of old.
Listen, listen as my hopes are drowned.
Listen, listen to the sounds that bullets make of blood and bones.
Where will you run today?
How will you ever get away?”

This is NOT a romance. This is a ride.

Blood and Bone

The hollow sound of a casing hitting the floor.
The clicking of heels walking in a misty alley.
The ability to tie a cherry stem with her tongue.
A haunting song no one else knows.
That's all that's left of Jane's memories.

What would you do if the life you lived was a lie, and everyone knew but you?
Where do you run when there is no one on your side?
Jane discovers that deep inside her mind there is a map.
What she doesn't know is that there is also a man who will do anything to get it.

But what he doesn't know is that Jane hasn't always been honest about the things she remembers.
There are paces inside of Jane that even she doesn't like to go.

What would you do if the secret you kept was the only thing keeping you alive?

But keeping it meant someone else had to die. 

Don't miss out on the new dark read by Tara Brown!

Publication Date: July 21, 2014

This book certainly delivered on the promise of a ride! Fans of psychological suspense will enjoy this story of “Jane” and her path to uncovering the truth about her past.

Blood and Bone is purposely confusing with an unreliable narrator. Jane is living a fairytale life with no memory of her past. One day her past catches up to her and she has to decide who to believe: the FBI or the love of her life Derek.

It’s hard to write a review without giving away too much about the book. I will say that some of the twists I enjoyed, but by the fifty percent mark, I started to find the plot to be too over the top. I just felt like some of these major bombs were glossed over and it took away from the impact. Plus, I wasn’t feeling the chemistry between the two main characters which made me lack a connection to the plot.

The pace was good and the plot was unique, so despite my struggles with some of the story elements, I may continue with the series.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!

Cover Reveal: On the Edge by T.S. Krupa

ABOUT THE BOOK

ON THE EDGE: A NOVEL - ON SALE JUNE 9, 2015!!!

Andy Parker is a war widow raising her fifteen-year-old daughter on her own. Hayden Grace dreams of becoming a professional snowboarder, and Andy is doing everything she can to make that happen. When Hayden Grace’s passion begins to falter, Andy is at a loss for how to re-inspire her daughter.

Andy does her best balancing Hayden Grace’s competition schedule, practice, and school with her own work schedule at home, in the city, and on the mountain. But work starts to demand more from Andy. Then, Andy receives an opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity that will turn their lives upside down. But is it too good to be true?

Soon, mother and daughter find themselves in Aspen for Hayden Grace’s first national competition when a chance encounter brings Andy into a passionate, unexpected romance, a romance that could change everything. Will Andy be able to find the happiness she deserves?

BOOK LINKS

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/OnTheEdgeGoodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

T.S. Krupa was born in New Haven, Connecticut. Raised in a Polish household with a blended American culture, she is fluent in Polish. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Franklin Pierce University, where she also played field hockey. She earned her Master’s from Texas Tech University and recently graduated with her Doctor of Education from North Carolina State University. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and her dog.

In 2014, T.S. Krupa published her award-winning debut novel Safe & Sound. On The Edge is her second novel. To learn more about the author visit www.TSKrupa.com.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website: www.TSKrupa.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TSKrupaAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TS_Krupa

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/TSKrupa

Stacking the Shelves #124

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and features books you've added to your shelves, both physical and virtual.

For Review:

Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson

Ash & Bramble by Sarah Prineas

What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler

Dreamland by Robert L. Anderson

The Guilty One by Sophie Littlefield

From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion

The Devil You Know by Trish Doller

Review: That Birds Would Sing by Joanna Franklin Bell

Summary:

Things are not always what they seem… and for April Jones, reflecting on her adolescence, deception and truth can feel horribly the same.

When an unexpected obituary in her home town newspaper brings on a flood of memories, April recalls the freshman year that changed her forever, describing the beginning of high school as "a trip across an ocean that would take four years to cross, where there was no option to turn around. If you wanted out, you had to drown."

There was Jasmine, the unknown beauty with the terrible secret, and Alec, a dangerously fearless boy tangled in forbidden knowledge. There was a special student, wounded and naïve, whose scattershot development had outpaced her intellect, and a complicated, brilliant teacher with a fateful Achilles heel. April battles herself to make sense of their journeys and her own, remembering the world that once fell apart around them all as they struggled to grow up. She distills her memories into the very elements that make her heartbreaking recollections so turbulent and their brutal impressions so lasting.

April's dissection of her coming-of-age journey is a laid-bare tableau of society's rigid expectations that are increasingly at odds with the spectrum of ways adolescents change, grow, fall, fail and triumph… and the secrets with potential to destroy those lives in an instant.

Publication Date: April 22, 2015

That Birds Would Sing was an unexpected gem of a book! This is probably one of the best coming of age novels I’ve read in a long time. Bell is a talented writer and there were so many quotes that I loved while reading that I had a hard time narrowing down my favorites.

April was a good choice as a narrator. She’s the “mousey” girl who is always on the outskirts in her school. She’s a watcher and has the ability to zero in on her classmates’ flaws as well as their hidden gifts. The characters circling April were all developed well and I found myself drawn into the small and big dramas of high school.

Bell covers a lot of heavy topics over the course of her novel. Her writing is very raw and I’ll be honest some of the stuff was very difficult to read about. I had to almost take a mental breather and remind myself that these were fictional characters in order to keep my heart from breaking. She touches on topics like bullying, special education, sex roles, teen drug and alcohol use, and violence against women. One particular quote that touched me was “a few girls whispered rape, but didn’t shout it.” The book was filled with poignant insights and a lot of the quotes I couldn’t get out of my head.

This book will appeal most to reads of literary fiction and coming of age stories. Bell is a talented and perceptive author and I can’t wait to read more of her works.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Review: Red by Reese Reed

Summary:

How do you make sense of a world in which right is wrong, evil is virtuous, and those you were taught were monsters are the ones truly worthy of saving?

Jennifer's life was chaotic enough without having to leave home for college. Still reeling from her mother's untimely death, Jen resists the overwhelming urge to cling to life as she remembers and continues to press onward as she knows her mother would want. But as she hugs her dad goodbye, she has no idea that she will soon be thrust into a world she once thought existed only deep within her childhood imagination. When an ill-timed Samaritan mission goes awry, Jen finds herself stumbling through an unfamiliar land of quaint, friendly dwarves, a monstrous wolf, and blood-thirsty deceit. Is everything here as black and white as it seems, or must she simply look deeper to find the hidden shades of red?

Publication Date: April 16, 2015

What a fun fast-paced read! I love fairytale retellings and the author made this book even more engaging by throwing in her own twists on classic lore. The characters were all so fun and I loved being part of Red’s world.

The author’s strength is definitely in crafting strong, smart, witty female leads. I adored Jen. I found her so relatable and I loved her every girl quality. I could imagine myself reacting the same way if I found myself in a strange, enchanted forest. The secondary characters were all great too (who doesn’t love Snow White’s dwarves?).

The pace is super quick and that would probably be my only complaint. I was enjoying the world so much I wanted a lot more. The swiftness also didn’t leave for a ton of development as far as the romance. This is a more of a personal preference since I’m a fan of slow building love stories.

Great book for YA paranormal fans! I always like books with crossover appeal and Red definitely will appeal to adult fans as well.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Review: The Devil's Liege by Danielle DeVor

Summary:

Being a vampire isn't all it's cracked up to be- in fact, it kind of sucks.

After surviving his duel with Lilith, Mathias thought that he could relax. That is until he discovers that, Nossy, the new king, has been kidnapped.

When the investigating vampires seem to have no clue how to rescue Nosferatu, Mathias must step in. Everything is peachy until Mathias is named the next new king in order to stop the man behind Nossy’s kidnapping from taking over the throne.

Suddenly, his life is not his own again, and Mathias must make a choice: risk his life to find his friend, or sit back and watch disaster unfold.

Publication Date: September 26, 2014

This was such a good and twisty paranormal read! I was a little leery of picking up the second book without reading the first, but I had no problem getting transported to the world DeVor created.

Mathias was an easy character to connect with. He had such a real voice and I liked how he didn’t sugarcoat life as a vampire. His voice felt real and authentic. The side characters were also well done with standouts being Nossy and Vlad.

The pacing was really well done. What I liked is that the plot developed naturally and there wasn’t a huge info dump at the beginning. I liked the gradual hints DeVor wove into the plot to let me know what was going on with the vampire royalty.

The dialogue was my favorite part of the book. I love the wit and humor that comes from Mathias and his vampire interactions. Despite the darkness of the plot, there was actually quite a few laugh out loud quips.

The Devil’s Liege is a great book for fans of YA vampire novels. I’d suggest starting with Tail of the Devil to see how Mathias’s journey began.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Review: The 100 by Kass Morgan

Summary:

In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland... before it's too late.

Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust - and even love - again.

Publication Date: September 3, 2013

I haven’t seen the show The 100, but I always thought the promos looked interesting. When I got a chance to review the book, I jumped at the opportunity. Overall, I liked the book as a series starter, but from the premise, I was hoping for a little more excitement.

The plot is so original that I couldn’t wait to see how the teens adapted to their new lives on Earth. The world building was definitely my favorite part of the book. I loved the way the author described both life on the spaceship and life in a wild uninhabited Earth.

The characters were all intriguing, but I didn’t really think four points of view were necessary. Honestly, I thought Bellamy was the best character in the book and I could’ve read the whole novel in his POV. The constant POV switching slowed down the plot for me and I found myself putting the book down more often than I usually do. I am a super fast reader, but this took me more than a week to finish.

Overall, I think the characters and premise are strong enough to carry the series along. The 100 was a nice setup for future books and I’ll likely pick up the next one.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!