Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Beautiful Addictions by Season Vining

*ARC courtesy of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **

Beautiful Addictions is Josie and Tristan's love story.  Josie is a troubled girl who can't remember her past.  Something tragic happened to her years ago, and she can't remember her life before that.  She was shuffled through foster homes, and used drugs and sex to deal with everything.  She sees Tristan one night and is drawn to him but doesn't know why.  Tristan sees her and recognizes her as a girl that he loved years ago who he thought had died.  This is the story of how they found each other, and fell in love all over again.  

I loved Josie and Tristan's story.  Josie was broken in a way that seemed insurmountable, and Tristan had a strength that she clung to.  This story had a so many twists and turns along the way, that a lot of the time I had no idea where it was going, and also how certain people were going to fit into it!  At one point I even gasped out loud, I scared my daughter.  Such a great story that took me on a journey that I enjoyed immensely.  The story was real, tragic, heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time!  Go buy it!!

 http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Addictions-Season-Vining-ebook/dp/B00F8FOZ7G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1390959785&sr=1-1&keywords=beautiful+addictions

Monday, January 27, 2014

Mad Love by Colet Abedi


**ARC courtesy of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **

Mad Love is a fun, sexy, vacation read.  Its about Sophie Walker who has just made just some major life changes and she decides to go on a tropical vacation with her best friends to find herself.  She sees a man when she first arrives and things progress from there.  His name is Clayton Sinclair and he is rich and sexy and she is completely drawn to him, and he is to her as well.  

I really liked Sophie, although her insecurities were a little much at times.  Clayton was a super alpha male, and I of course love that.  There were times in the story when I got annoyed cause I felt like they should just have a conversation and a lot of misunderstandings would have been avoided.  But every story needs conflict, and they definitely had that.  I also enjoyed her two gay best friends.  

A very fun read, but the ending in a cliffhanger, and it broke my heart a little.  I can't wait for the next one to come out, which will be a really long time since the first one has not been released!

This book has been scheduled to be released March 10, 2014.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Sex Love Repeat by Alessandra Torres

This book got all kinds of great reviews at the end of last year, and I was a little afraid of it because it has a very obvious love triangle from the beginning.  But I finally broke down and really enjoyed it.  It is a very different arrangement, all three involved in the triangle know about the other.  It was very strange, and halfway through I had no idea how it could possibly end well.  There is also a crazy twist in the middle of the book that I did not see coming!  I am going to keep this brief, but if you are avoiding this book because of the love triangle, it isn't what you think.  Give it a shot!

 Domino Effect by Jill Elaine Hughes

**ARC courtesy of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **


This book is the first in a trilogy and has quite a cliffhanger ending.  I had a hard time with this book.  I felt like it had a slow start, and it took a long time to get going.  This story is about Nancy, a journalism student, who gets somewhat thrown in with an older international artist named Peter Rostovich, who may or may not have ties to the Russian mafia.  She is sent to review his art show and is immediately attracted to him, and that has never happened to her before.  She has never felt that way towards a man before and she has no idea how to deal with it.  
I had quite a few problems with the book.  First, I felt like the inner dialogue of Nancy was very lengthy and took away from the story.  I also felt like it took a long time to get going, but when it did, it was all over the place.  And without giving too much away, I also felt like Nancys reactions to things were not nearly accurate.  She goes from one extreme to another in a matter of a few pages.  I also felt like a lot of questions about Peter were not broached.  I realize a lot of that was left for the second book, but it was still a little strange.  
I give this story 2.5 stars.  Even though I did not necessarily enjoy the story, I still feel like I need to know what happens, so I am sure I will venture into the second installment.  This book was released December 13, 2013, but does not seem to be available on Amazon.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Shredded by Tracy Wolff

**ARC courtesy of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **
 
I had no expectations about this book going into it, and I was pleasantly surprised!  I loved it!  Its a story about a snowboarder who is troubled and trying to forget his past, and a girl who is doing the same thing.  He is attracted to her, but she is scared to do anything because of everything that she has gone through.
In this story you meet Z Michaels who is a famous snowboarder and he has quite a reputation with women.  But he is broken in a way that makes your own heart break a little.  And Ophelia, who has her own issues that she is trying to get past.   I do not know anything about snowboarding so this was an education!  I had to Google a lot of the terminology and slang.  I loved the characters though.  He was a hot mess, and she was too, but in a different way.  I loved seeing how they were able to help the other, and how the relationship developed.  It also helped that he was hot and tattooed (I am a sucker for that)  My only question was about the main characters name.  Z has to stand for something, but that is never addressed.  I felt like this story offered more than the usual broken guy meets broken girl. 
The end was a crazy cliffhanger that I did not see coming, and now I cannot wait until the next installment.  I am guessing it will be awhile since this book is not scheduled to be released until February 4, 2014.  I enjoyed this book immensely and I can't wait to read more from this author. 
 

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Wrecked by Priscilla West


**ARC courtesy of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review **
 
I really enjoyed this story, even though I felt like it took a long time to get going.  The author was very detailed about surroundings and situation, which at times was great.  But also, sometimes, felt like it was holding up the story.  I really liked getting to know Lorrie and Hunter though.  The relationship took a long time to develop and, and times you wondered if it was ever going to move into anything further than friendship.  
Lorrie has a troubled past, and we learn the details of that very early on.  We also know that Hunter is hiding something, but we don't know what.  And from the first line of the book you are not sure where it is going.
There would be no happy ending for us.  He was too damaged.  I was too broken.  
When they first meet you know that Lorrie is attracted to Hunter, in fact it was one of my favorite lines from the book.
Steam rose form his body as if his outrageous hotness physically manifested and clashed with the frigid air.
But Lorrie is convinced that she is not ready for a relationship because she is just trying to be a normal college girl with no drama.  
Hunter wants to date Lorrie pretty early but he settles for them just being friends. 

All in all, I really enjoyed this story.  Lorrie was a little annoying, but you couldn't help but love her.  And Hunter was a tatted hot fighter, so of course, we loved him!!  I would have liked a little more from Hunter's POV, I enjoyed the last couple of chapters when we got into his head.
I cannot wait for the next book after the cliffhanger 
 
 
 


 

Friday, January 10, 2014

Review of Fighting Redemption by Kate McCarthy
 
This book got all kinds of fantastic reviews at the end of last year, and I am here to say they were all right!  This story is beautiful and heart breaking, sweet, and funny at times.  
It is a love story that spans years between Ryan and Fin.  Ryan and Jake are best friends and Fin is Jake's little sister.  Ryan has a thing for her right from the beginning.  It is sweet and sad at the same time.  Ryan watches her from a distance for years, and when he is old enough to join the army, he leaves, and Fin does not hear from him for 6 years. And Fin is heartbroken, but she can't seem to completely move on.
Ryan is  broken, and he can't seem to get past it, even to be with Fin.  He grew up in an abusive family, and it still haunts him.
The prologue puts you on edge right away, so for most of the book you are waiting for the other shoe to drop.  And the author is Australian so the slang is fun for me too!  The story between Ryan and Fin is heartbreaking and sweet at the same time.  Frustrating at times, but I loved both of the characters.  Ryan is swoon worthy for sure, a little alpha male, and completely sweet and loving to Fin.  Sometimes I wanted to scream at him, but that's part of what makes him a fantastic character. He was also a hero, his story is one of a soldier who is trying to find his worth.  
Fighting Redemption is a love story in the truest sense.  It is about soul mates, and bravery.  It is about Friendship and loyalty.  This story made me cry, smile, and touched my heart too.   
This story got a resounding, emotional 5 stars!!!!


Monday, January 6, 2014

Review of RAW by Belle Aurora

This book seriously messed with my head!!  It says in the description that it is not a love story, but part of me held out for it!  I am going to try and make this as spoiler free as possible.  The synopsis tells you right off the bat that it's going to be a little dark, and it definitely was.  The female lead knows that someone is watching her from the beginning, and it doesn't bother her.  He comes to her rescue pretty early on and they start a tumultuous relationship that, as the reader, you are really not sure where it is going.  
The male lead is an ASSHOLE!  I do not say that lightly.  Sometimes you read a book and the male is super alpha with asshole tendencies, this guy is not that way.  He is an asshole with rare glimpses of a sweet, tender, guy.  I was so confused for a good portion of the book.  I could not decide what was actually going on, and what I wanted to happen.  So many times, Twitch (yes, the main characters name is Twitch) does or says something that should send Alexa running, and she knows it, but she sticks it out. 
All of that being said, I loved it!  This is one of those books that takes you on a ride, and you really are not sure where it is going, or even where you want it to.  It kept me guessing all the way till the end!  I am assuming based on the ending that another installment is coming.  And if not, I might cry! 

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Favorite Reads of 2013

Here is a list of my favorite reads of 2013.  These are in no particular order.  I had an extremely hard time narrowing these down.  I was afraid to leave any of them out, its like deciding which of my children is my favorite!!  That might be an exaggeration but you guys get the point.

Scars and Songs, Christina Zolendz 
I am not normally a paranormal kind of girl, but I love this whole series.  This is the third book in the Mad World series, and the author is hilarious.  This is one of those books that makes you laugh out loud, and cry a little too.  Loved it!!

Arsen, Mia Asher
Sometimes book consumes you completely and you cannot put it down, even though the story makes you nauseous and you want to strangle the main character.  That is this book!  This is the worst love triangle and it literally made me sick at my stomach.  But at the same time I was completely sucked into the story and could not put it down.  So, if you read this, be prepared to be completely disgusted and curse my name!!!

Making Faces, Amy Harmon
I have read off of Amy Harmon's books and they are all fantastic.  But Making faces was incredible.  It was a sweet and heartbreaking love story.  It was not what I thought it would be, but I loved it!  I cried, I laughed, and I even swooned a little bit!  Its a story of growth and it touched my heart.

Reckless, S.C. Stephens
This is the conclusion to one of my all time favorite series, Thoughtless.  I know some people had a hard time with Thoughtless because of the love triangle.  And in all honesty, I did too.  But I love Kellan Kyle!!  He is definitely at the top of my book boyfriend list.  I thought this was a great conclusion to the story, and it was all tied up so nicely.  I loved the end when you got a little glimpse into the future.  Such a great series!

True Love Story, Willow Aster
I loved this book!  This may make all time faves list, not just 2013.  This book was the first book for this author which makes all that more incredible.  You follow the main characters through an unconventional relationship that spans years, and at times, you are certain they can't end up together.  I laughed and cried and fell in love with the characters.  http://www.amazon.com/True-Love-Story-Willow-Aster-ebook/dp/B00BHF7ULY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388696360&sr=8-1&keywords=true+love+story

Sweet Thing, Renee Carlino
An angst filled love story with lots of tension and stress!!  The main characters are roommates, so you know that's gonna cause all kinds of trouble.  There are times when you want to cry with the main character, and then you also want to punch her in the throat!  All in all a sweet love story that will have you rooting for the characters, once you get past the throat punching!

Left Drowning, Jessica Park
Another angsty read (I am sensing a pattern)  A sad girl rocked by tragedy meets a close knit group of siblings and they take her in.  But as you get into the story you discover that they don't have it all together.  And a little heartbreak along the way that broke my heart as well.  This one is definitely a tear-jerker, but a happy ending.  I promise!

Trouble, Samantha Towle
The same author that wrote Wethering the Storm and gave us Jake Wethers, one of my faves, gives us Jordan and Mia's story.  Jordan could maybe give Jake Wethers a run for his money.  Almost :)  Another love story with some angst, and a lot of soul searching.  Your heart breaks for Mia in this story and all the things that she has had to deal with and how she is dealing.  Jordan has is own things going on, and in this story they both learn to deal with those things and eventually find the way back to each other. Very sweet and a little heart wrenching.http://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Samantha-Towle-ebook/dp/B00GS3VWHI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388697457&sr=1-1&keywords=trouble+samantha+towle

Carter Reed, Tijan
A very good alpha male bad boy story.  I am a sucker for those, and this one did not disappoint!  Carter is an enforcer in the mafia.  The female lead, Emma, Saw something she shouldn't have, and so Carter steps in and saves the day.  A few twists and turns, and definitely some heartbreak.  

Vain, Fisher Amelie
This was my biggest surprise read of the year.  I was not really expecting to love it, but I did.  I did not love Sophie Price in the beginning.  It took a while for me to get on board with her.  She really is a BITCH!  She gets into trouble and she assumes that her good looks and her money will get her out, but for the first time, they don't.  And she actually has to deal the hand she is dealt.  It is a fantastic coming of age story about a very spoiled girls who finally realizes.  The author is going to eventually write a book for all 7 deadly sins.  I read the follow up GREED, and it is just as wonderful as the first!



Honorable Mentions

Can't Go Home, Angelisa Stone
This a beautiful steamy love story with a crazy twist that you do not see coming!  This story definitely makes you think!  
http://www.amazon.com/Cant-Go-Home-Oasis-Waterfall-ebook/dp/B00FFS2U1E/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388698495&sr=1-1&keywords=can%27t+go+home+angelisa+stone

Driven and Fueled, K. Bromberg (soon to be released Crashed)
Alpha male race car driver that makes you swoon.  He has all kinds of issues and makes you want to hug him, among other things.  Loved this series and Colton Donovan definitely makes the book boyfriend list!
http://www.amazon.com/Driven-Trilogy-K-Bromberg-ebook/dp/B00CRMX26I/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388698774&sr=1-2&keywords=Driven 

http://www.amazon.com/Fueled-The-Driven-Trilogy-Bromberg-ebook/dp/B00ESJ3S94/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Undeniable Series, Madeline Sheehan
Biker series that is not for the faint of heart.  It is dark and the males are extremely alpha, and not always very nice.  It is dark and gritty, and tad bit disturbing, but for some reason, I loved them.  If you are a Sons of Anarchy fan, you would love this series.  There are 3 books released thus far, and more scheduled to be released on 2014. 
http://www.amazon.com/Undeniable-Madeline-Sheehan-ebook/dp/B009N539DS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1388699003&sr=1-1&keywords=undeniable+by+madeline+sheehan 

This Man series, Jodi Ellen Malpas
Another alpha male, very 50 Shades of Grey.  It is based in England and the speech makes me smile.  He is kind of an ass, but you still love him.  The series includes 3 books and I loved them all.  You want to root for the characters, even when you are not sure they can make it.  Jesse Ward is the lead male character and he knows no boundaries, but Eva can't seem to walk away from him.  Love them!
http://www.amazon.com/This-Man-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00DB7RDOA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1388699280&sr=1-1&keywords=This+Man 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Welcome to 2014!  
Such an exciting time of year.  I will officially start blogging and keeping track of everything I read this year.  And I mean everything, even the stuff that is less than stellar.  I am not sure anyone will read this, besides my friends, and even they might not.  But here's to hoping!!  
I look forward to hearing from you and sharing my obsession.  
Happy New Year