Thursday, June 26, 2014

Kindle Fire Giveaway!

Enter to win 1 of 2 great prizes. Winner’s choice of a Kindle Fire HDX or $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 Paypal Cash! 

 The first prize is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter the 2nd giveaway in the rafflecopter.


June Kindle Fire
   


Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)



  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)



  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)



  June Sponsors I Am A Reader Feed Your Reader Bella Street's Weird Romance Bonnie Blythe's Pure Romance Lori's Reading Corner Author M.A. George CBY Book Club Fairiechick's Fantasy Book Reader Christian Bookmobile Author Kimber Leigh Wheaton Kindle and Me Author Inger Iversen A. Wrighton, Author Author Kim Cresswell-Trapped Inside My Head The YA Buzz Jenna Does Books Addicted Readers The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something year Old Girl BookHounds YA Every Free Chance Book Reviews Author Wendi Sotis Taylor Dean Books Heather Gray (Author) Author Cindy C Bennett More Than a Review The Reporter and The Girl Author Anna Kyss Owl Always Be Reading Laurie Here Romance Under Fire Author Jennifer Laurens BookReviewsAndGiveaways Paranormal book Club (PBC) The Late Bloomers Book Blog Reviews from a Bookworm Jennifer Faye, Author Free Bookster Making it Happen Extaordinaryreads MyLadyWeb: Women's History & Women Authors Author Claudia Burgoa Crystal Donahue, Author SMIBookClub Where The Broken Lie by Derek Rempfer Author Rosanne Rivers YA Author - Ellisa Barr Lynda Raymond Brenda Maxfield Fic Central Author Barbara Silkstone Aubrey Wynne: Historical Romance Author Georgina Young-Ellis   Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Giveaway here: http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups  

Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7", $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash. Ends 7/1/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Carnelian by B. Kristin McMichael Tour, Review & Giveaway!





Release Date: 02/01/14

Summary from Goodreads:

Everyone has a past, but for most it isn’t as long ago as Seth Sangre. His past is literally thousands of years ago. Seth’s life led him to the present seeking something that might help him save his country from destruction. He has been in the present for over three years now and just found exactly what he has been looking for.

Mari had dreams that college will be a fresh start, one where she would start over and not fall for the good looking player like high school. Unfortunately for her, that’s exactly what ends up falling into her lap on the first day she moves into the dorms. Now she has to hold to her promise to herself and not fall for the handsome Seth. But he doesn’t plan to make it easy for her. Seth has already marked her as his next conquest. As the semester progresses, Mari learns that Seth might just have a life of his own that’s actually from the past.


Suddenly Mari finds her future along with her past put into question. She’s connected to Seth far more than she ever wanted to be and maybe the player isn’t who she thought he was. If Mari can trust her heart enough to follow him, Seth will lead Mari on an adventure of a lifetime and reveal family secrets she never knew existed.

 

 
Buy Links:

 Barnes and Noble
 Book Depository

 

Link to Trailer:



Jennifer's Review
Loved the beginning of this book--The hot guy literally falling into Mari's lap and her reaction were pretty perfect and funny. This is a fresh, well written mysterious tale of soulmates, time travel and ancient societies.
Loved we got to go back in time! I won't say too much on that front but it was great, well written and different! I had a hard time putting this book down.


This plot could of had a lot of holes and unanswered questions in it.  Kristin did a wonderful job and answers the questions the reader might have before you have them. One example --When Seth doesn't know his past, you immediately think -- Why not look up your past on the computer? Well thank goodness Mari thinks the same thing (because if she didn't that would be annoying) and goes directly to the computer which fails to work when Mari goes to look up specifics on who Seth really is (and it continues to happen if they look up specifics). So they do get a general idea of time period etc.. but no real specifics to him. All in all, the details and explanations were well covered.



Mari -- studious, shy, reserved, but stands her ground when needed. I loved how she was really leery of Seth due to his reputation -- the story definitely would not of been believable for me if she wasn't -- because who wants to be #24 on some boy's list? I liked Mari overall but I didn't love her. My issue with Mari was that she seemed too perfect - at least when it came to athletics. She knew how to play basketball, football, and she used to be on her school's track and swim team --and was fabulous at all of them but yet couldn't help her roommate with the competition? Is the fact that she excels at all sports have something to do with her time travel ability or ?? If so I wished it would of been explained because she kinda came off as conceited. She also seemed to have just dropped her roommate (I passed that off as because she was in love) but I hope to see that friendship grow and get stronger in the next book-- maybe she even lets in her on her time travel secret.

Seth- swoon worthy :-) and persistent -- you can't help falling for him just like Mari did. At the beginning I was as leery of him as Mari, but as Mari got to know him better it became clear that he wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to Mari. I felt for him just as Mari did. Their relationship was a slow progression - starting as so called "friends" and then to dating. It went at a good pace. My only issue with Seth -- the whole thing with his ex girlfriend was slightly annoying as I thought he should of put more of a clear stop to her advances. I passed that off that he was from another time and was trying to be nice which was difficult with such a forward ex-girlfriend.

Seth's brothers:
Ty -- he kinda acts like an older brother to Mari. Sweet and caring. I liked how he stayed pretty impartial and did not stick up for Seth when he was clearly in the wrong. Overall he really added to the book.


Dee- well I think most will agree with me, I didn't like him. I didn't hate him he was just always brooding and negative--- so I kinda ignored him just like Mari did. At the end of the book my attitude towards him has changed and I expect that in the next book I may just come to like him.

The ending had me sighing in relief, but then I read an excerpt from the second book and..... Well I should not of read the excerpt. Total cliffhanger! Granted the author did give us a warning  before diving into the sneak peak of book too which was well deserved :-).  So if you read that excerpt definitely "read at your risk". I personally couldn't not read it and I will be sitting at the edge of my seat till book 2 Chrysoprase comes out!


This was the first book by B. Kristin and I liked it so much that I checked out her other books  -- I currently just started reading The Legend of the Blue Eyes (on book 2 out of the 3) and I am really loving that storyline and am super glad all three books are out :-)  (doesn't hurt that the heroines' name is special to me).




About the Author:
Originally from Wisconsin, B. Kristin currently resides in Ohio with her husband, two small children, and three cats. When not doing the mom thing of chasing kids, baking cookies, and playing outside, she is using her PhD in biology as a scientist. In her free time she is currently hard at work on multiple novels. Every day is a new writing adventure. She is a fan of all YA/NA fantasy and science fiction.


 

Author Links:





 

Giveaway:

1 grand prize of signed copies of both Carnelian and Chrysoprase

2 runners-up can get signed copies of Carnelian

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

Or:


 

Blog Tour Organized by:



Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Contact by Laurisa White Reyes Giveaway!


Contact


Contact by Laurisa White Reyes

Mira wants to die. She’s attempted suicide twice already and failed. Every time she comes in contact with another person, skin to skin, that person’s psyche uploads into hers. While her psychologist considers this a gift, for Mira it’s a curse from which she cannot escape. To make matters worse, Mira’s father is being investigated for the deaths of several volunteer test subjects of the miracle drug Gaudium. Shortly after Mira’s mother starts asking questions, she ends up in a coma. Although her father claims it was an accident, thanks to her “condition” Mira knows the truth, but proving it just might get her killed.














PRAISE FOR BOOK: "CONTACT is a page turner that will keep you guessing right along with Mira, right up until the last revelation. And it will make you reconsider the next time you wish you knew someone else’s secrets!" - Margaret Petereson Haddix, author of the Missing and The Shadow Children series





Laurisa White Reyes Author PhotoAUTHOR LAURISA WHITE REYES: Laurisa White Reyes is the Editor-in-chief of Middle Shelf Magazine and the author of two middle grade fantasy novels: The Rock of Ivanore and The Last Enchanter. She is also the mother of five kids, a graduate student, a fan of Broadway musicals, and a lover of all things chocolate.















 
book blast button
Blast Giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 7/20/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the publisher. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Monday, June 16, 2014

Mortal Enchantment by Stacey O'Neale - Review


Mortal Enchantment (Mortal Enchantment #1)
by

Mortal Enchantment spins a unique twist on elemental mythology. This series is not to be missed.”
Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

In Kalin Matthew's world, elementals control the forces of nature. They are divided into four courts: air, woodland, fire, and water. At sixteen she will leave the life she's built with her mortal mother. Kalin will move to Avalon to rule with her father—the elemental king of the air court. Along the way, she's attacked by a fire court assassin and saved by Rowan, a swoon-worthy elemental with a questionable past.

Worst of all, she learns her father is missing.

To rescue him, Kalin will have to work with a judgmental council and a system of courts too busy accusing each other of deceit to actually be able to help her. But, they aren’t her biggest challenge. With the Midwinter’s Ball only five days away, Kalin must take over her father’s duties, which includes shifting control of the elements—power Kalin has yet to realize.

As Rowan attempts to train her, a war looms between the four courts. If Kalin fails, her father will die and the courts will fall, but the betrayal she’s about to uncover may cost her even more.

Jennifer's Review:

By the end of THE SHADOW PRINCE I was hooked on this series!  I did a happy dance when this book arrived. Stacey did a great job of introducing us to Avalon, all the various elementals, the way things worked in this world (politics etc...) as well introducing us to our yummy & sexy hero Rowan in that short novella. I would definitely recommend reading The Shadow Prince prior to reading MORTAL ENCHANTMENT. (And why not the novella is FREE!)

This book was told from Kalin's POV. She has just turned 16 years old (she's young so clearly doesn't act mature all the time because she's not). She has spent her whole life in the mortal world with her mortal mom and now at the age of 16 she will go to Avalon to live with her Father and learn about her elemental powers. Her father is King Taron of the elemental court of Air. (We meet him briefly in The Shawdow Prince and he came off as a caring, fair, and good hearted) Kalin is a half-ling - half mortal/half air elemental (which is not a good thing in Avalon -- so strike one against Kalin). She arrives in Avalon to a disaster -- Her father has disappeared and the shift of power is about to occur. With her father being gone that shift of power responsibility falls on all Kalin!  Despite her young age, cluelessness of her own potential powers, the powers of others, the politics, and the world of Avalon itself Kalin is strong and never gives up. She also had a strong love for both her mother and father which was refreshing to see and she always spoke her mind! Overall a fun, strong, and witty female lead. 


Rowan - oh how I loved Rowan!  The Shadow Prince was told from Rowan's POV. I have to admit I was hoping for one chapter from his POV in this book. (Stacey -- maybe an idea for next book?? :-)). I kept holding out hope that maybe at the very end we would be able to see something through his eyes as I was dying to know what was going on in his head! His personality is awesome - snarky, a little arrogant, loyal, strong, and sweet. There were some serious laugh out loud moments with his banter and comebacks to Kalin. Their romance was slow and cautious -- going from friendship to something more as they built up trust in one another.

Rowan and Marcus had such a strong friendship in The Shadow Prince that I was kinda disappointed that Marcus entered this story so late and entered at the request of Ariel. (I thought he should of come to save his BFF Rowan)  I am hoping we see more of Marcus and Ariel in the next book as the strong friendships played a big part in what I loved about the series.

While you may be able to predict a thing or two there are some things you will never see coming so get ready for this story of the elementals. This packs in a lot opinion the 225 pages- friendship, deceit, fighting, love and adventure. I can’t wait for the next book in this series! 
Goodbye Rowan, Kalin, Marcus & Ariel for now. :-)
 




Stacey O'Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she's not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.
Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.
Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads. You can also visit her blog at http://staceyoneale.com/.

Friday, June 13, 2014

The Mean Girl Apologies - by Stephanie Monahan


The Mean Girl Apologies



Goodreads Link

Amazon Buy Link

You know that catchy song you keep hearing on the radio? It’s about you.

Natalie Jamison has spent five years trying to forget the girl she was in high school: popular, pretty…and, okay, mean. Now in her twenties and living once again in her small town, she’s right back where she was: following Queen Bee Amber and keeping secrets from her best friend, Sarah.

Secrets like Jack Moreland.

Everyone knows Jack Moreland—his new album, Good Enough, is everywhere. He’s famous. Impossibly handsome. Completely untouchable. But what none of Natalie’s old clique knows is that in high school, Natalie and Jack fell in love. And their secret relationship was incredible, painful—and earth-shattering enough to inspire an entire album.

Facing friends and enemies isn’t easy, but Natalie will go to great lengths to prove she is good enough—to her friends, to herself, and most of all, to the small-town boy turned worldwide heartthrob she never forgot


Jennifer's Review:
The book goes back and forth from current day where Natalie is stuck back in her home town  copy editing for the local newspaper, still following her high school friends even though she didn't really like most of them, and then back five years to the final year of high school. In high school she was part of the popular crowd, following and desperately trying to please Amber a bona fide a mean girl/Queen Bee. When we are following Natalie in high school she meets Jack, a musician who was not part of the popular group. Natalie is all about appearances and pleasing Amber But she likes Jack so she ends up with a secret relationship with Jack, all the while being mean & ignoring him in public. Away from her popular group she is a different girl (the real Natalie) and that's the side that Jack falls for and in turn accepts being her little secret.

Now in present day Jack is famous, with a hit album, Good Enough. The big hit is playing on the radio constantly, and only Natalie & Jack know its really about her.....She's always regretted her actions to him and others in high school and decides its time to put things right. She does the right thing - she apologizes to those she had hurt.

Natalie is still in love with Jack, never really stopped loving him. At first you don't like Natalie -- I mean what's to like -- through the flashbacks we learn she was a bully by association, rude, and mean. Then we start to learn why she's like she is, what happened in the past to her to make her this way, and how she became trapped in a cycle from which she know how to break out of.

Jack, well you like him from the beginning -- he was a great guy, secure in himself, down to earth, and sexy ;-). An easy guy to fall in love with for sure!

I liked how the book showed how people look back with regrets sometimes, wishing you could change the past. It was a road to recovery for Natalie -- filled with healing for herself and also owning up to her mistakes. It also shows that if friends really do love you then they accept you for who you are. If they don't then its better to know that and move on to find true friends who will.









Thursday, June 12, 2014

Ex factor Book Tour by Elisa Dane - Review and giveaway!



Ex Factor


Release Date: 04/22/14

 

Summary from Goodreads:

Nevaeh Evan’s life is uprooted after her father’s death, when she moves in with her aunt and cousin, Livvie. Her plan to lay low at her new high school isn’t working. Her friend’s jerky boyfriend keeps asking her out, the guy she likes treats her like garbage, and the thought of tumbling again makes her want to hurl.

So when her aunt pushes her into joining the elite X-FACTOR cheer leading squad, Navaeh goes along with it.

But Nev feels she doesn’t deserve to be happy. Not after what happened the night her father died.

Bodie Scott knows about grief all too well. Critically injured in an alcohol related accident the year before, Bodie struggles with the fact that he’ll never play football again, and he’s so far behind in credits he can’t see straight. That is, until he meets Nev. Haunted by their bloody pasts and wary of a shared future, Nev and Bodie turn to one another for comfort and support, and realize they’re not so alone after all. And when the party scene at school threatens the life of a loved one, the two stop at nothing to keep the past from repeating itself.


 Buy Links:
 Barnes and Noble


Jennifer's Review:

Nev is a former gymnast whose life has been completely uprooted. Her father is killed and her mother has an illness that requires her to be in a medical facility indefinately. She moves to go live with her Aunt Trish and cousin (Livvie) in northern California. She comes to a new town, and a new high school and if that's not enough she is overwhelmed with guilt. What's behind the guilt?? -- a big part of the story revolves around this issue.
The relationship between Nev and her cousin Livvie was well done - caring, loving. Livvie is on a competitive cheer team, X Factor. Livvie and her mom convince Nev to try for the team out thinking it will help her adjust to her new life with them. Also given that Nev was a excellent gymnast makes her a shoo-in to for the premier squad - The Diamond girls. Nev at first doesn't want to try out as it sparks painful memories of all the good times she had with her mom over the years in competitive gymnastics but Livvi's enthusiasm and confidence in her is contagious. So Nev goes for it -- In the end joining the Diamond Girls Ex Factor squad proves to be a wonderful thing, just as Livvie and her mom thought. It was neat to catch a small glimpse into the world of competitive cheer -- a world the author clearly knows well.
 The boys in this story: Nev's first experience at her new high school is with a charming but "slimy" Eli. Nev finds out pretty quickly that he is dating her new found friend, Erin. Eli never really stops hitting on Nev. And while Nev is clear that is she absolutely not interested, he continues relentlessly. Being new to the school and her friendship with Erin she keeps quiet about the whole situation. In hindsight not the right thing to do :-) But you have to read the book to see how that plays out.
Enter boy # 2 -- Bodie, well he is the opposite of Eli -- distant, brooding and rude to Nev.  But not only does the author have the reader swooning over Bodie but Nev as well (which of course drives Nev crazy). Bodie has a past that he feels guilt over as well. The way their relationship builds up and the truths they share with each-other about their pasts was great and made the relationship which builds quickly believable. The help each other get to a better place in life.   

Overall, it was a well written, fun book with a solid message about the dangers of drunk driving. It had all the high school drama and problems. How the school used the powerful event at the end of the book as a teaching moment was unique and effective way to go about proving the point.
 
Unbreakable


Release Date: 06/10/14

 

Summary from Goodreads:

Perception is everything to sixteen-year-old Olivia Brown. With her freakishly hot boyfriend, volunteer work at the local animal shelter, successful beauty channel on YouTube, and well-earned spot on X Factor Cheer's elite level five Diamond Girl team, Livvie's the girl every other girl wants to be. At least, that's the illusion she's aiming for.

But Livvie's seemingly perfect life is anything but. Lying about the bruises her boyfriend gives her, and cowering beneath his raging temper becomes a regular way of life until she unwittingly witnesses her drunken neighbor beating his step-son, the town bad boy, Reid Tate.

For Reid, vulnerability is the enemy. Opening up, and letting people in gives them the power to disappoint. Growing up with a co-dependent mother and an abusive alcoholic father, Reid has endured all the disappointment he can stomach.

But when his pretty, do-good neighbor witnesses his step-dad beat him to within an inch of his life, and not only call the cops, but keeps quiet at school about what she saw, Reid wonders if maybe, just maybe, he's found someone he can finally trust.

 


 

Buy Links:



Barnes and Noble

Jennifer's Review:
This is the second book in the Diamond Girl series. In book #1 we met Nev. This book focus's on Livvie (Olivia), Nev's cousin.
Livvie: Sweet, innocent and naïve.  She is dealing with the craziness of being in high school, the demands of being on the Diamond girls cheer squad, volunteering to help round out her transcript and of course holds down a job. If that's not enough she's got a JERK for a boyfriend. 

But then enters..Reid Tate:  Drool worthy bad boy. He's got a really messed up home life and tons of girls that are interested in being with the resident "bad boy".
So Livvie and Reid -- yes absolute opposites! They do find their way to each other -- in a way that was not rushed or forced.
 
What I found different about this book is usually you would see the innocent girl reform the bad boy...but in this book that doesn't happen. I liked that, it threw me for a loop sure but in a good way!  In this book the more believable scenario happens -- Once a bad boy always a bad boy. What changes is that Reid Tate has finally found someone he can trust and that is how Livvie gets under Reid's skin.

I love how Elisa builds Livvie and Reid's relationship. Reid helps Livvie see that her current relationship is NOT a good one for her. and Livvie helps Reid see that there are some people in life that you can trust.  

 
About the Author

I'm a lover of books (YA & Adult romance), chocolate, reality television, and am a proud mother to three All Star cheerleaders. Woot!

I write Contemporary YA romance with cheerleaders. Yep. I write what I know, and it's my hope that my stories will not only take you on a romantic journey that will warm your heart, but that you'll find a new respect and interest in the sport of Cheerleading you may not have had before.

 

Author Links:

Elisa Dane GoodReads
Elisa Dane Twitter
Elisa Dane Facebook

 

PUBLISHER LINKS

www.myswoonromance.com

@swoonromance

Facebook.com/SwoonRomance
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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Review of Rules of Survival by Jus Acardo

Rules of Survival
by Jus Accardo

Goodreads Link

Amazon BuyLink

Goodreads Summary:
If you want to survive, you have to follow the rules…

Mikayla Morgan is wanted for her mother's murder. She's been on the run for almost a year now, avoiding not only the police but the real killer. Tired of running and desperate to clear her name, she breaks one of the most sacred rules: never return to the scene of the crime.

Every bounty hunter on the Eastern Seaboard is after the Morgan girl—but Shaun Denver and his partner snagged her. She's a piece of work, and Shaun can't decide if he wants to kiss her or kill her. When things take a sharp turn south, Shaun does the only thing he can think of to keep her close—he handcuffs them together.

As the danger mounts and the killer closes in, the chemistry between them threatens to explode. Shaun and Kayla will need to break all the rules if they hope to get out of this alive



Jennifer's Review:

Mikayla (Kalya) has been on the run for over a year already. She is tired of running. Everyone believes she killed her mother. The truth is that the true killer is still out there and ready to finish the job by killing her. She's used to life on the run and her mother taught her rules in life in order to survive --never return back to the scene of the crime, never stay in one place to long, never keep all of your money in one place, never trust anybody, never wait for somebody else to save you, always trust your instincts. In order to clear her name and find a clue her mother left her Kayla has to break the biggest rule of them all: never return to the scene of the crime. She takes a chance and goes back to the house were it all started -- where her mother was killed. She barely has the letter in her hands when a bounty hunter named Patrick and his new extremely sexy sidekick Shaun arrive. Patrick has been hunting Kayla and her mom all of Kayla's life. Kayla's mom was a con artist but Kayla is totally confused as to why Patrick has had what clearly is an obsession with capturing them? Seriously how much money could 2 measly con artists be worth -- well it turns out to be sooo much more than that! Before Kayla can even form a plan of escape from Patrick and Shaun, others arrive with flying bullets as their Hello!  Picking the lesser of the two evils Kayla flees the house with Patrick and Shaun, and loses the letter in the process. She has no plan to stay with them and be turned over the police but that’s when Kayla learns they don’t plan to hand her over to the police, but to a man named Jaffe; in return for a large bounty that's been placed on Kayla’s head. Now Kayla is really confused -- why is a large bounty placed on her head, and who is Jaffe??? Her mom certainly failed to explain A LOT!

Lots of action packed events happened, Kayla and Shaun get separated from Patrick and Shaun ends cuffing himself to Kayla to keep her close. Well this is where the fun really begins! We see their relationship evolve from both perspectives. Shaun goes from caring about only the cash he will get from turning Kayla in to caring about Kayla herself. Kayla goes from the motto of trust no one to slowly realizes that she can trust Shaun and the he truly believes in her innocence and is there to help her prove it. We also get some really laugh out loud parts because as you can imagine being cuffed together makes showering, using the toilet, dressing and sleeping all very interesting.

I love the characters in this book. I was invested in them separately and of course as the dynamic duo they became. Kayla was resourceful, smart and brave -- this is how her mother taught her to be - use your brains to get out of any situation. Therefore she really lacked any sort of brawn! Shaun was an arrogant bad boy (probably goes without saying -- but seriously sexy!) who turned out to have a soft side and what is willing to give up for Kayla will really pull at your heart strings.  Kayla was the brains and Shaun was brawn. Together a perfect match. You really can't help yourself -- you will love them both and want them to succeed. Both characters had a difficult past that came to light and explained why they were the way they were. I'll say it again  --- Shaun and Kayla were wonderful together; their banter was GREAT and their chemistry was off the charts.


Conclusion:
Rules of Survival by Jus Accardo is a fast-paced, action packed romantic suspense. You will be sure to fall in love with these characters! I would definitely be interested in reading a sequel to this book! 
 

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Bound by Duty (Bound Series, Book One) by Stormy Smith


Bound by Duty (Bound Series, Book One)


Release Date: July 2014

Summary from Goodreads:
Amelia grew up in a world of half-truths. She knows she's an Elder but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must maintain control but he refuses to explain why. Even worse, she's betrothed to the prince of the Immortals and she doesn't even know his name.



Finally breaking free to live a few normal years at a community college, the last thing Amelia expects is to find her best friend in a cheeky Southern girl and to fall for a self-assured human who sees her for who she is and not what she'll be.

As she learns more about herself, Amelia realizes the line between love and duty is a thin one. As her power continues to increase exponentially and her questions are slowly answered, Amelia must make the ultimate choice. The question is, will her head or her heart win the battle?








About the Author
I was born in Southeast Iowa, in a tiny town without much to do. I came to love reading honestly, with a Mom that had an entire room devoted to books. We read together until I could read alone, and then we often shared books. We talked stories and favorite characters, even shared tears over the best ones. I made friends who also loved books and we grew up with the likes of V.C. Andrews, L.J. Smith and Anne Rice.

I live in central Iowa now, and went into marketing because I could use my love of words and head for branding. I married a guy who hates fiction and loves video games, but we compromise with great movies (often my book adaptations) and live music. We have two crazy cats that constantly walk across my key board or curl into my lap for naps while I write.

I love chocolate peanut butter and mint chocolate chip ice cream and Sauvignon Blanc wine, though not at the same time. I always have music of some sort on and someday I'll convince my husband to move to the ocean. Someday.

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