Sunday 30 June 2013

Dark Dawn Blog Tour - Giveaway, Review & Excerpt

Blurb:

In the beginning God made the heavens and the earth, and everything in between. The In-between was unplanned, unexpected, and unwelcome. Every action causes a reaction and when mankind was born, so were the Fae. Suddenly it was up to Heaven to save Earth. God created Angels to right his wrong, to save human kind. A deal was made, an agreement of sorts. The Angels would protect humanity from Fae domination and destruction, and in return they would have inhuman strength and immortality. Thus a time of angels swooping in to save humans from free will, bad decisions, and big mistakes began. They protected humans from the Fae who intentionally enslaved them, leaving shells of humans, or worse, leaving nothing at all. 

Even God doesn’t always learn from mistakes. Angels were given freedom of choice. Some Angels chose wrong. When some of them spread their wings, they went too far, and just as Icharus was punished for getting too close to the sun, they were punished for getting too close to mankind. 

So they fell. Falling was the easy part.

Author Links:

Nicole Andrews Moore
Melissa Brodsky

Buy Links:

Amazon: 

It was late afternoon when they returned and it was Anna’s restlessness that caught Seth’s attention.  The rest of the Guardians went to their rooms to unwind, but Anna was pacing on the roof.  Instead of settling into their office, as he normally did, Seth walked the extra steps to discover what was troubling Anna.  This was completely unlike her.

“Anna,” he said calmly when he reached her.

She whipped around. Her wings were unfurled and twitching nervously.  The rustling of her feathers concerned him.  When he saw the look in her eyes, he was even more disturbed.  “Why?”  She asked as her eyes darted about...up at the sky, then over the edge of the roof, back to Seth and all around.  “Why are we not permitted to form attachments?  Why can we not...be friends with humans?”  The frustration in her voice was evident.  “Why, Seth?  What is so wrong and different about us that we can’t be around His other creations?”
Seth slowly came closer.  He feared she was about to cry.  In all their years of communal living, he had seen her cry...never.  She hadn’t shed a tear over wars.  She had seen countless horrific events pass, yet this was the first time anything had ever seemed to get under her skin and affect her.

“There’s nothing wrong with us, Anna.  You know that.  We simply shouldn’t be distracted.  Attachments create distractions; they make us weak.  We would be inclined to put the good of the few above the needs of the many.  That isn’t our mission.  No entanglements.  No distractions.  These rules were created for a reason.”  He spoke in gentle soothing tones.  It was obvious his words fell on deaf ears.

She shook her head.  “We weren’t supposed to live together.  We were supposed to be scattered about the globe.  Instead, you decided that we should act as one.  If that can change, if the Father can understand the rationale for that change...maybe there could be more...” 
 
 

 

Source: eARC for Honest Review from Author

My Review...

Soooooo, I liked the concept of this book but....I felt it was a slow start which I actually think couldn't be helped because there was so much story and foundation to build so you could get immersed into this world.

The books stars with God making humans then it backfiring so he has to create angels to help the wrongs created with the humans but at the same time the humans are being tempted by the fae.
The main angel is Seth who is the leader of the guardians who happens to fall in love which is a big no no in this world.
I liked all the guardians and the other characters but I felt like there was too much going on so it was hard to fully connect with all the story lines which caused things to escalate too quickly.
In the meantime Seth and Anna seem to get themselves into a wee bit of unexpected situations.
Which has caused a bit of a snag with their purpose on earth.
Overall I liked the book but I found this book more of a foundation building book which is building up for something big in the future which,  has me hooked to find out more. The concept was unique and the series has great potential.

3 Angel Loving Thumbs Up!
thumbs upthumbs upthumbs up

Lauren

Saturday 29 June 2013

Teasers, Review & Giveaway - Merch Girl by Rebecca Lewis



Merch Girl
by
Seventeen-year-old Lacey Kind doesn’t have the guts to talk to cute boys, isn’t a size two, and would rather stay home and listen to music than go to a party. But in the summer before her first year of college, she ends up thousands of miles away from home, in the back of a tour bus, underneath the half-naked body of the hottest teen rock star in the country.

When Lacey and her best friend Trina sneak into a Boston nightclub to see their favorite band, they not only get to watch their rock gods perform for the first time, but score a chance to meet the band too. Lacey’s heart races as she comes face-to-face with her idol, nineteen-year-old lead singer, Logan Shire.

The girls charm their way into being hired to sell merchandise on Lansdowne’s first summer tour. As “merch girls” Lacey and Trina quickly find themselves transported from their ordinary, suburban life to an exhilarating few months on the road. But they soon realize that life on the road isn’t always a smooth ride...


Author Bio:
Rebecca Lewis is the author of the Young Adult novel, Merch Girl, and a lover of all things music! She's been writing stories since middle school and penned her first fanfic about a semi-popular boyband in 1997.

Her passion for music and writing brought her to Boston University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Communication, focusing on Public Relations. During her college career, she interned for various record labels in Boston and New York City, sold merch for local bands, worked at record stores, and did a whole lot of grassroots marketing.

She currently resides in Florida with her husband and crazy Bahamian Potcake puppy.

Author Links:



 

Source: eARC for honest review

My Review.....

After reading the book blurb this book looked like it had a lot of potential to be a good book.  It was good but I would say more cute and sweet then good.

It was a very light easy read without a lot of the normal angst. Yes there were still the idea of love, insecurites you know normal YA drama.

Reading this book as an adult I felt it was a bit too superficial but remembering way back that is what it felt like at that age.  Where we love to quickly, everything is a drama and we are more in love with the idea of being in love than actually being in love and we think everything is the end of the world when things don't work out. I felt Rebecca captured the superficiality of being a teenager well.

I really did like the Logan and the band.  I did feel the connection between Lacey and Logan it was not a soul deep connection but it was there.



With Trina I thought at times she was a great friend but at other times I thought her very selfish and mean but Lacey tried to see the best in people so whom am I to judge this friendship.

With Lacey it wasn't just about living the dream and falling in love with her it was also the journey of becoming herself.

I was glad that I got the opportunity to read this sweet book. This book was done as a stand alone but has the ability to become more but some times stand alones are great because they give you hope and we can put the ending as we see fit for the characters.

3.5 Thumbs up!
thumbs upthumbs upthumbs up . 5

Lauren 

Friday 28 June 2013

Giving You Forever - Review

Giving You Forever (The Forever Series #4)

by
From the moment Nolan Pratt walked into Alexa Arnold’s life everything was forever changed. After a year of dating, the ring was on her finger, the house was purchased, and life was heading down Pleasantville Lane. Everything was perfect.

Or so they thought.

With help from his parent’s inheritance, Nolan takes on a new business adventure, utilizing all his free time. What was once their life- carefree with minimal responsibilities, is no more. When Alexa starts to feel the pressure from school, wedding planning, and lack of help from Nolan, exhaustion kicks in and feelings get hurt, testing the strength of their relationship. But, if there is one thing that Nolan will never compromise, it’s Alexa’s happiness. There’s nothing Nolan Pratt won’t do to make sure Alexa is well taken care of, loved, and happy.

When Nolan’s past resurfaces- a past that Alexa didn’t know existed- will it all be too much? Will Nolan’s devotion to Alexa’s happiness cost him their relationship and lose him the only thing that has ever mattered in his life? Or will Nolan discover that his past doesn’t determine his future and he is worth the happiness he doesn’t think he deserves?



Source: eARC for Honest Review
Genre: New Adult

My Review...

I was so looking forward to more Nolan and Alexa but I had a turbulent beginning with this story but smoother sailing towards the end.

With Alexa and Nolan their relationship blossomed fast in Planning on Forever with not too much stress and a quick engagement in Giving you Forever we start to see the meat and potatoes of Alexa and Nolan because after three years Alexa realizes that she really doesn't know Nolan that well. WHAT?  (After three years you don't know anything from his past?)
The first 50% of the book felt like this SEX, a wee bit of story line,  SEX, small story line, SEX, SEX, a bit more story line, SEX... you are getting my gist of this. Don't get me wrong I normally am a big fan of loads of sex but the first part felt like way too much sex (and the same formula of sex almost every time) and little substance.

At the 50% line substance started to take over and you get to see the true side of Nolan and how much guilt and loss that he carries with him every day.  With the love and support of Alexa he is able to let go, forgive and finally move forward so he can truly free to love and be happy.
Nolan and Alexa are a sweet couple and Nolan is a bit over the top with his love but I don't mind as he could smother me any day.

I do like this series and I have liked some of the books more than others but I am hooked and want to find out what happens next.

This book was cute and had some good and bad elements but its one of those books and series that are quick and sweet with a lotta smut thrown in.

Because of the bumpy start for me will give it...

3 Bumpy thumbs up!
thumbs upthumbs upthumbs up

Lauren


Thursday 27 June 2013

The Sea of Tranquility - Review

The Sea of Tranquility

by
I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Full of rage and without a purpose, former pianist Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone discovering her past and to make the boy who took everything from her pay.

All 17 year-old Josh Bennett wants is to build furniture and be left alone, and everyone allows it because it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, a hot mess of a girl who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. The more he gets to know her, the more of a mystery she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he may ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a slow-building, character-driven romance about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

Please Note: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language



Source: eARC for Honest Review via NetGalley
Genre: YA

My Review...

First off! Wow!

I did not know what to expect from this story but what I did get was everything. I think I went through every emotion with this book.  It was so well done and the writing was brilliant.

Let's start with Natasya (Sunshine) - A girl with so many issues you don't even know where to start but at the same time she is desperately crying out for help.

Josh- Another broken soul with his own but different baggage. So lonely, broken and needy for love and acceptance.

Drew- The bad ass player with the heart of gold.

Clay- The quirky artist who can see beauty where most others can't.

The Leighton's - Probably one of the most awesome families ever.  I would love to have a mom and dad like them so understanding and loving.

The Leighton's Josh, Drew and Clay were able to see the true beauty of Natasya even before she was able to see it.

It is really hard to put into words the beauty and brilliance of the story. There were so many elements that blew me away. From the characters to the events and the journey of healing.

The fact that Natasya is mainly silent through the whole book was so well done and you got to be in her head so much more. You got to feel her brokenness and her longing to be whole again.  What happened to her is so heartbreaking and your heart just goes to her.  I was routing for her the whole way through to have a slice of happiness and joy that she totally deserved.

Josh and his force field was so visceral and real.  No ONE should have to deal with that much loss and especially at such a young age.  It's so true that when this happens no one knows what to say or how to interact so it is so much easier to stay away then befriend. Thank goodness there was Drew and his amazing family which gave a piece of love and acceptance to Josh.

This story was not just about Josh and Natasya but the growth and healing of everyone involved.
 The fear of losing is a hard concept to swallow for most. Losing can be an identity, family, love, etc... but this fear is what brought Josh and Sunshine together.  They were two broken halves which made a whole.  They were both two teenagers who had to grow up WAY to fast.

This journey was so beautiful and poetic with so many emotional twists and turns in between.

I Loved this whole book in its entirety.

5 + Brilliant Thumbs Up!
thumbs upthumbs upthumbs upthumbs upthumbs up + +
Lauren