Book Review ~ Flaw (Flaw Series #1) by Ryan Ringbloom

Title: Flaw (Flaw Series #1)
Author: Ryan Ringbloom
Release Date: January 20th 2014
Published By: Ryan Ringbloom
Page Amount: 360 pages, Paperback

GoodReads Blurb:
What can be said about Josh Brewster? Nothing good, that's for sure. Just ask anyone. They'll be quick to tell you. Josh is a selfish, sweet-talking manipulator who will charm you in a minute, all the while planning his next move. He uses. He leaves. All Josh desires is things that come easy. Why actually work hard for something when you don't have to?

When Josh comes to face to face with a girl who’s doesn’t make anything easy, Josh begins questioning the game he's played so long. He’s suddenly eager to learn how to work for something he never imagined wanting. Can a player really change his ways? Better yet, will his past forgive?

Aidan Turner has had a rough life, a life that has only become harsher as he's gotten older. The scars across his face serve as a constant reminder of the haunting nightmares from his past life. Seeing himself as nothing but a monster, Aidan believes no one will ever be able to look past his flaws.
His reasoning is about to change when his very own beauty comes barreling in, sparking emotions he'd thought he'd never feel. Love sizzles between them, but his friendship with another girl complicates everything, especially after the nature of their friendship becomes confused. Will friendship overshadow his true feelings and ruin both couples’ chances at happiness?

Warning – Mature Content.

Fans of WAIT keep reading after the story ends for the bonus chapter: Tessa and Tucker – The Wait is Over.

Review:
It's a hard choice for what is my favorite in these two series of companion novels. The choice for me is between this book, Flaw, and the next book, Panic. But I think that this book has just a slight edge over Panic for me. 

I've always had this thing about understanding people; trying to figure out why they are they way that they are. In this book, I got to learn more about Josh. Who, up until now, was just the bad boy that always caused the problems. I liked that I got to know more about him, see more into his life. And yes, he ticked me off. But the thing is, he did have a lot of character development throughout the book. By the end, I even ended up liking him. 

I enjoyed the love stories in this book, as well. What was interesting about it to me, was that it was almost like a love...quandrangle, sort of. (haha). You would have to read it to understand, but I liked the dimension that it offered to the story. 

Oh and the bonus chapter was great, too. ;) 

So, I would say definitely check this one out. I gave this one 4.75 stars!! 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Cover Reveal ~ Shattered by Love (Book #3 in the Scarred by Love Series) by C.A. Harms

(Mature Content Implied)
Cover Reveal in

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Shattered by Love

(Book #3 in the Scarred by Love Series)

by C.A. Harms

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Release Date: November 11th 2014

Synopsis:

He was the one.

The man she wanted with all her heart.

But it took years before Bree realized she deserved more than what Max was willing to give.

Max, was cocky and arrogant…

Too strong-headed to admit that he felt more for Bree than just lust.

Then it happened…

One devastating night, and it shook Max to his very core.

That’s when he began to see life in a whole new way.

Now he’s left to sort through the mess that he’s created.

Will he be able to rise above it all and make amends with those he needs the most?

Or will the damage be irreversible and leave him longing for what could have been?

Book 1 in the Series

Scarred by Love

CURRENTLY FREE ON

AMAZON

Book 2 in the Series

Broken by Love

 

AMAZON

Book Review ~ Wait (Fast Series #2) by Ryan Ringbloom

 

Title: Wait (Fast Series #2)
Author: Ryan Rinbloom
Release Date: October 28th 2013
Published By: Ryan Rinbloom
Page Amount: 200 pages, e-book

GoodReads Blurb: 

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to wait. High school is over and Tessa is done with the drama. She wants to wait. So what? Does that mean she’s destined to never be with anyone? Probably.

Sometimes it’s possible to wait too long. Cassie’s best friend just tried to kiss her. He should have tried a year ago. Not now. Does that mean that they can’t still be friends? Maybe. 

Tessa Jameson is determined not to fall victim to the same mistakes of her past. And after meeting Tucker, she’s going to need all the help she can get.

Cassie DeMarco refuses to give her heart up to someone who is about to leave and start the next chapter in his life. So this summer it’s time to forget Mark, and focus on finding a fling instead. 

*Warning Mature Content*

Review:

I read the first book in this companion series and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed this one even more. 

I liked learning about Tessa, a character that made appearances in book one but who we did not learn much more about. She was basically the school b*$%t in high school, but in this book she is consciously trying to change that. We also have Cassie. Cassie and Tessa are counselors at a summer camp and are sharing a cabin together. Things absolutely do not get off on the right foot with these two. But over the course of the book the two of them grow to become friends. I really enjoyed reading about the friendship between these two. The two male characters were great "leads" as well. The dynamic with the girls and the issues the way that they dealt with the issues that they came upon felt very real for them. 

The story was of course very good and I loved the camp setting. But I think what really makes these books is the characters. I'm a really character driven reader and writer so when the characters feel real to me I get the most out of the story. I would definitely recommend this book for fans of young adult, new adult and romance. I gave it 4.5 stars! 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Cover Reveal ~ Shark Out of Water (Date Shark #2) by DelSheree Gladden

Shark Out of Water (Date Shark #2) 

by DelSheree Gladden

COVER HIGHLIGHT

Synopsis:

Guy Saint Laurent is too busy cursing his sister for roping him into taking over Eli's Date Shark business to prepare himself for the slew of bizarre women he's about to get involved with. This is the last venture he intended to take on, but somehow he's just become Chicago's newest, most reluctant Date Shark. 

On top of dealing with bug-toting, mothering, obsessive women, Guy faces personal tragedy that changes his outlook on life, whether he wants it to or not. He's not sure what it is about Charlotte Brooks that draws him in, but getting her off his mind after a brief encounter proves impossible. 

As Charlotte tries to help Guy deal with his loss, he begins to get the impression she's hiding something from him. He knows he could simply walk away, continue as he always has, but he suspects whatever she's hiding, she won't be able to face it alone. 

Charlotte is the one woman who can capture his attention, but she may also be the one woman capable of breaking him.

 

Blog Tour ~ Louder Than Words by Iris St. Clair: Guest Post and GIVEAWAY!!

 

 

Louder Than Words

by Iris St. Clair 

Release Date: 09/16/14

Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:

Disappointment has been on speed dial in Ellen Grayson's life lately. Her dad's dead, her mom is numbing the grief with drugs and alcohol, and her so-called friends are slowly abandoning her. Trusting a popular teacher with her troubles should have been safe, shouldn't have led to an unwelcome seduction attempt, shouldn't have sent her running to the girls' bathroom for the final moments of her Junior year. Lesson learned. Best to keep all the sordid details of her life to herself.

Enter Rex Jacobi, a cocky teen recently transplanted from New York and fellow summer camp employee. Though his quick wit and confidence draws her in, she's not letting him get too close, not til she's sure she can trust him. By the time Rex's charming persistence wears down her resistance, it's too late. He's put Ellen on the perma-pal shelf and shifted his romantic attentions to her arch-rival. Even worse, the teacher who tried to seduce her is still misbehaving with impunity.

With her ability to trust as shaky as a chastity vow on prom night, Ellen must decide if she has enough remaining courage to speak up about her teacher and risk retribution, to tell Rex how she feels and risk heartbreak, or hold all her secrets inside, the only safe place she knows.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20562718-louder-than-words?ac=1 

Ten Things I'd Like to Go Back In Time and Tell My Teenaged Self

Hey Iris,

I'm here to share some insight with you. Believe it or not, you're doing a few things right, more than a few. Most of your choices have held up well over time. Always begin on a positive note, they say, and there you have it. 

But let's chat about a few opportunities I missed--you'll miss--notions and attitudes I've reconsidered with some regret. 

1. Boys are just as scared of you as you are of them.

Okay maybe they aren't actually scared of you, but they are just as unsure of themselves as girls. They aren't great slobbering beasts bent on ruining every girl they see. Most are happy with a kind word, a compliment, a smile. Don't be stingy with these things.

2. A broken teenaged heart is not fatal.

Like bones, it is most malleable and resilient when young. Give it away more freely than I did, even if it's returned to you a little bruised. Sharing it makes it bigger and stronger. Hiding and protecting it keeps it weak and vulnerable.

3. Take more pictures of people, less of scenery.

Scenery is beautiful, but it's the people pictures you will return to again and again and cherish the most. 

4. You are not fat.

I'd kill to be your size again. Even though I'm okay with myself today, how did I ever think I was fat when I was forty pounds lighter? I wasn't. Don't be so hard on yourself. But remember point number three above? Yeah, take a lot of pictures of yourself in those size 3 jeans.

5. Be nicer to your sister. 

She gets better with age--trust me on this--but don't give her any more "you were so cruel" stories to whip out and embellish in the later years.

6. Be proud of your work and claim it with a loud, "I wrote this and I think it's good." 

You won't always be right, of course, but if you don't believe, why would anyone else? Sign your full name to that poem you'll write for your Senior yearbook, not "Anonymous".

7. Write, write and always write.

Don't wait until you're forty-eight to pick up a pen in earnest. Don't listen to that voice telling you you're a numbers girl and your brain is only wired to crank out algorithms and solve logic puzzles. Stories are logic puzzles and romance is basic math of one plus one. Statistics and probabilities are not absolutes when soaked in dreams.

8. Cut your dad a little more slack.

He won't be with you as long as you'd like, and believe it or not he'll one day be your biggest fan. Seriously. 

9. Never worry about being too silly.

The world needs more silliness. Give it up as often as you can and always make 'em smile.

10. Speak Up for those who can't or won't.

Be the voice of the underdog and make your kindness and compassion toward them your statement against bullying. Don't let your silence make you an accomplice. 

But of course, you already knew all this because you know everything, right?

Cheers!

Iris

P. S. Kristin shot J. R., buy stock in Microsoft and Apple, and Richard Chamberlain's gay, so go ahead and cross him off your bucket list.

About the Author:

Iris St. Clair is the pen name for a long-suffering cubicle worker by day, a Walter Mitty-like dreamer by night. (Her alter ego Tatiana Ivanadance also choreographs gravity-defying routines in those fantasies, but that's another bio.)

No matter what genre she writes, she prefers witty, insecure heroines and kind, persistent heroes able to break through to the gooey heart inside.

In high school she was voted most likely to win at Monopoly and Clue, but least likely to throw a ball anywhere near a target. Thank goodness writing requires less hand-eye coordination, punctuation errors notwithstanding.

Iris believes in the two-year "fish or cut bait" dating rule and has a 20+ year marriage and two teenaged sons as proof of concept. She lives, writes, dreams and dances in the rainy Portland, OR area.

Author Links:

http://www.irisstclair.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7771489.Iris_St_Clair

http://www.twitter.com/https://twitter.com/Iris_St_Clair

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Iris-St-Clair/173501372698392

http://www.pinterest.com/clairegillian/louder-than-words-inspiration/

GIVEAWAY:

$10 Amazon gift card + ebook of Louder Than Words (INT)

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Book Blitz and GIVEAWAY!! ~ Take Me On by Katie McGarry

 

Take Me On (Pushing the Limits #4)

by Katie McGarry

Release Date: 05/27/14

Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

Acclaimed author Katie McGarry returns with the knockout new story of two high school seniors who are about to learn what winning really means.

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.

Bonus novella included: Crossing the Line.

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo Books * Google Books * iBookstore * The Book Depository

Excerpt from West’s Point of View:
“Look, it’s me or them.” I motion toward the thugs with my chin. “And I’m telling you, I’m not the bad guy in this scenario.”

She laughs. And if it wasn’t such a beautiful sound, I’d be insulted.

“Because a guy driving an Escalade in this neighborhood is the equivalent of a Boy Scout.”

The right side of my mouth tips up. Did she call me a drug dealer?

“From the looks of you—” she glances at my knuckles again “—well, let’s just say you must have your own baggage and I’m not a baggage claim type of girl.”

“No, you’re the type that runs into traffic.”

She smiles and I like it. The anger racing through me moments before vanishes. I rub my jaw, then lean my hand against my open car door. Long light brown hair with waves, dark eyes that sure as hell suck me in as they sparkle, a tight body and a kick-ass attitude. Truth be told, I like more than her smile. Too bad I almost killed her by running her over. It’ll make asking her out awkward.

“Get into my car and I’ll drive you home.” I hold up both my palms. “I swear. No drive-bys on the way.”

Other Books in the Series: 

 

 

 

Excerpt from Breaking the Rules: Noah’s Point of View

I love how Echo molds her body around mine: head on my shoulder, her hair teasing my neck, her arms winding around my chest. I hug her and revel in her warmth.

Links for Breaking the Rules:

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo Books * iBooks * Google Play

About the Author:

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

Author Links:

Website * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook

GIVEAWAY:

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Book Blitz ~ Finding Mr. Darcy by Erin Butler

 

 

Finding Mr. Darcy: High School Edition

by Erin Butler

Release Date: 09/16/14

Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year-old Liza Johnson takes fangirl to a whole new level of crazy when she decides to take dating advice from her literary hero: Jane Austen.

With the help of her best friends, Liza sheds her ancient-speak and complete Austen wardrobe for something a bit more modern in an attempt at finding her very own Mr. Darcy.

Enter Will, the new kid and Liza's Darcy incarnate. Add her BFF's ex to mix and the sexy Brit who kisses with an accent, and Liza is in trouble.

So, what's a girl to do? Without her mom to go to relationship advice, Liza turns to the only person she can truly trust with matters of the heart via her mother's copy of COMPLETED WORKS OF JANE AUSTEN.

It's too bad Austen's heroines have never played Spin the Bottle or Seven Minutes in Heaven. Liza's determined to find her true Austen-esque happy ending, but if she can't trust herself instead of books, she just might end up in her own tragic love story.

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon

Excerpt:

Janie burst through my bedroom door and stared me down, hands landing on her hips. “You’re delusional if you think you’re wearing that.”

I looked down at the outfit I wore to school. “Looks fine to me.” 

“Ugh, Liza! Why can’t I have a normal best friend?” 

“Normal? You have pink in your hair!” 

“Whatever.” 

Janie walked in and I got up to shut the door. I was pretty sure Dad sat downstairs watching the Jays, his Triple-A baseball team, but still. He didn’t need to overhear our girl conversations.

 Janie toted a backpack along with her, which slightly frightened me. “Is that your word of the day or something?” 

“What?”

“Whatever. You’ve said it to me like five hundred times today.” 

She rolled her eyes. “What-ever.” We busted up laughing. “Come on.” 

She tugged on my arm. “It’s makeover time.” 

“Oh no. I was afraid of that.” 

Janie meandered toward the bed. “What are you reading?” 

I reached out for the magazine, but Janie snatched it from me. “About Cole Foster.” 

“Cole Foster?” She frowned at the glossy pages. 

“If they ever remake Pride and Prejudice, he’d be the perfect Mr. Darcy.” 

“Cole Foster? Isn’t he from that stupid soap on channel five?” 

I yanked the magazine from her hands. “Yes. He’s gorgeous. Very agreeable if you ask me.” 

“Whatever.” She plopped down on my flowery quilt and winked at me. “And who would play Lizzie?”

 “Duh, that’s easy. Me.” 

Janie shoved my shoulder. “You are delusional. If you are going to get Cole Foster, or Mr. Darcy, or any boy to even look at you, you need a makeover. A clothes makeover.” She stood up and went straight to my closet. “Where’s that purple top I got you for your birthday?” 

“What purple top?” I mumbled. 

Janie spun around with her hands on her hips. 

“You know, the one that doesn’t have anything J.A. on it.” She circled her finger around her chest as if I was a child that needed a demonstration. 

“The only purple top I have is the ‘Jane Austen is my Homegirl’ t-shirt.” 

“BS.” Janie turned around and fanned through my clothes. “I gave you that shirt for nights exactly like this. Now where is it?” The hangers raked against the bar as she searched my closet. 

I pointed to the very end. “All the way to the right.” 

“Thank you,” Janie said. Her smile grew as she pushed aside all my precious t-shirts. “This is going to look so good on you.” 

“I don’t see why I can’t wear this.” I looked down. WWJD What Would Jane Do? “It’s new.” And it was awesome.

About the Author:

Erin Butler is lucky enough to have two jobs she truly loves. As a librarian, she gets to work with books all day long, and as an author, Erin uses her active imagination to write the kinds of books she enjoys reading. Young Adult and New Adult books are her favorites, but she especially loves the ones with kissing scenes.

Erin lives in Central New York with her very understanding husband, a stepson, and doggie BFF, Maxie. She prefers to spend her time indoors reading and writing, but will venture out for chocolate and sunshine. She is the author of BLOOD HEX, a YA paranormal, HOW WE LIVED, a contemporary New Adult novel, and FINDING MR. DARCY: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION, a contemporary YA.

Author Links:

http://www.erinbutlerbooks.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3273590.Erin_Butler

https://twitter.com/ErinButler

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Erin-Butler/222797011068049

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