End of Year Book Survey

Thanks to Jamie The Perpetual Page Turner for the survey!

2014 Reading Stats

Number Of Books You Read: 93

Number of Re-Reads: 3

Genre You Read The Most From: Paranormal

Best in Books

1. Best Book You Read In 2014?

The Making of Nebraska Brown by Louise Caiola

Top Ten Goals/Resolutions For 2015

I'm not doing any serious resolutions this year because I've probably been telling myself the same things since I was 19- that's 2009 if you want to do the math and figure out how many years that's been- and chances are I told myself not to make the same resolutions if not last year the year before.

This year I'm finally taking my own advice.

#1 of 2014 - The Making of Nebraska Brown by Louise Caiola

The Making of Nebraska Brown by Louise Caiola
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published February 6th 2014 by Immortal Ink Publishing

The last thing eighteen-year-old Ann Leigh remembers is running from her boyfriend in a thick Nebraska cornfield. This morning she’s staring down a cool Italian sunrise, an entire continent from the life she once knew. The events of the eighteen months in between have inexplicably gone missing from her memory.
All at once she’s living with Tommy, an attractive, young foreigner asking for her continued love. Though he’s vaguely familiar, she recalls a boy named Shane in America who she reluctantly agreed to marry. Juggling a new world while her old one is still M.I.A is difficult enough without the terrifying movie scenes spinning a dizzy loop in her mind: glimpses of a devastating house fire, a romance gone wrong, an unplanned pregnancy, and a fractured family – each claiming to be part of who she once was – a girl and a past somehow discarded.
Ann Leigh must collect the pieces of herself to become whole again, but she doesn’t know who to trust especially when Tommy’s lies become too obvious to ignore. And above all, her heart aches to discover what became of the child she may or may not have given birth to.

The Making of Nebraska Brown tells the story of one girl’s coming apart from the inside and the great lengths she’ll go to reclaim herself and find her way home.

#2 of 2014 - Stolen Dreams (Cassie Scot #4) by Christine Amsden

Stolen Dreams (Cassie Scot #4) by Christine Amsden
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars.
Published June 25th 2014 by Twilight Times Books

Edward Scot and Victor Blackwood have despised one another for nearly a quarter of a century, but now their simmering hatred is about to erupt.

When Cassie Scot returns home from her sojourn in Pennsylvania, she finds that her family has taken a hostage. Desperate to end the fighting before someone dies, Cassie seeks help from local seer Abigail Hastings, Evan Blackwood’s grandmother. But Abigail has seen her own death, and when it comes at the hand of Cassie’s father, Victor Blackwood kills Edward Scot.


But things may not be precisely as they appear.

Evan persuades Cassie to help him learn the truth, teaming them up once again in their darkest hour. New revelations about Evan and his family make it difficult for Cassie to cling to a shield of anger, but can Evan and Cassie stop a feud that has taken on a life of its own?

Conclusion to the Cassie Scot series.

#3 of 2014 - John Dreamer by Elise Celine

John Dreamer by Elise Celine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published February 7th 2014 by Smashwords Edition            

Andy wasn’t usually sure about much, but she was absolutely certain this was the weirdest day of her life as she stood stranded in the middle of a great white room with six strangers. Well, they were mostly strangers. She could have sworn she’d seen the guy with the green eyes before, and maybe that was why he kept staring at her.

When a man calling himself the Guardian appeared and said they had come to make their deepest dreams come true, they embark on an adventure none of them ever imagined, and the consequences of their actions would change them forever.

"John Dreamer" is the first in a series of books set in the confines of the Great White Room.

#4 of 2014 - Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published May 13th 2014 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward his nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of J. M. Barrie's classic tale, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up—and the troubled beauty trapped between them.

#5 of 2014 - The Edge of Always by J.A Redmerski

The Edge of Always by J.A. Redmerski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published November 5th 2013 by Forever

He was taking the long road. She was taking the road to nowhere. It just so happened that they led to the same place…

Five months ago, Camryn and Andrew, both dealing with personal hardships, met on a Greyhound bus. They fell in love and proved that when two people are meant to be together, fate will find a way to make it happen.

Now, in the highly anticipated sequel to THE EDGE OF NEVER, Camryn and Andrew are pursuing their love for music and living life to the fullest as they always swore to do. But when tragedy befalls them, their relationship is put to the ultimate test. As Camryn tries to numb her pain, Andrew makes a bold decision: To get their life back on track, they’ll set out on another cross-country road trip. Together they find excitement, passion, adventure—and challenges they never could have anticipated.

Sexy. Daring. Dangerous. THE EDGE OF ALWAYS takes you on a ride you won’t forget .

#6 of 2014 - The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published June 3rd 2014 by Roaring Brook Press

Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party.

But did you know Alice was sexting Brandon when he crashed his car?

It's true. Ask ANYBODY.

Rumor has it that Alice Franklin is a slut. It's written all over the bathroom stall at Healy High for everyone to see. And after star quarterback Brandon Fitzsimmons dies in a car accident, the rumors start to spiral out of control.

In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students—the girl who has the infamous party, the car accident survivor, the former best friend, and the boy next door—tell all they know.

But exactly what is the truth about Alice? In the end there's only one person to ask: Alice herself.

#7 of 2014 - The One by Kiera Cass

The One by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published May 6th 2014 by HarperTeen

The time has come for one winner to be crowned.

When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.

#8 of 2014 - If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published April 2nd 2009 by Dutton Juvenile

Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones: Stay true to her first love—music—even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?

Then one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it's the only one that matters.

If I Stay is a heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

#9 of 2014 - Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published May 18th 2010 by Penguin Razorbill

Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong...

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's-and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him... forever.

#10 of 2014 - Pie Girls by Lauren Clark

Pie Girls by Lauren Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published August 10th 2014 by Camellia Press

Princess, Southern belle, and spoiled-rotten social climber Searcy Roberts swore on a stack of Bibles she’d never return home to Fairhope, Alabama. After marrying her high school sweetheart and moving to Atlanta, Searcy embraces big-city life—Carrie Bradshaw style.

But now, Searcy has a teeny, tiny problem. Her husband’s had a mid-life crisis. He’s quit his job, cancelled her credit cards, and left her for another man.

Searcy returns to Fairhope, ready to lick her wounds. But when her mother falls ill, she’s is thrust into managing the family business—only to discover the beloved bakery is in danger of closing its doors forever.

Enlisting the help of the adorable bike store owner next door, an array of well-heeled customers, and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Searcy hatches the plan of the century to save Pie Girls.

 

December Write On Review-a-thon

The Write On review-a-thon is a monthly event created and hosted by Brianna at The Book Vixen. It’s time dedicated to getting reviews done, whether you have one review to write or 30+. This edition of the review-a-thon takes place all day Saturday, December 20th and Sunday, December 21st. Let’s get those reviews done!

Yesterday was my last day of classes- though I actually stopped going to my night class last week- so that means I'm getting my reading and review time back!

Oh, I have missed it.

The Reluctant Elf - Book Trailer

THE RELUCTANT ELF by Michele Gorman

 Meet Britain’s Worst Innkeeper

Single mother and extremely undomestic goddess, Lottie, has five days to become the ultimate B&B hostess to save her beloved Aunt Kate’s livelihood.

When Aunt Kate ends up in the hospital, Lottie and her seven-year-old daughter are called to rural Wales to stand in at the B&B. Without the faintest idea how to run a hotel (she can barely run her own life), Lottie must impress the picky hotel reviewer and his dysfunctional family who are coming to stay over Christmas. Without the rating only he can bestow, Aunt Kate will lose her livelihood.

But will Danny, the local taxi driver who she hires to help her, really be Santa’s little helper, or the Grinch who stole Christmas?

The Soul Theif Excerpt + Author Interview

The Soul Thief (The Angel of Death Series #1)

by Majanka Verstraete

Publisher: Booktrope

Published: November 11, 2014

Genre: YA, Paranormal

  When sixteen-year-old Riley is injured in a car crash and sees a girl stealing a boy’s soul, she’s convinced she’s hallucinating. But when she sees the same girl at the hospital later, she knows she wasn’t dreaming. That’s when Riley learns her secret heritage and who she really is: a halfling Angel of Death. Riley must come to terms with her new reality and supernatural abilities, but before she can do this, girls her age start dying in mysterious circumstances. It’s up to Riley to figure out why, what the innocent victims have in common, and what she can do to stop them.

Goodreads

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble

The Last Enchantress Book Blast

The Last Enchantress by Scott & Judith Powell Being nineteen for over three hundred years bites, and being single in New York with magical powers isn't much better. Eva is trying to live an everyday life in New York. When this fails, she takes a seemingly unmagical job as a translator for a wealthy American family in Spain. Eva cannot stay out of trouble for long as she runs into a friendly but hungry vampire named Louis. Eva feels drawn to this handsome, dangerous stranger who has problems of his own. Louis's life was just fine until Eva walked into his church. She smells like heaven. Or is it hell, always smelling but never partaking? Surely she is the devil coming to collect on his lost soul.

2014 Audiobook Challenge Wrap Up

Last year I listened to 46 audiobooks. This year I barely hit 30.

I don't know what happened with my reading in general this year, I hit a slump and never really got out of it completely.
Audiobooks shouldn't have an excuse since, as I've mentioned before, I listen to them while working in class but in sometimes I just was not in the mood to sit and listen.
Or I couldn't get in to the story.
I have a lot of unfinished books this year.

Daisy McDare Bookblast + Giveaway

Daisy McDare and the Deadly Legal Affair by K.M. Morgan   Welcome to Cozy Creek, a quaint tourist town nestled along the Pacific Coast. Daisy McDare is busy nursing a broken heart, trying to build up her interior decorator business, and baking cookies when murder strikes Cozy Creek. At first she leaves the investigation to Chris Crumple, the local bumbling police detective. But when Crumple arrests the wrong suspect, Daisy takes the investigation into her own hands. Cracking the case won't be easy. She'll need help from her pastry-baking best friend Samantha, her wise-cracking Granny Annie, and her trusty West Highland Terrier Shamus. It's up to Daisy McDare to find the murderer in Cozy Creek before they strike again.

4 for Friday December Blitz + Giveaway

Presented by Month9Books with Giveaway

Welcome to the 4 for Friday Blitz for A Murder of Magpies by Sarah Bromley, Shadows Fall Away by Kit Forbes, Call Me Grim by Elizabeth Holloway, and Daughter of Chaos by Jen McConnel, presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post.

Whispers From the Dead - Cover Reveal + Giveaway

Some Amish communities aren't so cozy.

Whispers From The Dead is the powerful and thrilling sequel to Lamb to the Slaughter, in the Amish mystery series, Serenity’s Plain Secrets.

Sheriff Serenity Adams and Daniel Bachman are once again partnered up in a criminal investigation, when they travel to a northern Amish settlement that has been riddled by arsons for the past two decades. Serenity quickly discovers that there is much more going on than just barns being set on fire in the touristy community, and that the new group of Amish has their own secrets to hide. She begins to unravel an extensive criminal underworld that threatens to destroy everything that the simple people of Poplar Springs hold dear and once again puts her own life in jeopardy.

Beam N Read Personal Reading Light Blast #2

Purchase your own Beam N Read Reading Light from AMAZON

 

Makes a great gift or stocking stuffer! Beam n Read Hands-Free Light delivers a wide & bright light that lights up 2 book pages and doesn't disturb others. It's a true reading light that works with all printed books, Kindles and other eReaders (whether naked, skinned, or covered), PLUS newspapers, magazines, newsletters, loose documents, and other items that can't support a clip-on light. Worn around the neck, there's no need to shift it when reading paperbacks. Included are two 2 special Relaxation Filters: BNR Orange for a softer, warmer light that blocks energizing blue light (especially useful when reading to relax in bed); BNR Red to block blue light and reduce ambient light for sensitive bed partners. Standard alkaline AA batteries (not included) last an extra long 100 hours, far longer than flashlights and clip-on lights resulting in a lower cost to use (and fewer batteries in the trash). This light is still bright when others have gone dim. Save batteries for when you're on the go with the optional USB/AC Power Kit with 12 ft of cable that lets you plug into the included USB/AC adapter. Or plug into a USB car adapter/charger, or a computer USB port, or a USB adapter/charger for cell phones, etc. In addition to reading, this 3 LED hands-free light is great for crafts, travel, and walking in dim or dark places such as an attic, basement, or around the house during a power outage. Use it for writing journals, working, camping, changing diapers at night, and a lot more.  

Cyber Monday Book Deals

Looking for great deals on some amazing books this Cyber Monday?
Look no more!
Below are books that are priced at 99 cents or lower - get them quick before the sale ends!

From chick lit to women's fiction to romance and more, we have something to keep everyone happy for this holiday! Find a special tweet at the end of each description and help us spread the word about these amazing deals!

Happenings

While I have written down random ideas for my "Thoughfilled Thoughts" posts I could not get myself to write about any of them. So instead for today's "Thought" I'm going to do something I don't normally like to do but tell myself I should try often.

Share what's happening.

In short: not much worth sharing.
And that's why I don't like doing this.

Even if there is something worth sharing I'm not really one to post about my day at the Ren Faire. As much as I'd like to; I just can't sit down and write about such simple things. And yet I can easily go on and tell you about how much I love Renaissance Fairs.

Write On Reivew-a-Thon

The Write On review-a-thon is a monthly event created and hosted by Brianna at The Book Vixen. It’s a duration of time dedicated to getting reviews done, whether you have one review to write or 30+. This edition of the review-a-thon takes place all day Friday, November 21st and Saturday, November 22nd. Let’s get those reviews done!


I can't remember the last time I wrote a review. Which is probably why it's taken me so long to even start this review-a-thon.
It's been a while since I've set any deadlines and I've been mainly focusing on reading the books I need to read.
I've enjoyed it.
But have probably depended too much on this review-a-thon when it comes to even thinking of writing anything.

The Here and Now - Review

The Here and Now by Ann Brashares
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Published April 8th 2014 by Delacorte Press

An unforgettable epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world . . . if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.

A Fairytale for Mothers Release Day + Giveaway!

A Fairytale for Mothers by Leslie Gibbons
Illustrated Gift Book
Illustrated by Elese Morris

Release Day: November 18

When Leslie Gibbons’ daughter was expecting her first baby, she despaired over the lack of mothers and mother-figures in fairytales. She begged Leslie to write a story with a living, loving mother that she could share with her family. That’s how A Fairytale for Mothers was born.


Robyn Lane Books is proud to present this 32-page, full color gift book for mothers, mother-figures, and their children everywhere. It is the story of a mother bird’s love for her chicks, and the generous gift she shares with each one as it is his, or her turn to leave the nest. More, it is the story of how those adult chicks return to share gifts of their own. It is a story you will treasure for years to come, beautifully illustrated in water color.

Top Ten Sequels I Can't Wait To Get To

 

I'm not really sure which way this list is suppose to go. Sequels I can't wait to get because they're not out yet. Or "get to" because I haven't gotten to buy them yet.

So I'm doing both!

Because of that a few might repeat on my 2015 Releases list too.

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

One thing I like about finishing a book: It inspires me to try and finish another. So I can go for weeks without finishing a book and then finish 3 in two days. Which happened these last two weeks.

Books read since last post:

Doctor Who: Touched by an Angel - Review

Doctor Who: Touched by an Angel by Jonathan Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published March 6th 2014 by BBC Books

'The past is like a foreign country. Nice to visit, but you really wouldn't want to live there.'

In 2003, Rebecca Whitaker died in a road accident. Her husband Mark is still grieving. He receives a battered envelope, posted eight years earlier, containing a set of instructions with a simple message: 'You can save her.'

As Mark is given the chance to save Rebecca, it's up to the Doctor, Amy and Rory to save the whole world. Because this time the Weeping Angels are using history itself as a weapon.

An adventure featuring the Eleventh Doctor, as played by Matt Smith, and his companions Amy and Rory

Top Ten Books I Want To Reread

Just 10?
It has been so long since I've been able to reread anything. I used to do it all the time but now have had to turn to audiobooks if I want to revisit a character.
It's really not the same.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

The way I've been running these last few weeks all I can say is: thank you audiobooks. I haven't sat down with a book for a while now.
It's what I can get for being cocky and thinking "I can handle anything you thrown at me and still manage to read." With my eyes closed!

That'd be weird reading with your eyes closed. But I guess that's where audiobooks come in, though I actually listen to them while I'm working so my eyes are still open.

Top Ten Characters Who I Would Totally Want To Be For Halloween

I have always wanted to dress up as a character from a book.
Notice how I don't even say for Halloween. Sometimes when I fall in love with a character's style I always want to emulate it.

Even with that this list was somewhat hard to put together.

But here it is:

Dead Girls Don't Lie - Review

Dead Girls Don't Lie by Jennifer Shaw Wolf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published September 17th 2013 by Walker Childrens

Rachel died at two a.m . . . Three hours after Skyler kissed me for the first time. Forty-five minutes after she sent me her last text.

Jaycee and Rachel were best friends. But that was before. . .
before that terrible night at the old house. Before Rachel shut Jaycee out. Before Jaycee chose Skyler over Rachel. Then Rachel is found dead. The police blame a growing gang problem in their small town, but Jaycee is sure it has to do with that night at the old house. Rachel’s text is the first clue—starting Jaycee on a search that leads to a shocking secret. Rachel’s death was no random crime, and Jaycee must figure out who to trust before she can expose the truth.

The Luxe & Rumors - Book Trailers

I read Anna Godbersen's Beautiful Days, second in the Bright Young Things trilogy, last week and I'm hoping to get to The Lucky Ones a lot sooner than it took me to get to Beautiful Days. It'll be three years next month.

In honor of my finally going back into the beautiful history Anna Godbersen creates I decided to repost the book trailers I shared three years ago for Anna's The Luxe and Rumors, in honor of the release of Beautiful Days.
Along with my original thoughts.

Hour 13. Sleepy Before I Even Started

Listening to now:

I definitely need music like this to make me want to move because I'm probably about to fall asleep standing up. It's not the read-a-thon's fault though, I had to babysit last night, work this morning, and get to babysit tonight again so it's not like I could sleep if I wanted to.
Party!
This concludes my whine.

Hour 10

Hour 10, I'm back from work, I've eaten. My cable is out. And I do mean "my cable" only my room. I have a few hours before a crazy relative comes over to try and kidnap me to some party because I need to have "fun."
If she only knew, right?


I want to do a few challenges before I jump back in; but first can I share my current playlist?


Something about hearing my name repeatedly is really working for me.
There is an explanation for this playlist.

24 hour Read-a-thon

4th year joining this read-a-thon!
And I was so ready to skip it to go to the book fair in Las Vegas.
I live in Los Angeles so that would have been quite the trip. Had I gone I do hope I could have gotten some point in the book community for most miles traveled.
For the record my parents drove out there for the weekend so I had a perfect reason for tagging along.
Sadly I'm "needed" here. And on the super plus side I get to join the read-a-thon!

I had to miss last October's because I was at another book event, this one at the downtown library which is a lot closer to home. I don't know why book events and read-a-thons always coincide for me. It's like life is saying "Ha! You have to pick one!"

Fell off the Wagon/ Save a Book Giveaways

Whenever I'm browsing through used books to see if there's any that interest me I always tell myself that if I buy one I have to give one away. Unfortunately or fortunately depends which way I look at it there hasn't been anything good in awhile.
Now this rule obviously applies to all novels I buy, not just used ones, but that's mostly where I shop. Just felt like getting that out of the way.

I can't really remember the last time I bought a book but last week I fell off the wagon and ordered a new one.
It was signed; couldn't resist!

So I am giving away one book from my shelf.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

 

I don't know how much reading I'll get to do this week but I'm sure it won't be as much as usual. Unfortunately that probably goes for the rest of the year. At least until I manage to find a balance between reading and only being home for two hours in the day.

I will never understand how some people manage to read 400 paged books in less than a week. I'm lucky when I can get pass 200. On a good week.

Pie Girls - Review + Giveaway

 

Pie Girls by Lauren Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published August 10th 2014 by Camellia Press

Princess, Southern belle, and spoiled-rotten social climber Searcy Roberts swore on a stack of Bibles she’d never return home to Fairhope, Alabama. After marrying her high school sweetheart and moving to Atlanta, Searcy embraces big-city life—Carrie Bradshaw style.

But now, Searcy has a teeny, tiny problem. Her husband’s had a mid-life crisis. He’s quit his job, cancelled her credit cards, and left her for another man.

Searcy returns to Fairhope, ready to lick her wounds. But when her mother falls ill, she’s is thrust into managing the family business—only to discover the beloved bakery is in danger of closing its doors forever.

Enlisting the help of the adorable bike store owner next door, an array of well-heeled customers, and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Searcy hatches the plan of the century to save Pie Girls.

Frightfall Read-a-thon Wrap Up

Books Finished: 3. Almost 4.
Pages 399. Because I couldn't let myself hit 400?

I'm so behind with this wrap up, totally fell asleep today. Unfortunately I wasn't actually sleeping.

I'm pretty happy with the way this read-a-thon turned out for me. I didn't get to read this weekend which I was hoping to, since there are a couple of books I wanted to finish but as always things got in the way.

Frightfall Read-a-thon Update

Pages read: 200
Books finished: 1

Page goal for rest of the week: 200 

Hunted (Sinners Series #2) Cover Reveal + Giveaway!

Today Abi Ketner, Missy Kalicicki and Month9Books are revealing the cover for HUNTED, book 2 in the Sinners Series releasing in July 5, 2015!
Check out the smoking hot cover and enter the giveaway to win a signed copy of BRANDED!

September Review-a-thon Wrap Up

 The Write On review-a-thon is a monthly event created and hosted by Brianna at The Book Vixen. It’s 2 days dedicated to getting reviews done, whether you have one review to write or 30+. This edition of the review-a-thon takes place all day Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th . Let’s get those reviews done!

I'm happy to say that I actually finished the reviews I needed to write. Of course they were only three but still, sometimes it takes me a day to just start one so that's a step.

Of course then I remembered there was one I didn't even think about.

FrightFall Read-a-thon

I am very excited about this read-a-thon. Mainly because it's one of the things that have been with me since my first year of blogging so I love going back to it every year.
Plus there's something about Fall that makes me want to read more.
I say that about Summer but it never works out as well.
Also I'm going to enjoy reading at night since I'll be starting a class at night in a few weeks and will definitely miss that the most.
And now I'm thinking about that. Stupid real world where we actually have to do things to get by.

Sorry, read-a-thon, books, reading now!

September Review-a-Thon

 The Write On review-a-thon is a monthly event created and hosted by Brianna at The Book Vixen. It’s 2 days dedicated to getting reviews done, whether you have one review to write or 30+. This edition of the review-a-thon takes place all day Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th . Let’s get those reviews done!

I think I should probably be spending more time reading the books I have to review, but of course it's probably best to get the few I have to write out of the way before I add more to the list.

The Edge of Always - Review, Thoughts, Feelings

The Edge of Always by J.A. Redmerski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published January 14th 2014 by Forever

He was taking the long road. She was taking the road to nowhere. It just so happened that they led to the same place…

Five months ago, Camryn and Andrew, both dealing with personal hardships, met on a Greyhound bus. They fell in love and proved that when two people are meant to be together, fate will find a way to make it happen.

Now, in the highly anticipated sequel to THE EDGE OF NEVER, Camryn and Andrew are pursuing their love for music and living life to the fullest as they always swore to do. But when tragedy befalls them, their relationship is put to the ultimate test. As Camryn tries to numb her pain, Andrew makes a bold decision: To get their life back on track, they’ll set out on another cross-country road trip. Together they find excitement, passion, adventure—and challenges they never could have anticipated.

Sexy. Daring. Dangerous. THE EDGE OF ALWAYS takes you on a ride you won’t forget .

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Here's something I haven't done in a while. Let's not try to see how long a while since I did just take the last three months off from any serious blogging.

I have a few books that are about to expire but I'm honestly not rushing myself to read. I feel like this is a relax just let it all go type of week.

Reading this week:

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Post

Ha! Who am I kidding I hardly ever schedule posts. And they're never regular. In more ways than one.
And this is a solo blog so I don't even know what I mean by "our."

Anybody else miss my odd off-track banter. I know I did. Look a bird!
I actually have been birdy sitting this summer. Which is pretty much the only interesting thing I can say about my summer.

Other than maybe one post and a couple of reviews I have not written anything since June, thanks to The Summer of Authors event I had running.
6 authors in however many weeks. Not counting the honorary features I gave out in between; Meg Cabot with our Meg-a-Readers week in July and Christine Amsden last week to name a few.
Last week's Christine Amsden's post are actually why I held off my official return another week since the event actually ended two weeks ago on the 12th.

Stolen Dreams (Cassie Scot #4) - Review + Giveaway

Stolen Dreams (Cassie Scot #4) by Christine Amsden
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars.
Published June 25th 2014 by Twilight Times Books

Edward Scot and Victor Blackwood have despised one another for nearly a quarter of a century, but now their simmering hatred is about to erupt.

When Cassie Scot returns home from her sojourn in Pennsylvania, she finds that her family has taken a hostage. Desperate to end the fighting before someone dies, Cassie seeks help from local seer Abigail Hastings, Evan Blackwood’s grandmother. But Abigail has seen her own death, and when it comes at the hand of Cassie’s father, Victor Blackwood kills Edward Scot.


But things may not be precisely as they appear.

Evan persuades Cassie to help him learn the truth, teaming them up once again in their darkest hour. New revelations about Evan and his family make it difficult for Cassie to cling to a shield of anger, but can Evan and Cassie stop a feud that has taken on a life of its own?

Conclusion to the Cassie Scot series.

The Life and Death of a Series - Guest Post by Christine Amsden

The Life and Death of a Series by Christine Amsden

The world is full of series for one simple reason: They make money! Readers who enjoy one story clamor for more – more of the character or of the world, the mystery or the romance. Whatever it is they loved, they want to recapture that feeling in a sequel.


Problem is, people don't always know what's best for them. There is definitely such a thing as too much of a good thing. Some books are better off as stand-alones, even if there are loose threads at the end. When does life ever come to a neat conclusion anyway? Not every secondary character needs a story of his or her own just like we don't really get to know all the people we meet. And as far as I know the world has never come to a neat “happily ever after” – wars come and go, politicians rise and fall, movements ebb and flow.

There are several different types of series, many of which it would probably be more accurate to call serials. A serial is a story that is relayed in installments, so that in actuality you are reading one big story broken into chunks. The Lord of the Rings is a classic example of what I mean. A true series is a collection of closely related stories, but in fiction the term has come to be applied to both types of stories, and to those that fall in the gray area in between.

Right Click - Review

Right Click by Lisa Becker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published May 17th 2014 by Createspace

Love. Marriage. Infidelity. Crises of identity. Death. Cupcakes.
The themes in Right Click, the third and final installment in the Click series, couldn't be more pressing for this group of friends as they navigate through their 30's.
Another six months have passed since we last eavesdropped on the hilarious, poignant and oftentimes inappropriate email adventures of Renee and friends.
 As the story continues to unfold, relationships are tested and some need to be set "right" before everyone can find their "happily ever after."

Click: An Online Love Story - Trailer

 

Author Interview with Lisa Becker

 Lisa had endured her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates, many of which inspired Click: An Online Love Story and Double Click.  The books, about a young woman’s search for love online in Los Angeles, have been called, “a fast read that will keep you entertained,” “a fun, quick read for fans of Sex and the City,” and “hard to put down.”

She’s written bylined articles about writing and online dating for Chick Lit Central, Cupid’s Pulse and numerous book blogs.  Her books and story have also been featured in Single Edition and The Perfect Soulmate among other websites.
A former public relations professional, Lisa has worked with some of the biggest consumer companies in the world including McDonald’s, Ford, Sony and Gatorade.  She’s also a former college professor, teaching public relations and communications classes at University of Southern California and Oglethorpe University.
As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “for every chair, there’s a tush.”  Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach with him and their two daughters.  So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone!

Click: An Online Love Story - Review

Click by Lisa Becker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published March 29th 2011

Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles.

The story unfolds through a series of emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with "My buddies and I were out drinking one night," to the egotistical "B" celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates.
Fraught with BCC's, FWD's and inadvertent Reply to All's, readers will root for Renee to "click" with the right man.

Online Dating Inspired Click: An Online Love Story - Guest Post

And we've arrived at our final week of author features. I have to say I'm kind of looking forward to going back to normal posts. Of course I say this now that I still don't have to write them.

We'll see how I feel next week. For today I'll let someone else do the writing with a guest post by Lisa Becker author of the Click: An Online Love Story books.

About Lisa:
Lisa had endured her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates, many of which inspired Click: An Online Love Story and Double Click.  The books, about a young woman’s search for love online in Los Angeles, have been called, “a fast read that will keep you entertained,” “a fun, quick read for fans of Sex and the City,” and “hard to put down.”

Author Interview: Cara R. Olsen

CARA ROSALIE OLSEN resides in sunny Southern California, where she lives with her very patient husband, Michael, and their spoiled pooch, Annabella. A product of a relatively normal childhood - whatever that means - Olsen recalls "Life had this relentlessly boorish way of reminding me I was wonky and unapproved. Regardless of status or gene pool, there is nothing simple or easy about growing up. Life doesn't play favorites or carry biases; it's the pits for everyone. But rather than constantly falling into the pit, often I chose to climb down willingly, lining the bottom with a soft place to land. That place is where I became a reader, and today, a writer."

Awakening Foster Kelly - Trailer

 

Awakening Foster Kelly - Review

Awakening Foster Kelly holds the honorary position of number 10.5 in my list of top ten books I read in 2013. Only because I had already made the list and didn't want to bump anyone off. As easy as this book might make it seem.

Awakening Foster Kelly by Cara Rosalie Olsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If only a pile of wayward curls and the inability to stay on her feet were seventeen year-old Foster Kelly’s most pressing concerns. Unfortunately, stubborn hair and clumsiness is just the tip of it. It was only a mistake, but when at the age of five Foster is told “You don’t belong here” the result is one broken heart. These four carelessly spoken words have shaped and shadowed Foster, and now—a senior at Shorecliffs High School—she seeks the wallflower’s existence, denying herself the most casual of friendships, much too afraid that someone will see what Foster believes is certain: she does not belong anywhere – or with anyone. This reality would continue to suit her just fine, however . . .

Love has a long-standing history of undoing broken hearts.