Review: Thrax by Christina Bauer || Blog Tour || Combination of kickass and awesome

Welcome to my tour stop of Thrax by Christina Bauer hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. You can find the full tour schedule here.

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Title: Thrax
Author: Christina Bauer
Series: Angelbound Origins, book 4
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, [Young-Adult]
Heat Rating: Cool
Page Count and Format: 300 pages, Ebook
Published: June 27th, 2017 by Monster House Books
Source: I received an eARC of this book for this blog tour via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating:

Blurb (from Goodreads):

*Beware of spoilers if you haven’t read the previous books in this series.*

Myla Lewis has married Prince Lincoln, and now they’re expecting! All the after-realms rejoice. Myla should be happy too, but she has a serious problem. The day after their honeymoon ended, Myla’s real husband disappeared.

The man who’s sharing her bed is an imposter.

Myla tries explaining about “Evil Lincoln,” but no one will listen. The reason? People think that Myla’s supernatural pregnancy is making her cray cray. Mostly because that’s what Evil Lincoln is telling everyone, and that man’s a great liar. What a creep.

There’s no way Myla will take this lying down, though. She’s going to rescue her man, and she has a pretty good idea where he’s being held. With her best friend, Cissy, along to help, Myla sneaks off to Earth. All she has to do is blend in with the humans, avoid Evil Lincoln, and find her real man before the baby arrives. How hard can it be?

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Like the previous books in this series, Thrax was a compelling and a fun read. I was hooked from the very start and this book did not fail to surprise me. I enjoyed the ride pretty much throughout the book!

After going through so much together, Myla and Lincoln are finally married and they are expecting. But something goes horribly wrong after their honeymoon. Lincoln is there but he is not her Lincoln. It doesn’t take her much time to understand her real husband is somewhere else and she has to face yet another evil ploy. With the help of her best friend, will Myla be able to rescue Lincoln before it’s too late?

What I love the most about this series is, it’s such a fun and fast read. Another thing that I liked about the writing was that the action sequences were the most fun to read, usually they not my most favourites but in this book it definitely was.  Once you start the book, it’s pretty impossible to put it down, I ended up finishing it in two sittings. Thrax started off with Lincoln and Myla’s honeymoon which is soon disrupted after a particular incident where real Lincoln is replaced by “Evil Lincoln”. It was pretty easy to tell he was not the real guy because the real Lincoln would never behave or treat Myla like Evil Lincoln did.

Myla is a kickass heroine, she is not someone who is willing to just sit and watch. She believes action speaks better than empty words and so she set sail for an adventure. Of course, Cissy is there to help her, she’s the best! I love how she believed her about Lincoln when nobody else would. Myla’s experience on Earth is different and the enemy is more powerful which brings forth a new challenge for Myla. I loved her character growth throughout the book. She really turned from the Great Scala to a Queen. She didn’t back down even though too much was at stake, even her unborn baby but she fought back for what was right. And as always, I loved Lincoln, he was there beside Myla in whatever decision he took, I loved his unconditional love and support towards her.

The only thing I found a little unrealistic is that Myla is kinda perfect in every way even though she evolved a lot in this book. Also, I thought after everything Lincoln went through he would be weak but it seemed nothing could weaken him a bit because he fought side by side after his rescue. Anyway, I still loved these characters to bits!! Evil Lincoln was seriously irritating and so was Ethan. That guy! Seriously, I didn’t expect him to go to that extent but oh well. He definitely got what he deserved!

Overall, Thrax was an engaging read. I loved how the plot was executed and the characters kept me interested throughout the book. I enjoyed the action and the adventure. The writing was smooth and easy to read and it was fast-paced throughout the book. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!

Recommend it?

Yes!

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Author Bio:

Christina Bauer knows how to tell stories about kick-ass women. In her best-selling Angelbound series, the heroine is a part-demon girl who loves to fight in Purgatory’s Arena and falls in love with a part-angel prince. This young adult bestseller has driven more than 500,000 ebook downloads and 9,000 reviews on Goodreads and retailers. It is now available as an audiobook on Audible and iTunes.

Bauer has also told the story of the Women’s March on Washington by leading PR efforts for the Massachusetts Chapter. Her pre-event press release—the only one sent out on a major wire service—resulted in more than 19,000 global impressions and redistribution by over 350 different media entities including the Associated Press.

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates

Stalk Christina on Social Media – She Loves It!

Author Links:

Blog || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Purchase Links:

Monster House Books || Amazon || B&N || Kobo || iBooks

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Giveaway!

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL):

• Angelic Charm Bracelet – Celebrate The Launch Of Angelbound THRAX!
• Dragonscale Tail Choker
• Dragonscale earrings
• Signed Copy of Angelbound THRA

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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So guys, what do you think about this book? Have you started this series yet? Have you read it or is it in your tbr?

Review: Thieves 2 Lovers by K. Webster & J.D. Hollyfield || Blog Tour || Where best friends steal each other’s heart

Welcome to my tour stop of Thieves 2 Lovers by K. Webster & J.D. Hollyfield hosted by IndieSage PR. You can view the full tour schedule here.

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Title: Thieves 2 Lovers
Author: K. Webster & J.D. Hollyfield
Series: 2 Lovers, book 3 [Can be read as a standalone]
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, [Adult]
Heat Rating: Warm
Page Count and Format: 241 pages, Ebook
Published: July 22nd, 2017
Source: I received an eARC of this book for the blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating:

Blurb (from Goodreads):

Best friends aren’t supposed to kiss.
But these best friends did.

He can’t get the taste of her lips off his mind.
She can’t let go of the guilt from her mistake.

He wants to be good enough for her.
She wishes life were different.

He’s the bad boy reject.
She’s the girl next door.

When opposites attract, they collide and create an explosion that can’t be ignored.
Is it possible to be madly in love with your best friend?

Love follows no rules because love is a rebel.

Her: We should talk about what’s happening…
Him: It’s about damn time.

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The 2 Lovers series has been such a fun read! In this book, we finally get the story of Linc, Andie’s brother who made his appearance in book 2 and Ram and Roman’s sister, Reagan Holloway. Like the previous books in this series, this book too didn’t disappoint and it was a pretty enjoyable ride.  You can read my review of book 1: Text 2 Lovers, here and book 2: Hate 2 Lovers, here.

Reagan and Linc had been friends from the moment they met in Roman’s office. They have grown closer in time and they are thick as thieves. Linc wants to be more than friends but there’s the douche boyfriend of Reagan whom everybody loves but Linc can see how that guy actually can be. When fate plays a different game and they are forced to reveal their feelings for each other, what will they do?

The plot was pretty enjoyable and laced with humour. We saw glimpses of these two characters aka, Linc and Reagan in the previous book and there was instant chemistry between the two characters and I was eagerly waiting for their story! I can gladly say this book met my expectations. Linc was fun from the very start. Although he came from the wrong side of the tracks but being with Reagan made him want to be a better man. They perfectly balanced each other. On the other hand, Reagan was such a sweet character, she was the CFO of their company and the little sister of Ram and Roman but she always felt she needed to please her family which led to wrong decisions regarding her relationships. I was so glad to see when she finally took a stand and stood up for herself. But there was a part of her which lacked confidence when it came to her family and with the help of Linc she was able to overcome that and be true to herself.

The relationship between Linc and Reagan developed slowly from friendship, then into something more. As much as they had feelings for each other, for them, their friendship always came first and they were always there for each other no matter what and I loved this so much! Things did become repetitive from time to time which was slightly boring but the entire gang from the previous books were present throughout the book which didn’t let this book fall through. Ram and Roman were possessive of their little sister, especially Roman and the pranks that Linc did, incited him more and it was hilarious!

We also get a few glimpses of Roman and Andie’s baby and she was definitely adorable. Drunk Dani is always fun and I was so glad to see her and Ram once again. Roman being the hot-headed brother did plenty of numbers which made me want to smack him in the head but there was Andie for that job! It was so greart to see everybody together as one big family. The epilogues were especially heart-melting and I loved each and every bit of it. This book perfectly wrapped up this series!

Overall, Thieves 2 Lovers was an entertaining read. The plot was executed neatly and I fell in love with the characters. I loved the romance between Linc and Reagan as well as their chemistry together. The writing was smooth and easy to read and the pace was even throughout the book. I can’t wait to read more books by these two authors!

Recommend it?

Yes.

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Author Bios and Links:

K. Webster-

K Webster is the author of dozens romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she’s active on social media connecting with her readers.

Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

Website || Blog || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads

J.D. Hollyfield-

Creative designer, mother, wife, writer, part-time superhero…

J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer by day and superhero by night. When she is not trying to save the world one happy ending at a time, she enjoys the snuggles of her husband, son and three doxies. With her love for romance, and head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own story to life.

Life in a Rut, Love not Included is her Debut Novel. J.D. Hollyfield lives in the Midwest, and is currently at work on blowing the minds of readers, with the additions of her new books and series, along with her charm, humor and HEA’s.

Website || Facebook || Twitter || Newsletter || Pinterest || Instagram

Purchase Links:

Text 2 Lovers: Amazon || Barnes & Noble || Kobo || iBooks
Hate 2 Lovers: Amazon || Amazon UK || Barnes & Noble || iBooks || Kobo
Thieves 2 Lovers: Amazon || Barnes & Noble

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Giveaway!

$25 Amazon Gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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So guys, what do you think about this book? Is it in your tbr?

Review: Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock || Blog Tour || Where my heart struggled to be only friends

Welcome to my tour stop of Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. You can view the full tour schedule here.

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Title: Just Friends
Author: Tiffany Pitcock
Standalone
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, [Young-Adult]
Page Count and Format: 320 pages, Ebook
Published: August 1st 2017 by Swoon Reads
Source: I received an eARC of this book for the blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating: 

Blurb (from Goodreads):

A new spin on the classic smart-girl-and-bad-boy setup, this witty contemporary romance shows how easily a friendship – even one built on an elaborate lie – can become so much more.

Jenny meets Chance for the very first time when she is assigned as his partner in their Junior Oral Communications class. But after they rescue a doomed assignment with one clever lie, the whole school is suddenly convinced that Little-Miss-Really-Likes-Having-A’s and the most scandalous heartbreaker in school have been best friends forever. It’s amazing how quickly a lie can grow―especially when you really, really want it to be the truth.

With Jenny, Chance can live the normal life he’s always kind of wanted. And with Chance, Jenny can have the exciting teen experiences that TV shows and movies have always promised. Through it all, they hold on to the fact that they are “just friends.” But that might be the biggest lie of all.

Debut author Tiffany Pitcock delivers a spot-on depiction of first love and the high school rumor mill in Just Friends, chosen by readers like you for Macmillan’s young adult imprint Swoon Reads.

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Just Friends was one of my most anticipated books for this year. Although I was terrified at the first 5% and thought it wouldn’t meet my expectations but surprisingly in the end it did. I ended up falling in love with this book and Chance and Jenny’s story.

When a class assignment brings Chance and Jenny together, they are both surprised how they are able to create a fake story about both of them in minutes to ace that class. And with the fake story starts their fake friendship which doesn’t take much time to turn into something more. But Chance doesn’t do relationships and Jenny is altogether new to these growing feelings. When fake starts to turn real, what will they do?

The story starts off with Chance and Jenny paired off in a class assignment where they quickly take a different turn and surprisingly their fake story comes out flawlessly. The plot although slightly clichéd was definitely enjoyable. Though I have to admit I did not quite enjoy the first 5-10% of the story because I didn’t like how their friendship started with a fake past when in reality that was the first day they actually talked to each other. But soon enough I found myself falling in love with their story. Their fake friendship slowly turns into a real and strong one which I adored so much. It was clear how much they cared for each other. But the thing that felt off was how everybody believed their fake story so easily, I mean those two characters interact all of a sudden and they tell everybody they have been bffs for life and nobody even bats an eyelash, it was damn unrealistic.

Anyway, both Chance and Jenny were genuine characters but not devoid of flaws. I seriously loooved Chance so freaking much. He went through a lot at home, his parents were constantly fighting and his big brother left him in their mercy. But he didn’t show that part of his life to anyone except Jenny. I loved how much he trusted her to show her that vulnerable part of his life and I loved how Jenny welcomed him to hers. I loved how their story started off as best friends before that feeling turned into something much more. I loved their chemistry together and I sooo wish they would have confessed their actually feelings instead of going round and round about it. Some parts were seriously hilarious and I enjoyed it so much!

But there were a few things I didn’t like about Jenny, she was a great character but sometimes her decision were simply too bad. Somewhere deep down in her heart she knew having a relationship with Drake wasn’t something she wanted but she still went for it when she heard Chance didn’t do relationships. I especially hated the moment when she realised she was in love Chance but instead of talking it out with him, she decided to do the deed the very next moment with Drake (who I didn’t like for a single moment) to get over it. I mean seriously?!! And another thing was how she completely forgot about her actual best friend, Kelsey who had been there for her for years. Kelsey knew how much reserved Jenny was and although she didn’t mind much, I hated the fact that she stopped hanging out with her since Drake and Chance stepped into her life. I seriously loved Kelsey, she was such a great friend and defended Jenny when the whole thing blew up, I seriously need a book about her!

Overall, Just Friends was a great read. The plot was executed neatly and although there were ups and downs in the story, I fell in love with it. I loved Chance and Jenny together so much. But the ending felt rushed, another chapter or an epilogue would definitely had been a great addition. Nonetheless, the writing was smooth and easy to read and the pace was even throughout the whole book. I am definitely looking forward to read more by this author.

Recommend it?

Yes.

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Author Bio:

23. Writer. Reader. Sarcastic.

I was born and raised in Arkansas, which isn’t terribly exciting. I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I used to sit in class and write stories in my notebooks, thinking that everyone did. It turns out, everyone didn’t. I love writing because it means I’m putting my thoughts, feelings, and soul out there for someone else to read – for someone else to feel. The fact that someone can read my words, and empathize with my characters – characters that wouldn’t exist with out me, that I created from my mind – is such a wonderful concept to me. I could happily write for the rest of my life as long as there was one person out there who was affected by my words.

Author Links:

Goodreads || Facebook || Twitter

Purchase Links:

Amazon || B&N || iBooks || Kobo

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Giveaway!

Tour-wide giveaway (US/CAN), ends August 10th: Print copy of Just Friends by Tiffany Pitcock.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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So guys, have you picked this up yet? What are your thoughts on this book? Is it in your tbr?

Review: Lucky in Love by Kaise West || Blog Tour || Predictable yet a fun read!

Welcome to my tour stop Lucky in Love by Kasie West hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. You can view the full tour schedule here.

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Title: Lucky in Love
Author: Kasie West
Standalone
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, [Young-Adult]
Heat Rating: Cool
Page Count and Format: 352 pages, Ebook
Expected Publication: July 25th, 2017 by Point
Source: I received an eARC of this book for the blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating:

Blurb (from Goodreads):

In this new contemporary from YA star Kasie West, a girl who wins the lottery learns that money can cause more problems than it solves, especially when love comes into the picture.

Maddie doesn’t believe in luck. She’s all about hard work and planning ahead. But one night, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket. And then, to her astonishment —

She wins!

In a flash, Maddie’s life is unrecognizable. No more stressing about college scholarships. Suddenly, she’s talking about renting a yacht. And being in the spotlight at school is fun… until rumors start flying, and random people ask her for loans. Now, Maddie isn’t sure who she can trust.

Except for Seth Nguyen, her funny, charming coworker at the local zoo. Seth doesn’t seem aware of Maddie’s big news. And, for some reason, she doesn’t want to tell him. But what will happen if he learns her secret?

With tons of humor and heart, Kasie West delivers a million-dollar tale of winning, losing, and falling in love.

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Lucky in Love is my first Kaise West novel. I’ve been wanting to pick up her books for a long time now and when I got this chance, I didn’t waste the opportunity. This was a fun and light-hearted read and I devoured it in two sittings.

Maddie is someone who believes that anything can be achieved through hard work and dedication and not by luck. She picks up a lottery ticket on a whim and to her surprise, she ends up as the winner. When words get out, everyone starts treating her differently except Seth, her co-worker at the zoo who hasn’t heard the news yet and she likes it just the way it is. When she finds herself falling for him on top of every other problem, will she run or finally face her feelings?

This was such a cute read. Although the plot was predictable, I did enjoy how everything was executed. Maddie is the last person to believe in luck and she can’t believe herself when she wins the lottery. I liked the fact that she wasn’t selfish, her first thought was to get her family out of debts and help her brother which she did as soon as she got the money. Although I didn’t like how her brother’s attitude began changing but he did show hopes of being redeemed. Maddie also starts to get extra attention in school from basically everybody, I can understand how uncomfortable that have been but Maddie did handle everything maturely. I did feel bad for her when her best friends also treated her differently due to which the ending didn’t come as a shock.

Anyway, Maddie was also someone who loved animals and hence the time she spent working at the zoo was one of her absolute favourites. Seth was such a sweet guy, he was the only one who treated her like a normal person. I really wish we had got to see more of him. I enjoyed the romance between Maddie and Seth but I wasn’t blown away by it, I seriously had hoped to see them together for more scenes that we got. Nonetheless, I loved them together, more especially after a certain fact is revealed.

Overall, Lucky in Love was a sweet read. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I liked the chemistry between Seth and Maddie. The writing was smooth and easy to read and the pace was even throughout the book.

Recommend it?

Yes.

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Author Bio:

I write YA. I eat Junior Mints. Sometimes I go crazy and do both at the same time. My novels are: PIVOT POINT and its sequel SPLIT SECOND. And my contemporary novels: THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, ON THE FENCE, THE FILL-IN BOYFRIEND, PS I LIKE YOU, and BY YOUR SIDE. My agent is the talented and funny Michelle Wolfson.

Author Links:

Website || Goodreads || Twitter || Facebook

Purchase Links:

Amazon || B&N || Book Depository || Kobo || iBooks

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GIVEAWAY!

• 1 ARC of Lucky in Love
• US only
• Follow the tour for more chances to win
• Runs through July 31
• Please read Rules & Regs in Rafflecopter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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So guys, what are your thoughts on this book? Which books have you read so far by this author? Which is your favourite?

Review: Chasing Vivi by A.M. Hargrove || Blog Tour || Where the chasing was the most fun

Welcome to my tour stop of Chasing Vivi by A.M. Hargrove hosted by Social Butterfly PR.

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Title: Chasing Vivi
Author: A.M. Hargrove
Standalone
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, [New-Adult]
Heat Rating: Pretty warm
Format: Ebook
Published: July 13th, 2017
Source: I received an eARC of this book for the blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating:

Blurb (from Goodreads):

Vivi Renard—a blast from the past—wasn’t supposed to affect me like this.

When I knew her ten years ago she was nothing more to me than a highly functioning brain.
Hell, I paid her to do my homework.

Only now … she’s drop dead gorgeous but had the nerve to turn me down for a date … several times.
No one turns me—Prescott Beckham—down for anything.
I’m on a mission and won’t stop until I’m firmly planted between her thighs, hearing her moan my name.

Her plump red lips have me dreaming filthy things and acting like a kid with his first crush.
If I can’t have her, I don’t want anyone else to either.
What’s worse is I want to own every single bit of her.

Except there’s a slight problem.
Vivi can’t stand me.
Even the old let’s be friends again thing failed.
She tossed it back saying we were never friends to begin with.

But I’m the king at playing ruthless games.
So she’d better be ready to drop her thong, because Vivi is going to end up in my bed sooner … or later.
And I’m pretty damn sure it’s going to be sooner.

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I usually turn my head in the other direction when a cover with a male model with abs are there but something about the blurb of this book made me want to pick it up and I’m glad I did because this book didn’t disappoint.

When Prescott Beckham comes face to face with Vivi for the first time in years, he’s absolutely smitten. Vivi isn’t the same as he remembered during his school years. Prescott wants her but Vivi wants nothing to do with him, she still hasn’t forgotten how he simply used her in school and never stood up for her. Will Prescott be able to win over Vivi?

Although the plot of this book was predictable, it was quite a fun read. Vivi used to be the chubby and nerdy girl in school and not for once, anybody took any action against it, not even the school authority. She and Prescott were not even friends to begin with, she just helped him with his homework in return for some quick cash. Although Vivi always harboured a crush on him, she never acted on it. Vivi had left that life long ago, now with a bod to die for, Vivi is struggling to pay her debts after she had to sacrifice her career to take care of her ailing mother. Vivi and Prescott come face to face after years and instantly, Prescott can’t take her eyes off her. The question that bothered me was would he have noticed her in the first place if not for her figure? At first, I didn’t like the fact that Prescott only wanted her because now she was beautiful and not fat anymore. But slowly as he gets to know her this time, he falls for her completely.

I enjoyed the fact that Vivi didn’t give herself away so easily, she was such a strong woman and didn’t rely on anyone. Prescott had to earn her way to her heart which was quite a hard work in my opinion. But he genuinely cared about her and those feelings scared them both. They slowly learned to accept those feelings and move forward with them. Prescott’s issues with his dad pained me, I really hated to see him suffer because of a petty man like that but I really loved Lynnie, his secretary who was like a mother figure to him. But he did have awesome grandparents who cared about him so much.

The chemistry between them was really, really good and I loved the angst, though it wasn’t a major factor. The story sailed smoothly, however, the last few chapters kind of became a little monotonous. However, that didn’t bother me much and I was satisfied with the ending. The high school reunion was one of the best parts of this book. I loved how they both made peace with their past but also taught a lesson to the ones who deserved it.

Overall, Chasing Vivi was an enjoyable read. The plot was executed smoothly and the I enjoyed reading about the characters. I liked the romance between Vivi and Prescott and easily finished the book in two sittings. The writing was smooth and easy to read and the pace was even throughout the book.

Recommend it?

Yes.

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Author Bio:

One day on her way home from work as a sales manager, USA Today bestselling author, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast-forward. If she didn’t do something soon, it would be too late to write that novel she had dreamt of her whole life. She slammed on the brakes, made a crazy decision, and quit her job. Then she reinvented herself as a Naughty and Nice Romance Author.
She fancies herself all of the following: Reader, Writer, Dark Chocolate Lover, Ice Cream Worshipper, Coffee Drinker, Grey Goose Aficionado, and #WalterThePuppy Lover. If you’re around her for more than five minutes, you’ll soon notice she has a tendency to talk you ear off.

Author Links:

Website || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram || Amazon|| Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon US || Amazon UK || Amazon CA || Amazon AU

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So guys, what are your thoughts on this book? Have you read any other book by this author?

Review: Steal by Rachel Van Dyken || Blog Tour || Where the characters stole my heart

Welcome to my tour stop of Steal by Rachel Van Dyken hosted by Social Butterfly PR.

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Title: Steal
Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Series: Seaside Pictures, book 3 [Can be read as a standalone]
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, [Adult]
Heat Rating: Warm
Page Count and Format: 283 pages, Ebook
Published: July 2nd, 2017 by Van Dyken Enterprises INC
Source: I received an eARC of this book for the blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating:

 

Blurb (from Goodreads):

It’s easy to lose yourself in someone you love.

Easier to lose yourself in someone you hate…

I didn’t think it could get any worse than having to babysit a bunch of spoiled musicians on set ― keeping them out of trouble is a cakewalk compared to seeing my ex every day.

Seaside, Oregon isn’t big enough for the both of us.

She hates me.

I loathe her.

The plan was simple ― stay the hell away and make sure she gets to set on time.

What I didn’t expect was to be faced with our past in front of an audience ― and be forced to face it again.

It’s torture.

The way she looks at me.

The way I try to look through her.

Words left unsaid.

The lingering aftermath still as powerful as ever.

I feed the chasm between us, for fear that she’ll make me feel again ― and steal the last shred of heart I have left.

We have everything but each other.

It’s not enough.

Not when you’ve lost love.

And replaced it with the only thing left ― hate.

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Steal was my first Rachel Van Dyken read and I don’t know why I haven’t picked up her books earlier. This book was such a great read and I enjoyed every moment of it.

It’s been a few years since Angelica broke Will’s heart but now she is back in his life. Not as a friend but as his client and although he decided to leave his past behind, he still can’t get her out of his mind. Despite the hatred, they both find themselves finding solace in each other. But when the bitter truth of the past is laid bare, can they ever move forward from that?

It’s easy to lose yourself in someone you love.
Easier still, to lose yourself in someone you hate.

Steal was a second chance romance which is one of my favourite tropes and I enjoyed how it was executed in this book. Will and Angelica used to be crazy about each other but one mistake and their lives are shattered. Will used to be part of a boy band before he became an agent, before his band broke up due to one the member, who used to be his best friend and Angelica may have had a part in that, even though it was unintentional. They finally come face to face but as agent-client. The feelings that they used to have for each other are still there but to get past that, they hurt each other more and more. The chemistry between them was palpable from the very start even though they didn’t want anything to do with each other because of their past.

Tears filled my eyes. And when they spilled over, I realized. I didn’t need him to kiss them away. To catch them. Because I knew who I was. Whose I was.
His.

The characters were extremely flawed and layered and I loved the character growth throughout the book. Angelica tried her best to keep her past mistakes in the past and not let that affect her present but Will did not let her forget that. I really felt Will was too selfish at times. And when the actual truth is revealed, I actually hated Will for playing the victim and putting all the blame on Angelica when he was equally to be blamed. Though Angelica forgave him, I wouldn’t have been able to so easily if I was in her place. Nonetheless, they balanced each other and they were imperfectly perfect for each other.

This book was definitely a heart-wrenching read. I felt so bad for both the characters and how much they were hurting though they were equally balanced with fun and humour. I was satisfied with how everything ended and how everyone was able to make peace with the past. I also loved the other characters in this series, though this book can be read as a standalone but I definitely intend to read the first two books in this series asap, I am especially eager to read Zane’s story.

Overall, Steal was a fantastic read. I loved how the plot was executed and I fell in love with the characters.I loved the romance between Will and Angelica. The writing was beautiful and smooth and the pace was even throughout the book. I can’t wait to pick up her other books!

Recommend it?

Yes.

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Author Bio:

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Author Links:

Facebook || Website || Newsletter || Instagram || Twitter || Amazon || Goodreads || Rachel’s Rockin’ Readers

Purchase Links:

Amazon US || iBooks || B&N || Kobo

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So, guys what are your thoughts on this book? Have you read any other book by this author? If yes, which one is your favourite?

Review: Obsidian and Stars by Julie Eshbaugh || A satisfying conclusion || Blog Tour

Welcome to my tour stop of Obsidian and Stars by Julie Eshbaugh hosted by The Fantastic Flying Book Club. You can find the full tour schedule here.

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Title: Obsidian and Stars
Author: Julie Eshbaugh
Series: Ivory and Bone, book 2
Genre: Prehistorical, Fantasy, [Young-Adult]
Heat Rating: Cool
Page Count and Format: 368 pages, Ebook
Expected Publication: June 13th, 2017 by HarperTeen
Source: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher for this blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating:

Blurb (from Goodreads):

After surviving the chaotic battle that erupted after Lo and the Bosha clan attacked, now Mya is looking ahead to her future with Kol. All the things that once felt so uncertain are finally falling into place. But the same night as Kol and Mya’s betrothal announcement, Mya’s brother Chev reveals his plan to marry his youngest sister Lees to his friend Morsk. The only way to avoid this terrible turn of events, Morsk informs Mya when he corners her later, is for Mya to take Lees’ place and marry him herself.

Refusing to marry anyone other than her beloved, and in an effort to protect her sister, Mya runs away to a secret island with Lees. And though it seems like the safest place to hide until things back home blow over, Mya soon realizes she’s been followed. Lurking deep in the recesses of this dangerous place are rivals from Mya’s past whose thirst for revenge exceeds all reason.

With the lives of her loved ones on the line, Mya must make a move before the enemies of her past become the undoing of her future.

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Obsidian and Stars definitely was an interesting conclusion to this series, one that I definitely enjoyed. You can read my review of book 1: Ivory and Bone, here.

After the betrayal and the fight with the Bosha clan ended, everything finally seemed at place. Mya is ready to be betrothed to Kol but then the unthinkable happens, Chev, the High Elder of her clan as well as Mya’s brother decides to announce Lees’s, their sister’s marriage with Morsk, someone she despises. Mya sees the only option out is to take her sister’s place or run but when more trouble comes their way, how will she face them alone?

The plot managed to hold my attention from the very start and I finished it in two sittings. Ivory and Bone ended on a calm tone with the two clans, Manu and Olen coming to an understanding. I loved Mya and Kol together and I loved the chemistry between them. But soon enough Mya has to take a tough decision in order to save her sister from marrying Morsk which kick-started another new adventure.

When Mya and Lees run away, the end up on a totally new land where they find Noni, a runaway from the Tama clan. I loved how it didn’t take Mya a second to accept her as her own when she saw how much trouble the little girl was in. She defended her with all her power and proved how much worthy she was off. And I equally loved Kol, who stood by her side no matter what although sometimes it felt Kol wanted their relationship to succeed more than Mya but I was glad to be proved wrong in the end.

This book was indeed a little bitter-sweet but I loved the way everything was executed. The action and the adventure kept me on the edge and I was so eager to know what happened next. And how things ended, I couldn’t have been more satisfied.

“That’s why I like the blackest nights-the darkest, obsidian skies of winter. When the world is coldest and darkest, the stars shine brightest.”

Overall, Obsidian and Stars was a great read. The plot was executed neatly and the characters kept me engaged throughout the book. I loved the romance between Mya and Kol. The writing was smooth and easy to read and it was fast-paced throughout the book, I didn’t feel bored, even for a second. I am definitely looking out to read more by this author.

Recommend it?

Yes.

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Author Bio:

Julie Eshbaugh is the author of the upcoming Ivory and Bone (HarperCollins, 2016). She used to have trouble staying in one spot, having lived in places as varied as Utah, France, and New York City. Julie eventually returned home to the Philadelphia area, where she now lives with her husband, son, cat and dog. Her favorite moments are when the unexpected happens and she cheers loudest when the pitcher gets a hit.

Author Links:

Website || Goodreads || Twitter || Pinterest || Instagram

Purchase Links:

Amazon || B&N || Book Depository || Kobo || iBooks

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Giveaway!

•1 finished copy of OBSIDIAN AND STARS by Julie Eshbaugh  (U.S. Only • Giveaway Runs Through 6/17)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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So guys, what are your thoughts on this book? Have you started this series yet?

Book Blitz: Keeping Kyler by Siobhan Davis

This is my stop during the book blitz for Keeping Kyler by Siobhan Davis. This book blitz is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The blitz runs from 30 May till 5 June. You can see the tour schedule here.

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Keeping Kyler (The Kennedy Boys #3)
by Siobhan Davis
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Upper Young Adult/ New Adult
Release Date: 30 May, 2017

Blurb:

Nothing or no one will keep them apart…

Kyler Kennedy is in the wind.

Shocked and upset, he has taken off on a solo mission—to track down his mom’s ex and demand answers.

Faye understands what it’s like to have your world turned upside down. Determined to support her boyfriend, she gives chase. Yet nothing could prepare her for the ugly truth. Ky has always been plagued with inner demons, and as he falls apart, Faye finally discovers what he’s been hiding from her—from everyone.

When serious accusations arise, Kyler’s future hangs in the balance. But Kennedys stick together in times of crisis, and they rally around him now.

At least there is nothing to prevent Faye and Ky from being together. They go public with their relationship, but not everyone is thrilled for them. Enemies reappear, and fresh battle lines are drawn, but Faye is ready to fight back.

No one is taking her new family from her.

Especially not a manipulative ex.

With time running out for Kyler, Faye takes matters into her own hands.

But when you play with fire, you risk getting burned.

You can read my review, here.
You can find Keeping Kyler on Goodreads
You can buy Keeping Kyler on Amazon

Keeping Kyler Teasers:

Previous books in this series!

Two fractured hearts and a forbidden love they can’t deny.

Finding Kyler is the first book in the Kennedy Boys series! You can read my review, here.

You can add Finding Kyler to your to-read list on Goodreads
Buy your copy of Finding Kyler on Amazon for only $0.99!

Can you truly lose someone if they don’t want to be found?

Losing Kyler is the second book in the Kennedy Boys series. You can read my review, here.
You can find Losing Kyler on Goodreads
You can buy Losing Kyler on Amazon

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Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis writes emotionally intense young adult and new adult fiction with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She is the author of the international bestselling True Calling, Saven, and Kennedy Boys series.

Siobhan’s family will tell you she’s a little bit obsessive when it comes to reading and writing, and they aren’t wrong. She can rarely be found without her trusty Kindle, a paperback book, or her laptop somewhere close at hand.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management.

She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons.

Author Links:

Website || Blog || Facebook || Twitter || Google + || Instagram || Goodreads || Amazon || Kennedy Boys Newsletter

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Giveaway!

There is a giveaway during the book blitz for Keeping Kyler. The giveaway is open International. These are the prizes you can win:
– a $10 Amazon gift card
– a signed paperback copy of Finding Kyler by Siobhan Davis
– a paperback copy of Fallen Crest High by Tijan

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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So guys, what do you think about this series?

Guest post by Sara Wolf: Author of Lovely Vicious trilogy || Blog Tour

Welcome to my tour stop of Remember Me Forever by Sara Wolf hosted by Chapter by Chapter. You can view the full tour schedule here.

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Guest Post

1. Finding Your Voice: Writing in First Person (or Third)

The best way to find your writing voice is, in my opinion, writing about something you love. For me it was writing fanfiction of videogames, books, etc that I loved. That really helped me to just write naturally, because the characters were already in my head, and so was the world. So all that was left was my own voice, and I could see it clearly coming through. I guess my recommendation is to write fanfiction, then! It helps to hone your skills and story-telling abilities a ton, especially if you write in a universe you really and truly love. The more you love it, the better your writing/honing will turn out to be!

Another way is to play around with tenses. A lot of people write first person present tense, which is my preferred favorite, but flexing your writing muscles by writing third person past or even the off-the-wall second person are great exercises. Different tenses really push you beyond your comfortable boundaries as a writer, and helps you find what you’re really good at. You can even switch it up in the same book, though you have to be careful about confusing your readers with that advanced move. It’s a delicate balance.

Thank you for having me!

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Remember Me Forever (Lovely Vicious #3)
by Sara Wolf
Publication Date: May 2, 2017
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Blurb:

Isis Blake hasn’t fallen in love in three years, forty-three weeks, and two days. Or so she thinks.

The boy she maybe-sort-of-definitely loved and sort-of-maybe-definitely hated has dropped off the face of the planet in the face of tragedy, leaving a Jack Hunter–shaped hole. Determined to be happy, Isis fills it in with lies and puts on a brave smile for her new life at Ohio State University.

But the smile lasts only until he shows up. The menace from her past—her darkest secret, Nameless—is attending OSU right alongside her. And he’s whispering that he has something Isis wants—something she needs to see to move forward. To move on.

Isis has always been able to pretend everything is okay. But not anymore.

Isis Blake might be good at putting herself back together.

But Jack Hunter is better.

Goodreads || My review
Purchase Links: Google Play || BAM || Chapters || Indies || Amazon || B&N || Kobo || TBD || iBooks

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Other books in this series:

Book 1: Love Me Never- Goodreads || My review
Purchase Links: Amazon || B&N || iBooks || Kobo || Amazon.co.uk || Amazon.ca || Entangled Publishing

Book 2: Forget Me Always- Goodreads || My review
Purchase Links: Amazon || B&N || iBooks || Kobo || Amazon.ca || Amazon.co.uk

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Giveaway!

Ultimate College Survival Kit, including:

• *Ouch! BandAids. 24 Assorted adhesive bandages with absorbent pads.
• A durable, sleek, modern laundry backpack. Machine washable with a secure locking drawstring closure.
• 3M Command Adhesive Poster Strips to hang posters and Dormify prints on your wall with no hassle. Pack of 12 strips.
• 3M Command Adhesive Medium Hooks for hanging hand towels, jewelry or more. Pack of 2 hooks.
• A 1oz bottle of Eco-Me’s Dish Soap perfect for those dirty dishes that (unfortunately) won’t clean themselves
• A 1oz bottle of Eco-Me’s All Purpose Spray Cleaner. 100% natural for any and all household cleaning
• A 1oz bottle of Eco-Me’s Scrub Cleaner perfect for kitchen and bath cleaning.
• A 1oz bottle of Eco-Me’s Gentle Laundry Soap.
• Namast’ay in Bed Eye Mask, perfect for sleeping in late.
• An aluminum head massager to relax your body when you massage your head with the soft-tipped stainless-steel tips. 10″ Tall.
• A set of ear plugs. Plug in and tune out
• Weekly Calendar Message Board to help you plan out your schedule.
• Holy Moly It’s Raining Poncho
• A Ping Pong ball, in case of emergency.
• Bring your bath essentials to the shower in style with the Mint Spa Basket Shower Caddy. Waterproof – made with durable plastic with sleek chrome handle (9.25 x 7 x 5 inches)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Author Bio:

Sara Wolf is a twenty-something author who adores baking, screaming at her cats, and screaming at herself while she types hilarious things. When she was a kid, she was too busy eating dirt to write her first terrible book. Twenty years later, she picked up a keyboard and started mashing her fists on it and created the monster known as the Lovely Vicious series. She lives in San Diego with two cats, a crippling-yet-refreshing sense of self-doubt, and not enough fruit tarts ever.

Author Links:

Website || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads

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So guys, have you read this book yet or have you started this series yet?

Spotlight Tour: The Truth About Happily Ever by Karole Cozzo

Welcome to my tour stop of The Truth About Happily Ever by Karole Cozzo hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. You can find the full tour schedule here.

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Title: The Truth About Happily Ever After
Author: Karole Cozzo
Standalone
Expected Publication: May 16th, 2017 by Swoon Reads
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, [Young-Adult]

Blurb (from Goodreads):

Chin up, Princess, or the crown will slip.

A theme park princess must put her life back together after her happily ever after falls apart in The Truth About Happily Ever After, a contemporary YA romance from Karole Cozzo, author of How to Keep Rolling After a Fall and How to Say I Love You Out Loud.

Everything was supposed to be perfect. Alyssa has a job she loves, working as Cinderella at her favorite theme park; a fantastic group of friends; and a boyfriend who will no longer be long distance. But as the summer progresses, her prince becomes less charming and more distant, and Alyssa’s perfect summer falls apart.

Forced to acknowledge that life is not always a fairy tale, Alyssa starts working to pull her herself back together. Fortunately, she doesn’t have to do it alone. With her friend Miller’s support, she’s determined to prove that she’s more than just a pretty princess. And with his help, maybe she’s finally ready for something better than dreams. Maybe she’s ready for something real.

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Excerpt:

Before I can fully process my thoughts, Rose is whirling me around to reveal the finished product in the full-length mirror behind me.

         “Holy crap!” I almost fall off the stool. “How did you create that in fifteen minutes?” I ask, leaning forward as I touch my face, because I’m not really sure it’s mine anymore. It’s practically three-dimensional.

         I’m the Jackal. I have his hollow cheekbones, his dark, haunting eyes, his signature scar marring his right cheek. But with the proper shading and lipstick and contouring, Rose has made the look sexy and alluring, like some kind of predator of man.

         “Wow . . . ,” I murmur. I can’t stop staring.

         Behind me, she shrugs, but I can tell she’s struggling to stay humble. “Just a little bit of this, little bit of that,” she says.

         She pulls out her phone and instructs me to turn around so she can take a picture to help her remember what she did. Then she glances at her phone again. “Do you think you have time for me to try one more thing? After looking at the costumes, I really want to see what I can come up with for the Sea Snake.”

         “I have time,” I assure her, hopping off the stool. “You’re so quick.”

         “Here.” Rose hands me a clean cloth and some kind of heavy-duty makeup remover. “You’re going to need both of these. And probably the regular face wash, too.” She giggles. “Maybe, like, three times. Again . . . many thanks.”

         “Yeah, sure,” I mumble, walking away, feeling distracted.

         Something is still nagging at me, and until I can figure out what it is . . . I’m going to be preoccupied.

         I lock the bathroom door behind me, turning on the light and staring at my reflection.

         Her words keep turning over on themselves in my brain.

         Internalize the illusion . . . internalize the illusion . . .

         I pour some of the makeup remover onto the cloth and swipe it over to the left side of my face. The sexy Jackal disappears at once. She vanishes like that; she was never real. There’s no trace left behind.

         And that’s the thing about illusions.

         I put the cloth down, figuring out why her words got to me.

         Sometimes internalizing an illusion is a good thing.

         And sometimes it’s not.

         Today marks four weeks since Jake broke up with me. But the truth is, our relationship was over a lot longer than that. Because our relationship was an illusion, one that I wanted to believe in, one that I had internalized, because I so badly wanted it to be the real thing.

         I loved the idea of Jake. I loved that we started out as a fairy tale, and that my fairy-tale prince was good looking and stable and on his way to an honorable career. I loved the illusion.

         Beyond it . . . I stare down at the sink, feeling particularly foolish. Beyond it . . . I’m hard pressed to remember the last time Jake had made me feel more happy than nervous in his presence, the last time he gave me a sense of security rather than a fear of loss. The last time we felt like pleasure rather than work.

         So I guess . . . sometimes . . . Rose is right. An illusion can be empowering. But sometimes an illusion can be debilitating.

         You stare at an illusion for too long, you stop looking for something real. Maybe you stop even remembering what it feels like.

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Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Author Bio:

Karole lives outside of Philadelphia, PA with her loving husband, exuberant little girl, and smiley little boy. She adores YA Romance, because it would be awesome if life in general had a requisite feel-good happy ending rule. Vices include obscene Haribo gummy consumption, addiction to Starbucks NF vanilla lattes, and tendency to hoard Bath and Body Works 3-wick candles.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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So guys, what do you think about this book? Have you read any other book by this author?