I think I found a new “go to” author. And she’s adorable and her words melt my heart, make me feel, and lift my spirits. Brittainy has a way of telling a story in a way that makes my emotions surface in such a way that I’m smiling while I’m crying. Her words, strewn together, in such a particular way that makes my heart skip a beat and my breath catch on a gasp, or sometimes a sigh. When I need to feel, to escape my busy life for a few hours, I know who to turn to for that escape. I picked up Art and Soul on a whim really. My friend Bev said she beta read The Air He Breathes, and while I was waiting for that to release, she recommended Art and Soul. So I picked it up. And devoured it. It was so different that what… Read more »
Posts Tagged: young adult
Tour Review: Under the Spotlight by Angie Stanton
Kristi’s Review: OK, so I’m going to be honest. When I signed up for this tour, I solely signed up for this based on this amazing cover. It’s gorgeous and made me want to read more about this couple. When I began reading the story this past weekend, I realized I read book one, Rock and a Hard Place, eons ago! Squee, I love those little surprises. But I’m sorta out of the loop—and I need to catch up and read book two, Snapshot, to complete the brothers! This book has two spunky characters and if I’m truthful, Garrett was a bit of a prick in the beginning (and middle)…but I kinda love the jerks even the ones who are jerks for most of the book. Then there’s Riley. Riley — damn she is strong to put up with a mother like hers. I don’t blame her for being hesitant… Read more »
$25 GC GIVEAWAY and Happy Release Day…Under the Spotlight by Angie Stanton
Happy RELEASE Day to Angie Stanton… I can’t wait to read this! Looks amazing! Here’s an exclusive excerpt… and don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom! Happy reading! Chapter 1 Garrett’s head pounded, and not from the hangover that would greet him with the sunrise, but from being slammed against the wall. Or maybe it was from the few punches that came later when he crashed to the floor of Ye Ole Boston Brew Pub and knocked his head on the beer-stained tile. He rubbed his unshaven face, and dried blood flaked into his hand. Great. He needed a shower and an aspirin, but the Boston city jail offered neither. Where the hell was Peter? It had been over an hour. The sharp edge of the narrow bench he lay on cut into his back, making his already battered body even more sore. He only hoped the other… Read more »
GIVEAWAY and COVER REVEAL: The Revolution of Ivy by Amy Engel
THE BOOK OF IVY WAS A 5 STAR READ FROM ME! The Book of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #1) by Amy Engel Release Date: 11/04/14 Entangled Teen After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual. This year, it is my turn. My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and restore the Westfall family to power. But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this… Read more »
$25 GIVEAWAY and REVIEW: Helia’s Shadow: Part One by K.C. Neal
REVIEW Helia’s Shadow was a great read if you’re into dystopian themed science fiction – and I am. Teenager Helia lives in a post-apocalyptic world. The aftermath of a brutal war that wiped out Earth and humanity as we know it. But ever since the aliens arrived, things got better. More predictable. Not luxurious in any way, even for the daughter if one of Haven’s most prominent and well-respected scientist. Water is rationed since her city is surrounded on all sides by a barren desert. Clothes are minimalistic and plain. And the aliens, while not overtly controlling the population, are much more technologically advanced. The backstory is interesting and well thought out. The history behind the “arrival” of the aliens is compelling and original. In fact, most of this book was quite original. As the story unfolded we are fed bits and pieces of the alien presence and while that… Read more »
$20 GIVEAWAY and REVIEW: Collide by Melissa West
REVIEW After three books The taking finally has a conclusion! Ari and Jackson started out enemies in Gravity. Jackson had an almost unconscionable secret power over her and that was what drew me into this story in the first place. In Gravity Ari was very strong. Her father is the commander and she is his legacy in every way. Taught to fight since she was small, she is confident and powerful. Jackson is equally powerful… only we find out that he’s not what he seems. I admit, I rather enjoyed the personal connection these two had before they got together a little more than the after. I liked the idea of the Taking. It put normally strong Ari in a completely powerless situation. But once they got together much of that was sidelined for the plot. I loved how in book two, Hover, Ari was off her game and Jackson’s… Read more »
GIVEAWAY and REVIEW: Behind the Stars by Leigh Talbert Moore
REVIEW Behind the Stars was a great surprise for me. I was intrigued by the short synopsis – kidnapped? Yes. I’m in! And then I’m reading along and I discover it’s got a little bit of a mystery going on. A little bit of a science fiction thriller going. Are these people good? bad? I’m just not quite sure. I didn’t look up anything beyond the synopsis when I signed up for t blitz, so I really had no idea. Prentiss Puckett was a pretty cool heroine. For starters, she’s strong. She’s got a lot of fight in her, and she’s got a great attitude (as in, I’m gonna kick butt and save the world) after she is abducted. But poor Prentiss also has a skewed view of her little world. She is surrounded on all sides by contradictions. Her family life is a mess. Her father beats her brother… Read more »
GIVEAWAY and REVIEW: The Letting by Cathrine Goldstein
REVIEW The Letting was a very original dystopian world where young girls are “grown” and harvested in order to supply some sort of youth serum to a population in a “Utopian” city. It’s a good premise that was captivating and interesting. Veronica billings, or Veronica Killings—as the “rebellion” calls her—is responsible for more deaths than any other Leader in history. The problem is, she doesn’t realize she’s a killer because everything she’s ever been told has been a lie. I thought that was probably the most intriguing thing about this novel. I really liked the fact that no one side was altogether good or evil. There was a lot of moral ambiguity in here. Veronica has a blood type that is rare and which the leader of her government requires to keep him alive – he’s not a vampire! He’s a hemophiliac. So this sets up the conflict. Veronica is… Read more »
GIVEAWAY and REVIEW: Inner Fire by R.L. Stedman
REVIEW Inner Fire was an interesting concept. What if a genetic disorder caused a girl to get so hot, she can not only burn herself, but others too? Intriguing. Corrine was dealt an unfortunate hand at birth. She views her ability as a handicap or a curse, but her gran, who also has the same condition, sees it as a strength. There is a subplot in this book that deals with how London has cameras everywhere. This is actually true and I found all that very interesting, however I don’t think it was well-developed. I never quite made all the connections that seem to be promised in the beginning. There is a lot of action in this book and while I usually like that, some of it wasn’t the exciting kind. I did enjoy Corrine’s backstory a lot. I loved how the author weaved in true life events in New… Read more »
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