Review of Welcome, Reluctant Stranger by E. Journey

September 11, 2015

Welcome, Reluctant Stranger is the third installment of author E. Journey's Between Two Worlds series. Taking everything into consideration, I consider this to be my most favored one in the entire set. Let me delve deeper in the reason as to why.

Title: Welcome, Reluctant Stranger (Between Two Worlds #3)
Author: E. Journey 
Published by: Sojourner Books 
Publication Date: May 15, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Source: Copy Given by Publisher and Tour Organizer


SYNOPSIS:

Frantic flight, peaceful life. Act of treason on an island country. Cauldron of warring emotions. Exotic beauty, ace with a gun. Hunk with gifts for mockery and cooking.

Nine-year-old Leilani and her family mysteriously flee the island country of Costa Mora, leaving her father. Years later, her peaceful solitary life in California ends when she rescues Justin Halverson from thugs and she learns a devastating truth about her father. As she agonizes over her father, Justin comforts her, and they’re drawn closer together.

With Justin, she returns to her birthplace to get her father quietly out. There, she reconnects with her past, but can she forgive her father and accept him for who he is? Can she finally be at peace with who she is? Welcome, Reluctant Stranger interweaves a love story into a tale of past political intrigue and Leilani’s inner journey, accepting her past.

REVIEW:

When I flipped to the first page of the book and read its content, I knew that this will be much better than the last two I've read. The characters were realistic, and though some situations may be as well I'd much rather think of it as fiction. 

Here's why I liked Welcome, Reluctant Stranger more than its predecesors: Leilani was born and raised in a small island called Costa Mora but she, along with her mother and two older siblings, had to flee the country and live in the United States. This is realistic as there are thousands, if not millions of people who migrate to America from third-world countries in hopes of having comfortable and successful lives. A corrupt government and a rotten system also plays a major part in this life-altering decision. Justin, on the other hand, is what I consider a normal guy because he experienced heartache. Pained from a lover's loss and betrayal; his coping mechanism of drowning his feelings in alcohol is an accurate description of how guys in the real world deal with relationship problems. 

I would also like to give the author an extra star for not going the abused route of instalove that most authors are obsessed with nowadays. When Justin and Leilani met, they acted appropriately in the situation they were in. There were no annoying thoughts like, "Despite the bruises and cuts, I see a beautifully sexy man." Or, "Even with my one good eye I see that my rescuer is a stunningly beautiful woman." Then he groans because his foot is broken. I detest, I repeat, D-E-T-E-S-T instalove and inappropriate sexual thoughts at inopportune times.

The story ran well. There were still a few jumps in scenes like in the first two parts I've read, but they're easily passable. There were also multiple layers in the plot making things more interesting and less bland. However, there is one thing I must point out--I don't like how much involvement Elise and Greg (from Hello, My Love) have in this book. It's like they were sharing the spotlight, and I don't like that. In fact, I'm trying to get away from those two characters; for me they are done and must be put to rest. Not be killed but to not be given that much exposure either. 

Welcome, Reluctant Stranger gets 4.5 stars from me which is notches higher than Hello, My Love (3 stars) and Hello, Agnieszka (DNF). This was a truly enjoyable read.

RATING: 


PURCHASE LINK: 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

EJourney is a realist who thinks she has little imagination. Credit that to her training (Ph. D., University of Illinois) and work in mental health, writing for academics and bureaucrats, and critiquing the work of others. She’s been striving ever since to think and write like normal people.

She’s a well-traveled flâneuse—a female observer-wanderer—who watches, observes, listens. And writes. A sucker for happy endings, she finds enough that depresses her about real life, but seeks no catharsis by writing about it. For her, writing is escape, entertainment. She doesn’t strive to enlighten. Not deliberately. But the bias of her old profession does carry over into her writing. So, instead of broad shoulders and heaving bosoms, she goes into protagonists' thoughts, emotions, inner conflicts, insecurities, and struggles to reach balance and grow.

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Review of Hit 'N Run by Lori Power

September 05, 2015

Before I start my actual review, I'd just like to say that this book turned out to be such a riveting and exciting journey. Just basing from the synopsis, you'd know that this isn't your everyday, cavity-inducing romance book. Hit 'N Run is in a league of its own, and I'm going to stop gushing now or I might spoil it for ya'll. Here we go...

Title: Hit 'N Run (Under Suspicion Book 1)
Author: Lori Power
Publication Date: August 11, 2015
Published by: Limitless Publishing LLC.
Source: ARC Given by Author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26079210-hit-n-run


SYNOPSIS:

Determined to build a better life, Lorna has climbed the ladder to a successful public relations career one slippery rung at a time. But while on her way to an important meeting, a former lover crashes back into her life—literally—and she becomes embroiled in a police investigation that threatens everything she’s achieved.

Mitch Morgan doesn’t believe in coincidences.

Mitch has spent five years trying to forget Lorna, only to run into her on his way to an undercover sting operation. Old feelings quickly resurface and passion reignites, but as his investigation unfolds, evidence suggests the woman he’s falling for might have ties to the very criminals he’s after.

When Mitch tugs any thread of his investigation, it seems to lead back to Lorna. Caught between his desire for the strong, curious beauty and the growing suspicions of his superiors, he must choose between trusting his instincts and following regulations.

Lorna finds herself entangled in a web of betrayal.

When she learns the nature of the investigation—and her role as a suspected spy—Lorna goes to dangerous lengths to clear her name and prove to everyone, including herself, she’s worthy of the handsome, tenacious Mitch. With danger around every corner, Lorna is on the run for her life, but refuses to run from the past any longer.

She can find the evidence she needs, but at what cost?

Mitch now knows her secrets and must find her first and convince her she—and their love—are worth fighting for, before it’s too late.

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

Lorna is a tough, intelligent, and independent woman with such a huge heart. Despite everything she went through when she was a child, she still managed to grow into the kind of person she's always wanted to be. But she's also not content just yet. A part of her is still yearning for something more; the only person who can give her that contentment though was also the one who broke her heart.

Mitch knows heartbreak. For years he tried to deal with the emptiness he felt after the only girl he's ever loved walked away with no reason or goodbye. The only thing he's passionate about now is his career. But that changes when he literally runs into his former flame; passion and hope arises stronger than ever. Hopefully that's enough to withstand everything life will throw their way.

REVIEW:

This is the second book of author Lori Power I've read, and I have to say, I'm truly enjoying her work. If we look at Hit 'N Run from a techical standpoint, it is well-written. The dialogue is easy to understand, the scene and setting well described, and the book's length was just right. Delving into the story, both characters are strong and made for an interesting chemistry. I didn't like the way they reconnected though. For years they've been apart because of one very little misunderstanding. Now they get together again, and in just one night they're already trusting each other again? I mean that's great and all, but I thought there will be more resistance.

Hit 'N Run doesn't just focus on romance though. Underneath all the love and pain lies a threat that can end their relationship before it can even bloom again. There may be some people who will find the action to be confusing and complicated, but I thoroughly enjoy romance books with a little something extra, you know what I mean? That's what Lori gives us. Strong characters with a never-say-die attitude, a solid plot that has a lot of layers, and a somewhat realistic romance that readers would yearn for.

SUMMARY:

I was given this book by the author herself, but that doesn't mean my review is biased for the sake of promotion. I don't do that. I call things how I see them, and right here I see a book that will keep readers on edge, but will leave them wanting more. I give it a solid 4 stars, and I can't wait for the second part in the series.

REVIEW:


PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Turning passion into words in print is a dream come true for Lori Power.

From Radio host (best job ever!), DJ, news reporter to newspaper journalist, like many author’s, Lori has been involved in the writing process most of her life.

In writing, Lori has discovered a truism: everyone has a great story to tell. All you need to do is listen. Over the years, with all the people Lori has meet previously and daily, both professionally and personally, with an ear to the ground, readers can often find these ‘character’s’ fictionalized.

Lori’s first novel “Storms of Passion” was published by Wild Rose Press under their Champagne line, in 2014.

Collaboration is important to improving one’s craft and as such, Lori is an active member of the TransCanada Romance Writers, Romance Writers of America, The Alberta Romance Writers Association and belongs to both a Critiquing group and a Beta Reading weekly group.

Lori looks forward to continuing to find the good story; hashing out a scene, having fun with a character and writing the story she would love to read.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://www.marinerwrites.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mpbenefitsinc
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7823901.Lori_Power
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lori-Power/e/B00IP3JXDO

Book image from Goodreads

Review of Combustion by Elia Winters

September 04, 2015

First I'd like to say that this is not meant for sensitive, conservative, and close-minded readers. There are a few subjects broached in this book that might make you uncomfortable if you're not used to reading sexed-up stories. But if you're like me, then you would easily enjoy this.


Title: Combustion
Author: Elia Winters
Publication Date: May 5, 2015
Published by: Samhain Publishing
Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25396982-combustion


SYNOPSIS:

A war orphan, Astrid Bailey is content living her adult life alone, working as a contract machinist. Her real passion, though, is inventing felicitation devices that promote womens sexual empowerment and help them find pleasure independent of a man.

The upcoming Worlds Fair, with its substantial cash prize, is an opportunity to open the shop shes always imagined and hopefully solve her financial woes. Except the committee has denied her entry unless she obtains a sponsor. Astrid suspects they mean male.

Eli Rutledge, noted watchmaker, knows entering the fair will solidify his reputation as an innovator but hes fresh out of ideas. Until Astrid approaches him with her outrageous product line. With no other options, though, he agrees to lend her his good name.

As construction heats up, so does their chemistry and the complications. Astrid is unaccustomed to asking for help, much less sharing credit. And Eli fights an attraction that could spell professional disaster. As the Fair date approaches, Astrid and Eli must decide how far theyll go. For the businessand for each other.

Product Warnings Contains period-appropriate graphic language, highly inappropriate amounts of M/F and F/F sex, and copious amounts of *ahem* product testing. May *ahem again* spark an online shopping binge for *cough* toys. Of the adult variety.

REVIEW:

My, oh my! Combustion is one hot read; I kid you not. This made my list of 10 Hottest Books I've Read. 

What I like most about the sex in this book is that it doesn't try too hard. There's no role playing, tying up, or any of the BDSM stuff most of us are used to reading nowadays. But that doesn't mean Combustion doesn't have its own brand of kink. The blurb is actually straightforward and honest. Let's just leave it at that. 

Now the characters I found really interesting. Reading about two main leads who are polar opposites, with one very confident and strong while the other is more tamed and uptight is pretty common. But the man is usually the dominant half in the relationship; that's not the case in this book. Astrid is very comfortable with her sexuality, and she usually goes after whatever she wants. On the other hand, Eli is a reserved and controlled man who is too concerned about his image and place in the community. The tension and chemistry between the two is amazing. It's not too dolled up and exaggerated, and it's definitely NOT love at first sight. It has all the basic things I normally love in a reading material! 

I just had an issue with the setting. When you start flipping through the pages, you will feel as if it is set in the late 1800s or early 1900s. But then you continue and start questioning your earlier assessment because of the modern influences in the story. Don't even get me started on the dialogue. They don't talk like the characters Sir Arthur Conan Doyle penned. There's a simple explanation for this though; one that I read through passing. Apparently this is not set in any time; it's an alternate reality (or something) that the author created. 

I will give Combustion 4 stars. It's a fast-paced, sexy book with lots of sexual adventures and lessons on fighting for what--or who--you love.

RATING:


PURCHASE LINKS:

Samhain Publishing
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

EXCERPT:

When she met his eyes again, her gaze was resolute. 

"Mr. Rutledge, I don't mean to give the wrong impression. It's very kind of you to come meet with us, when I'm sure there are other things you could be doing."

Astrid put her shoulders back slightly, straightening. 

"But whether you realize it or not, you're the very reason we women need groups like this." 

With a wave of her hand, she gestured to the other ladies gathered in the room. 

"You have nothing in common with us. You inherited a successful business from your father, who was already a prominent businessman, and your greatest achievement is to not yet have run it into the ground. Other people have given you everything you've ever needed. As a man, you can get a position on the Chamber of Commerce or the Fair Board or the IFCT or the London Business Council or whatever, and know that when you talk, people will listen. And I'm very happy that you have the money to own a shop and rent a booth at the Worlds Fair, but to assume that everyone else is in the same position as you demonstrates how completely clueless you are about the plight of women business owners in this city. So no, you haven't said anything to offend me. Everything about you offends me."

The room had gone silent, and Eli stood frozen, staring down into Astrid's face, into her dark eyes that suddenly widened as she realized the magnitude of what she had just said. She flushed, her face and neck and collarbones turning a rosy shade of pink, and she pressed one hand to her lips before turning and rushing from the room.

As she left, Eli watched her go with numb shock. Her words had been incredibly rude, and he couldn't help but feel stung. What shocked him the most, though, was his sudden and overwhelming urge to kiss her.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elia Winters has always been a New England girl, despite having spent much of her childhood in Florida. She holds a degree in English Literature and teaches at a small rural high school where she runs too many extracurricular activities. She balances her love of the outdoors with a  bottomless well of geekiness.

Elia dabbles in many genres, but erotic romance has been one of her favorites since she first began sneaking her mothers romance novels. In high school, she kept her friends entertained with a steady stream of naughty stories and somehow never got caught passing them around. Her erotic fiction and poetry have been published online at Clean Sheets and Scarlet Letters under a different name. Elia currently lives in New England with her loving husband and their odd assortment of pets.

Elias virtual life is as busy as her real life. In addition to her website http://eliawinters.com/, you can also find her on


AUTHOR LINKS:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/eliawinters
Tumblr: http://eliawinters.tumblr.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/eliawinters
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/eliawinters
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/eliawinters

TOUR ORGANIZED BY: 


Book images provided by Goddess Fish Promotions

Review of Three Days to Forever by Lauren Carr

August 31, 2015

I like watching TV shows of the crime-suspense genre, but I was never a fan of it in print. So why did I give Three Days to Forever a shot? It's simple really; I just got curious is all. There's something about the book's blurb that made me wonder how good it is. I also noticed that this is the 9th installment in a series. It means this is a damn good saga for it to have this many parts. I wanted to see for myself so here I am right now sharing my review with all of you out there. 

Title: Three Days to Forever (Mac Faraday Mystery #9)
Author: Lauren Carr
Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Fiction, Romance, Action
Publication Date: February 10, 2015
Published by: Acorn Book Services
Source: Copy Given by Tour Organizer


SYNOPSIS:

In this latest Mac Faraday Mystery from best-selling mystery author Lauren Carr, readers will embark on a rollercoaster adventure with old friends (including the Lovers in Crime team of Prosecutor Joshua Thornton and Homicide Detective Cameron Gates), but also meet new ones as Mac Faraday’s daughter Jessica Faraday and Joshua Thornton’s son Murphy Thornton join the team in the race to get the love birds to the altar!

With three days left to the year, Deep Creek Lake is hopping with holiday vacationers and wedding guests pouring into the Spencer Inn for Mac Faraday and Archie Monday’s huge wedding ceremony which is being touted as the social event of the year.

But droopy flowers and guests who failed to RSVP are the least of Mac’s and Archie’s problems when a professional hit squad hits Spencer Manor to send the groom, Joshua Thornton, Archie’s mother, and Gnarly running for their lives.
 
With time running out to the big day, Mac Faraday and Spencer’s small police force have to sort through the clues to figure out not only who has been targeted for assassination, but also who is determined to stop everything … FOREVER!

REVIEW:

First things first, the title is very literal. Three Days to Forever because the story basically revolves in the three days before Mac and Archie's wedding. I should note that I find the woman's name kind of...unappealing. Every time the name is mentioned in the book, I picture a 17-year old boy with orange hair and freckles. Going back to the actual story... I have read dozens of action-packed books before but I'm not sure if any one of them can measure up to what this story offers. Too much went on in the span of three days and I got exhausted just by reading it! Imagine what the characters felt. 

By the way, I totally appreciate the character list that is found on the first few pages. Readers who haven't had the chance to read the previous installments won't feel left out because of it. So if you're hesitant about getting into this book for this reason, don't be. Speaking of the characters, I liked how everyone's lives are connected one way or another. It makes the story easier to understand and digest. 

Three Days to Forever is a book best-appreciated by readers who like being thrown around a bit. The story holds a lot of twists, action-packed doesn't even begin to cover it, and the book as a whole is well written. I give it 4 stars, and I might just get the first 8 parts in the series.

RATING:


PURCHASE LINKS:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday Mysteries, which takes place in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. Open Season for Murder is the tenth installment in the Mac Faraday Mystery series.

In addition to her series set on Deep Creek Lake, Lauren Carr has also written the Lovers in Crime Mysteries, which features prosecutor Joshua Thornton with homicide detective Cameron Gates, who were introduced in Shades of Murder, the third book in the Mac Faraday Mysteries. They also make an appearance in The Lady Who Cried Murder.

Three Days to Forever introduced Lauren Carr’s latest series detectives, Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday in the Thorny Rose Mysteries. Look for Kill and Run, the first instalment in this series, to be released September 1, 2015.

The owner of Acorn Book Services, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, editor, cover and layout designer, and marketing agent for independent authors. Visit Acorn Book Services’ website for more information.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She also passes on what she has learned in her years of writing and publishing by conducting workshops and teaching in community education classes.

She lives with her husband, son, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

AUTHOR LINKS:


TOUR ORGANIZED BY:
 

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Review of Midnight Run by Charity Hillis

August 28, 2015

When I read the blurb of Midnight Run, I instantly got curious. How can someone not realize that the two women he's falling in love with is one and the same? I didn't give anything away by saying this because it's kind of easy to deduce from the synopsis, right? Anyway, it goes without saying that I had to check it out for myself. And so here's my review. 


Title: Midnight Run (Once Upon a Desire #1)
Author: Charity Hillis
Publication Date: May 15, 2015
Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance, Women's Fiction
Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer
 

SYNOPSIS:

Once Upon a Time never felt like this…

Running, coffee, and New York City: Nora feels like she’s got it all. But when this barista meets Kingston, a handsome Texan, she realizes the one thing she’s been missing is love.

Kingston doesn’t want to admit that he’s looking for a fairy tale, and he sure didn't think he’d fall for two women. But what he doesn’t know about his running buddy and the pretty barista might surprise him.

MIDNIGHT RUN is a contemporary romance inspired by Cinderella, and it's the first book in the Once Upon a Desire series.

Once Upon a Desire: contemporary fairy tales with a pinch of spice.

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

Nora is a shy and insecure woman who is terrified of confrontation. She's pretty much content with her life; she's sharing an apartment with her gay best friend, has a supportive and loving family back home, and a promotion in the coffee shop she works for with her name on it. But life is full of surprises; some are bad and some are good. Hopefully she can deal with everything that comes her way.

Kingston is a true blue Texan; from the accent to his gentlemanly manners. He has always believed in happily-ever-afters so when he falls for two women, he doesn't know how to handle it. Especially since his sister's marriage is tumbling down. Will he be able to hold on to his beliefs or will pain and cynicism stop him from finding his own fairy tale ending?

REVIEW:

I didn't have any expectations when I started reading Midnight Run. But I wouldn't have thought that it will end up being this short. In more or less a hundred pages, the author was able to depict a modern day fairy tale-like love story. In this age, the term we can use is "insta-love". That is what Nora and Kingston's meeting was like. I'm honestly not a fan of stories like this because I don't believe in love-at-first-sight. Lust-at-first-sight, sure but I believe that real love can't possibly be determined in a few short conversations. 

In spite of all my reservations though I still ended up liking the book as a whole. The story tackles a whole lot of things; romantic relationships, family, career, and of course, running. I would love to kill Lauren (Nora's co-worker) in the most painful way possible but it's still a good book. 

I'm not sure if this is just the first installment in a series, but I hope it is. There were so many things left hanging; how will Kingston's career turn out, did Nora finally overcome her fear of Lauren, how's her best friend dealing with his ex, and so much more. 

I do hope a part 2 is released soon; I've never been one for delayed gratification.

SUMMARY:

Midnight Run receives 3.5 stars from me. It's a romance-filled book with realistic characters in a complicated situation. It's a quick read with a good ending. Come check this out guys. 

RATING: 


PURCHASE LINKS:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Charity Hillis has always had a thing for fairy tales. She is the author of the ONCE UPON A DESIRE series, including MIDNIGHT RUN (out now), CUTTING LOOSE (coming fall 2015), and PRINCESS SUITE (coming winter 2015). She believes in HEA like she believes in chocolate.

AUTHOR LINKS:


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Review of Sugar Baby Beautiful by J.J. McAvoy

August 28, 2015


My love for author J.J. McAvoy's books is no secret. She creates characters that I always end up loving, writes plots that are excellent, and throws in twists that has me reeling like crazy! So obviously I had to jump on the chance of reading and reviewing her latest release, Sugar Baby Beautiful. Before I start my review, let me just tell you...this has been one hell of a ride. 


Title: Sugar Baby Beautiful
Author: J.J. McAvoy
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Publication Date: August 21, 2015
Source: ARC Given by Tour Organizer


SYNOPSIS:

When twenty-four-year-old Felicity Harper is dragged to a sugar party, an event where wealthy men and women seek “companionship,” she never expects this one simple decision to drastically change her whole life. 

Her past is nothing but broken dreams and heartache. Her present is detached and dull. And her future? Well, before meeting Theodore Darcy, the famed film director, writer, producer and CEO of Darcy Entertainment, she would have expected more of the same. Love is just a fantasy and she wants no part of it—even if she can’t deny the undeniable attraction between the two of them. 

So their arrangement is simple: sex with no strings attracted. But as their intimacy becomes more powerful, so do Felicity’s demons. Can Theo really shoulder her past and his own? And could Felicity even let him?

PURCHASE LINKS:


CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

Felicity Harper is the epitome of the word "enigma". There are so many things about her that people easily falls in love with and yet she's emotionally distant and mentally closed-up. She has a hard time trusting people and letting them in because she believes that she'll only end up hurting them. She's jaded and broken but is willing to give love a chance for the first time. But what if she ends up being hurt and hurting others in the process, in more ways than one?

Theodore Darcy or Theo is the kind of man everyone is after. Women want to be with him and men want to be him. He has all the material things anyone can ever ask for; but he feels hollow inside. He's yearning for something more in life and he found that in the form of a woman playing his piano like the world doesn't exist. Perhaps there's still hope for happiness. Or maybe happines is just an illusion after all.

REVIEW:

Let's break this down, shall we? 

Characters: Creating heroines who are strong willed and heroes who are not afraid to compromise is one of J.j. McAvoy's signatures. I have no qualms about this because I prefer it that way. Theo and Felicity's chemistry is off the charts, and I just can't get enough of them. Same goes with Felicity's "best friends" (noticed how I put a quotation mark on that?), the friendly banter between the three of them is hilarious and will have you wishing for that kind of camaraderie. I must note though that there were a few characters I hated: Felicity's father, Theo's step-parents, and his ex-fiancee. 

Story: The thing with J.J. McAvoy is she's not one to make things easy for her characters. She also doesn't create a story with a single plot; there has to be many layers that readers will unravel while delving deeper in the book. As usual, I was once again thrown for a huge loop here in Sugar Baby Beautiful. The twist McAvoy sprung in about 2/3 of the book was beyond anything I could have imagined. I can confidently say that I have not read anything like it all. I was actually waiting for something more to happen because like I said earlier, the author won't settle for a normal and easy love story. More than half way through when Felicity and Theo were already doing so well, I knew that something big was headed my way. And I was right. 

Technical: I received an uncorrected copy of the book so whatever typographical or grammatical issues I noticed is considered null. One thing I have to say though is I feel like there were scenes that weren't described as vividly as I would have wanted them to. I would have liked to paint a clearer picture of the setting; what was the place like? What's the weather? What were they wearing? It would have been nice to have those questions answered.

SUMMARY:

Like another favorite author of mine, J.J. McAvoy can never do wrong in my eyes. I love all her work and this is no exception. Sugar Baby Beautiful will take you on a rollercoaster ride that is sure to make you laugh, cry, fall in love, and believe in happily-ever-afters. I give it 4.5 stars, and the only reason I won't give it 5 is because I'm left with a lot of questions. I felt as though the story is yet to be labeled as Finished. So I am looking forward to future updates on this. Come check this out guys. You will not regret it I promise you all.

RATING:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

J. J. McAvoy first started working on Ruthless People during a Morality and Ethics lecture her freshman year of college. X number of years later, she is an insomniac who has changed her major three times, and is a master in the art of procrastination. If you ask her why she began writing, she will simply tell you “They wanted to get their story out.”

She is currently working on her next novel . . . so please bug her on Twitter @JJMcAvoy

AUTHOR LINKS:


TOUR ORGANIZED BY:


Book images provided by Indiesage PR

Review of Hello, My Love by E. Journey

August 27, 2015


Hello, My Love is the first installment in the Between Two Worlds series from author E. Journey. From reading the synopsis alone, I had a feeling that this would be a sophisticated story that holds numerous smart conversations. At the same time I expected it to be boring and stiff also basing it on the blurb. But were my assumptions correct? Find out in a bit.

Title: Hello, My Love! (Between Two Worlds #1)
Author: E. Journey
Published by: Sojourner Books
Publication Date: September 30, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Source: Copy Given by Publisher and Tour Organizer
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25477864-hello-my-love


SYNOPSIS:

This thoughtful woman’s romance novel explores the inner life (thoughts, hopes, and doubts) of a couple as they contend with the realities of compelling relationships.

A modern-day pastiche of Jane Austen novels. Elise is a bright, beautiful law student, focused on a career and distrustful of men. She butts heads with Greg at her parents’ dinner parties. Dark, good-looking, internet-business owner, he finds Elise intriguing, so unlike the dark-haired seductive beauties he used to escort around. 

Specter of revenge. Unable to deny their attraction for each other, they spend an unexpected night together two days before he is to wed someone else. Lori, the jilted fiancée, exacts revenge, tearing Greg and Elise apart and forcing them to face who they are and what they really want.

An accident. Older and wiser, Greg and Else reunite two years later. He is in for a surprise. Later, their lives are thrown again into disarray when Elise becomes the victim of a hit-and-run. Is Lori back to haunt them again?

A delicious romance with a literary slant, spiced with a twist of whodunit.

REVIEW:

I'm going to say this with the risk of being hated by thousand of people: I've never been a fan of Jane Austen. I've only read one of her books because a friend of mine told me I should give it a shot; I didn't finish it because I found it serious and lifeless. The reason I'm sharing this with you guys is because when I read the blurb, I figured that Hello, My Love will hold some resemblance to the famous author's work. That scared me somehow; but I decided to give it a shot and see if I'll like it. Here's my short answer: I didn't hate it but I wasn't crazy about it either.

For me the book started out strong. Elise is a strong character; she is smart and does not fall for men's BS. But then a few pages later she's sleeping with Greg, who is already engaged to be married by the way. I understand the feelings that may have developed during their brief conversations, but things got out of hand way too fast. There were also more than a few times when I felt like the book was jumping and not changing from one scene to another. The switch between POVs also made my head ache as it was unorganized and sudden. 

But putting all those things aside, I actually see the potential of the story. It may not have worked out for me but there is a certain charm to it that some people might like. It's classy and sexy with some humor, drama, and suspense. There's a tinge of darkness floating about in the story that keeps the characters on their toes. I will be giving Hello, My Love 3 stars. 

RATING: 


PURCHASE LINK:

Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

EJourney is a realist who thinks she has little imagination. Credit that to her training (Ph. D., University of Illinois) and work in mental health, writing for academics and bureaucrats, and critiquing the work of others. She’s been striving ever since to think and write like normal people.

She’s a well-traveled flâneuse—a female observer-wanderer—who watches, observes, listens. And writes. A sucker for happy endings, she finds enough that depresses her about real life, but seeks no catharsis by writing about it. For her, writing is escape, entertainment. She doesn’t strive to enlighten. Not deliberately. But the bias of her old profession does carry over into her writing. So, instead of broad shoulders and heaving bosoms, she goes into protagonists' thoughts, emotions, inner conflicts, insecurities, and struggles to reach balance and grow.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website: http://evyjourney.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=%40eholychair&src=typd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Thoughtful-Womans-Romance-Novels/382436745126631

TOUR ORGANIZED BY:


Book image provided by iRead Book Tours 

Review of Mind Over Bullies: A Mob Forms by DK Smith

August 24, 2015

Before I go to my review, I'd first like to share a wonderful and heart-warming thing I have experienced with Khamicom Publishing...and the tour in general. 

When I signed up for the tour of Mind Over Bullies: A Mob Forms, I wasn't really expecting anything. I assumed it would be like all other tours I have been a part of; I'll get the tour materials, get an ebook copy of the book, and do the review. So imagine my surprise when I was notified by our local post office that I have a package I needed to claim. I was like, "What? I wasn't expecting anything to arrive." 

The paperback, wristbands, and bookmark I received

I picked it up a couple of days later, still clueless as to what it could be. When I got home, I opened it up and teared up a bit. Inside was a signed paperback copy of the book, three wristbands with the MOB logo, and a MOB bookmark. I was so touched by the gesture, especially since it's my first ever signed copy of a book. It may be a small thing for other people so let me point out that I am from the Philippines. Publishers or tour organizers don't usually send us stuff in the mail. It's too expensive and risky. Anyway, I just wanted to share that. 

Onto my review!

Title: Mind Over Bullies: A Mob Forms
Author: DK Smith
Expected Publication Date: August 31, 2015 
Published by: Khamicom Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Suspense
Source: ARC Given by Publisher and Tour Organizer
 

SYNOPSIS:

People that feel bullied just need to toughen up. That’s what Margo Rios used to think. Margo is pretty, popular and unsympathetic to just how intense bullying can get. As a counterfeiting plot sweeps through the city of Oak View however, life for Margo changes dramatically. 
 
With the mystery unfolding, an unlikely group of heroes emerges. Bullied teens love them, the police hate them and bullies fear them. Together they will try to get to the bottom of the counterfeiting mystery while ingeniously teaching a few bullies a lesson or two along the way… that is, if the police don’t catch them first. 

“Mind Over Bullies: A MOB Forms” follows the lives of several teens chronicling the emotional and psychological changes they experience as a result of their encounters with bullying. The lives of the characters play out while an elaborate counterfeiting mystery unfolds making for a fast paced, action-packed read. 

REVIEW:

Mind Over Bullies tackles two big subjects: bullying and counterfeiting. Not the combination one would normally expect, but it works. Though a little extreme, I still liked how the members of the MOB were all trying to make a real difference and stop bullying. Their tech skills were awesome; I'm not even going to question if their abilities are plausible in real life because kids nowadays are just...talented, I think is the word I should use. Now the money laundering scheme added a lot of darkness and danger to the story. It's still connected to the bullying though so it didn't really feel like reading two different books. 

From the very first page, Mind Over Bullies already moves at a fast pace. Characters were introduced here and there, plots unravel at every chapter, and someone is being beaten-up somewhere. To be honest, I had a hard time relating to the characters, especially Margo. We had one thing in common: the mature way we think. We both don't like to dwell on typical high school drama. However, she came off as a cold and unfeeling character for me. But that was just in the first few chapters. Eventually, she grew on me and I saw her blossom into a more likeable person. All of the characters in the book are important to the story's entirety, just like each and every one of us plays a crucial part in the betterment of the world. 

The book is kind of long though. I don't have anything against books that are lengthy, considering I've read the entire Harry Potter Collection in three days. It's just that there are scenes that could have been cut from the book or even shortened, at least. But that's just a minor thing, nothing to change my perspective on the book.

SUMMARY:

Mind Over Bullies is a complex, mysterious, and exciting book. I was very entertained and at the same time encouraged to help stop bullying. I give it 5 stars, and I'm looking forward to reading DK Smith's following book which is already underway if his answer in Goodreads is anything to go by. 

P.S. Still no picture of the author? Dang, it. I wanted a face to go with the voice I heard in his interview. You should go listen to that snippet guys. It's short (because it's a preview) but very enlightening. 

RATING:


IMPORTANT LINKS:

Read the first three chapters! http://tiny.cc/MOBPreview 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A 38-year-old native of Los Angeles, Mr. Smith began his writing career after getting news that he would soon become an uncle. Wanting to create stories and characters for his expected niece, he created the children’s book series “Sock n Boots Adventures.” The two characters (three-year-old Sock and five-year-old Boots) began to make names for themselves, generating downloads in countries around the world. 
 
When asked about his motivation to tackle the subject of bullying in a 108,000-word novel Smith said, “One day I came across a story in the news about a young girl that jumped in front of a subway train after weeks of bullying. As I investigated further, I was shocked at the number of similar stories I encountered. Bullycide, the news was calling it. I thought, wow, what if these young people had been shown that the pain of bullying can be handled without hurting themselves or someone else.” 

Ultimately it was thoughts of his now four nieces and three nephews dealing with bullying as they get older that weighed heavily on the decision for Smith to write the story about bullying. “I recognize that the characters and situations in the book may not represent every bullying situation and that realistically the book won’t change the world, but I do sincerely hope that it sends a subtle message about there being life after bullying. We’ll just have to see how the public receives it,” Smith said. 
 
A lover of mystery and espionage stories, Smith is a fan of everything James Bond. A favorite scenario is to see a character in an impossible situation get out of it at the last second or have the odds against them and see he or she turn the tables. Acting on the love of espionage and mystery, Smith has a new novel in the works centering on a James Bond-type character of his own creation. 
 
IMPORTANT LINKS:


TOUR ORGANIZED BY:


Book images provided by iRead Book Tours

Review of Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid

August 21, 2015

My heart is hurting right now. I feel like a jackhammer is pounding my heart after a bulldozer ran it over. I just wrapped-up Never Always Sometimes, and I'm feeling very violent towards Adi Alsaid. I'm not even going to try to be mysterious or whatever -- I absolutely loved this book. But it doesn't change the fact that I am in pain right now. Adi... come on, man. Is that really it? I know you're trying to stick to the non-cliche theme, but I am suffering right now. *sigh* Since this isn't about me let me proceed with my review. 

Title: Never Always Sometimes
Author: Adi Alsaid 
Publication Date: August 4, 2015 
Published by: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult
Source: Bought
 

SYNOPSIS:

Never date your best friend.

Always be original.

Sometimes rules are meant to be broken.

Best friends Dave and Julia were determined to never be clichĂ© high school kids—the ones who sit at the same lunch table every day, dissecting the drama from homeroom and plotting their campaigns for prom king and queen. They even wrote their own Never List of everything they vowed they’d never, ever do in high school.
 
Some of the rules have been easy to follow, like #5, never dye your hair a color of the rainbow, or #7, never hook up with a teacher. But Dave has a secret: he’s broken rule #8, never pine silently after someone for the entirety of high school. It’s either that or break rule #10, never date your best friend. Dave has loved Julia for as long as he can remember.

Julia is beautiful, wild and impetuous. So when she suggests they do every Never on the list, Dave is happy to play along. He even dyes his hair an unfortunate shade of green. It starts as a joke, but then a funny thing happens: Dave and Julia discover that by skipping the clichĂ©s, they’ve actually been missing out on high school. And maybe even on love.

CHARACTER BACKGROUND:

Julia is a beautiful, fearless, and carefree girl with a don't-care attitude. She's used to making light of things, being reckless, and doing things her way that she sometimes loses perspective of the important things. But no matter how tough she seems, her heart is made of solid gold. She likes making the people important to her happy no matter the cost. Even if it causes her great pain. 

Dave has always been loyal to his friendship with Julia and the love he felt for her. His world revolved around her, and he has always hoped for the day she'll realize that she feels the same way. However, things don't always go the way we plan. Then he realized that maybe fate has something amazing planned for him. He just has to know pain. 

REVIEW:

Oh, goodness. Where do I begin? First of all, Adi Alsaid is now officially one of my favorite authors. The way he writes appeals to me in a way that very few authors do. The humor he infuses in his books is almost exactly the kind I have, his vision (in this book) is something I can truly relate to, and he's very unpredictable. I'd love to read all of his books (which I will do soon) just to see if he's... consistent, for lack of a better word. 

Never Always Sometimes, if you judge it by its cover, seems to be cliche. Two long-time friends with one in love with the other, embark on a journey together and develop a deeper understanding of things, including love. However, there is nothing typical and predictable about this book. I got kicked in the face every time I assumed I knew what was going to happen. Because of this cycle, I started worrying... a lot. 

I committed a bookworm sin due to the suspense and my fear of not knowing what to expect--I skipped to the last chapter. Don't worry, I still went back to read everything else. I just needed to know what I am in for. Can I just say that the author owes me? I am not going to say why, though some of you guys may already have an idea. I want something more and I hope I will get that "more". There are still many things left hanging in the story, and I believe that gives Adi a huge space to work around in making it up to me. I say "me" because I'd like to pretend I'm selfish, and because he has affected--and scarred--me deeply. You know what I'm talking about, you sly author you. 

I loved all the characters and I mean all of them. From the main characters to the support ones, even the extras. They were all very significant in the story's progression, and without them, I think the book would be a little less colourful. 

SUMMARY:

Adi is a very talented author, and I will definitely be following his updates. Never Always Sometimes is the first one I've read of his work, but I assure you all that I will be checking out the past and future ones. I give this tear-jerking, gas-inducing, heart-warming book 5 stars. I recommend this to readers who love stories of unconditional friendship, love, growing up, and letting go. You will be taken on a wonderful ride, this I promise.

RATING: 

 
PURCHASE LINKS: 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adi Alsaid was born and raised in Mexico City, then studied at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. While in class, he mostly read fiction and continuously failed to fill out crossword puzzles, so it's no surprise that after graduating, he did not go into business world but rather packed up his apartment into his car and escaped to the California coastline to become a writer. He's now back in his hometown, where he writes, coaches high school and elementary basketball, and has perfected the art of making every dish he eats or cooks as spicy as possible. In addition to Mexico, he's lived in Tel Aviv, Las Vegas, and Monterey, California. A tingly feeling in his feet tells him more places will eventually be added to the list. Let's Get Lost is his YA debut. 


AUTHOR LINKS:

Twitter: @AdiAlsaid

Book image from Goodreads

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