Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

Monday, March 3, 2014

{Review} Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines

{Review} Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines
Goodreads Description:
Rush promised her forever... but promises can be broken.
Torn between his love for his family and his love for Blaire, Rush has to find a way to save one without losing the other. In the end one has to be more important. Letting go isn’t easy.
Blaire believed in her fairytale... but no one can live in a fantasy.
Her love for Rush and desire to have a family keep her believing that they can find a way for this to work. Until she has to make the right decision for her and the baby. Even if it breaks her heart.
Can they find the forever that they both want or has it all just gone... too far?





What did I think?
I will say, first off, that this is honestly one of the hardest reviews I have ever had to write. One, because the author was a favorite of mine and two, because I really really didn't care for it. At all. It breaks my heart. Truly it does, but I have to be honest here.
First of all, I've read the other two books in this series. That's right....there are two books before this one. Fallen Too Far  & Never Too Far are the other two in the series. Those should have been it for this series in my opinion. Forever Too Far shouldn't have been written. 
Why? You ask....well...it's because....It is the same story. 99% of this book is EXACTLY like the other two. There was no plot, no story line and no character development.
I knew this was going to be bust when I started to read it but I wanted to give the author the benefit of the doubt because she was a favorite of mine. I read this with my bestie April. We are in the same boat in regards to the author and her books so were pretty wary walking into it.
Here are some examples about what I'm talking about:
1.  No Plot
Okay, so if you've read either of the first two books, you know that Rush and B;air are 'in love' and all that jazz. This is just a continuation of their relationship. The only thing that's really different is that Blair is farther along in her pregnancy. Nothing else happens. Oh wait....there's sex. Of course. There is always sex in these novels nowadays. Oh ya! Blair re-unites with her dad. Again.

2. No Story Line
See what I mentioned above? It applies here too. This book was just a waste of my time and energy. I will be more honest and say that I probably skimmed over 75% of this book because it was all the same things. There was no climax, no comic relief.....blah.

3. No Character Development
Seriously...this part was the most irritating to me. In the first two books, Rush is a dick with a capital "D" and takes Blair for granted. Blair is too "naive or nice" to really stand up for herself. Rush leaves her when she needs him most and it's for his evil bitch of a sister Nan.
Yea...nothing has changed in any of the characters. Rush does the same damn thing and leaves Blair in a crucial moment to go "rescue" his sister. Blair runs away instead of facing her problems and forgives Rush because she "loves" him so very much and she's having his baby.

4. The Sex
Please don't get me wrong. I like sex scenes as much as the next blogger/girl. But I like it when it isn't so.... raunchy really. I like the sex to have meaning in it and the story to back it up. This doesn't happen here. 
One thing that I will touch on that made me EXTREMELY irritated is that Blair is nearing the end of her pregnancy....she's "huge" and has an episode where she starts to bleed. 
Now I know you can bleed during pregnancy and it's nothing really bad. But the way it was described in the book, she went to the hospital because she was having pains as well. That's a pretty good idea of danger zone. And yet.....they still have sex after her hospital trip. If Rush really cared, it wouldn't be so much of an issue to say, "you know what? maybe we should just wait." But both of them are such horn dogs, they can't stand to not have sex at least once a day.
5. "Love"
Are Rush and Blair really in love or just in lust? Rush constantly puts his sister above Blair and doesn't give Blair the back up she should have.
Example:
Blaire was pregnant and her emotions were harder for her to control. However, I needed to talk to her about just being quiet around Nan.
Are you effing me?! This is the type of guy ladies want now? An insensitive a**hole? Excuse me while I throw up a little in my mouth.
I know this review was a bit ranty. I have to be true to my feelings and be honest. 
I used to love books by Abbi Glines. They were great when she first started. The story had depth and no sex in it. I still adore those books but I found out that she is re-writing them to make them more "steamy" and I can't even....it hurts. 
I won't be buying any more of her books from now on because I want my stories to be just that. STORIES. Not just sex books. If I wanted to read about sex I'd get erotica and call it a day. But I'm not that into the erotica. 
I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. Here is another review that's along the same lines as mine:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/681796992

I know A LOT of people LOVED this book and the series. Here are some of the reviews they wrote about it:

Review

Review
I just.....I can't get over the fact that this is so popular and it's a series where the main guy is a total douche. Yes, he's good looking....but why not be a nice guy and not a man-whore? I mean, really.... This is what we want our little girls to think is ok? I'm so over this author and what these books stand for.
 
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Thursday, February 27, 2014

{Review} Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi


{Review} Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi


Goodreads Description:

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew - about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam - was wrong.


My Review:
 Oh holy hell, where do I start? I finished reading this book on Feb. 20 and I still have a book hangover from it. I am having such a hard time wrapping my mind around this book and the series as a whole.

Ignite Me has to be my favorite book to read out of the whole series and it is the perfect ending. I absolutely loved this book. I know there are a lot of fans that were not happy with the way things ended but I thought it was completely perfect.

There were times I did get frustrated with Juliette, as always. She has a real problem with standing up for herself. But when she does, boom!! Burn!! ;-) Everything escalates and comes to head but syncs up quite nicely.

It's hard to write a review without spoilers since this just came out so I'm going to try my hardest not to be spoiler-y. 

I'll go with the characters first....

Adam...well, if you read Fracture Me, you have some inkling into what kind of person he is becoming. I still love him because he still tries his best for what he thinks is right. That's not always the case but he becomes quite a...well...snot. LOL His love for James is unconditional as it should be. But his love for Juliette? Is brought into question and made me think about it for a while.

Warner....is well....okay I am going to say that I think he is a real character. I don't know how exactly to put it really except that....I wish there were a lot more Warners out there in the real world. He is by far one of my all time favorite characters I've read. His feelings for Juliette really shine through this entire novel. Even more than in Unravel Me and Destroy Me

Kenji.....as always one of the best characters in the series. Yes, as I've said, he is a comic relief but not just that. He is everything that Juliette needed in a friend and more. One of my favorite lines was when Juliette and Warner were talking and he mentioned Kenji and she said, "He's my best friend." Oh man it touched my heart. LOVED that.

Juliette....She's grown up quite a bit from the first book. It was really cool to see her transition into a strong person. Some of the ways she handled herself in certain situations frustrated me because she doesn't say what she really should have. But by the end, I was so damn proud of her. Wow. 

While I was reading this final book, I kept catching myself thinking about how old all these characters were. Seriously....the was the book projected them, made them seem older than they were. I had to keep reminding myself that they are 17-19 years old. Although I guess when you've been through what they all went through, you age a lot more.

I thought that the ending "battle" was a bit rushed and that the relationships were the real main focus. The ending did almost leave it open in case Mafi ever wants to revisit this series. I honestly don't really want her to because I thought the ending was perfect the way it was.

In closing I will say this: CHAPTER 55. CHAPTER 55. CHAPTER 55. CHAPTER 55!!!

;-)







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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

{Review} Unravel Me & Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi

{Review} Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi


Goodreads Description:
tickticktickticktickit's almosttime for war.
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

My Review:
After reading Warner's POV in Destroy Me, I was a little wary on how this one was going to turn out. Warner brought on a new perspective that I didn't see coming. So I was pretty excited to see what Unravel Me had to offer.

I honestly had mixed feelings about this book. I liked it, but I didn't love it. Don't get me wrong, it was action packed and didn't really lag too much but the thing that made me not love it was that Juliette was sort of......whiny? 

During most of the book, she goes inside herself and questions a lot of what she's doing. It gets a little annoying but I do get where she is coming from. I mean, she was incarcerated for most of her life and doesn't quite know how to act or react to things. 

I did, however, enjoy when she would go all crazy powerful. It was pretty badass. Once she let go of her inner turmoil, she shined. I liked that aspect completely.

Kenji is the total saving grace in this entire novel. I loved him so hardcore in this book and he is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters. Yes, he is the comedy relief but he is also, in a weird way, Juliette's strength and pushes her in the right direction. He is too adorable.

Warner, as always, is a contradiction. You know what he feels and yet Juliette doesn't quite get it. I don't know if she plays stupid but she needs to wise up to the fact that Warner is sooooooo into her. Whenever I read something about him I melt a little more.

Adam......confuses me in this book. He was the nice guy in Shatter Me, but in this book, he is showing other signs of someone else. I feel like he doesn't quite get where Juliette is coming from in their "relationship". He doesn't understand that she can't hurt him and I get her point too. But Adam just seems so crazy in this book. I still love him because he tries so hard to be the knight in shining armor but his shine is wearing off a little bit. It's a really cool twist to the story that I wasn't expecting. 

Mafi's writing style, as always, needs to be made clear. She writes unlike any other author. The poetic flow of her words brings everything to a new light and makes me feel completely different than what I expect. It's truly amazing.



{Review} Fracture Me by Taherah Mafi


Goodreads Description:

In this electrifying sixty-page companion novella to the New York Timesbestselling Shatter Me series, discover the fate of the Omega Point rebels as they go up against The Reestablishment. Set during and soon after the final moments of Unravel MeFracture Me is told from Adam's perspective.
As Omega Point prepares to launch an all-out assault on The Reestablishment soldiers stationed in Sector 45, Adam's focus couldn't be further from the upcoming battle. He's reeling from his breakup with Juliette, scared for his best friend's life, and as concerned as ever for his brother James's safety. And just as Adam begins to wonder if this life is really for him, the alarms sound. It's time for war.
On the battlefield, it seems like the odds are in their favor—but taking down Warner, Adam's newly discovered half brother, won't be that easy. The Reestablishment can't tolerate a rebellion, and they'll do anything to crush the resistance . . . including killing everyone Adam has ever cared about.
Fracture Me sets the stage for Ignite Me, the explosive finale in Tahereh Mafi's epic dystopian series. It's a novella not to be missed by fans who crave action-packed stories with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu

My Review:

Just as I liked seeing Warner's POV in Destroy Me, I liked reading from Adam's POV. It's a great perspective to see the thoughts and feelings of another character.

Also, just like in Destroy Me, I was surprised at what I saw in this novella. I was all prepared to sympathize with Adam on how heartbroken he was over Juliette and his love for her.

I was quite surprised to find that Adam wasn't all he's cracked up to be. His love for his brother was never in question. But his thoughts on Juliette and her feelings were another story. His disregard to Juliette's feelings was quite a blow.

After everything that happened to Omega Point at the end of Unravel Me, I was quite shocked that Juliette (his true love) wasn't his immediate thought. Yes, I get that his little brother is his first and foremost but Juliette didn't even come into the picture until Kenji brought her up. Kenji was the one who wanted to go and find her.

I have to say that Adam was the epitomy of hero in the first book but now....I'm not so sure what to really see him as. Ignite Me is sure to be a high octane book to tie up all loose ends that are so intertwined in the first 4. I'm excited. So very excited.

I only gave this 3 stars just because I had high hopes of Adam and although I still love him, I'm disappointed in his character. A little heartbroken really.


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Monday, February 10, 2014

{Review} The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

{Review} The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Goodreads Description:
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

My Review:
Where do I start with this book? I will go with a few words that I think describe it pretty well: touching, heartfelt, heartbreaking, perspective changing.
I will say that I enjoyed this book. I truly did. I read this with my bestie April. We've both been wanting to read this for a while but never got around to it. Now that it's becoming a movie in the next month or so we thought we would speed it up on our TBR list. Once we saw the trailer for the movie, it had to be the next one in the long line of our "buddy read" list.
I'm not going to say I didn't know what to expect. Because, frankly, I knew what was going to happen more or less. But even though I had an idea of what to expect, I still was surprised. Granted, the main reason why I only gave this 4 out of 5 stars is that it seemed a bit too....intellectual for me. Now, I'm not saying I'm ignorant by any means when reading books but there were areas when I had to re-read the excerpt to understand it. I consider myself pretty well rounded in the whole reading category since I read quite a bit.
This book made me truly think. I try to read as objectively as I possibly can. This book made that very difficult for a few reasons:
1. I'm a mother. After voxing with April, I realized that I felt the same way as she did. I can put myself in her mother's shoes and read as a mom. Reading that way nearly tore my heart out. How do you deal with something like that? How? You're one and only child is sick and so close to death. How do you do  that? I have no idea what I would do if I were ever in that position. It gave me a new perspective on caregivers. Seriously. Mad props out to those who care for their sick loved ones. All around.
2. I'm a wife. I'm in love. Everyone should have the chance to love someone and have that person return it. Sick or not. To see that these two teenagers love so deeply touched my heart. You don't think about that kind of thing when you see someone with an oxygen tank rolling with them. They are teenagers in the book but their love for each other is so beyond their years because of where they've been. What they've been through. 
3. I am a best friend. I have people that I consider my best friend and they (hopefully) consider me theirs. There is a point in TFIOS that I thoroughly agree with. When someone passes away, suddenly all these people coming out of the woodwork saying how sorry they were and what a great person they were. Did they really know them? Truly? If I found out one of my best friends was sick, I'd be there everyday. Just to be there. I thought that was awesome that Green touched on that.
This book completely changed my outlook on a few things. I am really glad that I read it and even though it wasn't my favorite, I will read it again. Maybe not soon because my heart is still a little raw, but I will. Not sure if I'll see the movie since movies tend to ruin the book. Or vice versa. The books are always better. 
Hazel was fantastic. I loved her sense of humor and her views on life. She was very honest and very blunt. I'm sure she didn't want to hurt people's feelings with what she said but I enjoyed her honesty and her directness.
Augustus was...just....*sigh*. I thought he was so very perfect. He really made the book for me. His overwhelming love for Hazel was so touching. 
Actually their love for each other was completely perfect. I don't know how to describe it. 
I can't really say too much because I don't do spoilers. 
John Green's words just jump of the page and are written extremely well. There wasn't any fluff. Everything was just great. I felt this book was very real and very beautiful. 
"It seemed like forever ago, like we'd had this brief but still infinite forever. Some infinities are bigger than other infinities.
I strongly encourage you to pick this book up and read it. It really is a good book with a great story.
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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

{Review} Insurgent by Veronica Roth

{Review} Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Goodreads Description:
Fighting for survival in a shattered world… the truth is her only hope.
The thrillingly dark sequel to No. 1 New York Times bestseller, DIVERGENT.
I have done bad things. I can’t take them back, and they are part of who I am.
Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future.
Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever… because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.
My Review:
I recently finished Divergent at the end of 2013 and I ws anxiously waiting to read this one. Me and my bestie April over at Sim Sational Books promised to do a bunch of buddy reads this year and finishing this series is in that list. I couldn't wait to start Insurgent. The previous books left it wide open.
Let me first tell you that I am totally pushing for buddy reads. They are probably the best thing ever. Reading with someone who has the same taste and same passion of books as you makes reading so much more fun. Voxer adds it all together with live narration of sorts. It's incredible. I highly suggest you do it.
On to my review.....one word for Insurgent...WOW. This book is completely non stop with all the action and politics. I love that you don't know what is going to happen and it keeps you guessing. All the way until the cliffhanger ending.

I adore Tris and think she's a complete badass chick. She's been through so much and she still stands so strong. One of my favorite characters ever.

Four is dreamy but to me a little wishy washy sometimes. He's still dreamy though don't get me wrong. I understand where he is coming from in most of his little arguments with Tris.

I will say that was the downer of the book. Tris and Four argue quite a bit and I get that couples argue but I didn't like that it was the main focus for a while. There was just so much other stuff going on that should've been priority.

Other than the arguing, this was fantastic and cannot wait to read Allegiant. I will say that I highly dislike Four's mom....She's pretty shifty. Oh! And I want to slap Caleb in the face....more like punch.

Buddy read #2-Allegiant April and I are coming for you!!


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Monday, January 13, 2014

{Review} Cheating On Myself by Erin Downing

{Review} Cheating On Myself by Erin Downing
Goodreads Description:
What happens when good enough just isn't enough anymore?
Stella Dahl assumed her life was as good as it was ever going to get. But after twelve years with a man who’s more a habit than husband material, she walks out on her bland existence, determined to start over. Goaded by her friends and a group of crass retirees she befriends at water aerobics, Stella plunges back into the dating pool. After a few false starts, she meets Joe, the sexy banjo player in a popular children’s band. He’s cocky, a smirking flirt, and a musician...everything she’s *not* looking for in a guy. Even still, she begins to fall — hard.
Just when Stella is beginning to think she could find true happiness, a family tragedy turns her world upside down. As she tries to hold together everything that’s crumbling around her, Stella starts slipping back into old habits — and away from Joe. Soon, she begins to wonder: Is she really destined for anything more than a life that’s good enough?
For fans of Jennifer Weiner and Kristan Higgins, CHEATING ON MYSELF is a touching, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about starting over and finding your happily ever after.
My Review:
I was a bit torn on this book. I give it 2.5 stars out of 5 because....well....it felt like trudging through mud for me to finish this book. But I liked it enough to push through and finish it.
When I read the description and saw the cover, I thought it would be a cute little romantic comedy about a woman who finds herself wanting more out of life. Even though there is a love story in there, it wasn't the main focus and it really wasn't a love story persay.
Don't get me wrong....it wasn't completely horrible....but I probably wouldn't give it a high recommendation. Mainly for the fact that the story was blah and seemed so very long. I'll get more into that in a minute.
I'll go over the characters in the book first....
Stella....she was a likable character sometimes. Well, for me, not very often. I found her whiny and pretty much a wimp who wouldn't stand up for herself. That could be due to the fact she had a rough go of it most of her young adult life.I can see that to a point I suppose. But throughout the book, she just....can't make a decision and lets people walk all over her.

Eric is douche. Pretty plan and simple. She's with him for 12 years. I guess when you're stuck in a rut....that's what you get. I really didn't understand his appeal in this book. That might be because the author didn't really paint a good picture of him. 

Joe....He seemed really adorable and cute. He was. Just a little too "go with the flow" for me. He put up with a lot of stupid crap from Stella which I gave him mad props for. He stuck by her and wanted to be with her so he was a nice character. He had a really sweet heart and was willing to change his "whorish ways". He was pretty damn honest with Stella from the beginning and so he was probably my favorite character in the book. 

All of Stella's friends were pretty damn judgmental. This whole book was based off a lot of judgemental. Stella getting the brunt of it and dishing it out herself. Her friends were really.....not who I would've picked as friends I guess. I don't really see the appeal to most of them.

I'm starting to get ranty so I think I'm going to end my review here. Overall....this book didn't work for me. It could work for other people but all I got to say is I'm glad I got this for free. I try to research my freebies before downloading them and this has quite a few 5 and 4 star reviews. It just wasn't my kind of book.


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Monday, December 30, 2013

{Blog Tour & Giveaway} Return to Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

{Blog Tour} Return To Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia
Goodreads Description:
Beckett Taylor is a murderer. His calling, his craft are destruction and intimidation—whether he wants it that way now or not. He left Poughkeepsie to keep his brothers safe, to keep Eve safe. Set up with happy lives to live, they’re better off without him, right?
But all his willpower crumbles when he hears his brother Blake’s frantic voice on the phone. An unknown enemy has moved in on his old territory, and Livia’s been taken. In an instant, Beckett knows it will take an attack only he and Eve can execute to bring her back. All his self-imposed embargoes are torn to shreds, perhaps along with the new man he’s struggled to become.
“Brother, call Eve. I’ll be there soon.” 
In this emotional and action-packed sequel to Poughkeepsie, Debra Anastasia conjures a tale of love at its most raw and ragged. With Beckett and Eve, how could we expect anything less? But even when it’s messy, not magical, true love perseveres. Real love finds a way—for better or for worse until death does part.

My Review:


Where do I even start with this? I will try my damnedest to be spoiler free. Poughkeepsie is one of my all time favorite books. It was my top for 2012 and it will remain my top forever more. I wrote my review for that on my old blog a while ago. If you want to look at it you can click here.
Since I loved Poughkeepsie so very much, you can probably guess at my enthusiasm to read the second book. I loved Beckett and couldn't wait to see his side of things. Not only that, but Eve gives me a lady boner. She is my favorite character in this series. 
I could probably sum up my reaction to Return To Poughkeepsie in a few short words: Wow. Rocked. My. Entire. Universe. Debra Anastasia has the insane ability to be a true storyteller. 
Okay....So now with the story....(without spoilers I promise)
If you've read Poughkeepsie, you know that Beckett Taylor is a complete badass with some crazy on the side. But it's the good kind of badass and the hot kind of crazy right?! At least. that's how I justify it. Haha. I do have to say it was really awesome to see most of this from his point of view and his reactions. It was wonderful to see this man's side of things. I loved being inside of his head. His love for his brothers and their wives is overwhelming and completely endearing. I knew he had a heart. It shows a lot more in this book. 
Eve. Oh, my dear deadly Eve. Man I wish I could have her as a bestie!! Holy crap what a woman. Like I've mentioned above, she gives me a lady boner and I don't know who really wouldn't for this chick. She's had a rough go of it and keeps it together....mostly. I just love how Debra showcased her complete badassery in this book. Also, her compassionate and softer side. 
I could go into Blake, Livia, Kyle & Cole but really.....this book is about Beckett and Eve. Yes, all the other main characters from the first book are in here....but they aren't the main focus. I still love them all but Beckett and Eve's story is the forefront and I want to keep that in main focus. I will say that there are some moments in this book that Debra had me in tears for these 4. So don't count them out. 
The whole story is crazy action packed. Full of twists and turns that you don't really see coming. This book has the ENTIRE package of what a book is supposed to be. Romance, action, debauchery, crazy ( I should highlight the crazy), sex, passion, compassion, adventure....I swear the list goes on and on.
From the very beginning, Debra Anastasia bitch slaps you and catches your attention. She keeps it the entire time. She has such a way with it. She can bitch slap me anytime and I'd enjoy the hell out of it. I truly do not think she could ever write a book that I wouldn't enjoy to the fullest. 
I know I've said it before tons of times....but seriously...I have to say it again. Debra Anastasia has become one of my all time favorite authors and will forever remain one. I consider her a friend and one of the most outrageously funny women I know. If you've ever read her facebook statuses you know what I'm talking about. 
Personal stuff aside, she truly has a way with words and her approach to storytelling is unlike anything I've ever seen. Her words can have you busting up one second and touching your heart the next. All of the stories intertwine and I love it. I cannot recommend this book and this series enough. There are not enough words for me to describe just how much Poughkeepsie moved me when I read it the first time. It still moves me every time I read it. Return To Poughkeepsie is just as enchanting. 
"Sometimes you can save someone's whole world just by smiling at them. Kindness is one of those things that has immense value to the person experiencing it."



About Debra:

Debra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There's dinner, the dogs, the two kids, the two kids, and her ongoing battle with...ahem... digestive issues, which combined with her adolescent boy sense of humor makes for colorful and sometimes cringe-worthy social media updates. Her first love and crowning achievement is her thriving career as the weirdest mom on the block.
Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when--along with the animals and humans in her house--the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra's ear. Insomnia was the gateway to plots that wouldn't give up, wouldn't let go. Now they stalk her everywhere. Halfway through making lunches, a twist takes hold and--fingers full of peanut butter--she finds somewhere, anywhere to write it down.
She's eternally grateful to Omnific Publishing, which has now published four of her books: two in the Seraphim Series and two in the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood Series, as well as her novella, Late Night with Andres. That one is special because 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. (So go get it right now, please!) She also very much appreciates her open-minded readers, who embrace everything she has to offer, with a focus on anti-heroes and bathroom humor.
Debra lives in Maryland with her family. You can find her at DebraAnastasia.com and on Twitter @Debra_Anastasia. But be prepared.
Social Media Links:
YouTube Trailer







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Thursday, November 14, 2013

{Blog Tour & Giveaway} Late Night With Andres by Debra Anastasia


BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Rising-star blogger Milla Kierce knows she's arrived when she sees the swag basket in her dressing room on the night of her late-night television debut. But before she can bite into the muffin that symbolizes her success, gunfire echoes through the TV studio. She's just hidden herself (mostly in plain sight) when the door flings open. Instead of a gunman, there stands one of the world's most popular rock stars, Gage Daxson, looking for his own way out of danger.
Thrown together, they'll battle a venomous man seeking revenge and his own sexual pleasure, but they may never leave the building again. Distracted by fear, fame, and infamy, can these two somehow find their way to each other?
Equal parts horrifying and hilarious, Debra Anastasia's Late Night With Andres offers more than a few twists and turns—and, of course, enough heat to keep things interesting.
Purchase: Amazon
Release date: October 29th 2013

Excerpt:


Milla woke up topless and bloody. The pain in her foot was crazy. It felt like her baby toe was being held in a fire. She gathered her boobs. Gage Daxson was holding pressure on her foot with her dress. Too much pressure
"Stop squeezing! You're going to pinch my toe off!" She tried to pull her foot away, but he wouldn't let her. Instead he pulled off his T-shirt with his free hand and handed it to her. She slipped it on as she noted all the blood again. I will not faint. I will not faint. She looked up and the Devil's Fart was shaking his balls near her face like a set of droopy maracas.
"I won the bomb! I'm going to blow everybody up! And the best part?" He squatted and everyone in the room groaned.
Milla looked up and found herself eye to eye with the maniac.
"You're going to die." He cackled
Milla felt lightheaded. Between the slap, the concussion, and now Gage squeezing her bloody foot, she was pissed and maybe a little delusional.
"Well do it quick because I'd rather die from a bomb than the stench coming from your nuts." Milla rolled her eyes and slapped at Gage's hands. "Stop. It hurts."
"Uh, don't look. Can you do that for me? Don't look at your foot" Gage bit his lip and glanced back at the huge new guy.
"Hey girl. I'm Sydney." He had a deep, pleasant voice. "You should probably listen to my boy."
"I'm MIlla. And I'm not listening to anyone right now." She pulled Gage's hands away and screamed. "Where's my baby toe? OH MY GOD! He blew my toe off!" Milla tried looking for the missing digit, feeling around with her hands. Her foot throbbed.
"Sweetheart, you can't. It's not...There's nothing to find." Gage risked getting close to her injured foot. "I need to put pressure on it. I don't want you to bleed out."
"I loved my toe!" Milla's eyes filled with tears. "I love flip flops. Can you even wear a flip flop with no baby toe?"
She cried softly in her hands. The Devil's Fart was close to her again. She smelled him first, then heard him.
"I think flip flops are low class."
Milla snapped. She whipped her head in Fart's direction and punched him right in his horrible face. Once, twice and then a third time. She tried to punch him until he died, but Gage stopped her.
"Don't. He's got a bomb, remember?" Gage pulled her to his bare chest, which honestly, was a little pale, but his sweet abs made up for the lack of tan.
The Devil's Fart started screaming through his nose. He sounded like a human sized tea kettle. like Mrs. Potss on her period.
"Yeah, I remembered the bomb. I just hate him a lot." Milla looked up from Gage Daxson's arms.
As Fart descended into madness, Gage gave her a crooked smile and offered, "I think I like you."

My Review:

So what did I think? first of all, you can immediately tell who wrote this. Debra Anastasia always has a unique writing style and comedy. I love it. No one else writes like her and I admire her for being so unique and different with her writing. She is a fantastic storyteller.
Even though this was a short novella, this thing sure packed a punch. So much happened in such a short period of time, I was caught up in a whirlwind of action. 
From the very beginning, it was pretty explosive and it didn't stop til the very end. I thought it was a great read and kept me very entertained.
Milla was awesome to say the least. I wanted to fist pump a few times for her. She was extraordinary. 
Gage was great as well. I loved his character and how strong he became. 
Andres....well...he's a douchebag and I didn't like him at all. When you read this, you'll understand.
As always, Anastasia has a bunch of characters and she shows almost every point of view. It's always such a great way of reading because everything is so intertwined and it's almost like watching a movie really. 
I enjoyed every minute that I was reading and only wish it could've been longer so I could keep reading.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants a short, explosive read with some romance and humor thrown in there.

100% of the proceeds generated from sales the novella Late Night with Andres will be donated by Debra Anastasia, Omnific Publishing, and all the staff members involved, to to assist in the battle against breast cancer—because cancer blows ass monkeys.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Debra Anastasia grew up in New York and got a bachelor's degree in political science at SUNY New Paltz. At the start of her marriage, she moved to southern Maryland with her husband. She still doesn't trust crabs and all their legs, though everyone else in her family thinks they're delicious. Her favorite hobbies include knitting, painting furniture and wall murals, and slapping clowns.
Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when along with the dogs, cat, kids, and husband, the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra's ear. Insomnia was the gateway for the plots that wouldn't give up, wouldn't let go. In the shower, a twist would take hold and--dripping and frenzied--she'd find somewhere, anywhere to write it down.



MAKE SURE TO STOP AT ALL THE BLOGS ON THIS FANTASTIC TOUR! HERE IS THE TOUR SCHEDULE: http://www.itchingforbooks.com/2013/09/blog-tour-sign-uplate-night-with-andres.html


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Monday, November 11, 2013

{Blog Tour & Giveaway} Torn by Monica Murphy



ABOUT TORN:

New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy mixes business with pleasure in the second book of her sexy Billionaire Bachelors Club series …
Marina Knight came to this party for one thing only: to slap Gage Emerson in the face. Poised to snatch up her family's real estate empire, the sexy tycoon is on the verge of making an enemy for life—even if he can make her melt with a single kiss …
When Gage discovers that the alluring woman before him is the key to his latest acquisition, claiming her as his suddenly doesn't seem quite so cut-and-dried. To get what he wants, he must get to know the fierce woman willing to face him down—as she steadily steals his heart.
Gage's persistence and intense passion war with Marina's determination to protect her family. As they delve deeper into an affair they didn't see coming, Marina's torn: Will she lose her heart to Gage—or everything she holds dear?

Buy Links:




What did I think?
I haven't read the first book in this series but I am really interested in grabbing it to catch up.
So I kind of read this as a stand alone novel which it really could be. I thought this book was really cute with some hotness in between.
I thought Gage was sexy as hell and wanted to jump hjs bones myself at times. LOL He also hid a very sweet side that no one really gets to see. He was a really good character that you could instantly like.
Marina was pretty awesome herself. I thought she was a strong, independant woman who know what she wants. I liked how she wanted to make things happen and be something. She has dreams that she was willing to reach for. I admired her for that.
Gage & Marina's chemestry jumped off the pages and was painfully evident. I loved that they brought out the worst in each other as well as the best. They couldn't seem to say the right things around each other which I thought was pretty funny. 
Overall, this was a really easy, hot read with just the right amount of lust and romance. I would recommend this to my friends and read this over. I loved the characters and the way they connect with each other.
Although I wanted to smack the crap out of Marina's mom, I thought the book was overall really good. I wouldn't mind reading this again. I can't wait to read Archer's book and I'm hoping that she has the third coming out soon.
Monica Murphy really has a great talent with storytelling that keeps you trapped in the book. She knows how to write the right sex scenes and make them hot but not trashy. Murphy is one of my favorite authors and one that I will be watching for a long time. 
No one writes like Monica Murphy. She knows how to combine the right amount of sex, romance, comedy and heart. Thoroughly enjoyed this read.

ABOUT Monica Murphy:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.

LINKS:  



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