Review&Giveaway: Very Bad Things by @ilsamaddenmills

Summary:

Born into a life of privilege and secrets, Nora Blakely has everything any nineteen-year-old girl could desire. She’s an accomplished pianist, a Texas beauty queen, and on her way to Princeton after high school. She’s perfect…

Leaving behind her million-dollar mansion and Jimmy Choos, she becomes a girl hell-bent on pushing the limits with alcohol, drugs, and meaningless sex.

Then she meets her soulmate. But he doesn’t want her.

When it comes to girls, twenty-five-year-old Leo Tate has one rule: never fall in love. His gym and his brother are all he cares about...until he meets Nora. He resists the pull of their attraction, hung up on their six year age difference.

As they struggle to stay away from each other, secrets will be revealed, tempers will flare, and hearts will be broken.

Welcome to Briarcrest Academy…where sometimes, the best things in life are Very Bad Things.

My Review-

Wowza! What a roller coaster of emotions and sexual tension. Such a fun book that I had the privilege to read.

Very Bad Things leads off with our girl Nora. Raised by two powerful and influential people, Nora has some big shoes to fill. She's the model student at her school,  Briarcrest Academy, in Highland Park, Texas; a suburb of Dallas. It's senior registration and Nora is expected to give a speech, you know, since she's such a model student and huge asset to the school. As soon as she gets to the podium to give her speech, she freezes up. Not too long after she tells everyone to "F" off. Welcome to Nora's life ladies and gents!

When that's taking place, we get into Leo's head. Yes, this is a dual POV from both Nora and Leo. His first reaction to little miss I want to be bad is surprise. Surprise that a girl who looks so prim and proper could even have the audacity to tell off the rich people in her community. Let alone her school. But the two share a beautiful moment, which leaves Leo confused. See, Leo doesn't do relationships and he sure as hell doesn't do jail bait! So if that's the case, why can't he get Nora out of his head?

I love, love, love it! Sexual angst and tension with two main characters who have sizzling hot chemistry...hell yes, sign me up.

And let me tell you, it's like that throughout the whole entire book! First Leo would want her, then the next moment he is pushing her away. Uh hello, could you say emotional whiplash?

*Nora*
This is the type of female character we as women should look up to. Nora is confident and goes after what she wants. She's might be a flawed character but it makes her so much more real that you can't help but relate. So kind and funny and just an all around wonderful girl. I laughed and cried with her for being so strong when the world gave her no reason to be. If ever I could make up the perfect best friend, I would choose all the qualities in Nora. Her being bad just makes her SOO much more likable.

*Leo*
Swooooooon.
I am serious, I drooled like a baby since the moment he came into the picture. Leo is as sexy as they come. If you've read Thoughtless and you loved Kellan. Well lets just say, Leo is right up there with Kellan. In my opinion anyway. There is more to Leo besides just being sexy. Him and his little brother Sebastian, lost their parents at a young age. Which put Leo as the guardian of his little brother. Losing his parents crushed him, hence the reason he doesn't believe in love.

Things I hated--
The bitch. Oops I mean mother...

Things I loved--
Sebastian-oh I love him. Probably more than Leo, and you know how much I reallllllly liked him.
Mila-best friend of Nora.

Very Bad Things is such a beautiful and heartbreaking book. Its one that you will want to read again and again.

Will Leo finally learn to love? Do you think age matters? Will Nora finally find inner peace?

Well looks like you'll have to see for yourself to find out just how sexy and fun this really is<3

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Review: After Tuesday by Renee Ericson

Summary:

Family really is a pain…especially when your father is an addict.

For the last two years, high school senior Ruby has been her own rock and solace. She has learned to depend only on herself and hides her family's issues by keeping herself somewhat unnoticeable. Despite her isolation, Ruby has intrigued the affections of someone unexpected. Finding herself loving life once again as his persistence sparks a romance awakening a well-protected heart. 

While Ruby’s relationship with her father is constantly teetering, her new-found affection continues to blossom into something more than she ever thought possible. Soon, Ruby comes to realize that opening up your heart means being susceptible to love and disappointment.

YA-M: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language.

My Review:

"I realize that I need the light of others to find my way out of the dark.

After Tuesday is a sweet contemporary romance in the YA genre. It may be sweet but it also has some dark issues it deals with. Which is being an addict. The light read mixed with dark, balanced out the book perfectly. 

I thought love meant fighting for someone, no matter what.
When will someone fight for me?
Ruby has had to grow up fast due to her father being an alcoholic. During the summer she is a camp counselor; it's there she becomes good friends with a girl name Lexi. 

Ruby then catches the eye of Brent Cromell. Mr. Rich, Good Looking and Popular. He really surprised me. He's the sweetest most caring boyfriend. 
Ruby-"Don't let me go."
Brent-"Never."

Their love was so genuine and pure that it had me grinning like a fool. Seriously it was, it reminded me of when I was 17 and in love. 
"I might be falling for him too fast, but that's out of my control."

There is a pivotal part in the book that really tests both Ruby and Brent. And even though it took them awhile, they both were able to make it work. 
"I know you're used to doing everything by yourself,but you don't have to." Brent

The only thing that bothered me was in the beginning. Ruby's monologue was awkward for me to read. 
"My petite nose crinkles in disgust while my soft pink lips do some sort of Elvis-like snarl."
That's just awkward, I don't ever described self like that. There were times when that's all it was, was just her inner thoughts. It had me stopping because nothing was happening. 

But it got so much better. Once she becomes part of a group and has friends, there's not too much room for the inner thinking. 

I'm looking forward to the second book. I fell in love with Ruby's strength. What she's had to deal with, isn't what kids her age should have to be dealing with. On second thought no one should have to deal with it. 
"It's time to put on my big-girl panties and carry on."
Too right she is!

"Sometimes," I muse with my eyes closed, "I wonder how I got lucky enough to have you in my life."
"It's because you let me me find you."

3.5 stars
**given to be by author for an honest review"

Cover Reveal: Used by Kate Lynne

 

“Used” coming October 2013…

 

Synopsis:

 

* Warning * 18 years and up for adult situations, language, sexual content, and violence. 

The name's V. I'm beautiful in every sense of the word physically. But on the inside, I'm a black pit. 

If you're expecting a happily ever after, a white picket fence and 2.5 kids; then this isn't the story for you.

There aren't any happily ever afters in the works for me or those whose lives I poison.
 

I hold the key to my pleasure and I'll be damned if I ever give it up again.
 
God forsake those that stand in my way of ultimate gratification.

 

You may regret me, but you'll never forget me.
 
Use or Be Used, there are no other options.

 

* This story contains dirty words, dirty sex and an even dirtier twist. *

 

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18361592-used

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 

23 Years Young.

Manager for an assisted living program working with mentally challenged adults.

Currently pursuing my degree in Music Therapy.

Loves Music, writing and reading.

Has a cockapoo dog named Jezebella that is closest thing I have to a child. She's a handful, but I love her.

Currently resides in Michigan, USA.

Addicted to Lip Gloss, Oreos and Sleep.

 

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/EroticauthorKateLynne

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatelynnPinson

 

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7231392.Kate_Lynne

Review: The Wild Wood by Julie Anne Nelson

Synopsis:

 In the town of Dunlowe, being different can be deadly. No one knows this better than the seven girls born on the exact same day, at the exact same time. From birth, they've been feared, judged, and controlled. And yet, still loved by their families. Still hoping for a future. Still believing that acceptance would one day come. As their seventeenth birthday approaches, events occur that leave Cecily Daye and the other girls grasping with the possibility that their oppressors might have been right about them all along. Maybe they are as evil as the town has believed. But without an answer, they must make a choice when the town turns on them: to die or to run to the one place no person would follow—they must enter The Wild Wood.

ReViEw~

I believe the blurb speaks for itself. The Wild Wood was a complex and beautiful story. I am surprised that the book isn't more popular. It has a great storyline with amazing characters.
Our main character, Cecily Daye, has been the most feared since the day her and the other girls were born. Even though they have never hurt anyone or given any reason for the town to believe they are evil.
The girls seventeenth birthday is approaching and as rumor has it, that's when Cecily and the girls will come into power.
The day of her birthday something horrific happens and Cecily finds herself in a predicament far worse than we can possibly imagine. I think I shed some tears at this point and I found myself getting very angry.
The way the town treats Cecily, Stephanie, Abigail, Amanda,Millie, Charity, and Morgan is disgusting. I almost threw my book several times because I didn't see the evil in these girls! Pastor Rowe, the brains behind operation "lets hate on seven innocent girls," was such a hypocrite. He was cruel and reveled in making the girls lives miserable. Well at least Cecilys life and one certain scene in particular.
I loved Cecily and the girls. Morgan was smart and had a calming way about her that made you feel safe. I definitely liked her the best. Cecily is strong and independent, some of the qualities of a great leader. I also liked Stephanie. She was vain and didn't hold back when it came to speaking her mind.

Since this is a spoil free review I won't tell you anything that will give more of the story away. Just look forward to the last half of the book. That is where things get very interesting! You'll meet all kinds of different characters that are quirky and fun in their own way.

You're probably wondering about the romance, am I right? Well, there is just enough to keep you satisfied but the book isn't romantic or about falling in love. It's so much more. That's what surprised me the most when i started reading. I love romance, I mean who doesn't? But sometimes I like reading different types of books that have the ability to surprise me without it being all about romance.

The Wild Woods is about destiny and fulfilling that destiny. Learning to love who you are and accepting the parts of yourself that you may not like. It's also about sacrifice and what you are willing to do for the greater good for the ones you love. At least that's what I took from the book. It's powerful and it deeply moved me.

Thought provoking and riveting, I just couldn't put The Wild Woods Down. If you love strong female leads, fantasy, and some romance, then this book is definitely for you. 

Thank you to Julie for having me review   

Also a thank you goes to Tiffany!

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Review: Burning Bridges by @nadegerichards

Summary:

Do or Die...

In a world that has been divided amongst the Hunter race and the Warrior, prisoners who have fallen prey to King Cyrus' decrees are forced into the arena to fight until death. Winner is granted mercy and privilege to see another sunrise. Death unto the weak. In an attempt to get back at everyone who has ever shut her out, seventeen year-old Princess Echo becomes another victim, dragging Ayden, her forbidden love, along in a race to freedom, to find out who she really is, and to put a world that has been swallowed by lies back together again.

In the first installment of The Bleeding Heart Trilogy, life becomes a dangerous game of kill or be killed, love or let go. When death threatens the forbidden love of an unlikely couple and they are forced to do the unthinkable, to what extent will they go to be together?

My Review:

3.5 Stars

"This is love. This is your life, Echo. Own it. Start over. Fight."

Echo is born into privilege and is the country's future queen. She is sarcastic and funny and wants to be a warrior but her place in the kingdom is strictly queen. All she wishes to be is free. 

Ayden is from the other side of the tracks. He is poor and works multiple jobs just to make ends meet for his family. Life has always been hard on him and to make matters worse, his mother is ill and his father is a drunk. 

"There is only so much time I have on this world; I do not want to spend it alone if I can spend it happily with you."

This is a story about forbidden love; very much like Romeo and Juliet. Destined to be together but both from different worlds. 

I thought the story started off very strong. I loved how it opened up to us as an audience. It had me intrigued and quite excited. I adore forbidden romances, they're deliciously fun! 

For awhile the story dragged and I felt as if nothing was happening. Or some things would happen so fast that it felt unrealistic.

The romance between Ayden and Echo for instance. I am all for insta-love. But I felt that in Burning Bridges, the main characters didn't have the time to fall in love the way they did. It didn't feel genuine. Which is weird because in chapter one, the opening scene, their love was what hooked me. I guess I would have liked to have more of a build up to the relationship. More forbidden. But everyone knew about them. 

Aside from that, I did very much enjoy the book. Echo is a strong willed and "doesn't take no crap from nobody" kind of girl. At times she could be very whiny and annoying. But I think it's just her being an immature teenager. 

"If I could, I would knock down every border that dared stand in my way of getting to you everyday."

I think Ayden is positively dreamy. His loyalty and love for his family is what makes him such a great guy. And his eyes. His eyes which are violet! Ah I love it! 

Burning Bridges is an action packed book filled with forbidden romance, betrayal, and some twists that will drop your jaw. 

I can't wait to read the next one and to see what kind of journey is in store for Ayden and Echo. 

*revew copy given to me by author for honest review*

Review: Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters

Summary: 

A New Adult Dark Contemporary Romance, not suitable for people sensitive to grief, slavery, and nonconsensual sex. A story about finding love in the strangest of places, a will of iron that grows from necessity, and forgiveness that may not be enough.


“My life was complete. Happy, content, everything neat and perfect.
Then it all changed.
I was sold.”


Tess Snow has everything she ever wanted: one more semester before a career in property development, a loving boyfriend, and a future dazzling bright with possibility. 

For their two year anniversary, Brax surprises Tess with a romantic trip to Mexico. Sandy beaches, delicious cocktails, and soul-connecting sex set the mood for a wonderful holiday. With a full heart, and looking forward to a passion filled week, Tess is on top of the world.

But lusty paradise is shattered.

Kidnapped. Drugged. Stolen. Tess is forced into a world full of darkness and terror. 

Captive and alone with no savior, no lover, no faith, no future, Tess evolves from terrified girl to fierce fighter. But no matter her strength, it can’t save her from the horror of being sold.

Can Brax find Tess before she’s broken and ruined, or will Tess’s new owner change her life forever?

My Review-

Kidnapped. Stolen. Taken. Sold. Look at it however which way you want, but the cold hard truth is that Tess has been trafficked. And sold to the highest bidder. Say what?

Tears of Tess caught my eye from a friend on goodreads recommending it to me. Of course I was intrigued. I just had to have the book. 

What I read was so much better than what I thought i was going to get. It's true erotica with some BDSM, which I tend to shy away from. (Fifty shades of grey doesn't count.) Anyways, there were some parts in the book where I had to stop reading and put it down. Like I said before, I am more of a romance chick with some sex thrown in the story. So BDSM and slaves, is well on past my comfort zone. 

But...

I couldn't stop reading. It was so intense...

It was dark...so dark. And it had such a sensual feel to it that it made you think as if you were just as messed up in the head like the characters in the book were. 

I loved this. 

It's like a f*cked up version of Beauty and the Beast. Except instead of Belle wishing there was more to life(like in her books), it has to do with a girl's dark desire to be a submissive. Both are clearly unhappy with their lives. Then they are both held captive in a mansion by a monster but fall in love with said monster. Monsters have secrets with secret desires. But where as Beauty and the Beast is a love story taught as a lesson in life; loving someone for who they are on the inside. Tears of Tess is about breaking free from the cage. The cage of someone you pretend to be, when what you really feel deep down inside  makes you a completely different person. A true person to one's identity. A dark person. Someone who has desires beyond "normal". 

You shy away from that desire and you're ashamed. But then...you find someone whose mind may be just as f*cked up as yours. 

"I'm no one's possession. I belong to me, and for the first time, I know how powerful that is." -Tess

Tess is a fighter. She has fire in her eyes and doesn't back down to anyone. It's her saving grace and her downfall. It's her blessing and her curse. 

Q is a f*cked up man. I don't know how else to put it. Underneath the monster though is a kind and gentle man. We sometimes get to see that side of him. But mostly he's battling demons that we as readers don't even begin to understand. 

Ooh I can't begin to tell you how much this book has made me feel. So I'll save you the trouble of reading my words and give you some advice. Go buy the book! You won't regret it. 

Review: Indigo by Fiauna Lund

Title: Indigo
Author: Fiauna Lund
Expected Release Date: September 1, 2013
Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing
Genre: Fantasy Fiction | Young Adult

INDIGO Synopsis:

When Brit Kavanagh was a baby her mother disappeared, but not before she gave her daughter wings—sewn into her skin with needle and thread.

Seventeen years later, Brit’s quiet, protected life is turned upside-down when her father dies, leaving her in the care of relatives she hardly knows. Almost from the moment she arrives in her new home, Brit is haunted by the terrifying apparition of a banshee and disaster strikes wherever she goes. From a near-drowning experience to a house fire at a crowded party, no one around her is safe.

Brit is desperate to unravel the mysteries behind her wings and the curse of the banshee before someone else gets hurt. The only person who can help her is Gentry O’Neill, a handsome lifeguard who knows more than he’s telling. With Gentry’s help, Brit must embark on a journey of discovery that will lead her through her mother’s troubled past, her father’s dark secrets, and the horrifying truth of her own existence.

ABOUT FIAUNA LUND:

Fiauna Lund is a grown woman with an overactive imagination, a passion for writing, four children, and the dirty house to prove it.

Reading and writing have always been passions for Fiauna. During her childhood she spent hours exploring the woods of rural western Pennsylvania where she first began creating stories about faeries, pixies, magic, and mystical creatures.

She met her husband, Aaron, while attending Utah State University, and later earned a degree in human services from Columbia College which allowed her to study the uniquely challenged and inspiring people who serve as her collective muse. She now resides in Farmington, Utah. When she's not reading, writing, or running, she spends her time caring for her four adorable children and one rambunctious dog.

REVIEW--

 After losing her father to a car accident, Brit finds herself living in a new town with her aunt and family. It's there in the town of Tigard, that Brit starts noticing weird things happening to her. Weird things such as near death experiences. 

After almost drowning at a pool party for her aunt's homeowners meeting due to seeing a mysterious woman in the pool; Brit has no idea who this enchantingly beautiful woman is. And why she wants her dead.

Indigo is a YA paranormal novel about the fae. Or Fairy folk. As you read in the synopsis, this story involves a banshee and how Brit may or may not be in the path to becoming one. I love how Indigo isn't at all what I expected it to be.

Books about the fae are one of my favorite types of books. Of course I like seeing the different ways authors portray what fae is to them. Some of my favorite series involving fae are The Fever series by Karen M Moning and The Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa. Both completely different from Indigo but I love it all the same.

Brit is not your typical teen, well obviously, the girls got wings! At the beginning she was closed off and aloof. For good reason but it was nice seeing her make friends and have a cute boy interested in her.

Which brings me to Gentry. Sweet gentry.

Gentry is the type of guy your parents want you to date and the guy that every girl wants. He reads poetry(swoon), he is a runner, and he is super hot. Oh and he is nice but did I mention he's hot? Anyways, Gentry has some secrets as well as Brit.

Want to know the secret? Well, too bad. You will need to read the book to find out what the secrets are. You will also find out why her mother wants her so bad. You might even find out if Brit is a banshee...or not.

Indigo is for those who enjoy YA paranormal romance that involves fairies.

I want to thank Rhemelda Publishing for giving me the chance to read and review Indigo. 

LINK UP!!

Twitter and Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RhemaldaPublishing

https://twitter.com/FiaunaL or Follow @FiaunaL

https://twitter.com/Rhemalda or Follow @Rhemalda

Product Pages

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18304892-indigo

http://shop.rhemalda.com/product/indigo.html

http://www.amazon.com/Indigo-Fiauna-Lund/dp/1936850826/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377037966&sr=8-1&keywords=indigo+by+fiauna+lund

Publisher and Author Site

http://rhemalda.com/

http://fiaunalund.com/

ADVANCED PRAISE FOR INDIGO:

"The world and characters drew me right in. Fiauna Lund had me right from the start." -Elizabeth Mueller, YA author ofDarkspell

"Indigo weaves a tragic legend into an intricate, delicious tale. Put wondrous creatures like the fae into an achingly real setting like this one, and you've got real magic." -Michelle Davidson Argyle, author of The Breakaway and Bonded

"Indigo is a must-have for every young adult who loves the fantasy genre. They will be captivated by the mystery, suspense and believable romance that continues throughout the novel until you're left wanting more. Don't miss this new novel by upcoming author Fiauna Lund." -Rachel McClellan, author of the YA Fractured Light series and Confessions of a Cereal Mother

"In Indigo, fans of Aprilynne Pike and Julie Kagawa will discover the next twist in fairy lore-and it's all about the banshee." -Amber Argyle, author of Witch Song and Witch Born

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