Burning by @ElanaKArnold ~Review&Giveaway!

Goodreads Synopsis- Ben: Having just graduated from high school, Ben is set to leave Gypsum, Nevada. It's good timing since the gypsum mine that is the lifeblood of the area is closing, shutting the whole town down with it. Ben is lucky: he's headed to San Diego, where he's got a track scholarship at the University of California. But his best friends, Pete and Hog Boy, don't have college to look forward to, so to make them happy, Ben goes with them to check out the hot chick parked on the side of Highway 447.

Lala: She and her Gypsy family earn money by telling fortunes. Some customers choose Tarot cards; others have their palms read. The thousands of people attending the nearby Burning Man festival spend lots of cash--especially as Lala gives uncanny readings. But lately Lala's been questioning whether there might be more to life than her upcoming arranged marriage. And the day she reads Ben's cards is the day that everything changes for her. . . and for him.

My Thoughts & Ramblings...

Burning was definitely a book I am not used to reading. Sure, vampires and bad boys are fun but it can get old after awhile. But a book about a gypsy girl and a regular boy? Now that's something I wasn't expecting.

The gypsy culture isn't one I am familiar with, so it was interesting reading from Lala's  pov. Her character is not like most. She is wise beyond her years, friendly , exotic, and loyal. I liked her immediately. She has been arranged to marry her sister's husband's brother. Get all that?:)

His name is Romeo but he is anything but. 

I love how Lala's culture is all about family unity. Everyone has a place in their community. A woman's job is to stay at home and cook, clean, and take care of babies. While a man is expected to work. Now I understand many of you would probably balk at this since in modern day times, men and women both work and do house duties together. I am a working woman and a mother too. But there is something about wanting to be able to be at home with my children and taking care of my husband by having a clean house and a hot meal on the table for him at the end of the day. For many of us it doesn't always work that way. That is what I find so fascinating about the gypsy ways. 

We also get Ben's pov as well. His family, along with the whole town, are all packing and getting ready to move out of the small town of Gypsum. Ben will be moving to San Diego while his family will be moving to Reno.

So Ben...

He is beautiful, athletic, and kind. That might sound like a dud, but it works for him. He is also loyal and is a leader in the eyes of his friends. 

When Ben and Lala meet it is instant attraction for both of them, although Lala does not show it. I loved reading their story, it was kind of like Romeo and Juliet! Forbidden love is the best kind, am i right? 

Burning was a bit slow moving in the beginning but the end result was worth it. The characters felt real and their problems were something I could identify with. Some things I couldn't. 

What does freedom mean to you? Freedom plays a big part in the story. Maybe not so much with Ben but with Lala. After all, she is the one who craves to be let out and to experience the outside world. 

If you are looking for a book filled with forbidden romance, families, friendships, a unique gypsy girl, a gorgeous guy, and some heartbreak...then this is for you!

*ARC provided by Random House Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Giveaway time!! Feel out the rafflecopter below:)

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http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5772357.Elana_K_Arnold <===Elana's Goodreads page

Http://www.goodreads.com/jessybabe14 <==== Mine!

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Dare You To By Katie McGarry

Goodreads Summary:

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

My Thoughts:

Many of you have met Beth in the first book Pushing the Limits, where she was a secondary character. She was the rough around the edges and bitchy best friend of Noah and Isaiah. I am not going to lie I did not care for her, I thought she was rude and didn't give Echo a chance. I loved Echo and Noah's story, it was gut wrenching and real. Much like Dare You To is.

Reading Beth's story has opened my eyes and I feel I may have judged her too harshly while reading Pushing the Limits. I was able to look inside a misunderstood and broken girl's mind and heart and see so much pain. There is more to Beth than what she chooses to show the world. I love that about a character, especially one as complex as Beth.

"I am not kittens and bunnies, but I am not that bad." -Beth

At the beginning of the story we meet Ryan. I know what you are thinking, who in the hell is Ryan!? Well my lovely friends, Ryan is the main man in this story and as perfect as he may seem, he is as deeply flawed as Beth is. He and his friends are known for the ultimate dares and Ryan being the ultimate competitor, never backs down from a challenge. In walks Beth, his latest challenge.

Poor guy, he never stood a chance.

"When you kiss guys, do they drop dead from the venom that spews out of your mouth?"- Ryan

Cue next scene

This is where the story starts to turn around. Beth takes the fall for her mother in order to keep her from going to jail. In return, she has to go live with her Uncle Scott. And I say has to go because she  has no choice since her long lost uncle now has custody over her.

As fate would have it, that is exactly where Ryan is located and the exact place that Beth needs to be.

Wow, my mind is still reeling from all the emotions I felt while reading Dare You To. I cried (alot), I laughed out loud, I felt our two beautiful main characters pain as if it were my own, and I fell in love. Don't shoot me...but I think I liked this more than Noah and Echo's story. Totally different storyline and everything. I just felt like I could relate more to this story.

Ryan...oh man, as I mentioned before he is flawed. His whole family is flawed but you would never know it from the outside looking in. His whole life is perfect in the eyes of Beth and she doesn't feel she is worthy enough for his love. He is so beautiful inside and out. Just a full on package, brains, beauty, and he is athletic. He plays baseball! I love baseball, so I definitely love him and can relate to him as a pitcher. Since I was one also, but for softball:)

"You're falling for me like I am falling for you. That's why you are pushing me so hard."- Ryan

The romance was my favorite kind. It was definitely not love at first sight and they were able to grow into loving each other. Ryan and Beth took a chance on each other by trusting one another and letting down their walls. That is what falling in love is all about. It isn't easy, but it's worth it. Dare You To proves that.

You are probably wondering about Noah, Echo, and Isaiah. Good news is we do get to see them! Bad news is, it may not be as much as you want. Surprisingly, I was okay with this. I liked getting to know Ryan and his friends, I even liked the interactions with Scott.

Katie McGarry has done it again. I will read anything by this lady! The characters she has created have been embedded into my heart and I will not be letting them go anytime soon.

Thank you to Harlequin & NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

The Last Boyfriend Review by @JSCooperauthor

Goodreads Summary:
Lucky Morgan has had her share of heartbreak. She is devastated when her boyfriend dumps her after sleeping with him and she vows to herself that she won't be used again. She decides that the next guy she dates and sleeps with, will be her one true love.

Zane Beaumont is the mysterious and snooty guy that comes into her diner every Friday night with a different girl. He's the type of guy she's learned to avoid: carefree, fast, handsome, rich, and sarcastic. Unfortunately, she can't stop thinking about the devilish gleam in his eyes.

When Lucky's car breaks down one night after a party, it is Zane who comes to her rescue. As Zane attempts to sweep Lucky off of her feet, she soon realizes that nothing is as it seems and that Zane may very well be the guy for whom she changes the rules. That is until she meets Braydon.


My Thoughts:
I may have a teeny, tiny spoiler...read at your own descretion.

Lucky is a 22 year old college student and waitress at a diner. That is where she meets Zane. Beautiful and confusing Zane. Lucky is his waitress and every Friday night for the past 3 months, Zane is seen with a different girl. Uh, can we say player?! Seriously, a different girl every Friday night! Anyways, lucky and him form a sort of friendship but not before Zane tells her there will never be anything more than friendship. Well, maybe friends with benefits, but that's it! Sounds like a great guy, huh? But at least he was honest up front right?

Braydon was a cool guy, I really did like him. He seemed like a genuinely nice and polite dude. Little do we know...
Oh and he also happens to be the hottest young actor in Hollywood. What is not to like?


The title is a clever title because it signifies that Lucky wont settle, the next boyfriend she has, will be her last. The reason for this is because something happened to her the year before and it made her rethink having just dates with boys. I wish I would have thought of that;)

You can find and follow J. S. Cooper at these websites:

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/J.-S.-Cooper/e/B00BROAPDU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1367289069&sr=8-1

 

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/J.S.Cooperauthor

 

Personal website- http://jscooperauthor.com/

 

Twitter- @JSCooperauthor

 

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1013599.J_S_Cooper

 

Alright, I hope all you lovely people have a great day!

Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec Review

Summary:
Claire is a twenty-something, single mom that grudgingly helps her best friend sell sex toys while she attempts to make enough money to start her own business to give her foul-mouthed, but extremely love able (when he's asleep) toddler a better life.

When Carter, the one-night-stand from her past that changed her life forever, shows up in her hometown bar without any recollection of her besides her unique chocolate scent, Claire will make it a point that he remembers her this time.

With Carter's undisguised shock at suddenly finding out he has a four-year-old son and Claire's panic that her stretch marks and slim to none bedroom experience will send the man of her dreams heading for the hills, the pair will do whatever they can to get their happily ever after.

Warning: contains explicit sex, profanity and enough sarcasm to choke a horse.

My thoughts on the book:
My first thought as soon as I finished Seduction and Snacks was, "wow, I was not expecting that." Seriously, I have not laughed that hard at a book in..well ever. I was constantly laughing from the first page until the very last. It may have to do with the fact that I am a mom and I could relate to some of the stuff Claire was going through. And stuff I have YET to go through considering I have a three year old little boy. At least I know I can have a good laugh along the way.

I recently just found out about the Chocolate Lovers series not long ago. It has been about a year since the book has been out but I just had to share with everyone how awesome I found it. I even converted a few of my work friends into the reading it and needless to say, they love it too. I am going to be starting the second asap.

There were some parts in the book that lagged but for the most part it was an entertaining plot. The characters were well developed and all had a sense of humor. They were also like able, almost as if you would want them as your best friends. Okay, I admit...I DO want them as my best friends! Hah

Claire is a great heroine. I really enjoyed reading and getting inside her head. I love how much of a softy she was at heart even though she tried to prove to people that she was a bad ass. I mean yes, she was a bad ass but still.

Carter is dreamy but the one that stole the show was Gavin by far! That kid was crazy times a hundred, I have no idea what I would do if he was my kid. I would definitely have to laugh behind closed doors that's for sure. Some of the things he does and says you want to smack him but secretly smile and giggle because he is such a clever/witty/smart ass little boy.

This is a humorously sexy book. If you have not yet had the chance to read it, go and get it now!!

Amazon link:
Seduction and Snacks (Chocolate Lovers #1)
 http://www.amazon.com/Seduction-Snacks-Chocolate-Lovers-ebook/dp/B008AZTUU8/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1
It is only $1.99 y'all.

Hope Blog Tour!!

Hope (The Descendant Trilogy #2) 

BLURB:

Allison now understands who she is and where she comes from, but will it be enough to save the world? She went through a dangerous journey, dragging her young daughter along for the ride, in an attempt to stop the evil Rising Leader, Damien, from opening the Seven Seals and bringing about the Apocalypse. 

But she hasn’t succeeded yet. The Rising still thrives and Lilith has made it her mission to open the remaining Seals so that she and her minions can rule the Earth. 

David and Allison hope that love can conquer all, but in reality, love is never enough. Will they, along with the rest of the gang back at the Compound, be able to stop the Rising?

And where is The Descendant that is prophesied to save them all?

My thoughts:

My thoughts were a bit skeptical when starting Hope. Mainly because I disliked the first book and the way it seemed rushed. So long story short, I wasn't sure I was going to even like Hope. I went into it with an open mind though. I am glad I did too because I liked it more than Power.

I liked how Allison grew as a character. Sometimes you read a sequel and it feels as if the MC did not grow up. That was not the case with Allison. She has a lot of responsibility plus she is a mother of an adorable little girl.

The romance still didn't make me swoon, I felt no connection whatsoever to David and Allison. They were just kind of bland. I would have liked a little more passion but I understand why things were the way they were.

The multiple pov I could have done without, it took away from the story for me. I particularly did not care to see inside Lilith's head. I like a mystery and knowing why she is evil and does the things she does, doesn't intrigue me in the least.

The plot is different and at times exciting! Who doesn't love a good vs evil story? Don't let my opinions turn you off. If you love a good action story mixed with romance this book is for you.

Thank you Theresa for letting me be a part of this book tour:)

Author Contact Info :

www.theresamjones.com
www.twitter.com/mrstheresajones
www.facebook.com/MrsTheresaJones
www.goodreads.com/author/show/6563363.Theresa_M_Jones

GIVEAWAY!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ALSO- remember POWER (The Descendant Trilogy #1) will be FREE during this Blog Hop!! 

http://www.amazon.com/Power-The-Descendant-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00BBFX58C/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1367295839&sr=8-1&keywords=power+theresa+m+jones

Fallen Tears Review

Goodreads Summary:
An élite club of shamed angels – the Fallen – welcomes disgraced super-naturals, like me. Defiant and vengeful, we’re catalysts in destruction and mayhem, much to our angelic adversaries’ dismay. Satisfying the void left in our soulless bodies motivates many Fallen to play with feeble humans. For even though we wield infernal-powers, they have one thing we crave.
Souls.
As a Fallen, an infinite number of days lay before me – if I choose. The Big Man upstairs always gives us a choice. I can accept my fate and perish, or consume a human’s soul and live. The last one I devoured glows like a firefly inside my chest. One day, it’ll flicker and fade into darkness. The Archangels who cast me from heaven would claim victory in the everlasting battle we wage, unless I consume another.
My next victim? A young man with ridiculously enticing lips. Gorgeous doesn’t define his otherworldly appearance. His vogue hairstyle accentuates his sky-blue eyes. His laugh echoes in my ears. His perfect smile is burned to memory. The undeniable urge to consume his soul unveils my wicked inhibitions. I want him… his soul. One teeny problem – he’s protected by a Guardian angel.

My Thoughts:

“For when Angels sin, they fall.” Pg. 11 (nook color)

Miriam is an Angel of Death who is betrayed by her best friend and sister, Jezebell. We first meet the two when Miriram is bringing a soul to the gatekeeper. He then informs Miriam that the soul’s life she took was not yet supposed to die; that he still had yet to fulfill his destiny. She is then stripped of her wings and is destined to live a damned life as a Fallen.

How unfair is that?!

It was not Miriam’s fault by a long shot; how was she to know her own sister would do such a viscous thing?

We come in to the present day and find out that they only way for Miriam to survive is by taking human souls aka killing. She enrolls in a school, and voila! She meets Lincoln who is oh so gorgeous and Miriam’s latest victim. But here is the catch…he is also her soulmate!

What the what??? How…?! Why!!!! Then I thought...oooh this is going to be good! And I wasn’t disappointed in the least. Lincoln is popular, beautiful, and nice. Sound boring? Well it wasn’t, he is great. He also has a jerk of an ex girlfriend who apparently has not been told that she is the big fat X. She is not that significant to me, so I won’t even bother talking about her.

Want to know a secret about her soulmate/latest meal? Lincoln's Guardian Angel is none other than an Angel that Miriam was training back when she wasn't a Fallen. Neat huh?

So back to Lincoln in Miriam, or should I say Miri. That is the name she goes by. She also is able to change her whole appearance! (And I want to say more but I don’t want to give everything away in the book.) I like her actual appearance though (as does Lincoln) because she is more real, also she has tattoos! I don’t even like tattoos either, but they work so well for Miri. Anyways, I am getting sidetracked again. I really enjoyed Miri as a main character. She is strong and bad a**. It is amazing how she tries so hard to be good even though in her mind she thinks she is bad. The ultimate anti-hero is what I kept thinking while reading. Usually it is a man or the boy in the story who plays the “bad” guy but deep downs has good intentions. Not in this case though! Girls Rule.*sticks tongue out*

Fallen Tears proves that love really does conquer all. Overall, I highly recommend reading this wonderful story that is full of romance and action. It will leave you breathless and rooting for two people to race against the odds of being together. The ultimate test of true love is being able to overcome all the obstacles the world throws at you. And in the end being so much stronger than you were in the first place. You can't beat that folks.

To Ms. Sarah J Pepper:
Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review your book. I love how real your characters were and also how relatable they were. I look forward to reading more books from you.

Connect with Sarah:
Twitter: @sarahjpepper
facebook: www.facebook.com/sarah.pepper.754 & www.facebook.come/thefatetrilogybysarahjpepper
website: www.peppersreadingcorner.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5762464.Sarah_J_Pepper

Giveaway time!

Would you like to win a copy of Fallen Tears? Today is your lucky day! Here is what you need to do:

1. Follow Sarah on all her social media sites

2. Follow me on twitter and my blog please:)

3. This includes tweeting about the giveaway and review

4. This is most important...leave a comment below about whether or not you believe love conquers all. Also leave your email address so we can get back to the winner!

That is all. I look forward to reading some of your answers!



Well, hello there! Long time no talk...

Hi fellow readers and blogger friends!

      It has been an extremely long time since I last wrote on my blog. And you will just laugh when you hear what happened. My two year old son spit water all over it and it broke or died! So maybe it isn't THAT funny because I wasn't laughing at all. I cried. I have been so busy with work and raising this heathen child(whom I love with all my heart) that I haven't had much time to go and get the computer fixed. Plus money pays a large factor in this situation also because...well...I am broke!

     My mother has been kind enough to lend me her laptop for the night(Hello Mom!). See, the only source I have from the Internet, since I have no computer,  is my iPhone. I don't know about you guys but I hate writing blog posts on those things. I would much rather have a keyboard.

     During my hiatus, I have read a bunch of books. So many good books that I have fallen in love with. I am going to share a few of my favorites with you, such as some books from the new sub genre "New Adult". New adult novels center mainly around the college aged kids and are for a more mature audience. One of my favorites I have read recently is My Favorite Mistake by Chelsea M. Cameron.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15748898-my-favorite-mistake <=== click here for the excerpt.

That Boy & That Wedding by Jillian Dodd

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11382346-that-boy

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13361570-that-wedding

The Perfect Game by J. Sterling

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15783307-the-perfect-game

Losing It by Cora Carmack

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15783307-the-perfect-game

And lastly....

The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16081272-the-edge-of-never

     I could go on forever with all the amazing reads I have had. Seriously. If you have not had the chance to read one of these wonderfully charged books full of romance, sexual angst(&sex!), some death and finding yourself, please go read them. You won't be disappointed and if you are, well then you didn't hear this from me;)

Have a great night everyone!

P.S. Thank you to all the new followers, you are GREATLY appreciated.

P.S.S. To all the followers that I have had from the beginning, thank you for sticking with me this long. I love you all! I know I can be boring, ha!

Here is some food for thought...

What do you guys think of The Host trailer?