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Catching Liam (Good Girls Don’t #1) Book Review

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Synopsis

Twenty-one year-old Jillian Nichols only has one rule when it comes to boys: catch and release. Boy-catching isn’t just a game for Jillian and her friends, it’s a lifestyle. After all, boys might be good for a dance or a drink and certainly a little under-cover action of the scandalous variety, but expect much else and you’re bound for heart ache.

So when her best friends and fellow boy catchers start dropping like flies junior year, Jillian is determined to keep boys in her bedroom and out of her heart. Until she meets Liam McAvoy, the kind of guy that sticks around to make waffles and who can’t—or perhaps won’t—take a hint. 

Study abroad student Liam doesn’t want to be another notch on Jillian’s bedpost. Actually he has much more interesting ideas for Jillian and her bedposts, but his student visa’s set expiration date means he can’t promise her forever. That doesn’t mean he’s going to walk away from the challenge of discovering why Jillian is hell-bent at keeping people at a distance. 

Before long, neither is sure who is catching who—or if they’re playing for keeps. Jillian knows one thing though: falling in love will not only break the only rule of boy-catching, it could also break her heart. 

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My Review 

I absolutely devoured this book…in one sitting. I love…love…love Liam! Can someone find me a Liam, please? This book is endearingly beautiful. Where do I begin? Liam…I think I’ll start with him…yummmmmo hehe 

Ok, ok I’ll actually start with Jill. Jill wakes up one morning after a crazy and wild night. She wakes to the scent of vanilla. As she puts the night together she remembers a guy named Liam who came home with her. While she expected him to be gone in the morning, Liam is in her kitchen stark naked making her waffles. Jill has a philosophy…catch and release. It’s worked well for her in the past except…it really hasn’t. She’s distanced herself from others, particularly men who could potentially start a relationship with her. Clearly Jill is dealing with some issues but we don’t exactly know what at this point. She stealthily gets him out of her apartment in hopes of never seeing him again…

The only problem is when Jill walks into class the morning after their romp in the sack and guess who she notices sitting next to her…Liam. As if that wasn’t bad enough she is then paired up with him for the semester by their professor. They have to effectively communicate with one another the entire semester, something Jill isn’t too thrilled about. She’s desperate to get out of this class but heard it’s an easy A something her transcript could use especially if she wants to continue attending school.

Liam wants to know more about Jill. He wants her around and he’ll do anything to get more than a one-night stand. Liam makes no secret of his intentions and even makes his feelings known to the entire class. Their professor uses their conversation as an example on how to effectively communicate, pointing out errors Liam is making and giving tips on how to communicate better. Jill is embarrassed and ready to drop the class just to avoid Liam, her classmates and her professor. Liam cuts her a deal, if she sticks around and helps him with their project, he will back off and keep things platonic.

She has her reservations but finally agrees to be his partner but as they begin to work together Liam begins to break down those walls… slowly but surely Jill becomes more receptive to his advances but Jill is hiding a secret, a big one that she is certain will change the way Liam sees her. She wants him around; she’s slowly coming to terms with that idea. The problem is, Liam is going back to Scotland. Oh yes, did I forget to mention our resident hottie is Scottish? Yeah…he is. Oh, Liam! ::fans self:: LOL

Not only is he going back to Scotland at the end of the year, but also Jill is hiding a secret, a big one that she knows will affect the way Liam sees her. She is convinced when he finds out their relationship will be over. She uses her defense mechanism to push him away because Jill knows what’s happening between them. It scares her. Jill knows one of two things will happen – either she will end up heartbroken or Liam will. She’s convinced either way this will end badly. But will it? Is Liam like all the rest of the guys she’s pushed away or will he stick by her side?

I really enjoyed this book. It tugged at my heartstrings. The characters were lovable and well developed. The relationship between Liam and Jill left me rooting for a HEA. I can’t give away the secret or how this ends but I desperately hope that there will be more to this story. It ended in a way where you are completely satisfied but left things open enough for another book…perhaps hehe. 

*This book was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.*

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A Missing Peace Blog Tour, Review/Favorite Quotes & Giveaway

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Synopsis 

A turbulent, emotionally charged YA novel that breaks down barriers and challenges the status quo…
Angry, seventeen-year-old Iraqi war refugee Mirriam Yohanna hates her new life in Killeen, Texas, where the main attraction is a military base, populated with spoiled army brats like Caleb Miller.
Caleb has much to be angry about too, including Mirriam who turns him down flat in front of everyone. Eager for retribution, Caleb agrees to a dare that will see him take Mirriam to the prom and regain his pride.
But their relationship soon moves beyond high school antics. Mirriam and Caleb are bound together by more than location, and as they are forced to work closely together on a school assignment, they start to uncover an explosive story that has the potential to ruin lives — and both of their futures. One single truth changes everything and strengthens their bond.
When Mirriam’s family discovers their relationship, they decide it’s time to arrange her marriage to a proper Iraqi man. Caleb must convince Mirriam that he is in it for forever — or risk losing her for good. 

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Review
This was one of the best books I’ve read all summer in fact I think it may be one of the best books I’ve read this year. This book is considered Young Adult but I feel it caters to anyone who is politically minded, interested in current events or someone who generally enjoys a forbidden romance. I highly recommend this book to all readers. 


The truest statement I’ve ever read in a synopsis –
“A turbulent, emotionally charged YA novel that breaks down barriers and challenges the status quo…”
That description absolutely nails this book!
Let’s start with my own summary
Mirriam Yohanna an Iraqi refugee comes to Killeen, TX – a military town. Mirriam harbors more baggage than the average American teenager. She intends to keep to herself until graduation when she can leave this town behind and all the small-minded people who live in it. That is her plan, until she meets Caleb Miller. Caleb is an All-American teenage dream. He’s a football player and everyone loves him. He’s also an army brat…in Mirriam’s opinion. They have a few run-ins that first day of school, but it isn’t until Caleb’s buddies set a bet, one that Caleb willingly agrees to take on. His goal is to get her to go to prom with him but only to recover from her blowing him off in front of his friends.
Lucky for him Mirriam walks into his Government class. He volunteers to partner up with Mirriam in order to get closer to her. The class begins and Mirriam silently listens on as her teacher speaks of Iraq in a manner that Mirriam disagrees with. She can’t stand the propaganda and speaks up causing an all out debate to ensue, leaving both Mirriam and Caleb arguing over who is right and who is wrong concerning the war. Caleb admits he lost his dad in Iraq and Mirriam tells the story of her father dying at the hands of an American solider. Each carry the weight of losing a beloved parent neither knowing just how much they have in common.
Why did I love this book? 
The short, easy answer is: it’s a great book. It was well written with an excellent storyline and two lovable protagonists! The political aspect intrigued me and it basically challenged the way many people think about politics, government and war. I loved that! I am a junkie when it comes to politics and government so that aspect of the story stuck with me the most. The book is romantic but it covers a wide range of serious topics, the story just fell together beautifully for me. 
Beth Fred really creates a powerful tale of two young people who are on a quest for truth and justice! Ha! That sounds like I’m discussing a comic book hero but in all seriousness this book evoked a strong sense of the human spirit overall. The ability for us to look past our differences, to coexist, even love. I felt that I personally could relate to this story so I think that also played a huge part of why I loved it so much.
I wouldn’t mind a sequel…K, thanks Beth haha 😉
Favorite Quotes  
I tried to choose a few of my favorite quotes that wouldn’t give too much of the storyline away. I feel this is a book everyone needs to read and interpret in their own way and I felt it was important to keep certain aspects of this review spoiler free.

“We’re there to keep terrorists from doing things like that.”
A single tear rolled down my face. In spite of this, I let out a laugh. “Except, he was shot by an American soldier.” Caleb’s mouth gaped. He rocked back in his chair and didn’t say anything else.”

 

“Sure, friends,” I said, “but it’s probably a good idea to do something that doesn’t require us to talk much.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Caleb, I call what the U.S. did to us an ‘invasion’. You call it ‘aid’, and I don’t think either one of us are changing our minds anytime soon.” 
He nodded, both defiant and sympathetic in a single motion.” 

 

“Won’t happen.”
“Try me.” 
Instead of looking for a reply, I took a huge chance. The kind of risk you could easily regret. I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers. It didn’t take long to force her lips open. She clasped one hand around each of my arms and squeezed tightly. She was kissing back. It was perfect.”

 

“She stepped out the door then turned back, grabbed my face and kissed me with an urgency she hadn’t before. 
I held onto her and pressed her body to mine until I realized she had no plans of breaking this. When her body started to curl around mine, I pulled away. “It’s going to be okay. I promise, M. I meant what I said. I won’t let anyone take you from me.” 

I could go on and on but I seriously want you all to go out and get this book. It’s worth the read!
Purchase A Missing Peace for Kindle  |  Nook  |  Paperback

 

Giveaway
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bethfred

About the Author
Meet Beth Fred! A full time ELF keeper and part time writer/blogger/writing instructor. Beth likes her tea hot, her romance sweet, and her guys chivalrous. Real men hold open doors, refer to you as ma’am, make promises they keep, and aren’t afraid to profess their undying love. It’s not breakfast if there aren’t carbs (at least, not in the South). Fajitas, carnitas, and churros are just a few of Beth’s favorite things. Bet you can’t guess where she’s from.   

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Crossing by Stacey Benefiel Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway

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Synopsis 
*Due to heavy subject matter, Crossing is recommended for readers 17+. 
He stole her lipstick…and her heart.Twenty-year-old Dani Walker can’t believe her luck when she’s paired up with the gorgeous Liam Garrett as her Acting I scene partner – or when he ends up in her bed. Being a Plain Jane with a mouth on her hasn’t exactly served Dani well in the guy department. In fact, she’s had nothing but one night stands. Still, she lets go of her insecurities and falls for Liam, despite feeling like he’s holding something back.When Dani finally discovers Liam’s secret, she must learn the true meaning of accepting the ones we love for who they are, or risk losing the best thing that’s ever happened to her. 
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Review  
Here are my thoughts……….
I really enjoyed reading this book, but it took an unexpected yet somehow refreshing turn for me. While I was able to roll with it, see it through and actually enjoy it — I will be honest and say this may not be for every reader. With that said, I do recommend this for anyone who is open-minded/nonjudgmental; anyone who is accepting of others no matter their beliefs, practices or preferences. This author surprised me but I liked the fact that I didn’t necessarily expect some of the turns along this somewhat bumpy ride.
Lets start with Dani. Twenty-year old Dani is a sophomore in college looking for a change of direction. She switches her English education major to what she has longed to do since starting college — Theatre. There she befriends Liam. Beautiful, Liam, who actually can keep up with her witty remarks and for some reason they become quite comfortable around one another. They become scene partners and slowly, but surely a romance begins to blossom. There is a lot of playful and witty banter throughout this book – which I absolutely loved.
Dani has a problem, she is a master at self-depreciation. She uses her wit to downplay a lot of her so called flaws. She doesn’t believe a man like Liam could like her or even love her. She’s been through a lot, but never been in love or even had a relationship beyond a one night stand. Liam refuses to be a notch on her list and wants more than anything to show her how special she is. The fall into an easy yet comfortable relationship but Liam has a secret…one that could possibly change the course of their relationship permanently. While Dani suspects Liam is keeping something from her, she cares so deeply for him she is afraid to question him for fear of losing him. Things get complicated and Dani must decide if this relationship is worth sticking out or if she is in over her head?
I definitely fell in love with both characters. Dani is a loving, accepting individual who cares deeply for her friends and Liam. They both accept one another and encourage each other in ways others can’t possibly understand. Their relationship transcends boundaries and is quite inspiring. I really enjoyed the humor, the love, and the uniqueness of this book. 
While I really enjoyed this very sweet, unconventional love story it may not be a read for those who are of the narrow/close-minded persuasion. If you’re an open-minded individual, this is a book you will enjoy, even love. I definitely did. 

*This book was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.*

Purchase Crossing for Kindle  |  Nook  |  Paperback

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Giveaway
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stacey
About the Author 

Stacey Wallace Benefiel is the author of the Zellie Wells trilogy, FOUND, the Day of Sacrifice series, The Toilet Business – a collection of essays,CROSSING, and multiple short stories.

She sometimes goes by S.W. Benefiel or Reina Stowe, but knows she’s not foolin’ anybody.

Stacey lives in an orange house in Beaverton, OR with her two young children 

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads 

 

Catching Liam Book Blitz

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Synopsis:

Twenty-one year-old Jillian Nichols only has one rule when it comes to boys: catch and release. Boy-catching isn’t just a game for Jillian and her friends, it’s a lifestyle. After all, boys might be good for a dance or a drink and certainly a little under-cover action of the scandalous variety, but expect much else and you’re bound for heart ache.

So when her best friends and fellow boy catchers start dropping like flies junior year, Jillian is determined to keep boys in her bedroom and out of her heart. Until she meets Liam McAvoy, the kind of guy that sticks around to make waffles and who can’t—or perhaps won’t—take a hint.

Study abroad student Liam doesn’t want to be another notch on Jillian’s bedpost. Actually he has much more interesting ideas for Jillian and her bedposts, but his student visa’s set expiration date means he can’t promise her forever. That doesn’t mean he’s going to walk away from the challenge of discovering why Jillian is hell-bent at keeping people at a distance.

Before long, neither is sure who is catching who—or if they’re playing for keeps. Jillian knows one thing though: falling in love will not only break the only rule of boy-catching, it could also break her heart.
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Buy Catching Liam for Kindle  |  Kobo  |  Nook

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Liam’s “Caught You” Waffles

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups warm milk

1/3 cup butter, melted

Secret ingredient #1: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Secret ingredient #2: 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Directions

This recipe will make about 10-12 waffles.  The perfect amount to impress any roommates that straggle in, or to feast on if you’ve pulled an all-nighter.

  1. Preheat waffle iron to desired temperature. I like it really hot.  I know, I know. That’s what she said.  Now would be a good time to make sure you push the iron far enough back on the counter to avoid any burns through accidental contact of your hands…or other areas.

  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar, and I do mean sift.  Don’t just throw it all in the bowl.  You have to give it a little attention.  Mix it up a little.  Don’t just set it aside.

  3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Here’s my trick.  If your girl’s still sleeping, separate the eggs first.  Whip the egg whites like they’ve been naughty until soft peaks form.  Stir in the milk, yolks, butter and vanilla. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Mix together until combined, but don’t overdo it.  Too much attention and they’ll come out tough instead of crisp and slightly chewy.

  4. Ladle the batter into a preheated waffle iron. Don’t get burned.  Cook the waffles until golden.  Refrain from getting distracted with extra-culinary activities.

  5. Serve before she or the waffles get cold.

About the Author:
Sophia
Sophia Bleu is a secret identity where I can write about fantasies and falling in love and all the smexiness in between.  In real life, I’m likely catching a plane, chasing kids, or making out with the love of my life—all 6 ft 3 inches of hotness that he is.  Life is pretty good.

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Out of Breath Book Review

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*This book was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.

Synopsis

Emma leaves Weslyn and everyone in it behind to attend Stanford University, just as she always intended. A shell of her former self, she is not the same girl. She is broken, and the only way that she’ll be whole again is through forgiveness. Emma must find a way to forgive herself and recognize her own worth before she can receive the love she deserves. This final installment will have readers holding their breath until the very last page.

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Out of Breath, Book 3 of the Breathing Series is finally here and I am sad it is over. I don’t think I can adequately put into words my love for this series and Rebecca Donovan’s stellar writing, but here goes. What an emotional ride!!! I was nearly about to give up on this book. I had palpitations reading this one. I was nervous yet excited. My heart raced and my stomach dropped. By 12% I was disappointed and unsure of my feelings, but I kept reading knowing that Rebecca Donovan has managed to completely surprise me in the past. By 20% I was hooked. I could not put the book down. At 50% I was in a state of shock.

“Living in the mistakes of your past isn’t going to do anything but destroy your future”

Emma scared the hell out of me, more so in this book than the previous two. I was terrified of the choices she made. Early on I hated what was happening to her, she was lost and utterly broken. It was unlike anything I had expected. I was sad and upset at a lot of her decisions but I understood how messed up things were for her. Emma was screwed up from the first two books but in this book Emma took it to a whole different level. I feared for her and didn’t know what to expect,  every decision she made had me on the edge of my seat. I seriously had anxiety throughout most of this book and I most certainly was holding my breath!

What about Evan, you ask? Well, he’s still one of the most incredible book boyfriends EVER! I was in a panic when things progressed in this book and he was no where to be found. I was anxious, to say the least, but boy oh boy was his return worth every nail biting moment! I don’t want to give away too much so that’s all I will say about Evan. I just wanted to hug them both and make things better, you will go through emotional hell reading this one but it will be worth it, I promise.

Sadly at 70 some odd % the exhaustion took over and I had to call it a night. I could not keep my eyes open and I tried desperately to finish but the last few days of little to no sleep finally caught up with me. I gave in. I woke up and the first thing on my mind was Out of Breath. I knew I would never be able to breath again until I finished. My kindle was my first priority of the day! Damn a shower, damn brushing my teeth, damn breakfast and damn getting out of bed. I grabbed my kindle, powered it on and continued from where I left off. I needed to know how it would end. I seriously did not start my day until I finished this book and it was worth every minute. I was not disappointed. I devoured the last few chapters. This book is emotional, raw and gritty. I loved it, but it was a completely bittersweet feeling knowing this was the final book of the series. I was satisfied with the ending…but, I wouldn’t be opposed to a continuation of this story in the future…hey, a girl can dream 😉

This is a must read and if you have yet to check out the series…what are you waiting for? All three books are out, ready and waiting for you.

Go.

Read.

Now.

Purchase Out of Breath for Kindle or Purchase Out of Breath in Paperback

Need the entire series…

Book 1Reason to Breathe for Kindle or Reason to Breathe in Paperback

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Book 2Barely Breathing for Kindle or Barely Breathing in Paperback

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More on this author:

http://rebeccadonovan.com

http://www.goodreads.com/RebeccaDonovan

https://twitter.com/BeccaDonovan

https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaDonovanAuthor

Out Of Breath (The Breathing Series, #3)

Rebecca Donovan’s third installment of The Breathing Series — Out of Breath is finally here!

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I’ve eagerly anticipated the release of this book since reading the first two in the series. The second book left me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to start this one. If you haven’t already read Reason to Breathe or Barely Breathing what are you waiting for? These books are amazing. I could not put them down. I’ll admit, the first book ended with a crazy cliffhanger but it was well worth the read. The second book left me in awe. I sat wondering, guessing and hoping. I thought the suspense would surely kill me. But here we are…July 2nd release and I’m starting my copy today!!! Go ahead and add it to your goodreads shelf and while you’re at it go on and order yourself a copy!

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Order for Kindle or Order in Paperback

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