Articles

Aug 26 2015

RELEASE BLITZ: Fallen Crest University (Fallen Crest High #5) by Tijan

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 1 Comment

fallen crest it's live

Sam & Mason return in Fallen Crest University!

 

Now Available!

 

Amazon US   |   Amazon UK   |   Barnes & Noble   |   Kobo   |   iBooks

 

fallen crest university

Blurb
Fallen Crest is back with a vengeance! 
Samantha, Mason, and Logan are all together and united with one common enemy: Park Sebastian, the king of fraternity douchebags. 
With professional football scouts eyeing his every move, Mason Kade has to walk the line for the first time in his life. Any move he makes against Sebastian has to be perfect and under the radar. One mistake, and his career is over. 
Sebastian has other plans. Mason’s career isn’t his target—not even close. Wanting to destroy Mason completely, Sebastian knows he must hit him where it hurts the most: Samantha, who doesn’t give a rat’s ass that she’s the target. 
Sam is bound and determined to protect Mason herself, no matter the cost, but what if the cost is beyond her imagination? What if this time, the villain wins?

 

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EXCERPT

She was confident. She moved with purpose.
It hit me how much she changed from when she’d moved in with Analise. She’d lost everything. She hadn’t cared about anything, and she had been a badass because of it—striking out, not giving a shit. Logan and I took her in, and then she had something to lose—me. She got scared. She was pushed around by the girls and bullied by her own mother, and through all that crap, she’d still fought. She’d clawed her way back up, protecting and loving Logan and me at the same time.
Good god. I wanted to pull her on top of me. I wanted to lose myself in her.
When I sat on the couch, Sam had a knowing grin, and she sat right where I wanted her, right where maybe she shouldn’t have. My hands held her hips as she straddled me. She looped her arms around my neck and rested her forehead to mine.
Her grin never dimmed, not even as she teased, “Why do I feel like we’re in high school, and I don’t want my mom to catch us making out in the basement?”
Shit, I love this woman.
A smooth and lazy low laugh flitted from her lips. I waited for her to find my mouth with hers, but she didn’t.
She held back and her eyes traced over my face. “What happened today?”
I wasn’t going to tell her. More time. I needed more time. 

 

fallen creast rb 4

Haven’t read this series yet? 

Find the series reading order here 

 

About the Author 

tijan bioI didn’t begin writing until after undergraduate college. There’d been storylines and characters in my head all my life, but it came to a boiling point one day and I HAD to get them out of me. So the computer was booted up and I FINALLY felt it click. Writing is what I needed to do. After that, I had to teach myself how to write. I can’t blame my teachers for not teaching me all those years in school. It was my fault. I was one of the students that was wishing I was anywhere but at school! So after that day, it took me lots of work until I was able to put together something that resembled a novel. I’m hoping I got it right since someone must be reading this profile! And I hope you keep enjoying my future stories.

Stalk Her:   Facebook   |   Twitter   |   Website   |   Goodreads  

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Jan 13 2015

NEW RELEASES & PRE-ORDERS

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

LAST CALL (#4.5 NOVELLA)

From NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton, known for her “deliciously addictive” (The Book Vixen) novels, this Cocktail series novella reunites readers with Caroline and Simon from the wildly successful Wallbanger.
Simon and Caroline are back for another round of baking, banging, and big life changes. Settling in, but never settling down, Caroline has finally struck a balance between the professional and the personal. As one of the top interior designers in San Francisco, she travels all over Northern California between nook time with Simon.
Perpetual globetrotter Simon has cut his frequent flyer miles in half over the last year, preferring to balance his professional and personal life, as well.
The next step in their lives seems preordained—toasts, veils, and the aisle of rose petals. But when an accident on a photo shoot in Southeast Asia brings Caroline the most terrifying phone call she could ever imagine, she has to ask whether “till death do us part” is a more realistic prospect than faces most couples.
It’s been a grand adventure, and Caroline and Simon wouldn’t go out without the best surprise ending ever. One part sexy, one part laughter, a dash of exotic locales, and one pink nightie, mixed with passion, and you’ve got Last Call. Served with a side of Clive.

 

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NEVER NEVER (#1)

Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of fourteen. 
Complete strangers since this morning.
He’ll do anything to remember. She’ll do anything to forget.

[yasr_overall_rating size=”small”]

MY REVIEW 

 

 

 

 

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AMAZON   |   BARNES & NOBLE 

 

 THE MASON LIST

An epic love. An epic hate. An epic story that would last a lifetime. 
Today, 8:15 p.m.
I hurt. I hurt so deeply, I felt the pain searing in my bones and jabbing like a hot poker into my heart. I knew nothing would make it better as the memories pulled from the crevices of my mind, detailing the bad and the ugly, filling my thoughts with regret as I slipped into the darkness. . .
When I was eight, my mother was dying of cancer, my father lost his job, and the bank kicked us out of our house. I was forced to move to the strange town of Arlis, Texas where my father and I slept in our car in the hospital parking lot. Desperate and hopeless, we lived on fumes of our former life.
Then one night, everything changed forever. A knock on the car window brought a family into my life that I only wanted to shut out. I hated charity and I hated the Masons. Well, except one. He made it impossible to hate him.
Jess Mason had the biggest blue eyes and ornery smile of any boy I had ever seen. He was a ray of sunshine in my dark world. A boy full of adventure, dragging me across the meadow of Sprayberry Ranch; a beautiful Texas paradise full of horses and tree houses that got us into more trouble than anyone ever imagined.
Jess was my everything as a kid until we grew up and the rules changed. Instead of living happily ever after with a boy full of love. . . I destroyed it.
– Alex Tanner
Author Note: The Mason List is a coming-of-age story that follows the life of Alex Tanner from the age of six to twenty-six. The novel crosses the genres of Young Adult and New Adult. The Mason List is a standalone, 118,940 word, full-length novel.

 

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AMAZON   |   BARNES & NOBLE 

 

BRANDED (#2)

Ignite Trilogy, Volume 2: DJ & Phina
I wear my scars like a scarlet letter, reminding myself that I’m not worth the trouble. 
I’ve spent seventeen years pushing men away, never allowing myself to believe in the fairytale…then, he walked back in. 
Just like before, we explode when we’re together. I hate him for what he did to me, but I can’t stay away. 
Eighteen days filled with passion and promises. 
Nineteen letters filled with threats and foreboding. 
It only takes twenty minutes for the numbers to all add up. 
One thousand, two hundred seconds until everything changes and there’s no going back. 
This is my story, and it’s going to leave a scar.

 

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AMAZON 

 

CORPS SECURITY: THE SERIES (BOOKS 1-5)

**Special pre-order pricing at 0.99 – Regular price will be $9.99.** 
The entire Corps Security series is together for a limited time box set. Titles included are Axel, Cage, Beck, Uncaged, Cooper and Locke. 
Years after the Marines brought them together, the men of Corps Security are together again.  
These six novels follow their lives as they take a chance at love. Can love truly conquer all?  
From broken souls to broken hearts, they all will find out if they’ll get their second chance at happily ever afters and that love really is worth fighting for.

 

 

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AMAZON  |  BARNES & NOBLE

 

RAVELING YOU (#2)

Ayden Gregory may want to keep running from his nightmares, but he no longer has a choice. His past is catching up with him. And fast. He relies on one person to keep him from crumbling. His best friend Lyric Scott. 
Lyric feels helpless watching her best friend’s world turn upside down. But she does her best to remain positive and upbeat. She gets their band their first gig and even with everything going on, her relationship with Ayden starts to heat up.
But when danger enters Ayden’s life again, even Lyric might not be able to help him.

 

 

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AMAZON   |   BARNES & NOBLE

 

HELD AGAINST YOU

Accused of a horrible crime and on the run, Kat has been rejected by everyone she loves. She’s a fugitive from her past, flitting from town to town with nothing but the clothes on her back. Until she meets a man who literally stops her in her tracks.
This notorious bounty hunter, with his stunning good looks and powerful instincts, never fails to capture his prey. But there’s something about his newest mark that gets under his skin–and it’s not just the naked innocence he sees in her eyes. Behind his ice cold demeanor, he has his own secrets… and now his lively, vulnerable captive is about to crack him wide open.
As they drive across the country together, neither of them can deny the spark of attraction between them. Will their journey force these two passionate opposites together…or will their dangerous secrets be too much to bear?

 

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ABUSE

Bonjour, my name is André Chevalier. It has been my joy and my great honor to help those who have lost their way. Not long after I began my journey, I met two such wounded souls. 
Renata Koreman, my little mouse. She came to me as a child—shy, mute, injured… broken. It took oh-so many years to start to bring her back to herself! Yet, I could not fully heal her. 
Years later, Grant Wilkinson, he too fell into my hands. The ex-Army Ranger was badly disfigured and saw himself as a monster. Isolated by secrets, solitary and self-contained, his colleagues affectionately named him ‘Frosty.’ Yet, how should one behave when besieged by a lifetime of confusion and guilt? 
The moment I saw him, I thought of her and I wondered. The eyes, they cannot always see clearly. And the heart? Ah, the heart can only guess at the truth. So it was that I remained uncertain. 
Could the mouse and the monster could heal each other?

 

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AMAZON 

 PROMISE TO MARRY (#1)

 

We were best friends since as early as I could remember. We grew up together. We were next door neighbors. We shared each other’s deepest secrets. When I was thirteen, we made a pact: if we were still single by the time we were 30, we’d marry each other. 
Today was my thirtieth birthday. I was single. I knew he was single too. 
But we were no longer best friends, and a part of me knew that he hated me. 

 

 

 

 

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AMAZON   |   BARNES & NOBLE

 THICKER THAN BLOOD

A true friendship never dies. 
Leisel and Evelyn lost everything. Husbands. Families. Friends. Lives that made sense. All they had left was each other, and a friendship that could withstand anything…
Even an apocalypse.
Until one fateful night, the marginal safety they’d come to rely on comes to a vicious and brutal end. With the help of Alex & Jami, both unlikely allies, Leisel and Evelyn are able to escape their shattered sanctuary only to find themselves face-to-face with a much altered, much crueler life where they have to find the way—and the will—to stay alive in a world they no longer recognize.
Traveling across a broken and infection-ridden country; the road-weary group are pitted against endless violence, improbable circumstances, and the ultimate loss.
Everything comes at a price—especially safety, the cost of which could very well strip them of the one thing they’ve tried so hard to cling to: their humanity.
Yet along with all the trials they’re forced to endure, there’s also hope in the form of love. Having loved Leisel from afar, Alex attempts to put the pieces of her fractured heart back together.
But in such a savage world, is there room for love?
In a place of nightmares-made-reality, where the living should be feared far more than the dead, an unbreakable friendship and a love amongst all odds can mean the difference between life and death.
There are friends…
And then there are Leisel and Evelyn.

 

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AMAZON   |   BARNES & NOBLE

 

Uncover Me

I lost track of my life. 
Spiraling down the rabbit hole, I lost myself and became one of them. Living undercover within the MC, the days bled together as I became absorbed in a life of excess and violence. 
Becoming consumed was easy.
Was I Thomas Gallo, good guy and respected cop or Blue, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Sun Devils MC?
Before, I could answer with certainty. But now, there’s a darkness that has settled deep in my soul, fusing with my heart and altering my reality forever.
The road I’ve traveled has been paved with danger, death, and deception.
Roxanne grew up as part of the MC, a victim of her birth. Her life has been treacherous, setting her on a course of torment and destruction. 
When our worlds collide, secrets are revealed. Trying to save us from damnation, I fight for redemption and the woman I love.

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AMAZON   |   BARNES & NOBLE

When

Maddie Fynn is a shy high school junior, cursed with an eerie intuitive ability: she sees a series of unique digits hovering above the foreheads of each person she encounters. Her earliest memories are marked by these numbers, but it takes her father’s premature death for Maddie and her family to realize that these mysterious digits are actually death dates, and just like birthdays, everyone has one.
Forced by her alcoholic mother to use her ability to make extra money, Maddie identifies the quickly approaching death date of one client’s young son, but because her ability only allows her to see the when and not the how, she’s unable to offer any more insight. When the boy goes missing on that exact date, law enforcement turns to Maddie.
Soon, Maddie is entangled in a homicide investigation, and more young people disappear and are later found murdered. A suspect for the investigation, a target for the murderer, and attracting the attentions of a mysterious young admirer who may be connected to it all, Maddie’s whole existence is about to be turned upside down. Can she right things before it’s too late?

 

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AMAZON   |   BARNES & NOBLE   

 

 SONG OF BLOOD & STONE

Between love and duty lies destiny
Orphaned and alone, Jasminda is an outcast in her homeland of Elsira, where she is feared for both the shade of her skin and her magical abilities. When ruthless soldiers seek refuge in her isolated cabin, they bring with them a captive – an injured spy who steals her heart. 
Jack’s mission behind enemy lines nearly cost him his life but he is saved by the healing power of a mysterious young woman. Together they embark on a perilous journey straight into the heart of a centuries-old conflict. 
Thrust into a hostile society, Jasminda and Jack must rely on one another even as secrets jeopardize their bond. As an ancient evil gains power, Jasminda races to unlock a mystery that promises salvation. 
The fates of two nations hang in the balance as Jasminda and Jack must choose between love and duty to fulfill their destinies and end the war.

 

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AMAZON   

 

PRE-ORDER THESE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED TITLES NOW: 

 


Jun 27 2014

Book Review: Flat-Out Celeste (Flat-Out Love, #2) by Jessica Park

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

FLC

Synopsis

Whether you were charmed by Celeste in Flat-Out Love or are meeting her for the first time, this book is a joyous celebration of differences, about battling private wars that rage in our heads and in our hearts, and—very much so— this is a story about first love.

For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation.

But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.

Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him.

Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love. 

 

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Review

 

Astonished, amazed, inspired… Flat-Out Celeste is a quite simply put…a masterpiece. Jessica Park has managed to make me fall in love all over again with this amazing series. She is brilliant and I am in awe. This is an absolute must-read!
 
Let me backtrack a bit and come clean. When I first read Flat-Out Love, book one in this extraordinary series. I wasn’t sure of my feelings. In fact, I do believe my initial reaction was, “entertaining and hilarious, but predictable.” Now wait, don’t fret, I was a moron and I’ll be the first to admit it. My ridiculous reasoning at the time is not even worth mentioning…yet as time passed I still couldn’t get this book out of my head…it took a couple of weeks for me to realize I was a complete idiot and I actually rather loved this book. So, what did I do next you ask? Well, I reread it of course.  On second glance…ok, it was a bit more than a glance…more like a thorough examining, but all I could think is, “this Jessica Park lady is brilliant.” She made me love all the characters and when Flat-Out Matt was released I was overjoyed and once again…I fell in love. The announcement of Flat-Out Celeste put me over the moon. I was elated and I didn’t even know what to expect, all I knew is I had to have it. I was captivated with Celeste’s quirky personality since Flat-Out Love. Of course I had questions, what had become of this eccentric yet brilliant girl? Had she developed better social skills? Did she make more friends? Would she fall in love? I needed answers and I needed them like yesterday!
 
See, Jessica Park doesn’t just draw you in with her writing, she makes you fall in love…you actually want to live in these books and know more about every single person you encounter. I fell in love and connected with Celeste from the very first book and I needed more. The wait was grueling, but when I finally had my hands on Flat-Out Celeste, I devoured EVERY…SINGLE…WORD. Celeste is highly intelligent, but she has rarely allowed emotions to rule her or get in the way of important decisions. This book highlights her struggles to fit in, her path to both finding love and self-love. Celeste’s story is one that you may relate to on different levels. She is quite unique and there are discernible differences between her and many others characters, however, at the core, her battles aren’t so very different than those that many others face. The awakening that Celeste experiences in this book is life changing. She grows, loves, learns and experiences the world in a way that makes you appreciate the struggles. And while Celeste’s story takes up a great deal of the book her story wouldn’t be complete without Matt and Julie. Woohoo…so, yeah, you’ll see their return and hopefully appreciate the way things unfold.
 
Flat-Out Celeste lived up to all my expectations and then some. I won’t go and repeat the synopsis or summarize the book. I want you to experience this book for all that it is. It’s an extraordinary story with a beautiful and powerful message. Celeste is a character you won’t soon forget. Her story is one that is beautiful, heartbreaking and incredibly brave. I laughed, I cried and I fell hopelessly in love…again.
 
I could go on and on about this book and the series, but I want you to read this through so I’ll end by saying this book is beyond my greatest expectations. Jessica Park gives life to characters in a quirky and absolutely endearing manner rendering you speechless at times. The wit, humor and raw honesty in her writing is powerful and evocative. This book takes you on an incredible journey with a reminder that sometimes different is perfect and sometimes all you need is the perfect person to help you find your way. I give this book a gazillion stars…yeah I said it, it’s really that good! Go forth and read my friends this one is a must-read for all! 
 
PS: I hope there will be more to the Flat-Out Love Series…I need more like now…hook me up to a Flat-Out Love IV. I fear I may not survive without it…seriously…ok maybe I won’t die…or maybe I will…why even risk it Jessica? Take me out of my misery…just say there will be more…pretty please with a cherry on top! 😉  

 

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

 

buylinkbn buylinkamazon

Excerpt

There was a knock at the door and Matt leaned in, swinging a brown paper bag in her direction. “I heard Mom made stuffed peppers tonight. Last time she made those, I nearly died from flatulence. I assume she stuffed them with her usual repulsive ground chicken, quinoa, Brussels sprouts, and pomegranate seed mix?”

Just the sound of Matt’s voice made Celeste relax. She smiled at him. “Based on the smell, I believe you’re right.”

“So you didn’t eat then? I was right!” Matt flopped onto her bed and lay down, his long body scrunching up the neat white comforter that she spent ten minutes arranging before she’d gone to school this morning. “I thought I’d take a break from studying and bring you something edible.”

“It smells like a burger from Mr. Bartley’s,” she said as she got up and took a seat next to Matt. “Hand it over, thoughtful brother.”

He tightened a hand around the top of the bag. “You have to guess which kind I brought you first.”

“How am I supposed to know?”

“Close your eyes.”

She did as instructed and felt him move the bag under her nose. Sweet, spicy… a bit garlicky. “Aha! Boursin cheese and bacon! The Mark Zuckerberg burger!”

“And sweet potato fries and a bottle of iced tea, but you win. A burger named after ‘the richest geek in America,’ as the restaurant calls him.”

“You will be the richest geek in America after you finish your Ph.D. Program,” Celeste said through a mouthful of fries.

“If M.I.T. doesn’t land me in a psych unit first.”

“You only have this year left to endure. And you will hardly find yourself in need of psychiatric care, Matthew. You are doing stupendously.”

“I’m scraping by.” Matt reached into the bag and grabbed a handful of fries and opened her iced tea.

“You are not ‘scraping by.’ You are assistant teaching classes, excelling in your own, and in all ways performing to standards that exceed even the high ones our mother set for you.” She frowned as he chewed on the fries. “Did you not eat?”

“I did. A Big Papi burger and a Fiscal Cliff. But you can never have enough sweet potato fries.”

“I have a finite amount of my own from which you are stealing. But I shall not complain because this was very kind of you.”

Matt chewed and studied her. “Are you okay?”

“Why do you ask?”

“No contractions. When you’re stressed out, they disappear.”

“I know. But most days I do not care to use them. If it is an effort, then I do not push.”

“Okay. I get it.” He chewed for a minute. “I heard your presentation went well. Did your friends like it?”

“It went marvelously. My friend Dallas took me aside to share quite the flow of compliments.”

“That’s great, Celeste.” He was downing half her iced tea.

“And then I bitch slapped her.”

Matt choked on the drink and desperately tried to clear his airway. “I’m sorry. You did what?”

She cocked her head. “I bitch slapped her.”

“That… that can’t be right,” he sputtered. “I mean, I hope it’s not.”

“I slapped my hand against her hand. Up in the air.” She looked at Matt blankly. “Is that not the right term?”

“Thank God, no, it’s not. I think you mean a high-five.”

“If you say so. Well, either way, it happened. You know I have trouble with colloquialisms, so I resent your shocked reaction.”

“I do know that about you, and I apologize.”

“Since we are on the subject, there is something else I would like for you to clarify.”

“Shoot.”

“What is meant by ‘nut bag’? Is that a testicular reference or merely the identification of a satchel of cashews or pecans?”

Matt groaned. “This conversation has gotten really weird. Could we just talk about— Wait a minute. Why are you asking me this? Did someone say that to you?” He looked angry.

Celeste picked at her fry. “No. Certainly not. I heard the term and had a natural curiosity.”

“Okay then…” Her brother crumpled up the paper bag and then smoothed it out in his hands. Then crumpled it again. “It’s the same as ‘nuts.’ You know, crazy.”

“Thank you for the definition.” She took the last bite of her burger and wiped her hands on one of the paper napkins. It shouldn’t matter what her classmates thought of her. Celeste would just be strong about this. She would move on.

 

 

 

More Book By Jessica Park

Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble  

FLAT-OUT LOVE is on sale at Amazon for a limited time! 

Paperback  |  Kindle  

Just $5.99 for the Paperback and $2.00 for the kindle e-book!!!!

 

About the Author:

Jessica is the author of LEFT DROWNING, the New York Times bestselling FLAT-OUT LOVE (and the companion piece FLAT-OUT MATT), and RELATIVELY FAMOUS. She lives in New Hampshire where she spends an obscene amount time thinking about rocker boys and their guitars, complex caffeinated beverages, and tropical vacations. On the rare occasions that she is able to focus on other things, she writes.

 

Please visit her:

Website   |   Facebook   |   Twitter  

 

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May 14 2014

COVER REVEAL: Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments
We were introduced to Celeste in Flat-Out Love and readers wanted more! Well, more they shall have! Look at this amazing cover and take a peek inside FLAT-OUT CELESTE!
COMING SOON!

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

 

Whether you were charmed by Celeste in Flat-Out Love or are meeting her for the first time, this book is a joyous celebration of differences, about battling private wars that rage in our heads and in our hearts, and—very much so— this is a story about first love.. 
For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation. 
But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.
Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him. 
Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love.

 

 

Excerpt

There was a knock at the door and Matt leaned in, swinging a brown paper bag in her direction. “I heard Mom made stuffed peppers tonight. Last time she made those, I nearly died from flatulence. I assume she stuffed them with her usual repulsive ground chicken, quinoa, Brussels sprouts, and pomegranate seed mix?”

Just the sound of Matt’s voice made Celeste relax. She smiled at him. “Based on the smell, I believe you’re right.”

“So you didn’t eat then? I was right!” Matt flopped onto her bed and lay down, his long body scrunching up the neat white comforter that she spent ten minutes arranging before she’d gone to school this morning. “I thought I’d take a break from studying and bring you something edible.”

“It smells like a burger from Mr. Bartley’s,” she said as she got up and took a seat next to Matt. “Hand it over, thoughtful brother.”

He tightened a hand around the top of the bag. “You have to guess which kind I brought you first.”

“How am I supposed to know?”

“Close your eyes.”

She did as instructed and felt him move the bag under her nose. Sweet, spicy… a bit garlicky. “Aha! Boursin cheese and bacon! The Mark Zuckerberg burger!”

“And sweet potato fries and a bottle of iced tea, but you win. A burger named after ‘the richest geek in America,’ as the restaurant calls him.”

“You will be the richest geek in America after you finish your Ph.D. Program,” Celeste said through a mouthful of fries.

“If M.I.T. doesn’t land me in a psych unit first.”

“You only have this year left to endure. And you will hardly find yourself in need of psychiatric care, Matthew. You are doing stupendously.”

“I’m scraping by.” Matt reached into the bag and grabbed a handful of fries and opened her iced tea.

“You are not ‘scraping by.’ You are assistant teaching classes, excelling in your own, and in all ways performing to standards that exceed even the high ones our mother set for you.” She frowned as he chewed on the fries. “Did you not eat?”

“I did. A Big Papi burger and a Fiscal Cliff. But you can never have enough sweet potato fries.”

“I have a finite amount of my own from which you are stealing. But I shall not complain because this was very kind of you.”

Matt chewed and studied her. “Are you okay?”

“Why do you ask?”

“No contractions. When you’re stressed out, they disappear.”

“I know. But most days I do not care to use them. If it is an effort, then I do not push.”

“Okay. I get it.” He chewed for a minute. “I heard your presentation went well. Did your friends like it?”

“It went marvelously. My friend Dallas took me aside to share quite the flow of compliments.”

“That’s great, Celeste.” He was downing half her iced tea.

“And then I bitch slapped her.”

Matt choked on the drink and desperately tried to clear his airway. “I’m sorry. You did what?”

She cocked her head. “I bitch slapped her.”

“That… that can’t be right,” he sputtered. “I mean, I hope it’s not.”

“I slapped my hand against her hand. Up in the air.” She looked at Matt blankly. “Is that not the right term?”

“Thank God, no, it’s not. I think you mean a high-five.”

“If you say so. Well, either way, it happened. You know I have trouble with colloquialisms, so I resent your shocked reaction.”

“I do know that about you, and I apologize.”

“Since we are on the subject, there is something else I would like for you to clarify.”

“Shoot.”

“What is meant by ‘nut bag’? Is that a testicular reference or merely the identification of a satchel of cashews or pecans?”

Matt groaned. “This conversation has gotten really weird. Could we just talk about— Wait a minute. Why are you asking me this? Did someone say that to you?” He looked angry.

Celeste picked at her fry. “No. Certainly not. I heard the term and had a natural curiosity.”

“Okay then…” Her brother crumpled up the paper bag and then smoothed it out in his hands. Then crumpled it again. “It’s the same as ‘nuts.’ You know, crazy.”

“Thank you for the definition.” She took the last bite of her burger and wiped her hands on one of the paper napkins. It shouldn’t matter what her classmates thought of her. Celeste would just be strong about this. She would move on.

 

PURCHASE—-> FLAT-OUT LOVE and FLAT-OUT MATT on Amazon.

FLAT-OUT LOVE at B&N.

 

About the Author:

Jessica is the author of LEFT DROWNING, the New York Times bestselling FLAT-OUT LOVE (and the companion piece FLAT-OUT MATT), and RELATIVELY FAMOUS. She lives in New Hampshire where she spends an obscene amount time thinking about rocker boys and their guitars, complex caffeinated beverages, and tropical vacations. On the rare occasions that she is able to focus on other things, she writes.

 

Please visit her:

 

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Jan 29 2014

Missing Pieces

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

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Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Maddie Davis has spent her whole life on the move. With an unstable mother who has a knack for making bad decisions, she’s never stayed in one place long enough to remember its postcode. But this time is different… This time, she has been dragged half way across the world. Arriving in California and being forced to go back to school feels like stepping back in time. She wants to go home…

Until she meets Blaine Elwood – the stepson of an old family friend.

Blaine appears to have it all. To the outside world, quarterback Blaine is rich, confident and has the ‘arrogant bad boy’ image down to a tee. But nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors. Nobody ever can. He has vowed never to let anyone get too close – let anyone discover how weak he is. So when new girl Maddie starts tugging at strings he didn’t know existed in his heart, his only option is to push her away…

Until he realizes how much he needs her.

Together, after being forced into adulthood from an early age, they begin to learn what it feels like to be young – to smile, to laugh… to love. So when shattered secrets and splintered lies start unraveling around them, will the trust they’ve worked so hard to build be irreparably destroyed? Or will they realize they are two pieces of the same broken puzzle? 

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Review

I’m in complete awe of Nicola Haken’s bravery as an author. She pushes boundaries and doesn’t always stick with the safest path, She discusses the uncomfortable topics and does so in a way that draws you in, makes you hold your breath and cling to her words. Every single one of her books has left me in utter disbelief at one point or another. Missing Pieces is no different, except I do believe I may actually be a bit traumatized at how severe and twisted some of the storyline in this book is. Does this make it a bad read? Absolutely not, as I’ve said before…Nicola Haken has found her way into my heart and I love all her books thus far including Missing Pieces. This book is pretty heavy and though I’ve read all her published work so far, this is probably the most disturbing book for a number of reasons. I wasn’t quite sure what would happen by the end of this book, but I couldn’t quite shake the feeling of impending doom. Was I right? You’ll have to judge for yourself…yeah, some things you just have to experience on your own and I won’t give away the ending. 

The book is about two relatively young adults Maddie and Blaine, both are seventeen and seniors in high school. They’ve grown up incredibly fast and taken on roles unsuitable for the typical high school student. Their home life is pretty screwed up and they end up leaning on one another as they learn more about each other. 

Blaine is the star football player and all the girls at school want a piece of him. He’s got a reputation for being a womanizer – a love ‘em and leave ‘em guy, but when Maddie moves to America and is forced upon him by his stepmom, he tried everything in his power to push her away. She gets under his skin and he doesn’t like feeling that way. Maddie can’t figure Blaine out and is stuck trying to figure out why he is so hot and cold. As Blaine and Maddie grow closer, secrets they’ve tried to keep hidden begin to unravel. Soon they begin to need one another. They rely on one another to get through the many traumatic and heartbreaking events of this book. Blaine fears his secrets will only push Maddie away. While he longs to keep her in his life he knows it will only bring pain upon them. He’s afraid she will know he isn’t as strong as she believes.

Maddie has become the parent of her household; her life has been one obstacle after another. Never remaining in one place long enough to make friends or get comfortable, Maddie begins to form some of her best relationships while in California. The one relationship she wants more than anything is with Blaine, but he harbors some pretty deep scars and even though she’s breaking through to him she’s afraid she’ll push him away if she digs too deeply.  

This book is heartbreaking and beautiful. I couldn’t put it down. I wept for the two young adults that endured a tremendous amount of pain while exhibiting an inconceivable amount of strength and love. Though Missing Pieces is about two young adults, it does contain mature content and can get pretty dark at times. It is not suitable for readers under 18.  I’d recommend this for Nicola Haken fans, New Adult/Mature YA fans and anyone who is interested in a story of strength, courage, unwavering love and loyalty.  

Nicola HakenAuthor Bio

Nicola lives in Rochdale, England with her husband and four children (six if you include the dogs!) She is the author of New Adult/Contemporary romance novels Inevitable, Saving Amy and the Take My Hand series. When she is not busy playing with her imaginary book friends (or talking about them with real life friends!) she can usually be found carrying out her ordinary mum/housewife/all round slave duties. Oh, and if the kids ever ask, she moonlights as the Pink Power Ranger while they’re sleeping…

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January 27

Debbie The Book Vixen / My Book Review Blog / My Daily Romance / Nevaeh’s New Adult Book Blog / Hooked on Books / Eskimo Princess Book Reviews / For the Love of Books / My Favorite Things

January 28

Cruising Susan Book Reviews / Through the Booking Glass / Fancy Mafia Books and More / Reading My Escape / One Girls Book Addiction / Here is some of what I read

January 29

Lizstephenson28blog / Book Babblin / Eskimo Princess Book Reviews / The Biblio-Files: Confessions of a Book Whore / Book Freak / Deal Sharing Aunt

January 30

Ramblings of a Book Lunatic / Mia’s Point of View / 2 friends, promote your books with us / Sweets Books / The Book Enthusiast

January 31

Tiffany Talks Books / Mythical Books / Book Addict Mumma / Rumpled Sheets Blog / Promiscuous Book Blog / Cant beat a good book

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Dec 12 2013

STORM WARNING (Broken Heartland, #1) Release Day Launch

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

 

C. Quinn and E. Lee’s amazing new novel in their Broken Heartland Series, STORM WARNING, is out today and we are excited to join in the release day launch for it. STORM WARNING is a thrilling Young Adult Contemporary you are not going to want to miss! Check out what we have for you today and then enter to win in the release day launch giveaway! There’s also a fantastic excerpt for you. But be aware! The Storm Is Coming…

 

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ABOUT STORM WARNING (Broken Heartland Series, #1):

Sometimes you don’t see the storm coming until it’s too late…

Severe Storm Warning Tip #1:
Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.

Severe Storm Warning Tip #2:
If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.

Severe Storm Warning Tip #3:
They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.

Situated just outside of Oklahoma City, Calumet County is divided into two drastically different communities: Hope’s Grove and Summit Bluffs. One is the small backward town where dirt roads lead the way to field parties and railroad tracks. And the other, a sprawling suburb where paved drives lead to the landscaped lawns of the wealthy and privileged.

For five teenagers smack in the middle of Tornado Alley, summer is heating up fast. The winds of change are blurring the invisible line that divides the rich and the rural.

One has a secret.
One has a crush.
One has been lying.
One will get caught.
And one might not make it out alive.

They’re from two different worlds…but one summer is about to change everything.  

 
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EXCERPT:


Hope’s Grove was small. Everyone knew about her parents, and she was already dreading
facing them since the news of her dad’s affair had hit. But facing them without
her brother and her best friend would be her worst nightmare.
After the girls had said their goodbyes and she’d watched her friend’s taillights
fade down the drive, Ella Jane scuffed her boots along the winding dirt road
that led her home.
She was about halfway there, watching the sun sink low in the evening sky, when the
unmistakable rumble of a pickup truck came barreling down the road behind her.
She stepped aside to let it pass without looking back. But it didn’t pass. It
slowed practically to a stop right next her.
She turned, wondering what the heck the driver’s deal was. There was more than
enough room for him to go around. But the smiling face beneath the backwards
trucker hat sent the words on the tip of her tongue swirling away with the dust
the truck had riled up.
She bit her lip and grinned. Warm brown eyes gleamed in her direction. “Hey there,
Ellie May. Need a ride?”
She rolled her eyes. Why Brantley Cooper couldn’t call her by her actual name was
beyond her. But as long as he was talking to her, she really didn’t care much
what he called her. He can call me ‘flower’ if he wants to.
He was a year older than her and a year younger
than her older brother, Kyle. Smack in the middle of their ages and grades in
school and usually smack in the middle of their arguments. Coop kept the peace.
Balanced them out perfectly.
The three of them had met at the same time as kids
but Coop and Kyle had become like brothers instantly. She’d always tagged along
wherever they went. Kyle had whined about it when they were younger but Coop
always made her feel welcome. He held doors open for her so she didn’t get left
behind, made sure to invite her despite her brother’s protests, and lately he’d
even stopped by and hung out even when Kyle wasn’t home. And this year, she’d
be a junior and Coop would be a senior. With her big brother away at college,
she couldn’t help but fantasize about what might happen if she and Coop spent
time together alone.
“Hey, Coop. Lynlee just left so I was just…” She glanced toward home. Kyle wasn’t
back from football camp yet, and her mom was baking herself to death, trying to
keep her mind off of everything.
“Yeah, I heard the Wicked Witch was moving west. You up for some fishing? I have to drop my bike off at the house but we could swing by the lake after.”
She should get home. She knew she should. Should order a pizza and convince her mom to take it easy for a night. Except…it was Coop. And in all her sixteen years, he was the one boy she’d never been able to say no to.
“Yeah. Yeah I’m up for it.”

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About C. Quinn and E. Lee:
Whether you believe in destiny, divine intervention, or just plain ol’ dumb luck, several things happened in 2013 that caused E. Lee and C. Quinn’s paths to cross. It may have been that the stars aligned perfectly, or the fact anytime Luke Bryan was mentioned on a social media site both of them were tagged, or maybe it was just that their small town roots and country girl attitudes were magnetically drawn together—calling out to one another, “Y’all should write a book!” Despite geography keeping them apart—Lee in Illinois and Quinn in Alabama—they did. Thanks to three-hour phone calls, ridiculous amounts of online chats, and umpteen Google Docs—Storm Warning is the first book in their edgy new Young Adult series,  Broken Heartland.

  

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Dec 10 2013

Keep You From Harm (Remedy, # 1) Book Review

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

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Synopsis

Secrets…

They weigh you down. I’ve kept a secret all my life. It’s my mother’s secret, too. I inherited it from her along with a unique ability that only we possess. She’s gone now, another victim of addiction. If her death isn’t enough to bring me to my knees, her betrayal flays me to the bone. Because the secret my mother and I have been keeping is just one of many she’d kept. She never told me I have an older brother. And now he’s here, eager to be my guardian.

There is no one else. So I move across the country to live with this stranger, my brother. But experience has taught me that most situations are temporary and forming attachments only leads to hurt in the end. That’s why I’m determined to keep to myself in this new place, struggling to seem aloof while I’m quietly breaking apart.

Then I meet Lucas…

His magnetism is hard to resist, and most girls at school aren’t resisting. I don’t fall so easily though, especially not for guys who use their good looks as a weapon. From the start, our interactions are tense and volatile. I know it’s because I’m denying the unwelcome desire that grips me when he’s near. I think he feels it, too. He looks at me with an intensity that threatens to unhinge my resolve. Soon he’s trying to break through the walls that past hurts have built.

But I’m not what I appear to be, and it wouldn’t be fair to get involved with him. At least that’s what I tell myself. Until a terrible act of violence reveals that Lucas has a secret, too. It’s a secret that links us together and ties us to an evil history I never could have imagined.

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Review 

Keep You From Harm had me hooked from the first page. It is completely addictive, intense and the paranormal aspect gives it an added edge.  If I hadn’t read the genres associated with this book, I never would’ve imagined what I was in for. I don’t think I was adequately prepared for this ride. The way the author inserts the unique paranormal gift into an already brilliant read is both surprising and thrilling. I am already eager to read the next book in this series.

Raielle is a seventeen year old girl who has lived with her mom in California her entire life. They’ve been through a lot. Raielle has even been in and out of foster homes, through the good, the bad and ugly, she’s managed to survive. She is an accomplished student and refuses to end up like her mother who is a recovering addict. They’ve been through a lot and just as they begin to get their lives back on track, her mother is gone. After her death, she learns she has a brother in New York. With no prior knowledge of his existence, she’s suspicious, but technically still a minor. She has no other family and not much of a choice, she heads from San Diego to New York to begin her senior year in a new school with strangers all the while concealing a secret that is both a gift and a curse. 

Upon her arrival she meets her brother’s wife and daughter, she’s cautious of his wife who doesn’t seem as welcoming as she appears. Raielle is very perceptive and though she is grateful to have a home to live in, she can’t help but remain wary. She befriends the neighbor and creates a small circle of friends in this new town. Everyone seems to know everyone and Raielle seems like the odd woman out, though she is unfazed by it all. Her arrival in Fort Upton is somewhat of a mystery. She just wants to keep her head down, graduate and head back to the west coast where she belongs. Until she meets Lucas…

Lucas and Raielle share a moment the first night she arrives in Fort Upton, NY. Though they don’t speak, there is a spark that is palpable. Raielle fights her feelings, Lucas behaves like an ass, but soon they find themselves interacting. Lucas is intense and intimidating, but one of the most wanted guys at school. He evokes strong feelings that make Raielle uncomfortable at time, as she fights these feelings she realizes she’s never felt this way before and she’s not so sure she wants it to stop. They share many quiet moments like this and slowly form a bond, free of labels, but no less complicated than a full blown relationship. They both are holding back secrets and until they can trust one another, they’re stuck trying to figure out what they feel.  Will these secrets tear them apart or bring them together? 

I’m not going to lie, this book has a crazy cliffhanger, you are guaranteed to be in a state of disbelief! I like the depth to the characters and the relationships they ultimately form. I can’t wait to see where things go.This book has romance, suspense and will leave you in utter shock. Now I just have to wait for book two which I’m sure will be as fabulous! This is a Paranormal/Contemporary Romance/Mature YA. I highly recommend this read! 

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DebraDoxer

About the Author 

Debra Doxer has always loved to write. She also loves to read, often finishing several books a week. Debra works as a writer in the network and software security field. For fun, she writes fiction novels.

Debra lives with her family outside of Boston and is currently working on her next book.

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Sep 21 2013

I Rize by S.T. Anthony Book Review

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

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First of all I need to acknowledge how amazing this book cover is. I ordered this book on Amazon a while back and the cover is what actually enticed me. I was curious to know what the book was about so I read the synopsis and downloaded the book. I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed this unique book. It is a very short read but it covers a very real problem today — Bullying. What I liked the most was that the author gave multiple perspectives. She went from bullied, to best friend, to parent, to love interest, to bully and back. It covered a wide range of issues that any person can relate to whether they’re fifteen or fifty. I truly loved that about this book. I spent a lot of time psycho analyzing characters because…well, that’s just something I do, but this book was written in a way where you could play devil’s advocate by understanding their own issues yet you could easily dislike them or feel absolutely no sympathy for them even through their own struggles. I’d rate this read at a 3.5-3.8. I enjoyed the style of writing as it is poetic but I would have loved a full length novel. I could actually see this YA book used in schools as a required reading. It would be a good pick. 

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Sep 07 2013

Painted Boots by Mechelle Morrison Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

Painted Boots cover

 Synopsis

When her father drags her to a new life in Wyoming, Aspen Brand doesn’t expect to fall for a cowboy named Kyle Thacker—but she does. At seventeen, Aspen and Kyle share unexpected ground: guitar, running, physics. And guilt. Aspen blames herself for her mother’s car accident, while Kyle can’t find a way past his brother’s suicide.
On their first date they open up to each other, forging an unbreakable bond between them. But Kyle has spent two years living with a vicious secret—one his ex-girlfriend will do anything to protect—and sharing his truth with Aspen makes her a target. Now if Kyle is to be her love story, Aspen must first win the fight of her life. 

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2 Signed Copies of Painted Boots
3 ebook copies of Painted Boots

 

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My Review

Painted Boots is a sweet book with some painstakingly frightening moments.

Aspen Brand’s father uproots their life and heads to Wyoming to start fresh after the loss of his wife, Maddy, Aspen’s mother. While Aspen is grieving her father also struggles with the loss of his beloved wife. He’s lost without her and navigating his role as a parent isn’t easy. He loves Aspen fiercely but it seems his wife was their anchor. She was the glue that held them together.  Although this book has a beautiful romance. I loved the dynamic between the parents and the children. I would’ve liked to know more about the parents pasts and their own stories…perhaps in another book (hint hint Mechelle lol)

Aspen’s first day at her new school starts off on the wrong foot. She encounters a group of girls and acknowledges them kindly only to be met with sneers and rude comments. She notices Kyle Thacker immediately, she’s drawn to him and she wants to know more about him, but Em Harrelson, his ex girlfriend wants no part of it. She’s determined to keep Kyle at any cost and if she has anything to say about it Aspen won’t be on his radar. Em’s efforts borderline obsessive and downright terrifying at times. Kyle wants nothing to do with her but she won’t leave him alone. Kyle has a secret one he’s afraid to share with anyone, until Aspen. She has breathed life into his world again. He opens himself up to her and opens his heart but after sharing this secret he fears for her own safety. 

This book covers a really serious topic but one that generally doesn’t get presented in such a harsh, violent manner — bullying. Em Harrelson is probably the meanest of the mean girls. She’s downright mental but Kyle and Aspen cling to one another as they open up and share their secrets hoping that Em will allow them a happy ever after. Aspen and Kyle’s story is inspiring and truly beautiful. I loved the honesty between these two. Their relationship, though they are young is a relationship many people search a lifetime for. It is a sweet story but their are some alarmingly violent moments that shake you to your core. I felt for Aspen and Kyle but I also felt for their parents. The parents who were so very supportive and loving throughout everything both their families had endured. This was a good read especially if you’re a fan of cowboys. 

I’d recommend this book for those interested in mature Young Adult books. 

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

Buy Painted Boots for Kindle  |  Nook  |  Kobo  | Paperback

 

M MorrisonAbout the Author

Mechelle Morrison loves language–she’s always wished she could speak and write them all. She lives for chocolate, lazy summer days, spontaneously funny things . . . and family. She’s sort of scared of dogs.

When she’s not reading or writing or wandering the world, she can be found in her backyard in Utah with her husband, their daughter and the bevy of quail that live behind their garage.

If she didn’t write she’d make stop-motion animation shorts. So she does that anyway. 

Website  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads 

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Sep 04 2013

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

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 2 Comments

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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

 

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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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Aug 20 2013

Beside Your Heart Blog Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

Cover

Synopsis

Was he The One who got away?

Late one night, Nicki Johnson plays with emotional fire and Googles her high school love, only to find his name splashed across the British gossip columns. Back in his native England, Adam Kincaid is successful and dating a woman from an aristocratic family like his own. With a career in politics, Nicki’s no slouch, but she knows Adam is living a world away from her life.

Yet there was a time he was no farther than the next locker. Nicki will never forget their year together in high school–the year of her sister’s death, the year her mother checked out. Adam helped Nicki through suffocating grief, and she led him through coming of age. But when is a high school crush something more? 

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My Review

This is a heartwarming story. I really, really, enjoyed it. The story tugs at your heart. The prologue begins in present day but much of the content beyond that is what leads up to present day events. 

Nicki Johnson, the protagonist, at seventeen has experienced loss beyond anything someone should experience at such a young age. Her sister is taken from her after a terrible accident. Her mother is grieving and has failed to be present mentally or physically. She copes by keeping busy but this keeps her out of the house and Nicki is uncertain how to deal with her own grief but she knows as numb as she feels she doesn’t want to live that way. Her mother isn’t a horrible person but she grieves in a way that leaves Nicki a bit neglected. It’s easy to see how difficult the loss of her sister has affected this family as a whole. Enter Adam, the hot British guy at school. He is everything Nicki knows she should stay away from, but for some reason he’s the only thing on her mind. He does all he can to get to know her better but she keeps her distance fearing she will end up hurt. Although they know of each other, their interactions were limited in the past, but this year their lockers are right next to one another. This year, she will get to know Adam better and like it or not, this will be the year she risks her heart. Her world unravels as she allows herself a chance at happiness…but can it last? 

Adam Kincaid steps into Nicki’s life in High School but thoughts of him have remained with her into her adult life. She opens up and bares everything to him. She allows him into her thoughts and into her heart. She discusses the loss of her sister, the way her family dealt with the loss and what she remembers. Although she’s been silently suffering, she lets her guard down with Adam who seems to be the only person that asks how she’s holding up. She feels a level of comfort with him that she doesn’t find with anyone else. Slowly, he becomes her rock. Flawed as she feels, he accepts all of her. He sees her scars, both emotional and physical yet he listens intently and accepts every beautiful part of her. He shares his dreams with her and she never criticizes, she simply encourages him to do what he loves. The few months they spend together in High School stick with them for a lifetime. But can these two find their way back to each other?

Present day

Nicki’s career has led her search for Adam. After googling him, she finds out he is currently dating a woman who is from an illustrious family. Knowing that his family is from the same circle she can’t help but feel inferior. She still thinks of him often and longs to see him but she won’t admit it. Two of her friends venture to Europe and while in England, they meet up with Adam who is as curious about Nicki and her life as she is about him. I won’t give much more away but this is a must read for second chance romance fans!

Yay or Nay?

This is a beautiful book. It captures the essence of not only a first love, but true love. One that outlasts even distance and time. It was an emotional ride for me, the story touched on some pretty heavy loss for someone so young. It made me feel for this girl who felt as though she had no one to turn to. Although she grieves with her family, they all handled the loss differently. They all had to grieve alone in their own way. Adam helps her through a tough time in her life but he makes a lasting impression and forever changes her.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love story. Depending on how emotional of a reader you are, you may need tissues for this one! I don’t cry very often in general so I don’t get very emotional with many books, BUT this one had me a bit teary eyed at one point or another. This is a book about first loves, second chances, healing and enduring love. I love, love, loved it. I am eagerly awaiting the release of Book 2! 

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

Purchase Beside Your Heart for Kindle  |  Paperback 

There was something about the look in his eyes and the feeling of our bodies being connected that was too much. Everything about being with him felt impossibly special, but was it? In a way, I didn’t care if the actual sex was as good for him as it had been with Kate or Meredith; he appeared to enjoy himself just fine. But did it feel the same way for him?

Only allowing him to rest on my chest for a minute, I turned over onto my side. I felt the need to protect myself, but I also wanted to know the truth—at least I thought I might. Timidly, I asked, “Is…is it always this way? When you’re with someone?”

He pulled me back toward him. Looking me straight in the eye, he somberly shook his head. “No. It’s never been like this for me.” Kissing my forehead, he ended the discussion. “I love you, Nicki.”

 

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About the Author 

Even before she graduated from law school, Mary knew she wasn’t cut out to be a real lawyer. Drawn to politics, she’s spent her career as an organizer, lobbyist, and nonprofit executive. Nothing piques her interest more than a good political scandal or romance, and when she stumbled upon writing, she put the two together. A born Midwesterner, naturalized Texan, and transient resident of Washington, D.C., Mary now lives in Northern California with her two daughters and real lawyer husband.

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Aug 04 2013

Summer Love Book Blitz & Giveaway

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 2 Comments

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SummerLove

Synopsis:

Carly and her best friend Becca are ready to drop a nuclear bomb on summer. It’s the last one before reality sets in and they’re off on their own. Carly is ready to break the mold and stop being known as a goody-two-shoes. In order to get the ball rolling, she agrees to a double date with Gavin – her good-looking, yet moody, lab partner.

Gavin doesn’t have summer plans except to work at his two jobs and hang out in his room drawing. He likes to keep to himself, but lets his brother Nate talk him into going on a double date. Carly isn’t like the rest of the girls at school that drive him crazy. She doesn’t ask a lot of questions and seems to know when to give him the space he craves. Gavin always thought that she was beautiful, but he believes that relationships and love are a lost cause.

Will their date prove that summer love is right around the corner or will it be a dead end?

This book is intended for audiences 17+

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Get Up Close & Personal with Marysue G. Hobika

What is your latest news?
“Summer Love” was published July 8, 2013. It’s the first book in the series “Senior Year.” A lot of hard work went into it and I am truly excited about its release. I believe it is my best work so far. I have already begun writing book two.

What inspired you to write this book?
I have always wanted to write a series. The summer before senior year seemed like the perfect beginning point. Who doesn’t love summer and the freedom it brings?

How did you come up with the title?
The word summer had to be in the title. I toyed around with a few possibilities and took some polls—“Summer Love” was the clear winner. All of the titles in the series will center around a season. The next book is, “Falling Into You.”

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Yes and No. I chose a four-year-old girl that I know and imagined what she’ll be like when she’s seventeen years old and then plopped her in the middle of a situation. Also I incorporated pieces of my own daughter. She loves to sing and I could easily imagine her joining a band someday or working toward a music degree. In the end, the characters are of my own creation and imagination.

If Hollywood made your book into a movie who would you cast as the leads?
This is one of my favorite questions—to think people would love my book enough to want to turn it into a movie. I would choose Vanessa Hudgens to play Carly. She is beautiful and perfect for the role. My ideal Gavin would be Landon Liboiron. He is super cute and has brilliant blue eyes that look like the water in the Bahamas (just like Gavin’s eyes are described in “Summer Love”.)

Coffee or tea?
Coffee all the way. Once upon a time, I was an exchange student in Spain where I fell in love with all things Spanish, including coffee.  I loved meeting friends “para tomar un café.”

If you could wear your pajamas all day, would you? Why or why not?
Of course, I would. And many times I do, especially when I’m writing.

What’s your favorite dessert?
Ice cream. I would eat it every day if I could. During the summer I love visiting all the different local ice cream stands and sampling all the delicious flavors.

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Excerpt
Carly wasn’t the typical sexy girl who walked by in the hall every day at school—she was a special kind of beautiful, the type of beautiful that took your breath away. And at that very moment, I was in desperate need of an oxygen tank. Carly didn’t seem to realize how beautiful she was, which was another turn-on. I am in serious trouble of breaking my own promise.
She cleared her throat, jolting me out of my trance. “Gavin, there’s another reason why I’m glad you showed up tonight.”
“There is?” I wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but I patiently waited for her to continue.
“I’ve wanted to apologize.”
“For what?” I quickly racked by brain, but couldn’t think of anything she’d ever done to warrant an apology.
“For the way I acted on our date the other night. I was rude,” she winced. She looked cute when she thought she’d done something wrong. I ran my finger across the top of her nose.
“Girly, don’t be sorry. I should’ve been supportive.” This was the first time she hadn’t yelled at me for calling her that. Taking it as a positive sign, I rambled on, “I was a total dickhead, and if anything, I owe you another date.” The perfect lead-in. “Carly, will you go on a real date with me? And not a double date, because I don’t want to share you with anyone.” Okay, I did it. I broke down and asked her out when I’m not looking for anything. And anything with Carly would be something. She’s not the type of girl who is known for one-night stands.”
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