Stacking the Shelves #8

Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga’s Reviews, talks about all the books we are adding to our shelves. It can be any book, borrowed, bought, won, for review, and ebooks of course!

Blog Tour Review: Exposed by Brighton Walsh

Author: Brighton Walsh
Series: Captive #2
Genre: NA, Romance, Suspense, Contemporary
Release Date: July 21, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Formats: Paperback & eBook
Price: Print $14.99/ Ebook $9.99
Source: Netgalley

My Rating: 4 Stars

Summary From Goodreads:

In this sexy, suspenseful New Adult novel, a young woman hiding from her criminal past is taken captive by her ex-boyfriend, the ultimate bad boy.

Evie is about to embark on the perfect life. Beautiful, poised, and engaged to a rising business star, she fits the part of trophy wife perfectly, except for one thing: her entire identity is a lie. 

Five years ago she created a new identity for herself, but it all crashes back when something she witnessed years ago comes back to haunt her. Now she's in danger of losing more than her social status. 

Determined to protect the careful life she's built for herself, Evie doesn't want anything to do with Riley, the criminal for hire who broke her heart years ago. But Riley has other ideas. He's never forgotten Evie, and to protect her, he steals her away. Hidden from the world, sparks begin to fly as old memories resurface and their passion reignites.

Review: Don't Look Back by Jennifer Armentrout

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: None
Genre: YA, Mystery/Thriller, Suspense, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

My Rating: 4 Stars

Summary From Goodreads: 

Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend. 

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash. 

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

Review: Significance by Shelly Crane

Author: Shelly Crane
Series: Significance
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary
Release Date: June 15, 2011
Publisher: Kiss Me Publications 

My Rating: 2 Stars

Summary From Goodreads: 

Maggie is a seventeen year old girl who's had a bad year. Her mom left, her dad is depressed, she's graduating, barely, and her boyfriend of almost three years dumped her for a college football scholarship. Lately she thinks life is all about hanging on by a thread and is gripping tight with everything she has.
Then she meets Caleb.
She saves his life and instantly knows there's something about him that's intriguing but she is supposed to be on her way to a date with his cousin. But things change when they touch, sparks ignite. Literally. They imprint with each other and she sees their future life together flash before her eyes. She learns that not only is she his soul mate, and can feel his heartbeat in her chest, but there is a whole other world of people with gifts and abilities that she never knew existed. She herself is experiencing supernatural changes unlike anything she's ever felt before and she needs the touch of his skin to survive. Now, not only has her dad come out of his depression to be a father again, and a pain as well, but Caleb's enemies know he's imprinted and are after Maggie to stop them both from gaining their abilities and take her from him. Can Caleb save her or will they be forced to live without each other after just finding one another?

Mini Review: Don't Touch by Rachel Wilson

Author: Rachel M. Wilson
Series: None
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction
Release Date: September 2, 2014
Publisher: Harper Teen

My Rating: 4 Stars

Summary From Goodreads: 

A powerful story of a girl who is afraid to touch another person’s skin, until the boy auditioning for Hamlet opposite her Ophelia gives her a reason to overcome her fears.
Step on a crack, break your mother’s back. Touch another person’s skin, and Dad’s gone for good.
Caddie can’t stop thinking that if she keeps from touching another person’s skin, her parents might get back together... which is why she wears full-length gloves to school and covers every inch of her skin.
It seems harmless at first, but Caddie’s obsession soon threatens her ambitions as an actress. She desperately wants to play Ophelia in her school’s production of Hamlet. But that would mean touching Peter, who’s auditioning for the title role—and kissing him. Part of Caddie would love nothing more than to kiss Peter—but the other part isn't sure she's brave enough to let herself fall.

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Out of Control by Sarah Alderson

Author: Sarah Alderson

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Thriller
Release Date: May 12, 2015
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Book Blitz: Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

Author: Michelle Madow

Series: Secret Diamond Sisters
Release Date: 2/25/14
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Summary From Goodreads: 

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton.
The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite.
Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past.

Author Events Recap and Giveaway!

Maggie Hall and Jay Asher Recap

Two weeks ago, debut author Maggie Hall came to my local bookstore to celebrate the release of her book, The Conspiracy of Us. I got a seat in the very back (meaning no pictures for this post because they weren't good) because I arrived late. Luckily, the only thing I missed was the employee introducing Maggie.
After that, Maggie gave a brief intro of herself and her travels, along with some information about the awesome tattoos she was sporting. 

Then the Q & A and began. I won't go into detail for all the questions because there were a lot asked. Most of the them circulated around publishing, such as how long the whole process took, editing, etc. Along with that, they were questions about the book and characters like the inspiration behind the story, the origin of the cover, etc. Because I sat way in the back, I happened to be right by the check out counter, so I was first to snag a book for the signing following the Q & A. I got pretty near the front of the line, so I didn't have to wait too long. After I talked to Maggie, I found Dahlia Adler in the crowd and got a picture with her too.

                                 

   

Let me say that I'm super awkward around authors. I still remember the first time I went to an author event and just stood there mentally freaking out while the authors signed my books. I don't think I said anything more then my name and thank you. *cringes* Anyway, I've gotten a bit better at making small talk without full on fangirling, which brings me to my recap of Jay Asher's 50 States Against Bullying tour. 

My school was lucky enough to be chosen as part of Asher's tour, so of course I was extremely excited when I found out because it's Jay Asher! At the presentation, I discovered that Asher is a really chill and funny person. He briefly introduced himself and 13 Reasons Why and went on to discuss the inspiration behind it, the number of times it was rejected before published, and how readers have responded to the book. Asher did a wonderful job of balancing out the amount of humor and entertainment with the serious talk of bullying and suicide during his presentation.

While I was in line for the signing, I could hear students in front of me telling Asher about people they personally know who have been bullied or how they themselves suffer from depression, and more importantly, their feelings of gratefulness in knowing that they aren't alone. I was so nervous when talking to Jay Asher that I forgot to get a picture with him! Total fail on my part. These are the times when I wish I wasn't so introverted. Hahah. But overall, this has probably been one of my favorite author events not just of the way Asher presented the topic, but the fact that it served as a  reminder to people that everything affects everything.

          

So to celebrate reasons why you matter, I'm finally hosting the signed swag giveaway I promised a while back!

US Only; Ends February 14th (Visit my Policy page for all rules)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Behind the Story #1: LikkleAngel

Behind the Story Saturdays are my new biweekly feature posts that spotlight Wattpad writers! For inquires on being hosted, please visit the Wattpad page on my blog.

Today I have the honor of introducing LikkleAngel!

Author: LikkleAngel
Series: None
Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance

Summary from Wattpad: 

"Being a teenager sucks, all you can really do is stumble through the years." School. Grades. Judgements. Bullies. Popularity. Mood swings. Peer pressure. Dating. Willow Jamison is, popular, friendly, and is a head cheerleader with a passion for dance. Not to forget she has two hot guys trailing after her. That's pretty much as close to perfect as it gets. Except she doesn't like either of them. She's not interested in finding love, but her friends are determined to find it for her. Derek Reeds is pretty much invisible. He keeps to himself and doesn't really care what people think of him besides his three best friends. He's determined to make it through the hell of high school and leave the limelight for people like Willow Jamison. They're both teenagers, and yeah it sucks to be stumbling through. But it's not so bad when you find the right person to help you.

Cover Reveal: Snake Eyes by Melissa Pearl

 

Author: Melissa Pearl
Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance

Release Date: December 30, 2014
Summary:

Caitlyn Davis expects her sophomore year at UCLA to be perfect...until she walks into her dorm room to find Special Agent Zoey Kaplan of the FBI waiting for her. In that instant, she knows her idyllic year with new best friends, Nicole and Dale, along with her super hot boyfriend, Eric, is about to fall apart.
Having been forced to work with the FBI months earlier, Caity accidentally gave away her special ability to read people's emotions and know whether they were telling the truth. Now, Kaplan wants Caity to go undercover again for a secret operation that will bring her close to the sadistic Diego Mendez, a man believed to be involved in human trafficking.
Eric Shore is not a man who trusts easily. Having been burned multiple times, it’s hard for him to open up completely, but his love for Caity makes him want to try. Yet, her sudden withdrawal worries him, particularly when she chooses to spend time with her new roommate, Quella Mendez, over him.
When Caity’s behavior begins to match that of her wild roommate, Eric wonders if their relationship is as strong as he believed. As Caity struggles to maintain her relationship and do her job, she finds herself pulled further into a dangerous world that could take away everything she holds dear. Will Eric learn the truth in time to save her? Or will the man with the eyes of a snake destroy their perfect romance?

Review: The Trouble With Flying by Rachel Morgan

Author: Rachel Morgan
Series: The Trouble
Genre: YA/NA, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 26, 2014
Format: Ebook
Source: Inspired Kathy

My Rating: 3 Stars

Summary From Goodreads: 

When nineteen-year-old introvert Sarah boards a plane to fly home after an overseas holiday, the last thing she expects is Aiden, the guy sitting next to her who's never flown anywhere before and refuses to shut up. Hours of random conversation later, they part ways. Sarah can't stop thinking about Aiden, though, and wondering if she made a terrible mistake letting him go.
Should she abandon her safe, predictable life and go in search of him, or would she be chasing a happily ever after that could never exist in real life?

Cover Reveal and Excerpt: Volition by Lily Paradis

Today we have an exclusive look at the cover for Lily Paradis' NA novel Volition, coming out in February!

   Author: Lily Paradis
   Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance 
   Release Date: Feburary 9, 2015

Buy Links: Amazon • Signed Paperback 

Summary: 

You know that feeling in the pit of your stomach that stays with you, then tears you apart slowly at first, and all at once shreds every fiber of your being?
It’s because you’re contradicting the universe.
Everything lines up so perfectly that you couldn’t have imagined it to work out better, but then you have to go and do everything humanly possible to ruin it because you can’t stand to have it go right?
That’s what I did.
I did it because there’s a darkness that surrounds me, and I think I want it there.
My name is Tate McKenna, and my soul is blacker than my heart.

Waiting on Wednesday #25

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine, that highlights upcoming releases we're anticipating.

Author: Maggie Hall
Series: None
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Mystery/Thriller, Romance
Release Date: January 13, 2015

Summary From Goodreads: 

To fight her destiny as the missing heir to a powerful and dangerous secret society, sixteen-year-old Avery West must solve an ancient puzzle in a deadly race across Europe. Forbidden love and code-breaking, masked balls and explosions, destiny and dark secrets collide in this romantic thriller, in the vein of a YA DaVinci Code.
Avery West's newfound family can shut down Prada at the Champs-Elysees when they want to shop in peace, and can just as easily order a bombing when they want to start a war.
They are part of a powerful and dangerous secret society called the Circle of Twelve, and Avery is their missing heir. If they discover who she is, some of them will want to use her as a pawn. Some will want her dead.
To thwart their plans, Avery must follow a trail of clues from the landmarks of Paris to the back alleys of Istanbul and through a web of ancient legends and lies. And unless she can stay one step ahead of beautiful, volatile Stellan, who knows she’s more than she seems, and can decide whether to trust mysterious, magnetic Jack, she may be doomed after all.

Cover Reveal: Rebound by Noelle August

Author: Noelle August

Series: Boomerang
Genre: NA, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 10, 2014
Summary: 

At Boomerang, one night can change everything…

Adam Blackwood has it all. At twenty-two, he’s fabulously wealthy, Ryan Gosling-hot and at the top of his game in the business world. His life is perfect, until a scandal from his past resurfaces and threatens to knock the tech wunderkind down and throw his company, Boomerang, a hook-up site for millennials, into chaos.

Alison Quick, the twenty-one-year-old daughter of a business tycoon—and the very ex-girlfriend of Boomerang’s former intern, Ethan—has a problem of her own. After nearly flunking out in her senior year of college, she has one chance to redeem herself to her father by proving that she deserves a place in his corporate empire. That means spearheading her father’s plan to sink big money into Adam’s company and launch it into the stratosphere—provided Adam has no skeletons in his closet.

When the two meet, their sizzling chemistry makes it tough to keep things strictly professional. But when Alison discovers Adam’s secret, she knows she should bring it right to her father, who’ll leverage it for his own gain and use it to ruin Adam. The only problem: she’s falling for Adam—hard.

Will earning her father’s approval come at the price of losing her first real love? Or can Adam and Alison leave behind past mistakes and conquer the world—together?

Waiting on Wednesday #23

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine, that highlights upcoming releases we're anticipating.

    Author: Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher
   Series: None
   Genre: NA, Contemporary Romance
   Release Date: January 31, 2015

Summary From Goodreads: 

Best friends since they could walk. In love by the age of fourteen. Dating for over four years. She’ll do everything she can to never forget.
He’ll do everything he can to never remember.
Too bad it’s not up to them.

Book Blitz: Breaking the Rules (Pushing the Limits #1.5) by Katie McGarry

Breaking the Rules (Pushing the Limits #1.5)
by Katie McGarry
Release Date: 12/08/14
Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

A summer road trip changes everything in this unforgettable new tale from acclaimed author Katie McGarry.
For new high school graduate Echo Emerson, a summer road trip out west with her boyfriend means getting away and forgetting what makes her so... different. It means seeing cool sights while selling her art at galleries along the way. And most of all, it means almost three months alone with Noah Hutchins, the hot, smart, soul-battered guy who’s never judged her. Echo and Noah share everything — except the one thing Echo’s just not ready for.
But when the source of Echo’s constant nightmares comes back into her life, she has to make some tough decisions about what she really wants — even as foster kid Noah’s search for his last remaining relatives forces them both to confront some serious truths about life, love, and themselves.
Now, with one week left before college orientation, jobs and real life, Echo must decide if Noah's more than the bad-boy fling everyone warned her he'd be. And the last leg of an amazing road trip will turn... seriously epic.

Release Day Blitz: Mistletoe & Hollywood by Natasha Boyd and Kate Roth

   Author: Natasha Boyd and Kate Roth

   Genre: Contemporary Romance, NA
   Release Date: November 4, 2014
   Buy Link: Amazon • Itunes • Kobo 

Jack Eversea and Evan Weston, two of Hollywood’s hottest young actors had their hearts stolen by regular down to earth girls, and we lived and laughed and loved their stories in the Eversea Series and in the Desire Resort Series. But what happened when the books were over? How did each couple choose to spend their first Christmas? Was it sexy, emotional, stressful or heartwarming?Perhaps it was everything and more…

Summary of My Star, My Love: 

Movie star, Jack Eversea, has decided to brave his history with England and take the love of his life, Keri Ann Butler, home to meet his mother for Christmas. He’s been back in
California and Keri Ann’s been busy with art school, and they are desperate to spend three weeks together over the Holidays. 

But Jolly Old England does weird things to Jack. And despite his super sweet “twelve days of Christmas” gift giving, Keri Ann can’t quite work out if he’s about to propose or regrets bringing her home. Is he still questioning whether she can handle a few paparazzi, or is he doubting Keri Ann’s commitment to their future? The magnetic couple is back in a fun, sometimes poignant, but super sexy story about acceptance, building a future, and how to make love quietly in a creaky old house with one’s mother down the hall.

   Summary of Many Times, Many Ways:

Vacation is over. Danielle was escaping her monotonous life at a sexy beach resort when she first fell under the spell of Hollywood hunk, Evan Weston, but now they’re trying to make their relationship work in the real world. 

While they’re both hopeful for what lies ahead, the only question is whether or not their desires for the future are one and the same.
Things have always moved quickly between Evan and Danielle, but Danielle can’t stave off the lingering anxiety she has once she finds out about Evan’s big plans—and even bigger Christmas gift. Can she continue to let go of the worry that plagues her so the man of her dreams can give her the life she never imagined she’d have?

Mini Review: The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

Author: Jennifer Mathieu
Series: None
Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance/Realistic Fiction
Release Date: June 3, 2014
Source: Netgalley

My Rating: 4 Stars

Summary From Goodreads: 

Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party.
But did you know Alice was sexting Brandon when he crashed his car?
It's true. Ask ANYBODY.
Rumor has it that Alice Franklin is a slut. It's written all over the bathroom stall at Healy High for everyone to see. And after star quarterback Brandon Fitzsimmons dies in a car accident, the rumors start to spiral out of control.
In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students—the girl who has the infamous party, the car accident survivor, the former best friend, and the boy next door—tell all they know.
But exactly what is the truth about Alice? In the end there's only one person to ask: Alice herself.

Cover Reveal: Mistletoe & Hollywood by Natasha Boyd and Kate Roth

   Author: Natasha Boyd and Kate Roth

   Genre: Contemporary Romance, NA
   Release Date: November 4, 2014
   Buy Link: Amazon

Summary of My Star, My Love: 

Movie star, Jack Eversea, has decided to brave his history with England and take the love of his life, Keri Ann Butler, home to meet his mother for Christmas. He’s been back in
California and Keri Ann’s been busy with art school, and they are desperate to spend three weeks together over the Holidays. 

But Jolly Old England does weird things to Jack. And despite his super sweet “twelve days of Christmas” gift giving, Keri Ann can’t quite work out if he’s about to propose or regrets bringing her home. Is he still questioning whether she can handle a few paparazzi, or is he doubting Keri Ann’s commitment to their future? The magnetic couple is back in a fun, sometimes poignant, but super sexy story about acceptance, building a future, and how to make love quietly in a creaky old house with one’s mother down the hall.

   Summary of Many Times, Many Ways:

Vacation is over. Danielle was escaping her monotonous life at a sexy beach resort when she first fell under the spell of Hollywood hunk, Evan Weston, but now they’re trying to make their relationship work in the real world. 

While they’re both hopeful for what lies ahead, the only question is whether or not their desires for the future are one and the same.
Things have always moved quickly between Evan and Danielle, but Danielle can’t stave off the lingering anxiety she has once she finds out about Evan’s big plans—and even bigger Christmas gift. Can she continue to let go of the worry that plagues her so the man of her dreams can give her the life she never imagined she’d have?

Blog Tour: Finding Mr. Darcy: High School Edition by Erin Butler Review & Giveaway

                                                         

Author: Erin Butler
Title: Finding Mr. Darcy: High School Edition
Release Date: September 16, 2014
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Buy Links: Amazon

Summary From Goodreads: 

Sixteen-year-old Liza Johnson takes fangirl to a whole new level of crazy when she decides to take dating advice from her literary hero: Jane Austen. With the help of her best friends, Liza sheds her ancient-speak and complete Austen wardrobe for something a bit more modern in an attempt at finding her very own Mr. Darcy. Enter Will, the new kid and Liza's Darcy incarnate. Add her BFF's ex to mix and the sexy Brit who kisses with an accent, and Liza is in trouble. So, what's a girl to do? Without her mom to go to relationship advice, Liza turns to the only person she can truly trust with matters of the heart via her mother's copy of COMPLETED WORKS OF JANE AUSTEN. It's too bad Austen's heroines have never played Spin the Bottle or Seven Minutes in Heaven. Liza's determined to find her true Austen-esque happy ending, but if she can't trust herself instead of books, she just might end up in her own tragic love story.