Book Tour: Captivate Me and Iris

Captivate Me (Captivated #1)

S.J. Pierce

YA, Romance, Fantasy/Paranormal

See on: Goodreads

Buy from:

Amazon ll B&N

Captivate Me is Book One of The Captivated Series, a Young Adult Paranormal Romance

"My mom had always told me - when you meet "the one", you'll know; they'll captivate your heart the moment you lay eyes on them. I had always wondered, though, if my mom's words of wisdom were finite - if they applied to everyone. Maybe those who had found their one great love were the lucky few, and maybe the rest of us would have to settle for less than earth-shattering."

Seventeen-year-old Kat Walsh is a Gifted - a human with paranormal abilities. With her mom a former Angel and her dad a dream prophet, it's always been in her genetic make-up to be extraordinary. Unfortunately for her, the world can't handle the strange or unusual. So when she slips up and uses her powers at her high school in Ireland, the entire student body treats her like a freak - even the ones she thought were her closest friends.

Broken, but hopeful for a fresh start, she allows her parents to enroll her in a boarding school buried deep within the forests of a small Colorado town. At Midland Pines, School for the Gifted, she feels as though she can finally be herself; she makes new friends and even has the attention of the most popular guy in school - Levi. Everything feels normal again... or does it?

Not long after her arrival, weird dreams of an alluring boy whom she's never met surface during the night, and the eerie, shadowy trees encircling their school seem to call to her. As these disturbing, yet enticing developments intensify, other bizarre occurrences happen - students and staff turn up missing, and mystery visitors leave gifts while she sleeps. With all of these other things vying for her attention, a desperate Levi has to fight even harder to keep her interest. But with the dreams of the attractive boy slowly captivating her heart, Kat has to make a choice - will she settle for 'great' Levi, or will she search for her elusive dream visitor, possibly stumbling across 'amazing?'

From the author of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles, comes a refreshingly different Young Adult series with plenty of love, suspense, and a new take on the Paranormal.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.

 Iris (Captivated #1.5)

S.J. Pierce

YA, Romance, Fantasy/Paranormal

eARC from: Xpresso Book Tours

See on: Goodreads

Buy from:

Amazon 

"Iris" is set to be published September 1st 2014

***This book is meant to be read after Captivate Me***

Set before the events in Book One of the Captivated Series, "Iris" explores the depths of family bonds, new bonds, and the lengths a person would go to save the life of a dying sibling. In this novella, get to know Iris and her two sisters more intimately, as well as Gabriel, the first angel-human hybrid who agrees to live under her protection.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.

NB:This review will encompass both books. 
 

Actual rating is 3.5
 
I like the idea of angels, schools for people with paranormal abilities, missing children and a little bit of love added to the entire mix.

Captivate Me  has it all, except it focused too much on the love part.

Their school reminds me so much of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters and I sincerely was expecting them to see practicing to control their powers.

What I got to see, however, is the protagonist making friends, typical of a student entering a new school year.
Also, the book focused on whether or not the female protagonist would answer her best friend, or follow that call from the woods.

Yes, it's a love triangle right there. And guess who actually got Kat?

As for Iris, I like how it gives perspective on Iris, the kickass witch in Captivate Me. It just goes to show how impressions are not always correct and that there is more to a character than what she first appears to be.

Overall, albeit a tad too cheesy, Captivate Me is a good prelude to the oncoming books from the lovely author. And yet,I wish to see a novella for the story behind Kat's parents because it looks like a story worth telling :)

Susan James Pierce has a degree in Marketing Management, works for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta, Georgia, and devotes her precious, spare time to writing Fantasy, Paranormal and Sci-fi novels.

Author Links:
http://sjpiercebooks.blogspot.ca/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6562942.S_J_Pierce

https://www.facebook.com/SJPiercebooks

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BOOK REVIEW: Summer's Winter by Robin Johns Grant

 Title: Summer's Winter

Author: Robin Johns Grant

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Suspense

See on: Goodreads

Copy from: Xpresso Book Tours

Buy from: Amazon

 When Jeanine finally connects with film star Jamie Newkirk, the object of her obsession, will it be a dream come true? Or will she be pulled into his family's nightmare of secrets, control, and death?

At age ten, preacher's daughter Jeanine fell in love with young movie star Jamie Newkirk and the character he played--Danny Summer. Jeanine believed God Himself promised Jamie would be part of her life--that he would rescue her from boring rural Georgia. But eleven years later, she's graduating college and about to settle into the dreary nine-to-five life with no word from Jamie or God.

And then Jamie bursts into her life in an amazing way. There are plans to resurrect the Summer series of books and movies, and Jeanine is right in the middle of it all. Jamie seems to be falling for her, just as she'd dreamed. And yet...

She never expected all the dark undercurrents. Jamie is hiding out in Georgia following the suspicious death of his former girlfriend. And isn't it odd that he found his mother dead of a supposed suicide in that same house two years before, and that both women had the same strangely-shaped burn on their bodies? Jamie is obviously hiding things--about his family, about the deaths of his mother and girlfriend. The media and the public have declared him guilty. Jeanine longs to prove his innocence. Unless she can, Jamie's dark secrets may shatter her dreams, her faith--and her life.

There are very few books that acknowledge the presence of the Higher power and that is a plus for me in this book.

And I guess that very element made the journey of reading this book, for me, bearable.

Jeanine, in simple terms, is a fan of Jamie Newkirk, the boy wonder who stole millions of hearts with his acting as Danny Summer. The movie is based on the novels that Jeanine adore and seeing Jamie act it out has stolen her heart right on that theater seat the first time she watched it.

And right then she knew. She knew that she and Jamie would meet.

Can you see it?
True, a lot of us take a seat in the movies and think to ourselves "I am really going to meet (Chris Evans, Chris Pine, Josh Hutcherson) in person. I SWEAR TO EVERYONE THAT I WILL. I'LL KEEP ON TRYING AND I WON'T GIVE UP!"

That is the vibe that I got from the main character.
Sure, she may not have stalked his house but she sure did stalk his uncle.
In other words, Jeanine is a diehard fan of Jamie. She believes that destiny made Jeanine sit on Jamie's movie and watch it.

BUT!
That is not the only thing the book is about. 
There is something that is ruining Jamie's life that may result to Jeanine losing her life. 

I honestly would have loved this book if Jamie wasn't an actor. The flow of the story is already good without the additional implications being an actor entails. It presented too much of a complication that also made the entire story seem more complicated. Before the reader can see what the story actually wants to talk about, they're sidelined by the details that the author throws at them.

In the end, Summer's Winter tells us that things do happen for a reason. They may not occur at the time we wished for it, but in the end, if it's His will, it will come to us. And when this happens, it actually fulfills a part of our lives.

Robin Johns Grant has been writing for most of her life. While waiting for her writing to pay off, she did some interesting things like being a secretary for private investigators, and some ordinary things like writing for university magazines and being a financial aid counselor. She also did a lot of crazy fan stuff and developed fascinations with books and movies like Harry Potter and Star Wars, which helped her dream up Jeanine and Jamie for Summer's Winter.

Robin now has her best day job ever as a college librarian, which keeps her young by allowing her to hang out with students.  She lives in Georgia with her wonderful husband Dave and formerly feral feline, Mini Pearl. In fact, she finds herself involved in a ridiculously large number of animal rescues and was shocked to become part owner of an abandoned pit bull puppy last fall. Robin is celebrating the release of her first novel,  Summer's Winter , about preacher’s daughter Jeanine and her obsession with troubled film star, Jamie. Keep up with Robin and her writing at http://www.robinjohnsgrant.com .

Author links: 

Website ll Twitter ll Goodreads

Book Review: One, Two, Three by Elodie Nowodazkij

Title: One, Two, Three (One, Two, Three #1)

Author: Elodie Nowodazkij

Genre: Contemporary, YA, Romance

Copy from Netgalley

See on: Goodreads

Buy links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1jR6AjJ
B&N.com: http://bit.ly/1yRzYAp
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1iK0qqD
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1pEi9yB

When seventeen-year-old Natalya’s dreams of being a ballerina are killed in a car accident along with her father, she must choose: shut down—like her mother—or open up to love.

Last year,seventeen-year-old Natalya Pushkaya was attending the School of Performing Arts in New York City. Last year, she was well on her way to becoming a professional ballerina. Last year, her father was still alive.

But a car crash changed all that—and Natalya can’t stop blaming herself. Now, she goes to a regular high school in New Jersey; lives with her onetime prima ballerina, now alcoholic mother; and has no hope of a dance career.

At her new school, however, sexy soccer player Antonio sees a brighter future for Natalya, or at least a more pleasant present. Keeping him an arabesque away proves to be a challenge for Natalya and his patient charms eventually draw her out of her shell.

When upsetting secrets come to light and Tonio’s own problems draw her in, Natalya shuts down again, this time turning to alcohol herself.

Can Natalya learn to trust Antonio before she loses him—and destroys herself?

 Actual rating is 3.5 
Natalya Pushkaya's dream has always been to become the prima ballerina. 
But an accident put an end to that along with the life of someone she loved.

This book reminds me of the many other books who share this element in the story:
      The difference in culture between the male protagonist, who's usually a Latino, and the female protagonist. 

As I read through the book, however, the author was not focusing on the budding relationship between these two, but the mending of a broken relationship.

The angst of Natalya is acceptable, given all that she has to go through in just a short span of time. At 17-18 years old, she has already suffered and lost , making her close herself off to the world.

What I like most about this book is that it showed how a person should be open to forgiving, to changing themselves for the better and being able to live despite the hurt that they now overcame.

*Learn more about her upcoming releases by subscribing to her newsletter :-)*

The short story: Young adult author, Elodie Nowodazkij writes the stories swirling in her head during her commuting time.

The long story: Elodie Nowodazkij was raised in a tiny village in France, where she could always be found a book in hand. At nineteen, she moved to the US, where she learned she’d never lose her French accent. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Modern Language & Linguistics, and later earned master’s degrees in German Cultural Studies and European Studies. Unbeknownst to her professors, she sometimes drafted stories in class. Now she lives in Germany with her husband and their cat (who doesn’t seem to realize he’s not human), and use her commuting time to write the stories swirling in her head. She's also a serial smiley user.
ONE TWO THREE is her first novel.

Get in contact with the author! 

 

Book News: Bad For You by Abbi Glines

Sea Breeze #7 ?????

by ABBI GLINES on January 10, 2014

In the coastal town of Sea Breeze, Alabama where it’s always… hot, the local rock band, Jackdown, keeps things entertaining. The lead singer, Krit, especially keeps things interesting. From his pierced and tattooed body to his white blond hair and very dirty mouth Krit is the epitome of a bad boy. And he embraces it.

We were introduced to Krit in Because of Low when he shamelessly flirted with Low and then in Misbehaving we got to see more of him. He wasn’t just the naughty playboy. When he cared about someone he did whatever he could to help them. Even if it meant buying up all their lap dances (don’t ask, just read Misbehaving)

April 1, 2014 I will take you back to Sea Breeze but this time the heat just went up several notches higher.

 Innocence was never meant for the addictive…

 Addiction was something Krit Corbin accepted as part of his nature a long time ago. He decided to embrace it and flip his finger at the rules. Women had always been the number one thing on his list of addictions. He couldn’t get enough. Being the lead singer in a rock band had only made access to his favorite addiction that much easier.

 Being alone was the only thing Blythe Denton understood. The small town minister’s family that raised her hadn’t accepted her as their own. The minister’s wife had always made sure Blythe understood just how unworthy she was of love. When Blythe is sent away to college and given a chance to finally be free of living as an unwanted burden, she looks forward to having peace in her life. Being alone isn’t something that bothers her. She escapes reality in the stories she writes.

However, the ridiculously sexy tattooed guy who keeps throwing parties in the apartment above hers is driving her crazy. For starters, he doesn’t treat her like she would expect a guy with a different woman always hanging on his arm to treat someone as uninteresting as her. She looks nothing like the gorgeous women she sees parading in and out of his apartment, but for some strange reason he keeps showing up at her door.

During a party at his apartment, Krit’s new neighbor comes to the door with her long brown hair pulled up in a messy knot and a pair of glasses perched on her cute little nose. She wants him to turn down the music, but he convinces her to stay.

Krit Corbin may have just found his biggest addiction yet. And Blythe Denton realizes too late that she’s finally been claimed.

BAD FOR YOU

by Abbi Glines

Coming April 1, 2014 from Simon Pulse

Look for the cover reveal next month

Preorder links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

iBooks

From: http://www.abbiglines.com/2014/01/sea-breeze-7/

Book Review: Misbehaving by Abbi Glines

Title: MISBEHAVING (SEA BREEZE, #6)

Author: Abbi Glines

Published: December 17, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, New Adult,  Romance

Goodreads || Amazon || B&N

          An unexpected affair leads to mind-blowing harmony in this Sea Breeze novel from New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines. 

        Jason is sick of living in his rock star brother’s shadow. So when he ships off to Sea Breeze, Alabama, he’s looking for a much deserved escape and a chance to blow off some envious steam. Falling for the local bad girl was definitely not the plan. But as the new duo enjoys some naughty fun in the Alabama sun, Jason learns that even though Jax is the musician in the family, he’s not the only brother who can rock someone’s world.

*Image and synopsis from Goodreads

“I don’t get possessive. I can’t get possessive. I don’t have time for that. You are making me feel that way, and it doesn’t fit into my world. I was trying to distance myself.”

          This book is like the continuity of the love stories of the Sea Breaze gang!

     Badass heroine? Troublemaker? Definitely a major turn on! Jess is feisty, confident, straightforward, compassionate and strong. She's really a contradiction of the heroines in the previous books of the series, however she has the biggest heart and the kindest intentions that despite her unbelievable attitude, she have that side that only Jason Stone can understand. Her dynamic personality is a major turn out in this story. 

         Jason Stone? He always lived in his brother's shadow, but you know what? He's more than just the brother of a rock star. Yes, he can also rock your world, AND yes, he's a freaking sex-god. We had a view of Jason's life back in Amanda and Preston's love story (Just for Now, Sea Breeze, #4), but here in Misbehaving, there's this side of him that not everyone knows. I like his amazing personality that even though the world sees that girl he's in love with is a total disaster, he still wants to protect her because Jason knows that Jess is really worth it. 

           Poor girl meets rich guy? Typical, right? How about we put a twist on it... What will happen if a bad girl meets good boy? Well? Who would have thought that a girl who lives in a trailer park will end up with a Prince Charming? You might think it's cliché but I assure you this book is so much more than Cinderella and Prince Charming. Misbehaving is not just a story of two people in different worlds, it is a tale of craving for freedom, chasing dreams, believing in fate, taking chances and falling in love.

Misbehaving somehow reminded me of the film Pretty Woman starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. :)

Jax and Sadie's story is still my favorite in this series. (Breathe, Sea Breeze, #1)

“I had never expected to fall in love, but then, I'd never imagined anyone like Jess. She was one beautiful contradiction. The idea of letting someone else own my heart wasn't appealing. It sounded weak and Foolish. Something meant for the words of a song. I was wrong.” 

Book News & Events: Gayle Forman's Upcoming Book Signing in Manila

Gayle Forman is coming here in the Philippines! Thanks to National Book Store for inviting her here for a booksigning event! 

             Gayle Forman is the best-selling author of If I Stay (currently being turned into a movie). It was published in 30 countries around the world. The sequel/companion book to If I Stay, Where She Went, came out in April 2011.

             If you've read the books then be sure to attend one of the two events she's holding. And if you haven't, then read it quick because we know you'll love it as much as we did. 

             Also, check out her new novels, Just One Day & Just One Year! 

Frequently Asked Questions 

When and where are the book signings? 
January 18, 4:00 pm, at National Book Store, Glorietta 1 
January 19, 2:00 pm, at National Book Store, Ayala Center Cebu 

When will the registration be? 
Registration opens at 10:00 am on January 18 at National Book Store, Glorietta 1 and 10:00 am on January 19 at National Book Store, Ayala Center Cebu (in the store, NOT the activity center). Each guest will be asked to fill out the registration form upon arrival. Separate registrations for each event is required should you wish to attend both events. First come, first served. 

Is there a registration fee? 
No. There is no registration fee. 

How many books can I have signed? Is there a limit as to how many people can have their books signed? 
You may have any number of books signed as long as they were purchased from National Book Store, Bestsellers or Powerbooks, and we do not have any preset limit as to the number of people. 

However, although we will take every effort to get as many books signed as possible, depending on the number of attendees, we reserve the right to limit the number of copies per person or limit the number of people in line. First come, first served. 

Can I bring old books or other editions of the books? 
Yes, as long as the books were purchased from National Book Store, Bestsellers and Powerbooks. 

Do I need to buy on-site? 
No. You can buy books before or during the event. 

Can I have other items signed? 
No. Only books will be allowed to be signed by the authors. 

Can we have our photo taken with the author? 
Yes, you can have your photo with the author when she signs your book. However, we strictly allow one photo per person only. 

How much are the books? 
If I Stay (Trade Paperback – P379) 
Where She Went (Trade Paperback – P399) 
Just One Day (Trade Paperback – P419; Trade Paperback [new cover] – P495) 
Just One Year (Trade Paperback – P495)

Book Review: The Sweetest Game by J. Sterling

Title: THE SWEETEST GAME (THE PERFECT GAME #3)
Author: J. Sterling

Published: December 25, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult, Romance


Goodreads || Amazon || B & N

This is the third (and final) installment in Jack & Cassie's story! 

“It’s one hell of a sledgehammer to the chest when your baseball career comes to an end. It’s like you finally realize that baseball never loved you back. All the sleepless nights, the hours spent at the gym trying to stay fit, the conditioning, the training, the mental preparation, the holiday’s missed, the birthday’s passed, the memories you didn’t get to make with your family…all for what? It’s not like baseball lost any sleep over you. She didn’t stay awake for nights on end trying to figure out how to make you a better player. She didn’t care. Baseball’s a business. A sport. A game. And as much as my entire life has been wrapped up in it, it’s time to let it go.” 

- Jack Carter

*Image and synopsis from Goodreads

“I’ll never get tired of hearing that laugh or seeing those dimples.”

“Better get used to it, Kitten. ‘Cause I’m not going anywhere.”

           Who would have thought that Jack and Cassie’s perfect game is not yet over? Yes, I was in freaking seventh heaven when I learned that there’s going to be a third book. From just a statement “prove it” (from the first book, The Perfect Game) that grew into something more mature, intense and real.

            If you fell in love with Jack fcking Carter in the first 2 books, then you’ll fall even harder with him in this final installment. Just so you know, I hated the part where he became a total douche and made Cassie like she's invisible! Ugh. But hell! It was all forgotten through his swoon-worthy words and actions. His perfect in the imperfection kind of way. As for Cassie, she is in the happiest of her life, with her dream job and being married to a baseball superstar but life wasn't easy for both of them. Well, love was never easy and hell, there’s no such thing as perfect relationship. And the quarters? Damn, girl. It's jaw-dropping swoon-worthy shit. (If don't know what I'm talking about, you MUST read the first two books)

            This book only proves that there is so much more after marriage, that life and love doesn’t stop when you’re married. The ups and downs of their rollercoaster-ride-like love is pretty much inspiring, that no matter what happen love conquers all. It was a thrill to see the how these two grow from being young and in love college students to responsible adults that prioritizes the most important thing in their lives. There was a time that they thought letting go is the answer to their pains, but as their love grew deeper, it can withstand anything that comes their way. 

        Also, the epic turn out of the lives of their family and friends were given thought in the story. The perfect view on what happened to Melissa and Dean’s craziness on each other. The Gran-ify of Gramps and Gran and all their insane humor and awesome advice. And of course the epilogue part that would definitely make you want mooooore. Less drama and more swoon!

       Giving up everything like fame and money even in if they're on top of their game wasn't an option for Jack and Cassie, because as long as they have each other, they can get through what life has to offer. There is no doubt that these two are meant to be together. 

         Because it all started with The Perfect Game that bloomed in to a Game Changing love that ends in their Sweetest Game. Well, bookwhores, that’s how you wrap up a series! ;)

“Every moment with you is never enough; I always want more. And I always will.”

Book Review: Ruined by Jus Accardo

Title: Ruined 
(The Eternal Balance #1)

Author: Jus Accardo

Published: December 30, 2013

Genre: New Adult

Source: e-ARC:Entangled Embrace

Amazon | Goodreads | B&N

Hell is looking for a way to break loose…

Jax lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world's first murderer, he's plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for his happiness. He left everything behind, including the girl he loved, but thriving on the pain of others is lonely… And it's killing him.

After a series of heartbreaking losses, Samantha put rubber to pavement and headed for college as fast as her clunker could carry her. But she can't outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home, she's thrown into the path of a past—and a guy—she's been trying to forget.

Sam strains Jax's control over his darkness, but running isn't an option this time. Someone—or, something—followed her home from school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making. Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.

“I don’t skulk.”

Turning, he winked. I hated it, but despite the fact that it’d been the night from hell, the quirk of his lip and cure of his cheek sent my heartbeat racing.

“I loom. Much sexier don’t ya think?”

From the Denazen series to the first installment of The Eternal Balance: Ruined, Jus Accardo did it again. She created these wonderfully distinctive characters that you can’t help but adore. Jus made this dark and brooding world with just enough wit that will send you turning the page after the other.

We won’t see man-whores and weak-willed girls that we often read about in New Adult novels, we will see mature characters that were forced to grow up because of their past and what they have to do in order to find balance.

The love between Sam and Jax will make you jealous but at the same time have sympathy for them. Both loved each other, and yet, can’t be together. Despite the troubles and the fate against them being together, there was never a doubt of how deep their love is. Sacrificing for someone you love is easy, but sacrificing being with the one you love is not.

The story evolved beautifully. Every twists and turns (this novel is full of it) blindsided me. I wasn’t expecting half of what happened and THAT is saying a lot. Jax having a demon inside him is just the start of something big. Something that involves his twin brother, Chase. Something that lasted a long time ago. Something to do with Cain and Abel.

“I saw myself mirrored in her eyes. Lost. Alone. Seperated. “

“Ruined.”