Book Review: Sideswiped by Lia Riley

Sideswiped (Off the Map #2)
by Lia Riley
NA, Contemporary, Romance
copy from Netgalley
See on: Goodreads

Buy links: Amazon ☆ iTunes ☆ Barnes & Noble

It was only meant to last the summer . . .

Talia Stolfi has seen more than her share of loss in her twenty-one years. But then fate brought her Bran Lockhart, and her dark world was suddenly and spectacularly illuminated. So if being with Bran means leaving her colorless NorCal life for rugged and wild Australia, then that’s what she’ll do. But as much as Talia longs to give herself over completely to a new beginning, the fears of her past are still lurking in the shadows.

Bran Lockhart knows that living without the beautiful girl who stole his heart will be torment, so he’ll take whatever time with her he can. But even though she has packed up her life in California and is back in his arms for the time being, she can’t stay forever. And the remaining time they have together is ticking by way too fast. Though fate seems determined to tear them apart, they won’t give up without a fight—because while time may have limits, their love is infinite . . . 
 
Actual rating is 3.5 
Sideswiped picks up where Upside Down left off.
Bran and Talia's love grows much more than what they intended for it to be. And now, they're facing separation that would leave them either heartache or make their love stronger. 

 This time, the book focuses on Talia and Bran as individuals and not just as a part of a couple. 

The flow of the story is quite slow. We see their love grow and endure struggle from time to time. The challenges that life presented to both of them had an impact on their relationship. It made them think not only of their status but also of who they are as persons. The book showed the growth of the characters and how they came to the conclusion they had for their relationship and what they want to do for themselves first.  

 Sideswiped is a good read despite its slow pace. In many ways, its pacing shows how the characters came to grow and how they came upon the decisions they made. 




I
 Lia Riley writes offbeat romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound pretty sweet.

She and her family live in Northern California.

Author links:
 Website ll Twitter ll Goodreads
2 comments :
Labels: , ,

Cover Reveal: THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN by Heather Lyons!

We are so excited to bring you the Cover Reveal for Heather Lyons' THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN! THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN is an Adult Fantasy and the third book in Heather's The Collector's Society Series! (Definitely one of my fave series)

Heather Lyons is known for writing epic, heartfelt love stories often with a fantastical twist. From Young Adult to New Adult to Adult novels -- one commonality in all her books is the touching, and sometimes heartwrenching, romance. And this book is absolutely no different! The Collectors’ Society’s adventures continue in ways you would have never imagined on June 25th! Join them as you step into this adult fairytale with some of your favorite characters.

HLyons_TFM_eCover_450x675
Heather worked with Victoria Faye from Whit and Ware for the design of this fabulous cover!

Add THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN on Goodreads!!

  10838049_1091414357540873_4010807356932947902_o  

 After years spent in Wonderland, Alice Reeve learned the impossible was quite possible after all. She thought she left such fantastical realities behind when she finally returned to England.

 Now Alice has become a member of the clandestine Collectors’ Society, and the impossible has found her again in the form of an elusive villain set on erasing entire worlds. As she and the rest of the Society race to bring this mysterious murderer to justice, the fight becomes painfully personal.

 Lives are being lost. Loved ones are shattered or irrevocably altered. Each step closer Alice gets to the shadowy man she hunts, the more secrets she unravels, only to reveal chilling truths. If she wants to win this war and save millions of lives, Alice must once more embrace the impossible and make the unimaginable, imaginable.

 Sometimes, the rabbit hole leads to terrifying places.  

Don’t miss the first books in this The Collectors’ Society Series!

Final_eCover_450x675
THE COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY
HLyons_THL_eBook02_450x675
THE HIDDEN MOUNTAIN
Author PhotoHeather Lyons writes epic, heartfelt love stories and has always had a thing for words. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. She and her husband and children live in sunny Southern California and are currently working their way through every cupcakery she can find.        

Website | Author Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAIN Goodreads

z-InkSlinger Blogger
2 comments :

Book Launch: When Fates Align by Isabelle Richards!

We’re having a release day launch for When Fates Align, the stunning conclusion to Isabelle Richards’ When Fates Collide Trilogy. To celebrate her release, she has the entire trilogy on sale, and she’s sharing a great excerpt with us!! Check it out!! Release Day Blitz_edited-1
Blogs Taking Part in the Release Day Launch
Tracey
 
There’s a romantic notion that if the person you love dies, you’ll somehow feel it. You’ll feel the connection sever as the other half of your soul is ripped from you. But I didn’t feel anything when Lily died. Nothing. I should have felt something, shouldn’t I? Like the tether she holds around my heart snapping or a surge of electrical current when the connection between us was lost? Something. But there was no warning. As I drove to my flat, there was no sign of the devastation waiting for me. Nothing to prepare me for the reality that my heart was about to be irrevocably shattered. Even if I had felt something, it couldn’t have prepared me for this.
It all seems unreal. Lily can’t be dead. Despite the numerous times I lectured her about the danger she was in, I never truly believed I’d lose her. I thought as long as she was with me, she’d be safe. What a fool I was.
Time’s come to a standstill. I’m frozen whilst people move all around me. A constant squawk of radios echoes in the hall. Police officers and firemen hustle in and out of my flat, moving with such purpose. Tasks to complete. Because this is just a job to them. Just another murder scene. One of many. They take notes, collect samples, snap pictures. When it’s over, they’ll go home, or to the pub, and the horrors they saw here will eventually fade away.
Not for me. My anguish from this day will never fade. It will fester inside me, trapping me in eternal misery. Since I’m perishing in hell, I’m going to make sure the bastards who did this to her perish right along with me. I’m certain vengeance crosses the minds of most people who have lost someone to such senseless acts of violence, but I know this isn’t just a passing stage of grief that will wane with time. Cartels like Morelia survive because they know how to work the system. Blackmail, extortion, and bribery make them untouchable by authorities. The only way I’ll get justice for Lily is if I annihilate them myself, and unlike most people, I have the resources and connections to make it happen.
 series sale couple walking in grass_edited-1
When Fates Align-FINAL-high (1) 
Why would fate bring them together only to tear them apart?
Lily and Gavin were brought together in a clash of tragedy and chaos. Amid the ashes of lives gone wrong, they thought they found a second chance at love. With trouble from their previous lives lurking around every corner, they quickly learned that love from a star-crossed romance isn’t enough to survive.
Lily has slipped through Gavin’s fingers, and he feels as though he’s been sentenced to an eternity in hell. But if he’s going to perish in the ninth circle, everyone responsible for coming between him and Lily will go down with him.
Perhaps their love was never meant to be. But, if he’s learned anything from his time with Lily, it’sthat sometimes everything has to crash and burn before life can begin again.

When Fates Align: Kindle | Kindle UK | Kindle Australia 
  When Fate Isn’t Enough: Kindle | Kindle UK | Kindle Australia
When Fate Isnt Enough-high (1) 
  When Fates Collide: Kindle | Kindle UK | Kindle Australia
When Fates Collide-FINAL-high (1)   

photo 5 (1) (1)Isabelle Richards Bio: Isabelle Richards spent years as a speech writer before tackling fiction. An avid reader of all genres, Isabelle is drawn to romance novels as they provide an escape from daily life.  Through her complex cast of characters, Isabelle creates a sanctuary for readers to dive into for a break from reality.
When she is not writing, Isabelle works as an advocate for persons with disabilities in Washington, DC. Her two yellow labs are her writing partners, although they frequently sleep on the job. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments :

The Dead Days Journal: Volume 1 REVIEW


The Dead Days Journal (Volume 1)
Sandra R Campbell
Publication date: April 2015
Genres: Dystopia, New Adult
See on: Goodreads

Buy links: Amazon ☆ Barnes & Noble


The daughter of a radical doomsday prepper, Leo Marrok spent her entire life preparing for the end. A skilled fighter and perfect marksman, Leo is her father’s second-in-command when Armageddon comes to pass. Together, they lead a group of survivors to a secure bunker deep in the Appalachian Mountains.

Vincent Marrok is willing to take extreme measures to repopulate their broken world. Leo’s refusal marks her as a traitor. With father and daughter at odds for the first time, their frail community is thrust into turmoil. Until the unthinkable happens, a blood-thirsty horde arrives. The impending attack will destroy all that they have worked for.

To protect her home and everything she believes in, Leo puts her faith in the arms of the enemy—a creature only rumored to exist—the one she calls Halloween. An alliance born out of necessity evolves into feelings Leo is ill-equipped to handle.

The Dead Days Journal is a post-apocalyptic story of love and family told through Leo Marrok’s first-hand account and the pages of Vincent’s personal journal, giving two very different perspectives on what it takes to survive.

Mature themes, adult language, sexual situations, violence and gore. 18+

At first, the title of the book led me to think that what the characters would be facing were the undead. I was totally off the mark.

Being the last survivors of the human race, all that Vincent Marrok wanted to provide is safety for his family and the legacy they would leave behind: the future generation. And yet, there are creatures whose sustenance consists of human beings are out and hunting them. Can these last bout of survivors, survive?

And then, here's his daughter, Leo(na) whose sole problems were of her love interests.

Leo is in fact, the protagonist of the book. And yet, most of the time, I truly enjoy reading her father's journal entries more than Leo's side of the story. The entries depict the world they live in, the lives of the band of people under Vincent Marrok's care and the means to which he deems necessary for the survival of the human race. I like how it was written in the form of journal entries as it gives the feeling of authenticity to the reality they were facing. His side of the story is what I enjoyed the most. It's very telling the situation they were in and all that Vincent Marrok wants is security for those under his care, whatever means is necessary to acquiring it.

 Leo's story, however, tries to inject a romantic feel to the book and it fails miserably.

I don't know what to feel about Leo. She's 22 and yet, the way she acts in the whole book makes me think that she's 16 years old. She lacks maturity in the way she behaves, thinks and acts. There were instances wherein she thought of herself more than others, especially when it comes to her relationship with Ben. When it's her part of the story, it indeed focuses on her too much to the point that she does not see the side of others.

I truly wouldn't mind if the author removes entirely Leo's parts and instead, those parts be told by her father in the form of his entries. If this story focused more on Vincent Marrok and his entries, I would have absolutely enjoyed this story. And that is what makes me wait for the second book. The Dead Days Journal is interesting and would be a good read if it shines the light on Vincent Marrok, the leader of his people and the one that could possibly lead them to their demise.





Sandra R. Campbell lives along the tranquil waters of the Chesapeake Bay with her husband and weight challenged cat. She can trace her passion for the macabre back to reading Edgar Allen Poe as a child, with her pet crow, Big Fellow, by her side. She has since submerged herself in a wide range of dark literature. An avid thrill seeker, Sandra is always looking for her next big adrenaline rush, and when spelunking, diving and monster hunting fails to deliver, she turns to the creation of through-the-rabbit-hole worlds and sends her characters on their own adventures. Sandra is a member of Romance Writers of America, Maryland Writers' Association and the director of a MWA critique group. She is also the founder and co-author of free fiction website Waterfrontwriters.com.
Website: http://sandracampbell.com


4 comments :
Labels: , ,

ARC Book Review: Life Unaware by Cole Gibsen!

Life Unaware
by Cole Gibson
Release Date: April 28th 2015
Published: Entangled Teen
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Regan Flay has been talking about you. 

Regan Flay is on the cusp of achieving her control-freak mother's "plan" for high school success―cheerleading, student council, the Honor Society—until her life gets turned horribly, horribly upside down. Every bitchy text. Every bitchy email. Every lie, manipulation, and insult she's ever said have been printed out and taped to all the lockers in school.

Now Regan has gone from popular princess to total pariah.

The only person who even speaks to her is her former best friend's hot but socially miscreant brother, Nolan Letner. Nolan thinks he knows what Regan's going through, but what nobody knows is that Regan isn't really Little Miss Perfect. In fact, she's barely holding it together under her mom's pressure. But the consequences of Regan's fall from grace are only just beginning. Once the chain reaction starts, no one will remain untouched...

Especially Regan Flay.
“I had no idea that I was…destroying people.”

When I start reading, I usually don’t look at the synopsis nor remember what it says. I’m just forgetful. Imagine my surprise when the heroine is a real bully. Not just a popular girl who does nothing to stop her friends from bullying everyone else. It’s actually a story about the perspective of a bully and the bullied.

Regan Flay is a popular teen in her high school. She’s working hard to get in the cheerleading squad and to win as a student council. All of those things aren’t what she wants, but what she needs to do because of her Mother’s plans for her and also for her Mother’s political campaign. While being pressured into achieving the best, she also needs to deal with her anxiety attacks. She’s composed on the outside – which she learned from her mother – and chaotic on the inside.

The story was detailed on how all the things she tried to build and achieve came crumbling down on top of her. Regan’s feelings when everyone turned on her was greatly shown. One day, from a likable person, the next she became the hated. Texts, emails and every single mean word she typed and said was plastered all over the lockers. With all the cyber bullying, she actually thought of taking her pills and killing herself.

But amidst all the nasty looks and words thrown at her, she found a friend. His name was Nolan. Well, it was annoying at first since he was always holding a camera that I found so annoying. Lol. Little did I know how I would swoon at his persistence as the story progressed. He was there when she crumbled. He was just there for her. Even her best friend Payton was nowhere to be found.

I found the book enlightening. It’s never easy being bullied. I, myself, experienced this. But here in this book, we actually tried to solve it. Not just something that was a norm in the society, but bullying is viewed as a problem we need to fix. For the first time in my reading history, I somehow understood bullies. That for every person we meet every day, we have to be nice because we don’t know what they’re going through. We don’t know their story.

From what I’ve said earlier, I experienced bullying in my teenage life. What this book taught me is to break free with what usually society tells you what’s normal and be kind to one another. Revenge isn’t going to change anything but just makes it worse.

Aside from the social issues plaguing today’s society, I also loved Regan’s character. She wasn’t a total bitch or a weakling. She can stand on her own despite her problems. She also didn’t turn blind or deaf when she was developing feelings with the MC Hero. Over-all, I loved her.

The title was so fitting with the story. Regan’s character felt real and flawed. Life Unaware tackles eating disorders, mental illnesses and coming out. It caught the core of bullying and what we can do about it.
I love writing, day-old chinese food, and my nail polish is always chipped. My YA novel, KATANA, will be released, spring 2012 by Flux. You can check out my website at www.colegibsen.com Word to your mother. (But seriously, you should call her. She worries.) 
2 comments :

Book Blitz: Nearly Almost Somebody by Caroline Batten



 
Nearly Almost Somebody by Caroline Batten
Publication date: March 26th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Goodreads

Amazon

She’s nearly perfect – He’s almost the one

When Patrick’s caught in flagrante with a local beauty queen, his father delivers an ultimatum: one more newspaper scandal and Patrick will be out on his ear. Desperate not to lose his job at the family veterinary practice,
Patrick needs to avoid trouble – and girls like Libby.

The Broken Ballerina’s a headline waiting to happen, but mourning her short-lived career as a dancer, Libby casts a Wiccan spell to summon a new love: Good-looking, honest, non-brown eyes, English, good with animals… in a nutshell, she summons Patrick.

But fighting Libby’s love spell will be the least of Patrick’s problems when an old lady dies from a ketamine overdose – ketamine stole from his surgery.

Witchcraft, Scandal, Murder...

Will anyone find their perfect Somebody?


Goodreads: Purchase:






Caroline Batten - The Interview

Caroline is the author of #Forfeit and Nearly Almost Somebody, contemporary romances she likes to call “Chick Lit with Edge” – forget shoe-shopping and cupcakes, expect binge drinking, eating disorders and Class A drug-taking.

#Forfeit is the sordid tale of five friends who play a game of increasingly dangerous dares. Nearly Almost Somebody is filled with Wiccan love spells, murder and local scandal. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Anywhere I can. Music, films, the Antiques Roadshow.

Really?
Totes. It’s where I saw the antique forfeit ball that Daisy rolls in the book.

Tell us your usual writing routine.
I work full-time, we have a 6 year-old daughter and we’re renovating an old farmhouse - writing routine, you say? Lol. There isn’t one. When I’m in the zone, I’ll write whenever and wherever I can, but when I’m not... life does get in the way.   

Life? How much time do you spend procrastinating on Facebook?
Yeah. That.

Do you have a favourite snack when you are in your writing zone?
Does Prosecco with a sliced strawberry in count as a snack?

What was the first book you remember reading and enjoying?
Without a doubt, Jill’s Gymkhana by Ruby Ferguson.

Did you have a favourite literary hero/heroine as a child?
That would be the Jill with the gymkhana. The girl was a superstar. Practical, witty, sharp, utterly dismissive of all things soppy - including her own mother’s nauseating Enid Blyton style books. She dreamed of becoming the first female MFH and so introduced me at the tender age of nine to equality and sex discrimination. And she beats the rich girl in the gymkhana. Hurrah.  

What's the wine in that glass?
Er... Prosecco. Obvs. 

Have you ever given up on a manuscript because it just wasn't working?
No. A few times people told me to put Forfeit in a drawer and move on, but I couldn’t. I loved Daisy and Xander too much to give up on them and the story.

Do your sex scenes make you horny?
*Blushes* A wise friend once told me to write books that I wanted to read because chances are someone else would want to read them too. Another wise friend, Kitty French told me to write sex scenes as though no one would ever read them. Put the two together...

Zoe’s a bit of a loose-moralled minx–
She’s great, right? I loved writing her scenes.

Will we see more of her in your next book?
You’re not the first person to ask that.

And?
No. Sorry.

What can your readers look forward to?
Afterglow should be out later this year. It’s about backpackers getting up to no good in Bondi Beach.

You said, ‘should be.’ Does that mean you’re not in the zone yet?
*Is watching cat videos on Facebook* Sorry, what?

You went to a Book Signing earlier this year. Are you planning any more?
Yes. Dublin and Birmingham this July, then Aberdeen in August. Oh, and Dublin again in 2016.

Is there any of that Prosecco left?
Yes. But I’m not sharing. :p

Any advice for aspiring authors?
Drink less.
 
Caroline lives in the Lake District with her husband, small child and two Kune Kune pigs.

She daydreams of one day owning a pair of Louboutin's and having somewhere fabulous to wear them. Until then, she'll be found plodding up a mountain in her trusty hiking boots.

#forfeit is Caroline's debut novel. Her follow up, Nearly Almost Somebody is also available from Amazon.

Author Links:


No comments :
Labels: , ,

Release Week Launch: 99 DAYS by Katie Cotugno!

It's finally here! We are beyond excited to bring you the Release Week Launch for Katie Cotugno's 99 Days!!! Did you enjoy How To Love? Then grab your copy of Katie's latest novel today!




99 DAYS
by Katie Cotugno
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Links:

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.
Katie Cotugno went to Catholic school for thirteen years which makes her, as an adult, both extremely superstitious and prone to crushes on boys wearing blazers. She routinely finds herself talking about the romantic endeavors of characters on TV shows as if they actually exist in the world.

Katie is a Pushcart Prize nominee whose work has appeared in The Broadkill Review, The Apalachee Review, and Argestes, as well as on Nerve.com. Her first novel, HOW TO LOVE, is due out from Balzer + Bray on October 1st, 2013.

The great loves of Katie's life include child's pose, her little sister, and mozzarella and honey sandwiches. She lives in Boston (and in sin) with her boyfriend, Tom.


Links:

No comments :
Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )