Waiting On Wednesday (128) Kiss Kill Vanish by Jessica Martinez @jlmarti1

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Hardcover, 432 pages
Expected publication: October 7th 2014 by Katherine Tegen Books

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Valentina Cruz no longer exists.

One moment, she was wrapped in Emilio’s arms, melting into his kiss. The next, she was witnessing the unthinkable: a murder in cold blood, ordered by her father and carried out by her boyfriend. When Emilio pulled the trigger, Valentina disappeared. She made a split-second decision to shed her identity and flee her life of privilege, leaving the glittering parties and sultry nightlife of Miami far behind.

She doesn’t know how to explain to herself what she saw. All she knows now is that nothing she believed about her family, her heart, or Emilio’s love, was real.

She can change her name and deny her past, but Valentina can’t run from the truth. The lines between right and wrong, and trust and betrayal, will be blurred beyond recognition as she untangles the deceptions of the two men she once loved and races to find her own truth.

How good does this sound? Seems like it may be an emotional read. I can't wait! And... guess what showed up on Edelweiss yesterday? Happy dance!

What are you waiting on this week?
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Blog Tour: Finally, Forever by Katie Kacvinsky

You can check out the entire tour schedule on Katie's blog.

I am beyond excited to be participating in the blog tour for Finally, Forever by Katie Kacvinsky! I'm finding it hard to believe this is the final book in this series. While it's a bittersweet feeling, and I can't wait to find out what happens between Gray and Dylan, I'm sad the story is going to be over. My *awesome* review for Finally, Forever will be posted in May.

To get myself ready for the release of Finally, Forever, I reread First Comes Love and Second Chance last week. I managed to fall in love with the story and characters all over again. If you are interested, you can view my review of First Comes Love here, and my review of Second Chance here. Don't worry if you haven't read the first 2 books in this series because Finally, Forever can be read as a stand alone.


Expected publication: May 9th 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Author's Note: Can be read as book three of the First Comes Love series, or as a standalone.

Synopsis:

College baseball player, Gray Thomas, had to go far out into left field to find a girl like Dylan, the ex-love-of-his-life. More than a year later, literally at a crossroads, they find each other together on a journey that is a pause between a painful past and an uncertain future. In this sexy and offbeat summer read, Gray and Dylan discover that a destination isn't always a place. More often, it's a person. Now it's time for them to finally decide, is this forever?

Like what you just read? Then be sure to add Finally, Forever to your Goodreads tbr and pre-order your copy today!

*Check out this Facebook page for a giveaway and news about the series.

*Request a bookmark on Katie's blog.


Author Links:



Teaser banner courtesy of: Kimberly Faye Reads
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Review: Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

Open Road SummerOpen Road Summer by Emery Lord

Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Page Count: 352
Published by: Walker Childrens
Source: eArc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes.

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I hope I'm not the only one who didn't think this book was all that. Don't get me wrong, it's still pretty cool for a summertime read. It just didn't wow me like I thought it should or would.

I actually thought Reagan was a bitch. She was really self centered and thoughtless at times, and she had a really bad attitude and was very judgemental. She was mean and a girl hater, and I couldn't stand that about her. It was downright impossible for me to like her. I've come to realize that if I don't like the main character, then I have a hard time liking the book. I feel that they directly relate to each other. So I can't separate disliking the protagonist from disliking the story. Does that make sense? Because that's how I feel about Open Road Summer.

I liked Matt well enough, but I wanted to really LOVE him. That makes me sad because he had all the ingredients to be totally swoonworthy, but he just fell a little short for me. I didn't feel like I got to know him well enough, but I still enjoyed what I got. He seemed like a really great guy, and worthy of the praise he received for his singing and songwriting abilities. He was definitely star material!

Even though there were some really cute moments between Reagan and Matt, I couldn't get behind them as a couple because of my dislike for Reagan. Reagan was extremely jealous and hateful of Matt's female fans, and I thought Matt deserved so much better. I also don't know how long their relationship can last when Reagan feels threatened by every female that Matt comes into contact with. She constantly put down other girls because of their appearance and behavior, when she dressed the exact same way and acted even worse. The biggest problem I had with all of this was that Reagan got away with her behavior because no one called her on her bullshit. And I call bullshit on THAT! Reagan's circumstances and fear of abandonment contributed to her behavior, but in the end I don't believe that is a reasonable excuse for the way she behaved.

I actually liked Dee (Lilah) the most. (Too bad the book wasn't about her and her ex-boyfriend. I could have really gotten behind that story!) I enjoyed Dee and Reagan's friendship for the most part. I liked that they were still close even after Dee's career took off. Having Reagan as a friend allowed Dee to have a normal life and be herself without the pressure of being 'Lilah' all the time.

While I enjoyed the plot, I loved the writing even more. I have some idea of what goes into being on the road as a musician, and this aspect of the story felt authentic to me. This was an incredible debut by this author. Despite my issues with it, Open Road Summer is perfect for anyone who enjoys a good summer on the road book.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Teaser Reveal and Cover Spotlight - BROKEN by Lauren Layne

Lauren Layne, the author of the hit New Adult romance Isn’t She Lovely, and Random House’s Flirt imprint, are thrilled to share a first look at BROKEN, Lauren’s upcoming New Adult romance, and spotlight her gorgeous new cover!


BROKEN by Lauren Layne
Flirt New Adult Romance
On sale: September 2, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-553-39035-3

About the book:

Lauren Layne’s heart-wrenching novel tells the story of a girl with secrets, a guy with scars, and a love that could save them both . . . or destroy them.

When Olivia Middleton abandons the glamour of Park Avenue for a remote, coastal town in Maine, everyone assumes she’s being the kind do-gooder she’s always been. But Olivia has a secret: helping an injured war veteran reenter society isn’t about charity—it’s about penance. Only, Olivia’s client isn’t the grateful elderly man she’s expecting. Instead, he’s a brooding twenty-four-year-old who has no intention of being Olivia’s path to redemption . . . and whose smoldering gaze and forbidden touch might be her undoing.

Paul Langdon doesn’t need a mirror to show him he’s no longer the hotshot quarterback he was before the war. He knows he’s ugly—inside and out. He’ll do anything to stay in self-imposed exile, even accept his father’s ultimatum that Paul tolerate the newest caretaker for three months or lose his inheritance. But Paul doesn’t count on the beautiful twenty-two-year-old who makes him long for things that he can never have. And the more she slips past his defenses, the more keeping his distance is impossible.

Now Paul and Olivia have to decide: Will they help each other heal? Or are they forever broken?
** Teaser Reveal!**

Olivia squirms. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I've never known a female to acquiesce that easily without a catch. How about you hit me with it now and get it over with?”
Olivia shrugs. "Fine. I was going to say that I won't run alone, if you promise to go with me."
"No," I say, almost before she's finished her sentence.
"Why not?"
I rap my cane once against the ground. "Well, for starters, despite the fact that there are tortoises that could surpass your sorry excuse for a jog, I'm in no shape to accompany even the most pathetic of runners."
"What a handy skill you have of overloading a sentence with insults," she says as she reaches up to adjust her ponytail. "That must be helpful what with your thriving social life and all."
I thump my cane against the ground again, studying her. "Must be nice, picking on the cripple."
Olivia rolls her eyes. "Please. Your soul's more crippled than your leg."
She has no idea how right she is, and I have no intention of letting her anywhere close enough to find out. I've gotten good at shutting people out by pushing them away . . . being as nasty as possible until they reach their breaking point. But with her? It's different.

We hope you enjoyed this sneak peek of BROKEN by Lauren Layne!

Love everything Lauren Layne? Her newest adult contemporary romance in the Sex, Love and Stiletto series, JUST ONE NIGHT, is on sale now!


Connect with Lauren

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Waiting On Wednesday (127) (Once) Again (Again #2) by Theresa Paolo

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Expected publication: June 17th 2014 by InterMix - Berkely Penguin Group USA

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Josh will have to reconcile his past…

In order to make Kat his future.

After surviving a real-life nightmare, Josh Wagner is sent home from his dream college on crutches. Bedridden and tormented by flashbacks, he’s just seen his world shattered and his baseball scholarship go up in smoke. Josh’s family hires a health aide to help take care of him, but when he opens the door, the last person he expects to see is his biggest regret…

Katherine Singleton is the only girl Josh has ever loved. Now, even though she’s only taking care of him because it’s her job, Josh is determined to win her back. But Kat had to move on after their breakup two years ago, and despite her feelings for Josh, a lot has happened since he left…

When Kat’s past comes back to haunt her, Josh decides it’s his turn to take care of her. But protecting her—and redeeming himself—will put Josh in the line of fire again. Will he survive this time?

When I read (Never) Again (Again #1), my favorite character was Josh, so I'm glad he's getting his own story.

What are you waiting on this week?
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Review: Capturing Peace (Sharing You 0.5) by Molly McAdams

Capturing Peace (Sharing You, #0.5)Capturing Peace (Sharing You 0.5) by Molly McAdams

Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Page Count: 192
Published by: William Morrow Impulse
Source: Review copy received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

New Adult Contemporary Romance **Contains Mature Content**
Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Coen Steele has spent the last five years serving his country. Now that he's back, he's finally ready to leave behind the chaos of the battlefield and pursue his lifelong dream. What he wasn't expecting was the feisty sister of one of his battle buddies—who has made it obvious that she wants nothing to do with him—to intrigue him in a way no woman has before.

Reagan Hudson's life changed in the blink of an eye six years ago when she found out she was pregnant and on her own. Since then, Reagan has vowed never to let another man into her life so that no one can walk out on her, or her son, again. But the more she runs into her brother's hot and mysterious friend, the more he sparks something in her that she promised herself she wouldn't feel again.

Can two people with everything to lose allow themselves to finally capture the love they both deserve?

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I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading Capturing Peace, but I ended up enjoying it. I've read 2 of Molly's other books that I really liked, so I wanted to give this one a chance. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

The beginning of the book was a little too dramatic and over the top for my taste. That's just me, others of you may enjoy that type of thing. The circumstances around Reagan's pregnancy reveal were a little silly, but I got past it. The rest of the book was really good and I was able to read it quickly. I knew it was a novella, but I was really surprised by how short it felt considering it is 192 pages.

I really didn't care too much for Reagan. I could understand why she didn't want men traipsing in and out of her son's life, but I didn't agree with how she handled things and I didn't like a lot of the decisions that she made.

I don't know what it was about him, but for some reason I really liked Coen. Something about him seemed real, and I loved watching him struggle with his feelings. But what I enjoyed most was that he was tattooed, military, and Asian. Definitely different for a male lead, and it really interested me. (Although I would have preferred if the author had put more focus on his Asian ancestry. I think it was only mentioned once in the book, in an off hand comment by a side character. Why create such a diverse character if you aren't going to play it up?)

I loved the photography in this story, so Coen's work really interested me. And that scene at the end was quite romantic. (Coen's character and the photography aspect was inspired by Molly's real life friend See Molly's Website)

Overall, I enjoyed this novella. It was just angsty and swoony enough for my taste. The characters had depth and development. This was a nice introduction to the characters in the series, and I'm actually looking forward to reading the next book.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Review: The Hunt (Project Paper Doll #2) by Stacey Kade

The Hunt (Project Paper Doll, #2)The Hunt (Project Paper Doll #2) by Stacey Kade

Publication Date: April 22, 2014
Page Count: 368
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Source: eArc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ariane Tucker has finally escaped GTX, the research facility that created her. While on the run, Zane Bradshaw is the only person she can trust. He knows who—and what—she is and still wants to be part of her life. But accepting Zane's help means putting him in danger. Dr. Jacobs, head of GTX, is not the only one hunting for Ariane. Two rival corporations have their sights set on taking down their competition. Permanently. To protect Zane and herself, Ariane needs allies. She needs the other hybrids. The hybrids who are way more alien and a lot less human. Can Ariane win them over before they turn on her? Or will she be forced to choose sides, to decide who lives and who dies?

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Oh my goodness. That ending? Just about killed me. My heart hurts now. I think... I think I may need a tissue. {sniff}

I found The Hunt to be a very entertaining read. I had such high hopes for this after I enjoyed The Rules so much, so I'm glad I wasn't disappointed. I love the direction the plot takes us, and I thought Zane and Ariane showed great character development. The story sort of rolled along and the majority of the action took place right at the end. Even though it felt a little slow at times, there were enough twists and turns to keep me thoroughly engrossed in the story. I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to find out what was going to happen next.

Zane and Ariane spend the whole book on the run and not knowing who they can trust as they attempt to figure out what to do next. New characters were introduced, and at times it was a little overwhelming keeping all of the players straight and trying to figure out the good versus evil. When Zane and Ariane finally connect with the new alien/human hybrids, we got more insight into how varied they can be in their humanness. The differences were noticeable immediately, and it left Ariane questioning her own genetic makeup and wondering what her future holds.

The Hunt is told in alternating POVs that I enjoyed because I liked being inside both of their heads. I was really able to see that Zane and Ariane think very differently and react to situations in their own way, and I liked getting to witness this first hand. It was also really easy to 'get' their emotional connection and understand why they bonded so easily.

I love, love, love Zane. He's so sweet and caring, and will do absolutely anything to protect Ariane. I loved seeing him having doubts about his ability to help Ariane, and I think it proved how much he cared about her and wanted to keep her safe. Ariane really struggles with her alien side, and Zane is the only one who treats Ariane like a normal human. I really felt a lot of sympathy for Ariane. After being betrayed by her father, she only has Zane to rely on. She knows that he shouldn't be with her because it puts him in danger, but she desperately needs someone on her side. I adore Zane and Ariane as a couple, and I've become fond of their sweet romance.

I enjoyed this book so much, and while I'm looking forward to reading the third book, I'm also worried about what's going to happen to Zane, and wondering where the heck this story is headed!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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Waiting On Wednesday (126) Finally, Forever (First Comes Love #3) by Katie Kacvinsky @KatieKacvinsky

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Expected publication: May 9th 2014

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Author's Note: Can be read as book three of the First Comes Love series, or as a standalone .

College baseball player, Gray Thomas, had to go far out into left field to find a girl like Dylan, the ex-love-of-his-life. More than a year later, literally at a crossroads, they find each other together on a journey that is a pause between a painful past and an uncertain future. In this sexy and offbeat summer read, Gray and Dylan discover that a destination isn't always a place. More often, it's a person. Now it's time for them to finally decide, is this forever?

Finally! I'm really looking forward to reading Finally, Forever. You'll be hearing about this one on my blog for the next month or so since I am participating in a blog tour, promo post, and review. Yay!

What are you waiting on this week?
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Review: The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle

The Edge of FallingThe Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle

Publication Date: March 18, 2014
Page Count: 304
Published by: Simon Pulse
Source: Arc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Growing up in privileged, Manhattan social circles, Caggie’s life should be perfect, and it almost was until the day that her younger sister drowned when Caggie was supposed to be watching her. Stricken by grief, Caggie pulls away from her friends and family, only to have everyone misinterpret a crucial moment when she supposedly saves a fellow classmate from suicide. Now she’s famous for something she didn’t do and everyone lauds her as a hero. But inside she still blames herself for the death of her sister and continues to pull away from everything in her life, best friend and perfect boyfriend included. Then Caggie meets Astor, the new boy at school, about whom rumours are swirling and known facts are few. In Astor she finds someone who just might understand her pain, because he has an inner pain of his own. But the more Caggie pulls away from her former life to be with Astor, the more she realises that his pain might be darker, and deeper, than anything she’s ever felt. His pain might be enough to end his life…and Caggie’s as well.

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I was really looking forward to reading The Edge of Falling because I just love contemporaries. But this book lacked that extra something that would have made it really special. Don't get me wrong - the story is still pretty emotional, it just didn't move me like I thought it would.

So here we have yet another story where I can't relate to the protagonist, Caggie, who considers herself one of Manhattan's elite. I don't understand why I'm supposed to feel sorry for stuck up, snobby people who have money and privilege, yet are unhappy with their lives. Sorry, but I just don't get it. I wanted to feel sympathy for Caggie and her family, but the author made it very difficult for me to do so. And that's a real shame.

Caggie's family completely fell apart after her younger sister drowned in a pool while Caggie was supposed to be watching her. Grief took ahold of the family and they all pulled away from each other. Caggie feels that she can't go on living and makes her way up to the roof one night at a party. Something happens and everyone makes Caggie out as a hero for saving someone's life, but the misunderstanding only adds to Caggie's guilt.

When Caggie's loving and caring boyfriend of 2 years, Trevor, gives her too much 'space' to deal with her grief, Caggie decides that he is finished with her, so she cuts off all communication with him. I thought she showed immaturity in the way that she overreacted to his attempts at helping her. Then, instead learning how to deal with things, she takes on a new boy, Astor - who is FAR more troubled than she is. He recently lost someone close to him, and Caggie mistakenly believes that they have a bond because of their grief. Despite warnings from her BFF and her own brother that something is wrong with Astor, Caggie chooses not to see it until it is too late.

Caggie's relationship with her best friend, Claire, was weak and superficial. The disagreement between them about whether uptown or downtown is better really got on my nerves. I mean, how shallow can you two be? I can't imagine telling my best friend I can't come over because I will have to cross street # whatever and it's beneath me to even go in that area. Jeez, get over yourselves already! I also didn't like the way that Caggie described Claire - it made it seem she didn't really like her AT ALL. So I had to wonder why they were even friends?

I really liked Trevor and I was rooting for him all they way. Obviously teenage boys aren't the best at communicating, but I felt he really did try to help Caggie deal with her grief. Even after the crappy way she treated him he kept coming around, being supportive, and not letting Caggie give up on her dreams. I liked the flashbacks of their relationship in better times, and I couldn't believe how much things had changed between them.

Overall, this was just an okay read for me. I really didn't connect with the story or characters, and I had a hard time feeling anything for Caggie. I didn't like her behavior, and I couldn't agree with a lot of the decisions that she made. There were moments in this story that were really promising, but there were also things that I didn't agree with. I think my inability to emotionally connect with this book is what really bothered me the most. Some of you may find this to be the perfect book for you, so definitely give it a shot.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
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Waiting On Wednesday (125) Now and Forever by Susane Colasanti

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Wednesday is my absolute favorite day of the week because I get to share the books that I am super excited about and can't wait to read.

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Expected publication: May 20th 2014 by Viking Juvenile

Synopsis from Goodreads:

What if your boyfriend was the world's biggest rockstar?

Sterling is crazy in love with Ethan. Not only is he the sweetest boy she's ever met, but he's an incredibly talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter. And since forever, he's believed he has what it takes to be a star.

When Ethan becomes an overnight sensation, he's thrown head-first into the glam world of celebrity-and so is Sterling. Before she knows it, she's attending red-carpet premieres, getting free designer clothes, and flying around the country to attend Ethan's monumental sold-out concerts.

It's a dream come true...but whose dream is Sterling living? And what do you do when "forever" comes to an end?

This one seems like it might be a cute read, and I like the rockstar aspect. Potentially aimed at a younger YA audience, but I'm willing to give it a chance.

What are you waiting on this week?
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Review: The Last Forever by Deb Caletti

The Last ForeverThe Last Forever by Deb Caletti

Publication Date: April 1, 2014
Page Count: 336
Published by: Simon Pulse
Source: Arc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Endings and beginnings sit so close to each other that it’s sometimes impossible to tell which is which.

Nothing lasts forever, and no one gets that more than Tessa. After her mother died, it’s all she can do to keep her friends, her boyfriend, her happiness from slipping away. And then there’s her dad. He’s stuck in his own daze, and it’s so hard to feel like a family when their house no longer seems like a home.

Her father’s solution? An impromptu road trip that lands them in a small coastal town at Tessa’s grandmother’s. Despite all the warmth and beauty there, Tessa can’t help but feel even more lost.

Enter Henry Lark. He understands the relationships that matter. And more importantly, he understands her. A secret stands between them, but Tessa’s willing to do anything to bring them together—because Henry may just be her one chance at forever.

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The Last Forever is filled with terrific writing that will tug at your heartstrings. It's an emotional story about love, loss, family, and learning to deal with changes.

The Last Forever is a bit different in that most of the plot revolves around a 'possibly only one in existence' Pixiebell plant that Tessa is desperate to keep alive. She places great importance on this plant because it belonged to her mother, and it is Tessa's last connection to her. Pixiebell plays an important role in this story because of what it represents, and each chapter opens with a short explanation about different types of seeds, which in turn symbolizes different aspects of the story.

After Tessa's mother dies, her father sort of checks out. He spends his time smoking pot and trying to deal with things by hiding from them. He decides that a spur of the moment road trip is in order, but when he has another moment of weakness, he drops Tessa on his mother's doorstep and runs away so he can learn how to deal with his wife's death. I didn't like that he went off to deal with his own shit, and left Tessa to deal with her problems by herself. That was very self centered and selfish. But it ends up being good for Tessa because she finally is able to get to know her estranged grandmother. As we watch Tess come to terms with everything that has happened in her life, we also see her open up to love.

Tessa loves to read and finds comfort in books, so she naturally winds up at the local library where she runs into and befriends the young employees. Tessa takes an immediate shine to Henry Lark, boy extraordinaire and kindred spirit who reads even more than she does and goes out of his way to be nice to her. Henry and his friends are very outgoing, and immediately set out to help Tessa find more information on her sickly plant. The author created a fantastic cast of (mostly) likable characters. I loved the small town setting, and how the residents all knew each other and welcomed Tessa with open arms. I loved, loved, loved how they all came together to help Tessa preserve her plant's seeds for the future (which made for an awesome ending!)

Henry was wonderful, but deep down I had a niggling thought that he was too good to be true. I loved how caring and thoughtful Henry was, and I adored every scene that he and Tessa shared. They really had a strong connection, and even though the relationship didn't go as I expected, I think things were as they were supposed to be.

I know books about teenage girls with dead mothers has been overdone in YA, but I still found this an interesting and entertaining read. It's a touching story about a teenage girl growing up and trying to figure out who she is. You may need tissues for this one, although I felt there was enough humor to balance out the heavier stuff.

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
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Finding My Way by Heidi McLaughlin Excerpt Blitz

FINDINGMYWAY_Excerpt

I am excited to participate in the excerpt blitz for the upcoming book FINDING MY WAY by Heidi McLaughlin. The book will be released April 14th and is currently available for pre-order.


Excerpt:

“Liam?”

I turn at the sound of my grandmother calling my name. She beams at me when I step toward her with an out stretched hand.

“I want to you meet a friend of mine,” she says. “Liam this is Tess and her son Harrison James. Tess is the personal assistant to my casting agent.” We spent a day going over all the jobs in the industry. There are so many that I got lost and like a true grandma, she made a list for me so I wouldn’t forget. “Harrison plays the drums at a club called Metro. They have open mic nights if you’re interested in talking to him about it,” she whispers. I nod, acknowledging what she’s telling me.

I step forward and shake both their hands. “It’s nice to meet you both,” I say.
“You too, Liam, your grandmother has told me so much about you. She’s very happy you’ve decided to stay with her.” I look at my grandma who is smiling from ear to ear.

She pats my arm. “Why don’t you take Harrison out back and show him around?”

“Okay, grandma.” I kiss her on the cheek and signal toward the patio door. Harrison follows, stepping out into the early evening sun. I walk until I’m at the back, where there is a table set up.

“Sorry about my grandmother in there. I think she’s trying to make up for all the years we’ve missed.” I sit down and lean my chair up against the tree.

“It’s okay. I was pretty much forced to come here tonight.” I inspect Harrison. He’s a bit taller than I am and far skinnier. He has a few tattoos on his arms, making wonder if they’re a necessity in the music industry. I quickly look down at my arms, curious as to what they’d look like with inked etched on them. One thing is for certain, my parents would flip and that thought alone makes me want one.

“Because of me?” I ask already knowing the answer but needing the confirmation.

He nods. “Yeah,” he says without making eye contact. “My mom is close to your grandmother so they plotted and here I am.”

“I’m sorry. If you want to leave, I can make up some excuse.” I know what it feels like to be put in awkward situations. My dad has done it to me many times, which only spurred me to withdraw from him more and more.

Harrison shakes his head slightly. “I’m cool.” He looks down at the ground or his feet. It’s not like I want to stare, but I’m trying to figure him out. He runs his hand over his beanie, moving it back and forth before leaving it where it originally was.

FmW Amazon GR SW

BOOK INFORMATION:
FINDING MY WAY by McLaughlin
April 14th, 2014
The Beaumont Series, #4
New Adult Contemporary Romance

BOOK SUMMARY:

Liam Westbury has the world at his feet. He’s the quintessential golden boy. He’s the superstar quarterback for Beaumont High. His girl, Josie, is head cheerleader. He has his choice of colleges just waiting for him. Except he’s suffocating from all the pressure he’s under and no one understands.

Liam Page is the heartthrob he never wanted to be. He’s successful, smart and in demand by record companies and his adoring fans. Music is his passion, his love, but something’s missing. His nights are lonely and he longs for the girl he left behind. Seeing her in every face in the crowd haunts him with the knowledge that she hates him. Going home has never been an option until now.

Be there when Liam Westbury becomes Liam Page and follow the highs and lows of the Quarterback turned Rockstar as he finds a way back to Beaumont in this prequel to Forever My Girl.

PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES

FOREVER MY GIRL (The Beaumont Series #1)
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks

MY EVERYTHING (The Beaumont Series, #1.5)
Amazon

MY UNEXPECTED FOREVER (The Beaumont Series, #2)
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks

FINDING MY FOREVER (The Beaumont Series, #3)
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks



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AUTHOR BIO:
HeidiMcLaughlinHeidi is the author of USA Today, Digital Book World, Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestselling novel, Forever My Girl.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.

AUTHOR LINKS:

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March Recap and April TBR

I really surprised myself with how much I was able to read in March. I haven't read that many books in quite a while! And, as usual, I suck at keeping track of books for my challenges. I really need to get better at that. Of course, if I had more time in my day I could get more things done. Too bad I require sleep.

In my recap last month I discussed the crappy snow we were expecting. It's officially Spring, so right now as I am typing this, we are dealing with thunderstorms and Tornado Warnings. AND they interrupted all but the final minute of American Idol. Grrr.... I may be heading to the basement soon. Fun times. Rain, rain, go away....

Read in March:

 photo MafiaGirl_zps28a98094.jpg photo TheSummerIFoundYou_zps513d152d.jpg photo LivForever2_zps4cce8bec.jpg
 photo TheEdgeOfFalling_zpsc29b1919.jpg photo TheLastForever_zps4f78135d.jpg
 photo LoveMeBack_zps77f04daf.jpg photo Unfamiliar_zps0e0477b3.jpg photo CapturingPeace_zpsd8f776fb.jpg


Total pages read: 2244

April TBR:

 photo FarFromYou_zps896234fa.jpg photo ThereWillComeATime_zpsd13cef71.jpg photo OpenRoadSummer_zps6c96a17f.jpg
 photo TheLastBestKiss_zps9ec03644.jpg photo TheHunt_zpsd2798ed4.jpg photo TheTreatment_zps4543ff80.jpg


Looks like I have another month full of awesome books to read! I'm really excited for some of these. AND I have 3 April releases on reserve from the library. I don't know if they'll be in by the end of the month, but I can't wait to read those too.
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Review: Vengeance (Fracture #2) by Megan Miranda

Vengeance (Fracture, #2)Vengeance (Fracture #2) by Megan Miranda

Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Page Count: 352
Published by: Walker Childrens
Source: eArc received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Nobody really believes in a curse. Until you know the people who disappear. Too much coincidence, you look for reason. Too much death, you grasp for something to blame. Carson pulled Delaney out and he died on the side of the road with her mouth pressed to his. Her air in his body. Troy. She told the cops it was suicide. Didn't matter. The lake released her and grabbed another. But when Decker's father dies in a pool of spilled water on their kitchen floor, all Decker can feel is a slow burning rage. Because he knows that Delaney knew that his dad was going to die. She knew and backed out of his house and never said a word. Falcon Lake still has a hold on them both, and Decker can't forgive Delaney until he knows why

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I was totally hooked on Vengeance right from the beginning. The story was very dark and gloomy and full of suspense. The characters were still struggling to come to terms with what took place in Fracture. Strange and scary things were happening to Decker and his friends, but it was never clear exactly who, or what, the threat was. I kept turning the pages because I couldn't wait to find out what the hell was going on!

Vengeance is told from Decker's POV, and he has SO much anger and sadness this time around. He was dark and moody, and he carried a chip on his shoulder and really just seemed mad at the world. It was as though his despondency propelled him and made him continuously hurt those around him. As a result of his actions, his relationship with Delaney suffers. When he purposely distances himself from her, their relationship is not only tested, but pushed to the limits. Delaney somehow manages to stay strong, even while dealing with Decker's asshole attitude towards her. They have a lot of misunderstandings between them, but you can still see and feel the love they have for each other.

Decker and Delaney's friends played much larger roles in this book. Decker managed to put every one of them under scrutiny while trying to unravel the mystery of the 'curse'. Some of them displayed really strange behavior, so you couldn't help but wonder if any of them had something to do with the sinister events that were going on.

To me, Decker was an unreliable narrator because most of the creepy and weird incidents seemed to be connected to him. I was never sure if the information he provided was the actual truth. It definitely made for an interesting read! I started wondering if the lake really was cursed, or if the people who cheated death in Fracture were cursed. The absolute uncertainty is what really carried this book and made it so suspenseful.

I will admit that the book dragged in parts, and Decker's attitude really got on my nerves at times. But overall, this was a thrilling and chilling return to Falcon Lake. It's a great follow-up that has equal parts romance and mystery with a touch of paranormal. If you haven't read this series yet, I highly recommend it.

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
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