February RAK Wrap-Up

I Received:

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton from Michelle @ Michelle Chew Writes

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young from Vonnie @ Vonnie's Reading Corner

Homemade bookmarks from Mandi @ Bookshelf Haul

I Sent:

Falling For You by Lisa Schroeder & Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines to Michelle @ Michelle Chew Writes

Looking For Alaska by John Green to Maija @ Books, DIY's and Randomness


A BIG thank you to everyone who sent me books and to Isalys and Vanessa at Book Soulmates for hosting!!

{Review} Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines

Fallen Too Far
by Abbi Glines
Series: Too Far (#1) 
Pages: 207
Source: Purchased
Available as of December 14, 2012
Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter.

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother.

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.

This book was one *squee* after another until things hit the fan. Abbi Glines weaved a fantastic story that ended in a way I never saw coming.

Blaire Wynn's mother just passed away. She had to sell most all of her possessions, including her grandmother's house, to pay off hospital bills. Her father told her to come live with him while she finds a job and gets back on here feet. What she doesn't know is that her father is harboring a secret that may just kill her.

I loved Blaire and wish I had a friend like her. She wears her heart on her sleeve and knows how to take care of herself. She fights for what she wants and doesn't take shit from anyone. 

I really enjoyed reading Fallen Too Far and can't wait to read the next book in the series. The pacing was set perfectly. We got to know Blaire quickly from the start, but slowly got to know Rush and his family. The big secret wasn't one I expected, but looking back there were a few clues that, had I thought more about, would have given the ending a less dramatic effect for me.

Overall, Fallen Too Far was a fantastic read that had me breathless at times. It was a story that left me begging for more! If you are looking for a story where everyone knows something you don't, you will most definitely enjoy this book.... and the guys aren't bad either. 

{Review & Giveaway} Second Rate Chances by Holly Stephens

Second Rate Chances
by Holly Stephens
Pages: 225
Source: e-book provided by author via Good Choice Reading Promotions for review
Available as of January 11, 2013
Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Sam wakes up in the hospital expecting to find his girlfriend by his bedside. Instead, he finds a bleached-blond diva, claiming to be his fiancée, hovering over him. When he learns that he's just woken up from a coma and has lost the last three years of his life, any semblance of stability he thought he had falls down around him. All he wants – all he needs – is Lil.

After countless visits with her shrink and too many sleepless nights waiting for the one man she loves to walk back through the door, Lil wants nothing more than to separate herself from the life she used to have. But the moment Sam smiles at her, Lil knows it's going to take more than self-restraint to stay away.

Second-Rate Chances is about a young man fighting to regain his memory, and the one thing in his life that felt real. A modern-day Samson and Delilah, it's a look at what it means to love and be loved, and to fight though it seems hopeless.

From page one I was swept into a world I didn't want to leave. Granted this world was messy, I was still hoping to never have to leave. Holly Stephens captured my heart and wrote a novel that had me tempted to skip classes so I could finish it in one fell swoop.

It's been three years since Sam walked out of Lil's life. Three years and a lot of therapy later, Lil is asked to help Sam regain his memory after a nasty fall. Will Lil be able to hold herself together and not be swept away by Sam or will she shatter when he leaves her again?

To say I enjoyed reading about Sam and Lil's life would be an understatement. Sam is now engaged to Chloe, the daughter of the CEO of a gaming company. He is this stuck up suit who dropped his friends when he moved up the corporate ladder. Lil on the other hand fell apart when Sam left. She's spent years in therapy trying to find the answer to why he left and trying to get over him.

I loved reading Second Rate Chances because the characters changed so much between the first and last page. We slowly got to know why Sam and Lil split and how it effected their relationships with friends and family. I feel like I really got to know who Sam and Lil were based off of how they reacted, what they did, and how they went about doing things. Their world was one I didn't want to leave. I wanted to hop into the book and spend time with them.

Overall, Second Rate Chances was an exceptional read that ended in a happy place. I would love to know more about Sam and Lil's life, but I'm more than happy with the ending. If you want a sweet romance that will warm your heart, pick this up!

People have often told me that I live in a fantasy world. Little did they know, I was building an empire of stories in my head to one day share.

I'm a mother first, a wife second, and a writer third. I'm so thankful to have been given this chance to get my stories out of my head and onto paper.

When I'm not writing, I sell plumbing (no I'm not kidding) and read romances that leave my heart a flutter. I know a ridiculous amount of pop culture information and can quote certain movies word for word. Music drives me to write and to also sing off key.

You can find Holly...

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

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FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.  

When It Rains It Pours...

Hello Hello!

^ That sounds a lot more

 chipper than I feel....

So it's official. I'm sick.

I have scarlet fever and feel like I'm about to die.

^ My stomach looks wicked right now with the sand-papery 

rash that accompanies scarlet fever. 

This also just so happens to be the first time I've been awake for more than 

20 minutes in the past two days so that in and of it self should say a lot.

I won't be on the blog much because I'll probably be sleeping 

or trying to drag my sick ass to class.

I should be back next week, but don't take my word for it yet.

Miss you!!

xoxo

Doodle

{Cover Reveal} Imaginable by J. Meyers

I'm excited to have the opportunity to share the cover of

 Imaginable by J. Meyers with you today. It is the second book in the Intangible Series.

Twins Sera and Luke Raine’s unusual abilities are growing. Sera is healing vampires now, making them human again. And, at times, Luke can actually change the future he Sees.

But Sera’s healing has dangerous consequences, and though Luke is altering the outcome of more visions, he can’t control them yet.

Now Sera is in danger as the dark creatures of the Realm seek to use her. As Luke struggles to master his gift in order to save his sister, he discovers even more about his powers.

And what he learns just may put him in greater danger than Sera has ever been.

To be released Mid-April!


Get on the Mailing List!
You know, the wonderful people on J. Meyers’ New Release Mailing List are the first to find out when a new book comes out. If you’d like to join them, sign up here. She won’t ever share your address, and will only email you when a book has been released or is newly available.

J. Meyers grew up in Vermont, spent three years in Germany when she was a kid, and now lives in Central New York. When she's not reading or writing, she's chasing after her four kids, exploring the outdoors with her family, baking sweet treats, and forgetting to make dinner. Intangible is her first novel.

You can find Jen...

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

{Review & Giveaway} Recalled by Cambria Hebert

Recalled
by Cambria Hebert
Series: Death Escorts (#1)
Pages: 306
Source: e-book provided by author via Xpresso Book Tours for review
Available as of February 15, 2013
Amazon | Barnes & Noble 
The Book Depository

Love or Death? A simple question really. The choice seems obvious. But. What if you never knew love, what if your life was spent just trying to survive? What if you knew your fate before you were fully grown?

And then you died.

And you were given another chance. A better chance.

This new life depended upon one thing: your job. And so you agreed. You thought it would be simple. You thought it would be cut and dry.

It never is.

And now you are left holding the fate of someone else in the palm of your hand and you have to make the ultimate choice.

Love or Death?

I've been dying to read Recalled ever since I heart about an upcoming novel from Cambria Hebert. It was a fun read that kept me on my toes.

Piper's life has been chose by G.R. and Dex is the one chosen to end it. After meeting her one snowy night, he doesn't think killing her will be a problem. That is until he gets to know her. How will he do it an how many attempts will it take?

I loved Dex. Throughout the story we see both the angel and the devil in him. I love that he had this big internal struggle with his growing feeling for Piper and his need to complete the job he was brought back to finish.

Recalled was definitely an interesting read that kept me coming back for more. First, there were so many different endings that I envisioned, but none of them actually came to fruition. Next, I love that it was written from multiple points of view. It was fun to read about all the ideas Dex had on how to go about killing Piper; all the while she struggled with why he was so familiar. Finally, I loved that they both had some major issue or question about the other that they had to work though.

I'm not sure if it was because I was tired when I was reading or if I just got bored with the story, but I found some parts to be a little dull or slow. I'm leaning towards my lack off sleep and need for coffee. However, there were definitely scenes that I lost focus during, but they didn't take away from the story.

Overall, Recalled left me surprised when I got to the last few chapters. I can't wait to see whats next for the Death Escorts series. If you want a unique read featuring the Grim Reaper and an awesome butler, read this book! You won't be disappointed.

Author. Blogger. Latte Sipper.

Cambria Hebert is an author who wrote her first book at the age of fifteen. It was terrible. But the passion for writing never went away so years later when she opened her laptop and started typing she worked until she wrote a book that she hopes everyone will be as excited about as she is.

Cambria is obsessed with werewolves and is terrified of chickens (they are creepy!)She is an animal lover that would choose coffee over food and her favorite TV show is the Vampire Diaries (Hell-O Damon!)

You can find Cambria...

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Open to US Only!

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To follow the rest of the tour click here. 

FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.  

{Review & Giveaway} Barbie Girl by Heidi Acosta

Barbie Girl
by Heidi Acosta
Series: Baby Doll (#1)
Pages: 189
Source: e-book provided by author via Xpresso Book Tours for review
Available as of November 1, 2012
Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

The only thing that 17 year old Barbie Starr wants to do is graduate high school so she and her little brother, Everett, can get out of Alabama. She doesn’t care about the rumors that are spread around about her like wild fire. Rumors are nothing new to her. Sure, maybe she could change her reputation, but why bother. She is leaving Alabama as soon as she can. That is, if she can pass algebra and graduate.

The only thing Dylan Knight would like to do is go through high school unnoticed; he has had enough of the drama that is high school. He took the whole of last summer to bulk-up: finally he is not being called names or being shoved into lockers. He wants to remain on the outside of the circle of constant rumors that surround the so-called popular kids who get all the attention. He would not, however, mind if his long time crush Katie took notice of him.

But it is Barbie who notices Dylan and she offers him a deal he can’t pass up: if he helps her pass algebra, she’ll help him get the girl of his dreams. Dylan agrees, but, as it turns out, nothing is simple when it comes to Barbie. Somehow, she can’t help but draw attention to herself — and to him. Soon Dylan finds himself tossed into the whirlwind of rumors that seem to follow Barbie everywhere. Can he save his reputation and still get the girl of his dreams? Or will Barbie be the one to break through his carefully-built facade?

Holy cow was that an awesome book! Heidi Acosta really knows how to make a reader second guess and ending. Barbie Girl was unique, fun to read, and never ever dull.

Barbie needs a tutor if she wants to pass her math class and graduate on time. When her teacher suggests talking to Dylan, she balks at the idea then takes the advice and asks. Convincing him to tutor her isn't hard. There is one thing he wants and it's something she can get him, but what will happen if they end up with feelings for each other?

I adored Barbie. She didn't have an easy life, but she was strong, caring, and put others before herself. She couldn't care less about what people thought about her and she proved it on a daily basis. Dylan on the other hand is a complete nerd who is in love with the idea of a girl he wishes was his.

Most of you know that I love it when I find books from multiple points of view and Barbie Girl is one of those books. I loved seeing everything play out from both sides. So much background was given on Barbie that you couldn't not like her. Her reputation is crap, but she is an amazing person when you look beyond what others think. I really loved the fact that Barbie and Dylan fought their attraction and refused to accept their feelings for each other through most of the book. That in and of itself made this story different from a lot of books I've read. It was fresh.

Overall, Barbie Girl was a fantastic read that left me rooting for the two love birds. If you want a book where insta-love is absent and the characters refuse to admit their feelings, you've found it and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Heidi Acosta was born on Long Island, New York. Moving around a lot when she was younger, she has lived in New York, Arizona, New York (again), Washington, Georgia, and Florida, in that order. Each place offered her something special, but she will always consider New York her home.

Heidi started writing as soon as she could spell. When she was three, Heidi’s mother gave her a copy of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods; thus beginning her lifelong love affair with literature.

Writing soon also became a form of therapy for Heidi, when she realized that no matter what was happening in her life, she could find emotional escape while writing. Some of her earliest stories featured her as a princess who explored new worlds with her horse Buttercup. If it sounds romantic, it wasn’t, there was no prince charming in those fairy lands (boys where yucky).

Heidi now resides in Florida with her husband, very active daughter, one hyper Chihuahua, two sweet cats, and one very fat moody cat.

You can find Heidi...

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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To follow the rest of the tour click here. 

FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.  

{Cover Reveal & Excerpt} The Truth About Letting Go by Leigh Talbert Moore

I'm excited to have the opportunity to share the cover of

 The Truth About Letting Go (The Truth) by Leigh Talbert Moore with you today. It is a companion to The Truth About Faking.

Ashley wants to smash everything in her once-perfect life.
Charlotte wants to walk in Ashley's seemingly charmed shoes.
Colt wants to turn Smalltown USA on its ear--with Ashley at his side.
Jordan wants to follow his heart... but Ashley is the one sacrifice he never expected to make.

Ashley Lockett has always followed the rules. She's always done the right thing, played it safe, gone to church. And then her ideal life is shattered when her dad dies suddenly.

Fueled by anger and grief, she vows to do everything opposite of how she lived before. She rejects safety, rules, faith,

and then she meets Jordan.

Jordan has big dreams, he's had a crush on Ashley for years, and he's a great kisser. But he's also safe.

Enter Colt. He is not safe, and he's more than willing to help Ashley fulfill her vow.

Young Adult Conemporary
Released Today!!!
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

I feel Colt laugh, and he looks down into my face. That’s when he seems to realize what I’ve been acutely aware of for the last several minutes—our bodies are pressed together.

“It’s awesome, yeah?” he says. “Adrenaline rush.”

“Yeah,” I breathe. “I guess.”

I’m not sure if he’s going to kiss me until he does. His mouth covers mine, and energy mixes with the alcohol flooding my body. Our tongues slide together, and I grip his shirt so I don’t collapse. 

Every single bit of this is wrong, and there’s no way I’m stopping it. It’s back, that good feeling. The sadness has been pushed out again, and in its place is this rush, this rush of adrenaline like Colt said. 

He pulls back and smiles at me. “We’re going to start dating. Now. You’re my partner in crime.”

Moore

Leigh Talbert Moore is a wife and mom by day, a writer by day, a reader by day, a former journalist and editor, a chocoholic, a caffeine addict, a lover of YA and new adult romance (really any great love story), a beach bum, and occasionally she sleeps.


-The Truth About Faking is her debut young adult romance (on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo)

-Rouge is her first New Adult romantic suspense novel (on Amazon).

Leigh loves hearing from readers; stop by and say hello!

You can find Leigh...

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Crazy, Stupid Love New Adult Giveaway Hop

This giveaway is hosted by Talk Supe  

I've been dying to participate in a New Adult Giveaway Hop for a while now!
So for this hop I will have a few winners.... lets go with 3! Yes, three winners!
Below are some of my favorite New Adult books and each of the four winners will be able to pick an ebook from those listed below. I've also included two that are soon to be released. 

This giveaway is open to anyone who can receive and ebook from Amazon or B&N!
Giveaway Policy Applies!

Good Luck!

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