Stripped

Title: Stripped

Author: Brooklyn Skye

Publication date: May 14th 2013

Overview

College freshman Quinn Montgomery will do anything to avoid the mistake her sister made—killing herself over a boy. But when she is forced into nude modeling at a local college to support her family after a bankruptcy, she begins to crack, just enough to let Torrin, the university’s top varsity oarsman, see that the real Quinn is not as feisty and unapproachable as she wants everyone to think. But letting someone in comes at a steep cost and, it turns out, Torrin is connected to Quinn’s family in more ways than she could ever imagine.

“I like you.” His voice is low and soft, which I don’t deserve. I look away, down the rutted parking lot.
“Don’t... waste those words on me.”
He touches my cheek. “You just need someone to show you.”
“No.” I ease back again. “I don’t. So please, Torrin, stop trying to swoop in and save me. I don’t need saving.”

Review

I don't know where to start but I guess if I had to sum it up....WOW, just wow. I was so absorbed into this book that I read it all in one sitting! The synopsis of this book had me intruiged from the start but the book is definitely way better than the description!

Stripped is about two people with damaged pasts and hidden secrets. Now this may sound a little similar to other books but it's not. Let me tell you, Stripped was very different from other books I've read and left me wondering and thinking about it days after I finished reading it. It took me so long to be able to write a review and even this is not good enough to describe the book itself. You have to read it yourself to live the true experience!

"Mom hadn't told me losing my only sister would be like losing a part of me, the part which made me feel like everything in life would be okay."

Quinn is dealing with the loss of her older sister and belives that her sister killed herself because of her boyfriend. Because of this, Quinn promises herself to never fall in love so she won't end up like her sister. Quinn was actually really easy to relate to and was a very great and interesting character. The way Brooklyn wrote the book allows the reader to connect to Quinn on a much more emotional level.

Torrin was a very sweet guy who always looked out for Quinn and teased her constantly. The scenes between the two of them were at times steamy or just plain cute! However, Torrin and Quinn have secrets but under all those secrets, they share one devastating fact. This fact will either ruin them or just prove that love can withstand everything.

The ending was really unexpected and I actually teared cause of it. Stripped was a very enjoyable read and gave me a great look on life. The fact that the book dealt with suicide but still managed to keep me interested was really amazing as I usually try to avoid these kind of books. Brooklyn Skye is a very talented writer and Stripped is a great addition to the lists of amazing books I've read and to the overall NA genre.

Once Upon a Tag

Title: Once Upon a Tag (short story)

Author: Anna Adams

Publication date: April 23rd 2013

Overview

When David, a young French painter, unexpectedly meets Rita, an infamous Parisian street artist, his convictions are shaken to the core during a night he is unlikely to ever forget.

Review

Absolutely adored this book! Short but very intriguing, Once Upon a Tag will change your perspective of art and will be a very enjoyable read.

David and Rita are both two very different people with two very different perspectives on art.

"One a.m. Twenty minutes, forty-six seconds, in the Parisian subway.
That’s when David Leblanc saw her for the first time."

David is basically the more sensible of the two and is the complete opposite of Rita. Rita is famous for her art works across Paris and is known as the "masked menace" for her so called vandalism.

I must say that fate has really funny ways in messing with people's lives and in this case, David and Rita's. Over the course of the book, many twists occur and David starts to see what lies behind Rita's 'artworks'. But once again, fate interrupts and the book ends with a cliffhanger!

Once Upon a Tag is a very promising book that really left me thinking. I was sucked into the story very easily and, throughout the book, the story flowed continuously well. I wish it was longer, I just couldn't get enough of it! Crossing my fingers for a sequel!

Arc review: You Are Mine by Janeal Falor

Title: You Are Mine (Mine #1)

Author: Janeal Falor

Publication date: May 6th 2013

Overview

Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts.

Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly

Review

Spectacular and well written, You Are Mine by Janeal Falor is a very intriguing story which had me hooked from the start. This book was certainly different and creative, throughout the entire book, I had no clue what was going to happen next. I couldn't even predict the romance! I usually can tell the romance part of the story very well as I read plenty of romance stories but for once, I was left dumbstruck.

The book takes place in a society where women have no choice but to obey men and where they are sold to men to be used as slaves and to satisfy them. Usually, the more magic they have in their blood, the higher chance they have of being sold.

Serena, the main character of the story, has just been tested and has been found to have a large amount of magic within her blood. She is quickly sold to a man by the name of Thomas. However, as the story unfolds, Serena discovers that her life can quickly change within seconds. After a battle and the death of Thomas, she is now owned by Zade.

Zade is from the Envandi, a group of people who come from a different society and are though bad of by many. However, Zade is different, and Serena isn't quite sure what to think of it and how to act around him. Furthermore, she's putting her sisters' lives in danger as well as herself as she tries to find a way to be free. The only problem is, if she is caught, she will have no choice but to be tarnished.

The romance in this book was very simple, sweet and short but it left me breathless and questioning the motives of certain characters. Mix in some past lovers and you've got yourselves a mysterious and sizzling romance.

Janeal Falor can sure write. This book was absolutely oringinal and unforgettable. It contained the perfect amount of romance and excitement to keep me reading on. The start is a little confusing but trust me, keep reading on and you'll love it.

Fire Blog Tour and Giveaway

Hey everyone! Today, I'll be doing a blog tour which will include a review, guest post and GIVEAWAY! Hope you enjoy!



Title: Fire

Author: Heather James

Publisher: Self-published

Oveview



Is control over the elements a gift, or a curse? Roxy thinks that she is in control of everything: with flames flaring at her fingertips and an equally fiery attitude, what more could she need? But then she meets Brae, a prince from a rival Realm, who turns her assumptions of superiority upside down. Jasmine has none of Roxy’s confidence or intensity. But she does have a secret - and Brae - and she’s not going to give either up willingly.

Review

Fire. The one word which says it all. This book was absolutely brilliant! Fire is told in dual points of view, Roxy and Jasmine. Roxy is from the Helian realm, has red hair and has the power to control fire. She is also the grandaughter of King Nero. Unlike Roxy, Jasmine is from the Arcan realm and by right, should be able to control air. She is a very close friend of the Arcan Prince, Brae, who is the main male lead.

In their world, there are four relams:
The Brizan Realm: Water
The Arcan Realm: Air
The Helian Realm: Fire
The Sephan Realm: Earth

And each protector from each realm has a different characteristic which matches their elemental powers (e.g: Roxy is feisty as she controls fire). Also, they have different streaks of color in their hair;
blue for Brizan, silver for Arcan, red for Helian and green for Sephan.
However, and this is where it gets interesting, Jasmine is keeping a secret from everyone, she has purple streaks! Immediately I'm thinking, hmmm....maybe she had parents from different realms, as she was taken on from an early age by someone else.

And worse, this is the painful part which I'm sure most of you will guess from early on but there is a love triangle! No! My heart is screaming from the torture. All the characters are so easy to like, although Jasmine took awhile too warm up to. And by the time Brae and Roxy met, my mind was in total chaos...Heather, you are one brilliant writer! And lastly, the ending...a CLIFFHANGER!!! Ok, so I'm not a huge fan of them cause of all the time I have to spend dying for the release of the next book but, cliffhanger or not, I would read Fire regardless of anything. The book was just that good. I feel really honored to be able to read this book, so thank you so very much Heather! And to everyone out there, hurry up! Enter the giveaway to win a copy of Fire! You don't want to miss out on all the excitement!

Here's a quick guest post by the author, Heather James!

I’m Heather James, author of the ‘Elements of Power’ YA fantasy series. I’m British, living just outside of London, and when I’m not writing, I tend to be reading. Here are a few book and writing related facts about me:

1.       My favourite series is a three-way tie between ‘Harry Potter’ ‘The Mortal Instruments’ and ‘Uglies’. I would find it really hard to pick between them.

2.       The last amazing book I read was ‘Daughter of Smoke and Bone’ by Laini Taylor. It’s a really unique take on fantasy and angels and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

3.       I like ebooks and physical books equally. I love my kindle for its versatility – I can read books anywhere on anything, but I also like owning physical books, especially when they have pretty covers.

4.       I am currently reading ‘Clockwork Princess’ by Cassandra Clare. And I’m loving every word (so far – I may change my mind if Tessa doesn’t end up with Will…)

5.       I dream of owning enough books to have my own mini-library, or at least an entire wall of bookcases!

6.       I love names and am always making a note of good ones for future characters. The more unusual the better.

7.       I’m mildly addicted to Pinterest – I could spend hours on it if I let myself. It’s great for collecting story ideas though, so my time on it isn’t completely wasted!

8.       I wrote my university dissertation on the use of politics and authority in Harry Potter – I decided that if I was going to write 10,000 words on something, it ought to be a topic I was really interested in.

9.       The first chapter book I ever read was Heidi by Johanna Spyri, which I read with my mum.

10.   My favourite novel hero is Valek from Poison Study: he’s a great blend of sexy, dangerous and loving.

Finally, as promised, a Giveaway!

And like all my other giveaways, this one is INTERNATIONAL!

Hope you enjoy!

The prize is a smashwords edition of Fire by Heather James :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DIVERGENT #3: ALLEGIANT!

Divergent by Veronica Roth has a title! ALLEGIANT!

I'm guessing it's gonna be Abnegation's symbol on the front!

What are your thoughts?

I LOVE THE TITLE...wasn't what everyone was guessing!

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE COVER!!!

REMEMBER TO KEEP A LOOK OUT AND MARK YOUR CALENDERS!
IT RELEASES OCTOBER 22ND 2013!

Feature: Aversion by Kenechi Udogu

Aversion (Book One of The Mentalist Series)

For Gemma Green’s first time, things should have been straightforward. Find your subject, hold their gaze and push a thought into their head to save them from future disaster – Aversion complete. A pretty simple process given that the subject was to have no recollection of the experience. But Russ Tanner doesn’t seem to want to forget. In fact the more she tries to avoid him, the more he pushes to get to know her. Gemma knows she has a problem but is she facing the side effects of a failed Aversion or has the school’s tennis champ really fallen for her?

Quick fire questions

1.       What’s your dream vacation?

Somewhere warm, preferably with a beach and a spa. I hate the cold even though I live in a country where it is less than 18°C for over 9 months in the year. Brrrr.

2.       What is the last film you saw?

In cinema? Silver Linings Playbook – loved, loved, loved this and would highly recommend it. At home? For Coloured Girls – this one tackled pretty harrowing issues so was worth the watch.

3.       Vanilla or chocolate?

Vanilla. Boring, but I don’t like chocolate.

4.       Edward or Jacob?

Jacob! First of all, he’s alive. Secondly he’s way hotter than Edward in the books and in the movies.

5.       Hockey or soccer?

Soccer (it’s called football in the UK though).

6.       Ebook or paper?

Both. Ebooks for my train commute and paperbacks for bedtime.

7.       Phone call or email?

Emails. I like to talk (a lot) but writing is so much more liberating.

8.       Early bird or night owl?

Night owl. I’ve been called a nocturnal being in the past because I’m quite happy to stay up well past midnight but will complain all day when I have to wake up early.

9.       Dog or cat?

We had lots of cats and dogs when I was growing up so I’d say both. But I’d probably be a cat lady if I had to choose one.

10.   Messy or neat?

Organised mess. My room and desk look like bomb sites but I know exactly where everything is.



Interview and Giveaway

Hey guys! I'm pretty excited to announce I've managed to have an interview with the fabulous Rektok Ross. I absolutely adore this book, Prodigal, and can't wait to shrare it all with you!

Make sure you enter the giveaway!

Overview

It was supposed to be Lexy Quinn’s year.

The hard-working wallflower has finally landed the coveted spot as Editor of her school’s newspaper. Then the rug is ripped out from under her when she finds out her mom is sick, and the family is moving half-way across the country to Preston Hills, Texas. Lexy can’t think of a worse place to be than at a school full of snobby rich kids where she’ll have to start all over to get people to notice her writing, or–who is she kidding?—notice her at all.

When the most swoon-worthy boy in town, who also happens to be the jock celebrity quarterback, gives her an exclusive interview, Lexy’s life takes an unexpected turn. Ash Preston is the perfect guy and, even better, he sees Lexy as she wants to be seen. But can she trust him?

PRODIGAL is a different kind of love story, where faith, romance, and God converge . . . and it just might change the way you look at your life.

My Review
Now it's time for the interview!

1.Do you have any other hobbies or activities you enjoy doing?

Absolutely!   I'm really into fashion. Not sure if you can tell but I tend to overly describe the outfits in my books (LOL). I have a lot of friends in the fashion industry and am kind of addicted to shopping. I'm also an avid reader. I probably speed read through about 2-3 books a week and have always been a pretty big book nerd.  I am also obsessed with the Florida Gators (especially their football and basketball teams).  And I love animals. I'm a huge animal rights advocate and am in love with my golden retriever puppy.

2. Do you have a favorite author or book?

Far too many actually! I've always admired C.S. Lewis and think The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is just a complete literary masterpiece. I'm so jealous of people that can write a powerful allegory like that. I also grew up reading Christopher Pike and devoured his books when I was younger. He's brilliant. Remember Me is my favorite! I could go on and on, there are so many books and authors I love.

3. When did you first realize that you wanted to be an author?

I started writing at a young age. When I was in elementary school I would carry around a little black and white composition notebook and at the time I was really into writing stories about the supernatural (again probably inspired by authors like Christopher Pike, L.J. Smith, and R.L. Stein who were really popular around then and YA before YA was cool). But I never thought I'd try and do it for real. It wasn't until a few years ago that I finally decided, hey, life is short, maybe I should give it a shot and see where it goes.

4. What books are you currently reading or what was the last book you've read?

I'm pretty open-minded and will read just about anything but my favorite thing to read is first-person, young adult romance.  I have a really long commute to work in the morning (yes, I still have a day job!) and I just started the audio version of Beautiful Creatures. I've been wanting to read it for a while and the audio version is pretty cool.  My New Year's resolution this year was also to read the Bible cover-to-cover so I'm slowly reading a few chapters of that every few days or so. Yeah, ambitious I know! And finally, my next book is an action/adventure/survival story so I have been trying to read some books like that for inspiration like The Hunger Games series and Lord of the Flies.

5. Which character best describes you?

Everyone always asks me this! My Uncle actually just sent me a picture of myself as a teenager and asked "is this Lexy?" Ha! He thinks he is so funny!  Lexy and I definitely share some similarities with our love of writing. I also had a lot of complicated crushes growing up and went through a lot of the same family problems Lexy goes through. The spirituality of the book was also quite personal for me to write about. Prodigal has a definite message about faith and belief that I have experienced myself and really wanted to share with others.

6. Do you prefer Brian or Ash?

Wow, that's a tough one! I originally wrote Prodigal as a love triangle and then I realized I myself was too torn between Brian and Ash and didn't want to choose one over the other.  I knew I didn't want to leave my readers in the same predicament so part of what I worked on with my editor during the revisions was stripping the book down to a true linear romance. If you make it through to the end, I think you'll find out who I (and Lexy) wind up preferring. Of course, there may be another book about Lexy left in me and more time later to revisit the choice...

7. How does it feel to have people reading your book?

Incredible. Terrifying. I guess it depends what they are saying about the book when they finish it!

8. Are you planning on writing another book?

Yes! I am about halfway through the first draft of my second novel in the Rektok Ross series. If you visit my website-- www.rektokross.com-- you can find out more about what I'm currently writing. The series is about characters who face a life-changing experience that brings them closer to knowing themselves and knowing God. The next book is very different thematically from Prodigal. It's a survival story and is a lot darker in tone, but it still has the signature epic love story that you'll find in all the books in the series. I really LOVE love :)

9. How did it feel to finally finish writing the book?

Ah-ma-zing! 

Wow! I can't wait for the next book, hopefully, I won't faint from all the tension! Keep a look out everyone! You definitely have to read Prodigal!

Now here comes the fun part :)

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Win my e-copy of Prodigal by Rektok Ross!

I can give you almost any format, as long as it can be sent through e-mail :)

This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL so everyone can join!

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