Cover Reveal: Wreck You

Title - Wreck You
Author - Abby McCarthy
Genre - Contemporary, Romance
Publication - May 20th 2014
(Goodreads)

Synopsis

“My name is Maura McCafferty. I take men who love me and I destroy them. If there was a scarlet letter I could wear to keep the men at bay, it would be a W. I would wear it proudly, to let them know I am a wrecker. If you love me, I will wreck you.”

Raised within the Devil’s Crusader’s, Maura has been exposed to many of life’s uglies and sheltered from any real relationships. She has all but given up on the idea of love.

Until she meets Corbin Marx, a sexy beast of a Marine who refuses to back down from any challenge. He is the type of man Maura has craved, the type who might just be strong enough…

This journey will be brutal, littered with violence, deceit and heartache. Maura must learn to navigate through the bumpy roads that life has paved and hope that at the end she will find her happiness.

Warning: Due to Violence, language, drug use and sexual content this book is not suited for anyone under 17. If those things offend you, this might too.

Excerpt 


Finally, after several moments of silence, Corbin lifts my tear-drenched face upwards so that I am looking at his icy blues.


"I’m not sure if I can forgive you. I want to. I want what we had back so bad. I just don’t know if I can trust you.” His voice has softened and I feel a small amount of hope, that he at least wants to forgive me.


“I’d do anything for you to trust me again. I’ll prove to you….”


He cuts me off as I am pleading, “I have to leave, the phone call I was on was my superior.”


He pulls away from our embrace and I try to cling to him again, feeling like he is leaving for good.


“Will you call me?” My lip quivers as I ask the question.


“I don’t know.”


He heads for the door to leave and I instinctively follow him. He walks outside to the Navigator and I throw my arms around his neck before he gets in.


“Please tell me this isn't goodbye?”


He doesn't answer my question. He pulls me in closer to him. I breathe him in, wanting to capture every part of this moment with him in case it’s my last.

AUTHOR BIO

I am a reader and a lover of words. I am a blogger turned author releasing my first novel in May 2014. I am a mother of three, a wife and a dog person. I have always wrote, sometimes poetry, sometimes just to vent about failed relationships, however in parenthood I have found my voice to help keep my sanity. Words have flowed from me, to review and with the support of amazing friends in the Indie community I have decided to pursue my dream of writing! I love to write and read romance, because isn't that something we all yearn for? Weather it be flowers and hand holding or just the right tug on your hair. Isn't that what life is about? The human connection?

Author Links

Twitter / Goodreads

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday April 8th 2014

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

~Grab your current read

~Open to a random page

~Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on the page

~BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! ( make sure that what you share doesn't give away too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

~Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

I'm currently reading

No Place Like Oz
by Danielle Paige
(Goodreads)

Teaser 

None of these people belonged at my birthday party. The people who belonged here were the ones who really cared about me: the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and the Lion and Glinda and all the other people I’d met in Oz. They were my true friends.
“Well,” Suzanna prodded me again. “When’s the fashion show?”
I had had more than enough. I was Dorothy Gale. I was The Girl Who Rode the Cyclone. Not to mention the girl who went to Oz, and defeated two real witches on my own pluck alone. She was nothing compared to them.

And now I was angry. It was one thing to be cruel to me. I could take it. But I didn’t understand why anyone would want to hurt my aunt.

What are you reading today?

Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke And The Brookish. Who doesn't love lists. They make life easy! And fun!! It's always a never ending topic.

I'm playing around with my own graphic I'll be trying a few out of the next month. I want one unique to me. 

This week's topic:

Top ten of the most unique books we've read

Eek this one will be tough but I will try my best.

1. Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst - One of my favorite books of 2013 the unicorns are extremely unique after all they transform into humans and fight vampires. I did find the vampires captivating in this series they didn't sparkle in the sun so does that make them unique? The main character Pearl has a soft spot her blood tinged with ice cream.

2. Rampant by Diana Peterfreund - What else can I say "Killer Unicorns" how much more unique can you get than that. Love this series by the way.

3. The Ward by Jordana Frankel - This is another of my 2013 favorites. It's a dystopia where part of the cities are under water. They just happen to be in New York looking for fresh water. It's a dystopian book which I'm still new to but I found the concept unique.

4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer - The whole Cyborg concept is new to me. I really found Cinders story while a spin off of Cinderella unique. What else can I say other than this is a must read series.

5. Taste by Kate Evangelista - All I can say is Zhamvy's if you don't know what they are you'll have to read the book. Love the cover!!!

This week was hard so I just have 5 to share. I can't wait to see what you have on your list.
What's on your top ten list this week?

Review: Embrace

Title - Embrace

Author - Cherie Colyer

Series - The Embrace Series #1

Genre - YA Fantasy Witches

Published - December 20th 2011

Publisher - Omnific Publishing

Format - Paperback

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Synopsis

How far would you go to save the people you love?

Madison is familiar enough with change, and she hates everything about it. Change took her long-term boyfriend away from her. It caused one of her friends to suddenly hate her. It’s responsible for the death of a local along with a host of other mysterious happenings. But when Madison meets a hot new guy, she thinks her luck is about to improve.

Madison is instantly drawn to the handsome and intriguing Isaac Addington. She quickly realizes he’s a guy harboring a secret, but she’s willing to risk the unknown to be with him.

Her world really spins out of control, however, when her best friend becomes delusional, seeing things that aren’t there and desperately trying to escape their evil. When the doctors can’t find the answers, Madison seeks her own.

Nothing can prepare her for what she is about to discover.

Dangerous, intoxicating, and darkly romantic, Embrace is a thriller that will leave you spellbound.

Review

I received Embrace in return for an honest review from the publisher. Embrace is story of Madison’s life changes when she meets Isaac the new boy in school at a beach party. Madison’s long term boyfriend moved away they decided to stay friends but when she meets the new boy there is a spark. However Madison isn’t the only one interested in Isaac her former friend and enemy Paige also has her eyes set on him. When Madison captures Isaac’s eye she’s not sure how he feels as her attraction grows. Things are put on hold when her best friend starts seeing things.

Kaylee barely survives an accident and things get worse with her seeing more things her parents even institute her in the hospital after an episode at school. While Madison tries to figure out what’s happening to her friend she resorts to surfing the web coming to the conclusion that she’s cursed. After a little research she comes up with a spell to try but before she can cast it Isaac shows up saving her from almost burning down the house. With the help from Isaac she will learn that she’s more than just human she’s also a witch and they will have to ban together if they plan to save Kaylee as well as learn to control her powers.

I wasn't sure how I felt at first with Madison she’s kind of an emotional girl who lets them rule her but she’s also a teenager who lost her mom at a young age. She has issues she’s broken but through witchcraft and love she may be able to learn to deal with them. I liked Isaac right from the start he’s a good guy you can’t help liking him. He’s a perfect complement to Madison’s emotions.

It’s been so long since I read the synopsis for Embrace if that shows you how long it’s been on my shelf. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I started it. Embrace is a high school story where the main character learns that she comes from a long line of witches and has to embrace her magic. I found the concept captivating it was a hard to put down story I was curious to see how it would end. I like the witch aspect how they descended from the Salem witches. The characters are easy to connect with I spent the whole book connected to Madison’s emotional ride cheering her on. I haven’t read very many witch books but this is one of the better ones the story is filled with romance, mystery, and enough suspense to keep the reader on the end of their seat. I can’t wait to read the next on in the series and see what the little coven has in store.

4 out of 5 stars

Review: Willow

Title - Willow

Author - Amy Richie

Series - Blood Vine #1

Genre - YA Paranormal Werewolves

Publication - August 24th 2012

Publisher - Anchor Group Publishing

Format - Kindle 

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Synopsis

“Being a werewolf is harder than it looks. Everyone thinks it’s just morph at the full moon, kill, morph back. That’s not true. It’s a lot harder than that. Especially if you are seventeen years old.”

Willow has the worst luck. First she has to deal with her narcissistic foster mother, Bella; then of course there’s her horrid little sister Ivy; not to mention the pack of werewolves that belong to Bella. Now, they have to move and start a new school - again.

Just when Willow thinks things can’t get any worse, Blake shows up from a council she never knew existed to name her leader of a pack she never knew existed. How was she supposed to teach a bunch of teenagers how to be wolves when she herself hated everything about her life?

Review

Willow is a werewolf but she hasn't always been a werewolf she once was human but as a child she was bitten as well as her little sister and raised by Bella a female pack leader. The girls grew up living with Bella in the plans that one day they would lead their own packs but when the time comes for Willow to take her own pack she’s not sure she is up to the challenge. With the last move Bella has already planted Willow in the school with her new pack, and with the help of Gage her “Uncle” she should be able to lead a pack of teenage boys.

Being a werewolf is hard, leading a pack of boys is even harder but surviving high school may just be the end of Willow. With the help of her boys she integrates into the school as one of the popular girls even becoming a cheerleader. As she gets better at fitting in at school things in her real life go wonky, on of her pack is shot so they have to fake his death, next one of the guys is seen running as a wolf. One of her new friends at school knows about their secret and even has one of her own. What about the plans of the council who placed Willow with the pack? What about her feelings for Gage her protector? Will she survive high school?

I wasn't sure about Willow at first and maybe that’s because I expect my werewolves to be tough. Willow hasn't had the best life, her parents were murdered and she was turned into a werewolf with her little sister. Willow has been beaten down by her sister and the werewolf who raised her. As she spent more time on her own, falling for Gage and learning to live with the boys she got better. The more the book progressed the more I loved her character and I decided she’s tough just broken. I liked Gage he’s got a past but he’s a good guy, and her wolf pack they are an interesting mix of guys.

I’ve had Willow on my TBR pile forever picked up a kindle copy ages ago and it’s still been on my kindle. When I needed a “W” book for my final team-challenge it was a no brainer for me. The author has taken the werewolf concept adding her own unique twists and spinning a captivating story. The way the wolves change is smoother than most and add in learning to shift and not destroy your clothes I’m sold sign me up. The characters are easy to connect with, you can’t help falling in love with the guys even Willow as the book progressed I was cheering her own. Her story is a little emotional after all she’s a little broken but it’s worth it. I had a hard time putting the book down I was drawn right into the story if not for real life I would have stayed up all night reading. Willow has it all action, romance, suspense and mystery all woven into an intriguing story. I honestly enjoyed the whole story it’s well written and the author has done a beautiful job creating an exciting new series. I can't wait to start the next one it’s sitting on the shelf looking at me. I love the cover with the wolves it’s just screaming read me.

Teaser

 Being a werewolf is harder than it looks. Everyone thinks it’s just “morph at the full moon, kill, morph back”. That’s not true. It is a lot harder than that, especially if you are 17 years old. All I wanted at the start of my junior year in high school was to stay in one place long enough to make a friend. My sister, Ivy, and I lived with our surrogate mother, Bella, who also happened to be a pack leader. One day, Ivy and I would have to move on and either find packs of our own or become loners. There could never be two females in one pack. But for now, we lived with Bella. Staying in one place was hard for Bella. She never could keep herself out of trouble.

Rating

4 out of 5 stars

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? April 7th 2014

Welcome to It's Monday! is a weekly event hosted by Sheila at Bookjourney to share with others what you've read the past week and are planning to read the next.

Only 2 books but they were good books.  

Read last week

Night Broken by Patricia Briggs (Review)

Willow by Amy Richie (Review)

Currently Reading

Embrace by Cherie Colyer (Goodreads)

Up Next 
No team challenges this week they all ended last week. So for the first time in forever I have no idea what I'll read next. 

What are you reading this week?

Cover Reveal: Hold On

           Title - Hold On

Author - Hilary Wynne

Series - Alexa Reed #2

Genre - Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Publication Date - April 2014

(Goodreads)

Synopsis

The sizzling, second installment in the Alexa Reed series.

Beautiful and successful Alexa Reed has dark secrets in her past that prevent her from trusting in love. Her fears start to fade when she meets charismatic, South Beach hotel owner, Julian Bauer, who is willing to put his extravagant playboy lifestyle behind him just to be with her.

He’s a man who likes a challenge.

Alexa’s newfound bliss is still fragile as she struggles to deal with the trauma of her ex-boyfriend’s death. Is Julian’s love for Alexa strong enough to heal her emotional scars and convince her their love is real?

Alexa is not the only one with secrets and what’s to come threatens to destroy their future together. Now it’s Julian who needs Alexa more than ever. Will she be able to hold on?

Hold On is Book 2 of the Alexa Reed series and is the follow-up from the hugely popular, Stay.

AUTHOR BIO

Have you ever woken up one day and said, “Today’s the day I’m going to do (insert thing here)?” Well, I did, and the result is my first novel, Stay. I always thought of myself as a decent writer, and then a trip down memory lane through my ninth grade book of poetry confirmed it. I realize that I have always had a romantic side and a way with words. With support from my husband and kids (and an unspoken agreement to leave me alone for a few hours every night), I embarked on this incredible writing journey.

I’m originally from sunny Southern California and spent my summers in South Florida. I attended college at FSU and received my Masters in New Mexico. I finally settled in the Washington, DC area. My happy place has always been anywhere near the water.

When I’m not writing, I help run a business with my husband, watch an inordinate amount of sports (my kids play something 365 days a year), indulge my competitive spirit on the tennis court, and spend time with my awesome family and friends.

I am an avid reader, but find my characters feel neglected when I hang out with other author’s characters for too long. When I do read, historical fiction is my favorite genre. I love traveling and experiencing different cultures, places, and times.

I feel so blessed that my love of books inspired me to finally do something that I forgot I had always dreamed about doing.

My someday has arrived!

Author Links: 

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Prom Impossible

Title - Prom Impossible

Author - Laura Pauling

Genre - Comedy, Romance, Young Adult

Publication Date - May 2014

(Goodreads)

Synopsis

1 girl. 1 prom. 3 guys.

Cassidy decides her senior year, including prom, will be about Michael Greenwood, the boy destined to be her soul mate. One problem. He hasn’t figured that out yet.

But certain events like exploding smoke bombs—that weren’t completely her fault—introduce her to Zeke, the reformed bad boy. And cutting deals in the boys’ bathroom with Jasper, the hottest guy in school, lands her in a complicated web of half-truths that spirals out of control.

At the end of the year, she’s dateless the day before the big night but risks a lot more than her pride if she can’t find a way to fix her mistakes.

PROM IMPOSSIBLE is a modern-day Shakespearean romantic comedy in the world of teens, true love, and life.

Coming May 2014!

AUTHOR BIO

Laura writes young adult romantic suspense and romantic comedy. She’s the author of the exciting Circle of Spies Series, and the time travel mystery, HEIST. She’s a former elementary teacher and currently lives in New England. After spending time reading books to her kids and loving a good plot turn, she put her fingers to the keyboard. Don’t ask her about the unfinished quilts and scrapbooks. Stories are way more exciting. 

She writes to entertain and experience a great story…and to be able to work in her jammies and slippers. 

PROM IMPOSSIBLE, a modern-day Shakespearean romantic comedy will be released in May 2014.

Author links:

Website / Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter 

Stacking The Shelves

Stacking The Shelves

Stacking The Shelves April 5th 2014

Stacking the Shelves is a meme by Tyngas Reviews that let's bloggers share their new books and swag, whether they are physical or virtual. I'll include books I've been sent, emailed, purchased, won and for review.

I'm trying really hard to limit my books purchases and those I accept for review because my review pile is out of control. 

Review

No review books this week. So far doing good at not overloading myself.

Purchased
Yesterday at costco I found the hardback set of
Cinder, Scarlet, Cress by Marissa Meyer. I caved deciding it was time to get the beautiful hardcovers since they are cheapest I'd find them.
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski (Goodreads)

Ebooks

Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood (Goodreads)
No Place Like Oz: By Danielle Paige (Goodreads)
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige (Goodreads)

What did you get this week?

Review: Night Broken

Title - Night Broken

Author - Patricia Briggs

Series - Mercy Thompson #8 

Genre - Urban fantasy

Format - Ebook

Publication - March 11th 2014

Publisher - Ace Hardcover

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Synopsis

An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

Review

Night Broken is the 8^th installment in the Mercy Thompson series. When Adam receives a call from his ex-wife claiming to have a stalker after her and possibly killing a guy she was dating he has no choice but to offer to help. It should be easy for a pack of werewolves to scare off a human.  When the police find a large amount of mutilated bodies human as well as animal it’s looks like the wolves might be the ones the police are looking at but with Mercy’s help she proves it’s something else a different kind of magic. 

When Christy’s stalker show up at Mercy’s shop she learns the hard way that he’s not a human but something much more powerful and more dangerous than any of them expected. Thanks to having the help of Tad her old boss’s son who happens to be half fey who is able to stop the monster but he gets away. As if that’s not enough the owner of the walking stick has shown up demanding its return or else. Plus at home Christy is doing everything in her power to cause problems for Mercy coming between her and the pack. Will they survive the fire monster? Will Christy be sent packing? Will she get the walking stick from Coyote?

What else can I say about Mercy other than I love her as a character she’s my all-time favorite. She’s not your typical helpless heroine but she kicks ass plus she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty working as a mechanic. She’s one of those characters you can’t help loving because she will risk it all to keep her family and friends alive. She’s befriended all kind of supernatural beings throughout the series this one has more of her walker story with a new character as well as Coyote returned. We also have Adam who I think is a perfect fit for her, as well as his ex-wife Christy who I would have given to the monster to be done with.

Mercy Thompson books are those I don't even have to read the synopsis for anymore. I hear there is a new book coming out and I’ll drop my current book for it. Like the prior books Night Broken grabs the reader right from the start drawing you into Mercy’s world where she lives with the wolves. I finished the book in one afternoon unable to put it down my hubby even made dinner so I could finish it because I had to know how it was going to end. This installment deals with a new supernatural being/monster that we haven’t seen before but brings back Coyote as well as a new character. The characters are easy to connect with you can’t help loving they are just so real I feel like I’m there with Mercy. Every book she surprises me growing better and better as a character you could say she just gets better with age. I like that the pack is starting to respect her more and that Honey is coming around because she’s one of my favorite supporting characters. I think the author has done an amazing job creating another fantastic chapter of Mercy’s life. I honestly can’t say enough how much I love this series it’s my favorite, the one I would save in a fire, or zombie apocalypse and would cry if I lost them. Also the number one series I recommend if you love the urban fantasy. I highly suggest you check her it you won't be disappointed. 

5 out of 5 Stars