Fragile Line by Brooklyn Skye ~ Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway!

Hey and welcome to my stop on the Fragile Line Blog Tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours. Click here to follow along with the blog tour schedule. 

Fragile Line

by Brooklyn Skye

Release date: April 21st 2014

Imprint: Entangled Teen

Source: Review copy

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Synopsis

It can happen in a flash. One minute she's kissing her boyfriend, the next she's lost in the woods. Sixteen-year-old Ellie Cox is losing time. It started out small...forgetting a drive home or a conversation with a friend. But her blackouts are getting worse, more difficult to disguise as forgetfulness. When Ellie goes missing for three days, waking up in the apartment of a mysterious guy - a guy who is definitely not her boyfriend, her life starts to spiral out of control. 

Perched on the edge of insanity, with horrific memories of her childhood leaking in, Ellie struggles to put together the pieces of what she's lost - starting with the name haunting her, Gwen. Heartbreakingly beautiful, this poignant story follows one girl's harrowing journey to finding out who she really is.

When I began reading Fragile Line, I had forgotten what the synopsis said and think my enjoyment of the story was enhanced from not remembering. All I knew was that after how much I adored Stripped, I'll read anything, and I mean anything, by Brooklyn Skye. I'd read her grocery list if she let me. 

In Fragile Line we meet Ellie Cox who's beginning to lose more and more time with no memory of where it goes. I couldn't imagine how frustrating that would be. At first it's little things - she forgets to wait for her friend after school, for example - but it ends up becoming larger chunks of time, sometimes hours, even days. Instead of explaining to her family and friends what's happening to her, she makes up excuses about being tired and stressed from school. 

This story astounded me with how well written it is and how real Ellie's struggle felt. It felt so real to me. My heart broke for Ellie and everyone who cares about her. Brooklyn Skye is an incredibly talented writer and pulls you into Ellie's nightmare to where you can't stop reading. For anything. I read this book in one sitting and got zero sleep, but it was so worth it. There was no place I could stop because everything in me resisted the very idea.  

Seriously, if you haven't read Fragile Line, I advise you to grab a copy and start reading without taking a look at the synopsis. Just jump in with an open mind and don't look back until you've finished. This is an unforgettable novel of discovering who you are and reconciling your past with your present. My love for Fragile Line knows no bounds. 

My Rating:

About the Author

Brooklyn Skye grew up in a small town where she quickly realized writing was an escape from small town life. Really, she's just your average awkward girl who's obsessed with words. She writes young adult and new adult fiction. You can follow her on Twitter as @brooklyn__skye or visit her website for updates, teasers, giveaways, and more. www.brooklyn-skye.com

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter  

Entangled Teen Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter 

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~ The Unfortunates by Skyla Madi

Coming 2014…

SYNOPSIS 

Nine.

She isn't known by a name, only by the number she was branded with at birth.

Nine is now eighteen and as an Unfortunate, she'll be forced to serve under The Fortunates for as long as she lives.

All her life, she's been force fed rules and regulations on how to serve those above her, but nothing prepares her for Master Kade…the Fortunate she is assigned to.

His dark and protective nature compels her, creating thoughts in her mind that she'd be murdered for having if anyone ever found out.

Her option? To fight. Fight hard against her forbidden thoughts and desires. It’s the only way for her to survive in a world that doesn't want her.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Skyla Madi was born in the small town of Port Maquarie, New South Wales in 1993. She spent half her life growing up in Wauchope, a thriving rural town at the heart of the Hastings River Valley before making the leap to the busy city of Brisbane.

Whenever this young Australian writer isn’t changing diapers, watching cartoons, cooking for her husband or doing other motherly-wife things she is actively working on her writing and improving her writing skills.

Skyla loves to read just as much as she loves to write and since discovering that YA/paranormal romance/urban fantasy/ are her favourite genres, she has embarked on her own writing journey and is currently working on a YA series titled ‘Your Guardian Angel’.

CONNECT WITH SKYLA

* Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Website *

GIVEAWAY

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This looks so good! I've read from Skyla Madi before, and she definitely knows how to weave a compelling story! I'm really looking forward to checking this one out!

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#LGBTApril If You Could Be Mine by Sara Faradin ~ Review

If You Could Be Mine
by Sara Farizan
Published: August 20th 2013
Publisher: Alqonquin Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Source: eARC from the publisher via Netgalley

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Synopsis

In this stunning debut, a young Iranian American writer pulls back the curtain on one of the most hidden corners of a much-talked-about culture. 

Seventeen-year-old Sahar has been in love with her best friend, Nasrin, since they were six. They've shared stolen kisses and romantic promises. But Iran is a dangerous place for two girls in love - Sahar and Nasrin could be beaten, imprisoned, even executed if their relationship came to light. 

So they carry on in secret - until Nasrin's parents announce that they've arranged for her marriage. Nasrin tries to persuade Sahar that they can go on as they have been, only now with new comforts provided by the decent, well-to-do doctor Nasrin will marry. But Sahar dreams of loving Nasrin exclusively - and openly. 

Then Sahar discovers what seems like the perfect solution. In Iran, homosexuality may be a crime, but to be a man trapped in a woman's body is seen as nature's mistake, and sex reassignment is legal and accessible. As a man, Sahar could be the one to marry Nasrin. Sahar will never be able to love the one she wants, in the body she wants to be loved in, without risking her life. Is saving her love worth sacrificing her true self?   

If You Could Be Mine was a book I wanted to love and wanted to give five stars to but could not. The synopsis pulled me in - I looked forward to reading about Sahar and Nasrin's love for one another in the context of a culture I'm not familiar with. Most of all, I wanted to see if Sahar would end up changing her true self in the name of love. 

Sahar was willing to risk her happiness for Nasrin and undergo a radical change (radical because she didn't truly identify as a male), but Nasrin didn't want to risk hers. I questioned their relationship throughout the story. It was obvious to me that Sahar was much more in love with Nasrin than the other way around. 

Nasrin didn't want to leave her easy comfortable life behind; it was more important to her than love. I wasn't that invested in their relationship as a result. I didn't care for Nasrin - I thought she was spoiled, selfish, and undeserving of Sahar's love. 

As a result, I became more interested in Sahar's cousin Ali's story. There was much more life to Ali than either Sahar or Nasrin, who fell flat for me. I think If You Could Be Mine had all kinds of potential to be a five star book, but with underdevelopment of the characters I was wanting to root for, their unequal relationship dynamic, and more interesting secondary characters, I was left wanting more.  

The ending, however, was satisfying for me because it was realistic. I don't think it could have ended any other way and wouldn't have wanted it to. 

My Rating:

This review is part of LGBT Month hosted by

Laura @ Laura Plus Books 

& 

Cayce @ Fighting Dreamer 

Dead Girl Walking (Royal Reaper #1) by Ruth Silver ~ Blitz: Excerpt & Giveaway!

DEAD GIRL WALKING by Ruth Silver

a Young Adult Paranormal Adventure

Published by Patchwork Press

http://royalreaper.com

Forget everything you know about grim reapers.

Princess Ophelia Dacre sneaks out of the castle to visit her boyfriend in secret. A perfect night cut short when she’s brutally murdered.

Ophelia is given the rare chance to become a grim reaper. She must become Leila Bele, cut ties with her old life, and follow the rules of the reapers. Her greatest adventure begins with death.

Amazon - Borrow Dead Girl Walking 
for FREE with Amazon Prime

Signed Copy

Goodreads

Excerpt

“Forget everything you know about grim reapers, Ophelia. Humans have it wrong. It’s easier to believe in angels and demons, than to see what’s right in front of you. Who wants to believe the undead walk among us with beating hearts? It would frighten humans. It would probably send many to their graves faster,” Edon said.

About the Author: Ruth Silver is the best-selling author of ABERRANT, a young adult dystopian adventure series published by Patchwork Press and Lazy Day Publishing. Silver attended Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor's in Communication in the spring of 2005. 

While in college, she spent much of her free time writing with friends she met online and penning her first novel, Deuces are Wild, which she self-published in 2004. Her love of writing led her on an adventure in 2007 to Melbourne, Australia. 

Silver enjoys reading, photography, traveling and most of all writing. She loves dystopian, paranormal, and fantasy young adult stories. Ruth has been actively writing since she was a teenager. 

She currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

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Written on Her Heart by Paige Rion ~ Book Spotlight with Giveaway!

About the Book

Andi Callaway has dreamed of becoming a published author her entire life.

Ford Delaney has always wanted nothing more than to escape his past.

An opportunity of a lifetime. This is what Andi finds when she returns home to Callaway Cove on summer break. A chance to work for her literary idol Ford Delaney is up for grabs, and she’s willing to risk everything—her boyfriend, her best friends, and her education—to get it.

She’s positive this will be the key to reaching her dreams. But the moment she begins working for the reclusive author, Andi realizes there’s more to him than just a name. As attraction builds between Andi and Ford, she begins to discover consequences must come hand-in-hand with something great—which could loosen control over her tightly wound life. And once romantic sparks fly, Andi’s other relationships start to crumble, Ford’s fame comes back to haunt him, and the heat they generate will either forge a powerful, enduring love or threaten everything she holds dear.

Purchase the Book

Amazon Kindle

Amazon Paperback

Kobo

Barnes & Noble Nook

Smashwords

About the Author

Paige Rion is a contemporary romance author. She’s a mother, wife, blogger, hopeless chocoholic, coffee-addicted, wine-lover. Her debut, novel—a new adult romance—Written On Her Heart, is the first in the Callaway Cove series. The next in the series is to be released this summer. She loves connecting with readers on her blog and social media. You can visit her website at http://paigerion.com/

You can also connect with her here:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaigeRion_books
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpaigeryan

 ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Win Paige Rion & WOHH Swag!!!

Prize 1  -  Paige Rion deluxe tote. Your choice of either Paige Rion/WOHH t-shirt or “Team Ford” t-shirt. WOHH mug with quote. A signed bookmark and a mini Paige Rion candy box!

Prize 2  -  WOHH t-shirt. WOHH mug with quote. A signed bookmark and mini Paige Rion candy box!

Prize 3  -  An exclusive WOHH iPhone 4 case. A clear mug with genuine Paige Rion signature. Signed bookmark and mini Paige Rion candy box. (If winner does not have an iPhone 4, they will receive prize 4 and another winner will be drawn).

Prize 4  -  10 more winners will receive a signed bookmark and a mini Paige Rion candy box!

Due to shipping costs, US ENTRIES ONLY.

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The Daughters of Zeus Series by Kaitlin Bevis Audio Book Blitz!

I'm excited to present to you a different kind of blitz - an Audio Book Blitz! You might recall back in November I was a stop on the blog tour for this series and reviewed Persephone as an eBook. You can find my review here. 

I have a few audio books though haven't had a chance to listen to them yet. They seem to be gaining in popularity, and I'm anticipating trying these out. 

Let me know what you think in the comment section below if you'd like! :)   

Persephone

Daughters of Zeus Book #1

By- Kaitlin Bevis

Genre-YA Paranormal

There are worse things than death, worse people too.

The "talk" was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they're a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn't until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life.

 

Somewhere Between Black and White by Shelly Hickman Book Blitz!

I love the sound of this book. I'm imagining Sophie to possibly be an annoying sister by thinking she has all the answers. You know how it's usually easier to see solutions to someone else's problems? Sophie sounds like she's going to find this out. Maybe the hard way, lol. Read on! :) 

Let me know what you think if you'd like in the comment section below! :)    

Somewhere Between Black and White

By- Shelly Hickman

Genre- Contemporary Romance

When approaching life’s problems, Sophie sees in black and white. That is, when they’re someone else’s problems. So when it comes to her sister, Sophie is sure she has all the answers, and offers them without hesitation. If only her sister would listen.

Then, through a series of chance encounters, she meets Sam, who is witty, kind, and downright unflappable. Sophie has the overwhelming sense that she’s known him before, and as a relationship builds between them, odd visions invade her mind. Though she tries to dismiss them, their persistence will not allow it.

As someone who is quick to judge others, she is intrigued by Sam’s ability to accept people as they are. She begins to see him as a role model, but try as she may, his accepting nature is difficult to emulate.

Will Sophie ever be able to put her hasty judgments aside and realize not every problem has a simple solution?

 

Available for ONLY 99 CENTS!! 

Omni by Andrea Murray ~ Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway!

Hey guys, welcome to my stop on the Omni Blog Tour hosted by LRT Book Tours. Click here to follow along with the tour schedule. 

Omni

The Omni Series #1

by Andrea Murray

Publication date: November 1st 2013

Genre: YA Dystopian Romance

Source: Review copy

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Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Smashwords

Synopsis

Pierce only wants a shot, a real shot, and not just the excuses he's been handed his whole life. Harmony wants to escape her future, the future she fears will be chosen for her. After their chance meeting, they might get exactly what they want.

Since taking over the US government years earlier, the Omni party has created a perfect existence. From consorts to job assignments, every choice, every facet of life is under their control. Each citizen has a specific role in one of the four strata. Seventeen-year-old Pierce is a Drudge, the lowest social stratum in society. For over two years, he's hoped - prayed - that his upcoming aptitude test will finally free him from his virtual slavery and give him a chance at a better existence. 

When he rescues Harmony, an Artist and member of the most successful stratum, at a publicity event for her latest movie, his life takes an unbelievable twist. With his gallant act and good looks, he becomes a media sensation. Every stratum in society seeks his membership for their publicity, but as he becomes closer to Harmony, Pierce realizes what fame in the all-seeing eye of Omni is truly like. His choices will not only affect him but Harmony as well. The life Pierce thought he wanted may not be worth the cost to either of them.

In this retelling of the classic story of Paris and Helen, love must struggle against an ultramodern, ultra-controlling society. They will risk everything, even challenging the all-seeing eye of the Omni government. But will the prize be worth the cost?

    

In the novel, Omni, a political party known as the Omni party has taken over the U.S. government and divided everyone up into four different stratum based on an aptitude test. At the top are the Artists, and at the bottom are the Drudges, which are the two stratum the two main characters, Pierce and Harmony, are in at the beginning of the novel. I thought this was an interesting concept for a dystopian society but was also reminded of how citizens in Divergent are divided into factions based on a test they must take. That's where the similarity ends. 

Pierce and his friend, Hale, are in the bottom stratum as Drudges. They haven't taken the aptitude test yet and were placed as Drudges because they grew up in a group home. Pierce was born to an unwed couple who didn't have permission from the government to have a child, and so he was taken away from them. You feel the unfairness of his situation, and you don't have to wonder where his bitterness comes from. I liked Pierce the most out of all the characters and understood him the best.       

Harmony and her twin sister, Caprice, are in the top level of the social structure as Artists. While I liked Harmony, I wanted more from her. She's weak and only slightly root worthy. I think it has a lot to do with the lifestyle she leads - she gets the best of everything and treated like celebrities in our society are treated. I had a lot of hope for her, that she would develop and grow over the course of the book but didn't unfortunately. 

I wanted to know more behind the Omni party and how they took over in the first place. What's the rest of the world like besides the U.S.? That's a question that rarely gets answered in dystopian novels. Since they were able to take over the entire U.S., what's to stop the Omni party from taking over other countries like Canada? Answers to questions like those would have all kinds of interesting story potential in my opinion. 

Omni has a lot of potential - if there had been more character growth, then I would have given the novel at least another star. The characters were a bit lacking, and that's what I wanted the most in this story. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading Omni and liked thinking about the similarities and differences between our society now and the society in Omni. I do think if you like dystopian novels, you should pick this one up and see where it takes you.  

My Rating:

About the Author

Andrea Murray has been teaching English for longer than most of her students have been alive. She has taught everything from junior high language arts to concurrent credit freshman composition. She lives in a very small town in Arkansas with her precocious daughter, energetic son, and race car-driving husband. 

When she isn't writing or reading novels for her students, she's probably watching reality television or cheesy science fiction movies. In addition to the Vivid Trilogy, she has also written Omni, her new YA dystopian romance. 

Buy her novels on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

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Amplified: A Reign of Blood Novel (#3) by Alexia Purdy ~ Blitz

I haven't read the first book of this series yet, but I bought it and am very much looking forward to reading it. 

This sounds like the kind of novel I crave! 

What do you think? Let me know in the comment section below! x

Title: Amplified
Author: Alexia Purdy
Series: A Reign of Blood Novel (#3)
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
Publisher: Lyrical Lit Publishing
Release Date: Mar 25 2014
Edition/Formats It is Available In: eBook (Now) Print (Coming Soon)

Blurb/Synopsis:
Who wants to be the prey in a world full of hunters?

In the aftermath of the end of her world, April Tate decides that it’s high time to leave the city that never sleeps, Las Vegas. After learning the origins of a Zompire Plague remedy, she risks her life to steal the antidote, makes the decision to separate from Jeremy for a while, and joins a small band of new and old comrades on a trip to the Pacific Coast. There they search out a legendary hive of vampires who are more than just wild, blood drinking creatures, they could be the very people she needs to help her.

On a mission to save the last of humanity, April will use the antidote to save some from eternal damnation, but will her decision bring hope for the future or create an ever bigger, unforeseen devastation?

Find Amplified

 Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Smashwords | iTunes    

About the Author
Alexia currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada–Sin City! She loves to spend every free moment writing or playing with her four rambunctious kids. Writing has always been her dream and she has been writing ever since she can remember. She loves writing paranormal fantasy and poetry and devours books daily. Alexia also enjoys watching movies, dancing, singing loudly in the car and Italian food.

Places to find Alexia

Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn  

Amazon Author Page 

B&N Author Page  

Smashwords Author Page

Lyrical Lit Publishing Facebook Page

Ever Shade (A Dark Faerie Tale) Facebook Page  

Reign of Blood Facebook Fan Page 

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