Blog Tour ~ Review & Tour Wide Giveaway: The Disappearing Girl by Heather Topham Wood

Hey everybody! Welcome to my stop on The Disappearing Girl blog tour hosted by AToMR Tours. Click here to see the full tour schedule. :D 

Title: The Disappearing Girl

Author: Heather Topham Wood

Release Date: May 7th 2013

Age Group: New Adult Ages 17+

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tour organized by: AToMR Tours

My Rating: 4 / 5 stars 

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~Synopsis~

Kayla Marlowe is slowly vanishing...

Last year, Kayla's world imploded. Her beloved father died, leaving her alone with a narcissistic mother who is quick to criticize her daughter's appearance. During her winter break from college, Kayla's dangerous obsession with losing weight begins. Kayla feels like her world changes for the better overnight. Being skinny seems to be the key to the happiness she has desperately been seeking. Her mother and friends shower her with compliments, telling her how fantastic she looks. Kayla is starving, but no one knows it. 

Cameron Bennett explodes into Kayla's life. He's sexy and kind - he has every quality she has been looking for in a guy. As Cameron grows closer to Kayla and learns of how far she's willing to go to stay thin, he becomes desperate to save her. Kayla's struggles with anorexia and bulimia reach a breaking point and she is forced to confront her body image issues in order to survive. She wonders if Cameron could be the one to help heal her from the pain of her past. 

New Adult Contemporary - Ages 17+ due to language and sexual situations.

~My Thoughts~

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for the blog tour. 

Have you ever felt the pressure to be thin? To lose so much weight you can see your bones sticking out? The author dedicates this book "to the girls who've never felt beautiful." I'm one of those girls. I haven't ever had an eating disorder, but I've definitely felt the pressure to look a certain way. And that pressure is everywhere, in magazines, TV, movies, music videos...it can even come from one's own mother, such as for Kayla. 

After Kayla loses her father, there's no longer a buffer between her and her mother. Kayla's mother begins directing all of the anger from her grief at Kayla and her little sister. All of their lives, they've been told by their mother they're too fat and unlovable, but once their father dies, their mother completely focuses her time on driving that message home. Kayla has been listening to her mother for so long, she soon falls into the vicious cycle of anorexia and bulimia. 

She meets Cameron, who has everything she's been looking for in a guy, and they begin dating. Cameron was perfect for her, not because he's handsome or intelligent but because he refused to give up on her. He loved her for who she is no matter what. That's real love. I felt Cameron's pain deeply when Kayla does her best to push him away. It hurt that Kayla didn't think she was worthy of his love, and it especially hurt when she began pushing everyone else in her life away as well to the point where she felt alone. I think she wanted to be alone with her disease. 

Kayla's story is told beautifully where the reader is given a look inside anorexia and bulimia instead of simply reading about someone who's struggling with the diseases. By the end, I felt I knew what it was like to think the way Kayla did, and it was scary. I could see how easily a person can fall into the cycle of bingeing and purging and making promises of eating normally if she can just lose those last two or three pounds. This was an emotional roller coaster ride that didn't let go. There was grief, addiction, love, betrayal, and forgiveness. I felt every emotion as though I was in the situation myself. 

I blazed through this book so fast it amazed me because normally I tend to read slowly. I couldn't help it - the story just pulled me in right away! I finished most of it in one night, staying up way later than I should, but it was definitely worth it. This book had me looking at anorexia and bulimia, two diseases I thought I knew a lot about from textbooks, in a completely new and personal way. I learned more about eating disorders from this story than I ever have studying them in a class, and you will, too. 

~Purchase Links~

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

~About the Author~

Heather Topham Wood's obsession with novels began in childhood while growing up in a shore town in New Jersey. Writing since her teens, she recently returned to penning novels after a successful career as a freelance writer. She's the author of the paranormal romance Second Sight series and the standalone The Disappearing Girl.

Heather graduated from the College of New Jersey in 2005 and holds a bachelor's degree in English. Her freelance work has appeared in publications such as USA Today, Livestrong.com, Outlook by the Bay and Step in Style magazine. She resides in Trenton, New Jersey with her husband and two sons. Besides writing, Heather is a pop culture fanatic and has an obsession with supernatural novels and TV shows.

~Author Social Media Links~

Facebook  | Website | Goodreads | Twitter 

~Giveaway~

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Rules: No purchase necessary. Must be 13 years of age and older to enter unless stated 18+ years of age. Must reside in countries able to received eBooks via email. The retail value of the eBooks is $2.99 USD. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners will be selected July 18, 2013 randomly by Rafflecopter. Entries will be reviewed for accuracy. Donnie Darko Girl and AToMR Tours are not liable for purchasing, shipping or emailing the items, winner not receiving the items, or lost items shipped/emailed. This sweepstakes is sponsored by the author and eBooks will be provided via email by the author. If the items are not claimed via email within 24 hours of receiving notification, the item will be forfeited with no winner or an alternate winner may be selected at blog's discretion with email verification by July 22, 2013. Any taxes associated will be paid by the author unless otherwise stated. Donnie Darko Girl has the right to obtain and publicize the winners name and likeness. Void where prohibited by law. 

Cover Reveal ~ Pendomus (Pendomus Chronicles #1) by Carissa Andrews

Title: Pendomus (Pendomus Chronicles #1)

Author: Carissa Andrews 

Publication date: October 10th 2013

Genre: YA sci-fi/fantasy dystopian (with paranormal romance)

Cover Reveal organized by: Xpresso Book Tours

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~Synopsis~

Humanity has colonized on a tidally locked planet known as Pendomus, a planet of extremes. Half eternal scorching desert and half perpetual arctic night. Surviving along the temperate band between the two, we've set up home in a complex known as the Helix. Within the Helix lies a highly sophisticated, highly technological society that seems to function solely on humans fulfilling their life's purpose. That purpose is determined and nurtured through a person's natural aptitudes, as read by their daily brain scans. Eating, sleeping, even procreation is handled by professionals. These basic concepts no longer a part of society's every day norm.

Seventeen-year-old Runa Cophem longs to be more than part of the Helix machine. Her life inside is anything but fulfilling. She feels disconnected and longs to be more than society dictates. Inside, no one socializes, no one interacts in a meaningful way. It's never set right with Runa. She would love nothing more than to reach out to her family, but not even her own mother can show any semblance of love for her. Instead, Runa has found solace in the ancient woods nearby, despite being strictly forbidden.

Runa's life takes an unforeseen turn when she's brutally attacked and left for dead in those woods near the Helix. Rescued by a stranger with blue hair, she's immersed into a surprising way humanity has survived. Fueled by a yearning to belong and an attraction she didn't even know was possible, Runa wants desperately to make a new life. Yet, there's much she doesn't know about herself, about the planet and the forces controlling her from afar. 

What she needs is some answers.

~Author Bio~ 

Born and raised in central MN, Carissa Andrews has always loved books. She started her career at 15 in a bookstore, just to be able to afford her book fetish. By 19, she worked for a magazine publisher. At 22, she was working for printers to learn their trade. At 27, she went back to school for graphic design, and became an award winning designer. Little did she know all of her experiences would lead her to becoming a self-publishing power house. 

At 31, a magical world on a planet far away, invaded her mind.

At 34, she's learned what she needs to make her work successful.

Pendomus (Book 1 of the Pendomus Chronicles) will be released OCTOBER 10, 2013.  

~Author Links~

Website  | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

First of all, that cover! Wow! The plot synopsis is intriguing, and I can't wait to see the mix of genres. Sci-fi/fantasy, dystopian, and paranormal romance? Yes, yes, and yes! :D Will you be checking out this book? 

Blog Tour ~ Review & Tour Wide Giveaway: Untellable by Suzanne Lilly

Hey you guys! Welcome to my stop on the Untellable Blog Tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours. Click here for the full tour schedule. I have a review for you, so relax and read on! :D 

Title: Untellable

Author: Suzanne Lilly

Published: February 24, 2013

Pages: 175

Genre: Young Adult, Suspense, Contemporary Romance 

My Review: 3.5 / 5

Tour organized by: YA Bound Book Tours

~ Synopsis ~ 

Aspen Dwyer, recently emancipated from foster care, is searching for a place to hide from a past with secrets too dark to share. Honey Creek, Ohio, presents itself as the best place to start a new life and stay undercover. There she meets Colton Moraine, a man with strong family ties and an even stronger sense of loyalty. His boisterous, loving family welcomes Aspen with warmth she hasn't felt in years. She's surprised at how quickly and deeply she falls for Colton. When a dangerous criminal comes to Honey Creek, intent on his revenge against her, Aspen must choose between two options. Should she stay and risk her life and the rejection of the people she's grown to love? Or should she run again, and leave behind any chance of a happy future?

~ My Thoughts ~ 

From the moment Aspen began telling her story, I loved her and wanted to wipe away all of her pain. She has a quiet strength even after everything she's been through, which I really admired about her. She uses swimming and painting as two healthy ways to escape from her problems and the pain when it gets to be too much to bear, yet another thing I respected about her. I was amazed with the way she handled her emotions - it showed her maturity and strength. Understandably she has a difficult time with trust and has decided to build a wall around her heart. Enter Colton. 

I could see right away Colton would be good for Aspen to meet and get to know. They start off on the wrong foot, and their interactions due to misunderstandings between them in the beginning were funny and endearing. He's friendly and helpful with the sunniest of dispositions. Colton seemed almost too good to be true. Almost! There are good guys like him out there! His aunt was a great character, too. She reminded me of my aunts with her warm personality and the way she takes in Aspen like one of her own nieces. 

As much as I loved Colton, I really hated his sister, Elise. I know that's a really strong word, but I can't express how much I despised her character! Aspen described her as a close friend, but in my eyes Elise was the complete opposite. What friend would try to force an interview on you when you obviously didn't want to step into the spotlight? Elise even displays some stalker-like behavior in the name of "journalism." She wants a job at a local newspaper, and what she fails to realize is that using your "friend" to get a job you really want is selfish and egocentric. At one point, I had to put my Kindle down for fear of throwing it instead. She grated on my nerves from the first page she showed up and didn't stop even at the end. All I could think about was protecting Aspen from Elise's machinations! 

What I liked about this story was that Aspen's narration highlighted what life is like for a young girl as a former foster kid. There's rarely a sense of stability - at any time for any number of reasons a foster child could be moved to a new family or have to switch schools. Speaking as someone who once worked with foster kids, I know about the plethora of issues these kids face. This book can give people an idea what it's like for those who have been in foster care. Sadly there remains a stigma against kids in foster care, but I have hope that one day it'll be broken.  

I don't want to say too much about the plot so as not to give anything away. I will say I had a good time reading this story - at different times I laughed, cried, grimaced, and smiled. It'll pull at your heartstrings and stay with you long after you've read it! 

* I received a copy of this book to review for the blog tour. *

~ Buy the Book ~

     

Also available from Turquoise Morning Press

~ About the Author ~

Suzanne Lilly writes lighthearted young adult stories with a splash of suspense, a flash of the unexplained, a dash of romance, and always a happy ending. Her debut novel was Shades of the Future in 2012 followed by Untellable in 2013. Her newest novel, A Thousand Little Secrets will be available in August 2013. Her short stories have appeared in numerous places online and in print, and she has placed and received honorable mentions in writing contests. She lives in Northern California where she reads, writes, cooks, swims, and teaches elementary students. 

You may find Suzanne Lilly online at these sites: 

Website | Blog | Goodreads  | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon Author Page

~ Giveaway ~

One winner chooses an e-book by Suzanne Lilly! For ebook selection click here! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Blog Tour ~ Review & Tour Wide Giveaway: The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard

Hey and welcome to my stop on The Forgotten Ones Blog Tour! Click here for the full tour schedule. I have a review for you today, so relax and enjoy! :D

Title: The Forgotten Ones (The Danaan Trilogy #1)

Author: Laura Howard 

Release Date: May 15, 2013

Pages: 197

Age Group: New Adult

Genre: Paranormal

My Rating: 4 / 5  

Blog Tour organized by: AToMR Tours

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~ Synopsis ~ 

Allison O'Malley just graduated from college. Her life's plan is to get a job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She doesn't have room for friends or even Ethan, who clearly wants more. 

When Allison's long-lost father shows up, he claims he can bring her mother back from the dark place her mind has sent her. He reveals legends of a race of people long forgotten, the Tuatha de Danaan, along with the truth about why he abandoned her mother.

~ My Review ~ 

I must admit the cover is what initially drew me to this story - it's gorgeous and now that I've read the book, I love it even more. I can't help that I have a huge affinity for purple! Once I looked beyond the cover to read the synopsis, I was interested to see that there would be a character with schizophrenia. It's always been such a mysterious disorder to me, and I wanted to see how it would be handled in fiction.

While Allison started out as a bit of a bland character for me, I did appreciate her determination to take care of her mother and the way she loved her no matter what. I wanted to argue with her about closing herself off to others, but I knew I'd do the same thing in a heartbeat. Allison doesn't believe she can have a life outside of working and taking care of her mother, but I believed there would be room for love with Ethan. I kept hoping she would be able to see that for herself, too.

I wasn't sure about Ethan at first. He seemed like a player in the beginning, and I questioned his intentions toward Allison; however, I warmed up to him. He ended up becoming a character I wanted to see happy. I felt the same hesitation towards Allison's father except even more so.  I didn't trust him and felt the same as Allison in wanting to protect her mother from him. Where had he been all this time? Why did he suddenly show up now? Whatever you might be thinking, you won't guess the answers to those questions! You'll be surprised just as I was! 

The plot explodes in the second half of the book, and this is really where Allison begins to shine. Not to say I didn't like her in the beginning because I did, but here I was able to see so much more of her personality. She became fierce, courageous, and just jumped from the pages. She came alive. Sometimes in books the reader is privy to information the main character doesn't know yet. In this case, I loved how the author chose to allow the reader to discover things along with Allison. I felt more connected to her that way. 

Overall, with the colorful cast of characters, Irish lore, and the way in which the plot unfolds, I relished this book and am looking forward to the next in the trilogy.    

* I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review as part of the blog tour. *

~ Buy the Book ~ 
Amazon  | Barnes & Noble

~ About the Author ~ 

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn't until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel. 

~ Connect with the Author ~ 

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Cover Reveal ~ I Breathe You by Lori L. Clark

Title: I Breathe You 

Author: Lori L. Clark

Publication Date: July 2013

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Cover Reveal organized by: Xpresso Book Tours

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~ Synopsis ~

When a tragic accident leaves Rhane Evans - lead vocalist for the rock band Fate's Crazy - permanently unable to speak above a whisper and kills the love of her life, she moves across the state to pick up the pieces. Shattered, Rhane struggles to understand what happened the night of the accident, an accident everyone blames her for, even though she wasn't driving the car. 

Enter Ian Callahan. He's the one person who may have a more tumultuous past than Rhane. Though they try hard to deny the sizzling attraction between them, it proves nearly impossible. When Ian's troubled past threatens to tear them apart, they begin to believe happiness isn't in their cards. 

Because Fate's Crazy that way... 

Here's a look at the entire jacket ~ gorgeous! 

~ Author Bio ~ 

I read, I write, I run 1/2 marathons for fun. 

Ten things about me: 

1. I'm an only child.

2. I love dogs!

3. I was born in Iowa City, Iowa and lived in Iowa my whole life until January 2007. 

4. I worked as a professional psychic reader for 2 years. 

5. I'm a Pisces Sun, Leo Moon with Aquarius rising.

6. I've written 5 books and am in the process of brainstorming a 6th.

7. I don't look or act my age!

8. I ran my first 1/2 marathon at age 50. 

9. I love 80's hair band music. 

10. My day job is as a claims payment analyst for one of Fortune 500 Magazine's "Top 100 places in America to work."

~ Author Links ~

Website |  Goodreads |  Facebook |  Twitter

I love the cover, and the story sounds awesome and exciting. On my TBR! What do you think? Do you love it? 

Review ~ Death in the Shadows (IDWMA Episode #2) & The Arrival of Armando DeLeon (IDWMA Episode #3) by Rhiannon Frater

Title: Death in the Shadows (In Darkness We Must Abide #2)

Author: Rhiannon Frater
Published: March 21, 2013
Pages: 61
Genre: New Adult Modern Gothic Horror 
My Rating: 5 / 5

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*Warning ~ Possible spoilers if you haven't read Episode 1 yet*
Click here to read the synopsis and my review for Episode 1.

~ Synopsis ~
Death has claimed a Socoli, but the family curse will not allow him to stay dead. Vanora and Alisha must battle the creature that stole their brother's life while fearing the possible resurrection of Roman.

In Darkness We Must Abide is the epic saga of one young woman caught in the dangerous world of the creatures of the night.

~ My Thoughts ~
The story of Vanora, Alisha, and Roman continues with Alisha and Roman vowing to keep their family intact and to keep their lives as normal as possible. I liked Roman more this time around than I did in the first episode. I understand him better and love his role as the protective older brother. He obviously loves and cares for his sisters and is more fatherly towards them than brotherly, which he is to fill that void in their lives.

Vanora is a strong character. I think the love from her siblings and the stable family life they've given her over the years contribute to her ability to not let not other kids bother her with their teasing her over her albinism. She's confident and intelligent, and I just really love her! Her name is unique - I haven't read a book with a character with her name, and I think it's beautiful and fits her very well.

I'd love for life to remain the same for the three siblings, but I have a feeling this isn't going to be as easy as Roman thinks it will be. It may not even be possible. What is he going to do when Vanora turns eighteen? He has built his entire life around her. What if she decides to go away to college? These are all questions I'm excited to explore as the story develops.


  ~I received a copy of this episode in exchange for an honest review~



Title: The Arrival of Armando DeLeon (In Darkness We Must Abide #3)
Author: Rhiannon Frater
Published: April 12, 2013
Pages: 55
Genre: New Adult Modern Gothic Horror
My Rating: 5 / 5

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~ Synopsis ~
A mysterious new vampire appears in the life of the Socolis. Is he friend or foe? 

In Darkness We Must Abide is the epic saga of one young woman caught in the dangerous world of the creatures of the night.

~ My Thoughts ~

Armando attempts to grow closer to Vanora, which set off warning bells for me. What are his intentions? Can he be trusted, or does he have some sort of sinister plans for Vanora and her family? He's suave and an old world gentleman, but there's something underneath the surface that I don't trust even though I like his character. There's a chemistry between the two of them that is undeniable and interesting because it isn't just as simple as a crust - there's much more to it.  

Vanora begins to grow apart from Alisha and Roman, which really saddened me, but it's an honest and realistic view into someone her age. She's a teenager becoming a young adult and developing her own identity. Already she's mature and intelligent beyond her years. Not only is she growing apart from them as any normal teenager might, but there's also the huge obstacle of Alisha and Roman being vampires while Vanora is not. Alisha and Roman really are more like parents to her than siblings, and the interactions between them remind me of a teenager vs. her parents situation, which led to some comical moments. 

I really love that about these episodes - there are serious moments, funny moments, tense moments, and sad moments all which make for a story that seems to jump off the pages. The writing is stellar, the characters are ones I care about, and the plot reels me in right away. I'm looking forward to the rest of this season, and luckily, I have episode four waiting for me! 

~I received a copy of this episode from the author in exchange for an honest review~

~ Purchase the Book Including All 5 Episodes of the First Season ~ 

Amazon ~ Paperback

Amazon ~ Kindle

Kobo

Nook

Autographed Copies at Author Store

~ About the Author ~

  

Rhiannon Frater is the award-winning author of over a dozen books, including the As the World Dies zombie trilogy (Tor), as well as independent works such as The Last Bastion of the Living (declared the #1 Zombie Release of 2012 by Explorations Fantasy Blog and the #1 Zombie Novel of the Decade by B&N Book Blog), and other horror novels. Her next novel for Tor, Dead Spots, will be published in 2014. She was born and raised a Texan and presently lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and furry children (a.k.a. pets). She loves scary movies, sci-fi and horror shows, playing video games, cooking, dyeing her hair weird colors, and shopping for Betsey Johnson purses and shoes.  

  

You can find her online at:

Website: rhiannonfrater.com & astheworlddies.com 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/astheworlddies 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rhiannonfrater 

Blog: http://rhianonfrater.blogspot.com/ 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/rhiannonfrater/ 

Email: rhiannonfrater at gmail dot com

Cover Reveal ~ NOMAD by J.L. Bryan

Title: NOMAD

Author: J.L. Bryan

Expected publication: July 26th 2013

Cover Reveal organized by: BB Book Tours

* Cover Designed by PhatPuppy Art  *

NOMAD a BRAND NEW release from J.L. Bryan, author of Jenny Pox (The Paranormals) series & The Songs of Magic series! 

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~ Synopsis ~

They took everything: her family, her home, her childhood. 

By the age of nineteen, Raven has spent most of her life in the sprawling slums of America, fighting as a rebel against the dictatorship. When the rebellion steals an experimental time-travel device, she travels back five decades to the year 2013. Her plan: assassinate the future dictator when he is still young and vulnerable, long before he comes to power. She must move fast to reshape history, because agents from her own time are on her trail, ready to execute her on sight. 

Is this cover not kick ass or what??? I love it!! I want her hair, her name, her outfit, her boots, her attitude - everything about her just screams "Don't fuck with me!" Definitely adding this to my TBR! How about you? 

~ Author Bio ~ 

J.L. Bryan studied English literature at the University of Georgia and at Oxford, with a focus on English Renaissance and Romantic literature. He also studied screenwriting at UCLA. He lives in Atlanta with his wife Christina, dogs Violet and Tiger Lily, and cats Shadow and Sue. 

~ Author Links ~ 

Website  | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook  | Amazon 

Cover Reveal ~ Indelible by Bethany Lopez

Title: Indelible

Author: Bethany Lopez

Expected release date: July 9, 2013

Genre: Contemporary

Age Group: New Adult

Cover Designed by: B Design alliebbooks.wordpress.com – Photo by Kelsey Kukal-Keeton

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

~ Book Description ~

After a year of partying, Sam decides to buckle down and focus on college. Things are going great until a one-night stand leaves her pregnant and alone. Raising a child while going to school isn't easy, but Sam is determined to be strong for her daughter. She doesn't have time for guys or relationships, and takes great care to protect her child and her heart.

Judd doesn't fit the mold of a college ballplayer. His long hair and tattoos may fit the life he’s created for himself, but baseball is the one thing he takes seriously. When he meets Sam, he’s immediately drawn to her curves and refusal to put up with his crap. When Judd learns the truth, can he handle the responsibility that comes with loving a single mother?

Sam yearns for the fire that Judd fuels in her, but her child’s needs have to come first. Can two people at different stages in their life find a way to make a life together?

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17855632-indelible

~ Author Bio ~

 

Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. Since then she has published various YA and NA books. She is a lover of romance, family, and friends, and enjoys incorporating those things in what she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible.

Author social media links:
IAN - http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/bethany-lopez.html

Webpage - www.bethanylopez.blogspot.com

Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/BethanyLopez2

Facebook - http://on.fb.me/LypEaO

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/bethanylopez2/


After reading Nissa by Bethany Lopez, I'm looking forward to reading more of her books, especially this one! I'm really getting into the New Adult genre. :D

Blog Tour ~ Review ~ Holding On and Letting Go (The Ties That Bind Us #1) by Lucy A. Kelly

I'm so excited to be a part of this tour for this incredibly moving book!
I have a review for you today - enjoy! :D

Title: Holding On and Letting Go (The Ties That Bind Us #1)

Author: Lucy A. Kelly

Published: March 10, 2013

Pages: 186

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Average Rating: 4.76 / 5

My Rating: 5 / 5
Blog Tour Organized By: Irresistible Reads Book Tours
Source: Review copy from the author 

Add to Goodreads 

~ Synopsis ~
Is there a way to describe the ties that bind us together? What happens when one of those ties is unexpectedly severed? Can everything else remain the same? Will the other ties hold strong?

Two years after her little brother's death, sixteen year old Emerson Caulfield returns to a home that she spent the last two years missing. In theory, everything should be the same. Her best friend, Matt, still lives next door. Her house is in the exact same condition as they left it. The scenery and hallways haven't changed, yet for Emerson, everything is completely different. The place may be the same, but Emerson is most certainly not. She returns home hurt, angry, and miles away from the girl she once was.

~ My Thoughts ~ 

This was such a deeply emotional read for me! After losing both my mom and maternal grandfather to brain cancer before I even hit high school, I'm all too familiar with the weight of grief that manifests in anger, sadness, loneliness, and just plain hurt. Every time Emerson visited her brother's grave and spoke to him, I cried. When she heard a girl making fun of her deceased brother, I cried. Who makes fun of a deceased little boy like that by the way?? I wanted to wring that girl's neck. Every emotion Emerson felt, I felt it too. We seemed to be kindred spirits. 

The book alternates between Emerson and her best friend Matt's point of view. The way Emerson describes her pain resonated with me, and the things she said are things I've said before. I was particularly struck when she said she has a hard time even just breathing and getting out of bed in the morning - I know what she's talking about. There were times I had to put down the book to catch my own breath. There is no better way the author could have expressed the toll grief takes on a person.

Matt's deep love for Emerson shows the strength of his character. He wants to love Emerson through this time, and what else can you do when someone you love is suffering from something you can't change or take away? He isn't afraid of the depth of Emerson's despair, and he doesn't give up no matter how many times she pushes him away. It's obvious Matt is wise beyond his years and cares about what's really important in life and not the silly superficiality of high school. How many guys his age can you say that about? 

I think there are times when a person becomes comfortable in his/her own grief - not that feeling miserable is what the person prefers but rather the person is afraid to move forward and do something to alleviate the pain. One worries that by letting go and accepting what's happened, the deceased loved one will be forgotten, not to mention that taking the first step forward is the hardest. This is why it's absolutely crucial that the person has all the support he/she needs. Matt was that support system for Emerson, and his perseverance in being there for her no matter what impressed me.  

I just could not and would not put this book down. I went through the entire spectrum of emotions while reading, and it was cathartic for me. I found myself examining how much progress I've made moving forward in my own life since losing significant loved ones and was surprised to see I've come a long way from where I began. It's amazing! And this is just the beginning to a series in which I'm really looking forward to where the author takes us next. :D 

~ Purchase Links ~ 
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

~ About the Author ~ 

 

I'm not really going to write a biography. Though I am supportive of the high schools and colleges I have attended, it's probably not actually the most interesting stuff about me. I'm going to do a list of five really random things instead for now. 

1. I like making lists. It's weird, and I never actually scratch things off of the list. 
2. I sing and dance in the car like a maniac. 
3. For the first six years of my life, I truly believed a shark lived under my bed. I watched Jaws at too young of an age. 
4. Without a doubt, I am a night person. I am enormously grumpy when first woken up in the morning. 
5. When I was younger, I read almost every Nancy Drew book, both new and old. I had a notebook, and I would take notes to see if I could figure out who the "bad guy" was before Nancy did. We probably tied.  

~ Author Links ~ 

Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook 

 

Cover Reveal ~ Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars #2) by Trisha Wolfe

Of Darkness and Crowns (Goddess Wars #2)

by Trisha Wolfe

Release Date: September 1, 2013

Cover artist: Steven Novak

Cover Reveal Organized by: YA Bound Book Tours

***WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ BOOK ONE***

Summary from Goodreads:

The moon goddess has taken up residency within Prince Caben, darkening his mind and soul. Now he hunts the very women he sacrificed his life to save, his conflicting desires for love and power raging a battle within him. Kaliope possesses the key to setting Bale free, and Caben will stop at nothing to see his goddess restored. Even if that means destroying the kingdom he’s sworn to protect, and the infuriating woman who torments his thoughts.

Kaliope, now the leader to the newly formed Nactue Guard, has vowed to save Caben. But with a traitor lurking among her people, and powers she’s unable to fully control, Kaliope’s mission becomes shrouded with doubt. Her new role as watcher over Caben’s kingdom brings a burden she’s unable to bear alone, and appointing the right person in charge of the prince’s affairs has turned a kingdom against the Nactue leader. Saving her stubborn, willful prince from the darkness overtaking him will be the battle of her life, and she needs people she can trust by her side. But bad blood between members of the Nactue obscure Kaliope’s journey, while her feelings for Caben cloud her judgment.

When the time comes to do what she must to destroy the goddess of chaos, will she be able to if it means losing Caben forever?

Book two of the Goddess Wars is told in dual point of view from Kaliope and Caben. New Adult Dark Fantasy, intended for readers 17 years of age and older. 

***Excerpt (Caben’s POV)***

The Crusher grinds to a halt. I’m propelled forward, and my head smacks the low-hanging ceiling of the front compartment.

“Damn, you fool!” I palm my throbbing forehead, eyeing the driver of the Crusher—the machines I now call by their Otherworlder name.

“Sorry, my liege,” he says, backing against his seat, farther away from the glowing ribbons circling my fingers. 

Ignoring him, I study the luminous white—like the surface of the moon—crawling beneath my skin, and marvel at the power. My power. Had I possessed it that day the Cavan Army forced me from my home, they never could have done so easily. But then, I never would have obtained this power. Ironic. 

“Just drive,” I tell him. I take a seat on the front bench, away from the foul stench emanating from the back compartment—our diversion tactic that will gain me entry into my palace, where I know she’s being kept.

The glow beneath my skin illuminates brighter, reminding me of her skin. I curl my fingers into a tight ball.

The battle up ahead is only part of my plan, one that I know Kaliope will fall for. I need the reserves away from the palace. Then we’ll take care of her Nactue once we’re inside. My back molars clamp down hard at the thought of her—a mix of something like fire and nausea invading my stomach.

At one time, I felt things for the black-haired beauty. I chuckle to myself. Well, at least my groin did. Just thinking of her body makes me ache, and I have to adjust myself. But that was when I was weak, when I only thought and felt with that weakness. As much as I hated my father for thinking me too feeble to rule, he was right. I was pathetic.

Bale freed me. Released the part of me that I kept buried, locked away deep down, and I no longer fear anything. I think of everything that once made me shudder or quake with dread and laugh. It’s so simple.

Without fear, there is only freedom.

Power.

And if I free Bale completely, releasing her from within my being and making her corporeal, she’ll bestow me with even more power. I don’t care what the dark goddess does or where she goes once I restore Empress Iana’s relic. I don’t give a damn what happens to the maggoty Otherworlders or their realm.

I just want her out of my mind. And I want the power.

Then I’ll set my sights on Perinya, and on gaining what’s mine.

A deep cackle fills my head, deep and sultry.

“Quiet, woman.” I roll my eyes. We’ve come to a compromise, the goddess and I, that she may remain within my mind, but she’s to keep quiet. I got tired of her constant lectures and angry rants about her sisters. She does stay silent…for the most part. But the sooner I get her out of my head, the better.

Having a woman fill your thoughts is a weakness in itself. A sudden flash of a smiling, laughing Kal blurs my vision, and I shake my head.

There’s only one way to rid my thoughts of that woman.

Kill her.

“Burrow, leach,” I command the driver. “We’re coming up on the battle. Go underground.”

“Yes, my liege.”

Tonight, I plot. Find a way into the capital of Perinya and into my home. And then take back what’s mine. The goddess can have what she wants. I’m only interested in claiming what’s mine.

No one will ever take anything away from me again.

Don’t get in my way, Kal.

I shake my head harder, trying to quiet the pesky thoughts that always spring up when I think of her. Something left over from before—a residual feeling, an effect she has on me.

It won’t be there much longer. I smile, and Bale laughs.

***

Of Silver and Beasts (Goddess Wars #1)

by Trisha Wolfe

Release Date:  April 19th 2013

Summary from Goodreads:

In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different.

When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena.

Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.

New Adult Dark Fantasy: Intended for readers 17 years of age and older.

Of Silver and Beasts is on sale right now for only $.99.  Get your copy here:

Where to find Trisha:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | YouTube Channel 

***Bonus Material***

Don’t miss out on the bonus scene of Astarte’s Wrath – Bath Scene in Xarion’s POV