Monday 23 December 2013

Under Different Stars by Amy A. Bartol (BLOG TOUR)

Under Different Stars (Kricket #1) - by Amy A. Bartol (BLOG TOUR)


About the book:

All she wants is a home, but can she find one...UNDER DIFFERENT STARS


Kricket Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they’re rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago’s foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and find what her heart needs most: a home.


Trey Allairis hates Earth and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he’s learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go.


Kyon Ensin’s secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket's gifts than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows she’s more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He’ll move the heavens and align them all in order to make her his own.


When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars?

About the Author:

I live in Michigan with my husband and our two sons. My family is very supportive of my writing. When I’m writing, they often bring me the take-out menu so that I can call and order them dinner. They listen patiently when I talk about my characters like they’re  real. They rarely roll their eyes when I tell them I’ll only be a second while I finish writing a chapter…and then they take off their coats. They ask me how the story is going when I surface after living for hours in a world of my own making. They have learned to accept my “writing uniform” consisting of a slightly unflattering pink fleece jacket, t-shirt, and black yoga pants. And they smile at my nerdy bookishness whenever I try to explain urban fantasy to them. In short, they get me, so they are perfect and I am blessed.


My Review:

The first thing I wish to address is my thanks to Amy for not ending on a cliffhanger. I've had too many of those recently and they're breaking my heart. Now, that's not to say I'm not dying to know what's coming next and I want Amy to take her sweet time writing the next one, it's just me saying thanking her for not giving me an aneurysm.

Ok, so at first I don't really know what I was expecting. It'd been a while since I signed up but, hey, the cover looked great and I love Amy's writing. So I started reading and I was like: eh, not really sure how this is gonna go but I'll keep reading. Well, that was only the first chapter. Then BAM! BOOM! POW! BAW-DA-BOW! ACTION, PEEPS! ACTIOOONN!!

So I'm not gonna give you a low-down on the plot because that's what the blurb is for, right? Right. But I will say that 90% of this book takes place in another realm/world/whatever you wanna call it. 

Things I love about this book:

kick-ass heroine, can I get a HALA!! Kricket is...ohmygod she brings meaning to the words small but mighty. She takes nothing lying down, is all up for action, can be a bitch when necessary, stares down authority, is fluent in sarcasm and sass and just OHMYGOD if I had to be anyone id wanna be her because she's actually the kinda person I aim to be

the insults! The one thing that we all take from books - don't lie about it, I know you do! - is new insults and I've been calling my brothers nim knob knockers since I started reading this book. Like, HONESTLY <3 <3 <3

the new vernacular ;) now for those of you who have/had normal English teachers at school who didn't try and stuff you full of crazy colourful words you'll never use, that means the new language. I love their terms and learning them along with Kricket was ah-mazing

Trey, Jax and Wayra! These guys...these guys are my favourite trio ever. Like, I never wanna let them go. When I get sucked into a YA novel of my own they better be waiting there for me or else imma clock someone real good, okay?

KNOB KNOCKERS!!

Things I hate about this book:

 Kyon. Who doesn't hate a self-centred jerk? 

Manus. Who doesn't hate an OLD self-centered, pedophilic jerk?

Yeah...well that's all I can think of. I won't give you a character analysis cause that would take AGES but I will leave you with the words: READ THIS. I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE

(-_-) <-- the 'I'm watching you' face

Excerpt:


Water swirls around me as I open my eyes. I shiver, realizing I’m in Trey’s arms. He’s standing chest deep in crystal blue water with Wayra pacing on the bank only steps away. Clutching Trey closer to me, my cheek remains on his shoulder. Watching a bead of water slip down his powerful neck, I hear Jax say, “She’s waking up.”



Trey, cupping his hand in the water, pours some of it over my hair. It drips down the sides of my face, cooling me. “Let’s get her out. I’ll get the visor and we can check her vitals.”

As Trey wades out of the pond with me in his arms, I try to lift my head from his shoulder. It makes me dizzy so I lay it back. It’s then I notice that I’m only in my bra and underwear. A blush creeps into my cheeks as I hug Trey tighter to me. Wayra meets us on the bank, draping a blanket over us. Trey sits down with me on his lap. He leans against a tree trunk holding me securely to his chest. Peeking at his face, he seems angry as he smoothes my hair back from my face.

Hurrying over with the visor that looks like grandma goggles, Trey sets them on my eyes. Everything is green as I gaze around at the water in front of us. Flashing green lights and readouts occupy the peripherals of the glasses, but the information is running faster than I can possibly read it.

“Ho!” Jax exclaims next to me.

Immediately, Trey’s arms tighten on me as he barks out, “What? How bad is it?”

“Naw, it’s not bad…it’s just…Kricket…” Jax breathes, like he’s in awe. “Look at this brain activity…it’s massive.”

“What do you mean?” Trey asks with relief in his tone.

Jax grins. “She’s lighting everything up. Look at her frontal lobe…it’s off the charts.”

“What does that mean? Is she healthy?” Trey growls.

Jax nods enthusiastically. “She’s healthy! We didn’t fry her with heat stroke, that’s for sure. Or, if we did, she’s got more brain activity than anyone I’ve ever seen to compensate for it,” he replies, sounding seriously geeked about it.

“Those things aren’t broken, are they?” Trey asks speculatively.

“No…here.” Jax pulls them off my face. “Wayra, come here.”

Wayra walks over and Jax puts the glasses on his eyes. “See! He’s normal, well, normal for him. See how it doesn’t light up in these areas?” he points out to Trey.

“Yes.”

“Now watch this,” he says, taking the glasses off of Wayra, he places them back on my face. “See? It’s like Christmas in Chicago with all those lights,” Jax says proudly.

“So that means she’s smart?”

Jax beams. “Yeah, she’s smart! She’s brilliant! There’s no telling what she can do.”

“If she’s so smart, why did she run until she almost popped? Why didn’t she just tell us she needed to rest?” Wayra asks derisively.

“Personality flaw,” Trey replies. “She’s going to show us that she’s not weak.”

“She’s sitting right here,” I murmur, pulling the glasses off my face and handing them to Jax.

Giveaway:

1st prize = KINDLE FIRE + ebook of Under Different Stars
2nd prize = Kindle Cover + $50 Amazon Gift Card
3rd prize = $50 Amazon Gift Card


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday 19 December 2013

Just Breathe Triolgy by Heather Allen

Just Breathe Trilogy - Heather Allen

So i'm sure you guys know that I've read this...and loved and hated it! So, GUESS WHAT!! Heather Allen is releasing all three books in one big book, complete with bonus material etcetera, etcetera! WHAT A GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT, DON'T YOU THINK?? Heather's writing is so lovely, you're sure to fall in love, and who doesn't love a good mermaid tail? 

Be sure to buy this book (purchase links below) and a big shootout to the Into The Night Review's blog for hosting this and helping me become a better blogger (seriously, I have so much to thank Tami and Heather for, you should go check them out!)

Love you guys (even though no one ever reads this...ha!)



We are so excited to bring you the Just Breathe Trilogy by Heather Allen, now available in a single volume.


Title:   Just Breathe Trilogy
Author:  Heather Allen
Genre: Young Adult (YA)
Publication Date:  December 2013
Cover:  B Design
Event organized by: Into the Night Reviews


For the first time the three books in the Just Breathe Trilogy - Just Breathe, Barely Breathing and Forever Breathing - are available in one volume. This gorgeous mermaid trilogy from Heather Allen tells us the story of brother and sister, James and Ever Harding and their journey into an unknown world where unbelievable things are possible.


Through their adventure they each learn about love, family, and responsibility. They are faced with many challenges throughout the trilogy and they must choose to stand up and fight for what they believe in.

As an added bonus this three volume edition contains a new, extended ending to this wonderful trilogy, so be sure to pick it up to read the final chapter in James, Ever and of course, Jack’s story.






Heather Allen is the author of the Just Breathe Trilogy, and The Sound of Shooting Stars.  Heather finally realized her dream of becoming an author with the release of her mermaid trilogy. She savors every moment on this new journey and the wonderful friends she has met along the way. She has many more books planned. More ideas pop up than she has time to write about.

Heather currently resides in the scorching hot state of Florida with her husband and three children. She holds degrees in education from The University of Central Florida and Nova Southeastern University. She is a hopeless romantic who loves to read just about anything, coffee and Jelly Belly jellybeans. When she isn’t teaching, writing or reading, Heather can be found at the beach or out on the water boating.



Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Author Goodreads


About the books in the Trilogy


Book 1: Just Breathe

Ever Harding, an average teenager with a passion for swimming is about to turn eighteen. Out of the blue she has been dumped by her long time boyfriend, which is the ultimate of tragedies in her life. Little does she know that on that fated eighteenth birthday, she will have to make a choice that will change her life as she knows it, forever.

A month before her birthday, Ever meets Jack, a mysterious new boy with mesmerizing eyes. He affects her like no one else. This meeting sets things into a whirlwind she never would have dreamed. With Jack's guidance she discovers a family line that leads her to the sea. She must make the ultimate choice, stay on land where life as she knows it, won't change, or go and live in the sea as a mermaid with Jack.

Ultimately her choice sets into motion an even bigger decision, in which she has the fate of a race of people, in her hands. The people in the sea are in a feud, she will tip the balance. She must battle the ageless moral delimma of prejudice and race. Once she comes to terms with her life changing choices, she must ask herself, Did I make the right decisions?and Is Jack really who I think he is?





Book 2: Barely Breathing

Ever Harding used to believe in love. That is until she was left heartbroken by the only person she ever really loved, Jack, the mysterious boy from her history class. Little did she know he was born of the sea, on land to watch over her. But was he really? She made the ultimate sacrifice, to live in the sea as a mermaid, for Jack and for love. But she found that in the end, that love wasn't enough.

Now she finds herself alone, having to make a huge choice. She must decide whether to defend others against the choices she has made or fight for the freedoms of a population, she has just become a part of.

Ever's brother James, became a part of the sea not by any choice of his own, but he is willing to embrace it as long as a certain long legged, beauty is by his side. But as his sister found, things are not always as they seem.

In the end what they feared the most comes to reality, the battle, waged between staying true to life in the sea or changing a race of people to become more powerful and diverse. Will Ever and James survive the lines drawn in the sand or will they have to battle each other for what they believe?

Little do they know the battle in the end, will be something entirely different than what they were ready for.





Book 3: Forever Breathing

Ever Harding has finally found where she belongs, with Jack in the sea. Just when she thought she could start her new life, a new threat forms on the horizon. She must make her biggest choice yet. Is she willing to risk everything to save the love of her life and all she holds dear?

James discovers yet again that his purpose is greater than anything he could ever imagine. He thought he had it all figured out, but sometimes things can be very deceiving. Is he willing to stand up for all he believes is right?

In the final book of the ‘Just Breathe’ trilogy, Ever and James find themselves not against each other but fighting together to preserve the freedoms of others. Will they be able to defend the right to choose when the odds are hugely against them?








Also by Heather Allen - The Sound of Shooting Stars

Jamie Grey grew up tossed around between foster homes. At an early age he shut the world out, deciding he wouldn’t care. Whatever life had to throw at him, he would look the other way. Now his senior year is about to start and he’s been forced into yet another new home. This will be the last time, he assures himself. When an unexpected curveball comes his way in the form of a certain stubborn seventeen year old girl, Jamie soon finds out that life doesn’t always work out the way you plan it.

Beckett Chase has been entitled her entire life. Living in the plush landscape of Palm Beach, Florida, she’s never wanted for anything. She’s always taken what and who she wants with no remorse. When she sets her sights on Jamie Grey and she’s met with rejection, her descent from the top begins.

With a twist of events causing Jamie and Beckett’s worlds to collide, will they be able to put aside their differences or will fate intervene offering an entirely different option?





Saturday 14 December 2013

Storm Warning by C. Quinn & E. Lee (BLOG TOUR)

Storm Warning - by C. Quinn and E. Lee (BLOG TOUR)


About STORM WARNING

Sometimes you don’t see the storm coming until it’s too late...

Severe Storm Warning Tip #1:Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.

Severe Storm Warning Tip #2:If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.

Severe Storm Warning Tip #3:
They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.

Situated just outside of Oklahoma City, Calumet County is divided into two drastically different communities: Hope’s Grove and Summit Bluffs. One is the small backward town where dirt roads lead the way to field parties and railroad tracks. And the other, a sprawling suburb where paved drives lead to the landscaped lawns of the wealthy and privileged.

For five teenagers smack in the middle of Tornado Alley, summer is heating up fast. The winds of change are blurring the invisible line that divides the rich and the rural.

One has a secret. 

One has a crush.

One has been lying. 

One will get caught.

And one might not make it out alive.

They’re from two different worlds…but one summer is about to change everything.



About E. Lee and C. Quinn:

Whether you believe in destiny, divine intervention, or just plain ol' dumb luck, several things happened in 2013 that caused E. Lee and C. Quinn's paths to cross. It may have been that the stars aligned perfectly, or the fact anytime Luke Bryan was mentioned on a social media site both of them were tagged, or maybe it was just that their small town roots and country girl attitudes were magnetically drawn together—calling out to one another, “Y'all should write a book!” Despite geography keeping them apart—Lee in Illinois and Quinn in Alabama—they did. Thanks to three-hour phone calls, ridiculous amounts of online chats, and umpteen Google Docs—Storm Warning is the first book in their edgy new Young Adult series,  Broken Heartland.

My review:

Ok, I guess I should start at the beginning of this book, since that's where I started reading from...
Okay the beginning of this book didn't really grab me. To be honest the only reason I kept reading was because I was given and ARC for a blog tour and so had to read it. To be honest (since I can be because no one reads these...) I contemplated lying and saying that I'd given it less than 3 stars so I wouldn't post it...but THANK GOD I didn't. It took me about 4 or 5 chapters in before I got into it, and the only reason (at first) why I kept going was for Kyle and Cami.

Ok, let me explain this. So, I got into the book and it started to make sense. And I'd started pairing off the couples in my head when I went 'wait a minute...' looked around 'THERE ARE ONLY 5 CHARACTERS!' and that's the story as to how I discovered that there was going to be a love triangle in the book.
And, that love triangle brought me to come to this realisation (credit:instagram)

So, the characters:

Kyle:
I think Kyle is my favourite character. He's kind of what meets the eye. He's hot (sure he might've been a player pre the book, but eh), he's got a heart of gold, cares for his sister and mother SO much, has witty comebacks and the MOST AMAZING PICK UP LINES EVER, and is the sweetest guy. Like, he has a couple insecurities, too, but they just make him sweeter and more amazing.

Cami:
I think Cami's my second favourite character. Because she realises what I have too: popularity is one big game and, after school, it doesn't count for s***. She's witty, confident, gorgeous, but she has a hard past. At sometimes I wanted to sock her for not doing things right but, hey, she's only human - what do I expect? She's a little heartbreaker - I know she broke mine.

EJ:
This girl is sweet. But I kinda hate her. Because she's in the middle of the love triangle, and she plays both sides without meaning too. She's kind of a whiner and is such a baby (emotionally, not physically) and although it might not seem like it, to me it seems like she thinks she's the queen of everything. So, psah. I dislike you, EJ, as much as I like you, too. I like her because she's innocent and quick-tempered, but that doesn't excuse the other things I don't like about her. She's kind of an attention hog...

Hayden:
Asshole extrodinaire? I used to think so, but like Cami I've come to love him. At first I was rooting that he wouldn't end up with anyone or he would end up with Millie (hey, he did mention it at one point...) but in the end I've come to love him so much. Like Cami, he's in a situation that most people don't see as 'hard' because it appears like he's got everything. But I know that sometimes it's what you feel that makes it worse, and people who have less are happier and better off than people who have more. And the people who have more feel like they are spoilt if they are sad.

Coop:
The brother's best firend. At the beginning of the book I was rooting for him, but after a little bit I came to despise him. He's such a jealous coward, who gets mad when someone takes what he wants but who isn't man enough to take it himself. And when he doesn't get it he puts everyone else down and goes bloody psycho. I don't really think that Coop deserves to get what he wants, and sure he may have worked very hard physically for his whole life but, let's face it...his life has been simple. The simpler, the easier.

So, there you have that, and now I'll talk about the authors. I have no idea how this was written, and their writing styles are so similar that I couldn't detect a difference in their writing styles. So, however it was done, brava.

Now, I have one more thing to say...(credit:instagram)


THIS BOOK JUST KILLED ME! WHEN I FINISHED I WAS BABYSITTING AND I JUST SCREAMED INTO THE PILLOW: NOOOOO AND CURLED UP IN A BALL. THEN, I PROCEEDED TO UNRAVEL AND EAT SOME CHOCOLATE THAT THEY HAD STASHED AWAY, TRYING NOT TO CRY. ONCE I GOT HOME, I MADE MYSELF A GLASS OF CHOCOLATE MILK AND NURSED MY BROKEN HEART
This is sad because it's all true.
So, enjoy having your heart TORN OUT AND RIPPED TO SHREADS!!!

Excerpt:

Hope’s Grove was small. Everyone knew about her parents, and she was already dreading facing them since the news of her dad’s affair had hit. But facing them without her brother and her best friend would be her worst nightmare.
After the girls had said their goodbyes and she’d watched her friend’s taillights fade down the drive, Ella Jane scuffed her boots along the winding dirt road that led her home.
She was about halfway there, watching the sun sink low in the evening sky, when the unmistakable rumble of a pickup truck came barreling down the road behind her. She stepped aside to let it pass without looking back. But it didn’t pass. It slowed practically to a stop right next her.
She turned, wondering what the heck the driver’s deal was. There was more than enough room for him to go around. But the smiling face beneath the backwards trucker hat sent the words on the tip of her tongue swirling away with the dust the truck had riled up.
She bit her lip and grinned. Warm brown eyes gleamed in her direction. “Hey there, Ellie May. Need a ride?”
She rolled her eyes. Why Brantley Cooper couldn’t call her by her actual name was beyond her. But as long as he was talking to her, she really didn’t care much what he called her. He can call me ‘flower’ if he wants to.
He was a year older than her and a year younger than her older brother, Kyle. Smack in the middle of their ages and grades in school and usually smack in the middle of their arguments. Coop kept the peace. Balanced them out perfectly.
The three of them had met at the same time as kids but Coop and Kyle had become like brothers instantly. She’d always tagged along wherever they went. Kyle had whined about it when they were younger but Coop always made her feel welcome. He held doors open for her so she didn’t get left behind, made sure to invite her despite her brother’s protests, and lately he’d even stopped by and hung out even when Kyle wasn’t home. And this year, she’d be a junior and Coop would be a senior. With her big brother away at college, she couldn’t help but fantasize about what might happen if she and Coop spent time together alone.
“Hey, Coop. Lynlee just left so I was just…” She glanced toward home. Kyle wasn’t back from football camp yet, and her mom was baking herself to death, trying to keep her mind off of everything.
“Yeah, I heard the Wicked Witch was moving west. You up for some fishing? I have to drop my bike off at the house but we could swing by the lake after.”
She should get home. She knew she should. Should order a pizza and convince her mom to take it easy for a night. Except…it was Coop. And in all her sixteen years, he was the one boy she’d never been able to say no to.
“Yeah. Yeah I’m up for it.”

Giveaway:

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