[Giveaway] Spring Fling Hop!

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Eve’s Fan Garden

I just want to say, We are SO excited to do our FIRST EVER Giveaway Hop!!

In honor of Spring, We have decided to give away 

**INTERNATIONAL**:

2 Winners will receive an
Ebook of your choice (up to $3.99)

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Visit everyone participating in the Spring Fling Blog Hop!

[Top Ten Tues] #6

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme started at Broke & the Bookish.

This weeks Top Ten:

Words/Topics That Instantly Make Me Buy/Pick Up A Book

Kait's Picks:

Contemporary New Adult:
This has quickly become my absolute favorite genre, mostly because of ALL THE FEELS these books give me. I can't stop buying books labeled New Adult!

Bad Boys:
What is it about them? I don't know, but I will almost always buy a book if it features a "bad boy" character.

Musicians:
You know when you read a book about musicians that it's going to be a rough ride. As a bonus, these books usually feature bad boys[read previous topic].

Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic:
There is so much room for story building in these kinds of books. I love being drawn into a completely different world. 

Multiple POV:
I love knowing the many sides of a story, so when I find a book written this way I get so excited. It amazes me how a author can have so many voices in their head for just one story.
Beth's Picks :

New Adult - YESSSSSSS. Sexy. What ISN'T there to LOVE about New Adult?! Especially being the age that I am now, sometimes I really get sick of the high school scene. It's SO amazing to finally see books around my age(ish).

Paranormal Romance - My first love. No one will ever replace you. Even though I may stray. :)

Contemporary - I'll admit, Until about 7 or 8 months ago, I didn't really give Contemporary's a chance. Now that I have... There is no going back!

Dual POV - Honestly I love seeing the characters different sides to the story. The alternate view on something that happened can be so amazing and just so different from the other character.

Dystopian - Well, who doesn't love an alternate world. The creativity behind these books and everything between the first page to the last... it's always a new adventure!

What's in your Top Ten this week!? 

[Release Blitz] Rock My Bed

WOOHOO FINALLY!!!!! 

Make sure you check this series out ;)

Rock My Bed has ARRIVED!!! Book Two in the New York Times and USA Today Best Selling Series: Everything always seems to fall into place for twenty-four year-old Aubrey Jenson, except for when it comes to her luck with men. Bad boys always draw her in and crush her heart, and Black Falcon’s lead guitarist, Riff, is no exception. After sharing a few wild nights together, she leaves him behind, knowing a guy like Riff isn’t the relationship type, merely just a play thing. When she returns to New York, she tries to get the passion she felt in Riff’s arms out of her head by dating Isaac, a successful representative at Center Stage Marketing. Just when she thinks she’s forgotten Riff, she’s forced to see him again when her best friend, Lanie, ropes her into being a bridesmaid for her upcoming wedding to Black Falcon front man, Noel. Sparks fly instantly between Aubrey and Riff when they’re forced to reunite, and suddenly she finds herself caught between the man that’s good for her and the one who completely rocks her in every way. **New Adult Romance--Book 2 in the Black Falcon series. This book can be as a stand alone, but reading the first novel, Rock The Heart and the novella, Rock The Band will greatly increase your reading experience.** Available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Rock-My-Bed-ebook/dp/B00CGQ6YXI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1366819857&sr=1-1&keywords=rock+my+bed   Available on Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rock-my-bed-michelle-a-valentine/1115161418?ean=2940016666655   Available on KOBO  http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Rock-My-Bed/book-KwJiMoeZPUWBh7YxV4BveQ/page1.html?s=RPtcIReHQk68ooX6yFWWqQ&r=1   Add it to your Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16087670-rock-my-bed   Available for purchase at: Buy from Amazon Buy from Barnes & Noble  Buy from KOBO Books

[Review] The Forgotten Ones

The Forgotten Ones - Laura Howard

     

“I just know sometimes things happen, things that can’t be explained. But you still deserve to be happy.”

“The moment our eyes met, time froze, and everything else fell away. This woman was – and yet was not – my mother.”

“As I blew out my candles, I wished for the same thing I did every year—to be strong enough, and capable enough, to take care of my mother.”

The only reason this book didn’t get a full 5 stars, was because I had trouble with the names. Don’t be alarmed, Laura gives you a phonetic spelling of the names so you know how to say it. I just forgot some of them, had to go back to the front and back (just to forget again but that’s just me. I’m super forgetful) Even though, I’ll admit I was too captivated by the story to even WANT to go back to see if I was pronouncing the name wrong in my head.  Just didn’t care. 

Laura Howard brings a truly unique novel to the table with The Forgotten ones. This book was superbly thought out and extremely creative with entwining of a fantasy realm unlike any other, with a modern day real world. The characters were relatable, easy to fall in love with, or even to loathe.  I’m not into the whole Fey thing. However, every time they transferred realms from human to fey, all I could think about was True Blood with a Hobbit shire feel.  I absolutely loved the stunning imagery that was painted before my eyes. The characters may not have walked into a carnival tent, but I could really feel the love and beauty being described.

I LOVED Aodhan(Ay-den) and Ethan.  I would LOVE to be the meat between that sandwich! Mhmm. Mhmm. MhMM! I thoroughly enjoyed the cocky antagonistic attitude of Ethan, and he was such a sweetheart. Of course, total swoonage. Don’t let me forget about Mr. Tall, Dangerous, Mysterious, and Handsome Aodhan. Aodhan really took on the role of Allison’s guardian with the utmost dedication. The back story and painful emotions inflicted through him are just amazing.

I adored Allison. Possibly because she’s so easy to relate to, as an avid reader.  Most of us would rather curl up in our favorite reading spot for hours on end with a book than go out gallivanting through the town.  She also brought this fierce bravery to the story.  The devotion to her mother is to put it simply, beautiful.  I like that she never felt burdened by her mother Beth.  It was just acceptance, love, and understanding. 

The Forgotten Ones ends with you just wanting MORE. I can’t wait to delve further into the story. I’m seriously hoping that certain relationships will blossom and all my questions get answered! While not a traditional cliffhanger, The Forgotten Ones definitely leaves you with a few questions.  My mind is reeling in so many different ways, as to which this may turn! Truly a brilliant read to be recommended to anyone who loves a variety of genres! You surely get a little bit of everything with this book, and it’s phenomenal. 

[Waiting On Wednesday] #6

"Waiting on Wednesday" Is a meme created over at Breaking The Spine,

 to showcase what we're most eagerly anticipating to read next!

Kait's Pick - Okay, I loathe this cover, it's so blah. But I LOVE Holly Black, so I'm definitely going to dive in when this is released.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown - Holly Black

Hardcover, 432 pages

Expected publication: September 17th 2013

Tana lived in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown's gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

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Beth's Pick - This sounds really good. Jessica had me at the cover!

Left Drowning - Jessica Park
Paperback
Expected publication: July 16th 2013


What does it take to rise from life’s depths, swim against the current, and breathe?

Weighted down by the loss of her parents, Blythe McGuire struggles to keep her head above water as she trudges through her last year at Matthews College. Then a chance meeting sends Blythe crashing into something she doesn’t expect—an undeniable attraction to a dark-haired senior named Chris Shepherd, whose past may be even more complicated than her own. As their relationship deepens, Chris pulls Blythe out of the stupor she’s been in since the night a fire took half her family. She begins to heal, and even, haltingly, to love this guy who helps her find new paths to pleasure and self-discovery. But as Blythe moves into calmer waters, she realizes Chris is the one still strangled by his family’s traumatic history. As dark currents threaten to pull him under, Blythe may be the only person who can keep him from drowning.

This book is intended for mature audiences due to strong language and sexual content.

Note: due to mature content recommended for Ages 17.

What are you Wildly Waiting For!??!

[Top Ten Tues] #5

Top Ten Tues is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish

This week's Top Ten:

 [Books I Thought I'd like more/less than I did]

Kait [Vixen 1's picks]

- Requiem by Lauren Oliver

I was SO excited for this book, but I found myself very unsatisfied.

-Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines 

I am a huge fan of Abbi, but for some reason I did not connect with this story at all. 

-Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

I read this at a time when I was REALLY into angel stories, but  I hated this one.

-Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens

I really liked Effortless, and am currently reading Reckless, but the only thing that saved this book for me was Kellan Kyle. I'm not a fan of Keira. 

-Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Confession: I never finished this book. Wolfsbane was somewhat of a disappointment for me and I couldn't get into it, especially after I read a serious spoiler.]

Beth [Vixen 2]'s Picks:

-The Farm by Emily McKay

I never finished this. I wanted to like it so bad, but I think at the time.. I just wasn't into it. I got about halfway through and it took me about a month. YEAH. That's a long time. Eventually I'd like to pick this back up and see how it plays out.

-Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough

I actually won this off of a blog hop. I wanted to read it pretty bad, too. It wasn't a bad story, it was actually a pretty good story line BUT it was entirely too slow for me. 

-Reached by Ally Condie

I was pretty upset about this. I may be one of the only people that says this but I thought this was super drawn out and VERY wordy. I understood why she went the way she did, and I loved parts of it.. but I just felt like took too long to get the point across. [Like this little blurb lol]

-Passion by Lauren Kate

Honestly... compared to the first two books in this series I thought this was mediocre at best. I'm super hesitant to read Rapture now, because of it. I do want to finish out the series though. I would like to love it again.

I can't think of a 5th right now... So We are leaving you with only 9 this week!

What did you think you would love and just didn't live up to expectations!?

Leave us a comment below and we'll be sure to comment back ;) 

[Review] Up to Me - M. Leighton

Up To Me - M. Leighton

   

"If falling in love means risking getting hurt, then I'm okay with that. Because finally, for once, I've found someone worth the risk."

Reminder: Down To You is the FIRST book in this series. Up to Me is the sequel! If you haven’t read that yet… GET TO IT! RIGHT MEOW! Then read this toot suite!

MIND….. BLOWN. And I mean the type when you’re like What the fuck. Wait… WHAT!? *mouth drops open* WHAAAAAAAAAT!!? No.  Yes? No…..  Oh my gawwwwd. Fuuucccccckkkkkkkkk. I’m pretty sure I texted at least 2 people saying any one of those “sentences” freaking out.  Oh and not being able to talk about this OBSCENE mind fuck with anyone is just killing me.  But, I digress.  Soon enough, I can let out the slur of obscenities to someone and they will completely understand. You know that conversation when you’re like. “OMG” “I KNOW!” “like WHAT!?” “Right, I can’t believe it.” “Fuck.” “Then the part when..” “YESSSSSS!!”. Yeah, the ones where you don’t have to even say what happened, and the other person is just 100% there with you. Anyways, on to the review…

I can’t even. Up to Me was such an awesome sequel.  M. Leighton does it again, with her shocking twists and turns. I can honestly say that I wasn't expecting THAT. What happened was an amazing twist and turn of events. Note, this is the second time that Michelle has left me completely awestruck at how she was able to fool me. You know the old saying, “Fool me once, shame on you… Fool me Twice, shame on me?” Yeah well… Shame on me. No. SHAME ON YOU If you haven’t started this series!!!

Olivia and Cash are one of the sexiest book couples ever.  Honestly, while reading the sex scenes I was torn between stop reading to go seduce my husband, or keep reading and enjoy the mental images… Yum. Although they have some downright dirty escapades *cough The VIP room cough* they also deal with life and everything that comes with it. Not to mention the dangerous excursions that aren't exactly part of your normal relationship.  Even with all of the craziness surrounding them, you can still relate to each one of them on a personal level. 

Cash Davenport. YES. I said Cash, not Nash. Two words can express the reasoning behind loving this character. Bad Boy. Cash is a bad boy who is a genuinely good person. I love me a bad boy, and I do not blame Olivia for falling for this one. Hell I fell for him too!  His witty personality, inner monologues, and his need for protecting Olivia, just makes him irresistible. Olivia, I love  you too girl! Talk about adorable.  She’s the right amount of Sass, Strength, and Sweetness. The endless banter between her and Cash is flawless and downright hysterical. Especially my sweet ‘lil ol’ southern  cougar Ginger.

Up To Me really raised the bar from Down to You. I thought Down to You was amazing, but this just blew the first one out of the water. In the first book, there’s the “WTF! Did that just happen!?” moment. In this book…. It’s like a slap to the face. “Wake up bitch! Cause THAT just happened.” M. Leighton, you’re beautiful beyond words and your greatness shows through the depth in your characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and can NOT wait until the Third one comes out.  I still have some catching up to do with her other series, but I completely and whole heartedly advise you to read this series!!! 

GIVEAWAY! Your Choice! [US ONLY]

I've been feeling like such a slacker on the blogging front. I've spent the past couple months preparing for my big move, and then when I got to Florida[from Rhode Island] I spent two weeks moving into a new place and starting a new job. Needless to say, it's been a crazy ride. Since I've been feeling so bad about my blog lacking skills, I've decided to do a WINNER'S CHOICE giveaway as a thank you to all of you for sticking with us through all these changes!

I've been just looking at these five wonderful books, dying to give them away ever since I got them signed. Oh, that's right, they're ALL signed. I went to my Facebook followers to ask then what they would like to win, but I didn't see any clear cut winner, so I'm going to let the winner pick.

Here are your choices:

Reckless by S.C. Stephens

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Love Unscripted by Tina Reber

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

You can pick any one of these amazing signed books!



I'm sorry that this is a US ONLY giveaway, moving has completely drained my funds.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Music Monday #5

Music Monday is an amazing blog hop created by the awesome Meg @ The Book Asylum, that features music that reminds us of books!

David Guetta Ft. Sia - She Wolf

Reminds Kait of:




Rihanna - Stay 

Reminds Kait of:





Reminds Beth of:

Review: Deeper We Fall by Chelsea M. Cameron

Title: Deeper We Fall
Published: January 24th, 2013
Author: Chelsea M. Cameron
Pages: 280
Rating:


From Goodreads:
Two years after her best friend was involved in a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, Lottie Anders is ready to start her freshman year of college. Ready to move on. Ready to start forgetting the night that ripped her life apart.

Her plans come to a screeching halt when not one, but both brothers responsible for the accident end up back in her life again.

Zack is cruel, selfish and constantly rubbing what happened to her friend in Lottie's face.

Zan is different. He listens to her awkward ramblings. He loves "To Kill a Mockingbird" as much as she does, and his dark eyes are irresistible. His words are few and far between, but when he does speak, she can't help but listen.

The trouble is, Zan was the driver in the accident, and now Lottie's discovered he lied to her about what happened that night. Now she must decide if trusting him again will lead to real forgiveness, or deeper heartache.


My Thoughts:

“I begged for the rain to somehow wash me away. Wash the last two years away. Wash away the memories and all the shit that happened until I was back to the way I'd been.”

I am such a sucker for an emotionally unsettling story. They suck me, chew me up, and spit me out. And I love every heart shredding moment of it. The turmoil in this book is serious. I was feeling confused about my feelings for certain characters, much like Lottie. I really love the way Chelsea lets a relationship develop. There's no instant love. It's realistic, slowly building, emotionally fueled and completely confusing. Deeper We Fall is all of these things, and much more.

Lottie wants nothing more for Zan, and his brother Zack, to just disappear from her life. She didn't plan on ending up in the same college as the two brothers. She didn't plan on her roommate being hung up on Zack. And she definitely didn't plan on her attraction to Zan. Lottie spends a lot of trying to avoid Zan and Zack. She can't let go of the hatred she feels for the brothers, but she can't deny that there's something about Zan that draws her in, like a moth to the flame. Lottie is a very likeable character. She's naïve, but not stupid. She's sensitive, yet tough. She's just stubborn enough to make you want to slap her a couple times.

“I ran until it was so dark I couldn't even see where to put my feet. I fell a bunch of times, but I got up and kept going. My hands were scraped raw, as were my knees.”

This quote seemed like such a great metaphor for Zan's life. He's been through so much, come out damaged, but he doesn't stop. He has been dealing with guilt of the accident for years. He's been drowning his guilt in girls and drugs, and he's finally ready to move past everything when he sees Lottie again. She brings him right back to that night, right back to all the things he was running from for so long.

“'You were born with wings.
You are not meant for crawling, so don't.
You have wings.
Learn to use them and fly.'
You're not the only one with regrets.”

The secondary characters! Oh, how I love them. I cannot stress enough how much I love a good secondary character, and this book had multiple amazing characters. Lottie's twin brother Will and his best friend, Simon, were hilarious. Trish, Lottie's work friend is someone I can see myself being friends with. Then there's Stryker. Oh yea, I love me some Stryker.

Katie, Lottie's roommate, went from being a character I hated to being a character I love. I even had a little Twitter conversation with Chelsea where I referred to Katie as “pinkzilla”. But she grew on me like a little pink parasite and I came to love her. I can't wait to read Faster We Burn, which will have Katie as the main character[I won't say more an spoil anything!].

Zack. I don't even know what to say about him, except I did not like him. I still don't. There's a difference between someone who makes bad choices and someone who IS a bad choice. Zack is definitely a bad choice. He's everything you wouldn't want in a friend, brother, or boyfriend.

Here's my favorite quote from the book. It's somewhat personal for me, but I feel the need to share.

“Why do girls do these things?”
“Because boys know how to push all the right buttons. They say the right things and make us feel special, and then they touch you and it's like you think you're going to die from how good it feels. And it does feel good for a while.”

Deeper We Fall is a great story with a lot of emotionally charged moments that beg you to feel something.

[Waiting On Wednesday] #5

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, 

which Highlights the books we're eagerly anticipating!

Beth's Pick:
I feel like I'm a little bias towards this book, since I think the author is such a doll! However, I truly can't wait for this to come out and I'm so excited for Laura!


The Forgotten Ones - Laura Howard

Expected Publication: May 15th, 2013

Paperback, 177pgs

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

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Kait's Pick:

Transparent - Natalie Whipple
Expected Publication May 21st 2013
Paperback 368pgs

Plenty of teenagers feel invisible. Fiona McClean actually is.

An invisible girl is a priceless weapon. Fiona’s own father has been forcing her to do his dirty work for years—everything from spying on people to stealing cars to breaking into bank vaults.

After sixteen years, Fiona’s had enough. She and her mother flee to a small town, and for the first time in her life, Fiona feels like a normal life is within reach. But Fiona’s father isn’t giving up that easily.

Of course, he should know better than anyone: never underestimate an invisible girl.

What are you highly anticipating this week!?

 Leave a comment and we'll be sure to stop by!

[Top Ten Tues] #4

Top Ten Tues is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke & The Bookish 

This week's Top Ten:

Rewind [We chose Authors we'd DIE to meet]

Kait's Picks:

John Green - I haven't worked my way through all of JG's works, but I am absolutely in love with what I have read. Throw in the hilarious Vlog Brothers posts on YouTube and I'm completely smitten with John Green. I would LOVE to meet him.

Megan McCafferty - Megan's Jessica Darling series is one of my all time favorites. I have been in love with Jessica Darling and Marcus Flutie since 11th grade, so meeting Megan has been a dream of mine for so long. I did win a signed book from here recently, and I fangirled for over an hour.

Cassandra Clare - I'm pretty sure I would die if I met Cassandra, but I hope that I do one day! I admit I had a tough time with one book in The Mortal Instruments series, but it's still one of my favorites. 

Sarah Dessen - I have been reading Sarah Dessen books since I was in middle school. She was, and still is, one of my favorite contemporary YA authors.

J.K. Rowling - Obviously I want to meet the genius behind my all time favorite series. I shouldn't even need an explanation for her. :]

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Beth's Picks:

Dr. Suess    

Who wouldn't want to meet the late Dr. Suess!? He's just so epic. Dr. Suess changed the way I think about life. He tought me that it was OKAY to be who I am, not who someone else wants me to be. He is a pivitol learning point in every young child's life.                       

Just a few [of my favs] Books by Dr. Suess

B. Kristin McMichael

I love love love her. I'm seriously in awe of her writing. I fell in love with To Stand Beside Her, which takes a lot of guts to play out the story the way she did. I had some SERIOUS book hangovers from her novels. I  can't wait to read what she puts out next, and if I ever get the chance to be somewhere to meet her!

Books By B. Kristin

Colleen Houck

What a phenomenal writer. This is probably going to be my favorite paranormal romance of all times, forever. I love these tigers. The imagery that this woman creates, my goddess. I can only imagine what she will come out with next, and YES I'm highly anticipating ANYTHING she writes!

Books by Colleen:

Rebecca Maizel

I absolutely adore this woman. I may be just a tad partial because she's from RI. I've signed copies of both her works, thanks to a mutual friend... but I've yet to meet her. I wish I could have taken one of the writing classes that she taught. Gah! Seriously though, Rebecca pours her heart and soul into her work [like most authors] and you can REALLY tell. I would love to run into Rebecca somewhere around town, but I don't want to seem stalkerish lol! 

Books by Rebecca: