Tuesday, February 26, 2013

~Book Review and Giveaway: None of the Regular Rules~


None of the Regular Rules by Erin Downing
Publication date: November 20th 2012
Genre: YA Romance/Coming-of-Age

Sometimes, a few dares can change lives…



The weekend before the start of senior year, Sophie Erickson and her best friends, Ella and Grace, discover a handwritten list of dares tucked away in the glove compartment of Sophie’s beat-up old Toyota. But this isn’t just any list; it’s a dead girl's bucket list.


Sophie's beloved aunt Suzy died as a teenager in a fatal fall, leaving Sophie with an overly cautious family, a few fading photographs, and a bucket of bolts that barely passes for a car. But now, Sophie has Suzy’s list of the things she wanted to do in her last year of high school. Sophie can't help but wonder: What would happen if she tried to fulfill Suzy’s last wishes, to live out the longed-for life of her aunt, her hero?



As Sophie and her friends attempt to knock off the things on Suzy's list of dares, love blossoms in unexpected places and Sophie begins to feel that her life is finally coming together...when in fact, everything is slowly unraveling around her. When the truth about a long-held family secret threatens to shatter everything she believed to be true, Sophie is forced to question everything she knew about the life and people she believed in, and ultimately herself.


PURCHASE AT AMAZON

MY REVIEW:


It is the weekend before senior year for Sophie and her best friends Ella and Grace.  Hindered by a flat tire, they discover a bucket list left by Sophie's Aunt Suzy in the glove compartment.  Sophie loved her Aunt Suzy who died ten years earlier.  The list really gets Sophie to thinking about her life and what is important.  To honor Aunt Suzy, the three friends are going to attempt the items on the list to honor Suzy.  Friendship will be tested and family secrets may be revealed as they embark on this journey.  That is enough to deal with without adding regular high school drama to the mix.  Then there is Johnny, the handsome, hunky next door neighbor who Sophie has admired from afar, even though she won't admit it.  With everything thrown into the mix this makes for one unforgettable book.
.
None Of The Regular Rules is a really good teen book.  It describes the high school years perfectly.  How many teenagers have parents who don't understand them?  This is a refreshing YA contemporary and flows smoothly  I recommend it to everyone.

Erin Downing has written more than a dozen books for young adults, tweens, and kids. Her guilty pleasures include an unhealthy obsession with reality TV and cheesy romantic dramas (Revenge! Alias!), an addiction to Us Weekly magazine, and cupcakes.

Before turning to writing full time, Erin worked as a book editor, spent a few months as a cookie inventor, and also worked for Nickelodeon. Erin has lived in England, Sweden, and New York City, and now resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband and kids. More information about Erin and her books can be found at: www.erindowning.com.

Author Links:





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Monday, February 25, 2013

~Book Review and Giveaway: The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back~

Tour Schedule


The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson 

Everyone knows how all those fairy tales go. The princess gets beautiful, nabs her prince, falls instantly in love, lives happily ever after and leaves her evil stepsisters in the dust.

But what happens when you’re the ugly stepsister and your obnoxiously perfect—read pretty, smart, and, worst of all, sickeningly nice—stepsister is dating the charming, tall, devastatingly handsome guy you’ve had a thing for since you were nine years old?

Quirky, artistic and snarky Mattie Lowe does not lead a charmed life. Her mother is constantly belittling her on Skype. Mercedes, the school mean girl, has made it her personal mission to torment Mattie. But worst of all? Her stepsister Ella is the most beautiful, popular girl in school and is dating Mattie’s secret longtime crush, Jake Kingston.

Tired of being left out and done with waiting for her own stupid fairy godmother to show up, Mattie decides to change her life. She’ll start by running for senior class president against wildly popular Jake.

Ella can keep her Prince Annoying. Mattie’s going to rule the school.

And no one, not even a cute and suddenly flirty Jake, is going to stop her.


Purchase


Praise

“My top pick of 2012 YA… This book is just. plain. fun.”
~Jordan McCollum, author of Saints & Spies and I, Spy

“Sariah Wilson's new book, The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back, is hilarious…What follows is a story of fun and romance with some good non-preachy life lessons thrown in.  The voice in the main character, Mattie, makes the whole thing.  I thought it was definitely a book I'd recommend to anyone with teenagers or who just want to read a good teen romance.”
~Julie Coulter Bellon, author of All Fall Down and All’s Fair

“Sariah [Wilson] has written one of the funniest stories I've read in such a long, long time. I literally couldn't put it down. Yes, my poor Kindle's battery died and I was attached to a short power cord, contorted in a very uncomfortable position while I read to the end…. Sariah Wilson captured the back-biting, insecure, hormone-driven, clique-riddled high school atmosphere so perfectly you'd think she never grew up. I dare you not to laugh as you read this witty and oh, so, romantic story.”
~Debra Erfert of Windows into Writing

“Sariah Wilson writes like the best of/most popular YA teen fiction/teen romance authors - Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Echols, Susanne Collins, Cassandra Clare.  She sucks you in and never lets you go.  I finished the ~194 novel in one night because I just couldn't go to sleep without knowing the ending!  I hope that Sariah comes out with more novels, I know I'll be re-reading this one all the time!  She's extremely talented and needs to be talked about.  I highly recommend The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back! to anyone (over the age of 12) who wants a YA novel that's a real modern-day fairy tale.”
~Hilary at Novel d’Tales

“This was such an entertaining story! I shouldn't have started reading it so late in the evening, because I didn't want to put it down to go to sleep…This is a book I can see myself reading several times. It's a fast, clean read with great characters, and I highly recommend it.”
~Andrea of Literary Time Out

The book is wonderful.  It’s quirky and fun.  The story makes you laugh and you fall in love with the characters right from the beginning…This is a well-written book.  It is one that will make you smile and sigh as you remember your first love.  And it has a moral…be yourself, believe in yourself and maybe, just maybe, your fairytale will come true.  Pick up this book.”
~Ana of The Book Hookup


MY REVIEW:
What a cute, fun book.  A different and unique spin on a classic fairytale.  
We have always heard the story of Cinderella but we have never heard it told from the stepsisters point of view.  How does it feel growing up with the perfect Ella who can do no wrong?  Ella has it all and she really deserves it.  She is nice to everyone, even her stepsister, Mattie.  She has the perfect boyfriend, who Mattie is secretly in love with.  Everything comes easy for Ella according to Mattie.  Mattie just wants to be noticed for once in her life.

Sariah Wilson has written a wonderful book with some wonderful characters.  You will fall in love with this series.  You won't be able to help it.  I look forward to reading more and finding out what happens to these lovely people after the drama called high school.





Author Sariah Wilson

Sariah Wilson has never jumped out of an airplane, never climbed Mt. Everest, and is not a former CIA operative. She has, however, been madly, passionately in love with her soulmate and is a fervent believer in happily ever afters—which is why she writes romance. The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back is her fourth happily ever after novel. She grew up in southern California, graduated from Brigham Young University (go Cougars!) with a semi-useless degree in history, and is the oldest of nine (yes, nine) children. She currently lives with the aforementioned soulmate and their four children in Utah, along with three tiger barb fish, a cat named Tiger, and a recently departed hamster that is buried in the backyard (and has nothing at all to do with tigers).




Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 3/10/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Thursday, February 21, 2013

~Book Reviews: Flight and Focus by Alyssa Rose Ivy~



Welcome to my blog.  Today I am going to review Flight and Focus by Alyssa Rose Ivy.  Thank you to AToMR Tours for hosting this book tour.  Be sure and check out my reviews and follow the rest of the tour HERE.

Flight:  The Crescent Chronicles (Book 1)
Alyssa Rose Ivy
A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad’s invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind—until she sees Levi.

Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her.
MY REVIEW:
Allie and Jess are going to have the perfect summer before starting college.  Headed down to New Orleans they are going to work for Aliie's dad in the beautiful hotel he has just purchased.  Allie just wants to live it up and have fun.  A perfect plan until she meets Levi.  He has his sights set on Allie and he is not going to give up easily.  Levi is keeping some dark supernatural secrets from her.  When Allie finds out she is excited and intrigued about this secret society.  Allie soon finds out that Levi has no plans on letting her go and will even use deceit in order to keep her close. 
I love the New Orleans backdrop for this book.  What a creepy and beautiful city.  The hidden paranormal world is believable without being over the top.  Allie is funny and flirty and just looking for fun.  Levi has a different approach to their relationship and can be a little arrogant at times.  The chemistry between the two will knock your socks off.  I have read many books by this author and enjoyed this one very much.  This is a wonderful quick read that I recommend to anyone.  I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series. 



Focus:  The Crescent Chronicles (Book 2)
Alyssa Rose Ivy


Freshman year of college is hard even when you're not tied to the future king of a supernatural society.

Allie dives into college head first with Hailey as her roommate and the city of New Orleans as her backyard. As things within The Society heat up, Allie realizes that whether she’s with Levi or not, she's in far too deep to turn back.

MY REVIEW:


Allie is starting her freshman year in college.  She has decided to stay in New Orleans and enroll in Tulane  instead of going to Princeton.  Levi is hoping that Aliie will forgive him and they can move on in their relationship.  Allie has not forgotten how badly he deceived her.  As charming as he is, Levi is going to have to wait and earn back her trust and forgiveness.  Allie has to keep up a good facade, though,  Levi's parents and the rest of the Pterons think they are a real couple.  Allie has to be careful now with her new status.  There are plenty of people who will go to extreme measures to keep her and Levi apart.  Will Levi always be there to protect her?

Allie is a strong independent girl and I am so glad we get to see more of this.  She is not a pushover anymore.  I know, I know that Levi worships her and treasures her and is always there for her.  Myself, I can't get over how BADLY he deceived her into mating with him.  That is the only reason why I am not enjoying this series as much as I should.  He should have told her the truth upfront and not relied on deceit.   The chemistry is once again smoking hot.  A wonderful YA Paranormal that flows smoothly.  I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

  Meet Alyssa Rose Ivy
Alyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.




Wednesday, February 20, 2013

~Book Review: Pieces and The Breakaway~


Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I will be reviewing two books by Michelle Davidson Argyle.  Be sure to read my reviews of these wonderful books.  Follow the rest of the tour for more reviews and some great giveaways.  
PIECES 
Rhemalda Publishing 
February 14th, 2013

Two years after watching her kidnappers go to prison, Naomi Jensen is still in love with one of them. Jesse will be released in a few years, and Naomi knows college is the perfect distraction while she waits. But when her new friend Finn makes her question what is right and what is wrong, she begins to wonder if Jesse is the one for her … until she discovers he's out on parole. Naomi must sort through her confusion to figure out where love and freedom truly lie—in Finn, who has no connections to her past, or Jesse, who has just asked her to run away with him.

Pieces is a companion to The Breakaway and can be read independently, if desired.


PURCHASE AT:     AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE

MY REVIEW:
The Breakaway tells Naomi's story about her kidnapping and what she had to endure.  In Pieces we learn about the aftermath.  It has been two years since Naomi sent her kidnappers to jail.  She is trying to move on with her life but one of the kidnappers, the one she fell in love with, is getting ready for parole.  Naomi is anxiously awaiting his release because she naively hopes for a real relationship with him.  Can their love be real?  How will people react when Naomi wants to start a relationship with her kidnapper?

Naomi is trying to settle into normal college life at Harvard.  She is getting along well with her roommate and has made a new friend in Finn, the cute coffeehouse guy.  As long as people don't know about her past, she can relax for a bit.  She agrees to go out with Finn only with the understanding that they are just friends and she quickly lets him know she has a boyfriend.  Only, she doesn't tell him her boyfriend is in jail.  Even from jail, Jesse still has a strong hold on Naomi.  When Jesse is finally paroled, the only way him and Naomi can be together is with deceit and lies.  Can Naomi finally make a break once and for all or is her life with Jesse now?

In all honesty, I did not like this book as well as the first one.  It is still a five star, of course.  I did not agree with the choices Naomi made throughout the book.  With all the therapy she has endured, she still makes so many wrong ones.  Choices that she knew were wrong because she is too scared to stand up for herself.  I would also have liked to have heard more about the other kidnappers.  We only hear about Jesse since he was paroled early.  Follow Naomi's story to the exciting conclusion.  A wonderful New Adult Series that will not disappoint you. 


THE BREAKAWAY
 Rhemalda Publishing
 May 1st, 2012

When Naomi Jensen is kidnapped, it takes her parents two days to realize she’s missing. Escape isn’t high on her list of priorities when all she has to return to is an abusive boyfriend and parents who never paid much attention to her. For the first time in her life she’s part of a family—even if it is a family of criminals. But she’s still a captive. In a desperate attempt to regain some control in her life, Naomi embarks on a dangerous plan to make one of her kidnappers think she’s falling in love with him. The plan works too well, and when faced with the chance to escape, Naomi isn’t sure she wants to take it.


PURCHASE AT:     AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE



MY REVIEW:
Naomi Jensen has it made.  Rich parents, a handsome boyfriend and freedom to do pretty much what she wants.  Looks can be deceiving.  Raised by nannies, all Naomi wants is someone to love her and pay attention to her.  When Naomi is kidnapped it takes her parents two days to even notice and then they go back to work the next day.  Naomi is not surprised.  Appearance and money have always been more important to her family.  

Naomi starts to realize that maybe her kidnappers are not bad people after all.  In fact, they are much nicer than her boyfriend and pay more attention to her than her parents.  What does she have to go home to anyway?  When she starts getting close to one of her kidnappers, will she set him up for her escape or will she end up having real feelings for him?

This is a quick paced, nail-bitter that had me on edge until the end.  Naomi has the classic case of Stockholm Syndrome.  If she had a better home life she never would have bonded with her kidnappers as well as she did.  Even when she found out information about the brainwashing, she still dismissed it.  We still have to remember that no matter how much she came to care for her kidnappers they are still criminals and had no plans to ever  let her go.  This book was such an emotional journey for me.  I have feel in love with Michelle Davidson Argyle's books!  I recommend that you read this book.  You will not be disappointed.  Be sure to read the next book in this series, Pieces, to find out what happens to Naomi.

MEET THE AUTHOR:
Michelle lives and writes in Utah, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. She loves the seasons, but late summer and early fall are her favorites. She adores chocolate, sushi, and lots of ethnic food, and loves to read and write books in whatever time she can grab between her sword-wielding husband and energetic daughter. She believes a simple life is the best life.






Tuesday, February 19, 2013

~Book Review and Giveaway: Root Bound~


Welcome to my blog, Oh, The Books You'll Read!  Today I am reviewing Root Bound by Tanya Karen Gough.  Thank you Xpresso Book Tours for the opportunity to review this book.  Check out the rest of the participating blogs by clicking HERE.  Check out my review and be sure to enter the giveaway before you leave.


Root Bound by Tanya Karen Gough (Fantasy/Adventure)
Publication date: June 3rd 2012
by Baba Yaga Press



"A lighthearted, whimsical confection that will delight both kids and their parents’ inner child." - Kirkus Reviews

How far will you go to find your way home?

Emma and her father are always on the move, travelling from place to place as her father’s work demands. Their new home, however, is different. There’s a frightening woman who lives down the hall: she bears an uncanny resemblance to a witch. A mysterious light comes from her apartment, and a small boy seems to be trapped inside.

School in this town is no happy place either, with an odd principal and a gang of girls who make tormenting Emma their special project. And strangest of all is the fact that there seem to be brownies - basement brownies, in the air vent in her bedroom.

Haunted by visions of her mother, Emma travels through the brownie burrow to the valley of Hades to visit with the goddess Ceres, following a series of clues that lead her across the sea of memory to the centre of the world.

There, on an inhospitable rock floating in a sea of steaming lava, Emma must find a way to release her mother from the sea of memory and restore magic to both the brownie burrow and the human world above.


PURCHASE AT:  AMAZON      BARNES & NOBLE       SMASHWORDS

MY REVIEW:



Emma and her father are always on the move.  As a musician he has to move to where the jobs are.  Emma has never stayed in one place for very long.  They move to a new apartment building and Emma doesn't know what to think of it.  It almost seems like the building is alive, but that is impossible.  She meets a strange old woman who has strange noises and lights coming from her apartment.  She starts having strange dreams about her mother.  School is not much better.  A group of girls take it upon themselves to make Emma miserable.  Then Emma meets the "brownies" that live underneath her building.  Humans are not supposed to see the brownies but Emma does.  What do they want from Emma?  Will she be able to help them and save their home form an evil force?

This was such a good YA Fantasy. This is a really quick read and the story flows. A bit of a slow start at the beginning but all the magic starts to happen when we meet the brownies. Emma is such a sweet and lonely girl. I have lived in the same place all my life and cannot comprehend having to move as much as she does. She takes it all in stride and it is normal to her. I recommend this book for all fantasy fans. Let Emma and the brownies take you on a magical, mystery adventure. I am looking forward to more books in this series.




MEET THE AUTHOR:
Tanya Karen Gough was born in Montreal, Quebec and raised in New England, where she developed a healthy appetite for ghosts and things that go bump in the night. An avid reader from a young age, she quickly worked her way through Alice in Wonderland, the Magical Monarch of Mo, Andrew Lang's Fairy Books, all of the Tintin comic books, Nancy Drew, and most of the other books in the children's library. 

Finally, at the tender age of 10, she produced this poetic masterpiece:

"Whene'er you get a wandering leg
And feel that you must roam
Remember this and don't forget
The best place is at home"

To date, she has moved more than 25 times. Along the way, she earned two degrees in English Literature, taught overseas, became the owner operator of the Poor Yorick Shakespeare Catalogue, and contributed to a number of Shakespeare-related publications. Root Bound is the first of four books in the Emma and the Elementals series.



Author Links:




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Thursday, February 14, 2013

~Book Review and Giveaway: Dark Promise~


Dark Promise
Julia Crane & Talia Jager


Rylie has it all - great friends, dream boy, loving family. But on the eve of her sixteenth birthday, her perfect little world shatters. A stranger claiming to be her real mother appears with a secret: Rylie is a faery whose powers will be unleashed on her birthday. Captured and forced into a new life, Rylie struggles to keep everything she loves and discovers a terrifying truth: some promises cannot be broken.

PURCHASE AT:     AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE

MY REVIEW:
Rylie is a lucky girl.  She has wonderful, loving parents.  Great friends and the most wonderful boyfriend that any girl could ask for.  As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Rylie starts feeling strange, as if she is somehow changing.  The night before her birthday, a strange lady comes to visit them and tells an incredible tale of how she is Rylie's birth mother.  Rylie is going to turn into a faery on her sixteenth birthday and obtain incredible powers.  Azure must keep Rylie safe because some faeries are wanting to capture her and use her powers for evil.  Kidnapped and taken away to the dark faerie land, Rylie will fight with everything she has to return to her family or die trying.  Things are not all bad, though, in this magical land.  How will she return to the only family that she has ever know?  

I really enjoyed reading this book.  Quiet different than what I am used to reading.  I am not a huge fan of faery but this book was so good.  A wonderful storyline full of surprises and excitement.  Rylie is perfect as the main character.  She is level headed, brave and quick thinking.   The ending is excellent.   I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.  I  can't wait to  learn more about the characters.  This series has so much potential.  I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.




ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Julia Crane
Julia crane is the author of the Coexist: Keegan’s Chronicles. She has a bachelors degree in criminal justice. Julia has believed in magical creatures since the day her grandmother first told her an Irish tale. Growing up her mother greatly encouraged reading and using your imagination. Although she’s spent most of her life on the US east coast, she currently lives in Dubai with her husband and three children.

Talia Jager



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~Book Review and Giveaway: Showstoppers & Three Sisters~


Tour Schedule



Three Sisters and Showstoppers by Helen Smith

Three Sisters and Showstoppers are two novella-length stories in the Emily Castles mystery series. The first full-length novel, Invitation to Die, will be published by Thomas & Mercer in October 2013.

The Emily Castles mystery series is set in present-day London. It features twenty-six-year-old Londoner Emily Castles and her neighbor, eccentric philosophy professor Dr. Muriel Crowther. In Three Sisters, Emily goes to a party in a big house at the end of her street. She's sure she witnesses a murder, but no one will believe her. She teams up with Dr. Muriel to investigate.

In Showstoppers, Emily helps out at a local stage school run by her neighbor, Victoria. Soon she's mixed up in a blackmail plot and two deaths. Emily and Dr. Muriel team up to prevent further a massacre live on stage during the end of term show.


Praise for the Emily Castles Mystery Series

Fast-paced, funny, and mysterious... Helen Smith is a master story-teller.
~Socrates Book Reviews

It grips you from the very beginning.
~Babs Books Bistro

Bright, colorful and full of surprises.
~Amazon Vine Reviewer

Fast-paced and unusual, I highly recommend this one.
~Eva’s Sanctuary


Praise for Helen Smith

Smith is gin-and-tonic funny.
~The Booklist


Purchase
Showstoppers * Three Sisters

MY REVIEW:

Two highly entertaining stories by Helen Smith.  Short enough to keep you entertained with plenty of mystery.

Three Sisters introduces us to Emily Castles.  Emily lives in London and is attending a neighborhood Halloween party.  What a party this turns out to be!  With so many strange things happening you don't know if it is part of the show or not.  Emily is grieving the loss of her Golden Retriever, Jessie and thinks of him often while trying to enjoy the party.  When an act goes horribly wrong, Emily is sure that she has witnessed a murder.  The only trouble is, no body!  With the help of the quirky Dr Muriel, Emily will snoop around until she finds out what is going on.  

I enjoyed reading this short story and being introduced to Emily.  I am also a dog lover so that part of the story drew me in.  I usually don't read short stories but this one was good.  I would like to learn more of Emily's back story and get to know her character better.  I also like the London setting.  You will breeze through this book.  If you like a good cozy mystery, I recommend reading this one.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Showstoppers, Emily Castles once again finds herself in the middle of a mystery.  Emily's neighbor, Victoria has been receiving threatening letters.  Someone has discovered an old video of her that she made years ago in film school.  The video is apparently hideous and Victoria, who now runs a successful studio doesn't want anyone to see it.  With another murder to solve, Emily again teams up with Dr. Muriel to find out who done it and hopefully save Victoria's reputation.

I also enjoyed reading this novella.  I did not like the character of Victoria.  She is flaky and spoiled and seems to always get her way, often at the expense of others.  Emily and Dr. Muriel are once again fabulous and laugh out loud funny.  I hope that there will be more cozy mysteries featuring these wonderful characters.  A fast read that I recommend to all cozy reader fans!




Author Helen Smith

Helen Smith is a novelist and playwright who lives in London. She's the author of bestselling cult novels Alison Wonderland, Being Light and The Miracle Inspector as well as the Emily Castles Mystery Series.


Amazon * Facebook *  Twitter * Blog




Tour Giveaway
10 winners will each receive a Kindle Ebook copy of Showstoppers & Three Sisiters
Ends 2/28/13

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

~Book Review and Giveaway: Lennon's Jinx~


Welcome to Oh, The Books You'll Read!  Today I am going to review Lennon's Jinx by Chris Myers.  Check out my review below and don't forget to check out the other blogs taking part in this book tour HERE.  Also enter the giveaway using the rafflecopter to win copies of this wonderful book. 
            
    Happy Reading!

 Lennon’s Jinx
 Chris Myers
Expected release date: January 15, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Tour organized by: AToMR Tours


Sometimes, we don’t get to choose who we fall for.

Lennon spends most of his time raising his little sister Currie while trying to skate through his senior year of high school. He prefers groupies with no-strings attached but finds himself strangely attracted to Jinx, the straight-A student in his choir. Lennon’s curiosity overrules his good sense as he tries to peel away the layers to discover the reason for Jinx’s skittishness.

Jinx conceals the black truth about herself from her friends. She won’t admit to them that she screwed up big time, losing her first love and what she once held most precious. 

When Lennon’s band holds auditions to replace their keyboard player, Jinx comes to tryout and almost leaves after seeing Lennon. Despite the fact she despises him, she joins the band to nurture her love of music that will hopefully ease the guilt gnawing away at her. 

Like the rest of his band mates, Jinx soon witnesses Lennon battling his infamous father for the custody of Currie. While confronting his pent-up anger at his dad, Lennon exposes vulnerabilities he had no intention of letting any girl ever see, especially Jinx. Their reckless pasts may bring them together or further complicate their already messy lives.

MY REVIEW:
Lennon is a high school senior.  Put in charge of raising his little sister Currie, by his absentee mother and rock star father, there is more to him than meets the eye.  Never having time for a real relationship he goes from one girl to the next.  He meets Jinx at a party and she instantly hates everything about him.  His reputation is enough to keep anyone away and she wants nothing to do with him.  Lennon can't stop thinking about Jinx, much to his dismay.  Needing a new keyboardist for their band, they hold tryouts and Jinx shows up to audition, much to Lennon's surprise and delight.  Jinx needs the money.  She is desperately trying to earn her own way so she can move out and away from her stepfather.  Jinx is hiding a deep, dark shameful secret and the last thing she needs is Lennon in her life.  Will two broken people be able to come together and help heal each other?

This is the second book I have read by Chris Myers and each book is wonderful.  I was thrilled to get a chance to be a part of this book tour.   This book has such wonderful characters.  Jinx is a fun girl who just wants to forget about her past.  Lennon has been hurt by his absentee parents and had to grow up fast because he has had to care of his little sister.  He has never had a real childhood and he seems fine with that.      He will sacrifice anything for Currie.  I really loved Zoe, Currie's best friend.  Currie and Zoe are wise beyond their years.  I laughed and cried!  Chris Myers is an excellent writer and I look forward to reading more books by her.  If I were you, I would definitely read this book.  You will not be disappointed.


About the Author

Chris Myers suffers from an overactive imagination. In second grade, Sister Bernice produced Chris's first play about pumpkins mauling and eating children. Apparently, the nuns didn’t catch the underlying meaning. This instantly raised Chris to stardom amongst her peers for the several days off from schoolwork while in production. She spent her high school years writing torch songs for fantasy guys then moved onto writing thrillers and young adult. Chris lives in Colorado with her daughter, her better half, and BeBe, a rambunctious Bichon.

Chris literally has very few photos of herself, even though photography put her through college. Here she is with her sisters and daughter. Chris is the one with the vino.

Chris started out as an art major, then moved to bio-chem, hoping to play Victor Frankenstein as a genetic engineer or messing with people's minds as a psychiatrist. Just as she was about to graduate, she decided being broke for another four to ten years wouldn't work out for her adventurous spirit and traveling. She ended up with an electrical engineering degree then a masters. As it turns out, she should've finished her first novel twenty-five years ago and stuck in the make-believe world where she is happiest.



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