Tuesday 30 January 2018

[Release Blitz] Taming Him by Kennedy Fox - Review

Blog Tour: The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert - Review and Author Q&A

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Publishing Date: January 30, 2018
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Pages: 368
Young Adult Fantasy / Dark Fairy Tale

The Premise from the Publisher: "Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice's life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice's grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: Her mother is stolen away-by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: "Stay away from the Hazel Wood." Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother's cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began-and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong" (Flatiron Books).

My overall thoughts and review: It's been such a fun experience diving into this book because I actually have been teaching a fairy tale module in my class. I love stories that focus on a more dark, sinister, twisty, and creepy component of fairy tales, harking back to the likes of the Grimm Brothers and Hans Christian Anderson. The premise of the story is incredibly interesting because Alice and her mother Ella have always found themselves with 'bad luck' and always on the move, until they actually settle down with Ella marrying. However, things get complicated one day when Alice comes home to find that her mother is missing and stolen away from people from the Hinterland, which is a setting of her grandmother's fairy tales. Her grandmother has been estranged her whole life and Alice only really knows her from the fame she received from this book of fairy tales she wrote. She begins to make the journey to the Hazel Wood and Hinterland to save her mom. She also brings along a classmate Ellery Finch along the way, who is a super fan. There was a moment in the text when she mentions not trusting fans because of other ulterior motives and she also drops little lessons she learned from fairy tales along the way which I really enjoyed seeing. It was fast paced, quite dark, and lots of twists and turns. Alice is also a frustrating character at times but I really loved the devotion and love she has for her mother. I also liked learning of the fairy tales as we moved forward in the text. The stories reminded me of Through the Woods by Emily Carroll, the juxtaposition of beautiful and uncomfortable at the same time. I don't want to say too much because one simple breadcrumb can spoil things, but the book definitely surprised me in many ways. Just when you think you have it figured out, Albert pulls the rug out from beneath you. If you like dark fairy tale fantasy, this is definitely the read for you!

My rating of the book: ✮✮✮✮ (4/5 stars)

Available for purchase at:
Chapters/Indigo, Kobo Books, Amazon, and Book Depository (Free Worldwide Shipping)

Author Question and Answer:

Q: What was your favorite scene in the book to write and why?

I don’t think it’s too spoilery to reveal here that Alice does make it to the Hazel Wood, despite all the warnings to stay away—and I loved writing the sequence that takes place inside Althea’s isolated estate. I like to write in order and I never have luck planning too far ahead, so I didn’t know what Alice would find when she arrived at the Hazel Wood. Once we got there, it all fell into place (or spun out of control?), and I had a blast writing it out. I don’t want to say too much, just that I really enjoy writing the weird stuff. It’s what I love to read, too—I guess I just have a type.

Don't forget to swing by other tops of the blog tour to check out more content from other book bloggers and more Q&As with Melissa. Many thanks to Melissa for stopping by today!

Disclaimer: An advanced reader's copy of the book was provided by Raincoast Books for participation in the book tour. All opinions of the book are my own.

Tuesday 23 January 2018

[Release Blitz] Signed by Marni Mann

The highly anticipated forbidden Hollywood romance from Marni Mann is NOW LIVE!

[Blog Tour] Midnight Blue by L.J. Shen - Review

Midnight Blue, an all-new sexy standalone from LJ Shen is available NOW!

Under the Stars, the stunning conclusion of the thrilling, white-hot second-chance Bright Lights Duet from USA Today bestselling author Tia Louise is LIVE!

[Release Blitz] Midnight Blue by L.J. Shen

Midnight Blue, an all-new sexy standalone from LJ Shen is LIVE!

[Release Blitz] Tempt Me by Carly Phillips

Tempt Me, a sexy new standalone from Carly Phillips is LIVE!

[Blog Tour] Under the Lights by Tia Louise - Excerpt

“All the sin, heat, and dirty underbelly that comes with it. I'm dying to read Under the Stars!” –Nora Flite, USA Today bestselling author

Under the Lights, book one in the thrilling, white-hot second-chance Bright Lights Duet from USA Today bestselling author Tia Louise is available NOW!

AVAILABLE NOW

[Teaser] Signed by Marni Mann

A one-night stand with James Ryne, the hottest actress in LA, was a night I’d never forget…

James: I can’t stop thinking about you.
Brett: I didn’t know America’s sweetheart was such a dirty girl.
James: It gets better.
Brett: You’re too young for me.
James: Eighteen’s the age of consent.
Brett: The things I want to do to you right now…
James: Are you ever going to tell me who you really are?
Brett: The best you’ve ever had. That’s all you need to know.
James: When are you coming back to LA?
Brett: Next week—and you’d better not be wearing panties.
Brett: What the hell did I just watch?
James: Oh my God, Brett! It’s going viral!
James: My life is ruined. My career. My reputation.
James: Are you there?
James: Will you let me explain?
James: Brett?
Brett: Forget everything I said before. Forget us.

I tried to forget her…until she walked into my office, begging to get signed.

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2kB65TU

[Blog Tour] Hot Shot by Karina Halle - Review

[Blog Tour] Inseparable by Siobhan Davis - Excerpt

Inseparable, an all-new gritty, friends-to-lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis is available NOW!

Full Contact, an all-new sexy, crossover standalone romance from Kathy Coopmans and HJ Bellus is NOW AVAILABLE!

[Blog Tour] Infraction by Rachel Van Dyken - Excerpt

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Infraction, an all-new sexy standalone from #1 New York Times Bestseller Rachel Van Dyken is Available NOW!!

Fake Wife by Stacey Lynn

Publication Date: January 9^th, 2018

Genre: Contemporary Romance

[Release Blitz] Fake Wife by Stacey Lynn

Fake Wife by Stacey Lynn

[Release Blitz] Infraction by Rachel Van Dyken

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Infraction, an all-new sexy standalone from #1 New York Times Bestseller Rachel Van Dyken is Available NOW!!

Hot Shot by Karina Halle

[Release Blitz] Under The Lights by Tia Louise

“Tia Louise goes darker, amping up the suspense and turning up the heat."

–Aleatha Romig, New York Times bestselling author

Under the Lights, book one in the thrilling, white-hot second-chance Bright Lights Duet from USA Today bestselling author Tia Louise is LIVE!

Inseparable, an all-new gritty, friends-to-lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis is LIVE!

Title: Taming Him
Series: Bishop Brothers
Author: Kennedy Fox
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trope: Vacation Romance

Photographer: Wander Augular
Model: Zac Aynsley
Designer: RBA Designs

Release Date: January 30, 2018

*Each Bishop Brothers novel is an interconnected standalone*

Blog Tour - Everless by Sara Holland - Review & Author Guest Post

Everless by Sara Holland

Publishing Date: January 2, 2018
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 368
Young Adult Fantasy

The Premise from the Publisher: "In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries. No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever. But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself" (HC).

My overall thoughts and review: It's been a while since I've read a YA fantasy that has drawn me in so quickly like this one. I was definitely intrigued by the premise because the concept of currency being time sounded super interesting but also super dark. It gave off a feel of a darker Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi, but it also definitely had some Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard vibes. The story follows a young girl named Jules, who comes from an extremely poor family of just her and her father. They are late on the rent on their homes and they are constantly trying to come up with money to pay the collectors. She realizes that her father has been bleeding his time and becoming sicker and sicker and wants to do something to help. They were previously servants at Everless, but a horrible accident happened when she was younger that caused them to flee and never look back. Now, Everless is the place that Jules can make a living to help her father, despite the dark past they had. Everless is also home to Roan, the young boy she used to love who is set to marry a new princess, Ina. Jules finds herself swept up in the mystery of the Gerlings, how the aristocracy are, but also what really happened all those years ago that caused her to flee with her father. There's mystery, friendship, and a bit of romance. There are so many twists and turns that I didn't see coming and there are so many scenes that definitely tugged at my heartstrings. I really enjoyed this because Jules' love story didn't center the whole story. There was lots of world building on Holland's part which I really appreciated. Holland wove in such great history for this world and gave each character (even small characters like Tam) a lot of background. Everyone character felt fully fleshed out and that's a great accomplishment in a novel. I really enjoyed this and I definitely seeing it becoming a wonderful series. I really hope that it isn't the end of Jules story, because I totally want to learn more. I also want to see more of certain characters, but I won't say much out of the risk of spoiling anything. Overall, this is how a YA fantasy should be! I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to read more from Holland in the future.

My rating of the book: ✮✮✮✮ (4/5 stars)

Available for purchase at:
Chapters/Indigo, Kobo Books, Amazon, and Book Depository (Free Worldwide Shipping)

Author Guest Post from Sara Holland

When I first set about drafting EVERLESS, I knew I wanted to channel the qualities of the books I love the most into the one I was creating. One of the first things that any fantasy author has to consider is worldbuilding, and so I gave a lot of thought to what kind of world I wanted Sempera to be--both for the characters living in it, and for the readers. Perusing my shelves, I noticed a few common themes, and later realized that several of them had made their way into EVERLESS.

Maybe it's the Minnesotan in me, but though I love warm weather in real life, in books I consistently find myself drawn to cold, rainy, and snowy settings. Several, Phillip Pullman's THE GOLDEN COMPASS, Edith Pattou's EAST, and Geraldine McCaughreon's THE WHITE DARKNESS, take place all or partially in arctic settings. (EVERLESS takes place in the winter of the fictional land of Sempera, and it never seems to be sunny there!)

I love concrete, detailed worlds. I love learning as much as I can about whatever fictional world I happen to be in, and the lives of the people in it, even if the information doesn't directly affect the plot or main characters. Tell me what everyone is eating, what their clothes and houses look like. How does the government work? What is a typical day like for someone in this world?

I love the feeling of pervasive magic. When it comes to magic systems, I love stories and worlds where it feels like there's always one more layer to pull back, one more place to look. When there isn't just one magical thing--but three, or a dozen, or too many to fit on the page. Think Harry Potter, the Shadowhunter world, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, or His Dark Materials. In all of these, you get the sense that it's not just our world with one magical tweak--everything, everywhere is magical!

And finally... I don't know what this says about me, but you won't often find me reaching for something light and cheerful. In spec-fic and contemporary both, give me darkness, give me tragedy, give me bittersweet endings. Tear my heart out, and I'll probably thank you for it! So of course EVERLESS turned out pretty dark as well. But there's also definitely a ray of hope, if you like that sort of thing :)

Be sure to check out the other stops on the blog tour for more content on EVERLESS!

Disclaimer: I had an e-ARC of this copy ahead of time and I collaborated with Glasstown Entertainment and Sara Holland to participate in this blog tour. All opinions are my own.

Saturday 6 January 2018

[Teaser] Hot Shot by Karina Halle

Delilah Gordon has a secret.

She’s been in love with her best friend and the boy next door, Fox Nelson, since she was six years old.

And while most of her friends and family know about her unrequited crush, the one person who remains oblivious is Fox himself. To Delilah, it’s better this way. She’d rather pretend that they’re just friends, even though her feelings for the moody rugged mountain man are anything but tame.

Fox Nelson has a secret too.

As a wildland firefighter or “hot shot,” Fox parachutes into danger every day he’s on the job, risking all to fight wildfires that threaten ranches, forests and thousands of lives. But while Fox’s job is only for the brave, inside he feels anything but. The more he grapples with his raging demons, the more he realizes Delilah is the only one who can put out the flames.

As the two friends grow closer – and more intimate – than ever before, the more complicated their relationship becomes.

And Delilah has one more secret to reveal.

A secret that will change both their lives…forever.

Pre-Order Today!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2BCI9qf

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2ji45QJ

iBooks: http://apple.co/2nvRmym

Nook: http://bit.ly/2ipmM3T

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ir12os

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2j1no0t

Wednesday 3 January 2018

[Teaser] Full Contact by HJ Bellus and Kathy Coopmans

✮ ✮ ✮ COMING SOON ✮ ✮ ✮

Full Contact is an all new standalone, Sports Romance by HJ Bellus and Kathy Coopmans releasing January 10, 2018!

Pre-order today!

iTunes- http://apple.co/2nRABOc

Nook- http://bit.ly/2Bzs3Sj

Kobo- http://bit.ly/2AawJJZ

Add it to your TBR - http://bit.ly/2yfGrZI

A mafia princess. The nation’s favorite football player. Can they make it work?

An unlikely matching of the stars.

The opposites had it all for one year.

Justice Bexley, the daughter of Cain and Calla leaders of The Diamond Syndicate, sacrificed true love to protect Liam. Her selfish action destroyed them both.

Liam Blake moved on with his prestigious career. However, his outlook on life was never the same. If his parents could fight for true love with a Pinky Promise he can keep moving forward. At least he tried convincing himself of that.

Some say true love has a way of finding its way back. Justice and Liam know better to believe. That’s up until the day they find themselves in a heated meeting.

She owns a new football team.

He’s coming back from an injury and thirsty to prove the nation wrong.

Years of pent up anger and hatred may fuel an epic second chance love story or ruin both of them for good.

Disclaimer: I have signed up with Social Butterfly PR to help promote Bellus & Coopmans and their book. All opinions are my own.