Review: Red by Alyxandra Harvey

Red by Alyxandra Harvey

Publisher- Entangled Teen

Released- March 10th 2015

Purchase- Amazon / B & N

Bad girls burn hot…Red is the color of Kia Alcott's hair.It's her temper, which blazes hot and always gets Kia into way too much trouble.And it's the color of fire. Fires that Kia can start…just by thinking about them.When her latest “episode” gets her kicked out of school, Kia is shipped off to her grandmother, who works for the wealthy Blackwoods. It's an estate shrouded in secrets, surrounded by rules, and presided over by a family that is far from normal…including the gorgeous and insolent Ethan Blackwood.Ethan knows far more about the dangers of the forest surrounding the estate than Kia can ever imagine. For this forest has teeth, and Ethan is charged with protecting the outside world from its vicious mysteries.But inside, even the most vibrant shade of red doesn't stand a chance against the dark secrets of the Blackwood family…

My Thoughts:

I've been a huge fan of Alyxandra Harvey since her debut novel, Hearts at Stake and have been an avid reader of her work since then, so it's no surprise that I jumped at the chance to read her latest release, Red as soon as I could, and wow am I ever glad I did! This book was such a fun-filled fantasy that is sort of a Little Red Riding Hood retelling but with a supernatural and magical twist that had me completely fascinated and consumed.

Harvey has written about vampires, ghost, fey-folks and witches, but this book felt entirely different from her other books, but in the best way possible. It's a great mixture of fairytale and fantasy but with supernatural and magical abilities thrown in. It's an intriguing and mysterious story that has just about everything I could want in an escape. Magic, medieval gothic lore, fantastical and mythical creatures all set in a remote looming castle with dangerous wild secrets and characters. Harvey really went all out with this book and I loved that she didn't give us all the answers and we are made to just sit back and enjoy as the story unfolds as we learn about Kia, Ethan and the Blackwood family and all of their wicked secrets.

Kia was awesome from the start, she's a sassy character who doesn't take crap from anyone and I loved her spark (pun intended). Staying with her Grandmother at Blackwood castle is a last resort since she got expelled for setting her school on fire, but it's not like Kia can help it, for what ever reason she can start fires with just her thoughts, but she's scared since she doesn't know why or how to control it.

Ethan is a rather intense character that was pretty hot and cold when he first meets Kia. He has a very unique role in the Blackwood family and I absolutely loved learning about some of his more eccentric talents and activities. I loved how protective he is of Kia and his friends. Ethan and Kia may have had a shaky relationship at first, but I can't deny they have quite the sizzling chemistry.

All in all, I thought this book was really very cool. The world Harvey creates is bizarrely imaginative, dark and edgy with characters I couldn't help be invested with from the first page till it's thrilling conclusion. There were some loose ends, so I'm hoping we get more. This was a fun and solid escape and I look forward to seeing what Harvey has in store for us next!

Find the author:

Goodreads / Website                              4 Snowflakes

Teaser Tuesday #77 Whatever Life Throws At You by Julie Cross

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays! Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! My Teaser Tuesday is for the following...




whatever LIFE throws AT YOU by Julie Cross
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Publication Date: October 7, 2014

Life loves a good curveball…

Seventeen-year-old Annie Lucas's life is completely upended the moment her dad returns to the major leagues as the new pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals. Now she's living in Missouri (too cold), attending an all-girls school (no boys), and navigating the strange world of professional sports. But Annie has dreams of her own—most of which involve placing first at every track meet…and one starring the Royals' super-hot rookie pitcher.

But nineteen-year-old Jason Brody is completely, utterly, and totally off-limits. Besides, her dad would kill them both several times over. Not to mention Brody has something of a past, and his fan club is filled with C-cupped models, not smart-mouthed high school “brats” who can run the pants off every player on the team. Annie has enough on her plate without taking their friendship to the next level. The last thing she should be doing is falling in love.

But baseball isn't just a game. It's life. And sometimes, it can break your heart…

Teasers from ebook page: 132

We push our way toward the center of the dance floor. Pink and blue lights swirl around us. It's hard to see anything clearly and being this fake identity tonight allows me permission to let loose. There is something about high heels and a tight dress that gives you a certain level of confidence, like there's a power in feeling sexy. I hadn't really anticipated that when I agreed to put on Lenny's clothes. Of course, I've dressed cute for the ex-boyfriend before but never did it include a dress quite this short. Or shiny. After a good thirty minutes of dancing, I'm starting to sweat, and I pull my hair up off my neck. Lenny shoots me a glare and swats my hand. Don't you dare mess up your hair! It looks amazing!"
Just to piss her off, I turn my head upside down and shake out the long blond curls she carefully fixed for me. When I stand upright again, she grins. "Sexy."


PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here if you don’t have a blog Thanks! 

Teaser Tuesday, #65, The Warrior by Victoria Scott

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays! Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser Tuesday is for the following...


The Warrior (A Dante Walker Novel) by Victoria Scott
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen

War between heaven and hell is coming, but Dante Walker makes it look damn good.
Dante’s girlfriend, Charlie, is fated to save the world. And Aspen, the girl who feels like a sister, is an ordained soldier. In order to help both fulfill their destiny and win the war, Dante must complete liberator training at the Hive, rescue Aspen from hell, and uncover a message hidden on an ancient scroll.
Dante is built for battle, but even he can’t handle the nightmares where spiders crawl from Aspen’s eyes, or the look on Charlie’s face that foretells of devastation. To make matters worse, the enemy seizes every opportunity to break inside the Hive and cripple the liberators. But the day of reckoning is fast approaching, and to stand victorious, Dante will have to embrace something inside himself he never has before—faith.

*Quotes are from an Advanced Readers Copy. They are subject to change.*

Teasers from Pages one & three...

  "I am: sharp eyes for hunting, broad shoulders for fighting, strong hands for gripping a weapon. I am built for this. I will protect Charlie, and I will rescue Aspen from hell. There's nothing I wouldn't do for my girls, and I plan to do it all. Blood will spill, and I will spill it without a second thought.
  I am a machine."

  "Charlie wraps her arms around my waist, and her fingers clutch my back. My armor falls away in an instant, and I'm no longer what I was a moment before. Now I'm sharp eyes for watching her, and broad shoulders for easing her worries, and strong hands for holding her tight."

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here if you don’t have a blog Thanks! 

Cover Reveal: Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout!!

We are so exited to share with you the cover for Opposition!!  WOOHOO!!  

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangeled Teen

Release Date: Aug 5, 2014

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

About the Author

 # 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Where You Can Find Jennifer:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout
Website: http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/
Entangled website : http://www.entangledpublishing.com/category/jennifer-l-armentrout/

Cover Reveal & Teaser: my not so Super Sweet life by Rachel Harris

Winterhaven Books is very excited to share with you the beautiful cover for Rachel Harris' upcoming title: my not so Super Sweet life. Soooo.... without further adieu...

BLURB:

Cat Crawford just wants to be normal—or at least as normal as a daughter of Hollywood royalty can be. And it looks like fate is granting her wish: she’s got an amazing boyfriend, Lucas; her fabulous cousin, Alessandra, living with her; and her dad planning his second marriage to a great future stepmom. That is, until her prodigal mother reveals on national television that she has something important to tell her daughter…causing a media frenzy.

Lucas Capelli knows his fate is to be with Cat, and he’s worked hard to win her over once and for all. Unfortunately, Lucas has his own issues to deal with, including a scandal that could take him away from the first place he’s truly belonged.

As secrets are revealed, rumors explode, and the world watches, Cat and Lucas discover it’s not fate they have to fight if they want to stay together…this time, it’s their own insecurities.

Well, and the stalkerazzi.

Teaser:

PUB DATE: April 21st, 2014


LINKS:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Super-Sweet-Life-Entangled-Teen-ebook/dp/B00HTJH9J0

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-not-so-super-sweet-life-rachel-harris/1118048798

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17930616-my-not-so-super-sweet-life

 Author Bio:

Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong families are a staple in each of her books...and kissing. Lots of kissing.

A Cajun cowgirl now living in Houston, she firmly believes life's problems can be solved with a hot, sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations. She homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches way too much Food Network with her amazing husband.

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and losing herself in story. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!

Website: http://www.rachelharriswrites.com/

Review: Salt by Danielle Ellison

Salt by Danielle Ellison
Publisher- Entangled Teen
Released- Jan 7th 2014
Pre-Order- Amazon / B & N

Penelope is a witch, part of a secret society protecting humans from demon attacks. But when she was a child, a demon killed her parents—and stole her magic. Since then, she’s been pretending to be something she’s not, using her sister’s magic to hide her own loss, to prevent being sent away.When she’s finally given the chance to join the elite demon-hunting force, Penelope thinks that will finally change. With her sister’s help, she can squeeze through the tests and get access to the information she needs to find "her" demon. To take back what was stolen.Then she meets Carter. He’s cute, smart, and she can borrow his magic, too. He knows her secret—but he also has one of his own.
Suddenly, Penelope’s impossible quest becomes far more complicated. Because Carter’s not telling her everything, and it’s starting to seem like the demons have their own agenda…and they’re far too interested in her.

My Thoughts:
Wow! I’m surprised how much fun I had with this book. I've always loved hocus pocus type books and I’m still kinda amazed how much I've grown to love demon lore, but I was really impressed with Salt. It has everything I look for a good paranormal escape. Its action punched, suspenseful, mysterious and has a romance that’s totally kissable.

Danielle Ellison’s writes an amazing debut novel. The concept may not be something exactly new but I still really enjoyed Ellison’s take on this genre and I really liked the twist and turns in the plot. It kept me on my toes and anticipating what comes next.

Ellison also really knows how to write some mean ass-kickin! From badass demonic action to Pen’s examination training, to its gripping conclusion, this book is chalked filled with excitement and entertainment that kept my imagination on thrill. But it wasn't all fightin’ there is plenty of hugable romance that saps like me crave for, and Ellison really delivered those moments beautifully.

There is a lot happening here plot wise, but I thought the flow and pace of the story was well done. It never felt dragged out or dull, in fact, I was completely absorbed throughout the entire story. Lies and secrets seem to be the running theme in Penelope Grey’s life. The mysterious surrounding Pen and her families history was a great element I was completely intrigued with, but there are so many factors in this story that make the bigger picture really standout. Carter’s has his own secrets and agendas and I thought it was well played how those secrets affected his magical chemistry with Pen. I also really liked Poncho’s character and was surprised with the secrets he too was hiding. Everything about the story-line was calculating and connected in one way or another and I had a great time trying to piece the string of clues together while kicking back and just enjoyed the comfortable ease of the characters themselves.

I really loved all of these characters. They are filled with fun filled banter, wit and sarcasm. Okay…I admit that Penelope Grey is a character that did have a few flaws. I found her to be a bit hypercritical concerning the lies and deceit. She’s kinda not one to talk since she’s been keeping quite a few secrets to the people who matter the most and her reaction to Carter’s ‘betrayal’ was a bit of an overreaction and little more then childish. She also comes off a little repetitive, and her desperation to become an Enforcer and hunt down the demon that stole her magic and killed her parents tended to scream right off the pages a little too frequently, but as a whole, I liked and admired her determination, passion and strength, especially when it mattered most. I also adored her snark, sass, and fire and the fact that she didn't just roll over when she meets Carter. She’s a fighter, she makes things challenging and she can totally handle her own.

Carter was my by far my favorite, he is simply a fully loaded blast of a character. He’s arrogant, overly confident and drips with charm, wit and charisma. There were a few surprises concerning his character as well, which I loved, but I don’t think one of the earlier revelations should have been that dramatic. I guess I just don’t see the big deal.

This boy knows how to kick some serious ass but I like that he knows how to right a wrong and that he’s supportive and genuinely cares for Pen. Plus, he bakes cookies.

Need I say more?

Together, Pen and Carter steal the show as well as my heart. I really enjoyed the chemistry between them. They have an adorable playful banter thing going on that I found really sweet, sexy and adorable. Pen has a bit of an inner-battle concerning Carter at first since he makes her feel vulnerable in ways only her family has seen, but the connection between them is undeniable when they learn what they can accomplish together in both magic and heart. 

I also loved Pen’s sister Connie and her best friend Ric. They were amazing secondary characters who brought constant loyalty, smiles and support when it was needed.

In a nutshell, Salt was just a lot of fun to read. The plot was sizzling with action and mystery. The magical aspect was refreshing, the writing was smooth and these characters were wonderfully put together, easy to love and be invested with from minute one. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Ellison does with the sequel. A solid escape.

Find the author:

Goodreads /Website                                4 Snowflakes

Giveaway & Review: The Liberator (Dante Walker, #2) by Victoria Scott

The Liberator (Dante Walker, #2) by Victoria Scott
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Goodreads / B&N / Amazon

Bad boy, meet bad girl.Dante has a shiny new cuff wrapped around his ankle, and he doesn't like that mess one bit. His new accessory comes straight from Big Guy himself and marks the former demon as a liberator. Despite his gritty past and bad boy ways, Dante Walker has been granted a second chance.

When Dante is given his first mission as a liberator to save the soul of seventeen-year-old Aspen, he knows he’s got this. But Aspen reminds him of the rebellious life he used to live and is making it difficult to resist sinful temptations. Though Dante is committed to living clean for his girlfriend Charlie, this dude’s been a playboy for far too long…and old demons die hard.

With Charlie becoming the girl she was never able to be pre-makeover and Aspen showing him how delicious it feels to embrace his inner beast, Dante will have to go somewhere he never thought he’d return to in order to accomplish the impossible: save the girl he’s been assigned to, and keep the girl he loves.
Have more questions about the romance in THE LIBERATOR? Read a note from the author about Aspen's involvement in the story: http://tinyurl.com/asl8qyy

My Thoughts:
Victoria Scott has a natural aptitude for creating staggering stories and characters. I fell in love with Dangerous Dante in The Collector, but after reading The Liberator…well, let’s just say that I am even more amazed and will be first in line when The Warrior becomes available. The Liberator stands strong as The Collectors sequel. With added depth to these characters and mounting twists, I couldn’t put this one down.
   
Dante has a penchant to drive the reader crazy (in a good way, and who couldn’t love a guy who names his candy apple-red Escadade, Elizabeth Taylor! ) and I find his weakness for Charlie relevant to where the story went in The Liberator. He will do whatever he has to in order to steal her soul back. But before he can do that, he has to do a job for the Big Guy upstairs. Dante hesitantly enters into Aspen’s life (his assignment), leaving Charlie behind to accomplish this job. It nearly tears them apart…literally.

Aspen is more like the female equivalent of Dante, or who Dante was. They only show the world what they want to see and tucks everything else away. He knows, or was told, rather, that Aspen is special. And, as the story progresses he realizes there’s more to the girl than her façade.

Charlie met a few new neighbors, and Dante isn’t exactly happy about it. He gets reports she’s being reckless and out of character, which makes him question doing this new assignment and being away from her. I could really feel the emotions throughout this book. And, the witty remarks Dante is notorious for, why by the way, I’m a huge sucker for.

“I’m not sure how I got here, and I’m certain I don’t know how Charlie ended up on the other side of the room with Guy In Touch With His Emotions. Raising a bottle to my lips, I watch as the guy uncrosses his long legs and recrosses them. His tampon must be killing him.”

I love that one of the characters was brought back. I won’t give it away, but it was an awesome move. New characters are introduced, which the combination was perfect. And the Collectors are back, and they are using humans to do their dirty work. Then there is the chemistry between Charlie and Dante… I couldn’t have been more happy.

"If I had a soul,” I say. “I’d give it to you.” Charlie pulls me closer so that our lips almost touch. She lays a hand on my face, and her eyes swim with affection. “You may not have my soul, Dante. But you will always have my heart.” (Swoon!)

A battle will ensue. “Two girls—a savior and a soldier.” I just loved that line.

The action kept me on my toes and the plot played out perfectly. So much is unraveled, and I will not spoil it for you as it’s important to experience that one on your own. All I can say is…I can’t wait to see what The Warrior unfolds. If you liked The Collector, you will LOVE The Liberator!

I am excited to giveaway one copy of The Liberator to one lucky follower!  Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!  The copy will be sent though The Book Depository so if they shipped to you then you are welcome to enter!

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Tuesday, #45

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays! Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser Tuesday is for the following...



The Liberator (Dante Walker, #2) by Victoria Scott
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: August 27, 2013






Quotes from ebook page 8

"I know perfectly well why this dude is moving in on Charlie. She's completely beautiful. But I can't complain. I'm the one who did this to her."

"When my eyes return to Charlie, they nearly pop from my head."

Anndddd...because I can...I added an extra Teaser (Page 9)

"Her lips brush my ear, and goose bumps rise on my skin. "Careful, Dante. I'm not your property."

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here if you don’t have a blog Thanks!

Review: Made of Stars by Kelley York

Made of Stars by Kelley York
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble 

When eighteen-year-old Hunter Jackson and his half sister, Ashlin, return to their dad’s for the first winter in years, they expect everything to be just like the warmer months they’d spent there as kids. And it is—at first. But Chance, the charismatic and adventurous boy who made their summers epic, is harboring deep secrets. Secrets that are quickly spiraling into something else entirely.

The reason they've never met Chance’s parents or seen his home is becoming clearer. And what the siblings used to think of as Chance's quirks—the outrageous stories, his clinginess, his dangerous impulsiveness—are now warning signs that something is seriously off.

Then Chance's mom turns up with a bullet to the head, and all eyes shift to Chance and his dad. Hunter and Ashlin know Chance is innocent...they just have to prove it. But how can they protect the boy they both love when they can’t trust a word Chance says?

My thoughts:
OMG What in the hale just happened?!!  That's not how you end a book!  My heart is shattered!! I knew going in that this book was going to be tough to read, but I never thought it would end that way!  OMG what am I gonna do????

Okay I have no clue where I am going to start with this review.  Made of Stars is one of those rare books where not a whole lot happens throughout its pages, but what is said between the characters makes up for the lack of action and adventure.  Ash, Hunter, and Chance were the stars of this book and the author did an amazing job at showing them off.  These three have been friends for years but when Chance and Ash don't go back to visit their dad for two years a lot changes and when they finally do go back they realize that things can't go back to the way they were no matter how much you try.  Big secrets are revealed and lies are uncovered, but what surprised me is that these lies and secrets didn't break this group up it made them stronger.  Yes there were hurt feelings, but these three knew that the overall reasoning was not to lie but to hide behind a better life. 

I hurt for Chance, he really had it rough and too see what he went through was the toughest part for me.  I don't like to see any character go down certain roads, but when it is one that I hold close to my heart I just want to grab them and drag them away from the pages I know will come.  I loved that Ash and Hunter never gave up on him.  He was the one left behind, but they each felt the distance and their friendship was truly amazing when they came together again.

I don't think I will ever get over the ending though.  I have read so many books and been left with a "huh" look before but usually that happens when the book is the first in a series and I know eventually I will have my answers.  This book is a stand a lone and I don't know how I am supposed to go on with how things are left.  I mean after that many ups and downs, hopes and fears, and smiles and tears I really expected something else to happen.  I didn't expect a bight bow, but my goodness give me something.  I am honestly left a little ticked off.  That is why my rating is only 3 stars.  If the ending had been different I most definitely would have gone with at least 4 more likely 4.5, but with that ending I just can't do it.  So much is left up in the air and while I get where the author meant (I think anyway) I don't agree with it.  I invested a lot of time into these characters and I want more.  I guess I am a selfish reader but there it is I want more. 

3 snowflakes

Teaser Tuesday, #41

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays! Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser Tuesday is for the following...



Origin (Lux, #4) by Jennifer Armentrout
Publication Date: Today!!! August 27, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen






Teasers are from ebook pages: 351 & 359

He silenced me with a kiss--a sweet, tender kiss that eclipsed all my words. "I need to tell you something," he said. "You might hate me afterward."

They had no idea what I was truly capable of.




If you haven't read this series, I would highly recommend you do. Origin is released TODAY! If you haven't had a chance to read this yet, you will not believe what happens. It's a nail biter!

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here if you don’t have a blog Thanks!

Review: A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris

A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris
Series: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, #2
Expected Publication: August 6, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.

One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.

With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?

My Thoughts:

Rachel Harris has done it again! A Tale of Two Centuries was everything I could have hoped for in this second installment.

Living in the Sixteenth Century didn't allow the women to perform on stage, or to court whom they chose or even travel unaccompanied. Groomed since birth to be a suitable wife and partner, Allesandra dreamed of doing more. Acting on a stage and being able to make decisions for herself was only a mere vision until Reyna, the gypsy girl grants what only could be dream for Allesandra. Travelling through time and ending up on the doorstep of her future ancestor Cat's front doorstep. Along with the granted wish, there are three signs Less (aka: Allesandra) must watch for as after the third sign is revealed, her travel would end and she would be taken back to Sixteenth Century, Italy.

Allesandra experiences a whole new world in the Twenty-First Century, and new opportunities she could only dream of present themselves. But time is not on this fair maidens side. As she grows fond of the life she is now experiencing and developing new friendships and relationships, Allesandra must make a choice. With the help of Cat, Lucas, and Austin, Less wants nothing more than to set a new path, in this new world with people she has grown to care for and love. With determination and strength, Less makes the toughest choice she had never believed possible.

I cannot express enough how much I love this series. I instantly fell for the first book: My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, and honestly, I knew without a doubt that Rachel Harris would impress once again in A Tale Of Two Centuries. The story was easy to fall into and captures all the relative responses to what we are so accustomed to. Imagine never seeing a shopping mall, sitting in a classroom, wearing form fitting clothes, a cell phone, going on dates or speaking your mind. What if you were not allowed to chose the man you want to spend the rest of your life with, who you actually loved because society chose for you? I couldn't.

The story is so well plotted, and many unexpected twists presented, that I couldn't not fly through this. The characters and the chemistry were spot on and I absolutely loved Lucas and Austin! Less proved to be a strong female protagonist with a kind heart.

This is the kind of story that I could read again and again. It's a whimsical tale that easily places you inside of those pages. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys time travel, historical fiction, laughter, action and Romance!

Quote;

"It's called a thong," she clarifies with glee, "and by putting the string up there, you avoid ugly panty lines. Trust me, no one wants to see that business." -page 122

Cover Reveal! ORIGIN by Jennifer Armentrout

Today WinterHaven Books is so exciting to be participating in the cover reveal for ORIGIN by Jennifer L. Armentrout hosted by Entangled Teen Line. Take a look, can you say Hawt!! This cover is on FIRE!!! Are you excited? We.are.so.excited!!!! Aug can't come fast enough.

Orgin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.All Katy can do is survive. Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?Together, they can face anything. But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? And will they even be together?

Publisher-Entangled Teen Line/ Released- Aug 24. 2013 / Pre-Order- Amazon / B& N

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell, Loki.Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.
She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

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Teaser Tuesday, #21

 

Welcome to Teaser Tuesdays!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser Tuesday is for the following...

 

 

The Collector by Victoria Scott

 

Publisher: Entangled Teen

 

Expected Publication Date: April 2, 2013

 

 

 

 My Teasers are from book pages 174 & 175

 

I turn on the guy. "What happened in here?"

 

"Magic," he says. "And don't think magic means miracles because it doesn't. So manage your expectations."

 

"I reach up and run the back of my hand over her skin. Her eyes close and she breathes in. I'd like to say she's being stupid. Holding her breath like that. But my breath is gone, too--lost to this moment and the girl with doll-like cheeks."

 

 

 

 

 PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here if you don’t have a blog Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 





Blog Tour: All the Broken Pieces by Cindi Madsen

Today we are so excited to participate in the All the Broken Pieces blog tour hosted by Entangled Publishing!  In addition to reviewing this amazing book, we have Cindi Madsen on the blog today to answer some of our questions!

1. I loved that you used Liv's dreams to give her clues about herself, was that what you had always planned to do?
I knew that those sort of hazy memories/hallucinations were going to be hard to pull off and I wanted to make sure they were separated in a way that was clear to the reader, so that seemed the best way to make that distinction.

2. I really enjoyed the banter between Liv and Spencer, are they based on anybody that you know in real life?
Yay! The banter is one of my favorite pars to write. That and the kissing :) In high school I sometimes felt pulled in different ways like Liv. Which group do I want to be a part of? Is it worth trying to impress the popular crowd? So I pulled from that with Liv. Spencer isn’t so much based off anyone, but I wanted him to be real. He’s made mistakes and he doesn’t always know what to say or do, but he’s also caring and has a sweet side, and I think that makes him more like the guys I’ve known.

3. I was in shock after reading the last chapter, how hard was it for you to write the big reveal moment?
It was definitely a big moment, but I knew it was coming. I tried to dig deep and really put that emotion into it. I wanted to make people think and have those questions stay with them, even after the book ended.

4. I appreciated the Epilogue since it gave me a sense of closure, but I would have loved to have read the reunion scene. Do you think you will ever revisit this story and tell what happened to the other people involved?
The epilogue wasn’t originally in my plan, but when I wrote the end, I just stared at the screen and knew it wasn’t the end. I’d built up certain characters enough that I felt it needed to be there. I’ve played around with the idea of doing more with the characters, and a lot of people have asked, so it’s possible.

5. Are you currently working on anything new?
Always! I’ve got two adult romances coming out this year. Falling for Her Fiancé will be out in January and Cinderella Screwed Me Over will be out in the fall. I’ve also got a couple YA projects in the works and will announce more about them as soon as they’re set in stone.

Thanks Cindi for stopping by!!

Thanks for having me and for reading!

All the Broken Pieces by Cindi Madsen
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Published On: December 11, 2012
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

What if your life wasn’t your own?

Liv comes out of a coma with no memory of her past and two distinct, warring voices inside her head. Nothing, not even her reflection, seems familiar. As she stumbles through her junior year, the voices get louder, insisting she please the popular group while simultaneously despising them. But when Liv starts hanging around with Spencer, whose own mysterious past also has him on the fringe, life feels complete for the first time in, well, as long as she can remember.

Liv knows the details of the car accident that put her in the coma, but as the voices invade her dreams, and her dreams start feeling like memories, she and Spencer seek out answers. Yet the deeper they dig, the less things make sense. Can Liv rebuild the pieces of her broken past, when it means questioning not just who she is, but what she is?

My Thoughts:
I am finding that I really enjoy this type of story.  Girl has amnesia doesn't know who she is and is trying to piece everything together and add in a creepy mystery to it and I am sold!  All the Broken Pieces is no exception and I have to say that the twist at the end was brilliant!

Liv wakes up and has no memory of who she is and as time goes by she realizes that her memories are probably never coming back.  So, with her parents freaking out on her every time she asks a question she decides to just move on the best she can. Only problem is the two voices inside her head won't stop arguing.  With no one to turn to Liv guards herself the best way she can and hopes that her secret won't get out because if it does then she may lose the few normal things she has managed to hold onto.

This story definitely had it's twists and turns.  I liked some parts, some not so much.  For instance I would have loved to have seen the mystery hold more of the storyline.  After a while, the romance took center stage and I think the plotline was strong enough on it's own to hold the readers attention without the romance.  Don't get me wrong I loved Spencer, but the drama between the two just wasn't needed.  I didn't need the whole mean girl side story either.  Like I said I enjoyed the mystery and the "who is she" without all that extra stuff thrown in.  I also would have liked a more solid ending.  I have never seen that type of twist before so I wanted to know more.  It was so unique and interesting and I have so many questions for the author.  I am a little confused on certain things that happened so I think an extra chapter or two devoted to the ending and what transpired to make Liv the way she was would have been great.

All in all it was good just needed some tightening of the storyline and more focus on the bigger picture instead of the romance even though I liked them together.  I will definitely check out more from Cinid Madesn!

4 Snowflakes

About the Author:
Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

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