Review: "Deeper We Fall" by Chelsea M. Cameron

Two years after her best friend was involved in a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, Lottie Anders is ready to start her freshman year of college. Ready to move on. Ready to start forgetting the night that ripped her life apart. Her plans come to a screeching halt when not one, but both brothers responsible for the accident end up back in her life again. Zack is cruel, selfish and constantly rubbing what happened to her friend in Lottie's face. Zan is different. He listens to her awkward ramblings. He loves To Kill a Mockingbird as much as she does, and his dark eyes are irresistible. His words are few and far between, but when he does speak, she can't help but listen. The trouble is, Zan was the driver in the accident, and now Lottie's discovered he lied to her about what happened that night. Now she must decide if trusting him again will lead to real forgiveness, or deeper heartache.

Thank you to Netgalley and All Night Reads for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this book!

Just the book I needed right now.  Something quick and easy to read.  Not too heavy, but not too fluffy or frivolous.  Like Goldilocks would say, juuuuuust right!

We've got alternating points of view here between Lottie and Zan.  Lottie's a bit of a spitfire, and I really liked her for the most part, but I did feel that she wasn't forgiving enough of Zack and Zan in regards to the accident they had with her best friend.  All three people in that vehicle made a conscious decision to get in that vehicle, so laying blame doesn't really solve anything.  Lottie spent a lot of time and energy beating herself up over the whole thing, too, which got a little frustrating for me at times.

Zan was an interesting male lead.  Definitely the shy, silent type, it was almost funny to see his early interactions with Lottie because he got so tongue-tied.  I think the author did a great job of creating that slow burn between these two characters.

The real surprise here was in the supporting cast of characters.  Cameron develops a wonderful family of misfits what with Lottie's twin brother, his gay friend, Lottie's new roommate, and her work friend thrown in with Zan and his buddy.  I'm excited to read more of this series to see where these characters end up!

My rating: 3.5 stars

Review: "The Summer I Found You" by Jolene Perry

All they have in common is that they're less than perfect. And all they're looking for is the perfect distraction. Kate's dream boyfriend has just broken up with her and she's still reeling from her diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Aidan planned on being a lifer in the army and went to Afghanistan straight out of high school. Now he's a disabled young veteran struggling to embrace his new life. When Kate and Aidan find each other neither one wants to get attached. But could they be right for each other after all?

Thank you to Netgalley and Albert Whitman Teen for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this book!  It captured my attention right from the get-go, and held it the whole way through.  I didn't feel the need to switch over to other books part way through, which is amazing considering I usually have 4 or 5 books going at once!

The book is told in an alternating point of view style, which really allows the reader to get inside the heads of both main characters.  I have to confess, I enjoyed Aidan's point of view more than Kate's.  Kate is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, but she's constantly trying to ignore it and cover it up.  She just seemed really immature about it, but then I grew up watching my dad giving himself needles and checking his blood sugar levels daily, so diabetes never seemed like something to be ashamed or embarrassed about.  Kate is both ashamed and embarrassed, but who am I to say that this is wrong?  Maybe I would feel the same in her shoes.

Aidan, on the other hand, is missing a limb.  His right arm, to be precise, and Perry does a fantastic job of making the reader see exactly how difficult it would be to live with this disability.  Aidan and Kate have an instant connection - Kate is constantly putting her foot in her mouth, but Aidan appreciates her honesty and the fact that she doesn't tippy-toe around his disability.  Both these characters go through some major growth, which is so satisfying to see.  I'll certainly be seeking out more books by this author.

My rating:

Cover Reveal: "Owning Violet" by Monica Murphy

We are so excited to share Monica Murphy's cover for her upcoming sexy contemporary romance, OWNING VIOLET, coming from Random House Bantam. Check out how gorgeous it is!

  ABOUT OWNING VIOLET (NOT THE FINAL BLURB. BLURB WILL CHANGE): The Fowler sisters are New York City’s darlings, heiresses to the Fleur Cosmetics Empire. Quickly put up on a fame hungry pedestal only for the media to lie in wait, eager to tear them down, these three very different young women soon find love in the most unexpected places… OWNING VIOLET coming December 2. Violet Fowler is the good sister. She works hard at her family’s cosmetics company, is faithful to her boyfriend and never causes any trouble. Until Zachary disappoints her yet again with a promotion that will take him to London—and away from her. His leaving sets a new fire within her. What’s the point in being so good when no one else ever is? Someone within Fleur Cosmetics wants that London promotion and will do anything to get it, including throwing temptation in the path of the not-so-faithful Zachary. Ryder McKay came from nothing and has fought every step of the way to his position at Fleur. And now the mysterious charmer has set his sights on Violet. If it worked for Zachary, it could work for him. Seducing the good Fowler sister is easy. What Ryder doesn’t count on is how much Violet makes him feel. What started out as revenge soon becomes something deeper. Can Ryder go through with his plans to deceive Violet? Or is he only deceiving himself? Other books in series: STEALING ROSE coming spring 2015 TAMING LILY coming summer 2015 (tentative release dates)

PRE-ORDER LINKS: 

 Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Owning-Violet-Novel-Monica-Murphy-ebook/dp/B00KK0PJCO/ 

 B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/owning-violet-monica-murphy/1119221091?ean=9780553393262

ABOUT MONICA MURPHY: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend. 

  Links: 

 Website: http://www.monicamurphyauthor.com/# 

 Blog: http://missmonicamurphy.blogspot.com/ 

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsMonicaMurphy 

 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor 

 Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5934418.Monica_Murphy Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Monica-Murphy/e/B00AVPYIGG 

 OWNING VIOLET Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21965297-owning-violet

Review: "His To Possess" by Opal Carew

Jessica’s life was in ruins…until she met him. Standing in the rain feeling lost in a new city, with no job and no prospects, she’s about to give up. Until Dane Rainier pulls up in his limo and offers her a ride—and sweeps her into the life of her dreams. Now she has a high-powered job and is having the best sex of her life, exploring her submissive side under the masterful hand of a gorgeous billionaire. But there’s a part of her that’s still holding back. Because the truth is, she’s never gotten over her ex-boyfriend Storm. A heavily muscled, motorcycle-riding rock musician, Storm couldn’t be any more different from Dane… and she just can’t get him out of her head. Now Storm is about to reappear and turn her whole world upside down. Both Dane and Storm make her body burn to be possessed, but will her indecisive heart cost her the love of both men?

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this book.

I requested this title such a long time ago that when I finally started to read, I'd forgotten the synopsis and really didn't know what to expect.

Things started off well enough with Part I.  The pacing was good and kept me interested throughout Parts II and III.  Then some things started to bother me, like the repetitiveness of the writing.  I got tired of the word "masculine" - I get it, he's a man, he's so big and strong and "masculine"! - and of hearing about Jessica's nipples "peaking" all the time.  The other thing that bothered me was that never once did anyone mention protection.  It wouldn't have taken much to write in a condom here and there.

The characters were okay.  I didn't mind Jessica, but I would have liked maybe just a bit more back story from her.  Dane was good, I liked him, but Rafe/Storm was a total cliche - a wannabe badass, with a motorbike, leather jacket and tattoos.  Oh yeah, and a guitar!  I just wasn't buying it on him.

Then came the end.  It didn't exactly ruin the series for me, but it just didn't seem to fit.  I can't really say more without spoilers, but yeah, it just didn't seem realistic or believable.

My rating:  2.5 stars

Review: "Fix You" by Christine Bell

Olivia Beckett’s once-charmed life is falling apart. Her family is about to lose everything, and she has almost no chance of continuing her college education. She can't even seek solace from her high school sweetheart. He's changed. She doesn't recognize the boy she used to know— his violent behavior is escalating and it scares the hell out of her. Her whole world is crumbling, and she has no one to turn to…… Sebastian “Bash” McDaniels is an up and comer in the boxing world working nights at the local college bar until he can land the fight of his dreams that will get him the hell out of Boston and away from his family's tragic past. He’s weeks from his goal when Olivia Beckett comes tumbling into his life in a flash of silky dark hair and haunted eyes. When he saves her from a potentially brutal beating, they begin to grow close, but Olivia's ex isn’t ready to let her go so easily. Bash can't bring himself to walk away, but fixing Olivia just might leave him broken…

We've all heard this story before, right?  Girl gets in trouble with big strong man, another big strong man steps in to save the day, and girl and man #2 fall in lust/love.  Sound familiar?  The funny thing is, I was reading "Easy" by Tammara Webber immediately before "Fix You", and I'm in the middle of another book for review with almost the same premise as we speak.  What keeps "Fix You" from becoming another walking, talking cliche is the solid writing and the characters.  I actually care about Sebastian and Olivia and what happens to them, and I'm interested enough to want to read book 2.  

Christine Bell does a fantastic job of building the tension between Olivia and Sebastian (I have to call him Sebastian, unfortunately I think "Bash" is just a ridiculous name!)  The chemistry between the two of them is palpable!  There's also some real suspense in the form of Olivia's boyfriend, who the reader can tell is a loose cannon.  And although there are some definite parallels with other books I've read recently, I can tell that "Fix You" is merely an introduction and that the story as a whole is headed in a completely different direction.  

This is my first book by this author, and I'm looking forward to reading more from her!

My rating: 3.5 stars

Review: "He's Come Undone" by Theresa Weir

Penniless and behind on rent, college student and once famous child actress Ellie Barlow takes on the role of a lifetime when she's hired by a group of young women to break the heart of the campus player who cruelly dumped them. Transformed from slob slacker to jaw-dropping beauty, Ellie is dressed, styled, bleached and waxed, her chunky glasses exchanged for violet contacts. Along with physical prepping, she's coached on Julian's obsessions, which include long-distance running, Doctor Who, and J.D. Salinger. In no time, Julian is in pursuit of his custom-made next victim, but when Ellie goes off script and begins to fall for her target the newest broken heart in this risky game could be her own. Heat: 7 out of 10

Thank you to Netgalley and Belfry Press for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this book.

Wow!  This book grabbed me right from the start, like an octopus with tentacles and suction cups - see, this is why I'm not a writer! - and didn't let me go until the very end.  Even now, days later, I"m still thinking about Ellie and Julian and their tragically sweet story.  My first Theresa Weir book, "He's Come Undone" will definitely not be my last!

Let's start with Ellie.  I really liked her!  She's dealing with some interesting baggage, what with being a child actress and then having her mother steal all her money.  She's really struggling financially, and this puts her in a precarious enough situation to take a job that she might otherwise have turned down.

Which brings us to Julian.  The guy sounds like such a dog!  You wonder how any girl could fall for his routine, but then you see him work his magic on Ellie, and yeah, it's totally believable.  He's got his own justifications for his actions, and when we get his back story, click!  Things start to slip into place, but they only get more complicated from here. 

With perfect pacing, an in-depth plot, and characters you'll feel an emotional connection to, "He's Come Undone" is a definite standout in the field of contemporary New Adult romance.

My rating:

Release Day Blitz: "Deep Surrendering (Episode 3)" by Chelsea M. Cameron

Deep Surrendering (Episode 3) by Chelsea M. Cameron

May 2014

BOOK SUMMARY:

Marisol's days with Fin are dwindling and they still haven't discussed where they stand, and that's not the only thing Marisol doesn't know about him. They've continued to trade secrets for sex, but when Fin reveals one particularly traumatic secret, will Marisol be able to handle it? Or is it better call it quits before she falls even deeper?

BUY LINKS FOR DEEP SURRENDERING - EPISODE 3:

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1nKPdHR

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1qDM3ra

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1goRKoL

BUY LINKS FOR DEEP SURRENDERING - EPISODE 2: 

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1eS7N8l

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1h4y7Ma
Kobo:  http://bit.ly/1iqcpqT

BUY LINKS FOR DEEP SURRENDERING - EPISODE 1: 

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1fI3LP2 

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1hCqMWa
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1gALqDA 

Author Information

Chelsea M. Cameron is a YA/NA New York Times/USA Today Best Selling author from Maine. Lover of things random and ridiculous, Jane Austen/Charlotte and Emily Bronte Fangirl, red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, vegetarian, former cheerleader and world's worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, singing in the car and tweeting (this one time, she was tweeted by Neil Gaiman). She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.

Her New Adult Contemporary Romance titles include My Favorite Mistake, which has been bought by Harlequin along with a sequel, Deeper We Fall and Faster We Burn (April 20, 2013)

Her Young Adult books include Nocturnal, Nightmare and Neither, the first three books in The Noctalis Chronicles. The fourth and final book, Neverend will be out in 2013. Whisper, the first in The Whisper Trilogy is also available, with the second book in the series, Silence and the final book, LIsten coming out in 2014.

Website: http://www.chelseamcameron.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chel_c_cam 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chelsea-M-Cameron-Official-Author-Page/304422529610919 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5752359.Chelsea_M_Cameron