Friday, October 14, 2016

Blog Tour: The Row by J.R. Johansson

@JRJohansson #giveaway #blogtour






The Row by J.R. Johansson
Pages:
Publisher:
Source: YA Bound Book Tours
Format: ePub
Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

A death sentence. A family torn apart. One girl’s hunt for the truth.

Seventeen-year-old Riley Beckett is no stranger to prison. Her father is a convicted serial killer on death row who has always maintained that he was falsely accused. Riley has never missed a single visit with her father. She wholeheartedly believes that he is innocent.

Then, a month before the execution date, Riley’s world is rocked when, in an attempt to help her move on, her father secretly confesses to her that he actually did carry out the murders. He takes it back almost immediately, but she cannot forget what he’s told her. Determined to uncover the truth for her own sake, she discovers something that will forever change everything she’s believed about the family she loves. 


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My Review
A well told story. In this novel we meet Riley. Her father has been on death row for the last eleven years. He has finally reached his last appeal unfortunately things didn't go well in court. Having given up hope, Riley's dad drops a bomb. He confesses. Now Riley doesn't know what to believe. She decides the only way to have peace of mind, the only way to move forward, is to know the truth.

I got to say I really love the story. It flowed great, barely lagging. I could relate to Riley in some ways and not so much in others. Having someone in jail and having to do that time 'with' them is a hard thing to do. I would imagine more so when you believe the person is innocent. On the other hand, I found her reaction to her parent 'realness' a bit youngish.

I know that we build our parents up in our minds afterall, they are our parents. They are also human and as a teenager I'm sure she found herself lying to her mom on several occasions. Anyway, that sort of bothered me about her character given her age. I cut her some slack since finding out that someone you thought you knew isn't at all that way would be a shock to anyone at any age.

The love interest in this book, Jordan. I liked but would have been suspicious of. He turned out to be helpful in the end but really was a side note to the story. And when I say love interest there isn't any sexual relations going on in this book. That's right, if you are looking for one little kissy poo moment this is the read for you. It is all about the main story. Whether or not her father is guilty of the crime he has been convicted of...dun dun dun






About the Author
J.R. Johansson's books have been published in a dozen languages and more than twenty countries worldwide. She has a B.S. degree in public relations and a background in marketing. She credits her abnormal psychology minor with inspiring many of her characters. She lives in Utah with two sons, a wonderful husband, three cats, and a hot tub named Valentino.

She is represented by the stellar Kathleen Rushall of Andrea Brown Literary Agency.


Author Links
Twitter  -  Website  -  Goodreads


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Thursday, October 6, 2016

Blog Tour: The Truth She Knew by J.A. Owenby

@JAowenby @xpressoreads #blogtour





The Truth She Knew by J.A. Owenby
Pages: 238
Publisher: Self Published
Source: YA Bound Book Tours
Format: ePub
Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆

Mama didn’t want me. In fact, she would’ve traded my soul back for someone different if God would’ve let her, but he didn’t, so she was stuck with me.
For eighteen-year-old Lacey, life at home is a rollercoaster. She doesn’t think she’ll ever be good enough to truly deserve Mama’s love.

But when Lacey enters college and meets Walker, everything starts to change. Suddenly, Lacey is face to face with the realization that maybe what she’s always seen as normal really isn’t. Her entire life—and everything she’s ever believed about herself and her family—is abruptly hanging in midair.

Lacey is left facing two paths, and she has to make a choice. The first means walking away from everything she’s ever known. The other means never really knowing the truth.

The Truth She Knew offers an honest and powerful glimpse into mental illness, the meaning of true love, and the psychological waltz that a daughter dances as she endures her mother’s unpredictable emotions, manipulation, and abuse.


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My Review
I have conflicted feeling towards this book. It mostly has the do with the main character. I couldn't relate to her. I keep wanting to say "you do know you can leave right" but then I would remember that she has grown up with this craziness. Remembering that you can't walk away from something that have been brainwashed into your head by the most important person in your life.

I also didn't care too much for the romance. While there were 'dreamy' Walker moments his character was just unbelievable to be. I also found the dialogue more like a p.s.a. than said in a way that many people would've said it. I'm also glad with what happened in regards to Lacey and Walker's relationship.

I like the concept the story. And when I was able to remind myself that this may be how someone who was brought up in an environment like Lacey's would react  I was able to enjoy the story. So as you can't tell I wasn't wowed by it but I liked enough to finish it. Liked Lacey enough to hope that in book two she is able to find a better life away at college.





About the Author

J. A. Owenby lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and two cats.

She’s a published author of six short stories and is beginning her first full length novel. J.A. doesn’t mess around when it comes to working with a professional team in order to present her best writing.

She also runs her own business and helps people find jobs they love as a professional resume writer.

She is an avid reader of thrillers, romance, new adult and young adult novels. She loves music, movies, and pop tarts. Her downtime consists of a beautiful summer evening, snuggling with her hubby outside underneath the stars. If it’s winter, listening to the rain and watching NFL football.

You can follow the events of her upcoming novel on https://www.facebook.com/JAOwenby


Author Links
Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Website  -  Goodreads

My thoughts while reading

Reading Progress

08/26 marked as: currently-reading
08/26 page 44
18.0% "Mama sounds like Mama from Stephen King's Carrie"
08/26 page 57
23.0% "Walker, wow! think I would've ran like faster than Flo Jo"
08/26 page 80
33.0% "Ok, the aunt explains Walker's not running for the hills"
08/29 page 80
33.0%









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Thursday, September 15, 2016

Blog Tour: Olivia Twisted by Vivi Barnes

#giveaway #blogtour






Olivia Twisted by Vivi Barnes
Pages: 352
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Source: http://blogtours.yareads.com/2016/08/18/blog-tour-sign-ups-olivia-decoded-olivia-twisted-2-by-by-vivi-barnes/
Format: ePub
Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆

Tossed from foster home to foster home, Olivia’s seen a lot in her sixteen years. She’s hardened, sure, though mostly just wants to fly under the radar until graduation. But her natural ability with computers catches the eye of Z, a mysterious guy at her new school. Soon, Z has brought Liv into his team of hacker elite—break into a few bank accounts, and voila, he drives a motorcycle. Follow his lead, and Olivia might even be able to escape from her oppressive foster parents. As Olivia and Z grow closer, though, so does the watchful eye of Bill Sykes, Z’s boss. And he’s got bigger plans for Liv…


Purchase
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My Review
Okay, let me say this first. I don't remember much about the original Dickens story. Only 'please sir, may I have another?' and I'm not even sure if that quote is from Oliver Twist. I mean it's been years so this review will have no comparisons to the original sorry (well not really as I have no intention of reading the original especially just to make some kind of parallel to this story).

I liked the book well enough. Olivia and Z were a likable enough character. I did get a bit put off with Olivia at times. I mean every time a hear anything about hackers I want to have like 5 different antivirus/malware programs on all my devices. The story is basically about a group of orphan teens who hack into accounts for of course montery gains. The romance aspect of the story is decent enough as well. I enjoyed reading about the relationship between Z and Olivia. All in all it's a good retelling taking the premise of the original but making it its own story. You do not have to had read the original to understand what is going on in the book. Thank goodness for that.




About the Author
Vivi Barnes was raised on a farm in East Texas where her theater-loving mom and cowboy dad gave her a unique perspective on life. Now living in the magic and sunshine of Orlando, Florida, she divides her time writing, working, goofing off with her husband and three kids, and avoiding dirty dishes.

Check out http://www.oliviatwisted.com/ for the Olivia Twisted official trailer!


Author Links
Facebook  -  Twitter  -  Website  -  Goodreads



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Monday, September 12, 2016

Blog Tour: Draw Play by Tia Lewis


Draw Play

by Tia Lewis A Sports Romance Publication Date: September 5, 2016 Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Sports, Romance
Read for FREE in KindleUnlimited: Amazon
Jake lives and breathes football. When he’s not demonstrating his skills on the field, he’s busy putting the moves on every hot girl on campus. The last thing he needs is a tutor cramping his style but curvy Claire gets under his skin in more ways than one. Claire can’t stand football players, and Jake is just as cocky and arrogant as the worst of them. He’s also impossibly sexy. Despite their frequent arguments, she starts to see another side to him and finds him increasingly hard to resist. When they finally surrender, the heat they generate could melt the North Pole but is Jake really willing to sacrifice his image for Claire? Or will she be left on the sidelines with a broken heart? Draw Play is a very steamy standalone, full-length football sports romance novel. It’s only recommended for audiences 18+. No cheating. No cliffhangers. Guaranteed HEA.
Goodreads

My Review:
 It took a bit for me to get into this book. I didn't particularly care either character. Jake had an understandable chip on his shoulder but he still comes off as a brat. Claire comes off as judgemental. I mean the check comes off as completely unstable. I did like the background info about Jake though.

Though it has alternating pov chapters, I felt like it focused more on Jake ' s character. I was plenty okay with that has I never quite clicked with Claire. The romance was ok. I got with they fell for each other.

A light familiar read.

About Tia Lewis

Tia Lewis is a romance author from the Midwest who writes about smart, sexy, sassy women and hot, possessive alpha males. Her favorite bad boys to write about include sports players, mafia, bikers, billionaires and the bad-ass next door. You can find her cooking, reading, or traveling when she’s not busy working on her next release. Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text LEWIS to 31996 or go to: www.NextBookRelease.com



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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Book Blitz: A Passionate Kiss by Sharon C. Cooper

@indiesagepr @Sharon_Cooper1 #bookblitz #giveaway

A Passionate Kiss

by Sharon C. Cooper The Bennett Triplets Publication Date: August 26, 2016 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Retired Marine, Mason Bennett, has two goals: adjust to civilian life and keep drama out of it. His focus is on his role as part-owner, along with his siblings, of Atlanta’s hottest nightclub. However, his attention shifts when the woman he has loved like a sister reenters his life and thoughts of a passionate kiss they shared hijacks his mind. Their connection is explosive. Feelings he’s tried to deny come to the forefront, and he’s tempted to do something he thought he would never do—cross that line from friends to lovers. TV news anchor, London Alexander, is back home in Atlanta and ready to start a new chapter in her life. This time she hopes her future includes Mason, the man she has loved forever. She’s ready to step over the forbidden line that he’s drawn in their relationship. Will taking a chance on love lead to a happily-ever-after? Or will risking their friendship leave them both with broken hearts?

About Sharon C. Cooper

Award-winning and bestselling author, Sharon C. Cooper, is a romance-a-holic – loving anything that involves romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life. Sharon writes contemporary romance, as well as romantic suspense and enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She’s been nominated for numerous awards and is the recipient of an Emma Award for Romantic Suspense of the Year 2015 (Truth or Consequences), Emma Award – Interracial Romance of the Year 2015 (All You’ll Ever Need), and BRAB (book club) Award -Breakout Author of the Year 2014. When Sharon is not writing or working, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit www.sharoncooper.net
 

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Monday, August 29, 2016

The Reader by M.K. Harkins

#giveaway #blogtour






The Reader by M.K. Harkins
Pages: 231
Publisher: Self Published
Source: YA Bound Book Tours
Format: ePub
Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆

Hunted, shot, and without her memory, eighteen-year-old Ann Baker wakes in shallow water on a deserted Pacific Northwest island. She is soon approached by two young men claiming to be her friends. Something isn’t right, but when gunshots sound, Ann is left with little choice but to allow Devon and Archer to help her escape. Soon she finds herself in their North Bend mountain compound, where the higher evolved humans claim to be mind-readers. While Ann heals, she realizes they believe her to be one of the last and most powerful of all – The Lost One.

She’s welcomed by most with opened arms, but not everyone is happy about her arrival. A jealous adversary has plans for Ann, which spirals the entire Reader community into chaos.

As lies, murder, and betrayal threaten to rip apart the once harmonious mountain dwellers, Ann is thrust into making a decision that could save or devastate not only The Readers, but all of mankind. But there’s just one glitch: by doing so it may require her to make the ultimate sacrifice.


Purchase
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My Review
Didn't expect to like it as much as I did. So the story starts off with Ann being hurt on a beach. Two guys find her, patch her up, and take her with them. She doesn't know if she should trust them, there's people shooting at them and if that isn't enough she has lost her memory. She's taken to a compound is told about this whole different "world". Not like out of space world but just things that she didn't know and would take time for anyone to absorb if they hadn't grown up with the knowledge.

In the book, Ann finds out that everyone believes she is the key to winning the war that is to come. Unfortunately, no one including her can't know her full potential until she recovers her memory. It is also a story about not judging someone on looks alone. I won't spoil what I mean by that for you though. You'll have to read it to find out. I liked the story overall. Ann was whiny at times and definitively insecure and impulsive. I gave her a pass on account of her memory lost. The ending is good and though it ends on a cliffhanger it resolved enough to be satisfied. Recommend for paranormal fans. Oh did I mention that there is a soul mate concept in this but it isn't exactly instalove. What?! I know right!





About the Author
This is where your text will go. This is where your text will go. This is where your text will go. This is where your text will go. This is where your text will go. This is where your text will go. This is where your text will go. This is where your text will go. This is where your text will go.


Author Links
Facebook  -  Twitter 



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