Saturday, August 25, 2012

The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred

The Sweet Gum TreeThe Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG *deep breaths*
Holy shit....that was THE BEST EFFING BOOK I've EVER read....hands down!!!! TWENTY stars. Omg I have a headache and my eyes are sore from the fifty million full on sobs I did.

I shall have a full review soon....

BEFORE I GO INTO THIS REVIEW.....EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK! EVERYONE! READ THIS BOOK! I MEAN IT! READ. THIS. BOOK. Thank you!


If I could give this book EVERY star in the world, I certianly would. My emotions are still raw after finishing this book at 5 this morning. So a decent review is not feasible right now. But make no mistake, this book is UNFORGETTABLE, EPIC, GUT WRENCHINGLY BEAUTIFUL novel I've EVER read and I can't think straight for the life of me. But I will have a long throrough review when I can function correctly.

Oh Lord, where do I begin?? This book is still so fresh on my mind that I could see every bit of the story through my eyes. It was simply, simply amazing, wonderful, unforgettable. Oh my God, I just love this book so damn much. I want to read it all over again just to be with the characters once again!

I am recommending this book to EVERYONE! It is truly my absolute FAVORITE book of ALL TIME. And though I may say quite often how a book is my favorite blah blah blah....nope....not like this one is! This book and Take This Regret are my TWO favorite books EVER! They are so unique and heartbreaking and gutwrenching and insides twisting....GAH! I'm getting emotional all over again. Dammit!

*deep breaths*

So first of all, I didn't realize this book is 7 years old. I'll admit when I first saw this book on GR, I was a little deterred from reading it because the cover did look kind of old school. I guess the cover doesn't attract many people. But honestly, once you read it, you totally understand what the cover symbolizes which okay it's not the greatest cover but it makes a Hell of alot more sense! I just hope Katherine will update it and make it more eye catching to get more people to read it because IT DESERVES MORE RECOGNITION. But to me, I do love it now that I know what the book is about. So, okay the cover....check.

Ummm, I normally know what I want to cover on my reviews but I am so scatterbrained with this book that I have no idea how to really get into the review itself. This book simply took my breath away. Thanks to Erin, my greatest and wonderful ally and sidekick....she introduced me to the most poetic, captivating, heartbreaking, sweet and fun book I've EVER read! I read her review and saw her updates and it became more and more intriguing....and she was recommending this book like crazy. So as I saw more people reading it and having the same reaction I figured it was time to jump on this book and see what the hype was about.

HOLY SHITBALLS! HOLY SHITBALLS! MY God. Holy Hell. Dammit.

When I started this I was instantly swept away by not only the characters but the descriptions. They were so vivid that I could picture every bit of this amazing place that Katherine painted for us. It was like seeing it firsthand. I felt like I was inside the story and watching it, feeling all the emotions the characters felt. Not one character did I end up not liking and for the life of me, it started out that way. But by the end, I called them all my family. My friends. I cried when I finished because not only is the ending bittersweet, but I didn't want to leave them. Oh my God, I loved them so much! I've read plenty of contemporary romance novels, but by far this is the BEST!

The Sweet Gum Tree takes place within 26 years. Alix, the town's rich kid and Nick, son of start as friends at the age of 8 and 10. Alix(8) befriends Nick(10), saving him from his horrible life. His father is a real asshole and he's abbusive and I wanted to beat the fuck out of him for everything he did. Holy shit, that man is the epitome of a sick fuck! And when you read this, you'll understand my hatred for him. So Nick being scared and worried about what others think, since he is the son of a drunk and white trash, living in a salvage junk yard....he's very skittish. He loves to read but his father thinks reading is a waste of time, but yet he spends all his time drunk off his ass instead of being a father to his son. Slowly, Nick lets his guard down and he and Alix get closer. Their friendship is absolutely captivating and beautiful. He becomes a protector of her, and as they get older and she starts asking him hilarious questions about babies and marriage, I can't help but laugh and feel so much love for them. Alix is so smart and she's very inquisitive, leaving Nick to answer odd questions. But he doesn't mind. When night when he is so beat up by his dad, Alix puts him up in a room in their barn next to their house and her grandfather who lives with them and happens to be the judge of town, helps him with his wounds. Then he goes to Nick's house and tells his father that is he ever hurts Nick again, he'll be thrown in jail.
After that, you don't see him making that mistake....but that doesn't mean he doesn't do some other shit. But still, Nick comes over and sleeps in that room that becomes his own for whenever he wants to get away from his dad, especially after he’s been drinking. He’s made a promise to the Judge that he would, to avoid getting abused again. It works well for Alix and Nick. As their friendship blossoms and gets more intense, you see how much their love for one another is so strong and its beautiful. Though he’s still afraid of what others will say, they don’t tell anyone. As they are in middle school and she goes through changes, so does he. And of course she notices and it’s quite funny. Their banter and conversations between one another is so awesome! Some of his quotes are unforgettable.

“You’re not old enough to have a real boyfriend,” he muttered.
I stiffened.
“If I’m old enough to have babies, then I’m damn well old enough to have a boyfriend,” I ground out. “And just as soon as I decide on who it’s going to be, I’ll let you know.”

Once they became a couple, their relationship was so consuming. You were so in love with both of them. He was the perfect gentleman and very gentle with her. It was really neat that they were both virgins so the first time they have sex was hot but also funny because she wasn’t sure if they were doing it right. I couldn’t help but laugh. I loved it though! He never made her do anything she was uncomfortable with which is why it took them awhile to get it on….I kept hoping early on that they would do it already. But Nick was chivalrous and I loved that about him. Oh there was a scene between them….him thrusting her up against his car while making out was HOT HOT HOT! Ahhhhh, he’s one sexy beast!!
In the meantime, we meet the Judge, Aunt Darla, Aunt Jane, Jenna (Alix’s best friend), Hugh and many more characters that I will never forget.
Once things get good for Nick and Alix, they finally make it a point to tell the family that they are together. But I guess not everything goes your way. Something bad happens, something so life changing your heart starts racing rapidly in your chest and Nick has to leave Alix and his life behind. She is so heartbroken, so beside herself….only to discover something worse-she’s pregnant, with his child and he’s gone. It’s right before graduation and she is dating Hugh, another childhood friend who has liked her since they were kids. Both of their families want them to get married and since she is pregnant and he agrees to father Nick’s child…that’s what they do. Get married.
They go through life unhappy; they don’t really love each other. Alix still wants Nick in her life and Hugh starts looking elsewhere. It’s a disaster. They divorce and her mother becomes angry with her and doesn’t talk to her for a while. It’s one thing after another. Alix’s life if so screwed up with another tragedy that hits her square in the gut……..
But the day Nick comes back, her life is turned upside down. Questions, many unanswered questions remains in the forefront of her mind. Can they mend what was broken? Can they surpass 15 years of agony and pain they both suffered being apart? Can Alix forgive Nick for leaving her, especially when she needed him most?? Can love really conquer all?

“Do you want to know the real reason I came back, Alix?” It was because of you. You’re my roots. Wherever you are would be home to me.”

Nick, oh Nick…oh GOD NICK my heart breaks for you all over again, just remembering everything!!! I don’t want to give much else away since I basically told the story(there are some secrets I left out and they are HUGE). I couldn’t help myself….I want to read this book again…NOW! It’s so emotional. They go through the most raw, painful, agonizing, torture, tragic events that I could bear to watch. Just when you think things are going so well for them…..BAM! Another bomb drops and the floor from under you is pulled so forcefully and it’s so unfortunate for them. I love these characters more than most. I loved Nick with all my heart but also I loved Alix a great deal. She faced more tragedy in her life than most in real life and she really became the strongest young lady because of it. I admire her and put her at the top of my FAVORITE HEROINE OF ALL TIME. As much as I love the whole book, the last half was the best. It does have an HEA but don’t be fooled…you need like 10 boxes of tissues and beware; you probably won’t be able to breathe through most of it. But, you HAVE to read this. I encourage ALL ROMANCE LOVERS to read this! You won’t regret it! It will stay with you the rest of your life!

“He always was someone. Because the core of the sweet gum tree never changes. Like Nick, the deep red wood stays true to its nature. Strong, and steady, and pure.” ~Alix~

“I promise you this. I’ll love you until the day I die even if I have to live without you. And if it’s fifty years from now, you come home, Nick Anderson. Do you hear me? I’ll be waiting on you.” ~Alix~

Those that have read this......we need to form a petition for Katherine to write a novella in Nick's POV. I want to read it sooooooo bad!!!! I want to be in his sexy amazing head and see what he was feeling during this story. We'll all be an emotional wreck for days but I'm already a wreck as it is, so it won't be any different! Ahhh, Nick Anderson...where have you been all my life?

View all my reviews

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Tiger's Destiny Blog Tour

Tiger's Destiny Blog Tour-Dream Cast with REN
Colleen Houck


About the author:

Colleen Houck’s New York Times bestselling Tiger’s Curse series has received national praise with the fourth book, Tiger’s Destiny, debuting September 2012. Colleen is a lifelong reader whose literary interests include action, adventure, science fiction, and romance. Formerly a student at the University of Arizona, she has worked as a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter for seventeen years. Colleen lives in Salem, Oregon, with her husband and a huge assortment of plush tigers.


Links:

Website: http://www.colleenhouck.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tigerscurse
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ColleenHouck
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3097905.Colleen_Houck

Synopsis:
With three of the goddess Durga's quests behind them, only one prophecy now stands in the way of Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan breaking the tiger's curse. But the trio's greatest challenge awaits them: A life-endangering pursuit in search of Durga's final gift, the Rope of Fire, on the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. It's a race against time--and the evil sorcerer Lokesh--in this eagerly anticipated fourth volume in the bestselling Tiger's Curse series, which pits good against evil, tests the bonds of love and loyalty, and finally reveals the tigers' true destinies once and for all. A smart phone tag code on the back cover links readers to the series website.


My Review:  5/5 Stars

Tiger's Destiny is utterly captivating, amazing and heartbreaking as well. I was frustrated with Kelsey throughout the last book. And this one, I was still a little frustrated with her. This is not going to be my full review until I get the whole book on September 4th. But I will say, Colleen Houck knows how to make us all squirm! I am DYING for Tiger's Dream!!!!! I love every bit of this book and really NEED the last chapters of this book, like right now. But it's not too far now.

Everyone needs to read this series. I have been a HUGE Ren fan from the beginning and reading this one didn't change my mind at all. If you haven't read this series, I suggest you march to the store or grab your ereader and BUY THESE BOOKS!!!!!!

PLEASE COLLEEN.....I WANT REN AND KELSEY TOGETHER FOREVERRRRRR!

Thank you SO MUCH to the publishers for providing us with ARCs of this book. Even though we have to wait for the end, it's worth it...though I am slowly dying, I will recover!

TIGER’S DESTINY LINKS:

Amazon
Hardcover:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402798431/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1402798431&linkCode=as2&tag=jamesval-20

Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008UXL8FA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1402798431&linkCode=as2&tag=jamesval-20

Barnes & Noble
Hardcover:


NookBook:
http://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=OSM9yXwjjU4&offerid=239662.9781402798443&type=2&murl=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.barnesandnoble.com%2FTigers-Destiny%2FColleen-Houck%2Fe%2F9781402798443

Book Depository
Hardcover:
http://www.bookdepository.com/Tigers-Destiny-4-Tigers-Curse-Series-Colleen-Houck/9781402798436/?a_aid=jeanbooknerd






MY REN: Shahid Kapoor
 
 
 
 
 

                                                              GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

1 Winner will receive One ARC of Tiger's Destiny, Book Plate, and signed bookmark.
1 Winner will receive One finished copy of Tiger's Destiny, Book Plate, and signed bookmark.
7 winners will receive One signed bookmark.
1 Winner will receive One poster, One Bookmark, and One button of Kelsey (signed by Artist James Vallesteros)
10 winners will receive One bookmark of Kelsey (signed by Artist James Vallesteros) a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, August 17, 2012

Take This Regret by A.L. Jackson

Take This RegretTake This Regret by A.L. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

God dammit this book tore my heart out....broke me to pieces and yet I still loved every minute of ut. I seem to be reading the best books lately....the ones that leave me numb and in tears of sadness, joy, and despair. This book was amazing but it opened old wounds so deep I felt like I was reliving a part of my past I try to forget. I can't think straight to for coherent thoughts long enough for a review right now.

~Full review coming soon~

Okay, since I read this book a couple of days ago it's time to post my review before I forget anything. It seems lately I have been reading nothing but contemporary romances that tear your heart out and make you wish you were dead. Well, maybe not that drastic but close enough. This book not only rip my heart out, it made me relive some of my past experiences which only made me more emotional. I gotta say, I love this cover! So pretty and the little girl is just adorable. It goes well with the story.

Take This Regret is about a young college couple in New York who are finishing Law school and have their future looking bright and sunny, at some point wanting to settle down and get married and whatnot once their careers are in place. But everything changes the day Elizabeth tells Christian she's pregnant. And he's not ready. He gives her an ultimatum...."Me or the baby", selfish right?

Well, she leaves him. And he's left to wallow in his regret and self pity because even though he wasn't ready to be a father, he never thought the day would come when he had to move on without the love of his life. He loved Elizabeth with all his heart, but somewhere along the way, he loses sight of what is more important....money or love. But he is finishing school to one day manage his father's law firm in New York. And that begins the day of his regret and a life of emptiness and grief.

Elizabeth is left alone to deal with her pregnancy and the grief and pain she goes through from the loss of her one and only Christian is so raw and unbearable, it puts her in the hospital. Thank goodness her long time friend Matthew is there to help her and take care of her, something that Christian should have done in the first place. But as you read more, you understand as well. So as she has her beautiful baby girl, she prepares for a life on her own.

About 5 years later, Christian is finished with college and is the head of his father's law firm in San Diego. Although it's what he's always worked toward, but something is missing. He's not as happy as he thought he would be. He has lived his years without Elizabeth in a fog, just working and sleeping and going through life not caring about anything.....until the day he sees his little girl at the grocery store and his whole life is altered....

Elizabeth eventually moves back to her hometown of San Diego, California and works as a banker, to provide for Lizzy. She's unhappy, but there's nothing she can do. She has to do what is best for her sweet little girl. Christian left and is never coming back. He took a piece of her heart and crushed it and now she's left trying to pick up the pieces. She soon builds a wall where her emotions are closed off and no one can enter. As far as she's concerned, Christian is dead to her. And all men are scum. Thankfully she has her cousin and best friend Matthew to help her through it. But one day, out of the blue...Christian is on her doorstep and back in their lives. He is determined to win her back and become the father and man he should have been all along.

But can she just forget that he just pushed her away at the moment she needed him most?

Ahhhh, I gotta say I knew this book was going to be a sob fest but damn, I wasn't expecting to be crying my eyes out every chapter. First of all, I loved this story. It was captivating from the first page. Amy did so well developing the plot and making it flow throughout the whole book. It was a fast paced read and I was turning the pages so quickly. It never bored me or made me want to put it down. I seriously wanted to be inside this book and live and a part of me felt like I was. I could feel everything they felt. I laughed, I cried, I cursed, I smiled and of course every scene with little Lizzy was absolutely wonderful! She was an adorable little girl and she reminded me of my daughters, very bright and inquisitive. One part that totally broke my heart was when Lizzy asked about her dad and why she doesn't have one but everyone else does. Oh my God, I lost it at that moment. I know what Elizabeth must have felt because I am in a similar situation. Its so hard to explain to your kids why their dad is not with them and especially when its the father's fault and when they're the assholes. Although Christian deals with his wrong doings and you really feel heartbroken for him. He is determined to do whatever it takes to prove to Elizabeth that he's a changed man.

I loved this book so much! I really felt connected to both Christian and Elizabeth and I loved the fact that it was in alternating perspectives. I was able to experience how both of them were feeling during every scene and some parts I was ecstatic and jumping for joy and then some I was in full on sobs. I loved both of them and rooted for their love to mend and for them to heal as they rehash the past and go through so many obstacles and put their family back together. It was beautiful, captivating, heartbreaking, powerful and so many other things. This book moved me and made me feel that love can conquer all. It gave me hope and broke my heart at the same time. Christian went through alot of grief with other things as well. He faced a family death and it was so heartwrenching, even though that person was one I despised and was the reason Christian had betrayed his family. But the pain and turmoil that he faced is what made me cry for him. I ached when he ached. I cried when he cried. It was as if I was there with him, going through the same thing. Because in reality, I did go through the same thing. I can relate to him in alot of ways. He deals with guilt, regret, despair and I went through all of those things in my life as well. I think that's why I connected with him so well on a personal level. I loved the man he became.

One of my favorite things I loved was the relationship between Christian and Lizzy. It was on instinct that when they met, they were in love. He knew she was his daughter without saying a word to her, even from afar. And she knew he was her daddy. They were instantly drawn to each other, it was mesmerizing. I couldn't help but grin. Their relationship was so sweet and enchanting and I couldn't get enough of it. Christian was absolutely the most wonderful father to her. He cherished her and spent as much time with her as he could. He always called her at the same time every night to ask about her day. They had picnics, date nights, walks on the beach or at the park. His time with her was never anything more than important to him. He was the ultimate daddy and it made him more appealing in Elizabeth's eyes. Eventually she saw how much he cared for her and she couldn't help but fall in love with him all over again. But with the protective wall that she built made it hard for her to trust him again with her heart. It made her more weary of his intentions and even though the readers knew they were always good and he was sincere about his feelings and actions, she had to protect herself from the man that broke her to pieces.

God, I can go on and on about how much I loved this book. And clearly, it's obvious how much it effected me. I loved Amy's writing. Its so poetic and flowed smoothly. I wanted more by the end. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to these characters. I spent my nights crying and laughing and wishing they were real and I wasn't ready to let go of them. Amy did an amazing job on the resolutions. I loved Christian's mother and my heart broke for her and all she went through. She was a wonderful woman and it showed how great her relationship and the closeness that she and Christian shared. I loved it!

Also, I loved Natalie and Matthew. They were such a big support for Elizabeth and a great influence too. And Natalie's feelings toward Christian early on in the story made me feel like not everyone will be against him. She gave him hope and the mutual respect between them was great! I loved that Amy had everything resolved toward the end and not early on. It really showed the trials and hardships they had to face and deal with before they could begin to repair what was broken. BUT I have to say THANK YOU AMY FOR THE HOT HOT HOT scenes in there. My oh my, it was wonderful!! It made me love Christian that much more cause he was YUMMY!! I wanted him to myself. LOL

All in all, this was a fantastic story with alot of twists but an unforgettable ending! I can't wait to read more and more from this terrific, awesome author!!! I recommend this book to everyone that has ever lost hope, faith or that just wants to believe in second chances and love. It will make you happy, sad, excited, angry, surprised and just totally in love.

View all my reviews

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Pushing the LimitsPushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A MILLION STARS FOR THIS BOOK!!!!!! OMG, my emotions are all over the place!! I thought My Life Next Door was my favorite of this year, but HOLY HELL SHIT this book tops it....only by a little. But ummmmm, NOAH HUTCHINS IS MY NEW HOT SEXY BOOK BOYFRIEND. JESUS CHRIST I CAN EAT HIM UP!!!!!! I need a day to collect my thoughts before a proper review. So I am just going to say, well done Katie!!!! This was FANTASTIC!!!!

Full review soon!


Edited review:

I have no idea where to begin with this review, my emotions are still very raw since I turned the last page of this book. But I will begin with the cover.....I LOVE THIS FREAKIN COVER. There are two different versions of this book. I got the hardback book the day it came out. OMG, as soon as it came out I was there. I called up my B&N and asked them to put this book on hold for me cause I was halling ass up there to get it! I feel like there was a wave of de ja vu. When I had this book in my hands, I clutched it to my chest and breathed in the book. Silly I know. But seriously, those two on the cover resemble very closely Noah and Echo. The other version is on ereader and I don't like that one as much. I am happy with the cover I've got. I mean look at them. First of all, the guy is smokin HOT and his position practically thrusting her up against the locker. Come on, that says enough right there. Oh yeah, I love it. And she's all leaning into him with her foot on the locker, supporting her. If I was her, I wouldn't be able to keep from collapsing with him that close. Damn! Anyway, you get the point, I love the book cover.

When I first heard of this book, I was all over it. I looked up reviews and so many reviews raved about this book. I also noticed ALOT of comparison to Simone Elkles' Perfect Chemistry. And if you know me well enough, you know how much I devoured that book. SO it was a safe bet that I would love this book just as much. But guess what? I love this book even MORE!!! I'll always love my Alex Fuentes....but my heart has now found Noah Hutchins and I can't help but say, HOLY SHIT! He will rock your world, I promise!

So now to get on with my review.

Echo Emerson lost everything the night her brother died in Afghanistan and she woke up in the hospital with no recollection of what happened to her...except the scars on her arms now her mom has a restraining order against her. She walks the halls like a zombie and is scared to be hersef around her friends that were there for her before the incident. Now they turn their back on her because she is different. They treat her like an outsider. She was dating popular boy Luke and when it got to be too much for her, she broke it off and quit going to school.
Her dad wanted her to get help. So she starts seeing social worker Mrs. Collins who tries everything she can to help Echo remember what happened that night that tore her family apart. Once she remembers, she might feel better and can finally sleep in peace for the first time in 2 years. In the mean time, she tutors a boy for chemistry, who is not much different than her....

Noah lost everything the night of the house fire 2 years earlier, which claimed his parents. His brothers were taken away and he was bouncing from foster family to foster family. Until Mrs. Collins became his social worker, claiming she could help him get his life back on track. Getting tutored by Echo was the last thing he expected...but maybe it was the best thing that ever happened to him. Together they worked to get answers about their past, that might help them both heal and face a future that is unknown. But can they do it together or will it shatter their world even more?

WOW, when I finished this book last night, I felt numb. I'm not saying there wasn't an HEA and I'm not saying there is. I'm saying from the moment I opened the book and started the first page, I felt every emotion from giddy, happy, funny, angry, sad, confused, back to angry, sad and everything inbetween. There were so many emotions going through me at once that it became hard to distinguish which emotion I was actually going through. The fact that both characters were facing such tough choices in their lives, it made my heart ache for them so badly. They started off kind of hostile toward each other. Noah felt that Echo was just this selfish, princess bitch that always got her way. And Echo assumed that Noah was this pot smoking, drinker asshole bad boy that everyone made him out to be. Their relationship grew slowly and intense once they realized that they were so much alike. They were both struggling with demons of their own, but trying to be themselves in the process. Noah was the sweetest, most wonderful guy Echo could have ever met. He supported her and even when he saw her ugly scars that covered her arms, he never turned away. Not once. And he even told her she was still beautiful. No one ever treated her the way Noah did. It was so beaituful to see their relationship blossom and intensify as time went on. I cried, laughed,smiled, cursed, pulled my hair, yelled at Noah, told some of them off throughout the book. There were some unexpected twists and dammit if I wasn't already distraught. Katie threw in some really crazy and sad shit in there. For giggles? I don't know, but I wasn't laughing. I cried so hard, I had to stop a few times to collect myself cause I couldn't see the pages. I understood their pain, losing a parent is never easy. My heart ached the whole way through with Noah. I wanted to hug him. Then at one point he tries getting custody of his 2 younger brothers once he graduates high school. OMG, that whole situation with that was hard to deal with. I had a hard time breathing, seeing the pain Noah went through. All he wanted was his brothers together again, their family minus their parents. And when you learn the truth about what happened that night, you're just even more broken up about it! It is truly sad!

I loved all of the secondary characters. Noah's best friends Beth and Isaiah were amazing! They were such good friends and support for Noah. They really looked after him and stuck by him, even when they were unsure about Echo. Beth kinda ticked me off at times. But I realized it was only to protect Noah's heart. I grew to love her.
I only liked Lila, Echo's best friend. Even though at first she pissed me off, she turned her shit around and showed her better side.I hate Grace and Luke and all the rest that were so judgmental and hateful. Little bastards! I punch their faces in! I loved when Noah and Luke fought at the dance. OMG, I was rooting for him to beat the shit out of Luke. Yeah, I'm volitile. Oh well.
I liked Echo's dad and her step mom, eventhough there was alot of drama with that. But OMG I wanted to kill her fucking mom!!!! I felt bad for her. I really did. But when I found out the truth, HOLY FUCKING SHIT, I wanted to slap myself for feeling sorry for that horrible bitch! I loved Noah's little brothers. OMG, my heart hurt for them. Their foster parents really warmed my heart but I still felt a stab of sadness for Noah because he wanted to adopt them so badly. But in the end, things worked out for the best. And my favorite character in this, Mrs. Collins...she was the glue to the whole thing. She was amazing! She never gave up on either of them. She showed them that to trust and put faith first, things will aways work out. I loved her so much for everything she did for them! Ugh, its bringing on the waterworks again! Just thinking about this book, makes me want to sob all over again. It was a beautiful story about love, friendship, trust, starting over, healing, and moving on.

The end. Oh my the ending was AMAZING! I loved it so much! Seriously, this book brought out so many raw emotions from me. I highly recommend this book to all romance lovers. Trust me, this book will consume you. And you'll be left thinking about it long after you turn the last page!! So all you PC fans, prepare for a story that will rock you, sock you, knock you on your ass! It's truly SPECTACULAR!!!!

View all my reviews

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Auracle Blog Tour





Synopsis:
Trapped outside her body, Anna sees and hears but cannot touch the one she longs to hold.
Anna has a secret: she can astrally project out of her body. But when there's an accident and her classmate Taylor gets into Anna's body, what was an exhilarating gift threatens to become a terrifying reality. Anna and her best friend Rei form a plan to set things right, but they don't anticipate the feelings that are beginning to grow between them. Auracleby Gina Rosati is an exciting, sensual novel that explores the relationship between body and soul and the power of a single touch.


My Review:

4.5 Stars

First of all, I want to say thank you to Gina Rosati for sending me this amazing ARC and all the swag as well. I got bookmarks and buttons. Seriously I love it!

Next I want to say, the cover....it's so beautiful. I mean wow, from far away it's amazing but when I got it in the mail and I had it in my hands, I was floored!! What a great job! It just looks so freakin awesome!!

Now I want to get on with the review. Okay, so when I was asked to be part of this tour, I was like "Hell yeah, let's do this!" But I had no idea what to expect from this book. It surprised me in so many ways. To be honest, I had never read a book about astral projection before this one and I was a little confused in a some parts. But really, wow what a fresh story! And how freakin cool would that be to just leave your body and go anywhere you wanted! Freakin' bad ass! Though there are dangers to that too, like what Anna faced. But still, the concept is definitely awesome! The characters were brilliant and I really heard Anna's voice like she was speaking to me. I was on this incredible journey with so many twists and turns but I enjoyed it all! The only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars was because it took a little while to get into it. But once I was in, I was in. The rest was fast paced and I found myself turning the pages so quickly. It was great!

I loved Rei from the time we meet him. He is a wonderful friend and I was really crushing on him. I was rooting for him and Anna the whole way. Their chemistry was real and lovely. Yeah, they're best friends blah blah blah.....but seriously they totally were into each other and those are always the best relationships anyway! I loved Anna, she was awesome, bad ass, smart, witty and just overall a great heroine! I also liked Seth! He was funny and a great character! The whole character development was very well written. I really felt what they were going through!

Overall, I enjoyed this book alot and am grateful for being part of the tour and able to read it before it came out! Bravo Gina Rosati! I will be reading more books that you produce in the future!





Top 10 Favorite Things with Gina

1.      Favorite place to write? I took over our dining room and turned it into my office. It’s full of fairies and crystals and of course, stacks of books.



2.      Favorite movie of all time? Mulan

3.      Favorite vacation spot? There’s no place like home. My idea of the perfect vacation would be to catch up on all the housework I’ve neglected while I’ve been busy writing, and go out for dinner every night.



4.      Favorite animal? Puppies!!! And kittens!!! And bunnies!!! And guinea pigs!!!



5.      Favorite book as a child, if any? So many!! When I was really little, it was anything by Dr. Seuss. When I was in elementary school, it was the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle series. When I was a teenager, I read The Little Prince and that’s been my favorite book ever since.



6.      Favorite article of clothing? Fuzzy socks



7.      Favorite season? Spring



8.      Favorite movie actor? Sean Bean, because 1) I love the way my son used to mispronounce his name “Seen Bean” (makes sense to me) and 2) the poor guy dies in just about every movie he’s ever made, and 3) I love the way he says, “Winter’s coming.”



9.      Favorite thing about writing? The diabolical control of it all – I make up my own friends, they do what I tell them to do, and if they give me any trouble, I just kill them off.



10.  Favorite childhood memory? We had a pool, and I have so many great memories swimming and hanging out with family and friends.


Gina Rosati

BIO:


Gina Rosati grew up in Boston suburbia and now lives with her husband, two teenagers and two chubby guinea pigs in Merrimack, NH. Gina is a long time volunteer at her local middle school library, and a member of SCBWI, the Apocalypsies and the Class of 2k12 debut author groups.  Her debut YA paranormal romance,AURACLE, is available on August 7, 2012 from Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan. Visit her website at www.ginarosati.com.


LINKS:



Twitter:  @GinaRosati https://twitter.com/GinaRosati






AURACLE LINKS:



Amazon

Hardcover:


Kindle:




Barnes & Noble

Hardcover:


NookBook:




Book Depository

Hardcover:
http://www.bookdepository.com/Auracle-Gina-Rosati/9781596437104/?a_aid=jeanbooknerd




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Auracle by Gina Rosati

AuracleAuracle by Gina Rosati
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Stars

First of all, I want to say thank you to Gina Rosati for sending me this amazing ARC and all the swag as well. I got bookmarks and buttons. Seriously I love it!

Next I want to say, the cover....it's so beautiful. I mean wow, from far away it's amazing but when I got it in the mail and I had it in my hands, I was floored!! What a great job! It just looks so freakin awesome!!

Now I want to get on with the review. Okay, so when I was asked to be part of this tour, I was like "Hell yeah, let's do this!" But I had no idea what to expect from this book. It surprised me in so many ways. To be honest, I had never read a book about astral projection before this one and I was a little confused in a some parts. But really, wow what a fresh story! And how freakin cool would that be to just leave your body and go anywhere you wanted! Freakin' bad ass! Though there are dangers to that too, like what Anna faced. But still, the concept is definitely awesome! The characters were brilliant and I really heard Anna's voice like she was speaking to me. I was on this incredible journey with so many twists and turns but I enjoyed it all! The only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars was because it took a little while to get into it. But once I was in, I was in. The rest was fast paced and I found myself turning the pages so quickly. It was great!

I loved Rei from the time we meet him. He is a wonderful friend and I was really crushing on him. I was rooting for him and Anna the whole way. Their chemistry was real and lovely. Yeah, they're best friends blah blah blah.....but seriously they totally were into each other and those are always the best relationships anyway! I loved Anna, she was awesome, bad ass, smart, witty and just overall a great heroine! I also liked Seth! He was funny and a great character! The whole character development was very well written. I really felt what they were going through!

Overall, I enjoyed this book alot and am grateful for being part of the tour and able to read it before it came out! Bravo Gina Rosati! I will be reading more books that you produce in the future!

View all my reviews
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