Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Book Description:

Hardcover, 1st, 624 pages
Published May 3rd 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world torn apart.

Reviewer's Copy: Hardcover

Source: Purchased

My Thoughts:

Warning: Might contain spoilers for people who have not read A Court of Thorns and Roses.

A Court of Mist and Fury broke my heart to pieces in ways that I never imagined, and put it back together again. After reading the ending of A Court of Thorns and Roses, I couldn't wait to get my next dose of Rhysand.

Feyre was back in Tamlin's arms after the disastrous and painful time under the mountain. Despite the relief of having Tamlin back, there was something troubling Feyre. In the process of saving the cursed immortal boy that she loved, she broke herself beyond repair. In the sequel, we witness a different kind of Feyre - floating and broken. It was life-changing to see her slowly healing from the tragedy and trauma she experienced. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. This was true in Feyre's case. She came back stronger as High Fae.

I fell in love with the Persophone-esque twist to the story, when Rhysand would whisk Feyre away to the Night Court. I found the Night Court filled with life, brilliance and entertainment, so different from what everyone in the novel imagined it to be: a dark, dire place with torture. Rhysand's court thrived in magic, art and wonders. The sounds and smells, tastes and sights of every corner of Velaris gave me life. The artists' quarters was vibrant. It was the perfect hangout that I would very much like to visit.

Rhysand was the dream boy of every fangirl alive. In A Court of Thorns and Roses, I found more reasons to fall in love with his character. He was such a giving, considerate and sweet character. He gave space when there was only confinement, chance when there was a dead end, and strength when Feyre only had weakness. Rhysand and Feyre's banter was entertaining. There was much to analyze in their conversations. The tension between them was so electrifying that you could feel it on the pages.

Rhysand's inner circle is my new favorite team. Azriel and Cassian thoroughly brought on the entertainment and humor. Eventhough Azriel didn't really have that much lines in the book. His actions and gestures spoke volumes for him. I loved his shadowy personality. Cassian and Mor made me laugh several times throughout the story. Amren intrigued me with her old world history and otherworldly vibes. Rhysand and Feyre, together with the inner circle, made the Night Court a worthwhile place to stay in.

The writing was beautiful, woven from one line to another in strategic plotting. I loved reviewing the breadcrumbs that Maas left in A Court of Thorns and Roses, and connecting it to A Court of Mist and Fury. Maas was a master plotter. I loved every bit of the foreshadowing that was involved in the series. I kept reading back and forth. There was a different kind of magic in unraveling the connections between the installments.

A Court of Mist and Fury was the perfect, wild blend of romance, action, adrenaline and humor. It was action-packed, emotionally-charged and humor-injected. I highly recommend this series to all fantasy fans!

Rating:

5 Cupids = Eternal book love.
I will never, ever, ever forget this book. I highly recommend this!

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

Book Description:

Hardcover, 416 pages
Published May 5th 2015 by Bloomsbury Children's

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it... or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

Reviewer's Copy: Hardcover

Source: Purchased 

My Thoughts:

A Court of Thorns and Roses surpassed my expectations. It was as amazing as I thought it would be and more. I was immediately lost within its charm and riveting tale. The fey winked at me and like a willing victim, I went with them.

The story world was all the sounds and sights that I have imagined and more. Prythian was a sprawling land of surprises, magic and danger. The writing was beautiful, captivating and flawless. There was no fault that I could find. It was the first thing that drew me in. The words wrapped around me like a comfortable blanket that I could not let go of, before drifting into a magical dream.

Feyre was an artist, sensitive and observant when it came down to color and texture. However, for the most part of the book, I saw her as a hunter who had the skills to survive. She was fierce and brave, going against all odds to bring food to the table, when no one else would. Living in Prythian was life-changing for Feyre. Her heart held such loneliness and I wanted to see something good happen to her. However, instead of walking into happiness, Feyre walked into a cage of pain and trials. I was constantly at the edge of my seat with the life-threatening situations and suspense that Feyre faced.

Rhysand was the one who caught my attention and held it in his night-kissed hands. He was the High Lord of the Night Court. He was perfection in my eyes. His moon-white skin, inky black hair and violet eyes were bullets against my armor. Throughout the story, I saw the good and bad sides of him. He was magnetic, devastatingly attractive and brilliant. His mind was a beautiful thing to observe and behold - always one step ahead of the game. His charm was like the stars in the sky - constant and forever. He seemed like the bad guy at times, however, behind his actions, I could see kernels of goodness. He was constantly masking his good deeds and intentions underneath smirks and threats. He has taken my heart for himself and I cannot get it back. I have fallen in love with his character right from the beginning, in Calanmai. I am looking forward to knowing him more thoroughly in the next installments.

Tamlin, the 'Beast' of the story, was good and noble. He was the High Lord of the Spring Court. Upon bursting violently through Feyre's front door, he had my eyebrow raised. He was a gentleman in his own right, however he had a layer of temper lingering underneath his skin. He tended to be overprotective and perhaps unwilling to value other's capacity to take control of themselves and be in control of a situation over his loss of control. It made me sad and a bit put off how he dealt with some things in his life.

The minor characters were brilliant and alive as well. Lucien, the Emissary of the Spring Court, was an intriguing character. He had a dark past, a quick mind and charm. It was endearing how he and Feyre slowly began to turn into friends despite their bad beginning. Alis, one of the household helps, was also a joy to read. She had a heart for a human. Her concern and compassion spoke volumes.

The action and suspense made my blood flow a little faster and my heart beat a little louder. It brought me back to the days when I read The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. The twists and turns kept things interesting. I was constantly picking up breadcrumbs left by Maas throughout the pages, following any trail and any pattern that I could find. I was forming and testing theories in my head all throughout the novel. It was fun and stimulating to read something so well-planned and well-written. The ending was a promise of better and exciting things to come. I was satisfied with it, considering that it dealt with my favorite characters.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is heart-pounding and unforgettable with its burst of colors, wonders and twists. Cloaked with magic and layers of secrets, it is relentless in delivering entertainment. I highly recommend this to readers of faeries/fey, readers of fantasy and readers who delight in stories inspired by fairytales. You need this series in your life!

Rating:

5 Cupids = Eternal book love.
I will never, ever, ever forget this book. I highly recommend this!

Review + Giveaway: Before He Was a Secret by Becky Wicks [Blog Tour]

Book Description:

Before He Was A Secret by Becky Wicks
(Starstruck #3 - can be read as a stand-alone)
Publication date: Feb 24 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Another standalone Starstruck romance from the HarperCollins author who brought you Amazon #1 bestseller Before He Was Famous and Before He Was Gone

“What if we can’t choose
Every battle we win and lose
What if we decided years before, to live this life, to fight these wars
And all the dreams we ever thought were ours
Were written in the stars”

Waiting tables isn't exactly what singer/songwriter Stephanie has in mind for her move to Nashville, but memories of the past and a case of writer’s block mean inspiration isn’t coming easy. When brooding pianist Conor Judge opens his mouth in a smoky bar he proves music can heal, and even help you re-write your story, but a history of his own means the one thing he starts to want most is always just out of reach. Stephanie.

Enter Travis Flynn - an upcoming star who won’t take no for an answer, and a record label intent on helping Stephanie shine, without Conor. As fame comes knocking as hard as the ghosts of their pasts, it soon becomes clear that no matter how hard you might fall in love, having the perfect songs doesn’t always mean perfect harmony.

Reviewer's Copy: e-ARC

Source: Xpresso Reads Tours+ Becky Wicks(Thank you!)

My Thoughts:

Becky Wicks is my favorite indie author. So when I found out that she was writing the third book of the Starstruck series, I knew I had just had to get it and read it. I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed. Becky's writing is superflouous, the kind that made you sit back comfortably and you see that your hours were gone. Becky writes the kind of books that trap you into their storyworlds and refused to let you go unless you were done with the story.

Stephanie was the kind of heroine that made you believe in the goodness of mankind. She was determined and talented, pouring her heart out into her music and her songs. I loved reading about her adventure in Nashville, how she sought out the music. What I liked most about reading about Stephanie was reading the lyrics that she writes. The lyrics came out to me as poetic, lovestruck and raw.

Conor was the knight in shining armor. He was gentle, thoughtful and talented. I think Stephanie fell for him the moment he sang his heart out at stage, with Stephanie in the audience. Conor and Stephanie's interaction was what I would like to consider magical and fated. They complimented each other with their music, passion and strength. I loved reading about them falling in love with one another, no matter how they tried to stop themselves from falling. It was the kind of love that was effortless.

There was magic in reading about music: your mind imagines the beat, the rhythm of the song, without you thinking too hard about it. This was what I liked in Before He Was Famous, with Noah's songs, and I'm happy to experience it again in Before He Was a Secret. The lyrics reached out to my heart, they felt so raw and filled with memories and emotions, that I couldn't help but love the songs. This was something that I look for in contemporary novels.

The plot was filled with twists and turns, some were predictable why some were not, but in the end I enjoyed every page of it. Chloe and Noah's appearance in the book made me excited, it was good to see the couples interact. Becky Wicks unleashed a measured darkness onto Conor and Stephanie's story, as expected. Becky molded the character's personality with trials and challenges, peeling back the surface to let the readers see the true Conor and Stephanie underneath it all.

Before He Was a Secret is a heartfelt and breathtakingly beautiful contemporary romance. I highly recommend this to readers who liked the first book, since Before He Was Famous and Before He Was a Secret are more alike, music-wise. If you are a contemporary romance reader, new adult reader, this would work out for you.

Rating:

5 Cupids = Strong book love.
I really enjoyed this. I recommend this!

About the Author:

Becky Wicks lives in Bali and scribbles books, and she’s mostly powered by coffee. Her first book in the Starstruck Series, Before He Was Famous recently reached #1 in Amazon’s Coming of Age and New Adult & College categories, and her three travel books, published by HarperCollins are online to make feet nice and itchy. Mostly though, she loves to write love stories. She blogs most days at beckywicks.com and always welcomes distractions on Twitter @bex_wicks. Especially if you have photos of cats.

Website | Facebook | Twitter| Goodreads

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)

-Five copies of Before He Was A Secret, plus a character named after them in Becky's next book!

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[Blog Tour] Review + Giveaway: Cities by Carla de Guzman

Book Description:

Midnight Books, November 30, 2014

Celia has dreams.

She dreams of going to Seoul for a scholarship she never took, ofleaving everything behind and moving to New York. In all those dreams, she finds herself attached to Benedict, the boy she has always loved, but who doesn’t love her back. Ben believes in parallel worlds. Worlds where things you didn’t do come true—worlds in which he goes to London and falls in love with Celia, where he shows up on the day she needs him the most. He believes that dreams are glimpses into that parallel world, and it’s not a coincidence that Celia’s been having them too.

But here, now, they’re in Manila. It’s the day of Ben’s wedding, and a typhoon is raging through the city. How will these dreams and unmade decisions change their lives? Will they bring them closer together or drive them farther apart?

Reviewer's Copy: Ebook

Source: Author (Thank you!)

My Thoughts:

After reading A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray, I thought I would never be able to find another book about multiverse. When I heard about Cities, I knew that I just had to read it. Carla's version of the multiverse was less scientific, dwelling more on the theme of fate, possibility and intertwined lives.

Celia was a likable character, madly in love with Ben, but he was going to be married to Vivian in a few hours. Lovestruck and unable to accept that Ben was going to be married away, Celia braved the ceremony but what-ifs buzzed in her head and she felt like a total disaster. To make things even more complicated, Vivian was her best friend and she was the Maid of Honor. After a semi-awkward conversation with Ben about multiverse and how they lived a set of possibilities in each universe; how he believed that somewhere, he and Celia had their happily ever after, Celia began to spiral her way back to her dreams, to other versions of herself.

Ben's theory was that the dreams that he and Celia had, the ones wherein he was getting married to Celia, instead of to Vivian, wherein he loved Celia back, were reflections or memories of the different version of himself in another universe. The narration bled from main story to dreams, from reality (as they know it in the present universe) to dreamscape/parallel universe. The switching between one universe to another was a bit confusing at first, but once I got the hang out of it, I was able to adjust to the fluid narration of Cities. The different lives of various versions of Celias were played out in different Cities: Manila, Hongdae, London and New York. The main universe was set in Manila, the peripheral/parallel multiverse were set in other cities. The concept was a bit like the one in A Thousand Pieces of You: each universe represents a set of possibilities. There were various dimensions wherein Celia and Ben were emotionally involved, whether it was fleeting or long-lasting. True enough, they always met each other in the other dimensions, sometimes they wound up together and sometimes they didn't. Carla's way of showing the varying degrees of emotional involvement, love and fate was stunning and complex. A reader could get lost into the pages and in a parallel universe.

To be honest, I was more drawn to the artsy and fashionable best friend in all the multiverse: Henry Cruz. He was the solid knight in shining armor. He was always there when Celia needed him or when Celia needed to be rescued. He was her pillar, the shoulder to cry on, the hand to lead her forward and the arms to pick her up when she has fallen down. Henry was handsome, sleek and fashionable, loved literature, enjoyed eating out and was incredibly sensitive to the feelings of the people around him and thoughtful. He sounded like my dream guy, actually. I know that we get a lot of books wherein the best friend never ends up with the main character. I'mm glad that in Cities, there was more than one chance for Henry to be together with Celia.

Carla wrote in a very atmospheric manner, she transported me to South Korea, London and New York. I really enjoyed this about Cities. The pages were charged with nostalgia, memories and feels that added up to the wondrous storyline of switching perspectives, minds, and universe. I only had a bit of a problem with the transition from dream to reality to a different universe, as it was a bit blurry around the edges but don't let this discourage you as I easily got the hang of it. I also felt that the book could have been made a bit longer, so that the readers could get to know the characters more deeply, to get emotionally invested in them. At the same time, it would have been nice to have a clear discussion of the theory of the multiverse in the book - a direct discussion of their dreams, thoughts and theories, to make the idea crystal clear in the mind of readers. It just so happened that I am well versed in science fiction that I grasped the idea quickly.

Cities was an atmospheric, heartfelt, beautifully written contemporary with an edge of science fiction. I devoured it and enjoyed every page, and all the feels, wonders, realizations and lessons that it offered. The cast (Celia, Ben, Vivian and Henry) was an interesting bunch. Although they retained the kernel of their personality, they were a little bit different in each universe. It was like seeing bits and pieces of them in each universe, and at the end, I was able to see the whole picture of who they really were deep inside. I loved how the characters were developed in various settings and circumstances. I recommend this to readers who enjoy science fiction and contemporary romance (Cities is like a multi-love-story book); readers who liked A Thousand Pieces of You and who are interested in multiverse/parallel-dimension-themed books.

Rating:

3.5 Cupids = True book love.
Slightly flawed but I liked it!

About the Author:

Carla de Guzman (ck.deguzman@gmail.com) had horrible handwriting as a kid. That didn't stop her from writing, though. Riddled with too much energy and a vivid imagination, she started writing every midnight. She grew up with her toes in the sand and her bags packed and ready to go on adventures. Her books are chronicles of her journeys, with a little romance mixed in. When she’s not sitting in a plane or working, Carla writes for her blog, Some Midnights (www.somemidnight.wordpress.com) and for When in Manila.

Follow Carla: Tumblr | Blog

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Review + Giveaway: The Extraordinary Life of Lara Craft by Lola Salt

Book Description:
The Extraordinary Life of Lara Craft by Lola Salt
(Lara Craft Saga #1)
Publication date: October 7th 2014
Genres: Comedy, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

From bestselling authors Becky Wicks (Before He Was Famous, Before He Was Gone) and Sarah Alderson (Hunting Lila, Fated, Come Back to Me) comes a new romance with a difference…

After losing her job and her boyfriend on the same day, Lara’s beginning to wonder if her life can possibly get any worse. Then along comes Jamie, a childhood friend, offering her a job delivering mysterious packages to random destinations around the world and suddenly things are looking up.

Lara packs her bags and sets off on an epic adventure, meeting billionaire Arabic Princes, rugged cowboys, a sparkling wannabe vampire, a love guru with sex on the brain and Angelina Jolie’s bodyguards along the way. But though trouble always seems to find Lara, it seems love is rather more elusive.

Pack your bags. The adventure’s about to begin!

Goodreads | Amazon

Reviewer's Copy: E-ARC

Source: Xpresso Book Tours (Thank you!)

My Thoughts:

The Extraordinary Life of Lara Craft was definitely one of the craziest, most unique New Adult novels I have ever read so far. I didn't know what to expect in the beginning but I was happy and satisfied with the story in the end.

Let me start with Lara: smart, funny, a bit out of control, impulsive at times and a whole lot of crazy. At first, I had laughed, startled and panicked at her little acts of living the life and making the most out of everything. She was quite the imperfect heroine, getting into all sorts of mess from running away from a cowboy who wanted to marry her, to getting high and getting caught, and to reading too much into actions that she did not see the truth in front of her. I liked how Lola Salt brought Lara's character so far down, into the depths of being broke, feeling lost and feeling just plain hurt, and then moving her through a series of reflections about life and about herself. She turned out to be a girl with a golden heart who made the right decisions, for the things that really mattered.

While Lara worked for Calibre Concierge, she was immersed in various cultures and societies. This was the part that I liked the most out of the book, aside from the humor. It was a feast for one's palate, in terms of the culture. Lara traipsed around UK, LA, Dubai, Australia, Bali and Somalia, delivering packages and meeting new people and friends. I particularly liked how Lola Salt captured the uniqueness and eccentricities of the cultures involved. In traveling, Lara found her true self and the right path for her.


Jamie was Lara's knight and shining armor. Gone were the nerdy looks. He was handsome, charming and thoughtful. I just felt that it would have been better if I had come to know him better, the same way I knew Lara by the end of the novel. He was such an intriguing character; despite the exotic cast in the book, he stood out for me.

The entire cast of characters were alive. I felt that they were not just stuffed into the novel, but actually served a purpose. They felt real to me. Alf, the startling and cursing Aussie; Tyler, the sexy Christian cowboy - I just found him to be adorable with his innocence and newfound interest in expressing his feelings; CP, the gay Arabian prince - he was my favorite secondary character, full of life and surprises.

Injected with craziness, whimsy, sexual and emotional tension, hesitation and humor, The Extraordinary Life of Lara Craft would not fail to entertain. It had the humor of Confessions of a Shopaholic, coupled with the craziness and whimsy, hot-and-cold romance, travels and adventures. Exotic and culturally flavorful, The Extraordinary Life of Lara Craft would appeal to different reader appetites. I recommend this to readers who would like to read about travelling, adventure and humorous contemporary New Adult.

Rating:

4 Cupids = Strong book love.
I really enjoyed this. I recommend this!

About the Authors:
Lola Salt is the pen name for two bestselling authors: Sarah Alderson & Becky Wicks.

Becky has written several non-fiction travel diaries for Harper Collins; Burqualicious, Balilicious & Latinalicious, and the new adult Starstruck Series featuring Before He Was Famous, Before He Was Gone and Before He Was a Secret.

Sarah is better known for her Young Adult novels, particularly the critically acclaimed Hunting Lila series (published by Simon & Schuster), as well as the Fated series. She also wrote the new adult romance Come Back To Me under another pen name of Mila Gray.

The two authors met in Bali. Come visit us sometime and we’ll buy you a coconut.

Author links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


Giveaway Alert!

Open internationally. 15 ebook copies of The Extraordinary Life of Lara Craft

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Review + Giveaway: Fall Like Rain by Ana Tejano

Hi guys,I'm excited to review a novel written by a fellow Filipina. It falls under the contemporary romance genre. Do stick around for the giveaway at the end! :)

Book Description:

Rain De Castro has been in love with her best friend, Mark Velasco, for almost the entire time she has known him, but she’s clearly in the friend zone because he’s happily in a relationship. Or so she thought, until the news of his break-up reaches her. Now that Mark’s single again, she decides that it’s time to get out of the zone. But when her cousin Lissa comes into the picture and sets her eyes on Mark, Rain feels troubled when he gets a little too friendly with her. Rain is determined to fight for what she feels this time, but is it worth the effort if it's a losing battle from the start? Will she back off to give way for her best friend's happiness, even if it means losing him to someone else again?

Goodreads | Smashwords | Amazon | Paperback order form

Reviewer's Copy: e-ARC

Source: Ana Tejano and Pinoy Book Tours(Thank you!)

My Thoughts:

Fall Like Rain crawled its way into my heart. The story itself was simple and yet compelling. I was compelled to read as fast as I could. The writing was what I would consider superfluous - it just flowed from one scene to the next and the chapters were stitched together seamlessly. There were common elements based on the usual plotlines of Pinoy stories, but the author put so much life and color into the pages that it was enjoyable.

Initially, I found Rain to be naive and clueless. All the signs told her (and me) that Mark liked her more than a friend. But as the story progressed and Mark's history was revealed, I understood Rain's situation better. Aside from that, I also empathized with her. Rain was a typical Filipina, who was eager to find love once and for all. Let's move on to Mark. He was the thoughtful and do-it-all-for-you best friend, the knight in shining armor and the charmer. He had a soft spot for Rain and I liked how he came clean about his feelings and how he cared for her.

The romance aspect of the book was one of the things I liked most. It was a sweet kind of romance, lingering on the push-pull dynamics between Rain and Mark. It was drastically long since they stuck in the friend zone. I kept cheering them on, mentally pushing Rain and Mark together. Their interaction and banter were so sweet and cute. There were lots of "kilig" moments, the kind that brought butterlies in your stomach. I really enjoyed reading about these two, how their relationship slipped from friendship to something more, to spotting clues of the telltale signs of Mark's affection. I mused and investigated along with Rain.

The Filipino roots and culture within the novel were apparent: the extended family set-up, stretching from the parents, to the grandparents, to the cousins; the family events such as weddings, birthdays and the social responsibilities that came with attending and not attending; the ambiance at the workplace, wherein your coworkers could also be your friend, the ties were a bit closer than usual.

Fall Like Rain was a New Adult novel that read like Young Adult. It was a charming, wake-up-the-butterflies-in-your-stomach comfort read. You could finish this in one sitting. I recommend it to readers of contemporary romance.

Rating:

4 Cupids = Strong book love.
I really enjoyed this. I recommend this!

About the Author:

Ana Tejano has been in love with words and writing ever since she met Elizabeth Wakefield when she was in Grade 3. She has contributed several non-fiction pieces in print and online publications, and has been blogging for years. When she’s not writing, she works as a marketing lead for a multinational company by day, manages a book club, and serves in her church community in every other time that she doesn’t spend reading or sleeping. She lives in Metro Manila and is also known by another name in her other circles (but it’s not a secret identity, really).

Twitter | Facebook | Wattpad


Giveaway:

3 copies of Fall Like Rain ebook (International)

1 signed copy of Fall Like Rain paperback (PH)

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Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway: Before He Was Famous by Becky Wicks

Today, I am reviewing my most precious discovery as part of a blog tour: Before He Was Famous by Becky Wicks. I was amazed and stunned at this gem of a book. This novel is indie and yet it reads like a bestseller. Stick around for the giveaway, too!

Book Description:

Kindle Edition, 279 pages
Published May 29th 2014

One guy, one girl. One in the spotlight. One in the shadows.

Falling in love with your best friend isn’t always a great idea, especially when he’s Noah Lockton - the sexiest, most famous new talent on the planet. When 21-year-old small-town photographer Chloe Campbell is offered the chance of a lifetime – to join her celebrity childhood friend Noah on tour as an exclusive blogger for a New York magazine – she’s certain both have put what happened four years ago behind them. But his eyes still burn; his voice is still a jackhammer to her heartstrings; all his songs are about her. Is it possible that that night still haunts them both?

The music industry is a machine, spinning hype and rumors as much as his records. It’s not just Noah’s girlfriends who’ve got it in for Chloe (there’s no stopping the Twitter-obsessed, cat-loving pop-star Courtney Lentini for starters). Pretty soon, the jealousy and media frenzy surrounding these so-called-friends takes a life-changing turn and it seems making love means making enemies at every turn. When tragedy threatens to pull the final curtain on their relationship, both Chloe and Noah must make a choice. As much as this world leaves them starstruck, is living their dream really worth living without each other?

A story of lifelong friendships, love and hope, set in a world of celebrity, fame and social media gone very, very wrong.


From International Bestselling HarperCollins Author, Becky Wicks, comes a new adult romance that will leave you starstruck.

***Warning: this book contains graphic language, sex, and mature situations. Not intended for young adult readers.***

Reviewer's Copy: Kindle Version

Source: Becky Wicks(Thank you!!)

My Thoughts:

After reading the synopsis of Before He Was Famous, I knew I just had to read it. It sounded like the kind of story that I would like, in line with American Girl on Saturn. The short story: I was not disappointed.

I was hooked at page one, totally engrossed by the end of chapter one and completely, utterly inlove with the story after a few more chapters. Before He Was Famous had a heartfelt, honest-to-goodness splattering of emotions and thoughts all over the pages. It was metaphorically dripping with the shades and beauty of two people's hearts. The dual perspectives, from Noah and Chloe, allowed the reader to piece together the entire picture, their entire history, line after line and chapter after chapter. Most of all, what really drew me in was the palpable back-and-forth zapping of electricity and emotional and sexual tension between Noah and Chloe. Amidst their interactions, living separate lives and worlds, the hesitation, the desire that could never be completely hidden, the raw love and the buzzing what-ifs, made the story whole. It was as if Becky Wicks was a scientist and she discovered the elements of life and poured it into this book. The writing was beautiful and superfluous,

Chloe was the humble photographer and loyal friend. She was always there for Noah when he needed to wake up to reality and set his priorities (and his mind) straight. Clever, undeniably talented, but generally unwilling to take risks, Chloe was culture-shocked with the fame game of the music industry. She tried to stay at the "safe" side at all times. Though I admit that I found her a bit naive when it comes to accepting Noah's feelings for her, she was decidedly clueless for a reason: she wanted to protect their friendship.

Noah was always with a girl. From what I deduced, he was almost never single. But Noah was lost without Chloe and he was man enough to admit that in front of her. I liked reading about how his life changed from average and being a barista at Starbucks to being ultra-famous and under the spotlight and being stalked by paparazzi. The musical element of the book was also something that I enjoyed thoroughly. Though I couldn't actually hear the songs, I could feel it in the lyrics.

The blurred lines between friendship and something more involving friends from the opposite sex were tackled and thoroughly explored in Before He Was Famous. If a person was too involved with his friend, to the point that he was emotionally and mentally tied to the other person, leading him to rethink their status, going over every interaction and making his heart thump and his body extra-aware of the other person? That was what Noah and Chloe went through. For readers who are looking for hot bits, you would find what you're looking for in this book. Cut and trimmed for older teens, Before He Was Famous has passionate and steamy scenes and eye-opening scenes related to the dirty, messy side of the fame game.

Before He Was Famous was a brilliant gem in the field of self-published YA/NA; it has my favorite elements: music, colorful history/past, relationship-development, realistic characters, lively backdrop and setting, unpredictability, fluid writing and wave after wave of raw emotion. Glued-to-your-hands-level-of-unputdownable, beautifully written, steamy, unforgettable and heart-wrenchingly good, Before He Was Famous will keep you up all night and wanting for more. The writing was simply decadent and delicious, I couldn't get enough of it. I highly, highly, highly recommend this to readers of older YA/NA contemporary romance, readers who are looking for amazing indie titles and readers who are looking for fame-related/celebrity-related stories.

Rating:

5 Cupids = Eternal book love.
I will never, ever, ever forget this book. I highly recommend this!

Giveaway Time! Becky is so generous and so awesome to sponsor this giveaway. There would be three winners of the released books of the Starstruck Series: Before He Was Famous and Before He Was Gone. This is open internationally.

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[Blog Tour] Review: Sky's End by Lesley Young

Paperback, 430 pages
July 15th 2013 by Soul Mate Publishing

A secret she must never share. A secret that two warring species are determined to control. A universe's future at stake. Twenty-year-old Cassiel Winters joins Earth's new space academy in hopes of finding her brother, one of Command's top pilots and her only family, who's been reported MIA. But she quickly realizes she may not be cut out for life in space, where female cadets are outnumbered, competition's fierce, and she's already failed her hand-to-hand combat test once. Even the station's most respected officer, Lt. Damian King, probably can't help Cassiel pass the second time around-so why is he so interested in her progress? If only one of her freaky deja vu visions would offer an answer instead of mysterious messages like hide. When Cassiel's manipulated into a perilous mission, she encounters a warrior species bred to protect the universe from an even greater threat. And she learns that her secret visions are at the heart of it all. Now Cassiel must fight to control her own destiny and race to save her brother-even if it means pretending to be the pawn of Prime Or'ic, the cold-as-steel Thell'eon leader. Even if it means risking her life, facing hard truths, and making the ultimate sacrifice.

Source:Samantha + JKS Communications, Lesley Young

My Thoughts:

Sky’s End was atmospheric in the sense that from page one I was sucked into the semi-claustrophobic world of the military academy. There was a definite sense of progression in technology and way of living. One of the things I liked in Sky’s End was the scientific-alien-encounter-vibe that it had. The cultures that were involved in the story, going beyond humanity and including other races, was one of the things I enjoyed. Imagine studying anthropology for various alien races? It’s just so intriguing for me.

The main character, Cassiel, was an average girl with not so average problems. Her commentaries and reactions to the things that were happening around her was the main reason why I kept on reading. Although I understand that ranting about one’s problems might seem like a turn off for some readers, for the first part of the story, I think it was good, normal.

Damian King, the missing brother’s best friend, was a mystery. I can’t decide if I want him for Cassiel or not. He was the image of the protector but at the same time, there were just little things about him that made me think he wasn’t love-worthy.

Or’ic, the Thell’eon guy, was another story. His inhumanity and charm caught my attention. There’s just something about an inhuman guy who slowly, gradually learns to become more and more human. The transformation awed me. I’m particularly looking forward to what will happen in the next book because of him.

Sky’s End is an enjoyable quick futuristic read, with the metallic tang of sci-fi and a dash of romance. Though this is science fiction, I would say it was more focused on travel and alien cultures instead of the technology. If you liked Earth Girl by Janet Edwards, you might enjoy this, too.

Rating:

About the Author:

Journalist Lesley Young never thought she would delve into the world of writing fiction, but when she sat down for the first time to put pen to paper, ideas for what would become her first novel just poured out naturally. Young’s first book, “Sky’s End,” is a multi-genre tale that showcases her unique style of weaving romance, action and wit
into one page-burning story.

Young was born in Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. She holds an arts degree from the University of Alberta and a journalism degree from the University of Victoria. Young now lives in Loretto, Ontario where she works as a journalist, freelance writer and editor for health, décor and business magazines. Since 2008, Young has written more than 300 articles for print and online media including Profit, Toronto Life, MSN Green, and Elle Canada among others. She is a regular contributor to Reader’s Digest, Best Health, Canadian Living and House and Home Magazine.

Young has won three gold honors for feature stories from the National Business Magazine Awards and another top media award from the Canadian Dermatology Association.

Soul Mate Publishing releases “Sky’s End” on July 15 in paperback and ebook. The novel is Young’s first installment in a series about Cassiel Winters, a futuristic heroine, and her outer space escapades.

Follow Lesley: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Review: Easy by Tammara Webber

Book Description via Goodreads:

Paperback, 310 pages
November 6th 2012, Berkley Trade

Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn’t easy…

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl's struggle to regain the trust she's lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

Source: Bought

My Thoughts:

Why I picked up Easy: I've heard and read so many good things about the book. My bookish friends highly recommend it. So I tried it.

The beginning of the novel thrust me into a world of realities, where girls can be overpowered; feel threatened even in public and of course, be saved by her knight in shining armor. Jacqueline was *this* close to being raped but lucky for her, Lucas was in the area. He saved her not only from Buck, the bad guy, but also from her issues.

Jacqueline just broke up with her longtime boyfriend, Kennedy. She was hurt, still unable to move on, sad and thanks to the recent assault by Buck, threatened and scared. I liked her as a character. She was flawed and that made her seem realistic to me. She was most realistic to me during her moments of doubt, insecurity and weakness – whether it was physical or emotional weakness. The Jacqueline at the beginning of the novel was not the strong and empowered Jacqueline that I found at the end. I enjoyed reading about her character growth.

Lucas was the perfect imperfect package. Sounds ironic? Let me explain:

• Lucas is smart. The conversations between Lucas and Jacqueline went beyond the usual conversations between characters in YA. The conversations had a touch of ‘smart wit’ that I enjoyed very much.
• He’s an artist and for some reason he seemed more attractive that way. Who wouldn’t appreciate a person who could draw and capture the beauty of their loved one?
• He has a big heart. I say this not only because he saved Jacqueline from a traumatic event in her life but because he was also willing to help people.
• He’s a knight in shining armor – a lethal one. Lucas is protective of Jacqueline. I find that sweet. However, just like a protective knight, he kicks ass so intensely that he can be lethal.
• He has dark secrets. It’s easy to fall for Lucas but it’s not that easy to get to know him, really. He is tight-lipped about his past. As the story neared the end, I got glimpses of his dark side. He’s just as vulnerable as everybody else.
• He changed. Just like Jacqueline, the Lucas at the beginning of the novel was not the Lucas that I found at the end. He became stronger, reassessed and accepted his past and of course, found love.

The imperfection of both characters made them the perfect fictional characters for me. Flawed but real and living typical lives and finding true love.

There have been comments about Lucas being ‘everywhere’ in the novel. He has lots of jobs. Although it might seem too much for a contemporary novel to present Lucas as an all-around worker on campus, we have to keep mind that this is still fiction.

The romance between Lucas and Jacqueline was electrifyingly hot. At the beginning, despite the distance between them, I could imagine the electricity running through the air, connecting their bodies. It was natural, as if it’s meant to be. It was in no way forced or lacking. The sexual scenes were artfully done, with just the right amount details and spice to keep readers hooked and satisfied.

Easy is a powerful, electrifyingly hot and romantic New Adult novel that will keep readers emotionally attached, looking forward to every encounter between Lucas and Jacqueline and eventually, racing to the end. I highly recommend this to older teens and readers who enjoy contemporary romance, mature Young Adult and New Adult novels.

Rating:

5 Cupids = Eternal book love.
I will never, ever, ever forget this book. I highly recommend this!