Monday, August 25, 2014

Nikki reviews: UNLIT STAR by Lindy Zart

Title: UNLIT STAR
Author: LINDY ZART


We are not guaranteed anything, not even this life.

Rivers Young is the popular guy untouchable by reality. He is like a star—bright, consuming, otherworldly. The thing about stars, though, is that they eventually fall, and he is no different.

He falls far and he falls hard.

Delilah Bana is the outcast enshrouded in all of life's ironies. Alone, in the dark, like dusk as it falls on the world. When Rivers hits the ground, she is the night that catches him. In the darkness, they meld into something beautiful that shines like the sun.

Only, the greater the star is, the shorter its lifespan.



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~REVIEW~

I’ve lived for 27 years, been a bookworm since I was in grade school hooked to Sweet Valley High. Can you tell that I was a sucker for romance since my age was only a single digit? You bet, I was.

I’ve read almost a thousand fiction books but, there are only a few in this world that had made me stop for a while to catch my breath, because if I didn’t, I would have lost it. And despite that momentarily pause, I lost it anyway. UNLIT STAR is one of those books.

When I read the blurb, I didn’t know what I brought myself into. Sure, the blurb is like a burst of pretty words, why not give it a try? And boy, did I give it a try.

And it killed me. It was like someone speared me straight into the heart and twisted it a million times. It was pretty painful I tell you. How can a single book literally put you in agony? I was a crying mess at five in the morning. I wasn’t prepared, I didn’t have tissues within arms reach. I had no choice but to wipe the river of tears on my fucking shirt while my breaths hitched. It was an ugly sight. Good thing was, the lights were out.

Honestly, I don’t know how to review this book without spoiling anything. But, one thing is certain: this book is beautifully written. If you think the blurb is something, wait until you are reading the actual story. Zart is a gifted bitch. Her words are just… extraordinarily woven into something that actually make you feel. Like you belong to the book; like you are there witnessing everything right in front of your very eyes. The emotions of the characters are so palpable it was like they are physically touching you. UNLIT STAR is a powerful experience. The story is not profound, or enlightening. It’s a relatable story and I think that’s what made it more engaging.

Rivers and Delilah… Ahhh, these two are match made in the night sky. Their love story is one of the most heart-warming stories I have ever read. They were young, yes. But they were each other’s destiny. Insta love? I’ve known people in the literary world who don’t dig this shit, but this shit right here is real; their shit endured; their shit was for keeps. They were each other’s night and day. They were two very different people from different worlds. But, I guess when your heart tells you that it’s in love, then you can’t really do anything even if you try to fight it. Delilah tried, but she failed. And I’m happy she did, because that failure was what really brought them together. Two broken souls that have met, and made each other whole.

~PLAYLIST~

Here's my UNLIT STAR playlist:
A Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay
The One You Love - Passenger feat. Kate Miller Heidke
In Loving Memory - Alter Bridge
In the Shallows - Daughter


Did I tell you I loved this book? Oh, I didn’t. But, have you read what I wrote? If yes, then probably you get the idea. I was in a book funk for almost eight months now, only reading the ones that I’ve really been waiting for and not trying to find anything new. I haven't even reviewed a book for six months!!! But, I came across Unlit Star and I am glad I did. Because this book actually, is my best read this year. I’m not sure yet, but there’s this little fluttery feeling in my heart that tells me to acknowledge the thought that this may actually be my most favourite book now. I’ll let you know who wins the struggle: the loyalty to the author of the book sitting in my #1 spot, or UNLIT STAR that’s calling to my soul.

Rating:

DIAMOND RECORD



Connect with the Author

Basically she just likes to make stuff up and put it down on paper. I.E. She's an author.

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Saturday, August 23, 2014

Sy reviews: LEAD by Kylie Scott

Title: Lead
Series: Stage Dive #
Author: Kylie Scott


As the lead singer of Stage Dive, Jimmy is used to getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants it, whether it's booze, drugs, or women. However, when a PR disaster serves as a wake-up call about his life and lands him in rehab, he finds himself with Lena, a new assistant to keep him out of trouble.  

Lena's not willing to take any crap from the sexy rocker and is determined to keep their relationship completely professional, despite their sizzling chemistry. But when Jimmy pushes her too far and Lena leaves, he realizes that he may just have lost the best thing that ever happened to him.


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~REVIEW~

Who would want to read a story about a bad boy? Who would want to read a story of a bad boy rock star? Now, who would want to read a story about how a bad boy rock star gets tamed? Me! Me! Me!

Nothing hurt quite like an unrequited love. And that's exactly how the story of Lena and Jimmy revolved in Lead.

Lena is like a breath of fresh air as a heroine. She has great wits, sense of humor, and I love how she is not perfect in height or in size but her uber great personality makes up for it and then some. Of course, you gotta admire her for taming the beast too.

James Dylan Ferris. Now that seemed like a name of person with heartbreak written all over him. Heck, he not only hurt Lena, he broke my heart too! I kid you not, I still feel my heart ache until now during that one particular scene. And believe me, as a self-declared masochist and sucker for all things "book heartaches", there are still very few authors who have made me feel like my heart is slowly being ripped into pieces. But Kylie did exactly that.

I'm not sure if it's wrong to say this but at some point while reading this book, I told myself rock star stories should not make me feel this much. It should not give me that feeling where I had to take a moment and take deep breaths because suddenly everything is just too much. Then I remembered feeling something similar in Lick. Then in Play. Then I realized that I guess Kylie Scott is a genius if she made me feel this much in three of her books already.

I love how Lead has shown me the uglies and the beauties of a rock star's life-how someone can get out of the gutter if he really put his mind to it. How the support of loved ones can make a person more determined. How hot Jimmy Ferris is and how crazier Mal has gotten. Haha!

~PLAYLIST~

Here's my Lead playlist:
Nine Days - Absolutely (Story of a Girl)
Coldplay - In My Place
John Legend - You and I (Nobody in the World
John Legend - This Time


I think John Legend's song is the perfect song for Jimmy to sing to Lena. The line "out of all the girls, you're my one and only girl ain't nobody in the world tonight" made me remember all the times he and Lena had tv nights and how they're like living in their own bubble in that place.
This Time is my Jimmy's song to woo Lena. I seriously think that he could've just sang this song to Lena and she would've forgiven her in a heartbeat. Well, maybe not but you know, this would've given him so much headway. ;)

Rating:

PLATINUM RECORD








About the Author

Kylie is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and one delightful husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.

Contact her at kylie@kylie-scott.com
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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Sy reviews: UGLY LOVE by Colleen Hoover

Title: Ugly Love
Author: Colleen Hoover

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her. Never ask about the past. Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.



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~REVIEW~

I wonder why Colleen Hoover would put her readers through more than 60% of the time feeling frustrated and angry and hurt and heartbroken with this book. Did she stop with Maybe Someday? No. She has to write Ugly Love and torture us again. Sadist much?

I just read Ugly Love and I loved it. And I hated it. And then I loved it again. At first I love the dual POV in this story. But that didn't last long. I ended up just loving Tate's POV and found myself bracing for a world of pain and hurt reading Miles's POV.

Tate. I like Tate. I like how she was hopeful in the face of hopelessness. I love a heroine who knows when to fight for what she wants and when to stop.

Miles. God, Miles. I'm still torn about his character even if he redeemed himself in the end. Reading Miles's POV and past is like watching a train wreck. It's like watching closely a person make one bad decision right after another.

I was really conflicted with this book and whether I hate it or love it. I was so conflicted that it came to the point where I questioned myself if I should start basing my rating of a book on the number of times it made me swoon and fall in love with the characters, the number of times I highlight certain parts of the book or the life lessons it taught me. This book did not make me swoon and fall in love with the characters. This book never really taught me life lessons or words to live by. Hardly. I did highlight a lot of lines from this book though.

I decided to just simply rate the book based on what and how it made me feel. How strongly it made me feel throughout the whole time I was reading it. Sure, most of the time I had the urge to drink some hard liquor while reading this book just to help me get through all the heart ache that eats at me chapter after chapter of this book but I guess that's why I still loved it in the end. Because it made me hate it just as much as I love it.

And yes, this is a story about love. This is a story of how ugly love can become. How painful it can hurt. This is also a story of how love can be beautiful and how all the heart aches and pains are worth it because in the end, after everything people go through, when they find love those beautiful moments of love make up for all the uglies. So thank you, Colleen for reminding us of that. And thank you for still giving me an ending I loved. Even if the journey to that last page was a slow torture. Haha!

~PLAYLIST~

Here's my Ugly Love playlist:
Ed Sheeran - Photograph
Demi Lovato - Fix A Heart
Christina Aguilera - Hurt
James Morrison - You Make It Real
Ray LaMontagne - You Are The Best Thing
Paolo Nutini - Last Request


Rating:

PLATINUM RECORD








About the Author


She loves music. LOVE music. Namely The Avett Brothers, Lumineers, Pink, Eminem. She has eclectic taste? If you have any recommendations, send them her way! She's addicted to diet pepsi and could tell you in a taste-test which restaurant it came from. It's a serious addiction. She gets stoked whenever she gets a message from goodreads saying she has a new friend request... If you want to know when she has new books out or just want to be inundated by random, pointless blog posts, stalk her!

Monday, August 4, 2014

Sy reviews: BEFORE JAMAICA LANE by Samantha Young


Title: Before Jamaica Lane
Series: On Dublin Street #3
Author: Samantha Young

One simple lesson in seduction between two friends can turn into so much more…

Despite her outgoing demeanor, Olivia is painfully insecure around the opposite sex—usually, she can’t get up the nerve to approach guys she’s interested in. But moving to Edinburgh has given her a new start, and, after she develops a crush on a sexy postgrad, she decides it’s time to push past her fears and go after what she wants.

Nate Sawyer is a gorgeous player who never commits, but to his close friends, he’s as loyal as they come. So when Olivia turns to him with her relationship woes, he offers to instruct her in the art of flirting and to help her become more sexually confident.

The friendly education in seduction soon grows into an intense and hot romance. But then Nate’s past and commitment issues rear their ugly heads, and Olivia is left broken-hearted. When Nate realizes he’s made the biggest mistake of his life, he will have to work harder than he ever has before to entice his best friend into falling back in love with him—or he may lose her forever…

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~Review~

A certified manwhore and a girl with insecurities. Put them together and you got a recipe for a sweet love story with just enough heart ache.

I have started to read this series last year but only got to pick up Before Jamaica Lane today to get me out of a book slump. I almost forgot how in love I have been with this series and reading Before Jamaica Lane and being reunited with these characters reminded me of that.

Lately, I have been dreaming (okay fine fantasizing) about book characters with alpha male badassery attitude. And believe me, I always find that hot. Now Nate, he may not be the alpha male I've been reading lately but boy that man still managed to sweep me off my feet with his wits and charm and well, his handsome and hotness glory. There's just something about his character that makes you want to cheer for him even if he's a manwhore. I guess it's because he's also sweet and kind when it matters.

Olivia, I guess every girl can relate to her. I think at one point in every girl's life she struggles with insecurities to the point of almost breaking her. And I think Olivia is also every girl's hero. I admire how she's brave enough to do something about battling these insecurities and I think girls would pick up a thing or two from her.

Before Jamaica Lane is that kind of love story that slowly builds up and blooms in the end. It's not even just the story of the main characters. I love how every story from these series have all these great sideline stories excellently and strongly written to prepare you for the next one.

~Playlist~

Here's my Knight playlist:
Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly
Ed Sheeran - I'm A Mess
Casey James - Don't

Rating:

DIAMOND RECORD








About the Author


Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She's been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestseller ON DUBLIN STREET. ON DUBLIN STREET is Samantha's first adult contemporary romance series and has sold in twenty-seven countries.

For more info on Samantha's adult fiction visit http://www.ondublinstreet.com. For info on her young adult fiction visit www.samanthayoungbooks.com

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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Sy reviews: KNIGHT by Kristen Ashley


Title: Knight
Series: Unfinished Hero #1
Author: Kristen Ashley

Anya Gage has learned that to get anything good in life, you have to work for it. She has no expectations, no dreams.

Then she finds herself at a party where she doesn’t want to be and she meets Knight.

Knight Sebring knows who he is, what he wants and what he likes. And he gets it. But he never expected something as sweet as Anya Gage to wander into his bedroom during a party he did not expect to be having to borrow his phone.

Knight tries to leave Anya to the life she deserves of white picket fences and a man who watches football on Sundays – good, normal and clean. But when Anya comes to his nightclub and finds herself in a situation, he knows someone has to look after her, he can’t fight it anymore and he decides that man will be him.

Knight teaches Anya that, just as with the bad, in life you should also expect the good. And he teaches her this by giving it to her.

But Knight has a dark past and just as he desires Anya for exactly who she is, he fears when she finds out exactly the man he has become and always intends to be, she’ll leave him for good, normal and clean.

WARNING: This book is an ADULT EROTIC romance featuring an anti-hero. This novel contains explicit sex scenes and language. The hero in this novel lives a life by his own code with no apologies. He is not your "normal" hero. If you do not enjoy the above, this novel may not be for you.

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~Review~

I was a bad girl. A very very bad girl. I talked and judged this book too soon. Way too soon.

So I'm sure the whole universe knows by now how much I love and adore and love more KA's books and her alpha males. I was a little hesitant though to get started on Knight because I've been hearing more negative feedback over this than positive ones. Then one day, I decided to read it and guess what? I wasn't feeling it so I did not finish it. I guess that decision to not finish the book was also clouded by so many mixed reviews for that book.

As a KA fan and self-declared rock chick though, I feel some sort of an obligation to read all her books. So during one of those evil week-long book funk, I picked up Knight again and decided to give it another try. And I'm so glad I did.

Knight, I love Knight. He is utterly sweet and generous and controlling in a way that works for me. And if I'd usually get irritated at weak heroines, for some reason, Anya's submission to Knight almost immediately all the time works for me too. Now that is the the kind of opposites attract that I find beautiful and sweet.

So the "Daddy" thing maybe a little too much for me but I was willing to let that slide because there were other parts of the story that more than made up for it.

My favorite parts of the book? First was the end result of "Honey, you haven't even kissed me yet." I read that part a million times because it's just indescribably too swoon-worthy. Second, Knight's birthday. What he said was so touching I was in tears. Third, when Knight gave Anya a ring (it's not what you think) and he said some words that even if it's not what a girl wanted and have always dreamed of hearing from her man, it was so heartfelt that it's more than enough. Lastly, when Anya shared her "secret" on the last part of the book. That part right there, where not much words were said but how KA described the scene was too perfect again it left me in tears.

This is not just a Dominant-Submission kind of book. This is more of a story about love and accepting and loving a person for who they truly are and what they do and what they believed in even if it's against or opposite your beliefs. Knight may not be the conventional dream man every girl wishes to have. He may not be the ideal alpha male I was used to but when I got to know him, he has won me over. Knight may not be the kind of fairy tale I've always known but it's the kind of fairy tale that's real and for that I love it. So for those who rallied and almost bossed me to give Knight a second chance, thank you!

~Playlist~

Here's my Knight playlist:
Matt Nathanson - Run
Jason Walker - You Fill My Heart
Ron Pope - Perfect For Me


Rating:

DIAMOND RECORD








About the Author


Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!). Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched). Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up. And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
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Monday, July 28, 2014

Sy reviews: PROMISED by Jodi Ellen Malpas



Title: Promised
Series: One Night #1
Author: Jodi Ellen Malpas

Livy notices him the moment he walks into the coffee shop. He's heart-stoppingly stunning, with a blue-eyed gaze so piercing she's almost too distracted to take his order. When he walks out the door, she thinks she'll never see him again. Then she finds the note he left on his napkin . . . signed M.

All he wants is one night to worship her. No feelings, no commitment, nothing but pleasure. Every defense mechanism Livy has adopted during her solitary life is at risk of being obliterated by this confounding man. He's obnoxious but well-mannered. He's a gentleman but aloof. He's passionate but emotionless. Yet the fascination is so powerful, Livy can't deny him... or herself.

M awakens something in Livy, something deep and addictive that she never knew existed -- and that she fears only he can satisfy. But she senses that behind the fast cars, fancy suits, and posh apartment, he's aching inside. To have him, body and soul, she'll have to brave his dark secrets. Delving into his world and breaking down his defenses become her obsession - an obsession that could shatter her heart beyond repair..

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~Review~

If you think this is another one of those dominant billionaire story, think again. It may seem like it is but I promise you it is not.

Promised started off with M being all rich and snob and cocky and of course hot and Livy being all sweet and kind and beautiful. M made a proposition to Livy which she eventually agreed on because really, she didn't have any choice. I mean, how could she have with someone like M?

This is a budding love story shrouded with mysteries and dark & secret pasts from both main characters. There are parts of the story that made me swoon, laugh, made my heart ache and made my ereader almost burst into flames.

As a lover of romance and steamy novels (did I really just say that? Haha! I did), it is rare to find a story that veers away from what is usually written and still make you, as a reader, feel full and satisfied. A good sign of a love story for me is if I get so sucked in with the story and the characters that it puts me in a trance for sometime. And Jodi Ellen Malpas did exactly that the whole time I was reading Promised.

This is an achingly beautiful yet twisted love story that's full of promise.

~Playlist~

Here's my Promised playlist:
Talking to the Moon - Bruno Mars
Regina Spektor - Samson
Uncle Kracker - You Make Me Smile
Gabrielle Aplin - Ready to Question

I just wanna say that when M showed Livy his paintings and they sat on the couch facing the London night sky and he told her that some nights he could sleep there, I think that was just beautiful in a very heartbreaking and sad and lonely way. And then Bruno Mars's Talking to the Moon has been playing in my head after that.

Rating:

PLATINUM RECORD








About the Author




Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in the Midlands town of Northampton, England, where she lives with her two boys. Working for her father’s construction business full time, she tried to ignore the lingering idea of writing until it became impossible. She wrote in secret for a long time before finally finding the courage to unleash her creative streak, and in October 2012 she released This Man. She took a chance on a story with some intense characters and sparked incredible reactions from women all over the world. Writing powerful love stories and creating addictive characters have become her passion - a passion she now shares with her devoted readers. Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Sy reviews: MAYBE SOMEDAY by COLLEEN HOOVER



Title: MAYBE SOMEDAY
Author: COLLEEN HOOVER

~Synopsis~


At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance—and the enchanting music that inspires one young woman to put her life back together.

From the author of the New York Times bestsellers Slammed, Point of Retreat, Hopeless, This Girl, and Losing Hope, Maybe Someday is destined to become another bestseller and long-lasting fan favorite.

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~Review~


No amount of emotional or mental preparation has really prepared me when I started reading this book. This has been the only Colleen Hoover book I've stalled reading because of the mixed reviews I've seen. I was so paranoid and scared to even get started on it especially with how people have reviewed this story that I even thought someone died in this book. At some point, I even questioned if Colleen Hoover would even disappoint me with Maybe Someday. 
I won't bore you with details of what Maybe Someday is all about because that's what blurbs are for. I do have a lot of things to say though about this book.
I have been under an extreme amount of emotional stress almost 80% of the time while reading this. Love triangle and cheating are two of the four things I do not want to ever read in a book (in case you're curious, the other two are death and rape). And it happened to me before that I didn't finish a book because the cheating was just so frustrating and just got the best of me but Maybe Someday isn't like that. The reason why I powered through reading this book was because I wanted to see if there was even a happy ending for these characters. 
This story made me questioned myself whether why something that started so wrong and was still wrong most of the time felt so damn right. It made me question myself why I was rooting for the wrong. But then again when two people who are obviously in love but can't be together because sometimes life sucks will make you cheer for them. Cliche as it may sound but people in love deserve a damn break, you know? 
This book is filled with just enough humor and a whole lot of heartache that I think when people read it their favorite things in life should always be at arms reach to comfort them a little. I'm serious. This story is also filled with so much love, selfless love, painful love.
I think Colleen Hoover has captured really well and put into words and music how difficult it is to fight and control your feelings, how hard letting go is and how some things and some people you want so bad stay in your life but just can't. And for that she didn't disappoint me. For all the frustration and emotional stress my heart has been up to the entire time I was reading this, I think the last 10 pages of the book more than made up for it. 
♥♥♥

~Playlist~

Here is my playlist!
Sam Smith - Make It To Me
Sam Smith - Leave Your Lover
Matthew Perryman Jones - Out Of Reach

I have been having a Sam Smith moment to the point that I was humming the songs from this book to Leave Your Lover. I don't think I can give enough justice to make a Maybe Someday playlist because Griffin Peterson already did that. I can always try though.

Rating:

PLATINUM RECORD






About the Author


She loves music. LOVE music. Namely The Avett Brothers, Lumineers, Pink, Eminem. She has eclectic taste? If you have any recommendations, send them her way! She's addicted to diet pepsi and could tell you in a taste-test which restaurant it came from. It's a serious addiction. She gets stoked whenever she gets a message from goodreads saying she has a new friend request... If you want to know when she has new books out or just want to be inundated by random, pointless blog posts, stalk her!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Cover reveal: SCARE CROW by Julie Hockley



Title: SCARE CROW
Series: CROW'S ROW #2
Author: JULIE HOCKLEY
Release Date: APRIL 16, 2014

~Synopsis~


Nineteen-year-old Emily Sheppard is losing her sanity. 

Ever since her mob king boyfriend, Cameron Hillard, abandoned her for her own good, Emmy has been attempting to move on with her charmed college student life as if nothing happened.

Now rejected from the underworld and left grieving over Cameron’s alleged death, Emmy realizes she belongs nowhere.

Worse yet, she is now keeping a dangerous secret.

After just a short time with Emily, Cameron has lost control over his world.

As he miserably attempts to return to what is left of his life and unravel the mess he has made of the underworld, Emily’s hate turns to desperation. She needs to kill the kingpins responsible for Cameron’s death before they come looking for her.

As Cameron secretly observes Emily, he has no idea of the danger he has placed her in—or that it may already be too late for him to save her.

Scare Crow is a tale of revenge, terror, and love as Emmy and Cameron embark on separate journeys to face enemies, correct past mistakes, and.............. 

find their way to their destinies.

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~ TEASER~



About the Author

A former germaphobe and clean-freak turned mother of two, Julie collects enough tears and snot in a month to recreate Slimer Monster from Ghostbusters. Other than playing devoted wife and mama, Julie is the funniest person in the room (according to the 3 year-old and 2 year-old in said room) and can build the most awesome Lego rocket ship you’ve ever set your eyes on (according to her). Oh, and she has a full time career and has also written a bestselling novel. Superhero, or just downright insane?
Author links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads




Hosted by:


NEW Cover + NEW Content: CROW'S ROW by Julie Hockley


Title: CROW'S ROW
Series: CROW'S ROW #1
Author: JULIE HOCKLEY


~Synopsis~



For college student Emily Sheppard, the thought of spending a summer alone in New York is much more preferable than spending it in France with her parents. 
Just completing her freshman year at Callister University, Emily faces a quiet summer in the city slums, supporting herself by working at the campus library. 
During one of her jogs through the nearby cemetery while visiting her brother Bill’s grave, Emily witnesses a brutal killing—and then she blacks out. When Emily regains consciousness, she realizes she’s been kidnapped by a young crime boss and his gang.

She is hurled into a secret underworld, wondering why she is still alive and for how long.

Held captive in rural Vermont, she tries to make sense of her situation and what it means. While uncovering secrets about her brother and his untimely death, Emily falls in love with her very rich and very dangerous captor, twenty- six-year-old Cameron. She understands it’s a forbidden love and one that won’t allow her to return to her previous life.

But love may not be enough to save Emily when no one even knows she is missing.

Add on:
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Purchase from:
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For review, click here.

About the Author

A former germaphobe and clean-freak turned mother of two, Julie collects enough tears and snot in a month to recreate Slimer Monster from Ghostbusters. Other than playing devoted wife and mama, Julie is the funniest person in the room (according to the 3 year-old and 2 year-old in said room) and can build the most awesome Lego rocket ship you’ve ever set your eyes on (according to her). Oh, and she has a full time career and has also written a bestselling novel. Superhero, or just downright insane?

Monday, March 31, 2014

Nikki reviews: CROW'S ROW by Julie Hockley



Title: CROW'S ROW
Series: CROW'S ROW #1
Author: JULIE HOCKLEY


~Synopsis~


For college student Emily Sheppard, the thought of spending a summer alone in New York is much more preferable than spending it in France with her parents. Just completing her freshman year at Callister University, Emily faces a quiet summer in the city slums, supporting herself by working at the campus library. During one of her jogs through the nearby cemetery while visiting her brother Bill's grave, Emily witnesses a brutal killing-and then she blacks out. When Emily regains consciousness, she realizes she's been kidnapped by a young crime boss and his gang. She is hurled into a secret underworld, wondering why she is still alive and for how long.

Held captive in rural Vermont, she tries to make sense of her situation and what it means. While uncovering secrets about her brother and his untimely death, Emily falls in love with her very rich and very dangerous captor, twenty-six year- old Cameron. She understands it's a forbidden love and one that won't allow her to return to her previous life. But love may not be enough to save Emily when no one even knows she is missing.

Add on:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16004926-scare-crow?from_search=true
Purchase from:
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | TBD

~Review~

Holy Cameron Hillard! I finished this book in five hours! OH MY FREAKING GOD I loved it so much. It's as bad-ass as Young Love Murder. The characters are well developed and are so unique they could stand on their own. While reading it, I had a roller coaster ride of emotions with so many loops like a million loops. I swear at some point it drove me crazy (while reading in the middle of the night until the wee hours of the morning). I was angry one moment, crying the next. I was scared, in love, mourning, frustrated, wishful, happy, hopeful. You name the emotions, I probably felt all those without me knowing.

Now... I freakin have to wait for 2013 to read the sequel. I CAN NOT WAIT!!! It's driving me crazier by the minute. I am dying to know how Emily will execute her vengeance and how she will find out the truth. And how her and Cam's story will be concluded.

I am so happy I came across this book in my recommendations list. Oh Goodreads, what would a bookworm like me do without you?

Will I recommend this book to other bookworms out there? DEFINITELY! Go grab a copy, read right away and you would know what other bookworms who have read it is gushing about. ;)
Rating:

PLATINUM RECORD (plus a dime)




About the Author

A former germaphobe and clean-freak turned mother of two, Julie collects enough tears and snot in a month to recreate Slimer Monster from Ghostbusters. Other than playing devoted wife and mama, Julie is the funniest person in the room (according to the 3 year-old and 2 year-old in said room) and can build the most awesome Lego rocket ship you’ve ever set your eyes on (according to her). Oh, and she has a full time career and has also written a bestselling novel. Superhero, or just downright insane?

Author links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads



Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Nikki reviews: PRINCE CHARMING by Sara Celi



Title: PRINCE CHARMING
Author: SARA CELI

School. Tests. Scholarships. Goals. 

Senior class overachiever Geoff Miller thought he had it all figured out. All he needed to do was make it through the next six months, graduate, and get on with his life. 

College at the University of Virginia beckoned him-- and he just wanted to put the last horrible four years at Heritage High School in the "done" folder. 

Geoff just didn't count on one thing: Laine Phillips. 

For years, Geoff crushed on Laine from afar. He didn't think she even knew he was alive. In fact, the obsession seemed to him like a distraction from an unhappy life in a snobby Greater Cincinnati suburb. 

Until the day that all changed. And when it did, this unlikely Prince Charming got a chance to make his move. 

This is a Mature Young Adult Romance. Not suitable for younger readers. Contains sexual references and profane language.

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Purchase from:

~Review~


So I have been in a book and writing funk lately - okay fine, in a  life funk actually. Funking life. Lol. And I am really having a hard time finding books that would get me out of this crazy and not fun stage of being a bookworm. The sweet Mia Sheridan recommended this book on her page and so I gave it a chance...
Well, I shouldn't be less honest here right? When I saw the cover of Prince Charming I was like "Holy #^$#^%&*! Who is this guy?! Where does he live?! Why isn't he marrying me?! Wait, why isn't he my husband yet?!" I needed to get my butt into one-clicking mood. And so I did. Because of the recommendation. No really, because of the book cover. There's no one more perfect to be a prince charming but this guy on the cover. So very Geoff Miller.
Now, enough with the cover talk. I feel dehydrated because of all the drooling I'm doing every single time I see this cover. It's so damn perfect it should be illegal! Like seriously. 
PRINCE CHARMING - a nice, charming short read about a geeky guy. Did someone say GEEKY?! Oh boyyyy, I've always love me some geeky guys! They will always have a soft spot in my ever flirty heart. After I've seen the cover and found out on the blurb that this book is about a nerd and is solely told from the guys POV, the decision has been made: you can kiss my ass book funk.
Geoff Miller - our conflicted prince charming. Why do I say conflicted? It's not because he's a broken boy in this story - but it's mainly because of his character alone. When he's around his friends and step-brothers, he's all high and mighty, like everyone's below his IQ level. Maybe he's just conceited like that, or maybe he's just really tired of all the high school drama. But when he's around Laine, the insecurity switch is flipped on automatically, all confidence down the drain. At times Geoff was becoming a frustrating character, but a very believable one. I believe we've all gone through high school bullshit once in our lives and I for sure can say that there are more dramas in high school than we can ever imagine. Agree?
Another thing I loved about this book is the humor. I found myself literally laughing out loud in the middle of the night like I've gone nuts. I was actually afraid I'd wake up the neighborhood. I love the type of books that makes my heart flutter in a very light, teenage-ry way. With million of books released everyday since indie exploded, sometimes it could get tiring to read books with the same themes. Themes like let's-fuck-with-this-girl's-emotions-up or frustrate-the-hell-out-of-the-reader-until-she-throws-the-book-away or sometimes even themes where you actually question the existence of humanity. With me experiencing quarter-life crisis and all the shit that comes with it, I honestly don't need those types of book right now and I am so thankful I found PC. It was a breathe of fresh air! Hallelujah!
Prince Charming isn't exactly a trip down the memory lane but I could actually consider it as something like that of a throwback Thursday or a flashback Friday stuff. ;) It is very relatable because once in our lives, if not been, then we've known a Geoff or a Laine or an Evan during high school.
♥♥♥

~Playlist~

Here is my playlist for Prince Charming (sorry we don't have Spotify here in the Philippines!):
Treasure - Bruno Mars
All I Ever Wanted - Brian Melo
Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute
Must Have Done Something Right - Resilient K
She's So High - Tal Bachman
Love Is A Verb - John Mayer

Days after I finished reading PC, Treasure played on my phone while I was sound trippin', and guess who popped up to my mind? Yep, Prince Geoff. So I had no choice but to put this on top of the list. ;) I chose All I Ever Wanted as Geoff's other song for Laine because of the lines below that remind me of the scene in the hotel. And everyone who have read this book, come tell me this isn't the perfect song for that scene. ;)
"Slow down, make it last,
I'm having the time of my life.
And take a photograph,
I don't wanna leave this behind.

What seems so out of reach........"

Rating:

PLATINUM RECORD (plus a dime)




About the Author

New Orleans born Sara Celi has lived all over the United States. She calls the Greater Cincinnati area and the Queen City home.  She has spent more than a decade working in journalism and broadcasting, with jobs both on-air and off-air at TV stations in Louisiana, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications, magazines and newspapers, and she is a contributing author to Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Power of Positive. Sara graduated cum laude from Western Kentucky University in 2004. In her spare time, she likes to read, shop, write, travel, run long distances, volunteer with the Junior League, and fund raise for Cooperative for Education, a non-profit providing educational opportunities for Guatemalan kids.
Author links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads