New releases for November 12, 2013

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I’m actually quite happy with the low amount of books this week. I can’t keep up with all the past ones I’ve purchased. It’s nice to have a break. The funny thing is that the first two were released yesterday!

17840487Working It: A Love by Design Novel
I can’t wait to read this book! I’m saving it for my birthday treat. I plan on doing nothing but read, and this is the first book I’m starting with. I’ve really enjoyed all of Kendall’s books, so I know I’ll enjoy this as well.

18166194Infinite Possibilities (Contemporary New Adult) (The Secret Life of Amy Bensen)
After the last book, Escaping Reality, left us with a cliffy, I am dying to read this book as well. So don’t even look for me tomorrow. I’m gonna be busy. 🙂

17628631 Plain Peace (A Daughters of the Promise Novel)
And while this may not seem like my normal read, I’ve read the first 5 books in the Daughters of Promise series. This is #6. So I know I’ll be reading it as well. I sometimes enjoy the simpleness of the Amish life and reading about it gives me a glimpse into it.

Happy Reading!!

Don’t forget to enter the 2nd birthday week giveaway, on our Facebook page!!

~Melpomene

Review: In the Clear by Tamara Morgan

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18627383 Fletcher Owens has not had a great life, but the one thing he could count on was his best friend Sean Sinclair and his twin sister Lexie. Their family became like his family while growing up and he would never do anything to risk that, not even act on his feelings towards Lexie. Fletcher is quiet, sensitive and afraid of blood. To conquer that fear he decides to volunteer for the Search and Rescue team, but doesn’t want the attention he knows that will bring so he keeps it secret from his best friends.

Lexie is outgoing and bubbly, a fundraiser for a local charity. She loves her twin brother and Fletcher but hates feeling like an outsider in the trio. When they hang out without her she feels left out as they are truly her best friends as well. When Fletcher’s secret is revealed in the local paper she is shocked that she really doesn’t know him as well as she thought. Lexie ends up on a rescue mission with Fletcher and what they discover about each other surprises them both.

I fell in love with this novella immediately, I love this romantic trope. I felt that the traditional gender roles in these kinds of stories were flipped, which I really appreciated. Often in romance novels we see the confident, outgoing males who will get what they want no matter want and in this one while Fletcher was definitely a strong male, he has his quirks and anxieties. Which made me love him even more. The rescue mission with Lexie interacting with Fletcher and the whole team was the best part of the book for me as it revealed Lexie’s strengths, that she didn’t know she had. The banter between Lexie and the other guys slowly revealed more of Lexie to Fletcher that he didn’t know was there.

Both characters have a lot of depth and are well thought out for a short story. I felt that I knew them very well. Fletcher and Lexie are almost opposites and seeing the two together and interact was very cute. Overall, this was an adorable Holiday novella. I would definitely recommend. PLUS it’s only 99 cents! That is a crazy good price a such a cute story. I would so buy it if I were you. Now!!

I received this ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

4 stars.

~ Clio

Buy it Now In the Clear (Winter Rescue)

Review: See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles

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20131110-155653.jpgI remember with absolute clarity the angst and turmoil that came with being a preteen and entering middle school: hormones, self-image issues, embarrassing family members, bullying, secret crushes…See You at Harry’s encompasses all that and more.

Twelve-year-old Fern, named after the character in Charlotte’s Web, is entering middle school and all the accompanying drama that goes with it. Her eccentric but loving family includes three siblings, all also named after book characters, each accompanied by their own drama. Brother Holden is coming to terms with his sexual orientation. Charlie is the much-loved and over-indulged baby of the family. Older sister Sara has recently graduated from high school but is trying to find herself while working in the family restaurant. Fern’s mom, although a loving parent, distances herself from the family by withdrawing into her private world. Fern’s dad is understandably tied up with the day-to-day business of running a restaurant. And speaking of the restaurant, this is the center point in the family’s life and the source of much of Fern’s discomfort. However, when tragedy strikes the family they must all come together in order to survive.

This book is an amazing account of a young girl’s journey through one of the most difficult life events imaginable. Jo Knowles does an amazing job of bringing this story to life. Fern’s story is funny, embarrassing, sad, and entirely believable. It’s an excellent read for young adults and preteens as well as adults such as myself. There was also an element of suspense as the story led me to believe one tragedy was about to occur before going in another direction. I couldn’t pull myself away from this one and can’t wait to read more by this author.

~Thalia

Buy It Now: See You at Harry’s

Review: The Stone Boy by Sophie Loubiere

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20131110-160727.jpgWhat would you do if you thought your neighbour was abusing their child? Well, that’s the predicament faced by Elsa Perau. In this novel (touted as a national phenomenon in its native France), the reader is presented with the narrative view of Elsa Perau and her increasing concern for the safety of a child living next door to her. However, this isn’t just your usual case of an abused child living next door; Elsa isn’t exactly the most reliable person, and paranoia is the main theme of this novel. Is the child actually being abused, or is Elsa imagining it?
This novel is translated into English, and I believe that it lost something in translation. Don’t get me wrong, the pace and style was good, but I just couldn’t help thinking that I was missing something by not reading in the original language. It felt like a heavy fog – you could make out something, but not quite see it clearly.
As mentioned above, the pacing of this novel was good because just when you think it is going in one direction, it turns on you. This kept me guessing, and changing my mind at various points throughout. However, there are some parts where it seems like there is no build up to surprises, and it feels like a kind of “oh this happened, surprise!” And then it moves straight on. I did like how it made you think about what is real, and what you want to be real; so often in life we can make things seem real enough, and in fact there will be a completely different interpretation, depending upon who you ask.
Overall, it was an entertaining read, but I felt it lacked that certain je ne sais quoi. I recommend it for its ability to portray truths and versions of truths that I haven’t seen before, but being a phenomenon? I don’t know….

ARC provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Buy it here: The Stone Boy

Review: The Mountain Between Us by Cindy Meyers

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20131108-161406.jpgA snowy Christmas romance! The Mountain Between Us is set in Colorado, in a tiny town where everyone leans on each other. The dynamics among the residents of Eureka remind me of those in Robyn Carr’s Virgin River — a focus on family, with woodsy, macho men who protect strong and emotional women.

Cindy Meyers gives us DJ and Olivia, a former couple who may or may not get back together; and Maggie and Jameso, a newish couple who have some real obstacles to overcome. Throw in a few spinsters, a con artist, a teenager and a local diner, and you have yourself a town.

I liked how Meyers gave the characters strength and integrity. They were likable and sweet. They held each other up during snowstorms and swindles. They lent each other an ear and a shoulder to cry on. I also liked the dual romance… and the inclusion of extended family. I felt like I could depend on these people. I trusted them.

The only thing that disappointed me about this book was the rambling writing. Some chapters took way too long to say what they needed to say. A good 10% of the verbiage should have been cut to tighten up the writing. Because of the long-windedness (especially in the first half), I found myself skipping over entire paragraphs, itching to get to the action! Nevertheless, the writing is excellent and the dialogue flowed naturally.

The Mountain Between Us is a warm Christmas romance, replete with snowstorms, love, and a strong sense of family. Read it beside your Christmas tree with a cup of hot cocoa, and you might even hear the jingle bells.

–Calliope

Buy it now The Mountain Between Us

Review: Mine, by Katy Evans

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“Remy, you’re my king…There’s no chess game for me without you.”
“You’re the queen who will protect me.”

Oh my word!!! This book had my emotions all over the freaking place!! I remember how intense Real was and this is right up there. This takes place right after Real ends. Brooke is back with Remy and she continues to fight for him at every corner.

They have such a fierce, and an all consuming love for each other, it made their struggles even more hard to read. And boy did they have struggles. They had such doozies, that I remember the exact percentage that these happened. Brooke had to come to terms with what happened when she left him, in Real. She knows she was gone, and shouldn’t hold anything against him, but it’s much easier said than done.

“You…are going to love me until I die. I’m going to make you love me even if it hurts, and when it hurts, I’m going to make it better, Brooke.”

I felt so bad for Brooke during this book. She seemed to draw the short straw at every turn. At one point, I was reading, thinking it was a dream, until I realized it was actually happening. I was shocked and appalled. I couldn’t imagine anyone surviving that.

But then something wonderful happens and that totally made the book for me. But, as with all good books, the good parts can only last for so long, before the drama and turmoil starts to seep in and tries to destroy everything that is good. Brooke has to face something so hard, and Remy can’t help her. And when he’s away from her, the poor guy can barely function. He may appear so strong, but even the strongest beasts can fall. And if she’s not there to catch him, no one can.

Scorpion is still a major player in this book. He’s also the creator of some of the drama. Brooke’s sister play a role in the drama as well. I was getting so mad at her for not supporting her sister and Remy. He was the reason she’s alive and back in good health. But of course, drama is needed.

“You deserve this and more. While you fight out there, I will fight for you to come home to this.”

I was so strung out on the all the fight and sex scenes. FIERCE. Every time I turned around, someone was getting thrown to the floor or the bed. Not that I’m complaining. If I had a Remy of my own, I’d probably be the same way. He’s a force to be reckoned with and you better watch out. He loves and protects the ones he loves and he’s not afraid to fight hard or dirty.

There was a point where him being bipolar produced a scene that was extremely hard to read. My stomach was in feet. He was so down, there was no other option for him. Watching Remy try and fail to bring himself back up, was so sad. Growing up with people who basically threw you away, will change you, and not for the better. Even if he has caring friends, that love and support him now, not having that in the beginning of his life, has done damage to him. I know there are many people who suffer from this also, I just hope they are surrounded by loving people who will help them.

“Your family isn’t with you because of destiny or blood or because they have no choice. They’re with you because they love you. And chose you.” I gaze into his blue eyes. “I choose you.”

~Melpomene

Gallery books
Buy it now Mine (The REAL series)

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Review: 4 to 16 Characters by Kelly Hourihan

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18273649 Jane Shilling is 15 year old and pretty much hates her life. So she escapes into one of her alternate online lives, of which there are many. Her mother died last year, her father drinks and she is pretty much invisible at school so she balances her different personas. One is an emo, goth boy who likes to blog about dark feelings, another is an angry woman who likes to pick fights online but mostly she is Rachel online. Rachel, who likes to write fan fiction for her favorite sci-fi show.

Jane hates her therapist at school and hates her teacher when she tries to send home notes about her missing 27 homework assignments. Why do they care? What business is it of theirs? She begins to become friends with some online people but finds it tricky when none of the things she reveals is true. A boy at school tries to be her friend but Jane can’t understand why he would want to and is he really a skee-ball champion?

I found this book to be funny and touching in surprising ways. The cover definitely underwhelms and I wish it would get a new one just so it would draw some actual readers in. I always like when books use multiple mediums to tell stories and the use of IM’s, emails and journal entries definitely worked for me. Through this medium we were able to tell at a glance which of Jane’s online personas were “talking”. I loved reading Jane’s actual journal entries because her venting about her school was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The surprisingly touching parts came in the forms of the IM’s. Both the therapist and Jane’s friends had conversations that were insightful and real. I know some older people might find it hard to read the IM’s because they were in “text speak” that teenagers use, but since this is a young adult novel I thought it was very appropriate and right on. I would recommend this book to any young adult reader.

I received this book via Netgally in return for an honest review.

4 stars

~Clio

Buy it Now 4 to 16 Characters

Review: Love, in Writing; by Elsa Winckler

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20131102-220427.jpg Just released this month!

Love, in Writing is about a romance author, Margaret, who meets a sci-fi writer, Graham. They live in different towns in South Africa but keep running into each other at various events. Margaret and Graham develop a relationship, but each is too stubborn to see the love they have between them.

I enjoyed the South African setting, the surfing references, crazy cousin Louise, and Margaret’s bookshop (full of books with happy-ever-afters). The author signings and book launches were fun to read about, too.

I really liked that Margaret stood her ground and wouldn’t compromise her values and needs just because she met a hot guy. She wanted Love and Forever, and she was prepared to wait for it. I also thought it was great that Graham wanted to hold back, since his goal was a casual relationship. He pulled back from getting too close to Margaret before he was really ready.

Within this novel, Margaret and Graham wrote about each other in the books they were writing. Using valuable novel space to describe how and what they were writing was a little too silly for me. I skimmed over those parts when I saw them coming. I thought the plans near the end to get back together were also a little unrealistic. But I suspended my disbelief and was satisfied with the ending and the epilogue.

Love, in Writing is a well-written, quirky romance. The characters are fun, and the setting is unique. I enjoyed it.

–Calliope

Buy it now Love, in Writing

Review: Reality Boy by A.S. King

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RBI don’t read as much YA as I used to. However, sometimes you just have to feed a need! This book did not disappoint. I have never been a big fan of reality TV. This book pointed out many reasons why reality television isn’t necessarily a positive influence in the world. Especially when it comes to the stars of the show. It seems that instead of learning from the pain and heartache of what some of these shows have created, the public just wants more. Like a train wreak we are unable to tear our eyes away from.

This story is about Gerald Faust. He is an almost 17-year-old that is still known to the world as the young child that starred in a reality television series. Even though more than 10 years have gone by…even though much of the show took place when he was only 5 years old, he is still known, and judged by the events that the show chose to show the world. Just imagine how anyone can take a few minutes out of your week and sculpt them into what they want the world to see. Imagine that everyone judges you by those few minutes alone. You have no chance to show them the events that led up to those events. You have no chance to tell your side. No one is allowed to see how others treated you prior to those events. No one is allowed to see what happens after the events. Now imagine this is how you will be judged not only in that week, but in the rest of your life. Isn’t being a teenager hard enough?

I can’t really say that this book has a happy ending. I can’t say that you’ll fall in love with any of the characters. I can say that parts of it will make you sad. Parts of it will scare you. Parts of it will also make you angry. You’ll be reminded that we should not judge those that we do not know. You’ll be reminded that you’re not alone no matter how much you might feel that way….

Should you read this book? Yes! Turn off that damned telly and pull out this book. It was a quick read. It will have you wanting to hurry to the end to see how Gerald fairs in life. You will want his reality to be a happy ending! I won’t lie to you….this is based on reality tv…and just as reality is never “wrapped up in a pretty bow” at the end, this book won’t be either. Nothing is really ever perfect, is it? Some people never get the help that need. Some people never choose to face the hard facts…about those they love or about themselves….but sometimes, life does get better! Sometimes you do find positive people to surround yourself with. Life CAN get better…perhaps not perfect, but at least you can make changes that improve it….at least in this respect, this book is very much like “reality”

Enjoy! Until next time….

Urania xx

Reading copy obtained from Netgalley for an honest review

Buy it now Reality Boy

Review: When I Look to the Sky, by Barbara S. Stewart

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17568249

“Cause when I look to the sky something tells me
you’re here with me
And you make everything alright

And when I feel like I’m lost something tells me
you’re here with me
And I can always find you when you are here”

-Train-

Oh my word….I need a minute…..

OK, I have sat here for two hours writing and deleting and writing again. This is the 5th time a book has made me wanna just type…It was awesome. I cried. Buy it. But that won’t do it justice, will it?

This is the second book in a trilogy. The first, Rock and Roll Never Forgets, was one of the ones I couldn’t write a review that was worthy of it. But I have to give this one a go. I’ll try not to spoil the first book by telling you of this one. But you REALLY must start from the beginning. You MUST!!! I’ll be buying these in print, because some of the proceeds go to The American Cancer Society. That makes me love these even more.

When I finished Rock and Roll, I was devastated. The last 25% of the book I spent crying. I won’t spoil it, but I will say, you may need tissues. The entire love story was so romantic and tragic. The love, that was shown, was overwhelmingly beautiful. I never wanted the story to end. I wanted to know what happens next.

But I admit, I was scared to read this one. After the last, I didn’t know if it was gonna live up to the emotions I felt. So I put it off for a while. But when I finally picked it up, I knew I wasn’t gonna be disappointed. And I knew I was gonna need tissues. 🙂 Just reading the beginning, I was already crying.

Carlee always felt loved by Andy. He gave her everything she ever needed or wanted. She’s been through a lot, in her young age, but her Papa was always there. And she loved him with all her heart. When Andy surprises her with a European vacation, she never imagined that it would bring her another man to love and change their lives forever.

While eating at their hotel, she meets Matthew. I loved the way we see him for the first time and get his view of her. He was instantly smitten and so sweet to her. Offering to be her tour guide, was perfect. 🙂 It was cute to see Andy find ways to have Matthew join them in their travels.

I loved all the point of views we see. This book shows us what everyone is feeling and seeing. But not in a confusing way. They have so many people in their lives and they all have a part to play. You see Andy as he is watching his sweet girl move farther from him and closer to another man. You watch Carlee experience everything for the first time. You see Matt try to be the best man he can, for his girl.

Watching Matt’s and Carlee’s romance reminded me of the good times between Andy and Carlee’s mom, Beth. They were very slow and sweet. Innocent kisses and hugs and long phone calls. Now, I love romances with a bit of sauce in them, but not every story needs that. I think if they rushed into things, it would’ve ruined it. They way they took their time to get to know each other was perfect. And when Matt needed Carlee, she jumped to his aid. They leaned on each other through the hard times and grew closer through the good.

“I think about more than ‘now’ when I look at you…I can’t wait for every tomorrow with you…”

Music played such major character in this series. I was constantly looking up the songs to listen while I read the scenes, which undoubtedly made me cry more. I’ll never hear “Unforgettable” without thinking of Andy.

DO YOU KNOW MEL?

The camp scenes were just so touching. I won’t say much more. I don’t want to spoil that part. But if I ever have a chance to be a part of something that amazing, I’m going to jump on it.

While we’re watching Matthew and Carlee’s love story we see Andy and Carlee’s love. They love each other so much it hurts. It’s been only them, for so long, he has to learn to let go of his little girl, and it breaks his heart.

“I’m going to bed now and cry myself to sleep…Wake me in the morning. I need a few more minutes alone with you before I share you with Matthew…forever.”

“Papa, I love you.”

“Carlee Elizabeth, you just don’t know.”

*wipes eyes*

After I typed all of this out, I read the last book, Feel Like Makin’ Love, and that was the perfect ending to a wonderful series. I am so glad I went straight to it, after this one. It answered the few questions I had. But really, I just needed closure. I needed to know that everyone was OK.

There is so much more I want to say, but it would spoil it, so I’ll leave you with this.

It was awesome.

I cried.

Buy it.

~Melpomene

Rock and Roll Never Forgets (The Rock and Roll Trilogy)

When I Look to the Sky (The Rock and Roll Trilogy)

Feel Like Makin’ Love (Rock and Roll Trilogy #3)