Melpomene

Review: Stripped, by Jasinda Wilder

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What can I say, the premise of this book intrigued me. A virgin stripper and a movie playboy. Doesn’t that intrigue you?

Grey grew up in a very sheltered household. I mean, VERY sheltered. I could relate to that part, the most. I was completely clueless all through high school, but never to this extent. This was downright scary, how she could do nothing remotely worldly, according to her father. All she wants to do is dance and make movies. Both are of the devil, so her pastor father doesn’t allow this kind of activities.

“You must break free, in yourself.”

But when her life is completely turned upside down, she makes the decision to leave and do what she needs to do to follow her dreams. Even if that entails becoming a stripper, just to get through college.

This is the hardest thing she’s ever had to do. She is barely making it and the dancing is taking a piece of her away, every time.

But then she sees him. Dawson Kellor. Super sexy movie star is watching her dance. She can’t turn away. He can’t turn away. She knows something is happening.

…I’ll never return from this place, for I know the taste of temptation. I’ve sinned; I’ve fallen.

He wants her. She wants him, but she doesn’t want to want him. He is famous and can have anyone. Why would he want a stripper?

“I’ve always been entitled, you know? I’m that horribly obnoxious kind of person who’s always had everything and owns the fucking world, okay? But I’m not entitled to you. I have to earn you.”

The torment she goes through, while trying to figure out how to survive, is gut wrenching. She was not meant for this world. But he won’t let her go. No matter what she does, there is no escaping this man. He is her jail.

“His arms are like prison bars, but it’s a cell I have no desire of escaping.”

Throughout the entire book, you see what this super sheltered life has done to her. She can barely function. She struggles with what she believes is wrong and evil, but her heart doesn’t doesn’t give up. She breaks through those barriers and you rejoice with her.

“I don’t know what to believe.”

“Believe in me.”

This is the second book I’ve read by Jasinda Wilder, and I like her style. I can’t wait to see what’s next on her agenda.

~Melpomene

Buy it now Stripped

Review: Finding It, by Cora Carmack

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Kelsey has decided to spend a few months in Europe trying to find herself. No responsibilities. No parents. No problem. It’s seems easy enough to do. But when you grow up in an unloved household with worthless parents, finding yourself is harder than it looks. She has made bad choices, in trying to find people who will love her. She gives everything away, but gets nothing in return.

She finds herself running into Jackson Hunt on more than one occasion. He intrigues her and she wants him. It was annoying the way she constantly tried to get him to move faster, when he didn’t want to. I felt bad for him. He tried to maintain a hand’s off approach, but that didn’t work out so well.

He convinces her to go on an adventure with him, for a week, and see the what the world has in store. He slowly shows her that she worth more than she thinks, and that she can do whatever she wants.

“People find home in new places, new dreams, new people all the time. Home should feel effortless, like gravity.”

Their adventures were quite fun to read. I wish I was brave enough to do them. But I’m a chicken, so I live through books.

There was a bit of a twist towards the end. I never saw it coming. There’s a side of Jackson that I was shocked to find out. Kelsey was devastated. It destroyed everything she thought was the truth. I was quite mad myself.

But, in the end, she found her place in this world and found herself.

“I didn’t believe you when you told me I would find another place to call home.”

“This feels like home”

I received this ARC for an honest review.

~Melpomene

Buy it now Finding It

Review: Take Me Home for Christmas(Whiskey Creek #5), by Brenda Novak

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I know what you’re thinking. It’s not even Halloween and this crazy Muse is posting about Christmas?! Well, the truth is that there are a ton of Christmas books that are coming out next month, that if we don’t space them out a bit, we will be overwhelmed almost every day with them. Not that I would mind, but I’m sure the other muses would shoot me if that’s all I did. So I’m starting now. 🙂

This is a story about true friendship and forgiveness.

Sophia returns to Whiskey Creek after her abusive husband dies running from the FBI. She has hit rock bottom and most of the town isn’t ashamed to rub it in her face. She has to be strong for her 13 yr old, but she doesn’t know if she can.

Ted Dixon is secretly pining over her all these past years, since she jilted him. So he really doesn’t want her here, but he’s not going to do anything about it. That is until he hears and sees what the town is doing to her. He decides to be the bigger person and help her out.

Sophia is so desperate for money, she’ll even work for Ted. Even though she knows her heart won’t be able to handle it.

I felt so bad for Sophia. I understood why she did some of the things she did. But it was still hard to watch her fall apart and just give up. I knew some people would help her. But I was shocked at some other’s reactions.

I may have to read this series from the beginning. It was really good. I’ve read the first two books and skipped to this one, but I don’t feel like I missed anything. The only thing I really missed was the hook ups from the past three that I didn’t read. But since I know who ends up with who, I can go back and relax and read.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

~Melpomene

Buy it now Take Me Home for Christmas (Whiskey Creek)

Review: Just One Song, by Stacey Lynn

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Silly as it sounds, I bought this book after seeing the cover. I never read what it was about. All I knew was it was a romance, and that was good enough for me. But I loved it!!

Nicole Parsons’ life tragically changed over one year ago. And since then, she has stopped living. Her friend, Mia, challenges her to go out on a limb. And while she’s out there, she meets mega star, Zach Walters. She doesn’t wanna get involved with someone who reminds her of her past. It’s too hard.

Zach has never found anyone who likes him for him. Until he meets Nicole. He is thrown for a loop, over this girl who keeps to herself and who always looks sad. He wants to find a way to make her happy.

Nicole is shocked she feels anything for Zach. She is so used to being lost and sad. But she listens to Mia and goes out on that limb. She does some life changing things, but she needs to do them, in order to move on.

Zach helps her succeed in moving forward, without forgetting the past. It’s far from easy. But he doesn’t give up, and neither does she.

“Tell me that when you’re this close to me, when you feel my heart beating in my chest and feel my arms wrapped around you that you don’t want me; that you’re not falling in love with me. Because I am, Nicole. I’m completely falling head over heels in love with you.”

My favorite parts were all of the music scenes. I’m suck a sucker for musicians.

There is another book, about Mia, coming out at the end of this month. It’s called Just One Week. I can’t wait!!

~Melpomene

But it now Just One Song

New Releases for October 8, 2013

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This week doesn’t seem to have nearly as many new releases as last week. But there are a few I’m waiting for.

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The Heroes of Olympus, Book Four: The House of Hades
I now many kids who are anxiously waiting for this book. This is book four, in the Heroes of Olympus series, by Rick Riordan

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Convicted (Consequences)
This is the third book in the Consequences series, by Aleatha Romig. I have the first two books, but I was waiting till they were all out before I attempted to read these. I don’t do well with series like these. 🙂

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Just One Year
This comes out on October 10. I really enjoyed this book. But you must read Just One Day, first. Here is the link to my review.

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I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
This one looks REALLY good. I think one of us will be reading this soon.

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White Trash Damaged
This is the second in the White Trash trilogy. The first book has been on my tbr list for a while. Some day……

I hope today brings you many new books. Or maybe at least many pre orders. 😉

~Melpomene

Review: The Wager, by Rachel Van Dyken

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Let me start out by saying that I never thought I’d laugh so much, or that I’d cry this much, while reading this book. My emotions were all over the place. I completely fell in love with this book.

Char has had a crush on Jake for practically all her life. But in Jr. high, she was tossed aside and was forced to give up on him. He was never gonna like her. So she goes on with her life until one night sends her in a tailspin that brings all these past feelings back up. And when they both are in Kacey’s wedding, it’s the best and worst thing that can possibly happen.

Jake lost Kacey to his brother and is now being forced to watch them get married. What he wasn’t expecting was Char to saunter back into his life. He’s had a crush on her since Jr. high but never did anything about it. And now she’s back and he’s determined to try for her, but since he’s such a manwhore, he doesn’t feel like he’ll ever be worthy of her love.

“Scratches. They always sting before they heal. So it stings to get rejected, but I think in the end it will be worth it.”

Watching Jake and Char go back and forth was hilarious! The banter and flirting was so very fun. Grandma’s antics had me rolling. I don’t remember The Bet being this funny. I’m sure if I was living this, it wouldn’t seem funny, but holy cow, was I cracking up.

“I’m only listening to her because she bought a shock collar the other day.”
Kacey gave him a confused look.
“She doesn’t have a dog Kace. She bought a collar. If I don’t listen, she may use it on me…”

Watching Grandma torture Travis was downright giggle inducing. I felt so bad for the poor guy. But he took it all in stride.

There were also plenty of times I cried ugly tears too. I mean wedding always get me, but this was crazy!

“To my second son…and his new wife… may your bed be filled with laughter, your nights filled with pleasure, your home filled with the smell of good food, and your hearts be filled with joy. This is the reason we are on this earth-to love.”

In the end, Grandma, the master manipulator, got what she wanted…happy grandsons.

“…your hands. God made them to hold mine…
Marriage is just the beginning of our story, and I hope to God that when he write The End, it’s us, on that last page, still holding hands.”

*swoon*

~Melpomene

Buy it now The Wager: The Bet series: Book 2

New Releases for October 1, 2013

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I can’t believe it’s October already!! But I love the Fall weather. It’s perfect for cuddling up in a blanket, with a cup of mint tea and my kindle.

I can’t believe how many new releases come out this month. I am almost afraid to see how low my Amazon account will dwindle down to. So maybe if I only look at it week by week it won’t be so bad….maybe.

Since it’s the first of the month, that means new $2.99 book deals. Here is the link.

And here are a few that some of us are waiting for:

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Torn: The Connections Series, #2
I’ve read Connected, the first one, and it left us hanging with a cliffy. So I am so anxious to read this! It has a hot rocker. What more can we ask for? 🙂 This will complete the duet. I’m so glad to here it’s only a two book set. All these trilogies kill me!!

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Midnight’s Temptation (Dark Warriors)
I LOVE this series!! I was bamboozled into reading the first book of this series. And ever since then. I was completely addicted. If you like druids and fea, with a smidgen of romance thrown it, you’ll like this series.

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Love and Let Die (Masters and Mercenaries)
I have been waiting very impatiently for this one. I’m a sucker for BDSM books. This book has that, and an extra dose of suspense. Perfect combination.

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The Wager: The Bet series: Book 2
I totally loved this book!! Funny and emotional. I seriously was cracking up. But there’s one scene that had me tearing up. So sweet.

“Love isn’t effortless; it hurts. When I watch you my chest feels like it’s going to explode, when you touch me I feel it everywhere, when you breathe I hold my breath until you exhale. Love is hell, it’s torture, it drives a man insane, and it’s the scariest thing I’ve ever felt. I feel like I just jumped into a burning building…but Char, you’re my water. I need to know one thing.”
“What?” She whispered.
“Will you come to my rescue?”

I know, right?!?! Here’s the link to my review.

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Red Hill

If you’ve read Beautiful Disaster, and loved it, you should try this one as well. I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I’m not a fan of zombies, but this book threw me for a loop. I figured if I loved BD, I would love this one as well. I was right. 🙂 Here is the link to my review.

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Love and Lists (Chocoholics)
If you haven’t read Tara Sivec’s Chocolate Lovers series, you must do that first!! This is the spin off series. SO technically you don’t NEED to read the others first, but you’d be missing out on a whole lotta funny. And who doesn’t need funny in their lives??

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Possession: A Novel of the Fallen Angels
This is another paranormal romance series from J.R.Ward. I’ve only read her Black Dagger Brotherhood, but I have the first book, in this series, sitting patiently on my kindle. Hopefully one of these days, I’ll get to it.

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Found in You (Fixed)
I’m dying to read this trilogy! I will admit, I only bought it because of the cover. I’m shallow like that. I’m hoping to get to these sometime this month also. The first book, Fixed on You (The Fixed Trilogy), didn’t end on a cliffy. So that makes me feel a lot better.

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The Signature of All Things: A Novel
A novel about desire, ambition, and the thirst for knowledge, from author of Eat, Pray, Love and Committed. I’m finding myself drawn to historical fiction lately. This sounds like something I may have to squeeze in. 🙂

~Melpomene

Review: Flat-Out Love, by Jessica Park

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I feel in love with Matt at the escalators.

I fell in love with Finn in the elevator.

What’s a girl to do???

This book was such a surprise to me. I never read reviews, so I wasn’t really sure what was going to happen. I am so glad I didn’t. I just loved this!!

Julie was in Boston for college, and ends up living with a family that anything but normal. But she never thought that they were just what she needed, or that she was exactly what they needed.

Matt, is a cute, crazy t-shirt wearing, font nerd, who makes Julie so happy. He is an overprotective brother and she loves him for it.

Celeste is a quirky girl who doesn’t believe in contractions, and who also loves her brothers fiercely.

Finn is everything Julie wants, even thought she’s never meet him. But she flat out loves him. When he talks her though the elevator scene, I was bit in love with him too.

This book was filled with so many sweet scenes that made me cry and made me crack up. The Facebook posts were hilarious!

“Finn is God: So much for Earth Day. I totally screwed things up and started celebrating the wrong planet. Now I have to collect all these stupid trademarked dog figurines that I distributed all of the yard. At least it’s better than last year’s mistake when I had butt statues everywhere.”

This books was about love through and through. Romance love. Sisterly love. Brotherly love. and your all around family love.

“Love is a portion of the soul itself, and it is of the same nature as the celestial breathing of the atmosphere of paradise.”

I was so hooked on Matt that I never saw the ending coming, until it slammed in my face and left me devastated. Yet another book I wanted to reach in and hug someone.

Julie learns that love sometimes catches you off guard and isn’t always black and white.

I loved this book so much, I can hardly put it in words. Sweet and funny, with a heaping of romance. So hard to write about it, when all I want to do is read it again. The perfect quick read.

“…Let’s not pull this chute.”

~Melpomene

Buy it now Flat-Out Love

Review: Red Hill, by Jamie McGuire

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Let me start out by saying two things. First, I love Jamie McGuire’s writing. Beautiful Disaster has been in my top 5 books, since I read it. Absolutely LOVED that book! And second, and the most important, I hate zombie books. I really do. Hate, hate, hate. Can you see my dilemma? I wasn’t sure I wanted to read Red Hill, when she first told the world about it. But I kept going back to my first point, I really do like her writing. What’s a girl to do?? I was gonna wait til October 1st, when it comes out, and see what others said first. I don’t like gore, so I needed a warning. But then I was approved for an ARC, so that basically made my decision for me. I started it the very day it showed up. And I’m so glad I did.

It starts out on the cusp of a total world outbreak. You see glimpses of Scarlet and her two daughters, Daniel and his daughter Zoe and Miranda with her sister and both their boyfriends.

When the world finally ends, you watch them all travel to get to Red Hill. They meet all different kinds of people. The way everyone seemed to help each other, was very reassuring. If any world collapse happened, I’d hope people would be like this. It was quite a bumpy ride. I totally loved figuring out how their lives all intertwined. At one point, I chastised myself when I realized who a character was, in the big picture.

It was written from many POVs, but it wasn’t confusing. That was probably why I missed characters until they’re basically slapping me in the face. I love how all the character intertwined with each other. At one point I was cheering for one who showed up in the end. I thought this person was dead. I was sure of it. So glad I was wrong.

I wondered how Ms. McGuire would be able to swing a love story in the midst of zombies, without it being like Warm Bodies: A Novel. But she succeeded. The story spans over several months, which is the right amount of time for love to blossom.

And plenty of time for loss also. I did find myself tearing up at a few places, cuz I was attached to these characters. I was crossing my fingers that pain wouldn’t touch them. But, life is pain, and no is immune to it.

Let me just say, the pain that Scarlet was going through, I don’t know how she did it. I doubt I’d be able to stand like her.

The gore wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. It’s there, and it’s descriptive, but I’m just glad I was reading it and not watching it. I don’t think I could have handled seeing some of those on the big screen.

All in all, this was a good book. I’m glad I took a chance and read it. Who knew zombies and love went so well together.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

~Melpomene.

Buy it now Red Hill

Review: Just One Year, by Gayle Forman

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I remember when I was approved for this ARC. I was so excited!! That is until I realized that it could only be read on my Fire and not my Kindle. Then I wasn’t so excited. But since it was number two in a series, I decided to read number one and see if I could find the motivation to read it. Well….I fell in love with Just One Day, so I knew I would love Just One Year. I was not wrong. So I fired up my Fire and prepared myself. I read this in one sitting, I was so engrossed in the story, I couldn’t put it down. I was determined to see Willem and Allyson connect.

This book is from Willem’s point of view. But it was different from the usual male POV, since we didn’t see him, for most of the first book. Most books, when they do the male POV, you kinda already know the story and it seems familiar. This one, however, was completely different.

Near misses, is the theme of this book. I was dying the whole time. I kept yelling commands to Willem, but he wasn’t listening. Telling him to stay where he is, or turn here, was proving darn near impossible. He just wasn’t listening!!!

Seeing him interact with his friends was very sweet. Seeing how much he has lost, wasn’t. I wanted to reach in a hug him. But I loved seeing him like this, looking for a home, that no longer exists, while trying find his Lulu.

Watching his heart break, was breaking mine. But watching his get put back together, made me cry harder. It seems like he never was able to feel loved. Even though he was, he just never knew it.

This was a story about discovering yourself and finding love among the accidents of life.

I can’t wait til this is released, in October, and y’all can join in the love. This was truly an amazing story!

I received this ARC for an honest review.
~Melpomene

Buy it now Just One Year

And don’t forget to grab Just One Day