Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Blog Tour: Inspire by Heather Buchine-Excerpt & GIVEAWAY!


Welcome to the Book Blitz Blog Tour for the new NA novel Inspire by Heather Buchine thanks to Xpresso Book Tours! Today I'm happy to share an excerpt where main character Paige sets eyes on leading man Travis for the first time, as well as give away an ecopy of the book!

Inspire!


18-year old Paige Rice, an exquisite beauty from East Hampton, NY, has just celebrated her high school graduation and is expecting to spend her summer living it up with all her socialite friends. But her parents have a different idea – she is being hauled away-literally- to the mountains of Vermont for the entire summer- in an RV!

Assuming she will be an outcast amongst the other teens at the campground still does not prepare her for the treatment she receives, which is far worse than she imagined. She also isn’t prepared for Travis, the campground owner’s son and the “Sexiest” guy she has ever laid eyes on. Travis is the only one who shows any interest in getting to know Paige. The only problem is that they have to explore what lies between them in secret. But once all the secrets are stripped away, the truth may be crushing.

***Intended for mature audiences due to language and sexual content***

Add on Goodreads or purchase on Amazon!

Excerpt:
 
.....As I raised my head, I met stunning blue eyes set in the most gorgeous face that I had ever seen. WOW! I thought as my body reacted on the spot. Trying not to ogle but unable to look away, I quickly took in the sight. He was tall, with short, dark, spiky hair and was sporting a slight five o’clock shadow on his perfect chin. So SEXY! my mind purred as I looked down to see the rest of him. Although he was wearing a long sleeved t-shirt and jeans, I could tell that he was built and that his body underneath was just as incredible. Our eyes briefly locked, and then he smiled. His mouth immediately drew my attention, and I had to look away before he could read my thoughts on my face......



Meet Heather Buchine:
By no surprise my favorite hobbies are reading and writing. But beyond escaping into the written fantasy world, I love experiencing new things. Surfing, motorcycle riding, snow blading, glass blowing, parasailing, SUP boarding are just a few that I have checked off my bucket list, but there is still so much more to explore. Right now, being a mom is my biggest adventure and the best by far!! In the quiet calm hours of the night though, I can usually be found typing away creating a world of romance where drama still exists but love (hopefully!!) always prevails.

Visit Heather:
Website | Goodreads | Facebook 
 

GIVEAWAY!

Want to read Inspire? Well, I have an ecopy to give away to one reader!

-To enter simply comment on this post with a way to contact you. It's that easy!

-Giveaway is international and ends June 5th!



Friday, May 17, 2013

Book Shelf: Losing It (Losing It #1) by Cora Carmack

Love. Romance. Sex. There's a first time for everything...

As far as Bliss Edwards can tell, she's the last virgin standing, certainly amongst her friends. And she's determined to deal with the 'problem' as quickly and simply as possible.

But her plan for a no-strings one night stand turns out to be anything but simple. Especially when she arrives for her first class and recognizes her hot new British professor.

She'd left him naked in her bed just 8 hours earlier...

More info on Goodreads....


Review:

Cora Carmack's debut novel, Losing It is a brilliantly fun, passionate debut that oozes chemistry and sensuality. Dripping with romance and intense longing, this captivating read had me from the opening chapter!

I've been hearing things about this book for a while, but as someone who's never read a lot of contemporary novels until recently, I hadn't really thought to read it until I ordered a copy of it on a whim one day. And then, when I felt like I wanted to read something different, I decided to start reading it, not a hundred percent sure what to expect. But to say that Losing It surprised me would be an understatement. From the opening chapter I was drawn into the story and could not put it down--I loved this book! Oh....my....goodness, did love this book! Losing It was fantastic! Simply fantastic!

I have to admit, I'm a hopeless romantic. I always have been, always will be, and when I begin books like this I'm always looking for something intense and passionate between the characters. Something that captures your attention from the very beginning and doesn't fade as the story progresses and yet whose characters feel real and who are enjoyable to read about. Cora Carmack ticks all these boxes with her perfectly told tale of a collage virgin who almost sleeps with a stranger she picks up in a bar, only to chicken out and then find out a few days later he's actually her new collage professor.

Losing It was wonderfully written. Carmack's writing was descriptive where it needed to be and intense when required. The story's pace was perfect and there was a never a dull moment to be seen. At it's base, this is a story of longing and forbidden romance and the intensity between main characters Bliss and Garret bleeds from the pages but there's also an undeniable story about growing up and facing the fears that come with moving into adult hood. And yet this book is so much fun and so very edgy--if you're not swept up in it, I don't know what's wrong with you!

As our leading lady, Bliss Edwards shines! Cora Carmack has written a splendid female lead in Bliss. Bliss is everything I expect a young, twenty-one year old collage student to be. She's smart and kind and funny and even a little bit crazy. She's basically a normal everyday girl and I think that's one of the reasons liked Bliss so much. I found her to be so relatable. Her fears over being with a man for the first time, and her insecurities when it came to relationships were something that seemed so understandable--I completely understood where she was coming from, could even go so far as to say I've been in her shoes in some occasions. So the fact that it featured a girl like Bliss certainly made the book more fun to read.

And admittedly, a love interest like Garrett didn't hurt either! Garrett Taylor is just plain sexy. Honestly, I loved this guy. He was the perfect match for Bliss. There's simply too many things about this guy that made me love him--his intensity towards Bliss, his kindness, his cheeky and wicked attitude and that's not even including his British accent. Garrett really was the perfect man in this book. And I say man because to me, that's what he was. Bliss may have refered to him as a boy, a "British boy" to be precise, a couple of times throughout the book, but I never really thought of him as a boy. He may have been only a few years older than her, but Garrett was a man, and Bliss often seemed young in comparison. He seemed so wise and experienced and very skilled in the seduction department, that it wasn't hard to understand why Bliss fell for him.

And did she ever! Losing It was an endless roller-coaster of desire and lust; love and romance and Cora Carmack told it so well! The romance and relationship that develops, and then blossoms, between Bliss and Garrett was so brilliant to read about. These two have chemistry in spades and every shared moment between them from chapter one onwards is electricity charged and intense. They're passionate and thrilling and their desire just oozes from each and every page. And yet, they're also very sweet too. The attraction they feel for one another is never far when Bliss and Garrett are together, but their relationship really develops into something deep as the story progresses. While they're always hot for one another, they care about each other from the beginning and I think that's what makes them so amazing to read about--they're willing to risk so much, especially Garrett, simply because what they feel is so real and vibrant, regardless if it's breaking some rules.

I will say Carmack doesn't shy away from the sexual tension between Bliss and Garrett and there is some mature content that younger readers should be aware of, but personally I loved how she wrote the romance between our main characters. They really were perfect for each other in so many ways and I was happy with how Carmack set up their future and life together.

Losing It was gripping and addictive from start to finish and features its characters in a bunch a of fantastically funny and electric situations. A fantastic debut by Cora Carmack that already has me eager for it's follow up and sequel, Faking It, featuring Cade and his lady love!

Rating:
Source: I Bought.
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Booktopia | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
Recommendation: Everyone! If you enjoy contemporary novels, I'm fairly certain you'll enjoy this!
Cover: I actually really love this cover. It's simple, but looks fantastic in real life!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes! I've already pre-ordered a copy of the sequel!
 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram-Excerpt from Grayson's POV!

 
When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically.

The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.

Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest.

Add on Goodreads and purchase it on Amazon!

Excerpt- In Grayson's POV!
I had to drag Avery from the car. When she finally started walking, she stumbled.

“Is it the heels?” I asked, pulling her to my side. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear high heels before, but they look hot. Plus it’s kind of nice having you at shoulder height for a change instead of all the way down at my chest, shorty.”

“Ha, ha,” she said, but there was only nervousness in her voice. “It’s not the heels. I practiced walking in them for over an hour. I’m just shaking too hard to walk.”

I pulled her tight against me and kissed her temple. Her hair smelled fruity. She was one of those girls who always smelled good enough to eat. It drove me crazy.

“You’ll be fine. Just hang on to me. I won’t make you let go all night if you don’t want to.”

She took me up on my offer. Slowly, she slipped her arm around my waist and then clung to me like she was super glued there. I tensed beneath her touch and had to fight back shivers.

“Feel free to hang on to other parts of me too.” My voice came out thick because it had been stuck in my throat. “My butt’s feeling pretty left out, and I don’t spend so much time working out my abs and chest just to never get felt up.”

I laughed when Avery gasped and turned as red as the dress she had on. The super-hot, super-tight, amazing spaghetti-strap pencil dress that she’d been instructed to borrow tonight. Thanks to Chloe’s petite Asian frame, Avery fit quite nicely into Chloe’s clothes. Avery’s ample chest was the only exception, and as a result, she was struggling to stay in the top of the dress. Thank you, Chloe!

My hand fell from Avery’s shoulder down to the small of her back. It itched to go lower, but, miracle of miracles, it managed to stay put.

“Oh my gosh, Grayson! For once, could you please restrain from embarrassing me when I’m already on the verge of a massive freak out?”

“I was just putting the idea out there. I don’t know if you’re aware of how incredibly beautiful you look tonight, or that I haven’t had a single hookup since The Shower Incident. That was weeks ago, Aves. I only have so much restraint.”

Instead of smacking me or burying her face in her hands like I expected her to, Avery stopped walking and sighed. “You’re right. This experiment has completely commandeered your life. I’m sorry. If you need to . . .” She hesitated, turning all pink again. “If you need to go do your thing or take care of business or whatever, I’ll be okay with Pamela and Chloe for a while.”

I felt a dopy smile creep over my face. I was on a role with that lately. There was no denying I was crushing on the girl now, but it was starting to get ridiculous. I was turning into some kind of freaking lovesick pansy, grinning every time I made the girl blush.

“You’re giving me permission to go find a hot girl and hook up? On our first real date?”

“We can call the next one a date. You can have the night off tonight. You’ve earned it. Go have some fun. Find a gorgeous girl, act like yourself for five whole minutes until you’ve captured her heart, and then take her someplace quiet where you guys can talk for the rest of the night.”

I had to bite the inside of my cheek through that speech to keep from smiling too much. “And what if I’ve already got my sights set on a gorgeous girl?”

She rolled her eyes, completely missing my meaning. “You’re Grayson Kennedy. I’m sure you’ve already got your sights set on three or four different girls, and we aren’t even in the front door yet.”

Her comment stung. She hadn’t meant it to be mean, and honestly, I totally deserved it, but things were changing for me, and I didn’t like that I was the only one noticing. That moment was the first time I realized that I really, really liked Avery, and that I wanted her to like me too. For real like me.

“Aves, I was talking about you. You’re my date tonight. I’m here with you because I want to be, okay? I don’t need to go find anyone else. I may still need to hook up, though,” I teased.

Want more? Read the first chapter in Avery's POV on Kelly's website here!

_____________________

Wasn't that fantastic? I'm quite a fan of Kelly's an I'm certainly looking forward to reading this! Avery sounds like my kind of girl and Grayson.....well, let's just say he sounds like me kind of guy. Oh and The Shower Incident they speak of....yeah. I wanna know what that means.

What do you think? Will you be adding this to your TBR list?

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Book Shelf: The Vincent Boys (The Vincent Boys #1) by Abbi Glines

Beau Vincent is rude, bad, and dangerous to know. So, why can’t good girl Ashton Gray keep away from him? She already has the perfect boyfriend – her town’s local Prince Charming, Sawyer Vincent. But Sawyer is away for the summer, and in the meantime Ashton is bored, and the head between her and Beau is undeniable – as well as irresistible. Ashton is about to unleash her bad girl – but what will she do when Sawyer comes home? And how will Sawyer react when he returns to find his girlfriend in the arms of his best friend – and cousin?

The Vincent Boys is a sexy, exciting and enjoyable romp through one steamy Alabama summer.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

The Vincent Boys is fun, sexy and more than a little addicting. This is the kind of book you stay up all night reading!

I'm happy to say I was pleasantly surprised with this book. Admittedly, I did have high expectations thanks to all the rave reviews I've heard, but as always I had my doubts. Would it live up to my expectations? Would it be everything I wanted it to be? Would I even like it at all? Well. I did....and then some. In all honestly, The Vincent Boys was basically the perfect book. Romantic and exciting, I only had one issue with it, but I'll get to that a little later......

Having now read The Vincent Boys, it's no surprise to me that Abbi Glines is becoming such an accomplished writer. From self-published to published all around the world, this woman is obviously very talented at writing believable, likeable, yet marginally flawed characters. Abbi Glines's writing is perfect within this story. It isn't over bearing, and the dual POV between main characters Ashton and Beau allow a very well rounded view of the goings on in the story.

At it's base, The Vincent Boys really is a story of forbidden love, but it's actually so much more than that. The characters within the book really are stepping into adulthood and learning who they are, and who they love, along the way. Our main characters Ashton and Beau are very different, but I found I liked them because of this.

I was glad Glines didn't "really" paint Ashton as perfect--rather someone fighting to be perfect. Sure everyone saw her as the perfect preachers daughter, but from the inside of her head you know she's far from this. It made the changes she undertook and the risks she took with Beau believable--this wasn't a girl making out of character decisions, this was a girl finally finding the courage to be herself, no matter what people around her thought.

And as for Beau...whoa boy! Beau was sexy, naughty boy. In the best way. I really felt for Beau in this book. Everyone, bar Ash and Sawyer thought the worst of him. No one treated him well and thought him bad news. They only saw the bad history and the bad upbringing. They didn't see the valuable man he could be at times, or how deeply he cared about Ashton and Sawyer. He may have hurt his "cousin" but he still loved him. His actions may not have seemed to show it, but being inside Beau's mind for half of the book allowed us as the reader to experience that love first hand. Ashton was Beau's world. She was the only one who saw the good in him and who made him feel worthy and I found it so sweet how protective he was of her.

So basically I loved Ashton and I loved Beau....but I didn't love what they did. The romance was hot and addicting in this book--very New Adult, but the thing that kept it really truly being that five out of five book for me was the fact that no matter how much they loved each other, what Ash and Beau did was cheating. And that wasn't right. Was I cheering for them to be together despite their social differences? Yes, how could I not? However, I often struggled with reconciling their relationship with knowing that they were doing was going to hurt people, especially Sawyer. I understand that this aspect was something different Abbi Glines could explore within the book, but it still felt wrong to me. In fact, it took me a while to really get into the book at first due to this very reason, however when I finally put that out of my mind it was easy to become immersed in the story and the romance that was Ashton and Beau's. Regardless of the fact what they were doing was wrong, there was no denying that what they had was special and deep and so so sexy. Ashton especially was experiencing love, and lust, for the first time and it was impossible not to be swept up in that.

I also found I liked the lesser characters as well. Obviously, I'm aware that Sawyer and Lana will be the feature couple in the next book, so I was very aware of them in The Vincent Boys. I like them already--although I don't feel like I know them. Yet. I did like Beau's mum Honey Vincent though. And the friends of Ashton's we met. That weren't cruel to her, I mean. I'm looking forward to seeing more of these characters in the second book!

From beginning to end, The Vincent Boys is all passion and intensity and will often have you wondering how something so wrong can feel so right. Add it to your to-be-read pile folks, this is one NA you don't want to miss!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Hot Key Books (Thank you so much Sandra!!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Booktopia | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
Recommendation: I thinks fans of NA will love this new addition to the genre!
Cover: It's likeable--not exactly how I picture Ashton and the boys though.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: Yes! Really looking forward to reading Sawyer and Lana's tale!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Owl Post #12


Inspired by The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, Owl Post allows us bloggers to showcase the books we've bought, won or received throughout the week and is hosted by Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries. We all know that the Owl Post is the fastest way to send and receive mail and they certainly make me happy every time they drop a book off.
 
Hiya all!

Welcome to another Owl Post here at The Rest Is Still Unwritten! Let's see what goodies I got this week......

For Review:
 
From Simon & Schuster Australia....
 
- Because of Low by Abbi Glines
- Just for Now by Abbi Glines
- While it Lasts by Abbi Glines
- Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
When I found out that Abbi Glines was coming to Australia in June, I knew I had to read some of her books before she arrived. But I never expected requesting The Vincent Boys would result in my being sent the entire Sea Breeze series, plus Hopeless by Colleen Hoover as a little something extra as well. I'm really looking forward to reading this.
 
....Thank you SO MUCH Anabel--I'm so grateful!
 
 
From Hot Key Books....
 
- The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines
This was really good--I quite enjoyed it and certainly cannot wait to read it's sequel featuring Lana and Sawyer! Oh....and my review will be up for this tomorrow, so be on the lookout!
 
.....Thank you Sandra!
 
 
I Bought:
 
 
-Losing It by Cora Carmack
I'd been hearing a little bit about this book in recent months so I finally caved and bought myself a copy. Already read and LOVED--lookout for my review soon.
 
- A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
I've been meaning to read this series for a while, so this is me beginning it, lol.
 
- Time Untime by Sherrilyn Kenyon
I looooooove Kenyon's Dark Hunter series! It's probably my fave PNR series ever, so it's about bloody time I got myself a copy of the latest book in the series. Hope to read this soon!
 
- Rapture by J.R Ward
J.R Ward is a PNR genius and I've been meaning to read the latest Fallen Angels book in forever. Finally got myself a copy. Oh. And how stunning is that cover?!? In real life it has a shiny/sparkly/3D look to it--so beautiful!
 
- Ecstasy by Jacquelyn Frank
I actually quite liked Frank's Nightwalker series (although I'm yet to review them all) and this is supposedly a spin-off so I hope I get the chance to read it one day :)
 
 
And that's what the Owls dropped off at my door this week!
Leave a link in the comments and I'll be sure to pop by and see what you got :)
 
 

Sunday, May 12, 2013

The Weekly Wrap-Up #11


Credit goes to Ashley of Ashley Loves Books for the picture and wrap up idea!

Hello my lovelies! Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers here in Australia. We would be no where without you!

__________________
 
This week at The Rest Is Still Unwritten......
 
- I celebrated the release of You Are Mine by Janeal Falor with an exclusive expert and GIVEAWAY!
 
I Reviewed:
- Blood Prophecy by Alyxandra Harvey 4/5 stars--fantastic end to the series :)
- You Are Mine by Janeal Falor 5/5 stars! Wow this book was great!
 - I was waiting on Still Star-Crossed by Melinda Taub last Wednesday!
 
GIVEAWAYS:
- I still have a copy of Phantasma to give away! Ends May 17th
- I am giving away a copy of You Are Mine! Ends May 20th!
Coming Soon!
-This week is going to be a really quite week, but I may have some things up my sleave ;)
 
_________________
 
And that's the week at The Rest Is Still Unwritten this!

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Book Shelf: You Are Mine (Mine, #1) by Janeal Falor

Serena knows a few simple things. She will always be owned by a warlock. She will never have freedom. She will always do what her warlock wishes, regardless of how inane, frivolous, or cruel it is. And if she doesn’t follow the rules, she will be tarnished. Spelled to be bald, inked, and barren for the rest of her life—worth less than the shadow she casts.

Then her ownership is won by a barbarian from another country. With the uncertainty that comes from belonging to a new warlock, Serena questions if being tarnished is really worse than being owned by a barbarian, and tempts fate by breaking the rules. When he looks the other way instead of punishing her, she discovers a new world. The more she ventures into the forbidden, the more she learns of love and a freedom just out of reach. Serena longs for both. But in a society where women are only ever property, hoping for more could be deadly.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

You Are Mine is a thrilling debut by author Janeal Falor that had me hooked from the very first page!

Heading into this book I knew one thing....I loved the cover, but I wondered if the book it housed would live up to it's promises? Would it be as good as it sounded? Well, I have to say...it was, and then some! Catching me from the opening chapter, I have to say I was very impressed with this book. I've never read anything exactly like You Are Mine!

To begin with, the story is very well told, perfectly paced and exciting where need be. In all honesty, I very rarely wanted to put this book down and turned pages relentlessly, very much drawn into the story. The characters were very likeable and interesting to read about and I enjoyed figuring out the motivations and intentions of some. I admit there were a few plot developments I did see coming, but that didn't in any way make them less enjoyable to read about. Rather I found the anticipation at times to be too much!

Janeal Falor has created a world really different in You Are Mine, featuring a society where women are not only seen as lower class, but are actually considered nothing but possessions by their "masters". Obviously I've read quite a few books by now where the featured society hold little to no value for women, but there's often some kind of male relative such as a father, grandfather or uncle of our main character that breaks this mold and actually cares This is not the case in You Are Mine and it makes for interesting reading.

I thought all the characters in this story were well rounded and well thought out. From our main character Serena to her sisters, Cynthia and Bethany and her friend Katherine, to Councilor Zade and the quirky Waverly. They all had a fantastic dynamic that leant so much to the story.

I couldn't help but find myself entranced by Serena's plight. As our main character, it's impossible not to feel Serena's repression and fear, having grown up in a world where women are owned by warlocks. This entire story is nothing but a huge journey for her as she learns to trust herself, and more importantly, others. It's all a very big change for Serena as she slowly comes to understand that not every action will result in a punishment. From the very beginning it's evident Serena is a strong young woman, but she's also very nervous and often skittish around others, especially Zade. At times I wished she wouldn't second guess herself so much, but at the same time I understood why she did this. A lifetime of conditioning doesn't change over night, but that's not so say Serena doesn't come a long way over the course of the book.

Personally, I would have liked to deeper explore the society of warlocks that exist in this story, especially those of the Envadi, who proved to be more than they really were. I'd hate to think I'd give too much away, but the friendships that develop between Serena some of the characters in this book, as well as her blossoming "something" with Zade all made me want to keep on reading even when I knew the story was drawing to a close. Serena and Zade have a very nice relationship to read about, one that I felt came a long way over the course of the book, but that didn't progress too swiftly or two suddenly.

The ending races to a stunning climax that changes the very course of the book and rocks the story's society before coming to a swift, albeit great ending that leads to many possibly in the future. Janeal Falor has done a fantastic job blending action, danger and just the tiniest hint of romance in You Are Mine, guaranteeing that I'll be on the look out for a sequel somewhere in the future. With a great story, great characters and a great overall feeling, You Are Mine certainly left me wanting more!


Rating:
Source: Sent for review from by the author (Thank you Janeal!)
Format: Kindle Ebook
Buy it:  Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Smashwords 
Recommendation: Fans of fantasy will love this--think Maria V. Snyder
Cover: Incredible! Simply incredible! This cover is so incredibly stunning.
Will I read sequel/continue with series: If Janeal Falor writes a sequel I will absolutely read it.....

Want to read You Are Mine? Head on over to my giveaway to win yourself a copy!