Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Book Blitz: Five Ways To Fall by K. A. Tucker- Excerpt & Giveaway


Today I'm taking part in the Release Day Blitz for Five Ways To Far by K.A. Tucker thanks to Ink Slinger PR! I'm soooooooo excited to be a part of this. I kinda haven't posted my reviews for the first three books in this series yet but I ADORED them and I'm super, super excited to read Five Ways To Fall as soon as my review copy arrives. Below I have an amazing excerpt featuring Ben and an INCREDIBLE giveaway to win a Kindle as well as signed copies of Five Ways To Fall!
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Sometimes you can’t change—and sometimes you just don’t want to. Discover Ben’s side of the story in this fourth novel by the beloved, top-selling indie author of Ten Tiny Breaths, One Tiny Lie, and Four Seconds to Lose.

Purple-haired, sharp-tongued Reese MacKay knows all about making the wrong choice; she’s made plenty of them in her twenty-odd-years. So when her impulsive, short-lived marriage ends in heartbreak, she decides it’s time for a change. She moves to Miami with the intention of hitting reset on her irresponsible life, and she does quite well…aside from an epically humiliating one-night stand in Cancun with a hot blond bouncer named Ben. Thank God she can get on a plane and leave that mistake behind her.

Football scholarship and frat parties with hot chicks? Part of charmer Ben Morris’s plan. Blown knee that kills any hope of a professional football career? So not part of the plan. Luckily Ben has brains to go with his knockout looks and magnetism. After three long years of balancing law school with his job as a bouncer at Penny’s Palace, he’s ready to lead a more mature life—until his first day of work, when he finds himself in the office of that crazy, hot chick he met in Cancun. The one he hasn’t stopped thinking about.

If Ben truly were a smart guy, he’d stay clear of Reese. She’s the boss’s stepdaughter and it’s been made very clear that office romances are grounds for dismissal. Plus, rumor has it she’s trouble. The only problem is, he likes trouble, especially when it’s so good-looking…


Add on Goodreads!
 
Purchase:
The Book Depository | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From Five Ways To Fall....

Ben
 
I love the angry ones.
Of course, anyone who knows me would argue that I love any and all women, and I can’t exactly disagree. But I love the angry ones the most. They’re a challenge to be conquered, the reason for their fury usually fitting neatly into three buckets: insecure, scorned, hormonal.
And this chick gazing up at me with fire in her caramel eyes?
I’m betting on bucket number two.
“My, what an awfully bright red shirt you have on,” she pushes out between gritted teeth, as if she’s trying to be polite but can’t hide her disdain.
I didn’t know what I was walking into when the punk-rock chick with the crazy-ass muscular body waved us over, but her friend with the purple hair and her back to me had me intrigued. Now that I’m getting a good look at her face, I know who I’m spending my last night with in Cancún. She’s not what some would call traditionally “pretty.” Her eyes are slightly too big and far apart, her nose is slightly too long and slender, and her lips—though nice and wide—are on the thin side. Yet something about all of that put together makes her sexy as hell. Maybe it’s the little nose ring. Or maybe it’s the way her decent-sized tits are pressing up against me, her low V-neck tank top—a casual shirt, telling me she’s not trying to pick anyone up—giving me a fine view of her cleavage. Whatever it is, my dick is certainly pleased. “You like it?” I ask.
An irritated glare flickers to the material. “No.”
I can’t help but chuckle at her candor. “Will you at least give me a head start before you gore me?”
Those thin lip curls into a condescending smirk. “Bulls don’t see color. That’s a myth.”
The only thing I love more than an angry girl is a smart, angry girl.
This is going to be fun.
“Well, how about I solve the problem for you.” I take a step back from her and swiftly yank my shirt off, exposing six days of suntanned skin and an upper body that I know looks damn appealing because I work my ass off to keep it that way. The random catcalls from the tables around confirm it.
And then I simply stand there and grin like the cocky ass that I am as Angry Girl can’t keep her eyes from scanning the muscles I’ve honed since my college football days, her lips parting ever so subtly. I see the shift in her, the moment where she realizes that, though she’d prefer to castrate the entire male species right now, she can’t ignore her attraction to me.
At least, that’s what I want to see.
 
 

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Visit K. A. Tucker:
Website | Goodreads | Twitter  Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This is an ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL NA series and I urge you all to pick up the first book Ten Tiny Breaths if you haven't already and work you way though to Five Ways To Fall!
 

Monday, June 23, 2014

Owl Post #35


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.

Hi guys!

Hope you've all had a great week in books--I know I have :)

For Review:

From Allen & Unwin:
 
-  The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Alright. First off that cover is beyond beautiful! And that's not even taking into considering how amazing the story sounds--can't wait to read this one!!

- Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier
I've only ever read one book by Justine Larbalestier previously, Team Human, but I did enjoy it. That being said, this sounds interesting, but maybe not my kind of thing; we'll see.

....... Thank you Lara!
________________________________

 From Bloomsbury Australia:

- Flirty Dancing by Jenny McLachlan
Hadn't heard of this one before I received it, but I may read it one day :)

...............Thank you guys!
_____________________________________

From Simon & Schuster......

 - Twisted by Emma Chase
I haven't read the first book in this series, Tangled yet, so I'd have to read that one before I even contemplated giving this a go.

- The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su & Kate Rorick
Although I haven't read the original Pride & Prejudice novel I've seen the movies and I like the idea of the modern twist promised in this book. I may have to try and worm it into my reading schedule!

- Jane's Melody by Ryan Winfield
This book wouldn't normally be normal kind of read but I'm really intrigued by the concept of this. Plus it's written by a male author--I'm caught!

- Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee! The first book in Jamie McGuire's new Maddox Brothers series is finally here and I'm super, SUPER excited to read this. I'll be starting it today and I am very looking forward to Trent's story!

........Thanks guy!

I Bought:
 
- Lick by Kylie Scott
I'd been seeing this book in K-mart for the passed few weeks and seemed to be torn between bying and not. It was like the book was taunting me saying buy me, buy me....well and finally caved, considering so many bloggers I love and respect seem to love this series and have been recommending it. I'm talking to you Michelle ;) Glad I finally caved; I've already devoured this (review to come) and can't wait to read the rest of the series!
 
And that's me!
What have you received this week?
 
 


Sunday, June 22, 2014

Free Ebooks!

Hi guys!

I hope you've all had another great week :) I've got a bunch of fantastic FREE reads to share with you!



I hope you managed to find something new!

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Book Shelf: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

21st century girl. 18th century ghost. Heads will roll!

The city of light just got a little darker. . . .

Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She'll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family's French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won't believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is in danger. . . .

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this tale of revenge, betrayal, intrigue -- and one killer queen


More info on Goodreads......


Review:

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender was a lush and at times unsuspecting ghost tale set in the beguiling city of love and is awash in history and French culture.

Receiving a copy of Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer was a bit of a surprise for me. I’d never heard of it before, but once I read the premise I was really excited to read it; I mean the ghost of Marie Antoinette killing people in Paris? Yes, please!

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer follows Colette Islan, an American teenager on the journey of a lifetime to Paris, France who finds her sightseeing plans thwarted when some of the wealthy elite, and who’s who of Paris start being murdered in what can only be described as a grisly manner; bye-bye heads. Unexpectedly Colette finds she might have a connection to the murders and soon discovers more about her family’s history than she could have ever imagined, including their connection to the famous Marie Antoinette, dead queen of France.

Katie Alender does a really fantastic job with the setting and overall atmosphere of Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer. From the moment our main character Colette steps off the plane in Paris you can practically smell the croissants and baguettes. The atmosphere is brilliant and this is something that transpires throughout the entire novel with Alender maintaining the authenticity of the book from beginning to end. Katie Alender’s attention to detail enhances the reading experience and as Colette races to learn just what is happening, Alender’s descriptions and inclusion of some famous French monuments….Versailles, the Champs Elysees, the Louvre and of course the Eiffel Tower only make it more addictive; I felt like I was living vicariously through Colette.

For the most part I liked Colette, but she did irritate me at times. I felt she was shallow, and though I understand the purpose of this within the story, witnessing how much importance Colette put on money, social status and popularity was a bit much at times. I couldn’t believe how Colette let those around her, most notably her "friend" Hannah, treat her; Hannah was manipulative, selfish and cruel and Colette was so desperate to be her friend that she allowed material things to be more important that friendship and kindness. Colette was so driven to be popular that she was willing to be whatever Hannah wanted her to be, even if she didn’t feel the same way.

Luckily over the course of the book, with the help of the enigmatic Jules and confidant Aubrey, Colette does grow, learning what it really important and learning to stand up for herself against the likes of Hannah. Alender blends together sweet romance with chilling danger as the ghost of Marie Antoinette runs rampant in Paris.

Featuring a unique and fresh premise, Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer is a good all-round read, that will make you feel like you're literally in Paris as main heroine Colette races to stop the ghost of Marie Antoinette from taking any more lives.

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Scholastic Australia (Thank you Sarah!)
Format: Hardback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: If you want a different ghost/mystery story with plenty of culture, this is for you!
Cover: I think this cover is awesome!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: This is a standalone novel but I wouldn't hesitate to read more by this author.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Blog Tour: I Become Shadow by Joe Shine- Guest Post


Welcome to the blog tour for I Become Shadow by Joe Shine thanks to the guys over at Soho Press! Today Joe is stopping by to talk about how be came into writing and I also have a tour wide giveaway to share.
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Ren Sharpe was abducted at fourteen and chosen by the mysterious F.A.T.E. Center to become a Shadow: the fearless and unstoppable guardian of a future leader. Everything she held dear—her family, her home, her former life—is gone forever.

Ren survives four years of training, torture, and misery, in large part thanks to Junie, a fellow F.A.T.E. abductee who started out as lost and confused as she did. She wouldn’t admit it was possible to find love in a prison beyond imagining, but what she feels for Junie may just be the closest thing to it.

At eighteen they part ways when Ren receives her assignment: find and protect college science student Gareth Young, or die trying. Life following a college nerd is uneventful, until an attack on Gareth forces Ren to track down the only person she can trust. When she and Junie discover that the F.A.T.E. itself might be behind the attacks, even certain knowledge of the future may not be enough to save their kidnappers from the killing machines they created.
 



Purchase:

 
I came to writing late in life which I believe is a bit unique in this world.  I think when you speak with most writers they’ll tell you they’ve loved writing since childhood, or that it’s been so long they can’t remember life without it.  Many will attribute this young start to a parent, or teacher who encouraged them.  The only encouragement I got concerning writing was from my English teacher who ‘encouraged’ me to drop AP English because I was so horrible at it.  So for most of my youth I saw writing as something I did because school required me to do it and nothing more.  I got no pleasure from it, and all it did was stand in the way of something else I’d rather be doing.  This feeling lasted for far too long and possibly never would have changed had it not been for grad school.

In order to keep our brains from melting my grad program had a required creative writing class stuck in the middle of it.  The idea made me smile.  Required creative writing.  Wasn’t writing supposed to be organic, fun, inspired?  The idea of the class being required did nothing to help change my feelings towards writing and I dreaded taking it.  Once again I was being forced to write for school with no choice in the matter.  Ugh.
 
Our first assignment was to write down three ideas for stories and then the class would vote on which one we would use for our project.  I didn’t even get the final say in what I would write?  This was going to be horrible.  Once our story was chosen we were to write out a one page summary outlining the major plot points.  Something very strange happened to me when I sat down to do this later that evening.  I wrote five pages instead of one and enjoyed every moment of it.  The next assignment was to turn our one page outline into a more detailed five pages.  I wrote 20.  And I was officially hooked.

Many years later I sat down with a computer, took a deep breath, and decided to take a stab at writing a book.  I BECOME SHADOW is what came out.  
 

Joe Shine grew up in Austin, TX (the greatest city ever) and is a graduate of Texas A&M University. He has a MFA from the Peter Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California, and after brief stints in Los Angeles and Washington DC Joe returned home to Austin (repeat: the greatest city ever). Joe has a normal human job like most everyone else but hopes to become a full time writer one day, and this is where you, the reader, must do him a really big solid and love I Become Shadow, his debut novel.

Visit Joe:

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Summer Book Crush: Book Boyfriends Are Here!

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What would you say to over 80 titles with many undeniably-hot BOOK BOYFRIENDS that leave you wanting more? Yep, we've got you covered. The second annual SUMMER BOOK CRUSH event runs this year from June 19th through June 22nd. Don't miss it, or you will have to wait a full year for the next one! So many ways to fall in love with just a right BOOK BOYFRIEND!

And the best part? You can purchase your dream Book Boyfriend for only 99¢ each, but for a limited time only.
We have guys who are brooding and complicated, or the perfect gentlemen, right next to the jock-a-licious beauties, and much much more for you, ladies to choose from!

Sexy Foreign accent
The Boy Next Door
Find your summer’s fling between the pages of a book. And don't stop on one - after all we have many BOOK BOYFRIENDS for you to mingle with.
 
Perfect gentleman
Don't think twice - ONE CLICK it! Each book is only $0.99 but only for a few days, so don't delay before it's too late to flirt with ALL those hot guys.
 
Jock-A-Licious

Guy With A Little Bite
* Let yourself get dreamily lost between the pages of these books *
** Our Book Boyfriends will take your hand and lead you straight into an unforgettable fantasy **
 
A Little Bit Bad
A Hero That Sizzles
Come party with us on Facebook and Twitter during the event (6/19 - 6/22). Just look for the hashtag #SBCboyfriends
 
glass-hearts-17346
* HAPPY READING * HAPPY SUMMER *
 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday #62

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on.....
 
The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
Releases on: July 15th 2014
Add on Goodreads!

In this timeless new trilogy about love and sacrifice, a princess must find her place in a reborn world.

In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.

On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.


Thoughts:
This. Book. Sounds. So. Good! I really love the sound of it--I mean two love interests where one is the prince the main characters was supposed to marry but didn't and the other is an assassin to is supposed to killer her? Hello awesome!

What do you think of The Kiss of Deception? Does it sound like something you would read?
And what are you waiting on this week?