Game Drive by: Marie Moore

Title: Game Drive
Author: Marie Moore
Publisher: Camel Press
Pages: 208
Series: The Sydney Marsh Murder Mysteries #2
Format: Paperback
Source: Author

Description:

Game Drive is a cozy mystery by Marie Moore about a New York-based travel agent on a research trip for her agency who suspects foul play after a colleague is killed in a tragic accident. Game Drive is the second book in a series featuring amateur sleuth Sidney Marsh. This time Sidney’s travels take her to Cape Town, South Africa, and a private game lodge near the Kruger National Park.

Sidney Marsh is a Mississippi-born, New York-based travel agent. She and her best friend and business partner, Jay Wilson, are struggling to remain standing in a world where the ground is shifting. Their boss at Itchy Feet Travel has a new scheme to attract customers—safari tour packages. He sends Sidney and Jay on a familiarization trip to Cape Town and safari country to check out the accommodations and confirm that the experience lives up to the hype in the brochures.

Sidney looks forward to the deluxe trip and so does Jay, despite his deathly fear of animals, both wild and domesticated. Their experience will be far wilder than either could have imagined. First Sidney stumbles upon a suspicious rendezvous and possible murder scene in Cape Town. After Sidney’s pocket is picked on a cable-car ride up Table Mountain, she suspects that someone in their group is an imposter, a suspicion that is soon confirmed. At Leopard Dance—the luxury game lodge near Kruger National Park that serves as their base camp—one of the other agents on the “fam trip” turns up dead.

Sidney carries on a risky flirtation with a handsome Afrikaner, who may or may not be the latest manifestation of the “Marsh Curse,” which seems to jinx her every relationship. And Sidney and Jay discover that they have far more to fear from predatory humans than wild animals.

My Thoughts: 

Sidney and Jay are back with their tour group this time heading to Africia to test out Cape Town and Kruger National Park to see if it something that will sell with high rollers.  Early on Dennis goes missing and no one seems to know what happened to him, then George shoots Mabel while attempting to subdue an elephant. 

There is so much going on it's hard to tell if Jay and Sidney are ever going to figure it out.  Lots of ups and downs.  There is the owner of Leopard Dance who has shown up in Cape Town and Leopard Dance and Syndey discovers that there are lots of secrets with the boss.  What is his agenda?

I really enjoy reconnecting with Sidney and Jay and seeing what trouble they are getting into now.  This one had me really guessing until the end who the bad guy was talk about a real page turner I couldn't put it down, such a great adventure and mystery!  I really enjoyed the way it ended, what a great story.  Can't wait to see what Ms. Moore comes up with next for Jay and Sidney! 

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Screwed by: Laurie Plissner

Title: Screwed
Author: Laurie Plissner
Publisher: Merit Press
Pages: 300
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher Requested Review

Description:

Grace was the girl who always did everything right, until the night she fell for a boy's sleazy line and became pregnant. Nick couldn't care less about pretty math-geek Grace or the baby he fathered. He's had a dozen girls like her, and he'll have a dozen more. When Grace confesses to her super-religious, strait-laced parents, they deliver a shocker: They've scheduled an abortion. All they want is to pretend this never happened.

When Grace balks, they literally throw her out in the street. A rich, elderly neighbor takes her in, and, with the help of the friendship she needs in Charlie, the old woman's great-nephew, she must make the toughest choice of her young life. The people she believed in were only playing a role, while others, in an unlikely way, are true heroes.

Grace can never have the life she planned, but she has one chance to be the person she will have to live with for the rest of her life. Her choice will cost her, big time, either way--and no one can make it except her.

My Thoughts: 

Grace is in so much trouble when the book starts out.  After 7 pregnancy tests she learns that she is pregnant and totally screwed.  Good girl Grace ended up confiding in her best friend Jennifer not sure where to go.  Jennifer can't believe how badly Grace has screwed up first by having sex and not telling her best friend then being so stupid as to get knocked up.  Jennifer warns Grace about telling her parents knowing their religious views will only lead Grace to more drama then she needs.  

Of course Grace believing or wanting to believe her parents will be her parents and not cold calculating morons well let's say all hell breaks loose.  They cut her off and refuse to talk to her and only change their mind to drive Grace to a clinic for an abortion.  This stuns Grace as they have always been pro-life.  After learning through the clinic what an abortion is about decides she won't have one which leaves Grace's parents with one option throwing Grace out of the house.  Grace's neighbor Mrs. Teitelbaum comes to Grace's rescue much to Grace's parents dismay, she takes Grace to her house and helps her figure out what to do.  Grace also meets Mrs. Teitelbaum's great-nephew Charlie who seems to be on Grace's side.  He even has a strong dislike for Nick who wants Grace to have an abortion.  Nick even went so far as to wonder if the child is his.

For one thing I had a huge dislike for Nick and Grace's parents for just kicking the young Grace to the curb, yes she made a mistake but throwing her out won't help her.  I applaud Mrs. T for helping Grace in her time of need.  Jennifer I could give or take, she can be a tad brutal for my taste but it works in this book.  I think Grace gets handed a bad deal with Nick.  They may have only had three dates but his treating of her leaves much to be desired.  

I also applaud Ms. Plissner for her ability to write this book as a raw look into teenage pregnancy, add in religious parents who are afraid of public image and I think she really hit it with this story.  Having had a baby at nineteen I can relate to some of the feelings Grace has and they are so real.  It's a great coming of age story for a young girl who made one mistake the first time she had sex, then tries to make the best of a crappy situation.

What an incredible up and down story about finding yourself and making your own way.  And finding out that someone can love us even when we think we've hit rock bottom and sometimes you have to do what works for you regardless of what others want for you.

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New Cover Revea: Blue Lines by: Toni Aleo

 

 

This is the cover reveal for Blue Lines by: Toni Aleo, it looks great can't wait to check out the book.   Is anyone else excited to check out this book?  Feel free to share your thoughts below.

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Lines-Assassins-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B00BH0VTUW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1366653309&sr=1-1&keywords=Blue+Lines%3A+The+Assassins+Series+Toni+Aleo 

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blue-lines-toni-aleo/1114852590?ean=9780345547330&itm=1&usri=9780345547330 

iBookstore: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blue-lines-toni-aleo/1114852590?ean=9780345547330&itm=1&usri=9780345547330 

Random House and other retailers: http://www.randomhouse.com/book/227840/blue-lines-the-assassins-series-by-toni-aleo 

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Melissa Foster and Have No Shame

 

HAVE NO SHAME
When civil rights and forbidden love collide

"This book will resonate with readers who enjoyed Kathryn Stockett's, THE HELP, Julie Kibler's, CALLING ME HOME, John Grisham's, A TIME TO KILL, Sue Monk Kidd's, THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, and Kathleen Grissom's, THE KITCHEN HOUSE."

Buy it Now on Amazon: http://amzn.to/16TaOSZ
Buy it Now on B&N: http://bit.ly/12WGCYD

"Within moments of starting to read, you will be transported back to the Arkansas of 1967 - hot, dusty, utterly rural and edgy. Poor white farmers dependent upon cheap black labor who, due to their superior numbers, are constantly suppressed, living on the wrong side of town, ghettoised and terrified. You will remember scenes from `In the Heat of the Night' and `Easy Rider'; you will remember that, less than fifty years ago, if you were black, you could be beaten for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And if you died at the hands of a white youth, justice would almost certainly be denied you." Author Roderick Craig Low

SUMMARY:

Alison Tillman has called Forrest Town, Arkansas home for the past eighteen years. Her mother's Blue Bonnet meetings, her father toiling night and day on the family farm, and the division of life between the whites and the blacks are all Alison knows. The winter of 1967, just a few months before marrying her high school sweetheart, Alison finds the body of a black man floating in the river, and she begins to view her existence with new perspective. The oppression and hate of the south, the ugliness she once was able to avert her eyes from, now demands her attention.

When a secretive friendship with a young black man takes an unexpected romantic turn, Alison is forced to choose between her predetermined future, and the dangerous path that her heart yearns for.

****

"A gripping and poignant novel dealing with a subject once taboo in American society." Hagerstown Magazine

"Have No Shame is a powerful testimony to love and the progressive, logical evolution of social consciousness, with an outcome that readers will find engrossing, unexpected, and ultimately eye-opening." Midwest Book Review

"A historical novel of love and its triumph, told with a unique and compelling voice." Bestselling Author Kathleen Shoop 

"Have No Shame is a delightful eye opener and a rather poignant book that everyone everywhere should put on their must-read list." Readers' Favorite

"A dynamic and heartwarming tale of young love, giving testament to those who struggled so we can live in an integrated society." Author Rachelle Ayala

"[HAVE NO SHAME] Perfectly catches the South at the dawning of the Civil Rights Movement. Melissa Foster takes us on an adventure that twists and turns unpredictably to a tense climax that renders this novel a true page-turner. This is undoubtedly the best novel I have read in a long time."  Roderick Craig Low, Author of 'Promises of Love and Good Behaviour'

"This book is not just a story; it's an experience." Author G.E. Johnson

Buy HAVE NO SHAME on Amazon: http://amzn.to/16TaOSZ
Buy HAVE NO SHAME on B&N: http://bit.ly/12WGCYD

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR:

Melissa Foster

Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of four International bestselling novels. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. 

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on The Women's Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

Awards

Megan's Way
2011 Beach Book Award Winner (Spirituality)
2011 Readers Favorite Awards, Winner (Fiction/Drama), Finalist (Women's Fiction)
2010 Next Generation Indie Book Award, Finalist (Spirituality)
2011 New England Book Festival, Honorable Mention (Spirituality)

Chasing Amanda
2011 Readers Favorite Awards, Winner (Paranormal), Finalist, (Women's Fiction, Mystery)
2011 Dan Poynter's Global eBook Awards, Winner, (Paranormal)
Top 10 Books of 2011, Pixel of Ink
Amazon Top 100 75+ Days running
Indie Reader's Bestselling List That Counts (8 weeks)
Top Books of 2011, The Write Agenda

Come Back To Me

2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist, 

2012 Readers Favorite Awards, Finalist 

2012 Kindle Book Review Best Indie Books Award, Finalist

2011 Dan Poynter's Global Ebook Awards, Finalist 

Top 5 Must Read Books of 2011, IndieReader
Top Ten Books of 2011, Tea Time With Marce
IndieReader Best Reviewed Books of 2011, Huffington Post

Website: http://www.MelissaFoster.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melissa-Foster/240064542695303

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Melissa_Foster

The Women’s Nest, women’s social network: http://www.TheWomensNest.com

World Literary Café: http://www.worldliterarycafe.com

Fostering Success: http://www.fostering-success.com

Facebook Melissa Foster: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor (Fanpage)

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster

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A Gift for Emily by: J.P. Galuska + Giveaway

Title: A Gift For Emily
Author: J. P. Galuska
Publisher: Createspace
Pages: 308
Series: The Emily Stokes #2
Format: ebook
Source: Full Moon Bites Book Tour

Description:

Emily’s life appears to be back on track and she's still in love with Sam. Then the anonymous gifts start showing up on her doorstep from a suitor who has made his presence known, but his identity a secret. After he reveals a twisted plan, her entire family finds themselves in danger. The stalker could be anyone. Emily doesn't know who to trust. Not even her heart.

My Thoughts: 

Initially I signed up for just a promotion of this book but was glad after reading it that Holly needed reviewers for this book.  

Emily is still trying to find a way to make Sam human and not the ghost he is.  Then gifts start arriving for Emily.  It doesn't take long for everyone around Emily to notice she has a stalker.  The stalker is even so brash as to enter the Stokes house.  

Add to this the mix of a cutie cop who is attracted to Emily, and a jealous Sam who feels he's not enough for Emily.  Emily has so much going on, plus dealing with The Reaper who is out for Sam.  

What an incredible YA book.  I loved all of it, waiting to see if the Stalker would slip up so they could catch him.  The ending was incredible I can't wait for this next book to come out!  What an incredible journey Emily has been on up to this point!

Giveaway:

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Moonlit Book Blast

 

Moonlit Eighteen-year-old Tanzy Hightower knows horses, has grown up with them on Wildwood Farm. She also knows not to venture beyond the trees that line the pasture. Things happen out there that can’t be explained. Or undone. Worse, no one but she and the horses can see what lurks in the shadows of the woods. When a moonlit ride turns into a terrifying chase, Tanzy is left to question everything, from the freak accident that killed her father to the very blood in her veins. Broken and confused, she turns to Lucas, a scarred, beautiful stranger, and to Vanessa, a charming new friend who has everything Tanzy doesn’t. But why do they seem to know more about her than she knows herself?

Amazon Kindle * Amazon * Goodreads

WiDo Publishing * Barnes & Noble

    Praise "Virginia's trees look like they're burning. Most of them blaze crimson or gold, but some still have a chokehold on their green. I wish they'd give it up already. Leaves are more beautiful when they're dying." And so Moonlit begins. From here the story rolls from one twist to another with many vivid characters whose motives are hard to predict. I found myself being suspicious of everyone, wanting to tell Tanzy to be very careful. The deeper I fell into the plot, the more questions kept rising to the surface. But not to worry, all of my questions were answered. Appropriate for all ages, if you love paranormal fantasy mixed with suspense, mystery and other-worldly romance, you'll love this novel! ~Author Julie Ford   Prologue The first anniversary of my father’s death was even harder on my mother. Back then, I thought she was haunted most by what she didn’t know. I refused to blame her when she raged above me on our staircase that night, drunk and sad and angry. When she made me promise I’d never ride again. When she hurled a half-full bottle of vodka at my face and it exploded on the wooden stairs at my feet. I hadn’t tried to get out of the way. She had just missed. I wanted to tell her that knowledge was no solace, that what you know can burn inside you until there’s nothing left but guilt and ash. I also wanted to protect her from losing the only piece of him she had left. So I didn’t say a word.  

Author Jadie Jones Georgia native Jadie Jones first began working for a horse farm at twelve years old, her love of horses matched only by her love of books. She went on to acquire a B.A. in equine business management, and worked for competitive horse farms along the east coast. The need to write followed wherever she went. She currently coaches a hunt seat equitation team that competes in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, and lives with her family in the foothills of north Georgia. When she's not working on the next installment of the Moonlit series, she is either in the saddle or exploring the great outdoors with her daughter. Moonlit is her first book.

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Private Games by: James Patterson & Mark Sullivan

Title: Private Games
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Little Brown
Pages: 426
Series: Other Private Offices
Format: Hardcover
Source: Kristin @always with a book Contest Winner

Description:

Private, the world's most renowned investigation firm, has been commissioned to provide security for the 2012 Olympic games in London. Its agents are the smartest, fastest, and most technologically advanced in the world, and 400 of them have been transferred to London to protect over 10,000 competitors who represent more than 200 countries.

The opening ceremony is still hours away when Private investigator and single father of twins, Nigel Steele, is called to the scene of a ruthless murder. A high-ranking member of the games' organizing committee and his mistress have been killed. It's clear that it wasn't a crime of passion, but one of precise calculation and execution.

Newspaper reporter Karen Pope receives a letter from a person who calls himself Cronus, claiming responsibility for the murders. He also proclaims that he will restore the Olympics to their ancient glory and will destroy all who have corrupted the games with lies, cheating, and greed. Karen immediately hires Private to examine the letter, and she and Nigel uncover a criminal genius who won't stop until he's ended the games for good. 

My Thoughts: 

Oh my god, for one thing you have to be in the right frame of mind for action, adventure, murder and mayhem to really enjoy this book.  I tried to read it after the Jack Morgan books and it didn't work so I left it tried it today and couldn't put it down.

Peter Knight works for the London office of Private and they are working with the Olympics to make sure it runs smoothly, but when people wind up dying by someone named Cronus, something is obviously very afoot.

Cronus is running around with a group of sisters all bent on destroying men and getting revenge and pledging their allegiance to Cronus after he saved them along time ago.

We also see Jack Morgan again as he has shown up when previous Private London agents wound up dead on an airplane.  This book was incredible with the up and down and figuring out when the bad guys were gonna get theirs.  And who was Cronus totally not who I was expecting as always James Patterson has us all over the place trying to figure it out!  Definitely a great book can't wait to read his next Private book!

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A Privilege: The Angel Chronicles Book 3 Blitz

A Privilege:
The Angel Chronicles, Book 3

The beloved Angel/Warrior team face pure evil in their final climactic story!

The first time they were sent down, Irish lives were led. Emily, the angel, ended up embedded in murder and lost in the realm of true love. While Matthew, the warrior, took over a life that left blood on his hands and anger in his soul.

With their second coming, Emily found herself facing an oncoming war that brought her to the shores of America. While Matthew tried desperately to unveil the evil character of a young man who was intent on locking his partner in a ‘gilded’ cage.

Now...Emily and Matthew find that their lives are all their own. Yet, all the memories, hatred, longing and regret have come hand-in-hand with this newfound freedom.

In small town U.S.A., Matthew finds himself loving his new life. From his military school existence to a new, ‘odd’ friend who’s arrived in town, Matthew’s looking forward to graduation and heading off into a brilliant future with Emily by his side.

Emily wants nothing more than to hide. Although doing her best to fit in, she lives a life on the edge, wondering when her past love with reappear to either forgive or seek revenge on the angel who let him down. Battling the shadows that seem to be breaking her soul in two, Emily soon discovers that her small, quiet town has a secret that’s beyond dangerous...

As she and Matthew join forces to help a ‘haunted’ victim, they open the door on a mystery neither of them can believe. A true villain has returned from the past, and not even their heavenly family will be able to save them. This time they’re on their own, as they face a fight that could lead them straight to Hell…and end the angel/warrior team forever.

Kindle * Nook * iBookstore
Smashwords * Google * PDF

Excerpt

Without a word, Matthew reached out, took Emily by the hand and pulled her down beside him. He looked into her eyes and smiled. “I knew my Emily was still in there.”

Out of the blue, the room became incredibly hot, as if Gabriel had entered in order to give a lesson to his favorite students. “What?”

“That spark.” He pulled Emily’s face closer before she could push herself away. “You’ve been acting all this time like you’re just here to sit and wait it out until you’re lucky enough to go Home. But you’re still in there, Emily. You still have all that energy and belief in there and you want to do something. That’s the partner I know.”

Shaking her head, Emily listened to her own breathing intensify as she stared at his full lips and wondered why she felt so completely and utterly strange...vulnerable even. “I want to help this girl. This is a job, maybe my only job down here. She saw a ghost and she wants me to help her out, that’s all.”

“And you will.” Matthew captured Emily’s lips, and she could no longer feel the breath in her lungs. Completely different than the one kiss they’d shared up above so long ago, this one was far more demanding, as if Matthew was a young man determined to kiss his human love for the very first time.

Sitting back, Emily practically jumped off the bed.

“I’m sorry,” she heard him whisper behind her. “I guess I was just excited to see you again.”

Not trusting her voice, she remained silent.

“We have jobs, but we also have a life to live. Our own lives this time around. Maybe you should think about adding that into your angelic plans.” Matthew continued softly, “Jason isn’t here, Emily.”

The name being said out loud sent a chill down Emily’s spine. It reminded her of the vow she’d made a long time ago—a vow that an angel couldn’t break.

She cleared her throat. “It doesn’t matter if he’s here. We were sent to do a job, and maybe helping this little girl prove her story is what I need to begin.”

Standing up, Matthew looked as if he was a man who wanted nothing more than to turn back the clock and erase the name he’d spoken aloud. He walked to the open window. “Well, I hope the job goes well. Good luck with it.”

“Matthew,” Emily took a step toward him. “Don’t leave like this.”

He nodded at the book on the bed. “You have your mission, Emily...your job. Ghosts, goblins, lost souls—knock yourself out.” He took a deep breath. “I wonder when you’re going to figure out that the living souls around you would like some of your attention as well.”

Closing her eyes, Emily shed silent tears as she heard his feet hit the ground beneath her window. A friend, a partner, the one who actually listened, was now just an angry young man racing back to The Armory—a place where warriors reigned.

Emily sighed. She’d done it again. No matter how hard she tried to be good, her mouth always got her into trouble. She needed Matthew to understand. She’d made a promise to a young man a long time ago; a promise that was supposed to last for eternity. How was she to know at the time that their eternity would include death by her hand? Had the second time around broken their vow? Emily had no idea. But whatever happened she could not and would not offer Matthew her heart if payment was still due for her past sins. Above all, Matthew was the last person who deserved to be punished for her mistakes.

Author Amy Lignor

Amy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business directories.

Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13.

She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.

Currently, she lives with her daughter, mother and a rambunctious German Shepherd named Reuben, in the beautiful state of New Mexico.

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What Happened to Goodbye by: Sarah Dessen

Title: What Happened To Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 402
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchase

Description:

Another town. Another school. Another Mclean. Ever since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her father have been fleeing their unhappy past. And Mclean's become a pro at reinventing herself with each move. But in Lakeview, Mclean finds herself putting down roots and making friends—in part, thanks to Dave, the most real person Mclean's ever met. Dave just may be falling in love with her, but can he see the person she really is? 

Does Mclean herself know?

My Thoughts: 

Mclean has spent 2 years creating these images of herself changing her name how she dressed when in reality I don't think she ever fully got over what the divorce meant to her, her parents aren't even obvious to what is going on.  Her mother has a new husband and a set of twins and tries desperately to connect with her daughter.   Meanwhile her father Gus is fixing restaurants and moving a few weeks dragging his daughter with him.

Mclean for the first time uses her own name, connects with people makes friends and even a boy interest and doesn't want to uproot this.  But when life falls apart she runs back to an old hotel room she shared with her mother.  It's there that her parents find her and find out what has been going on.

I loved reading about all the various alias's of Mclean and how she has alot thrown at her and how she deals with it!  What an incredibly moving story!  I enjoyed all the characters plus the return to Colby which was in the last book I read Along for the Ride.  Nice to return to somewhere previously mentioned.

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Along For The Ride by: Sarah Dessen

Title: Along For The Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Speak
Pages: 395
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchase

Description:

It’s been so long since Auden slept at night. Ever since her parents’ divorce—or since the fighting started. Now she has the chance to spend a carefree summer with her dad and his new family in the charming beach town where they live.

A job in a clothes boutique introduces Auden to the world of girls: their talk, their friendship, their crushes. She missed out on all that, too busy being the perfect daughter to her demanding mother. Then she meets Eli, an intriguing loner and a fellow insomniac who becomes her guide to the nocturnal world of the town. Together they embark on parallel quests: for Auden, to experience the carefree teenage life she’s been denied; for Eli, to come to terms with the guilt he feels for the death of a friend.

My Thoughts: 

Now that I have read this book by Sarah Dessen I'm kicking myself severely for not picking up her books sooner.   She is an incredible writer who is able to write YA like she's bringing you into the book. 

In this book we follow Auden West who is a very studious book savy girl but not much in the way of being a child or teenager.  No proms, dates, riding bikes etc.  She learned early on to the be quiet and keep to herself and only talk if it related to what others talk about.  With a mother who's a big University big wig, and her father who she tries to form a relationship many times.

Finally needing a break from her mother she decides to go to her dad's where he is living with his wife Heidi and a newborn baby Thisbe.  Going into this Auden didn't know how it would play out but as time goes on she ends forming a relationship with Heidi helping out with her baby step-sister and  Heidi's business Clementine's.  She meets three girls who work at Clementine's Leah, Maggie and Esther.  She also meets the boys who practically live across the street at the bicycle shop.  After making a few mistakes hooking up with one boy which went nowhere she meets Eli who was a former bike star.

Eli left the circuit due to the death of his friend and has been hanging out on standby at the bike shop.  He finds something in Auden and is set to teach her all the things she missed out on sort of like a bucket list for the wayward Auden.  He teaches her about food fights, bowling, throwing newspapers it's really cute in an odd way.  Finally feeling connected to friends she's never had she makes better progress with her mother and father showing them that she is changing and everyone is able to have a second chance.

I loved this book I felt like I was right there at the Gas/Gro.  On the wild nightly adventures of Auden and Eli.  What an incredible feeling when an author can bring you along for the journey I'm hooked on Ms. Dessen's books and can't wait to see what she has in store next.

Next one I'm reading is:

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Angelopolis by: Danielle Trussoni

Title: Angelopolis
Author: Danielle Trussoni
Publisher: Penquin
Pages: 400
Format: ebook ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Danielle Trussoni's bestselling first novel, Angelology, wove biblical lore, the Orpheus myth, and Milton's Rebel Angels into a present-day world tinged with the divine supernatural. The novel plunged two endearing isolatoes -- art historian V. A. Verlaine and Evangeline, a beautiful young nun--into an ancient battle between a secret society and mankind's most insidious enemies: angel-human hybrids known as the Nephilim.

Now a decade has passed since Verlaine saw Evangeline alight from the Brooklyn Bridge, the sight of her wings a betrayal that haunts him still. The Nephilim are again on the rise, scheming to construct their own paradise -- the Angelopolis -- and ruthlessly pursued by Verlaine in his new calling as an angel hunter. But when Evangeline materializes, Verlaine is besieged by doubts that will only grow as forces more powerful than even the Nephilim draw them from Paris to St. Petersburg and deep into the provinces of Siberia and the Black Sea coast. A high-octane tale of abduction and liberation, treasure seeking and divine warfare, Angelopolis plumbs Russia's imperial past, modern genetics, and the archangel Gabriel's famous visitations to conceive a fresh tableau of history and myth that will, once again, enthrall readers the world over.

My Thoughts: 

This book was sent to me via NetGalley and after talking to Jane at Penquin about this I've also got other things to include in the post.

In the beginning we see Evangeline who is on her way to France to see a great uncle.The last time she was seen was about three years ago.  With the Watchers caught, and Angelogists trying to stop dark Angels from getting the upper hand.  Also Verlaine is looking for Evangeline.  This book was full of action and adventure I really enjoyed the journey the author takes you on. 

This book would be great for people who love history, different countries including Russia, Paris.  Also great for Angel lovers out there!  Can't wait for the third book!

I also got a party kit you can get here: Party Kit and Angelologist Georche which are great little things you can do with book clubs.  I looked through these and they look like a ton of fun and something everyone can enjoy!

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It Had To Be You by: Jill Shavis

Title: It Had To Be You
Author: Jill Shavis
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 368
Series: Lucky Harbor #7
Format: ebook ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she's a thief, and now she's about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who's as sexy as he is stern....

After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke's own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

My Thoughts: 

Ali is having a very bad day when her boyfriend Ted Marshall dumps her via text messaging, leaving her in a house that the lease ran out on and where she comes face to face with Luke Hanover the homeowner who has returned to Lucky Harbor hoping to escape and spend some time alone.  What he finds is a very angry Ali Winters who is in the middle of a temper tantrum on the voice mail of her dirt bag ex-boyfriend.

When Ali's life falls apart the one person who seems to be in the middle of it all is Luke Hanover who is throwing himself into her money theft issue.  He is determined to figure out who stole the money Ali's being accused of stealing.  Through the course of this investigation we learn alot about Luke and his demons and Ali and her childhood and how she deals with things.

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more!

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Parenting with Spiritual Power by: Julie K. Nelson

“I wish children came with an instruction manual!” How many times have we heard this lament by a frustrated or overwhelmed parent? Perhaps we have said these words (or thought them) ourselves. There are “how to” manuals for practically anything: installing a new faucet, building a remote control car, baking an apple pie, refinishing an antique chair, or assembling a bicycle. Is there a formula or a perfect manual for raising children? Yes! The scriptures.

 In Parenting with Spiritual Power, Julie Nelson encourages you to crack open the manual and examine the lives and parenting principles of scriptural mothers and fathers. Discover powerful examples from figures like Adam and Eve, Moses, and the Brother of Jared along with suggestions for personal application in this essential book.

This is a great book written by Julie K. Nelson and is full of inspiration and shows us how God has given us the tools to raise kids. Shown from the Latter Day Saints perspective, it's definitely a book worth checking out.  I think alot of people could find great information from reading this book!

Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble,

Author Information:

Julie K. Nelson is a wife and mother of five children, raising them in Illinois and now Utah. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree from Utah State University in marriage, family and human development. Her scholarly research and creative writing have been published in journals and anthologies, and she has won numerous state and national awards for her writing. Julie has enjoyed teaching children in public and private schools and currently teaches at Utah Valley University.

Her Website

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Crush. Candy. Corpse. by: Sylvia McNicoll

Title: Crush. Candy. Corpse.
Author: Sylvia McNicoll
Publisher: James Lorimer & Company
Pages: 224
Format: ebook ARC
Source: NetGalley

Description:

Paradise Manor is depressing - the smells are bad and the residents are old. Sunny would much rather be doing her volunteer hours at Salon Teo, but her teacher won't let her. Who says volunteering at a hair salon doesn't benefit the community?

But working with the Alzheimer's patients has a surprising effect on Sunny. Along with Cole, the grandson of one of the residents, she begins to see that the residents don't have much more choice about their lives than she does: what they eat, how they are treated by staff, even what they watch on television. So Sunny does what she can to make the residents happy - even if she has to sometimes break the rules to do it.

But when tragedy strikes at Paradise, Sunny's left to make the decision about whether or not to honor a promise that Cole made to his grandmother about her life and her death.

My Thoughts: 

When Sunny has to do school ordered volunteer work that benefit's the community she ends up volunteering at Paradise Manor a retirement community.  Most of the patients there have Alzheimer's, they are clueless to what is going on around them.

Sunny has some issues with the rules there and what is required of her and tries to have fun with the patients.  Even going so far as to streak a patients hair for their birthday at the request of the patient's grandson.

This book is told through a court trial.  The young Sunny is on trial for killing a patient.  As we go through the trial you can see how her impressions that she voices to people outside of Paradise Manor could come back to bite her in a big way.  

We also see Sunny's relationship with her current boyfriend Donovan and a new love interest in Cole one of the resident's grandson.  The two connect in a totally different way then her current boyfriend Donovan.  

This book showed how sometimes it takes patience to deal with Alzheimer's patients and you may find you have more patience then you thought you would.  I really enjoyed reading about Sunny's adventure and the direction she heads to in the end!

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Killer Cupcakes by: Leighann Dobbs

Title: Killer Cupcakes
Author: Leighann Dobbs
Pages: 82
Series: Lexy Baker Bakery Mystery #1
Format: Kindle e-book
Source: Purchase

Description:


Things are going great for Lexy Baker. She's finally opened her dream bakery, gotten rid of her cheating boyfriend and settled into her grandmothers house with her perky dog Sprinkles at her side.

But her blissful life doesn't last long. When her ex boyfriend is found poisoned with cupcakes from her bakery, Lexy finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation headed up by her hunky neighbor detective Jack Perillo.

With the help of a gang of iPad toting, would-be detective grandmothers, Lexy decides to take it upon herself to find the real murderer in order to clear her name and get her bakery back in business.

As things heat up on the murder trail, in the kitchen and between Lexy and the hunky detective, it's a race against time to put the real murderer behind bars and get back to baking.

Will Lexy get her man?

My Thoughts:

Lexy Baker has everything going for her a great house, a new dream bakery, the ability to eat whatever and not gain weight.  When Lexy's ex-boyfriend ends up murdered and Lexy is a suspect it's up to her and her nana's group of elderly crime busters to clear Lexy's name.

This was a cute mystery novella where you meet Lexy and all her friends and find out that even in perfect worlds murder does occur.  Definitely a quick mystery if your looking for a break between more bigger books!

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The Book of Broken Hearts by: Sarah Ockler

Title: The Book of Broken Hearts
Author: Sarah Ockler
Pages: 352
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Format: ebook ARC
Source: Edelweiss from Simon Pulse

Description:

Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.

My Thoughts: 

First of all I love this cover picture I think it's awesome.  Just so loving the book and heart!  This book starts out with Jude taking care of her dad for the summer, and helping him restore his Harley.  When they enter a motorcycle repair shop to find a mechanic to work on a vintage bike Jude finds out the only one any good on this type of motorcycle is Emilio Vargas.

The name Vargas in their house means heartbreak and the girls made a vow long ago to never let a Vargas hurt them again!  But really what can happen while working on a motorcycle?  And can a pact be held legal when the girl signing it was only 12?

What I loved about this story is you get to see how they try to deal with their father and his health deteriorating with the onset of Alzheimers and how this effects everyone in the family.  Jude seems to have the hardest time with it not sure how to bring her father back to reality when the onset occurs.

Emilio tries to help when Jude's father has an episode in a drugstore.  With Emilio you can see that he is trying to help and get to know Jude regardless of what happened to Jude's older sister, who had her heart broken by a Vargas.

This book was incredible watching the relationship between Jude and her father, and the decisions the women in Jude's family had to make regarding their father.  Also watching the romance bloom between Jude and Emilio and seeing that just cause some Vargas are jerks doesn't make them all that way!  I loved this story so much!

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A Gift for Emily by: J P Galuska Book Blitz

Title: A Gift for Emily

Series: The Emily Stokes Series #2

Author: J P Galuska

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Suspense

Publisher: Self-pub.

Format: Ebook, Paperback

Length: 67,000 words

Book Description: 

A Gift for Emily picks up right where A Kiss for Emily leaves off. She is discovering that dating a ghost, solely composed of dense water molecules, has more challenges than she ever imagined. And when a bouquet shows up on the doorstep from an unknown suitor, life really gets complicated.    

About the Author: 

J P lives in Minnesota with her family, a crazy dog, and the world's best cat.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Links:

The Emily Stokes Series Facebook

Author Facebook Page

Website

Twitter

Purchase Link:

Amazon

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Assured Destruction by: Michael F. Stewart

Title: Assured Destruction

Author: Michael F. Stewart

Publisher: Non Sequitur Press

Pages: 185

Format: ebook

Source: Tribute Books

Description:

You can learn a lot about someone looking through their hard drive... Sixteen-year-old Jan Rose knows that nothing is ever truly deleted. At least, not from the hard drives she scours to create the online identities she calls the Shadownet.

Hobby? Art form? Sad, pathetic plea to garner friendship, even virtually? Sure, Jan is guilty on all counts. Maybe she’s even addicted to it. It’s an exploration. Everyone has something to hide. The Shadownet’s hard drives are Jan’s secrets. They're stolen from her family’s computer recycling business Assured Destruction. If the police found out, Jan’s family would lose its livelihood.

When the real people behind Shadownet’s hard drives endure vicious cyber attacks, Jan realizes she is responsible. She doesn’t know who is targeting these people or why but as her life collapses Jan must use all her tech savvy to bring the perpetrators to justice before she becomes the next victim.

"Stewart seamlessly incorporates the fast-paced world of social media into a unique writing style that perfectly captures the world of a modern teen. Janus’ complicated web of computer networks is intricate enough to leave readers thoroughly engrossed by her hacking acumen while remaining accessible to even the least tech-savvy readers. Many teenage girl readers will find unconventional, strong Janus to be an intriguing role model, but as a clever, talented and often slightly dark hacker, she transcends gender stereotypes and will find fans among teen boy readers as well.

My Thoughts: 

This was a great book where we learn about Janus Rose and her mother and how they are suppose to be destroying people's information from their hard drives of course on a few occasions Jan does the opposite and connects them to her computer to have a little fun in the world of twitter and other social sites.  

When things begin to go wrong Janus knows something is up and does her best to find out what the hell is going on.  Why are the harddrives she's keeping creating trouble for the previous owners.  

What can seem so innocent can spiral completely out of control and it's up to Janus to figure it out.  I really enjoyed this story and the various personas Janus uses in cyber land.  It's a great mystery.  I think alot of people will enjoy this story!

Purchase Links:

Amazon paperback ($8.99)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/098126994X?tag=tributebooks-20

Kindle ($2.99)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BXRUYO6?tag=tributebooks-20

and

Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17376220-assured-destruction

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Dirty Little Secret by: Jennifer Echols

Title: Dirty Little Secret
Author: Jennifer Echols
Publisher: MTV Books
Pages: 288
Format: ebook ARC
Source: Simon and Schuster via Edelweiss

Description:

Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…

My Thoughts:

This was a great book about Bailey who is living with her grandfather.  Her parents want nothing to do with her right now.  As Bailey is sidelined watching her younger sister rise to musical fame.  Bailey gets a job performing on her fiddle at the local mall and other little venues with imitation musicians some dress up as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and even Elvis Presley.  Unfortunately this isn't what Bailey had in mind.

Having pushed her parents to the limit with outrageous behavior they had no option but send her to her grandfather's in hopes that he could control her better.  But no one counted on her meeting Sam Hardiman a cute guitarist who has his own band and sees something in Bailey that could help get his band to the big leagues.

Bailey having been through this with her younger sister Julie she doesn't know if she can go through this again knowing she will be left in the dust.  With this book we watch Bailey overcome some of her issues with her parents and finding her way in the world of music regardless of what they want for her.

I really enjoyed reading this book about kids trying to make it in the music industry and reading about Nashville.

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