Book Blast + US Giveaway: Unfinished Business by Carolyn Aspenson

Genre: Chic Lit, Paranormal 

When Angela's mother Fran dies and comes back as a ghost, Angela's ordinary life turns into a carnival show, starring both Angela and her nosy, dead mother. It seems Fran's got some unfinished business on earth and she's determined to get it done, no matter what. 

When Fran returned, she reignited her daughter's long suppressed psychic gift, one she neglected to mention to Angela, and now Angela sees ghosts everywhere. And they won't leave her alone. Fran can't help but stick her transparent nose where it doesn't belong, making Angela's life even crazier. Now Angela has to find a way to keep her old life in tact and help the dead with their unfinished business, all while trying to keep her dead mother out of trouble. And it's a lot for one woman to handle.

Purchase Unfinished Business: 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the Author.

Carolyn Ridder Aspenson is a freelance writer based in Cumming, GA. She lives with her husband and three children, two dogs and one cat. Carolyn doesn't see ghosts, but swears she'd be okay with it, as long as it was only during daylight hours.   

Follow the author: Website | Facebook | Twitter

       

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Book Blast and Giveaway: No Brainer by A.J. Lape

No Brainer

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery

Two weeks before junior year, Darcy hops a plane to Orlando for a little R&R with her best friend Dylan and his family. Fresh off the heels of solving three murders in Valley, you'd think she'd sit back and enjoy the vacation capital of the world…maybe if you're a noun. Darcy Walker, however, is nothing but verb. Before her feet hit the Orlando soil, she's meddling in the disappearance of a five-year-old boy who vanished six months earlier. 

With authorities still no closer to solving the case, Darcy is shanghaied by her impulsivity and runs headlong into that proverbial burning building, convinced she can bring him home. She travels down a road that not only follows this missing child but branches off into the corrupt and sinister world of mob activity when she tampers in a case on which Dylan's detective grandfather is working. After a near disastrous midnight meeting in a warehouse and a date with a mechanical bull, Darcy realizes she might've bitten off more than she can chew. Add the boiling flirtationship with her best friend and the appearance of his romantic rival, and she is in over her head. Will she survive a life of flirting with death too easily? Or will her flirtationship with Dylan become the actual death of her instead? For a girl with a habit of finding dead bodies, No Brainer gives Darcy Walker more of the same…surprising twists and turns…and running for her life.

Purchase the book.

Book #1 Grade A Stupid

Book #2 No Brainer

About Author AJ Lape.

A. J. lives in Cincinnati with her husband, two feministic daughters, an ADD dog, a spoiled hamster, and an unapologetic and unrepentant addiction to Coca-Cola. She studied English, Journalism, and Political Science at Morehead State University and left the business world when her daughters were born. 

Her love for suspense and a good story was spawned from watching Mystery Science Theater with her sister during childhood. That and any B movie with comedic undertones they could get their hands on. When she’s not riding that razor-thin line between creativity and insanity, she likes to read, watch too much cable TV, or cheer like a banshee at her daughters' sporting events. 

She’s a huge hometown sports fan and loves to watch the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Reds whenever she can. A. J. loves to connect with fans! If you would like to receive emails of upcoming releases, please sign up for her distribution list by visiting her homepage at http://www.ajlape.com and clicking the “contact” tab.  

Follow AJ Lape: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon

Join the No Brainer Release Event May 28 at 7:00pm Fill out the form below to enter the contest a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tour Stop: The Blasphemy Box Book Tour + 3.5 Star Review and Giveaway

The Blasphemy Box

“You know that nightmare you’ve always had? The one where you wake up one day to find yourself fat, frumpy, fifty and alone? I’m living it.” 

     Maddy Nelson has an idyllic existence: a handsome husband, great kids, a comfortable, affluent lifestyle. One morning soon after she turns fifty, however, she wakes up in her San Francisco home to find her husband Steven announcing that he’s leaving her for a woman half her age. And a third of her size. Ouch! Feeling totally unmoored and grieving for her married life and husband, Maddy finds herself thrust into an unfamiliar and uncomfortable world of middle-aged singledom. 

There, she must come to terms with her situation and embark on her new life: divorce proceedings, single parenting, internet dating, and trying to earn a living. It’s enough to drive her over the brink. To help her cope, she shares her struggles in a smart, wry blog named The Blasphemy Box, after her ex-husband’s obnoxious habit of having her drop a quarter into a wooden box every time she said something off color. Her madcap middle-aged adventures find her devoted readers who identify with her challenges. In time, Maddy recreates herself and finds happiness in the arms of a good man, and a fulfilling new career as a novelist.

Purchase Kindle / Paperback

The Blasphemy Box is a novel very far from the usual genre of books I read. I honestly wasn’t sold at first that I would like it, much less finish it, but I gave it a shot and I ended up truly liking it.

The Blasphemy Box is Maddy’s story. After twenty years of being married, she is now faced with divorce papers, lawyers, ex-husband with a new younger version of her, and a whole lot of other problems that come with a split-up marriage and well, aging. Reading Maddy’s thoughts and being privy to her feelings is quite refreshing. She is very honest and is just like a normal person who sometimes feels insecure. She’s a loving, devoted mom and I truly adore her character. She also has this way about her that sometimes I could picture her as a teenage girl instead of a fifty-year old mom with three kids. The narration had an upbeat, light, young adult feel to it and I think that’s what I really liked about the book. Also, I found myself looking forward to reading Maddy’s blog entries. It was fun and original and Maddy was just a natural at it.   

The concept of the ‘blasphemy box’ is something I can totally relate with. There was this one time when we had the same rule in the room I share with my sisters. Unfortunately for us, we often forget that we have that rule and we eventually stopped. But it sure did test one’s self control.

A surprisingly hilarious, delightful read that’s far from what I expected. The whole thing would take you by surprise - the plot, the writing and the lovely, amusing characters. One character in particular really stood out to me. Amanda, one of Maddy’s kids, has a very perceptive persona. She’s very sweet and for a kid her age, she has this profound, mature way of thinking.      

All the side characters played a part and added spice to the book. They have different, unique, interesting personalities and were all equally entertaining to read. Some would irritate you to no end and others you’d come to love and adore.

I admit I’m still young and far from getting married so I’d say I can’t entirely relate with the whole “divorce and being married subject” but book-loving moms would surely love and appreciate this. But also, since I’m a young adult girl with well, a mom, I’d say this would help young readers see their moms in a new light and appreciate them more than they already do now. The book would show just how undoubtedly self-sacrificing moms are and how they give a whole new meaning to “girl power”. The Blasphemy Box is about self-realization. About putting things into perspective and dealing with the drama, difficulties and romance life throws your way.

An insightful, soulful novel about family, love, acceptance and letting go. A book full of life lessons – a good, insightful read for both teens and moms alike!

About Author Mandy Behbehani

Mandy Behbehani grew up in England and now lives in California. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is a professional journalist whose work has appeared in a variety of publications from the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle to W magazine, Town & Country magazine and Travel & Leisure magazine. 

Follow Mandy Behbehani: Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Follow the Tour!

The author is offering a signed paperback book, and a Swarovski crystal bracelet that is part of her jewelry line for a tour prize. Fill out the form below to Enter!
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Book Review: Shady Cove: New Girl in Town

Can a big city girl go country? 

Jenna’s life grinds to a halt after her brother’s suicide. With her college funds non-existent and her future plans put on hold, she’s forced to relocate to a sleepy town. Just when her entire world is crumbling, she meets Benji Preston, a local guy she doesn't expect to fall for. He's not even her type! A harmless flirtation quickly escalates into something more. The only catch? He’s the same guy her cousin has been harboring a crush on for ages. 

With tongues wagging and jealousy dogging her every step, Jenna has to decide what's more important; her heart or her family ties?

Shady Cove: New Girl in Town by Ava Catori
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

An eARC copy was provided by the publisher through NetGalley. But this has in no way influenced my review.

After reading the blurb of Shady Cove: New Girl in Town, I had such high expectations for the book and I really thought it’d be one of my new favorite contemporary romance novels. Too bad it didn’t turn out to be as good as I hoped it to be.

After Jenna’s brother committed suicide, she finds herself adjusting to the new life in the small, nowhere town of Shady Cove. There she’ll have to share a room with a cousin she barely knew, share the same roof with her relatives who seem to judge her every movement, meet a guy, fall in love unexpectedly and find out that life isn’t all about the “big” things. Sometimes it takes a small, simple town and a guy to make you realize that everything – good or bad – eventually passes and that sometimes it’s nice to hold on to the one thing that makes you feel loved and all of it worth it.

One of the first things that kind of put me off about the book is Jenna. She came off a bit self-absorbed at the beginning and she can’t stop complaining about how she’s left to fend for herself and that everyone else abandoned her. Her brother just committed suicide and I didn’t feel the supposed grief she’s feeling. And see, that’s the second complaint I have about the book. I didn’t feel in any way connected to any of the characters. I didn’t feel any of the emotions they say are there. I find it very hard to relate to them. And I think that one of the things that a book should make you feel for it to be very good is to draw you in – to make you feel attached. It should somehow stir up emotions and make you feel for the characters and get you involved in the story. And I felt like this book lacked that. Maybe this has to something to do with how the book was written in third person. Sometimes very few books can pull this off because it’s really hard to relate with the characters when you aren’t privy to their personal thoughts and feelings. Also the transition between them was kind of confusing and irregular.

Lastly, the book felt rushed. There was so much going on that I felt like it was all crammed up and written in fast-forward. I liked the plot of the book but I think it could have been better. It lacked emotions and depth and vividness. It lacked the “voice” of telling a good story.

What I liked about the book however are the characters. Most especially Jenna’s aunt. She has character and she can be very unpredictable. She can be fun and surprisingly humorous. I love how she can be very adult and tell you that you’re doing a sucky job of being a teenager but at the same time she has this soft side that would tell you that everything is going to be fine.

Also, with books like this, I just can’t help but finish reading them. I just have to know how the ending would go and what choices the characters would make. And in this book’s case, it wasn’t at all surprising that Jenna made the choice she did. I’m so glad that at the end, she finally stood up to what she really wants and decided to do what she always wanted although not exactly in the way she planned.

I also liked that the characters realized their own faults at the end and had their own happy ending even if it is far from being perfect.

The book had its own twists but wasn’t written in a way that would make you feel shocked or the least bit caught off guard. It just felt like it just needed to be out there and was thrown without much thought.

Shady Cove: New Girl in Town could have been a really good book. It has the story and the characters but it needs personality, depth and heartfelt emotions. It started out slow and dull and it just went downhill from there. I just know this book could have given us more.

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Book Review: The Book of Broken Hearts

When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel from the author of Bittersweet and Twenty Boy Summer.

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.

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

‘That was love’s unspoken promise — blind and hopeful, some kind of beautiful forever.’

It always amazes me how Sarah Ockler turns ordinary moments to extraordinary ones with her writing. The Book of Broken Hearts is a novel full of everything that makes it amazingly good – a realistic plot, a profound and touching story and dynamic characters.

The Hernandez sisters, no matter how different they are from each other, are bound by an oath they took a long time ago. They are to never under any circumstances get involved with a Vargas boy. The Vargas boys will bring you nothing but heartbreak and that is one experience they’d rather not go through again.

I honestly found their dedication to never break the vow quite absurd in the beginning. I don’t understand how they can hold on to such promise even after all the years that passed. But after further reading, I understood how much it really mattered to them. It was meant as a reminder to protect themselves and each other against any more despair where relationships are concerned.

I admit I liked the idea of ‘the book of broken hearts’. I myself love keeping mementos of the different experiences I’ve had and the memories I’d rather not forget. Some of them may be sad and hurtful but you’d still keep them ‘cause at least then you’d know that you learned from them and that you took a chance not knowing where it would take you. And sometimes it’s the risks you take that make life more exciting.

I love reading The Book of Broken Hearts. It was very relatable and full of moments that would make you smile and feel like crying. I can see myself in Jude – being the youngest in the family. I have two older sisters and I know that sometimes it kinda feels like I’m standing in their shadows. I know that it is inevitable that some of your decisions always have something to do with what they think or say. I admire the relationship of the Hernandez sisters. It may not be obvious all the time but they care so much for each other and they’d do anything to protect the other. Jude and her dad’s relationship is for me the highlight of the story. I am a daddy’s girl ever since I was little and up until now my dad is my biggest idol. Jude and her dad have an understanding, honest relationship. I love how they went through everything together and how they never lost each other no matter how difficult the times were. Jude’s dad is a great dad I can tell you that much. He’s the kind of dad who would be there when you scrape your knee, who would make you laugh when no one else can, who says the most absurd things just to make you feel better and someone who would wholeheartedly love you no matter how you dress.

Jude has a tough, strong personality. She often finds herself questioning her choices but she knows how to stand up for herself. She’s very spirited and full of determination. Her relationship and Emilio’s took its time to develop. Their romance had a sweet, dreamy buildup. I can’t help but fall for Emilio. He’s very compassionate with a genuine heart. He’ll make your heart race with a simple touch and a passing look. He has his own demons to contend with but he never falters to be there when someone needs a friend. He’s kind of my dream man.

The Book of Broken Hearts brings with it an emotional, sweet, moving story of family and love. How life is made of fleeting moments – here one second, gone the next. How someone should live life as fully and as exhilarating as they can. And what it means to value the things and the people around you while you still can.

It is a breathtaking read of how a family’s bond stays intact despite all the hard turns and challenges life offers. A book full of life lessons that will captivate you from the very beginning. A must-read!

“You two have fun with your lovers’ quarrel." “We’re not quarreling,” I said. 

Emilio laced his fingers through my hair, right on the back of my neck, and leaned in close. His breath tickled my ear, soft and sharp, all at once comforting and dangerous. “Does that mean we’re lovers?” 

I pulled the cell from my pocket and snapped a picture. Emilio looked up. 

“It’s for my father,” I said. 

“Lots of girls want my picture.”

An eARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher through Edelweiss. Quotes I sited therein may change in the final print.


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Book Review: Golden

Love, tragedy, and mystery converge in this compelling novel from “an author to watch” (Booklist).

Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury.

Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

Golden by Jessi Kirby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

”Life is made of moments and choices.”

I think that the first words of a book are the hardest to write. They’ll either make you feel that it is that good you have to read it now or that it can wait a few more days.

And as a reader, I just know I’m going to love a book through those first sentences that I read.

Golden got me hooked from the very beginning. It is a breathtakingly heartbreaking, memorable read.

Parker is the seventeen-year-old protagonist who is just a speech away from fulfilling her dreams - being accepted into one of the most renowned universities and then becoming a doctor. She’s the perfect student with the perfect grades who always does what others expect of her.

Parker knows what she’s gonna do with her life; she has it all planned out... or at least that’s what she thought. After finding a journal that changes everything she has believed in all these years, Parker does what she’s never done before: do something unexpected, unforgettable and wild.

What I loved most about Parker is she’s a very relatable, realistic character. With the same problems, drama and whims of a teenage girl about to graduate high school, one can easily see themselves in her shoes. Parker has built a wall of perfection and expectations around her though that she gets scared of taking risks and making choices she might see herself regretting someday. She’d rather choose to play it safe in fear that she’d mess up and disappoint the people around her, most especially her mom. We all feel a little like that sometimes. When we think too much of what other people might say or think that we do things not in a way we would have but in a way others expect us to. Parker’s also a big fan of sappy romance books/movies and being a die-hard romantic at heart myself, I liked her character even more.

I also love the easygoing friendship between Parker and Kat. Kat is the supportive, “out there” bff. She’s the bestfriend who does the risky, surprising things and drags you with them but at the end you won’t regret coming along ‘cause no matter how wrong it seemed at the start, it turned out to be the most fun you’ve ever had.

Trevor Collins is a sigh-worthy character. He always knows the right thing to say who would leave you utterly confused and giddy at the same time. He’s a perfect gentleman who means what he says. Parker and Trevor’s interactions always make me smile. I can feel the chemistry around them and it’s even hotter when they try to avoid and deny it. Looking for a new book boyfriend? Try Trevor Collins.

I love everything about Golden. A romantic story with a touch of mystery with characters that are all alluring and brilliantly written.

Another thing I love about the book is reading the journal entries. It gave me goose bumps. It tells of a tale of first love, falling in love and then finding something you never saw coming but you just know it’s the best thing that’s happened to you. It tells a story that would pull you in and would tear you apart.

I liked keeping a diary when I was little. I can still remember how it felt just after putting all my thoughts, sorrows and feelings into words. How relieved I’d feel and somehow lighter. That’s one of the best things about Golden, it makes you remember and feel and make you see deeper into yourself.

Reading this book made my heart race. Told in a heartfelt, genuine voice, Golden is a thought-provoking novel that is warm and alive with emotions. It would make you smile, cry, hope and believe in love and taking chances. Poignant, tragic and full of all the intricacies of love and life.

A song that I think is very fitting for Golden - Chances by Five for Fighting

Chances are when said and done
Who'll be the lucky ones who make it all the way?
Though you say I could be your answer
Nothing lasts forever no matter how it feels today

Chances are we'll find a new equation
Chances roll away from me
Chances are all they hope to be…


An eARC copy of Golden was provided by the publisher through Edelweiss.


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Book Spotlight: The Last Boyfriend + Giveaway

Looking for a new book to read? 

Scroll down.

“Lucky Morgan has had her share of heartbreak. She is devastated when her boyfriend dumps her after sleeping with him and she vows to herself that she won’t be used again. She decides that the next guy she dates and sleeps with, will be her one true love.

Zane Beaumont is the mysterious and snooty guy that comes into her diner every Friday night with a different girl. He’s the type of guy she’s learned to avoid: carefree, fast, handsome, rich, and sarcastic. Unfortunately, she can’t stop thinking about the devilish gleam in his eyes.

When Lucky’s car breaks down one night after a party, it is Zane who comes to her rescue. As Zane attempts to sweep Lucky off of her feet, she soon realizes that nothing is as it seems and that Zane may very well be the guy for whom she changes the rules. That is until she meets Braydon.” - The Last Boyfriend by J. S. Cooper

And if that's not enough to convince you to read the book. Here's something even better! A giveaway is being hosted at author J.S. Cooper's official site. 

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The Blasphemy Box Book Tour

The Blasphemy Box

“You know that nightmare you’ve always had? The one where you wake up one day to find yourself fat, frumpy, fifty and alone? I’m living it.” 

     Maddy Nelson has an idyllic existence: a handsome husband, great kids, a comfortable, affluent lifestyle. One morning soon after she turns fifty, however, she wakes up in her San Francisco home to find her husband Steven announcing that he’s leaving her for a woman half her age. And a third of her size. Ouch! Feeling totally unmoored and grieving for her married life and husband, Maddy finds herself thrust into an unfamiliar and uncomfortable world of middle-aged singledom. There, she must come to terms with her situation and embark on her new life: divorce proceedings, single parenting, internet dating, and trying to earn a living. It’s enough to drive her over the brink. To help her cope, she shares her struggles in a smart, wry blog named The Blasphemy Box, after her ex-husband’s obnoxious habit of having her drop a quarter into a wooden box every time she said something off color. Her madcap middle-aged adventures find her devoted readers who identify with her challenges. In time, Maddy recreates herself and finds happiness in the arms of a good man, and a fulfilling new career as a novelist.

Purchase Kindle / Paperback

About Author Mandy Behbehani

Mandy Behbehani grew up in England and now lives in California. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is a professional journalist whose work has appeared in a variety of publications from the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle to W magazine, Town & Country magazine and Travel & Leisure magazine. 

Follow Mandy Behbehani: Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Follow the Tour!

The author is offering a signed paperback book, and a Swarovski crystal bracelet that is part of her jewelry line for a tour prize. Fill out the form below to Enter!
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Incessant Rambling: A Book-Inspired Art

It's been a while  since I did an 'Incessant Rambling' post and I'm super glad to do another one with this awesome news!

Ever since I read HP and The Chamber of Secrets, I never stopped reading. I have read tons of great books over the past years and I have always thought of doing anything book-related. After visiting Ms. C.J. Redwine's site, I had the greatest motivation to finally do one!

But before anything else, this 'greatest motivation' I'm actually talking about is an awesome giveaway you can look into by clicking this link. And why is it the 'greatest motivation' and the most awesome giveaway? You get a chance to win an annotated copy of Deception ARC!! What is all about Deception you say? It's just the most anticipated sequel to a book that is brilliantly written!

Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.



But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive. 


In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight. - Deception by C.J. Redwine

And now that that's clear, here's the "book-inspired art' I'm talking about. It's the very first one I did that is book related and I'm super proud of it even if it is quite simple.

This one's a close-up of the blue flower -

A closer look at the border and a quote (that is slightly readable) -

Here's another shot of the poster -

It's some sort of a poster. I want it to show a sneak-peak of what Defiance is. The black borderlines signify the walls of Baalboden. It's black with a touch of color red because it's meant to represent the spilled blood, the grief and the horror that lies within and outside its walls.
The sword signifies Rachel's bravery and determination. I've thought of doing something to make it look as if it's shining but I found that quite difficult indeed. I opt instead of giving it the color of gold and hence yellow. And if you take a closer look it's actually made of different hues of yellow. It's  from cut up pages of magazines and I just glued them together kinda like a collage.
Lastly, the blue flower with the ribbons signify the romantic relationship between Rachel and Logan. I find it so adoringly sweet - how they protect and look out for each other.
Oh and those written words at the sides? Those are some of the quotes I liked from the book. I wrote them down and tried as best I can to come up with different font style (I don't think I succeeded in that though).
And lastly (I promise), I'm so sorry if the pictures I took are posted in this way and that. I edited them in my PC but somehow they still ended up in that way when I uploaded them, oh sheessh. 
Anyway.. Thanks so much for hanging out and checking this post! Thanks a bunch!

And that's it!

I cannot wait to get my hands on DECEPTION!

Keep the books coming -

Book Review: Time Out (Foolish Games 2)

Joie and her friends are continuing to follow the Grimm Brother’s Band across their countrywide tour. They thought the worst was behind them but they had no idea that things were just getting started. Terrorists’ bombings call for all entertainment venues to be on high alert. With all of the new staff and crew members, the band finds it hard to know who to trust. 

Meanwhile things begin to heat up between Joie and Hawkins in and out of the bedroom when an ex-fiancé suddenly shows up on the scene but the real surprise has yet to come. If the band wants to continue on the tour, they must figure out who is really behind it all before time runs out…

Time Out by Leah Spiegel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

After reading Foolish Games I honestly assumed I wouldn’t read the second book anymore. I love the first book but I just thought that that was it for Joie and Hawkins’ story for me. The thing is however, I ended up reading Time Out ‘cause it just intrigues me. Reading Leah Spiegel’s Foolish Games books feels a lot like Ally Carter meets The Fast and the Furious. I have no idea if that comparison is true enough but that’s exactly how I feel.

Time Out is as good and as action-packed and thrilling. We get the same quirky, upbeat, unpredictable characters with a few new additions who would keep you guessing and make you love and hate them at the same time.

Ms. Leah definitely upped the ante in this book. With a lot of surprising twists, Time Out is packed with more mystery, more action, more danger, more drama (okay maybe just a bit), more romance and more Hawkins and Joie moments. I can’t seem to get enough of those two. They’ll make you feel frustrated, giddy, happy and just about wanting for more. Their relationship has grown stronger from the first time we’ve seen them and with Hawkins’ ex-fiancé showing up unannounced Joie’s world is about to get rocky. Not to mention the aforementioned ex seems to be hiding something.

I adore Hawkins even more in this book. He’s proving himself to be the opposite of being the playboy everyone assumes him to be. He’s sincerely sweet and still protective of Joie and we’ll get to know more about him in this book. He does things that would really surprise you and sweep you off your feet. Did I mention he just got hotter? Granted he’s a rockstar so that fact alone makes him hot. But Hawkins is just the romantic kind of guy who doesn’t say much but proves himself to you with the actions he does.

And that ending? Now that’s something you wouldn’t want to miss.

A fun and easy read - Time Out is definitely a sequel worth reading. If you’ve started out reading book one and is now having doubts about reading this book, I tell you, you must.


Keep the books coming -

Book Review: Ryan Hunter (Grover Beach Team 2)

Ryan Hunter kissed more girls than he cares to remember. But the only one he ever wanted is in love with his best friend.

Watching Liza Matthews’ obsession with Tony Mitchell is a torture Ryan conceals from everyone. Until after a five-week soccer camp, where Tony gets involved with someone else, things suddenly take a different turn. Ryan knows if he doesn’t make a move now and grab his chance, he might never get another. 

Asked by Tony to distract Liza, Ryan is only too happy. He subtly seduces her first into his soccer team and later on to his party. He does all in his power to make her see that he’s not just an insufferable playboy but a guy who really cares about her.

Some one-on-one soccer training, a passionate kiss — things seem to be going the way he wants. Except Ryan didn’t reckon on his best friend showing up at the worst possible moment and destroying everything...

Ryan Hunter by Piper Shelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading Ryan Hunter – This Girl is Mine is like getting a backstage pass to Ryan’s life. This short novel shows the sweet, charming, romantic side of Ryan we weren’t much privy to in the first book. What he feels for Liza is very evident throughout the book. I can’t believe Liza was that oblivious that she never took a hint about what Ryan feels for her. It was nice reading from his side of the story. I fell in love with him even more! He’s far from the image of a bad boy and player that everyone assumes about him. He’s down to earth and has a healthy, strong relationship with his family. He’s very sweet especially to his mom and you just can’t help but fall in love with guys like that, right?

I really adore the Hunters. They’re fun, supportive and they show just what a family should be. They are very direct with their thoughts and they act on what they feel.

There are characters in this book too that we weren’t given much of in the first book. Reading about them and knowing them better is a nice addition to the story. The characters were with depth and this uniqueness that makes the book all the more brilliantly good. The interactions between them are genuine, relatable and loads of fun.

And as per usual, Piper Shelly writes with ease and finesse that captures you as a reader. I will never get tired of reading Liza and Ryan’s story. They make you fall for them as easily as turning a page of a book.

Ryan Hunter – This Girl is Mine is a really good although [too] short book that I would surely be re-reading. An extremely engaging, sweet, romantic read!

“What are you thinking about?” she demanded, tilting her head a little.
“That I can’t believe how I’m finally able to hold you.”

“What did you forget this time?” she teased me.
“Same as always,” I answered and took her mouth in a savagely slow and tender goodnight kiss.

Keep the books coming -