Friday, February 8, 2013

Feasted On: Play With Me by Piper Shelly

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 287 KB | Release Date: December 2012 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Play With Me" by Piper Shelly

My Book Summary : Liza & Tony have been best friends since third grade when they bonded over their mutual love for Tom & Jerry cartoons. Over the years, Liza's feelings for Tony have grown into a major infatuation. Now years later, a few weeks before Liza has to go back to high school, she finds that their relationship has changed once Tony returns from his summer soccer camp. All because Tony likes another girl--one who is into soccer as much as he is!

Therefore, as a way to get Tony's focus more on her again, Liza decides on trying out for their co-ed soccer team. However, her plans may backfire when instead of gaining Tony's focus, Liza gains the focus of Ryan the hottest guy in school and Captain of the soccer team! Nevertheless, is she willing to give up her longtime love for her best friend just for a guy who can sweep her away with a heated glance? Or will her life get even more complicated?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars--a sweetly intense short story about a girl who thinks she's in love with her best friend but when she starts hanging out with a guy who pushes all her buttons she finds him hard to resist. This novel was passionate, intense, and charming when it came to Liza's growing relationship Ryan, along with the friendship between Liza & Tony. Ryan was a keeper from the beginning but I liked how the novel plays out the conflicts that come between the characters. The plot was a little like "Catching Jordan" except for who the heroine ends up with at the very end, and of course that the sport the guys like to play in this novel is soccer not football.

My only big issue with this novel was how rushed it all felt at times. Yet that could be because I just didn't want it to end. I can't wait to read Tony's novel!

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes reading YA romances!

Author's Novel Extras : PLAY WITH ME - Excerpt | PLAY WITH ME - Playlist | Epilogue for PLAY WITH ME | Character Interview with Ryan Hunter | Character Interview with Liza Matthews | It’s out! It’s out! OMG, it’s finally OUT!!! | A read for the holidays! | The Deal – it’s for FREE | Get another half for free! | RYAN HUNTER – exclusive interview | Epilogue for PLAY WITH ME

Author's Series Extras : Tony’s unpublished scene | PWM book II - Excerpt | There will be a sequel | Something...and a little bit

Book Teaser(s) :
Suddenly his lips twitched.
“I can feel you staring at me,” he said in the softest wake-up voice I’d ever heard. “I only hope you’re a girl and not one of the drunken guys.”
My breath caught in my chest. I jerked my hand back from him. Not taking his arm away from his face yet, he reached down with his other hand. And slowly ran his palm over my naked thigh in the direction of my bum.
“Yep, definitely female,” he purred.
In panic, I held his hand in place. “Move another inch, Hunter, and you’re a dead man.”
“Matthews?” Surprised amusement filled his chuckle. Unlike me, he seemed relaxed enough.
A strange heat rose from my gut to my head as I studied his hand on my bare skin. Wearing nothing but jeans and a black wrist watch, he looked more like a guy from the many posters on the walls of Caroline Davis’ bedroom than the boy I knew from school.
I felt awkward for not letting go of his hand on my leg, but I was too scared he’d continue the path he’d started if I did.
“Tell me, Matthews,” he said as he dropped his arm to the pillow and tilted his head to study me with warm eyes. “Why do I have you in my bed, when I’m not allowed to touch you?”
“I didn’t know there were strawberries in the soda,” I whined.
His brow furrowed, his lips pursed. “Come again?” ~ within Chapter 5
For more information on this book and/or any other books by Piper, then please check out her website.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

"Waiting On" Wednesday: This Is What Happy Looks Like

• Today's "Waiting On" Wednesday by Jill - click here

"This Is What Happy Looks Like" by Jennifer E. Smith
Expected Publication Released Date: April 2, 2013

Author's Book Description:
    If fate sent you an email, would you answer?

    When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds.

    Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs?

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Disappointmentville: Calhoun Chronicles, Book 1

Format: Paperback | Pages: 391 | Release Date: May 2008 | Publisher: Mira Books | Obtained: My Mom (previously read it, loved it, and gave it to me saying I had to read it)

"The Charm School" [Calhoun Chronicles, Book 1] by Susan Wiggs

My Book Summary : Isadora has always been an "odd bird" compared to the rest of her family. They all thought of her as too smart, not pretty enough, socially inept, and the daughter/sibling who was destined to become the spinster of the family. Well, when she is given an opportunity to set sail for Rio, and learn of places she has only read about, she makes sure she'll be able to join the voyage by any means necessary even if that means going over the Captain's head to do so...

Captain Ryan Calhoun came from a good southern family name, and walked away from it all so he could help his best friend and former slave, Journey, find a way to earn enough money too free Journey's family. Yet all their plans could go to pieces, accidentally by Isadora if they aren't careful...

Will Ryan & Isadora be able to find some common ground between the two of them so both their dream will come true? Or will they both be hurt during the process?

My Book Review : 2 out of 5 stars. Two people try to accomplish some of their life goals while slowly falling in love along the way.

I wanted to like this novel so much. My mother gave me my copy saying she absolutely loved it, so maybe my hopes for the novel were too high. I dunno. All I can say is it wasn't anything like I had hoped for and I was very disappointed with it.

My biggest issue with this novel was with how much Isadora dislikes herself, yet how unwilling she is to change her ways. Then when Ryan steps in, I'll admit not always doing the changes in the most polite ways, to help her out she freaks. It was all very annoying, making it so I gave up reading the novel fully by Chapter 18 and just skimmed the rest of it to see how it ended.

I recommend this novel to only those who are fans of Susan Wiggs.

- On a side note -
I am curious to see how Isadora & Ryan decided to live their lives since--by the end of the novel it seems--they'd be living on the run. =0/

The latest cover is great though! =0)

My Previous Interview(s) with this Author : September 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Return to Willow Lake

Author's Novel Extras : Read an excerpt | I want to write a historical romance. | A tale of 3 book covers | The 3 Faces of Isadora | Unexpected and welcome news | Reviewing the reviewers | Thar she blows! | genre and time period | ‘fessing up

Author's Series Extras : Calhoun Chronicles | Bundle o’ love | Another reason I love libraries | further thoughts on series books

Book Teaser(s) :
"Thank you, Captain," she murmured.
"Now that we're ashore, you should call me Ryan."
"I couldn't possibly."
He gestured at his mother and aunt who crossed the patio ahead of them. "The other ladies do."
"Your ladies of the night, I presume," she said tartly.
"That would be 'ladies of the afternoon,'" he explained. "And for the record, there was only one. You are keeping score, are you not?"
She made a strange wheezing sound, but couldn't seem to get a word out.
"I meant my mother and aunt," he said, taking pity on her. "They call me by my given name."
"They're related to you."
He winked at Isadora. "That can be arranged."
Her gaze darted away. "You shouldn't tease."
Maybe I wasn't. The idea was too absurd and too startling to voice out loud, yet the instant it occurred to him, it sent down roots that reached deep inside to a tender place in his heart. ~ within Chapter 13
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Susan, then please check out her website.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

From Book to the Movies: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

"City of Bones" [The Mortal Instruments Series, Book 1] by Cassandra Clare -- I absolutely LOVE this series so I am VERY EXCITED that it's finally coming to the movies!! I hope that they'll stick to the plot as much as possible! =0)

Movie Release Date :: August 23, 2013

Movie Preview ::


To find out more about this movie :: CLICK HERE!!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Feasted On: Bad Rep by A. Meredith Walters

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 641 KB | Release Date: December 2012 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Bad Rep" by A. Meredith Walters

My Book Summary : Maysie finds that her shopping habits have gotten worse when her parents inform her that they are no longer paying for her credit card bill, especially now that she's about $3,500 in debt. Therefore, to pay it off she gets a second job for the summer as a waitress at a local bar.

While working there she meets Jordan, one of the hot bartenders who is also the President in one her college's fraternities--Pi Sig--and a fantastic drummer in a band called Generation Rejects, a guy who she has an instant attraction and connection with that is very much reciprocated!

You would think everything would be fine for their budding relationship .... right?

Well, that might be true if he didn't already have a girlfriend! Especially one who he has dated for over three years and happens to be Maysie's sorority--Chi Delta--President!

However, can they overcome their desire to be together so no one will be hurt? Or will everything in their lives fall apart because of their connection?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! See how two people who have an instant connection to each other deal with the difficulties that happen when they want someone that they can't have yet cannot seem to say no too. Even though you don't wish this situation on anyone, you can't help but root for Maysie & Jordan and wish the best for them. They're wonderful together. However, I did get annoyed with Maysie at times, because of how she kept running from Jordan when the times get tough. Yet I did understand her reasoning and I'm happy with how the novel played out--from beginning to end.

I recommend this to anyone who likes contemporary romances, especially ones that have a LOT of drama and are a bit erotic.

- On a side note -
I loved Maysie's close friends, Jordan's band members, and the employees at the bar--all of them were great secondary characters and I hope that they might get their own novels at some point. *crossing fingers*

Plus, I LOVED the snarky & humorous commentary!!

Author's Novel Extras : An interview I did... | A Little Look at Jordan | Jordan is a January book boyfriend!!!

Book Teaser(s) :
“My friends here want to apply for the wait staff positions. Jordan, this is Maysie Ardin and Riley Walker. Guys, this is Jordan Levitt.”
“Charmed.” Riley deadpanned before taking the paper from his hand. Jordan smirked then handed the other one to me.
“Here ya go, Maysie,” he said, his eyes twinkling; as though he knew how much it turned me on to hear him say my name.
I cleared my throat a few times before answering with a shaky, “thanks.”
He looked at me a few more seconds and I felt my cheeks start to flush. I always seemed to blush at the most inopportune moments. My face was hot and I knew I had turned a bright red.
“Jordan! Are you going to start tending bar tonight?” Jaz asked and I suddenly found my friend's voice grating. I finally understood why Riley found her so annoying. Jordan stopped looking at me and turned to Jaz.
“Yeah, Moore put me on the schedule from seven until close. I'm pretty stoked.” Jaz squealed again. I had to suppress my eye roll, which took significant effort.
Jaz turned to Riley and me as we started filling out the applications. “Jordan just got bumped up to bartender. He's going to be great!” she gushed, pressing herself close to him again.
“Jeesh, is she going to start dry humping him next?” Riley whispered under her breath, shooting a look in their direction. I laughed quietly.
“It's starting to feel like a low budget porno in here. Just cue the cheesy 70' s background music. Bow chick-a-wow-wow,” I whispered back, trying to discreetly watch the pair as they talked. ~ within Chapter 1
“Well, considering it's usually me in a fetal position on the couch, I don't envy you. But I must say, it's not like you to over indulge. I've never seen you like this. So what gives?” I ask her.
“Stupid boys,” Riley muttered and my smile became even wider.
“Did you go out with a boy last night, Riley?” I goaded. She gave me the middle finger.
“Yeah, I hung out with Damien and a bunch of his friends after work. I got a little too drunk. Who knew a Green Eyed Monster was so vile coming back up.” Her face had gone pale.
“Well, no wonder you feel like shit. Everclear is some hard shit if you're not used to drinking.” I pointed out.
“Says the girl with the pickled liver,” Riley snarked. I ignored her, knowing she was feeling touchy.
“So, you and Damien, huh?” I asked, watching her to make sure she finished the toast.
Riley shrugged. “We've hung out a few times,” she said.
My eyes widened in surprise. “You have? What happened to not dating guys you work with?” I asked, giving her a smug smile.
Riley shrugged again. “Yeah, well my advice sucks. Forget about the shit I say. I know nothing,” she said sarcastically. I snorted. ~ within Chapter 8
“Is it a crime to want to fuck my girlfriend within an inch of her life?” he asked as he pulled his boxers and pants back up around his hips. I pushed my hair back off of my face and pressed my cold hands against my flushed cheeks.
“Not at all, it was just sort of sudden,” I replied as the sex euphoria started to fade. Damn, had he seriously just screwed my brains out behind a dilapidated old shed in the middle of a party? Yes. Yes he had.
Jordan kissed my mouth. “You're so fucking hot, Mays. When another guy comes on to you, it drives me crazy. You're my girl.” I grinned. Who knew that Jordan Levitt was as insecure as I was? It was oddly reassuring.
He clasped my hand and we headed back to the party. Luckily no one seemed to notice we were missing. ~ within Chapter 22
For more information on this book and/or any other books by A. Meredith, then please check out her website.
This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
More specifically Jess partners those websites' programs and you should be aware that they may collect personal information when you interact with their sites. The collection and use of this information is subject to their own privacy policies.
You can check out Rakuten Marketing's privacy policy here: https://rakutenmarketing.com/legal-notices/services-privacy-policy/