Diary Entry #0057: Release Blitz—LISTEN TO ME by Kristen Proby

 

Kristen Proby is known for writing heartfelt characters with deep connections and sizzling passion. In her brand new series from William Morrow Paperbacks, Fusion, she will seduce readers’ senses with the sexy, contemporary romance, LISTEN TO ME, in which five best friends open a hot new restaurant together. Today, we are thrilled to bring you this first book in the Fusion Series. Available now, LISTEN TO ME finds a hot former rock star looking for a steady gig at the restaurant, but he’ll have to convince the prickly front-of-house manager to take a chance on him—with her business and her heart.

 

Title: Listen To Me (Fusion, #1)

by Kristen Proby

Date of Publication: April 12th 2016

Genre: New Adult | Contemporary Romance

Grab Your Copy Today!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

 

"Listen to Me is a phenomenal start to a new series that will hook the readers to the point of no return." -Fiction Fangirls

Diary Entry #0050: Best 15 of 2015

We've reached the last day of the year again and it's time for listing the bests of 2015. For a bookworm like me, I think 2015 has been really great because I read a lot of 5-star worthy books. Last year, I posted my Best 14 of 2014. Listing the top 14 books out of the 190+ I read was hard, trust me. This year, I read 170 books (excluding those I re-read) and one might think it will be easier to pick my top reads with, err...fewer choices, but it's not. It was just as hard!

So, like last year, I listed down (in no particular order) all the books I gave 5 stars to and I tried to narrow it down to 15. If you haven't read some of the books in this list, I hope you trust me enough to check them out and give them all a try.

The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy, #2)

by Marie Rutkoski 

Full of lies, treachery and deceit, The Winner's Crime kept me at the edge of my seat throughout the book. It didn't have the...curse that most 2md-book-in-a-series get where the plot dies down, no. This book was thrilling and set a perfect precedent for what will surely be a mind-blowing finale.

Read my review here.

Things We Know By Heart

by Jessi Kirby

Things We Know By Heart is achingly sweet, hopeful and heartbreaking. It has the perfect blend of familial and romantic love and left me believing in fate stronger than ever. Sometimes, when you read a book you just know in your heart that you're going to remember it forever. This book is one of those.

Read my review here.

Diary Entry #0042: Book Review—Renée Carlino and I Were Strangers Until I Read This Awesome Book

Title: Before We Were Strangers

by Renée Carlino

Date of Publication: August 18th 2015

Genre: Adult | Contemporary Romance

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Sweet Thing and Nowhere But Here comes a love story about a Craigslist “missed connection” post that gives two people a second chance at love fifteen years after they were separated in New York City.

AMAZON  | BARNES & NOBLE |  iBooks

“You can’t re-create the first time you promise to love someone or the first time you feel loved by another. You cannot relive the sensation of fear, admiration, self-consciousness, passion, and desire all mixed into one because it never happens twice.”

This is the first time I’ve read a book by Renée Carlino and—gosh darn, I love it!

Diary Entry #0041: ARC Review—UNTIL FRIDAY NIGHT by Abbi Glines

Title: Until Friday Night (The Field Party, #1)

by Abbi Glines

Date of Publication: August 25th 2015

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary

To everyone who knows him, West Ashby has always been that guy: the cocky, popular, way-too-handsome-for-his-own-good football god who led Lawton High to the state championships. But while West may be Big Man on Campus on the outside, on the inside he’s battling the grief that comes with watching his father slowly die of cancer. 

Two years ago, Maggie Carleton’s life fell apart when her father murdered her mother. And after she told the police what happened, she stopped speaking and hasn’t spoken since. Even the move to Lawton, Alabama, couldn’t draw Maggie back out. So she stayed quiet, keeping her sorrow and her fractured heart hidden away. 

As West’s pain becomes too much to handle, he knows he needs to talk to someone about his father—so in the dark shadows of a post-game party, he opens up to the one girl who he knows won’t tell anyone else. 

West expected that talking about his dad would bring some relief, or at least a flood of emotions he couldn’t control. But he never expected the quiet new girl to reply, to reveal a pain even deeper than his own—or for them to form a connection so strong that he couldn’t ever let her go…

“In life we often have to make decisions that aren’t easy. But it doesn’t mean they aren’t right.”

The decision I made on whether I should read this book or not was a pretty easy one. Of course, I’d read this and share my thoughts about it to other people. It’s Abbi Glines. ‘Nuff said.

Diary Entry #0040: ARC Review—SUSTAINED by Emma Chase

Title: Sustained (The Legal Briefs, #2)

by Emma Chase

Date of Publication: August 24th 2015

Genre: New Adult | Contemporary Romance

A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight. 

When you’re a defense attorney in Washington, DC, you see firsthand how hard life can be, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to be harder. I, Jake Becker, have a reputation for being cold, callous, and intimidating—and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand. 

Complications don’t work for me—I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will turn you on. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming—and I don’t pretend to be. 

Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I'm going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room, and arguing cases in the principal's office.
Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent, and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be tough, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids. 

And that — that, I know how to do.

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes & Noble

Emma Chase has done with Sustained what she does best—made me laugh and at the same time, shed a tear for her characters.

Diary Entry #036: Book Review—THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay

Title: The Sea of Tranquility

by Katja Millay

Date of Publication: November 13th 2012

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk. 

Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay. 

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space. 

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to. 

The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

“I just wanted one person who would look at me and not want to see someone else.”

Oh my God. This book. This book is terribly beautiful. I know terribly and beautiful are like, paradoxical, but it’s the only way I can describe it.

Diary Entry #0028: Book Review—BROKEN JULIET by Leisa Rayven

Title: Broken Juliet (Star-Crossed, #2)

by Leisa Rayven

Date of Publication: April 28th 2015

Genre: New Adult | Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

For years, Cassie Taylor tried to forget about Ethan Holt. He was the one great love of her life, and when he failed to return her love, a part of her died forever. Or so she thought. Now she and Ethan are sharing a Broadway stage, and he’s determined to win her back. Claiming to be a changed man, he’s finally able to say all the things she needed to hear years ago, but can she believe him? What makes this time different from all his other broken promises? 

Ethan knows he can’t change their tumultuous past, but if he’s going to have any chance of being with the woman he loves, he’ll need to convince Cassie that her future belongs with him.

Don’t miss this stunning conclusion to the unforgettable love story that captivated over two million fans online

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Indiebound

Review:

“For all its amazing strength, our hearts are made of eggshells, and sometimes all it takes is someone you’d almost given up on declaring their love for it to crack wide open.”

This book. Guys, THIS BOOK! Wow, damn it. It’s so freaking good. A couple of hours after reading and I’m still reeling from the emotional roller coaster ride that I’ve been through while reading this book.

Diary Entry #0026: Release Blitz—KISSING MADELINE by Lex Martin

Title: Kissing Madeline (Dearest Series, #3)

by Lex Martin

Date of Publication: April 27th 2015

Genre: New Adult | Contemporary Romance

Cover Design by Krista Ritchie

Synopsis:

What’s the worst thing about wanting a sexy NFL football player? Everyone else wants him, too.

After catching my boyfriend getting deep-throated by a skanky cage girl, I’ve learned my lesson – never date a professional athlete. Never. Besides, I have more important things to worry about, like not blowing my shot to make it as a broadcast reporter. I won’t let anything get in my way, not even the new “it boy” of the NFL and my hot-as-hell neighbor.

What's the worst thing about getting death glares from his new neighbor? It doesn't make him want her any less.

I’ve worked my ass off to make it to the pros. The last thing I need is the complication of a relationship, especially since my last one was a total train wreck. But I can’t stop thinking about the feisty girl next door with the smart mouth. And I’d love nothing more than to show her what to do with that mouth.

Friends with benefits might be the best idea he’s ever had. Or the worst.

Kissing Madeline is a companion novel to DEAREST CLEMENTINE and FINDING DANDELION. Each book is a stand-alone.

• Amazon

Review:
Kissing Madeline is one of my most anticipated NA reads this year so I would like to thank Lex Martin for providing a review copy. It has not, in any way, influenced my thoughts about this book. (Note: The quote/s included in this review came from an ARC)

“Everyone has a baggage, Daren. It’s learning not to make the same mistake that matters.” 

If you have been following the Dearest series since the first book, you would know that Daren Sloan was a cheating d-bag in the first book. Knowing that, it was hard to imagine that a cheater might find his happy ever after. But let me tell you this: I was instantly hooked up and reeled in by his character.

Diary Entry #0024: Blog Tour: 99 DAYS by Katie Catugno

It's finally here! We are beyond excited to bring you the Release Week Launch for Katie Cotugno's 99 Days!!! Did you enjoy How To Love? Then grab your copy of Katie's latest novel today!

Title: 99 DAYS

by Katie Cotugno 

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Synopsis:

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done. 

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.” 

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.

• Goodreads
• Amazon
• Indiebound

Diary Entry #0018: Cover Reveal—THE RULES SERIES by Monica Murphy

Monica Murphy, author of the One Week Girlfriend Quartet, has a new series and I'm here to show anyone reading this diary the covers for them!

Series Title: The Rules Series

by Monica Murphy

Genre: New Adult | Contemporary

Title: Fair Game (The Rules #1)

Date of Publication: May 12th 2015

Synopsis (subject to change):

Bad enough Jade Frost’s boyfriend drags her to a boring poker game. Even worse that he actually threw her into the betting pot during an intense round…and lost. Talk about the perfect excuse for Jade to make him her ex-boyfriend. 

Now she supposedly belongs to the ultra rich, extremely gorgeous Shep Prescott. He could have anything he wants yet he seems to be in hot pursuit of her. No matter how rude, how snarky, how impossible she acts, it doesn’t stop him. More like her horrible behavior seems to make him want her more. 

When she finds herself starting to fall for him, Jade’s confused. There’s more to Shep than the carefree rich charmer he portrays. He has secrets. And she wants to discover them, no matter how ugly they might be…

• Add it on your Goodreads shelf

Diary Entry #0017: ARC Review—THINGS WE KNOW BY HEART by Jessi Kirby

Title: Things We Know By Heart

by Jessi Kirby

Date of Publication: April 21st 2015

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary

Synopsis:

When Quinn Sullivan meets the recipient of her boyfriend’s donated heart, the two form an unexpected connection. 

After Quinn loses her boyfriend, Trent, in an accident their junior year, she reaches out to the recipients of his donated organs in hopes of picking up the pieces of her now-unrecognizable life. She hears back from some of them, but the person who received Trent’s heart has remained silent. The essence of a person, she has always believed, is in the heart. If she finds Trent’s, then maybe she can have peace once and for all.

Risking everything in order to finally lay her memories to rest, Quinn goes outside the system to track down nineteen-year-old Colton Thomas—a guy whose life has been forever changed by this priceless gift. But what starts as an accidental run-in quickly develops into more, sparking an undeniable attraction. She doesn't want to give in to it—especially since he has no idea how they're connected—but their time together has made Quinn feel alive again. No matter how hard she’s falling for Colton, each beat of his heart reminds her of all she’s lost…and all that remains at stake.

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• iBooks
• Book Depository
• Add it on your Goodreads shelf

Review:

Sometimes there’s a book that when you start to read, you just know in your heart that it’s something unique and you would never forget about it. This book is one of those.

Diary Entry #0015: ARC Review—THE WINNER'S CRIME by Marie Rutkoski

Title: The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy #2)

by Marie Rutkoski

Date of Publication: March 3rd 2015

Genre: Young Adult | High Fantasy

Synopsis:

Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love. 

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret. 

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

• Amazon 
• iBooks
• Barnes & Noble
• Book Depository
• Add it on your Goodreads shelf

Review:

The god of lies must love this book because The Winner’s Crime is full of lies, treachery and deceit.

First of all, I would like to thank Bloomsbury Publishing UK for providing me a review copy of this book. It has not, in any way, affected my thoughts about the book.

So, before reading The Winner’s Crime, I was re-reading The Winner’s Curse in order to refresh my feels and my memory about Kestrel’s story. Then, I tweeted Ms. Marie Rutkoski saying that I’m having “too many feels” and asked her if book 2 is going to invoke as much emotion from me. She then replied, “Well, many readers report lots of feels for The Winner’s Crime. But ‘gimme Kleenex and chocolate’ feels. You’ve been warned.” I was not expecting that—at all. But I’ll tell you what: she’s right.

Diary Entry #0014: Blog Tour—MAYBE by Amber L. Johnson Review + Giveaway

Title: Maybe
by Amber L. Johnson
Date of Publication: February 12th 2015
Genre: Romance | New Adult

Synopsis:

Emily Portman loves her job. A writer for Breakout! Magazine, she shadows and showcases up-and-coming bands. When her next assignment takes her to Austin, Texas, she can’t wait to add the city to her map of places she’s visited. Places she’s left without looking back. Her plan is to keep moving on, and the last thing she needs is a man holding her back. She’s not going down that road again. Tyler Macy is stuck in a rut. Despite his exceptional talent as a musician, he has chosen to take a backseat with his music and let others grab the limelight. Wounded and mistrustful, he doesn’t appreciate his friends’ efforts to bring him back to center stage. Emily comes onto the scene and sees his full potential, but he fights to stay in the shadows, shutting her out before she can add to the scars another woman gave him. For Tyler to find his music again, he needs to accept the help that Emily and their friends offer. When he discovers that his muse lies underneath Emily’s skin, it is still not enough to keep her from walking away. Neither will admit what they really want until it is too late. Emily is once again thrown in Tyler’s path when she is assigned to join them on tour. Despite the pain in his past, Tyler sees that she is worth it, even if she’s stolen both his heart and peace of mind. In order for them to be together, they both must discover whether the music and their passion are enough to overcome the obstacles that separate them. Maybe finding love is worth the risk.

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Kobo
• The Writer's Coffee Shop
• Add it on your Goodreads shelf

Review:

No matter how hard you try to distance yourself from someone, if it’s real love, you’ll just end up gravitating towards that person and before you know it, you’re caught up in his universe again. That’s how I felt it was like with Tyler and Emily’s story of acceptance and new beginnings.