Review: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Series: Beautiful, #2
Release Date: April 2^nd 2013
Publisher: Atria Books
Format: Paperback
Genre: New Adult – Contemporary Romance
Source: My Collection
Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add it: Goodreads

Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster.

Can you love someone too much?

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

Walking Disaster is the second book in the Beautiful four book series of companion novels. It is the same story as Beautiful Disaster but is told from Travis’s point of view. I know a lot of people were not fans of Travis and rated the last book poorly because of his anger problems. I went over all of this in my review of the first book; check it out HERE, so I won’t go into too much detail about it. I did however enjoy this book more than the first one.

I will say that even though these are companion books, I do recommend reading Beautiful Disaster first. There are some parts that happen and it’s was nice to know what Abby had been thinking during the scene. There was also a pretty big part that wasn’t in this book! It was briefly mentioned but I thought that was a pretty big flaw and is one of reasons that I knocked a star off. I would have really liked to see what was going through Travis’s mind during something that was actually bad. If you read the first book, then you know that Travis obviously has an anger problem. You see him grow more in this book compared to the first one because you are seeing his thoughts instead of just his reactions.

I was a little confused about the timing of this book. I felt like some parts moved a lot faster than in the previous book and then of course some parts were much slower. I ended up reading this book in two days rather than one like with the first book but I did enjoy it more. I’m don’t think I mentioned this in my review of Beautiful Disaster but Abby was a tad bit annoying. I felt she made some stupid decisions and sometimes it seemed like what Travis would tell her would go in one ear and out another. So I preferred reading about Travis than Abby.

I really enjoy the writing in these books and I ended up reading the novella’s, #1.5 & #2.5. However I don’t think I will be picking up books 3 or 4. The next two books tell the stories of two more of the Maddox brothers and I really don’t care to much about them. I liked the scenes they were in but I don’t feel like a new book is worth reading. I might have a change of heart though.

Running on Empty by Collette Ballard Trailer Reveal!

Running on Empty by Collette Ballard

Release Date: May 6th 2014
Publisher: Tulip Teen/Spencer Hill Press
Pages: 376
Genre: Young Adult – Contemporary, Thriller
Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add it: Goodreads

What does it feel like when you die—in those final moments? Do you feel the physical pain, or just the pain of your regrets? What does it feel like when you realize you can’t answer these questions because you’re not the victim?

You’re the killer.

River Daniels lives an ordinary life as a high school junior growing up in the confines of rural Texas until her boyfriend’s brutal attack leaves her both a murderer and a fugitive. When River’s closest girlfriends come to her aid, they make a hasty decision to not only help her, but leave their own troubled lives behind and join in her escape.

The girls manage to elude police for months, but with every near-miss, River’s life spirals further out of control, until she finally hits rock bottom. Realizing she must stop endangering her friends and find evidence proving she acted in self-defense, the girls decide to make a risky move. River must face her ugly past and the one person she was protecting the night her world caved in, the guy she has loved for as long as she can remember.

{Trailer}

{About the Author}

Colette grew up on a dairy farm in rural Kentucky. She survived the high school experience back in the day when Aqua Net was bought in bulk and mullets were cool. That’s also when she realized that her constant daydreaming wasn’t a curse, but a useful skill—one she used like a lethal weapon to combat her frustration over the haunting question: What does the alphabet have to do with math anyway? Unfortunately, her ninja daydreaming skills only increased her desire to write—not her algebra grade.

After surviving the hairstyles and torturous math classes of her high school years, she wandered a bit—even moving to the farthest northwestern corner of the United States, then to the farthest southeastern corner. She finally settled in the one red-light town she started in, where she continues to live today with her husband and three children.

Cover Reveal: Next To You (Life, #2) by Claudia Burgoa

Next to You by Claudia Y. Burgoa

Series: Life, #2
Release Date: June 2014
Genre: New Adult – Contemporary
Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Add it: Goodreads

Him

…I need time. Time to heal those wings and learn to use them…

Was part of the letter Rebecca Trent, Daniel Brightmore’s fiancée and best friend left when she ran away. The person he trusted the most for the past decade disappeared without giving him a second glance. She taught him how to love, believe in family and that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Now he’s struggling between wiping any traces of her from his life and drowning his sorrows away with the help of his new best friends—Don Julio and Jack Daniels.

Her

Rebecca’s past suffocated her to the point of not wanting to continue, her lifeline and the only reason to live began to withdraw from her. She wished it had been her imagination, but heard it loud and clear: “If not, there’s always a divorce, nothing is forever.” This time it became a leave or die situation. Something has got to change—she had to change. Packing light and leaving a letter behind, she takes a journey that can help her find herself through the shards of her painful childhood.

As letters, memories and stories are exchanged, two once inseparable people reconcile what’s left of their relationship. Beyond the confines of everything they built together, they’re left with two lonely people searching for what it means to be whole. Will they find meaning under their bruised psyches or will their pasts get the better of them?

I am so excited for this book! I LOVED the first book when I read it last month and I can’t wait to get my hands on this. I really enjoyed the authors writing and would definitely recommend picking up the first book. You can check out my review of it HERE.

{About the Author}

Claudia lives in Colorado with her family and three dogs. Two beagles who believe they are human, and a bichon who thinks she’s a beagle. While managing life, she works as a CFO at a small IT Company. She’s a dreamer who enjoys music, laughter and a good story.

Review & KINDLE GIVEAWAY: Where Life Takes You by Claudia Y. Burgoa

Where Life Takes You by Claudia Y. Burgoa

Series: Life, #1
Release Date: July 31st 2013
Publisher: Createspace
Format: Paperback
Pages: 242
Genre: New Adult – Contemporary
Source: For Review 
Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add it: Goodreads

BECCA TRENT LIVED HER CHILDHOOD NEXT TO A CRUEL WOMAN—her mom—who lived to torment and neglect her. During her high school years, her mother married; bringing home not only a new husband, but a step sister her same age. The latter took over her Mom's role—making Becca's life miserable. Including stealing Ian—Becca's best friend and boyfriend—Lisa treated her worse than her mother had for the previous fifteen years. A couple years later, thing ended up in tragedy.

Becca buried that part of her life in the deep corners of her psyche, caught between sanity and nightmares. Between therapy, work and her constantly looming past she can't seem to find room to breathe. The memories of her late step-sister, Lisa, are her closest company.

Her best friend, Dan gives her that family love she always lacked. Everything was close to perfect, until everything and everyone from her past came back. Now she's trying to figure out how to survive and keep that bond which seems now to be held together by a thread.

Note: This is the first part of a two book novel

I need the second book in my life. Right now. That should tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I don’t really pick up “new adult” books because I feel they are mostly just romance novels but the synopsis of this book really called to me so I went ahead and requested it. I am so glad that I did. I have not wanted to not put a book down in a while. I did not want to put this book down.

The main characters name is Rebecca Trent. She has major relationship problems because of how she was treated when she was younger. She grew up with her mother, a horrible woman who couldn’t have cared any less for her. Then when her mother got remarried to a man with a daughter of his own, Lisa, she was instantly replaced. Her mother continued to not care about her but Lisa decided that she was going to torture her. She took Ian, Rebecca’s boyfriend, and completely changed him. Everything in Rebecca’s life was going downhill. Then one day Ian did something he would completely regret and that started a chain reaction that ended in his and Lisa’s death. Rebecca is still dealing with Lisa’s effect on her life.

Dan is Lisa’s fortress. He is a major business man with connections everywhere and can pretty much start a business whenever he feels like. He has assistants, body guards, and private planes. He owns an entire floor on a building he owned for an apartment for himself and one for Rebecca. He pulled Rebecca out of the life she was in and as far away from the people she hated. They owned a non-for-profit organization and according to Rebecca, they were like brother and sister. Dan’s only downfall is that he is extremely protective. At times it’s almost overbearing. Being the big business man he is, he is often seen in tabloids and has major media attention, so he is insistent on Rebecca’s safety.

I really enjoyed the writing in this book, although I did find a few grammatical errors. Other than that it was good. You only get one point of view with this book, which worked out perfectly. There are flashbacks scattered throughout and also some journal letters that she is supposed to write to Lisa for counseling. You can see Rebecca grow as a person through those letters. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. Without adding spoilers, she is very dependent on Dan. In order to really grow and overcome what has happened in her past and change her outlook mentally, she must become her own person.

There is definitely major growth with Dan and Rebecca’s relationship. I absolutely loved their interactions together. Especially more towards the end of the book. Although he does tend to call her “Little one” which was sort of weird. Especially at a couple scenes in the end. I could see how some people would call him a little possessive, which he definitely was, but that was the type of person Lisa needed in her life. I don’t think he ever stepped over any boundaries, and most of the time it was for things that Lisa needed to do, but wouldn’t.

The ended was a shocker. I really didn’t see that coming at all, and that’s why I need the next book. I highly recommend this book. Especially if this is your first NA book or if you have given up on NA like I know some people have. You should still give this book a go. Already like NA? Then you have no excuse not to read it!

*This book was provided for free in exchange for an honest review. 

My Rating:

{GIVEAWAY}

Win 2 Kindles!! The first one is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter in the rafflecopter.

 

Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

   

Giveaway Sponsors:

I Am A Reader
Feed Your Reader
Inspired Kathy
Ripple Effect Romance Series
Author M.A. George
The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something year Old Girl
Meredith & Jennifer’s Musings
Owl Always Be Reading
Author Jennifer Laurens
Bonnie Blythe’s Pure Romance
Bella Street’s Weird Romance
Author Jennifer Faye
Good Choice Reading
Reviews from a Bookworm
Barbara Silkstone
Rae Z. Ryans, Author
The Stubby Pencil
Author David Pandolfe
Hallowed Ink Press
Author Louise Caiola
The Reporter and The Girl
More Than a Review
Kathryn Jones
Once Upon a Twilight
Author Jason Parent
Author Amanda Tru
Author Cidney Swanson
Paige W. Pendleton
Claudia Burgoa
P.M. Richter – author
RoAnna Sylver
Tigris Eden
The Bloggers Nest
J.L. Weil
The Cheap Ebook
Luthando Coeur
Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke
Author Alecia Stone
KellysLuckyYou
Rebecca Talley
Author Kimber Leigh Wheaton
Simple Wyrdings
Tressa’s Wishful Endings
Paranormal book Club (PBC)
Author Stephanie Faris
Author Inger Iversen
Author Theresa DaLayne
Where The Broken Lie by Derek Rempfer
Bound 4 Escape
Author Laura Diamond

Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Giveaway here:

http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups

Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7″ HDX (US Only – $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).

There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7″.

Ends 3/31/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash.Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The First True Lie by Marina Mander (28 days of reviews #3)

The First True Lie by Marina Mander

Release Date: January 21st 2014
Publisher:  Hogarth
Format: ARC
Pages: 144
Genre: Contemporary Literary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Author: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add it: Goodreads

An utterly compelling, heartbreaking novel that introduces a revelatory young voice to the U.S. market.

Meet Luca, a curious young boy living with his mother, a taciturn woman who "every now and then tries out a new father." Luca keeps to himself, his cat, Blue, and his words--his favorite toys. One February morning his mom doesn't wake up to bring him to school, so Luca--with a father who's long gone and driven by a deep fear of being an orphan ("part of you is missing and people only see the part that isn't there")--decides to pretend to the world that his mom is still alive. Luca has a worldly comprehension of humanity, and grapples with his gruesome situation as the stench of the rotting body begins to permeate his home.

But this remarkable narrative is not insufferably morbid. Luca also pretends that Blue is his personal assistant and that they're on an expedition in outer space together; he goes for observant trips to the store, where he uses the contents of a basket to astutely assess the person who's filled it; he fantasizes about marrying his school crush, Antonella (whose freckles on her nose are described as being a pinch of cinnamon on whipped cream.)

Ultimately, we are witness to something much more poignant that needs no translation: the journey of a young boy deciding--in a more devastating manner than most--to identify himself independently, reaching the point at which he can say: "I am no longer an orphan. I am a single human being. It's a matter of words."

This is a short story that follows around a 6 year old boy named Luca. Luca lives in an apartment with his mother and his cat named Blue. His mother is a very depressed woman who is constantly trying to find a father for Luca. However every time she falls in love it ends. One morning Luca’s mother doesn’t wake up. Luca decides that he will get himself ready and go to school on his own for the first time. His mother still isn’t awake when he gets home though. The last thing Luca wants is to become an orphan. When Luca finally realizes that his mother isn’t going to get up he decides that his going to continue on like nothing is wrong. He goes to school, to the store, and even has play dates with his friends.

I could see a child doing this at first, but to continue on for a couple weeks like this?! I don’t think so. Especially when she starts to stink. In the story, Luca is portrayed as a very smart child. He loves words, especially curse words. This just seemed over the top to me. I have a six year old son and I couldn’t see him doing any of those things. The entire book is told from Luca’s point of view but this could have easily been an adult most of the time. Every once in a while he would do something to remind you he is just a kid though.

That was my one major problem with the book. I just couldn’t get over the fact that I was reading from the pov of a 6 year old and it just didn’t feel like it. The writing in the book is really good though. It flows and really just packs a punch. Another thing I wasn’t crazy about was the ending. It was very open ended. During the story, in a couple different instances, it seems as the though the story is being remembered, rather than happening right then. I really wanted to know what happened to Luca and where his life was going to go from there. I do like a concrete ending so this was a little frustrating.

I had actually put this book down at one point but decided since it was so short that I had no excuse not to finish it. I really think that if the writing in this book hadn’t of been good, I would not have finished this book. However, if you are a fan of literary fiction type books and you don’t mind open endings then you might want to give this book a go since it is so short. Just remember, it is pretty sad.

My Rating:

*This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Wishlist Wednesday #78

Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop hosted by Dani at Pen to Paper Blog where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wish-list for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wish-list and onto our wonderful shelves.

Storm Warning by E. Lee & C. Quinn

Series: Broken Heartland, #1
Release Date: December 12th 2013
Format: Paperback
Pages: 214
Genre: Young Adult – Contemporary Romance
Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Sometimes you can’t see the storm coming until it’s too late...

Severe Storm Warning Tip #1:

Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.

Severe Storm Warning Tip #2:

If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.

Severe Storm Warning Tip #3:

They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.

Situated just outside of Oklahoma City, Calumet County is divided into two drastically different communities: Hope’s Grove and Summit Bluffs. One is the small backward town where dirt roads lead the way to field parties and railroad tracks. And the other, a sprawling suburb where paved drives lead to the landscaped lawns of the wealthy and over privileged.

For five teenagers smack in the middle of Tornado Alley, summer is heating up fast. The winds of change are blurring the invisible line that divides the rich and the rural.

One has a secret.

One has a crush.

One has been lying.

One will get caught.

And one might not make it out alive.

They’re from two different worlds…but one summer is about to change everything.

I featured a teaser and a giveaway on this book at the beginning of December (see that HERE) and I have wanted the book ever since. I fell in love with the cover. I am not sure why I like it so much but I just think it is really pretty. The story sounds really good too. I am not usually very big on contemporary romances but if it catches my attention enough then I am willing to give it a go. This looks like it is told from multiple points of view which is a favorite thing for me.

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts?

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Psycho Inside Me by Bonnie R. Paulson

Psycho Inside Me by Bonnie R. Paulson 

Release Date: November 30th 2013
Publisher: Captiva Publishing
Format: eBook
Pages: 265
Genre: Young Adult – Contemporary 

Source: Author
Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add it: Goodreads

I killed my first victim at thirteen years old – my age, not his. He was going to rape me, him and a couple of his friends. And so, I killed him. And then… I killed again. And again.

At seventeen, I’m killing four to six times a year – maybe more. Don’t stress out. I only go after the pedophiles and rapists. There are more out there than I could cover in a lifetime.

Saying I did this on my own would be selfish. Enforcing justice holds a glory all its own. But now, my lifelong friend and backup, Deegan, has been arrested. I have to decide if I want to give myself up and take his place or leave him with all the damning evidence. I don’t want to stop killing. But if I let him take the fall, I can’t kill anymore. And I need to keep doing that.

But the worst part of it all? I love him.

This book follows around Cassie, a preacher’s daughter. She hasn’t really done anything wrong in her life and she follows the Ten Commandments that have been drilled in her head. This all changes on the day that a group of kids show up at Cassie’s little getaway spot with not so good intentions. Her life takes a drastic turn when one of the boys in the group, Bobby, decides that he is going to take Cassie’s virginity and Cassie is too scared to do anything. Then Deegan comes to the rescue. This is where Cassie’s sick obsession of killing rapists and pedophiles comes into play.

The book goes through a few years of Cassie’s life. Starting at her first murder when she is 13 and ending at 21. I like books that jump ahead like that. It usually keeps the book going a little quicker. There wasn’t a bunch of filler stuff just to make the book longer. The fact that Cassie’s dad is a preacher only comes into play a couple times during the book. This is more to play on the stereotype that preacher’s daughters do no wrong.

Deegan and Cassie have a sick relationship that starts on the day of her first murder. Deegan is two years old that Cassie and I believe that she being 13 and he 15 makes a big difference. If you are a feminist you might not like this book because he is continually there to save her. Every time she puts herself in a bad situation she says that she wishes he would come rescue her. I think it would have been a little more exciting if she would have done a few more murders by herself. She does however become a little bolder, and psycho, as the story progresses.

The more she kills, the more she feels that she has too. She would do it every year on the anniversary of the first one and she also wanted a prize so she could remember them. These are like the perfect examples of a serial killer. Deegan fuels this inside of her because he urges her to get the things to remember her victims and helps her get into shape. She falls for him very quickly even though he stays away from as much as he can.

The fact that this book has a lot of talk about rape, and obviously murder, I would say it is definitely for more mature audiences even though the age of the characters fit in perfectly for young adult. I also feel that this book falls victim to the synopsis that gives away too much. It is however different than anything I have read, it seems pretty original with the vigilante take, and it is definitely fast paced because of the length.

I recommend it if you are into these types of books! 

My Rating:

(close to a 3/5 star)

 *I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{About the Author}

There are people who know a lot about a little, we’ll call them experts. Then there are people, like Bonnie, who don’t specialize, but rather gather information like pebbles in their pockets and drop them like Hansel & Gretel in the stories they write.

The question is, do you want to follow them back?

Certified as a Radiologic Technologist, Bonnie prefers a touch of medical in her storylines. Don’t be surprised if romance somehow runs through a hospital or comes in contact with a paramedic. It’s just how she rolls. And you know there's nothing more romantic than an 18 gauge needle poking your vein!

She and her Hubs delight in dirt biking, snowboarding, fishing, cooking, eating, spending time together and more with their adorable children.