ALL LINED UP QUIZ: Are You a Dallas or a Stella?

Are you the life of the party or the wall flower? Do you prefer your skirts to stop 3 inches below your underwear or 3 inches below your knees? Do you have a steady boyfriend who helps you study or do you play the field - every weekend?

In Cora Carmack's new novel, ALL LINED UP (Rusk University #1), due out in two short weeks, Dallas and Stella are BFFs and as different as night and day. They complement each other in the best ways, though. Dallas tones Stella down enough so that she doesn't flirt with jail time on a regular basis. Stella draws Dallas out of her shell enough so that she doesn't spend her college years as a recluse in sweatpants.

To enforce their influence, Stella and Dallas created their "stamps."

   In an exasperated voice she yells, "Stamp of approval!" I hesitate, slowing, but not stopping my attempt at escape. "I said stamp. Of. Approval. Skank."
    I sigh. Crap.
    We have this rule, something that's helped us stay friends despite how completely polar opposite our personalities are. It's a system of give and take, wherein I temper her crazy side and she forces me to live a little.
    When Stella showed up to take the SATs drunk, she got the Dallas Cole Don't-Be-A-Douche Stamp of Disapproval. It was my non-nagging way of telling her that she'd gone too far...
    Alternately, there is the Stella Santos Suck-It-Up-You-Prude Stamp of Approval. That stamp has gotten me into more trouble than I care to list, including Stella's brilliant idea to wrap a house with toilet paper and stick maxi pads to the glass front door... 
   There is one and only rule when it comes to the stamps. You have to listen.

So, my question to you is... are you a Dallas or are you a Stella? Take the quiz, and tell me in the comments!

Take the Quiz

Cora's Rusk University Street Teamers had the opportunity to take this quiz a few weeks ago, and surprisingly, I was told I'm a... STELLA! So, as I embrace my inner wild child, allow me to bestow upon you my first Suck-It-Up-You-Prude Stamp of Approval. This is one I wholeheartedly embraced in college, too.

Find me on Facebook and Twitter throughout the day too, as I level you with more Stamps of Approval. Trust me - you do not want to miss them.

Swing by Cora's website today to find out whether she is a Dallas or a Stella (do you have a guess?). She's got more info for you about Dallas and Stella too. And, don't forget to add ALL LINED UP to your Goodreads TBR.

About All Lined Up

All Lined Up (Rusk University #1), by Cora Carmack
To Be Published May 13, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: new adult contemporary romance
To Pre-Order: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

(From Goodreads) In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: To Have and To Harm (Remedy #2)

I am a self-proclaimed cover whore. I covet books with beautiful covers. I want them. I luuuuuurve them. It's even better when the book is really good! I must admit - I decided to read Keep You From Harm (Remedy #1) by Debra Doxer back in November mainly because I really, really loved the cover. Even better was the fact that it was a fantastic story too! So, it's my pleasure to bring you the cover for the next book in Debra's remedy series, To Have and to Harm. And, it's as beautiful as the first one.

 

To Have and to Harm (Remedy #2), by Debra Doxer 

To Be Published June 10, 2014
Publisher: self-published
Genre:  mature YA/new adult paranormal romance

(From Goodreads)  She kept everyone from harm, except herself…

Raielle’s life was shrouded in secrets. Her power was a secret and so was her past. When she came to Fort Upton, everything changed. She discovered her family, and she found the boy who would own her heart forever. But it couldn’t last. Knowing so little about her power nearly destroyed her. She had to leave and break both their hearts.

Now she’s back in California, and she doesn’t have to hide who she is anymore. But there is no relief in that because she’s drowning in regret. She knew it would take a miracle or a sin to save her, and there was no miracle. Her survival came at too high a price. She found her father, but she can’t go back to Lucas until she finds redemption.

She saved him. Then she left him…

She came out of nowhere and changed him forever, then she disappeared and left him reeling. Her whole life, she never had anyone who really loved her. Until him. Did she think he wouldn’t come for her? Did she believe she wasn’t worth it?

Lucas leaves everything behind to follow Raielle. When he finds her, she’s a pale shadow of the girl he remembers. Her power is betraying her and so are the people around her, but one thing hasn’t changed. She selflessly wants to save the world, and he just wants to save her.

With more secrets to uncover and dark truths to face, Raielle and Lucas must make sacrifices to be together again. But in the end, will those sacrifices bring them closer together or tear them apart? When he’s forced to make the ultimate sacrifice, will she turn her back on everything she believes in to save him again?

About the Author

Debra Doxer was born in Boston, and other than a few lost years in the California sunshine, she has always resided in the Boston area. She writes fiction, technical software documents, illegible scribbles on sticky notes, and texts that get mangled by AutoCorrect. She writes for a living, and she writes for fun. When her daughter asks when she’ll run out of words, her response always is, “When I run out of time.”

Learn more about Debra --> Facebook / Twitter

 
Giveaway

Enter below to win a signed set of Debra Doxer's Remedy series!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

REVIEW: Afterburn and Aftershock

Afterburn and Aftershock, by Sylvia Day
Published March 11, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin
Format: paperback, provided by the publisher
Genre:  adult erotic romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  5 STARS

(From Goodreads) Never mix business with pleasure. Never bring politics into the bedroom. In a way I did both when I took Jackson Rutledge as a lover. I can't say I wasn't warned.

Two years later, he was back. Walking into a deal I'd worked hard to close. Under the tutelage of Lei Yeung, one of the sharpest businesswomen in New York, I had picked up a thing or two since Jax walked away. I wasn't the girl he once knew, but he hadn't changed. Unlike the last time we'd drifted into each other's lives, I knew exactly what I was dealing with... and how addictive his touch could be.

The inner circle of glamour, sex, and privilege was Jax's playground--but this time, I knew the rules of the game. In the cutthroat business world, one adage rules all: keep your enemies close and your ex-lovers closer...

Afterburn and Aftershock are the first and second halves, respectively, of a full story that were released at different times in digital-only format; Afterburn came out in November 2013 and Aftershock released in March 2014. Also released in March 2014 was both stories under one paperback cover.

 I remember walking into the Javits Convention Center last May for BEA 2013 and getting absolutely giddy with excitement at the sight of the big banner advertising Afterburn and Aftershock hanging from the convention ceiling. But, when it came time, I decided to wait until March and read both parts at the same time. I just knew that reading only half of this story would make me crazy and waiting would be torture. Now that I've read the whole story, I can safely say that I made the right call last fall.

Jax and Gia had a whirlwind affair two years earlier. Gia was completely in love with him and really thought they were in it for the long haul. Then, one day, he just stopped showing up and answering her calls and texts. Now, Gia is the assistant to a huge restaurateur in New York City, and while her professional life seems to be on track now, she still hasn't gotten over the devastation that followed in Jax's wake. All of a sudden, he makes a reappearance in her life, working for her employer's main competition. To make matters worse, he seems to want her back. But, Gia's trust in him was shattered, and she knows that if she allows him back in her life, and he leaves again, she won't recover a second time.

Jax was a wonderfully sexy enigma. For most of the book, I had a hard time figuring him out. He's definitely of the alpha male variety - he stalks, he demands, he broods, he leads.

He came into the bar with a sultry stride that made my hands curl into fists beneath the tablecloth. That walk of his was easy and smooth, confident. And yet, it somehow signaled to the female brain that he was packing heat between those long, strong legs and he knew how to use it.

There were moments when I wondered what Jax's motives were in regards to Gia. He obviously cared about her. He also seemed to like toying with her and making her angry. She certainly presented him with a challenge, and being a man at whose feet most women would willingly fall, this one that he seems to actually want, refuses to play his game, and that excited him.

There were moments, though, that Gia broke through his carefully-constructed and rehearsed facade. Those moments - THAT Jax - is what made this book amazing. If a man gushes and makes moonie eyes and is disgustingly sweet right from the beginning, the chase isn't nearly as much fun to read about. You know what I mean? It's the guys who you have to figure out - the ones whose motives you're not entirely sure of. Those are the ones who make me so excited to read that I'm willing to stay up into the wee hours just to find out what happens. Apparently, Gia and I are of the same mind on that topic.

   "I'm processing the fact that you're in love with me, Jax. Still, you bailed on me. And now you're sabotaging my work and your own chances with me."
   "Gia --"
   "I'm on to you, Jackson Rutledge." My voice was low and hard, unwavering. "I'm going to figure you out."
   "I'm an open book," he retorted.
   "You're a head trip... and your mystery-man days are numbered."

Gianna Rossi was one tough chick. Although Jax's family life is seriously messed up, I loved the fact that Gia's was rock solid. She has three older brothers and parents who are still married, all of whom love her to the moon and back. It sounds exactly like I'd picture a tight Italian family would be. Their dynamics were awesome to read about, and I love the protectiveness her brothers showed for her.

To say Gia's and Jax's relationship was volatile would be like saying the ocean is deep. But, what made their relationship sexy and fun and interesting as opposed to annoying or creepy or frustrating was the fact that it was apparent that they both loved each other very much. As I read on, it became apparent that there were reasons that Jax left Gia before, and I couldn't wait to find out what had caused him to leave something that he obviously cherished a lot.

And, Gia had to decide whether she could get over his reasons and the fact that he made her miserable for two years before she could decide whether to give him another shot. It's a big thing for her - it would be for anyone. Is the mere possibility of the ideal end game worth all the bullshit and potential heartache to get there?

"I've always seen white picket fences in your eyes when you look at me. I was positive I wasn't that guy. I was wrong. One of these days, when you're ready, I'll give that dream to you. And you're going to give me a gorgeous little girl or two with your dark curly hair and smiles that slay me."

Afterburn and Aftershock were told entirely from Gia's POV. The pacing of the story was perfect with just the right amount of flashing back (through Gia's inner musings) to tell the backstory of what happened between Gia and Jax two years earlier. There was political subterfuge, back-stabbing business deals, and super hot and sexy scenes, as only Sylvia Day can write.

Afterburn and Aftershock was the first book published for Harlequin's Cosmo Red Hot Reads series, which teams Harlequin up with the insanely popular women's magazine. As a result, after the story is over, the reader is treated to a few of Cosmo's famous quizzes, which I thought was a really fun addition, and a great way for them to showcase their epic partnership.

My only complaint is that the story went by too fast. I'm hoping that, perhaps, Ms. Day will do her own wheeling and dealing to get some more stories from this world to us. Perhaps something about one of Gia's brothers - say, Nico? Just sayin'. I'd be all over that.

NEW ADULT MONDAYS: HUGE, EPIC Cora Carmack Giveaway

The New Adult genre - their bad boys and big problems and epic loves make them engrossing tales that are so easy to lose yourself in. What's not to love about that? And, now, thanks to the cool chicks at Bewitched Bookworms, we can show these books the love they deserve in a weekly feature - New Adult Mondays.

This week, for New Adult Mondays, I'm doing something different. I'm not posting a review of a new adult book. Instead, prepare yourselves for an epic giveaway...

 
You all know by now that I'm one of 25 very fortunate bloggers who are part of Cora Carmack's Rusk University Street Team. We've been working together behind the scenes this past weekend to get together a MASSIVE, GI-HUGIC giveaway of epic proportions.  

We have all read Cora's new book, ALL LINED UP now, and we all agree that it's one of her best ones yet. There are amazing characters an awesome setting and some super swoony scenes - it has it all. Because this wouldn't be New Adult Mondays without something specific from a new adult book, thanks to Kim from KimberlyFaye Reads, one of my fellow awesome street teamers, here is a brand new teaser from ALL LINED UP to feast your eyes on.

Cora's already completed one incredible series, and she's still knocking my socks off with her new one. In this giveaway, you'll have the opportunity to not only win some books from her Losing It series, but several chances to win ALL LINED UP. If you're already a big Cora Carmack fan, or if you have yet to discover her books, this is an amazing opportunity for you!

About All Lined Up

All Lined Up (Rusk University #1), by Cora Carmack
To Be Published May 13, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: new adult contemporary romance
To Pre-Order: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

(From Goodreads) In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

Make sure you stop by the other street teamers' blogs who are participating to say hi. These are some incredible people who put a lot of time into making this giveaway possible!

Christine @ I Heart Big Books

Stephanie @ Love. Life. Read

Kim @ KimberlyFaye Reads

Meg @ NovelGrounds

Ethan @ One Guy's Guide to Good Reads

Betsy @ Book Drunk Blog

Krista @ Krista's Dust Jacket

Amber @ Grown Up Fangirl

Beth @ Broadway Girl Book Reviews

Kaitlan @ Between Order and Randomness

Yesi @ Literati Literature Lovers

Giveaway

Scroll through the Rafflecopter images to see each of the prizes being offered. Fourteen (14!!!) different winners will be chosen. Prizes include (all are international, unless stated otherwise):

4 e-copies of ALL LINED UP

1 paperback copy of ALL LINED UP

1 e-copy of any Cora Carmack book

1 e-copy of LOSING IT 

1 e-copy of KEEPING HER

1 e-copy of SEEKING HER

3 swag packs (US only)

1 swag pack (International)

1 $10 B&N gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Make it a Double (Last Call #2)

Yay! It's another Sawyer Bennett blog tour! Are you ready to meet Brody? Read my review, then check out the other stops on the MAKE IT A DOUBLE tour, organized by AToMR Tours.

Make it a Double (Last Call #2), by Sawyer Bennett
Published April 21, 2014
Publisher: Big Dog Books LLC
Format: e-book, obtained from the author at AToMR Tours
Genre:  adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  5 STARS

(From Goodreads) Brody Markham has endured a nightmare, spending the last five years in prison and losing everything that was dear to him. Now he’s back home, trying to survive in a world he doesn’t recognize anymore. While his family and friends desperately try to reach through to him, he shelters himself further and further away from their love.

Alyssa Myers has worked her entire life to distance herself from the luxurious and privileged lifestyle in which she was raised. Running her non-profit agency, The Haven, she is content to spend her days helping abused animals find sanctuary, which fulfills her in a way that money just can’t buy.

Maybe it’s that she recognizes in Brody some of the same characteristics she sees in her homeless wards, but Alyssa is powerless to stop her personal quest to make Brody whole again.

While Brody struggles to surface from the darkness, Alyssa tries to protect her heart in case he’s not willing to accept the light that she offers him.

OMG - I LOVE Sawyer Bennett. Her characters and her books suck me in and make me want to call off work so I don't have to put it down until I'm done. Make it a Double was gripping and sexy and sweet and inspiring. And Brody was one of Sawyer's best boys ever. 

Brody has spent the past 5 years of his life in prison. Now, he's out, but everything is different, including him. He can't open up to anyone and he certainly doesn't think he's capable of feeling things like joy and happiness anymore. Alyssa represents a part of his past that he is trying to forget, and yet, he keeps running into her. Soon, he starts noticing that there's so much more to Alyssa than what he originally thought. 

Brody is one sad guy. He used to be on an impressive track - med school, rich girlfriend from a powerful family - he was poised to really be somebody. Then, a car accident that killed someone derailed everything. Now, he works as a bartender at his brother's bar, he lives in a 500 square foot apartment. His only visitor is his parole officer. Everyone pretty much avoids him because he scowls all the time and is just generally very grrr. 

Brody was such a fantastic character. I felt so much for him and his situation. You could tell that he was struggling with pulling his life back together again. There was a scene between he and Alyssa at the end of On the Rocks (Last Call #1) where he blew up at her, and you just knew in that moment that there was more going on there. Brody's going on some preconceived notions about Alyssa and her family's money, and he ropes her into the group of privileged, spoiled rich girls with no integrity and no drive. Much like his ex who screwed him over in a bigger way than what originally meets the eye. 

Alyssa is a sweet girl who is just trying to use her money for good by running a no-kill animal shelter. She offers Brody a chance to serve his community service by working there. Initially he flat out refuses her charity. But when he helps her out of a bind and has the chance to see what she's really made of, he changes his mind. 

I loved the tension and chemistry between Brody and Alyssa. I also loved that Brody didn't make the path for them to get together very smooth and easy. It was still hard for him to get close to her, and it takes awhile for him to trust her. Once they do get together, though, their romance is sweet as they heal each others' wounds. Alyssa doesn't have a good relationship with her family, and she's dealing with a stalker ex-boyfriend that starts to scare the crap out of her. 

The ending is exciting and had me on the edge of my seat. Brody is all alpha male at his core, and that is never more evident than when he admits he is in love with Alyssa. When she's in danger, he flies into action, and this is the kind of guy that makes reading books so much fun for me. When Brody drops a bomb on his family, Alyssa stands by her man, which makes her the kind of girl that I have always wanted to be like. I certainly hope this is not the end of the Last Call series, because this is quickly becoming one of my favorites. 

About the Author

USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Learn More About Sawyer --> Website | Facebook | Twitter

FOOTBALL FRIDAY & ARC GIVEAWAY - Meet the Bad Boys from All Lined Up

It's FRIDAY! Once again, I get the chance to introduce you to a character from Cora Carmack's ALL LINED UP (Rusk University #1). Actually... this week, you get a two-fer. Not only am I going to talk to you today about TWO characters from the book, but, lucky you, they're both boys. Hot, sweaty football boys. Feast your eyes on Silas Moore and Levi Abrams - the bad boys of the Rusk University Wildcats.

Levi, Silas and Carson are all teammates on the Rusk University football team. Levi is the first string quarterback, as well as Dallas' ex-boyfriend. He's a big guy. And I do mean BIG. He has a broad chest, dark hair and dark eyes. He's a party animal, and honestly, kind of a douchebag.

Silas is one of Levi's best friends. He is the heart of the football team. He motivates his team and supports them unconditionally. He's a gorgeous guy. He's got light hair and eyes. He's muscular. He's fun. Silas Moore is a guy you just want to be around, but wouldn't necessarily trust.

With a team like this, I don't know how girls stay away from each and every practice. I mean, really. Would you? But, underneath the hot exterior, these boys are complicated and are faced with very real problems. Levi has to be the best, no matter the cost. Silas has the weight of his whole team on his shoulders. Carson has to be good at school or else his field experience won't matter. Want one more peek at these boys before we move on to some more fun stuff?

All Lined Up (Rusk University #1), by Cora Carmack
To Be Published May 13, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre:  new adult contemporary romance
To Pre-Order:  Amazon * Barnes & Noble
 

(From Goodreads) In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them know how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

So, tell me about these bad boys. What do you think? Want to know more? Cora Carmack and the members of her Rusk University street team are sharing our favorite Rusk University bad boy moments from All Lined Up today. Check them out here:
 

Cora Carmack

Smart & Savvy With Stephanie

Between Order and Randomness

One Guy's Guide to Good Reads

Kimberly Faye Reads

Grown Up Fangirl 
Books Over Boys
Owl Always Be Reading

Giveaway

As per usual, on Football Friday, Cora Carmack is offering a signed ARC of ALL LINED UP to a lucky winner. So, complete the Rafflecopter below, and don't forget to add ALL LINED UP to your TBR!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

REVIEW: Rebel (Reboot #2)

Rebel (Reboot #2), by Amy Tintera
To Be Published May 13, 2014
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: e-book, obtained from the publisher via Edelweiss
Genre:  young adult sci-fi/dystopian
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) The sequel to the action-packed Reboot is a can't-miss thrill ride, perfect for fans of James Patterson, Veronica Roth, and Marie Lu.

After coming back from death as Reboots and being trained by HARC as soldiers, Wren and Callum have finally escaped north, where they hope to find a life of freedom. But when they arrive at the Reboot Reservation, it isn't what they expected. Under the rule of a bloodthirsty leader, Micah, the Reboots are about to wage an all-out war on the humans. Although Wren's instincts are telling her to set off into the wilderness on their own and leave the battle far behind, Callum is unwilling to let his human family be murdered. When Micah commits the ultimate betrayal, the choice is made for them. But Micah has also made a fatal mistake . . . he's underestimated Wren and Callum.

The explosive finale to the Reboot duology is full of riveting action and steamy love scenes as Wren and Callum become rebels against their own kind.

Wren 178 reminds me of a little bit of Resident Evil Alice mushed together with a little bit of Vampire Slayer Buffy.

 

She's a total scary badass, but can turn into a bit of a softie for the right person. In Wren's case, that person is Callum. Rebel is their end game, and it introduces a new bad guy in addition to HARC, just to make things interesting (as if things weren't interesting enough). 

Wren, Callum and the rest of the Austin reboots have escaped to the reboot reservation to, hopefully, find some peace and quiet - for once in their lives. Er... deaths. Er... afterlives. Anyway, it soon becomes clear that the reservation may not be much better than the HARC facilities in which they were imprisoned and forced to work. Wren and Callum come to a realization that they can't ever be truly free until the reboots AND the humans are given the freedom to decide what they want to do and where they want to live for themselves, and to do that, HARC needs to be eliminated. For good. 

One thing Rebel has in spades is action. Wren and Callum seem to be fighting everyone in Rebel. They arrive at the reservation, and are introduced to Micah, the leader. Immediately, he takes charge of all the Austin reboots and forces them to bend to his will. He rules with an iron fist, and that causes a lot of friction with the Austin reboots - particularly Callum. It becomes clear very quickly that Wren, Callum and the rest of the Austin reboots have simply traded one enemy for another - the agendas are just different. Evil is evil, and where HARC may have earned its evil badge by enslaving and experimenting on reboots, Micah has certainly earned his, but for very different reasons. It seems the peace and quiet Wren and Callum wanted to find will be elusive for awhile. 

The best thing about Rebel is seeing the change in Wren. If you look back at the Wren from the beginning of Reboot, you can see how much she has grown and changed. The post-Callum Wren laughs and cries and stands up for the people she cares about. She questions her own judgement and the choices that others around her make instead of blindly following orders. She sincerely wants to help make her world a better place, at least for reboots. Callum has a hero complex and wants to save everyone, and while Wren doesn't really care that much about the humans, at least at first, she cares about Callum, and that's enough for her. 

Wren has boatloads of integrity, and I love that about her. She may be a bit cold and calculating at time, but she's inherently good. Callum is Wren's voice of reason. She's come to rely on him to help point her in the right direction as she acclimates to life without HARC. And, Callum is all too happy to fill that role. He cares about her and is so happy to see the changes in Wren. It's awesome to see them working together, even if they don't always see eye-to-eye. I love how they seek out the others' strengths when they need them. Callum looks to Wren for her physical strength and desire to protect. Wren turns to Callum when she needs her moral compass repointed. And, don't all couples do that? Lean on and count on one another when you feel yourself waffling? It's wonderfully... normal. 

Rebel is told in dual POV, so we get the advantage of both Wren's and Callum's experiences. It was especially helpful since there was a portion of the book where they are separated. The end of Rebel was incredibly fulfilling and satisfying. I'd love a third book in the series so I could find out what comes next for Wren and Callum. There's still so much going on in their world. Amy, any chance you're reading this?? 

REVIEW: Night Broken (Mercy Thompson #8)

Night Broken (Mercy Thompson #8), by Patricia Briggs
Published March 11, 2014
Publisher: Ace
Format: audiobook, purchased
Genre: adult urban fantasy/paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

Frustrations abounded in Night Broken, the latest Mercy Thompson book, as Adam's evil ex-wife crashes Mercy's and Adam's new happy life with a crisis that she needs help with. Faeries, vampires and evil volcano gods are out for Mercy's head on a platter, and the ex tearing up Mercy's kitchen is like pouring salt on the wound. 

Mercy's busy trying to get Adam's wolves on her side when Christy, Adam's ex-wife, shows up beaten with a story about a lover getting killed by another man who is now after her. She asks for protection, and Adam being Adam, gives it to her. Meanwhile, one of the Gray Lords has come to Mercy requesting to take possession of the walking stick that has attached itself to her. If he doesn't get it back, he'll wreak havoc on the Pacific Northwest. Mercy enlists the help of her sort-of-brother to not only get the walking stick back, but to thwart the evil volcano god who is after Christy. Because, the sooner her threat is removed, the sooner she can get out of their house. 

One of my favorite parts of the Mercy Thompson series - the werewolf pack bond - was in full force in Night Broken. Mercy still is struggling to be accepted by Adam's pack because she's not an actual werewolf. Despite that, as Adam's wife, she has access to the pack bonds and wields a fair amount of power over the others. I loved seeing Mercy manipulate those bonds when she needed them. 

Once again, there was a really cool mystery to be solved. There was the question of the identity of Christy's attacker, and once they found out who he was, how to stop him. There was also the case of the murdered women and animals and what they mean. I love how Mercy taps into her friends and uses their strengths and connections to help her. And, lots of her friends make appearances. Samuel and his mate, Stefan, Kyle and Tad all play key roles in Night Broken. Tad had a particularly elevated presence - it was awesome getting to know him better, especially since I have a feeling the next book will be more about him. 

There were a few things I felt were a little lacking. First, Mercy didn't turn into a coyote even once in this book, although we did see all the werewolves in their altered form. Second, Christy's presence caused a lot of irritation. On one hand, I LOVED the introduction of her presence and the conflict it introduced. On the other hand, I kept waiting and waiting... and WAITING for someone (namely, Adam) to put that bitch in her place. There was one scene where Mercy had some words with her, but I so wanted someone to just go totally off on her. It never came, and it made me feel largely unfulfilled. I think a lot more could've been done with Christy in Night Broken. I'm also really ready for the wolves to get over their major attitude problems toward Mercy. It's getting a little old now.

The big bad guy was one seriously evil dude. I really liked that it seemed impossible to beat him. It made for a really poignant and explosive final battle. I liked how that all played out, although it was a bit disconcerting that, once again, Mercy ended up in critical condition. How does this girl continue to get herself into situations where her life comes this close to ending? 

Despite that, Night Broken is a fantastic book. Mercy and Adam are at a perfect place of love and trust in their relationship, and the best parts of the entire book were when they were alone and shared comfortable, sweet moments with each other. They've come a long way, and it's so satisfying to read about. I'm totally hooked on this series and can't wait for the next book to come out.
 

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This is one meme I can get on board with - I LOVE lists! I'll show you mine if you show me yours!

Top Ten Characters Who Made Me C-R-A-Z-Y... 
Then Made It All Better Again

So, today's topic was about the "top ten characters who..." I decided to go with those characters that make you feel like ripping out your hair and throwing your book across the room - usually because they are acting like giant douches because of misinformation or misconceptions. But, my favorite thing about those characters is when they realize the error of their ways or have their lightbulb moment and do everything in their power to right the wrongs they caused. Those moments are what I live for as a reader.

Because these moments happen, like all the time, in books, I've chosen characters that either made me feel stabby for several books in a series, thereby prolonging my suffering, or characters that made me feel SO MUCH that I couldn't get them out of my head.  So, here's to the cray-cray.

1. Aiden St. Delphi, The Covenant Series, by Jennifer L. Armentrout - For three books, I was tortured by Aiden's desire to be with Alex, but his inability to act on it. I get why he didn't go there - I do. That chivalrous attitude made him all the more frustrating. But, that moment when he finally said "F&#k it. I love this girl and I'm going to be with her, Gods and council be damned," was a moment, I literally read over and over again.

2. Aura Salvatore, The Shade Series, by Jeri Smith-Ready - Aura was in love with Logan. Then he died. And Zach was there to pick up the pieces. Sexy, swoony, sweet, SCOTTISH Zach. Yet, Aura decided she'd rather have a relationship with Logan's ghost. Are you kidding me, girl???? Finally, after two books worth of yelling at my car speakers (this was an audio series for me), she got with the program - and Zach - and that... that was AMAZING.

3. Ethan Sullivan, The Chicagoland Vampires Series, by Chloe Neill - Ethan "Darth" Sullivan's and Merit's relationship didn't exactly get off on the right foot. He made her a vampire against her will, which pissed her off to the enth degree. Then, to make matters worse, he asks if she'll be his consort (read: please be available whenever I want to screw, but forget about any sort of emotional attachment, mmkay?). Truth be told, Ethan was a bit of a dumbass. A gorgeous master vampire dumbass, but one all the same. After two-and-a-half books of off-the-charts sexual tension, it seemed like things might finally be heading in their favor. Till Ethan was an even dumber dumbass. It took these two SIX FREAKING BOOKS before they finally got things figured out. And, by the seventh book, Ethan was the epitome of book boyfriend material.

4. Sydney Sage, The Bloodlines Series, by Richelle Mead - Sydney was brought up to hate vampires of all kinds. She was taught they were vile, unnatural creatures who shouldn't interact with humans. So, I understand that her preconceived notions were very firmly rooted. Still, the fact that it took her three books to see how wonderful some of these "creature" can be (especially one particular vampire by the name of Adrian Ivashkov) made me so furious. But, by the end of that third book, my faith in Sydney was restored and I got to spend the entire fourth book basking in a wonderful romantic glow.

5. Cole Holland, The White Rabbit Chronicles, by Gena Showalter - Thankfully, Cole's insanity was contained in one book. But, holy crap. For that one book - the second book in the series - I was a frustrated emo mess. I hate it when boys put their trust in something or someone other than the one they love, and Through the Zombieglass was a classic case study on why. His actions nearly destroyed Alice, and they gave me a pretty hefty stomach ache too. But, when Cole realized what he was doing and made measures to fix the damage he caused, he won me over HARD. This boy is quite possible the most perfect book boyfriend ever in my eyes now.

6. Emily Cooper, The Collide Series, by Gail McHugh - Emily is a study on why a girl shouldn't stay with a guy just because he's been there for years. Dillon was a complete and utter asshat. He treated her badly. And she was blind to it all because he had been there for her when her mom died. She felt she owed it to him to stick around. Meanwhile, the completely and utterly devastating Gavin wants her more than his next breath, and Emily is too stubborn to admit she feels the same way about him. GRRRR!! Emily takes it to the wire, but when she finally makes the right decision, it sets off a series of events that demonstrate exactly how amazing Gavin is (and how horrible Dillon is). It was awesome to see the female be the one to make the grand romantic gesture to win her love back.

7. Kai, The Lunar Chronicles Series, by Marissa Meyer - I was really, really frustrated with Kai for the entirety of the second and third books in the Lunar Chronicles series. Most of my rage was centered around the fact that he was questioning Cinder's actions and motives, as well as his own feelings for her. He should have known, without a shadow of a doubt, that Cinder wasn't the bad guy, that her motives were pure and that his feelings were most definitely real. Then, he was faced with the impossible decisions on how to, literally, save the world. But, at the end of Cress, Kai put me out of my misery, got real with Cinder (yeah - I totally listened to that part FOUR TIMES IN A ROW), and I'm now dying for the final book to come out.

8. Sydney Blake, Maybe Someday, by Colleen Hoover - This is the only stand-alone book on my list, and thank goodness it's by itself, because I don't know if I could stand a second book about Sydney and Ridge. I about lost my ever-loving mind in regard to these two - particularly Sydney. I SO wanted her to take control of the situation so much sooner than when she did. Instead, she kept subjecting herself to the worst kind of torture - seeing the guy you love with someone else. It killed me to read about it. I bawled like a baby. But, that ending - OMG, that ending more than made up for all the pain. It was so completely perfect, I still swoon when I think about it.

9. Christian Grey, The Fifty Shades of Grey Series, by E.L. James - This may be sort of obvious, since I think most of the world has read this series by now. But, Ana's desires for "more" and Christian's lack of commitment to giving it to her made me so mad in the first book. And then in the second book, when it seemed like he may be in it for the long haul, it was his constant poo-pooing of the Elena situation that had me raging. But, girls - that proposal. Tell me that didn't make you completely weak in the knees, and I'll call BS. By the epilogue at the end of the third book, Christian Gray had made my list of best book boyfriends of all time. And he remains there to this day.

10. Dimitri Belikov, The Vampire Academy Series, by Richelle Mead - "Sorry Rose. I think you're hot, and we work well together, and I admire your tenacity and I think you're strong and smart. But we totally can't be together because I'm seven years older than you." GAH!!!! Freaking men. Dimitri's other argument for not being together - that it could interfere with his ability to do his job - is a bit more admirable. But, still. At least TRY and find a way, would you? For two-and-a-half books, I was tortured by this man. Then, in the fifth book, his form of torture took a different tactic. Then, it was all, "Sorry Rose. I still think all those things about you, but I'm a horrible person, so I don't deserve you." Ex-squeeze me? Richelle Mead really knew how to draw out the torture with this one, because it wasn't until the very end of the sixth and final book that Dimitri finally got himself together and fought for the girl he loves. And, when that happened - WHOA. Super alpha in love Dimitri was even sexier than before.

NEW ADULT MONDAYS: Just For Now (Sea Breeze #4)

The New Adult genre - their bad boys and big problems and epic loves make them engrossing tales that are so easy to lose yourself in. What's not to love about that? And, now, thanks to the cool chicks at Bewitched Bookworms, we can show these books the love they deserve in a weekly feature - New Adult Mondays.

Just For Now (Sea Breeze #4), by Abbi Glines
Published October 30, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Format: e-book, purchased
Genre:  new adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) Preston is one bad boy. And Amanda has harbored a crush on him for forever. When she finally makes her move on him, it does not end well. But still, she can’t resist him. Especially now that he seems to be pursuing her, too.

No one wants wants them to be together. Not Amanda’s brother Marcus, who is on the verge of his marriage to Low, and definitely not any of Preston’s buddies. They know way too much about Preston’s dark side. Even Preston realizes he’s not good enough for someone like her.

But Amanda believes there is more to Preston than his bad boy persona, and she is determined to unearth what he’s hiding behind his seductive blue eyes—secrets that could explain his actions. Secrets Amanda might not be able to forgive. Yet the dangerous attraction persists...and neither Preston nor Amanda is going to deny it.

It's Amanda and Preston's turn to find love in Just For Now, the fourth book in Abbi Glines' Sea Breeze series. I swear, this woman can do no wrong. Even the characters that are not really my favorites somehow end up worming their way into my heart, and it's all her fault.

Preston is a professional man-slut - VERY literally. He's convinced he's not worth much because he comes from the wrong side of the tracks, he never knew his dad and his mom is a druggie  who can't take care of Preston's younger siblings. Amanda has had a crush on Preston ever since they were kids. He's her brother Marcus' best friend, and is convinced he will never see her as anything more than "the little sister." One night, that all changes. But, is that one night going to be enough to change everything?

There is much more to Preston than what meets the eye. On the surface, he's the life-of-the party, carefree playboy who has no problem finding a girl to take home with him every night. He plays baseball with Cage and is best friends with Marcus. He doesn't take life too seriously. Then there's what he does for a living. Having sex is something he's very good at - why not get paid for it, right? (Oh, Preston... just... NO.)

But, my favorite part of Preston is all the stuff most people don't see. Like the fact that his mom is completely useless and Preston always has to pick up her slack. He only sells his, erm, "services" so that he can buy groceries for his younger siblings, get them medical attention and make a way for them to be able to do fun things in school. Preston is one multi-faceted guy.

Amanda is incredible. She has admired Preston from afar for years. On the night she decides she's had enough and is ready for him to notice she's not just Marcus' kid sister any more, Preston does the unthinkable - he notices. Things happen. Only Preston was drop-dead drunk and can't remember any of it. After that, Amanda writes him off and is determined to look elsewhere for happiness. Good for you, sister. Absolutely don't let your shot with the supposed guy of your dreams pass you by. But, if he acts like an extreme douche bag afterwords, move on, honey.

I get why Preston acted less than chivalrous. He's had it rough, and let's face it - he knew his job would be a big barrier in a relationship with a girl. I'll give him credit for making real efforts to rein in his whoring and lying once he realizes that Amanda is someone pretty special. His redemption is hard-won. It doesn't come easily, especially from Marcus. But, when Preston starts to catch on to what is really important, he pulls out all stops to keep Amanda in his life.

Despite all that, though, I still felt as though Amanda forgave him for, essentially cheating on her, WAY too easily, and that's a big problem for me. I get the lack of emotional involvement on Preston's aprt, but sex is sex, and if you profess to care about one person, you don't get your jollies from another person, no matter what the reasons.

Just For Now ended up being such a romantic story. It's told in dual POV, which was awesome when Preston finally started coming around. I loved this story and enjoyed reading about all of Amanda's and Preston's stops and starts. I love the Sea Breeze series and it's deliciously damaged guys. I can't wait to read more.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Pretending

I am thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for Shanna Clayton's PRETENDING, organized by Xpresso Book Tours. Read on for my review, and then enter the tour giveaway. And, don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour!

Pretending, by Shanna Clayton
To Be Published March 12, 2014
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-book, provided by Xpresso Book Tours
Genre:  new adult contemporary romance/suspense
To Buy: Amazon 

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) Four years.

That’s how long Wesley Kent has to live with the girl his dad shacked him up with, and then he can collect his inheritance and escape small town life. He gets through the prison sentence by pretending Dahlia Reynolds doesn’t exist. With three years down and one more to go, he doesn’t expect much to change. That is, until the girl that’s not supposed to exist sharpens into his reality, making it impossible to ignore her.

Three years.

That’s how long Dahlia Reynolds has been living with a total stranger. She’s convinced herself Wesley Kent is no more than an illusion in the hallways. It’s easy to do, especially since that same illusion has never spoken more than two words to her. But one mistaken identity later, and she finds herself caught up in the mysterious world Wesley lives in. One by one, he begins knocking down the safe, comfortable walls she built, leaving her wondering what his motives are. Does he want to expose her—or free her?

Pretending was a really pleasant surprise. When I started it, I expected just another new adult book. But, I soon realized that Pretending was like one of those fancy-tinis. You know - it's a martini at its core. But, you add a splash of something else and a twist of another thing, and you have a new drink - a choco-apple-tini. Or whatever. Pretending is a fantastic new adult book with steam and angst and drama. But, it also has a splash of suspense and a twist of mystery. 

Dahlia and Wesley have lived in a huge house together with very minimal interaction for the better part of three years, each formulating opinions about the other based on nothing more than speculation and superficial information. They are both anthropology majors and into treasure hunting, a love instilled by Wesley's father and Dahlia's good friend. As other treasure hunters attempt to steal a particular item, Dahlia and Wesley finally have to work together to stop them. And, they realize their opinions of one another might not have been correct.

I've always been a fan of treasure hunting movies like Indiana Jones and National Treasure. There's something so intriguing about following ancient clues to find items lost by history. Museums are my thing. I'd much rather go to an old city and check out the artifacts than lay around on a beach and get sand in my crack. 

So, maybe that's part of the reason why I loved Pretending so much. It took two things I love - romance and treasure hunting - and mushed them together in a great story. Shanna Clayton is a wonderful writer and knows how to weave a story you won't want to put down. 

Dahlia prefers to be a wallflower, blending into her surroundings. She's lost everyone she's ever loved, and is now content to just stick to her studies, get her degree, and go on the ultimate treasure hunt. She's always been a little afraid of Wesley - always thought of him as a huge jerk. He obviously hates her, but she has no idea why. 

Wesley has a lot of unresolved daddy issues, which he takes out on Dahlia. Well, not really, since he chooses to not even acknowledge her existence. Then, he has a chance to really talk to her and realizes he was wrong about her. When that happened, the change in Wesley was totally swoon-worthy. He admits his mistakes and resolves to make things right between them so they can be friends. 

They share a love of treasure hunting, which was shared by Wesley's family going back generations. Their shared love of ancient mysteries, coupled by the fact that they're both hot and have raging hormones ensure that they won't just stay friends. Shanna knows how to bring the sexy times. And Wesley's chivalry and protective instincts make him a fantastic book boyfriend worthy of all the swoons and sighs. 

As we delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding those who want to beat Dahlia and Wesley to the treasure, as well as some side mysteries surrounding Dahlia's and Wesley's BFFs, I found it easy to get sucked into the story. It was exciting and suspenseful and a lot of fun.  

About the Author

I’m not sure if my mother predestined me to become a romance author when she named me after her favorite Kathleen Woodiwiss book, but that’s what happened. Now I live  and breathe all things books. When I’m not glued to my desk writing, I can be found eating too much chocolate, obsessing over Game of Thrones, and cyber stalking my favorite authors. Keep up with me on Facebook and Instagram. I love hearing from readers!

Learn more about Shanna Clayton --> Website / Facebook / Twitter

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