Nerve-racking and Prodigious: Champion (Legend, #3) by Marie Lu

Champion (Legend, #3)
by Marie Lu
Dystopia, Young Adult, Romance
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

SYNOPSIS

He is a Legend.

She is a Prodigy.

Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.

But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.

With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion. 

REVIEW

“Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that.”

Oh, Marie Lu, I would undoubtedly trust you with the lives of my future child's, my own, and my future husband's. Holy shit. How does one even talk about this bewildering, yet upsetting book?

Out of all the other series enders released this year, Champion proved to be the best because it breaks my heart and patches it all back again. This was actually the the best book out of the three. You want to know why? Because this book has everything that will keep anyone, and I mean anyone hooked because of it's diversity; it's got action, romance, politics, and great characterization. Bravo, Marie Lu!

Plot: The plot. Oh my God, the plot. I have many things to say but one word seems to stand out: engrossing. Everything about it lures me in and Champion was gladly taped to my fingers the whole time! Having seen the Colonies, I needed more of their post-apocalyptic world, and that was what was given to me by Marie Lu. She gave me Antartica, the cool sims-like part of their world and it was awesomesauce! Also, the mix of politics, romance, and action was impressive. It was all inter connected. The problem with politics has been brought up which gave rise to the rekindling of the romance between our two protagonists which also gave rise to the nail biting action! It was all perfectly blended together like a frappé from Starbucks, complete with toppings (word choice of Mari Lu) that further adorn the said drink.

Writing: As expected, at this part of the review, Marie Lu didn't (couldn't) disappoint. DUH. It's Marie Lu we're talking about here, how could she mess up with the writing?

The book is told from both their POVs and, if you see this as one way to bring the book down, then I strongly disagree with your opinion because what the two POVs did was it made the book better! It was like seeing an event from a split screen which makes the action twice the more exciting! Though, I have to say that at times we already know what would be happening in the next chapter because of the POV of the other character, but that's fine! Who would want to go to a war blindfolded right?

Pace: This book wasn't so different from the first two in pace because they contain action which couldn't be written in such slow pace, but somehow, this book's pace, and I say this almost reluctantly, was slower (at first) than the first two which made me think that this would be a tedious read, but that made the end more meaningful to me. (THE ENDING GAAAAAH)

Junebug: I LOVE HER. I wrote too many "I LOVE HER"s at the first draft that I had to lower it down to one. GAAAAH, I JUST LOVE HER, I said that already haven't I? Now onto the reasons why I love her. Her development all throughout the series was extraordinary! From the bratty little sister to Metias, she became this loving, independent, strong, self-confident woman! She used to do anything to get what she wanted even if it meant a death of a person. And now, she chose to go through with her selfless promise that she'll let go of Day if that means that he'll live. She even thought that it's be better because without her in his life, he wouldn't be hurt by her. He wouldn't remember the death of his mom often because June was the reason she was dead in the first place. Okay, too much spoilers.

Overall: This is the proper way on how you should end a book and a series. The ending is the perfect epitome of an ending that's sad but full of hope. Looking back, I really pictured a more macabre and gruesome ending, and I'm glad that mu assumption was wrong because what I couldn't put into words, Marie Lu did. That was a perfect series ender.

RATING

Swoon-worthy: Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1) by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry #1)

by Simone Elkeles

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Release Date: December 23, 2008

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Source: Bought/Own Copy

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. 

Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

REVIEW

Oh, why did I just read this now? This book was beyond what I expected! Okay, the story maybe a bit cliche, but the way it was written. Elkeles did a GREAT job writing the story! Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down! What can I say? I was so engrossed with the story that I was so annoyed when I was asked to put the book down.

“We're actors in our lives, pretendin' to be who we want people to think we are.” 

First, we meet Brittany. She is a girl living the perfect life the north side of town, but in reality, she has her fair share of problems. At home, she is the one who takes care of her sister, Shelley, who has cerebral palsy, because her mother won't and her father is rarely at home. Alongside that, she also struggles keeping up her perfect image. Okay, enough about that! I like Brittany's character. A lot. From the beginning, I already felt connected to her. I felt her pain for being her parents' barbie doll, her struggle as she tries to make a stand for herself, and her anger towards her parents for using her sister against her. As you see, her life isn't really that perfect at all. She hides behind this false facade to make her parents and friends but as the story progress, we see this facade of her fall. We see her develop into a girl who hardly gives a crap about what people say about her.

And then there's Alex Fuentes, the town's bad boy who lives in the south side of town. He's a hot latino. He's very protective of his family after what happened to his dad who got killed because of a drug deal. Just like Brittany, he also hides behind this false facade of his. Despite the fact that he's in a gang, he's a really nice and intelligent guy. In fact, he doesn't really want to be part of the Latino Blood. He wants to leave the gang and study college, but he knows he can't because of its consequences.

“I'm losing control."

"Mamacita, I've already lost it."

There's no denying there's chemistry between those two. As cliche as it may be, they actually have this love-hate relationship. It was so cute watching them exchange banters. But of course, there's this something preventing them from dating each other. They can't date each other because they live in different sides of the town. If they date each other, Brittany would be judged not only by her friends, but also by her family. The question is will she risk losing her perfect reputation to have Alex by her side? You'll have to read the book to know the answer! *wink*

Basically, I highly recommend this book! The story and characters were greatly written. The plot maybe cliche, but it's really worth reading. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Carlos's book, Rules of Attraction!

REVIEW

Heart touching: The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Sky is Everywhere

by Jandy Nelson

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Release Date: March 22, 2011

Publisher: Speak

Source: Bought/Own Copy

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS

Lennie plays second clarinet in the school orchestra and has always happily been second fiddle to her charismatic older sister, Bailey. Then Bailey dies suddenly, and Lennie is left at sea without her anchor. Overcome by emotion, Lennie soon finds herself torn between two boys: Bailey's boyfriend, Toby, and Joe, the charming and musically gifted new boy in town. While Toby can't see her without seeing Bailey and Joe sees her only for herself, each offers Lennie something she desperately needs. But ultimately, it's up to Lennie to find her own way toward what she really needs-without Bailey. A remarkable debut novel perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block.

REVIEW

The Sky is Everywhere tells a beautiful story about moving on and finding one’s true self. Lennie used to live behind her sister’s shadows, never making decisions on her own. That’s until her sister suddenly died. Now that her sister’s gone, Lennie is forced to take the spotlight and lead her own life. Along the way, not only does she struggle to cope up with her sister’s death, but also between two boys—one who makes her remember and the other one who makes her forget.

This book. How do I even? I didn't really expect this book to have such a huge impact on me because it’s suggested for fans of Sarah Dessen, and, clearly, I’m not a huge fan of hers. I read this book last month, but I still remember every single bit of it. I read it in just one day. Actually, I read a few pages before that, but I stopped reading it for reasons I can’t seem to remember.  A few days after that did I only read the book for real and damn, I couldn't put it down.

Lennie Walker.  I absolutely loved Lennie’s character. She’s named after the famous John Lennon. She plays the clarinet and she’s also a bookworm and a band geek. She and her sister, Bailey, were very close, so it was really hard for her to live without her sister alongside her. Throughout the book, she struggled and made some bad decisions Yes, it made me want to knock some sense to her, but I didn't do it, not because she’s fictional, but because I understood her.

Toby Shaw. a.k.a. Bailey’s boyfriend who Lennie kissed or who kissed Lennie. Either way, they kissed. Honestly, I thought he was a jerk base from the synopsis because why would you share a kiss with the sister of your dead ex-girlfriend? But when he appeared in the book, my opinion of him turned 360.  He’s a nice guy, seriously. You’ll see why he did it once you read the book.

Joe Fontaine. If I loved Lennie, well, I loved loved Joe Fontaine. What can I say? I was instantly drawn to him from the beginning.  How can I not? He’s a musical genius who just got back from France. He’s a very enthusiastic person. He has long eyelashes. Bat. Bat. Bat. For Lennie, he’s like a breath of fresh air because unlike Toby, he makes her forget about her sorrows and grieves. In short, he’s the perfect book-friend.

If you're looking for a powerful read, then I highly suggest you read The Sky is Everywhere. It's the kind of story that leaves a mark on you whether you like it or not.

                                                                                                                 

RATING

Tunes of Two Ends (3)

Tunes of Two Ends is a weekly meme hosted by none other than Two Ends of a Bookshelf, wherein we share our  playlist that calls to mind a book or series that we have recently read and is currently the focal point of our thoughts. 

This week's playlist is dedicated to:

1. One Last Time (Darlin' II) by Between The Trees

2. Where We Land by Ed Sheeran

3. You and Me by Lifehouse

4. Let Her Go (Acoustic) by Passenger

5. Hearbreak Girl Cover by Troye Sivan
6. St. Cecille (Acoustic) by Hereswith
7. High Hopes by Kodaline
8. Box of Stones by Benjamin Francis Leftwich
9. Come Back When You Can by Barcelona
10. Last First Kiss Cover by Karl Zarate

By the way, I uploaded the mix on 8tracks! Click on photo to be redirected to its 8tracks page. :)

So that's it for this week's Tunes of Two Ends, hope you liked it! What do you think of my mix? Comment below!

(Storm Warning Release Day Launch) Excerpt + Giveaway

Thanks for stopping by my little stop in the Storm Warning Release Day Launch hosted by Kelly of

InkSlinger PR. Be sure to go over the post because a giveaway awaits you below.

Storm Warning

by E. Lee and C. Quinn

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, Romance

Release Date: December 12, 2013
Publisher: Self

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS

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. 

EXCERPT

Hope’s Grove was small. Everyone knew about her parents, and she was already dreading facing them since the news of her dad’s affair had hit. But facing them without her brother and her best friend would be her worst nightmare.

After the girls had said their goodbyes and she’d watched her friend’s taillights fade down the drive, Ella Jane scuffed her boots along the winding dirt road that led her home.

She was about halfway there, watching the sun sink low in the evening sky, when the unmistakable rumble of a pickup truck came barreling down the road behind her. She stepped aside to let it pass without looking back. But it didn’t pass. It slowed practically to a stop right next her.

She turned, wondering what the heck the driver’s deal was. There was more than enough room for him to go around. But the smiling face beneath the backwards trucker hat sent the words on the tip of her tongue swirling away with the dust the truck had riled up.

She bit her lip and grinned. Warm brown eyes gleamed in her direction. “Hey there, Ellie May. Need a ride?”

She rolled her eyes. Why Brantley Cooper couldn’t call her by her actual name was beyond her. But as long as he was talking to her, she really didn’t care much what he called her. He can call me ‘flower’ if he wants to.

He was a year older than her and a year younger than her older brother, Kyle. Smack in the middle of their ages and grades in school and usually smack in the middle of their arguments. Coop kept the peace. Balanced them out perfectly.

The three of them had met at the same time as kids but Coop and Kyle had become like brothers instantly. She’d always tagged along wherever they went. Kyle had whined about it when they were younger but Coop always made her feel welcome. He held doors open for her so she didn’t get left behind, made sure to invite her despite her brother’s protests, and lately he’d even stopped by and hung out even when Kyle wasn’t home. And this year, she’d be a junior and Coop would be a senior. With her big brother away at college, she couldn’t help but fantasize about what might happen if she and Coop spent time together alone.

“Hey, Coop. Lynlee just left so I was just…” She glanced toward home. Kyle wasn’t back from football camp yet, and her mom was baking herself to death, trying to keep her mind off of everything.

“Yeah, I heard the Wicked Witch was moving west. You up for some fishing? I have to drop my bike off at the house but we could swing by the lake after.”

She should get home. She knew she should. Should order a pizza and convince her mom to take it easy for a night. Except…it was Coop. And in all her sixteen years, he was the one boy she’d never been able to say no to.

“Yeah. Yeah I’m up for it.”

BOOK TRAILER

GIVEAWAY

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Whether you believe in destiny, divine intervention, or just plain ol' dumb luck, several things happened in 2013 that caused E. Lee and C. Quinn's paths to cross. It may have been that the stars aligned perfectly, or the fact anytime Luke Bryan was mentioned on a social media site both of them were tagged, or maybe it was just that their small town roots and country girl attitudes were magnetically drawn together—calling out to one another, “Y'all should write a book!” Despite geography keeping them apart—Lee in Illinois and Quinn in Alabama—they did. Thanks to three-hour phone calls, ridiculous amounts of online chats, and umpteen Google Docs—Storm Warning is the first book in their edgy new Young Adult series, Broken Heartland.

(Staying on Top Blog Tour) Character Interview + Giveaway

Thanks for stopping by my little stop in the Staying on Top Blog Tour hosted by Kelly of

InkSlinger PR. Be sure to go over the post because a giveaway awaits you below.

Staying on Top

by Lyla Payne

Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romace

Release Date: December 7, 2013
Publisher: Self

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

SYNOPSIS

Sam Bradford has it all—he’s the #2 tennis player in the world, plenty of girls want to date him, and he’ll never want for money. At least, that’s what he thought until his accountant stole everything and disappeared. Interpol has no idea where to start, and neither does the American F.B.I., so Sam figures he’ll just have to take care of his body and play a few extra years to make it back.

When Blair Paddington, the accountant’s daughter and a friend of a friend at Whitman, shows up and claims she can help Sam get his money back he’s torn between wanting justice and the very real possibility that Blair is just as big a con man as her father. When she promises not only money, but justice, Sam agrees—but only if he can go along on the search.

The two of them set off on an adventure neither rich kid is prepared for—cheap hostels, the same clothes three days in a row, and nothing but a backpack of possessions—so they can fly under the radar as college lovers on a winter break. In spite of Blair’s shady family, her daring and resourceful personality strike Sam’s interest and he finds himself falling for the one girl he shouldn’t.

When they finally find her father, the truths that come to light not only make Sam question his affection for Blair, but could cost him more than money—if they can’t work together one last time, neither of them may be going home. Ever. 

CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Questions for Sam: 

1.) Do you have a birthmark? Where is it? 

I have a small birthmark. It looks like a strawberry and it’s on the outside of my left ankle. 

2.) Have you ever been in love? With whom? 

Did she break your heart? Blair is the first girl I’ve ever been in love with, although I’ve certainly cared about others. She hasn’t broken my heart—yet. But she could if she wanted to. 

3.) What's your greatest extravagance?

I’m not sure what you consider an extravagance, because it’s probably different than me…but maybe the private jet? 

4.) What's the happiest moment in your life? (Apart from the moments spent with Blair.) 

When I broke the top 10 on the tour for the first time. 

5.) What is your greatest fear that you would tell to no one at all? (except for the germophobia) 

Injury. Not getting to the top of my game before I have to give it all up. 

Questions for Blair: 

1.) What are the traits of your mom that you really miss? 

She made me feel like I’m special for just being me, not for what I can bring to the table. I’m starting to learn to feel that way again on my own. 

2.) What is in your refrigerator? 

Um…I don’t have a refrigerator except for a small one—it has leftovers from last night’s pasta with Kennedy and a couple bottles of coconut water. 

3.) Who was your first love? 

Sam. I never knew anyone well enough to love them before him. 

4.) What is one strong memory that has stuck with you from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting? 

The first con I pulled for my dad on someone who didn’t deserve it. Usually the people were so terrible they really deserved it, but this old woman…her husband had just died and she was all alone. I think it stuck with me because I was only twelve, and it was the moment I knew that what Dad does is wrong, and that no matter how I justified it, one day I was going to have to decide whether I wanted to be bad or good. 

5.) What's your deepest, darkest secret? 

That I still don’t feel like I deserve Sam. It’s insecure and the kind of self-hate that I can’t stand in other women, but it’s hard to believe someone who has made all the mistakes I have could be with someone so purely good. I’m working on it.

GIVEAWAU

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I’ve long had a love of stories. A few years ago decided to put them down on the page, and even though I have a degree in film and television, novels were the creative outlet where I found a home. I’ve published Young Adult under a different name, but when I got the idea for Broken at Love (my first New Adult title), I couldn’t wait to try something new – and I’m hooked. In my spare time I watch a ton of tennis (no surprise, there), play a ton of tennis, and dedicate a good portion of brain power to dreaming up the next fictitious bad boy we’d all love to meet in real life.

Layla elsewhere:

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr | Amazon

Elyssa's pre-birthday celebration and Christmas Giveaway!

Yeah, you've heard it right! We're hosting yet another giveaway! *cue clapping and confetti throwing*

Christmas is fast approaching and so is Elyssa's 15th birthday, and we wouldn't want to celebrate them without you guys! So with that, we decided to giveaway A TON OF BOOKS, and by a ton I mean 21 books! TWENTY-ONE BOOKS. Or maybe more (I don't know, it's up to our parents if they decide to be generous or not. LOL) So the giveaway will be running from today to January 12th (that's a whole month), and the winners will be announced shortly thereafter. (A lot of time for you guys to stack on your entries!) Are you guys excited? Well, of course you are! Now, I know you're all itching to enter the giveaway, so below is the rafflecopter widget! Enjoy!

GIVEAWAY

___________________________________________________

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wish you luck, enjoy! :)

An Up All Nighter and A Page Turner: World After (Penryn & the Ends of Days, #2) by Susan Ee

World After (Penryn & the End of Days, #2)

by Susan Ee

Genre: Young Adult, Angels, Fantasy

Release Date: November 19, 2013

Publisher: Skyscape

Source: Bought/Own Copy

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Blog

Synopsis:

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose? 

___________________________________________________

Review: 

If there’s one thing I am sure about dystopian novels, it’s that creating a sequel that will live up to its predecessor is a very difficult task which is why I was really WOW-ed by World After. I didn’t really expect that much from World After. Being the hopeless romantic I am, I did expect some steamy scenes from Raffe and Penryn, but never did I expect that I would be awake at around 12 am just so that I can continue reading World After. I even set my alarm clock to 3 am just so that I’ll have enough time to finish it before I went to school. World After is that good.

World After starts of where Angelfall left. Separated from Raffe, Penryn, along with her mom and her sister Paige, are now with the resistance. With her sister looking inhumane, people try to capture which leads to Paige leaving the resistance and Penryn out in the World After in search for her.

Once again, Susan Ee manages to deliver us a book that stands out in the angel genre. World After is certainly a must-read if you’ve read Angelfall. It gives us an explanation about the things that were left unanswered in the first book and leaves us questions to look forward to getting answered in the next book. Its pacing is a bit slow, for me. I am not really fond of the pacing, but in this book, it really works well because it gives us just enough time to absorb each moment.

I love Penryn in Angefall, but I love her more in World After. I mean, who doesn’t? She’s so frickin’ awesome! She’s not a damsel in distress but a kick-ass! She uses what she has to her advantage and thinks before she acts, though not always. I also love her banters. They were so funny that I couldn’t contain while I was reading it, so I had to laugh out loud.

We don’t really get to see much from Raffe in the first half of World After. I’m not going to lie. I did miss him, but we do get some flashbacks of Angefall from his POV, thanks to Pooky Bear, his sword, so I didn’t entirely feel Raffe-less. Though I may have smiled during some of those flashbacks, nothing beats Raffe’s presence. Once he gets reunited with Penryn, I swear you’ll be smiling the whole time like I was!

I also love the secondary characters in this series. All of them are interesting, but mom has got to be my secondary favorite character even if I do have mixed feelings about her. I think she is by far the most interesting character in this series, even more interesting than Raffe and Penryn (I’m sorry, but it’s the truth!). There are so many things to know about her and I was kind of hoping that those things will be revealed in this book, but, sadly, we only get a few, so I’m really looking forward to knowing more about her in the third book.

Overall, I think World After is, without a doubt, worthy of being the sequel to Angefall. Its plot will surely keep you awake until you’re finished with the book. It has less romance than Angelfall, but the action in the book makes up for it. If you’ve read Angefall, I highly recommend you continue with World After! If you haven’t, you can always read Angefall first and then World After.

Rating:

(Letters to Nowhere Book Blitz) Teaser + Interview + Giveaway

Thanks for stopping by my little stop in the Letters to Nowhere Book Blitz hosted by Giselle of

Xpresso Book Tours. Be sure to go over the post because a giveaway awaits you below.

Letters to Nowhere

by Julie Cross

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Release Date: August 1, 2013
Publisher: Long Walk Press

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Synopsis:

From the International Bestselling Author of the Tempest Series...

Set in the tough world of Elite Gymnastics...

I've gotten used to the dead parents face. I've gotten used to living with my gymnastics coach. I've even adjusted to sharing a bathroom with his way-too-hot son. Dealing with boys is not something that's made it onto my list of experiences as of yet. But here I am, doing it. And something about Jordan--being around him, talking to him, thinking about him--makes me feel like I can finally breathe again. That's something I haven't been able to do lately. He knows what it feels like to be me right now. He knows what it's like to wonder--what now? I think about it constantly. I need answers. I need to know how to get through this. In the gym, if you're struggling, you train harder, you do drills and conditioning. How do I work hard at moving on? At being on my own? And what happens if I might be...maybe...probably falling for Jordan? I mean we live together now. That can't happen, can it? But kissing him...well, let's just say it's not an easy activity to forget. 

TEASER

___________________________________________________

Jordan stepped closer, resting a hand on the red brick beside my head. “I’m gonna kiss you.”

My stomach jumped up towards my heart. “What?”

“I’m going to kiss you.” He had this serious, determined look on his face. “I mean, I won’t if you don’t want me to . . .”

I could feel my eyes widen as he leaned closer, my heart hammering faster, every other muscle in my body completely frozen. No words of protest were able to fall from my tongue before his mouth was on mine. My eyes drifted shut, my stomach doing a dozen floor routines beneath my rib cage.

INTERVIEW

___________________________________________________

Do you have a favorite character from Letters to Nowhere? Why is he (or she) your favorite? 

Karen, my main character, is my favorite to write mostly because I’ve wanted to write a book narrated from the point of view of an elite gymnast since my author journey first began. I absolutely love capturing that socially sheltered mindset and pairing it up with a level of maturity and discipline that most adults don’t have. That’s the essence of women’s elite gymnastics. Young girls carrying big loads of responsibility and self-awareness. They have it completely together, there’s always a plan for what’s next. With Karen, I gave her all of those qualities and then I pulled the rug out from under her by taking away her parents in a car accident before the book opens. Then: *Enter cute boy* whom she is forced to share a bathroom with. Who has a tragic past of his own. Who may be the only one that can help her heal. 

Were you nervous when you decided to venture outside of your Sci-Fi series and write a contemporary novel? Did you have any reservations at first? 

I wasn’t nervous to write the book, but I was super super nervous to tell people about it. Especially online to Tempest series fans. I honestly figured I’d finish the book so the characters would stop tormenting me inside my head, which I know it sounds a little schizophrenic, but it’s the truth and probably never publish it. And just hearing you say that it paid off means that it totally has. I’ve pleased at least one reader. Mission accomplished. Thanks so much for that J 

Gymnastics is a huge part of this novel and your website says that you were a former gymnastics coach. How excited were you to combine your passions for writing and gymnastics into one project? 

It was like Disney World, Universal Studios and a house right on the beach all packaged into one trip that didn’t even require packing or travel time. I enjoyed every phase of creating this story so much, I felt guilty calling it my job. 

There are some pretty heartbreaking scenes in the book. Do you get extremely attached to your characters? If so, how do you feel when you have to write a scene that is going to be particularly hard on them? 

Normally, I struggle with getting all the tension I need in a first draft because it becomes so difficult to put characters I love through all this emotional trauma. Often I have to step away from the story for a while and then I raise the stakes in the next draft. But with Letters to Nowhere, I had no problem shoving the characters into flaming fire after fire because I knew that in order for Karen (and also Jordan and Coach Bentley) to properly grieve and begin to heal, there was only one way to get past the fire—run straight through it. And the whole time I was writing this book, I knew Karen was a bomb waiting to go off. I knew she’d need to have that moment of realization about her future and what losing her parents really meant. And I wanted to get her there so I could see that she was okay. 

What was the hardest part of writing Letters to Nowhere? 

Nothing was really hard to write, but I worked the hardest at making the gymnastics element “user friendly” in the sense that I wanted this to be a book for the widest audience possible while still showing a true portrayal of the sport. 

What was your favorite part? 

The evolution of “Jaren” hands down. The relationship between Karen and Jordan is built in a way that I hadn’t done before in novel. Not exactly. I rarely do the insta-love thing but what they have is so much deeper than romantic love. Not to spoil anything in the book or future books in this world, but I truly believe that Jordan and Karen will always have a tie that can’t be severed no matter where their paths lead them. They could never hate each other. Many people look back on their first love and the relationship and drama often seem silly. It won’t be like that for these two. Their relationship will always represent a hugely important part of their lives. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Julie Cross is the International Bestselling author of the Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy which includes Tempest, Vortex, and the final installment, Timestorm (St. Martin's Press). She's also the author of Letters to Nowhere (8/13), a mature young adult romance set in the world of elite gymnastics, as well as several forthcoming young adult and new adult novels with publishers like Entangled, Sourcebooks, HarperCollins, and St. Martin's Press/Thomas Dunne Books.

Julie lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three children. She's a former gymnast, longtime gymnastics fan, coach, and former Gymnastics Program Director with the YMCA. She's a lover of books, devouring several novels a week, especially in the young adult and new adult genres. Outside of her reading and writing credibility's, Julie Cross is a committed--but not talented--long distance runner, creator of imaginary beach vacations, Midwest bipolar weather survivor, expired CPR certification card holder, as well as a ponytail and gym shoe addict. You can find her online via twitter, her personal website, email, facebook, Goodreads, or co-moderating the YAwriters section of reddit.

Julie elsewhere:
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads

Guys, by the way, Letters to Nowhere is on sale for .99 cents! But it on Amazon here.

(Fix You Blog Tour) Review + Giveaway

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Thanks for stopping by my little stop in the Fix You Blog Tour hosted by Julie of
AToMR Tours. Be sure to go over the post because a giveaway awaits you below.

Fix You

by Beck Anderson

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Adult

Release Date: September 10, 2013
Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

When Kelly Reynolds’s husband died, he left her—the awkward, cautious one—to raise their two young boys. She’s pieced herself back together, barely. Now she takes refuge in her routine: running her kids around and running the trails near her Idaho home.

Two years after her husband’s death, a chance encounter on a run brings Andrew into her life. But Andrew is Andy Pettigrew, the Andy Pettigrew, famous actor. Kelly hates risk, and a love affair with Andrew is certainly tempting fate. She doesn’t fit into his Hollywood world. She doesn’t own a pair of Louboutins, and she couldn’t walk five paces in them if she did. Andrew oozes cool. She reeks of dork.

But despite this, they click. It may be inexplicable, but it works. However, it’s also becoming clear that Andrew struggles with the pressures of his fame. Kelly’s hold on a so-called normal life is already tenuous, and as much as she might want to indulge the fantasy, she doesn’t know how either of them is supposed to cope with stalkerazzi and tweet-happy fans with camera phones. She and Andrew both have secrets that seem impossible to keep.

Beck Anderson’s witty, engaging writing yields an emotional tale of love, loss, and all the little things that make up a life. In the end, what is it that really holds us together? Kelly must decide if love can fix two people who might be broken beyond repair. 

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Review:

“Yes, there are stages of grief. Yes, there are plenty of abysses that seem to suck any attempt at normalcy into them. But routine often saves me.”

Fix you is a beautifully written story that perfectly captures the hardhips of love, loss, defeat, and fresh starts. This being my first (that I know of) chicklit novel, I had remembered to keep my expectations low because it's my first novel in the genre and I dont want to be disappointed and drop the genre all together. But keeping my expectations lo didn't benefit me, it benefitted the book—it made it all the more amazing. With this good start with chicklit, I am planning to read more, all thanks to you, Beck!

Kelly, from self-loathing cocoon, transformed into a butterfly! I love reading her because of their barters! Reading her exchanges with Andy was just so sweet! I loved how beck rode against the tide and decided to write the a real woman because most of the girls around here can't cook, can't clean, and I just love that about Kelly! 

I absolutely loved the plot. The build up was exuberant, not at all tiring. I didn't get tired of Kelly constant bickering that she is beyond fixing and all that because I totally understand where she comes from, having just lost a husband, it is really hard to balance a life connected to Andrew—a life of flashing cameras, magazine covers, and constant gossip. So they agree on a friendship, but thier undeniable attraction toward each other brings them closer and closer together to a point that they can neither hide their feelings for each other. To be together is a huge risk for Kelly, one that cannot be undone. How will she survive if her heart gets broken the second time around? Can Andrew, the man that is all that she wants in their moments together, act like that in public under consistent scrutiny?

 The fact that the plot was very engaging kept me up all night! It had me crying, shouting, and "Aaaw"-ing the whole time!

Rating:

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Beck Anderson believes in the power of perfectly imperfect women and in the healing power of love. Her new novel, Fix You, grew out of those beliefs and the time to write afforded by the worst Thanksgiving blizzard she’s ever witnessed in West Yellowstone.&nbsp

Beck balances (clumsily at best) writing novels and screenplays, working full-time as an educator, mothering two pre-teen males, loving one post-40 husband, and making time to walk the foothills of Boise, Idaho, with Stefano DiMera Delfino Anderson, the suavest Chihuahua north of the border.

Beck elsewhere:
Website | Twitter | Facebook

(Girls Are Players Blog Tour) Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: Girls Are Players (G.A.P., #2) by Ingrid Seymour

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Thanks for stopping by my little stop in the Girls Are Players tour, hosted by Dianne of

Oops! I Read A Book Again. Be sure to go over the post because a giveaway's waiting for you below.

Girls Are Players (G.A.P., #2)

by Ingrid Seymour

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Release Date: December 4, 2013

Publisher: PenDreams

Source: eARC (Thanks, Dianne and Ingrid! <3)

Links: Goodreads | Amazon 

Synopsis:

Jessica Norton is a villain in the body of a gorgeous, rich, college girl. She cheats, lies, plays with people’s feelings, and purposely breaks unsuspecting hearts to avenge a personal loss. She’s the kind of girl people love to hate—even if it’s just because she has it all. Except . . . she doesn’t have it all. What she wants most is the love of her high school sweetheart, Taylor Drennon, the guy who got away, the one who left without telling her why and caused all her bitterness.

Not surprisingly, Jessica’s evil has made her a pariah. Alone, without friends or Taylor’s love, her college life is a nightmare. She’s haunted by her own mistakes and drowning in lack of direction. Something needs to change. So when the first opportunity to turn her life around presents itself, she takes it. Home for Christmas break, Jessica runs into Taylor. His unexpected friendliness seems like an invitation to rekindle their love. Inspired by a drastic idea that will both distance her from her heinous reputation and pull her closer to Taylor, she decides to transfer to OSU where he attends under a football scholarship.

Confident she can regain his heart, Jessica reenters Taylor’s life with a splash. Failing to naturally lure him closer, she is then forced to rely on her old games and underhanded scheming. Though Jessica’s heart is in the right place, it is hidden from Taylor by her blunders. More than once their powerful chemistry takes control, leading Jessica to believe she’s winning. But, it’s a hot and cold affair, and she’s not the only one to blame for their stormy love. If Jessica can only coax Taylor into explaining why he doesn’t want her, maybe she could finally walk away from him for good, maybe she could finally be happy. 

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Review: 

I, right from the very start, am a huge fan of the New Adult genre. With the influx of New Adult novels in the past two years, I decided on giving my newfound genre a try, and amazingly, I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one I've read. And Girls Are Players isn't an exception. 

Although this book continues where the first one left off, it can still be read as a standalone. Girls Are Players is the second book in the G.A.P. series and this is Jessica Norton's story, whom we've met during the course of Guys Are Props Club. 

For the plot, reading Girls Are Players was a pleasure because it's just my kind of pacing. It isn't too slow to be categorized under the did-not-finish list and not too fast to be an exhilarating-to-the-core-therefore-i-am-exhausted-and-i-wont-finish-this list. It took me on a roller coater of emotions and I enjoyed every bit! I really didn't expect myself to get attached to a certain character and cries when she does, and gets hurt when she does, but I did. I couldn't resist because INGRID SEYMOUR IS A GENIUS! 

Now onto Jessica, Oh, the big bad Jessica from Guys Are Props Club. You might think that after reading the first book that I might, I don't know, want to cut her throat and leave her bleeding to death? WRONG. Because there has been a slew of books that tend to make me sympathize, or maybe even empathize with the main character and this book is among those! I really think that Ingrid did a great job in making me feel her emotions because when I was crying, laughing, dancing, and hating with her, it felt so real that I would be surprised to find myself sitting in my room, holding the iPad and reading. (Boohoo, I hate you, reality!) Right from the start, I really liked Jessica because I understood where all her bitterness comes from when she admits that she's still grieving over the lost of her relationship with her high school sweetheart, Taylor.

As for Taylor.. Hmm, Taylor, oh, Taylor! The hot and cryptic Taylor.. BTW, I loved, and by loved I mean loved, his tatts! The main reason why I went on a roller coaster because of his cryptic words! I was lifted off my feet! I loved the cloud of enigma surrounding him because that's what makes his (poorly planned) declarations of love cute! He and Jessica are like a Filipino speaking with a Chinese, they can't really tell each other things, but the way she understands him is the reason why I loved them both.

I am really recommending this book because of three reasons:

1. A really hot guy.

2. A really, really hot guy with tattoos.

3. A really, really hot guy with tattoos and cryptic words.

I'm betting that you're sold because of the three statements above? Fear not because other people will be too! LOL. I admit that when I first saw the cover, I was as sold well! Haha.

Go grab Girls Are Players because it is a must-read!

Rating:

EXCERPT

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Taylor sat down on the bench and began to play a tune I’d never heard. It was mournful and soft and made my knees weak. I sat and listened, felt my eyes fill with tears as the melody reached inside me.

It seemed Taylor had done the opposite of me. He’d changed on the outside, but not one bit on the inside. He was still the same enigmatic, brooding person he’d always been. He still spoke in riddles if he spoke at all. He still could undo me with one look, one heartfelt song, one simple question.

God, I still loved him so much.

When he finished playing, he lowered his head, his breath hitching as he inhaled.

“W-was that one of yours?” I asked. He’d composed several pieces, and this one had that familiarity that made me almost sure he’d composed it.

He nodded. “It’s called . . . Taking Time.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Ingrid Seymour loves, loves, loves to write. Her favorite genres are Young Adult and New Adult fiction. Her debut novel “The Guys Are Props Club” is an NA contemporary romance which she immensely enjoyed writing. Her favorite outings involve a trip to the library or bookstore where she immediately gravitates toward the YA section. She’s an avid reader and fangirl of many amazing books. She’s sure that one day she’ll see one of her books made into a movie. She likes to dream big ;)

Ingrid elsewhere:

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