(Consoling Angel Blog Tour) Review + Giveaway

Consoling Angel

by Denise Alicea

Genre: Young Adult, Time Travel, Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: Book Baby (self published)

Source: eARC 

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Apple | Kobo

Synopsis:
Mira did not know what she had in store the day she fell asleep while wanting to escape her current situation. Overcoming a death from someone so close and burying herself in school and an internship has kept her somewhat awake and alive. An admiration for the actor, James Dean was all that kept the memory of her father alive. If she couldn’t be with her father, she could at least remember what they shared an admiration for together. She always wanted to meet James Dean… she didn’t know it would come true. Be careful what you wish for. It may just come true.

___________________________________________________

Review:

Mira still quite hasn’t moved on from her losing her father to cancer. She spends her days trying to keep herself busy from remembering her dad. She and her dad were very close and you could say that her love for James Dean originated from him. During her free time, she remembers those times she spent with his father talking about James Dean and watching his films and thinks of meeting him to know whether the things she know about him are real or not. Falling asleep, she is transported back in 1950s where she meets James Dean.

Despite its length, I think Consoling Angel is a good read. It’s something I would surely remember. It is short, but compelling. The short scene of Mira and James Dean is well written that it didn’t feel rush at all despite it being only a few pages. To be honest, this book actually made me teary because of its bittersweet ending. The only thing I didn’t like about this book is its length. I want to know more about what will happen after the ending. Hopefully, this book becomes a full-length novel in the future because the story really has potential.

Would I recommend this book? If you’re looking for a short story that tells a good story, then this book is for you.

Rating:

Giveaway

___________________________________________________

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Born in Manhattan, New York and raised in Connecticut, I found that I was more interested in what went on in the past, than in the future.. This makes me a hugehistory buff. I’ve always enjoyed reading books starting from ancient history, fantasy, science fiction, poetry, and of course romance. I also loved the arts so my first love was once drawing and painting until I found a new medium that would inspire me to try something new.

Denise elsewehere:

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Website

(Release Day Launch + Giveaway) Before by Nicola Marsh

Thank you for visiting my stop at Nicola Marsh's release day launch! A giveaway awaits you below, so be sure to read on. 

Before (Burlesque Bombshells, #1)
by Nicola Marsh 

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Expected Release Date: December 2, 2013

Publisher: Self Published

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website | Barnes and Noble | iTunes | Smashwords

Synopsis:   

Good girls finish last? Screw that.

Being a small town girl isn’t so bad. Unless Mom’s the town joke and I’ve spent my entire life shying away from her flamboyance. College in Las Vegas should be so much cooler. But it’s not. Bad things happen. Real bad.

So when my brother Reid offers me an all-expenses paid vacation to Australia for a month, I am so there. Discounting the deadly snakes on the outback cattle station, I should be safe. Until I meet Jack.

Jack defines bad boy and then some. He’s big, buffed, bronzed, and hotter than any guy I’ve ever met. His sexy Aussie accent makes me melt. And the guy can cook.

But he’s my brother’s new bestie and he lives on the other side of the world. There’s no future for us.

Is there?  

GIVEAWAY
___________________________________________________

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

___________________________________________________

USA TODAY bestselling author Nicola Marsh writes flirty fiction with flair for adults and riveting, spooky stories for teens.

She has published 43 contemporary romances with Harlequin, Entangled Publishing and indie, and sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Her first mainstream romance BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD was nominated for Romantic Book of the Year 2012. Her first indie mainstream romance, CRAZY LOVE, was a 2012 ARRA finalist and Barnes & Noble bestseller.

Her debut young adult novel, a supernatural thriller BANISH, released with Harlequin Teen August 2013, and her YA fantasy series kicks off with SCION OF THE SUN, November 2013, with Month9Books.

Her debut new adult novel, BEFORE, releases December 2nd, 2013.

She’s also a Waldenbooks, Bookscan and Barnes & Noble bestseller, a 2013 RBY (Romantic Book of the Year) and National Readers’ Choice Award winner, and a multi-finalist for a number of awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath, More than Magic and has also won several CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Awards.

A physiotherapist for thirteen years, she now adores writing full time, raising her two little heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, and her favorite, curling up with a good book!

Nicola elsewhere: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Release Day Launch + Excerpt: Bitter Sweet Love (Dark Elements, #0.5) by Jennifer Armentrout

Bitter Sweet Love (Dark Elements, #0.5)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Paranormal

Expected Release Date: December 1, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website | Barnes and Noble | iTunes

Synopsis:   

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series The Dark Elements, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.

Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining the balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.
And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again…

Don't miss White Hot Kiss, book one in Jennifer L. Armentrout's The Dark Elements series from Harlequin TEEN  

___________________________________________________

Excerpt:

Moving lightning fast, Dez shifted and I was suddenly underneath him. His arms were on either side of my head, caging me in. Our bodies didn’t touch, but I felt him to the tips of my toes anyway.

The teasing grin disappeared when I dragged in a deep breath and my chest brushed his. Everything changed in an instant. The playful mood faded, replaced by primal heaviness. Our gazes collided and locked. Neither of us moved. His closeness sent a series of shivers skittering across my skin and made it hard to take slow, even breaths. My body tensed when his gaze dropped to my mouth.

He tilted his head to the side. “I… I honestly have no idea what we were talking about.”

“Good. Neither do I.”

He shifted his weight onto one arm, bring him closer. “Have you enjoyed your trip so far?”

“Yes.” I felt as if I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs.

“Good.” He lowered his head. His breath was minty as it moved across my cheek and then my lips. “I’m glad.”

I wasn’t really following the conversation and I wasn’t sure that he was fully aware of what was coming out of his mouth. I searched my hazy brain for something to say and wet my lips. I-

The sound that came out of Dez’s chest rumbled through me. A stuttered heartbeat passed and then his lips were on mine. There was nothing slow about this kiss. It scorched my skin and caused my body to stretch tight like a bowstring. The kiss deepened, spinning my senses. I shuddered when his hand curved over my shoulder and drifted down to my waist, his long fingers spreading out under the hem of my shirt, grazing the bare skin of my stomach.

I gasped, floored by the raw sensations pounding through my blood. My skin felt as if I was about to phase. Maybe I was.

“Jasmine,” he whispered, the word falling against my lips, and then his body was pressing mine into the mattress, heavy, sweet and hard.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

___________________________________________________

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Jennifer elsewhere: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Tunes of Two Ends (2)

Tunes of Two Ends is a weekly meme hosted by none other than Two Ends of a Bookshelf, wherein we share our five-track 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:

(photo credit: pinterest)

1. There is a Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths

2. She's Thunderstorms by Arctic Monkeys

3. You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground,
I'll Be the Wings That Keep Your Heart in the Clouds by Mayday Parade

4. The Only Exception by Paramore

5. Happily by One Direction

*click on photo for a link to playlist

Aaaaand that's it for this week's Tunes of Two Ends! What tracks are you currently playing? Comment below! :-)

Passionate and Spectacular: Prodigy (Legend, #2) by Marie Lu

Prodigy (Legend, #2)
by Marie Lu

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia

Release Date: January 29, 2013

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Source: Bought/Own Copy

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Synopsis:   

Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?  

___________________________________________________

Review:

"The first time I saw you, when you stepped into that skiz ring against Kaede, I thought you were the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. I could've watched you forever. The first time I kissed you...well, that might as well have been my first kiss ever." 

It's a bit surprising for me to actually like the second book of a series, but much to my surprise, I actually like the second book better. Not only do we have a great sequel, it actually managed to avoid the pit of books that suffer from the second book syndrome! Prodigy managed to go above my mile-high expectations and then some. I was grasping the last couple of pages for dear life and crying and crying and crying. 

Lu, as expected, did not shatter my expectations; It even went beyond them. It was even better than it's legendary predecessor. It got better and bolder and it burned with a much brighter flame. In both writing and pacing, Prodigy is far more impeccable. I have to say that her take on the dystopian society turned out to be pretty astounding. I was enthralled in the world Lu created with little trouble at all. Though I have to say that many questions were being raised as to how the Republic's system works during Legend, but Prodigy has successfully managed to answer all the queries of the curious minds.

In Prodigy, Lu continues the story of Day and June after having escaped an execution attempt at Los Angeles. They are trying to bring down the government infected with corrupt officials and the only way to stop them is to destroy the system itself. The duo escape to the east side of what is known today as the United Stated of America where it's called the Colonies of America. The Patriots, or the rebels whose lives are dedicated to damage the Republic's system, and June and Day head out for a dangerous mission and they're having second thoughts. 

In the second installment of the Legend trilogy, Day still proves to be the modern day Robin Hood. Although, being the opposite of June, he still fails to disregard his emotions in making decisions. It always weighs more than the consequences, and that's what I love about him the most. He loves wholly, it's his nature AND GAAAAH THAT ENDING. I remember finishing this book and just staring at a blank spot on the wall for minutes that seemed like hours... Was I the only one? Okay, then.

As for June.. Hmm, there's just so much to be said about her. I loved her kick-ass-ness (Is there such a word?) I loved how she's capable of putting the enormity of the decision first, then her emotions later. She reminds me so much of the heroine in CW's show Nikita. Although Nikita's the criminal and Michael is the one hunting her down! (You should totes watch that show!) But I didn't like her towards the end of the book. LIKE WHY DID YOU LET SOMEONE LIKE DANIEL ALTAN WING GO? ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND DOES NOT DO THAT

Though Prodigy wasn't as fat-paced as I expected, it still blew my mind. I loved how Lu made to plot focused on the problem at hand and not the romantic relationships between the characters. The way she introduced the secondary characters that proved to be integral in this series's end. I loved how she writes them in dual POVs. It's like watching the same event in two different TV screens put beside each other, I agree that for some, that doesn't sound indulging, but I am telling you right now that I just can't tell people how awesome this book is because it's like love. And love is complicated as it is great, so just go ahead and pick up a copy and sink you teeth into this one!

Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday: Landline by Rainbow Rowell

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's Waiting on Wednesday:

Landline

by Rainbow Rowell

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Expected Publication Date: July 8, 2014

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems besides the point now.

Maybe that was always besides the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts . . .
Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

___________________________________________________

It's written by Rainbow Rowell. I think that, alone, is enough reason why I should be excited to read this book. :-) 

___________________________________________________

About the Author:

Rainbow Rowell is the author of ATTACHMENTS. She has two novels coming out in 2013 -- ELEANOR & PARK in February and FANGIRL in the fall. 

Rainbow lives with her husband and two sons in Omaha, Nebraska. Right at this moment, she is probably arguing with someone about something that doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things -- or trying to figure out how Sherlock faked his death.Blog and other stuff at rainbowrowell.com.

Rainbow elsewhere: Twitter | Website 

Cover Reveal

So today Cora Carmack has revealed the amazing cover of the novella in her series Losing It. The novella's name is Seeking Her and it's cover model is gorgeous! Without further ado, here's the cover.

Seeking Her (Losing It, #3.5)

by Cora Carmack

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Release Date: January 28, 2014

Publisher: William Morrow Impulse

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks

A few months after being honorably discharged from the military, Jackson Hunt is still struggling to adjust back to the real world. He needs to get a job and find a sense of normalcy if he’s going to keep his own demons at bay. The job that falls into his lap, though, is anything but normal. 

Bodyguard (and baby-sitter) to spoiled-rich-girl Kelsey Summers isn’t exactly what he’d been looking for, but it’s a chance to travel, to get away from the home that has felt stifling ever since his return. It would be a pretty sweet gig if it weren’t for the fact that Kelsey’s father doesn’t want Kelsey to know she’s being followed. Hunt feels guilty (and a little bit creepy) as he watches her from afar. She’s vibrant and infuriating, exciting and reckless, mysterious and familiar. When he sees her falling into the same patterns that he suffered years ago, he decides it’s time to stop watching and help her instead. But getting to know her is more difficult than he thought, especially because the more he knows her,the more he wants her.