Friday, March 21, 2014

Taking Chances by Molly McAdams

Buy Links : Amazon , B&N

Kricket's Chirps : 4 out of 5, wait, 5 out of 5, no... ( I just don't know!)

Ultimately, this story deserves more than 4 chirps, but I just can't bring myself to do it.  I'm selfishly holding a grudge against this story for drawing me in and breaking my heart like a filthy Casanova. 

So, Harper...p.s. LOVE the name...back on topic.  Harper has been sheltered, but not really.  One would expect a girl like her, who's grown up on base around military boys, to be a bit more experienced.  But she's not, which is the first surprise of the story.  She's been the tomboy, now she's a bombshell.  The men love her, fall at her innocent little feet right out of the gate.  But she doesn't lure them in with intentions of being skanky, nor is she even really looking for love and happily ever after.  She just wants to live her life on her terms, not answering to anyone, not depending on anyone.

Until Brandon.  He steals her heart, and gives her the first kiss she's been waiting for.  He's sweet, he's sexy, he's possessive (in a good way) - he's everything you think you'd want to spend the rest of your life with.  Or is he?

Maybe it's Chase?  Maybe you want to spend your life with the bad boy, the boy so afraid of commitment he keeps his bedroom locked up, and picks up multiple girls a night.  Of course, you want to reform him first, and keep him and all his tattooed, muscled gorgeousness all to yourself.  You want to have that chance to say you were the one, enough to stop his philandering ways.  That's what every girl wants, right?  To be somebody's everything?  

But there's Brandon, with all his sweetness, who most girls can't get to.  He's safe.  He'll never break your heart.

Chase will, but you wonder if the pain is worth it.  No pain, no gain, right? 

Ugh, see, I just can't make up my mind.  I so wish it wasn't such a tough choice to make.  Both of the men in Harper's life made me insanely jealous that I'm not a fictional character vying for their attention.  But, then again, I would never want to be in Harper's position.  She had two wonderful men who loved her, and she loved them both, but one just not as much as the other.  That alone would be difficult to deal with.

But here's the kicker...the reason I just don't know if I can give it the 5th chirp.  The reason I love and loathe Molly McAdams.  She MASTERED the art of pain in fiction.  She took a chance, and she made it work.  I can't tell you what that chance is, but I can tell you, I will never be the same after reading this, and despite the pain I feel even thinking about it, I still read it a second time (and sobbed just as hard),  If you've read it, you know exactly what I'm referring to.  

So, here's my question for y'all.  Do you prefer a traditional story, with a little bit of tears, or do you want a story that grips the hell out of your emotions and doesn't let go until that last tear has been wrung out?  Tell me why on the post below, and you'll be entered to win a $5 Amazon or B&N gift card, your preference. 

Monday, March 17, 2014

St. Patty's Day Review : GIVING IN by M.R. Joseph (Giveaway at the bottom)

Buy Links : Amazon , B&N



Raphael Cruz doesn't do it. He just doesn't. Cruz doesn't fall in love. He's a "get in and get out" kind of guy. Ladies love him and fall all over him for his swoon worthy good looks and overwhelming sex appeal. He knows how to talk to them and tells them exactly what they want to hear. When he's done making them scream his name, he shows them straight to the door. The meaning of the word love doesn't exist in his world. But that could all change with a wink of a girl's eye... And one hot-as-hell romp in a bar bathroom.


Harlow Hannum is your typical girl-next-door. She has the brains, the beauty, and the money. What she doesn't have is the luxury of being someone's first choice in the game of love. She always comes in a distant second place, leaving her guarded with her feelings. Lies, betrayal, and secrets of her past follow her wherever she goes, no matter how hard she tries to hide them. That is until she's reunited with the one guy who can ignite the spark in her heart that's been extinguished for so long.

With sunny days, heated nights, and love lingering in the air in the beach town of Sandy Cove anything can happen. Especially when fate steps in for Harlow and Cruz. Will their blossoming friendship turn into unexpected love or will the collision of their opposing worlds be the end of what could have been?
 
 
 
Kricket's Chirps : 5  out of 5
 
The book definitely starts on a high note, one that will knock your socks off and leave you blushing.  And after such a pivotal scene, you wonder "WTF man?".
 
M.R. Joseph to me means humor, passion, and heartbreak.  With everyone of her stories she has had me blushing, laughing, crying and even feeling a bit embarrassed for the characters at some points in time.  For this reason, Giving In was highly anticipated for me.  And I was not disappointed.  Harlow and Cruz challenge each other.  Opposites attract.  I remember being asked, who wants a jelly on jelly sandwich when you can have peanut butter and jelly?  That's what these two are for me.  Harlow's personality is sweet with a bit of tart, Cruz is a crunchy peanut butter...he sticks with you, is overall smooth, but there are moments when you either chew or choke.  


 
One of the things that I loved about this was that they didn't just fall into a relationship with each other.  It took time.  They won each other over, became friends dependent on each other, and really didn't even know themselves when they fell in love.  Harlow is there for Cruz when he needs her, when he reveals that deep down he's a nervous little boy, despite his tough, womanizing exterior.  And Cruz treats her so well, supporting her independence and spoiling her in equal measure.
 

Then there is the trademark in all Joseph's stories...the heartbreak.  I kept waiting for it.  I thought maybe if I was prepared for it, I might avoid the ugly crying.  There were so many moments of trial for this couple, and every time I thought I had it figured out, they breezed through it.  Well, not exactly breezed through it, but it could have been so much worse.  And then it was.  I was absolutely wrecked.  And she did it in three words.  That's all it took.  
 

But despite those three words, she ended the book on such a beautiful note, even though it's a cliffhanger.  I was instantly left waiting for the second in the series.  This book only solidified why I adore this author.
 

 

 


 About the Author

I'm a book nerd turned writer who loves the 'Happily Ever After' mixed with a bit of suspense, drama, and the occasional cliffhanger! My love of books has brought me on my writing journey. I began writing my first book in July 2012 and since that time I have created 2 series. The first series, 'The Reunion Series' debuted in November 2012 and two books followed. You Belong With Me & Letters To Luca. Even though a series, each book is a stand alone giving you different stories about reunions. My new series which will be a continuation series called 'The Sandy Cove Series' will release in March 2014. The first book is entitled 'Giving In'. I'm still an avid reader and huge Indie Author supporter! Here's where you can find my books:

 


 

Haven't read it yet?  Leave a comment with your email address below and I'll choose 2 lucky winners to receive an e-copy for their enjoyment :)



 

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Unravel by Calia Read : Review



Six months ago, I was happy. I was simply Naomi Carradine. 

One month ago, I was admitted into a psych ward. 

Yesterday, Lachlan visited me. Kissed me. And told me that I’m starting to lose my mind. 

Hours later, Max haunted my thoughts, reminding me I’m not crazy and that he needs my help. 

A few minutes ago, I drifted further from reality, trying to unravel the past. 

And now...everyone thinks I’m insane. But, I know he's real, and I know he needs me. 

Do you believe me?




Ever wondered what it would be like in a psychiatric facility?  Ever read that book that is so twisted you wonder if the author is alright?  How about this...have you ever found yourself so intrigued by something that would normally make you shudder and reach for lollipops and gumdrops?

Calia gives us all of this in her newest release Unravel.

Naomi Carradine...for all intents and purposes is normal.  She's got her best friend, her boyfriend, and a lifestyle that most young women dream of.  Until she meets Max.  The sexy and intriguing entrepreneur sets about turning her life upside down in a single summer.

Returning home to be with her best friend, Lana, Naomi meets Max as the host of a party attended strictly to keep up appearances for Lana's family.  She's choosing to forget about the boy she fell in love with as a child, the one who loves her completely.  She's living her life on her terms...no fear, no judgment, no hesitations.

Until the noises.  Max drops Naomi at Lana's family home, but she doesn't enter the house.  A disturbance from the barn grabs her attention.  And more than Max, what she witnesses unravels her belief in her perfect reality.  Everything really is not what it seems, and Naomi loses her mind trying to identify the truth and save herself, and her friend, from the pain she only recently learned exists in life.

 Calia has always been an incredible story teller.  I do believe she's reached a new level with this one, though.   Your grasping at straws with each page, just trying to figure out what is really going on, who all these people are to each other, what role they will play in the end.  The more you try to understand, the more you want to commit yourself and sit right next to Naomi...telling your own story of how her life left you in shambles.

But what better way to keep that from happening than to ask the author herself?  Go ahead and post your questions below.  Calia will be stopping by to answer a few questions later today, and I'll be giving an e-copy of the book to a few lucky people.  Make it good...Calia's only answering her favorites ;)


 



UNRAVEL Buy Links :






Calia Read lives in Germany with her husband and their four kids.
She's currently working on the third book in the Sloan Brothers Series, Ruin You Completely.
 Connect with her on Social Media Platforms :






Also, don't forget to enter for a chance to win one of the great prizes Calia is giving away to celebrate her new release below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Check out these other stops on the tour as well!



March 10th
Vilma’s Book Blog – Review and Excerpt
Sinfully Sexy Books – Review and Guest Post (inspiration behind story)
March 11th
Reading Books Like a Boss – Review and Playlist
Angie’s Dreamy Reads – Review and Excerpt
March 12th
March 13th
Kricket’s Chirp – Review and Q&A with Author
March 14th
Three Chicks and Their Books  - Review and Author interview
A Love Affair with Books – Review and Author Interview
Shh Moms Reading – Review and Deleted Scene
 




Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Back in the saddle...

Let's give this another shot.

I created this blog as an outlet for my reading obsession.  My TBR list is crazy long, and I need a place to store the information that filters through reading all these wonderful books.  However, a year ago when I started this page, I had no idea that I would end up pregnant a month later, and struggle with nausea every minute of every day until my little bundle of joy joined us.  I tell ya, when you can't even stand to open your eyes, it makes reading impossible.  Now that he has been here for a few months and we're settled into a routine, I have big plans for this little blog.  Hopefully I can get you all on board with me.  :)

In addition to sponsored blog tours, I'm going to be setting up a standard monthly giveaway.  This giveaway will be visitors choice.  The rules? 

I'm going to post a roll call for my viewers.  On that post, I want a recommendation from each of you.  Each month, I will pick one of the suggested titles to read and review.  When I post my review (a week after the selection), one of the comments that day will earn a lucky visitor an e-copy of the title.  There may also be chances for hard copies, and maybe signed copies.

So stick around, kids.  Feed the addiction, mine and yours!