Showcase Sunday #98

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

Free Kindle Books

  

After reading a Denise Grover Swank book and loving it I thought I would try some of her other books and I was so happy that I found this one for free.

Kindle Review Books

  

  

These all sound really interesting and I'm really looking forward to reading them all.

What did you receive this week?

Book Review: Her Perfect Game (Hot & Nerdy, #2) by Shannyn Schroeder

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US |

Format: earc

Publishers: eKensington

Published: 27th October 2014

Pages: 112

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Charlie, Jonah
Date Read: 17th September - 22nd September 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Spring break is supposed to be a week of fun in the sun for three childhood friends about to graduate from college. But one of them is ready to get her game on somewhere else…
Charlie Castle is an expert archer and a fierce warrior—in her favorite video game, anyway. But college life was a program she couldn't quite master. To land a cybertech job without a degree, she's entering a "hackfest" over spring break—where she also hopes to meet the sweet gamer who's been flirting with her online. Instead, she runs into the hot guy who walked away years ago, and can't fight the desire that comes rushing back. 
Jonah Best has never gotten over Charlie, whose kisses were always as deliciously creative as her coding. But now that they're face to face again, he doesn't know how to admit that her online admirer is really him—or how to convince her that he's offering her a job for her incredible skills, not her sex appeal. Can Jonah cut through their communication glitches and persuade Charlie that the next level up for them should be forever?

I really enjoyed the first book in this series so when I saw this one on netgalley I thought I would request it, the only thing was this one was no where near as good as the first one...

I do like these covers for this series. The main thing I like about these covers is the use of colour as I feel like they look so much more effective than they would've done without the colour.

When I first started this book I was a little disappointed that we had gone back to the beginning of the story but with it being with Charlie this time I was able to forgive it. There was a little confusion in the first chapter as Charlie started playing a game and it had so much detail that I forgot that it wasn't actually real life so I did get a bit mixed up there. I did start liking this story once Jonah came onto the scene and I loved that we got to her his side of the story as well as it's always interesting to get the guys perspective. The romance side of the book was completely unbelievable I just didn't feel invested in it. I think that with these books only being short reads it makes everything feel rush with no real closure which is a shame because maybe if the book was longer everything would flow better. I just didn't like the ending as it felt rush as one minute Charlie was saying she couldn't trust Jonah then the next minute she was in love and then it ended it felt rather abrupt to me and very much one sided. With me now knowing that the next book will go back to the beginning I feel like we will not get the ending each of these stories deserve.

While writing this review I still don't know what I feel about the characters especially Charlie. She started off an interesting character that was a strong independent women but the more I got to know about her the more she annoyed me. For the most part I actually liked Jonah as he seemed the most decent character and I could tell he loved Charlie I just couldn't see it from Charlie's side. What I don't understand about Jonah was why he left her three years ago without a word even if you think its helping you wouldn't leave without saying something especially if you love that person.

Overall I felt let down with the second book but I'm still holding out for the last instalment.

Waiting on Wednesday - Until the End by Abbi Glines

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

Here's this week's book I can't wait for...

Until the End (Sea Breeze, #9) by Abbi Glines

Expected Publication: 28th October 2014

Synopsis:
The backstory that fans have been clamoring for—how Rock and Trisha fell in love—is the final installment in the Sea Breeze series from New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines. And don’t miss the sizzling Epilogue, where Abbi wraps up all the Sea Breeze couples’ stories!
Trisha Corbin always knew how to hide a bruise. With her momma’s boyfriends unable to keep their hands off of her, she had no choice. And as long as it meant the guys wouldn’t go near her little brother, Krit, it was worth it. But her days of dreaming that Prince Charming would ever come rescue her are far, far in the past.
Rock Taylor always had a plan. Through football, he would rise above the life he was born into. A full ride to play for a major college team was within his reach—assuming he didn’t let anything get in his way. But scoring a date with the hottest girl in Sea Breeze was proving harder than expected. Trisha Corbin was every man’s walking fantasy, and she wouldn’t even glance his way. 
When Rock finally does get Trisha in his truck, it isn’t for a date. It’s because he picks her up on the side of the road, beaten and bruised and walking to the local hospital. Before Rock knows it, football is no longer his life. Trisha Corbin is. And he’ll do anything to save her. And keep her.
In addition to Rock and Trisha’s love story, this special novel contains the wrap-up stories of all your favorite Sea Breeze couples: Sadie and Jax, Marcus and Low, Cage and Eva, Preston and Amanda, Jess and Jason, Krit and Blythe, and Dewayne and Sienna.

I have only read the first two in the Sea Breeze series but already I am excited for this book especially with it having a wrap-up story on each of the couples.


What are you waiting on?

Book Review: Reluctantly Royal (Suddenly, #3) by Nichole Chase

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US |

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Avon Books

Published: 26th August 2014

Pages: 384

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Max, Meredith
Date Read: 10th September - 17th September 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Maxwell Jameson Trevor, prince of Lilaria, hates his royal role. Despising the limelight, he takes solace in his art studio and steers clear of any drama. But when one of the newly discovered royals passes away, Maxwell's brother Alex asks him to break the news to the old man's granddaughter. Though he hates to be the bearer of doom and gloom, he doesn't want the poor girl to find out from the tabloids. For Maxwell knows all too well how devastating that could be.
Coming from a broken home and modest background, newly ordained Lady Meredith Thysmer has seized her chance to make a better life for herself and her son. She's not afraid to use her best assets to get what she wants. But when the unpretentious yet devastatingly handsome Max delivers his news, her plans for the future come crashing to a halt. In the challenging days ahead, Max's compassion, humor, and steadfast loyalty to Meredith and her son win her over. She quickly finds herself doing something she swore would never happen again: falling in love. And yet Maxwell still refuses to completely drop his guard. Somehow Meredith's got to find a way to seduce this reluctant royal.

I received this book for my birthday and seeing how I loved the previous books in the Suddenly series I thought I would start it straight away and I'm glad I did...

This cover is ever so slightly different to the previous book as they had the female character on the front this time around we have Max. I am so happy about this as the model used is gorgeous and I could imagine him as Max.

As soon as I started this book I knew I was going to adore this book just as much as the first one maybe even more well that was until the end. I know that I should stop giving books 5 stars when I can say something about the book that I don't like but for this series I just can't do it as everything else was perfection. There was a lot of different emotions for me throughout this book, first there was sadness and then there was anger but above all there was plenty of humour which is always a plus for me. The romance for me was so beautifully written with their chemistry leaping off the pages. As well as a romance novel this book had a lot of family issues which was a great edition to this story as it makes the whole story more believeable as it says to me not everything is perfect. As I said before the ending let me down a bit as yes there was a few questions answered however there was a lot left unanswered and with this being the final book I thought everything would be cleared up wrapped up in a nice little bow but that just wasn't to be.

I love most of the characters in this book and it was also nice to see other characters from the previous books to lay a part in this story. I was always excited about Max's book especially after the second book as he had this humour that I loved so imagine my delight when for the first time in this series we got alternating pov's with Max being one of them. With us getting some of the story from Max's side I was able to get a better understanding of him. As well as his humour he also had a vulnerable side which I actually like in the male characters as it makes them feel more real and because of all this and the way he was with Marty I just adore him just as much as his brother. Meredith was a surprise for me as in the previous book I thought she was going to be a gold digger but that wasn't the case in fact she was rather independent. Like Max we also see a vulnerable side to Meredith as well which when we had her side told I completely understood her wall that she had put up around her. One of the stand out characters for me (apart from the brothers) would have to be Meredith's six year old son Marty. He was so funny but he also broke my heart when he was upset.

Overall I have adored this complete series and I am so sad that it has come to an end!

Showcase Sunday #97

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

Kindle Book Bought

I had to get this on my kindle as it was on offer for only 99p so I just couldn't say no to this book.

Free Kindle Books

  

  

I have had a few of these authors other books but I still haven't read them yet but these sounded too good to refuse.

Review Kindle Books

  

  

  

Looking forward to all these new earc books but none more than The Fine Art of Pretending which was my WOW post not so long ago!

What did you receive this week?

Book Review: Saving Grace (Mad World, #2) by Christine Zolendz

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | 

Format: Kindle

Publishers: Indie

Published: 5th October 2012

Pages: 464

Genre: Adult, Paranormal Romance

Main Characters: Grace, Shane
Date Read: 11th September - 16th September 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
After spending over 2,000 years being a lost soul looking for the angel I was forbidden to fall in love with, I finally found him. Lucky for me he has taken up residence inside the hot body of NYC’s local bad boy, tattooed rock star, Shane Maxton. Turns out, not only is he absolutely perfect, so is the whole Grace Taylor life that I’m stuck in. The only problem is Gabriel. An archangel who wants me all to himself so he kind of kidnaps me. Now I have to find my way back and hope everything works out…

“Oh, and let’s not forget that there seems to be a gang of idiotic, fallen angels after me. Honestly, they could all kiss my ass.” 

After enjoying the first book in the Mad World series I just knew I had to read the next book and I'm so glad I did as it was by far better than the first one...

The cover is slightly better than Fall from Grace as this one fills the page more and even though this one has the models head cropped out I still seem to see them from the description of Grace and Shane. I love the font of the title as it adds the guitar into it which is fitting for this series.

I find it hard to rate this book as in the very beginning I actually couldn't get into it as it was far too confusing but then all of a sudden I didn't want to put it down and when I HAD to put it down I just kept thinking about it. I know with there being a part of this book that I didn't like I should have knocked down the rating but in the end I just didn't have it in me as I just loved the rest of it too much that more than made up for the beginning. There was so many moments that had me laughing out loud it was just so funny although there was a few moments that where really sad and had me hyperventilating! The chemistry between Grace and Shane was so hot I felt like I could feel what each of them was feeling. As for the paranormal side of the story it was a little more focused on than it was in the first book but just like the first one I forgot that it was a paranormal book. There was so many twists and turns that had me guessing and most of them I didn't guess which is always good as it makes it unpredictable which makes a change. The ending was so sweet and even though this is the end there is another book but from Shane's pov but this will be back to the beginning but I for one can't wait and hopefully the ending will be extended.

With me already getting a feel for all the characters in the first book I didn't think I would've known them inside and out but no there was so much more that we got to know about the two main characters which was for the better in the most part. Grace has now become one of my favourite ever female characters as she is so funny, whitty, feisty but also vulnerable at the the same time. It was the same for Shane as he is also now one of my favourite male characters every with his bad boy attitude that has a softer side to him where Grace is concerned. I loved seeing more from both Grace and Shane's friends as they where all so funny.

Overall the beginning may have been a bit confusing but the rest of the book is far too good that I was able to forgive it.

“Then let me in, because I promise you, I will pick up every little broken piece of you, every single fucking piece, Grace, and for the rest of my fucking life, I will put you back together… I’ll make you whole again.” 

Waiting on Wednesday - Conspiracy Girl by Sarah Alderson

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

Here's this week's book I can't wait for...

Conspiracy Girl by Sarah Alderson

Expected Publication: 12th February 2015

Synopsis:
Everybody knows about the Cooper Killings – the Bel Air home invasion that rocked the nation.There was only one survivor - a sixteen year-old girl.And though the killers were caught they walked free.
Now eighteen, Nic Preston - the girl who survived - is trying hard to rebuild her life. She’s security conscious to the point of paranoia and her only friend is a French Mastiff bulldog, but she’s making progress. She’s started college in New York and has even begun dating.
But then one night her apartment is broken into and the life Nic’s worked so hard to create is shattered in an instant. 
Finn Carter - hacker, rule breaker, player – is the last person Nic ever wants to see again. He’s the reason her mother’s killers walked free from court. But as the people hunting her close in, Nic has to accept that her best and possibly only chance of staying alive is by keeping close to Finn and learning to trust the person she’s sworn to hate.
Fleeing across a snowbound New England, frantically trying to uncover the motive behind the murders, Nic and Finn come to realize the conspiracy is bigger than they could ever have suspected. But the closer they get to the truth and the closer they get to each other, the greater the danger becomes.
To survive she has to stay close to him.To keep her safe he has to keep his distance.

I have read a couple of Sarah Alderson books this year and loved them all so I am hoping I can continue on with that trend next year and from the sound of that synopsis I'm sure it's going to be another hit on Alderson's hands.


What are you waiting on? 

Book Review: Her Best Shot (Hot & Nerdy, #1) by Shannyn Schroeder

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US |

Format: earc

Publishers: eKensington

Published: 29th September 2014

Pages: 130

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Main Characters: Layla, Phin
Date Read: 7th September - 10th September 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
With college graduation looming, three childhood friends vow to make spring break their last blast of pure fun. But at least one of them didn’t count on such incredible heat… 
Layla Sharpe is definitely more math ninja than bikini babe, and her future has been calculated with razor precision. Convinced to let loose over spring break, Layla is finally ready to party—until her car breaks down halfway to her destination, leaving her stranded in Georgia with a mouthwateringly hot pool shark. She knows more than enough about angles to learn the game, but this week she wants him to appreciate her curves… 
Phin Marks has never met a girl like Layla. She’s more Star Wars geek than seductress, and when he offers her a place to stay while her car is in the shop, he’s counting on the attraction between them to set the nights ablaze, no strings attached. But every moment he spends with Layla makes it harder to let her go. Can he persuade her to gamble in the most dangerous way possible…on forever?

Found this little gem on netgalley which sounded like the kind of book that I have been loving a lot recently and I wasn't wrong this was a really good short book...

I'm not a huge fan but the main reason way would be the male model as I just don't see him as Phin as for most of the book he had long hair. I do like the colour as I think it makes this particular cover stand out over the usual new adult covers.

This book had me from the very first moment as Schroeder was able to paint a vivid picture for me to feel like I was watching a film. With it being a short book I thought it was going to leave vital information out but for the most part I was wrong but there was a couple of occasions that I felt where missing. The chemistry between the two main characters was hot it just seemed to sizzle of the pages which I always love in my new adult, contemporary romance books. There was quite a few moments that had me laughing out loud which I wasn't expecting but there was also some touching moments as well. The ending I liked but I just wanted more and I'm not sure I will get this in the next couple of books but I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I loved both of the two main characters and I think that was because it was mainly them with hardly any other focus a=on any other characters apart from glimpses of what's to come with the next two female characters Charlie and Felicity. Layla came across as this fiery woman with bundles of confidence but the more we found out about her the more we found that wasn't the case as she had a vulnerable side that didn't always get shown but when it did it made me feel for her. I loved Phin he was a great male character as he had the bad boy attitude but again the more we found out about him the more we see that it's just a front who has a more sweeter side than he lets on.

Overall this is a short but sweet book and I for one can't wait to continue on with this series and any other books that Shannyn may have out.

Book Review: Possess by Gretchen McNeil

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Buy: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository

Format: Paperback

Publishers: Balzer + Bray

Published: 21st August 2012

Pages: 400

Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance

Main Characters: Bridget, Matt
Date Read: 2nd September - 9th September 2014

Rating Given:

Synopsis:
Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her overprotective mom, by Matt Quinn, the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, the voices are demons—and Bridget possesses the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from. Literally.
Terrified to tell her friends or family about this new power, Bridget confides in San Francisco's senior exorcist, Monsignor Renault, who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her freakish new role, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. And when one of her oldest friends is killed, Bridget realizes she's in deeper than she ever thought possible. Now she must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone else close to her winds up dead—or worse, the human vessel for a demon king.

Rule #1: Do not show fear.
Rule #2: Do not show pity.
Rule #3: Do not engage.
Rule #4: Do not let your guard down.
Rule #5: They lie.

I have had this book sitting on my shelf for a couple of years now and finally I picked it up and I did enjoy it but I didn't love it...

I love the cover for this book is it one of my all time favourite covers as it stands out over most covers. I love the use of colour but most of all I love the creepy feel to it as it ties in with the book which is always a plus for me.

For me this book I only enjoyed it while I was reading it as when I put it down I didn't feel like I wanted to pick it back up. I haven't read many creepy books so this was new to me and I do feel like I could try more creepy books as this one was a good start. There was a lot of dark and sad moments but there was some funny and sweet moments that balanced everything out. I loved the suspense throughout this book as you never knew what was going to happen next and sometimes I was surprised with some of the outcome. With the romance side of the story I'm still not sure what to think as one minute it seemed like Bridget didn't like Matt then the next thing she didn't hate him anymore. I kind of liked the end as things were cleared up but I do feel like it was left open for a series but I'm not sure that is going to happen anytime soon but I will keep my eyes open to see if there is another one as I'm sure if there was it would just get better as this seemed more like a world building book.

With these characters I liked them but there wasn't one that I loved they where just nice enough. Bridget had a lot to deal with so I could forgive her whiny moments but I did think she was a bit self indulgent. I liked Matt he was sweet even when he had every right not to be considering the way Bridget treated him in the beginning of the book but no he was just always there for her.

Overall for my first Gretchen McNeil book it was a good start and will gladly pick up her other books.

“She felt like a baton getting passed along in a relay race, completely devoid of any control over her destiny.” 

Showcase Sunday #96 (Birthday Edition)

Showcase Sunday is a weekly Meme that I am taking part of. This weekly meme is hosted by Vicky over at Book, Biscuits and Tea.

Click images to take you to Goodreads.

It was my Birthday on Monday 8th September which I got a few books which I'll tell you about in a bit but first off here is my book related presents. There was a few other bits that I received but won't mention them all but I did love them just as much as my books!
I also went to a little cafe that was called Once Upon a Time! I also went to see The Guest at the cinema's which has Dan Stephens in it which was really good even if it was gorier than I thought it would be.

  

So the first one I know I shouldn't love being as I'm a huge book lover and this had 'defaced' an actual book (The Take by Martina Cole) but it's so clever and loves amazing. The second piture is of my new kindle cover as my previous one was ruined. As for the last picture that is of my book ends but seeing as there is no end to my books I put them together maybe one day I could actually use them as intended. 

I also went to see Lee Evans on 12th September which let me tell yoou if you haven't seen this man live what are you waiting for? He is absolutely brilliant, so funny and very much humble.

Book Birthday Presents

  

So glad that I received all of these books as I have waited for them for so long. I have already started Reluctantly Royal which so far is amazing!

Free Kindle Books

  

  

Review Kindle Books

  

  

 

What did you get this week?