Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Broken Beautiful Hearts by Kami Garcia

**From the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, comes BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS—a red-hot romance that will break your heart and put it back together again! Don’t miss this stunning new title from Kami Garcia!**

BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS releases on February 6, 2018. Pre-order your copy today!

From #1 New York Times–bestselling author Kami Garcia comes a red-hot romance that will break your heart and put it back together again.

Her heart has to break before it can open.

When star soccer player Peyton Rios receives an offer from her first-choice college, senior year starts off exactly as planned. But when Peyton uncovers her boyfriend’s dark secret, she confronts him—and finds herself falling down a flight of stairs. Peyton’s knee—and maybe her dream of going pro—is shattered. Everyone is talking: Was she pushed, or did she fall? Peyton knows the truth, even if no one believes her.

He has to let someone in before it’s too late.

With her future on the line, Peyton goes to stay with her uncle in a small Tennessee town to focus on her recovery. Dating is the last thing on her mind—until she meets sweet, sexy Owen Law.

But Peyton doesn’t trust her heart, especially when she senses that Owen is hiding something. When their secrets are finally exposed, Peyton has to decide if love is worth fighting for.

Preorder BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS here!

Pre-Order a digital or print edition of BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia and be the first to hear an exclusive announcement from Kami about her next book--a secret project her publisher is keeping under wraps!

**Fans of Beautiful Creatures, Dangerous Creatures, and The Legion series won't want to miss this exciting news!**

This is a limited time offer! So hurry! Registration ends on February 28, 2018! You must register your preorder to receive the exclusive announcement from Kami!

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

“Something wonderful happened to me as I read this—I fell in love. Genuine, shattering, deep, heart-pounding love. Thank you, Kami Garcia, for Peyton and Owen. We need their story." —Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe

Broken Beautiful Hearts promised that it would break my heart and put it back together again, and it did just that. This book was an emotional roller coaster that was full of so many interesting twists and turns. Reading this book reminded me why I love Kami Garcia's writing so much!

A large portion of the plot focuses on abusive relationships. I have no personal experiences with abusive relationships, but it is so important to have these topics brought up in books. I felt like the author handled this topic in an honest and realistic way. The author not only focused on what happened within the relationship but also focused on how people outside of the relationship reacted. It was heartbreaking to see the main character go through the abuse and hate that she did. This story is so important for this plot point alone.

The main character of this book, Peyton, was a piece of work, to say the least. She was a character that I hated at first but then grew to love. I really didn't like her for a while because she came off as extremely rude, narcissistic, petty, and superficial. However, she really flourished throughout the book. Peyton became such a strong, brave, and ambitious girl as the book continued. She was constantly being put down and accused of lying, but she stuck to her story and wouldn't let others convince her to change her story. There were still moments throughout the book when I wanted to shake some sense into her, but I am glad I end the book liking her a lot more than I did in the beginning.

There were also some side characters that were really enjoyable in this book. Owen, the love interest, was freaking adorable. I really enjoyed getting to know his character and swooning for him and his cuteness. His romance with Peyton was perfectly paced and was full of hilarious banter. Petyon's cousins were also a lot of fun! They were kind of crazy and a bit out there, but I loved their dedication to Peyton and Peyton's dedication to them.

Overall, this was a powerful and addictive contemporary novel. If you are looking for a book that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, then I would recommend checking this book out!

4 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *

This is not how I envisioned celebrating my big news. I reach for my phone to check the time, wondering if it’s too early to head home. But it isn’t in my pocket. Nothing but lip balm, house keys, and Reed’s car keys. God forbid he carry anything except his phone. I pat down my coat. “I lost my phone.”

“It’s probably in the car, like the last three times you lost it. I need to run to the bathroom and then I’ll help you find it,” Tess says.

The line for the bathroom is six people deep. I can’t wait that long. “All my voice mails are on it.”

Tess knows that by all I really mean one—the last message from my dad. It’s the reason I’ve had the same phone for a year and a half, even though it barely holds a charge.

“I bet it’s in the car,” she says. “Don’t worry.”

“I’m just going to run out and check.” I leave through the back door.

Outside, a stone retaining wall snakes down the hill beside the house. The wall separates a paved footpath from the long driveway. My arm scrapes against the rock as I rush toward the steps at the end of the walk- way that lead down to the street.

Reed parked his car across from the steps, and I can’t get it unlocked fast enough. I search for my phone in the front seat and between the crevices of the center console.

Nothing.

Think. Retrace your steps.

When we got in Reed’s car I tossed my jacket in the back seat. My phone could’ve fallen out of the pocket. I lean between the front seats and grope around.

Come on. Please be here.

What if it’s not?

My chest tightens. I can’t lose Dad’s message.

Reed’s car is full of junk—hand wraps, sparring pads, sweaty T-shirts, and empty energy drinks. His smelly gym bag is open on the floor. I dig through it until my fingers hit something rectangular and smooth.

A box.

I take it out of the bag, expecting a cheap plastic box like one Reed uses as a first aid kit. But this box is glossy black cardboard, like a gift box.

Reed doesn’t do surprises, and he thinks presents are a waste of money. The only gift he has given me in the seven months we’ve been together was for my birthday. And Tess and Mrs. Michaels don’t have birthdays anytime soon.

My stomach bottoms out.

All the time he’s been spending at the gym . . . What if Reed hasn’t been there every night?

Things have been off between us for a while and I’m not a fan of his recent mood swings, but I’d never cheat on him. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t.

The box doesn’t have a store name or logo printed on it, and it’s a weird size—too big for a bracelet and too deep for a necklace. A watch, maybe?

I open the lid.

Kami Garcia is the #1 New York Times, USA Today & international bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures and Dangerous Creatures novels. BEAUTIFUL CREATURES has been published in 50 countries and translated in 39 languages, and the film Beautiful Creatures released in theaters in 2013, from Warner Brothers. Kami’s solo series, The Legion, includes the instant New York Times bestseller UNBREAKABLE, and the sequel UNMARKED, both of which were nominated for Bram Stoker Awards. Her other works include THE X-FILES ORIGINS: AGENT OF CHAOS and the YA contemporary novels THE LOVELY RECKLESS and the forthcoming BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS (February 2018). Kami was a teacher for seventeen years before co-authoring her first novel on a dare from seven of her students. If she isn’t busy watching Supernatural, Kami can teach you how to escape from a pair of handcuffs or bake a Coca-Cola cake. She lives in Maryland with her family, and their dogs Spike and Oz (named after characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Visit Kami at www.KamiGarcia.com.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumbler | Instagram | Snapchat | YouTube

Kami Garcia’s BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

January 29^th

Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt

Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC – Review & Excerpt

Read. Eat. Love. – Review & Excerpt

The Book Maven – Review

January 30^th

Angie and Jessica's Dreamy Reads – Review & Excerpt

Bibliobibuli YA – Excerpt

Kelly's Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf – Review & Excerpt

Moonlighting Scrivener – Review

Resch Reads and Reviews – Review

January 31^st

Booknerd1107 – Review & Excerpt

Loves Great Reads Blog – Review & Excerpt

MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

YA/NA Book Divas – Excerpt

February 1^st

A Page to Turn – Review

Dazzled by Books – Review & Excerpt

Ellie Is Uhm ... A Bookworm – Review & Excerpt

Mundie Moms – Review & Excerpt

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Friction by Sandra Brown

Title: Friction

Author: Sandra Brown

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Release Date: August 18th 2015

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown comes a gripping story of family ties and forbidden attraction.

A Texas Ranger, relegated to deskwork due to past recklessness, petitions to regain custody of his five-year-old daughter, and his case is assigned to a family court judge who is as attractive as she is ambitious. When a masked gunman barges in during the custody hearing with his sights on the judge, the Ranger reacts instinctually and goes after him. But authorities apprehend the wrong man, and the real gunman remains unknown, at large, and a threat. Will this take-charge lawman jeopardize his chances of custody by going after the would-be assassin? And will this unlikely pair be able to deny the forbidden attraction building between them?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

This was a great book from beginning to end. Classic Sandra Brown!

I'm a huge fan of SB. All her novels are awesome. They have great suspense with great romance too. Friction is not any different.

Friction begins when Texas Ranger Crawford Hunt is attending the custody hearing for his daughter Georgia. Crawford made many mistakes but now he's ready to regain custody of Georgia. Just when he's about to hear the verdict from Judge Holly Spencer, a masked gunman shows up in the courtroom and starts firing. Crawford goes into Texas Ranger mode and protects the judge.

Holly Spencer is in a full campaign trying to make her judge seat a permanent one. Her contender is annoying and a bully and she knows she will do a better job than him. Holly lives in a black and white world. She's a rule follower. She follows the law and she wants everyone to do the same. Meeting Crawford will change her mind.

As with other books by Sandra Brown, Friction is action-packed and there was a sense of urgency. Urgency to get to the bottom of who was behind the shooting and trying to stop him/her before more people get hurt. I was turning the pages like crazy because I needed to know. I love when I'm so taken by a book that nothing else matters. Sandra Brown always achieves this with me.

The only drawback was the lack of Epilogue.

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Title: Passenger

Series: Passenger

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Release Date: January 5, 2016

Passage, n.

i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.

ii. A journey by water; a voyage.

iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.

In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. And she’s inherited a legacy she knows nothing about from a family whose existence she’s never heard of. Until now.

Nicholas Carter is content with his life at sea, free from the Ironwoods—a powerful family in the colonies—and the servitude he’s known at their hands. But with the arrival of an unusual passenger on his ship comes the insistent pull of the past that he can’t escape and the family that won’t let him go so easily. Now the Ironwoods are searching for a stolen object of untold value, one they believe only Etta, Nicholas’ passenger, can find. In order to protect her, he must ensure she brings it back to them—whether she wants to or not.

Together, Etta and Nicholas embark on a perilous journey across centuries and continents, piecing together clues left behind by the traveler who will do anything to keep the object out of the Ironwoods’ grasp. But as they get closer to the truth of their search, and the deadly game the Ironwoods are playing, treacherous forces threaten to separate Etta not only from Nicholas but from her path home... forever.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“It matters not who you love, but only the quality of such a love. A flower is no less beautiful because it does not bloom in the expected form. Because it lasts an hour, and not days.”

I was hoping for a more interesting story.

The first few chapters were slow, painfully slow. Later on, the story picked up but it never made me ahh in amazement.

Passenger is a time-traveling novel. The heroine Etta Spencer lives in the current millennium and her only goal is to continue to play the violin as a professional. On the day of her debut, she is forced to learn her family's secret. She can time travel. Next thing she knows, she's back on a ship in the eighteen hundreds. She has been taken there by Sofia Ironwoods, whose grandfather has taken a monopoly of all the families who are able to time travel. Etta is forced to travel and search for an object or her mother will pay for it. In an unexpected set of events, Etta will have the company of Nicholas Carter through her mission. Nicholas had stopped traveling after an unfortunate event and was content living his life at sea until he was pulled to do this job. He has a dual reason for taking the task. One, he doesn't want Etta doing it alone. Two, Ironwoods possess the ability to give Nicholas what he desires the most.

I did like both Etta and Nicholas. What I didn't like was the insta-love. Nothing turns me off faster than an insta-love situation. I was hoping for a different outcome. I liked that Nicholas was African American, and I liked the question the author raised in regards to their relationship if it were to occur in the past.

I do enjoy time-traveling books (hello Outlander <3) and that's something which didn't deter me from reading Passenger. The last third of the book was the most entertaining and with sufficient action. The cliffhanger was a killer and it does make me want to read the second book. Hopefully, it is better than this one.

Cliffhanger: Yes

2.5/5 Fangs

Bad for You by J. Daniels

Title: Bad for You
Series: Dirty Deeds
Author: J. Daniels
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: January 23, 2018

Shayla Perkins isn’t the kind of girl who makes the same mistake twice, especially when it comes to Sean “Stitch” Molina. So when he gives her the world’s biggest rejection, that’s it—she’s done. Until the sexy, silent, unavailable Sean makes Shay a very personal offer. Of course, it still doesn’t mean he’s interested in her. Or does it?

Sean has done things in life. Bad things. And he’s paid the price. All he wants now is to make up for his past by doing good in the present. And no one deserves more good than Shay. Beautiful on the inside and out, Shay is the kind of woman who should be cared for and protected—especially from a man like Sean. He’s tried to keep his feelings for her in check, but a single, reckless impulse pulls them closer than ever before.

Soon the two are sharing their biggest dreams and satisfying their deepest desires. But what will happen if the only way to truly give one another want they want most . . . is to let each other go?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Bad for You was absolutely fabulous! I loved it!!

Now, confession time.....This is my first book by J. Daniels (what's wrong with me????) but I know now that I love her writing style. It's reminiscent of Kristen Ashley's earlier work which I'm a huge fan of.

I believe J. Daniels gave us a sweet romance between a down-on-his-luck hero and a heroine who has a heart of gold. Not only that, she gave me my first 5 Fangs for 2018!

Shayla Perkins is a part-time waitress at Whitecaps restaurants. When Sean Molina started working there, she opened up to him and told him most of her dreams establishing a friendship with him until he made it clear, he was not interested in her. However, when Shay needs help with a family emergency, surprise surprise Mr. Broody is ready to help her without her asking. This gives Shay a chance to get to know Stitch better and get under his skin, realizing his horrible upbringing.

Sean "Stitch" Molina is not worthy of anything good in life. At least, this is what he's sure of. He believes he doesn't deserve happiness after all the mistakes he has made. So, when pretty Shah showed some interest in him, she had to push her away until he couldn't any longer, betraying his attraction.

I love Shay and Sean. They were so different and yet so perfect for each other. Shay was always trying to find the positive in life. She was honest, sweet and determined. She gave Sean exactly what he needed. She was supportive and assertive. Now, Sean, he broke my heart. Poor guy couldn't catch a break. He deserved to be loved and to be happy. I'm glad he had Shay. She was the balm he needed.

I really can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Hazel Wood (The Hazel Wood #1)
by Melissa Albert

Hardcover, 368 pages

Published January 30th 2018 by Flatiron Books

ISBN: 1250147905

Goodreads

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

Amazon

B&N

The Hazel Wood was a dark, gritty and unique novel. I was intrigued by this story from beginning to end. There was something so consuming and addictive about this book. The author's writing style was captivating and whimsical, I loved it.

The plot of this book was interesting, but there were times when the book felt a bit slow. There were a lot of times when the book was so descriptive that it felt like the plot wasn't actually moving anywhere. As I said, I loved the writing, however, I do wish there would have been more excitement and fast-paced plot development throughout the story. The plot that was introduced was so intriguing and I would love to see it developed even more in a sequel.

The main character, Alice, was an intriguing and compelling character. However, it was really hard to warm up to her due to how rude she was. I definitely would not categorize her as a likable character, but I appreciated how flawed she was. Alice made a lot of decisions that annoyed me and said things that pissed me off, but at least I understood where she was coming from. A lot of things happened to Alice and I admired her strength. I don't really like Alice, but I appreciate her character.

Overall, this was a truly unique and memorable novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a dark and eerie story.

3 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Published January 30th 2018 by Berkley

Goodreads

A groomsman and his last-minute guest are about to discover if a fake date can go the distance in a fun and flirty debut novel.

Agreeing to go to a wedding with a guy she gets stuck with in an elevator is something Alexa Monroe wouldn't normally do. But there's something about Drew Nichols that's too hard to resist.

On the eve of his ex's wedding festivities, Drew is minus a plus one. Until a power outage strands him with the perfect candidate for a fake girlfriend...

After Alexa and Drew have more fun than they ever thought possible, Drew has to fly back to Los Angeles and his job as a pediatric surgeon, and Alexa heads home to Berkeley, where she's the mayor's chief of staff. Too bad they can't stop thinking about the other...

They're just two high-powered professionals on a collision course toward the long distance dating disaster of the century--or closing the gap between what they think they need and what they truly want...

Amazon

B&N

Alexa danced with Lauren, letting the movement and the laughter shake away her annoying thoughts. When she felt a hand on her waist, she turned to see Drew behind her and laughed again, at how ridiculous the evening had been and how much fun she was suddenly having. He took ahold of one of her hands and swung her around to face him and laughed back down at her. Other members of the wedding party joined their group and danced with and around them, but song after song came on, and he never moved from her side.

“Water?” he said in her ear after they’d been on the dance floor for a long time.

“Yes, please.” She walked with him over to the bar.

She glanced up at the ornate clock over the bar, surprised at how late it had gotten. And how much she didn’t want this night to end. Damn it, it had been fun to be Drew’s fake girlfriend, but she knew that once the clock struck midnight, so to speak, the fairy tale would be all over.

He leaned against the bar, his jacket off, his bow tie untied, a little sweaty and disheveled from dancing. Good Lord, this guy was hot.

He rolled up his sleeves, exposing his tan forearms. She wanted to run her fingers up and down them and feel how warm and strong they were.

She needed to stop letting her imagination run away with her.

“Um,” she said. “It’s getting late, and if I want to make the last BART train back to the East Bay, I should probably leave pretty soon.”

Why had she said that? Why, when she was standing next to a hot guy, basically panting over him? If she was Maddie, hell, if she was Amy, she would have grabbed one of those hot forearms and wrapped it around her body, letting him know what she wanted without having to say anything. Sadly, she was Alexa, so she would flee instead.

He put his water bottle down and looked at her.

“Okay.”

“Okay,” she said. Olivia and Maddie would get mad at her for not throwing herself at him, but they didn’t understand that she just didn’t know how. Plus, rejection from this guy was the last thing her self-esteem needed. Talk about the opposite of getting back on the horse; that would make her avoid horses, and stables, and all farm animals for another few years. So to speak.

He stepped closer to her and put his hand on her waist. Her hand landed on his arm, and, without even meaning to, she ran her fingers up and down. Oh God, touching him like this was as good as she’d thought it would be.

“Or”—he looked straight down into her eyes—“you could stay.”

A question was in his eyes, and a smile hovered over his lips. His thumb drew slow circles on her hip and then moved up her side to her ribs. His other hand moved up to her face and traced the outline of her lips with his fingers.

She shivered.

He waited.

“Or,” she said, “I could stay.”

The Wedding Date was a book that took the fake dating trope and perfected it. This book was fun, romantic, entertaining, and extremely addictive!

I absolutely adored the two main characters, Alexa and Drew. Alexa was a dedicated, hard-working, and smart woman. I loved her passion for her work and how much she wanted to help her community. Drew was a kind, charming, and swoon-worthy man. I feel in love with him so quickly. I also was so surprised by the development and inclusion of so many wonderful side characters. I genuinely loved every character that the author created in this story. I need a sequel to this book because I cannot stop thinking about these characters!

The romance between Alexa and Drew was perfectly paced and executed. The way their relationship developed felt so honest and realistic. Their relationship slowly changed to a fake relationship into a real relationship with deep feelings. It was so much fun watching them take chances together and realize how perfect they were for each other. Alexa and Drew were so supportive of each other and genuinely wanted to see each other succeed. Their dedication to each other made my heart grow 50 times bigger. SERIOUSLY, THEY ARE SO CUTE TOGETHER. I WANT TO READ ABOUT THEM FOREVER.

Even though there were moments of predictability, this book was still extremely enjoyable! The author did a great job at keeping the book entertaining and hilarious! There were moments of miscommunication, which was understandable but so frustrating! At times I was screaming at the book because I just wanted Alexa and Drew to talk! However, the miscommunication definitely added a lot of tension between Alexa and Drew which kept the plot moving.

Overall, this was a wonderful romantic comedy. If you are in the mood for a charming, hilarious, and adorable romance novel, then I definitely would recommend this book!

4 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Broken Beautiful Hearts by Kami Garcia

**From the #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, comes BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS—a red-hot romance that will break your heart and put it back together again! Don’t miss this stunning new title from Kami Garcia!**

BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS releases on February 6, 2018. Pre-order your copy today!

From #1 New York Times–bestselling author Kami Garcia comes a red-hot romance that will break your heart and put it back together again.

Her heart has to break before it can open.

He has to let someone in before it’s too late.

With her future on the line, Peyton goes to stay with her uncle in a small Tennessee town to focus on her recovery. Dating is the last thing on her mind—until she meets sweet, sexy Owen Law.

But Peyton doesn’t trust her heart, especially when she senses that Owen is hiding something. When their secrets are finally exposed, Peyton has to decide if love is worth fighting for.

Preorder BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS here!

HEAR IT FIRST

Pre-Order a digital or print edition of BROKEN BEAUTIFUL HEARTS by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia and be the first to hear an exclusive announcement from Kami about her next book--a secret project her publisher is keeping under wraps!

**Fans of Beautiful Creatures, Dangerous Creatures, and The Legion series won't want to miss this exciting news!**

This is a limited time offer! So hurry! Registration ends on February 28, 2018! You must register your preorder to receive the exclusive announcement from Kami!

https://a.pgtb.me/J61sNg

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

“Something wonderful happened to me as I read this—I fell in love. Genuine, shattering, deep, heart-pounding love. Thank you, Kami Garcia, for Peyton and Owen. We need their story." —Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe

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Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Friction by Sandra Brown

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Bad for You by J. Daniels

The Hazel Wood (The Hazel Wood #1)
by Melissa Albert

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory