Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Book Review- No Place to Fall

I finished reading No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown last night for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Amber Vaughn is a good girl. She sings solos at church, babysits her nephew after school, and spends every Friday night hanging out at her best friend Devon’s house. It’s only when Amber goes exploring in the woods near her home, singing camp songs with the hikers she meets on the Appalachian Trail, that she feels free—and when the bigger world feels just a little bit more in reach.

When Amber learns about an audition at the North Carolina School of the Arts, she decides that her dream—to sing on bigger stages—could also be her ticket to a new life. Devon’s older (and unavailable) brother, Will, helps Amber prepare for her one chance to try out for the hypercompetitive arts school. But the more time Will and Amber spend together, the more complicated their relationship becomes . . . and Amber starts to wonder if she’s such a good girl, after all.

Then, in an afternoon, the bottom drops out of her family’s world—and Amber is faced with an impossible choice between her promise as an artist and the people she loves. Amber always thought she knew what a good girl would do. But between “right” and “wrong,” there’s a whole world of possibilities.


Unfortunately, this book really didn't do it for me.  I'm all for the underdog.  But I don't get into drugs and partying.  I was already annoyed with the book only a few chapters in.

And I didn't think Amber was a sympathetic character at all.  In fact, I didn't find much to like about her.  She said she wanted to be different than her sister, but she's really not.  I didn't connect with her or care about her.  I think  my favorite characters were Sean or C.A.  And I didn't really feel the Will and Amber relationship.

Sadly, we can't like them all.  But lets end on a positive--I like the cover and what it stands for in the story.

I gave this book a rating of 2.5/5.

No Place to Fall will be released on December 9, 2014.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

In My Mailbox- October 27, 2014

In My Mailbox: Here's what I got in my mailbox last week

MONDAY
No Place to Fall- Jaye Robin Brown--review for an Around the World ARC Tour

Sunday, October 26, 2014

The Sunday Salon- October 26, 2014


The Sunday Salon

I finished and reviewed the following book last week:
Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross 












I am currently reading No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown and up next is The Crown (Queen of Hearts #1) by Colleen Oakes.

Book Review- Whatever Life Throws at You

I finished reading Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross yesterday.

From Goodreads:

Life loves a good curveball…


Seventeen-year-old Annie Lucas's life is completely upended the moment her dad returns to the major leagues as the new pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals. Now she's living in Missouri (too cold), attending an all-girls school (no boys), and navigating the strange world of professional sports. But Annie has dreams of her own—most of which involve placing first at every track meet…and one starring the Royals' super-hot rookie pitcher.

But nineteen-year-old Jason Brody is completely, utterly, and totally off-limits. Besides, her dad would kill them both several times over. Not to mention Brody has something of a past, and his fan club is filled with C-cupped models, not smart-mouthed high school “brats” who can run the pants off every player on the team. Annie has enough on her plate without taking their friendship to the next level. The last thing she should be doing is falling in love.

But baseball isn't just a game. It's life. And sometimes, it can break your heart…


I am so thankful that a friend of mine recommended this book because I normally would have passed right over it.  But she knows I love sports books AND this book had running in it so I followed her advice and gave it a shot.  And I loved it!

I loved Annie and Brody together.  Their relationship just worked so well.  I loved how they played off each other and were sarcastic with each other.  So true to life (at least with me!)  

I loved reading about the sports aspect.  I have to say how hilarious I find it that this book was about the Kansas City Royals and how their team is horrible, which is true in real life....EXCEPT this year!  Just like in the book, the Royals are currently in the World Series this year!  Hmm..maybe the author can see the future?!?!  I also loved reading about the running.  I related to so much of it (especially the weird cravings for hot dogs!)  

And the ending---happily ever after, of course!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this book from a friend.

Monday, October 20, 2014


In My Mailbox: Here's what I got in my mailbox last week

I forgot to do this for three weeks again.  And I even forgot which days I got which books.  So here's just a list of the books I got in the past 3 weeks.


Snow Like Ashes- Sara Raasch--review for an Around the World ARC Tour













Werewolf in Seattle (Wild About You #3)- Vicki Lewis Thompson--PaperbackSwap













Talon- Julie Kagawa--review for an Around the World ARC Tour














Rites of Passage- Joy Hensley--review for an Around the World ARC Tour












The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2)- Richelle Mead--contest win from Lola's Blog Tours












Dead Beautiful- Yvonne Woon--PaperbackSwap















The Crown (Queen of Hearts #1)- Colleen Oakes--from publisher for review












The Wonder (Queen of Hearts #2)- Colleen Oakes--from publisher for review


Sunday, October 19, 2014

The Sunday Salon- October 19, 2014

The Sunday Salon

I have been so slacking on blog posts lately.  I haven't done a Sunday Salon in two weeks!

I finished and reviewed the following book the last 2  weeks:
White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout












Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout












I am currently reading Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross and up next is a tour book.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Book Review- Stone Cold Touch

I finished reading Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout on Tuesday for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

Every touch has its price


Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who’s pretty sure things can’t get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could.

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla’s powers begin to evolve, and she’s offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She’s finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay…


I was so glad I had this book to read right after I finished White Hot Kiss.  Only problem...I want the next book in my greedy little hands like yesterday!

Once again the love triangle between Zayne, Roth and Layla was hot hot hot!  I do think it was a liiiittle too played out but I still enjoyed it anyway!  I think in this book, my heart would have slightly edged to Zayne.  Only slightly though.  

There are definitely a few twists and turns and surprises.  The ending...wow.  I didn't see that one coming.  And I have to admit that I'm not sure I quite get how it's possible.  I can't really say more without giving it away.  But the agony of waiting until I can get the next book is just not fair! :)  

This book just further proved that the Dark Elements series is one of my favorite series ever!

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Book Review- White Hot Kiss

I just finished reading White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

From Goodreads:

One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne… it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.


After reading the prequel, I couldn't wait to start this book.  And it didn't disappoint!  I loved reading about the girl who was half demon, half gargoyle/Warden.  I found it so intriguing to read about both sides of her.

And speaking of both sides..the boys from both sides are H-O-T.  I've said it before, but I'm not usually the girl that goes for the bad boy.  But Roth just had something in him that didn't scream bad boy to me.  And the ending proved this.  Then wholesome Zayne is totally my type.  If I were Layla, I wouldn't have had a clue who to pick!  And the scenes between her and Roth are scorching!

There were some nice little twists and turns in the book and the ending made me feel sad.  I have the next book, Stone Cold Touch to read next but I haven't even let myself read the synopsis.  I don't want anything to be spoiled.  I can only hope it's as good as this one is!

I gave this book a rating of 4.5/5.

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.