Tuesday 23 December 2014

Book Review: Bad Romeo (Starcrossed #1) by Leisa Rayven


Bad Romeo (Starcrossed #1)  by Leisa Rayven
Publication Date: December 23rd, 2014
Genres: New Adult, Adult, Romance, College, Contemporary
Warnings: Sexual content, language
Format: eARC from NetGalley
When Cassie Taylor met Ethan Holt at acting school, sparks flew. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy about campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing, Cassie and Ethan's romance seemed destined. Until he broke her heart and betrayed her trust. Now the A-list heartthrob is back in her life and turning her world around. One touch at a time.
Cast as romantic leads once again, they're forced to confront raw memories of the heartbreaking lows and pulse-pounding highs of their secret college affair. But they'll also discover that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks 

Bad Romeo  is a book about second chances. And maybe third chances. Cassie is about to be thrown back into the world of Ethan Holt when he's chosen to play the leading man in a production where she's the leading lady. This all seems very deja vu to her and throughout the book we go from past to present in order to piece together this pair's rocky history.

I really enjoyed this one! I gave it 4.5 stars because it had everything I adore; getting to figure out things for myself, cute guys, a strong female main character and... cute guys. Why not 5 stars you may ask? There were a couple of small things I didn't like very much and although I thought about giving this book 5 stars I couldn't ignore those small things. Fairly, I took points away but let's start with what I did  like. Which is most of the book.

This was the perfect 'you-don't-know-what-you-have-until-it's-gone' story. It was so easy for me to become Cassie whilst reading from her perspective. I've honestly never felt so empathetic towards a main character but I really liked it. I felt everything she felt, enough to make it real for me. What I liked most about this book was the back and forth between Cassie and Ethan's past and present. It showed such a contrast and it was as if they'd morphed in to each other over the years they'd been apart. The reader is able to sort of piece together what happened as they go along. The present day chapters are full of questions whereas the past chapters hold answers and it all flows really well. I wasn't left with a bunch of unanswered questions by the end.

Cassie, pre-'that night', was a wonderful character. She was equal parts caring and head-strong and I didn't grow to like her, she was just likable from the start. It's what she does best; make people like her. She did annoy me at times because it become very clear that at first she was unable to let people not like her. That was her main character development, she eventually realised that that doesn't matter as much as what she thought of herself and whether she liked herself. Ethan played a huge part in this by calling her out. After 'that night' she became bitter in an attempt to keep feelings at bay. She became everything Ethan used to be; cold, emotionally unavailable and very good at faking indifference.

I loved Ethan's character for the most part. He was the complete opposite of Cassie and after that one night their characteristics were switched. As I said, it was such a contrast to read about both the past and the present. Past Ethan was moody and unwilling to put any effort into a relationship that may  break him whereas Present Ethan was hard to not like. He seems to have done a whole 180 and he's now open with his feelings and willing to fight for what he lost. He was complex to say the least but the great thing was that we got to learn about him over time. OH AND HE READS. *fans self* It was hard to hate him for what he did when I read about how he turned out because he was just trying so hard. He seemed to have really worked to change himself and he reveals something towards the end that made me kind of annoyed at Cassie for not even giving him the chance to talk. But then there's my girl-power side which is all "NO. MAN BAD. NO." because what he did was a little awful.

The other characters were good, not very complex but then again they're like background actors. You enjoy them whilst they're in the scene but once they're off stage they pale so the leads can shine. I think that's how all 'others' should be in books, too many times I've preferred the best friend to the main character or the funny one that just shows up to poke fun. I love those characters but I'd like to focus on the main story and not be waiting for that other character to be written into the chapter. I can't tell if that makes sense or not.

The back and forth between Cassie and Ethan gave me LIFE. I loved the banter and I laughed numerous times, especially when Cassie would be in her head with the reader hearing her thoughts. Most of my favourite quotes at the bottom of this post are from her although most of them do sound a tad strange out of context. I adore it when the MCs can banter back and forth, it makes things more interesting especially when the subjects the book is dealing with are more serious. Here's a quote, Cassie is on the phone with her overprotective mother and Holt is over so they can study together;

"Hurry up, Taylor! I think your bed has put my back out. I can't get up!" I'm going to kill him!

And here's a quote from the same scene when Cassie stands up to her mother; *wipes away proud tears*


"Mom just stop. Whether or not I have a man here is none of your business. I'm an adult now, and I don't need your approval for my every decision. Now, I love you, but I have a very good-looking man in my bed and I have to go."


The sexual tension in this book. Oh my goodness I was about ready to spontaneously combust. There's this one scene where their class is sat around smoking and holy crap.  That's all I'm going to say... Comment when you get to that scene/if you've read that scene because it was ridiculously hot.


There was a totally unrelated scene where Ethan is talking to his sister and I just have to quote it here because even though Ethan comes across as tough and indifferent the way he is with his sister is so normal and childish;

Her voice is muffled by the wood when she yells, "You are such a tool!" Holt snatches the door open and whispers, "Oh, and by he way, I haven't told Mom and Dad that Cassie and I are together, so if you could keep your giant trap shut, that'd be sweet. Thanks."
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely. I'd say 16 years and older would be okay but please check the warnings at the top! If you're uncomfortable reading about that sort of thing then you'll know not to pick this one up. Overall it was a really satisfying read and I can't wait for Broken Juliet. Give me my very own Ethan Holt and I'll never ask for anything ever again.


*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.

Favourite Quotes

"In fact, a million years ago we used to be good friends. Back when I still thought her brother was born of a human mother and not spawned straight from Satan's asshole."

"Holt is... captivating. Like a rare, exotic panther; equal parts beauty and power. Enigmatic without even trying."

"The first time I saw him, I was simulating anal sex with someone I'd just met."

"...and I think the upstairs neighbor dances naked in the moonlight while he sacrifices small animals, because seriously, the dude is weird."

"For a moment, we're united in our freakish normalcy. Our unremarkable unremarkableness."

"Of course, Holt doesn't know that. I open my mouth to tell him I'm riding Connor like a rodeo bronco..."

"Sometimes he's behind my eyes, weeping and exposed, and he's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. But it was an act. He's an actor. And he's very, very good.

"With much effort, I stop myself from petting his crotch."

"Methinks the gent doth protest too much."

"The cautious part of me is whispering that being with him is like wearing the world's most comfortable pair of shoes that sometimes catapult you headfirst into a wall."

"If you look up the word "awkward" in a dictionary, there'd be a picture of this moment."

"I will not lose this damn bet, just because he decided to dress like a hot-bodied edible man treat."

"A kaleidoscope of regret fills his eyes. "Cassie, I felt like a ghost while I was away from you. I was. Now, I want to feel real again."

"I look back at Holt's ass as I try to figure out what to say, because I'm betting that if I stare at it hard enough, the secrets of the universe will be revealed to me."

"There are various whoops of approval around us, but we ignore them. It's kind of easy when all my focus is directed at resisting the urge to become a slutty limpet."

"He looks at me like I've accused him of liking Adam Sandler movies."

Saved the best for last there. I laughed for ages at that one.


Happy Release Day and a Giveaway! Until Midnight (Alienated #1.5) by Melissa Landers



Until Midnight by Melissa Landers
Publication Date: December 23rd 2014
Cara and Aelyx only have one day to spend together before he returns to earth and she travels to Aelyx's home planet, L'eihr. Homesick and worried about the upcoming year apart, Cara is desperate to make these final hours count. Worst of all, Cara is missing Christmas, stuck on board an alien spaceship. When Aelyx learns that Cara is forgoing her favorite holiday, he tries to recreate Christmas in space by researching traditional earth customs…but a few things get lost in translation.

Can't wait any longer for Invaded ? Well this Alienated  novella/short story should just be enough to tide you over until February.

I'll pass you over to Melissa Landers so she can tell you about this wonderful ebook. 


UNTIL MIDNIGHT is here…and it’s FREE!
  

Happy Holidays, everyone! I’m Melissa Landers, author of the Alienated series, and I have a present for you—a brand new e-short from Disney Hyperion!

UNTIL MIDNIGHT takes place onboard an intergalactic transport, soon after ALIENATED ends and before the sequel INVADED begins. The story details Aelyx and Cara’s last day together before he returns to Earth to mend the alliance and she continues to his home planet. It’s sweet and romantic, and as a bonus, it includes a four-chapter preview of the sequel, which releases February 3rd.

Oh, and did I mention the best part? IT’S FREE!

You can download UNTIL MIDNIGHT from the following e-tailers:

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1v06kVd

*If you live outside the USA, no worries. I’ve uploaded the story to Scribd for you. (The only downside is it doesn’t include the bonus preview chapters, due to technical reasons from the publisher.) Link: http://www.scribd.com/AuthorMelissaLanders

To celebrate this new release, I’m offering TWO lucky winners an autographed swag pack complete with a personalized bookplate, mini-poster, bookmarks, and stickers—open internationally! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below.

Best of luck, and happy reading!

GIVEAWAY!






Melissa Landers writes romantic science fiction for teens and the young at heart. To learn more, or just to say hello, visit her at www.melissa-landers.com




Saturday 20 December 2014

Stacking the Shelves #11

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where we can share what books we've accumulated in the past week.

So this week... I signed up for NetGalley. Someone take my laptop away from me. Some of these are also from Bookbridgr. Like two of them.

For Review












Bad Romeo (Starcrossed #1) - Currently reading
The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1) Crying bc it was a partial ARC
Ticker - Currently reading

...Seriously someone come and remove all my electronic devices. NetGalley is my new favourite. Super excited about these!!!! Are there any books here that you're looking forward to? :)


Friday 19 December 2014

Cover Reveal! Breaking Series by Juliana Haygert

Today I have the new covers of the Breaking series by Juliana Haygert for you! I think they're gorgeous. These were designed by Najla Qamber Designs!


Breaking Free (The Breaking Series, #1)
(Previously titled Breaking The Reins)
Release date: August 2013
Genre: NA, contemporary romance
Horses, mansions, tea parties, and lies are twenty-year-old Hannah Taylor’s life. To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it. After a fire takes her grandma’s life and kills her horse, Hannah’s immaculate life spirals out of control. Her father disapproves of her decision to run her grandma’s ranch instead of focusing solely on learning the family business; Animal Control brings her Argus, a mistreated horse that she can’t turn away even though she’s not ready for another horse; and her boyfriend, Eric Bennett, a world famous polo player, becomes possessive and authoritarian. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, Hannah grows wary of him. Then, Leonardo Fernandes struts onto the polo scene. A cocky rookie with a messy life of his own, he’s drawn to Hannah and isn’t afraid of showing it, even when Eric makes it clear she is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Hannah suffers for Eric’s jealousy. The abuse only gets worse when Leo steals the title of best polo player in the world from Eric. But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.

_____________________


Breaking Away (The Breaking Series, #2)

(Previously titled Breaking Fences)
Genre: NA, contemporary romance
Release date: June 2014

All Beatriz “Bia” Fernandes wants is to prove herself—to her family and friends—though it’s hard to prove anything with an overbearing father and three famous polo-playing older brothers. After her acceptance into college results in a heated family argument, the Brazilian girl leaves everything behind to find her own American dream. College life away from home is perfect until the people she believes to be her friends turn on her. With lies and rumors threatening to suffocate her, Bia turns to her only freedom. Riding. But one thing gets in the way of her escape. Garrett Blackwell and his bad cowboy attitude. Working at the ranch is his obligation, bugging Bia is his newfound hobby. His thick skin and easy grin don't hide what Bia already knows—this misunderstood and lonely cowboy fights his own demons. Brushing horses’ coats and mucking out stalls shouldn't be this sexy, and it isn’t long before he becomes a part of her distraction. However, escaping won’t solve her problems, and it’s up to Bia to break down the fences around her and prove her strength—not to her family and friends, but to herself … and for Garrett. Because standing on her own doesn't have to mean standing alone.

** Companion novel of Breaking Free. Can be read out of order.**


____________________

 

Breaking Through (The Breaking Series, #3)

Genre: NA, contemporary romance
Release date: June 2015

From the outside, Hilary Taylor has it all—beauty, money, a caring family, good friends—but inside she’s struggling, full of fears. Events from the past forever changed her, and though years of therapy have helped, she still has a long way to go…. No matter how much progress she’s made, Hil isn’t sure she’ll ever be able to trust men again. Especially one who sees her as nothing more than a pretty face. But Hil knows it's time to face her fears, and the best way to do that is to start small.
To Guilherme Fernandes life is about three things: polo, parties and pretty girls—only one of which he takes seriously. Gui is too focused on his polo career to waste time on relationships, however he can’t help but be intrigued by the beautiful yet troubled Hil. So when she decides she'd like to learn more about horses, Gui is happy to find himself in the right place at the right time. But what was supposed to be a one time thing, soon turns into a weekly date.
As Gui helps her discover a new found love for horses, Hil’s guard begins to crumble. The more support Gui offers, the more she wants to accept...and the more the lines of friendship blur. Despite knowing better, Hil can’t help it as Gui slowly breaks through the walls she’s built. Now she has to decide if she’ll stop him there, or if she’ll finally let her fear go and allow Gui to reach for her heart.
** Companion novel of Breaking Free and Breaking Away. Can be read out of order.**


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting--but equally gratifying--life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Co-founder and contributor at NA Alley (www.naalley.com)
Subscribe to Juliana's newsletter to stay up-to-date with new releases: http://eepurl.com/CKsmX


Book Blitz and Giveaway! Gingerbread Man Serial by Lee Strauss



RUN RUN RUN (Gingerbread Man #1) by Lee Strauss
Publication Date: December 31
Genres: Mystery Sci-fi/ Romantic Suspense
College girl meets boy online.
A killer targets girls like her.
She's next on the list.
The boy wants to save her.
She thinks it's him.
It's worse than they both think.


RUN RUN RUN is the first part of a three part episode - Gingerbread Man - in the romantic suspense series, A Nursery Rhyme Suspense by Amazon best-selling author Lee Strauss. 

Episode release dates:
1) Run Run Run - December 31
2) As Fast As You Can - January 7
3) You Can't Catch Me - January 14

Gingerbread Man (ep 1-3) complete - January 28

RUN RUN RUN is available for PREORDER on Amazon!

Buy on December 31

Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Google Play

Excerpt:

SAGE

“I met this guy,” Teagan said quietly. “He said something that kind of creeped me out.”
I blinked several times as I processed this and twisted to face her. “You’re online dating?”
She shot me a horrified look. “No! It’s not a dating site. It’s a campus chat room.”
Nora swung her legs around and returned to a sitting position. “What’d he say?”
“Well,” Teagan began, “he told me that there had been a rape and that I should be careful.”
I didn’t get it. “Why does that creep you out?”
“Because he told me about the rape before it happened.”
What? Nora and I chimed in together. “Before?”
I leaned forward and asked, “He predicted the rape? How?”
Teagan shrugged. “Maybe he’s psychic?”
“Or,” Nora began, “he did it. His way of playing with your head.”


AS FAST AS YOU CAN



YOU CAN’T CATCH ME


Read all three episodes by January 14 or wait until January 28 for the compete boxed set.

GINGERBREAD MAN
(episodes 1-3 complete)