Sunday, November 30, 2014

November Update at Thoughts


I've decided to do monthly updates instead of weekly updates here at Thoughts. So here's a racap of the month of November for you.


~*Reviews*~


TOTAL: 12


~*Books Finished*~


TOTAL: 10
  • Reining Men (Boot Knockers Ranch #3) by Em Petrova
  • Playing Doctor by Jan Meredith
  • One Night of Sin (After Hours #1) by Elle Kennedy
  • One Night of Scandal (After Hours #2) by Elle Kennedy
  • Flirting with Love (Love in Bloom #18) by Melissa Foster
  • Being Neighborly: a novella by Carey Heywood
  • The Surrogate Husband by Wynter Daniels
  • No Time Like Forever (Wardham #4) by Zoe York
  • Leo Maddox by Sarah Darlington
  • Take You Away: A Novella (Her Wicked Heart #1.5) by Ember Casey


~*Tours/Blasts/Reveals*~


~*Otherwise*~


~*As for me...*~

So, something big happened this month. After several months of deliberation, I decided that the best thing for me would be to quit my job... so I finally did. My last day was Wednesday. I don't have another job yet, but I do have an interview on Tuesday for a part time gig, so... *shrugs* In the meantime, I'm going to be taking care of business around here. Organizing my place, donating stuff to the thrift store, and selling crap online. And, of course, spending a little bit of extra time WRITING.

Some people think I'm a bit crazy to make this kind of decision. "It seems ridiculously dangerous to just stop working, right?" And you think I don't know this? Yes, I need a job to pay the bills. Yes, I can't just stay unemployed for long. But, I need this. I need a break from adulthood. I spent TEN YEARS in pharmacy, having a love/hate relationship with the job, and always being placed in situations that frustrate me to no end. I had to get out before I lost the last shred of my sanity. So, it was either stay and lose all the joy left in my life, or leave and be happy again.

I chose happiness.

I know that I'll make it, no matter what happens or how it happens or when it happens. I'm an industrious and clever woman--and I can do anything I set my mind to. ANYTHING. It can all be summed up in this:


And that's that!

Other than that little thing going on, I haven't been up to much else. My apartment has been torn apart, but I'm actually starting to get somewhere. Oh, and I've been marathon watching Home Improvement on YouTube (did you know you can watch the WHOLE SERIES on YouTube???) and Veronica Mars. If you want to see some hilarious quotes from either show, you can follow me on Twitter--because I've been quoting them both non-stop. I just finished season 1 of Veronica Mars (probably about the 15th or 20th time I've watched it, or more), so I'll probably take a break from that so that I don't watch everything too fast (seeing as there are only 3 seasons altogether). I still need to catch up on so many other shows (Gilmore Girls and original CSI for example). It's good to have on while I'm working on stuff around here. ;)

And that's about it! I hope everyone's been having a great year!

Jessica
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Friday, November 28, 2014

Review: Channel 20Something by Amy Patrick

Title: Channel 20Something
Author: Amy Patrick
Published: August 12th 2014
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: New Adult Romance
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers
New Adult contemporary series about twenty-somethings entering the world of TV broadcasting, where what happens behind the scenes is the real news.

22-year-old Heidi Haynes is almost one year into her “real life”. She has her first reporting job, her first apartment, and a comfortable relationship with her college sweetheart. But for some reason she’s not as eager to talk about walking down the aisle as he is.

Heidi secretly longs for big cities, big-market breaking news, and real independence from her way-too-close-by helicopter parents. Problem is, the last time she left the security of home for new places and new people, things didn’t go so well. Disastrously, in fact, and she came running back to a local college and a “safe” boyfriend.

Aric Serrano is definitely not safe.

He’s six-feet-four-inches of missing-Hemsworth-brother-hotness and plans to stay in small-market-Southern-Hell just long enough to grab a cup of coffee and put together a kick-ass “escape tape”. He’ll serve his one-year contract, then he’s taking off for a higher rung on the TV sports ladder—alone—the way he likes it. Then he meets his new co-anchor.

Heidi would be so much more comfortable if she could simply ignore Aric—he’s just her type—the type she’s so careful to avoid these days. But that becomes impossible when she's forced to work closely with him on the weekend news. Now the attraction between them is growing even faster than the ratings, and what happens behind the scenes is the real news.

My Thoughts:

I was super stoked to get my hands on this book. There was just something about it that intrigued me and I figured I'd better check it out. And it was a nice story, and worth checking out.

Heidi is that girl who wants to feel safe, as all girls do. The idea of being with someone unknown, someone you can't know for sure is a good choice, is scary. So, she's "with" a guy who makes her feel safe...then she meets Aric and sees all these things that are missing. Aric is everything she can't help but be drawn to, and who can blame her? He's kinda awesome. There were some aspects that had me wanting to slap Heidi, especially when it came to choices that weren't well thought out. But the ending redeemed her and the story.

Channel 20Something was a good start to this new adult series. While I enjoyed the story, it didn't blow me away, BUT it did make me want to read more by Amy Patrick. And isn't that the more important part--that you want to read more by an author based on a little taste of their work? It was well written and I loved the characters, so yeah--worth picking up, worth checking out more!

My Rating:

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Thursday, November 27, 2014

Entangled Publishing Black Friday #SALE #blackfriday

EntADS-mixtitles-11-10-14(476x286)


Check it out! Black Friday sale from Entangled! I've already picked up a few for myself, and so should you before the sale ends on December 6th. ^_^



Jessica
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Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Blog Tour: Unlikely Venture by Kristen Luciani‏




Unlikely Venture by Kristen Luciani
The Venture Series
Publication Date: November 10, 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1uLZyqE
B&N: http://bit.ly/1xmknZb
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1srwgrE
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/Y6p8I1

Synopsis

After learning Jessica's been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, her fiancé bolted out of her life as if he was on fire. She finds solace in her career--no distractions or romantic entanglements there!

But the universe has its own agenda.

Three thousand miles away from home and in the most unlikely of circumstances, Jessica meets Silicon Valley rising star James Callahan and her world is instantly turned upside down. Things go further awry when she encounters a ghost from the past. That one night of reckless abandon is back to haunt her and the control she fought so hard to regain is now in the hands of another.

Plagued by betrayal and guilt over his dad’s untimely death, James left Cambridge in search of a new beginning. With laser-focus, he built a cutting edge technology company now on the brink of financial success. Romance is the last thing on his mind…until he meets Jessica.

Fate brought them together, awakening their dormant emotions. But Jessica’s scandalous secret consumes her and threatens the very happiness she feared she’d never find with another man. Can James handle the truth about her past? Or did she pick the wrong guy yet again?

Excerpt:

JESSICA’S IPHONE CHIRPED with the dreaded fifteen-minute warning. She groaned, berating herself for stopping at Starbucks with so little time to spare. But a double shot of something caffeinated was an absolute must for this meeting.

The all-too-perky barista called her name and she grabbed the cup, hoping to find a taxi outside the café. It was an optimistic yet unrealistic expectation since she was in Palo Alto, not Manhattan.

Cars raced up and down El Camino Real and Jessica released an impatient sigh. Not one taxi in sight. Seriously? She headed toward the intersection, just in case one magically materialized out of thin air.

Her heart pounded as she concocted potential excuses for her jackass boss Charlie. If she missed the meeting—No, it just wasn’t an option. This client was too important to their consulting practice and she was a key presenter. This is my big chance. If I land the client, he’ll have to put me up for that promotion. I need to get there in time. Dammit, are there any taxis in this town?

Jessica sprinted to the corner in five-inch Louboutins, wincing at the uncomfortable tingling sensation in her toes. Just ignore the pain, Jess. It became her mantra over the past several months but she was only resisting the inevitable. Sure, they’re manageable now but who knows how much worse these symptoms will get? It was a question that plagued her every day since she received the diagnosis. My career is all I have left and this promotion represents everything I’ve been working toward. I refuse to let this disease derail me.

Walking across town to the client site was out of the question. In fact, surviving another few blocks would be nothing short of a miracle. A taxi rolled up to the red traffic light and she waved her arms to get the cabbie’s attention. The timing was perfect; it would only take about ten minutes to get down to—

“Aahhhh!” Jessica lurched forward as the unexpected impact sent her phone flying into the air. Searing coffee splashed over the side of the cup, soaking her blouse and pants. She recoiled, her hand bright red and throbbing. “What the fu—?”

A strong hand gripped her shoulder and she snapped her head around to get a good look at her assailant.

“Are you okay?”



About the Author


Kristen Luciani is a self-proclaimed momtrepreneur with a penchant for Christian Louboutins, Silicon Valley (the place, not the show), plunging necklines and grapefruit martinis. As a deep-rooted romantic who prefers juicy drama to fill the lives of anyone other than her, she tried her hand at creating a world of enchantment, sensuality, and intrigue, finally uncovering her true passion. No pun intended…

Website • Blog •

Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads


IndieSage PR

Jessica
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Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Release Blitz: Leo Maddox by Sarah Darlington


LEO MADDOX
Genre: New Adult Romance

Synopsis:
The one. The only. Leo Maddox.

 Leo’s cocky. He’s mean. He’s gorgeous. He’s never learned the meaning of the word no. He’s the twenty-one-year-old, billionaire grandson of a hotel mogul. He has vacation homes he’s never been to and cars he doesn’t drive. Women. Fashion. Alcohol. There’s nothing he can’t get. Well…almost nothing.

 He can’t have her. The girl he loves. The girl he’s loved his entire life. She hates him. Until one morning when Leo wakes up and decides enough is enough. He’s going to get the only girl he’s ever wanted. So what if she has a new boyfriend. So what if she loathes his very existence. Clara belongs with him and he’s going to prove it to her by winning her heart.

 *This New Adult Romance is told entirely from Leo Maddox’s POV. It can be read before, after, or in place of Sarah Darlington's stand alone novel He Belongs With Me. Recommended for readers 18+ due to strong language and sexy scenes.

LINKS TO BUY: Amazon I Amazon UK I Barnes and Noble I Kobo
(99c for 3 days only on Amazon and BN!)
Join the LEO MADDOX release day party on Facebook!


Join Sarah Darlington's mailing list to be notified when new books are released:


About the Author:
Sarah Darlington lives in Virginia with her husband and amazing two-year-old son. She's a former flight attendant, navy brat, constant day-dreamer, wannabe photographer, and an avid scrapbooker. She loves to travel and is working on visiting all 50 states.

Stay connected with Sarah:
Goodreads I Twitter I Facebook I Sarah's Website I Instagram

 Also by Sarah:
HE BELONGS WITH ME {Amazon I Amazon UK}
KILL DEVIL HILLS {Amazon I Amazon UK}
GIVEAWAY:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jessica
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Monday, November 24, 2014

Review: Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman

Title: Keeping Mr. Right Now
Author: Robin Bielman
Published: August 18th 2014
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers
A temporary agreement neither could keep… 

Brainy, organized Sophie Birch is no beach bunny. In fact, she’s totally out of her element among the sun-bronzed crowd at a film festival in beautiful White Strand Cove. When a surf lesson introduces her to Zane Hollander, suddenly she's up close and personal with the world's sexiest surf star. But what can a great-looking, experienced athlete possibly see in a klutzy out-of-towner who’s never set foot in the ocean? 

Zane Hollander's playboy reputation has never been a problem…until recently. Now his management team wants him on his best behavior to entice a meaningful new sponsor. Sophie Birch is the perfect girl to help reform his image. She's genuine and respected—and their relationship is purely fictional. But the more Sophie blooms under the beachy sun, the more Zane knows he'll just break her heart. Because nothing's more important to Zane than following the tide.

My Thoughts:

Another incredible book from Entangled! A very enjoyable read, you will be swept up in the romantic feel of it. I'm glad to have gotten the opportunity to read Sophie and Zane's little love story.

Sophie and Zane don't seem to match up on paper, but they completely connect when put together. Seeing their relationship develop is the best part of the book. One of my favorite parts, other than kisses, is to see two people drawn together whether it takes time or happens more quickly. As long as it's executed properly, it's good stuff. And it was done very well here!

Keeping Mr. Right Now was a sweetie of a story. I love to see a romance that has depth to it, and characters that you find wonderful. The whole thing was well done. I'm very curious to see Robin Bielman's other stories. Definitely worth picking up!

My Rating:

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Sunday, November 23, 2014

Write On Review-a-thon (Take Three!): Saturday #reviewathon


Hello everybody! I just found out about something AMAZING. It's called the Write On Review-a-thon! It's hosted by Brianna at The Book Vixen.


I'm putting a * next to the ones that are NetGalley (or review) books that need reviews more than the others. I'm putting a ✓ next to everything I complete.

Here's a little check-in post for myself...


~List of books to review~

  1. Hothouse Flower by Krista & Becca Ritchie
  2. The Other Side of Someday by Carey Heywood
  3. Channel 20Something by Amy Patrick * ✓
  4. Love Thy Neighbor by Sophie Wintner * ✓
  5. Flirting With The Competition by Kerri Carpenter * ✓
  6. Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman * ✓
  7. The Duality Principle by Rebecca Grace Allen * ✓
  8. One Song Away by Molli Moran * ✓
  9. Take Them By Storm (Angel Island #3) by Marie Landry *
  10. Changing His Game by Justine Elvira
  11. Slade by Victoria Ashley
  12. Seven by Claire Kent
  13. My First, My Last by Lacey Silks * ✓
  14. Truth or Dare by Mira Lyn Kelly * ✓
  15. Stripping the Billionaire by Noelle Adams
  16. Dare to Resist by Laura Kaye
  17. Wild Attraction by Emma Hart
  18. Wild Temptation by Emma Hart
  19. Jilted by Rachael Johns * ✓
  20. The Wedding Favor by Cara Connelly
  21. One Night of Scandal (After Hours #2) by Elle Kennedy
  22. Night Fever (Night Fever #1) by Jessica Hawkins *
  23. Come to Me Quietly (Closer to You #1) by A.L. Jackson
  24. Still Yours (20Something #2) by Amy Patrick *
  25. Playing Doctor by Jan Meredith
  26. One Night of Sin (After Hours #1) by Elle Kennedy
  27. Taste by Cambria Hebert
  28. Ring in the Holidays (Hunk for the Holidays #2) by Katie Lane *
  29. Touch & Go (Dare to Love #2) by Mira Lyn Kelly *
  30. Take You Away: A Novella (Her Wicked Heart #1.5) by Ember Casey
  31. Still Me (20Something #3) by Amy Patrick *
  32. Everly After by Rebecca Paula *
  33. Leo Maddox by Sarah Darlington *
  34. No Time Like Forever (Wardham #4) by Zoe York *
  35. Being Neighborly: a novella by Carey Heywood
  36. The Surrogate Husband by Wynter Daniels *


~Completed~

1. One Song Away by Molli Moran * ✓ posted to Goodreads
2. Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman * ✓ posted to Goodreads
3. Channel 20Something by Amy Patrick * ✓ posted to Goodreads
4. The Duality Principle by Rebecca Grace Allen * ✓ posted to Goodreads
5. My First, My Last by Lacey Silks * ✓ posted to Goodreads
6. Truth or Dare by Mira Lyn Kelly * ✓ posted to Goodreads
7. Dare to Resist by Laura Kaye ✓ posted to Goodreads
8. Jilted by Rachael Johns * ✓ posted to Goodreads
9. Flirting With The Competition by Kerri Carpenter * ✓ posted to Goodreads
10. Love Thy Neighbor by Sophie Wintner * ✓ posted to Goodreads


~To format and set up~

  1. Truth or Dare by Mira Lyn Kelly ✓
  2. Stripping the Billionaire by Noelle Adams ✓
  3. Dare to Resist by Laura Kaye ✓
  4. Wild Attraction by Emma Hart ✓
  5. Wild Temptation by Emma Hart ✓
  6. Jilted by Rachael Johns ✓
  7. Leo Maddox by Sarah Darlington ✓
  8. Ring in the Holidays (Hunk for the Holidays #2) by Katie Lane ✓
  9. Touch & Go (Dare to Love #2) by Mira Lyn Kelly ✓
  10. Being Neighborly: a novella by Carey Heywood ✓
  11. The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin ✓
  12. The Surrogate Husband by Wynter Daniels ✓


~Formatted & Set Up~

1. Truth or Dare by Mira Lyn Kelly
2. Stripping the Billionaire by Noelle Adams
3. Jilted by Rachael Johns
4. Dare to Resist by Laura Kaye
5. Ring in the Holidays (Hunk for the Holidays #2) by Katie Lane
6. Leo Maddox by Sarah Darlington
7. The Surrogate Husband by Wynter Daniels
8. Being Neighborly: a novella by Carey Heywood
9. The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
10. Wild Attraction by Emma Hart
11. Wild Temptation by Emma Hart
12. Touch & Go (Dare to Love #2) by Mira Lyn Kelly


I managed to complete a total of 10 reviews (WOOHOO!!!) and format and set up all 12 that needed to be done (SCORE!!!), so all in all, this was definitely what I was going for.


How did your reviewing go this weekend? How many reviews were you able to write?

Jessica
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Friday, November 21, 2014

Write On Review-a-thon (Take Three!): Friday #reviewathon


Hello everybody! I just found out about something AMAZING. It's called the Write On Review-a-thon! It's hosted by Brianna at The Book Vixen.

My goal this time around is to get all my review posts that aren't set up, formatted and set up. Lol.

My review writing goal was at least 6, which I achieved, plus TWO MORE. So it's already been a success. I have to work tomorrow, so we'll see how many more reviews I can write, but maybe I'll at least be able to finish setting up reviews. :)


I'm putting a * next to the ones that are NetGalley (or review) books that need reviews more than the others. I'm putting a ✓ next to everything I complete.

Here's a little check-in post for myself...


~List of books to review~

  1. Hothouse Flower by Krista & Becca Ritchie
  2. The Other Side of Someday by Carey Heywood
  3. Channel 20Something by Amy Patrick * ✓
  4. Love Thy Neighbor by Sophie Wintner *
  5. Flirting With The Competition by Kerri Carpenter *
  6. Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman * ✓
  7. The Duality Principle by Rebecca Grace Allen * ✓
  8. One Song Away by Molli Moran * ✓
  9. Take Them By Storm (Angel Island #3) by Marie Landry *
  10. Changing His Game by Justine Elvira
  11. Slade by Victoria Ashley
  12. Seven by Claire Kent
  13. My First, My Last by Lacey Silks * ✓
  14. Truth or Dare by Mira Lyn Kelly * ✓
  15. Stripping the Billionaire by Noelle Adams
  16. Dare to Resist by Laura Kaye
  17. Wild Attraction by Emma Hart
  18. Wild Temptation by Emma Hart
  19. Jilted by Rachael Johns * ✓
  20. The Wedding Favor by Cara Connelly
  21. One Night of Scandal (After Hours #2) by Elle Kennedy
  22. Night Fever (Night Fever #1) by Jessica Hawkins *
  23. Come to Me Quietly (Closer to You #1) by A.L. Jackson
  24. Still Yours (20Something #2) by Amy Patrick *
  25. Playing Doctor by Jan Meredith
  26. One Night of Sin (After Hours #1) by Elle Kennedy
  27. Taste by Cambria Hebert
  28. Ring in the Holidays (Hunk for the Holidays #2) by Katie Lane *
  29. Touch & Go (Dare to Love #2) by Mira Lyn Kelly *
  30. Take You Away: A Novella (Her Wicked Heart #1.5) by Ember Casey
  31. Still Me (20Something #3) by Amy Patrick *
  32. Everly After by Rebecca Paula *
  33. Leo Maddox by Sarah Darlington *
  34. No Time Like Forever (Wardham #4) by Zoe York *
  35. Being Neighborly: a novella by Carey Heywood
  36. The Surrogate Husband by Wynter Daniels *


~Completed so far~

1. One Song Away by Molli Moran * ✓ posted to Goodreads
2. Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman * ✓ posted to Goodreads
3. Channel 20Something by Amy Patrick * ✓ posted to Goodreads
4. The Duality Principle by Rebecca Grace Allen * ✓ posted to Goodreads
5. My First, My Last by Lacey Silks * ✓ posted to Goodreads
6. Truth or Dare by Mira Lyn Kelly * ✓ posted to Goodreads
7. Dare to Resist by Laura Kaye ✓ posted to Goodreads
8. Jilted by Rachael Johns * ✓ posted to Goodreads
9.
10.


~To format and set up~

  1. Truth or Dare by Mira Lyn Kelly ✓
  2. Stripping the Billionaire by Noelle Adams ✓
  3. Dare to Resist by Laura Kaye ✓
  4. Wild Attraction by Emma Hart
  5. Wild Temptation by Emma Hart
  6. Jilted by Rachael Johns ✓
  7. Leo Maddox by Sarah Darlington
  8. Ring in the Holidays (Hunk for the Holidays #2) by Katie Lane ✓
  9. Touch & Go (Dare to Love #2) by Mira Lyn Kelly
  10. Being Neighborly: a novella by Carey Heywood
  11. The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
  12. The Surrogate Husband by Wynter Daniels


    ~Formatted & Set Up~

    1. Truth or Dare by Mira Lyn Kelly
    2. Stripping the Billionaire by Noelle Adams
    3. Jilted by Rachael Johns
    4. Dare to Resist by Laura Kaye
    5. Ring in the Holidays (Hunk for the Holidays #2) by Katie Lane
    6.
    7.
    8.
    9.
    10.
    11.
    12. 


    Of the ones I've done so far, I've posted them to Goodreads, so you can see the review when you click the link next to the book. Most of the reviews will be shared on the blog in the coming weeks.

    How's your reviewing going this weekend? How many have you written so far?

    Jessica
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    Review Tour: Flirting with Love: Braden's # 10 by Melissa Foster


    Welcome to the Review Tour for Flirting With Love by Melissa Foster!

    My Review:

    Flirting With Love  
    The Bradens # 10 
    By: Melissa Foster 
    Releasing December 15th, 2014
    Source: Copy given by author for honest review
    Caution: May contain spoilers
    Elisabeth Nash has spent years dreaming of returning to the small town of Trusty, Colorado, where she spent summers with her favorite aunt. When she inherits her aunt’s farmette, she closes her Los Angeles pet bakery and pampering business, sure that life in Trusty will be as peaceful and as welcoming as she remembers. But being an outsider in the close-knit town proves to be very different from the happy summers she remembers from her childhood—and falling for Trusty’s hot, wealthy, and sinfully irresistible veterinarian, Ross Braden, sends the rumor mill into a frenzy.

    Ross Braden learned long ago that gossip spreads faster than weeds in his small hometown, and Ross loves nothing more than his privacy. For that reason, he doesn’t date women who live in Trusty. But that was before blond, beautiful, and refreshingly honest Elisabeth Nash flew into his vet clinic seeking help for her panicked piglet and turned his comfortable life—and his heart—inside out.

    Despite rumors about Elisabeth’s motives toward her aunt’s property, passion brews between Elisabeth and Ross. Every steamy kiss and every sensual touch brings the pair closer together, and when Ross helps Elisabeth try to fit into the town he adores, it makes their bond even stronger. But even Elisabeth’s efforts toward reaching the community, and the love she and Ross so desperately believe in, might not be enough for the protective small town to offer them a future.

    My Thoughts:

    Despite not having read a single one of Melissa Foster's books before, I found myself really enjoying my first taste of her work. Elisabeth and Ross are a couple you are drawn to immediately. You want to see them together, and you want them to stay together. It felt like it took so long for them to finally cave in (because, um, first kiss, HELLO, bring it on) but when they did (and phew, boy, YES, it was a good one), it was a nice journey.

    Flirting With Love is one of those warms your heart through and through kind of novels. I really liked the whole premise, and all of the outside factors and players. Even though I'm very romance focused when reading, I liked to see everything else unfold around Elisabeth and Ross. Of course, I loved the two of them together because they were adorable and sweet and everything as a couple. I would love to see what else is in store with this series for sure!

    My Rating:






    Author Info 
    "Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"-- Bestselling Author Jennie Shortridge 
    "What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately. This  is psychological suspense at its most chilling. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked."  International bestseller, M.J. Rose  
    Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.  
    Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter
    Website: http://www.MelissaFoster.com  
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor  
    Twitter: @Melissa_Foster 
    My social network for women: http://www.TheWomensNest.com  
    World Literary Café: http://www.worldliterarycafe.com 
    Fostering Success: http://www.fostering-success.com  
    Facebook Melissa Foster: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor  (Fanpage)  
    Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster  


    Rafflecopter Giveaway (Two ebook Copies of ROMANCING MY LOVE, Braden's Book Nine) 

    a Rafflecopter giveaway



    Jessica
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    Thursday, November 20, 2014

    Review: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins *spoilers*

    Title: Mockingjay
    Author: Suzanne Collins
    Published: August 14th 2010
    Source: Purchased
    Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
    Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
    Add to your Goodreads shelf
    Caution: Will contain spoilers
    My name is Katniss Everdeen.
    Why am I not dead?
    I should be dead.

    Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

    It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans--except Katniss.

    The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay--no matter what the personal cost.

    My Thoughts:

    When I first started blogging, this book had just been released and there were seriously reviews of it everywhere. It was hard to avoid. Back then, I hadn't gotten into the dystopian genre yet, and I wasn't really interested in the series. So unfortunately, I read reviews with spoilers. The weird thing is, it didn't taint my reading the book this year. I knew some of what was going to happen, and I expected to not really like it...but I actually DID like it.

    Seeing what happened to Katniss, essentially PTSD, was heartbreaking to me. I can't even imagine being in her shoes. And then add on Peeta's brainwashing and I'm just so angry. SO ANGRY. The rebellion itself is just intense all around. The growth Katniss has experienced throughout this whole ordeal is nothing short of amazing. Once you reach the end, you're so full of emotion it's hard to keep it contained. And I have to say, the epilogue was brilliant, bringing everything full circle and giving you something you never thought possible for them: hope.

    Mockingjay was, to me, a realistic portrayal of how you would expect this world of Panem to play out. Yes, people die; yes, your heart is ripped from you. But, this trilogy wasn't meant to have everyone survive and live happily ever after. There's just too much wrong with the system for everything to happen the way you want it to. While I know a lot of people were unhappy with how it played out, I can honestly say that the end--while heartbreaking--was well written. Suzanne Collins definitely made this series go out with a bang.

    My Rating:

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