Blog Tour, Guest Post and Giveaway: Searching for Beautiful by Nyrae Dawn

Hi there gorgeous people!  Welcome to Reading with ABC's stop Nyrae Dawn's Searching for Beautiful. This tour is presented by Rockstar Book Tours, please visit the other stops in the tour, scroll down to find the links. 

About the Book

Title: SEARCHING FOR BEAUTIFUL 

Author: Nyrae Dawn

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pub. Date: March 4, 2014

Pages: 304

Before it happened…Brynn had a group of best friends, a boyfriend who loved her, a growing talent for pottery. She had a life. And then…she had none.After it happened…Everything was lost. The boy she now knew never loved her. The friends who felt she betrayed their trust. The new life just beginning to grow inside her.Brynn believes her future is as empty as her body until Christian, the boy next door, starts coming around. Playing his guitar and pushing her to create art once more. She meets some new friends at the local community center, plus even gets her dad to look her in the eye again…sort of. But letting someone in isn’t as easy as it seems.Now…Can Brynn open up her heart to truly find her life’s own beauty, when living for the after means letting go of the before?

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes& Noble

Guest Post 

About Writing YA Romance

I’ve always been a romantic at heart. I like that “butterflies in the stomach” feeling of a new crush. I love the secretive glances, the brush of fingers, first kisses, and the possibilities of where it all may go. It’s like an adventure, where you never really know what’s going to happen. Will it go somewhere? Will it end?

I always knew that’s what I wanted to write about but that’s not the only reason I wanted to write romance. You know what I believe? That love can change the world. I know that seems like “head in the clouds” thinking but it’s true. Love can change us and we as people have the power to change the world. It can make us feel like we can do anything, it makes is willing to make changes. We learn from getting our hearts broken, breaking hearts, and falling in love. Those experiences mold who we are and what we do.

It’s pretty incredible when you think about it. When I’m writing romance, anything is possible. It’s writing about dreams but yeah, it’s about real life too. It’s about people and growth and the lessons we learn that we’ll take with us for the rest of our lives.

That’s why I wanted to write about romance. It’s universal.

What’s your favorite thing about reading young adult romance?

About the Author

Writing has always been Nyrae Dawn’s passion. There have been times in her life where she wasn’t able to chase that dream the way she desired, but she always found her way back to telling stories.

One of her loves has always been writing about teens. There’s something so fresh and fun about the age that she loves exploring. Her husband says it’s because she doesn’t want to grow up. She doesn’t think that’s such a bad thing and luckily for her, he doesn’t either.

Nyrae gravitates toward character-driven stories. She loves going on emotional journeys with characters whether it be reading or writing. And yes, she’s a total romantic at heart and proud.

Nyrae resides in sunny Southern California with her husband (who still makes her swoon) and her two awesome kids.

When she’s not with her family, you can be pretty sure you’ll find her with a book in her hand or her laptop and an open document in front of her.

She writes for Entangled Publishing, Grand Central Publishing and is self-published.

Nyrae is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel and Goderich Literary Management.

Nyrae Dawn also writes adult romance under the name Kelley Vitollo.

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Giveaway

1 $25 Amazon Gift Card US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/3/2014- Watcha Reading- Review

3/3/2014- Jenna Does Books- Guest Post

3/4/2014- The Storybook Kingdom- Review

3/4/2014- Dazzled by Books- Interview

3/5/2014- Reviews By Molly- Review

3/5/2014- Reading with ABC- Guest Post

3/6/2014- Nanna Three and Counting- Review

3/6/2014- A Book and a Latte- Guest Post

3/7/2014- Shayna Varadeaux Books & Reviews- Review

3/7/2014- FicWishes- Guest Post

Week Two:

3/10/2014- Book Chick- Review

3/10/2014- Books Forget Me Knot- Guest Post

3/11/2014- Book Bitches Blog- Review

3/11/2014- Consuming Worlds- Interview

3/12/2014- No BS Book Reviews                - Review

3/12/2014- Reese's Reviews: My Addiction to Fiction- Interview

3/13/2014- LeAnn's Book Reviews- Review

3/13/2014- Fictitious Delicious- Interview

3/14/2014- Nette's Bookshelf Reviews- Review

3/14/2014- girls in the stacks- Review

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Rockstar Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Rockstar Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway: That One Summer by C.J. Duggan (Summer #3)

Hi there and welcome to Reading with ABC's stop of the blog tour of C.J. Duggan's That One Summer, book three of the Summer series.  I LOVE this series and I couldn't wait to read Chris's story as he is one of my favorite of the Onslow's boys.  You can find the rest of the Tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tour here.

Title: That One Summer by F.J. Duggan
Release date: 12/17/13

Loving Chris Henderson would be wrong. Diabolically disastrous. I mean, what is there about him to love? He’s moody, bossy, brooding, a control freak, and that’s on a good day … but there was one achingly obvious fact that haunted my every thought, every minute of every day...

He sure could kiss.
As the countdown to the new millennium begins, there is one thing everyone agrees on: no one wants to be in Onslow for New Year’s Eve.
So that can only mean one thing: road trip!
No longer the mousey, invisible, shy girl from years ago, Tammy Maskala is finally making up for all those lost summers. A new year with new friends, which astoundingly includes the bossy boy behind the bar, Chris Henderson.
She likes her new friends (at least most of them), so why does she secretly feel so out of place?
After chickening out on the trip, a last-minute change of heart sees Tammy racing to the Onslow Hotel, fearing she’s missed her chance for a ride. The last thing she expected to meet was a less-than-happy Onslow Boy leaning against his black panel van.
Now the countdown begins to reach the others at Point Shank before the party is over and the new year has begun. Alone in a car with only the infuriating Chris Henderson, Tammy can’t help but feel this is a disastrous start to what could have been a great adventure. But when the awkward road trip takes an unexpected turn, Tammy soon discovers that the way her traitorous heart feels about Chris is the biggest disaster of all.
Fogged up windows, moonlight swimming, bad karaoke and unearthed secrets; after this one summer nothing will ever be the same again.

Find it here: Goodreads | Buy Links 

Review

I LOVE Duggan’s Summer series!  It’s one of the best YA series around, you can find the reviews for the first two books here:  The Boys of Summer  and An Endless Summer .  That One Summer is Chris and Tammy’s story and it was awesome!

I think this is my favorite book in the series because I can easily identify with Tammy the best.  Tammy is shy, a bit OCD, a worrier, a loyal friend and she gets migraines (just like me!).  She reconnected with Amy on the previous book and is now a regular at the Onslow Hotel, even if she doesn’t feel like she fits in yet.  Now, Chris is always scowling and broody, but I have a soft spot for him.  He is so strong, has a quiet self-assurance, he is a great friend to have on your corner and very considerate.  I just love him, even if before That One Summer, he was a big mystery. Who would know that he would turned out to be such a romantic?

What can I say about the Onslow Boys?  They are all amazing, handsome, caring, loyal, (*keep inserting here all the good adjectives you can imagine*)… This group of friends, now with the addition of the girls, is one that I would love to have been a part of as a teenager.  I long to see what would happen next.

The story is so funny!  Tammy gets in such amazingly hilarious situations.  She’s athletic, but sarcastically she’s also a klutz.  The plot is simple, but not boring at all; I always love a good road trip.   I also enjoy Duggan’s writing, it’s easy to read, even when it’s filled by Australian regionalisms.

Overall, That One Summer is my favorite book of the series so far.  I can’t wait to read Ringer’s story next.  

Pre-order Ringer here
Pre-order Forever Summer here

Trailer for the Series

About the Author

C.J Duggan is a Number One Best Selling Australian Author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia. When she isn’t writing books about swoony boys and 90’s pop culture you will find her renovating her hundred-year-old Victorian homestead or annoying her local travel agent for a quote to escape the chaos.

The Boys of Summer is Book One in her highly successful Mature Young Adult Romance Series.

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | C.J.'s Street Team

Giveaway

1 winner will get ebooks of Book 1-3 of the Summer series (INT)

RULES AND RESTRICTIONS: 

Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 13 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of YA Bound Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by YA Bound Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Review: Trust in Me by J. Lynn (Wait for Me #1.5)

Title: Trust in Me by J. Lynn (Jennifer Armentrout)

Published: October 22^nd, 2013 by William Morrow Impulse

Source: Purchased for Kindle

Format: eBook

Genre: Contemporary romance

Age group: New adult

Grade rate: A+

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life – literally – he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam’s not ready to give up. He can’t get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head. Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?

My Review

It is no secret that I loved Wait for Me, thus I couldn’t wait to read the same story from Cam’s point of view. I couldn’t imagine this story getting any better, but it did!

Since I wrote a full review for Wait for Me, I won’t go into the same details, but rather, let me tell you what I loved about Trust in Me.  Cam’s mind is a much comfortable place to be.  Don’t get me wrong, I understand Avery’s angst, self-doubt, and mistrust, but by contrast, Cam is just the opposite (opposites attract, right).  While reading the first book and thought that Cam must have the patience of a saint, and indeed he does!  Cam’s a guy.  What do I mean by that?  Well, he has a one-track mind (you get my meaning).

In Trust in Me we get to see the whole study (minus Avery’s angst as I mentioned before), plus what goes on with Cam when the two are not together.  It also gives the reader a chance to get better acquainted with Cam’s friends, Oliver and Jase, as well as with Cam’s family, especially his sister.  I also like that he’s not afraid to talk about feelings and confronts his rage to try to keep it under control.

As always, the fabulous Jennifer Armentrout cannot help but to write an amazing story.  I love her writing style, it’s straightforward and beautiful at the same time.  I really hope you give this story a try because it’s wonderful! 

Do your read new adult? Why or why not? Are you a fan or Armentrout? Have you read either of these books?

Review: The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Title: The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Published: November 13^th, 2012 by Atria Books

Source: Purchased

Format: Audio book narrated by Candace Thaxton and Kirby Heyborne

Genre: Contemporary romance

Group age: Young adult | New adult

Grade rate: A+

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.
Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.
Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.
Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.
The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

My Review

How shall I explain the utter heartbreaking depth of this book?  How can I make you understand the remarkable writing?  How can I make you see the awesomeness of The Sea of Tranquility?  I’m not sure how, but I’m going to try.

The Sea of Tranquility is the story of two broken people and second chances.  Josh and Nastya are both broken in different ways.  Josh by the unexplainable death of his family and Nastya by a tragic and traumatic event.  They both need mending, they need to make difficult changes, they need help, and in a way, acceptance.  

Nastya has been irrevocably changed by an undeserved attack.  In the aftermath, she doesn’t know how to heal, how to deal with what happens, she loses her identify and goals for the future, so she decides to stop talking.  It is a conscious and difficult to maintain decision that huts a lot of people, principally her family.  Nastya’s sense of self-worth is very low and she dresses up very sexy in order to alienate any possible friends.  Thankfully, a few people are able to see past her façade and become close (or as close as she allows them to be) to her.  Although, she hints a lot about what happened, she doesn’t really talks about it or wants to put words to her feelings.  She does everything possible to sabotage any happiness that might come her way.  One thing did appreciate about Nastya is that she was a baker, like I am ;)

Josh is lost.  He has suffered through many deaths in his short life and because of it and because of the angry way he behaved when the first ones happen, everyone leaves him alone.  Even though he thinks he likes to be left alone, he is so very lonely.  Just a handful of people care about him and he likes it that way.  Josh is an artisan that creates beautiful things with wood; that’s his outlet and his passion. That is, until Nastya becomes his friend, and later so much more.

Josh, I’m so glad that you were able to see past Nastya’s lies and her ‘costume’, past her silence and hear her scream for help.  I’m glad you were able to see the Sunshine behind the clouds and let it warm you in the process.

The characterization is miraculous.  I found myself invested in these characters.  Not only on Nastya and Josh, but also in the loyal and misguided Drew.  In Drew’s family, and Nastya’s own. 

The writing is some of the best I’ve ever seen.  So good, fluid, illustrative, full of feelings, hurt, anger, self-loathing, and so much more.  It’s an absolute priceless gem.  It is part mystery, as we get small snippets of information at a time. Please read the quotes below and then form your own opinion.  The story is told from Josh and Nastya’s point to views, which I loved.  The characters have so much depth that I adored being in their heads.  The plot is simple and masterfully crafted.  It is done in a way that the reader knows much more than the rest of the characters, but still hearing the whole tale is heart wrenching. I’m pleased that we had a resolution, not a pink with ribbons ending, but a resolution nonetheless.  Please don’t be upset if you cry (I do it all the time!)

A note about the narrators of the audio book: It was awesome.  Since the story is told by Josh and Nastya’s point of view and there are two narrators, the book made more sense. The acting was really good, I almost wish that I could see them while they were reading to witness the anguish that I’m sure I would have seen.

As you can tell form my glowing review and from the reviews that you are sure to find, The Sea of Tranquility is one of the best books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.  The combination of the amazing writing and style, awesome characterization, and the plot, makes this a must read.

A few quotes for you:

“It’s about the dream of second chances,” he says finally. He hasn’t raised his eyes from the paper on his desk and I feel him looking at me without looking when he uses his grandfather’s words. “The narrator doesn’t respect the beauty of life and the world around her, so it crushes her into the ground and once she’s dead, she realizes everything she took for granted and didn’t see right in front of her while she was alive. She’s begging for another chance to live again so she can appreciate it this time.”

“And does she get that chance?” she asks Josh while I desperately focus on the poster of literary terms on the wall and wait for absolution. When it comes, I barely hear it.

“She does.”

“There's a reverence in the way he kisses me that frightens me, because it's the most wonderful thing I've ever felt.”

“I'm not sure how long we sit in Josh's truck, holding hands, surrounded by darkness and unspoken regrets. But it's long enough to know that there are no stories or secrets in the world worth holding onto more than his hand.”

“I wished that my hand would work again," I tell him when he climbs in after me. it was my first wish and the only one that mattered.

"I wished my mother was here tonight, which is stupid, because it's an impossible wish." He shrugs and turns to me, drowning the smile that cracks me every time.

"It's not stupid to want to see her again."

"It wasn't so much that I wanted to see her again,” he says, looking at me with the depth of more than seventeen years in his eyes. "I wanted her to see you.”

"He hasn't given me a place to sit. He's given me a place to belong."

About the cover:  The cover is pretty good, it has the silhouette of a couple looking at each other and in between there is spilled cup with melting ice cream. I’m sure there is some symbolism to it, I just can’t see it. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Be with Me by J. Lynn (Wait for You #2)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine in which we have the opportunity to let others know about books that we are eagerly waiting for.

Title: Be with Me by J. Lynn

Published by: Harper Collins

Release date: February 4th, 2014

Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she’s in love with her big brother’s best friend, but he hasn’t spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, change-your-life kiss. She got out of a terrible relationship. And now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It’s time for Plan B – college. And maybe a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he’s not telling anyone. Especially not his best friend’s incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn’t have time for a relationship. But it doesn’t help that all he can think about kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.As they’re thrown together more and more, Jase and Tess can’t keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they’re willing to risk to be together, and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not…

Why I want to read it: Oh my goodness!  I love Wait for You, the first book in the series and I'm finishing Trust in Me (#1.5) and as you might imagine, it's to die for.  I love Jennifer Armentrot as a writer and I had the good fortune of meeting her in a few book events and she is a wonderful person as well.  I can't wait for Jace and Teresa's story!

What are you waiting for this week?

Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway: The Darkest Part by Trisha Wolfe

Welcome to my stop on The Darkest Part blog tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours.  Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!

Title: The Darkest Part by Trisha Wolfe 

Published: August 6th, 2013

Source: Provided by author for review

Format: eBook

Group age: New adult / adult

Genre: Contemporary romance

Grade rate: B

Pressing the boundaries of both the psyche and the heart, Sam and Holden embark on a dangerous journey that will test the limits of love.
Sam Wintry’s life used to be almost perfect. She was engaged to her childhood best friend and high school sweetheart, Tyler Marks, planning an amazing cross-country honeymoon during her college break. But after a hit-and-run leaves her in ruin, she begins seeing Tyler’s fractured, ghostly presence, and her family believes she’s losing her mind. Not until she completes their journey, stopping along the way to scatter Tyler's remains, will Tyler be able cross over. Only...is Sam ready for him to leave her?
When the black sheep of the Marks' family, Holden Marks, returns to check on Tyler's case, Sam convinces him to give her his brother's ashes. Despite their shaky history, she needs him...plus, he owes it to Sam and his brother. What she doesn’t count on is Holden’s relentlessness to go on the trip.
On the road, Holden realizes just how unhinged Sam has become. Dealing with her psychosis forces him to confront his dark past, making it harder to keep secrets hidden that should remain buried. Especially from Sam, the only woman he’s ever loved. And as Sam starts to unravel the truth, she begins to question if the brother she's unwillingly falling for again is in an even darker place than her.

Find it Here: Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│Kobo│iTunes

My Review

When I read the synopsis for this book I thought I was embarking in a great ghost story.  Instead I found myself reading of love, loss, heartbreak and redemption.  It was indeed a great read.

The beginning of The Darkest Part finds Sam in very bad shape, both physically and emotionally, dealing with the aftermath of Tyler’s death months prior.  She has not find a way to more on and still hangs on to Tyler and their planned future together.  She has pushed everyone out and rejected everyone’s help, and lives hanging on with both hands to his memories.  Enter Holden, Tyler’s older brother, which shares a past with Sam and a very painful one with Tyler. 

Sam and Holden are both artists, volatile and dealing with loss in different ways. The reason that I didn’t give the book an A is due to Sam’s whining.  Yes, I know that she had been through a lot, but all the back and forth going on in her mind was aggravating.  I would have read Tyler’s diary in one sitting and get it over with.  A lot of angst could have been saved.

The plot is complicated by the Mark’s brothers past and their insistence of keeping it hidden.  I didn’t expect the ending thus it was well executed.  I always like to read about road trips and this one is momentous for Sam and Holden.  They find a lot about themselves, about the past and about each other. The characterization is well executed and the writing is flawless.

I am glad that Sam came to the realization that she needed help, that true love can be experienced more than once in a lifetime and that it was okay to let go.  I am likely glad that Holden came clean and found a way to deal with his demons and let his true self come through.

Overall, The Darkest Part is a very good addition to the New Adult genre.  I really enjoy the story and also the ending.  Please be aware that there is a lot of language, sexual references, use of substances, and explicit sex scenes; definitely for the older reader.

About the cover: I really like this cover.  I life the subtle contrast of colors, the play on the dark and light theme and how the tree (every significant throughout) is portrait in the font. 

About the Author

I’m the author of the YA Steampunk DESTINY'S FIRE (Omnific Publishing), ASTARTE'S WRATH NA Historical/Supernatural, and the upcoming YA Utopian FIREBLOOD from Spencer Hill Press, October 2013. My NA Dark Fantasy OF SILVER AND BEASTS available May 2013.

I’m the creator of YA Bound, a promotional site for the Young Adult genre. Also a member of SCWW and The Apocalypsies.

A proud business owner, I'm partnered with my partner, my husband. When I’m not busy doing all of the above, I’m a wife and the mother of a gorgeous teen boy who's the sounding board for my male characters.

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook│Tumblr│YouTube│Pinterest

Giveaway

1- $25 Gift Card to Amazon, B&N, Paypal or iTunes (INT)

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of YA Bound Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by YA Bound, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*

Review: Wait for You by J. Lynn (Wait for You #1)

Title: Wait for You by J. Lynn

Published: February 26^th, 2013

Source: Purchased

Format: eBook

Group age: New adult /adult

Genre: Contemporary romance

Challenge(s):

Grade rate: A

Some things are worth waiting for…

Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.

Some things are worth experiencing…

Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.

Some things should never be kept quiet…

But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?

And some things are worth fighting for…

My Review

WOW!  In a sea of new adult novels that are sprouting everywhere, Wait for You is like a breath of fresh air.  I just loved this one so very much!

My only experience with Jennifer Armentrout’s writing is Obsidian, which I adored as well.  It seems to me that she is one of the best authors at creating characters that come alive within the story.

Avery is a very complicated character.  There is a traumatic and painful event in her life that changed, not only the way she felt about herself, but her relationship with her parents and with her peers.  Avery is afraid of letting everyone in, afraid of pain and rejection, so much fear.  She needed help that was denied to her and I’m glad that she was able to rise above it all.

I love Cameron with a passion! He is one of the best male characters EVER.  He is so sweet, considerate, romantic, gorgeous, not to mention that he has the patience of a saint.  Even though he got into some trouble, he tried really hard to overcome all obstacles and I think that scare put things into perspective for him. 

At the end, Cam was Avery’s salvation, the lifeline she needed to get her head above water and be willing to fight for something (or someone in this case).  I can really appreciate that there was no instant love between them, but rather a friendship that evolved into something ‘more’. 

Let me stop here and rant for a little bit.  What the *#%& (insert your favorite curse word here) was wrong with Avery’s parents?  I wish (not for the first time) that I can slap a fictional character silly!  For crying out loud, they should be flogged and then thrown into the sea (it seems that I have a big imagination for torture).  I am a mother and if someone were to even attempt something like that with one of my kids, I can assure you that all hell would break loose!  **breathing hard** Glad I got that off my chest!

Cam’s family is what families should be like, with ups and downs, but sticking out for each other and accepting everything; the good and the bad. I was glad that Avery had a chance to meet them and realize that her parents are plain crazy.

The writing is awesome.  Even if the plot is pretty simple, I can appreciate the details and the angst because it had a reason.  I guess you can tell that I really liked Wait for You, I’m a declared Armentrout / Lynn fan for life!

About the cover:  Pretty typical for new adult, I do like the black and white picture and the contrast of the red font.

Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway: An Endless Summer by C.J. Duggan

Or you can copy and paste the following:  Welcome to my stop on the An Endless Summer blog tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours.  Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!

Title: An Endless Summer (Summer #2)

by C.J. Duggan

Release Date: 07/17/13
Source: ARC given to me for review
Format: eBook
Group Age: New adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Grade rate: A

Sean looked out over the lake, squinting against the sunlight. He turned to me, his expression sobering as his eyes flicked over my face in a silent study.

“Come on Amy, I saved you once, I’ll save you again.”

I met his stare unflinchingly. “I don’t need saving.”

A wicked grin formed slowly. “Don’t you?”

After a rebellious summer night that almost claimed her life, Amy Henderson – the Onslow publican’s only daughter – is sent away to suffer a fate far worse than any other punishment:

Boarding School.

Three years on, a now nineteen-year-old Amy returns to Onslow for the summer. What once was a cauldron of activity with live bands, hot meals and cold beers, the Onslow Hotel now lies dark, deserted and depressing. All fond childhood memories of loitering on the hotel stairs and eavesdropping on customers’ colourful conversations are in the distant past.

How had her dad let it come to this?

With the new threat of putting the Onslow up for sale, Amy reluctantly turns to a local tradesman for help: Sean Murphy, the very same Onslow boy who saved her life all those years ago. With his help and that of some old friends, the task is clear: spend the summer building the hotel back up to its former glory or lose it for good.

In an endless summer, Amy soon realises that sometimes in order to save your future, you have to face your past, even if it’s in the form of a smug, gorgeous Onslow boy.

Where to find it: Goodreads | Amazon 

The Boys of Summer is on sale this week only for $.99!  Get your copy now!

My Review 

A few months ago I participated in the blog tour for The Boys of Summer and I loved that book (you can see my review here).  I was really excited to be invited to review An Endless Summer, the second book in C.J. Duggan’s Summer series.  I really love the series and I can’t get enough of the “Onslow Boys” :)

What makes this new adult series so good is the characterization.  ALL of the characters come alive within the story; they have their distinct personalities, however, they are not perfect.   This makes them feel even more real to me.

Blog Tour, Review and Giveaway: 3 Sides to a Circle by Jolene Perry and Janna Watts

Welcome to my stop on the 3 Sides of a Circle blog tour by Jolene Perry and Janna Watts hosted by YA Bound.  Click HERE to see the rest of the blog tour schedule!

Title: 3 Sides to a Circle by Jolene Perry and Janna Watts

Published: February 25^th, 2013 by Next Door Books

Source: Provided by the authors for review

Format: eBook

Group age: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary romance

Grade rate: B-

Love is the ultimate rush. Freshman year of college isn't easy. But with a friend like Libby Patterson, it is unforgettable. Libby is honest and fearless and adorable. She's the girl on campus that everyone knows. The life of every party. Infectious and addictive, Libby captivates all those around her. Particularly her roommate Honor and their boy bestie Toby. But three isn't always a magic number. And there's more to this trio than what everyone sees. When Honor finds herself falling for an artist, and Libby doesn’t approve, and Toby finds himself watching Libby more than he should...the sides of their circle become strained. The three are suddenly stretched between friendship, love and taking sides. They must fight to hold on to each other. But the tighter the hold, the harder it gets. Especially when Libby's unpredictability turns dangerous. Now it's up to Honor and Toby to save her from the downward spiral that could break their circle for good. 

My Review

3 Sides of a Circle is an amazing story of three college freshman that happen to find each other and become best friends.

The story is told from the first person point of view, alternating between Honor and Toby.  I always enjoy this format because it allows for a better insight of the characters.  Honor is very uptight, uncomfortable around people and with the way they react to her looks.  She has been a model for years and is conscious of how people treat her after that fact is known.  Toby is a shy, mildly nerdy and an awesome guy.  He falls by accident in the tornado that is Libby and he quickly learns to care for both girls deeply. It was very easy to guess what was wrong with Libby and I wasn’t surprised at all.