From Me to You ... Video, Photography and Book Reviews

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Feasted On: Pushing the Limits Series, Book 2

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 462; Paperback - Pages: 462; Kindle Edition - File Size: 605 KB | Expected Release Date: May 28, 2013 | Publisher: Harlequin TEEN | Obtained: NetGalley

"Dare You To" [Pushing the Limits Series, Book 2] by Katie McGarry

My Book Summary : Everyone seems to call Ryan and his life perfect. Yet they hardly know what goes on behind the closed doors of his home---his parents seem to hate each other but won't divorce, his brother abandoned him after informing his family he was gay, and he just recently lost a dare to his best friends---being a baseball pitcher, his friends, and making sure he wins any dare that comes his way are the only things that keep him sane as of late...

That is until Beth--the girl that got him to lose his most recent dare--comes into his life and stays. His plan is to use his charm and find a way to win his original dare by getting to know Beth better. What Ryan doesn't realize is that Beth has plenty of secrets and does not intend to be friendly or getting close to him.

Nevertheless, they'll find that what they expect out of their futures is desperately going to change throughout the time that they spend together. Will they find that they like the changes that were made or will they be able to stick to who they used to be?

My Book Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars!! Two supposedly opposites find that they are drawn to each other in a way neither can explain yet both can't help but want to explore...

About the Characters:
• Elisabeth (Beth): Likes dying her blonde hair black after a bad experience when she was younger. Believes there isn't any other way to get her mom and herself out of their run down lives other than running away to a new future/another life. Has a hard time trusting anyone after everything she's been through. Doesn't understand love. Feels like she needs to protect and take care of her mother because of what her mother gave up for her. She's very protective of those she considers her friends. She has an immediate crush on Ryan when she meets him but tries to push and keep him away because she believes that no guy like him would ever go for a girl like her.

• Ryan: A baseball jock. Likes taking dares from his friends. Has a great writing talent. Has the ability to play pro baseball after high school. Starts getting to know Beth because of a dare. Is attracted to Beth when they first meet but when he really gets to know her he becomes even more hooked. Wishes his family wasn't falling apart around him. His parents try to make him appear to be the perfect son, so they'll appear to be the perfect family. Misses his brother.

• Isaiah: Beth's best friend ever since she moved to Louisville. Wants to help Beth escape her mother's influence. Believes he loves her more than as just a friend.

• Lacy: Beth's childhood best friend, who becomes her friend again once Beth moved back to Groveton. Chris' girlfriend.

• Scott: Beth's rich uncle. An ex-baseball player from the New York Yankees. Recently moved back to Groveton with his wife, Allison. When he heard that Beth was in trouble he "bribes" her to move in with him in hopes of giving her a better life, much to his wife's disappointment.

• Allison: Beth's aunt. Scott's wife. Ever since Scott and her moved to Groveton she has been trying to fit in with the "high society" of the town. Isn't happy about Beth moving into her house, especially after she meets the unruly teen. Doesn't get along with Beth.

• Chris: Ryan's best friend. Plays baseball and is a big baseball fan. Lacy's boyfriend. Enjoys beating Ryan in their dares.

• Logan: Ryan's close friend. Is the catcher on Ryan's baseball team. Is very smart. His friends believe he is fearless when it comes to almost anything.

• Sky: Beth's alcoholic mother.

• Noah: Beth's close friend who is like her brother. Echo's boyfriend. A main character in "Pushing the Limits."

• Echo: Noah's girlfriend. A main character in "Pushing the Limits." Beth finds her freaky and blames her for being the one to disrupt what was her life before Noah & Echo first got together.

• Miriam: Ryan's mother. Tries to make everyone believe everything is fine with her family. Isn't happy with her marriage to Andrew. Misses her oldest son, Mark. Wants her husband to run for Mayor.

• Andrew: Ryan's father. Isn't happy with his marriage to Miriam. Kicked his oldest son, Mark, out of his house during his summer home from college and doesn't want him coming back or to have any contact with anyone in the family once Mark informed them of his secret. Doesn't want anyone in Groveton to know about Mark's secret.

• Mark: Ryan's older brother. Andrew and Miriam's oldest son. His secret is that he's gay and isn't accepted by his family. Is/was very close to Ryan before his secret came out, mostly Mark's choice not why they weren't close anymore.

• Gwen: Ryan's ex-girlfriend. Plays games with Ryan's feelings and uses her knowledge about Beth's past to try to drive a wedge between Ryan and Beth. Aka a bitch!

• Trent: Sky’s “boyfriend.” When he gets mad, he beats up Sky and Beth. A druggie and a drug dealer. The police are after him but need more evidence to arrest him.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, from reading about Ryan & Beth's blooming romance to Beth coming into her own when finding out that her life doesn't need to revolve around taking care of her mother. A touching romance makes you root for these unique characters from the beginning. I only wish there was more!

Yet I cannot wait to read Isaiah's story, "Crash Into You."

I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys reading YA romances, especially ones that involve what seem to be an opposites attract type of situation.

Author's Novel Extras : Dare You To - Overview | What character are you most like? | What's Next? Apocalypsies in 2013 and Beyond! | Back Cover Copy and Flap for Dare You To | UK Cover for Dare You To

"Where are you taking her Friday?"
"Not far. Actually, it'll border your property and my dad's. My best friend lives on the other side of you and we invite friends over to hang out."
Scott fights amusement and tenses at the same time. "You're taking my niece to a field party."
I swallow.
"I grew up fifteen miles from Groveton," says Scott. "I know what a field party is, having attended more than a few myself."
Busted. "I thought it would be a good opportunity for her to spend time with my friends."
Scott rubs his jawline. "I don't know."
I have to give him more. Lots more. "I like Beth. She's pretty." Yeah, she is. "She's more than pretty. She's not like any girl I've met before. Beth keeps me on the edge. With her, I have no idea what's coming next and I find that..." Amazing. Thrilling. "Fun."
Scott says nothing back and I'm glad. Until I said the words---words I thought I was creating to impress him---I had no idea they were true. ~ within a chapter titled 'Ryan'

Ryan has that smile again. The genuine one that makes my stomach flip. He had it at Taco Bell. He had it when Scott introduced us. He does it with such ease and for a second I believe his smile is for me.
"You're smiling," he says.
I absently touch my face as if I'm surprised by the news.
"You should do that more. It's pretty." He pauses. "You're pretty."
My heart does this strange fluttering. Like it's stopping and starting at the same time. Heat creeps up my neck and flushes my face. What the hell? I'm blushing again?
"I'm sorry." Ryan keeps his endearing smile, but it turns a little repentant and his eyes cast down in a shy way.
"No, it was fun." The most fun I've had in weeks. The most fun I've had sober in...my mind ticks back and I come up empty-handed. ~ within a chapter titled 'Beth'

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Katie, then please check out her website.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Blog Tour - Idolizing In: The Boys of Summer by C. J. Duggan | Guest Post & Review

Today I'm turning my blog over to C. J. Duggan, who is discussing the parallels between her life and that of "The Boys of Summer". [Blog Tour will run from April 15 - 21, 2013]

ALSO -- Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites!

Does "The Boys Of Summer" have any parallels that could be drawn from your life? :

I grew up in a small country town in Australia so I am well aware of what it’s like to have to make your own fun. Unfortunately our town wasn’t set on the banks of Lake Onslow but it was still a nice place to live. My first job was working as a barmaid at the local hotel and I remember the fear of my first shift and learning the ropes. The one thing I do love hearing is when a reader connects with my characters, I think there are parallels in not only my life when growing up but for many others too.

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 320; Kindle Edition - File Size: 498 KB | Release Date: December 19, 2012 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: IMR Blog Tours

"The Boys of Summer" [Summer Series, Book 1] by C. J. Duggan

My Book Summary : Seventeen-year-old Tess is just happy that her school year is over and summer time is beginning. All she wants to do is spend lazy days and fun nights with her two best friends, Ellie & Adam, around Lake Onslow. However, that doesn't seem to be on her friends’ game plan because as the last few days of school descend they finally convince her to help out at Adam's Uncle Eric's hotel as waitresses for the summer. Definitely not what she had hoped to do but enjoying a little spending money wouldn't hurt either.

Yet during the last day of school party Adam accidentally break his arm, which gets him grounded by his parents and sent away to his grandmother's in the city for the summer.

Now with one friend gone and the other boy crazy, Tess doesn't have the best hopes for the summer. That all changes once Ellie and her meet and become friends with 'The Onslow Boys,' four twenty-two-year-old guys who hang out in the poolroom section of the bar a lot after work one of whom just happens to be Tess' long-time crush Tobias (Toby)! Tess' summer starts to really look up ...

That is if Tess can get over the fact that Toby has a mean/gorgeous girlfriend whom she’s is jealous of, as well as getting over her own anxiety from lying to her parents so much about her late night activities, and see if she can use this summer to finally get out of her shell and have some fun!!

My Book Review : 5 out of 5 stars--a teenage girl grows up and comes into her own during the summer before her Year Twelve begins because of good friends, forbidden love, and a whole lot of fun late night activities!

I fell in love with this novel, mostly because of how Tess blooms throughout it and because of her unique and growing relationship with Toby. They were so sweet together. Plus, I loved how she seemed to make him a better version of himself too.

The Onslow Boys, especially Sean & Toby, along with Adam & Chris were a fun bunch to read about! I enjoyed reading about the antics they got into, while all of them being great friends and a nice sounding board for Tess throughout this novel. Also, the staff at the hotel was fun too from their rowdy ways to their unusual styles!

It made me wish, at times, that the novel would never end! Therefore, I now can't wait to read Sean & Amy's story in "An Endless Summer," book 2 in this series, coming out in July 2013! They seem like an interesting pair but I liked them as individual characters so I hope it'll be as good as I hope!

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes YA/NA romances!

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Spreading the Word: The Boys of Summer | Spreading the Word: An Endless Summer

Author's Novel Extras : The Boys of Summer - Overview | NaNo. How I wrote 40k in 6 days. And survived! | Some Crazy Cool News! | Cover Reveal. The Boys of Summer | Honey, I'm Home! | Music Soothes the Editing Beast | Do a girl a favour? | Would you look at that! | A Taste Test Blog Tour | A Taste Test Blog Tour- CJ Duggan | Moving Heads. | Living A Lie. | Exciting Times! | You like me, you really like me! | Indie Revolution Day Six - C.J. Duggan | WHAT was I thinking? | AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: C.J. Duggan | No Time For Love :( | Calm Before the Storm. | The Boys of Summer RELEASE date! | One WEEK till 'The Boys of Summer' release! | The Boys of Summer is finally HERE! | There Are No Words. | Paperbacks Now Available. Lets Rock it Old School. | Release Week in Review. | Look Whats on iTunes! | The Boys of Summer hits Number One! | A Barnes and Noble Bargain!

"Toby has a girlfriend?" Ellie asked. "No, he doesn't. Who?"
I sighed. "Yeah, perfect Angela."
"Oh yeah, we hate her," Ellie said.
For the smallest of moments, I had forgotten. Like when he stepped out of the darkness at the party, or the way he looked at me when I brought the meals into the bar, or the feel of his hand touching mine. No doubt I had over-analysed his every moment, his every facial expression, but I'm allowed to. That's what girls do. For those fleeting moments, however, I had managed to forget all about Angela Vickers.
"So they're still together?" Ellie asked.
"I see her car parked at his place all the time," I said.
Ellie gasped. "What are you doing outside his house? You total stalker!"
"Shut up!" I said, blushing. ~ within Chapter 7

"So I have to ask. Did you happen to receive a pie this week?"
Sean looked at me blankly.
"A Summer Berry pie?"
Still nothing. I shook my head. "Unbelievable, you wait 'til I see that Toby Morrison."
A spark of recognition flickered in his grey-blue eyes.
"If you are referring to a parcel I received at work containing a crust of a pie with a note saying, 'Tess made us pie. It was delicious', then, yes, I received a secondhand portion of pie."
My jaw fell open. "That is so mean. The pies were meant to be for all of you."
"Pies? Plural?" ~ within Chapter 26

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by C. J., then please check out her website.

About the Author :

C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia.
"The Boys Of Summer" is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.
For more on C.J and ‘The Summer Series’, visit www.cjdugganbooks.com.

Find C. J. Duggan :

C. J. Duggan - Website
C. J. Duggan - Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Facebook Page
Goodreads
The Boys of Summer [Summer Series, Book 1] : Amazon.com - U.S. (Paperback) | Amazon.com - U.S. (Ebook) | Amazon.com - U.K. (Paperback) | Amazon.com - U.K. (Ebook) | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

What was I thinking?: The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 440; Kindle Edition - File Size: 503 KB | Expected Release Date: April 25, 2013 | Publisher: Random House Children's Publishers UK: Corgi Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"The Kissing Booth" by Beth Reekles

What was I thinking? : I liked the cover and the author's book description sounded interesting. I really wanted to like it. However, it feel a bit sort for my liking. =0/

Author's Book Description : Meet Rochelle “Elle” Evans: pretty, popular—and never been kissed.

Meet Noah Flynn: badass, volatile—and a total player.

When Elle decides to run a kissing booth at her school's Spring Carnival, she locks lips with Noah and her life is turned upside down. Her head says to keep away, but her heart wants to draw closer. This romance seems far from a fairy tale.

Is Elle headed for heartbreak or will she get her happily ever after?

My Book Review : 1.5 out of 5 stars. Two teenagers, who have grown up around each other, find that they have stronger feelings for each other then they would have ever imagined. If only they could open up to everyone about their feelings for each other, and not have to have a secret relationship...

I really wanted to like this novel, mostly because I had such high hopes for Noah. But because of Elle's whiny-stubbornness throughout this whole novel, I really had to trudge through to finish it.

I understand that Elle was just displaying typical teenage girl "gitters" about first dates and all. I just really wish that she would have "womaned-up" a bit when it came to telling her best friend/Noah's brother, Lee, when it came to her feelings for Noah better then it was handled.

I will say that because of the way this novel plays out, I'm very happy with how it ended. I mean I would have LOVED to see a whole big romantic ending. Yet, for this novel and everything that Elle and Noah go through I'm glad to see that she was fairly open-minded about it all, willing to hope for the best but support Noah and his dreams.

If this is part of a series, I am very interested as to see what Elle, and Noah, will be up to next.

I recommend it only to those who LOVE teenage angst romances.

Author's Novel Extras : The Kissing Booth [Sample; entire ebook available 13/12/12] | 21st Jan 2013 | 23rd Jan 2013 | 29th Jan 2013 | 30th Jan 2013 | 15th Feb 2013 - post 1 | 15th Feb 2013 - post 2 | 7th Mar 2013 | 19th Mar 2013 - post 1 | 19th Mar 2013 - post 2 | 19th Mar 2013 - post 3 | 3rd Apr 2013 - post 1 | 3rd Apr 2013 - post 2 | 4th Apr 2013 | 9th Apr 2013 - post 1 | 9th Apr 2013 - post 2 | 12th Apr 2013 | 16th Apr 2013 | 17th Apr 2013

Author's Series Extras : The Beach House - Novella to The Kissing Booth

Author's Book Interview(s) :

Book Teaser(s) :

I got in the car.
As Noah slid into the driver's seat, he sighed, 'Thank you.'
I nodded. 'You didn't need to yell so much.'
After a second he said, 'I know. I'm sorry.'
I sat there, fiddling with the frayed rips in my jeans. 'Patrick didn't do anything, you know.'
'He would've.'
'We just went out for some fresh air. Is that a crime?'
'Is that what he said?'
'W-well, yeah . . .' I faltered.
Noah sighed heavily, leaning his head against the steering wheel in exasperation before he sat up and looked me in the eye. He looked a lot calmer now, if a bit hopeless.
'And you really thought he meant you were going out for fresh air?'
'At first I did.' ~ within Chapter 12

'Well, that was the summer after I'd started getting into fights at school and shit: my parents sent me to see a couple of counselors. They were trying to help, I know that. But the thing is . . .' He sighed a little. 'They tried, but failed miserably. I'm a bad boy and always will be. Guess it's just the way my brain's wired up.' He shrugged like he couldn't care less.
I really liked these rare conversations where I saw the Noah behind the sexy smirk; when he let me see his vulnerable side. I never knew he'd been to see counselors -- maybe Lee didn't even know about it.
'You're cute when you look all embarrassed like that,' I teased, lightening the mood.
'One, I'm not embarrassed,' he said, knowing I was joking. 'And two' -- he bumped his knee against mine -- 'don't call me cute.'
I laughed now, and he gave me a smile, one that flashed the dimple in his left cheek. ~ within Chapter 16

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Beth, then please check out her website.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Spreading the Word: An Endless Summer

"An Endless Summer" [Summer Series, Book 2] by C. J. Duggan
Imprint : Self-Published
Audience : YA
Novel length : TBA
Format : TBA
Expected Publication Released Date : July 17, 2013
Author's Book Cover :

Author's Book Description :

“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?”

Boarding School.

** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! **
Find C. J. Duggan :

C. J. Duggan - Website
C. J. Duggan - Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Facebook Page
Goodreads
The Boys of Summer [Summer Series, Book 1] : Amazon.com - U.S. (Paperback) | Amazon.com - U.S. (Ebook) | Amazon.com - U.K. (Paperback) | Amazon.com - U.K. (Ebook) | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords

Monday, April 15, 2013

Spreading the Word: The Boys of Summer

"The Boys of Summer" [Summer Series, Book 1] by C. J. Duggan
Imprint : Self-Published
Audience : YA
Novel length : 320 pages
Format : Paperback and eBook
Publication Released Date : December 19, 2012
Author's Book Cover :

Author's Book Description :

It seemed only natural to nickname them the “Onslow Boys". Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week's work; their laughter loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition; a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn't help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him.... Toby Morrison.

working

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

It will be a summer she will always remember.

Warning: sexual references and occasional course language

This book is available to order on :

Amazon.com - U.S. (Paperback), Amazon.com - U.S. (Ebook), Amazon.com - U.K. (Paperback), Amazon.com - U.K. (Ebook), Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo & Smashwords

** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! **
Find C. J. Duggan :

C. J. Duggan - Website
C. J. Duggan - Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Facebook Page
Goodreads
The Boys of Summer : Amazon.com - U.S. (Paperback) | Amazon.com - U.S. (Ebook) | Amazon.com - U.K. (Paperback) | Amazon.com - U.K. (Ebook) | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Smashwords

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