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

Monday, July 27, 2015

Feasted On: The Heartbreak Chronicles, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 336; Kindle Edition - File Size: 1271 KB | Expected Release Date: August 4, 2015 | Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire | Obtained: NetGalley

"The Heartbreakers" [The Heartbreak Chronicles, Book 1] by Ali Novak

Authors' Book Description : "When I met Oliver Perry, I had no clue he was the lead singer for The Heartbreakers. And he had no idea that I was the only girl in the world who hated his music."

Stella will do anything for her sick sister, Cara—even stand in line for an autographed Heartbreakers CD… for four hours. She’s totally winning best birthday gift this year. At least she met a cute boy with soft brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes while getting her caffeine fix. Too bad she’ll never see him again.

Except, Stella’s life suddenly turned into a cheesy love song. Because Starbucks Boy is Oliver Perry—lead singer for the Heartbreakers. And even after she calls his music crap, Oliver still gives Stella his phone number. And whispers quotes from her favorite Disney movie in her ear. OMG, what is her life?

But how can Stella even think about being with Oliver—dating and laughing and pulling pranks with the band—when her sister could be dying of cancer?

Ali Novak wrote her debut novel "My Life with the Walter Boys" when she was just 15 years old, and has since penned her next book, "The Heartbreakers." First a hit on the online community Wattpad, her second novel has over 38 million reads and is loved by readers around the world.

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! Since freshman year of high school, Stella’s sister (Cara) has been battling cancer, now about four years later Cara’s battle has been getting harder. Therefore, to give Cara the “greatest 18th Birthday present EVER” Stella and their brother Drew attend The Heartbreakers (the “boy band” Cara loves) autograph signing to get Cara’s things signed by the band as the gift for her. However, the day of signing Stella’s life changes forever and her life gets more embroiled with The Heartbreakers with its leader singer Oliver than she ever expected…

I chose/requested to read this novel for the following two main reasons. The first reason is because I’ve had a sudden urge to read rock star romances lately and with its cover/description, this looked like a good one. The second reason is that this novel’s description reminded me of Ms. Rallison’s “Just One Wish,” because the main characters from both novels are trying to get something from someone famous to make their sick siblings happy, and since I really liked Ms. Rallison’s novel I hoped I’d like Ms. Novak’s novel too. As luck would have it, I liked “The Heartbreakers” quite a lot!

All portrayed through Stella’s POV, you get a great start to a very intriguing series and band! Stella deals with Cara’s illness by hanging onto her family and staying close to them all as much as possible. However, Cara is the one who pushes Stella into accepting the Heartbreakers’ job offer and starting her own life away from her family. No matter what happens to Stella, she is still scared of getting her heart broken, and Oliver has player written all over him. Nevertheless, the attraction between Oliver and Stella is undeniable testing her resistance at every opportunity. It was fun watching her fight to have them stay apart.

Together Oliver and Stella are an electric, fun, and enchanting couple. Simply, they even each other out. Even though Stella feels in the dark about Oliver’s past during most of this novel, I enjoyed how their relationship grew and progressed. Yet, while I really liked Oliver as the “hero” and his relationship with Stella, I found this to be more of a women’s fiction novel instead of a romance as it’s based more on Stella’s personal growth than anything else. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed how this novel’s plot was laid out. I laughed, I cried, I just could not get enough!

I HIGHLY recommend this novel to those looking for a YA version of women’s fiction that also has the bonus of being a romance too!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : IndieBound (Paperback) : The Heartbreakers (Book 1) | Kobo (e-Book) : The Heartbreakers (Book 1)

Author's Novel Extras :

Hanging out with Stella and Oliver at Starbucks. Anyone want to finish editing this chapter for me? ;p
A photo posted by Fallzswimmer (@alinovak) on Aug 14, 2014 at 11:39am PDT

Well... this is turning out to be a messy draft. Sigh, it feels like Monday 😑
A photo posted by Fallzswimmer (@alinovak) on Nov 18, 2014 at 5:16am PST

Author's Series Extras :

Chapter 18 of The Queen of Hearts has been uploaded. Please let me know what you think 💙
A photo posted by Fallzswimmer (@alinovak) on Jul 27, 2015 at 8:26am PDT

Author's Book Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

"She's totally adopted," I muttered, which made Drew snicker.
"You're identical."
"Irrelevant," I said and shook my head. "I mean, honestly? Where did she go so wrong?" ~ within Chapter 2

THE HEARTBREAKERS by Ali Novak -- Read my #bookreview here:...
Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Monday, July 27, 2015

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

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Second Sentence Saturday: Daisy and the Front Man

SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jess of From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab the novel/novella your currently reading

Open to the first page of Chapter 1 or its Prologue

Share the SECOND sentence from that page

Share the novel/novella's title & its author, so that other participants can add that novel to their TBR Lists if they want

MY Second Sentence Saturday :

"Daisy and the Front Man" [Backstage Pass Series, Book 3] by Rebekah L. Purdy

The whole town had shown up: local television crews, the newspaper, people from school, and even one of the ladies from Entertainment Tonight.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT to share either the link to your own SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY post or share the sentence in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thank You!

Friday, July 24, 2015

Feasted On: Backstage Pass Series, Book 4

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 183; Kindle Edition - File Size: 1272 KB | Expected Release Date: July 14, 2015 | Publisher: Entangled Publishing : Teen : Crush | Obtained: NetGalley

"Anya and the Shy Guy" [Backstage Pass Series, Book 4] by Suze Winegardner

Author's Book Description : Suze’s first YA book will be publishes TODAY, July 14th, 2015 by Entangled Publishing’s Crush Imprint. It is part of the “Backstage Pass Series” which details the adventures of a boy-band on their first national tour

It’s always the quiet ones…

Anya Anderson doesn’t just need a big break, she needs any break. Living on the streets doesn’t leave a girl many options, so when she scores a gig reporting on the Seconds to Juliet tour, she jumps at the chance to earn enough money to sleep somewhere safe. And the paycheck will get bigger if she can dig up dirt on Will Fray, the irritatingly cute “shy guy” of the band.

Problem is, Will Fray isn’t who everyone thinks he is. In fact, he’s not Will at all. The guy onstage is actually Matt, Will’s identical twin, who’s reluctantly covering for his brother while he’s in rehab. To make matters worse, Matt’s being shadowed by a cute reporter with troubled eyes determined to get the scoop. On him.

If the secret gets out, it won’t just be his head on the platter—it’ll be the whole band’s. But Matt’s having trouble finding the willpower to keep his distance…and he’s not so sure he wants to.

This Entangled Teen Crush book contains steamy make out scenes, graphic language, and a love story so hot your copy may spontaneously burst into flames. You’ve been warned.

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! Since the age of fifteen, Anya has been living on the streets. Now two years later, she finally gets a “big brake” by taking a job as a freelance journalist trying to get the inside scoop about Will “The Shy Guy” from the group Seconds to Juliet. However, not everything is all rosy because she unintentionally lied about her age to get the gig and after meeting Will, she’s not sure that if she learns any of his secrets that she’d be willing to divulge them to the public like that. As Anya gets closer to Will though she’s finding that not everything is adding up, is he too good to be true or is he hiding a bigger secret than she originally suspected?

I REALLY liked how its plot flowed! Mostly because if it went off, as I feared it would, that Will would come back without Matt telling Anya about their “deceit” before Will showed than I’m not sure I’d have enjoyed it as much as I did. Therefore, I’m VERY happy with how everything turns out in this novel!! As it happens Anya meets Will’s identical twin brother Matt who is playing the role of Will until his twin gets out of recovery, but no one but Trevin knows the truth about the farce. It’s like a more grownup version of The Parent Trap. With the slight twists that this novel pulls, I was enamored with it!

While Matt is more of the extrovert compared to his twin’s shyness, I still could not get enough of him! I found him to be sweet, funny, and very charismatic. In truth, he charmed me just as much as he did Anya! Then as you read about Anya not being as “edgy” as she portrayed herself to be, I fell in love with them as a couple! In addition, I liked that you kind of get to see Will get together with someone too by the end of this novel.

I recommend this novel to those who are already a fan of the Backstage Pass series and/or if you’re looking for a sweetly fun contemporary, YA romance!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : Kobo (e-Book) : Aimee and the Heartthrob (Book 1) | Kobo (e-Book) : Mia and the Bad Boy (Book 2) | Kobo (e-Book) : Daisy and the Front Man (Book 3) | Kobo (e-Book) : Anya and the Shy Guy (Book 4) | Amazon.com (Kindle Edition) : Aimee and the Heartthrob (Book 1) | Amazon.com (Kindle Edition) : Mia and the Bad Boy (Book 2) | Amazon.com (Kindle Edition) : Daisy and the Front Man (Book 3)

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 2 | Book 3

Author's Novel Extras : 2015 brings a new book deal! | It’ssssssss here!

Eeeep! One more sleep to go before ANYA AND THE SHY GUY hits the shelves (or your Kindles). There will be a swag giveaway tomorrow, so watch this space!
Posted by The Backstage Pass series on Monday, July 13, 2015

Posted by The Backstage Pass series on Monday, July 27, 2015

Authors' Series Extras : NEW SERIES- NEW COVERS! | Book Cover Reveal for Daisy and the Front Man (Backstage Pass # 3) | Happy RELEASE DAY for DAISY AND THE FRONT MAN/giveaway/booktrailer | #TeaserTuesday Mia & The Bad Boy

Posted by The Backstage Pass series on Thursday, June 18, 2015

The official Seconds to Juliet band logo!
Posted by The Backstage Pass series on Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Book Teaser(s) :

"What do you need?" He poured a cup of coffee from the carafe and held the cup up in the silent You want some? gesture.
Trevin shook his head. "What I need is for you to stop singing 'I'll wash your back' when it should be 'I'll watch your back.' You might not think anyone can hear you, but I can hear you, and you can bet your ass that LJ can hear you, too."
Matt leaned against the counter. Huh.
"Well that certainly makes more sense given the rest of the lyrics." He pulled open a drawer and dug the songbook Will had written for him. Bastard. "Sorry, dude. The little bastard wrote 'I'll wash your back.' He always did love messing with me."
Trevin grabbed the book and read through it. "Hey, we can give him the benefit of the doubt. He was in pain when he wrote this for you. Give me a pen."
Matt chucked him a pencil, and Trevin started scribbling in the book. Shit. It looked like he'd been singing the wrong words to a bunch of songs. No wonder Trevin had stopped by to check up on him. ~ within Chapter 2

ANYA AND THE SHY GUY by Suze Winegardner -- Read my #bookreview here:...
Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Friday, July 24, 2015

"You're damn right he's sorry. He sang off-key all bloody night!" Miles said. - ANYA AND THE SHY GUY by @scwine @BackstagePassBk #FraysBabes
— Jessica (@fromjesstoyou) July 25, 2015

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Suze, then please check out her website. For more information about this series check out The Backstage Pass Series Facebook Page and/or The Backstage Pass Series Website.

Disappointmentville: Romance Island Resort Series, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 308; Kindle Edition - File Size: 606 KB | Expected Release Date: August 3, 2015 | Publisher: Lost Plot Press | Obtained: NetGalley

"Maid for the Rock Star" [Romance Island Resort Series, Book 1] by Demelza Carlton

Author's Book Description : A maid at the exclusive Romance Island Resort, Audra knows how to handle rock stars, billionaires and celebrities. She keeps their secrets, cleans up their mess and makes sure their holiday is a memorable one. There’s just one rule: no relationships with guests. And Audra never breaks the rules.

Jay Felix is rock royalty and he knows it. When one of his bandmates threatens to break up the band, he goes into hiding at the Romance Island Resort. Looking for a distraction, he sets his sights on the unattainable Audra. But what’s a rock star to do when the girl he wants is the one woman he can’t have?

Welcome to paradise, where the romance is as hot as the weather and the tides aren’t all that’s surging beneath the surface.

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars. A rock star decides to stay at a remote island Resort in Australia while coming to terms with being on a "farewell tour" at only the age of 25 years old. While there, he becomes enamored with his maid and tries to peruse her by any means necessary.

I tried to like this novel but I found Jason (Jay/the rock star) and Audra both hard to enjoy as main characters. Jay portrays a main who is self-centered and all about getting laid, it was hard to find any depth with him. Whereas Audra is poor, trying to find the self-control not to hook up with Jay so she won't lose her job, and allows her family and coworkers to steamroll over her. Together I thought they might have a nice friendship but it wasn't love. In addition, I'm not sure how they can have anything long-term because of Audra's career goals and how this novel ends.

In truth, I don't recommend it unless you're looking for a straight erotica without much romance.

Purchase This Book Here :

Author's Novel Extras : Dreaming About Stars – Seven #SexySnippets on #MySexySaturday

Prepare to be teased :D Rock god Jay Felix is causing trouble at the Romance Island Resort...and his first book will be...
Posted by Demelza Carlton on Saturday, July 11, 2015

You all know how I love to tease...and it being Tuesday morning and all, I figured this was kind of appropriate....
Posted by Demelza Carlton on Monday, July 20, 2015

Author's Series Extras : Romance Island Resort Series - Overview

She did it again - Elizabeth Ellen Carter tagged me for 7 lines from a WIP. I *still* can't share the cover or title of...
Posted by Demelza Carlton on Sunday, May 24, 2015

Book Teaser(s) :

MAID FOR THE ROCK STAR by Demelza Carlton -- Read my #bookreview here:...
Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Friday, July 24, 2015

"I've never flown in a helicopter before, so that makes two of us."
"I get to pop your cherry and someone else is paying for it? How do you feel about taking the scenic route, if it's your first time?"
She blushed. "You're the pilot. As long as we get to the airport in one piece and then back here with my patient, or whatever he is, the flight route's up to you." ~ within Chapter 27

She saved her brother's life. Why the fuck would he want anyone else watching out for him? ~ within Chapter 33

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

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Blog Tour - A Time for Everything by Mysti Parker | Spreading the Word & Gift Card Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Mysti Parker author of "A Time for Everything!!!"

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY!! [Blog Tour & Giveaway will run on July 21, 2015]

"A Time for Everything"
by Mysti Parker (aka Misty Baker)
Author's Book Description :

****

What readers are saying:

“The book truly encapsulated the situation of the time – a Confederate living in Union territory. The mere difference of opinion between Union and Confederate…the vestiges of the war…the consequences of one’s actions…the choice of who you love and how you show it.”

*****

“If you enjoy stories from the Civil War then you will definitely enjoy this one. Don’t forget to grab the tissues before you start.”

This book is available to order on :

Amazon (e-Book) | Barnes and Noble (e-Book) | Smashwords (e-Book)

** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! **

**Brentwood, TN, 1865** On a frigid Christmas morning, a young widow decided to join the husband and daughter she had...
Posted by Mysti Parker on Friday, June 19, 2015

About the Author :

Mysti Parker is a wife, mom, author, and shameless chocoholic. She is the author of the Tallenmere standalone fantasy romance series and The Roche Hotel romantic comedy series. Her short writings have appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines. Her award-winning historical romance, "A Time for Everything," will be published this summer by EsKape Press.

Other writing pursuits include serving as a class mentor in Writers Village University's seven week online course, F2K. She has published two children's books ("Quentin's Problem" & "Fuzzy Buzzy's Treasure") as Misty Baker.

When she's not writing fiction, Mysti reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specific publication. She resides in Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.

Coming July 7: Portia had never seen the man Beau was before the war, but one day she caught a glimpse...Pre-Order...
Posted by Mysti Parker on Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Book Excerpt :

“Now don’t give me that look, son. It’s been two years. You need to find somebody. Give Jonathan a mama.”

“He had a mama. And we’re fine.” Beau hated the way his voice broke every time someone forced him to talk about Claire, so he made his retreat into Scout’s stall. The sixteen-year-old stallion was the most level-headed Morgan he’d ever owned. He nuzzled his master as soon as he saw the brush in Beau’s hand.

Ezra followed, thumbs tucked behind his overall straps. “You’re not fine, Beauregard. You need a lady to run things around here. Harry and Isaac are back with the new teacher, right?”

“I reckon so.” He brushed Scout’s neck with soft, gentle strokes.

“Portia, wasn’t it? Portia McAllister?”

“You’d know better than me. I didn’t want to hire her in the first place. It’s bad enough she’s a Rebel’s widow, but Harry says she’s not what we expected. Is she blind or deaf or missing a leg or what?”

“Heck if I know, son. I ain’t met her yet, either. All I’ve seen is her letter.”

“And according to that letter, her husband worked as an overseer.”

“Part-time assistant to an overseer.”

“Same difference.”

“Don’t matter what he was. She’s a former schoolteacher. And you know Claire wanted this for Jonny until he’s old enough for the university. I ain’t gonna be responsible for her coming back to haunt us for not abiding by her wishes.”

Giveaways!! :

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Soo .... TWEET about the giveaway!! And you could WIN!! =0)

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

Find Mysti Parker :

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Feasted On: At Ease by Olivia Brynn

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Kindle Edition - File Size: 684 KB | Expected Release Date: August 18, 2015 | Publisher: Samhain Publishing | Obtained: NetGalley

"At Ease" by Olivia Brynn (aka Alanna Coca)

Authors' Book Description : Jaycee Hanson has the best seat in the house in Psych 301. Right behind Tyler Johnson, ROTC captain and star of her erotic fantasies. But while lusting from afar, she’s come to one disappointing conclusion. He doesn’t seem to date outside his race.

When an accidental touch near the end of class turns into an impromptu foot rub, the rest of her wet-noodle bones are willing to go anywhere Tyler leads. She just never expected to be led into the nearest stairwell.

Tyler isn’t sure what to make of the smart, beautiful woman in his arms. If he’d had any idea Jaycee was interested in him, he would have made a move long ago. But each time he looked her way, she avoided his gaze.

A blissful afternoon at his place seems the start of something special—until objections to their relationship arise from an unexpected source. Causing Jaycee to wonder if sizzling sexual chemistry is enough.

This book has been previously published.

Product Warnings
Contains a semi-public quickie against a wall, impromptu picnics, and a hero who knows where to draw the line—and it’s not between him and his woman.

My Book Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars!! After months of lusting after one another Tyler and Jaycee follow through on their feelings and see what happens. However, as they quickly get to know each other unplanned for obstacles get in the way, will they be willing to make a big commitment into their budding relationship so soon?

WOW! This erotically charged novella hooks you with its spicy storyline and then reels you in with its heartwarmingly sweet characters! Tyler and Jaycee are a great couple who’s chemistry off the charts. Even though this is a whirlwind romance novella, which only shows a glimpse into the beginning of their relationship, I have a good feeling about them being together.

I definitely recommend this novella to those looking for a hot erotica romance!

Purchase This Book Here : Kobo (e-Book) : At Ease

Posted by Olivia Brynn - Erotic Romance Author on Monday, June 22, 2015

Author's Novel Extras : Saturday Status 11/15/14 | Saturday Status 2/28/2015

At Ease

Publish at Calameo

Book Teaser(s) :

AT EASE by Olivia Brynn - Erotic Romance Author -- REVIEW TO BE POSTED ON JULY 18TH 2015 at...
Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Wednesday, July 1, 2015

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

Second Sentence Saturday: My Perfect Mate

SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jess of From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab the novel/novella your currently reading

Open to the first page of Chapter 1 or its Prologue

Share the SECOND sentence from that page

Share the novel/novella's title & its author, so that other participants can add that novel to their TBR Lists if they want

MY Second Sentence Saturday :

"My Perfect Mate" [The Siberian Volkov Pack Romance Series, Book 10] by Caryn Moya Block

A simple favor of driving his friend Mathis Levesque's limo had turned into so much more.

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT to share either the link to your own SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY post or share the sentence in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thank You!

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