Archive for August 2014

Right Kind of Wrong

Friday, August 29, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Title: Right Kind of Wrong

 Author: Chelsea Fine

 Published: September 2nd 2014

 Rating: 4/5 Stars

 Synopsis: Jenna Lacombe needs complete control, whether it's in the streets . . . or between the sheets. So when she sets out on a solo road trip to visit her family in New Orleans, she's beyond annoyed that the infuriatingly sexy Jack Oliver wants to hitch a ride with her. Ever since they shared a wild night together last year, he's been trying to strip away her defenses one by one. He claims he's just coming along to keep her safe-but what's not safe for her is prolonged exposure to the tattooed hottie.

Jack can't get Jenna out from under his skin. She makes him feel alive again after his old life nearly destroyed him-and losing her is not an option. Now Jack's troubles are catching up to him, and he's forced to return to his hometown in Louisiana. But when his secrets put them both in harm's way, Jenna will have to figure out how far she's willing to let love in . . . and how much she already has.
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 Review:
There were a few difficulties about getting INTO the book. But I'm telling you now, once you hit that book groove with Right Kind of Wrong, you're in it for LIFE. Okay I maybe exaggerating a bit (not really), but seriously, there's a point in this book, and it's toward the beginning, were you find yourself fully immersed into this story.

 We are introduced to Jack and Jenna and we soon find out that they've got some really good/bad history going on. With the history aside, I saw the connection with Jack and Jenna and then add the history and BAM! There's no way you can miss it; it's bleeding off their actions and the words and the words you read. Everything that encompasses them as a person and as a couple is love, from the very beginning.

 Jack and Jenna are very family-orientated though it doesn't seem liked it. Jack does anything for the people he loves as does Jenna, though they are both on the reluctant side when we get personal with them. But the love is evident!

 Jenna was a conundrum while Jack was the solution. Jenna is determined about what she wants with her future but she's also confused about that fact that she might want more and doesn't think she can have both. I get that; the level of "get that" I'm on is waaaaaaayyy up there. A lot of us (I believe) don't understand that we can have both and be content more than content sometimes. Like Hannah Montana once said "You get the best of both worlds" if we are willing to take that risk. Jack is willing to take that risk and he has taken it. Right Kind of Wrong is Jenna's journey as she ponders whether she should take that risk or not.
With more books to be read and homework to be done
-Vangie
Proverbs 18:10

Rites of Passage

Thursday, August 28, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Title: Rites of Passage

 Author: Joy N. Hensley

 Publish Date: September 9th 2014

 Rating: FIVE GOLDEN STARS

 Synopsis: Sam McKenna has never turned down a dare. And she's not going to start with the last one her brother gave her before he died.
So Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at the prestigious Denmark Military Academy. She's expecting push-ups and long runs, rope climbing and mud crawling. As a military brat, she can handle an obstacle course just as well as the boys. She's even expecting the hostility she gets from some of the cadets who don't think girls belong there. What she's not expecting is her fiery attraction to her drill sergeant. But dating is strictly forbidden and Sam won't risk her future, or the dare, on something so trivial... no matter how much she wants him.
As Sam struggles to prove herself, she discovers that some of the boys don't just want her gone—they won't rest until she gives up. When their petty threats turn to brutal hazing, bleeding into every corner of her life, she realizes they are not acting alone. A decades-old secret society is alive and active... and determined to force her out.
At any cost.
Now time's running short. Sam must decide who she can trust... and choosing the wrong person could have deadly consequences.
Add to Goodreads!

 Review: 
"Take a moment to understand the sheer awesomeness of what you are about to do."
Wow. The fact that this is Joy's debut novel amazes me. I was not expecting something of this caliber. I was riveted. I can't tell y'all enough how immersed into this story I was. If y'all could see the messages I sent to my friends a small idea what was going on with me while I was reading.
Being stupid me, I started this book around 10 PMish and there are about 4 hundred pages. I told myself I'd go to sleep around midnight because I KNEW I had to wake you at 6 in the morning. So there I go diving into this book knowing I'd need to stop myself.
Yeah that didn't work out. I ended up going to sleep around 2ish and on pages 241. Guys... I was so willing to do an allnighter just so I'd be able to finish RoP. Every chapter left me wanting to continue and it didn't help that the chapters were short. I mean come on how can you pass up a short chapter, especially a chapter you know is going to be good!?
If y'all know a little bit about me you'd know that I rarely all out cuss and when I happen to I soften it by saying "Fudge" or "Shucks". I don't mind cussing, I just don't like cussing myself. I believe there's a time and a place for that. But if you were to record me while I was reading RoP the whole video would be bleeped out. GUYS my emotions were EVERYWHERE they were flooding my room. Rites of Passage evokes these emotions out of you. Writing this review has me flailing and cussing and I finished it days ago!
FUDGE MAN. It felt like I was reacting the way Sam should have been if she wasn't in the predicament she was in. I can't even.
Now what I wasn't expecting was the "romance" that was played in. I have to say that my favorite aspect about this book is that the love interest isn't really introduced until halfway through the book. Though we (we being the readers) want the romance it's not the main focus; it's more like wanting the other person to come to the rescue. And you're saying aloud "WHERE IS HE?!" or at least I was. Really the first part of the book is understanding the world that Sam has stepped into. And, oh god, is it torturous. Nothing but all the applause to Sam for sticking through it all. I freaking want to be as resilient as her.

 Guys, grab Rites of Passage when it releases. I can say with full confidence that y'all won't regret it. It's an emotional ride that you never want to get off from.
Desperately wanting a second book
-Vangie
Romans 8:37

ARC August Week 3 Reviews!

Monday, August 25, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

HEYO GUYS! Here are my reviews for the THIRD WEEK of ARC August! This past week I read Dare to Kiss by S.B. Alexander and As Long As You Love Me by Ann Aguirre. I know I said I'd read two books this past week but I was approved midweek for Still Yours by Amy Patrick so I'll be reviewing that one as well. Let the review begin!
Dare to Kiss by S.B. Alexander
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4/5 Stars
First: Why did I request this book? Baseball. I am a huge sucker for baseball, and so when I saw the cover I knew I needed to read this. So I requested it without peaking at the synopsis. Instantly, I was approved and I was shocked. I was never approved that quickly; I thought that it was a sign that I NEEDED to read this. And so I listened to the sign. I read it... and loved it. I didn't know what the storyline was since I still didn't read the synopsis; I knew nothing besides the fact that it involved baseball in some way.
The Maxwell brothers are something. Boy are they something. Their connection is visible. It's stated how close they are but we get to SEE how close knit of a group they really are. They'd do anything for each other and everyone that is close to them.
Lacey is a force to be reckoned with too. She has her problems that add fear to her and to us readers. This journey is hers and we're lucky enough along with the Maxwell brothers and Lacey's friends to see her bloom into herself. I'm a little iffy about the second book continuing on Lacey's and Kade's story, but S.B. Alexander will do their story justice. (I'm just really hoping the other Maxwell brothers get their story).
    

As Long As You Love Me by Ann Aguirre
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4/5 Stars
I loved it. I loved As Long As You Love Me SO DANG MUCH. Before I even started I was on the boat that thought it wasn't going to like this story; I liked I Want It That Way but I didn't love it, I thought the same would occur with this one. WRONG. I WAS SO WRONG. As soon as I started this one I was in love. Both Lauren and Rob are vulnerable; I didn't realize how vulnerable they are until I got into Lauren's head in this book. I saw how they thought they needed other people's approval to be accepted. I didn't think two vulnerable people could make it work, but they did. They used each others strengths to build the other person up. What I absolutely loved about this story was Lauren and Rob's relationship. From the outside you'd see the average couple, Rob being the male and Lauren being the female (if that makes sense). But a closer look in their private lives, Lauren acts like the male while Rob's the female, in a sense. Lauren takes control of the situation and tries to fix it. It's not the average relationship; As Long As You Love Me sheds light on different scenario on how a relationship works. Guys... As Long As You Love me is a fantastic, quick, swoon worthy read. Once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down. 


Still Yours by Amy Patrick
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4/5 Stars 
The first chapter hooked me. I was invested in Mara and Reid's story. I wanted to know EVERYTHING about this couple. I don't know what to say other than the fact that I absolutely adored this book from Mara to the freaking Princess Bride references. I greatly enjoyed Still Yours and I can't say that enough. I had the hugest grin on my face throughout the whole book except for one part where I was FREAKING OUT like crazy but that was because I was really into this book and these characters were too dang stubborn for their own good. I'm telling you GET THIS BOOK when it's available, you won't regret it. AND THEN come talk to me once you've read it; I will be happy to fangirl with you over this book.
And those are the amazing books I read this week
-Vangie
Psalm 33:4-5
P.S. Because of school, I will not be able to complete the last week of the challenge. Sorry guys.

Within These Walls

Thursday, August 21, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Title: Within These Walls

Author: J.L. Berg

Published Date: August 18th 2014

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Synopsis:
Within these walls, he became my solace, my sanctuary and my strength.

I am not strong. I am just a survivor of circumstance.
Isn’t that what we all do? Survive?

Each of us has our own set of circumstances to muddle through. Mine are just more…complicated.

Born with a severe heart defect, I’ve seen the inside of a hospital room more than my own bedroom.

I was drowning, a prisoner to the illness that owned me, until he appeared. He thinks he’s blocked out the world with his tattoos and hard exterior, but I see the real Jude, the one he so desperately wants to forget.

But is he the answer to my prayers or will he break my already damaged heart forever?

My name is Lailah Buchanan, and this is our story of hope, redemption and sacrificing it all for the one you love.
BUY LINKS

A portion of the sales during the first week of release will go to a children's heart charity.


 Review:
"Within these wall, I gave my less than perfect heart to the man I loved."
I had no idea what I was getting into when I received this book. And if y'all read the synopsis, y'all know that it's not very forthcoming but it is very ominous. It was with that feeling that I knew Within These Walls was going to be good.
It's not one of those books that fools us into believing that it'll be good with an vague synopsis and an intriguing prologue. J.L. Berg keeps her promise with her words and we aren't let down.
"You can't live a normal life without the heartache. It's all part of the package."
I thought I was going to be in pain reading but really it's not very painful. What it is, is insightful. I like to believe that this was Jude's story more than Laihla's. Yes, our main focus is on Laihla but it's dual point of view for a reason.
"As long as we were able to love and be loved in this world, no heart would ever be beyond repair."
There are quite a few NA books out there that are in dual perspective, and, personally, those are my favorite. And there are quite a few that don't build character for the hero. The hero is, most of the time, the doting love interest, and his main point for having his own POV is to make us swoon over his thoughts, but that's not the case here. Jude does dote, don't get me wrong there, but he has substance, he has reason behind his characteristics. And when we peel his layers, like peeling onions, we find out that there's more to him than meets the eye. We fall in love with him with each layer revealed.
"A heart does what it needs to in order to heal."
Laihla, man, what she has gone though is eye opening. We don't really think about the blessing we've been given until 1) they're gone or 2) they are shown to us by other people. Reading Laihla's perspective were are given #2. I realized the simple pleasure I go though because I'm able to and how others aren't. It's not a depressing thought, it's more of a reflective thought. Laihla makes us reflect on how we are living our lives. Fully, or just cruising through.
"Perhaps I was a goner from the start."
Within These Walls is a journey I didn't see coming. The story itself is predictable, but the road we traveled was not. And you can bet I won't be seeing chocolate pudding the same for a while.
 "I was finally the lucky one."
With more books to be read 
-Vangie
Psalm 139:23-24

***GIVEAWAY***


Author Bio & Links

J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she's not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.


Hard Knox by Nicole Williams

Tuesday, August 19, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Title: Hard Knox

Author: Nicole Williams

Published Date: August 12th 2014

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Synopsis: Knox Jagger. The name inspires resent in every male at Sinclair University, want in every female, and contempt in Charlie Chase.
Charlie can be summed up in three words: independent, independent, and independent. To Charlie, Knox epitomizes everything that’s wrong with college males: prolific one-night stands, drunken senseless fights, and a body that hints at prioritizing gym time over study time.
As an up-and-coming writer for Sinclair University’s newspaper, Charlie’s tasked with getting to the bottom of who’s been dropping little white pills into girls’ drinks at parties. In an ocean of All-American boys sporting polo shirts and innocent smiles, Knox is the obvious suspect. As evidence piles up against the bad boy of Sinclair, Charlie becomes more and more certain it isn’t Knox. But when her drink is dosed at a party and she wakes up on Knox’s couch the next morning, Charlie’s left with more questions than answers when it comes to Knox Jagger.
How can Charlie ever hope to uncover the truth behind a guy so closed off he’s become . . .
Hard Knox.
Hard Knox is deep. It questions what you're doing, how you're going about life, how you're living. Hard Knox is insightful. Grab it and don't let go of the handles because it a wild ride.
I have no idea what's in store for Damaged Good, but I'm expecting another curve ball just as powerful as Hard Knox if not more.

 Review:

I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did. I was riveted with this story.
Hard Knox, was not was I expecting but everything that I wanted. I am a huge sucker for mysteries, and I was beyond happy when this turned out to be like one. Who's the one to blame? Who's the culprit? Who is he? 
The main mystery's answer is easy to figure out, but what wasn't easy to figure out was the mystery surrounding Knox.
Knox was something else. I thought he'd be the guy that doesn't give a shit and just bad to the bone, yet devilishly handsome that he's irresistible. He was, for the most part. I thought Hard Knox was going to be Charlie's story about conquering the unconquerable Knox, but really it's Knox story of revenge & redemption. This book threw me a curve ball.
Charlie is not your average gal. She's tough even in the face of danger. How she went through the events in this book and still stood tall is beyond me. She knows what could happen but she doesn't let that faze her from reaching her goal. If we all had that determination, the universe would fear us.

Waiting (im)patiently for Damaged Goods
-Vangie

ARC August Week 2 Reviews!

Monday, August 18, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Sorry that this post is late but here it is! So for ARC August Week 2 I read Only With You by Lauren Layne, Channel 20 Something by Amy Patrick, and I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre.

Only With You by Lauren Layne
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3.5/5 Stars
adorable fluffiness. I really really enjoyed this book. It was a rather quick read and I found my self finishing it in one sitting without realizing how long I was sitting.
This story is unique is the way it's written. It's all on third person, which was something to get used too since I've been reading a lot of first person books. Along with the third person writing, the point of view was also different. I was expecting to stay biased toward Sophie, one of the main characters, through the book but was quite surprised when we'd read different perspectives. And honestly., it was quite fun. You'd switch from Sophie's thoughts into another and BAM it'd all make sense.
If you're looking for something fun and quirky, pick this one up.

Channel 20 Something by Amy Patrick
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4/5 Stars
HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL.
I read the synopsis and thought "Why not. This will be harmless." Wrong. WRONG ON SO MANY LEVELS. I was expecting a lot of fluff BUT NOT PAIN. It was going all fine and dandy and then BOOM everything was going down hill.
In the beginning, I was just cruising through, swooning in the scenes that made me swoon, smiling the whole way because there was fluff but then something happened. And I was riveted. I was engrossed. AND PANICING. Because I was no longer in fluff territory, I was in some deep, insightful territory. I was no longer just casually flipping through pages but EXCITEDLY flipping through pages and I didn't want this story to end BUT I WANTED THE PROBLEMS TO BE RESOLVED. You can bet that once I read the last word, I finally let out the breath I'd been holding when it started going down hill.
If you're wondering if you should read this book: risk it & READ IT. Because I was on the iffy side about reading this book but I'm so glad I read it. Channel 20 Something is not what you expect and it's everything that you could've. It's definitely worth reading.
(Sorry, not sorry, for all the caps but this book held a lot of emotions).
I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre
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4/5 Stars
I wasn't expecting this level of hotness. Holy shucks man. I'd be all cozied up in my bed with my comforter and then it would get ten degrees hotter like that *does finder snaps*. Oh gosh. The sexual tension galore, every interaction between our main characters bleed it. But you know what also bleed? Ann Aguirre's words. They bleed wisdom. I can say with full confidence that there are at least 5 sentences in this book that will shake you. I have even more confidence that you'll fall in love with Nadia. There wasn't a chapter that went by that i didn't laugh out loud because of what Nadia said or thought. Seriously, this girl is hilarious. And then add Mr. hot pants and holy hot dang... I WANT TO HAVE YOUR GINGER BABIES (you know when you're ready to have babies, that is.) Swoon, laughter, boiling hot levels, who doesn't like that. If you do then definitely pick this book up. I Want It That Way is an amazing read that has every aspect of a book anyone could want. I highly encourage you grab this book once it's available!
WEEK 3 LEGGO!
-Vangie

ARC August Week 3!

Sunday, August 17, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

YESSSS!
Two weeks down; two more to go! Stay tuned for last weeks reviews (they should be going up tomorrow 8/19).
So I have read 6 books so far for this challenge and I think I overestamated how many ARCs I had because from the looks of it, it seems I only have 4 books left to read from NetGalley. Since there's only four left I'll split them to two books this week and two books next week.
Since I've said my piece, here are the two books I'll be reading this week!

(Click on covers to get synopsis from Goodreads)
 






















I'm really excited to read these two because 1) I love baseball and 2) the girl for As Long As You Love Me looks like Billie Piper and that's all the reason I need.
-Vangie

Giveaway!

Friday, August 15, 2014 4 Comments A + a -

I told myself, "Vangie, when you make 10 Crochet with Books items, you are to give 5 away", when I made my 3rd Crochet with Books project. And here is me doing what I told myself to do.
It wasn't really hard deciding what I'd be giving away, since a good half of the projects I did were made for people who agreed that the colors would be based off of book covers. So the projects that are going to be given away are the ones that were solely made for Crochet with Books. These said projects are:




Make It Count Clutch


Faking It Pillow 
(book size)
 


Upside Down Star Pillow

 Make It Right Purse
(purse size: more than half the size of a book)



 Nash Infinity Scarf
(child sized)


(Click on images to know more about the project)

ALSO... along with each Crochet with Books project the winner will be given a No Blog Left Behind bookmark, AND the ebook that inspired the project.

So what do you have to do to enter?
Comment on the blog post of the crocheted item you'd like to win (Click on image up above to do so) stating your first name, the crocheted item you'd like to win AND the book that comes along with it. (Please comment stating ALL three items needed to enter).
This giveaway is going to last a week (8/15 - 8/22) and will be open to Canada and the US.
You can enter 5 times a day, if you want to be entered for each crochet item, for a total of 35 entries. 
I'll be using Random.org to choose each winner. Once a winner is chosen for a certain item, if they entered for others they won't be added to the next draw.
If you have any questions about what is stated above, go ahead and comment and I'll try to answer you as quick as possible.

AND NOW COMMENT AWAY!
-Vangie
Good Luck!

 Update: Add your email into the comment as well!

BOOK HAUL (3)

Thursday, August 14, 2014 0 Comments A + a -


It has been quite awhile since I've bought any physical books. Mainly because I've been on low funds, and I haven't had time to go to an actual bookstore in AGES.

So when I got my first paycheck you best bet that one of the first things I spent it on were books. (BOOKS FTW) So here's my book haul!



Anna and the French Kiss ; Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
(I read these book when they first came out but I couldn't stop myself from buying these copies because the new covers are gorgeous. Also because I plan on buying a physical copy of Isla and I didn't want her to be alone on my shelf.)


All Lined Up by Cora Carmack
(I have read all of Cora's book, yes even this one. I even made a blanket for this one so now I can reread this book while being warmed by my ALU blanket. Anyways... I really adored this book and I just had to buy a physical copy because Carson loves Doctor Who and that makes me do things.)

Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
(I fudging loved Ender's Game but was stupid and didn't buy the companion novel. So after what felt like AGES, I finally got enough money to buy this book and read the heck out of it.)





Better When He's Bad by Jay Crownover
(All of Jay Crownover's books are gold and I'm not expecting anything less from this book. Actually, I wasn't even searching for this book, but somehow I was in the sci-fi section looking for Ender's Shadow and I turned around and this book was right infront of me. I took that as a sign that I had to buy it.


Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
(I have Siege and Storm but I've been waiting til I had this book to read that one because I knew I wouldn't be able to wait. So know I can devour the rest of this series, and cry.)






Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
(Anything that reminds me of Kelly Clarkson has me sold. All I've heard nothing but amazing things about this book so I knew when I saw it I had to buy it.)






Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
(Again nothing but praises about this book. Can't wait to dive in.)








If you couldn't tell I am one happy camper in this photo, and aren't they so BEAUTIFUL. I can't wait to add them to my shelf.

 

Off reading these wonderful books that I haven't read yet
-Vangie

No Blog Left Behind Giveaway!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Heyo guys!
So Ashley from Books by Migs did an amazing thing earlier this summer. She made up a group of book bloggers that just started getting their feet in the water. She dubbed us No Blog Left Behind (NBLB; also Team Little Guy) and she's been doing some awesome things for us. LIKE THIS TWO GIVEAWAYS!
They're HUGE giveaways; one that's for international and one for US only. And here they are!
INTERNATIONAL



If you want to learn more about NBLB contact me through here or Ashley through here blog which is linked up above!

-Vangie

Crochet with Books (9 & 10)

Tuesday, August 12, 2014 2 Comments A + a -

GUYS I HAVE MADE MY BEST CREATIONS YET.
I lie. I lie. All my Crochet with Books so far have been the best. I've gotten out of my comfort zone and crocheted items that were not my usual scarves and beanies. And these two projects were no different.

 So if you didn't know before, I love Faking It by Cora Carmack. It's one of my favorite NA reads and my go-to read when I'm in the dumps. So I knew I wanted to crochet an item for it and I did.
So recently I started sewing; not legit sewing but I got the basic concepts down. And now with my mix of crochet and sewing skills, I created a PILLOW. Yes a pillow, here's proof.




And this is a photo of me messing with my unfinished Faking It pillow. I was thinking of making a hat that looked like that, don't know if I'll actually do it though.

ANYWAYS! While I was finishing my Faking It pillow, I was in the middle of reading Upside Down by Lia Riley, which has also become one of my favorite NA reads. So I thought I should make something for that beauty too, and I did... It was another pillow. BUT A STAR PILLOW. Again, proof:
 
I was originally going to do both sides the same color and then thought that wouldn't do the book justice so I did this.
 
Here are some more photos of me messing with my Upside Down pillow. Oh and I absolutely adore this pillow right here. I love it so much that I'm thinking about making another one and giving one away. We'll see how it goes.

So those were my 9th and 10th crochet projects I made this summer. And probably the last ones that I'll be doing for this year since school is starting back up and fall and winter are when I get crochet orders. BUT I will try my damn hardest to make time to crochet these fun projects.

*whispers* Look out for a giveaway soon!
-Vangie 

ARC August Week 1 Reviews!

Monday, August 11, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

So if you were here last week, I told y'all what I'd be reading the first week of August for this challenge. 
The books were Before You by Amber Hart, More Than Music by Elizabeth Briggs, and Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater.
Since my time is cut short due to cramming for school and the fact that I have a big goal to reach for this month, the reviews will be shorter than what they usually are and they'll all be on one post. BUT NEVERTHELESS! These reviews will portray what I thought of the books as a whole.
So here are the reviews of this past week's ARCs!
Before You by Amber Hart
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Add to Goodreads!
Review:
I greatly enjoyed this book. It reminded me a lot of one of my favorite books, so I knew I would like it, without a doubt. And I did. BUT WOAH I was not expecting what unfolded. I was going with the flow through this book, nothing really caught my attention when it came to the heroine, except for her best friend, who I adore. (I'm really excited she's getting her own book). Don't get me wrong, I related with Faith on a certain degree but I will say at least every reader will find one aspect of her where they relate. Now Diego. I found myself wanting to know more about his story. This book was dual perspective, but I wanted it so much to be written in Diego's. Though if my wish were to fulfilled, this book would be lacking because Faith's story holds just as much impact as Diego's. Overall, readers will definitely enjoy this story. ESPECIALLY THE SECOND HALF. Oh lord, I needed a dumpster sized container to contain all my feels though the second half of Before You.

More Than Music by Elizabeth Briggs
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Add to Goodreads!
Review:
I liked this book way more than I thought I would. WAY more than I thought I would. I'm a little iffy about books I get through NetGalley, the majority of the time so I was expecting the same result with this one. I loved to be proven wrong. We are introduced into this world that is a mixed between American Idol and The Voice. More Than Music it's entertaining and drama-filled and I loved every single minute of it! I felt so happy reading this book. I don't know how to explain it, but I was imagining myself as Maddie and Jared as a band member that I'm currently in love with *cough* Calum *cough* and it made my dream/ day dream plausible, and that made me giddy. When books make you feel that giddiness there's no way you can turn it down. Also, I love Elizabeth Briggs taste in music.

 Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater
Rating: 4.5/ 5 Stars
Add to Goodreads!
Review:
I didn't know what I was expecting when I heard about this book. I vaguely remembered the Wolf of Mercy Falls trilogy but I knew that I loved Cole from that series. So when I heard about Cole's book, you can bet I was excited.This really is a standalone in the sense that the previous main characters aren't mentioned a whole lot though they are still there.
Reading Sinner, I felt nostalgia both for the Shiver trilogy and another book not relevant to this story, The Catcher in the Rye. The emotions that went through me when I read Catcher in the Rye were exactly the same while I was reading Sinner. Now for those that haven't read Catcher, the main emotions I felt were lost and confusion and those were the same in Sinner. Now don't get me wrong, it's not because that I didn't remember the Shiver trilgoy but because Cole was everywhere at once. I felt nostalgia for the Shiver trilogy because of the writing. GAH the writing was what kept me captivated, as well as the characters' story lines. All in all, I really liked this book, and I realized just how much I missed this world Maggie made.

-Vangie
James 5:16

ARC August Week 2!

Saturday, August 09, 2014 2 Comments A + a -

YAY! First week of August: Complete!
My reviews of the first three books I read this summer will go up on Monday, so patience young grasshopper.
1st part of challenge down, onto the next one.
So this week (8/9- 8/16), it's gonna be all about... Romance. Here are the three books I'll be reading.



 
(Click on the covers to read their synopsis on Goodreads)

So these are the pretty books I'll be reading (not in any particular order)! AND I'M SO EXCITED.

With hopes of getting these reads done and passing my final exam
-Vangie
Pray for me! Or, you know, pass along some encouragement.

Upside Down Blog Tour!

Friday, August 08, 2014 0 Comments A + a -

Have you heard of Upside Down by Lia Riley?!?! No? WHAT! Where have you been?
Yes? Did you love it?!

Well, for those who haven't heard of this beauty (and the Bicep) here's your chance! *Whispers* There's an excerpt and giveaway too!

Synopsis:
If You Never Get Lost, You'll Never Be Found

Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying good-bye to the past-and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she'll act like a carefree exchange student, not a girl sinking under the weight of painful memories. Everything is going according to plan until she meets a brooding surfer with hypnotic green eyes and the troubling ability to see straight through her act.

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he moved back home to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He's never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once in a lifetime . . . or if they were meant to live a world apart.
Add to Goodreads!
Check out my review of this jewel here!
Also, Maf from Maf's Crazy Book Life and I did a bonus feature along with our review, you can check it out here!

Buy Links

Author Bio & Links
After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, LIA RILEY scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

***EXCERPT TIME***

“A few meters more, you’re almost there.”
It’s like we’re at the end of some old-school adventure tale, one where the heroes are stoic even as the blizzard rages, avalanches fall, and death hovers like a benevolent ghost.
Well, Bran is the hero.
I’m like one of the minor sidekicks who goes down during some important turning point. My death might even inspire the hero on his journey or teach him a valuable lesson. But at this point in the flick, the minor sidekick should be well and truly dead. Not white-knuckling a column of dolerite rock, thighs gripping the stone like it’s the world’s best lover.
“That’s it, Talia,” Bran’s voice is encouraging. “You’re holding tight, that’s great. Now, I’m going to need you to release your left hand and reach up a few inches to grab the next hold.”
I grit my teeth. The way he talks, you’d think I’m scaling Everest. Or at least Kilimanjaro. Instead—
“’Scuse, us, we’ll be by in a tic. That’s the way, Andy, right around the lady.”
I’m the lady. Andy is a kid who doesn’t look a day over seven who scrambles past me in a flurry of Spider-Man shoes and gap-toothed smiles. His parents bring up the rear, smiling up at their wild monkey child with obvious pride.
And they aren’t the first group to pass me.
Five Swedish women, a couple, and a guy who looked to be in his mid-seventies have also shot past me during the course of the last quarter hour.
The top is so close I can taste it. Bran is being nothing but encouraging, but below me is a twenty-foot drop. Not enough to kill me, unless I fall with some sort of suicidal intent, but enough to make me feel incredibly uneasy about the boulder field.
Bran eases toward me. “Talia, take my hand.”
“Can’t let go.”
“Talia.”
“No.” This is it; this is the reason. Bran isn’t going to admit it here, while I’m bordering on a panic attack on a trail being conquered by elementary school children and senior citizens, but there’s no doubt this is A REASON to lose interest in me. I’m giving him a big capital-lettered reason, but I can’t stop. I physically can’t let go.
“Talia. Take a deep breath.”
“Breath taken.”
“Another.”
“Okay.”
“Give me your hand, no bullshit. I want your fingers in mine. You’ll be safe. I’m going to keep you safe. I need you to trust me.”
Somehow I do it. I give him my fingers. He assists me up. We’re doing this together. My head clears the boulder and I can see the steel marker that identifies the summit ahead. Holy shit, he’s right. I’m going to reach the top.
A few more steps, easy now, and we’re there. The kid in the Spider-Man shoes munches a Vegemite sandwich. I want to scoop him up in a smooshy squeeze. Except his parents would likely object, so I switch gears to give Bran a long and passionate kiss.
“I knew you’d get here,” he says.
“I didn’t.”
He turns me to see the view, his hands tight around my waist. “Your place is here, Captain, in the sun,” he whispers in my ear. “Don’t ever forget that.”

***GIVEAWAY TIME*** 


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