Thursday, June 27, 2013

Author Interview: Colina Brennan

Posted by Nina L. on 9:00 PM in

Let us all welcome Colina Brennan for an interview about her book Addicted To You and some personal things about her. This interview was done by New Leaf Literary. The blurb and purchase links for her new novel are available below.


Author: Colina Brennan
Release date: June 25th 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Series: Addicted To You # 1 
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Add to your library: Goodreads


When twenty-one-year-old Leah Carter's latest one night stand burglarizes her apartment, her roommate forces her to attend therapy for sex addicts. Leah insists she isn't a sex addict; she just doesn't do relationships. After all, sooner or later, everyone lets you down.


At first, the group sessions are little more than an education on how to be promiscuous. Until she meets the newest addict—blue eyes, killer body, and a smile that tempts relapse.

Psychology student Will McLean is posing as a fellow addict while researching a case study on unusual addictions. But the more he learns about Leah, the more certain he is that his desire to break through her walls and unearth her secrets has nothing to do with his assignment.


As the uncertainties spike alongside the sexual tension, the only thing Leah knows for sure is that falling in love would be disastrous. Too bad love might be one addiction she can't kick. (via Goodreads)


Interview

On her book, Addicted To You
1.     Is this book part of a series?
Yes. There will be a second novel in the Addicted to You universe, which will focus on a separate couple.
2.     What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
Probably the scene where Leah and her brother run into Will at the party. A lot of things happen between the beginning of the night and the end of it, and it was fun writing about how their relationship subtly shifts.
3.     Who’s your favorite character to write and why?
Leah, because it was amusing to push her character and see how she’d respond. There were times I actually had to scale her back a bit and soften her up because she already comes off a little harsh.
4. Is there a character / characters in your books you particularly identify with?
Maybe Will because I’m a naturally optimistic person.
5.     Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is special?
Leah doesn’t bother trying to get along with anyone she doesn’t genuinely care about. And since it’s difficult to grow close with anyone new if she doesn’t bother trying to get along with them, there are very few people who she has truly allowed into her life.
6.     If you gave one of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?
Leah isn’t much for talking about herself, so she’d probably tell you to mind your own business.
7.     Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Leah’s situation with her brother is one that echoes my cousin’s. She basically raised her little sister after she challenged her mom that she could do a better job.
8.     Leave us with a teaser/quote from your book?
“Will would show her that he was an addiction worth keeping.”


On books:
1.     What writers inspire you?
Gayle Foreman, Katie McGarry, Lauren Oliver, and Jessica Park. I also enjoy Colleen Hoover and Cora Carmack.
2.     Book for a long journey?
Probably something sweet, not too heavy on angst or heat. Maybe something like The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith.
3. For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
I don’t mind either way, but I find I read faster with traditional paper/hard back books.
4. What book/s are you reading at present?
Fixed on You by Laurelin Paige.

I honestly cannot wait to read Addicted to You. I know how hard Will's job will be. But I have positive vibes here! And you guys. Colina Brennan is absolutely winning me already. Those writers that inspire her are totally my favorites!

Author Links

New Leaf Literary
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Review: The Moon and More

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 AM in
The Moon and More
Author: Sarah Dessen
Release date: June 4th 2013
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Series: N/A
Age Group: Young Adult Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Add to your library: Goodreads


Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going? (via Goodreads)


I immediately got two signed copies of The Moon and More the moment I knew it's available in the bookstore. I love Sarah Dessen you guys. I won't ever get tired of reading her books. Ever.

The Moon and More is surely one of the most realistic novels I've ever read. NO KIDDING. It may be long, yes. Some may hate that. But I just love it all the same because every word I read made me feel the story, the characters, the depth of Emaline's problems and the realities that the novel reflect.

Emaline's character is definitely different from other Sarah Dessen's MC. I don't know why. But I felt like Emaline was the most mature of them all. Although she had an absentee father, she didn't hold grudge against him or against her Mom. I thought she was just repressing her grudge or anything. But in the end, I realized that she actually accepted that fact long ago, she just didn't realize it earlier. It's like, she just needed to see her father because that will be the concrete proof that he was totally absent from her life. She is truly one of the strongest female MCs I've known. And I'm so glad I met her!

True enough, the story is like This Lullaby merging with The Truth About Forever. Those two are my favorites but that doesn't really matter. In here, it's all about the dad and the step-family that Emaline had when her Mom married. But difference was that, Emaline was good enough for her step-family, her stepdad and her older stepsisters. They were like a real family. This is a good thing, right? Because things like that can actually happen in real life. Okay, it must be sad and painful not to have your real family but what's more to ask when there are people who love you even if you're not blood related? Isn't it just wonderful to think that life can be lived harmoniously? Of course, there will be difficulties. But that's just it. We have to learn how to face it, accept it and learn to live with it. That's how Emaline did it. That was why she didn't really felt much of the grudge for her father because she had a dad. 

The romance didn't disappoint either. There's Luke and Theo but read it so you'll know who she ends up with. This is another thing that felt realistic. How Emaline handled her love life seemed so true. Let's not forget Emaline's stepbrother, Benji! I love that kid. And in some ways, I pity him. I'm just so glad that Emaline's her sister. And oh, Emaline's best friends too. God, now I miss my best friends! Can I just say that all the characters were so great?

Oh, and one thing I forgot about Emaline, she totally is contented with her life. She doesn't need to be pushed around. She was her own self. She already knew who she was and that was a refreshing thing since the MCs before all seemed like lost puppies, in a nice way, okay.

The Moon and More is another hit by Sarah Dessen. You'll be surprised as to how realistic the book is. A lot of realities are reflected in here that will totally make you think about your own life. It will also make you be thankful for what you already have.
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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

"Waiting On" Wednesday (11): Side Effects May Vary

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 AM in


  "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

   My "eagerly anticipating" book this week is...

Side Effects May VarySide Effects May Vary
by: Julie Murphy

Publication Date: March 18th 2014
Add to your library: Goodreads



What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you? 

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most? (via Goodreads)

The sound of this novel makes me sad and happy at the same time. And I really want to know what happens to Alice!!! 

What are you eagerly anticipating this week? Link below! :)

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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

E-ARC Review: Faking It

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 AM in
Faking It (Losing It, #2)
Author: Cora Carmack
Release date: June 4th 2013
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Series: Losing It # 2
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Add to your library: Goodreads


Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.
Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel. (via Goodreads)



I've never been an insta-love fanatic. But there are insta-love romances that I loved. This is one of them. And honestly, I just love Cade and Max's love story. True, they come from very different worlds. But it didn't stop them from being together in the end. 

Max asked Cade to be her fake boyfriend. As crazy at it seems to be, Cade agreed. So there goes there fake relationship becoming something more. They actually had that love at first sight vibe, you know. Although they were both afraid to admit it because Max had a boyfriend that time and they both believe they wouldn't like each other since they are both different. But true love know no boundaries, right?

I gotta say, I'm so impressed by Cora. As much as I love Garrick, I became more attached to Cade. I don't know why. But Cade's character was more scrutinized in a way. So I was able to know him in a deeper way. I also like the story line of this one. It has equal amounts of love, pain, letting go and hope. 

The thing that I loved most about this one is the journey that Max and Cade had just to realize they were totally in love with each other. It was love at first sight kind but it also wasn't. They still have to work for their love to be seen. It was just so sweet, okay. And Cade. God, I wish every woman in this world will have someone like him! No kidding. And oh, you'll love Cade more when you read what he did just to be with Max always. I mean, I guess not everyone will want to do that.

And you know what's more? I cried. In all honesty. I didn't know that I would actually cry because of this. Max's story was more than you think it is. It was heartbreaking and I'm so thankful that Cade was there to help her. Even for Cade, I know he did something out of his way just to be with her. 

Faking It speaks more than just that blurb. It's painful but there is also that hope in the end. This really has a realistic feel that will make you laugh and cry a lot of times.

P.S. I'm so excited for Kelsey's story!!!


Many thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks for allowing me to read this through Edelweiss.
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Monday, June 24, 2013

My Addiction to New Adult Novels

Posted by Nina L. on 9:00 PM in


Hey, guys! I've been wanting to post something like this for a long time. Good thing, New Leaf Literary is having this Addicted to New Adult promotion! 

Question: So yes, what made me fall for New Adult?

Answer: When I first encounter Slammed in Goodreads, I know it is something amazing. So I got a copy and man, was I ever so wrong. It wasn't something amazing. IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Yes, something and absolutely are two different words. Anyway, Slammed introduced me to New Adult. It made me realized that there is really something in between Young Adult and Adult. Since I'm 19 now, I guess I fit in the New Adult world right? Although I'll always be a Young Adult at heart, you know! So after Slammed, I read Point of Retreat and from then on, I searched some other NA novels and hooray! I became addicted in a way.

This isn't really a topic but I'd just like to say it anyway. New Adult for me, is just the age group that the book really wants to have as an audience. And there are genres, contemporary, romance, dystopian, fantasy, etc. So there can be New Adult Contemporary Romance or New Adult Dystopian. I don't know. I guess I just don't want to mix it up.

Also, as much as I love New Adult novels. I hate that some are turning into like erotic novels. No, really. Maybe that's what some people like. But I am addicted to New Adult because of the way Slammed gave me that hope on how to navigate our lives when we're in that between. Especially we're about to succumb in to the Adult world. I'm just saying, I love those New Adult novels that tackles real life problems and give readers that hope that we can cross the bridges. 

But whatever, I'm addicted to New Adult as I am. Especially those novels. Slammed made me believe in the power of New Adult novels! Actually, Colleen Hoover did. She is a totally amazing author!!!

How about you? How did you fall for NA? Post or tweet! Use the #naaddict when tweeting!

Also, here's a treat for you guys! 
New Leaf Literary
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Saturday, June 22, 2013

Keeping Her Preview Package

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 AM in

Hey there! I just finished Faking It by Cora Carmack and it was awesomesauce! I'm so guilty for liking Cade more than Garrick now. Pffft. But anyway, THEY ARE BOTH TOTALLY SWOONY!!!

Anyway, here's the preview package for Keeping Her! Now, Garrick's here again!!!

CLICK LINK BELOW!!!

Keeping Her Preview Package

BUT YOU CAN READ THIS EXCERPT NOW.



REMINDERS:
1. Cora Carmack and Jay Crownover will be participating in a Goodreads chat on 6/26. Join here.
2. There will be a FAKING IT book club on Cora’s facebook page on 6/27 from 3-4 p.m. EDT where you can live chat with Cora about the book and ask her all your burning questions. Join here.
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Friday, June 21, 2013

Feature and Follow # 9

Posted by Nina L. on 10:00 AM in

Gain New Blog Followers
Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read! :)

Q: Share your favorite literary quote!


What about you? What's your favorite literary quote? Link below! :)

P.S. Please do follow me via Bloglovin or through e-mail since GFC is soon going off. 

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Thursday, June 20, 2013

E-ARC Review: One Step Too Far

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 AM in
One Step Too Far
Author: Tina Seskis
Release date: April 15th 2013
Publisher: Kirk Parolles
Series: N/A
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Mystery 
Add to your library: Goodreads


An apparently happy marriage. A beautiful son. A lovely home. So what makes Emily Coleman get up one morning and walk right out of her life to start all over again? Has she had a breakdown? Was it to escape her dysfunctional family - especially her flawed twin sister Caroline who always seemed to hate her? And what is the date that looms, threatening to force her to confront her past? No-one has ever guessed her secret. Will you? (via Goodreads)



I was so intrigued as to what happened that made Emily Coleman walked off. It's just unlikely for a married woman to leave her husband and young son alone. I even felt annoyed with Emily because it's just so stupid to do that. She's not a teenager who can just walk off like that. But then, I have this thinking that people do things they thought was the best for the people around her and even for herself for that matter. Also, she had a reason. May it be enough for her to walk off or not, doesn't really matter. We have to understand that each and every one of us has different ways of coping with our problems. And like it or not, that was her way.

Emily went with her new life as Catherine. That was her first name. It was just so odd that she walked off and decided to change back her name to Catherine Brown when her maiden name was Catherine Emily Brown. I just felt like she could have chosen another name since she was supposed to start a new life. But I realized she didn't have that much of resources and connections to have a new identity. So she opted for that. It wasn't really hard for her to have a new life. Maybe in the beginning, yes. But as the year passed, I actually think that she didn't really care about her husband and son anymore. True, she thought of them at times but not as much as other people would do. She was that persistent to leave her life back. Again, what happened?

She was able to live for a year without being traced. She had a best friend, Angel. She got a job that gave her more than she needed. She really was having a new life. Or so she thought. She was also beginning to find solace in drugs and that's when things turn out in a wrong way. Again.

I gotta agree that this was truly a heartbreaking novel. Also a great mystery one. I even had a mental list of the things that made Emily walked off. I was right about two and even then, it was still shocking and painful to think about. Especially the one I didn't even have a clue. The secret that Emily kept from all of us was also kept from her husband. So imagine my surprise when I knew that Ben didn't also know what happened. I guess that's where it all came off. Communication is a two-way thing for couples and it is a must for everything. When Emily didn't tell Ben what happened back then, it was the start of their misery.

This wasn't like the other mystery novels I've read before. It didn't give me hints about the secret as the story progresses. The secret was really a secret. It was only revealed at the latter part of the story.

The thing that bugged me is the alternating POVs. One is coming from Emily and the other is from a 3rd POV. It was confusing because the organization and the flow of the stories coming from the 3rd POV is not in order. It was really alternate. But somehow, I was able to get the hang of it anyway.

One Step Too Far is truly a mystery. This is a story of pain, loss, hope, forgiveness and faith. Despite the alternating POVs, you'll enjoy the story as much. It was entertaining and it will give you a realistic feel. Anyone will enjoy this and learn things from Emily and Ben's life.


 Many thanks to Kirk Parolles for allowing me to read this through NetGalley.
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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

"Waiting On" Wednesday (10): Vitro

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 AM in


  "Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

   My "eagerly anticipating" book this week is...

VitroVitro
by: Jessica Khoury

Publication Date: January 14th 2014
Add to your library: Goodreads


On a remote island in the Pacific, Corpus scientists have taken test tube embryos and given them life. These beings--the Vitros--have knowledge and abilities most humans can only dream of. But they also have one enormous flaw.

Sophie Crue is determined to visit Skin Island and find her mother, a scientist who left Sophie behind years ago. She enlists hunky charter pilot Jim Julien to take her there. But once on the island, Sophie and Jim encounter more than they bargained for, including a charming, brilliant Vitro named Nicholas and an innocent, newly awoken one named Lux.

In a race for their lives, Sophie and Jim are about to discover what happens when science stretches too far beyond its reach. (via Goodreads)

I loved sci-fi. So when I saw this, I totally want it! Oh, and it's out the day before my birthday so I won't really forget this! Isn't it just so scary and intriguing at the same time?

What are you eagerly anticipating this week? Link below! :)

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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Girls Love Travis Walker Blog Tour: Review

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in


Welcome to my stop for Girls Love Travis Walker Blog Tour!

Author: Anne Pfeffer
Release date: March 15th 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Series: N/A
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tour organized by: Reading Addiction Blog Tours
Add to your library: Goodreads

To nineteen-year-old high school dropout Travis Walker, women are like snowflakes--each one different, but beautiful in her own way.

He can charm any girl he meets, and yet down deep he fears he'll always be a loser like his jailbird father. As the landlady threatens to evict him and his sick mother, Travis takes a job he hates and spends his evenings picking up girls at a nearby night spot.

When he enlists in a teen program at the local fire station, he finds out he’s amazing at it. Then he meets the smoking hot Kat Summers, enlists Kat’s friend Zoey to help him woo her, and falls in love for the first time ever. But he keeps the details of his life secret. His girl will never love him back if she knows the truth about him…. (via Goodreads)


This is one of the most realistic New Adult novels I've ever read. No kidding. It just felt so honest and real.

 Yes, Travis was such a flirt. But then he became like that for a reason. I'm not even saying that what he did was right. All I'm saying is the fact that he became what he was for a reason. Unlike with some other characters I've read, I cannot truly understand why they act like that. As for Travis, it was truly understandable.

 Everything that happened in Travis' life seemed so common in a lot of people. That was what made it feel so realistic. Also, there's more to Travis than being a sort-of douchebag and suddenly falling in love. His whole life was practically a wreck and falling in love was like in the least of his expectations but it came and from then on, he felt the need to strive more and achieve more. 

 His passion for being a firefighter was so admirable. It's one of those things you wish everyone will realize. I mean, not to be a firefighter but something else even. Even after all the struggles he encountered, he still wanted to be that something who helps other people. I also like the fact that he didn't give up for his Mom. Damn, I wanted to strangle his Mom. No, really. She was the adult. He didn't even finish high school then she was telling him to keep that apartment. I was so frustrated. But then I realized that his Mom was sick and tired.

 The romance even didn't disappoint. Travis thought that it's all about looks but then he realized there's more to it than just the outside and that is, personality.  It was kind of funny when he actually realized he was falling in love. Like it was never meant to happen or maybe he just didn't really think he could experience it. But he did and it was really honest. Just so romantic. Oh, and you'll be surprised as to how love came to him. Just when he thought he was actually smitten by a girl, someone made him feel it even more.

 Girls Love Travis Walker is a nice NA novel. A lot of people can actually learn one or two things from Travis' life. Failures, hopes, forgiveness and love are all here. You'll never be disappointed and yes, you'll swoon because Travis was really a gentleman and a nice guy.


  About the Author 

Anne Pfeffer is the author of Any Other Night and The Wedding Cake Girl.  She lives in Los Angeles, CA.
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Monday, June 17, 2013

Pre-Order & Chapter Reveal: Frigid

Posted by Nina L. on 10:00 PM in
Today is an exciting day - we have FOUR HUGE SURPRISES for you! Jennifer L. Armentrout's (writing as J. Lynn) FRIGID is set to release on e-book at the end of July. If you're anything like us, you're probably on pins and needles and just cannot wait to get your hands on a copy of this book. FRIGID has already been given the honor of being named a Romantic Times Top Pick and we're super excited for you to be able to read it as well! 

Well, there's good news! 

Are you ready for those four awesome surprises? 

Here we go! 

1. Due to all the excitement surrounding FRIGID, we have decided to run a special e-book pre-order promotion. We have worked out a deal with the distributor to release FRIGID a full two weeks early -- on JULY 15th!!! -- if we meet our e-book pre-order goal. EEEEP! That's right, if you are like the rest of us and want to be able to read FRIGID in its entirety before its original release date, all you have to do is PRE-ORDER THE E-BOOK NOW! What are you waiting for? GO! Pre-order it! 

Pre-Order Links: Barnes & Noble / Amazon 

2. Need something to hold you over until FRIGID releases? Well, starting right now, you can read the first three chapters of FRIGID for free! Just read below!




LINK

3. Can’t get enough of the hot FRIGID cover? Want to see some behind the scenes photos that are sure to make you swoon? You’re in luck! Below you can watch a slideshow of all the behind the scenes photos from the photo shoot! Go on and watch it. We’ll wait, because there is still one more great surprise!

   

 4. And last but not least, if you live near Philadelphia, PA, you're in for a very special treat -- Jennifer will be in Philly in November signing not only FRIGID but also the last book in her immensely popular COVENANT series, SENTINEL! But that's not all, Adam, the super hot cover model from FRIGID will be there as well! So, yes, you'll get to meet Jennifer and Adam! Plus, there will be other great prizes that you seriously won't want to miss out on (dinner with the author and model, perhaps?)! Stay tuned for more details to come! 

 We hope you're as excited as we are! So now....Go pre-order FRIGID! Go read those chapters! Go watch that slideshow! And Enjoy!
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