[Blog Tour] Streetlights Like Fireworks by David Pandolfe: Review & Giveaway

[Blog Tour] Streetlights Like Fireworks by David Pandolfe: Review & Giveaway

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 5-star, Book Nerd Tours, David Pandolfe, Giveaway, review,

 

Author: David Pandolfe

Release date: March 19th 2014

Publisher: Self-Published

Series: N/A

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Tour organized by: Book Nerd Tours

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Add to your library: Goodreads

Psychic flashes, haunting visions, missing persons and visits from ghosts. That's just their first date.

Jack has been getting on his parents' nerves for some time. Bad enough he's a rock musician, has crappy grades and hangs out with his "loser" friends. But Jack's ability to predict the future-well, that just annoys the hell out of them.

Jack's classmate, Lauren, is said to have unique abilities too. The town still talks about when she kept badgering her mother about the money in their wall. For the longest time, Lauren's mother didn't listen. Finally, she did and Lauren's mother hasn't had to work since.

Jack would really like to connect with Lauren but can't figure out how. She's never looked at him twice. But when he experiences a mystifying event involving visions, voices and spectral visits, Jack figures there's only one person to help him understand who's calling out to him and why. Before long, Jack and Lauren are off on a road trip of discovery that could provide answers to a mystery left unsolved for twenty years. More importantly, they might even unravel the greatest mystery of all- how every so often someone will accept you for who you are. (via Goodreads)

Can I just say that the cover is so adorable? I can actually stare at it all day long. Sure, my hopes and expectations for this one was higher than usual because of its cover. Of course, I was interested in the story. Nonetheless, I wasn't disappointed. I was even surprised as to how much I loved the novel after reading it.

You know those novels which you think has everything in its synopsis but then you are so wrong because its story is much more than what is written in the synopsis? This novel tells a lot. It's not just about the psychic abilities that Lauren and Jack have or the road trip they went through to get an answer for that mystery. It was much deeper than that. And somehow, I felt like I was able to see what was going to happen too. Just like they did about other stuff.

I loved Jack from the first page. He was this nerdy musician who can still be cool. His unique ability was just a bonus to his awesome personality. Despite him feeling very distant from his family, he still managed to be good to them. What he felt for the guitar was extremely weird (at first). Imagine yourself touching something then seeing a person or more like a memory of that person with that something. It was like you're invading someone else's privacy but then you'll somehow feel curious. What if that person needed that thing you touched right? Wouldn't you want to discover who that person is and deliver the thing to him/her?

The journey that Jack and Lauren went through was funny, unpredictable and exhausting. I practically laughed a lot. Aloud for that matter. The chemistry between Jack and Lauren was undeniable. It was cute how Jack was all attracted to Lauren and yet he kept on trying to be rational and insisted on his self that they were just friends. You'll never really know what was going to happen because at some points, it seemed to be their dead end. I know they were going to have some answers but little by little, I was seeing more of an important discovery than just what Jack was seeing through the guitar. Just like I had my own unique ability, I was pretty sure of what I thought was the truth behind the mystery. Needless to say, I was right. Do you know how much I want to spill everything here? I want to say what that amazing connection between Jack and the guitar. It was totally bittersweet for me. But I guess lost things or even some lost people will definitely find their way back home.

David's writing totally allowed the novel to be what it is supposed to be. He was able to incorporate a great mystery into the little things throughout the novel. Not just that, the feeling I had for the characters were surreal. I felt like I was with them throughout their whole journey. Personally, I just loved it. I can read this over and over and over again. Need to say more?

The ending was a little bit of a cliffhanger to me. I'm crossing my fingers that there would be a sequel for this one. I also want to know as to why and how Jack and Lauren had those unique abilities.

Streetlights Like Fireworks is a journey towards a lot of things. Funny, bittersweet and just absolutely adorable. What are you waiting for? Read this now.

About the Author

David Pandolfe is the author of two novels, Jump When Ready and Streetlights Like Fireworks. Currently, he’s working on a sequel to Jump When Ready, to be published in 2014. His short fiction has also appeared in literary reviews.

While he’s still writing about himself in third-person, David should probably also mention that he lives outside Richmond, VA, with his wife, two kids and a dog who’s terrified of thunder (not the best situation since it thunders from spring until fall in Richmond). 

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[Blog Tour] Getting By (A Knight's Tale I) by Claudia Y. Burgoa: Review & Giveaway

[Blog Tour] Getting By (A Knight's Tale I) by Claudia Y. Burgoa: Review & Giveaway

Posted by Nina L. on 9:00 PM in 4-star, Claudia Y. Burgoa, contemporary, Giveaway, NA, review, romance, Xpresso Book Tours,

Author: Cladia Y. Burgoa

Release date: February 18th 2014

Publisher: Literally Alpaca Illustrations, LLC

Series: A Knight's Tale I

Age Group: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tour organized by: Xpresso Book Tours

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble 

Add to your library: Goodreads

When Emma Anderson arrived at San Francisco International Airport, she regretted accepting the distinction of being the maid of honor to Gaby’s—her childhood friend—wedding. It had been years since the last time she set foot in Menlo Park, where her parents had been killed. The rug where she had been shoving her feelings since that day looked bumpier than a camel’s hump. Who could blame her; if she hadn’t been selfish they’d still be around. Ever since that fateful day, Emma has been perfecting the knack of Getting By.

Cade’s wedding in Menlo Park—a city close to San Francisco—might be the perfect place for Jake Knight to shake the memories of his ex, Emma Anderson for good. Single, available women galore for an entire week was the perfect medication, one he intended to take three times a day for an entire week to return to his player days. It was a plan the former spy thought flawless until he came face to face with the maid of honor. Jake’s perfect retreat turns into a flight, fight or hide week of celebrations. (via Goodreads)

I've been reading a lot of NA novels lately and I'm pretty sure there's this standard formula already. Broken Girl + Perfect Boy = Messed Up Life Together (Or so they believe so one will stay away from the other) or vice versa. Or to the extreme that they are both broken. It's been getting a little too cliche-y already but I kept on reading NA novels anyway. Why? I'm particularly interested at how the characters will cope with their believed brokenness.

Getting By had that standard formula. Emma believed she was too broken to have a relationship because of her past. It bothered her a lot and I was too. What she experienced was traumatic but then I didn't feel how traumatic it was. It was all words for me and not emotions. She kept on blaming herself for what happened when she should have been looking at the greater picture. I know she was definitely in denial since she was being too workaholic. Work was her outlet. She kept herself busy so she won't think about anything else. Until Jake came. Emma's wit totally caught him. Me too actually. Her wit kept me laughing a lot of times. She may have a hard life especially at socializing with strangers and even estranged friends but she definitely has a great personality she saves only to those who deserves it. For the most part, I felt that she was just this vulnerable woman who can't seem to give herself away to someone especially not after what happened to her family. But then things change and so do people.

Jake too was broken. I can definitely say that Jake is one of those Godly bachelors. He's too young to have achieved all of those things. But then that's his character in the novel. I really don't mind anyway. He was protective when it comes to his loved ones and that says a lot. His attraction to Emma was undeniable. As much as I wanted to feel their connection, I didn't. Yet it was fine for me because I just know they belong together. Does that even make sense? Jake can't also take the risk. It was too much for him to handle. Between Emma and Jake, I felt that Jake carries a lot more burden because he was definitely in charge  about the matter in his troubled past yet it didn't mean that what happened was his fault. Bad things happen especially at his line of work. Still he can't seem to let it go because it was that bad.

Jake and Emma's romance took on a toll but I know they'll end up together. I just know they belong with each other. They did stay away from each other but fate surely has another plan for them. I just didn't understand something at the last part. Jake was the one who doesn't want something and yet in the end, he told Emma that he'll wait until she's ready for it. It's a little confusing for me since I know Emma was definitely the one who wanted that something. ANYWAY. I might spill something up so I have to stop now.

What I loved the most about this novel is Mitch, Jake's twin brother. I can't seriously wait to read his story in the second book of the series. He's just so charming. End of discussion.

I cannot finish this review without saying that Claudia's writing is one of most flawless I've ever encountered. Is that even the right way to put it? It's just that her writing is so smooth and easy like the words came from her effortlessly without trying so hard. I'd be surely looking out for her other novels in the future.

You'll laugh a lot because of Emma's wit. You'll swoon a lot because of Jake's sweetness. You'll smile a lot because of Mitch's charm. You'll definitely feel safe because of Jake's family. You'll find peace and hope because of the love brought together by two people who have been lost.

About the Author

Claudia lives in Colorado with her family and three dogs. Two beagles who believe they are human, and a bichon who thinks she’s a beagle. While managing life, she works as a CFO at a small IT Company. She’s a dreamer who enjoys music, laughter and a good story.
 

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[Blog Tour] The Art of Letting Go by Anna Bloom: Review & Giveaway

[Blog Tour] The Art of Letting Go by Anna Bloom: Review & Giveaway

Posted by Nina L. on 9:00 PM in 3-star, Anna Bloom, contemporary, Giveaway, NA, romance, Uni Files, Xpresso Book Tours,

Author: Anna Bloom

Release date: September 25th 2013
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing

Series: Uni Files # 1

Age Group: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tour organized by: Xpresso Book Tours

Purchase: Amazon

Add to your library: Goodreads

For Lilah McCannon, life has taken a bit of a wrong turn. Engaged to a guy she is not in love with and stuck in a job with her tyrannical father as her boss, life has definitely not turned out the way she expected.

At twenty-five years old, Lilah knows that she has a simple choice: live the life she has created or change it.

Enrolling on a course at the local University, Lilah sets out with some clear rules to ensure her success at being a grown-up. No alcohol, no cigarettes, no boys, and no going home. But the last thing she anticipates is meeting Ben Chambers, the lead singer of a local band. With Ben, it’s instant, it’s hot, and it’s deep, but when Ben is offered the opportunity of a lifetime and it looks like his future lies on a different path to hers, Lilah has some heart-rending decisions to make.

With the academic year slipping by too quickly, Lilah faces a barrage of new challenges. Will she ever make it up the library stairs without having a heart attack? Can she handle a day on campus without drinking vodka? Will she ever manage to read a history book without falling asleep? Most of all, will she be able to make the ultimate sacrifice and learn The Art of Letting Go? (via Goodreads)

Does anyone really write a journal in such a way? The way that Lilah wrote her journal was like she recorded every single thing that happened to her throughout the day. Don't get me wrong. I love writing and reading vivid descriptions of day-to-day experiences. Yet it occurred to me as if Lilah wasn't just narrating what happened to her during the day but as if it was happening right at that moment. Is it confusing? Well, read the book so you'd understand. Though I really don't have an issue with that. It just felt weird to me somehow. Maybe it won't to you so you'll see.

What can I say? Lilah was probably the most annoying female main character I can think of right now. She's 25 years-old yet she had the mind of a freaking teenager. No, seriously. I was tempted to stop reading a lot of times because she was annoying. She was self-centered, impulsive, and just really stupid. I swear I want to take her out from the book and slap her just so she'll wake up from her dreamland. I admired her for standing up against her family and for starting a life of her own. She was brave to start at Uni even though she's older than the others. I thought she was going to be this renewed mature lady but I was wrong, very wrong. All along I thought that her getting out of her parents is about growing up. How can she let her roommate who in fact was an 18-year-old girl get lost in the wild like that? I know college is supposed to be the time to be young, wild and free but can't she be a little more mature and act as a good friend to her? I was absolutely irritated by Lilah's uncontrollable consumption of alcohol. It would be fine if she can handle herself but she cannot. And to think that she kept on doing it. WHY CAN'T SHE BE MATURE??? Not just that. She made some terrible decisions because as I have told you, she was selfish, impulsive and very much of an immature person. Yet she kept on trying so I had to give it to her. That's why I still have faith on her.

Now, I would sound like I hate this book. Totally not. Despite the negativity of Lilah, there comes Ben. I absolutely know that it was love at first sight for Ben but I don't care. He definitely is one of the sweetest out there. There were times when I just want to hug him because I believe he didn't deserve to be treated like that. No words necessary anymore. Ben is such a sweetheart with an angelic voice.

So what made me like this? As much as I was irritated at Lilah, this was fun to read. I enjoyed it more than I should. I kept on laughing because the minor characters were great. My favorite's her twin brother, Tristan. The minor characters and Ben, the humor and the writing kept me sane throughout the novel. They balanced out anything that made me dislike Lilah.

The story of learning how to let go caught me in the first place. But the idea of letting go that I had and what was in the novel were different. It wasn't exactly how I thought it would be executed. I felt that it was somehow lacking the realities that go with it. Something happened so Lilah let Ben go. It wasn't because she needed to let him go but because she JUST wanted to. Very impulsive I can say. And that totally didn't feel right to me. Especially when she was that immature in some ways.

The title seemed to give it off. I knew even before I read this what the ending for Lilah and Ben will be. It was pretty obvious to me and even the title for the sequel. It just gave off everything. But I don't care. I still did enjoy reading this one. Must I say that them being together was fun to read about.

The Art of Letting Go is a sweet romance filled with music and alcohol. I know, might be the best combination to some. A story of love, hope, loss and the ultimate lesson of letting go.

About the Author

Anna Bloom is a contemporary romance writer who writes about life as it happens. Combining a busy schedule of looking after two small children whilst working in a local school and completing The Uni Files series. Anna’s main aim in life is to create the perfect book which makes a reader laugh and cry at the same time, hopefully causing a convulsive (impossible to ignore) donkey noise. It’s a work in progress! Anna also spends a lot of time imagining kissing hot guys – all in the name of her art. 

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Book Review: Venture Untamed by R.H. Russell

Book Review: Venture Untamed by R.H. Russell

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 2-star, fantasy, R.H. Russell, review, YA,

Author: R.H. Russell

Release date: January 5th 2014

Publisher: Morning Gate Press

Series: The Venture Books # 1

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Purchase: Amazon 

Add to your library: Goodreads

Venture Delving is a bonded servant, a member of the lowest class in the world. Already fatherless, when he loses his mother, he veers from energetic to out of control. But when Venture's rage saves the life of Jade, his best friend and his master's daughter, Venture finds himself in the last place he ever expected—a center renowned for training young boys to be professional fighters.

When Venture realizes he's fallen in love with Jade, he knows that the only way he'll ever have her, the only way he'll ever be free to live the life he's meant to live, is to defy convention, common sense, the trust of those he cares about most—and sometimes the law—and become the best fighter in the world, the Champion of All Richland. Venture must battle not only rival fighters, but the ghosts of his past and the members of a privileged warrior class who stand between him and his dream. (via Goodreads)

I received an e-copy of this from Shane of Itching For Books and the author in exchange for an honest review. 

I am definitely in the minority since most of the readers loved this one. What went wrong for me? Is it the writing? Definitely not. Despite it being in the 3rd person POV, I was able to read it without stopping even once. Is it the story? Nah. I was deeply immersed into the story. The idea of such society was both interesting and quite intriguing. Being at the low class, would Venture be able to go at the top through his own efforts? I was astounded as to how their society worked. Yes, it was absolutely cruel if I must say. Is it the characters? Still no. I actually liked Venture. His determination was typical among them but what set him apart was his patience. He knew he cannot just go straight at the top. He was willing to start from the bottom. The other characters did their parts as much as they should. It was all supposed to happen. So what then gave it? PACING.

Can you even imagine how excited I was that after 50% of the book, something big was happening and then I was shocked to see that it had already ended. Turns out, the remaining last few pages in my Kindle was a preview for the sequel. I was very disappointed by then. I didn't know how to feel. The whole book for me was like world-building, introducing the characters, some mishaps happening. Nothing THAT BIG happened. To think that I was excited because there was supposed to be fighting. Or there maybe some. But not the kind I expected. For the most part, I felt that it was all about the preparations for the big thing.

Despite me not liking the pacing that much, I might or might not give the sequel a try. I'm still curious as to how Venture would work his way up and if he would be with Jane in the end. Since a lot of readers liked this one, I'm still encouraging everyone to go try this. Maybe it's just me not liking the pacing. You'll never know.

About the Author

         R.H. Russell has been on the mat with talented young fighters since 1993. Their ambitions, struggles, and triumphs inspired her to write the Venture books. She hopes to share the fascinating world of fighters with readers in a unique way—a way anyone can identify with, because she truly believes there’s a fighter in all of us.      She's having a great time letting Venture and his friends loose to play on the page, writing about brawls and big dreams, betrayal and camaraderie, and of course, Venture and Jade’s forbidden love.        The author also writes the Unicorns of the Mist series as R.R. Russell. Wonder Light (Sourcebooks 2013), the first of these novels for young readers, is out now. Look for The Unicorn Thief in 2014 Illuminating Gracie is her debut novel.

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[RECAP] Becca Fitzpatrick's Book Signing Event at Manila

[RECAP] Becca Fitzpatrick's Book Signing Event at Manila

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in Becca Fitzpatrick, book signing, event,

DO YOU LOVE PATCH? 

Well,  I do. That's why I was so excited when Becca Fitzpatrick came to the Philippines two weeks ago. She had a book signing event at Manila on March 29 then at Cebu on March 30. Of course, this bookish event wouldn't be possible without the hardworking National Bookstore. Thank you so much, NBS. I am forever grateful to you.

During the Q&A with Becca.

We (Filipino bloggers) were fortunate to attend the Q&A with Becca. Below are some of the things she shared with us:

1. She's an introvert.

2. She loved Twilight so she doesn't really care about the Hush Hush series being compared to it.

3. Out of all the books she have written, Sapphire Skies (to-be-released on 2015) is her favorite.

I thought it was time for our books to get signed but then the host took out an ARC of Black Ice. I thought it was going to be raffled but then they surprised us by having a box full of ARC. I know, I was so ecstatic. Everyone was. We are so lucky to have it. Thank you so much, Becca. <3 

Yet no matter how excited I was, I was tongue-tied when it was my turn to have my books signed. Yeah, I was a little star-strucked. The event wouldn't be fun and exciting without the company of my fellow bloggers. It was fun to be squealing with them when we got the ARCs.

Some of the pictures I've taken:

Filipino bloggers with Becca.

At the signing event at NBS Glorietta.

Becca enjoying her interview.

My signed books. 

I definitely cannot wait to read Black Ice. You can get a copy of the book at NBS this coming October 2014.

Again, thank you so much NBS for making this signing event possible. Looking forward to meeting other authors in the next few months.

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[Blog Tour] Daughter of Chaos (Red Magic # 1) by Jen McConnel: Promo & Giveaway

[Blog Tour] Daughter of Chaos (Red Magic # 1) by Jen McConnel: Promo & Giveaway

Posted by Nina L. on 6:00 PM in blog tour, Giveaway, Jen McConnel, paranormal, Red Magic, The Fantastic Flying Book Club Tours, YA,

Author: Jen McConnel

Release date: March 25th 2014

Publisher: Month9Books

Series: Red Magic # 1

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Paranormal

Tour organized by: The Fantastic Flying Book Club Blog Tour

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes Store | Kobo | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

Witches must choose the path they will follow, and Darlena Agara is no exception. She’s been putting it off long enough, and in her case, ignoring it has not made it go away. In a moment of frustration, Darlena chooses to follow Red Magic, figuring she had outsmarted the powers that be, since there’s no such thing as Red Magic. But alas, Darlena’s wrong (again) and she becomes a newly declared Red Witch.

Her friends are shocked and her parents horrified by the choice Darlena has made. As a Red Witch, she now governs one third of the world’s chaos. She is the walking personification of pandemonium, turmoil, and bedlam, just as the patrons of Red Magic would have it to be.

But Darlena believes there must be more to Red Magic than chaos and destruction, and she sets out on a journey to achieve balance. Only doing so puts her at odds with the dark goddess Hecate, who simply will not allow Darlena to quit. She encourages Darlena to embrace who and what she is and to leave good magic to the good witches. If only Darlena could, life would be simple, and she would not be the Daughter of Chaos. (via Goodreads)

About the Author

Jen McConnel first began writing poetry as a child. Since then, her words have appeared in a variety of magazines and journals, including Sagewoman, PanGaia, and The Storyteller (where she won the people’s choice 3rd place award for her poem, “Luna”).

She is also a former reviewer for Voices of Youth Advocates (VOYA), and a proud member of SCBWI, NCWN, and SCWW.

A Michigander by birth, she now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. She's a graduate of Western Michigan University, and she also earned her MS in Library Science at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

When she isn't crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches writing composition at a community college. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.

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[Blog Tour] Butterfly by Elle Harper: Excerpt & Giveaway

[Blog Tour] Butterfly by Elle Harper: Excerpt & Giveaway

Posted by Nina L. on 9:00 PM in blog tour, contemporary, Giveaway, Itching For Books Tours, NA, review, romance,

Author: Elle Harper

Release date: January 15th 2014
Publisher: Wonder Women Publishing Limited

Series: N/A

Age Group: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tour organized by:  Itching For Books Tours

Purchase: Amazon

Add to your library: Goodreads

Grace Elliot is falling apart. Overwhelming tragedy has turned her world into a dark and lonely place. Facing the pain and the ghosts is impossible. Hiding her secret behind a mask of confidence and living a lie is the only thing she knows how to do. She’s alive…but not living.

Counsellor Ben Hardy is certain he can help Grace heal. Maybe it’s a way to rid himself of the demons haunting him from that one horrific night when his life shattered.

When they meet, everything changes, and their pasts offer them a remedy to save each other…until Ben's traumatic history threatens to destroy the trust they’ve built.

Will the truth tear them apart? Or will it force them to understand the healing power of forgiveness and love.(via Goodreads)

Excerpt

I’m serving two young mums with coffee when he returns. I know it’s him before I even look over, because there seems to be a big presence filling the empty space. When I finish up, I look over at him, and his dark eyes are on me. He looks thoughtful. Probably thinking what a weirdo I am.

‘Hi.’ He smiles. It’s warm and friendly. Not a trace of disgust, which puzzles me.

I fake a smile and nod to the supplies he’s holding. ‘You didn't have to do that. You should probably be resting anyway, after your accident.’

‘It’s no problem.’ He shrugs. ‘It won’t take me long to fix.’

I don’t realize I haven’t spoken, and I’m still staring until he carries on talking.

‘Shall I go in and make a start, then?’

‘Huh? Oh…yes. Thanks.’

‘OK, then.’ And he heads into the kitchen.

After a few minutes, I pace up and down behind the counter, rubbing my sweaty palms down my apron. I need to apologize for what he saw, and I mentally rehearse what to say. I mean, what do you say to someone when they've seen you looking like a freak?

I head towards the kitchen. Stop. Go back to the counter and resume pacing. Luckily, the two mums are engrossed in a lively conversation about baby puke and nappies and don’t notice my strange behaviour, and no one else is in the shop.

Eventually, I muster up the courage to walk to the doorway. He’s bent under the sink. His T-shirt stretches taut over the muscles on his back, and I wonder why I’m even noticing that. It should make me scared to be in this confined space with him, as it did before, but I’m not. It should make me want to run out the door and never come back, but strangely, it doesn't.

‘Look…’ I start, and bite my lip.

His head turns, but he doesn't get up. ‘Oh, hey. I didn't know you were there.’

‘I’m sorry,’ I blurt out before I can change my mind. ‘About what happened earlier, I’m sorry.’

He drops his spanner to the floor and sits on the tiles. He doesn't say anything for a second. Just regards me with kindness in his eyes.

I bite my lip again.

‘You have nothing to be sorry about,’ he says. ‘You had a panic attack, that’s all.’ It’s as if his look lasts an eternity, but it’s probably only a few seconds before I tear my gaze away from his.

‘You know, deep breathing really helps when you have one. Just try to concentrate on slow, deep breaths, or maybe start counting slowly in time with the breath. I know it’s hard to do at first, but it works.’

I lean my head on the doorway. ‘Yeah. It’s not always easy to remember that when you’re in the middle of one.’

‘It also helps to focus on one particular thing to ground yourself.’

‘Ground myself?’

He stands up and leans against the worktop. ‘Yeah. Try and find an object or something to concentrate on while you’re having a panic attack that lets you know you’re safe.’

Like your eyes?

I blush as the thought pops into my brain. I haven’t been able to get those eyes out of my head. I want him to stop looking at me, but at the same time, I don’t want him to stop. ‘OK, I’ll try that.’

‘Have you tried meditating before?’

‘No.’ I look at him then, even though I’m trying so hard not to.

‘Well, that’s good for panic attacks, too.’

‘So what do I need to do exactly?’ I can’t believe I’m talking with him about this. I haven’t spoken to anyone before, but I want to know what he knows. I want to know how to get better.

‘I can show you if you like.’

‘No!’ It comes out louder than I intend. ‘No,’ I say again, softly this time. ‘Can you just explain it to me?’

He smiles. ‘Sure. Just find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down. Then just breathe in and out deeply. Close your eyes and just focus on the breath. You can repeat a word or a mantra if you feel too fidgety, or do the counting like I said.’

‘What sort of a word?’

‘Anything that makes you feel calm.’ His gaze drifts up to the ceiling as he thinks. ‘Like, “breathe” or “relax” or “I am fine”.’

‘OK. How long should I do it for?’

His gaze is back on me now. ‘I’d start off with around three minutes a day if you can manage it, then try and increase it. People who meditate daily are a lot more relaxed and able to handle the stresses of life easier. And, of course, if you’re in the middle of an attack, try and ground yourself with something and do the same breathing.’

‘Thanks.’

‘No problem.’ He pulls a piece of paper out of his front pocket and reaches for a pen on the worktop. ‘If you have another attack and you want to talk, just phone me, OK?’ He scribbles down his number and hands over the piece of paper.

I look at the piece of paper, and before I know what I’m doing, I take it and stuff it in the pocket of my trousers. ‘Thanks.’

‘Honestly, please call if I can help. Maybe I can talk you through it. Any time, it doesn't matter.’ As he smiles and his eyes light up, crinkling around the edges, my whole body floods with warmth, and the tension in my shoulders releases its grip. Some kind of strange connection that I can’t explain is passing between us, and I find myself smiling back.

This time it’s definitely not fake.

About the Author

Elle Harper is the pen name of Bestselling author Sibel Hodge. She is the Amazon Top 100 Bestselling Author of Fourteen Days Later and Be Careful What You Wish For. She has 8 cats and 1 husband. In her spare time, she's Wonder Woman! When she's not out saving the world from dastardly demons she writes an eclectic mix of romantic comedies, mysteries, thrillers, children's books, and non fiction.

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ARC Review: Ask Again Later by Liz Czukas

ARC Review: Ask Again Later by Liz Czukas

Posted by Nina L. on 12:00 PM in 4-star, ARC, contemporary, review, romance, YA,

Author: Liz Czukas

Release date: March 11th 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Series: N/A

Age Group: Young Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository 

Add to your library: Goodreads

Despite what her name might suggest, Heart has zero interest in complicated romance. So when her brilliant plan to go to prom with a group of friends is disrupted by two surprise invites, Heart knows there's only one drama-free solution: flip a coin.

Heads: The jock. He might spend all night staring at his ex or throw up in the limo, but how bad can her brother's best friend really be?

Tails: The theater geek...with a secret. What could be better than a guy who shares all Heart's interests--even if he wants to share all his feelings?

Heart's simple coin flip has somehow given her the chance to live out both dates. But where her prom night ends up might be the most surprising thing of all... (via Goodreads)

I received an ARC of this as a gift. This however did not influence my opinion of the book or of the author in any way.

I wasn't particularly ready for this kind of read. It took me by surprise. Yet at the end, I totally enjoyed it.

Heart was invited by two guys to go to the prom. Not one. But two. She should be excited, right? Yet she wasn't. She was supposed to go with her friends and she was unexpectedly faced with such dilemma. Her solution? Toss coin. So what won out? Heads or tails? Well, that's the catch. An alternate POV from each side was given. Heads with Troy while Tails with Ryan.

Each side was fun and sometimes a little annoying. Each side had its own ups and downs. I laughed out loud too many times because Heart was such a silly female character. The things she experienced on prom night were indeed memorable. Though for the most part, I enjoyed the Tails part more since Heart was able to sit with her friends together with Ryan and not with Troy and her brother's friends who were a little immature for their age. Still at the end, Heart ended up with that person she was supposed to be with. I can't even tell you how cute their relationship was, the way they were brought together was totally enjoyable to read.

Troy didn't really invite Heart. It was her brother who insisted that they go together since Troy was broken-hearted. Right there and then, I wanted to punch her brother for being such a pain. Seriously, why would you force your sister into something like that? But hey, at least Ryan was decent enough to invite her personally. And though his agenda for inviting her was also a little selfish, he was honest about it. That's why I enjoyed Ryan's side more.

My favorite part was the time Heart was locked into the compartment of a car together with Schroeder. If you're wondering who he was, he's also a part of her drama club. If you want to know his part, read this now. *wink wink*

Towards the latter part of the novel, I was pretty sure who did Heart went with but then there were things which don't add up. I realized that the main point here is no matter what path you'll go through, you'll end up where you're supposed to be.

Ask Again Later is like Just Like Fate though it was lighter. You'll definitely laugh with everything that Heart experienced and of course, you'd smile and feel giddy too much for this novel's cuteness.

About the Author

Liz Czukas is a freelance writer (on sometimes sad or boring topics), and also writes books for young adults (which are rarely sad and full of kissing). Before that, she was a nurse and she still kind of misses starting IVs.
She lives outside Milwaukee, WI with her husband, son and the world’s loudest cat. She types too loud (according to her husband), spends too much time on the Internet, and can’t get enough of disaster movies. There is *always* a song stuck in her head, and she once won a hula-hoop contest.
If you are interested in honing your stalking skills (from a distance, please) Liz welcomes you to practice on Facebook, or better yet, Twitter where she likes to hang out and talk about TV, writing, Harrison Ford, her kid, and all of the idiotic things she does to injure herself on a routine basis.

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