Jan 30, 2015

Blog Tour: Acting Brave by Helena Newbury

Author: Helena Newbury
Publisher: Foster & Black New Adult
Number of Pages: 580

Synopsis:
"She’s spent her whole life acting. But is she good enough to make him believe she doesn’t love him?Three years ago, a terrified girl named Emma fled a world of crime and abuse in Chicago and bought a one-way ticket to New York. She reinvented herself as an actress, enrolled at the prestigious Fenbrook Academy and buried her pain beneath a vivacious new persona. Her new name was Jasmine.Now she has to pull off the performance of her career.Landing her dream part in a police show, she finds herself falling for her co-star, Ryan, a real-life cop. If she lets him get too close, he’ll awaken memories she doesn’t want to face and uncover secrets that could endanger them both. But how can she keep a guy at arm’s length when she has to kiss him on camera?The last place Ryan imagined himself was on a TV show. Blaming himself for the death of his partner, he’s on a downward spiral of rage and guilt. The show is his last chance…but how can he keep it professional when his co-star is a woman he’s crazy about?As their on-screen and off-screen relationships merge, things go from hot to blistering. But when Jasmine’s old life catches up with her, will a cop be the one person she can’t be around…or the only person who can save her?"

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This book was absolutely MIND-BLOWING! Helena Newbury really hit a brand new level in her writing. 

Her characters and their background was phenomenal and the overall story was put together very well. It was a lot longer than the other stories and Helena took a lot longer to write this story but the amount of time and effort she put into it is easily visible. I've already this book three times and I just got the paperback copy in the mail and I'm reading it a fourth time :D. This book really contains a lot of power and grit. 

Ryan is just an amazing character with his beginning as a cop and the horrific incident he goes through and now is trying to learn to deal with. Jasmine is just so...AHHH! She was so frustrated at times because she held herself back so much because of everything she had been through. 

The romance in this book is extremely steamy and I love it. I can't stress how much of an amazing job Helena did writing this book. Her characters are amazing, her story line is so much better than she ever had before and I really enjoyed those books as well. I'm just really sad this series is over!

I definitely recommend this series! If you don't want to read the whole series I would definitely read this book, each book is about a different couple so I HIGHLY recommend it!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!


I’m a New Adult Romance author who loves writing about what happens when love and dreams collide with the real world. I wrote my first novel, Dance for Me, in daily chunks in a very busy, very noisy coffee shop, which meant I had to order a black Americano every hour, on the hour, to keep my seat and wound up wired on caffeine most days. I hit the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists in summer 2013. Unlike my characters, I can’t dance.

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Jan 26, 2015

ARC Review & Giveaway: Red Queen Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen (Red Queen Trilogy, #1)Author: Victoria Aveyard
Publisher: HarperTeen
Number of Pages: 400 

Synopsis:
"The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.
To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.
Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.
But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?"


    
WHAT. THE. HELL. DID. I. JUST. READ?!?!?!


I can't even right now. 

When I picked this book up I just...I thought it was going to be another rebellion book with the romance and the mental conflicts which is fine. I love those kind of books but this book! Sometimes I just can't even comprehend what I'm feeling about this book.


I think the biggest thing I felt while reading this book was how different it was from all the other books out there. There will be moments when you think there is a love triangle but then its a square and then its just nothing. There was a LOT to take in with the history and the way society worked in this book.
“In the fairy tales, the poor girl smiles when she becomes a princess. Right now, I don't know if I'll ever smile again.”
My absolute favorite thing in this book was how I could make a connection to our world right now. (What Harman?! Are you using something from English class?!) I can relate it to all the terrorism that the world is experiencing right now, especially since I started this book after the attack in Paris, we retaliate against innocent people and this book has a lot of this kind of thing. I'm not sure whether Victoria Aveyard had that in mind but she did just that.  This book is just so much more complex and intriguing than I was ever expecting it to be.
“Flame and shadow. One cannot exist without the other.”
Full of originality, heartbreak and an overload of emotion, this is a book that demands a reader's attention and it will certainly not disappoint. A sequel is demanded. Already my favorite book of 2015, the Red Queen will blow the minds' of readers everywhere. 

But now we have to wait until 2016 to get the sequel.....


I was having a hard time giving this book a rating because I don't really give books more than 5 stars but this book just deserved it. The third book in Little Bookworm history to get more than 5 stars!!

Rating: 6 out of 5!!!
*An ARC of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

I would normally never give an ARC away if I loved it this much but I'm definitely going to be buying a hardcover eventually so one lucky winner will get am ARC of The Red Queen!

Ends February 14th 12:00 AM EST
US Only (Sorry Intl!!)
Must be at least 13 years old to enter

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Jan 25, 2015

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Aflame by Penelope Douglas

Aflame
By Penelope Douglas
Release Date: April 21, 2015

Synopsis:
"From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Bully, Until You, Rival, and Falling Away comes the sizzling conclusion to the Fall Away series.
The tables have turned. Now I have the power—and it’s his turn to beg…Everyone wants to be me.
Maybe it’s the sway of my skirt or the way I flip my hair, but I don’t care. Even though their  attention is the last thing I crave, I just can’t stop. I dominate the track, the speed rattles my  bones, and the wind and the crowd screams my name.
I’m her. The girl driver. The queen of the race. And I’m surviving—something he thought I’d  never do.
They all talk about him. Did you see Jared Trent on T.V? What did you think of his last race,  Tate? When is he coming back to town, Tate?
But I refuse to care too much. Because when Jared does come home, I won’t be here.
Tatum Brandt is gone. I’m someone new."

Pre- Order Aflame 


Penelope Douglas is a writer in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, The Originals, and she shops at Target almost daily.
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Jan 20, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Falling Away by Penelope Douglas

Falling Away (Fall Away, #3)Author: Penelope Douglas
Publisher: Penguin Group

Number of Pages: 429

Synopsis:
"Jaxon is the guy she’s supposed to avoid. K.C. is the girl he won’t let get away....K. C. Carter has always followed the rules—until this year, when a mistake leaves her the talk of her college campus and her carefully arranged life comes crashing to a halt. Now she’s stuck in her small hometown for the summer to complete her court-ordered community service, and to make matters worse, trouble is living right next door.Jaxon Trent is the worst kind of temptation and exactly what K.C. was supposed to stay away from in high school. But he never forgot her. She was the one girl who wouldn’t give him the time of day and the only one to ever say no. Fate has brought K.C. back into his life—except what he thought was a great twist of luck turns out to be too close for comfort. As the bond between them grows, he discovers that convincing K.C. to get out from her mother’s shadow is hard, but revealing the darkest parts of his soul is nearly impossible.… "
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I knew from the moment we met Jax in Jared and Tate's story that he was going to be my favorite, and he sure was. A hot guy that is also kind of a computer geek? Sign me the hell up! 

This whole entire was a lot more dark and sad then the other two books were, the difficult life that both these characters have to deal with creates a very different aura for this book, you are more likely to cry in this book. 
“Girls dress for others. Women dress for themselves.” 
I think between both stories, K.C.'s story hit me the hardest, not because of the situation she way in (I can definitely relate to a few parts) but it's something you don't really read about it ever. We read about these characters who were abused as children or neglected but what K.C. went through it a whole other story
“I wrapped my arms around his waist. "You called me your girl." I nodded, waggling my eyebrows. "And," I continued, "you'd better believe this little wallflower will cut a bitch with that knife of yours if anyone lays a hand on you.” 
The amount of sass and steamy scenes in this book definitely takes the series to a whole new level. None of the other books go as far as Jax has. My sister is reading this at the moment and she gets really uncomfortable at times, where with the other books she was fine. It definitely makes me want Jax a lot more ;).
“I love it when you get mouthy,” he whispered down on me. “It makes me want to shut you up.” 
See what I mean? You guys can only imagine how the book continues. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!! (What else would it get?)
 

*A copy of this book was provided by the tour host & publisher in exchange for an honest review.
How did you find such a big interest in cars? We know some about your fascination with computers but cars is kind of a different area of interest.
Well, I think Jared and Madoc were a big influence in that area. I was always hanging around them, and I like mechanics and engineering, learning how things work. It’s how I got interested in computers. When Jared gave me his GT, it was more than just an interest in cars, though. It was also about taking care of something. I’d never had much to be proud of. Not a nice house or cool clothes, so it was really special when he gave me his car. It was mine, and it was awesome, and I wanted to learn how to take care of it. 
When I took an interest in the Loop, though, it wasn’t about racing or the cars. I’d moved onto design with the renovations at the Loop and broadcasting the races. It was great to mix cars and computers, like my ultimate Candyland. 
Until I met someone who was more fun to play with, that is.
Penelope Douglas is a writer in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, The Originals, and she shops at Target almost daily. 



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Jan 12, 2015

Review: The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt

12987127Author: Lauren Barnholdt
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Number of Pages: 285

Synopsis:

In this humorous love story from the author of "Two-Way Street", an unlikely romance is the best sort of surprise—but the wrong secret can ruin everything. Kelsey’s not going to let one mistake ruin her life. Sure, she got kicked out of prep school and all her old friends are shutting her out. But Kelsey’s focused on her future, and she’s determined to get back on track at Concordia High.

Isaac’s been kicked out of more schools than he can count. Since his father’s a state senator, Isaac’s life is under constant scrutiny—but Concordia High’s his last stop before boarding school, so Isaac’s hoping to fly under the radar and try to stay put for a change.

When Kelsey and Isaac meet, it’s anything but love at first sight. She thinks he’s an entitled brat, and he thinks she’s a stuck-up snob. So it surprises them both when they start to fall for each other. Kelsey’s happy for the first time in months, and Isaac’s never felt this way about anyone before. But nothing’s ever completely perfect. Everyone has secrets, and Isaac and Kelsey are no exceptions. These two may have fallen hard, but there’s one thing that can ruin it all: the truth.
First of all, this book was legendary. The plot was so unique and interesting, I never wanted to put it down. I have never read a book even close to what this was about. Although, I will say that at some moments in the book I felt as if the plot was getting a little cliché, but honestly I don’t mind that in a book. Especially if that book is a YA contemporary because I think that there’s a certain way that most of them need to end.
Something I loved about this book was that it was so unique. I loved that the characters were telling a story, in the story! There were different chapters that were either part of the “Before” or the “Aftermath”, and this really helped keep the suspense going for me. I kept seeing these conflicting emotions between characters in the Aftermath that weren’t in the story and I kept thinking “I need to know what happened!”
I really, really loved this book, and it’s now one of my favorites. I’m a little disappointed that so many people haven’t read the book. So, I want all of you guys to pick it up next time you’re at the library or the bookstore and at least consider it! Seriously, it will not disappoint. It’s definitely one of the more real and exciting YA contemporaries.

 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!!!
                                           
 

Jan 4, 2015

Falling Away Countdown Celebration! 2 More Days!

Falling Away (Fall Away, #3)
Falling Away
By Penelope Douglas
Release Date: January 6, 2015

Synopsis:
"Jaxon is the guy she’s supposed to avoid.
K.C. is the girl he won’t let get away....
K. C. Carter has always followed the rules—until this year, when a mistake leaves her the talk of her college campus and her carefully arranged life comes crashing to a halt. Now she’s stuck in her small hometown for the summer to complete her court-ordered community service, and to make matters worse, trouble is living right next door.
Jaxon Trent is the worst kind of temptation and exactly what K.C. was supposed to stay away from in high school. But he never forgot her. She was the one girl who wouldn’t give him the time of day and the only one to ever say no. Fate has brought K.C. back into his life—except what he thought was a great twist of luck turns out to be too close for comfort. As the bond between them grows, he discovers that convincing K.C. to get out from her mother’s shadow is hard, but revealing the darkest parts of his soul is nearly impossible.…"
 


    As he made his way back through town, the only sound we could hear was the water on the streets being kicked up under the tires. He’d silenced the radio, we weren’t talking . . . and I felt as if he’d switched off.
    Everything had felt alive when he kissed me. His heart under my palm. His breath in my mouth. His hands roaming over my skin as if they were trying to memorize every inch of me.
    Now he was a bullet. Going from point A to point B without hesitation.
    Until his flat tone finally filled the car. “Come home with me.” It wasn’t a question, and I couldn’t hear a trace of emotion.
    I turned to him, stunned. “Are you serious?” I asked. “I don’t think I’d be enough for you.”
    “Don’t do that,” he shot back. “Don’t ruin what happened between us. You were fire in my hands, and I want you to remember it, K.C.”
    I could feel his eyes on me as I clasped the strap of Tate’s messenger bag sitting on the floor.
    “Clothed, naked, I don’t care . . . ” He trailed off, sounding almost sad. “As long as your lips are on me again.”
    I shifted in the seat, trying to buy myself time. What I wanted and what I should do were two different things. I’d fought that battle with Liam, my mother, and hell, the list went on. It was true when I told Jax that I wanted to be a mess. But I didn’t want to get hurt.
    “Thanks for the lesson,” I said. “And the ride. But I’m not like you, Jax. I don’t just ignore the rules and take what I want.”
    “You don’t know me.” His tone turned defensive. “You know nothing about me.”
    “And what do you know about me?” I threw back. “Other than you wanted me to spread my legs in high school? You want to have fun with me and nothing more, Jax. Find someone else.”
    He jerked the steering wheel to the right, and I grabbed the door handle to keep from vaulting over to his side of the car as he sped up into his driveway.
    My heart jumped into my throat, and I shot out my hand, grabbing the dash when he skidded to a quick halt in front of his garage.
    “Jax, Jesus!” I scolded.
    He shut off the car, yanked the parking brake up, and turned to look at me, leaning his forearm on the steering wheel. “You think I don’t know you?” he challenged.
    I pursed my lips. “Other than that I’m gutless and helpless, no.”
    He shook his head. “You want to travel. To unusual and dangerous places. You hid a binder full of National Geographic pages in your locker in high school because you didn’t want your mom to see all the pictures you’d torn out to keep track of the places you wanted to visit.”
    My jaw dropped slightly, and I widened my eyes. What?
    He continued. “You didn’t eat lunch for an entire month senior year, because you saw Stu Levi not eating and found out his single mom was out of work and couldn’t afford to put money on his lunch card. So you put your own money on it. Anonymously.”
    How did . . . ?
    “You love dark chocolate,” he kept going, “Ricky Gervais, and any movie with singing and dancing.” His voice filled the car, and my heartbeat was in my ears. “Except The Wizard of Oz, because the witch freaks you out, right? And you’ve collected almost an entire set of vintage Nancy Drew books. You had the most badges in your troop in Girl Scouts, and you had to quit swimming when you were fourteen because your mom said that your shoulders were getting too muscular and you wouldn’t look feminine. You loved swimming,” he added.
    I wrapped my arms around my stomach, the air turning cold. Tate and Liam didn’t even know all that.
    “I didn’t drool all over you in high school, K.C. I listened to you. I paid attention to you. What the hell do you know about me?”
    And he swung the car door open, climbed out, and slammed it shut, not waiting for an answer.
    I sat there, watching him walk into his house and close the door.
    Then the tears spilled over, and as much as I wanted to prove him wrong, I couldn’t go after him. He didn’t know that I’d watched him, too. He didn’t know that I’d paid attention as well.
    I always saw him.
    “Music centers you,” I whispered to an empty car, staring at his front door. “You listened to your iPod between classes and while you sat on the bleachers before school every morning.” I smiled, letting more tears run down my cheeks and thinking back to him and his black hoodies, looking so dark. “You love popcorn. Almost every kind and flavor but especially with Tabasco sauce,” I said, remembering the times he would come into the theater where I worked. “You hold the door open for women—students, teachers, and even old ladies coming out of Baskin-Robbins. You love movies about natural disasters, but they have to have some comedy in them. Your favorite one is Armageddon.” I swallowed and thought about how little I’d ever seen Jax truly smile. “And while you love computers, it’s not your passion,” I concluded. “You love being outdoors. You love having space.” My whole face hurt, the last words barely audible. “And you deserve someone who makes you happy. I’m just not that person.”

Penelope Douglas is a writer in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, The Originals, and she shops at Target almost daily.