Review: My Not So Super Sweet Life by Rachel Harris

My Not So Super Sweet Life

(My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century #3)

by Rachel Harris

Cat Crawford just wants to be normal—or at least as
normal as a daughter of Hollywood royalty can be. And it looks like fate is granting her wish: she’s got an amazing boyfriend, Lucas; her fabulous cousin, Alessandra, living with her; and her dad planning his second marriage to a great future stepmom. That is, until her prodigal mother reveals on national television that she has something important to tell her daughter…causing a media frenzy. Lucas Capelli knows his fate is to be with Cat, and he’s worked hard to win her over once and for all. Unfortunately, Lucas has his own issues to deal with, including a scandal that could take him away from the first place he’s truly belonged. As secrets are revealed, rumors explode, and the world watches, Cat and Lucas discover it’s not fate they have to fight if they want to stay together…this time, it’s their own insecurities. Well, and the stalkerazzi.

[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo]

  First things first, I haven't read the other books in this series. A crime against humanity, I know. Whenever I signed up to review this, I didn't realize it was part of a series. For shame. But after reading this one, I am determined to read the first two books!

  Cat was such a good character. Even though I haven't seen her full character arc, just from this book alone she's a character I can appreciate. I identified with Cat's struggle with her mother, and it made me feel this immediate sisterhood with her. And can we say swoon-worthy when it comes to Lucas? Their love story is so cute that I'm sure I have cavities. I love the way that Rachel Harris writes her characters.

  Even though I went into this book blind about the beginning of the series, I had no trouble getting hooked immediately. Quickly, I was able to get the gist of this world and fall in love with it. Rachel Harris leaves nothing out with her skillful style of writing. I was in awe. I will definitely be looking for more of her work to add to my TBR shelf after this book!

  If you've read the other books in this series, it's obvious that you need to pick this one up! If you haven't, grab the first book! I know I'm going to. I can't tell you how enthralled I am with Rachel Harris' writing, and I cannot wait to read more of her books!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Rachel Harris and Entangled Teen.

Blog Tour: Eclipse by Dirk Strasser

Eclipse

The Lost Book of Ascension

by Dirk Strasser

Can you see the story breathing?
What happens if after the winter solstice, the days keep getting shorter?
And shorter?
Until there is an eternal night?
What happens as the darkness grows?
And the creatures of dusk take control of the Mountain?
And the quest for the third Book is the only hope?

The Mountain is in its death throes as the Nazir send their wraiths to finish what the dusk-rats and grale had begun. Soon there will be no daylight to protect the Maelir and Faemir, and with each twilight there are fewer places to hide. Will the Mountain finally collapse under its own instability or will Atreu and Verlinden's descent find the words of salvation in the Lost Book of Ascension?

[Website | Trailer | Buy]

  An epic ending to an epic fantasy trilogy! Dirk Strasser gave an amazing ending to his series with Eclipse. Looking back on the first two books in the series, I feel like I was right alongside Atreu during his journey. His character arc made for an engaging reading experience. The pacing of this final book was effortless and showcased Strasser's skill as a fantasy writer.

  The play on Atreu's trek down the mountain as opposed to his trek up is incredible. I felt like the story came full circle with this ending. It was exactly what I was hoping and waiting for. After reading this trilogy, I've found myself digging through my TBR pile in search of more fantasy reads. These books have shown me why I appreciate and love fantasy so much.

  All of the parts of this trilogy blend so effortlessly. And this final book is the perfect culmination. This series is one that fantasy fans will adore and fly through. If you haven't discovered Dirk Strasser's The Books of Ascension series, do yourself a favor and pick them up. You'll not be disappointed.
**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Enchanted Book Promotions and Dirk Strasser.

Dirk Strasser has written over 30 books and has won multiple Australian Publisher Association Awards and a Ditmar for Best Professional Achievement. His short story, “The Doppelgänger Effect”, appeared in the World Fantasy Award-winning anthology, Dreaming Down Under. His fiction has been translated into a number of languages. He founded the Aurealis Awards and has co-published and co-edited Aurealis magazine for over 20 years.

[Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter]

Review: Brush of Shade by Jan Harman

Brush of Shade

(The Whisperer's Chronicles #1)

by Jan Harman

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon]

Olivia Pepperdine has a love hate relationship with quiet.

Silence reminds her of the accident that killed her parents and left her trapped in a mangled car. On that isolated stretch of road with the weight of all that silence pressing against her mind and body, something sinister had kept them company. Since that night a voice haunts her nightmares and snakes out to torment when she is alone and vulnerable.

Still recovering physically and mentally from the loss of her parents, high school senior Olivia finds herself living with an aunt she hardly knows in a small town in the middle of nowhere. Spring Valley, Colorado should hold the connection to her father she longs for, but that longed for connection turns out to be more than Olivia ever imaged. Behind closed doors things in this sleepy community are far from ordinary.

One by one fundamental truths are stripped aside as everything she ever believed about her family is called into question.

Why had her father never mentioned the valley, a place he’d been making routine trips to throughout most of her life? Why had she been told her mother was from Nebraska when she’d been born in the valley? Why had her aunt lied to people about where they would be living? And who was the guy that seemed to appear out of nowhere to give comfort at the wake and then had disappeared just as fast?

Despite Olivia’s determination to be normal, ignoring the reason for the flashes of movement she’d been seeing out of the corner of her eye since her discharge from the hospital proves to be impossible when a sinister voice terrorizes her dreams. Dismissing the unnerving local residents who gawk and pay for her purchases is the least of Olivia’s worries. A spine-tingling electric shock that lifts her off the pew at her parent’s wake, half-truths, plotting elders, and an impossible rescue draw Olivia deeper into a web of secrets and the realization that the accident that killed her parents might have been a cover for murder.

An after school job at Hattie’s quirky tourist shop brings Olivia into the life and arms of Shade, a guy who could put prince charming and the sexiest man in Hollywood to shame. Mesmerizing eyes unlike anything she has ever seen literally reveal the depth of his emotions that he can’t keep hidden. While his eyes may reveal all to the world, it’s his irresistible drawl that whispers to her wounded soul. Noble to his core, Shade is determined to treat her like a kid sister despite the connection between them that fills the empty places in her heart.

But Shade, like the residents of the valley, hides a secret. One that compels Olivia to take on an inherited responsibility that upends the future she’d envisioned. Secrets, hidden chambers, and an ancestor’s alliance propels Olivia into a world where voices are both weapons and instruments of comfort. As the line between sanity and fantasy blurs, Olivia must dig deep to unearth the courage to redefine what it means to be normal. Unfortunately, believing in the paranormal may be more than Olivia’s troubled mind can handle. It might very well be the straw that sends her back into her cushioned world of prescription drugs and psychiatrist visits. To keep Olivia safe, Shade pledges his life to her side in a move that could rob her of her will and turn the elders against him.

Olivia is in someone’s way

Undercurrents within the quaint western town surge to the surface as those that oppose centuries of traditions begin to plot their rise to power. When the threat risks the lives of those close to her, Olivia must learn the identity of the people out to destroy the valley or face losing what could become the permanent place to call home that her heart has been searching for.

Quick gif review.

  First of all, I love the name Olivia Pepperdine. I wasn't sure what to expect whenever I began reading this book, and after reading it, I'm so glad that I took a chance on it. This story is absolutely unique, and I was blown away by the plot. With one more edit to polish out the few errors, I would gladly give it five stars.

This story is such a seamless mix of intrigue, and my need to figure out where the twists and turns were leading me kept me racing through this novel! It didn't have the first in a series downfalls that I normally expect, either. Olivia was such a strong character, and I felt close to her the entire time. Protective, even. Her arc over this part of the story was well developed.

  Even though this book can get heavy at times, there's still a fun side to it. It was an enjoyable read, and I'll be looking out for more books in this series to follow Olivia's journey. I can't recommend it enough. If you're a fan of the paranormal but you need a break from the usual offerings, Brush of Shade will prove to be welcome relief.   

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Jan Harman.

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Book Tour: Equinox by Dirk Strasser

Equinox

The Second Book of Ascension

by Dirk Strasser

The fate of the Mountain hangs in balance at the
time of Equinox, and even the Keep can no longer
remain untouched. The Maelir are desperate to defend it, the Faemir to demolish it, the windriders to claim it. But unknown to them all, a dark force has already emerged from the chaos to seize power. As Atreu and Verlinden strive to decipher the power of the Talisman that has defined Atreu’s Ascent, Teyth and Valkyra are locked in a desperate battle that neither of them can win. At a time when darkness and light are in perfect equilibrium, when Maelir and Faemir must find a way to break the deadlock and avoid annihilation, the world’s fate lies in the Book of Ascension.

[Website | Trailer | Buy]

  This book delivers! I was drawn in immediately as I continued the story from the first book. There is more action in this part of the series, and I found myself more easily engaged. Equinox excels at its job as the middle part of this trilogy, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying it.

  The character development grows by leaps and bounds during the course of this section. No longer am I shying from Atreu. I feel like he grew up quite a lot, and I appreciate the author's talent in showing that growth.

  With the first book setting the stage, Dirk Strasser casts his characters into their roles perfectly. This series is unfolding into a complex tale that reminds me of why I have a deep rooted love for epic fantasies. Again, fans of fantasy, you will not be disappointed with Strasser's Book of Ascension series!

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Enchanted Book Promotions and Dirk Strasser.

Dirk Strasser has written over 30 books and has won multiple Australian Publisher Association Awards and a Ditmar for Best Professional Achievement. His short story, “The Doppelgänger Effect”, appeared in the World Fantasy Award-winning anthology, Dreaming Down Under. His fiction has been translated into a number of languages. He founded the Aurealis Awards and has co-published and co-edited Aurealis magazine for over 20 years.

[Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter]

Fairy Tale Fortnight Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Fairy Tale Fortnight Hop, part of the Fairy Tale Fortnight!

To join the festivities, visit the hosts:

The Book Rat

A Backwards Story

& I Am A Reader

As part of the festivities, I'm giving away a hardback copy of the new release (and one that I can't wait to read!), Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige! The giveaway is open to anyone 13+ and lives in the US. Enter with the rafflecopter below. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour: Zenith by Dirk Strasser

Zenith

The First Book of Ascension

by Dirk Strasser

Can you see the story breathing?

Imagine

A mountain so great it takes a year to travel from base to summit

A sun so powerful it drives you into madness if you look at it

An ascent so vital it determines the fate of the world

A summit so precious it holds the key to the divine

The world of the great Mountain is unstable. Giant pillars erupt from the surface and yawning chasms form unpredictably underfoot. Since the Maelir first stood on its slopes in the distant past, they have sought to still its anger and control its power. Each year, twin brothers are chosen to make a perilous journey to the summit. If they survive they will be witness to Zenith, and the secrets will be revealed to them.

When Atreu and Teyth embark on their Ascent, their Talismans lead them onto conflicting paths that will ultimately set brother against brother. And this time the Ascent itself is in peril as unknown forces that have long craved the power of Zenith will stop at nothing to make it their own even if it means destroying the very thing that sustains all life the Mountain itself.

[[Website | Trailer | Buy]]

   When it comes to books about journeys on foot, sign me up. Even though there's a bumpy start, I felt myself getting very into this book and following it along. Dirk Strasser has crafted an enjoyable book and start to a series with Zenith.

  The characters are more difficult to connect with. Atreu is a complex character with complex issues. He's not like many that I've read before, and I appreciated the change of pace. I think the confusion, and distrust really, with the characters are what make this novel engaging. 

  The need to follow on this trek is a big draw in wanting to finish this series. This book is a great beginning to this series, and it holds the promise of an epic read to follow. Fantasy fans will find themselves getting lost in this epic fantasy.

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Enchanted Book Promotions and Dirk Strasser.

Dirk Strasser has written over 30 books and has won multiple Australian Publisher Association Awards and a Ditmar for Best Professional Achievement. His short story, “The Doppelgänger Effect”, appeared in the World Fantasy Award-winning anthology, Dreaming Down Under. His fiction has been translated into a number of languages. He founded the Aurealis Awards and has co-published and co-edited Aurealis magazine for over 20 years.

[[Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter]]

Less Tours, More Me (And You!)

  Whenever I first started blogging, I didn't realize all of the cool things you could do. Memes, what? Blog tours, what? Giveaways, WHERE? It was like I had just been given the key to this really magical place with tons of stuff to discover. A few months later, and I'm still discovering stuff.

  One of the first things that intrigued me were blog tours. I live in a tiny town, so in person book tours were completely foreign to me. But now you're telling me that I can get authors to come by my blog on a tour? SIGN ME UP. And that's what I did. 

  I've loved being a part of blog tours. They have introduced me to authors and books that I wouldn't have noticed before. I've connected with a lot of great bloggers and authors through them, but I may have been was over eager with signing up for blog tours. Every book that I thought was mildly interesting, I signed up for the tour. At first, I didn't notice anything different. Lately though, I have so many tours on my schedule that I feel like my blog doesn't even belong to me. That's a problem.

  It's at no fault of blog tour companies. It's my own fault for signing up for so many. So here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to slack off a lot on blog tours. If I see a book that I absolutely love, I'll sign up. If it's an author I love, I'll sign up. Anything else? Pass. I'm going to try to keep it down to one blog tour per week, if that. I want to spend more time reviewing books that I'm excited for. I want to devote more of my blog to bookish discussions. I want to spend more time interacting with my readers and other bloggers. I don't want to have a blog that's already scheduled for me with a mass of blog tours.

  It goes without saying that any blog tours I've signed up for, I'll be keeping my commitment and posting. But by May, you'll be seeing a lot less tours and a lot more me. Forgive me for such a rambling post. I'm still learning. I think I always will be. If you have any advice on how to handle considering which blog tours to sign up for, I'm all ears. Hit up the comments.

Review: Fragile Line by Brooklyn Skye

Fragile Line

by Brooklyn Skye

Publisher: Entangled Teen 

Release Date: April 21st, 2014

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, Mental Health, Addiction, Abuse

It can happen in a flash. One minute she’s kissing her boyfriend, the next she’s lost in the woods. Sixteen year
old Ellie Cox is losing time. It started out small…forgetting a drive home or a conversation with a friend. But her blackouts are getting worse, more difficult to disguise as forgetfulness. When Ellie goes missing for three days, waking up in the apartment of a mysterious guy—a guy who is definitely not her boyfriend, her life starts to spiral out of control. Perched on the edge of insanity, with horrific memories of her childhood leaking in, Ellie struggles to put together the pieces of what she’s lost—starting with the name haunting her, Gwen. Heartbreakingly beautiful, this poignant story follows one girl’s harrowing journey to finding out who she really is.

Quick Gif Review:

  Usually, I write out my reviews after I've had a minute day or so to think about them. I'm really bad about doing a knee jerk reaction and realizing I was too generous later on. But no. I finished this book two hours ago. Since then I've: made my boyfriend nearly late for work because of the tears, matted the cats fur because I held her sobbing, ate chocolate (I hate chocolate), and stared out the window for longer than acceptable. This book hit me right in the feels. Wow.

   I'm going to do this without spoilers because the revelations in the book are what really tugged at my heart strings and had me flying through the pages. So if my review seems short or off, just go with it and then go buy the book. I promise it's like omgwtfthefeelsyesplease. 

This was me, just drowning in feels.

  This book sucked me in SO fast. Usually I read multiple books at a time because I have a hard time concentrating on just one, but not with this one. I think it's the mark of a crazy good book if it can keep my interest for 20% or 30% before I have to switch books. This one kept it the entire time. Last night, I started reading this. I only meant to read a few chapters to get a feel for it before passing out. Did that happen? Nope. I stayed up until 2am (really strange for a elderly person twenty something like myself). I got to 80% in one night, y'all. That's bonkers. This morning, I voluntarily woke up earlier than normal to finish this book. The story has so many twists and turns. Brooklyn Skye is so good at building the suspense that makes you unable to put the book down. The need to know what's causing Ellie's blackouts and what's happening during them is fierce!

  I'll be honest. Gwen and Griffin were my OTP. Gwen had a lot of shit she had to deal with. She was so raw and real. Both of the guys in this book were definitely romance material and sweet. But don't over-think that both word. There isn't a love triangle; at least not like you're expecting. I can't say much about the characters without giving it away. Just know that the characters and their stories are what made me enjoy this book so much. P.S. Can I claim Dani as one of my fictional BFFs?

  This is a story that feels really real. The characters seem real. The issues seem real. All of this stuff could legitimately happen, so it's bordering on frightening. Brooklyn Skye does an excellent job at keeping the pace and delivering this story perfectly. If you're a fan of contemporary romance and like suspense, you'll love Fragile Line. It's a wonderful blend of fantastic elements.

**I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review. My thanks to Entagled Teen and Brooklyn Skye.

Book Links:

[[Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Trailer]]

Author Links:

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