Review+Giveaway: Across the Wire

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Title: Across the Wire
Author: Stella Telleria
Publication date: November 4th 2013

Genres: Adult, Science Fiction

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When Mia Mitchell, a hardcore but lonely former Marine, steps into an alley to pull some thugs off an unlucky foreigner, she walks into a fight she expects. What she doesn’t see coming is the foreigner making her a job offer any sane person would refuse. So, she takes it. She thinks she’s headed for some third-world country; instead she’s mysteriously transported to an Earth-like parallel world. That’s a mad left-hook.

Mia discovers a matriarchal dystopia where freedom doesn’t exist and fighting for it means execution. Lethal force bends all to the law; women fear for their families and un-wed men suffer slavery. Mia’s job is to train an underground syndicate of male freedom-fighters for a violent revolution. However, the guys don’t want a pair of X chromosomes showing them the way.

Eben, an escaped slave, is encouraged by Mia to become a leader among the men. But when he turns his quiet determination on her, it spells F.U.B.A.R. for cynical Mia. Their unexpected connection threatens more than her exit strategy; it threatens the power struggle festering with in the syndicate.

Haunted by nightmares and post-traumatic stress, unsure who to trust or how to get home, Mia struggles to stay alive as she realizes all is not what it seems.

Review

Across the Wire is a novel that just sucked me into the story, and made me feel like I’m always on the go. It felt like I was one of the people that belonged to the matriarchal society they have, which made me feel the danger and pressure always looming over me. There was this great, suspensive feeling in me that wanted to know what’s going to happen next.

At first, reading this novel felt like a chore as I started to get to know their society. I didn’t like Mia at first, and I felt that it was Eben who drove the story. But later on, I learned to appreciate Mia’s character, especially when she’s so strong and kept on moving even though she is chained to her past. She has a lot of nightmares and trauma, but she survived through them all, and it was really admirable of her. Eben is also strong, particularly when he knows what he wants even though the men have practically no freedom in the matriarchal dystopia their society has. The rest of the characters, like Gabriel and Iliya were also amazing.

I really loved the characters and suspense, but I felt that this book was too long to build up the story. They kept on training and preparing for their revolution, but that’s all that happened in the novel. I kept on waiting for something big to happen, but as I continued reading, all I got was more questions that never got really answered in the end. I admit that there’s going to be a sequel to this, and I feel that most of the questions will be answered there, but this book was quite long, and most were still left unanswered. I loved the idea of a matriarchal society though, since it’s my first time reading something like this, and it was refreshing from the books that I usually read.

Overall, Across the Wire is something that just pulls you in and make you keep wanting for more. It ended on a cliffhanger that makes you curious on what’s going to happen next. Can’t wait to continue Mia and Eben’s journey on the sequel!

Rating

About the Author

All my life I’ve dreamed of stories or have had my nose buried in one. I live in Edmonton, Canada with my husband and my weird sense of humor. Across the Wire is my first novel.

I love old war movies, dystopian fiction, and any story with action, a good plot, and characters I'd get into a fight at the pub for. Not that I'm a brawler or anything. Unless you think that out-of-print book or vintage piece at the thrift shop is going home with you instead of me. Then, my friend, the gloves are off. 

Some say if you have your nose buried in a book, you're missing out on life. I say my nose is buried in a book because one life is not enough.

http://www.stellatelleria.com/

https://twitter.com/Stellatelleria

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stella-Telleria/618003478260798

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7373984.Stella_Telleria

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCip7UJkvhGEwRp-Y8TGYtxg?feature=watch

Giveaway

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Review: Breaking the Reins

Title: Breaking the Reins (The Breaking Series #1)
Author: Juliana Haygert
Publication Date: August 14, 2013
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Horses, Abuse

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Horses, mansions, tea parties, and lies are twenty-year-old Hannah Taylor’s life. To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it.

After a fire takes her grandma's life and kills her horse, Hannah's immaculate life spirals out of control. Her father disapproves of her decision to run her grandma’s ranch instead of focusing solely on learning the family business; Animal Control brings her Argus, a mistreated horse that she can't turn away even though she's not ready for another horse; and her boyfriend, Eric Bennett, a world famous polo player, becomes possessive and authoritarian. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, Hannah grows wary of him.

Then, Leonardo Fernandes struts onto the polo scene. A cocky rookie with a messy life of his own, he’s drawn to Hannah and isn’t afraid of showing it, even when Eric makes it clear she is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Hannah suffers for Eric’s jealousy. The abuse only gets worse when Leo steals the title of best polo player in the world from Eric.

But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.

**New Adult Contemporary Romance Novel**

**Contains scenes of domestic violence**

Review

Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and author for providing an eBook copy of this novel. This in no way affected my views of the novel.

Breaking the Reins is a whole lot different from Haygert’s other novel, Playing Pretend. This wasn’t a light read, in fact, it was very heavy with all those domestic violence involved. However, this gave more power to the story, especially between Hannah’s family and the love triangle of Eric/Hannah/Leo. Although I haven’t read much books that involve horses and polo, they just fit in this novel, and opened me to more books. I’d definitely be more open to read books that involve horses next time! This novel made me feel like I was really in the book, and I was just so engrossed with it and just found myself kept on turning the pages and couldn’t put the books down (even though I was really running late for school by then.)

Hannah, the female protagonist, was a very realistic character. At first, she seems to be that perfect lady, which was expected of her by her family, but later on, she is just someone very simple and down-to-earth. I love the way she stands firm with her own decisions, despite a lot of clashes. I love the way that she is scared and feels fear, but tries to do things anyway.  I love how she’s just so selfless and tries to help even though she’d just get hurt. However, there were at times that I didn’t like her, most especially when she kept on convincing herself about Eric, even though it was kinda clear that he doesn’t love her. Another time was when she kept on asking Leo to distance himself from her, even when the attraction between the two of them was simply beautiful. I didn’t like it when she just kept on making excuses and reasons, even when she knows the answers deep down.

Eric? He should just go to hell. He was an ass, and I really really really hated him right from the start. He seemed a beautiful character at first, but I can’t really help but feel there’s something off with him. In the end, his true colours show that he is not but a jealous, possessive, controlling freak. Ohmycrap. Go away, Eric. But even with his ugly, despicable personality, Eric gave more intensity to the whole novel.

Leo seemed also to be like an oh-so-perfect boy, especially when he was so sweet, caring, and just simply awesome, that’s why I couldn’t just find myself to get really attached to him. Not to mention that he’s a foreigner that came from Brazil, which was more plus points. However, his background story just shows that he’s just like any person that has his own flaws, too.

The secondary characters were also amazing. They weren’t just mere secondary characters; they gave life to the novel itself. They were just great support system to all the primary characters. The incorporation of Hannah’s grandmother also gave more force to the conflict between Hannah and her family and Eric. I’d love to hear more of the story Bia, Leo’s twin sister, though. She’s just simply amazing, and I’m looking forward to Breaking Fences!

The romance between Leo and Hannah was simply beautiful. It had a slow development, and it was passionate. It was not selfish, and it helped the both of them grow as better individuals, who can find the ability to love and trust again.

It was hard reading the Portuguese words that Leo and his family used because the dictionary was placed at the start of the book, and I’m reading an eBook copy; however, it was nice that the Portuguese language was included in the novel as it gave further emphasis that Leo was from another country. It felt more realistic that way.

I couldn’t give this a five-star rating because it didn’t really get me into a very big book hangover, but Breaking the Reins is an astounding, gorgeous read about family, friends, love and trust despite all the hardships that we’d ever come across with in life. I’d give this a 4 or 4.5 stars. This is a must read to any contemporary romance reader!

Rating

Review: Double Fault

Title: Double Fault (Vortex #2)
Author: Janine Caldwell
Publication Date: March 11, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Time Travel

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Double Fault is the 2nd book in The Vortex Series where Cassie and Trent’s problems have only just begun. As they fight through the repercussions of creating a parallel world, other dangers are lurking. After years of running, Trent and his orphaned sister, Lorelai, sense the dangerous and power-hungry Dr. Fox is close to discovering their whereabouts.

While Cassie fears for Trent’s life, her tennis career hangs in the balance. Caught between her old and new life, she watches her world slowly crumble until it’s a tragic portrayal of all that she used to know. But worse yet, if her secret is revealed, she might lose what’s most dear to her heart.

Review

Okay. So Double Fault didn’t end up much better than Rematch for me. Maybe this series was more of a it’s not you, it’s me thing for me, but I was expecting a development in the supernatural aspect. This book remained to have little supernatural elements, and the plot just simply became very predictable. Moreover, I didn’t like the characters any better.

Cassie got really clingy, and it was really annoying. The decisions she made are really immature, and OHMYGLOB. What decisions are you seriously making? It’s just so messed up. I liked the way she was trying her best dealing with everything that is happening to her (most especially the family problems) though, but I feel like her best is still not enough.

Spending a whole lifetime avoiding Fox made me thought that the showdown between Fox and Trent will be suspensive, but I just didn’t feel it. I liked the way Fox’s tragic backstory was told though. I also didn’t like the romance between Trent and Cassie because it didn’t seem genuine. The love triangle between Trent/Cassie/Jeff also made me cringe. Maybe primarily because Trent was an over-jealous guy and Jeff was very childish and immature.

This book ended with a cliffhanger, but it didn’t really get me excited for the next book. I don’t know if I’d still continue on with the final instalment. Uh, maybe not.

Rating

2014 Reading Challenge: Alphabet Soup

Click on button to be directed to the sign-up page! :)

Art of Letting Go, The by Anna Bloom

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

C

Defining Destiny by Deanna Chase

Edge of the Past by Jennifer Comeaux

Fighting for the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux

G

Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Just Like a Musical by Milena Veen

K

Life on the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

N

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert

Q

Rematch by Janine Caldwell

Solving for Ex by Leigh Ann Kopans

That One Summer by CJ Duggan

U

V

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

X

Y

Z

Review: Rematch

Title: Rematch (Vortex #1)
Author: Janine Caldwell
Publication Date: March 11, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Time Travel

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Trent Astor is many things—orphan, runaway, musician. But what’s most extraordinary about Trent is that he’s a time traveler. His supernatural gift sends him on missions to the past to save unsuspecting victims from harm. However, when he fails to save the life of a young girl, his life changes in ways he could never have dreamed.

At eleven-years-old, Cassie Moore suffered through a horrific shooting. Tragically scarred from the ordeal, the once promising tennis prodigy was forced to throw away all hope of a future in tennis. Now, as she begins her senior year of high school, the past continues to haunt her. She struggles to find herself, her self-esteem at an all time low. If only she could resolve the past, she might be able to move on with her life. She never imagined that could be possible until she meets the gorgeous new student in her PE class.

Review

Time traveling is one of the few supernatural aspects that I really like. I have no idea why, but the idea of being able to time-travel is really awesome. Not to mention that I love music-related plots, no matter how small it is, like if the main character is musically-inclined, it’s something that suits me well. Seeing that this book’s male protagonist, Trent, is both a musician and a time traveler made me excited to read this book. However, I think this time around, it just didn’t work for me.

Cassie was annoying in the way that she has no self-confidence, and just kept on doubting herself. She kept on thinking about all the what-ifs in life, and it got me irritated. She has a lot of insecurities, and I know she isn’t doing it on purpose, but it’s like she’s trying to fish for compliments to make herself feel better. The way she cares and worries for Trent was cute, though.

Trent was also too kept up in the past for what has happened to Cassie, and kept on doing things without asking for Cassie’s opinion. He should have known better the rules of becoming a time-traveler. Time is something not to be messed with, after all. I love his relationship with Lorelai, his sister, and I could just feel the sibling love they have. I hope that there were a lot more Lorelai-Trent scenes.

I didn’t like the love between Cassie and Trent, as it looked kind of an insta-love thing, and it didn’t make their relationship look more genuine.  Not to mention that everything started to revolve around the two of them, and it seemed like the relationship with the outer world just stopped. Although, there were some interactions between the two of them that I found adorable.

Rematch is told on the perspective of both characters, but I found the alternating POVs somewhat confusing, especially when it’s not really written. I found myself skipping through some pages, most especially on Cassie’s POV, and wanting to read Trent’s POV more. I kept on waiting for something big to happen, most especially somewhere around the threat and danger from Trent’s powers because there was some mad scientist chasing after him, but it didn’t really happen.

Maybe I was just expecting more of time-traveling aspects rather than romance that’s why I didn’t like Rematch that much. I think I would have liked this better if I hadn’t have that expectation. Nevertheless, I think I’m going to still try reading the sequel, Double Fault, and hope that it’ll be something better for me.

Rating

Feature and Follow

 I would like to thank Alison Can Read and Parajunkee for having me as a feature this week. (Yaaaay!) 

This week's question:

How have your reading habits changed in the past few years? Did you get interested in a new genre? Do you read more? Less? Why do you think your habits changed, if they did. 

Here are a few things that changed from when I was a kid:

1. My reading time. I was always able to find time to read during daytime before. Now, all my time is devoted to studies and other stuff, that I just find myself being able to read during night time only, which kind of reduced my reading time. A lot. :(
2. My reading place. I'm not very comfortable with reading in other places other than in bed anymore. (Might have to do with the fact that I read late at night already.)
3. Books. Physical books slowly became ebooks because they're more portable and less heavy. Though, physical books will always win. Teehee.
4. Genres. Before, I loved reading mystery/paranormal/suspense books. Now, I don't really like them as much anymore, and just find myself focusing on books with romance and music-related stuff. :)

Interview questions:

When did you start blogging?

I started blogging on May 26, 2013. I remember I was so excited about putting up a book blog that I posted a book review right away on the same day. It was supposed to be This Is What Happy Looks Like, but my brain was crazily all over the place again (as usual) so the review ended up talking about The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight instead. (HAHA)

What is your favorite part of book blogging?

It's gotta be being able to publish new posts on my thoughts about the books I read. I've always had a hard time speaking up about all sorts of things, and having a book blog became an outlet for me to rant or go crazy about a book that I just read, and I just love it, especially when you hear someone going to try out a book because of your review. Awesome!

What types of books do you mainly blog about?

I mainly blog about YA/NA, contemporary romance and music-related stuff. I'm a sucker for those, but other genres like paranormal or dystopian might also appear at times. I'm not a big hater of them, it's just that I don't find a lot of books with that genre that I can come to love easily. (huhu)

What are your favorite books?

Oh, this one's hard. I sorta have a lot of favorite books, but I love books that involve family, and life in general, with a lot of lessons and stuffs. Or the books that are really very cute even though the plot lines are very simple.

What has been the best thing that has happened to you because of book blogging?

Not much has happened to me because of book blogging, but being able to talk to authors even if it was just a few exchanges of words here and there really felt awesome. I didn't even know that there was this chance to be able to talk to authors before I started book blogging. Oh, and when people just leave comments on posts. That always make my day. Everything's really awesome and amazing. (yay)

Cover Reveal: Rough Waters

Title: Rough Waters

Author: Nikki Godwin

Release Date: April 27, 2014

Genre: New Adult

Cover Reveal: Irresistible Reads Book Tours

Haley's future has been waiting on the west coast for the past year, but she isn't the only new face in Crescent Cove this summer. When Colby Taylor's parents locate him and interrupt his surf competition, the surf star spirals out of control, dragging Drenaline Surf's reputation through the mud and into the ground with him. 

With Colby's secrets plastered across surf magazines and tabloid headlines, Haley takes on the job of playing damage control for Drenaline Surf - which isn't easy when Colby breaks everything he touches, Topher breaks the law, and Miles breaks his leg. 

Instead of chasing dreams of forever, Haley spends her summer chasing the unraveling careers of the hottest new faces in the surf world, and she's about to learn what happens when forever doesn't last.

About the Author

Nikki Godwin is a YA/NA/LGBT author. She can't live without Mountain Dew, black eyeliner, and music by Hawthorne Heights. When not writing, she internet-stalks her favorite bands and keeps tabs on surf competitions. She adores pro surfer John John Florence and has made it her life goal to meet David Desrosiers of Simple Plan.

Giveaway

5USD Amazon Gift Card

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Review: Where Life Takes You

Title: Where Life Takes You

Author: Claudia Y. Burgoa

Publication Date: July 31, 2013

Publisher: Createspace

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Becca Trent lived her childhood next to a cruel woman—her mom—who lived to torment and neglect her. During her high school years, her mother married; bringing home not only a new husband, but a step sister her same age. The latter took over her Mom's role—making Becca's life miserable. Including stealing Ian—Becca's best friend and boyfriend—Lisa treated her worse than her mother had for the previous fifteen years. A couple years later, thing ended up in tragedy. 

Becca buried that part of her life in the deep corners of her psyche, caught between sanity and nightmares. Between therapy, work and her constantly looming past she can't seem to find room to breathe. The memories of her late step-sister, Lisa, are her closest company. 

Her best friend, Dan gives her that family love she always lacked. Everything was close to perfect, until everything and everyone from her past came back. Now she's trying to figure out how to survive and keep that bond which seems now to be held together by a thread. 

Note: This is the first part of a two book novel

Review

Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and the author for providing a review copy. This is no way affected my views on the novel.

I am not sure how to start this review because my emotions are all over the place. I don’t know if I’m glad that the gloominess is over or whatever, but I truly admire the characters, most especially Becca. Where Life Takes You started out as confusing, on my part. There were a lot of issues and trauma that Becca had been experiencing, but these were never pointed out at the start. Also, there were suddenly so many characters appearing out of no where (for a short book,) and I kind of had a hard time grasping them. The pacing of how things were revealed was good, and I loved the character development.

At first, I was really annoyed and maybe hated Becca for being so gloomy and sad and thinking that she’s unlovable and all those crappy negative thoughts, even though it was clear that there were people around her who love her. I guess going through all those things she went through when she was young made her become like that. It’s understandable, but it doesn’t change the fact that I got annoyed at her attitude. There were also times that Becca and Dan didn’t act like siblings, even though Becca claimed that he was like a brother to her, which was confusing at times. In the end, I liked how Becca started to learn a lot of things, including how to let go of the past. I am truly proud of what she did by the end of the book, although I sort of have seen it coming.

Dan was annoying, too. He was controlling and moody most of the time, but it was really obvious that he cared for Becca. It was nice that he became Becca’s pillar of support, and helped her most of the time. I came to appreciate him as the pages went by, but in the end, I got annoyed with him all over again when he got controlling all over again.

Where Life Takes You has a balance between romance, friendship and family, which was really beautiful. Amidst the gloomy mood the novel has, it shows the beauty of letting go and learning how to stand on our own two feet to become an even better individual than we were before.

Rating

Review: The Art of Letting Go

Title: The Art of Letting Go (Uni Files #1)

Author: Anna Bloom

Published Date: September 25, 2013

Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance

Synopsis from 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?

Review

Thank you to Anna Bloom for the review copy! This in no way affected my views on the novel.

Coming across this book was amazing. I loved the synopsis, and the cover was really super cute and adorable. I felt like I could totally relate with the blurb because I’m also about to enter the university and all that, but when I started to read it, I’m disappointed with how I cannot be really connected with the characters that much. I don’t really know why, but yeah.

I love Lilah’s fun and sarcastic way of narrating things. It really made the mood light, and fun. It makes you laugh, and it was as if you were just telling stories with your friend. Lilah is 26 years old, but she acts like a teenager. Seeing her grow so much during her stay in the Uni was really amazing. She’s far from being a perfect person. She’s insecure and has a lot of negative traits. Being with her while she realizes a lot of lessons in life has made me feel like I should be doing something to change myself for the better also.

I love how Ben handles Lilah, and gives her space as much as she needs to. He’s not the possessive, jealous guy at all, which was really cool. It may have started out with instalove, but this love he has for Lilah was truly sweet and genuine.

The romance between Lilah and Ben was not easy, but it was just right and perfect for the two of them. There were a lot of things that they encountered in their relationship, but they helped each other grow with the choices they make, together or individually.

The Art of Letting Go is humorous, light, easy-to-read with no over-the-top drama that is recommended to those who love NA and British humor. I’m curious to know what’s going to happen next to Lilah and Ben in The Art of Keeping Faith.

Rating 

Quotes

If someone can see the best in you, then you should believe it is there too.

If someone can love you that much, then you should be able to love yourself as well, because you deserve it.

Can you let loss go? No. You immortalise it in any way you can, so that you will never forget. Even when you are no longer there to remember, the testament to your loss will stand forever more.