Top Ten Tuesday

Meme hosted by Broke and Bookish

Top Ten Books I Was Forced To Read

The Distance Between Us

The Distance Between Us

by Kasie West

Summary

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

Review

I completely fell in love with this story! It just made my heart melt. First of all, Xander was unbelievably perfect (Can I have this boy for myself?!), although adding a bit of badass-ness to his character wouldn’t hurt, because his perfection sometimes made him a little boring. I’m still a huge fan of him, though. I mean, he makes me want to have his pre-sipped hot chocolates! Then we have Caymen. There were times when I got annoyed at her and her mom, but I got over that. Caymen’s sarcasm was really amusing, and I still admire her for being able to sacrifice so much for her mom. It’s rare to see such pure, selfless love nowadays. The other characters were also really lovable as well, with the exception of a few jerks (Die!). The book was actually pretty short, given that I was able to finish it in one sitting, but it was still beautiful. It helped me see what family is really like, regardless of how rich or poor it is, and how there are a lot of important things that are far beyond what money can dictate. Overall, it was a really amazing book, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who’s willing to give it a shot!

Quotes From the Book

“Sometimes it's the little things that bring that special someone back to us in some small way.”

“A lot of people don’t get my humor. My mom calls it dry humor. I think that means “not funny,” but it also means I’m the only one who ever knows it’s a joke.”

“I wonder why some people seem to be born knowing what they want to do with their lives and others - mostly me - have no idea.”

“Sometimes it's hard for me to start something because I'd rather not try at all than fail at it”

"Feelings, my dear daughter, you will perhaps learn one day, can be the most costly thing in the universe."

"But knowing about someone doesn't equate to knowing them."

My Rating

Goddess

Goddess (Starcrossed #3)

by Josephine Angelini

Summary

After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched.

Review

The first thing I can say about Goddess is that it was full of emotions – be it love, heartbreak, suspense, or sympathy. There were a lot of unexpected twists, which made the plot all the more interesting. The story was really parallel to that of actual Greek mythology, so that was really cool. It made me feel like every character was important, and the story wouldn’t be the same if even one of them were missing, no matter major or minor character. There were times when I got confused with the POV changes, but that’s okay. What I loved most about the novel, though, was the ending. It wasn’t exactly a happily ever after, but it made me smile all the same. I’m glad that the characters were finally able to break the cycle and live their own lives even amidst the threats looming over them. Also, it’s great that in spite of the love triangle between Helen, Lucas, and Orion, the three of them were still able to find closure and contentment in the end.

Quotes From the Book

“Some things stay a little bit broken forever—even after they’ve been fixed.”

“But how could anyone be grateful for what they have if they didn’t know what it was

like not to have what they need?”

“She'd created her own hell, and now that she had learned to control her fear, she knew how to create her own paradise.”

American Girl on Saturn (Review+Excerpt+Giveaway)

Title: American Girl on Saturn (Saturn #1)

Author: Nikki Godwin

Date of Publication: August 29, 2013

Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords | Amazon

Synopsis

The summer after graduation is supposed to be that first real taste of freedom - but not for eighteen-year-old Chloe Branson. Just as that breeze of freedom is making its way into her galaxy, her secret-service-agent dad drops a meteor-sized bomb of bad news on her and her sisters. An attempt has been made on the lives of Canadian boyband, Spaceships Around Saturn, during their USA tour, and the guys have to go into hiding ASAP. The only problem? In the midst of the crisis and media frenzy, their dad volunteered to hide the guys...in their house.

Six-year-old Emery is as ecstatic as any self-proclaimed Saturnite would be, but Chloe and her seventeen-year-old sister Aralie watch their summer plans crash and burn like a falling star. The SAS guys aren't happy with the situation, either. Bad boy Jules picks fights with Aralie about everything from his Twitter followers to his laundry, and heart-throb Benji can't escape Emery's fangirlisms for more than three minutes.

But after the super-cute Milo kisses Chloe during a game of hide-and-seek, she finally understands what Emery means when she talks about SAS being "out of this world." If this is what Saturn feels like, Chloe doesn't want to come back to Earth.

My Review

Amazing. That’s American Girl on Saturn summed up in one word. It was actually quite refreshing to read something lighter than all the books I’d been reading for the past few weeks. At first I wasn’t sure about wanting to try it, because it seemed like such a shallow and childish story, but I’m glad I was proved wrong. The plot was developed well, and so were the characters. I really felt like I could connect with them. I admired Aralie’s ability to always be open about how she feels, because there aren’t many people who can do that. And I’m a hundred percent Team Milo! He’s just too adorable! This book had me smiling the entire time! It definitely exceeded my expectations, and surprisingly, I learned something from it as well. I can’t help but say it again: This book was just so sweet, funny, and downright amazing! I loved every bit of it, and I totally recommend it to anyone looking for something light and amusing to read.

An Excerpt

I push him back. “You cheated!”

“Milo wins!” Noah shouts out. “I really thought you had it too, Chloe. I can’t believe you just crumbled like that.”

“He cheated,” I repeat.

Milo shakes his head in protest. Noah has the audacity to agree with him. And thanks to Emery’s lost spinner in the grass, the plastic is my only other witness.

Noah saunters over to us like a rapper trying to pull off a classic swagger.

“Good job, Milo,” he says. “You know how clumsy girls can be. I knew you’d take her down.”

I peel myself off of the plastic, grab my flip flops, and head back toward the house. I’ve had enough exhilaration and angst for one afternoon. The video premiere was enough. Porno-Posed-Twister with Milo was too much. But I can’t escape Spaceships Around Saturn even if I try.

Milo and Noah come up behind me like a black hole engulfing a shooting star.

“Whoa, where are you going?” Noah asks. “I need you to work some Sharpie magic for me.”

I spin around by the pool. The blue water glistens behind him.

 “Why don’t you ask your Canadian brother to help you out? I’ll even lend you the Sharpies, traitor,” I say.

Noah attempts a jaw-dropped shocked expression, but his dimples pierce through and make it impossible for him to look appalled. He moves closer to me.

“If you wouldn’t keep secrets from me then I would’ve backed you up,” he says through his teeth. “I need to be in the loop.”

An evil thought crosses my mind, and I instantly do what I can to erase it. But it’s sort of like typing an English essay. You type a line. You think it sucks. You slowly backspace. Then you realize it helps meet that three-and-a-half-pages criteria, so you keep it. This evil thought is too good for the backspace button.

“You want in the loop?” I ask.

He nods rapidly, and his smile bounces up and down.

“Okay,” I say. “Spell ‘loop’ backward, and you’ll totally be in it.”

I wait half a second for the word to click in his brain before I push him with all my energy into the cold water behind him. A splash of H2O floods the poolside concrete and splatters over my feet as Noah bobs to the surface. I rush to the patio door before he has a chance to climb out and throw me in.

But Milo blocks my escape.

“Are you free tonight?” he asks.

“As free as I can be on a lockdown,” I reply.

He slides the patio door open and motions me inside. “I’ll hold Noah back,” he says. “As long as you promise to meet me out here at midnight.”

My Rating

About the Author

Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Nikki Godwin is a Young Adult/New Adult author from the southern USA. She is a city girl who can't live without Mountain Dew, black eyeliner, Hawthorne Heights, and candles from Bath & Body Works. When not writing, she's not-so-secretly internet-stalking her favorite bands. She may or may not completely love One Direction.

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Wish Me Tomorrow (Review+Excerpt+Giveaway!)

Blog Tour Hosted by: Romance Addict Book Blog

Title: Wish Me Tomorrow

Author: Karen Rock

Release Date: September 1, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin

Goodreads | Amazon | Kobo | iTunes | Barnes and Noble

Synopsis

Can they build a future on hope alone? 

For years nurse and grief counselor Christie Bates has been teaching her patients to confront their fears, express themselves and trust in hope. But as her feelings for cancer survivor Eli Roberts and his two children grow, can she overcome her own fear and love a man who lives every day with the possibility of recurring illness?

Tackling cancer and single parenthood simultaneously has turned Eli into a devout realist. Which is why he finds Christie's perpetually upbeat attitude so aggravating. Still, despite himself, she's making a place in his heart. If only he could offer Christie more than an uncertain future.

My Review

Okay, so I’d been hearing a lot of great things about Karen Rock and her sister-in-law’s book titled Camp Boyfriend, but I never really got the chance to read it. Then I found out there was a blog tour for this novel, and considering it was written by Karen Rock, I jumped at the chance to sign up for it. I had high hopes for this book, and I find it safe to say that I wasn’t disappointed. I even had the impression that it was going to be this heavy tearjerker, seeing that it revolved around the topic of cancer (like The Fault in our Stars), but I was wrong. Sure, there were a whole lot of emotional moments, but they were far from depressing. The story deeply moved me, and it’s about finding love in places where you never thought you would.

The characters were all so beautiful and perfect. I loved every single one of them and how they all had this part to play in the story. I adore Christie the most, because despite her past and all the things she had to go through, she still emerged strong –stronger than before, even. She just has this unfading radiance in her personality and this complete willingness to help others that has become hard to find nowadays. I was really sad for Becca, who felt so lost and confused amidst her problems. I kind of got annoyed with Eli at first, honestly, because he was always in denial and was so set on the idea that he could do everything by himself. It was great, though, that he managed to gradually open up as the plot went along, and how this helped his relationship with his family. It was really sweet that he always seemed to be so selfless when it came to his children. Amazingly, all these people came together and were able to help each other learn to accept, to love, and to grow. The love between Christie and Eli was so solid and pure – something that is rare these days. Eli was able to accept Christie’s imperfections and even love her for them, making their relationship all the more incredible. Normally, I would complain about open endings, but in this case, I think that the ending was written perfectly.

Overall, the novel was heartwarming and genuine. It made me ponder on a lot of things and really reflect on my life. It taught me to forgive, to accept, to be open to new opportunities, and to live, but most importantly, it reminded me that no matter the circumstances, we can always hope and wish for tomorrow.

An Excerpt From Wish Me Tomorrow

“You’ve been gone too long.” he breathed in her ear.

She felt as if electricity coursed from her sensitive lobe and sizzled through her body. Her lungs trapped her breath and took it hostage. Was there anything more amazing than being held by the man you loved?

She turned and put her arms around his neck. In an instant, his breath quickened, his blue eyes searing hers before he crushed her against him.

“I’m the luckiest man in the world.” His voice was low, throaty. “Remember what you said earlier, about feeling like a monster?”

She nodded, burying her face in the firm planes of his chest. Why would he bring that up when things felt so romantic?

He tipped her chin and held her gaze. “Please don’t say that again. Don’t even think it. You’re imperfect. Flawed, a little scarred, but stronger now in a way that makes you the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. Inside and out. I wouldn’t want you any other way.”

It was the most incredible thing anyone had ever said to her. Did she deserve it? An image of Bill came to mind. She could almost picture him giving her a thumbs-up.

Before she had another moment to think, he captured her lips with a kiss so intense it was bruising. Her thundering blood deafened her and her shallow breathing rolled out like a low tide. He tasted like salt and fire as his mouth slanted across hers. She buried her hands in his thick hair, drawing him closer still.

His mouth left hers and traveled along her cheekbone. She could feel the erratic beat of his heart against her chest. His arms held her tight, as if he never meant to let her go. She rained kisses on his neck, his jaw and finally on his lips.

Suddenly, an aching tenderness replaced their earlier frenzy. They needed to explore, to know each other. When he returned her kiss, his hand stole into her hair and wound her tresses with his fingers. Their kisses deepened slowly, softly, the intensity growing between them once more…a single match that had ignited a blaze.

She knew he was strong, but it still surprised her how easily he carried her to the living room settee and laid her down gently on the scattered pillows. His body slid over hers in one smooth gesture. She inhaled his breath as their mouths moved against each other, every kiss drawn out now, lingering, exploring. Her hands drifted over his back then rose to his shoulders and the muscles of his arms.

At last, he drew himself up on his elbows. Now he was looking down at her, and his expression had changed in the flickering light, his blue eyes darkened to indigo. The rawness of his open, vulnerable expression undid her.

Warmth overflowed her heart, filling up the cracks and wounds she’d held inside. She sighed and buried her hands in the thick strands at the nape of his neck. How had this miracle happened? It seemed beyond imagining, beyond wishing. Yet here she was, with him, the only person who’d made her feel complete. Whole. As if she deserved this moment with him.

My Rating:

About the Author

Since Karen Rock’s grandmother passed her shopping bagfuls of Harlequin Presents as a teen, it’s been her dream to add her voice to the Romance genre. Now an author of Harlequin’s latest contemporary line, Heartwarming, Karen is thrilled to pen wholesome, tender, deeply romantic stories that all can relate to. Her first novel, WISH ME TOMORROW, is out in September 2013 and her next, HIS HOMETOWN GIRL, is out in spring 2013. Additionally, Karen is a young adult contemporary romance co-author with fellow Harlequin author, Joanne Rock for the CAMP BOYFRIEND series that debuted July 2013 with Spencer Hill Press.

When she’s not busy writing, Karen enjoys watching anything starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, cooking her Nona’s family Italian recipes, and occasionally rescuing local wildlife from neighborhood cats. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, her very appreciated beta-reader daughter and two King Charles Cavalier cocker spaniels who have yet to understand the concept of “fetch,” though they’ve managed to teach her the trick! Hmmmm… wonder how that happened?! She loves to connect with other romance fans!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

GRAND PRIZE

Signed copies:

• Karen Rock's WISH ME TOMOROW
• Robyn Carr's THE WANDERER
• JoJo Moyes' ME BEFORE YOU 
• JoJo Moyes' THE GIRL YOU LEFT BEHIND
• JK Rock's CAMP BOYFRIEND

Unsigned copies:

• Bella Andre's I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU
• Pamela Tracy's KATIE'S RESCUE
• Tara Randal's ORANGE BLOSSOM BRIDE
• Syndi Powell's THE RELUCTANT BACHELOR

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