{Blog Tour} Review+Excerpt+Giveaway: Full Contact

Title: Full Contact (Worth the Fight #2)

Author: Sidney Halston
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Expected Publication: October 28th, 2014
Publisher: Loveswept

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Sidney Halston returns to steamy Tarpon Springs, Florida, where a hell-raising bad boy prepares to get down and dirty for the woman he loves.

How could she have been so stupid? When Jessica Cross decides to give her violently jealous boyfriend—the otherwise influential and charming Dennis Stavros—a second chance, she very nearly becomes a statistic. After weeks of healing from a broken rib and collapsed lung, and with Dennis behind bars, Jessica finally feels ready to come out of hiding. But will she ever be able to take a chance on love again with someone new?

Mixed martial arts fighter Slade Martin knows he has a bad reputation. Hell, he's probably earned it. So it won’t be easy to convince beautiful, vulnerable Jessica that she can trust him—that from the moment she walked into his life, she’s been the only one he’s wanted. Powerful and confident, Slade knows he can honor his vow to protect Jessica body and soul. Winning her heart will be another matter . . . but a woman like Jessica is worth the fight.

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Excerpt

Slade took her hand and led her out of the Pier toward her car. He leaned against it and pulled her to him. His head came down to her neck and he began to kiss her softly. Jessica tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold. “Thought you never got jealous.”

Jessica whipped her head back in order to look at his face, which was sporting a huge grin. “Jealous? Please. I am not jealous.”

“You are.”

“Slade. Please. I have to go back to work, and you’re still dripping beer from your hair.”

“I think I haven’t made things clear to you yet. I want you to listen.” He nuzzled her neck, placing feather-light kisses in that sweet spot that made her want to concede to any request he could possibly make. The vibration of his voice against her skin made her erupt into goose bumps. His grip was tight around her waist.

“Everything is perfectly clear, Slade. No need to explain” Her voice came out hoarse.

“I don’t have a harem. I don’t have groupies. I’m not a virgin, but neither are you. The past is the past
and I won’t make excuses for it. I don’t like drama, Jessica. I won’t stand for it. I want peace in my
life.”

Jessica snorted, tapping his beer-dampened hair. “Yeah, drama free. Peace.”

“I never lied to any woman I’ve slept with. I don’t normally do relationships. I have fun. They knew that. The problem with women is that they think they are going to be the one that changes me. That is a delusion they made up, and certainly not something I led them to believe.”

“So this is the part when you tell me about all the fun you want to have with me?” She tried to push back, but he wouldn’t loosen his grip.

“No, baby. This is the part when I tell you that with you, little Miss Drama Queen, I don’t just want to have fun. Why do you think I’ve been chasing you all this time? Just for some tail? No. I want more. To be honest, I don’t know how much more. I’ve never really done . . . this.” He drew back slightly and gestured to the space between them. “But I can promise you, if I tell you I want something more with you, I’m not going to be with other women while I’m with you."

My Thoughts

I have been in a slight reading slump for weeks, and I was hoping that Full Contact would be one of the books that will help bring me out of it. Maybe it was because of my slightly high expectations, or that I wasn't able to read the first book. Or maybe it was just some entirely unknown reason, but I felt no connection with both Jessica and Slade. Anyhow, I’d think that this review will be biased because I haven’t read the first book. I mean, it can probably be read as a standalone because the story stands for itself. There are also enough information provided for the characters from the previous book which clears up a lot of things. Still, because I haven’t read the first book, there are a lot of stuff that I don’t know. For all I know, I might be ranting about something, without knowing it had happened in the first book. So, yeah. But this is my thoughts of Full Contact when I read it as a standalone.

The reason why I may not have felt any connection with both Jessica and Slade may be because I felt that their relationship was rushed, and there was only a few built up. I don’t know if it happened in the first book because there are some points in the novel that Jessica remembered things about Slade, which shows that they have indeed met a long time ago (which was also mentioned in the novel). Moreover, I didn’t feel very convinced that Slade is over with his playboy antics. The entire time that Jessica was in a relationship with Dennis, he was a playboy. The moment Jessica is out of a relationship, he stops. I don’t really find it believable that he is able to have a change of character and habits right away because it takes time for a person to change. In my opinion. Also, I would have thought that there would be more convincing or wooing or innocent flirting or whatever it is that Slade would have done to win Jessica’s heart. 

I’d admit, though, that Jessica and Slade do have the chemistry because they’re hot and steamy together. (If that makes some sense) In reality, the two of them are working on how to bring themselves to trust others again. They may not show it the entire time, but at least they are able to help each other grow as a person. There are still a lot of things that happened that made me be annoyed at Jessica, though.

Honestly speaking, I had a hard time deciding how many stars I'd give this book, but I love the humor in it, and it is easy to read. For those who wants a steamy, hot romance, this one is for you!

 My Rating

 

About the Author

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USA Today Bestselling author, Sidney Halston lives her life with one simple rule: “Just Do It” Nike.

And that’s exactly what she did. After working hard as an attorney, Sidney picked up a pen for the first time at thirty years old to begin her dream of writing. Having never written anything other than very exciting legal briefs, she found an outlet for her imaginative romantic side and wrote the successful New Adult series, Seeing Red and Seeing Black. That first pen stroke sealed the deal and she fell in love with writing. Currently on sale is the bestselling contemporary romance, Against the Cage and soon to be released Full Contact, the second of the Worth the Fight series.

Sidney lives in South Florida with her husband and children. She loves her family above all else, and reading follows a close second. When she’s not writing you can find her reading and reading and reading…  She’s a reader first and foremost.When she’s not writing or reading her life is complete and utter chaos trying to balance family life with work, and writing (and reading). But she wouldn’t have it any other way., she found an outlet for her imaginative romantic side and wrote Seeing Red, among four other novels currently in the works, including the sequel to Seeing Red. That first pen stroke sealed the deal and she fell in love with writing.

 

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{Blog Tour} Review+Giveaway: One Wish Away

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Title: One Wish Away

Author: Kelley Lynn

Release Date: 11/24/14

Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark

Pre-Order Links:

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Synopsis from Goodreads:

Be careful what you wish for…

Lyra has always been ahead of the curve. Top of her class in school, a budding astronomer, and with a best friend like Darren she barely has time to miss the mother who abandoned her family years ago. She's too busy planning to follow in her father's footsteps, and to become the youngest astronomer at Space Exploration and Discovery.

When a star goes missing Lyra is determined to get to the bottom of it only to discover her braniac dad is the mastermind of a top-secret government experiment. They promise to build a perfect world, one galaxy at a time, but with every tweak of the present, a bit more of the future starts to crumble.

Lyra has to go undercover to reveal the truth and let humanity decide if the consequences are worth more than wishing on a star.

My Thoughts

I don’t know why I signed up for the blog tour of One Wish Away. I don’t know what came over me at that moment I signed up. I mean, stars? It must mean it’s sci-fi, right? Or at least a lot of science stuff included. And I don’t really like sci-fi because it overwhelms me. So, really. I don’t know why I signed up for this. Maybe it was because it was about wishes. Or maybe it’s the cover. Just, maybe. Nevertheless, I’m glad I was able to read this. It may not be one of the best books I’ve read, in my opinion, but it was nice. And something unexpected.

Let me start off with the plot. The concept of the book is unique to my reading experience as I’ve never read a book like this before. Although, that’s kind of biased because I’ve only read a few sci-fi books. But, yeah. Imagine being able to wish on a star and having your wishes granted no matter how big the wish may be. Isn’t it amazing? I just didn’t like the way they tested that theory. The whole thing seemed unrealistic and irresponsible on the part of the scientists. Still, I was fascinated with the whole idea, and by the time I finished reading this, I don’t think I’ve even still fully grasped this amazing thing. Why? This phenomenon wasn’t based on magic or fantasy. Rather, it was based on science and astronomy. The technology we have in the present or in the near future may not be enough to make this plausible, but it presents us a phenomenon that can happen. It might be a thousand of years from now, or whatever time frame, but it can happen. Who knows? Some great scientist might be able to do something about it. I don’t know. We just won’t know. And that’s the scariest thing. If the Cricket Project should truly exist in our world, where we can grant wishes through the use of the energy from stars, then what would happen to the world? It may be beneficial, or it may be chaotic. The idea is too beautiful, but at the same time, scary. I don’t think I would want to live in that kind of present. Or maybe I will. I don’t know.

The thing is, that’s what the predicament Lyra is also in, and it’s what makes it relatable for me. Make that, the only relatable thing. Lyra is investigative and courageous. All things that I’m not. I’m pretty much sure that I don’t have the guts to sneak in to the laboratory to find out why a star is missing. Or to do something to change the world. For real. For me, that’s what is admirable in Lyra’s character. However, her impulsiveness sometimes just annoy me. I know that she might be doing something good, but the way she arrives at those decisions sometimes just pop out of nowhere.

I found Darren, on the other hand, was a little bit controlling, and the most annoying of it all was that Lyra didn’t even notice that. I also didn’t like how their relationship suddenly grew into a romantic one, although I saw that coming. It was a typical best friend fell in love with each other, but I was kind of hoping that it wouldn’t happen. I mean, not all stories have to have love stories involved in it, right? I think it would have been better if the both of them just remained as best friends because the romance lacked development. It became almost an insta-love kind of thing, even though it probably wasn’t because they’re best friends.

And then, that ending. Maybe this is the thing that I annoyed me the most. Throughout the entire novel, I thought that I was only at the half or so. Imagine my shock when I realized that I finished reading it already. The first part was a little bit slow, but that was okay. It was kind of a plot development for me, but no. Just when I thought I reached the climax, it also ended. Abruptly. That cliffhanger threw me off. OMG. Because that ending was so action-packed that I just kept on reading and reading and reading. So can someone please give me the sequel to it now? I’m so excited to read the sequel when it gets published!

My Rating

About the Author

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

Eventually the day came when the voices in Kelley Lynn’s head were more insistent then her engineering professor’s. So instead of turning to her Thermodynamics book, Kelley brought up a blank page on her computer screen and wrote. Somewhere along the way she became a Young Adult author.

Kelley was born and raised a Midwestern girl. She’s not afraid to sweat and fills her free time with softball, soccer and volleyball. (Though you probably don’t want her on your volleyball team.) She occasionally makes guest appearances as a female vocalist for area bands. Music plays a large role in her writing process as well as the characters and plot lines within her stories.

You can find Kelley hanging out at her blog, titled in her name, as well as the group blog she shares with her fellow critique partners, Falling for Fiction. Kelley is a member of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators.

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Blog Tour Organized by:

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Blitz+Excerpt+Giveaway: Breaking the Rules

Title: Breaking the Rules (Pushing the Limits #1.5)

Author: Katie McGarry 

Release Date: 12/08/14

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

A summer road trip changes everything in this unforgettable new tale from acclaimed author Katie McGarry.

For new high school graduate Echo Emerson, a summer road trip out west with her boyfriend means getting away and forgetting what makes her so... different. It means seeing cool sights while selling her art at galleries along the way. And most of all, it means almost three months alone with Noah Hutchins, the hot, smart, soul-battered guy who’s never judged her. Echo and Noah share everything — except the one thing Echo’s just not ready for.

But when the source of Echo’s constant nightmares comes back into her life, she has to make some tough decisions about what she really wants — even as foster kid Noah’s search for his last remaining relatives forces them both to confront some serious truths about life, love, and themselves.

Now, with one week left before college orientation, jobs and real life, Echo must decide if Noah's more than the bad-boy fling everyone warned her he'd be. And the last leg of an amazing road trip will turn... seriously epic.

Available for Pre-Order:
     

Books in the series:
(covers linked to Goodreads)
    

Excerpt

About the Author

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

Author Links:
   

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Typography Tuesday #2: Slammed

Introduction here

Typography Tuesday is a new feature where I will post my lettering works of book quotes. Works will usually be black and white, but there may be at times that colored ones will be posted. All works are scanned but created by hand through markers and fine liners.

Because I love all Colleen Hoover's book so much, and it's all thanks to Slammed (Dyane's review here.) I'm really glad that I was able to come across this book since it left a great impact in my life. Every book of hers has left me speechless ever since. This is just one of the few quotes from Colleen's books that I've made. Yay. :D

Review: The Here and Now

Title: The Here and Now
Author: Ann Brashares
Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Time Travel

Synopsis from Goodreads:

An unforgettable epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world . . . if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins. 

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth. 

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves. 

From Ann Brashares, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsseries, The Here and Now is thrilling, exhilarating, haunting, and heartbreaking--and a must-read novel of the year.

My Thoughts

I was very excited to read this because, heck. It’s by Ann Brashares! I loved her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, and I was just ecstatic to know that I’ll be able to read another book of hers. But, sadly, I was disappointed. I don’t know if it’s because I just set my expectations so high, or what, but I didn’t like The Here and Now so much. Why?

1. The pacing. I found myself reading but not really reading, as if I was just skimming through them. The fact is, I wasn’t. I just didn’t know what happened. I saw that I was already halfway through the book, around 50-60% of it, and I was really surprised. I didn’t feel that I was halfway through the book already because it seemed to me that not much things are happening. Or maybe there were many things happening at the same time.
2. The characters. I didn’t feel attached to any of the characters, most especially Ethan. I found it convenient for him to be someone that was needed in the situation. It was unrealistic because really. Life doesn’t just happen that way, that one person could be all the things that we need. Ethan seemed too perfect in that way, and I didn’t like that. On the other hand, Prenna just has this talent of making all sorts of bad decisions. There were just a lot of times that I just want to wring her head out because I was very frustrated. Although, to give her the benefit of doubt, it may be because the society is very different from the futuristic society she came from. But still. Just how much awful decisions can you make in a span of how many days or weeks?
3. Insta-love. No, no, no. That did not just happen. Technically, it wasn’t really insta-love because the guy had been in love with Prenna for years. Still, no. It was semi-insta-love because it kind of happened when Ethan first met Prenna, but their relationship was a little bit bland for me. And, they just lacked the sparks I wanted for a romance novel.
4. The plot. It got repetitive for me at some point, and it sort of annoyed me that Prenna and Ethan knew the depth of whatever is happening, but the things that they were doing did not justify it. Playing cards, for one. They played cards a lot. /sad

I really tried my best to like this novel, but it didn’t work out for me. However, I loved the idea of the plague that happened during Prenna’s time though. It shows a possibility of what can happen in the future, and it’s frightening. Especially with all sorts of virus and sickness popping out now, this, in doubt, is very probable. I also liked the determination of the characters to save the world, and how Prenna wrote letters to her dead young brother about the "present.” It was entertaining to see what her reactions were. All in all, there were just more reasons for me not to like The Here and Now. However, this might work out better for others.

My Rating