Summer Reads: 6 Star Review + 2015 Favorite: Gus by Kim Holden

Posted on 06/04/2015 by shellbellereads

Gus

A Sequel to Brightside

By Kim Holden

Synopsis

The journey that began in top-rated, best-selling Bright Side, continues …

This is the story of Gus.
Losing himself.
Finding himself.
And healing along the way.

“ … but the honest-to-God truth is I don’t even know how to function anymore. Bright Side wasn’t only my best friend; she was like my other half … the other half of my brain, the other half of my conscience, the other half of my sense of humor, the other half of my creativity, the other half of my heart. How do you go back to doing what you did before, when half of you is gone forever?”

Buy: Amazon

Robin’s Review

When author Colleen Hoover recommends a novel, I make a note of it. Not only is Hoover a gifted writer, but I respect her opinion when it comes to a book recommendation. The novel I’m referring to on this occasion is Bright Side by Kim Holden, and it apparently made a positive impression on her. It was impossible to ignore all of the positive feedback from readers who had already taken her recommendation to heart, so I decided to purchase and read Bright Side. Kim Holden’s gripping and emotional story about Kate Sedgwick was heartbreaking, inspiring, and beautiful. Optimistic. Bright Side earned a 6-star rating from me and a rare spot on my list of all-time favorite novels.

Because of my immense love for Bright Side, I have been looking forward to the day I could read Gus, the second novel of Holden’s Bright Side series. It’s a story about Kate Sedgwick’s lifelong best friend, Gus Hawthorne. Simply put, Gus found a way under my skin. This story grew on me, steamrolling into something just as special as Bright Side. Gus Hawthorne is the songwriter and lead singer for Rook. The novel sort of has a slow start, with Gus drowning in heartbreak and loss. His life is falling apart. While the band is touring Europe, Gus is doing his best to get through each day. In order to ensure the success of the U.S. tour, management decides to hire a personal assistant for Gus.

Scout Mackenzie doesn’t know anything about Rook or its lead singer. She’s just running away from her problems when she accepts the position to be a personal assistant to Gustov Hawthorne. Scout has recently been in an abusive relationship. She could use the money, and she definitely needs some time away. Taking this position is perfect for her because Rook is beginning its tour of the United States, and she will be traveling with the band on the tour bus.

Right from the beginning, Gus and Scout do not hit it off. They put up with each other because they have to. This may seem strange, but I love this aspect of Gus. I commend Kim Holden for going this route, although it might not be a popular choice. I believe both of these characters need time to heal – to get some perspective on the circumstances they have been through. I found it refreshing to read how a relationship develops between Gus and Scout. How they grow on each other. We see them become friends first, helping each other heal. Friends before lovers.

One of my favorite things about Bright Side is the characters, most of them full of positive energy and charisma, so I was super excited to see Kim Holden revisit them in Gus. You should expect to spend plenty of time with the members of Rook – Gus, Franco, Robbie and Jamie. And Gus’s Ma? I just love her, and the close relationship they share. Ma is definitely my favorite secondary character, and she has a special role in this novel. The characters from Grant, Minnesota? Keller and Stella, Duncan and Shelly and many more are found in Gus. Kim Holden ties her characters from Bright Side and Gus together nicely.

Gus is an emotional story. At times, the novel can be sad. I found myself in tears on several occasions, but Gus is also funny, hopeful and inspiring. I absolutely adored the many ways we visit Kate and Gracie throughout this story! The healing and love that flourishes between Gus and Scout is heartwarming and fulfilling, and they show growth as individuals. The author does a fantastic job of fully developing each main character.

Bright Side and Gus. There is something very powerful about each of these stories. Maybe what I am feeling is the mood or tenor. I’m not sure, but whatever it is, I continue to feel it long after I have finished reading. Both novels are very special to me. Gus receives a 6-star rating, and I am including it on my list of 2015 favorite novels!

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Don’t miss out on Brightside by Kim Holden!

Bright side by Kim Holden

Synopsis

Secrets.
Everyone has one.
Some are bigger than others.
And when secrets are revealed,
Some will heal you …
And some will end you.

Kate Sedgwick’s life has been anything but typical. She’s endured hardship and tragedy, but throughout it all she remains happy and optimistic (there’s a reason her best friend Gus calls her Bright Side). Kate is strong-willed, funny, smart, and musically gifted. She’s also never believed in love. So when Kate leaves San Diego to attend college in the small town of Grant, Minnesota, the last thing she expects is to fall in love with Keller Banks.

They both feel it.
But they each have a reason to fight it.
They each have a secret.

And when secrets are revealed,
Some will heal you …
And some will end you.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

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Author Bio

Some of my favorite things: reading, writing, the two coolest guys on the planet (my husband and son), my bicycle (my husband built it for me), Facebook (I’m fairly certain it’s an addiction at this point), iced coffee (hazelnut), and music (LOVE Sunset Sons, the 1975, Dredg, the xx, Balance and Composure, Teenage Bottlerocket, and 30 Seconds to Mars). I also love dreaming, which brings me to my next point. I have one bit of advice for anyone reading this … follow your dreams. It’s never too late. Get started today … heck get started RIGHT NOW! I wanted to write a book 20 years ago. Instead I waited. And waited. I should’ve been writing. But I didn’t. I don’t do regrets, because the past is just that, the past. But let me tell you there’s nothing in the world like achieving something you’ve dreamt about for years and years. So, get started. Make your dreams reality.
I love to hear from other readers. Send me a message or find me on Facebook (https://facebook.com/kimholdenauthor) and tell what’s up in your reading world.

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Review: Sincerely, Carter by Whitney G. (aka Whitney Garcia Williams)

Posted on 05/20/2015 by shellbellereads

Sincerely Carter

By Whitney G. ( aka Whitney Garcia Williams )

Synopsis

Just friends.
We’re just friends.
No, really. She’s just my best friend…

Arizona Turner has been my best friend since fourth grade, even when we “hated” each other. We’ve been there for one another through first kisses, first “times,” and we’ve been each other’s constant when good relationships turned bad. (We even went to colleges that were minutes away from each other…)

Throughout the years, and despite what anyone says, we’ve never crossed the line.

Never thought about it.
Never wanted to.

Until one night changed everything.
At least, it should’ve …

Just friends.
We’re just friends.
I’m only saying this until I figure out if she’s still “just” my best friend…

Buy: Amazon

Robin’s Review

***Review may include spoilers for those who have not read Sincerely, Carter.

Sincerely, Carter is my first novel written by Whitney Gracia Williams. I love stories written about friends who become lovers. I have heard many positive comments about Whitney G, so I decided to give Sincerely, Carter a try. The writing in this story is exceptional, and at times, quite humorous. I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions! Carter and Arizona are awesome characters. I enjoyed reading about their friendship as it evolved over the years. The chemistry between Carter and Ari is through the roof, especially when they first become lovers. Their relationship is sweet, sexy and hilarious.

I adored Sincerely, Carter until I reached the 75% mark. I understand readers need to see tension between Carter and Arizona so the story meets the criteria of a romance novel, but the amount of time they are separated at the end of the novel is entirely too much for me. I found this completely frustrating, especially when you couple their separation with an abrupt ending to the novel. I would have enjoyed more story about Carter and Ari at the end of the novel, or at the very minimum, an epilogue. Perhaps more story would have made me feel more tolerant about the length of time they were apart.

After some deliberation, I have decided to give Sincerely, Carter an overall 4-star rating, but I also feel the larger part of this novel deserves 4.5 to 5 stars. I understand every individual has unique opinions, and I am positive other readers will enjoy the entire story. I do recommend Sincerely, Carter, and I look forward to more stories from Whitney G!

Author Bio:

A self diagnosed candy addict, travel junkie, and hypochondriac, Whitney Gracia Williams LOVES to write about characters that make you laugh, cry, and want to (in the case of Selena Ross) reach through your Kindle and slap them.

She is the “imaginary bestselling” author of the Jilted Bride Series, Mid Life Love, Wasted Love, and Captain of My Soul.

When she’s not locked inside her room, feverishly typing away on her laptop, she can be found here:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Spotlight + 5 Star Reviews…Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father and Jesus Freaks: The Prodigal by Andrea Randall

Posted on 05/08/2015 by shellbellereads

Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father (Jesus Freaks #1)

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Kennedy Sawyer is the valedictorian of her upper middle class, liberal high school.

Roland Abbot is the charismatic, attractive televangelist from New Life Church with a dark past and an illegitimate child.

Ignoring the cautions of her mother and the confusion of her Ivy League-bound friends, Kennedy enrolls at the conservative Christian Carter University where her sights are set on Roland Abbot—her birth father.

Kennedy’s intentions are to learn more about her father than the Bible. However, roommates who are quick to evangelize to strangers, an RA who seems to be hiding something, and friends in the most unlikely places challenge everything she’s ever held as true in the raging battle of us vs. them.

EXCERPT

Mom turns the car left and we pass through the gates of the main entrance to the university. Excitement triples inside me as I swallow the beauty of the grounds. I visited probably ten public and private universities between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, and nothing was as shiny as this campus. I can’t even believe it’s real grass, and I almost ask my mom to stop the car so I can touch it.

I grin as I plan one more gentle act of rebellion from the passenger seat of the car. Reaching forward, I press the “6” on the stereo, and suddenly the sounds of Casting Crowns— a wildly popular Christian band—fill the car. My mom’s eye-roll and turning down of the volume elicits a laugh from me.

She hastily pushes another button, and Boy George serenades us. I laugh harder, and she finally joins in.

“Kennedy,” she says in a moment of seriousness when the song ends. “I don’t understand how you’re being so calm about all of this. There isn’t even anything here you want to do.”

I lean my head back on the headrest. “No, Mom. There’s nothing here that you want me to do. I’m undecided, remember? Anyway, I don’t now why you’re being so insane. I’m an adult.” “These kids…” she starts in a wide-eyed whisper as if we’ve taken a detour onto another planet.

“Are people,” I cut in.

“Who can vote,” she snaps back. I ignore her. “They’re people with parents and high school diplomas and dreams for the future. Besides, they’ll probably be more afraid of me than I am of them.” I barely believe what I’m saying. Politics aside, the kids who enroll at Carter University are bona fide Jesus Freaks. Capital J. Capital F. I might be Christian as far as the outside world is concerned, but my fledgling knowledge of the Bible and sporadic church attendance won’t fly inside this lion’s den. Which is why I’m keeping it all a secret.

My knowledge of the Bible (which is slim) and my commitment to walking with Christ on a daily basis (I don’t even really know what that means) will be on silent lockdown while I acclimate to my new surroundings. Most importantly, though, no one—and I mean no one—will know that Roland Abbot is my birth father until I’m good and ready. Which might be never.

Robin’s Review

Andrea Randall is stepping outside of the box with her new Jesus Freaks series. Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father is completely different from anything I have ever read. My first thought was to classify this novel in the Christian fiction genre, but Randall confirmed that she considers her new series to be new adult. No matter the genre, she has taken a big risk in trying something different, and I absolutely applaud her!

Kennedy Sawyer is an incoming freshman at Carter University in Asheville. She is a liberal Episcopalian teenager from Connecticut who will be attending an extremely conservative, evangelical Christian university. Roland Abbot is the charismatic televangelist preacher from New Life Church, which sits on the edge of the Carter University campus. Roland is a superstar among evangelical preachers. And unbeknownst to anyone from Carter University, he is also Kennedy’s birth father. Although Kennedy could have had her pick of colleges, she chose to attend Carter University with hopes to learn more about Roland Abbot. Kennedy has done everything she can to prepare herself for what she knows will be a difficult transition; however, nothing can prepare her for what is to come during her freshman year.

As I began reading Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father, I knew this novel was going to be different. I think it is important to share with everyone who reads this review that I personally consider myself a Christian. I am familiar with many of the topics and issues that Kennedy faces when she arrives at Carter University. It was apparent Andrea Randall researched extensively for this novel. Her depth of knowledge, combined with her outstanding writing, has resulted in a fantastic novel, and I expect to see the same quality as the series progresses. Our protagonist faces some bigger than life issues with this story. Kennedy questions everything she understands about her own faith while navigating through her freshman year. She questions her own upbringing. Why would her birth father decide to give up his parental rights? She begins to see that things aren’t always black and white. Kennedy also has a couple of boys that she is attracted to. And because she has been raised differently than most students at Carter University, she struggles with normal teenage issues in a different way than her fellow students.

It was not hard for me to become invested in this story. Randall quickly engaged my interest. I appreciated reading about her characters and how they each added to the story. When I needed to take a break from reading, I looked forward to the moment that I could pick up my Kindle to continue. If you are intrigued by Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father, I encourage you to consider reading it. Andrea Randall has earned a 5-star rating from me for this beautifully written novel!

Jesus Freaks: The Prodigal (Jesus Freaks #2)

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The morning after Kennedy Sawyer confirmed to the world that she is the daughter of internationally renowned televangelist Roland Abbot, she’s faced with a new challenge: What kind of daughter does she want to be to him? The sometimes kind, the title kind, or the all-in kind?

In the months following her decision, Kennedy is faced with sex, drugs, extended family, lying, threats, booze, strip clubs, and wavering faith among her family and friends.

Exploring how much honesty is too much, Kennedy pushes the boundaries of all of the relationships around her to see if God really lies somewhere beneath it all.

EXCERPT

I’ve never seen the inside of a strip club. Not on TV, the internet, or in magazines. And, certainly not in person. But, I guess the negative discussion surrounding places like this always led me to believe it would be kind of dark and smoky. Walking past men who look about the size of the trucks they drove here, I slide into a table in the back. “Coffee or coke?” A young woman who can’t be that much older than me—if she’s older than me at all—stands in front of me with her hip jutting out to once side, and her hand resting on it. Lifting my eyes, I’m forced to immediately lower them. She’s barely wearing anything. I swear I see more clothing at the public swimming pool. Spandex “shorts” show the sides of her butt, and her bra-looking top reveals her entire midsection, which is speckled with star and fairy tattoos. When I’m finally able to train my eyes on her face, I notice that she also has a large tattoo across her chest. Twisting thorns and vines with roses every other inch. “Coffee or coke?” she repeats. It seems, as she stands there trying not to look bored, that I feel more naked than she does. “Coke.” “You been here before?” Her eyes wrinkle at the sides in amusement. I stare back, unable to say anything. She snaps some gum between her teeth. “Thought so. I’ll be right back with your Coke, sweetie.” Before she turns around, I notice her name tag says “Destiny.” I run my hand over my face, trying to reason if that’s her real name, or not. If you worked in a place like this, would you want people calling you by your real name all day? Or, would you want to pretend. Use another name to make you feel like this was all just make-believe, and not your real life at all. As she walks away, shaking her hips, I spot matching angel wing tattoos on her shoulder blades. Cute. If anyone asked my dad’s name, I wonder, staring at my hands, did he give it? Did he tell them that he was happily married with two children at home? Would he preach the gospel to them as they dangled their breasts in his face? God, I hope not.

Robin’s Review

Andrea Randall continues her Jesus Freaks series with a second novel titled The Prodigal. Jesus Freaks isn’t a typical new adult series. It’s completely different and refreshing, and honestly, The Prodigal is just what I needed to read right now. Reading dark psychological thrillers can be very draining, and I have read quite a few of them lately. When I read The Prodigal? I found myself contemplative, introspective and relieved to be reading something more positive.

Kennedy Sawyer is in the midst of her first semester at Carter University in Asheville, North Carolina. Raised by her mother and stepfather in a liberal Episcopalian household, Kennedy decided to go to Carter University because she wanted the opportunity to get to know Roland Abbot, her biological father. The Prodigal is narrated from several different perspectives including Kennedy and Matt Wells. We are also able to enjoy perspectives from her friend Jonah and Roland Abbot.

The Prodigal picks up where Sins of the Father ended. Kennedy announces she is the biological daughter of Roland Abbot to the congregation of New Life Church. Roland is an internationally-known televangelist and the pastor of New Life Church, which sits adjacent to the conservative Christian school. Kennedy is forced to share her secret with the world to counter an accusation that she is having an affair with Roland. It’s an emotional moment for Kennedy, filled with tremendous support from her classmates and her biological father.

One of the more interesting aspects of The Prodigal is the focus on the relationships Kennedy has with her family and friends. Yes, Kennedy is slowly developing a personal relationship with God, but this part of the story feels completely natural for someone who is very new to a conservative Christian environment. She begins to understand there is a complicated and emotional history between her mother and Roland. Even her stepfather perceives there are some unresolved emotions between her biological parents.

Kennedy becomes a close friend to Matt Wells in The Prodigal. Matt’s father is a pastor who is suffering from burnout. She sees the tension that exists between father and son, but Matt is not willing to discuss what is happening. While Kennedy slowly grows closer to God, Matt seems to be pulling away. I found this juxtaposition between Matt and Kennedy to be extremely thought-provoking. It’s the most intriguing narrative of The Prodigal, in my opinion, and I look forward to learning how their story will be resolved.

I really like Kennedy Sawyer. She is smart. Even when Kennedy doubts herself, she is one step ahead of everybody else. Kennedy is a fierce character who is perceived as a threat by some people and a heroine to others. Her values change. Kennedy takes an honest look at what her life was like before she arrived at Carter University. She also considers how different her life would be if she went to a different college.

Jesus Freaks: The Prodigal is a beautifully-written novel. Andrea Randall’s writing is crisp. It evokes interest. She grabbed my attention with appealing characters. I found myself wondering what I would do in situations the characters are facing. I am honestly enjoying this series. I’ll admit Jesus Freaks has me considering my own spiritual health, even as I read a story that is entertaining. If you are open to reading something completely different in the new adult genre, I highly recommend the Jesus Freaks series and The Prodigal. My rating for The Prodigal is 5 stars!

AUTHOR PROFILE

I started writing poetry long before writing fiction. I firmly believe Poetry is a solid foundation for all other forms of writing. It taught me that a single word can make or break the world.

I write fiction because my characters have a story and they want me to tell it.

I hope you enjoy the pieces of my soul that I share with you.

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Marrow by Tarryn Fisher

Posted on 05/01/2015 by shellbellereads

Happy Release Day to Marrow by Tarryn Fisher! We are so excited to be sharing the release of another much anticipated book from this amazing author!!

♥ BUY THE BOOK ♥

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In the Bone there is a house.

In the house there is a girl.

In the girl there is a darkness.

Margo is not like other girls. She lives in a derelict neighborhood called the Bone, in a cursed house, with her cursed mother, who hasn’t spoken to her in over two years. She lives her days feeling invisible. It’s not until she develops a friendship with her wheelchair-bound neighbor, Judah Grant, that things begin to change. When neighborhood girl, seven-year-old Nevaeh Anthony, goes missing, Judah sets out to help Margo uncover what happened to her.

What Margo finds changes her, and with a new perspective on life, she’s determined to find evil and punish it–targeting rapists and child molesters, one by one.

But hunting evil is dangerous, and Margo risks losing everything, including her own soul.

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♥ BUY THE BOOK ♥

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Robin’s Review

In her new psychological thriller, Tarryn Fisher writes about an imaginary town in Washington State named Bone Harbor. The inhabitants of The Bone are impoverished. There is little hope for a better life. As the children of The Bone grow older, their life force is drained. Faith is missing. Depression is commonplace. People are undereducated, desperate, mentally incapable and abused. Criminal activity is widespread. Folks numb themselves with alcohol. Malnourishment is prevalent. If you are raised in The Bone, in The Bone you will remain.

What was the inspiration behind writing Marrow? Children suffering for the sins of their parents. People hurting each other. Individuals crying out for help. The lack of a voice for those who are persecuted. Fisher wrote a letter to readers that can be found at the end of her novel. Marrow was borne as a way for her to cope with feelings of hopelessness for people who suffer. If Tarryn Fisher could not take vengeance on behalf of a suffering child, she decided Margo Moon would do it for her.

Margo narrates her own story. We first meet her at the age of thirteen. She lives with her prostitute mother in the “eating house” on Wessex Street. Margo gradually paints a picture of decline in the relationship with her mother after the early years of her life. She befriends Judah Grant, a handsome boy who is confined to a wheelchair. Judah lives just a few houses down the street from Margo, and he is her only friend. Judah becomes a source of encouragement and support for Margo, even when life in The Bone continues to be oppressive. When a young girl from their neighborhood goes missing, Margo and Judah join the search to find her. Margo is observant. Her eyes are slowly opening, and the truth that she sees sparks an anger that irrevocably changes her life.

Why choose the name Marrow? Marrow is a metaphor for the essential self. It’s your very essence. Marrow is a psychological thriller, but it’s also a character study of Margo Moon. Fisher’s background in psychology was beneficial in crafting this novel. Margo undergoes a dramatic transformation during her teenage years. She’s determined to find a way to leave The Bone. She is incredibly angry at the injustice she sees. She is no longer meek. Margo wants vengeance for all of the innocents. She follows her own moral code and delivers her own form of justice. Fisher calls it “poetic vengeance.”

Marrow is like nothing I have ever read. Tarryn Fisher’s writing style is creative, poetic and brilliant – it always has been – but she really steps up her game with Marrow. It’s a very intelligent story from both a societal and psychological perspective. Getting inside of Margo’s head was both dark and disturbing. Flashes of Fisher’s witty sense of humor are peppered throughout the story to help temper the darkness. It was fascinating for me to follow the slow deterioration of Margo’s reasoning – her descent into becoming a sociopath. Although there are places where the story was slow, I do feel much of Margo’s inner dialogue is necessary to see the gradual changes to her personality. When Marrow begins to feel like a psychological thriller? That’s when you really find out what’s in Margo’s marrow!

If you are interested in Marrow, you should consider reading Mud Vein (also written by Tarryn Fisher) first. Although Mud Vein and Marrow are meant to stand alone, the plots of both novels are loosely tied together. In my opinion, reading Mud Vein before Marrow will significantly improve your reading experience. If you love reading dark thrillers, I highly recommend 4.5 star Marrow!

Tarryn Fisher is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of six novels. Her newest novel, Marrow, just released in April 2015 and she is currently working on the second installment of Never Never. She is the co-founder of Clothed Caption, a fashion blog she runs with her friend, Madison Seidler. Tarryn resides in the Seattle area with her family. She loves rainy days, Coke, and thinks Instagram is the new Facebook. Tarryn is represented by Amy Tannenbaum of the Jane Rotrosen Agency.

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Kindle Copies of Marrow

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Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Broken Juliet by Leisa Rayven – Star Crossed Series – Book 2

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Broken Juliet

Star Crossed Series – Book 2

Sequel to Bad Romeo

By Leisa Rayven

Synopsis

Some loves never let you go…
Cassie swore she’d never forgive Ethan for breaking her heart when they were in acting school years ago. He was her one great love, and when he refused to love her back, a part of her died forever…or so she thought. Now she and Ethan are sharing a Broadway stage, and he’s determined to win her back. Finally he’s able to say all the things she needed to hear years ago…but can she believe him? Has he really changed, and what makes this time different from all his other broken promises?
The answer lies somewhere in the past, and now the truth will come to light. Will Cassie rediscover what it’s like to be trusting and open again–the way she was before Ethan? Or is it too late for these star-crossed lovers?
Don’t miss this mesmerizing final chapter in the Bad Romeo duet, the unforgettable love story that captured the hearts of over two million fans online.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

The Star Crossed Series

Bad Romeo

Star Crossed Series – Book 1

By Leisa Rayven

Synopsis

While performing the greatest love story of all time, they discovered one of their own…

Cassie Taylor was just another acting student with big dreams at her prestigious performing arts college, then she met Ethan Holt. She was the good girl actress. He was the bad boy on campus. But one fated casting choice for Romeo and Juliet changed it all. Like the characters they were playing on stage, Cassie and Ethan’s epic romance seemed destined. Until it ended in tragedy when he shattered her heart.

Now they’ve made it to Broadway where they’re reunited as romantic leads once again, and their passionate scenes force them to confront the heartbreaking lows and pulse-pounding highs of their intense college affair. For Ethan, losing Cassie was his biggest regret, and he’s determined to redeem himself. But for Cassie, even though Ethan was her first and only great love, he hurt her too much to ever be trusted again. The trouble is, working with him reminds her that people who rub each other the wrong way often make the best sparks. And when it comes to love, sometimes it’s the things that aren’t good for us that are the most irresistible.

Don’t miss the intoxicating romance beloved by over two million fans online–a story that will captivate you and hold you breathless until the final page.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Robin’s Review

Leisa Rayven delighted readers with her debut novel Bad Romeo, a passionate and dysfunctional romance about Ethan Holt and Cassie Taylor. In this first novel of the Starcrossed series, Ethan and Cassie are students at The Grove, a prestigious acting school. Ethan is closed-off. Moody. Cassie is wildly attracted to Ethan’s bad boy ways. Their love is all-consuming and toxic. Their chemistry on fire. Push and pull. Flawed and real. Ethan ruins Cassie for all other men, and then he breaks her heart twice.

“He was my first true friend. My first love. First lover. The master of more pleasure than I knew existed, and the architect of more heartache than I thought I could endure.”

Broken Juliet is the conclusion to Ethan and Cassie’s tumultuous love story. Once again, chapters alternate between past and present, with the story being told from Cassie’s perspective. Rayven begins the story where she left off at the end of Bad Romeo. It’s been six years since Ethan and Cassie first met in acting school and three years since the last time they saw each other. Both of them have been cast as leads for a Broadway production. Ethan shows up at Cassie’s front door to ask for forgiveness. He admits he had trust issues. He knows he broke her heart. Ethan tells Cassie he has changed, and he hopes she will give them one more chance.

In chapters from the past, Cassie shares details about her relationship with Ethan. Our eyes are gradually opened to the truth behind Ethan’s brokenness, and why he was not able to commit to a relationship with Cassie. We begin to see the damage he inflicted on her life. Ethan reveals details about his road to recovery during the present chapters. This new and improved Ethan is endearing. Patient. Kind. Full of love. He knows what Cassie is going through because he’s experienced it himself. He broke her heart twice, but now he wants to help her put the pieces back together. There is an intense flame between Cassie and Ethan that never burned out, and both of them know it. It’s obvious they still love each other, but can Cassie trust Ethan with her heart again?

The Starcrossed series is refreshing and different. It’s apparent to me Leisa Rayven is knowledgeable about theatre and acting. She is also a very good writer. Her writing is a step up in quality from what I typically read. Dialogue between characters feels honest and real. Her written conversations capture my attention, and I’m not just referring to dialogue between the main characters. I enjoyed the lessons about acting taught by Erika to students at The Grove. Journal entries. Memories. Arguments. General discussion between characters feels natural in Bad Romeo and Broken Juliet.

Ethan and Cassie have chemistry that bleeds off the page. It was like this in Bad Romeo, and their attraction is smoking hot in Broken Juliet. Lovemaking scenes are passionate and fresh. It never felt cliché. Leisa Rayven encompasses the entire experience. Mental state. Emotions. Physical response.

Ethan and Cassie have experienced heartbreaking loss. Both of them are damaged. But these characters have evolved, and I feel their character growth is palpable in Broken Juliet. Make sure you read the fantastic conclusion to Cassie and Ethan’s story. I highly recommend 5-star Broken Juliet!

About Leisa Rayven

Writing has always been a passion for Leisa, and even though she originally intended to be an actress, it wasn’t long into her time at drama school that she began writing plays.

Those plays were bad. Very bad. Well, her friends thought they were good, but that’s because they were always cast in them and any opportunity to be on stage was met with an obnoxious amount of enthusiasm.

Since then, she’s honed her craft, and several of her plays have been produced and toured throughout Australia.

These days, playwriting has given way to fiction writing, and Leisa’s debut novel, BAD ROMEO, will be available in a worldwide release through Macmillan Publishing in December 2014.

Leisa lives in Australia with her husband, two little boys, three cats, and a kangaroo named Howard.

(Howard may or may not be her imaginary marsupial friend. Everyone should have one.

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Release Blitz + 2 Very Different Reviews: Black Iris by Leah Raeder

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Black Iris

By Leah Raeder

Release Date: April 28, 2015

Synopsis

The next dark and sexy romantic suspense novel from the USA TODAY bestselling author of Unteachable, which was praised for its “lush, haunting prose, deft storytelling, and scorching sensuality” (M. Pierce, bestselling author of the Night Owl trilogy), and called “one of the best forbidden romances” (Lauren Blakely, New York Times bestselling author).

Laney Keating’s senior year of high school sucked. It began with one moment of weakness, one stupid gesture for a hopeless crush. Then the rumors started. Slut, they called her. Queer. Pillhead. Psycho. Mentally ill, messed up, so messed up even her own mom decided she wasn’t worth sticking around for.

If Laney could erase that whole year, she would. College is her chance to start with a clean slate.

She’s not looking for new friends, but they find her: charming, handsome Armin, the only guy patient enough to work through her thorny defenses—and fiery, filterless Blythe, the bad girl and partner in crime who becomes closer than a sister.

But Laney knows nothing good ever lasts. When a ghost from her past resurfaces—the bully responsible for everything, the boy who broke her down completely—she decides maybe it’s time to live up to her own legend. And Armin and Blythe are going to help.

Because that was the plan all along.

Because the rumors are true. Every single one of them. And Laney is going to show them just how true. She’s going to show them all.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt

April is the cruelest month, T.S. Eliot said, and that’s because it kills. It’s the month with the highest suicide rate. You’d think December, or even January—the holidays and all that forced cheer and agonized smiling pushing fragile people to the edge—but actually it’s spring, when the world wakes from frostbound sleep and something cruel and final stirs inside those of us who are broken. Like Eliot said: mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain. In the deepest throes of depression, when sunlight is anguish and the sky throbs like one big raw migraine and you just want to sleep until you or everything else dies, you’re less likely to commit suicide than someone coming out of a depressive episode. Drug companies know this. That’s why antidepressants have to be marked with the warning MAY CAUSE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.
Because what brings you back to life also gives you the means to destroy yourself.

Robin’s Review

I was intrigued by the synopsis for Black Iris by Leah Raeder. When the cover was revealed in January, I fell in love with it. The cover is full of rich color and is absolutely stunning. It’s one of the most beautiful book covers that I have ever seen!

Black Iris is not a typical new adult novel. It’s a story of dark revenge, and there may be triggers for some individuals. It’s a story about a girl who is bullied for her attraction to females. There is a female/female relationship in Black Iris, but there is also a male/female relationship. Both types of relationships are represented. There is drug use and addiction. Attempted suicide. Mental illness. Violence. Blood. Hate crimes and vengeance. I’m not really sure what this says about me, but Leah Raeder snared my attention with this extremely dark story.

Delaney Keating is targeted by Brandt Zoeller while she is in high school. One meaningful gesture towards the girl she has a crush on destroys her life. Zoeller makes sure he gets deep inside her head, underneath her skin, completely breaking Laney down. Now she wants revenge. She becomes the predator. A hunter. Little wolf. Laney has a plan. She has her prey in sight, and she wants revenge on everyone involved.

Black Iris is a story written in layers. Each chapter is labeled with a name of a month. Raeder leaps back and forth between present and past with each new chapter. I found this confusing at first because I was attempting to keep up with all of the shifts to the timeline. But then I decided it was easier to sit back and experience Black Iris as it unfolds. There’s a reason Black Iris is written in this style. Raeder was meticulous with her writing, slowly revealing bits and pieces of information in a very calculated fashion. The plot of Black Iris builds to a fever pitch over the course of the entire story until the big picture finally snaps in place.

I knew I would be stepping outside of my comfort zone when I began reading Black Iris, but I enjoy reading dark novels. Psychological thrillers are some of my favorites. The writing is poetic and creative. The story is spellbinding. Unique. It made me think. When I finished reading Black Iris, I immediately began reading it again. All of those cryptic passages suddenly made sense. Black Iris is disturbing. It’s intense. Completely manic. I am giving Leah Raeder a 4-star rating for Black Iris and including it on my list of favorite novels for 2015!

Michel’s Review

Warning: Black Iris has many triggers that readers may not be comfortable with. There is drug abuse, psychological abuse, homophobic issues, gay issues (f/f), an unhealthy love triangle, mental issues, and sociopath tendencies.

I really hate writing this review. I am not a novice reader and usually find positive qualities in every book. I am a huge fan of dark thrillers. I love to read books that have unique plots and unique characters. I look for the entertainment value as well as the overall execution of the plot in the story. Black Iris brought me down a black hole and left me feeling deeply disturbed.

It’s interesting how two people can read the same book and walk away with completely different reactions. That is the beauty of the human spirit and mind.

Black Iris is one of those books that is going to have mixed reactions. It is not your typical New Adult novel. It is not a romance. It is a fictitious novel that has many triggers that are true portrayals of actual ugly situations, different sexual preferences, mental illness in many forms, cruelty, substance abuse, and murderous urges. It is diabolical. It does not have a promise of hope or redemption. It has a very dark tone throughout the book and never lightens up. I did not smile or feel good with any passage throughout the book. It was a book that I had to force myself to finish. The ending did not have a happy resolution.

I will say that Leah Raeder tackled some very controversial subject matter. The writing was good. The plot was well thought out. Each chapter is delivered within a year timeline and jumps from past to present. The problem I had with this timeline was that it was all over the place, there was no sequential order and I had a very hard time jumping from one moment to the next. It was just too much work. At the same time each of these chapters with different timelines all came together and made sense in the whole scheme of things. It made the plot have an impact.

As for the characters, I hated them all. I never connected with any of them. I also felt that they were too mature for their actual ages and life situations. Most people that age do not look and plan their futures out that meticulously. Most people that age are either living in the moment or just planning out generalized things for their future. The ruthlessness and very individualized planning just would not work in this situation because there is no way to predict the behaviors of the other individuals especially when you don’t know who they are or what their true motivations are.

Black Iris is a novel of true hate and vengeance. I don’t have the desire to waste my time with such evil. The ending did not redeem the characters, it just released them from the sexuality they hid away.

I would not recommend this book to anyone.

Author Bio:

LEAH RAEDER is a writer and unabashed nerd. Aside from reading her brains out, she enjoys graphic design, video games, fine whiskey, and the art of self-deprecation. She lives with her very own manic pixie dream boy in Chicago.

(And she still writes pretentiously lyrical fiction.)

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Dear Juliet by Trudy Stiles- Forever Family Series – Book 3

Posted on 04/20/2015 by shellbellereads

NOW AVAILABLE

Along with Trudy Stiles, we are very excited to share with you the Release of “Dear Juliet”, the 3rd book in The Forever Family Series! Don’t miss the special Release Price of ONLY $.99 (2 days only)!

Make sure to check out the Book Trailer, add this series to your Goodreads, enter the Giveaway below and join the Facebook Release Party Event for more fun and giveaways!

Dear Juliet by Trudy Stiles

Book #3 in the Forever Family Series

Release price $.99 for TWO days only

Robin’s Review

Alcoholism. Teen pregnancy. Child abuse. Rape. Adoption. Anxiety. Depression. Each of these are social problems or mental health issues that are relevant in contemporary society. These are just some of the topics Trudy Stiles explores in her new adult Forever Family series, but you should also know she writes stories of redemption, family, and love.

Dear Emily was the debut novel for Trudy Stiles. We meet Carly and Kyle in Dear Emily, a couple who desperately want to adopt a child. It’s a story of hope and love for an unborn baby girl named Emily, but this novel is also about a woman named Tabitha who has a background of abuse and finds herself pregnant and scared.

Dear Tabitha is a second-chance romance focusing on Tabitha and Alex, and how the two of them create their own family. It’s an incredibly sweet story of redemption for both characters, and a powerful story of healing, love and family.

Dear Juliet is the final novel of the Forever Family series. It centers on characters Juliet Oliver and Seth Tyson, two friends who started corresponding as pen pals in the fourth grade. Stiles alternates back and forth between each of their points of view, so we are able to read how their friendship evolves over the course of twenty years.

Juliet was adopted by a wonderful couple. She’s been surrounded by love her entire life, but Juliet struggles with knowing she was unwanted by her 16-year-old birth mother. Juliet knows her parents have a letter that was written to her from her birth mother, but she fears what the letter will say. Juliet believes she was a mistake and unwanted, which leads to her becoming emotionally unavailable. She has perfect parents who love her more than anything, but the unread words of her birth mother’s letter hold an incredible amount of power over her.

Seth comes from a wealthy family. It was much better for Seth and his siblings when they were young children, but as the years have passed by, their parents have drifted apart. His father is always gone, and when he does come home, his parents fight. His mother is a heavy drinker. Seth doesn’t feel loved by his parents, and he deals with self-hate for not being able to bring normalcy to his family.

Dear Juliet should not be read as a standalone novel. Stiles ties the Forever Family series together through her characters and their story arcs. A good example of why these novels should be read in order is Seth. His character is introduced in Dear Emily, and he plays an important role in the first two novels of the series. But you should also know that most of Seth’s story in Dear Juliet is new material.

Dear Juliet is about lifelong friendship. Healing. Redemption. It’s a story about best friends who become lovers. It’s an emotional story. There were times the story was very sad, and I really struggled with what Seth and Juliet were experiencing. Please follow these characters through the years, and I promise you will be rewarded. I finished this novel with a huge smile on my face! My rating for Dear Juliet jumped from 4 to 4.5 stars during the last third of the book, and I applaud Trudy Stiles for a very strong ending!

Dear Emily – Book #1 in the Forever Family Series

This book is not suitable for young readers. It is intended for mature adults only (18+). It contains strong language, adult/sexual situations, non-consensual sex and some violence.

Dear Tabitha – Book #2 in the Forever Family Series

The Epic Fail series will begin this summer (2015)

This is a spinoff of the bestselling Forever Family series. These will all be standalone novels focusing on the various characters from the band Epic Fail that were introduced in Dear Emily.

Book 1 – expected Summer 2015

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25359937-epic-fail-book-1
Book 2 – expected Winter 2015

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25359945-epic-fail-book-2
Book 3 – expected Spring 2016

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25359957-epic-fail-book-3

Trudy Stiles is a New Adult author, mom to two beautiful children, and married to the love of her life. She is the author of the Forever Family series including “Dear Emily” and “Dear Tabitha”. There will be many more stories from this series and you never know who may have a standalone or novella written for them. Stay tuned!

Trudy is a music junkie and you’ll know that she’s writing when you see her plugged into her laptop with her earbuds in. Her playlist is unique and is a must for her writing sprints.

When she’s not writing, she’s carting her children to their various activities while avoiding any kind of laundry or housework. She also loves to run along the boardwalk of the beautiful New Jersey shore.

She’s always been an avid reader and frequently escapes into the fictional worlds of the many characters that she has come to love. Well, now there are some fictional characters in her head dying to get out!

Her first story “Dear Emily” was released in December 2013. “Dear Tabitha” was released in March 2014. The Forever Family series will continue with several companion/stand alone novels.

Email: authortrudystiles@gmail.com

Website: http://trudystiles.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortrudystiles

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/trudy_stiles

Twitter: @trudystiles

Instagram: https://instagram.com/trudystiles/

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Release Blitz + 6 Star Review + 2015 Favorite: Interim by S. Walden

Posted on 04/14/2015 by shellbellereads

Interim

Genre: YA/ NA Crossover Suspense/Psychological Thriller

By S. Walden

Synopsis

Book Description:

~A lot can change in the space between devising a plan and carrying it out. That space is called the Interim.~

High school seniors Jeremy Stahl and Regan Walters aren’t friends. Not even close. He’s a picked-on, picked-apart loser outcast. She’s a cool kid running with the popular crowd. It’s unlikely they’d ever speak to one another. Too bad he’s madly in love with her. But what does it matter, anyway? He’s got no time for love. Only revenge.

Meticulously detailed in the pages of his battered red notebook is his master plan: April 14, 9:30 A.M., two guns, eighty rounds of ammo, backup knives, eleven victims. He’s finally ready to answer every single taunt, jeer, and flying fist—unwarranted abuse that’s spanned six years of his lonely life. He’s justified. He’s ready. But he never readied himself for her.

Regan finds his journal. She reads it, and when he discovers her intrusion, he has to switch tactics. She’s a liability now.

Better fix that.

(WARNING: This is a New Adult standalone that contains graphic language and violence, including gun violence. If school shootings are an especially sensitive subject for you, then I urge you to refrain from reading this book.)

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Smashwords

Letter to the Reader:

Dear Reader,

Not many authors will discourage you from reading their work. After all, the goal of our stories is to grow our readership, not diminish it. I’m well aware of that, but when I first became inspired with Jeremy’s story, I knew I would have to go about promoting it in an entirely different way—something far removed from my past marketing campaigns. I knew I would have to hide the book, stamp disclaimers all over it, plant seeds of doubt in your minds, decline requests for advanced reviews—in essence, all the things an author SHOULD NOT do when marketing her book. That’s why it took me so long to write the damn thing—over a year of worrying, second-guessing, flip-flopping, arguing. Jeremy sat waiting patiently, and I stared back at him wondering just how much he would destroy my career.

Then I remembered that his story is exactly the type of controversial social issue I enjoy tackling. I knew I had to write it because I could. I could be sensitive to the subject matter without being PC. I could leave my political and moral opinions out of it. I could make it a human story, not a gun story. I could do all these things if I worked very hard—if I was diligent and faithful to my characters and their experiences. Once I realized these things, I stopped fretting and just started writing, careful to keep all the details private and sacred. That’s how writing should be: private and sacred.

Now Jeremy’s story is no longer private, but I hope you will find it sacred. I hope you will throw off your preconceptions and bury your social and political views, your moral judgments. It’s too easy to go into a story like this already angry, especially if you or someone you love has experienced gun violence. I urge you to think long and hard before starting Interim if you are especially sensitive to the topic of school shootings. There are extremely violent, descriptive scenes, and I do not wish for my book to be a trigger for you.

I am well aware of the social debate a book like this may provoke. I did not write it for debate. I did not write it to make a statement about guns, gun control, gun access, Constitutional rights, etc. I am not interested in comparing my story to the horrific school shootings that have taken place in the United States. I have no motive other than to tell a story about an abused boy who felt he deserved justice. What you take away from the novel is entirely up to you.

Love,

Summer

Excerpt

Who was he? What was his purpose? He knew it once. Once, a long time ago, he decided to be a hero. He decided to avenge himself and all the other kids who were helpless against abuse. Once, a long time ago, he learned the difference between justice and mercy. He learned when justice was required. He learned when mercy was allowed. Once, a long time ago, he faced himself in the mirror and saw a stranger—a better boy than he could ever be. A boy with a mission. A boy with convictions. And he reached out to take hold of that boy, through the looking-glass, falling into a wonderland where righteousness ruled supreme and evil was destroyed with the pop pop! of a gun. The world made sense to him. Then.

Soundtrack: https://open.spotify.com/user/summerwalden/playlist/7I0P4NnU5bCiRzqMTapGEM

Robin’s Review

Twenty-three years ago, Pearl Jam released the alternative rock single named Jeremy. Jeremy is one of the most widely-recognized songs performed by Pearl Jam and is based on two different true stories. The main inspiration for Jeremy was a newspaper article about Jeremy Wade Delle of Richardson, Texas. On the morning of January 8, 1991, Jeremy Delle shot himself in front of his second-period English class. This song is also inspired by a student songwriter Eddie Vedder knew when he was in junior high school in San Diego. Instead of taking his own life, this student decided to gun down his classmates.

Now that you know the story behind the song, have you ever taken a moment to focus on the words of Jeremy? Go on…..pull out your iPod or do a search of YouTube videos and listen. It’s a very deep and dark song about a troubled teenager who decides to take control of his life and fight back on his own terms. It didn’t take long for me to recall Pearl Jam’s Jeremy once I began reading Interim, and the song will forever mean more to me now that I have read this novel.

It wasn’t easy for S. Walden to write her story about Jeremy Stahl. It took her a long time to come to terms with what was bouncing around in her head. Walden wants readers to know she is not speaking to a point. She has no agenda. She just has a story. Knowing Walden’s proclivity to write about dark and controversial subjects, I was nervous about reading Interim. In fact, I have never feared the content of a novel like I did with Interim. I had a healthy respect for this story based on the synopsis and personal discussion with the author before I began reading.

Walden truly agonized over writing Interim. Bullying. Parental neglect and abuse. Gun violence in schools. When you combine controversial subjects with violence, you have a recipe for something dark and scary. Something to be feared. This is the truth of the matter – the events that take place in Interim could happen at any school or shopping mall or workplace on any given day. So before you begin reading Interim, please be sure to read the letter from S. Walden at the beginning of the novel and be very sure you can handle the content.

I’m going to get straight to the point. Interim is a 6-star novel. It’s everything I could have hoped for in a thriller. Intense emotions, anger and panic. Darkness. Suspense. Graphic violence. Young adult romance. The authentic feel of the high school social scene. Issues teenagers deal with on daily basis. Walden was a teacher for several years, and she’s acquainted with the age group. She’s familiar with bullying. The dialogue, conversations between Jeremy and Regan, Hannah and other secondary characters, kept me on the edge of my seat. Interim completely held my interest. It’s one of the finest examples of character development that I can recall. It may have taken a long time for Walden to write this story, but I applaud the amount of time and thought she put into writing it. There is nothing rushed or sloppy about Interim. It’s one of the best novels I have read this year, and it has definitely earned a place on my list of 2015 favorites!

________________________________________________________________

S.Walden used to teach English before making the best decision of her life by becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Georgia with her very supportive husband who prefers physics textbooks over fiction and has a difficult time understanding why her characters must have personality flaws. She is wary of small children, so she has a Westie instead. She is the USA Today bestselling author of Going Under. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about it.

She loves her fans and loves to hear from them. Email her at swaldenauthor@hotmail.com and follow her twitter feed at @swaldenauthor.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Amazon Author Page ~ Goodreads

Facebook Giveaway

https://www.facebook.com/swaldenauthor/photos/p.888883921174916/888883921174916/?type=1

Push by Claire Wallis….6 Star Reviews- Smut Book Junkie Reviews Favorite + Giveaway

Posted on 04/08/2015 by shellbellereads

Push

Book 1

By Claire Wallis

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Synopsis

I feel like I am wrapped in a cyclone. Everything is whirling around me, drawing the air out of my lungs and filling me with the best kind of turmoil. Every time his tongue slides against mine, a prickle in my gut tells me how right we are together. How much I need David. How much I need us.

I hope the cyclone never stops.

Emma Searfoss has spent a lifetime trying to escape her abusive stepfather. It’s why she moved far away from home. It’s why she’s kept no ties with her remaining family. And it’s why she’s got a major rage problem. When her neighbor shows up to fix the kitchen in her new apartment, his enigmatic charm calms the fire in her. David is cool and collected, and he makes Emma feel safe for the first time ever. But David has his own chilling past—his six previous girlfriends have all disappeared without a trace. Emma’s walking a dangerous line, but David’s pull is intoxicating. And impossible to resist…

Michel’s Review

*** I wrote this review in May 2014 when Push was first released. Almost one year later and several books reviewed, I have not been able to forget this book. I am still blown away by the intensity and the emotional impact this book had on me. I have recommended this book to several of my seasoned reader friends and they have had the same kind of reactions. Claire Wallis delivered a unique story with a very untraditional writing style. There were two prologues and two epilogues are written from each character’s POV. The content of the book is mostly written in third person but has chapters throughout the book written in first person POV from supporting characters. It is choreographed in a very deliberate manner that stuns the readers. The writing is absolutely brilliant! ***

Push by Claire Wallis is getting a lot of attention in the reader world. There are discussion groups dedicated to this book. All the major review sites and bloggers are blowing up over this book. It has every reader reacting! How could I not read this book? I had to know what was causing this kind of hysteria.

Now that I have finished this book, I completely understand all the reactions and sensation this book is generating.

Everything about Push is completely original. The plot is intricately woven. The reader gets a look at both the characters pasts as well as their present. The book is mostly written from Emma’s point of view. We get to know David through their conversations, Emma’s point of view, past girlfriends’ point of views, the prologue and epilogue. The author brilliantly takes the reader into the complicated worlds these characters evolved from. She develops a story that will keep the reader consumed to the very last word. When all is said and done, all the reader can think is WTF! I had to peel my jaw off the ground. I felt like I needed a shot of whiskey to calm me down. I felt like I needed a whole bottle of antacid to get my stomach out of knots. I needed the next book….. like YESTERDAY!

Push is exhilarating, chilling, horrific, distressing, anguishing, tormenting and heartbreaking. At the same time, the reader experiences an unusual but beautiful relationship. A relationship that goes beyond the kind of love most relationships are based on. Everything about this couple worked. They were exactly what each other needed. But sometimes having that perfection is not enough. This is the case with David and Emma.

When I started this book I was immediately drawn in. There are two prologues, one from Emma’s point of view and the other from David’s point of view. The prologues made it very clear what was going to happen at the end of the book. I was flabbergasted! I had to know more. I had to find out how they came to this point. I was hoping that the ending would turn out differently.

Emma was a very impressive heroine. She had a horrible childhood. She was mentally and verbally abused by her stepfather. Her stepfather ruined her family. But despite her ugly past, she didn’t let it drag her down. She is feisty, independent, self sufficient, aggressive, tough, and hard. She doesn’t believe in love. She doesn’t trust easily. She never gives anyone a piece of her heart. She’s okay with who she is. When she meets David, pieces of herself that she locked away begin to surface. He accepts her for who she is. He wants to protect her and take care of her. He is tender, caring, and supportive. He is everything she never knew she needed. He is perfect for her even though he has a slew of hidden secrets. She is okay with that. She accepts him for who he is because like her he has been to hell and back.

David is one of the most complicated characters I have ever experienced. On one hand I absolutely loved him. He is compassionate, giving, tender, and loving in his own unique way. He has a mesmerizing personality that is hard not to love. On the other hand, deep down he is a monster. He is your worst nightmare. Your heart breaks when you find out how he evolved into this horrific person. You are hoping that his relationship with Emma will somehow change him. Some people are not fixable.

Somehow these two messed up souls are beautiful together. They give each other what they need. They bring out the very best and the very worst in each other. They embrace it all. They are chaotic perfection together.

When you reach the end, there are two epilogues. One epilogue is from Emma’s point of view and the other is from David’s point of view. The ending will leave you with your heart in your feet, stomach in knots, and ugly tears running down your face. It ends on a major CLIFFHANGER!

Push by Claire Wallis blew my mind! I cannot wait for the sequel. I hope the publisher does not leave us readers hanging for long. I don’t think I can get this book out of my head.

Push by Claire Wallis is clearly the book that is going to soar to the top of 2014 Book of the Year list.

Note: This review is based on my reactions and emotions. The writing was flawless. The plot was brilliant. The overall story to this point is heart wrenching.

Robin’s Review

It has been three weeks since I finished reading Push by Claire Wallis, and I still think about this novel. Or should I say obsess? This is the exception. Generally, my head shifts focus with each novel that I begin reading. Reviewing novels is hard. Sometimes it takes all of the fun out of reading when you have to focus on what you want to say when you write the review. When I read Push, I knew our blog had already covered this story. So, I read it for sheer enjoyment. And I can’t forget it. I can’t escape this story. Have you read the synopsis? Push is dark romance at its finest. Go read this thriller now because the sequel Pull is being published soon! 6 stars to Claire Wallis for her debut novel!

Author Bio:

Enamored with the process of creating messy characters filled with imperfections and wicked inclinations, Claire believes that you don’t actually have to like a character to fall in love with them – a good story, after all, is best served with a hearty side of evil (just ask Disney). Claire’s first New Adult novel, Push, was released by MIRA Books on May 1st 2014. The story speaks to her appreciation of enigmatic male characters, perfectly capable of charming themselves straight into your unwilling heart. She enjoys writing about characters that are, at any given moment, both loathed and loved. You know, the ones that refuse to be forgotten.

Claire Wallis has penned hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles over the last ten years, with science playing the lead role in almost all of them. Though non-fiction writing will forever be her first love, fiction has unexpectedly swooped in, hooked her by the soul, and become her true love. As a result of this coup d’état, Claire’s writing career has made a complete U-turn, and instead of rocks, plants, insects, and microbes, she is now putting human characters in the lead.

Claire’s previous jobs include working at a limestone quarry, hawking vegetables at a farmer’s market, clerking at the dollar store, and convincing new mothers that they need to renew their subscription to that parenting magazine in order for their child to survive. She lives in Pennsylvania with her amazingly awesome husband and son.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
$25 Amazon Gift Card
One digital copy of PUSH via Amazon
One audiobook of PUSH via Audible Studios

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5 Star Review: Sea of Stars by Amy A. Bartol- Kricket Series- Book 2

Posted on 04/06/2015 by shellbellereads

Sea of Stars

The Kricket Series – Book 2

By Amy A. Bartol

Synopsis

Eighteen-year-old Kricket Hollowell was looking for her place in the world when she discovered that the universe was bigger—and more dangerous—than she had ever dreamed. Now, whisked across space to the planet Ethar, Kricket learns that her genetic ability to see the future makes her a sought-after commodity…and the catalyst for war between her star-crossed parents’ clans. According to Alameedan prophecy, one house will rise to power and the other will be completely wiped out, and Kricket’s precognition is believed to be the weapon that will tip the scales.

A target of both the Rafe and the Alameeda houses, Kricket finds protection—and a home—in the arms of Trey, her Etharian bodyguard-turned-boyfriend. But her visions of what’s to come disturb her deeply, especially since she must discover whether the gift of foresight will allow her to rewrite the future, or if her fate is as immovable as the stars.

The highly anticipated sequel to Under Different Stars, winner of four 2014 utopYA Awards.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Robin’s Review

If you have not read the novel Under Different Stars, this review may contain spoilers. I would like to express my appreciation to NetGalley and 47North for the opportunity to read and review Sea of Stars.

I’d like to introduce you to the world of author Amy A. Bartol. She writes novels in the young adult genre. Paranormal, science fiction and fantasy with a touch of romance. She is probably better-known as the author of the Premonition series. I plowed through every novel of the Premonition series during the early months of 2013. Although her paranormal romance series about angels continues to be a work in progress, Bartol surprised readers with something completely different back in December of 2013. It was a novel titled Under Different Stars, and it was the first novel of a brand new series.

The Kricket series is a combination of science fiction and fantasy. Science fiction is not my usual cup of tea, but I knew Amy A. Bartol was capable of writing a creative and exciting new story. This review is specifically for the second novel of the Kricket series, Sea of Stars, but I’ll give a brief summary of Under Different Stars for readers who are interested in this series.

In Under Different Stars, we learn eighteen-year-old Kricket Hollowell grew up in the foster care system of Chicago, Illinois. In recent years, Kricket has become an expert at evading case workers, learning how to blend in and live on her own. She has always longed for someplace she could call home. Trey Allairis is given the assignment of locating Kricket. He is to retrieve her from Earth and bring her to Ethar. Kyon Ensin knows just how special Kricket is. She’s not just your average teenager from Chicago, and he is also in the process of locating Kricket.

Trey is from the House of Rafe; Kyon is from the House of Alameeda. Kricket learns her father is Rafian, and her mother is a Priestess from the House of Alameeda. She learns her ability to see the future is a catalyst for a war between her parent’s clans. Under Different Stars is a fantastic start to the Kricket series. We learn about the differences and conflict between the five houses of Ethar and why Kricket is so important to their future.

This brings me to Sea of Stars. If you have read any of her novels, you already know Amy A. Bartol has a fantastic imagination! Under Different Stars sets the stage for the rest of the Kricket series. We are introduced to the world of Ethar, which is very different from Earth. When I think of the differences, it makes me realize the amount of thought Bartol put into this series! Bartol created a unique language specifically for the Etharians. When I sat down to read Sea of Stars, it had been months since I read Under Different Stars. I had forgotten what many of the Etharian words mean, so I was very happy to discover Bartol included a glossary for her readers to refer to. And that glossary was a lifesaver for me – don’t be afraid to use it!

Sea of Stars is full of strategy and nonstop action and completely unexpected twists and turns! I really thought I understood who the bad guys were after reading Under Different Stars, but now I’m not so sure. We have an antagonist who I am strangely empathizing with. This is confusing for me because I absolutely love the relationship between Kricket and Trey. We are introduced to new characters who are in pursuit of Kricket in Sea of Stars. What are their agendas? Do they have good or bad intentions? And, finally, war breaks out on Ethar. All of that nonstop action that I mentioned earlier? Sea of Stars just steamrolls into pure awesomeness throughout the entire story! It keeps getting better and better until we finally reach the climax! For all of these reasons, I am giving Sea of Stars a 5-star rating and placing it on my list of 2015 favorites! Don’t be afraid to try something different. I highly recommend the Kricket series!

The Kricket Series

Under Different Stars

The Kricket Series- Book 1

By Amy A. Bartol

Synopsis

Kricket Hollowell never wished upon stars. She was too busy hiding in plain sight, eluding Chicago’s foster care system. As her eighteenth birthday approaches, she now eagerly anticipates the day she’ll stop running and finally find her place in the world.

That day comes when she meets a young Etharian soldier named Trey Allairis, who has been charged with coming to Earth to find Kricket and transport her to her true home. As danger draws close, he must protect her until she can wield the powers she cannot use on Earth…and he soon realizes that counting a galaxy of stars would be easier than losing this extraordinary girl.

Kyon knows the powerful depths of Kricket’s gifts—gifts he’ll control when he takes her for his tribe and leads the forces that will claim Ethar and destroy his enemies, starting with Trey Allairis. Now, Kricket faces the most difficult choice of her life: whether to wage a battle for survival or a fight for love.

Winner of four 2014 utopYA Awards, including Best Book of the Year and Best Sci-Fi Book of the Year.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

______________________________

Author of Inescapable: The Premonition Series (Volume 1), Intuition: The Premonition Series (Volume 2), Indebted: The Premonition Series (Volume 3) , and Incendiary: The Premonition Series (Volume 4). Currently working on a fifth novel in the Premonition Series entitled Iniquity.

Under Different Stars (Kricket Series Book 1)
Sea of Stars (The Kricket Series Book 2) – (Release date 3/31/15)

The Divided – A Science Fiction Romance short story, which is included in the Take Me To Your Reader: An Otherworld Anthology.

I live in Michigan with my husband and our two sons. My family is very supportive of my writing. When I’m writing, they often bring me the take-out menu so that I can call and order them dinner. They listen patiently when I talk about my characters like they’re real. They rarely roll their eyes when I tell them I’ll only be a second while I finish writing a chapter…and then they take off their coats. They ask me how the story is going when I surface after living for hours in a world of my own making. They have learned to accept my “writing uniform” consisting of a slightly unflattering pink fleece jacket, t-shirt, and black yoga pants. And they smile at my nerdy bookishness whenever I try to explain urban fantasy to them. In short, they get me, so they are perfect and I am blessed. Please visit me at my website: http://www.amyabartol.weebly.com

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Saucy Southern Readers

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Make sure to check out the Book Trailer, add this series to your Goodreads, enter the Giveaway below and join the Facebook Release Party Event for more fun and giveaways!

This book is not suitable for young readers. It is intended for mature adults only (18+). It contains strong language, adult/sexual situations, non-consensual sex and some violence.

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Along with Trudy Stiles, we are very excited to share with you the Release of “Dear Juliet”, the 3rd book in The Forever Family Series! Don’t miss the special Release Price of ONLY $.99 (2 days only)!

Make sure to check out the Book Trailer, add this series to your Goodreads, enter the Giveaway below and join the Facebook Release Party Event for more fun and giveaways!

This book is not suitable for young readers. It is intended for mature adults only (18+). It contains strong language, adult/sexual situations, non-consensual sex and some violence.

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