Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Teaser Tuesday with Helena Hunting!!!









Pucked Off by Helena Hunting
Publication Date: February 21st, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance


Synopsis:


***A Standalone novel in The Pucked Series***

I’m NHL defenseman Lance Romero, AKA Lance “Romance."

I’m notorious for parties and excess. I have the most penalty minutes in the league. I get into the most fights. I take the most hits. I’m a player on and off the ice. I’m the one women with no inhibitions want.

Not because I like the notoriety, but because I don’t know how to be any other way.

I have secrets. Ones I shared with the wrong person, and she used them against me. Sometimes she still does. I should cut ties. But she makes it difficult, because she’s the kind of bad I deserve.

At least that’s what I believed until someone from my past gets caught up in my present. She’s all the good things in this world. She lights up my dark.

I shouldn’t want her.

But I do.

I should leave her alone.

But I won’t. 

Add to Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/2i91aXl


About the Author:
NYT and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.



Connect with Helena:

Instagram:
http://instagram.com/helenahunting Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenaHunting
Facebook:
http://on.fb.me/Zt1xm5
Facebook Fan group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/385795934890523/
Website:
http://www.helenahunting.com/

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Thursday, January 26, 2017

The Girl Before by JP Delaney


Summary from Good Reads:

Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life.

The request seems odd, even intrusive—and for the two women who answer, the consequences are devastating.

Emma
     Reeling from a traumatic break-in, Emma wants a new place to live. But none of the apartments she sees are affordable or feel safe. Until One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural masterpiece: a minimalist design of pale stone, plate glass, and soaring ceilings. But there are rules. The enigmatic architect who designed the house retains full control: no books, no throw pillows, no photos or clutter or personal effects of any kind. The space is intended to transform its occupant—and it does.

Jane
     After a personal tragedy, Jane needs a fresh start. When she finds One Folgate Street she is instantly drawn to the space—and to its aloof but seductive creator. Moving in, Jane soon learns about the untimely death of the home’s previous tenant, a woman similar to Jane in age and appearance. As Jane tries to untangle truth from lies, she unwittingly follows the same patterns, makes the same choices, crosses paths with the same people, and experiences the same terror, as the girl before.



My Thoughts:

     Wow, I don’t know where to start or what to say about this one!  This is most definitely a psychological thriller with some many twists and turns that you will never know what is about to happen.  Just about the time that I thought I knew what was going on with these characters and the plot-BAM!-a new twist that totally changed things in my brain.  I am a little undecided about how I feel about this one, but I am still thinking about it which usually means that the writing is very good and something in the story was unique.   
     The characters are strange, some are disturbed and even the house itself is so integral to the story that you will feel that it is a character in this thriller as well as the actual people.  I never really liked Emma because she seemed very unreliable and Jane stirred only feelings of sympathy in me. As for Edward…I could never get a grasp of him.  He has some issues but where they enough that he could be a murderer or was he just obsessive? You’ll have to read The Girl Before to find out….

If you like a good psychological thriller where you never know who you can trust then you will enjoy this story.  3/5 stars

*Slight Spoiler Alert*


 I don’t normally like to give any spoilers but I feel a warning is necessary for this book.  If talk of miscarriage, abortion or rape (none overly graphic but still quite a bit of talk) bothers you, you might want to stay away from this one.


Monday, January 23, 2017

The Trespasser by Tana French


Summary from Good Reads:

     Being on the Murder squad is nothing like Detective Antoinette Conway dreamed it would be. Her partner, Stephen Moran, is the only person who seems glad she’s there. The rest of her working life is a stream of thankless cases, vicious pranks, and harassment. Antoinette is savagely tough, but she’s getting close to the breaking point. 
 
     Their new case looks like yet another by-the-numbers lovers’ quarrel gone bad. Aislinn Murray is blond, pretty, groomed to a shine, and dead in her catalogue-perfect living room, next to a table set for a romantic dinner. There’s nothing unusual about her—except that Antoinette’s seen her somewhere before.
 
     And that her death won’t stay in its neat by-numbers box. Other detectives are trying to push Antoinette and Steve into arresting Aislinn’s boyfriend, fast. There’s a shadowy figure at the end of Antoinette's road. Aislinn's friend is hinting that she knew Aislinn was in danger. And everything they find out about Aislinn takes her further from the glossy, passive doll she seemed to be.
 
     Antoinette knows the harassment has turned her paranoid, but she can’t tell just how far gone she is. Is this case another step in the campaign to force her off the squad, or are there darker currents flowing beneath its polished surface?

My Thoughts:

     This is the first time I have read anything written by Tana French.  I kept hearing from many people how great this series was so when The Trespasser came up as a BOMC selection for November, I grabbed it!  Everyone told me that although this is book six in the series you don’t have to read them in order and they were correct.  Each book centers on a different detective in the Dublin Murder Squad so it is not necessary to go in order.
     I am so glad I listened to all the recommendations because this is a great book! There are a lot of twists and turns, so you never truly get ahold of anything to make a good guess at who-dunit! Things kept popping up to make me rethink things just when I thought I might have the mystery figured out the next chapter would blow that theory away.  I cannot wait to go back and read the other books in this great series. If you enjoy a good thriller or police prodecural with great characters-read this!

4.5/5 stars

Author's links:

Good Reads page: 
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/138825.Tana_French

Website: http://www.tanafrench.com/

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Dear Life by Meghan Quinn



DEAR LIFE
NA Contemporary Romance
Designed by: Meghan Quinn
Photographer: Lauren Perry

Four lives. Four stories. Four sets of letters. Four brave souls in need of guidance while facing life's greatest challenges.

The anonymously published Dear Life program is designed to help them step outside of their comfort zones, face their obstacles, and relinquish their demons...and prove their existence.

With their lives teetering between wanting more and losing it all, all four souls dive into the program as a New Year’s resolution, sending them on a crazy, life-altering journey. 

Dear Life, 

Please be kind. 


Yours truly, Hollyn, Jace, Daisy, and Carter.

My Thoughts: 

Jace: This athlete just had one of the best rookie years baseball has ever seen but life is about to get a lot more complicated.  Jace now has to make a very hard decision that will affect him the rest of his life.

Hollyn:  Hollyn is barely living…devastating loss will do that to you.  How are you supposed to keep living when you don’t want to?


Carter:  Carter has never had it easy and just when he thinks his dreams are finally about to come true, Life pulls the rug out from under him.  Bitter doesn’t even begin to describe how he feels.


Daisy:  This innocent woman has had such a sheltered upbringing that she doesn’t even know what she has missed.  Circumstances change and Daisy is ready to live but can she get past her fears and really experience life on her own?






     What do these four people have in common? Not much except that they have all just gone through life altering ordeals and they need to heal and start again.  That is where the Dear Life program comes in.  Weekly meetings to help you get through your stages of grief, forgive Life, and learn to live again and enjoy it. 
     Meghan Quinn has given us a wonderful book on love, loss and getting back up when Life kicks you and knocks you down.  This is a slight departure from her other books in that there are less sexy times and outrageous, hilarious moments.  Instead we get tears and smiles and healing. 
     I think that Jace’s story is my favorite and probably the one that made me cry the most.  Since this story was so personal to Meghan’s I believe that is why this story in particular was so emotional and touching.  All of the other characters had great storylines as well but this one just got me right in the heart.
 If you are in need of a great PMS-y cry or a good-but-uplifting angst-y story pick this one up!

4/5 stars




 





Author's links:

Find me on Goodreads:


Thursday, January 12, 2017

My 2017 Reading Challenge



     Well here we go again...another year and another attempt at a reading challenge!  I did horribly on my 2016 challenge where I was trying to not just do a numbers challenge (like Good Reads) but to try something new.  It didn't go well.  Not life altering but I was a bit disappointed in myself especially the part where I got about halfway through the year before I even remembered to do it. Eep!
     New year, new start! There are plenty of different types of challenges out there to choose from; The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge, the before-it-hits-theaters-and-ruins-the-book challenge, and various other "read the classics" or bloggers challenges to choose from.  I, personally, am going to try Modern Mrs. Darcy's 2017 Reading Challenge again.  I was leery of doing the MMD challenge again this year since I so miserably failed at the 2016 version but she changed it up a bit for 2017 and it feels more doable to me now. 

     MMD's 2017 Challenge has two different options; Reading for Fun or Reading for Growth.  Now I would love to do both and think that I should but let's be honest here-we'll be lucky if one gets accomplished! I decided that this year it wouldn't be just about numbers but about reading new genres and new authors but also just relaxing and enjoying reading. Isn't that the point?
     You can sign up at the link above but it is free-no obligations to anyone but yourself. Plus, you get some fun printables to help you work out what you are going to read ahead of time.   Also, I believe that she will be sending out occasionally Reading Challenge reminder emails which I will probably need. 

Reading for Fun:
 
     For the Reading for Fun January challenge we are to choose a book we love just for the cover-done! I have been staring at the cover of Alice Hoffman's Faithful for weeks and just loving it
 Isn't it gorgeous?
 
     I haven't decided on February (a book with a reputation of being un-put-downable) but I am looking into it.  Any suggestions are very welcome!
 
     The Reading for Growth Challenge looks like this:
     It also looks like fun but I think that I will just stick with my book club to broaden my reading horizons and not put anymore pressures on myself.  I still want reading to be enjoyable, relaxing and fun!

What reading challenge(s) are you doing for 2017?

 

Monday, January 9, 2017

The River at Night by Erica Ferencik

Summary from Good Reads:



Winifred Allen needs a vacation.

Stifled by a soul-crushing job, devastated by the death of her beloved brother, and lonely after the end of a fifteen-year marriage, Wini is feeling vulnerable. So when her three best friends insist on a high-octane getaway for their annual girls’ trip, she signs on, despite her misgivings.

What starts out as an invigorating hiking and rafting excursion in the remote Allagash Wilderness soon becomes an all-too-real nightmare: A freak accident leaves the women stranded; separating them from their raft and everything they need to survive. When night descends, a fire on the mountainside lures them to a ramshackle camp that appears to be their lifeline. But as Wini and her friends grasp the true intent of their supposed saviors, long buried secrets emerge and lifelong allegiances are put to the test. To survive, Wini must reach beyond the world she knows to harness an inner strength she never knew she possessed.
                                                                     

My Thoughts:

     Wini needs a life change.  She’s stuck in a dull routine, lonely, and scared of life.  What could be a better cure than a thrilling white water rafting trip for their annual girls’ weekend? She is scared to death but is going to be brave and go anyway…after some serious badgering from her friends.  Life has been a little rough on all four of them so a getaway seems just the ticket; if only things had gone as planned.
     This was definitely an exciting ride and a page-turner even though it did not go as I expected it to! Ms. Ferencik’s descriptions of the Maine wilderness were great; I could not only picture it perfectly but I almost felt like I could smell and feel the woods myself. 
     Two things bothered me about this story. One, you were past 40% into the story before the action really started and two, I was looking for more depth in regards to the friendship dynamics. Relationships between women are complex and in stressful times can be even more so.  I was hoping for more in depth talk about how the women and their relationships changed during and after this trauma. 
     This was a rather quick read and was rather entertaining although a bit odd at times, I enjoyed the ride! 3.5/5 stars

Release date: January 10, 2017

Author’s link:

Thursday, January 5, 2017

New Release from Meghan Quinn!

SBPR-DEARLIFE-RB.jpg

Dear Life by Meghan Quinn Publication Date: January 5th, 2017 Genre: Contemporary Romance

DearLifeFinal.jpg

Synopsis:

Four lives. Four stories. Four sets of letters. Four brave souls in need of guidance while facing life's greatest challenges.
The anonymously published Dear Life program is designed to help them step outside of their comfort zones, face their obstacles, and relinquish their demons...and prove their existence.
With their lives teetering between wanting more and losing it all, all four souls dive into the program as a New Year’s resolution, sending them on a crazy, life-altering journey.
Dear Life,
Please be kind.
Yours truly, Hollyn, Jace, Daisy, and Carter.
dear life teaser.jpg

Add to Goodreads

AN-Dear-Life.jpg

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2hPvSsU Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/jlqyohr FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

About the Author:

A BLONDE AT HEART Born in New York and raised in Southern California, Meghan has grown into a sassy, peanut butter eating, blonde haired swearing, animal hoarding lady. She is known to bust out and dance if “It’s Raining Men” starts beating through the air and heaven forbid you get a margarita in her, protect your legs because they may be humped. Once she started commuting for an hour and twenty minutes every day to work for three years, she began to have conversations play in her head, real life, deep male voices and dainty lady coos kind of conversations. Perturbed and confused, she decided to either see a therapist about the hot and steamy voices running through her head or start writing them down. She decided to go with the cheaper option and started writing… enter her first novel, Caught Looking. Now you can find the spicy, most definitely on the border of lunacy, kind of crazy lady residing in Colorado with the love of her life and her five, furry four legged children, hiking a trail or hiding behind shelves at grocery stores, wondering what kind of lube the nervous stranger will bring home to his wife. Oh and she loves a good boob squeeze!

Connect with Meghan:



Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Pre Order Blast: Dear Life by Meghan Quinn


AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2iBjcT9


If you are looking for a great, heart wrenching story-preorder Dear Life today!!!!!




Can life really give you a do-over? And when it comes, are you ready for it?













Author's links:

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor

Find me on Goodreads:

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Teaser Tuesday: Pucked Off by Helena Hunting


Publication Date: February 21st, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance

 


 

Synopsis:

***A Standalone novel in The Pucked Series***

I’m NHL defenseman Lance Romero, AKA Lance “Romance."

I’m notorious for parties and excess. I have the most penalty minutes in the league. I get into the most fights. I take the most hits. I’m a player on and off the ice. I’m the one women with no inhibitions want.

Not because I like the notoriety, but because I don’t know how to be any other way.

I have secrets. Ones I shared with the wrong person, and she used them against me. Sometimes she still does. I should cut ties. But she makes it difficult, because she’s the kind of bad I deserve.

At least that’s what I believed until someone from my past gets caught up in my present. She’s all the good things in this world. She lights up my dark.

I shouldn’t want her.

But I do.

I should leave her alone.

But I won’t. 

 


Add to Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/2i91aXl

 


About the Author:

NYT and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.


Connect with Helena:

Instagram:
http://instagram.com/helenahunting Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenaHunting
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Zt1xm5
Facebook Fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/385795934890523/
Website: http://www.helenahunting.com/

Never miss an update! Subscribe to Helena's mailing list:
https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f4p1t7

Monday, January 2, 2017

December Reads


     Ah, December.  I was so busy and stressed this month that I didn't have much reading time...only 6 books!?!?!  Not how I wanted to end the year but at least I surpassed my Good Reads goal of 100 books and hit 103.  I am currently looking for a 2017 Reading Challenge that I might actually do since my 2016 challenge did NOT work out because I totally forgot about it.  Oopsy.  

Here are my December reads:


After We Fall by Melanie Harlow: See my full review here. Great characters and great romance as usual!












Room Service by Poppy Dunne: If you enjoy a quick, fun romantic romp-this is a good one for you! Full review here.











A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles: Funny and sweet characters with a great story.  My full review can be found here.












From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon: Another great WWII historical fiction with a great story of love and bravery. Full review is here.









Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman:  I am not one who enjoys short stories or essays normally but I loved this book about books! 












Dear Life by Meghan Quinn: The latest from one of my favorites-review to come!










Happy and safe New Year! And hopefully a great reading year as well!  Any books coming in 2017 that you are looking forward to?