Journey with Books

Sep 16, 2011

Last Call by Jennifer Schmidt ARC Book Review

Unknown September 16, 2011 8 Comments

I got the book ‘Last Call’ by Jennifer Schmidt when I was on the verge of taking a break from reading because of reading book after book of disappointments. Imagine my relief and happiness when I reached the last page of ‘Last Call’ and didn’t feel disappointed.

Author: Jennifer Schmidt

Category: Romance

Publication Date: September 29, 2011

ISBN (paper): 978-1-6123-064-4

ISBN (ebook): 978-16123-065-1

Book Blurb:

While on vacation, a night out turns into a drunken haze, and Novalee Jensen wakes up hung over, confused, and… married? Fleeing Nevada, Novalee returns home to Montana to hide out, dreading the moment when her husband will show up to take her hard-earned business. But two years later just when Novalee thinks her secret is safe, guess who walks through her door? Now, face-to-face with the man she left in a hotel room two years ago, Novalee discovers the difficult part isn't having to explain her actions that night, or the questions that arise about the sexy stranger's arrival, it's keeping her hands off her husband. And what's Novalee to do when the hardest part turns out not to be confronting her past, but facing a possible future without her soon-to-be ex-husband?

Multi-millionaire Dean Philips wakes up in a Las Vegas hotel room to find the pretty blonde he married the night before gone. The piece of paper he possesses proves she served her purpose, and guilt ridden over his actions, Dean begins a battle with his father for a fight for his grandfather’s fortune. When Dean is ordered to have his wife appear in court, he finds himself in a small town in Montana, looking for the woman who ran off two years ago. Caught up in secrets and lies of his own, he has to find a way to persuade her to come back to Vegas with him without having her find out that she's the missing puzzle piece to everything he's been fighting for. But when Dean decides to mix a little pleasure with business, he suddenly finds himself in unfamiliar territory that could cost him everything.

My Thoughts:

I admire how Miss Jennifer Schmidt gave the two main protagonists the chemistry that they share. Novalee and Dean just make you melt with their romance. I love their interactions because it’s funny, giddy and at times emotional. I also loved the way Miss Jennifer wrote the friendship of Novalee and Cali, they’re so fun to read. The book was written in Novalee’s and Dean’s points of view. I was amazed at how Miss Jennifer Schmidt maintained the air of mystery it had on the beginning, making me as a reader more curious to find out what Novalee and Dean went through that made them who they were, and thus making the read a pleasure. Miss Jennifer Schmidt has the right instinct on when to reveal what need to be revealed on the right time and pace of the story.

I will be honest, when I first read the book blurb, I thought it was another one of those cliché stories. You know, those girl-took-a-vacation-in-LasVegas-got-drunk-then-waking-up-with-a-massive-hangover-and-married-to-a-complete-stranger kind of cliché. I thought it was like that, but boy! I was so wrong! I mean, it did happen in the book but do you know how hard it is to make a cliché plot different and exciting? Miss Jennifer Schmidt succeeded in making a cliché plot into something more. The book owned me at the very first page. ‘Last Call’ has the mixed elements of a good book. It was fun, witty, emotional and melt-worthy! If you’re looking for a feel good romance then you wouldn’t want to miss this one!

Where to buy:

The Writers Coffee Shop Publishing House http://www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com

Sep 14, 2011

Breaking Dawn Trailer #2

Unknown September 14, 2011 4 Comments

I'm so excited for this movie!! I feel that it's going to be so good!

Why oh why is November 18 2011 so far away??

So, what do you guys think about the trailer?

Did you like it?

Sep 7, 2011

Ember-Carol Oates Book Review

Unknown September 07, 2011 7 Comments

Hey everyone! It’s been quite a while since I posted my last book review because College has been eating a lot of my time. So let’s get started shall we…

The book I read and reviewed now is called ‘Ember’ by Miss Carol Oates. I got this by sheer luck. On a very ordinary day, I got an email from Miss Micha Stone, the Marketing and Creative Director of Omnific publishing, asking me if I would review their published books. I got so excited because I’ve been eyeing their books for such a long time. Yup! I’ve been salivating on their books. What? Check their website and tell me you are not itching to get your hands on one of them? So to make the story short, I went to their website and picked “Ember”.

For those people who had been with me since I started this blog months ago knew that I rarely read and review YA books because I rarely liked them. I could count the number of YA books I genuinely liked and I’m happy to say that “Ember” is one of them.

From Goodreads:

When Candra Ember wakes up in hospital after a dangerous encounter with a red-haired woman, she is shocked to discover that seeing a winged boy wasn’t her imagination. Candra is exposed to a world of rivalry and sacrifice she never knew existed, and the aftermath of a war to save humanity thousands of years ago. Soon she finds herself relentlessly stalked by Sebastian, a beautiful and arrogant Watcher Angel and romantically pursued by his darkly seductive rival, Draven. Ultimately, dubious about her own goodness, Candra’s very existence compromises a tentative peace in the city of Acheron.

Ember is a Paranormal Romance about a girl named Candra. She is a very normal teenaged girl or that’s what she thought until that fateful day that Sebastian, a Watcher Angel came into her life and shattered everything she believed about herself. Suddenly, her stepmother Brie is actually Ambriel an angel who had fallen for her and her father. And her father is actually an angel who had also fallen and that makes her a Nephilim, a half angel and half human.

Sebastian, an angel who went down to earth to kill all the soulless Nephilims, has fallen in love with one. It had to be a sick joke but nope.. it’s real! His only plan was to find his little sister Ambriel but instead he found her with a Nephilim stepdaughter. He should’ve killed Candra the moment he saw her but he couldn’t. He saw that she’s different from the soulless Nephilims he has killed. He’s conflicted with the emotions he feels for her. So he became a creepy angel stalker and Candra wouldn’t even know if not for the beautiful flame haired woman who attacked her.

Suddenly, Candra’s life changed from a very ordinary teenager to a Nephilim girl who fell in love with a sad, arrogant and brooding angel with a very dark past. And if that’s enough, another angel named Draven enters her life. He informed her that there could be a war between the two groups of angels if she did not become his mate. And it all comes down to her, will she choose the angel who owns her heart or would she chose the other angel for the greater good of everyone but her?

My Reaction:

Miss Carol Oates is one magnificent writer! Reading “Ember” reminded me why I love the good old Paranormal Romance. It reminded me why I love all those sad and full of angst angels. This is one great read for me.

The main characters are really well written. They would both make you giddy and frustrate you. I always thought that when my emotions are twisted in a roller coater ride by the characters of one book then that means, the writer is an effective one. Miss Carol Oates also did a fantastic job on writing about the supporting characters. She gave them importance. The supporting characters were given their own moment to shine and they affected me as the reader. The supporting characters were not in the story just for the heck of it, but they were vital in order to make the changes that the two main protagonists are going through, much more believable and effective. Miss Oates succeeded in what other writers lacked; she made the other characters important and memorable as the two main protagonists.

Candra and Sebastian’s chemistry was excellently done! A reader would be a stone not to feel their chemistry. Although, I would admit that there were times that they frustrated me and I didn’t understand why they’re not together but the moment they did admit their feelings for each other was perfect, and right then and there, I realized that it is how it should be. It actually touched me. That scene was powerful and full of emotions.

I don’t think I could say anything more to describe how much I enjoyed reading this book. I swear to you, my fellow book lovers, that when you read this book you’ll feel all kinds of emotions, giddy, sad, frustrated, and happy. I’m sure you’ll want to read more!

Congratulations to Miss Carol Oates for making a wonderfully written Romance that has the power to stir the emotions of its readers.

I cannot wait to read the next one!

Where to Buy:

Omnific Publishing Website

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Sep 6, 2011

The Keepers Blog Tour - Book Excerpt

Unknown September 06, 2011 4 Comments

Hey Everyone! I'm back with a new one. I'm late posting this one and I want to apologize to the author and to Bels for being late. Well, I'm here to give you a little teaser on what 'The Keepers' is all about.

Book Excerpt:

The door flew open, rebounding against the wall with a thump. Justin jumped to his feet as Blake burst into the room carrying a woman in his arms. He was soaked with rain as was she.

Her long hair swept in circles as he carried her towards the sofa. Blood trickled from her head and leg, leaving a trail as Blake advanced. The sight caused some ancient power to stir in him. It squeezed the breath from his lungs and made his muscles ache and he moved across the room despite his hatred for humans.

His arms reached to take the girl from Blake, and his eyes settled on her face. It was her, the girl who had mesmerized him with her laugh. All at once, he had gone from counting the ceramic floor tiles, to staring down at Jess as he cradled her. His soul froze while his brain tried to make sense of the situation. His lips wouldn’t move, and his gaze shifted from her to Blake and back again. Her skin was so soft against his. It reminded him of the fragility of the human body. Odd. He wasn’t sure how this mental

nod to mankind made him feel anymore.

“What happened?” Justin looked to Blake again. Justin scanned his brother’s mind for answers, but saw nothing. Blake had locked him out. Fury rose like a hungry tiger clawing at his brain. "ʺBlake!"ʺ

“Bro, she was attacked in the Quarter. I saw the whole thing.” Blake’s words came in gasps, as though the weight of her or the sprint to the apartment had winded him. “I heard her scream, and there was this dude on a motorcycle. Man, she hit her head.

Maybe, I should take her to the…”

Justin frowned and waited for Blake to calm down. He knew if his brother focused on the girl, the truth of her identity would sink into his clouded memory. “No, we got this, really. Did you see him? The guy on the motorcycle. Did you recognize him?”

“I think it was Dawson. He had on a helmet. Justin, I thought he had killed her.”

“If Dawson wanted to kill her, she’d be dead.” Justin touched his fingers to the gash on Jess’s forehead. She flinched and his spirit shifted once more, causing a stab of pain in the center of his chest.

“I didn’t know if I should, you know. I just didn’t know what to do.” Blake was still breathing hard, and Justin smiled.

Things still shocked Blake, and he loved that about him. His brother still found humans mystical, and still questioned his own place in the universe. It was an attractive quality; one Justin lacked.

“It’s fine. She’s okay now. Where was she?”

“Side street, no tourists, pretty stupid.”

“Aren’t they all? Delicate little lives, yet stupidity abounds.”

More about the Author:

Monique O'Connor James

Author of: "The Keepers"

From www.AstraeaPress.com

Twitter: mjames13

Wordpress: www.moniquejames.wordpress.com

Website: www.moniqueoconnorjames.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=511255176

Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monique-OConnor-James-Author/151581321573144

Buy Links: http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product&product=4435578

Monique is the mother of two beautiful children and lives in a small community outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She currently works full time as an insurance agent, but her favorite jobs are mother, wife, and author.

On her eighth birthday, her mother bought her a journal and said "write whatever you want, just write". And so, a love affair with words was born. She wrote poetry and short stories in high school and college, until 1993 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

After her mother's death in 1998, deep in depression, she found herself unable to write. Nine years passed, and only on rare occasion did she attempt to write.

Finally, in 2007, under the urging of friends, she sat down and pecked out her first novel. It was raw and unpolished, but the process had been unquestionably cathartic. The next three years were spent filling her hard drive with seven complete manuscripts.

At the beginning of 2011, Monique decided it was time to edit the work and share it with the world. She hopes you enjoy the ramblings of a truly southern girl raised in a state rich with heritage and love.

Tour Schedule:

Sept 1st– Sept 11th

Sept 1 – Book Lover’s Hideaway

Sept 2 – Readergirls

Sept 3 – Coffee Table Reviews

Sept 4 – The Wormhole

Sept 5 – Journey With Books

Sept 6 – Song and Stories

Sept 7 - Paranormal Opinion

Sept 8 – Sassy Book Lovers

Sept 9 – Hands And Home

Sept 10 - Book Savvy Babe

Sept 11 – Author Site – FINAL STOP

So Good luck and Happy Reading Everyone^^

Aug 28, 2011

I won!

Unknown August 28, 2011 2 Comments

Hey everyone! I'm happy to announce that I won a blog award! Yay! Liebster Blog award is given to those bloggers with less than 200 followers. It aims to help them advertise and make their blogs known.

I want to thank Felicia of http://dream-wish-live.blogspot.com/ for passing this award to me. And now I'm going to pass this award to those blogs I think are worthy of it!

http://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com

http://lovelaughandread.blogspot.com/

http://dirtygeekysexy.blogspot.com

http://ireadromancenovelsnottragedies.blogspot.com

http://bookthatthing.blogspot.com/

The Rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.
2. Give the Liebster Blog Award to five bloggers and let them know in a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.

Aug 24, 2011

Shade of Grey by Blog Tour - Book Excerpt & Giveaway

Unknown August 24, 2011 8 Comments

Hey everyone! Welcome to Shades of Grey Blog Tour! I'm so happy to be a part of another fun blog tour. And here, I'm presenting you a little snippet of Shades of Grey by L.M. Pruitt. Happy Reading everyone!

Book Excerpt:

There’s something about flirting that brightens the day. You could have been having the crappiest day – until the cute guy at the corner store makes a joke. Clean or risqué, it doesn’t matter, suddenly you’re not quite so inclined to murder the next idiot who cuts you off in traffic. Now, if the flirting isn’t so harmless – if there’s an edge, some sort of instinctive knowing that boundaries are being shifted and redrawn – that makes the encounter even better.

“Council meetings eventually get easier.”

My eyes flew open, and I had to pound on my chest for a moment to get my heart to start again. “Jesus, Theo, give a little warning. Between you and Williams I’m going to go gray before I turn thirty.”

“Well, at least you’re predicting you’ll reach thirty. That shows both a streak of stubbornness and a sense of optimism.” Instead of leaving with Rian and Father O’Brien, Theo had retaken his seat next to mine. His cheek rested in his hand, elbow propped on the armchair. He looked utterly at ease, but when you’re as tall as we both are it’s impossible to get comfortable in these chairs.

“Wow, super stealthy and full of humor. I’ve hit the jackpot in you, haven’t I?” And just as quick, I realized I’d done it. I’d shifted him from the friend zone to the probably zone. Less than three hours, and he’d made the jump. Crap.

“I like to think that I offer a wide range of services. Although the charge for sarcasm steadily increases as wittier statements are required.” A smile teased around the edges of his mouth, a smile that let me know I’d never been in the friend zone for him. I’d gone straight to the probably zone after his great-grandmother’s foghorn of a voice knocked me on my ass. That’s a great story to tell people when they ask you how the pair of you met.

Double crap. So not supposed to be having thoughts about telling the how-we-met story.

“What about jokes? Flat rate or sliding scale, depending on the smut factor?” Oh. My. God. My mouth would not stop working independent of my brain. Theo’s smile was full-blown, and it was a doozy. You could melt ice with that smile.

“Sliding scale, absolutely. I’d tell you the one about the priest, the nun, and the confessional, but I’m not sure you’re willing to pay those rates yet.” I jolted a little when he reached out across the brief space between our chairs and took my hand. After a second, I relaxed, letting myself enjoy the contact. His hand was as warm as when he’d pulled me up, and I made a mental note to ask about his gift.

“Probably not. Any jokes involving the Catholic Church usually have pretty hefty costs.” Flirting with Theo was easier than flirting with Williams. More comfortable. So it made me a little disappointed when he raised my hand to his lips, kissing the tips of my fingers before letting them go and standing.

“Another time then. If I don’t see to Great-grandmother Lisette, she’ll try and steal your china.” With a brief run of his fingers over my limp hand and a wistful smile, he headed toward the door. Rather than watch him leave, I turned my head to study the shelves of books flanking the fireplace. Alone, in a library of magic books. Might be a good time to study.

“You seem to have acquired another admirer, Jude Magdalyn.”

Or maybe not.

WHERE TO BUY:

Shades of Gray: A Jude Magdalyn Novel (The Jude Magdalyn Series)

barnesandnoble.com

More About the Author:

L.M. Pruitt has been reading and writing for as long as she can remember. A native of Florida with a love of New Orleans, she has the uncanny ability to find humor in most things and would probably kill a plastic plant. Titles written include New Moon Rising, Shades of Gray, the first novel in the Jude Magdalyn series, as well as Hole in the Wall, a Jude Magdalyn short. She is currently at work on Taken. She makes her home in Florida with one two cats—one smart, the other an idiot.

Connect with her at:

Personal Blog: www.lmpruitt.blogspot.com

Facebook: L.M. Pruitt

Twitter: lmpruitt

GIVEAWAY:

Good news booklovers! The generous author of Shades of Grey is giving an Ebook copy of her book through my blog.

How to Join:

This giveaway is open Internationally. Everyone is welcome to join.
Follow my blog 'Journey with Books' publicly through Google Friend Connect.
Give your comment together with your email to contact you if ever you win on the comment section.
Tweeting about this giveaway will get you another entry. Just mention my username @hinata_47 when you guys tweet about it so I would know. You guys can also follow me on twitter.
And lastly this giveaway will run for August 24 to September 3 of 2011.

Good luck to everyone and Happy Reading^^

Next Blog Stop: Aug 25 – Housewife Blues and Chihuahua Stories http://jacaburintexas.blogspot.com

Jul 30, 2011

Without Mercy by Belinda Boring Book Review & Giveaway Blitz

Unknown July 30, 2011 17 Comments

Hello everyone! I'm so excited for this giveaway because my good online friend who shares my passion in reading romance is showcasing her talent in writing! Yup! Belinda Boring is now officially an author! I can assure you that she is great one!

Without Mercy (Mystic Wolves)

Without Mercy Blurb:

What would you do if a simple errand takes a deadly twist, turning you from cautious prey to dangerous predator?

When Darcy’s outing takes a turn for the worst and tests her to the point of breaking, she struggles to maintain her humanity. Where loyalty and pack mean everything, she surrenders to the inevitable and only an act of complete trust can touch her. When all is said and done, with memories flooding her mind, Darcy holds tightly to the only thing that makes sense – it was all a dream. Or was it?

My Review:

This is the first Belinda Boring I've read. I could say that I was pretty hooked! She has a way with words that could bring out your emotions. It would definitely stir your imagination. 'Without Mercy' is a really short novelette but make no doubt that it will leave a reader wanting more because it is that good. I think it's also a plus point that the book cover is so enticing and lovely!

I must say this because I can't help it, I'm so excited for the next installment! Darcy and Mason is definitely one of the most interesting couples I've encountered in a book and because of that I want more of them!

Two thumbs up to Belinda Boring for making this great piece of work!

More About the Author:

Author Bio:

A homesick Aussie living amongst the cactus and mountains of Arizona, Belinda Boring is a self proclaimed addict of romance and all things swoon worthy. When she's not devouring her latest read, you can find her celebrating her passion for book on her blog The Bookish Snob.

With all that excitement, it wasn't long before she began writing, pouring her imagination and creativity into the stories she dreams. Whether urban fantasy, paranormal romance or romance in general, Belinda strives to share great plots with heart and characters that you can't help but connect with. Of course, she wouldn't be Belinda without adding heroes she hopes will curl your toes.

Surrounded by a supportive cast of family, friends and the man she gives her heart and soul to, Belinda is living the good life. Happy reading!

http://belindaboring.blogspot.com/

Giveaway:

This is open INTERNATIONALLY, so everyone can have a chance! All you have to do is follow this blog publicly and give your comments with your email to contact you down below in the comment section!

Also tweeting about this giveaway will give you another entry to this giveaway, just post the link of your tweet in the comment section. You can also follow me on twitter!

This giveaway will run from July 30 to August 07 2011.

Have Fun and Happy reading everyone!

Blitz Schedule:

July 29 – July 31

July 29

Fade Into Fantasy

Kelsey’s Book Corner

Time 4 Mommy

eReading On The Cheap

Just Another Book Addict

Down And Dirty, Lusty And Flirty

Aobibliphile