BOTW

I had a really tough time picking this week's "Book of the Week".   I wanted to feature a book that I was currently reading, and couldn't find the "one".   I have more than enough to choose from my ever growing TBR list, but nothing was sparking my interest.  I couldn't figure out why until I realized I was suffering from another book hangover.  I had just finished the Fixed Trilogy (review coming soon) which was fantastic and I wasn't ready to part with Hudson and Alayna just yet.  So, I decided to search around for a new book that had a similar feel, one with a sexy billionaire alpha male with issues.


And then this happened........

A companion novel to fixed on you, in Hudson's point of view!!!  I had no idea it existed and that it was being released today!!!   Now, I have Hudson for a little longer.  :x

Warning!!!

You need to read the fixed trilogy first before you dive into Hudson's world.  I posted a link for the complete trilogy below.

Happy Reading!  

What I'm working on....

I know, I have been neglecting my blog lately.  I really hate when I do that.  Well, I plan to change that now.  I have so many great books that I have read recently, that I don't even know where to start or find time to get all my thoughts together.  I will post some reviews soon, but I also decided to start a new feature called the Book of the Week.  And since Tuesdays are normally "new release" days it makes sense to start today!   I plan to feature a new book every week.   Sometimes it will be a new release, (like today's) a favorite that I love to re-read or need to re-read, a book I am currently reading,  a recommendation from other readers/bloggers, or one that's on my very long TBR list.  With all the wonderful books and incredibly talented authors out there, I'm sure to never run out of books to feature and I am excited to share them all with you!

Today's Book of The Week  (or in the hashtag world #BOTW ;) ) is:

Written by one of my favorite authors, Jamie McGuire, this new release is a spin off of Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster.   This is the first in the Maddox Brothers series, featuring Trent Maddox.  If he is anything like Travis Maddox we are in for a wild swoon worthy ride!  

Below is the book description from Amazon.com:

The Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster phenomenon continues in the first heart-pounding new adult romance in The Maddox Brothers series.

Fiercely independent Camille "Cami" Camlin gladly moved on from her childhood before it was over. She has held down a job since before she could drive, and moved into her own apartment after her freshman year of college. Now tending bar at The Red Door, Cami doesn’t have time for much else besides work and classes, until a trip to see her boyfriend is cancelled, leaving her with a first weekend off in almost a year.

Trenton Maddox was the king of Eastern State University, dating co-eds before he even graduated high school. His friends wanted to be him, and women wanted to tame him, but after a tragic accident turned his world upside down, Trenton leaves campus to come to grips with the crushing guilt.

Eighteen months later, Trenton is living at home with his widower father, and works full-time at a local tattoo parlor to help with the bills. Just when he thinks his life is returning to normal, he notices Cami sitting alone at a table at The Red.

As the baby sister of four rowdy brothers, Cami believes she’ll have no problem keeping her new friendship with Trenton Maddox strictly platonic. But when a Maddox boy falls in love, he loves forever—even if she is the only reason their already broken family could fall apart.

In the first installment of the Maddox Brothers books, readers can experience the rush of reading Beautiful Disaster for the first time, all over again.

Seriously, I think I'm in love already :x

Two Reviews and a Giveaway... It must be Tuesday!!!

It’s that day again!!  Book Release Day!!

I am excited to share my reviews on two books that were released today!  Both are part of a series and should be read in order.  I’ll have links at the end of each review.  Oh and a little giveaway too!! :)

Giving In (The Surrender Trilogy) By Maya Banks

The second installment in The Surrender Trilogy is very different than other books by Ms. Banks.  Don’t worry, there is still a steamy romance and a hot alpha male that is expected in a Maya Banks’ novel, just with an extra twist.

Kylie was barely living, just getting by after the death of her brother and dealing with her dark and painful past.  She didn’t allow anyone to get too close, especially men.  She was afraid to trust anyone or let anyone take control.  That is, until, Jensen Tucker came into her life.

Jensen is a dominate by nature and lived the lifestyle as one. With Kylie’s past and fear of men and their control, she wanted no part of it.  But Jensen found something he wanted more than control. He wanted Kylie and was willing to give up everything to have her and love her the way she deserved.  

Seriously, can Jensen be for real?????  The words he would say and the lengths he would go to make Kiley feel safe and loved made me swoon!  And he wasn’t a push over.  His hot alpha male and protective personality made an appearance when needed as well as his sweet caring and giving side when Kylie needed control.  He had the perfect balance and traits of an excellent book boyfriend.  

Ok I should know better but….. Ms. Banks gets me every time! I should remember that just because the book seems to be wrapping up doesn’t mean a wrench can’t be thrown in!  And everytime this happens, I panic.  What’s going to happen?  Is everything going to be ok??   Well, I’m not going to say, but just know what ever happens it worth reading ‘til the end.

My Rating:
4 Book Boyfriends

 SECRET Revealed: A SECRET Novel (Secret Trilogy) by L. Marie Adeline  

This is third and final book in the S.E.C.R.E.T. series.  I was waiting what felt like forever to have this book in my hands!!  What a great wrap up for an awesome series.  Out of all the books and series that I have read, (and there are A LOT) this is the most unique.  Not your typical romance and that makes it all the more special. 

I finally get all my questions answered about the main character, Cassie, who’s featured in all three stories and get to know a new character, Solange, and follow her journey.

It was creative how the author weaved the two story lines together.  At times it was like reading two separate stories, and other times they would intersect.  Your attention is definitely peaked as each chapter focuses on either Cassie or Solange.  At the end of each chapter it finishes with a mini cliffhanger.  I would get so wrapped up in Cassie’s story and then next chapter would be about Solange.  Part of me wanted to just skip a chapter and continue with Cassie’s story until I remember that I was waiting to continue with Solange’s story from the previous chapters!  Frustrating (but in a good way) because once you start, you can’t stop!

Like the other two in the series, there are no specific book boyfriends to fall in love with, there are a handful of them :)!  However, there are two that are a little more special than the rest and I couldn’t help but want to see them have their own happily ever after.

My Rating:
4 Charm Bracelets

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to give away a copy of SECRET Revealed: A SECRET Novel (Secret Trilogy) to a lucky winner.  I will pick a winner next week!  Good Luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*U.S. Residents only

DECISONS DECISONS.....

Most people look forward to Friday each week.  Well, for me and my work schedule, Fridays can be like any other day of the week.  No matter when my days off are or what part of the week I get a "weekend", I always look forward to Tuesday.   Why?  It's book release day!!!  

I especially love when my day off falls on book release day.  And yes, sometimes I request to be off those days.  (Anything involving Kellan is a definite no work day!)  I can either stay up all night and read or have uninterrupted "me" time during the day while my husband's at work and the kids are at school.  

Lucky for me, this Tuesday is one of those days!  There are so many good books coming out next week, I don't even know where to start.  I already read ARCS of two releases that are set for this Tuesday May 6th.  Maya Bank's second installment in the surrender series, Giving In (The Surrender Trilogy). And L. Marie Adeline's final book in the S.E.C.R.E.T series, SECRET Revealed: A SECRET Novel (Secret Trilogy).    Look for my reviews for these two and a little giveaway on release day!!

Now I have to figure out which book to pick for my "me" day. 

Here are some of my choices:

Breakable (Contours of the Heart) by Tammara Webber.  This is Lucas' story of Easy (Contours of the Heart) - one of my Favs!

Shame On Me (Fool Me Once) #2. By Tara Sivec.  I know this will be good.  Tara never disappoints!!


Rush Too Far: A Rosemary Beach Novel (The Rosemary Beach Series) by Abbi Glines - Rush telling his side of the story. 


Happenstance: A Novella by Jamie McGuire.  Ok, so this technically doesn't come out until May 9th. But it's close enough to include in this list.   And, I'm sure I'll be done with which ever I choose on Tuesday, so that makes this release have perfect timing! :)

Hopeless Series by Colleen Hoover - Review

I can't believe that I didn't already write a review for Hopeless!  I re-read it recently before I read Losing Hope: A Novel which is the same story but in the male character's POV.  And as a bonus the author released a follow up story, Finding Cinderella: A Novella.

All three amazing books are written by one of my favorite authors, Colleen Hoover.  The same author who wrote another of my "5 Book Boyfriend" rated series: Slammed: A Novel, Point of Retreat: A Novel (Slammed), and This Girl: A Novel (Slammed)

To keep with my "spoiler free" reviews I will try to give these books the credit they deserve without giving anything away.  This is going to be a tough one!

First I will touch on Hopeless.  This was heart wrenching,  sometimes disturbing and absolutely beautiful story!

After pleading with her mother, Sky finally convinces her to let her go to public school instead of continuing with homeschooling.   Shortly after, her best friend Six, announces she will be leaving to study abroad in Italy.   Leaving Sky to face high school and all its drama alone.  Despite Sky's intact virginity, she has quite a reputation that she doesn't bother to defend.   This unfortunately does not help her make friends at her new school.  Although, she does get the attention of one boy,  Dean Holder.  Holder, who's dealing with a major loss, also has to deal with the rumors and gossip that circulate through school.  Holder can be a bit intense at times and Sky's logic says she should stay away,  but she can't deny the connection they share and follows her heart instead. 

Ok, that's all the synopsis I can write for Hopeless and I'm not sure I can write one for Losing Hope without spoiling both.

Now let's talk about, Holder.  Wow!!  The things this boy says and the way he takes care of Sky is beautiful.  Holder is beautiful, inside and out!!  He is way more than just a boyfriend, he's a best friend and a protector.  Seriously, his words and his actions make your heart skip a beat and weak in the knees (I don't recommend reading while standing ;) ).   Holder is definitely in the top of my list of book boyfriends.   I put him in the same category as Josh Bennett from The Sea of Tranquility: A Novel by Katja Millay.  There's even a The Sea Of Tranquility reference in both Hopeless and Losing Hope!

Next is Sky,  She is a strong and fragile at the same time.  She deals with all the torment at school, her quirky mother, and all the stresses of a teenage girl.  However, once her world as she knows it, gets flipped upside down, her strength gets put to the ultimate test.  She is one female character that you don't get frustrated with, instead your heart breaks for her.

I may as well group in Losing Hope with this portion of my review.  Even though its the same story, it fills in some missing pieces (AKA Holder's thoughts and motives) and gives some background and explanation into Holder's past.  I was just as wrapped up in the story even after knowing the outcome.  It is such a great companion story to Hopeless.

Alright, now I am excited to talk about Finding Cinderella!!  Don't get me wrong I LOVED the first two but something about this little novella that took my breath away.  I seriously fell hard for Holder's best friend Daniel!!  Maybe it's his wit, his endearing immaturity, or his typical teenage boy antics, but he absolutely stole my heart!  I laughed and smiled through the entire story.  This one is a little more lighthearted than the other two.  There is still a little shocker and unexpected drama but it only made the end that much sweeter.  But isn't that what we expect in a good romance book?

Sorry no synopsis for Finding Cinderella, but once you read Losing Hope you can figure out what the story's about.  

As for the the two full length novels and the little novella (my favorite) I give the entire series my 5 Book boyfriend rating.  If I was rating them separately they would each get 5.  Well maybe Finding Cinderella would get 5.5   :D

Next up in my Colleen Hoover marathon is Maybe Someday,  which is a standalone novel.   If its anything like all her other books, I know I will not be disappointed!!  Look for my review very soon!

Kissing In Cars by Sara Ney - Review

The first word that comes to mind to describe this book is adorable!!  The story, the characters and even the cover are all absolutely adorable!!  It was a great feel-good story about a teenage relationship that was very realistic and not overly agnsty, (which is typical of YA books).  

I enjoyed getting into the heads of the two main characters with the alternating point of views.  The main female character, Molly wasn't a "damsel in distress" type.  She was confident (most of the time) and knew what and who she wanted, all the while being a typical teenage girl. Weston, the main male character was VERY confident, maybe too confident at times.  Well, he is a teenage boy who is very attractive (of course!) and the high school hockey star.  It's hard not to be.  But he was also very sweet and made me swoon quite often!!  How come boys weren't like that in my high school, college, or even post college??? Oh right, that's why it's called fiction.  ;)

I loved the funny, quirky quotes at the beginning of each chapter that related to one of the characters.  One of my favorites was:

 "Sometimes your Knight in Shining armor is really just a douchebag in tin foil - Jenna, who saw it on pinterest".

The ease of the writing and the flow of the story kept me invested and I didn't want to put it down.  If I could have stayed up all night reading, I would have.  Instead I took every opportunity I had to read.  Before work, during lunch, after work, at the car dealership....  Waiting to get my car serviced was a lot less painful when I had this book to keep me company.

This is definitely a story I will re-read whenever I need a pick me up.  You can't help but get in a good mood while living in Molly and Weston's world.  

My Rating:

4 Hockey Playing Book Boyfriends

Letting Go by Maya Banks - Review