Friday, January 31, 2014

{Giveaway} Favorites Giveaway Hop


http://www.stuckinbooks.com/p/hops.html

Welcome to my stop on the Favorites Giveaway Hop hosted by Stuck In Books
Thanks for taking the time to stop by! I'm excited to share some of my favorites with you.

My prize? An ebook from Amazon or Barnes & Noble of one of the following favorites:

A favorite new series: the Prophesized series by Kaitlyn Hoyt (select any book in the series)

BlackMoon Beginnings (Prophesized #1)

My favorite Cam (Love Cam!): Wait for You or Trust in Me by J Lynn

Wait for You (Wait for You, #1)Trust in Me (Wait for You, #1.5)


A favorite alpha male:


Sweet Revenge (Sin Brothers, #2)Officer Off Limits (Line of Duty, #3)


Click on the covers to visit each book's Goodreads page
To enter:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct link to Rafflecopter

Fine print:
1 winner, prize is 1 ebook delivered via Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Open international as long as you can receive ebooks gifted through Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Must be 18+ years old or have parental permission
Winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 72 hours to respond or another winner will be selected
The hop runs from February 1st to February 14th at midnight EST

Be sure to hop along and visit the other blogs that are hosting giveaways!

First Line Friday (19) Unite by Jamie Campbell



First Line Friday is a meme hosted on Rampant Readers, where we share the first line of the novel we a currently reading in order to pique the interest of other readers like you. So basically, we just share the first sentence or two of the novel you are currently reading, and tell us whether or not it hooked you in!

The book:

Unite (Project Integrate, #1)
 The first line(s):
"My mind had a habit of wandering."
Hooked?

Interested.

Join the fun, link up at Rampant Readers

Thursday, January 30, 2014

{Historical Romance Minute Review} The Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodale

{Historical Romance Minute Review} The Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodale

The Wicked Wallflower (Bad Boys & Wallflowers, #1)
Lady Emma Avery has accidentally announced her engagement—to the most eligible man in England. As soon as it's discovered that Emma has never actually met the infamously attractive Duke of Ashbrooke, she'll no longer be a wallflower; she'll be a laughingstock. And then Ashbrooke does something Emma never expected. He plays along with her charade.

A temporary betrothal to the irreproachable Lady Avery could be just the thing to repair Ashbrooke's tattered reputation. Seducing her is simply a bonus. And then Emma does what he never expected: she refuses his advances. It's unprecedented. Inconceivable. Quite damnably alluring.

London's Least Likely to Misbehave has aroused the curiosity—among other things—of London's most notorious rogue. Now nothing will suffice but to uncover Emma's wanton side and prove there's nothing so satisfying as two perfect strangers…being perfectly scandalous together. (Blurb via Goodreads)
{Details} Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages. Published October 29th 2013 by Avon. Source: library

{Rating} 4/5 -- I really liked it!

{Review}

"Any minute now Lady Emma Avery's life would truly begin." (page 1, line 1)
Loved Emma's pluck. Loved Ashbrooke's sense of humor. Loved Emma and Ashbrooke together. Loved that he saw her, the things she didn't even see in herself. Loved that he didn't try to change her. Aunt Agnes was a riot, her idea of the Fortune Games was so amusing, I just wished there had been more of it. I smiled, I teared up. I want to read more from Rodale.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (38) Open Road Summer by Emery Lord



"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week I'm waiting on: 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17978160-open-road-summer

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
After breaking up with her bad-news boyfriend, Reagan O’Neill is ready to leave her rebellious ways behind. . . and her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is nursing a broken heart of her own. Fortunately, Lilah’s 24-city tour is about to kick off, offering a perfect opportunity for a girls-only summer of break-up ballads and healing hearts. But when Matt Finch joins the tour as its opening act, his boy-next-door charm proves difficult for Reagan to resist, despite her vow to live a drama-free existence. This summer, Reagan and Lilah will navigate the ups and downs of fame and friendship as they come to see that giving your heart to the right person is always a risk worth taking. A fresh new voice in contemporary romance, Emery Lord’s gorgeous writing hits all the right notes. (Blub via Goodreads)
Expected publication: April 15, 2014
What are you waiting on?

{Cookbook Review} Year-Round Slow Cooker: 100 Favorite Recipes for Every Season by Dina Cheney

A little something different today. I got this cookbook from Netgalley but maybe this will become a new feature? Or maybe just feature a yummy recipe? I'm always on the hunt for new delicious recipes, what do you think?

Year-Round Slow Cooker: 100 Favorite Recipes for Every Season
Slow cookers are popular for good reason: They’re the ultimate kitchen problem solvers. If you’re watching your budget, they’re well worth the $30 they cost since they can turn the cheapest cuts of meat into unctuous, mouth-watering results worthy of a five-star restaurant. Slow cookers also do the hard work, cooking for hours while you’re out of the house only to come home to a meal just about ready to eat. And since slow cookers keep food warm, they allow different family members to eat at different times: a practical option in a world of staggered schedules.
Yet, slow cookers have an image problem. Most home cooks use them for cold weather meals only, while others think slow cookers can only produce food that’s mushy, bland, and watery or rely solely on shortcut ingredients like spice packets, bouillon cubes, and bottled sauces.
No longer does this must-have kitchen tool deserve to be stored away when spring months hit. In Year-Round Slow Cooker, home cooks will find 100 delicious, modern, practical slow cooker recipes featuring seasonal produce. Recipes speak to the home cook whose palate is more sophisticated and who wants to incorporate seasonal produce into all of her meals.
Organized by season, Year-Round Slow Cooker features notes about the featured seasonal ingredients as well as invaluable tips throughout to help cooks maximize the power of the slow cooker. (Blurb via Goodreads)
{Details} Paperback, 224 pages. Published January 22nd 2013 by Taunton Press. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

{Review}

This definitely elevates slow cooker cooking. No 'cream of...' anywhere to be found. They don't just have a recipe for beef stew, it's 'Beef, potato and pumpkin stew with soy sauce and mirin' and not just pot roast it's 'Pot roast with root vegetables and red wine over lemony polenta with Parmigiano-Reggiano'.

The recipes cover all the bases, savories and sweets and recipes for vegetarians and omnivores. The recipes are very detailed, down to how many grinds of pepper, but there are lots of ingredients and lengthy prep times. Another concern of mine is that you need a well stocked grocery store near you, I've never seen Jerusalem artichokes at any of my grocery stores in the last 7+ years I've lived here.

The layout was also visually appealing with lots of white space and the titles were color coded for the season. The photos were hunger pains inducing. The book also has educational features such as 'spotlight on', about ingredients such as taste and preparation and what to look for and slow cooker secrets about how to get the most out of your slow cooker.

Would I recommend this book? If you're looking to step up your slow cooker meals definitely give it a flip through. If you want simple recipes that take a few minutes this probably isn't the book for you.

{Cover Reveal} Nash (Marked Men #4) by Jay Crownover

  Image Map
Title: Nash (Marked Men #4)
Author: Jay Crownover
Genre: New Adult/ Coming of Age
Publish Date: April 29, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks an imprint of HarperCollins
ASIN: B00FOPTO3A
ISBN-13: 9780062333032
ISBN-10: 0062333038

Will their past determine their future?
Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there’s no room for love. She doesn’t need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he’s the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused. But he turned her world upside down . . . and now he’s trying to do it again.
Saint has no idea that Nash isn’t the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he’s struggling to figure out his future. He can’t be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them —or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she’s the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.
When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now, Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?
Pre-Order Links:

About the Author





I'm supposed to share interesting details about myself so that my readers get to know me so here we go in no particular order: I'm an natural redhead even though I haven't seen my real hair color in years, I'm a big fan of tattoos and have a half sleeve on either arm and various other pieces all over the place, I've been in the bar industry since I was in college and it has always offered interesting insight into how men and women interact with each other, I have 3 dogs that are all crazy, I live in Colorado and love the snow, I love music and in all reality wish I could be a rock star not a writer or a bartender but I have zero talent so there is that. I love to write, love to read and all I'm interested in is a good story with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. Thanks for taking the time to check my stuff out...  


Connect with Jay:
Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads
Image Map

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Teaser Tuesday (38) The Wicked Wallflower + Savor


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read(s)
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) -- or less or more -- “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
“Dammit, woman, I am falling for you. This is my attempt at bloody wooing you."
location 2928, The Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodale
 "When the line 'I run away to find who I am' reached my ears I had to stop and stare. That lyric resonated with me. I knew that if I travelled the world I would find who I was."
location 1269, Savor by Kate Evangelista

Monday, January 27, 2014

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (18)


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme from Book Journey where we spotlight what we finished reading, are currently reading and plan to read next.

{Finished Reading}

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17331378-the-wicked-wallflower?ac=1

{Currently Reading}

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17159305-savor?from_search=true

 {What I'm Going to Read Next} 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18585982-rumor-has-it
What about you? What have you read lately? What's next on your list?

{YA Minute Review} Faelorehn (The Otherworld #1) by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson

{YA Minute Review} Faelorehn (The Otherworld #1) by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson


I never heard him come after me and even as I climbed the slope and stumbled onto our shaded back lawn, I didn’t look back. It was like the day the gnomes chased me all over again, but this time I was not escaping some horrible little creatures, I was fleeing from an incredibly good-looking guy who could very well understand me completely. I was either saving myself from that serial killer I always imagined lived down in the swamp, or I had finally gone over the deep end . . .

Meghan Elam has been strange her entire life: her eyes have this odd habit of changing color and she sees and hears things no one else does. When the visions and voices in her head start to get worse, she is convinced that her parents will want to drag her off to another psychiatrist. That is, until the mysterious Cade MacRoich shows up out of nowhere with an explanation of his own.

Cade brings her news of another realm where goblins and gnomes are the norm, a place where whispering spirits exist in the very earth, and a world where Meghan just might find the answers she has always sought. (Blurb via Goodreads)
{Details} Kindle Edition, First, 228 pages. Published April 21st 2012. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

{Rating} 3/5 -- I liked it!

{Review}
"The only reason I knew that I was awake was because of the pale green stars staring back at me from my ceiling." (page 1, line 1)
I thought the world and mythology was interesting, I was definitely intrigued and wanted to keep reading to find out who Meghan was. I really liked Meghan, she's loyal, protective, kind, smart, a misfit. I appreciated that she questioned everything, what Cade was telling her, what she saw, and didn't just automatically believe everything. Cade, the mysterious man, is certainly that. I'm very curious about him.

The pacing was a bit slow, there was a lot of days pass/weeks pass before the story progressed. There was also quite a bit of Meghan did this and Meghan did that. I would have preferred more action instead.
 
At the end I was left wondering about Meghan, about her role, her past, what's to come for her and I definitely want to find out.


Sunday, January 26, 2014

Stacking the Shelves (37)


 Stacking The Shelves, a weekly meme from Tynga's Reviews
where I list what I've read, what I've reviewed
and anything else worth mentioning
 
  • Rae of Hope by WJ May
  • All That She Wants by Olivia Thorne
  • Faelorehn by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
  • The Wicked Wallflower by Maya Rodale
  • Gaia's Secret by Barbara Kloss
  • The Practice Date by Victorine E. Lieske
Inhale, Exhalehttp://clevergirlsread.blogspot.com/2014/01/blog-tour-review-giveaway-knowing-jack.html

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17317164-a-basic-renovation?ac=1One Week (HaleStorm #1)


*Book image property of Microsoft

Saturday, January 25, 2014

{NA Minute Review} Inhale, Exhale by Sarah M. Ross



 {NA Minute Review} Inhale, Exhale by Sarah M. Ross


Inhale, Exhale

Jillian had a plan: celebrate the end of her first year of college with an amazing summer full of beaches, barbeques, and bonfires. When her mom insists she needs a summer job, and her boyfriend spends more time with his band than with her, Jillian’s plans go down the drain.

Grant had a plan: finish his Masters, get a great job at Google, and get the hell out of Georgia. He might be giving up some of the fun of his youth, but he knows his all work and no play method would be worth it when his dreams came true.

But things never go according to plan.

When temptation brings them together and tragedy tears them apart, Jillian and Grant will be forced to choose: fight for their dreams, or fight for each other. (Blurb via Goodreads)
{Details} Kindle Edition, 241 pages. Published May 4th 2013. Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
{Rating} 3/5 -- I liked it!

{Review}
"This is your fault, you stupid son-of-a-b***h." (page 1, line 1)
It's a growing up time for Jillian, she's in college with all those new experiences and she's trying to maintain a relationship with a guy she doesn't have all that much in common with anymore. And then she meets a new guy, a guy she really gets, a guy who gets her. A guy she likes more than she should.

Although I dislike infidelity - and I think even Christian deserved the respect of being told how Jillian was feeling - I didn't feel the connection between Jillian and Christian. Grant and Jillian on the other hand, they had chemistry. I adored Grant. He's a good guy, but not perfect, smart, driven, caring.

Background Noise (17) 'The Monster' by Eminem feat. Rihanna

What are you listening to while you read?

This week I'm obsessed with 'The Monster' by Eminem feat. Rihanna

http://www.amazon.com/The-Monster-feat-Rihanna/dp/B00GBCMG08/ref=sr_1_2?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1389918287&sr=1-2&keywords=monster+eminem


Also find it on Amazon & Itunes

Friday, January 24, 2014

First Line Friday (18) Faelorehn by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson



First Line Friday is a meme hosted on Rampant Readers, where we share the first line of the novel we a currently reading in order to pique the interest of other readers like you. So basically, we just share the first sentence or two of the novel you are currently reading, and tell us whether or not it hooked you in!

The book:

 The first line(s):
"The only reason I knew that I was awake was because of the pale green stars staring back at me from my ceiling."
Hooked?

Eh. But I do want to know more.
Join the fun, link up at Rampant Readers

Thursday, January 23, 2014

{Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway} Knowing Jack by Rachel Curtis



I am not a slut, although I’ve been called one often enough. Yeah, I spent three months screwing one of my college professors, but I was crazy about the guy. Then he broke up with me.

I am not a bitch, although people like to say I am. I kept our relationship secret. I’m not responsible for telling the university administrators about it, but a lot of students still blame me for getting their favorite professor fired.

I am not a drama queen, although everyone thinks I am now. When I got a few nasty messages, I just deleted them. When I got the threat, I assumed it was someone being stupid. I still think that’s all it was. My parents worry, though, so they hired me a bodyguard. Now Jack follows me around, intimidating everyone who approaches me and looking obnoxiously hot.

This is what I am. I’m Chloe. I’m a twenty-year-old art history major. Kind of shy, although I pretend not to be. Stubborn enough to stay here for my senior year, even though everyone hates me.

And I’m stuck with Jack.

He calls me “Princess,” but I’m not a princess either.


About the Author

Rachel is a writer, a teacher, a romance reader, and a dog-mom. She loves animals and art and hot men with soft hearts under a tough exterior. She tries to write love stories that feel real, even in unlikely circumstances.

Author Social Media Links:


{Details} ebook, 165 pages. Published January 17th 2014 by Rachel Curtis (first published January 15th 2014). Declaimer: I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 -- I really liked it!

{Review} 

For this review, a bit of a different format. Without further adieu My Top 10 Reasons To Read Knowing Jack:
  1. The top 10 lists. Chloe is fond of Top 10 lists, we get "top 10 reasons not to screw your college professor" and "top 10 things to avoid if you're trying not to lust after your bodyguard" as well as a few more. Loved them!
  2. Chloe's supportive, caring parents who care enough to get Chloe a bodyguard.
  3. Steamy love scenes. Lots of steamy love scenes.
  4. Forgiveness. Forgiving others. Forgiving yourself. Being able to move forward.
  5. The alpha male. Who doesn't love a delicious alpha male? Jack certainly is. Powerful, protective, controlled.
  6. Chloe. Smart. Stubborn. Confused. She learned a lot about herself, about what she wants, what she deserves. That it's okay not to be perfect.
  7. Jack. For seeing Chloe who she really is, not who she pretends to be. For calling her on her crap. For protecting her, for standing up for her.
  8. And Jack's also #8 because of the things he says:
    "You are mine. Your perfect little body, and your amazing mind, and your stubborn courage, and your tender heart are all mine." (eARC, location 2601)
  9. The interludes that give us Jack's POV. Love reading the guy's POV especially since this guy isn't in a habit of sharing.
  10. The man-fast. Chloe's on a man-fast (and has a top 10 list about it!) I smiled every time she mentioned her man-fast.
    "A fast - except on men instead of food. I've found them to be nothing but trouble, so I'm not going to date anyone this year." (eARC, location 1264)
Would have liked more... background. More of Jack. His past, his relationships with his parents. Who he is. And that ending? What happens next?

{Giveaway}

(1) $50 USD Gift Card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble – International
(10) eBook copies of Knowing Jack – International

 
Be sure to visit all the other stops on the tour!