Cover Reveal + Giveaway: At Any Turn by Brenna Aubrey

As a huge fan of At Any Price by Brenna Aubrey, I was so pleased for the opportunity to help reveal the cover for its sequel, At Any Turn.

Here's a bit about the book:

At Any Turn by Brenna Aubrey

Release Date: April 30, 2014

Publisher: Self-Published

Series: Gaming the System #2

Synopsis:

So You Want to Be a Hero?

Millionaire CEO Adam Drake, overcame a tortured past to build his own gaming empire. He’s in complete control of his life. With his new found love for brilliant geek girl blogger, Mia Strong, the last piece of his life is in place. He's at the top of his game.

Your Princess Is in Another Castle.

Until suddenly, she withdraws from him, leaving him in the dark. Something tells him she needs help. But she's too stubborn or scared to ask for it, and the more he tries to take control, the further he pushes her away. He can’t solve this problem by writing a check or a few lines of code.

He’ll have to dig deep and put himself at risk…or risk losing her forever.

And here's the cover:

Thoughts? I really like it, and I love how it fits with the first book.

About Brenna:
Brenna Aubrey is an author of New Adult contemporary romance stories that center on geek culture. Her debut novel, At Any Price, released December, 2013.

She has always sought comfort in good books and the long, involved stories she weaves in her head. Brenna is a city girl with a nature-lover’s heart. She therefore finds herself out in green open spaces any chance she can get. A mommy to two little kids and teacher to many more older kids, she juggles schedules to find time to pursue her love of storycrafting.

She currently resides on the west coast with her husband, two children, two adorable golden retriever pups, two birds and some fish.

Brenna’s short story “The Love Letter” was the Grand Prize winner of the Jane Austen Made Me Do It Short Story Contest. As such, it was included in the anthology of the same name (Ballantine, 2011)

Where to find Brenna:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Newsletter

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kissing Eden by T.A. Foster (Top 10 List, Review, & Giveaway)

Kissing Eden by T.A. Foster
Release Date: March 6, 2014
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 174
Series: n/a
Review Source: eARC from Inkslinger PR

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

Have you ever thought of taking a vacation alone? I mean step on a plane, check into your hotel, and lie on the beach completely and utterly alone. No? Me either, but then right before senior spring break I got dumped.
Something about break ups makes you do things you didn’t want to do, and try things you didn’t know you were capable of.

That’s how I ended up at the Palm Palace.
That’s how I met Grey.
That’s how my spring break turned into the most unforgettable week of my life.

My Thoughts:
Eden’s spring break starts off on all the wrong notes, and I found it easy to put myself in her shoes and really feel for her. I thought she handled the situations she was put in with incredible grace, considering everything going wrong. Personally I would have freaked out way more, so I could tell from the beginning that Eden was strong and unflappable. As the book goes on you learn how smart and hardworking she is. I really admired how Eden was willing to take her vacation time and use it to help someone else.

Grey is interesting as a love interest because he sends a lot of mixed signals and he's kind of a jerk in a few moments. However, in his better moments? Definite potential. I would have liked to have seen a more gradual change in him, with more time at the end to see his good side. However, with him changing and learning from his mistakes, I could really see him and Eden being good together.

There are so many aspects of this book I liked. The small Texas island setting was great, and I liked the secondary characters, the locals that Eden meets. I also enjoyed Eden's business smarts and seeing the way she thinks about things. There were also models of positive female friendship, which is always a good thing. On the negative side, the romance was pretty fast moving, considering Eden just jumped out of another relationship. It felt especially quick because in one minute Eden is upset about the end of the relationship, wondering what went wrong, but then as soon as she sees how her ex is acting she acts differently. She starts to remember how bad everything was in their relationship, and how the relationship was over before it was officially over. It felt a bit like revisionist history.

In many ways Kissing Eden was a beginning. Readers are left hanging to make their own conclusions about where Grey and Eden end up and how they find a way to be together. You can infer that there will be a Happily Ever After, but we’re left guessing as to the details. I don’t see this as a bad thing, necessarily, but if you like books where everything is all wrapped up you might be a bit unsatisfied.

Overall? Kissing Eden is a New Adult book that’s short, fun, and sweet.

The Cover:
Like!

Rating:
[3.5/5]

Purchase Links:
Kobo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Top 10 Things to Try Over Spring Break

Whether you’re still in spring break mode, with that special week marked off your calendar and the perfectly calculated countdown app ticking away on your phone, or not—we could all use a little spring break fun. Eden had more than her share on her trip to South Padre, Texas. She sheds a little insight on her top ten spring break to-dos whether you are booked for a staycation or a vacation.

1. Dance—crank up the tunes and shake it. In your car, in the kitchen, or out on the dance floor. I promise you will have a smile on your face when you’re done.
2. Get a massage—we all need this and too many times we neglect our personal TLC. If you’re on vacation, check with your hotel, but if you’re home make an appointment for yourself pronto!
3. Try a new cocktail recipe—Sure, wine is divine, but mix it up a little with a fun fruity, beach drink. Try www.thebar.com if you need some inspiration. Mix, sip, and pretend the waves are crashing in front of you.
4. Grab a new book—what vacation faux or real is complete without a good book? Curl up, turn off your phone, and escape into another world—preferably a hot and steamy one.
5. Try a new polish—it seems simple, but how good do you feel when you look down and see one of the new shades of spring on your nails? Perfect way to start a vacation.
6. Make your own soundtrack—if you had to replay a play list all week that defined your vacation, what would it be? Beach? Country? Dance? Reggae? Pull the songs that put a smile on your face and you’re set to travel.
7. Go for a walk—if you’re off the coast of somewhere new and beautiful, take it all in. If you’re living it up on your staycation, try to find something new in your surroundings you’ve never seen before. You can always walk with that new soundtrack you just made.
8. Buy one new outfit—If you’re going somewhere warm and sunny, lucky you! If not, try bright colors, or florals to perk you up. Don’t have time to hit the mall? I love www.modcloth.com for online ideas.
9. Sleep in—it might be a luxury for some, but on vacation it’s a must. Set aside a true spring break day at home and lock the door. Maybe order some room service.
10. Get kissed—what goes better with vacations than awesome kisses? Nothing. Find someone cute and pucker up.

About T.A.:
T.A. Foster is a Southern girl whose heart and spirit are connected to the beach. She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children and two canine kiddos.

Her long love affair with books started at an early age, and as soon as she was able, she transformed imaginative stories into words on paper. Time Spell is T.A.’s debut novel, and the first in a series about a very adventurous, clever, and magical girl named Ivy.

T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing or planning her next beach trip.
- See more at: http://www.tafosterauthor.com/about_me/#sthash.kxsHReKf.dpuf

Where to find T.A.:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+ | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

T.A. Foster also has a super fun giveaway going on until tomorrow (the 21st). What's your spring break destiny? Find out on T.A.'s Facebook page. Post your destiny and enter to win an e-copy of London Falling.

Recklessly Royal by Nichole Chase

Recklessly Royal by Nichole Chase
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Publisher: Avon
Pages: 384
Series: Suddenly #2
Review Source: Edelweiss

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

Catherine has spent her life being the perfect princess. She’s kept her hands clean, her head down, and most importantly—men at arm’s length. After all, most men are after only one thing, and for Cathy there’s a lot more at stake than her bed; she has to worry about the fate of an entire nation. But at the rate she’s going, Cathy is afraid she’ll give the Virgin Queen a run for her money. She is tired of waiting for someone good enough to come along. She has a plan, and it all hinges on seducing the one man who seems utterly unimpressed by all things royal. The one man she is tempted by more than any other . . .

When David arrives at the royal wedding of his friend, the newly ordained Duchess Samantha Rousseau, he expected to feel uncomfortable and out of his element, but he wasn’t prepared to be targeted by Prince Alex’s gorgeous younger sister. With Cathy’s giant blue eyes, killer figure, and sense of humor, it won’t take long before he gives in. But when he finds out just how innocent the crown princess really is, will he play the part of knight in shining armor or the dashing rogue?

My Thoughts:
Recklessly Royal is a very cute story, if a short one (the page numbers are for mass market pb format). This book is a follow-up to Suddenly Royal, and this time we’re focused on Cathy, Prince Alex’s younger sister, and David, Sam’s friend and colleague. Cathy and David are sweet, both as individuals and together. I loved how there was an initial attraction and chemistry between them, but that they took their time to get to know one another.

I wasn’t sure what Cathy’s story was about overall. She was pretty well-rounded from the beginning, knowing herself and her role, so I didn’t see a lot of development on that side of things. Where there was development was in the romantic relationship, and how Cathy viewed love and romance. As the book goes on she sees that it is possible to find someone who embraces all aspects of her.

If you’re looking for a sweet but sexy romance, then I definitely recommend Recklessly Royal. I basically find any book about royalty to be fun, and here you get to experience the glamourous parts while also seeing the negative attention and lack of privacy. This is one of those books that isn’t life changing, but it’s a fun, enjoyable read nonetheless.

The Cover:
Not bad.

Rating:
[3.5/5]

Purchase Links:
Kobo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Chapters-Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Third Degree by Julie Cross

Third Degree by Julie Cross
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Publisher: Flirt (Random House)
Pages: 240
Series: n/a
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

Fans of Monica Murphy and Tammara Webber will savor this New Adult novel—a story about coming of age in the heat of the moment—from Julie Cross, the internationally bestselling author of the Tempest trilogy.

I used to be “Isabel Jenkins, child prodigy.” As lame as that sounds, at least it was an identity. But now I’m not sure what I am. I just failed the most important exam of my life—the emotional readiness test required to get into a medical residency program—and it turns out my parents can’t stand each other. Now I’m trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of my life, and that means re-enrolling as a college freshman, but this time I’m shutting the books and majoring in being eighteen.

But so far, my roommate hates me and I’m not into the party scene. The only good thing about school has been getting to know my insanely hot RA. Marshall Collins makes me wonder about everything I missed while I was growing up too fast. Pretty soon we’re hanging out constantly, but for the first time, I find myself wanting more than a no-strings-attached physical relationship. And the lesson I really need is one Marsh definitely can’t teach me: love. Because I’m going to be alone forever if I don’t learn fast.

My Thoughts:
Third Degree tells the very interesting story of a child prodigy. Isabel was definitely a difficult protagonist to read about. I loved the back story Isabel had, and I liked reading about her journey, but both of those things meant reading about a main character who was hard to identify and empathize with.

Some of my favourite scenes of this book were of Isabel at college, interacting with Marshall and her roommate. There are some seriously insane things that happen, mostly because Isabel’s socialization skills are near zero. I wish there had been a longer period over which Isabel was changing and learning, however I can see why things happened the way they did. What all occurred ended up feeling true to character, and I appreciated that.

Overall, I really appreciated what a different type of New Adult story this was, and even though Isabel was difficult, I really loved experiencing her journey.

The Cover:
Meh.

Rating:
[3/5]

Purchase Links:
Kobo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble

The Worlds We Make by Megan Crewe

The Worlds We Make by Megan Crewe
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 288
Series: Fallen World #3
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

The virus has taken away Kaelyn’s friends, her family, her home.

And now a deadly enemy threatens to take the one hope she has left: THE CURE.

When Kaelyn and her friends reached Toronto with a vaccine for the virus that has ravaged the population, they thought their journey was over. But now they're being tracked by the Wardens, a band of survivors as lethal as the virus who are intent on stealing the vaccine no matter what the cost.

Forced onto the road again, Kaelyn and her companions discover the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta is their best hope for finding scientists who can reproduce the vaccine. But with the virus already spreading among them, the Wardens hot on their trail, and hundreds of miles to cross, Kaelyn finds herself compromising her morals to keep her group alive. Her conscience seems a small price to pay if protects them and their precious cargo. Unless even that is not enough...

In the final installment in Megan Crewe’s captivating the Fallen World trilogy, Kaelyn is on the run from her biggest adversaries yet. While she continues to face horrific loss, her resolve is still strong. But to survive this shattered world, will she have to sacrifice all that's left of the girl she was?

My Thoughts:
The Worlds We Make, the conclusion to the Fallen World trilogy, is a book filled with tough decisions, harsh realities, and heartbreaking situations. But don’t let that scare you away, because this book, out of the three, definitely has the most hopeful tone, despite its dark edges.

Kaelyn is a character who I definitely admire. She always seems to find the determination to go on, no matter how difficult her situation is. I really love her strength and how she cares for other people. Kaelyn is an intelligent and empathetic young woman, someone who has had to make tough decisions and do things that aren't pretty, but who ultimately wants to do right by people. She always sticks to her goal of ending the virus by getting her late father’s vaccine to the right people. This requires making huge choices, but I so loved seeing Kaelyn realize that she has the power to shape the world into a place where she wants to live.

Megan Crewe is a very powerful writer. You can really feel the frustrations and hopes and all of the things that the characters are feeling and experiencing. This book, like the others, really looks into the nuances of human behaviour, examining the type of things you'll do to survive. There’s also heart pounding action alongside these philosophical musings, as this book focuses on Kaelyn and her group trying to avoid those who aim to hurt them.

At the end of the book I felt like some things were a tad open ended, but the way the trilogy ended still felt very right. There was definitely enough closure and a “happy for now” type of ending, or at least “at peace for now”. This is such an interesting and thought provoking trilogy, and I'd definitely recommend it to all YA fans.

The Cover:
Like it.

Rating:
[4/5]

Purchase Links:
Kobo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Chapters-Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

Landry Park by Bethany Hagen
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Dial
Pages: 384
Series: Landry Park #1
Review Source: ARC from Razorbill Canada

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

Downton Abbey meets The Selection in this dystopian tale of love and betrayal.

In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire.

My Thoughts:
Landry Park is a book that gets compared to Downton Abbey and The Selection (just see the synopsis above), and I’ve also seen it compared to For Darkness Shows the Stars. After reading the book I’d definitely agree that those are apt comparisons.

The book starts with a "here’s what happened before the story" type of world building snippet. I’m not sure how well that worked for me, having the back story piled on right at the beginning -- however I don’t think it really hurt either. I went into the book not entirely sure I understood the concept, but I didn’t really feel like a complete understanding was necessary to enjoy Madeline’s story. As I kept reading I understood more and more of the world and its current state, and that was fine for me.

Probably my favourite thing about this book is that every character is quite complex and has things to hide. I actually loved that none of them are 100% likeable. Madeline, our main character, is definitely a good person deep down, but she's been raised with elitist ideals. Madeline feels bad for those who are enslaved, but she doesn't know what she can realistically do about it. She hates the situation, but she doesn't really want to endanger her position in society. I loved this reaction from her: it just felt completely natural for her to hang back a bit and wonder if she really wants to upheave her whole world, when she isn’t sure if she can really make a difference.

There’s definitely a romantic aspect to the story, though it’s more of a yearning and unrequited love situation, at least from Madeline’s perspective. David Dana is a mysterious character who we get to know very slowly. It’s an interesting relationship because you can tell that he likes Madeline, but he’s very hot and cold. There’s also a love triangle aspect, with Cara, though it’s definitely an unconventional one. David is a character who I didn’t really like, mostly because we rarely get to see the “real” him, but for Madeline’s sake I kept hoping something would work out between the two of them.

Overall I found this to be a very interesting start to a new series. I liked the future setting with a historical feel to it (a la For Darkness...), and I liked the complex characters. The book ends off in a very interesting place, and I can definitely see myself reading on to the second book when it releases.

The Cover:
Really like!

Rating:
[3.5/5]

Purchase Links:
Kobo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Chapters-Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Pages: 355
Series: The Winner's Trilogy #1
Review Source: eARC from publisher through Raincoast Books

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

My Thoughts:
There’s been a huge amount of hype for this book for months now, so it definitely means something when I say that I adored The Winner’s Curse. So often books with hype fail to impress me, but this one most definitely did. The characters are so interesting and layered, and the plot was one that grabbed me from the beginning. I was intrigued by the world building and the situation in place (one nation’s people being the victors and the oppressors, the other’s the subjugated and enslaved).

While this book is about so much more than romance, I couldn’t help but adore the delicious slow burn tension between Kestrel and Arin. What they have (or what they could have, really) is completely forbidden. Neither of them should care for the other, but there’s this sense of understanding between them: they can really see each other. I think what I loved most about Kestrel and Arin's relationship is that it's very much about the emotions and connection between them. Their potential is all about these deep epic feelings they’re battling, and not about a mysterious physical connection, like so many other books feature.

While the evolving relationship between Kestrel and Arin is at the heart of the book, The Winner’s Curse is also primarily a book about freedom and choice (or lack thereof). It focuses on the cost of victory (hence the term “the winner’s curse”), and about our personal roles in a larger conflict. This book is deliciously written. I almost can’t remember the last time I was so swept away in a book’s world right from the beginning. So much happens in this first book, and Marie Rutkowski takes readers to a place where we’re satisfied with the ending (aka it’s not the type of book that just randomly stops), but we’re still incredibly excited to see what will happen next.

The Cover:
Gorgeousssss!

Rating:
[5/5]

Purchase Links:
Kobo | Amazon.ca | Amazon.com | Chapters-Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository