Wednesday, October 31, 2012

COVER REVEAL: Kiss Me by Jillian Dodd

Title: Kiss Me (Keatyn Chronicles, book 2)


Genre: Mature YA Romance


Author: Jillian Dodd


Expected Release Date: December 14, 2012


Cover Designer & Website: Okay Creations


Cover Reveal organized by: AToMR Tour

Synopsis:
I've always written scripts for my perfect life.
But no way could I have ever scripted this. 
My life is so far from perfect, it's not even funny.
All because of a stalker. 

I'm at boarding school where I have to lie about who I am.
I can't see my family.
I'm tutoring a hottie god that tortures me with his smile.
The most popular girl already hates me.
But there's this boy.
This hot, sweet, sexy boy.
So I'm going to stop trying to script my life and just live it.
Because who knows how long I have left. 


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Author Bio


Jillian Dodd grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She has drank from a keg in a cornfield, attended the University of Nebraska, got to pass her candle, and did have a boy ask her to marry him in a bar. She met her own prince in college, and they have two amazing children, a Maltese named Sugar Bear, and two Labrador puppies named Camber Lacy and Cali Lucy. 

She is the author of the That Boy trilogy and The Keatyn Chronicles series






Waiting on Wednesday (2)


*This is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine. "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.*
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Tart by Lauren Dane 

Expected Publication Date: November 6, 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads
USA Today bestselling author Lauren Dane serves up a sweet, sensual, and hot-to-the-touch novel in which one woman's most intimate desires are stirred by two very special ingredients...

Juliet Lamprey is having the time fo her life running her successful bakery, TART, when Gideon Carter comes back into her life. Returning home to help his grandfather run the family farm, Gideon is back for good. When they meet again, the spark between them is immediate, and it isn't long before the former childhood friends play catch up - in bed.

That's not good news for local lawyer Cal Whaley. Though the sexually open by strictly monogamous Cal has loved Jules for a long time, he's hardly ever taken it further than friendship. When he sees her start to fall for Gideon, he knows he has to make his move or risk losing her forever.

Who would have anticipated that all three of them would connect on such an intimate level? The trio's scalding liaisons take them places they've never dreamed. But such an intensely passionate and unusual relationship comes with equally as complicated emotions, and when Jules must suddenly leave town, she wonders if she'll have a choice to make when she returns...


Monday, October 29, 2012

Find You in the Dark by A. Meredith Walters

(Find You in the Dark series, book 1)
Maggie Young had the market on normal. Normal friends, normal parents, normal grades…normal life.
Until him.
Clayton Reed was running from his past and an army of personal demons that threatened to take him down. He never thought he had a chance at happiness.
Until her.
Maggie thought their love could overcome anything. Clay thought she was all he needed to fix his messy life.
That together, they could face the world.
But the darkness is always waiting.
Sometimes the greatest obstacle to true love is within yourself.

“Maybe I was an idiot, or a glutton for punishment. Or maybe I naively subscribed to the foolish notion that my love could save him. Whatever the reason, I entered the room and sank to the carpet beside that sad and broken boy.” – Maggie

*I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review*

I finished this book at the end of the work day and as I got in my car to go home, my mind was still on Mags and Clay. I turned on the radio and the song that blasted through my speakers couldn’t have been more fitting; Hard to Love by Lee Brice. If you’re not a country fan, you’ve probably never heard it, but are a few lines….

“I’m hard to love, hard to love
I don’t make it easy.
I couldn’t do it if I stood where you stood.
I’m hard to love, hard to love
You say that you need me,
I don’t deserve it but I love that you love me.”

After you’ve read the book, you’ll understand why I found that song to be so fitting for Clay and Maggie’s volatile relationship.

Maggie was searching for spontaneity in her mundane, normal life; Clay was trying to escape his past and keep his bipolar illness in check. When they run into each other (literally) they both think they may have found the answer to their problems. Through a short few months together, they learn that the answer to their problems may not be so simple and that being together might be creating more problems than they ever had to begin with.

This book is the perfect example of what happens when you use love as a means of medicine; when you use your partner as a crutch. My heart was torn in two throughout this book because I just couldn’t pick a side. Clay had half, and Maggie had half. I felt for Clay when he was going through one of his episodes, but my heart ached for Maggie when he took out his aggression and anger on her. Their relationship was toxic almost from the very beginning, and I think some people would probably think Maggie was a whack job for staying with Clay. I don’t. I know firsthand the struggle of being with someone that suffers from internal issues. My ex’s issues weren’t as severe as Clay’s, but I dealt with the constant seesaw that was our relationship for almost two years. Why? Because I loved him. But there comes a time when you just have to walk away and stop trying to fix someone if they aren’t trying to fix anything on their own.

I was rooting for Maggie and Clay from the very beginning and to be completely honest, I’m pretty sure I still am. I want more of them as a couple. Maybe I’m a masochist or maybe I’m just plain crazy, but I really do love them together. The sweet things Clay did for Maggie made my heart smile, and during a couple particular scenes I had tears in my eyes. Their relationship was beyond the definition of angst-driven, but you could see that beyond the jealousy, the cutting, the mood swings, that Clay absolutely loved Maggie with everything he had. That’s why everything that happens between them is so hard to swallow. Oh, oh, OH! And his letter to her?! I was a crying puddle of woman-raging hormones after that. Let's just leave it at that. 

Find You In The Dark will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions; it will make you laugh, make you swoon, make you love, make you hate, and it quite possibly just might break your heart. This book resonated with me and I absolutely can’t wait to read the sequel. A. Meredith Walters does a fantastic job making you feel the characters’ emotions and brings to light a very real illness that is rarely talked about. This book definitely left me with a hangover, but damn it, it was worth it. 






PS - Just in case you wanted to hear the whole song I referred to earlier, here ya go :)


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Last Night At The Stairways by Jon Lymon

Ever woken up with Beer Fear, the dread that fills you when you try and remember what you drunkenly got up to the night before?

Thank your lucky stars you’re not Lloyd Parker.

As his memory slowly comes back, he becomes convinced that he killed someone in a nightclub. But he’s about to discover that what he actually got up to on his Last Night At The Stairways was far, far more horrific.

*I was given a PDF version of this book for review on The Indie Bookshelf. I have tweaked this review a little bit from the original*

First of all, any book that has beer fear in the title automatically catches my attention. I mean, let’s face it…we’ve all contracted a case of Beer Fear. You have a little too much fun, drink a little too much, and wake up the next morning thinking, “how the hell did I get home?” or “did I really climb up on the bar and start dancing last night?” or even worse “I did what with who in the back of whose car?!” It’s never a proud moment and I’m not going to lie, my dignity took a severe hit on the few mornings I would wake up after a long night of drinking and immediately check to make sure I was still wearing my underwear. Luckily, I’m a little bit of a grown-up now and that doesn’t happen anymore…rarely ever…whatever, you get the point; beer fear is real and it sucks. Now…onto the actual review…

This book was not what I expected at all; in a good way. I expected a potential thriller about a guy who spent the whole book trying to cover his tracks and right his wrongs after a night of getting blackout drunk. Well, I was kind of right…but then again, not really. But kind of. Oy. Last Night At The Stairways was different than the books I normally gravitate to; it’s eerie, suspenseful, macabre, trippy, and you know what else? British. Yep, this nice little story takes place across the pond; I don’t think it’s any secret that I spend way too much time wishing I had a British accent and using words like “bollocks” and calling my guy friends my “mates.” In my mind, I read this entire book in a British accent and it just made my heart happy.

Although it did start off a little slow and seemed a little bogged down with descriptions, it picked up around the 25% mark and only escalated from there. The storyline was unique and anxiously kept me wondering just what did Lloyd do? Why was his best friend, Will, acting so strange? What in the every loving crap happened to his girlfriend?

There is a healthy amount of foreshadowing; however, I have to say I was shocked when I realized what was really going on with not just Lloyd, but everyone around him. I honestly felt for Lloyd; he seemed genuinely concerned and worried about his actions, but no matter what he said or did, he wasn’t getting any answers from anyone. Instead, he was trapped inside this nightclub and forced to endure some pretty grisly stuff. While he was clearly the antagonist of the story, he wasn’t really unlikable and I was rooting for him to make things right.  

Overall, it was an intriguing read. I would recommend Last Night At The Stairways to anyone who enjoys a chilling thriller with a mind-warping twist. With a little gore, a little more creepiness, and a lot of “something else” (I can’t give away everything, silly) I think it was pretty perfect to read this book right before Halloween, because bloody hell…it was a ghoulishly good read. Yep, I used the phrase bloody hell; I told you I wanted a British accent ;)



Not available from Barnes and Noble

COVER REVEAL: Troubles and Treats by Tara Sivec

Expected Publication Date: Late 2012

Troubles and Treats by Tara Sivec is the third and final installment in the Chocolate Lovers series and tells the story of sex-crazed couple, Drew and Jenny.

Guys, I can't even tell you how sickeningly excited I am for this book. And seriously, how perfect is that cover?! It makes my sweet tooth sing with glee just looking at it. 

If you haven't read the first two books...well, what the fuck have you been doing?! It is the funniest series I have ever read and Christ on a cracker, these books are hot as fuck.  Check out my reviews of Seduction and Snacks and Futures and Frosting

Synopsis: 
Drew and Jenny have spent years being the envy of their friends with their out of control sex lives - well, not really. Mostly it makes their friends want to throw up in their mouths a little.

With two little kids and two busy lives, for the first time, Drew and Jenny aren't on the same page in the bedroom. Drew will stop at nothing to get his previously amorous wife back in teh sack and Jenny will do anything for a full night of sleep.

Carter and Claire, and Jim and Liz are their usual (un)helpful selves and are full of advice for the disconnected duo, wanting nothing more than to help restore order to the usually happy couple's lives. 

In the third installment of the Chocolate Lovers series, will Drew and Jenny find the spark that's been missing in their marriage, or will the trouble they're having cause a stickier situation than the time Jenny poured honey all over Drew and he fused himself to a tree?


PS - Make sure you follow the fucking genius behind this series on Twitter and check out her blog for updates about Troubles and Treats and other sweet stuff. (See what I did there? Sweet stuff? Ehh, whatever...)

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (1)


*This is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine. "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.*
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Rush by Maya Banks

Expected Publication Date: February 5, 2013


Synopsis from Goodreads:
Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They're accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it's making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she's ripe for the picking...

When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel's grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend's little sister. Except she's not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.

Gabe has starred in Mia's fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother's best friend. So what if Gabe's fourteen years older? Mia knows he's way out of her leage, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She's an adult now, and there's no reason not to act on her most secret desires.

As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there's a lot she doesn't know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed - and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected.






Tuesday, October 23, 2012

COVER REVEAL: Avoiding Responsibility by K.A. Linde

Expected Publication Date: December 2012

Avoiding Responsibility by K.A. Linde is the second book in the Avoiding Series; the first book is Avoiding Commitment. 



Synopsis: 

Lexi has finally given up her destructive relationship and moved onto bigger and better things, namely Ramsey Bridges. But things are amiss with her new beau and she discovers things about him and his past that would make any girl turn the other way. And she's not sure his past can coincide with hers. A year after his entrance into her life, he's trying to make amends and does one thing she never expects: invites her to a wedding...Jack's wedding. Find out what happens to Lexi as she deals with all the twists and turns that proceed from that question, throw in a few more players to shake up the mix, and don't forget all her old partners in crime.



AND...go "like" K.A. Linde on Facebook for updates and info about the Avoiding Series!




Monday, October 22, 2012

Seduced in the Dark by C.J. Roberts

(The Dark Duet series, book 2)
What is the price of redemption?
Rescued from sexual slavery by a mysterious Pakistani officer, Caleb carries the weight of a debt that must be paid in blood.
The road has been long and fraught with uncertainty, but for Caleb and Livvie, it’s all coming to an end.
Can he surrender the woman he loves for the sake of vengeance?
Or will he make the ultimate sacrifice?

“For the love of Christ, shut – up! Let a bitch enjoy her mental breakdown in peace.” – Livvie

Holy mother of God. This book did something to me. I finished it over a week ago, and I’m still thinking about it; I’m still feeling it. I’ve even tried to read a couple light books to bring my emotions back to normal, and it’s not working. I have this book hangover that just won’t go away. C.J. Roberts, I think you have officially fucked up my head…and I’m not even mad about it.

Seduced in the Dark doesn’t pick up where Captive in the Dark left off; it’s months later. The story goes back and forth between Livvie and Caleb’s POV, as well as the past and the present, and ultimately brings the story of Livvie and Caleb to a close. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I really can’t discuss any of the plot, but I can tell you how much I fucking loved this book…and how much it fucked with every fiber of my being.

The relationship between Livvie and Caleb was taken to an entirely different level than in the previous book, Captive in the Dark, and it tore me apart. It’s hard for me to explain how much of an emotional toll Seduced in the Dark took on me, but I’ll try. Do you know that feeling you get when something terrible happens to you? Where you start shaking and no matter what, you can’t stop? Where you feel like you’ve been gutted and your stomach is hollow? Like you could be sick to your stomach or cry or maybe both at the same time? That’s how I felt during some of the scenes between Caleb and Livvie. Seriously. I was that invested. Some of the scenes were just so incredibly hard to stomach. Some of the scenes were so tender that I thought maybe Caleb was going to change his mind. There were several times that I had tears in my eyes; I hurt for Livvie that much. You know, as the reader I almost felt like C.J. Roberts was Caleb and I was Livvie. She would dangle something in front of me to give me hope and then snatch it away. My emotions were tugged back and forth so many times that by the time I finished the book, I was emotionally exhausted. I love books that can do that to me; that make me feel like there is a void in me after I finish them. Seduced in the Dark did exactly that.

The scenes are just as intense, if not more so, than they were in Captive in the Dark so brace yourself. But guys…this series was absolutely incredible. I feel like a fucking sicko for loving it so much, but if being a sicko is wrong…I don’t wanna be right. (God, I don’t think I could get any cheesier than that.) I fell in love with Caleb and Livvie’s story, and this series is one that will stick with me for a long time. I’m sitting here now thinking that this review really doesn’t even do it justice; it just doesn’t. I could write a 10 page review and it still couldn’t possibly fully describe what I felt while reading this book. Seduced in the Dark was breathtaking, heart wrenching, gut twisting, mind fucking, and disturbingly, sickeningly perfect. 



Not available through Barnes and Noble

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

(Catching Jordan series, book 1)
What girl doesn’t want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn’t just surrounded by hot guys, though – she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that’s just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.
But everything she’s ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he’s also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan’s feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart’s on the line?

WARNING: This review does contain a spoiler! Check yourself before you wreck yourself...

I don’t think anyone realizes how excited I was to read this book. I love football. No; love doesn’t even describe it. I fucking LIVE for football season. My dad was a football player, my brother was a football player; I grew up going to my brother’s games every week, going to Chiefs games on Sundays, KU football games on Saturdays, and watching games/highlights on Sunday and Monday nights. I've been in a fantasy football league for the past five years. It’s in my blood. To me, there is nothing better than putting on your favorite player’s jersey, drinking beer, eating incredibly unhealthy food, and cheering on your team with your friends and thousands of other people. Now maybe you have an idea of how much I love football…and because of that, maybe I set my expectations for Catching Jordan too high. Way too high.

The short of it: Jordan is a girl and the starting QB for her high school team. She wants a college scholarship to play D-1 football. Ty Green shows up and gives her competition for her position, and makes her weak in the knees. That is, until she finds out her best friend and teammate, Sam Henry, has been keeping a pretty big secret from her.

I just didn’t really buy into any of this. Now, before you start throwing flaming bras at me and calling me an “anti-feminist”, let me explain. Can a girl play middle school and/or high school football? Sure. Can a girl play D-1 football? As a kicker, maybe; as a quarterback…I don’t believe so. I’m not saying there aren’t girls capable of being great quarterbacks, but the chances of a D-1 school taking a chance on a girl are slim to none. And a school like Alabama with a top 5 football program offering a girl a full-ride scholarship just wouldn’t happen. Sorry. It just wouldn’t. I know, I know, this book is fiction but I just couldn’t ignore the little voice in my head saying, “Are you kidding me?! How is anyone supposed to buy this??”

I also wasn’t a big fan of Jordan or Henry. Jordan was arrogant, rude, and too much of a dude for my liking. I have nothing against tomboys, not a damn thing. But tomboys are still girls. Jordan didn’t ever seem like a girl to me. She was also an extreme hypocrite. She constantly talked shit on the cheerleaders for being sluts, bimbos, whatever else…and then she goes and gives up her virginity to Ty almost immediately. Honey, I don’t think you should be looking down on anyone for their sexual escapades because you aren’t a nun yourself. Speaking of that, the stereotypes in this book grated on me. Cheerleaders are automatically sluts in Jordan’s eyes and when one of them actually knows about football, Jordan acts like Hell froze over. I was never a cheerleader, but I was on dance team in middle school and high school; just because I’d rather dance than play football doesn’t mean I’m a bimbo who knows nothing about anything other than opening my legs. The stereotyping just really bothered me.

 I was never rooting for Henry. Not once. His actions pissed me off, and the fact that he was proud of being a “man-slut” didn’t help his cause. He just came off as selfish, and that made me prefer Ty over him, no doubt about it.

The saving graces in this book, IMO, were Marie, Carter, Carrie, and JJ. They are the sole reasons that kept me from giving Catching Jordan one star. I’ve seen a lot of really positive reviews, so I guess I’m in the minority with my feelings towards this book, but it just really wasn’t my cup of tea. I wanted to like it; I really, really wanted to like it. I just didn’t. 




Tuesday, October 9, 2012

That Wedding by Jillian Dodd

(That Boy series, book 2)
The gorgeous engagement ring on my finger mimics my happiness.
I feel so sparkly, glittery, and full of promise, because I absolutely know he’s that boy.
The boy I want to marry. My prince. My happily ever after.
But then our pastor starts asking lots of questions.
His parents say I haven’t dealt with my past.
I have horrible wedding disaster dreams.
I can’t find the perfect dress.
I have to manipulate him to get my way.
My old boyfriend asks me to run away with him.
My best friend says I’m going to ruin everything.
And forever starts to sound like a really long time.
Which totally freaks me out and makes me question everything I know.
Should best friends get married?
Will my past affect our relationship?
Are my horrible dreams a warning?
Will I ever find a dress?
Could his sexiness be clouding my judgment?
Am I going to ruin everything?
Or is it just a case of cold feet?
And then I have to decide. Am I willing to give up on true love forever, or am I going to listen to my heart and marry him?

“Don’t brides know that white wedding cake and an open bar are the only two reasons people go to weddings?” – JJ

I started reading That Wedding on October 4th. I was the maid of honor in a wedding on October 6th. After seeing my best friend since 3rd grade get married, and almost feeling like I was there for JJ and Phillip’s wedding, I think it’s safe to say I am going to encourage all guys to steer clear of me for a few weeks; this girl may or may not have caught wedding fever and I think my pupils have been replaced with hearts. Don’t worry, I’m busy working on a cure to fix it so I’m not walking around like a lovesick puppy; but while I’m busy doing that, enjoy my review of That Wedding!

I thought I loved Phillip in That Boy, but sweet mother of all that is holy…I love him even more after reading That Wedding!! I am usually partial to the bad boy or more rebellious guy in books (and real life) but Phillip made me veer into the other lane and fall hard for the “good guy”, no doubt about that! He is the perfect balance to JJ’s personality, and I mean could he be more perfect?! He’s incredibly sweet, he loves football and drinking beer, and he definitely enjoys a nice roll in the hay; yep, I’ll take him! ;)

JJ grated on me a little bit towards the middle of the book, specifically her night at Kegger’s. I just wanted to reach into the book, shake her and yell, “Do you realize what you’re doing?!? YOU ARE ENGAGED TO MR. PRINCE CHARMING! SNAP OUT OF IT, HOMEGIRL!!” Luckily, she came to her senses and grew up towards the end of the book, which put her back in my good graces. Their night on the swings made me tear up and was absolutely one of my favorite moments from both books combined; it’s just plain perfect.

In all honesty, there are just too many things that made me this book wonderful so I’ll just list a few of my favorites:

1)     Naughty Dream Week
2)     Freebies: if you’ve done it with a guy in the past, it doesn’t count against you (I have always been a strong enforcer of the freebie rule)
3)     JJ’s spider freak out; more specifically, her ramblings on what the spider was thinking/planning
4)     The STD story (I really thought I was going to die from laughter)
5)     The fuzzy socks
6)     Their actual wedding day
7)     The tradition of kicking off the holiday season with a trip to KC to shop and see the Plaza Lights (I’m from Kansas, and my family has been doing that exact same thing for as long as I can remember; shopping, dinner, and the Plaza Lights the weekend after Thanksgiving)

I really liked That Boy, but That Wedding took Phillip and JJ’s relationship to a whole other level and I just absolutely loved it! It will make you swoon like you did over your very first crush, grin like the Joker (only not creepy…I feel the need to stress that; NOT CREEPY), laugh your freaking face off, and maybe even shed a few tears. It’s an incredible book, and I absolutely cannot wait for That Baby! This is definitely a series that you need to read now! Just a fair warning though: it may cause you to turn into a huge, googily-eyed, lovesick mess of a woman but trust me…it’s worth it!

Oh, and in case you were wondering…I think my pupils are still hearts. Damn it!




Monday, October 8, 2012

That Boy by Jillian Dodd

(That Boy series, book 1)
You know, being friends with two cute boys does have its benefits.
There’s Danny. Danny is a golden boy in every way. He has dreamy blue eyes and blonde hair that always looks perfect, even when it’s windblown or been stuck under a football helmet. He’s the boy every girl crushes on. The boy I get into trouble with, the boy I fight with, the hot quarterback no girl can resist, not even me. Being with Danny is like being on an adventure. He has a bright, contagious smile and abs to die for. He’s pretty much irresistible.
Equally crush worthy is Phillip. Adorable, sweet Phillip, who I have known since birth. Phillip has dark hair, a perfect smile, brown eyes, and the sexiest voice I have ever heard. He’s the boy I talk to every night before I go to sleep. The boy who rescues me, the boy who can read my mind, the boy who is always there for me, the boy who tries to keep me out of trouble, the boy who irritatingly keeps getting hotter, and whose strong arms always seem to find their way around me. And when he gives me that grin, I can never say no.
One boy will give me my very first kiss.
One boy will teach me to make out.
One boy will take me to prom.
And finally, one boy will ask me to marry him.
They will both be my best friends.
But only one of them will be the boy I fall in love with.
Only one of them is That Boy.

You what type of romances I love just as much as those driven by angst? The ones where the boy and girl become friends when they are both just knee high to a grasshopper, they grow up together and stay best friends throughout grade school, middle school, high school, college…and then one day they both realize they are in love with each other. Those are the stories that turn me into a huge cheeseball and leave me grinning from ear to ear. THAT is why I love That Boy.

Jayden has two best friends: Danny and Phillip. Danny is the spontaneous, rebellious, smoking hot quarterback that every girl wants to date; Phillip is the more reserved, equally as hot, and so sweet he’ll give you a toothache prince charming of the two, but they were both so protective of Jayden that it made my heart smile. As the three of them grow up together, they start to notice each other in a “more than friendship” kind of way, and eventually one of them proposes to her. Which one asks her to marry him? Does she say yes? What about the other guy? All those questions are answered...but Jillian Dodd makes you wait. And wait. And wait to find out!! The first page starts off present tense with “that boy” proposing to her, but we don’t get her answer AND we don’t know which one it is until the end of the book! Luckily, the wonderful story of these three best friends consumed my attention and made me take my mind of the proposal…well…for a little while, at least!

I loved the way this book was written; each chapter was a significant aspect of Jayden’s life starting with her in 4th grade. One of the main reasons why I love That Boy is because nothing feels rushed; you see these three characters grow up together from 4th graders to college students. I have never been a big fan of “insta-romances” because I just don’t really buy into them; I love the stories where the characters come together over time…probably because I am a firm believer that the best relationships stem from friendships *shrugs* I can’t help it! I love seeing a friendship turn into a relationship.

I loved all three of the main characters, although I didn’t really find myself going back and forth between Danny and Phillip as much as I initially thought I would; I was pretty much planted on Team Phillip. I adored both of them, but what can I say? I have always preferred dark-haired guys over blondes! 

The ending was perfection, and when Jayden explains what “that boy” whispered in her ear after he proposed the first time, I melted like a stick of butter on a hot day; mainly because it’s the cutest freaking thing ever but also because he actually remembered that from so long ago!! It’s just adorable. Oh, and any book that references the Kansas City Chiefs definitely gets some points in my book! (Hey, I know they suck but I’ve been a Chiefs fan since birth, so damn it, I roll with them through the good times AND the bad!)

If you want a sweet, light, funny romance, That Boy is your book. It will leave you wishing “that boy” was proposing to you and trust me, you’ll want to jump right into That Wedding. Jillian Dodd, you just plain rock, girl! I said you were one of my favorites after I read Stalk Me., and after I finished That Boy, it only solidified that statement!  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go round up some hot guys for a game of strip football! ;)




Friday, October 5, 2012

Don't Let Breast Cancer Steal 2nd Base!


I'm sure y'all are aware that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it turns out Dina Silver is doing an amazingly awesome thing to help raise money for the Noreen Fraser Foundation. She is donating $1.00 of every sale from her book, One Pink Line, to the wonderful NFF! I mean, it's really a win-win; you get an awesome book and you're helping with the fight against breast cancer AT THE SAME TIME! So, let's all band our bras together (metaphorically, of course) to help Dina raise money for this incredible foundation and do our part to help fight the war against breast cancer! LADIES, DON'T LET CANCER STEAL 2nd BASE!

Oh, and don't forget to tell Dina Silver how awesome she is for doing something as incredibly generous as this! 






RELEASE DATE: Out of Breath by Rebecca Donovan


JUNE 2013

SWEET MOTHER OF GOD! For those of you who have been eagerly anticipating the release date for Out of Breath (the final book in The Breathing Series) just like me, we finally have an answer!! In case you didn't see it, click here to see the announcement Rebecca posted on Goodreads, which also has the link to her blog. WAHOOOOO!!!!  

In the meantime, you can check out my reviews for the first two books in The Breathing Series here: Reason to Breathe (book 1) and Barely Breathing (book 2); there are also links to purchase both books at the end of the reviews in case you haven't read them yet. And if you haven't read them yet...what in the fucking fuck have you been doing?! Pardon my aggression, but seriously; read them now!

On a similar note: I was lucky enough to win autographed copies of Reason to Breathe and Barely Breathing from a giveaway Rebecca posted on Facebook a couple weeks ago. Well, guess what came in the mail today?? No; not my mail order groom - I'm still eagerly anticipating his arrival. (Do they even do mail order grooms? Who knows...maybe I really should look into that....) ANYWAY, I actually did get these today!!! Thanks Rebecca, you rock :) 





AND NOW...THE COUNTDOWN TO OUT OF BREATH OFFICIALLY BEGINS!!!! 8 MONTHS AND COUNTING... 
(Imagine the music from Jeopardy to make it more dramatic)