Monday 20 January 2014

Blog Tour: Forever (Temptation #3) by Karen Ann Hopkins Review & Giveaway

http://www.kismetbt.com/upcoming-tour/forever-by-karen-ann-hopkins

Welcome to the first stop of Forever! I'm so happy that Kismet let me be part of this tour! Karen Ann Hopkins brings a trilogy of twists, drama and forbidden romance.




Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Pages: 336
Publication Date: January 24, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen




 All I want is my happily-ever-after.

That's all I've wanted since meeting Noah Miller.

From the day we met, the world has tried to keep Noah and me from being together, but now that I'm carrying his child, no one will be able to tear us apart. Or so I hope. But Noah and I have made some mistakes along the way, and the consequences are impacting the people we love. Worse, there's a storm on the horizon, and it's sure to cause serious devastation.

   If we can get through this, we'll finally be Rose and Noah; a family, forever.

     But first we have to survive the road ahead. And happily-ever-after is a long way off.

*An ARC was provided for the blog tour.*

Ever since I finished Belonging, you wouldn't believe how disappointed I was when I found out that the release of the last book was in January. Luckily, I was accepted into the blog tour and received an ARC of Forever. Even though I had to wait six months it read it, the wait for Forever was worth it.

The character development in this novel was completely outstanding. Especially with Noah. To be quite honest, I wasn't much a fan of Noah in the first two books, but Hopkins managed to convince me that he was actually a good guy after all. From being selfish and controlling, Noah finally turns into a man that acknowledges Rose wants and needs.

"I've been selfish and controlling, Rose, and I'm going to change. Life is too short to keep making dumb mistakes. I'm ready to marry you and start our family. It doesn't matter which world we live in as long as we're together. I know that now." 

When I first read this, I was literally beaming. Character development is so important to me. I don't care if the characters may not be so likable in the beginning as long as your character redeems himself/herself in the end. They can be rude. evil or mean. None of it will matter to me if they go past their mistake and learn from it.  Noah finally realizes his mistakes and actually owns up to it by converting into English. He goes through some bumps down the road, but eventually comes through with the help of his family and Rose's. I'm glad to say that Noah has now made it into my favourite book boyfriends list.

Narrated in Rose's, Noah's and Sam's POV, I was not expecting Noah's younger sister, Sarah to be added in as well. Normally, multiple point-of-views would bother me, but this I didn't mind at all. In fact, I loved that Hopkins included her. Her romance with Micah was just as refreshing as Noah's and Rose's were. Just like Noah's and Rose's relationship, they couldn't be together. Noah dumped Micah's sister, Constance, causing her father to hate Noah and his family. In fact, Constance's father goes far beyond by making sure that Noah and Rose don't get their happily ever after.

Another character I enjoyed was Rose's younger brother, Justin. He was so clever and smart that I really wished that he had his own POV in Forever. If the author made a spin-off series with Justin, I would definitely pre-order it.

"Glancing sideways at Justin, I said, "I'm going to be keeping an eye on you."
He laughed and turned away, taking two steps at a time.
Pausing in stride, he looked back and smirked. "I don't think you'll be able to keep with me...but we'll see."

I could seriously go on and on about all the characters of the book, but I think I'll just let you go ahead and read it for yourself. Hopkins provide a great of cast of characters that it's difficult to pick a favourite.

After reading my fair share of series, endings can be a hit or miss. Last year, I've encountered so many series where I enjoyed the beginning, but hated the ending.  I understand the difficulty it can be for the author to finish off a trilogy with an ending that is satisfying to the readers. With Forever, I didn't feel any disappointment whatsoever. She wraps up the story fairly well. In fact, the last line in the book was my favourite part. Not only that, but Hopkins will definitely surprise you. She throws an unexpected twist that will leave you shocked and totally overwhelmed. I don't want to get into too much detail, but Noah and Rose will finally get their happy ending that we all waited for.

With a a tremendous amount of character growth and a clever plot twist, the characters of the Temptation series will stay with you forever. 
4/5 STARS

Other Books in the Series:


Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Pages: 383
Publication Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | Facebook


Your heart misleads you.
That's what my friends and family say.  

But I love Noah. 
And he loves me.  

We met and fell in love in the sleepy farming community of Meadowview, while we rode our horses together through the grassy fields and in those moments in each other's arms. 

It should be  ROSE & NOAH  forever, easy. But it won't be. 
Because he's Amish.  And I'm not.






Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Pages: 408
Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen


I left everything I knew behind. 

But it was worth it. He was worth it. 

No one thought an ordinary girl like me would last two minutes living with the Amish, not even me. There are a lot more rules and a lot less freedom, and I miss my family and the life I once had. Worst of all, Noah and I aren't even allowed to see each other. Not until I've proven myself. 

If I can find a way to make it work, we'll be NOAH & ROSE  together forever.

But not everybody believes this is where I belong.




                       






















About the Author:

A native of New York State, Karen Ann Hopkins now lives with her family on a farm in northern Kentucky, where her neighbors in all directions are members of a strict Amish community. Her unique perspective became the inspiration for the story of star-crossed lovers Rose and Noah. When she’s not homeschooling her kids, giving riding lessons or tending to a menagerie of horses, goats, peacocks, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs and cats, she is dreaming up her next romantic novel.
  Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter



Tour Schedule:
Monday, January 20th - Absorbing the Content - Review
Tuesday, January 21st - Sassy Book Lover - Review
Wednesday, January 22nd - Mangamania Cafe - Character Interview
Thursday, January 23rd - Ramblings From This Chick - Guest Post
Friday, January 24th - Andi's Young Adult Books - Author Interview

Monday, January 27th - Literary Me - Author Interview
Tuesday, January 28th - Crossroad Reviews - Review
Wednesday, January 29th - Books I View - Review
Thursday, January 30th - Actin' Up with Books - Review
Friday, January 31st - Books Complete Me - Review

Monday, February 3rd - No Bent Spines - Character Interview
Tuesday, February 4th - Paranormal Opinion - Review
Wednesday, February 5th - Bittersweet Enchantment - Review
Thursday, February 6th - Curling Up With a Good Book - Author Interview
Friday, February 7th - Behind A Million Pages - Review

Monday, February 10th - The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club - Guest Post
Tuesday, February 11th - Jenuine Cupcakes - Review
Wednesday, February 12th - Jeanz Book Read N' Review - Review
Thursday, February 13th - Deal Sharing Aunt - Guest Post
Friday, February 14th - Lost Time Reading - Review

Monday, February 17th - Into The Hall of Books - Review
Tuesday, February 18th - Swoony Boys Podcasts - Review
Wednesday, February 19th - My Favorite Things - Guest Post
Thursday, February 20th - Reading Lark - Review
Friday, February 21st - Tien's Blurb - Author Interview

Monday, February 24th - Kimberly Faye Reads - Guest Post
Tuesday, February 25th - Book Whales - Guest Post
Wednesday, February 26th - A Bookish Escape - Review
Thursday, February 27th - That Girl Reads - Review
Friday, February 28th - Books Marks The Spot - Author Interview



Giveaway:

We have lots of exciting prizes, so make sure to follow the tour for more chances to win every day! Up for grabs is both a $100 Amazon Gift Card and a $50 Amazon Gift Card, plus copies of the following Harlequin TEEN titles: Heartbeat, The Queen’s Choice, White Hot Kiss, Anything to Have You, Secret Diamond Sister and Grim. Please enter via the Rafflecopter form. Giveaway is open to US/Canada.











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Tuesday 14 January 2014

Top Ten 2014 Debuts I'm Excited For





Hosted by Broke and the Brookish

Top Ten 2014 Debuts I'm Excited For




Ever since I've read an excerpt on this, I've been anticipating for the release date. Sci-fi? Romance? Aliens? This sounds like my kind of book.





Killer cover? Killer synopsis? Yeah, I'm assuming that this will be a killer book (;




A re-telling of beauty and the beast? YES. YES. Ever since I read Of Beast and Beauty, I will read any re-telling of beauty and the beast, hoping that one re-telling will compare to it. 




Okay, this one has a pretty cover. It has to be on my list. 



I've listened to the playlist that the author created for this book and I really enjoyed it. The author made me addicted to Florence + The Machine. I swear, their music is on repeat all day long. The synopsis also reminds me of Nevermore which is one of my all-time favourite books. 




Reviewers whose opinions that I completely trust rated this book a four to five star rating and I must read it now. 



I love coming of age stories; they just seem so inspiring. Though the cover is simple, I kind of like it. 



I've been looking for a book that is humorous and I heard that this one is full of laughs. 


9. The Falconer (The Falconer #1) by Elizabeth May

Faeries? Yup. Definitely want. 




The synopsis is intriuging and heartbreaking - of course, this had to be on my list.


Leave your top ten links down below. I'd love to check them out!
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Monday 13 January 2014

Review: Twisted by Amity Hope

Twisted
Author: Amity Hope
Pages: 284
Publication Date: May 22, 2012


 Maya Anderson has faced more than her share of tragedy and heartbreak. For the past six years she’s constantly been on the move with her mom. When another disaster strikes, she finds herself back in her childhood hometown of Beaumont, living with her older sister for her senior year.

A chance meeting reacquaints her with Ben McCaffey, a long-forgotten classmate from her past. After the death of his girlfriend, Ben has become a social outcast. He’s despised by some and feared by most.

Determined to become Ben’s friend, Maya begins to break through his layers of emotional protection. It isn’t long before they realize that they both have secrets in their pasts. As the line between dealing with grief and struggling with a desire for revenge begins to fade, the secrets that draw them together may be what will ultimately tear them apart. Because the closer Maya gets to Ben, the more dangerous her situation becomes.


Based on the review of Ann Aguire, who is the author of the Enclave trilogy, I decided to give this one a go especially since this was a freebie on Amazon. Before going into this, I glanced at a few reviews. Some had said that this was a tear-jerker or it contained some parts that were going to make you cry. To those who reviewed this book, I agree with the tears being spilled however, the ending to this novel was quite disappointing.

Twisted starts off  with our main character, Maya being hit by a car. As I read further into the chapter, I felt like that the love interest was introduced too quickly. Ben was already introduced in the second passage as the bystander who had just witnessed the scene. From the lengthy description of Ben, it was completely obvious that he was the leading love interest. Usually, when I dive into novels, I prefer the leading love interest to slowly maneuver his way into the book. By that I don't mean that he comes after the hundred-fifty mark because if I were ever to come across a novel like that, I would be sure that it will certainly not make it's way to my three-star rating.

The relationship between Maya and Ben was a rather rocky one. With Ben being the most hated person at school, it was difficult for them to be friends. No one - I mean, no one - hung out with Ben. He was a loner. With an ugly past, Ben was known as a murder. I don't want to get into the details since I actually want you guys to read this, but Amity did an excellent with getting me emotional. It was depressing to see Ben suffer through high school. Constant beatings, verbal abuses from his parents, Ben was literally miserable. What Ben went through, I could never wish  that upon my greatest enemy.

One of the most surprising things that I stumbled upon was that our love interest, Ben is an avid reader. He reads a book a day? Now, that's something we have in common. But not only that, he works at the library as well.

"I usually read a book a day." He hesitated before adding, "Or maybe every other day. Depending on the book. Or the day." 

Loves books? Works at the library? May I just declare that Ben is the one for me?

Now onto the disappointing part to the novel, the ending of Twisted was completely predictable. It was obvious that Alec was the bad guy. The author hints it to us in so many ways that I didn't even have to give a second thought whether I was right or wrong. One of the dumbest things you could ever do is get into a car with someone who's been bullying you and is known to have a quick temper. I mean, what on earth were you thinking Maya? Alec beats up Ben up all the time. What makes you think that you aren't on his list? Seriously, if you have a bad feeling about someone, never and I repeat never, be alone with them. 

I'm conflicted whether I liked it or loved it. Usually, when an author writes a character that made me cry, the novel itself would usually stand out rather than the rest that I have read, but with the way things concluded, I'm not sure if it is worth re-reading. Maybe in the future, I would re-read parts my favourite scenes, but I know for sure that I won't be touching the ending.


3.5/5 STARS



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Friday 10 January 2014

Review: Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols

Such A Rush
Author: Jennifer Echols
Pages: 325
Publication Date: July 20, 2012
Publisher: MTV Books


A sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers.

When I was fourteen, I made a decision. If I was doomed to live in a trailer park next to an airport, I could complain about the smell of the jet fuel like my mom, I could drink myself to death over the noise like everybody else, or I could learn to fly.

Heaven Beach, South Carolina, is anything but, if you live at the low-rent end of town. All her life, Leah Jones has been the grown-up in her family, while her mother moves from boyfriend to boyfriend, letting any available money slip out of her hands. At school, they may diss Leah as trash, but she’s the one who negotiates with the landlord when the rent’s not paid. At fourteen, she’s the one who gets a job at the nearby airstrip.

But there’s one way Leah can escape reality. Saving every penny she can, she begs quiet Mr. Hall, who runs an aerial banner-advertising business at the airstrip and also offers flight lessons, to take her up just once. Leaving the trailer park far beneath her and swooping out over the sea is a rush greater than anything she’s ever experienced, and when Mr. Hall offers to give her cut-rate flight lessons, she feels ready to touch the sky.

By the time she’s a high school senior, Leah has become a good enough pilot that Mr. Hall offers her a job flying a banner plane. It seems like a dream come true . . . but turns out to be just as fleeting as any dream. Mr. Hall dies suddenly, leaving everything he owned in the hands of his teenage sons: golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson. And they’re determined to keep the banner planes flying.

Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business—until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers—and the consequences could be deadly.


Being completely impressed with Jennifer Echol's Going Too Far, I've been wanting to pick up another novel of hers. The amount of laughter Jennifer brought in Going Too Far, I was excited to see what she was going to bring in the table with Such A Rush. Instead of humor, it brought frustration and anger.

Leah Jones has a love for airplanes ever since her boss gave her a flying lesson at fourteen. Three years later, Leah has earned her commercial license and helps Mr. Hall, her boss, fly banners. She shares the job with Mr. Hall's sons, Alec and Grayson. Though they haven't spoken that much, Leah has always crushed on Grayson. They finally start talking after the death of Mr.Hall and Grayson decides to continue the family business. Leah declines the offer, knowing that the business wouldn't last long under his hands, but with a secret that Grayson holds of Leah's, she has no choice but to play along. Not only that, Grayson threatens to tell Leah's forgery to her mother if she doesn't make Alec ask her out.

The main reason why I didn't like this book was because of Leah. She hates the way people think of her. They think she's a slut by the way she dresses and the amount of rumors that goes around the school. What I don't get is that Leah hates being called a whore because of the clothes she wears, but instead of covering her body with clothes, she reveals even more skin. This frustrates me. If you don't like what people say about you, don't give them something that will give them that assumption. I mean, we all can't control of what people think of us, but if you want don't want to be labeled as a hooker, certainly don't dress like one.

For the love interests, Alec and Grayson, I could personally could care less about them. They are twins, but they are quite the opposite. Echols portrays Alec as the good guy and Grayson as the irresponsible bad boy. I honestly don't get why Leah crushed on Grayson. He was a complete jerk to her and accused her of sleeping with his father. I don't get it. How could you like a guy who accuses you of such a thing?!

Though Such A Rush may be a favourite for others, but this book did not sit well with me. If you like happy endings, I would definitely recommend this, but other than that, I wouldn't find another reason to pick this one up.

2/5 STARS


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Wednesday 8 January 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (10)













Starling (Secrets of the Eternal Rose #3)
               Publication Date: March 20, 2014

The dark, seductive conclusion to the thrilling Secrets of the Eternal Rose trilogy!

In the final book in the trilogy, Cass and Luca are back in Venice trying to find the Book of the Eternal Rose to clear Luca's name and keep them both out of prison. But the hunters become the hunted when the Order of the Eternal Rose figures out their plan. Filled with twists and turns, danger and torrid romances, this novel brings the Secrets of the Eternal Rose novels to a thrilling, heart-pounding, sexy conclusion.

Secrets of the Eternal Rose trilogy is probably the first historical series I've ever read. I don't usually gravitate towards historical fiction because it tends to bore me, but this vivid and mysterious plot that Fiona Paul (a.k.a Paula Stokes) had created sucked me into this. I admit the first novel, Venom was a bit boring - especially with the beginning, but with the sequel Belladonna, Fiona managed to reel me in.  

 I've very picking when it comes to the ending of a trilogy since I usually don't like how it would end, but those who receieved advanced copies had said in their reviews that the ending was amazing. Hopefully, I will be amazed just like they were. 

 What are you waiting for? Leave them down in the comments (:
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Friday 3 January 2014

End of Year Book Survey 2013


I've seen this survey on my dashboard for the past week and I thought it would be fun to do this. If you're interested in participating as well, you could over to Jamie's blog, The Perpetual Page-Turner and sign up as well.  



1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) 

This is just a few, if you want to know more, here's my Top 13 of 2013.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn't?

Divergent & Insurgent by Veronica Roth -The were both incredibly disappointing.

3. Most surprising (in a good way) book of 2013?

Fight or Flight by Jamie Canosa is a self published books but this one completely surprised me since I had no idea what I was heading into. 

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?

Delirium by Lauren Olvier

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

The Iron Fey series or the Unearthly trilogy

6. Favourite new author discovered in 2013?

Julie Kagawa

7. Best book that out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

I don't really read new adult, but when I read Find You In the Dark & Light in the Shadows by A. Meredith Walters, I was blown away. Definitely one of the best new adult books I've read.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

Altered by Jennifer Rush was filled with action that it was so hard to put down.

9. Book you read in 2013 that you are most likely to re-read next year?

Nevermore and Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh

10. Favourite book of a cover you read in 2013?




11. Most memorable character in 2013

Halley from Someone Like You


12. Most beautifully written book you read in 2013


13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?


14. Book you can't believe you waited until 2013 to finally read?


15. Favourite passage/quote you read in 2013?

From Stay:



12. Shortest book you read and longest you read in 2013

Shortest- Moonglass by Jessi Kirby (232 pages)
Longest- Gone by Michael Grant (558 pages)

17. Book that a scene in it that you had reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss)

The epilogue of Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh. Seriously, ya'll need to pick up this series if you haven't.

18. Favourite relationship from a book you read in 2013

Anna and Bennett from Time Between Us (romance)
Halley and Scarlett from Someone Like You (friendship)

19) Favourite book you read in 2013 from an author you've read previously

Since I only started reading just last year, all the authors I've read from are all brand new to me, except for Stephanie Meyers, which I didn't read any books by her at all this year.

20. Best book you read in 2013 that you had read based solely on a recommendation from somebody else

My best friends loves The Gallagher Girl series by Ally Carter and has recommended it to me so many times that I agreed to read the first three books. My, oh my was that a good deciosion!

21. Genre you read most from in 2013

It's between contemporary romance or paranormal.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

Christian Prescott & Tucker Avery from the Unearthly trilogy
Puck & Ash from the Iron Fey series

They're love triangles, but I can never choose between the both of them. For instance, Christian and Tucker are such swoon-worthy guys that it's too hard to pick one. Can't I just keep them both? (:

23. Best 2013 debut you read

How to Love by Katie Cotugno - Absolutely stunning!

24. Most vivid/world imagery in a book you read in 2013?

Literally, anything by Julie Kagawa.

25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2013


26. Book that you made cry or nearly cry in 2013?

Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay - This book may not be sad, but Gem was such a strong character that reading through his POV was absloutely heart-breaking.

27. Book you read in 2013 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?

I haven't actually seen that much reviews for Starglass by Phoebe North, but it was a fantastic sci-fi.



 1. One book you didn't get to in 2013 but will be your number one priority in 2014?

Believe it or not, I still haven't read Anna and the French Kiss, but I will definitely make it a priority this year.

2) Book you most anticipating for 2014

Talon by Julie Kagawa -  I will devour anything by this author.

3) 2014 book you are most anticipating (debut)

The Falconer by Elizabeth May - I heard some pretty amazing things about this book.

4) Series ending you are most anticipating in 2014


5) One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2014?

Blogging - I hope to post six times a week. I would aim for everyday, but I need a day to take a break.
Reading - My goal is to read over 100 books. 

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) - See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/12/4th-annual-end-of-year-book-survey-2013-edition.html#sthash.t4gRLYR9.dpuf
1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) - See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/12/4th-annual-end-of-year-book-survey-2013-edition.html#sthash.t4gRLYR9.dpuf


1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) - See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/12/4th-annual-end-of-year-book-survey-2013-edition.html#sthash.t4gRLYR9.dpuf


1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) - See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/12/4th-annual-end-of-year-book-survey-2013-edition.html#sthash.t4gRLYR9.dpu
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