Stripped by Brooklyn Skye Blog Tour (Review & Giveaway!)

Welcome to my stop on the Stripped blog tour! To see the tour schedule, click HERE!

 

Stripped by Brooklyn Skye

Release Date: May 14, 2013

Format: ebook, 345 pages

Source: YA Bound/Author for blog tour

Buy It: Amazon Kindle | Amazon Hardcopy | B&N 

Description from Goodreads:

“I like you.” His voice is low and soft, which I don’t deserve. I look away, down the rutted parking lot.
“Don’t... waste those words on me.”
He touches my cheek. “You just need someone to show you.”
“No.” I ease back again. “I don’t. So please, Torrin, stop trying to swoop in and save me. I don’t need saving.”

College freshman Quinn Montgomery will do anything to avoid the mistake her sister made—killing herself over a boy. But when she is forced into nude modeling at a local college to support her family after a bankruptcy, she begins to crack, just enough to let Torrin, the university’s top varsity oarsman, see that the real Quinn is not as feisty and unapproachable as she wants everyone to think. But letting someone in comes at a steep cost and, it turns out, Torrin is connected to Quinn’s family in more ways than she could ever imagine.

Stripped is new adult. First and foremost, that was what drew me into this book. That and the cover. Then, I saw that it was about a girl afraid to make the same mistake as her sister, who had committed suicide. I don't know why, but that REALLY intrigued me. So I jumped at the chance to read and review this book. I thought it'd be something I enjoy. A nice, deep read that made me swoon a little bit.

Now that I've read the book, I have to say that I'd pretty much guessed right. Stripped did not disappoint in any of the aspects I was looking forward to, and on top of those, it was also well written and even quite funny at times. The banter in this book was fantastic. :)

Character Rundown:
Quinn: I like the name Quinn, but I have to admit, I don't get spazzy over it unless it's used for a boy. But THAT is a story for another time. Sometimes throughout the book, Quinn would have GREAT moments. Really, she could be a rather fun character to read about. But a majority of the time, Quinn really got on my nerves. She seemed so whiny and self-centered. She focused so much on her own problems and rarely thought about what things could be like for anyone else. Not cool. But she also had a nice character arc and didn't annoy me so much by the end of the book, so WOOT!

Torrin: Oh, Torrin. Such a genuinely nice guy. I heart him. The fact that he was such a great guy makes me annoyed with Quinn that much more--there was obviously more to everything than what she wanted to see. Because, COME ON, Torrin was fantastic. Kind, but not a pushover. There were some moments where I would have understood him walking away from Quinn (like the moments when I wanted to slap her...), but he stuck around and handled them like a champ. Goodness. He is so sweet. Have I mentioned that I heart him?

Plot. This is the one part of the book that wasn't AS great as it could have been, I think. Not because the story was weak or anything (on the contrary, it was very solid and interesting), but because it was predictable. I totally knew the secret waaaay before I was supposed to. so pretty much, I spent a bunch of time cringing at how Quinn WASN'T noticing the truth and waiting for the shoe to drop. So yeah. There's that. But other than that, this story is fabulous and wonderful.

Romance. With a guy as sweet as Torrin, there was no way I could have been disappointed here. There were so many moments where I was smiling like mad. Ahhh, these two. Quinn may get on my nerves, but I have no qualms with Torrin, so they pretty much balance each other out. Which I LOVE. <3

The ending. I felt like it was a little sudden, but I think that was okay. Because it didn't leave off on a cliffhanger or anything. It didn't even leave off at a bad part. It actually left off with me happy. So it is sudden, but good. Very good.

Overall, Stripped is a fantastic new adult debut by Brooklyn Skye. Deep, interesting, and definitely swoon-worthy, this book most definitely did not disappoint.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 

Brooklyn Skye is just your average awkward girl who's obsessed with words. She grew up in a small California town where she quickly realized writing was an easy escape from small town life.

Website / Twitter / Goodreads

 

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GIVEAWAY

 

There is a tour-wide giveway for one signed paperback pf Stripped (US only) or one e-book copy with authorgraph (INT)! Just fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

♥Jessica(:

Twisted Summer by Lucy V. Morgan Blog Tour (Book Spotlight & Giveaway!)

 

Twisted Summer by Lucy V. Morgan

Release Date: April 2013

Buy It: Amazon

 

Description from Goodreads:

A dark New Adult romanceYou have to understand that we never meant for it to happen. We knew it was stupid. We knew it was wrong.

Eighteen-year-old Danni Warren has big plans for her last summer before college: a cool job, a concert she wouldn’t miss for the world, and spending time with her beautiful girlfriend, Esme. But after one hell of an argument, Danni’s mother packs her off to stay with her estranged step-uncle, Gabe, in his lodge on the English coast. So begins a weekend of the worst punishment imaginable: no phone signal.

With his sun kissed good looks and sarcastic manner, twenty-nine-year-old Gabe Asher isn’t anything like Danni expected. She wants to hate him—he’s her punishment for standing up to her mother—but between surfing lessons and beach hikes, Gabe and Danni grow close. Maybe too close.

Now Danni’s questioning everything: old family secrets, her future, her strained relationship with Esme. One sun stained afternoon, Gabe and Danni go too far. And then everything else falls apart…

~~~

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lucy writes sharp contemporary fiction, usually with a liberal splatter of filth. She is a Lyrical Press author and a screenwriter.

Her upcoming new adult novel, TWISTED SUMMER, is a gutsy take on forbidden love starring an even gutsier heroine.

Her contemporary series, encompassing CHAIRMAN OF THE WHORED and THE WHORED'S PRAYER, features slick London lawyers with a penchant for sensual violence. It's definitely on the darker side. BEAUTIFUL MESS, her current release, is a snarky, sexy friends-to-lovers romp.

Lucy is currently working on new novels, and is developing a paranormal television series with producers (think The Vampire Diaries meets The 4400).

She is still trying to kick her dirty Pepsi habit.

www.lucyvmorgan.com | twitter.com/lucyvmorgan 

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GIVEAWAY



A tour-wide giveaway, y'all! WOOT!

The prize pack includes A beach bag by pro surf brand Brakeburn, Korres Cherry Lip Gloss, Signed print copy of Twisted Summer, and Luxury chocolate bars from Choccacino Devon.

Fill out the Rafflecopter to enter!
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

♥Jessica(:

Love in Bloom Giveaway Hop!

Yay! It's FINALLY time for this hop. I decided, like, two weeks ago what I was going to give away for this, and have been waiting and waiting ever since to make this post and actually, you know, GIVE IT AWAY.

So. Love in Bloom! Romance and lovey stuff. When I realized I was on for this hop, I was reading a bunch of news from one particular author. And I mean super EXCITING boy-POV news. I flailed. And feels. Feels everywhere.

And then I realized that I actually looooooooove the boy in her book. And think lots of other people should read about this magnificent boy. So I decided that this would be the perfect opportunity to give away...

 

Losing It by Cora Carmack

CORA. CARMACK. That is her name. Fun fact: I used to mess up her name biiiig time. It was so pathetic. I'm not even going to get into what I thought her name was. But I've met Garrick since then, and in turn Cora's name is one I remember.

And now I'm giving away a paperback copy of Losing It! Something *I* don't even have. I just have an ecopy (with super attractive original-cover-model Garrick). So YAY!

Read on for details, my friends. Because trust me. You want Garrick and his smexy accent. YOU DO.

Deeetaiiiils!

- This giveaway is, OF COURSE, international. How could this one not be? Pffft.

- One winner will be selected randomly to recieve one paperback copy of the book listed above

- My giveaway policy applies. You should know this. READ IT!

- Enter through the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

All right, now hop on, good people!

♥Jessica(:

The Last Academy by Anne Applegate Blog Tour (Review & Excerpt!)

The Last Academy by Anne Applegate
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Format: ARC, 320 pages
Publisher: Point
Source: Publisher
Buy It: Amazon

Description from Goodreads:
What is this prep school preparing them for?

Camden Fisher arrives at boarding school haunted by a falling-out with her best friend back home. But the manicured grounds of Lethe Academy are like nothing Cam has ever known. There are gorgeous, preppy boys wielding tennis rackets, and circles of girls with secrets to spare. Only . . . something is not quite right. One of Cam's new friends mysteriously disappears, but the teachers don't seem too concerned. Cam wakes up to strangers in her room, who then melt into the night. She is suddenly plagued by odd memories, and senses there might be something dark and terrible brewing. But what? The answer will leave Cam—and readers—stunned and breathless, in this thrilling debut novel.

The Last Academy is more of a YA story than I've read in a while. Personally, I think that made my like the story a little more because it gave the book a different air than the others I've been reading. I've been very much into NA (goodness, have you read Real by Katy Evans yet? AH, fantastic!) and upper YA. So a more on-level YA was a nice change.

Another thing--this book wasn't very romantic. And we all know I'm ALL OVER the romance. But instead of romance, this book had loads of mystery. This was both a good and a bad thing. Good because I found the questions I constantly had to be super fun and actually realy cool. The bad side was that NOTHING was clickling. Nothing. At all. For a majority of this book, zero things were making sense or giving me answers. This went on so long that I started to wonder if this book was the first in a series, even though I hadn't heard anything from anyone indicating that it was.

Now that I've finished the book, I can say that, overall, it was a good read. The ending was my favorite part of the whole book. Everything came together then and made sense, and I really loved the answer to the mystery. I legit never guessed. Not once.

Also, this book is most definitely not the first in a series. Even if it was, I don't think I'd pick up the second. Not becauyse I didn't enjoy this one (because, when all was said and done, I truly DID), but because I see no way this could continue in a way that would interest me. The mystery was revealed in this one! Wrapped up nicely in a way that I adored. So I wouldn't want to mess with that.

But that rant was for literally nothing because I'm pretty sure this is a standalone. So yeah.

Overall, The Last Academy was a pretty quick mystery that was questionable in the beginning, but pulled through in the end. The main character has a backbone and is truly kind, and the supporting characters were fun to watch interactions with. This is one of those books where the ending is worth it all. Because, trust me, it was great.

Man, it was so great.

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EXCERPT

 

Then I was at Nora's door. There was no one milling about in the hallway this time. In fact, it seemed even more dark and deserted than usual. I knocked.

 

"Come in!" Nora yelled. She was sitting out on the patio. Already, Jessie's stuff had a dusty, pharaoh's tomb look to it. I hurried through the room and out to the patio.

 

"What really happened to Jessie?" I asked. "Did she . . ."

 

Nora said in a loud voice, "I don't know. When I woke up, she was gone."

 

"People were talking about an ambulance. They said she killed herself."

 

"Look, I don't know anything about that." Nora enunciated every word. I wanted to shake her or something. Jessie had been my friend, too.

 

"But what about all her stuff?" I demanded. "Are you telling me she just got up in the middle of the night and walked out of your room and . . . disaooeared?"

 

♥Jessica(:

The Forgotten Ones Blog Tour: Book Spotlight & Giveaway!

 

The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard

Release Date: May 15, 2013

Series: The Danaan Trilogy #1

 

Description from Goodreads:

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.

 

laurahoward78.blogspot.com | twitter.com/laurahoward78

 

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GIVEAWAY

 

There's a tour-wide giveaway for 10 ebook copies of The Forgotten Ones! Just fill out the Rafflecopter to enter!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

♥Jessica(:

LOST IN YOU by Heidi McLaughlin Blog Tour! (Review & Giveaway)

 

Lost in You by Heidi McLaughlin

Release Date: May 6, 2013

Format: ebook, 348 pages

Source: Author for blog tour

 

Description from Goodreads:

Ryan Stone is a less than average teenager. He doesn’t have fancy clothes. He doesn’t carry around the latest smartphone and he definitely doesn’t have an MP3 player. Instead, he goes to school, does his chores and dreams of a new life away from Brookfield where he’s expected to follow in his blue collar family’s footsteps.

Hadley Carter is America’s Pop Princess. A successful recording artist living her dream with a sold-out tour and a handful of Grammy’s there isn’t much that she wants for, except love. But finding love on the road is near impossible when all she longs for are romantic dinners, a nighttime stroll on the beach and holding hands with someone who isn’t going to exploit her.

When a chance encounter introduces Ryan to Hadley, will he be like her adoring fans looking for a way in, or will it be Hadley who pursues Ryan even though it might cost her the only career she's known.

Lost in You is a story about following your dreams, taking risks and getting lost in love.

 

I went into Lost in You expecting one thing and got something COMPLETELY different. And you know what? I really liked it. I thought this would be the regular romance we see all the time. Of course, some things would vary, but overall it wouldn't be too groundbreaking. Instead, this book completely veered off my expected course and made its way into new territory that at first kind of bothered me, but in the end won me over. I REALLY liked this book.

The premise is same old, same old. Boy, girl, fall in love, deal with it, blah blah blah. But the way this story is executed is different. Also, once this story reaches a certain point, that "same old, same old" thing I said? Does not apply AT ALL, making this story fresh and... more REAL.

Character Rundown:
Hadley: Goodness, I love her name. Hadley. Anyway. In my mind, I pictured Hadley as Taylor Swift. Just saying. Did I like Hadley? Meh. Sometimes. She seemed genuinely nice, and I liked that, but she did grate on my nerves a bit sometimes. Not as bad as some female characters do, though. So I guess that's a plus.

Ryan: He is so cute. Especially in the beginning. I admit, he was kind of boring before he met Hadley. And a protion of when he knew Hadley. But then, as time goes on and by the end of the story, he grows into this interesting, wonderful character that is just so great. Awww, Ryan. My boy.

Plot. I was completely surprised by the course this story took. I was expecting it to be a straight shot through to a happy ending, but...that is NOT what this book is. This story twisted in a way that I didn't imagine before I got to it, but pulled me in at a point where I think, otherwise, I would have started to get bored. So again, that's a plus. Also, this book is in dual POV, beginning and ending with my boy Ryan. I enjoyed this. Especially when I wanted to punch one of the characters in the face. Because then the POV would switch and I could calm myself. Mhm. Yeah.

Romance. Oh, there was swooning. But there was also insta-love. So...by the end of the book, the insta-love thing doesn't have much merit, but still. It was there. Doesn't change the fact that Hadley and Ryan are a cute couple. And when they weren't a couple, I wanted to bang my head against the wall screaming "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!" Seriously. Some things in here disappointed me. But those things also kept the story interesting, so...stalemate?

The ending. *stares* It's in Ryan's POV. That is all I will tell you.

Overall, Lost in You is a tastefully written and refreshing story. If you're looking for a contemporary romance that doesn't exactly follow the beaten path, but is still fulfilling, you should totally add Lost in You to your TBR.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

My grandma once told me that I can do anything I want, so I am.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, I now live in picturesque Vermont, with my husband and two daughters. Also renting space in our home is an overhyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day you'll find me behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, I'm writing one of the many stories I plan to release or sitting courtside during either daughter's basketball games.

I'm also an active reviewer on The Readiacs - a site I own with my best friend and uber special beta, Yvette.

Website † Facebook † GoodReads † Twitter

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GIVEAWAY

There's a super awesome tour-wide giveaway where you can enter to win a Kindle Paperwhite! Just fill out the Rafflecopter below! :)
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

♥Jessica(:

A Different Blue Blog Tour: Review of A Different Blue by Amy Harmon!

A Different Blue by Amy Harmon
Release Date: March 27, 2013
Format: ebook, 454 pages
Source: Author for review

Description from Goodreads:
Blue Echohawk doesn't know who she is. She doesn't know her real name or when she was born. Abandoned at two and raised by a drifter, she didn't attend school until she was ten years old. At nineteen, when most kids her age are attending college or moving on with life, she is just a senior in high school. With no mother, no father, no faith, and no future, Blue Echohawk is a difficult student, to say the least. Tough, hard and overtly sexy, she is the complete opposite of the young British teacher who decides he is up for the challenge, and takes the troublemaker under his wing.

This is the story of a nobody who becomes somebody. It is the story of an unlikely friendship, where hope fosters healing and redemption becomes love. But falling in love can be hard when you don't know who you are. Falling in love with someone who knows exactly who they are and exactly why they can't love you back might be impossible.

I recieved an ecopy of A Different Blue for the blog tour. It landed in my inbox, I sent it to my Kindle, and then when I did what I usually do and took a little peek at the beginning. Why? Because I was curious. I usually am. Especially considering I send books to my Kindle/recieve them in the mail on a daily basis and have to put them aside for goodness knows how long until I have time to read them. (Seriously. I just started a book today that I got for Christmas. BLAH.) So I usually peek at the beginning. Not the middle, not the end, just the beginning. I don't want to spoil it for myself. That would be terrible. But I peeked at the beginning of A Different Blue. And then I peeked at the next page. And the next page. Next thing I know, it's 3 AM and I'm 80% through with the book.

Um. Yeah. This book is THAT terrific.

It just flies by in a daze of awesomeness that you don't even notice until you have to pee or want a snack or something. And even then, you don't really care because, um, hey, you need to know how this story is going to end. Goodness, I love this book. My heart is smiling just thinking about it. Amy Harmon's writing was fabulous and the story itself was captivating. GOODNESS, HAVE I SAID I LOVE THIS BOOK YET?!?!

Character Rundown:
Blue: Ahh, how I love her name. Blue and I...we kind of have a love/hate relationship. Her attitude was fun, and even reminded me of a friend I actually have in real life. But some of the decisions she made...I did not like. Don't get me wrong--I agreed with, approved of, and respected A LOT of her choices, especially the BIG choice she made in this book. But there were some little, petty choices that I did not like. They aren't TOO important, but they were there, nonetheless. Overall, I'd say I actually like Blue. WOOT!

Wilson: Oh, this guy. He has me wanting to name something Wilson. Or Darcy. Or one thing Wilson and one thing Darcy. I just want to NAME things after this wonderful human being. (Well, book character, but...meh.) He made me smile so much! And his character shifted so much from the beginning of the book to the end of the book. I. Loved. It. He made some decisions I did not particularly like, too, but still--I adore him and he's my boy. <3

Plot. It seems so straightforward when you read the description, but...this book goes places I never thought it would. And it does that while still being exactly what it said it would be. It was actually completely riveting. I didn't get bored at all, and this book (i.e. my Kindle) was glued to my hand as I read the beautiful that IS this story. Have I mentioned that I love it? I want y'all to know that.

Romance! Oh. Oh man. It is there. And it is...stunning. Blue and Wilson are a fantastic couple. Honestly, that is all that NEEDS to be said there. I could say a whole bunch of other things, too, but I don't feel it's necessary. Not with these two. Just...sweetness. And love. And MY HEART. Gah.

The ending. I'm leaving this one alone this time, actually. Just because. I will say that the ending left me loving this book. As did THIS WHOLE BOOK. This whole book left me loving this book. The ending included.

Overall, Amy Harmon is being added to my list of authors to watch for. A Different Blue has rendered me speechless. It was captivating and beautiful, and I don't regret the sleep I lost reading this for a second. Not one second. Totally worth it. I DEFINITELY recommend this book. No doubt in my mind about that. READ THE AWESOME!

♥Jessica(: