Review: Cycles

Cycles

by Lois D. Brown

My Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (Goodreads)

She remembers things that never happened.
She's a stranger in her own home.
She always knew she was different.
She just didn't know why.
Until now.

Renee Beaumont is about to die . . . again.

My Review

One word to describe this book-Beautiful.  Beautiful writing, beautiful plot, and beautiful characters!  Cycles is very different from my normal read.  It has that Sci Fi type of aspect to it, but it is very much a mystery read.  The writing in this book is exquisite!  It made me immersed in the world Brown created, and her writing captivated me.  I really felt I was right there along with Sam and Renee trying to figure out the mysteries of Renee's past!   Throughout the book there are these journal entries written by a woman named Helen and the whole time I was trying to figure out how that related to Renee.  I loved how it wasn't until very close to the end that I found out what was really going on.  Brown always gave me enough information to keep me interested but not enough to where I got bored because I had figured it out!  She also created wonderfully complex characters in Renee and Sam.  They were the social outcastes, but they had each other which was enough.  There might be a hint of romance in there too.  Overall I really loved this book, and I will definitely be looking out for Spaces, the sequel to Cycles!

Find Lois D. Brown

website

Buy Cycles (2.99)

Amazon

Goodreads

"Waiting on" Wednesday: Transfer Student

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post hosted by breaking the spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Transfer Student

by Laura Elliott

Release Date: March 20th

Summary (Goodreads)

TRANSFER STUDENT is a science fiction Freaky-Friday romance/adventure about two normal teenagers struggling to survive high school and deal with their parents… typical rites of passage. The twist? One teen is an alien from the planet Retha. In a galactic teleporting experiment gone wrong, Ashley, a Beverly Hills High surfing fashionista, and Rhoe, the biggest geek on planet Retha, swap lives. Only by surviving life as their biggest nightmare do Ashley & Rhoe discover their dreams. How far would you go for someone you love?


Why I am waiting on this...
Well because Laura Elliott is freakin' awesome! Do I have to say more?  The blog tour for this book also starts TODAY!!!! GO HERE for the details!




What are you waiting on this week? Leave me links!

Indie Author Month:Wrap Up

I read 7 Indie books in February...


~Survival by A.M. Hargrove
~Resurrection by A.M. Hargrove
~My Fairytale Life by Heather White
~Meeting Destiny by Nancy Straight
~Destiny's Revenge by Nancy Straight
~When Destiny Knocks by Heather White
~Cycles by Lois D. Brown

a-A.M. Hargrove
b-Beau (My Fairytale Life)
c-Cycles
d-Destiny's Revenge
e-Earth (planet in Survival)
f-Florida (My Fairytale Life)
g-Gloria (When Destiny Knocks)
h-Heather White
i-
j-Jadyn (My Fairytale Life)
k-Karlie (When Destiny Knocks)
l-Lauren (Meeting Destiny)
m-Meeting Destiny
n-Nancy Straight
o-
p-Paymon (When Destiny Knocks)
q-
r-Resurrection
s-Survival
t-Tesslar (character in Resurrection)
u-
v-Vesturon (planet in Resurrection)
w-When Destiny Knocks
x-Xarrid (character in Survival)
y-Yarrister (last name of Rayn & his family)
z-Zanna (character in Resurrection)


Each letter of the alphabet should correlate to either the authors name, a main characters name, a book title or book location! For example, The N could be for Nara in the Brightest Kind of Darkness -OR- the I could be for Elizabeth Isaacs! You are allowed to use one book up to 7 times in the list! All participates will get entries for the giveaway at the end of the month!


I'm missing a few, but this is WAY harder than it looks! 

A Place in this Life Blog Tour: Excerpt

A Place in this Life
by Julie Rieman Duck
Summary
For Natalie Miller, it’s just another family vacation. For someone else, it’s the opportunity he’s been waiting for. 

With only a single peck from a guy named Frank, Natalie’s anything but experienced with boys. But when Todd pops out of the water, says hi, and tells Natalie he has leukemia, all of that changes.

She’s never had attention like this from a boy, let alone one who’s a real charmer with sex on the brain and the experience to match. Drawn to Todd like a magnet, Natalie gives him her friendship, her love, and her body. Even when she’s tempted by gorgeous, healthy schoolmate Alex, Natalie’s desire to love and care for Todd pushes her to see how far love can go in spite of the potential for death of the relationship — and death of the one she loves.


Excerpt

“Are you curious about what a real kiss is like?” He took his sunglasses off and sat with one

long leg up. If we ended up kissing, I couldn’t avoid looking at him anymore, and so I did. He hadfull lips, an angular face and strong nose. There was little hair on his arms. I thought that he musthave looked lovely with longer hair… or any hair for that matter.“What are you gonna do, show me?” I asked, putting my hands on my hips. He stood up fromthe rock, standing at least 6 feet tall, and came over to me, placing his hands around my face.“I’m a good teacher.” (page 17)

Wasn't that AMAZING?!?! What do you think?  Doesn't it just make you want to pick this book up immediately and devour it? 

You can find the rest of the tour schedule and a giveaway for A Place in this Life

over at Stuck in YA Books HERE! 

Thank you Amanda for letting me participate in this wonderful tour! 

Find A Place in this Life

Goodreads

Amazon (.99)

Review Copy Cleanup

Celine from Nyx Book Reviews and Vicky from Books, Biscuits, and Tea are hosting this amazing idea.  We are reading as many review copy books as we can in March!  I really need this because I guess my blog just recently became legit enough to get review requests from authors and I accepted a ton because I didn't think about the fact that more would be coming so now I pretty much have a mound!  I mean just look at my recent IMMs!!!  So I'm going to use this as an opportunity to make that mound get smaller so I can eventually read some books that I bought without feeling guilty for ignoring all my review books!

GO HERE TO JOIN ME IN THIS QUEST

Resurrection Blog Tour: Review

Resurrection 

by A.M. Hargrove

My Rating: 4 Stars

Summary (goodreads)

"Maddie knew she was dying. Her life started to flash before her. She had visions of running down the soccer field, scoring a goal, eating her mother’s yummy, homemade, sticky cinnamon rolls, standing in her foyer listening to the police tell her father that her mother had been killed in a car accident. Each vision was disturbingly clear—as if it was happening again."

Rayn Yarrister, the first-born son and Leader of The Guardians, has been imprisoned on Vesturon for breaking their most sacred of covenants. He is suddenly jolted by Maddie's telepathic pleas for help, as her life hangs in the balance. Can he alert The Guardians in time to save his soulmate? Or will he face his trial alone and broken without his one true love?
In Resurrection (Book 2), The Guardians of Vesturon are facing their biggest challenges as Earth is threatened by an invading species from a distant planet intent on destroying it for its resources. The Guardians, as protectors of the universe, have been assembled to defend not only Earth, but other vulnerable worlds as well. The Yarrister family is threatened by an unknown entity intent on discrediting them. Will they uncover this plot in time to save themselves from ruin? Will The Guardians succeed in stopping the Xanthians, or will Earth be invaded and ravaged by this marauding species?

Review
As you know I loved the first book in the series (you can find my review near the bottom of this post) and the second one definitely did not disappoint.  I love how this book was mostly about Maddie finding herself.  She refused to let her and Rayn's relationship go any further until she found her place in this world.  A.M. Hargrove has completely changed my opinion of Aliens and different planets.  I love Vesturon, and I could totally see myself marrying Tesslar and living up there someday!  (wouldn't our names look so cute together?!)  Anyway enough with my fantasies and back to the story.  I love the kiss-a** heroine that Maddie is turning into.  This book really took hold of my emotions.  I didn't cry when it hit the low points, but I almost did which is saying a lot for me! (I have never cried while reading a book before)  Maddie and Rayn really have to get through a lot in this book, and they make many new discoveries, but with each hardship their character develops.  The growth is really what makes this book so great!   Overall its a really awesome read and I can't wait for more books in this series!  

Buy It (2.99)

Amazon

Goodreads

Find A.M. Hargrove

Twitter

Facebook

Giveaway Time

Okay so now that you have gotten the book for free, would you like to hear about the giveaway we have in store? 

What's up for grabs you ask?

1st Place Prize

$10 Amazon

Rescuer (Book 2 of the Guardians of Vesturon)

2nd Place Prize

Rescuer (Book 2 of the Guardians of Vesturon)

All you have to do is comment on this review and then 
fill out the rafflecopter entry (Comment on Tess's Survival Review 2/3/2012)

Want EXTRA Entries? 

then follow the tour and with each post you comment on the more entries you will get! 


Go HERE for the tour schedule!!!!
Here is my review of the first book- Survival

Here is my character interview with Maddie and Rayn

In My Mailbox {11}

In My Mail Box, just in case you didn't already know, is a meme hosted by The Story Siren where bloggers can post about the books they got this week!

Books Mentioned


Review
A Place in this Life by Julie Rieman Duck
Catspell by Danyelle Leafty
Destiny's Revenge and Destiny's Wrath by Nancy Straight
Chimera by B.D. Swan
Falling by LC Smith
The Choice by Lorhainne Eckhart


Won
Shift by M.R. Merrick 


Free
Almost by Anne Eliot
Intuition by J. Meyers
Awakening by Karice Bolton
Exiled by M.R. Merrick
Wildflowers Come Back by Sarah Spann
Bridger by Megan Curd


Bought
Descended by Blood by Angelica Kace


Gift
Anew by Chelsea Fine from Tabatha at Inightful Minds
Callum & Harper AGAIN from the author herself ( because she is awesome) Fisher Amelie
Vampire Hunter Series SWAG from Heather White (the author)


Blogs Mentioned
Tabatha @ Insightful Minds
Danyelle Leafty
Jessica @ Taking it One Book at a Time

The Vincent Brothers Cover Reveal!

AND NOW....

For THE MOMENT...

YOU Have ALL... 

Been WAITING For...

The Cover of The Vincent Brothers...

*The Whole Audience CLAPS and CHEERS*

Oh & once you're done staring at the cover...

Check out the Summary!!!

Summary:

He may have given her up without a fight, but Sawyer Vincent is far from over losing the girl he’s loved all of his life. Instead of giving up his best friend and the girl he thought he’d spend forever with, he gave Ashton and his brother Beau his blessing. However, adjusting to seeing Ashton wrapped up in Beau’s arms isn’t easy. Complicating everything even more, Ashton’s cousin Lana is in town for the summer. Sweet, kind, soft-spoken Lana, who gets under his skin. Just being near her makes him forget all about Ashton and his broken heart. Lana is everything he wanted Ashton to be except she isn’t Ashton. She lacks the backbone to stand up for herself and confidence that Ashton wears like a crown. 

Lana McDaniel  has lived her life in her cousin's shadow. While Lana struggled with her grades no matter how hard she tried, her mother praised Ashton's intelligence. She hadn’t been blessed with Ashton’s blond hair and flawless skin, but that didn't keep her mother from lamenting her naturally red hair and freckles. But none of that would have mattered if Ashton hadn’t always had Sawyer Vincent wrapped around her finger -- the only boy Lana wanted. Once Ashton let Sawyer go, Lana had been so sure that he’d move on. Determined to make Sawyer finally see her, she'd talked her mother into letting her spend the summer with Ashton. But Sawyer is still in love with Ashton, and Lana isn’t going to be anyone's rebound girl. No matter how yummy Sawyer Vincent’s kisses taste.

Here is Abbi's dream cast for The Vincent Boys Series!

What do you think?

whoo! Is anyone else staring at those abs?

and if you don't know the awesomeness that is The Vincent Boys then you need to.

You have some time to read it before The Vincent Brothers comes out so get to it!

Here is my review!

Buy It ($3.99)

Amazon

Goodreads

Waiting On Wednesday: When Destiny Strikes

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post hosted by breaking the spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

When Destiny Strikes

by Heather White

Release Date

add it to your TBR

Summary (goodreads)

Now that Karlie has received her full powers, things are going to be great... right? 

Karlie's number one priority is to kill Serenity - after all she deserves it for trying to kill Alex. Though it isn't as easy as it sounds. Serenity teams up with demons to create an army to destroy Karlie. On top of that, there are a ton of zombies, everywhere... And a new angel in town, who seems more like a demon... And of course, a shape shifter dragon! It's all weird, even for Karlie. With friends turning against friends, it seems as though her life got a whole lot more complicated.

This is the second in Heather White's Destiny Saga.

The first book is When Destiny Knocks which you can find HERE!

Review: Meeting Destiny

Meeting Destiny

by Nancy Straight

My Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (Goodreads)

Lauren is visited in her dreams for years by a stranger claiming to be her destiny. Destiny becomes reality when paths cross during a failed robbery attempt. Lauren and the stranger experience chemistry like no other and now her doubt over her long time relationship with her high school sweetheart is not her only secret…someone else knows about her keen intuition and sixth sense.A mysterious clairvoyant seeks Lauren out and tells her not only of her life now but what the future may hold. Soon Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Law enforcement, friends and family are concerned for Lauren but unfortunately they are unaware of the true danger…Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren’s abilities.


Review
What I want to know is how everyone doesn't know about this book yet!  The fact that this book is only .99 cents is crazy awesome.  With that price this book should be on everyones e-readers! Why you ask?  Well this story is captivating.  I had been in a bad reading mood with the books I had been reading and this book really turned it around.  I didn't want to put it down, and it was great getting this excited over a book again! Max really had me swooning.  He is a paramedic and he saves lives and that is just HOT!  The chemistry between them is ignited at first sight (well you probably can't call it first sight since Lauren has been dreaming about him for awhile).  The relationship is growing throughout the book, and I can't wait for book 2 to see more of it.  Lauren just seems like she is prone to trouble but maybe that is just her Destiny.  At least she has smokin' hot Max to come to her rescue.  This book really does end with a bang, and I am extremely anxious to pick up the second book (Destiny's Revenge)! 

Buy It (only .99)

Amazon

Goodreads

Find Nancy Straight 

Goodreads

Twitter

In My Mailbox {10} First Vlog!

In My Mail Box, just in case you didn't already know, is a meme hosted by The Story Siren where bloggers can post about the books they got this week!

Here is my very first IMM Vlog!!! I hope I don't sound TOO awkward!

Books Mentioned

Revealing Eden by Victoria Foyt

Callum & Harper by Fisher Amelie (signed)

The Hunger Games Trilogy

My Fairytale Life by Heather White

Survival by A.M. Hargrove

Resurrection by A.M. Hargrove

Gravity by M. Leighton

Vitality by Tim Andrewartha

Darkhouse by Karina Halle

Exiled by Rashelle Workman

Won from Captivated Reading

Become by Ali Cross

Honorary Mentions

Abbi Glines

Enchanting Book Tours

100 Follower Giveaway

OH! Now I remember what I'm forgetting!!! I wanted to share some awesome news with you guys!

This week I got in my mailbox...

....acceptance letters!!!

Clemson University 

University of South Carolina

What did you get in your mailbox?

Leave me links!

Read-A-Thon

I have tons of books to read this weekend so I can stay caught up on reviews so I thought I would have a little fun with it and join in on this read-a-thon!  To find more information on it and join as well GO HERE

Dark Days by C.A. Kunz 

and 

Existence by Abbi Glines 

is what I'm going to start out with! I will be updating this post every 12ish hours so stay tuned!

Update #1 Saturday 12:33 A.M.

30% through Existence

Update #2 Saturday 11:54 P.M.

64% through Existence

Update #3 Sunday 2:05 A.M.

finished Existence

Update #4 

nothing :(

Last Update 

started Dark Days

200 Followers!!!!

TODAY I REACHED 200 FOLLOWERS!!!!

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped me reach this goal!

Now as you probably have already guessed, I am going to do a giveaway to thank you for helping me reach this milestone!

But I haven't got one together yet so I thought I would ask you what you would like to see in the giveaway!?

If you have any suggestions PLEASE leave comments!

My Fairytale Life Tour: Review

If any of you have been following this blog tour, you would know that this review was suppose to be done a few days ago.  I apologize for just getting it up now.  School got uncontrollably busy the past few days, and I couldn't even write a coherent thought, so I figured I would wait to write this review so it would make sense instead of writing crap just to be on time! Now for the book!

My Fairytale Life

by Heather White

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Summary (Goodreads)

17 year old Jadyn and her dad are vampire hunters. That is until her dad decides it's time for Jadyn to have a "normal" life. When he moved them to Miami, Florida the last thing Jadyn expected was for there to be vampires.

Jadyn doesn't want to have a normal life, but then she starts to make new friends. She starts to think that maybe a normal life might not be so bad after all. But soon she realizes that maybe her friends aren't "human" as she once thought they were.

On top of everything else a very powerful vampire, Tabatha, seeks revenge on Jadyn. People from her school start disappearing, and people start dying. She wants to stop the deaths, but Tabatha has other plans for her.

Can Jadyn stop the one vampire that is impossible to kill before its too late?

Review

I really enjoyed this read, so much that I flew through it!  I read it so quickly that I barely have memories of reading it at all.  Except the fact that I know Jadyn, Beau, and Jeremy's story...

This book wastes no time!  You are thrown right into the plot right when you open to the Prologue so get ready!  It really grabbed hold of my attention which was one of the reasons I loved this book! It didn't feel like a single moment was wasted, and something big was always happening.  Either the book moves fast or I was just reading quickly, but I felt like I was in fast forward throughout the book, so it kept me on my toes.   

The characters are quite awesome as well.  You have Jadyn your M.C. and she could be considered a heroine.  Well first of all, how could you not be when you kick evil vampire's butts?  She is also the independent, self-sufficient type which is my kind of female lead!  She is forced to live a normal life which irks her until she meets some guys (Don't hot guys seem to always be making things better?).  Guys is in the plural which means...LOVE TRIANGLE...now for me I like a well written love triangle which this is one.  Beau and Jeremy are both smokin' and yah not human!  Cause what fun are humans in a paranormal book?  I really love Erica.  She is the friend Jadyn kind of stumbles upon.  I'm glad Jadyn doesn't only have to rely on guys to save the day! (I must confess I mostly like her cause she reminds me of my best friend in high school also named Erica).  and oh boy you got an evil character in Tabatha!  Im excited to see all these characters develop more in book 2~well except for Tabatha she can go ahead and die.  

Now lets talk about the killer ending.  When I say killer, I mean I am still hanging on the cliff with my pinky aka this book does end in a cliffhanger~a pretty major one actually.  It's one of those books that you keep pressing the next button waiting for your kindle to obey by going to the next non-existent page.  I actually tried that~ FAIL!  This ending climax is epic, and I really can't wait for book 2! AHEM Heather write faster! 

Buy My Fairytale Life

Amazon

Goodreads

Stalk Heather White

Twitter

Blog

Giveaway Time

Okay so now that you have gotten the book for free, would you like to hear about the giveaway we have in store? 

What's up for grabs you ask?

1st Place Prize

$10 Amazon

Ecopy of My Fairytale Life

Ecopy of Destiny Knocks (Heather's other book)

Signed Bookmark

2nd/3rd Place Prize

Ecopy of My Fairytale Life

All you have to do is comment on this review and then 

fill out the rafflecopter entry (Comment on Tess's Interview 2/16/2012)

Want EXTRA Entries? 

then follow the tour and with each post you comment on the more entries you will get! 

Go HERE for the tour schedule!!!!

Check out this awesome Character Interview with Jadyn!