Trailer Blast: Dare Me by Eric Devine

Dare Me trailer from Patrick Willems on Vimeo.

Summary: When Ben Candido and his friends, Ricky and John, decide to post a YouTube video of themselves surfing on top of a car, they finally feel like the somebodies they are meant to be instead of the social nobodies that they are. Overnight, the video becomes the talk of the school, and the boys are sure that their self-appointed senior year of dares will live in infamy. Every dare brings an increased risk of bodily harm, but Ben cannot deny the thrill and sense of swagger that come with it. The stakes become even more complex when a mysterious donor bankrolls their dares in exchange for a cut in the online revenue the videos generate. But at what point do the risk and the reward come at too high of a price? What does it take to stay true to one’s self in the face of relentless pressure.

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Book Blast: The Immortal Circus: ACT TWO by AR Kahler

The Immortal Circus: ACT TWO by AR Kahler
Book Blast

Vivienne is almost content with her new life in the Cirque des Immortels. She has moved up from selling cotton candy to telling fortunes, she has a gorgeous, magical boyfriend, Kingston…and no one has been murdered since the clash between the otherworldly Courts. Her life under the faerie big top would be perfect, in fact, if not for the nightmares and visions that compel her to seek and confront her half-remembered past. But for Viv, not knowing her past may well be a blessing. There’s a reason she ran away. But can she truly escape herself?.

The second act of the fantastically evocative Cirque des Immortels series, The Immortal Circus: Act Two draws readers further into a world that’s at once wonderful, seductive…and deadly.

Step right up…

AMAZON

About the Author

Alex is many things, but first and foremost, he’s a Sagittarius.

In the past few years he’s taught circus in Amsterdam and Madrid, gotten madly lost in the Scottish wilderness, received his Masters in Creative Writing from Glasgow University, drummed with Norse shamans, and even spent a few months as the assistant to Holly Black and Cassandra Clare.

THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS, book one in his Cirque des Immortels series, is now available from 47North. ACT TWO will be released June 11, 2013.

MARTYR, the first book in his post-apocalyptic YA fantasy series, THE HUNTED, is set to be published October 28, 2014 by Spencer Hill Press.

When he’s not writing or climbing in the rafters, he’s probably outside, staring at the clouds. And seeing as he now resides in Seattle, there are clouds aplenty.

TWITTER | IMMORTAL CIRCUS SITE | PERSONAL WEBSITE

About the Giveaway:

One winner will get Book One in THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS series
2 Signed Bookplates
1 set of trading cards

Must be 13+ To Enter – Shipping in the US Only

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TMI Jewelry

So, new officially licensed jewelry for The Mortal Instruments is being promoted along with the upcoming movie.  I took a look at the site, and I'm a bit disappointed.  The pieces range from $60-80 from what I can see, and they look kinda cheap and ugly.  Sorry if you like them!

These are pretty gaudy, I'm sorry.

However, Hebel Design has cool pieces. I remember when Cassandra had a link to them on her website.  Their jewelry looks a lot nicer and has a better variety,is cheaper, and are more connected to specifics in the books.  Plus, many pieces are handmade.  Quality stuff!  I want these Shadowhunters' bling!!!!!!

Look! You can even add a Swarovski crystal. 

Vampire Academy Poster

Here's the official poster for the upcoming movie...

I'll admit that I haven't read the Vampire Acadmey books, but I've only heard good things about them.  However, I can't help but think that this might flop and that the vampire phase died after or maybe a little before Twilight ended.  I promise that I will read the books before it comes out though.  I know I'm going to see it in theaters, even if it means sitting alone in an empty theater, but let's not think that way before it even comes out.

TFIOS CASTING

Did you hear?  Issac and Hazel's mom were cast!  And who are these two being played by?

ISAAC...

NAT WOLFF

I thought that the last time I had seen him was in Nickelodeon's The Naked Brother's Band, but I literally just went,"That looks like the kid from Admission," which I saw a couple days ago (Just a note, Admission wasn't funny.  Big let down.)  I never thought that Nat Wolff could act, and it's not like Admission was great, but I'm excited to see him play Isaac.  If John Green liked him, that's good enough for me.

HAZEL'S MOMMY...

LAURA DERN

I'm sorry to say that I have no idea who this lady is.  I haven't seen Jurassic Park, but yay she got casted!  That means that seeing it's one step closer to seeing it on the big screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your thoughts?  Excited to see the movie?

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary: A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. 

As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here - one of whom was his own grandfather - were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason.

And somehow - impossible though it seems - they may still be alive.

Characters: So I had the chance to meet Mr. Riggs last month when the paperback of Miss Peregrine was released.  I met him prior to reading the book and I wonder if that contributes to my disappointment.  Jacob is based on Ransom, but Jacob lacks his wit.  Ransom is really funny in a nerdy way like John Green.  Jacob has a few chuckle-worthy lines, but he was disappointing.  However, I do like his transformation, going from that nerdy underdog state to a brave hero.  His relationship with Emma is super cute!  Emma was Abe's girlfriend, so her dating his grandson is kinda weird and violates bro code or whatever, but they're a good pair.  Sweet young, love.  All of the characters are kind to Jacob when he arrives and have sick powers!

Plot: I admit that this book took forever for me to finish because I needed to get into it.  But once I did, it really picked up!  People, including me, think that this is a creepy book from first glance, but this is a mix of historical, adventure, and sci-fi, not scary at all.  Actually, I read that Ransom Riggs was going to write a children's book using some of the photos initially.  Once you read the book, you're going to be amazed at how Ransom  creatively crafted a story around these random photos that he selected to be put together.  

Sequel: Hollow is the name of the sequel.  Thank goodness there exists one because that would have been a crappy ending.

Movie: Tim Burton will be directing the movie.  I can't think of a better person for the job.  I'm anxious to see who gets casted, but I have no idea when casting begins.  But it is going to be a real movie, none of that thinking it will happen because it got "optioned" and then dropped.  Hmm, maybe Ransom Riggs will have a lot of control over the movie since he studied filmmaking before becoming an author.

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, this isn't my favorite book, but Ransom Riggs' talent is undeniable.

Left to right: Carly (moi), Tahereh Mafi, Ransom Riggs, my friend Dani

View all my reviews

Catching Fire: The Infamous Sugar Cube Scene

What else is there to say besides," I LOVE YOU FINNICK ODAIR"?

TMI Soundtrack Track list (Colbie Callait, Jessie J, Demi Lovato...)

I'm so excited for City of Bones to hit theaters August 21!  The track list for the soundtrack has come out to get you extra pumped.  Colbie Caillat's song is one of the film's more important ones, so listen up!

TRACK LIST

1.  Zedd “Into The Lair”

2.  Jessie J “Magnetic”

3.  AFI “17 Crimes (LA Riots Remix)”

4.  Demi Lovato “Heart By Heart”

5.  Youngblood Hawke “Bring Me Home”

6.  Colbie Callait “When The Darkness Comes”

7.  Seven Lions with Myon & Shane 54 featuring Tove Lo “Strangers”

8.  Pacific Air “Bear”

9.  He Is We featuring Owl City “All About Us”

10. Bassnectar “Calling From Above”

11. Jetta “Start A Riot”

12. Bryan Ellis “Strange Days”

Review: Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols

Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary: Bailey wasn’t always a wild child and the black sheep of her family. She used to play fiddle and tour the music circuit with her sister, Julie, who sang and played guitar. That ended when country music execs swooped in and signed Julie to a solo deal. Never mind that Julie and Bailey were a duet, or that Bailey was their songwriter. The music scouts wanted only Julie, and their parents were content to sit by and let her fulfill her dreams while Bailey’s were hushed away.

Bailey has tried to numb the pain and disappointment over what could have been. And as Julie’s debut album is set to hit the charts, her parents get fed up with Bailey’s antics and ship her off to granddad’s house in Nashville. Playing fiddle in washed-up tribute groups at the mall, Bailey meets Sam, a handsome and oh-so-persuasive guitarist with his own band. He knows Bailey’s fiddle playing is just the thing his band needs to break into the industry. But this life has broken Bailey’s heart once before. She isn’t sure she’s ready to let Sam take her there again…

Characters: Bailey is super talented, but was left behind. It's impossible not to feel sorry for her and hate her parents and sister, but Julie's not so bad.  Bailey can be stubborn, but I like that she doesn't hold back and has a unique sense of style.  As for Sam, Jennifer has created another one of her drool worthy boys.  I never thought I'd crush on a guy in cowboy boots.  He is full of witty and cute lines, but he frustrated me sometimes by acting selfish!  I'm glad he realizes that he's acting like an idiot because he and Bailey are great together.  Their childhood memory at the festival is super aww worthy!  Then, the other band members include Ace and Charlotte.  Ace is a cool character throughout.  Charlotte, on the other hand, isn't so friendly in the beginning.  Her drama with Sam and Ace is kinda annoying, but she turns out to be pretty nice.

Plot: The timespan of this book is the craziest!  Sam has a line in which he talks about "these past four days," and this book really does take place over a short, short period of time.  This makes the love story a little less believable, but love can happen in an instant, n'est-ce que pas?  Well, they sorta knew each other at one point.  Regardless, the book was super cute with a little bit of heavy drama thrown in.  I suppose it's a bit predictable or maybe I've just read too many of these types of books.  Yet, I still knocked this book out in nearly one sitting. Summertime is the perfect time for Dirty Little Secret to have been released.

Would I recommend it to a friend?

Yes, I love this woman! Jennifer Echols is the bomb!! She knows how to create awesome characters and sweet romances with tension.
View all my reviews

I was Sorely Missed, Wasn't I?

Hey everyone!

I'm back from my aventures en Europe! I was really busy and really messed up my New Year's resolution of posting everyday.  Oh well:(  I should have done a lot more homework these past days because of the long train rides, but I read instead!

The Atomium, Brussels

Parc du Cinquantenaire, Brussels

Train ride to Interlaken

Interlaken

Port Vieux, Marseille

Chateau D'If, Marseille

Copenhagen

So, more reviews to come... and it's pretty nice to be able to blog on a real computer that doesn't operate on Windows 98.  Boy, that was a nightmare!!! Don't ever rent an apartment from a lady named Monserrat in Barcelona.  She is el diablo!  I wish I spoke Spanish...

Look at this dinosaur!

It's good to be back.  And now to get back to the books.

Lis les livres,
Carly

Review: My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Summary: "One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

Characters: Samantha is actually a pretty cool chick even though she's one of those girls that you know you would be jealous of because she's perfect.  Rich, works hard, gets good grades, hot boyfriend... But she's caring and a good hearted girl.  Speaking of that boyfriend, Jase is great! He's a family man, talented, an athlete, and just super sweet.  And no, I'm not partial to boys named Ja(s)(c)e. :) He's family is fantastic too, very close knit and loving.  The little boy George is blunt and innocent and the comedic relief.  He's hysterical.  The character that grew on my the most is Tim.  Originally, he comes off like a jerk, but he proves to be very loyal and certainly funny in a more crude and mature manner.  On the other hand, Nan was such a disappointment.  Sometimes, girls are so lame.

Plot: It felt like I was reading a Lifetime movie.  But I couldn't stop reading!  If you're a republican, your party gets trashed in this book.  Just be aware of this.  The author must be democratic because Clay and Samantha's mom are awful, but spoiler alert she does the right thing in the end.

Would I recommend it to a friend?

This is a super cute, quick, light read.  I would definitely recommend it as a summer read, as it's a summer love story.  Swoon worthy boy to look forward to...

Review: The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

Characters: Oh man, Caymen is one sarcastic girl!! I appreciate this, but I didn't like that she doubted that Xander liked her due to social status.  Frankly, judging someone because he is well off is just as bad as judging because she has financial troubles.  Other than that, she is pretty cool because she works hard, but is able to discover that she can be anything she wants to be...but nothing without the help of Xander. Fangirling over this guy! He's super sweet and can keep up with Caymen's biting comments.  And he's super rich and looks like a Ken doll.  What's not to love?

Plot: Rachel said this was predictable, but honestly I didn't see those plot twists coming at the end! Hello, drama! But yeah, the plot where the girl and guy fall in love though they shouldn't because he's from the "wrong side of the track," then break up, and get back together its original. 

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yeah, I thought this was a really cute book with some awesome characters.  It'll definitely make you laugh too :)

TFIOS and Amsterdam

I've been traveling throughout Europe the last couple of days, and I read The Fault in our Stars by John Green two nights ago on my overnight train to Amsterdam.  While the rest of my fellow travelers couldn't sleep out of discomfort in the tiny, hard train beds, I was busy staying up until 2 AM to finish this magnificent book!  Crystal has already done a review, but I have to say that John Green is the man! He creates genuine characters that sparkle and are very witty, placing them into a Nicholas Sparksian book that has a meaningful and thought provoking message.  And who can not succumb to the charm of Mr. Waters?

So, I am currently in Amsterdam.  Ill admit that the city is pretty in that old kind of way.  I guess I'm a weirdo because I had no interest in seeing Anne Frank's house.  I started reading her diary, and I only like it to put me to sleep.  Anne is very immature and annoying, but I feel like I can't say that about her, that she has to be seen as a hero, because of  the guilt or sadness that everyone feels knowing that she was a Holocaust victim.    Why is she so famous?  What did she do to merit her being the most famous victim and seen as an inspiration?  Didn't anyone else write a diary that wasn't as painfully boring to read? And just a note, she didn't die from the gas chambers but of typhus The line was massive, and frankly, John Green's descriptions sufficed.

This city is crazy trying to get places!  I can only imagine Hazel and Augustus running around the city now that Ive seen  that the cars, trams, and bikers don't stop for pedestrians or use turning signals.  The basic rule seems to be to make sure you don't get run over.  There are bikes and motorcycles flying in the pedestrian lane!  

Plus, the coffeehouses sell marijuana so you get that lovely smell walking down every street.

And the people here!! They are so indifferent!  They speak English, but don't offer help.  I've been given the **** you attitude all day.  Yeah people in the tram, thanks for watching me repeatedly press the button to get out when it wasn't possible that way, and then leading me to miss the stop, and then push over an old man in order to shove my way out to avoid missing having to walk back from the next next stop!  You spoke English and told me that you can't get out the entrance after that debacle!  

Yeah, not a fan of the people here.  I have no intention of getting high or interacting with prostitutes so I don't see me returning.  But the tulip museum was pretty!  Ahh, nerdy me.  

Book Blast: Over the Rainbow by Brian Rowe

Zippy Green never meant to fall in love with a girl, but when she does, her ultra-conservative father tries to send her to anti-gay camp. At the Kansas City airport, however, she hides inside a giant suitcase and sneaks onto an airplane headed not to the camp, but to Seattle, where her online love Mira lives. Halfway through the flight, the plane barrels out of control and crashes into the ground, knocking her unconscious.

When Zippy awakens, she finds that most of the passengers have vanished. She doesn’t know what’s happened, but she’s determined to find out. She begins a quest on foot toward Seattle, and along the way, she meets an exchange student with a concussion, a homeless man with a heart condition, a child without a shred of bravery, and a terrier named Judy. Together the group discovers that more than two-thirds of the world’s population has mysteriously disappeared. But that’s only the beginning…

All Zippy wants is to find her Mira, but before she can she has to contend with two outside forces. The first is her homophobic father, who does everything in his power to keep her from the girl she loves. And the second is extinct creatures of all shapes and sizes, including living, breathing dinosaurs, which have replaced the missing population.

Brian Rowe is a writing fiend, book devotee, film fanatic, and constant dreamer. He’s written nine novels, dozens of short stories, five feature-length screenplays, and hundreds of film articles and essays. He is one half of the blog Story Carnivores, where he reviews the latest in books and film. He is currently pursuing his MA in English at the University of Nevada, Reno, and is hard at work on his next novel.

GIVEAWAY is International

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Happy Independence Day!

It's July 5th here in Stockholm, but I know it's still July 4th back home!  This is actually the 2nd year in a row I've missed it.  I miss the red, white, and blue cakes but I suppose being here isn't too shabby.  Enjoy the fireworks for me, and go America!

These people are fools!

Update: I'm on Holiday

I just wanted to sound British there, but yes I'm on vacation for the next two weeks.  Blogging will be pretty hard.  If I do, it might just be stuff about my trip to Europe, so if you want to know how I'm doing or like Europe, stay tuned!

A dieu to you and bon voyage to me!

Cover Reveal: CREATORS by Tiffany Truitt

Today Tiffany Truitt and Entangled Teen are
revealing the final cover for The Lost Souls Trilogy, CREATORS. Along with an
exclusive excerpt and a pre-order giveaway that Tiffany has set up on her blog!

On to the reveal!

Blurb:

Heartbroken but more determined than ever after a
tense showdown in the woods, sixteen-year-old Tess once again returns to the
safety of her community of Isolationists. Bolstered by new alliances and
desperate to protect those she loves, this time she knows she can return
stronger and more powerful than ever to take back what is hers.

As she trains in combat and grows more confident,
Tess receives beautiful letters penned by her forbidden love, the chosen one
James, from his prison in Templeton. He is now serving as a bodyguard to the
creators—the team of scientists who created artificial life in the first place.
And what he has discovered about the true origin of the illness that halted
natural life could change everything.

Enemy will become ally and death will bring new hope
in this stunning conclusion to Tiffany Truitt’s epic Lost Souls trilogy.

Goodreads/Amazon

Exclusive
Excerpt!

Somewhere, James
was just as trapped as I was.

            I thought of the morning when we lay
with each other, curled against one another, never beginning and never ending.
How we’d stayed like that till the sun began to rise.

            James had reached down and pulled me
off the ground. He wore a satisfied grin on his face. “Someone is mighty proud
of himself,” I teased.

            He laughed. It bounced through the
forest, calling it awake. Readying it for the day. “I’m just insanely happy.”

            I stood on the tips of my toes and
kissed him gently on his scar. “I’m insanely happy too,” I whispered.

            James looked down at me, and I was
lost all over again. I would never tire of looking into those mismatched eyes.
They didn’t make him different. They made him him. He chuckled as he reached
over and pulled a leaf from my tangled hair. “They’ll know just by looking at
you that we’ve been up to no good.”

            “No good?” I purred. “I thought it
was very, very good.”

            James growled and lifted me into the
air. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he pressed his lips hungrily against
mine. I moved my hands to his hair, curling my fingers into it, attaching
myself to him. I never wanted to let go. Every part of me ached to be touched
by him, and every part of me ached to touch him right back.

            “Do you know how much I love you?”
he breathed into the base of my neck. His lips fluttered against my skin.

            I nodded, kissing the top of his
head. “As much as I love you.”

            James slowly put my feet back on the
ground. He cradled my face in his hands. “That will never change. No matter
what.”

            I looked deep into his eyes. “I
know.” Because I did. It was one of life’s few assurances. I would always love
James.

            I pressed my lips once again to his
scar. “I adore this scar,” I whispered, unable to hide the smile that seemed
etched on my face all morning.

            “You’re enough to drive a man
crazy,” he said The tremble of his voice caused my toes to curl. I wanted him
again. And again. And again.

            My fingers traced the waist of his
pants. “Tonight?” I said, knowing full well it was a promise that I probably
wouldn’t be able to keep.

            James grabbed my hand and brought it
to his lips. “Tonight,” he echoed.

            As the sun climb higher into the
sky, I knew our moment was coming to an end. James reached down and placed his
hand over my heart. “Thank you,” he said.

            “For what?” I asked, my voice choked
with emotion.

            “For everything.”

            As the memory slipped away, I looked
back up at the night sky. Praying and hoping that James knew how much I wanted
to thank him too.

            For everything.

About Tiffany:

Tiffany Truitt was born in Peoria, Illinois. A
self-proclaimed Navy brat, Tiffany spent most of her childhood living in
Virginia, but don’t call her a Southerner. She also spent a few years living in
Cuba. Since her time on the island of  one McDonalds and Banana Rats
(don’t ask), she has been obsessed with traveling. Tiffany recently added China
to her list of travels (hello inspiration for a new book).

Besides traveling, Tiffany has always been an avid
reader. The earliest books she remembers reading belong to The Little
House on the Prairie Series. First book she read in one day? Little
Woman(5th grade). First author she fell in love with? Jane Austen in middle
school. Tiffany spent most of her high school and college career as a literary
snob. She refused to read anything considered “low brow” or outside the
“classics.”

Tiffany began teaching middle school in 2006. Her
students introduced her to the wide, wonderful world of Young Adult literature.
Today, Tiffany embraces popular Young Adult literature and uses it in her
classroom. She currently teaches the following novels: The Outsiders, Speak, Night,
Dystopian Literature Circles: The Hunger Games, The Giver, The
Uglies, and Matched.

Tiffany is proud to call herself an educator and Young
Adult author. Her first book will be published by Entangled Publishing.

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads

Also Tiffany has a Pre-Order Contest going on over at her blog http://tiffanytruitt.wordpress.com/
three lucky people that pre-order CREATORS will win a signed Cassandra Clare
poster!

Book Bast: The Devil Drinks Coffee by Destiny Ford

A cow suicide, a revolving door rescue, and the birth of a bright purple pig are starting to make Kate Saxee wonder if taking a job in her small hometown of Branson Falls, Utah, was such a great idea. As The Branson Tribune editor, Kate covers local news, which, more often than not, involves her accident-prone mom. Nothing truly newsworthy has ever happened in the quiet town until local teen Chelsea Bradford turns up dead in a Branson Falls lake.

The police rule Chelsea’s death an accident, but Kate suspects there’s more to the story—and she’s not the only one. Two of Branson’s most eligible bachelors are determined to help her solve the crime—among other things. But the small town social network is faster than Twitter, and gossip about Kate’s love-life is quickly branding her the Branson Falls hussy.

As Kate learns more about Chelsea, she discovers that plenty of people are trying to cover up the real story behind the girl’s death—including Chelsea’s parents. Now Kate has to juggle work, men, her mom’s most recent disaster involving a low-speed John Deere Combine chase on the freeway, and fend off the Mormons heaven-bent on saving her soul—all while solving Chelsea’s murder. Dealing with this is going to require a lot of coffee, chocolate frosted donuts, Neil Diamond’s greatest hits, and a slew of words not on the town approved imitation swear list.

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*The Devil Drinks Coffee by Destiny Ford is on SALE for $0.99 on Amazon from July 1-3.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a child, Angela Corbett’s most prized possession was a set of read-along books. She used to follow along with the narrator on the stereo and dream of when she would be able to read by herself. Her childhood reading habit led her to consider her future career. However, after consulting with her parents, she realized she had already exceeded hobbit height and since fairies and dragonslayers were tricky jobs to get, she decided she wanted to create worlds of her own. She started writing poetry in elementary school and worked as a journalist in high school and college, but could never leave her love for writing fiction behind.

She is a graduate of Westminster College where she double majored in communication and sociology. She has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and director of communications and marketing. She loves classic cars, traveling, and escaping in a good book. She lives in Utah with her incredibly supportive husband and their five-pound Pomeranian, Pippin, whose following of fangirls could rival Justin Bieber’s.

Eternal Starling is her debut novel and the first book in the Emblem of Eternity trilogy.

Review: Vain by Fisher Amelie

Vain by Fisher Amelie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary: If you’re looking for a story about a good, humble girl, who’s been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, only to find out she’s not as vulnerable as she thought she was and discovers an empowering side of herself that falls in love with the guy who helps her find that self, blah, blah, blah...then you’re gonna’ hate my story.

Because mine is not the story you read every time you bend back the cover of the latest trend novel. It’s not the “I can do anything, now that I’ve found you/I’m misunderstood but one day you’ll find me irresistible because of it” tale. Why? Because, if I was being honest with you, I’m a complete witch. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a friend using, drug abusing, sex addict from Los Angeles. I’m every girlfriend’s worst nightmare and every boy’s fantasy.

I’m Sophie Price...And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most envied girl to the girl no one wanted around and why I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

I LOVE IT!

Characters:
Sophie: If you are like me, you may want to smack Sophie in the face in the beginning of the book.  Actually, I was in between wanting to hit her and thinking if people could be as vain as her.  However, as soon as she gets to the orphanage something in her changes and she becomes grateful and much more caring.  She is brave and selfless towards the children by the end, and I would strive to be like her.

Dingane/ Ian: Even if he wasn't the kindest to Sophie right away, I still adored this guy!  He cares for the children like their his own and is just so kind.  What I liked most about him was his backstory.  He has a strong moral compass that guides him, and he is admirable beyond belief.  And he happens to be pretty attractive...

(I picture him as a rugged Zac Efron)

Plot: Not saying that the plot wasn't predictable at parts, but I really enjoyed it! It brings up an important issue that many people are unaware of- Joesph Kony and the LRA. There was the Kony 2012 video that went viral, but this book does a great job of shining light on those evils.  *Note: Intimate scene wise, this is the tamest new adult book ever written.  Seriously, not one scene.  Yet, I appreciate this because of the addition of the heinous LRA scenes.  I think having both would be too much to handle.  Yes, the romance in the book was sweet, but the message of discovering what matters most beneath all of our materialistic wants was beautiful.

Sequel: Ahh, can't wait! The sequel called Greed  is about Spencer, Sophie's best friend who is in love with her.  He's reliable and charming.  I'm so glad he gets a happy ending, because it would really stink for such a great guy to get forever stuck a victim of an unrequited love.

Would I recommend this to a friend? GO READ IT NOW! Its the most heartfelt new adult book I have ever read, and it does not include a bet or a best friend trying to get the reserved main character some action.  Thank goodness!
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