2013 End of The Year Book Survey

It's that time of the year again where we discuss our highlights of 2013 and anticipations of 2014, in bookish speak, obviously! Last year I participated in the End of the Year Survey by The Perpetual Page Turner and had so much fun writing the post and narrowing down the books, so here I am again sharing all these great and no so great reads of 2013!

1. Best Books of 2013

I skipped the Top Ten Tuesday meme this month, so I decided why not share 10 of my favorite reads of 2013. This is the hardest question in this survey, but I tried not to cheat. Well other than picking 10 instead of one :)

And I completely forgot about Dare You Too and Crash Into you by Katie McGarry. Oh well, 11 and 12.

2. Book I was excited about and thought would love, but didn't

Thousand Words by Jennifer Brown. Reading this book felt like I was expecting a rich, dark Belgian chocolate, but got Cadbury in return. You know, the meh feeling. I gave it 3 stars, not bad considering all the way worse books I've read this year, but my high expectation killed any chance it had.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book

Without a doubt, this title goes to Seducing The Enemy by Noelle Adams. It sounded like a very average/repetitive storyline with a love/hate romance, but the feels it gave me from the first page.....NO WORDS!!! I loved this book so hardcore and probably bored everyone by recommending it again and again :D

4. Most recommended book

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell!!!!!! It was the best fucking awesome book I've ever read in my life and I still (and will always) shamelessly recommend it to everyone! This book is a must for any book lover!

5. Best Series discovered

Okay, I have to cheat in this one, I can't pick one out of the two. My favorite new series this year were Legend by Marie Lu and Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi.

6. Favorite new author 

Unfair! How can I name one? The first one that pops in my mind is Rainbow Rowell and Colleen Hoover, but I would love to mention a few other remarkable new authors I discovered: Emily Murdoch, Jessica Verdi, Lauren Miller, Cristin Terrill, Marie Lu, KA Tucker, Veronica Rossi, Jennifer E. Smith, Noelle Adams, Kendare Blake, J.M. Darhower and Sangu Mandanna. That wasn't that long, right?

7. Best Book that was out of my comfort zone or new genre

It's sad to say that I didn't step out of my comfort zone this year, I can't think of a single book or genre that wasn't me. Well I did try a sort of non-romantic dystopian (that should be a genre!), The 5th Wave by Rich Yancey, but didn't really like it. So no thank you. I love a bit of romance in my every read.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book

I recently finishing Striking Distance by Pamela Clare and that was one heck of an addicting read. I couldn't even take a break and relax because the story was that good! Fans of romantic suspense should definitely try out I-Teams series.

9. Book that I might re-read next year.

I'm not a re-reader unless it's a Jeaniene Frost book (I love Bones! Can't get enough of him!), so I would say none. Maybe 4-5 years down the road, I might pick up Eleanor and Park again.

10. Favorite book cover!

This book is sort of on hold, so being partially read, it counts! I love this cover! It is stunningly designed and on the whole, tells the story pretty accurately. 

11. Most memorable character

Warner in Unravel Me! Chapter 62!!!! Need I say anything else ;) Other than the sexy bits, Warner is a very complicated character and no-matter how negative/ruthless he's been in his life, you can't help but sympathize with him over his background. #TeamWarnerFTW

12. Most beautifully written book

Eleanor and Park is clearly winning every title. But if I had to pick another book, it would most definitely be If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on me

This is a recent one. I would say Striking Distance by Pamela Clare had the greatest impact on me because of the message it delivered. It taught me not to judge people over someone else action and sometimes we forget that.

14. Books I can't believe I waited until 2013 to read

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn! I read this book on Christmas and I can't even tell you how good it was! It felt like every line, every scene was full of laughter; the Grandma Got Run over by the Reindeer movie: Hilarious!, the shrilly Lily: No words!, Bomer: Awesome character!, Crimson Alert: Bit far fetched but fun nonetheless!, and Dash himself: Best Character Ever!

15. Favorite Quote/Passage from a book I read

I don't highlight or take notes during my reads, so I don't have any specific passage or quote marked, but Eleanor and Park was full of awesome monologue and if I could, I would've picked something from there. But a remember a scene at the end of If You Find Me that always gets me in tears-- Our MC goes back to the woods and read a sign there which said: If You Find Me, take me home. *Cue tears*

16. Shortest and Longest Book Read

Shortest: The Party by Katie Ashley (44 pages). Prequel novella to The Proposition and The Proposal.
Longest: Insurgent by Veronica Roth (525 pages) and no I don't plan on reading Allegiant anytime soon. Or how about never!

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? 

So many! First of all, Chapter 62!!!! Then the epilogue of Champion and "the scene that shall not be mentioned" from Allegiant. Even though I haven't read Allegiant, it was easy to find out what had caused an uproar in the bookish world.

18. Favorite relationship from a book

Roar and Perry from Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky series! Their friendship is so precious and I look forward to their scene more than Perry and Aria's.

19. Favorite book I read in 2013 from an author I've read previously

Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost! Vlad! Vlad! Vlad! No other words needed.

20. Best book of 2013 that I read solely from someones recommendation

Sins and Needle by Karina Hale! I hadn't heard of this book until Giselle from Xpresso Reads did a fabulous review on it, and I know she doesn't read much NA, so I had to check out. Turned out I really loved this book. Thanks Giselle!

21. Genre I read most from 

Do I even have to say it? Starts with a C and ends with a Y :)

22. Newest fictional crush from a book I read this year

Day from Legend series and Rush from Too Far series! One is the kind of guy I want to marry and other is the kind I want as a boy toy.

23. Best Debuts of 2013

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch, My Life After Now by Jessica Verdi, The Collector by Victoria Scott, Parallel by Lauren Miller and Shadows by Paula Weston.

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book

Under the Never Sky and Through The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi. It is one of the most beautifully created and detailed world I've ever read after Immortal After Dark by Kresley Cole. Kudos to the author for a job exceptionally well done.

25. Book that was the most fun to read

The Distance Between Us by Kasie West! Caymen was such a fun character, her presence alone made this book a treat to read.

26. Book that made me cry or nearly cry

Striking Distance by Pamela Clare. The situation out MC had to go through was so horrible and seeing her return to her old self and gain her confidence back was a downpour of tears. Every scene, every memory made me cry, but it would be inhuman not to. Or maybe I'm just a sensitive person.

27. Books I read this year that I think got overlooked

My Life After Now by Jessica Verdi. I didn't know which book to pick, so I went over to Goodreads to check out the review number of the books I loved this year and I was stunned to see the lower number for one! Why?!? This is one of the best book I've read, not only was it an eye opener (atleast for me) regarding HIV and it's emotional effects, My Life After Now had a great fathers-daughter relationship in the entire YA. If you haven't read this book, you should!

1. New favorite book blog I discovered this year

Again, so many! But the ones I visit everyday are The Reader's Den, The Readdicts, Supernatural Snark, Love is not a Triangle, Little Pieces of Imagination and Readers in Wonderland.

2. Favorite review I wrote 

Golden by Jessi Kirby and Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins! Writing their review was a challenge because both these stories are so close to my heart and I didn't think I could justice them with my review, but I tried.

3. Best bookish discovery

This site called Recaptains is the best! I don't like to reread, but that becomes a problem when I'm reading a sequel and can't remember what happened in the first book. That's when this handy dandy website comes in rescue. Though in all honestly, sometimes I just go there and read spoilers of books I find interesting. Now that's a habit I need to get rid of!

4. Did you complete any reading challenges?

I failed in some but surprising I did manage to finish most of them. More detail is on the Challenge page above, but to recap quickly--

Completed: Debut Author Challenge, TBR Pile RC, New Adult RC, YA Contemporary RC, End of the series RC, Reading Romances and Goodreads Challenge.

Failed: Why Buy the cow RC

1. Book I didn't get to read this year, but will be my number 1 priority next year

I think it's high time I read The Fault in our Stars by John Green, so that will be my number 1 priority. Hopefully by the end of January, I would've read this book.

2. Books I'm most anticipating next year.

For a list, you can look at my Dying To Read section in the sidebar, but if I had to pick 1 book, it would be Up From the Grave by Jeaniene Frost. Not only because it's by my favorite author, but this installment is the last of Cat and Bones. I'm going to miss them so bad :(

3. 2014 Debut I'm most anticipating

Ooh, hard one! But I would say Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge. Can never go wrong with a beauty and the beast retelling.

4. Series ending I'm most anticipating in 2014.

Up From the Grave by Jeaniene Frost! You know I'm going to cry reading that book. Also, how can I forget Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi! I need to know what happens with Warner!

Phew! That was harder than I thought, but it was a ton of fun too!

Did we get any same answers? Let me know!

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Happy Holidays! Blogging Break + Giveaway

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to write a quick post to wish to you all a very happy and safe Holidays! It snowed heavily this last week here in Jersey and my voice is practically gone. Though I'm glad that it will be a white Christmas this year!

And this brings me to my next topic. Since Christmas is a time for family get together and celebration, I won't be able to pay that much attention to my blog, hence a blogging break. It won't be long, just few weeks and I'll be back by January 6, 2014. I might do the End of the Year 2013 Survey by The Perpetual Page-Turner to highlight  all the great and not so great book of 2013, so be on a lookout for that!

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

And here's some Harlequin Christmas books to keep you entertainment during the week. I'll keep the giveaway period short, and try to get the package to the winner before the end of the year. And sorry INT readers, it's US only.

And these really cute gift tags!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Review: Sempre Redemption by J.M. Darhower

Title: Sempre: Redemption
Author: J.M. Darhower
Published: Simon & Schuster | Dec 16, 2013
Genre: Romantic Suspence
Source: From Publisher for Review (Thank You!)
Series: Forever Series
Sempre
Sempre: Redemption

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

In this thrilling and sexy follow-up to Sempre, two young lovers struggle to keep their relationship intact after they become deeply enmeshed in the dangerous mafia-run crime ring they once tried to overthrow.

Haven Antonelli and Carmine DeMarco have been through a lot. Haven was taken in by Carmine’s father, and with his family’s help, she escaped a gruesome fate. However, saving Haven from the dark intentions of a mafia family cost Carmine a steep price: he was forced to swear loyalty to them.

Now, still passionately in love, Carmine and Haven must face the fall-out of Carmine’s forced service, as Haven discovers terrifying secrets about the family that enslaved both her and her mother—and why she matters so much in this intricate web of lies.

Review:

     I HAVE NO WORDS! There is no way I can do justice to this book with my review. It's just not possible! But I'm still going to try. After finishing Sempre, I wasn't in love with the story; the character did leave a mark and as far as storytelling and direction goes, I was sort of in the middle. Cut to now, where I've just finished Sempre Redemption and can't be more happier with my decision to continue this series. It was out of the world! The feels it gave me were simply indescribably. The length wasn't even an issue, I flew through that book within a day and I can honestly say that this was the best sequel I've ever read to date. The story could not have gone in a better direction and I'm so glad that the author took that risque step regarding the romance and for me, it works! Job well done!

     Sempre Redemption opens up Haven and Carmine and the whole DeMarco family preparing for Christmas. The sweet moments only lasts for a few pages because that Christmas weekend, involving some very bittersweet interactions and a truly heartbreaking letter, sets up the base for the entire story. Carmine and Haven are set to explore their lives, him being a newbie in the Mafia dealings and her being just a normal girl experiencing the world for the first time. Haven goes to a college and starts making new friends. I loved this development in her character; from the naive, inexperienced girl, we see Haven grow into a mature, independent girl who wasn't afraid to take the next step. I loved seeing her come to terms with her past and accepting who she was and not wanting to hide it, I think that's something wonderful in itself. Haven was a beautiful, smart girl to began with, but the private time in New York ended up making her more confident and self-satisfied. Oh, I loved that girl so much!

     I wasn't a diehard fan of Carmine in the first book, he was too cocky for his own good and the only thing I hoped he would accomplish in the sequel was--to be more in control and patient. And hallelujah, he managed to achieve that! Not only did he get a hold of his anger and controlled his mouth, dare I say that Carmine in-fact ended up making me fall for him! This was the Carmine I wanted all the time; after error and fail, drugs and hospital visits, violence and revelations, he grew up a lot faster than I expected and that's a good thing! Besides Haven and Carmine, we get a POV of a man I feared and sort of loved in the first book, Corrado Moretti. He was a fucking awesome character! I'm obsessed with him and his lifestyle and his thought process, and I only hope that, if there is a sequel or companion to this series (which I've a feeling there would be), we get to see more of Corrado. His case trial and hearing was my favorite scene/part in Sempre Redemption. 

     All in all, Sempre Redemption was a thrilling read that played with our hearts and mind, and made us question our morals as well as our values. It was also a rough yet beautiful story about a lost girl and a clueless boy, and their path to redemption and a possible happily-ever-after. In short, read this series! The first book might be difficult to get into initially, but if you stick with it and complete it all the way, you're going to be left with a memorable story to cherish forever.

PS: I looked back to one of my reviews where I said that Sweet Peril was the best sequel to date, but I guess it's second now. It's a competitive world, people! :D

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Prank-Tacular Blog Tour + Giveaway: Needing Her by Molly McAdams

Hi everyone! Today I have a super cool tour post for you guys! Needing Her Molly McAdams is a novella about best friends romance but the best and fun parts about the story are the pranks that the main characters play on each other! So the theme of this tour of to have 8 fake Molly McAdams (which in fact are other awesome authors!) answering interviews questions on every blog and it is your duty to find out who the real Molly McAdams is! Isn't that fun? More details are below.

WHO IS THE REAL MOLLY McADAMS?

Molly McAdams is pulling a prank on the internet to celebrate the release of her prank-tastic novella, Needing Her, on 12/23! For eight days until Needing Her goes on-sale, the internet will be brimming with New Adult celebs like J. Lynn, Jay Crownover, Sophie Jordan, and more—all pretending to be the REAL Molly McAdams. All have filled out the same Q&A, so it’s up to the fans to guess which one is the real Molly! Each day, a new Q&A will go live on a variety of blogs, and if you guess who’s answering the questions in the comments, you could win a fabulous gift basket, including books from all the participating authors, as well as a prank “starter-kit,” for your own practical jokes. Here are the participants:

Molly McAdams

J. Lynn

Monica Murphy

Lisa DesRochers

Jay Crownover

Sophie Jordan

Nichole Chase

Blogger Yara Santos of Once Upon A Twilight

So see if you can guess who’s who by commenting, and you’ll be entered to win a lavish prize basket. And check all the other participating blogs until 12/23 to see if you can pick out the REAL Molly McAdams. Identities will be revealed, and the winner will be announced on 12/24, on these blogs as well as on the Between the Covers FB page.

Here we go! Put your thinking caps on :)

Molly McAdams Pretender #2

Favorite food?
Sushi!

Favorite color?

Pink

Favorite band and / or favorite song?

Too many to mention!

How do you come up with your book ideas?

Lately by reading magazines...

What’s the best prank you’ve ever played on someone?

I don't play pranks! I'm a nice person. Really I am.

What’s your fascination with cops and detectives?

They're so driven and sexy and macho. And rough and tough and always looking for danger. Why wouldn't anyone be fascinated with them?

What’s the thing you love most about Needing Her?

I love how much he...needs her. ;) 

Needing Her
Molly McAdams
Publication: William Morrow Impulse | Dec 23, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

A fabulous, fun, and sexy New Adult novella from New York Times bestselling author Molly McAdams. If you loved Connor in From Ashes, this is the story for you.

She's the girl next door

Maci Price isn't really into relationships. Having four very protective older brothers has always made having a boyfriend very difficult anyway. But her friend is set on finding her the right guy—and thinks the mysterious Connor Green is the perfect pick.

He's her brother's best friend

Connor Green is trying to find himself again. He loved, then lost, and it's time for him to pick up the pieces. His brooding is making his friends crazy, but Maci, who has grown up into a gorgeous and incredibly sexy woman, is about to break the spell.

They're made for each other

When Maci starts up old pranks to get Connor out of his slump, an all-out war leads to a night that will break all their rules … and a relationship they must keep hidden. Together they're electric. Apart they're safe. And soon they'll each find that they're exactly what the other needs.

Giveaway

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Follow the Tour

Monday, December 16^th:

Books Over Boys

The Eater of Books!

Jennifer Weiser

Reading on the Rocks

A Life Bound By Books

YA Bookish News

The Novel List

Tuesday, December 17^th:              

The Irish Banana Review

Tart Sweet

Urban Girl Reader

Lebooksquirrel

Judging Books By Their Covers

Night Owl Reviews

BookCrushin

Read Lovely Books

Enticed by Books

Wednesday, December 18^th:       

My Overstuffed Bookshelf

The Reading Date

Vi3tbabe

Stuck In Books

Waste Paper Prose

Supernatural Snark

The Story Siren

The Book Reading Gals

Book Mom's Reviews

Reading Teen

Thursday, December 19^th:            

The Bookish Babe

Tea Time Romance

Save Your Money For Books

Eclectic Passions

Vilma's Book Blog

Ficwishes

EndlessReading

All in a Book

Will Read For Books       

Friday, December 20^th:  

Books Like Breathing

Bookalicious

Reese's Reviews: MA2F

Fiktshun

The Lusty Literate

Owl Always Be Reading

Live To Read

Starbucks & Books Obsession

My Summer Girl Books

Fic Talk

Saturday, December 21^st:            

Romancing the Readers

Got Fiction

Nevaeh's New Adult Book Blog

YA Sisterhood

MEReadALot

Sties Books

TSK TSK What to Read

In The Best Worlds

The Book Trollop

Please Another Book

The Boyfriend Bookmark

Booklovers LaceyCat

Sunday, December 22^nd:               

Flirty & Dirty Book Blog

Seduced By A Book

Fiction Fare

Library of a Book Witch

Whirlwind Books

A Bookish Escape

CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Swoon Worthy Books

Movies, Shows & Books

Brazen Reads

Good Choice Reading

Brit Nanny Reads

Monday, December 23^rd:                             

Babbling about Books, and More

Toot's Book Reviews

Cocktails and Books

Mean Girls Luv Books

Lola's Reviews

Bookish Treasures

About To Read

I Read Indie

Just Booked

Reading Lark

Kimberlyfaye Reads

Paper Charade

Doing Some Reading

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Review: Pawn by Aimee Carter

Title: Pawn
Author: Aimee Carter
Published: Harlequin Teen | Nov 26, 2013
Genre: YA Dystopian
Source: From Publisher for Review (Thank You!)
Series: The Blackcoat Rebellion
Pawn
Captive

Goodreads | Purchase

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.

Short version: Different yet predictable. Not impressed with the MC, but very interested in seeing what's going to happen in the sequel.

Actual review:

     Just from the premises, we knew that Pawn was going to have a major case of love triangle, but surprising, I couldn't find any traces of such triangle. Yes, there were a few kisses outside the relationship, but as far as I could see, it was only pretentious. Pawn started off with a very uncomfortable storyline; the MC, Kitty Doe, received the results of her tests which declared her as a III. She is given the job of taking care of the sewers in a different state, but instead decides to work as a prostitute with her friend, Tabs. See, uncomfortable!!! But it didn't continue to be that way. During her auction, Kitty is bought by the Prime Minister who plans on transforming her, plastic surgery and all, into his niece, Lila, who died in a skiing accident. Hence, Kitty becomes a VII and encloses herself in a deal with no exit. 

      Right from the first page, I wasn't a fan of Kitty. She lacked that strong personality needed in a main character, but even if I look past that, there were certain moments where her tone and sense of thought was more whiny and immature that I would've expected from a bright girl (her boyfriend's words, not mine!). She kept saying how much she loved her boyfriend, Benjy, but since their relationship has already been formed before the story, we never really got to see that connection and felt their love. But I do have to say that Kitty grew on me by the end, I started understanding her perspective more and sympathized with her over the unfortunate circumstances. Furthermore, I loved that throughout the story Kitty transitioned from a naive girl to a smart, sensible person who knows how to play a damn good game. It's not easy to have the most powerful man in the country as your enemy and I admire Kitty for still standing strong and facing his wrath head-on. That alone makes be super excited to read the next book. I only that it doesn't have a cliffhanger like this one!

     Pawn wasn't the best first book in a series and unfortunately, I'm still not convinced if Aimee Carter books are for me, but I enjoyed this book enough to continue the story and see where the author takes it next. The world in Pawn is my favorite, it might be harsh and cruel to the poor, but overall, it's different from what I've read in other books and that's what makes this book so original. Thanks God it's not real though :)

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Cover Reveal: Awaken by Nina Lane

Hi everyone! As you all know I'm a huge fan of this series, so it is a huge honor and pleasure to be part of the cover reveal of the third and final book in the Spiral of Bliss trilogy (Reveal organized by Literati Author Services). This series follows the lives of a very in love married couple who go through ups and downs in their journey of after-happily-ever-after and show us the love can survive any hurdles. I absolutely love the passion these two have and it makes me wish I find that kind of love in my life.

So here's the cover of the third book, Awaken!!!

 

*Sigh* Isn't that the most simplistically beautiful cover? I look at it and it gives me that sensation of peace. There is no way to explain my feelings without going in the cheese zone, but you get what I'm saying, right? It brings out that calmness and makes me happy. Ah, moving on!

Awaken

Nina Lane

Release Date: Jan 7, 2014

Series: Spiral of Bliss #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult

Add to Goodreads

“I love that you love me, professor.”
“I love loving you, beauty.”

Since their intense, passionate beginning, Professor Dean West and his wife Olivia have fought dark secrets and betrayal in order to save their marriage. Now reeling in the aftermath of a personal tragedy, Liv and Dean are driven further apart by a vindictive threat to Dean’s career.

Struggling to stand on her own for the first time in years, Liv is determined to defend her husband and prove herself. Then an unexpected letter dredges up old insecurities and endangers Liv’s newfound independence. As Dean fights for his professional life, he is forced to confront his worst fear when he discovers that he can’t protect his beloved wife from her own painful past. 

About the Author

Nina Lane

USA Today bestselling author Nina Lane writes hot, sexy romances and spicy erotica. Originally from California, she loves traveling and thinks St. Petersburg, Russia is a city everyone should visit at least once. Nina also spent many years in graduate school studying art history and library sciences.

Although she would go back for another degree if she could because she's that much of a bookworm, she now lives the happy life of a full-time writer. Nina's novel The Erotic Dark hit #1 on Amazon's Erotica Bestseller list.

Find Nina on:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

 

Spiral of Bliss series

The first two books recently got a cover makeover and here's what the author has to say about the symbolism of the new designs to the story.

What is the symbolism of the new AROUSE and ALLURE covers?

Flower/Nest = Liv’s desire for a home and family, her longing for a nest of her own, and her blossoming into the person she wants to be.

Butterfly/Books = Dean’s scholarship, his struggle to let Liv take flight while wanting to protect her, and an allusion to their conversation about monarch butterflies who always return home.

  

That makes me love these covers even more! What do you think?

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Review: A Beautiful Wedding by Jamie McGuire

Title: A Beautiful Wedding
Author: Jamie McGuire
Published: Atria Books | Dec 10, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance, NA
Source: Bought
Series: Beautiful
Beautiful Disaster
Walking Disaster
A Beautiful Wedding

Goodreads | Amazon

You know that Abby Abernathy unexpectedly became Mrs. Maddox. But what do you really know?

Why did Abby pop the question?
What secrets were shared before the ceremony?
Where did they spend their wedding night?
Who else knew about it . . . and didn’t tell?

Everything about Abby and Travis’s elopement was top-secret . . . until now. Fans of Beautiful Disaster and Walking Disaster will get all of their questions answered in this whirlwind tale of the wedding day (and night!)—and as with all good stories, this one will definitely have been worth the wait.

Review:
 
     A Beautiful Wedding was such a treat for fans of this series (including me!); not only did it give us an extended glimpse into Abby and Travis's unexpected yet adorably cute Vegas wedding, it did end up answering a lot of questions I had regarding the tragedy that took place in the Beautiful Disaster and more particularly, the after-effects it had on Travis. In short version, I would say that this novella delivered more in few pages than Walking Disaster ever did. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the second book tremendously, but overall, it didn't added anything extra to the story besides the beautifully written epilogue. I absolutely loved the growth we saw in Travis within few pages, that alone is worth reading the novella!

     After the fire that took most of the students who where present in the Keaton hall for the fight, Travis is filled with guilt. Even though the fire wasn't his fault, he feels responsible for the death of so many students, and the only ting stopping him from surrendering is Abby. I don't know if I like her more or dislike her after this book. The reason she wanted to marry Travis was unbelievably shocking and lowered her love in my eyes. it was selfish in a way, but as I kept reading this story, dare I say that I did indeed agreed with her actions. It was such an unfortunate timing, but I think they would have gotten married later on either way, so few months, I guess shouldn't make a difference. Right? Though the one thing I very impressed with was the maturity and sense of loyalty we saw in Travis. He doesn't indulge in any fights or acts without thinking (which is a huge plus from the previous books!), he loves Abby with all his hearts and treats her like a princess, and most importantly, he turned into a really awesome and loving husband. Who would've thought that?!? I love this new Travis much more than the bad boy one, he is most definitely a keeper!

    A Beautiful Wedding was a great transition piece from a Beautiful Disaster to the 11 year epilogue in Walking Disaster. It filled in all the blanks and gave us some more reasons to love Abby and Travis. I can't recommend this novella enough! It was cute, fun yet a very touching story that made me wish Travis was real, just so I could give him a huge hug for being that strong and positive.

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Best of 2013 Giveaway Hop

It's time to celebrate the best books of 2013!!!! The one that stands out the most, without a doubt, is Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. I have never loved a book this much and there are still times where I go back and certain passages and still fangirl over it. This was most definitely the best of the best books of 2013. But since I know a lot of you have already read this book, so I picked out some other great books that made it to the Top 10 list of my favorite 2013 reads. I'm only going to be sharing 3 though, the whole list will be out by the end of this year when I do a spotlight post. 

So here we go!

Enter to win a hardcover/paperback of one of the above books! Though it's US only. Sorry INT peeps :(

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Happy Holidays!!!!

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Excerpt + Giveaway: Reviving Izabel by J.A. Redmerski

Early Release Alert!!!!

Reviving Izabel released a day early and I already bought my copy yesterday! It is the second book in "In The Company of Killers" series and if you haven't read the first book, it's on sale for 99cents! I'm a huge fan of this series (check out my 4.5 stars review for Killing Sarai), it is a perfect mix of danger and passion, romance and action, and love and hope. I strongly suggest fans of romantic suspense to buy this series ASAP because I'm telling you, its more than worth it!

Reviving Izabel

J.A. Redmerski

Already Out!

Genre: Romantic Suspence, Adult

Series: In the Company of Killers #2

Goodreads | Amazon

Determined to live a dark life in the company of the assassin who freed her from bondage, Sarai sets out on her own to settle a score with an evil sadist. Unskilled and untrained in the art of killing, the events that unfold leave her hanging precariously on the edge of death when nothing goes as planned.

Sarai’s reckless choices send her on a path she knows she can never turn back from and so she presents Victor with an ultimatum: help her become more like him and give her a fighting chance, or she’ll do it alone no matter the consequences. Knowing that Sarai cannot become what she wants to be overnight, Victor begins to train her and inevitably their complicated relationship heats up.

As Arthur Hamburg’s right-hand man, Willem Stephens, closes in on his crusade to destroy Sarai, she is left with the crushing realization that she may have bitten off more than she can chew. But Sarai, taking on the new and improved role of Izabel Seyfried, still has a set of deadly skills of her own that will prove to be all she needs to secure her place beside Victor.

But there is one test that Izabel must face that has the potential to destroy everything she is working so hard to achieve. One final test that will not only make her question her decision to want this dangerous life, but will make her question everything she has come to trust about Victor Faust. 

Excerpt

-Krav Maga-

     The fluorescent lights running along the ceiling move by fast as I’m suddenly being dragged across the mat by my ankle.
     “There are no rules in Krav Maga,” I hear Spencer say, but I realize a half a second later that it’s not Spencer dragging me.
     It’s a woman, with light brown hair pulled into a ponytail at the back of her head. Confused by the turn of events, I’m too distracted to notice her foot coming down on my stomach. I yell out in pain, doubling forward as my legs and back come off the mat at the same time, my arms crossed over my abdomen. The breath is knocked right out of my lungs.
     “STOP!” Spencer says from somewhere behind me.
     I feel like I’m going to puke.
     The woman stops instantly and takes a few steps back.
     “Get up,” Spencer says and I decipher through the pain devouring my midsection that his voice is much closer than before.
     I look up to see him crouched behind me.
     “I’ll let you catch your breath,” he says gently and offers his hand. “This is Jacquelyn. My wife.”
     I grab onto his forearm and he grabs mine likewise and lifts me to my feet.
     “Nice to meet you,” I say to her with a God-awful grimace. “Or at least your foot.”
     She smirks.
     “Your man paid me to pretty much beat the shit out of you,” Spencer says. “But since I’m not in the habit of beating on women, I figure I should let my wife do the honors so that I can still get paid.”
     “It’s the best way to learn,” Jacquelyn speaks up. “That man of yours knows what he’s doing. Brutal? Sure. Necessary to one’s survival in close combat situations? Absolutely. For frail little bitches who do the dance of terror when they see a spider? Absolutely fucking not.”
     “Well, I’m not one of those,” I say icily. “That I can fucking assure you.”
 

In the Company of Killers series

 My Review for Killing Sarai

_____

About the Author

J.A. Redmerski

Born November 25, 1975, J.A. (Jessica Ann) Redmerski is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries and is a huge fan of AMC’s The Walking Dead.

Find Jessica on: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

Giveaway

 3 Signed print copy sets of Killing Sarai and Reviving Izabel. Open INT.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Cover Reveal: Finding My Forever by Heidi McLaughlin

Hi everyone! I'm such a huge fan of Beaumont series! The last book, My Unexpected Forever, is by far my favorite and most emotional rocker contemp ever! I don't know how the author will top that book with her new release, the third book in the Beaumont series, Finding My Forever! It's safe to say that I'm dying to read this book! And LOOK AT THE COVER! HOT!

Cover Designed by Okay Creations. Photography by Scott Hoover and modeled by Brandyn Farrell.

HERE IT IS!!!

Finding My Forever 

Heidi McLaughlin

Release Date: Dec 30, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Beaumont #3

Goodreads 

Pre-order on Amazon begins Dec 16.

Everywhere I look, my friends are settling down - marriage, children, white picket fences; but not me. Marriage isn't in the cards for me. I’m a ladies man.

A rock star.

I was born and raised in the industry.
I love everything about my life, especially the attention from the women that my status brings me.

Women find me. I don’t chase. I know what they want and they know I’ll deliver.

But after one look, one touch, one night...

now I’m the one doing the chasing.

I need to find a way to show her that I’m serious, that I can change.

I need to find a way to show her that I can love her fully, and only her.

I need to find a way to show her that she’s my forever.

Beaumont Series

My Review of Forever My Girl

My Review of My Unexpected Forever 

About the Author

Heidi McLaughlin

Heidi is the author of USA Today, Kobo, Digital Book World, Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestselling series, The Beaumont Series.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting courtside during either daughter's basketball games.

Find Heidi on: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Pinterest | Instagram | Goodreads

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Readalongs, all year long!

Hi everyone! So recently when I was in the 3 star reading slump, my buddy Sarika suggested that we do a readlong to get out of it. We both wanted to read Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi and that's what we went it. Janhvi joined us later on and we all enjoyed the experience so much that we decided to a readalong every month. Genius idea! Right? Why didn't I think of this before? Oh that's right, I was never a fan of readalongs because of the constricted time. Clearly I was missing out! It's so much fun reading a book with a group of friends and since I loved it so much, I figured why not spread the word so you all can join us too. 

When

The mid of every month, usually it's the 15th but it could be a day before or after.

The Works

It's nothing fancy. We discuss our progress on twitter as we go along and that's pretty much it. So be sure to follow us and use #EndlessReads to let us know there if you're going to participate or for anything readalong related. Generally, it takes 2-3 days for us to read a book, but sometimes it (Sempre!) might take more than a week and that's totally fine. The speed doesn't matter as along as you're communicating. And obviously, no spoilers until everyone's done reading the book.
Aman: @amanp48
Sarika: @SarikaP8
Janhvi: @justjanhvi

The Book Selection

We decide the book we are going to read by the beginning of every month, so I would update the sidebar regularly with that month's book. Also, if you want to give any suggestion, put it there in the comment or tweet us, using #EndlessReads.

December Readalong

This month we are actually going to read 2 books. The mid month book is The Lost Girls by Sangu Mandanna (Dec 14) and right after that we are going to read Misbehaving by Abbi Glines, which comes out on Dec 17. Misbehaving is the 6th book in Sea Breeze series but can be read as a standalone. 

That's about it!

Also, one more thing, if you want to promote these readalongs (pretty please!), you can add these buttons to your sidebar.

<br /> <a href="http://enticedbybooks.blogspot.com/2013/12/readalongs-all-year-long.html"><img border="0" width="250" height="197" src="http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o488/apanesar08/monthlysmall_zps38c963e3.jpg"/></a>

<br /> <a href="http://enticedbybooks.blogspot.com/2013/12/readalongs-all-year-long.html"><img border="0" width="250" height="197" src="http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o488/apanesar08/button1_zpsb4f1d26b.jpg"/></a>
Are you interested in joining us?  

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