Month: March 2014

When I’m With You (The Jane Austen Academy #3) by Cecilia Gray. December 2012. Gray Life, LLC. Goodreads. Book 1: Fall For You. Book 2: So Into You.

Kat is destined to be a star and her big break has arrived at last! As the assistant to a celebrity classmate on the set of a feature film, she’s going to show everyone she has what it takes. That is, until she discovers pursuing her dreams may mean forfeiting her heart. Unless she can find a way to have both…

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And they’re about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down…

Dive into the fabulous, fun lives of six Academy girls as their friendships are tested, torn and ultimately triumph.

I LOVED this book! I’ve read the first 4 books in this series, and this is definitely my favorite.

There was something about Kat that I connected with. I thought she was so passionate about life. I could not act to save my life so we definitely didn’t have that in common, but I respected her passion to entertain and be true to herself. She didn’t really know who she was at first so watching that journey was great. She was also kind to others even if they weren’t that nice to her.

Henry was dreamy dreamy. Not sure what made him that way, but he just came across like a caring guy who was a gentlemen. Those attributes in men need to be more valued these days.

The funny thing is this was a retelling of Northanger Abbey which was not my favorite of Jane Austen’s books. But I highly recommend reading this series just so you can read When I’m With You. It was so great!

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild ( kissing )
Language: very mild ( a few words like, h***, God, and d*** )
Violence: none

I received this ebook from the author via NetGalley. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.

BOOKS BY CECILA GRAY
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

So Into You (The Jane Austen Academy #2) by Cecilia Gray. July 2012. Gray Life, LLC. Goodreads. Book 1: Fall For You

Sweet and sensible Ellie hasn’t met a problem her mom’s yoga mantras can’t fix. But when Ellie’s parents threaten to pull her from the Academy just as her flirtation with the cutest boy in school heats up, will Ellie be able to keep her cool?

The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And they’re about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down…

Dive into the fabulous, fun lives of six Academy girls as their friendships are tested, torn and ultimately triumph.

The books in The Jane Austen Academy series are all quick reads and fun. I enjoy a light hearted book in between more intense reads.

Ellie is sweet. It had been awhile since I read book 1 so I didn’t remember much about her. I liked getting to know her better. She didn’t seem to resemble Elanor from Sense and Sensibility that much though. But I guess it would be hard to write a modern day Elanor. In the end I didn’t feel very connected to Ellie which lessened my enjoyment.

Seeing all the friends in each read is great. I look forward to reading more about their stories too. So Into You is a book for those of you who like short cute romances and Jane Austen retellings.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild ( kissing )
Language: very mild ( a few words like, h***, God, and d*** )
Violence: none

I received this ebook from the author via NetGalley. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.

BOOKS BY CECILA GRAY
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

Falling Behind on Friday is hosted by Moirae the Fates Book Reviews. I have a never ending amount of books I could post about. If you want to participate grab the image and post the cover of a book you’ve had on your to-read list. The book must already be published.

Defiance (Defiance #1) by C.J. Redwine. August 2012. Balzer & Bray. Goodreads.

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan–the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

I have had this book on my to-read list for probably 2 years. I won the ARC from First Reads, but still haven’t read it. I’m currently fixing the probably since I started the book yesterday. I’m loving it!!

What book have you fallen behind on?

BOOKS BY C.J. REDWINE
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

Reading Queue is a monthly meme where you share the books you want to read that month. Visit the host sites Book Tasty and Books: A True Story to add your post to the linky and visit other posts to see what others are reading for the month. Maybe you’ll find someone planning to read the same book as you! I’ll list my books in the order I want to read them. 

Click the covers to view on Amazon. As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from amazon links on my blog.

Books to read in March :

I read book 1 in The Jane Austen Academy series awhile ago so I got these 3 from NetGalley and want to finish them this month. They are quick and fun reads.

This is for a blog tour that I’ll be in sometime in April. I’m excited to read this one.

I went to the book signing for this one months ago! I need to read it! The awesome cover teases me.

This is wishful thinking because I probably won’t get to all these books. I like to have a large list of what I want to read next so I can pick the book depending on my mood for that week. 🙂

What books do you want to read this month? Have you read any on my list?

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer. February 2014. Feiwel and Friends. Goodreads. Book 1: Cinder. Book 2: Scarlet.

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

I LOVE the Lunar Chronicles!! This is my current favorite series. I was at the Barnes and Noble near my home the morning Cress released. I don’t do that very often so that is really saying something.

Marissa Meyer has created real life characters in an fantastic world. I can’t even begin to comprehend the amount of planning she had to do for this series. Each book entwines with the next as well as adds characters. I’m glad she chose to add points of view with each book instead of all in the first book. Book one was mostly from Cinder’s POV. In Cress we hear from Cress, Thorne, Cinder, Prince Kai, Scarlet, Wolf, and some of the villains for a few pages.

Cress was such an endearing character. I just loved her. Because she lived most of her life in a satellite she was naive about how relationships work. It was so cute that she had the biggest crush on Captain Thorne from seeing him on the the net screen. Every time I smiled. I really related to her with this crush since we all have had major crushes on guys that didn’t know we existed. When things were difficult she would pretend she was a character in some kind of play who was brave or strong. I loved it. Out of the 3 main girl characters Cress is my favorite.

If you haven’t started this series you need to read it now! The Lunar Chronicles are for those of you who like books with adventure, futuristic sci fi, and romance. Cress was wonderful. I can’t wait to read the next book, Winter.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild ( kissing, mention of escorts )
Language: none
Violence: mild/moderate ( injuries, death, fighting )

BOOKS BY MARISSA MEYER
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass. April 2013. Harper Teen. Goodreads. Book 1: The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Again I’m going to rave about these covers. I love every one in the series. They are perfectly gorgeous.

My biggest complaint about this book was how wishy washy America was when deciding which guy she liked. It was super frustrating that I was dragged along with her drama. I didn’t like Aspen in book 1, but now I think he and Prince Maxon are both amazing. So I get the reasoning for her indecision since they are both great, but it’s still annoying.

There’s more action in this book compared to the first. I liked the added suspense that kept the pages turning. I have very visual scenes that pop into my mind as I reflect on this read. There were some beautiful scenes that I would love to go back and read.

If you enjoyed book 1 then you must read The Elite. It will pull you into a world of ball gowns and rebels.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: moderate ( kissing, making out )
Language: mild ( h-3, d-6, God-4 )
Violence: mild/moderate ( fighting, public beating, abuse, blood )

BOOKS BY KIERA CASS
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly post where I share a book I’m anxiously waiting to be published. hosted by Breaking the Spine

Remnants: Seasons of Wonder (Remnants #1) by Lisa T Bergren. April 8, 2014. Blink. Goodreads.

In the first book of the new futuristic dystopian series from author Lisa T. Bergren, the chosen remnants must work to redirect humanity’s course.

The year is 2095. Gifted teens known as Remnants have been chosen and trained to act as humanity’s last hope to rectify the horrors that are now part of everyday life.

The Community has trained these teens as warriors and assigned them Knights of the Last Order as protectors. Together, they are a force that will be difficult to bring down.

But the Sons of Sheol, of course, are determined to do just that. As the Remnants begin their mission to course-correct humanity by saving and protecting key individuals, their enemies move to stop them, placing the entire world in peril.

Bestselling author Lisa T. Bergren presents the first book in her new YA futuristic dystopian series—The Remnants Novels—fitting in with the current dystopian trend in the marketplace.

I received a package in the mail this week with the book, t-shirt, poster, bookmark, tatoos, and keychain flashlight. As part of the street team I am VERY EXCITED for the release of this book. I will be reading it very soon. I loved Lisa’s YA series River of Time. Have you heard of that one? Yeah, it’s an all time favorite of mine.

Doon (Doon #1) by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon. August 2013. Blink. Goodreads.

DOON…

Veronica doesn’t think she’s going crazy. But why can’t anyone else see the mysterious blond boy who keeps popping up wherever she goes? When her best friend, Mackenna, invites her to spend the summer in Scotland, Veronica jumps at the opportunity to leave her complicated life behind for a few months.

But the Scottish countryside holds other plans.

Not only has the imaginary kilted boy followed her to Alloway, she and Mackenna uncover a strange set of rings and a very unnerving letter from Mackenna’s great aunt—and when the girls test the instructions Aunt Gracie left behind, they find themselves transported to a land that defies explanation. Doon seems like a real-life fairy tale, complete with one prince who has eyes for Mackenna and another who looks suspiciously like the boy from Veronica’s daydreams. But Doon has a dark underbelly as well. The two girls could have everything they’ve longed for…or they could end up breaking an enchantment and find themselves trapped in a world that has become a nightmare.

DOON is loosely based on the premise of the musical Brigadoon, with permission from the ALan Jay Lerner Estate and the Frederick Loewe Foundation. Follow the journey at DoonSeries.com

~Destiny awaits!

WOW!! If I could give more than 5 stars I would. I LOVED this book! Doon was perfect for my romantic heart. Sidenote: I’ve never watched Brigadoon the movie all the way through so I can’t tell you how the book compares to that.

Don’t you love a book that catches you from the start and tells you you’re going to love it? I read till midnight then awoke at 5 wanting to read but forced myself to sleep. I love having a book I wake up thinking about.

It takes place in SCOTLAND then a magical world in Scotland. The scenery was gorgeous with lush greens and mountains and men in kilts. The chemistry between the 2 possible couples was so huge and charged. Don’t worry, it stayed mostly clean.

Veronica/Vee and MacKenna/Kenna were both great MCs. I enjoyed both of their POVs. The main focus for this book was on Veronica. Destined for Doon has a red head on the cover so I’m thinking Kenna will be the focus for book 2.

I wish I could talk more about the book, but I don’t want to spoil anything. I’d love to see this series as a movie. That would be beautiful. Doon is for those who love YA romance and books that take you from real world to fantasy world.

After reading this you won’t be able to get enough of it so here’s some links. Pinterest: Doon Lorie’s Board. Pinterest: Doon Series. Blink on YouTube. I need book 2 asap.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild/moderate ( kissing: some intense, sensual thoughts and talk )
Language: very mild ( bloody h-1, d-1, h***-3 )
Violence: mild/moderate ( murder, fighting, blood, injuries, witch )
Other: mild ( drinking ale/ champagne )

I received this book from the publisher. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.

BOOKS BY CAREY CORP & LORIE LANGDON
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

I am happy to be in The Paris Connection blog tour today hosted by Amber Stokes with Seasons of Humility. Blog Tour Home

The Paris Connection by Cerella Sechrist. March 2014. Harlequin Heartwarming. Goodreads.

Sparks are flying in the City of Light

Emma Brooks, single mom and managing director at the leading recruiting firm in Paris, was against their merger with an American company from the start. Not only was her firm losing its autonomy, she was losing her well-deserved promotion to Cole Dorset—a handsome, arrogant interloper from New York!

How did Cole’s ex-girlfriend’s dream of moving to Paris become his nightmare? Now he’s got to find his way in a new country, and the woman showing him the ropes wants to string him up by one. But as he gets to know Emma and her daughter, he realizes Paris may have more to offer than he thought….

This was such a pleasant read. I have never been to Paris, but now I must go!

It’s so fun when the two main characters hate each other from the start. It always makes me laugh. Cole and Emma did not get off to a good start, but things get better. I mean, look at the cover! No seriously look at it. 😀 Cole was seriously charming and Emma was strong and likable. I really enjoyed this book!

I recommend The Paris Connection to contemporary romance lovers and Paris lovers. You’ll enjoy it! Check out the rest of the stops on the tour. Blog Tour Home

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild ( kissing )
Language: none
Violence: none

I received the eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.

BOOKS BY CERELLA SECHRIST
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

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Back in 2012 I was able to attend the Austin Teen Book Festival and loved it! I couldn’t make it in 2013 but plan to go in 2014. The name has changed! Now it’s the Texas Teen Book Festival. Exciting stuff. It’s back to back weekends with the Texas Book Festival. Two HUGE book events in Austin Texas in October. I can’t wait! texasteenbookfestival.org