Blog Tour: Phantom Summer - Amy Sparling (Review + GIVEAWAY)

Title: Phantom Summer

Author: Amy Sparling

Publisher: 336Love

Date of Publication: September 5, 2013

Genre: contemporary YA with ghosts

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Taylor Gray moves to Sterling Island to get over her dead boyfriend. Mom’s cool with letting her crash on the couch, but Taylor needs to get a job before the lights are cut off again.

When the tall, dark and crazy Raine Tsunami offers her a position at his thriving ghost tour business, she figures it’s an easy way to make some cash. Taylor isn’t afraid of ghosts--that crap is as fake as her mom’s boob job. She loves their adventures on the historic island, especially the secret places he shows her when the crowds go home. So what if all the ghost stories are just legends?

When Taylor comes face to face with a ghost and Raine crosses the line between friend and boyfriend--Taylor’s new life collides with her haunted past. If murdered people end up as ghosts, then that someone she was trying to forget is probably watching her.

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Purchase link: 

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Excerpt

Friday comes way too fast and I'm not even mentally prepared by the time eight o'clock rolls around. It's been so long since I've hung out with anyone besides Brendan, and now I'll be with several people my age. At least they didn't appear to be stuck up or judgmental. Well, besides judging me for not believing in ghosts. Of course, it's been my experience that people judge you more once they see where you live. I vow to make sure they never find out. 

"Do you have big plans tonight?" Margret asks as we finish closing up the museum. I know she knows I have plans; she just likes to remind me. And to think I had spent all of my seventeen years wishing I had a loving grandma like in the movies. Margret is basically a loving grandma and she's starting to get on my nerves. 

"Tay-lor." She waves her hand in my face. I jolt out of my daydreams. "Yes," I say. "Anna and Pax are meeting me after work, remember?"

"Oh, that's right," she says, all coy-like. Yeah, as if she didn't remember. "Do you think Raine will be there?"

"I don't know."

"I bet he'll be there." She puts all the day's donations into a bank deposit bag and zips it closed.

"Why does it matter?"

"Because if anyone can make a believer out of you, it's that boy." My first inclination is to object and point out all thing things that make him weird. But I don't, because honestly if anyone is going to make me a believer, I want it to be Raine.

I am glad I picked up this book. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I definitely liked it (although it wasn't as creepy as I thought it would be).

The descriptions of the beach, the historical side of the island, the museums and the places they visited on the tours were beautiful and really made me want to be there.

I also loved almost all the characters! Raine was amazing! He was really sweet but had this air of confidence that made you love him! Anna and Pax were quite nice too and Anna was a good friend. Margaret was such a sweet lady, the kind that everyone wanted to have as a grandmother. I really didn't like Taylor's mother and how she only seemed to care about herself, making a lot of bad choices and almost "forcing" her daughter to make those same bad choices. And then we have Taylor...I have a bit of mixed feelings about her. In one hand I thought she was really brave and really strong dor having to deal with her past the way she did (even if sometimes it was all too much). On the other hand, in the beggining she was pissing me off. You don't have a monopoly on pain, Taylor...other people can have problems too! (Maybe it was just because she was making fun of a guy she said looked "emo" and I used to be a bit alternative too a few years ago, so it hits close to home haha).

It seemed to me that maybe the story was going to go on a slightly different route since in the early chapters Taylor is thinking about Brendan's death and she mentions a situation and when she is talking about it towards the end of the book the situation is a bit different.

I felt that the pacing was a bit slow, especially considering the paranormal theme, but maybe that was the point. Maybe it was supposed to be a more character-oriented story, which it is.

I did have one or two issues with this novel, but all in all it was an enjoyable and interesting read.

About Amy Sparling

Amy Sparling is a native Texan with a fear of cold weather and a coffee addiction that probably needs an intervention. She loves books, sarcasm, nail polish and paid holidays. She lives near the beach with her daughter, one spoiled rotten puppy and a cat who is most likely plotting to take over the world. Amy Sparling is a pen name for YA author Cheyanne Young.

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$50 Amazon GC and a SIGNED paperback of PHANTOM SUMMER open internationally!

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"Have you read this series?" No, not yet...

So I have seen everyone talking about Allegiant lately and oh, how I wish I had read the series and that I was on on the hype...but I haven't. And it's not that I refuse to read series that everyone has read, I want to read them but I just don't (I have no idea why I do this...).

The only two series where I was reading at the same time as everyone and had to suffer through the wait for the next book were Hary Potter and Twilight...and that was quite a few years ago! So here is a list of series which I wish I had followed from the beginning and which I am dying to start:

     Divergent     The Infernal Devices     Uglies 

The Mortal Instruments     The Maze Runner  

        Mara Dyer     Pretty Little Liars   Newsoul

  Delirium    Daughter of Smoke and Bone  

Hourglass   The Chemical Garden    Feed 

             Shatter Me   The Lunar Chronicles 

I guess that I am not completely late for some of them, if I started reading them now I could still desperately wait for the last book...but I still have about 20 books waiting to be read! Oh well, let's just hope some new really hyped up series comes along so I can suffer like the rest of the world!

Well, I am desperately wainting for Stuck, book #3 on the Stitch triology by Samantha Durante...at least it is something! :)

Do you like to go with everyone else or do you usually wait until a certain point to start a series (for example, waiting for all the books to be out)?

Is there any series you have been wanting to start?

So, have you read any of these series? 

What did you think of them?

Which one should I read first? (I know, a lot of questions...but I want to know what you think! :D)

Blog Tour: Broken Symmetry - Dan Rix (Review + GIVEAWAY)

Title: Broken Symmetry

Author: Dan Rix

Publisher: Burning Ember Press

Date of Publication: July 28, 2013

Genre: YA sci-fi

Blurb:

Eleven months after the father of sixteen-year-old Blaire Adams vanished without a trace, he's found wandering outside The Scripps Research Institute vomiting blood and speaking gibberish, his sole possession a worn leather diary filled with an unrecognizable language. He has a message for her.

As he dies in her arms, he claims he never vanished. She vanished.

In a nearby military quarantine zone, scientists are being called in from around the world to sequence a previously unknown strain of DNA. Scientists…and soldiers.

When her father’s autopsy reveals a rare chromosomal disorder—a disorder, it turns out, she inherited—Blaire begins to suspect her father’s last words weren’t induced by amnesia. Like her dad, she has an additional set of instructions in her genes—instructions for what, doctors can’t say. Only one thing is certain: it’s what killed him…and it will kill her too.

But now she’s haunted by prophetic nightmares of the Yellowjacket—a young murderer, eyes the black of charcoal, who lures his victims to suicide without ever paying them a visit. The only clue she has to his handiwork is a lingering feeling of déjà vu. That, and the nagging suspicion that all she knows is a mirage. She is certain of two things—though it may mean confiding in the wrong side of good and evil, he has the answers she needs.

And he is recruiting her.

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Purchase:

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Excerpt

In fact, I was so delirious I walked right through the front door.

My body froze, sensing my mistake before I fully realized it.

The alley, the door in the garage, the stairs up to room A—not the front door. Neverthe front door. I stood in the black, foreboding office, cold seeping into my blood. A shuffle perked my ears from the couch, where Damian’s slept, shirtless.

My God, did he live here?

If I woke him up now . . . if I woke up his reflection, who knew what permutations would come to pass. I tiptoed back toward the door, my eyes keen on Damian’s sleeping body, keen on his every twitch . . . keen on his sculpted abs and chest.

As I inched the door shut behind me, Damian muttered something in his sleep and flipped over. My hand stopped, and I listened through the gap. What if . . .

No, Blaire. Turn around.

But it was too late. The idea was already spreading waves of anticipation through my body, enflaming my skin.

We were in a reflection. I could do anything I wanted, anything. And he wouldn’t remember a thing.

Before good judgment could kill my buzz, I darted back inside. My heart hammered, echoing in the dark, fantasy world that had become my mind. I climbed onto him, straddled his legs, and traced the creases of his six-pack with my fingers. 

His stomach clenched, and his eyes snapped open.

This book caught my attention right away with the cover and the blurb and it was a very pleasant read, although there were some things that should be different. 

First of all, I have to say that there is a lot of scientific language, which isn't always excplained and if that for me isn't much of a problem, for someone else it might be. 

As for the characters, at first I didn't quite like Blaire because she seemed to be a bit arrogant and self-centered but in the end she does change and grows; I thought that the other characters were quite interesting too (especially Damian!). I have to say something about Blaire's love interest in the beginning of the book, Josh Hutchinson, who has a very angular jaw...reminds you of something? I am not sure whether this was an accident or supposed to be funny but I laughed anyway!!

The dialogue between the characters was amazing, Blaire and Damian proved to be rather wity and provided some hillarious conversations.

The pacing is alright, a bit up and down though, there are times when nothing is reallt happening and there are others when it's very action packed.

All in all, it has a couple of flaws but nothing major so I deffinitely recommend it!

About the author

Dan Rix lives in Santa Barbara, California with his fiancée, paranormal romance author Laura Thalassa. He started writing his first novel in college while procrastinating his architecture studio work.

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Cover Wars #7

Hi everyone *waves*!

I haven't done a cover wars post in a really long time and I thought it was time to finally do one! This one is going to be a little different though! First of all I wanted to show you guys what books have been keeping me away from the blog...and here they are:

We have an atlas of human anatomy, a book about clinically oriented anatomy and medical physiology...as you can imagine they take up a lot of my time! So in honor of these bad boys, my cover wars will feature one of them! :3

Cover Wars is a feature where I'll show different covers for the same book and choose the one I like the most. I got this idea from Sammee at I Want To Read That, you should definitely check her cover wars! :)

      

The one I have is the one on the right and it is also my favourite! I like that there are a lot of different coulours which makes it seem a little bit more interesting than the older version. What do you guys think? I know this is not YA but I wanted to give you a little glimpse of my life! :)

Book Blast: Sisters in Bloom - Melissa Foster (+GIVEAWAY)

 

 

Synopsis

You loved Danica and Kaylie in SISTERS IN LOVE, find out what happens next with
SISTERS IN BLOOM

Kaylie Snow has always been the fun, flirty, pretty sister. Now, her burgeoning baby bump, hormone infused emotions, and faltering singing career are sending her into an unexpected identity crisis. Watching her older sister Danica glide through a major career change and a new relationship with the grace of a ballerina, Kaylie’s insecurities rise to the forefront—and her relationship, with fiancé Chaz Crew, is caught in the crossfire.

Chaz Crew has everything he’s ever wanted: a lovely fiancé, a baby on the way, and soon, the film festival he owns will host its biggest event ever. When he’s called away to woo the festival’s largest sponsor—and the lover he’s never admitted to having—secrets from his past turn his new life upside down.

With her baby shower around the corner, and her fiancé’s big event looming, the pressure is on for Kaylie to pull herself together—and for Chaz to right his wrongs. In a few short weeks, the couple who had it all figured out will learn things about life and love that may change their minds—and their hearts.

SISTERS IN BLOOM is a testament to the bond of sisters, the strength of women, and the pains and delights that accompany motherhood. A book for every mother, sister, and daughter, SISTERS IN BLOOM will resonate with readers who love to explore family dramas.

 

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Links

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Author's Biography

 

Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of four International bestselling novels. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on The Women’s Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Join Melissa and the YaYa Writer Girls at their annual in-person event. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

 

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I am definitely on a book ban!

Hi guys! Sorry for the absence! So, I have made a decision, I am on a book requesting ban from now on...of course that I made that decision in the beggining of the week and since then I already got White Space from Edelweiss and Roomies from Netgalley, so I better make it official (You can "yell" at me in the comments if I break this ban!). Basically, I can't request any more books or sign up for any blog tours until I finish the books that I have so far! I even made an excell document to organize the order...here it is:

I intend on following this order (I might change it though!). What do you guys think? Have you read any of these books? Do you plan on reading? :D

Book Blast: The Cutting Room Floor - Dawn Klehr (+GIVEAWAY)

Synopsis 

Behind-the-scenes secrets could turn deadly for Desmond and Riley

Life in the Heights has never been easy for seventeen-year-old Riley Frost, but when she's publicly dumped and outed at the same time, she becomes an immediate social outcast at her high school. So Riley swears off romance and throws herself into solving the shocking murder of her favorite teacher, Ms. Dunn.

Riley turns to her best friend, budding filmmaker Desmond Brandt, for help. What she doesn't know is that Dez has been secretly directing her life, blackmailing her friends, and hoping his manipulations will make her love him. When his schemes go too far, Dez's web of lies threatens to destroy both of their lives.

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Where to buy

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About the Author

Dawn Klehr began her career in TV and though she’s been on both sides of the camera, she prefers to lurk behind the lens. Mostly, she loves to get lost in stories –in film, the theater, or on the page – and is a sucker for both the sinister and the sappy. She’s currently channeling her dark side as she works on her next book.

Dawn lives in the Twin Cities with her funny husband, adorable son, and naughty dog. The Cutting Room Floor is her debut YA novel. 

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Blog Tour: After Hello - Lisa Magnum (Review + GIVEAWAY)

Title: After Hello

Author: Lisa Mangum

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Date of Publication: August 21, 2012

Synopsis

What if the first day of your relationship was the only day you had? 

Seventeen-year-old Sara is a seeker. She’s always on the lookout for the perfect moment to capture with her ever-present, point-and-shoot camera, especially on her first trip to New York City. 

Sam is a finder. He has a knack for finding what other people can’t—a first-edition book or the last two tickets to a sold-out Broadway show. In New York, there is always something interesting to find. 

When Sam and Sara’s paths cross, neither one of them is prepared for what they will find out about each other—and about themselves when they form an unlikely partnership in search of a seemingly elusive work of art. They have one day to find the impossible. Fate brought their talents together, but what happens when time runs out? Will love be able to overcome fate? This new novel from award-winning author Lisa Mangum explores what happens after hello.

Goodreads

Buying Links

Barnes and Noble

The Book Depository (affiliate link)

Amazon (affiliate link)

From the moment I read the blurb I knew I had to read this book and I was not disappointed at all! I love the idea that anything can happen in New York (or at least that is what we are made to believe?) and I really like stories that happen over the course of 24-hours, I don't know but there is this sense of urgency that makes you feel like there is no time to waste.

I think that Lisa writes beautifully and her descriptions of New York were fascinating and made you feel as if you were in the city (which is great for someone, like me, who has never been there)!

I think the characters felt very real and their voice was very believable. Even though I think that maybe Sara (without an h!) was too caught up on something that happened 8/9 years before, I still thought it was easy to relate to the characters and their struggles.

As for the pacing, I think sometimes it was a bit slow, but I guess it is understandable since it happens over the course of 24 hours, so you can't really skip any moments...even the ones that felt like they were just being a filler.

I definitely recommend this book. I think it is a really cute and quick read which took me out of my reading slump (if you can consider reading +1000 page physiology and anatomy books a reading slump).

Author's Biography

Lisa Mangum has loved and worked with books ever since elementary school, when she volunteered at the school library during recess. Her first paying job was shelving books at the Sandy Library. She worked for five years at Waldenbooks while she attended the University of Utah, graduating with honors with a degree in English. An avid reader of all genres, she has worked in the publishing department for Deseret Book since 1997.

Besides books, Lisa loves movies, sunsets, spending time with her family, trips to Disneyland, and vanilla ice cream topped with fresh raspberries. She lives in Taylorsville, Utah, with her husband, Tracy. She is the author of The Hourglass Door (which was named the 2009 YA Book of the Year by ForeWord Reviews), The Golden Spiral, The Forgotten Locket and After Hello.

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