Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday #40

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles
Publication Date: October 1, 2013


Summary-

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

I LOVE Simone Elkeles so I will read anything and everything by her and Wild Cards looks fabulous!
What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Teaser Tuesday #40


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! 
Here's my teaser:
"And why might I tell you?" I asked him.
"I must know because I love you. I'm pregnant with your child and I don't want you to jilt me for her," he said. The others burst out laughing.
-The Homing Pigeons by Sid Bahri 

Goodreads Summary:

In the middle of the catastrophic 2008 recession, Aditya, a jobless, penniless man meets an attractive stranger in a bar, little does he know that his life will change forever…..
When Radhika, a young, rich widow, marries off her stepdaughter, little does she know that the freedom that she has yearned for is not exactly how she had envisioned it…..
They say Homing Pigeons always come back to their mate, no matter where you leave them on the face of this earth. Homing Pigeons is the story of love between these two unsuspecting characters as it is of lust, greed, separations, prejudices and crumbling spines.


What's your teaser this Tuesday?
Have a great week ahead, everyone! 


Monday, May 20, 2013

Review- Unexpected by Faith Sullivan

Goodreads Summary:

September 11, 2001.

A day that forever changes the destiny of college overachiever, Michelle Rhodes.

Shattered, confused and alone, no one understands the trauma consuming her until she meets Connor Donnelly.

A native New Yorker, he believes he can aid in getting her life back on track. But what if he's even more broken inside?

Offering her a chance at a fresh start, Connor convinces Michelle to move in with him. Hiring her to waitress at his bar, their mutual attraction only complicates matters.

As more details surrounding Connor's past emerge, Michelle uncovers the full magnitude of the loss he's trying to hide. Refusing to let her feelings for him hinder his recovery, she makes a decision that winds up hurting them both.

By sacrificing her heart, Michelle thinks she is helping Connor come to terms with his grief. Little does she know, Connor is gambling everything for the sake of having a future with her.

What happens is truly unexpected.


REVIEW:

I was looking forward to reading Unexpected, especially after seeing some great posts about it on author Faith Sullivan's blog, Faith Sullivan Writes. Faith is really one of the kindest authors I know and I was delighted when she generously sent me a copy of the book. 
I must, however, admit that I was apprehensive about starting Unexpected. I wanted to read it as any normal New Adult Contemporary Romance, and not as a book written by my author friend and reading buddy because that leads to biases and favouritism which can come close to dishonesty. It turns out, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. 
On it's own, 
Unexpected was an absolutely lovely story about healing wounds, slowly finding the path that leads to happiness and peace and unexpectedly finding love on the way. 
Michelle Rhodes moves to New York from an almost non existent small American town to study at NYU. When the 9/11 attacks happen right under her nose, she bravely gives in to her fear and flees back to her home. That's where she meets Connor Donnelly, a New Yorker, who persuades her to go back to New York because he believes that facing her fear is the only way she can overcome it. He offers her a job and room at his bar and eventually, the two establish a splendid relationship. But obviously, like in any relationship, there are downs, hardships and twists and turns that come in the way. 
Michelle was a great girl. Her vulnerability was actually very brave because it is tough to admit your own fears and face them. There were times when I didn't like what she did, especially her plan to leave without a sound.  When seen from her point of view, what she did was much needed, but I just don't like silent escapes and so I couldn't digest it. 
Connor, aside from appearing to be cocky and cocksure, was hot and a complete darling on the inside. His past was terribly emotional and I admired how, with persuaded help from others, he tried to fill the potholes in his life. He was arrogant and selfish, but that's what made him, him, and in the end, he fought his battle and accepted that what he wants isn't what others want. Connor was swoon-worthy with his hard attitude and soft nature. 
Both Michelle and Connor had their own flaws, but then again, no one is perfect and being perfect is close to being boring. I loved how Connor set out to heal Michelle with help from her family and he ended up being the one who needed healing and Micelle healed him, with help from his friends and family. Although it was difficult for me to catch up with the slowly yet suddenly growing fondness and romance between them, I found myself smiling at the banter between the two and the sparks between them were hard to miss. Both of them were genuinely nice people who just wanted to help all those who they could help, particularly those who horribly suffered the aftermaths of 9/11.   
It was nice to see how author Faith Sullivan, in a very clear and systematic way, put down the tremendous impact 9/11 had on the people, along with a subtle and sweet love story, keeping the emotions and feelings right in place. The author's writing is very clean and fresh. Michelle's voice was broad and pellucid. 
Overall, Unexpected was a lovely read that combined two of the most significant aspects of life together- hard hitting reality and love. It was an emotional read that I devoured and very much liked reading from the starting until the very end. 

RATING:






Sunday, May 19, 2013

Review- Lucky In Love by Jill Shalvis

Summary-

Mallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she's expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she'd like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he's only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he's gone . . . 
For the first time in his life, Ty can't bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn?t?including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all . . . anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor.

Review-

Lucky In Love is the fourth book in Jill Shalvis' Lucky Harbor series. This book can be easily read as a stand alone or the series can be read in 3s. Lucky in Love is the start of the Chocoholics trilogy in the series. Like all Jill Shalvis books I equally enjoyed and loved this one.

Mallory Quinn is Lucky Harbor's very own good girl. She is a nurse and in the eyes of people she can do no wrong. People expect her to date Mr.Right but for once Mallory wants to let go of herself and date a Mr.Wrong. I loved Mallory. She was strong and capable. She had the ability to love people without removing their faults. She was sweet and caring and she made for a great character.

Mallory finds her Mr. Wrong in Ty Garrison. Or at least she thinks she does. Ty couldn't be more right for her. Ty is the Mysterious Cute Guy we'd met in the previous book. We find out everything going on with him here. Ty can't help but get pulled towards Mallory. She is everything good, everything he desires his life to be. The only problem is, he doesn't do relationships. He doesn't want to put roots in Lucky Harbor.

The romance between Mallory and Ty was hot and sweet. They both tried their best to keep their relationship with no strings but their hearts got entangled. I love the humor in Jill Shalvis' books and the banter in this one was fantastic. I am pretty excited to see Amy, Grace, Matt and Josh's stories. All the residents in Lucky Harbor make for a great cast of characters.

I loved all the chocolate quotes in the beginning of each chapter. Being a chocoholic myself, I completely agree with them. The steamy scenes were impeccable. Jill Shalvis knows how to write realistic romance with comedy in it. These books make for a great read which leave you behind with a good feeling. If you're a fan of contemporary romance, this series should be on your list.



Saturday, May 18, 2013

Cover Reveal + Giveaway- Love Like Fireworks by Lauren Melinda

Hello, everyone! Today, we have for you an amazing and super hot cover reveal and an awesome giveaway! 
This cover belongs to a Contemporary Romance novel by Lauren Melinda, Love Like Fireworks. Just like the book title, the cover is full of fire, sparks and heat. Well, without wasting any time, let's get to it! 

LOVE LIKE FIREWORKS
By Lauren Melinda


Genre: Contemporary Romance
Expected publication date: June, 2013

BLURB:

Kendall Hartley first kissed Logan Jordan when she was eighteen. As an up-and-coming player at her father’s tennis academy, his explosive talent on court and sexy blue eyes were like fireworks to her soul. But when their love for each other met its first test, it crashed and burned. Devastated, Kendall fled to college, vowing to forget the boy who once set her heart ablaze.

Four years later, Kendall returns home to find her father’s academy in the process of foreclosure. Unless he can find a way to pay off his debts, he will lose everything he’s worked for. Kendall would do anything to save her father’s dream – even if it means breaking her promise and seeing Logan again. For Logan is now an international tennis icon – and the only person with enough starpower to raise funds for the academy.

But Logan is no longer the boy Kendall fell in love with. He’s hot, he’s arrogant and he’s used to getting what he wants. And when Kendall walks back into his life, it’s clear he wants one thing.

He wants Kendall.

And he’ll do anything to reclaim her.


ABOUT LAUREN MELINDA:

Lauren Melinda lives in sunny California with her boyfriend. She loves romantic plots, scorching sexual tension, gorgeous first kisses and smexy love interests.


GIVEAWAY:

Lauren is also giving away THREE e-copies of her book to three lucky INT readers! 
So, fill out the Rafflecopter form below for you chance to win this awesome giveaway! Good luck! :) 


Thank you for stopping by, and thank you, Lauren, for letting us be part of the cover reveal! 


Review- Transfer Student by Laura A.H. Elliot

Goodreads Summary:

Two Worlds––Two Teens––One Wish

Rhoe and Ashley would never be friends.
Even if they lived on the same planet.
But, they’ll become so much more.
They’ll transfer.

Earthling Ashley’s world revolves around winning daily popularity contests at Beverly Hills High School and surfing competitions with sweet scholarship prizes that will finally help her break free of her control-freak mother. Ashley never loses. Ashley never wishes on stars. But that changes when her senior class takes a field trip to the Griffith Observatory where conflicting feelings about her predatory best frenemy Tiffany causes Ashley to throw away her own carefully-crafted Queen of B.H.H.S. title under the bus.

Meanwhile on planet Retha, Rhoe misses his dad, loves his mom’s home-cooked Glechy crag with a side of ory sauce, is desperate to heal his sick brother and wants more than anything to win The Retha New Invention Competition. He and his best friend Yuke have worked for the past two years constructing the teleporting telescope Rhoe started building with his dad before he died in an airboarding accident. Rhoe’s never kissed a girl. Rhoe’s hero is the eccentric physicist, Ramay. But that changes when the telescope teleports Rhoe across the universe with an unintended side effect, Ashley and Rhoe transfer. They swap lives when they make the same wish at the same time.

Popular-surfer-turned-boy-geek alien Ashley must handle life on Retha as Rhoe complete with webbed feet, low-gravity, and an obsession with Yuke, all the while being hunted by Rethan spies and resenting her hairy, flat chest. Boy-geek-turned-popular-surfer Rhoe must fit in at Beverly Hills High School as Ashley, compete in The Laguna Beach Invitational without becoming shark food, dodge boys’ affections, cool his preoccupation with Tiffany and his new body, and find the healing rocks he believes will save his brother’s life.

If only it were that simple. Some wishes can’t come true. Some have to. 


REVIEW:

If I were to describe Transfer Student using only three adjectives, I'd say that it was- captivating, interesting and impressive.
From the moment the author Laura A.H. Elliott spread the word about the book, I wanted to read it and was lucky enough to have won a giveaway hosted by the author herself for which I would like to thank her once again.  
Transfer Student is the story of two teenagers- one living on Planet Earth (Ashley) and the other from Planet Retha (Rhoe). A task as simple as star- gazing through a telescope makes these two switch planets and their bodies. So we have Rhoe as and in Ashley on Earth and Ashely as and in Rhoe on Retha. Without getting much into the plot, I would just like to say that, from there on, the book is a complete page- turner.
In the initial chapters, Ashley's life on Earth seemed liked that of any American blonde girl. However, after the Transfer, reading about Earth from Rhoe's point of view was absolutely hilarious and giving a broader sense of awareness at the same time. Reading about Planet Retha from both, Ashley's and Rhoe's POV was an interesting. Live on Retha, it's people, how things work there, even simple things like how they use wheatgrass in place of water was all put down well. Ashley and Rhoe each fall for each other's best friends after the Transfer. It was so funny to read about a girl in a guy's body falling for his best friend or a guy in a girl's body falling for her best friend! But as Ashley says, all over the galaxy, boys are falling for girls and girls are falling for boys. 
Transfer Student was a completely different read and at the same time, being a Sci- Fi book, it had a contemporary aspect. I would recommend Transfer Student if you're up for something different.


RATING:







Friday, May 17, 2013

GIVEAWAY (IN Only)- Ten Shades Of Life

Hello, guys! Today, Janhvi and I have for you another giveaway! 

This time, the giveaway is hosted by the host of the Indian Quills Reading Challenge and our blogging friend, Reshmy @ The Tales Pensieve who is also one of the co-author of the anthology, Ten Shades Of Life, the book Reshmy will be giving away to TWO lucky Indian readers! 



GOODREADS SUMMARY OF TEN SHADES OF LIFE:

In times when anthologies dwell on prosaic romantic accounts, Fablery presents Ten Shades of Life. From a nail-biting thriller to a spine-chilling ghost story, an exquisite romance to an ingenious fantasy, an adventurous science-fiction to mirthful and remarkable experiences of salaried men, stories of heroes and philosophies of life - it attends to the preferences of all readers.

When anthologies contain stories of one genre, after reading a couple of stories they get predictable and fail to keep a reader’s interest until the end, but a multi-genre book has something to offer to everyone and many things to one reader. 

The writing styles of all the writers whose stories are included in this book are grand and the plots so engaging that they will force you to read another page and one another before you finally close the book. The stories will take you on a roller coaster between reality and fiction.

LINKS:


GIVEAWAY:

Reshmy has generously offered to give away TWO copies of Ten Shades Of Life to TWO lucky Indian readers! 

*The giveaway is INDIA Only. 
*Enter by filling out the Rafflecopter form for the giveaway. If the form doesn't load, click HERE.
*After the winners are picked, they will have 48 hours to respond or else we'll be compelled to pick (an)other winner(s). 
*The books will be shipped by the author and/or publishing house. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck in the giveaway! May the odds be ever in your favour! 

Whilst you are at it, do make sure you stop by and participate in The Secrets Of The Dark (Signed + Personalized Copies) by Arka Chakravbarti (IN Only) Giveaway! 

Thank you for stopping by and for your continued support, guys!
Happy reading!