Giveaway & Review: A Long Time Coming (Perfect Timing #2) by Heather Van Fleet

A Long Time Coming

Perfect Timing #2

by Heather Van Fleet

Mature YA / NA Contemporary Romance

Published Nov 9, 2013

*ARC obtained directly from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis:

Abigail Orson has a problem. A love problem to be precise; and she has absolutely no idea how to go about fixing it.

For years now, she has been chasing her best friend’s brother—demanding things from him that he’s never wanted to give. For one? A real relationship that surpasses well beyond that dreaded ‘just friends’ zone. You see, David Anderson is her idea of perfection to a T. The one and only guy who has ever had the ability to make her heart beat faster; make her toes curl with the simple blink of his long, girly lashes. But David is also a recovering amputee, and the only thing he really wants from Abigail is to be left alone. Abigail is a fighter though, and losing the one guy who has ruined her for every other is no longer an option.

A guy with one leg who has lost his motivation to live—to love—to actually be a man. David believes he’s a waste of space. If only the beautiful girl of his unattainable dreams would get that through her perfect, blonde, stubborn head! He’s not the right guy for Abigail. He’ll never be worthy of what she deserves. However, staying away is almost impossible, especially when he’s just as in love with her as she is with him. But Abigail has a life ahead of her, one that’s definitely livable without a nineteen–year–old gimp like him holding her down. What makes her want to stick around is beyond questionable to David’s mind.

Choices will be made. Lines will be drawn. And together, they will face challenges that nobody saw coming. David and Abigail may have had almost fourteen years to fall in love, but the thing is, timing and love have never exactly worked in their favor.

It has been years in the making, and definitely A Long Time Coming for David and Abigail. Let’s hope they don’t screw it up before they actually have the chance to get it right…

Grab Your Copy:   Amazon   B&N

I currently reside in northern Illinois, with my three little ladies, and my fabulous hubby (and high school sweetheart) Chris. I'm a stay at home mom by day, and an avid and completely obsessive writer and reader by night.

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for books, so of course I've been creating my own little stories since the age of seven. To be honest though, I never really had the confidence or the time to actually sit down and really do something about it until my youngest daugther Isabella was born just two years ago.

Bella, as well as her older sisters Kelsey and Emma, are and always will be, my greatest inspirations.

Resisting Fate, book one in the Pre-Determined trilogy, is my young adult, paranormal baby! It’s packed full of wolves…witches…and one sassy little red-headed teenage girl! I had an absolute blast writing it, and can’t wait to share it with the world! Resisting Fate will be released February 8th, 2013 through Midnight Hour Publishing.

Connect with Heather:   Goodreads   Facebook   Twitter   Website 

I really enjoyed Perfect Timing #1, so obviously, I wanted to continue on with the series! I couldn't wait to continue on and see David & Abigail's story. I enjoyed Abs in the first book so I really couldn't wait to see more of her. David...well, I only knew he was sad, broken, and bitter in the first novel since it focuses more on Harley and Mason.

 

The characters in A Long Time Coming are the same characters (plus a few extra friends that we meet) from book 1. That made me happy because I wanted to see more of them!

I have to admit that I just didn't like David at all until I hit around the 55% mark through the story. He was too broody and depressed for me. Not attractive at all... I ADORE Abs though. Plus, seeing Mason & Harley a bit through the story made me happy (even though the circumstances were not pleasant). 

 

The author, Heather, did a GREAT job with the dual PoV. It wasn't hard to follow at all. I knew exactly whose PoV I was reading through and enjoyed the differences in them. 

The storyline is an up and down (down more than up) but it was a heck of an emotional journey. I felt torn apart part of the time. The characters could never catch a break. It was one thing after another. Overall, I felt like the feel of the novel was so much more negative and pessimistic than the first novel in the series. I had a rough time flipping pages here and there because (after one emotional revelation in particular that left me boo-hooing) I kept thinking, "Jeeeezzzzze, what else is going to happen to these poor people." >_< 

Eventually, something goes right and makes me finally breathe a sigh of relief for them. I did love the ending and the epilogue. <3 That was well worth the rough mountains that they climbed. :) 

 

So... overall rating. I have to say that this was a solid 3.5 for me. I wanted to love it even more but I just can't handle soooooo many sad things happening in one novel. I nearly go into a depressive coma for a bit. I do love the characters and I cannot wait to see what Heather Van Fleet does next! 

 

Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars

Cover: 4 Stars

Characters: 4 Stars

Plot: 3.5 Stars

Climax: Which one? I felt like there were several because we never knew what was going to happen next, LOL 

Ending: 4 Stars

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ARC Review & Giveaway: Near & Far (Lost & Found #2) by Nicole Williams

Near & Far

(Lost & Found #2)

by Nicole Williams

Mature YA / NA Contemporary Romance

Published July 30, 2013

*ARC Ebook obtained directly from the author in exchange for an honest review as part of the tour organized by AToMR*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

There’s optimistic. And there’s Jesse Walker.

If he wasn’t so charming, his sunny disposition and incessant grin would get annoying. Fast.

Falling in love with the girl who had at first seemed immune to it, was the best thing to happen to Jesse since the Walkers adopted him into their family when he was five. But loving the girl who has her fair share of secrets is about as easy as that same girl loving the boy who seems to have none.

As Jesse’s life continues at the ranch, and Rowen begins making her mark in the Seattle art community, they begin to wonder where the middle ground is. Or if there even is one.

As push comes to shove and choices aren’t only needing to be made, but forced to be made, Jesse and Rowen have to face what their lives might look like without the other.

Can two people with such tragic pasts and different presents, go on to expect a promising future? Whatever the answer, they’ll need a lot more than love to make it. 

Grab Your Copy: 

Click on the AToMR Image above to see the other blogs participating in the tour!

I’m the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the LOST & FOUND series, the CRASH series, and a handful of others. Basically, I get to do what I love. Every single day. I write romance because I’m a sucker for a good love story, and I write happy endings because there are too few of them in real life. 

Connect with Nicole:  Goodreads   Blog   Twitter    Facebook   

Holy cowboy in tight jeans.... *Swoon*

Okay, so, I've been waiting on this novel for, what feels like, ages! I couldn't wait to get my hands on some more Jesse. No, "cowboy" doesn't usually fall into the list regarding "types" I swoon over... but hot damn... Jesse is a masterful male specimen. ^_^

Now, onto the novel. If you missed my review of Lost & Found (book 1), you can check it out here. I adored it!

Near & Far definitely didn't disappoint. Starting off, there's the connection between Rowen & Jesse. I love how they're complete opposites in nearly every aspect (minus their horrid pasts) but still manage to be so madly in love. Yes, okay, love at this age can be debatable to some folks. My thoughts - why not? I know several people who fell madly in love their first year of college and are still happily married today. So, with that aside, I adored their all-out-can't-keep-my-hands-off-of-you Love. It made me happy for them.

After learning about Rowen's past and taking the journey of opening up and moving on with her in Lost & Found, you can't help but love to see her happy. Near & Far brings about more of Jesse's past. You know, from book 1, that Jesse has a rough past as well. He had to be adopted when he was nearly a toddler and lived a horrible existence up until that point.

Our eyes are opened and my heart is broken in Near & Far. The things that Jesse lived through as a child brought me to tears. I couldn't understand how someone so.... optimistic and positive underwent such horrible treatment as a child. I can only imagine how Nicole felt when she was writing Jesse's explanation of what he'd gone through. I would've needed a new computer because of the tears flowing freely at that point would've fried my hard drive. :'(   Ack! Just thinking about it now makes me tear up. Gaa.

O-KAY - moving on.

As every couple in the history of couples does, Jesse & Rowen's relationship is put through several tests. They know without a shadow of a doubt that they love each other like no other could, but do they trust that they're the right person for each other? Not only do they battle their own subconscious regarding "what's best" for the other person, but then you have to throw in people like Jax (who obviously wants in Rowen's pants) and Jolene (who seriously needing smacking for so blatantly hitting on Jesse).

Jolene (Yes, go ahead and sing that old country song about Jolene stealing your man - that's pretty much how Jolene wanted it to work out), is such a....uggg....grrr....girl. I'll go ahead and admit it - I'm the jealous type. No matter how much I trust my man, I'm still going to want to ensure hussies like Jolene kept their hands to themselves. There's no way in hellllll could've I have been as strong as Rowen. She puts up with an unbelievable amount of crap from Jolene who just can't seem to keep her hands, eyes, or claws away from Jesse.

Poor Jesse...he's just clueless. Enter Garth Black. I LOVE him in Near & Far. He was just an amazing character and could definitely use a novel all to himself (Hint Hint ^_^). Garth puts things into perspective like no other character can. The novels wouldn't be the same without him.

Now, the plot moves just as well as in Lost & Found. I couldn't put it down. I didn't want to put it down. That is...until the dreaded cow incident near 78% through...ACK! I cried and snotted all of the place. I had to put it down. I couldn't read any more until the next day. I won't go into detail because honestly, this bump in the plot had a deeper meaning. It was, as far as understanding and hitting the bottom go, a great plot point. I just... too much of a softy. LoL

So, the characters=amazing. The plot=smooth & emotional. The Twists (including Mar)=Jeewiz! Seriously heart-wrenching. The ending=Holy smokes. I can't say much because I can't spoil an ending like this for others. Let's just say, I would love to know how the story continues!!!! <3

Overall, Near & Far is an uphill continuation of Rowen & Jesse growing as individuals and as a couple. They are forced to overcome mountains (that include themselves) to try to find the light at the end of the tunnel. Rowen learns to prove her priorities fall in the direction she claims. Jesse has to learn to accept his own advice and move forward before his past swallows him whole.

Overall Rating: 5 Stars
Cover Rating: 5 Stars <-Love it!
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars
Climax: 5 Stars
Ending: 5 Stars

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win the following prizes:

• 2 Print copies of Near & Far - International
• $50 Gift Card from Amazon.com - International 

 *Tour Wide Giveaway hosted by AToMR*

Good luck everyone!

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Dancers & Divas by Kathy Petrakis Tour & Giveaway! Could Win up to $1000!

I'm sooooooo excited to be a part of the tour for the Dancers & Divas Series today!!!!

For anyone who enjoys dancing, drama, romance, and cute boys (hehe),

definitely pick up this series!!!
 

To kick things off, I'm going to tell you about Passion & Pain (Book 1) & Bittersweet (Book 2)!

I'm also going to tell you a little about the author, Kathy Petrakis!

Dancers & Divas Book 1

by Kathy Petrakis

Published September 17, 2012, by Antartis Publishers

If you missed my review several months ago, go HERE to read it! 

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Does passion and desire guarantee success? Can friends really be trusted? Can true love be found beneath lust and deceit?

These are questions tenacious street dancer Elena Martinez faces as she struggles to compete against the most talented students at New York’s top Performing Arts High School. Along with her best friend, the carefree and mischievous Sebastien Duval, they are determined to make center stage.

But the singing diva Letitia has other plans. Beautiful, talented and popular, her desire for revenge could ruin everything for Elena and Sebastien. Now, they must fight against prejudice, treachery and deceit as Letitia sets out to destroy Elena’s friendships, her romance, her dignity and her dreams. Can Elena win the battle for true love, happiness and success?

*contains mature content - recommended for 15+*

Grab Your Copy of Passion & Pain:

On sale for $0.99!!!

Barnes & Noble      Amazon

Dancers & Divas Book 2

by Kathy Petrakis

Published April 28, 2013, by Antartis Publishers

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Can secrets stay hidden forever? Can people really change? Are some mistakes unforgivable?

As Elena and Sebastian embark on a fresh start, will Letitia keep his secret, or will she use it to destroy them?
As Veronika falls in love, Frankie is out of rehab and trying to make amends, but will it last for either of them?

Meanwhile, as Anya is torn between loyalty to her Nana and love for Darius, could Darius fall for the new temptress, Rosa? With her stunning looks, her powerful, sensual dancing and her desire to seduce, she has everyone nervous but what secret is she hiding?

Continue the roller-coaster journey with your favorite characters as they try to survive junior year at the country’s top performing arts school.

Grab Your Copy of Bittersweet:  

Barnes & Noble      Amazon







Kathy Petrakis was born and raised in Sydney Australia by Greek immigrant parents. She always had a passion for the performing arts - dancing, acting and singing but they were hobbies giving way to a traditional professional career in banking. Before this book, her writing was used to entertain friends with her unusual, and often disastrous travel adventures from around the world.

By the hand of fate, Passion and Pain and Bittersweet were born while living in London, heaven for lovers of the performing arts. After launching Passion and Pain, she returned to Sydney for the launch of the sequel, Bittersweet.

Connect with Kathy:   Website   Mailing List    Facebook    Goodreads    Twitter

Now, again, if you didn't catch my review of Book 1, Passion & Pain,

you can go check it out HERE.

I received an ARC of Bittersweet in exchange for an honest review directly from Kathy.

Wow... just... er-ma-gawd...wow. Now, I love each and every one of the characters in the Dancers & Divas Series (yes, even the "bad" guys because they're great antagonists). I became insanely attached to several of the characters when I read Passion & Pain. I couldn't wait to see what happened to them next. I became nearly addicted to some of them in Bittersweet. I couldn't wait for them to pop back up on the page in between scenes.

Bittersweet turned out to be an emotional rollercoaster that dealt with issues such as sex versus love, suicide, selfishness, let-downs, growing-up, loss, and going after your goals versus just settling for what you're handed or told to do. Each character deals with his/her own struggles and you get to see how they deal (or fail to really deal) with what they're going through. There's so many different characters and experiences with each, that there's bound to be at least one that each reader will connect with. I know that I connected with several of them and others, I stood in their corner (metaphorically speaking - Ha) and cheered them on.

So, do you like the show Gossip Girl? What about the movie series for Step Up? Have you seen the movie Center Stage? Seriously, if you say yes to any or all of the above, I really think you'd enjoy this series. I definitely recommend it to anyone who says yes to any of those. This series is like a favorite tv show! I can't wait to see what's going to happen as I turn each page!

Now, the plot: The plot moves pretty consistently through book 1 into book 2. I love that! I mean, seriously, this series would make such a great tv show! There are ups, down, in betweens, happy moments, angry moments, sad moments, laughing moments... Love it!

At the end of Bittersweet, I really had a flash back of when one of my fave tv shows ended their season until the fall. You know, that moment where you fall to your knees at the closing of the last episode of the season and squeal "noooo, that can't be the end?! I have to wait until WHEN before the next season starts?!!" That's exactly the moment that I had. There's soooo many possible endings for the characters before the curtain closes on the series. I can't wait to find out how issues and relationships are resolved.

Overall, I loved this novel! It was a great continuation to the series & I can't stress enough - if you like drama, dancing, competition, romance... get Passion & Pain now. You'll want to pick up Bittersweet as soon as you turn the last page of Passion & Pain! LoL

Overall Rating: 5 Stars!   I cannot wait to see what happens next!!!

 So, Kathy has som AMAZING Giveaways up for grabs as part of this tour!

One for everyone & one specifically for FANS of the series! How flippin' awesome is that?!?!

Use the Rafflecopters below to enter for your chance to win!

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Go HERE for a detailed description of the FANS Competition!

The following are the terms and conditions for the Dancers and Divas FANS promotion.

1. The competition starts on June 1 2013 at 00.00 hours US EST and closes midnight, October 31 2013. Winner will be announced on the 4th November and has 48 hours to respond to validate entry and claim prize. Amazon reviews must be visible by the close date.

2. It is open internationally to entrants over the age of 14. Proof of ID will also be required to claim prize.

3. To enter the competition, purchase of either Passion and Pain or Bittersweet, by Kathy Petrakis is required. This is in the ebook format or paperback format.

4. Books bought as part of a free promotion are excluded from entries for purchase but can submit entries for the reviews posted. Proof of purchase is still required. Books refunded are also excluded. Books borrowed from Amazon library are excluded.

5. Bloggers writing reviews after receiving a free copy from the author (either directly or through Amazon), are excluded. They may enter for any book they purchase.

6. Proof of purchase must be provided and match the dates in the entry form.

7. Books can be purchased at any time before October 31 2013 but reviews must be live on Amazon between June 1 and October 31 2013.



Review & Giveaway: Lost & Found by Nicole Williams

Lost & Found

By Nicole Williams

Published May 7, 2013

Mature YA / New Adult Contemporary Romance

 

 

*ARC Ebook obtained directly from author as part of the tour*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

After numbing pain for the past five years with boys, alcohol, and all-around apathy, she finds herself on a Greyhound bus to nowhere Montana the summer after she graduates high school. Her mom agreed to front the bill to Rowen’s dream art school only if Rowen proves she can work hard and stay out of trouble at Willow Springs Ranch. Cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn for a couple dozen ranch hands and mucking out horse stalls are the last things in the world Rowen wants to spend her summer doing.

Until Jesse Walker saunters into her life wearing a pair of painted-on jeans, a cowboy hat, and a grin that makes something in her chest she’d thought was frozen go boom-boom. Jesse’s like no one else, and certainly nothing like her. He’s the bright and shiny to her dark and jaded.

Rowen knows there’s no happily-ever-after for the golden boy and the rebel girl—happily-right-now is a stretch—so she tries to forget and ignore the boy who makes her feel things she’s not sure she’s ready to feel. But the more she pushes him away, the closer he seems to get. The more she convinces herself she doesn’t care, the harder she falls.

When her dark secrets refuse to stay locked behind the walls she’s kept up for years, Rowen realizes it’s not just everyone else she needs to be honest with. It’s herself.

Grab Your Copy:  Amazon    B&N    Amazon UK    Kobo

Click the above tour banner to go to the full tour schedule!

About the Author:

I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here's to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* . . . care to join me?

Nicole loves hearing from her readers. You can contact her at nwilliamsbooks@gmail.com.

Connect With Nicole:     Goodreads     Blog      Facebook     Twitter

My Review:

I have a new Beloved! I am happy to add Lost & Found into that list! It honestly blew me away.

I began reading my ARC copy around 9 pm & could NOT put it down. I literally read all night & finished it around 3 that morning. Of course I had work the next morning... Can you say Zombie?!

It was well worth it!

The characters in Lost & Found are absolutely precious. Rowen (I <3 her name) comes into the novel as a sad, 'rebellious' type character. She has her own style that she's taken on for reasons in the beginning you don't quite understand. You can tell that something has happened to Rowen to make her act as cold and disconnected as she does... but you just don't know what. I immediately liked her and wanted to know more about her. As you begin to unfold the puzzle that is Rowen, you love her even more. You start to see that she's had a very rough past, gone through something that someone her age should never go through, and has a crappy mother to top it all off.

Rowen is forced to go spend the entire summer at Willow Springs Ranch or suffer the consequence of not being able to go to her art school of choice for college. Her mother refuses to pay for it unless she 'proves' herself over the summer.

As Rowen's character unfolds, you begin to see that it isn't Rowen with the problem. Her mother is the problem. She looks at Rowen with constant disdain... her hair is crap, her clothes are crap, her makeup is crap... The list goes on. I wanted to jump through the novel & totally slap her mother. >_<

Rowen gets off the bus & is picked up by our novel's resident hottie extraordinaire!

Ohh Jesse.... I've never really cared for a pair of tight wranglers on a man's booty before... but Jesse... I would make an exception for him. Ha. ^_^

Jesse has a quirky personality that you automatically are drawn to. You want him to be on every page because he's just that precious. You begin to see Rowen's mood brighten & you see that once she's out of her previous surroundings with her mom, she's a deeply hurt but loving individual. I adored the time that Rowen spent interacting with Jesse's sisters. Jesse's mother Rose is adorable. She's the perfect, supportive, loving mother who cares about her babies. She gives good advice and pays attention.

Jesse, aka resident hottie extraordinaire, has a past of his own that you begin to learn more about. It breaks your heart and makes you close the circle on why he is the way he is. He could've gone a different direction with his life, but he chose the positive road.

There's so many other supporting characters that you begin to meet. I adored each of them. Even the "bad" guy Garth has an appealing nature - even though he's a total jerk, you want to know WHY he acts like that. Nicole has a great way of creating characters with depth & background. Love it!

Overall, this novel kept me on my toes. Yes, there are predictable moments. There's not a single romance type novel out there today that doesn't. However, the twists that start to occur keep you guessing and wanting to know more. That's pretty much the reason why I couldn't put this novel down. Ha.

I could go on and on and on and on....

Overall, total 5 Star Novel! Loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Overall Rating: 5 Huge Stars
Cover Rating: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars
Climax: 5 Huge Stars!!
Ending: 5 Stars!


I can't wait to see what Nicole does next!






Giveaway!!!!

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter the tour wide giveaway!

(1)   Print copy of Lost and Found – Open International

(1)   Leather cuff bracelet with metal inscription “Love is organized chaos” – Open International

(1)   $50 Amazon Gift Card – Open to countries that can use Amazon

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