Book Review: Secrets, Lies, and Scandals by Amanda K. Morgan

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Secrets, Lies, and Scandals
Author: Amanda K. Morgan
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Mystery
Released: July 5th 2016
Review Source: Simon Pulse

Nothing ruins summer vacation like a secret…especially when it involves a dead teacher.

Ivy used to be on top of the social ladder, until her ex made that all go away. She has a chance to be Queen Bee again, but only if the rest of the group can keep quiet.

Tyler has always been a bad boy, but lately he’s been running low on second chances. There’s no way he’s going to lose everything because someone couldn’t keep their mouth shut.

Kinley wouldn’t describe herself as perfect, though everyone else would. But perfection comes at a price, and there is nothing she wouldn’t do to keep her perfect record—one that doesn’t include murder charges.

Mattie is only in town for the summer. He wasn’t looking to make friends, and he definitely wasn’t looking to be involved in a murder. He’s also not looking to be riddled with guilt for the rest of his life…but to prevent that he’ll have to turn them all in.

Cade couldn’t care less about the body, or about the pact to keep the secret. The only way to be innocent is for someone else to be found guilty. Now he just has to decide who that someone will be.

With the police hot on the case, they don’t have much time to figure out how to trust each other. But in order to take the lead, you have to be first in line…and that’s the quickest way to get stabbed in the back.

At a Glance:
Oh, hey! This book reminds me of How to Get Away With Murder? Don't you think?

Cover:
I love red, black and white... just like the book. I really like the cover. It's simple, yet mysterious and it's gives you that vibe of a thriller book. Such a great cover.

Action:
This is a thriller book, filled with mystery... not much of a packed action. Yet these five characters will have you on edge ;)

Romance:
Not really. There are fiver characters, we all get to know them in third person. Each have their own voice but no romance.

Something I loved:
I really enjoyed that fact that I was able to distinguish each characters. Usually when there is more than two perspective, things begin to blur. Not with the way Amanda wrote this book. She was able to give a voice to each of the characters, even if it is in third person. They were all witness to their awful teacher and they each told their story.

Something I didn’t like:
Even though the story is suspenseful, the ending is a bit predictable. Yet, I was able to enjoy the story no matter what. Then again, we learned what REALLY happened and you get the, really??? Nothing bad but boy, this could've saved them a lot of trouble.

Would I recommend it?
Despite the ending, I really enjoyed this story. Secrets, Lies, and Scandals is similar to How to Get Away With Murder with a touch of Pretty Little Liars, so if you are a fan of the shows, then you should definitely give this a try. Any fans of mysteries, thrillers, and/or suspense would enjoy this read.

Book Review: Amber Sky by Amy Braun

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Amber Sky
Dark Sky 0.25

Author: Amy Braun
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Steampunk
Released: October 4th 2016
Review Source: Amy Braun

Press-ganged into servitude by a ruthless band of marauders who survived the devastating Storm, Nash has grown tired of his career– the young, undefeated champion of the Stray Dog fighting pits. All he longs for is a place to live where his family is not his enemy.

When his captain gives him an assignment to embed him deeper into the crew, Nash attempts to refuse, until the life of his friend is threatened. Determined to save her, Nash embarks on the mission to subjugate and control a supplier. But the supplier has other clients, one of which could be the son of the most feared pirate captain in all of Westraven.

And if Nash plays his cards right, the key to his deeply desired freedom, if he can live with the consequences of his choice…

Set two years before the events of CRIMSON SKY, this prequel novella tells the story of how Nash and Sawyer crossed paths– and fists. While best enjoyed before reading CRIMSON SKY, this bonus story can be read at any time or enjoyed as a standalone.

To be totally honest, I haven't read the following series so reading Amber Sky was step one for me. For the most part I was interested, but the fight scenes read like a play-by-play announcer, every punch and move mentioned.

The main character, Nash, read like the complainy emo kid. So strong, yet not liked and detesting everything. Okay, sure, its nice he has morals and is surviving in the only viable option he has, but it was rough at times to read.

The story kept me though, seemed like too easy of a wrap up for Sonya. I am hopeful Crimson Sky is as compelling story wise if not more so. I understand this is simply out there to explain how Nash and Sawyer met up in such a vast and empty world.

Trailer Thursday: Only Daughter by @AnnaSnoekstra

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Only Daughter

Author: Anna Snoekstra

Published: September 20th 2016

Publisher: MIRA

In this chilling psychological thriller, one woman's dark past becomes another's deadly future

In 2003, sixteen-year-old Rebecca Winter disappeared.

She'd been enjoying her summer break: working at a fast-food restaurant, crushing on an older boy and shoplifting with her best friend. Mysteriously ominous things began to happen—a presence in her room at night, periods of blackouts, a feeling of being watched—though Bec remained oblivious of what was to come.

Eleven years later she is replaced.

A young woman, desperate after being arrested, claims to be the decade-missing Bec.

Soon the impostor is living Bec's life. Sleeping in her bed. Hugging her mother and father. Learning her best friends' names. Playing with her little brothers.

But Bec's welcoming family and enthusiastic friends are not quite as they seem. As the impostor dodges the detective investigating her case, she begins to delve into the life of the real Bec Winter—and soon realizes that whoever took Bec is still at large, and that she is in imminent danger.

Trailer Thursday: Everything for Her by @_AlexaRiley

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Everything for Her

Author: Alexa Riley

Published: December 27th 2016

Publisher: Carina Press

USA TODAY bestselling author Alexa Riley's first full-length novel shows just what happens when a strong, possessive man finds the woman of his dreams.

I'll never forget the way she looked, so confident and sure of herself. I watched her from a distance. She wasn't ready for me yet. I didn't approach her and I didn't disturb her, but I never once took my eyes off her.

Mallory Sullivan is ready to start her new life. After graduating at the top of her class, she's landed one of the most coveted internships in the United States. Hard work and determination have gotten her to this moment of living the life she only dreamed of while growing up in foster care.

From the start, I knew that she would be my greatest achievement, so the day I let her go, I set down a path for her. A path to me.

She never expected Oz to be the greatest culmination of those dreams. But sometimes fate determines who you fall in love with. Who makes you lose control. Who owns your soul.

And then you realize it wasn't fate at all…

I've wanted to care for and protect her since the first moment I saw her. I've constructed everything in our lives so that at the perfect moment, I could have her, could give her the life she deserves.

The time has come.

Book Review: Blood Divine by Greg Howard

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Blood Divine
Author: Greg Howard
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Paranormal | Horror | LGBTQIA
Released: September 17th 2016
Review Source: NetGalley | Wilde City Press

Cooper Causey spent a lifetime eluding the demons of his youth and suppressing the destructive power inside him. But a disconcerting voicemail lures Cooper back home to the coast of South Carolina and to Warfield—the deserted plantation where his darkness first awakened.

While searching for his missing grandmother, Cooper uncovers the truth about his peculiar ancestry and becomes a pawn in an ancient war between two supernatural races. In order to protect the only man he’s ever loved, Cooper must embrace the dark power threatening to consume him and choose sides in a deadly war between the righteous and the fallen.

Blood Divine is a good paranormal read. It entertained me enough to want to finish the book. Was I blown away? No, but that's OK. Sometimes you don't always need that effect, to enjoy something. Paranormal fans, will like reading it. If you look online, you'll see the book has gotten great feedback. 

Basically you are getting a whole lot of supernatural beings and some romance here and there. The story is based in South Carolina, so you have a nice background scenery to go along with the story.  Story is based around Cooper and how he ends back in his hometown after an alarming call from his grandmother. Once he arrives, he gets a lot of supernatural stuff dumped on him and he needs to figure it out asap. This begins a series of situations and even an old crush comes back into the picture. 

Will Cooper find his grandmother? Will he deal with his new fate? And what he truly is? You'll have to read to find out what happens. 

Audiobook Review: Girl Online: Going Solo by Zoe Sugg

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Girl Online: Going Solo
Girl Online #3
Author: Zoe Sugg
Narrator: Hannah Tointon
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: November 22nd 2016
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Audio

The third novel in the New York Times bestselling Girl Online series by the award-winning YouTuber and blogger Zoe “Zoella” Sugg.

Penny’s life is back to normal.

As Penny starts the school year she’s ready to face the world—alone. Noah has gone off the radar after ending his world tour early, and no one, including Penny, knows where he is. So when she accepts Megan’s invitation to visit her performing arts school, it seems like an opportunity to make some new friends.

Helping everyone else seems to be the right remedy—Elliot needs her friendship more than ever, and she meets Posey, who she can really help with her stage fright. But is charming Scottish boy Callum the right kind of distraction? And can Penny truly move on when Noah’s shadow seems to haunt her around every corner?

Girl Online has been an utter delight! I have listened to all three books on audio and they have been some of my absolute favorites. I love the accent of the narrator, they really make it sound authentic, adding in typing sounds, everything. This makes it an absolute delight to listen to and really pulls me in only to focus on what’s happening in Penny’s life.

Girl Online: Going Solo picks up after Noah broke my heart. I mean Penny, my bad ;). Penny’s back in school, back to blogging, back with her favorite sidekick Wiki aka Elliot. She’s trying to navigate life after Noah, who has been radio silent since the breakup, but it’s tough when she doesn’t know if he’s okay and always feels his ghost. We’ve watched Penny battle anxiety throughout the entire series, but we also watched her grow to accept it and find ways to healthily battle anxiety attacks. This is one of the main reasons why I have enjoyed this series, aside for the cute fun stuff, Penny does deal with some heavy anxiety that many people deal with, and to incorporate that into this story was important to me. I also can appreciate the growth Penny has with her friends, whether it was making new ones, strengthening current ones, and ending toxic ones; we’ve all been there at some point in life.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this entire series on audio, Hannah Tointon was perfect, so entertaining and authentic. I have completely enjoyed the Girl Online series and Girl Online: Going Solo was a great conclusion to this series. I hate saying goodbye but I loved to get to know Penny, Elliott, Noah, and everyone else we met on this ride.

Blog Tour: Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes + Giveaway

Welcome to our stop on Crystal Storm tour for Morgan Rhodes. This tour is hosted by PenguinTeen.

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Crystal Storm
Falling Kingdoms #5
Author: Morgan Rhodes
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: December 13th 2016
Review Source: Razorbill

An epic clash between gods and mortals threatens to tear Mytica apart . . . and prove that not even the purest of love stands a chance against the strongest of magic.

MAGNUS and CLEO are forced to test the strength of their love when Gaius returns to Mytica claiming he's no longer the King of Blood but a changed man seeking redemption.

LUCIA, pregnant with the child of a Watcher, has escaped the clutches of the unhinged fire god. Her powers are dwindling as she goes forth to fulfill a prophecy that will keep her baby safe . . . but could mean her demise.

JONAS treks back to Mytica with a plan to overtake Amara, but fate takes hold when he runs into the beautiful Princess Lucia and joins her on her perilous journey.

AMARA has taken the Mytican throne, but with no way to unleash the water magic trapped within her stolen crystal, she'll never be able to seize glory and get sweet revenge.

And what kind of darkness will descend--and who will be safe--after Prince Ashur reveals the dangerous price he paid to cheat death?

You guys!! MAGNUS!!!!!!

Well well well, I should've known, it takes a great book boyfriend to take me off my reading slump. Having Magnus back was not only the best thing to my reading life but he brought light to my heart.... only for a few hours. Yes, few, because this book completely broke me. It was pure brutal to my heart. Bloody brutal. Yet captivating, still brutal.

Where to begin? Where to begin? Cleo? Magnus? Lucia? Jonas? The alliances? The betrayals? The kissing? YES SO MUCH KISSING! The what the fudge moments? The ending? So much, so sooo much going on and yet so little time.

Let me start with Cleo AND Magnus. Because  these love birds are simply adorable and inspiring. I love them so so sooo much. I love how they love each other! I want to be them. With so much love, you think they will be happy? Guess again, because these two may love each other but they must keep their love as secret. Unknown to the public. They should be screaming their love to everyone.

As for the rest of the gang.... Gosh, these people are brutal! There is SO much to say, as this book will reveal those whom are loyal and those that are willing to stab a friend or friends. Ugh, so much betrayal after betrayals. I want to skip the months to come because I need that final book. I CANNOT WAIT ANOTHER YEAR! I NEED TO KNOW... NOW! Guys, the ending. The brutal ending. The bloody ending. I need air. No, I need the final book.

If you're ready to dive in, just beware not to trust anyone because this book is mad. The dead are back and the living are dead. Oh gosh, let me not say anything else, JUST READ THE DAMN BOOK!

I'm supposed to pick some of favorite quotes but to be honest, I can't. I am at a loss. Just think about this quote and what's to come:

“This love you think you feel for my son? The day will come when you will have to choose between Magnus and power. And I know, without a doubt, that you will choose power.”

What will be the final choice?

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Morgan Rhodes lives in Ontario, Canada. As a child, she always wanted to be a princess—the kind that knows how to wield a sharp sword to help save both kingdoms and princes from fire-breathing dragons and dark wizards. Instead, she became a writer, which is just as good and much less dangerous. Along with writing, Morgan enjoys photography, travel, and reality TV, and is an extremely picky yet voracious reader of all kinds of books. Under another pen name, she's a nationally bestselling author of many paranormal novels. Falling Kingdoms is her first high fantasy.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enter for a chance to win a set of the Falling Kingdom books by Morgan Rhodes, which includes paperback editions of Falling Kingdoms, Rebel Spring, Gathering Darkness and Frozen Tides and a hardcover edition of Crystal Storm (Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $63.00). In addition, four (4) Runner-up Winners will each receive a paperback edition of Falling Kingdoms ($11.00 each).

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:01 AM (EST) on December 5, 2016 and 11:59 PM (EST) on December 16, 2016.  Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about December 19, 2016. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Follow the Tour

12/5: Steph in Wonderland (Book Look)
12/5: Young Adult Hollywood (Book Playlist)
12/6: Live to Read (Review)
12/6: Adventures of a Book Junkie (Reasons to Read Falling Kingdoms)
12/7: Take Me Away to a Great Read (Falling Kingdoms Mood Board)
12/7: Fiction Adventure (Character Fancast)
12/8: A Page with a View (Favorite Fictional Princes)
12/8: Star Crossed (Review)
12/9: Seeing Double in Neverland (Guest Post)
12/9: Bibliophile Gathering (The Series So Far)

WEEK TWO:
12/12: Once Upon a Twilight (Quotes + Review)
12/13: Dark Faerie Tales (Excerpt)
12/13: Mundie Moms (Review)
12/14: The Book Nut (Reasons to Read Falling Kingdoms)
12/15: Scifi Chick (Spotlight)
12/15: Tales of the Ravenous Reader (Guest Post)
12/16: Two Chicks on Books (Q&A)

Blog Tour: Womanizer by Katy Evans

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WOMANIZER
Manwhore #4
Author: Katy Evans
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: December 5, 2016
Review Source: ARC provided by publisher

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Evans comes a brand new contemporary romance. WOMANIZER is a full length standalone, and no other books in the series need to be read.

You've seen the headlines: Womanizing billionaire player! Watch out! Stay away!

We were just two strangers. Facing a forbidden attraction, a chemical connection. Neither of us expected or wanted it to amount to more.
But I had never been drawn to a guy the way I was drawn to this one: my brother's best
friend, and CEO of the company where I interned.
Even knowing I should stay away, I proved to be too human, after all.
The chemistry was amazing.
The laughs were incredible.
I opened up to him in more ways than I'd opened up to anyone before.
But sex was as far as I'd go.
Just sex because he was too irresistible.
Just sex because I wouldn't be falling for him.
Just sex because I'd leave in three months, and I'd like for my brother not to kill me, and
for nobody to find out he was my wicked little secret.
He wasn't the One.
He was just a womanizer.
But for a time, he would be mine.

"Womanizer" (Manwhore #4) has been one of my most anticipated reads for this year and let me tell you, Katy Evans DELIVERED!!!  I finally got to read Callan and Olivia's story!  EEEEEP!

I recommend starting with book one in this series so that you can read all of Katy's brilliance, however, this can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.  Let's start with Callan!  First of all, he is a serious womanizer.  Never considering a relationship, never really interested in more than a one night stand.  He's the last of his friends still unattached.

“I had my whole life planned out, and maybe Callan won’t change his spots for a girl---there’s a reason he’s the last man standing.” 

Then we have Olivia, Callan's best friend (Tahoe's) sister.  I love her,  she is sweet a innocent, working on success as an intern.  She couldn't be more opposite of Callan.  When the two collide, O.M.G.!!!!  FIRE!  These two together were unbelievable sexy!!  The forbidden romance made it even more hot!

I'm rating this book with 5 stars because it was an amazing read!  I seriously read this book non stop and locked myself away until I finished it.  DEVOURED!  This is a one-click book!

Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2gRLngt
iBooks: http://apple.co/2bhCMzC
BN: http://bit.ly/2bXcgjs
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2bhCeJV
Audible: http://amzn.to/2gQCczj
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/2fUhIpq

About the Author:

Katy Evans is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her debut REAL shot to the top of the bestselling lists in 2013 and since then 9 of her titles have been New York Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages across the world. 

Connect with the Author:

Email: katyevansauthor@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorKatyEvans

Twitter: @authorkatyevans

Website: www.katyevans.net