Book Review: Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

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Be Prepared
Author: Vera Brosgol
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genres: Graphic Novel | Sports & Outdoors
Released: April 24, 2018
Review Source: First Second

A gripping and hilarious middle-grade summer camp memoir from the author of Anya's Ghost.

All Vera wants to do is fit in—but that’s not easy for a Russian girl in the suburbs. Her friends live in fancy houses and their parents can afford to send them to the best summer camps. Vera’s single mother can’t afford that sort of luxury, but there's one summer camp in her price range—Russian summer camp.

Vera is sure she's found the one place she can fit in, but camp is far from what she imagined. And nothing could prepare her for all the "cool girl" drama, endless Russian history lessons, and outhouses straight out of nightmares!

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier, Cece Bell, and Victoria Jamieson, Vera Brosgol's Be Prepared is a funny and relatable middle-grade graphic novel about navigating your own culture, struggling to belong, and the value of true friendship.

Be Prepared is a cute story about a girl named Vera, that all she has ever wanted is to fit in with her peers. Vera has a tough time doing so, which causes her to be sad a lot. She doesn't understand why the other girls don't want to hang out with her like she does with them. Vera knows she is different since she is Russian, her parents are divorced, they are poor and her mom is finishing school. While the other girls come from wealthy families and have everything they want.

So after the debacle of her sleep-over birthday party, Vera is excite that she will finally (after some begging) be able to attend a summer camp. Every summer, Vera and her brother end up being the only two kids in town that never go on a summer camp trip, so she is ecstatic that she is finally doing so for the first time.

What might be the problem you ask? Vera was not expecting that the O.R.R.A. (Organization of Russian Razvedchiki in America) camp to be how it was. The camp had no bathrooms, you had to use outhouses called Hollywood. This also meant no running water, they showered at a lake. They had church services outside (even if it rained). NO CANDY ALLOWED (gasp)! The girls were mean just like back home, and it was just a lot of hard work really. She began asking her mom to please pick her up from camp, she didn't think she could last 2 weeks. Funny thing is, Mom did visit and on that second week, she finds out, they get to stay another 2 weeks. Was Vera mad or happy?

Well that's all your getting from me, to know what happens to Vera at camp, you'll have to check Be Prepared out. I loved loved loved the illustrations. I like that the colors matched the whole camping theme. Be Prepared is now in book stores, so grab your copy today.

Book Review: Third Base by Heidi McLaughlin

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Third Base
The Boys of Summer #1
Author: Heidi McLaughlin
Reading Level: New Adult
Genres: Contemporary Romance | Sports
Released: November 2nd 2015
Review Source: Author
 

Ethan Davenport is already Boston’s most eligible bachelor. In his second season with the Boston Renegades he has set his eyes on the girl behind the visitors’ dugout.
That girl is Daisy Robinson, a journalism student at the University of Boston and a die-hard Renegades fan.

But with new found love comes challenges and Ethan and Daisy have to deal with his crazy schedule, school finals and his presence on her campus for some much needed media training.
For Ethan nothing can come between him and Daisy, until a secret that she’s been keeping threatens to destroy them both.

**Standalone Novel**

Now that Major League Baseball has begun the 2016 season, made sense to share this review. If you are a fan of baseball and a great romances story, then Third Base is your book. I knew off the bat (get it, lol), that this book would be a winner with me. It has lots of ingredients that I am a fan off. Who doesn't like guys in baseball pants, right? Heidi McLaughlin knew she had gold when she wrote Third Base.

So let's talk about Third Base. First thing to point out, it's a standalone novel, so can be read by itself. You will not have a crazy cliffhanger at the end. I can say this, if you love HEA's then your set. Actually I can't really remember any book written by McLaughlin that has an ending that hurts or leaves you in tears. Next thing to know about Third Base, is that it's heavy on baseball. Those that know, love and understand the game will appreciate the details McLaughlin put into the baseball aspects of the story. Those that are not big on sports or specifically baseball, I still believe will enjoy Third Base a lot, the romance is very evident in the story. McLaughlin did a fantastic job balancing it all.

So we have talked about the baseball side of Third Base, now we can move on to Ethan Davenport. Now this guy, is one sexy mofo and he knows it too. Even though he doesn't come across as annoying to the reader, you accept his quirks because he brings a lot besides his good looks. And when Ethan sets his mind on something, he stops at nothing to obtain or accomplish it. That's what happens with Daisy Robinson, the fan that sat behind the wrong dugout but was always at her seat loyal to the team. This of course finally grabs Ethan attention, he must know her. Things begin to fall into place between the two, how can they not. They both love the baseball! Of course though, things that seems to good to be true, usually have a flaw or two. In this case a huge secret, and the question is "Will this secret, destroy or strength their relationship?" Only one way to find out, and that's by reading Third Base.

I can't wait till McLaughlin announce who the next book will be about.

Book Review: Pucked Up by Helena Hunting

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Pucked Up
Pucked #2
Author: Helena Hunting
Reading Level: New Adult
Genres: Sports | Romantic Comedy
Released: April 28th 2015
Review Source: Purchased

Miller “Buck” Butterson has been banging his way through life ever since a puck to the face fixed his messed up front teeth. After five years in the NHL, deflecting goals on the ice and scoring them with puck bunnies, Miller has decided he’s ready for a girlfriend. A real, non-bunny girlfriend to take on dates, and not jump into bed with after five seconds of conversation. Miller thinks he’s found that woman in his teammate’s sister. Except, unlike team captain and all-around nice guy Alex Waters—who happens to date his stepsister, Miller’s media reputation as a manwhore is well earned. Beyond that minor detail, Miller doesn’t know the first thing about relationships or the time and effort they require. Miller learns—eventually—that if he wants to make Sunshine “Sunny” Waters fall for him, he's going to have to do a whole lot more than show her his stick skills in the bedroom.

Pucked Up is the second book of the series by author Helena Hunting. This book follows Miller “Buck” Butterson, who is the step brother of Violet Hall (from book #1 Pucked), and Sunny Waters, who is the sister of Alex Waters (also from book #1).

Buck has always been known as sort of a man-whore. He has a different Puck-Bunny every night and has never had a serious girlfriend. In book one of the series he initially hits on Sunny as a way to get back at Alex for dating his step sister Violet, but Sunny turns out to be way different than the normal girls he is used to. She didn’t give it up to him and they actually spent the night talking and getting to know each other. Sunny is also not your typical hoochie momma kind of girl with tight clothes and lots of makeup. She is more of a hippy type. So to say that she is everything that Buck typically doesn’t go for is an understatement. But I guess the old saying “opposites attract” is the theme of this book.

This book really focuses on how Buck changes his playboy ways and learns how to be in a relationship for the first time in his life. There are a lot of growing pains for Buck, but as we quickly see there are also things that Sunny needs to learn and grow from as well. She needs to learn to see past the fast paced, fast moving lifestyle of this reforming playboy. She has an ex-boyfriend in the picture who also threatens to cause some trouble for these two on their way to their happily ever after, but together they are learning and hopefully can make it work in the end.

Just like book #1, this book is hilarious. Even though Buck and Violet aren’t related by blood, the things that run through their heads and come out of their mouths will keep you rolling. This book has a different leading couple, a different set of problems and obstacles, but at the end of the day…if you are looking for a sweet romance that has lusty, sexy and hilarious times…this is the book and series for you.

Book Review: Pucked by Helena Hunting

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Pucked
Pucked #1
Author: Helena Hunting
Reading Level: New Adult
Genres: Sports | Romantic Comedy
Release Date: April 28th 2015
Review Source: Purchased

With a famous NHL player for a stepbrother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation of many a hockey star. She isn’t interested in legendary team captain Alex Waters or his pretty, beat-up face and rock-hard six-pack abs. When Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes much more than just a hot body with the face to match. Suffering from a complete lapse in judgment, Violet discovers just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants. Violet believes her night of orgasmic magic with Alex is just that: one night. But Alex starts to call. And text. And email and send extravagant—and quirky—gifts. Suddenly, he's too difficult to ignore, and nearly impossible not to like. The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game.

Have you ever wanted to read a really sexy book…but also ROFLAO at the same time? If so, then do I have a series for you. Pucked is the first book of this series by author Helena Hunting. There are two books out so far, with the third just around the corner for release. This book revolves around Violet Hall. She is the step sister of a famous Hockey player, Miller “Buck” Butterson. She has seen firsthand the behind the scenes shenanigans of all the girls who throw themselves at the players…better known to her as ‘Puck Bunnies’. She herself has decided to stay as far away from hockey players as possible due to what she has seen. She basically thinks they are just as slutty as the girls who throw themselves at them. She is a smart girl who has her priorities straight so this should be an easy feat. Right?

In walks Alex Waters. He is the hot teammate and captain of the team that Buck plays on. He also has the reputation for being quite the ladies man, which Violet adamantly wants to steer clear of. But as fate will demand there is no way that Violet can deny the attraction she has for Alex right off the bat. She tries to fight it but Alex is very persistent. During their journey from Point A to Point B…let the hilarity ensue. What I must punctuate are not only Violet’s inner thoughts and monologues, but what actually comes out of her mouth. I can’t tell you the amount of times when people would look at me weird because I would be laughing out loud as I read this book. As smart and intellectual as Violet is, the things that go through her brain and come out of her mouth are utterly ridiculous and hilarious. Even during their many sexy times together you can’t help but cover your mouth from wanting to laugh.

At the end of the day this is a very sweet love story, one that you will route for until the very end, but their journey to get to their happily ever after is different than just reading a dramatic romance. It will make you lusty, hot, happy and…hysterical. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes a good romance but who also loves a good laugh.

Cover Reveal: A Different Side by CM Doporto

We are thrilled to share the cover of CM Doporto's 4th book in the University Park series. 

THIS COVER IS FANTASTIC!!! 

A DIFFERENT SIDE

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A Different Side

University Park #4 (standalone)

Author: CM Doporto

Genre: New Adult Sports Romance 18+

Release Date & Pre-order Coming Soon!

The highly anticipated story from the University Park Series.

Park Hill University’s star quarterback, Raven Davenport, has every woman dying to get caught in his trap, but he’s only interested in catching one girl – Lexi Thompson. But will he learn how to deal with his inner demons or will they continue to control him to the point of destroying what he loves most? Hear Raven and Lexi's story from a different side.

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From March 16 - April 1, There is a special running on the series. Book 1 is FREE, books 2 and 3 are $.99.

  

Book Review: Opposing Sides by C.M. Doporto

Opposing Sides
University Park Series Book 1
Author: CM Doporto
Reading Level: New Adult
Genres: Romance | Sports | Contemporary | Academic
Release Date: May 30th 2014
Review Source: Author | Amazon (Free download)

College senior, Lexi Thompson, finds herself in a relationship to be wed to the university’s star baseball pitcher, Collin Norris. Collin’s damn hot but it’s his lack of spark that has Lexi thinking twice before she says ‘I Do’. When she’s forced to tutor bad boy football quarterback, Raven Davenport, she soon discovers all the things she’s missing in her relationship with Collin. Will she succumb to the temptations enticing her or will Collin be able to convince his sweet, innocent fiancée that his love for her is genuine despite his lack of affection? (This story will be told in 3 installments)

 

So this read happen by chance. I had seen it on Amazon while browsing and saw the football player and baseball player on the cover and thought to myself, "this looks like something I would like". I saw that it was free to download, so I said "why not". Well unfortunately that was as far as I got with it, I downloaded it and then forgot all about it. I have a really busy reading schedule due to all the review books my team gets and that is what I call "pleasure reading", and those books just sit around for a long time waiting on me to pick them u sometime. Every once in a while Ill binge read on those "pleasure reads" but honestly, it been a while. So thanks to my recent trip to Vegas and the fact that I didn't want to brother my roommate with the light being on, I pulled out my iPad and checked my library on the kindle app, to see what I had waiting to read. Immediately the cover of Opposing Sides caught my eyes. So I began reading it at that exact moment. 

I was hooked right away, I would read at night or if we would come up to the room to change. Then on the flight back, I inhaled what was left of the book. Just ask my roommate that weekend, I couldn't stop talking about "Raven" and she downloaded right away. This book brought me back to when I fell head over heels for Miranda Kenneally's Catching Jordan book. They shared similarities like football and fun sexy characters you immediately connected with. I don't know about you but I'm a HUGE fan of any book, be it YA, NA or adult that contains some type of sport or athlete in it. Usually these books are great reads. So its no surprise how much I LOVED Opposing Sides. So when I finished reading it on the plane, let me tell you how annoyed I was, I was 30,000 ft above in the air with no wi-fi to access Amazon, so I could download the next book in the series. 

Once on land and everything in order, I began texting the author and just tweeting "HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS BOOK". So I really hope this review serves it purpose and EVERYONE downloads this story, because just like I am, you will be caught in "The Raven's Trap" too.

Alright I guess I should write about the story a little bit. In Opposing Sides, you are introduced to Lexi, a senior in college. Lexi is dating the school's all-star pitcher. These two are engaged to be married and everyone is thrilled, well except maybe Lexi. Say what? Yea Lexi has been questioning her relationship with Collin. She wonders if they are together because it's the right thing to do and/or everyone approves, like their parents. Collin is not the most expressive loving fiancee, he puts his sport before everything and Lexi isn't sure she is ready to accept that anymore. Lexi doesn't think its to much to ask to get some affection that shows her how much Collin loves her and is ready to be married to her.

This is when you cue in the university's sinful Raven in the picture. Lexi has been assigned to tutor Raven and this seems to set things in motion right away. Raven turn son his super charm and Lexi has some serious work ahead of her to fight that charm. What will happen when the bad boy football player pays more attention than the handsome baseball player? One of these sports will come out victorious in Opposing Sides. Download your FREE copy today and get trapped in "The Raven's Trap".

–– Have you checked out the University Park series giveaway we are hosting? You don't want to miss out. CHECK IT OUT today before the giveaway ends. 

Movie Review: 23 Blast

23 Blast

Release Date: October 24th 2014

Director: Dylan Baker

Writers: Bram Hoover, Toni Hoover

Main Cast: Dylan Baker, Mark Hapka, Bram Hoover, Stephen Lang, Alexa Vega, Kim Zimmer, Max Alder

Genres: Drama | Family | Sports 

MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for some teen drinking

Distributor: Ocean Avenue Entertainment

Official Sites: IMDb | Website | Facebook | Twitter 

Synopsis: When a high school football star is suddenly stricken with irreversible, total blindness, he must decide whether to live a safe, protected life or to summon the courage through playing football to step back into the world. 23 Blast is based on the amazing, true story of Travis Freeman. A typical teenager growing up in a small town in Kentucky, Travis is a local hero on and off the field. In the prime of his youth, he is unexpectedly stricken with an infection that destroys his optic nerve; he becomes blind overnight. Under the influence of parents who love him, a physical therapist who challenges him, a coach who inspires him, and a best friend who he cannot bear to leave behind, Travis shows us what true bravery is by competing on the gridiron, helping his team advance to the State playoffs. We follow Travis and Jerry Baker, his closest friend, from the time they meet on the football field as kids through high school. Jerry’s attraction to the dark side of teenage temptations threatens to pull the friends apart. It is only on the football field where they truly connect.

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Blast 23 was a feel good movie that I almost didn’t want to end.

The movie is based on the life of a high school football player who became blind due to a virus. He was determined to live life alone until his friends, coach, and an unlikely person, his therapist. The therapist was amazing. She would push him to be independent and to continue doing everything he had done in the past like; laundry, cleaning his room, picking out his clothes. His coach asked him about rejoining the team and the thought was almost daunting. He finally did it, even with parents and other towns’ people saying that it was a bad idea. The end of the movie was an ending to remember. All of the nay-sayers were shown that anything is possible as long as you have the support of the people around you.

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Rachel and I enjoyed this movie thoroughly from start to finish. It's a great movie to see with the family and definitely for that hardcore football fan. The movie has such a strong message that stays with you long after you have seen it which is "never give up". It's not just about the game, it's about the team and the community, because if none of those are behind you, then the team and yourself will fail.

So to see how everyone came together and helped Dylan get back to the one thing they knew he could play with his eyes closed, which is football was just amazing. Just because he did loose his vision doesn't mean his world ended, even though at times he felt that way, but he never let the darkness swallow him.

23 Blast is a feel-good movie with tons of excitement and believable characters that do justice to the real life players that did experience this years ago in their small town. I recommend to everyone to go see it. And its perfect, right in the middle of football season.

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The autobiography that inspired the movie 23 Blast

Book Review: Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross

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Whatever Life Throws at You
Author: Julie Cross
Reading Level: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Sports
Release Date: October 7th 2014
Review Source: Entangled Teen

Seventeen-year-old Annie Lucas is too young to remember her dad’s glory days as a pitcher for the Yankees. So when her father is offered a coaching position with the Kansas City Royals, Annie is intrigued to see the baseball side of her dad. Of course, knowing he’ll be a mentor to hot young rookie pitcher, Jason Brody, certainly makes it more enticing.

After an awkward first meeting with "Brody" involving very little clothing and a much-too-personal locker room interview, Annie’s convinced she knows Brody’s type: arrogant, self-involved, bossy. As her dad grows closer to the pitching phenom, the friction between Brody and Annie increases. But when opening day arrives and it looks like both her dad and Brody may lose their dream jobs, Annie steps up and offers support. She and Brody call a truce that grows into friendship—and beyond. Falling for a rising star who’s quickly reaching a level that involves rabid female fans is not what Annie would call smart, except suddenly she’s getting hints that maybe this crush isn’t one-sided after all. Could someone like Brody actually fall for a girl like her?

Who would say no, to reading about a sexy baseball player? I know I wouldn't. You might say, ehhh I not into sports that's much, no problem! You don't have to a fan of baseball to like this book. But you might become a fan after you read Whatever Life Throws at You. 

Whatever Life Throws at You follows Annie, the daughter of the newest pitching coach for the Royals. With this new job comes several new events. Annie and her dad have to relocate which was a good thing for Annie, that put her as far away as possible from her crazy mother and ex-boyfriend. Its like starting with a clean slate for Annie. But who does Annie run into and play a trick on? The new rookie pitcher signed on to the Royals. Jason Brody is the eighteen year old sexy pitcher from the Kansas City Royals and he comes with a reputation. Or so it seems, Annie sort of wants to find out if it is all true.  

From the second these two meet, the motion was set off. Thing is though, Annie and Jason know they are off-limits to each other. Annie tries to concentrate on her running and Jason on his pitching but when your dad is the coach, you know running into one another is unavoidable. You can't fight the chemistry those two have with each other. So when they finally start to take things to the next level, that's when the fireworks show begins. And it's explosive.

For all the contemporary romance readers, pick this book up. You won't be disappointed. Its has a little bit of everything and then some. The baseball isn't the main focus but it does add meat to the story. The charters will win you over and have you falling in love with them and their story. 

Book Review: REMY by Katy Evans

REMY
Real #3
Author: Katy Evans
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Sports
Released: November 26th 2013
Review Source: Purchased

New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans expands upon the intense love story begun in Real--this time from Remington "Riptide" Tate's point of view.

Underground fighter Remington Tate is a mystery, even to himself. His mind is dark and light, complex and enlightening. At times his actions and moods are carefully measured, and at others, they spin out of control.

Through it all, there's been one constant: wanting, needing, loving, and protecting Brooke Dumas. This is his story; from the first moment he laid eyes on her and knew, without a doubt, she would be the realest thing he's ever had to fight for.

All the feels I experienced when I read REAL just amplified in REMY. I LOVE when the author goes back and writes the book in the Male's POV. I can't stress how much I approve of that. You get to go inside their heads and understand how they feel and why they react and do things the way they do, especially in the case of Remington "Riptide". Who wouldn't want to be inside his mind.

We knew from reading REAL that Remy is intense and has his "black" moments. In REMY you are inside his mind when everything transpires; when he meets Brooke for the first time and sets off to capture. Then we also get to be inside his mind as the story switches from past to present and Remy & Brooke are getting married. If I could Kiss Evans feet I would, because I absolutely LOVED being inside Remy's mind. As intense as it is, it's beautiful at the same time. If I thought I loved Remy before, now I have a serious obsession with him after reading REMY. I did not want REMY to end!

REMY doesn't need a long review stating the obvious which is that The REAL series is EPIC and everyone of age to read this type of adult book, SHOULD BE READING IT or rereading for the fun of it.

You can read my full review of REAL (book 1) HERE. Did you catch the cover reveal of RIPPED (book 5) we shared it HERE.