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[Blog Tour] Review: Snowed Over + Giveaway

Snowed Over
by Angie Stanton
Kindle Edition, 126 pages
Published October 12th 2012 by Vanguard Management, Inc.
Source: AToMR (Blog Tour host)
Purchase here: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

To college student, Katie Brandt, ‘Home for the Holidays’ sounds like hell. When her parents separated, their holiday traditions shattered like a dropped ornament. What could be worse than celebrating Christmas with her suddenly single mom and mom’s new boyfriend?

Alex Walker, an engaged 20-year-old, dreads going home for his own reasons. He has a daunting task ahead of him and wishes he could skip the holidays altogether. So when a friend of a friend needs a ride north, Alex finds that having beautiful Katie seated by his side proves to be just the distraction he needs.

A simple ride home for Christmas turns into a nightmare when light snow rages into a full-scale blizzard. Katie and Alex find themselves stranded, and a vacant cabin becomes a haven from the storm. Under different circumstances, time alone with Alex would be the ultimate Christmas gift, but Katie knows Alex is engaged and she must hide her growing attraction.

However, Alex harbors a secret that just might change this holiday from the worst Christmas ever, to the best.

Snowed Over is the sort of short story that everyone would enjoy more if read in a more appropriate environment. Like for example on a cold Christmas night while sitting near the hearth, wrapped in a comfortable blanket with a hot chocolate on hand. Honestly, I was almost guilty for reading this without the aforementioned non-requirements! But that aside, Snowed Over is a feel-good short story and no type of surrounding could have stopped all the grins that kept creeping up to my face on the entire course of my reading this.

Snowed Over, though leans more on the romantic aspect, also tackles familial relationships albeit underdeveloped. I like that Angie incorporated backdrops of Alex and Katie's families. Katie's parents are facing divorce and she has been having a hard time accepting that fact as well as the fact that her mother is currently dating Not a Boyfriend. Alex has things easier with his family with a fun and supportive younger brother, and parents who both seemed caring. His relationship with his family is tight. The only downside in his life is his current fiance, Trina, whom he has been trying to break up with but to no avail.

Katie is a very rational character and I love that about her. I notice in most books that characters tend to abandon logic when faced with possible hot makeout session so I admire Katie because despite being attracted to Alex, she didn't set aside the fact that he is engaged to another girl and actually calls him out for kissing her. She doesn't only know, but she also acknowledges that no one deserves to be cheated on, even if that person is the ultimate bitch fiancee. I only wish she was consistent on this train of thought.

Alex, on the other hand, despite kissing another girl even when he's about to be married, is not entirely an asshole. He's actually an incredibly nice guy who was forced to be committed into a difficult relationship with a manipulative girl. And I was ultimately pleased by how he handled things with Trina toward the end. It was harsh, but even I couldn't see a better way to do things the way he did.

As a short story, I feel like there are a couple of points that Angie did not cover. Moreover, some parts also lacked in depth descriptions that could have given the important scenes more impact. But ironically, I'm also grateful for that because I have only ever pegged this to be a soul-soothing novella and I don't think it could have managed that had Angie included way too much drama.

If you're into cute and romantic reads, Snowed Over is the perfect novella for you. It has chocolates, wine, ~~mice droppings,~~ and, dude, SNOW!

Rating: 4/5 stars!

Disclosure: A copy was provided by AToMR as part of the Snowed Over Blog Tour for review purposes only. No compensation of any kind was received for this review and my opinions are all honest and mine.

Giveaway

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About the Author

Angie Stanton never planned on writing books, she wanted to be a Rockette. However, growing up in a rural setting with her brothers' 4-H pigs as pets, dance didn't work out. Instead she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head she began to write them down and the rest is history.

She loves dipping french fries in chocolate shakes, natural disaster movies and Broadway Musicals. When not writing, Angie is concocting ways to make more dreams come true, whether it be tickets to a Broadway show or convincing her family they should rent an RV and travel the country. She's still working on that one.

Angie is a proud double finalist of the 2011 National Readers Choice Awards for Love 'em or Leave 'em, as well as a finalist for the Golden Quill Awards.

Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Website

To see other stops on the tour for reviews, guest posts, and excerpts click here or the tour button below.

[Blog Tour: My Date from Hell] Review: My Ex from Hell + Giveaway

Hey there! Today is the final day in My Date from Hell blog tour, and I'll be reviewing the first book, My Ex from Hell. Also, keep scrolling for a chance to win copies of My Ex from Hell and My Date from Hell. You can check out all the tour stops here.

My Ex from Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #1)
by Tellulah Darling
Paperback, 272 pages
Published April 1st 2013 by Te Da Media
Source: AToMR Blog Tours

Sixteen-year-old Sophie Bloom wishes she’d been taught the following:
a) Bad boy’s presence (TrOuBlE) + teen girl’s brain (DraMa) = TrAuMa (Highly unstable and very volatile.)
b) The Genus Greekulum Godissimus is notable for three traits: 1) awesome abilities, 2) grudges, and 3) hook-ups, break-ups, and in-fighting that puts cable to shame.

Prior to the Halloween dance, Sophie figures her worst problems involve adolescent theatrics, bitchy teen yoga girls, and being on probation at her boarding school for mouthy behaviour. Then she meets bad boy Kai and gets the kiss that rocks her world.

Literally.

This breath stealing lip lock reawakens Sophie’s true identity: Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She’s key to saving humanity in the war between the Underworld and Olympus, target numero uno of Hades and Zeus, and totally screwed.

Plus there’s also the little issue that Sophie’s last memory as Persephone was just before someone tried to murder her.

Big picture: master her powers, get her memories back, defeat Persephone’s would be assassin, and save the world. Also, sneak into the Underworld to retrieve stolen property, battle the minions of Hades and Zeus, outwit psycho nymphs, slay a dragon, rescue a classmate, keep from getting her butt expelled from the one place designed to keep her safe …

… and stop kissing Kai, Prince of the Underworld.

My Ex From Hell is a YA romantic comedy/Greek mythology smackdown. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book one of this teen fantasy romance series. Compared to Kai and Sophie, Romeo and Juliet had it easy

The story begins with Sophie Bloom planning to take revenge on the yoga-goddess, Bethany, to try to slip her with a laxative on the night of the Halloween dance so Bethany can end up answering the call of nature all night while Sophie pretends to be Bethany and hook up with the super hot guy Bethany was supposed to meet. But this super hot guy, Kai, isn't just an ordinary super hot guy for he is the son of Hades and his kiss triggers memories from Sophie's past, and reveals her true identity.

Seriously, I can't remember the last time I read a book based on Greek Mythology that had me laughing my butt off like this My Ex From Hell did. Sophie Bloom is probably one of the quirkiest characters I have ever met with two best friends, Hannah and Theo, who are about as crazy as her. Hannah and Sophie were the first to be bestfriends when they were kids and Theo joined the band later on. This gives both girls the right to bully Theo from time to time. From the beginning of the story until the end, Sophie doesn't stop making me laugh. Bethany is the ultimate mean girl but Sophie, too, has a mean girl side to her but this rarely surfaces and only when she's had enough of yoga-godesses making her life a living hell. Did I also mention this super hot guy named Kai? Even though Sophie still has doubts about Kai's true feelings for her, I loved their interactions together and I love that they compliment each others' characters.

Inaccuracies aside, Tellulah's take on the Greek Mythology aspects here in My Ex from Hell is fun-filled and very entertaining. The gods and goddesses here are not how we usually picture them out to be but nevertheless, they made the story all the more exciting. In fact, these alterations are what made me enjoy this book so much more. Also, the dialogues. I can't even begin to tell you how epic the interactions of the characters here are. Tellulah is brilliant for coming up with the characters's witty banters. They range from hilarious-normal to hilarious-crazy and I love all of them!

Quirky characters with crazy minds and hilarious dialogues. Add to that, the Underworld fight scenes, adventures and highschool drama, this book practically left me exhausted, with an ending that makes me eager to read the next book! My Ex From Hell is a short and light read that you can laughingly breeze through in just one seat.

Rating: 4/5 stars!

Disclaimer: Copy is provided by the author, Tellulah Darling, and the blog tour host, AToMR. My opinions about this book are my honest opinions and are not influenced by a third party. No compensation was received for making this review.

Buy My Ex From Hell on Amazon | Buy My Ex From Hell on Barnes & Noble

Buy My Date From Hell on Amazon

About the Author

Tellulah Darling
noun

1. YA romantic comedy author because her first kiss sucked and she's compensating.
2. Alter ego of former screenwriter.
3. Sassy minx.

Geeks out over: cool tech.
Squees for: great storytelling.
Delights in: fabulous conversation.
Writes about: where love meets comedy. Awkwardness ensues.

Sassy girls. Swoony boys. What could go wrong?

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway

Tellulah is also hosting a contest on her site to give Sophie’s power (her vines of light) a cool name because everything she’s come up with sucks. The winner will get a signed copy of My Date From Hell, a t-shirt featuring a design of one of Kai’s tattoos and will have their power name featured in the final book of the trilogy. Contest runs Oct 21-Nov 7. Details and entry (as of Oct 21) here.

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[Blog Tour] Grab Your Pole Series: Favorite Quotes + Kindle Paperwhite Giveaway!

Hey there! Today is my stop in the Grab Your Pole series blog tour and I will be sharing with you a favorite quote from one of the favorite characters in the series.

Favorite Quotes - Jeff

5) “Because every single moment I’m with Katy is the happiest I’ve ever been and to pick just one would be like saying the others don’t mean as much.” ~ The Other Fish in the Sea, Chapter 10 – Things Heat Up In Hell’s Kitchen

Some of the things that readers seem to really love about Jeff are his sense of humor, but I think if readers were polled, I bet most would say what they love most about Jeff is his unabashed love for Kate and his utter devotion to her. This tender line from book 2 in the GYP series is just one example that shows us that while Jeff is no doubt a clown, there’s more to him and every now and then he shows his softer side through his feelings for Kate and touching our hearts at the very same time.

About the Books

Shark Bait on Amazon

The Other Fish in the Sea on Amazon

Shark Out of Water on Amazon

Shark Bait: Previously homeschooled Camie Ramsey is being shoved into the shark-infested waters of public high school, where even helium filled, penguin bespeckled arm floaties likely won’t help keep her inexperienced, fifteen-year old head above water in that rip current of hormones and emotions.

Camie’s worldly wisdom might be severely lacking (i.e., the closest she’s come to being kissed was sitting too close to the TV whilst Jake Ryan leaned in to give Samantha that fateful 16th birthday kiss), but she does understand her only hope for survival is if she’s thrown some kind of “social” life preserver before she sinks like a freaking rock. However, what will her fate be when she endeavors to flag down the only lifeguard on duty, the enormously popular and ridiculously beautiful Tristan Daniels? The most sought after and virtually most unattainable guy in school who not only makes Camie’s heart flatline on a recurring basis, he’s also the one guy who seemingly doesn’t know she exists.

Feeling like an inept piece of chum that could ultimately be swallowed by Jaws, can Camie get Tristan to rescue her from floundering in the treacherous deep, or is she destined to be Shark Bait?
_____

The Other Fish in the Sea: In Shark Bait, readers everywhere met and fell in love with the new girl, Camie Ramsey, and swooned over her sure to be future husband, Tristan Daniels. Now, in the long awaited second installment of the Grab Your Pole series by Jenn Cooksey, The Other Fish in the Sea, Camie and Tristan are back, but so are their friends!

So, find a breathing apparatus and shimmy into your scuba gear, because it’s finally time to dive deeper into the lives of the GYP gang, but be warned, it’s a big world out there and an even bigger ocean where danger might be lurking around the
next corner and realistically, anything could happen.
_____

Shark Out of Water: With the Amazon Bestseller Shark Bait, the first novel in the Grab Your Pole series, debut author Jenn Cooksey delivered a fun, snarky, and realistic beginning to a larger story that has found its way into the hearts of readers everywhere. Thus, many were unprepared for what was coming in the second installment of the GYP series, The Other Fish in the Sea, when Cooksey took us on a runaway roller coaster ride of emotion and solidly landed hit after hit, including a brutal sucker punch that left readers around the globe reeling.

In Shark Out of Water, the highly anticipated third installment in this humorous yet honest and real coming of age story, we delve even further into the lives of the GYP gang and many questions are sure to be answered, however, are you really ready for what lies ahead in the continuation of their adventure? Well, grab your pole and let’s find out.

About the Author

Jenn Cooksey is a Southern California girl born and bred, however she's no longer a resident of heaven on earth, but instead she currently resides in the 7th Ring of Hell with her husband, their three daughters, and a goodly number of pets. Aside from her husband, one cat, and three out of five fish, everyone living under the Cooksey's roof is female. She's sure her husband will not only be awarded sainthood when he kicks the bucket, but that Jesus will welcome him into heaven with a beer and a congratulatory high-five. Jenn is also of the belief that Bacon should be capitalized and that just being yourself is the best way to go. That is, unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman.

Giveaway

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To see other stops on the tour for reviews, guest posts, and excerpts click here

[Blog Tour] Book Review: Reaping Me Softly

Reaping Me Softly
by Kate Evangelista
Paperback, 220 pages
Published October 30th 2012 by Omnific Publishing
Source: Publicist for (AToMR) blog tour
Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Book Description:

Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.

At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?

Review:

Grim reapers, you say? I don’t think I’ve ever read a YA about grim reapers, so when the opportunity to read Reaping Me Softly came knocking at my door, I quickly welcomed it with both arms wide open. Plus, that cover! Who can resist a cover that gorgeous?

Ari is a sixteen year old highschool student who has the ability to see the dead. As much as this makes her feel different from other kids her age, she still thrives to live like a normal teenager and survive highschool while trying to avoid the school's queen bee, Darla, who makes her highschool life a living hell. One of the few things that encourages her to go to school is the fact that her longtime crush, Niko, goes to the same school and seeing him immediately lifts up her spirits.

Ari is that type of person who's not easily noticed by people. She's quiet and only opens up to her sister and bestfriend. She gushes alot about Niko to her sister Carrie, who's sick and is confined to the hospital. I love their relationship as siblings. Carrie is a fun character and I wished there was more of her in the book. Niko is the reaper who's in charge of the deaths in Georgia, who's also the guy Ari has been vying for. He disguises as a highschool student and was paired with Ari on a lab experiment. Ben is also a notable character that you'll have to meet. He is Ari's bestfriend and has a thing for Carrie.

I rarely read books with less than 300 pages because I couldn't finish/didn't end up liking majority of such that I've read in the past. Those types of books tend to have plots that are too rushed which make them seem unrealistic. However, in Reaping Me Softly's case, while there were certain aspects that felt too quick to develop, the events didn't seem forced but rather they flowed naturally and spontaneously that makes this for a fast and unique read.

Disclosure: This book was received from the publicist as part of the Reaping Me Softly blog tour (hosted by AToMR Tours), for free in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3/5 stars

About the Author

When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing.

Goodreads | Website | Twitter

Excerpt + Giveaway: Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole

Book One of The Paradise Diaries

Dante's Girl by Courtney Cole

Book Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Author Links: Goodreads | Website | Twitter

Book Description

I have spent every summer since I was ten years old with my father in London. Every summer, since I was ten years old, has been uneventful and boring. Until this year.

And this year, after a freak volcanic eruption strands me far from home, I have learned these things:

1. I can make do with one outfit for three days before I buy new clothes.
2. If I hear the phrase, “You’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,” even one more time, I might become a homicidal maniac.
3. I am horribly and embarrassingly allergic to jellyfish.
4. I am in love with Dante Giliberti, who just happens to be the beautiful, sophisticated son of the Prime Minister of a Mediterranean paradise.
5. See number four above. Because it brings with it a whole slew of problems and I’ve learned something from every one of them.

Let’s start with the fact that Dante’s world is five light-years away from mine. He goes to black-tie functions and knows the Prime Minister of England on a first name basis. I was born and raised on a farm in Kansas and wear cut-off jeans paired with cowboy boots. See the difference?

But hearts don’t care about differences. Hearts want what they want. And mine just wants to be Dante’s girl.

My heart just might be crazy.

Excerpt

“Why do you look sad?” I ask. “You live in a beautiful country with the world at your fingertips. Your dad is amazing and nice and you’re a billionaire. What could possibly make you sad?”

Dante studies me, his cobalt eyes serious, his expression unreadable.

“Let’s go for a walk,” he finally says. “Someplace quieter.”

A quiet place with Dante? Yes, Please!

I scramble to my feet and walk with him through the crowd again, this time oblivious to the stares. He has a huge stride and I find myself hurrying to keep up, two steps for every one of his. He weaves us through the people and out the doors in record time.

Before I know it, we are on a terrace. In the dark. Under the stars.

With Dante.

This may as well be Heaven.

In fact, it might actually be.

Have I died and didn’t realize it?

I flex my fingers and poke at my thigh.

My mind is fuzzy and I feel like I am moving slower than I actually am. Is life in slow motion right now or is it me? I blink hard then poke myself again.

“Are you alright?” Dante asks, watching me curiously. I nod.

“Yep. I’ve just never had three glasses of champagne before. In fact, I’ve never even had one. Until now.”
I giggle at the thought and Dante smiles.

“Okay, drunk girl. Let’s sit you down.”

He guides me to a lounger and eases me onto it. I clutch at his arm, not wanting to let him go. He stares down at me.

“You really have had too much to drink, haven’t you, little sunflower?”

The name warms my heart and I decide that he is the handsomest person in the world. “Is handsomest a word?” I ask him.

He looks at me blankly.

“I don’t know,” he answers slowly. “Why?”

“You’re the handsomest person in the world,” I announce. “I don’t care if it’s a word or not. You are it, one way or another.”

Dante smiles and runs a hand through his hair, as though he’s trying to decide what to do.

“Oh. Okay. Um, thanks? What am I going to do with you? You’re adorable when you are drunk. But I made you drunk, even if it was an accident. How was I supposed to know that you’re such a lightweight?”

He sounds like he is waging some sort of battle with himself.

“Who exactly are you arguing with?”I ask, the champagne clouding my thoughts in a very thorough way. “You will get no arguments from me tonight. No matter what.”

He sighs, a husky and ragged sound.

It’s sexy.

I scoot closer to him and drag him down until he is sitting on the lounger with me. His warmth feels nice out here because the air has turned cool. It’s dark and I feel like we’re in our own little world. I run my fingers over his arm, then grip at his shoulders.

“You’re so strong,” I tell him. “And your fingers are so long.” I don’t know what that has to do with anything, I just feel like pointing it out. Because his fingers are long. I pick up his hand and slide my own against it. His hand is at least a full inch longer than mine. Probably more. I curl my fingers around his and hold tight to his hand.

I look up at him.

He is so devastatingly beautiful in the moonlight.

I tell him so.

He stares at me, his dark gaze unwavering. Except for my knees. It definitely wavers my knees, if that is possible. I know I wouldn’t be able to stand up if I tried. Which I’m not going to. I’m staying right here…with Dante.

“Kiss me,” I whisper. “Please.”

Dante is silent, his blue eyes frozen on me.

And then he lowers his head and his soft lips are upon mine.

And I might seriously die this time.

For real.

I’m kissing Dante.

Kissing.

Dante.

The thoughts won’t stop running through my head as Dante kisses me in the most romantic and soft kiss I’ve ever experienced. My thoughts blur together and all I can do now is immerse myself in the moment. The world actually seems to explode for a second. This is the most amazing kiss in the history of the world.

Giveaway

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~ Hosted by AToMR Book Blog Tours

Cover Reveal: Reaping Me Softly by Kate Evangelista

I just about died when I saw this cover. So beautiful!

Reaping Me Softly by Kate Evangelista

Expected Publication: October 30th 2012 by Omnific Publishing

Blurb

Ever since a near-death-experience on the operating table, seventeen-year-old Arianne Wilson can see dead people. Just as she’s learned to accept her new-found talents, she discovers that the boy she’s had a crush on since freshman year, Niko Clark, is a Reaper.

At last they have something in common, but that doesn’t mean life is getting any easier. All while facing merciless bullying from the most powerful girl in school, Arianne’s world is turned upside down after Niko accidentally reaps the soul of someone she loves. This sends them both into a spiral that threatens to end Arianne’s life. But will Niko break his own Reaper’s code to save her? And what would the consequences be if he did?