Review: Falling into You by Jasinda Wilder

Falling Into You

Author: Jasinda Wilder

I wasn't always in love with Colton Calloway; I was in love with his younger brother, Kyle, first. Kyle was my first one true love, my first in every way.
Then, one stormy August night, he died, and the person I was died with him.

Colton didn't teach me how to live. He didn't heal the pain. He didn't make it okay. He taught me how to hurt, how to not be okay, and, eventually, how to let go.

*****************************

Oh my holy heavens, this book was amazing! There are not enough words for how I felt about this book. Books can definitely pull emotions out of me but I can not remember the last time I openly cried and had tears fall down my cheeks from a book. 

Ness is in love with her best friend since childhood, Kyle. They have plans for the future and they feel perfect together. However, a tragic accident takes Kyle and Ness is left feeling empty and broken. Kyle's older brother, Colton, is the opposite of Kyle and is broken himself. A few years after Kyle's death, fate brings them together again and he is there to help her pick up the pieces and let her grief go.

I fell in love with Ness and Colton! The change in Ness was so real and powerful because that is exactly what would happen to someone like her after experiencing such a tragedy. I felt her broken heart like it was my own and the power of her conflicting emotions for Colton and the guilt because of Kyle. Colton is the exact opposite of Kyle. He is rough around the edges and has been through so much already at his age. I loved his instant connection to Nell and his need to fix her and bring her back to life. He was so sweet and tender with her and knew how to be everything she needed.

Jasinda Wilder did an amazing job on writing this story. Not only did I openly cry but I also felt a lump in my throat so often through out the book, I couldn't believe how emotional I was. She really knew how to connect the reader to the story and draw out the raw emotion of the characters so I felt like I was right there with them. The plot was so well thought out and put together. It flowed so well from scene to scene and point of view to point of view. I loved that it was split between Ness' POV and Colton's POV. As a music lover myself, I loved the addition of music to the story. It was so powerful for me. I was so sad when the book was over and I hope there will be more to Colton and Ness' story. As a warning, there is mature sexual scenes within the book (you know I have a guilty pleasure for blush worthy books.) ;-)

IPOD Picks:

"She is Love" by Parachute

"Poison & Wine" by The Civil Wars

"You Make it Real" by James Morrison

"Broken" by Lifehouse

"Count on Me" by Bruno Mars

Sources: 

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Photo: Goodreads

Sunday's Selection: Hourglass

This week's Sunday Selections is:

Hourglass

Author: Myra McEntire

Publisher: Egmont USA

Cover Photo Source: Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis:

One hour to rewrite the past . . . 

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn't there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents' death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She's tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson's willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may also change her past.

Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he's around? And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that never should've happened?

______________________________

I learned about this series from another blogger's Waiting on Wednesday post and I thought is sounded very interesting. I am looking forward to diving in and I will write my review later this week.

Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Beautiful Disaster

Author: Jamie McGuire

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

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Travis is a man whore and the exact type of guy that Abby does not need in her life. She does everything she can to repel Travis but ends up in a convoluted friendship with him  where the lines are blurry and feelings are undeniable. They end up in this explosive and tumultuous friendship/relationship.

I have never been this conflicted on my feelings for a book. I really liked this book and I was so enthralled and could not put it down but I had some issues with the characters. First of all, I had real problems with Abby. I didn't like the way she strung Travis along and I felt like she acted all innocent but knew exactly what she was doing. I never got the goody girl impression from her like the synopsis leads you to believe. She grew on my a little at the end but for most of the book, I was not a fan of her. I liked Travis but I didn't like that he was so possessive and temperamental. The way he acted every time he got mad or drunk really annoyed me. I liked that he was so protective of Abby and he really cared for her but the nickname kind of annoyed me and I hated the temper tantrums that he threw all the time and the excuses he always made.

I did think that the book was well written and I liked the idea around the plot and how it was written out. I was definitely engrossed in the story and eager to see how their relationship would play out and how it would end. Usually the characters are what make the book for me but in this case, it was the story line and plot that kept me hooked. She definitely did a good job of pulling out my emotions and feelings for the characters even if I was hating on them at the time. Overall, I think it was a decent book and well thought out and written.

IPOD Picks:

"Let Me Down" by Kelly Clarkson

"Arms" by Christina Perri

"Love Somebody" Maroon Five
"We Belong Together" by Gavin Degraw

Sources:

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Photo: Goodreads

Saturday @ Starbucks #4: Best Book Covers & a Mocha

Saturday @ Starbucks is a feature hosted by Starbucks & Books Obsession

To join in, just re-post the topic and  link back to the host. Grab a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and do a post on the topic.

This week's topic is:

Best Book Covers & a Mocha

Drink of the week: White Chocolate Mocha

When I first started going to Starbucks and drinking coffee, a white chocolate mocha was the only thing I would drink. I was instantly addicted and found myself drinking them 2-3 times a week. When I found out how many calories were in one, I nipped that in the bud. However, I still drink one now and then and thought today would be the perfect day to enjoy it!

Book Covers:

I am like a moth to a flame when it comes to book covers. I absolutely love them and that is what usually attracts me to a book and gets to me to check out the synopsis. I am sure I am not the only one :-) I created a collage below of some of my favorite book covers. Enjoy!

What are some of your favorite book covers?

Review: The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden

Author: Jessica Sorensen

There are those who don’t get luck handed to them on a shiny platter, who end up in the wrong place at the wrong time, who don’t get saved.

Luck was not on Callie’s side the day of her twelfth birthday when everything was stolen from her. After it’s all over, she locks up her feelings and vows never to tell anyone what happened. Six years later her painful past consumes her life and most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.

For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence was the only way to survive life. As long as he did what he was told, everything was okay. One night, after making a terrible mistake, it seems like his life might be over. Luck was on his side, though, when Callie coincidentally is in the right place at the right time and saves him.

Now he can’t stop thinking about the girl he saw at school, but never really knew. When he ends up at the same college as Callie, he does everything he can to try to get to know her. But Callie is reserved and closed off. The more he tries to be part of her life, the more he realizes Callie might need to be saved.
**********************************

I loved this book. Between this book and a few others I have read, I have become a huge fan of new adult books. Sometimes the topic of the female lead's angst makes me a little squeamish because I am a woman myself and couldn't imagine experiencing such tragedies during my youth. However, I love how protective and sweet the male character becomes for the girls.

I really liked Callie and found her to be a really strong character. She experienced something terrible and spent her teen years trying to move on. She let the experience dictate her actions until she got to college and decided to fight the demons and try new things and take charge of her life.I liked that she opened up to new possibilities and let new people into her life. Kayden never noticed Callie until she saved him and even though they lived completely different lives during high school, I loved that he was so much deeper and wanted to explore his attraction and interest in Callie. I loved the friendship that they built into a romance.

The story that the author built was so great and she really brought out the emotions of Callie and Kayden through me. I loved that they came together and really saved each other. The ending was heart wrenching and breath taking. The cliffhanger she left it on was insane! I really need the second book now. It is scheduled to be released in August. Also, I LOVE this cover.

IPOD Picks:

"Stay" by Rihanna

"Try" by Pink

"Locked Out of Heaven" by Bruno Mars

Sources:

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover  Photo: Goodreads

Feature & Follow Friday Blog Hop #5

Feature and Follow is hosted by Alison Can Read & Parajunkee

This week's question:
Tell us about the most emotional scene you've ever read in a book- and how did you react?

Wow, this is a tough one because I can think of so many books that have pulled emotions out of me and I have cried too many times to count. When I read Reckoning, the third book in Laury Falter's Guardian Trilogy, there was a death scene that was so unexpected that I swear my heart stopped beating. Tears sprang to my eyes as I read the scene. I stopped breathing and I swear I was in a 30 second daze before I pulled myself together and decided I had to finish the book right then so that I can find out how it ended.

Review: The Collector by Victoria Scott

The Collector

Author: Victoria Scott

Publisher: Entangled Teen

He makes good girls...bad. 

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried

**************************

Dante is a cocky, self-absorbed soul collector who was chosen to work on earth to collect souls after he died. He was a bad boy in life and that's what landed him in hell and his current place now. He is sent on a mission to collect Charlie's soul within 10 days but is surprised in what he finds in Charlie. She takes him on a journey of discovery and he finds things in himself he didn't know existed.

I loved Dante! He is so cocky and full of himself in the beginning and I found myself laughing out loud and rolling my eyes at him so many times. He is sexy as hell and his confidence is definitely swoon worthy even though he has an inflated ego. He evolved so much as a character and by the end, I was absolutely in love with him. In the beginning he was kind of a tool, especially the way he treated Charlie, so I was glad to see him redeem himself in the end because I wanted to dislike him but I just couldn't. I loved that Charlie was not like most female lead characters. She was gorgeous and perfect. She had flawed skin, flawed hair, and flawed teeth. However, she had a personality that dazzled the world and made her beautiful from the inside. Despite her appearance flaws, she crawled under Dante's skin and he began to notice the small things within her flaws that made her beautiful on the outside too.

I enjoyed the plot and the idea that what was supposed to be a normal job for Dante turned out to be the hardest collection he has ever had to do. The writing was great and gave me mixed emotions through out the book as some scenes were fun and light-hearted while others were much deeper and intense. It switched around so much that I felt like it was playing ping pong with my emotions and I loved it. Underneath the central plot of Dante falling for Charlie as he got to know her while trying to collect her soul, there was suspense, laughter and heartbreak. I found myself actually choking up during a few scenes. I liked the way the book ended and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

IPOD Picks:

"Unpretty" by TLC

"Whatever it Takes" by Lifehouse

"I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift

Sources:

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Photo: Goodreads

Thrifty Thursday: New Adult Edition

New Adult is an up and coming genre that has become the talk of the town lately. With that said, I thought I would do a new adult edition for Thrifty Thursday this week so here are a few new adult eBooks for under $3.00.

AMAZON

AMAZON

AMAZON

AMAZON

AMAZON

I picked up The Edge of Never, The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden, Collide and Caught Up in Us for my Kindle this week. I have read Someone to Love and it is fabulous. If you have discovered new adult and find you like it, check out some of these titles for yourself.

Novella Review: Hana by Lauren Oliver

Hana (Delirium #1.5)

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

The summer before they're supposed to be cured of the ability to love, best friends Lena and Hana begin to drift apart. While Lena shies away from underground music and parties with boys, Hana jumps at her last chance to experience the forbidden. For her, the summer is full of wild music, dancing—and even her first kiss.

But on the surface, Hana must be a model of perfect behavior. She meets her approved match, Fred Hargrove, and glimpses the safe, comfortable life she’ll have with him once they marry. As the date for her cure draws ever closer, Hana desperately misses Lena, wonders how it feels to truly be in love, and is simultaneously terrified of rebelling and of falling into line.

***********************

This was a great companion novella to the Delirium series. This is written from Hana's perspective and takes place at the same time as Delirium. It gives us a look into what Hana was going through during this time and gives insight into how she was feeling and what she was going through. Hana was one of my favorite characters in Delirium so I liked reading a story from her perspective, especially since I found her storyline in Requiem to be a little boring. She seemed so care free in Delirium but she was so much more conflicted than Lena knew. It was hard for her to be happy for Lena and Alex when her own experiences didn't turn out so well. If you read Requiem, you know how it all turns out. 

Sources:

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Photo: Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Frigid by J. Lynn

For twenty-one-year-old Sydney, being in love with Kyler isn't anything new. They'd been best friends ever since he pushed her down on the playground and she made him eat a mud pie. Somewhere over the years, she fell for him and fell hard. The big problem with that? Kyler puts the 'man' in man-whore. He's never stayed with a girl longer than a few nights, and with it being their last year in college, Syd doesn't want to risk their friendship by declaring her love.

Kyler has always put Syd on a pedestal that was too high for him to reach. To him, she's perfect and she's everything. But the feelings he has for her, he's always hidden away or focused on any other female. After all, Kyler will always be the poor boy from the wrong side of tracks, and Syd will always be the one girl he can never have.

But when they're stranded together at a posh ski resort due to a massive Nor'easter, there's nothing stopping their red-hot feelings for each other from coming to the surface. Can their friendship survive the attraction? Better yet, can they survive at all? Because as the snow falls, someone is stalking them, and this ski trip may be a life-changer in more ways than one.

Frigid will be available in digital formats on July 30^th 2013

Print release of Frigid will be November 5^th 2012

Goodreads

J. Lynn, also known as Jennifer L. Armentrout, is a # 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. She lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russel Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Twitter  https://twitter.com/JLArmentrout
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout
Website http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/

Waiting on Wednesday #4: Insomnia

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. The event highlights upcoming books we are biting our nails for.

This week's pick is: Insomnia (The Night Walkers #1) by J.R. Johansson

Expected Release Date: June 8, 2013

It’s been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me.

Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he’s had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people’s fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets—and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.

Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia’s eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he’s gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it’s Parker.

Suffering blackouts, Parker begins to wonder if he is turning into someone dangerous. What if the monster stalking Mia is him after all

____________________________________

This book sounds so good! As soon as I found it, I added it to my TBR. I can't wait to read it! What are you waiting for?

Review: Jordyn by Tiffany King

Jordyn (Book 1)

Author: Tiffany King

Hand to hand combat training: Check
Cardio and strength training: Check
Daemon hunting: Check
Anomaly: Check

Check, check, check, check...That's all my life is. There's nothing ordinary about me. I'm "special." I know this because I'm reminded of it every stinking day. I can kick a Daemon's ass with both hands tied behind my back. I can run up a mountain without breaking a sweat. Know what I can't do? Get guys to notice me, or hang out with friends like normal people do. I can't just be ordinary because I have an Arch Angel for a mentor who is always breathing down my neck, and a family of angelic Guides and Protectors who scrutinize every little thing I do. Just for a day I want a life where I'm no longer some anomaly, where I don't have to feel like a lab rat. 

And then I met Emrys. Okay, so my mentor and family hate him, but probably for good reason. After-all, he is a Soul Trader, and they aren't the most trust worthy beings. But, he is sooo hot with his green eyes, leather jacket and the sexiest tattoo you've ever seen running down his back. And-he doesn't treat me like a project.

I've got myself in quite a little quandary here. Choosing between my responsibilities and the Trader that holds my heart is something I didn't sign up for. Torn between two different worlds, I must now decide who to trust and who to walk away from. What's a girl to do? See what I mean? I am an anomaly. I am Jordyn.

******************************

Jordyn is a kick ass daemon hunter. Emrys is a cunning and charismatic soul trader. From the moment they meet, they are instantly drawn to one another. Jordan doesn't know why she is so intrigued by him or what he wants from her but she can't stop thinking about him or feeling butterflies when he is around. It is instantly obvious that he is as taken with her as she is with him and despite her family's warnings to stay away from him, she can't help the magnetic pull he has on her. The question is, what does he really want and why is he really there?

I loved Jordan! She is probably one of my favorite female leads in a while. I love her snarky attitude and her general awesomeness. I love that she maintains her cool demeanor around Emrys even though she is a puddle of goo on the inside. He is charismatic by nature and she doesn't let that affect her. She cuts to the chase and calls him on his crap. I think that is why he is so intrigued by her. Emrys is sexy as hell from the beginning and I loved him. He is so charming and he has a way with words that turned me into a puddle. I love the interaction between Jordan and Emrys and how perfect they seem to be for each other.

The majority of the book was spent building up the relationship between Jordyn and Emrys and her training and relationship with her guardians in an effort to prepare us for the plot of the series. I felt like the plot wasn't really revealed until the end of the book so I was definitely left hanging on the edge at the end, especially since so much related to the series plot was revealed but left hanging. I also loved that this is a spin-off of the Saving Angels series and didn't realize that until I started reading it so I was pleasantly surprised. I am looking forward to the next book so I can see how Jordyn handles all that was revealed to her and how the plot will take hold.

IPOD Picks:

"Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keyes

"Daylight" by Maroon Five

"Punching in a Dream" by The Naked and the Famous

Sources:

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Photo: Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday #4: Books I Recommend the Most

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. Here we list our top ten picks for the topic. This week's topic is:

Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most

I could easily name more than 10 books that I would recommend so I decided to pick my top recommendations from a few of my favorite categories.

Books that Make me Blush

Tempting the Player by J.Lynn- This is one of my all time favorite books.

Someone Like You by Addison Moore- There are some definite blush-worthy moments in this book.

What the world might be like in 50-100 Years

Divergent by Veronica Roth- New favorite Dystopian novel. Teenagers in the future sure do grow up a lot faster.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- I'm hoping this is more than 100 years into the future. The government would be seriously messed up.

If Angels, Demons and Vampires Exist

Stained by Ella James- This book has one of the hottest demons of all the books I have read.

Captured by Erica Stevens- A human who tames a wild vamp, I love it!

Unforgettable Books from my Molding Years

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns- I haven't read this book since middle school but it is one I will never forget.

 Are you there God, It's Me Margaret by Judy Bloom- What pre-teen girl didn't read this book? How else were we supposed to learn about periods.

The Wonderful World of Witchcraft & Wizardry

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling- It's Harry Potter, enough said!

Dark Summer by Lizzy Ford- This book was on the darker side and I loved it.

What books would you recommend?

Bloglovin

I'm not sure how the loss of google reader will affect GFC followers but everyone is adding Bloglovin to their blogs in preparation so I suppose I will jump on and join too. Please follow my blog on Bloglovin. Thanks!


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ARC Review: Xander's Chance by Lizzy Ford

Xander's Chance

Author: Lizzy Ford

A continuation of the "War of Gods" saga ...

As the single-most powerful vampire on the planet, Xander is the ultimate bored predator with too much time on his hands. He manipulates the minds of immortals for fun and bullies around the Gods, while guarding the secret source of his power, a crystal that can wipe out the planet. But beneath the surface, he’s a shrewd creature who learned the brutal lesson of why there must be a balance between good and evil. An unwilling protector of the playthings known as humans, he knows when and where to use his power – and never to let anyone close enough to betray him. It’s easy to do, since he has the power to read the minds of everyone around him.

Except for one: Jessi, an innocent looking woman with an unusual talent who shows up unexpectedly in his life. Her sudden appearance is too convenient to be coincidence or chance. Xander determines quickly that she was sent by someone, but he can’t read her mind to discover why. 

Jessi’s secret – and Xander’s – have the power to forever change the human world. Intrigued by a new sort of challenge, Xander won’t know how much danger he’s in, until he’s placed his fate in the hands of a woman whose betrayal will cost either his heart or his life.

**********************************

Xander's Chance is another wonderfully written book by Lizzy Ford. This is a spinoff series of the War of God's Saga so I would personally recommend you read those books first though you don't have to in order to understand Xander's Chance. 

Xander is an original vampire and the strongest and deadliest on earth. He is huge, sexy and desired by every woman he meets. As an original being, he is on earth to balance the scales of good and evil. He has a different woman every night and he does not do commitments. Jessie is a young woman who has a unique ability and has put her life on hold to raise her cousins. She is strong and she doesn't take Xander's crap. Their paths are forced together and the chemistry is instant. Xander knows exactly how to push her buttons and Jessi can fire right back unlike anyone he has ever met. 

I loved the banter back and forth between Xander and Jessi. He is constantly trying to coax her into bed with him and she continuously denies him even though her desire for him gets stronger. There back and forth dialogue is entertaining and it made me love both characters. I really like that the main point of the book is the relationship building between Xander and Jessi but the plot behind the romance is intriguing and suspenseful. I kept waiting for Xander to let his guard down and open up to Jessi and waiting for Jessi to realize she could trust Xander and let him help her. When all hell breaks loose, I just hope that they can make it through and will end up together.

Lizzy is an excellent author and her books are well written and an equal balance of romance and intriguing plots. As a warning, the book does contain some sex and language. 

Amazon

Goodreads

Lizzy's Website

This book was provided to me by the author to read and review. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own, unbiased opinions.

Sources:

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover Photo: Goodreads

March Madness Giveaway Winners

Thank you to everyone who participated in the March Madness competition and voted. The person who won the most rounds wins a free book up to $15 in value. I also decided to give away a $10 Starbucks gift card based on a random drawing of everyone who voted since some voters didn't find my blog until half way through the competition. Now to the winners!

The winning book of the competition was: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

The book winner is: Laura

The random draw winner is: Daisy

I will email the winners today so they can claim their prizes. Thanks again for everyone who voted and I look forward to running the competition again next year!

Sunday's Selection: Jordyn

This week's Sunday Selection is:

Jordyn

Author: Tiffany King

Cover photo Source: Goodreads

Goodreads synopsis:

Hand to hand combat training: Check
Cardio and strength training: Check
Daemon hunting: Check
Anomaly: Check

Check, check, check, check...That's all my life is. There's nothing ordinary about me. I'm "special." I know this because I'm reminded of it every stinking day. I can kick a Daemon's ass with both hands tied behind my back. I can run up a mountain without breaking a sweat. Know what I can't do? Get guys to notice me, or hang out with friends like normal people do. I can't just be ordinary because I have an Arch Angel for a mentor who is always breathing down my neck, and a family of angelic Guides and Protectors who scrutinize every little thing I do. Just for a day I want a life where I'm no longer some anomaly, where I don't have to feel like a lab rat. 

And then I met Emrys. Okay, so my mentor and family hate him, but probably for good reason. After-all, he is a Soul Trader, and they aren't the most trust worthy beings. But, he is sooo hot with his green eyes, leather jacket and the sexiest tattoo you've ever seen running down his back. And-he doesn't treat me like a project.

I've got myself in quite a little quandary here. Choosing between my responsibilities and the Trader that holds my heart is something I didn't sign up for. Torn between two different worlds, I must now decide who to trust and who to walk away from. What's a girl to do? See what I mean? I am an anomaly. I am Jordyn.

***********************

This has been on my TBR list since it came out so I am glad that I am going to finally read it. I will post my review before next Sunday.

Review: Daynight by Megan Thomason

Daynight

Author: Megan Thomason

Publisher: Createspace

Meet The Second Chance Institute (SCI): Earth’s benevolent non-profit by day, Thera’s totalitarian regime by night. Their motto: Because Everyone Deserves a Second Chance™. Reality: the SCI subjects Second Chancers to strict controls and politically motivated science experiments like Cleaving—forced lifetime union between two people who have sex. Punishment for disobeying SCI edicts? Immediate Exile or death.

Meet Kira Donovan. Fiercely loyal, overly optimistic, and ensnared by the promise of a full-ride college scholarship, Kira signs the SCI Recruit contract to escape memories of a tragedy that left her boyfriend and friends dead.

Meet Blake Sundry. Bitter about being raised in Exile and his mother’s death, Blake’s been trained to infiltrate and destroy the SCI. Current barrier to success? His Recruit partner—Miss Goody Two Shoes Kira Donovan.

Meet Ethan Darcton. Born with a defective heart and resulting inferiority complex, Ethan’s forced to do his SCI elite family’s bidding. Cleave-worthy Kira Donovan catches his eye, but the presiding powers give defect-free Blake Sundry first dibs.

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Daynight was a great debut novel by Megan Thomason. Kira and Blake are recruited for a year long program at the Second Chance institute for their senior year. Kira doesn't know the truth about the SCI and accepts the contract to escape from a tragedy. Blake knows exactly who the SCI is and what they do and he is out to get revenge. Ethan grew up in the SCI and is instantly in love with Kira but forbidden from pursuing her by his parents. Everything they think they know is wrong and nothing is what it seems or appeared to be. They all learn the truths eventually and must decide what path they want to take.

The book is written from the perspective of Blake, Kira and Ethan. I really liked each character and liked that none of them were perfect and all had flaws. Kira is super smart and inquisitive but can be a little dramatic and hysterical. Blake is smart and will do anything for those he loves but he can be manipulative and distrustful. Ethan is sweet and devoted to Kira but he is secretive and lacks confidence. The love triangle was so crazy and convoluted and I loved it! Because each guy had his flaws and gave Kira pause for choosing him, it was easy not to get too attached to one or the other. Likewise, it was written so well that I couldn't decide who I wanted her to end up with but I also wasn't agonizing over it. I hate love triangles because of the anxiety they usually cause me so it was refreshing to have a love triangle that left me indifferent. The fact that it was not the primary focus of the story helped with that too.

I really enjoyed the plot of this story as well. There were a few times when the story got so intense I found myself a bit confused and I had to go back and read a paragraph or two before I realized what was happening. I loved that the author included scenes from the character's past as they related to what was happening in the present. There was also a lot of unexpected twists and turns in the plot and I found myself shocked and surprised more than a few times. I hate when a book ends on a huge cliffhanger, especially when I have to wait for the next book to come out. I was genuinely happy with the ending of the book as it didn't leave me screaming at the top of my lungs but still left me wanting more. The Daynight novella, Clean Slate Complex,  is expected to be released on April 22, 2013 and the second book, Arbitrate is expected out late this summer. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

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Connect with the Author: www.meganthomason.com

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Sources:

Synopsis: Goodreads

Cover  Photo: Goodreads