New Release, Review,& Giveaway! Love and Other Unknown Variables by Shannon Lee Alexander

Love and Other Unknown Variables

by Shannon Alexander

Release Date: 10/07/14

Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

Charlie Hanson has a clear vision of his future. A senior at Brighton School of Mathematics and Science, he knows he’ll graduate, go to MIT, and inevitably discover solutions to the universe’s greatest unanswered questions. He’s that smart. But Charlie’s future blurs the moment he reaches out to touch the tattoo on a beautiful girl’s neck. 

The future has never seemed very kind to Charlotte Finch, so she’s counting on the present. She’s not impressed by the strange boy at the donut shop—until she learns he’s a student at Brighton where her sister has just taken a job as the English teacher. With her encouragement, Charlie orchestrates the most effective prank campaign in Brighton history. But, in doing so, he puts his own future in jeopardy. 

By the time he learns she's ill—and that the pranks were a way to distract Ms. Finch from Charlotte’s illness—Charlotte’s gravitational pull is too great to overcome. Soon he must choose between the familiar formulas he’s always relied on or the girl he’s falling for (at far more than 32 feet per second squared).

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Review- 5 Stars!!

 I love this book x 100!

Shannon Lee Alexander has written a true jewel. Charlie will endear himself to you on the first page. Hearing the story from his perspective is so unique. He is incredibly smart and sees the world in numbers and values. He is sweet and innocent and dedicated to his future, but I sensed a longing in him to be a “typical” teenager. He has his life impeccably mapped out. Then one day he meets a beautiful girl who possesses a free spirit. She seems to have just that something that pulls him in and tempts him to split his focus.

Charlotte is a mystery. There is joy and sadness in her every movement, every word, every action. It is clear that she needs to escape…something. She finds solace at Charlie’s house, especially having befriended his younger sister. Charlie and Charlotte reach a fork in their roadmaps when they meet. Each other.

“Simply put: time is fluid. The faster your world spins out of control, the slower timer crawls. The more time you need, the less you're sure to get. It's all relative” 

The decision whether or not to be with Charlotte when he finds out about her illness, is a choice that no teenager should have to make. Charlie is faced with the opportunity to accept something that will force him into adulthood, or to walk away and grasp the little time he has left as a teenager.

“It doesn't take much hope to infect a person. Hope is worse than vampire venom. It takes hold and changes a person. Fast.”

Charlie and Charlotte will captivate you. They are both so special and I grew closer with them in every chapter until their pain became mine. Their heartbreak was tangible, leaping off of the page and breaking mine right along with them.

Just a warning, have tissues handy. Be ready to laugh and cry.  This is a beautiful story and as hard as it was to walk this difficult road with Charlie and Charlotte, I will always treasure their journey. 

About the Author

Shannon Lee Alexander is a wife, mother (of two kids and one yellow terrier named Harriet Potter). She is passionate about coffee, books, and cancer research. Math makes her break out in a sweat. Love and Other Unknown Variables is her debut novel.  She currently lives in Indianapolis with her family. 

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GIVEAWAY:

Grand prize: Signed bookmark, tissues, temporary tattoo, science/math book page rose ring (made by Shannon), infinity charm bracelet (made by Shannon).

Four runners-up prizes: Signed bookmark, temporary tattoo, science/math book page rose pin (made by Shannon)

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Blog Tour, Trailer, Review, & Giveaway! Unrequited by Emma Grey

Unrequited

by Emma Grey 

Release Date: 05/26/14

Summary from Goodreads:

Seventeen-year-old Kat Hartland loathes Unrequited, the world's biggest boy band. Is she the only girl in Sydney who can't be bothered with perfect-looking Angus Marsden?

Give her 5 Seconds of Summer. Now.

Or maybe the seriously-hot med student who rescued her on a train—and who could be Douglas Booth's twin! Perfect formal partner, much?

But when Kat comes face to face with Angus Marsden himself, things start to get complicated. Very. Throw in a deranged female popstar, final exams, a part in the musical and a mum who just doesn't get it—and where is her best friend?

When did life get so crazy? Kat's just an ordinary schoolgirl.

Isn't she?


Trailer

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Review- 4 Stars

Unrequited is adorable. This is a light, fun, and fairly fast-paced read.

Kat is a unique teenage girl, but up until she meets Joel and Angus, nobody seems to recognize it, least of all herself. Kat doesn’t have self-esteem issues, but she just thinks of herself as basically normal. I will say that her inexperience with boys bothered me a little. If Angus and Joel see something so special in her, why haven’t any other boys? However, this was a small thing that didn’t cast a pall on the story. We come to discover that Kat has an incredible passion for music, and even more, she is a talented singer and composer. Unfortunately, her mother stifles these talents due to negative emotions associated with music and the tragedy of her father’s death.

I don’t usually care for love triangles, and it’s especially difficult when you don’t know who to root for! Joel and Angus are both so loveable. I kept finding myself switching camps!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a great story if there weren’t complications and misunderstandings! Mix the romance with the fact that Angus is a pop star and therefore always gone, a crazy, stalker fan, a sweet but jealous friend, and nosy twin sisters…you get mayhem of the best kind!

I really did enjoy the book. However, I had one major complaint. The true romance, the relationship between Kat and whomever she picks, doesn’t really happen until the very last few pages. I wanted to see a little more of them together, rather than a couple of paragraphs. Not only was it quick, it’s a decision Kat makes in her head, but there is not discussion. I’d like to know exactly what the hero was thinking too. It let me down just a little bit considering that the rest of the book was fun and exciting. But then, it can come down to preferences as well. I always like my romances to be tied up with a bow. Realistically, the characters in this book are young and their lives could turn in another direction at any moment. For me however, I like to think they’ll be together forever.

All in all, I highly recommend the book. The writing is witty and alive, securing your attention until the very end. 

Read the first three chapters at: www.unrequited.com.au

About the Author

Emma Grey has two teenage girls, a three-year-old boy, a couple of businesses and another teen novel in the pipeline. Her first book, 'Wits' End Before Breakfast! Confessions of a Working Mum' was published in 2005.

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Book Tour + Excerpt + Giveaway! Unrequited by Emily Shaffer

Unrequited

by Emily Shaffer

Release Date: 09/23/14

Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:

In the town of Belle Ridge there are doctors, lawyers and teachers... but there is only one vampire. Will Leighton has become an expert in making a life for himself amongst the unsuspecting small-town inhabitants, as the high school history teacher. He has spent hundreds of years crafting an identity and routine that make him feel almost human, but he is always missing that important final element, love.

Ashton Wallace is beautiful, smart, and angry. She was forced into an eternal existence, and now her family has moved her away from everything and everyone she knows. In Belle Ridge she is supposed to finish high school and start her life again, but how do you make plans for the next several centuries?

Will has never met another of his kind, and is immediately intrigued by Ashton. He longs to show her that the perceived vampire lifestyle, so popular in storybooks, is far from reality...but will she let him be a friend and guide in this new existence? Can Ashton accept Will into her life, or will she be led astray by a dark stranger with whom she shares an unknown connection?

Buy Links:

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Excerpt

In the town of Belle Ridge, there were doctors, lawyers, and teachers. But there was only one vampire, and he happened to be the high school history teacher.

Will Leighton always loved the start of a new school year. Classes were set to begin the next day, and as he looked around his classroom at the empty chairs, he smiled as he imagined them filled with chattering young people. He always looked forward to catching up with former students and getting to know new ones. The sense of community he felt as a teacher was the only thing that came close to making him feel like he was part of something, like he belonged.

Will was an outsider, and he knew it. No matter how many friends he made or local groups he joined, there was always a thread of solitude running through everything he did. The loneliness had a certain feeling to it. It wasn’t quite sad, or depressing, it was more like he was adrift with nothing he could truly connect to. But on this day, somewhere in his two-hundredth or so year on Earth, Will felt something he never had before: familiarity. Something in himself was being pulled, as though by a magnet, toward a nearby presence. Could it be that after so many years, Will Leighton wasn't alone anymore?

About the Author

Whether writing stories to entertain her younger siblings, or typing up an essay for a class, Emily Shaffer has been a writer for as long as she can remember.  Her stories may have changed from talking cartoon frogs to angsty young adults, but her goal to write a compelling story remains the same.  When not writing, she lives in Nashville and enjoys all the music, food, and excitement that city has to offer.  Her first novel, the well-received chick-lit title That Time of the Month was self-published on Amazon in 2012.  Her latest novel, as the others before, are fueled by diet soda and pie.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

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Stone of Thieves Book Tour + Giveaway + Review! By Diane J. Reed -Robin in the Hood review included.

Stone of Thieves (Robbin' Hearts Series #2)

by Diane J. Reed 

Release Date: 05/08/14

238 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

The Stone of Thieves . . . for centuries its magnetic draw has twisted the hearts of ambitious men and women with the promise of power, passion, and intrigue until it fell into the hands of unlikely thieves Robin and her boyfriend Creek. But can they steal their destiny away from the curse that pursues this magnificent ruby heart?

As the stone begins to spread its sorcery, Robin races to find her long-lost mother in Italy in the hopes of discovering the truth about her unique gypsy heritage and the ruby heart that is rumored to steal souls. Yet when the desire for this stone by powerful members of her family threatens their very lives, Creek decides to take matters into his own hands to protect Robin, his greatest treasure of all . . .

Stone of Thieves is a sensual, stand-alone new adult novel and the sequel to Robin in the Hood in the Robbin’ Hearts Series. Due to mature themes, readership is advised for ages 17+.

Buy Links:

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Review- 5 Stars!

If I wasn’t already hooked on Robin and Creek…I am completely in love with these two! Diane J. Reed weaves a story with action, danger, magic, mystery, and a romance that will knock your socks off! We are once again embarking on a journey with them to find answers to the mysteries presented to Robin in the first book of the series. There are questions about her heritage, a curse, and a stone rumored to steal souls. Creek and Robin face off with danger in this action packed adventure. But what really stole my breath away was the deepening love that continues to grow between Robin and Creek. He is so devoted to her, so determined to protect her, and he completely captured my heart right along with Robin’s. Their relationship is threatened by so much around them, and underneath it all is also another well of secrets that Creek is holding close.

Once again, we see some closure in this book, and yet…I was left DYING for the third book! I want to see how Creek and Robin finally find their HEA. I can’t wait to spend another book with them, learning about love and sitting on the edge of my seat in suspense of the next page. Diane J. Reed has captured me and I can’t help but jump and down yelling “hurry up with the next book!” I can’t wait!

Robin in the Hood (Robbin' Hearts Series #1)

by Diane J. Reed 

Release Date: 10/01/12

300 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

“Is it any wonder I became a bank robber?” 

But she never dreamed she’d fall in love…

Wealthy high school student Robin McArthur thinks she has it all figured out when it comes to bilking her wealthy dad for guilt money as a substitute for his genuine affection. Until one day he suffers a stroke, and she learns the brutal truth:

They’re broke.

Her stepmom has skipped the country.

And everyone from bankers to bookies has lined up in her dad's hospital room to collect on the millions he's racked up in debt.

Panicked and desperate, Robin figures she has two choices. Either surrender to the pestering caseworker and live in a skanky foster home, or take a chance and sneak her dad out of the hospital to make a run for it. Little does she know that stealing a car and hitting the road means that before the day is through, she will rob her first bank.

Now an outlaw, Robin finds a backwoods trailer park to hide her dad from authorities. There, she encounters Creek, a local bad boy who also commits crimes to provide for their motley neighbors. Realizing she could use Creek’s help, Robin proposes an ingenious plan—they should team up to rob banks together. But when their partnership leads to a romance that turns Robin’s world upside down, she soon begins to discover that people are more precious than pocketbooks, and real love means opening your heart to the kinds of treasures money can’t buy…

Buy Links:

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Review- 5 Stars

This book is such fun! I love Diane J. Reed takes a classic tale and gives it a spin, creating a story that delights. This could have been cliché, but she infused such flare into the book, it wraps you up in the imagery and quirky cast. I was amused from the get go. Robin has such a dry sense of humor. At the same time, I was intrigued, especially as the story took off immediately, entertaining from the first moment.

When Robin ends up in Turtle Shored, the supporting characters shape the story and keep you reeled in. Now things are about to get interesting… Robin and her dad are broke and on the run. Turns out…Turtle Creek has a whole world of kindred spirits. And among them is Creek, a modern day Robin Hood who steals to save and protect. Robin is swept up in a web of secrets and mystery, but to survive, she joins Creek in his criminal ways. Along the journey, she learns about what love really is, the true meaning of family, and begins to see a shot at happiness.

Robin and Creek fill a whole in each other, but they both possess tears in their souls that can only be filled by finding answers to the questions and riddles that plague their life. This story has a basic conclusion, but not everything is tied up in a nest shiny bow.

I’m so glad I don’t have to say goodbye to the characters of this book! On to Stone of Thieves!

About the Author

Diane J. Reed has a Ph.D. in English and a lifelong passion for books—both popular, forgotten & literary—as long as they touch her soul & make her want to tuck them under her pillow at night to remember them in her dreams. She writes novels that are infused with enchantment, where characters dare to break through boundaries and believe in true love. She also has a soft spot for artisans & outlaws of the heart, those who burn brightly to live each day as a gift—because it is! She loves to hear from readers, so feel free to visit Diane J. Reed's website at www.banditsranch.com or message her here to share the whispers of your spirit. 

Author Links:

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Book Blitz + Giveaway! Take Me On by Katie McGarry!

Take Me On (Pushing the Limits #4)

by Katie McGarry

Release Date: 05/27/14

Harlequin Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

Acclaimed author Katie McGarry returns with the knockout new story of two high school seniors who are about to learn what winning really means.

Champion kickboxer Haley swore she'd never set foot in the ring again after one tragic night. But then the guy she can't stop thinking about accepts a mixed martial arts fight in her honor. Suddenly, Haley has to train West Young. All attitude, West is everything Haley promised herself she'd stay away from. Yet he won't last five seconds in the ring without her help.

West is keeping a big secret from Haley. About who he really is. But helping her-fighting for her-is a shot at redemption. Especially since it's his fault his family is falling apart. He can't change the past, but maybe he can change Haley's future.

Hayley and West have agreed to keep their relationship strictly in the ring. But as an unexpected bond forms between them and attraction mocks their best intentions, they'll face their darkest fears and discover love is worth fighting for.

Bonus novella included: Crossing the Line.

Available from:
    

Books in the series:
(covers linked to Goodreads)

About the Author

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

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