From the Shelf: Cinder & Ella

Title: Cinder & Ella

Author: Kelly Oram

Genre: YA, Contemporary Romance
Date read: September 28, 2015
Dawn Rates: ★★★★ (4/5)

My Review: (also in goodreads)

It’s been almost a year since eighteen-year-old Ella Rodriguez was in a car accident that left her crippled, scarred, and without a mother. After a very difficult recovery, she’s been uprooted across the country and forced into the custody of a father that abandoned her when she was a young child. If Ella wants to escape her father’s home and her awful new stepfamily, she must convince her doctors that she’s capable, both physically and emotionally, of living on her own. The problem is, she’s not ready yet. The only way she can think of to start healing is by reconnecting with the one person left in the world who’s ever meant anything to her—her anonymous Internet best friend, Cinder. 

… 

Hollywood sensation Brian Oliver has a reputation for being trouble. There’s major buzz around his performance in his upcoming film The Druid Prince, but his management team says he won’t make the transition from teen heartthrob to serious A-list actor unless he can prove he’s left his wild days behind and become a mature adult. In order to douse the flames on Brian’s bad-boy reputation, his management stages a fake engagement for him to his co-star Kaylee. Brian isn’t thrilled with the arrangement—or his fake fiancée—but decides he’ll suffer through it if it means he’ll get an Oscar nomination. Then a surprise email from an old Internet friend changes everything.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

This is a cliche story about a popular male character and an ordinary female character. Or to be more accurate this is a retelling of one of the popular fairy tales: Cinderella. Only in this sense, life got in the way. Ella was once a popular book blogger (that I can relate) who was recuperating from the tragic thing that happened to her which was the reason why she lost her mother leading her to live with her estranged father and his new family. Of course there would be stepsisters (twin stepsisters that is). The lesser of the two evils, Juliette is my favorite. Anastasia might be bitchy but I kind of get her. My favorite scene is the comic con. I would not elaborate because it might give out that favorite part but I loved it. This may be a simple story but I gave this 4 stars because of its...yep, simplicity and the ability to make me laugh. This is one of those books which I enjoyed reading while riding the long bus ride home. 

Till the next read...

From the Shelf: Semi-Charmed (Harper Hall Investigations # 1)

Title: Semi-Charmed (Harper Hall Investigations # 1)

Author: Isabel Jordan

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Date read: September 21, 2015
Dawn Rates: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

Psychic and paranormal PI Harper Hall isn’t that surprised when her business partner skips town. Really, she can’t help but feel it’s her own fault for trusting a guy named Romeo in the first place. 

But if Harper wants to consult for the police on a high profile case, she’ll need a new partner-- preferably one with some supernatural skills of his own. Enter Noah Riddick, a slayer left jobless by the legalization of vampirism. 

Riddick’s dark secrets and shady past have forced him into exile from human society--an exile he was completely comfortable with until gorgeous and exasperating Harper waltzed into his life. Now, all too aware of how…unlifelike his life has truly been, he agrees to partner with her (as if saying no to Harper Hall was ever really an option). 

Fighting vampires, making immortal enemies, engaging in semi-sadistic interrogation techniques, staging daring rescues…it’s all in a day’s work for this paranormal odd couple. But falling in love? Well…that’s a little trickier. Even for the Semi-Charmed Harper Hall. 

My Review: (also in goodreads)

I definitely enjoyed this novel which showcased a Buffy-ish character. In their world, Psychics and Vampire slayers work together on assignments to get rid of supernatural. After everything fell apart as Harper's partner decided to travel around...squander money and leave the PI business alone with Harper, Harper still did PI work and does night jobs. When Noah Riddick waltzed into her then boring world while she was busily trying to survive, that is where the fun starts. I loved how Harper was not the conventional character: she has wit and she can kick ass. I loved their chemistry and there were times in which I wanted to laugh out loud and swoon at Noah. I could see that this series has potential and I would definitely read the second book.

Till the next read...

Book Review Request: Learning to Fall (Addison Hill #3)

Title: Learning to Fall (Addison Hill #3)

Author: Mina V. Esguerra

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Date read: October 14, 2015
Dawn Rates: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

“Go out with a stereotypical romance novel hero WHO ISN’T YOUR TYPE.”

Avid reader and art student Steph is participating in a monthly blog challenge to Live Like Fiction, and this was the task for October. When Grayson, former co-captain of her university rugby team, walks into her class, she knows it’s meant to be – she has to go out with this guy. Even if she’s never been attracted to big, hunky, athletic types. With Grayson’s “player” reputation off the field, Steph thinks he’ll be good for one date that’ll be worth blogging about, and that’s it. 

But you know how it goes: Soon, it becomes more than just one date – and Steph and Grayson are caught up in “living like fiction.” How long can they keep playing their roles before reality steps in?

My Review: (also in goodreads)

It's always an honor to receive a book from the author asking you to give an honest review about it. It means they value your review and your ability to review without any pretense. Therefore, I'm going to give this an honest review:

I got this ARC...yay! I enjoyed this book. I am excited to buy my physical copy. I even did a cover reveal of this.

Having a female blogger (book blogger to be exact) as the protagonist hits close to home. Steph is an art student who currently resides out of her hometown to pursue her dream while fixing the setbacks that happened just before she graduates. She is an avid (book) blogger who is currently doing the Live like Fiction book challenge, and for October she is willing to date someone who is not her type. To fulfill that challenge she has to ask Grayson, the typical jock, to be her date. Their then deceit will pile up. I know that the basic frame of this story might be cliche: girl meets boy, gets into a 'pretend' relationship with boy and eventually they get together but what made me like this is because of Steph's ideals. I can definitely relate with Steph...definitely. This is the problem with book worms. They tend to overthink and follow their ideals closely. This is most definitely the problem with FEMALE bookworms, female being the operative word. The more we read, the more we want something perfect. Especially with FEMALE HOPELESS ROMANTIC bookworms (I know some). Ouch. Crazy but true. It takes a lot to get out of the comfort zone. It takes a lot to courage to get past the ideals and just take the leap. This story made me think about things. LOL. But the truth is, what I loved about this, is that I could definitely relate to Steph.

Mina Esguerra is one of my favorite Filipino authors (support local!). Her first book that I read is "My Imaginary Ex" around 2009 or 2010? It was a long time ago. Oh, Zack *still swooning* I definitely recommend that book.

Till the next read...

Release Day Blitz: "The Trouble with Words" by Suzie Tullet

Aside from readers, authors get excited for this day: release day! And today Suzie Tullet's "The Trouble with Words" is out. For my ARC review, you can read it here

Safkhet Publishing proudly presents

THE TROUBLE WITH WORDS

by Suzie Tullett

a romantic comedy which releases today!

Promises – easy to make, hard to keep.

Having long made a promise to her husband, young widow Annabel has no intentions of breaking it. What she does plan to do, though, is have a baby. Not the easiest of tasks for a woman with a deceased other half, and having explored all her options, her only choice is to take the unconventional route. Setting out to find her own donor, Annabel meets Dan. Single, fun-loving and definitely not looking for commitment, this unruly blonde, blue-eyed man seems perfect for the job.

Dan wants nothing more than to find his dream woman. But with a mother intent on sabotaging his every relationship, he can't help but think he's destined to remain single. Of course, he knows his mother doesn't really want him all for herself, why else would she keep insisting he meet Maeve? Why else would she insist Dan promise to find himself a wife before she meets her maker?

Forced to negotiate matters of love, life and death, Annabel and Dan seem the answer to each other's prayers. But will they really be able to keep the promises they made? And is having a baby really the solution?

The Trouble with Words by Suzie Tullett is available on Amazon:

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trouble-Words-Suzie-Tullett-ebook/dp/B0153VEIFI/

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Words-Suzie-Tullett-ebook/dp/B0153VEIFI/

Amazon EU: http://www.amazon.de/Trouble-Words-Suzie-Tullett-ebook/dp/B0153VEIFI/

Suzie Tullett is an author of contemporary humorous fiction and romantic comedy. As well as The Trouble with Words, her novels include Going Underground and Little White Lies and Butterflies, which was short-listed for The Guardian's 2013 Not the Booker Prize. She has a Masters Degree in Television & Radio Scriptwriting and worked as a scriptwriter before becoming a full-time novelist. And when she's not tapping away on the computer creating her own literary masterpiece, she usually has her head in someone else's.

More about the author:

Website: http://suzietullett.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/suzietullett

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzie-Tullett-Author/221204154583599?fref=ts

Safkhet Publishing: http://safkhetpublishing.com/

Grab your copy!

Cover Reveal: "Learning to Fall" by Mina V. Esguerra

This is me doing a happy dance. Mina is one of my favorite Filipino contemporary romance authors and I suggest you try one of her books...Try "My Imaginary Ex" first.

Finally Mina V. Esguerra's new novel "Learning to Fall" will be out on October 6!

The Blurb:

“Go out with a stereotypical romance novel hero WHO ISN’T YOUR TYPE.”

Avid reader and art student Steph is participating in a monthly blog challenge to Live Like Fiction, and this was the task for October. When Grayson, former co-captain of her university rugby team, walks into her class, she knows it’s meant to be – she has to go out with this guy. Even if she’s never been attracted to big, hunky, athletic types. With Grayson’s “player” reputation off the field, Steph thinks he’ll be good for one date that’ll be worth blogging about, and that’s it. 

But you know how it goes: Soon, it becomes more than just one date – and Steph and Grayson are caught up in “living like fiction.” How long can they keep playing their roles before reality steps in? 

I can't wait to read the ARC of this novel. I will post my review soon....But for now here is the cover for this book:

Isn't it pretty? Now I'm excited. Here is the amazon link for when it comes out: Learning to Fall I want the paperback though (physical copies are the best! Except if there are no paperback copies of those books in your country *cries forever*)

Either way....I'm excited for this.