Farsighted Blog Tour

Review: This book is very different from the norm I have been reading lately.  Getting inside Alex's head was really interesting.  Emilyn did a fantastic job of creating a wonderful character that you could really see through, even though he couldn't physically see.  Her descriptions in the book were wonderful and really captured seeing through sound and feeling.  Alex ended up being a really interesting character to view the world through and Farsighted ended up being a really enjoyable read for me.  

Even on the first page I could tell this story would be vivid with detail.  From the description of the sound grass makes, I could tell Emlyn has a gift at creative writing and being able to set the scene so wonderfully.  The characters of Alex, Simi, and Shapri were all characterized beautifully.  Each had a distinct voice and personality that flowed off of the page.  I honestly thought the character of Shapri was the most interesting in my opinion.  I felt like she had the most intriguing story after that of Alex's and she definitely balanced out the supreme niceness that is Simi.  

The one major point of contention I had in this book is how Simi comes back into the group after Alex and Shapri outcast her for her protection.  I would be livid if my friends pulled a stunt like that on me, but Simi turns it into thinking she's done something wrong.  This is probably one of the more major reasons that I connected with Shapri more, plus Shapri lives in denial, which coincidently is where I like to reside some days too. 

The plot of Farsight was slow to develop, but about a quarter into the book I was hooked.  I wanted to know what was going to happen next, and see what new danger Alex would be predicting.  It was pretty cool to see the development of Alex alongside of his powers.  The development with Dax was mysterious and also kept me turning the pages to see what was going on in this book.  The other drama with Alex's dad was somewhat easy to figure out, but how the issue was resolved was really funny to me; only because appearances are really not all that they seem. 

Overall Farsighted is definitely a gripping read and a solid introduction to a new series.  The end leaves you wanting to find out whether what Alex sees might actually happen, or if he is falling into a state of paranoia.  I'm looking forward to reading the next one immensely! 

  

Recommended for: Lovers of clean YA, mysteries, stories dealing with psychic abilities! 

4/5 Oh Yeah I liked it a lot!

Alex Kosmitoras's life has never been easy. The only other student who will talk to him is the school bully, his parents are dead broke and insanely overprotective, and... oh yeah, he's blind.

Just when he thinks he'll never have a shot at a normal life, an enticing new girl comes to their small Midwest town all the way from India. Simmi is smart, nice, and actually wants to be friends with Alex. Plus she smells like an Almond Joy bar. Sophomore year might not be so bad after all.

Alex is in store for another new arrival—an unexpected and often embarrassing ability to "see" the future. Try as he may, Alex is unable to ignore his visions, especially when they suggest Simmi is in mortal danger.

With the help of the mysterious psychic next door and friends who come bearing gifts of their own, Alex embarks on his journey to change the future.

Seeds of Discovery Review!

So for today I have a pretty exciting book for you guys!  It's called Seeds of Discovery by Breanna Putroff. Here's a look at the cover:

Review:  This book was really cute.  It doesn't wander into any intense scenarios like what we've been seeing from YA a lot lately.  Rather we find ourselves in an awesome fantasy world. Breanna lays some awesome groundwork for setting.  You definitely feel taken on a journey while reading and that is quite awesome.  

Some minor things that I had trouble with was the slow build at the beginning of the story.  It took awhile to get into anything of substance.  The characters when we are first introduced to them are very perfect like.  I didn't really notice any realistic flaws in some.  Even with this said, I did like Quinn's character.  Even though she was so kind to the people around her you wonder if she's for real, it worked.  

I did think it was slightly weird how obsessed she became with William, but I mean I guess if I had been her situation I could have understood wanting to know more about this strange guy.  With the introduction of Thomas I don't know who I'm rooting for. 

One thing I must commend, and I will shout it from the rooftops: No insta love.  I love that.  I love relationships that you can savor, and in Seeds of Discovery we've got some inklings of romance, but we don't know what direction Quinn's heart will eventually take.  

Overall this is a really fun first read in an exciting series.  It is easily addictive and very intriguing.  If you're looking for something to curl up with and take you away for a few hours this should do the trick!  

3.5/5 Oh yeah I liked it!

Blurb:  Quinn Robbins' life was everything she thought a teenager's should be. She has good friends, a family that she loves, good grades, and an after-school job she enjoys. And, she's just been asked out by Zander Cunningham, a popular football player and great guy. But one day when driving home after picking up her little sister from the baby-sitter's, she nearly hits a boy who, after running blindly into the street, mysteriously disappears.

The mystery only deepens as she figures out who the boy is; William Rose, a reclusive, awkward boy from school who always has his nose in a pile of books.

As she becomes more aware of his behavior it becomes more obvious how out of the ordinary William is and how hard he deliberately tries to blend into the background. This only intrigues her more and she finds herself working to find out more about him, and exactly where he keeps disappearing to.

On a whim one night she follows him and suddenly finds herself in a new world. One where William is a prince, literally, and she is treated like a princess. She also discovers that she is stuck; the gate back to her own world isn't always open.

Quinn finds herself smack in the middle of a modern-day fairy tale, on a course that will change her life forever.

Jordyn Review!

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.

Review:  So just last night I was having a conversation with one of my good friends from high school (hey Kelley!) about how much I love really strong heroine characters.  Fate would have it that I stumble upon Tiffany King's new book Jordyn and meet an awesome heroine.  

I just got done with the book, and immediately had to write this review because people, you need to buy this book if you are a Tiffany King fan, or fan of kick ass girls in general.  I LOVE that Jordyn can take down pretty much any guy she meets.  It's refreshing, and I love that she's not insecure about her strength.  Girlfriend is full on cocky at times and she is a blast.  She also couldn't catch a break.  Haniel, her mentor arch angel, was pretty much on her 24/7 with training and preparation for battling daemons.  Her aunt and uncle wouldn't let her out of their sight, Jordyn was smothered.  So when she meets bad boy Soul Trader Emrys, it really should not be any surprise that she's going to turn into the teenage girl she actually is. 

Emrys was a really cool character.  I was very intrigued when he first showed up and was supremely glad that his feelings for Jordyn appeared very genuine.  I also liked the huge cloud of mystery that constantly surrounded him.  Tiffany slowly chips away at each nagging thought regarding his character, and I was left with very torn emotions for him. 

It was great coming back into this particular world Tiffany created in her Saving Angels series.  You could potentially just start with Jordyn if you really wanted to, but I highly recommend reading the Saving Angels trilogy first.  Not only is it an awesome series, but it gives you a ton of background knowledge on who some of the characters are and how they fit into the overall storyline of Jordyn.  For me it was like coming home to family that I really missed, and getting to know Jordyn was the cherry on top of the reunion.  

The plot of Jordyn doesn't have any lulls in it.  It is a full on roller coaster ride with a shocking twist at the end.  I totally felt what Jordyn felt, and could totally relate to her in those final moments.  Your mouth will be on the floor people.  

Tiffany King has once again come up with a gripping and intense story, that I am sure will turn into a fantastic series.  I absolutely cannot wait for the next one to come out... which will probably take some time since Jordyn literally was released to the masses today.  But, I will be waiting with bated breath to see what happens to Jordyn next!  I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a kick ass story with a ball busting heroine.  Also lovers of angels, romance, and action will love Jordyn!

5/5 OH YEAH I LOVED IT

Fire and Ice Blog Hop: Cambria Hebert!

Guys, it is really cold right now.  I am being completely literal because it's currently 29 degrees outside my window.  I live in California, which means that it is arctic outside.  Anyway, I have a really really exciting and somewhat intense post for you guys today.  If you couldn't tell from the title, the super awesome Cambria Hebert is chilling with us today with some extra fun goodies to remind us of warmer times.  I also have a review of her soon to be released book RECALLED!  Oh I forgot to mention Cambria has some SUPER awesome stuff that you can win!!  Woohoo, let's let the winter wonder-fun begin!

Here's a post from the lady of the day herself: Cambria Hebert!

Social media is everywhere these days. I mean there’s facebook, twitter, youtube, Google +, Goodreads, and the list goes on and on and on.

So when Pinterest came around I was first baffled (I mean someone explain this to me please) and then I was just insistent I was NOT going to be joining yet one more site I had to keep up with.

That lasted all of ten minutes.

What happened was I got a request from a blogger to create a Board on Pinterest on Heven, the main character in my Heven and Hell series. Then we could use the board to build a blog post around.

So of course I did it. When a fan asks me to do something I usually try to do it.

And so I joined Pinterest… and proceeded to get hooked.

I am on there all the time now, searching out fun nail art ideas (I like to paint my toes), hair style ideas, fashion trends, recipes, jewelry and other fun things.

The most recent board I created in for Valentine’s Day. I have pinned recipes, fun crafts, printable coloring pages for kids and more. It’s a great little spot to keep all the ideas I might need.

So today I thought I would share one of the super simple valentine day recipes I pinned. You can make it and give it to your sweetheart OR you can eat it all yourself! LOL.

And if you like this recipe and want to see what else I have pinned then check out my entire board here:

http://pinterest.com/cambriahebert/valentine-s-day-fun/

Now onto the recipe! 

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg (no shell)
3 TBSP milk
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup M&M's (no snacking)
1/2 cup oats (quick cooking)
1/2 cup cocca Krispies
1/2 cup white chips

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla, egg, and milk and mix well.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and baking powder. Gradually add to the butter mixture and mix well.

Stir in M&M's, oats, cocoa krispies, and white chips until combined. (The dough is pretty thick so you might have to use your hands.)

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop on prepared cookie sheet. Back 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Place on a cooling rack to cool. Try one.

Makes a little over 2 dozen cookies.

(recipe originally posted at http://whatchamakinnow.blogspot.com/2013/01/valentines-day-cookies-with-surprise.html?showComment=1358178889549)

Makes you hungry doesn’t it??

Hey look a super cool giveaway!  Sorry International friends this one is US ONLY.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of Recalled! 

I definitely am ready for some cookies now!  That might be on my to-do list today.  So, now I'm going to address the awesomeness that is Cambria's new book Recalled.  I was SO excited to be chosen to review for her because I love her Heven and Hell series, and I knew that this one wouldn't disappoint.  Guys, it's so good.  From the first words of the blurb, "love or death" I really should have been prepared for what I was about to read, but I could not have been more unprepared for how wowed I was with Recalled.  

I can really only think of one series off the top of my head that has a sort of "death collector" as a main character, and the world in Recalled could not be anymore different from what idea I had formed in my mind.  She handles the "death escort" theme with a balance of humor and severity that makes the events in the book seem believable and easily imaginable.  Dex's introduction to the Death Collector business is parts scary, hilarious, and unbelievable.  The way the Cambria can emit all of these emotions through one passage is a huge feat in my opinion.  

One thing that I always know that I will get in a Cambria Herbert book is characters that are freaking likable and relatable.  Piper and Dex are no different.  Even though we are introduced to Dex as he is pick pocketing Piper you can't help but to feel what he is going through.  You feel how cold and alone he is.  Then about a minute later you fall in love with him.  You'll find out why when you read the book. ;)  Piper is seriously just a good human being.  I don't mean in the everything she does is perfect way, but in the sense that she genuinely cares about people.  My heart went out to her when she was on her quest to find out who Dex was.  

I love the realistic depiction of Piper's and Dex's relationship forming.  I thought it was beautiful and full of mystery at parts on both of their ends.  I really don't want to say too much to give anything away, but if you have read any of my posts on this blog you will know that insta-love is not my cup of tea and I am SO extremely happy that Piper and Dex have a fantastically well paced journey. 

The setting for me was where I had a little hard time, only because it seemed like Piper lived in a little nicer place then where she worked, and the reason this bugged me is because the diner where she works I pictured to be in the middle of like an intersection filled with dark alley ways and tons of bums with the tough looking gang member thrown in.   Maybe this is just because I built it up in my head this way, I just felt a slight disconnect between these two settings.  Also this may have to do with the fact the Piper goes to school and I just figure that she could be working somewhere close to the school, not in the ghetto.  Please just note on the grand scale of things this is me being weird and this could not even rate on someone else's scale.  But, legitimately I have been to scary parts of Los Angeles and I don't know how girlfriend works in the scary part of town, seriously.  I couldn't do it. 

The plot for this was very angst ridden, on my part.  It was a battle of don't do it, you are too good to, and don't be evil, please don't be evil all rolling around in my head.  The end for me was simultaneously satisfying, yet has me salivating for the next book in the series.  If you're a fan of the Heven and Hell series, you definitely should be picking this one up when it comes out on the 15th!  I'm excited to be in another one of Cambria's books!  If you like suspense, romance, and the death scene, this one is a must read for you!

5/5 OH YEAH I LOVED IT

Oh!  A side note!  If you buy Recalled on it's release day FEB 15th it's only 99 cents!! That's such a bargain, so go pick it up and love it like me!! Just to make you salivate more here's the blurb!

Love or Death? A simple question really. The choice seems obvious. But. What if you never knew love, what if your life was spent just trying to survive? What if you knew your fate before you were fully grown?

And then you died.

And you were given another chance. A better chance.

This new life depended upon one thing: your job. And so you agreed. You thought it would be simple. You thought it would be cut and dry.

It never is.

And now you are left holding the fate of someone else in the palm of your hand and you have to make the ultimate choice.

Love or Death?

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series and the upcoming Death Escorts series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com

“Like” her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cambria-Hebert/128278117253138

Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambriahebert

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/cambriahebert/pins/

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5298677.Cambria_Hebert

Cambria website: http://www.cambriahebert.com

Metamorphosis Review

Erin Noelle is climbing up the Amazon charts ya'll, and for good reason.  If you haven't heard of her book Metamorphosis yet, you're truly missing out.  The book, simply put, was great.  It handled very heavy emotional and yet remained not to full of itself.  It played up the fact that it is indeed an Indie book in a booming Indie pubb'd world.  It is pretty well know that I really hate love triangles.  I really do, I could go into a deep rant about the ridiculousness of them and their portrayals in recent YA and NA lit, and I was supremely hesitant picking up Metamorphosis because the book doesn't just have a triangle, it has a freaking rectangle.  However, I am easily swayed by good reviews and figured I only had three dollars and a couple hours to lose if I hated it.  But, I ended up loving it, (I promise)!

The main character in Metamorphosis is Scarlett or Sam as her best friend Evie calls her.  Scarlett has been crazy sheltered in her life by crazy controlling parents.  So her release into the wilderness that is society is pretty entertaining and surprising.  Scarlett turns into the ultimate guy magnate her first night after moving into her dorm.  She meets Ash, (hello instant chemistry) Dylan, (the hot frat guy) and not two be left out, Mason, (the burning hot musician).  While this all sounds terribly cliche, Noelle writes in such a way that it doesn't ever fall into that territory.  She even pokes fun at the situation a couple of times through references to other books.

I really loved the relationship between Evie and Scarlett.  That's what a best friendship is supposed to look like, and parts of their journey are completely heartbreaking.  The relationship between Scarlett and the boys is a little bit more complicated.  If we're picking teams here, (of course we are, just wait for buttons and shirts) I'm all team Mason.  Yes, Ash can be great, but ultimately he's a douche-lord.  Seriously, I am going to root for the guy who actually doesn't self sabotage his relationship with Scarlett.  Dylan didn't even stand a chance.  I think he was a great lesson for Scarlett, but let's be real, if you're only a "Saturday Girl" that's all you'll ever be to that guy.

I will admit the end shocked the heck out of me.  I was prepping myself for disappointment, just knowing in my heart of hearts what was going to happen.  Then Erin Noelle was like, "JUST KIDDING."  Literally, my heart just stopped.  I was like "WHAAAA."  Picture the minion from Despicable me saying that... yeah that was me.  The epilogue was fantastic as well, and really sets high expectations for the next book in the series.  Can't wait to see what is going to happen with these characters next.  From the constant action and emotional roller coaster in Metamorphosis, I have great expectations for the next!

4/5 Oh Yeah I liked it a lot!

Scarlett MacGregor has lived a very sheltered life courtesy of her over-the-top controlling parents. Having never been to a co-ed party, much less on a date, Scarlett has relied on her books, her music, and living vicariously through her best friend Evie to keep her sanity as she's patiently awaited her freedom from their rule.

When Scarlett and Evie go away to college, Scarlett quickly meets Ashton, Dylan, and later, Mason, and is thrown into a crash course of like, love, and lust. With Evie's help, she must figure out the difference in the three and which one she wants before she ends up without any of them.

Metamorphosis is the story of Scarlett's transformation from a young, naive girl to a strong, mature young woman and her search for self-discovery and true love.

Recommended for readers 17+ due to sexual content and harsh language