Book Review/Exerpt: Chaotic, Book 1 of The Imperfect Perfection Series - C.A. Williams

Title: Chaotic
Series: Book #1 of The Imperfect Perfection series
Genre: New Adult, Contains Mature Content, recommended for 17+
Expected Publication Date: May 15th

Synopsis:
Adelaide McGregor was spinning out of control, in a world of pain that no one knew anything about. She put up a front, displaying a picture perfect girl that everyone wanted to be, but no one was truly there for her. Then she was sent away to live near her grandparents due to bad behavior when her mother decided she just didn't want to deal with her any longer. Without a penny to her name and no where else to go, her life was uprooted to North Carolina. Everything seems to be changing for the better with her fresh new start until she meets a guy who flips her world upside down all over again. Sometimes you have to make it through the struggles of imperfection in life for everything to come out as complete perfection, but Della hasn't quite learned that lesson yet.

Quick Excerpt:

“Don’t worry, mother. I’m not being stupid about it, I’m on birth control, and whichever penis I pick is most certainly wrapped. So when and if I feel the urge to spread my legs, just know I’m being one hundred percent safe. Even if I’m not exactly laying back and spreading my legs, you know there are so many different positions I love to try out. Have you ever heard of the Dolphin? It’s fairly tricky but once you get the hang of it, can be amazing. It also helps that I’m so flexible,” I added on loudly before laying my napkin on my cleared plate.

My Review: During the first few chapters, before Della moved back to her grandparents and started going to college, I found her a bit hard to deal with. It was hard to reconcile her internal dialogue with her words and actions. For all intents and purposes, she was everything she was trying not to be, or telling her mother she was not. She was an out of control teenager/wanna-be adult.

Once she got to her grandparents, it was like she was a different person altogether, which was also a little bit hard to believe, however it made the book easier to read. I felt like I had started almost a completely different book, even though the girl had the same past events, her actions were quite a bit different, though she was still very insecure and pretty unsure of herself. The more I read, the more I got into the characters and the story, and found myself a little bit hungry for what was going to happen between Della and her two boys.

Of course, my loyal readers will know exactly how I feel about the love triangle scenario (way over done and tired story line), however in this case, it didn’t feel much like a triangle. I felt like Della had one serious love interest, Justin. He was the perfect scenario; a guy who had some of her same outrageous and wild character flaws, however was looking to be serious and get serious about his life. Then there is Nash, the “best friend” neighbor boy who grew up next door to Della’s grandparents, and who she spent a lot of her childhood hanging out with. Their affection for each other was not weird or surprising, however judging by Della’s internal dialogue – she liked Nash well enough, but he wasn’t exactly what she needed, or her other half. In the end, Nash started to come off as creepy and obsessive in his own way.

In the end, I felt like Della was unfair and almost, a tiny bit hypocritical….but there’s still another book (or two? Not sure how long this series is suppose to be) to go, so she has time to right her self in my eyes.

I feel like this was a pretty good love story of some semi-troubled kids who are finding their way into adult-hood. This book is seriously not meant for teenagers though, most certainly falls into the mature-Young Adult category in my opinion, as there are some steamy scene, as well as underage partying and the like. Probably a bit heavy on all of the above in my opinion, however I’m looking forward to finding out what happens between Della, Justin and Nash, as it is pretty much up in the air from here. My hope for Della is that in the midst of trying to figure out her love-life, she also tries to figure out her life. She needs to find something she’s passionate about that isn’t guys or partying. 

Links to the book:

Goodreads/Kobo/Amazon Kindle/Barnes & Noble

Author Bio:
I am a stay at home mom to two crazy little boys, with another baby on the way.(Finally Pink!) I've been married to my high school sweetheart for almost six years now and he is my biggest supporter. I've always had a love for books since the time I first started reading and started swapping books with my mom when I got a little older. My love for reading turned into a love for writing and I've enjoyed every second of it.


Author Links:
Goodreads/Facebook/Blog
Facebook Blog Event


Giveaway Info:
Author is giving away 2 ebook copies of ‘Chaotic’ by C.A. Williams
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Rosethorn by Ava Zavora

Title:  Rosethorn
Author: Ava Zavora
Publication Date: May 1, 2013
Genre: Young Adult/New Adult
Find the Book:  Goodreads / Kindle

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

Rosethorn is a breathtaking debut novel of love lost and found again that culminates in a stunning end you won't soon forget.

"I know I could be happy with someone else . . . But it was decided a long time ago. It was always going to be you."

From Morocco to Paris, Sera has traveled the world over but she never forgot Rosethorn, the beautiful, abandoned mansion where she and Andrew used to meet for trysts. Until the day Sera found her mother's diary. Sera's obsession with the shocking secrets it contained tore them apart and sent Sera fleeing to New York with a devastated heart.

10 years later, Sera revisits Rosethorn, only to run into Andrew, all grown up and handsomer than ever. Politeness gives way to a heated confrontation over their painful past. Yet unable to resist each other's lure, both surrender to the undying power of first love.

Fate has brought them together once again, but will an old tragedy destroy Sera and Andrew's second chance - forever?

My Review:   

I have read quite a few Indie (or Self-published) books in the last few weeks.  I want to support these artists, because there are some truly talented people out there, however my experience is that most of these authors could really use some practice…or lots of practice…or not quit their day job.  But then there’s Rosethorn.  Rosethorn is WHY I read Indie books.  I have found the diamond in the rough, and I am pleased to be able to introduce you to this book.

 

As you can imagine from my introduction, I was a bit reluctant to start reading Rosethorn.  I had said I would review it, so I was going to – but I was anxious about having committed myself to possibly having to be polite about a book that wasn’t great.  (I don’t like ripping people’s artwork to shreds, you know…that’s not my style.)  So when I finally opened the book – within the first paragraph I knew, I just knew this was going to be good.  Ava Zavora’s writing is almost like poetry.  She takes every paragraph, every scene seriously as she draws you a picture and plops you right down in the middle of it.  But it’s not too much!  It’s not overly flowery or so many words that you can’t see the story for the description.  I immediately was sucked in to Seraphina’s life and could hardly put down the book wanting more.  Her story was perfectly seamless, even when she jumped between past and present and even between characters a bit. 

 

Rosethorn, in the end, ends up being two and a half stories twined into one beautiful piece of art – they all relate and are relevant in the dynamic.  I will say, if you are an action junkie – and are waiting for the suspense of danger or some shocking  drama…this isn’t your book.  This book is about all-encompassing passion, and long-lasting love, and betrayal and a bit of forgiveness.  It’s about selfishness, and selflessness, and a touch of innocence.  The dynamic of the characters is vast, and you’ll love some of them and not like (maybe even hate) others.

 

While this book would likely fall into the “New Adult” category, despite the “all-encompassing passion” I spoke of, this book is not stuffed full of sex scenes.  It is actually rather clean when it comes to the act itself.  It’s the emotions she writes about, and let me tell you, it’s beautiful.  Honestly, when I want a little romance in my reading diet, this is what I’m looking for.  I want to fall in love for the first time all over again, and that is the exact experience that I got.  I am very happy I took a chance on Rosethorn.  I look forward to reading more from Ava Zavora, because I can just tell she has more great stories to share!

Featured Book: The Color Keepers / Interview with Catriona Crehan / Giveaway

Title: The Color Keepers
Author: Catriona Crehan
Expected Publication Date:  May 1st

This post is a little extra special. I had the privilege of conducting a short interview with the author of the newly released book, The Color Keepers. Read more about The Color Keepers and enter to win an ebook copy of the book below:

Author Interview
ILR: With authors being all over Facebook and Twitter, I hear all sorts of things about how their days are spent. So tell me about a typical [work] day in your life of being an author?

CC: Typically, I will start a day just like any other. Get up, have breakfast, and immediately to my laptop. I spend about 4+ hours a day writing different ideas that pop up into my head, and also working on actual books in progress :)

ILR: Is there a specific character, In The Color Keepers or otherwise, that you relate to more than the others? Why?

CC:  Definitely Emily, I kind of made her like myself on purpose. She’s a very shy girl, but very closed off as well. She wants to have friends, but doesn’t really know where to start. Awkward, strange, but she’s gotten so used to it, it’s second nature.

ILR:  As a child, what was your favorite book? Author?

CC:  I carried around Corduroy until I was 8-9 years old. It was my FAVORITE story, and I couldn’t help but love that little bear. My favorite author would have to be Dr. Seuss as a child. I had almost EVERY book :)

ILR:  Typically, where do your ideas come from? Dreams? Real life inspiration? Just an overactive imagination?

CC:  Definitely dreams. I’ve had very vivid dreams ever since I can remember. They’re very cool, in the way that I can play out a whole story. I’m lucky I can just remember them!

ILR:  Tell the world one weird/crazy/strange thing about yourself. A talent, or quirk or…anything. Sky’s the limit.

CC:  I love singing - you can hear my singing/songwriting over at http://www.catiesings.com

ILR:  Finally, why do you think that everyone should bump The Color Keepers to the top of their reading list?

CC:  Well, I certainly hope they do! It was such a great thing to finally write and finish. I just hope that other readers can get in my head and see the world I created. I sincerely can’t wait to hear all the thoughts :)


More about The Color Keepers

Synopsis: Hoping to have a good change and good ending to go with it, Emily, a 16- year-old girl from Ohio, has moved to sunny California.

Moving to a new town can be scary, especially a new school. So when Sam, the most popular kid there, looks her way, she can’t believe this is happening to her.

Everything seems to be working out fine. That is, until her mother buys an enchanted mirror by mistake.

Suddenly, Emily finds herself in a whole new world, full of talking animals, magic and more change than she was hoping for.

With the help of her new crush, Sam, and her annoyingly goofy 12-year-old brother James, Emily sets out to save their world and ours.

Find the book
Amazon Kindle / Goodreads


Connect with Catriona Crehan
Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Goodreads


Giveaway

Catriona Crehan is giving away 5 ebook copies of The Color Keepers


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz - Chaotic by C.A. Williams

Title: Chaotic
Series: Book #1 of The Imperfect Perfection series
Genre: New Adult - Contains Mature Content, recommended for 17+
Expected Publication Date: May 15th

Synopsis:  Adelaide McGregor was spinning out of control, in a world of pain that no one knew anything about. She put up a front, displaying a picture perfect girl that everyone wanted to be, but no one was truly there for her. Then she was sent away to live near her grandparents due to bad behavior when her mother decided she just didn't want to deal with her any longer. Without a penny to her name and no where else to go, her life was uprooted to North Carolina. Everything seems to be changing for the better with her fresh new start until she meets a guy who flips her world upside down all over again. Sometimes you have to make it through the struggles of imperfection in life for everything to come out as complete perfection, but Della hasn't quite learned that lesson yet.

Links: Goodreads

About the Author:
I am a stay at home mom to two crazy little boys, with another baby on the way.(Finally Pink!) I've been married to my high school sweetheart for almost six years now and he is my biggest supporter. I've always had a love for books since the time I first started reading and started swapping books with my mom when I got a little older. My love for reading turned into a love for writing and I've

enjoyed every second of it.

Links:
Goodreads
Facebook
Blog

Also Check out:
Facebook Blog Event
Facebook Blitz Event

Come back later - as I will be reviewing Chaotic later this month!

Cover Reveal - Seeing Light, The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy - Book 3

Today we have VERY exciting news! We are revealing the title & cover of the third and final book in the Seraphina Parrish Trilogy by Michelle Warren. Who else is super excited?? 

Book Review: Playing the Maestro - Exerpt & Giveaway

Author: Aubrie Dionne
Publication Date: February 11, 2013
Published By: Entangled Publishing: Bliss

 Exerpt from Playing the Maestro:

"Wolf threaded his arms behind her waist. His golden brown eyelashes framed a wild sparkle in his eyes, and Melody couldn’t believe she’d put it there. Every thought in her rational mind told her to end the date now before it got complicated, but the passionate feelings radiating from her wild heart planted her firmly in place.
What was the harm in one kiss?"

Synopsis:

Melody Mires has sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant, haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.
Wolf came to America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question, but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for a chance at love?

My Review:  

A book about a flutist…in an orchestra…giving up on dating musicians…but being sucked into a relationship anyway….  Sounds way to familiar to me (i.e. me = flutist [in high school, not professionally], dating musicians only to have a bad relationship, then ending up finding the love of my life by way of the lead trumpet player…and married him).  How could I possibly pass this up??

So, the book was very nostalgic for me.  Like any group, be it band or orchestra of a sports team – whatever, whenever that group spends enough time together, it becomes a very central focus in your life, almost like a secondary family.  This is the way it felt when I started reading Playing the Maestro.  I will say, the book was very cute and fun to read.  I enjoyed the characters, and the ambiance of the book – the feeling of familiarity I felt while reading it.  I liked the music innuendos, that was fun however probably a bit overdone.  It was obvious that author Aubrie Dionne is a musician herself, or once was one, or just simply did her research.  Everything about the orchestra itself, from the drama within the group itself, to the unfortunate lack of funding, and the passion of the members for their group and community – every bit of this part of the story rang true to me. 

The malicious Blake was maybe a little bit too obvious in his intentions, and immature to the extent of almost being unbelievable.  Who hides music?  I also did not feel the “justified vindication” I would have wanted to feel for any creep trying to ruin things for everyone.  I was never really sure of his intentions outside of getting his sister to play in the orchestra.  Why was he working so hard to ruin the orchestra?  What did he want to DO with the changes he was trying to force to happen?  It just wasn’t all that clear.

And this, I feel, was the downside of Playing the Maestro, while it was a fun, quick read with a whole lot of potential, I feel like we scraped along the edges of the story.  The love story between Melody (is it bad I just realized the irony of her name) and Wolf was a bit passionless, though not without trying.  It was just too rushed, from the instant attraction and subsequent denial of feelings to the first and only date and then on to the drama that happens afterwards - there was no real foundation for a relationship, or true feelings – which made the big “I love you’s” a bit less impacting.

I found Playing the Maestro an entertaining read, and with maybe a few more words and a little bit more depth to the stories, I feel like we can expect to read something great from Aubrie Dionne in the future.

Find the book:
Goodreads
Entangled Publishing
Barnes & Noble-Nook
Amazon-Kindle
Kobo
 

About the Author:

Aubrie grew up watching the original Star Wars movies over and over again until she could recite and reenact every single scene in her backyard. She also loved The Goonies, Star Trek the Next Generation-favorite character was Data by far-, and Indiana Jones. But, her all time favorite movie was The Last Unicorn. She still wonders why the unicorn decided to change back to a unicorn in the end.

Aubrie wrote in her junior high yearbook that she wanted to be "A concert flutist" when she grew up. When she made that happen, she decided one career was not enough and embarked as a fantasy, sci fi author. Two careers seems to keep her busy. For now.

Now for the professional bio:

Aubrie Dionne is an author and flutist in New England. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. She recently signed her YA sci fi novel with Inkspell Publishing titled: Colonization: Paradise Reclaimed, which will release in October 2012. When she's not writing, Aubrie teaches flute and plays in orchestras. She's a big Star Trek TNG fan, as well as Star Wars and Serenity.

Aubrie Dionne's Links:
Goodreads/Website/Twitter

Giveaway Info:  

Author Aubrie Dionne is giving away 2 ‘Key to My Heart’ Necklaces US ONLY Rafflecopter Code- a Rafflecopter giveaway