Blog Tour: Resisting the Rebel by Lisa Brown Roberts Review and Giveaway!

Follow Along with the Resisting the Rebel Blog Tour!

Today I am part of the Resisting the Rebel Blog Tour!

I loved this book!!!

Check out my review below along with a giveaway and more info about the book!

Title: Resisting the Rebel

Author: Lisa Brown Roberts

Format: Digital ARC

Source: NetGalley

Purchase on Amazon

Purchase on B&N

Opposites attract in this super cute contemporary YA by Lisa Brown Roberts. Cheerful Mandy wishes her crush would pay attention to her. Brooding Caleb wishes his ex would just move on and leave him alone. So how do you kill two birds with one stone?  By faking a relationship with each other, of course. I mean, what is the worst that could happen? I couldn’t wait to see and I wasn’t disappointed! This book is so good!

I think the characters are what I liked the most about this book.  The author did a fantastic job creating relatable and believable characters who find themselves in an interesting predicament.

‘70s-loving Mandy is fabulously quirky and not really afraid to be herself.  She walks to the beat of her own disco tune, so to speak, which I love to see in a character.  She has been through a lot in her life and still struggles with quite a bit, but tries her best to hang on to her positivism.

And Caleb! Caleb, Caleb, Caleb…where can I find me a Caleb?  A edgy loner who loves books, writing, and dreams of having a big library!?!?!? Plus, he has a great sense of humor and a good heart! I want one!!  

I loved how the relationship developed between the two main characters despite their differences. The author did a wonderful job of showing these differences without being too blatant about it, which I appreciated. Mandy and Caleb complemented each other and I could sense their chemistry through their interactions. 

So if you are looking for a quick, fun YA contemporary read, I would definitely recommend you check out this one!  Even if it’s just to sigh over Caleb.

My Rating: 5 Stars

I received a digital arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

***

Now here's some more detailed info about Resisting the Rebel and its author Lisa Brown Roberts...

If you've ever seen the movie Sky High and always thought that Layla should've ended up with "bad boy" Warren, then you don't want to miss Lisa Brown Roberts' Resisting the Rebel. Were you a fan of her September 2015 novel, Playing the Player, then trust me when I say you will also not want to miss this swoony, contemporary YA romance. Seriously.

Disclaimer: This book contains a villain pretending to be a hero, a hero pretending to be a villain, a disco-dancing heroine, two overprotective sidekicks, a little bit of bad language, and a whole lot of swoony kissing.

Spirit committee leader Mandy Pennington is secretly in love with her best friend, Gus, but when he hooks up with her archenemy at a party, she decides to win him over once and for all. She just doesn’t know how. But who better to help than hot loner Caleb Torrs?

Caleb’s got his own problems, but when he sees Mandy pining over Gus at a party, he thinks she’s finally smoked the spirit stick and lost her mind. Maybe he has, too, because he just asked Mandy to be his fake girlfriend. She’ll get her loser friend’s attention, and he’ll get his stalker ex off his back.  It’s a win-win.

But soon one fake date blends into the next and before he knows it, he actually wants to kiss Mandy. For real. Too bad their plan is working, and Gus is finally noticing the one girl Caleb just might be falling for…

About the Author:

Lisa Brown Roberts still hasn't recovered from the teenage trauma of nearly tweezing off both eyebrows and having to pencil them in for an entire school year. This and other angst-filled memories inspire her to write YA books about navigating life's painful and funny dramas, and falling in love along the way.

Her almost forever home is Colorado, though she occasionally pines for the days when she lived within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean. Her house is full of books, boys, four-legged prima donnas, and lots of laughter.


Now for the giveaway!
The prize: A paperback copy of Resisting the Rebel, a Red Ranger action figure, a Rainbow Pony, and a Mood Ring.

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Please return to this site each day to celebrate the release of this book and follow along with the blog tour from July 25-Aug. 5, 2016!

Blog Tour: Waking the Bear by Kerry Adrienne Review and Giveaway!

Today I am a stop on the Waking the Bear Blog Tour!

You can check my review of this paranormal romance below and find more information about the book and its author as well as a giveaway!!!

Title: Waking the Bear

Author: Kerry Adrienne

Format: Digital Arc

Source: Netgalley

Paranormal romance is one of my favorite genres. And if it involves shifters that’s even better…I LOVE shifters. So when I read the blurb and saw the cover for Waking the Bear, I knew I needed to read it and I must say, I quite enjoyed the first book in the Shifter Wars Series…enough to eagerly anticipate the next book in the series.

When sweet, human Amy Francis left behind a domineering ex and stressful job in Atlanta for small-town living and some “Amy time” in the mountains of New York, little did she know she’d be walking into a turf war between bear shifters and mountain lion shifters or that one of those bears would turn out to be her mate.  Add in a vindictive mountain lion shifter with an ax to grind and you have one heck of a story!

Griff Martin, ranger/landlord/shifter/extraordinaire really wasn’t expecting to find his mate when he went to meet his new tenant, but unfortunately (or rather fortunately) for him that is exactly what happened.  And as he struggles to protect her and figure out how to tell her, “Um, I’m a bear” we’re lucky enough to enjoy the ride and all of the ups and downs that come with their budding relationship.  And it is a very interesting ride.

Amy and Griff really hit it off from their very first meeting.  I really enjoyed the banter between them as they got to know one another and opened up to each other (emotionally and physically).  Their easy conversation really made it seem like they were meant to be and as though they had known each other for years rather than a few days or weeks.  However, at times Amy seemed just a bit too trusting…of course, I have no clue how I’d react to everything she was told and witnessed during the story. I mean, shifters, people!

It was also interesting that we had a chance to see things from the point of view of the villain(s) of the story occasionally as well.  It gave a clearer view of their mindset and their motivations for their actions and thirst for vengeance.  It would have been nice to learn more about the other bear shifters as well, but perhaps future books will give us more of them.

Overall, this was a steamy paranormal romance with characters I grew on me and with a story that captivated me.  I truly can’t wait to read the next book to see what happens with the Shifter War!

My Rating: 4 Stars

I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

***

WAKING THE BEAR by Kerry Adrienne

A shifter war is brewing and Griff must decide between the clan he has to protect and the woman destined to be his mate.  WAKING THE BEAR is a tale where passion and danger lurk in the heart of the forest.  This novel is perfect for fans of The Bear King’s Captive by Milly Taiden and Reinike by Becca Fanning.

Praise for Waking the Bear:

“Waking the Bear is a quick shifter read that will have you coming back for more from this author, I know I will.” Night Owl Reads

"I’m rating Waking the Bear a 5 out of 5 stars.” Reviews by a Thrifty Mom

Follow the tour August 1st – 5th and enter for a chance to win a picnic basket for two! (US Residents Only)

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Follow the blitz! 

August 1st

Jen’s Reading Obsession Spotlight + Excerpt

Just Paranormal Romance Guest Post

Mrs.Leif’s Two Fangs About It Book Reviews Spotlight + Excerpt

Stuck in Books Spotlight + Excerpt

What She Reads Blog  Review 

August 2nd

Evermore Books Author Interview

Loving Books Review

More Books than Livros Review

She Hearts Books Review

August 3rd

Blushing Reads Review

Literary Escapism Guest Post

Never Too Many to Read  Review

Reese’s Reviews Spotlight + Excerpt

Straight Shootin’ Book Reviews Review

The Avid Reader Author Interview

August 4th

Book Loving Pixies Review 

Cara’s Book Boudior Review

Fresh Fiction Guest Post

Joyfully Reviewed Spotlight + Excerpt

Lacey’s Love of Literature Review 

Those Crazy Book Chicks Spotlight + Excerpt

August 5th

Nikki’s Book Nook Review

Lipstick ‘N Lashes Chronicles Review

T&L Book Reviews  Review + Guest Post

Sportochick’s Musings Review

***

Title: Waking the Bear

Series: Shifter Wars

Author: Kerry Adrienne

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: August 1, 2016*

Publisher: Carina Press

Print Length: 212 pages

Format: Digital

Digital ISBN: 9781460397442

Synopsis: 

Sexy shifter passion is awakened when two unlikely lovers are challenged by secrets, danger and an unstoppable need to claim one's mate…

For human Amy Francis, the secluded cabin in Deep Creek is the haven she needs to map out a fresh new start. She never expected her heart to be reawakened by a distraction like Griff Martin, commanding yet gentle, too ferociously sensual to ignore. It's clear that patrolling the forest is more than a job to Griff—it's a means of survival. But what Amy doesn't realize is she's reawakened the beast within him.

Griff's dormant hunger is stirred by this intoxicating woman…and threatened by the secret she must never learn. Duty-bound to defend his bear clan against an avenging pride of lion shifters, Griff's entire world is upended when he meets Amy. His animal need to claim his mate has taken hold, but that very desire could seal her fate as an unwitting pawn in battle.

Now, as a shifter war looms, Griff must decide between letting Amy go or following his most carnal instincts. To have her would change his life…but risk everything he knows and was born to protect.

*Previously published, newly revised by author

Order Now: Amazon | Carina Press | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | ARe

                                                     

About Kerry Adrienne:

Repped by the fabulous Marisa Corvisiero with the Corvisiero Literary Agency. 

Kerry loves history and spends large amounts of time wondering about people who lived and walked on Earth in the past. She’s a mom to three daughters, six cats, and various small animals. Her husband says she’s a marketer’s dream, as she often believes everything she hears—at least initially. Her shoe horde will attest to her fine shopping skills.

In addition to writing, Kerry loves to sew (costumes and cosplay, especially), draw, paint, make chainmail, and play guitar. 

Her new love is her Mini Cooper Convertible, Sheldon, and they have already gone on many adventures. They travel to as many concerts as they can–especially Green Day and Marilyn Manson.

You can visit her much-neglected costuming blog here: http://cloakandcostume.blogspot.com/ Maybe she’ll have time to update it soon.

Connect with Kerry: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon 

#ARCAugust 2016

I meant to post this yesterday, but time got away from me…

This month I have decided to participate in #ARCAugust because…well…I find myself with several ARCs I need/want to read.  So I am only reading ARCs this month!

I have seen people tweeting and blogging about it in the past, but this is my first time participating.  

ARC August was started by Octavia and Shelly over at ReadSleepRepeat.org as a way of making a dent in the TBR ARC piles/lists some of us have.  The rules are simple…you read ARCs all month and review them or post your thoughts about them on some form of social media (for me it’s my blog and Goodreads).  They can be old, new, digital, or print…as long as they are ARCs, they count.  You set your own goal and you do your best to meet that goal.  As they said on the sign up post, “It’s your chance to clear your shelves and get those NetGalley ratios up!”

I think this will be a great motivator to me because I really need one right now. So we shall see…

As for my goals for the month, I would like to read the following ARCs at some point this month (a mix of old & new, print & digital):

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Waking the Bear by Kerry Adrienne

Resisting the Rebel by Lisa Brown Roberts

With Love from the Inside by Angela Pisel

Thieving Weasels by Billy Taylor

Nice Girls Endure by Chris Struyk-Bonn

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Tell Me Something Real by Calla Devlin

Scary Out There Edited by Jonathan Maberry

If...excuse me WHEN I get these read and have time for more than I’ll keep going!
Obviously it will happen...because I said it will!
And, of course, I'll probably add an ARC or two or three...

Wish me luck!

SBPT 2016: Confessions of Carlisa

As July comes to a close, the Summer Blogger Promo Tour keeps rolling on...

Today my guest is Carlisa from Confessions of Carlisa and she is sharing six books that describe her and her blog!  Let's give a big welcome to Carlisa!

Hi, my lovely friends! I’m Carlisa from Confessions of Carlisa. I blog about all things books and movies and random thoughts that I have—so it’s a pretty good time. Today I’m going to be talking about six books that describe both me and my blog. I had some fun, so I hope you like them!

1. Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell

I love finding new bookish people to get to know! My favorite thing is when someone says they love one of your favorite series and you just want to hug them and be best friends forever.

2. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

I just read this one, and I think it works perfectly in this situation. I’m always reading about awesome and fantastical adventures, but my life is never super exciting. Just school and work, work and school. I mean, I like my life and where I’m at. It’s just nowhere near as crazy as the books I read.

3. The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord

When I read this book, I felt like Paige, the main character, was basically the exact same person I am. I even made a list of our similarities in my review here. I loved her, and this book. But mostly her. 

4. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophia Kinsella

Picked this just because its title and my blog name are twinsies.

5. The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

So this story has nothing to do with me or my blog as its WWII-related, but I really love the title. Though I don’t write as much as I should or want to, I really just love words and stories. And my blog is kind of an outlet that lets me “tell” the stories by promoting and talking about and getting more people to read them.

6. Vanessa and Her Sister by Priya Parmar

I haven’t read this, but I saw it in the store once, and I almost bought it on a whim. Because my sister’s name is Vanessa…so this book is about us, no?

Thanks so much, Jennifer, for having me! Check out my blog here, my bookstagram here, and my Twitter here! 

Thank you so much, Carlisa! I loved learning more about you and your blog through your list!

Everyone be sure to show Carlisa some love and check out her blog, Confessions of Carlisa!

Blogger Summer Reading Program Final Week!

This week was the last week of the Blogger Summer Reading Program and despite an horrible migraine and an unexpected trip out of town, I managed to meet my goal for this week!!!

I read and really enjoyed

That means I finished all of the books I listed as my "summer" reading goals!

Look for reviews of all of my Summer Reading Programs throughout the next couple of weeks!

All Shook Up First Look Celebration!!!!

Today we're celebrating the First Look at All Shook Up by Chelsey Krause!

Friends become lovers over a whirlwind summer of rockabilly rhythms, twirling skirts, and a mystery that takes them hilariously far out of their element in this humorous and heartwarming romantic comedy!

To help celebrate, there's an All Shook Up First Look Celebration Giveaway! 

Tryst Books is offering one (1) lucky grand prize winner a paperback set containing the following titles: All Shook Up, Sweet Bliss, Drawn Through You, Ms. Conception, & Lessons in Pure Life and ten (10) runner-ups will win an eBook copy of their choice from the Tryst Books publishing catalogue! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

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About All Shook Up:

Title: All Shook Up

Author: Chelsey Krause

Publisher: Tryst Books

Release Date: August 17, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 9781988387048

Natalie’s world is shaken to its core when she discovers an old photo of a woman who looks like her. Could this woman be related to her birth mother, who put Natalie up for adoption as a baby? When she tracks down the person who dumped the photo album at her thrift shop, she’s shaken again. Especially when the gorgeous fire-fighting guitarist offers to help her find the owner. They quickly become friends – which is all they’ll be, as far as Natalie’s concerned. Her rebellious youth turned her off cheating men, and the new Natalie is looking for true love and a family of her own – something Casey isn’t willing to provide. But how long can Natalie ignore her undeniable attraction to the man with the Irish accent and the broken-down ’57 Chevy?

In Chelsey Krause’s second novel, friends become lovers over a whirlwind summer of rockabilly rhythms, twirling skirts, and a mystery that takes them hilariously far out of their element.

Add to your TBR list:  Goodreads

Pre-Order Links:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes  |  Google Play

***

Excerpt:

I stare up at the house for a moment, my hands shaking on the steering wheel, wondering what I’ve got myself into. I do some breathing exercises to calm down, pick up the box, and get out of the car. I can barely stand, my legs are so wobbly.

Maybe I’m working myself up over nothing. So what if the woman in the picture looks like me? It could be a coincidence.

Or maybe, just maybe…

I walk slowly up the driveway and knock on the door, my heart racing. After a couple of minutes, I knock again. Maybe they aren’t home? Maybe they didn’t hear me? I try the doorbell.

After a minute, I hear heavy, muffled footsteps.

Oh god. I should have worn a better outfit. I quickly smooth my hair with my free hand and stand a bit taller. Am I going to meet my birth mother? Or, at the very least, an aunt or something? Or my grandmother? Although, if someone cared enough to take these pictures and put them in an album, why would they throw them away? Is that the sort of person I want to meet? 

The door swings open. The person standing in front of me is most definitely not a granny.

“Can I help you?” he asks as he rubs his eyes.

“Oh, I, umm…”

My brain has stalled.

He shouldn’t be the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. But for some reason, he is. He looks like he’s in his late twenties, maybe early thirties. He isn’t wearing anything that spectacular, just a plain T-shirt and fleece pants. And his dark eyebrows are a bit thick for my liking.

But those lips…thin on top, full on the bottom, framed by a cleft chin and dark stubble. And those brown eyes fringed with black lashes…

He blinks. “Okay, then. Well, if that’s all…” He starts to close the door.

“Does this belong to you?” I yelp. I shove the box into his chest. He takes a half step back and sneezes as the dust flies up around him.

He frowns. “Is this the crap I took to the thrift store?” With a confused look on his face, he hands the box back to me and crosses his arms. He leans on the door frame, making his biceps strain against his T-shirt. His entire left arm is covered in swirling blue and green tattoos. “How did you find where I live?” he asks cautiously. He has a hint of an accent. Scottish, maybe?

I roll my eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself, I’m not stalking you.”

He smirks. “Good. I’ve already got too many stalkers.”

*** 

About Chelsey Krause:

Chelsey Krause has a thing for thrift stores and used bookshops. A nurse, wife, Starbucks addict, and mom to two children, she can often be found repurposing other people’s junk or considering whether the library would let her move in. The rest of the time, she’s reviewing for Chicklit Club or writing. All Shook Up is her second novel.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon

For blog tours and more check out...

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Defying Gravity by Kendra C. Highley

I am thrilled to be a part of the Defying Gravity Blog Tour!

If you're a fan of contemporary YA romance novels in general and either the best friends to lovers  (me, me me!!!!) or the brothers fighting over the same girl tropes, then you'll love Defying Gravity by Kendra C. Highley! And of course, if you've already read Finding Perfect, the first book in the Finding Perfect series, then you'll definitely not want to miss this one. Even though Zoey's story can be read as a standalone without any problem, you'll already know her, her BFF Paige, and Paige's boyfriend, Ben, if you read and loved Finding Perfect, which will make this book even more enjoyable! Please return to this site each day to celebrate the release of this book and follow along with the blog tour from July 25-Aug. 5, 2016:

You can find the full schedule here.

Does Defying Gravity sound like your kind of book? Find out more now:

Synopsis:

Two brothers. One girl. May the best man win.

Disclaimer: This book contains enough sexual tension to melt snow, the hottest near-kiss in the history of near-kisses, and a sexy snowboarder determined to win the heart of the girl he loves.

Zoey Miller lives for her holidays in Aspen. Her time up on the mountain with the Madison brothers, Parker and Luke, is everything. But for the first time, it’s not enough. This time, she’s determined to win one of the brothers’ hearts. 

But the brother she has in mind is a renowned player, with hordes of snow-bunnies following him around Snowmass resort. And the other…well, he’s her best friend and knows she deserves better. Namely him. And he’s going to win her heart.

Doesn't that sound great???

Want to know more...here's an excerpt...

The crowd at the entrance started doing strange things. For one, it parted like the sea before Moses. For another, guys stopped dead in their tracks…and those who didn’t stop ran into walls or tripped over their own feet. The women and girls around these guys started rolling their eyes, some good-natured, some not so much.

Parker’s heart hammered like a drunk carpenter had taken over his pulse.

Zoey was on the mountain.

She breezed through the crowd in a lime-green ski suit, her snowboard resting against her shoulder. Blond hair streamed out behind her under the hot pink knit cap she’d been wearing since they were kids, and her cheeks were flushed with the cold. Her smile could stop traffic…no, really, it had stopped traffic. The sudden loss of coordination among the men near the entrance was proof.

He could only imagine what her real smile—the one she only gave him—could do.

Wait. No. He didn’t want her smiling at any other guys that way.

She searched the crowd, oblivious as always to the way people stared, and Parker waved. Laughing, she barreled straight at him, tossing her snowboard to the side, before knocking him into a snow drift. They landed in a clatter of boots, boards, and limbs, with her on top.

Her grin lit up the world. “Parker Madison! How the hell are you?”

His entire body went supernova hot. He could feel every inch of her, despite the layers of ski clothes separating them.  Jesus. He choked back a groan and tried to think of anything other than how perfectly they fit together. If she felt how his body responded to her…

No, not happening.

He sighed heavily and brushed melting snow from her cheek. “How am I? Well, Miller, I’m bored.” Lie. So much lying. Whole mountains of lie.

“Bored?” She blinked at him. “I’m not that late.”

He pretended to scowl at her, enjoying the close-up look at her baby-blues. Huh, was she wearing mascara?

Since when did she wear makeup on the mountain? Not that he was complaining—she looked amazing. “Zoey, two ages of the universe passed by while I’ve been waiting for you. Maybe even three.”

“Is that so?” She smiled again and tugged on his cap. “I missed you.”

There’s the smile he’d been waiting for. His mouth went dry and he had to swallow a few times before he could speak. Maybe he should just kiss her instead. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

***

Want to Read More? Pre-order Defying Gravity (Finding Perfect, #2) Today!

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca |Entangled Publishing

You could win A Paperback copy of Finding Perfect, some bookmarks, and a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

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