(Repost) Review: Linked by Judy Serrano

Linked
by Judy Serrano


Published by: GMTA Publishing
Released on: May 9, 2024
Paperback
Pages: 334
Rating: 4/5



*Please note, this review was based from an ARC*






  I was pleasantly surprised when Judy Serrano contacted me to review the first novel in her newest series. I love her work so I wanted to be surprised going into it and did not read the blurb. What I discovered was shocking and left me desperate for answers. Fast paced, action packed, and romance laced, Linked will have you mesmerized.

   Daphne is a fill-in substitute teacher that just wants a stable job doing what she loves. Trying her hardest but working with teens, she thinks she's doing rather well until she gets notification that one of the parents wants a conference with her. What she expected to walk through the classroom door is not what she received. Not in the least.

   Charlie Cross is total eye candy and there is an instant connection between the two. Honesty is laid out on the table, he admits to his unhappy marriage and the separation. Daphne can deal with this. It's all good. At least, that's what she thinks. Surprise characters rise to the surface causing delight and much trouble.

   When Daphne realizes that there's more to Charlie than she ever thought possible, he acts out on it all and takes advantage. She thought she could get used to the idea but Charlie isn't letting that happen. Luckily, there's another man willing to accept Daphne with open arms. Heathcliff is special in his own way but it's something they can work on together. When you become "linked" it makes all the difference in the world.


Received for review from the author.

Sporadically Inspired By Blog Tour and Giveaway

This is the last stop on the Sporadically Inspired By Blog Tour. Today I have an ebook giveaway for you guys but first, let's find out a bit more about Ashley.

The story of my life is one that’s still being written, it’s about a girl named Ashley that had to go through a few chapters before she learned how she wanted to live the rest of the story. I could take you through moment after moment that got me to where I am now; in fact I’d have to take you through every single one. So instead I’ll just give you some highlights. Around May 2009 after seeing 17 Again at the movies it inspired me to pick up writing. I couldn’t tell you what it was about that one movie that was different from the tons of others I had fallen in love with over the years that finally shined light on what I had been trying to figure out since I was first asked what I wanted to be when I grew up; but there it was…my dream realized. It’s funny how after you reach that moment, you can’t believe you didn’t think of it sooner…I’ve loved movies since I was a kid and played The Little Mermaid on repeat, and had always been a daydreamer who loved coming up with a good story. I started writing my ideas in script format for movies and then decided to try one of my ideas as a book.

I’m just a girl from a small town with a big dream. Classic story…think you’ve heard it a thousand times…well I’d like to think mine’s unique. Maybe not extreme or extravagant to everyone; but to me…to me it’s a fairy tale. Oh don’t get me wrong it’s also a comedy, a horror film (you know how bad hair days can be lol), one with action, love, tears, and inspiration…but it’s my story, and it’s one of kind.

I use to think dreams were…well just that, dreams; nothing but thoughts and wishes that you kept stored away for a day you didn’t know would come or not. But then I thought why should it be like that? Seemed like a tragedy really, to keep all my dreams in my head instead of experiencing them for real. So instead I decided I wanted to live my dreams and make them my reality…make them my ‘normal’…if there is such a thing a normal lol. It won’t be easy, who knows where it will take me, or how long it will take to get there…but I can promise one thing…it’ll be one amazing ride!

Forever Inspired

Sometimes, in a small community, it can be difficult to find reality in big dreams. Samantha can't wait to get out of town to start her life and move on from sad memories. Morgan isn't learning from the past, and Charlotte may be forced to make a hard choice over following her dreams. It's Cali's story from which the girls find their inspiration. They believe her story is a fictional cult classic that each have read over and over. It encourages them to follow their hearts.

In the end, however, it could be Cali who needs the most help turning her sporadic inspirations into reality. . . again.

Sporadically Inspired By is written in a unique style similar to a screenplay.

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Review: Beauty by Nancy Ohlin

Beauty
by Nancy Ohlin

Published by: Simon Pulse
Released on: May 7, 2024
Paperback
175 Pages
Rating: 4/5








  Ana has known her place for many years now. Growing up under the Queen's beautiful shadow, she knows that looks are the most important thing to her mother. Nobody should ever attempt to be at the same level as the Queen. Even if it's her own daughter.

  Never being able to experience life in it's fullest, Ana knows that if her mother is happy, then that is all that should matter. If only the woman would give her some attention every now and then, all would be perfect. She's alright with not bathing or brushing her hair. Setting of a radar within the Queen that her daughter could ever be beautiful would lead to such tragic events.

  It's when Ana starts hearing of other girls getting accepted into a private school only allowed for the elite, that something in Ana stirs. She wants to be accepted. She wants to be loved. This is her chance of finally being open and herself. She can be away from her mother's watchful eye and flourish.

  The school isn't what anyone had expected. Certainly not Ana. And as time goes by, she learns what the school's main purpose is, just as her mother learns hidden truths.




Received from Simon & Schuster for review purposes.

Review: The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

The Book of Broken Hearts
by Sarah Ockler

Published by: Simon Pulse
Released on: May 21, 2024
Hardcover
368 Pages
Rating: 5/5


*Please note, this review was based from an ARC*





  I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The synopsis is great but holds nothing to what is inside. Sarah Ockler has filled it with such a strong and powerful story that is so unlike so many out there. I bonded easily with the characters and fell deeply into the story line. The Book of Broken Hearts is a definite read by all.


  We learn that Jude is the youngest of all her siblings. Living in a household full of sisters has definitely taught her a thing or two but what she's about to embark on throughout this summer, nothing could've prepared her for. I loved how strongly bonded all of the sisters were, but still felt kind of sorry for Jude. She is the last one in the house and never got to bond as much as the others. More importantly, she was never properly inducted into the Book of Broken Hearts.

  Jude had many plans for the summer but when her Papi started showing more frequent signs of his illness, she knows that he is her number one priority. Throughout the summer and her Papi's growing illness she meets Emilio Vargas. He comes to be everything that Jude needs through this difficult time. He's also the one thing that will cause her much trouble.


Received for review purposes from Simon & Schuster.

Review: The Program by Suzanne Young

The Program
by Suzanne Young

Published by: Simon Pulse
Released on: April 30, 2024
Hardcover
416 Pages
Rating: 5/5




*Please note, this review was based from an ARC copy*






   Let me start by saying that The Program has demanded it's way into by top 10 for 2013. I read many books every year but when you get one that screams when opened, I know it will be added to the list of favorites.
   My copy is an ARC so I'm not too sure if the published copy is like this, but there are three parts to the story and every part begins at page one, so it's like three stories inside. This is the first I have seen of this and really found it interesting.

   The story is about a time when a massively high amount of youth suffer from severe depression and thus, commit suicide if given the opportunity. There has been much work into helping save the kids and close observation is made for everyone. If signs are showing, they are whisked off to a place that everyone in their right mind fears. A place that alters your state of mind, making the children lose their memories and allowing them to return back to their lives as someone that they are not. Someone incredibly different than who they were because they have lost that person along the way. The children are said to be recovered, but anyone in their right mind knows better.

  Sloane has had many friends and family that have committed suicide. She has all eyes on her now and can't even get the time she so deserves to grieve for her lost loved ones. She knows that the life she lives will end up getting disrupted and makes quick decision to hide her past so her future won't be left blank. Her journey is far more unpredictable than anyone could imagine.




Received from Simon & Schuster for review purposes.
 

Giveaway: ARC of September Girls

Interested in winning an ARC of September Girls? I have a copy that I would like to pass along.

When Sam's dad whisks him and his brother off to a remote beach town for the summer, he's all for it-- at first. Sam soon realizes, though, that this place is anything but ordinary. Time seems to slow down around here, and everywhere he looks, there are beautiful blond girls. Girls who seem inexplicably drawn to him.
Then Sam meets DeeDee, one of the Girls, and she's different from the others. Just as he starts to fall for her, she pulls away, leaving him more confused than ever. He knows that if he's going to get her back, he'll have to uncover the secret of this beach and the girls who live here.

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First Kiss by Ann Marie Frohoff Cover Reveal + Giveaway

Author, Ann Marie Frohoff, reveals the cover for her debut novel, FIRST KISS, book one in her edgy hard-hitting trilogy, Heavy Influence. You can find out more information on her book website at www.facebook.com/heavyinfluence.  FIRST KISS is due to release June 11th, 2013. You can get hooked on the series by downloading her prequel novella, SKID OUT, on Goodreads for FREE at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12641062-skid-out.

It was all about the band, until the girl next door. Her innocence is tempting. A sexually charged coming of age story set in the throes of stardom.
About an up and coming teenage rocker on the verge of stardom, when the girl next door becomes something more; they're forced to face the harsh realities on his road to fame and the expectations of their friends and family. Sacrifices are made as everything changes as they know it.

Release Date: June 11, 2024

Pages: 483

Find it: Amazon & Goodreads

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Ann Marie ("Annie") Frohoff grew up in sunny Southern California. As a teen and young adult she spent her time frequenting and living in nearly every beachside city up and down the coast.

The first installment in her Heavy Influence Trilogy, FIRST KISS, is tentatively set to release June 11, 2024 — The series is a story about young, reckless love between a rising rock star and his younger muse, spanning 10 years of their tumultuous and passionate relationship. Each book in the Trilogy will come with a soundtrack of original music, of which the lyrics will appear in the pages of the books.

Annie is now settled in the South Bay area of Los Angeles with her family.

Facebook: Heavy Influence

Twitter: Ann Marie Frohoff

Goodreads: First Kiss (Heavy Influence Trilogy, #1)

Goodreads: Skid Out (Heavy Influence, #0.5)

Website: Ann Marie Frohoff

Amazon: Skid Out - Kindle Edition

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Review: Dead River by Cyn Balog

Dead River
by Cyn Balog

Published by: Delacorte Press
Released on: April 9, 2024
Hardcover
242 Pages
Rating: 4/5









    The cover of Dead River looks freaking awesome! I am a huge fan of ghostly things and in reading the synopsis, I couldn't wait to read it. What I found wasn't exactly what I expected but nonetheless, it was a good read. This is the first book that I've read by Cyn Balog and I'm looking forward to reading more by her.

    Having to sneak off from her overprotected father to spend time with her boyfriend Justin and BFF Angela, Kiandra can't wait to get away. What she finds on this trip ends up being incredibly close to what her father had always been so scared about. It wasn't some exciting white water rafting trip. It's a trip that ends up explaining things from the past. Things about her mother, who died suddenly and this has always left Ki curious. This isn't the only thing she finds out. There are secrets happening right behind her back, and with it, comes new beginnings and final endings.



Received from the publisher for review purposes.