{Review} When You Were Mine @booksamillion @RebeccaASerle

In this intensely romantic, modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told, Romeo’s original intended—Juliet’s cousin Rosaline—tells her side of the tale. What’s in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: Everything.Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Julie
t, who used to be Rose’s best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy...and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn’t even stand a chance.
     Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet’s instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob’s heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends….

Rebecca Serle is a full-time writer, which means she gets to wear pajamas to work. She went to the University of Southern California, then got her MFA from the New School in NYC. (She likes New York much more than LA, but don't tell anyone that.) Rebecca loves shiny hair, coffee, yoga, and pretending to be British. She, too, experienced heartbreak once. It worked out okay, though, because she turned the experience into her first novel, WHEN YOU WERE MINE. Find out more at rebeccaserle.com.

Ok I LOVE retellings!  From Jackson Pearce to Stacy Jay!  And I love the story of Romeo and Juliet even more!  So when this one was chosen for the July Books A Million Book Club I jumped on that!  Well I am sad to report that I didnt even make it through the first Act which is a little over 60 pages.  This is what I have been told is a snarkfest and sexist!  Its SLOW as molassas and doesnt seem to have a real plot other than to be the popluar girls and for our main character Rose to land her BFF Boy-Next-Door Rob.  I loved that this book was supposed to be about Rosaline which if you ask me Romeo was a stupid kid!  This nice pic over there < sums up this one very well!  I wish I was still within the return policy so I could take it back to the store.

 "*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own."

Author Fest 2013 November

So this year I thought I would try my hand at having a special event for November!  After some thought I decided to try an author festival!  And well right now we have well over 20 authors both big and small entering!  Each author is asked a set of 20 questions that they need to answer at least 5 of those listed.  Then they can also decide to add a giveaway!  

So starting Nov. 1 the following sites will post identical posts each day featuring an author!   

Crossroad Reviews

The Sacred Fruit

WTF Are You Reading

There will be a rafflecopter where you will have to do things every day to win!  

Such as commenting, sharing, liking, following, etc. 

Then in Dec we will announce all of the winners in a post! 

Now the REALLY NICE THING is that all of these giveaways are 

*INTERNATIONAL*

Yep if you can get mail then you can enter!

So are you an author? Want to sign up to be featured? 

OR

Are you just wanting to see what other authors are joining?

THEN

CLICK HERE

{Excerpt} {Giveaway} Soul Taken @katlyn_duncan

I am super excited to be able to participate in the trailer reveal for Katlyn Duncan’s SOUL TAKEN which released on June 4th!

This book sounds absolutely amazing and I can't wait to share the TRAILER and the EXCERPT the author provided, both of which are below.

There is also an awesome GIVEAWAY for an eBook Kindle copy of the book to one winner. So be sure to check that out, too!

With its gorgeous cover, it's intriguing description, its totally captivating excerpt and awesome trailer, I am thrilled to be able share SOUL TAKEN with you. So without further ado....

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The SOUL TAKEN Trailer

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About the Book

Title: SOUL TAKEN (The Life After #1)
Author: Katlyn Duncan
Publisher: Carina UK
Release date: June 4th
Formats: eBook

After-life just got a lot more complicated

Maggie is a Soul Collector. It’s her job to transport souls from the Living Realm to the After – but during a mission to find a stolen soul, she ends up stuck in a teen mean girl’s body.

Trapped, Maggie’s soul is catapulted into Ally’s life – and the human world she hasn’t experienced for one hundred years. But, as a descendant of the most powerful beings in the After, Maggie must rescue Ally before the girl’s soul dies…

To survive, Maggie must uncover devastating secrets – because with one soul taken by a terrifying enemy, Maggie’s could be next!

GOODREADS | AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | NOOK UK | KOBO | iTunes US | iTunes UK | CARINA UK

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About the Author

Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them.

Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS | GOOGLE+ | PINTEREST | TUMBLR

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The SOUL TAKEN Excerpt

A suffocating heat pressed all points of my soul. Even though I hadn’t breathed in a hundred years, I felt the need to inhale, yet I couldn’t. A fire burned in my chest.

I attempted to open my eyes, to move one finger, a toe maybe, but the pressure immobilized my body. The burning sensation tore through me over and over until I had just about given up the fight.

But, just as quickly as the pressure came, it lifted, bringing a seemingly endless barrage of images. I was experiencing someone else’s memories, as if I took a back seat in her mind and watched her life flash before our eyes. I caught her image in a mirror, a small golden-haired girl.

Ally?

I tried to slow the images or possibly make sense of them but, just as I grabbed a hold on one of them, it slipped through my fingers and moved onto the next. I followed this girl through all the moments of her life as her memories flashed before my eyes.

Darker emotions overlapped the girl’s happy memories. I saw a young red-haired girl in an old-fashioned dress; her demure eyes looked back at me. Jealousy flared through me. My heart squeezed, watching this girl who was not part of Ally’s memories. A rush of energy pumped through my body; the power touched every fiber of my soul. Then the vision dissolved and I was forced back to experiencing Ally.

Was I dreaming?

Souls didn’t dream. I told myself firmly.

The visions started to slow and I was able to focus on one.

I had to tell them, even though Dad said I couldn’t. But in a week I wouldn’t be the same girl. Or would I? I still wasn’t clear on everything. Becoming a Guard: it was my life’s mission, he had said. A life that was no longer my own. Would it be easier to let this life slip away? I would regret each day if I didn’t. Maybe I would start with Seth. Sweet Seth. He’d be crushed, but someone would take my place. Dad had said something about people—humans— was I not human? Humans were drawn to those like me. Maybe Seth only liked me because I was different, unexplainably different.

I ripped the paper off the coffee sleeve. It was now or never.

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The SOUL TAKEN Giveaway

An eBook Kindle copy of SOUL TAKEN to ONE (1) winner.

• Must be 13 or older to enter
• Must be able to accept Amazon Kindle eBook gifts from the U.S.

Enter in the Rafflecopter below...
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{Blast + Excerpt + Giveaway} Now or Never @AuthorAJBennett

Book Details:
Now or Never  by A.J. Bennett
Publication date: June 19th 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary

18+ Due to sexual content and language inculding casual sex and flawed characters. 

(New Adult)

Synopsis:

Twenty-one year old Grayson Alexander finally breaks away from an abusive relationship and finds herself free for the first time in three years.

Determined to enjoy her new-found freedom, Grayson is intent on sticking with ‘no strings attached’ relationships—one-night stands, and steamy sex.

But she didn’t plan on Derrick.

Her attraction to the sexy man in uniform quickly turns into an unhealthy relationship. They both try to resist the pull, but neither can stay away.

When tragedy strikes, Grayson realizes it’s now or never—walk away or make it work.  Goodreads

AUTHOR BIO:

A.J. Bennett lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and bulldog. She’s addicted to coffee, popcorn and books. Becoming an author has been a lifelong dream, and she’s extremely excited about her debut novel Now or Never.

Author links:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Excerpt of Now or Never

Grayson’s stomach flipped when the dark-haired man pulled up a stool beside her. She had no idea what her sister had said to the blond, who in turn had brought this sexy stranger to her side. Thankfully, the bar was dimly lit so he couldn’t see how red her face was.

He leaned towards her resting his forearms on the table holding her gaze steadily. “What’s your name?”

Grayson froze, she didn’t want to give her real name. She looked around for inspiration, and then glanced down at the amber and carnelian bracelet around her wrist. “Amber.”

“Amber.” He rolled the word around as if he was tasting it. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Todd.”

Grayson raised the glass to her lips finishing her drink, and then pushed it to the side to pick up the next. She wasn’t sure why she’d lied about her name, but it was too late now anyway. Maybe if she pretended like she was someone else, she could actually go through with the madness?

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{Blitz + Giveaway + Excerpt + Interview} Summer Love @Giselleco

Carly and her best friend Becca are ready to drop a nuclear bomb on summer. It’s the last one before reality sets in and they’re off on their own. Carly is ready to break the mold and stop being known as a goody-two-shoes. In order to get the ball rolling, she agrees to a double date with Gavin – her good-looking, yet moody, lab partner.

Gavin doesn’t have summer plans except to work at his two jobs and hang out in his room drawing. He likes to keep to himself, but lets his brother Nate talk him into going on a double date. Carly isn’t like the rest of the girls at school that drive him crazy. She doesn’t ask a lot of questions and seems to know when to give him the space he craves. Gavin always thought that she was beautiful, but he believes that relationships and love are a lost cause.

Will their date prove that summer love is right around the corner or will it be a dead end?

This book is intended for audiences 17+

 Goodreads

Interview with the author: 

What is your latest news?

“Summer Love” was published July 8, 2013. It’s the first book in the series “Senior Year.” A lot of hard work went into it and I am truly excited about its release. I believe it is my best work so far. I have already begun writing book two.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have always wanted to write a series. The summer before senior year seemed like the perfect beginning point. Who doesn’t love summer and the freedom it brings?

How did you come up with the title?

The word summer had to be in the title. I toyed around with a few possibilities and took some polls—“Summer Love” was the clear winner.

All of the titles in the series will center around a season. The next book is, “Falling Into You.”

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Yes and No. I chose a four-year-old girl that I know and imagined what she’ll be like when she’s seventeen years old and then plopped her in the middle of a situation. Also I incorporated pieces of my own daughter. She loves to sing and I could easily imagine her joining a band someday or working toward a music degree. In the end, the characters are of my own creation and imagination.

If Hollywood made your book into a movie who would you cast as the leads?

This is one of my favorite questions—to think people would love my book enough to want to turn it into a movie.

I would choose Vanessa Hudgens to play Carly. She is beautiful and perfect for the role. My ideal Gavin would be Landon Liboiron. He is super cute and has brilliant blue eyes that look like the water in the Bahamas (just like Gavin’s eyes are described in “Summer Love”.)

Coffee or tea?

Coffee all the way. Once upon a time, I was an exchange student in Spain where I fell in love with all things Spanish, including coffee.  I loved meeting friends “para tomar un café.”

If you could wear your pajamas all day, would you? Why or why not?

Of course, I would. And many times I do, especially when I’m writing.

What’s your favorite dessert?

Ice cream. I would eat it every day if I could. During the summer I love visiting all the different local ice cream stands and sampling all the delicious flavors.

Summer Love Excerpt: 

Carly wasn’t the typical sexy girl who walked by in the hall every day at school—she was a special kind of beautiful, the type of beautiful that took your breath away. And at that very moment, I was in desperate need of an oxygen tank. Carly didn’t seem to realize how beautiful she was, which was another turn-on. I am in serious trouble of breaking my own promise.

She cleared her throat, jolting me out of my trance. “Gavin, there’s another reason why I’m glad you showed up tonight.”

“There is?” I wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but I patiently waited for her to continue.

“I’ve wanted to apologize.”

“For what?” I quickly racked by brain, but couldn’t think of anything she’d ever done to warrant an apology.

“For the way I acted on our date the other night. I was rude,” she winced. She looked cute when she thought she’d done something wrong. I ran my finger across the top of her nose.

“Girly, don’t be sorry. I should’ve been supportive.” This was the first time she hadn’t yelled at me for calling her that. Taking it as a positive sign, I rambled on, “I was a total dickhead, and if anything, I owe you another date.” The perfect lead-in. “Carly, will you go on a real date with me? And not a double date, because I don’t want to share you with anyone.” Okay, I did it. I broke down and asked her out when I’m not looking for anything. And anything with Carly would be something. She’s not the type of girl who is known for one-night stands.

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{Review} A Hundred Summers @Bcwilliamsbooks

Memorial Day, 1938: New York socialite Lily Dane has just returned with her family to the idyllic oceanfront community of Seaview, Rhode Island, expecting another placid summer season among the familiar traditions and friendships that sustained her after heartbreak. 

That is, until Greenwalds decide to take up residence in Seaview.

Nick and Budgie Greenwald are an unwelcome specter from Lily’s past: her former best friend and her former fiancé, now recently married—an event that set off a wildfire of gossip among the elite of Seaview, who have summered together for generations. Budgie’s arrival to restore her family’s old house puts her once more in the center of the community’s social scene, and she insinuates herself back into Lily's friendship with an overpowering talent for seduction...and an alluring acquaintance from their college days, Yankees pitcher Graham Pendleton. But the ties that bind Lily to Nick are too strong and intricate to ignore, and the two are drawn back into long-buried dreams, despite their uneasy secrets and many emotional obligations. 

Under the scorching summer sun, the unexpected truth of Budgie and Nick’s marriage bubbles to the surface, and as a cataclysmic hurricane barrels unseen up the Atlantic and into New England, Lily and Nick must confront an emotional cyclone of their own, which will change their worlds forever.

With this one I really need to ask what people were smoking?!  As I have seen a ton of 5 star reviews everywhere!!!  I am sorry but this one ended up being a DNF for me as it was.  From skipping back and forth from past to present telling the story of Lily and Nick and thier love affair.  To present day Lily hurting from the heartache when she learns that Nick's new wife is her old best friend.  It was just to Happily Ever After Everything Works Out!  to be a great story.

 "*I received a copy of this book for free to review, this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own." Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.