Review: Silver Heart by Victoria Green

Silver Heart

By: Victoria Green

Pub. Date: July 30, 2013

Publisher: Self

Pages: 290

Source: Author

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review.

There comes a moment in everyone’s life when they must decide which road leads to personal happiness. For Dylan Silver, this is that moment…

For the past twenty-two-years, Dylan has been living in her parents' carefully crafted world, always putting her own dreams on hold to play the role of a dutiful daughter.

So when her best friend coaxes her into a winter getaway to a mountain cabin, she sees it as a chance to forget about the responsibilities waiting for her at home. At least for a little while.

But then her past catches up to her—in the form of sexy snowboarder, Sawyer Carter.

Six years ago, Dylan bid goodbye to the only boy she ever truly loved. Now he's standing right in front of her, bringing up bittersweet memories and igniting suppressed desires as he dares her to be the person she has always wanted to be.

Dylan and Sawyer’s unexpected meeting is a second chance, but will a girl who doesn't believe in fate and taking risks be able to overcome her fears of losing control and finally embrace the life she desperately wants?

Only one thing is certain: after a week in Whistler, Dylan's world will never be the same.

There have been so many New Adult books that have come out in the last year. At first I was all about NA. I couldn't get enough of them. But lately I feel like I've been in a NA slump. Every book I read sounds exactly the same. Luckily that did not happen with Silver Heart. It is one of the best I have read, and it can definitely hold its place among some of the other well known NA stories!

Dylan has always done what her family expects of her, so she never got to be her own person. She graduated college pre-med because that is what her parents wanted her to do and she's even fake dating someone because of them. The amount of control her parents had on her life was sickening. I kept wanting her to stick up for herself and I hated every minute that she didn't!

While at a ski lodge she sees Sawyer, the boy she loved but hasn't seen in years. Sawyer is definitely on my top five book boyfriends. He was so sweet! For me, there is nothing sexier then a man whose been through a lot and is still a good person despite a hard life. I loved every single moment that the two of them were together. You can tell how much they loved and cared for each other and they shared a very hot and romantic connection! I really couldn't get enough of the two of them. I also enjoyed watching Dylan grow as a character. She definitely had a lot of growing up to do!

Sawyer and Dylan were not the only two characters written to perfection. Even the secondary characters were written beautifully. I especially loved Dylan's best friend Maddie. She was so much fun! Maddie found herself a hot Australian while on the ski trip and I would love to read a story about the two of them (hint, hint!). Every character was written in a way that made them realistic and relatable.

Victoria Green created a wonderful story with Silver Heart. The writing was fantastic and everything flowed so nicely together. I can not wait to read what Green comes out with next!  

Cover Reveal: Tone Death by Olivia Rivers

Tone Deaf

Genre: New Adult Romance

Age Group: 16+

Release Date: November 4th, 2013

His world is music…

…Her world is silent.

Ali Blinde was a prodigy destined to become one of the greatest musicians of the 21st century.

Until the brain tumor struck.

Now seventeen, Ali lives in a soundless world where she gets by with ASL and lip-reading. So when she meets Jace Beckett, she thinks he’s her worst nightmare come true. Jace is the lead singer in the wildly-popular band, Tone Deaf, and he’s exactly the kind of success-story Ali hates and resents.

Nineteen-year-old Jace has it all: fame, money, and any girl he wants. Every night on tour brings a new performance and a new girl, which is just what he needs to avoid the pain of relationships.

But when Jace learns Ali is being abused, he reluctantly proposes a solution: Run away with him and his band as they tour the country. With freedom in sight, Ali takes the offer. Immediately, she’s swept into a world filled with wild punk music, wilder musicians, and maybe—just maybe—love.

About the Author:

Olivia Rivers is the author of six novels, ranging in genres from Epic Fantasy to Contemporary Romance. Along with being a writer, she’s a freelance digital artist, a literary agent assistant, and a high school student.  She’s a nerd at heart, and is a hopeless fan-girl for Doctor Who and Arrested Development. Olivia lives in California with a dog who thinks he’s a cat, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and a kitten who is just generally confused.

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Release Day Launch and Giveaway: Escaping Me by Elizabeth Lee

 Escaping Me

By: Elizabeth Lee

Pub. Date: July 30, 2013

Publisher: Self

Pages: 205

Source: Author/blog tour

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review.

All she wanted to do was forget. Forget the memory of walking in on her boyfriend in the middle of, well, another girl. Forget how she had her entire life planned out. And, forget about being perfect all the time. Unfortunately, she was Whitney Vandaveer and despite the fact that she moved to the middle of nowhere – she couldn't.

He always knew he would never be more than nothing. No job, no money, no future. Cole Pritchett had accepted the fact that he would always be the screw up and he was okay with it. Until he met her.

Here's the thing they quickly found out – sometimes we all need a little help escaping who we think we are.  

Escaping Me is one of those perfect summer reads that you want to devour as fast as you can. The author makes it so easy to fall in love with every character, and that is exactly what happened!

After walking in on her boyfriend cheating on her, city girl Whitney decides to stay with her mom and younger sister in the country for the summer. After spending her life trying to please the men in her life-first her father, then her boyfriend, she believes a summer away is exactly what she needs. What she didn't expect was to fall in love, but that is exactly what happened.

Cole Pritchett moved to this small town after his golden boy cop brother kicked him out and told him he had to get his life together. Cole knows that he has to stop allowing his anger to get the best of him and the fights that he is known for has to stop. His whole life he has believed that he is worthless, just like his parents and he knows he will never have the respectable life he so desperately wants. But when he meets Whitney, he can't help but want to change for the better for her.

We see this same story line over and over again, good girl meets bad boy. But Elizabeth Lee made these characters so original. I loved them! They had this amazing and realistic connection. They both thought the other was hot when they first met, but I liked that it wasn't an insta-love. Their relationship and the problems they both faced just felt so real to me.

Whitney and Cole might have stolen the show (Especially Cole. Not going to lie, I am definitely a little in love with him!) but the secondary characters where written just as good. I loved Whitney's younger sister, Mallory, she was so much fun and Cole's friend Zeke was such a sweetheart. I wouldn't mind getting a story about Mal and Zeke! Then you have Whitney and Cole's exes, Wesley and Meghan. Both of them were just horrible! I wanted to slap both of them in the faces.

I really enjoyed Escaping Me. I thought it was going to be just another NA, so I didn't go in with the highest expectations, but I am so glad that I was wrong! Escaping Me is definitely worth it and I can not wait to read what Lee has for us next!

About the Author:

When I'm not writing or playing the part of wife and mother, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in hand.  Here's the thing about being born and raised in a small town—you have a very vivid imagination!  Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that!

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Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Secret by Brigid Kemmerer

My blog has been bombed with cover reveals this week and I am even more excited for this reveal because it is for one of my favorite series! Introducing the cover for Secret, Nick's full length novel!

Secret by Brigid Kemmerer

Publisher: Kensington Books
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Goodreads link
ISBN: 0758294379

Nowhere is safe. Not even home…

Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point.

Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown.

Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.

Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—or he’ll lose his family.

Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner.

Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers. There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.

Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?

I really enjoyed Nick's novella, Breathless and definitely recommend reading it before reading Secret. It is a wonderful introduction to Nick's story! Click here to read my review of Breathless. 

About the Author:

Brigid Kemmerer is the author of The Elemental Series, about a family of four brothers who control the elements, and their battle with those who want them dead. Storm, Spark, and Spirit are available now wherever books are sold. To read the novella introducing Nick’s story, be sure to check out Breathless (http://www.brigidkemmerer.com/books/elemental-novellas/breathless/)
available as an e-book only from major e-book retailers. You can learn more about Brigid and the Elemental boys atwww.brigidkemmerer.com.

Where to Buy:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound | Book Depository

Cover Reveal: Silver Heart by Victoria Green

Today I am so happy and excited to reveal the cover of Silver Heart by Victoria Green. Silver Heart is a New Adult novella that it is being released today! I had the pleasure of reading this amazing story, and it was one of the best NA I have read! Silver Heart is an original take on the NA craze and I am positive that you will fall in love with Sawyer just as much as I have. 

Silver Heart

By: Victoria Green

Publication Date: July 25, 2013

There comes a moment in everyone’s life when they must decide which road leads to personal happiness. For Dylan Silver, this is that moment…

For the past twenty-two-years, Dylan has been living in her parents' carefully crafted world, always putting her own dreams on hold to play the role of a dutiful daughter.

So when her best friend coaxes her into a winter getaway to a mountain cabin, she sees it as a chance to forget about the responsibilities waiting for her at home. At least for a little while.

But then her past catches up to her—in the form of sexy snowboarder, Sawyer Carter.

Six years ago, Dylan bid goodbye to the only boy she ever truly loved. Now he's standing right in front of her, bringing up bittersweet memories and igniting suppressed desires as he dares her to be the person she has always wanted to be.

Dylan and Sawyer’s unexpected meeting is a second chance, but will a girl who doesn't believe in fate and taking risks be able to overcome her fears of losing control and finally embrace the life she desperately wants?

Only one thing is certain: after a week in Whistler, Dylan's world will never be the same.

Silver Heart is being released today, but sometimes Amazon takes a little while to upload ebooks. You can sign up here to get a notification email when it's live! 

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Silver Heart will be on sale for .99 cents for the rest of the week! Make sure you pick up your copy today!

Cover Reveal: The Mephisto Mark By Trinity Faegen

I am so excited to reveal the cover for Trinity Faegen's third novel in the Mephisto Covenant series, The Mephisto Mark. These covers are always so beautifully done, and this one is no exception. 

The Mephisto Mark: The Redemption of Phoenix

By: Trinity Faegen

Publication Date: September 24, 2013

He’s living on the edge  – she’s completely broken.

Orphaned at six and sent to live with abusive relatives in Bucharest, Mariah learned early in life to box up violent, agonizing memories and put them in permanent mental storage. Now almost nineteen, she has a paying job, a tiny apartment, and a plan to attend university. She loves her independence and is steadily overcoming her past, but when an enigmatic stranger walks into the pub where she works and the trajectory of her life changes yet again, she begins to wonder if she’ll run out of mental shelf space.

The only females unafraid of the Mephisto brothers are the extremely rare Anabo, born without Original Sin. Over one hundred years ago, Phoenix was first to find one, but he made a fatal mistake and she was murdered by his oldest brother and enemy, Eryx. Phoenix soldiered through the next century wrapped up in grief and guilt, his only outlet planning takedowns of those who pledged their souls to Eryx. When one of his brothers brings Mariah to Mephisto Mountain, he’s torn between his instinctive, powerful need to pursue her, and his certainty that he can never have her.

Drawn into the world of the Mephisto, Mariah sees the pain and misery Eryx unleashes on humanity, and the boxes in her mind begin to fly open, one by one. All that keeps her from slipping off the edge is her unlikely, sexually charged friendship with Phoenix. He’s incredibly screwed up; she’s completely broken. It would take a miracle for them to find happiness. Then Eryx brings the war for Hell to a whole new level, forcing Mariah and Phoenix to make a choice that will bind them together for all eternity, or rip them apart forever.

About the Author:

Trinity Faegen is a multi-published RITA winning author who also writes romance as Stephanie Feagan. A practicing CPA who loves travel, books, and smart guys, she lives in the outback of west Texas with her husband and a mean cat. For bonus content and more about the Mephisto, please visit her website at www.trinityfaegen.com. 

Links:

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Review: The Boy on the Bridge by Natalie Standiford

The Boy on the Bridge

By: Natalie Standiford

Pub. Date: August 1, 2013

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Pages: 248

Source: Netgalley and TLA 2013

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review.

Laura Reid goes to Leningrad for a semester abroad as Cold War paranoia is peaking in 1982. She meets a young Russian artist named Alexei, and soon, with Alexei as her guide, Laura immerses herself in the real Russia--a crazy world of wild parties, black-market books and music, and smuggled letters to dissidents. She must keep the relationship secret; associating with Americans is dangerous for Alexei, and if caught, Laura could be sent home and Alexei put under surveillance or worse. At the same time, she's been warned that Soviets often latch onto Americans in hopes of marrying them and thus escaping to the United States. But she knows Alexei loves her. Right?

As June approaches--when Laura must return to the United States--Alexei asks Laura to marry him. She's only nineteen and doesn't think she's ready to settle down. But what if Alexei is the love of her life? How can she leave him behind? If she has a chance to change his life, to rescue him from misery, shouldn't she take it?

I didn't realize that this book takes place in 1982, which made it so much more interesting. Laura is in Communist Soviet Union, and the government has so much control over it's people, it sickening. Laura has always wanted to go to Russia and learn more about the dark, bloody past of this country, but the college program she is does not allow for anything besides what is government approved. When she meets Alexei (who goes by Alyosha) she learns what life is really like for it's occupants.

I loved the connection between Laura and Alyosha. They were so cute together! Sometimes it was hard to figure out what Alyosha's true intentions were. We learn that many Russians would form relationships with the Americans, hoping that they would get married and be able to move to America. I hated not knowing what Alyosha true feelings for Laura were!

I didn't like how much Laura changed after meeting Alyosha. I understand that she didn't have much time with him since the program is over in a few weeks, but at the same time, I hated that she stopped caring completely about her education. She stopped going to class, doing her work and kept missing curfew. I also hated that Alyosha didn't care that she was doing it either. He should have been more supportive of her education, instead of not caring if she failed.

I absolutely loved learning about Russian history. That country really does have a terrifying past! Learning about the history was my favorite part of this book. Also, the writing and the descriptions were so vivid that I really felt like I was transported to Russia.

The ending was definitely bittersweet for me, but I think it was beautifully done! Despite how it ended, I couldn't help but have a smile on my face when I closed the book.

I highly recommend The Boy on the Bridge. It is a quick read and perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon!