Wednesday 28 August 2013

I'll Be Seeing You by Suzanne Hayes and Loretta Nyhan


Published: May 28 2013 by Harlequin MIRA
Pages: 313
Source: ARC provided in exchange for honest review


SYNOPSIS

"I hope this letter gets to you quickly. We are always waiting aren't we? Perhaps the greatest gift this war has given us is the anticipation...."

It's January 1943 when Rita Vincenzo receives her first letter from Glory Whitehall. Glory is an effervescent young mother, impulsive and free as a bird. Rita is a sensible professor's wife with a love for gardening and a generous, old soul. Glory comes from New England society; Rita lives in Iowa, trying to make ends meet. They have nothing in common except one powerful bond: the men they love are fighting in a war a world away from home.

Brought together by an unlikely twist of fate, Glory and Rita begin a remarkable correspondence. The friendship forged by their letters allows them to survive the loneliness and uncertainty of waiting on the home front, and gives them the courage to face the battles raging in their very own backyards. Connected across the country by the lifeline of the written word, each woman finds her life profoundly altered by the other's unwavering support.

A collaboration of two authors whose own beautiful story mirrors that on the page, I'll Be Seeing You is a deeply moving union of style and charm. Filled with unforgettable characters and grace, it is a timeless celebration of friendship and the strength and solidarity of women.


MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed this book, it gave me insight in to what the wives have to go through when their husbands are away at war, and so much of it still applies today, raising the children alone, feeling lonely themselves because their husbands are gone for so long at a time, but at the same time being proud of them for serving their country and keeping them safe. One of the other things I really liked about this book was the recipes that they shared back and forth between each other, I know I will be trying out a few.

I have read books before about what it was like for the women in different countries during the war, say Poland, and there are definitely similarities in what they go through, they have to ration food, they have to (if they can) find a way to make money. Also the secrets that they have to keep, they may have different content, but they have to keep secrets all the same.

My favourite part of the book though was the juxtaposition of the two main characters, Glory is a young mother whom is pregnant when her husband leaves for war, and Rita is older and has a husband and a son enlisted in the war. They connected right away through their letters, and it was a wonderful mix of a relationship, part mother/daughter, but part best friends even though they had never met.

Some of the topics covered in their letters I had never thought of before, like what they treasure that we take for granted everyday, like pantyhose, or butter (margarine), bikes for their children, and sugar. I really think that this is a book for everyone, everyone can learn something from it. 

One of my favourite characters was Rita's neighbour Mrs. K, the things that she said could be so nasty, but at the same time, she was there for just about everyone when they needed it, especially the correspondence with the soldiers that had no one to write back and forth to while they were on duty.

The outcome of everyone related to them that had been off to war was very realistic, I like that they did not sugar coat anything and make it a "happy" ending for the readers, we need more books that give us what reality really was/is like. I give this book a 4/5.

Every Shattered Thing by Elora Nicole Ramirez


Published: August 27 2013 (first published September 18 2012 as Come Alive)
Pages: 235
Source: eARC received in exchange for an honest review
Where to buy:

*THIS BOOK IS SUGGESTED (IN MY OPINION) FOR MATURE
AUDIENCES DUE TO SOME GRAPHIC SCENES*

SYNOPSIS

Stephanie fights reality every day. The voices inside, the ones declaring her worth, deem her broken, used and dirty. She is an object. A toy. Something to be tossed aside when bored. Who will believe her if she whispers the truth about her wrecking ball of a family? Eventually, her secret explodes and the person who means the most to her knows just how shattered she is and why she's so afraid. But rescue is closer than she realises. Hidden in plain sight, her horror hasn't been ignored by everyone. Racing against the truth of what she faces, forces are joining together and developing a plan to free her from the hell in her own backyard. And while she's at her lowest point, She's hit with the beauty of love at any cost - redemption in the face of ruin. Will it be enough?

MY REVIEW

This book....what can I say? I had so many emotions, most of them had me crying, it is not a very long book, but it packs a powerful punch about reality right in your face! The synopsis does not give away what the content of Stephanie's secrets are, and I don't really want to give it away either, however, it may be a trigger for some people so I will give two basic subjects that are covered in this book, physical and emotional abuse, and child prostitution, I will not go any father than that. 

I read this book yesterday, and I still cannot stop thinking about it, I know that some may say "it's only a book", but it it not! This is happening everyday to girls (and boys) around the world, and could quite possibly be happening next door to us, and we may never know it. 

There is a non-profit organisation mentioned in the book called Love146, I have heard of them before, and watched a couple videos about how they started the organisation, and you can see in the man's eyes about how passionate he is, and he was near tears telling about when he went on his first undercover mission to see how everything happens, it is truly heartbreaking, and inspiring at the same time as he has taken that experience and ran with it and dedicated his life to fighting so that no one has to go through that again in any country!

There are definitely situations in this book that were hard to read, and some made me gag a little just out of the sheer force of the trauma that she is experiencing. When she meets Kevin and she has someone who is a safe spot for her, I was relieved, she needed that. Also learning about Emma and her husband Jude and how good they were to her, it frustrated me that she didn't tell them what was going on, however, at the same time I understood it as she felt she needed to be there for her brother. Also there is the the "battered woman" syndrome where she believed everything that her dad said to her about leaving, he would find her and bring her back, that there was no way out, and this was going to be her life from now on, it is the same reason that it takes some women so long to leave their partners, and some never do, because they have just come to accept what is going on, and they don't fight it anymore.

I highly suggest this book to everyone! It is one of those books that will leave you reeling and looking for something that you can do to help, even if it is a $5.00 donation somewhere, I know I am going to be researching more and looking for opportunities to help for sure! I think that this book should be read by teenagers mature enough to handle the content as it gives a lot of good information about how their fellow classmates may be hiding what is going on at home, and what to look for so they may report it to someone to help them.

This is a 5/5 and if you have read it, I would love to know what you think!

AUTHOR BIO


Elora Ramirez lives in Auston, Texas with her chef-husband. At age four, she taught herself how to read and write, cutting her teeth on books like Dr. Seuss and writing anywhere she could find space - including her fisher price kitchen set, the pages of picture books and Highlights Magazine. Since then, she's grown to love the way words feel as they swell within her bones. Writing holy and broken is her calling, and pushing back the darkness and pursuing beauty through the story is her purpose. She loves hip-hop, wishes she lived by the beach and cannot write without copious amounts of coffee, chocolate, and her husband's lavender liqueur.

Where to find her:




Sunday 18 August 2013

Bout of books read-a-thon!

Hi everyone, so I am a little behind on my review copies, so to try and catch up a little, I am going to be participating in the Bout of Books read-a-thon! I am really excited, and it runs from Aug 19-25.

My goal for this read-a-thon is to try and read between 5-7 books and if I can get that done, I should be back on track! YAHOO!

Here is some more information:

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog.
- From the Bout of Books team

If you are participating, let me know, I would love to follow along with everyone as much as possible!


Bout of Books

Friday 16 August 2013

The Marriage Bargain (Marriage to a Billionaire #1) by Jennifer Probst


Published: September 4 2012 by Gallery Books
Pages: 272
Source: Purchased

SYNOPSIS

A marriage in name only...

To save her family home, impulsive bookstore owner Alexa Maria McKenzie casts a love spell. But she never planned on conjuring up her best friend's older brother - the powerful man who once shattered her heart.

Billionaire Nicholas Ryan doesn't believe in marriage, but in order to inherit his father's corporation, he needs a wife and needs one fast. When he discovers his sister's childhood friend is in dire financial straits, he offers Alexa a bold proposition.

A marriage in name only with certain rules: Avoid entanglement. Keep things all business. Do not fall in love. The arrangement is only for a year so the rules shouldn't be that hard to follow, right?

Except fate has a way of upsetting the best-laid plans...


MY REVIEW

This book was so cute! Exactly what I needed right now. The characters were completely realistic, I mean I want to be Alexa, she gets to own a bookstore, and he married to a hottie?? Not fair lol!

I wasn't sure at first if I wanted to start this series as there has been a lot of hype around it, and a lot of the time when I read a really hyped up book, they do not live up to what I am expecting, but this one did and I am very happy about that.

There was everything all rolled in to one in this book, humour, drama, family, love, friendship, and especially character growth. When the book first starts Nick is a very stand-offish type person who does not seem like he opens up to anyone, or anything (won't even have a pet). He is in a relationship, but that does not mean that he has opened up to her either, he keeps everyone on a very superficial level. By the end of the novel, he has very much come in to himself with Alexa's help, and it suits him really well!

Alexa has a hard time opening up to Nick, especially when he continuously makes it apparent to her that the agreement that they have is business only, and there should be nothing personal that should be shared. I really like Alexa, she very much makes sure that everyone else is taken care of before herself, even if she gets the short end of the stick because of it. 

The situations that came in to play in this book were also very realistic, and I enjoyed the give and take between their relationship, every relationship has it's bumps in the road that you need to endure together. I have the next book in this series, and I know what I will be starting today! I give this one a 5/5, if you are looking for a great romance novel, this one is for you.

Thursday 15 August 2013

The Silver Chain (The Unbreakable Trilogy #1) by Primula Bond


Published: August 15 2013
Pages: 400
Source: eARC from netgalley
Where to buy:


SYNOPSIS

Bound by passion, she was powerless to resist.

One dark evening in London, photographer Serena Folkes is indulging her impulsive side with a night-time shoot. But someone is watching her - mysterious entrepreneur Gustav Levi. Serena doesn't know it yet, but this handsome stranger will change her life forever....

Serena is fascinated by Gustav, the enigmatic owner of Levi Gallery, and she soon feels an irresistible pull of attraction. The interest is mutual, and Gustav promises to launch Serena's photography career at his gallery, but only if Serena agrees to become his exclusive companion.

To mark her agreement, Gustav gives Serena a bracelet to wear at all times. Attached to it is a silver chain of which he is the keeper. With the chain Gustav controls Serena physically and symbolically - a sign that she is under his power.

As their passionate relationship intensifies, Gustav's hold on the silver chain grows stronger. But will Gustav's dark past tear them apart?


MY REVIEW

 I was looking for something in this novel that was different than the same type of plot lines as "50 Shades of Grey" and "Reflected In You" type of series that are out there right now, and unfortunately, this was not one of them. The writing was okay, but the basic plot line was the same, and I could not relate to any of the characters.

I found Serena to be incredibly naive for someone of her age, especially under the living conditions that she was brought up in, generally speaking when someone is in those conditions, they have to grow up faster and look after themselves as there is no one else to do it, but some of her views and experiences just made me shake my head.

As far as Gustav, I just found him to be a little odd, why was he out hiding in the shadows watching little kids on Halloween? Also his back ground when it was revealed, it did not seem as traumatizing as he made it out to be, maybe I just didn't get it.

I would give this book a 2/5 but unfortunately, I will not be continuing on with this series.

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Blog Tour Stop for The Forgotten Ones (The Danaan Trilogy #1) by Laura Howard



Published: April 28 2013 by Amazon Digital Services
Pages: 197
Source: eARC provided for blog tour
Where to buy:


SYNOPSIS

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.


MY REVIEW

Even after reading the synopsis, I was not sure what to expect from this book, so that is why I was eager to participate in the blog tour, and I must say that I am pleasantly surprised by what I read. Paranormal seems to be a little hit and miss with me lately, but this one was a lot different from what I had read before. I didn't find it too "heavy" on the paranormal aspect, it is set mostly in our world, with one other world being introduced that I had read about before. Also the Tuatha de Danaan are not shifters or vampires which seem to be going around a lot.

I really liked Allison, I could relate to her, she is an introvert also, albeit for different reasons maybe, but she would much rather stay at home on the weekend and read a book than go out to a party, and I am the same way! She does focus most of her time on her mother due to her illness, and seems to have to tread lightly around her because she looks so much like her father that it seems to send her mother on one of her "episodes".

The pacing of this book was really well done, and I finished it in one sitting. There is a touch of romance with Allison and Ethan, even if she tries to push him away, he tries his best to show her how much he cares about her. There is also some action and suspense when in the other world that was really well written. This is a really good start to a series, and I am looking forward to where the author takes it, and I hope that I am able to participate in the next tour and let people know all about this series! I give this a 4/5.


AUTHOR BIO


Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novel were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn't until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began making themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.

Where to find her:




Tuesday 13 August 2013

Blog Tour Stop for The Solitude Of Passion by Addison Moore




Published: August 13 2013
Pages: 512
Where to buy:


SYNOPSIS

When old and new love collide an impossibility is born.

When Lee Townsend's husband leaves on a community outreach to China, the last thing she expects is for him to never come back - for him to tragically meet his demise.

Lee goes on to marry his adversary and settles into life and business with him, merging her vineyard and his to create a worldwide conglomerate.

Five years later a twist of fate brings the past back to her and forces Lee to make a decision that will change the landscape of her life forever.

Secrets emerge, forcing relationships to be examined - magnifying the surprising true underpinnings of her marriage to both Mitch and Max.

Lee's heart is unwilling to surrender her love for Mitch or Max.
She must choose to carry forward with the past or the present.

Lee has a choice to make.
Mitch can't figure out how to win.
Max never loses.
Worlds collide in THE SOLITUDE OF PASSION.



MY REVIEW

This story is something written like a Hollywood movie. I cannot imagine having to make a decision like Lee is faced with in this book, how do you choose between the two loves of your life? Especially when you thought that one was gone forever, and you had already grieved his loss?

The characters in this book are very relate able, which makes the situation even more surreal, it felt like I could be reading about any one of us. My favourite part of this book was reading from the different characters points of view because if I didn't understand where someone was coming from, or the choices that they were making, I just waited until it was their part in the book again, and it made more sense.

My favourite character in this book was for sure Max though, he seemed the most genuine and never faltered from what he believed and what he stood for. He was there to help Lee when she lost Mitch, and he helped her run her Winery, and take care of her daughter, and didn't expect anything in return.

Mitch on the other hand, was my least favourite character. I understand that he had been in extremely dire circumstances for five years, however, the way that he came back and forced himself in the middle of Lee's new life infuriated me! I know that she was very excited to see him, and showed him some affection to him when she first saw him come off the plane and may have said things out of excitement, but when he saw that she had moved on with a new family, he should have backed off and given her time, instead he placed himself right in the middle.

I am still not sure what to think about Lee, I guess I cannot understand all of her decisions as I have never been (and will never be) in the same situation, but the way that she kept wavering back and forth between the two, I just cannot understand that. If you don't like love triangles, this is NOT a book for you, however, that being said, it is almost like an "accidental" love triangle that is unimaginable.

This is definitely an emotional roller coaster of a book, I went "awww", screamed, almost cried, and wanted to throw my e-reader on more than one occasion. The writing is fantastic, and I will be looking for more from Addison for sure, and I really think that this book would make a good movie. I can see Julia Stiles as Lee, Jon Hamm as Max, and Chris Pine as Mitch, I know that they are supposed to be younger in the book, but this is who I pictured in my head. 

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book, I did find it a tad too long though, I thought some could have been cut out as by the end I was getting a little too fed up with the back and forth of the characters. I would give this one a 3.5/5.


AUTHOR BIO


Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children, and two dogs where she eats way too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she is not writing, she's reading.

Where to find her:




Monday 12 August 2013

Blog tour stop + giveaway for Winning Back Ryan by S.L. Siwik




Published: July 26 2013 (Kindle edition)
Pages: 400
Where to buy:


SYNOPSIS

After a horrible day at work, I come home to find my boyfriend...in a curious position. After determining why he was unhappy, I, Anne Watson, decided to try and fix our broken relationship. My four closest male friends, however, had another idea. Revenge.

**WARNING, THIS BOOK CONTAINS A SEXUAL ASSAULT 
SCENE AND MATURE MATERIAL**

MY REVIEW

After reading the synopsis of the book, I was expecting a book that covered some serious material, but I was not sure what way the author would handle it, I have read books before where it was handled terribly, and some that handled it in a great way. This one was part of the latter group. 

At first I was not sure why Anne was acting what I thought to be naive, but when I realized that Ryan was her first basically everything, I could understand why she would want to try and hold on to him, we all want our first loves to last don't we? Our first loves are intense, and the break up even more intense, feels like our whole world is falling apart, and if we can do something to fix it, we want to.

Anne was lucky to have her four best friends around to help her realize that there was nothing about her that needed changing, it was Ryan that needed to change his ways, and even then, we come to understand that there is more that they know about Ryan than Anne does, and she cannot go back to him.

There were times during this book that I really wanted to shake Anne to make her realize what she had waiting for her right in front of her eyes with Brian. He would say things to her, or do things for her that basically said how he felt about her, and she seemed completely clueless to them. I wanted them to get together as I could see that his feelings for her were genuine, and even when Ryan would beg her to come back to him, I just always got the feeling that he didn't really care for her.

The character development in Anne is really good, she starts off as what I would classify as mousey, very shy, and does not seem to have a whole lot of self-esteem. Later on in the book we find out why that is, and she definitely needs and is lucky to have her friends around to help her work through it. By the end of the book, she is literally a kick ass girl!

This book was not perfect for me, there were situations that I felt were a little out of reach for the characters, and just didn't fit properly, however, overall this was a good book for me, and I give it a 4/5.


AUTHOR BIO


She loves going to diners in NJ on weekends for inspiration, drinks a pot of coffee
a day, and loves finding new music to add to her playlist.
She is the author of Just Good Friends and Winning Back Ryan.
Getting Back Annie, Office Perks, and Sirens and 
Sweethearts are soon to be released.

Five Fun Facts:
1. I am a chocoholic, I have secret stashes strewn about my house.
2. I grew up horse-back riding and competed seriously. 
Instead of turning pro, I went to college.
3. My favourite colour is purple.
4. I have thirteen piercings on my body. Nine in my ears, one in my nose,
one in my labret, two in my bellybutton.
5. Large crowds make me nervous.

You can find her here:





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday 9 August 2013

Blog Tour for Fevered Souls by S.K. Falls



Published: August 5 2013
Pages: 170
Source: an eARC was provided for the blog tour
Where to buy:

SYNOPSIS

After I left for college, I thought I'd never see Eden again. But I found myself headed back four years later, destitute and unable to find a job anywhere else. Still, I was adamant nothing would keep me there for long.

Then I met the intoxicating Dax Allard. Copper-coloured eyes, skin that emanated exceptional heat, and a host of strange talents...It wasn't long before I was drunk on him.

But Dax's past was darker than mine, teeming with ancient secrets. Falling for him could cost my life.

I had two choices: walk away or deal with the perilous consequences.

It was no choice at all.

MY REVIEW

I was really intrigued by the synopsis of this book, and I didn't know what to expect as far as the paranormal aspect as it does not tell you anything about it, but I was pleasantly surprised. I have not read a lot of books with this aspect in them before, so it was refreshing for me, but I don't want to tell you what it is because I think it will ruin a bit of the experience of reading this book, however, I will tell you that it is not vampires or shifters, and that still leaves a wide variety on what it could be.

I really enjoyed how this book is set in our world, and just has the paranormal creatures in it. The characters were well written as well, I didn't find anyone to be annoying or "out of reach" as far as how we normally behave. Cara has been through a lot in recent years, and coming back to Eden was not an easy choice for her to make, and I can understand that, when you venture out on your own you always hope that it will work out, and when it doesn't, you feel like life has beaten you.

Dax has his secrets, and that makes him even more inviting to Cara. Their connection is instant when they meet, and she is a little confused why he seems so reluctant to be around her, but when we find out what his secrets are, it all becomes clear. 

There is a lot of action in this book, and I really enjoy that, it makes the pacing go a little faster. I cannot wait to pick up the next in the series as this one left off on a great cliff hanger, and I need to know what happens! I give this one a 4/5.

AUTHOR BIO


A huge fan of spooky stuff and shoes, I enjoy alternately hitting up the outlet malls and historic graveyards in Charleston, SC where I live and imbibe coffee. My husband and two small children seem not to mind when I hastily scribble novel lines on stray limbs in the absence of notepads.

Since no writer's biography is complete without mention of her menagerie of animals, you should know that I have one dog that doubles as a foot stool, a second that functions as a vacuum cleaner, and a cat that ensures I never forget that my hands are, first and foremost, for pouring cat food.

Where you can find her:




Cover Reveal for Lawful Overdose by Justine Elvira



SYNOPSIS

*Warning: This book is for mature audiences. It contains drugs, sex, underage drinking, harsh language, and is panty melting hot!*

Since the death of her sister, Tessa Grayson is invisible at home. Her parents barely speak to her or show any affection, so Tessa seeks affection from men.

It’s the summer going into Tessa’s junior year of college. Instead of going home for the summer, she stays in her small college town with her best friend and roommate, Piper. To make money, Tessa and Piper waitress at a local bar and grill. It’s a hotspot for college kids and a few townies.

On her first night working after a depressing visit with her parents, she meets Jaxon Wyatt. Jaxon just transferred to Eastern for his senior year of college to be closer to his brother. He is mysterious and badass, exactly what Tessa wants, but is trying to stay away from.

After a night of wild partying, Tessa is looking to get lost in Jaxon. Their attraction is undeniable, but Jaxon wants more. Jaxon and Tessa become closer, but he is hiding a secret. A secret that could break the bond he and Tessa share.

What will happen when Tessa finds out that Jaxon isn’t who he claims to be? Can Tessa continue a relationship with someone who supports everything she’s against, or does Jaxon have one more secret up his sleeve?

* Recommended for 18 years and older.*

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Release Day for Crave by Monica Murphy



SYNOPSIS

Billionaire Archer Bancroft always gets what he wants - and he wants Ivy Emerson, his best friends sister, for far too long. Being forbidden and untouchable only makes her more tempting. When a million-dollar bet throws down a challenge--last bachelor standing takes all--Archer knows he can win. That is, until one enchanted evening with Ivy takes his heart for a ride.

Ivy knows Archer is nothing but bad news: infuriating, arrogant...and completely intoxicating. But despite her best efforts, she can't seem to keep away. When a stolen kiss leads to a night of heated passion, Ivy realizes she's in trouble and in head over heels.

By the light of day, everything seems clearer and Archer's not sure a one-night stand is all he wants. Concocting a plan to keep Ivt by his side, Archer might just be willing to lose this bet...and win the jackpot instead.

Where to buy:



MONICA MURPHY BIO


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.

Where you can find her:





Thursday 1 August 2013

Waiting for the Storm by Marie Landry




Published: April 9 2013
Pages: 204
Source: I was provided an eARC for the blog tour
Where to buy:

WAITING FOR THE STORM
is on sale for .99 on Amazon
for a limited time, grab your
copy today!

SYNOPSIS

Seventeen-year-old Charlotte O'Dell knows this summer is going to suck. Her Mother just died, her sister hates her, and her Dad completely checked out. Fulfilling her Mother's final wish, the family heads to Angel Island for the summer to stay in a beach house her Mother once loved.

After a year of being shut away taking care of her Mother, Charlotte is numb and practically afraid of her own shadow; she hopes going to the island will give her the time and space she needs to begin healing, and an opportunity to bring her family back together. When she meets her mysterious neighbour, Ezra, it doesn't take long for her to confess the issues she's developed. Ezra begins giving Charlotte assignments to get over her fears, and although she accepts his tasks, all she really wants is to be with him. When she's with Ezra, she's able to forget the hollow ache in her heart and the fact that her family is falling apart. But Ezra has secrets.....

Can Charlotte pull what's left of her family together, mend her broken heart, and allow herself to fall for Ezra? Or is it all just a storm waiting to happen?

MY REVIEW

When I came across the sign-up for this blog tour, I jumped at the chance and crossed my fingers that I would get selected, and when I perhaps squealed a little bit when I got the email that I was on the tour! I have been following Marie for a while now (though she may not know, and no it is not stalking when they are authors.....I don't think lol), and I have been waiting for this book to come out for various reasons, but a couple of them being that she is so sweet on social media, and she is CANADIAN!!!! A little bit of Canadian pride coming out there, and not only Canadian, but from around my area, extra bonus! Okay, so really enough about this on with the review......

This book was exactly what I needed right now, it is warm and fuzzy with a touch of family drama. I read it in one sitting because I could not get enough, and I needed to know what happened in the end. Marie's writing came off very similar in nature to me as someone like Sarah Dessen, there are major subjects tackled, but in a way that don't leave you heavy feeling or depressed in the end.

My favourite character was Ezra by far, he is that person that you always want in your life, he has his own issues and secrets for sure, but he is always there for his friends, and is willing to help with anything they need, even if it is just an ear to listen. And it also doesn't hurt that he is goodlooking of course. When we do learn what his secrets are it made me go "awww", which is what I was hoping for, I guarantee you will too!

I also really like Charlotte, she has and is still going through a lot at home, and is very much doing it alone, her Dad has shut off since her Mom got sick, and her sister is nowhere to be found. I very much disliked her sister through most of this novel, and really could not understand how she could possibly be acting the way she is at a time like that, however, when we learn what her reasoning is, I could almost explain away her actions (not all of them). Charlotte is taking care of her Dad when he should be the one taking care of her, and I can see how that could happen in this type of situation, but it really made me sad for her. 

The relationship between Charlotte and Ezra is something that starts slow, just chatting, and then they become friends before anything happens, and I liked how it was like this because I think that Charlotte needed a friend more than anything else at that point, and so did Ezra in fact. Nothing in this novel felt rushed to me, the characters and their development were done really well as this story takes place over the span of months. Some may think even months is a little quick, but when they are on an island away from everything and are able to truly take the time to sit and think and start to mourn, I think it is a perfect pace.

If you are looking for a great contemporary novel, I highly suggest this one, I would say that it is almost hitting the New Adult genre just because of the age and maturity of the characters, but it doesn't have any of the "sexy times" that a lot of the New Adult has, and I for one appreciate that, sometimes I just want a warm fuzzy read, and I definitely will be coming back to this one time and time again, I give it a 5/5 if you had not guessed yet, I really hope you go out and get a copy soon, you will not be disappointed.

AUTHOR BIO


Marie Landry is the author of BLUE SKIES (Contemporary YA - January 2012), UNDRESSED (a collection of short erotic stories - October 2012), THE GAME CHANGER (chick-lit - November 2012) and WAITING FOR THE STORM (YA contemporary - April 2013). Marie has always been a daydreamer, since early childhood, she's had a passion for words and a desire to create imaginary worlds, so it only seemed natural for her to become a writer. She resides in Ontario, Canada, and most days you can find her writing, reading, blogging about writing and reading, listening to U2, or having grand adventures with her two precious nephews. For more on Marie and her books please visit http://marielandry.blogspot.ca/ or check out her book blog Ramblings of a Daydreamer at http://sweetmarie-83.blogspot.ca/.

You can also follow (stalk) her here:



As a bonus Marie has also provided one e-copy of Waiting for the Storm
available as a giveaway on each blog stop on the tour, so 
here is how I am going to run the giveaway on my stop:

Leave a comment below either for Marie congratulating her,
or a note about the review, and I will be picking a
winner using random.org on August 6th and the
prize will be sent out the week of August 26th
(please ensure you leave your email address
to contact you if you are the winner!)