{January 17, 2014} {Review} The Stranger by Albert Camus

From Goodreads: Through the story of an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on an Algerian beach, Camus explored what he termed “the nakedness of man faced with the absurd.” This edition includes the original English translation by Stuart Gilbert, first published in 1946.

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I first read this when I was in high school. I hated it. I didn’t get it—not ever a little bit. The only thing that resounds in my mind is my English teacher asking the class if the main character had a name, and we all said “no.” WRONG. I remember her telling us that he did have a name, and then showing us where it was… but that’s all I remember besides not understand the book or liking it in the least.

So, of course it’s only fitting that, fifteen years later, I find myself in the classroom being asked to discuss The Stranger. I hemmed. I hawed. I asked fellow educators what to do—I did not want to work with this book. First of all, I still didn’t understand either the philosophy of absurdism or existentialism, and trying to wrap my head around these two concepts was throwing me for a serious loop. Secondly, my own experience with the book was getting in my way of attempting it again. But of course, we do what we must, and I reread the book with my personalized, watered down notes on absurdism and existentialism in front of me every step of the way. And guess what? I finally got it. But it took a while.

I think my main issue stemmed from the fact that absurdism and existentialism have such convoluted definitions that trying to muddle through the definitions themselves bogs the mind and causes extreme confusion. If you google the terms, you will see that most of the language used in trying to decipher the philosophies is extremely formal and above and beyond easy recognition. So, it took me a while to search through multiple definitions and finally come up with a watered down version that I would be able to not only understand, but also be comfortable in presenting in a manner that made understanding the text easier for others. This took a while, but I eventually got there.

Absurdism is the belief that there is no meaning in life, but that the individual will continue to search for meaning regardless, trying to make meaning in a meaningless world. So, an absurdist would believe that there is no point to anything. In other words, our main character, Mersault, who has adopted this absurdist worldview, finds no meaning in life, death, work, friendship—and understanding this allows for our comprehension as Camus develops the story. We see Mersault constantly shrugging off questions and concerns from his peers:

Do you want to be friends?

–I guess; it doesn’t matter.

Are you sad your mother died?

–Not really; it doesn’t matter to me; I’d like to take a nap.

Do you want to get married?

–Umm, if it makes you happy? It doesn’t matter to me.

Why did you kill that man?

–I don’t know, because I could, I guess.

And so on and so forth go these interactions throughout the book. Understanding absurdism and the fact that there is no meaning behind anything sheds light on Mersault’s casual, blasé manner. And while I constantly want to put meaning behind his actions, stating that Mersault’s a depressed person and that’s why he acts the way he does, absurdism actually stops me from being able to do this. And that’s because there is no meaning behind anything, this book included, so in other words, there is no ability to state that Mersault’s depressed as there’s no meaning behind his actions. Read that again. My definition is still a bit convoluted, I believe.

As a person who is constantly searching out the meaning behind a text, I find myself searching for meaning and trying to attribute meaning to Mersault’s actions and characters, BUT, as there’s no meaning, I can’t actually do that. So says and absurdist. And while I disagree, it makes sense on a philosophical level. In other words, the book just is, and Mersault just is, and no one can attribute meaning to what is happening because there is no meaning in the world. However, we will constantly try, and fail, to assert meaning. Okay…

Existentialism has a very widespread meaning, but the easiest form for me to understand is that it goes along the lines that there is nothing above man, above “me,” and that life revolves around me. I am, therefore, responsible for just me, and you for just you. We, as readers, constantly see this philosophy show up in The Stranger as well. Mersault is constantly wondering how everything affects him–he doesn’t worry about how it affects others. He pays more attention to the details around him than other’s feelings because it’s all about him. But in the end, it doesn’t matter, because there isn’t any meaning, so… Ugh. I feel like we’re going around in circles now.

But, all this philosophy speak aside, I actually found that I enjoyed this book so much more this time around, and discussing absurdism and existentialism with others made this a fun read, so I’ll say that overall, I enjoyed it. I’m not in love with it yet. No, not yet; but perhaps that will change when I re-read this again next year. Three stars.

I’ve owned a copy of this novel since high school.

{January 16, 2014} {Giveaway} Tim O’Rourke Vampire Seeker Release Party!

It’s here! Vampire Seeker by the talented Tim O’Rourke is releasing in paperback today! This is an extremely well written novel following the life of Samantha Carter, and you don’t want to miss it!

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Synopsis:

Samantha Carter believes a vampire is responsible for the brutal deaths of four women in London and finally she has the chance to catch him. Desperate to prove the killer’s identity, she chases him onto a late night tube train. But Samantha doesn’t reach the next station – instead she’s pulled into a very different journey, back in t

ime to the Wild West – where friendship, desire and even love all come hand in hand with deadly danger. To stay alive she’ll have to work out who to trust – and when to resist temptation. For Sammy’s nightmares are about to come true – vampires are real and more lethal than she ever imagined…

This is a mature New Adult Novel for ages 17 and up. Contains sexual situations and scenes of horror

“…Tim O’Rourke has ventured into the adult genre with a spectacular entrance. ‘Samantha Carter – Vampire Seeker’ is a whole lot of fun, not to mention some awesome new characters for us to get to know and

enjoy. All I am going to say is chapter 23!!!! I do blush!” – Novels On The Run.

“…O’Rourke has once again written a wonderful novel filled with mystery and intrigue, and it definitely piqued my interest and kept me guessing.” – A BookVacation

“…Sammy was shameless and totally consumed by the moment. I can’t believe Tim wrote it!” – Talk Supe

Amazon | Goodreads | Kobo

Check out my review of this awesome novel here!

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About Tim O’Rourke

Tim has written over twenty novels and is the author of the bestselling ‘Kiera Hudson Series’, ‘Samantha Carter – Vampire Seeker Series’, ‘The Sydney Hart Novels’ & ‘The Moon Trilogy’ amongst other titles.

Little Brown/Piatkus Publishing Group have recently signed Tim to a three book deal for his ‘Samantha Carter – Vampire Seeker Series’. Book one is now out!

The world publishing rights to Tim’s latest novel ‘Flashes’ have just been signed by Chicken House/Scholastic and the book will be published Spring 2014!

Tim is currently working on new Kiera Hudson books and other works.

Connect with Tim:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter

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To celebrate its release, Tim O’Rourke is doing a special giveaway that includes a t-shirt, five signed prints that relate to the novel, and a signed paperback of Vampire Seeker.

And one lucky winner will win it all!

To enter you must:

Be 18 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)
Fill in the required information on the rafflecopter entry form (extra entries optional)

Click HERE to go to the Rafflecopter Entry Form!

This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY and will end January 30th at 12:01am EST. The winner will be announced on January 30th in a new post, and he/she will receive email notification! Please read the giveaway policy and leave a thoughtful comment!

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Check out O’Rourke’s other novels (they are indeed all amazing):

Kiera Hudson Series 1

Vampire Shift (#1)

Vampire Wake (#2)

Vampire Hunt (#3)

Vampire Breed (#4)

Wolf House (#4.5)

Vampire Hollows (#5)

Kiera Hudson Series 2

Dead Flesh (#1)

Dead Night: Potter’s Secrets (#1.5)

Dead Angels (#2)

Dead Statues (#3)

Dead Seth (#4)

Dead Wolf (#5)

Dead Water (#6)

Dead Push (#7)

Dead Lost (#8)

Dead End (#9)–Coming Soon

Kiera Hudson Series 3

Lethal Infected (1)–Coming Soon

Jack Seth Novellas

Hollow Pit (#1)

Vampire Shift Graphic Novels

Vampire Shift Volume 1

Black Hill Farm Series

Black Hill Farm (#1)

Black Hill Farm Andy’s Diary (#2)

Return to Black Hill Farm (#3)–Coming Soon

Doorways Series

Doorways (#1)

The League of Doorways (#2)

The Queen of the Doorways (#3)–Coming Soon

Samantha Carter Series

Vampire Seeker (#1)

(Formerly known as Cowgirls and Vampires)

The Moon Trilogy

Moonlight (#1)

Moonbeam (#2)

Moonshine (3)–Coming Soon

Sidney Hart Series

Witch (#1)

Yellow (#2)

Raven (#3)–Coming Soon

Unscathed Series(?)

Unscathed

Stilts Series

Stilts (#1)

Eat Me Series

Eat Me (#1)–Coming Soon

Pick Series

Pick (#1)–Coming Soon

Flashes Series

Flashes (#1)–Coming 2013

And, check out the other giveaways running on the blog:

Win an ARC of Jepp, Who Defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh–ENDS January 27

Win a Recently Released Book of Your Choice: Ends February 1

Win an Paperback of Easy by Tammara Webber–ENDS February 2, 2014

Win One of my Favorite Reads from 2013–ENDS Feb. 5

{January 15, 2014} {Review} Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

From Goodreads: TWO MISFITS. ONE EXTRAORDINARY LOVE.  It’s 1986 and two star-crossed teens are smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love–and just how hard it pulled you under.   A cross between the iconic ’80s movie Sixteen Candles and the classic coming-of-age novel Looking for Alaska, Eleanor & Park is a brilliantly written young adult novel.

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Set in the 1980s, this is a very cute throw-back story of first love. Though I was just a little girl in the 80s, the references and details of the time period still hit home for me, and I loved this look back in time, especially as most YA books nowadays are set in either the present or future, therefore making Eleanor & Park a refreshing and unique read.

One aspect that I really enjoyed about this novel is that neither Eleanor or Park are particularly unique. Instead, they are average, just like a majority of the world, and it was especially nice to read about a semi plump girl and a misfit boy because most books I pick up tend to have the ultra-perfect hero and heroine. And while I enjoy those books, there really aren’t that many perfect people in the world, so I don’t always find myself connecting with those characters. But with Eleanor and Park, I was able to connect. I am that plump little girl who doesn’t necessarily fit in—and it doesn’t bother me. Some of my best friends in high school were Asian, and I dated a few of them, though my school was an international boarding school in the 90s, so it’s a little different, but the idea is still the same. It was great to just read about average high schoolers living a little less than average lives, and I really felt for the characters, especially Eleanor and her nightmare home situation.

Eleanor is a no nonsense young woman. She pushed her way into Park’s heart, unintentionally, and though he tries to fight it and is less than accommodating at first, he eventually falls hard for her. It’s a little different from Eleanor’s perspective. She reciprocates, but non-verbally, and I really liked this slow paced “first-love” story.

The ending, however, is what really got me. I, personally, didn’t see it as being real. Suddenly their lives are thrown into chaos and everything is upset, which is understandable, but how Park’s parents dealt with it struck me as odd. Now, remember, everyone experiences different things growing up, but my parents and my friends’ parents wouldn’t have reacted the way Park’s do, and so that’s why I see it as unbelievable on my end. That’s not to say it couldn’t happen; I just haven’t experienced it so it sits a little heavy on my heart. Likewise, the ending was left completely open to interpretation, and while I’m always telling my students to infer, to read between the lines and figure it out, I don’t want to do that with this ending. It’s just… I need closure. And while, yes, I can go back through and make an educated guess about what happens, it’s still my interpretation, and this is one of those books where I don’t want my interpretation; I want to know exactly what happens, exactly what the author was thinking. Of course, I can’t have that, and I’ll accept it, but it did leave me hanging in the end, which left a twinge of bad taste in my mouth. Overall, however, is was a cute little story that I enjoyed. Three stars.

I borrowed this book from the library.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

{January 14, 2014} {Review} Darla’s Story by Mike Mullin (Ashfall #0.5)

From Goodreads: Darla Edmunds has faced a lot of challenges in her seventeen years: Her dad died in a farming accident when she was fourteen. Her mother retreated into hyper-religiosity, leaving Darla to run the family farm almost single-handedly. But those struggles pale in comparison to the one she faces after the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, plummeting the world–and Darla’s small corner of Iowa–into a cataclysmic natural disaster.

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Fans of the Ashfall series will be happy to note that Mullin has indeed written a novella that focuses on the life and times of Darla and her mother prior to the volcano and their meeting of Alex. However, as it is a novella, it is extremely short and, in my opinion, a bit redundant for readers who have already picked up the series. For those who have read Ashfall, we already have a good knowledge base of Darla’s story as she’s told it before; all this novella does is give a birds-eye view as it all unfolds.

Truth be told, I wasn’t as impressed with this novella as I had hoped to be. As I said before, it was a bit redundant for me as I’ve already read the other books in the series (this novella having just recently released as a prequel), and while I was interested in the novella, I didn’t feel like I learned anything knew. Perhaps it would be a good jump off point for those interested in starting the series, but I certainly wouldn’t want readers to base their impression of the whole series on this novella, because the full books themselves have much more going on and leave readers on the edge of their seat in anticipation. This novella, however, falls a bit flat, and Darla comes across as a somewhat boring person with a real chip on her shoulder—and while she is smarter than all the adults around her, the novella is too short to really show her true colors, and she puts a bad taste in the readers’ mouth. Because I read Ashfall and learned to really like her, I had no issues with Darla in this novella, but I can foresee her attitude being a turn off for potential readers of the series… so I honestly don’t suggest reading this prequel prior to the first novel in the series, Ashfall. Two and a half stars.

I purchased this novel from Amazon.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

{January 13, 2014} {Review} Crossing the Line by Katie McGarry (Pushing the Limits #1.5)

From Goodreads: Katie McGarry captivated readers with her “riveting, emotional”* Young Adult debut, Pushing the Limits. In this gripping novella, she tells the story of Lila and Lincoln, who discover that sometimes it’s worth crossing the line for love…

Lila McCormick, Echo’s best friend from Pushing the Limits, first met Lincoln Turner when tragedy struck both their lives. But she never expected their surprise encounter would lead to two years of exchanging letters—or that she’d fall for the boy she’s only seen once. Their relationship is a secret, but Lila feels closer to Lincoln than anyone else. Until she finds out that he lied to her about the one thing she depended on him for the most.

Hurting Lila is the last thing Lincoln wanted. For two years, her letters have been the only thing getting him through the day. Admitting his feelings would cross a line he’s never dared breach before. But Lincoln will do whatever it takes to fix his mistakes, earn Lila’s forgiveness—and finally win a chance to be with the girl he loves.
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I read this short novella immediately after finishing Crash Into You by Katie McGarry as I really enjoyed CIY. I also wanted to know how the novels related to one another as I knew they were a series, but Crash Into You stood so well alone. What I found is that the series is very similar to the Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer: the novels each follow different characters within the same world, and that’s perfect for a reader like me. While I do love sequels, sometimes I don’t have the money to purchase all the novels that come before the one I’m interested in at that very moment, and I might not have the time to read them all prior to the one I want to read, so it was great to be able to pick up in the midst of this series and know exactly what was happening as the focus was on the characters present, and didn’t have much to do with their backstory. Of course, I immediately fell in love with McGarry’s writing and couldn’t wait to read more, so I picked up this novella as it was the cheapest of the series and I wanted something quick to read.

What I found in Crossing the Line is a great novella that furthered my yearning to read the rest of the full series! The characterization is great, as is the storyline! I just loved how Lila and Lincoln come together in this novel through letters, and I loved that the letters act as the opening of their back and forth point of view/alternating chapters as well. It was a refreshing way to introduce the character’s thoughts and feelings, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although short, sitting at about 60 some odd pages, it’s the perfect length to whet the appetite, though of course I wanted it to be longer once I became immersed in the story. I can’t wait to read more in the series, and I’ve already purchased them in anticipation. Four stars.

I purchased this novella from Amazon.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

{January 13, 2014} {Giveaway} Win Jepp, Who Defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh

Here’s another giveaway thanks to Hyperion Books, who gave this to me at NCTE! Jepp, Who Defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh, is up for grabs! The winner needs to be someone who promises to review the novel within a month of receiving the book (if you’ve already reviewed the book, even better!!). If that’s you, then I highly recommend you enter to win! Check out the synopsis below:

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Synopsis:

Fate:
Is it written in the stars from the moment we are born?
Or is it a bendable thing that we can shape with our own hands?

Jepp of Astraveld needs to know.

He left his countryside home on the empty promise of a stranger, only to become a captive in a luxurious prison: Coudenberg Palace, the royal court of the Spanish Infanta. Nobody warned Jepp that as a court dwarf, daily injustices would become his seemingly unshakable fate. If the humiliations were his alone, perhaps he could endure them; but it breaks Jepp’s heart to see his friend Lia suffer.

After Jepp and Lia attempt a daring escape from the palace, Jepp is imprisoned again, alone in a cage. Now, spirited across Europe in a kidnapper’s carriage, Jepp fears where his unfortunate stars may lead him. But he can’t even begin to imagine the brilliant and eccentric new master—a man devoted to uncovering the secrets of the stars—who awaits him. Or the girl who will help him mend his heart and unearth the long-buried secrets of his past.

Masterfully written, grippingly paced, and inspired by real historical characters, Jepp, Who Defied the Stars is the tale of an extraordinary hero and his inspiring quest to become the master of his own destiny.

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To enter this giveaway, you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click this Rafflecopter Link to Enter!

This giveaway is open to USA and Canadian entrants only and will end at 12:01am EST on January 27th. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on January 27th, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!

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And, check out the other giveaways running on the blog:

Win a T-Shirt, 5 Prints, and a Signed Paperback of Vampire Seeker by Tim O’Rourke–ENDS January 30

Win a Recently Released Book of Your Choice: Ends February 1

Win an Paperback of Easy by Tammara Webber–ENDS February 2, 2014

Win One of my Favorite Reads from 2013–ENDS Feb. 5

{January 12, 2014} {Giveaway 1} Win a Paperback of Easy by Tammara Webber

Have you read Tammara Webber’s amazing novel, Easy? I did, and I adored it! In fact, I loved it so much, I bought a ton of copies so I could give them away to my awesome blog readers!! The winner needs to be someone who promises to review the novel within a month of receiving the book (if you’ve already reviewed the book, even better!!). If that’s you, then I highly recommend you enter to win! Check out my 5 star review and the synopsis below:

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Synopsis:

Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn’t easy…

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl’s struggle to regain the trust she’s lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

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To enter this giveaway, you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click this Rafflecopter Link to Enter!

This giveaway is open to USA and Canadian entrants only and will end at 12:01am EST on February 2nd. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on February 2nd, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!

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And, check out the other giveaways running on the blog:

Win an ARC of Jepp, Who Defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh–ENDS January 27

Win a T-Shirt, 5 Prints, and a Signed Paperback of Vampire Seeker by Tim O’Rourke–ENDS January 30

Win a Recently Released Book of Your Choice: Ends February 1

Win One of my Favorite Reads from 2013–ENDS Feb. 5

{January 11, 2014} The 99 Cent Club–Feature 79–Ten Books for Ten Bucks

Every weekend I run a feature for the 99 Cent Club, and below are the eBook picks for this week that caught my eye and are currently ONLY 99 Cents on Amazon. I don’t know if these are permanent prices, so please don’t shoot the messenger, and double check pricing before pressing the buy button. Enjoy! (If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.)

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MADDIE by Cia Leah

Sweet western romance short story.

Maddie Jacobs was devastated when her husband of three years was killed. Three months after Adam’s death, the women in town took it upon themselves to arrange for her to marry again. She felt it too soon, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer. Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the Reverand repeating wedding vows to retired Marshall, Luke Cole, who made her feel things her late husband never had.

Luke’s wife died two years ago and he was lonesome, so when his friend, Blake Barker, told him about Maddie, he agreed to marry her, hoping for the best. When he met Maddie, he felt he made the right choice, but soon thought she’d never stop comparing him to her late husband. Adam’s memory was driving a wedge between them and all he wanted was Maddie’s love.

Find it on Amazon.

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A Little New Year’s Romance by Katie Ingersoll

Allison does not think she has the courage to love again. Though she is a beautiful woman, she hardly expects a New Year’s romance. Normally this time of year, she is planning her New Year’s resolutions. But life gets complicated when she loses her job, and meets a very handsome stranger. This stirs some familiar but confusing emotions for her. It may prove to be a whole new holiday New Years, if she can just open her heart.

Find it on Amazon.

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Guilt by Leen Elle

Claire has secrets.

When Claire befriends the brother of the boy whose death she caused twelve years ago, she stirs up old emotions and triggers a new dilemma. By the end of the visit to her home town, a search for closure may turn into a fight for survival.

**Mature Content Warning** 17+ for language, and adult situations.
This story will touch on some dark themes: murder, rape, suicide.

Find it on Amazon.

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Two Sisters by Leen Elle

Jasmine Hale is going through many hardships in her marriage, however, she copes by keeping a cool relationship with her husband. Things are rather calm, until Aaron Hale threatens to kick her out of their home and strip her from their daughter, Jade. Panicked at losing her child, Jasmine turns to her sister, Jennifer Miles, for help in ways to put a stop to Aaron before it’s too late; never did Jasmine think that Jennifer would take her place and bring Aaron down with every bit of power that she has.

Find it on Amazon.

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Accused by Jack Parker

When he finds himself forced to run.

Accused of killing his parents, Chad Stiles is determined to clear his name. But when the murder weapon shows up in his closet, he’s forced to run. Strange phone calls from the true killer lead him to Seattle WA in order to find him and ask him why.

Find it on Amazon.

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Teddy Roosevelt is Dead by Connie Claymore

Author, historian, jerk extraordinaire, Peter Friesen is dead. Found slaughtered with the sword he used during his portrayals of Teddy Roosevelt, no one in the small town of Medora cares. Was it the frustrated wife? Jealous husband? Ambitious professor?

Jessie Monroe will look for the truth, but at what cost?

Find it on Amazon.

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Against the Heart by Kat Martin

Some Women Find Trouble Wherever They Go.
Some Are Lucky Enough To Find A Man Tough Enough To Handle It.
When Meriwether Jones takes her four-year-old daughter and runs from trouble in L.A., that trouble follows. By the time Meri reaches rural Spokane, she’s out of gas, out of money, and out of ideas.
Ian Brodie has troubles of his own. His father is the shell of the man he once was, lonely, bitter and determined to stay that way–even after Ian, an ex-cop, now the owner of Brodie Security in Seattle, shows up to help him get his farmhouse clean and his life back in order.
Hiring Meriwether Jones to help seems the answer to Ian’s prayers. But Meri is keeping a dangerous secret, one that poses a threat to all of them.
As Ian delves deeper, the danger increases.
But the biggest threat he faces is losing his heart to Meriwether Jones and her sweet little girl.

Find it on Amazon.

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After Wimbledon by Jennifer Gilby Roberts

After 12 years on the pro. tennis tour and four years with her sort-of boyfriend, Lucy Bennett has had enough. She wants real life… and real love.

Her life, her decision. Right? Well, no one else seems to think so. With opinions on all sides, Lucy’s head is spinning. And she’s stumbling right into the arms of long-term crush and fellow player Sam. Shame her boyfriend – his arch-rival – would sooner smash a racquet over their heads than agree to a simple change of partners.

As the Wimbledon Championships play out, Lucy fights for her life on and off the courts. The question is: what will she be left with after Wimbledon?

Find it on Amazon.

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Love and Candy by Elizabeth Famous

LOVE and CANDY is an emotional coming-of-age romance that delves into the intimate details of a young woman’s first serious relationship. Overwrought after discovering that her biological father is an aloof Italian aristocrat, Samantha Montclare falls for a tortured, sarcastic guy who doesn’t believe in love — all the while she’s navigating the hypersexual world of an upper class suburban high school.

Find it on Amazon.

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Identity X by Michelle Muckley

How are you supposed to survive when you are already dead?

Ben Stone has one aim; discover the cure for genetic disease. He watched his father die and promised himself that it would never happen again, especially to his own son. After his appointment as lead researcher in Bionics Laboratories he begins his desperate research. It takes four years, but he succeeds. He discovers NEMREC, a serum able to reconstruct DNA and cure the diseases that have driven him. It should be the beginning of a new future, but by changing the face of the world, he has unwittingly destroyed his own.

His world falls apart

After arriving at his laboratory to find that it has disappeared, he is sucked into a world of conspiracy and betrayal. The Agency wants NEMREC and will do anything to get it, believing it to be the most powerful scientific discovery in decades. But it wasn’t just NEMREC that they wanted. The Agency wanted Ben dead, but somehow he survived. His best friend, his wife, and Ami, the beautiful scientist who he has fallen for at work all offer to help him, but each has a different version of the truth. They all have their own agenda, only one of them wants what he wants, and in a world where you are already dead, how is it that you are supposed to survive?

Find it on Amazon.

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If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.

For more information about books on sale throughout the week, as well as giveaway updates, be sure to like A Book Vacation’s Facebook Page.

{January 10, 2014} {Cover Reveal} Perfect Kind of Trouble by Chelsea Fine

PERFECT KIND OF TROUBLE

(Forever E-Book; June 3, 2014; $4.99)

Daren Ackwood is a bad boy with a mysterious past. He’s the kind of guy who knows he can get any girl he wants. Kayla doesn’t do bad boys—in any sense of the word. They have a tendency to leave scars and dust trails in their wake, and Kayla isn’t running short on either. So when Daren rolls up to her father’s funeral in his shiny sports car, Kayla knows she needs to keep her distance during her brief stay in this tiny God-forsaken town. She’s here to take care of her father’s will, nothing more. The trouble is, Daren doesn’t see it that way. And he usually gets his way.

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About the author

Chelsea lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she spends most of her time writing stories, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs. She’s ridiculously bad at doing dishes and claims to be allergic to laundry. Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks. She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete lack of skill in the kitchen.

Social Media Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

{January 9, 2014} {Review} Destiny’s Kiss by Misti Wolanski (Destiny Walker #1)

From Goodreads: Destiny Walker is an exceptional student despite her youth, sullenness, and the werewolf baby she left on a stranger’s doorstep. Across the Atlantic, Kismet Baros was a rare mutt of a Magik—essentially immune to magic but nonetheless able to magically modify scents and heal herself—who was under the protection of the vampire court. Only Destiny and the judge who emancipated her know why Kismet no longer exists.

When powerful Magiks from Kismet’s past come into town to celebrate a classmate’s coming of age, Destiny must face her demons. She must decide what she is—person or property—and if she’ll sacrifice the few friends she has to save the many. If she doesn’t, she’ll be the next face to launch a thousand ships.

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Destiny is a magik running from a very dark past; a past her own parents sold her into in order to protect themselves. Finally free, yet living in constant fear, it seems that Des’ luck is about to run out as her past begins to rear its ugly head, sending her life spiraling out of control once more. This entire plot line really sparked my interest, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Destiny. She’s a strong character and I can’t image all she’s gone through in order to get to where she is today. Thankfully, it’s not graphic, but readers do learn fairly early on that slavery is an accepted practice among magiks and that the trade of young women is rampant in some circles. While it’s sickening to think about, Wolanski does an amazing job setting up the scene, showcasing the truths of human trafficking and slavery. But like I said, graphics are not involved, making it a little easier to read, but it’s still harrowing.

Wolinski intertwines her story with both the present and past experiences of Destiny, focusing mainly on the present, but giving glimpses into her past and her choice to run when the coast finally cleared. I liked the back and forth narrative, though it was a bit jarring the first time it happened because of the name change, but it was still obvious who the story was about.

There are many magiks within this novel, from vampires and werewolves to gnomes and druids, the list is extensive. Perhaps the most interesting but also jarring addition to this novel is that they all co-exist with humans–humans bending to magiks’ policies and customs, having special branches within their forces, such as the police, to deal with magiks, and to also honor their laws. The fact that the humans just seem to roll over whenever a magik showed itself made me a little queasy, but at the same time, it makes sense. If you can’t fight it, and you can’t beat it, the next best thing is to befriend it, right? Even if you disagree with their values and practices? Well, maybe not.

The one aspect of this novel I really struggle with, though, it was it was all a little too fast paced for me. I actually feel weird saying that because I usually love fast-paced books, but in this case, it just was too much too fast. So many characters are introduced to us right off the bat, and I never felt like I was able to wrap my head around it all. Each group has its own powers, customs, laws, and traditions, and once politics came on the scene, I found myself quite lost. The story itself made sense for the most part as it focused on Destiny, but whenever the politics came into play, I personally had a hard time following along. I think a little less information overload would have helped me follow the storyline a little better, but overall, it was a good read. Three stars.

I was given this novel by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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{January 9, 2014} Announcing the Winner of No Attachments by Tiffany King

The giveaway for an ebook of No Attachments by Tiffany King has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winners have been chosen via Rafflecopter!

And the winners are…

Angie Cottrell Hulsman

Camille Teakwondo

An email has already gone out to the winners! If I don’t hear from them within 48 hours, I will select a new winner(s) using Rafflecopter.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winner… but don’t despair if you didn’t win this round!

Enter to win my other great giveaways:

Win a Recently Released Book of Your Choice: Ends February 1

Win One of my Favorite Reads from 2013–ENDS Feb. 5

{January 8, 2014} {Review} William Shakespeare’s Star Wars by Ian Doescher

From Goodreads: Inspired by one of the greatest creative minds in the English language-and William Shakespeare-here is an officially licensed retelling of George Lucas’s epic Star Wars in the style of the immortal Bard of Avon. The saga of a wise (Jedi) knight and an evil (Sith) lord, of a beautiful princess held captive and a young hero coming of age, Star Wars abounds with all the valor and villainy of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. ’Tis a tale told by fretful droids, full of faithful Wookiees and fearstome Stormtroopers, signifying…pretty much everything.

Reimagined in glorious iambic pentameter—and complete with twenty gorgeous Elizabethan illustrations–William Shakespeare’s Star Wars will astound and edify Rebels and Imperials alike. Zounds! This is the book you’re looking for.

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William Shakespeare’s Star Wars is a read every Shakespeare enthusiast will love! Likewise, it will make teaching Shakespeare to students that much more interesting. To take a story like Star Wars, one the masses know, love, and understand, and to transition it into Shakespearean language is ingenious, and I am very excited to work with it in the classroom a bit as we gear up to read Hamlet.

The play begins with a sonnet that I can’t wait to show my students, and Doescher does a great job sticking to the Elizabethan form—it looks and sounds just like Shakespeare! I am highly impressed, and I’m so very glad I stumbled across this book.

Perhaps my favorite part was the humor of R2D2, especially his asides in which he actually speaks in sentences as opposed to beeps! I’ve always wondered what a transcript of what R2 was saying would look like, and Doescher gives us some hilarious insights. I also really enjoyed picking out the references to Shakespeare’s great classics throughout the novel. There is one such scene in which Luke laments killing a starship trooper, and it actually mirror’s Hamlet’s famous “Poor Yorick” monologue quite well.

All in all, this is great fun and I highly suggest lovers (and teachers) of Shakespeare scoop it up. Four Stars.

The novel was given to me for free during NCTE 2013.

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{January 7, 2014} {ARC Review} Fugitive X by Gregg Rosenblum (Revolution 19 #2)

From Goodreads: Their fight for freedom is humanity’s last hope for survival. The chilling Revolution 19 trilogy continues in Fugitive X.

A war between humans and robots is on the horizon, and only one side will survive.

Siblings Nick, Kevin, and Cass are struggling to survive in a world where deadly, sophisticated robots have turned on their creators and enslaved mankind. Fugitives from one of the bot-controlled Cities, the siblings venture into the woods, but when they are attacked by bot foot soldiers, the siblings are separated…and for the first time, they are on their own.

Created in conjunction with Alloy Entertainment; Howard Gordon, showrunner of 24 and Showtime’s Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Homeland; and James Wong, writer-director of the Final Destination films, Fugitive X is the gripping next installment in the cinematic Revolution 19 series.

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This is an interesting look at the concept of machines taking over the world. Following three siblings as they find themselves separated at the onset of the novel, readers learn the ins and outs of life in a world where bots control everything and humans are confined to rejuvenation cells until their minds no longer remember the truth of man versus machine. With one sibling transported back in the city for rejuvenation, one held against his will on “the island” with a group content to hide under the radar, and one joining forces with the rebels intent on fighting back against the bots, readers are able to watch each story unfold as the siblings attempt to make their way back to one another.

Although I haven’t read the first novel in this series, Fugitive X was easy to follow, and Rosenblum filled in just enough back-information to allow me a fluid reading experience. I had relatively no issues jumping right into the story, and it does hit the ground running, which makes it all the more fun.

I really enjoy when authors give the birds-eye view of all the characters and their experiences, and that is exactly what Rosenblum does as he moves from one sibling to the next, paralleling their stories and experiences as they come closer to finding one another once again. In truth, I would have liked a bit more information regarding Cass as she goes through the rejuvenation experience, but I have a feeling this was covered more so in the first novel, so it makes sense that Rosenblum would want to spend the majority of this story focusing on the two boys as they run different gamuts of rebellion.

While I will say that I enjoyed this story, I must admit that I wasn’t glued to the pages like I had hoped to be. The prose is simple and easy to understand, but I would have preferred a little faster pacing. Likewise, while I liked the main characters, I didn’t really connect with them on a deeper level, so their trials and tribulations didn’t pull at my heart strings, but overall it was very well done. If you’re interested in Dystopian war against machines (but not like Terminator), then I think you’ll enjoy this one. Three stars.

Harper Collins Publishers has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

This title publishes today!

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{January 6, 2014} {Review} Blood Wounds by Susan Beth Pfeffer

From Goodreads: Blood can both wound and heal…

Willa is lucky: She has a loving blended family that gets along. Not all families are so fortunate. But when a bloody crime takes place hundreds of miles away, it has an explosive effect on Willa’s peaceful life. The estranged father she hardly remembers has murdered his new wife and children, and is headed east toward Willa and her mother. Under police protection, Willa discovers that her mother has harbored secrets that are threatening to boil over. Has everything Willa believed about herself been a lie? But as Willa sets out to untangle the mysteries of her past, she also keeps her own secret—one that has the potential to tear apart all she holds dear.

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One of my students recommended this book to me, so I picked it up to read one evening without having read the book jacket. Sometimes I do this—go blindly into a book because I want to be surprised by everything. Well, imagine my surprise when Willa’s family suddenly goes on alert because her father is a murdering butcher intent on finding her! That was perhaps the last thing on my mind when I opened the book. I was thinking that perhaps it was about vampires, based on the title and the cover, but I was mistaken. This novel has nothing to do with vampires… it deals with psychopaths instead.

I wasn’t immediately wrapped up in the story, but when the frantic phone call came for Willa about her estranged father, I found myself extremely alert, especially as the reports of his heinous crimes came in. Knowing that he was headed for Willa and her family, my heart began to beat extremely quickly, and I became wrapped up tight within the story. Unfortunately, the novel soon began to lose steam, in my opinion, as Willa and her sisters begin their tantrums. I must say that I was never a real fan of Willa or her step-sisters. There was a lot of animosity there, and they behaved quite horribly on many an occasion. And, while I do respect Willa’s curiosity about her father’s side of the family, I do not condone the way she went about it, accusing her mother (when her father JUST killed a woman and little children, for heavens sake!) and becoming mouthy. I get that we all become unhinged at times, but I can’t imagine wanting to go to his house, to see the crime scene, to attend the funeral… ick.

Overall the story had a great premise, though I wouldn’t say that it kept my full attention. Parts of it were spectacular, but the characters and their selfish attitudes really put a damper on my response to this one. Three stars.

I borrowed this book from the library.

{January 5, 2014} {Release Day} Lucky Number Four by Amanda Jason

I am extremely excited to announce that Lucky Number Four by Amanda Jason has released!!! This novel is currently only 99 cents (for a limited time) and has already made its way into the TOP 100 on Amazon! Scoop it up stat, you don’t want to miss out on this awesome novel! Check out the synopsis–I’m starting this tonight!

Synopsis:

Pandora Ann Phillips’ life is just normal-crazy.

Her mom’s psychic, her dad’s mom is a snob, her mom’s parental units are ‘too down to earth’ and her best friends are newlyweds. Okay, so her best friends being newlyweds isn’t really abnormal, but living with them in a cramped two-bedroom apartment definitely is. Sex, sex, sex, is totally on their brains. Actually, it’s not only on their brains, but it’s on the kitchen table, couch, on top of the washer…well, you get the picture.

Being a celibate (not by choice, mind you) full-time college student, and working as an almost full-time barista, Pandora can’t afford to lose anymore sleep. So, she decides to seek out a new place to lay her head. Enter three ‘drool worthy’ male models that are looking for a fourth roommate, and they want her…and won’t take no for an answer.

Romantic hilarity ensues as Pandora’s life turns completely upside down, and she begins to wonder if it will ever be the same again!

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

{January 5, 2014} Announcing the Winner of Perfect Lies by Keirsten White

The giveaway for an ARC of Perfect Lies by Keirsten White has just concluded, and I’m excited to say that the winner has been chosen via Rafflecopter!

And the winner is…

Lisa Vazquezanzua

A tweet has already gone out to the winners, and an email will go out later this evening! If I don’t hear from the winner within 48 hours, I will select a new winner using Rafflecopter.

Thanks to everyone who participated, and congratulations to the winner… but don’t despair if you didn’t win this round!

Enter to win my other great giveaways:

Win an ebook of No Attachments by Tiffany King–ENDS Jan. 9

Win a Recently Released Book of Your Choice: Ends February 1

Win One of my Favorite Reads from 2013–ENDS Feb. 5

{January 4, 2014} The 99 Cent Club–Feature 78–Ten Books for Ten Bucks

Every Saturday I run a feature for the 99 Cent Club, and below are the eBook picks for this week that caught my eye and are currently ONLY 99 Cents on Amazon, with a few on Barnes and Noble. I don’t know if these are permanent prices, so please don’t shoot the messenger, and double check pricing before pressing the buy button. Enjoy! (If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.)

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Thin White Line by J.A. Templeton

Good girl gone bad…

Kenzie’s picture perfect California life is turned upside down when her father leaves the family for another woman. Within months, she goes from private school and posh beachside living to public school and a sub-par apartment in rainy Washington.

On her first day at her new school, Kenzie is reunited with her cousin Brooke, a rebellious senior who sings in a popular rock band with two of the sexiest men Kenzie has ever met.

Kenzie is soon swept into a world of partying, concerts and tattooed bad boy rockers. Just when she starts to feel like she finally belongs, a single night and a fateful decision changes everything.

Find it on Amazon.

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Bully by Penelope Douglas

New Adult-Mature Young Adult Romance

Tatum Brandt faces off with her old friend, and now high school bully, Jared Trent. She has been humiliated and shut out, and she’s puzzled as to why Jared stopped being her best friend and became her enemy instead. Now, after three years of being controlled and hurt, she’s fighting fire with fire.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Escaping Reality by Lisa Renee Jones

Infinite possibilities….
Infinite passion…..
Infinite danger….

His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.

At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loved to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten-even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets her guard down, the ghosts of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run.

On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take “no” as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give? And what if there is more to Liam than meets the eyes?

Find it on Amazon.

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Jane Austen Girl by Ingalth Cooper

The very last thing on Grier McAllister’s Someday List is going back to Timbell Creek, Virginia, the town where she grew up. Timbell Creek holds too many bad memories for her, memories finally put to rest with a successful image consultant business in New York City and a hefty therapy bill. When an opportunity to choose a “Jane Austen Girl” for a visiting duke falls in her lap, the only catch that she must be from Grier’s hometown, Grier tells herself she’ll do what she needs to do and then leave it all behind for good.

But Grier doesn’t count on finding that her mother is no longer the person she used to be. She certainly doesn’t plan on falling for an old boyfriend’s really hot brother! And it isn’t long before she begins to realize Timbell Creek is not only a part of who she was, but might be a part of who she is as well.

Find it on Amazon.

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Emerald Eyes by N. Michaels

After years of being pressured into becoming a neurosurgeon like her father and refusing each time, Katherine Slav’s father has enough of her partying and cuts her off from all financial support, leaving Katherine to find her own place in the world, out of her father’s provision.

Finding a job was a priority. Finding Eric Miller was a bonus, a bonus that quickly proved to be impossible to conquer. How can you have the only man who resists you every step of the way? How can you seduce your boss without losing your job?

Struggling not to blur the lines, Eric tries to keep Katherine at arm’s length, but the more he’s around her, the weaker his resistance becomes. At the end, Katherine gets what she wants, but is it all she thought it would be? Discovering Eric’s secret and baring her own, Katherine fights for her newfound love with everything she’s got, but will it be enough to banish the darkness in Eric’s life? Will she be enough?

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Snow Kissed by Jen Frederick

Reindeer Games by Jessica Clare.

When mouthy Luna is voted off of Endurance Island: Alaska first, she’s a little bitter about it. The only thing that assuages her pride is knowing that Owen(the sexy-but-douchey guy that ousted her) was out next. This means, unfortunately, that they’re spending a lot of time at the Loser Lodge together. But will their fiercely competitive natures bring them together for the sexiest Christmas of all?

Undressed by Jen Frederick

Noah and Grace’s happy ever after hits a stumbling block in the form of one shady professor threatening Noah’s scholarship eligibility. Noah is given the choice of throwing his New Year’s MMA fight for a big payoff or accepting that the true meaning of love isn’t measured by the thickness of his wallet but the depth of Grace’s big heart.

The Sound of Snow by DS Linney

Widowed billionaire Gabriel Trentham never expected that the new nanny he hired would be the same woman he spent an unforgettable night with six months earlier. She’s determined to keep it professional between them now, but will a blizzard provide him the opportunity he needs to change her mind?

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Every Kiss by Tash Ivey

*MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY. Contains adult situations, mild language, and sexual content.*

BOOK TWO of the EVERY LIFE SERIES

After witnessing Makenna’s journey to find herself again, Callie is reminded of her own struggles with love. No, Wes wasn’t always the easy going guy that he is today. He was moody and unpredictable in the worst of ways, and she was certain to call him out on it every chance she got. Looking back, she’s amazed at how much their lives have changed since they met.

Before tragedy shook them to the very core of their lives. Before her dream career began. And before Wes wasn’t a broody jerk with a closet full of personalities.

Yes, just four years ago, everything was different…

Makenna and Shane are just a couple of lovesick college students, and Callie is doing her best to keep up with the demands of her junior year. Life is boring, and she is totally fine with that. But boring flies right out the window the day Makenna cons Callie into helping with Shane’s brother’s birthday party. She expects a gangly pimple-faced teenager, but Wes is far from it. He is temperamental and opinionated, but he is also incredibly hot and thoroughly enjoys pushing her buttons. And she pushes his right back.

Even though their undeniable attraction draws them to one another, Wes is clear with Callie about one thing. Relationships are off limits. Friendship is all he has to offer, unless of course, Callie is willing to add a few benefits to that. He works hard to keep the reasons for his aversion hidden, but secrets have a way of making themselves known sometimes, no matter how deep you bury them.

Two of those secrets hold the key to unlocking Wes’ fears of the ultimate betrayal. And the other secret has Callie falling even deeper than she ever dreamed.

But she’s unsure of one thing . . . is she enough to save him from himself?

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Storm Warning by Caisey Quinn and Elizabeth Lee

Sometimes you can’t see the storm coming until it’s too late…

Severe Storm Warning Tip #1:
Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.

Severe Storm Warning Tip #2:
If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.

Severe Storm Warning Tip #3:
They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.

Situated just outside of Oklahoma City, Calumet County is divided into two drastically different communities: Hope’s Grove and Summit Bluffs. One is the small backward town where dirt roads lead the way to field parties and railroad tracks. And the other, a sprawling suburb where paved drives lead to the landscaped lawns of the wealthy and overprivileged.

For five teenagers smack in the middle of Tornado Alley, summer is heating up fast. The winds of change are blurring the invisible line that divides the rich and the rural.

One has a secret.
One has a crush.
One has been lying.
One will get caught.
And one might not make it out alive.

They’re from two different worlds…but one summer is about to change everything.

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Pierced Love by T.H. Snyder

Zar Evans is not your typical high school senior; in fact she is anything by normal. Dressing to the trendiest Goth fashion, Zar wears nothing but black from head to toe. Not that this warrants unwanted attention, but she is also top in her class and is looking at a full academic scholarship to Iowa State in the fall.

Loudon Clarke is an all star athlete. He plays three varsity sports and has the world in his hands. Except for one thing; Loudon is failing majority of his subjects. He is about to be suspended from the basketball team risking his athletic scholarship.

Zar and Loudon would normally never cross paths, until these two are brought together when Zar’s brother proposes to Loudon’s sister. With an upcoming wedding and a lot of planning Zar and Loudon are stuck with one another regardless of their differences.

Zar has hidden behind the pain she deals with on a daily basis for years. Loudon has never had to feel pain nor the ignorance of his peers. Can opposites really bring these two together or will they be pulled even further apart.

Only one thing is for sure, it is impossible to fight the connection of pierced love when one is willing to change for happiness.

Find it on Amazon.

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The Temptation of Lila and Ethan by Jessica Sorensen

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ella and Micha series comes a gripping story of passion, pain, and the courage to love . . .

THE TEMPTATION OF LILA AND ETHAN

On the surface, Lila Summers is flawless: good looks, expensive clothes, and a big, beautiful smile. But a dark past and even darker secrets are threatening to bubble over her perfect façade. She’ll do anything to keep the emptiness inside hidden-which leads her into situations that always end badly. Whenever she hits bottom, there’s only one person who’s there to pull her out: Ethan Gregory.

Ethan set the rules a long time ago: he and Lila are just friends. He doesn’t do relationships. Although his tattooed, bad boy exterior is a far cry from Lila’s pretty princess image, Ethan can’t deny they have a deeper connection than he’s used to. If he’s not careful, he could be in serious danger of becoming attached-and he’s learned the hard way that attachment only leads to heartbreak.

When Lila falls farther than she ever has before, can Ethan continue to help as a friend? Or is he also getting close to falling . . . for her?

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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If you could help give these authors some love by spreading the word, that would be epic.

For more information about books on sale throughout the week, as well as giveaway updates, be sure to like A Book Vacation’s Facebook Page.

{January 3, 2014} {ARC Review} Why We Took the Car by Wolfgang Herrndorf

From Goodreads: A beautifully written, darkly funny coming-of-age story from an award-winning, bestselling German author making his American debut.

Mike Klingenberg doesn’t get why people think he’s boring. Sure, he doesn’t have many friends. (Okay, zero friends.) And everyone laughs at him when he reads his essays out loud in class. And he’s never invited to parties – including the gorgeous Tatiana’s party of the year.

Andre Tschichatschow, aka Tschick (not even the teachers can pronounce his name), is new in school, and a whole different kind of unpopular. He always looks like he’s just been in a fight, his clothes are tragic, and he never talks to anyone.

But one day Tschick shows up at Mike’s house out of the blue. Turns out he wasn’t invited to Tatiana’s party either, and he’s ready to do something about it. Forget the popular kids: Together, Mike and Tschick are heading out on a road trip. No parents, no map, no destination. Will they get hopelessly lost in the middle of nowhere? Probably. Will they meet crazy people and get into serious trouble? Definitely. But will they ever be called boring again?

Not a chance.

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This novel captured my attention from the very first page as we meet our main character, Mike, in an interrogation room. He is very candid, and gives are overview of his surroundings, complete with the blood that is soaking through his shoes. When I first read that, I thought to myself that he was being overly dramatic, but readers soon find out that this is not the case, that there is literally blood soaking through his shoes… and then he passes out. Of course I wanted to know right away how Mike came to be in this situation, where the blood came from, what he had done to be detained by police; the usual questions, and so I began to tear through the pages, enamored by the story. But, whereas the beginning of the novel definitely has a hook, the middle soon began to lose my attention.

Mike and Andre decide to take a stolen car and just drive, for no real reason aside from boredom, a lack of parental supervision, and the hurt of not being invited to a specific party. So obviously the next best idea is to drive around in a stolen car, one you barely know how to drive, and to have no real destination in mind aside from leaving the town for a while. While Mike is a “follow the rules” sort of tween, Andre has been in his fair amount of trouble, coming to school drunk on many an occasion, stealing cars, etc. The two are not friends by a long shot, but suddenly Mike finds himself hoping into a stolen car joy riding. Perhaps his father leaving on “business,” his mother’s leaving for rehab, and his lack of an invite to the girl of his dreams party were the final straws for Mike, but for me, it was all somewhat unbelievable. The adventures the two share as well were a bit on the “I don’t think that’d happen” side, and so I soon began to lose interest in the novel, which is a shame because the beginning really intrigued me.

While the novel does come full circle, starting with the police station, back tracking to the events that lead up to the police station, and then surpassing it, in the end, I just wasn’t impressed with the reason behind Mike’s capture by police, or his antics thereafter in school. Perhaps it all just a bit too juvenile for me—I do think a MG reader would enjoy this novel straight through, but I definitely felt like it lost a lot of steam as it continued. Three stars.

Scholastic and Arthur A. Levine Books have been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on January 7, 2014.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

{January 3, 2014} {Cover Reveal} The Token #2 by Marata Eros

Title: The Token #2

Series: The Token

Author: Marata Eros

Release Date: January 8, 2014

Age Group: New Adult

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Synopsis:

Faren Mitchell keeps the secret of her second job from the one man who could see her through some of the darkest moments of her life. She doesn’t want Jared “Mick” McKenna for the billions he’s amassed, but for the one thing she’s never given any man: her innocence.

Mick’s guilt over the injury he inflicted fuels the beginnings of something more; a sexual consumption of each other that neither were anticipating. When Faren’s actions don’t match her words, Mick suspicions are raised. His feelings turn to ones of protection after Faren is mugged and he can’t reconcile his desire for her with the reality they now find themselves in.

As Faren’s bucket list grows, so does the danger that surrounds the choices she’s made. Can she take what she needs from Mick and also secure her mother’s life? Or will the truth she has weaved between the lies doom them both?

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Author Bio:

Marata Eros is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of dark, romantic new adult novels, including A Terrible Love and its companion novel A Brutal Tenderness. A passionate writer who loves interacting with her readers, Marata lives in South Dakota with her husband.

Author social media links:

Blog: http://marataeroseroticaauthor.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marata-Eros/336334243087970

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarataEros

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5052261.Marata_Eros

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/floresdm08/marata-eros/

{January 2, 2014} {ARC Review} Buzz by Anders de la Motte (Game #2)

From Goodreads: In the second installment in a new crime trilogy, a young man is on the run to escape a “game” that blurs the lines between reality and fiction, from an award-winning Swedish author and former policeman.

It’s been four months since he was dragged into the Alternative Reality Game that nearly cost him his life, and HP is still on the run. He has everything he ever wished for—freedom, money, and no responsibilities, but he still isn’t happy. Plagued by insomnia and paranoia, HP misses the rush and attention of The Game. Sometimes he almost wishes the Game Master would find him.

In Dubai, HP meets Anna Argos, a sophisticated and beautiful Swedish IT millionaire. When she disappears, HP is questioned by the police. Fearing he has been found by The Game, HP returns to Sweden after being released from custody. Determined to uncover the truth about Anna’s disappearance, HP uses a fake identity to apply for a job at ArgosEye, the company Anna worked for. In the business of online information management, ArgosEye is involved in some questionable practices, under the control of Anna’s husband, the CEO Philip Argos.

Meanwhile, HP’s sister Rebecca has started dating Philip Argos. When she unknowingly reveals her brother’s real identity to Philip, the police try to bring HP in for questioning again. On the run again, HP refuses to give up and tries to uncover what is really happening at ArgosEye. Before he can find the truth, HP is stopped in his tracks. Thinking he’s about to be thrown in prison, HP is taken to the outskirts of the city and left in the woods, where an elderly man hands him a piece of paper. HP believes the game is over, but is it really just beginning?

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Whereas I really didn’t care for the first novel in this series, Game, this second one definitely sparked my interest and kept me on my toes as I read. It’s so much better than the first, in my opinion, mainly because I felt it was more cohesive, especially with the alternating stories between HP and his sister Rebecca, but also because HP has toned it down a bit; he’s actually not as despicable or annoying as I found him to be in the first novel. I’d say he’s grown up a bit, but that’s not really it–he’s just more interested in what’s happening around him and to others than to just himself, which makes him a much more likable character. Though certainly not selfless, he is a little warmer towards his fellow denizens of the world, and that really had an impact on me as a reader.

The storyline in this second novel is also a lot easier to follow than in the first, or at least it was for me. Perhaps I just have a better understanding of de la Motte’s writing at this point, but I really think this novel flows a lot better, and the story is much more interesting for me, especially as I now like the two main characters. Rebecca, HP’s sister, also had a bigger part and her actions had a lot more meaning for me in this one. Although it irked me that the siblings never shared anything with each other, which would have saved them each a lot of headache and fear, I enjoyed that their stories made more sense and were much more cohesive and interesting.

de la Motte is a very good writer and I really enjoyed his look into the “what if” world of computers and money. If you’re looking for a crime thriller, I’d definitely recommend this novel, even if you didn’t care for the first. Four stars.

Atria Books has been extremely gracious in allowing me to read an ARC of this novel, via Netgalley, prior to its release on January 7, 2014.

Update: I have now read all the books in this trilogy AND while I didn’t care for GAME, I really enjoyed BUZZ and BUBBLE. I suggest you try this series and see–books two and three definitely made up for book one.

Do you want to be friends?

–I guess; it doesn’t matter.

Are you sad your mother died?

–Not really; it doesn’t matter to me; I’d like to take a nap.

Do you want to get married?

–Umm, if it makes you happy? It doesn’t matter to me.

Why did you kill that man?

–I don’t know, because I could, I guess.

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It’s here! Vampire Seeker by the talented Tim O’Rourke is releasing in paperback today! This is an extremely well written novel following the life of Samantha Carter, and you don’t want to miss it!

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Synopsis:

**This is a mature New Adult Novel for ages 17 and up. Contains sexual situations and scenes of horror**

“…Tim O’Rourke has ventured into the adult genre with a spectacular entrance. ‘Samantha Carter – Vampire Seeker’ is a whole lot of fun, not to mention some awesome new characters for us to get to know and

enjoy. All I am going to say is chapter 23!!!! I do blush!” – Novels On The Run.

“…O’Rourke has once again written a wonderful novel filled with mystery and intrigue, and it definitely piqued my interest and kept me guessing.” – A BookVacation “…Sammy was shameless and totally consumed by the moment. I can’t believe Tim wrote it!” – Talk Supe

Amazon | Goodreads | Kobo

Check out my review of this awesome novel here!

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About Tim O’Rourke

Tim has written over twenty novels and is the author of the bestselling ‘Kiera Hudson Series’, ‘Samantha Carter – Vampire Seeker Series’, ‘The Sydney Hart Novels’ & ‘The Moon Trilogy’ amongst other titles.

Little Brown/Piatkus Publishing Group have recently signed Tim to a three book deal for his ‘Samantha Carter – Vampire Seeker Series’. Book one is now out!

The world publishing rights to Tim’s latest novel ‘Flashes’ have just been signed by Chicken House/Scholastic and the book will be published Spring 2014!

Tim is currently working on new Kiera Hudson books and other works.

Connect with Tim:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter

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To celebrate its release, Tim O’Rourke is doing a special giveaway that includes a t-shirt, five signed prints that relate to the novel, and a signed paperback of Vampire Seeker.

And one lucky winner will win it all!

To enter you must:

Be 18 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

Fill in the required information on the rafflecopter entry form (extra entries optional)

Click HERE to go to the Rafflecopter Entry Form!

This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY and will end January 30th at 12:01am EST. The winner will be announced on January 30th in a new post, and he/she will receive email notification! Please read the giveaway policy and leave a thoughtful comment!

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Check out O’Rourke’s other novels (they are indeed all amazing):

Kiera Hudson Series 1

Kiera Hudson Series 2

Kiera Hudson Series 3

Jack Seth Novellas

Vampire Shift Graphic Novels

Black Hill Farm Series

Doorways Series

Samantha Carter Series

The Moon Trilogy

Sidney Hart Series

Unscathed Series(?)

Stilts Series

Eat Me Series

Pick Series

Flashes Series

And, check out the other giveaways running on the blog:

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Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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Amazon | Barnes and Noble

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Synopsis:

Fate: Is it written in the stars from the moment we are born? Or is it a bendable thing that we can shape with our own hands?

Jepp of Astraveld needs to know.

Masterfully written, grippingly paced, and inspired by real histori­cal characters, Jepp, Who Defied the Stars is the tale of an extraordinary hero and his inspiring quest to become the master of his own destiny.

To enter this giveaway, you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

Click this Rafflecopter Link to Enter!

This giveaway is open to USA and Canadian entrants only and will end at 12:01am EST on January 27th. Please only enter once. The winner will be announced later on January 27th, and will receive email notification! Please read my giveaway policy and leave me a comment!

And, check out the other giveaways running on the blog:

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Synopsis:

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl’s struggle to regain the trust she’s lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

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To enter this giveaway, you must:

-Be 13 years or older (or have parent/guardian permission)

-Fill in the mandatory question on rafflecopter (extra entries optional)

This is a mature New Adult Novel for ages 17 and up. Contains sexual situations and scenes of horror

“…O’Rourke has once again written a wonderful novel filled with mystery and intrigue, and it definitely piqued my interest and kept me guessing.” – A BookVacation

“…Sammy was shameless and totally consumed by the moment. I can’t believe Tim wrote it!” – Talk Supe

Fate:
Is it written in the stars from the moment we are born?
Or is it a bendable thing that we can shape with our own hands?

Masterfully written, grippingly paced, and inspired by real historical characters, Jepp, Who Defied the Stars is the tale of an extraordinary hero and his inspiring quest to become the master of his own destiny.