Novella Reading Week!!!

So, we are starting with Novella Reading Week!

What is it?  See here for more information!

DATES: Novella Reading Week will take place from JUNE 10th to JUNE 16th.

GOAL: To read as many novellas as possible.

MY NOVELLA GOAL LIST

• RADIANT (Unearthly #2.5) by Cynthia Hand
• A DANCE WITH DARKNESS (Angelfire #0.5) by Courtney Allison Moulton
• VALKYRIE SYMPTOMS (Valkyrie #0.5) by Ingrid Paulson
• ELEMENTAL (Elemental, #0.5) by Brigid Kemmerer
• FEARLESS (Elemental, #1.5) by Brigid Kemmerer
• BREATHLESS (Elemental, #2.5) by Brigid Kemmerer

I think I will finish with at least four of them!  Will update you soon on my progress..

Anybody else taking the challenge with me?

Review: Confessions of an Angry Girl ~ Louise Rozett

The fact that I love contemporary romances and high school drama is no big secret.  I just have a shelf in Goodreads named "teen-college-middle-school". :-)  So, when I got this from Harlequin, I totally had those bookish moments where you feel happy no matter what people around you say to you.

Series: Confesssions #1

Author: Louise Rozett

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: August 28th 2012

Source: From the publisher

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Young Adult

Rose Zarelli, self-proclaimed word geek and angry girl, has some confessions to make?

1. I'm livid all the time. Why? My dad died. My mom barely talks. My brother abandoned us. I think I'm allowed to be irate, don't you?

2. I make people furious regularly. Want an example? I kissed Jamie Forta, a badass guy who might be dating a cheerleader. She is now enraged and out for blood. Mine.

3. High school might as well be Mars. My best friend has been replaced by an alien, and I see red all the time. (Mars is red and "seeing red" means being angry—get it?)

Here are some other vocab words that describe my life: Inadequate. Insufferable. Intolerable.

(Don't know what they mean? Look them up yourself.)

(Sorry. That was rude.)

REVIEW

Rose is a freshman in Union High.  Is that supposed to be fun?  I guess, but Rose seems to be getting more sad and angry by the end of each day.  Her dad is dead, her brother abandoned her and went to college and never even want to come home for Thanksgiving and her mom separates herself from Rose.  Nothing is ever the same for Rose Zarelli.  When the school seems to be a living hell for Rose, one senior boy, Jamie, who is out of her league, not because he is so bad-ass handsome, but he has a girl friend, is the only thing she likes. 

Well, I love high-school drama and obviously, this book is so full of it.  I loved every moment of it and was in a dilemma whether I should laugh or cry at those moments.  Rose thinks and says some sarcastic things, even in her sad moments and that makes those scenes more lovable.  Rose is just fourteen, and I can understand a kid with all those personal problems battling through them.  This is just not about her dad alone, but also the change in her friends and school..it is a lot to take in, especially for a girl like Rose, who is such an introvert.  And just when things go crazy, her close friend and brother, Peter, had to become a jerk.

Although I am not sure why she treats her friend, Robert (who is so into her) so badly, I just am happy that Robert can move on, instead of forming a love triangle, which is the last thing I need in a book like this with so much drama already into it.  I like the other characters and even the cheer-witches.  They all add the drama in a right blend to the novel.  I enjoyed hating the Regina, the cheerleader and Jamie's girlfriend, who made Rose's life more complicated, because Regina is the major reason Rose learned to stand up on her own shedding her fears. 

At the end, Rose didn't grow up a lot, but definitely I can see through some growth from 14 to 15.  Even though this book is categorized as a chick-lit, it gave a feel of sadness that Rose feels some times.  And I mean that as a compliment to the author.  It's great work from Louise Rozett. 

I loved the way Louise started every chapter in the novel..with a complex word, that defines the chapter.  When I near the end of every chapter, I am excited to learn another new word and also excited to read what it means with respect to the novel.

Definitely recommended for chick-lit and high school drama lovers!

SERIES ORDER

1.  Confessions of an Angry Girl - Amazon | Goodreads

2.  Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend - Amazon | Goodreads

Kindle and Nook Freebies & Deals! Here we go.. (10 June 2013)

Hey readers!  I am sorry that I can't post the freebies and deals for past three week days.  And you probably would know what I am going to say as reason to that.  And yeah, you are right, I have been super-busy in my job.  Blogging is my hobby and reading is my favorite pastime, but I still want to be dedicated in these posts, because there are many who expect these posts and I do NOT want to disappoint you.  Anyway, I am sorry again and am going to post today's freebies and deals now.  Enjoy reading and thanks for your support!

Still Waters
Author: Misha Crews
Price: FREE
Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

A tragic death... A disturbing photo that can't be explained... A woman drowning in an ocean of secrets...

In 1950s Virginia, Jenna Appleton seems to have found the life she's always wanted. But underneath the shallow gleam of her bright suburban world, murky truths are waiting to surface.

On the morning that her husband dies in a tragic accident, Jenna finds a shocking photo of him in the arms of a beautiful woman. And before she can ask him about it, he's gone forever.

Five years later, Jenna has buried her questions and remade her life. But the reappearance of an old love stirs up guilty questions, and she realizes that some secrets aren't meant to be kept. The deeper she dives for answers, the darker the water gets. How will she find happiness for herself and her family, when every move she makes toward the strange and awful truth seems to lead her right back to her own home shores?

Snowbound
Author: Blake Crouch
Price: FREE
Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

For Will Innis and his daughter, Devlin, the loss was catastrophic. Will’s wife, Devlin’s mother, vanished one night during an electrical storm on a lonely desert highway and, suspected of her death, Will took his daughter and fled. Then one night, a hardedged FBI agent appears on their doorstep and says, “I know you’re innocent, because Rachael wasn’t the first…or the last.”

The Savage Series, Volume 1: The Pearl Savage, The Savage Blood and The Savage Principle
Author: Tamara Rose Blodgett
Price: FREE
Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

THE PEARL SAVAGE:
Seventeen-year old princess, Clara Williamson, lives an old-fashioned existence in a biosphere of the future.

When her sadistic mother, Queen Ada, betroths her to an abusive prince of a neighboring sphere, Clara determines to escape Outside where savages roam free.

Clara escapes tyranny only to discover the savages are not the only people who survived the cataclysmic events of one hundred forty years prior.

Once Outside, Clara finds herself trapped, unable to return to the abusive life of the sphere while facing certain danger Outside.

Can Clara find love and freedom with the peril that threatens to consume her?
App. word count: 95,000

THE SAVAGE BLOOD:
Matthew and Bracus of the Band travel alongside eighteen-year old queen, Clara Williamson, as she journeys to the sea to unlock the puzzle of her lineage.

Trouble strikes when the fragment absorbs Prince Frederic and undertake plans that involve Clara and her home sphere in a dangerous scheme of coercion.

It isn't long before Clara discovers the Guardians terrible secret through horrible circumstances she must escape from.

Can Clara protect herself from her own destiny?
App. word count: 85,000

THE SAVAGE PRINCIPLE:
King Raymond is betrothed to Princess Ada of a neighboring sphere in an arranged match not of his choosing. Travelers from a parallel world have bargained to save the future of his people and he cannot refuse their offer.

Raymond does not believe that an alliance with the savages would result in a life-altering experience. He soon finds himself overwhelmed when an entanglement of emotion and love conspire to undermine his vow in the most unlikely place.

Rowenna, warrior female of the Band, is a much sought-after female select. When her kin agree to an offer that will unite the races of their future, they do not realize what the sacrifice will cost her.

Can the two peoples of separate societies survive the prejudicial position that has been hoisted on them? Will their sacrifice afford a future of liberty, or will heartbreak be the only consequence of their love?
App. word count: 30,000

TODAY'S DEALS!!!

Tall, Dark, and Deadly 3 book box set (Tall, Dark & Deadly #1-3)
Author: Lisa Renee Jones
Price: $0.80/£0.77/$0.99
Buy Links: Amazon US ($0.80) | Amazon UK (£0.77) | Barnes & Noble ($0.99)

The Walker Brothers...
Tall, dark, and deadly, these three brothers run Walker security. Each brother is unique in his methods and skills, but all share key similarities. They are passionate about those they love, relentless when fighting for a cause they believe in, and all believe that no case is too hard, no danger too dark. Dedication is what they deliver, results are their reward.

Book 1 HOT SECRETS:
55,000 words
Royce Walker, a former FBI Agent, who's opened a private security firm with his brothers, has always had the hots for the prim, proper Assistant District Attorney, but considered her hand's off because of a family connection. However, when danger threatens Lauren, he isn't willing to stand by and watch her get hurt. Now the passion for survival is only rivaled by the passion burning between them. And that passion, might just be the death of them both.

***
Book 2 Dangerous Secrets
72,000 words
Being a divorce attorney for the rich and famous isn't all it's cracked up to be. Julie Harrison has learned that love doesn't last, and she's sworn never to make the same mistakes as her mother, or her clients. She uses the games men play to keep them at a distance. The only man who managed to break down her walls was Luke Walker, a Navy SEAL who loved her and left her, and changed her forever.

When Luke arrives back in New York, running Walker Security with his brothers and having left his Navy SEAL days behind, he sets his sights on Julie, the woman he's always wanted and couldn't have. Except, she runs from him every time he gets close.

But now, one of Julie's clients, a powerful judge, gets involved with a dangerous cartel, and his soon-to-be-ex wife ends up dead. Julie's next on the list, and she finds herself on the run from those who believe she knows too much, and counting on Luke to keep her alive. In the deepest, darkest moments of the night, passion will bring them together while danger threatens to tear them apart. Can Julie and Luke trust each other and find their happy ending before they find ... the end?

***
The Prelude-- a full sized novel!
75,000 words About Secrets Exposed: Her enemy is her passion, her passion is her enemy...
Lindsey Paxton was once the number one defense attorney in New York. She fought for those who were innocent, but charged. Her instincts were her lifeline, never failing her, as they guided her in her choices of who to defend. Or so she thought. Until she won a case she would forever wish to have lost. Her client, an accused rapist, kills and rapes a woman only a day after being set free. Destroyed by her role in the woman's death, Lindsey blames her father's controlling ways for what she has become, and runs from her career and life. Years later - the past becomes the present, and one man, her enemy, the only one she can turn to.

Love is in the Air (A McCray Romance Collection)
Author: Tamara Rose Blodgett
Price: $0.92/£0.77
Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Heartsblood
A woman of science.
A man of magic.
Hunted for their HeartsBlood.

HeartsBlood... a love taken to its dangerous conclusion.

Fated
Everyone thinks that they know the story of Caesar's demise, however in Fated, we discover the truth.
Told from Brutus' perspective, critics are heaping praise upon Fated...

Indian Moon
Despite tragedy and heartbreak, under an Indian Moon, anything seems possible... even love.

While set in the lush and misty Pacific Northwest, Indian Moon doesn't contain any vampires or teeny boppers.

Just real romance... for the rest of us.

My Dangerous Valentine
This prequel short story introduces you to the world of Valentine Rutger, the CIA's most elite counter-terrorism agent.

Targeted (Betrayed #1.5)
Brandt and Monroe, thinking they are safe in India, try for a nice romantic night out. The Knot on the other hand has a different idea for the evening.

Can Brandt and Monroe survive date night?

For more freebies, please refer my Facebook page.

*** The price posted above is true at the time of posting. (10 June 2013) ***

Review: Time Killer by Todd M. Thiede

From time to time, I read some mysteries to take my time from romance and high school drama.  Reading the synopsis made it seem more interesting and I agreed to review it.  But, although a good plot, there are some flaws.

 

Author: Todd M. Thiede

Publisher: iUniverse

Release Date: January 15th 2013

Source: From Orangeberry blog tours

Genre: Mystery

Witness a gripping thriller that will surely hook you from start to finish in Time Killer…

Have you ever stood in a line at a grocery store while a person in front of you argued every price and then at the very end they pulled out a book of coupons? Have you ever waited in a drive thru as the person in front of you took forever to order his food? There is a person in Rockton Illinois that has had this happen to him and he is doing something about it. He is getting rid of the Time Wasters in Rockton.

Detective Max Larkin has a pretty simple life in Rockton. He wakes up every morning and goes to the police station to solve small town crimes. However, today is going to be different. Not only is he getting a new partner, Jesse Fairlane, that he doesn’t want, but he is getting assigned to a murder case where the murderer writes TIME WASTER on the wall in the victim’s blood.

Follow them as they attempt to solve the murder mystery case and find out if their tandem would work in Time Killer.

REVIEW

Someone is angry that people are wasting his time.  And his punishment is losing their life.  And two detectives - Max and Jesse - are on the case.  And they don't like partnered with each other.  And the case is more serious than they thought.  The killer don't leave any clues, except writing a message about not to waste time with the victim's blood.  With their indifferences, are the detectives going to find the killer?  As the killings seems to be a long time happening, where is this all going to end?

The concept is good.  And that's what made me pick this book.  The crime scenes are well described.  All the gory details are well brought out which added up to the horror and thrill of the plot.  The plot following the killer is one major plus of this novel.  His criminal thinking and killing methods are new and although it looks bad to say it, I enjoyed those parts.

The detectives, the climax and the dialogues are the major flaws of this novel.  The characters of the detectives felt forced, and not something I can just go on with.  In spite of the editing problems, I thought of enjoying the novel, but the dialogues are still a major letdown.  And then the climax.  Actually there is nothing wrong with the climax, but the thrill is lost towards the end as everything is laid out on the table just like that.

Verdict: For a debut, this is a decent crime thriller!