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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

#BookReview Husband Wanted by Charlotte Hughes

Husband Wanted
by Charlotte Hughes

Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance
Publication: February 24th 2016 by Victory Editing
Format: ebooks
Source: NetGalley/Victory Editing
Connect: Website | Goodreads
Frannie Brisbane knew it was an impossible scheme, but unless she went through with it, the daughter she had given up thirteen years ago and who now wanted to visit, would discover that Frannie had painted a very different picture of her life in the letters they’d exchanged. Frannie’s close friends rally around her, and next thing she knows, she is living in a mansion and wearing designer clothes.

The only thing missing is a husband.

Confirmed bachelor, Clay Coleman, has ulterior motives when he agrees to play the role of loving husband, but Frannie, who nursed a crush on him for years, fears she is flirting with danger in their role of let’s pretend. But Frannie and Clay aren’t the only ones keeping secrets. Sooner or later, the truth comes out, exposing everyone involved. Can Frannie ever get past her hurt when she discovers the truth about Clay?
Husband Wanted was a quick, romance read. The story began when Frannie's daughter, whom she had given up thirteen years ago, wants to visit. Unfortunately, Frannie had lied to her daughter about her life. Now, she needed to find someone to pretend as her husband just for a few days until her daughter returned home.

I fell in love with the book's blurbs right away. I love humorous romance read and I was in the mood for something quick, fun read. Husband Wanted starts great. I like the author's easygoing writing style.The premise sounds interesting, but some of the scenes were a bit unreal. The book was fun, but I thought that the characters are lacking in depth. The relationship between Frannie and Clay move on too quickly. There were a few twists towards the end that I enjoyed, but the hasty ending disappointed me.

This book was definitely great if you're looking for something light, fun, romantic read. I do enjoy reading Husband Wanted, but I thought the storyline and the romance part could be better.

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & Victory Editing in exchange for my review.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

#BlogTour Goat Children by Jordan Elizabeth - #Excerpt + #Giveaway

GOAT CHILDREN
A young adult novel with a touch of fantasy, love, and imagination versus reality.

Goat Children
by Jordan Elizabeth
When Keziah’s grandmother, Oma, is diagnosed with dementia, Keziah faces two choices: leave her family and move to New Winchester to care for Oma, or stay in New York City and allow her grandmother to live in a nursing home miles away.

The dementia causes Oma to be rude and paranoid, nothing like the woman Keziah remembers. Each day becomes a greater weight and love a harsher burden. Keziah must keep Oma from wandering off or falling, and try to convince her grandmother to see a doctor as her eyesight and hearing fail, but Oma refuses to believe anything is wrong. Resentful of her hardships in New Winchester, Keziah finds herself drawn to Oma’s ramblings about the Goat Children, a mythical warrior class. These fighters ride winged horses, locating people in need, while attempting to destroy evil in the world. Oma sees the Goat Children everywhere, and as Keziah reads the stories Oma wrote about them, she begins to question if they really exist.

GOAT CHILDREN is now available on Amazon from CHBB.

Check out early reviews on GoodReads!
Check out Chapter 1:

Bodies crushed against each other, a blur of hair and clothes, in the mad dash to exit the subway. The air smelled of the greasy restaurants above and felt stuffy, despite the bitter cold that rattled through the damp subway tunnel. My mouth watered as I sniffed roasted chestnuts.
You haven’t eaten dinner yet, my rumbling stomach scolded.
I slipped past a man speaking rapid Spanish to board the train, grabbed a pole, slid on to a seat, and pulled my green bag higher towards my chest. The two paperbacks inside jammed into my ribs. With a groan, I shifted into a new position, wondering what glorious worlds awaited within the glossy covers.
“Whoa ho, ho, ho.”
More people ranting on the subway. It could never be a quiet ride. I opened my bag to peer at the fantasy novels. I’d chosen thick books because they lasted longer and made the reading more rewarding.
“Ho, little one.”
A face shoved into mine from the aisle, and I jerked back, squeaking. Oily black hair hung over a scarred forehead. The man swayed, braying a laugh. I glanced at the woman with bright pink hair sitting on the next seat. She read a newspaper without looking up.
“So much to you.” The man licked his lips and slurred the words.
His pungent odor clawed its way through my nose; no escaping the invisible fumes. They washed over me with groping draws until my eyes watered. I cringed, my craving for chestnuts gone. Anyone on a diet would be thankful to have him around.
He stood, clinging to a pole with one gloved hand. Threads poked from the torn seams in the gripping brown leather. Two duffel bags, stained with mud, rested near his feet, bulging with contents.
I lowered my gaze, clutching the bag tighter. Please go away. I shouldn’t have taken the subway, but I’d done it to save time. Even though I was seventeen, Mama said it wasn’t safe to ride alone, and now, I agreed.
I’m not gonna be home by my seven o’clock curfew. Mama’s gonna freak. I can’t believe I forgot my phone.
“You don’t belong on this world.” He smacked his lips. Behind his head, a large sign told the public not to smoke, or they’d get lung cancer and die. It was easier to stare at the anti-smoking sign than him.
“Yes, thank you,” I mumbled as he leered at me. Even if he lacked a home and suffered from insanity, he didn’t deserve rudeness.
“You like fantasy?”
I stared at my lap, but when he repeated the question louder, I nodded.
“What would ya do if fantasy became your life? What would ya do if it wasn’t fantasy anymore?”
“Fantasy isn’t real.” I shifted my gaze to my black socks. They came up to my thighs and the right sock had a tiny hole near the knee. I’d have to sew it when I got home. If I studied it, maybe he’d grow bored and mosey on elsewhere.
“Are you happy here? Don’t you want more, little one? I can take you to another world.” His deep breaths made snot rattle in his nose.
I gagged, hiding my mouth behind my hand. The woman with the newspaper glanced over. I pleaded silently for her to make the man go away, but she moved to an empty seat down the car, wrinkling her nose. I still had five more stops before I could get away.
Do I dare follow her?
“Don’t you believe in destiny?”
What if he sits next to me? I slid my bag onto the empty seat, clutching the handle. As the subway curved around the corner, it screeched, the sound echoing through the metallic enclosure as if screaming, “Doom!”
“I’ve been to other lands. I’ve seen my future, and I spit at it.” He turned his head to hack on the floor. The saliva bubbled with a yellowish hue.
The subway squealed to a halt, and some of the passengers stood to exit. I removed the bag in case someone new sat down, someone safe, but no one came near or looked at us as they found seats. The doors slid shut, and the train moved again. Four more stops to go.
“Don’t shun fantasy. I’ve made mistakes and don’t want you to make ‘em too. Take it and see what you can do. Take it!” He pumped his fist, revealing grease stains on his coat sleeves.
I scanned the other passengers’ faces. They ignored us, although the ranting man filled the car with his voice. Only the smiling faces on wall advertisements watched. Ever-smiling, ever-trapped in their realm of sales. I fiddled with the zipper on the front of my gray hoodie, heart racing.
The subway halted at the next station. Again, people exited and entered, and no one sat beside me. Three more stops to go. I drummed my fingers against my thigh.
“I know all about the ones they call the Goats.” He drew a ragged breath. “I’m not supposed to, but I know. My wife was one. She told me all about them. Oh, yes, she did. She wasn’t supposed to, but she did. They don’t let them take over the world. They won’t!”
Why do crazies always go for alien invasions? I twirled my brown curls. I’d get off at the next stop and walk the rest of the way, even if I arrived home later.
What if he follows me?
“The Goats!” He flapped his arm.
Alien goat invasion. How awesome. I jumped and clutched my bag like a shield. The subway screeched as it approached the next station. I wanted to run, but he waved both arms, repeating the scream.
The doors swished open, but if I stood to escape, he could attack. Two more stops to go. What if I can’t escape at my stop, either?
As soon as the subway started, he lowered his arm and drew a few breaths. He reeked of alcohol, and overpowering the sweat stench, the stench made my head swirl.
“Beware of the Goats.” His chest heaved. “Help the Goats. Save the Goats!”
He really is deranged. There weren’t any goats in New York City that I’d ever seen.
“Yes, I will.” Go away. “I’ll … I’ll watch out for the goats.”
“The Goats,” he corrected, as if I’d mispronounced the word. He picked up his duffel bags and waddled to the back of the car, where he dropped onto a seat. He took a small paperback book from the pocket of his trench coat and flipped it open.
When the doors swished open at the next stop, I exited in the crush of bodies. People coughed and spoke, heels clicked and wheels on backpacks rolled, and the sounds echoed off the stone walls.
I slid through the turnstile and bolted up the cement steps two at a time, the edges cracked and crumbled and graffiti decorated the walls with images of fire and obscene language. The brightness of the paint, and the harsh edges that curved and sang were beautiful. The scrawls seemed to want to leap off the stone, suddenly alive.
At the top, I grasped the railing. Cold, dented metal bit through the fishnet of my fingerless gloves while I gazed over my shoulder. The people emerging didn’t spare me a glance. I was lost in the crowd, a stationary fixture.
The man wasn’t following. I ducked my head to push into the crowd. People bumped into me, jostling with elbows and bags. I almost walked into a tourist, who snapped a picture of the taxicabs.
“Hey,” called a stout vender from the corner. “You okay?”
I tucked back a brown curl. “I’m fine, but thanks.” Wind whipping between the skyscrapers stole the power of my words.
“Wanna dog?” He held one out, nestled in a white roll.
“No, thanks. I don’t eat meat.”
“Good,” I thought I heard him whisper. “Your kind shouldn’t.”
He couldn’t have spoken. It must’ve been someone else. It wouldn’t make sense for a man who made his living off people scarfing down meat-in-a-tube to agree with my vegetarian lifestyle.
I ogled the sea of metal vehicles washed in the afternoon sunlight like sharks swarming for a fresh kill. I shook off the thought and ran, an empty Styrofoam cup crunching beneath my foot. I didn’t have a watch, but the sun hung low in the sky.
A thought raced through my mind as the sun made windows wink and flash.
Beware of Goats.

#

“Long line at the bookstore.” I dropped my bag on the marble table beside the door to my family’s condo. Instrumental Celtic music wafted from the living room as I left the small foyer, and I almost tripped over my sprawled little sister.
“Phebe, you shouldn’t lie on the floor.”
“Why are you home so late?” Phebe dragged an orange crayon over the page of her coloring book. Her ponytail bobbed as she tipped her head, studying the picture. “You should’ve taken me with you. Mommy said so.”
“I’m sure she did.” I rolled my eyes.
When I’d left earlier, Phebe had still been doing her mathematics homework. We were home schooled, so even in the summer, we had work to do. It sucked because other home schooled students I knew had summers off. That was our penalty for having a mother with a Master’s degree in elementary education.
“Where’re Mama and Dad?”
Phebe sat up on her knees with her eyebrows knit together. “Mommy’s crying.”
My heart sunk and dropped clear out of my stomach. Mama never got that upset when I came home late. Did she find out about the party last weekend at Tiffany’s? I’d lied and said it was only going to be Tiff, her parents and siblings, and me. I hadn’t mentioned her parents were in Vancouver on vacation or that Tiff had invited all of her friends, not just me. Regret stabbed my gut.
“Mama, I’m home! Mama?”
The family photographs glared at me from the wall, none so reprimanding as the face of my Reverend Uncle. I kicked off my flats and hurried into my parents’ bedroom. With the lamp off, only a little light slipped through the closed venetian blinds covering the single window.
Short brown hair fanned over the plaid pillowcase, and Mama lay sideways on the king-sized bed, a crumpled tissue pressed against her nose. Dad sat beside her, stroking her shoulders. He still wore his suit from work—an even worse sign. The first thing Dad did when he walked through the door was peel off his jacket and toss the tie onto the table.
“Mama?” My voice cracked as my throat constricted.
“Your uncle called.” Dad tugged on his green silk tie that should’ve been lost in the pile of mail, not still fastened around his neck.
“Uncle Tom?”
The Reverend in Massachusetts, Dad’s younger brother, only called once a month, on the first Friday. Even though we called him Uncle Tom around the house, we all referred to him as Pastor Thomas to his face.
“No, Uncle Jan.”
Mama’s brother, the one who called less than Uncle Tom did.
“What…what did he want? Has someone died?” Oh no, is it my grandmother? Uncle Jan lived upstate, in the same town as her.
“Keziah, it’s your grandmother,” Dad continued.
Oh no, oh no, oh no. When I’d been younger, we’d lived down the street from Mama’s mother. She had taken care of me while my parents worked, and we’d often picked violets in the yard. Sometimes, I imagined I could smell their perfume years later and hundreds of miles away.
I’d always called her Oma, which meant grandmother in Dutch. I could still remember the way I’d cried and screamed, begging to stay with Oma when we’d moved to New York City. The hours separating us seemed like an eternity.
“She has dementia.” Dad removed his tie and knotted it around his fingers.
I blinked at him. “Dementia?” Demented, like the man on the subway?
“She hasn’t been officially diagnosed, but the symptoms are there. Uncle Jan doesn’t feel she can live on her own anymore.” Dad dropped his tie onto the alarm clock.
“So…she’s moving in with Uncle Jan?” I pictured waking up from a sleepover at Oma’s house with fresh squeezed orange juice waiting in the kitchen beside a bowl of cream of wheat cereal, steamy and sweet.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Oma would sing. She’d pull out the chair, the seat hideous and green, leftover from the 1970s. It had been an honor to sit at the kitchen table with her.
Dad rubbed his chin. “Your aunt won’t let her do that.”
I grinned. “She’s moving in with us? That’s amazing!” I only saw Oma on school holidays, and that summer, we’d had to pass because Mama had taught a summer school class.
“You know that wouldn’t work.” Dad gazed at the dresser across the room, a fog coming over his eyes.
I pulled at a loose thread on my black skirt. If Oma moved in, then Dad would have to move out or risk family war. The yelling would never stop. She hated Dad with a roaring passion I’d never understood. That anger had contributed to the reason why we’d moved, and when we visited Oma, Dad never went.
“Your uncle wants to put her in a home.” Dad leaned over to rub a spot on the wall’s blue paint as if that space was the problem, and he could make it disappear.
I licked my dry lips. “You mean like a nursing home?”
“No!” Mama rose on her elbows. “I’m not putting my mother in a nursing home. Do you know how they treat their patients? It’s horrible. All those people. Oma would hate it. She’s so antisocial these days. Really hate it.”
“Hush. Come on, sweetheart. It’s all right. We won’t put her in a home.” Dad combed his fingers through her hair.
“Why would Uncle Jan want to do that?” I didn’t know anything about nursing homes, but Mama was right. Oma had become one of the most antisocial people I’d ever met.
“It’s your aunt.” Dad patted Mama’s back. “She wants to put your grandmother away. It’s getting too hard to take care of her, and she won’t let her move in with them. You know how your aunt can be.”
My aunt could be downright nasty—a sickish combination of stubborn and controlling. Dad was too nice to say that aloud, though.
“What are we going to do?” My question made Mama cry harder, and I flinched.

“We’ll think of something,” Dad whispered. 

Jordan Elizabeth, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, is known for her odd sense of humor and her outrageous outfits. 

Surrounded by bookshelves, she can often be found pounding away at her keyboard – she’s known for breaking keyboards, too.  Jordan’s young adult novels include ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW, COGLING, TREASURE DARKLY, and BORN OF TREASURE.  GOAT CHILDREN is her first novel with CHBB.

Her short stories are featured in over twenty anthologies.  Check out her
website for bonus scenes and contests.

Keziah lives in New Winchester, a town frequented by squirrels. Win a squirrel charm necklace in honor of her furry companions! 

All winners will be notified after verification of entry at the end of this promotion. Prizes have been supplied by and the responsibility of delivery are solely that of the author and/or their representatives. Blogs are not liable for non-delivery on the part of the author. No purchase necessary.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

#ReleaseBlitz : Porn Money and Wannabe Mummy by Laura Barnard + #Interview + #Giveaway



Release Blitz
Porn Money and Wannabe Mummy 
Release date: 23rd March 
Hosted by Two Ordinary Girls and their Books 

by Laura Barnard

Genre: Women's Fiction, Chick Lit
Publication: March 23rd, 2016
What is it about turning thirty that sends rational women into a tailspin?

Suddenly going from having all the time in the world, to cringing at the ticking of her biological clock, Poppy is drowning under the strain of trying to get pregnant.

With a dad in the throes of a mid-life crisis, a crazy mother-in-law and time racing towards Lilly's wedding, will she be able to cope with it all...and give Ryan the baby they so desperately want?

Finally able to inherit her dad's porn money, Jazz can't wait to be rich! She can buy a house in Chelsea, go out partying with her old mates and start living how she deserves.

But with Ollie, Jemima and Meryl each clawing at their own little piece of her happiness, will she have to leave behind those closest to her in exchange for it?

The real question is, can Poppy and Jazz rescue their own lives before everything gets ruined, or will their own stubbornness destroy the lives they've created
Interview with Laura Bernard


1. Please introduce yourself and your book.
I'm Laura Barnard from Hertfordshire in the UK. Porn Money & Wannabe Mummy is the third instalment in the Debt & the Doormat series, although it can be read as a complete stand alone. It follows best friends Jazz and Poppy as they turn 30. Jazz inherits her fathers fortune which he acquired from his porn empire in the eighties and Poppy is desperately trying to fall pregnant with her husband Ryan. Things are never straight forward with these two so prepare to laugh as you follow them on their hilarious journeys.

2. How do you come up with the idea of the book? What is your inspiration?
I had the idea of Poppy's fertility struggles through my own. It was actually through my own struggles that I decided to take a creative writing course and finally publish my first book. Everyone always assumes they'll fall pregnant no problem, but these days, so many couples are being referred because of problems.

I'd previously mentioned in one of the earlier books that Jazz was to inherit her money and I wanted to explore how it changes relationships. 

3. Do your characters ever surprise you? 
All the time! Sometimes they can be so outrageous that I actually question if I can put it in the book. Then I think, oh why not! They're normally the parts people always comment on saying they laughed so hard.

4. What has been your highlight since becoming an author?
I love going to the book signings. I remember my first one, thinking that no one would come to me. I was overwhelmed by the readers that took the time to come chat with me and say how much I made them giggle.

5. Grade your book. How many stars out of a perfect score of 5 stars?  Please give the reason too.
I'd give myself four stars because no matter how hard I work I always think I could have written more and made it better.

6. What are you working on right now?
I'm just getting over this book! Once I've recovered my next one is called Cock and Bull, but I don't like to say too much about them until I've dived in. 

7. Please say something to your readers.
Thank you so much for the support over the last few years. Without loyal readers like you I wouldn't be able to live out my dream every day.


Author info

Laura Barnard lives in Hertfordshire, UK and writes romantic comedy or 'chick lit' as its so often described. In her spare time she enjoys drinking her body weight in tea, indulging in cupcakes the size of her face and drooling over hunks like Jamie Dornan, Ryan Gosling and Leo Dicaprio.

She enjoys wearing yoga pants and reading fitness magazines while sitting on the sofa eating chocolate. She's a real fan of the power nap and of course READING!

She writes not to get rich or famous, but because she LOVES writing. Even if one person tells her they enjoyed her book it makes the midnight typing worth it!

http://www.facebook.com/laurabarnardbooks
https://twitter.com/BarnardLaura
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3490836.Laura_Barnard

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

#BookReview: The Time of Our Lives by Jane Costello

The Time of Our Lives
by Jane Costello

Genre: Women's Fiction, Chick Lit
Publication: March 25th, 2014 by Simon and  Schuster
Format: Paperback, 496 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Facebook | TwitterGoodreads
Imogen and her friends have had their fill of budget holidays, cattle-class flights and 6am offensives for a space by the pool. So when one of the group wins a VIP holiday at Barcelona's hippest new hotel, they plan to sip champagne with the jet set, party with the glitterati and switch off in surroundings of unapologetic luxury. But as they mingle with movie stars, mafia bosses and millionaires, it becomes clear - with riotous consequences - that even in the most glamorous of locations, things can go wrong.
The Time of Our Lives is about Imogen and her best friends, who went on a holiday after one of them wins a VIP holiday at Barcelona's hotel. But it seems that their holiday is not going as they planned. I love Jane Costello's books for her writing style and humor. But I find that I didn't enjoy this book as her other books. 

The Time of Our Lives has a really good premise. I love the idea of the three best friends going on  a holiday, doing a few crazy stuffs and having fun. I am a bit irritated with Imogen and the phone calls from work that always interrupt their vacation. I want to see the best friends to really have fun on their holiday. But still, I do enjoy Imogen's conversations with her boss and how they were trying to figure out the new crisis at work.

Jane Costello never fails to make me laugh with her books. Imogen and her friends, Meredith and Nicola are fun characters. They went through a few mishaps on their stay, but that didn't stop them from enjoying the vacation. If you love chick-lit which feature friendship, a bit of drama and romance that will surely make you laugh, you should definitely read this book. 

Monday, March 14, 2016

Review: Waking Amy by by Julieann Dove


Waking Amy (Amy, #1)
by Julieann Dove

Genre: Women's Fiction, Chick Lit
Publication: February 23, 2016
Format: ebook
Source: Author/CLP Blog Tours
Buy: Amazon
Amy Whitfield is blindsided when she comes home and finds a note on the fridge from her husband, Wesley, stating that after four years of marriage, he’s leaving her. Amy was in the midst of trying to spice things up, to bring life back to their boring marriage. It seems now that she was too late.

As Amy sits with her head between her knees, trying to figure out what to do next, a call comes from Mercer General Hospital. The ER nurse is telling Amy’s answering machine that Wesley has been in a car accident.

When Amy arrives at the hospital, she finds her husband in a coma. The doctors say there is no sign of brain damage, and Wesley will eventually wake up. Relieved, Amy sees this as her second chance: the chance to get it right this time. To channel the girl Wesley won’t leave when he regains consciousness… She just needs some help to pull it off. After all, she was voted girl most likely to die a virgin in high school.

Amy would never figure on getting that help from Mark ReillyWesley’s doctor! He’s a non-committer, too-cute-for-his-own-good bachelor, and completely the guy Amy begins falling for. It’s a race against time to see who wakes up first—Amy or her husband.

Waking Amy is definitely a fun, quick romance read. If you love reading stories about a woman in her journey to find herself with lots of romance and humorous moment, you definitely have to read this book.

I was smitten with the cover at first. Then I read the synopsis and instantly know that I have to read this. Somehow, the synopsis reminded me to a movie, 'When You Were Sleeping'. 

Waking Amy was about second chances. Amy's husband, Wesley, was leaving her, and soon after she received a call from the hospital, telling her that her husband has been in a car accident. The doctor told her that Wesley was in coma, but he will wake up soon. Amy saw this as her second chance. She was determined to change herself to be the woman that her husband will love. It was hard not to sympathize with Amy and what she had to go through. And then, Mark Reilly appeared. He's one of Wesley's doctors. He's good looking, and seemed to have his way with the ladies. Amy decided that Mark would be the perfect person to help her change. Except that, Amy began to fall for Mark.

I love the story. The author's writing style was really easy to get into. I enjoyed reading about Amy. I love reading how she grew up to be more independent and saw what was really going on with her relationship with her husband. There were a few twists here that made the story much more interesting. The romance between Amy and Mark was great. But, that I find that the relationship was a bit sudden. The beginning was too quick, and the ending was a bit rushed. I wish to see more of their relationship before the story ended, because I love their chemistry together.

I received a copy of the book from the author/CLP Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author:

Julieann lives in Virginia, yet longs to live everywhere else. It doesn’t come as a surprise that along with her gypsy soul, comes an active imagination. That’s why she loves to write and invent worlds and people, so that she can formulate their happily ever after. Hobbies include cooking new recipes, sewing, and spending time with her cute boyfriend/husband and five fabulous children. Vacations happen in Nantucket or the Carolina beaches—anywhere there is inspiration for her next book. One day she hopes to travel to Italy, drive one of those little cars around the countryside, and speak the language fluently!

Review: My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

My Best Friend's Exorcism
by Grady Hendrix

Genre: Horror, Young Adult
Expected publication: May 17th, 2016 by Quirk Books
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley, Quirk Books
Connect: Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fifth grade, when they bonded over a shared love of E.T., roller-skating parties, and scratch-and-sniff stickers. But when they arrive at high school, things change. Gretchen begins to act . . . different. And as the strange coincidences and bizarre behavior start to pile up, Abby realizes there's only one possible explanation: Gretchen, her favorite person in the world, has a demon living inside her. And Abby is not about to let anyone or anything come between her and her best friend. With help from some unlikely allies, Abby embarks on a quest to save Gretchen. But is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil?
I was hesitant to read this book at first because of the genre. I don't read a lot of horror book. I'm not a big fan of the horror genre. The last time my friend took me to watch 'The Conjuring', I couldn't sleep for a week. But I decided to give My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix a try anyway. I couldn't resist the pretty cover and the blurbs sounded great.

The book was set up in the 80's, so, I didn't get some of the references, but still, I thoroughly enjoy reading this. It wasn't as scary as I had feared, which was a good thing. I love reading about Abby and Gretchen's friendship—how Abby tried to save her best friend when she suspected that Gretchen was probably possessed by something evil.

The plot building was interesting. There were a few dramas between Abby, Gretchen and their two other friends—Glee and Margaret—which reminded me a bit of the movie, 'Mean Girls'. There are some scary and disgusting moments that made me cringed. I thought that the exorcism scene in the book was going to be something really horrifying, but the author made it a bit humorous with Abby questioning the exorcist's method to cure Gretchen. In the end, I have to say that I absolutely admire Abby and Gretchen's friendship.

I would recommend this book. If you're looking for a fun, horror, YA book, then, this is the book for you.

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & Quirk Books in exchange for my review.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Review: Terminal by Kathy Reichs & Brendan Reichs

Terminal (Virals #5)
by Kathy Reichs & Brendan Reichs

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Suspense, Young Adult
Publication: Published March 26th, 2015 by Arrow (Young)
Format: Paperback, 400 pages
Source: Own
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
The Virals are back—but they’re not the only pack in town anymore. Terminal finds Tory Brennan—grandniece of the famous forensic anthropologist (star of the hit show Bones)—and the rest of the Morris Island gang tracking a pack of rogue Virals who call themselves the Trinity. The new pack was infected by a strain of supervirus created by Tory’s nemesis and sometimes-crush, Chance Clayborne, who accidentally infected himself, too.

These red-eyed Virals have openly challenged Tory’s pack for domination of Charleston, bringing on the attention of a shadowy government organization intent on learning the secret to their powers. Surviving it all is going to test the limits of the gang’s abilities.

Terminal is amazing! I can't say how much I love the Virals. At the end of the previous book, the Virals learned that Chance Claybourne was infected with the virus and there was a new pack in town. A pack called Trinity. Tory and the gang, along with Chance Claybourne have to find out about the new pack before they attract the attention of a government organization who were after their power.

Like every other Virals book, Terminal was packed with action and suspense. The Virals have to deal with the new pack and the secret organization. I am amazed with the friendship between the Virals and absolutely in love with the bits of romance between Tory/Ben/Chance. But, of course, Tory's choice was obvious from the beginning. 

Kathy Reichs & Brendan Reichs were very good authors. The storyline was amazing. The characters were great. I love how Tory and the Virals investigate things, with their curious nature. I just can't stop reading once I have this book in my hand. I wanted to know what will happen to the Virals and how will they escape from each danger they faced. I was heartbroken with the story towards the end, but, the authors got me excited again with the ending. Thankfully, there's a novella after this book. Hopefully, the writers will explain to us what happened to Tory and the Virals. I just need the novella in my hand, then, I can relax. Hopefully.

Virals will always be one of my favorite series of all time. It was sad to know that this is the final book for the Virals series, especially with how the story ends. I'm definitely going to miss the pack so much. 

If you haven't read the book and the series, I recommend that you will start now. It was amazing. If you like a kick-ass heroine who faced a lot of dangerous situations because of her curiosity nature, you will definitely enjoy this book.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Review: The Passenger by Lisa Lutz

The Passenger
by Lisa Lutz

Genre: Adult, Crime & Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense
Publication: March 1st, 2016 by Simon & Schuster
Format: ebooks
Source: Netgalley, ARC
Connect: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
In case you were wondering, I didn’t do it. I didn’t have anything to do with Frank’s death. I don’t have an alibi, so you’ll have to take my word for it...

Forty-eight hours after leaving her husband’s body at the base of the stairs, Tanya Dubois cashes in her credit cards, dyes her hair brown, demands a new name from a shadowy voice over the phone, and flees town. It’s not the first time.

She meets Blue, a female bartender who recognizes the hunted look in a fugitive’s eyes and offers her a place to stay. With dwindling choices, Tanya-now-Amelia accepts. An uneasy―and dangerous―alliance is born.

It’s almost impossible to live off the grid today, but Amelia-now-Debra and Blue have the courage, the ingenuity, and the desperation, to try. Hopscotching from city to city, Debra especially is chased by a very dark secret…can she outrun her past?
I can't stop thinking about this book. It was different than Lisa Lutz's Spellman Series, which happen to be my all time favorite. It was more mysterious and well, a bit more confusing.

The beginning starts with Tanya leaving her husband's body at the base of the stairs. She gets some money, a new name, changes her identity and skips town. Tanya, now Amelia, meets Blue, a bartender who knows exactly who she is and offers her a place to stay. 

'Passanger' has this mysterious thing going on all over the book. A few times, I have to close the book because things are getting confusing.  But I have to pick up the book again to find out to all the answers to my questions—who exactly is Tanya? What is she running away from? And Why?

I guess, Tanya, Amelia, or whoever she is starts to grow on me. She has to change her name and identity for many times to be safe. She has gone through so much while she's on the run and I couldn't help but to feel sorry for her. She finds someone who she might like on her run, and runs again once she found out that he's a cop! And I found Blue an interesting character. She helped Amelia with questioning motives, and in the end, I wish I could hear what is her story.

Lisa Lutz is excellent at building the story with good plots and twists that keeps me going as the mystery behind Tanya-Amelia-Debra unfolds. I definitely enjoy reading this book and would recommend this to fans of crime fans.

I received a copy of this book from the Netgalley & Simon & Schuster in exchange for my review.

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