Friday Finds – Cover Reveal of “Connectivity” by Aven Ellis

Happy Friday Everyone! I love sharing new things I’ve found each week with everyone and this week I had the great pleasure of sharing a new book coming to market and the beautiful cover!! It’s called “Connectivity” by Aven Ellis and will be in stores on October 23rd of this year. Stay tuned because I will be revewing before the book hits shelves and posting an author interview. This book is SO new it’s not even on GoodReads yet – so check out the blurb below and beautiful cover above.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Kelley

Summary:

Overachiever Mary-Kate Grant (who is indeed named after an Olsen Twin) has followed every rule to the letter to pursue her dream of working in TV programming.  Ripping a page from the “hard work pays off” playbook, she takes an assistant level job at a Chicago sports network to break into the industry.

MK has no time or desire for a relationship right now—she is totally focused on her career and being independent, unlike the other women in her family.

But MK’s plans are run through the shredder when she finds herself working for William Cumberland, a British media mogul who made his fortune with Connectivity, a social media site. William blows into Chicago just like the winds off Lake Michigan and purchases the group of networks MK works for—and makes her his personal assistant in the process.

Suddenly MK finds her career plans in jeopardy. William makes her question everything she has ever thought and has the uncanny ability to see right through her. And for the first time in her life, MK finds herself not only questioning what she wants for her career but for her personal life as well…

My Two Cents:

I was lucky enough to be contacted through my blog by Aven to review the book – and she has been amazing to work with – I really want to see this book soar once it hits shelves – it’s her debut novel, but she has more in store for the end of this year and the begining of 2014.  So i’m psyched to read and review this and I hope you will all check it out too!

If you’re a blogger and are interested in reviewing – here is how you can contact Aven Ellis:

Connect with me on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AvenEllis1

 

Talk to me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AvenEllis

 

Visit me on the web: http://www.avenellis.com/index.html

 

Check out my pins on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/avenellis/

 

Happy Friday and Happy Reading! Hope everyone has a great long weekend and gets some awesome reading in!

Kelley

Tuesday Teaser – August 27th

Hosted by Should Be Reading @ http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/teaser-tuesdays-aug-27/

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read • Open to a random page • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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Happy Tuesday!

I am currently reading “How to Love” by Katie Cotugno –

Here’s My Teaser:

“The week creeps along.  I”m restless and edgy; Hannah and I cruise the highway fro hours every night.  “You’re wasting gas.” Cade points out, but I just shrug, handing my credit card over to the pale, skinny attendant like a crack addict looking for a fix.  The road rumbles under my feet: keep going, keep going, keep going. I drive.”

I’m almots done with this story and i can fairly say it’s amazing  – full reivew to come!

Kelley

Top Ten Tuesday – My Favorite Secondary Characters

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish @ http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/2013/08/top-ten-favorite-secondary-characters.html

This Week’s Top Ten Tuesday’s Topic is My Top Ten Favorite Secondary Characters —

Hey Everyone! I’ve missed my Top Ten Tuesdays and I’m back – so check out my favorite book secondary characters and share what you think too – if you have a blog, share your link, and if not – please just share in the comment space – I think it’s awesome to share some spot light on the characters we so often tend to pass by!! So here we go!

#1 — Love “The Hunger Games” By Suzanne Collins – and I LOVE Cinna and Haymitch. I couln’t pick just one here – they both place such important part’s in Katniss’s life during this awful time. I also love they chose L Kravitz and Woody Harrelson to play them in the movie – great choice!

 #2 – Roar from “Under the Never Sky” series by Veronica Rossi. I love Roar for his dedication and his friendship and his general awesomeness – seeing his story with Liv killed me but I hope better things are to come for this awesome guy!

 #3 — I just devoured this series – “Point of Retreat” by Colleen Hoover and am a huge fan of Will and Lake – but their story may have ended too early without the help of the amazing young people in their lives – First Kiersten – so smart and wise for her young age and played a curcial role in that big Slam moment and then Caulder and Kel – The book would not have been the same without them. An honorable mention to Eddie and Gavin too – but the little ones really stole my heart!

 #4 — “Beautiful Disaster” by Jamie McGuire. One of my favorite stories ever – and like the above I cannot go without mentioning 2 characters here, they are equally important and the story would not have been the same without them – America and Shep and I loved their love almost as much as Travis and Abby’s love. Great characters!

 #5 — “The Mortal Instrument” Series by Cassandra Claire – while thinking about secondary characters I could not leave Simon or Magnus withiout mention – Simon in particular — He was so loyal to Clary right to the point he got himself into an unimaginable situation — You could not ask for a better friend.

 #6 — “Twilight” by Stephanie Meyer. For this all I have to say is Alice – I love her pixie like character who was Bella’s friend from the first moment she came into the picture – literally. She planned the wedding and was so integral to the story in more ways than one..

 #7 — “Rule” by Jay Crownover: I love this story – the rough and tough guy being brought to his knees by love. The story would not have happened without some amazing back up characters – Ayden for Shaw (who gets her own story in the next book with Jet) and Nash/Rome for Rule. I also love Cora who comes to play a bigger role in the next book. A lot of great supporting characters here —

 #8 – “Flat Out Love” by Jessica Park: This is another favorite re-reader story and my first thought as a secondary character was Celeste – and yes she is crucial, but I think the true supporting character here is Finn who made it all happen — if you read the story you know what I mean, and he absolutely holds a special place in my heart – Read it if you have not and if you have – You know how important Finn was to this story… He was Flat out necessary to this story!

 #9 – “Left Drowning” by Jessica Park: I know another Jessica Park – but seriously — she is amazing, I have an author cursh on her right now (which is not at all creepy!). This story is all about family and dynamics atop the hot romance, and one character that literally stole my heart from the first sentence out of his mouth was Sabin. Love some Sabin!

 #10 – “Safe Haven” by Nicholas Sparks: This book is great and I always think of Jo or Carly. Sparks always has some great surprises and I love the way this character comes in and brings the two main characters together – the fact that, well I don’t want to spoil it, but I will say I was blind until the end and revelation of who Jo was. Amazing story and I highly reccommend it –

Well that’s all Folks!

I did want to give one honorable mention to Jason Stackhouse from “True Blood” By Charlaine Harris – I just love him…

Anyway – really that’s all for me – tell me what you think – comment away, what are your favorite secondary characters? I love to remember things I might not think of now and hear what other people have to say — So spill it! Or leave a link to yours!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Kelley

 

Monday Musing – August 26th

Hosted by Should Be Reading @ http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits. • Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s). • What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it! • Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it. • Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us! • Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

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Happy Monday Everyone!

I’m not sure what to muse about today to be honest – so I’m just going to “vent” a little – speak up if you can understand where I’m coming from…

Blogging was something I started for fun and to get books early so I could review and get the word out to everyone else – it also helps support my book habit..

I have been on a whiz lately – Reading like a crazy woman, but now I have the question – how do I get all of these books reviewed? I read 5 books within the past week (It was a crazy reading week – not normal) but now I’m faced trying to get these things reviewed and to be fair to everyone that allowed me to read early in exhcange for these reviews.. Hmm… Plus I do have a full time job – which pays my bills so kidn of have to respect that.

Anyway, having too many books to read, reading too many great books is never something I complain about but the busier the blog becomes it’s hard to sometimes manage my time – what do you think? Do you set aside days just for reviews, review right after you read something? How do you make it work – always open for advise!!

Happy Monday!

Kelley

ARC Review of “Thin Space” by Jody Casella

Title: “Thin Space”

Author” Jody Casella

Published: September 10, 2013

Publilsher: Simon Pulse

The Summary:

Ever since the car accident that killed his twin brother, Marshall Windsor has been consumed with guilt and crippled by secrets of that fateful night. He has only one chance to make amends, to right his wrongs and set things right. He must find a Thin Space—a mythical point where the barrier between this world and the next is thin enough for a person to step through to the other side.

But, when a new girl moves into the house next door, the same house Marsh is sure holds a thin space, she may be the key—or the unraveling of all his secrets.

As they get closer to finding a thin space—and closer to each other—Marsh must decide once and for all how far he’s willing to go to right the wrongs of the living…and the dead

What I thought Overall:

The Grief in this book was overwhelming at first. Readiong about Marshall try to find the thin space between existing and hell was more than difficult – painful at moments. I think the author did an amazing job retelling the story and putting it into the correct mood. I also really enjoy male POV for books – so that was a plus to me in this story.

What i really liked was that this book is not like everything else I’ve been reading right now – it had it’s own tone. The story kept you wanting to read and kept me up all thorugh an entire night almost to finish it – it’s a definite one day read so save your time to make sure you can do that – I don’t know if i could have put it down otherwise.

I think the story is thought provoking and suspenseful. I love it’s not too suspensful, but it does keep you interested. Then you throw in some romance and here we have a wonderful story!

MY Take Away Thoughts On This:

From the first page where Marshall wakes up to find out his twin is dead I was pulled into this book. His bizarre behavior and the love he finds as he works his way through this tragic situation is unbelieveable. I highly reccoimmend reading this book – so put it on your TBR list today. I feel luck to have gotten an ARC for this book. This is absoutely one of those books I could read a second time and each time come up with something different – so yes it’s a re-reader.

I hope you all enjoy it!

Happy reading!

Kelley

Eye Opening Social Media Influence in YA World today – ARC Review of “TMI” by

Title: “TMI”

Author” Patty Blount

Where I got the book: I got this from a blog review site – Around the World ARC in exchange for an honest review

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Publish Date: August 6th, 2013

The Summary- Thanks to GoodReads:

Best friends don’t lie.
Best friends don’t ditch you for a guy.
Best friends don’t post your deepest, darkest secrets online.

Bailey’s falling head-over-high-heels for Ryder West, a mysterious gamer she met online. A guy she’s never met in person. Her best friend, Meg, doesn’t trust smooth-talking Ryder. He’s just a picture-less profile.

When Bailey starts blowing Meg off to spend more virtual quality time with her new crush, Meg decides it’s time to prove Ryder’s a phony.

But one stupid little secret posted online turns into a friendship-destroying feud to answer the question:

What I thought of the story:

To be frankly honest, when I started this story I was not sure that I would finish the book, or even like it. It had an interesting concept so I chose it, but still wasn’t sure. What I can say for 100% truth is that I was pretty much “into” the book from the second chapter.  I really enjoyed the storyline, how it was told from multiple points of views, and the characters. I am much past high school years myself, and sometimes I wonder if that makes it harder for me to relate to YA books now, but I thought this insight into the social media world was eye opening. When I was in high school we may have had AOL Instant Message – but there was no FB or Twitter – so with emotions running high and just the cattiness that  young people can display, i cannot imagine how hard it would be. I thought this was a great way to represent that without taking it too far. The storyline kept me drawn in, frustrated at points, but drawn in, and I felt like it was fresh and something I had not heard before – so overall I did enjoy it — now on to the characters—

The Characters:

I really loved the way the author portrayed the characters. None of them had absolute tragic depressing lives, but they had color and character and most importantly for me they were believeable.  Even though there were guys in the story, I also liked that it focused on friendships and the girls. Starting with Bailey – from moment one I wanted to like her, her bubly and positive personality. You could tell she had the usual girl hang ups about appearance/etc, but overall she did seem happy. Seeing her real thoughts through her eyes were very eye opening. Meg was complete opposite, she was smart and talented but hated herself for things that were never her fault. I think in the end both Baily and Meg made large discoveries about themselves and their pasts which will affect their future.

Now on to the Ryder character – from moment one, I had a fishy feeling about this but it wasn’t so obvious it was ridiculious.. So i think it did add all the right “motive” and character to the story. My favorite guy was Meg’s guy – I mean –SWOON! Where was this guy when I was in highschool?? he sets the bar high for any YA who reads this and is looking for someone like that at all. Overall I did love the characters, their dynamics and the relationships.

Overall – To Read or Not To Read:

Overally, I enjoyed the book very much. It was real and covered real topics. None of the characters were perfect to a point they representated a fake person. The story had realisitc drama and kept you wanting to know more. Funny enough, this is a story I wasn’t sure I wanted to read and i finished it in 2 days – and that says something about me…

While I cannot say this is one of the best books I’ve ever read, I can say it is eye opening about the realities of what is going on in the lives of young adults today and how the “romance” game of boy meets girl really has changed – there is so much less face to face and so much more texting, FB, Tweeting, etc.. It’s an entirely different world and I enjoyed seeing how this was great and how it could tear someone down – words can be powerful, no matter where they come from.

I do reccommend this as a read – maybe not a soul touching read, but everything cannot be like that – I reccommend for a great think read with some great romance.

Happy Reading!

Kelley

 

WWW Wednesday August 21st

Hosted by Should Be Reading@ http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/2013/08/21/www-wednesdays-aug-21/

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading? • What did you recently finish reading? • What do you think you’ll read next?

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Hey Everyone! Happy Wednesday! I have missed my blog world the past week or so – but I”m back! Let’s get this thing started — What are you guys reading? What’s New/Next/Now? If you don’t have a blog link to post, just post your answers –

Before I start, I must clarify my current Colleen Hoover Obsession – On a recent work trip to NYC I finally picked up “Slammed” and within two days I have devoured that and “Point of Retreat” – where have Will and Lake been my whole book life?? So these are the books consuming my WWW Wednesday for this week – a celebration of the amazing writing of Colleen Hoover – that drew me in from the first page. They were great reads, went by almost too fast, and I can’t wait to get the reviews up – so if you haven’t read this or if you had – share! I want to know what you think abou them!! So before you see my whole list is this series, just a warning.. I do read other things but I’m totally affixed on this right now!

1. What Am I Currently Reading?

“This Girl” by Colleen Hoover

*Just started today and it’s amazing! I love WIll and Lake!

2. What Did I just Finish Reading? – Kind of sad to admit this but I have read 4 books in the past week – so here they are—

“Deeper” by Blue Ashcroft (thanks to NetGalley)

“Elite” Rachel Van Dyken (again Thanks to NetGalley!)

“Slammed” By Colleen Hoover

“Point of Retreat” by Colleen Hoover

So you can tell I’m on a Colleen Hoover kick right now – and possibly a new love for the Avett Brothers – such wisdom for songwriters..

Anywa – what are you reading? What’s next for you??

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Kell

Neurotic Booky “Quirks”

I don’t know if you all have “weird” booky habits, but I do.. It all started with “Twilight” back in… well when it came out and I thought maybe it was something that was derrived from my pure love of the story – i could read it over and over (literally) without interruption.. Don’t judge..I know it’s kind of weird – I’m admitting it…

But I was wrong, it’s not just “Twilight” that brings this weird… neurosis out – so this past week while I was sick, I kind of went into a memory lane of my favorite books over the past few months — I have re-read all of the following – or at least my favorite parts in the past week. I know it may sound strange, but I swear it’s somewhat soothing.. Anyway – here’s my list of “binge” reading right now — Have you guys re-read these? What do you think??

“Left Drowning” By Jessica Park

“Flat Out Love” Jessica Park

“Flat Out Matt” by Jessica Park

*Yes, I can admit – I’m a huge Jessica Park fan – these 3 books are absolute re-read material and always make me laugh and cry all at the same time – if you  have not read these yet, do it NOW! She is amazing!

“Beautiful Disaster” by Jamie McGuire

“Walking Disaster” by Jamie McGuire

*Again – yes.. I LOVE Jamie McGuire — this series is a re-read again and again.,. amazing! Travis – oh Travis.. Do any of you share this hot book boyfriend with me?

So there you have it – a total book confession…

Confess with me, it’s fun! Come on… It’s not like you will see us at the Mall tomorrow – here in book blog world, reading is cool right?? And who doesn’t love a book boyfriend..especially a hot, tattooed one.. Yum!

All right guys, before I embarass myself further – I’ll stop here.

TGIF!

Happy Reading–

Kelley

Related articles

• Top Ten Tuesday – Books I Would LOVE to Read a Sequel To! (bookgirlfromsouthcarolina.wordpress.com)
• Walking Disaster – Jamie McGuire 5/5 stars (cherrystreetreviews.wordpress.com)

Friday Finds – August 16th

Hosted by Should Be Reading @ http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/friday-finds-aug-16/

FRIDAY FINDS showcases the books you ‘found’ and added to your To Be Read (TBR) list… whether you found them online, or in a bookstore, or in the library — wherever! (they aren’t necessarily books you purchased).

So, come on — share with us your FRIDAY FINDS

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Happy Friday!

I have missed you guys this week! I’ve taken a short hiatus while I was a little under the weather, but now I’m as good as new! Check out my finds for this week – what have you found? Any great finds – I’d love to hear – share your links or a book you found! TGIF!

 “Say When” by Tara West

“Kissing Under the Mistletoe: A Sullivan Christmas” by Bella Andre

*Love this series, and I love Christmas — cannot wait to read!

 “Selling Scarlett” by Ella James

 

Share yours now — Love to see what everyone has found!

Happy Reading!

Kelley

Musing Monday – August 12th

hosted by Should Be Reading @ http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/musing-mondays-aug-12/

• Describe one of your reading habits.
• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).
• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!
• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.
• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!
• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then

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Hmmm – what should I muse about today?? I’ve been thinking about this all morning off an on through my INSANE Monday at work (right I should focus right??) — anyway – I was thinking today I would talk about a “bookish” habit..

1. I NEVER read what I think I will next or plan to – I’m terrible at planning! I swear there is always something that comes up right before I start anything new and I just go right on to the next thing – which as you probably know always gets me into trouble – you know reading something the night before you must mail out or review – Yes I have a bad habit of this lately.. I could say I’m super busy, and that’s so true – but still.. this is something I MUST work – maybe I should start publishing my TBR list and I would feel more acountable somehow.. All the wonderful books are just too much – it’s like being a kid in a candy store and I’m not the best “wait” person – if it is top of my thoughts, I need to read it NOW!  Any thoughts if you have this same issue??

 

Now – Well – It’s been a crazy Monday – that is all i have to say.

 

Happy Monday!

Kelley