Corrine Jackson's Blog, page 4
December 17, 2013
31 Days of #BookLove: Day 17 – RULE by Jay Crownover
Today marks Day 17 of 31 Days of #BookLove. Rather than review all 300 books I’ve read this year, I decided to share one of my favorites each day this month.
****************************
RULE (Marked Men #1) by Jay Crownover
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Indie (now William Morrow)
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters
Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight–A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want–and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.
To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.
But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.
What I Liked:
RULE is the ultimate new adult archetype – tattooed, a womanizer, and emotionally unavailable. He’s a total bad boy to Shaw’s seemingly good girl image. At the outset of the story, they appear to be enemies. In fact, he’s pretty damned awful to her and it’s on purpose – he wants to push her away. But Shaw has always loved Rule and refuses to go. And between them is a secret and a whole lot of misunderstandings. RULE is definitely a steamy title about opposites attracting. I loved getting to be inside both POVs as these two get to know each other better, while the past unravels and a present danger presents itself. Be warned! Rule is an alpha male who can be a jerk at times, but rather than offending my feminist sensibilities (which a lot of recent “romances” do) I thought Rule was simply a real guy making mistakes and trying to figure out how to be in a relationship. He makes a few missteps, but I always felt like Shaw had her eyes open and was an equal to him. In fact, she often came across as the stronger, more mature partner in their relationship.
Like the sound of RULE? Give the author a little #BookLove. Jay Crownover tweets @JayCrownover.
BONUS: There are more novels in the Marked Men series! After finishing RULE, I had to read JET (he’s a character in RULE). I’m looking forward to ROME, about Rule’s brother, too. See the series here.
Buy:
*************
The 31 Days of #BookLove
Day 1: BULLY by Penelope Douglas
Day 2: THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
Day 3: TANGLED by Emma Chase
Day 4: UNSPOKEN by Jen Frederick
Day 5: PLAYING FOR KEEPS by R.L. Mathewson
Day 6: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND by Monica Murphy
Day 7: WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn
Day 8: SIGNIFICANCE by Shelly Crane
Day 9: FALLEN CREST HIGH by Tijan
Day 10: HER BEST WORST MISTAKE by Sarah Mayberry
Day 11: CHARADE by Nyrae Dawn
Day 12: THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN by Jessica Sorensen
Day 13: HOPELESS by Colleen Hoover
Day 14: SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale
Day 15: MY UNEXPECTED FOREVER by Heidi McLaughlin
Day 16: BREAKING NOVA by Jessica Sorensen
December 16, 2013
31 Days of #BookLove: Day 16 – BREAKING NOVA by Jessica Sorensen
Today marks Day 16 of 31 Days of #BookLove. Rather than review all 300 books I’ve read this year, I decided to share one of my favorites each day this month.
****************************
BREAKING NOVA by Jessica Sorensen
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Indie (now Hachette Book Group)
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Nova Reed used to have dreams-of becoming a famous drummer, of marrying her true love. But all of that was taken away in an instant. Now she’s getting by as best she can, though sometimes that means doing things the old Nova would never do. Things that are slowly eating away at her spirit. Every day blends into the next . . . until she meets Quinton Carter. His intense, honey brown eyes instantly draw her in, and he looks just about as broken as she feels inside.
Quinton once got a second chance at life-but he doesn’t want it. The tattoos on his chest are a constant reminder of what he’s done, what he’s lost. He’s sworn to never allow happiness into his life . . . but then beautiful, sweet Nova makes him smile. He knows he’s too damaged to get close to her, yet she’s the only one who can make him feel alive again. Quinton will have to decide: does he deserve to start over? Or should he pay for his past forever?
What I Liked:
BREAKING NOVA is a hard one for me to talk about. It’s not my normal kind of read. Nova and Quinton both suffered through recent tragedies, and we get to see their downward spiral to some pretty dark places. The entire time I read, watching these two begin to form a connection, I fully expected them to find a way to save each other. That’s not what happens, and this book does not end happily. And I’m the type of person who enjoys a happily-ever-after to my romances. So why am I still recommending this book? It haunted the crap out of me. It still haunts me. The drug and alcohol abuse to numb the demons? I know these people, and the realism almost felt too real in how painful it was to watch Nova and Quinton go through what they do. When they made poor choices, I just wanted to scream at them. Or maybe to hold their hands because I understood why they made the choices they did – neither of them thinks they’re worth much. And when the book ended? I wanted to throw my iPad across the room while wailing because I wasn’t finished with Nova and Quinton. Sorensen does have a sequel planned, and you better believe I’ll be reading it. And giving her the evil eye if there’s not some kind of happy-ever-after. Okay, I’m kidding. Not really. *eyes Jessica* *holds Quinton*
Like the sound of BREAKING NOVA? Give the author a little #BookLove. Jessica Sorensen tweets @JessFallenStar.
Buy:
*************
The 31 Days of #BookLove
Day 1: BULLY by Penelope Douglas
Day 2: THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
Day 3: TANGLED by Emma Chase
Day 4: UNSPOKEN by Jen Frederick
Day 5: PLAYING FOR KEEPS by R.L. Mathewson
Day 6: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND by Monica Murphy
Day 7: WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn
Day 8: SIGNIFICANCE by Shelly Crane
Day 9: FALLEN CREST HIGH by Tijan
Day 10: HER BEST WORST MISTAKE by Sarah Mayberry
Day 11: CHARADE by Nyrae Dawn
Day 12: THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN by Jessica Sorensen
Day 13: HOPELESS by Colleen Hoover
Day 14: SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale
Day 15: MY UNEXPECTED FOREVER by Heidi McLaughlin
December 15, 2013
31 Days of #BookLove: Day 15 – MY UNEXPECTED FOREVER by Heidi McLaughlin
Today marks Day 15 of 31 Days of #BookLove. Rather than review all 300 books I’ve read this year, I decided to share one of my favorites each day this month.
****************************
MY UNEXPECTED FOREVER (Beaumont #2) by Heidi McLaughlin
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Indie
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
I expected a life of music.
I expected to raise my son.
It took one look to make everything change.
I never expected happiness.
I never expected to find her.
I never expected to feel desire.
I never expected I’d be a family man.
I never expected to be loved.
I never expected to fall in love.
They say you should expect the unexpected, I didn’t realize my unexpected would be the forever kind.
What I Liked:
Harrison James. Let me count all the ways I love this character. That synopsis just doesn’t do this book justice. Harrison is the drummer in a rock band. He’s tattooed, somewhat shy, and a sweet, single dad. He’s also silently pining for Katelyn, the single widow who works for his band. He adores her and her two daughters and he wants nothing more than to create a family together. Katelyn’s grief for her late husband is the main roadblock to their romance. She can’t move on, or see the possibility of a future with Harrison. While he’s all in, the romance builds slowly on her side. Harrison is patient, sweet, and slightly goofy. He’s the odd duck that no one gets, but he’s comfortable in his own skin. And watching him bond with Katelyn’s daughters had me all weepy. I haven’t read the other books in this series yet (I’m worried no one else can live up to Harrison), but this book can be read as a stand alone.
Like the sound of MY UNEXPECTED FOREVER? Give the author a little #BookLove. Heidi McLaughlin tweets @HeidiJoVT.
Buy:
*************
The 31 Days of #BookLove
Day 1: BULLY by Penelope Douglas
Day 2: THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
Day 3: TANGLED by Emma Chase
Day 4: UNSPOKEN by Jen Frederick
Day 5: PLAYING FOR KEEPS by R.L. Mathewson
Day 6: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND by Monica Murphy
Day 7: WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn
Day 8: SIGNIFICANCE by Shelly Crane
Day 9: FALLEN CREST HIGH by Tijan
Day 10: HER BEST WORST MISTAKE by Sarah Mayberry
Day 11: CHARADE by Nyrae Dawn
Day 12: THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN by Jessica Sorensen
Day 13: HOPELESS by Colleen Hoover
Day 14: SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale
December 14, 2013
31 Days of #BookLove: Day 14 – SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale
Today marks Day 14 of 31 Days of #BookLove. Rather than review all 300 books I’ve read this year, I decided to share one of my favorites each day this month.
****************************
[image error]
SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY by Maya Rodale
Genre: Historical Romance – Victorian
Publisher: Avon
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
He’s the only man she’s ever loved…
For ages it seems advice columnist Annabelle Swift has loved Derek Knightly, editor-owner of The London Weekly from a distance. Determined to finally attract her employer’s attention, she seeks advice from her loyal readers—who offer Annabelle myriad suggestions…from lower-cut bodices (success!) and sultry gazes (disaster!) to a surprise midnight rendezvous (wicked!).
She’s the only woman he never noticed…
Derek never really took note of his shy, wallflower lady writer. But suddenly she’s exquisite…and he can’t get Annabelle out of his mind! She must be pursuing someone, but who? For some inexplicable reason, the thought of her with another man makes Knightly insanely jealous.
Will Dear Annabelle find her happy ending?
But Knightly’s scandalous periodical has been targeted for destruction by a vengeful Lord Marsden, and the beleaguered editor now faces a devastating choice: either marry Marsden’s sister to save his beloved newspaper…or follow his heart and wed his Writing Girl.
What I Liked:
A friend told me to read this. As she described it, I was already buying it because I just loved the idea of it. An advice columnist who takes her readers’ advice on how to capture the attention of her clueless editor? I’m so in! I’m so, so glad I picked this book up. I read it that evening, and I can honestly say that it was the most charming book I read this year. Annabelle’s efforts to get Derek’s attention are misguided and incredibly painful to watch. But they are also earnest and funny. The readers of her advice column give her advice that ALWAYS goes astray, and you can’t help but laugh and wince all at the same time on her behalf. And there’s a turning point in the novel (which I refuse to blow for you) that had me grinning all the while I read. I don’t read historicals as often as I used to, but I can’t recommend this one enough. If you like a rom-com with a dose of Victorian England, you’ll love this one.
Like the sound of SEDUCING MR. KNIGHTLY? Give the author a little #BookLove. Maya Rodale tweets @MayaRodale.
Buy:
*************
The 31 Days of #BookLove
Day 1: BULLY by Penelope Douglas
Day 2: THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
Day 3: TANGLED by Emma Chase
Day 4: UNSPOKEN by Jen Frederick
Day 5: PLAYING FOR KEEPS by R.L. Mathewson
Day 6: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND by Monica Murphy
Day 7: WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn
Day 8: SIGNIFICANCE by Shelly Crane
Day 9: FALLEN CREST HIGH by Tijan
Day 10: HER BEST WORST MISTAKE by Sarah Mayberry
Day 11: CHARADE by Nyrae Dawn
Day 12: THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN by Jessica Sorensen
Day 13: HOPELESS by Colleen Hoover
December 13, 2013
31 Days of #BookLove: Day 13 – HOPELESS by Colleen Hoover
Today marks Day 13 of 31 Days of #BookLove. Rather than review all 300 books I’ve read this year, I decided to share one of my favorites each day this month.
****************************
[image error]
HOPELESS by Colleen Hoover
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Indie
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…
That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.
Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.
What I Liked:
I reviewed HOPELESS back in March. To quote my review, “I was seriously blown away.” Here’s a little more of what I had to say.
“The chemistry between Sky and Dean explodes off the page. Hoover captured the experience of falling in love in a way that broke my heart a little, patched it up, smashed it, and then put it together again. I loved these characters, and I loved how they interacted together. Dean’s a bit bad boy, and there’s a lot of mystery around him. At times, he veers into scary boyfriend land. But Sky had a back bone and stood her ground, and eventually we discovered the reasons for the way Dean acts.
I was also intrigued by Sky. From the outset of the book, she describes feeling disconnected from intimacy. Two people manage to smash through that – her best friend and Dean. Sky is focused. She’s a runner, but you wonder what she is running to or from in the book. When Sky begins public school for the first time, her reactions were real and honest.”
For the full review, see here.
Like the sound of HOPELESS? Give the author a little #BookLove. Colleen Hoover tweets @ColleenHoover.
Buy:
*************
The 31 Days of #BookLove
Day 1: BULLY by Penelope Douglas
Day 2: THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
Day 3: TANGLED by Emma Chase
Day 4: UNSPOKEN by Jen Frederick
Day 5: PLAYING FOR KEEPS by R.L. Mathewson
Day 6: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND by Monica Murphy
Day 7: WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn
Day 8: SIGNIFICANCE by Shelly Crane
Day 9: FALLEN CREST HIGH by Tijan
Day 10: HER BEST WORST MISTAKE by Sarah Mayberry
Day 11: CHARADE by Nyrae Dawn
Day 12: THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN by Jessica Sorensen
December 12, 2013
31 Days of #BookLove: Day 12 – THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN by Jessica Sorensen
Today marks Day 12 of 31 Days of #BookLove. Rather than review all 300 books I’ve read this year, I decided to share one of my favorites each day this month.
****************************
THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN by Jessica Sorensen
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Indie (now Hachette Book Group)
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Callie has grown up keeping her feelings locked away from the outside world, and as her painful past threatens to consume her life, most days it’s a struggle just to breathe.
For as long as Kayden can remember, suffering in silence has been the only way to survive, until one night when Callie and Kayden’s worlds collide.
After that moment, Kayden can’t stop thinking about Callie and when they end up at the same college, he does everything in his power to convince her that it isn’t coincidence – it’s fate.
What I Liked:
Callie is this closed off girl who everyone at her high school mocks. Kayden is on the opposite end of the spectrum – popular and beloved. Both Callie and Kayden have secrets, though, and one night Callie and Kayden connect in a dark moment. For both of them, college is a new start. They can leave behind their secrets and begin again. But that one run-in they had in high school formed a bond between them that neither of them expected. As they feel the pull toward each other, they fight it until it becomes too all-consuming to ignore. I loved the development of the romance, but more than that, I loved the development of the friendships. I’m a huge fan of this book and its sequel, and I’m looking forward to book three. Where this book breaks your heart, the second book will shatter you. And I warn you now that you will read both books. Sorensen has a talent for writing imperfect, fully formed characters that make you ache with their realism.
Like the sound of THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN? Give the author a little #BookLove. Jessica Sorensen tweets @JessFallenStar.
BONUS: There are sequels to this story! After finishing COINCIDENCE, I had to read THE REDEMPTION OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN (which I liked even better than the first book, though you need to read them in order). And you better believe that I am desperately awaiting the next book, THE RESOLUTION OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN. There’s also a spin-off about their friends, but I haven’t read it yet. See the series here.
Buy:
*************
The 31 Days of #BookLove
Day 1: BULLY by Penelope Douglas
Day 2: THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
Day 3: TANGLED by Emma Chase
Day 4: UNSPOKEN by Jen Frederick
Day 5: PLAYING FOR KEEPS by R.L. Mathewson
Day 6: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND by Monica Murphy
Day 7: WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn
Day 8: SIGNIFICANCE by Shelly Crane
Day 9: FALLEN CREST HIGH by Tijan
Day 10: HER BEST WORST MISTAKE by Sarah Mayberry
Day 11: CHARADE by Nyrae Dawn
December 11, 2013
31 Days of #BookLove: Day 11 – CHARADE by Nyrae Dawn
Today marks Day 11 of 31 Days of #BookLove. Rather than review all 300 books I’ve read this year, I decided to share one of my favorites each day this month.
****************************
CHARADE by Nyrae Dawn
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Indie
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Nineteen-year-old Cheyenne tries to portray the perfect life to mask the memories of her past. Walking in on her boyfriend with another woman her freshman year in college threatens that picture of perfection.
Twenty-one-year-old Colt never wanted college and never expected to amount to anything, but when his mom’s dying wish is for him to get his degree, he has no choice but to pretend it’s what he wants too.
Cheyenne needs a fake boyfriend to get back at her ex and Colt needs cash to take care of his mom, so they strike a deal that helps them both. But what if Cheyenne’s past isn’t what she thought? Soon they’re trading one charade for another—losing themselves in each other to forget about their pain. The more they play their game, the more it becomes the only thing they have that feels real.
Both Cheyenne and Colt know life is never easy, but neither of them expect the tragedy that threatens to end their charade and rip them apart forever.
What I Liked:
Cheyenne and Colt are not clearcut, easily likable characters. In fact, at the outset, I wasn’t convinced I liked either of them. But I was drawn to their lives of quiet desperation in which they are both doing what is necessary to survive the bad things happening to them. These two don’t even like each other for a good portion of the novel, but something happens. They recognize a kinship, a brokenness that draws them together. And as they bond, they are able to offer comfort to each other in a way that nobody else could. I found myself rooting for these characters as the story unravels, not just for them to overcome their hardships but to come together. Dawn’s story is slow-paced, emotional, and sad, but I think it left me feeling hopeful. I’ve already bought the sequel (stand-alone about other characters in CHARADE) and I can’t wait to read it.
Like the sound of CHARADE? Give the author a little #BookLove. Nyrae Dawn tweets @NyraeDawn.
Buy:
*************
The 31 Days of #BookLove
Day 1: BULLY by Penelope Douglas
Day 2: THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
Day 3: TANGLED by Emma Chase
Day 4: UNSPOKEN by Jen Frederick
Day 5: PLAYING FOR KEEPS by R.L. Mathewson
Day 6: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND by Monica Murphy
Day 7: WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn
Day 8: SIGNIFICANCE by Shelly Crane
Day 9: FALLEN CREST HIGH by Tijan
Day 10: HER BEST WORST MISTAKE by Sarah Mayberry
December 10, 2013
31 Days of #BookLove: Day 10 – HER BEST WORST MISTAKE by Sarah Mayberry
Today marks Day 10 of 31 Days of #BookLove. Rather than review all 300 books I’ve read this year, I decided to share one of my favorites each day this month.
****************************
HER BEST WORST MISTAKE by Sarah Mayberry
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Indie – Small Cow Productions
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
She thinks he’s stuffy. He thinks she’s spoilt.
Then the gloves come off and so do their clothes!
For six years Violet Sutcliffe has known that Martin St Clair is the wrong man for her best friend. He’s stuffy, old before his time, conservative. He drives Violet nuts – and the feeling is entirely mutual. Then, out of nowhere, her friend walks out just weeks before her wedding to Martin, flying to Australia on a mission of self-discovery. Back in London, Violet finds herself feeling sorry for suddenly-single Martin. At least, she tells herself it’s pity she feels. Then he comes calling one dark, stormy night and they discover that beneath their mutual dislike there lies a fiery sexual chemistry.
It’s crazy and all-consuming – and utterly wrong. Because not only are they chalk and cheese, oil and water, but Martin once belonged to her best friend. A friend Violet is terrified of losing. What future can there be for a relationship with so many strikes against it?
This book is a spin off from Sarah Mayberry’s Blaze novel, Hot Island Nights. Both stories can be read in isolation and still make perfect sense.
What I Liked:
HER BEST WORST MISTAKE made me a huge fan of Sarah Mayberry, and I spent days discovering her backlist. This is an adult romance with oh, so much steam. It’s also my favorite enemies-to-lovers stories of the year. Violet and Martin hate each other, but they put each up with each other – with the barest hint of civility – because of the person they love in common – her best friend/his fiancee. When that relationship is gone, and the civility is stripped away, Violet and Martin are left with a roaring attraction that neither of them knows what to do with. At first it’s purely physical, but then we discover that these two may have feelings for each other. I loved, loved the development of their relationship. Mayberry has a way of writing romance with layers of emotion that get under your skin, and this is my favorite of all of her stories.
Like the sound of HER BEST WORST MISTAKE? Give the author a little #BookLove. Sarah Mayberry tweets @MayberrySarah.
Buy:
*************
The 31 Days of #BookLove
Day 1: BULLY by Penelope Douglas
Day 2: THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
Day 3: TANGLED by Emma Chase
Day 4: UNSPOKEN by Jen Frederick
Day 5: PLAYING FOR KEEPS by R.L. Mathewson
Day 6: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND by Monica Murphy
Day 7: WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn
Day 8: SIGNIFICANCE by Shelly Crane
Day 9: FALLEN CREST HIGH by Tijan
December 9, 2013
31 Days of #BookLove: Day 9 – FALLEN CREST HIGH by Tijan
Today marks Day 9 of 31 Days of #BookLove. Rather than review all 300 books I’ve read this year, I decided to share one of my favorites each day this month.
****************************
FALLEN CREST HIGH by Tijan
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Indie
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Mason and Logan Kade are two brothers who did their own thing. They were rich and expected to attend her school, Fallen Crest Academy. They chose public school and now Samantha has to live with them. The problem is that she doesn’t care at all: about them, about her friends, about her cheating boyfriend, or even about her parent’s divorce. But maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe change is a good thing.
What I Liked:
The FALLEN CREST series was my second favorite this year (behind another Tijan series that I’ll be sharing this month). Samantha is a badass character. She’s tough, sometimes snarly, untrusting, and has a lot of faults – but she also has a needy center that is just longing to be accepted and loved by someone without conditions. Her mom is a horror. Her stepdad gives her up with nary a word. Her boyfriend is cheating with one of her best friends. Surrounded by so much betrayal, you’d expect her to give up and curl into a little ball. Instead, she copes the best she cans. And Mason and Logan Kade. Meep! They are so, so hot. Especially Mason. I loved the development of the relationships in this book, and the romantic tension is stretched to its max. All of the characters have a hard edge to them, though, so don’t expect a touchy-feely emo romance. This series is high on the angst and tension.
BONUS: I loved Fallen Crest Family as much as Fallen Crest High. And you’d better believe that I’ve already preordered my copy of Fallen Crest Public. On December 30, don’t bother calling me because I’ll be reading.
Like the sound of FALLEN CREST HIGH? Give the author a little #BookLove. Tijan is on Facebook at Tijan’s Writings.
Buy:
*************
The 31 Days of #BookLove
Day 1: BULLY by Penelope Douglas
Day 2: THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
Day 3: TANGLED by Emma Chase
Day 4: UNSPOKEN by Jen Frederick
Day 5: PLAYING FOR KEEPS by R.L. Mathewson
Day 6: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND by Monica Murphy
Day 7: WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn
Day 8: SIGNIFICANCE by Shelly Crane
December 8, 2013
31 Days of #BookLove: Day 8 – SIGNIFICANCE by Shelly Crane
Today marks Day 8 of 31 Days of #BookLove. Rather than review all 300 books I’ve read this year, I decided to share one of my favorites each day this month.
****************************
SIGNIFICANCE by Shelly Crane
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Indie
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Maggie is a seventeen year old girl who’s had a bad year. She was smart and on track, but then her mom left, her dad is depressed, she’s graduating – barely – and her boyfriend of almost three years dumped her for a college football scholarship. Lately she thinks life is all about hanging on by a thread and is gripping tight with everything she has.
Then she saves the life of Caleb and instantly knows there’s something about him that’s intriguing. But things change when they touch, sparks ignite. Literally.
They imprint with each other and she sees their future life together flash before her eyes. She learns that not only is she his soul mate, and can feel his heartbeat in her chest, but there is a whole other world of people with gifts and abilities that she never knew existed. She herself is experiencing supernatural changes unlike anything she’s ever felt before and she needs the touch of his skin to survive.
Now, not only has her dad come out of his depression to be a father again, and a pain as well, but Caleb’s enemies know he’s imprinted and are after Maggie to stop them both from gaining their abilities and take her from him.
Can Caleb save her or will they be forced to live without each other after just finding one another?
What I Liked:
SIGNIFICANCE is that rare bird in new adult – it’s incredibly sweet and clean. I mean that in a non-judgey way since you’ll see I read a LOT of NA this year. But this book did stand out in that the author plays up the sexual tension – very effectively – but keeps the focus on the emotional aspects of Caleb and Maggie’s relationship. With that said, Caleb is one of my favorite book boyfriends of the year. He’s smart, charming, protective (without going alpha), and is generally a sweetheart to Maggie. And Maggie grew is a trooper, full of strength and a huge heart. As her bond to Caleb forces her eyes open to a new world, she rolls with the punches. Not only does she stand up for herself, but she becomes a survivor. This book also wins for one of my favorite boy-meets-girl scenes. How can you not love a book where the girl saves the boys life the first time they meet?
NOTE: At the time of this post, SIGNIFICANCE is free on Amazon and Kobo.
BONUS: I devoured this series in three days. I had to know what happened to Caleb and Maggie. The other books include ACCORDANCE, DEFIANCE, REVERENCE, and INDEPENDENCE. I loved them all! See the series here.
Like the sound of SIGNIFICANCE? Give the author a little #BookLove. Shelly Crane tweets @AuthShellyCrane.
Buy:
*************
The 31 Days of #BookLove
Day 1: BULLY by Penelope Douglas
Day 2: THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Katja Millay
Day 3: TANGLED by Emma Chase
Day 4: UNSPOKEN by Jen Frederick
Day 5: PLAYING FOR KEEPS by R.L. Mathewson
Day 6: ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND by Monica Murphy
Day 7: WAIT FOR YOU by J. Lynn
