Book Bangin' - Nice Guys Finish First

Book Bangin' is a feature hosted by Kelly @ Belle of the Literati where, once a month, we talk about boys in books! Today we're talking about nice guys in books, which makes me a little bit nervous because I don't think I know that many nice guys in books. Ummmm....I will try. 

 Prince Kai

-doesn't care if there are grease stains on your face

-doesn't care if you look a mess in a dress

-He likes to give presents just for the fun of it

-cute when he gets flustered

-Sarcasm is his best friend!

  Number Eight

-funny

-will take you out sight-seeing when you're supposed to be saving the world

-loyal

-He's a peacemaker

-Sarcasm! 

 Alex

-He would risk his life for you

-Extremely patient at teaching new things

-will help you find the answers you're looking for

 Bruiser

-helpful

-will protect you 

-will take away your pain....literally

-would willingly suffer so you can live

I guess that wasn't so bad, I tried not to cheat, so that's all I can come up with for now. Who did I miss?

Thanks for stopping by!

Prologue Reveal: How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You

Prologue Reveal

Today we get a sneak peek at How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You - a sweet, fun YA romance, coming soon  from T.M. Franklin. Don't forget to scroll down to enter the giveaway for a signed ARC, plus some other fun prizes!

How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You will be released June 12th.

Ainsley is Now Available for Pre-Order!

Amazon (Paperback only, for now)

Barnes & Noble (Paperback & Nook)

iTunes

Kobo

TWCS 

Add Ainsley to Your Goodreads Shelf

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T.M. Franklin started out her career writing non-fiction in a television newsroom. Graduating with a B.A. in Communications specializing in broadcast journalism and production, she worked for nine years as a major market television news producer, and garnered two regional Emmy Awards, before she resigned to be a full-time mom and part-time freelance writer. Her first published novel, MORE, was born during National Novel Writing month, a challenge to write a novel in thirty days. MORE was well-received, being selected as a finalist in the 2013 Kindle Book Review Best Indie Book Awards, as well as winning the Suspense/Thriller division of the Blogger Book Fair Reader’s Choice Awards.
In addition to MORE and its sequel, The Guardians, Franklin penned the Amazon best-selling short stories A Piece of Cake and Window, which also won a Blogger Book Fair Reader’s Choice Award for Short Story/Fantasy. Her new YA romance, How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You, is Franklin’s first love story without a paranormal or fantasy element, although she believes love is the best kind of magic.
TWELVE, the final installment in the MORE Trilogy will be released in the fall of 2014.

Connect with T.M. Franklin

Website | E-mail | Facebook | Twitter

Ummm.....I missed my Blogoversary?

Happy 1-year of Blogging?

So...I was just curious to know the date of my blogoversary, and it turns out that I started this blog on May 21, 2013. I find this laughable! I was planning to celebrate it with you guys, but that ship has sailed. I was not prepared for this.

Here's the rundown: I went in search of my very first blog post on Thursday (May 22), which turned out to be one day after my blogoversary. Awwww.....that sucks!

Sadly, there will be no big giveaway in celebration, but come back next year and we'll see what happens! ;)

I don't even feel like it's been a year because I've only started posting regularly since this year. I still feel like a newbie....maybe I'll always feel that way. Haha! :)

Thanks for all those who stuck around and helped me learn all the ways of blogging! I really appreciate you guys and hopefully next year I'll get to celebrate properly! 

Thanks for sticking around!

Book Blitz: A Dangerous Madness

It's RELEASE DAY for Michelle Diener's third book in her Regency London Series, 
A Dangerous Madness!

A Dangerous Madness

by Michelle Diener

Adult Historical

May 19th 2014

The Duke of Wittaker has been living a lie...
He’s been spying on the dissolute, discontented noblemen of the ton, pretending to share their views. Now he’s ready to step out of the shadows and start living a real life...but when the prime minister of England is assassinated, he's asked to go back to being the rake-hell duke everyone believes he still is to find out more.
Miss Phoebe Hillier has been living a lie, too...
All her life she's played by society's rules, hiding her fierce intelligence and love of life behind a docile and decorous mask. All it's gotten her is jilted by her betrothed, a man she thought a fool, though a harmless one. But when she discovers her former fiancé was involved in the plot against the prime minister, and that he's been murdered, she realizes he wasn't so harmless after all.
And now the killers have set their sights on her...
The only man who can help her is the Duke of Wittaker--a man she knows she shouldn't trust. And she soon realizes he's hiding behind a mask as careful as her own. As the clock ticks down to the assassin's trial, the pair scramble to uncover the real conspiracy behind the prime minister's death. And as the pressure and the danger mounts, Phoebe and Wittaker shed their disguises, layer by layer, to discover something more precious than either imagined–something that could last forever. Unless the conspirators desperate to hide their tracks get to them first.

Amazon * Kindle * iTunes * Kobo * Barnes&Noble

SPECIAL OFFER

It just so happens that In Defense of the Queen, one of the Tudor-set historicals, is on special offer at the moment on Amazon, down to $0.99 from $4.99. The offer ends on May 24th, so if you like historicals with twists, turns and a lot of suspense, be sure to grab a copy.

Connections

I am so excited that my historical novel, A Dangerous Madness, releases today. A Dangerous Madness is set during the Regency period in London, and the plot revolves around the assassination of the British prime minister, Spencer Perceval.

A Dangerous Madness stands alone, but it is also connected to two other of my historical novels, The Emperor's Conspiracy and Banquet of Lies. The fun part of connecting the novels for me was to revisit characters I love from the previous two books (which are also connected to each other) but introducing those characters so that a reader of A Dangerous Madness doesn't have to have read the other two books to understand them. The characters have to stand alone, as much as the books do. But for those readers who have read either one or both of the previous books, they'll see those characters again, and learn a little about what has happened to them since the last book.

I've had so many readers contact me and comment on how much they enjoyed catching a glimpse of one or other of their favorite characters, which I really love. And quite a few people who read Banquet of Lies went back to read The Emperor's Conspiracy, and told me they found it equally satisfying, so readers don't have to read the books in any particular order.

In this way, connected books are more versatile than a series, because most people are hesitant to read a series out of order, and I totally understand that. I also love that so many people wrote to me after Banquet of Lies, asking if the Duke of Wittaker would get his own story. It was very satisfying to tell them I had started working on it straight after I finished Banquet of Lies. :)

From the beginning of Banquet of Lies, the Duke of Wittaker is mentioned by various characters again and again, although readers only 'meet' him near the very end. But when he did arrive on the scene, he made a real impact. I wrote and rewrote the scenes with him in them, because he really shone as a character and I wanted to do him justice. I loved that readers felt the same way, and those who read Banquet of Lies and have been waiting for their Duke of Wittaker fix, I hope they enjoy A Dangerous Madness as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Michelle Diener writes historical fiction. Her Susanna Horenbout & John Parker series, set in the court of Henry VIII, includes In a Treacherous Court, Keeper of the King's Secrets and In Defense of the Queen.

Michelle's other historical novels include Daughter of the Sky, The Emperor's Conspiracy and Banquet of Lies (loosely connected to The Emperor's Conspiracy).

Michelle's first fantasy novel, Mistress of the Wind, is set for a December 23, 2013, release.

Michelle was born in London, grew up in South Africa and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.

Goodreads * Amazon * Website * Twitter * Facebook

Blitz-Wide Giveaways:

Grand Prize: Print copies of The Emperor's Conspiracy, Banquet of Lies, and A Dangerous Madness
5 Print or Kindle copies (winner's choice) of A Dangerous Madness
Both giveaway are open internationally.
May 19th - 26th
See Rafflecopter for restrictions.

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Review: When I'm with You by Cecilia Gray

Title: When I'm with You
Author: Cecilia Gray
Publisher: Gray Life, LLC
Series: The Jane Austen Academy Series #3
Link: Goodreads

Kat is destined to be a star and her big break has arrived at last! As the assistant to a celebrity classmate on the set of a feature film, she's going to show everyone she has what it takes. That is, until she discovers pursuing her dreams may mean forfeiting her heart. Unless she can find a way to have both...The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And they're about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down...

Dive into the fabulous, fun lives of six Academy girls as their friendships are tested, torn and ultimately triumph.

I got a free copy of this book via Netgalley for an honest review.

My Review

4/5 stars
Cute. Adorable. Genius. Amazing. I'm running out of synonyms. The book was just wonderful!

Can I just say that Cecilia Gray is a genius for writing this magnificent book? I thought making Kat an actress was definitely the right angle for retelling Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.

Henry? Kat's Love interest? Well, Hellooooo new book boyfriend! *waves*

I loved every minute of this book. I would say I couldn't put it down, but I had to put it down at those wonderfully intense parts to catch my breath for a second or so.

Kat wants to be a star someday, so she's thrilled when Josh Wickham (movie star/hottie) invites her to be his personal assistant while he's shooting a movie. While she's there, she gets closer to some interesting (and famous) people, including Henry Tilney.

Some of my non-spoilery thoughts on Josh Wickham while reading:
1. I hate Josh
2. I love Josh
3. Does Josh ever get a happy ending?
4. I feel bad for Josh
5. I hate Josh
6. I love Josh

That's how much the book played with my emotions. I loved it! :D

What I liked: Everything!

What I disliked: I disliked that the book wasn't longer. I also hated that I didn't get to see the rest of our heroines: Lizzie, Eleanor, Anne and Emma. Yes, guys, I actually missed Emma in this book. I didn't miss her half as much as I missed the others, but I still missed her :)

Oh, I missed the other guys too, but Henry kept me fully entertained.
I'm trying to do this review without fangirling all over the place, but I'm not succeeding, so allow me to conclude.

If you've read Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, you'll appreciate the creative spin the author placed on the story. If you haven't read the book and you need a cute, light-hearted book, definitely pick up this one! Warning: The epilogue at the end will make you super anxious for the next book in the series.

I'm going to hurry up and read Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. It's the only novel by Jane Austen that I haven't read so far, and the next book in this series will be a retelling of Mansfield Park. I'm super excited! I loved this book!

Feature A Blogger: Vi!

Please welcome Vi from She-Read to the blog! 

 What do you mainly blog about, and why?

I’ve had a blog and website in some form or another since 2002 She Became A Butterfly I used to chronicle daily life before there was such a thing as a “Lifestyle Blogger.” I was ahead of my time. ;) This past year, I fell into the world of book reviewing and blogging, and that’s all I do at the moment. I’ve always been a voracious reader with aspirations to write, so being a book blogger just feels right at the moment.

What Faction would you most likely belong to, and why?

As a book blogger, I tend to stick to the YA and New Adult scene. I do enjoy a good thriller (love Lisa Gardner) and a good women’s friendship novel (like Summer Sistersby Judy Blume) from time to time as well. I like realistic stories, maybe because I’d like to believe the events in them could really happen to me. I don’t connect with Sci-Fi and Fantasy for some reason, so I stick to what I like.

Occupation?

I sell Insurance with my Musical Theatre degree. LOL! I also have a side business selling Disney Autograph Books and Golden Book Journals on Etsy. In my free time, I choreograph dance numbers in musicals. I’m choreographing White Christmas and dancing in it at the moment.

What was your favorite book to read while growing up?

While The Indian in the Cupboard by Ellen Reid Banks and Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit were favorites, The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin was the first book that fully sucked me in to the world of mystery. I loved the intricate riddles and puzzles contained in the book, and although it’s middle-reader level, I still read it every once in awhile as an adult. It never gets old to me.

Favorite Quote?

Oh Mr. Darcy . . .

"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Which fictional Character do you identify with the most?

Elizabeth Bennet! While she’s perfectly adept at social interaction and the proprieties of life, she would give the shirt off her back for anyone and always stands up for the underdog, even at the expense of herself. I see a lot of myself in her.

Random Fun

What's one question nobody ever asks you, but you wish they would? Now Answer it! :)

What is your latest favorite book?

It’s I See London by Chanel Cleeton. Here’s my review! If you like Anna and the French Kiss . . . I think this one is better!

Share a Fun Fact:

Um, I have 2 betta fish on my desk at work. Not sure if that’s fun, but Oscar and Violet are AWESOME!

Thank you for signing up for Feature A Blogger, Vi! 

If you want to be featured on my blog next, sign-ups are still open for Feature A Blogger

Book Haul! [May 2014]

Yes! Book Haul! 

Hurray!

Here are the new books we now have on Monique's Bookshelf! 

1. Unremembered by Jessica Brody

2. The Fall of Five by Pittacus Lore

3. After the Parch by Sheldon Greene

4. Reboot by Amy Tintera

I am so excited to read them all!!!! :D

Book Blast: Marriage isn't for you + Giveaway

  Marriage Isn't For You: It's for the One You Love
What is the best wedding advice you ever received? For author Seth Adam Smith, it was the advice from his father who said, Marriage is not for you. It is about the person you marry. These few words completely changed the way Seth looked at his relationship with his wife-to-be. Because at that moment he realized that an expression of love is not about the person expressing it. Rather, it is about the person they choose to be with. It is about making the person you marry feel loved. Seth's blog post on the subject was viewed by more than twenty-seven million people, and he has been featured on several national TV programs including The Today Show. Now released as a hardcover book, these sage words make the perfect gift for newly married couples, those who have been around the block a few times, or anyone who wants to learn how to make their relationships stronger. Praise for Marriage Isn't for You This is raw, this is real...it reflects what a lot of couples experience... it pulls you in. ~ --TODAY Show ...a tender, honest story. ~ --TODAY.com ...overwhelmingly heartfelt and touching admission. ~ ABC NEWS This story has become a viral sensation! ~ --The NY Daily News The Internet is loaded with marriage advice, but rarely does one single tidbit resonate strongly with so many people. ~ --Yahoo Lifestyle

Amazon

About the Author

SETH ADAM SMITH was born in Anchorage, Alaska. Since 2004, he has produced videos and articles for businesses, nonprofit organizations, youth groups, artists, and political causes. He is the editor-in-chief of ForwardWalking.com. He and his wife, Kim, live in Florida.

Website| Twitter |Facebook

Blast Giveaway 

 $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash 

 Ends 5/31/14 

 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.    

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Winter Teasers #2

Hello Browsers!


Remember the last time I posted Winter Teasers for Marissa Meyer's final book in The Lunar Chronicles? Well I'm back now! Since then, Maissa Meyer has posted Winter Teasers on her twitter page as a part of SaveCRESS, and I'm here to give you guys the update. Hurray! If you missed out on the first segment, you can check out Winter Teasers Part 1

Let's do this!

Extra Facts we've learned:
1. Unfortunately, There will be no ARCs of Winter
2. According to a Winter betareader, there is no epilogue.
3. I'm sorry to inform you guys that there are rumors of Winter not coming out till November 24, 2015 instead of February 2015. There has been no confirmation yet, but I will keep searching. 

On with the Quotes!

Informational

"We have had word that some political groups are calling for the forced abdication of Emperor Kaito."

It did not feel like home. It felt like a place that  had been built to be paradise, but had become a prison.

"She had the bone structure of a bird. Wolf  probably could have crushed her with his fingertips."

"Being raised on Luna seems to really mess people up. She wouldn't be the lovable cyborg we've all come to adore." 

Fear was a weakness in the court. Much better to act unperturbed. Much safer to act crazy, when in doubt.

"They're the first crew I've ever had, and most of them even call me Captain. I'm going to miss them."

Funny 

She was prettier than a bouquet of roses and crazier than a headless chicken. Fitting in was not an option.

She definitely has a crush on you. It's about the size of Jupiter.

"She was going to have to train herself not to stare at him quite as often as she was used to. That would be no easy task."

"I expected palm trees and red carpets," said Iko,  brow drawn in a show of severe disappointment.

"You're a good guy, Thorne." She paused. "Well, you have your moments."

"May I request a new uniform? A towel seems inappropriate for the position."

"Greenwich is a funny word, isn't it? All green and witchy. Like soup."

Cliffhangers

She screamed like a thousand birds were picking at her flesh. She screamed like the palace was burning down around her.

She would die here and not complain. She would be buried beneath this avalanche of lifelessness.

"Hold these wires and make sure they don't touch." "What happens if they touch?" "The ship will probably self-destruct."

She was a danger to his hard-earned neutrality. Thinking about her tended to give him an unwanted hitch in his lungs.

"I intend to put an end to the rumors of the darling Princess Selene once and for all."

He laughed, like someone had stabbed him in the chest and he had no other choice, but to find it amusing.

In a moment of weakness, he craned his head and kissed her on the shoulder, where the drop of blood had fallen before.

Her whole body was wound up tight. She was ready to storm the palace herself-an army of one.

When they arrived, they arrived in force-a dozen military ships surrounding the safe house, guns drawn.

I hope you guys enjoyed these teasers as much as I did. Again, sorry if I overwhelmed you with all of them at once. Gah! I love The Lunar Chronicles so much!! I hope my emperor will still get to be an emperor when Winter is done. I can't wait to read it. Are you ready for the takedown of Levana?! I am so ready! 

PS. Message me via the contact form at the side if you want a spoiler. Yes, guys. I'm that obsessed. I research so much that I found a spoiler for a book that isn't even out yet. I'm not even kidding. I should be a detective! 

Happy Browsing!

Review: So Into You by Cecilia Gray

Title: So Into You
Author: Cecilia Gray
Publisher: Gray Life, LLC
Series: The Jane Austen Academy Series #2
Link: Goodreads

Sweet and sensible Ellie hasn't met a problem her mom's yoga mantras can't fix. But when Ellie's parents threaten to pull her from the Academy just as her flirtation with the cutest boy in school heats up, will Ellie be able to keep her cool?The last thing that the girls at the elite Jane Austen Academy need is guys. But over the summer the school has been sold, and like it or not, the guys are coming. And they're about to turn the Academy—and the lives of its students—totally upside down...

Dive into the fabulous, fun lives of six Academy girls as their friendships are tested, torn and ultimately triumph.

My Review

I got a free copy of this book via Netgalley for an honest review.

3/5 stars!

What I loved: I loved all the friendships! Girl power! I think some novels focus too much on the romance and forfeit showing the reader how powerful friendships can be. 

I really enjoyed Fall For You by Cecilia Gray, and I decided to keep up with the Jane Austen Academy Series, but I don't think this book was as great as it's predecessor. 

In So Into You, Ellie finds out early on that she has to leave her beloved Jane Austen Academy because her parents spontaneously decided to move their family out to another country. Ellie and her friends try to come up with ways to get Ellie to keep attending the Academy, but it's up to Ellie to decide if she really wants to stay or go off with her parents.

Though I loved So Into You, I had two major issues with this book.

1. As the series progresses, the characters seem to be having major personality make-overs.

Let me explain:

-In Fall For You, Lizzie was a headstrong journalist with spunk. In So Into You, she loses some of that spunk that made me love her, and seems unsure of everything she wants to accomplish. 

- In the first book, I thought Emma was funny and charismatic, but in order to resemble Marianne Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility, her character became extremely annoying. Plus I remember Emma saying that she thought Edward was nothing but heartbreak at the end of the first book. So why was she so intent on getting Ellie and Edward together in this book? I understand she wanted her friend to stay, but if I knew a guy meant nothing but heartbreak, I would most certainly not fix him up with any of my friends. 

-Dante.....What happened to being Mr. Darcy?

2. I don't think Ellie was a good representative of Elinor Dashwood. Yes, Ellie was intelligent and had a good head on her shoulders, but something just didn't add up for me. I think it was all the mention of yoga.

While we're on the subject of Ellie, I also didn't like the way Edward treated her AND Lucy in this book. If you've read Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, you know exactly what I'm talking about. 

No, Edward. I don't forgive you. What you did was wrong. You're lucky you're so charming, and Ellie is so forgiving. If it were me, I would've never talked to you again.

Beyond that, I thought the story wrapped up pretty nicely. I would've liked to see more Lizzie and Ellie interaction and less of Emma, but I knew Emma had to be there to fulfill her Marianne Dashwood role. Maybe some more meaningful Lizzie and Dante interaction? I'm sure they do other things besides kissing.... A little more of Anne would've also been greatly appreciated. I can't wait to read her story!!! :D

Overall, So Into You didn't quite capture me as Fall For You (most sequels don't), but I would be lying if I said it wasn't fun to read. It was definitely cute! :) I'm excited to read the next installment of the series. 

I expect great things just from reading the next book's description! :D 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Book Covers I'd Frame As Pieces of Art

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. You can find out more about it here.

Here are the delicious covers! :D
Warning: I have weird tastes, therefore some of the choices may be weird! :P

1.  Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Read+Liked Cover more than book)

2. Unwind by Neal Shusterman (Read)

3. Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg (TBR)

4. House Rules by Jodi Picoult (Read)

5. Cress by Marissa Meyer (Read)

6. Impossible by Komal Kant (TBR)

7. Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik (Read)

8. Gone by Lisa McMann (Read)

9. Parallel by Lauren Miller (TBR)

10. Freak of Nature by Julia Crane (Read+Liked Cover more than book)