Review: Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein

Dear Cassie
by Lisa Burstein
Published by Entangled Teen
Publication Date: March 5, 2013
Pages:352
Source: Purchased 









(From Goodreads)
What if the last place you should fall in love is the first place that you do?

You’d think getting sent to Turning Pines Wilderness Camp for a month-long rehabilitation “retreat” and being forced to re-live it in this journal would be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.

You’d be wrong.

There’s the reason I was sent to Turning Pines in the first place: I got arrested. On prom night. With my two best friends, who I haven’t talked to since and probably never will again. And then there’s the real reason I was sent here. The thing I can’t talk about with the guy I can’t even think about.

What if the moment you’ve closed yourself off is the moment you start to break open?

But there’s this guy here. Ben. And the more I swear he won’t—he can’t—the deeper under my skin he’s getting. After the thing that happened, I promised I’d never fall for another boy’s lies.

And yet I can’t help but wonder…what if?

My Thoughts

Dear Cassie, the companion novel to Pretty Amy, is so much more than I ever imagined it would be. The Cassie in this book is completely different from the character in Pretty Amy because we get to hear her voice, know her thoughts and not just how Amy saw her. While they are companion novels, I really don't want to compare the books because each book is different, just like both girls are different.

Dear Cassie is an excellent example of how people don't always see themselves as others see them and how often people can see beyond what we are willing to share of ourselves. But more than that, it demonstrates the ways we punish ourselves when what we need to doing is forgiving ourselves.

Katie Kacvinsky (an author whose books I'm a fan of) blurbed Dear Cassie, but it wasn't needed to convince me to read it. It just convinced me that I shouldn't wait another minute to read Dear Cassie and it's true - "be ready to be changed."

Dear Cassie is filled with a lot of memorable moments - shocking, jaw-dropping, laughable, and heart-breaking, but this one just might be my favorite:

     He turned to go, then stopped like he remembered something. "I'll try to come back tonight," he said. His face was hopeful, as hopeful as the sun that was about to rise.
     "You sure are willing to go through a lot for cigarette smoking and hand holding, " I said.
     "You need to try and remember that." He watched me. Maybe for the way the sun was starting to color my face, or maybe for the way my eyes were on his, unable to look away. (pg 238)

I just love this book! I recommend it as well as Lisa Burstein's Pretty Amy and companion novella, The Next Forever.

Disclaimer: This review is based on the paperback version which I purchased for my personal library. I was not compensated in any way for providing this review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Blitz: The Truth about Letting Go by Leigh T. Moore

What’s The The Truth About Letting Go? & A Chance to #WIN

Early readers say…

“If you’re a fan of Sarah Dessen novels, you should definitely pick this one up.” --Harley Bear Book Blog

“Rarely have I read a book like this one that felt so real it could be true.” --Steph’s Book Reviews

“You are drawn into the story straight away and begging for more and left in tears when it is all over.” --Totally Bookalicious reviews

“Jordan. Oh, how I loved him. I think I will just leave it at that. I loved him. Colt. What can I say about the hot bad boy that was all wrong for Ashley? Really, I couldn’t help it, I sort of liked him despite his bad boy self.” --My Guilty Obsession book reviews

Whether you’ve read the bestselling companion novel The Truth About Faking or not,

Take a trip to Shadow Creek…

Back to the top of the social ladder.

I picture myself climbing up, up, up… to my old position. I’m losing my breath like Charlotte climbing the smallest hill.

I wonder what would happen if I quietly turned around and jumped off...

Get me!

The Truth About Letting Go

by Leigh Talbert Moore

Ashley wants to smash everything in her once-perfect life.

Charlotte wants to walk in Ashley's seemingly charmed shoes.

Colt wants to turn Smalltown USA on its ear--with Ashley at his side.

Jordan wants to follow his heart... but Ashley is the one sacrifice he never expected to make.

Up until now, Ashley Lockett has always followed the rules. She's always done the right thing, played it safe, and then her ideal life is shattered when her dad dies suddenly.

Fueled by anger and grief, she vows to do everything opposite of how she lived before. She rejects safety, the rules, faith, and then she meets Jordan.

Jordan has big dreams, he's had a crush on Ashley for years, he's a great kisser... but he's also safe.

Enter Colt. He is not safe, and he's more than willing to help Ashley fulfill her vow.

An irresistible escape…

I feel Colt laugh, and he looks down into my face. That’s when he seems to realize what I’ve been acutely aware of for the last several minutes—our bodies are pressed together.

“It’s awesome, yeah?” he says. “Adrenaline rush.”

“Yeah,” I breathe. “I guess.”

I’m not sure if he’s going to kiss me until he does. His mouth covers mine, and energy mixes with the alcohol flooding my body. Our tongues slide together, and I grip his shirt so I don’t collapse.

Every single bit of this is wrong, and there’s no way I’m stopping it. It’s back, that good feeling. The sadness has been pushed out again, and in its place is this rush, this rush of adrenaline like Colt said.

He pulls back and smiles at me. “We’re going to start dating. Now. You’re my partner in crime.”

Get The Truth About Letting Go today:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes

Leigh Talbert Moore is a wife and mom by day, a writer by day, a reader by day, a former freelance editor, a former journalist, a chocoholic, a caffeine addict, a southern expat, a lover of any great love story, a beach bum, and occasionally she sleeps.

Find her online at her blog, on Facebook, on Amazon, Goodreads, Twitter, and Tumblr. Read excerpts of her books on Wattpad and Figment!

* * *

Enter to #WIN a signed print set of The Truth About Letting Go AND The Truth About Faking! (US only)

*For international entrants, win a digital copy of both books!

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Waiting on Wednesday: Break These Rules

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Break These Rules: 35 YA Authors On Speaking Up, Standing Out and Being Yourself 
Edited by Luke Reynolds   
Published by Chicago Review Press
Publication Date: September 1, 2013

(from Goodreads)
Middle grade and young adult authors speak candidly on the unspoken “rules” of adolescence in this collection of moving, inspiring, and often funny essays. This unique volume encourages readers to break with conformity and defy age-old, and typically inaccurate, orthodoxy—including such conventions as Boys can’t be gentle, kind, or caring; One must wear Abercrombie & Fitch in order to fit in; Girls should act like girls; and One must go to college after finishing high school. 

With contributions from acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning young adult authors—including Gary D. Schmidt, author of The Wednesday Wars; Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook; Sara Zarr, author of Story of a Girl; and Wendy Mass, author of A Mango-Shaped Space—this collection encourages individuality by breaking traditionally held norms, making it an ideal resource for tweens and teens. 

Why I'm Waiting:

• I like reading compilations of stories and essays of young adult authors. It usually introduces me to some new authors whose books I've never read before.  
• Often the "rules" of adolescence are similar to the "rules" of adulthood and sometimes as adults we need a little reminder that it's ok to be different, an individual, and become more accepting of ourselves 

 

Cover Reveal: Lost In You by Heidi McLaughlin

Lost in You
by Heidi McLaughlin
Expected Publication: May 2013

Lost in You 

Synopsis

Ryan Stone is a less than average teenager. He doesn’t have fancy clothes. He doesn’t carry around the latest smartphone and he definitely doesn’t have an MP3 player. Instead, he goes to school, does his chores and dreams of a new life away from Brookfield where he’s expected to follow in his blue collar family’s footsteps.

Hadley Carter is America’s Pop Princess. A successful recording artist living her dream with a sold-out tour and a handful of Grammy’s there isn’t much that she wants for, except love. But finding love on the road is near impossible when all she longs for are romantic dinners, a nighttime stroll on the beach and holding hands with someone who isn’t going to exploit her.

When a chance encounter introduces Ryan to Hadley, will he be like her adoring fans looking for a way in, or will it be Hadley who pursues Ryan even though it might cost her the only career she's known.

Lost in You is a story about following your dreams, taking risks and getting lost in love.

Add to Goodreads   

Follow Heidi McLaughlin

Website * Facebook * Blog * Twitter

Heidi McLaughlin Bio
Heidi is the author of USA Today, Digital Book World, Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestselling novel, Forever My Girl.
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.
During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.

Cover Reveal: an Endless Summer by C.J. Duggan

Cover Reveal!!

 

An Endless Summer is book 2 of the Summer Series by C.J. Duggan. The first book, The Boys of Summer, was published back in December. I'm not going to lie, I haven't read it yet because it is way too cold to think about reading a book about summer right now (as I watch the snow flurries whip in the wind outside my window). I'm not one of those people who like to read summer books during the winter. They don't warm me up. They just make me curse this cold weather. But I'm ready to pick up my gorgeous paperback copy as soon as the weather finally warms up. Until then, I'll just look at this cover and daydream about sunshine, lounging by the pool, and sipping on a cool glass of lemonade.

 

 

An Endless Summer by C.J. Duggan
Series: Summer, #2
Publication date:  July 17th 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance 

 Add Endless Summer on Goodreads

Synopsis:

 

Sean looked out over the lake, squinting against the sunlight. He turned to me, his expression sobering as his eyes flicked over my face in a silent study.

“Come on Amy, I saved you once, I’ll save you again.”

I met his stare unflinchingly. “I don’t need saving.”

A wicked grin formed slowly. “Don’t you?”

After a rebellious summer night that almost claimed her life, Amy Henderson – the Onslow publican’s only daughter – is sent away to suffer a fate far worse than any other punishment:

Boarding School.

Three years on, a now nineteen-year-old Amy returns to Onslow for the summer. What once was a cauldron of activity with live bands, hot meals and cold beers, the Onslow Hotel now lies dark, deserted and depressing. All fond childhood memories of loitering on the hotel stairs and eavesdropping on customers’ colourful conversations are in the distant past.

How had her dad let it come to this?

With the new threat of putting the Onslow up for sale, Amy reluctantly turns to a local tradesman for help: Sean Murphy, the very same Onslow boy who saved her life all those years ago. With his help and that of some old friends, the task is clear: spend the summer building the hotel back up to its former glory or lose it for good.

In an endless summer, Amy soon realises that sometimes in order to save your future, you have to face your past, even if it’s in the form of a smug, gorgeous Onslow boy.

----

AUTHOR BIO

 

C.J. Duggan

C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia.
The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.
For more on C.J and ‘The Summer Series’, visit www.cjdugganbooks.com

Author Links:

Website: http://www.cjdugganbooks.com/

Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

 I am participating in this cover reveal hosted by:

Blog Tour: Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Welcome to the DUALED  blog tour, hosted by Sarah at The Book Life! Dualed is an exciting, fast-paced dystopian and the debut novel for author Elsie Chapman. I'm excited to be promoting Elsie and her book and am grateful to you for stopping by to join in on the fun! If you've already read and loved Dualed, feel free to help us spread the love. If you haven't read it yet, then we hope we can get you excited for it!

You or your Alt? Only one will survive.


The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . though both have the power to destroy her.



Elsie has stopped by to answer some questions about the inspiration and writing of DUALED. Welcome Elsie!

Share with us some of the inspiration behind DUALED! How long did it take you to write and sell DUALED? And now that you are a 2013 debut author, how does that effect your writing schedule?

The first draft of DUALED took me five weeks, but revisions and took me much longer. In the end, almost everything evens out, it seems. And I think it took me about three months to sell DUALED.
I couldn’t be happier with how it all worked out! But I’m definitely feeling more of a time crunch now that there’s one book already in the works. Because with follow-up books that you might be drafting or editing, you’re still having to edit or promote your first book at the same time. I’m still struggling with better time management, and I’ve learned it is wholly possible to survive on four hours of sleep a night.

You or your Alt? If you lived in Kersh, who do you think would win the dual? What would you use to fight your Alt (weapons, strategy, fighting skills)?

I hate to say it but I think my Alt would probably kick my butt. Not only do I know my own tendencies and weaknesses, I also couldn’t imagine she’d be any worse. But of course it would still have to come down to a battle, so I think if I stood any chance at all, I’d probably have to rely on doing something sneaky.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elsie grew up in Prince George, BC, before graduating from the University of British Columbia with a BA in English Literature. She currently lives in Vancouver with her husband and two kids, where she writes to either movies on a loop or music turned up way too loud (and sometimes both at the same time).

She's repped by The Chudney Agency, and her debut novel, DUALED, published by Random House is out NOW! The sequel, DIVIDED, will be published February, 2014.

Find Elsie on Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

She's also a contributing member of Friday the Thirteeners and The Lucky 13s group author blogs.

Dualed Blog Tour Stops

2/25/13 Sarah @ The Book Life – Tour kick-off and Intervieww/ Elsie

2/26/13 Jenna @ Making the Grade - Guest Post

2/27/13 Kristan @ Lost Amongst the Shelves - Review

2/28/13 Anna @ Literary Exploration - Guest Post

3/1/13 Inky @ Book Haven Extraordinaire - Review

3/2/13 Joli @ Actin’ Up with Books - Guest Post

3/4/13 Sara @ Forever 17 Books - Review

3/5/13 Tara @ Hobbitsies - Guest Post

3/6/13 Lilian @ A Novel Toybox - Guest Post

3/7/13 Kayla @ Bibliophilia, Please - Review

3/8/13 Emily @ Emily's Crammed Bookshelf - Review

3/9/13 Michelle @ Passionate Bookworm - Review

March Madness Writing, Reading, and Blogging Challenge

image by Kelsey Macke

IF YOU ARE like me AND you need a boost, a kick in the pants, want to get real with yourself, or want to be a part of a fun community setting a common goal, then March Madness is for you! Author Denise Jaden invites Writers, Readers, Illustrators, and Bloggers to challenge themselves all month long to do more by setting goals and being accountable. Denise says, "Accountability is our main aim and the more support we have, the easier it will be to sail on through the month of March, bouncing along on each others successes!" 

To find out all of the details of March Madness #WIPMadness, go to 
http://denisejaden.blogspot.com/2013/02/march-madness-writing-reading-and.html
 
For my March Madness Challenge, I want to write more reviews (I usually write 3 a month) and make some long overdue updates to my blog. 

Here are my goals:

Write 4-6 overdue reviews, including but not limited to:

• The Goodbye Quilt
• The Namesake 
• Scarred Lions
• Thrill Seekers

Review:

• Live Through This
• What Boys Really Want
• Geography Club
• The Elephant of Surprise 

Schedule Blog Tour Posts (5 pending)



Make some blog updates:

• Redesign!!
• Fix comment reply option
• Add Follow Me options
• Write new Love My Indie invitation post