Review: Breakable by Tammara Webber

Breakable

Contours of the Heart #2

by Tammara Webber

Publication Date: May 6, 2014

Published by Penguin Berkley

Pages: 368

Source: Publisher

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from Goodreads

He was lost and alone. Then he found her.
And the future seemed more fragile than ever.

As a child, Landon Lucas Maxfield believed his life was perfect and looked forward to a future filled with promise — until tragedy tore his family apart and made him doubt everything he ever believed.

All he wanted was to leave the past behind. When he met Jacqueline Wallace, his desire to be everything she needed came so easy…

As easy as it could be for a man who learned that the soul is breakable and that everything you hoped for could be ripped away in a heartbeat.

My Thoughts

I've just finished Breakable and I can easily say that I fell in love with Landon Lucas Maxfield all over again. It's been a while since I had read Easy, the book that introduced Lucas to me. I thought that I didn't remember much of Lucas and Jacqueline's story, but I quickly realized that I remembered it all. The intensity of their relationship, the flirting, the protectiveness Lucas felt. It flooded back to me. This book isn't just about a character who you should love, a guy who will make you swoon (which he does), but it's about a young man who, after going to the darkest depths of himself, reclaims his life.

Breakable grabbed me from the very beginning and keep me turning the pages to discover the mystery of Landon Lucas Maxfield. I got to see him from a new perspective, not just the protector role that he assumed when Jacqueline entered his life. Breakable is more than just a retelling of Easy from Lucas's perspective. We get to see him as both Landon - from years 13 to 18, and Lucas - in current day, and how both of these personas reconcile into the person he will become.

I loved reading the coming of age of Landon and his time as a teenager. It was both heartbreaking - seeing his relationship with his father fade into nothing as they dealt with (or didn't deal with) the loss of his mother, and entertaining - his friendship with Boyce, the nemesis turned best friend. There were just as many moments that I wanted to cry as there were moments that made me want to laugh. What I love most of all though was seeing that Landon/Lucas, no matter how lost he thought he was and the desire to give up and give in to his pain, he begins to find himself again.

Tammara Webber has written a stellar story when she gave us Jacqueline and Lucas. Readers can possibly find parts of themselves in these characters. They may not have experienced the tragedies that Lucas and Jacqueline deal with, but they can identify with their pain, their uncertainties, their doubt, their guilt, but also their love. I loved reading Easy, and now Breakable. This is a story that I will not soon forget.

Disclaimer:  I received a finished copy from Penguin Berkley in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any way other than the book provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's Release Day!! Finally, Forever by Katie Kacvinsky

Finally, Forever is here.

Discover Dylan and Gray and find out if they will finally get their forever.

Finally, Forever 
by Katie Kacvinsky
Available May 9, 2014 
Add to Goodreads

BOOK BLURB:

Author's Note: Can be read as book three of the First Comes Love series, or as a standalone .

College baseball player, Gray Thomas, had to go far out into left field to find a girl like Dylan, the ex-love-of-his-life. More than a year later, literally at a crossroads, they find each other together on a journey that is a pause between a painful past and an uncertain future. In this sexy and offbeat summer read, Gray and Dylan discover that a destination isn't always a place. More often, it's a person. Now it's time for them to finally decide, is this forever?

Find out if they will finally get their forever.

Purchase Finally, Forever

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Follow Katie Kacvinsky

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Fans can check out this facebook page for news about the series:
https://www.facebook.com/GrayandDylan

You can get a signed bookmark by going here: http://katiekacvinskybooks.wordpress.com/2014/04/21/old-school-style/

GIVEAWAY:

Win a Writing Essentials Kit. US Only. 

Enter Here: Link to Rafflecopter

Review: Royally Lost by Angie Stanton

Royally Lost

by Angie Stanton

Publication Date: May 6, 2014

Published by Harper Collins

Pages: 336

Source: InkslingerPR via Edelwiess

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from Goodreads

Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.

Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.

When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?

My Thoughts

Royally Lost was all kinds of fun. It had travel, head-strong teenagers, an overbearing King and Queen, a hot biker boy, first kisses (and second and third kisses), and the paparazzi trying to capture it all. 

The main characters Becca and Nikolai meet each other when they are both at a crossroads in their lives. They've followed their parents rules but are ready to begin living their own lives, their own way. What that means, neither of them is exactly sure, but they want to have the opportunity to find out. It was interesting to read about the relationships that Becca and Nikolai had with their parents. While they seemed to be different because of their backgrounds, they both were trying to exert their independence. And how their parents reacted couldn't have been more different. 

There were moments that I laughed when the characters were being overly dramatic about their feelings for each other. But it wasn't a mocking laughter. Instead it reminded me of being a teenager and how everything seemed so intense and feelings were amplified and you couldn't get enough of the person you were falling in love with.

I loved the scenes between Becca and her brother, Dylan, and the scenes with Nikolai and his sister, Alexi. Dylan and Alexi were rebellious too. They didn't want to be controlled by their parents either. Quite often, I found myself wondering what Dylan was doing when he went off on his own adventures. I'm sure he has some interesting tales to tell. (I would read that book; hint, hint).

I enjoyed taking this little adventure with Becca and Nikolai and getting lost with them. Royally Lost is a fun summer read - a great book to read by the pool or at the beach. It's the first book that I've read by Angie Stanton and after reading it, I'm going to check out all of her books!

Disclaimer:  I received this e-ARC from InkslingerPR via Edelwiess in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any way other than the e-ARC provided. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Finally, Forever by Katie Kacvinsky: Teaser & Giveaway

Finally, Forever is almost here. Just a few more days!!

Until then, I have a little teaser for you. 

Discover Dylan and Gray and find out if they will finally get their forever.

Finally, Forever

by Katie Kacvinsky

Available May 9, 2014

Add to Goodreads

BOOK BLURB:

Author's Note: Can be read as book three of the First Comes Love series, or as a standalone .

College baseball player, Gray Thomas, had to go far out into left field to find a girl like Dylan, the ex-love-of-his-life. More than a year later, literally at a crossroads, they find each other together on a journey that is a pause between a painful past and an uncertain future. In this sexy and offbeat summer read, Gray and Dylan discover that a destination isn't always a place. More often, it's a person. Now it's time for them to finally decide, is this forever?

TEASER

DYLAN:

I try to un-want things. It’s my latest challenge. And I’m continually broke, so it works out. Every day people make lists of the things they want, or the things they need. Shopping lists, to-do lists, grocery lists. I make it a challenge to un-want things. To see what I can do without. I un-want new shoes and make do with my dirty, worn out ones. I glue the soles together and sew holes. I un-want a new backpack and sew a patch on the one I have. Casting something away it easy, but just because it frays, just because it shows signs of age doesn’t mean it’s worthless. It’s amazing how well things hold up if you give them extra love.

I un-wanted getting a haircut and let it grow wild until I cut it myself. I un-want makeup and let my freckles stand out. And strangely, in all the unneeding, I seem to gain more.

I look up at the door Gray just walked out of. No matter how hard I try, I can’t un-want you. I can’t un-need you. Sometimes we don’t know what we need until we’re shown what we need. Up until then, we’re only making blind guesses. Sometimes, even when we think we’re roaming, we’re just traveling in a long circle that eventually leads us home.

GRAY:

I walk into the bedroom and sit down on the bed. Dylan isn’t here; it gives me a chance for a mental pep talk. I run my hands through my hair. I have to mentally rise above the situation. I can’t let my mind go there. I can’t let myself remember. I can’t let myself want her. She is the one thing I can never have.

I look up at the door she’s about to walk through. I gave you up. I realized I wasn’t born to love you. I was born to lose you. You are my sad song.  My melancholy mix. My regrets, my what ifs. You are my past until you suddenly crashed into my present. But you will never be my future.

I replay that sentence over and over in my head. 

Find out if they will finally get their forever.

Available May 9th.

 Follow Katie Kacvinsky

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Fans can check out this facebook page for news about the series:
https://www.facebook.com/GrayandDylan

You can get a signed bookmark by going here:
http://katiekacvinskybooks.wordpress.com/2014/04/21/old-school-style/

GIVEAWAY:

Win a Writing Essentials Kit. US Only. 

Enter Here: Link to Rafflecopter

Release Day Blitz: Royally Lost by Angie Stanton

Royally Lost by Angie Stanton is available NOW!!

Royally Lost
by Angie Stanton

Published by Harper Collins

Publication Date: May 6, 2014

 About Royally Lost

Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince. Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour. When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever? 

About Angie: Angie Stanton never planned on writing books; she wanted to be a Rockette. However, growing up in rural Wisconsin, with her brothers' 4-H pigs as pets, dance didn't work out. Instead she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head, she began to write them down, and the rest is history.

Angie is the author of six books including Royally Lost, Rock and a Hard Place, and Snapshot. She graduated with a Journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin, and is a proud double finalist of the National Readers Choice Awards for Love 'em or Leave 'em.

Find Angie Stanton

Website: http://angiestanton.com/ 

Twitter: @angie_stanton 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngieStantonAuthor

Amazon Link Goodreads Link

B&N Link
 

Order a signed copy from A Room of One's Own!

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Cover Reveal: Melt by Selene Castrovilla

I'm so excited to take part in the cover reveal for MELT by Selene Castrovilla! Check out the cover below, and let me know what you think in the comments. Then be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed ARC of MELT, and a $25 Amazon or B&N gift card!
 

MELT by Selene Castrovilla | Last Syllable Books | August 2014

Melt is a brutal love story, set against the backdrop of The Wizard of Oz. Sixteen year old “good girl” Dorothy just blew into the small town of Highland Park – where the social headquarters is Munchkinland (Dunkin’ Donuts.) There, she meets Joey – a “bad boy” who tells no one about the catastrophic domestic violence he witnesses at home. Can these two lovers survive peer pressure, Joey’s reputation, and his alcoholism? And then there’s his family's secret – about to be unleashed.Told in dual first person, Joey's words are scattered on the page - reflecting his broken state. Dorothy is the voice of reason - until something so shattering happens that she, too, may lose her grip. Can their love endure, or will it melt away? Melt is based on true events. It is both a chilling tale of abuse, and a timeless romance. It will hit you like a punch in the face, and also seep through the cracks in your soul.

What do you think of the cover?

 

 

About Selene Castrovilla

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

Selene Castrovilla is an award-winning teen and children’s author who believes that through all trends, humanity remains at the core of literature. She is the author of Saved By the Music and The Girl Next Door, teen novels originally published by WestSide Books and now available digitally through ASD Publishing. Her third children’s book with Calkins Creek Books, Revolutionary Friends, was released in April. She is also a contributing author to UncommonYA. Selene holds an MFA in creative writing from New School University and a BA in English from New York University. She lives on Long Island with her two sons. Visit her website www.SeleneCastrovilla.com for book excerpts and more information!

GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a signed ARC of MELT along with $25 Amazon or B&N gift card! (US/CA only) 

***Any contestant that uses dummy or contest only accounts to enter will be disqualified.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Finally, Forever: 10 Things You Should Know about Gray and Dylan

Welcome to the Finally, Forever Blog Tour. 

I'm thrilled to participate and share this long awaited title with all of you.

Finally, Forever is the new adult book by Katie Kacvinsky, available May 9th . Finally, Forever can be read as a stand-alone novel (this is true, I've read it!) but is the third book of the First Come Love series. Katie gave me two of my favorite characters, Gray and Dylan. You must meet them too. Here are some things you need to know about them.


10 Things You Should Know About Gray and Dylan 

 

1. Gray is a college baseball player, Dylan is a traveling vagabond and photographer.

2. Gray is cynical, Dylan sees everything through a positive lens.

3. Gray is loyal, Dylan has a problem settling in one place.

4. Dylan doesn’t wear make-up, she loves beat-up clothes (and cars) and sometimes forgets to shower.

5. Dylan’s addiction is traveling, Gray’s addiction is Dylan.

6. Dylan’s motto is to make the most out of every moment. Gray’s motto is to survive the moment.

7. Gray is from the desert (Arizona). Dylan is from the cold (Wisconsin).

8. Gray sees life as a music soundtrack and he is the musical supervisor. Dylan sees life as a constant image to try and capture.

9. Dylan lives her life with her heart opened wide. Gray builds walls around is heart and is careful who he lets in.

10. Dylan and Gray each have one regret: They let someone amazing slip through their fingers.

Finally, Forever

by Katie Kacvinsky

Available May 9, 2014

Add to Goodreads

College baseball player, Gray Thomas, had to go far out into left field to find a girl like Dylan, the ex-love-of-his-life. More than a year later, literally at a crossroads, they find each other together on a journey that is a pause between a painful past and an uncertain future. In this sexy and offbeat summer read, Gray and Dylan discover that a destination isn't always a place. More often, it's a person. Now it's time for them to finally decide, is this forever?

Find out if they will finally get their forever.

Available May 9th.