Review: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Title: Maybe Someday
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publisher: Atria Books
Published: March 18,2014

At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…



From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance—and the enchanting music that inspires one young woman to put her life back together.

From the author of the New York Times bestsellers Slammed, Point of Retreat, Hopeless, This Girl, and Losing Hope, Maybe Someday is destined to become another bestseller and long-lasting fan favorite.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17788403-maybe-someday


My Thoughts:

Wow. I am in utter awe right now.  I began reading Maybe Someday last Wednesday, and just finished reading the last sentence about fifteen minutes ago. It took me five days to read. Not because it was bad in any way- it was fantastic!  I just could not bear to read it all in one sitting. I just couldn't contain all of the emotions that I was feeling. There were too many feels. So many beautiful passages. So much to ponder.  So much of everything.  I needed to take my time with this book.

Very seldom do I allow myself to cry when I read a book.  Usually, if I'm reading a book, and I start to feel deep emotions coming on, I'll set the book aside, and go do something else until I've calmed down, sidetracked myself with other things, or until I've put my barrier up. (Yes, I know I have issues. But that's for another day. ;) )  Well, anyhow, as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, I did try and set Maybe Someday aside to focus on other things. You know what happened?  Ridge, Sydney, and Maggie didn't let me forget about them. They kept creeping into my thoughts, and I just couldn't disconnect myself from these characters. I had to go back and read just a little bit more.  Therefore, Maybe Someday, messed with my emotions and with my heart to the point where I felt shook up (not with the book, mind you).  I guess that's  a good thing. Part of my healing process maybe?

Ok, back to the book.

Ridge. Oh boy. *takes a deep breath*  If you want to meet a guy who is kind, compassionate and wears his heart on his sleeve, then you've got to meet Ridge.  There were times, I wanted to be upset with him, but I just couldn't, because I got why he did the things he did. I just wished he didn't try to carry all the weight or blame on his shoulders alone.  I have to say, I adored the relationship he had with his best friend, Warren, and the pranks the two played on each other. They had such close friendship, and knew each other so well.

Sydney was another character I wanted to dislike at times, but I just couldn't. Sometimes I wished she would have handled things different.  I don't think she could have though. She needed someone to cling to or to rely on when her world got turned upside down.

I just don't know how Colleen Hoover does it. She truly has a gift for writing. There's so much beauty, meaning, and truth behind her words, and yes, a rawness to them too. There was a point in the story where I was worried that everything would happen or unfold too fast, but thank goodness, she gave the characters' a real chance to step back and to think. I would have been so disappointed otherwise.

 I was telling my good friend, Krista,  that I wanted to highlight or underline certain passages in my paperback, so that I could go back and read them later on. This normally doesn't happen. I'm more of a note-taker. But I wanted to be able to flip through my paperback, and see my favorite parts right away.

Maybe Someday is told from dual pov's.  Normally, I do not like those, and try and avoid reading books with dual pov's if I can. However, I cannot imagine this book without Ridge's thoughts. They were so necessary and so vital.

One last thing. Many times when I read a standalone book, I find that I'm disappointed when there is not epilogue at the end, because I want to know how the characters are down the line or if they're all ok.  I will tell you that Maybe Someday does not have an epilogue, and I'm really okay with it. I'm at peace. 




Rating: 5+ Stars


COVER REVEAL for Tur and Elsker by ST Bende



I am super excited to help present the brand new covers of Tur and Elsker by ST Bende! I absolutely adore this series and highly recommend it to all of my book reading friends.
 
 

 


TUR
The Elsker Saga #0.5
by ST Bende

 


Inga Andersson is the envy of every girl in Asgard. On the surface she has it all -- great friends, a job as Odin’s personal fight choreographer, and a happy ever after with her realm’s hottest assassin. But when evil invades Asgard, her perfect world comes crashing down. Someone is planning to kill off the gods, and Inga’s best friend Ull is first on their list. With the Norse apocalypse a nanosecond away, Inga has to decide how she’ll spend her final moments of freedom. Because from the moment this battle begins, Inga’s happily ever after will be nothing more than a memory.

Some things are worth fighting for.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21874620-tur?from_search=true
 
 

ELSKER
The Elsker Saga #1
by ST Bende



You don’t win the heart of an immortal assassin without making a few enemies along the way.

Kristia Tostenson prefers Earl Grey to Grey Goose and book clubs to nightclubs, but when she transfers from her one-stoplight town to Cardiff University in Wales she falls in love with Ull Myhr.  Her new boyfriend isn’t exactly what she was expecting.  He’s an honest to goodness Norse God - an immortal assassin fated to die at Ragnarok, the battle destined to destroy Asgard and Earth.  Kristia’s crazy visions are the only thing that can save their realms.  Her orderly life just got very messy.
 
 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21874581-elsker?from_search=true
 
 
 
About the Author
 
Before finding domestic bliss in suburbia, ST Bende lived in Manhattan Beach (became overly fond of Peet’s Coffee) and Europe… where she became overly fond of the musical Cats. Her love of Scandinavian culture and a very patient Norwegian teacher inspired the ELSKER series. She hopes her characters make you smile and that one day pastries will be considered a health food.

You can follow ST Bende on Twitter @stbende, or send an e-mail to stbende@gmail.com.
 
 
 
 
Giveaway
 

 

Release Day Launch and Review fo Business as Usual by Denise Grover Swank (Includes Excerpt, Giveaway, and Review)

We are beyond excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Denise Grover Swank's, BUSINESS AS USUAL. BUSINESS AS USUAL is the third novel in her Off the Subject Series and one you don't want to miss!
Synopsis

Lexi Pendergraft has given up on finding love after a disastrous encounter with her last boyfriend. Instead, she focuses on two things: One, setting up a summer program for underprivileged middle-school aged students. And the second, getting to the bottom of her brother Reed’s recent strange behavior. His secret is destroying his relationship with his fiancĂ©e Caroline, and Lexi will do anything to help him save it. Especially after he gave up his dream to give Lexi a chance at a semi-normal college experience, something her parents threatened to steal from her after her rape a year ago.

Ben Masterson is determined to make it through his final semester of his senior year at Southern University. After recently losing his full ride scholarship, he’s suffering from sleep deprivation while trying to keep up with his mechanical engineering courses and working three part time jobs. He thinks he’s lucked out getting a job in the university math lab. The only problem is his boss—Reed Pendergraft.

As part of a role in a community theater play, Lexi wears a black wig and feels a confidence she hasn’t experienced in over a year. When she wears it to a bar close to the theater, she doesn’t think Ben, a bartender there, recognizes her. While Ben’s intrigued about what she’s up to, he’s smart enough to stay far away from his overprotective boss’s sister. Until fate forces him to help her, but why won’t she tell him her real identity?



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18053586-business-as-usual?from_search=true


Excerpt

 
The song ends and I look across the room, hatred filling every pore of my body for the person who’s putting Alexa through this charade. Tina’s watching us with amusement. I look down into Alexa’s face and she steps away from me. Our song is done. Our commitment is up.
Only I’m not ready to let her go yet. Maybe I can save her at least part of her embarrassment.
I cradle her cheeks and stare into her eyes, looking for any sign that she finds my touch revolting. But her breath comes in short bursts and her pupils are dilated. My thumb strokes her right cheek bone, and it amazes me how smooth her skin is. I should stop prolonging my torture, but I don’t want to hurry this moment. I want to sear it into my brain.

I lower my face to hers and her mouth parts in anticipation. Our lips touch lightly and I run my tongue along her upper lip. Her hands return to my shoulders as she takes a step closer, pressing her chest to mine, her mouth parting as she sighs. My tongue accepts the invitation, twining with hers.

Her arms tighten around my neck and I slide a hand behind her head. Blood rushes to my groin and the way she’s pressed against me, she has to know I’m getting a hard-on, yet she doesn’t step away. She presses closer instead.

Still, I take my time with the kiss, making it last. I want more, so much more, but we’re on a dance floor, surrounded by at least thirty people, being watched intently by a group of perverts in the corner. I want to keep this pure. I want to take the thing Tina meant as a punishment for Alexa and turn it into something meaningful. At least for me. But the way Alexa clings to me tells me the experience has power for her too, even if it’s just because she’s sacrificing herself for some other guy.

I finally lift my head and stare into her lust-filled eyes and I want to curse the gods who put her in my path only to take her away.
“Thank you,” she breathes out with a sigh.
“Do think that was enough to appease her?”
Her eyes cloud with momentary confusion. “Oh…yeah.”
“If it’s not, I want you to promise me that you’ll ask me for help.” I sound like a pervert myself, but the thought of someone like Tattoo Guy pawing her nauseates me.
She seems to understand my intention because she gives me a grateful look. Tears fill her eyes. “Thank you.”
I want to kiss her again, to take her out the back door and away from Tina and her vile crew, but that’s not what Alexa wants. I step back and interweave my fingers with hers. It takes every ounce of fortitude in my body to take her back to that table. When we get there, I pull out her chair to show this table full of disgusting low-lifes how to treat a woman.
Tina claps her hands. “I think there might be hope for you two yet.” She waggles her eyebrows at Alexa, then looks up at me. “I told you Reed’s—”
Alexa leans forward, her eyes wild. “I think I need another drink.”
I stare at her in disbelief. She’s trying to interrupt Tina because she thinks I don’t know who she really is—Alexa Pendergraft, baby sister to that asshole Reed Pendergraft. And with a sigh, I realize it’s better this way, all around, because I would throw everything away to get one shot with this girl.


My Thoughts
 (possible spoilers, if you have not read the two previous books)

Once again, Denise Grover Swank, has wowed me with yet another great New Adult novel!  I have to say, I was (am) delighted that Business As Usual told Lexi's story. I really liked her character in Redesigned (Off the Subject series, #2), and was very happy that she got her own book.  I didn't want to put my kindle down and stop reading, because I was so engrossed in the story!
 
It's hard to pinpoint exactly why I love this series so much, but I think one of my favorite aspects of these books is the main characters. I have grown to love each and every one of them. Yes, they all have their faults. They have all had to overcome great obstacles to get where they are today. It has been a difficult journey for them, yet they've survived.  Denise Grover Swank does a beautiful job showing how the characters deal with their issues, yet grow and blossom into stronger individuals.  She also  shows a realistic portrayal of college life, and how difficult it can be.  Her characters work hard, sacrifice, and are really driven.

In Business As Usual, we meet Ben Masterson. Ben is such a great all around character, and has so much depth. Not only is the guy gorgeous and intelligent, but he's a little bit feisty.  He is also caring and nurturing.  These past few months have been especially difficult for Ben. When he thought things in his life were stable, and he'd almost reached the finish line,  everything changed for him in an instant.  
I was also happy that we got to pick up on Caroline and Reed's story, as well!  They both had a strong role in this novel.  Reed and Lexi have a great relationship with each other. I was so angry and sad that their parents turned their backs on them; however,  I was relieved that Reed could be Lexi's rock and support her. Reed is still one of my favorite guys, and I especially adored him in this novel.


  
I really hope to read more books by Denise Grover Swank. I don't know whether or not she is planning on writing more books in her Off The Subject series. I really hope she does, though! There are a few characters in particular, whose stories I would love to read about.



5 Stars
About Denise Grover Swank



New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period.  Her hobbies include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.)  Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks.  She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.

You can find out more about Denise and her other books at: www.denisegroverswank.com.






Giveaway


a Rafflecopter giveaway




http://www.inkslingerpr.com/?hg=0&nr=0

Cover Reveal for Ex-Factor and Unbreakable by Elisa Dane



Today, we are revealing the cover for not one, but TWO books, by Elisa Dane!



Ex Factor
by Elisa Dane
Release Date: 04/22/14

Synopsis

Nevaeh Evan’s life is uprooted after her father’s death, when she moves in with her aunt and cousin, Livvie. Her plan to lay low at her new high school isn’t working. Her friend’s jerky boyfriend keeps asking her out, the guy she likes treats her like garbage, and the thought of
tumbling again makes her want to hurl.
So when her aunt pushes her into joining the elite X-FACTOR cheer leading squad, Navaeh goes along with it.
But Nev feels she doesn’t deserve to be happy. Not after what happened the night her father died.
Bodie Scott knows about grief all too well. Critically injured in an alcohol related accident the year before, Bodie struggles with the fact that he’ll never play football again, and he’s so far behind in credits he can’t see straight. That is, until he meets Nev. Haunted by their bloody pasts
and wary of a shared future, Nev and Bodie turn to one another for comfort and support, and realize they’re not so alone after all. And when the party scene at school threatens the life of a loved one, the two stop at nothing to keep the past from repeating itself.
 



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19031631-ex-factor
 
 
 
 
Unbreakable
Release Date: 06/10/14
 
Synopsis
 
Perception is everything to sixteen-year-old Olivia Brown. With her freakishly hot boyfriend, volunteer work at the local animal shelter, successful beauty channel on YouTube, and well-earned spot on X Factor Cheer's elite level five Diamond Girl team, Livvie's the girl every other girl wants to be. At least, that's the illusion she's aiming for.
But Livvie's seemingly perfect life is anything but. Lying about the bruises her boyfriend gives her, and cowering beneath his raging temper becomes a regular way of life until she unwittingly witnesses her drunken neighbor beating his step-son, the town bad boy, Reid Tate.
For Reid, vulnerability is the enemy. Opening up, and letting people in gives them the power to disappoint. Growing up with a co-dependent mother and an abusive alcoholic father, Reid has endured all the disappointment he can stomach.
But when his pretty, do-good neighbor witnesses his step-dad beat him to within an inch of his life, and not only call the cops, but keeps quiet at school about what she saw, Reid wonders if maybe, just maybe, he's found someone he can finally trust.
 
 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21860508-unbreakable
 
 
 
About the Author
 
 
I'm a lover of books (YA & Adult romance), chocolate, reality television, and am a proud mother to three All Star cheerleaders. Woot!
 
I write Contemporary YA romance with cheerleaders. Yep. I write what I know, and it's my hope that my stories will not only take you on a romantic journey that will warm your heart, but that you'll find a new respect and interest in the sport of Cheerleading you may not have had before.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hosted by
http://yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/



The Goddess Wars (series) Blitz by Tricia Wolfe ~ Includes Excerpt and Giveaway





Of Silver and Beasts (Goddess Wars #1)
by Trisha Wolfe
Release Date:  April 19th 2013
New Adult Fantasy


Synopsis

In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different.

When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena.

Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.
 New Adult Dark Fantasy: Intended for readers 17 years of age and older.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17564970-of-silver-and-beasts?from_search=true
Available from:
(FREE for a limited time! Get your copy below!)

Release Date: March 20, 2014

New Adult Fantasy





***WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ BOOK ONE***

Synopsis
The moon goddess has taken up residency within Prince Caben, darkening his mind and soul. Now he hunts the very women he sacrificed his life to save, his conflicting desires for love and power raging a battle within him. Kaliope possesses the key to setting Bale free, and Caben will stop at nothing to see his goddess restored. Even if that means destroying the kingdom he’s sworn to protect, and the infuriating woman who torments his thoughts.

Kaliope, now the leader to the newly formed Nactue Guard, has vowed to save Caben. But with a traitor lurking among her people, and powers she’s unable to fully control, Kaliope’s mission becomes shrouded with doubt. Her new role as watcher over Caben’s kingdom brings a burden she’s unable to bear alone, and appointing the right person in charge of the prince’s affairs has turned a kingdom against the Nactue leader. Saving her stubborn, willful prince from the darkness overtaking him will be the battle of her life, and she needs people she can trust by her side. But bad blood between members of the Nactue obscure Kaliope’s journey, while her feelings for Caben cloud her judgment.

When the time comes to do what she must to destroy the goddess of chaos, will she be able to if it means losing Caben forever?


Book two of the Goddess Wars is told in dual point of view from Kaliope and Caben. New Adult Dark Fantasy, intended for readers 17 years of age and older.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17794299-of-darkness-and-crowns?ac=1
Available from:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Smashwords

OF DARKNESS AND CROWNS: A Goddess Wars Novel, Book 2
Caben’s POV
Excerpt

I block her blow and come at her from above, forcing her to deflect my attacks at an awkward angle for her petite stature. My smile spreads. “We can dance like this all night, but I’d rather our time be spent more usefully.” I lunge and slash, making it tiring for her to defend herself. “Take me to the goddess relic, and I’ll let you and your empress live…for the time being.” I grunt as she snakes a cheap shot to my wrist.
She’s not amused by the slight damage she’s inflicted. Rather, as her gaze traps my
broken skin, she looks mortified. Everything I’ve waited for is falling apart. I can’t have her die at the end of my sword while mourning the loss of her prince. She needs anger. Wrath. Disgust.
Those are the emotions that will drive her to face me full-on and not hold back.
I could end this now—slice her open and turn my back on her forever. Find the relic
easily for myself and what else I came here for and then be gone. But something inside me
refuses to accept a simple defeat. Not from the woman who has tormented my thoughts with
weakness and regret.
She’s the last thing in this world that threatens my power. And I refuse to destroy her in
this state, only to have her haunt me from the grave. I need a worthy foe—a vicious opponent—to defeat.
Not a heartbroken girl.
“This won’t do.” I growl as I back her against the wall, my swings becoming sloppy with
my rage. As if she knows what she’s doing to me, she smiles. The first one I’ve seen in so
long…and she’s beautiful. Heart stopping. It infuriates me.
I shout and thrust my sword, knocking hers aside as I move into her personal space.
Realization washes over her face, and she quickly brings up her arm to guard against my fist. I stop short, my balled hand an inch from her cheek.
My breaths are hot and quick as they leave my mouth in heavy puffs. My gaze flicks over
Kal’s shocked face, her trembling lips. And my fingers uncurl. I press closer and trace my
fingertips along her soft skin…
Kill her.
With a jerk of my head, I hush the dark goddess’s voice. Then I seize Kal’s wrist and
slam the back of her hand against the stone wall. She’s as stubborn as ever, keeping a tight grip on her weapon. I knock her arm against the wall again. And again, until she releases a cry and her sword clatters to the floor.
I drop my own and grab the arm still held up as a shield, then pin both her wrists to the
wall. “Look at me,” I order, my tone giving away my frustration. Impatience grips my nerves,
and I drop one hand to grasp her face, forcing her eyes to meet mine.
As she drinks me in hungrily, like she’s only just now truly seeing me, something stirs
beneath my skin. The white power crackles over my hands, healing the wound on my wrist, and Kal’s eyes widen.
The last time she encountered my power, when she was trapped by the glowing tentacles,
she suffered tremendous pain, I’m sure. And though something inside me is screaming to
unleash that power on her now, I rein it in. I don’t want our dance to end so soon.
As the power recedes, leaving my skin unblemished, I caress her face. Run my palm and
fingers along her soft flesh. Down her jawline. All the while, her eyes hold me, ensnaring me.
This is her power—her spell over me. It’s the reason why she must die.
I have to be free of her.
Yet, I can’t help wanting to inhale her, taste her, quench my thirst of her one last time.
And maybe that will even spark the fury within her to fight. Bring the old Kal back, the one who would rather put a blade through a man’s heart than be victim to his charms.
Pushing my body against hers, I revel in the feel of her curves, and know that I’m lying
to myself. It’s completely selfish what I’m craving, but the lie is all too tempting. Just like her.
I lower my head and place my lips to her neck, breathe her in. Then, trailing them along
her slick skin, my tongue flicking out to taste the mix of sweetness and salt, I move next to her ear. Her breaths deepen, pressing her sultry chest to mine.
“Let me in, Kal,” I whisper, loving how my words cause her to shiver. “It’s what you
want.”
Pulling back, I lock gazes with her. The desire in her eyes urges my lips to trap hers, and
I move in. Wanting to caress them as much as the yearning demands to hurt them.
“Caben,” she says, low and breathy. I halt my descent. She bites down on her lip, and my
arousal hardens painfully against my pants.
“What, love?”
A slow smile curls her lips. “Fuck off.” Then she spits in my face.
About the Author
From an early age, Trisha Wolfe dreamed up fantasy worlds and characters and was accused of talking to herself. Today, she lives in South Carolina with her family and writes full time, using her fantasy worlds as an excuse to continue talking to herself. For more information on Trisha Wolfe and her works, please visit: www.trishawolfe.com/


***Author Links***
Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook / Tumbler / You Tube / Pinterest



***GIVEAWAY***

1 Caben Flask Necklace (US only)






Book Blitz Organized by:
http://yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/




 
DESIGN BY THE BLOG DECORATOR