Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - The Italian Kitten Meets the Russian Wolf (Giovanni Family #1) by Grace Reagal


Title: The Italian Kitten Meets The Russian Wolf
Author: Grace Reagal
Genre: NA Mafia Romance
Release Date: November 20, 2018 
Publisher: Limitless Publishing


Do you know the story of Romeo and Juliet? Well, this isn’t their story. This is our story, Valentin’s story…my story.

In the world of the filthy rich, two of the most infamous crime families rule with iron fists. Drug trafficking, gang killings, ruthless wars—these are the men who have no moral compass.

Meet the Russian Mob, and the Italian Cosa Nostra. His family…and mine.

My name is Caterina Giovanni, daughter of the Italian Mafia. I’ve been clueless about who my family really is, what they’re capable of—until I meet him. Valentin Nikolaev, son of the Russian Mob.

Born and raised to one day take his rightful place as leader of his family, Valentin has one goal, and one goal only—to annihilate the Giovanni family. My family.

In the end only one mafia will be left standing on the ashes of the other.

Are you ready to find out which one?


So....this was my first time reading Grace Reagal. I went into this book thinking it's a forbidden love mafia story centered around 2 twenty-something members of opposing families. I wasn't expecting this to be about 2 opposing mafia family members who are seniors in high school. After finishing this book, I can honestly say that I am ENTIRELY grateful my high school years weren't this cringe-inducing. It's obvious right from the start of the book how sheltered Caterina is, not just about her family, but about the world in general. It doesn't take long before her view of the world is upended, literally, by Valentin, and in humiliating fashion. 

Valentin is Russian mafia and has his sights set on the Giovanni family, for reasons yet to be determined. He definitely lives up to image of being mafia, even though he's still in high school. He knows more about the Giovanni family but is specifically cryptic when dropping little nuggets of info to Caterina. He is the epitome of the big bad wolf, but there are a few (and I mean a few) moments where he seems to have a heart when it comes to Caterina.

I gotta say, I wasn't expecting to be as drawn into the story as I was



I muster up a laugh as I cock my head at Valentin. “Who is he?” I nod to the blond guy. “Your backup?”
Valentin doesn’t say anything.
I goad him with a smile. “You can’t say anything for yourself, cupcake?”
The blond kid erupts in laughter, “Oh, God, Val.” He wipes a tear. “You’ve really got your hands full now.” He looks at me with an incredulous look, “Cupcake?” He shakes his head, laughing. “That’s complete and utter gold—”
“Nate. Get the fuck out.”
Valentin speaks for the first time, his eyes still trained on me.
I clap with a laugh. “Oh, my God! You speak!” I lean toward him as if telling him a secret. “I thought you might have gone mute from the last time we spoke.” I wink. “You know, from the way I showed you up in front of all your minions.”
Nate starts laughing even harder as he walks to the door. “Good luck, brother! I’m here if you need me.” He winks at me as he opens the door. “As a backup, you know?”
“Nate.”
“Fine. Fine.” I hear his laughter get farther and farther away until it disappears.
I cross my arms and regard Valentin. “So, are you just gonna stare like a pedophile? Or are you going to give me my clothes?”
And suddenly, in a lightning-fast movement that seems inhuman, Valentin steps up and whips the towel off my body. “No, I think I’m going to look just a little longer.”
Grace Reagal is a young author who is studying medicine by day and serial writing by night. She has garnered over 88K readers on Wattpad and Radish and over 20 million reads.

She writes about mafia men without hearts and the women who find it for them. She writes because the most beautiful thing for her is creating a world where she and her readers can escape to.

When she's not writing, she can be found crying, studying, listening to One Republic and Lumineers, questioning her existence, reading steamy books under the covers or daydreaming about her characters. Her goals for her life includes becoming a neurosurgeon, publishing a book, and finally becoming a recluse in the woods.
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Thursday, July 26, 2018

BLOG TOUR & REVIEW - Sweet Sixteen by Brenda Rothert


Today we are celebrating the release of SWEET SIXTEEN by Brenda Rothert. Sweet Sixteen is a standalone, contemporary romance title that will blow you away! It is currently available to read for FREE as part of KindleUnlimited!

Purchase Now or read for FREE in KindleUnlimited: 


 

Sweet Sixteen by Brenda Rothert

Book Blurb:

They say roses are the most beautiful... 

Gin Fielding is counting the days until she escapes the small-town life of Roper, Missouri for college at NYU. She prefers to blend in, though she's far from invisible. But when she protects a younger student from a bully, the spotlight turns on her in ways she never imagined. 

I say that every rose has its thorn... 

The Friday night lights shine bright on Chase Matthews. Roper's golden boy, Chase can do no wrong, enjoying the small-town celebrity being the star quarterback brings. When Gin defends his little sister against a bully, he decides to lend her his star power and change her senior year in ways she never imagined. 

But maybe the thorns are part of their beauty.

When Gin declines Chase's invitation to be part of the elite Sweet Sixteen, the repercussions turn both their lives upside down. But amidst the chaos, Gin and Chase find solace in one another. Together, they confront the ugly truth-- that sometimes glory has a dark side. 

***Warning--Sweet Sixteen is an upper YA book with mature themes and is intended for readers 18+. 


I started reading this book just about a year ago on Radish, when Ms. Rothert would upload a new chapter every week, through the first eight chapters. It didn't take long for me to get pulled in the story with each new chapter release, and then BAM! No more chapter releases. I'd hoped that at some point Ms. Rothert would either release new chapters on Radish, or release the book. I can't tell you how excited I was when I saw the book was finally being released. I dove into the story as soon as it hit my iPad and couldn't put it down. 

I've been out of high school for a few years (more than I care to admit lol), but reading about the Gin experiences did manage to bring back some memories (ones I thought were buried) of my high school years back to the surface. Nothing quite like the fallout of Gin's decisions, but I sympathize with the feelings of being ostracized.

What truly boggled my mind was the mindset of some of the adults of Roper, and their cavalier attitude of the Sweet Sixteen. I wonder if they would have the same ambivalence if it was their daughter who was chosen. I was extremely proud of Gin for sticking to her beliefs and not giving into the pressure and backlash being exerted by the other students. The fact that some of the football team believed they were entitled was disturbing, because you know that it also happens in real life. 

The fact that just two simple letters had the power to set change in motion for the town of Roper was impressive; even more important was that Chase began to see the whole situation, from being selected as one of the Sweet Sixteen, to the repercussions of both accepting the rose, and everything Gin's been dealing with since turning down the rose, and the feelings he experienced knowing he played a big part in that culture.

I liked how the story played out for the town of Roper, although I do wish there had been more closure when it came to the one student who attempted to attack a character. The epilogue was a nice glimpse into the future for Chase and Gin, and I'm happy I got a chance to read this book.


Purchase Now or read for FREE in KindleUnlimited: 



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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Brenda Rothert is an Illinois native who was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From new adult to steamy contemporary romance, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, chocolate, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

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Saturday, April 15, 2017

BLOG TOUR - Running (The Dark Woods #1) by Amanda Kay

Title: Running
Series: The Dark Woods Tales #1
Author: Amanda Kay
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy F/F Romance
Published: April 11, 2017
Trolls...

We've all heard the stories. The childhood tales forever imbedded in our minds. Tezzi is no different. She would sit in bed night after night as her mother told her of the trolls.

The tales of the Dark Woods are keeping her up at night. And she dreams of a lush dark place only in fairy tales. Her heart pounds and her feet want to take flight. She feels her mind running.

Running towards a fantasy, running towards adventure, running towards something she's only dreamed about.


Running Excerpt © Amanda Kay 2017

Kea didn't speak when I finished that part of my mom's story, but I saw the tears welling up in her eyes. I covered her hand with mine, "Are you okay?"
"Was Randi lying?"
"About loving my mom? No. My mom never doubted her love, but everything else, my mom questions until this day.”
Kea sighed, "That's understandable, from what you've told me so far."
I nodded, "Yeah, I wish I could find answers for her."
She squeezed my hand. "You will. We will." The words rolled off her tongue like a vow.
"I hope so," I whispered.
After we returned to the campsite, we did our usual routine.
Food, showers, and then crawling into our tent, ignoring the stuff Mya and crew were spewing our way. "Goodnight, Tezzi." Kea yawned and I followed her lead.
"Goodnight, Kea."
Closing my eyes, I fell asleep quickly. My body and mind exhausted from the days I had been having. Actually, telling my mom's story to someone who wasn't judging us and being in Vlukens Grove caused my heightened excitement and anxiety.
"Mommy, if you loved Randi, why did you marry daddy?" She sighed and stroked my hair.
"It was a means to an end." I looked at her confused. I didn't know what that meant.
"Did you love him?" I asked her with wide eyes.
"For a time, baby girl."
"Are you happy alone?"
She looked down at me and kissed my forehead, "I'm not alone. I have you."
I threw my arms around her, "I love you, mommy."
"I love you so very much, baby," she whispered, hugging me back. "Now lay down and I'll tell you more of the story."
I snuggled close to her, waiting for more. "Ready, mommy."
"I went back to that spot, day after day, hoping to catch one glimpse of Randi with the trolls, but I never saw anything more. I felt lost, like I was losing everything, until one day…"
I hated when she paused, I needed to know. I wanted to know. "Tell me. Tell me." I bounced excitedly.
"Calm down, Tezzi," she warned gently. "The flames shot up just as the sun began to set. They danced around and chanted much like that first time, but then I saw her. I saw Randi. Their chants grew to praise as they all bowed. I tried to change my position and in doing so, I stepped on a stick, cracking it in the process." I gasped. "Her eyes met mine and with a wave of her finger, she sent the trolls charging at me."
"What did you do?"
"I ran. I ran as fast as I could. I ran until I couldn't run anymore. I tripped and felt something touch me, but I crawled away until I could get onto my feet again."
"More, mommy," I begged, knowing it was late and she was going to stop.
She kissed my forehead, "Tomorrow, my sweet Tezzi."
I am a Paranormal/Fantasy Adult and YA Romance Author
(M/F, F/F, & F/F/M stories)

I am a Florida girl at heart, but since getting married I have lived in Washington, South Carolina, and our latest move Connecticut. I hold a B.A. in Multimedia Journalism with a minor in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.

Writing is something I love and since I am blessed to be a stay at home mom I thought I would try my hand at getting the stories in my head out and see how far I could go. I tried a few years ago to go through a Literary Agency, but it went nowhere. The self-publishing market was just starting to get hot so I self-published two books mainly for family and friends. I then discovered the world of New Adult. I wanted to stick with my paranormal roots and began thinking up story ideas that took on not only a paranormal element, but a fantasy element as well.

So, that is me in a nutshell. I am a little crazy and simple and I love my life and my family.

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