Blog Tour ~ Finding Me (His #3) by Mariah Dietz ~ Review & Giveaway!

Chronicles of a Book Nerd is thrilled to host a stop on the Finding Me by Mariah Dietz blog tour. Keep reading for a synopsis, purchase links, excerpt, author spotlight, giveaway, and of course, my two cents!

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About the Book

I came here to escape. Leave the debris and avoid the inevitable truths.

Things are better.

Worse.

Different.

I’m finding me, but in the process I fear I’m forgetting those I have left, and the ones who have left me. Maybe I’m losing who I was.

Can I forget my past and move forward?

Can I forget him?

Purchase links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

Find It on GoodReads

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Excerpt

Walking the short distance through the apartment and down to the parking lot, time slows down, allowing me to fixate on the fact that I look like a mess, and feel like I’m walking too straight. I slump my shoulders slightly to try and look more relaxed and then feel even more awkward, and straighten again and feel even more rigid.

He unlocks the truck with the press of a button and unlike he did when we rode in his Jeep together, he doesn’t come to open the passenger door. I’m still debating if I wanted him to when I notice a water bottle lying in the middle seat. It was mine. I carried it in here from the hospital Sunday. I never would have remembered it if I didn’t see it again, that entire night is sort of a blur, but at some point, someone had passed it to me while we waited for the doctor. I don’t remember carrying it out. It’s still mostly full, showing proof I barely touched it. Did I carry it out?

The truck starts with a soft rumble. It sounds so different than his Jeep. My mind turns with the gears. What do I say to the guy that was everything and is now supposed to mean nothing to me? This silence is unbearably uncomfortable. I can’t stop from guessing what he’s thinking. Is he wishing I wasn’t here? In his truck? In California?

“So, how’s medical school?”

Max’s head turns and his eyes focus on me for a second before he turns back to the road. I keep my attention on him, confused by his delayed response. Of all topics, this seems like a safe route. “I have my own set of flashcards.”

I smile out of relief more than humor. “I used the wrong set of flashcards to study for a test last semester.” I shake my head and release a short breath. “It’s amazing that I passed it.”

“I bet you got an A on the paper, didn’t you?”

I glance at Max and he’s looking at me. His head shakes and a soft chuckle mingles with the music. “You’re the smartest person I know. You’re astrophysicist material.”

“Says the guy studying to be a brain surgeon.”

“Neurosurgeon.”

My laughter fills the truck. It’s not even that his joke was all that funny, but having an easy conversation with Max makes laughing easier. Better. When my laughter fades into a smile I expect to feel the same stab of nostalgia I experienced earlier with the knowledge that I will miss this, but I don’t. I simply appreciate the moment, and attempt to stretch it. “Do you remember the Maximus flashcard?”

Max’s truck pulls into a parking spot, and he shifts into park before turning to me. “I remember everything.” His tone is solemn, but his face is relaxed. I keep his stare without abashment. I want to stay here and continue to draw out this moment. To feel this emotion that’s flushing through me, warming me, and filling me with something I have forgotten about. I don’t know how to describe it: it’s not the same comfort that I get from being around my sisters, or the adrenaline I receive when I reach that point while running; it’s a rightness, a completeness that makes my heart swell and my smile broaden. My head starts to race with interpretations of what this means, but a fog fills my thoughts because I know. My heart understands exactly what he’s saying to me … I think.

“I do too.” My admission makes me feel brave.

My phone rings, and we’re back in his driveway almost two years ago when his phone rang, back to where neither of us knows how to say the right thing to one another, but this time it’s both of us walking a gray tightrope, one that felt less intimidating to cross because I could see him at the other side.

His eyes close and he looks embarrassed, or possibly ashamed. It awakens old tendencies, making me question the reality of the moment. My phone rings again, and Max’s entire body shifts away from me. Opening the door, he climbs out in one fluid movement.

I don’t know if I can go out there and face him right now. I feel as though he’s rejecting me all over again, and it makes my eyes and throat burn.

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My Two Cents...

Overall, I thought this was a satisfying ending to this series. I can't even be mad at Ace for leaving anymore, which I totally was after reading the second book. While I can understand her need to flee and to stay away, it is so opposite of what my natural response to conflict is that I had to remind myself that she really was deserving of compassion. This book was also an emotional one, but it was different than the second book. The emotion was much more cathartic, for both the characters and the reader. Where as Ace ran from her emotions before, she faces them head on, and because of this she is able to move forward and resolve a lot of her insecurities. I also really like the incorporation of the letters from Ace's father. I got a little worried towards the end when Ace once again runs back to Delaware, but I did end up getting the happy ending that I was hoping for. 

This is a really good series. Be prepared for an emotional ride, but if you are able to stick with it, I don't think that you will be disappointed. This series speaks to so many things that we all can relate to - friendship, family, insecurity, fear, vulnerability, death, the art of living, home, hope, fate, and most importantly love. It was a bit of a battle for me to get through it, but in the end it was worth it. And isn't that how life works most of the time? The things that are truly worth it, are always worth the battle.

**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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About The Author

Mariah Dietz lives in Eastern Washington with her husband and two sons that are the axis of her crazy and wonderful world.

Mariah grew up in a tiny town outside of Portland, Oregon where she spent the majority of her time immersed in the pages of books that she both read and created. 

She has a love for all things that include her sons, good coffee, books, travel, and dark chocolate. She also has a deep passion for the stories she writes, and hopes readers enjoy the journeys she takes them on, as much as she loves creating them.

Website: http://www.mariahdietz.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mariah-Dietz/317058868472780?fref=ts

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/https://twitter.com/MariahDietz

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8474696.Mariah_Dietz 

His Series:

Becoming His

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JPKqfj

Barbes And Noble: http://bit.ly/1KUIgwv

Losing Her

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1HVtIhk

Barnes And Noble: http://bit.ly/1GEtQBG

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Giveaway!!

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2015 Reading Challenge: A trilogy

His Series by Mariah Dietz

Book I: Becoming His

Sometimes life’s unforeseen paths lead us to discovering sides of ourselves we never knew existed.

Ace Bosse has always found solace at home, but when she returns for the summer from college she builds an unexpected relationship with the reckless Max Miller.

Three years ago, Max left for Alaska to find what he thought he’d lost, but now he realizes just how much he left behind.

Max teaches Ace that sometimes a little crazy is exactly what life needs while learning that some chances are worth taking, regardless of the risks.

But how do you know when you’ve met the right person? And will they be prepared to experience one of life’s biggest obstacles?

Falling in love isn’t easy, but holding on to it is where the real challenge lies.

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This was an interesting story for me. Max has the reputation of a womanizing bad boy, who secretly abhors abandonment issues stemming from his father leaving when he was a kid. Ace is the beautiful, youngest daughter of a seemingly perfect family, whose major flaw is that she tends to run from conflict. So what happens when you put a guy with abandonment issues together with a girl who runs from problems? Magic? Not quite. The truth is that these characters are so opposite that they shouldn't work, but somehow they do. There is plenty of drama along the way to keep things interesting and highlight the differences between them. Some of the drama irked me a bit. It seemed silly. Nothing that some good old fashioned communication couldn't fix, but it served to move the couple to their breaking point. In the end, everything that was brought together is blown spectacularly apart in an ending that I didn't see coming. Good start to the series.

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Book II: Losing Her

“I loved her and she left. Maybe I wasn’t enough. Maybe I’ll never be enough.” I’ve been thinking these words since before we even got together.

Everything is new. The old no longer has a place here. Physical items are easy to replace. I'm constantly battling the ones that aren't.

Every thought and memory I have is stained.

By you.

You weren't even there for half of them.

How is she still present even though she left?

I can do this. I’m going to survive losing her.

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This was a unique book for me. It is told from Max's POV and picks up where the previous book ends. I don't want to given too much away, but this book is about Max's attempt to survive Ace's departure to the East Coast. I really liked how Mariah chose to tell this story. It combinations the retelling of events from the previous book from Max's POV, as well as what happens as Max attempts to pick up the pieces.

I have to admit that it took me a long time to get through this book. It was just sooooooo dreary and depressing. It was hard to live in that head space for extended periods of time. I found myself having to put it down, read something else, and come back to it. While this may seem like a negative comment, the truth is it is really a testament to the emotional depth that Mariah was able to develop in and communicate through Max's character. The downside is that it made it difficult, at least for me, to get through it. Not that I always felt compassion for Max. There were several situations in the book that mad me quite mad at him and his apparent lack of faith. I had to keep reminding myself that the happy ending (fingers crossed) was on the other side of this book.

I can't really say that I "enjoyed" this book. It was too emotionally draining, however, it left me with enough hope to want to continue on to the last book. I'm hoping that all this emotional turmoil will be worth it in the end.

**I received ARCs in exchange for an honest reviews.

2015 Reading Challenge: A trilogy 

Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ Pieces of My Heart (Pieces #2) by Jamie Canosa

Kiernan Parks settled all the scores. He finished what he set out to do and then . . . he left. 

He left Jade. Heartbroken and weary. Existing one day to the next. One breath after another. The only way she knew how to move forward, forever missing a piece of her heart. Until an unexpected surprise throws her volatile life into upheaval once more.

He left Caulder. Guilt-ridden and grieving. Fighting to hold it all together. Not just for himself, but for the people he cares about. Staggering under the weight of his obligations.

He left them alone.

He left them together.

Buy it here on Amazon
Find it on GoodReads

Haven’t read book #1 in the Pieces series yet? No, worries. Fall in love with the Parks boys from the beginning with Falling to Pieces (Pieces 1) for only 99 CENTS for a limited time! Or get it FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

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My Two Cents...

This series has been one of the most emotional series that I have ever read. It has made me ugly cry more than once, but I can't get enough of it. I love nothing more than to be emotionally destroyed by a good book, but Jamie takes it to a whole new level with this one. I love Cal and Jade as characters, and I loved watching them help each other heal and move forward into the future. I have been emotionally invested in these characters from the beginning, so I had high expectations going into this one, and Jamie didn't disappoint. It has everything you need in a good story - engaging characters, drama, angst, romance, a little laughter, and plenty of heart. There isn't anything that I would have changed. I would have liked to maybe see a little further into the Cal and Jade's future at the end, but overall I'm very satisfied with this final installment.

You definitely need to read the first novel, and I would also recommend reading Cal's novella, before picking this one up (click the links to see my reviews). I also recommend that you don't read it in public (unless you are cool with public displays of emotion) and that you keep tissues handy, because there is no way you are making it through this one without tears. This is a beautifully written series.

**Note: I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review

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Meet the Author

Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA/NA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Upstate NY with her husband, and their three crazy kids . . . plus the cats, the bird, and the rabbit.

Author Links:

Facebook

Twitter

GoodReads

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Giveaway Time!!

Enter for a chance to win a necklace, just like Jade's!

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Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ Falling to Pieces (Pieces #1) by Jamie Canosa

Introducing Falling to Pieces by Jamie Canosa

Suffering the bitter tongues of her alcoholic mother and cruel boyfriend, Jade struggles just to look at herself in the mirror. She hates her life, her insecurities, her ineptitudes, but most of all . . . Jade hates herself. She wants nothing more than to disappear, and everyone seems happy to let her. Until Kiernan Parks moves back into town.

Jade’s been crushing on him ever since kindergarten, when his family moved away. But now he’s back, and looking better than ever.

Hiding is a way of life for Jade, but Kiernan insists on uncovering the real girl he’s sees trapped inside her. On drawing her out of her shell, and showing her that she is someone worthy of love. 

Together, they fight back the darkness she’s living in. But when they finally step into the light, will the secret Kiernan’s been trying to keep buried destroy Jade, once and for all? 

For some people, happy endings are a fairytale.

Get your copy here:

ONLY 99 CENTS for a LIMITED TIME!!!
Amazon
GoodReads 

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My Two Cents...

I am always excited when Jamie releases a new book, and I was even more excited when she approached me about being apart of the blog tour for Falling to Pieces. Once again, Jamie hits it out of the park. She has the amazing ability to create characters that you can't help but fall head over heals for. From the very first page, I was hooked. I instantly felt for Jade and loved the idea of Kiernan being her knight in shining armor. I flew through this book, unable to put it down, spending my valuable planning time at work, "reading one more chapter." I loved watching their story unfold. But be forewarned, this story doesn't have a happy ending. In fact, this ending left me a crying mess. It was excruciatingly beautiful, and left me with a book hangover. After I finished it, I found myself unable to think of anything else but this story, picking up my Kindle, again and again, to re-read my favorite parts. 

For those of you who have read my other reviews, you know that I love nothing more than to be emotionally wrecked after reading a good love story, and this book definitely left me emotionally destroyed. It is a bit of a departure for Jamie, and definitely more mature than her previous novels. It carries the NA label, but it does not fit the mold of what I have come to expect when I see the NA label attached to a book. If you are picking it up expecting tons of hot and steamy scenes, you will be disappointed. However, there is a maturity about this story that prevents it from being a YA novel. At it's core, it is an honest-to-goodness LOVE story. The love between Jade and Kiernan is the type of love that we all secretly pray to experience at least once before we die. The only thing that I would have wished for, is a happier ending.

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Up Next in the Pieces Series...

We can expect a novella, entitled Angel, featuring Kiernan's brother, Cal (release date TBA), as well as the continuation of Jade's story in book two (title/release date TBA). I know where I would like to see the story go, but I guess I will just have to see if my predictions come true. I'm really just hoping for a happier ending.

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Meet the Author

Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA/NA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Upstate NY with her husband, and their three crazy kids . . . plus the cat, the bird, and the rabbit.

Author Links:

FB- https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJamieCanosa

Blog- http://jamiecanosa.wix.com/author

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And Now for a Giveaway!

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Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ Resisting Atlantis (Atlantis #1) by Jamie Canosa

I am super excited to be hosting one of my favorite YA authors, Jamie Canosa, and celebrating the release of her new book Resisting Atlantis. Check out the post below for my review, an author spotlight, and giveaway.

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What if everything you think you know . . . is wrong?

Cora is your average college freshman. Battling the evils of boring classes and noisy dorms, her greatest concern is how to attract the attention of the drool-worthy, party-god next door.

That is, until Kaden comes barging into her life, insisting everything she knows is false. The family and friends she grew up with don’t exist. Her entire past a carefully-crafted fabrication, created to replace the truth.

Her name isn’t Cora, it’s Cameron. And she isn’t from New York. She hails from Atlantis. Yeah, that Atlantis. Oh yeah, and she’s psychic. 

Crazy, right?

Except, tall, dark, and out-of-his-ever-loving-mind doesn’t come alone. Trouble follows, thrusting Cameron back into a world she can’t remember and a life she must reclaim if they’re going to make it out alive.

But there’s someone out there who doesn’t want her to remember.

Links:
Amazon
GoodReads

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When Jamie approached me about being part of the blog tour for her new book, I jumped at the chance to get my hands on an ARC, even before I had read the blurb for Resisting Atlantis. Jamie became one of my favorite YA writers after I read her Fight or Flight series (which I highly recommend if you haven't read it). The thing that I love most about her writing is her characters. Jamie has an amazing talent for creating characters that you instantly care about and want to root for. You become so invested in her characters that their journey becomes your own. Every step of the way you are with the characters. You feel every emotion, every injury, every moment of triumph, and Jamie doesn't disappoint with her new series.

Once again, it was the characters that made this book for me. Cam is a strong female lead and her vulnerability makes her a relatable and believable character. Kaden is everything a male lead should be and has joined the ranks of my book boyfriends. The connection between the two was real and swoon worthy, adding the perfect dash of romance to this adventure story. I was invested in their story from page one and couldn't put it down. There is plenty of action and even a few twists that keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next.

My only criticism is that I wish the story contained a little bit more history or back story on Atlantis. As a history and Greek mythology nerd, I loved the idea of the story taking place there. The history/back story is essential to understanding the premise behind Resisting Atlantis, as the central conflict is a rebellion against the Palace. Most of what we learn about Atlantis and the rebellion is through what is explained to Cam as she tries to regain her memories, and I often found myself feeling exactly what she felt, that everyone around me knew something that I didn't and no one was sharing. Having more of a back story would have fleshed out the narrative a bit more and made it easier to connect to the reasons behind the rebellion. However, this "criticism" is probably more of a personal preference than anything. Jamie provides enough in the story to make it flow and make sense; I just wanted more.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This story has everything - adventure, humor, tragedy, romance - that makes for a good read. The characters are well developed and easy to connect to, and fellow nerds like myself will geek-out over the infusion of Greek mythology into the story line. There is a sequel, so be prepared for a cliffhanger. The next book in the series is called Restoring Atlantis, and I am excited to find out what is in store for Cam and Kaden.

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Meet the Author

Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA/NA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Upstate NY with her husband, and their three crazy kids . . . plus the cat, the bird, and the rabbit.

Author Links:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJamieCanosa
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JL_Canosa

Blog: http://jamiecanosa.blogspot.com

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Giveaway Time!

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Blog Tour ~ Now Or Never (Fight or Flight #2) by Jamie Canosa

Book Lover's Paradise is happy to host a stop on Jamie Canosa's Now Or Never blog tour. Keep reading to learn more about Jamie, a review of Now Or Never and an awesome giveaway!

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Meet Jamie Canosa - author of Now Or Never

About the Author

Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Ravena, NY with her wonderful husband and three crazy kids . . . plus the dog, the bird and the rabbit.

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To move on,
Leave the past behind,
And build a new life with Jay.

That’s all Em wanted. After everything they’d been through together, they were both overdue their ‘happily ever after’. Too bad the world doesn’t work that way. Memories last longer than dreams and Em’s fears continue to plague her both day and night, interfering with that new life she so desperately craves.

To start over,
Secure a future,
And give Em the life she deserves.

That was Jay’s plan, but the past isn’t done with them, yet. While Em still struggles to overcome the ghosts of her past, Jay is forced to come face to face with his. When the skeletons in his closet step back into the light, Jay must decide what he will do—and what he will sacrifice—to protect Em from them.

Against all odds, Em and Jay are on the verge of having everything they’ve ever wanted. They’ve fought for it before, but is their love strong enough to endure any more heartache? The time has come for each of them to choose for themselves whether or not they will allow the past to continue to corrupt their future. And, together, they must decide, will it be . . . NOW OR NEVER?

Purchase Links

Amazon buy link
Goodreads link

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They were the missing pieces of each other. She needed him just as much as he needed her. 

Jay and Em thought their troubles were behind them. They had escaped their worst nightmares and come out on the other side together. But reality always has a way of stepping in and things are not as easy as they dreamed. Working themselves to the bone to make ends meet is nothing compared to the old fears that will not release them.

Em struggles daily with the fears of her past, which continue to interfere with the future she is trying to build with Jay. Jay is desperate to provide the future that he promised Em and can't help but feel that he is failing her. Their relationship is put to the ultimate test when Jay's past resurfaces and threatens Em. Jay is forced to make a painful decision, a decision that will leave both him and Em shattered. To Jay, protecting Em is more important, even if that protection means that he could lose Em forever.

His only chance, his only hope of protecting the truly fragile thing that love was, was to keep it as far from him as possible. In Jay's fucked up world, the only true, undeniable power love held was the power to destroy.

As their pasts close in on them, both Jay and Em find themselves plagued by old insecurities and fears. Each struggles to prove that they are strong enough on their own, failing to realize that together they are stronger than they ever will be apart. Can they realize this before they completely shatter each other hearts? Or will the past steal their future forever?

Just when I thought I couldn't love these characters anymore, Jamie delivers this heart-wrenchingly beautiful tale. After finishing Fight Or Flight, I wanted nothing more than to see Jay and Em ride off into the sunset. They deserved the sunset, the happily-ever-after. Hell, they deserved the castle complete with moat, a fairy godmother, magic lamp, and so much more for what they had been through. Unfortunately, life isn't a fairy tale, even in fiction. I knew it was a matter of time before the past caught up with Jay and Em. Pasts like theirs don't simply disappear. They demand to be faced, to be defeated.

"We've both been trying so hard to prove to ourselves that we're strong enough to do things on our own, but I think we were wrong. We're not strong enough alone. And that's okay, because we're not alone. I have you, and you have me, and nothing is going to change that."

This book had me all tied up in emotional knots. It was painful to watch these characters almost lose everything, but beyond gratifying when they realized that all the strength they thought they lacked could be found in the other. Finally, these two characters who deserve nothing but the best, have a real chance. There are many characters who are near and dear to my heart, but Em and Jay are in a category all their own. I never wanted characters or a couple to succeed so much. Love is a complicated thing. Nothing else has the power to both strengthen you and make you vulnerable all at the same time.

"I looked at you and I...I swear I saw a piece of myself. A piece I'd been missing. I can't explain it any better than that...You'd taken this dank, dilapidated hole in the wall unfit for human occupancy and turned it into a home. My home. Simply because you were there."

Jamie had me from the very first word, on the very first page. Now or Never is proof that even the most truest of loves can be tested, that sometimes faith isn't enough, that sometimes relying on someone else isn't a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. Once again, my only criticism is that it was too short. I'm not ready to say goodbye to Em and Jay. I want more!!

Up next in the series...
Find out whether Ashlyn and Mason find their own happily-ever-after in Win or Lose

*Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

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And now...A Giveaway!!

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Book Tour ~ Lovely by Beth Michele ~ Author Spotlight, Review & Giveaway

Book Lover's Paradise is happy to host a stop on Beth Michele's Lovely blog tour. Keep reading to learn more about Beth, a review of Lovely and an awesome giveaway!

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Meet Beth Michele - Author of Lovely

About the Author

I am a wife, a mom, an author, and a lover of all things chocolate, well, anything sweet really. While stuffing chocolate in my face, I enjoy reading young adult and new adult novels furiously, and spending time with my husband and two adorable children who keep me on my peppermint pink painted toes. Those same children who inspire me to tell silly stories that cause hysterical giggles to tumble from their bellies.

I love to laugh and love to have a good cry, especially after reading a novel that stretches my soul, one that makes me feel, and lingers in the corner of my heart.

I’m a hopeless romantic and a happily ever after fanatic, and I love to write about LOVE.

I began writing when I was in middle school, penning anything from short stories, to poetry, and then later moved on to write children’s books. I have now endeavored into New Adult and Contemporary Romance novels and am loving every minute of it. My first novel, Love Love, was released in May, 2013.

Connect with the Author
Facebook | GoodReads | Amazon | Twitter

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A moment can change everything… 

Ashton Taylor. Six foot one, Dark hair, chiseled jaw, riveting hazel eyes, and a body cut in all the right places. He’s a natural. Things just come easy to him. He’s used to getting everything he wants, excelling at everything he does. The grades, the recognition, the beautiful women.

His path was set. A girl, a full scholarship to UC San Diego, and a bright future. To others, his life seemed perfect. But, things are never what they seem, and life, well, at any moment, something or someone can come along and turn it upside down.

That something…the death of his father.

That someone… Cara Hayward. The girl with the hypnotic eyes, melodic voice, enchanting smile, and lips sent straight from heaven.

The girl who doesn’t want to be seen.

So what happens when a guy who everything comes easy to, meets a girl who doesn’t come easy?

Can he crawl through all the broken glass to find her? Will the girl he discovers deep down be able to see past his perfect exterior?

Together, do they have the power to heal one another? Or, could the very thing that brings them together, be the one thing that tears them apart?

Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00FFE7POK
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FFE7POK

Add to Goodreads: http://tiny.cc/l0c63w

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I looked up toward the heavens, recalling the words my father uttered to me over the years. "Son, once your life is touched by something so beautiful, you'll never be the same."

Everyone has moments in their lives that stand out from the rest. Some are small moments and some have the capacity to change the course of your life forever. For many, truly falling in love for the first time is one of them. In Lovely we meet Ash and Cara, two characters who's lives were changed by circumstances beyond their control. When we meet them, they are both just moving through the motions, just trying to keep it all together. Ash uses meaningless flings to cope with his loss, while playing the rock that the rest of his family can depend on. Cara copes by putting up walls and keeping everyone at arms length. 

Lovely is a touching story that had me from the very first page. I loved the characters of Ash and Cara. They were down-to-earth and relatable and I felt an instant connection to their story. I loved Ash and admired how he stepped up to be his family's rock, even if it meant saying goodbye to the future he had always envisioned. I fell even more in love with his determination and refusal to give up on his relationship with Cara. Cara is smart and a survivor who has managed to keep hold of a positive outlook, despite the hand she was dealt in life. Plus, she hoards books and spends most of her time in the library. She and I would totally be friends.

I have to be strong. I have to hold it together. I drop my gaze from hers and am about to lay my head on her chest when she slips her finger under my chin and lifts it to meet her eyes. She moves her hand slowly, smoothing the hair from my temple and tracing the line of my jaw, her eyes never leaving mine. "It's okay, Ash," she whispers. "You can fall now...I'll be here to catch you."

The connection between Ash and Cara is real and makes Lovely a worthwhile read.I loved that these two characters found in each other a connection they were both missing and watching how their relationship developed. The heart is an amazing thing when you stop to think about it. Both Ash and Cara had already been through so much, the fact that they were able to love each other the way they did is remarkable and speaks to the real power of love. I was pulling for this couple right out of the gate. It was heartwarming to watch them learn to trust each other, let their walls down, and be vulnerable, especially since they both had expended so much energy trying to keep it together. Nothing has the power to change us so profoundly like love.

Lovely has all the things you want in a NA romance - a hot guy, romance, secrets revealed, anxiety causing blunders, grand gestures, and swoon worthy confessions. My only criticism is that I would have liked a little bit more angst. I love my romances nice and angsty, torturous even. I want to suffer because it makes the happy ending that much sweeter. While Lovely does have angst, I was left a little wanting in that department. There were instances where I think the angst factor could have been dialed up a notch. I also had a slight issue with what happens in the epilogue of the book...I don't want to reveal exactly what that is, but it left a spot on my perfectly happy ending that bothered me a bit, especially since it was resolved so happily earlier in the book. Sorry for the crypticness (I may have just made that word up...) here, but I don't want to give anything away. Nevertheless, Lovely's positive attributes far outweigh it's flaws. It is definitely a book that I recommend. It is a great weekend read for any romantic out there looking for that warm and fuzzy feeling we all adore.

*Note: I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Book Tour ~ Author Spotlight, Review & Giveaway ~ Sink or Swim by Jamie Canosa

Book Lover's Paradise is happy to host a stop on Jamie Canosa's Sink or Swim blog tour. Keep reading to learn more about Jamie, a review of Sink or Swim and an awesome giveaway! 

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Meet Jamie Canosa - Author of Sink or Swim

Author Bio:

Jamie Canosa is a full time author of YA literature, which she absolutely loves. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Ravena, NY with her wonderful husband and three crazy kids . . . plus the dog, the bird and the rabbit.

Author links:
FB- https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJamieCanosa?ref=hl
blog- http://jamiecanosa.blogspot.com/
GR - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6150972.Jamie_Canosa
Twitter- https://twitter.com/JL_Canosa

Other books by Jamie - click the link for more info:
Fight or Flight
Dissidence
Vengeance (Dissidence #2)

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For the last 6 months, Allie Porter has been surviving on the streets after escaping the nightmare that was her homelife. When word reaches her that her mother is dying of cancer, Allie knows that she will have to return. Dean Ritter, Allie's best friend and on-again-off-again boyfriend, has spent the last 6 months wondering where Allie disappeared to and worrying for her safety. Now she's back and Dean is determined not only to figure out why she left, but to keep her from disappearing again. For Allie, being back home is like stepping back into her worst nightmare, like stepping back into Hell. Just as Dean fights to uncover Allie's secrets, Allie fights to keep them hidden. When the truth is finally revealed, Allie will need to make the ultimate decision - does she sink? Or swim?  

I first fell in love with Jamie Canosa's writing when I picked up Fight or Flight. I instantly connected with her characters and knew that I had found an author that I would follow for many books to come. Her characters are endearing and her storylines are emotionally charged and compelling. Subsequently, Fight or Flight was also the book that introduced me to Allie. She was one of my favorite characters and I loved her smart and sassy attitude. When I heard that Jamie was releasing her story, I knew that I had to read it. Sink or Swim met every one of my expectations. The love story of Dean and Allie will leave your heart aching, pulse racing, and have you cheering in triumph.

Get your copy of Sink or Swim! Click here.

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And now for the giveaway!!

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The Faith and Fate of David Ghent by Maren Dille

Welcome to Book Lover's Paradise! Today's feature author is Maren Dille, author of The Faith and Fate of David Ghent.

Maren grew up in Rochester, NY, which is one of the reasons a lot of her work is set in the East. It's a beautiful city, and she is lucky enough to make it back east at least once a year. She moved to Provo, UT to attend Brigham Young University in 2004. Meanwhile, she received a license in cosmetology in 2006, and graduated with a B.S. in Home and Family Living-Clothing and Textiles in 2009. After graduation, Maren worked as a cosmetologist/barber, while her husband finished his own degree in Special Education. After he graduated, they settled in Spanish Fork, UT, where they plan on staying for a long time.

Now Maren is a stay-at-home mom, part-time piano teacher, cosmetologist, and writer. Amidst the business of being a housewife, she loves reading, writing and playing music, vacationing, going on lots of dates with her hubby and friends, throwing dinner parties, and sewing. She really loves collecting books, and hopes someday to have a library big enough to fit all of them. Currently, her two pretty-enough-to-be-displayed-bookshelves are overflowing, and she's got books stashed all around her house. Open a random drawer, you'll probably find one.

The Faith and Fate of David Ghent is Maren's first full length novel. Her other works include a comedic short story, "A Tale of Two Cemeteries," and a middle grade reader, The Elephant in the Treehouse. Find out more about her at The Official Site of Maren Dille.

Author Links: 
http://www.marendille.com/
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Goodreads
Facebook
Smashwords

"The road to one's fate is never an easy task. What worth would eternity be if you didn't work hard to obtain it?"

Hidden from the rest of the Earth is the city of Lucen, home to the descendants of Righteous and Fallen angels. David Ghent is a Cursed, the child of a mother who is in Heaven and a father banished to Hell. All of his life, David has trained for one purpose - to fulfill a prophecy and banish Lucifer. This is David's chance to prove his loyalty to Heaven and save his soul, as well as the rest of humanity. 

As the battle commences, Layla, the daughter of Lucen's leader, suddenly appears at the Hellgate desperate to stop David. David, who has detested Layla since childhood, is forced to make a split decision - fulfill the prophecy or save Layla's life. David saves Layla and in the process fails to fulfill his purpose. After David learns that there is more to the prophecy than he was originally told, but the consequences of his actions cannot be avoided. David is damned and his punishment forces him to question everything he believes about himself and his faith. He and Layla set out to discover the truth behind the rest of the prophecy, hoping to find another way to fulfill it and banish Lucifer for good. Their faith and loyalty to Heaven will be tested along the way. 

I received this book from Maren in exchange for a fair and honest review. I loved this book and was hooked from the very beginning. The story is fairly complex and there are a lot of people and moving parts involved. I did have some trouble following it in the beginning as things were slowly introduced and explained, but I never lost interest and in the end everything made sense. I loved David as a character and the picture on the cover of the book is exactly how I pictured him in my head. He is an emotionally complex character (and perfect literary hero!) and his transformation throughout the book is quite remarkable. The book raises some interesting ideas about faith and although it has a religious theme, I didn't feel preached to. I found myself sad when the book ended because I wasn't ready to leave the world Maren created. I wanted to know more - about David's parents, about the founding of Lucen and its history, about David and Layla's life after - and was almost hoping for a sequel. I also think this book has the potential to be made into an excellent movie, as the characters and action would translate well to film. This is a solid 4 star read and one that I highly recommend.

Book Links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords

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The Faith and Fate of David Ghent by Maren Dille

I'm excited to announce that on March 4, 2013 Book Lover's Paradise will be hosting a stop on Maren Dille's Blog Tour for The Faith and Fate of David Ghent. Check out The Official Site of Maren Dille for more details concerning the Blog Tour.

Check back on the 4th for an author spotlight and book review!