Nomi’s Weekly Wrap Up #43


Nomi’s Weekly Wrap Up is a combined meme with the Sunday Post hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Stacking The Shelves hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. I’ll share news, post a recap of the past week and tell you what will be happening on my blog in the week ahead. I will also tell you about the books and goodies that I have managed to pick up.
I have had a relatively quiet week this week, I read only one book and I have been working on my blog and a few other things... Be sure to tune in this week for some exciting changes!!!


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Review – Faking It by Cora Carmack

Title: Faking It
Author: Cora Carmack
Series: Losing It #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: June 4th 2013

Book Description

Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.

Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel.


*Purchases through buy links help support this blog

My Review

I read Losing It earlier this year and was excited there would be a spin off book to continue the series. Where Losing It was told solely from Bliss’ POV, Faking It alternates between both the characters, Cade and Max. Cade we met in the first book, and was one of Bliss' best friends in college. He was in love with her and was devastated when he bared his feelings for her, only to be rejected and she fell for someone else. Max is a new character and they meet as they happen to be in the same place at the right time. Max's parents make an impromptu visit and she doesn't want them to meet her actual boyfriend as she knows they won't approve of him.

Max has had to deal with a tragedy in her life and tried being the perfect daughter, but now that she is away from the constant scrutiny of her parents she has grown into her own person. However, when they are around she wants to still be seen as the good daughter they raised her to be. Cade sees her as much more than what she shows on the outside; the dark make up, the piercings, the tats and the grungy clothes. He manages to get under her skin to see the broken girl underneath, the one that needs breaks occasionally to settle her feelings, the only that shows her true feelings while singing and the girl that loses herself when she dances.

Cade didn't have the perfect life either and has had to deal with his share of loss, but has made it his mission to make his life as good as he possibly can. He is now studying for his master’s degree in acting and trying to let go of the girl that broke his heart. He is a good guy and sees the best in people. Max is a girl way out of his safe zone and is a big risk for him to take. But he can’t help but be drawn to her as the chemistry begins to rise.

In Losing It, I really liked Bliss and Garrick, but seeing Cade struggle with his feelings towards their relationship made me resent them a little. Their lives are moving along perfectly, where Cade was still struggling with his feelings for Bliss and his everyday living. I enjoyed their small cameo roles, and what happened between them, but I felt for Cade too.

The chemistry between these characters grew throughout the story. They had initial sparks that neither of the characters knew what to do with. The biggest hurdle was the insecurities that they both had, and their pasts. Max and Cade don't really know how to open up, and struggle with their emotions when they come to the surface. I liked how the story unravelled and how the relationship developed, and the ending is just what I hoped for!!


I received a copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


About the Author

I'm Cora Carmack, a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. I've done a multitude of things in my life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). I enjoy placing my characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. My first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today Bestseller.

Represented by the fabulous Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary.

Find Cora online at




Check out my Review for Losing It!!
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Feature and Follow #41


Feature & Follow is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read. The purpose is to meet new people and gain more followers in the book blogging community. If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers — but you have to know — the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

Here’s this week’s question:

What is your preferred reading format? Hardcover, eBooks, paperback etc?

I really don't have a preference, I read on my iPad using my Kindle app most of the time, but I like to pick up physical books too. I am currently trying to get through some paperbacks that I have had for a while, so I have been reading one every week. The advantage that the iPad has is that I can turn off the lights and read in the dark!


What do you think?

What's your FF?

To play along visit Parajunkee & Alison Can Read.
Follow them, follow their Featured Blogs and then visit as many blogs as you can, posting your answer.


And don't forget to leave your link in the comments section below!

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Cover Reveal – Scorched Treachery by Rebecca Ethington


 Title: Scorched Treachery (Imdalind #3)
Author: Rebecca Ethington
Expected release date: July 12th 2013
Genre: Paranormal (with action and romance)
Age Group: Young Adult
Cover designed by: Okay Creations

While Joclyn is trapped in the tormenting hell of Cail’s mind, the battle around her only continues to grow and spread.

Edmund has infiltrated the underground hallways of Prague, guiding the massacre that would end the lives of the last of the great magical race. In her attempts to stop him, Wynifred has been captured and her magic restrained. Chained up in the ancient dungeons of Prague, her fate is left in the hands of her father, who has tried to kill her before.

With Ryland’s screams and Sain’s fragmented sights as her only company, Wyn must rely on something that has been hidden deep inside of her for centuries to help them break free.

Ilyan’s whole life has been building up to one purpose. Protect the Silnỳ. He knows what he must do, and he has no doubt in his ability to do so.

But when his father’s magic removes Joclyn’s mind from her body, he is left protecting the shell of the one person he loves. Desperate to find a way to break her free of her prison, he makes a choice. And that one choice changes everything.

Now, Ilyan finds himself bound to Joclyn in a way that he never knew to be possible. They say that blood is thicker than water, but Black Water burns, and Ilyan’s heart may not be strong enough to keep the water pumping through his veins and give the girl he loves back into his brother’s care.

Even if he can, it may not be safe to do so.

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Reading order: Kiss of Fire (1), Eyes of Ember (2), Scorched Treachery (3)


 About the Author

 photo RebeccaEthington_zpsdb867f4c.jpgRebecca Ethington is a story teller and author from Salt Lake City, Utah. She has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then in stage with years of theatrical performances. Rebecca’s first stint into the world of literary writing, The Imdalind Series, was released in October 2012 and since its release each book has been found in several top 100 lists on Amazon. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her crazy family.



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Swoon Thursday #48 – If I Die by Rachel Vincent


The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme. Here's how it works.

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the chicks at YABound!

OMG!! This series gets better and better!! The swoons are better too, and I prefer these ones! Whoo hoo!


If I Die
Rachel Vincent
Soul Screamers #5




“I was sure that after all that, you’d decide this was too much trouble.”

“This?”

“Us,” he clarified, rolling the chair closer to the bed, one foot at a time.
I scooted toward the edge of the mattress to meet him, my pulse rushing so fast just breathing felt surreal. 

“There’s an us?”

“As far as I’m concerned…” He leaned forward, his mouth inches from mine, and my pulse spiked. “There’s nothing but us.” His lips met mine, and he kissed me slowly, deeply, like we had all the time in the world. And in that moment, that’s exactly what it felt like.

When I finally pulled back to catch my breath, my head was spinning. Or maybe the whole damn room was spinning. “I think that was even better than the first time,” I whispered”.

 

Paperback Page 234




Did you get swooned this week?

What did you think of mine?

Leave me a comment!
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Waiting On Wednesday # 46 – Angel of Mercy By Shannon Dermott

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine where I have the chance to spotlight an upcoming release that I’m eagerly anticipating.

I have been waiting for this one for a little while!! Fingers crossed it comes out this month!!

Angel of Mercy
By Shannon Dermott
Cambion #3
Expected Publication – June 30th 2013


Mercy wants to put the broken pieces of her life back together. She’s on a mission to make right all the things that have gone wrong. Most of all, she’s wants her relationship to work but someone is hell bent on not letting that happen. Will bringing her enemies close backfire?




What are you waiting for? Please leave it in a comment below or leave me your WoW link so I can check out yours too!!
Have a great Wednesday!!
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Review – My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent

Title: My Soul to Steal
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #4
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Published: July 17th 2011 by Mira (first published December 21st 2010)

Book Description

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can’t just pretend nothing happened. But “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn’t just an ordinary girl. She’s a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people’s fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn’t above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.


*Purchases through buy links help support this blog

My Review

Now that I have read the 4th book in the series, I can understand why people become addicted to this series. It is such a fun ride and I love it!! There are only 3 books to go and I want to drag them out over the coming weeks because I think I will be sad at the end of the series. I love all the characters, they all have their natural flaws and it is easy to connect to them, even if I don’t have a paranormal ability like most of them do.

Kaylee’s main focus in this book is her struggling relationship with Nash. She is more like a normal teenage girl in this book, she goes to work, school and hangs out with friends. However, the appearance of his long lost first girlfriend puts extra stress on their relationship and makes it hard for Kaylee to sort out her own feelings when there is someone there to throw in extra complications.

Sabine has made it perfectly clear from the beginning what she wants now that she is back in Nash’s life and pushing Kaylee out of the way is what she wants to do. You can see that she has had a troubled upbringing, and tries to hide behind her tough exterior. But she has her own secrets that Nash keeps from Kaylee. You can see that Nash and Sabine have a deep bond and Nash wants to find a way to have both girls in his life and to gain Kaylee’s trust back.

Alec plays a bit of a role in this book and I must say I think he is a genuine character. He has been living in hell for the last 25 years and is doing his best to get his life on track, but even though he has escaped, can he remain safe? Tod plays a bit of a role in this one too, not as much as the last book but enough to have my feelings in turmoil! There is something in his eyes that looks like he may have stronger feelings for Kaylee, but I’m still not sure. I really like Tod, but could there be some brotherly rivalry on the horizon?? Love triangles spice things up for me, but I don’t know who I’d pick if it does happen!!

There is an underlying plot there that affects them all, which are the deaths of teachers at the school. There are a lot of conflicting things occurring at the school that started when Sabine first arrived at the school. The Netherworld is never far away and a familiar Villain still has Kaylee in his sights. Again, I loved how the story unfolded, the troubles all the characters have to work through and the emotions that are all in the air! I am desperate to get my hands on the next book… If I Die looks like fun!!


About the Author

A resident of Oklahoma, Rachel Vincent has a BA in English and an overactive imagination, and consistently finds the latter to be more practical. She shares her workspace with two black cats (Kaci and Nyx) and her # 1 fan. Rachel is older than she looks-seriously-and younger than she feels, but remains convinced that for every day she spends writing, one more day will be added to her lifespan.


Find Rachel online at:



Check out my reviews for the previous books –
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Teaser Tuesdays #47 – Surrender Your Love By J.C. Reed


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Surrender Your Love
By J.C. Reed
Surrender Your Love #1
Expected Publication  March 15th 2013


Hehehe.... I had fun reading this book, had to share a fun tease (one of many!!) I'll post my review next week!!

“You okay?” Jett asked, laughing. 

“You drive like a maniac,” I said through clenched teeth. 

“That’s not the only thing I do like a maniac, Brooke.” His hand moved away from the steering wheel and settled on my thigh.

Kindle loc 1627



PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks for stopping by!!
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Review – Playing Patience by Tabatha Vargo

Title: Playing Patience
Author: Tabatha Vargo
Series: Blow Hole Boys #1
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Published: April 22nd 2013

Book Description

Sometimes all you need is Patience.

Life’s been hard for Zeke. Being a punching bag for his alcoholic father has turned him into stone. Not even the dodgy trailer park he lives in can scare him. Fighting is his release and sex, drugs, and his guitar bring him peace, but deep down Zeke isn’t quite as hard as he makes himself out to be. When he meets Patience, she finds all his broken pieces and puts him back together, but she’s a ray of light in his shadowed life and the last thing he wants to do is bring her into his dark world. Playing careless is easy, playing the bad guy can be fun, but playing Patience is impossible, especially when she can see right through him.

Zeke isn’t the only one who’s broken, and for the first time, in a long time, Patience feels alive. Her black and white world gets a shot of color when she meets Zeke. He’s unlike anyone she’s ever met with his tattoos, piercings, and blunt honesty. She wants nothing more than to let go and ride the wild side with him, but some wounds never heal and the broken pieces of Patience aren’t so easy to find.

***Warning: this book contains graphic language, sex, and violence. Mature readers only. Not intended for young adult readers.***

  
Buy Now * – Amazon l Barnes & Noble
*Purchases through buy links help support this blog

My Review

If you didn't know by now I have a soft spot for the bad boy in stories and this has another example of the perfect bad boy. Zeke is total hotness, he uses girls and tosses them away just as soon as they satisfy his urges. But beneath the surface are a lot of secrets that he hides from everyone, including his best friends. He does everything that I expect in a bad boy, drinks, smokes pot, plays in a band and bangs girls. He is from the wrong side of the tracks and lives in a trailer park with his father. But if you took the time to get past the front you can see there is more to him than what meets the eye.

Patience is a good girl from the high end of town. From the outside she looks like the perfect girl and daughter, but looks are pretty deceiving as we find out very early. She is a severely damaged girl and is able to lock her emotions and insecurities away. Her home life is not a real happy one and her mother is very sick. She is soon out of her comfort zone when she goes to a bar to see a band with her best friend and she is saved by a handsome stranger.

These two broken characters don't get along too well to begin with but soon their connection starts to grow and they can't deny that there is a spark between them. The more time they spend together, the stronger the pull. Zeke doesn't understand why a girl like Patience likes him and soon he tries to repel her with his smart ass comments and avoids her where possible. But somehow she has already crawled under his skin. He knows that she has her secrets as well but has no idea as to how bad things are for her.


Playing Patience touches on some very dark aspects of life and at times I was tearing up along with the characters. It is sad to know that the things that both of these characters have had to deal with occur in real life and to read about these characters going through it makes the story so believable. The way the author told the story from both POV’s gave great depth to the story and she some of the same moments were retold be both characters. I enjoyed the story from cover to cover and felt that I knew the characters personally. They learn so much about each other and they grow into better people themselves. Not everything goes to plan and they have to get over a lot of hurdles and face their worst fears before they can even think of being with one another. There are some nice romance scenes and even some fast hard loving between the characters as well. I was totally blown away by this story and I am looking forward to more from this author!


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Cover Reveal – Hold Tight by Cherie Colyer

 
Title:  Hold Tight (Embrace, #2)
Author: Cherie Colyer
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Expected release date:  August 20, 2013

Sixteen-year-old Madison Riley and her friends discover they aren’t the only supernatural beings in Gloucester, Massachusetts. These new creatures are more dangerous than ever, and this time Madison risks losing more than just her friends.


The cover for Embrace, the first book in the series has been re done as well. What do you think?


Title: Embrace (Embrace #1)
Author: Cherie Colyer
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Released: December 2012

Madison is familiar enough with change, and she hates everything about it. Change took her long-term boyfriend away from her. It caused one of her friends to suddenly hate her. It's responsible for the death of a local along with a host of other mysterious happenings. But when Madison meets a hot new guy, she thinks her luck is about to improve. Madison is instantly drawn to the handsome and intriguing Isaac Addington. She quickly realizes he's a guy harboring a secret, but she's willing to risk the unknown to be with him. Her world really spins out of control, however, when her best friend becomes delusional, seeing things that aren't there and desperately trying to escape their evil. When the doctors can't find the answers, Madison seeks her own. Nothing can prepare her for what she is about to discover. Dangerous, intoxicating, and darkly romantic, Embrace is a thriller that will leave you spellbound.


About the Author

Cherie Colyer writes young adult and middle grade novels. She loves finding new stories that keep her up late reading. While her favorite genre is realistic paranormal/fantasy, if the book is beautifully written with characters that come alive she’s all over it.

Author social media links:



Twitter: https://twitter.com/CherieColyer ; @CherieColyer


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Stacking the Shelves/Sunday Post #42


Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. It is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

I have had a reasonably quiet week and have had a chance to catch up on some reading and potter around on my blog. Things will be busy soon when the kids are home from school holidays… so I’ll get as much done as I can!!

Purchased

Blind Attraction 

(Reckless Beat #1)

by 

(I actually forgot to add this one last week!)


99c Bargains

 

Drowning in You 

(Finding Forever in Us #1)

by 

Obsession

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Zoey Rogue 

(Incubatti #1)

by Lizzy Ford

For Review

Shudder 

(Stitch Trilogy #2)

by Samantha Durante

Ethereal Fury

(Gemini Rising, #1)

by Jessica O'Gorek

In the Mail

Crown of Midnight 

(Throne of Glass #2)

by Sarah J. Maas

Thank you to Sonia at Bloomsbury Publishing Australia


That’s it for Stacking the Shelves this week, what did you get?


The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news and to post a recap of the past week on your blog,showcase some books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up in your blog for the week ahead.


This past week on the blog I shared:


I also did my usual Meme’s that I participate in Teaser Tuesdays,
Waiting On Wednesday, Swoon Thursday and Feature & Follow Friday

This week there will be:

Review - Playing Patience by Tabatha Vargo
Review – My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent
Cover Reveal - Hold Tight by Cherie Colyer
Cover Reveal - Scorched Treachery by Rebecca Ethington
Review - Faking It by Cora Cormack

There are still some giveaways running… Click on the links at the top of the blog to enter!

What did you receive this week? What’s happening in your neck of the woods? I’d love to know!!
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