Review: Ignited by A.M. Deese

Ignited

by

A.M. Deese

Genre:

YA

Release Date: March 2018

RadiantTeen

Ignited by A.M. Deese

Genre: YA

Release Date: March 2018

Published by: Radiant Teen

Cover Design: Desiree DeOrto

https://www.desireedeortodesigns.com/

Blurb:

A NOBLE DAUGHTER.

A FORMER SLAVE.

SCORCHED EARTH AND DANGEROUS GAMES.

“Jura imagined it sounded like rain.”


Juggling death is nothing new for seventeen-year-old Jura, daughter of the First of the Thirteen, successive rulers of the Republic of the Sand Sea. However, when a blood chain ensnares her father, she is thrust into the seat of power and forced to rule her elders.

“To Tylak, water had never tasted sweeter.”

Jura must track down her father’s assassin and balance a country on the verge of collapse. To find the Prince of Shadows and uncover the truth, Jura puts her trust in Tylak, a former slave accused of stealing from the Everflame—a man she once condemned to death.

In a world where water is currency and enemies lurk around every corner, Jura will use her wits or risk igniting a world war.

Add to Goodreads

You can pre-order from Radiant Crown Publishing, LLC and Google Play

Author Bio:

Alexis Marrero Deese is an avid reader of young adult and fantasy. Her favorite authors include Brandon Sanderson, Jaqueline Carey, and Orson Scott Card. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing and a sun tan she misses dearly since her move to northern Georgia. She has a passion for cooking, spends entirely too much time on Pinterest, and is a self-proclaimed dog training expert to her family’s legion of dogs.

Author Links:

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

My Review:

This book opened with an awkward teen dealing with a tricky political situation in the absence of her father, the most politically prominent man in their land. The book was set in a lavishly built fantasy world that had a bit of a Persian feel to it. The lore of the story intrigued me and kept me wanting more. This story was chock full of mystery, political intrigue, danger, magic, murder, kidnapping, dragons, and teen angst. It had some unexpected characters who ended up being some of my favorites like Beshar a middle-aged, overweight brilliant master of secrets and Kay, a powerful fire mage who also happened to be a 7 yr old. Reading from their perspectives was fun and different, especially in a YA book. I'm anxiously waiting for the next book in this exciting new series.

**Five Stars**

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Blog Tour Organized by:

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New Release and Review: The Nanny Arrangement by Rachel Harris

Title: The Nanny Arrangement

Series: Country Blues #2

Author: Rachel Harris

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled Bliss

Released: May 22, 2017

Blurb: 

Soft-spoken and shy Hannah Fisher is determined to make the man she’s loved her entire life finally see her as a woman. With the help of a makeover, a new mission—Operation Find My Happy—and the convenient forced proximity of a tour bus, she vows to win her best friend Deacon’s heart.

Former bad boy and current fiddle player Deacon Latrell has the world at his fingertips: a new gig with a famous band, plus his best friend on tour as his son’s nanny. Life couldn’t get much sweeter. Now if only he could stop imagining kissing the daylights out of his childhood BFF…

With one friend set on pushing the boundaries and the other afraid to rock the boat, one thing’s for certain—their story would make one heck of a country song. 

Buy it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NKWD4K/

Add it to Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29561320-the-nanny-arrangement

About the Author: 

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings, witty banter, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing.

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/olH75

Website: www.RachelHarrisWrites.com

Reader's Group, The Flirt Squad: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Flirt...

Review:

I loved this book from page one. The moment I opened it on my kindle I knew it would be fabulous, and Rachel Harris didn't disappoint. Hannah and Deacon were easy to love immediately and their chemistry jumped from nearly every page. This book had me squealing and laughing so loud that kids would come into the room to ask what was so funny. But, since it was about Deacon's reaction to Hannah holding up lingerie or some other version of naughtiness I couldn't exactly explain it to them. It's been a long time since I've read a book this good. The story had themes of self-worth and family that spoke to me deeply. I loved it that I could be so entertained and touched at the same time. When I finished the read, I just wanted to snuggle up to my husband and share some of the glow the book left with me.

Rachel's tone is warm and genuine. I always feel like I'm hanging out with my best friend when I read her books. This story has the perfect amount of spice without being too graphic, but enough naughtiness to keep me giggling throughout the read. Ahh what heaven this read was. Please, Rachel, please bring us more like this. 

**Five Stars**

Blog Tour: A League of Her Own by Karen Rock

This is my stop during the blog tour for A League of Her Own by Karen Rock. This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The blog tour runs from 1 till 14 December, you can view the complete tour schedule on the website of Lola’s Blog Tours.

A League of Her Own
By Karen Rock
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Adult
Release Date: 1 December, 2014

Blurb:
He was attractive, talented…and way off limits.

Heather Gadway may have been a world-class college pitcher and a top university coach, but she's a rank amateur when it comes to managing the Falcons, her father's struggling minor league team. And when it comes to managing her aggravating attraction to Garrett Wolf, their talented new pitcher. It's going to be difficult enough to make it as the first female manager in the league and prove to her overly critical father she's worthy. No distractions. No missteps. And certainly no romances with players. Everything stands between them—including their troubled pasts—even as Heather's world falls apart and Garrett's the one who's there to catch her…

You can find A League of Her Own on Goodreads.

You can buy A League of Her Own here:
- Amazon (Kindle)
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- eHarlequin

About the Author:
Karen Rock is an award-winning YA and adult contemporary romance author. She holds a master’s degree in English and worked as an ELA instructor before becoming a full-time writer. Currently she writes for Harlequin Heartwarming and her first novel for the line, WISH ME TOMORROW, has won the 2014 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2014 Golden Quill Contest and a finalist in the Published Maggie Awards. The first novel in her co-authored YA series, CAMP BOYFRIEND, has been a finalist in the Booksellers Best and Golden Leaf awards.

You can find and connect with Karen here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Tumblr
- Quarterly Newsletter

There is a tour wide giveaway for the blog tour of A League of Her Own. These are the prizes you can win:
- a 100$ Amazon gift card (INT)
- a set of signed paperback of Wish Me Tomorrow, His Hometown Girl, Someone Like You and A League of Her Own (US only)

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
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Review: Fragile Line by Brooklyn Skye

My Review:

When I picked up this book I didn't know what to expect other than a good mystery. In fact I was expecting it to have some sort of fantasy or paranormal element to it. I was intrigued to find that it was purely Contemporary fiction. The first two sections of this book earned five stars from me. They were compelling, and I couldn't get the story out of my head. I didn't like Gwen's section at the end at all. She was too dark. I understand that it was necessary and I feel that the author did a good job making Gwen rough and callused, but I wished she hadn't made it quite so detailed. I felt like her section went on and on. There was way too much swearing, drugs, and sex for my taste. I didn't really see the purpose to it. I would have liked to see more of Ellie and her road to healing, and I only saw a small glimpse of that at the end. Gwen's entire section seemed like a waste of time and it left a bad taste in my mouth, so bad that I almost put the book down several times. It was like the book ended with the end of Ellie's section, right when it was coming to the most interesting part. I eagerly turn to the next chapter and it's back to Gwen who I hate and her section is like a downward spiral, ruining this girl's body. What the heck was the point of that? How was that propelling the story forward? When it finally got back to Ellie there was barely any mention of her healing process and the story was left hanging a bit with lose ends dangling everywhere and it left me wondering if there's a sequel coming.

My Rating:

Review: Camp Payback by J.K. Rock

My Review:

This book grabbed me from the very beginning. I read it very quickly. I'm a huge Camp Boyfriend fan so when I heard this book was available through Netgalley I jumped on the opportunity to read it. J.K. Rock didn't disappoint!

Having come from a VERY strict home, I immediately connected with Alex. I felt her pain like you wouldn't believe. It was fun to watch her rebel a little bit. Her parents were so over the top it was nauseous, but that only made me feel even more sympathetic for Alex. 

She starts her summer with a bang when, to get revenge on her ex, she impulsively kisses the sexy new guy. Unfortunately, he turns out to be an employee of the camp. Whoa! I was completely enthralled.

I loved being in Javier's head and getting to know him a bit better. And let me say, I liked what I saw. A lot. His love and concern for his mom totally won me over. On the outside he seems like a "troubled kid" to those around him, but on the inside he's this beautiful, loyal person.

Camp Payback had me hooked to the very end. I highly recommend it!

My Rating:

Review: My Not So Super Sweet Life by Rachel Harris

Blurb:

Cat Crawford just wants to be normal—or at least as normal as a daughter of Hollywood royalty can be. And it looks like fate is granting her wish: she’s got an amazing boyfriend, Lucas; her fabulous cousin, Alessandra, living with her; and her dad planning his second marriage to a great future stepmom. That is, until her prodigal mother reveals on national television that she has something important to tell her daughter…causing a media frenzy.

Lucas Capelli knows his fate is to be with Cat, and he’s worked hard to win her over once and for all. Unfortunately, Lucas has his own issues to deal with, including a scandal that could take him away from the first place he’s truly belonged.

As secrets are revealed, rumors explode, and the world watches, Cat and Lucas discover it’s not fate they have to fight if they want to stay together…this time, it’s their own insecurities.

Well, and the stalkerazzi.

About the Author:

Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, where she watched soap operas with her grandmother and stayed up late sneak reading her mama's favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, she still stays up way too late reading her favorite romances, only now, she can do so openly. She firmly believes life's problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.

When not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, she homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches way too much reality television with her amazing husband. She writes YA, NA, and Adult Fun & Flirty Escapes. She loves talking with readers! Find her at www.RachelHarrisWrites.com

My Review:

What a phenomenal book! Cat and Lucas were amazing together!

I felt so connected to Cat as I followed her ups and downs on her journey of reconnecting with her mom. Her complicated feelings going into the renewed relationship with her mom made sense to me. It's probably how I would have felt if I had been in her shoes. I've been in that situation with someone close to be before, so I totally get it. It's like when you've been hurt so badly in the past, but you still love the person and hope that maybe one day things will be made right. But part of you worries that it never really will be. It involves a lot of fear, caution, hope, and pain. But you keep holding onto that one little piece of hope because if things work out the way you want it would all be worth it. That being said, I like the way Rachel ended things between Cat and her mom. It seemed realistic to me.

Lucas is such a solid guy. Loving, passionate, caring, loyal, tender, and unselfish. I loved getting to know him on a deeper level and discovering what haunts him from his past. Watching his journey to self-discovery was AWESOME.

Rachel did such an amazing job with the character arcs, as she does in all her books. Both Cat and Lucas were able to face their inner demons and overcome their challenges. The final scene was touching and had my heart doing a happy dance!

My Rating:

Review: Taste the Heat by Rachel Harris

As a member of Rachel Harris' street team, Flirt Squad, I figured it was about time to read her Adult Contemporary books. I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review. My review comes from my own thoughts and opinions and is in no way influenced by the author.

Title: Taste the Heat

Series: Love and Games #1

Author: Rachel Harris

Published: July 8, 2013 by Entangled: Bliss

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

One sexy fire captain. One Cajun chef, One combustible kitchen…

When chef Colby Robicheaux returned home to New Orleans to save her family restaurant, the last person she expected to reconnect with was her brother’s best friend and her childhood crush. As tempting as a sugar-coated beignet, Jason is one dish she doesn’t want to taste. Colby is counting down the days till she can leave the place where her distrust of love and commitment originated and go back to Vegas. 

Fire captain Jason Landry isn’t looking for love, either. He knows he should focus on finding the perfect mother for his daughter, but when he first sees Colby, all grown up and gorgeous, he can’t help but be drawn to her. And when she suggests a no-strings-attached fling, Jason doesn’t want to say no. 

As their relationship grows more intense, Colby finds that Jason isn’t as easy to leave behind as she thought. Could turning up the heat on something real be worth the possibility of getting burned?

Review:

I picked this book up late one night thinking I'd check it out. I had no idea what it was about other than a romance about cooking in Louisiana, but I'm a HUGE Rachel Harris fan so I knew it would be good. I just didn't realize it would be THIS good. Next thing I know I'm absolutely sucked in. I was completely addicted to the idea of Colby's childhood crush checking her out without realizing who she was. Now that's my kind of story! There's something about the way Rachel writes that speaks to me like my best friend is telling me a story.

Colby is a strong, but troubled main character. I love her broken past and what an incredibly hard worker she is. I really felt her inadequacy as a potential mom. I still feel that way all the time, and I have four kids!

I totally love Jason, what a good dad he is, and how much he loves and honors his wife who passed away. My favorite character is by far Emma, Jason's daughter. She's bright, funny, talented, bubbly, and driven. She's pretty much the perfect 12 yr old kid. It broke my heart that she had such a rough childhood.

Watching Colby and Jason grow closer was an absolute delight! I highly recommend Taste the Heat to anyone who enjoys a good romance and I'll will most definitely be reading the next books in the series. Well done, Rachel Harris! You rock my world!

Content: Some sexual content, fade to black

My Rating:

About Rachel Harris:

Author of fun & flirty romance about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings and strong families are a staple of all my books...and kissing. Lots of kissing. 

I homeschool my two beautiful girls and watch countless hours of reality television with my amazing husband. I write YA, NA, and Adult romance and LOVE talking with readers!

Book Tour: His Hometown Girl by Karen Rock

On tour with Prism Book Tours...

Welcome to my Book Tour stop for
His Hometown Girl

His Hometown Girl
by Karen Rock
Mass Market Paperback, Large Print, 331 pages
March 1st 2014 by Harlequin


He'd always managed to best her…

Jodi Chapman will do whatever it takes to get top care for her autistic son. If that means going home and convincing local farmers to sell their land, so be it. Even if her biggest opponent, childhood rival Daniel Gleason, is equally determined to convince farmers to buy into his co-op plan. And he's not playing fair.

Facing off against Daniel is the last thing Jodi wants. The attraction that's always fueled their competitiveness is as strong as ever and just as distracting. But with both their futures on the line, and years of distrust between them, how can they ever be on the same side?

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * eHarlequin
Book Depository

My Review:

The cover of this book really pulled me in. Who doesn't want to read about adults rekindling their high school romance in a strawberry patch? I was all over the idea. But as soon as I began reading His Hometown Girl I realized this story went much deeper than a cutesy country love story. I honestly didn't see it coming, but I should have, knowing how amazing and deep Karen's past books have been.

I was moved by Jodi's struggle to be a better mom to her autistic son. My identical twin sons were diagnosed with ADHD last year. Before their diagnosis I was really hard on both them and myself because I tried so hard to force them into the mold society expected them to fit into. The result was a boatload of frustration and tears.

There were multiple instances throughout the book as I read Jodi's reaction to her son's behavior that had me nodding my head. Her pain was incredibly palpable, especially since I've been there. Karen captured Jodi's feelings of inadequacy realistically with intense clarity.

Daniel was a breath of fresh air. As I gained more insight to his character I grew to understand how much Jodi needed him. He was a rock of stability and common sense. Jodi was flailing, and he steadied her, despite their competitive nature. I especially enjoyed that aspect of the story. It was deliciously fun to watch the unspoken chemistry and long-buried feelings they were both trying to deny/hide.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a clean romance about old love rekindling.

Karen Rock has adored romance since receiving Harlequin Presents books from her grandmother each summer. She formed her Young Adult writing partnership, J.K. Rock- pseudonym for the CAMP BOYFRIEND series, with her sister-in-law and Blaze author, Joanne Rock in 2011. When Karen heard of a call for submissions to Heartwarming, Harlequin’s latest line, she was inspired by the possibilities of writing unforgettable, deeply romantic, tender love stories that mothers would feel comfortable sharing with their daughters. When she’s not writing, Karen loves scouring estate sales for vintage books, cooking her grandmother's family recipes, hiking the ‘high peaks’, and redesigning her gardens. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, daughter, and two Cavalier King cocker spaniels who have yet to understand the concept of “fetch” though they know a lot about love. 

For more information about Karen's upcoming books, check out her website, Facebook page, or follow her on twitter. She’d love to hear from you!

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter

Tour-Wide Giveaway

Grand Prize: Hand-stitched, authentic Amish quilt (uses their overlapping heart-stitching- pattern), with matching dust ruffle for a king-sized bed, signed copies of Wish Me Tomorrow & Camp Boyfriend, and some surprise swag (US Only)
1 - Paperback/ebook copies of Wish Me Tomorrow and Camp Boyfriend (format is winner's choice, paperback for US Only) and $20 Amazon gift card
2 - ebooks of Wish Me Tomorrow and Camp Boyfriend (INT)

March 3 - 23

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3/3 - Tour Launch & Excerpt

3/4

Katie's Clean Book Collection

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3/5

All That's Written

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3/6

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3/7

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Reviews By Molly

3/9

My Devotional Thoughts

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Tressa's Wishful Endings

3/10

Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia

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3/11

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3/12

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3/13

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3/14

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3/16 - Tour Grand Finale

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Blog Tour Stop and Review: Rules of Engagement by Amber Gilchrist

Blurb: 

For Annemarie Whitted, her youngest sister’s engagement starts as a happy event, and ends as a slap in the face when she comes to the harsh realization that she’s a failure at relationships, a person in stasis. Annemarie is motivated and organized, a woman on a mission, and she’s getting married now.
Her Rules of Engagement ensure she’ll make the right choice, and her committee will find her potential eternal companions. She assigns the job to her closest sister, Lisa, and Lisa’s husband, Tanner. Of course, Tanner comes with baggage— his brother, Ben, Annemarie’s lifelong nemesis.

The war between the two of them gives a brand new meaning to Annemarie’s Rules of Engagement, and his presence isn’t helping her at all. Especially when he disapproves of her methods and questions every step she makes. Especially when their forced proximity makes each of them really see each other for the first time. Especially when she discovers that her heart has secret corners she never knew, and that the Rules might have been her biggest mistake of all.

Review:

When I first read the blurb for this book, I knew I had to read it. I don’t usually read LDS romance books, but I really enjoyed this one. It was witty, the characters felt well-developed and real to me, and the story pulled in immediately. The main issue addressed in the book of feeling your biological clock ticking is becoming more common among LDS women every day. Although I’ve never been in Annmarie’s situation (I was married at 18), I’ve felt at times that my life wasn’t quite going where I wanted, and that’s something that everyone can identify with.

Ben, the brother of Annemarie's brother-in-law, isn’t your typical romance novel hero. He’s annoying, messy, antisocial, nerdy, and pessimistic. As the story progressed and I got to know him better, those weaknesses either became endearing or they disappeared altogether. The way Gilchrist achieved that was subtly, but impressively accomplished. By the end of the story, I saw Ben as an attractive, caring, genius, passionate man any woman would be proud to call her own.

Their love story was woven so expertly it often left me feeling breathless. I couldn’t put the story down from page one, and I only stopped reading it to take bathroom or food breaks.  For many days afterward, Ben and Annmarie’s story stayed with me, and I found myself reliving my favorite parts of the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone, married or unmarried, who loves a good, clean romance.

About the author: 

Amber Gilchrist lives in New Mexico with her husband and three children. She writes YA for upper teens, as well as LDS Romantic Comedies. She calls her lifetime of jumping from one job to another 'experience' for her books and not an inability to settle down. Amber loves mysteries and a good, happy romance. She also loves to laugh. Sometimes she likes all of them together.

A fan of quirky movies and indie books, Amber likes to be with her family, is socially inept, and fears strangers and small yippy dogs. She alternates between writing and being a mom and wife. She tries to do both at the same time but her kids don't appreciate being served lunch and told, "This is the hot dog of your discontent." So mostly she writes when everyone else is in bed.

Amber loves to hear from readers and can be reached at ambergilchristbooks@gmail.com

Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Image taken from Goodreads

Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication date: Feb 12, 2013
I read: Kindle Edition
Series: Pivot Point #1

The Blurb:

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

The Characters:

Addison: Blond curly hair. Has super powers. Can search her future. Her parents are getting divorced.


Duke: Blond hair. Blue eyes.  Has super powers. Cocky. Football player. Popular. Persuasive. Friends with a bunch of jerks.


Trevor: He's a "norm". Keeps a messy bedroom. Injured quarterback. Long eyelashes. Beautiful. Quiet. Artistic. Sexy.

My Review:

I was blown away by the originality of the plot. The world was unique, nothing to be overly excited about, but still kept my interest. I think she could've maybe done a bit more with it, by adding a bit more description, but I don't think that was what the author was really focused on.

I really, really loved Trevor. I seriously had a new imaginary crush while I read this book, and he stayed in my mind all the next day. He was beautiful, serious, broken, and strong. I got the impression he would take care of any woman he loved. What a man!

I will definitely be reading book two!

My Rating: