Monday, September 30, 2013

Books: Beneath The Surface ~ Reluctance Series #1 ~ M.A. Stacie

Title: Beneath The Surface
Author: M.A. Stacie
Series: Reluctance book #1
Publishing date: 28th, August, 2013
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing
Language: English only
Number of pages: 327 p.
Age category: Volwassenen
Other books in this series:
Behind The Scandal (Reluctance book #2)

Received an advance reading copy from: Netgalley, thanks to TWCS Publishing house, this in no way influences my honest opinion.

About Beneath The Surface

Kyran Reese is a man in control. Driven when it comes to work, focused when it comes to play. From his office to the chalk circle of the bare-knuckle boxing ring, his only thought is to win.

That thirst heightens when Dale Porter enters his life. His brother’s assistant should be off limits, but her witty comments and sarcastic comebacks have him desperate to get her between the sheets.

When Dale agrees to Kyran’s relationship stipulation of no labels she’s sucked into a whirlwind of lust, money, and underground boxing. Dale fights her growing affection, trying to hide it when the world around them spirals out of control. All too soon she realizes she can’t hide her true feelings any longer.

Has Kyran finally met his match? Could playing to win mean playing for keeps?

My review

I read this a little while ago and this story is sticking to me like glue. I find myself frequently think back to this story, especially the wickedly good ending. This is one of the best endings I have every read, it was simply perfect!

Another well done thing about this book is the cover, it is simple but fits the characters of the books perfectly, the sleeves are almost like I imagine them to be and my god who doesn't want to see a hot male body on the cover?  Also I love the jeans he is wearing, anyone know where I can get a man wearing those jeans?  The colouring and letters are also very pretty, it was the cover that sparked my interest in this book. I am so glad that I have read this because it was fabulous!

I have starting reading more romance, which left me to conclude that they always seem so alike. This also being romance surprised me pleasantly. Does it have insta-love? Yes. Enough sex? Yes. Is it only about sex and romance? Definitely NO!

I was a bit afraid that this would turn out a standard assistant-falls-for-hot-CEO story, which is was, but this had depth, great side characters that stirred up the story. Especially Kyran's brother Taylor, the mess-up, who turns out to have an addiction. How things work and are solved in the Reese family was an interesting take on. The business like attitude, and the inside view on the company is something I would have like to read more about.

My Rating

This was funny, witty, emotional, dynamic read. A great plot, relatable characters, a bit of sports attitude made this completely awesome! Therefore of course I can only give it 5 skaters!



Music

I found a song for the three main characters of this book, Kyran, his brother Taylor and Dale. They are not specifically for the whole book but they fit the characters in certain stages of the book.

Mika ~ Blame it on the girls

Taylor's song, as if it was written especially for him.

Mika ~ Pick up of the floor

Dale song (maybe a little of Kyran too)

Prodigy ~ Firestarter

Kyran's fighting music :)

Buy on Amazon

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Stacking The Shelves #6

Stacking The Shelves 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! This is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and anyone can get involved!


Note: Click on the cover and it will take you to amazon for more information.

Bought:


For Review


Freebies



What did you get this week?

Friday, September 27, 2013

Books: My Mr. Manny ~ Jennifer Garcia

Title: My Mr. Manny
Author: Jennifer Garcia
Sort Story: Standalone
Publishing date: 27th Augustus 2013
Publisher: Renaissance Romance Publishing
Number of pages: 257 p.
Language: English only
Age category: Adult

Received an advance reading copy from this in no way influences my honest opinion.

About My Mr. Manny

Mia Balducci misses her childhood days and yearns for the big, Italian family that she left behind in small town Massachusetts. At the tender age of sixteen, Mia moves with her bachelor father to Los Angeles, but no matter how many years pass, it never becomes home to her.

The years spent living with her father aren’t easy, especially since she can’t stop thinking about what she once had. Her enrollment in the University of Southern California promises to bring exciting changes to her life, but Mia winds up with big problems instead. When she runs into an old friend from her old hometown of Winthrop, she gets swept up in nostalgia, and she soon loses herself in a quickly-progressing romance.

When the fantasy falls apart, she is left to raise her precious little girl, Lucia, on her own. The demands of Mia’s work schedule and Lucia’s needs increase, and their lives become increasingly hectic. It is soon clear to Mia that she needs help. Luckily, her life-saving cousin saves the day and brings the mother and daughter a male nanny – their new “manny.”

After losing his high-pressure job on Wall Street, Dominic Roberts wants to follow his dreams to have a family. He’s already one fiancĆ©e down, and there are no likely prospects for another. In order to find the family he so desperately wants, he finds himself getting into the manny business. Since he is fully qualified to provide child care and is eager to leave New York City behind, his sister-in-law is able to land him a job in California working for his first client – the beautiful and intriguing Mia Balducci.

Will Lucia like the new man in her mother's life? Will Mia? And will this new trio discover the happily ever after they all so desperately seek?

My review

*This is going to be a bit personal, please bare with me :) or stop reading

This everything you don't want to read about when you just came out of a 7 year long relationship. This book could have been my live story minus the kid. Why didn't I want to read this?, well the first half of the book was about Mia's relationship with her ex-husband, even though she was marry she always had to do everything alone (which was a very confront story for me). Then she finds out why, and is left to raise their daughter alone. It was a really touchy story, or maybe it was just me that was emotional. I like how strong Mia was and that she pulled through putting her daughter for everything else.

Then the second half of the book consisted of everything I want a relationship to be. (Get my frustration with this book yet???) The second half is all peachy perfect, lovingly but careful. Mia and Dominic are attracted to each other from the start but they don't immediately jump each others bones the minute they see each other (the insta-love version). This relationship actually evolved when the book continues, because they are both still processing their past lives.

When I started this I thought it would be funny, light-hearted story, which was definitely not the case. I still pushed through even with  blurry eyes at times. It was still a pretty good book, it was realistic and emotional, with characters that developed throughout the story. The only problem I am still have after finishing this, is the beginning! Yes I mentioned this also in my book blitz you can read it here: Click here . The first 20 per cent of the book was really rushed, so rushed that I wanted to stop reading around 10 per cent in, but I pushed through. After my blitz post I received an email from the author explain why she chosen this start for the book:
"A lot of people didn't like that I "skimmed" the first part, but it was just for background, the real story is between Mia and Dominic and how they become a family with Lucia."

Rating

This book is well written, very realistic and of course a happily every after makes this a great read. There for 3 skaters!



Music ~ Christina Perry ~ Arms

I found a song that was great with the second half of the book. So enjoy! Ik vond dit nummer goed passen bij de 2 helft van het boek. Dus geniet er van.


Buy the book on Amazon

Sunday, September 22, 2013

My Liebster award nominations!!!!


Good afternoon lovely people,

So yesterday I answered the questions of the two bloggers that nominated me for a Liebster Award: Monique from Mo Books and Margaret from Literary Chanteuse see the post here: Click! Today I am discussing my nominees! And I am also going to tell you why I nominated them! I have chosen INTERNATIONAL bloggers, since I am one my self! I thought it would be fun to keep it international!

What is the Liebster Award? 

The Liebster Award is a way to help blogs you like with less than 200 followers, and to give them some deserved attention so our followers can discover them as well.

Rules:
Link back the blogger that tagged you;

Nominate 10 others;
answer the questions of the one who tagged you; 
Ask 10 questions for the bloggers you nominate;
Let your nominees know of their award;


So here are my nominations!!! It was really hard to put this list together! Since I follow over 200 blogs! 

1. Natali @ Book Cupid (Canada)
She was one of my first followers! And I enjoy her reviews a lot, they are nice and short, with a clear opinion. (I have trouble keeping it short myself lol, mmight learn something there). 

2. Laurien @ Curls and Books (The Netherlands)
This is one of the blogs I started following recently. I enjoy her post and thought to give her an well deserved nomination!

3. Jamie @ Vailia Page Turner (Canada)
Here's were I go if I need a good suggestion for what fantasy to read! I often find mysef saying: Hey I didn't know that one! I really need to read this!

4. Mina @ Mina's Bookshelf (USA)
The coolest thing about her blog is that she finds drinks to go with the books!!! How awesome is that?!

5. Book bunny @ Book Bunny's Burrow (Finland)
I just envy her design!! I love the whole bunny theme and the fact that she own's two lovely bunnies aswell! How cute, if you wanna see an awesome blog design hop over and say hi!

6. Leesdame @ Leesdame (The Netherlands)
This blog keeps me connected with my Dutch Heritage, so to say, she blogs in Dutch and reads a lot of dutch author. I like her reviews they are dynamic and honest.

7. Guinevere and Libertad @ Twinja Book Reviews  (USA)
I love what they stand for: Fighting to bring multiculturalism to YA fantasy and science fiction novels! I think this is a very noble goal and I enjoy their articles about multiculturalism they are always interesting and it makes you think!


8. Isabel @ Sab the Book Eater  (Philippines)
She always puts a smile on my face, her posts are witty en funny!

9.  Bieke @ Istyria Book Blog (Belgium)
Another great blog design, great giveaways and ofcourse great reviews.

10. Jack @ The Book Stop (Ireland)
Well first of all, I believe he is the few male blogger I follow, you would be able to count them on two hands, as we would say in the Netherlands. Ćnyways a while back he did a dystopian month which was totally awesome! And it is becoming one of my new favourite genres, so it was cool to read about all the books that are out there in this genre! Thank for that Jack!

Here are my questions at te nominees:

1. What makes your blog unique?

2. Why do you blog and what's your goal?

3. Do you support literature from your country and what are some the authors from your country we would need to know about?

4. What book have you read  so many times that you lost count?

5. Where do you like to read? (If you want you can include a pic of your reading spot)

6. Do you have any advise for new bloggers?


7. What is your favourit book-turn-into-movie and why?


8. You are sitting in a bar and your favourite author walks into the bar, what would you ask him/her? 

9. Which genre do you prefer to review and why?

10. Have you ever travelled outside the country you are from? Which countries did you visit?