My Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

From Goodreads:
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

                      My Review:

    "Okay."  One word...from Hazel and Gus and I had the ugliest cry EVER!  I was forewarned that this one's a tearjerker , I did not took it seriously . I thought it may be just a sniff ..or a few tears... but I was WRONG! I sobbed.. cried  a river! It was unadulterated tears in its full glory! And it's been a long time since I cried like THAT!

     The ugly crying... the crushing , tight feeling on my chest ?  I blame you, Mr. Green for breaking my heart and putting it back together. I blame you for taking away hope and giving it back when everything's seemed hopeless. I blame you for never answering my question and revealing it when I finally figured it out. Yes, I want to blame you for everything  else but I can't ...because it's not your fault... it was the fault in our stars!

   This was my first time to read a John Green book and I couldn't be more glad that I picked this book.     There is something  special on the way, Mr. Green writes. It has a lot of philosophical phrases and  uhhm,  "high" (complicated) words (as I always search my dictionary or better yet let my e-reader define! ) and ideas that I have to read twice or more to finally get what it means. If I choose the easier way, then I'll  probably drop this book and moved on to my next read, a much easier read. I mean, why take all the fuss when reading is supposed to be..a leisure? But NO, I did not stop... instead of being discourage, I am truly, inexplicably drawn to Mr. Green's written words !

    If you think this book is your typical love story...about boy meets girl , unwavering eye contact..then boom! Stars explode... the universe collide... they fall in love ..then  they lived happily ever after..end of story... then you should not be reading this. I know.. I know.. we are all suckers for a good romance, aren't we? " The fault in your stars" was definitely  not on my " typical romance books".. it was  a wonderful surprise!

  Hazel Grace and Augustus are both very lovable and unforgettable characters. I think  about what these two were going through, being a teen ... not just being a teen.. but teens battling cancer! Like Hazel having stage 4 lung cancer and Gus  getting his leg amputated for Osteosarcoma. But this did not stopped them from living the Best of their lives... to search for answers.. and eventually find and fall in love.

   I admire them for their uniqueness. The way these two speaks, I had a hard time believing that they are really teenagers. Both are witty and speaks of very insightful words that lead me to think deep. I love how Mr. Green wrote the characters and how he made a seemed ordinary story extraordinary.

   I love how Hazel and Gus first met. It was ..cute? Yes, if I say Gus can't take his eyes off Hazel, you would definitely say, "it's so cliche?!" Hmmm.. cliche- cliche but what happens in between was ...as I put in in my Pink Blog words, SWOONY!  Here's an excerpt :

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Augustus half smiled. “Because you’re beautiful. I enjoy looking at beautiful people, and I decided a while ago not to deny myself the simpler pleasures of existence.” A brief awkward silence ensued. Augustus plowed through: “I mean, particularly given that, as you so deliciously pointed out, all of this will end in oblivion and everything.”

   Okay. It's also cheesy. But then I like cheesy! And they have all the right to be cheesy..because they're teens?! So, maybe Gus might be lucky because his pick up line worked? Of course, being attractive also helped?  I smiled.  As Hazel said yes when he invited her over to watch movie ( "V" for Vendetta ) at his house? A special friendship was shared.. and books too! Like "An Imperial Affliction" ( About a girl with cancer?) ...Hazel's favorite book in the whole world! ( which had a very EPIC Cliffhanger!) Yeah, a cliffhanger that made Hazel really , really want to find out what happens next? ( Oh. I know how a cliffhanger destroys you. Trust me. hehe. ) You might say: "Easy! Just wait for the sequel! " Oh, it might be convenient if that's the case. BUT the author Peter Van Houten had other plans...like NOT writing a sequel?!  Bum-bum-bummer..right?

    But what did our amazing Augustus do? He used the only wish he got! Yes, like go to Amsterdam, meet Van Houten and get Hazel's answer?! If you don't call  romantic, then what's that?!

   Their moments  during that trip were priceless and really , really beautiful. And Gus "Love declaration" over a thousand feet?! (On the plane!) ...was ...was.. Swoon worthy! Definitely one of my favorites! 

“I’m in love with you,” he said quietly.

“Augustus,” I said.

“I am,” he said. He was staring at me, and I could see the corners of his eyes crinkling. “I’m in love with you, and I’m not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I’m in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we’re all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we’ll ever have, and I am in love with you.”

    Being together and looking at them, I almost forgot that they have cancer. Enjoying the sights , the strolls even the dinner at Oranjee was wonderful! Reality bites when I started to realize that someone will eventually die. Like our stars in our skies at night, they won't last forever. 

     I was never prepared for the  halfway towards the end of this  book! It was also the part that I cried much like I don't even care whether I was outside my house, on the bus or anywhere! I cried. And cried.. and cried. That was the saddest.. Saddest part of this book...and yes, it started when someone said, " it's okay ..."  and...

“You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world, old man, but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices. I hope she likes hers.

I do, Augustus.

I do.”

    

            I'm giving this book:
 5 highly emotional , unforgettable stars!

 
 




 

My Review: If You Dare by Jessica Lemmon

   
Goodreads:
SHE'LL MAKE HIM A BET… Lily McIntire is sick of losing every office wager to her overly cocky—and yeah, devilishly handsome—coworker, Marcus Black. After a few too many tequila shots, and a taunt from Marcus that she's a wuss, Lily lays down a bet he can't refuse: One night in the abandoned and spooky Willow Mansion alone for his recent office win, a trip to Hawaii.

HE CAN'T REFUSE… There's only one thing Marcus wants more than his upcoming vacation to Hawaii; it's to take his sexy coworker on a real date. Every time he's tried to get close to Lily, she's shut him down cold. Too bad the sexual tension has hit the boiling point. Now, he'll have to scare her out of the mansion if he has a prayer of taking her out any time soon.

UNTIL ALL BETS ARE OFF… But in between trying to scare Lily out of her pants and get his hands into them, Marcus realizes there’s more to the mansion than either of them counted on. Suddenly, it’s not just he and Lily that are going "bump in the night".  If they manage to survive the night and escape the mansion unscathed, can they survive each other in the light of day? Or will what happens at Willow Mansion stay at Willow Mansion?


      Thank you Entangled Publishing for providing me this ARC for an honest review!

      “You’d have to stay the entire night,” he finally said.

       Ha! She had him. “Done.”

       “Alone.”

       “Done.”

       “This Friday. The thirteenth.”

        “D-Done.”

        That's the dare that will put both Marcus Black and Lily Mcintyre into a scary (?!) and funny situation.  Marcus always annoy  Lily because : 1. He is competitive ( like her?!) 2. Really talented ( that guy can draw anything from a scratch--and really, really good!)  3. He has a reputation of a douche    man-whorish ( oh! Girls flock over him like..always?! No question asked!) ....and 4. He is annoying hot, gorgeous ... uber attractive...and hell, chick magnet in every way!  So annoying, that he sometimes ( or oftentimes?!) crossed over Lily's uhmm, graphic fantasies?! Haha. 

      So what's the grand prize if one of them wins this bet? Oh, it's just a free , all expense trip to HAWAII ! Yeah. Imagine, pristine beach..lazy day frolicking under the sun , pina coladas...total paradise!! And Lily WANTS it! ... Uh-oh , too bad Marcus wants it badly as she is! Oooooh, now the bet is definitely ON! 

     The dare was an overnight stay at  that abandoned house who happens to have a history of uhmm, ghost sightings?! Oh, and Lily is shit-scared of ...spiders! ...well, ghost...not if they are just rumors..or not?!

    Once Lily set her eyes on that prize, there is definitely NO turning back! It's EYES ON THE PRIZE, baby! Bring it on! See the determination? Loud and clear. I can't help but to love the banters between Lily and Marcus. They're  entertainingly funny and I have to admit, I giggled a lot!

    So when Lily's determination was a little threat.. Uh, okay a big threat to Marcus losing the bet, he made a sneaky plan: Scare Lily out of her wits! oh, Marcus! That is definitely cheating, you bad boy! 

Well, all that boomerang when he tried to scare Lily but failed?! It was so funny! Loved that scene! 

     What happened next? Well, I won't spoil the fun, would I? Haha!  You got to grab your copy to find out yourself!  One thing I could say, when these two are place together in an alleged "haunted house"? Secrets would be revealed.. Long and burried attraction or desire ( uh-oh!) will be explored and tested! Oh, there might be some ghost sighting?! Wooooooo!! Goosebumps!!

“Fear and attraction had a lot

of the same characteristics. The sweaty palms, the elevated heart rate.

Picturing Marcus naked.

Okay, maybe not that last one.”

     Overall, I loved this book. If you want a short read with enough fun, sizzling uhmm..encounters in the dark! ( haha! ) a little spook and romance..romance?! Check this book out! 

           I'm giving this book:

         4  funny spooky stars!

Flaunt Book Blitz & Giveaway

 

    Hello fellow bookworms!  Are you feeling Naughty or Nice?  Either way, Entangled Publishing will be offering Six .. yes! SIX sizzling HAWT books under Flaunt. As part of my book blitz , the publishers are hosting wonderful giveaways which includes: 

Grand Prize : Kindle Fire
Second Place : $50 Victoria Secret Gift Card
Third Place:  $25 Amazon / B & N Gift Card

    Do check out these Hot and Spicy books ( check out those covers! RAWR!)    and you might find something that will fit your fancy! ( or cravings?! Uh-oh!)

Synopsis

Human sexuality professor Cricket Malloy typically likes bad boys, but when buttoned-up science teacher Tucker Lamb needs help with an experiment on aphrodisiacs, she goes the extra mile to help him out. After all, what could go wrong? He’s totally harmless…

Tucker Lamb was born into a life of a grifter. He used to pride himself on his fast fingers and quicksilver tongue, but ever since being placed in the witness protection program, he’s been on the up and up. Still, something about Cricket Malloy makes him ache to see if his tongue is as fast as it used to be.

Buy Links: Goodreads * Amazon * B & N

                                      Author Links : Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Synopsis

Sports medicine doctor and weekend cowboy, Chase Cooper, is ready to settle down, and he’s beginning to wonder if his best friend from high school, Mari Blair, could be the one that got away.  Coop and his buddies have come up with a plan, but he never imagined it would be Mari’s sister, Julia—the girl who was always off-limits—, who would take him up on his invitation.

When lawyer, Julia Blair, finds herself on a dude ranch half way across the country, only to discover the invitation was meant for her vivacious twin sister, she knows she has two choices—go home alone or walk a day in her sister’s shoes. When she sets eyes on sexy cowboy Chase Cooper, the choice becomes easy. She's determined to stay and have some carefree fun while at the ranch.

Coop can’t believe the mix up, but when he discovers Julia wants to play, then play they will. When things get steamy and playtime becomes so much more, he’s determined to prove she’s the girl for him. And he’s not above using a few tricks of the trade to get his point across…

Buy Links : Goodreads * Amazon *  B & N

Author Links :Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Synopsis:

Finance genius Meredith Klaus prefers numbers to people, especially around the holidays. At least the large sum of money that’s mysteriously vanished from the company accounts will distract her from the ghosts of Christmases past. Until her sexy boss asks her to be his last-minute date to a fundraiser gala, that is, and the promise of a special evening calls to something long-buried in her.

Andrew Stanton, Manhattan’s best-known philanthropist, has worked hard building his reputation in the industry. He offers to work closely with Meredith to fix his company’s financial crisis, but the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to look at her as just a colleague.

A beautiful dress.A handsome man on her arm. A challenge she can’t refuse. Can they find the missing money and fulfill their holiday wishes, or will Meredith be unable to overcome the demons of her past and lose her chance at happiness?

Buy Links: Goodreads * Amazon *  B & N

Author Links : Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Synopsis:

SHE'LL MAKE A BET...

Lily McIntire is tired of losing every office wager to her overly cocky—and yeah, devilishly handsome—coworker, Marcus Black. After a few too many tequila shots, and a taunt from Marcus that she's a wuss, Lily lays down a bet he can't refuse: One night in the abandoned and spooky Willow Mansion alone for his recent office win, a trip to Hawaii.

HE CAN'T REFUSE…

There's only one thing Marcus wants more than his upcoming vacation to Hawaii, it's to take his sexy coworker on a real date. Every time he's tried to get close to her, she's shut him down cold. Too bad the sexual tension just keeps climbing the charts. Now, he'll have to scare her out of the mansion if he has any chance of going out on a real date with her any time soon.

UNTIL ALL BETS ARE OFF…

But in between trying to scare Lily out of her pants and get his hands into them, Marcus realizes there’s more to Willow Mansion than either of them counted on. Suddenly, it’s not just he and Lily that are going "bump in the night".  If they manage to survive the night and escape the mansion unscathed, can they survive each other in the light of day? Or will what happens at Willow Mansion stay at Willow Mansion?

Buy Links: Goodreads  * Amazon *  B & N

Author Links : Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Pinterest

Synopsis

When a fellow RN jokingly predicts that Beth Roberts will meet a tall, ripped and totally lick-o-licious stranger who will fulfill her deepest desires, it’s supposed to be from across a crowded room, not giving CPR to a wedding guest. Given her tragic love life, Beth has no desire to become involved again, but who could have predicted the ponytailed doctor with the mischievous smile would break through her defenses?

Dr. Gabriel North blamed himself for his wife’s death. Now, after two years of battling guilt and meaningless hookups, he’s ready to move on. When he sees the sexy brunette at his friend’s wedding, his attraction is swift and strong, and he wastes no time in pressing his advantage. One night with the woman who makes him feel alive again isn’t enough, but gaining her trust as a man was going to take more than medical school had prepared him for.

Buy Links: Goodreads * Amazon * B & N

Author Links: Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Synopsis

TRY ME
What happens in Vegas...can lead to romance.It took one wild night for Sergeant Jeremy Addison to realize that Vegas? Was a bad idea.Bloody. Bruised. Dehydrated. Abandoned in the desert, and left to stagger down the road. The only way this leave could get worse was if his savior was his ex-best friend's sister...and the girl he'd loved since childhood.

The last person Erica expected to find on the roadside was her high school crush. She hadn't seen Jeremy in seven years—ever since the night he said he loved her, and she ran away. Losing him then had been a mistake, but wanting him now could be catastrophic if he discovered the secret that chased every other man from her life. But with a tall, tattooed Marine determined to prove he's always been faithful, can Erica resist his advances...or will she surrender ground and give love a try?

LOVE ME
Thomas Jones has come to Vegas to win yet another account for his marketing company. But when he sits across from beautiful and sensual Brianna Falk to deliver his pitch, his desire to leave Vegas as quickly as possible is replaced by the need to get closer to her. Yet she resists his charm.Brianna knows a date with Thomas could jeopardize her job, but he’s so maddening and insistent, she has a hard time denying him just one date. But that’s all it can be: one date. Because she has to protect her job and her secrets, even if it means giving up a chance at a life she never thought she’d have again.

PLAY ME
Even the best-laid plans can go awry. Single-mom Kiersten Worth knows a bottle of champagne and night of hot, no-strings-attached sex is the perfect solution to her jilted bride blues…and Garrett Kelly, long-time friend and her teenaged son’s sexy basketball coach, is just the stud for the job. Garrett wants more from the elusive temptress than a casual affair, but he never expects it to come in the form of an unexpected pregnancy. When he proposes an unorthodox solution—move in and raise their baby together—Kiersten has to decide whether to let down her guard and open her heart to the man who secretly loved her for years, or risk losing his tender embrace for good.

TAKE ME
Married in the morning…Professional heartbreaker Mike Worth thrived on the chase—and dancer Morgan Collins represented the ultimate prize. But there was no way he was going to throw away his single-man status…not even for an elusive redhead with sparkling eyes and mile-long legs. So how did he let one drunken Vegas night end with I do instead of hell no?

Morgan’s life revolved around her career and she had no intention of letting a man interfere—even if Mike made her question all her rules about love. At his urging, she reluctantly agreed to give their spur-of–moment marriage a chance. But once their trial-honeymoon ended, would she choose to follow the dance and leave her unforgettable husband behind? 

Buy Links : Goodreads * Amazon * B & N

Author Links : Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

Give away!  Give Away! Give away!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Review: Greed by Amelie Fisher

From Goodreads:
Gather ‘round, love, because I want you. I want what you have, I want what you don’t have, I want more of what I already have. I want. But if you so much as ask for something in return, go ahead and walk away. Know if you want to play in my world, it’s every man for themselves and the weak become mine. Leeches will be obliterated because I make it my job to destroy them. I protect what’s mine and I take what’s yours…because that’s what I do. I want.

My story will not endear me to you and, frankly, I could care less if it does because I’m in this for the money and nothing else. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a corrupt, money hungry, immoral asshole from Los Angeles. I’m every man’s worst nightmare and every girl’s fantasy.

I’m Spencer Blackwell…And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most coveted guy to the guy no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

                   My Thoughts:

    After reading Vain, I  instantly become Ms. Amelie Fisher's fan! I think Ms. Fisher was very creative to name her series The Seven Deadly. It was super catchy and makes me wanna read the upcoming series desperately! So, when the second book, Greed was released, I literally jumped  and said, "Finally! It's about time!". Oh, I forgot to mention that the cover is just .... AMAZING! ( Okay..okay... I'm mostly referring to the abs! haha! )  Oh, it's not just anybody's abs.. it is Spencer's!  I was totally "GROOLING" ( Groaning and drooling at the same time! haha! )

    I've always been curious about Spencer Blackwell's story  since book one. And now that "Greed" is all about him? Yes! Spencer's POV!  I couldn't asked  for more! I just can't resist to know what's inside his head.
    Speaking of head , I looked over the book cover once again, and .... Ooops! There's no face? It's all...uhmmm, body! From neck down below...the abs! Haha!  I was distracted once again?! Well, again, I liked the idea. That particular body without a face would definitely make my imagination go overdrive!  Tee-hee! So this is how I imagine Spencer Blackwell:

    First part of the book, we'll meet  Spencer, living on the fast lane ...everything was handed to him , money, drugs, women..all the luxuries in life.. he got everything but feels it's never  enough. He wants everything.  Being his father's "errand guy" doing the dirty works , he was exposed to  blackmailing / ruining others  to gain more.

“Greed is a strange, strange sin.

All you want to do is acquire. Acquire money, acquire material, acquire time, acquire energy, acquire attention. The running mantra is “I want, I want, I want” but that quickly turns to “I need, I need, I need.”

“Your goal is to acquire and to make sure what you acquire stays acquired. Your life depends on it”

“Your life no longer belongs to you, but you are blind to it all because those around you are seeking the same.”

“But what you’ll come to realize, altogether too late, is that it’s never enough.”

“It’s simply never enough.”

    Until one incident , he was forced to flee with his pregnant sister, Bridget  to escape his father's wrath and  evil plans. So where to hide but to the secluded Montana ranch ? And that's where Spencer's story begun. That's where Spencer turned from Greedy to the most selfless guy on earth! When I say "selfless", I mean it in the true sense of the word.

    I loved the little community in Hunt Ranch. The way Ms. Fisher described it, their closeness like family ..and the down to earth feel plus the wonderful scenery as described, I just can't help but to feel welcome as they received Spencer and Bridget as one of their own. 

     And what's a great setting without a love story going on? Not complete! Yes, I am a sucker for romance! With Sophie Price totally unavailable ( Yes! She is already with Ian from Book 1!) Spencer was  caught off guard when he  found his heart beating again  to another girl?!  Cricket Hunt. And boy! The ultra suave Spencer was tongue tied ?! What happened  to the Spencer " the smooth operator" ?!  Yes, it was clearly an "intense" love at first sight! 

“My God, I was so attracted to this chick. I couldn't even pin it down to one thing. If you took everything I’d ever found hot, beautiful in a girl and piled them into a corner, you’d get Cricket Hunt...standing in a corner.”

“I looked over at Cricket. I studied the girl before me. She was beautiful beyond belief, but she wasn't some object to conquer, she was someone to be cherished, someone to be loved, someone to be revered”

     See what I mean? He is SMITTEN in bold letters!  I find their moments funny. Even the little flirtations! I caught myself smiling and stifled a giggle every now and then.  Knowing Spencer, he always gets what he wants..and right now he wants Cricket Hunt!

    Now here's the "catch" : Well, Cricket belongs to Ethan Moonsong! Yes, the boyfriend she had for ages?! Like, a loong, looooong time?! Yes, what a major bummer! Of course, Spencer was crestfallen! The way I see these two...they fit  like..CLICK! Well, a lot of cliche's  really.. like "can't tore his eyes from her"and  Spencer says and thinks a lot of cheesy , cheesy stuff? But, well, I tell you, it REALLY works for me! So, more swoons  and cheesiness ? BRING IT ON!!

    He can't have Cricket. Ahhhhhhh... the irony?! When he was used to get anything he wants.. but can't get the girl he desperately needs? It was Cricket who chases his nightmares away. Cricket was his "peace" . I love how Ms. Fisher made me grit my teeth and groan...and heave a sigh.. it was torture!  Why can't this two be together? When it is more than obvious, they are into each other?!

   Oh, I forgot, there's the boyfriend?! And there's more! Something is holding back Cricket. That, I can't tell you! You got to read this book then. I was taken by surprise when I found out. It was an "ARRRRRGHHHH!!!! Nooooooo!!!!!" moment for me.

   When the moment of truth was finally out, oh it's non stop  and it keeps  building up  .. I was catching my breath!  I was gripping on my e reader like a lifeline. please.. please.. I was begging...this can't be happening! When Spencer did that most selfless act in the world? It was on that very  moment I knew, Spencer was a changed man. ( the exact moment I fell for him! )

   Just when  my vision begun to blur... yes from streaming tears! Something happened. Something I am very grateful! Thank you, Ms. Amelie Fisher for keeping my heart intact! Now , I can sleep soundly with a smile on my face.

    So, fellow readers, go out and grab this book.. fast! Because:
1. You will swoon! ( 100 percent )
2.  Giggle! ( most of the time! )
3.  Almost Cry?! ( Uh-oh!)
4.  Fall really hard for Spencer Blackwell ! <----- the most selfless hero I've ever read! Yes.
5.  If it's from Ms. Amelie Fisher, then it's really, really good! <----- I love her!!
6. And many... many other reasons you might discover as soon as you have this book in your hands!


 I'm giving this book:

4 Swooniest , Greedy stars!

My Review : The Edge of Always by J. A. Redmerski

From Goodreads:

Camryn Bennett has never been happier. Five months after meeting on a Greyhound bus, she and her soul mate Andrew Parrish are engaged—and a wedding isn’t the only special event in their future. Nervous but excited, Camryn can’t wait to begin the rest of her life with Andrew – a man she knows in her heart will love her always. They have so much to look forward to—until tragedy blindsides them.

Andrew doesn’t understand how this could happen to them. He’s trying to move on, and thought Camryn was doing the same. But when Andrew discovers Camryn is secretly harboring a mountain of pain and attempting to numb it in damaging ways, there is nothing he won’t do to bring her back to life. Determined to prove that their love can survive anything, Andrew decides to take Camryn on a new journey filled with hope and passion. If only he can convince her to come along for the ride…

               My Thoughts:

     I was over the moon ecstatic when I got hold of this book! Yes, I feel like it's been ages since I read book one, "The Edge of Never" which I truly, truly, truly loved! ( Yes! that's a lot of "truly" and exactly how I felt! ) Andrew Parrish is on the top list of my uhmmm, unbelievably loooooong list of book boyfriends! Oooh, don't look at me like that??? I know what you're thinking?!  I'm sure you got a handful too? Just check out mine  and your Goodreads list! Haha.

      I'll try my very BEST to make my review SPOILER FREE as much as I could. So, I'll try to write based on how I feel. But just a word of caution: there would be extreme fangirling ahead! Oh yeah. This is me before I read the book :
 
    Yes! Dancing  like  I had too much coffee or had a bit much of sugary sweets?! Oh, and that's only the onset of my fangirling. Just wait till you see me do it, fangirling at it's  finest! Haha.

       I was more glad to see Andrew again! Of course, he made me  look and feel insane from the previous book, yes! I smiled and cried at the same time?! Oh and the crying? It was the ugliest cry ever!

Okaaaaaaay.... Now, get hold of your self , Billie!  Because this is supposed to be a book review not an Andrew Parrish Fangirl-fest?!  Haha. So, here's the "proper" review:

      “Because it was fate that we met on that bus in Kansas, and because we both know what we want out of life. We may not have the details mapped out—and we don’t need to—but we both know which direction we don’t want to go.”

   

       In the same magical and swoony moments I had with " The Edge of Never" , I was over the moon excited when I finally have this book on my hands. I know my expectations are too high, but I'm nervous about it because it's from J.A. Redmerski! 

      I always loved Andrew-Camryn chemistry. For me, their the perfect example and reason to believe that Soul mates.. True love exist. I envy Camryn for having Andrew! And Andrew? Oh, Andrew.. You are just perfect! I had a hard time making this review because... clearly, my words are limited and could'nt justify my immense love for Andrew Parrish.  As of this moment, he certainly is  my ULTIMATE BOOK BOYFRIEND!  So, move aside , Camryn? The boy is mine! Haha.

     First part of the book is a bit slow.. Or maybe, I'm quite a teeny weeny bit irritated with Camryn's neediness. I counted the few times I rolled my eyes ...15 times?! That's few? Or too many? Hehe. Yes, she can be insecure and I sense very restless like she is not sure if she was doing the right thing or what. I was like, " Come on Camryn you got Andrew? You are about to start a new life with the man you loved?! Why not be contented?! " then I rolled my eyes again! See?!

     So, it's a dilemma of "to settle or to wander"? Knowing Camryn, I'd say she'll choose "to wander". She tried to hide it  but this pent up feeling...this emptiness did not go unnoticed to my Andrew! (Yes, ladies, he is mine! Haha! ) Oh, Andrew! He would do anything...even move heaven and earth just for Camryn! *major Swoon!* What does Camryn need? Or more like, what they both need? A road trip. 

      Oh, I can't help but smile . I remembered those moments ..wonderful moments they had on the first book where they travel ...they met.. fell in love! Gosh, those were the times I want to relive. Swoon! Swoon! Swoon! 

      I loved Andrew more for doing this for Camryn! When they revisited all those places  that meant so much to them... and the things  that Andrew did?! The night under stars? Uber romantic! I should not be surprised since ..if yoiu get an "Andrew ala carte treatment" , that's definitely mind blowing good! 

      That road trip made them more closer , their bond stronger  as it was not really a smooth ride. Along the way , they have their moments of weakness. It was there when their relationship was put into test.  I  admire how  strong they face all of that. 

“Andrew, maybe we shouldn't be together,” and her words hit me so fast and so hard that I feel like the air has been sucked out of my lungs.”

“Finally, when she doesn't elaborate, I manage to get out, “Why would you say that?” And I’m scared of her answer.”

“Because everybody that I love tends to leave me, or die.”

“But I’m here, Camryn. I’ll always be here.” I take her hands into mine. “I don’t care what you do, or what happens between us. I’ll never leave you. I’ll always be with you.” I wrench her hands.”

“Remember when I said you were the world to me? You asked me to remind you if you ever forgot. Well, I’m reminding you now.”

      Oooooh.... If that's not swoony enough then what?! Ms. Redmerski clearly knows how to write picture perfect words! Love, loved this moment! 

.

     Well, and speaking of swoons, this book  got a lot of it! Brace yourself, because when Ms. Redmerski starts pouring out swoons ...it overflows!  Let me share to you my favorite excerpt: 

“Camryn, you are the other half of my soul, and I will love you today and every day for the rest of our lives. I promise that if you ever forget me, I’ll read to you like Noah read to Allie."

“I promise to haunt you like Sam haunted Molly.”

“I promise that we’ll never wake up one day years from now wondering why we wasted our lives away by doing nothing, and that no matter what hardships befall us, I’ll always, always, be right here with you”

“Because you’re the other half of me that I know I can never live without.”

       I want Andrew Parrish , really really bad!!  Where can I find a guy like that? Probably not in my reality? Sigh. It's a bummer that he is just my FICTIONAL BOYFRIEND?! ( I keep on telling myself that and until now I can't accept! Haha.)  Oh, maybe I'll force my future husband to say that exact vow on our wedding day?!  Tee-hee! Think it's a good idea?! 

      The ending was wonderful! It was the closure that I've been looking forward to. Well done Ms. Redmerski! 

      Oh, I promised that this is supposed to be a Spoiler free review?! Oh gee! I'm sorry, I slipped. I hope I did not give away too much? But again, if you are a J.A. Redmerski follower, this won't stop you!  And I bet you are already on your way to grab your copy!  So go! Buy. Read this book. Totally worth it! 

I think this song is perfect for  Andrew & Camryn:
 "How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding

I'm giving this book :

4 sweetest, swooniest stars!

Beautiful Beautiful by Heidi Garrett Blog Tour & Giveaway

   

 Hi lovely followers! Welcome to my stop for Beautiful Beautiful by Heidi Garrett blog tour hosted by Ms. Shane of Itching for Books. Today, I'm going to share my review  and some of my favorite excerpts.

      Have you already added this book on your TBR? If so, then I got exciting news for you! Tomorrow ( November 15th!)  will be the release day! Definitely a Yay! for all of you! Be sure to grab your own copy by then!

Book Details:
Release Date: November 15th
Series: Once Upon a Time Today Colloection
Genre:  Adult Contemporary Fairy Tale Novella
Publisher: Half-Faerie Publishing
Click Here to add to Goodreads Shelf
Buy Links : Amazon US   Amazon UK

Synopsis:
     Movie Director  Kerrin Mayham has an eye for beauty. Now her years of struggling on the indie film circuit are about to pay off. She's the frontrunner to win Pinnacle  Director of the Year.  Winning will mean generous financial backing for her next project  and the most bankable actors in the industry are already signaling interest in the lead role. How will she decide which Adonis is right for the part Demion Glass.

     In this contemporary retelling of eponymous Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, Kerrin's journey leads her to discover a deeper meaning of beauty.

Meet Ms. Heidi Garrett:

     She is the author of the contemporary fairytale novella collection, Once Upon A Time Today. In these stand-alone retellings of popular and obscure fairy tales, adult characters navigate the deep woods of modern landscape to find their Happily Ever Afters. The Original Fairy Tale Short dtories : The Girl Who Watched For Elves, The Girl who dreamed of Red Shoes and The Girl who Couldn't Sing are prelude to that collection.

    She is also the author of The Queen of the realm of Faerie series, a fairytale /high fantasy mashup about a young half-faerie, half mortal woman who must save both  both the Enchanted and Mortal Worlds.

     Heidi was born in Texas, an in attempt to reside in as many cities as she could, made it to Houston, Lubbock, Austin and El Paso. She now lives in Eastern Washington state with her husband, their two cats, her laptop and Her Kindle.

     Being in the South, she often contemplates the magic of snow and hopes to remind readers that: Once upon a time , you lived in an enchanted world..

Follow her around through these:
Website Twitter Facebook  Goodreads
  

Sign up  on her Newsletter to get the latest updates!

       And now, let me share  my thoughts about this book.  I'll try very hard  to give you a spoiler- free review! 

       This is one of my most anticipated books this year. Coming from one of my favorite ( and well loved) author, Ms. Heidi Garrett! When Ms. Shane offered the cover reveal, I immediately volunteered to do it. ( I think I was the first one to sign up?!  Hehe.)  The reveal day came...and as I took my first glance at the cover.. these two words escaped my lips..."Beautiful...Beautiful!" ..and the next words were..asghtydk ..asgefkk!? Yes! Incoherent words, out of excitement ?! Haha. Oh. I can translate that words for you! It means... I want ...need ...want..need to read that book NOW!  Lol.

      Of course, my demands were heard! Maybe , I caused too much scene ( more like a trouble?! ---Tee-hee! ) and I even got this book before the release date! ( lucky, lucky me! ) The truth was, I was addicted to the taste of magic I had from Ms. Garrett's previous book, True Love's First Kiss ...and now a new one? And in a contemporary setting? This got to be good!

      I was never disappointed when I read this book. There was definitely magic. Not that kind of magic that we saw in our faerytales. There are no spells...no pixie dust...no dragons..but  a different kind of magic. This kind of magic touched my heart so deep that it reached my soul. 

      Kerrin Mayham work so hard  to be the Golden  Pinnacle 's director of the year.  She knows that  if she wins this award ,she will be moving up. Which also means bigger projects  and making  full use of the talent that she knows she had.  

      Once she finally had that award in her hands, fame started to follow. The biggest project was being handed to her in a silver platter and that includes the casting of this high budgeted film. The search for the lead role , Demion Glass is on.

      Hollywood has the abundance of potential leading men to choose from. But Kerrin's full attention was locked when he saw  Anthony Zorr. There is something in him  that says he's Demion Glass.. 

“Anthony grinned.

Dawn shimmered across a rising tide.

Kerrin lost track of the conversation. All she saw were those cheekbones, those masculine bow lips, and that stance—not bloated and beefy, just taut. And tan. He glistened. Standing with his hands jammed into his pockets, he gave off an air of bashfulness.

Where had he come from?”

“Kerrin wanted him—she didn’t know for which film, and she didn’t care. She just wanted him in front of her camera, filling frame after frame, with that natural boyish exuberance, at the edge of becoming a man.”

      That smile ... from that beautiful boy .... Kerrin was more than intrigue as I am. What's behind that beautiful exterior? Oh , if you ask me? I'd say, TROUBLE is clearly written over Anthony Zorr. But can Kerrin see that?

      As I read this book , I found my self entering into the glittering world of showbiz where BEAUTY is everything...

    Yes, I imagine all the glitz and glamour...the beautiful actors and actresses ...the eager paparazzi , the flashes of cameras ...all of it. They wanted recognition... they clamor fame. But have been thinking what's behind all of these? Take a closer look... you might even be surprised.



     I love how Ms. Heidi Garrett wrote this  book.   Kerrin's life story was told as  a fairytale . And Kerrin was quite a good storyteller herself... sharing this to her daughter , Mirbella each night. I find this scenario very touching as I remember my Mom reading me bedtime stories each night as a child. Every word feels like magic to me and I never grew tired of hearing it again and again.  So, when Kerrin told her story, I am Mirbella.

      The way Ms. Garrett interweave both reality and faerytale was a wonderful surprise.  I never read anything like this... and it was really refreshing.  So, Kerrin story begun...

“Once upon a time there was a girl who believed in beauty,” Kerrin began, “and there wasn’t an aspect of beauty that she couldn’t appreciate.”

“Why did the girl like beauty so much?”

“Because she realized it was everywhere, and that no matter how many things she lost, or how many things were taken away from her, or even how many things she’d never had in the first place, beauty was always available.”

“So finding beauty helped the girl?” Mibi asked.

“Yes, it did. Whenever she was lonely or disappointed, she would go in search of the most beautiful thing she could find that day. When she found it, her troubles slipped away.”

“How did she know when she found it?”

“Her heart would feel like it could fly.”

     See? That was the kind of story telling I always loved! Ms. Garrett has captured the whole essence of story telling. That was definitely one of my favorite excerpts from the book. 

      As I read... I walked through Kerrin's life. In the quest of finding Beauty ...her Demion Glass, she has to face  and battle her personal demons along the way.  Could the beautiful, Anthony Zorr  be  her Demion Glass?  Like the little girl  trapped inside the oak tree with the beautiful boy, she discovers Beauty's true face. .. and make a decision that would change her life forever.

    I  loved everything about this book.  I wish I could put into words the wonderful experience I've gone through with each page I flipped. It was definitely magical.  Like, I was inside the two layers of stories : First,  inside Kerrin's life story  and  secondly , inside her faerytale . These two stories were both   weaved into a truth that we all probably search throughout our lives. And at the end of it all, leaves us with this question: What's your beautiful, Beautiful?

    What's  your Beautiful ,beautiful ?  Read  this book ...you might just find your answer...just like how I found mine...

              I'm giving this book:
       5 Beautiful, Beautiful Stars!

Giveaway! Giveaway! Giveaway!

      

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beautiful Beautiful Blog Tour : An Interview with Author Heidi Garrett Part Two

 

      Hello once again pretty bookworms! Today, I'm going to post the second part of my interview with Ms. Heidi Garrett. I decided to divide this interview into two parts... because it turned out to be pretty long..uhmmm, maybe, Ms. Heidi got carried away with words?! As always! Hehe. which I think was a good thing, since I love , love her words! Thank you Ms. Shane of Itching for books for giving me an extra day in your Beautiful Beautiful blog Tour. :)

    So, before my introduction starts to get long... and steal Ms. Heidi's spotlight! Hehe. May I present to you my "SERIOUSLY SERIOUS" Q & A with Ms. Heidi Garret :

Me: Let’s talk about the 3 short stories you wrote. ( which I read and really, really love! ) What inspire  you to write those? Do you write based on your mood?

Heidi:                              

With my writing, I do go with inspiration. I became very inspired to begin this collection this summer, and I had to write the first one. LIKE NOW. The short stories came as part of that process. Maybe it’s like your pregnant, and the baby is coming. NOW.
 Thank you! I’m glad you love them <3 Since I’ve been wanting to write this collection for SOOOOO long! And I finally did it. (Well, not the whole collection, but the first installment!) I was like, I want to write about why this is SOOOOOOO important for me to write. All this year, I’ve been meditating on fairy tales. I know, kind of wacky. But we’ve already established that I’m kind of wacky above:D And it just made sense to me to write stories about a girl who believed in fairy tales, and how that helped and transformed her life. And I wanted to do it in a creative way that served the collection. So using… uhm… drawing truth from my own life, and wrapping it up in a huge bow of fiction, to create new fairy tales—for adults (well, readers over 15) fit in with the whole series concept. SEE I want ADULTS to have their own fairy tales TOO!

        Me: Of these three , which one was your  favorite?  If you can describe each book with one word what would it be?

Heidi:

 Gosh, they are truly each favorite in different ways.

The Girl Who Watched for Elves. I love it because it’s set in one afternoon, but encapsulates within it an entire life. TIME is another one of my obsessions, so I love how the story plays on TIME. Plus the short story aspect, adds a whole other level of TIME, since it doesn’t take much TIME to read:D

One Word: Magic!

The Girl Who Dreamed of Red Shoes. I love this one, because I really did come across the audiobook referenced in the story, and I did listen to it over, and over, and—yes—over again. And yes, it did awaken me to an entirely different way of viewing my life, and it allowed me to make some significant changes that have brought me great joy!

One Word: Joy!

The Girl Who Couldn’t Sing: I love this one because the main character is so trusting and sincere, but also kind of clueless. And even though, in many ways—logically and practically—what she’s doing makes no sense, on another a level, it makes all the sense in the world. Her final destination is so far from what she envisioned, yet it was the end that her heart longed for all along. By being determined to remain true to herself, she found herself. And when she looks back, it was an amazing journey, much more amazing than if she’d silenced or buried her dreams.

One Word: Faith!

Me: This is the first time you wrote a short story. How was the experience? How is it different from writing a novel?  How long did it take you to finish it?

Heidi: 

It was pretty good:D In fact, it was so good, that when I was done, I announced, “I am never writing another series!” Haha.

I can’t say short stories are easier to write, but when you write a novel—especially a series—there is so much detail to keep up with. Each book has to incorporate everything from the prior books. It can make your head spin, just trying to keep up with that!

So taking a break from The Queen of the Realm of Faerie was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it.

Ugh… I can’t remember. I think I wrote the first draft in a week. It always has a rest, goes to the editor, and has some more rest. I’d say the entire process was three to four weeks, with the first week being the most intensive.

Me: How was “The Queen of the Faerie Realm Series” different from your upcoming book, “Beautiful Beautiful”?

Heidi :  

The Queen of the Realm of Faerie is set in the Enchanted World and the Mortal World. The Enchanted World is a hardcore fantasy world. It’s inhabited by  faeries, elves, dwarves, trolls, and other fantastical creatures. An epic quest story, the series revolves around the main character, a half-faerie named Melia, finding her strength, her courage—love—and her faith in herself. It’s G-rated, and can be enjoyed by readers considered young adult thru adult. The series is a spin off of the 14th century French fairy tale, Melusine, but it reaches well beyond that too.

“Beautiful Beautiful” was written for adults. Although there are no explicit sex scenes, there is adult language and adult situations. It is an expanded fairy tale retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen tale ‘“Beautiful.” It’s set in a contemporary “fairy tale” world.

Me:  Speaking of “Beautiful Beautiful” ( which is  really a beautiful, beautiful book! ) , I’ve noticed the cool pretty names like Kerrin… Mirabella ( which is now my new favorite name! ) , how do you came up with such pretty names?  ( as all of your books have pretty names in it! ) Even Demion Glass is… uhmmm, a sexy , sexy name! *purrs* haha. What was the inspiration behind each name?

Heidi: 

My first name for the main character was Karen Mayham. However, this is where writing and creativity gets fascinating. When I was considering the name for Karen’s daughter, I wanted a name that meant beauty. When I did the research, I discovered that a variation of Karen—Kerrin of Hebrew origin—means beauty. Of course, I had to alter the spelling! I settled on the name Mirabella for her daughter—with the nickname Mibi. Mirabella is of French origin, and it means “of incredible beauty.” I really loved how the origin of the mother’s and daughter’s names were rooted in beauty. It became another play on the title “Beautiful Beautiful,” the kind of play on names and words, that readers and writers love!

Kerrin’s last name is a play on the word mayhem, which alludes to things like injury, to hurt, and random violence. Although Kerrin isn’t violent, some people around her are violent—to themselves and to others. Kerrin has been internally injured by her relationships with those people.

Demion Glass. Demion is a play on the word demon. (Of course!) And Glass… well, it’s a reflective surface...

Me: As I came across many, many books everyday ( and most ended up on my  endless, ever growing tbr’s!)  I often wonder how do authors  choose their book titles?  What made you decide that it’s going to be “Beautiful Beautiful” ? ( which was, a very “catchy” title by the way! )

Heidi: 

This one was easy. The original tale is called “Beautiful,” but the last line in the tale is “… beautiful, beautiful.” I love that, and thought it would make a great title.

Me: How much research did you make , since  "Beautiful, Beautiful" has that “Hollywood  Showbiz feel” ?

Heidi:

I’ve always been in love with movies, and have actually shot some video footage myself. I’ve taken acting classes in the past, and performed in some local productions. I also religiously listened to the Wrap-Up podcasts for the Showtime hit series, Dexter.  The podcasts often included interviews with directors of the different episodes, and I was always taking notes. I’ve also lived in Southern California and visited Los Angeles enough, and met enough people in the industry, to have a feel for what it might be like. I used internet research to fill in the blanks and details

Me:  I love how Kerrin’s life was told as a fairytale . When she shared this bedtime story  to her daughter Mirabella, it was picture perfect and magical for me. How do write / create something like that?

Heidi: 

I wrote the core story for Kerrin’s “real life” first. When it was finished, it felt like a solid retelling of ‘Beautiful,’ but as with the original tale, it lacked the magic and enchantment that would make it sparkle. I went back and studied the original story: to make sure it really was included in my Hans Christian Andersen anthology of fairy tales, cause, by that time, you know, I thought maybe I’d gotten it from somewhere else! But no, “Beautiful” was right there in the Table of Contents. So then I was stumped. How to bring the magic into the story?

I just began writing and experimenting. When I finished the first section, I nervously shared it with my husband. When he loved it, I knew I was on the right track.

I love how Kerrin telling the story to her daughter, allowed me to show the oral tradition of fairy tales, and how they are shaped and adapted by questions from the listener. There are many in my mother’s family who have a great talent for telling extemporaneous tales. I drew on my experience of listening to them, to help me shape the interaction between Kerrin and Mibi.

Me: What are your plans after "Beautiful Beautiful"? What’s next for Ms. Heidi Garrett?

Heidi:

 First off, finish Half Mortal, The Queen of the Realm of Faerie Book 4. Then… the next novella in the Once Upon a Time Today collection!

Me:   Last ( serious ) question, What ‘s your Beautiful, Beautiful ?

Heidi:  

A life well lived. One that is imbued with meaning. For me that has come through the experience of love. Knowing, seeing, experiencing, and sharing yourself with the irreplaceable other. When we see the divinity within the irreplaceable other, we are, in those moments, perhaps as close to the experience of god as we will ever come on this planet.

Me : Pheeeeeew!!! Now we are completely done?! I hope I did not drain all your energy, Heidi?! I do really hope I made you SMILE …and be SERIOUS at the same time?! (what?!)

Heidi : Billie, you made me laugh and smile… and think very hard! I have to go take a nap now, and rest my head:D Thank you for having me!

   

    Again, thank you so much Heidi for gracing my Pink blog with your presence!  Good luck on your Beautiful Beautiful which will be released tomorrow... November 15th. So, Lovely bookworms, mark your calendars PINK ( Yes! it's my favorite color! haha) . Be sure to grab your copies and discover what's your "Beautiful Beautiful ".

     

****Pictures and gifs found in this blog are from google****