Book Review: Come Back To Me by MIla Gray

Title: Come Back To Me
Author: Mila Gray
AKA: Sarah Alderson
ebook, 373 pages
Expected Publish Date: June 19, 2014
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

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No one can write a love scene like Sarah Alderson!!! That said, there is so much more in this book than romance scenes. But boy, are the windows steamy!

I will read anything Sarah Alderson put out, so I did not read the summary of this book and therefore had no idea what to expect. It opens with a home filled with anguish and tension, fear so thick it could be cut with a knife. Jessa lives with this everyday. Her mother walks through life in a stupor, drug-induced haze. All of this caused by her father, a Marine who has had a bad turn of events during his last service. He has PTSD so badly he cannot contain his emotions.

Then Jessa runs in to Kit again. The boy she had a crush on as she was growing up as he was always around being her older brother's best friend. A historical playboy, girl player he does not have the best reputation, but when he starts to date Jessa things may change.

This was such a romantic book that I wanted to cry in so many places. The way Jessa and Kit met and their relationship grew was beautiful. I really can't say more because I refuse to give away the plot, but I will say that their time is numbered as Kit is scheduled to deploy very soon. What will become of their relationship? How it will continue even though her older brother may have words about the relationship? And will it survive when Jessa's own father has had a problem with Kit since he was a child?

This is a future movie, if you ask me!

Summary - Home on leave in sunny California, Marine and local lothario Kit Ryan finds himself dangerously drawn to his best friend's sister, Jessa - the one girl he can't have.

But Kit's not about to let a few obstacles stand in his way and soon Jessa's falling for his irresistible charms.

What starts out as a summer romance of secret hook-ups and magical first times quickly develops into a passionate love affair that turns both their worlds upside down.

When summer's over and it's time for Kit to redeploy, neither Kit nor Jessa are ready to say goodbye. Jessa's finally following her dreams and Kit's discovered there's someone he'd sacrifice everything for.

Jessa's prepared to wait for Kit no matter what. But when something more than distance and time rips them apart they're forced to decide whether what they have is really worth fighting for.

A breathtaking, scorchingly hot story about love, friendship, family and finding your way back from the edge of heartbreak.

Book Review: Unbearable by Sherry Gammon

Title: Unbearable
Port Fare Series #3
Author: Sherry Gammon
ebook; 1,313 pages
Published June 9, 2014 by Wordpaintings Unlimited and CPP

Amazon: $3.99
Barnes and Noble: $3.99

I have read first book by Sherry Gammon called Unlovable, but for some reason I do not remember reading the second book in the series, Unbelievable. So, I will be adding that to my reading list after finishing this review. :)

I highly recommend reading this book as it touches on a few subjects generally kept in the dark - domestic violence, rape, cheating and how to cope with them. Gammon brings these subjects up so well, in all her books, that you do not even realize she is describing a whole new world until it comes crashing down on the reader and we are forced to ride it out because it is impossible to put the book down. Gammon weaves these tales so intricately that it feels like the reader is living the book.

Gammon creates, introduces and develops characters like Tess that are completely wrecked and trying to survive. Women that I root for at the same time I want to protect. She writes strong, yet vulnerable heroes like Booker who do such a wonderful job of being realistic. Honestly though, my favorite characters ended up being Booker's family because they played such a large role in the story.  As family is usually in the middle of your relationship.

Even though she covers unhappy topics, the plot is still light enough to be read on vacation or during a work break.

Sherry Gammon also follows up with Maggie, the young woman who was raising her alcoholic mother in the first book in the series, whom I absolutely love.

Summary - Booker Gatto is done. Done with women, his old life, all of it. Only the love of his friends in Port Fare keeps him going as he leaves the MET in exchange for the quiet life his new law practice will provide.
 
Tess Selleck, once as ambitious and determined as she is smart and beautiful, had to leave everything and everyone she loves in San Diego to escape the man who destroyed her dreams and now wants her dead.
Together Booker and Tess find love when they least expect it, until their pasts drive them apart. Is there a happily ever after for these damaged lovers? Or is the thought of loving and trusting again simply Unbearable?

Unbearable is the exciting conclusion to the Port Fare Series. Join Booker as he struggles to find his happily ever after.

Comic Book Men with Kevin Smith

My fiance has me completely and utterly hooked on Kevin Smith's show featured on Netflix called Comic Book Men. It is based on Kevin Smith's comic book store and the four men who work there. Kevin Smith basically runs a (what we believe to be fake) radio show where he interviews these guys about their time in the store. They discuss things people come in to sell, crazy stars that drop by, funny comments and odd questions only true nerds can ask each other.

It is so funny. I really don't remember the last time I laughed so hard so continuously. They make fun of each other, but in a very good humored way. I enjoy that.

They are also incredibly smart. Each one has their own way of talking about comics, super heroes and scifi. One of the guys doesn't even work there. He just showed up and never left. He is just a fixture. He doesn't get paid. He just comes in, hangs out behind the counter and talks all day.

The one that amazes me though, is Walter, the store manager. His knowledge just astounds me. He can pull dates, names, writers, heroes out of no where. He seems to know everything. He also is an amazing salesman. He can negotiate a price from $200 to $475. But he also has a kindness about him where he sees people enough to give on a price to make them happy.



My favorite though is still Kevin Smith. He is only in bits of the show, but when he talks he always says something profound and thought provoking. He seems like a truly wonderful and down to earth guy. They occasionally show Jay (Kevin Smith's side kick in his movies) although I can't remember his name. He looks like he is struggling a bit. I know from reading Kevin Smith's book that he struggles with drugs, but he seems distant and grasping to engage, but I suppose that could be his personality too.

If you are looking for a good, whole-some, informative show to watch I highly suggest checking this out on Netflix.

Review: Sink or Swim by Jamie Canosa

Title: Sink or Swim
Author: Jamie Canosa
Publisher: Kindle edition
Publish Date: July 21, 2013
209 pages

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Life has been a bit crazy lately and knowing I had to read this book and offer up a review has been weighing heavily on me. I wasn't looking forward to having "to do" anything extra. But finally I gave in. I do like to complete my agreements with people.

From the moment I picked up this book, I was hooked. Jamie Canosa literally had me from page 1. Which is simply amazing. I didn't want to go to work. I didn't want to sleep. I wanted to read this book from cover to cover without stopping. It was such an amazing book.

It was the perfect escape from reality when I needed it the most.

Allie has so much horrible stuff going on in her life. Her father is a raging alcoholic and completely abusive monster, her mother is not there for her after having the life beat out of her and she cannot tell anyone. Not even the man who has been there for her her entire life, Dean because he has so many other things to take care of in life. After a tumultuous evening, she gives in and leaves. Just packs a bag and gets on a bus. Sadly six months later, she is pulled back into the chaos because her mother is sick and she just cannot forget about her. And Dean, refuses to forget about her. He is an instant stresser because she loves him deeply, but cannot let him in to her secret world.

I cannot say enough about how well Jamie Canosa wrote this book. I am envious of her magical, yet simple wording that makes me never want to put this book down.

Check out my previous review of Jamie's other book, Fight or Flight.

Summary -
There are some things you just can't walk away from.

When sleeping in vacant warehouses and dark alleys becomes preferable to living at home, something is seriously wrong. But when word reaches Allie that her mother is facing a life threatening illness, she has no choice but to return to the place of nightmares. Leaving wasn't a choice, it was a necessity, and if returning hadn't been equally necessary, Allie never would have set foot back inside that hell-hole.

Dean is no stranger to hardship, but the day Allie walked out of his life, taking his heart right along with her, was hands-down the most frustrating. Six months later, she's back and Dean refuses to rest until he figures out exactly what the hell happened.

Now, Allie's drowning. Drowning in lies. Drowning in the truth. Drowning in pain, and anger, and fear. But there comes a time when every drowning person must decide whether they will . . . Sink or Swim?

Review: Grounded by GP Ching

Title: Grounded
Author: GP Ching
Publisher: Carpe Luna Publishing
Publish Date: Nov 15, 2012
306 pages

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From the first paragraph, I was sucked into this book and didn't put it down til the very last page! SO GOOD! I absolutely loved it.

Lydia is this a wonderfully developed character. I liked her more every page. She was brought up in an Amish community learning to love the smaller, quaint life. She has everything she wants right at home. A community, a loving father, a home, a farm that needs her and a boy who will court her someday. Yet, when worlds collide she is pulled into the Englisher world and out come her true nature - a girl with powers to control electricity. With it come the danger as well. She meets another boy just like her and she is attracted to him in ways she never felt before. With her family, her way of life and herself in danger, she has to decide if she is able to handle who she really is.

I really hope there is another follow up book to this. Can't wait to see what happens with Lydia!!

Summary -
In the year 2050, a secret government study nicknamed Operation Source Code injects eight volunteers with a retrovirus. The goal? To abate the energy crisis by reprogramming human DNA to power personal electronic devices. The experiment works but with disastrous consequences.

Seventeen years later, Lydia Troyer is far from concerned with the energy crisis. Growing up in the isolated community of Hemlock Hollow, life hasn't changed much since 1698 when her Amish ancestors came to America. She milks her cow by hand, bakes fresh bread every morning, and hopes to be courted by Jeremiah, the boy who's been her best friend since she could walk.

But when Lydia's father has a stroke and is taken to the outside world for medical treatment, Lydia and Jeremiah leave home to visit him. An ordinary light switch thrusts Lydia into a new world where energy is a coveted commodity and her own personal history makes her the most sought-after weapon on the planet.

Review: The Truth about Letting Go by Leigh Talbert Moore

Title: The Truth about Letting Go
The Truth #2
Author: Leigh T Moore
Publisher:
Publish Date: Feb 21, 2013
276 pages

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Bit amused that as I was writing this review, I realized this is actually Book 2 in the series. Hello?! This is great though because that means the books are written well enough not to give away all the good stuff from previous books.

I really didn't want to like this book because of the main premise (which is my own fault, as I never re-read the summary after deciding I want to read the book) as it tells very clearly that Ashley, the main character is going to have problems with liking a good for her boy and a not good for her boy. I hate that! Because mean spirited boys always leave you feeling worse than the problems you fled to them with. But Ashley continually stole my heart and I read this book with a voraciousness that made me love the ending even more.

Ashley is struggling through a very bad time in her life after he father passed away. She feels the void inside her wanting to be filled, but she doesn't know how. Her mother is non-existent and her friends don't seem to care enough. She goes out of her way to fill this void. She meets new friends, falls for a good boy she truly cares about, but can't seem to pull herself away from the badness spreading inside of her that pushes her back into the arms of the really bad boy.

Very well written.

Summary -
SEMIFINALIST, 2013 "Best Indie Book" awards, The Kindle Book Review

Ashley Lockett has always followed the rules. She's always done the right thing and played it safe until her ideal life is shattered when her dad dies suddenly.

Fueled by anger and grief, she vows to do everything opposite of how she lived before. Then she meets Jordan. He has big dreams, he's had a crush on Ashley for years, and he's a great kisser. But he's also safe.

Enter Colt. He is not safe, and he's more than willing to help Ashley fulfill her vow.

Review: Untraceable by SR Johannes

Title: Untraceable
The Nature of Grace #1
Author: SR Johannes
Publisher:
Publish Date:
315 pages

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Can I just start out this review with simply saying, "LOVED IT!" in that annoying sing-songy voice that people use when they just don't know what else to say.

In real life, Grace and I would be friends. She is curious and smart and a fighter. She is sweet and vulnerable, but doesn't want to show it. She wants to connect with people, but is good by herself. She has the need to get out and be in nature. She loves animals and even has had a pet bear as a child. And because of all of this, she also attracts danger.

Then she meets a stranger in her woods who is attractive and mysterious and she hates to admit, she takes a liking to him. The more she hangs out with him, the more she likes him too. Darn, as she has learned to like her solitary life. Mostly she is alone because she refuses to believe her dad is dead and died in a accident. She feels he is still out there somewhere and will do anything to find out the truth. But the truth can hurt, deeply.

I got this book from Netgalley and am excited to realize Book 2, Uncontrollable, is already out ready to be read!!

Summary -
Book 2 Uncontrollable is also now available!
Book 3 is scheduled for Summer 2013.

16-year-old Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.

When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he’s dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him.

One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.

Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.