Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Blog Tour: You and Me and Him by Kris Dinnison ~ Review & Giveaway


**About the Book**

You and Me and HimSource: ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

You and Me and Him by Kris Dinnison


“Do not ignore a call from me when you know I am feeling neurotic about a boy. That is Best Friend 101.” —Nash

Maggie and Nash are outsiders. She’s overweight. He’s out of the closet. The best of friends, they have seen each other through thick and thin, but when Tom moves to town at the start of the school year, they have something unexpected in common: feelings for the same guy. This warm, witty novel—with a clear, true voice and a clever soundtrack of musical references—sings a song of love and forgiveness.


Book Links:


**My Review** 


When I first saw this book, I was super pumped for a book that delved into a situation where two friends--a guy and a girl--crush on the same guy. Of course, there was lots more I expected, but THAT was what originally grabbed my attention. Also, the tagline: "What if getting the guy means losing your soulmate?" I was so excited, looking forward to picking this one up and going through it all with the characters.

Turns, out this book was so much MORE. You and Me and Him not only delves into a situation where two friends--a guy and a girl--crush on a guy. As I said, I'd expected more... but actually EXPERIENCING that was a whole different thing, and I loved it. 

While I'd originally been most interested in the situation with liking the same guy, I ended up being the most fascinated with the friendships. Particularly, Nash and Maggie. Their relationship is literally one of my favorite things. Quirky and fun and incredibly heartwarming. They are so well matched, and their dynamic made the original premise so much more cool to read. 

The characters really shined, too. Maggie hit me as a narrator I'd enjoy right off the bat, starting from the first sentence where she tells us she's not "one of those shrinking-violet fat girls." From there, she continued to win me over. Sure, she was definitely not perfect--but she was real and I so understood her. That said, Nash was my favorite character. He was cute and nice and I want him to be my best friend in real life so bad, there are not words to describe this. If you need one reason to read this book, NASH would be it. And then there was Tom, who wasn't my favorite. I didn't hate him, but he got on my nerves more than any of the other characters. I did wind up liking him in the end, though. So yay!

You and Me and Him was very well written, and I was a fan of Kris Dennison's style. I was engaged right from the beginning, and can't really remember getting bored throughout. The novel didn't drag. I flew straight through the story without a problem.

The only small damper was my lack of investment in any of the romantic aspects. Obviously I don't have to intensely ship a couple in every single book I read (though it is such fun!), but I was hoping for more here. I was highly pleased with the friendships--and, as I mentioned, Nash and Maggie are the best and I ship that friendship forever--but I have to admit I missed feeling happy over romantic sweetness more than I'd like in this book. 

I still think this book is great, though. 

Overall, You and Me and Him is a heartwarming, quirky story I enjoyed from beginning to end. The characters shine, and the friendship between Nash and Maggie is definitely worth experiencing. If you're on the fence about giving this book a shot, I recommend picking it up :)


4 stars - A fun, quirky story featuring the most heartwarming friendship!


**About the Author** 


Kris Dinnison learned to read when she was five years old. She grew up reading books nobody else had read and listening to music nobody else had heard of and thinking she was weird, which she kind of was. She spent nearly two decades as a teacher and librarian working with students from kindergarten to graduate school. The bulk of that time she spent teaching High School English while dreaming of becoming a writer. Nowadays, when she’s not writing, she helps run her family’s retail and cafĂ© businesses. She lives and writes in Spokane, Washington.

Author Links:


**Giveaway** 

Three winners will receive a finished copy of You and Me and Him!
- Tour-wide giveaway
- US only
- Enter through the Rafflecopter below!



**Tour Schedule**  

Week One:
6/29/2015- Paperback PrincessInterview
6/30/2015- StuckInBooksReview (Hi! You're here!)
7/1/2015- Novel NoviceGuest Post
7/2/2015- Book BriefsReview
7/3/2015- Fictitious DeliciousInterview

Week Two:
7/6/2015- YA Book MadnessReview
7/7/2015- Me, My Shelf and IGuest Post
7/8/2015- Swoony Boys PodcastReview
7/9/2015- Teen Readers' DiaryInterview
7/10/2015- Downright DystopianReview

Now Available, Q&A and Giveaway

From Mira...


Starting over is never easy, but in Thunder Point, where newcomers are welcome and friends become family, it's possible to find yourself again. In this brand-new story, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr takes us on a moving and rewarding journey as a young woman finds new hope.

After losing her child, Ginger Dysart was lost in grief. But since moving to Thunder Point, a small town on the Oregon coast, and with the help of her cousin Ray Anne, Ginger is finally moving forward. Her job at the flower shop is peaceful and fulfilling, and she's excited to start her first big assignment, assisting with the Lacoumette wedding.

In spite of her lasting heartache, Ginger finds herself swept up in the pleasure of the occasion. But the beauty of the Lacoumette farm and the joy of the gregarious family are ruined by an unfortunate encounter with the bride's brother, Matt. Struggling with painful memories of his own recent divorce, Matt makes a drunken spectacle of himself and Ginger when he tries to make a pass at her, forcing Ginger to flee the scene in embarrassment.

But when Matt shows up at the flower shop determined to make amends, what started out as a humiliating first meeting blossoms into something much deeper than either of them expected. Discovering they have a lot in common, they form a solid friendship, though everyone around them worries that Ginger will end up with a broken heart yet again. But if Ginger has the courage to embrace the future, and if Matt can finally learn to let go of the past, there may still be hope for a happy ending.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23492254-a-new-hope

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0778317366http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-new-hope-robyn-carr/1120643882

Giveaway...


I have an ARC of a previous book in this series to give away to one US winner.


a Rafflecopter giveaway




From HQN Books...


New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne brings you back to Haven Point—a place made for second chances…

McKenzie Shaw would do anything for her beloved hometown of Haven Point. It may be small and struggling, but it's never let her down…unlike gorgeous, infuriating Ben Kilpatrick. He was her childhood hero until he closed his family's factory, leaving the town's economy in shambles. Now he's back—his tech firm is considering opening a local facility. For Haven Point's sake, McKenzie has to grit her teeth and play nice.

What could a town filled with painful memories ever offer Ben? He left Haven Point behind years ago, for good reason. Yet seeing the town through the eyes of McKenzie—its fiery young mayor—he suddenly has his answer. If only he can resolve the animosity crackling between them, Ben may have found the place where he can build ties and find healing…a place where love arrives when it's least expected.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23492275-redemption-bay?from_search=true

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0373785062http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/redemption-bay-raeanne-thayne/1120680955


Q&A with RaeAnne Thayne...



Q: REDEMPTION BAY is the 2nd book in your new Haven Point series. What would you tell someone who is coming to Haven Point for the first time? Is there anything you want first time readers to know before they jump into REDEMPTION BAY?

A: Haven Point is a series of books that explores healing in its various forms -- healing hearts, healing bodies, healing families and healing a town. Haven Point – on the shores of beautiful Lake Haven, a few hours from Boise, ID – has seen some tough times and suffered some losses, but despite all the challenges, it's a place where people care about each other.

Q: When a natural disaster hits, the whole town works together to avoid catastrophe. Do you live in a place where people help each other out like this? It’s inspiring to read about!

A: I definitely live in a community like this and feel incredibly lucky. Huge, dramatic events like house fires or floods seem to bring out that compassion and caring in everyone and it's wonderful to witness people come together to help in whatever way they can. I've witnessed many situations similar to the events of Haven Point, when an entire community rallies to help out neighbors. Just as touching to me, though, are the constant small and simple acts of kindness I see around me every day.

Q: How much of your actual life gets written into your fictional stories? Do you ever use real people as inspiration for your characters?

A: Oh, absolutely. I've never created a character whole cloth from an actual person but I'll take bits and pieces of people I've met or read about and incorporate that into my characters. I loved that part of being a journalist – the chance to be out in the community meeting new people and interviewing them. I learned early that everybody has a story and everyone faces both struggles and triumphs.

Q: What’s the most interesting comment you’ve ever gotten from a reader?

A: I once had a teenage girl tell me she used to hate reading until she and a girlfriend read one of my earlier books together and now she loves to read and is always finding new authors. I could quit writing today and be perfectly happy, knowing that I've helped someone discover the joy that can be found inside a book.


Q: Have you noticed your writer’s voice has changed over the years due to experience? If so, how?

A: My voice has changed quite dramatically over the years. I sold my first book to Bantam Loveswept twenty years ago, when I wasn't quite thirty, and I've since written fifty more. At the time of that first sale, my husband and I had one daughter and my life experience was very narrow. The week I sold my fifth book to Loveswept a few years later, I gave birth to our second child who was born with multiple severe disabilities. I became his caregiver and advocate and by necessity, my worldview shifted instantly.

I am a much different person than I was in my early days as an author. I have learned that life is hard. It's filled with pain and disappointment and sorrow but also laughter and spring flowers and dear friends. I think I write from a place of hard-won experience, knowledge that I couldn't have imagined in my twenties when I first dreamed about writing novels. 

I write characters now who have been through sometimes unbearably difficult things but eventually they discover that the world is still a place of joy and wonder.

It took me about twenty books before I began to recognize the core message in each of my books, no matter how disparate the characters, plot or conflict – that we are each here to learn how to take care of each other. In REDEMPTION BAY, I think McKenzie has already learned this but Ben discovers through the course of the book that he can't truly be happy when he keeps the world at a safe distance, not letting anyone close.



Giveaway...




The publisher is offering a copy of this book to one US winner.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Tuesday ~ 6/30/15

This is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.


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



Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.

She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.

Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.

He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.

Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13132816-emmy-oliver

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O11DMOU/http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/emmy-oliver-robin-benway/1120420165?ean=9780062330598


Teaser...


Oliver pulled me closer, tighter than ever this time, and kissed me again.  The only way I could describe kissing him felt like was, like the last day of school, knowing the months of freedom and sunshine lay before you, the feeling that you could d o anything you wanted and time stretched out in endless possibilities.  That's how I felt in his arms, like the future was limitless just he was there.  (Page 201 of ARC)





Own the Wind (Chaos, #1)Too hot to handle...

Tabitha Allen grew up in the thick of Chaos—the Chaos Motorcycle Club, that is. Her father is Chaos' leader, and the club has always had her back. But one rider was different from the start. When Tabby was running wild, Shy Cage was there. When tragedy tore her life apart, he helped her piece it back together. And now, Tabby's thinking about much more than friendship...

Tabby is everything Shy's ever wanted, but everything he thinks he can't have. She's beautiful, smart, and as his friend's daughter, untouchable. Shy never expected more than friendship, so when Tabby indicates she wants more—much more—he feels like the luckiest man alive. But even lucky men can crash and burn...







Teaser...


"Oil changes for a year," she returned softly. 
"You got it but cookies for a year," he shot back. 
"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you," she replied. 
He'd eat her cookies, they were brilliant or they sucked. If Tabitha Allen made it, he'd eat anything.

I was SO in the mood for a Kristen Ashley book, and I'm turning out to be real glad I picked this one up. Only about a third of the way through right now, but it's already making me feel all happy pants. Shy can be so sweet--like in this teaser--and I love him and Tabby together. Ahhhhh, so good!


Those are our teasers for this week! What do you think? Do you have a teaser to share? Leave us a comment!

Monday, June 29, 2015

Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway ~ Tour Stop, Review & Giveaway

 Source: Received a paperback ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.


About EMMY & OLIVER:
Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.

She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.

Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.

He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.

Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?

Readers who love Sarah Dessen will tear through these pages with hearts in throats as Emmy and Oliver struggle to face the messy, confusing consequences of Oliver’s father’s crime. Full of romance, coming-of-age emotion, and heartache, these two equally compelling characters create an unforgettable story.


Links for EMMY & OLIVER:

Review:

Totally loved this book.  It's funny, sweet, serious and perfectly YA.  

I love Emmy.  She's so funny and I found myself giggling at her so much.  Her response to her parents over protectiveness was adorable.  And her unique style was so much a part of helping Oliver.  She cares about him.  She always has and that hasn't changed.  But it is awkward at first.  Of course, Emmy has a way of dealing with that that was just perfect! Tongue out and eyes crossed, she draws the smiles out of him.  Perfect.

And, of course, I love Oliver.  He was dealt a raw hand.  He feels like he's been punished twice and for things he didn't do.  I never really thought about how someone would handle being returned after so long of being gone from their family.  It was interesting to watch Oliver as he tried to deal with going to high school through this painful period of his life.  Oh, and the teacher in me?  I thought I was going to go ballistic on some milk carton bullies!  I would have brought those brutes down if that happened in my school.

I loved Drew and Caro too.  This whole story is so much about friendships and the strength and pain from them during some of the hardest times of our lives, high school.  This is my first book by this author and I was impressed with her teen voice.  Funny and tortured at the same time, but totally believable. 

The romance in this one is sweet and perfect.  I loved all the stolen kisses, whether is was Emmy and Oliver or Drew and Kevin.  Very high school.  

I don't read as much YA as I have in the past but this is the kind of YA books I love.  It's real and it's, at times, emotional but it's also light and sweet.  It's that perfect time of life where everything feels so much bigger than it is and yet all the world stand before you.  I raced through it, thoroughly enjoying every page of it.      

 



About Robin Benway:
I'm the author of "Audrey, Wait!", "The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May & June", and the AKA series. My new book "Emmy & Oliver" will be released on June 23, 2015. I live in Los Angeles with my extremely stubborn shih tzu, Hudson. I've gotten a lot better at cooking. I still love coffee. We should be friends.

Also, I never use this Goodreads account, so if you'd like to contact me, feel free to find more info at my website!

Links to Robin:



Giveaway:
2 upcoming fall ARCs from HarperCollins:
Galley of WALK ON EARTH A STRANGER by Rae Carson
Galley of WHAT WE SAW by Aaron Hartzler
*US Only*


a Rafflecopter giveaway





Weightless by Sarah Bannan ~ Feature & Goodreads Giveaway

When 15-year-old Carolyn moves from New Jersey to Alabama with her mother, she rattles the status quo of the junior class at Adams High School. A good student and natural athlete, she’s immediately welcomed by the school’s cliques. She’s even nominated to the homecoming court and begins dating a senior, Shane, whose on again/off again girlfriend Brooke becomes Carolyn’s bitter romantic rival. When a video of Carolyn and Shane making out is sent to everyone, Carolyn goes from golden girl to slut, as Brooke and her best friend Gemma try to restore their popularity. Gossip and bullying hound Carolyn, who becomes increasingly private and isolated. When Shane and Brooke—now back together—confront Carolyn in the student parking lot, injuring her, it’s the last attack she can take.

Sarah Bannan's deft use of the first person plural gives Weightless an emotional intensity and remarkable power that will send you flying through the pages and leave you reeling.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24464167-weightless

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250078989http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/weightless-sarah-bannan/1119182800

 Available tomorrow from St Martin's Griffin



Praise for Weightless...


Powerful and Important... 

Weightless is the kind of book that makes you say "thank goodness social media wasn't around when I was in high school." (Susan Anderson from Amazon Review)

A Worthwhile Look At Bullying...

Sarah Bannan captures the essence of a small town and provides a perceptive insight into working of the group think process that has been prevalent in every community since the dawn of time.  (Tell Me A Story from Amazon Review)

 

About the Author....



Sarah Bannan grew up in New York, Texas, Florida and Alabama. She is the Head of Literature for the Irish Arts Council and lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her husband and daughter.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

JLA Month On StuckInBooks ~ Announcement



Introducing JLA Month

in JULY!



Val:  So this July thing?
Jess: Is all about one of our FAVORITE people!

Val:  Yeah, we have this mad love for all things JLA, you may have noticed.
Jess: She's da best. Literally.

Val:  And there's this book she has coming out at the end of July - so excited for that!
Jess: We've been waiting foreeeeeveeeer. (Or, like, months. Close enough.)

Val:  We had to do some celebrating and, yeah, fangirling.
Jess: Because really. Would we really be us if we didn't happy flail all over the place?
Val:  We are all about the happy flails!

Val:  We actually do a lot of that stuff all the time, over text...but now you can see it. 
Jess: BLOWING UP VAL'S PHONE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACTIVITIES.
Val:  Yes, Jess is night owl and I often wake up to tons of texts! Of course, I do the same back to her! 

Val:  A month of *flailing* and major fangirling!
Jess: Also, *happy dancing!*

Val:  We have plans...lots of plans.
Jess: Lots of FUN plans, all based around JLA and her books of awesome.

Val:  Here's the deal...no signing up needed.  Just participate when you can.  And enjoy all the JLA talk we have going on.
Jess: Kick off is Wednesday...

Val:  Yep, and there will be features of all her books.
Jess:  Trivia...Chats...swag giveaways

Val:  And a GIVEAWAY that lasts all month with lots and lots of JLA books to win.
Jess:  Find the word of the day each day to keep entering!

Val:  Oh, and the readathon!  There's gonna be a readathon!
Jess: Because goodness knows we love doing readathons, and with Every Last Breath releasing... It's about time for another!    

Val: SO, put July on your calendar and make sure to check back here for details on Wednesday.  Then visit LOTS, cause you're gonna want to be included in the JLA fangirling!
Jess:  You so are!  

Stacking OUR Shelves ~ 6/28/15


Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews.  Make sure to checkout her post with links to all the other participates.

Click covers for Goodreads links


For Review...


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23149165-chaoshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25325798-easy-charm


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23507713-frisk-mehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23492311-searching-for-always



For Review Consideration...



paperback
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24464167-weightless



Thanks go to...

Avon Impulse
Inkslinger PR
Forever
Pocket Books
St. Martin's Griffin

Picked up FREE...



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17982774-lovestruck-in-london



Bought...


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23795188-dream-of-you





For Review...


Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1)Pretending to Be EricaWeightless


Gifted...


Better Than Yesterday


Thanks go to...


Penguin Random House
St. Martin's Press
My #OTSPSecretSister, Sara!


Bought...


Dream of You (Wait for You, #4.5)Own the Wind (Chaos, #1)Fire Inside (Chaos, #2)


That's what we added to our shelves this week! What do you think? What did you add to your stacks? Leave us a comment!