Waiting on Wednesday {106}: Catching Air @sarahpekkanen

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. It is showcases upcoming releases of books that I'm looking forward to. It is somewhat similar to one of my previous posts, Anxiously Awaiting. {Button courtesy of Bewitched Bookworms}

Catching Air 
Sarah Pekkanen
May 6, 2014

From the internationally bestselling author of four books, including The Opposite of Me, a vibrant, compulsively readable novel about two married couples who pursue a dream to open a bed-and-breakfast in small-town Vermont.

In her previous works including The Best of Us, "rising star" (Library Journal) Sarah Pekkanen captivated readers by penning "refreshingly introspective, sharply realistic, and tenderly humorous" novels (Booklist) that had readers "flying through the pages" (Hoda Kotb, Today show). Now, in Catching Air, Pekkanen turns an unflinching eye on the tangled relationships of two pairs of thirty-somethings.
A chance to run a B&B in snowy, remote Vermont—it’s an offer Kira Danner can’t resist after six soul-crushing years of working as a lawyer in Florida. As Kira and her husband, Peter, step into a brand new life, she quells her fears about living with the B&B’s co-owners: Peter’s sexy, irresponsible brother Rand, and Rand’s wife, Alyssa…who is essentially a stranger.

For her part, Alyssa sees taking over the B&B as the latest in a string of adventures. Plus, a quiet place might help her recover from the news that she can’t bear children. But the idyllic town proves to be anything but serene: Within weeks, the sisters-in-law are scrambling to prepare for their first big booking—a winter wedding—and soon a shy, mysterious woman comes to work for them. Dawn Zukoski is hiding something; that much is clear. But what the sisters-in-law don't realize is that Dawn is also hiding from someone…

Relatable and dynamic, Catching Air delves deeply into the vital relationships that give shape to women’s lives.

Review: Searching for Perfect by Jennifer Probst

Publish Date: April 29, 2014
Trade Paperback {p.341}
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series:  Searching For #2
Source: Publisher
Kennedy Ashe, Nate Dunkle

The up-and-coming matchmaking agency Kinnections is the hottest thing to hit Verily, New York—just like Kennedy Ashe, social director for the service she owns with her two best girlfriends. A coach, consultant, and cheerleader rolled into one super-sizzling package, Kennedy creates dream dates, encourages singles to shine, and never refuses a challenge—not even Nate Ellison Raymond Dunkle, rocket scientist, nerd extraordinaire, and Kennedy’s newest client.

Kennedy vows to work her magic and transform this hot mess in a lab coat with a disastrous relationship track record into the most wanted man on the Verily dating scene. If only she could turn the wand on herself.

Though she radiates confidence and sex appeal, Kennedy harbors deep-seated insecurities from a tormented past and lifelong struggle with weight issues. When she realizes she and Nate are cut from the same cloth and might be perfect together, can Kennedy learn to let her heart lead the way? Or will her fears sentence her to the sidelines as Nate finds love—with someone else?

This book had me laughing from page one. Nate was absolutely "amazing." I think I may have liked Nate more than Kennedy. Nate is this brilliant aerospace engineer, but when it comes to people, he has absolutely no social skills. He doesn't says what's on his mind without sugarcoating it, which can be off-putting in the dating arena.

Kennedy had some major issues that I wasn't aware of from the previous book, so she hid it well. Whereas her friends, Gen and Arilyn, it is evident that they are going through something. Kennedy seemed so put together, I guess that's why I was surprised by her issues.

This was by far the funnier of the two books in the series. All the scenes of Nate's transformation from geek to chic, were a riot. I loved every minute of this book, of course except for Kennedy sabotaging her own happiness. This is a great series that pulls you in and you become attached to every single character. Even the supporting characters: Wolfe, Connor, Gen; I want to know more about them. Like Gen, she starts this series engaged, but something is amiss with that relationship. I'm excited to see how it plays out.

Definitely a series you should pick up if you are looking for a good laugh with your romance.

In My Mailbox {162}

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I'll post what books I've received either by mailbox/library/store.

I'll try to post an entry of IMM every Sunday that I receive books by mail/library/store of that week.

Books via Amazon

Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines

Books via Paperback Swap

Unbroken by Maya Banks

Review: The Redemption of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

Publish Date: July 30, 2013
Trade Paperback {p.375}
Genre: New Adult
Series:  The Coincidence #2
Source: Personal Library
Callie Lawrence, Kayden Owens

The dark secret Kayden has kept hidden for years is out. Worse, he's facing charges for battery. The only way he stands a chance against the charges is if Callie speaks up, something he'll never ask her to do.

Callie knows Kayden is going back to his dark place and desperately wants to save him. But saving him means admitting her secrets aloud. Callie and Kayden are stronger than they think, especially when they're together. Together they move forward, face their demons, and finally start to heal from their traumatic pasts.

I didn't enjoy The Redemption as much as I enjoyed The Coincidence. For one, The Redemption seemed to drag on and on about nothing until the last four to five chapters where it was rushed to wrap it all up. I just kept wanting the author to get to the secret reveal, and when she did, it fell kind of flat for me. I did suspect that her dad would be the one she would go to about it because her mother and brother were both too far up the enemy's a** in this book and the previous one.

Also, I didn't like Seth so much in this one. In The Coincidence he was among my favorites of the supporting characters, but this time he just seemed way too pushy for me. Luke was still his strange self, but he grew on me more in this installment.

Kayden started to irritate me a bit with the back forth he was doing with Callie. One minute he was all over her and the next he just wanted them to be friends. I just wanted him to pick a side and stick.

I just started losing interest in them and their situations. Nothing was being resolved and no one was paying for their acts. Nothing just stood out and made this a fantastic read for me. I will most likely continue forward with Luke's story at some point, but I'm in no big rush to do so.

Waiting on Wednesday {105}: Catch a Falling Star @kculbertson

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. It is showcases upcoming releases of books that I'm looking forward to. It is somewhat similar to one of my previous posts, Anxiously Awaiting. {Button courtesy of Bewitched Bookworms}

Catch a Falling Star
Kim Culbertson
April 29, 2014

A deliciously charming novel about finding true love . . . and yourself.

Nothing ever happens in Little, CA. Which is just the way Carter Moon likes it. But when Hollywood arrives to film a movie starring former child star turned PR mess Adam Jakes, everything changes. Carter's town becomes a giant glittery set and, much to her annoyance, everyone is starry-eyed for Adam. Carter seems to be the only girl not falling all over herself to get a glimpse of him.
Which apparently makes her perfect for the secret offer of a lifetime: playing the role of Adam's girlfriend while he's in town, to improve his public image, in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Her family really needs the money and so Carters agrees. But it turns out Adam isn't at all who she thought he was. As they grow closer, their relationship walks a blurry line between what's real and what's fake, and Carter must open her eyes to the scariest of unexplored worlds - her future. Can Carter figure out what she wants out of life AND get the guy? Or are there no Hollywood endings in real life?

Review: The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

Publish Date: December 13, 2012
Trade Paperback {p.353}
Genre: New Adult
Series:  The Coincidence #1
Source: Personal Library
Callie Lawrence, Kayden Owens

For Kayden, suffering in silence was the only way to survive. If he was lucky, he could keep his head down, do as he was told, and make it through the day. But one night it seemed like his luck-and his life-might finally end... until an angel named Callie appeared just in time to rescue him.

Callie has never believed in luck. Not since her twelfth birthday when everything was taken from her. After the worst was over, she locked up her feelings and vowed never to tell anyone what happened. Now, six years later, she continues to struggle with the painful secret that threatens to consume her.

When fate lands Kayden and Callie at the same college, Kayden is determined to get to know the beautiful girl who changed his destiny. Quiet and reserved, Callie still fears letting anyone else into her world. But Kayden is certain that Callie has come back into his life for a reason. And the more he tries to be a part of her life, the more he realizes that, this time, it's Callie who needs to be saved...

Callie's dark secret was something that I quickly figured out and the cause of it. I spent a lot of the book upset with her family, but mostly her mother and brother. And when Kayden enters the picture, of course his secret is also immediately made aware during the circumstance in which they truly meet.

Both of them are well written, dark characters. At times there were some scenes of Callie alone that were pretty tough to handle, that I found myself wanting to skip them. I so wanted her to overcome this aspect of her secret.

The supporting characters, Seth and Luke, were great as well. Although I spent most of the book feeling as though Seth was the only one without major issues. But reading the story, you know that he does indeed have his own problems but I guess he was the most together of all of them. Or he was hiding his very well.

Kayden I absolutely adored. He too had issues I hoped he'd overcome. I just wanted him to stand up for himself and take his life back. Callie seemed to give him reason to just that.

This was not my typical read in the fact that it was more dark than I'm used to. With that said, I do want to continue with the next installment to see becomes of these two. I want both Callie and Kayden's dark secrets to be exposed in an effort to provide them with healing. I want Callie's mom to pull her head out of the sand and realize that bad things happen and by not watching the nightly news doesn't change that fact. And for her brother to stop blaming Callie for her behavior and her mother's ways of handling Callie's behavior.

In My Mailbox {161}

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I'll post what books I've received either by mailbox/library/store.

I'll try to post an entry of IMM every Sunday that I receive books by mail/library/store of that week.

Books via Amazon

Be With Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Fallen Too Far by Abbli Glines

Never Too Far by Abbi Glines

The Redemption of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

Simple Perfection by Abbi Glines

Take a Chance by Abbi Glines

Trust in Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines

Wait for You by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Books via Barnes & Noble

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley

Books via Dollar Tree

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

Books via Paperback Swap

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles

 Mac's Law by Sarah McCarty

Books via Publisher

 

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

How To Seduce a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks

In Your Corner by Sarah Castille

Searching For Perfect by Jennifer Probst

Nova and Quinton: No Regrets by Jessica Sorensen ~ Release Week Blitz

Excerpt:

Prologue

Nova

December 28, the day of the funeral

It’s a strange feeling, getting ready to watch someone get put under the ground into their final resting place. I’ve been to enough funerals to know that my senses always become hyper-aware of everything going on around me: the touch of the wind seems stronger, the sun a little more blinding, the smell of the leaves, grass, and fresh dirt overpowering. It’s like my mind is reaching out and trying to grasp each aspect of the moment, when part of me wants nothing more than to forget.

I’m actually at the church earlier than I’m supposed to be and I don’t even know why, other than that sitting home for a second longer just didn’t seem possible. So I left the house without telling anyone and got in my cherry-red Chevy Nova, the car my dad left to me when he died, and drove it to the church where my dad’s and Landon’s funeral took place. And in just a bit, I’ll say good-bye to another person I once knew and will never see again.

Now that I’m here, staring at the brick building with a white tower pointing to the sky, I’m not sure what I should do. I’m three hours early to a funeral, which might say a lot about me. A lot of people would likely show up late, wanting to avoid death for as long as possible, but I’ve become so familiar with it it’s unsettling.

After sitting in the car for about ten minutes, watching snowflakes fall from the sky and frost the grass and the windshield, I decide to take video instead. I didn’t bring the fancy camera my mom gave me, but the one on my phone works and honestly I use that one a lot more because it’s handy for sporadic recording, which seems to be my specialty.

I blow out a deep breath as I sit back in the seat, aim the camera at myself, and hit record. I have the screen flipped to me and my image immediately pops up. I look tired. The bags under my eyes are pretty obvious, even though I’ve tried to cover them up with makeup, and my brown hair wasn’t being cooperative so I ended up pulling it up into a ponytail. I’m wearing a black dress and earrings and the contrast with my fair skin makes me look pallid.

“It’s amazing how everything can seem so perfect one moment and then suddenly it’s not. How quickly perfection can evaporate… how rare it is.” I pause, gathering my thoughts. “I’ve seen a lot of death. More than the normal person, probably. I watched my father’s life vanish in front of me within minutes. Found my boyfriend’s body right after he took his own life. Too early. Too suddenly. Both of them. I never had time to prepare myself and I thought it was the worst feeling in the world. I always wondered how different it would be, if it ever happened again. If maybe the third or fourth time around, I wouldn’t hurt so badly. If it’d be easier letting someone go now that I’ve had so much practice.” I tuck a fallen strand of my bangs behind my ear and swallow the lump in my throat. “And maybe it has gotten easier… but it still hurts. I still shed tears… it’s still agonizing… painful…” I trail off as a few tears slip from my eyes and roll down my cheeks. “Even now, just thinking about some of the stuff I saw… I should have stopped it… should have done things differently…” I trail off, staring at the window. “But I didn’t… and now they’re gone forever.”

NOVA AND QUINTON: NO REGRETS by Jessica Sorensen (April 15, 2014; Forever E-Book; $4.99)

Today is the first day of Quinton Carter's new life. The toxic guilt of his past left him in pieces-but one girl unexpectedly put him back together. Thanks to Nova Reed, Quinton can finally see the world with clear eyes. She's the reason his heart is still kicking behind the jagged scar on his chest. And he would love to have her in his arms every minute of the day . . . but he's not ready yet.

Playing drums in a band and living with her best friends are just some of the highlights of Nova's life. But the best new development? Talking to Quinton on the phone each night. She wishes she could touch him, kiss him, though she knows he needs time to heal. Yet shocking news is on the way-a reminder of life's dark side-and Nova will need Quinton like he once needed her. Is he strong enough to take the final leap out of his broken past . . . and into Nova's heart?

About Jessica Sorensen:
Jessica Sorensen is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives with her husband and three kids in Idaho. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Social Media Links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Buy Links:
Amazon
B&N
iTunes

Rafflecopter Giveaway: 
Because music plays such an important part in the Nova series, and all of Jessica's books, we're offering a $25 iTunes gift card plus a collection of Jessica's print titles with signed bookplates: THE SECRET OF ELLA AND MICHA, THE TEMPTATION OF LILA AND ETHAN, THE COINCIDENCE OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN, THE REDEMPTION OF CALLIE AND KAYDEN, and NOVA AND QUINTON: NO REGRETS. The mini grand prize winner will receive a $25 iTunes gift card and a special print copy of NOVA AND QUINTON: NO REGRETS, and an additional 10 winners will receive a special print copy of NOVA AND QUINTON: NO REGRETS.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Never Too Far by Abbi Glines

 

Publish Date: February 25, 2013 
Kindle {p.193}
Genre: New Adult
Series: Rosemary Beach #2
Source: Personal Library
Blaire Wynn, Rush Finley

Just when Blaire allowed herself to fall for her stepbrother, Rush, he revealed a life-altering secret so devastating that she couldn't forgive him. Unable to face him again, Blaire leaves the promise of true love behind in Rosemary Beach and returns to the comforts of her small town in Alabama, wanting nothing more than to put the summer behind her.

But unexpected news complicates Blaire’s plans, and she’s forced to trust the one man she shouldn’t. Trapped between Rush’s fierce desire to win her back and her own sense of self-preservation, Blaire doesn’t know if she’s doing the right thing . . . or if she’s making the biggest mistake of her life.

This was just a continuation of the previous book, with all the characters pretty much the same with no growth. The only character I felt that changed was Grant, and not for the better. Grant, Rush's brother, seemed to all of a sudden be Team Nan. Nan of course, was still her mean, hateful self when it came to Blaire. To me, all that should have been directed toward her so-called father.

I wanted to give Blaire's ex-boyfriend Cain a chance and like him, but he never made it possible. I just wanted to punch him in his face throughout his stint in this book.

Woods stepped up and took on the role of caregiver and protector of Blaire when it seemed that Rush couldn't or wouldn't. Rush insisted on proving to Blaire that he was going to put her before his sister and mother, but at times he did not. Some of it was understandable, but at other times, it was not. So he lost some points with me for that, and I wasn't his biggest fan to begin with.

Overall I still enjoyed this installment very much.

Review: Fallen Too Far by Abbli Glines

Publish Date: December 14, 2012
Kindle {p.300}
Genre: New Adult
Series: Rosemary Beach #1
Source: Personal Library
Blaire Wynn, Rush Finley

To want what you’re not supposed to have…

She is only nineteen.

She is his new stepfather’s daughter.

She is still naïve and innocent due to spending the last three years taking care of her sick mother.

But for twenty-four year old Rush Finlay, she is the only thing that has ever been off limits. His famous father’s guilt money, his mother’s desperation to win his love, and his charm are the three reasons he has never been told no.

Blaire Wynn left her small farmhouse in Alabama, after her mother passed away, to move in with her father and his new wife in their sprawling beach house along the Florida gulf coast. She isn’t prepared for the lifestyle change and she knows she’ll never fit into this world. Then there is her sexy stepbrother who her father leaves her with for the summer while he runs off to Paris with his wife. Rush is as spoiled as he is gorgeous. He is also getting under her skin. She knows he is anything but good for her and that he’ll never be faithful to anyone. He is jaded and has secrets Blaire knows she may never uncover but even knowing all of that…

Blaire just may have fallen too far.

Rush, Rush, Rush. I was stumped as to how the author was going to turn this character around. He started out as this womanizer with no morals, so I didn't know how he could be leading man material. I found that I was more into the characters Grant, Rush's brother, and Woods, the country club playboy. You could see Rush's struggle with his attraction to Blaire.

I don't know how she did it, but I fell in love with this book and its screwed up characters. I'm still screaming, "Why Rush, why!?! Why didn't you say something before?"

All that classist behavior that was oh so prevalent at the country club, felt reminiscent of Kellermans, the country club from Dirty Dancing. These little country club snobs really grated on my nerves.

Blaire father was an complete deadbeat. Hated him before he showed up, and still hated him after. I don't know how you spend you life with someone you claim to love and have children with and can't even be bothered to attend their funeral, or extend condolences to your child for their loss. I don't care if they were divorced at the time of his ex-wife's death, they still had a daughter who was terribly in need of a parent having just lost her mother. There was no redeeming him to me. The thing I couldn't understand, is why ANYONE would want him after that.

The only person I may hate more than Abe, Blaire's father, is Nan, Rush's sister. Although Rush's mother Georgiana is giving Nan a run for her money in that race. Blaire is a bigger person than I there at the end with Nan, 'cause I would have did it.

Best believe, I will be continuing on with this series. I have to see who the lucky lady is that will capture my love interest, Woods.

In My Mailbox {160}

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I'll post what books I've received either by mailbox/library/store.

I'll try to post an entry of IMM every Sunday that I receive books by mail/library/store of that week.

Books via Barnes & Noble

The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

 

Books via Books-A-Million

Fever by Maya Banks

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

Mine by Katy Evans

Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Time Untime by Sherrilyn Kenyon

 

Books via Paperback Swap

Secret Thirst by Evangeline Anderson

 

Books via Public Library

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

 

Books via Publisher

Don't Call Me Baby by Gwendolyn Heasley