Rainy Day Ramblings

Something Wicked Returns Hop!

Can you believe it is already here again?  Something Wicked Returns is here! Prepare for an entire month of guest posts, interviews, and giveaways for paranormal and Halloween books!  It is an exciting month and you won't want to miss a day!  Be sure to check in daily to see all the stops.  My three lovely cohostesses:  Candace@Candace's Book Blog, Maja@The Nocturnal Library and Ali@My Guilty Obsession and I  have packed our blogs full of spectacular posts and giveaways and weekly challenges!

To get things started we are hosting a Blog Hop Giveaway.  The four of us are offering a chance to win a $50.00 gift card to Amazon.  To enter see the Contest Policies and fill out the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to check out the complete list of participating blogs.  This hop runs the entire month of October so that gives you plenty of time to visit everyone!  

Have fun and I will see you back here tomorrow for a fantastic post and giveaway! If you still want to join in the fun check out the Wicked Page!

 

 

Something Wicked Returns: Torch by Cambria Hebert: Guest Post, Review and Giveaway!

Today is the last day of September.  That means Fall is definitely in the air and that it is time again for the Return of Something Wicked!  Prepare yourselves for an entire month of guest posts, interviews, reviews and giveaways for all types of paranormal/Halloween reads.  Check in daily on Rainy Day Ramblings for the schedule.  Don't forget to take some time and enter all the great giveaways on the Something Wicked Returns Giveaway Hop!  My giveaway will kick off this afternoon.  Also don't miss the weekly challenges. If you missed my puzzle challenge, there is still time to enter.

Now to get this started early, I have invited one of my favorite indie authors here to share her wickedly hot NA release: Torch.  This is a book with a sizzling hot romance and a scary plot involving an arsonist murderer.  All of you NA fans won't want to miss it!I am excited to once again host my friend Cambria Hebert.  For all of you who are long time followers you know that Cambria makes regular appearances on this blog, for new followers, if you haven't read Cambria's books yet, what are you waiting for?  Let me introduce you to my friend Cambria Hebert:

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series,  The Death Escort Series and the New Adult Take It Off Series.  She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went ot college for a bachelor's degree, couldn't pick a major and ended up with a degree in cosmetology.  So rest assured, her characters will always have good hair.  She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and fury),  where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting: her blog, Facebook, twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest and Youtube.

 

Now since we are headed into the month where we celebrate all things scary, I decided to go with the theme of what you fear the most on my blog during October.  I am asking authors to share what they fear the most, should be an interesting month, right?  To help me start the month, Cambria is here to share her fears.  Please welcome Cambria:

 

 

My Top Five Fears
by Cambria Hebert 

 

5. Clutter. I hate clutter. It’s all… well, cluttery. I can’t think when my house has too much stuff lying around. Its distracting. And you never know… you might get lost in the mess and never get out!!

4. Spiders. When a big one is in my house and my husband isn’t home I do one of two things: suck it up in the vaccum OR place a bowl over top of it for my husband to get when he comes home.

3. Toilet snakes. For real. I look inside the toilet every time before I sit. Even in the middle of the night I turn the light on and look to be sure there is nothing lurking in there. Hey. It could happen.

 

2. Crickets. They’re gross. They’re noisy. They jump at you. *shudders* And I swear every cricket around my house is ALWAYS missing a leg. Have you ever seen a three legged cricket? It’s creepy as hell.

1. Chickens!!!! They are creepy. And I’m sorry but how in the heck do those spindly legs hold up their nasty bodies? They look like they should fall over. Ew!

 

I totally agree with everything on your list, except the chickens. Clutter drives me crazy, and I am horrified by the Hoarding shows!  Spiders creep me out, especially because they lurk and scare you when you are least expecting it!  Crickets are kin to grasshoppers, and I am terrified of grasshoppers!  Oh and toilet snakes, I remember hearing and seeing photos of snakes in toilets and alligators in the sewers when I was young, so I have been checking my toilets for signs of alligators and snakes since I was a kid!  Cambria's list reminds me of the first post she did for my blog when she was a debut author.  I convinced her to write a story featuring some of these fears and it was called Zombie Chickens! Still funny!

Okay, now to the best part of the post.....the lovely Cambria is offering a chance to win a signed copy of  Torch!  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only (don't worry International folks, Cambria will be back at the end of the month with  fantastic International giveaway for you all).  To enter fill out the Rafflecopter after reading the Contest Policies. Good Luck! This is just the first of many fabulous giveaways to come, so be sure to tune in daily for your giveaway fix!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here is my review: 

Torch(Take It Off #1) by Cambria Hebert

 

 

If you can’t take the heat… stay away from the flame.
Katie Parks has been on her own since the age of fifteen. All she’s ever wanted is a place to call her own—a life that is wholly hers that no one can take away.
She thought she finally had it, but with the strike of a single match, everything she worked so hard for is reduced to a pile of smoking ash.
And she almost is too.
Now she’s being stalked by someone who’s decided it’s her time to die.
The only thing standing in the path of her blazing death is sexy firefighter Holt Arkain.
Katie’s body might be safe with Holt… but her heart is another story.
As the danger heats up, sparks fly and the only thing Katie knows for sure is that her whole life is about to go up in flames.
Kindle Edition, 252 pages
Published August 13th 2013
Source: Purchased

 

 

 

Four Stars:  A thrilling NA suspense novel with a sizzling romance!

Katie wakes to a horrific scene.  She is tied to a chair in her own living room.  The stench of gasoline assaults her nose. How did she get here when she was sleeping comfortably in her bed? Before Katie can further assess the situation, she hears a sounds that strikes terror into her soul.  It is the sound of a match being lit.  Quickly, she is engulfed in flames, and she prepares to die, but then someone comes crashing through the fire and pulls her out just in time.  Katie wakes in the hospital to find herself badly burned, but at her bedside is her handsome rescuer.  Before long, Katie is losing her heart, and for someone who has been alone it is frightening.  That is the least of her worries, as she seems to have attracted a killer. Who is trying to kill her and why?

 

What I Liked:

• I have quickly lost interest in the NA genre because I feel that too many of the books are built on the same thing: two broken individuals with loads of baggage coming together, falling in love and healing.  I am desperate for something fresh in this category.  Thankfully, author Cambria Hebert is here to save the day.  This is her second go in the NA genre.  Her first book, Charmed, is another must read.  This time around, her book brings us something that I haven't read in NA.  A suspenseful mystery, oh and there is plenty of heat as well.  I loved that this book was an exciting page turner without all the drama and angst.  This is a book you can pick up and read in a couple of hours as it is a pleasant escape.  For those of you who are bored with the redundancy in NA, here is a breath of fresh air. 
• I always appreciate Ms. Hebert's likable characters. She does it again with Katie and Holt.  Katie is twenty two, a librarian, and someone who has been on her own since the age of fifteen.  She is shy, reserved and determined to lead a quiet, simple life.  That all changes when she wakes to find someone trying to burn her alive.  In spite of it all, she maintains her spunk and sense of humor.  Then in walks Holt Arkain.  Can I just say, could I have a Holt please?  He is a sexy, hot fireman who has a heart of gold.  He is incredibly kind, generous and he falls for the damsel in distress.  These two collide and the sparks that ensue are not for the timid. 
• For all of you who like your romance spicy hot, this book delivers.  The sex scenes are simmering with passion, but not over the top.  There is enough detail to fuel your imagination, but not so much that your cheeks will flame, and you will feel compelled to hide your book from prying eyes.  
• I enjoyed the suspenseful mystery and it was hard to guess as to who would be stalking Katie and why they wanted to kill her.  It was definitely a surprise once the killer and the motives are revealed.
• I loved that this was a fast paced and entertaining read.  I picked this up and read it in a couple of hours.  There was a delicious romance, a thrilling mystery and it moves along at a brisk pace.  

And The Not So Much:

• I am used to Ms. Hebert's books being told with dual narratives.  I have always appreciated being able to get inside both her male and female protagonists' heads.  I was a little disappointed that his book is told through the eyes of Katie alone.  I very much wanted to see inside Holt's thoughts and learn more about what made him tick.  I was very much wanting to know why he felt compelled to follow up with Katie in the hospital and why he decided to care for her.  Was it her looks? The whole damsel in distress thing? Or an inexplicable love at first sight attraction?  Ms. Hebert excels at two point of view narration, and I hope she will continue with what she does best in her next book.
• Let's talk about that smoking hot romance.  I know many of you may be put off because it feels like it is insta love.  Sure it moves very fast, but yet it doesn't.  It is a bit strange that Holt offers Katie a place to stay while she gets on her feet.  There is a lot of chemistry and plenty of attraction, but it does take awhile before it ignites.  I thought it was paced about right, aside from the fact that I thought it was a little forward of Holt to take Katie home. 
• I was in the dark regarding the whole murder mystery until Katie meets with the lawyer.  Once he reveals certain information, it became crystal clear to me who was after Katie.  Not a big deal, but I wished that there was more surprise. 

Torch is a NA book for anyone looking for something unique in the NA genre.  This is a fast paced, thrilling mystery with a sexy romance that will leave you smiling.  If you are looking for a book without the heavy drama and you want a read that you can breeze through and enjoy, definitely check out Torch.

Favorite Quotations:

"He was ruggedly casual.  He had the kind of look that women of any age would follow with their eyes until he was completely out of sight.  It was as if he put not a single thought into the way he stepped out of the house."

"Unfortunately.  We were high school sweethearts.  She grew out of being a sweetheart."

"He was the anchor to my drifting boat.  The roots to my growing tree.  Without him, I surely would have floated away into some kind of unreachable place within the confines of my brain."

"Mom always said the key to life was playing the cards you were dealt.  Well, how could I play when I didn't understand the game?"

 

I purchased a copy of this book.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

 

That's a wrap for the first Something Wicked Returns post.  Watch for the Hop later today and be sure to check in all week for more exciting posts and giveaways! A big thanks to Cambria for helping me get things started! 

Something Wicked Returns Challenge #1

My week to host Something Wicked Returns officially kicks off today with the first of five challenges! Each hostess during her week will host a different bookish challenge for you to enter and win.  It promises to be lots of fun! My first challenge is jigsaw puzzles! Put together the eight puzzles below.  Once you have the title and author enter it into the correct corresponding Rafflecopter blank.  Follow my blog and tweet about the challenge for extra entries.  Be sure to stop by tomorrow for the first Something Wicked Returns Post and GIveaway as well as the Something Wicked GIveaway Hop!

Here are the puzzles (hint they will be featured during Something Wicked Returns).

 

Puzzle #1
Puzzle #2
Puzzle #3
Puzzle #4
Puzzle #5
Puzzle #6
Puzzle #7
Puzzle #8

Want to know what is up for grabs for finishing this puzzling challenge?  How about a $10.00 Giftcard to Amazon to purchase any book you desire!  

Have fun and good Luck!  a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Sunday Post 59th Edition

 

 

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimba's for details and to link up!

  

 

Whew! Another week done! I am officially closing my bed and breakfast hotel here at my house after a busy summer. We bid goodbye to the last of our company today and I am hoping for some quiet.  However, that is not going to happen since next week is the official kickoff of Something Wicked Returns! 

 Are you ready for a month of paranormal fun?  We have giveaways, reviews, challenges and the big Blog Hop in store.  My challenge kicked off today.  If you like jigsaw puzzles take a crack at it and enter to win. It follows this post. See all the details on the Wicked Page for the entire event!

There is so much going on during the month of October, you won't want to miss a minute.  Stay current by checking in to Rainy Day Ramblings either here or on Bloglovin, or Facebook.  My three talented co hostesses  Candace@Candace's Book Blog,Maja@The Nocturnal Library and Ali@My Guilty Obsession will also be keeping you up to date.  I promise it is going to be a great month! 

What else is going on?   Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer is kicking off her month of Halloween fun with Things that Go Bump In the Night.  Be sure to check out her great posts and giveaways!

Kimba is also hosting the Fraterfest Read A Thon.  You can see all the details here. 

Still want more Halloween fun?  Be sure to visit Melissa@ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf for There Are Witches Are In The Air.  She is spotlighting everything witchy during October!

These are just a few of the many fun Halloween events going on around the blogosphere!

So dive in and have fun!

This past week on Rainy Day Ramblings I featured: 

Monday: Finding Esta Tour Stop

Tuesday: Tell Me Something Tuesday: Do you like to read and review new and fresh titles or a good oldies?  Do you prefer to read blogs that feature mostly new releases?

Wednesday: Review Wild Cards by Simone Elkes

Thursday: Review: Six Months Later by Natalie Richards

Friday: Friday Forecast

Saturday: Plum Deadly by Ellie Grant Review

For review I received:

Thank you to the lovely authors and publishers for these great reads!

Won:

A big thanks to Magan for this title!

Next week on Rainy Day Ramblings prepare for the arrival of Something Wicked Returns!

Monday: Torch by Cambria Hebert Guest Post, Giveaway and Review!

And the kickoff of The  Something Wicked Returns Blog Hop!

Tuesday: Cold Blood by Heather Hildenbrand: Guest Post, Review and Giveaway

Wednesday: The Outside by Laura Bickle: Guest Post, Giveaway and Review

Thursday: Antigoddess by Kendare Blake: Guest Post, Giveaway and Review

Friday: Friday Forecast

Saturday: Mercy: A Gargoyle Story by Misty Provencher: Guest Post, Review and Giveaway!

As you can see a lot of fantastic giveaways and posts next week! I hope you stop by.  If you still are interested in being a part of Something Wicked Returns you can still sign up for a daily spotlight! Have a great week everyone!

Review: Plum Deadly by Ellie Grant

CHOCOHOLIC CREAM. BOUNTIFUL BLUEBERRY. LOTSA LEMON MERINGUE. EVEN DANGEROUSLY DAMSON.  Who could resist such pies? Who would even want to resist the pie shop that makes them? Certainly not the residents of Durham, North Carolina, and the little bakery and cafe; called Pie in the Sky is one of the most popular meet-up places in town. Unjustly accused of cooking the books, Maggie Grady is forced to retreat from her high-flying New York financial career to the town where she grew up. Her aunt Clara greets her with open arms and a job at the family-owned business that has baked the best pies in the South for over forty years. Unfortunately, while Maggie is determined to return to banking, her reputation there seems permanently in the pits. That is, until her old boss, Lou, visits with news that he’s found the real crook. Before he can reveal the details, though, Maggie finds his body right behind the pie shop.
With only her own word that Lou planned to exonerate her, Maggie is in the spotlight. The police seem to suspect that Aunt Clara’s damson pie may not be just dangerously delectable, but downright deadly. Maggie doesn’t just have her own name to clear; she has to make sure that her aunt’s beloved business isn’t harmed, either. Yummy local reporter Ryan Summerour appears eager to help, and Maggie can’t help hoping that it’s not just the police who find her a person of interest—but Ryan, as well. She’d thought it challenging to make the perfect pie crust that Aunt Clara demands, but that turns out to be nothing compared with finding a murderer. . . 

Paperback, 304 pages

Published September 3rd 2013 by Gallery Books
Source: Pulbisher in exchange for an honest review

 

 

 

 

 

Four Stars: A comfy cozy with a realistic story line and pie!

Maggie isn't exactly thrilled to once again be waiting on tables at her aunt's pie shop.  Still she is grateful that her aunt took her in when she showed up on her doorstep homeless and practically penniless.  She was falsely accused of embezzlement at her high power bank job.  She was locked out of her apartment and sent packing, the only reassurance was that the bank wouldn't press charges.  Maggie is innocent, though.  Things start to look up when her former boss and mentor shows up at the pie shop to clear her name, but before he can do so, he is found dead on the doorstep.  Can Maggie catch a killer and prove her innocence?

What I Liked:

• Every once in awhile it is nice to pick up a comfy cozy mystery especially when I need a palate cleanser.  A cozy mystery always promises comfortable characters, a suspenseful mystery and usually something appealing like food.  Plum Deadly definitely delivered with its charming pie shop, likable characters and realistic mystery.  If you enjoy a good cozy mystery every now and again, or if you are an avid fan, I think you will enjoy Plum Deadly. 
• For me, the draw to a cozy book is a delightful setting that features food.  I feel in love with the old pie shop set near Duke University.   Pie in the Sky is a shop that has been around for decades catering to those who have a craving for a delectable slice of pie and a hot cup of coffee.  The little old shop is care worn and cozy and run by the pleasant and sweet Aunt Clara.  I fell in love with the cute little pie shop, and I could almost picture being nestled into its comfy confines nibbling on a big slice of pie.  The pie shop is definitely the star of the book. 
• Aside from the pie shop, I enjoyed the characters.  Aunt Clara is friendly, kind and rarely has a harsh word for anyone.  She has been creating delicious pies from scratch for years.  Her secret pie crust recipe has been passed down three generations by word of mouth.  Clara is a bit scattered brained and forgetful.  She is an absolute sweetheart, and I thoroughly enjoyed her.  Maggie, on the other hand, isn't a tougher sell.  She comes across in the beginning as selfish and concerned only about herself.  Her Aunt Clara took her in when her parents where killed when she was five.  After she graduated, she took off to pursue her big dreams, and over the last fifteen years she has returned only once or twice, and not even when Uncle Fred died.  Thankfully, as the story progresses, she begins to open her eyes, and by the end she makes a dramatic change.  I liked the new and improved Maggie.  Rounding out the cast is Fred the gruff policemen, who actually won me over, and the love interest and news paper reporter Ryan.  
• The one fault I usually have with cozy mysteries is that they lack believability.  You always have a heroine who suddenly is thrust into the middle of solving a murder because for whatever reason the local law enforcement is incapable.  I know when reading a cozy mystery that I have to suspend realistic beliefs and just go with it.  However, I found this mystery to be a bit more believable.  Maggie isn't doing the majority of the crime solving, and she relies heavily on help from her newspaper friend, Ryan, and Fred the cop, who at first starts out as an enemy.   The three work together and make a great team.  I thought that Ryan helping out lent more credibility as reporters are used to digging to find answers.  You still have to stretch your imagination, but who cares, it is a cozy mystery it is meant to charm and entertain.  
• I liked that everything wraps up neatly at the end before the author lays down some new tantalizing tidbits that will be followed up in the next book.  No jarring cliffhangers or lots of lingering questions.  
• Finally, I loved that the book included not only the secret pie crust recipe, but three additional pie recipes at the end.  There was a recipe for Lotsa Lemon Meringue Pie, Delia's Deep-Dish Cherry Pie and Clara's Coconut Custard Pie.  I have to say I thought the clever alliterative titles for the pies added to the overall charm.

And The Not So Much:

• The author does a terrific job of placing red herrings, doing her best to convince the reader that someone other than the real culprit is responsible for the murder.  While I thought this aspect was well done, I was a bit befuddled that after all the buildup regarding the property developer wanting to purchase the pie shop, that the story line just kind of fizzled and went away quietly.  I don't know I guess after all the drama with Mr. Mann I was expecting a bigger payout. 
• I wasn't a big fan of the romance.  At first, the pair starts out at odds, Maggie is unwilling to trust a newspaper reporter, and who can blame her?  Then suddenly, the romance just takes off.  It felt a bit to quick for me and I would have liked to see the two develop a better friendship foundation.  It almost felt a bit like insta love.  I can say, though, that I was relieved that there was not a love triangle as those are becoming more prevalent even in cozies. 
• There was a story line regarding Aunt Clara's failure to pay the taxes on the pie shop.  Maggie ends up putting a lien on Aunt Clara's house in order to make the payment.  Then at the end, Clara all of sudden has the money in hand from the renters.  How did she get the money? Did she go to the renters and ask for it?  
• At one point, someone vandalizes the pie shop by cutting the power lines.  I thought this was a big dramatic development, and then it just dies.  I was left wondering who cut the power lines and why?  Was it Mann or the murderer?

Plum Deadly is perfectly pleasant way to pass a rainy afternoon.  Cuddle up and lose yourself in the cozy Pie in the Sky Pie Shop with Maggie, Aunt Clara and the rest of the gang.  This was a charming little mystery that kept me entertained until the very end.  I was satisfied that it stayed believable.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading everything pertinent to pie, and in fact, I now have a healthy hunkering to eat pie.  If you are looking for an easy, breezy read consider picking up Plum Deadly.  I enjoyed this book and I am eager to read the next one. 

Favorite Quotations:

"Nice to read something besides family problems and books about women finding themselves.  I don't understand why all those women feel so lost in the first place."

"Some foods are better because of the people who make them."

"It's more than a recipe. It's love."

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

 

 

Friday Forecast September 29th-October 5th

 

Happy Friday! Hope you all had a good week.  We are embarking on the last couple of days of September....sigh... I guess I truly have to admit that Fall is here.  At least with the coming of Fall there is a bumper crop of books.  Fair warning....next week is a bounteous harvest of hot titles!  I hope you have your rainy day money saved!  Be sure to let me know what books you are eyeing and how the weather is where you are! (Click on the covers for details).

Forecast: September 29th-October 5th

 

Some great books up there! Tell me what you are picking!

Weather for Portland, Oregon:

Saturday: H 71 L57 Chance of Showers  Sunday: H66 L 58 Chance of Showers

Have a terrific weekend! Don't forget... Monday is the kickoff of Something Wicked Returns! You don't want to miss it!

Review: Six Months Later by Natalie D. Richards

 

Chloe didn't think about it much when she nodded off in study hall on that sleepy summer day.
But when she wakes up, snow is on the ground and she can't remember the last six months of her life.
Before, she'd been a mediocre student. Now, she's on track for valedictorian and being recruited by Ivy League schools. Before, she never had a chance with super jock Blake.
Now he's her boyfriend.
Before, she and Maggie were inseparable. Now her best friend won't speak to her.
What happened to her? 
And why can't she remember?
Paperback, 336 pages
Expected publication: October 1st 2013 by Sourcebooks Fire
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. 

Chloe is an average student at best.  On this sunny afternoon in May, Chloe finds herself stranded in study hall where she is supposed to be studying madly for her upcoming SATs.  Yet, she can't bring herself to crack open a book.  The sunshine is warm against her skin, and she instead chooses to take a quick cat nap.  She wakes up to a dark and deserted classroom, and out the window snow is falling.  She is shocked to find that it is now November.  Somehow she is missing six months from her life.  What is even more perplexing is that she is now a star student, dating the boy she has been crushing on for years, and her best friend will no longer speak to her.  What happened to Chloe and why is she missing six months out of her life? 

What I Liked:

• I am always up for a great thriller mystery book and it seems there are few of these type books in the YA genre.  So I eagerly snatched up Six Months Later hoping for an exciting and suspenseful read, and I am pleased to report, I got just that.  This is a riveting and entertaining read with a plausible explanation for the missing time.  If you are looking for a solid YA suspense book, I highly recommend checking out Six Months Later. 
• I loved exploring the how and why Chloe is suddenly missing a chunk of time out of her life. During that last six months, Chloe has changed in ways she never thought possible.  She is a star student who received impressively high marks on her SAT tests.  She is dating the boy every girl is crushing on and she is being recruited by the top universities in the country.  The question is how did she get here and why can't she remember?  I went through several hypothesis on what happened to Chloe from the paranormal to amnesia, but in the end, I was wrong.  I liked the sinister reason behind the missing time, and I appreciated that it was plausible.  If you enjoy books with twists and surprises you will like this one. 
• The romance surprisingly works.  You wouldn't think that a budding romance would be included in a YA suspense book, but it is.  I liked that the romance doesn't take center stage and that it is subtle and sweet.  I especially liked that Chloe falls for a boy whom everyone sees as somewhat of an outcast.  She has to learn to see past the prejudices and stereotypes to the beautiful, smart boy beneath. 

And The Not So Much:

• I thoroughly enjoyed all the suspense and buildup to the shocking ending.  Where this book falters is in the lack of detail and explanation regarding the how and why.  The reader is left to infer and make their own decisions on many of the events.  I would have preferred to have a lengthier explanation on exactly what happened in the study group.  Too much is glossed over and that causes the story to lose its believability.  I was also disappointed that there wasn't more discussion on the aftermath. 
• There is a whole story line involving Julien.  She is in dire trouble and then her story line abruptly ends without further explanation on exactly what happened to her.  Was she still being manipulated all those months later?  Why?  I thought this story line was weak and it needed more development.
• I was left confused over Blake's role in the story.  What happened between he and Chloe that night at his house? Why was he dating Chloe?  
• The role of the psychiatrist isn't completely explained either, especially when it comes down to the developments regarding her.  Why?

Six Months Later is an interesting suspenseful book that you can pick up and read in a couple of hours.  It has a surprisingly puzzling story line that will leave you guessing up until the final pages.  If you are looking for an entertaining YA mystery, grab a copy of Six Months Later.  I found it to be an engaging and exciting read.

Favorite Quotations:

"Sometimes families make decisions that will upset some of the parts of the whole."  

"Some people choose unhappiness you know."

"Sometimes, the lunatic shutters cracked open, and I could see the completely normal girl trapped behind them."

"Mrs. Corwin's cat has probably barfed up things that look better than I do right now."

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

Review: Wild Cards by Simone Elkes

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

Hardcover, 288 pages
Expected publication: October 1st 2013 by Walker Books for Young Readers
 

 

 

Three Stars: An entertaining antagonistic romance.

Derek quickly fesses up and takes full responsibility for the wild pigs running through his prep school's graduation.  He hopes to spare his other friends a harsh punishment, figuring he can handle it.  He is shocked to find that his altruistic confession is rewarded with expulsion.  His father is in the military, stationed on a submarine for the next five months.  That leaves his new and much younger stepmother Brandi to bail him out.  He quickly learns that he will be leaving California to move in with Brandi and her family in Chicago.  What he doesn't expect is to find his match in a girl football player.  Will Derek lose his heart in Chicago?

What I Liked:

• Wild Cards is pleasant, quick, pick me up read that features a fun, antagonistic romance.  I liked that this book was an easy read, and that it lacked the heavy drama and angst that is so prevalent today in YA Contemporary books.  If you are looking for a lighter read, this is a sure bet. 
•  I am always a fan of antagonistic romances and that is what you get here.  Derek and Ashtyn don't exactly hit it off at their first meeting.  She stabs him with a pitchfork, calls him a thug and locks him in a shed.  Derek is convinced she is a bit crazy.  Things progress from there, and despite the fact that the two are constantly at odds, neither can deny the simmering sparks of attraction.  Finally, it explodes after plenty of bumps and bruises into something that will leave you smiling.  I loved all the sarcastic banter and hidden feelings between the two. 
•  I enjoyed both Derek's and Ashtyn's voices, and I especially appreciated that this book is told with the dual narratives.  I love getting into each character's head and seeing how they feel about the other.  Derek, at first, comes across as a privileged boy who is confident and doesn't seem to care about much of anything. Despite his cocky outward appearance, there is of course, much more to Derek.  He is actually kind, considerate, and he is hiding a big heartache.  Once I scratched away his exterior and got to his soft center, I loved him.  Ashtyn, on the other hand, is more of the what you see you get type character.  She is focused and determined to see her dream of becoming a star football come true.  She doesn't have time for silly games and romances.  She is a no nonsense guy's girl and she desperately wants to gain the attention and approval of her parents.  When Derek and Ashtyn collide it is indeed a case of opposites attract. Fans of Elkes other books will likely enjoy this new addition. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between the two and liked watching them go from pretend frenemies to something more. 
•  I was surprised and charmed by the chance interaction with an older couple who had been married for sixty years.  Irving and Sylvia were adorable and I loved meeting them and hearing their romantic story, it was truly one of the highlights of the book.

And The Not So Much:

•  While I appreciated that this was a short read, I think the brevity of the story held it back.  There were so many aspects that could have and should have been expanded upon.  The quick pace caused the story to move quickly and gloss over important parts.  For instance, I thought that Derek and Ashtyn's romance almost moved too fast. They are at odds and he his hiding is secrets from her, and I was expecting a powerful scene where they completely come clean and share their pasts, but what I got was nothing like what I built up in my mind.  There were also many other things that moved way to quickly.  The situation with the Grandmother.  She is cold, haughty and a bit stuck up and then after spending one short weekend with Ashtyn's family (what transpires during her stay is skipped over) she is ready to move? I felt like the story could have benefitted by slowing down.
•  I enjoyed the secondary characters like Brandi, Julian, Gus and the Grandmother, but I felt they were all a bit underdeveloped.  I wanted to know more about Brandi and her marriage to Derek's father.  How did it all come to pass?  What happened between Brandi and her dad?  Why exactly does Brandi want to pack up and move back in with her father? Why was there no signs of reconciliation between them?  Gus is an absolute mystery.  I didn't understand why he checked out of his daughters' lives.  Was it due to the divorce?  What happened to him?  Why won't he watch Ashtyn play football?  Where was Ashtyn's mother?  Why did she leave her daughter behind? Finally, what happened between Derek's mom and his grandmother? Was the grandmother angry all those years because her daughter ran off with Derek's father?  Why didn't she come to her daughter's side when she was ill? There were so many details left out regarding the secondary characters and I found I had more questions than answers. 
•  The end moves to a sweet happily ever after but once again I felt that it moved too quickly.  I wanted a bit more, and I thought it advanced too fast for the pair to all of a sudden be exchanging I love yous.
•  I was hoping for more football.  Ashtyn is a star, female football kicker so I was expecting much of the focus of the book to be on football.  There isn't much as far as the whole football angle goes, and in fact, Ashtyn never plays in a full football game.  I was also disappointed that Derek's involvement with football was hurried.  It just felt thrown in, and I would have loved to see him play a game and interact with Ashtyn on the football field.

Wild Cards is a good, quick romance that I am certain fans of Elkes' books will love.  For me considering this is my first time out with this author, I was expecting so much more.  I wanted to be swept off my feet and blown away by a charming romance and what I got was a hurried antagonistic attraction that moves too quickly.  This book would benefit greatly by slowing down and fleshing out story lines and characters.  I enjoyed this book, but I was hoping for so much more. 

Favorite Quotations:

"The greatest part about having close friends is that they know everything about your life.  The worst part about having close friends is that they know everything about your life."

"Every worthwhile girl drives a man nuts, Derek.  Just think what a boring world it would be without girls who keep us on our toes."

"Why hire someone when I can do it myself?"

"She holds up a powerful finger.  "Because it helps the economy."

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

Tell Me Something Tuesday #31: Do you review mostly newer titles vs. older books?

Welcome back to another edition of Tell Me Something Tuesday.  A weekly meme hosted here at Rainy Day Ramblings.  It is a chance to discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging.  Participate as often as you want, grab the question, answer it on your blog and link up.  If you have questions you would like to see answered on a future TMST send them to me.

This week's question:

Do you like to read and review new and fresh titles or a good oldies?  Do you prefer to read blogs that feature mostly new releases?

 

Before I get to the topic, I want to thank all of you who visited and commented on my blog last week while I was away on vacation.  I read each and every comment.  Thank you! We had a fabulous couple of days at the beach, and we soaked up some sun on what will probably be some of the last perfect beach days of the season.

Risa at the beach

Mateus enjoying the sunshine

Fall is definitely here in Oregon.  Time to curl up inside with lots of good books.

 

Speaking of books.... do you prefer to read and review fresh and new or do you try and blend in the older titles?  I have thought about this topic a great deal as of late as I find I am getting burned out on trying to keep up on reviewing the hottest new titles.  So often, I am glued to a strict schedule centered around release dates that I have to push titles I want to read aside.  I can't tell you how many times I have shelved books that are top rated because of commitments.  It is difficult, too, knowing that there are so many terrific reads waiting for that rainy day while I am slogging through some not so wonderful books.  I have finally decided that it is time I start mixing in the new with the old on my blog. I need to read some of these books that have been languishing in my To Be Read Pile, especially series that I am dying to get to.  Second, I don't know about you all but I get a little tired of reading reviews for the same book.  It gets to the point where I see so many reviews on a new title that I lose a bit of interest.  Besides, we all don't want to keep reading reviews on just a few new releases, right? I know plenty of other bloggers who have decided to catch up on their To Be Read piles, and I have enjoyed reading their reviews for older titles.  I am all for discovering a great book whether it is a new release or an older book. Reading time is too precious to be reading subpar books.  It is always nice when I find a review for an older title that gets me excited to read the book because an older book can often be found at bargain book prices or checked out at the library without a long waiting list.  

I admire all you who incorporate the older titles with the new, and I appreciate the blogs that tend to review books that are a little less mainstream, that I way I can find some books that I likely wouldn't have stumbled across otherwise.  

So here on Rainy Day Ramblings in 2014, expect to see a more varied blend of books.  I will be focusing on clearing out the old TBR and reading some of my ARCs that got overlooked in 2012 and 2013.  I will still feature plenty of newer titles but plan on finding some older gems as well.  I am aiming for more good reads and I can't wait to get caught up on a few series.  What about you all, do you get tired of reading reviews over and over for the hot new releases?  Are you looking to find a few great older titles?

Let me know your thoughts!

 

Please note...next week Tell Me Something Tuesday will be on break during my week of hosting Something Wicked Returns.  It will return on Tuesday October 8th and the question will go along with the them for the month:

 

What do you fear the most?

 

 

 

Finding Esta Tour Stop

 

I have one more tour post for you this month, I haven't been doing as many tours this year, but September I have had several great tour stops all thanks to Candace's Book Blog and Promotions.  Today, I have my stop on the Finding Esta Tour.  This was a very different and interesting read.  Be sure to enter the great giveaway courtesy of the tour at the end of my post.  First, here is the bio for author Shah Wharton:

She reads, reviews, blogs and writes. She's the author of The Supes Series: #1 Finding Esta - A New Adult, Urban Fantasy, and supports authors/writers on her blog, participating in book tours, running features and generally publicising the hard work of other authors. She loves theatre, stories, storytelling and spending too much time in her imagination. She lives with her husband and German Shepherd - Bobby - in Dubai. For a full bio & book details visit: Website/Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ |Goodreads 

 

 

 Here is my review:

Finding Esta(The Super Series #1) by Shah Wharton

 

Luna yearns for love and acceptance, and for an end to her own chronic isolation. Unable to touch, she settles for the lover’s caress of a stranger who visits her dreams, and her only friends in the world are Shadows – spirits who reside within in her fragile mind, seeking refuge from the Shadow Lands. Always eager to earn parental respect, she attempts to solve a twenty-year-old child abduction case by travelling to Esta’s family home in Cornwall, situated on an abandoned cul-de-sac.Searching for clues to Esta’s tragic fate, she finds much more than she bargained for.  More alone than ever and desperate for answers, Luna struggles to retain a sense of identity, and the light grip on reality she’s been used to. Will she find Esta, and if so, will Luna live to tell Esta’.  
Kindle Edition
Published December 19th 2012 by WordsinSync Publications 
Source: Tour Promoter in exchange for an honest review

 

 

 

Luna longs to be normal and to be loved by her parents.  Unfortunately, she is far from normal, and her parents basically ignore her. Luna at least has her two shadow companions, Ada and Flo.  Without them she would be truly lost.  Luna is a journalist on the hunt for a great story.  She receives a tip on an interesting lead from her hairdresser involving a missing child named Esta.  Her family supposedly died in a mysterious and tragic fire.  Luna decides to investigate, not knowing that she is about to embark on a journey of self discovery.  She will soon find some of the missing keys to her past, and she will learn that she is even further from normal than she had ever imagined.  Will Luna find Esta?

 

What I Liked:

• I had no idea I was picking up a vampire type book when I started Finding Esta.  These days, I am over the whole vampire fad.  At first when all the typical vampire talk started, the blood drinking and so forth, I was a bit put off.  I have never been a fan of all the detailed discussion of blood drinking, and this book had a bit too much detail for my taste.  That being said once I got beyond the traditional vampire stuff, I was surprised to find some truly interesting and unique ideas as far as the whole vampirism thing goes.  I won't give away too much but this book has vampire type were creatures and alien vampires.  I thoroughly enjoyed the new take on vampires.
• Along with the fresh vision of vampires, there is also the two shadows, Ada and Flo, who live in Luna's head.  I found both of these characters to be fascinating.  They are somewhat like ghosts, but they don't like to be called ghosts.  They can disappear at will into the Shadowlands, which as far as I gathered, is one of the realms of the deceased.  I enjoyed getting to know the two shadows and I hope they will be more present in the next book.  
• Finding Esta is a unique and interesting book with some innovative ideas regarding vampires.  It is unlike anything I have read before, and I was pleased to read something original.  There are so many twists and turns, and I was completely surprised by many of the developments.  Just when I thought I had firm footing on the ground and a grasp of what was going on, Ms. Wharton throws in a few wrenches and yanks the rug out from under me.  You won't see it coming and you will be blown away by the stunning revelations, especially when it comes to Luna's true identity.  Don't pick this up expecting the same old same old vampire book.

And The Not So Much:

•  I hate to seem overly critical, and I don't want to discourage anyone from giving this book a chance by saying this, but the book still needs a bit of polish and editing.  The read isn't completely clean as there are some errors.  Mostly I noticed the misuse of homophones.  Nothing horrific, but it is only fair to warn you up front.  Some of the story could be cut down because there is a lot going on and at times I was overloaded and lost. I am certain with a little more editing, this book can really shine. 
•  As I mentioned earlier, I wasn't a fan of all the blood drinking discussions. There is also some violence and gore at the end.  Nothing is over the top, but fair warning, this book is for older readers.
•  Finally, the book ends on a cliffhanger and there are lots of unanswered questions.  The ending isn't overly dramatic or frustrating, but then again, just when I thought I was getting some answers the book ends. 

Finding Esta was an interesting book that presented some original ideas regarding vampires and supernatural entities.  It is a solid beginning to a series despite having a few flaws.  If you are a fan of vampire books and are looking for something that is completely different, take a chance and read this one. 

Favorite Quotations:

"In Mimicane, the moon sits next to the sun, just as your need to love sits next fo your fear of it----a handsome contradiction in any woman."

"The scar of heartbreak, when too often reopened, can never heal.  It also remains pitifully close to the surface, ready to bubblye over into tears at any moment."

"Greatness lurked beneath cloth and flesh, beneath today, buried in yesterdays, opening up to tomorrows."

 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.

As part of the  Finding Esta Tour, I am able to offer you a chance to win a fantastic prize. Up for grabs is 5 ebooks of Finding Esta(open worldwide) 
1 paperback of Finding Esta (US only)
To enter please fill out the Rafflecopter.  Please note:  This giveaway is sponsored by Candace's Book Blog Promotions.  I will not be responsible for selecting winners and distributing prizes.  For more information on this giveaway or upcoming tours hosted by Candace, please visit Candace's Book Blog and Promotions. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more information on the book you can check out these links:

Book trailer:  http://youtu.be/tfUUr2NjvSk
Find the Book: Amazon | Goodreads

Print Edition Links:

Createspace | Amazon  |  Amazon France | Amazon Germany | Amazon Italy |Amazon Spain | Amazon United Kingdom

eBook Edition Links:

Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk  and internationally:

Barnes & Noble | KOBO | Sony| iBOOKS | SMASHWORDS 

Read 100 Pages of Finding Esta Free: on Goodreads or the first four chapters on Google Docs, here. 

 

 

Thanks to Candace for organizing this tour!