Review: Upside Down [Off the Map 01] by Lia Riley!

Publication date: 5th August 2014
Paperback edition: -
Source: Kindle
Rating: 4 stars
Synopsis: If You Never Get Lost, You’ll Never Be Found...

Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying good-bye to the past-and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she'll act like a carefree exchange student, not a girl sinking under the weight of painful memories. Everything is going according to plan until she meets a brooding surfer with hypnotic green eyes and the troubling ability to see straight through her act.

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he moved back home to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He's never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once in a lifetime . . . or if they were meant to live a world apart.
Favourite quote: "You see me, Bran, and you didn't run, you came closer."

I was so happy when the UK publishers of this book emailed me and asked me if I would like to review it! I'll be honest and say that I'd never heard of this book until they contacted me, but as soon as I saw the cover and read the synopsis, I knew it looked and sounded like my kind of book! This book was pretty different to contemporary books I normally read, but I think it was more the author's writing style! The plot of this book sounded brilliant from the synopsis and the author did a really good job of executing it! There was a lot in it and it was interesting to read a book about a girl who had severe OCD! I haven't read a book with a plot surrounding OCD before, but I know a lot about it and suffer from it slightly myself, so I was looking forward to reading about it! I loved the Australian setting of the book too! I haven't read a book set in Australia either, so this book was two birds with one stone lol! Overall, the plot was very enjoyable and I loved the growing relationship between the two main characters! The characters were amazing and so different to the characters in books I normally read, but I did have a few problems with the main female character! Natalia was the main female character and I liked her for the most part of this book! There were a few times where I thought she was maybe a little bit ungrateful or unappreciative! Talia had been through a lot though, and because of this she was left with a lot of guilt, even though it wasn't her fault! My heart went out to Talia too because she suffered health problems and her OCD became more severe because of her family's loss! Talia grew a lot in this book though and she was completely different at the end to what she was at the start! Bran was the main male character and he was so forward with Natalia! I loved that about him! Bran had been through an experience that few people experience in their lifetime! This made him realise that he wanted to get the best from life and that he should spend every moment embracing it! I could see how what Bran had been through had affected him and that it made him want to be a better person! Bran also found out some pretty sad news near the end of this book and this affected his relationship with Natalia! I loved that he was able to face his fears to get her back and prove his love for her! I loved that this book was written from both Natalia and Bran's point of views! It made the plot even better as it was written through both of their eyes! Even though I had a few problem with this book, I'll definitely be reading the others in the series when they release! I can't wait to find out what's in store for Natalia and Bran in the next book! The ending of this book was so beautiful! I smiled like an idiot while reading it lol! The cover for this book is absolutely stunning! I love the colouring, the couple on the front, everything! I love how well it suits the book too! Big thank you to Little, Brown Book Group for sending me a review copy of Upside Down!

Release Day Blitz & Giveaway: Without You [Love Wanted in Texas 01] by Kelly Elliott!

Alex and Will have spent months keeping their relationship hidden from their families. Getting caught prematurely causes them to admit their love for each other to their parents.

 

One decision made by Alex's father changes her entire world, shattering her plans for the future. Alex always thought Will was the very air she breathed, but life has a way of causing doubts for the one thing she thought was absolute…their love.

Can Will's promise to Alex be enough for her to hold on to or will she find herself moving down a different path that she never imagined for herself?

Without You is book one in the Love Wanted in Texas series.

 

 

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Author bio:

Kelly is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!

 She’s also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.

 In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner overlooking the Texas hill country and write.

 One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her property with Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose, her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush, move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, you’ll find her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.

 

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Alec [Slater Brothers 02] by L.A. Casey!

Keela Daley is the black sheep of her family. She has always come second to her younger cousin Micah. Even in the eyes of her mother, Micah shone bright, and Keela faded to black. Now, in adulthood, Micah is a bride-to-be and the spotlight is solely on her. Keela is a low priority...or so she thinks.

Alec Slater is a bachelor, never one to bed the same woman, or man, twice. He is a free agent who does what he pleases and answers to no one; that is until a fiery Irish redhead with a temper to match her hair colour knocks him on his arse. Literally.

She hates to admit it, but Keela needs a favour from the cocky Slater brother, a huge favour. She needs him to not only escort her to Micah's wedding, but to also pose as her boyfriend. Alec agrees to help Keela, but has certain conditions for her to abide by. He wants her body and plans to have it before anyone can say I do.

What he doesn't plan on is losing his heart as well as the possibility of losing his family when someone from his past threatens his future.

Alec owns Keela, and what Alec owns, Alec keeps.

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L.A. Casey was born, raised and currently resides in Dublin, Ireland. She is a twenty two year old stay at home mother to an almost two year old German Shepherd named Storm and of course, her four and half year old (the half is apparently vital) beautiful little hellion/angel depending on the hour of the day.

Her first novel, Dominic, was released on March 17th, 2014, and on March 21st, 2014, it became an international Amazon bestseller.

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Closer [The Unit 01] by Sarah Greyson!

 

The terrorists want her alive. The CIA wants her dead, and Michael just wants to love her.

Emma, an ingenious female engineer, finds a protector in an unlikely source.

Michael is a warrior, a Green Beret, fresh out of the military. He suffers from PTSD and recurrent nightmares of his five tours in Afghanistan. Something in him fundamentally changes when he meets Emma.

Emma has top-secret clearance for her work on a governmental prototype to help fight the war on terror. She has spent her entire life pursuing her career and developing her brain child labeled Project Hummingbird. She lives in her intellectually driven mind...that is, until Michael begins to awaken something deep inside her: something that she didn't even know existed.

Michael needs to prove to Emma that he is not who she thinks he is. He must work to win her trust and her heart. Will he be able to persuade her to trust him? Will he be able to save her from the dangers that await her? Will he win her heart?

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Author bio:

Sarah lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, two children, and four spoiled animals. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communications with a concentration in Professional Writing and her Master's Degree in Education.

When she is not writing or spending time with her family, she loves reading sizzling romantic suspense novels that make her blush. She loves a glass of pinot grigio, back-yard barbecues with friends and family, and helping her kids with their homework (in that order). Her interests span all genres: from Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger to Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury to Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen to Slave by Shari Hayes to The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama XIV. Sarah's favorite genres are contemporary romantic suspense and erotic suspense; the types of novels she crafts. While the concepts are familiar and comfortable, she brings her own unique story and personality to everything she writes. She loves the feeling of crafting a spicy, action-packed novel. Writing is her passion. She wants to leave her readers breathless after experiencing the intense ride that is her novel.

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Release Day Blitz & Giveaway: Forever Kinda Love [Lovelly 01] by Clara Stone!

Life’s. Little. Surprises.

The last thing seven-year-old Carrigan "Ace" Casper foresaw was an eight-year-old Heath Lovelly walking into her life the day her mother died. From that moment on, Heath sticks by her side, slowly becoming her strength, her confidant, and her entire world. What she doesn’t know is, she's his saving grace, too.

Ten years later, Ace is handed another crippling challenge that threatens everything in her almost perfect life. Only, this time, she doesn't turn to Heath, hiding the truth instead. But Heath knows Ace too well and won't back down easily. He's ready to do whatever it takes and will stay by her side until she accepts that their love is the kinda love worth fighting for.

Will he be her forever triumph or her unexpected downfall?

Two lives.

One story.

And an unexpected journey to falling in love.

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Author bio:

Clara Stone lives in the beautiful city of Boise, ID. Unlike what most believe about Idaho, it’s more than a sack full of potatoes. When she’s not writing, you’ll catch Clara reading YA and NA books, mostly romance, and enjoying time with her family. She is a proud CW TV addict.

She also writes YA paranormal romance under the name Priya Kanaparti. She is published through Reuts Publications.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: The Silver Siren [Iron Butterfly 03] by Chanda Hahn!

Excerpt!

   “Will you stay close?” It sounded crazy coming from my own mouth, but I needed him near.

   “I’ll stay as close as you want,” he whispered. Then he sat near me cross-legged. “Is this good?” A small smile played at the corner of his lips.

   Nodding my head, I curled up in his bedroll and immediately felt comfortable and safe. I yawned and inhaled the smell of him from his blanket. I was definitely tired.

   “Thalia?” Kael leaned over and spoke into my ear.

   “Hmmm?” I answered.

   “Why don’t you want me to leave?”

   “Mmm. ’Cause you keep the bad things away,” I mumbled sleepily.

   “What if I am the bad thing?” His thick voice questioned. Was that a hint of fear I heard?

   “You’re not,” I answered honestly.

   I was almost asleep when I heard shuffling. My eyes flew open, and I reached out to grab Kael’s arm. He looked at me in surprise.

   “I’m just getting comfortable,” he smirked.

   “Promise you won’t leave me,” I demanded tiredly.

   Kael nodded, and I let sleep finally win. But I swore I heard him whisper under his breath. “Never.”

 

Every journey has an end.

Unable to find the answers she sought in Skyfell, Thalia, Joss, and Kael travel to Haven with a prisoner in tow. An attack on the road waylays their plans, and Thalia finds herself traveling alone with Kael to the hidden sanctuary of the SwordBrothers.

But war is on the horizon and the Raven is amassing his army. This time, the target is not Calandry, but the Sirens of Sinnedor. When family ties are revealed, Thalia must choose sides. Desperate to break the final seal on her power and save those she loves, will Thalia willingly taste the bitter pain of the iron butterfly machine one final time?

 

 

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Chanda is a bestselling and award winning author of the UnEnchanted: An Unfortunate Fairy Tale series and the Iron Butterfly series. She’s been a bestseller in five countries and was named one of Amazon’s top 100 customer favorite author. She uses her experience as a children’s pastor, children’s librarian and bookseller to write compelling and popular fiction for teens. She was born in Seattle, WA, grew up in Nebraska and currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband and their twin children.

 

 

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Release Day Blitz & Giveaway: Losing Me / Finding You by Natalie Ward!

The 29th of February, the day I was born.

When I wake up on this day, I’m in a different city, with a different life and no memory of the lives I had before this one. Today is the tenth time this has happened to me. The tenth time I’ve had to figure out where the hell I am. The tenth time I’ve had to try and work out who the hell I am. This is the tenth alteration of the person I am. Each of us has had different lives, different backgrounds and different families. But there’s always been one constant.

Him.

He’s the reason I keep doing this. He’s the reason I spend four years searching. If I’m lucky, I’ll get the trigger and find him quickly and we can spend those four years together before I disappear again. If I’m not, we might get a year, a month or even just a day. Once we got nothing, but that was a choice.

And every time it happens, he patiently waits for me. He says that every time I come back to him, it’s like falling in love with me all over again. I say that every time I come back, I fall even more in love with him than before.

It scares me that one day I won't be able to find him at all, because when that day comes, I'm not sure I'll want to keep going. He is my strength, my protector, my one and only constant.

I love him.
He loves me.
But every four years, I lose myself.
And every four years, I have to find him.
This is our story.

 

 

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Author bio:

 

Hey - welcome, thanks for stopping by! What can I tell you about me? I'm a seriously avid reader and probably get way too invested in stories and characters. Have been known to go without sleep just so I can finish a book. I also obviously enjoy writing them, but we'll see how that all pans out! Oh and if you want to follow me here are the links!

 

 

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