Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Tangled, ends 1/17

Tangled, by Emma Chase.

It's the hottest club in New York City. Well, at least tonight it is. By next week it will be some other club. But the location doesn't matter. The script is always the same. Every weekend my friends and I come here together but leave separately - and never alone.

Don't look at me like that. I'm not a bad guy. I don't lie; I don't sandbag women with flowery words about a future together and love at first sight. I'm a straight shooter. I'm looking for a good time - for one night - and I tell them so. That's better than ninety percent of the other guys in here, believe me. And most of the girls in here are looking for the same thing I am.

Okay. maybe that's not exactly true.

This book is one of the first I've read in a long time where it's "chick lit" - written by a woman, and the type of book that women usually like to read - but the narrator is a guy. A very smug, entitled guy, for the most part, but he makes this novel funny and hard to put down ... and he learns from his mistakes throughout the novel, as well.

Official synopsis:
Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed?

He’ll tell you he has the flu.

But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything - or anyone - derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life?

Can Drew Evans win at love?

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.
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Drew was a pretty funny narrator, and I found myself laughing at some of his "Drew-isms." He talks about cuddling after sex as such:

Typically, after a woman and I are done, there is no spooning, no snuggling, no frigging pillow talk. I might, on occasion, have a nap before I head out the door. But I can't stand when a girl braids herself around me like some mutant octopus. It's annoying and uncomfortable.

When he meets Kate, however - first at a bar, and later when she's introduced as the newest employee at his office - the old rules go out the window, and he finds himself actually struggling to get the girl, for once, instead of having her come to him.

Tangled is the first of three books, technically three and a half, in a series, and the next book in it, Twisted, will continue Kate and Drew's story, but be from Kate's point-of-view, which should be interesting. There's a 40-page novella (#1.5 in the series) that is also from Drew's POV.

I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes chick lit, especially from a guy's POV, or anyone looking for a light, funny story.

4 stars out of 5.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel for reviewing purposes. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own.


^ fan made trailer for Tangled - a bit NSFW. Creator made a great choice of Chris Evans for Drew!


GIVEAWAY:

I have two paperback copies of this novel for some of my lucky readers to win!

Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Contest will end on Friday, January 17th, and winners will be notified on January 18th, and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner(s) will be chosen. U.S. & Canada residents only, please.

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Book Review: These Broken Stars

These Broken Stars, by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner.

I've got no clue where we are or how far behind we've left the pod, but as a branch hits me in the face, I'm forced to close my eyes again. The ship is still there, a painting of muddled afterimages. The sunlight's lancing almost horizontally through the trees, alternating flashes of glare and shadow that shine red through my eyelids. How long were we on that bluff?

My father's ship is in ruins. I watched her fall from the sky. How many souls fell with her? How many couldn't launch their pods?

These Broken Stars may be my favorite novel of 2013 (even though I read it in 2014), and it's an interesting mix of a disaster story with either sci-fi or dystopian elements throughout, depending on how you look at it. The story reminded me a lot of Titanic at the beginning, as they're on a "luxury spaceliner" that ends up plummeting out of space - complete with first-class areas and lower-class ("steerage") areas - and the way the women and men dress up for dinner, etcetera.

Official synopsis:
It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.
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The book follows the only two survivors of the Icarus crash: Lilac LaRoux, daughter of the creator of Icarus, and Tarver Merendsen, a decorated soldier who still isn't used to hobnobbing with the rich and famous. Lilac and Tarver meet each other onboard the Icarus, and as fate has it, they end up together when the ship starts to plummet out of orbit. Lilac knows a lot of mechanical things that girls of her stature aren't normally taught, and she manages to get herself and Tarver into a safety pod and off the ship before it starts to crash.

This novel was fantastic. The year is never specified, but it seems like it could be in the not-too-distant future, where corporations buy up planets and "terraform" them (make them habitable). There were 50,000 people aboard the Icarus, a spaceliner (side note: who would name their ship the Icarus?! Based on the legend, that's just asking for trouble ...), most of whom were rich like Lilac, and they all perish once the ship crashes out of hyperspace. Lilac and Tarver must then learn to cooperate, and also survive, while they hopefully find a way to send a distress call into space.

I really wanted to give this novel 5 out of 5 stars, but thinking back on it, I wanted more of an explanation for some events. The authors are great at character-building, but I'd like to know more about the world where Lilac and Tarver crash-landed. We also don't get much of a backstory for the two characters, besides their family lives and where they used to live. This novel also reminded me a lot of Across the Universe, by Beth Revis, which I didn't review but also really enjoyed reading this past year; the situations, at least at first, were similar.

4.5 stars out of 5.

*Disclosure: I received an e-galley of this book from NetGalley for reviewing purposes. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own.

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Book Review: Man Made Boy

Man Made Boy, by Jon Skovron.

"He didn't seem all that freaked out by me. And he was pretty comfortable with you, too. What about all that predator and prey stuff you were talking about?"

"Carmine may not believe in monsters, but he knows they exist."

"Humans are pretty complicated," I said.

"No, Boy. Rain-forest ecosystems are complicated. Humans are just a mess."

This may be the most unique novel I have read in quite some time. Everyone knows that Victor Frankenstein created a monster, and then the Bride, his companion; but what they might not know, from this book, is that Frankenstein's monster and the Bride then made (manufactured) a son, whom they named Boy. This novel is the tale of Boy's introduction into human society and his computer hacker exploits.

Official synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Boy’s never left home. When you’re the son of Frankenstein’s monster and the Bride, it’s tough to go out in public, unless you want to draw the attention of a torch-wielding mob. And since Boy and his family live in a secret enclave of monsters hidden under Times Square, it’s important they maintain a low profile.

Boy’s only interactions with the world are through the Internet, where he’s a hacker extraordinaire who can hide his hulking body and stitched-together face behind a layer of code. When conflict erupts at home, Boy runs away and embarks on a cross-country road trip with the granddaughters of Jekyll and Hyde, who introduce him to malls and diners, love and heartbreak. But no matter how far Boy runs, he can’t escape his demons—both literal and figurative—until he faces his family once more.

This hilarious, romantic, and wildly imaginative tale redefines what it means to be a monster—and a man.
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This novel was a fun read. I haven't read sci-fi or fantasy fiction in a while, and Boy's adventures were definitely interesting. He and his family are part of The Show, a Broadway show in Times Square operated by the monsters they live with. His dad has to "turn off" every night in order to be impervious to Medusa and the Siren's powers, and when he "turns back on," all of his pent-up emotions from that time period bubble to the surface.

His mom, the Bride, hasn't been "Outside" in more than 20 years, and Boy has never been outside, until one day when the stage manager, Ruthven, takes him with him on a few errands. Boy later learns his parents plan to send him to the University of Geneva, in Switzerland, with one caveat: he will be living with descendants of Victor Frankenstein, the creator with whom his father has a love/hate relationship. Boy does not like this at all, and runs away, trying to make it on his own in the human world.

This book would make a fantastic movie. Boy is described as ugly by human standards, but he still manages to pass for human, and I wonder exactly what he looks like - he's supposedly a bit like his father, a little more toned-down. His mother, the Bride, is described as having a porcelain, pale face, and is very delicate-looking despite the stitches on her face, a trait they all share.

The author went and got a Man Made Boy-inspired tattoo recently, too, which you can check out below:



4 stars out of 5.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for reviewing purposes. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own.

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Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Broom with a View, ends 1/11

Broom with a View, by Gayla Twist and Ted Naifeh.

It was no use; try though she might, magic never obeyed Miss Popplewell's wishes the way she intended. Most children born to the Craft assumed that the world was their dollhouse, to be rearranged at their whim. But harnessing the unseen forces of the world was a tricky business full of hidden complications and unseen traps. And although almost an adult, Violet still struggled to bend the magical world to her will. 

I have previously reviewed two books by Gayla Twist, in the Vanderlind Castle series: Call of the Vampire and Heart of the Vampire. I will say that I enjoyed those a little more than this novel, Broom with a View, but the voices in both are hard to compare; the Vanderlind books made me laugh out loud more than once, but Broom is written in almost an old-fashioned tone. Regardless, however, Broom stands on its own merits, and is worth a read.

Official synopsis:
Can a good Witch and a brooding Vampire find true love? Especially when the whole world is against them?

The threat of war between Witches and Vampires means England may no longer be safe for a young Witch. Hence, Miss Violet Popplewell is sent abroad under the watchful eye of her great-aunt Vera. Without so much as a bon voyage party, Violet finds herself a visitor to the city-state of X, a mysterious place where magic is used openly and Witches and Vampires live together in harmony. Or at least, they try to get along. Violet’s aunt is shocked to discover that there are Vampires staying at their pensione and alarmed to note that one of the undead is a rather handsome young man.

An outburst of hostilities in X thrusts Violet into the young Vampire’s arms. And, much to her dismay, she realizes she may have accidentally bewitched him with a love charm. Are the emotions that the Vampire feels true passion or just a slip of the wand?
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Violet is a Crafter - aka, a witch - and has been sent away to the city of X while the witch-vampire war rages on in England. It's there that she meets Cyril, a human who asks for her hand in marriage, as well as Sebastian, a handsome vampire that is drawn to her.

I think my favorite character in this novel is actually Violet's aunt, Vera, because she was always so concerned about doing the proper thing at the proper time, which made for some hilarious situations. She warns Violet that humans have some sort of compulsion when they ask for marriage three times, and after Cyril asks three times Violet realizes this is somewhat true.

This novel also had some Harry Potter-type elements in it, as Violet is only sixteen and sometimes hopelessly bad at magic; she reminded me of Ron Weasley in that way.

The book ended a little abruptly so I'm hoping that this is the start of a new series, but if not, Broom is still worth reading as a stand-alone novel.

3.5 stars out of 5.

*Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this novel from the author for reviewing purposes. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own.

GIVEAWAY:

I have one paperback copy of this novel for a lucky reader to win, courtesy of the author.

Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Contest will end on Saturday, January 11th, and winner will be notified on January 12th, and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen. U.S. & Canada residents only, please. Book will be mailed by the author, so please allow a few weeks for delivery.

Good luck!

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Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Trust Me, ends 1/3/14

Trust Me, by Rebecca Graf.

They watched the show in silence. At the first commercial, he reached for the popcorn bowl and set it between them with a slight smile. Ranalla tried to smile back. Everything was so odd. Here she was sharing a bowl of popcorn with her abductor. Yep, she needed psychological help.

Trust Me is a novella (about 134 pages long, on Kindle) that is an easy read. Although some of the situations are a little unbelievable, the novella will hold your attention throughout as you try to figure out the reasons for the kidnapping that occurs during it.

Official synopsis:
Ranalla thinks she is finally starting to make it on her own out from under the thumb of her wealthy and controlling father. That is until she finds herself snatched from her bed in the middle of the night. Her kidnapper swears he saved her life. She is not so sure. It doesn't help that he doesn't act like how a kidnapper should, and she is falling for him fast. They find themselves running for their lives, and Ranalla can't decide if she can trust this man or not. Does she have a choice?
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Ranalla's father, from whom she is estranged, is an evil man, and also quite wealthy; Ranalla thinks this is maybe why she has been kidnapped, but she's not entirely sure. Her kidnapper, Vince, is quite accommodating, although he doesn't let her leave the house, and also handsome - once she sees that he's being nice to her, she starts liking him more and more (kind of like Stockholm Syndrome).

I didn't know this was a novella (a shortened novel) until I started reading it, and I read it in mostly one sitting. The writing is fast-paced, with interesting characters that all have complex back-stories. One thing I did not like is that Ranalla seems to fall for Vince a little too fast, especially since he's supposed to be "the bad guy," at least at first, but it's not something that's an extreme annoyance.

I'd recommend this novella if you're in the mood for a mystery or action story but don't have time to get through an entire novel, or if you're looking for something that can be read in a shorter amount of time.

3.5 stars out of 5.

*Disclosure: I received an e-copy of this novella from the author for reviewing purposes. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own.


GIVEAWAY:

Enter to win an e-book version of Trust Me via the Rafflecopter form below. Contest will end on Friday, January 3rd, and winner will be notified on January 4th via email. Open to all countries since it's an e-book.

Good luck!

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Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Perfect Lie, ends 12/29

Perfect Lie, by Teresa Mummert.

My tongue ran over my lower lip and I could taste the sin. It was thick and heavy in the air, and it made my head swim as I gazed into Abel's ocean-colored eyes. I wondered whether he tasted it too, whether his heart was pounding in his chest. I wondered most of all if it was artificial - a haze of adoration brought on by the pills. It had been so long since I'd wanted that; I didn't trust my own thoughts, but if felt too good to care.

I recently read White Trash Beautiful and White Trash Damaged by Teresa Mummert, and was fortunate enough to get in on a blog tour for this novel, Perfect Lie. As you may see on its Goodreads page, it has a crazy ending that will make you want to reread the book immediately; I won't spoil that ending here, but it's left me thinking about it for days afterwards.

author Teresa Mummert

Official synopsis:
Sometimes love burns so hot in your veins that it consumes all rational thought.

That's why Brock and I never had a chance. I had to start my life over. College was my chance to become someone new. I changed everything about myself to fit in, but one person saw through my facade.

The attraction between Abel and I was undeniable, but I still hadn't healed from the painful secret I carried around with me. Abel struggled to get me to face my past in order to move forward. In doing so, he revealed a secret of his own; one that changed everything I thought I knew.

A secret that would bring Brock back into my life and force me to face the truth of what really happened the day I lost him.
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Delilah, who goes by "Lie," met Brock, her first love, at a shelter of sorts for kids. He had violent tendencies but was always sweet and kind with her. The story is told alternating between the past - her experiences with Brock and the shelter - and the present, where she has moved from Mississippi to Florida for college. Her roommate, Trish, is kind of a jerk, but through her she meets Abel, who seems to "get" her - he has demons in his past as well.

The characters in this novel are well-developed, except I would have liked to have known more about Brock, as he played an important part in Delilah's past as well as in the ending of the novel. Perfect Lie also reminded me a lot of a movie - I can't say the title here without giving away Lie's ending, though - that, upon its finish, completely changed the whole of the plot, so I needed to watch (in this case, read) it again.

Unfortunately or fortunately for you, dear readers, I am bound to secrecy on what this twist is, so you'll have to read Perfect Lie for yourself - and then come back and leave me a comment on what you thought of it. You can find a copy of the novel on Amazon, and it's only $3.99 too, which is a deal.

4.5 stars out of 5.

GIVEAWAY:

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Book Review: City of Mirrors

City of Mirrors (Diana Poole #1), by Melodie Johnson Howe.

I wonder whether Zaitlin really thought I was good, or whether he was just saying that to get me to help Jenny. Compliments in Hollywood are handed out by the bagful, like Halloween candy. It's never been easy for me to completely accept them, because I'm always searching for the one that has the poison in it.

I had never heard of Melodie Johnson Howe before reading this book, which is surprising, because I also run a film blog and she's a former actress, working with the likes of Clint Eastwood and James Caan in her heyday. Now, Howe is an author, and City of Mirrors brings us the first in the Diana Poole thriller series, of which I am anticipating reading the second book, as this installment was very good. 

Official synopsis:
Running out of money, Diana Poole is forced to go back to the only work she knows: acting. Her much-loved husband and movie-star mother have died, and now Diana is over thirty-five. In Hollywood that means she might as well be dead. Still, a few key people remember her talent, and she lands a role in a new movie. But an actress should never get her hopes up, especially when she discovers the female lead's murdered body. Raised in her mother's shadow, Diana knows people in "the business"will go to dangerous lengths to protect their images. When her own life and career are threatened, Diana decides to fight back and find the killer. But unmasking the surprising murderer isn't that easy, especially when she uncovers what's real--and unreal--in her own life.
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Diana is an interesting heroine. She's a mix of Kinsey Millhone (the Sue Grafton alphabet series) and many other female protagonists I have read. Diana is an actress but isn't flighty, and her mother was even more famous than she currently is, although Diana has been working on a movie where she has a major supporting role (if that's not an oxymoron).

I liked this novel a lot, as the scenes were all very believable, even if the characters themselves (mostly Diana) didn't always believe they were occurring. During a few points in the novel, she finds herself in peril, and can't believe this is happening "in real life" since these sorts of things usually only happen in the movies she films; I thought this was a nice touch to add to the book.

There's also double-crossings, a love interest, and the scenic L.A. area to round out the novel, and I can't wait to see what trouble Diana gets herself into in the next Diana Poole book in the series.

4 stars out of 5.

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this novel for reviewing purposes. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own. 

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