Tag Archives: young adult

After Tuesday by Renee Ericson @EricsonRenee #review

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Family really is a pain…especially when your father is an addict.

 

I have found another great book loaded with angst. The best thing was how accurate the author was with her addiction portrayals. I loved the fact that she incorporated AA and Teen AA. That was the best part of the book.

For the characters, I loved Ruby, name and all! She is focused on work, school, Dragon (he is a dog and her best friend), and her car a Gremlin. That is until she gets a camp job and meets Lexi. They go to school together and she works at the canoe activity too. She doesn’t need the money, she says it will help her get into a good college and it looks good on an application. This why the author was SO good. All these little details made it a great read. Enter Brent the one who was into Frankie and very personable. Wait what rumor? Oh he and Frankie broke up?

Can it get any better? He asks her to go out and Lexi is shocked at first but jumps into action. She prepares all of Ruby’s stuff and pumps her up for the big date. Lexi is into Brent’s friend Owen. Lexi openly expresses her “occurrences”with Owen and that makes Ruby blush.

Hey Brent Cromwell, my soccer star

Ruby is sort of one person on an island. Her Dad’s Brother, Uncle Jason aka Jas and her cousin Cody live next door. They are all so stuck in the past. They act like they are twenty somethings all drinking and hanging out without a care in the world.

Ruby goes through this so-called father daughter relationship with her guards up. Her dad is not a bad guy but he can drink. She is the most responsible in the family. She is counting the days until she turns eighteen and goes to college. She just wants out. It doesn’t take long for the angst meter to hit full throttle. Ruby is starting to act like a regular senior high school girl who goes to pep rallies and sleepover. One may say “normal”

What I truly loved was the authors portrayal of Ruby. She is strong , determined, smart, and responsible. She also feels somewhat sorry for her dad. I wont say she excuses his behavior, but she understands it and just chooses to remain in her house without communication. It is a tale with so many twisting turns you will love it.

Overall it is a wonderful must read for the lovers of this genre. Now I love angst and the meter was pretty high here so please jump on the emotional train into Ruby Tuesday land!

YA-M: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language

Renee loves to wear hoodies, is fluent in Yoda speak, and likes to make videos with Lego figures. She is a long time insomniac, but doesn’t have the energy to start an underground Fight Club so she settles for writing stories about the characters who plague her mind. She grew up in the Midwest and currently resides in the Boston area, but sounds nothing like Ben Affleck or Matt Damon.

After Tuesday by Renee Ericson @EricsonRenee #review

Posted in Book Titles by

18114990

Family really is a pain…especially when your father is an addict.

 

I have found another great book loaded with angst. The best thing was how accurate the author was with her addiction portrayals. I loved the fact that she incorporated AA and Teen AA. That was the best part of the book.

For the characters, I loved Ruby, name and all! She is focused on work, school, Dragon (he is a dog and her best friend), and her car a Gremlin. That is until she gets a camp job and meets Lexi. They go to school together and she works at the canoe activity too. She doesn’t need the money, she says it will help her get into a good college and it looks good on an application. This why the author was SO good. All these little details made it a great read. Enter Brent the one who was into Frankie and very personable. Wait what rumor? Oh he and Frankie broke up?

Can it get any better? He asks her to go out and Lexi is shocked at first but jumps into action. She prepares all of Ruby’s stuff and pumps her up for the big date. Lexi is into Brent’s friend Owen. Lexi openly expresses her “occurrences”with Owen and that makes Ruby blush.

Hey Brent Cromwell, my soccer star

Ruby is sort of one person on an island. Her Dad’s Brother, Uncle Jason aka Jas and her cousin Cody live next door. They are all so stuck in the past. They act like they are twenty somethings all drinking and hanging out without a care in the world.

Ruby goes through this so-called father daughter relationship with her guards up. Her dad is not a bad guy but he can drink. She is the most responsible in the family. She is counting the days until she turns eighteen and goes to college. She just wants out. It doesn’t take long for the angst meter to hit full throttle. Ruby is starting to act like a regular senior high school girl who goes to pep rallies and sleepover. One may say “normal”

What I truly loved was the authors portrayal of Ruby. She is strong , determined, smart, and responsible. She also feels somewhat sorry for her dad. I wont say she excuses his behavior, but she understands it and just chooses to remain in her house without communication. It is a tale with so many twisting turns you will love it.

Overall it is a wonderful must read for the lovers of this genre. Now I love angst and the meter was pretty high here so please jump on the emotional train into Ruby Tuesday land!

YA-M: This book contains mature content including profanity, drug/alcohol use, and sexual situations/language

Renee loves to wear hoodies, is fluent in Yoda speak, and likes to make videos with Lego figures. She is a long time insomniac, but doesn’t have the energy to start an underground Fight Club so she settles for writing stories about the characters who plague her mind. She grew up in the Midwest and currently resides in the Boston area, but sounds nothing like Ben Affleck or Matt Damon.

Chasing Stars by L. Duarte @LDuarte77 #review #debut #newrelease

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OK here it is my next BIG thing. 

 Hope sprouts from the recognition that the person with real flaws and qualities dormant 

inside me is capable of love.

 

 

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Book Review 

I KNOW when I read something within a few pages if I like or love. This BLOWS me away. I have almost 30 quotes. What I loved was the deep story and the ultimate foundation for the entire story was FAITH, God, love, family and hope.  

“Though we had all the money most people can only think of, we were the rejects of the plastic city of LA, where artificial is the norm and the normal is outdated” 

As very wealthy family begins a life, here is Portia. She is perfect and soon to be a star herself. Her Mom and Dad divorced and she immersed herself with her best friends Tarry and Nillie. All three come from wealthy family backgrounds. Portia McGee and her friends created a list “Things to do before we die” yeah I know I wanted to kick Nillie myself for naming it that. Anyways they make the list and start checking things off. The base of their childhood is friends. They have Estela who is Portia’s nanny. There is a story about how she learns Spanish from going to Guadalajara and saying she is a relative so that the kids will play with her. The only real Motherly love Portia gets is from Estela her Nanny. As the three go on to their lives, they get together and make it fun whenever they can. 

Portia has to get a temporary tattoo for a big role. Enter Will, the artist. He is not a traditional tattoo artist, but a recent grad of the Columbia school. WOW a smart, talented artist who can tattoo.

  

What I LOVED was the meeting of Will and then his family. His life was so tough and I won’t elaborate and spoil that part, it is to be read and savored. When he introduces Portia to Dan, his Pastor Dad and Maritza, his Mom along with the overly outspoken and protective sister Melody (Mel). I loved Mel for the way she protected Wil. She was one of those I hate her characters, but that is the author’s beauty of storytelling. When you think you can’t stand someone, but you do totally get the dialogue and where they are coming from. Mel is also very forgiving, very pregnant and very loving. The fact that she is on leave from being a police officer is exceptional character placement to me. Her partner Lucas is a sub-plot character, that only adds more depth, showing why she is a fierce protector. Her Husband Tim is in Afghanistan and again the message is family, Dan and Maritza really support her during this trying time. Then there was Rick, the co-owner of the tattoo shop. Now he adds certain messaging to the story, which relates well to Will’s growing up.

 

 

 It doesn’t take long for Portia to understand what Dan’s valued have done to Will. He has taken this kid, made him into a better person and shown him the Lord. Will has accepted it and leads a life based on faith and giving back. 

 

So as you know, when I believe in something I sell it big. THIS is big. I hope and pray that the message is received and just maybe touches a few people. I want everyone to read this and take a new and different meaning from the many lessons that are here. Don’t just know something, but feel it, live it, grow from it, and experience it.  

“The point being, no matter how much we try, sometimes it is impossible to like certain things or people” 

It is both well written and a wealth of story telling genius. I always say if you read something and it leaves an impression, share it, pass it on, shout the title and get others to read it. I will make sure others read this. I am so thankful the author found me and let me experience her writing. Bravo!!

 AUTHOR’S NOTE: Chasing Stars is intended for mature readers, containing sexual content and strong language.

 

 

King Hall by Scarlett Dawn @ScarlettDawnUSA #debut #spotlight #preorder

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If you LOVE Young Adult and New Adult especially with some fantasy and elements of reality, then this is for YOU. Scarlett Dawn’s new book King Hall sounds amazing to me! I have already preordered my copy and it’s only $2.99 right now. I think this book is going to be fabulous! Here is the summary via Amazon:

A fresh, meaty, sink-your-teeth-in-and-hold-on-tight new adult fantasy series kicks off with King Hall…

King Hall — where the Mysticals go to learn their craft, get their degrees, and transition into adulthood. And where four new Rulers will rise and meet their destinies.

Lily Ruckler is adept at one thing: survival. Born a Mystical hybrid, her mere existence is forbidden, but her nightmare is only about to start. Fluke, happenstance, and a deep personal loss finds Lily deeply entrenched with those who would destroy her simply for existing — The Mystical Kings. Being named future Queen of the Shifters shoves Lily into the spotlight, making her one of the most visible Mysticals in the world. But with risk comes a certain solace — her burgeoning friendships with the other three Rulers: a wicked Vampire, a wild-child Mage, and a playboy Elemental. Backed by their faith and trust, Lily begins to relax into her new life.

Then chaos erupts as the fragile peace between Commoners and Mysticals is broken, and suddenly Lily realizes the greatest threat was never from within, and her fear takes on a new name: the Revolution.

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The author:

Image of Scarlett Dawn

Visit her page on Amazon and PLEASE LIKE it

Scarlett Dawn is drawn to all things quirky and off-beat. She believes there are no boundaries for an imaginative soul. Her love of the written word started from at an early age, when her grandmother would take her to bookstores every weekend. Dreams came alive within the books she found there, and now, she is thrilled to share her stories with others who have fallen under the spell of taking fantastical journeys. Scarlett resides in the Midwest with her husband, three children, and two dogs.

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A great Interview HERE at Exploring the Mind Blog

First Kiss by Ann Marie Frohoff @rockinwriterchk #spotlight #video #officialtrailer

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The Author extraordinaire:

ann marie frohoff 5211881

 

 

Ann Marie (“Annie”) Frohoff grew up in sunny Southern California. As a teen and young adult she spent her time frequenting and living in nearly every beachside city up and down the coast. She settled in Hollywood at 19 working in film and TV. Soon her itch to keep moving took over again, taking her to Hawaii for a time and then back to LA.

 

She’s now settled in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Her wanderlust and propensity to live life out loud has brought her many life experiences so many of us only dream about. Always the storyteller, it would be of no surprise to those who grew up with Annie, that she made the transition into a book and screenplay author. You could say that she woke up one day and had an epiphany, deciding to go to school for screenwriting. It’s with this inner fire she set out to write her first screenplay. Soon after, such work made it into the hands of an agency creative executive who challenged her to write a novel to support the complex ensemble cast of characters she’d created. Thus, after only a couple of years and many hours on the road immersing herself in her subject matter; her edgy modern day “Walk The Line meets John Hughes Classics” debut novella, SKID OUT, has been completed, along with the first installment in her Trilogy. SKID OUT is the prequel novella to the HEAVY INFLUENCE TRILOGY.

 

The first installment in her Heavy Influence Trilogy, FIRST KISS, is set to release June 11th 2013 — The series is a story about young, reckless love between a rising rock star and his younger muse, spanning 10 years of their tumultuous and passionate relationship. Each book in the Trilogy will come with a soundtrack of original music, of which the lyrics will appear in the pages of the books. (Alternative Rock Genre).

 

Annie has now also delved into the supernatural fantasy world with her writing partners Shaun Barger and songwriter/musician Matthew Reich. Taking inspiration directly from song lyrics and building an entire realm of vastly complex characters and plot lines; weaving history, fantasy and heavy doses of romance together. You will be kept turning the pages of “The Zodiac Wars: My Gemini” novellas and “Precious Metal: The Prince and the Gypsy” book series. Both series of books are currently in development.

 

Links:

It’s now available at Amazon (Kindle Edition) 

Twitter @rockinwriterchk

 

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FIRST KISS will have you on the edge of your seat and feeling things you may have forgotten about! Now available on Amazon.com!                

Becoming Bryn by Angela Carling @angelacarling #review

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For months, Jesse has been envious of her twin sister Bryn and even has a crush on Bryn’s gorgeous, popular boyfriend, Quinton. When Jesse awakens from a coma to learn that everyone thinks she IS Bryn, the option of actually taking over her sister’s life is beyond tempting, but there’s a downside. She’d have to give up Ethan, her best friend and the only person she trusts. Could she actually live as Bryn for the rest of her life? And if her family and friends found out, would they ever forgive her?

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Author Angela Carling

angela
Raised in Palm Springs California. A desert rat that writes Young Adult novels and loves all kitties and her family. Can be bribed with chocolate. Published books, Unbreakable Love, Shackled and Becoming Bryn.

 

Author Link: 

Twitter @angelacarling

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My Review:

I think I liked it because it had a lesson and left me happy, not longing for the next book to come out. I think as I was growing up, having 2 sisters, at one time or another you wanted to switch places. Now all of us resembled each other, but could never be a twin.  I will say that there is an alternating POV and usually I hate those, but this was real time, not past versus present. So for that reason I was cool with it. I will say that Bryn passes away. I guess it is no secret that this is the premise of the book.

smiles angel

 

Now when confronted with the choice of becoming Bryn and stating the truth, well that is hard. It is choice Jesse has to carefully choose. The fact that I liked the characters, Quentin and Bryn were perfect. I really enjoyed the personal war Jesse starts to have. She sort of goes with it and doesn’t justify her choice or lack of a choice. That is something I liked and the reason why I feel, she was likable.

I won’t say that this is a light book, it is not. The overall writing is great, the characters are too, the message is there. I really liked how the high school drama plays out. The teenage mind is a mystical thing. The way Jesse chooses her path is great.The redeeming qualities of her character were my favorite part. The other was the young adult part was pretty pg and for that I am thankful, no need to tarnish the book with a lot of smut. I like smut, but this didn’t call for it. I say read it now!

  4 half star blog book

 

Torn Together by Emlyn Chand @emlynchand

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Torn Together

Why does growing up have to be so difficult?

I honestly cant say enough good things about this book. I was so very lucky to meet the author and when I read the book I was fell in love. Mostly with the characters and the way they were written. It is a very emotional book and the main topic is recovery from loss. Whether you have gone through a loss such as the passing of a parent or a relative, you will be inspired by Daly English. Her explanation of her name is given and it is her Mother maiden name. A lot of people ask and she tells them it rhymes with tally. I had to add that I thought it was cute. We meet Daly at a crossroads. she lost her Dad almost ten years ago and she is trying to decide what she does after her Associate’s Degree is finished.

 Take the journey with Daly as she bounces back from a breakup, tries to understand Laine (her Mother who she calls Laine) and lets love find her.

 Sometimes in life there are ups and downs and what Daly goes through is pretty tough for such a young girl. When she meets Kashi, she is sort of intrigued and then he re-appears. He is so special you will love him, his sayings and wisdom. His family in India is just so entertaining, as was Daly and her approach to his background, lifestyle and family customs.

I think this is a MUST read!. I felt like I knew all of the characters and it honestly touched me. The bonus is they will stay with you for a while I am sure. At the beginning of each chapter there is a drawing by Daly and a great quote. I loved them and made so many Kindle Hi-lights. I will post more in the next couple of days. get ready for me to shout from the highest about how good this was.

 

Totally recommend it and give it a very inspiring 5* 

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Meet the Author

 

 

Emlyn Chand

 

Emlyn Chand emerged from the womb with a fountain pen clutched in her left hand (true story). When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm Novel Publicity Best known for her Young Adult novels, she is also developing a small, but devoted, following to her children’s book series and is beginning to dabble in other genres as well. Emlyn enjoys connecting with readers and is available via almost every social media site in existence. Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don’t forget to say “hi” to her sun conure Ducky!


Note: Emlyn also writes romance under the pen name, Darby Davenport.