Tour Review : Wanted: Wife

 

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Wanted: Wife
Author: Lacey Wolfe
Publication date: July 15th , 2013
Published by: Beachwalk Press Inc.
Edition: E-book
Purchase from: Amazon / Nook / Beachwalk Press / All Romance / Kobo

Help Wanted: A Wife

Darcy White can't believe she's answering a help wanted ad from someone looking to hire a wife, but she's hit rock bottom and is on the verge of being evicted from her apartment. When she learns that the guy she had a crush on in high school is the one looking to hire, she'd be crazy not to live out her fantasy.

Steven McDonald needs a wife, or at least a fiancée, before his grandfather retires or else he won't inherit the family business. He knows not just any woman will do, and in a desperate attempt to find a solution, he places a help wanted ad in the local paper. The day Darcy White answers it, his dreams begin to come true.

As Darcy and Steven pretend they're engaged, they make a promise to keep things platonic. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to keep their hands off one another. With his grandfather's retirement approaching, and the possible end to their fake engagement, can Steven and Darcy admit their feelings to not only themselves but each other?

Content Warning: contains adult language and sensual love scenes

Received as part of a Blog Tour !

Darcy White is down on her luck, cut off from her family, with a closed down restaurant, no job and pretty soon with no home. So what does jobless and soon to be homeless Darcy decide to do to pay the bills? You probably read the synopsis so I'm going to get on with it. She answers a Help Wanted ad that pays really well. All she's got to do is pretend to be someone's wife!

Now here's where Steven McDonald enters, the hottie who posts the wacky ad. 

Steven loves working for his grandpa's apple orchard company. And he's soon to inherit the business himself! But ofcourse granddaddy sets an ultimatum, settle down and get married or get nothing. Desperate to please and not lose the orchard, he places an ad in the paper.... for a wife.

As it turns out Steven and Darcy know each other from high school and happened to be each other's crushes. Never acting on it ofcourse. Now that they have to act out the charade of being engaged,  they grow close, feelings develop, sparks fly and certain sensuous scenes take place.

Hurdles come along the way and threaten to separate them. But will love conquer all? 

You'll just have to read it won't you? ;)

This book was pretty fun really! It was an interesting premise certainly. The title is what really drew me to the book. There are quirky bits and funny bits that make you smile. Steven was ADORABLE!! Darcy was........nothing special really. She wasn't a bad character not at all. I'd knock down a star if she was. I just couldn't deal with her sometimes. Let's just say I adored Steven.

The concept and dialogs etc. were pretty enjoyable. The thing that held me back from enjoying this completely would have to be the slight disconnect I felt from the characters and book. I wasn't completely invested all the time.
Also Darcy and Steven seemed to minimal arguments. They had arguments, yes. But as much as I thought they really should? No. They do move in together I was expecting a LOT of arguments. But they seemed to take most of it in stride. Maybe that's just them.

Darcy and Steven as a couple were good. Darcy ever witty and strong and undeniably stubborn. Handsome, caring, confident Steven.  Overall the couple made the story a good read. Despite my negatives and enjoyable read for sure! Two people falling in love. What's not to love? 

Also check out the giveaway for a chance to win a $5 Amazon GC from Lacey Wolfe!

Rating: 3 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Review : Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Author: David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

Publication date: October 26 , 2010
Published by: Knopf Books
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Formats: E-galley (Netgalley)

Goodreads

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

I received this one as an e-galley via Netgalley ofcourse. And I'll tell you this. This book is cute, sweet and funny too as a matter of fact, but.... Ah there's always the "but", it didn't make me think about it long after I closed it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the exchange of dares taking place between Dash and Lily with the help of the red notebook. Of the two I enjoyed Dash's chapters far faar better than Lily's.

(Dash's chapters are written by David Levithan and Lily's by Rachel Cohn.. Umhm that's right.)

The story is not totally realistic but it is worth getting lost in the fairy-tale taking place with Dash and Lily. *Sigh* If only I'd find a red notebook of my own!

I enjoyed watching Lily lose her inhibitions and getting out of her comfort zone and Dash opening up to someone. There's even a little cinderella-esque scene in there with Lily's losing her aunt's one-size too big majorette boot behind.

What I didn't like? Something just felt incomplete. I couldn't totally let myself go and believe the story.

All in all it's a fun, light read for when you want a light-hearted christmasy romance.

Rating: 3 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Review : Beautiful Creatures ( The Caster Chronicles #1 )

Beautiful Creatures ( The Caster Chronicles #1 )

Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Publication date: Dec 1st, 2009
Published by: Little Brown Books
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Formats: E-book

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

April read for Young Adult Blogger Book Club. #YABBC 

Gosh that was something. I'm still confused about whether I like this one or not. 

It took me too long to read this one. A month.. An effing month! Everytime I put this book down, I never felt the urge to pick it up and get on with it. And I had to force myself really since I had to post a review. Which is actually really sad, because I genuinely liked the idea and everything.

I thought I would hate this one, but though it did nothing to make me go "Oh, give me more!" , it wasn't really all that bad either. I actually liked it, towards the END.  

Anywhoo, let's put down some likes and dislikes now.

What I liked :

 ·       The idea behind Casters, magic and the like.

       I loved that bit! The different kinds of casters, light and dark, all of that shebang. And I'm glad we weren't flooded with all these different kinds of creatures. Basic divisions- Light and Dark, Mortal and Caster. Ofcourse there's the Lilum and all the different powers in the Lena's family. But it was soo much more better than the romance could ever be!

And that Library! Enough said I think.

 ·       Macon Ravenwood

      I was waiting for this guy to show up. And he proved to be worth the wait. Which was long for me since I kept keeping the book down and took way too long to pick it up again.  He was my favorite character in here, and what happens to characters I like? It'll be a spoiler so I better shut it.

 ·       Male POV ! & Ethan Wate ( To a certain degree )

       Ethan's point of view was great. I think this was why I even managed to get towards the second half of the book.

 ·       Boo! And Ridley too.

     Okay the dog didn't do much indivisually. But I liked him. And I know he should be mentioned along with Macon, but I had to mention him separately.
And Ridley. God I loved that bitch. Lena's sickly sweet and dark dark cousin. They got that character down pat..

What I most certainly did NOT :

 ·       The Romance

     I'm not saying I don't like romance. Ofcourse I do! But this was just too much maybe? Too many soppy moments. And what was that scene in Greenbier where they behaved like a human see-saw? ( Will mention the line in the last point. ) I just wish we could find out more about Lena's family and ancestry and magic and maybe even more about Genevieve (Lena's great times four, grandmother).

 ·       Ethan and his dad

     *Sigh* What was going on with Ethan and his dad!? I wish we were told more about him really. I understand him becoming a shut-in because of losing his wife. But I never thought a woman like Amma would let him stay locked up in that room of his for an indefinite period of time. 

Amma was great. The parent Ethan needed and had. So what was his dad doing there anyway? Waste of space I tell you.

 ·       Connection with the characters

     *Sigh again* I didn't feel anything for anyone of them. Nil. Nada. Zilch. Not when Ethan's dad planned on jumping off, nor when the whole town went against a singular, sort-of defenceless 15 year old girl, nor during that "incident" with Macon Ravenwood towards the end. I liked him, very much so. But did I feel a twinge of sadness? Nope. I was pretty neutral really, as I was for pretty much all of the book.

 ·       Better writing? I'm not sure

     I'm not really sure what went wrong. There was the brilliant magic and creatures and characters and parts that made you want to join in. But I just couldn't get invested. Something was off and I'm still not sure what.

And that scene in Greenbier. 

“As I lay down, she sat up, I sat up, she laid down, I laid down. Awkward.”

I'm sorry. What just happened? I would've laughed at this but I didn't. I just sat and stared at the bit of text wondering what I was going to encounter further in.

            So all in all a good read? Umm..... Yes to a certain extent. The imagination of the authors and the magic, flashbacks etc was really good, and I absolutely enjoyed those bits. I can see the appeal of the many who liked this book. I think... But sadly I just failed to connect.

Will I be reading the sequel. Maybe.

 Rating: 3 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Review : The Lost Symbol

The Lost Symbol ( Robert Langdon #3 )
Author: Dan Brown

Publisher: Corgi Books

Publication date: July 22nd, 2010.
Format: Paperback
Genre: Adult, Mystery Thriller
Cover Source: Goodreads.

Famed Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon answers an unexpected summons to appear at the U.S. Capitol Building. His planned lecture is interrupted when a disturbing object—artfully encoded with five symbols—is discovered in the building. 

Langdon recognizes in the find an ancient invitation into a lost world of esoteric, potentially dangerous wisdom. When his mentor Peter Solomon—a longstanding Mason and beloved philanthropist—is kidnapped, Langdon realizes that the only way to save Solomon is to accept the mystical invitation and plunge headlong into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and one inconceivable truth . . . all under the watchful eye of Dan Brown's most terrifying villain to date. 

Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, D.C., The Lost Symbol is an intelligent, lightning-paced story with surprises at every turn--Brown's most exciting novel yet.

A short undetailed and slightly disappointed review.

I actually like Dan Brown. I'm a fan. I love the way he wields mystery and thrill and clues and enigmas and potentially help us gain a little more knowledge about something. (In my case at least.). I haven't created a "disappointed" tag . But If I had. The Lost Symbol would go into it. If not for Katherine Solomon and that AWESOME twist at the end, I would have dropped you.

I love Robert Langdon as the protagonist of the stories. He isn't hunky or snarky or badass or even the typical hero material. But yes he uses his smarts and his deduction skills are something I love watch unfold.

The previous two books, The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons were actually much better than this one. With Angels & Demons better than the first, I obviously had my hopes up for the third installment. 

Ah well, this one was a slight let down as it was a wee bit predictable (especially Peter Solomon). More so in fact than the previous ones. I felt there were parts that dragged a bit. 

But yes redeeming qualities Katherine Solomon, bits and pieces of Mr.Langdon, second half of the book containing Malakh. Oh yes, the book picks up towards the end. Really well. It just fell short of my expectations. 

Waste of my money? Probably not. A good read? Certainly. Although fans of Dan Brown, prepare to be let down. 

Rating: 3 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Review - Hana ( Delirium #1.5 )

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication date: February 28th, 2012.
Format: E-book
Cover Source: Goodreads.

Lauren Oliver's riveting, original digital story set in the world of her New York Times bestseller Delirium.

The summer before they're supposed to be cured of the ability to love, best friends Lena and Hana begin to drift apart. While Lena shies away from underground music and parties with boys, Hana jumps at her last chance to experience the forbidden. For her, the summer is full of wild music, dancing—and even her first kiss.

But on the surface, Hana must be a model of perfect behavior. She meets her approved match, Fred Hargrove, and glimpses the safe, comfortable life she’ll have with him once they marry. As the date for her cure draws ever closer, Hana desperately misses Lena, wonders how it feels to truly be in love, and is simultaneously terrified of rebelling and of falling into line.

In this digital story that will appeal to fans of Delirium and welcome new admirers to its world, readers will come to understand scenes from Delirium through Hana's perspective. Hana is a touching and revealing look at a life-changing and tumultuous summer.

This is going to be a short review.

Hana is novella from the lovely Lauren Oliver, re-telling the events of Delirium from Hana's point of view. I have mentioned time and again that Lauren Oliver can certainly write. This novella did not have the hardcore-ness that Pandemonium evidently had, but since this is a re-telling of Delirium you expect it to be.

The only problem? I read this one after I read Pandemonium when I obviously should have done so after Delirium.

Hana's longing to make-up with Lena, her heart-break are nice to read. But this novella doesn't leave any lasting impact. This one is certainly for the fans and ofcourse for that surprise ending.

I liked  Hana enough, if not adore her during Delirium. But since reading Hana, I can see why almost everyone is put off with her, for I certainly am.

Hana how could you!!!

Rating: 3 Quills

quill design: QioDen

Review - Five Flavors of Dumb

Author: Antony John

Publisher: Not Avail

Publication date: November 11th, 2010
Format: E-book
Cover Source: Goodreads.

 The Challenge: Piper has one month to get the rock band Dumb a paying gig.
The Deal: If she does it, Piper will become the band's manager and get her share of the profits.
The Catch: How can Piper possibly manage one egomaniacal pretty boy, one talentless piece of eye candy, one crush, one silent rocker, and one angry girl? And how can she do it when she's deaf?
Piper can't hear Dumb's music, but with growing self-confidence, a budding romance, and a new understanding of the decision her family made to buy a cochlear implant for her deaf baby sister, she discovers her own inner rock star and what it truly means to be a flavor of Dumb.

Piper has got one month to get her high school band, Dumb, a paying gig and if she succeeds she gets to become the band's manager. Piece of cake  right? The only problem , is how do you manage a crumbling band into rising stardom when you don't even know if they're any good? 
And the catch? Piper's deaf.


On the whole not a bad read.

Ok so what here's I really liked ,

• Piper's Familial relationships
       Piper's parents as good as ignore her when her younger sister Grace is born and the fact that they use Piper's College Fund to get Grace a cochlear transplant and how she deals with her anger and jealousy at Grace's ability to hear. How her dad considers Piper's deafness as a disability, as well as the gradual progress in their relationships all counted to the realism and helped root for Piper.
  
      Her relationship with her brother Finn was also something I really liked.
  
• Characters :
      Ed!! - The nerd love interest and bad-ass drummer. The way they friendship begins and how they open up to each other.
      Finn - The lovable brother who's always in trouble. There was just something deep about him.
  
     The evolution of Tash was likable too.
• The ending. Oh yeah.
  

What I did not,

• Kallie's potrayal
      Yes I liked the fact that there was a change and she not the high-school queen bee types. She was quite, sensitive. And I adored the ending really. But there was just something missing. I just did not feel like connecting to her though I really wanted to.
  
• Yes I did not like Josh the lead singer from the start. Which was supposed to happen but I just wish they had showcased a bit more of the brothers Will and Josh.
  

Overall a good read. A feel good book that let's you know it is important it is to stand up for yourself, make the best of whatever situation and let people know they are worth it.

Thereby I end with a quote from the book.

“Don’t worry about wanting to change; start worrying when you don’t feel like changing anymore. And in the meantime, enjoy every version of yourself you ever meet, because not everybody who discovers their true identity likes what they find.”  

Rating: 3 Quills

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Read as part of the

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quill design: QioDen

Review - Lonely Souls ( Witch Avenue #1 )

Author: Karice Bolton
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publication Date: June 24,2012
Cover Source: Goodreads
Kindle Edition

It’s two weeks before Triss turns 18, and her world is about to change into the most magical one imaginable as she readies herself to enter The Witch Avenue Order... that is until her mother’s disappearance. Instead of celebrating her transformation, she finds herself spreading rose petals into her mother’s empty grave.  When Logan, her best friend from junior high, moves back to town for college, he vows to help her find the answers she so desperately seeks surrounding her mother’s disappearance. As they begin uncovering clues, it becomes apparent that the life of white magic they both grew up loving is not what the majority practices, and their lives are in danger.With a haunting feeling that her mother may still be alive, she begins to hear a call to the wilderness. Triss realizes that in order to find the answers she needs, she must learn the ways of her ancestors and become the hunter, not the hunted before it’s too late, and she becomes part of the lonely souls.

Having not read the Watcher's series, this is my first Karice Bolton book. I had ceased to read books about mostly anything to do with witches and witch-craft. Why? I have no idea whatsoever. I adore witches, and spells and magic. So after a long break from witches here I am with the Witch Avenue series.

Why did I pick this up? Just look at the synopsis and the cover! Gorgeous. The characters are well written and I took a liking to Triss. I'm glad the author did not make her seem like an overly confident know-it-all nor was she the under-dog.
Triss is a master of her own abilities but still has a lot more to learn. She also does let her crush on Logan overtake her priorities and thoughts. One things for certain, she's no Bella.

Oh lets talk about swoon-worthy Logan shall we? He is the all-round perfect guy. He's been in love with Triss ever since he's known her, but is willing to wait for her. And specializes in defensive magic. Looks, skill he's got it. I just adored the romance between these two.

I also loved the cliffhanger-less ending and the different view of witches provided in the story. Though I am not sure if the witches are generally accepted and known by all or they are a secret society.


Coming to what I didn't like:

• The extent of Plot. 

          The book though interesting at the beginning and as much as it surely picks up pace at the end, falls a little short in the middle. The book starts shifting more towards paranormal romance. While the romance definitely was good, I do wish there was more action in there than just at the end.

• Witch-lore 

          I would have loved to read more about the history of the different families and covens, anything. I wanted more insight into the world of white and dark magic.


Overall a really good read, but nothing that leaves you pondering over the end.

Rating : 3 Quills

quill design: QioDen