Thursday, December 31, 2015

End of the year review: Favorites from 2015 and looking forward to 2016!

First up, let's talk about a couple of my favorite reads from 2015! I'm including both books I reviewed as well as just read for fun. And if you'd like to see more of what I read (not just books I review), be sure to follow me on Goodreads! Link on the side.

A series I fell in love with this year: Asking For It series by Lilah Pace! I read both "Asking For It" and "Begging For It" by Lilah Pace. This duet is not for the faint of heart - it deals with some super tough subjects and it's definitely for mature readers. But wow, it was so amazingly well done. Check out my review of "Asking For It" posted in October 2015!

A graphic novel that blew me away: Well, okay, there were a bunch (Saga, Ms. Marvel, and and so many more!) but I definitely want to mention Cairo by G. Willow Wilson. This was something Goodreads recommended to me, and thanks to interlibrary loan, I was able to read it! I was blown away, really. I loved the way the author wove together such a fascinating fantasy world.

Favorite nostalgia read: Royal Wedding by Meg Cabot. I cannot tell you how excited I was to read this one. This book made me really happy - like, giggling to myself happy. I didn't know how much I missed this series until I read this. So then I had to search out all the short stories and novellas I had missed just to get more of the series. Check out my review of "Royal Wedding" posted in August 2015! Also, if you liked "Royal Wedding" by Meg Cabot, check out "The Royal We" by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan!

I had tons more books that I loved this year, but these three were definitely at the top of the list. Be sure to check them out!

Looking forward to 2016: So I've already decided to once again do the Popsugar 2016 reading challenge. I did this one in 2015 and loved it! It really made me branch out from my usual reads. The 2016 list is shorter, but it's got some great categories. Follow/Friend me on Goodreads to see everything I read for the challenge.

Also, Bookriot has a 2016 challenge as well, and I'm considering it. Especially since there could be some cross-listing. But would that really be fair?


Happy Reading, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

I'm back! Mostly!

Hey all! As you could see (hopefully) from my review yesterday, I am mostly back in action! I have a new laptop, so I should be able to post reviews as normal once again.

Windows 10 is definitely different than my old Windows 7 laptop, which I will miss wholeheartedly. I did a lot of work on that old thing - it got me through my Master's degree! And that 50+ page thesis. Good times, good times..

I'm still adjusting to this new device. Every time I try to scroll on a page, it automatically adjusts the zoom, which is pretty annoying. And as of right now, it won't let me upload pictures to the blog, though I'm hoping that's just an internet issue. Hence why this is a boring old text post.

Which is a whole other problem - new computer is working fine, but very very slow. I'm hoping that's just because of how bad the internet has been acting lately. I used to be able to watch Netflix, have my phone on, and be browsing the internet on my tablet or laptop and everything would be super fast. I'm currently down to one (maybe two, if I stretch it) device connecting at a time. Fingers crossed it's just the crappy weather.

I hope everyone had a good holiday, will continue to have a good holiday season, and will have a happy and safe New Year!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

REVIEW: Adulthood is a Myth: A "Sarah Scribbles" Collection by Sarah Andersen

Release Date: March 8th, 2016

Type: Comic Strips, Humor, Graphic Novel, Millennial Problems, This is my life!

About the Book: Are you a special snowflake? Do you love networking to advance your career? Have you never wasted a fresh new day surfing the internet? Ugh. This book is not for you. Please go away.

Sarah's Scribbles — casually drawn, perfectly on-point comics by young Brooklyn-based artist Sarah Andersen — confront head-on the horrors, anxiety, and awkwardness of modern adult life. From the agony of holding hands with a gorgeous guy to the yawning pit of hell that is the wifi gone down to the eye-watering pain of eating too-hot pizza because one cannot stand to wait for it to cool down, Sarah fearlessly documents it all.

Like the work of fellow Millennial authors Allie Brosh, Grace Helbig, and Gemma Correll, Sarah's total frankness on extremely personal issues such as body image, self-consciousness, introversion, relationships, and bra-washing makes her comics highly relatable and consistently hilarious. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I'm really mad at myself when it comes to this book. Why, you ask? Because I read it too fast. I loved it, I was laughing out loud more than I care to admit, and because it was so fun, I just kept going. This is, for sure, a one-sitting read. And that makes it that much worse. There needs to be more! I connect with this book on an uncomfortable, awkward, personal level. I would for sure be friends with this author in real life. Assuming we could ever get up the courage to say hello to each other and exchange phone numbers.

Every single page of this hilarious and wonderfully illustrated book is something that I have either felt at some point, or needed to instantly show one of my friends because they would appreciate it. I've seen these comics around before, but if possible, they are even more funny when bound together. This book is for sure going on my wishlist, and I look forward to browsing it time and time again, whenever I need a good chuckle.

Cover Lovin': This cover is 100% perfect. You see the art style, and the minimalist color scheme makes it pop.

Recommendation: This book is for anyone that ever felt like a weirdo introvert. No prior knowledge of the comics is necessary.

Final Rating: FIVE out of FIVE (5/5) stars. My only complaint was that this book wasn't longer. I connected with everything, I laughed out loud multiple times, and I need to purchase this as soon as it's released. A total winner!

Pre-order your copy of "Adulthood is a Myth" by Sarah Andersen today!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. Thanks, Netgalley!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Radio silence until I get a new computer - Sad!

Hello everyone,

I had to order a new computer since mine is no longer working, unfortunately. I can only use it for fifteen minutes until it randomly restarts. After chatting with tech support for five hours, I finally decided the best course of action is to just bite the bullet and get a new one - but it's the passing of an era! Poor Sir Lap Toppington the Third. He was a good friend for three and a half years.

So due to the above, I won't be able to post reviews for at least a little while. Hopefully the new computer will arrive soon and I'll be able to get everything set up and downloaded quickly. But with the holidays (and the craziness at work) - who knows!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Monday, December 14, 2015

Review: SWEET ACHE by K. Bromberg

Release Date: June 2, 2015


Type: Series, Book 6, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Rock Stars, Rockers trump racers!

About the Book: Hawkin Play, the bad boy rock star with a good guy heart, has lived a lifetime of cleaning up after his twin brother’s mistakes. Hunter’s most recent screwup could land Hawke in jail and risk the band’s future. Hawke agrees to guest lecture at a local college to stay in the judge’s good graces—and a bet with his bandmate to seduce his sexy teaching assistant is icing on the cake.

Sweet Ache (Driven, #6)Quinlan Westin is harder to bed than Hawke imagined. She knows his type and is determined to avoid the rocker at all costs—even if their attraction runs deeper than simple lust.

Just as Hawke might finally be winning over the girl, his brother has other plans. When Hunter realizes his twin finally has a weakness, he’ll stop at nothing to take advantage.... [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: I've had this book for a while. When I was offered it to review, I was in my rock star phased, and before I got the chance to read this, I had fallen into another phase of some sort, and this got left behind. So imagine how excited I was to get back into my rocker phase so I can read this book and fully enjoy it!

I'll start off with what I liked most about this book - I thought the character's reactions to the curve balls life threw at them were incredibly accurate. Everything felt true to the character's state of mind, and what was expected of them. And, quite often, the characters did exactly what I would have in the same situation - which just confirmed how real they felt to me.

I also loved the story itself. I'm a sucker for the misunderstanding. And it goes back to my love of "Bet Me" by Jennifer Crusie - I love the whole "I made a bet but I'm willing to lose because I love you" story trope. Honestly, if "Sweet Ache" is any indication of the rest of K. Bromberg's books, I will be picking them up in the future.

Now to what I didn't like so much - and this is most likely a nit-picky thing only because I was so recently getting a graduate degree. Quin talks about her thesis, but procrastinates so often. It's barely mentioned here and there that she got some work done on it. But I remember the end of graduate school - it's a big deal. It's basically pass/fail, and determines whether or not you graduate. I know the relationship is the main story, obviously - but don't let falling in love ruin your chances, Quin! Don't do that to yourself! 

Cover Lovin': So, when this was offered to me, I jumped on it - mostly because of the cover. Thumbs up!

Recommendation: While this book is book 6 of a series, no need to be familiar with the previous books! This works just fine as a stand-alone. Though I'd love more from the band...

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE (4/5)! I thought this book was a fun read. I didn't want to put it down once I got started. But what really stuck with me was how real Hawke dealt with the tragedies in this life. 


Get your copy of Sweet Ache from Amazon.com today! And check out the next book in the series, Hard Beat.



Happy Reading! 
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Friday, December 4, 2015

Blog Tour: THE TRUTH ABOUT HIM by Molly O'Keefe

THE TRUTH ABOUT HIM BOOK BLURB: 


For fans of Christina Lauren and Jodi Ellen Malpas comes the next novel in M. O’Keefe’s breathtakingly sexy series about a woman called into a journey of the heart, body, and soul.
 
We played our roles, told each other lies.

But now Dylan is no longer just a mysterious deep voice on the other end of the line. We’re face-to-face and our relationship is very, very real.

We still have secrets—but so much is crystal clear:

The thrilling danger.

The raw, naked desire.

The need to keep feeling the way he makes me feel. Forever.

Dylan is putting up walls, trying to keep me safe, but he can’t shut me out. He has seen my darkness and rescued me. Now it’s my turn, if only he will let me.


GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
PURCHASE LINKS: 
Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1FKW4v6
LINKS FOR EVERYTHING I LEFT UNSAID (Everything I Left Unsaid, #1) 
Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1FKW4v6
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1N5ajxk

AUTHOR INFORMATION: 

BIO: 

Molly O'Keefe has always known she wanted to be a writer (except when she wanted to be a florist or a chef and the brief period of time when she considered being a cowgirl). And once she got her hands on some romances, she knew exactly what she wanted to write.

She published her first Harlequin romance at age 25 and hasn't looked back. She loves exploring every character's road towards happily ever after.

Originally from a small town outside of Chicago, she went to university in St. Louis where she met and fell in love with the editor of her school newspaper. They followed each other around the world for several years and finally got married and settled down in Toronto, Ontario. They welcomed their son into their family in 2006, and their daughter in 2008. When she's not at the park or cleaning up the toy room, Molly is working hard on her next novel, trying to exercise, stalking Tina Fey on the internet and dreaming of the day she can finish a cup of coffee without interruption.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Site - http://www.molly-okeefe.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/MollyOKwrites
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MollyOKeefeBooks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/223845.Molly_O_Keefe
 
EXCERPT: 
 
I don’t want to be alone,” she breathed against my chest. Her hands, cool and shaking, slipped around my waist.
I didn’t want to be alone either. For the first time in longer than I could remember, my solitude chafed.
She stared back at me with haunted eyes. “Don’t make me be alone,” she whispered.
Oh. Jesus. I could not refuse.
“Come on.” I led her into the bedroom. Which was so damn tiny. There was the double bed in faded and worn flowery sheets and there was us. She took a deep breath and her chest nearly touched mine. “Let’s . . . let’s try and get some sleep.”
She crawled up onto my bed, and I looked out the window instead of at her ass in those little shorts. Her petite body curled up into almost nothing on one side of the bed.
You cold?” I asked, and she shook her head. Her blue eyes piercing in the darkness.
 “Do . . .” Annie sat up, her eyes on her hands. “Do you want me to leave?”
“No.” Fuck me, but that was the truth. I didn’t want her to leave.
I crawled into bed beside her, making sure we weren’t touching. Half my leg was hanging off the bed and my arms were behind my head. The bed was barely big enough for me and while she might be tiny, this thing between us was huge.
Tell her, I thought. Tell her why youre here. Tell her what being here might cost her.
But I couldn’t. I didn’t want to scare her. I didn’t want to add to her worry; she had enough.
Bullshit, that voice said. You dont want her to leave. You dont want her to leave you alone in this fucking trailer park with Pops and your brother and your past. Be man enough to admit that.
Suddenly, she crawled toward the end of the bed.
“What are you doing?”
“This is worse than being alone,” she said. “I’m lying here thinking about everything you asked me to do, everything we did together, and you’re right here and I’m right here and we might as well be miles apart. It hurts, Dylan.” Her eyes, her beautiful eyes, revealed it all, the width and breadth of her agony. “It hurts to be near you like this.”

Monday, November 30, 2015

Check this out: RARITY FROM THE HOLLOW by Robert Eggleton

Today I'm shining a spotlight on "Rarity from the Hollow" by Robert Eggleton. Make sure to check it out!

Summary:
Lacy Dawn's father relives the Gulf War, her mother's teeth are rotting out, and her best friend is murdered by the meanest daddy on Earth. Life in the hollow is hard. She has one advantage -- an android was inserted into her life and is working with her to cure her parents. But, he wants something in exchange. It's up to her to save the Universe. Lacy Dawn doesn't mind saving the universe, but her family and friends come first.

Rarity from the Hollow is adult literary science fiction filled with tragedy, comedy and satire.

“The most enjoyable science fiction novel I have read in years.”
Temple Emmet Williams, Author, former editor for Reader’s Digest


“Quirky, profane, disturbing… In the space between a few lines we go from hardscrabble realism to pure sci-fi/fantasy. It’s quite a trip.”
    Evelyn Somers, The Missouri Review

. "…a hillbilly version of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy…what I would have thought impossible; taken serious subjects like poverty, ignorance, abuse…tongue-in-cheek humor without trivializing them…profound…a funny book that most sci-fi fans will thoroughly enjoy." -- Awesome Indies (Gold Medal)

“…sneaks up you and, before you know it, you are either laughing like crazy or crying in despair, but the one thing you won’t be is unmoved…a brilliant writer.” --Readers’ Favorite (Gold Medal)

“Rarity from the Hollow is an original and interesting story of a backwoods girl who saves the Universe in her fashion. Not for the prudish.” —Piers Anthony, New York Times bestselling author

“…Good satire is hard to find and science fiction satire is even harder to find.” -- The Baryon Review
Excerpt: Rarity from the Hollow, Chapter 2, 

Recess

……Designated to be consolidated, the school received little maintenance except to reduce liability. The playground had a chain link fence with vines growing through the diagonals, squeaky swings so loud that everyone on recess had to holler, and two teeter-totters with splinters that targeted fresh butt. Only one improvement had been added during the last three years of consolidation controversy.  Pieces of shredded car tires were put under the monkey bars to cushion falls.  
During recess, the teachers smoked cigarettes behind the corner of the brick school building. It was a designated smoking spot so that students wouldn't be exposed to bad influence. Consequently, the playground was without adult supervision.      
"Why do you want to feel angry so often?" Lacy Dawn (the eleven year old protagonist) asked Faith (Lacy Dawn’s best friend and classmate).
"Why not?"
"It messes up your digestion and gives you the farts."
"I like to fart – silent and deadly," Faith said.
"I've noticed." Lacy Dawn moved toward the gang hanging out under the monkey bars. They were older kids who lived on the hard road and who had parents who had been employed before the coal mine shut down. They still thought they had money.  
"My dad got a call about a job in Cleveland. What do you think, Lacy Dawn?  Your mommy was born there. Is it cool? Will I meet Eminem?" the tallest kid asked.
"Does your daddy still hit your mommy when he gets drunk?” Lacy Dawn asked.
"Sometimes, but what's that got to do with Cleveland?"
"Everything."
The tall kid grabbed the monkey bars and went to its end. His tip-toes touched the shredded tires. It was easier because the ground was several inches higher than before the shreds had been laid. Nobody acknowledged the achievement and all awaited his response. “When we get to Cleveland, I'll stand up to him. I promise," 
"You'd better or she'll know," Faith pointed at Lacy Dawn.  
"I know." The tall kid sat on the rung that had broken off his front tooth two grades before.
"Why'd you tell him that?" Lacy Dawn whispered in Faith's ear. "I ain't got that kind of magic yet and you know it. I can only see inside people when they’re right in front of me. Cleveland’s a long way off and, besides, Eminem’s from Detroit."  
Faith shrugged.
"My mom and dad don't ever hit me. Sometimes, I wish they would.  I do stuff so they will, but it don't ever work," the next tallest kid in line for therapy disclosed.
"Parents use different styles of redirection. Yours use guilt." Lacy Dawn said.
"Yeah, I cut myself once. See. It helped a little, but I would really appreciate a switch every now and then."
"Don't fetish,” Lacy Dawn said. “Relax. You're a good kid and your parents want switched, too. It's not your daddy's fault that the mine shut down. He feels guilty about not being a good provider and gets rid of it by giving it to you." Lacy Dawn kissed the scar on the kid's arm above the bottom of his shirt sleeve.  
The crowd went "Ooohhhh…" when the scar seemed to fade.
"You're a good doctor, Lacy Dawn," echoed the crowd. 
"Next!" a kid who lay on top of the monkey bars above the gang yelled.
"Give me your shit, Ronny,” Lacy Dawn instructed. “But, don't you ever say anything bad about Faith ever again. I'll vex you into eternity. You've been giving her a hard time since the first grade. It ain't fair."
"Sorry,” Ronny said. “I'm just so sad all the time. I take it out on anybody that will react and she's an easy target – fat and ugly."
"Next year, she'll be hot. She'll give you a hard-on that won't go down for days. You'll regret every mean thing you ever said to her."   
Faith moved into position to punch his exposed belly.
"I already regret everything," Ronny said, “everything.”  
"Your parents thought if they taught you how to predict consequences of your behavior you would exercise self-control. You learned it too good and now you go over and over every little detail. Before you do something mean, just take a few slow, deep breaths and you won't hit anybody anymore. Then, you will have less regret. When you stop being mean, I'll help you fix your depression. But, if you ever say one mean thing about Faith again, I'll let her kick your ass like it's never been before," Lacy Dawn said. 
"My mommy don't do nothing but watch soaps," a girl in the second said.
"Mine too," three smaller children gathered for wisdom.
Cigarette smoke formed a cloud that floated from around the corner of the building. Only one female teacher still had a husband and he had been jailed for manufacturing meth after their house caught on fire. It was another tidbit of conversation during an extra-long recess disallowed by the State Board of Education. Recess was the most productive part of the school day because of Lacy Dawn's magic way of helping others.  
"I wish I had a husband," the only male teacher employed by the school yelled loud enough for the kids to hear above the squeaky swings. 
“There goes Mr. I’m Gay again,” a boy said.  
“He’s so boring,” another said.  The crowd nodded.
"I wish I could fix my own family," Lacy Dawn whispered to Faith.
"It's a kid's job to help her parents and any kid who don't ain't much of a kid and maybe don't even deserve to live!" Faith yelled louder than Mr. I’m Gay.  It was her daily speech to classmates.  
The school bell rang to return to the classrooms. Another fifteen minutes was left before compliance was expected. Several kids gathered tighter around the monkey bars to try to get attention from Lacy Dawn. The healthier ones played more or less organized dodge and kick ball games in opposite corners of the playground. 
Like the center on a football team’s front line, Faith tried to look mean by grimacing and folding her arms. It was a body-guard-like role so the others used her as an avenue to Lacy Dawn by lining up. A first grader pulled down her shorts to show a blue bruise on her butt. Faith rolled her eyes and turned away. A fourth grader opened his mouth and pointed inside but Faith didn't look. A girl in the fifth who sat beside her in class pointed to her crotch. Tears streamed. Faith winced for a moment but screened her out by turning her head. Not today, Britney. Lacy Dawn only has so much magic at any given time. She needs to recharge. Everybody has issues and tissues. You can be first tomorrow.
A fight broke out in the far corner of the playground.  The games stopped and the kids rushed for the better entertainment.   Lacy Dawn and Faith followed to get a good place to watch.  The teachers saw the action and either returned to the building or gathered behind the crowd to bet on the winner.  
"She called my mommy a HO," a second grader with a bloody nose accused a sixth grader and swung air.           
"But she is. My daddy told me.  I didn't mean to make you mad," the sixth grader tried to maintain a distance by stepping back. "I'm sorry. I don't even know what it means."
"A Ho is a person who has a lot of indiscriminant sex," the smartest girl in school except for Lacy Dawn said to show off. Brittany put on her headphones and walked toward the school to prepare for the next spelling bee, which would include the word “indiscriminate.”  
Faith picked up the dodge ball and beamed Brittany in the back of the head. 
################

About the Author: Robert Eggleton has served as a children's advocate in an impoverished state for over forty years. He is best known for his investigative reports about children’s programs, most of which were published by the West Virginia Supreme Court where he worked from 1982 through 1997, and which also included publication of models of serving disadvantaged and homeless children in the community instead of in large institutions, research into foster care drift involving children bouncing from one home to the next -- never finding a permanent loving family, and statistical reports on the occurrence and correlates of child abuse and delinquency. Today, he is a recently retired children's psychotherapist from the mental health center in Charleston, West Virginia, where he specialized in helping victims cope with and overcome physical and sexual abuse, and other mental health concerns. Rarity from the Hollow is his debut novel and its release followed publication of three short Lacy Dawn Adventures in magazines: Wingspan Quarterly, Beyond Centauri, and Atomjack Science Fiction. Author proceeds have been donated to a child abuse prevention program operated by Children’s Home Society of West Virginia. http://www.childhswv.org/ Robert continues to write fiction with new adventures based on a protagonist that is a composite character of children that he met when delivering group therapy services. The overall theme of his stories remains victimization to empowerment.

Purchase links:

Author Contacts: 


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Review: UNDAUNTED by Ronnie Douglas!

Release Date: September 15, 2015

Type: Series, Book One, MC/Motorcycle Club, New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Needs More Leather?

About the Book: Being fearless has never looked so good . . .

Aubrey Evans needs to get her life back on track after her father is indicted for embezzlement. All she has to do to hightail it out of small-town Tennessee is save up money for college tuition and steer clear of hard-muscled boys on motorcycles. Yet there's no ignoring someone like Zion. A knight in black leather, Zion looks like every bad idea she's been told to avoid, but she can't resist him. Whenever she's in trouble, he's there. Appealing as his rough exterior may be, it's the protective, principled man beneath who tempts her like crazy.

Zion knows Aubrey doesn't intend to stick around. She claims to want only friendship, but he senses there's a naughty girl hiding on the inside—one whose intense desires match his own. For now, he'll be patient and play by her rules. But he knows it's just a matter of time before he weakens her resolve.

As they join forces to figure out who's behind a local crime spree, it's clear that the danger goes deeper than Aubrey guessed. And when she needs someone tall, dark, and undaunted to keep her safe, Zion intends to be there—now and always. [Synopsis from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I'm going to start with the one thing I didn't like, and then move on to the rest. So Aubrey jumped to conclusions, a lot. And because of those conclusions, she made some weird, if not confusing, decisions. Due to her weird thought processes, I got a little confused about what was and wasn't true. But eventually it was all explained.

Other than that, I enjoyed this book. Sure, there were some cheesy moments, but overall, it was a good story. I liked Aubrey, I even liked Zion.. even though he was a bit too perfect. I'm a sucker for a reformed bad boy (or maybe not so totally reformed?) so Zion definitely fit the bill. What I think I loved the most about this was that the author really got that small town feel across, and the way the Wolves and their town were like a family. I would definitely check out the second book next year!

Cover Lovin': Thumbs up! I wouldn't be able to stop myself from reading the synopsis if I found this at the store.

Recommendation: You need to love your boys a little lawlessly if you want to tackle an MC guy. Or at least believe in redemption.

Final Rating: THREE POINT FIVE out of FIVE (3.5/5). This would have been a four star book if not for the confusion with Aubrey's thought processes.

Get your copy of "Undaunted" today! And pre-order the next book in the series, "Unruly"!


Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Monday, November 23, 2015

Review: BOB'S BURGERS: MEDIUM RARE by Various

Release Date: November 3rd, 2015

Type: Comic Book, Graphic Novel, TV show tie-in, Humor, Punny Burger Names

About the Book: While Bob and Linda Belcher have their hands full running the family business, their kids Tina, Gene, and Louise have adventures that you won't believe! The producers, writers, and animators of the hit animated show Bob's Burgers proudly present all-original comic book stories, including hilarious installments of "Louise's Unsolved Mysteries & Curious Curiosities," "Tina's Erotic Friend Fiction," and "Gene's Rhymey Rhymes That Could One Day Be Songs." Whether it's Tina's daydreams of cloning back-up dancers or jungle misadventures, Louise's explorations of underground tunnels and time-stopping Wonder Wharf rides, Gene's lyrics that reimagine boring Aunt Gayle visits as epic journeys to fantasy worlds, the Belcher family hijinx are guaranteed to make you laugh! [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: So I am a huge Bob's Burgers fan. It's one of my go-to shows if I need to laugh, or just for background noise while I'm working on something. And let me tell you, this graphic novel does not disappoint. You can practically hear the characters' voices as they tell their stories. I could even see them doing these skits in a few of the episodes, if they could find a way to work it all in.

My main issues with this comic, and why it didn't get a gushy perfect rating, were mostly technical details. In Gene's sections (the "Gene's Rhymey Rhymes That Could One Day Be Songs"), the print was so small I had to squint to read it all. And anything involving Linda and Bob was maybe given one page, while Tina, Gene, and Louise's stories went on for multiple pages - sometimes several panels too long.

That said, I still greatly enjoyed this. It's a fast read, and a super fun one. I will definitely be on the lookout for more Bob's Burgers comics in the future!

Cover Lovin': I do like this cover, but I almost wish they had gone with one of the variant covers because there were some seriously hilarious ones.

Recommendation: Some familiarity with the show is recommended before picking up this graphic novel.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5)! Fun just like the show, but some of the little skits were a bit too long.

Get your copy of "Bob's Burgers: Medium Rare" today from Amazon.com!

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~


Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks Netgalley!

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Review: SKYE FALLING by Anna Kyle

Release Date: August 25, 2015

Type: Novella, Series, Book 2, Shapeshifters, Fae, Rawr!

About the Book: Skye, a Fae-shapeshifter halfing, could die if she doesn’t find out how to wake her dormant wolf, so mere rumors of the Wolf King’s return are enough to convince her to sneak through the portal between Faerie and Chicago in search of his aid. But the dizzyingly bright lights and sounds of the human realm are too tempting to ignore. So is the sexy shapeshifter wolf intent on capturing her—the one who stirs her sleeping wolf just long enough to bind the handsome stranger in a mate-bond.

Lake is willing to do anything to protect the Wolf King, a man he also calls friend. So when he receives word that a Fae princess has slipped into Chicago, he suspects a plot to assassinate the Wolf King. He’s certain capturing her will be as easy as locating her—that was his first mistake. Not only is his wolf a little too interested in Skye, but the wolf accepts her mate-bond without any say-so from him. As he unravels the truth surrounding the smart-mouthed princess and whether she’s hunting his friend or being hunted by someone else, Lake’s mission changes: protect Skye at all costs. And keep her for himself. [Synopsis from Goodreads.com]

My Review: It's been a while since I read a good, cheesy shifter romance. And anyone that reads this blog should know how much I love cheese. When I was offered this book to review, I jumped at the chance. A half-fae, half-shifter princess and the gruff and tough werewolf thrown together? Sign me up! And I wasn't disappointed. Some parts of this were cheesy, for sure. But overall, this was an incredibly cute story. It can definitely be a one-sitting read, since this book is great for curling up under a warm blanket and enjoying an even warmer - or should I say hot? - shifter!

Skye can get a little annoying at times, I'll admit. She jumped to conclusions a lot. But really, the rest of the book made up for it. I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed Lake for sure, and I think this would be a great series to keep an eye on for fun future reads. Sure, this isn't the next chart-topping hit - but it is an enjoyable read, and will be worth looking into for anyone needing a good shifter romance.

Cover Lovin': Well it certainly caught my eye! Thumbs up.

Recommendation: While this is the second book in the series, it is not required to read the first book to understand what's going on.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE (3/5) stars! An enjoyable, fast-paced werewolf story. Worth a read!

Get your copy of "Skye Falling" by Anna Kyle from Amazon.com today!


Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Release Week Blitz: EASY MELODY by Kristen Proby!

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EASY MELODY is a Contemporary Erotic Romance novel and is the 3rd book in The Boudreaux Series. It is due to be released on November 10, 2015! Grab your copy of the latest installment of this sexy series today!

  Easy Melody - cover

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EXCERPT:
Here goes nothing.
              It’s still early in the evening, but it’s not a typical busy night, and I’m hoping I’ll be able to get Callie alone, even if it’s just for a few moments so I can talk to her. I don’t want to wait until later tonight to walk her to her car.
              I walk in and sigh in relief. It’s slow in The Odyssey, with just a few tables occupied, and a couple of guys at the bar. The roof is closed, which tells me it’s been mellow all day.
              Perfect.
              As I walk toward the bar, I see Callie at the far end talking to a tall suit-type who’s handing her flowers.
              “Oh, Pete, you didn’t have to do that.” She’s smiling as she buries her nose in the blooms.
              “Well, dinner out just hasn’t worked out, so I decided to come to you.”
              Who the fuck is this?
              “We’ve both been busy,” Callie says as she shifts her gaze and finds me standing not far behind Flower Boy. Her eyes widen and her cheeks pinken. I stand firm, cross my arms over my chest, and watch unapologetically.
              Mine.
              “I know things ended between us a long time ago,” the dude continues, “but I’ve never forgotten you, Cal. Let me take you out, like old times.”
              Fuck that.
              “Callie,” I say, my voice calm but firm. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
              “Adam can get you a drink. We’re having a conversation,” Pete says, obviously pissed at being interrupted.
              I bet he’s been practicing his speech for a week.
              “Now,” I say simply.
              “I’ll be back,” she says to Pete, then walks around the bar and motions for me to follow her. As soon as we’re in her office, I close the door and move her against it, caging her in.
              “Is he who you want, Callie?” I’m panting, adrenaline taking over. Callie’s blue eyes are wide and pinned to mine. She’s gripped on to my shirt over my ribs, holding on tightly. “Say he is, and I’ll leave right now.”
              She blinks once, then again.
              “That’s what I thought,” I plunge one hand into her soft hair, fist my hand in it and tilt her head back, and kiss her. Hard. She moans, long and deep, pulling me to her with those hands, and I’m lost in her. Our tongues explore each other, and then I nibble the corner of her mouth and kiss her softly. “I’m tired of trying to keep my hands off of you,” I murmur, my lips still against hers.

Easy Melody - RWB teaser 1 ABOUT EASY MELODY: Callie Mills never intended to return to New Orleans and the life she left behind more than a decade ago. There was no need to open old wounds when she had the life she’d worked hard for in Denver. But when she’s fired from her awesome job in Colorado and her father dies, she has no choice but to return home to run the derelict bar left to her in the heart of the French Quarter. Callie must not only face bad memories but turn The Odyssey into something she can be proud of. And who better to help bring in crowds of people than Declan Boudreaux? Declan is a sought-after musician who knows he’s good at what he does and loves doing it. Known to pack the house, he also loves women and doesn’t expect to be knocked back a step by the beautiful new owner of The Odyssey. Callie is sharp, gorgeous and funny, and makes him yearn for something he never has before… Commitment. But when Callie’s able to turn the business around with renovations, making it one of the hottest bars in the Quarter, will she sell out and leave her past behind once and for all, or will Declan be able to convince her that’s she’s where she needed to be all along…in his arms.   Easy Melody - RWB teaser 2  

And don’t forget to grab the first book in the Boudreaux Series!

Easy Love - cover

EASY LOVE

  Easy Charm - cover

EASY CHARM

    Author Pic - Kristen ProbyABOUT KRISTEN PROBY: New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.      

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