Weekly Reading Update 6/03 - 6/09/16!

Another week, another update! As always, click the link for more info about each book!

It’s the first week of the library’s summer reading program, so I have gone a bit crazy. But hey - I need to rack up those points so my library can win a pizza party for staff! So let’s get started.

I was looking into the cast of The Defenders, a Marvel show that should be airing next year on Netflix - and I noticed they list the Iron Fist. This is a character I know almost nothing about, really. I haven’t even read comics where he’s been featured, at least not that I can remember. So I figured I’d give him a shot. I picked up The Immortal Iron Fist: The Complete Collection Vol. 1 by Matt Fraction. I have to say, I enjoyed it. I’d gladly read more - if I can find some more.

Next up, I finally picked up Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. This book made me ugly cry. I have to say, I always feel really betrayed when a book makes me cry, because I expect a happily-ever-after every time. Real life is depressing enough - I want happy fiction! But my cousin recommended it to me, and I needed a book that was adapted into a movie for two separate reading challenges, so I went with it. However, I can’t imagine myself ever reading this again. And I’m definitely waiting until the movie comes out on DVD before I watch it. I’m so not seeing it (and crying!) in the movie theatre!

For the library’s summer reading challenge, I have to read a book from our digital audiobook service, OneClickDigital. So I chose Doctor Who: Orbis, which features the Eighth Doctor.. One of my favorites! I was always so sad that he only had the movie, so imagine my excitement a few years ago when I discovered all the Eighth Doctor audio adventures. Unfortunately, they can be hard to come by in the U.S., and I don’t have the money to keep buying them. Thank goodness my library got some on OneClickDigital!

Next up was Freefall by Jill Sorenson. I reviewed a book by this author several months ago, and loved it. So I’m working my way through this series, which got some rave reviews. Book 1, Aftershock, was amazing. Freefall was just as exciting and suspenseful. I have to take breaks between each book, because otherwise I think Jill Sorenson might just give me a heart attack. That said, I’m super excited for the next book.

Lastly, I finished my week off with a graphic novel - Robin War by Tom King. This is the follow up to We Are Robin, which I thought was interesting.. But Robin War knocked it out of the park. I’m a fan of all the Batlings (my pet name for all the sidekicks), Nightwing (Dick Grayson) and Red Hood (Jason Todd) being my all-time favorites. I will admit that Red Robin (Tim Drake) really grew on me.

See you next week!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Review: DUNCAN: The Deal by Jade Sinner

Release Date: June 9th, 2016

Type: Novella, Erotic, Contemporary, Short and sweet, Let's Make A Deal

About the Book: He’s dirty-talking and sex on a stick.

Duncan Willis should be on GQ, not the co-owner of the company where I work. He’s my boss, and he’s also arrogant and cocky, knowing how to melt panties with just a smirk. That’s why I’ve avoided him.

I might fantasize about him, but I don’t need that in my life.

Until…

Until I catch him—OK, hear him—in a compromising position.

Yes, it was hot, but that’s not the point.

I need a date for one weekend. He needs me to keep quiet about what I witnessed.

It’s the perfect blackmail…the perfect deal.

Until…

Until one weekend of fantasy leaves me wanting more.

Read this cheesy, predictable, short, hot, and steamy book and learn how fantasy can become reality! Duncan: The Deal, is a standalone with a guaranteed HEA. Don’t miss your next bookgasm. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: You guys know me, I'm not usually one for novellas unless they are part of a larger series. But oh boy, I'm so glad I read this one. It was a rough day at work, and this was the perfect read to perk me right up. I love the whole "let's make a deal" trope, and this is a perfect example. Duncan is yummy, and Kimbra is his idea of a fantasy - so hey, this deal works great for both of them. And what do you know, real feelings develop along the way!

If you want an in-depth, heart-wrenching read.. you should move along. But if you want a good, cheesy, over the top, fan yourself kind of read? Look no further. If this is the kind of book I can expect from Jade Sinner, you better believe this is an author I will be adding to my watch list!

Cover Lovin': Well done! I love the pink text against the navy blue suit - very eye catching.

Recommendation: If you're in for some quick, dirty fun, this book is for you.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Great read! Jade Sinner delivered, for sure.

Make sure to get your copy of Duncan: The Deal from Amazon.com today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

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

     

    BUY NOW ON AMAZON    

         

Jade Sinner is two friends, two New York Times bestselling authors, and two chicks with a secret. We like to write sexy, dirty books—the kind of books that would make both of our mothers blush. Since we don't want to see that across the Thanksgiving dinner table, we came together and created Jade. If you have a secret too—if you like to read books that make you not only blush but flush—if you like quick reads, hot guys, naughty love stories, super-steamy sex scenes, and the promise of always having an HEA (Happily Ever After) then we have the books for you. We won't tell your secret if you don't tell ours... Then again, if you like our books and you don't mind telling the world about our dirty little secret, by all means, please, share! We promise to keep writing until we have enough to keep you and your friends busy with bookgasms late into the night! You're welcome! FACEBOOK  

Review: F*CK THAT: An Honest Meditation by Jason Headley

Release Date: April 12th, 2016

Type: Humor, Nonfiction, Meditation, Oooh Pretty Pictures!

About the Book: Let this book help you find peace with the challenges that surround you. Because they are f*cking everywhere. [Description from the back cover.]

My Review: My job can be stressful sometimes, so I tend to drift towards books about meditation... and funny books. Usually, I don't find them in the same text, so imagine how excited I was when I found this gem! F*ck That combines gorgeous pictures with curse words, and some legitimately good advice. It's not just humor to be funny, and not just cursing to be crude. Sometimes life just gets you down, and you need an expletive or two to truly express how your day is going. F*ck That can help you channel that inner grump into something a little more healthy - or at least a little more humorous.

What I loved the most about this book is that while reading, I can imagine calming music in the background, and a soothing voice reading the text to me, all while I look at the pretty, serene pictures. And really, all that alone would be enough to get me out of any bad mood I might find myself in.

Is this the best meditation book you will ever find? Hardly. Is this the funniest book you'll ever read? Definitely not. But it is an entertaining cross between the two, and worth a look through.

Cover Lovin': Beautiful cover! And fits right in with every other meditation book I've seen.

Recommendation: Curse words abound, so be prepared.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). This was a fun, funny, quick read. Worth a look through!

Make sure to grab your copy of F*ck That from Amazon.com today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

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

Review: DON'T TEMPT ME by Lori Foster!

Release Date: July 26th, 2016

Type: Book one, Series, Contemporary Romance, Insta-buy author, Do You Ever Wear A Shirt?

About the Book: Jason Guthrie has no time for entanglements—between helping out his widowed brother and teenage nephew and getting his hometown back on its feet, his days are spoken for. But his nights are another story… And when his lovely new neighbor, Honor Brown, reluctantly accepts his help in remodeling her house, Jason finds himself wishing his handyman skills could knock down the defenses she keeps building around herself. 

Martial arts teacher Sullivan Dean knows real danger when he sees it—even when it takes the form of the gorgeous blonde helping her friend move in across the street. After putting his wayward past behind him to focus on teaching control to troubled kids, Sullivan has learned to avoid party girls like Lexie Perkins. But Sullivan can't seem to keep his hands off the real woman behind that flirty charm—or keep his heart from landing at her feet… [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: Lori Foster is one of my go-tos for a good contemporary romance. She knows what she's doing. What strikes me every time I pick up her new book - with Don't Tempt Me being no exception - is how real her characters feel. I can very much imagine that these are real people. They're not perfect, they're just perfectly done. I loved her MMA books, but her romances that feature the cute-guy-next-door make me all giddy. I think that's because she makes me believe in real life happily ever afters.

You really get your moneys worth with Don't Tempt Me, because you're actually getting two stories in one book. Jason and Honor might be the main focus, but Sullivan and Lexie's story holds its own. I felt like this book wasn't long enough. I wanted, or maybe needed more from both of these couples. And thank goodness there's a note at the end of the book about a sequel in the future. The critical reviewer in me wants to talk about how over the top the ending was. I won't spoil anything, but there's a lot of mushy moments. But the romance reader in me just can't get over how right it felt. And even if cheesy endings aren't your thing, the story leading up to it is worth it. There's a real sense of family in this book - whether blood related or the family you make along the way. And that's where Lori really shines. These characters become real, and the sense of community sticks with you.

Cover Lovin': Simple, yet elegant.

Recommendation: First in a series, so no prior knowledge required. But be prepared to want more immediately.

Final Rating: FOUR POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (4.5/5)!! Loved it, and I can't wait for more. And for that matter, where can I find a Jason of my own?

Make sure to pre-order your copy of Don't Tempt Me by Lori Foster today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

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

Review: HOW MAY WE HATE YOU by Anna Drezen & Todd Dakotah Briscoe

Release Date: May 17th, 2016

Type: Humor, Nonfiction, This is real life y’all

About the Book: Most people think hotel employees are effortlessly cheerful, naturally helpful, and genuinely like their work. 

Most people are wrong.

Find out what really goes on in the world of hospitality with this hilarious book full of funny and absurd stories, anecdotes told in dialogue, factoids, and hoax pop quizzes by two veteran concierges who paid their way while working at a combined 50 hotels in and around Times Square. They are very pleased to help you learn the following: 
·         The Truth About Bed Bugs
·         The Mythology of “Loyalty Programs”
·         The 411 on Hotel Residents
·         And so much more

Filled with photographs and infographics, How May We Hate You? is both romp and commentary on the hospitality industry and life behind the nametag. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I work at a public service desk, so I can’t help myself - I love to read stories from others that work in public service. We downtrodden have to stick together! Humor is definitely my coping mechanism for a rough day - and I can tell authors Anna Drezen and Todd Dakotah Briscoe are the same. When I originally looked into this book, I figured it would just be a bunch of funny stories from the authors’ time at the concierge desk. And while yes, there were definitely funny anecdotes along the way, this book is definitely so much more.

Included in this book you’ll find some actually helpful advice - though it’s mostly stuff you should already be doing anyways. Be nice to people, and they will do everything they can to help you. Be rude, and no one will want to go out of their way to do anything special for you. It also cleared up some confusion about exactlya concierge can and cannot do. The meaning has changed considerably over the years, and I will admit, even I have been confused a time or two about what they can help me with.

If you want a quick, humorous read - give this book a shot. It’s worth it.

Cover Lovin’: Simple, yet sweet.

Recommendation: For anyone that needs a quick laugh - and doesn’t mind a quirky sense of humor.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (⅗)! Fun, quick read. But ultimately nothing to write home about.

Make sure to grab your copy of How May We Hate You today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

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