Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Review: APOLLO: THE BRILLIANT ONE by George O'Connor

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

Release Date: January 26, 2016

Type: Graphic Novel, Comic Books, First Second Books, Mythology, Series, Book 8, Teen/Young Adult, Just Call Me The Brillaint One

About the Book: George O'Connor's popular Olympians graphic novel series continues with Apollo. Told by the Muses, readers will encounter some of the most famous Greek myths featuring the god of music and prophecy.

My Review: Another good Olympians book! I originally picked this series up a few years ago when I needed a nonfiction graphic novel book for my Library Services to Young Adults class - and I have not been disappointed since. George O'Connor clearly knows his mythology, and does an excellent job bringing it to life in this full color book.

Apollo is often linked to the Muses, and O'Connor uses that in this book. Each of Apollo's stories is told by one (or more) of the Muses, further linking them together in the reader's mind. What I like best about these graphic novels is that they are great for visual learners. Mythology is a fun topic for a lot of middle schoolers, and can even be a great gateway into reading. But for those that might struggle with the stories, the Olympians series is a great go-to. I've pimped these books out plenty at my own library to middle grade and young adult readers.

Cover Lovin': Nice one. The image of Apollo fighting the serpent is one of the stories in the book - and definitely makes for a rockin' cover.

Recommendation: For fans of Greek Mythology, this series is a definite go to. I also think this series would be great for a reluctant reader struggling with Greek Mythology.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). A great read! The illustrations are great, and the story structure presents the myths in a fun way.


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

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Release Week Blitz: EASY CHARM by Kristin Proby!

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We are so excited to bring you the Release Week Blitz for Kristen Proby's EASY CHARM! EASY CHARM is a Contemporary Erotic Romance novel and is the 2nd book in The Boudreaux Series. It is due to be released on July 7, 2015!

  Easy Charm -Cover

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** Kobo

    EC - Teaser 1     ABOUT EASY CHARM: Gabrielle Boudreaux, the youngest of the Boudreaux clan, is a single mother of her young son, Sam. Running a Bed and Breakfast at the family plantation house at the edge of the Mississippi River, Gabby loves her inn, her boy and her family. She meets new people every day, and takes pride in the house and land that has been in her family for more than five generations. Blessed beyond measure, she’s also lonely, although she would never admit that to anyone. Until Rhys O’Shaughnessy walks through her door, brooding and wounded and the sexiest thing she’s ever laid eyes on. Rhys has been at the top of his game as a major league pitcher for the Chicago Cubs for more than ten years. Baseball is in his blood. But when he tears his rotator cuff and has to sit a season out, he retreats to Inn Boudreaux at the recommendation of his cousin, Kate, to heal and work toward building his shoulder back to perfect shape with only one goal in mind: to return to the game he loves. But he didn’t plan on being utterly charmed by a devastatingly beautiful woman and her baseball-loving son. When Rhys’ shoulder has healed and he’s given the chance to return to his team, will he leave the family he’s come to love behind, or will he stay with Gabby and Sam?   EC Teaser 2   And don’t forget to grab the first book in the Boudreaux Series!   Easy Love - Cover

EASY LOVE

  Author pic_MontanaAbout 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.        

Website**Facebook**Twitter**Author Goodreads**Novel Goodreads

 
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EXCERPT:
“Good, but you should have called me,” Eli says, then sighs when Rhys kisses my hand. “Are you going to continue to touch my sister for all of us to see?”
“Yes,” Rhys replies simply, making Kate grin.
“I’m not sure how I feel about this,” Eli says.
“You don’t have to feel any way about it,” I reply in frustration. “I’m a grown-ass woman.”
“It’s my job to protect you,” Eli says, as if I’m being difficult.
“But it’s not your job to be an ass,” Kate says, but softens the blow by kissing his cheek. “It’s Rhys. You know him. And they’re cute together.”
“Hurt her, and—”
“Seriously,” I interrupt, not wanting to hear the hurt her and I’ll kill you speech. “We’re fine.”
“I get it,” Rhys says to Eli. “I feel the same about Kate; you know that. We’ve had that conversation. I almost decked you when you showed up in Denver.”
Eli sits back in his chair, and his eyes calm a bit, but he looks no less foreboding.
“Don’t make me regret trusting you,” Eli says calmly, just as our meals are delivered.
“Back at you,” Rhys replies with a cold smile. Kate catches my eye, and we both sigh, and shrug as if to say, what can you do? They love us. They’re worried about us.
Damn it, sometimes they’re idiots.
But lunch is delicious.
“Beau said this morning that you need a new dishwasher,” Eli says.
“I do. I’ll find time to pick one out in the next few days.”
“Just come to the office with me after lunch and sign off on one, and I’ll have it delivered. It’s your inn, but damn it, we can help with that shit. You’re busy enough.”
“Too busy,” Kate agrees.
“I think I’m going to hire some help,” I reply. “Rhys might have talked me into it.”
Eli’s eyebrow shoots up in surprise. “We’ve been trying to talk you into it for over a year.”
“I didn’t need it a year ago.” I shrug and twirl a long string of cheese around my fork. “But I’m much busier now, and Sam is getting more involved in things, so it’s time to have some help.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Eli says, as if there is no room for argument, and I simply laugh at him.
“No, you won’t.”
“Gabby, I have a whole HR staff that can easily find someone qualified to help you.”
“I’m perfectly capable of finding someone to help me,” I reply. “You run your business, and I’ll run mine, big brother.”
He sits back in his hair and tilts his handsome head, watching me. “Okay. You handle it.”
“I will.” I nod once and sip my Coke. “I wonder if I should specify in the ad that felons aren’t welcome to apply.”
“Gabby, let me handle this!” Eli exclaims, and I can’t help but dissolve in a fit of giggles.
“I’m teasing. It sure is fun to get you all riled up.”
“Most wouldn’t dare,” Kate says good-naturedly. “I wonder what people would say if they knew that he’s nothing but a big softie.”
“I will take you over my knee, Kate,” he murmurs to her, and Rhys tenses up beside me, but Kate just laughs and leans her head on Eli’s shoulder.
“Right. Except you have this thing against spanking me, so I don’t think that’ll happen.”
Eli’s lips twitch as he buries them in Kate’s hair and kisses her head.
“I don’t mind being spanked,” I add and eat a chip loaded with cheese and beans, just as Eli’s eyes go cold again, pinned on Rhys, who simply laughs beside me.
“I don’t need to know this,” Eli growls.
“It’s not like he leaves marks. Well, they don’t stay for long.”
Kate is laughing like a loon into her hand, Rhys is smiling widely, and Eli looks like he’s about to spit nails.
Or spank me himself.
Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Monday, July 6, 2015

Guest Post: ADVENTURES ABROAD blog tour!

























Novel Addiction is part of the blog tour for Adventures Abroad! Author Jen McConnel is taking over my blog for today with a guest post. Enjoy!
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Inspiration and “Somewhere Else”

Early on in my writing career, I was describing one of my books to my sister, and she pointed out that all my work takes place “somewhere else”. For my fantasy titles, that means another world, but even my contemporary titles tend to be set in places outside of my everyday existence. I think part of that is because I’m a travel junkie, and I build my “to visit” list the way some people make their shopping lists: obsessively and regularly.

Over the years, I’ve been surprised at the way going “somewhere else” can spark my creativity. My current New Adult series, the Adventures Abroad books, were inspired by the summer I spent abroad after my sophomore year of college. I kept a travel journal while I was in Europe, but it never occurred to me at the time that the experience could result in fiction: I think I was more fixated on the idea of eventually crafting a memoir based on the experiences, although looking back, I’ve realized that other than happening to me, there wasn’t anything about that summer that really sets it apart from the thousands of other study abroad experiences American students have every year.

Still, spots I visited and memories I cherished made their way into my writing as I crafted the series; I only wish I’d had traveling companions like Sarah, Joelle, and Camie to make the experience complete. Traveling alone is an intense, amazing experience, but so is traveling with friends. I’m lucky to have been able to do both over the years, but other than classmates I met during the study abroad program, I was relatively on my own during that first trip to Europe. Near the end of the summer, I navigated the Italian train system to spend a day at the beach. I’d only swum in the ocean once before, when I was a teen visiting family in Virginia, and I wasn’t prepared for how deeply I would fall in love with the crystal blue waters of Cinque Terre. If I close my eyes, I can still experience the sound of the waves, the site of huge beach umbrellas and chairs dotting the beach like something from a vintage travel ad, and the salty, buoyant water. Despite a wicked sunburn (which totally makes an appearance in What Happens Abroad) that day at the beach remains one of my favorite memories from my first trip to Europe.

As writers, it’s important that we remain open to adventure, whether that means a trip abroad or taking a back country road instead of your usual route. Inspiration waits around every bend, and one of my favorite parts about writing fiction is being surprised when my experiences and memories sneak into the stories I craft. You never know when “somewhere else” will be just the place your characters are looking for.

I’m so excited for the opportunity to join y’all “somewhere else” later this summer: I’ve never been to Emerald Isle, despite living in North Carolina for seven years, and I know that stepping away from normal, even for a long weekend, usually leaves me with more inspiration than I know what to do with. And besides, I’m always happy when I can stick my toes in the ocean.

ABOUT JEN MCCONNEL:

A Michigander by birth, Jen McConnel now makes her home in the beautiful state of North Carolina. She writes NA, including the Adventures Abroad series (Bloomsbury Spark), the award winning YA novel Beautiful Curse (Swoon Romance), and various other works. When she isn’t writing, she can be found on her yoga mat or wandering off on another adventure. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time. Visit www.JenMcConnel.com to learn more!

Connect With Jen





Friday, July 3, 2015

Review: SEARCHING FOR ALWAYS by Jennifer Probst

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley!

Type: Series, Book Four, New Adult Romance, Contemporary Romance, Hot Cops and Hotter Anger Management Therapists?

Release Date: June 30th, 2015

About the Book: New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Jennifer Probst sparks a blissful mind-body connection as her “sexy, satisfying” (Kirkus Reviews) new series continues!

She’s an expert in helping others de-stress, but Arilyn Meadows is running on fumes. Along with her job counseling singles seeking soul mates at the Kinnections agency in Verily, New York, she’s a yoga teacher, animal shelter volunteer, anger management therapist, and helping hand to her beloved grandfather. No time to find Mr. Right—but after discovering her yogi boyfriend in a compromising asana, Arilyn would rather dog-sit for her honeymooning friend Kate than risk her heart on another downward dog. And when police officer Stone Petty—radiating masculinity and bad-boy attitude—is sent to her for mandatory lessons in cooling off when the job gets too hot, Arilyn vows to ignore his seductive glances and sexy grin. But there’s no halting their sizzling flirtation—a red-hot, high-speed chase that’s breaking all the limits. [Description provided by Netgalley.com]

My Review: I love this premise. I love romance novels where the hero and the heroine are at odds, and yet fall in love. The whole "opposites attract" thing. What I don't love.. is this book. I wish I did. I really had high hopes for it when it was offered for review. I practically jumped on it, even. But in the end, it all fell flat for me.

On to what I didn't like - mainly, that was Arilyn. I found her to be annoying, hypocritical, and basically a jerk. For someone that seems to think she has evolved past most of the human race, she resorted to blackmailing Stone, saying she would refuse to sign off on his paperwork if he didn't help her with something - this "something" being potentially illegal, and well outside of the required time he was supposed to be in his anger management class. She would also get really belligerent if someone happened to not believe in the same things she did.

What I did like was Stone. But I liked Stone when he wasn't with Arilyn. Outside of Arilyn's presence, Stone was a good guy. He was friendly with people he met, and he didn't act like a stuck up jerk. I probably would have given this book one star if it wasn't for Stone when he was away from Arilyn, and especially Stone with Pinky. Had this story just been Pinky and Stone, the not-so-dynamic duo, I probably would have given it five stars. Gladly.

Cover Lovin': How sweet is this! A very charming cover indeed, and I love how the title, author, and couple are framed by the arch.

Recommendation: For fans of Contemporary Romance. No huge need to read the series in order - each can be read as a standalone, but it always helps to have some prior knowledge of the characters.

Final Rating: TWO out of FIVE stars (2/5). Arilyn would get one star, but Stone was the redeeming factor here, especially when paired with the saddest little dog ever. Fans of the author will probably flip for this book. But it just didn't do it for me.


 Series Order: 
                       
 Happy Reading! 
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Review: BATMAN AND ROBIN 6: THE HUNT FOR ROBIN by Peter Tomasi

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

Release Date: June 30, 2015

Type: Graphic Novel, Comics, Comic Books, Superheroes, Batman and the Batlings, Hard to have Batman and Robin without Robin..

About the Book: After losing his son Damian—a.k.a. Robin—Batman has finally found peace with his death. Damian's grandfather Ra's al Ghul, however, has not. In order to resurrect Robin, he's stolen the body and now Batman will stop at nothing to reclaim him. 

Nearly two years of storylines—including threads from Grant Morrison's BATMAN INCORPORATED and Scott Snyder and Greg Capulo's BATMAN—conclude here in BATMAN AND ROBIN VOL. 6: THE HUNT FOR ROBIN. 

Collects BATMAN AND ROBIN #29-34 and ROBIN RISES OMEGA. [Description from Netgalley.com]

My Review: Despite Robin being no longer with us, he still has a strong presence in this graphic novel series. But then, I guess it is hard to continue a series bearing his namesake without having him there in some way shape or form. My biggest issue with this graphic novel, was that it felt like since they couldn't team Batman up with Robin, they would just team him up with whomever else was handy - Aquaman, Wonder Woman, even Frankenstein. In a way, it makes sense - hard to have a series based on a team up without some sort of team-ing happening. But it just felt rushed and so-so.

What I think this series does well is the tiny bits of humor they manage to sneak into such a dark series. Even in Bruce's moments of lightness and healing, though they be very few and far between, it is still gritty, like a true Batman comic should be. As a fan of Robin in all his (or maybe her?) forms, I was happen to see a small reunion of former title holders, though I will not spoil how or why.

There is a lot this series does well - the tone, the story lines.. but I will be happy to either move on from Damien, or find a way to bring him back to the story. Frankly, I would prefer bringing him back. I loved Damien. Not my favorite of the past and present sidekicks, but he had his own flair, and I loved seeing him and Bruce work together.

Cover Lovin': Very fitting cover. This title may be called Batman and Robin, but Robin is not exactly in the picture any more - as this cover accurately portrays.

Recommendation: For hardcore Bat-fans, and only for those that have kept up with this series. This is not a volume you can just pick up without the backstory.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Good, but not as dark and gritty as it used to be. This felt like it was missing something (maybe Robin?!).


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

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Release Day Launch: SEARCHING FOR ALWAYS by Jennifer Probst & GIVEAWAY

 

SFA_BLITZ

Today we are celebrating the release of SEARCHING FOR ALWAYS by Jennifer Probst. This is the 4th book in the Searching For series and it is published by Gallery Books. Check out the teaser and giveaway below.

SearchingforAlways
 

SEARCHING FOR ALWAYS Synopsis:

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Jennifer Probst sparks a blissful mind-body connection as her “sexy, satisfying” (Kirkus Reviews) new series continues! She’s an expert in helping others de-stress, but Arilyn Meadows is running on fumes. Along with her job counseling singles seeking soul mates at the Kinnections agency in Verily, New York, she’s a yoga teacher, animal shelter volunteer, anger management therapist, and helping hand to her beloved grandfather. No time to find Mr. Right—but after discovering her yogi boyfriend in a compromising asana, Arilyn would rather dog-sit for her honeymooning friend Kate than risk her heart on another downward dog. And when police officer Stone Petty—radiating masculinity and bad-boy attitude—is sent to her for mandatory lessons in cooling off when the job gets too hot, Arilyn vows to ignore his seductive glances and sexy grin. But there’s no halting their sizzling flirtation—a red-hot, high-speed chase that’s breaking all the limits.  

Add the book to Goodreads

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PURCHASE SEARCHING FOR ALWAYS

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

SFA_Teaser2 copySFA_RescuePet    
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Jennifer Probst

Jennifer Probst - Bio: Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean. She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Monday, June 29, 2015

Review: MANGA CLASSICS: EMMA by Stacy King & Po Tse

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

Type: Manga Classics, Graphic Novel, Jane Austen, Historical Romance, Not-as-good-as-Johnny-Lee-Miller

Release Date: May 12, 2015

About the Book: Just in time for the 200th Anniversary, Manga Classics: Emma brings Jane Austen's classic tale of youthful folly and romantic exuberance to a modern audience with this beautiful, new manga adaptation. The impulsive match-making of Emma Woodhouse delivers both humor and heartache through the gorgeous artwork of manga-ka Po Tse (Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice). - Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I love Jane Austen. I really like reading manga. This should be a match made in heaven, but honestly, it felt more run of the mill, very middle of the road. I think Emma has to be my least favorite of Austen's novels. I find Emma herself to be very childish sometimes, which gets on my nerves. And I got the same impression while reading the Manga Classics: Emma. But if you think about it, that is a good thing. Why? Because that means this manga adaptation of a classic, well beloved novel appropriately portrays the spirit of the original.

There are several graphic novel interpretations of Austen's work out there, the styles ranging from overly cartoony to very life-like. Manga Classics: Emma is very much in the manga style - including chibi figures in moments of high emotion. While this is something I have come to understand and even appreciate in manga, a friend of mine read it and felt that it made the classic novel feel immature. I appreciated the art throughout this graphic novel. The characters were consistent, the outfits fitting and looked appropriate for the time period. I just wished Mr. Knightley would have looked a little less like a cheap villain - it was the strange goatee that did him in, I think.

Overall, this was a good adaptation. It's hard to review a graphic novel version of a classic without it becoming a strange compare and contrast, so I have done my best. Manga Classics: Emma has done well taking a book full of complex characters and intertwining story-lines and making it not only understandable, but a fast and fun read.

Cover Lovin': This is certainly a very sweet looking cover. And I'm stuck thinking it both does and does not convey the story very well.

Recommendation: This is one of those niche books. Austen-ites (Jane-ites?) would eat it up - anything for a new Austen fix. But it probably won't appeal to anyone that doesn't already like manga, considering manga is incredibly stylized.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE (3/5). A good adaptation, but not the best of the Manga Classics by far.


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