Book Review: Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins

 

 

Stir Me Up

By Sabrina Elkins

October 1st 2013 by HarlequinTEEN

Genre: upper Young Adult – Contemporary

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Cami Broussard has her future all figured out. She’ll finish her senior year of high school, then go to work full-time as an apprentice chef in her father’s French restaurant, alongside her boyfriend, Luke. But then twenty-year-old ex-Marine Julian Wyatt comes to live with Cami’s family while recovering from serious injuries. And suddenly Cami finds herself questioning everything she thought she wanted.

Julian’s all attitude, challenges and intense green-brown eyes. But beneath that abrasive exterior is a man who just might be as lost as Cami’s starting to feel. And Cami can’t stop thinking about him. Talking to him. Wanting to kiss him. He’s got her seriously stirred up. Her senior year has just gotten a lot more complicated….

 

**Contains mature content and some sexual situations. Suited for readers 16 and up.**

 Sabrina Elkins

website | Facebook | Twitter

SABRINA ELKINS, author of STIR ME UP, has also worked as a journalist, movie copywriter and prep cook. She grew up in Vermont, graduated from USC, and now lives in Southern California with her husband and three kids.

Sabrina loves hearing from fans and encourages you to visit her website, sabrinaelkins.com, and find her on Twitter @sabrina_elkins, Facebook, and at Goodreads.

 

Early Praise

“Cami’s slow burn for a wounded hero will rivet readers. I seriously loved this book.” Jennifer Echols, author of DIRTY LITTLE SECRET

“Fun, steamy, and leaves you hungry for more. Sabrina Elkins nails the vulnerability of becoming an adult and the choices that come with growing up.”
—Katie McGarry, author of DARE YOU TO

 

My Rating:

 



 



 5 SASSY BOOKS!

 

 

 

 

My Review:

 

 

Firstly, I'd like to thank HarlequinTeen for sending me a copy of Stir Me Up in exchange for an honest review.

Where to begin?! This book was just amazing! I absolutely fell in love with the story and it's characters. As in life we have to over come the bad to get to the good, Elkins takes us through this with Cami & Julian. Julian is a Marine, he was badly injured while over in Afghanistan and has now come to live with his Aunt, who just happens to be Cami's stepmother. Cami, is a sweet and caring girl and is just starting to discover what she wants to do with her life. She has a part time job working in her father's restaurant, she's almost finished school and she has a cute and caring boyfriend. Cami is happy, or so she thought until a certain Marine moves in and shakes her world apart by being the rudest person she's ever met. Who would've thought that love could start with a muffin being thrown at ones head, LOL! Love it!!!

 

Emotions run wild in this story, your heart will swell with the pure, sweet, soft romance... Young love *sigh*. Had quite a few laughs.. I also found myself misty eyed a few times, the pain that Julian goes through after the accident would be the hardest and Elkins portrays it so well, my heart went out to Julian, I truly felt his pain!

 

I loved the cooking in the book. Cami trying out new recipes, some turning out ok while others not so much, lol.  

 

I'll be keeping tabs on this author, I look forward to seeing more of her work.

 

Such an enjoyable read and I would encourage all to give this one a taste! ^_^

 

 

 

HAPPY READING!!!

 

**BOOK BLAST** Eternal Starling by Angela Corbett

 

 

 

 Eternal Starling
By Angela Corbett
 

 

A love so strong, even eternity can’t separate them. Evie Starling has lived a relatively uneventful life hanging out with friends, gossiping about boys, and driving her 1966 Mustang.

All of that changes when she moves to Gunnison, Colorado, to start college and meets two mysterious men. For centuries, Alex Night and Emil Stone have yearned for Evie but they each have their own reasons for wanting to be with her. When both men claim to be her soul mate and tell her about an unbelievable past, Evie learns that she s not the person she thought she was. Soon, Evie finds herself in the middle of an age-old battle between the Amaranthine Society the soul protectors, and the Daevos Resistance the soul destroyers. With a past she doesn t understand, and a future rife with danger, Evie has to decide who she can trust. But Alex and Emil aren t the only ones who want Evie, and her soul is about to become the rope in an eternal tug-of-war.

You can purchase Eternal Starling at the following Retailers:






 

Angela Corbett

 

As a child, Angela Corbett’s most prized possession was a set of read-along books. She used to follow along with the narrator on the stereo and dream of when she would be able to read by herself. Her childhood reading habit led her to consider her future career. However, after consulting with her parents, she realized she had already exceeded hobbit height and since fairies and dragonslayers were tricky jobs to get, she decided she wanted to create worlds of her own. She started writing poetry in elementary school and worked as a journalist in high school and college, but could never leave her love for writing fiction behind.

She is a graduate of Westminster College where she double majored in communication and sociology. She has worked as a journalist, freelance writer, and director of communications and marketing. She loves classic cars, traveling, and escaping in a good book. She lives in Utah with her incredibly supportive husband and their five-pound Pomeranian, Pippin, whose following of fangirls could rival Justin Bieber’s.

Eternal Starling is her debut novel and the first book in the Emblem of Eternity trilogy.

Links


Website

 

 

 

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**COVER REVEAL** Lost Without You by Liz Hannah

 

Lost Without You

by Liz Hannah

Expected Publication: December 30 2013

Cover Design: CoverIt! Designs

 

 

Grace Young thought she was a survivor - until the day her twin brother died, leaving her parents heartbroken and their relationship with Grace fractured beyond repair. Now all Grace wants is a chance to experience something of a normal life, before it's all too late.

Going to college hundreds of miles from home seems like the right way to embrace her new found freedom, especially after years of homeschooling, but while Grace takes to her classes naturally, it's the other side of college that she's unprepared for.

The parties. The friendships. The boys. Especially one Dean Michaels, the Haven University's star soccer player. Fate throws the pair together, and their friendship starts to turn into something more. But can Grace keep the secrets of her past hidden without hurting those she's come to count on the most?


*New Adult Contemperary Romance, recommended for readers 17+ for mature situations*

 

 

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Author Bio

 

Liz Hannah is a New Adult author that calls both Scotland and Australia home. Currently studying her Bachelor of Arts at university, when she’s not busy reading or writing, Liz can be found procrastinating from her studies indulging in her Pinterest habit or watching too many TV shows. Lost Without You is her debut New Adult novel.

Links

 

Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

 

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Antigoddess Blog Tour: Spotlight & Tour Giveaway



Welcome to our stop on the Antigoddess blog tour. ^_^

 

 

 

 

Antigoddess



(Goddess War, #1)

By Kendare Blake

 



The Goddess War begins in Antigoddess, the first installment of the new series by acclaimed author of Anna Dressed in Blood, Kendare Blake.

Old Gods never die…
Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.
Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.
These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.
Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.
Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath.

 

The Goddess War is about to begin.



Buy Links

    

 

 

 About the author
 

 

Kendare Blake is an import from South Korea who was raised in the United States by

caucasian parents. You know, that old chestnut. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Ithaca College and a Master’s degree in Writing from Middlesex University in London. She brakes for animals, the largest of which was a deer, which sadly didn’t make it, and the smallest of which was a mouse, which did, but it took forever. Amongst her likes are Greek Mythology, rare red meat and veganism. She also enjoys girls who can think with the boys like Ayn Rand, and boys who scare the morality into people, like Bret Easton Ellis.

Links

WEBSITE

 

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Series Spotlight & Review - Kiera's Quest: Sacrifices by Kristy Brown

 

Kiera's Quest Series

 

 

Keira's Quest: Awakenings

(Keira's Quest, #1)

By Kristy Brown

 

Meet Kiera, a pretty, intelligent, and talented girl, brought up by her uncle, and abandoned by her parents. Life is as normal as she believes it to be, apart from the deep ache inside her,
telling her she’s different. For years, Kiera had dreams where she ventures into a different reality. She’s not alone; a presence is always there, keeping her safe, yet she feels vulnerable,
and hunted.

Zakk, Prince of Zantar, is under the Witch Queen’s spell as she tries to take over his world. He crosses paths with Kiera, and their fates are entwined.

As their journey unravels, she learns that she is not the only one affected by this prince. Who is on her side? Will she find out why she has been chosen? How can someone so young, defeat such evil? Will she find the strength to save the ones closest to her? Will this be Kiera’s only Quest?

Great for MG-TEEN readers.( 9+)

 

 

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Keira's Quest: Sacrifices

(Kiera's Quest, #2)

By Kristy Brown

 

After almost beating the villainous Witch Queen, Kiera’s triumph is tainted with sadness for the loss of Joe and Daz.

When the handsome Prince Zakk asks Kiera to re-enter his world in order to save her friend, she does not hesitate.

On their perilous journey Kiera realizes that she is there to save many lives. As she comes face to face with her evil nemesis once again, Kiera comes closer to finding out the truth to why she has been chosen.

Will she succeed? Will this be the end to Kiera’s quest?

 

 

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Buy Links

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

Kiera's Quest: Perceptions

(Kiera's Quest, #3)

By Kristy Brown

 

The Witch Queen has sunk to a new level of evil.

Kiera is helplessly stuck in Zakk’s realm. With the vortex destroyed, she is desperate to find a way home. Her Uncle Tom, her friends and now the boy she loves, are in danger. Will Kiera find the strength and the self-belief she needs to save them?

On her lonely journey she meets new allies from peculiar races. The Prophecy is all falling into place. Will Kiera be able to forgive the people she trusted? Will she be able to save the world from her twisted nemesis? Will she finally believe that she is indeed the ‘chosen one’?

 

 

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About the author

 

I live in the North-East of England, UK. From an early age I had a love of writing, mostly poetry and short stories.
I trained and graduated in Performing Arts. After time went by, I wanted to re-visit my real passion. So after my first son was born, I began writing Kiera’s Quest.
I live happily with my very supportive husband and my two beautiful boys. I have many ideas for stories! I just wish there were more hours in the day.

Links

 

Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Rating:

 

4 SASSY BOOKS!

 

 

 

My Review for Kiera's Quest: Sacrifices

 

 

For short stories Kristy Brown definitely knows how to lure you in. It's been awhile since I read the first book and I thought it might take awhile for everything to flow back but once I started reading, it all just rushed back to me and it was good to be back in the story.

 

Kiera's adventure continues. After going through hell she's on a mission to help free her friend from the evil Witch Queen. Zakk and Kiera sneak into the Evil witch's castle and helps free slaves, when things turn sour and secrets are revealed. One in particular I didn't foresee, I was a little shocked lol. The Witch Queen is as evil as ever, she plans to rule the universe and she needs Kiera & Zakk to make that happen.

 

The characters are just amazing and the storyline flows so well. You have everything here to keep you captivated, the only thing I had trouble with is that it ended way too soon. I was so upset when it ended, I need to know whats gonna happen next.

 

If you haven't read these yet than get to it, come join Kiera and Zakk's adventure, it's not to be missed! ^_^

 

 



HAPPY READING!!!

 

Unattainable by Madeline Sheehan

 

UNATTAINABLE

(Undeniable #3)

By Madeline Sheehan

 

Warning:
This is not a virtuous and tender love story. It’s chaotic, ruthless, and
tragic. This story takes love and kills its innocence, steals away the pure
moments, and crushes the hearts of the broken. A story born in childhood, tying
one girl to one boy, leads to a destructive path—that hurts more than it
doesn’t, that shatters more than it heals—testing the love that binds the two
through a lifetime.

 

 

Tegen Matthews is the daughter of Dorothy Kelley, a club whore in the Hell’s
Horsemen. A plain little girl, Tegen falls into the gritty world of the
motorcycle club. When she meets a sweet, caring boy, she embraces the warmth
and affection he shows her. Cage West is the son of the president of the Hell’s
Horsemen. Tall and blond with deep brown eyes, as he grows up Cage realizes the
power of his dimpled smile and smooth drawl. With one chance encounter, Tegen
becomes forever tied to Cage. Following is a wayward journey that is filled
with regrets, mistakes, and heartache, pulling at the threads that hold them
together. Cage and Tegen fight hard but love harder, and in the end, what
matters is where the journey takes one girl and one boy, who have been twined
with one another since the beginning.

This is Tegen and Cage’s story.

Love doesn’t erase a broken heart, and it sure doesn’t change people. But no matter
how old, how flimsy, how frayed the rope of love is, it keeps you tethered to
the people you love.

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LINKS

Amazon | AmazonUK | AmazonCA | B&N | Smashwords

 



 

About the author

Madeline Sheehan, a Social Distortion enthusiast and devoted fan of body art, has been writing books since she was seven years old. She is the author of The Holy Trinity ebook trilogy and Best Selling Undeniable Series. Homegrown in Buffalo, New York, Madeline resides there with her husband and son.

Links

 

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | WEBSITE

 

EXCERPT

 

Once again in town, Dirty pulled off to the side of the road and cut his engine. Toeing his kickstand down, he swung his leg over his bike and stood up straight. While looking around the dark and quiet street he lived on, he reached into his cut and pulled out his smokes. Miles City had been perfect. The polar opposite of New York City and all the nightmares that place held inside of it. He could breathe here most of the time, and ride for hours, just him and the road. A shrill, terror-filled scream followed by the distinctive thump/slap of fist meeting flesh broke the small-town silence, tearing through the empty streets, emptying into the surrounding mountains, and Dirty felt his skin pebble with goose bumps. Another scream, this one garbled, more choked than the first, then another pounding of flesh, and then…silence. Dirty had a well-practiced poker face. Aside from Deuce, no one, not one motherfucker out there, could see through his bullshit. He could throw down with the best of his brothers, beat a motherfucker senseless, kill him without a second thought, his stare as coldhearted as the rest. He’d done deplorable things to a shit ton of people, men and women alike, and never once did he so much as bat a fucking eyelash at his actions. Until he was alone. Because when he was alone he could shake, he could tremble, he could scream and yell, he could punch the walls, he could punch himself. Alone, he could cry. Alone, he could let the fear out and, Jesus fuck, there was so much fear. He lived and breathed fear…every day, every night, all the motherfucking time. It was fear ruling him that had made him what he’d become. That had turned him into the sort of monster he’d most hated. And it was all that fear inside of him, coursing through his veins, pounding in his heart, making him sweat even more fear. It was fear that had him tossing his cigarette aside, fear that had him running down the desolate sidewalk, fear that had him turning down a dimly lit alleyway. It was fear that had him skidding to a stop, taking in the scene in front of him. And it was fear that had him pulling his piece and, with shaking hands, trying to blow a hole straight through someone else’s nightmare, a nightmare that was a fuck of a lot similar to one of his own.

 

HAPPY READING!!!

 

The Darkest Path Blog Tour: Spotlight, Favourite things & Giveaway

 

 

 

Welcome to our stop on The Darkest Path blog tour.

 

 

 

 

The Darkest Path

By Jeff Hirsch

 

 

 

 

USA TODAY bestselling author Jeff Hirsch once again creates a futuristic world with stunning, dramatic realism.
A civil war rages between the Glorious Path--a militant religion based on the teachings of a former US soldier--and what's left of the US government. Fifteen-year-old Callum Roe and his younger brother, James, were captured and forced to convert six years ago. Cal has been working in the Path's dog kennels, and is very close to becoming one of the Path's deadliest secret agents. Then Cal befriends a stray dog named Bear and kills a commander who wants to train him to be a vicious attack dog. This sends Cal and Bear on the run, and sets in motion a series of incredible events that will test Cal's loyalties and end in a fierce battle that the fate of the entire country rests on.

 

 

About the author

 

I live in upstate New York with my wife and a small passel of animals. I used to write plays (I actually have an MFA in it, which is number 8 on US News and World Report's list of the top twenty most useless masters degrees) and now I write books for teens. I've written three, The Eleventh Plague, Magisterium and The Darkest Path.

A few random facts about me:

• I’m incredibly superstitious.
• I believe in baking as the ultimate stress reliever. I mean, sure, I write pretty good books but have you tasted my Triple Chocolate Espresso Cookies?
• I’m deeply obsessed with the work of Joss Whedon, Stephen King, Bryan K. Vaughn, Prince and Tom Waits.
• I started writing because of two women—Susan Cooper, author of the Dark Is Rising Series and Denise Stewart, my 7th grade English teacher.

 

Links

WEBSITE

 

 

 

 

Top 10 Favourite Things with Jeff Hirsch

 

What Are A Few Of Your Favorite Things:

1. What Is Your Favorite Song? – Nearly impossible to say. Off the top of my head? Under the Milky Way by The Church. That, or The Ballad of Dorothy Parker by Prince.
2. Favorite Weapon? You know in those old movies about knights and castles and stuff? How the bad guy’s army would attack the castle and the guys up on the parapets would overturn this huge cauldron of boiling oil on them? Yeah, that.
3. What Is Your Favorite Type Of Food? – Southern comfort food. Or Indian. Maybe sushi. Oh! Pie. Yeah, definitely pie. Boy, I’d really like some pie right now.
4. Favorite Tattoo Design? – Anything misspelled.
5. Favorite Writing Utensil? – If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times, it’s not really writing unless you’re using a reed stylus and a roll of papyrus. (Ok, fine, a MacBook)
6. Place To Write? On a couch with a dog.
7. Favorite Quote? “Writer’s block is a fancy term made up by whiners as an excuse to drink more alcohol.” -- Steve Martin
8. Your Favorite Phrase? “Eh, what’re ya gonna do?” mumbled with a kind of world weary resignation.
9. The part of a story you like writing best? The beginning.
10. Favorite Book? Again, nearly impossible to say with any accuracy. I like too many for too many different reasons. My go to answer though is Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

 

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