October 27, 2013

Sia by Josh Grayson

Sia Holloway wakes up on a park bench completely clueless as to who she is and what she's doing there. After a  few days living as a homeless person and a chain of events, Sia is thrown back into the world she once existed in--only, she still hasn't gotten her memory back. With her new perspective and experiences but otherwise a blank slate, Sia tries to ease back into her life only to realize she hates who she once was known to be (she was the leader of the "mean girls" at her school). Of course, along the way, she tries to mend ties with a certain boy. Someone she really likes now. Someone she used to torment and possibly hates her. Can Kyle learn to forgive Sia for everything she's done in the past? Can people really change? Will Sia's memory come back and destroy everything she's working so hard to change in her life? This novel follows Sia in her journey to reclaim her life and try to change it for the better. 

The first few chapters of the novel really threw me a curve ball. I was not sure what I was getting myself into. There was a girl who woke up on a park bench with no memory. From there, she learns the ropes to life on the street. At that point, I really didn't know what to expect. The twist in the plot where Sia is pulled back into her old life by chance came just at the right time. I was just at the point of being bored of reading about a girl learning to live the homeless life lol. This was not my usual cup of tea (full of hot, steamy romance) but had just enough between Kyle and Sia. It was nice novel, it was different (a good kind of different, that is).


The Kindle version of Sia will be available for purchase November 20!

October 25, 2013

Heartbreak Ranch by Anastasia Ryan

Graysen Beaufort is stuck vacationing at a ranch with her family for two weeks. She's convinced she's going to be bored out of her mind for the duration. But, of course, there she meets Colt McCord--the handsome horse trainer at the ranch. Will she take a chance on Colt with only two weeks with him?

First things first...who doesn't love cowboys? Not sure what it is about them but they're hella sexy... Anyways...the instant attraction between Graysen and Colt is intense. It's the type of attraction one finds in the movies. It's hot, it's heavy and it's devastating. I love the level of intensity between the two. The conflict with Graysen's family grated my nerves at times but who wants anything interrupting two lovers? Definitely a great debut novel!


You can purchase the Kindle version of Heartbreak Ranch on amazon.ca!

October 15, 2013

Heartbreak Ranch Book Blitz!


What more than you need than a hot cowboy + love? Ummm...nothing! You can get your fill of cowboy and love when you get your hands on Anastasia Ryan's Heartbreak Ranch--out today! Watch out for my review coming to phishbowl's bookshelf soon :)

But for now, and just to get you all excited, here's a blurb to tide you over:


Recent college graduate, Graysen Beaufort, resigns herself to two weeks of boredom at a dude ranch honoring her parents’ wishes for one last family vacation.


She doesn't plan on meeting Colt McCord, an irresistible cowboy who threatens to bring disorder to Graysen's ordinarily ordered life.



Dodging an overprotective family, an unwelcome suitor, and certain heartbreak, Graysen struggles to break free of her limitations and submit her heart to Colt’s love. But learning to let go isn't easy, even with a man like Colt.

Colt McCord, White Pine Ranch’s head horse trainer, loves the busy, back-breaking work of a cattle ranch.

But when he meets a beautiful and spirited woman from Iowa, she makes him forget everything he'd known before, and he risks everything to be with her.

Colt is accustomed to breaking horses, but can he tame Graysen’s wild heart before it is too late?





The Kindle and Nook editions of Heartbreak Ranch are now available for purchase!

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About the Author


Anastasia Ryan is a native New Yorker, but lives in Iowa with her family. She loves the beautiful chaos of raising six children. She is her husband’s girlfriend, but is also quite smitten with the written word. As the daughter of teachers, she has had a love of both great literature and writing in her blood since she was a baby. At a very early age, you would have found her perched on her father’s lap as he typed out his Master’s thesis for English. She is addicted to great books she can get lost in, finds cooking relaxing, is a sometimes web geek, and loves spending time with family and friends. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Creative Writing.
Author Links:
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GIVEAWAY
1 ebook of Heartbreak Ranch and $10 iTunes Gift Card (INT)
3 ebooks of Heartbreak Ranch (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Book Blitz Organized by:

October 14, 2013

Forever Innocent by Deanna Roy

Corabelle Rotheford thought she was starting her life again at UC San Diego. No one around knows a thing about her past--a perfect blank slate. That is, until her ex, Gavin Mays, shows up in her astronomy class. Can she keep her past in the past or will her ex dredge up all that she's tried so hard to conceal?

Gavin can't believe that he's run into his ex at UCSD of all places. Having run off on Corabelle at the worst possible time a few years back, he believes that fate has given him a second chance to right his wrongs. Can he make Corabelle see that he wants to make things right or did he leave things irreparable?

I'm not sure if it's because of the heavy themes in this book or perhaps the way it was written but I found hard to get through. It took me a while to get through, slow at times and it didn't quite capture my interest. I felt that the story was stretched out too long and by the end of the novel, I was tired of reading the same things that were constantly being brought up. I felt like I was reading a bit about the present, then a flashback--each time, a new little bit of information was brought forward, back to the present, another flashback, etc., etc., etc...trailed on for a bit. I think I would have liked to have had the history up front and then see more focus on the present interactions between Corabelle and Gavin. I get that their past is what makes them who they are now but there may have been a bit too much for my liking.


You can purchase the Kindle version of Forever Innocent at amazon.ca!

October 1, 2013

Back to School Blog Tour: Part II

Hope you checked out Part I of today's double header. If you haven't yet, you should definitely do so after (or maybe first!) :)

Now, for a short interview with Cassie Mae...you may remember her as the author of Friday Night Alibi and, most recently, How to Date a Nerd. Both are out and available now so you have no excuse not to read them! Anywho...here we go!


How to Date a Nerd is now available for Kindle and Nook!

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Hi Cassie (can we call you Cass?), so nice of you to agree to talk to me today and answer a few inane questions that you’ve probably already answered a million times! So let’s get started with the basics, anything you want to share and/or disclose with us before we delve into some questions?
I’m half asleep…so I’m not responsible for any of my ramblings! 

And yes, call me whatever you want.

Sexy Beast is totally okay, too ;) 


Herrreeee we go! If one song could describe you, what would it be? If you can’t describe yourself in one song, do you have a soundtrack to your life?
Baby Got Back


What would you say is the nerdiest thing about yourself? Ever hide that about yourself?
My Harry Potter closet (conveniently under my stairs.) And no, don’t hide it. I brag about it as often as I can, lol.


Have you ever found yourself in Zoe’s shoes? Did you have a period of “hiding” yourself until you became comfortable being in your own skin?
All the time. Sometimes I wonder if my opinions or feedback in certain things are stupid. Sometimes I have a hard time letting go without worrying what people will think. It happens to all of us, I think… and it’s a daily challenge to be comfortable in your own skin. But it’s possible. Some days are definitely better than others…you just have to get to the point where the good days outnumber the bad :)


There are a lot of one-off facts in your book. Awesome facts that made me smile, I might add! Did you have to do a lot of research for your “nerdy” references or was it all knowledge already in your head?
Most was already up there…but I did double-check a lot because I know people and their nerd knowledge! If I don’t get it right…well, I don’t want to deal with that wrath ;) LOL


X-Men seems to be a big thing for you—any reason? Who’s your favourite X-Men and why?
LOL, I get this question a lot. Havok is my fave because he’s hot in the movie, but also because I love the episodes he’s in. I can’t wait to see him in more movies. 

And Gambit is a VERY close second. 

And X-Men is big for me for the same reason it was big for Zoe in the book. I’ll grab the excerpt here…

I shake my head clear and stare at the book. It’s dark with the flashlight now being run around my back, but I’ve memorized the picture. Why do I like this? 

“’Cause it’s frakking awesome.”

He chuckles. “Why?”

“Zak…” 

“Humor me.”

Gosh, I’d do anything for him right now. Even talk nerd with him.

“I dunno. I guess ’cause they are all totally hated for being different and still they fight to save the people who hate them, and that’s pretty heroic.” I pause before adding, “And they are all super badass!”

Now, I’ve got a very important question for you…Star Wars or Star Trek? Answer wisely as this may be the deciding factor of how cool you are ;)
Star Wars. Definitely Star Wars.


Good answer. We can be friends, still. lol. Lastly, and most importantly, I need to know…what did you drink the most of while you were writing How to Date a Nerd? 
Mountain Dew


Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today, Cassie…can’t wait for Switched coming out later on this year!!

Me too! And thanks so much!!!

Back to School Blog Tour: Part I

So we're a month into the new school year and who isn't excited that the kiddies are back to school!? To celebrate this wonderful time of year, I'm hosting a double header today--a review for Linda Budzinski's The Funeral Singer as well as short interview with Cassie Mae (author of How to Date a Nerd) for their BTS Blog Tour! 

So, without further ado...onto Part I of the BTSBT:

Let's start off with a bit about Linda Budzinski's The Funeral Singer with a blurb from her publisher Swoon Romance:

Being a funeral singer was a dead-end job until it led her to him ...

Seventeen-year-old Melanie Martin has witnessed her share of lame eulogies and uninspired epitaphs while singing part-time at her dad's funeral home. She's determined to be more than a funeral singer, more than just someone's "beloved wife" or "loving mother." 

When Mel's impromptu rendition of "Amazing Grace" at a local rock star's graveside service goes viral on YouTube, she becomes an Internet sensation, gains thousands of fans and followers, and snags a hot rock star boyfriend--Zed Logan, bass player for The Grime. 

But instant fame isn’t easy—and neither is love. Especially when Mel realizes she’s falling for another guy—one who may just want her heart more than her voice…

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So I can't write up a better summary than that so I'll just leave it as is ;) Melanie lands everything she dreams of--or so she thinks. She goes from freak-funeral-home-girl to rock-stardom--that's all one can ask for, right? Well...then things get messy. Who doesn't love a novel full of teen angst and confusion? This book totally held my interest because of the odd nature of it--ummm, funeral home...dead people? Not your average setting! Definitely not a hard book to get through. There's just enough romance in there to cause some pitter-patter in your heart!

Sidenote: I thought Zed to be a sketchbag from the first page he appeared--CALLED IT!!!


The Kindle edition of The Funeral Singer is available for purchase on amazon.ca!

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About the Author


Linda Acorn Budzinski decided in the second grade that she wanted to be a “Paperback Writer,” just like in the Beatles song. She majored in journalism in college and now works in marketing and communications. She spent 18 years at a trade association in the funeral service industry, where she discovered that funeral directors are some of the bravest and most compassionate people on earth. Linda lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Joe, and their chihuahua, Demitria. She has two step-daughters, Eris and Sarah. THE FUNERAL SINGER is her debut novel. She is represented by Andrea Somberg of Harvey Klinger Inc.

You can follow Linda on Twitter, Facebook, and on her Blog