Showing posts with label contempory romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contempory romance. Show all posts

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Night Sky by Jolene B. Perry


Author: Jolene B. Perry Twitter / Facebook

Publisher: Tribute Books Twitter / Facebook

Published: March 1, 2012

ISBN: 9780983741862
ISBN: 9781466052338

eBook: 247 pages

FTC FYI: Review copy

Goodreads Summary: "Girl I’ve loved, girl I’m falling for. Now that they’re both in view, the problem is clear.

After losing Sarah, the friend he’s loved, to some other guy, Jameson meets Sky. Her Native American roots, fluid movements, and need for brutal honesty become addictive fast. This is good. Jameson needs distraction – his dad leaves for another woman, his mom’s walking around like a zombie, and Sarah’s new boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of her.

As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums - she's way more than distraction. Jameson's falling for her fast.

But Sky’s need for honesty somehow doesn’t extend to her life story – and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year."

Jameson is having a bad night. He doesn't have the courage to tell his best friend Sarah how he feels about her. He loves her, and has for years. Now it's too late, she's with Eric now. Jameson leaves the school dance and takes the bus down the Vegas strip to see his parents. They both work at a Casino and work odd hours. Jameson doesn't mind the hours, though. It works for their family. He finds them, gets a sympathy talk from his mom and she gives him the keys the Porsche to drive home. Even though he is down and out, there's nothing like driving his dad's Porsche. On his way, he has to pass by his neighborhood to head south, all the while blasting his 90's grunge music. Then he sees her. A beautiful girl with a tank top, flip flops and long black hair. Jameson can't believe his bravery when he asks her if she needs a ride. The girl is lost and Jameson offers to help her, because he lives close. Turns out she's staying with her grandparents while she attends college, and her house is down from Jameson's. They talk and flirt. Her name is Sky, and right away Jameson is hooked. Sky has a request from Jameson right from the start of their friendship, total honesty.

Jameson is a great character. I liked how the guy in a story this time is "the good kid". He's on the swim team, gets good grades, and has his head on straight (about most things). Sky comes in to his life and helps him with his still lingering feelings for Sarah. Other things come up for him and as they are getting to know each other, Jameson finds Sky is holding back some truths. Which is frustrating for him because of the her "honesty" rule.

I really liked this book. 4 out of 5 stars. Jolene is such an amazing author. She has a way of writing so smoothly and effortlessly. Jolene is also the author of The Next Door Boys which I loved! It was nominated for a 2011 Whitney Award. Knee Deep is an upcoming book from her as well.

Content

There is language and sexual situations. While the characters don't have sex, Sky does spend the night, and there are descriptions of Jameson's thoughts towards Sky.

I was so excited to be a part of this Blog Tour. Jolene is my friend, and I want to spread the word about her awesome books. Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.

After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.




Wednesday, February 29, 2012

On the Fringe by Courtney King Walker

On the Fringe

Author: Courtney King Walker

Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing

Published: 2011

Paperback: 272 pages

IBSN: 978-0-9825005-5-2

FTC FYI: I received a free copy which did not affect my review

Reviewed by Mindy

Goodreads summary: Claire is struggling to overcome the murder of her childhood friend and secret crush, Daniel. Everyone else seems to be moving on with their lives, but she's still trying to cope. The fact that she finds herself alone and drowning on her 16th birthday isn't helping.

Neither is thinking she sees Daniel's face in murky water as she mysteriously resurfaces. But something happened during those four and a half minutes that will make her realize it was not just her imagination.

As Claire and Daniel try to grasp a possible reconnection, other grudge-holding beings have plans of their own. Now, the two of them have to decide if their fleeting relationship is worth the possibility of Claire being trapped on the fringe forever.

Beautifully told, On the Fringe intertwines fresh ideas about devotion, revenge, and the consequences that come with life and death."

Right when Claire and Daniel are starting to realize they like each other, Daniel is killed in shooting. They have known each other for years, and Claire is best friends with Daniel's sister, Addie. While Daniel is best friends with Matthew, Claire's brother. In the beginning of the book, you get to know the characters and be with them for some of their escapades.

I love the way this book is written. It is told in Claire's and Daniel's perspective, and a bit in flashback form. Very clever, and written well. This book was so enjoyable and the characters were engaging. My favorite was Daniel. I felt myself cheering for Claire and Daniel even though... oops, I can't tell you all that. You will have to read this entertaining book to find out all the fun secrets. It was very intense in some scenes, and spooky too. There is someone out there on the fringe who wants to hurt Claire, and they need to find out why.

4 out of 5 stars. Find out more about the author here. Follow Courtney on Twitter on Facebook.

BARNES AND NOBLE / AMAZON