Tinks A Lot - Nikki's Review of TRANCE by Tabitha Levin

(Goodreads Blurb)

I'm supposed to believe in magic. As a magicians assistant, it sort of comes with the job. But hot and sexy hypnotist, Jason Green, changed all of that.

I didn't plan on meeting him, and I, for sure, didn't plan on the way my pulse races when he looks into my eyes. Those deep blue eyes that can see through the walls I've built up over the years.

But I can't think about him. I just can't. Not when my life and career are crashing down around me, and all I can do to keep my head above water is close myself off from everyone, especially him.










I have to start by saying, "OMG!  Don't you just love the cover?"  And I have to thank the author for sharing a copy of Trance in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Trance is a fun little read. A good ‘pick it up on Saturday afternoon and finish it late’ kinda book. It’s a cute love story about a girl that learns to trust her instincts and her ability to love again. Really, it’s about finding the magic in your life.

Thomas Tinks is that funny, sweet Grandpa everyone wishes they had. Scarlett Tinks is his redheaded Granddaughter and stage assistant. She is a bit of an upstart, but with her cloudy past, you really can’t blame her. I just loved Lacey, Scarlett’s feisty best friend. And then there’s Jason; he is a sexy hypnotist with a popular show. He is mysterious and sweet; and so easy to fall for. The characters are great, each dynamic in their own way. Their love and devotion to Scarlett is really endearing too.

The pace of the story is good and it’s easy to breeze through. I felt like the love story could have developed a little more. There wasn’t a lot of bonding to really solidify such a whirlwind romance for me. Scarlett hints at a big, bad secret from her past throughout the book and when you finally hear it, it’s kinda crazy. The sexy bits struck me as abrupt and I didn’t find them very appealing personally. I think Trance would be better suited as a YA book, not New Adult. I would’ve been just as happy with the outcome minus the sex. The ending gave me serious ‘Lifetime movie of the week’ vibes. The emo drama queen in me loved it, though it felt a bit unrealistic and cheesy. But hey, different strokes for different blokes. I finished the book happy, despite my minor gripes.

All in all, this was a good read. I enjoyed peering into the world of magic, hypnotism and stage shows. I felt like I was attending the shows Ooohing, Aaahing and laughing along with the audience. I felt quite dazzled at times. I really liked Scarlett and her spirit too. I would recommend this book to fans of quirky new adult romances.

3.5 Stars!

More Favorite Quotes:

"The world made sure I always said something stupid or nutty when a hot guy stood in front of me"

"Can I see you again?" "Every time you lose your eyes, since you said I'm now etched in your memory"

"...By the way, these shoes you made me wear suck." "Of course they don't, they just helped you meet someone you actually might consider dating, didn't they? That alone means they are the best shoes I own."

"There is no man in the world that is truly perfect. I'd rather live with a fantasy, than be disappointed in reality."

About Tabitha Levin:

Romance author Tabitha Levin lives in sunny Australia with her husband and two crazy kids. 

She started her writing career in television media, before becoming a freelance journalist for various woman's magazines.

When she's not putting on sunscreen and lazing on the beach you can find her tapping away at the keyboard writing fun and sexy stories.

She is currently working on her fourth novel, due out early 2014.

Links:

Website: http://tabithalevin.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTabithaLevin

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5112983.Tabitha_Levin

Buy on Amazon: Trance

Nail Art

I created a Gel look for myself inspired by Trance (bonus that it works for the Holidays!) I used a sparkly red to represent Scarlett, with her fiery hair and spirit. I did one feature nail on each hand with a shimmery gold base and bits of silver nail art foil to create a magical look. I decided to call the look ‘Tinks A Lot!’

You will need:

• Sparkly Red polish (I like Essie Leading Lady)
• Gold polish (I like OPI Goldeneye)
• Top and base coats
• Silver nail foils or a Glittery polish of your choice (Young Nails makes my favorite)

You don’t need to be a nail pro to play with foil leaf. Just Google it! It’s available in plenty of online shops for cheap.

Create ‘Tinks A Lot!’ at home:

1.       Treat and trim cuticles.

2.       Apply a base coat and allow to dry about 10 minutes.

3.       Brush on two coats of sparkly red to four of your fingers. Allow it to dry about 10 minutes between coats. (I love Essie Leading Lady)

4.       Apply two coats of gold to your feature finger of choice. Allow it to dry about 10 minutes between coats. (I love OPI Goldeneye)

5.       Want to use glitter?  Apply a fun glitter on top of your dry gold nail.

Want to try the foil? After the gold has dried, apply a thin layer of top coat to the gold nail only. Or, only apply top coat where you want silver foil, either way will work just fine.

6.       Wait 2-3 minutes, use tweezers to grab a bit of foil leaf. Drop it on a desired spot on your nail, allow it to stick and rip away excess. Use your tweezers to move the foil around, bunch it up and tamp it down. Repeat until you have a pattern and look that you like.

7.       Apply a layer of top coat to all nails.

Abracadabra, you’re all set!

                   

 

Did you love Nikki's review?  Leave her a comment below to tell her how awesome her nail art is.

Cover Reveal - SALT by Danielle Ellison

Today Danielle Ellison and Entangled Teen are revealing the cover for SALT, releasing in early 2014! Check out the gorgeous cover, exclusive excerpt, and enter to win an eARC!

On to the reveal!

About the Book

SALT

Author: Danielle Ellison

Release Date: January 7, 2014

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/iTunes

Penelope is a witch, part of a secret society protecting humans from demon attacks. But when she was a child, a demon killed her parents—and stole her magic. Since then, she’s been pretending to be something she’s not, using her sister’s magic to hide her own loss, to prevent being sent away.

When she’s finally given the chance to join the elite demon-hunting force, Penelope thinks that will finally change. With her sister’s help, she can squeeze through the tests and get access to the information she needs to find "her" demon. To take back what was stolen.

Then she meets Carter. He’s cute, smart, and she can borrow his magic, too. He knows her secret—but he also has one of his own.

Suddenly, Penelope’s impossible quest becomes far more complicated. Because Carter’s not telling her everything, and it’s starting to seem like the demons have their own agenda…and they’re far too interested in her.

Exclusive Excerpt!

 “Jealousy is cute on you, Pen.”

“Don't call me that,” I snap, pushing my coffee away from me. “And I'm not jealous.”

He leans back on the chair. "Sure. And I don’t think you’re adorable." I jerk my eyes up. He’s smiling. Screw this—this is so frustrating. I tap my foot under the table.

"We're stating the facts, right?" he says.

“Right,” I say.

I don’t have time for this. And what is wrong with this coffee? I feel like I swallowed a fire and it’s all just burning at my stomach.

“You look sick again,” he says.

The poorly—or perfectly—timed waitress comes back with Carter's coffee and a whole tray of drinks. Carter, obviously, flirts again. I don’t know if he’s doing it to get a reaction out of me, but I’m not going to give him one. I watch him and say nothing, but the whole time it feels darker inside my head and my stomach whirs. It’s more empty, and more full, and unsettled at once. The waitress turns to leave a when it happens.

The waitress coughs, as if she suddenly can’t breathe, and trips. She flies across the air. The tray spills all over a table of four. I gasp, horrified. Another waitress grabs her by the waist, trying to give her the Heimlich. The waitress coughs out the gum. She’s crying hysterically, apologizing to the customers dripping with water.

The weirdest part? As soon it happens, all the fury that was building up inside of me disappears. It’s calm again, normal. The change is so sudden that my fingernails dig into the table. All I can hear is the waitress’s cry. 

"I don't know what happened," she sobs over and over again. I close my eyes. Everything inside me is completely still. No storm, no clawing, no emptiness or fullness. In fact, I’m suddenly starving.

Carter's looking at me when I open my eyes. There's something unsettling in his gaze, something suspicious.

“I gotta go,” I say. He starts to say something. I don't stay long enough to find out what it is.

Somehow I just did magic.

About Danielle:

Danielle Ellison is from a small town in West Virginia. She spent her childhood pretending to fly and talking to imaginary friends. When she grew up, she finally flew away (in an airplane) and started traveling the world. She hasn’t stopped yet, but someday she may decide to settle in one place. Her real life friends would definitely like that; they would probably also like if she stopped talking to her characters out loud.

SALT comes out in January 2014, and then it's sequel. In October 2014, FOLLOW ME THROUGH DARKNESS (book one of the BOUNDLESS Trilogy) comes out. She's got a busy few years! 

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Goodreads


Giveaway Details:

1 eARC of SALT International

a Rafflecopter giveaway

EXCERPT - ON CHRISTMAS HILL by Nichole Chase

I love this time of year when we can get winter stories about love and hope.  Being in Texas, our weather doesn't often announce winter when it arrives, so I always like to read holiday stories to help me get in the mood for Christmas.  Check out this excerpt of ON CHRISTMAS HILL by Nichole Chase.  It's only 99 pennies and sounds good

EXCERPT #1

“You sound like a kid waiting for Santa.”

“Well, I kind of am, aren’t I?” We got to the barn and he pulled open one of the large doors.

“You’re waiting for Santa, but you’re no little girl.” His eyes ran over my body in a way that made me blush.

“Geez, Nate. You’re going to make the naughty list if you keep that up.”

“Sweetheart, I’m always on the naughty list.” Nate laughed.

Check back tomorrow for Excerpt #2.

All This Time - A Review of READY TO FALL by Daisy Prescott

 (Good reads Blurb)

When you fall, you fall hard... 

Readers first fell in love with John Day as the hot next-door neighbor in Romantic Comedy Best Seller Geoducks Are for Lovers. Tall, dark, and handsome is an understatement. With the beard, a dog named Babe, and his ever present plaid shirt, John is a modern lumberjack in more ways than one.

Lurking beneath the flannel and beard could be the heart of a romantic. Or is John a wolf in flannel clothing?

After his favorite neighbor rents out her cabin for the winter, John finds himself playing fireman and tour guide to Diane Watson, a beautiful brunette with her own messy past and recent battle scars. When an ex shows up unexpectedly, their lives will be changed forever.

Will he be ready to fall in love? Or will he fall back into his old, flirty ways?

Hold onto your heart... and get ready to fall for John Day.

The Story...

I first became acquainted with John Day as Maggie's sexy, shirtless, lumberjack neighbor in Geoducks Are for Lovers. (see my review HERE)  He made for wonderful eye-candy for Maggie and her friends then, but I'm glad that he gets his own story and we get to watch his transformation.

John has spent many years making his way through the single women on Whidbey Island.  He flirts with all of the married women who come to visit during the tourist season.  Settling down has been the furthest thing from his mind until his high school crush comes around again, having separated from her soon-to-be ex-husband.  When John decides to test the waters and calls her his girlfriend, he gets a shock.  He discovers that she has been reconnecting with her husband, and they are not quite as separated as John had been led to believe.  After this crushing blow, John tries to fall back on his "player" status, but it lacks the appeal it once held for him.

Maggie has left the island to do some travelling with Gil.  She has rented her cabin out for 6 months to a newly divorced New Yorker, Diane, who's first act on the island involves nearly burning down Maggie's cabin.  John sees the smoke and rescues the poor woman and saves the cabin.  He appoints himself as Diane's keeper and spends a lot of time educating her in the ways of wood-burning stoves, fishing, and other aspects of island life.

The fact that Diane and John have just come out of hurtful relationships keeps them both from acting on the intense attraction that they feel toward each other.  At first.  After spending time getting to know each other they agree to work out a friends with benefits kind of relationship.  Because those ALWAYS work out well, right?

What Worked...

It really was a good read.  I enjoyed watching John's transformation.  You could see him go through stages as his relationship with Diane strengthens.  Her acceptance of him just the way he is was great.  I also really enjoyed the slow build of their relationship.  While they were immediately attracted to each other, there was no insta-love.  They had to work hard and take the time to discover each other.  It was great.

John is super swoony and I also really liked Diane.  She was vulnerable, but she learned how to stand up and demand what she wants.

What Didn't...

To me, (and this is a personal preference) the ending felt a little stretched out.  I felt it coming but then there was another chapter.  And then another.  I have a bad habit of ending the story in my head before the author is finished telling the story and that's what happened to me here.

This was a great follow-up to Geoducks Are for Lovers and I thank the author for providing and ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.  I recommend it to anyone looking for a grown-up romance complete with swoony, shirtless lumberjacks and outdoor shower sex.

COMING DECEMBER 17, 2013

About Daisy Prescott...

Before writing full time, I worked in the world of art, auctions, antiques, and home decor. I earned a degree in Art History despite being convinced I would major in English and endured a brief stint as a film theory graduate student. Over the years I've acquired many titles: baker, art educator, antiques dealer, content manager, blue ribbon pie maker, fangirl, blogger, freelance writer, gardener, wife, and pet mom are a few of them.

Born and raised in San Diego, my husband and I currently live in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with our dog, Hubbell, and an imaginary house goat. Ready to Fall, my second novel, will be released on December 17, 2013 and features John Day, the hot, sexy neighbor in Geoducks. I'm busy researching my next novel, which will not feature any bivalves. 

Links...

Daisy on Facebook
Follow Daisy on Twitter
Ready to Fall on Goodreads

All This Time by One Republic...

Cover Reveal - ONE TO KEEP by Tia Louise

Are you ready for Tia Louise's ONE TO KEEP? The companion to her debut adult novel, ONE TO HOLD, (you can see my review of One to Hold HERE)   this is Patrick and Elaine's story and we have the cover for you today! Designed by Mae I Design, check out how pretty it is and then look below to read all about the title and the author. We also have a teaser and an excerpt from ONE TO KEEP for you!

Isn't it gorgeous?!? ONE TO KEEP is a sexy Contemporary Romance novel and is scheduled to be released January 16, 2014.


About ONE TO KEEP:

WARNING: Mature themes, strong language and sexual content. Recommended for adult readers (18+) only!

Patrick Knight is not a nice guy.

At least, not anymore.

After a failed engagement, a one-night stand, and a random office shag, he’s sent to the desert so his business partner (Derek Alexander), can clean up his mess. Before he kicks his ass.

When Patrick meets Elaine on his desert exile, all he wants is to make her his. The problem is Elaine’s not looking for any guy—or a long-distance relationship.

Now Patrick’s doing everything he can to change her mind. And just when it seems he’s convinced her he’s the one to keep, the skeletons from his past life start coming back.

Note: Standalone, M/F, HEA

EXCERPT:

She didn’t push me away or tell me no as I kissed her again with more urgency this time. She turned, and I kissed her cheek.

“I’m too weak when it comes to you,” she murmured as I traced the line of her jaw with my lips. “I should be stronger.”

My kisses moved to her temple and into her hairline. She was so beautiful, and I had her again. “You’re incredibly strong,” I murmured. “You held me off for three weeks when everything in me wanted to come here and take you back.”

I could feel her breathing pick up as I kissed her, and the tension below my waist grew tighter. My mouth returned to hers, and it opened quickly, tongues uniting, her fingers now threading in my hair.

Her lips were so sweet, but I moved my kisses to her chin, dropping down to her neck, and unfastening the buttons on her shirt, kissing every spot of delicate skin that was revealed as it came apart…

About TIA LOUISE:

Tia Louise is a former journalist, world-traveler, and collector of beautiful men (who inspire ALL of her stories... *wink*)---turned wife, mommy, and novelist.

It's possible she has a slight truffle addiction. And she will never look at a family restroom the same way again.

|| Twitter || Facebook || Novel Goodreads || Pinterest ||  

Franklin - A Review of ROOMIES by Sara Zarr & Tara Altebrando

(Blurb Goodreads)
It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Story...

After receiving a letter from college including room assignment information, Elizabeth (EB) decides to contact her new roommate in hopes of figuring out some move-in details a little early.  Little did she know that one little email would change her life so much.

Lauren is unsure what to make of the perky email that she just received from her new roommate.  Too bad she doesn't have time to consider it.  Between helping her parents with her younger siblings, working 2 jobs, and trying to figure out what is going on between herself and Keyon, Lauren hardly has time to type a few words in response.

These girls both spend the summer working through conflicting feelings, rediscovering their roles in their respective families, and forming new connections that are going to be hard to leave behind all while getting to the person that they will be sharing a 10'X10' space with in the fall.

What Worked...

We all like getting both sides of the story, but often when I read a story from alternating points of view I get confused and it's jarring to switch from one person to the next.  The way this story is told is brilliant.  The viewpoints don't overlap because the girls are on opposite sides of the country.  Also, the emails helped keep things straight and revealed the nature of each character, while the story is told in a regular narrative style.

I also really enjoyed the how each girl's romance was completely different from the other.  Both relationships worked well in the story and it was like getting two for the price of one.

What Didn't...

In some ways seems that a big deal is made about Lauren (a white girl) dating Keyon (a black boy).  However, it wasn't that people didn't think it should happen, but rather people wondered whether or not it was okay to acknowledge the fact that one was white and one was black.  In my experience, this is a natural reaction.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, funny read.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Links:

Available December 24, 2013
On Amazon: Roomies by Sara Zarr & Tara Altebrando
On Barnes & Noble: Roomies
On Goodreads: Roomies

About Sara Zarr:

Sara Zarr is the acclaimed author of four novels for young adults: Story of a Girl (National Book Award Finalist), Sweethearts (Cybil Award Finalist), Once Was Lost (a Kirkus Best Book of 2009) and How to Save a Life. Her short fiction and essays have also appeared in Image, Hunger Mountain, and several anthologies. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, and online at
http://www.sarazarr.com/

Tara Altebrando:

In addition to my most recent novel, THE BEST NIGHT OF YOUR (PATHETIC) LIFE, I’m the author of three previous books for Young Adults, including DREAMLAND SOCIAL CLUB, which was a Kirkus Reviews Best Books for Teens of 2011, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS and WHAT HAPPENS HERE.

Next up is ROOMIES, a novel I cowrote with Sara Zarr (Little Brown, December) and then my middle-grade debut, THE BATTLE OF DARCY LANE (Running Press Kids, May 2014).

I live in Queens, New York, with my husband and two young daughters, Ellie and Violet.  http://www.taraaltebrando.com/

Franklin by Paramore

This song completely expresses the "pulling away" from her friends and her life that EB experiences.  And it shows why Lauren is afraid to move ahead with Keyon when she knows that things will be so very different after they have both been away.

Release Day - BITTER SWEET LOVE by Jennifer L. Armentrout

BITTER SWEET LOVE Synopsis:

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series The Dark Elements, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.

Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining the balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again…

Don't miss White Hot Kiss, book one in Jennifer L. Armentrout's The Dark Elements series from Harlequin TEEN!

Excerpt:

Moving lightning fast, Dez shifted and I was suddenly underneath him. His arms were on either side of my head, caging me in. Our bodies didn’t touch, but I felt him to the tips of my toes anyway.

                The teasing grin disappeared when I dragged in a deep breath and my chest brushed his. Everything changed in an instant. The playful mood faded, replaced by primal heaviness. Our gazes collided and locked. Neither of us moved. His closeness sent a series of shivers skittering across my skin and made it hard to take slow, even breaths. My body tensed when his gaze dropped to my mouth.

                He tilted his head to the side. “I… I honestly have no idea what we were talking about.”

                “Good. Neither do I.”

                He shifted his weight onto one arm, bring him closer. “Have you enjoyed your trip so far?”

                “Yes.” I felt as if I couldn’t get enough air into my lungs.

                “Good.” He lowered his head. His breath was minty as it moved across my cheek and then my lips. “I’m glad.”

                I wasn’t really following the conversation and I wasn’t sure that he was fully aware of what was coming out of his mouth. I searched my hazy brain for something to say and wet my lips. I-

                The sound that came out of Dez’s chest rumbled through me. A stuttered heartbeat passed and then his lips were on mine. There was nothing slow about this kiss. It scorched my skin and caused my body to stretch tight like a bowstring. The kiss deepened, spinning my senses. I shuddered when his hand curved over my shoulder and drifted down to my waist, his long fingers spreading out under the hem of my shirt, grazing the bare skin of my stomach.

                I gasped, floored by the raw sensations pounding through my blood. My skin felt as if I was about to phase. Maybe I was.

                “Jasmine,” he whispered, the word falling against my lips, and then his body was pressing mine into the mattress, heavy, sweet and hard.

Jennifer L. Armentrout Bio:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

BITTER SWEET LOVE Buy Links:

AMAZON

BARNES AND NOBLE

iTUNES

WHITE HOT KISS Buy Links:

AMAZON

BARNES AND NOBLE

iTUNES

Links:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

BITTER SWEET LOVE Goodreads

WHITE HOT KISS Goodreads

Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads

Jennifer L. Armentrout Amazon