Release Day Review: Breaking Glass by Lisa Amowitz

Breaking Glass by Lisa Amowitz
Release Date: July 9, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Book Format: ARC 
Number of Pages: 297
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Synopsis: On the night seventeen-year-old Jeremy Glass winds up in the hospital with a broken leg and a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit, his secret crush, Susannah, disappears. When he begins receiving messages from her from beyond the grave, he's not sure whether they're real or if he's losing his grip on reality. Clue by clue, he gets closer to unraveling the mystery, and soon realizes he must discover the truth or become the next victim himself.




My Review:
I received Breaking Glass by Lisa Amowitz from Spencer Hill Press, for review and this is my honest review.

Holy moly, Breaking Glass was a crazy roller coaster ride and I loved every second of it! Jeremey Glass seems like an average guy but throughout the story we find out that he is definitely not. We watch him struggle with the death of his mother, and the lose of his leg as well as the lose of “the love of his life” the struggle was life threatening but well worth reading. 

This story was totally my kind of book, I loved following Jeremy as he was trying to put together the clues to solving Susannah’s death. This was one of the reasons I could not put the book down, because there was never a dull moment. Every chapter had some sort of clue as to what happened, or some kind of action it was great.

During the book I found myself going back and forth between what I thought happened to Susannah, and who had caused her to disappear. For a good part of the book I completely blamed Ryan. I had absolutely no liking for him whatsoever and I was convinced that I never would. Thats another thing I liked about the book though Amowitz did such a good job shaping the characters to where you couldn’t see right through them because all the sudden the character would change and you’d be left completely dumbfounded. That may annoy some people but I kind of enjoyed it.

 I was not sure what I thought about Jeremy's dad, I liked him but there were many times in the book where I feel like he could have been a lot more understanding. Jeremy needed him so much even though he tried not to show it and his dad just was not there most of the time. Patrick Morgan on the other hand, hated him! I am not going to tell you his fate but let me just tell you it was amazing! One other character I loved was Marisa, when we first met her I figured she was going to be a one time only character but she reappeared often and I enjoyed what her part in the story came to be I was kind of hoping for that to happen too!

I loved how easily Amowitz made the story flow. Normally with a story that has flashbacks and has so many different conflicts it would be very hard to follow. But the story flowed smoothly and that is what in my eyes made this a 5 star book.

I hope you all enjoyed this review, tell me what you think in the comments! 

Identified: The Maya Price Story Tour: Review + Giveaway

Identified: The Maya Price Story by Faith A. Rice Mills
Series: The Maya Price Story #1
Publication Date: December 3, 2012
Genre: YA Paranormal/Fantasy
Synopsis: Maya Price is a typical eighteen-year-old girl without much going on in her life. Her biggest problems include getting ready to leave her hometown for college, figuring out how to avoid her ever-so-strange stepmother, and trying to muddle through her feelings for her best friend, Pete. Yet, on one of her last nights in her hometown, she and Pete are in a car accident. A stranger pulls Maya from the accident, leaving Pete behind, and takes her out of this world and into another dimension. 

     Maya soon discovers that she has been taken to a dimension called Leets by a group of people that call themselves shifters. Shifters are of mixed human and onyx blood and have various abilities.  These shifters are able to travel between dimensions and control the four elements (fire, earth, wind, water) and the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch and taste). Their leader, Victoria, informs Maya that she, too, is a shifter and that she must choose to join them or risk being sought out by their greatest enemy, a shifter named Leonas. 

    Maya joins Victoria and her ragtag group of rebel shifters in Leets, where she is teamed up with a group of seven other shifters. Her new "teammates" include a street-smart girl named Luz, who is especially adept at controlling fire, her twin sister Espy, and a nervous boy named Lamar, who can manipulate sound better than any other shifter. Together, Maya’s team trains for the battle that will soon be  inevitable. 

     However, Maya soon learns that her purpose is not to just move the earth or send water flying into the air. There are rumors of a hidden prophecy and that the prophecy mentions Maya by name. Supposedly, the prophecy says that Maya will one day have to choose a side and will be essential in bringing her chosen ally to power...

Find/Buy the Book:

Goodreads

Amazon

Meet The Author:

Faith A. Rice-Mills is the author of Identified: The Maya Price Story and a handful of short stories.  She moonlights as a Spanish teacher,  but has wanted to be a writer since she wrote the poem “The Jackowhipp’s Wail” as an eight-year-old.  Her writer’s spirit resides somewhere between Narnia and Mount Doom, but her physical body lives in Texas with her family.  Besides writing, she loves reading (and will take recommendations!), yoga, coloring with her daughter, and watching Parks and Recreation with her husband.  She dislikes snakes, the word “literally,” and teaching double object pronouns in Spanish.  She is currently working on Burdened, the second book in The Maya Price Story series and is writing whatever short story she has to get out of her brain.

Find Faith:

Website

Goodreads

Twitter

My Review:

I received Identified: The Maya Price Story by Faith A. Rice-Mills from the publisher for my honest review on their book tour.

Imagine waking up one day and not knowing that sometime that day you will find out that you have some sort of powers and have to leave your family to help people fight against the enemy. This is what happens to Maya Price, this book is her interesting and powerful story.

I’m not sure what it is but lately I’ve been reading books that contain characters with crazy super powers and every time I pick one up I’m skeptical but everytime I end up loving them, and that did not change with this book either I loved it! The thing about these kind of books is that they never get boring because there are never powers that are exactly alike. For example Maya has the power to manipulate the earth and its resources very easily which is something I haven’t seen before but it was very useful to her.  

My favorite part of this book was that at the end of every chapter there was something special like an entry from Maya’s diary or a letter from someone in her family or friend circle. I enjoyed this so much because it gave you a short break from the story so that when you get back into it you are excited to see what’s going on with the characters.

The whole two dimensions thing was pretty cool as well, especially how they got back and forth between the two dimensions but one thing that I did not like about that is that humans can’t handle going back and forth so basically people like Maya can’t really have human relationships unless she were to stay on earth, which really sucks!

The characters in this book were really enjoyable like the twins Espy and Luz I loved how they obviously looked exactly the same but they had completely different attitudes and completely different powers as well. The only thing that I did not like that was incorporated with their characters was that they often spoke in spanish. Now this is good and bad good because when their spanish was small I could understand what they were saying but when there were long statements in spanish I could not understand them and that annoyed me. I also enjoyed Paige’s character and not only because we have the same name but also because she seemed like me more or less she did not talk much throughout the book and that is me all the way. Again though there was a part in the beginning of the book where she was being interviewed and even though I finished the book I still don’t understand why that interview was added but I wish I did.

Overall the book gets a 4.5 ouf of 5 stars it was phenomenal and I cannot wait for book 2!

I hope everyone enjoyed my review today! and also the giveaway below. Let me know what you think of the book, or my review in the comments below :)

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So Many Reasons Why Book Blitz

So Many Reasons Why by Missy Johnson
Series: So Many Reasons Why #1
Publication Date: February 29, 2013
Genre: Adult Romance
Synopsis: Twenty year old Emma hasn’t left the house since she was attacked as a child. Now, with the impending release of her attacker from prison, Emma knows it’s more important than ever for her to regain control of her life. From her unrelenting nightmares, to her strained relationships, to her crippling agoraphobia, Emma feels as though her life is spiraling out of control.

When her professor, Simon Anderson enters her life, Emma must deal with feelings she has never experienced before. 

Though both she and Simon know their relationship is bordering on inappropriate, neither of them are able to ignore the intense chemistry that is quickly developing between them.

What was supposed to keep her mind off the attack has left her more confused than ever. When there are so many reasons why you shouldn’t be together, is simply being in love really enough?

This is book one in a two book series.

Find/Buy the Book:

GoodReads

Amazon

Meet The Author:

Missy lives in a small town in Central Victoria with her husband, and her confused pets (a dog who think she's a cat, a cat who thinks he's a dog...you get the picture). 

When she's not writing, she can usually be found looking for something to read.

Find The Author:

Website

Goodreads

Facebook 

Twitter

Teaser:

“You know Emma, the internet is the way to go nowadays,” Gran addressed me with all seriousness as she spooned a heap of cream onto her scone, “I’ve met up with four lovely men in the past week alone.”

“Gran!” I exclaimed, unable to keep the smile off my face. Gran was widowed and ninety-six. Not only was she on Facebook and Twitter, she had discovered the online dating scene a few weeks ago. I now knew more about Mix and Mate, Perfect Match and Adult Fun than I had ever cared to.

I'd learned two very disturbing things off Gran. The first was the libido of the over eighty age group was insane. They made prostitutes look like church going virgins and the number of men under the age of sixty who were into a 'mature' woman was astounding.

“There is nothing wrong with shopping around Emma. How am I supposed to milk the cow?” Gran shrugged her shoulders unapologetically.

I coughed mid swallow, sending bits of scone across the table Mom shrugged at me helplessly, looking rather embarrassed. Again.

“So long as you’re happy, Gran.” It was all I could say.

Should I be embarrassed that my great grandmother was getting more action than

me? Probably.

Giveaway:

One lucky commenter will get an e-copy of the book above! The Giveaway will end July 18 so get commenting! Doesn't matter what you say as long as it's positive :)

In My Mailbox 79 + Weekly Wrap Up

In My Mailbox is a weekly bookish meme where we show off the books we got throughout the week, created by Kristi over at The Story Siren, and hosted by Gabrielle over at The Mod Podge Bookshelf.

Gifts:
While He Was Away by Karen Schreck
Belonging by Karen Ann Hopkins

Bought:
Breathe by Abbi Glines
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
Compound by S.A. Bodeen
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
The Rising by Kelley Armstrong
Everafter by Elizabeth Chandler
This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Around The World ARC Tours:
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
Frigid by J. Lynn

Won/Bought: (RandomBuzzers)
The Year of Luminous Love by Lurlene McDaniel
Revenge of a Not So Pretty Girl by Carolita Blythe


Weekly Wrap Up:

Reviews:
Confessions of an Angry Girl by Louise Rozett
Mini Review Sunday: The Cowboy Kiss by Kristen James

Posts/Memes:
Mini Review Sunday: The Cowboy Kiss by Kristen James
Waiting on Wednesday 
Author Spotlight Thursday: Kelley Armstrong

Blog Tours/Hops:
Confessions of an Angry Girl Tour: Review
Shudder Blog Tour: Guest Post


Giveaways:

Author Spotlight Thursday: Lisa Becker

Good morning bookies! As you all know, I have started a new feature on my blog called Author Spotlight Thursday, which is when I pick an author whose books i've loved in the past and spotlight them!! so this week I chose! **DRUM ROLL PLEASE**

LISA BECKER!

Taken From GoodReads:

Lisa Becker had endured her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates, many of which inspired Click: An Online Love Story and Double Click. She is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for you!

I've only read one of her books, but that one book I loved and I have her second book in my grasp to read soon. The reason I chose Lisa is because her book Click: An Online Love Story (which I absolutely loved) was my first ever review book as a reviewer! and thats pretty awesome so I'm pretty excited to be spotlighting her today! So lets start with the book I read: 

Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker

Release Date: March 29, 2011

Synopsis: 

Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds through a series of emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with "My buddies and I were out drinking one night," to the egotistical "B" celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC's, FWD's and inadvertent Reply to All's, readers will root for Renee to "click" with the right man.

If you want to check out my review for this (keep in mind it was one of my very first review's when I was young) you can check that out here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/207359220

Next I would like to spotlight her newest book, and the second book in this series which is:

Double Click by Lisa Becker

Release Date: March 27, 2013

Synopsis: Fans of the romantic hit Click: An Online Love Story will enjoy another voyeuristic dive into the lives of Renee, Shelley, Ashley, Mark and Ethan, as Double Click picks up with their lives six months later. Are Renee and Ethan soul mates? Does Mark ever go on a date? Has Shelley run out of sexual conquests in Los Angeles? Will Ashley's judgmental nature sabotage her budding relationship? Through a marriage proposal, wedding, new baby and unexpected love twist, Double Click answers these questions and more. Readers will continue to cheer, laugh, cry and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends.

I hope you all enjoyed the spotlight today! Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to tell me if you have read either of these books or if you plan to in the future in the comments below! I would love to know!! :-)

Waiting on Wednesday: Allegiant

Waiting on Wednesday was created and is hosted by Breaking The Spine so be sure to check out that blog when you leave here. Now this meme is for us to show off the books we are waiting on and here is the book I can't wait for!

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Release Date: October 2, 2013

Synopsis: One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?

What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?

What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth’s #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Why can't I wait for this book you ask? How can anyone wait for this book, I'm like shaking in my seat waiting for this book to come out! I cannot wait! Thanks for stopping by peoples don't forget to leave me links to your WoW's or tell me what you can't wait for in the comments below! :-)

Shudder Blog Tour: Guest Post

Shudder by Samantha Durante 
Release Date: June 15, 2013
Synopsis: 
It’s only been three days, and already everything is different.

Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa’s life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she’d counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she’d thought she’d tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she’s discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.

And then there are the visions.

The memory-altering “stitch” unlocked something in Alessa’s mind, and now she can’t shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers – and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world’s sorry history – will soon leave Alessa reeling…

The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante’s shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.

Find/Buy the Book:

Amazon 
http://www.amazon.com/Shudder-Stitch-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00DE3MQDE/
Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shudder-samantha-durante/1115766383
Smashwords 
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/322553

Meet The Author:

Samantha Durante lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband, Sudeep, and her cat, Gio. Formerly an engineer at Microsoft, Samantha left the world of software in 2010 to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and a lifelong love of writing. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, Samantha is currently working full time for her company Medley Media Associates as a freelance business writer and communications consultant. The Stitch Trilogy is her debut series. Learn more about Samantha at www.samanthadurante.com/ 






Guest Post:

On Music and Writing by Samantha Durante, Author of the Stitch Trilogy

For a lot of writers, music is a huge part of their craft.  They use it as inspiration for their story, motivation for a difficult scene, a living breathing backdrop to the imaginative world they’re weaving.  And I love music as much as the next person, but for me… writing and music are like oil and water.  They just don’t mix.

<Ducking for cover, as I’m sure a lot of you believe that last statement to be sacrilege.>

I know a lot of readers are just as into mixing music and books as writers are.  I’ve gotten countless interview questions about playlists to accompany my books, what music I listen to when I write, what songs inspired which scenes.  But every time I’m asked one of these questions, I have to disappoint.  I’m just not into this whole music+writing craze.

I know, I know.  I sound like a scrooge.  I’m sorry.  I understand where you’re coming from, I do.  Believe me, I watch a lot of movies and TV shows, and I know how absolutely essential music is to building the mood and setting up a scene.  (Nothing brought the beloved Harry Potter series to life for me quite like the enchanting music that debuted with the movies!)  But for some reason, when it comes to my own writing and my own stories, I just can’t seem to wrap my head around putting music to the words.

I think maybe on one level it’s because I just like music *too much* – if a song I like is playing, I can’t help but sing the words along in my head, if not aloud.  And the problem is, when I’m writing I need to do the same thing – I need to hear my voice in my head composing the story, and I just can’t do that with classic Backstreet Boys lyrics competing for volume in my brain.  (Uhhh… I mean… I listen to good music, promise!)

But the flip side of this handicap is that I’m able to appreciate readers’ thoughts on music and my books with a clear and unbiased mind.  I LOVE to hear what readers have to say about which songs they think would make the perfect soundtrack to my books, what music brings the story to life for them, what tracks are playing in their head as they experience each scene.

So if you have any suggestions, let me know!  Hopefully with your input, the next time I’m asked about a Stitch Trilogy playlist, I’ll have a good answer to share.  :-)

I hope you all enjoyed learning about Shudder and reading the guest post! I'm so excited to read this series! Be sure to check out the rest of the blog tour! http://www.samanthadurante.com/2013-shudder-blog-tour-schedule/