Silencing Joy by Amy Rachiele

Silencing Joy by Amy Rachiele
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Being a fan of Amy Rachiele's previous work, I went into Silencing Joy with high expectations. I was definitely not disappointed. Silencing Joy is an intriguing, complicated story. Through most of the story you have no idea who you should really be trusting and who is double-crossing. The good guys seem trustworthy, but then something happens to make you question them. It definitely makes you want to keep reading!

Joy is an art student, a photographer, who normally stays out of the spotlight and keeps people at a distance. After witnessing something she was not meant to see, Joy goes home feeling shaken but determined to put it behind her and forget it - until a few nights later when she returns home to find someone in her apartment. Now on the run for her life and not knowing who she can trust, Joy's world is flipped upsidedown and she is introduced to a whole new scene she never wanted any part of.

Each of the characters was well written and each brought their own personality to the story. Joy was a bit shy and reserved, but she was able to come out of her shell when a situation called for it. Her friend Jen was a lot of fun. She was loud and outspoken and was not afraid to let everyone know what was on her mind. She was also a great friend, standing by Joy when she needed her. The guys were all great, too, but I don't want to say too much about them for fear of giving away part of the plot!

The overall tone of this story was a bit on the darker side, touching on subjects such as drug use and human trafficking. The author did a great job, though, of incorporating these ideas into the storyline without making it somber. Though there was a lot of danger and suspense, there were moments that had me smiling and laughing as well. Overall, the story was well thought out and believable.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


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Tattoos: A Novel by Denise Mathew

Tattoos: A Novel by Denise Mathew
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marilee had a perfect life. Everything was going her way until the day she was diagnosed with cancer. After losing not only her health but the emotional support from her family and friends, she turns to Jax, a hospital volunteer. Jax was everything Marilee would have stayed away from Before Cancer – he had the bad boy looks and the bad boy attitude. Together they work to try to make a difference in their small corner of the world.

So this book was pretty much awesome. I liked Marilee, though I suspect if I would have met her Before Cancer I might not have. She had the kind of perfect life everyone dreams of. She never gave a thought to anyone else. Not to say she was a bad person – I really can't say since we really didn't get to see her before – but she seemed like your typical teenage girl, worrying about clothes, parties, boys, etc. Along with her diagnosis Marilee's life was changed in the way that only cancer can. Her future became murky, her priorities shifted, and she began to wonder what she would be leaving behind should she not make it through the treatments.

Jax was a nobody in Marilee's world – a hospital orderly sent in to clean up the mess left behind. However, when she took a good look at him he became so much more. I loved that they met when Marilee was at her worst. It is in this that we realize how wonderful he truly is. I do wish we would have gotten more of them together in the hospital. All of Marilee's treatment/sickness and their reactions to such were glossed over. It felt to me as part of their relationship was missing that I would have loved to see.

While I loved the romance in this story, there is so much to it than that. We see both Marilee and Jax grow as individuals as they try to use the resources at their disposal to help others. The emotions the author was able to put into these pages was amazing – I laughed, I cried (consider this a warning if you are reading in public or just applied mascara), and at one memorable moment I wanted to stop reading altogether because I knew what was coming and I wanted to stop it. I couldn't stop it and I didn't stop reading, and the ending made it all worth it.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Where I End and You Begin by Andra Brynn

Where I End and You Begin by Andra Brynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

On the verge of failing out of college, Bianca is faced with getting help or returning home – the last place she wants to go. When she enters his life like a storm, Daniel sees the opportunity to help someone in need, but Bianca is pretty sure she can't be helped.

Bianca is a ghost of herself. She feels alone in the world. She drinks herself numb so she does not have to think and has sex with any guy willing to feel connected and loved, if only for a brief moment. The author does an exemplary job of bringing out Bianca's pain. I have never suffered from depression, but reading Bianca's thoughts and feelings and emotions I felt as if I completely understood her.

Daniel became a quiet presence in Bianca's whirlwind of a life. He is there when she needs him, never saying much, just being her quiet presence. He does not push her to change her life, but rather silently guides her into wanting to be a better person. Though dealing with his own inner struggles, Daniel never lets his smooth, calm mask slip out of place. Bianca and Daniel are perfect for each other. From the very beginning, he is the constant she needs in her life, and she is the chaos he needs in his.

The rest of the characters in the story were a great addition. They were able to contribute to the story and make it better for them being there rather than just being a secondary presence. You don't really think about that much when reading a book, but the secondary characters are very important and often fall flat. Bianca's roommates were a presence that gave her a reason to go on when she probably would not have otherwise.

There was so much depth to this story, and it was so beautifully written. The author has a way of weaving her words to create this stunning narrative. It is a love story, no doubt, but it is not overwhelmingly romance. The elements of dark depression and addiction are much more prominent, and the romance comes to play as a secondary role. Overall, I loved the story and am pleased I had the opportunity to read it.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Judith Leger Blog Tour

Welcome back to the Making Connections blog tours! 

 

Title: Enchanted

Author: Judith Leger

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Page Count: 223

Published: September 3, 2012, by Lyrical Press

Description: She knows how to unravel secrets, but getting to the bottom of this one might just kill her.

Magic is for fools, television news reporter Caitlyn believes. And she's no fool. She's determined to prove master illusionist Shay a fake. Somehow though, with Shay the lines between magic and reality blur. Perhaps it's his charisma, or being in Ireland with him, but now she's dreaming of a magical place. One that seems oddly familiar...

Shay hides a terrible secret. He's to blame for Caitlyn's separation from her family and the world she doesn't remember. She must go home to the Sidhe, and to recover his honor, he must be the one to bring her. He'll willingly lose everything he is to help her break the curse binding her. But time is of the essence--the old evil has surfaced. He must make Caitlyn believe in magic, and his love, before she becomes its prey. 

Add Enchanted to your Goodread's shelf!

Buy Enchanted on Amazon!

Title: Dragon Wish

Author: Judith Leger

Genre: Romance/Fantasy

Page Count: 289

Published: May 23, 2011, by Wild Child Publishing

Description: A vision, a wish, and a journey plagued by evil.

Cold, desolate cliffs and a white dragon’s blue gaze captures Seren Jordan in a terrifying vision. A universe away, Paladin Fulcan--prince, captain, and sorcery-shadowed seed of dragonkind--struggles to overcome his grief during the long journey to where he must bury his wife and son. Seeing a shooting star, he violates the most sacred law of the dragonseed: he makes a wish.

A dragonseed's wish can open the gates between realities, can alter fate. But has fate itself decreed this wish? For the throne-less dragonseed's destiny is entwined with that of a mortal mate; their son is fated to be the One True Dragon King to rule over all the dragons. But not all dragons are content to accept one rule, and the rebels quietly gather allies to prevent the birth of Seren's baby.

Add Dragon Wish to your Goodread's shelf!

Buy Dragon Wish on Amazon!

About the Author:  For all my life, I've daydreamed. Hero meets heroine, falls in love, and lives happily ever after. The problems that occur in their relationship are over come, melding their hearts together.

My writing tries to capture their essences.

If you love romance with magic, fantasy and memorable characters then you and I have a lot in common. 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1304530.Judith_Leger
 
Website: http://judithleger.weebly.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/judithleger

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judith.leger1?ref=profile

Blog: http://www.judithleger.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

July 22The Bookish Food Reviews
Tome Tender

July 23
From the Book Heel Cotton Patch

July 24
Making Connections Blog

July 25
Steph's Book Retreat

July 26
Musings of a Writing Reader

July 27
Passionate Book Divas

July 28
Dark Obsession Chronicles

Black Moon by Holly Hood + Giveaway!

Title:  Black Moon

Series:  Ink #3

Author:  Holly Hood

Published:  July 15, 2013 

Description:  Slade saved her life...
but none of that matters anymore...

Torn between her love for Slade and her own existence, Hope has to fight to keep one while battling to save the other. They say it all falls apart in the end. Walking away isn’t always easy.
Hope believed in Slade…
But sometimes belief has a horrible way of destroying your life.
Can their love survive or will it all just fall apart?

See my review of Ink (Ink #1) and Twisted Magic (Ink #2) on Goodreads. 

  

 

 

 

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About the Author: I'm a toledoan, born and raised in Toledo, Ohio my whole life pretty much. I was lucky enough to enjoy the south for three years, and I loved it.

I am a mother of four beautiful kids, a wife, sister, friend, reality tv and music junkie. And I enjoy a good book, one that has me laughing so hard I could puke, or maybe something that makes me cry. I have always been one that enjoyed a tear jerker, probably why I am so fond of Grey's anatomy, and Celebrity rehab.

Writing is the road to freedom for me, I have always enjoyed it since I was around 11 years old.
My favorite colors are green, pink and purple.

I am rather scattered in my thinking, and I jump from one thing to another, all day long.
Rob Thomas is simply the best singer/songwriter in my eyes.

And I believe that everything happens for a reason, its cheesy yes, but I really believe it.
I'm a quiet person, I'd rather sit and take my surroundings in then speak most times, but when I do talk I don't know how to shut up.

I have a odd sense of humor, and sometimes I think I am simply hilarious.

To end this bio, I will say I love my family and friends more then anything. I have learned in life that you find amazing family, not always where you think it should be, sometimes family is created along the journey of life. And life is short, so I choose to respect the ones I care about, and forget the ones who are negative.

 

http://www.simplyhollyhood.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHollyHood

 

https://twitter.com/WinglessReapers

 

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3071384.Holly_Hood

 

Crimson Midnight by Amos Cassidy

Title:  Crimson Midnight

Series:  Crimson #1

Author:  Amos Cassidy
  

Rose wants excitement, bright lights and late nights, but she gets more than she bargained for when she swaps her wholesome country life for the hustle and bustle of London.

The city night is home to hungry shadows, eager to consume her. Rose discovers there is more to this world than what the mundane eye sees, and that she herself is a part of it. Unexpected friendships are forged and unwanted, sometimes dangerous, attractions flare.

London becomes a playground for magic, danger and supernatural threat. While her life, and those of who she loves, hangs in the balance, she must endeavour to embrace her new nature and assist in identifying the hidden threat before it succeeds in its dark purpose.

An Urban Fantasy filled with moon-praising, flat-dwelling vampires, chic corporate werewolves, bar-tending warlocks, ravenous demons and much, much more.

Step inside…

Crimson Midnight by Amos Cassidy is now available -

New and improved with an amazing new cover!

Add Crimson Midnight to your Goodreads shelf

 

See my review of Crimson Midnight (5 stars!)

 

Buy Crimson Midnight on Amazon

 

Buy Crimson Midnight on Amazon UK

 

 

Watch for Crimson Darkness, book 2 in the Crimson series, coming soon!

 

 

About the Authors:   

Amos Cassidy - a team of two. Amos is a 29 year old Diva and Cassidy a 36 year old mum of three. 

Aside from a passion for writing and a love of reading they also share an addiction to coffee, love anything Joss Whedon and are constantly playing tug of war over Jensen Ackles.  They have been writing together for four years and are working on the third book in their Crimson Series.

Kindle Fire Giveaway!

I am happy to announce a Kindle Fire Giveaway! -1 Kindle Fire, open if you can receive shipment from amazon.com -Fill out Rafflecopter to enter -Ends on 7/7/2013 11:59 pm ES

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