February Challenges Wrap-Up Post

Hosted by Falling For YA

NetGalley Books:

My Review

My Review

My Review

My Review

Edelweiss Books:

My Review

Completed this Month: 5

Total Completed this Year: 15

NetGalley

Review

Here

Review

Here

Review

Here

Five Star

Review

Here

Completed 

This Month 

4

This Year

6

Slowly but surely y'all I'm getting there 
;)

NetGalley Books:

My Review

My Review

Completed this Month: 2

Total Completed this Year: 6

NetGalley Books:

My Review

My Review

Completed this Month: 2

Total Completed this Year: 4 

Hosted by Readers Live A Thousand Lives, Lovin' Los Libros, and Corrie The Book Crazed Girl

January~Contemporary

We Read...

My Review-Coming Soon!

My Review

My Review

Review

Here

Review

Here

Mini Review
Here

My Review-Coming Soon!

My Review-Coming Soon!

Blog Tour: Fifty First Times: A New Adult Anthology

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Fifty First Times: A New Adult Anthology
Release Date:  Feb. 25, 2014
By: J. Lynn, Molly McAdams, Sophie Jordan, Carrie Ryan, Julie Cross & More
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Source: Publisher
Mature Content: 18 & Up
Tour Host: Bookslapped
Preorder At:  Amazon

GR's Summary:

You always remember your first time...

Whether it's the couple who decides not to go through with it, the two boys who finally aren't ashamed, the newlyweds whose wedding night could very well be their last night together, the deaf pair who have no choice but to take body language to a new level--or, of course, the two young lovers fumbling and laughing, getting everything wrong. These are the memories that will never fade.

Join nineteen fantastic authors as they pull back the curtain and give you a peek inside that one intense moment in their characters' lives when everything changes and nothing will ever be the same again.

Featuring stories from some of the hottest names in New Adult, Young Adult, and Romance including New York Times Bestselling authors J.Lynn/Jennifer Armentrout, Molly McAdams, Sophie Jordan, and Carrie Ryan.

 My Thoughts:

Fifty First Times: A New Adult Anthology was a treasure trove of beautiful short stories, by some of my favorite authors, as well as authors that I had never heard of.  This was the best anthology that I have read to date!  I highly recommend it!  At the current price of $1.99 for the ebook, it is a steal!  I wouldn't recommend reading this anthology in one sitting.  I would only read a few stories at a time, so you have time to really think about each story, and let it sink it.  Some of these stories are prequels to a series, some are companion stories to a series, and some are stand alone stories.

There were so many reasons that I loved this anthology.  It was the perfect sampling of everything that I love about New Adult books!  Each story dealt with the experiences that we go through as we grow up, and mature in to the person that we eventually will become.  Readers will be able to relate to some of these experiences, and I found myself reminiscing about many of my firsts.  Stories dealt with experiencing your first kiss, falling in love for the first time, losing one's virginity, healing from the scars within, following your dreams, second chances in love, and more!  Some of the stories were fun, sexy, and short; while others were more serious and emotional in nature.  I also got to read my first story in free verse, and though I wasn't much of a fan of that particular story, I appreciated the new experience.

I absolutely loved the majority of the stories in this anthology, and I hope that these authors come out with a part two, because if this happens, I will be ecstatic, and purchase it immediately!  I appreciate how some of the authors touched on both difficult and controversial topics.  One of my favorite stories in this anthology was, A Little Too Scarred, by Lisa Desrochers.  It dealt with a woman who had been severely disfigured.  She lost an eye, and had scarring on her body.  Her self-esteem became non-existent, she refused to leave her home, and would not let the man she had fallen in love with see her.  This story really touched and broke my heart.  Due to my own personal experience, I have scars on my body, due to multiple surgeries I had to undergo 5 years ago, to save my life.  I too have had to deal with self esteem issue's, feeling unattractive, and not wanting to go out in public.  So, I could relate to the main character, and her thought process and actions were very realistic.

Another story that I loved was, Two in the Morning, by Roni Loren.  This is the first story that I have read by this author, and the first story that I have read dealing with homosexuality.  I enjoyed this story, because the author did such a great job of putting the reader inside the thought process of the main character.  He was scared to tell his best friend that he was gay, along with the rest of his friend's and father.  He didn't want to lose everyone in his life that he cared about, and I felt so bad for his inner struggle, and how he had to hide himself from the people that he loved the most.  There were so many stories in this anthology that touched my heart, but there were just as many fun, and sexy stories too.  Love in an Elevator, by Carrie Ryan was smoking hot, as was Believe in Me by J. Lynn.  Sharing Firsts by Molly McAdams was an amazing story of an everlasting and passionate love!  It flashed from the past to the present and told a special story about a couple who had shared all of their firsts together.  They had been best friends since they were 5 years old, which eventually grew in to a great love!  

My Rating:

I give Fifty First Times: A New Adult Anthology, 4 Memorable, Romantic, Sexy, and Emotion-Filled Stars!  Read this anthology if you are looking for a treasure trove of short stories, full of variety, and a sampling of several talented New Adult authors!

My Favorite Quotes:

"We're a symphony--our limbs and lips and skin making up the instruments, working together to create a beautiful piece of music."  (eARC, Loc. 712)

~Audrey

(Daylight by Julie Cross)

"...love might come around a bunch of times, but the person who drove you crazy and still couldn't drive you away...that only comes around once."  (eARC, Loc. 6207)

~Sammie

(Going for Broke by Lyla Payne)

Giveaway:

' a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Tour:

Cover Reveal: Caged in Winter by Brighton Walsh

Book Blurb:

In this emotional and sexy New Adult debut from Brighton Walsh, the only thing more frightening than commitment is hope…

Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response…

Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt. 

But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want.

Author Bio:

Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with her first love: writing. When she’s not pounding away at the keyboard, she’s probably either reading or shopping—maybe even both at once. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children, and, yes, she considers forty degrees to be hoodie weather. Her home is the setting for frequent dance parties, Lego battles, and more laughter than she thought possible. Visit her online at www.brightonwalsh.com. 

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Cover Reveal: When you are mine; Loving you always,

WHEN YOU ARE MINE 

(June 17, 2014) 

introduces the story of Kerris Moreton, a foster child who has thrived despite her circumstances and is ready to open her own business and accept a marriage proposal. Unfortunately, the only thing missing in her would-be-fiancé Cam is the passionate connection he believes is overrated but Kerris craves. Lucky for her, she meets a man who lights her up like the Fourth of July.

Walsh Bennett is one of the East Coast’s most eligible bachelors, and Cam’s best friend. He’s used to plenty of female attention, but lately he’s been distracted by the one woman he can’t have. Kerris is the soulmate Walsh never thought he would fine, but too bad his best friend found her first.

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LOVING YOU ALWAYS 

(October 17, 2014)

is book two in The Bennett’s Series. We don’t want to spoil anything, so you’ll just have to wait to see what happens with Kerris, Walsh and Cam in WHEN YOU ARE MINE first!

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