Title: The Avery Shaw Experiment
Author: Kelly Oram
Publisher: Bluefields
Format: ebook
Genre: YA contemporary romance
Release Date: May 2013

Synopsis:

When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically.

The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.

Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest.

Teaser One - Avery

Grayson finally noticed Aiden and I on the couch. “What are you two dorks doing?”

“Learning about steroids,” I said cheerfully. “You should probably know that using them can cause acne, testicular atrophy, decreased sperm count, prostate enlargement and gynecomastia.”

Grayson looked rightfully appalled. “Gyneco-what-ia?”

“Enlarged breasts in men,” Aiden translated. “So you should lay off the juice before you have to start borrowing Avery’s bras.”

I gasped at the mention of my underwear and whacked Aiden’s shoulder hard.

Behind me, Grayson laughed. I knew he was about to deliver a comeback, but I refused to look at him. Seconds later his breath was warm on my neck. He whispered just low enough that his mother couldn’t hear what he said. “I like my bras colorful and lacey, Aves. Not sure your collection would do it for me.”

Total mortification. Grayson may be as close as family to me, but he was still one of the hottest, most popular guys in our whole school. Him discussing my bras in that low sexy voice that could stop a girl’s heart on the spot made my lungs constrict. Plus, he was right of course. My bras were all of the plain white cotton variety.

Teaser Two - Grayson

I started to leave the room but she stopped me at the door. “Grayson?” Her tone tugged at something inside me. “You really want to take me with you tonight?”

She sounded so small and unsure of herself. It was how she always sounded at school and around strangers, but never when she was at home with us. I think my brother had really broken her. I was seriously going to have to beat him sometime.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to. I know I really freaked out on you earlier, but I promise I’ll be fine. Aiden’s right.” She swallowed back a lump in her throat. “I’ll manage without him somehow.”

“Aiden’s a tool. You can learn how to manage tomorrow. Tonight’s New Years Eve and for once in your life you’re going to spend it without Aiden or The Discovery Channel.

I knew I was making progress when she cracked a smile and asked, “What about Whootylicious in 7 B?”

I thought of the luscious booty I’d originally planned on seeing tonight and sighed. “That will be an unfortunate loss, but, like you, I will just have to deal.”

I winked and then decided I’d give her ten minutes before I came back and physically dragged her out of bed.

I seriously LOVE Kelly's books, so I'm always super excited to find she has a new book being released! This one looks so good and I can't wait to finally read it! If you haven't read Kelly's books, you guys are seriously missing out on some great characters and stories.

Other books by Kelly Oram

About Kelly Oram:

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.

Website † Twitter † Facebook † GoodReads 

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Title: The Edge of Always (The Edge of Never, #2)
Author: J.A. Redmerski
Publisher: Hachette Book Group, November 5th, 2013
Add to: Goodreads

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: He was taking the long road. She was taking the road to nowhere. It just so happened that they led to the same place…

Five months ago, Camryn and Andrew, both dealing with personal hardships, met on a Greyhound bus. They fell in love and proved that when two people are meant to be together, fate will find a way to make it happen.

Now, in the highly anticipated sequel to THE EDGE OF NEVER, Camryn and Andrew are pursuing their love for music and living life to the fullest as they always swore to do. But when tragedy befalls them, their relationship is put to the ultimate test. As Camryn tries to numb her pain, Andrew makes a bold decision: To get their life back on track, they’ll set out on another cross-country road trip. Together they find excitement, passion, adventure—and challenges they never could have anticipated.

Sexy. Daring. Dangerous. THE EDGE OF ALWAYS takes you on a ride you won’t forget.

Excerpt:

Camryn shrieks and I start laughing as we dash away from the cows and toward the car.

“Awww, shiiiit!” I yell when I step in a huge pile of it.

Camryn cackles with laughter and we both practically stumble the rest of the way through the field, me trying to scrape the shit off the bottom of my shoe while running at the same time and Camryn’s flip-flops getting caught on the ground trying to keep up with her feet.

“I can’t believe that just happened!” Camryn laughs as we finally make it back to the car. She arches her body over forward and props her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.

I’m out of breath, too, but I still relentlessly scrape the bottom of my shoe on the asphalt. “Dammit!” I say, rubbing my foot back and forth.

Camryn jumps up on the hood of the car, letting her legs hang over the front. “Can we finally say that we did it?” she asks with laughter in her voice.

I stand still finally and catch my breath. I look at her, at how beautiful and bright that smile of hers is and I say, “Yeah, babe, I think we can safely mark it off our list.”

“Good!” she says.

Then she points behind me. “Do it on the grass,” she says with one side of her mouth pinched into a hard line. “You’re just spreading it around doing it like that.”

I hop over into the grass and start rubbing my foot back and forth again. “Since when did you become an expert on shit?”

“Better watch your mouth,” she warns, getting into the driver’s seat.

“What are you going to do?” I taunt her.

She starts the Chevelle and revs the engine a few times pressing on the gas. There’s a cruel gleam in her eyes. She props her left arm across the top of the open window and next thing I know she’s driving slowly past me.

I give her the warning eye, but her grin just gets bigger.

“I know you won’t leave me here!” I shout as she goes past me.

Surely she wouldn't….

She gets farther away and at first I call her bluff and just stand here, watching her get smaller and smaller…

Finally, I take off running after the car.

Okay, lets get serious for a second here. That cover. WOW! I could stare at him allllllllll day long. WOW! Second, The Edge of Always!! A second book filled with Camryn and ANDREW?! Okay, I need to take a deep breath here because November is a long way away. But common people! It's ANDREW on the cover and more ANDREW in another book!!! *deep, deep breaths*

About the Author:

J.A. Redmerski, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of THE EDGE OF NEVER lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries and is a huge fan of AMC's The Walking Dead.

Find Online:

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Order Online:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Title: Emblaze (The Embrace Series, #3)
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire, 464 Pages (March 5th, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis: Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable.

Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.

Now Violet has something Phoenix - the exiled angel who betrayed her - will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too.

Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn't take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.

With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to...

Interview:

Today I’m excited to welcome author Jessica Shirvington to the blog!

Hi Lisa, Great to be here!

So Jessica, Violet and her friends have been down a rough road or two during their story and with Emblaze, the third book in the series being released here in the US, can you tell us anything about what is lurking down this particular road for them? Without giving too much away of course.

Things are definitely becoming more intense for Violet and her friends. Choices were made in Embrace and Entice and in Emblaze they are beginning to realize just how catastrophic the consequences are. At the same time, Violet is growing more and more and becoming the warrior she is destined to be but, at the same time, her heart is breaking as those she cares about the most seem to be further out of her reach than ever. Emblaze is an emotional roller-coaster for all of the main characters and with a large part of it set on the volcanic island of Santorini...things definitely heat up! ;-)

Can you share with us three things that we might not know about Violet, Lincoln and Phoenix?

Lincoln can dance. His mother used to make him go with her all the time when he was younger.
Phoenix loves little kids - they're his weakness.
Violet ... well, she doesn't have too many secrets at this point!


How about a question or two for Violet, Lincoln & Phoenix? First, I’d love to know they each think of the following words –

First word - Violet
Second word - Lincoln
Third word - Phoenix

Lies - hurtful, necessary at times, inevitable
Love - consuming, driving, painful
Trust - hard earned, complete, never
Promises - frightening, heartfelt, lies
Happiness - taunting, Violet, unattainable

And the second thing I’ve love to know from each of them. If there was one song that means the most to them right now, what would that song be and why?

Hardest of Hearts - Florence and the Machine

It just works for them - especially at this point in EMBLAZE when emotions are running so high.

What has been your favorite experience since becoming published?

I toured America late last year and that was amazing. I loved chatting face to face with readers and taking part in the Brooklyn and Austin Teen Book Festivals!

Could you tell us what a normal day is like for you?

Get up. Drink coffee. Get my kids going, fed, and off to school. Drink coffee. Sit down. Answer emails etc, catch up on social media. Then, depending on where I am up to, I write/edit/plot for the rest of the day. Have dinner with my husband and kids. Put the kids to bed. Go back to work. Or read.

Of the first three books that are out here in the states, do you have a favorite of the three and why? And if so, how about a favorite line or two that you could share with us?

I think of them all in different ways. But really, they rely on one another. In many ways the books get stronger with each release and I wanted it to be that way. This is a YA series so the characters absolutely need to be developing and growing to be true to the genre. If Violet started out as a fierce warrior, what would be the point? She has to evolve into the person she will become and readers want to go through that experience with her. It means, of course, that she makes mistakes and can be trying on our patience, but when she gets is right it is so much more rewarding. So I guess the answer is I like each book in the series a little more than the the one before.

Lastly, can you tell us anything about what you’re currently working on? I saw mention on your website that there might be another two books in Violet’s journey coming?

ENDLESS, book 4, will be out in the US in October. I also have my first stand alone coming out in Australia & NZ in May (release dates in the US are still being confirmed) called BETWEEN THE LIVES. It is more of a psychological thriller and I am extremely excited about it. And I am currently drafting the fifth and final book in the EMBRACE SERIES.

Thanks again for the visit Jessica. I’m looking forward to the next book in Violet’s story – Endless! I hope you’ll be able to visit with us again in the future.

Thanks!

Find Jessica Online: 

Website | Blog | Facebook

Order Jessica's books Online:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

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Title: Wounded
Author: Jasinda Wilder
Publisher: 277 Pages (December 2012)
From: the Author
Format: eARC
Add to: Goodreads

NOTE: This is a Adult novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: War has taken everything from me. My family. My home. My innocence. In a country blasted by war and wracked by economic hardship, a young orphan girl like me has very few options when it comes to survival. Thus, I do what I must to live, to eat, and I try very hard to not consider the cost to my soul. My heart is empty, and my existence brutal.

The one impossibility in my life is love.

And then I meet HIM.

War is hell. It takes a chunk out of a man's very soul to do the kinds of things war demands of you. You live with fear, you live with guilt, and you live with nightmares. If you haven't been through it, there's no understanding it. War leaves no room for love, no room for tenderness or softness. You gotta be hard, closed off, and ready to fight every moment of every day. Lose focus for a split second, and you're dead.

Now the only thing that can save me is HER.

Review: 3 Stars - Wounded by Jasinda Wilder is a book set in the middle of a war and told from two people who couldn't be more different from each other. Rania, the Iraqi girl who’s past and present broke my heart. And Hunter, the US Marine who has scars of his own, but nothing compared to that of the Iraqi girl taking care of him at his lowest.

Wounded is the perfect title for this book. I was really looking forward to reading this one and couldn't wait to start reading the second it was on my Kindle. I was a bit surprised with how the book started yet couldn't look away from Rania’s beginning. It wasn't until further on in the book that I really appreciated her bit of back story. It also made her life and story utterly heartbreaking. She’s been broken by the life she’s been dealt and doesn't know what love is. She hardly knew kindness too. That is until Hunter enters her life.

Hunter has his own scars. Wounded during a mission gone wrong, he’s saved by Rania who takes him into her home and helps him heal from his many gunshot wounds.

The beginning of their relationship is strained by war and by their language barriers. It’s during these moments that I loved reading the book. They found ways to communicate and together survive some pretty horrible circumstances. And yes, even in war there are worse things that can happen.

The story was good, I enjoyed the characters, yet there was something a bit off, which is why I am giving it 3 stars. Part of it was how things kind of went a bit fast when it hit a certain point in their relationship. It didn't feel real, and made me wrinkle my nose a few times. I also didn't understand how the US government allowed a couple of things to happen so quickly. If that’s really how it works, then wow, I can say I was a tad shocked.

For me I’d say that the best part of the story was watching Rania’s life change. To see her learning so many new things, and emotions that she should have known all her life. I just wish that there was more of that to read. Just when things had gotten to that point of the story things were just glossed over and with that I would have loved to have seen more of her transformation.

All in all, Wounded was a decent read with an intriguing story that was shocking, unexpected and filled with characters on their own life changing story. It’s about growth and finding a way to survive with the hand you’ve been dealt. I recommend this to anyone who’s not looking for a light and fluffy story because you won’t get that with this one. However you will get two characters fighting to make it in a world that’s crumbling around them. Enjoy.

FTC Disclaimer: I did NOT pay for this book, nor have I been compensated at all in any way or means for reading and writing this HONEST review.

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

***Additional Note: This "Sneak Peek/Excerpt contains harsh language.***

Sneak Peek...

“So, you own the bar now?” I say, “That’s great. Why didn’t you say?”

Emerson gives me a measured look. “You didn’t ask.”

I stop. How is this my fault? “Yeah, well I didn’t exactly have time, what with you pummeling a guy, pretending like you were going to make out with me, then judging every one of my life choices.”

My reply whips out before I can stop it. I clamp my hand over my mouth, and stare at the shocked expression on Emerson’s face. He so wasn’t expecting that! But why the hell shouldn’t I say it? It’s the truth, after all. I let out a giggle, unable to stop myself.

His expression changes.

“You’re drunk.” He says shortly.

I shrug, defensive. “So what if I am?”

“You never could hold your liquor.” He shakes his head, and takes another gulp of his beer. “I wonder, what else has changed…?” Emerson’s mouth curves into a lascivious smile. “You still make that breathy noise when you come?”

I gasp, shocked. “Fuck you!”

“Already been there, darlin’.”

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About Melody Grace

Melody is a small-town girl turned SoCal beach-lover. After spending her life with her nose in a book, she decided it was time to try writing one for herself. She loves bad boys, steamy romances, and (of course) happily-ever-afters.

Find Melody Grace

Website: http://www.melodygracebooks.blogspot.com

Twitter: @melody_grace_

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6926290.Melody_Grace

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/melody.grace.771

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