Book Review: A Million Little Snowflakes by Logan Byrne

A Million Little Snowflakes 

by Logan Byrne 

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Blurb:

Oliver Hurst has always been abnormally normal.

His grades are horrible, his best friend just left for Utah, and he's depressed. His overly religious parents don’t help, especially since they control every facet of his life. One stupid sentence said in desperation gets Oliver tossed in an adolescent psych ward, where his depression and fears become even more of a reality.

When Oliver meets snide, tough girl Lacey Waters he doesn't think his life could get any better, that is, until she becomes the ray of sunshine he has desperately needed on his cloudiest of days.

My Rating:

My Review:

I picked this book up after I read Branded, I like the authors writing style and couldn't help but want more. The main reason I picked this book, was because when I was teenager I went to a therapist and was diagnosed as depressed and bi-polar (plus some other things/ not gonna talk about it). My grandmother was also a religious nut, and I was almost thrown in a psych-ward. Lucky, for me I ended up learning to hide most of my issues and thoughts, so it never came to that. So, since I was almost in the same place I felt like I could relate to the MC. Even if the MC was a boy (which was also a bonus.) 

It's not often that you can find a YA Romance in the guys povs. So when it happens, I can't help but want to grab it. I can say that if you ever go to certain churches they do have those crazy people that think depression is a demon or devil trying to attack the mind. That the easiest way to fix it is to pray. Which that is not the case, sometimes you just need professional help. Especially, if you are suicidal.

I connected and fell in love with the main characters. I was happy to see that they were able to get help and get better. Now I have to be honest with you, the ending of this book made me cry. I was so upset.  The only reason it did not get 5 stars, was because I felt like it was set at a slow pace. 

Warning: This book is a dark romance. Suicide is mentioned in this book, along with one of the character does kill themselves. If you are having your own issues, don't read this book. It has a sad ending and I would hate for you to get upset over it.

Zara Lethallan

About the Author:

Logan Byrne is an author of young adult fiction. He currently resides in Northern Illinois, though has aspirations to move to a large city, one where most of his stories take place.

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New Release, Giveaway: Taint by Tara Dawn

TAINT (The SNAP Trilogy #2) By Tara Dawn

"Captivating and enthralling - this series certainly will not let you go."
~ Bonny Capps, author of The Killer Series

"This suspense-packed thriller is one that fans of dark romance should not miss." ~ Courtney Lane, author of the Wicked Trinity Series

I'm so excited to get this installment into everyone's hands. It was a very emotional story for me to write. One that left me stranded at the top of a crazy ass rollercoaster. If you have yet to become a Snap Addict, don't run away. I've got a special going on for new readers. Thanks for checking out my newest release. I hope you enjoy it. ~Tara Dawn

Synopsis:

Hazel

I don't know who I am anymore, or what I'm becoming. Time doesn't exist in this godforsaken Hell I call my life. Every time I find a semblance of hope, it's bled away. Just like I'm bleeding away. The longer he believes he's won, the more I die inside. I may be nothing but a shell by the time this is over.

Cash
I failed her. I couldn't keep her safe. Now I may lose her completely. We're running against a clock controlled by a madman and we don't know when he plans to end his game. Every minute that passes without finding him makes the thought of killing him that much sweeter.

Phil
I didn't think it would be so easy. Pretty soon, my Snap will be on the streets and I'll be living the dream. That is, after I take Cash out. With him gone, I'll control not only the drug, but Hazel as well. If she listens, she will have a hell of a life. Right. Beside. Me.

*This series contains scenes of drug abuse, brutality, and rape. Reader discretion is advised.

Excerpt:

My hand slips from his and I make my way to the kitchen. I look at the bottle and back to my glass for a moment before putting the bottle to my lips. The wine fills my mouth, and I gulp it down hoping it will drown the emotions swirling within me. But the lump in my throat remains and grows larger with every pull off the bottle. The more I swallow, the more it feels like I'm choking. I lower the bottle, letting it thunk on the counter top, and try to breathe through the panic attack building inside of me.

 "I was infatuated with you."

The rumble of his voice makes me clutch the counter, my breath caught in my chest. As much as I want to know, I can't listen to it right now. It's all too much to take in when I'm still coming to terms with what Phil did to me.

"The longer I watched you, the more I was drawn to you," he continues, his voice getting closer. "You learn a lot about people when they don't know you're looking." My back warms as the heat of his body gets closer. He places his hands on the counter, trapping me between his arms. "Want to know what I learned about you?"

I stare down at the counter, thankfully hidden by the curtain of hair falling around my face, and shake my head. Cash's slight stubble on his jaw rubs against the side of my face as he leans closer, his chest grazing my back. His heart beats a rhythm that mine recognizes and tries to keep in tune with. I'd rather face Phil right now, because at least I know where I stand with him.

"You are selfless," he says, disregarding me. "You're happiest when those around you are happy. You have this need to help others without getting anything in return. But you're too prideful to let anyone in and help you when you need it most. You push people away by putting the focus back on them and deal with shit that you shouldn't have to deal with alone. And you do it all with the most beautiful smile I have every seen." His arms drape gently around me, and he rests his head against mine. "It's hard to find genuinely good people in the world," he whispers. "Trust me, I know. I've spent my life watching people selfishly choose their needs over others. And I turned into one of them."

Cash turns me around and cups the side of my face lifting it up to his. "I didn't want this to happen. I wanted to do my job and come home. But I couldn't stop thinking about you. I wanted what you gave everyone else freely. So I selfishly took it. I needed to see you smile at me like that and know I was the reason for it. And when you did, I couldn't get enough." He searches my eyes as he bares his heart to me. His mouth hovers over mine, bathing my lips in the warmth of his whiskey-scented breath with every word. "I wanted more. I thought I'd get it and walk away from you when this was over. But there's a piece of me that thinks I deserve this…" His lips brush against mine tormentingly as the shaky words fall from his lips. "That I deserve you."

What readers are saying about SNAP:"This story is the biggest friggin surprise in all of creation!" ~ Expresso, Goodreads Reviewer

"Snap takes the reader on a dark and suspenseful journey of lust and depravity that will leave you on the edge of your seat and begging for more."
~Hooker Heels Book Blog

"This story has everything...Daily life ... rape .. stalking ... drugs ... sex..romance..deception..lies..trust.. it's a word wound puzzle that is worth every second it takes to read! " ~ Carla, Goodreads Reviewer

  "The mastery with which she paints the psychotic nature, so masterfully balanced with mystery and suspense, there is no way this is not one of the best dark reads I have ever read."
~Hashtag Minxes Love Books

Grab SNAP (The SNAP Trilogy #1) on sale for 99 Cents! 

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What readers are saying about Taint:"Talk about wild and crazy drama! It's like watching a tornado reek havoc in slow motion....the highest adrenaline rush times a million!"
~ Expresso, Goodreads Reviewer

"Forget being a rollercoaster, Tara takes you on a dark, twisty high and brings you right to the edge."
~Hashtag Minxes Love Books

"The raw hatred I have for Phil and his cruelty to all the characters within this story is so vibrant that I have already decided that Mend (3rd book) better damn well come with coupons for some serious therapeutic counseling!!!" ~ Carla, Goodreads Reviewer

"What did I just read?? And why do I feel like I'm going through withdraws already??"
~ United Indie Book Blog

Grab TAINT on sale for $1.99!
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Available on all major retailers soon!

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About Tara

Tara Dawn is a married, stay-at-home-mom who homeschools her three sons. When she's not busy with them, you can find her reading, talking about other authors and books over at The Word Wenches book blog, writing, editing, crafting, or hula hooping. She wears many hats and finds that if you aren't learning something new everyday then you aren't living to your full potential. Tara is currently working on The Snap Trilogy and about to start work on Twins (an erotic horror novel), a collaboration with Bonny Capps, author of The Killer Series. She loves making new friends and talking about life, so stop by her Facebook page and say hello.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Amazon ~ Bookbub ~ Newsletter ~ Snap Addicts

Book Review: Banded by Logan Byrne

Banded 

by Logan Byrne 

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Blurb:

In dystopian Manhattan, society is divided into six zones, with each one representing a citizen’s benefit to society: Stalwart (strength), Astute (intelligence), Collusive (greed), Radiant (beauty), Quixotic (no life direction), and the Altruistic (willingness to help others). On a citizen’s sixteenth birthday, a computer suggests a new zone for them based on their inherent benefit to society. When Kalenna Slater is sorted out of her home zone Quixotic and into Altruistic, she thinks things can’t get worse. Life looks dismal until she meets Gavin, a boy also just sorted into Altruistic who becomes the light needed on her cloudy days.

During sorting she receives a device known as ‘The Band’. It’s a large watch-like device that never comes off, and it measures a citizen’s karma on a scale from one to one hundred. If a citizen does good, they gain points. If a citizen does bad, including breaking laws, they lose points. When your number reaches zero, the band acts as judge, jury, and executioner, and you are injected with toxins that kill you within minutes.

After sorting, recruits are taken to a three month long mandatory school named HQ. It’s at HQ she meets new friends from different zones, and finally begins to feel at ease. Everything goes well until a rare trip home makes her discover that her father, who has been missing for a decade, may have taken part in a terrible program that stands to shake the fabric of society.

My Rating: 

 My Review:

I am sure you can read the other reviews left on this book, and we all have come to an agreement that this book could be Divergent's cousin. If you ever wanted to read that book and could never get you hands on it, then you should pick up this book up and read it. 

To be completely honest, I kinda liked this book more then Divergent. I really loved the plot, the only thing that is similar to Divergent is the sections and how you are split up. The main plot and the way they are divided are completely different, plus they are taught everything. The students in HQ are well rounded, they learn about all jobs and are taught how to defend themselves. The government is corrupt and needs to be put to an end. The main character (Kal) is not like the other students. She see the issues that the society has, and is not easily convinced that everything is perfect and that there is no error in their ways. 

Didn't like that it ended in a cliffhanger, but I loved this book. Since I loved it so much I got another book from the same author to read. The author does great writing YA and there a a bunch of details and emotions tied into the story.

 Zara Lethallan

Book Review: Snow Balls by Andie M. Long

Book: Snow Balls

Series: Ball Games #2

Author: Andie M. Long

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Hosted By:Francessca’s Romance Reviews

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Tyler Turner has lived at home in comfort since birth. It's Christmas Day and his twenty-fifth birthday and he's just about to open his money gift from his parents ..

Dear son,
You are dear to our hearts and we love you. Happy twenty-fifth birthday. However as previously forewarned it’s time to stand on your own two feet. Please take this letter as your Eviction Notice. You have three months until the twenty-fifth of March to secure new accommodation for yourself. Obviously if you decide to purchase, rather than rent, then as long as we can see the sale proceeding, the date of eviction can be lengthened accordingly. We, your parents will assist with this as much as possible. If you would like us to accompany you to look at properties or help you get a mortgage, you only have to ask.
The cheque should cover you for a month or two’s rent or contribute towards legal fees.
We look forward to watching you on your next adventure as an adult.
Much love, Mum and Dad.

As Tyler gets over the shock it becomes a competition between Tyler and his mother Dora as to whether he'll stay or go. Friend Lindsay is on hand to help him until the offer of a promotion means she may be leaving too. Will Tyler grow up in time to make the right choices or will Jennifer Lambert and his gaming equipment continue to distract him?

*Complete with British/Yorkshire slang guide as an added bonus to teach you some new rude words ;)

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Early Feedback

After reading the excerpt of this book at the end of Balls I knew I would love Tyler's story and it didn't disappoint I spent a lovely afternoon with the Turner family loving every word. ~ Our Kindle Konfessions

I'm in love with this novella series and think Andie is onto a complete winner here. I absolutely adore the characters and their witty, British style and slang. ~ Author Beth Ashworth

Andie is slowly making me a Novella convertee, this story was the perfect length to capture Tyler’s story and I adored it from start to finish. ~ Gemma Reads Too Much

Clever, witty, funny and the language used was just so good. Such light and easy reading to help us forget about the strife's in life; I wish more books were like this. ~ Blissfully Bookerised

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“You’d be expected to pull your weight in my house too, you cheeky bugger.  If all you’re offering a girl is your dirty underwear and life at the kitchen sink, you’re going to be single for a very long time, mate.”

“Thanks for the pizza… Was alright for a first attempt.  Just a shame the fire brigade didn’t have to come out.  I quite like a man in uniform.”

“She does that feat where she pulls her bra off through her dress and out of an armpit.  It’s some feat of magic that’s done really quickly and I can’t totally follow it.  All I know is that her tits go with it.  The heavily padded bra lies on the floor, discarded among her other mess.  I stare at her dress.  There’s nothing under it… I have nothing against small perky tits if I’m expecting them, but my hands.  There were ready to cop hold of those gorgeous bazumas.”

“Don’t know half the time son.  Best thing with women is to keep nodding at them in agreement.  If their face changes and goes weird, try a disagreeing look.  Works for me ninety percent of the time.”

My Review:

Snow Balls has a highly entertaining premise of a spoiled, video game playing, and lazy mamma’s boy who still lived with his parents, being presented with his eviction notice on his 25^th birthday.  Tyler was incredulous when it occurred, despite having a long-standing deadline and repeated warnings the boot was coming.  Even with a three-month reprieve and a generous monetary gift from his parents to get him started, Tyler immediately plots and schemes to undermine and manipulate his parents into allowing him to remain a firmly implanted and entrenched leech.  However, mom is prepared and has schemes of her own.  I was richly amused by this short and humorous tale and enjoyed witnessing the slow peeling of the onion, eventual dawn of awareness, and positive changes in Tyler as his budding independence gradually took hold while he mastered adulting.  I can’t help but wonder if this scheme could actually work on some grossly immature relatives of my own.

Empress DJ

About The Author


Andie M. Long is the author of The Alphabet Game series, Underneath and Quickies. When not writing she can usually be found time wasting on social media. If you ever see her doing housework, step away. It means she's stressed! Prepare to meet the Turner Family in the Ball Games series in 2016 plus other works in progress.

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New Release: Pursuing Carrie by Jenn Hype

 Book: Pursuing Carrie (Pretending #3)

By Jenn Hype

Genre: Contemporary Romance

**Can be read as a standalone, but backstory and character development from the first two books of the series may make this read more enjoyable.

Goodreads Book Link

Synopsis

Carrie is plain, quiet and doesn’t really give a shit what people think. Her priorities in life have absolutely nothing to do with dating or relationships. Quite the opposite, in fact, seeing as how a relationship is the absolute last thing she wants. Ever.

Joe is charming and charismatic, but the only thing he’s ever worked hard at in his adult life is his job. Outside of being a cop, he’s only interested in things that come easily, and that includes women. He gives the women he sleeps with respect, affection, and mind blowing orgasms - but that’s all he gives.

After being brought together by a mutual friend, Stacy, Joe and Carrie don’t exactly hit it off. They are the exact opposite of what the other looks for in a lover, yet they can’t fight the growing attraction that blossoms between them.

Under the pretense of wanting to be friends for the sake of Stacy, Joe sets out to win Carrie over, but his normal charms don’t work on her. And the more he tries to win her friendship, the more he realizes that friendship is not at all what he really wants.

Carrie’s willpower is strong, but it’s no match for Joe’s persistence, and despite her reluctance, Carrie finds herself falling for Joe in a way that she’s sure will cause irreparable damage in the end. Because nothing good ever comes out of hooking up with someone you care about, and why should this time be the exception?

Tainted pasts, crazy ex-lovers and flying dildos notwithstanding, Carrie and Joe find themselves venturing into unknown territory. It’s not easy, but it’s hot as hell, and luckily they are both too stubborn to give up easily on something that feels a lot more real than a short fling.

**Can be read as a standalone, but backstory and character development from the first two books of the series may make this read more enjoyable.

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Meet the Author

What's up world - I'm Jenn Hype.

Author, mother, wife, singer/songwriter, aspiring comedian - I wear many hats. Some of them fit, some of them look ridiculous, and all of them are fun. Life's too short to take anything too seriously, so I don't.

Sarcasm is my go-to, especially when it's most inappropriate. Need someone to make an uncomfortable situation even more awkward? I'm the girl for the job.

I'm ridiculously A.D.D. and I own it. I have a serious addiction to ecards and the majority of my Pinterest account is dedicated to them. The key to my heart is glitter and caffeine - my needs are basic.

I'm a bookaholic and I crush hard on my book boyfriends and their authors. Some might call me obsessive, but I disagree. That word really doesn't do justice to how crazy I get when it comes to something I'm passionate about. I'm not afraid to go fangirl on you, so don't test me.

Anything else you want to know, feel free to ask. I'm an open book, and I love to hear from readers.

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Other Books In The Series

Pressing Adalyn - Free on i Books -  28^th March – 1^st April

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1KKvvSf

Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/1P9Py2K

Synopsis

3 years after graduating college, Adalyn still isn’t sure what to do with her life. After a traumatic event in college throws her life off course, she bounces between jobs and men aimlessly until deciding to move from her small town in Ohio to live with her college roommate, Stacy, in New York.

Being closed off and sarcastic has helped Adalyn cope with her past, but when Ian, Stacy’s sexy and successful friend, comes into the picture, her carefully constructed defense mechanisms start to fail.

Determined not to let Ian get under her skin, Adalyn fights hard to appear unaffected by Ian’s charm and devastating good looks. Undeterred and unconvinced by Adalyn’s attempts to feign indifference to him, Ian continues to push Adalyn out of her comfort zone, unwilling to give in to her efforts to push him away.

Slowly, Ian starts to break through to the core of who Adalyn really is, but both of their pasts threaten to destroy any semblance of a relationship that could ever exist between the two of them.

Playing Stacy

Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/1KKuYQb

Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/1Wo3HtP

Synopsis

Stacy’s no stranger to trouble, considering that’s where her smart ass remarks usually land her...in trouble. A drunken night out with her best friend Adalyn lands her in jail. Not that she’d done anything wrong, except for hit on the incredibly sexy cop who showed up to take a report from Adalyn who’d had her purse stolen. Chad, a no-nonsense officer who takes himself and his job very seriously, has no patience for Stacy’s shenanigans and over the top flirting. So he hauls her to jail to teach her a lesson, but didn’t expect it to cause Stacy to become a regular fixture in his life. Stacy ends up befriending Chad’s partner, Joe, who keeps her company after Chad dumps her in a holding cell for the night. Joe and Stacy hit it off right away, resulting in Stacy always being around, no matter how much Chad tries to avoid her. The constant bickering and sarcastic insults only heighten the sexual tension between Chad and Stacy, and Chad’s ability to control his emotions and actions becomes increasingly difficult. A low scale war is declared between them, but their actions continue to both hurt each other while simultaneously pulling them together. When the fighting leads to literal bloodshed, they begin to wonder if they both should surrender before the war destroys them both. 

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