When a big-wig author hands you a book and says, "You really need to read this one," what do you do? Do you smile politely and put it back?
Heck no! You snatch that puppy up off the shelf and take it home without even reading the back to find out what it's about!
That's how I found my next Diamond, Author Elle Kennedy.
Her book, "The Deal" sucked me in from the beginning and is, by far, one of my favorite reads this year. Favorite of the summer for sure!
Here's the basic idea: Girl meets boy. Girl has a crush on boy. Boy has no interest. Enter hockey stud. Hockey stud starts to fail a class and realizes girl may be his only chance at passing, so he convinces girl to tutor him in exchange for getting boy to notice her.
The concept itself is simple. But Ms. Kennedy's writing is not. The story has lots of layers. The characters have lots of development. The banter back and forth is wonderful. The plot has some twists and turns that are not necessarily unexpected, but they aren't terribly predictable either.
I loved this book so much, I immediately downloaded the second one in the "Off-Campus" series, titled "The Mistake". Once again, it was riveting. It was fun. It was sexy. I couldn't help but fall in love with the characters.
My only disappointment....the third one isn't out yet!!! And it's Dean's book! DEAN! I am dying to get inside his head.
I guess it goes without saying that I highly recommend this series. You can get "The Deal" by clicking here and "The Mistake" by clicking here. And if my recommendation doesn't convince you, just remember who made me read it and that should change your mind.
Author Elle Kennedy and her hockey studs skate away with
Sometimes you just need a little laughter in your books. Am I right? Something not too serious, but with good writing and interesting characters.
My newest Diamond, Meghan Quinn delivered that recently when I read "The Virgin Romance Novelist". It was fun. It was quirky. It was entertaining. I had a really hard time putting it down.
So much so that that when "Grey" came out...you know, THE "Grey" by EL James, I actually sat on my bed with "Virgin" in one hand and "Grey" in the other, looking back and forth at them trying to decide which one to read. If that isn't a true compliment about how good a book is, I don't know what is! (For those of you wondering, I ended up getting "Grey" on Audible. Can't read while driving anyway, right? So in essence, both books won that round!)
The basic premise behind "Virgin" is easy. Rosie, our heroine, has a love of romance novels and really wants to write one of her own. Problem is, beyond a couple of chaste kisses, she has no experience in the romance department. At all.
So, with the "help" of her friends (and yes, I use the word "help" loosely), she sets on a journey into the world of dating and sex. And oh boy. It is not all her romance novels are cracked up to be.
I really enjoyed the easy banter of this book. I enjoyed Ms. Quinn's writing style and her characters. It was just a flat out fun book! That being said, be warned, it can get a little raunchy at times. Not all the time, mind you, but there are a few scenes that stick out in my brain. Now that you've been forewarned, you will be just fine!
I will admit, I did struggle a bit with the nonchalantness of intimacy in the storyline. Not the entire time. I mean, they are young 20-somethings living in the city, so random hook-ups weren't a surprise. But there are a couple of places in the end where, after certain heartbreaking situations were discovered, I would have liked to see a little more remorse. Maybe a little more action to prove that remorse. Maybe a little more discussion and acceptance of responsibility for hurting the other.
In Ms. Quinn's defense, I'm also a big softie and once I start crying while reading a book, the one who did the wronging doesn't have to make it up to the other characters, they have to make it up to ME! (I'm still mad at Jack F'ing Carter. Two years later.)
Barring my completely psychotic anger towards fictional characters, I truly enjoyed "The Virgin Romance Novelist". It was quick and light and fun. Which is exactly what I needed. You can get it by clicking here.
Author Meghan Quinn proved she's her own kind of "Romance Novelist" for a shiny
Ok, I'll admit it. I don't like horses. I mean, they're fine to feed carrots to and watch from a distance and maybe rub their noses as long as they don't snot all over me. But I just don't care for them.
I know it stems from being thrown off of one and into a tree as a kid. Granted it wasn't the horse's fault. He got spooked because there was a lose bobcat in the area. But still. It has created a fear in me that I have just never gotten over.
This translates into my like or dislike of books. I don't gravitate towards hot cowboys or sexy trail rides or anything of that nature.
So when a friend of mine told I needed to read this series about people who work on farms and specialize in various horse related careers, I wasn't overly thrilled. But I thought to myself, "She and I normally agree on the books we like, so I'll give them a chance."
I'm glad I did! Because while author CM Foss's characters live and breath horse ranches, they are so much more than just cowboys and girls in cowboy boots.
The first book, "Shiver" was good. For a debut novel, Ms. Foss did a nice job. Now, I will say, I had one major problem with it. It should have been turned into two books...a novel and a novella. Because the second part of the book had such a different feel to it, it was almost jarring.
Why do I mention that in my review? Because if you know the transition is coming, you will probably not be as jarred as I was and therefore will enjoy it more. And I want you to enjoy it! The second part in particular was a very personal journey for Ms. Foss and discussed a topic that I think most people need to be enlightened about. So that was very impressive to me and she deserves to be commended for it.
But her second book, "Swoon", now THAT is where Ms. Foss hits her stride and her voice really, really comes through.
"Swoon" was just plain fun to read. And frustrating. And you wanted to smack the main characters around and yell "GET IT TOGETHER!" And then you wanted to hug them for all their insecurities. It was great fun.
So here's the way I recommend things...now that you have been warned about the major transition in "Shiver," read it. It's a lovely debut novel. Get it by clicking here.
But even if you don't, read "Swoon" this summer. It is so perfect for lounging by the pool or sitting on the campgrounds. It's a great summer read! Even for those of us who don't like horses. Get it by clicking here.
CM Foss really did make me "Swoon" for a solid
Hey guys! Kristin here.
My most recent Diamond is brand-new author, M.L. Pennock. She just released her first book, "To Have", at the end of May and I am so impressed!
I have to stop and be frank for a minute; I am normally skeptical when it comes to reading the first novel from a new author. I like my reads to be a little more clean-cut and polished, and that is usually not the case with first-time authors. I was proven wrong this time because Ms. Pennock really delivered a good story!
I think you know me enough by now to realize that I go into every story blind, so no synopsis from me at this time, either!
I was grabbed from the first chapter by a myriad of emotions. I actually got misty-eyed at one point, which doesn't happen very often anymore while I'm reading. I loved the dual POV chapters and the way that she incorporated the past into the present. There were no chopping transitions from either, which any reader can appreciate.
The female lead, Stella, is such a great combo of strength and compassion. Her crappy situation showcases how strong she truly is, even when most of us would just curl up into a ball and give up. I think that's why I liked her so much immediately.
The male lead, Brian, is the perfect counterpart to Stella. He's what I think all women secretly hope for in a partner--fully devoted and sappily in love with her. He makes it effortless to fall in reader love with him, that's for sure.
You can find "To Have" by clicking here.
I hope to see more from this author in the future, especially with regards to some of her side characters.
M.L. Pennock easily gets "To Have"
I went on a trip this past weekend to the Bookworm Box store front grand opening. If you haven't heard of The Bookworm Box, its motto is simple...
The Bookworm Box is the brainchild of Author Colleen Hoover, who is known for her generosity in general. But this endeavor was a little different.
"I've been wanting to do something on a large-scale basis since I started writing books as a way to pay it forward for all that has happened to me in the past few years," she said in a post on her CoHorts fan page. "This seemed like a good way to benefit both readers and charities..."
It started out as an online store only. Once a month, readers could order one of the limited boxes, not knowing what books they would receive. It was a complete surprise to the readers. But they ate it up, sometimes snagging up all boxes in less than five minutes.
But here's the really great part. All the books are donated by the authors. All the swag is donated by the authors. All the boxes are packed by volunteers. Which means 100% of all the proceeds goes to charity.
All $90,000 plus in the first three months of operation.
While it might be largest charity fundraiser in the Indie book community these days, The Bookworm Box isn't the only one.
More and more authors are joining together with other authors to create anthologies for charities. Like this one....
100% of the proceeds of the Ugly Cry anthology is going to benefit the Moyer Foundation, that helps children going through the grief process.
Author Stacey Grice says that being apart of raising money to help others makes her feel like her skills are going to good use.
"The fact that this anthology will benefit children going through the grieving process is icing on the proverbial cake," she says. "I couldn't possibly be more proud to be included."
(By the way, Ugly Cry, The Anthology releases on June 22nd. We'll post links as soon as the pre-order option is up and running.)
While it seems like more and more authors are jumping on the charitable bandwagon, this isn't a new concept.
For instance, you may have seen this picture on your newsfeed at some point...
For the past three years, dozens of authors have joined together in the month of May to do giveaways and author take overs on Facebook, all in the name of raising money for The Keith Milano Memorial Fund, which specializes in raising awareness about suicide prevention. It has done so well, that in the last three years of author events, almost $200,000 has been raised. And the numbers for last month's event continue to roll in.
Part of the money comes from the authors pledging a certain percentage of their May sales to be donated as well. Many of them say the topic of suicide is close to their hearts, which is why they do it year after year.
"I take part every May not just to raise money, but so that we TALK," Author Sawyer Bennett says. "Talk about mental health issues and the more we talk, the more we understand. The more we understand, the more we remove and social stigma surrounding it."
Author Tina Reber agrees.
"If raising awareness can prevent one single death, then every ounce of effort put out is worth it," she says.
Regardless of why authors choose to get involved with these kinds of fundraisers, the numbers make one thing pretty clear...readers love it. So much so that hours before The Bookworm Box opened it's doors, this line was already forming...
At 7:30am.
By the time 10 o'clock rolled around and the door opened, hundreds of people were waiting to step inside and check it out.
And just like the online store, readers went nuts. In a good way. In fact, The Bookworm Box raised over $10,000 for charity during the grand opening alone.
But I don't think that's a huge surprise to many of us. By nature, readers tend to be sensitive, emotional people. If you tug at their heart strings, they will respond. And if you show them a way to help, they will jump on it.
So keep doing fundraisers, authors. And keep on getting involved, readers. Together, the Indie community is making a difference. One book at a time.
I'll admit, I tend to be very set in my ways when it comes to books. I love, love, love angst. I love a good romance. I love stories about the human spirit. I love new adult and young adult and a good paranormal.
What I don't particularly enjoy is science fiction, fantasy or dystopian.
So I will admit, I was a bit leery when I picked up "Gentle Chains" by Nazarea Andrews. While it's falls under the NA category, it's set in space (science fiction). Most of the characters are aliens of some sort, but have wings or are dragons or have psychic powers (fantasy). And it has kind of a Hunger Games vibe to it (dystopian).
Oh, how wrong I was to judge this book before reading it! Because it is bloody brilliant. Here's is a shortened version of the official synopsis off of Amazon:
"When slavers steal Juhan and his twin sister Chosi from their home planet of psychics, their only comfort is the fact that they're together. When they are separated at auction, Juhan swears to find his sister, no matter the cost....
....Spun across space and exotic worlds, Juhan and Chosi try to find each other, and home in a stunning story about the lengths love will take you."
I agree....this novel is, in fact, stunning.
The story is interesting (even for nay sayers like me). The character development is spot on. And the writing is impeccable.
Ms. Andrews creates not just one new world. But multiple new worlds that each have a different feeling and vibe to them. I kept thinking "This would make a fabulous movie."
It did take me longer than normal to plug through this book. Because it's a book that makes you think. It makes you wonder. It makes you feel the depths the psyche will go to for survival.
I discovered at the end that it's the first in a series. But, rest assured, it doesn't end on a cliffhanger. More like, you know there is more to come. And that's fine. It ended right when my brain needed a break to contemplate anyway.
Do yourself a favor and get wrapped up in Nazarea Andrews' "Gentle Chains". You can get it by clicking here. You owe it to yourself to read a smart book. And this one won't disappoint.
Ms. Andrews and her world of aliens get a highly recommended
Sara Ney is a pain in my rear.
And I can say that because she is also a very good friend of mine. So she knows she's a pain in my rear and does it anyway for entertainment purposes.
Sara and I became friends when I contacted her about her first two books, which I fell in love with. So of course I was thrilled when she told me the third book was on the way. I just can't get enough of this series!
In "A Kiss Like This," the third book in the "Kiss and Make Up" Series, Sara introduces us to two very shy and quiet characters.
Abigail is quiet and awkward. She prefers books over parties. And will go to whatever lengths necessary to avoid any form of embarrassment. Needless to say, dating is not her forte.
Caleb, is also quiet. He's not shy. He's just a man of few words. Unfortunately, having few words also means he's become a push over with his roommates.
But change is coming when Abigail falls for Caleb....er.....falls on him is more like it.
I could talk about this book all day long because I love it so much. But that's because Sara's writing style is always fresh and never feels forced. She has a gift that most other authors don't have. The gift of making even the most hard core readers feel. (A friend of mine, who never really feels her stomach clench at those parts or feels for the characters actually said to me, "Is this what other readers feel like when they read???" That says something, doesn't it?)
It helps that the characters are all young and beautiful. In fact, there is already a Facebook fight in one of my book groups over who gets Caleb as their book boyfriend. I'm pretty sure I lost. Booooo.
If you haven't read any of Sara's other books, you really need to. However, "A Kiss Like This" can easily be read as a stand alone. And since I think it's her best work to date, go for it! You can get it by clicking here.
As much as it pains me to say this, because I know Sara is going to use it against me at some point (*sigh* The perils of friendship), "A Kiss Like This" deserves a raving
