Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon

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Author's:

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My rating: 3 stars

Book summary:

"When Josie Jensen, an awkward 13-year-old musical prodigy crashes headlong into new-comer Samuel Yazzie, an 18-year-old Navajo boy full of anger and confusion, an unlikely friendship blooms. Josie teaches Samuel about words, music and friendship, and along the way finds a kindred spirit. Upon graduation, Samuel abandons the sleepy, small town in search of a future and a life, leaving his young friend behind. Many years go by and Samuel returns, finding Josie in need of the very things she offered him years before. Their roles reversed, Samuel teaches Josie about life, love, and letting go. Deeply romantic and poignant, Running Barefoot is the story of a small town girl and a Native American boy, the ties that bind them to their homes and families, and the love that gives them wings."

      I never know what to expect when I pick up novel written by Amy Harmon. Sometimes I love them to pieces, sometimes I think they are okay, and there are those with some topics that I don't prefer when choosing what to read next. 

      One of my favorite books that I read last year is The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon. (You can read my review here.) Everything about that book was perfect - characters, topic, writing,  storyline... When I figured out that it's happening in the same fictional world as one other Amy Harmon novel, I knew that I'd read it soon as well. Running Barefoot is her debut and has all recognizable bits and pieces of Harmon's writing - emotional read, small town setting, religious tones and sweet love story. I have to be honest and say that I would probably never read Running Barefoot if there wasn't Moses ans his story. I wanted to know what happened to Josie and what does that tall and brooding Samuel hides. I am happy that I did because it was a book worth reading. I did have a lot of issues with it - mostly regarding all religious undertones and how some views seem a little bit overly "exclusive" to the only one group of the people sharing same ideology. Or Sam's transformation and his complicated relationship with his heritage and parents that gets resolved in the direction of previously mentioned ideology. On the other hand, that is mentality of small, traditional communities - that thing is same wherever in the world you are living at - so I sort of was able to understand their actions. 

      Final judgemnt? Sweet story that fans of Amy Harmon novels will enjoy reading, as everyone else who prefer religious-heavy romances. As I said, I am not a fan of any religious ideology and I still enjoyed reading this story.

Happy reading,

Chasing the Tide by A. Meredith Walters

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Author's:

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My rating: 5 stars

Book summary:

"The powerful continuation of the story that began in Reclaiming the Sand- a tale of love and forgiveness and learning to move on from a past that has come to define you.

Bully and Victim

Friend and Lover

Past and Future

Ellie McCallum and Flynn Hendrick’s story was as painful as it was devastating. But they were able to find within each other an unlikely yet beautiful love. Despite the obstacles that tried to keep them apart.

And together they rose out of the ashes of their tragic history.

Now years after their life changing reunion Ellie is back in Wellston, having just graduated from college and ready to start her future with the man who taught her how to love. However, returning to a town that held so much bitterness and anger was the last place she wanted to start over.

But for Flynn, who is now an art professor at the community college and firmly rooted in the place that gave them their beginning, she’d do just about anything.

Yet it’s difficult building a life when you’ve only just learned how to live.
And love, no matter how strong, doesn’t always conquer all.

Ellie and Flynn must learn how far they are willing to go to stay together. Or whether the ghosts of the past will consume them both.

Because finding a happily ever after is harder than it seems. Particularly when you’re fighting against the one thing that could destroy you.

Yourself."

 You can read my review for the first book, Reclaiming the Sand, here. 

       When I read Reclaiming the Sand last year, I managed to surprise even myself. To be honest, that was one of the books I was sure I wouldn't be reading. And then I did. Not only that, but I liked it a lot. It was unlike any new adult novel I had read before. 


       Chasing the Tide picks up where previous book ended - Flynn and Ellie trying to make their relationship work and still following their own, separate dreams. It is a story about facing temptations and problems that life throws your way, fighting for something you believe in and realizing that being a grown-up means that you have to make hard choices and compromises every day. This is not a "happily ever after", "let's ride into the sunset together"  story. It is real. Their relationship is far from easy. Every step is a struggle. Ellie has to give up a lot of things to be with Flynn. She has to face her past all the time. Flynn is trying to find a way to fit in the society, to make an effort for a future he wants to have. 


      Anyone who has read books written by A. Meredith Walters knows that she is not an author who will give you rainbows and butterflies in her novels. If you are not a fan of usual new adult premises, than you seriously need to thing about giving a chance to this author. I promise that you will not regret it.

Happy reading,

The Sunday Post (#40)

Hello all. Well, as some of you know Sundays are always reserved for Sunday Post which is a meme created by lovely Kim @Caffeinated Book Reviews!

Hello all. We know we promised to be better from now on and more active, but sometimes universe just gives you lemons without the thing to make lemonade. So it turned out that Tanja got some serious stomach flu last week and she spent 4 days in bed (reading of course), while in the meantime Glass and her stronger half were looking for a new love nest. It was a really busy week for both. So, universe you can pass on now. Also don't be surprised that we actually don't have a plan for the next week. It's going to be surprise for all (even us xD).

• Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jansen (Cover Reveal) 
• Winterkill by Kate A. Boorman
• Waiting on Wednesday (#130) 
• Breaking the Rules by Katie McGarry 
• November Blue and Thompson Sisters Boxed Set - SALE! 

Tanja's haul 

Thank you: Entangled Teen, Random House Books and Hodder Children's Books.

Glass' haul 

Thank you: Pan Macmillan 

Until the next time, 

November Blue and Thompson Sisters Boxed Sets - On Sale!

Have you checked out the Thompson Sisters? Or the November Blue Series? Both are well loved by readers, with combined thousands of reviews on Amazon and other online booksellers!

Now is your chance to get them at a bargain price never before seen, with each boxed set priced less than the individual titles, at only $2.99 each!

Here's what people say about these series:

November Blue

This is the series that started my love affair with all things written by Andrea Randall

Thompson Sisters

This is one of the best series I have ever read. It will build anticipation, make your heart beat so much faster, give you twists and turns you couldn't think of, and give you the most epic ending ever. So worth the read!

 Purchase Links

November Blue

Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Google Play | Kobo

Thompson Sisters Boxed Set Volume 1

Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Google Play | Kobo

Thompson Sisters Boxed Set Volume 2

Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Google Play | Kobo

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Background image courtesy of Csaba Vero

Breaking the Rules by Katie McGarry

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Author's 

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Book summary:

 A summer road trip changes everything in this unforgettable new tale from acclaimed author Katie McGarry

For new high school graduate Echo Emerson, a summer road trip out west with her boyfriend means getting away and forgetting what makes her so... different. It means seeing cool sights while selling her art at galleries along the way. And most of all, it means almost three months alone with Noah Hutchins, the hot, smart, soul-battered guy who’s never judged her. Echo and Noah share everything — except the one thing Echo’s just not ready for.

But when the source of Echo’s constant nightmares comes back into her life, she has to make some tough decisions about what she really wants — even as foster kid Noah’s search for his last remaining relatives forces them both to confront some serious truths about life, love, and themselves.

Now, with one week left before college orientation, jobs and real life, Echo must decide if Noah's more than the bad-boy fling everyone warned her he'd be. And the last leg of an amazing road trip will turn... seriously epic. 

Your dearest Glass and Tanja are back with another joint review for Katie's book. It's a tradition and some traditions we don't break.  
  

Tanja: I think that this is the first time that I'm actually feeling sorry for a review that we haven't written yet, but the fact is that this will turn into "this should be Abby's book" story. But let's try to avoid it, somehow.
So this book for me was everything Katie usually is. It's like when you get into a Katie restaurant and order a Katie special you'll get this. Swoon worthy scenes and plenty of drama, all cooked together. But, it seemed like it was in a microwave before it got to you.
(Love, make some sense here, as I'm losing my metaphors)

Glass: But this should have been Abby's story!!! I am sorry, but I just can't get over the fact that we might never get that. And you metaphors are perfect - Breaking the Rules (I cannot believe that I'm about to say this) is a washed out version of epic, swoon-worthy story we had in Pushing the Limits. Noah was one of my favorite guys in this series - well, until we met West in Take Me On - but now I'm starting to doubt everything. I kind of wish that we haven't read this at all, don't you agree?
Tanja: Yes, totally. I assume that now readers will think that this is awful or something. It's not, at the same time it's not nearly as good as Pushing the Limits and other Katie's books were. It was just average and Katie's is everything but average writer.
Glass: Plus, I ended disappointed with both Noah and Echo, they annoyed me so much. Especially her. But as you already said, it is okay book, fans of the series will enjoy reading this, there are still a lot of "signature" Katie McGarry scenes and ending kind of redeemed everything. 

Tanja: Exactly. It's sad, because you could get a lot from this series by writing about other character (we won't let it go), but this was well unnecessary. What bothered me the most, was that sort of, kind of love-triangle there. Gaaah! Why?!
Glass: Why did you even have to mention that? I didn't like that part at all. Completely unnecessary, extra drama.  But, guys, don't get us wrong - we did give 3 stars to this book, so it means that Breaking the Rules wasn't a bad read - just not what we expected. But Katie McGarry is going to publish completely new book this year, Nowhere But Here, and we are so excited because of that. That summary sounds so intriguing and like nothing I've read so far when it comes to young adult genre.
Tanja: Yup. It's not Abby's book (this is the last time I'm mentioning it!), but I think it'll be much better than this. You know me, I'm always up for unique reads and let's hope that Nowhere But Here will be that. Aside the drama and everything, this is just an okay read. So I'd recommend - don't expect something different and new, as you won't get that. But you'll for sure enjoy reading it, as one thing that Katie will never fail at is good writing.

Rating: 3 stars.

Until the next time,

Waiting on Wednesday (#130)

You know the story. This is a meme created by Breaking the Spine and every week we pick books we're waiting for. Here are our picks for this week.

Glass can't wait to read...

The first full length Gypsy Brothers novel from the smash hit author Lili St. Germain.

How much is a life worth?

I grew up in Colombia, the daughter of a wealthy drug lord. I lived a life of extravagance, until one day a drug run went horribly wrong and everything came crashing down around us.

I was given away. A payment for a debt. The Gypsy Brothers Motorcycle Club became my new owners, and I did everything I could to survive.

But falling in love with the man who owned me wasn't part of the plan...

Expected publication date: February 1st, 2015

Tanja can't wait to read...

  For readers of A Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games comes an epic new series.

The night Quin Kincaid takes her Oath, she will become what she has trained to be her entire life. She will become a Seeker. This is her legacy, and it is an honor. As a Seeker, Quin will fight beside her two closest companions, Shinobu and John, to protect the weak and the wronged. Together they will stand for light in a shadowy world. And she'll be with the boy she loves--who's also her best friend.

But the night Quin takes her Oath, everything changes. Being a Seeker is not what she thought. Her family is not what she thought. Even the boy she loves is not who she thought.

And now it's too late to walk away.

Expected publication date: February 10th, 2015

Happy Wednesday, 

 

Winterkill by Kate A. Boorman

Buy the book at 

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Author's 

Website / Twitter

Book summary:

Emmeline knows she’s not supposed to explore the woods outside her settlement. The enemy that wiped out half her people lurks there, attacking at night and keeping them isolated in an unfamiliar land with merciless winters. Living with the shame of her grandmother’s insubordination, Emmeline has learned to keep her head down and her quick tongue silent.
When the settlement leader asks for her hand in marriage, it’s an opportunity for Emmeline to wash the family slate clean—even if she has eyes for another. But before she’s forced into an impossible decision, her dreams urge her into the woods, where she uncovers a path she can’t help but follow. The trail leads to a secret that someone in the village will kill to protect. Her grandmother followed the same path and paid the price. If Emmeline isn’t careful, she will be next.

         Sometimes you just have to trust your gut. Here is the thing. I have seen the cover for this book a while ago and fell in love with it. This book has been on my wishlist for a long time, but then I started seeing some not-that-nice reviews for it and I cooled off. But my gut is something I always trust and it told me to go for it. I did and surprise, surprise it was totally worth it!

        Firstly, I'm glad that this book haven't got labeled as retelling as I'm not sure I'd put it there. The cover gives of a vibe like this is a story about Red Riding Hood, but in reality it's not that much. This is actually something I have no idea where to put. Depending on your interpretation it can be either historical story or dystopia, but for me it works both ways.

         Now, this is a story about Emmeline (Em for short), who grew up in settlement. It's the world she and people living there know about. The woods around them are scary and full of malmaci who are their worst nightmare. But Em is a very curious young girl and wondering in the woods is what she often does. But, it's what she discovers there is what will change her.

        I have no idea why, but I always liked stories which give off a very old fashioned vibe. I have got a feeling like I'm in 17th century and somewhere in area of today's Canada (be prepared for lots of French here, tho) and I loved it. Besides the setting, Em and I connected right away. She is not your extraordinary, kick ass girl, but rather common but at the same time easy to approach. That leads us to the love interest here, which almost melted me! I made that weird squee whenever the two of them met. What can I tell you, I have a thing for first/sort of forbidden love deal.

         Lastly, what made me fully enjoy this story is actually the writing. It was really nicely written and very readable. I couldn't stop reading once I started. The only issue I had with this book, is that some elements here seemed unnecessary. Maybe we'll get the point in the sequel. Well, let's hope.

Rating: 4 stars.

Until the next time,

Cover Reveal: Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen

Hi guys! I have a little treat for you today. I'm not sure if you have heard of Stolen Songbird?! If you haven't then I have no idea what's you've been doing?! Alas, I have a cover reveal for the sequel to that one. It's called Hidden Huntress and it should be here soon!!!

Now.....enjoy :)

Book summary

Sometimes, one must accomplish the impossible.Beneath the mountain, the king’s reign of tyranny is absolute; the one troll with the capacity to challenge him is imprisoned for treason. Cécile has escaped the darkness of Trollus, but she learns all too quickly that she is not beyond the reach of the king’s power. Or his manipulation.Recovered from her injuries, she now lives with her mother in Trianon and graces the opera stage every night. But by day she searches for the witch who has eluded the trolls for five hundred years. Whether she succeeds or fails, the costs to those she cares about will be high.To find Anushka, she must delve into magic that is both dark and deadly. But the witch is a clever creature. And Cécile might not just be the hunter. She might also be the hunted…

Let me also remind you of Stolen Songbird, while we're here.

Buy the book at 

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Author's 

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Book summary:

For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain. Time enough for their dark and nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophesy has been spoken of a union with the power to set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth of the trolls than she could have imagined.
Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. Only the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time, wait for the perfect opportunity.
But something unexpected happens while she’s waiting – she begins to fall for the enigmatic troll prince to whom she has been bonded and married. She begins to make friends. And she begins to see that she may be the only hope for the half-bloods – part troll, part human creatures who are slaves to the full-blooded trolls. There is a rebellion brewing. And her prince, Tristan, the future king, is its secret leader.
As Cécile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a farmer’s daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful enough to change Trollus forever.

While you're here you can also check out my review for Stolen Songbird.

Until the next time,

The Sunday Post (#39)

Hello all. Well, as some of you know Sundays are always reserved for Sunday Post which is a meme created by lovely Kim @Caffeinated Book Reviews!

Hiya! Yeah, we know long time no see. Sorry guys, but we didn't do these Sunday posts because it's been a bit crazy around here. We both used our holidays to relax and enjoy and didn't feel like writing anything. That's why you'll notice lack of posts and our comments. We just needed some time off. Now, we'll more or less be back. It really depends on Tanja's exams and Glass' free time (aka if Tanja manages to drag her away from her new Kindle ;)). But we shall try. 

But enough about us! How are you guys? Did you enjoy New Year's? We hope you had a great time ;) 

• Perfect Couple by Jennifer Echols (ARC Review)
• Iced by Karen Marie Moning (Review)
• Waiting on Wednesday (#129)
• Sceadu by Prashant Pinge (Review) 
• Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher (Review)

• Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jansen (Cover Reveal) 
• Winterkill by Kate A. Boorman
• Waiting on Wednesday (#130) 
• Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
• Breaking the Rules by Katie McGarry 

Tanja's haul 

Thank you: Ingrid Jonach 

Freebies 

Glass' haul 
Freebies

Until the next time,

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

Buy the book at 

Amazon / Barnes & Noble 

Tarryn's

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Colleen's 

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Book summary:

Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of fourteen. Complete strangers since this morning.He'll do anything to remember. She'll do anything to forget.

         We all have certain expectations of all books, you want some to be fun, some to have amazing characters, etc., but my main request for any book is to make sense. Not for me to be familiar with everything (I mean I'm reading fantasy most of the time), but just to have an idea which makes sense, no matter what way it's been told. Well, this book failed even in that department. Go figure!

         Before I Fall, anybody? For me this book seems like something I could say been there, done that story. I have read Lauren's book 4 years ago and at that time it was a really unique idea and the story. This certainly is not unique as the idea is basically the same, so there goes that. I'm not saying that that idea should be exclusive for one story, it's just if you're using it, well don't use it in the same way! There are some other things, as for characters who while being well developed (but let's face it CoHo and Fisher cannot fail in that department), still utterly annoying. I dunno for you but I never swore that much in my life, and suddenly all teenagers are swearing all the time! Then there is drama and more drama and even more drama, as you know it's all about drama.

         What's there to read? Well this book starts with never and ends with never and there is little in between. Our main characters are high school students, and no this is not NA, but very YA! Their whole journey is to discover what's happening to them, when I knew what's going on from the page one, leaving little space for surprises. Don't get me started about cheating part, just DON'T!
       
         Here is more? And you get all that within (only...barely) 100 pages of this book, not nearly enough space to give a full story. Bonus is a cliffy you get at the end which killed it. But then again as this in not a full book - more like a number in a serial which will get its next number but probably without me to experience it, I was not surprised.

Rating: 1 star.

Until the next time,