Wild Crush by Simone Elkeles Pre-Order Sweepstakes

Wild Crush
(Wild Cards #2)
Author: Simone Elkeles
Release Date: September 22, 2015
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

When the only girl you want is the one you can’t have… Bad boy Vic Salazar breaks all the rules except one: Don’t make a move on your best friend’s girl. It’s a Guy Code that Vic lives by. It doesn’t matter that he’s had a crush on her for years. Monika Fox is off limits.

Monika has a secret of her own and when a tragedy throws her and Vic together, the only boy she trusts is the one she shouldn’t confide in. Vic.

As Vic struggles to keep his distance, and Monika struggles with her secrets, will their wild connection violate every rule both vowed never to break—about relationships, about friendship, about love?

Simone Elkeles is hosting a sweepstakes for hew newest book, Wild Crush. It is the sequel to Better than Perfect, originally titled Wild Cards. To find out about the prizes and enter the preorder sweepstakes just go to her website for more information. 

About the Author:

Simone Elkeles is a New York Times and USA Today best selling author of novels for teens. Simone's books have won many awards including being YALSA Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, being named to the YALSA Popular Paperbacks and Teens Top Ten lists, and added to the Illinois "Read for a Lifetime" Reading List. Simone also won the coveted RITA award from the Romance Writers of America for her book Perfect Chemistry. Simone is especially proud of the fact that the Illinois Association of Teachers of English named her Author of the Year.

Author Links: Website / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook / YouTube

Review: Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

Nowhere But Here
(Thunder Road #1)
Author: Katie McGarry
Release Date: May 26, 2015
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Harlequin Teen
Review by: Jenn and Nahomi

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

Jenn's rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars

Nahomi's rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars

Our overall rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 stars

*We received an ARC of this title from the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

Jenn:
Katie McGarry has done it again. She has managed to hook me from the first page all the way to the last. I loved getting to know Emily and Oz and being in the town of Snowflake. Like in previous McGarry's books, I became curious about her secondary characters, such as Razor, Violet, and Chevy and I hope we get to see gang all over again.

Emily and Oz come from two very different world and are on two different paths. However, they are forced to come together when Emily has an unexpected visit to her biological father's town and her life becomes endangered. Oz is then forced to look out for Emily and what follows is a summer they weren't expecting.

Nowhere But Here was such a wonderful read. I enjoyed every moment and I became invested in each and every character. Emily was an interesting character in getting to know. She leads a very sheltered life and I can see where her naïveté comes from but it was a little frustrating how she didn't understand the danger of a motorcycle club. She didn't believe that her life was in danger, which I can see her point of view, but I think her extreme disbelief of what was going on around her was a bit much. I also liked how she wasn't completely sold on being around her biological father's family and it made sense that she was hesitant about getting to know them. Her eventual relationship with Olivia was sweet and needed since Olivia was the only one, aside from Oz, that really pushed Emily to look around her and see that there is more to life than what she knows. Also, Olivia was a trip and I loved whenever there was a scene with her.

Oz was also an interesting character to get to know. He did a lot of growing up and I'm glad that he also realized that there is more to his life than the Reign of Terror. Just like he pushed Emily into giving the club a chance, Emily also pushed him to see outside the club. So I like how McGarry makes her characters see beyond themselves and strive for something better.

I can't wait to see what McGarry has in store for us next. Razor's book, Walk the Edge, certainly has me excited since he definitely intrigued me in this book. I can only imagine what his story will be like considering he did scared me half the time. So if you're a fan of Katie McGarry's Pushing the Limits series, this story is for you. AND there is a link between both series and I hope we get to see some of the Pushing Limits characters interacting with the characters of this series. So that should be exciting. I know it excites me, I'm here thinking up ways of how it can happen and OMG there's so many ways it can happen! Go read this book!

Nahomi:
Nowhere But Here has all of the element that I love in a story. The mystery, suspense, romance and danger kept me turning pages until I finished. There is so much to love about this story! McGary creates characters are fleshed out and interesting. And world and familial bond between her  these characters that had a way of sucking me into the story. The dual points of view were well written and gave me a broader picture of what was going on throughout the story.

Emily is a strong and stubborn and is determined to find out the truth about her past. I love that she eventually opens herself up to create new relationships with these strangers, that are her estranged family. The way that her relationship with Eli and Olivia developed had me all choked up. Oz is cute but a little judgmental in the beginning which was kind of a turn off to be honest. As the story progressed he grew on me. I loved the chemistry between Oz and Emily! The element of forbidden love between them made the story so much better.

Nowhere But Here is a fast paced story that is beautifully written. I can't wait to get my hands on Walk the Edge or pretty much anything else Katie McGary writes!

Review: Falling for Danger by Chanel Cleeton

Falling for Danger
(Capital Confessions #3)
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Release Date: September 15, 2015
Publisher: Intermix/Penguin
Source: Intermix/Penguin
Review by: Jenn

The author of Flirting with Scandal presents her third book in a sexy contemporary romance series about three sisters in a powerful political family, the scandals that threaten to destroy them, and the passion that drives them…
Kate Reynolds has just graduated from college and is determined to make it on her own. Her job as a junior political analyst at the CIA is a dream come true and the perfect opportunity to find answers about the night that’s plagued her for four years—the night she lost her fiancé, Matt, on a Special Forces mission in Afghanistan. Kate’s consumed with uncovering the truth and avenging the man she loved and lost, even if it means risking her own life to prove that his death wasn’t an accident.
When she gets too close to discovering what happened that fateful night and danger arrives on her doorstep, Kate’s stunned by the man who comes to her rescue. Together, they begin to dig for the truth, fighting to stay alive as they’re dragged down into a world of secrets and lies. But when the threat hits close to home, Kate must choose between vengeance and a future with the man who’s ignited a fire inside her that she thought died long ago.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

Falling for Danger immediately sucks you in from the moment you pick it up. After having read the first book in the series, Flirting with Scandal, and not completely loving the main characters, I was excited this book because the small glimpses that we got of the other Reynolds sisters intrigued me. So once I was able to get my hands on this book, I started it right away.

Kate's story was nonstop from beginning to end and it was filled with questions after questions and no real answer to any of them. I fear in spoiling the book, so I won't go into much detail about the book. However, I was completely surprised by some turn of events and by how quickly everything happened. I had an idea of what the truth was but I was conflicted for Kate and her secret rescuer.

The ending felt a little too good to be true and I thought that was too convenient but alas this is a fictional world and why not hope for the best for these characters. I'm really glad I stuck with the series and I hope to read the second book since I skipped over it. I am excited about Chanel Cleeton's new series, Wild Aces, after reading the first chapter at the end of the book. It sounds really good.

Waiting on Wednesday (#126)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl

Expected Release Date: October 13, 2015

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Enter the world of the Avengers' iconic master spy

Natasha Romanoff is one of the world's most lethal assassins. Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the title of Black Widow by Ivan Somodorov, her brutal teacher at the Red Room, Moscow's infamous academy for operatives.

Ava Orlova is just trying to fit in as an average Brooklyn teenager, but her life has been anything but average.The daughter of a missing Russian quantum physicist, Ava was once subjected to a series of ruthless military experiments-until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed under S.H.I.E.L.D. protection. Ava has always longed to reconnect with her mysterious savior, but Black Widow isn't really the big sister type.

Until now.

When children all over Eastern Europe begin to go missing, and rumors of smuggled Red Room tech light up the dark net, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned-and that Ava Orlova might be the only one who can stop him. To defeat the madman who threatens their future, Natasha and Ava must unravel their pasts. Only then will they discover the truth about the dark-eyed boy with an hourglass tattoo who haunts Ava's dreams. . . .

I'll be honest, I became a fan of the Black Widow because of the Marvel movies and Scarlett Johansson totally sells me her character. So when I heard about this book, I immediately had to add it my TBR pile. Good thing I managed to snag an ARC at ALA in San Fran. Time to finally read it!

What are you "Waiting on?"

Review: Dark Wild Night by Christina Lauren

Dark Wild Night
(Wild Seasons #3)
Author: Christina Lauren
Release Date: September 15, 2015
Publisher: Gallery Books
Source: Gallery Books
Review by: Jenn and Nahomi

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN VEGAS

BUT WHAT DIDN’T HAPPEN IN VEGAS SEEMS TO FOLLOW THEM EVERYWHERE

Lola and Oliver like to congratulate themselves on having the good sense to not consummate their drunken Las Vegas wedding. If they’d doubled-down on that mistake, their Just Friends situation might not be half as great as it is now.

. . . Or so goes the official line.

In reality, Lola’s wanted Oliver since day one—and over time has only fallen harder for his sexy Aussie accent and easygoing ability to take her as she comes. More at home in her studio than in baring herself to people, Lola’s instinctive comfort around Oliver nearly seems too good to be true. So why ruin a good thing?

Even as geek girls fawn over him, Oliver can’t get his mind off what he didn’t do with Lola when he had the chance. He knows what he wants with her now . . . and it’s far outside the friend zone. When Lola’s graphic novel starts getting national acclaim—and is then fast-tracked for a major motion picture—Oliver steps up to be there for her whenever she needs him. After all, she’s not the kind of girl who likes all that attention, but maybe she’s the kind who’ll eventually like him.

Sometimes seeing what’s right in front of us takes a great leap of faith. And sometimes a dark wild night in Vegas isn’t just the end of a day, but the beginning of a bright new life . . .

Jenn's rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

Nahomi's rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

Our Overall rating: 4 stars out of 5 stars

*We received an ARC of this title from the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

Jenn:
There is something about Christina Lauren's book that just hook you. I will always gravitate to their books because I just know that reading their words will make me happy, even if it just for a few moments. Dark Wild Night provided a wonderful distraction and it reminded me how much I enjoy being in the Wild Seasons world.

Dark Wild Night is Lola and Oliver's story. Having met them in the previous books, Sweet Filthy Boy and Dirty Rowdy Thing, I was curious to see how their story would play out. My favorite aspect of the story is how both Lola and Oliver are such nerds and how their love of comic books and graphic novels are so entwined with their careers, friendship, and later on, relationship. They built the foundation of friendship before falling into bed with each other, unlike their best friends did, but that is not to say that their sexual chemistry wasn't palpable to everyone around them. Their unresolved sexual tension was off the charts and I related to not-Joe, a favorite character of mine throughout the Wild Seasons series, in wanting Lola and Oliver to bang in the back office just to get it over with already.

Like any Christina Lauren books, the humor and characters of the story are always fleshed out and real. I can always count on them to make me laugh out loud and wishing I could be part of the Wild Seasons squad. Especially if I could be around Harlow and Finn from Dirty Rowdy Thing. Harlow has been my favorite character of the series and it was great to see what she and Finn have been up to since their book. We did get more time with Mia and Ansel from Sweet Filthy Boy and it really did feel like old times, hanging out with longtime friends.

I do have to admit that I didn't completely feel head over heels in love with this book and after finishing the books a few weeks ago, I still can't pinpoint the exact reason why. I enjoyed Lola and Oliver's story. I found Oliver to be extremely attractive and I felt like I could relate to Lola on certain things BUT I just don't feel like this book is like the other books from Christina Lauren. Maybe it just me and how I went into reading the book and maybe I just didn't click with story. It just a personal preference.

However, I can't wait for more words from Christina and Lauren. Their next book is Wicked Sexy Liar and a continuation with Will and Hanna story in Beautiful Boss.

Nahomi:
After Dirty Rowdy Thing I couldn't wait to get my hands on Dark Wild Night. I really enjoyed reading about Lola and Oliver in the previous two books, and was really excited to jump back into the Wild Seasons world again. I love the Christina Lauren books, and can always count on them to suck me into the story and take me for a wild ride.

There are several aspect of this story that I loved! Lola and Oliver's friendship however charged with sexual tension, comes across as genuine and rooted in their love of comics. I love how Oliver is so in tune with what Lola needs and is always observing. He is extremely good-looking and his accent... well, just does it for me. I liked how Lola is clueless about relationships and social cues but is on point with her career. Together Lola and Oliver are great if they can just get to understand each others needs. I can always count on not-Joe for his random comments and comic relief. I really enjoyed that there was more of him in this story.

However much I enjoyed catching up with the gang and reading Lola and Oliver's story Dark Wild Night is not one of my favorite Christina Lauren books. I've thought about it and discussed it with Jenn and I just can't put my finger on whats missing for me. As I was reading the story I kept waiting for that moment where I usually become obsessed with their story and it just didn't come.

Although it wasn't one of my favorite Christina Lauren stories I am still looking forward to reading more from them. I can't wait to get my hands on Beautiful Boss and Wicked Sexy Liar!

Quotes (#123)

Morning Swooners,
I just finished The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Mass this weekends and my emotions are all over the place. It's not like I didn't know what was coming but is definitely didn't hurt any less once it did happen. Other than being an emotional wreck after finishing TAB, I had a great weekend. Lets start this week with some great quotes!

“If you can learn to endure pain, you can survive anything. Some people learn to embrace it- to love it. Some endure it through drowning it in sorrow, or by making themselves forget. Others turn it into anger.”
~Sarah J. Maas, The Assassin's Blade

“There was no way in hell she was going to move to the southern continent without all of her books.”
~Sarah J. Maas, The Assassin's Blade

“I love you,” he repeated, shaking her again. “I have for years. But if I asked you to pick, you’d choose Arobynn, and I. Can’t. Take. It.”
“You’re a damned idiot,” she breathed grabbing the front of his tunic. “You’re a moron and an ass and a damned idiot." He looked like she had hit him. But she went on, and grasped both sides of his face. “Because I’d pick you.”
~Sarah J. Maas, The Assassin's Blade

“Everything has a price.”
~Sarah J. Maas, The Assassin's Blade

“You want to know what price I asked for forgiving Arobynn, Celaena?
Sam stood so still the he might have been a statue. My price was his oath that he'd never lay a hand on you again. I told him I'd forgive him in exchange for that.”
~Sarah J. Maas, The Assassin's Blade
“The music broke her apart and put her back together, only to rend her asunder again and again.”
~Sarah J. Maas, The Assassin's Blade

“Life isn’t easy, no matter where you are. You’ll make choices you think are right, and then suffer for them.”
~Sarah J. Maas, The Assassin's Blade

In case you missed the giveaway post on Friday please check it out Here. Have a great week!

Giveaway Time!

Morning Swooners!
It's such a special week for us here at Books and Swoons, because we are celebrating Jenn's Birthday this week!

We feel blessed to be able to share our love of books and reading with you everyday. So, in honor of Jenn's birthday we wanted to share the love, and show our appreciation by hosting a giveaway! 

This giveaway will run until the 25th of September. Check out the prize below and enter for your chance to win! This contest is open in the U.S. only.

Grand Prize

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Flirting with Scandal by Chanel Cleeton

Flirting with Scandal
(Capital Confessions #1)
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Release Date: May 19, 2015
Publisher: Intermix/Penguin
Source: Intermix and NetGalley
Review by: Jenn

The author of I See London sets her sights on Washington, D. C., with a sexy new series about three sisters, the secrets they keep, and a powerful blog with a knack for exposing scandals...

Jackie Gardner knows all about dirty little secrets. The illegitimate daughter of one of the most influential senators in Washington, D.C., she grew up surrounded by the scandals and shadows of politics. Now that she's landed an internship with a powerful political consulting firm, she's determined to launch her career and take this city by storm.

William Andrew Clayton was born for politics. He knows the drill: work hard, play discreetly, and at all costs, avoid scandal. At twenty-six, his campaign for the Virginia State Senate is the first step to cementing his future. It's time for him to settle down, to find the perfect political spouse. He needs a Jackie Kennedy, not a Marilyn...

When Jackie meets Will in the bar of the Hay-Adams Hotel, sparks fly. But the last thing Will needs is to be caught in a compromising position, and an affair with a political candidate could cost Jackie her career. When what began as one steamy night, becomes a passion neither one of them can walk way from, they must decide if what they have is really love, or just another dirty little secret...

3 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an eARC of this title from publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

This book was recommended for people who enjoy the show Scandal and as a lover of the show, I immediately downloaded this ebook. The premise completely grabbed my attention and I couldn't read fast enough. However, after hitting a certain point in the story, it kind of went downhill for me.

After a while, I found myself not being able to relate to either of the main characters, Jackie and Will. Jackie is supposed to have this tough girl persona but when it came down to it, she wasn't tough, which I understand considering her childhood and everything that she had dealt with. She talks about having several sexual partners and knowing about sex but the minute she is with Will, she doesn't show up. I found that weird considering she mentions it several times through out the story. I really like Will but I didn't understand his feelings for her and how quickly it morphed. Their whole "I love you" didn't sings real. Especially considering they had just gone through a whole back and forth tirade of "I want you/I can't be with you" spiel. Which, is really just something that turns me off, so that is more of a reader's preference.

The sexy times in the book was certainly hot and the plot moved pretty quickly. Chanel Cleeton made everything sound very realistic and it shows that she certainly nows how DC works. The ending of the story felt a little too predictable for me but I am interested in reading the other books in the series.

Waiting on Wednesday (#125)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Forever With You by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Expected Release Date: September 29, 2015

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Some things you just believe in, even if you've never experienced them. For Stephanie, that list includes love. It's out there. Somewhere. Eventually. Meanwhile she's got her job at the mixed martial arts training center and hot flings with gorgeous, temporary guys like Nick. Then a secret brings them closer, opening Steph's eyes to a future she never knew she wanted—until tragedy rips it away.

Nick's self-assured surface shields a past no one needs to know about. His mind-blowing connection with Steph changes all that. As fast as he's knocking down the walls that have kept him commitment-free, she's building them up again, determined to keep the hurt—and Nick—out. But he can't walk away. Not when she's the only one who's ever made him wish for forever . . .

I am so excited that Forever With You is almost out! Nick is so mysterious and I can't wait to read his story!!!

What are you "Waiting on?

Release Day Blitz + Giveaway - Sweet Temptations by Wendy Higgins

Link

Sweet Temptations
(The Sweet Trilogy #4)
Author: Wendy Higgins
Release Date: September 8, 2015
Publisher: Harper Teen

Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it.

Until he meets Anna Whitt—sweet, smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she has a certain power over him, one that makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve.

Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives as the influencers of sin, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the demons’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart.

Sensual and swoon worthy, this companion volume to the acclaimed Sweet Evil series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, told from the perspective of the irresistibly sexy and mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into his struggle, his intense connection to Anna, and most of all, the true emotions that drive him.

You can read an excerpt of this book by clicking the link here.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author: 

Wendy Higgins is the USA Today and NYT bestselling author of the Sweet Evil series from HarperTeen and her independently published Irish fantasy, See Me. She is a former high school English teacher who now writes full time, and lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with her veterinarian husband, daughter, son, and doggie Rue.
Wendy earned a bachelor's in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford. Writing Young Adult (YA) stories gives her the opportunity to delve into the ambiguities of those pivotal, daunting, and exciting years before adulthood.

Author Links: Website /  Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Pinterest / Tumblr / Instagram