Blog Tour Stop: Review + Giveaway: The Remedy by Suzanne Young

The Remedy
(The Program #0.5)
Author: Suzanne Young
Release Date: April 21, 2015
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Source: Edelweiss
Review by: Jenn

Can one girl take on so many identities without losing her own? Find out in this riveting companion to The Program and the New York Times bestselling The Treatment.
In a world before The Program…
Quinlan McKee is a closer. Since the age of seven, Quinn has held the responsibility of providing closure to grieving families with a special skill—she can “become” anyone.
Recommended by grief counselors, Quinn is hired by families to take on the short-term role of a deceased loved one between the ages of fifteen and twenty. She’s not an exact copy, of course, but she wears their clothes and changes her hair, studies them through pictures and videos, and soon, Quinn can act like them, smell like them, and be them for all intents and purposes. But to do her job successfully, she can’t get attached.
Now seventeen, Quinn is deft at recreating herself, sometimes confusing her own past with those of the people she’s portrayed. When she’s given her longest assignment, playing the role of Catalina Barnes, Quinn begins to bond with the deceased girl’s boyfriend. But that’s only the beginning of the complications, especially when Quinn finds out the truth about Catalina’s death. And the epidemic it could start.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher for this blog tour. However, it did not influence this review in any way.*

I'm not sure how Suzanne Young does this but she managed to create another story that absolutely tore at my emotions. Every time I finish one of her stories, I always end up crying, conflicted, and in an absolute daze. I can't help but continue thinking about the story long after I finish it. The same happened with The Remedy. 

The Remedy follows Quinlan McKee as a closer. What it means is that she provides closure to grieving families playing the role of the deceased. The Remedy is the prequel to Suzanne's The Program which is also one of my favorite books.  So knowing what The Program is about, I was very curious to see how this story would play out. I wanted to know how we get to The Program. And like always, Suzanne did not disappoint.

From the first page until the last, I was hooked. If I wasn't reading, I was thinking about when I would get the chance to read. When I was reading, I couldn't help but think about what was going to happen next. Basically, I couldn't help but think about this book nonstop because it was so good and you couldn't be anything but sucked into the story. There were so many times I felt like I was in Quinlan's shoes so I felt her confusion and her need to connect with someone to feel tethered to this world. I do admit that there were some instances that I didn't agree with her actions, specifically when she starting blurring the lines of reality with her job as a closer. Of course, that would be because I know my own reality and that is something Quinn doesn't have the luxury of knowing. I loved how everything came to fruition and even knowing that it would end up in heartbreak for Quinn.

There were so many twists and turns and unanswered questions that weren't addressed and I'm extremely excited that we're getting another book in this series. I can only imagine what is going to happen next. I mean, I know what happens "next" because of The Program, but I'm curious to see how we get there. I'll admit that even though I know the story of The Program and The Treatment, I can't help but hope for a happy ending for Quinn.

If you loved The Program and The Treatment, you won't want to miss out on this story. It has new characters but you'll get attached to them and the story. And if you haven't read this series? What are you waiting for? Get on it. You'll love it, I promise.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Suzanne Young is the New York Times bestselling author of The Program series. Originally from Utica, New York, Suzanne moved to Arizona to pursue her dream of not freezing to death. She is a novelist and an English teacher, but not always in that order.
Suzanne is the author of THE PROGRAM, THE TREATMENT, THE REMEDY, and HOTEL RUBY. She was also on an episode of House Hunters where she talked about her love of grass and trees (while living in the desert).

Author's links: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram

Blog Schedule:

Week One:

4/13/2015‐ Once Upon a Twilight ‐ Interview 

4/14/2015‐ Books and Swoons‐ Review 

4/15/2015‐ Fictitious Delicious‐ Guest Post 

4/16/2015‐ My Reading Room‐ Review 

4/17/2015‐ Fiktshun‐ Interview

Week Two:

4/20/2015‐ Me, My Shelf and I‐ Review 

4/21/2015‐ Bad Bird Reads‐ Guest Post

4/22/2015‐ Novel Novice‐ Review

4/23/2015‐ Adventures of a Book Junkie‐ Interview 

4/24/2015‐Magical Urban Fantasy Reads‐Review 

Blog Tour hosted by: Rockstar Book Tours

Quotes (#103)

Morning Swooners,
This is me every morning not exclusively on Mondays... I am looking forward to this week, there's a lot of things to get done. Wishing everyone a productive week!

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”
~Audrey Hepburn

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
~Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
~Dalai Lama XIV

“Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”
~L.M. Montgomery

“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
~Martin Luther King Jr.

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” 
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.”
~Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People

Have a wonderful week!

Teaser + Giveaway: Blushing by Katie Delahanty

My name is Olivia Bloom and I. Am. Engaged.

When Berkeley proposed I thought we’d live happily ever after—we’d plan our wedding and he’d tour with the Brightside while I continued designing lingerie. But instead he dropped a bombshell that turned my life upside down: he’s set to star in a movie with, who else, his gorgeous ex, Christina Carlton. And what’s more? I’ve been erased from the public eye. All anyone can talk about is #Berkstina.

Berkeley wants me to work on set as a costume designer—a dream come true—but there’s a catch; we have to keep our relationship secret. I’m okay with not being photographed, but the sneaking around, the lies, the love scenes; it’s not how I imagined our engagement. I know Berkeley is passionate and driven, but he has so much going on—I don’t know if we can take it. I’m starting to wonder how well I know him.

I love him, but am I ready to drop everything and decide the rest of my life? To become Olivia Dalton?

  

I just love me some Berkeley Dalton! For more Berkeley check out In Bloom and Blushing. And now for the fun part click on the link below for your chance to win some fabulous prizes! 

Giveaway

About the author:

Katie Delahanty is a fashion designer turned novelist. She graduated with a BA in Communication Studies from UCLA and a Professional Designation in Fashion Design from FIDM. Her debut novel, IN BLOOM was published by Entangled Publishing in February 2014 and her second novel, BLUSHING, is due out in early 2015. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.

Author's links: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Favorite Friday (#31) - Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where we spotlight some of our Favorite Reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on the linky or leave us a comment!

This week pick is: Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella.

MEET BECKY BLOOMWOOD, AN IRRESISTIBLE HEROINE WITH A BIG HEART, BIG DREAMS --- AND JUST ONE LITTLE WEAKNESS ...

Becky Bloomwood has what most twenty-five-year-olds only dream of: a flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is, she can't actually afford it --- not any of it. Her job writing at Successful Saving magazine not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. Still, how can she resist that perfect pair of shoes? Or the divine silk blouse in the window of that ultra-trendy boutique? But lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank --- letters with large red sums she can't bear to read --- and they're getting ever harder to ignore. She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Her only consolation is to buy herself something ... just a little something ...

Finally, a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life --- and the lives of those around her --- forever.

I love this book sooo much! Becky is funny, determined, and kind of reminds me of Lucy from the I Love Lucy show. Confessions of a Shopaholic is a fun read and will make you laugh.

About the author:

Madeleine Wickham (born 12 December 1969) is a bestselling British author under her pseudonym, Sophie Kinsella. Educated at New College, Oxford, she worked as a financial journalist before turning to fiction. She is best known for writing a popular series of chick-lit novels. The Shopaholic novels series focuses on the misadventures of Becky Bloomwood, a financial journalist who cannot manage her own finances. The books follows her life from when her credit card debt first become overwhelming ("The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic") to the latest book on being married and having a child ("Shopaholic & Baby"). Throughout the entire series, her obsession with shopping and the complications that imparts on her life are central themes.

Author's links: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

I hope you can join us in sharing and talking about some of your favorite reads. Book talk always make me happy. 

What are one of your favorite reads?

Book Spotlight + Excerpt: True North by Liora Blake

True North
(True #1)
Author: Liora Blake
Release Date: April 6, 2015
Publisher: Pocket Star / Simon and Schuster

While most novelists would consider jetting off to Hollywood for a television interview rather exciting, small town Montana writer Kate Mosely finds it all a bit eye-rollingly exhausting. Until she shares the stage and a whole heap of carnal gazes with rock star Trevor Jenkins that is. Despite his intimidating on-stage bravado, underneath it Kate discovers a man with a Rilke poem tattooed on his arm, an appreciation for cronuts, and a snarky wit to match her own.

After losing her husband in a car accident where she was behind the wheel, Kate has finally found her bearings in the world again, rebuilding a simple life she can count on. Even if that life has mostly been a lot of lonely nights watching old movies in the dark and quiet days writing for the hometown newspaper.

As she and Trevor embark on a sexy new relationship, the scarred parts of her heart start to heal, making room for a love so passionate it makes her want long-forgotten things. Wild things, heart-swelling things, and joyful things. But when a searing article in a trashy gossip magazine sends Kate running, it threatens their chances at forever.

There will be a special sale on this title for $1.99 until April 18th so be sure to grab it before then. You won't want to miss out on it.

Excerpt

Slowly, he wanders around the truck, grazing his gloved hand across the top of the bed, and takes a seat next to me. After he wipes sweat from his face with the bottom of his shirt, I hand him the water and lean back on my palms, enjoying a very slight breeze that has come along. The only thing to break the silence is Toby, bolting out from the far side of the herd and leaping into the back of the truck with his nails skittering across the bed. He flops down behind me and I run my hand over the top of his head, rubbing his warm ears and ruffling his coat.

Eventually we leave the pasture and head back to the main house, still relishing the tranquility of a hot afternoon. When I pull the truck to a stop, Toby bails out and crawls under the front porch of the house where it is cool and damp. As we amble back to the barn, from the way his gait has slowed, it’s clear I’ve finally gotten Trevor a bit worn-out. I grab his hand and lead him back to the truck, taking his work gloves and dropping them behind the seat.

“Are we done?” Trevor slumps into the passenger side of the bench seat and throws his arm over the back of it, letting his head lean against the back glass.

“Yes, princess. We’re done.”

“You better be careful, calling me names like that. I wouldn’t hesitate to drag you out and bend you over that tailgate, just to prove a point.”

“I’m sure I could handle it.”

He opens his eyes a sliver to look at me. All the fatigue fades from his expression and he leans forward a bit. “I’d love to see you try.”

I am just about to turn the key in the ignition, but when he turns those glittering hazel eyes on me, full of urging provocation, I suddenly imagine having everything with him. Not just this part, where he’s making me feel unbelievably sexy despite the dirt and sweat covering me, but the rest of it, too. When he’s wearing work gloves, letting chickens scare the hell out of him, and trying to make a place in my world. When he’s doing something as mundane as pushing our grocery cart through the A&P parking lot, while still holding my hand. My chest hurts at the idea of it, a mtwisting ache that feels like I’m making room for him. Even if that means I might have to let the sadness that resides in the heavy shadows of my heart finally fall away.

About the author: 

Liora Blake is a contemporary romance author living in Colorado. Although her path to here was paved with a million detours, plenty of pitfalls, and many a crisis of faith, she thinks it’s a pretty amazing place to be. She writes because it’s what she’s always wanted to do, she writes novels because she likes to tell the whole story, and she writes romance because a happily ever after is the best kind of story to tell.

When she isn’t writing, she’s likely baking cookies she shouldn’t eat, inventing elaborate excuses to avoid going for a run, or asking the nice barista to sell her another quad-shot Americano.

Liora is represented by Victoria Lowes of The Bent Agency.

Author Links: Facebook / Twitter / Website / Pinterest

Waiting on Wednesday (#103)

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:

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Expected Release Date: May 5, 2015

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

Let me just say that I love the cover. The synopsis really caught my attention. I love how Sarah Dessen writes and can't wait to get my hands on Saint Anything!

What are you "Waiting on?"

Review: Captive by Brighton Walsh

Captive
(Captive #1)
Author: Brighton Walsh
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: St. Martin's Press
Review by: Jenn

He’s the most dangerous man she’s ever met…and she’s falling in love with him.

Madison Frost is desperate to escape her life. Daughter of a prominent businessman, she has everything a girl could ask for. Except for a family who’s present in her life, and anyone to talk to outside the four walls of the prison she calls home. Madison dreams of one day leaving her life behind. She never thought being kidnapped is how it would happen.

Now she’s being held captive by a man who’s as frightening as he is sinfully gorgeous. Enormous, muscular, and filled with secrets, the man they call Ghost is an enigmatic mercenary, and Madison is trapped with him. She doesn’t know who hired him or why, but the more time she spends at his mercy, the more she realizes he’s not what he seems. Beneath his rough exterior lies an unexpected gentleness and a heart as broken and battered as her own.

But as Madison lets down her walls, Ghost holds tight to his, hiding secrets that could destroy everything.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review in any way.*

Captive was an interesting read for me. I am a big fan of Brighton Walsh and of her work. I always want to get my greedy hands on her work and, luckily enough, I was able to get an ARC of this title and I pretty much read it in a day. However, this wasn't an absolute love for me.

Captive is a captor/captive and I'll be honest, it not my typical romance read. However, because it is Brighton Walsh writing, I definitely decided to give it chance. Madison Frost is kidnapped by man who is named Ghost and while she feels attracted to him, she knows she must try figure out why he kidnapped her and how to get away. Being as this is romance and this Brighton Walsh, the smut is nothing but HOT and sexy. Madison is a super smart girl but insecure with her body. Her history broke my heart but seeing her grow and find her inner strength was so believable and I couldn't help but cheer for her. Ghost was very interesting to get to know. He has his own backstory and in learning about him helped in understanding why he kidnapped Maddie. It does't mean I can forget it but I can see where he is coming from. What helped in understanding him is how much tried to fix the mess he helped make in kidnapping her and how he knew something was not right. I won't say much more just because I feel like I'm one step away from spoiling the book.

I want to say that while the subject matter is still iffy with me, it is my personal opinion and it not on anything on the book per se. While I think that the romance and sexy time happened too quickly and I know I wouldn't have done what Maddie did, Ms. Walsh did it in a way that is very real. Brighton handles this delicate subject in a great and realistic way and I have to give her major kudos for doing so. I think the way that Brighton handled how Maddie deals with the resolution of the kidnapping in the end made the whole captive/captor issue a lot easier to bear and helped me in appreciating this book. And fine, let's be real, Brighton's heroes are not too bad on the eyes. Ghost can throw me over his shoulder any day. *cough* Let's not tell my fiancé that.

Quotes (#102)

Morning Swooners, 

It's my first day back after having been on vacation last week and I'm still a little dazed. I hope your weekend was fun. Happy Monday, now on to our quotes.

“I am little concerned with beauty or perfection. I don't care for the great centuries. All I care about is life, struggle, intensity.”
~Emile Zola

“If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud.”
~Emile Zola

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.”
~Emile Zola

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
 ~Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
 ~Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan

“My life-my whole life- take it, and do with it what you will. I love you-love you as I have never loved any living thing. From the moment I met you I loved you, loved you blindly, adoringly,madly!
You didn't know it then-you know it now.”
~Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.”
 ~Dr. Seuss
Have a great week!

Favorite Friday (#30) - Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren

Have a favorite book? Series? One that you've just read or are currently reading? Favorite Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Books and Swoons where we spotlight some of our Favorite Reads. Everyone is welcome to join. Just enter your information on the linky or leave us a comment!

This week pick is: Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren.

Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon’s moved to New York City and is looking for excitement without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night’s fun. But the manner–and speed–with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.

The whole city knows Max Stella loves women, not that he’s ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it’s not until Sara–and the wild photos she lets him take of her–that he starts wondering if there’s someone for him outside of the bedroom.

Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.

This is such a good story! I absolutely love Sara Dillon and Max Stella they are so great together. After reading this book I definitely needed several cold showers. It's definitely in my top five favorite books of all times.

About the author:

Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, bestie to a shoe-stealer, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.

Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. These days you’ll probably find her on tumblr. She is married and absolutely not old enough to be the mom of a 14 year old (right??), thinks she’s the luckiest person in the world to write books with her best friend, and is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter. She also likes to steal Lo’s shoes.

Author's links: Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

I hope you can join us in sharing and talking about some of your favorite reads. Book talk always make me happy. 

What are one of your favorite reads?

Waiting on Wednesday (#102)

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:

Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins

Expected Release Date: April 7, 2015

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

Synopsis:

Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and best friend Bee has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can return her focus to the important things in life: school, canoodling with David, her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie, and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant.
Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her . . . or connect her to David for life.

I'm so happy that there's a sequel for Rebel Belle. After that ending, I've been going crazy wondering what happens to Harper and company. *whines*I need this book!

What are you "Waiting on?"