Let's Talk About Life Changing Books: A Bibliophile's Rambling

Everyone has them. You know that one book that made something really sink in for you. Something that made you realize something. Does it have to have had made you a better person? Not necessarily. It just has to have made you think. Preferably about something important.

For me this book is Second Chance by Katie Kacvinsk. 

 Can two drastically different, imperfect people be perfect for each other?

It’s been four months since Gray and Dylan have seen each other. Dylan’s been traveling in Europe, while Gray has college, baseball, and a life rooted in one place. Gray’s determined to forget Dylan, the girl he fell in love with in First Comes Love. Besides, how do you make a relationship work with an independent loner?

Just when he decides he’s over her, Dylan makes an unexpected entrance back into his life, hoping their steamy romance can start right where it left off. Gray realizes you can tell your mind to do one thing, but you can’t always convince your heart to follow. Dylan realizes she finally has to make a choice between freedom and her relationship with Gray.

Hilarious, intense, inspiring, and emotional, Second Chance shows that love is a journey, and there are never clear road signs or maps to guide you along. You can only navigate with your heart.

~~~~

You've all probably heard me talk about this book at one point or another. But, I don't think I've really told you the why. Here's the truth: I don't even know. 

Something about this book made me want to laugh and grin and travel and be loved and in love like no other book. It hold a place in my heart- a section carved out almost like it was made to be there. This book reminded me that everything is broken and everything can be fixed. It reminded me that there is love in letting go and hope hidden in pain.  

This cover is the exception to my judge a book by its cover rule. It's nothing special and if I could redesign it I would. 

Just thinking about this book makes me smile. Thinking about it is like seeing a friend again after a long time, it gives me the much needed air I didn't know I wanted. 

Dylan's voice is just so real and raw and she speaks to me. All through the books, it's like she's in my head. 

I don't highlight books, but in this book there are so many quotes I want etched into my heart. Here are a few:


"You're my nova. You light me up."
 "All around the room I'm reminded of love, so why do I feel like its being yanked out from under my feet?"  
 "Don't they know its in my anatomy to fly?"
 "I learned that the heart, our most vital organ, turns out to be our weakest link. It's scary to think something so necessary to sustain us, protected in a cradle of ribs and flesh and muscles, is so fragile, so easily broken."
"When you stop being yourself who do you become?" 

 "The faintest trail of memories will always be there like a map scarred into your mind."

"I hope you find your constant sun" 

 "Reserved for Dreamers" 

My playlist after I read it:

 

The Cab- Endlessly

Hedley- Kiss You Inside Out

Relient K- Be My Escape 

A Day to Remember- If it Means A Lot To You

Snow Patrol- Set Fire to the Third Bar

All American Rejects-  I Wanna

Sleeping with Sirens- Who Are You Now

~new song I added to it~

Ron Pope- 7 English Girls

Ron Pope-  You're the Reason I Come Home

~~~~~

So what's the book that changed you? Care to share?

Jackie   

  

No Turning Back {Release Day Launch}

Createspace / Amazon  / Smashwords
Goodreads

Summary:

After getting involved with Dylan, the bad boy of the Dixon High Swim team, Charley decides to stay close to home for college. It’s just safer that way. Later, she realizes it’s a mistake, just like dating Dylan. She decides to put the past behind her and leave the small hick town of Grassy Pond. There is only one problem; she makes this decision three weeks before the fall semester begins.

Charley packs up her Honda and heads to Southern College. On the morning she’s about to leave, Cash walks back into her life. He has been her best friend since they were four and is the only one who knows the REAL Charley. She leaves her farm in Grassy Pond with all kinds of “what if” questions.

Charley decides to live her college career to the fullest. She finds a great group of friends, joins the swim team, and meets a guy named Joe. He’s got eyes that make ya wanna melt!

At college, she encounters a new problem. Charley has been away from home for only forty-eight hours before she breaks the two promises she made to herself. Will she be able to overcome her past? Find new love? What will happen with Cash now that he is back in her life? Will she find what she is wanting in Jackalope Joe? How will her first semester of college end? Joe, Cash, or alone?

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Expert:  

“I know.  I don’t know what I’m going to do without y’all for a month!”  Georgia exclaims.

“I could care less about exams.  I’m just ready for Study Day!”  Caroline squeals.  Why the hell is she so excited about Study Day?  You study all damn day!  “It’s only the biggest party day of the year at Southern.  Y’all thought Homecoming was epic.  Y’all aint seen nothing yet!”

“Explain.” Tori states.

“Well, undoubtedly on Wednesday at noon the campus goes to quiet hours to study for exams.  No class, practice, or anything.  Pretty much people put off studying until Thursday afternoon, and spend Wednesday partying like it’s 1999 or something!”

We all look at each other, and know that it’s legit because somehow Caroline always is in the know. 

Anna speaks up, “So, if Hank’s isn’t open, where does everyone go?”

Caroline gets up and walks over to her wall and points to the number eighty-eight sticker on the wall.  “That’s easy, Whiskey River!”

“What’s that got to do with racing?”  Anna asks.  Georgia, Caroline, Tori and I look at each other like she has got to be kidding.

“Anna, hunny, bless your heart,” I speak compassionately.  “Dale Jr. owns Whiskey River.”

“Awwwwwww.  I don’t know anything about racing.” 

“We know,” we all say in unison.

About the Author

 

 Blog / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook

Casey Peeler grew up and still lives in North Carolina with her husband and daughter. Her first passion is teaching students with special needs. Over the years, she found her way to relax was in a good book.

After reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston her senior year of high school and multiple Nicholas Sparks’ novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading.

Casey is an avid reader, blogger (Hardcover Therapy,) and now author. No Turning Back (Full Circle #1) is her debut novel releasing September 30th. Finding Charley (Full Circle #2) will release spring 2014.

Her goal is to one day be an author who is recognized nationwide like Jamie McGuire, Colleen Hoover, Tiffany King, and Amanda Bennett.

When Casey isn’t reading, you can find her listening to country music, spending the day at the lake, being a wife and dance mom, and spending time with friends and family.

Her perfect day consists of water, sand between her toes, a cold beverage, and a great book!

 Happy Reading,

Jackie

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga’s Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks...I kinda collect those in bulk. Hello! Freebies!!

This Week's Haul

These are all prizes!!! Mwahahahaha

What did y'all get??

Happy reading,
Jackie

The Darkest Part by Trisha Wolfe {Blog Tour}

Paperback, 374 pages

Published August 6th 2013 by Trisha Wolfe

ISBN: 1491289554 

Summary

Pressing the boundaries of both the psyche and the heart, Sam and Holden embark on a dangerous journey that will test the limits of love.

Sam Wintry’s life used to be almost perfect. She was engaged to her childhood best friend and high school sweetheart, Tyler Marks, planning an amazing cross-country honeymoon during her college break. But after a hit-and-run leaves her in ruin, she begins seeing Tyler’s fractured, ghostly presence, and her family believes she’s losing her mind. Not until she completes their journey, stopping along the way to scatter Tyler's remains, will Tyler be able cross over. Only...is Sam ready for him to leave her?

When the black sheep of the Marks' family, Holden Marks, returns to check on Tyler's case, Sam convinces him to give her his brother's ashes. Despite their shaky history, she needs him...plus, he owes it to Sam and his brother. What she doesn’t count on is Holden’s relentlessness to go on the trip.

On the road, Holden realizes just how unhinged Sam has become. Dealing with her psychosis forces him to confront his dark past, making it harder to keep secrets hidden that should remain buried. Especially from Sam, the only woman he’s ever loved. And as Sam starts to unravel the truth, she begins to question if the brother she's unwillingly falling for again is in an even darker place than her.

New Adult Contemporary coming this year.

New Adult is a rising genre, and I have to say, I love it. The main thing with all the NA drama is it focuses of self discovery. Usually the main character(s) are broken in some way and through out the book they heal and figure out who they are and what they want from life. This is exactly what Trisha did and it was done beautifully.  

This book deals with some heavy subjects that a lot of books don't dare touch. Yes, a lot of authors kill of the loving and utterly devoted boyfriend (rawr) but hardly any have the heartbroken girlfriend (and fiance) see his ghost. Sam doesn't just see his ghost but can heard him talk. And she talks back. 

There is so much conspiracy around Tyler's death and she is drowning in everything.  Then, she decides to take a road trip to everywhere they would've gone on their honeymoon they planned. And she's taking Holden, Tyler's older, artsy brother with her. Against her will, of course. 

They're both hiding so much from each other on the trip that it's a little aggravating. And even though Holden is head over sneakers in love with Sam, he's totally afraid of her mental illness. He's afraid of breaking her. He's afraid her won't be able to put her back together if and when she does break. He's afraid that she won't ever get over his brother. He's afraid she doesn't want to. 

 "He’s got some deep-seeded anger, a past that haunts him, and I don’t think I’m strong enough to wrestle his ghosts.Not while I’m dancing with mine."

I love Holden. His emotions in this book were raw and real and oh so very scary (hey that rhymed) He was just as broken as Sam even though he doesn't show it nearly as much. He wanted to help her so much and he didn't know how. It was like his brother all over again except this time he's in love with the person he can't help. It's killing him to see her becoming a shell of her former self. 

Sam is awesome. She has her good days and her bad days. She's having a hard time letting go and this trip, even though it hurts, brings her closer to Holden, brings her back to herself and helps her let go of Tyler. She is so strong. 

Mel and Darla are awesome. I really don't know how to explain their awesomeness. *shrugs*

I love, love LOVE how the title was incorporated into the book. Ohmigosh. It's almost a summary of the entire book.  The way Sam describes The Darkest Part Of A Tree then how Holden does. It's kinda perfect.

 "I may have zero chance with Sam. But if she ever does give me a shot, I won’t back out this time. Not for anyone. Not even his ghost."

Overall this story was heartbreakingly beautiful. It didn't draw me in as a lot of other New Adult books do. It was decent, just not really rip your heart out awesome. I mean I would read this again just because I adore Holden. (have I mentioned I love Holden. Book Boyfriend, anyone?)  The story is filled with secrets, lost love, renewed hope, new love and then sprinkled with desire. I mean this is New Adult (; 

Should you read it? Uhm, yes. Holden. Is. Awesome. 

   .5

Best,
Jackie 

Waterborn {Book Blitz}

Waterborn by Kimberly James
Publication date: September 6th 2013
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance

Goodreads / Amazon / B&N

Synopsis:

 

“You don’t have to choose. You can be both. The girl with the charm, the girl without. They both suit you.”

Caris Harper lives a charmed life. Literally.

When her dad offers to take her to the Emerald coast of Florida for summer vacation, Caris jumps at the chance. The chance to get answers to questions she’s always been too afraid to ask. The chance to be normal. Isn’t that what her dreams have been telling her, that here in the place of her birth she can be normal? But from the first moment the wind caresses her face and the sun touches her skin, the charm begins to fade, revealing a girl Caris never knew existed, one that is anything but normal. The long-buried Song that awakens is only the beginning of a transformation that will challenge her ideas about loyalty and family.

Noah Jacobs is a waterbreather—a species of human fully adaptable to life in the water. Like his older brother Jamie, Noah wants to prove they can use their abilities and be heroes in service to their country. When a simple mission goes wrong and Jamie goes missing, Noah exiles himself to the Deep in a desperate search. MIA is a classification Noah is not ready to accept. But instinct can’t be ignored. Not when he hears her Song. Caris is not what he expects and Noah is determined to get her out of his head. Instead he finds himself acting as her mentor and the more time they spend together, the more Noah realizes he just wants Caris.

When a startling truth threatens their newly formed trust, Noah straddles the line between love and obsession while Caris struggles to find a balance between the girl she thought she was and the young woman she wants to be.


Author Stalking: 

Kimberly is a Crossfit junkie and a connoisseur of french fries.

She likes to make stuff up and write it down. Her stories usually have a contemporary setting with a fantastical twist. Waterborn is her debut novel.

Kimberly lives in Alabama the beautiful with her husband, three dogs, Kevin the cat, and four new adults of her own. A couple of which are off at college.

Author links:

Website: http://kimberlyjamesauthor.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7180101.Kimberly_James

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimberlyjamesauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmbrjames

 

 

Happy Reading

Jackie 

Kinetic Book Blitz

Kinetic by S.K. Anthony
Series: The Luminaries, #1
Publication date:  September 2013 
Genre: New Adult Urban Fantasy
Goodreads / 

Synopsis:

Being strong is one thing. Being an unlimited source of power is quite another.

Genetically altered by the Organization, Annie Fox takes down criminals CIA-style with her luminary strength. With nothing to mend but her broken heart, she is relentlessly pursued by her boss Derek Lake. Just when Annie is about to give him a chance, her ex-husband unexpectedly comes out of hiding.

A wanted man, Nick Logan is a cold-hearted murderer who is considered enemy number one, and orders are clear: kill on contact. He is more powerful than ever and threatens the lives of those she holds most dear. His plan? Get his hands on Annie and use her Kinetic energy to destroy them all. When Annie finds herself with an opportunity to end him, she pauses, horrified by the scars covering the face she once loved. A split second that will cost her everything…

Le Expert:

I stooped down and back-elbowed him across his jaw. His head fell sideways, but not for long, he turned to watch me but said nothing. I got up and slammed a good kick to his side. He winced but remained silent.

“What are you up to?” I demanded.

“Killing.”

“Why?”

He smiled. “It’s fun.”

“I’m about to call Derek, but I’d like to know what you’re after first.”

“Let me go,” he said.

“Oh… you’re hilarious.”

“You’ll regret keeping me here, Annie. I can’t afford to be captured right now.”

“Oh, RIGHT, what was I thinking? I should have called ahead to schedule an appointment for your capture. I just didn’t have your number!” I watched him in disbelief.

“I don’t have email or Twitter either. You know why?” His lip twitched. “I can’t have followers.”

I heard a chuckle from behind.

“Really, Beth? You’re going to encourage him?”

“What? No, it was just… I thought it was… funny,” she finished saying in a low voice.

I turned back to Nick and was about to grab his neck when I realized being that close to him would not be a good idea. If I allowed myself to get that close to him, he could hypnotize me to let him go, so instead, I kicked him.

“Now you’re just doing this for spite,” he said.

“Yes.” I kicked him again. “You started it at Worldsafe.”

“What are you, ten? I pinch you, you pinch me? Actually, I wouldn’t mind pinching you…” I was about to slam him again. “No, stop. Stop! Your kicks are more painful than mine. Stop it.”

“Any more requests? It seems you think you’re in charge here,” I said.

“Just, wait, all right? Don’t call Derek. Don’t let anyone know I’m here,” Nick begged.

“Scared?” I smirked.

 

 Let's meet the awesome author!!! (Great idea, I know)

S. K. Anthony is a writer, a reader and a make-stuff-up-er who lives in New York with her husband and toddler twins. She is a wine connoisseur, which just really means she knows she loves it, and a caffeine addict. When she isn’t busy with her family she finds herself being transported into the world of imagination. Well, either that or running away from spiders…she is convinced they are out to get her!

Website / Goodreads /  Facebook

 

 

 

So what do y'all think???

 

Happy reading,

Jackie