Cover Reveal: Not Until Tonight by Jessica Sankiewicz

Title: Not Until Tonight

Author: Jessica Sankiewicz

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary

Release Date: May 26th 2014

Haley has spent the last year going to the bar across the street from her apartment every day. It's the only thing that winds her down at the end of a long day at work. She gets to have a drink and talk to the gorgeous bartender, Skylar. Her little crush on him is starting to drive her crazy. She wants to take their friendship to the next level but she doesn't want to compromise what they already have.

When Skylar asks Haley to pretend to be his girlfriend for one night, she doesn't hesitate to say yes. This is her chance to finally experience what it could be like, even if it's just for one night. But pretending becomes difficult when their real feelings surface and the pull is too strong to resist. And neither one of them prepared for that.

At the end of the night, will they be willing to turn a fake relationship into a real one?

Check it out on Goodreads here! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18846659-not-until-tonight

Find author Jessica Sankiewicz here!

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jess_Sankiewicz

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7179633.Jessica_Sankiewicz

Blog: http://jessicasankiewicz.blogspot.com/

Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Title: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Release Date: December 23, 2008
Genres: Romance, Drama, Action, Contemporary
Medium: Paperback, Bought

From the first page, Perfect Chemistry became one of my favorite novels. Ever. Along the lines of Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry, this dramatic and romantic contemporary is completely realistic and believable. When 2 polar opposite Chicago teens are forced to come together as chemistry partners, drama and a Romeo & Juliet type romance is sure to ensue between the North and South sider.

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. -From Amazon.com
 

The plot is everything you can expect and so much more. You see the true reality of life in the big city; both the good and the bad. From the gang-inhabiting streets on the south side to the mansions housing "perfect" families on the north side, you see two completely different side of Chicago. This is both an eye-opening and definitely a mind-changing novel. You follow two polar opposite teens from the day they meet and watch as their paths cross is many unexpected ways. And yes, there is many plot twists to be found in this novel. It's one of the best dual-point-of-view novels I have ever read. There are no gaps in the writing and the plot flow effortlessly. Addictive and containing plenty of edge-of-your-seat action, this novel makes for a great novel unisex novel that will resonate with teenage readers everywhere. This novel is so realistic, it is impossible to not think this  novel was written from real experiences. It is that realistic. One of the best plots I have ever read.
 

Chloe and Alex are two characters I will never forget. Dynamic and emotional, they tell two very different stories from one another. Chloe resides in the north side of Chicago, living in a big house with hot-shot parents and an older sister with Cystic Fibrosis, who Chloe seems to be the only one to understand. Fighting to keep her parents happy and her sister out of a special care center, Chloe must put on the perfect façade everyday to make everyone happy. Everyone except herself, that is. And Alex... Oh. Alex is now one of my favorite characters of all time. He lives in the south side of Chicago, always out on the streets, apart of the Latino Blood gang so he can protect his family from the fate of his deceased father. Growing up poor and in a gang, Alex has a rough facade himself and a bad reputation. All until he meets Chloe, when the real side of him begins to show. So much character development takes place in this novel, it's had to describe.

The writing in this novel: tremendous. Some of the most natural, realistic, and flowing writing I have ever read. It is so very hard to stop reading. Literally, I read half the book in one sitting. And the other half in another sitting practically. It is so addicting and delicious. The drama is real, the action is edge-of-your-seat nail biting suspense, the emotions are raw, and the romance is so very sexy. I have literally no qualms with Elkeles' style of writing. I can say no words except 'perfect.'

This novel and series quickly became one of my all time favorites. It was emotional, raw, sensual, action-packed, and dramatic. I cannot wait to see where this series goes and I will definitely be getting a copy of the sequel as soon as I can get my hands on it. Five stars.

Review: Tempted by Brandi Leigh Hall

 

Title: Tempted by Brandi Leigh Hall
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: May 27th, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Drama, Romance
Medium: ARC Paperback, Received For Review via Author (Thanks Brandi!)

Another stunning addition to the series, Tempted is an exciting sequel to Tethered, the original tempting novel that began my love for the series. Tempted is everything and so much more than I expected. It totally blew the first novel right out of the water! It was dramatic, steamy, and packed with so many plot twists you will never see coming.

What if the very thing to save you—is the one thing beyond your reach?

Torn between the two men who have fallen for her—and the evil who wants to possess her—twenty-year-old Chloe Bishop can no longer remember the fatal vision which threatens her future happiness. But when the magical link is severed between Chloe and her Wiccan family, they must find a way to save her before temptation leads her into darkness—and into the welcoming arms of Mr. Wrong. - Goodreads.com

The plot of this novel is spectacular. With the first novel, the story is just taking off. You meet all the characters, get introduced to the dramatic plot line, and the adventure begins to unfold. After Tethered ends on a great cliffhanger, Tempted starts right back up with even more suspense and drama. The plot thickens as there becomes a definite war brewing in the background between good and evil, and how magic may be the very thing that saves or kills them. Action-packed, full of delicious drama and steamy romance, this novel is sure to appease the hunger of fans of the series, and even entice more readers into the realm of the BirthRight series.

The characters in this novel are one of the reasons why this novel is so hard to put down. The characters are imaginative, emotional, and very unique. Chloe, our main character, faces many difficult situations and decisions. Through these situations, however, Chloe does develop and change, maturing into her character. This character development is quite exciting, and we get to see such a different side of Chloe. Hunter also changed and developed in this novel. If possible, he becomes even braver, and truly expresses his love for Chloe. These two characters, along with all the others, are all nicely developed, interesting, and unique.

The writing was also terrific. Might I say, I believe the writing was even better in book 2 than it was in book 1. I mean this in a good way! It seems as if Hall has really matured as a writer and taken her readers suggestions and comments to heart. That is why this novel was so good! And why I believe that Tempted definitely outshines Tethered. And because of this, I must say that everyone should at least try book 1. Maybe you'll love it or maybe you'll just like it. Whatever your feelings, you should definitely continue on and read book 2. You won't regret it. The writing is daring, flowing, funny, dramatic, romantic, and more, all rolled up into one big story full of plot twists and unexpected scenarios. You definitely don't want to miss this.

Overall, this story is one you don't want to miss. It's packed full of magic, drama, romance, and hilarious comedy, and one novel sure to appease readers. Full of plot twists and ending with one of the best closing scenes ever, this novel is fantastic.

Review: Tethered by Brandi Leigh Hall

 

Title: Tethered by Brandi Leigh Hall
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Release Date: December 29, 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Drama
Medium: Paperback, Received for Review via Author (Thanks Brandi!)

Action-packed, dramatic, and full of magic, Tethered is a surprisingly unique novel of magic and witches. Definitely an author to watch, Brandi Leigh Hall crafts a novel of epic proportions.

No matter how you try to fight it—destiny has a mind of its own! Since foreseeing the imminent death of her parents six years earlier, Chloe has lived a simple, not-so-charmed-life away from her remaining Wiccan family. Zero magic. No close friendships. While struggling to bench-press more guilt than any nineteen-year-old ever should.

But fate intervenes and forces Chloe to return home. As if being an in-the-closet-Seer wasn’t bad enough, now she has to spend summer break with the snarky sister who hates her—and the magical birthright she was hell-bent on denying for all eternity.

Luckily, meeting Mr. Perfect takes the edge off her endless family drama. Hunter’s twenty-five, sometimes old-fashioned in a Jane Austen hero sort of way, and more delicious than molten-lava cake. But the more she tries to hide her family’s magical secrets from this ever-present stranger, the more quickly she realizes he’s hiding a few doozies of his own.

Will the lies and betrayal destroy their relationship before it really begins? Or will learning of their tethered future create an unbreakable bond neither can deny? Either way, their hearts will be forever entwined by destiny. -Amazon.com

The plot of this novel is surprisingly unique and original. Magical witches are not usually my favorite kinds of fantasy by far, and there hasn't been many books about witches that I have enjoyed since the age of Harry Potter. This novel has changed both of these statements, however. This plot is quite an attention grabber. It's full of depth, dramatic family ties and relationships, and an enriching plot full of plot twists and interesting characters. This all makes for a creative novel that constantly leaves you wanting more. Shrouded in mystery and magic, Tethered is a novel with a perfect amount if romance, drama, and fantasy, and a series sure to captivate readers.

The characters were terrific. Chloe is a girl full of surprises and humor. In the beginning, Chloe constantly finds the good in every situation and person and never let's a moment to without making a joke. Although, you do see a lot of character development going on here as she slowly transforms into a more serious person by the end of the novel. She matures and grows into her destiny 100%. Hunter was also very interesting. He was loyal, brave, and a total romantic. I grew very fond of his character over time. Every character in this novel, lead or supporting, plays a huge part in the prophecy. Every character is crucial to the plot and each one is unique.

The writing in this novel is also quite nice. Hall describes a complicated world in very descriptive yet simple means, and writes a story that is easy to follow and even easier to get lost in. Her writing is very clean cut and simple, full of nicely timed humor and drama. Although the dialogue sometimes comes off as fake and a little more than scripted, it doesn't all the time. Some of the character's lengthy responses sound very fake and definitely not the way a regular person would respond. However, it isn't majorly noticeable, and didn't really affect the reading experience for me. Overall, I was rather pleased.

Overall, Tethered is a uniquely magical book that is sure to please readers. It's interesting, nicely written, and full of great plot twists and drama. A very nice read.

Stacking The Shelves: April (#11)

Stacking The Shelves is a monthly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where book bloggers recount all the books they have received this month!

Received For Review:

H10N1 by M. R. Cornelius (paperback)

The Ups And Downs of Being Dead by M. R. Cornelius (paperback)

(Not Pictured) Tempted by Brandi Leigh Hall (ARC Paperback!)

Bought:

Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri (hardcover)

Bewitching by Alex Flinn (hardcover)

Lullaby by Amanda Hocking (hardcover)

Tidal by Amanda Hocking (hardcover)

Crash Into You by Katie McGarry (hardcover!)

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (paperback)

Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani (paperback)

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (paperback)

WBN:

The Raven's Warrior by Vincent Pratchett

The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Steven Chbosky

~I received an exclusive excerpt of Dorothy Must Die, an issue of Book Page, 7 bookmarks, cards from Bubba's Book Shop, and 4 WBN bookmarks.

~From Brandi Leigh Hall, I received a 3-page letter, two "thank you" cards, a bookmark, and a gift certificate for a free ebook copy of the novel (Watch out for that to soon be in a giveaway here on Next Page Reviews!) 

In total, I received 12 books, 12 bookmarks, and a ton of other goodies! 

What did you get?