Shayna Varadeaux Books & Reviews

Writer, Reader & Reviewer

  • About
  • Book Blitz Giveaway Donations
  • Sign Up For True Fate Book Blitz!

SALE! – RUINED by Jus Accardo

Posted by ShaynaVaradeaux on February 19, 2014
Posted in: Books Talk. Leave a comment
Sale
Hey Everyone! Have we got a treat for you!
RUINED is on sale for 99 cents on all eBook platforms! If you haven’t grabbed this steamy paranormal New Adult book by Jus Accardo now’s your chance!
Need more of an incentive? Here’s what some award winning and bestselling authors have to say about RUINED!
“RUINED rocked my socks! Fans of Kresley Cole and Jeaniene Frost will love this paranormal new adult, with its battle of Bad versus Badder, a hot-as-hell hero–and a heroine who more than holds her own. Delicious fun from page one!” -Jeri Smith-Ready, award-winning author of SHADE and WICKED GAME “Steamy romance and a unique premise, RUINED knocks it out the park with this fresh new adult romance with a paranormal twist.” – #1 USA Today & NYT Bestselling author, Jennifer L Armentrout
“A wildly original concept coupled with a hot romance. This is what new adult and paranormal has been waiting for.” – K.A. Tucker, author of the Ten Tiny Breaths series
Also Jus Accardo is having a giveaway to celebrate the sale! Make sure to go to her Facebookpage for a chance to win an Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card!
Title: RUINED
Author: Jus Accardo
Pub. Date: December 30, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Embrace 
Pages: 325
Ruined_1600
0003Blurb.png
Hell is looking for a way to break loose…
Jax lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world’s first murderer, he’s plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for his happiness. He left everything behind, including the girl he loved, but thriving on the pain of others is lonely… And it’s killing him.
After a series of heartbreaking losses, Samantha put rubber to pavement and headed for college as fast as her clunker could carry her. But she can’t outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home, she’s thrown into the path of a past—and a guy—she’s been trying to forget.
Sam strains Jax’s control over his darkness, but running isn’t an option this time. Someone—or, something—followed her home from school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making. Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.
0006Purchase.png
Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, iBooks, Goodreads
Check Out the Book Trailer!

0007Author.png
Jus
JUS ACCARDO spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. At the last minute, she realized her path lay with fiction, not food, and passed on the spot to pursue writing. Jus is the bestselling author the popular Denazen series from Entangled publishing and is currently working on the first book in a new adult series due out summer 2013. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald.
Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebook
 entangled_logo_3
00010Thanks.png

 

Advertisements

REVIEW BACK LOG – Beautiful Addictions by Season Vining

Posted by ShaynaVaradeaux on February 9, 2014
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

Beautiful Addictions

by

Season Vining
Release: January 28, 2014
Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Josie Banks is a girl without a past.  After being found unconscious with no memory, she was shuffled in and out of foster homes where she suffered years of abuse. An experience that left her broken, damaged, and clinging to drugs and meaningless hook-ups to numb her pain.
When Josie disappeared years ago, she took a piece of Tristan with her.  She’s the girl he thought he lost forever—the one he’s never been able to forget.  Now a twist of fate has brought them back together, and he never wants to let her out of his inked arms again.  But Tristan is haunted by a dark past of his own.  On the run from ruthless criminals that shattered Josie’s world years ago, reentering her life puts them both in danger.
As Josie and Tristan’s lives become tangled once again, they find themselves unwilling and unable to escape the relentless pull that draws them together.  But will the past leave their love in ruins—or bind them together for a lifetime?
ADD Beautiful Addictions on Goodreads
 
 
Wow. I absolutely loved the storyline it was really very sexy and totally intriguing, gritty and real.
Josie Banks knows what she wants and she knows how to get it too. She really is rough around the edges but she has a good side that we get to see glimpses of.  Her amnesia made her forget everything before foster homes and a bad life where she feels worthless and not good enough. She is an artist with amazing talents that are going unutilized other than the graffiti she loves to leave in her wake. It’s crazy that she knows she has the power to get what she wants but doesn’t realize how gorgeous she is. But her past and upbringing that she can remember was beyond rough so that self worth was never there, not that she could remember anyway.
Tristan… oh Tristan. Where do I begin? He is just amazingly lovely. Hehe. He is gorgeous and troubled and did I say gorgeous, wow. A gentleman and so lost at the same time. Hurt by his childhood sweetheart’s disappearance and sworn away love only to have a girl pursue him and make him feel again then rip his heart out. Now he lives a life alone, trying to be free but haunted by his demons. The reconnecting of Josie to her forgotten past was awesome and rough at the same time. I love the fact that she is drawn to Tristan before she figures  out why or who he is.
I like how rough and gentle they both are in general both physically and emotionally. I loved the suspense element to this novel alot. Her past is catching up with her and more entwined with Tristan’s than either of them knew.
I couldn’t put this book down! I cuddled up on the couch and didn’t move almost all day long. I started it at night and only made it a small way through but the next day was devoted to Josie and Tristan!
I was excited  that we got to see more than just Josie and Tristan’s story. We get Monica’s story and even some of Alex’s too. This book has beautiful people and it has gangsters too. Really good plot to get wrapped up in! Best stand alone I have read in ages!
Tristan is yum-a-licious and Alex is not so bad himself. Alot of hotness in this read for sure. Including Josie the mixed up vixen.
If you are looking for some great steamy NA with an truly intriguing twist and an actual story running through it then Beautiful Addictions by Season Vining is definitely the book for you!
5 of 5 Hearts
 
Josie craved his touch and she couldn’t understand why they hadn’t had sex yet, or any form of it. She wanted it; her fingers ached to touch him in places she’d only yet imagined. It was obvious that Tristan felt the same way, so she failed to make sense of his need to take things slow. She longed to feel his sweat slicked skin against hers and inhale the scent of their bodies combined. Not ready to admit any kind of emotional connection, she desperately needed a physical one. It was the only thing she was comfortable with.
She found it curious that her dependency seemed to be shifting. No longer did she need meaningless sex or drugs to numb her. Josie only wanted to submerge herself in Tristan, to soak up everything he offered. He was her new addiction.
Tristan was in a constant state of arousal in Josie’s company. Never able to completely relax, his muscles remained tense and rigid with yearning. If it had been any other girl, he would have taken her already, hard and fast, several times. But he knew that Josie used sex to avoid attachment. He didn’t want to be just another mark on her therapeutically notched bedpost. To him, Josie was something new, yet familiar, something he wanted to cherish. He felt like two ancient souls, separated for a lifetime, had suddenly been reunited.
Unable to contain the sexual tension clawing at her skin, Josie slid her notebook from her lap and straddled Tristan. He gave her his lopsided grin as his long fingers wrapped around her waist. Josie smiled triumphantly, thinking that she’d already won.
“What are you up to?” he asked, dipping his head so that his lips pressed ever so softly to her shoulder.
“I need to feel you Tristan. Just touch me.” The sound of Josie’s words echoed around the quiet room. “I want you.”
Those three little words left him breathless. Such a brazen statement from Josie sent his willpower into a faltering tailspin. He hummed in agreement, sliding his kisses down to her neck.
Josie ran her nails along Tristan’s scalp, making his eyes close in contentment. The feel of her hot body pressing down on him caused momentary insanity, totally emptying his brain of rational thought. He wanted her more than anything he’d ever wanted before. Not here, not now. There was so much more to say.
“Can I take you out?” Tristan asked, suddenly moving his hands back down to her waist and resuming a neutral position.
 “Out of the apartment?”
“Out on a date,” he clarified.
“A date?” Josie asked, her frightened voice making the words sound foreign.
“You know, an appointment for a particular time, especially with a person to whom one is sexually or romantically attached.”
“Are we attached?” she asked, not really knowing what she wanted the answer to be.
“More than you know,” he answered.
 
 
Amazon * Amazon UK * Amazon CA * Barnes& Noble * Kobo
Season Vining is the author of Beautiful Addictions, a New Adult Romantic Suspense novel from St. Martin’s Griffin. She received her three-book deal and agent representation as a result of attending the 2013 Jambalaya Writers’ Conference. She first gained attention for the book in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award in which the story was a Quarterfinalist. Season is a graphic designer by trade and adores all form of art. She’s a fan of live music, vintage cars, and people who know the difference between their, there, and they’re.
Website • Goodreads • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest
This counts towards my #RPRC2014

2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge
hosted by
Rachel @ Fiktshun
&
Reanna @ Phantasmic Reads
 I received this book in exchange for an honest review via
HAPPY READING!

Review Back Log – Savor by Kate Evangelista

Posted by ShaynaVaradeaux on February 9, 2014
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

Savor

by

Kate Evangelista
 
I’m Dakota Collins, a tough talking, eye patch wearing, workaholic photography student. Why am I important? Well, maybe because I get to spend an entire month with Vicious, only the sickest indie rock band out there.
You see, I needed a subject for my Spring Showcase introspective in order to graduate. During a chance encounter at a club I’d been sent to cover for the Daily Gossip, our ironically named college paper, the features writer I usually teamed up with introduced me to the band—by accident, I might add. It involved a run in with a scary, bald bodyguard. Anyway, long story short, I signed a contract to take pictures of Vicious.
I should have known their handsome yet way too serious for his own good bassist, Luka Visraya, wouldn’t be able to keep his hands to himself. He’s gorgeous and all, but the way he smiles spelled trouble with a capital L. I’m in for a long month with him around.
Crazy shit happens and then some. So, if you want the skinny on Vicious and the events revolving around my stay at Lunar Manor, read my story.
Refer to the warning below.

Mature and explicit content. Not recommended for readers below 18-years-old. Yup, you’ve got to be that old to read my story. Consider yourself warned.

ADD Savor to Goodreads

It was pretty easy to read Savor, Dakota is a really great and complicated character. Strong female role with no nonsense ways. She has been through hell and has scars and secrets she keeps. Her eye patch hides the source of her pain and the source of her defensive demeanor. She makes for a good MC although at some points her mood swing was so drastic I had to question her indecisive insanity.
She is covering a nightclub opening for her college paper as a photography major. She has talent for pictures and when THE most popular and best selling rock band shows up unannounced for an impromptu performance, she’s determined to get the gorgeous bassist Luka Visraya as the subject for her final project for school. She steels her nerves and approaches him and his sister Yana. Luka challenges her to get pics of the group and share them with Yana and he would let her know.
Yana shows up at Dakota’s soon after and the adventure begins.
I realize that the patch wearing beauty has issues heck I would too but man is she up and down. Don’t get me wrong I friggin’ love Dakota! She is strong willed and determined even if Luka has the swoon power to make her forget for a little bit and do some crazy things. The up and down of both Luka and Dakota’s interactions were a great addition to the story. It made me think the entire time that there was way more to that than what we were getting.
When she gets to Lunar Manor I really loved the interactions there with each individual and while I love Luka and he is absolutely delicious I must say that I am partial myself to Demitri. OMG, Phoenix is a lucky girl. The entire cast of characters were great from every member of Vicious to their employees.
The photo shoots with each band member were amazing. I had no problems visualizing in this book. The video shoot was one of my favorite parts.
30 days is all Dakota has and is determined to get each band member’s unique photo shoot done. Saving Luka for last she falls ill after some craziness and loses a few days but she gets her shoot.
There is an underlying dynamic through the entire book that keeps you guessing the entire time. I had no problems with slowing down or getting bored. And towards the end, oh my! I was on the edge of my seat and baffled!
It truly was a good read!
I cannot wait for Relish the next book in the Vicious Feast Series!
I am also dying to read Taste. It’s Phoenix’s story at Barinkoff Academy. Intriguing!
It has Demitri Barinkoff as well as Luka Visraya in it so um yes I NEED it! LOL!
4 of 5 stars
 
“Dakota Collins!”
 I lowered my camera. The use of my full name never came with good consequences. I blinked my vision back at her even if I wanted to spend the rest of the night taking his picture. Sweat rose over my upper lip. I may just have found my subject for the Spring Showcase.
 The only problem?
 I had to find a way to convince him to be in my project. Something told me this wouldn’t be easy. By the way my heart beat in my ears, drowning out the music and Silvia having a fit in front of me, I wanted it too much. I wanted him too much.
 “This the guy you were saying?” I showed Silvia the picture I’d taken. This seemed to pacify her because she sidled closer, mesmerized like a moth to a flame.
 “Luka Visraya,” she said with a moan like she’d just tasted the most luscious chocolate before taking a long gulp of her cocktail. The name didn’t register. Silvia must have noticed my blank expression because she continued. “He’s the bassist for Vicious.”
 Still no pings of recognition in my head.
 She slapped her thigh. “Where have you been? It’s weird that you haven’t heard of them. Their songs are on the radio like every second.”
 Of course I hadn’t heard of them. I liked listening to country and I hardly kept up with current events.
 “Name one?” Okay, I had a name. Luka. Exotic. A bassist. Part of a band I should know about. So he’s famous. I slowly felt my chances of asking him to be my subject slip from my grasp. If he was someone famous, fat chance he’d say yes to a graduating photography student like me. I just about deflated when Silvia mentioned one of their songs. “Oh, I know that one!” By accident. It played in the radio of the cab I rode in to Sacrifice. I stared at the picture of him then lifted my gaze to where he sat. “He’s gone.”
 “What?” Silvia whipped around in time to come face to face with a wall of man. “Whoa!” She pushed at him. “Watch it, buddy!”
 “Give me the camera,” he said in a threatening tone.
 Big. Beefy. Bald. The three Bs that made up the quintessential bodyguard.
 I clutched my DSLR closer to my chest and looked up at him with my good eye. “And why would I do that?” The patch didn’t seem to intimidate him because he just reached out. So much for my Bond villain aspirations. I moved away from his grubby hand. No one touched my camera but me.
 Despite her size, Silvia came between me and the mountain. “We’re here to cover Sacrifice for our college paper. You don’t have the right to take away my colleague’s camera.”
 Yeah! You give it to him, Silvy.
 Not that I couldn’t take care of myself. But if Silvia wanted to play hero, I wouldn’t stand in her way.
 “What seems to be the problem here?” a soft, authoritative voice chimed in.
 The bodyguard moved aside to reveal the Gothic Lolita. She stood at just about the same height as Silvia, but she possessed an older aura even if she seemed to be our age.
 “She’s been taking pictures,” Baldy said.
 Lolita’s kohl eyes landed on me then shifted to my camera.
 “As I was saying to the big guy,” Silvia explained. “My colleague and I are
covering the opening of Sacrifice.”
 “For what paper?” Lolita asked without taking her eyes off me. I clutched my camera like an extra appendage. In some ways it was. After losing half my sight, I relied on my camera like an extra eye, seeing the world through its lens. I would rather die than lose it.
 “The Daily Gossip,” I said before Silvia could answer just to relieve some of the awkward tension building in me under her gaze. “We study at Wexler U.”
 She tilted her head, crossing her arms.
 “Okay,” I quickly stammered out. “I get that the name of our paper sounds like a tabloid, but the Daily Gossip is a cool campus paper.” The last part maybe only I believed since Silvia raised her eyebrow at me, but Lolita and the mountain didn’t have to know that.
 No one spoke after that. Even in a noisy club, the silence in our group rang in my ears. Not waiting for the situation to get any more awkward, I plowed forward with my own selfish intensions.
 “You know Luka.” I said it more as a statement, but it came out like a question.
 Lolita nodded.
 “I’m Dakota Collins and I’m graduating this spring. I was wondering if Luka would be interested in—”
 “What would I be interested in?” a smooth voice joined our group.
 The walls of my throat closed, chocking the rest of what I had to say. All eyes turned to Luka. Silvia dropped her empty glass. It bounced off the bodyguard’s shoe and landed in a clatter but didn’t break. Even with my height, I still had to look up at him.
 “What are you doing here?” Lolita admonished. “You should be backstage.”
 One side of his lips came up. God. Without the scowl, his face lit up. I had to stop the urge to lift my camera and start snapping away. And his eyes were piercing blue. The kind that stretched over my mother’s farm in the summer. Damn.
Seeing him up close, I knew I’d give any one of my kidneys for a chance to take his picture in a formal shoot.
 “We have five minutes. Chill, Yana.” He tugged at one of her pigtails.
 “Luka,” Silvia managed. “I’m a big fan. Will you sign my chest?”
 Bypassing my petite colleague, Luka’s intensely blue gaze studied me. He reached out and I flinched back. His fingers almost grazed my patch. What the hell was the matter with him? Trying to touch my eye patch was tantamount to poking a bandage over a wound and asking the person if it hurts.
 Gothic Lolita—Yana—yanked Luka’s arm down. “I’m so sorry!” Her whole aura changed. She went from all business to panicky. “My brother sometimes forgets his manners. He didn’t mean anything about touching your…” She bit her lower lip, maybe trying to keep herself from saying the wrong thing.
 That little faux pas cleared my head of the Luka haze and spurred me into action. “Luka, will you let me take your picture for my final project?” I didn’t know where my courage came from, but I knew if I didn’t take this chance, I’d regret it. I had to have him as my subject.
 Still not removing his gaze from my face, like my patch transfixed him, he tilted his head to one side very much like his sister did earlier.
 “Luka, don’t!” Yana said, but from the consideration on Luka’s face, she was too late.
 “You’re a photographer?”
 “Yes.” I nodded, in case the word wasn’t enough.
 “And you’d like me to be the subject of your project?”
 God yes! This time, I could only nod. I didn’t want him to see how eager I was. And I couldn’t live with myself if I embarrassed myself further.
 I waited with baited breath.
 It seemed everyone in our group waited with baited breath for what the golden god had to say about my brazen request. I soon realized when Luka spoke, everyone listened. The way he pronounced every word precisely yet still spoke so smoothly, like butter on warm toast, captured everyone’s attention. To say he captivated us was an understatement. Something in me certainly wanted to hear him keep speaking. He could read from an accounting textbook in that voice and no one would get bored.
 “I need to know that you’re good,” he finally said.
 Something about his words seemed to hold a different meaning. I must have missed the alcohol in the soda Silvia had given me. Maybe I was drunk and this was all a blackout dream.
 “What are you saying?” Yana faced Luka all the way now, her petite form all rigid.
 He unleashed a full on megawatt smile my way. I almost had to cover my eye from it. At my side, Silvia gasped. Her long nails dug into my arm. Like staring at the sun, I couldn’t take my gaze away from him no matter how bad it was for me.
 “We’re about to perform. I want you to take several pictures then send them to Yana. If she approves, we’ll see about your request.”
 Then, like smoke, he disappeared into the crowd.
Amazon
B&N
 
 When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn’t going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master’s courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today she lives in the Philippines and writes full time.
 Connect
Website
Goodreads
Twitter
YouTube
Facebook
This counts towards my #RPRC2014

2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge
hosted by
Rachel @ Fiktshun
&
Reanna @ Phantasmic Reads
HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday #2

Posted by ShaynaVaradeaux on January 29, 2014
Posted in: Books Talk. Tagged: City Of Heavenly Fire. Leave a comment

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking The Spine
I am totally excited about
City Of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
It is due to come out in May 27th.! I cannot wait!
Here is the gorgeous cover that we have been waiting for!
Other Books I am waiting on…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18343787-raging-storm
Publish Date: March 21st 2014
Publish Date: To Be Announced 2014
Hopefully getting an ARC! Fingers crossed!
Publish Date: April 29th 2014
Share in  the comments below what you’re waiting for.
Or share the link to your post!
HAPPY READING!

Tuesday Tease – True Fate

Posted by ShaynaVaradeaux on January 28, 2014
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

Today’s Tuesday Tease

is from my first YA Paranormal Fantasy
True Fate
 19498351
589f3-blurb
Strange things have always happened to Nia, and until now she’s written them off as flukes. At nineteen she has seen her fair share of odd occurrences and just feels lucky.
When Nia unknowingly spoke a prophecy on her eighteenth birthday she freaked out her best friend, Rhea. Nia realizes she needs to find some answers. Rhea makes her promise to go and see her Great Aunt Amarie, but she isn’t sure if her crazy aunt could really help.
Nia finds herself unexpectedly drawn to a stranger and begins dreaming of people who seem to know everything about her.
They offer little in the way of information as to how and why. It all feels too real but Nia is unsure, at least until she wakes up with a trinket from the encounter.
When dreams and reality collide Nia will have to face dangers she never knew existed. Ready or not she will have to discover her True Fate.
ADD on Goodreads
Now onto the Tease!
“Hello?”
“Hey honey,” her mom, Margie’s lightly accented voice sang through the car speakers.
“Hi mom.” Nia said biting her lip.
“How is everything going sweetie?” Margie asked.
“Great. Is something wrong mom?”
“What? No sweetie but your dad said to call you, he said and I quote, he hasn’t heard from you in a while and he’s worried. You know how he can be.” Her mom said in the sweetest way possible.
“Sorry about that I have been kind of busy. Umm I’m kind of on a date right now.” Nia explained wanting to melt under the seat as Aaron looked at her adoringly but she knew her cheeks were flush.
“Oh goodness, sweetheart! That’s fantastic! How’s it going? Do we know him? Is he cute?” Margie rattled off the string of questions before Nia could stop her.
Correction, she no longer wanted to hide, she wanted to die…… right now.
“Wow! Umm, mom? It’s going great and no you don’t know him yet and he is definitely hot.” She looked at him and he smiled. “His name is Aaron and by the way, you’re on speaker.”
“Oh… well… um, I’m sorry honey. And hello Aaron it’s nice to sort of meet you. You’re welcome at our home anytime.” Margie said with a shaky and clearly mortified voice.
“Thank you Mrs. De La Garza” Aaron said wincing as he finally chimed in.
“Oh please call me Margie.” Nia’s mom insisted.
“Okay, I’ll try but I can’t guarantee it, that’s just how I was raised.” He responded politely.
Interrupting Nia asked, “Hey, Mom? We’re headed that way. Is Dad there?”
“Oh, yes we’re having a late dinner. I used the slow cooker. It’s been a long day.” Margie explained sounding tired.
“We can be there in thirty.” Nia said feeling dread set in at the prospect of her dad meeting Aaron.
“Great! Well then I will see you soon honey! Bye!” Margie sung again as she hung up the phone ending all their awkward misery.
‘That had to be the most embarrassing conversation in the history of my life.’ Nia sent to Aaron because it was easier to think than say.
“It’s fine really, I thought it was sweet. And I found out some interesting information too.” he said with a huge grin.
“Oh yeah, and what was that?” she asked laughing.
“You think I’m hot.” Aaron said as a wide grin spread across his face.
You can get your copy of True Fate on sale now!
Amazon
HAPPY READING!
53c00-tfsbsv

REVIEW – Saving Quinton by Jessica Sorensen

Posted by ShaynaVaradeaux on January 25, 2014
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

Nova Reed can’t forget him-Quinton Carter, the boy with the honey-brown eyes who made her realize she deserved more than an empty life. His pain was so similar to her own. But Nova has been coming to terms with her past and healing, while Quinton is out there somewhere, sinking deeper. She’s determined to find him and help him . . . before it’s too late.
Nova has haunted his dreams for nearly a year-but Quinton never thought a sweet, kind person like her would care enough about a person like him. To Quinton, a dark, dangerous life is exactly what he deserves. And Nova has no place in it. But Nova has followed him to Las Vegas, and now he must do whatever it takes to keep her away, to maintain his self-imposed punishment for the unforgivable things he’s done. But there’s one flaw in his plan: Nova isn’t going anywhere . . .
ADD Saving Quinton on Goodreads

 
Saving Quinton picks up where Breaking Nova left off more or less. Nova has taken her baby steps at getting better. She is doing good but one thing is missing and that’s Quinton. Summer break is about come up again and Nova wants to find Quinton and help him but he has fallen into such a dark place.
He got his wish when the girl that made him ‘feel’ ran out on everything. Quinton feels he doesn’t deserve to be happy and there’s no one who thinks he does besides Nova.
He is not the only one she had to leave behind. Delilah, her best friend stayed with Dylan getting high and getting in deeper. Nova walked away at just the right time to miss out on the meth that would consume her friends.
She has a new roommate at college, Lea, and when Nova learns that Quinton has moved to Vegas she makes a sudden decision. She is going to Vegas, no matter what. She needs to see him, know he’s okay, at least breathing. Her mom is reluctant but once she explains why, she gets the support she needs. Lea knows about everything Nova went through, they met at a suicide support group meeting at school.
Going to see Quinton for the first time I could tell this was going to be a rough read. It’s dark, it’s gritty, it’s painful, it’s reality and so well written. I was there, in my mind I could see and feel and experience the uncertainty and determination Nova portrayed. I got completely sucked into this book and I loved every agonizing second of it. I did not put it down! I couldn’t!
I was left raw and frayed yet satisfied by the end of this book but I am also left wanting more. Needing more. This was a harshly relatable read for me. I have seen some of those situations close up and I didn’t envy any of the characters. I laughed a little but I cried more and I felt a sinking in my gut most of the way through. It really was a great read and a brave thing on the part of the author.
While my life never went as deep into the rabbit hole as Quinton’s, I have been low and addicted and unhappy and felt completely alone even though I wasn’t. I am glad that I’m not in that place anymore, that’s a hard climb that I’m so glad I made and seven years sober I am happier than ever.
I love Nova, I love Quinton and Tristan too and I ache for Delilah.
I NEED book 3… There is a book 3 right???!!
If there’s not I may have to start counting random things to make it through that. I’m just saying!
I am fully invested in this series and so in awe of Jessica Sorensen’s writing chops. Bravo lady you knocked this emotional rollercoaster out of the park, into the atmosphere and beyond the stars.
5 of 5 Hearts
 
Amazon
B&N
Kobo
Sony
Jessica SorensenJessica Sorensen is the author of The New York Times and USA Today Bestsellers, The Secret of Ella and Micha, The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden, and Breaking Nova, which are New Adult Contemporary novels.  She also writes Paranormal series, including the Fallen Star Series, Shattered Promises, Darkness Falls, and the Death Collectors. She loves writing and reading and is an avid watcher of TV series The Vampire Diaries and Modern Family.  An immense music lover,  Jessica immerses herself in her music as she writes.  She has a broad taste in music, and a list of favorite songs that goes on for miles!  A few of her current favorite bands are Chevelle, Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Brand New, Death Cab for Cutie, Flight 409, and Nirvana.  Some of Jessica’s favorite “watch it over, and over again” movies include Anywhere but Here, Juno, Pride and Prejudice, The Hangover, and Bad Teacher.

Connect

Facebook /  Twitter  / Goodreads

 I received this book in exchange for an honest review via
HAPPY READING!

REVIEW – Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen

Posted by ShaynaVaradeaux on January 24, 2014
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

 Nova Reed used to have dreams-of becoming a famous drummer, of marrying her true love. But all of that was taken away in an instant. Now she’s getting by as best she can, though sometimes that means doing things the old Nova would never do. Things that are slowly eating away at her spirit. Every day blends into the next . . . until she meets Quinton Carter. His intense, honey brown eyes instantly draw her in, and he looks just about as broken as she feels inside.
Quinton once got a second chance at life-but he doesn’t want it. The tattoos on his chest are a constant reminder of what he’s done, what he’s lost. He’s sworn to never allow happiness into his life . . . but then beautiful, sweet Nova makes him smile. He knows he’s too damaged to get close to her, yet she’s the only one who can make him feel alive again. Quinton will have to decide: does he deserve to start over? Or should he pay for his past forever?
ADD Breaking Nova on Goodreads

I have no idea what my deal is and why I have issues with reading a dang blurb right before I read a book.  I know I read the blurb when it was first available but didn’t before I read it. So I was shocked when things went down with Landon and with Lexi.
The story has a good progression and a steady forward march. I absolutely adore Nova, she’s an anxiety filled girl wrapped in pain. Trying to get by and get on with her life with a giant void through her center.
Quinton is just heartbreakingly wonderful yet so damaged he only gives himself and let’s himself have things that he feels he deserve and happiness isn’t one of those things.
Nova is back home from college over summer break and surrounded with memories of the past she has worked so hard to not so much forget as suppress. Her mom and stepdad are good people there’s just nothing anyone can do for her. There’s just too many unanswered questions for her and not even her best friend Delilah can pull her out of the slump that threatens to swallow her whole being surrounded by memories of what happened and what might have been.
Quinton has moved in with his cousin and he berates himself constantly taking the blame for things that have always been out of his control. He spends his time self medicating and getting lost in girls he cares nothing for. Until he meets her, right as he is moving in and things inside of him shift but he is determined t still be his miserable hollow self.
Nova is not happy that her best friend Delilah is hooking up with her ex but while over at his place she meets him, she is startled by the sight of him and things get dicey the more she’s around him.
This story is a really great really gritty truth about people, pain and even addiction. Anxiety and self loathing battle with feelings the two aren’t well prepared for and definitely not certain either is ready for. The anguish and honesty of the progression through the pain was agonizingly beautiful and mesmerizing. It wasn’t all hearts and flowers like some romance books tend to be and I loved that about this book. It’s not just about Nova and Quinton either, it’s also about Tristan and Delilah and Dylan.
I absolutely loved the chemistry between Nova and Quinton and I was baffled at how things played out between the two broken souls. It was beautiful and painful to read. Happiness sadness and uncertainty played through me. In the end it was amazing when Nova had her epiphany and now I cannot wait to read the next book!
The depth of issues this book deals with suicide, accidental death and drug and alcohol addiction are brave subjects to tackle and Jessica Sorensen handles them wonderfully and in a very true and real manner. It’s a really good read.
I loved alot about this book and I am onto the next one. Yay! Saving Quinton.
I love the way Jessica Sorensen paints a picture I have liked that since I read Fallen Star. I was not disappointed with this new genre she has ventured into and I was so relieved to get my NetGalley request of book two approved when I was nearly done with Breaking Nova.
5 of 5 Hearts
 
Amazon
B&N
Sony
Kobo
iTunes
 
 
 Book 2
Nova #2
Jessica SorensenJessica Sorensen is the author of The New York Times and USA Today Bestsellers, The Secret of Ella and Micha, The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden, and Breaking Nova, which are New Adult Contemporary novels.  She also writes Paranormal series, including the Fallen Star Series, Shattered Promises, Darkness Falls, and the Death Collectors. She loves writing and reading and is an avid watcher of TV series The Vampire Diaries and Modern Family.  An immense music lover,  Jessica immerses herself in her music as she writes.  She has a broad taste in music, and a list of favorite songs that goes on for miles!  A few of her current favorite bands are Chevelle, Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Brand New, Death Cab for Cutie, Flight 409, and Nirvana.  Some of Jessica’s favorite “watch it over, and over again” movies include Anywhere but Here, Juno, Pride and Prejudice, The Hangover, and Bad Teacher.

Connect
Facebook Twitter Goodreads Email

This counts towards my #RPRC2014
2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge
hosted by
Rachel @ Fiktshun
&
Reanna @ Phantasmic Reads
 
 I received this book in exchange for an honest review via
HAPPY READING!

Posts navigation

← Older Entries
  • Recent Posts

    • SALE! – RUINED by Jus Accardo
    • REVIEW BACK LOG – Beautiful Addictions by Season Vining
    • Review Back Log – Savor by Kate Evangelista
    • Waiting on Wednesday #2
    • Tuesday Tease – True Fate
  • Recent Comments

    Violet VanDoren on Hitting Publish & True Fat…
  • Like My Page

    Like My Page
  • ADD True Fate on Goodreads

  • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  • Buy True Fate

    • Amazon
    • Barnes & Noble
    • iTunes
    • Smashwords
    • Sony Reader Store
  • Twitter

    My Tweets
  • My Blogger

  • Instagram

    #latergram #37thbirthday #September12 #instachic #author #blogger #bookblogger #bookish #brainsarebeautiful #addictedreader
    #iheartbookmail #littlebrownUK #ARC #SeptemberRelease #yalit #yay #booknerd #booknerdigans #bookish #bookmail #bookreviewer #Eren #SimonPClark
    #ARC #paperback #donnacooner #cantlookaway #yalit ##bookreviewer #booknerdigans #blogtourreading #todaystourstop #shaynavaradeauxbooksandreviews #scholastic #bookmail #yay #read
    YAY I am on the tour! #ARC #AddisonMoore #BurningThroughGravity @authoraddisonmoore #blogtourreading #inkslingerpr
  • Archives

    • February 2014
    • January 2014
  • Categories

    • Books Talk
    • covers
    • Uncategorized
  • Meta

    • Register
    • Log in
    • Entries RSS
    • Comments RSS
    • WordPress.com
  • Blog Stats

    • 75 hits
  • True Fate Playlist

  • Advertisements
Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.
Shayna Varadeaux Books & Reviews
Blog at WordPress.com.
Cancel