WITHIN BLOG TOUR

Within by Clare C. Marshall


This is a young adult novel.

Book Summary

Trinity Hartell’s life changed after the accident. Left with irreversible brain damage, she becomes a burden to her mother, a cause for heartbreak for her boyfriend Zack, and a flattened obstacle for her best friend, Ellie.

But then she starts writing. Perhaps it’s a coincidence that the psychotic, murdering protagonist of her novel bears a striking similarity to the charming Wiley Dalton, a mayoral candidate in the upcoming election.

Or, perhaps not...

My Review

First, I really like the cover. Its eye catching and it's gets the attention of my reading goddess.

This is a story that starts in the present, goes to the past, then further back, returns to the present, goes to the past and so on. Add to that several changes of points of view. Somehow through it all, the author is able for the reader not to get confused.

However, at first, I thought that may have been the reason why I wasn’t connected to any of the characters. But after reading the whole book, I have to say that wasn’t the problem. Not really any of the characters are likeable except maybe Trinity. But she is just as much of a mystery from the beginning of the story to the end. And let me just say that I don’t have to like the characters in order to enjoy a story.

And, this story was really interesting and kept my interest peaked throughout wondering how it all was going to come together. Some may think that this book has a happily ever after. But I was just disgusted. Most if not all the characters to me were selfish and self absorbed. The one redeemable character in my opinion was Zach. And he lost me when he ran. I’ll leave it at that. Read the story and you will understand why.

Would I recommend, yes. Especially, if you like stories that are edgy and are dim if not dark in places. This isn’t a conventional story, which is why I found it intriguing. Check it out and let me know what you think.

My almost book boyfriend is Zach.



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Beautiful Disaster by by Jamie McGuire

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is a twenty something romance novel with the setting as college.

Book Summary

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

My Review

What can I say about this book without giving away spoilers?

First I want to say for the record I liked the original cover better. I'm not exactly sure what this cover says about the book. Maybe nothing. It's nice though.

Well first and foremost, I think that I can say that this book was totally unique. It’s hard to find a unique story in romance. I mean everything has been done in some fashion. But this book did what others do not. This book took you to places you wouldn’t think an author would dare. To suggest that this romance was a disaster is an understatement. Should these two people be together, maybe not? But that is what made the story so intriguing. She went to uncharted ground and I loved every minute of it. This book is another shining example of a book that you be traditionally published.

The bottom line: Should you read this story? YES! With no hesitation.
When should you read this story? NOW. Don’t wait.

If you want to read something fresh and unconventional this story is it. No it’s not paranormal. No it’s no an average romance. It’s just a refreshing read about two unlikely people who fall for each other at college. They will not fall in love and live happily ever after. They have a long road to bare and that’s the journey you will be immersed in.

I recommend to mature audiences for violence, language and sexual situations.

SO who is my hunky new book boyfriend. TRAVIS.










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BEST BOOK EVER! Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James

Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James

This is an adult romance novel. There is explicit material in this story. Rated NC-17

5 out of 5 stars

Book Summary

When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time.

The unworldly, innocent Ana is shocked to realize she wants this man, and when he warns her to keep her distance it only makes her more desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her - but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success – his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving adoptive family – Grey is man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a passionate, physical and daring affair, Ana learns more about her own dark desires, as well as the Christian Grey hidden away from public scrutiny.

Can their relationship transcend physical passion? Will Ana find it in herself to submit to the self-indulgent Master? And if she does, will she still love what she finds?

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

My Review

WOW AMAZING FANTASTIC MIND BLOWING BEST BOOK EVER

To read or not to read, may be a question many of you may ask yourself. And let me tell you, you’d be crazy not to read if you enjoy romance novels.

Is this a conventional romance novel? NO! Does the lifestyle our hero live conform to the average persons. MAYBE NOT. But don’t let that stop you from reading this book. This book is more than that. It’s about overcoming oneself, stripping to the core of who you are. What this couple must face to find and be with one another is nothing short of writing brilliance.

The story is very well written with well developed characters. This is the kind of book that will keep you up all night reading. Is it just that good? YES! I wish I could give it more stars or put it in a category all its own.

Too say more would give too much away. But I will say that if I could bring one fictional character to life, it would be Christian Grey.

*bows down to E. L. James* You have created a story that will go down in history as one of the best love stories ever written.

I'm not quite sure any image could accurately portray but I'll give it a shot, my Christian Grey.






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How do you kill a series? Let me count the ways!

This series showed so much promise. It could have been great. Instead it will go down in flames. What a terrible shame?

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars






Before I begin with the end, let's start at the beginning.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What a fabulous book! The world building was flawless with an intriguing cast of characters. Of course, most fell in love with the bad boy. She wrote it that way.

So on pins and needles we wait until the next book.

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


So like most readers, I was left scratching my head. This book read like a first in the series. The world building and character development was superb. But why would we need that, because there was a whole new cast and crew, save for two people.

Hestitantly, I went and purchased the third and final book in the series.

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



On the first pages, I thought wow, this book is going to have the promise of greatness. To start it off, Calla is getting hot and heavy with one of the guys. I mean who wouldn’t like that. But even as only a few pages past by, I knew what was to come to pass. I knew who Calla would end up with and I accepted it. So tell me why, why did Andrea feel the need to do what she did. THERE WAS NO NEED FOR IT!

I was not sure how to rate this book. It was entertaining and kept my interest throughout. It was definitely well written and I'm sure others would enjoy. But I was not happy. Though I assume the outcome from the first page, I felt Andrea Cremer felt the need to handle things a certain way so that some could accept Calla's fate. I on the out hand could only mourn, not once but twice at the bitter end. So for those that are looking at my rating, it is not a measure of the author's writing but how I felt about the story itself. I’m not sure that it was a good thing that a read this series. It feels like a waste and the HEA never came. I will mourn this book and this series.

And worst of all, Andrea Cremer is laughing all the way to the bank because we bought this stupid book and the other two that proceeded it. What a F'ing waste!

I feel like I should say so much more for a first book to start so great and end like this. Will I read more from Andrea Cremer, probably not. She’s a good writer but I don’t like how she twists her stories. So I’m not a fan!





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A MUST READ!! Blood Warrior (The Alexa Montgomery Saga #1) by H.D. Gordon

Blood Warrior by H.D. Gordon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is a young adult urban fantsy novel.


Book Summary

When her home is attacked by murderous vampires, 17-year-old Alexa is forced to leave her mother for dead in order to save her sister. She soon learns that she is the last known member of an elite race of supernatural Warriors, and is thrust into a world full of vampires and werewolves who all seem to regard her as some sort of savior. Meanwhile, Alexa battles a monster within herself that seeks to gain control; a monster that seeks blood.

The hidden city she finds herself in appears perfect, but Alexa's instincts tell her that all is not right within its walls. When she is asked to attend a school of fighters, whose exams consist of gladiator-style competitions, she must decide who she can trust among the smiling faces. And, when she meets Kayden, a vampire she feels undeniably drawn to, she must decide if she can trust herself.

My Review

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a cliff hanger. It wasn’t a horrible one. I just hated that the book ended. What I’m most happy about is that the release of book two is coming really really soon. And most importantly, why did I wait so long to read this one!

This is the best read for me so far this year!

What can I say about this book without giving away spoilers? Well, I can say that Alexia is a modern day Zena, Warrior Princess. She is a bad@ss! Gosh, I want to be like her when I grow up. She is a fierce fighter with a heart of gold. She is the kind of girl you want to call friend and not foe.

To say this book is nothing short of perfection maybe an understatement. I’ll show you why. There only one extremely small plot hole I could find. Being that there was only one tiny thing, you can imagine that this book is nothing short of spectacular.

This is the best read I’ve had this year so far, I say again. Soon, I’ll be a like Alexia while I become a champion for this story. So if you see someone with a banner saying “READ THIS BOOK”, that will be me. I couldn’t stop reading short of collapsing asleep. You won’t be disappointed at getting this book. It certainly warrants a higher price than the .99 cents for the eBook it is currently going for. Snap it up before that changes.

There was only one other small thing, but nothing that would affect my rating or recommendation on the book. About 40% of the way through, I was slammed why reading because I was reminded of a very popular book. It isn’t Twilight. But I won’t say what book it was, because if you didn’t or don’t notice, that is a very good thing. I hated that I even recognized the resemblance because as I continued to read, I started to draw parallels between the two. Thankfully, at some later point, I found myself no longer thinking about the other book. My mind only concentrated on the book at hand. Like I said, the book doesn’t mirror the other, so it deserves the rating it gets from me and other reviewer. But I would be remise if I didn’t mention it.

Who do I recommend to? Everyone. There is some violence, but if nothing gory. So hurry and pick this book up. You will not be disappointed.


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Indie Spotlight - Stone Bearers by R.E. Washington

Stone Bearers by R.E. Washington

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is a young adult paranormal romance.

Book Summary

There's a war going on and humanity is the prize.

Caught in a battle between two supernatural forces, five junior high students are killed. But Constance, Jonathan Avery, Maria, and Danielle return from the dead -- and they've changed.

They each carry a piece of a soul stone and with it they have extraordinary powers. Now they can summon weapons from thin air and even start fires with their minds. With these powers comes a connection they never wanted, and coming back from the dead hasn't wiped away the grudges between them. When one of them loses themselves to the power, they are soon caught in a battle against themselves and an enemy that wants to make sure that this time they stay dead.

My Review

This is a short story that has a potential to be a great middle grader read. This book was surprisingly interesting despite it was for a younger audience. Never did I feel that I was reading book not interesting enough for an adult yet it still was appropriate for young audiences.

The story certainly captures your attention and keeps hold of you to the end. The story didn’t lack for beginning, middle or end despite the length. I didn’t think that it needed to be longer. I only thought I can’t wait for the next adventure.

I did have a few questions. But if you want to see them, check out my spoiler review on Goodreads!

Overall, I liked this story and can’t wait to read something else from this author.


I would recommend to all readers.


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Indie Spotlight - Hotblood (House of Slide, #1) by Juliann Whicker

Hotblood by Juliann Whicker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a young adult paranormal romance.

Book Summary

He stole a kiss from the wrong girl…
Left without a soul, 17-year-old Dariana Sanders waited to die. There was nothing left to live for, nothing to feel besides the aching cold that never stopped. Her parent’s marriage was in shambles, and her brother, the only one who understood, the only one who knew how to make the cold go away, was gone forever. The only thing Dariana knew with absolute certainty was that nothing could possibly be right again. Enter Lewis Axel Nialls. Luckily for her, impossible is right up his alley. He can save her from the forces that wish to destroy her. Of course who’s going to save him, from her?

My Review

The book was like an engaging, intriguing, yet challenging like 500 pieces puzzle in a good way. This book is unlike any book I’ve ever read. This is always a good thing. But with all the world building and no prior knowledge about this world, it was sometimes a little disconcerting not understanding at once. But for me the author did a great job of answers most of my question on her own terms in the story. And I enjoy a good puzzle immensely.

Dariana as well as all the characters in the book were well developed and I found myself attached to Alex, Grim, and Satan. I really enjoyed this book so much. There were only a few times when I felt the story ended a little too abruptly moving onto a new part of the story leaving me wondering if I missed something. Also, there were a few conversations that I didn’t quite following. But neither happened often or took away my enjoyment of the book. I was surprised I was left with a few questions.

I had some questions about the story, but they are spoilers. If you want to see them, check out my review on Goodreads.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was believable at least as much as any paranormal story can be, lol. Everything moved at a realistic pace. Great job and I truly look forward to book two in this series.

I would recommend to everyone. Nothing in this story needs to be censored.


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