Review: One, Two, Three (One, Two, Three #1) by Elodie Nowodazkij

Title: One, Two, Three
Author: Elodie Nowadazkij
Series: One, Two, Three
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Publisher: Createspace
Publication date: June 26th 2014
Pages: 296 (paperback) 






When seventeen-year-old Natalya's dreams of being a ballerina are killed in a car accident along with her father, she must choose: shut down - like her mother - or open up to love.

Last year, seventeen-year-old Natalya Pushkaya was attending the School of Performing Arts in New York City. Last year, she was well on her way to becoming a professional ballerina. Last year, her father was still alive.

But a car crash changed all that - and Natalya can't stop blaming herself. Now, she goes to a regular high school in New Jersey; lives with her onetime prima ballerina, now alcoholic mother; and has no hope of a dance career.

At her new school, however, sexy soccer player Antonio sees a brighter future for Natalya, or at least a more pleasant present. Keeping him an arabesque away proves to be a challenge for Natalya and his patient charms her eventually draw her out of her shell.

When upsetting secrets come to light and Tonio's own problems draw her in, Natalya shuts down again, this time turning to alcohol herself.

Can Natalya learn to trust Antonio before she loses him - and destroys herself?

- Goodreads -

I love ballet so when I saw the cover of this book I immediately read the short description. It convinced me immediately to read the book. And I am glad I did read it.

One moment crushed Natalya’s dreams forever. One moment turned her life upside down forever. How can she manage to build a new life for herself with all the crumbles that are left from her old life? Natalya tries hard to balance everything in her life: her mother, her friends, a new school, dancing and a guy. She’s doing well until a huge secret is revealed. Natalya’s life turns upside down once again.

I really liked Natalya, for starters she wasn’t a quitter. The doctors told her that it would be almost impossible for her to dance ever again. But instead of pining over it she worked harder than anyone else so she could dance again. She had a problem at first with letting people close but it was understandable. If I went through the same as her I would probably react the same way. And in the end she let her walls down.
Tonio was a lovely guy, sure he had some major flaws. But that was what I loved the most about him, his flaws made him more real and realistic. And he really helped Natalya, in the end he has his heart in the right place and that’s what’s most important.

The writing felt a bit rough around the edges but it is the author’s debut novel so I am not complaining. The author can only grow from now on. The pace of the book was good. Enough happened to keep you interested and without it being rushed or to overwhelming.

The ending was half-open so I don’t know if the author intends to write a sequel or if she just wants us to guess how the story continues. If the author decides to write a sequel I am definitely going to read it.

One, Two, Three was a great book that dealt with loss and how to face the world again afterwards. 

El

Waiting on Wednesday #62: Misty Falls by Joss Stirling

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that I am anxiously awaiting is:

Misty Falls 

by Joss Stirling

Misty is a one-girl disaster zone. Born with a Savant's 'gift' that means she can never tell a lie, her compulsive truth-telling gets her into trouble wherever she goes.

So when she meets Alex: a gorgeous, confident, and impossibly charming, Misty instantly resolves to keep her distance... Someone so perfect could never be hers, surely?

But a dark shadow has fallen across the Savant community. A serial killer is stalking young people who have these special mental powers. Soon one of them will be taken to the edge of death... and beyond. 

- Goodreads -

Why I can't wait

Last year I read the Benedicts series by Joss Stirling and I liked it. This book takes place in the same world, so I am curious to see if the characters from the other books make an appearance in these books. 

Expected publication: October 2nd 2014

What are you waiting for this week? 

El

Author Interview: Paula Margulies author of Favorite Daughter

Title: Favorite Daughter, Part one

Author: Paula Margulies

Genre: Historical fiction

Publisher: One People Press

Publication date: July 21st 2014 

Pages: 194 (paperback)

Q & A with Paula Margulies

Q: Where and when do you write? 

A: In my home office mostly, although I try to sneak away to artist residencies whenever my teaching and client work schedule will allow. I usually write on Sundays, but that all depends on how much life intrudes (and it does that often, believe me!).

Q: Why did you write your book?  

A: I’ve always been fascinated with the story of Pocahontas, and since so much of her history has been told to us by English explorers like John Smith, I decided that retelling her story, from her perspective, might make for an interesting read.

Q: There have been many books written about Pocahontas. How is this book different? 

A: There are a number of differing versions of the history of that time, and much of what we know about Pocahontas comes from the writing of John Smith and the other colonists, who reported on what they found in the new land when they returned to England. Favorite Daughter, Part One is based on my research on works about her by Native Americans, many of whom tell a darker tale than the English history. Also, there aren’t many fictional works about that time from a Native American perspective, and the majority of those that do exist are written for young adults. Favorite Daughter, Part One is written for adults and focuses on Pocahontas’s coming of age into womanhood and becoming a wife and mother, in addition to her work as a representative of her tribe and, eventually, as a celebrity in England (that part of her story will be covered in Part Two).

Q: Are you of Native American heritage? 

A: No, both of my parents are of Italian descent. But my father, Douglas Roccaforte, loved Native American history and was a collector of American Indian artifacts, so I grew up with a deep appreciation of Native American culture and history.

Q: Whose work inspires you? 

A: So many authors inspire me that it’s hard to choose! I’ve always been a huge fan of the Southern gothic – William Faulkner and Flannery O’Connor are my all-time favorite writers. As a graduate student in English Literature, I studied Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Bellow, Doctorow, Didion, Heller, and Pynchon. Recent authors whose stories have haunted me, stunned me, or made me weep: Sherman Alexie, Ha Jin, Vikram Seth, David Mitchell, Barbara Kingsolver, Louise Erdrich, Jane Smiley, Jane Hamilton, Sena Jeter Naslund, Anna Quindlen, and Elizabeth Berg.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time? 

A: When I’m not working on my publicity business or teaching classes, I enjoy meditation, reading, writing, and experimenting with artisan bread recipes. In the summer, I try to go to as many local Native American pow wows as I can (there are quite a few here in the San Diego area), and I’ve been known to enjoy an Indian taco (or two) on occasion.

Q: What are the words you live by? 

A: Less is more (except when we’re talking about Indian tacos). ☺

El

Review: Go With Me (With Me #2) by Elyssa Patrick

Title: Go With Me
Author: Elyssa Patrick
Series: With Me
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: June 19th 2014
Publisher: Createspace
Pages: 322 (paperback)
Author links: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Source: Received from author, through Xpresso Reads

I, Daphne Fox, have a few things to confess: 

1. I hate Nick Brady. Loathe, Abhor. Can't stand him 95% of the time.

2. That other 5%? I'm not talking about that at all.

3. People think I'm lucky for surviving the car crash. I disagree. 

4. Nick is the only guy who makes my nightmares go away. 

5. I won't love him, though. Love is not worth the pain. 

I, Nick Brady, have a few confessions of my own. 

1. I don't hate Daphne Fox. At all.

2. I find her scar sexy. Just like the rest of her. 

3. I may be her older brother's best friend, but that's not going to stop me. 

4.  I love her.

5. And I'm going to do everything I can to have her. 

- Goodreads -

Author Elyssa Patrick did it once again. Go With Me was a heartbreaking New Adult book filled with hope, friendship and most of all love.

Nick Brady always knew how to push Daphne’s buttons. When they were together in the same room a fight between them was not far away. One single night changes everything. But Daphne has scares she’s afraid of showing to anyone. So when Nick tries to break down the walls she build around herself he’s met with some heavy resistance. However Nick is determined to show Daphne the way others sees her and especially how he sees her.

Daphne is one of those characters that you can’t help but like. She’s smart, sarcastic and extremely funny but she has a past that holds her back. As the sole survivor of a terrible accident Daphne is afraid to let herself completely go. Nick is a great guy he pushes Daphne to share her burden with other. But he never pushes her too much, he wants her to figure things out on her own. I really admired his braveness. He showed Daphne how much exactly he cared for her even though he knew that Daphne was closed off to everyone, including him.

Go With Me discusses a lot of heavy topics such as loss and life. But she made sure that it didn’t get depressing. Somehow she managed to bring some lightness into it, which I loved. Elyssa showed what it takes to connect with someone else. It brings you joy and sadness, for all the ups there might be as many downs. But in the end it are the good things that count in a relationship. This story felt so real and believable and that’s what made this book so different from other NA books. I can’t wait to read the next book in the With Me series! 

El

Waiting on Wednesday#61: The Fool (Virtual Arcana #0) by Karen Amanda Hooper

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that I am anxiously awaiting is:

The Fool

by Karen Amanda Hooper



The Matrix meets The Notebook (with a sprinkle of The Giver)

In a faraway future, Kelsey Zellar is starting her senior year at yet another school thanks to her twin sister's troublesome obsession with outlawed virtual reality games. 

Every school they’ve ever attended is pretty much the same: lunchroom drama, rich kids binging on enhancement candies, and classmates rallying for or against the government’s strict control over everything from entertainment privileges to caffeine consumption.

Unlike her sister, Kelsey follows the rules and keeps her nose out of trouble and politics while sniffing out her next flavored latte and favorite novel. But when Kelsey meets a charming book connoisseur, and accepts his offering of a tarot card, she takes the first step toward two new addictions: the guy of her dreams, and his illegal dealing of virtual escapes into her beloved storybooks.

Kelsey straddles the worlds of fiction and reality, but is she a fool for believing in her own happy ending?

**This series will be serial style with short episodes (15-25k) releasing frequently. 

For those who wants to wait for a longer, more complete story, a collection of the first 7 episodes, VIRTUAL ARCANA, Season 1, will be available once episode 7 has released**

- Goodreads -

Why I can't wait

I loved the Kindrily series by Karen, so any book she writes automatically ends up on my TBR list. Besides this whole synopsis sounds really interesting. On top of that I love the concept of releasing the "book" in pieces. That way we won't have to wait long in between two stories.

Expected publication date: September 2014

What are you waiting for this week?

El

Review: Sworn To Conflict (Courtlight #3) by Terah Edun

Title: Sworn To Conflict
Author: Terah Edun
Series: Courtlight
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Publication date: December 3rd 2013
Source: Netgalley









The latest release in the high fantasy series which has drawn comparisons to Kushiel's Dart, Graceling, and the epic world of Tamora Pierce.

Ciardis Weathervane fought for the living dead and won. But worse than taking on a mass murderer, was her discovery that she had been deceived by her friends. Now she needs to not only fight a war in the North and survive, but also decide where she stands in the midst of competing sides.

A threat to all she holds dear lies in the North and her heart is not the only thing she might lose. A massive army awaits in the mountain pass, surging closer to the gates of the southern lands. Nothing the Algardis army has done so far has dissuaded their march forward and Ciardis finds out that her powers enhance are needed now more than ever.

As she faces her greatest fears on the battlefields and her heart is torn between her love of Sebastian and loyalty to her family, Ciardis must choose her fate carefully. For in her path, lies the destiny of the empire.

This third novel continues the story of Ciardis Weathervane from Sworn To Transfer.

- Goodreads -

It has been a couple of months since I have read the Sworn to Transfer so it took me a while to recall what exactly happened in the previous book since this book picked up right after it.

Sworn to Transfer ended in the middle of a battle scene and to top it off Ciardis just find out that her life is not what she thought it was. It was now up to Ciardis to uncover the whole truth about her past, her friends and her family. So you can tell that she was confused about everything and didn’t know how to trust. But even though her life is a complete mess there is still a lot of humor in the situations she gets herself in.

Ciardis has grown a lot since the first books as well as Sebastian. They were both just kids when we first met them. But know they learned how to deal with their problems. And Ciardis developed more of her powers. Their romance was finally lifted to a higher level, which I loved since they had it coming since book one. The sudden change came a bit out of nowhere and they still have a long way to go but it was great to see.

Overall, this is a great YA fantasy series. Every book is different from the previous one in a refreshing way. I can’t wait to read my copy of the next book in this series!

El

Review: Lost in Starlight (Starlight Saga #1) by Sherry Soule

Title: Lost in Starlight
Author: Sherry Soule
Series: Sarlight Saga
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Publisher: Disenchanted Publishing
Publication date: June 26th 2014
Pages: 350 (ebook)
Source: received from author
Buy links: Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | All Romance




High school is tough. Romance with a sexy alien - even tougher.

Star reporter Sloane Masterson knows she has one helluva story when she witnesses hottie Hayden Lancaster bending forks with his mind.
  Like any good journalist, Sloane sets out to uncover the truth, even if it includes a little stalking. When the superhuman feats start to pile up and the undeniable heat rises between them, Hayden has no choice but to reveal his secret: he's an alien hybrid.

They're as different as night and day - she's a curvy, purple-haired, horror junkie and he's a smoking hot, antisocial, brainiac - yet the intense fascination between them refuses to go away. Even at Hayden's insistence that dating each other is "off limits" and dangerous, their fiery attraction threatens to go supernova.

Now Sloane's learning to deal with creepy government agents, über snobby extraterrestrials, and getting a crash course on the rules of interstellar dating. But Sloane must decide if their star-crossed romance is worth risking her own life...

- Goodreads -

Ever since I read The Lux series by Jennifer Armentrout I’m in love with alien books. So Lost in Starlight was perfect for me.

Sloane is an average teenage girl that loves horror movies. She’s a little eccentric with her purple hair and her choice of clothing. But just like every teenager she’s insecure sometimes, especially when it comes to her weight. Sloane has some rockin curves. This is the first reason why I loved this book, in almost every young adult book I’ve ever read the girl is skinny but this book shows that you can be beautiful too when your weight is a little higher than average.  

Ever since Hayden came to her school earlier in the year she has been fascinated by him. So when she gets the chance to write an article about him for the school newspaper she doesn’t hesitate a moment to accept the job. Something makes Hayden different than all the other boys in school. And Sloane is determined to find out his secret.
Hayden is a great guy, he’s smart, kind and unique. He protects the ones that he loves in the way he thinks best. Even if it might hurt them. After all Sloane and Hayden have everything against them. Their relationship is forbidden and if anyone ever found out the consequences could be dramatic.

Lost in Starlight is a perfect combination of love, action and suspense. It was a great turn pager and so much happened that it kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait till the second book in this series comes out. 

El