1/23/15

My Quirky Taste In Books!

    Everyone has their different taste in books. It can be anything from a type of genre that they like, to the style of writing they prefer. Whatever it may be, everyone has a preference. I don’t know about you, but I have certain things that I look for in books as far as the plot goes. I look for six things to be specific. Now, not all of the books I read have to have all six plot lines (although if it did it would probably be my all-time favorite book of life), but most of the books I read have at least one of these things in the plot. You are probably wondering what those six things are, aren’t you? Well, I am here to tell you all about my weird and quirky taste in books.


1. When a book features a plus size heroine.
    It is so hard to find these kinds of books in the Young Adult genre, which is really sad, but that is why I love so many Adult Romance novels because they feature plus sized heroines a lot more. Props to them. I love it because I can relate to these heroines, which is key for me when reading. Usually these plus sized heroines are either feisty and a no nonsense kind of person or shy and self-conscious. I can relate to both types equally.
2. Kick butt heroines who are secretly vulnerable.
    When I am reading a fantasy or paranormal book I melt when the heroine is kicking butt and being fiery, and all of the sudden a guy comes along and breaks down her hard exterior. Then for once, she doesn’t have to be tough 24/7. She can be vulnerable around the guy she loves and she doesn’t have to feel weak because of it. I’m such a sucker for that.
3. When a heroine gets rejected by a guy, but he ends up falling for her later in the book.
    This is one of my favorite plot lines in a book. All girls want to be wanted, and it makes us feel powerful when a guy who didn’t like us before finally notices us. This gives us the power to rub it in their face. I know, I am mean, but I love the drama of a girl being chased by a guy who actively rejected her before, and she shows him what he is missing. It is always fun to watch our heroes squirm, don’t you think?
4. Revenge
    Oh boy, do I love a good revenge filled book. Don’t judge me. You may call me blood thirsty, but I love it when a heroine gets revenge on those who wronged her. Who wouldn’t?!
5. When a heroine has been injured or almost killed
    Now, I know y’all are reading this thinking I am totally insane, but hear me out. You have all read a story where a heroine is always the strong one and saving the day and she is always risking herself. Then along comes the hero always worrying for her when no one else did, and he loves her but never confesses it. However, one time she risks herself to save others and she is critically injured, and then suddenly the hero realized that he could lose her. Now, instead of the heroine saving the day, someone is taking care of her for a change. I love it when in these situations the hero never leaves her side and she has everyone she didn’t think cared, worrying for her. I just cannot get enough of this type of plot line. This happens a lot in Adult Paranormal books and that is why I love them so much.
6. Lastly, best friends falling in love with each other.
    I lose my mind over these stories. My heart does funny things when a girl starts to realize that she loves her best friend and then she begins to try and win him over in odd ways. The heroine begins to date other guys to see how her guy friend would react. That is when he starts to get jealous. However, when she gets her feelings hurt, which usually happens, her guy best friend confesses his feelings for her. *flails uncontrollably* my heart always jumps for joy when I read these books. I cannot get enough of them.
     Those are my quirky tastes in books!  Do I seem crazier to you or can you relate? I always thought I was weird because I have such specific tastes in books. Have you read books with plots like these? Do you have quirky tastes of your own? Comment below or tweet me and tell me. I would love to know!

1/19/15

Bridges Burned by Chris Cannon Book Blitz & Review!



Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2) by Chris Cannon is finally here! I have anxiously been awaiting this day because I love this series. Going Down in Flames was one of my favorite books of 2014 (you can read my review of it here: http://thehopelessreader.blogspot.com/2014/08/going-down-in-flames-by-chris-cannon.html ), and Bridges Burned is a favorite of 2015, for sure. In this post I will review Bridges Burned, share a little excerpt, host a special giveaway, and share a little about Chris Cannon! Read on if you dare.


Don't just fight the system…burn it.

Since discovering she is a shape-shifting, fire-breathing dragon on her sixteenth birthday (surprise!), Bryn McKenna’s world has been thrown into chaos. Being a “crossbreed”—part Red dragon and part Blue—means Bryn will never fit in. Not with dragon society. Not with the archaic and controlling Directorate. And definitely not when she has striped hair and a not-so-popular affection for rule-breaking…

But sneaking around with her secret boyfriend, Zavien, gets a whole lot harder when he’s betrothed to someone else. Someone who isn't a mixed breed and totally forbidden. And for an added complication, it turns out Bryn’s former archnemesis Jaxon Westgate isn’t quite the evil asshat she thought. Now she’s caught between her desire to fit in and a need to set things on fire. Literally.

Because if Bryn can’t adapt to the status quo…well, then maybe it’s time for her to change it.

Review:

    First of all, the cover of this book is gorgeous. I thought the cover of Going Down in Flames was amazing, but this cover is a serious eye catcher. I want to have a poster of it, honestly. To match the cover, the story inside blew me away. Bridges Burned starts off where Going Down in Flames ended. I had no idea what to expect in this book and what I got surprised the hell out of me. I missed Bryn’s sassiness and thank god it was back tenfold in Bridges Burned.  My heart literally ached for Bryn in this book. I am so attached to her and I shed a lot of tears because of the events in this book.

    I just can't get over what Chris has done to Bryn. She gets even more headstrong and sassy this time, and she really is a heroine that I cheer for. Bryn is a character that will inspire you to stand up for what you believe in. She doesn't back down without a fight and I love it. Zavien, on the other hand, really pissed me off in this book. I adored him in Going Down in Flames, but in this book his attitude made my heart hurt for Bryn. I didn't like the way he seemed to disappear in the second half of the book, and we better see him again so that Bryn can shoot a fireball at his head. I may have cried because of him being such a dirt bag.  Thank God for Valmont because he was my saving grace in this book. Every scene with him in it had me cheering for him and Bryn; every scene is electric between them. He is so sweet and so dedicated to her that you can't help but fall in love with him. I want a knight like him in my life.

    The action wasn't in the forefront in this book as it was in Going Down in Flames, but there was still enough action to satisfy those looking for a fight. This book focuses more on finding out who is behind the attacks on the dragons and Bryn learning more about the dragons and herself. I love this book so much. I didn't think the world of this book could get any better, but I was wrong. Bridges Burned is full of heartbreak but also mystery, adventure, dragons, and comedic relief. It is also full of thrilling scenes that will have you hungry for revenge. The ending left me wanting, no, needing more. This book filled me with heartache, jealousy, and resolve to find out who is attacking Bryn. I am so proud of this book, and it's not even mine. This series deserves to have awards and more recognition because it's a series that is phenomenal. Bridges Burned is a book that shouldn't be overlooked. I loved every minute of it. I give it five out of five stars, easily.


Now, how about a special treat? Below is an excerpt from the book AND a giveaway! This excerpt is one of my favorites from the book and the giveaway is filled with swag!

Excerpt :

Valmont helped clean the mess from dinner. “Need anything else before I go?”

“No. Thanks for coming to check on me.”

“If I could, I’d camp outside your door just to make sure you were safe.” He sighed. “Knowing you could’ve been hurt eats away at me. And yes, I know it sounds like I’m obsessed, but since I became your knight, you’re my number one focus. I tried asking around for advice, but there hasn’t been a citizen of Dragon’s Bluff who’s stepped forth to protect a dragon in more than a century.”

“Why did you intervene that day?”

He clasped her right hand between his and stared at her like she was the most beautiful creature in the world. “There’s something about you, something special, something worth fighting for.”

Wow. If there ever was a perfect thing for a guy to say, that was it.




Now here is the giveaway! You should really enter!


GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway



About the Author:

I love reading and writing snarky, kick-butt characters who take on the world and win.

My truths: You can never have too many books, shoes, or purses.

Coffee is the Elixir of Life.

There should be a National Nerf Bat Day where you are allowed to whack annoying people upside the head.

Author Links:







Book Blitz Organized by: YA Bound Book Tours