So, it probably doesn't seem that long ago that I was excited to introduce you to the fabulous Dante Walker...oh, wait! That's 'cause it was only April when I was touting that
2013 Belongs to Dante. Well, he's back, baby, and he is better than ever! Check out my review of
The Liberator and scroll down for a giveaway!
Title: The Liberator
Author: Victoria Scott
Series: Dante Walker, book #2
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Purchase: Amazon |
Barnes & Noble |
The Book Depository
Bad boy, meet bad girl.
Dante has a shiny new cuff wrapped around his ankle, and he doesn't like that mess one bit. His new accessory comes straight from Big Guy himself and marks the former demon as a liberator. Despite his gritty past and bad boy ways, Dante Walker has been granted a second chance.
When Dante is given his first mission as a liberator to save the soul of seventeen-year-old Aspen, he knows he’s got this. But Aspen reminds him of the rebellious life he used to live and is making it difficult to resist sinful temptations. Though Dante is committed to living clean for his girlfriend Charlie, this dude’s been a playboy for far too long…and old demons die hard.
With Charlie becoming the girl she was never able to be pre-makeover and Aspen showing him how delicious it feels to embrace his inner beast, Dante will have to go somewhere he never thought he’d return to in order to accomplish the impossible: save the girl he’s been assigned to, and keep the girl he loves.
Dante's character took a little getting used to in
The Collector. But I grew to love his swagger and his self-absorbed ways. And he showed tremendous character growth in the first book. That said, it took
a lot to get used to this new and improved Dante in
The Liberator. He's not himself. He doesn't know how to be a liberator, but he's trying his best. And yet, this dude stays locked inside his own head for a good portion of the first half of the book.
Talk about a complete 180. Dante worries --
a lot -- about his relationship with Charlie, about his status as a liberator, and about how he's going to keep Charlie safe. It was actually kind of cute. And then he's given this new mission, which takes him away from his beloved Charlie, and he worries even more. Dante can't fathom how he's supposed to liberate the soul of a girl who is his equal in every way. It's enough to drive a guy crazy. But after Dante has his little pity party, he's back to being awesome. Annoyingly so, but still. :)
There are quite a few new additions to the cast of characters, as well as the return of some old friends. ;0) And if you're worried about the possible love triangle hinted at in the synopsis, fret not. Aspen is awesome and spunky and fierce, but more than anything, she is a friend to Dante and Charlie. Dante sees some of himself in her, but he never looks at her the way he does Charlie. Charlie is his world, and that's that.
I was happy to see that the villains were more prevalent and took on a more sinister role this time around. Not that they were non-existent before, but they were lurkers. In this sequel, those bad guys have upped the ante and have added to their ranks. This is truly a story of good versus evil, a battle between Heaven and Hell, and the bad guys aren't ready to give up just yet.
The Liberator got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but once it hit its stride, I was reminded of why I enjoyed the first book so much. This installment is more action-packed and intense, I think, but it also packs a more emotional punch, as everyone seems to be battling their own demons. I'm really enjoying Victoria Scott's take on angels and demons and what they're ultimately fighting for, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.
Rating: 
About the author:
I’m a teen fiction writer with a die-hard affection for dark and humorous books. My work is represented by Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger literary agency. I have a master’s degree in marketing, and currently live in Dallas with my husband, Ryan.
My first series started with THE COLLECTOR, and was published by Entangled Teen in April 2013. The second book in the trilogy, THE LIBERATOR, will release August 2013. My next series kicks off with FIRE & FLOOD and is being published by Scholastic, February 2014.
Find Victoria:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | Youtube | Dante’s Website
a signed copy of THE LIBERATOR & a signed copy of TWILIGHT, international
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure to check out the rest of The Liberator blog tour hosted by
YA Bound Book Tours. Click
HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!
Thanks for stopping by & happy reading!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
{Mini} Reviews: Solving for Ex by Leigh Ann Kopans & Where You'll Find Me by Erin Fletcher
Author: Leigh Ann Kopans
Series: n/a
Publisher: indie/self-published
Publication Date: February 11, 2014
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
I love best friends romances. But for a long time, I wasn't sure that's where this story was headed. And that was okay. Until it wasn't. I'm being intentionally vague, but there's just so much miscommunication and avoidance and underhandedness among the characters in this story that I just couldn't appreciate it for the cute little romance it endeavored to be.
Solving for Ex has its moments. Those nerdy math jokes were really cute. And both Brendan and Ashley were adorably clueless. But bad decision-making and stereotypical behavior made the rest of the story sort of tedious. Beyond that, it was easy to guess the plot twist that shifted everything for the characters.
While this book wasn't quite what I was expecting, I still had fun reading it and enjoyed myself enough that I still want to pick up the author's other series. I'm sure many readers will find this book absolutely adorable, but I'm looking for just a bit more from my contemporary reads.
Author: Erin Fletcher
Series: n/a
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Where You'll Find Me does not attempt to be humorous or provide comic relief. But it does try a little too hard to be so terribly tragic. The two main characters are hiding their horrible pasts from each other and refuse to face their own pasts, each choosing their own manner of running away from their problems. But I didn't find either of their pasts all that terrible. Sure, their families' reactions to those events is kind of horrible but nothing a little grief counseling couldn't mend.
Everyone thinks their own personal tragedy is the worst. And some people might be right. So, I won't pass judgment on how unspeakable Hanley and Nate's tragedies are or even deign to compare the two. But I do think that the whole "guy living in your garage" aspect is a little hard to swallow, if not implausible. And trusting the guy living in your garage and aiding his refuge in your garage is even more improbable. Hanley questions his motives and how dangerous Nate is for all of about five minutes before agreeing to his cockamamie plan.
Le sigh. Teenagers don't always make the best decisions, though. In fact, I probably know a few who might be as easily coerced as Hanley. Especially if a hot guy was doing the asking. So, I guess I can overlook that point for now. Aside from that, I found the characters intriguing and I wanted to see how this whole scenario played out. And I have to admit, I was pulling for these kids to get their act together, even with parents who were so unable to see the whole picture.
This book is sad, but it has some uplifting moments, as well. I liked it. I could see myself reading more from this author. She made me feel for these characters even when I thought they were behaving stupidly. And there's something to that.
It's been a little while since I read both of these books, but I do remember enjoying Where You'll Find Me just a bit more than Solving for Ex, despite giving them both the same rating. WYFM is just a bit grittier, a little meatier than SFE.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
{Blog Tour} The Liberator by Victoria Scott: Review + Giveaway
So, it probably doesn't seem that long ago that I was excited to introduce you to the fabulous Dante Walker...oh, wait! That's 'cause it was only April when I was touting that 2013 Belongs to Dante. Well, he's back, baby, and he is better than ever! Check out my review of The Liberator and scroll down for a giveaway!
Author: Victoria Scott
Series: Dante Walker, book #2
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Dante has a shiny new cuff wrapped around his ankle, and he doesn't like that mess one bit. His new accessory comes straight from Big Guy himself and marks the former demon as a liberator. Despite his gritty past and bad boy ways, Dante Walker has been granted a second chance.
When Dante is given his first mission as a liberator to save the soul of seventeen-year-old Aspen, he knows he’s got this. But Aspen reminds him of the rebellious life he used to live and is making it difficult to resist sinful temptations. Though Dante is committed to living clean for his girlfriend Charlie, this dude’s been a playboy for far too long…and old demons die hard.
With Charlie becoming the girl she was never able to be pre-makeover and Aspen showing him how delicious it feels to embrace his inner beast, Dante will have to go somewhere he never thought he’d return to in order to accomplish the impossible: save the girl he’s been assigned to, and keep the girl he loves.
Dante's character took a little getting used to in The Collector. But I grew to love his swagger and his self-absorbed ways. And he showed tremendous character growth in the first book. That said, it took a lot to get used to this new and improved Dante in The Liberator. He's not himself. He doesn't know how to be a liberator, but he's trying his best. And yet, this dude stays locked inside his own head for a good portion of the first half of the book.
Talk about a complete 180. Dante worries -- a lot -- about his relationship with Charlie, about his status as a liberator, and about how he's going to keep Charlie safe. It was actually kind of cute. And then he's given this new mission, which takes him away from his beloved Charlie, and he worries even more. Dante can't fathom how he's supposed to liberate the soul of a girl who is his equal in every way. It's enough to drive a guy crazy. But after Dante has his little pity party, he's back to being awesome. Annoyingly so, but still. :)
There are quite a few new additions to the cast of characters, as well as the return of some old friends. ;0) And if you're worried about the possible love triangle hinted at in the synopsis, fret not. Aspen is awesome and spunky and fierce, but more than anything, she is a friend to Dante and Charlie. Dante sees some of himself in her, but he never looks at her the way he does Charlie. Charlie is his world, and that's that.
I was happy to see that the villains were more prevalent and took on a more sinister role this time around. Not that they were non-existent before, but they were lurkers. In this sequel, those bad guys have upped the ante and have added to their ranks. This is truly a story of good versus evil, a battle between Heaven and Hell, and the bad guys aren't ready to give up just yet.
The Liberator got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but once it hit its stride, I was reminded of why I enjoyed the first book so much. This installment is more action-packed and intense, I think, but it also packs a more emotional punch, as everyone seems to be battling their own demons. I'm really enjoying Victoria Scott's take on angels and demons and what they're ultimately fighting for, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.
Rating:
I’m a teen fiction writer with a die-hard affection for dark and humorous books. My work is represented by Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger literary agency. I have a master’s degree in marketing, and currently live in Dallas with my husband, Ryan.
My first series started with THE COLLECTOR, and was published by Entangled Teen in April 2013. The second book in the trilogy, THE LIBERATOR, will release August 2013. My next series kicks off with FIRE & FLOOD and is being published by Scholastic, February 2014.
Find Victoria:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Goo
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Be sure to check out the rest of The Liberator blog tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours. Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!
Thanks for stopping by & happy reading!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
{Excerpt} The Liberator by Victoria Scott + Giveaway
Eeek! So, you guys know I had so much fun with The Collector and getting to attend the release party for the book. And the fun continues! As part of the V Mafia, I get to share an official excerpt for the sequel today! And not only do I have an excerpt, but the V Mafia is also offering up a digital copy of The Collector, for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of making Dante's acquaintance yet. =)
Author: Victoria Scott
Series: Dante Walker, book #2
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Dante has a shiny new cuff wrapped around his ankle, and he doesn't like that mess one bit. His new accessory comes straight from Big Guy himself and marks the former demon as a liberator. Despite his gritty past and bad boy ways, Dante Walker has been granted a second chance.
When Dante is given his first mission as a liberator to save the soul of seventeen-year-old Aspen, he knows he’s got this. But Aspen reminds him of the rebellious life he used to live and is making it difficult to resist sinful temptations. Though Dante is committed to living clean for his girlfriend Charlie, this dude’s been a playboy for far too long…and old demons die hard.
With Charlie becoming the girl she was never able to be pre-makeover and Aspen showing him how delicious it feels to embrace his inner beast, Dante will have to go somewhere he never thought he’d return to in order to accomplish the impossible: save the girl he’s been assigned to, and keep the girl he loves.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Are you swooning yet? ;0)
Thursday, May 9, 2013
{Blog Tour} The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller: Review + Giveaway
Author: Leah Rae Miller
Series: n/a
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Source: eARC received from Rockstar Tours for blog tour
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.
There is just so much to love about The Summer I Became a Nerd. It's cute and funny and sweet, and well, just plain adorkable! I, myself, am a huge nerd, though I think it's pretty obvious that I don't try to conceal that fact.
I envied Maddie, getting to LARP with the likes of Logan and Dan. My only experience with LARPing is through Little Brother, another nerdy book that I enjoyed quite a bit. And, honestly, now that I think about it, that was actually a big scavenger hunt and maybe there was no LARPing involved? So, yeah, terribly jealous. I'm not a gamer girl, but I think I'd be awesome at LARP. Just sayin'.
So, yeah, I liked the LARP aspect. I giggled at all of The Princess Bride references. (It is my favorite movie ever.) And I loved how much this book reminded me of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, complete with battle of the evil exes. The only thing I didn't like was how Maddie continually denied her own happiness simply for the sake of keeping up appearances. That is the main focus of the book, but I just found the justification for her actions, the underlying reason, to be without merit. However, when it comes time to confront the truth and make amends, Maddie mans up and I can appreciate that.
I can also appreciate the cute nerdy boy she has a big ole crush on. Logan actually reminded me of the guy I was hard-core crushing on in high school. And just like Maddie, I thought his dorkiness made him that much cooler. And much like Maddie, I was dating someone else when he finally announced his feelings for me. It made for an awkward situation...in both cases. But I loved seeing how it played out, even if Maddie didn't always do the honorable thing. Does the nerd get the girl? You shall have to read to find out.
If you are a nerd, have nerdish tendencies, are friends with a nerd, or are crushing on a nerd, I think you'll enjoy this fun and quirky book. The Summer I Became a Nerd is the romance novel for those of us who'd rather find true love in a comic book store than at the lifeguard stand. It's not your average summer beach read, but it's full of clever, nerdy banter and timeless sci-fi and comic book clichés that even your most closeted nerd can appreciate.
Rating:
Mother, wife, and YA author living on a windy hill in Natchitoches, Louisiana. I love fuzzy socks, comic books, cherry coke, and brand new office supplies. THE SUMMER I BECAME A NERD coming Summer 2013 from Entangled Teen. Stay cool!
Find Leah Rae Miller:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for stopping by & happy reading!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Teaser Tuesday #56: The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller & Flat-Out Love by Jessica Park
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Author: Leah Rae Miller
Series: n/a
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Source: eARC received from Rockstar Tours for blog tour
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.
Hmm. I like this guy already. Seems to me that Maddie needs someone to give her the what-for. =) Stop back by on Thursday for my review as part of the blog tour for this book, hosted by Rockstar Book Tours.
Author: Jessica Park
Series: Flat-Out Love, book #1
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Publication Date: November 17, 2012
Source: purchased audio
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
This book is pretty humorous, and I love how sarcastic and witty Julie is. Jen just finished the audio and gave it five stars, so I think I'm going to like it. :)
What are you teasing this week? Share it in the comments or leave a link so we can visit!
Monday, April 8, 2013
{Event} Victoria Scott Signing & The Collector Release Party + Giveaway
2013 is the Year of Dante!!! In addition to hosting a review stop (complete with giveaway!) on the 2013 Belongs to Dante Tour, I also had the opportunity to attend The Collector Release Party on Saturday. I just love Victoria Scott to death. She's just so funny and sweet and an overall awesome human being, and even better? She's a Dallasite like myself! The second I found out she'd be doing a signing here, I knew I had to
rearrange my schedule so that I could attend.
There were cupcakes and a raffle and general merriment, but sadly, I couldn't stay long. I'd had a ru-heally long day, thanks to getting up at 5am for that 5k run my sis conned me into signing up for, plus I had to get home to my kiddo so my husband could get to his plans for the night. But don't think I didn't consider it when V invited us to attend the adult release party at Dragonfly at Hotel ZaZa! :D
And thanks to spending the entire day with my sis, I am **THIS** close to getting her to agree to be my co-blogger. We're still working out the arrangement and there are stipulations, but I am so excited! If Dante had told her to do it sooner, she probably would have jumped at the chance. He is that good! =)
And, being the awesome person that she is, Victoria signed an extra copy of The Collector for me to giveaway right here:
Thanks for entering, good luck & happy reading! And in the words of Dante, POW! =)
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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