Book Review: Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Title: Dare You To
Author: Katie McGarry
Series: Pushing the Limits #2
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance

Summary (Goodreads): 

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

My Thoughts: 


**an eARC was provided by publisher in exchange of an honest review.**

Last year, Pushing the Limits, the first book in the series, was one of my favorite books, and since then I've been stalking Katie McGarry's website for any news about her upcoming books. When I saw the cover for Dare You To and knew it was about Beth, I wasn't sure I was going to love her. I mean, in Pushing the Limits I wasn't her biggest fan. I felt sorry for her, but I didn't love her. However, once I started Dare You To, all my old feelings against Beth disappeared and I found myself crying for her.

This book isn't rainbows and puppies, it isn't happy story with flying unicorns. It's heart-breaking, it's painful and so frustrating. I was already pulling my hair out with tears in my eyes at the injustice of Beth's life before I was finished with the first chapter. I knew from Pushing the Limits that her home life wasn't perfect, but I never understood her until I started Dare You To. She was suffering from so much, yet she tried to help those who hurt her the most at any cost, wearing a facade of a heartless bitch to protect herself. And there is Ryan. I have to admit that I had a hate-love relationship with him at the beginning because of how hard he was being on Beth, but the longer I read, the more I loved him. He is understanding, he has problems of his own, he is passionate and let's not forget, hot. He made me swoon many times and OMG I JUST LOVE HIM SO MUCH! Seriously, I just wanted to kiss him and hug and okay, I might have wanted to throw something at him once or twice, but I still loved him and I never wanted the book to end.

I finished Dare You To in one day even though I had my math finale in the same week, but I just couldn't stop once I started reading. I always read on my way to school because it takes forty minutes and I rather read than do nothing, so I opened Dare You To and I started reading it in the tram. Even though it takes forty minutes to get to school, that wasn't enough time for me, so I missed my stop because I was so hooked in and didn't pay attention to anything. When I finally noticed, I was half an hour late and I missed my first class. When I finished Dare You To, I didn't know if I should cry or laugh, but I was exhausted from the emotional roller coaster of the book and I seriously can't wait for Isaiah  book because my heart broke for him so many times in this book and I cried for him.

So, people, read this book, it's a must-read written by an amazing writing that is fast becoming one of my favorites.

Rating: 

Book Blitz: Inspire by Heather Buchine (Interview and Giveaway)

Inspire  by Heather Buchine
Publication date: March 31st 2013
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:
18-year old Paige Rice, an exquisite beauty from East Hampton, NY, has just celebrated her high school graduation and is expecting to spend her summer living it up with all her socialite friends. But her parents have a different idea – she is being hauled away-literally- to the mountains of Vermont for the entire summer- in an RV!

Assuming she will be an outcast amongst the other teens at the campground still does not prepare her for the treatment she receives, which is far worse than she imagined. She also isn’t prepared for Travis, the campground owner’s son and the “Sexiest” guy she has ever laid eyes on. Travis is the only one who shows any interest in getting to know Paige. The only problem is that they have to explore what lies between them in secret. But once all the secrets are stripped away, the truth may be crushing.

***Intended for mature audiences due to language and sexual content***

Interview with the author:

1. Where did the idea for Inspire come from?

I was actually camping with my family when the idea for the story came to me.  We had just hiked through the woods down to a lake, and I was staring out at the boats when it hit me.  I spent the rest of the afternoon “daydreaming” away.

2. How did you come up with the name of the title?

My protagonist, Paige, has a tattoo that inspired the title “Inspire.” It’s also a key part of her character.

3.  What was the hardest part of writing Inspire? The easiest?

The hardest part of writing the book was writing the ending.  It took a couple of drafts before I was happy with the way I was leaving off.  (I’m trying not to give too much away, so I’ll leave it at that.) The easiest part was writing the dialogue between Paige and Travis, and the “LOVE” scenes. They were fun to write!!

4. Are you working on any other projects?

Yes. At least two of the other characters from this book are getting their own stories, and then there are a couple other projects in the works. 

5. Do you have a specific writing process?

I really consider myself a mix between a panster and a plotter. The first part of my process is visualizing the characters and the main scenes of the book.  My mind starts playing them out like a movie, and so I write it down exactly how I see it.  Then, I go back and fill in the story around those scenes until I have a book that I would like to jump into.  Although I outline my book ahead of time, things always change along the way as I get to know my characters better. 

6.  Do you have a certain time of day where you feel most creative?

Honestly, not really.  I usually always have a notebook nearby so that I can scribble down things as they come to me.  I could be in the shower, in the car, running through the check-out line, or making dinner and something may hit me. 

7. Do you have any favorite authors?

Yes, I have LOTS of favorite authors, but the two that stick out the most are: S.C. Stephens and Abbi Glines.  Their stories come to life for me, and I have a thing for their leading men!

8. What tips or advice do you have for other aspiring writers?

My first tip would be to write what you love! Second, edit, edit and edit some more. And third, if you’re a self-published author, let someone else do your formatting.  (Your time saved is so worth the money!)

AUTHOR BIO

By no surprise my favorite hobbies are reading and writing. But beyond escaping into the written fantasy world, I love experiencing new things. Surfing, motorcycle riding, snow blading, glass blowing, parasailing, SUP boarding are just a few that I have checked off my bucket list, but there is still so much more to explore. Right now, being a mom is my biggest adventure and the best by far!! In the quiet calm hours of the night though, I can usually be found typing away creating a world of romance where drama still exists but love (hopefully!!) always prevails.

Author Links:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook

Giveaway:

Fill the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win Inspire. The giveaway ends June 7th and is open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Cover Reveals: Picture Perfect and Subject To Change by Alessandra Thomas

Hello, guys! It's cover revealing time! Today I have several sovers to reveal, two of them are from Alessandra Thomas, Subject to Change and a new cover for Picture Perfect. both covers are amazingly hot and beautiful and I love them. Check them out and let me know what you think of them!

SUBJECT TO CHANGE:

Joey made her dad a deathbed promise that she would become a doctor, and dedicate herself to fighting the very cancer that took his life. There’s just one problem -three years into her pre-med classes, she's struggling to stay on top of the curve, let alone prove she's dazzling enough to earn a spot in an Ivy League medical school. In a Hail Mary move, she throws a basic Business 101 class into her semester schedule, banking on a perfect score to boost her GPA.

That is, until she’s paired for a final project with Hawk, the bartending, motorbike-riding, gorgeously bedheaded loser who falls asleep in class and communicates in one-word sentences.

Hawk does whatever he wants, whenever he wants, which sets Joey on edge – in every possible way. As they get to know each other, her urge to scream at him is curbed only by her fantasies of tearing his clothes off. Soon those fantasies become reality, and Joey realizes Hawk makes her feel more fully herself than any of the rich boys her mother and sorority sisters approve of.

But the promise to her father hangs over her head, and the harder Joey tries to succeed in her chosen career, the faster everything falls into a hopeless tailspin of bad grades, broken promises and guilt. It doesn't help to have Hawk sitting like a devil on her shoulder, insisting she should be free to live however she wants to live - like he does.

The only thing Joey knows is that her neatly organized life is crushing her - and Hawk's bad attitude might be the only thing that can save her.

PICTURE PERFECT:

Fashion design major Cat Mitchell has a closet full of gorgeous clothes - and not a single thing fits. After two years of runway modeling for easy cash, an accident shattered her lower leg bone and her self-esteem in just one swift fall. Ten months of no exercise, prescription steroids, comfort eating and yoga pants meant returning to campus as a size twelve instead of her former size two. When her gorgeous long-time friend with benefits sees her for the first time after her accident and snubs her in front of all her friends, Cat’s self-image hits rock bottom. Her sorority sisters all insist that she looks gorgeous, but all Cat sees is the roll of her stomach when she sits down, or the dimpling at the back of her thighs that wasn't there last year. Cat’s therapist prescribes something radical to stop the downward spiral - nude modeling for a nearby college's human form drawing classes. When Cat faces her fears and bares it all for the class, she realizes that she's posing naked in front the most gorgeous, buffest guy she's ever seen in her life. He asks her out after the class, and after one steamy night together, Cat's absolutely smitten.

 

Nate’s pretty close to perfect – he takes Cat rock climbing when he discovers that it makes her feel strong and becomes a great chef after he learns that the perfect pesto sauce makes her swoon. Cat starts to feel like her old self again - confident and beautiful - as long as Nate's around. Even when he discourages her from entering the Real Woman Project, a design competition for plus-sized apparel, she reasons that he's just trying to prevent old body image wounds from splitting wide open again. But when Cat goes home with Nate for Thanksgiving, she discovers something shocking from his recent past that proves that he hasn’t always been so encouraging of women of all shapes and sizes. Cat has no idea what to think, but she does know one thing - this might destroy their relationship before it's even had a chance to get off the ground.

Before Cat can figure out whether the real Nate is the sensitive, adoring guy she fell in love with, or an undercover asshole, she'll have to finally feel comfortable in her own skin - even if it means leaving him forever.

Picture Perfect B&N/Picture Perfect Amazon

ABOUT ALESSANDRA THOMAS:

Alessandra Thomas is a New Adult writer who swears she was in her twenties yesterday. Since she's not, she spends her time looking back on her college years fondly, and writing sexy stories about guys and
girls falling in love and really living life for the first time. When she's not writing, you can find her with a spoonful of ice cream in one hand and the newest New Adult release in the other.

LINKS:

Facebook/Twitter

Cover Reveal: Off the Record by Sawyer Bennett

OMG guys, it's Jay Byars! The guys is so hot H-O-T! and he's on the cover for Off the Record by Sawyer Bennett. Check out the cover below and then head over to the author's blog for the exclusive interview with him. Now, I'll leave you to ogle see the cover.

 

Title: Off the Record

Author: Sawyer Bennett

Expected release date: June 11, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Cover designed by: Vitalink

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

  

 The sparks of dislike burn hot, but the sparks of mutual attraction burn even hotter. Ever Montgomery suffered the ultimate betrayal by the one man who she should have been able to count on for anything. It has left her hurt, jaded and incapable of forming relationships, but it also means that she can spot a liar a mile away. These traits are earning her a reputation as a reporter with a keen nose for a good story and a complete understanding of the extreme power of the written word. Lincoln Caldwell, is the hot goalie for the New York Rangers. At twenty-four and a rising star, he works hard and he plays even harder. He’s gorgeous and carefree—the ultimate charmer. Ladies fall at his feet and the single life has never been lived the way Linc Caldwell does it. When Ever publishes an article about Linc containing information that she received off the record, she finds herself on the receiving end of the athelete’s fury. Rather than basking in the glory of exposing Linc as a shameless user of women, she finds herself at his mercy when he demands and receives retribution. Required by her editor to trail Linc for six weeks, Ever is forced to look at the real Linc Caldwell. And she just might find that she has misjudged him.




  About the Author

  Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weakness but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.  

Sawyer Bennett | Facebook | Twitter

Swoon Thursday #19

Swoon Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by YA Bound. Everyone can participat, here's what to do:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog. We want to know!

My swoon this week is from Dare You To by Katie McGarry:

My tank rides up further when Ryan strokes the bare flesh of my stomach. He angles closer to me and I'm immediately overwhelmed by the size of his body. My blood tingles with excitment. "You're soft," he whispers.

I knot my fingers in his hair, guiding his head to mine. "You talk too much."

"I do," he agrees and his lips finally meet mine. It's an innocent kiss at first. Soft lips meeting; a gentle pressure that creates a slow burn. The type of kiss you give to someone that means something. 

OH MY GOD I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! It's absolutly amazing and Ryan is so freaking love-able and swoon-worthy and I just loved him. Seriously, EVERYBODY needs to read this book!

What are you swooning over? 

Excerpt and Giveaway: The Liberator by Victoria Scott

Oh my god, guys, I just got an excerpt from THE LIBERATOR by Victoria Scott to share with you. I totally squealed when I saw it and I was grinning like a kid on christmas when I read it. I can't help it, Dante does this to me. If you don't know who Dante Walker is where have you been???, let me introduce you to him.

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.

And now, to the Excerpt!

When I open my eyes, the sun is trying to murder me. It’s shining on my face and making my head pound. Or maybe it’s my hangover that’s giving me the headache, but nonetheless—me and the sun?—we’re not on friendly terms. 

Charlie murmurs beside me. My arms are still wrapped around her waist, and I suddenly realize I must have crashed out in her bed last night. If Grams wakes up and finds me here, she’ll run me a bath…and toss in the toaster. 

“Morning, babe,” I whisper. 

“Morning, hot stuff,” a distinctly male voice responds. 

I whip around, my heart racing, and find Max sitting in a chair across the room.  “You look so hot when you first wake up,” he says. He raises a hand to his hair. “Got that whole sexy bed head thing going on.” 

Charlie doesn’t even move from her place, but I feel her laughing against me. “Your friend is kind of creepy, Dante,” she manages.  

“Max, what the hell are you doing in here?” I ask, pulling the covers farther up even though I’m (regretfully) fully-clothed. 

“Real question is, why did I wait so long to join you guys?” Max stands from his chair and cocks his head. A mischievous smile crawls across his face. 

“No,” I say, trying to appear serious. “Don’t even think about it, dude.” 

Max starts running in place, his smile widening farther until he looks deranged. “Ready or not!” Before I can stop him, Max races toward the bed and dives on top of us. “Oh! Oh it feels even better than I imagined.” He rolls back and forth across our bodies as Charlie laughs and I wonder why I’m friends with such a raging idiot. 

With all my strength, I grab Max’s shirt and rotate him toward the edge. He falls off the side, his arms pin-wheeling. There’s a loud thud, and then nothing. 

I wait for several seconds before leaning over to search for him. Max is lying face down on the floor, his arms and legs curled like a dead spider. “You’re not really hurt,” I say.
“I think you gave me spinal bifida. You need to call someone.”  

“That’s a genetic disorder,” I respond with a sigh, collapsing back onto my pillow. A second later, he raises his head very, very slowly up from the side of the bed. It’s one of the more unsettling things he’s ever done.  “Max, is there a purpose to this visit?” I ask. I want so badly to act like he’s annoying me. But he knows, and I know, that we both love this game: the one where I pretend he’s a pain in my ass, and he acts like a damn circus clown. 

He stands up, crosses the room, and plops back down in the chair. “Valery sent me.”  

I throw an arm across my eyes. “Of course she did.” Beside me, Charlie moves to get up and I immediately reach for her. She squeals and wiggles out of my grasp. 

I watch as she walks around the bed and ruffles Max’s hair. The twenty-eight year old pants like a dog. It’s a bit disturbing considering Charlie’s seventeen. She eyes me with a grin. “I’ll make waffles.” 

My face lights up. 

“Yes,” she continues. “And bacon.”  

I glance at Max and nod toward Charlie. “That’s my girl.” 

“Damn straight,” he says. 

“I’m still making breakfast for your birthday,” I call after Charlie. Then, looking at Max, I add, “My girl’s going to be legal soon.” 

Max says, “Boom.” 

Oh. my. god. fdgjhtyjtyj. Don't you just love him? If this is your first time meeting him, then you have a chance to win the first book by filling the Rafflecopter form below. Do it now and don't forget to add THE COLLECTOR to your TBR-list!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Description Reveal: Mythology: THE WICKED by Helen Boswell

Book two of the MYTHOLOGY series by Helen Boswell IS COMING…

Hey, guys! Today I'm sharing with you the description to Mythology: THE WICKED, a sequel to one of the most amazing angels/demons books out there, Mythology. Check out my review of Mythology Here and add the book to your TBR-list Here.

In MYTHOLOGY, readers are introduced to Hope and Micah. Book two belongs to the good bad boy who will capture your heart all over again:

Micah

 (Deosn't he look just so fiinee?! *wiggles eyebrows*

MYTHOLOGY: THEWICKED

Book description

A demon with a pure heart, Micah Condie lives his life by a code of ethics, but breaking that code may be the only way for him to survive. A supernatural entity in her own right, Hope Gentry would do anything in her power to protect her loved ones, but she may be the one who puts them in peril.

When the Demon Impiorum challenges the laws that keep guardians and demons in balance, ancient enforcers of justice intervene. Micah, Hope, and their mentor Jonathan become entangled in a conspiracy that will test even the deepest love and trust.

Someone will commit an act of betrayal. Someone will forever abandon a loved one.

Someone will enter The Wicked.

Excuese me while I fan-girl at hotness in front of me.

Add MYTHOLOGY: THE WICKED to Goodreads today!

Want to get to know Micah?

Follow Micah on Twitter.

Want to meet Micah and Hope before THE WICKED comes out late summer? (You really should!)

MYTHOLOGY on Amazon:  ebook/paperback

MYTHOLOGY at Barnes and Noble:  ebook/paperback

MYTHOLOGY on iTunes: ebook

MYTHOLOGY on Kobo: ebook

A message from the author, Helen Boswell:

I think every kid is gifted in some way. For me, I was a complete bookworm, and I will always be thankful for my mother allowing me to read at the kitchen table during mealtimes. Reading naturally led to writing by the time I was eight or nine – I started with fantasy stories, dabbled with writing a bit of romance, and finally published my urban fantasy MYTHOLOGY in 2012. I've lived in several places throughout the U.S., including upstate New York (the setting of my novel), and steadily moved out west. I currently live in Utah with my husband and two young sons and spend my time teaching, writing, and playing. I wouldn't trade my life for anything. 

So, guys, add this series to your TBR-list and enjoy an amazing love story in a world you've never seen before!