"A Million Little Snowflakes" by Logan Byrne! *Review & Spotlight*

Happy December! =D I had to post this review for our #TBT Review! Perfect for winter, it's a YA realistic fiction, filled with angst and humor. Check it out!

~Published: September 14th, 2013

~Length: 206

~Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Realistic Fiction

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Oliver Hurst has always been abnormally normal.

His grades are horrible, his best friend just left for Utah, and he's depressed. His overly religious parents don’t help, especially since they control every facet of his life. One stupid sentence said in desperation gets Oliver tossed in an adolescent psych ward, where his depression and fears become even more of a reality.

When Oliver meets snide, tough girl Lacey Waters he doesn't think his life could get any better, that is, until she becomes the ray of sunshine he has desperately needed on his cloudiest of days.

"Confessions of a Fat Girl" by Holly Dae! *Tour with Interview & Giveaway*

*Materials & images provided by IFB Tours.  Interview by Rose @Desert Rose.

~Released: August 4th, 2015

~Length: 247 Pages

~Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

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Smart and ambitious Season Minett was homeschooled, got accepted into college at 16, graduated with a B.A. in English at 20, got a job at a prestigious magazine at 21, and isn’t afraid to go after what she wants. Twenty-two-year-old Season has it made and everyone knows it. Except Season herself.

People can gush over her all day long, but Season knows they’re just being nice. In reality, she’s accomplished nothing. She doesn’t work hard enough, can’t get her book published, and worst of all at 5’6, 180 pounds with a thirty-two inch waist, a forty-four inch hip, and arms too big for her body, she’s fat and ugly. She's such a disappointment that after her mother divorced Season's dad, she went to live with her new, younger boyfriend and left Season to mother the rest of her siblings. So Season is quite bewildered when the guy she sees every weekend at the bookstore shows serious interest in her. And she ends up liking him. A lot.

Season's not naive enough to think love will solve all her problems though. In fact, love seems to be making everything worse because her food obsession is growing more and more out of her control. But that's impossible. There's nothing wrong with counting calories and wanting to be thin. There's nothing wrong with trying to be as perfect as everyone thinks she is. A fat girl can't develop an eating disorder, let alone have one. Right?

"Holding On and Letting Go" by Lucy Kelly! *Review & Spotlight*

*Materials & images courtesy of Goodreads; review owned by Desert Rose Reviews.

**Originally published September 17th, 2013; re-posted for our TBT Review.

The Ties That Bind Us #1

~By: K.A. Coleman (Pen Name was Lucy Kelly)

~Published: March 10th, 2013

~Pages: 186

~Parent's Guide: PG-13

~Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, Realistic Fiction

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Is there a way to describe the ties that bind us together? What happens when one of those ties is unexpectedly severed? Can everything else remain the same? Will the other ties hold strong?

 Two years after her little brother's death, sixteen year old Emerson Caulfield returns to a home that she spent the last two years missing. In theory, everything should be the same. Her best friend, Matt, still lives next door. Her house is in the exact same condition as they left it. The scenery and hallways haven't changed, yet for Emerson, everything is completely different. The place may be the same, but Emerson is most certainly not. She returns home hurt, angry, and miles away from the girl she once was.

 The 60,000 word novel alternates between the perspectives of Emerson, who is struggling to keep breathing on a daily basis, and Matt, who wants to have his old best friend back so badly that he is willing to overlook the fact that she has completely changed. Though their friendship and relationship is a major part of the story, it takes backseat to the unique bonds between siblings, what happens when your worst enemy is in fact yourself, and the hardships that come with growing up and changing.

"Gone" by Julie Elizabeth Powell! *Review & Spotlight*

*Materials & images courtesy of Goodreads; review owned by Desert Rose Reviews.

Originally posted August 31st, 2013; re-posted for TBT review post.

~Published: February 16th, 2008

~Length: 262 Pages

~Genres: Adult Fiction, Fantasy

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A two year old girl's heart stops and she dies but is brought back too late, her memories wiped, character vanished. One question haunts her mother's anguished mind: Where had her daughter gone? This story is one answer to that question. Inspired by truth.

After Charley dies in her office chair, how is it that she finds herself propelled into the mysterious world of Avalon?

Upon encountering an essence, which insists is her daughter – the one she knows she left behind – insanity battles with fear inside her mind.

The further she delves, the more puzzling things appear, especially after she rises into the Orb of Caprice – a realm of fairies, talking flowers and goblins…and something else, something that lurks in the shadows ready to swallow her whole.

Can she realise in time what it is she must do…or has she left it too late?

Gone is a story inspired by a true event.

*Blitz & Giveaway* "Fragile Simplicity" by Tara Neideffer!

Fragile Simplicity

(Sweet Haven #2)

~By: Tara Neideffer

~Released: January 29th, 2015

~Length: 233 Pages

~Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense, Realistic Fiction

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It only took one letter to make every painful memory resurface. But it took Kyleigh Helton thirteen years to bury those memories. The question in that letter will force her to make a difficult decision. Forgive, or continue to let resentment and anger consume her fragile core.

The simple life she craves seems miles away when she’s dealing with an ex who won’t let her go and a boyfriend whose problems mimic a past she’d rather forget.

She realizes it’s time for things to change. But every decision and change she makes has a consequence, and she begins to wonder if she’s strong enough to handle them.

David Madison has been struggling with guilt and grief since his brother’s death and finds comfort in the one thing Kyleigh despises. When a phone call pushes him over the edge and guilt consumes him even more, he breaks a promise to Kyleigh that threatens to tear them apart.

As quickly as things fall back into place, his world shatters again, pushing him to the breaking point, and he begins to wonder how much more he can take before he turns to the one addiction that started it all.

But he can’t. He promised. He needs to stay strong for Kyleigh. Because now she needs him more than ever, and he won’t let her down again.

***This is book two in a trilogy but each book can stand-alone***

***Due to sexual content and language, this novel is intended for audiences ages 18+***

*Cover Reveal* "Just About Healing" by Victoria Escobar!

Just About Healing

(Losing Grace # 1)

~By: Victoria Escobar 

~Released: January 13th, 2014

~Length: 173 Pages

~Genres: New Adult, Contemporary

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My sister was my lifeline, my beacon, my North Star. I could rely on her, depend on her, turn to her when the world was just too hard to face. She could depend on me for the same. 

I laughed with her; cried with her; rejoiced her success; and part of me died with her too. I lived for her, loved no one greater than her. Without Savannah, I had no one to turn to, no one to share my soul with. My other half, closer than twins we were, was just gone. 

Grief broke my soul and crushed my heart to dust. I didn’t know how to put the pieces back together. I wasn’t sure I even want to without her. How could I live knowing she would never share anything with me again? 

Time, supposedly, heals all wounds. I don't believe that. But I do know there are other ways to heal. I just had to find them.

*Blitz & Giveaway* "Motocross Me" by Cheyanne Young!

Motocross Me

~By: Cheyanne Young

~Released: June 4th, 2013

~Length: 253 Pages

~Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports, Realistic Fiction

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When Hana Fisher moves to the small town of Mixon, Texas to live with her dad, she dreads having to work at the boring pile of dirt he fondly calls a motocross track. But when she gets there, she finds the rinky-dink dirt bike track from her childhood has grown into the most respected racing track in the state.

Now popular by association, Hana endures the pain and sweat of working in the summer heat in order to fit in with a sport she’s growing to love. She gets a real family, a best friend and not just one, but two of the fastest racers trying to win her heart.

When Hana abuses her status as the track owner’s daughter to help the gorgeous Ryan Russo cheat in the biggest race of the year, she risks more than just losing her job. Every good thing in her life is at stake now- her friends, her dad’s trust, and Ash Carter- the kind-hearted racer who may not be as alluring as Ryan, but is proof that nice guys don’t always finish last.

*Blitz & Giveaway* "Her Soldier" by H.J. Bellus!

Her Soldier

(That Girl, #3)

~By: H.J. Bellus

~Released: March 10th, 2015

~Publisher: Limitless Publishing

~Length: 161 Pages

~Genres: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

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Sergeant Jeremiah Abbner died in the line of duty serving his country. Or at least that's what the newspapers said...

The US Government handed him a new identity, and strict orders not to make contact with anyone from his past. As far as society was concerned Sergeant Jeremiah Abbner was dead, and buried six feet under.

Not having contact with his ex-wife would be easy. She was a manipulator and a cheater.

Not seeing his daughter on the other hand would devastate him...

Beau Morgan, aka Jeremiah, settles down in a town far away from everything he's ever known. Coping with the trauma he's experienced and discovering a new life Beau finds himself the most aggressive he's ever been. His blood simmers with rage while his fists are thirsty to let it all out .

In the middle of his own living hell he never expected to run into an old familiar face. And to top it off, one who recognized him as Jeremiah.

He's vowed never to love again, but as circumstances land him in the arms of a woman, Jenni Lee, this time he may not have a choice, as she rarely takes no for an answer.

Can Beau Morgan control his temper long enough to settle into his new life? Or will resentment taint him forever?

*Blitz & Giveaway* "Bricks" by John Davidson!

Bricks

~By: John Davidson

~Released: February 3rd, 2015

~Publisher: Anaiah Press

~Length: 217 Pages

~Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Coming-of-Age

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Sixteen-year old Cori Reigns learns that not all tornadoes take you to magical places. Some take your house, your school, and life as you knew it. Struggling to put the pieces of her life back together, Cori learns to rebuild what the storm destroyed by trusting family she didn't know she had and helping friends she never appreciated.

*Blitz & Giveaway* "Paper or Plastic" by Vivi Barnes!

Paper or Plastic

~By: Vivi Barnes

~Released: February 3rd, 2015

~Publisher: Entangled Teen

~Length: 352 Pages

~Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction

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Welcome to SmartMart, where crime pays minimum wage...

Busted. Alexis Dubois just got caught shoplifting a cheap tube of lipstick at the local SmartMart. She doesn’t know what’s worse—disappointing her overbearing beauty-pageant-obsessed mother for the zillionth time…or her punishment. Because Lex is forced to spend her summer working at the store, where the only things stranger than the staff are the customers.

Now Lex is stuck in the bizarro world of big-box retail. Coupon cutters, jerk customers, and learning exactly what a “Code B” really is (ew). And for added awkwardness, her new supervisor is the totally cute—and adorably geeky—Noah Grayson. Trying to balance her out-of-control mother, her pitching position on the softball team, and her secret crush on the school geek makes for one crazy summer. But ultimately, could the worst job in the world be the best thing that ever happened to her?

*Cover Reveal* "Life Unaware" by Cole Gibsen!

Life Unaware

~By: Cole Gibsen

~Release Date: April 28th, 2015

~Publisher: Entangled Teen

~Length: 320 Pages

~Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

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Regan Flay has been talking about you. 

Regan Flay is on the cusp of achieving her control-freak mother's "plan" for high school success―cheerleading, student council, the Honor Society—until her life gets turned horribly, horribly upside down. Every bitchy text. Every bitchy email. Every lie, manipulation, and insult she's ever said have been printed out and taped to all the lockers in school.

Now Regan has gone from popular princess to total pariah.

The only person who even speaks to her is her former best friend's hot but socially miscreant brother, Nolan Letner. Nolan thinks he knows what Regan's going through, but what nobody knows is that Regan isn't really Little Miss Perfect. In fact, she's barely holding it together under her mom's pressure. But the consequences of Regan's fall from grace are only just beginning. Once the chain reaction starts, no one will remain untouched...

Especially Regan Flay. 

*Tour Stop* "Damaged" by Nina D'Angelo!

Damaged
(Outlaws Series, # 1)

~By: Nina D’Angelo

~Published: February 28th, 2014 

~Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction

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*Blitz* "Destiny Road" by Melissa Wray!

Destiny Road

~By: Melissa Wray

~Published: September 2012

~Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Coming-of-Age

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Morris Publishing Australia

*Cover Reveal* "Perfectly Messy" by Lizzy Charles!

Perfectly Messy

~By: Lizzy Charles

~Release Date: May 2014

~Publisher: Swoon Romance

~Genres: Young Adult, New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Chick-Lit

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*Tour Stop, Excerpt, Trailer, Soundtrack & Giveaway* "Unusual Awakening" by S.M. Knowles!

"Seasons of Sorrow" by C.C. Wood! *Release Blast & Giveaway*

~Released: January 16, 2014

~Genres: Adult Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Inspirational, Contemporary, Romance

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Just a few short months after her son’s birth, Charlotte Fallon faces a parent’s worst nightmare. In her darkest hour, she finds herself abandoned by her husband, Derek, left to deal with her heartbreak alone.

Jobless and with very little money, she fights to regain her footing.

As the months pass, secrets her husband managed to bury are unearthed and she wonders if she ever truly knew him. As the truth continues to come to light, Derek’s business partner and Charlotte’s friend, Gregory Swift, steps in to help her deal with the repercussions of her husband’s betrayal.

Seasons come and go, and, as Charlotte begins to return to life, she realizes that she is much stronger than she believed. And while a pain this deep can never be forgotten, Charlotte learns there is room for joy in the future as the wounds heal. Even a winter of sorrow can eventually warm into a summer of sweetness. 

A native Texan, C.C. grew up either reading or playing the piano.  Years later, she’s still not grown up and doing the same things.  Since the voices in her head never shut up, C.C. decided to try and profit from their crazy stories and started writing books.

Now that she has a baby girl at home, C.C.’s non-writing time is usually spent cleaning up poopy diapers or feeding the poop machine.  Sometimes she teaches piano, cooks, or spends time bugging her hubby and two beagles. 

Goodreads ~ Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Enter to win one autographed copy of Seasons of Sorrow!

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~Release Day Launch organized by Rockstar PR & Literary Consulting.

**Blitz & Giveaway* "Lost Without You" by Liz Hannah!!

~Materials and images provided by YA Bound Book Tours.

*Tour Stop & Giveaway* "A Little Broken" by Juli Valenti!

*Materials & images provided by Girls Heart Books Tours.

~Published: October 22nd, 2013

~Length: 322 Pages

~Genres: Contemporary, Romance

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Jessie Braden thought she had it all. A husband, a new baby – her life was on course, exactly what she always wanted…Until one day, she loses everything. 

Ruined and broken, she’s left alone to pick up the pieces of her life. Unable to cope, she spontaneously packs up and moves across the country, hoping that new scenery will help. 

Once in sunny Florida, she finds an apartment and a job but while Jessie is surviving, she isn’t living…until one night she meets someone. Dominick. 

Desperate for an escape from the pain of her memories, she relents to his unerring determination and agrees to spend time with him. 

Through his patience and understanding, she will learn that she’s not ruined…she’s just a little broken.  

*Blitz & 2 Giveaways* "East of Eden" by Lee Strauss!

East of Eden

~By: Lee Strauss

~Published: November 12th, 2013

~Length: 284 Pages

~Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

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Regret is a formidable foe.

Eden Kelley is the primary caregiver for her mother who’s in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and she’s only twenty-four. Not what she planned to do when she left her husband for a new start with her four-year-old daughter in tow. She’d hoped for free babysitting, but instead she found a mystery. The discovery of an erroneous marriage document leads to more questions, and unfortunately Eden can’t ask her mother for answers because she doesn’t remember.

Her mother’s antics drive her crazy, but Eden’s determined to make the best of it. That includes finding the exciting romantic adventure she’d dreamed about. But when trouble knocks, it’s her husband Cade who arrives to help. It’s awkward and tense. And Eden comes to one sure conclusion: leaving her handsome, caring husband was a huge mistake.

Her parents had a second chance at love? Would she and Cade get one, too?

*Review & Giveaway* "Watch Over Me" by Tara Sivec!

*Materials & images provided by Rockstar PR.

~Published: June 14th, 2013

~Pages: 250

~Genres: Young Adult, New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Addison Snow is your typical teenager. She has a family that loves her, friends that make her laugh, and she's wrapped up in the excitement of graduating high school and going off to college to pursue her dream of becoming an author. When her mother, who also happens to be Addison's best friend, dies unexpectedly, her world comes to a crashing halt.

Death changes everyone...

To make the pain go away, Addison and her father travel down separate, dark paths. She chooses to end her grief forever, while he drowns his sorrows in the bottom of a bottle. How do you learn to live again when the most important person in your life is gone?

Addison struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. Instead of getting back to being the carefree teenager she once was, she's stuck handling all of the responsibilities that should have been her father's. She has no time to grieve, no time for emotions, and no time for happiness...until Zander Reinhardt walks in. All it takes is one little handwritten note on a napkin to kick-start her back to life and help her realize that maybe there's more to that life than pain.

But can it really be that simple? Can she really trust this man who makes her feel alive again for the first time in a year?

Addison and Zander both have secrets they aren't ready to share. When the truth finally comes out, is it enough to tear them apart or has something bigger than themselves always been watching over them, pushing them together, making sure they both get their happily ever after?