WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN BY BETH RINYU

WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN
BY BETH RINYU
Category: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Published March 14 2015 by Beth Rinyu
Format Acquired: Kindle book
Source: Natalie of Love Between the Sheets c/o Beth Rinyu
Purchase: Amazon / Banes and Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Melanie Hanson's life didn't go quite the way she had planned. Her cheating ex-husband traded her in for a newer model and she’s in over her head dealing with the drama that comes along with raising her twin teenage daughters.
The last thing she is looking for or needs in her life is a man - or is it?
Ben Wilder is the boy that Melanie loved to hate throughout high school, the boy that all the girls loved and the boy that didn't give Melanie the time of day, unless it was to tease her. When she runs into him once again she realizes...he’s not a boy anymore. Older and wiser, she’s determined not to fall for her secret crush from all those years ago. But sometimes our heart has different plans than our head. Will she finally get her happily ever after with the man she least expected to have it with?
Take a humorous journey with Melanie and her daughters as their lives begin to parallel and they discover that although they may be separated by a generation their struggles are still the same.


Yet another book from one of my favorite romance authors, Beth Rinyu. I can't help but get excited to read this the day I learned about it.

This is a story about a mother who faced divorce after 16 years of marriage. This is heartbreaking for most of the mothers out there, but her twin daughters helped her get through it. To be honest, I mostly enjoyed the POVs of her daughters since they're most likely my age (or not, LOL I'm 21 and feeling 16!). Anyway, she may have wasted some years for her cheating husband, but they say, when something good was taken away from you, something better comes along. Hell yes, something someone better came along. And this someone came from her past. Like, I-hate-those-highschool-days past.

Excerpt

I tried my best to ignore him, but I could feel his eyes settling on me. I took a deep breath when he got up and sat next to me. “Well, at least I know your real name now.” I shook my head, still trying to avoid eye contact. “So, how’s your ass doing?”

“What!?” I finally turned my head and looked directly at him.

“From your fall the other day.” I looked away. “Was I really that much of an ass to you during high school that you are still carrying a grudge all these years later?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Oh, okay. So, are you bitchy like this to every guy you come in contact with?”

“Yeah, maybe I am! What’s it to you?”

He held his hand up in defense. “Doesn’t matter to me one bit, sweetheart, but you’ve clearly been shafted by a guy a time or two to have an attitude like that. I mean, don’t get me wrong. The bitchy ones are better in bed with all that pent-up aggression.” He smirked and took a sip of his beer.

“Oh, you are such a pig, you know that? You are the same arrogant ‘I’m so in love with myself’ jock you were back in school! Well, reality check. Despite the fact you may have never grown up, most women have. So your good looks, perfect body, and smooth talking will no longer work.” He chuckled loudly. “What’s so funny?”

“I think you just admitted you thought I was good-looking and had a perfect body.”

“No. That’s not what –” He had me feeling so flustered. “I meant MEN, in general!”

“Whatever you say, princess.”

“My name is Melanie! Oh, wait. Maybe you’ll remember Smellanie better!”

His grin widened. “Ahhhh, now I remember you! You were that cute little blonde girl who used to sit in front of me in French class. You were the little goody two-shoes who always knew exactly how to respond in perfect French to the teacher, while the rest of us struggled to maintain a D average. You know you really didn’t smell, right? That was just a nickname for you.”

“I know I never smelled, thank you very much!”

“Well, Smellanie, can I say that you are just as cute now as you were back then?”

“No, you may not!”


THE COVER IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! MY FAVE COVER AMONG BETH'S BOOKS!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: BETH RINYU

Ever since I can remember, I have always enjoyed Creative Writing. There was always something about being able to travel to a different place or become a different person with just the stroke of a pen - or in today's world a touch of the keyboard. I am the author of The Exception To The Rule, An Unplanned Lesson, An Unplanned Life and Drowning In Love, A Cry for Hope. and A Will To Change. 

My life is not as interesting as my books or the characters in them, but then again whose life is? I'm a mom of twin teenage boys, a crazy Border Collie and a cat with an identity crisis! I guess you can say writing is my form of Calgon! 

Thanks for taking the time to learn about my books and me! If you decide to read them (and I hope you do!) please be sure to go on and review it for me - yes, even if you don't like it!



4 out of 5 Pandas

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RECAP: E. LOCKHART IN MANILA

Cheers to the first book signing I attended this year! I feel so sad I wasn't able to meet James Frey last month, so I won't be missing out any of the future events! I swear!


I was so mad that I had to wake up so early last Sunday just to go to this event. I mean, I hate this author so much. I even DNFed We Were Liars because ugh the writing is so bad and ugly and nonsense! It's like, the WORST book ever! how can this book be a NewYork Times Bestseller?!!

KIDDING! OKAY. I LIED. I'M SORRY. I'M A LIAR. YOU'RE A LIAR. WE ARE ALL LIARS. SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? HUH?

We Were Liars, I admit, is the first E. Lockhart book I read. BUT I absolutely loved how PAINFUL it is. Yes, it's painful. It hurts so much and meeting the woman behind this pain is such a great opportunity that the National Book Store family gave us. I can't thank you enough, NBS! I love you so much it hurts. LOL

Photo grabbed from Kate of The Bookaholic Blurbs
I got the chance to ask E. Lockhart, or Emily Lockhart, the following question:

"What brought you the idea to write We Were Liars?"

In which she answered,

Photo grabbed from Louisse of The Soul Sisters
"Well I can give another answer. I mean, all that stuff that I said before is true. But, I think when I'm looking at an idea for a story, one question I ask myself is you know, where are the universal emotions in this because, I like to write unusual characters who have an unusual voice or way of thinking. But I also always need to find some points of connection between those unusual characters and other people's lives, human experience. So, in We Were Liars, one of the things I wanted to write about that you know, so far, I've really been calling real estate. But real estate is not really it. It's families fighting over property, and grown children fighting over parental love and approval, and younger kids in the family hearing older people fight and feeling powerless and angry about the way the grown ups are conducting themselves. So, that is an experience that I had and I that I think most young people have had. Right? You know, some families fight everyday, some families fight, you know, only on Christmas. But all families fight, all kids feel threatened when the grown ups in their lives are threathening to dissolve or implode or whatever they're gonna do. So, that was one of my subjects and that's you know,  that I carried all the way through from that initial idea about the island and what would it mean to those people in that family is a way of kind of heightening into a kind of, you know, hear the things they are fighting over are big. Big bank accounts, whole islands, whole houses, you know, jewelry, expensive stuff, but all families fight over property and the affection that it symbolizes."

E. Lockhart and I!
Group picture!Thanks Kate for capturing this! We all look so pretty!
Pinoy Book Tours bloggers with E. Lockhart
After the forum, we took out lunch and headed to National Book Store for the book signing event for the public. While waiting for Lockhart to arrive at the venue, I took the opportunity to interview a few readers about the BIGGEST LIE they've said or heard. Read their responses below!

(Note: The posted pictures below were granted permission from the persons involved.)

L-R: Kevin, Danica and Dianne (I missed the other D!)
"There's this one time, during high school, when I had to hide my school report card from my parents because of a low grade."
- Kevin (@tomebound)

"My parents chose my course for college. And when they asked me if it's okay for me, I said YES. I totally regret it."
- Danica (@justsoyunho)

"Once, I told my parents I'd be going out with my friends. But the truth is, I went out with my boyfriend."
- Dianne (@dcmarssh)

The pretty Kath! Her sister was shy so I asked her instead! :D
 "When I told my friends I was fine when I really wasn't."
- Kath (@kathryna_lopez)

Kim (His answer is just so... painful)
 "Biggest lie? When he said he loved me but the truth is, he didn't."
- Kim (@somethingabtkim)

Thank you very much guys. I'm glad I met you! See you next book signing? I think it'll be on June. Ohhh. Two long months of waiting... better save money for the upcoming events because I tell you guys, the next authors to visit us here are all great and some of them were my favorites! As much as I want to tell you, it's so sad I can't give you a hint on who they are. So, watch out for National Book Store's announcements!

A few moments after my interview, the crowd started making noise which means that the special guest already arrived! The fans were very ecstatic when they saw her. I felt the crowd's happiness especially those who absolutely loved her books!



You can watch E. Lockhart's message for her Filipino fans below:


Thank you so much and congratulations for the success of this event, National Book Store. You spoil our hearts! More events to come!

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WHERE MY HEART BREAKS BY IVY SINCLAIR

WHERE MY HEART BREAKS
BY IVY SINCLAIR
Category: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Published August 29th 2013 by Smith Sinclair Books
Format Acquired: e-Galley
Source: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository


If there were a course in screwing up your life, Kate Spivey would get an A+. 
Trust is in short supply for Kate at the start of the summer before her senior year of college. Her parents sentenced her to spend it under the watchful eye of her aunt at the famous Willoughby Inn. It was further proof that she was a prisoner in, and not the decision maker of, her life. Nothing she does is good enough to prove that she learned from the mistakes of her past. 
Almost immediately, Kate finds that her new summer home holds another person who understands the unfairness of her situation better than most. Reed Black has had his own share of tragedy and regrets, but instead of trying to fight his reputation, he embraced it. 
Sparks fly between Kate and Reed, but his mixed signals remind Kate that she needs to watch her step. He is one temptation she can't afford to indulge in, no matter how strong her attraction to him. If she isn't careful, she'll lose more than her heart.

A sweet story about two entirely different and broken strangers, I love how the friendship between Kate and Reed developed into something romantic because of that book. It's pretty amazing how two people's relationship becomes stronger because of a book. 

Kate's parents sent her away to her aunt for summer. This is some sort of punishment for Kate because of her misbehavior during college and they said that she needs to learn from them. On her way to Willoughby Inn, she had a problem with her car and that's when she met Reed, the hottie who helped her with her car trouble. She thought she'd never see him again, but of course, she's wrong about that.

Reed Black is so sexy that she can't fulfill her mission which is to behave. People warned her about him, that he is a dangerous man that she shouldn't let her guard down whenever she's with him. Well, he may had a dark past but this doesn't stop them from being friends. They knew they feel something for each other, they just can't take the risk to tell each other the truth.

I also love the fact that a book played a big part in their relationship. The way they reenact some scenes on the book made me like the story even more. If you're looking for a fast but cute and romantic read, you should give Where My Heart Breaks a chance.

4 out of 5 Pandas

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TEA-RRIFIC EVENT: E.LOCKHART BOOK SIGNING TOUR IN MANILA AND CEBU


What: E. Lockhart Book Signing Tour 

When: March 21, 2015, 2 p.m.
Where: National Book Store, SM City Cebu

When: March 22, 2015, 2 p.m.
Where: National Book Store, Glorietta 1

Registration starts at 10 a.m. for both events. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When and where are the book signings? 
March 21, 2:00 pm, at National Book, SM City Cebu 
March 22, 2:00 pm, at National Book Store, Glorietta 1 

When will the registration be? 
Registration opens at 10:00 am on March 21 at National Book Store, SM City Cebu, and 10:00 am on March 22 at National Book Store, Glorietta 1. Each guest will be asked to fill out the registration form upon arrival. Separate registrations for each event is required should you wish to attend both events. First come, first served.

Is there a registration fee? 
No. There is no registration fee.

How many and which books can I have signed? Is there a limit as to how many people can have their books signed? 
You may have any number of books signed as long as they were purchased from National Book Store, National Book Store Express or Powerbooks, and we do not have any preset limit as to the number of people.

However, although we will take every effort to get as many books signed as possible, depending on the number of attendees, we reserve the right to limit the number of copies per person or limit the number of people in line. First come, first served. 

Can I bring old books or other editions of the book? 
Yes, as long as the books were purchased from National Book Store, National Book Store Express and Powerbooks. 

Do I need to buy on-site? 
No. You can buy books before or during the event. 

Can I have other items signed? 
No. Only books will be allowed to be signed by the authors. 

Can we have our photo taken with the author? 
Yes, you can have your photo with the author when she signs your book. However, we strictly allow one photo per person only. 

How much is the book? 
We Were Liars (Trade Paperback – P539)


See you, booknerds! Join our instagram contest for E. Lockhart's signing. Just search the hashtag #15daysoflying. Also, include the official hashtag #ELockhartinPH in all your tweets to give a buzz to the bookish community on Twitter!


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BOOK TOUR + GIVEAWAY: LIARS, INC. BY PAULA STOKES

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour of Paula Stoke's latest book, Liars, Inc. Please click the banner for the tour schedule and links to the other blogs that participated!
LIARS, INC.
BY PAULA STOKES
Category: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Expected Publication March 24th 2015 by HarperTeen
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

For fans of Gone Girl, I Hunt Killers, and TV's How to Get Away with Murder.
Max Cantrell has never been a big fan of the truth, so when the opportunity arises to sell forged permission slips and cover stories to his classmates, it sounds like a good way to make a little money and liven up a boring senior year. With the help of his friends Preston and Parvati, Max starts Liars, Inc. Suddenly everybody needs something and the cash starts pouring in. Who knew lying could be so lucrative?
When Preston wants his own cover story to go visit a girl he met online, Max doesn’t think twice about hooking him up. Until Preston never comes home. Then the evidence starts to pile up—terrifying clues that lead the cops to Preston’s body. Terrifying clues that point to Max as the murderer.
Can Max find the real killer before he goes to prison for a crime he didn’t commit? In a story that Kirkus Reviews called "Captivating to the very end," Paula Stokes starts with one single white lie and weaves a twisted tale that will have readers guessing until the explosive final chapters.

For more information, check out THE OFFICIAL LIARS, INC. WEBSITE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: PAULA STOKES

Paula Stokes writes stories about flawed characters with good hearts who sometimes make bad decisions. She’s the author of several YA novels, most recently Liars, Inc. and The Art of Lainey. Her writing has been translated into nine foreign languages. Paula loves kayaking, hiking, reading, and seeking out new adventures in faraway lands She also loves interacting with readers. Find her online at authorpaulastokes.com or on twitter as @pstokesbooks.

Author links: Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Instagram

GIVEAWAY

2 Signed Copies of Liars, INC. by Paula Stokes
2 Mini Swag Packs. Includes (2 Signed Bookmarks, 1 Magnet, 1 Signed Bookplate)
Giveaway is open to International | Must be 13+ to Enter


a Rafflecopter giveaway


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