Stacking the Shelves #13 Christmas Haul

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and is a great way to showcase books you've recently added to your bookshelves. It is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

But for my STS, I'll be showing here only the physical copies of books I recently owned/borrowed/won. eBooks/eARCs will be showcased on my In My Mailbox posts.



Bought from National Book Store:

Gifted:

Bought from Fully Booked:
1. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (Yes, I bought a new copy!)

And since it's the best time of the year, the bloggers from Pinoy Book Tours held a Christmas Party! I took home with me a lot of books, swag packs and sweets!




Thank you to the wonderful bloggers of Pinoy Book Tours!


How about you? What's added to your haul? :)

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Author Moments: Q&A with Cheryl Harper

Santa, Bring My Baby Back
by Cheryl Harper
Genre: New Adult Romance
Published December 17th 2013 by Avon Impulse
Purchase Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes IndieBound


A bride abandoned at the altar . . . just in time for Christmas? 'Tis the season for second chances at Cheryl Harper's Elvis-themed Rock'n'Rolla Hotel.
After trying and failing at acting, modeling, dog grooming, and a dozen other jobs, Grace Andersen thought for sure she'd nail marrying a rich man. But dumped in a hotel chapel and strapped for cash, Grace needs a miracle—and a job.
If it were up to Charlie McMinn, Grace would be a married lady by now. Officiating weddings in gold lamé and a rock star pompadour may not have been his idea of getting into the holiday spirit, but with a gorgeous bride asking for his help, Charlie doesn't mind sticking around his mother's hotel a few more days. Especially if it means getting Grace settled …
Grace isn't sure what to think of sexy, rugged Charlie, except that she can't deny the attraction between them, or how good it feels to finally fit in somewhere. Is she ready to give a certain place—and a certain someone—a real chance? Or will she abandon a true Christmas miracle?



Hello, readers! Author Moments is a feature on my blog wherein we'll be having a chitchat interview with an author, discuss her works, her life, her favorites, and so much more! I hope you'll enjoy reading :)

Today, we'll be having a moment with the author Cheryl Harper!

Q&A WITH CHERYL HARPER

1.       SANTA, BRING MY BABY BACK is a great holiday read! How did you first get into writing?

I’m pretty sure it all started with an addiction to the library. I remember devouring the Little House books and falling in love for the first time with Almanzo Wilder. That love of Manly and of reading led to many library trips and used book store expeditions. I studied English in college, and still remember the thrill and terror of my creative writing class. I’ve made up a million different stories in my head. Almost five years ago I made a New Year’s resolution to stop saying I wanted to write and just do it.

2.       Why did you choose to write romance?

Whether it’s movies or books, I need a happy ending. Life is hard. When I pick up a story, I want to trust in the happy ending. To me, romance is about a wonderful gift for ordinary people, something we can believe in and hope for. No matter how black the black moment, romance is still about optimism and hope and that’s the kind of reading I want. If I can give another reader that feeling, leave a smile on his or her face, then I feel good about this job.

3.       How did you come up with the idea for the Rock ‘n’ Rolla Hotel Series?

Avon called for novella submissions, and I had this idea but I needed just the right place, one that would be entertaining because those are the kinds of stories I want to tell, the ones that make you smile. Then my editor asked if I had any more stories. I did not, but I came up with three very quickly! When I started to ask who would visit such a place and, even better, who would work there, I met all kinds of interesting characters.

4.       Describe Grace—what do you love most about her? And Charlie?

Grace is a free spirit, a rolling stone who doesn’t let today’s disappointment ruin tomorrow. She’s old enough now to understand that her dreams of being a star might not come true, but her failed attempt at marrying a rich man reminds her that she’s always only believed in herself anyway. I love most the fact that she’s lived her life as an adventure instead of clinging to the safe route. And Charlie’s the guy who likes to plan for emergencies. He’s made a horrible mistake and regrets it but can’t quite figure out how to get over it, so he lives with guilt and it makes him suspicious and careful. Except with Grace. I love most that he’s the kind of guy who would do anything for his family, no matter how hard or embarrassing or the cost. And I totally identify with his inability to forgive himself even after everyone else has.

5.  What significance does Elvis play in the book? And our favorite dog, Misty?

Elvis isn’t really a part of any of the books except that his style is everywhere. Owner Willodean Jackson is a huge fan and, more important than that, she lives to create an atmosphere where his fans and non-fans alike are family. She’s created hotel rooms themed according to his movies, the halls are decorated with album covers, and all of his favorite foods are on the menu, but the stories are really about one woman’s attempt to share the things she loves with anyone in need. But Misty…she’s the hotel mascot. She spends her time stretched out in the lobby, snoring her welcome. And it’s a universal fact that anyone who loves dogs can’t be bad. Tony and Randa in Can’t Help Falling in Love bonded over their love for her, and Charlie in Santa, Bring My Baby Back appreciates her easy ways.

6.       Have you ever been to Memphis? If so, what did you enjoy most?

Yes, I’ve spent a lot of time in Memphis, shopping mostly. And eating. Those are two of my favorite pastimes most places, but they’re both pretty darn good in Memphis.

7.       Is there a particular author or book that has influenced your writing?

I love Jayne Ann Krentz in all her forms because she has such great heroes. They’re often kind of everyday guys (with maybe a little psychic talent), but they are quietly capable of doing anything that’s needed and that’s hot. Susan Elizabeth Phillips does humor the way I’d like to be able to do it. I love writers that can make me smile as I go.

8.       What advice would you give aspiring writers looking to get into the publishing industry?

Make good friends. It’s so easy to feel like the only person in the whole world who’s struggling to get something besides a rejection letter. Your family will love you, but they probably won’t understand. To talk to someone who gets what you’re working toward and the discouragement that can come, you need friends on the same path.

9.       What do you do to gear up for the festive, holiday season?

I mentioned I loved shopping and eating, right? Nothing combines those two pastimes like the holiday season!

10.   What can fans of SANTA, BRING MY BABY BACK and the Rock ‘n’ Rolla Hotel Series look forward to next?


This is the last of this series. My next book will be available from Harlequin Heartwarming. A Minute on the Lips is the story of a small-town sheriff, the charming newspaper editor who’s always in her way, and a case she has to solve while she figures out if she really can go home again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cheryl Harper


Whether she's writing, reading, or just checking the items off of her daily to-do list, Cheryl Harper loves her romance mixed with a little laughter. When she's not working, you will find her ignoring housework, cursing yard work, and spending way too much time with a television remote in her hand.

Author Links:
Website // Twitter







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Swoon Worthy Saturday #3



Saturday is a day for swooning. Swoon Worthy Saturday is a weekly meme hosted by Hazel of Stay Bookish where in we present a fictional boy who has swept us off our feet, given us butterflies, made our heart do acrobatics and driven us absolutely crazy!

And for my first Swoon Worthy Saturday post, let me introduce you to Park Sheridan from Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park!

Source: allkpop.com
I'm a huge fangirl of SMTown artists and I immediately fell in love with this new trianee from SMROOKIES! His name is Tae Yong! SMTown haters, please don't bash me! :D

Read my review of Eleanor & Park here

THE GIST

1. He's asian. Half Korean, to be specific.

2. He loves music. He made a mixed tape for Eleanor.

3. He loves reading, comics in particular.

4. He's just adorable sweet, understanding, caring, loving, and everything!

SWOON WORTHY MOMENTS slash QUOTABLES

“Eleanor was right. She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn't supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.”

-o0o-


“Holding Eleanor's hand was like holding a butterfly. Or a heartbeat. Like holding something complete, and completely alive.” 


-o0o-


“I miss you, Eleanor. I want to be with you all the time. You’re the smartest girl I’ve ever met, and the funniest, and everything you do surprises me. And I wish I could say that those are the reasons I like you, because that would make me sound like a really evolved human being …‘But I think it’s got as much to do with your hair being red and your hands being soft … and the fact that you smell like homemade birthday cake”


-o0o-

“My girlfriend is sad and quiet and keeps me up all night worrying about her.”

-o0o-

“It was like their lives were overlapping lines, like they had their own gravity. Usually, that serendipity thing felt like the nicest thing the universe had ever done for her.”

-o0o-

“She is a good girl," Park said. "You don't even know her." 




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Book Review: WAIT FOR YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Wait For You
by Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn)
Series: Wait For You #1
Genre: New Adult Romance
Format Acquired: Paperback
Source: Purchased from National Book Store
Published February 26th 2013 by J. Lynn
Purchase: Amazon | Kobo | The Book Depository

Some things are worth waiting for…
Traveling thousands of miles from home to enter college is the only way nineteen-year-old Avery Morgansten can escape what happened at the Halloween party five years ago—an event that forever changed her life. All she needs to do is make it to her classes on time, make sure the bracelet on her left wrist stays in place, not draw any attention to herself, and maybe—please God—make a few friends, because surely that would be a nice change of pace. The one thing she didn’t need and never planned on was capturing the attention of the one guy who could shatter the precarious future she’s building for herself.
Some things are worth experiencing…
Cameron Hamilton is six feet and three inches of swoon-worthy hotness, complete with a pair of striking blue eyes and a remarkable ability to make her want things she believed were irrevocably stolen from her. She knows she needs to stay away from him, but Cam is freaking everywhere, with his charm, his witty banter, and that damn dimple that’s just so… so lickable. Getting involved with him is dangerous, but when ignoring the simmering tension that sparks whenever they are around each other becomes impossible, he brings out a side of her she never knew existed.
Some things should never be kept quiet…
But when Avery starts receiving threatening emails and phone calls forcing her to face a past she wants silenced, she’s has no other choice but to acknowledge that someone is refusing to allow her to let go of that night when everything changed. When the devastating truth comes out, will she resurface this time with one less scar? And can Cam be there to help her or will he be dragged down with her?
And some things are worth fighting for…
MY REVIEW


I've been hearing a lot of positive rants about Jennifer L. Armentrout, also known as J. Lynn. And I've been dying to read her books, especially the Lux Series. But since I am in the middle of my craving for New Adult series these past few weeks, I found out about one of her NA titles, Wait For You.

Wait For You is a pretty much good book. A very good one, actually. It is a book with a well-written story along the perfect characters. I wanted to discuss them one by one, but since it's not my forte to discuss characters, let me just introduce you to our main stars, Avery and Cameron.

Avery is a girl with a tormented past. She wanted to forget about everything in her past and start a new life by being independent and study far away from where she came from. Away from her old friends, whom she can no longer trust. Away from her parents who doesn't show her any kind of support. She's starting a new life, making new friends and slowly erasing the dark memories. She's moving on.
“Life wasn't meant to be perfect. It was messy and sometimes it was a disaster, but there was beauty in the messiness and there could be peace in the disaster.” 
That's until she met Cam.

Cam... oh, please come to me, Cam. You're such a freaking handsome guy, you know that?!
“You are really…”
“Amazing? Awesome?” He paused, brows raised. “Astonishing?”
“I was going to go with bizarre.”
“Well, hell, if I had feelings that might actually hurt.”
Cameron, or Cam, is a sweet guy, but a little (or more) arrogant. But his arrogance just adds to his attractiveness. He is fun, witty, sarcastic, and all of that. He's a perfect guy for any girl who wants to forget about her dark past. But, like anyone else, he also have memories he wanted to forget. But let's not talk about that... you better read the book. :-P
“Fuck, Avery. You think I don't want you? There's not a single part of you that I don't want, you understand? I want to be on you and inside of you. I want you against the wall, on the couch, in your bed, in my bed, and every fucking place I can possibly think of, and trust me, I have a vast imagination when it comes to these kinds of things. Don't ever doubt that I want you. That is not what this is about.” 
The thing between the two of them is just... OH MY!!! I love seeing reading about them together. They're just perfect. I love how Cam respected every decision of Avery and I wonder where did he get all those patience he got in him. Avery may always be in the state of denial, but there's now way of hiding how she swoons over cam.

I'm really impressed by the way the author wrote this romance. This is one of those definitely must-read romance books for all you romance lovers out there. I'm currently reading Trust in Me (Wait for You #1.5) which is in Cam's POV! Like OMG!!! I'm so looking forward reading the next book, Be With Me. *grabby hands*

MY RATING
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer L. Armentrout (J. Lynn)

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia. 

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true. 

Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen. 

Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins. 

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Goodreads


“I've wanted to be with you since the first time you turned me down. I've just been waiting for you to come around.” 

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Book Blast + Giveaway: GADGET GIRL: The Art of Being Invisible by Suzanne Kamata


Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible
by Suzanne Kamata

Aiko Cassidy is fourteen and lives with her sculptor mother in a small Midwestern town. For most of her young life Aiko, who has cerebral palsy, has been her mother’s muse. But now, she no longer wants to pose for the sculptures that have made her mother famous and have put food on the table. Aiko works hard on her own dream of becoming a great manga artist with a secret identity.
When Aiko’s mother invites her to Paris for a major exhibition of her work, Aiko at first resists. She’d much rather go to Japan, Manga Capital of the World, where she might be able to finally meet her father, the indigo farmer. When she gets to France, however, a hot waiter with a passion for manga and an interest in Aiko makes her wonder if being invisible is such a great thing after all. And a side trip to Lourdes, ridiculous as it seems to her, might just change her life.
Gadget Girl began as a novella published in Cicada. The story won the SCBWI Magazine Merit Award in Fiction and was included in an anthology of the best stories published in Cicada over the past ten years.

You can purchase Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible at the following Retailers:
    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suzanne Kamata


Five-time Pushcart Prize nominee Suzanne Kamata is the author of the novels Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible (GemmaMedia, 2013) and Losing Kei (Leapfrog Press, 2008), and editor of three anthologies – The Broken Bridge: Fiction from Expatriates in Literary Japan, Love You to Pieces: Creative Writers on Raising a Child with Special Needs, and Call Me Okaasan: Adventures in Multicultural Mothering (Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing, 2009). Her short fiction and essays have appeared widely. She is the Fiction Co-editor of literarymama.com.



Author Links:
Website
  

GIVEAWAY

5 Winners will receive a Copy of  Gadget Girl: The Art of Being Invisible along with Eiffel Tower Key chains (straight from Paris!) by Suzanne Kamata.
Must be 13+ to Enter
US Giveaway Only


a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Book Review: TWISTED PERFECTION by Abbi Glines

Twisted Perfection
by Abbi Glines
Series: Perfection #1
Genre: New Adult Romance
Format Acquired: E-book
Source: Kobo Store
Published: April 24th 2013 by Abbi Glines
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | The Book Depository

Life outside of her house was a new experience for Della Sloane. The dark secrets of her past weren’t something she ever intended to share with anyone. They would never understand. No one would ever get close enough to find out. There was always a chance she’d go crazy sooner than they expected…

Woods Kerrington had never been one to be attracted to fragile females. They seemed like too much work. He wasn’t in it for the work just the pleasure. A night full of naughty fun had been exactly what was on his mind when he’d laid eyes on the hot little number that didn’t know how to pump gas and needed some help.

What he didn’t know was she was as fragile as they came.
The carefree girl who spoke her mind and didn’t care what the world thought of her was more breakable than he could ever imagine…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17333880-twisted-perfection?ac=1

MY REVIEW

When I was reading this book, I was always blushing and saying "OMG  OMG OMG" I like New Adult titles with alternating POVs and this book didn't just make me like it, because I absolutely loved it. At first, I was like, "Woah, that's a lot of sex between strangers!" But later on, I looked forward to their steaming hot sessions.

Della considered herself as a twisted woman, inside and out. Twisted inside, because of her fears and traumatic past, her memories of her family especially her mother. She's having nightmares and she always needed someone to be with her. Aside from considering herself twisted inside, she's also twisted on the outside. Twisted on love and romance, something came up with her and her boss who also happened to be her current boyfriend. Something she didn't expect and truly broke her heart. So she asked help from her friend, Tripp, to help her find another job, far away from her past.
”Go explore. Find your life, Della.” 
Woods, is a freaking handsome and gorgeous and supercalifragilisticexpialidociously hot. He used to follow and carry on orders from his elders, even the point of marrying a woman he doesn't love, for the sake of their family business.
”Woods was hot, dripping with charisma, and did I mention hot? And I didn’t even know his last name.” 
But everything happened when he saw Della at the gasoline station. He thought it will just be a one night stand between the two of them, but he just can't forget how beautiful and good and hot Della is. It's been months he last saw her but he still can't forget about her. Every single night, he thought of her. So when he saw her again, this time, working for him, he didn't let the chance pass by.
"I wanted exactly what she was promising. As far as making her come, I'd make sure she passed out from the number of orgasms I intended to give her. Never throw a Kerrington a challenge like that one. We would go above and beyond."
Even though he knew he's getting married to some f'n b*tch, he became possessive of Della and OMFG I love how possessive he is! I love how he can be such a handsome hot dirty f'n guy to Della! He's definitely swoon worthy, people. He is. Don't Never ever argue with that. 
“You are mine. Do you hear me? You are mine, Della Sloane. I will take care of you. Nothing is taking you away from me. Nothing.”
Despite of the consequences he might face, he still chose Della. He wants her and no one else. He can't think of living another day without her by his side. He accepted Della along with her past, and he's willing to help her move on.

This book is a definitely must-read for all New Adult book lovers out there. A mixture of family ties, traumatic past, friendship, love and passion, you shouldn't miss out this one. I am looking forward to reading other books from Abbi Glines. Damn, I am so impressed! She's definitely one of my favorite New Adult authors now!


MY RATING
ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Abbi Glines

Since publishing her first novel Breathe in May of 2011, Abbi has also released The New York Times bestselling Seabreeze Series which includes Breathe, Because of Low, While It Lasts, Just For Now and Sometimes It Last, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless. New York Times and USA TODAY bestsellers The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers. Last but not least her most popular series to date, Rosemary Beach which includes The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Twisted Perfection and Simple Perfection. Her newest book scheduled to be released on December 17th, 2013 is Misbehaving (Seabreeze).

When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.

Author Links:


“I dont want to destroy you - Della
Losing you would be the only thing that could destroy me - Woods” 

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Cover Reveal + Excerpt: FIRST CHANCE FLING by Emma Hart

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First Chance Fling (#0.5 Chances)
by Emma Hart

Genre: New Adult / Romance
Release Date: January 20th 2014
Organized by: The Book Lovers

Purchase Links: Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes and Noble | iBooks Kobo

Starting a relationship of any kind three months before she leaves Alabama for New York isn’t in Kia’s game plan for this summer… Even if she does have a crazy ass crush on Reese Pembleton – the guy who isn’t afraid to let her know that starting a relationship with her is in his summer plan.

A lifetime of friendship means they know each other better than anyone. A month or two of flirting means there’s a little more than just friendship there. And a set up means the first kiss that changes everything.

One summer.
Two people.
Three months.
A thousand whirlwind moments.

This is the summer it all began for Kia and Reese.

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EXCERPT

He taps my thigh with the back of his fingers. “Do you want food or not?”
“If you don’t take me, I’m sure I can find someone else to.”
“Yeah? Like who?”
I grin. “I’m sure Bobby Parsons would love to take me to dinner.” Bobby was on our high school football team and asked me out several times in senior year. I refused every time; he’s a lovely guy but I’m not attracted to him the slightest.
He scoffs loudly. “Like hell you are. Bobby’s wanted in your pants for at least six months.”
I laugh. “How do you know that?”
He pulls into the parking lot of the diner and kills the engine. When he turns to me, his face is deadly serious. “Baby, there isn’t a single damn guy on that football team that didn’t want to get in your pants at some point during the last year.”
The door opens as he climbs out. Is it me or is he less than happy about that?
“Really?” I ask after he opens my door.
“Really.” He takes my hands to help me out, and I head towards the diner. “Including me,” he mutters from behind.
I pause at the door. “You should know subtlety isn’t a real strong point of yours.”
Reese’s arm reaches in front of me and his hand flattens against the door. I look up at him, meeting his gaze, and he’s so close I can barely breathe.
I’m stupidly attracted to him – something made worse by the fact I’m not entirely sure if it’s just hormonal. We’ve known each other so long it feels almost natural to want him this way, like I was always meant to feel like this. He knows me as well as I know myself.
If I wasn’t going to New York, things would go a whole lot differently. If my forever was in Harlan Grove, this summer could be the start of something beautiful, but it isn’t. My forever begins somewhere miles away, and knowing that twists my gut as I look into the gold-flecked, hazel eyes gazing at me.
“Kia,” he whispers. “Did any of the guys on the team make it obvious they wanted you?”
“No…”
“So they were subtle?” he clarifies.
“Well yeah.”
“And did they get what they wanted? Did they get you?”
“No…”
He lowers his head toward mine an inch, and his lips pull up on one side in that smirk that’s so sexy but so dangerous at the same time. “Then what makes you think I’m going to be subtle about it?”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emma Hart


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By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies – usually wine – and writes books.

Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.

She likes to be busy – unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.
Connect with Emma:


The Book Lovers

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