A Whole New World (A Twisted Tale) by Liz Braswell

Welcome to a new YA series that reimagines classic Disney stories in surprising new ways. Each book asks the question: What if one key moment from a familiar Disney film was changed? This dark and daring version ofAladdin twists the original story with the question: What if Jafar was the first one to summon the Genie?

When Jafar steals the Genie’s lamp, he uses his first two wishes to become sultan and the most powerful sorcerer in the world. Agrabah lives in fear, waiting for his third and final wish.To stop the power-mad ruler, Aladdin and the deposed Princess Jasmine must unite the people of Agrabah in rebellion. But soon their fight for freedom threatens to tear the kingdom apart in a costly civil war.

What happens next? A Street Rat becomes a leader. A princess becomes a revolutionary. And readers will never look at the story of Aladdin in the same way again.

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

When I saw this new book series by Disney I was really interested.  Remaking classic Disney stories into something new in the YA genre with a twist sounds fun, right?  I really wanted to read this first book to see how it would all go down.

This book starts out almost exactly (verbatim) as the the animated Disney movie of Aladdin but without the singing.  It felt young and not at all like a YA version or a remake.  I really thought about giving up on this book because I was so bored and I was expecting something different.  It felt young, more a middle grade read instead of YA.

But, eventually it does change.  Jafar makes a different decision and it changes the flow and the outline of the story.  Things started to pick up from there but I was still unconvinced.  For me, while the story started to gain some momentum and have more of a YA feel,  I still felt like an outsider looking in.  I didn't actually feel anything and I didn't become engaged emotionally.  The characters fell flat for me.  I just didn't care.  That made it very hard to get through this book.

While I am really not impressed with this first book, I still believe that this series has potential.  Perhaps with the right authors and stories matched up?  I don't know.  If every story follows the movie verbatim in the beginning it will always feel boring and young.  I'll be interested to see what comes next.

Content:  Some violence and dark magic.  No swearing or sexual content beyond some kisses.

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith

On the night before they leave for college, Clare and Aidan only have one thing left to do: figure out whether they should stay together or break up. Over the course of twelve hours, they'll retrace the steps of their relationship, trying to find something in their past that might help them decide what their future should be. The night will lead them to friends and family, familiar landmarks and unexpected places, hard truths and surprising revelations. But as the clock winds down and morning approaches, so does their inevitable goodbye. The question is, will it be goodbye for now or goodbye forever?

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

I was so excited to get a review copy of this book.  I have loved Jennifer Smith's books and I am always on the lookout for her newest book to show up.  The cover is cute, right?  I love the pop of pink on this one and I love how all her books look similar and have a continuity to them.

So, I'm going to say right off that I was titch disappointed in a couple things in this book. First, the sex between two teenagers.  Not described, but obviously there.  Second, the under-aged drinking.  I just didn't think either of those things needed to be in there to make the story real or good.

 The main characters are just graduating high school and heading off to college.  He wants to stay together, she insists that they should break up.  Clare has planned the whole night before they leave to go through memories that she and Aidan share.  I loved that idea.  And man, you won't believe what they can fit into one night.  It's like living weeks in one twelve hour period.  With each place or event, we get another piece that is Clare and Aidan- their history and their love.  The story involves family issues as well as friends and seriously, it really felt like I lived a lifetime with these two characters in what was supposed to be 12 hours.  I thought the whole idea was fun and romantic.  I loved how the story came together.  I felt like I was on a journey and I couldn't help but be caught up.

This wasn't my favorite book from Jennifer Smith.  It was a solid story, but just not my favorite from her.  I will be on the lookout for the next book because when all is said and done, Jennifer Smith has a writing style that is uniquely her and I love that.  

Love on a Whim by Aubrey Mace + $25 Giveaway!

Six months out of law school, Rachel Pearce is completely disillusioned by her job hunt. Despite pounding the pavement with her Ivy League degree in hand, her job prospects are no brighter than the day she graduated. Then in a chance meeting with a former acquaintance, eccentric young millionaire Henry Walker, Rachel finds an unexpected opportunity: Henry is looking for a personal secretary. Swallowing her pride, Rachel sets aside her law firm aspirations for what she envisions as secretarial work—mountains of paperwork and filing. But when she finds her most demanding duty to be daily cookie runs for her new boss, she’s baffled by her unconventional job responsibilities.

As she’s pulled into Henry’s delightful whims, caught in a whirlwind of private jets and fancy dinners, Rachel finds herself inexplicably drawn to this handsome and charismatic man. But reality always has a way of intruding, and logic tells her that this adventure can’t last. When real life inevitably comes calling, Rachel must decide if she’s willing to trade in her dream of success in the courtroom for a chance at love.

 * Goodreads * Amazon * 

I love the cover for this book!  It's so cute and it makes me want to eat cookies.  Actually, I wanted to eat cookies throughout this whole book.  One of these days I am going to get to the bakery spotlighted in this book because it is an actual place.  How fantastic is that?!

This book is lighthearted and fun.  I enjoyed the interactions between Rachel and Henry- the banter and the little zing pinging back and forth.  Rachel thinks she knows Henry and she does to some degree but not entirely.  Henry is generous and caring.  He has such a soft heart and he uses the resources at his disposal to help and take care of other people without announcing it to the world.  I love that.

I read through this book quickly because it was so fun and I didn't want to put it down.  It was the perfect little romantic escape for a summer day.

Content:  Clean!  No swearing or sexual situations.  There are a couple mentions of the couple being LDS but absolutely nothing preachy at all.  This book can be enjoyed by all.

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Tour Schedule: 

*July 27th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://www.bonnieharris.blogspot.com/, http://iamareader.com/

*July 28th: http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/

*July 29th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/

*July 30th: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://littlelightdesigncollective.com/

*July 31st: http://fireandicereads.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/

Beck's Peace (Harmon Heritage #2) by Dora Hiers

Burn survivor Savvy McCord doesn't blame her best friend for running away. She can't even look at her scars without wincing. When Beck's disappearing act spans years, she relinquishes dreams of love and marriage. Unable to face Savvy's expectations of happily-ever-after, Beck Harmon deserts her, far away from the rumors that he's just like his father. When the wanderer returns, dreams of forever blossom in Savvy's heart, but she worries he'll leave again. Can Beck convince Savvy that her true beauty comes from her inner strength and faith? Will his idea to help burn victims regain their self-confidence restore Savvy's trust in him? Will love be what the wanderer needs to find peace for his hurting soul?

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

Beck's Peace is the second book in the Harmon Heritage series.  I read the first book, Rori's Healing, not too long ago and really enjoyed it so picking up the next book for review was a no brainer.  I think Beck's Peace can stand alone but I think you will enjoy it more if you read Rori's Healing first.

Beck took off years ago leaving his family and friends behind.  He's been wandering the country, working and running from his past.  One of those people Beck left behind is Savvy, his friend, his love and his sister's best friend.

Savvy thought Beck loved her but then he saw her burn scars and took off, leaving her heart devastated.  Now he is back and trying to make amends but Savvy doesn't trust him but she still loves him.

Now Beck is trying to prove himself worthy.  He is fighting to help Savvy see her beauty- inside and out.  

I loved this book.  I thought it was full of emotion and that tension that makes you want to keep reading.  Beck works so hard to make up for his absence with his family and Savvy.  He wants to be there for them.  The family connection was fantastic and I was really rooting for both Beck and Savvy the whole way.  

Today is release day for Beck's Peace!  Yay!  No waiting, only reading.  :)  I hope you all enjoy this series as much as I have!

This is a clean romance.  Christian Fiction.  No swearing or sexual situations.

Another Time for Love by Lynne Larson + $25 and book Giveaway

Salt Lake County, Present Day
Sam Carroll is living life in the fast lane--sleek cars, nice clothes, and lovely ladies have replaced the gospel values he grew up with, and he's going nowhere fast. But when a serious car accident brings his fun to a screeching halt, Sam is left comatose, aware only of his older brother reading aloud from the hundred-year-old journal of an LDS bishop, Moroni Chadester. As Sam drifts in and out of consciousness, the words begin to take root in his mind . . .

Alpine, Utah, 1915
Standing on a dusty mountain road, Sam is bewildered. The cars are different. The clothes are different. Where and when is he? The answer comes from an impossible source: Bishop Moroni Chadester. Hurtled back in time by forces he can't understand, Sam finds his memories of modern existence quickly fading as he becomes immersed in a new life and a romance with the town beauty, Laney Williams. But as the pair becomes entangled in a murder mystery, the thrill of courtship is replaced by terror as fate conspires to bring the couple into the path of a killer. Little do they realize that the clock is ticking on more than their lives Sam can't stay in the past forever. As danger looms ever closer, Sam must fight to save Laney. But can their love stand the test of time?

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

This book is and LDS historical time travel novel.  I love how so many genres get mashed together these days.  It's like anything goes.  

Sam gets in a car accident and is comatose.  His brother reads to him from a journal from long ago.  Sam finds himself living in the world from the journal as his own world begins to fade.  We experience the world of 1915 through Sam's eyes.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book and I could easily picture the story playing out in my mind like a movie.  The book moved along slowly and even though this book is on the shorter side, it took me awhile to get through it.  It didn't grip and hold my attention like I would've liked.  But, like I said, there were many enjoyable parts to this book.  The ending was the best bit for me.

This is an LDS fiction book so religion and religious elements play a large role in the plot and with the characters.  The book is gentle in nature and clean.  It has a sweet romance.

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*July 20th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/

*July 21st: http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/

*July 22nd: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/

*July 23rd: http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/, http://melsshelves.blogspot.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/wordpress/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/

*July 24th: http://littlelightdesigncollective.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/ 

Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity (Meet Your Match #3) by Rachael Anderson + $50 Giveaway

   

 Home from college for the summer, Samantha Kinsey steps into her role as nanny for her two favorite little charges. But when she finds herself playing chauffeur more than playmate, her summer outlook quickly turns from fun to bleak. That is, until she drives the girls to a family-owned ranch and meets Colten McCoy—a genuine, hard-working cowboy, who's as set in his ways as he is handsome. Although he claims he doesn't need any fun in his life, Sam’s determined to help him find it. But she'll soon discover that cowboys are about as easy to train as wild mustangs. Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity is about an adaptable girl and a not so adaptable guy. It’s about learning to accept people for who they are and realizing that sometimes who they are is exactly who they should be.

Purchase your copy from AMAZON

I am always, always positively giddy when I get to read a new book by Rachael Anderson.  She is one of my all time favorite authors.  The way she writes just clicks with me and takes me right to my happy place.  

I've been looking forward to reading Sam's story from the beginning of this series.  Sam is a fun loving, happy girl.  She knows how to enjoy life but she also knows how to work hard and love well.  She is someone I would like to be friends with.  Colten is more like Sam than she thinks.  He also is loyal and hard working.  Not to mention handsome.  There is just something about cowboys.  

The connection between Sam and Colten is fantastic.  I liked how things progressed between them.  It felt natural and normal.  I bought into their relationship and felt personally invested in their outcome.  It was also good to have characters from previous books around in this book.  It really felt like settling in with old friends.

I loved this book and I love this series.  If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, you really should.  It's fantastic clean romance.

Author Rachael Anderson USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Get the Meet Your Match Boxed Set

$50 Book Blast Giveaway Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 7/31/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Blog Tour Schedule

Worth Waiting For (The Skeleton in My Closet #2) by Sally Johnson + $25 Giveaway

Sophia thought she was over her broken heart, but the news that her roommate has eloped with Sophia's ex-husband hits the nineteen-year-old like a ton of bricks. She knows she should be fine with the unexpected revelation--after all, her boyfriend, Luke, is incredible, but it would seem her heart is not as resilient as she thought. And as Luke prepares to leave for his European study abroad, Sophia's feelings of fear and inadequacy threaten to overwhelm her.

A summer with her family in Las Vegas gives Sophia the time she needs but she still can't shake the questions haunting her, the questions that continually threaten to put more than physical distance between Luke and her. Is she really ready to jump into a new relationship when the last one ended so painfully? Will her divorce always define her? Is she the one with the problem?

As she wistfully observes others' love stories blossoming around her, Sophia must decide whether she's prepared to take another chance on love. Luke's return from Europe forces Sophia to confront the decision she's not sure she's prepared for--will her troubled past destroy the happy ending she's always dreamed of?

I didn't realize when I started reading this book that it was the second book in the series.  I haven't read the first book (The Skeleton in My Closet Wears a Wedding Dress) and I don't know if that affected my reading or not.  I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything big and I was never lost as to how the story was going but I was probably missing out on knowing the characters better since they were also in the first book.

Sophia has been through a lot of emotional turmoil in her young 19 years.  While she seems to be making some headway in moving forward, she keeps looking back.  She just cannot seem to let go of the hurt and worry.  I liked Sophia, but I didn't fall in love with her.  Maybe that's where not reading the first book comes into play?  I found myself frustrated with her a lot of the book.

Luke is like the patient prince of the kingdom.  He is gentle with Sophia and he is kind.  But everyone has their limits and Luke reaches his and finally gets as frustrated with Sophia as I did.  

I liked this book.  It was a firm like for me but it wasn't love because I was frustrated by Sophia for too much of the book.  This is an LDS fiction book so religion plays a large part in the book and in the character's decision making.

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Schedule: 

*July 13th: http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/, http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/   

*July 14th: http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/, http://www.iamareader.com/, http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/ 

*July 15th: http://katiescleanbookcollection.blogspot.com/, http://minreadsandreviews.blogspot.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/, http://www.ldswomensbookreview.com/

*July 16th: http://gettingyourreadonaimeebrown.blogspot.com/, http://littlelightdesigncollective.com/, http://fireandicereads.com/