Book Review: Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

                                  

Title: Wallbanger

Series: Cocktail, Book #1

Author: Alice Clayton (Twitter)

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Humor, New Adult

Format: Audiobook (Audible)

Narrator: Heather Smith

Length: 13 hrs and 53 mins 

Release Date: May 13, 2013

USA TODAY bestselling indie author Alice Clayton delights readers with the sexy, laugh-out-loud romance of Caroline and Simon in Wallbanger, the first book in the Cocktail series!

The first night after Caroline moves into her fantastic new San Francisco apartment, she realizes she’s gaining an—um—intimate knowledge of her new neighbor’s nocturnal adventures. Thanks to paper-thin walls and the guy’s athletic prowess, she can hear not just his bed banging against the wall but the ecstatic response of what seems (as loud night after loud night goes by) like an endless parade of women. And since Caroline is currently on a self-imposed “dating hiatus,” and her neighbor is clearly lethally attractive to women, she finds her fantasies keep her awake even longer than the noise. So when the wallbanging threatens to literally bounce her out of bed, Caroline, clad in sexual frustration and a pink baby-doll nightie, confronts Simon Parker, her heard-but-never-seen neighbor. The tension between them is as thick as the walls are thin, and the results just as mixed. Suddenly, Caroline is finding she may have discovered a whole new definition of neighborly…

In a delicious mix of silly and steamy, Alice Clayton dishes out a hot and hilarious tale of exasperation at first sight.

FIRST IMPRESSION:: I will have to admit this was a pleasant surprise. it was funny and sweet and sexy and believable. That doesn't always happen. I usually end up liking the main character or the love interest more, but, i actually liked Caroline and Simon pretty equally. Both funny, lovable characters. Can't forget about Clive. 

Cover Characteristic: Stilettos

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Making Up for Monday: Book Bestie

Hosted by An Avid Reader; A Wannabe Writer

Each week, there will be a book-related theme or game, or something fun to do that week. And you can play along! All you have to do is find the question for that week and write a post that day based on that question.

This Week's Topic/Question:

Who is your favorite person to talk to about books?

My Answer:

Mine isn't a person; it's persons. I belong to a book club called, Mocha Girls Read, and I love discussing books with the lovely ladies. Besides discussing our book of the month, we also talk about books everyone's reading—good for me; bad for my ever-expanding TBR ;)

Also, depending on the genre of a book, I also like talking to my mom. After all, I hold her responsible for my book obsession and she also gives awesome synopses of the books she's reading. 

Otherwise, my close friends and I don't seem to read the same books... just the A Song of Ice & Fire series, but I've only read book #1.

Cover Characteristic: Sunglasses

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Book Beginnings & The Friday 56: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Hosted By Rose City Reader & Freda's Voice

"Book Beginnings" is a weekly event that shares the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. "The Friday 56" is also a weekly event, sharing a sentence from page 56 or 56% in your eReader (If you have to improvise, that's ok.)


My Pick This Week: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell  

“There was a boy in her room.
Cath looked up at the number painted on the door, then down at the room assignment in her hand.
Pound Hall, 913.
This was definitely room 913, but maybe it wasn’t Pound Hall—all these dormitories looked alike, like public housing towers for the elderly. Maybe Cath should try to catch her dad before he brought up the rest of her boxes.”

~ p. 1 

“Reagan was staring at Cath now, frowning. She was wearing tight black jeans and a black top. Maybe she was going out, not to work.
“Your trash can is full of energy bar wrappers,” Reagan said.
“You were looking through my trash?” Cath felt a rush of anger.
“Levi was looking for a place to spit out his gum.… So? Do you have an eating disorder?”
“No,” Cath said, pretty sure it was exactly what she’d say if she did have an eating disorder.
“Then why don’t you eat real food?”
“I do.” Cath clenched her fists. Her skin felt drawn and tight. “Just. Not here.”
“Are you one of those freaky eaters?”
“No. I—” Cath looked up at the ceiling, deciding that this was one of those times when the truth would be simpler than a lie. “—I don’t know where the dining hall is.”

~ p. 56 

Thoughtful Thursday: Organize Books Electonically?

Hosted by Reading Is Fun Again

Thoughtful Thursday was created to explore bookish thoughts! Each week, a new bookish thought is discussed -- so join in the fun! 

This Week's Topic/Question:

Do you organize your books electronically? How do you organize them?

My Answer:

Considering that I am not the most organized person in my normal life, it's ironic I am VERY organized when it comes to my electronic filing... obsessively so. Everything has a place and there's a place for everything.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Oh Yeah, Audrey! by Tucker Shaw

Hosted By Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Title: Oh Yeah, Audrey!

Genres: YA, Realistic Fiction
Author: Tucker Shaw (Twitter)

Format: Paperback

Length: 359 pages

Release Date: October 14, 2014

It’s 5:00 a.m. on Fifth Avenue, and 16-year-old Gemma Beasley is standing in front of Tiffany & Co. wearing the perfect black dress with her coffee in hand—just like Holly Golightly. As the cofounder of a successful Tumblr blog—Oh Yeah Audrey!—devoted to all things Audrey Hepburn, Gemma has traveled to New York in order to meet up with her fellow bloggers for the first time. She has meticulously planned out a 24-hour adventure in homage to Breakfast at Tiffany’s; however, her plans are derailed when a glamorous boy sweeps in and offers her the New York experience she’s always dreamed of. Gemma soon learns who her true friends are and that, sometimes, no matter where you go, you just end up finding yourself.

Filled with hip and sparkling prose, Oh Yeah, Audrey! is as much a story of friendship as it is a love letter to New York, Audrey Hepburn, and the character she made famous: Holly Golightly.

Why I Picked It: Such an amazing cover inspired by an amazing woman. Audrey Hepburn is a fashion icon and someone I have always loved. This is a spot-on perfect interpretation of one of her most inspiring characters, Holly Golightly. Plus Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of my favorite movies. I could watch her singing Moon River anytime.

Making Up for Monday: Most Anticipated Book

Hosted by An Avid Reader; A Wannabe Writer

Each week, there will be a book-related theme or game, or something fun to do that week. And you can play along! All you have to do is find the question for that week and write a post that day based on that question.

This Week's Topic/Question:

What book that hasn't been released yet are you most anticipating?

My Answer:

Definitely Zodiac by Romina Russell. I have always been interested in astrological signs. I'm an Aquarius and a lot of the traits that go along with this sign actually do apply to me. So, this concept grabbed me immediately.


This is a book that I previously shared (Waiting for Wednesday post) and tweeted about months ago. I was lucky to get a "thank you" tweet from Romina for spreading the word; a first from an author!

Also, how gorgeous is that cover! The only bummer is that it's being released in December, so there's still a bit of a wait ahead :/

Cover Characteristic: Swimwear

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Top 5 Best Book Covers: September 2014

Top 5 Best Book Covers is monthly meme created by The Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. The rules are simple: on the first Saturday of every month, post your 5 favorite books covers that are being released in the current month!

#1
Title:  Don't Touch
Author:  Rachel M. Wilson (Twitter)
Genre:  YA, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Release Date:  September 2, 2014

A powerful story of a girl who is afraid to touch another person’s skin, until the boy auditioning for Hamlet opposite her Ophelia gives her a reason to overcome her fears.

Step on a crack, break your mother’s back. Touch another person’s skin, and Dad’s gone for good.

Caddie can’t stop thinking that if she keeps from touching another person’s skin, her parents might get back together... which is why she wears full-length gloves to school and covers every inch of her skin.

It seems harmless at first, but Caddie’s obsession soon threatens her ambitions as an actress. She desperately wants to play Ophelia in her school’s production of Hamlet. But that would mean touching Peter, who’s auditioning for the title role—and kissing him. Part of Caddie would love nothing more than to kiss Peter—but the other part isn't sure she's brave enough to let herself fall.

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Catch Me When I Fall (Dreamcatcher, Book #1) by Vicki Leigh

Hosted By Breaking the Spine

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases.

Title: Catch Me When I Fall

Book Series: Dreamcatcher, Book #1

Author: Vicki Leigh

Genres: YA, Paranormal, Supernatural

Release Date: October 23, 2014

Recruited at his death to be a Protector of the Night, seventeen-year-old Daniel Graham has spent two-hundred years fighting Nightmares and guarding humans from the clawed, red-eyed creatures that feed off people’s fears. Each night, he risks his eternal life, having given up his chance at an afterlife when he chose to become a Protector. That doesn’t stop a burnt-out Daniel from risking daring maneuvers during each battle. He’s become one of the best, but he wants nothing more than to stop.

Then he’s given an assignment to watch over sixteen-year-old Kayla Bartlett, a clinically depressed patient in a psychiatric ward. Nightmares love a human with a tortured past. Yet, when they take a deep interest in her, appearing in unprecedented numbers, the job becomes more dangerous than any Daniel’s ever experienced. He fights ruthlessly to keep the Nightmares from overwhelming his team and Kayla. Soon, Daniel finds himself watching over Kayla during the day, drawn to why she’s different, and what it is about her that attracts the Nightmares. And him.

A vicious attack on Kayla forces Daniel to break the first Law and reveal his identity. Driven by his growing feelings for her, he whisks her away to Rome where others like him can keep her safe. Under their roof, the Protectors discover what Kayla is and why someone who can manipulate Nightmares has her in his sights. But before they can make a move, the Protectors are betrayed and Kayla is kidnapped. Daniel will stop at nothing to save her. Even if it means giving up his immortality.

This just sounds like such an interesting book. I've been looking for something regarding a "guardian angel" and I like the role that Daniel plays. That he's not only looking out for Kayla, but also that he fights Nightmares. Definitely will be checking this out.

   

Book Review: The Legacy (The Legacy Trilogy, Book #1) by Melissa Delport

Title:  The Legacy

Book Series:  The Legacy Trilogy, Book 1

Author:  Melissa Delport

Genre:  Speculative Fiction

Format:  Paperback, 366 pages

One man obsessed with power.

One woman prepared to sacrifice everything to stop him.

One war that changed the world. 

“World War Three lasted twelve days. Twelve days was all it took for mankind to devastate the planet and almost eradicate the human race. No victor emerged from the ashes and billions lost their lives.

We survivors lived through the bleakest of winters. A primal existence became the new order, and the little that remained of our humanity hung in the balance.

Then one man stood up and changed the world. I believed, as did everyone else, that he was the hero of our time, the man who had saved us from our own demise. His name is Eric Dane and he is the President of the New United States of America.

He is also my husband, and my greatest enemy.

I grew up oblivious to the truth, until my father found me when I was nineteen years old. He told me about the many horrifying facts that our new leader kept hidden from us. And he told me that beyond the borders the Resistance grew and fought for freedom from the oppression that Eric Dane had imposed on us.

My name is Rebecca Davis. I am twenty-six years old, and in me the Resistance has found the ultimate weapon.”

A narrative of good and evil, love and passion, right and wrong – and at the centre of the story a strong woman who is prepared to sacrifice everything for the cause she believes in.

The Legacy is an action-packed, adrenalin-inducing thrill ride which will leave you riveted long after you have turned the last page.

My Ranking:

FIRST IMPRESSION:: I've never been a fan of prologues. As a young reader, I would skip them altogether. They just lacked oomph and read too dry. This one, however, was exactly what was wanted in all the encounters before. It provided the background information in a way that pulled me into the story -- it made it interesting. I wanted to know what happens next, which I suppose is the point. Also, I appreciated that this prologue setup the situation of this dystopian world. I’ve encountered far too many books that lack a good explanation of how the dystopian world came to be.

Author Guest Post: The Legacy Trilogy Music Playlist

By Melissa Delport, author of The Legacy

I am a big lover of music – I always have been, and remember the very first tapes my mom bought me when I turned 11 – The Best of Dolly Parton & Kenny G! Personally, I think she underestimated my desire to own my own music and thought it was simply a childish whim, so she bought music she could listen to when I moved on to my next obsession. That didn’t happen – in fact, in the absence of anything better, I stretched those tapes from playing them so much that they were no use to anyone within a few short months.

Everybody knows that music inspires emotion, and a movie’s soundtrack is almost as important as its casting. I have my own ideas as to what music would go well with certain scenes in The Legacy, but as I do not want to disclose any “spoilers” I will simply list my Movie Soundtrack, in no particular order.

See if you can guess what song matches which scene: