Blog Tour Book Review & Amazon/E-book Giveaway: Part-Time Princess by Pamela DuMond

Part-time Princess

Pamela DuMond

Goodreads | Amazon | Tour 

Publication Date: July 28th 2014

Genre:  Comedy, Romance, New Adult

Lucy Trabbicio’s a down-on-her-luck, young, American, former biker-bar cocktail waitress desperate to find a job. Lady Elizabeth Billingsley hires Lucy to travel to Fredonia, the tiny jewel of a country in the Alps, for ten days ‘tops’ to impersonate her.

Say what? How the heck is that going to happen?

In the mother of all makeovers, Elizabeth’s people teach Lucy how to dress, walk, talk, eat, be coiffed and even get naked like a European Lady.

The goal?

To keep Crown Prince Cristoph Timmel interested in Elizabeth until she finishes her unexpected, pressing personal business in the States.

But fate intervenes… Lucy meets and is wildly attracted to sexy, bad-boy Nick on the oh-so-long flights to Fredonia. Unfortunately for Lucy—Nick and Elizabeth have a hot sexual history, which Nick wants to immediately resume.

Prince Cristoph proposes marriage. What's an imposter girl to do?Elizabeth insists that she’ll make it back home in time for the wedding. Lucy accepts Cristoph’s proposal and is on the fast track to becoming a Princess but continues to fall for the wrong Prince of Fredonia—Nick. When another tiny glitch arises—someone’s trying to kill her.

The only folks helping Lucy are her wild, party hard, take-no-prisoners Ladies-in-Waiting. 

When the real Lady Elizabeth decides she’s not marrying Cristoph and never returning to Fredonia, Lucy’s faced with an uncomfortable decision—continue her deception, marry the prince she’s not in love with and live a dream life albeit without Nick, her dream guy? Or tell the truth and return to poverty and oblivion?

A modern day sexy fairy tale with romance, twists and turns, LOL moments, a few tears and an empowering ending.

So I’ve been reading a lot of fantasy lately. And most of it is pretty normal fare fantasy voice wise. So when I saw this book come up I decided it was time to break my reading streak and go for something a bit... lighter.

Part-Time Princess is about a girl, Lucy, who is fired from her job (the guy was totally asking for it though) and is desperate to get another job to keep her Uncle in a nice home and keep her from living on the streets. So she turns to internet classifieds and applies for every job she thinks applies to her.

One of these jobs ends up being impersonating a Princess for a few weeks and it pays amazingly well, just what she needs. She also happens to look very similar, though her personality is quite different.

Obviously you all can see where this is going to end up. There are shenanigans a-glore.

Lucy is a great character. I loved reading her voice as she tried really hard to roll with the punches. Her job is way over her head, however, and she knows it. There is definitely a suspension of disbelief we have to put on (because these people have known Elizabeth her whole life, how is it that the only thing they notice differently about Lucy is that she’s curvier, come on!) but I happily suspended it and enjoyed the story.

The romance was done really well for this kind of story. Often I have trouble reading stories like this because I can’t stand the second-hand embarrassment or the way everyone is BETRAYED, but there were some clever leavings done by the main love interest that made it feel less weird in the end and well... I won't spoil it for you.

I enjoyed the tense feeling of anxiety as Lucy’s stay grew longer and longer and then on top of that trying to figure out who was trying to kill “Elizabeth”.

Overall this book was exactly what I needed. The prose is light-hearted, the story comedy-based and the characters entertaining. If you enjoy princess stories with hijinks (like Princess Diaries for example) this is one to pick up and enjoy.

4 Bookmarks

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ARC Book Review: Fueds by Avery Hastings

Fueds

Avery Hastings

ARC Disclaimer: I was not paid in any way by the publishers to review this book favourably. The review is my own honest opinion (Whether or not it is agreed with).

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Pages: 272

Genre:  Dystopia, Romance, Young Adult

Dress-up turns deadly. . .

For Davis Morrow, perfection is a daily reality. Like all Priors, Davis has spent her whole life primed to be smarter, stronger, and more graceful than the lowly Imperfects, or “Imps.” A fiercely ambitious ballerina, Davis is only a few weeks away from qualifying for the Olympiads and finally living up to her mother’s legacy when she meets Cole, a mysterious boy who leaves her with more questions each time he disappears.

Davis has no idea that Cole has his own agenda, or that he’s a rising star in the FEUDS, an underground fighting ring where Priors gamble on Imps. Cole has every reason to hate Davis—her father’s campaign hinges on the total segregation of the Imps and Priors—but despite his best efforts, Cole finds himself as drawn to Davis as she is to him.

Then Narxis, a deadly virus, takes its hold--and Davis’s friends start dying. When the Priors refuse to acknowledge the epidemic, Davis has no one to turn to but Cole. Falling in love was never part of their plan, but their love may be the only thing that can save her world...in Avery Hastings's Feuds.

There are two types of people living in the futuristic city of Columbus. There are the Priors and there are the Imps. Priors are genetically enhanced, while Imps are "Imperfect" nothing enhanced about them. It doesn't take much to guess which group is in political power and how the group in power treats the other.

As a romance novel, you can see where this is probably going. Davis, our main female character is a Prior and Cole, the male half, is an Imp. This is a plot that has been done since the dawn of storytelling. It could have easily gone to many cliché places and a couple of times it did, but what saves this book is the amount of layering in the world building and the mysterious disease that haunts the pages.

Hastings held my attention with that mystery. It had me biting my nails as I saw the inevitable coming along. I found myself wondering which characters in power knew and which didn't. The world also, though a play on a common theme, is set up nicely and I feel like there is more to explore about it.

There isn't anything extra-ordinary about the characters themselves for me, but they weren't lacking either. The pacing felt slow from time-to-time, but it continued to keep my attention.

The thing the book has going for it the most, however, is that it is strong enough to carry as a series (and from the cliffhanger ended it most certainly will at least have a sequel). Extra layers were added at the end and the world has enough mysteries while still feeling like the exact story of the first book is at a stopping point.

I adore the fact that Davis is apparently only half Prior and this whole mystery of her mother is revealed. This was both surprising and natural in the story. We know Davis has the sickness the moment that she screws up her dance performance (and let me say the fact that Priors insist they're all right to end was terrifying to read in Davis, because as readers we know and we want her to tell people and get help before she dies), but she seemed to be fine for so long after first showing symptoms, so to figure out "why" is next.

It's also a fantastic plot twist in the characterization of her father and mother. I want to know that story now. I want to know what happened, if he knew, what he feels like, if his campaign has anything to do with her, it's all bouncing around my head.

The other thing was that I almost swallowed my heart when Cole decided to fake his death. It reminded me way too much of Romeo and Juliet and I became truly afraid that maybe the book wouldn't have a sequel, that it was going to be a retelling of Romeo and Juliet that ends the traditional way, with both of their deaths because one mistook a fake death for a real one.

I'll definitely be picking up the next book to find out what happens.

I recommend this to people who love star-crossed lovers stories. I doubly recommend it if you also like Dystopias and stories about people versus government corruption. It was a satisfying Young Adult read.

4 Bookmarks

Book Review: The Possession by J.D. Spikes

The Possession (Secret Journals #1)

J.D. Spikes

ARC Disclaimer: I was not paid in any way by the publishers to review this book favourably. The review is my own honest opinion (Whether or not it is agreed with).

Publisher: Lachesis Publishing

Pages: 212

Genre:  Paranormal, Romance, Horro, Young Adult

Daphne Wentworth is almost seventeen, definitely a red head, and most likely the tallest girl in her class, which is awkward to say the least when it comes to dating boys in her school. But she doesn’t have to worry about school for the next two months since she’s spending the summer at her aunt Dwill’s lighthouse in Maine. What she does have to worry about is seeing ghosts in the lighthouse cemetery, having strange dreams, and hearing the voices of star-crossed lovers who lived two-hundred years ago. And then there’s a local boy named Zach Philbrook who works for her aunt. He’s too gorgeous for his own good. He’s also very tall, with midnight black hair, and the most beautiful indigo blue eyes Daphne has ever seen. Zach is treated like an outcast by the local teens in town. He’s Micmac and therefore not “one of the gang”. Daphne can’t help being drawn to his strength, especially considering that he’s had to live his entire life dealing with ignorance. But the local teens aren’t the only trouble-makers in town. As Zach and Daphne get closer, the lighthouse ghost lovers begin haunting them. When Daphne and Zach try to figure out how to fight them, the spirits get bolder and more dangerous. So how do you protect yourself from something that isn’t really there?

The Possession is a book about curses, ghosts and prejudices. It is set in a small town and lighthouse where the main character, Daphne is helping her aunt out. She meets the Native American, Zach while helping to clean the lighthouse’s graveyard and then everything starts to go crazy.

My main issue with The Possession is the suddenness of the romance. There is absolutely no build-up or courting it is just BAM they meet for the first time (despite her having visited this area for years) BAM they are in love and act as if they are girlfriend and boyfriend. Excepting that, they did have a rather good portrayal of relationship that is going from new to serious, so if Spikes hadn’t just skipped to there it would have been done quite well.

Lack of build-up was also at fault with the mystery as well. It felt like we went straight from nothing to everything. I did enjoy the mystery, however. I loved reading about the ghostly couple and the troubles they went through trying to have a bi-racial bi-cultural relationship in that time period. I also enjoyed how the “curse” caused this relationship to repeat itself generation after generation.

I also loved the setting of the old lighthouse. It was something different and highly interesting.

I have to mention the ridiculousness near the end of this book. All the kids who had been very discriminatory towards Zach pretty much since the moment he arrived in the town, added with how predatory and rude they had been to Daphne. There is no way I could ever believe that they would have a complete change of heart and suddenly just want to help. Life doesn’t work that way. Not so suddenly and it made for cringe-worthy reading, I’m sorry to say. It knocked me completely out of the book. It also throws out the theme of racial issues that can happen, writing it off as something that solves itself in an instant.

Maybe, with the one main girl from town it could be somewhat believable, we deal with her for much of end bit and her coming to terms with the ghost I can understand, but those kids who went straight from hard core bullying and sexual advances to “I WILL HELP YOU!”, not so much.

I thing I did enjoy was how our main couple dealt with the issue of sex. It felt very real. It’s not always a clear-cut easy decision especially when you’re younger and you’re getting advice from all sorts of places. I like how they had both brought condoms, showing that they kind of wanted to, but how in the end that indecision made Daphne decide she just wasn’t ready quite yet. I really do think that was an interesting touch.

Do you like ghostly mysteries? Do you like lighthouses? Do you like fated romances at are bi-racial, bi-culture? Then it doesn't hurt to pick up this book and give it a try

3 Bookmarks

Blog Tour and Kindle Giveaway: Shattering Halos by Sunniva Dee

Shattering Halos (Halos #1)

Sunniva Dee

Goodreads | Amazon | Tour 

Publication Date: February 24th 2014

Pages: 362

Genre:  Paranormal Romance, New Adult

I traded my death for love. I wasn’t given a choice. His decision has caught up with us, so now I am a living, breathing catalyst to war between Heaven and Hell.

The violations he committed saved my life. Since the collision, he’s appeared everywhere. In my hospital room, my school, even my house. He shows up in my paintings, my drawings, in all of my art projects. I can’t stop thinking about him.

He says his name is Gabriel, and he doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. He doesn’t know how I can see him or why he wants me in ways that should be impossible for a Celestial.

My obsession grows. I need him to hold me, kiss me—give all of himself. For every day he protects me, the consequences loom darker and taller. Soon, they’ll crash down on us.

The war is about to begin.

When Shattering Halos starts it is a story about obsession. It is frightening to read, even. For some it may seem romantic, but for me I didn't trust it one second. I was worried I wasn't going to like this book because of how much it put me off. Then our two main characters stop fighting and the story changes.

The last two-thirds of this book are an epic paranormal ride. As soon as the actual plot and stakes are introduced things become interesting. We start to learn about this world and become involved. Dee has a way with words. Her sentences compelled me and dragged me along. Her prose style in the beginning is different than most New Adult or Young Adult out there, less straight forward and little more dreamy and it ends up working for her well. The reader is made to feel like they are passing through a dream in that first third, which is very close to Gaia, our main character is feeling throughout it.

Cassiel is the strongest out of all the characters dealt with in the book. Unfortunately Gaia and Gabriel fall flat when portrayed on their own. It's their relationship and romance that is the true main character of the book and not them. Cassiel on the other hand is layered. He's the one that becomes the most interesting to follow. I would read more books with him as a main character.

Though I was better with the romance in the last parts of the book, there was still enough of that obsession making me feel a bit off-kilter (I think that Gabriel being and angel made this far worse, especially when it comes out that Gaia's body would pretty much crave his like a drug and having sex is dangerous yet she is constantly craving it. That's scary.), added to the fact that things worked out too easily for them (no punishment?) that I wish that their relationship would have had a tragic end some how. It would have fit so well with the story as well. An epic love beyond all love becomes even more epic if it is lost.

On another note, I loved reading a description of the battle. I could not get over how well Dee set it up and described it. It was a gorgeous bit of action, I wish I had gotten to read more battles in the story because of it.

I recommend this to people who enjoy stories of angels and fallen angels. I also believe that if you are into reading epic romances (even if some realism is lost in loo of epicness) this is definitely a book for you. It is not surprising that most of the 5 star reviews I've seen around laud the romance as being amazing.

3.5 Bookmarks

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Book Review: The One by Kiera Cass

The One (The Selection #3)

Kiera Cass

Review of The Selection
Review of The Elite (The Selection #2)

Publication Date: June 5th 2014

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 325

Genre:  Fantasy-esque, Dystopia-esque, Romance, Young Adult

For the four girls who remain at the palace, the friendships they’ve formed, rivalries they’ve struggled with and dangers they’ve faced have bound them to each other for the rest of their lives.

Now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.

America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown – or to Prince Maxon’s heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realises just how much she stands to lose – and how hard she’ll have to fight for the future she wants.

Yes. This one is the best one. I can't believe this is the same writer as the first book, she has improved so much for me. Although maybe gulping both this and The Elite one right after each other on the same day could be coloring my view.

The highlight of this book for me (I'm sure it's not true of everyone) is not the romance but instead the friendships and politics of the book.

On top of that Cass manages to show growth in almost every single character still around in this final book. The final four girls left, aside from America, are the side characters where it's the most obvious. It makes me want to go re-read the first book again just to remember how they were when they had started and truly appreciate what they've grown into. America herself grows tremendously as well, from a girl who just wanted to marry the boy of her dreams to the girl who wants to make a difference.

It's hard to talk about this book without revealing all. I laughed. I cried. I almost missed my bell to go to class because I became so absorbed. I am glad I gave this series another chance after a rocky start. I think the first book is a poor introduction to all of the non-romance parts that this series has to offer, but on the other hand it was a good set-up for things to come.

One thing that's true however is that The One is a different book than The Selection. Lucky for me that was a good thing.

Celeste! I cried for Celeste! It was only one line, brief in the epilogue, but as soon as I realized what it alluded to I started tearing up. I think her growth was one of my favourites. She was so hated in the beginning, seemed so shallow as a character, and then she seemed to get worse, but this situation it beats everyone down. All of the girls are in a very dangerous place and her stubbornness kept her from leaving. When she broke down and America and her made the truce, she became my favourite character.

The friendship that the final girls created was also dear to me, I hadn't expected it and I think it was good of Cass to do.

I also teared up a bit when Maxon revealed that he had been trying to figure out how the eliminate the caste system since almost way in the beginning. I was so proud of him at the moment. I admire him so much as a character. Everything he would try to do that was against his father was a risk for him, yet he'd still do it.

There is so much more I could talk about, but I could go on forever.

This is a fantastic end that cleans up the loose ends of the previous book and ends at a place that feels comfortable and finished. This series is good. It is a fantasy story based in a possible future of our own world. It is a princess story that doesn't shy from the politics of the situation. And it is a love story that plays out dramatically, but realistically.

4.5 Bookmarks

Book Review: The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite (The Selection #2)

Kiera Cass

Review of The Selection

Publication Date: April 2nd 2013

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 336

Genre:  Fantasy-esque, Dystopia-esque, Romance, Young Adult

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

My first impression upon reading this book is that the writing is improving. I remember being only so-so on the prose previously, but now I'd say it's leaning quite a bit towards good. The Elite continues the same story as The Selection, decreasing the girls and increasing pretty much everything else.

Things go from being a silly little "princess test"/"bachelor" type of story to one where stakes are raised, characters given deeper development and it ends up becoming a story that I appreciate much more. I love romance, don't get me wrong, but this plot has gotten way more interesting and I love it.

The romance of course still has center stage. Though this is technically a love triangle, I feel more and more that it's not about rooting for one over the other. Aspen represents America's past, a place she knows, a place she doesn't have to take risks. Her feelings for him and the way she goes between them are more symbolic than a force to be reckoned with. We know she is going to end up with Prince Maxon in the end, that is the point of the books, and this becomes more apparent as we watch him grow and change a bit as well.

America's feelings for Maxon on the other hand are her future, a place she has no idea what's going to happen in, one she's terrified with, one that's very risky (especially with all those other girls there).

Boy is it messy, though. Everyone one of America's reactions and flip-flopping emotions are so realistic I cringe. I want to yell at them all, I want to strangle them all, but I understand why they are doing the things they are doing. They are scared, they are hopeful, they are unsure of the other's feelings. It's a messy, messy mess, but it feels real. 

Holy crap, the King. This was a fantastic turn of events and terrible too. The revelation of how he really is, first with the glance at Marlee's caning (talk about raising the stakes phew! I got quite upset reading that, brought back the reality that this is a dystopic community) and then full blown after America's presentation, when we discover he's been abusing Maxon.

We knew he wasn't respectful of Maxon, but it broke my heart how much Maxon tries to make a difference despite it all, it truly highlights how amazing he was for hiding Marlee and her beau away. He and the person America is growing into suit each other so well. She has ideas and pushes, and he is steady and knows how to make the ideas into reality.

If you gave up after The Selection because it hadn't been quite what you were expecting, I implore you to just give The Elite a try. It is an improvement for me, a lot of the issues I had with the first book lessening. Though I still would love to just see it as one big book, it feels more like a serial than separate books right now.

4 Bookmarks