December Giveaway

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Holiday Kindle Fire Giveaway

 

 Just in time for the HOLIDAYS - Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)   This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".

All New Kindle Fire HDX 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)

  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)

      Holiday Kindle Fire Giveaway #1 Sponsors:

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
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3. Allergic to Life by Kathryn Chastain Treat
4. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
5. Living, Learning, and Loving Life
6. Confessions of a Librarian in Training...
7. Bea's Book Nook
8. Author Kary Rader
9. Author Jennie Sherwin
10. A Book Lover's Retreat
11. These are but Shadows
12. Tressa's Wishful Endings
13. Author Lia Fairchild
14. Author Helen Smith
15. Buku-Buku Didi
16. Truth Seekers Dare to Enter
17. The Reporter and the Girl
18. Author Terah Edun
19. Young Adult Book Deals
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32. Word to Dreams
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34. Author Wendi Sotis
35. ~Owl Always Be Reading~
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38. MichaelSciFan
39. Author Charlene A. Wilson
40. Every Free Chance Book Reviews
41. MyLadyWeb: Women's History and Women Authors
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43. Ketch's Book Nook
44. Blogging the Beloved
45. Book Lover's Life
46. Kelly P's Blog
47. Fae Books
48. Lori's Reading Corner
49. Author Kay Kenyon
50. A Bookish Escape
51. Christine's Blog

  Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Fire Giveaway: http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups   Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7". Ends 12/18/13 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, Not A Writer and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review for The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti

The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti

Rating:❦❦❦❦❦

BookSource: Goodreads giveaway.

Synopsis:

Gifted with a mind that continues to impress the elders in his village, Ichmad Hamid struggles with the knowledge that he can do nothing to save his friends and family. Living on occupied land, his entire village operates in constant fear of losing their homes, jobs, and belongings. But more importantly, they fear losing each other.

On Ichmad's twelfth birthday, that fear becomes reality.

With his father imprisoned, his family's home and possessions confiscated, and his siblings quickly succumbing to hatred in the face of conflict, Ichmad begins an inspiring journey using his intellect to save his poor and dying family. In doing so he reclaims a love for others that was lost through a childhood rife with violence, and discovers a new hope for the future.

Review:

This book had me crying in some parts. The struggles Ichmad had to go through, it was heart breaking but he was so strong that he rose above all those struggles and became somebody important. This book touched me in ways that I thought a book couldn't. The author wrote this book so beautifully and all the characters seemed so real to me. Their struggles, their pain, I could feel them. Some parts of the book, I reread them because I couldn't just get enough when I finished the book. This story will stay with me for a long time and I will definitely reread it. It's such a good book so I will recommend it to everyone to give it a try.

Review for Texas Hold 'Em by Christie Craig

Texas Hold 'Em by Christie Craig

Series: Hotter in Texas (Book 3)-(I believe this can be read as a stand alone since it's Austin story and the other two books are about his friends.)
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Available for Pre-Order @: Barnes and Noble, Amazon, ...

Book Source: Goodreads First Reads (Advanced Reader Copy)

*Spoiler Alert

❦❦❦❦❦

Review

Austin Brook was a PI who was framed for murder and he ended up in jail for more than a year. When he was released from jail, he vowed to bring down the man, DeLuna who framed him. In order to find out where DeLuna was hiding, he came up with a plan which his two PIs friend strongly opposed but he ended up going through with his plan. His plan included disguising himself and getting close to Leah Reece, who was DeLuna's half sister. He thought since Leah was a family member of DeLuna, she would know where he was. His plan didn't include falling in love with Leah but that was exactly what happened. While trying to find out information about DeLuna, he had a hard time keeping his feelings and desires under control and not doing the things he wanted to do with Leah.

The last thing Leah Reece wanted was a man in her life. She had come to conclude that they were all trouble. Her ex-huband cheated on her, her father abandoned her, and her half-brother, DeLuna was an asshole to her. Since her divorce with her husband, Leah hadn't date anyone and no one had her interest until she saw Austin Brook. At first she tried to stay away from him because she knew he was trouble and she couldn't trust him. She did everything she could to keep Austin away from her heart but when she suspected her half-brother, DeLuna broke into her apartment, she didn't have a choice but to accept the help from Austin and slowly she opened up to him. 

Little by little, they gotten closer. They found out about each other's past and both felt something they thought they wouldn't be able to feel again. The connection they had was undeniable and both of them couldn't resist staying away from each other. But Austin had secrets that will torn them apart if Leah found out. Austin wanted to tell Leah everything but finding DeLuna was also important. 

I loved this book so much. This book made me laughed many times and I loved that about a book. I loved all the actions this book offered and all characters stuck with me after I finished it. The story was told in four different perspectives which I really enjoyed. Reading from different point of views made me understand what was going on more and I liked that. I thought this book was going to be all about Austin and Leah but I was glad the author also included two other supporting characters' story, Roberto and Sara. Roberto and Sara's relationship was complicated but I was glad everything turned out well for them because they clearly loved each other.

It was clear that Leah and Austin had a bad childhood. Though Leah's childhood wasn't as bad as Austin. His mother left him as well as his father but I was glad his mother made an effort to get back into his life in the end. I loved reading all the parts where Austin had to interact with the cats. He made me laughed when he ran away every time he had to deal with a cat. Of course he hid the fact that he was afraid of cats because of bad experience when he was little from Leah but she found out anyway in the end. 

DeLuna was brought to justice like Austin wanted. It was good that Austin and Leah decided to give in their desires and be with each other. I was a little bit disappointed when the book ended because I wanted to read more about Austin and Leah's story. I'm definitely going to give other books by this author a try because I know it's going to be as good as this book.

Review for Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (Perfect Chemistry #1)

Rating: ❦❦❦❦❦

*Spoiler Alert

Review

Alex Fuentes was from a poor neighborhood and was in a gang. He was a bad boy and he knew it. He was in the gang not because he really wanted to but because he had to in order to protect his family. His father died, leaving him as the head of the family. He did everything he could to help his mother put food on the table and raised his two little brothers. Since he was in a gang, he knew his future wasn't going to be like he wanted. He actually wanted to go to college after high school but he wouldn't be able to because he had a family to support. When he met Brittany Ellis, they hated each other and wanted nothing to do with each other but because of her, his life changed.

Brittany Ellis was from a rich family and had a perfect life. That was what she wanted everyone to think. Her parents were rich, she drove a nice car, and had a loving boyfriend. She couldn't ask for anything more. But under the facade, her life wasn't as perfect as she made it out to be. She hated the mere sight of Alex and hated him even more when she was paired up with him to be his partner in chemistry. 

But everything changed when they got to know each other a little bit and understand each other more. Alex found out that Brittany's life wasn't perfect and she had problems like everyone else. Brittany learned about Alex's life and struggles and they grew closer but with Alex in a gang, they couldn't be together so Alex had to make a decision. Stay in the gang or leave the gang.

I LOVED this book. I reread it two or three times already but I still couldn't get enough of Alex and Brittany's story. This book blew me away every time I read it. I was instantly drawn into the story with only just a few pages. It was that good. It kept me reading until I had to finish it because I wanted to know what happen. It was worth my time and I will still gladly reread it. The story and the characters seemed so real to me. They were from different world yet they understood each other. I loved reading it from both perspectives because then I would know how both of them feel about a situation. When I read from their perspective, I was immerse into their world and it had me turning page after page. I love the relationship Brittany had with her sister, Shelley and Alex's friends also were great to read about. Paco and Isa were great friends for Alex and I was glad Alex had them. There were happy moments and sad moments in the book. It was good to see them finding each other again after so many years since they went separate ways and building a family of their own. I was sad when I turned the last page. But I was so happy they had their happy ending. Alex and Brittany were perfect for each other and I had no doubt that they loved each other very much. I would like to give more than five stars if I could to this book.

Review for Captivated by Emily Jane Trent

Captivated by Emily Jane Trent (Adam & Ella #1)

Rating: ❦❦❦

Book Source: Received a free eBook from the author for an honest review.

Review

Ella suffers at his father's hand since she was young. Her mother pays no attention to her and neglects her since she was the result of an unexpected/unwanted pregnancy. At age eighteen, she moves out from her home to get away from all the abuse. She moves in with a boyfriend and at first everything is fine with her and Doug. But as time goes by Doug as well verbally abuses her so she lefts him and moves in with her best friend.

Adam is a child prodigy. He is very good at computer and at a young age, he creates so many computer software that his father takes advantage of. His father forces him to create more and more. He doesn't have a good childhood because of his father. He is seen as a weirdo, freak, etc... as a child. Fortunately, when he turns eighteen, he breaks free from his father and creates his own business.

Adam rescues Ella when she falls off her surfing board and they are instantly draws to each other. No matter how hard he tries, he couldn't stay away from her and at the end decides to date her.

I enjoyed reading this book. Ella and Adam had been through so much and both had such a rough childhood but I was glad that they found each other. When they saw each other for the first time at the beach and he rescued her because she fell of her board. It was love at first sight with these two. At first he resisted seeing her again but of course he couldn't stay away and neither was Ella. They were meant to be together and I was glad they decided to give their relationship a try. Ella didn't have a family member who cared about her like Adam but it was good to see that she had Kaiyla as her best friend. Since there is a continuation of this book, I hoped Adam and Ella's relationship last because they were good for each other and even if something happen, I hope they fight to be with each other because what they have was very beautiful.