Review: Through the Lens by Shannon Dermott

Through the Lens is the first book in Shannon Dermott's Through the Lens series. When I was given the opportunity to read and review Broken Lens, I knew I wanted to read where everything had began for Jessa and Ethan. Though Broken Lens is a standalone, I always like to read in order if possible. So I bought Through the Lens and proceeded to read this one straight through. I will say that I read this in pretty much one sitting and there was a lot that I liked. I did have some issues though, but I am still looking forward to continuing Jessa and Ethan's story. 

Jessa Shelby is tired of being the fat twin that is ignored by everyone, while her beautiful and skinny twin Jenna gets all the attention. When Jessa loses weight and changes her life, things start to fall in to place for her. The summer before her senior year, Jessa gets a job and strikes up a friendship with the handsome Ethan Hart. Though Jessa likes him, she quickly finds out that Ethan has a girlfriend. Knowing she can't have anything with Ethan beyond friendship, she starts to see Josh Macon, the football star that she has always had a crush on. But as the summer continues, she finds herself falling for Ethan rather than Josh. But when Ethan's past catches up to them, Jessa soon realizes that she might have placed her trust in the wrong person. 

I have to say that I liked Jessa and Ethan. These characters didn't have all the same annoying habits that I often times find frustrating when it comes to YA and NA books. Not that they didn't show their age at times, but I just thought that they were smarter and less irritating than a lot of others I have seen. Jessa was smart and I loved that she had morals. She knew that going after Ethan would have been wrong, and she didn't pursue him when he had a girlfriend even though she liked him. That said a lot to me about the type of person that she was, and I was glad to see that she was able to put her own wants aside in favor of doing the right thing. I liked Ethan, and I was glad that he was able to become friends with Jessa and teach her about photography. These two were developing a great friendship, and I think that is part of what made me root for them. I liked that things weren't instant, and their connection was genuine. Ethan and Jessa had chemistry and it was clear that there was an attraction between them, and I was glad that we got to see the tension build. 

I will say that I thought that there was some unnecessary stuff in this story though, and it seemed to be brought in randomly. Ethan's absent mom suddenly reappearing, the identity of the attacker/missing girls plot that happened at the very end of the story, Bradley's former interest in guys, the drama with Lucy...all of it just seemed to be a bit more than needed considering everything else going on. My other big issue with this book was that it needed an editor in the worst way. Normally I don't comment on missing words, wrong choice of words, grammar and spelling, but since this was a published book that I bought on Amazon rather than an advanced copy (and seeing as how this was published in 2012 and it is 2015), I feel like it is necessary to point this out to potential readers. There has been plenty of opportunity and time for this to be fixed, and it was pretty bad. If that sort of thing annoys you, this one might not be for you. I will say that it was the worst at the beginning of the story and seemed to get better throughout, although that might have just been me getting used to it. This book ends with a happy for now, which sets up the story for Broken Lens. I liked this one and am interested to see where things go from here for Ethan and Jessa.

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Audiobook Review: Lead by Kylie Scott, Narrated by Andi Arndt

Wow. Lead was so damn good and might just be my favorite book in the Stage Dive series so far. I was hooked and couldn't help but laugh while listening to this one.

I'll be honest, I wasn't the biggest fan of Jimmy. In fact when I pretty much hated him when I read/listened to Lick. I thought he was an pompous ass and that he needed to get over himself. Yeah, I can admit that I was completely wrong about Jimmy. Yeah he's still an ass but there were so many more layers to him. He carries a lot of hurt and pain around with him that he disguises with attitude. I love that he let down his walls with Lena.

Oh Lena...I have such a girl crush on her. She is definitely my favorite heroine of the series. She's spunky and cute and I love that she doesn't roll over to Jimmy. She stands up for herself and honestly I couldn't help but smile at those two together. They fight and argue but you get a real sense of the depth of their feelings for one another. You know that it's coming from a place of love (or rather lust at first) and I just couldn't get enough. Seriously, Lena and Jimmy might have been a slow simmer but once things heated up things got hot and quick.

As for the narration I'll admit that I really enjoyed it in this book. I haven't been the biggest fan of this narrator for the previous books but I don't know what it was but she nailed Lena. She brought so much to the character. Lena is very snarky and witty and I feel like Andi Arndt was pretty spot on. I can't imagine anyone else being as good as she was with this book and character.

All in all, Lead was fantastic and I can't wait to see what is in store for Ben. I will say that one thing that I've enjoyed with this series is the band camaraderie and seeing everyone pop up in each book. Sometimes when you read a series and older characters pop up it seems contrived but that definitely isn't the case with this series. You get a real sense of how much everyone cares for one another and I just love the way they interact with each other. This is definitely a book/series that I would recommend.

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Interview with Author Rebecca Zanetti and Giveaway #CMCon16

Meet Rebecca Zanetti author of over twenty-five dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and contemporary romances and one of the fabulous featured authors that will be at the Coastal Magic Convention in February in Daytona Beach. 

Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over twenty-five dark paranormals, romantic suspense, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists.  She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family.  She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out.  Her current series are: The Dark Protectors, The Maverick Montana Cowboys, and the Sin Brothers series.  Upcoming series are: The Realm Enforcers and The Scorpius Syndrome.

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Guest Post with Author Maeve Greyson and Giveaway

Meet Maeve Greyson author of My Highland Bride.

No one has the power to shatter your dreams unless you give it to them. That’s been Maeve Greyson’s mantra since she was a girl. When she’s not at the full time day job at the steel mill, Maeve’s writing romances about sexy Highlanders and the women who tame them. Tucked away in a five acre wood, Maeve listens to the wind singing through the trees and hears her characters telling their stories. Her work is proofed by her sharp-eyed dog, Jasper, and her greatest supporter is her long suffering husband of over thirty-five years who’s learned not to throw away any odd sticky notes filled with strange phrases.

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ARC Review: Seaside Nights by Melissa Foster

Seaside Nights is the latest book in the Seaside Summers Series by Melissa Foster. Though this book is the fifth in the Seaside Summers Series and twenty-fifth in the Love in Bloom Series, each book is a standalone story with interconnected characters. I have had the pleasure of reading most of the books in this series, and Melissa Foster never disappoints! These books are all fantastic stories, and Seaside Nights is one of my favorites so far! If you are looking for a great contemporary romance filled with love and emotion as well as humor and plenty of steam, look no further. 

Sky Lacroux lives her life taking things as they come rather than planning every detail. She does what makes her happy, and she is living her dream now that her tattoo shop has opened and is in the process of being fully remodeled. The one thing that is missing though is someone to share her life with. So when she locks eyes across the bar with the sexy singer Sawyer Bass, she never expects that she could possibly find such a strong connection so quickly. Then Sawyer turns up at her shop the next day wanting a tattoo, and they realize that their connection is one worth exploring. But when Sky finds out that Sawyer is actually a boxer, she knows that it goes against everything she believes in. As Sky and Sawyer continue to get to know one another, they both begin to feel as though everything that they have been looking for can be found in one another. But can Sky let go of what Sawyer does in order to have a future together? 

I really liked Sawyer and Sky from the very first few pages of this book. I am normally not big on the hippie type of heroines, but I have to say that Sky was nothing like I had expected her to be. While she was laid back and artistic and very free spirited, I also thought that she was easy to relate to. She did what made her happy and she was comfortable with herself. Seeing a heroine really own and embrace themselves is rare, and that is what made Sky so special. Sawyer was so many things rolled into one that I felt like he really was the complete package. Not only was he strong and sexy, but he was deep and emotional. He was every bit the poet with his songs and words, and it was easy to see what drew Sky to him so quickly. He was loyal and looked out for those he loved, and I really liked how he treated Sky right from the start. He wasn't ashamed to admit his feelings or how much he wanted her, and he could not have been sweeter. Besides just connecting on an emotional level though, Sky and Sawyer had off the charts chemistry. The sparks flew instantly and you could really feel the heat between them every time they interacted. I couldn't get enough of these two, and loved every bit of their growing relationship. 

Overall, this was another excellent book from Melissa Foster just as I knew it would be. Every time I start a new book from her, I know that I will really enjoy the characters and story. She always manages to give us something new and different, and I love how fresh each book is. It was fun to catch up with some of my favorite characters, and I have to admit I really enjoyed seeing the ongoing battle between Theresa and the Seaside ladies. I can't wait to see what happens next, and I know whatever it is will be a ton of fun to read about. If you are a fan of all around great contemporary romance books, Melissa Foster is definitely a must read.

**ARC Provided by Tasty Book Tours**

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