Book Blitz + Giveaway: Terrence by Alice Rachel

Terrence: A Short Story
Alice Rachel
(Under Ground, #0.8)
Publication date: May 15th 2017
Genres: Dystopian, New Adult, Romance

Bullying is nothing new to Terrence Young. The teasing and harassment are constant. His family is less than understanding as well. To them, Terrence chose to be gay and complicate their lives. Their little rejections sting and cut him deeply. 

But when the Deviance Act is passed, Terrence’s life takes a turn for the worse overnight. Under the new law, a mere look, a simple touch, or a small kiss in public could mean death. Terrence attempts to hide his orientation to survive. That is until a gang attacks him in a bar and Chase Martinez interferes. 

Chase is gorgeous, kind-hearted, and he’s a rebel in the Underground—all qualities that attract Terrence so much there is no stopping the fall. Loving Chase might be dangerous, but Terrence is done living in fear and letting others dictate what is right for him. 

*The author pledges to donate 100% of sales revenue from “Terrence: A Short Story” to The Ally Coalition

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—

EXCERPT:

“So you decided you like girls now or something?” Gerald asked.

I gave him a double-take. “What?”

“Yeah, you’re gonna date girls now? Like, you’re straight or something? Or are you bi? Or what?”

“I never said I wasn’t straight.”

A laugh gurgled up from his throat, and it grew louder and louder until his narrow shoulders shook and he slapped his knees. “You’re funny, you know that?”

Yeah, real hilarious!

I narrowed my eyes, and he chuckled again. Then he shot to his feet so quick, he was standing in my face before I could move.

“I caught you checking out my ass more than once, man. Ain’t no need to pretend ’round me. You’re about as straight as a circle.”

My cheeks instantly got red, and I tried to hide them by pulling my hood down over my face. But Gerald took another step forward and slipped his hand through my light brown hair. His eyes followed the movement of his fingers, and the hood fell down on my neck.

“It’s too bad, you know. ‘Cause I like you. But if you’re sure you’re into girls now…Well…” He made a sad face, sticking his lower lip out like he was real disappointed.

Author Bio:
Alice Rachel is the author of the YA Forbidden Romance/ Dystopian Romance Series "Under Ground."

Her time is divided between teaching French, writing, reading, drawing, and spending time with her hubby and guinea pigs. 

Alice loves talking to readers, so send her a message...

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GIVEAWAY!
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Waiting on Wednesday #48

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's cannot-wait book is:

Our Dark Duet by V.E. Schwab!

Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity, #2)

by V.E. Schwab

Published by Titan Books

Expected publication: June 6th, 2017

YA, fantasy

Kate Harker is a girl who isn’t afraid of the dark. She’s a girl who hunts monsters. And she’s good at it. August Flynn is a monster who can never be human, no matter how much he once yearned for it. He’s a monster with a part to play. And he will play it, no matter the cost.

Nearly six months after Kate and August were first thrown together, the war between the monsters and the humans is terrifying reality. In Verity, August has become the leader he never wished to be, and in Prosperity, Kate has become the ruthless hunter she knew she could be. When a new monster emerges from the shadows—one who feeds on chaos and brings out its victim’s inner demons—it lures Kate home, where she finds more than she bargained for. She’ll face a monster she thought she killed, a boy she thought she knew, and a demon all her own.

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ARC Review: A Gathering Storm by Joanna Chambers

A Gathering Storm (Porthkennack, #2)
by Joanna Chambers
Published by Riptide Publishing
eARC (received via NetGalley)
Adult, LGBT, historical, romance

When grief-stricken scientist Sir Edward Fitzwilliam provokes public scorn by defending a sham spiritualist, he’s forced to retreat to Porthkennack to lick his wounds. Ward’s reputation is in tatters, but he’s determined to continue the work he began after the death of his beloved brother.

In Porthkennack, Ward meets Nicholas Hearn, land steward to the Roscarrock family. Ward becomes convinced that Nick, whose Romany mother was reportedly clairvoyant, is the perfect man to assist with his work. But Nick—who has reason to distrust the whims of wealthy men—is loath to agree. Until Fate steps in to lend a hand.

Despite Nick’s misgivings, he discovers that Ward is not the high-handed aristocrat he first thought. And when passion ignites between them, Nick learns there’s much more to love than the rushed, clandestine encounters he’s used to. Nevertheless, Nick’s sure that wealthy, educated Ward will never see him as an equal.

A storm is gathering, but with Nick’s self-doubts and Ward’s growing obsession, the fragile bond between the two men may not be strong enough to withstand it.

A Gathering Storm was very authentically feeling story set in fictional Porthkennack seaside town in Cornwall. It's second book set in there (first being Wake Up Call) but can be read as a standalone without confusions.

One of the main characters is Sir Edward Fitzwilliam, shortened as Ward, who is aristocratic gentleman and a scientist. He moves to Porthkennack after his reputation suffers in London, and he's set to do scientific research at the small seaside town. Ward's very likable character even though he is flawed; he can be a bit wrap up to his privilege and while he doesn't mean anything bad, he often comes off as inconsiderable. He also has a harsh voice because of childhood sickness of diphtheria, and other characters described him at times as handsome gentlemen with a voice of the devil. The other main character is Nicholas Hearn, or Nick, who's somewhere between landed gentry and commoner, not really belonging to either because he's a bastard son of wealthy landed gentry man, and he's employed by his grandfather as a steward of the estate. Nick's quite quiet and a man of few words because he doesn't feel like he belongs anywhere in Porthkennack even if he loves to be there. Nick's quite lovable character too, although his biggest flaw is that he's a bit wrap up to his own sense of not belonging to see people around him how they are.

What I really loved about the A Gathering Storm was the likable characters, the authentic feeling of the setting, how the dialogue and mannerism matched the historical setting/time, and overall the historical setting as 19th century small seaside town and the aspects of science and scientific discoveries that Ward's background and work brought to the story. The romance between Ward and Nick was slow burn with tension which was very nice, and overall the exploration of their relationship was such a good read. The story also explored deeper aspects of grief, or more than that, what actions deep grief can cause. The only slightly negative thing was that the ending was a bit abrupt - but that might just be me, because I would have enjoyed reading about Ward and Nick a little bit more!

I recommend this if you enjoy authentic historical settings and slow burn romances.

4 of 5 stars

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Thank you, Riptide Publishing, for giving me a chance to read and review A Gathering Storm!

(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Waiting on Wednesday #47

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's cannot-wait book is:

The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant by C.S. Pacat!

The Adventures of Charls, the Veretian Cloth Merchant (Captive Prince, #3.75)

by C.S. Pacat

Published by Gatto

Expected publication: May 3rd, 2017

Novella, LGBT, fantasy

The Adventures of Charls follows the dealings of a humble cloth merchant in the days before the royal Ascension. Set after the events of Kings Rising and The Summer Palace.

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Top Ten Tuesday: Most Unique Books I've Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week participating bloggers can create lists of topic given by the host, and share them with others!
I've read plenty of unique books and I could have easily named more than ten amazing unique books, but here's a selection of ten. Most of them are unique in their story telling way, or plot elements, or just so brilliant that I haven't read anything quite like it before or after.

Out Now: The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

The Upside of Unrequited

by Becky Albertalli

Published by Penguin Random House UK

Young Adult, LGBT, contemporary, romance

Seventeen-year-old Molly Peskin-Suso knows all about unrequited love. No matter how many times her twin sister, Cassie, tells her to woman up, Molly can’t stomach the idea of rejection. So she’s careful. Fat girls always have to be careful.

Then a cute new girl enters Cassie’s orbit, and for the first time ever, Molly’s cynical twin is a lovesick mess. Meanwhile, Molly's totally not dying of loneliness—except for the part where she is. Luckily, Cassie's new girlfriend comes with a cute hipster-boy sidekick. If Molly can win him over, she'll get her first kiss and she'll get her twin back.
There's only one problem: Molly's coworker, Reid. He's a chubby Tolkien superfan with a season pass to the Ren Faire, and there's absolutely no way Molly could fall for him.
Right?

The Upside of Unrequited is out today! I was lucky to get a chance to read an ARC of this. You can find my review here and see how much I liked the story. Go check it out!

You can purchase the book several places, including
Amazon UK
Amazon US
Book Depository

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Book Blitz + Giveaway: The Rainbow Clause by Beth Bolden

The Rainbow Clause
by Beth Bolden
Publication date: April 3rd 2017
Genres: Adult, Romance

Heisman winner. Member of the National Championship team. NFL Rookie of the Year. Quarterback Colin O’Connor knows he’s become the ultimate romance novel cliché: all the success he’s ever dreamed of but nobody to share it with. Too bad it’s not as simple as asking out the next girl who intrigues him – because the next girl to intrigue him probably won’t be a girl at all.
Unexpectedly, the solution comes in one neat package: Nick Wheeler, lead journalist for a leading sports and pop culture blog. Hired by Colin’s team, Nick comes to Miami to shine a spotlight on the NFL’s most private quarterback. 

The heat in Miami rises when Nick discovers that Colin is nothing like the hollow personality he pretends to be in interviews and he’s even hotter in person than on his Sports Illustrated cover. Nick knows this is the story of his career, and after spending his teenage years as a bullied, closeted teen, it hits very close to home. What he needs is to help Colin share his story while keeping their growing relationship from boiling over in the press, but what he wants is to tell the world.

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Author Bio:

Beth Bolden lives in Portland, Oregon with her supportive husband and their beloved cat. She wholly believes in Keeping Portland Weird, but wishes she didn’t have to make the yearly pilgrimage up to Seattle to watch her Boston Red Sox play baseball. She’s a fan of fandoms, and spends too much of her free time on tumblr. 

Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published two novels, The Lucky Charm and Getting Lucky, and a short story, Eye of the Storm. Her next novel, Summer Attractions, will be released in August 2016.

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Giveaway! (INTL)

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Waiting on Wednesday #46

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's cannot-wait book is:

The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan!

The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo, #2)

by Rick Riordan

Published by Disney-Hyperion / Penguin

Expected publication: May 2nd, 2017

YA, fantasy, mythology

Zeus has punished his son Apollo—god of the sun, music, archery, poetry, and more—by casting him down to earth in the form of a gawky, acne-covered sixteen-year-old mortal named Lester. The only way Apollo can reclaim his rightful place on Mount Olympus is by restoring several Oracles that have gone dark. What is affecting the Oracles, and how can Apollo do anything about them without his powers? After experiencing a series of dangerous—and frankly, humiliating—trials at Camp Half-Blood, Apollo must now leave the relative safety of the demigod training ground and embark on a hair-raising journey across North America. Fortunately, what he lacks in godly graces he's gaining in new friendships—with heroes who will be very familiar to fans of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus series. Come along for what promises to be a harrowing, hilarious, and haiku-filled ride. . . .

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Review: Superior by Jessica Lack

Superior
by Jessica Lack
Published by Book Smuggles Publishing
Ebook (purchased)
YA, LGBT, fantasy, romance

Here's the thing about being a superhero intern: there's a lot less crime fighting than you think there will be, what with the whole liability issue and the administrative headache of constantly monitoring the Heroic Help Hotline. The most action that Jamie sees happens when he is kidnapped by the supervillain of the week--and then waits for his boss, Captain Superior, to show up and rescue him. Again.

On his most recent nabbing, Jamie gets to meet Tad, Terrorantula's new villainous apprentice. Even though they are supposed to be on opposite sides (or are they?), sparks fly almost immediately. So, when Tad offers to give Jamie much-needed self-defense classes, how could Jamie pass the opportunity to hang out with the coolest (and hottest) guy he knows?

But Tad has a secret--one that threatens the budding relationship between the two teenage sidekicks, and could destroy Captain Superior forever.

Superior was absolutely adorable! Jamie and Tad were cute and lovely, and I mean, superhero vs super villain story that focuses on the sidekicks instead, totally awesome. Brilliant story. The only complain I have is that I needed way more than short novella; I need a full novel. Or two.

Highly, highly recommend.

5 of 5 stars

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Wrapping the Month: March

What's greater way to start new month than taking a look at previous one?

I'm quite happy with March. Don't get me wrong, I was under a lot of pressure from uni because I had all my written assignments due in March - but I managed still to blog very regularly, only breaking towards the end of the month when the essays were mostly due. I also read a lot (probably because I wanted to avoid the assignments, heh). Only thing I really need to prep myself to do is actually regularly answer the comments, so I'll try to be better at that in April.

I got a few books, alongside these physical ones I got two eARCs and one ebook so I'm quite happy with the amount - it didn't grow my TBR pile too much.

March's reviews:

True Colors (5 stars)

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between (2 stars)

The Upside of Unrequited (4 stars)

Reborn (5 stars)

Stag's Run (4 stars)

Wake Up Call (4 stars)

Nimona (4 stars)

The Fever Code (4 stars)

I'm happy with the seven books I read, especially since I managed to finish two that I had started way before Christmas plus some review copies. And the fact that all seven were four to five star reads!

  

  

Uni's getting less hectic now that I basically have only exams left in May, so I should have time to read and blog more - although I'm quite happy how much I managed to do in March when I didn't really have a lot of time.

Hugs,

Henna

(I got inspiration from Saruuh @ Dust Jacket Reviews to display the covers of books I read instead of listing them. So all the credit for her for inspiring me.)