Book Tour and Giveaway: The Romeo Club by Rebekah Purdy

The Romeo Club

Author: Rebekah L Purdy

Publication Date: 03/25/14

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary romance

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Synopsis

THE ROMEO CLUB is Hitch meets The Secret of My Success.

What happens when you agree to help your brother “de-nerdify” so he can catch the attention of the popular Chloe Anders, and to everyone's surprise, he actually lands her?

And what if his equally geeky friends come running with girl wish lists of their own, offering money for your services?

Well, if you’re sixteen-year-old, Delyla Denson, then you start The Romeo Club. A secret club where she’ll teach these guys how talk, act, and be cool around girls. It’s a win-win situation.

She’ll get enough money for the awesome prom dress she’s had her eye on, and the guys, well, they’ll get dates and maybe learn how to do something other than beat the next level on their video games.

There are only two problems with this plan. One, her quarterback/track star boyfriend is getting jealous of how much time she’s spending away from him and decides to try and figure out what’s going on. And two, Delyla is kind of falling for her brother’s BFF, Trey who she’s been hanging out with a lot more. And who thanks to her help, has caught the attention of the beautiful, perfect, and popular, Portia Rickard. With Portia and Trey heating up, Delyla realizes that maybe the person she’s meant to be with has been in front of her all this time.

But falling for Trey means she’ll have to take drastic measures including sabotage, with a capital S.

Review

I knew when I read the description of this book that it was going to be an interesting, entertaining read. I love nerdy male characters, I love make-overs, and I love when things come together in a way that people don't see coming. It didn't take me long to read it. It was a quick read, but a good read. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to keep reading on to see what happened with the guys and their dates and what happened with Delyla and her other relationships as her part with the Romeo Club started taking over more of her life than her boyfriend would like.

The nerdy guys really help to bring out Delyla's true character. Before they came in, she came off a little shallow. After, though,she was definitely a stronger character for it. She put so much of her time in the guys (yes, it was for money for a prom dress. I think it became more to her than just a money making deal. She began to have a lot invested in seeing each of the guys succeed with the girls they've been dreaming of.

Meanwhile, her own relationship with her boyfriend is suffering. Her best friend starts pointing out a few weaknesses in their happy union, and things start becoming all too clear. Not to mention watching Trey bloom into a brand new, self-confident guy - they have so much in common that she can't help but see him in a new light.

I enjoyed every page of it. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light-hearted read, a good YA romance, or even a book that they can read in one sitting. It's worth it.

Rating

About the Author

Rebekah Purdy grew up in Michigan, where she spent many late nights armed with a good book and a flashlight. When not hiding at her computer and getting lost in her stories, she enjoys reading, singing, soccer, swimming, football, camping, playing video games and hanging out with her kids. She loves the unexplainable like Bigfoot, the Dogman, and the Loch Ness Monster (lots of good story material)! She admits to still having all the books she bought throughout her childhood and teen years, and she may or may not have an obsession with anything chocolate…

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Review: Allegiant by Veronia Roth

Allegiant

Series: Divergent #3

Author: Veronica Roth

Synopsis

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Review

I went into this book very, very, very apprehensively. Since it took me a little while to get my hand on the book, I had already heard some of the buzz around it, and a lot of people were very unhappy with the ending of the book. I loved the first one so much, the second one a little less than the first, so I was afraid I would all together hate the third installment. As it is, though, I don’t. And I am glad that I didn’t end up hating it. It would have been a devastating end to a great trilogy.

Insurgent ended with a big revelation that I don’t think anyone in world saw coming. It definitely knocked me for a loop. The worst part about it was that we had to wait for another book to come out to explain it. Tris, Tobias, and the rest of their Divergent (and non-divergent) friends come to find out that the world is not what they had been led to believe. They had been deceived for generations with no knowledge of how the world really worked. I was really unsure of how I felt about it because I was getting a little tire of Roth’s “here’s how the world is, no wait, here’s how thing really are…wait…wait..wait, just kidding. Now, let’s change things one last time.” It was a little unsettling to feel like I never knew what was really real.

The third and final installment had a lot to live up to. In the last book, the readers always want everything wrapped up nicely. We want to know what happened to every single character and what is coming next for them and their world. Roth did a good job doing so.

There were some tragically sad moments that left me clutching tissues and screaming at the universe for letting it happen (Maybe cursing Roth just a little, but it’s the mark of a good author), but there were some wonderfully wonderful moments in there too. Roth had a good balance in this installment. I will say, I wish there was a little more, because I always want a clearer ending – and a little more about the characters’ lives after.

I would definitely suggest it to anyone looking for a good read – as long as they read the first two first. (:

Rating

Review: Addicted to You by Krista and Becca Ritchie

Addicted to You

Series: Addicted #1

Author: Krista and Becca Ritchie

Synopsis

She’s addicted to sex. He’s addicted to booze…the only way out is rock bottom.

No one would suspect shy Lily Calloway’s biggest secret. While everyone is dancing at college bars, Lily stays in the bathroom. To get laid. Her compulsion leads her to one-night stands, steamy hookups and events she shamefully regrets. The only person who knows her secret happens to have one of his own.

Loren Hale’s best friend is his bottle of bourbon. Lily comes at a close second. For three years, they’ve pretended to be in a real relationship, hiding their addictions from their families. They’ve mastered the art of concealing flasks and random guys that filter in and out of their apartment.

But as they sink beneath the weight of their addictions, they cling harder to their destructive relationship and wonder if a life together, for real, is better than a lie. Strangers and family begin to infiltrate their guarded lives, and with new challenges, they realize they may not just be addicted to alcohol and sex.

Their real vice may be each other.

New Adult Romance recommended for readers 18+ for mature content.

Review

**I received this ebook to read and review before I read the second book of the series for a blog tour.**

When I looked at the cover and read the synopsis, I wasn’t sure that I was going to like it. A story about a sexaholic and an alcoholic living together and faking a happy relationship to hide their destructive habits from everyone in their lives. From high profile society families, they fabricated a fake relationship to keep their lifestyles safe. I suspended my tendency to make pre-judgments about books and decide to read it.

Once again I was a little taken aback when I started reading it. Even though I knew what was coming, I was still a little caught off guard, but in the best way. I'm so used to reading main characters who are perfect or who have nearly perfect lives, but here are two very troubled, very imperfect people who are so worried about their families finding out that they hide who they really are from the rest of the world. At least they have each other. From the beginning, I had real hopes for them. Like with most addictions, there was something major lacking in both of their lives, and I think that each was the only person in the world who could help the other. It's a beautiful and horrible thing.

They both go through a lot during the tight confines of this story. Crazy highs and lows so low that they don't know if they're going to make it out alive sometimes. It was a roller coaster that left me holding onto the bar so hard my knuckles were white -just hoping and praying that they would be able to help each other heal the way they were needing. I was left feeling a little whiplashed, but content.

I think this story ended just the way that it was needing to to further the story. I was really glad for the choices the characters made at the end of this novel.

It was a great read.

Rating

Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Vampire Academy

Series: Vampire Academy #1

Author: Richelle Mead

Synopsis

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Review

A friend of mine who runs her own book blog, Kelly at Dandelion Dreams, had suggested this book to me a few times. Since I trust her taste in books and I will probably see the movie, I caved into peer pressure and went out and bought it at my local used book store. I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end - I just wish I had the next one already so I could keep reading about the characters.

I had heard the terms before, but the politics of being Moroi, dhampir, and strigoi adds new and interesting layers to the vampire YA novel. It's not just an "everyone is a vampire, doing vampire things" vampire novel. It adds a social order to the way things work. Richelle Mead took it to a new level, improving on the tropes we are so used to reading through.

The Vampire Academy is as close to a high school as a school full of vampires can be. There are cliques, mean girls who spread gossip, bad boys, boys that are so good that they're boring, nerds, and the best people in the world - the ones like Rose and Lissa that you just want to be best friends with. The only difference is the Moroi "eat" off humans, drinking their blood. They have superhuman strength, and their classes involve magic - not math or chemistry.

Even though I'm in my twenties now, I really related to Rose and what she was going through at the academy. It sucks being somewhere you don't really want to be with people you don't want to be around. Also, pining after an attractive guy that doesn't see you the way you want him to. There were a few things she did that I didn't like, but she was just doing what she thought was best to protect her best friend Lissa.

I would definitely say that I am hooked on this series, and I will continue reading it. I would recommend this to anyone who loves some great YA, vampire stories, or anyone just looking for a good book to read. I loved it, you will too.

Rating

Book Tour and Giveaway: Escape from Eden by Elisa Nader

Escape from Eden

Author: Elisa Nader

Publication Date: August 18th 2013

Genre: Thriller, Young Adult

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(Available on Kindle at the Promo price of $1.99 until Jan 31st)

Synopsis

Since the age of ten, Mia has lived under the iron fist of the fundamentalist preacher who lured her mother away to join his fanatical family of followers. In Edenton, a supposed “Garden of Eden” deep in the South American jungle, everyone follows the Reverend’s strict but arbitrary rules—even the mandate of whom they can marry. Now sixteen, Mia dreams of slipping away from the armed guards who keep the faithful in, and the curious out. When the rebellious and sexy Gabriel, a new boy, arrives with his family, Mia sees a chance to escape.

But the scandalous secrets the two discover beyond the compound’s façade are more shocking than anything they ever imagined. While Gabriel has his own terrible secrets, he and Mia bond together, more than friends and freedom fighters. But is there time to think of each other as they race to stop the Reverend’s paranoid plan to free his flock from the corrupt world? Can two teenagers crush a criminal mastermind? And who will die in the fight to save the ones they love from a madman who’s only concerned about his own secrets?

Review

When I first started reading Escape from Eden, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. It didn't really feel like something that I would enjoy. For once, I was very glad to be wrong. This book definitely took me by surprise. It actually reminds me of a book I had to read during my undergrad called The Rapture of Canaan, about another teenage girl trapped in a fanatical religious compound with distinct "cult-like" behaviors and ideals. Both took me a few pages to get into. Jumping into a world like that is definitely a shock, so it was one of those books that took me a little while to know that I liked it and was going to continue reading it.

Unlike everyone else in the compound, Mia has a mind of her own and begins questioning the life she is living - the life her mother forced her into when she was ten years old and not old enough to make her own decisions. Everyone else seems to be content - happy even - to live the lives that the "good" Reverend has set out for them. Doing assigned chores/jobs, wearing a set uniform, and not questioning a word that comes out of the reverend's mouth. Mia just can't do that, though. When Gabriel arrives, Mia is drawn to him. The discontent he proudly shows mirrors the feelings in her heart. He is also very attractive, which Mia doesn't know what to do with, not used to being attracted to anyone. Both have longings to escape. Neither could fathom the despicable-ness of the man that is supposed to be leading and protecting his flock. Just escaping suddenly isn't worth it. They've got to completely stop him.

Elisa Nader did a wonderful job setting up this isolated community inside the world of her novel. It felt like a real place, with real, all-too-trusting people who just wanted someone and something to believe in. Things like this have definitely happened in the world, so Nader tapped into something that had the potential o go too far, but she want just far enough. I wanted to jump into the book and punch the revered myself. It was obvious from the beginning that there was something wrong in that compound. Thriller it definitely was.

There were a few spots I had problems understanding what was going on, but those were part where Mia was having problems understanding too. Otherwise, I didn't have any problems with this book - unless you count wanting to slap a bunch of the characters for the ways they treated Mia and the others.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read, a thriller that keeps you guessing, or just a good YA novel to read.

Rating

About the Author

Hi. I’m Elisa. I like cheese and reading and TV show marathons. Writing is scary, but not as scary as, say, Civil War amputations. I’m an Aquarius. Uh… let’s see… I’m not very good at writing my own biography. Or autobiography. I guess this is reading more like a slightly incoherent personal ad.

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Book Tour and Giveaway: Crashing Into You by B.D. Rowe

Crashing Into You

Author: B.D. Rowe

Publication Date: October 3rd 2013

Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

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Synopsis

Bookish college sophomore Sydney Baker wants Evan Taylor with every ounce of her being. The hottest stud on campus, Evan is six foot four, ripped, stacked with muscles. He’s even easy to talk to.

There’s just one problem: he’s her roommate Melanie’s boyfriend.

But when Melanie tragically dies after a night of wild partying, Sydney and Evan turn to each other in a time of intense grief. And it doesn’t take long for their close friendship to blossom into something more.

Unfortunately for Sydney, secrets from the past soon put her relationship with Evan to the test. Especially when a sexy blonde freshman makes her way into Evan’s life, and tries to rip away everything Sydney holds close to her heart.

Review

Even reading the synopsis of this book, I did not see it coming. B.D. Rowe took me for a few loops with the events that happen to and around Sydney. Sydney has not had an easy life. Tragedy after tragedy seems to chase her as she tries to distance herself from the bad things in her life. But somehow she always comes out alright. Other around her don’t. A tragic accident in high school left her with issues that followed her to college. College where she met Melanie, her roommate, and Evan, the sexiest guy on campus and Melanie’s boyfriend. Sydney can’t help falling hard, despite the fact that he is her best friend’s guy. Steamy dreams and stolen moments are all she can have. Until the worst happens, Melanie dies after a night of partying. Sydney is simultaneously heartbroken and relieved – Evan is free but her friend is dead.

The synopsis prepared me for her roommate’s death, but it did not prepare me for how she died. I’m not going to give anything away, but let’s just say that it left me a little more than grossed out and wishing I could unread those few pages where we found out. It was such a horrible thing that I would not wish on anyone and never hope to see again (in print, tv, or otherwise). I an see why Sydney is so torn. How long after a guy loses his girlfriend is it okay to "go after" him? Can she even have a future with him now that his girlfriend is dead? It's a weird place to be.

There were some parts that I found repetitive - Sydney's dislike of alcohol and Evan's surprise about her feelings over partying. They come up so much that I just get a little tired of hearing it. I understand standing up for what you believe, but book only have so much words to get their plots and stories across, and no word should be wasted.

Crashing Into You is a good, attention-grabbing story that will definitely keep readers hooked. It is easy to read and entertaining. I would suggest it to anyone who likes New Adult, Romance, or contemporary stories. They will definitely be satisfied with this book.

Rating

About the Author

B.D. Rowe is a Sacramento native with a penchant for crafting tales of romance, mystery, and intrigue. You can often find B.D. at the local coffee shop drinking white chocolate mochas and writing into the wee hours of the night. This is B.D.'s first New Adult novel.

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Book Tour and Giveaway: Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins

Stir Me Up

Author: Sabrina Elkins

Publication Date: 10/01/13

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

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Synopsis

Cami Broussard has her future all figured out. She'll finish her senior year of high school, then go to work full-time as an apprentice chef in her father's French restaurant, alongside her boyfriend, Luke. But then twenty-year-old ex-Marine Julian Wyatt comes to live with Cami's family while recovering from serious injuries. And suddenly Cami finds herself questioning everything she thought she wanted.

Julian's all attitude, challenges and intense green-brown eyes. But beneath that abrasive exterior is a man who just might be as lost as Cami's starting to feel. And Cami can't stop thinking about him. Talking to him. Wanting to kiss him. He's got her seriously stirred up. Her senior year has just gotten a lot more complicated….

Praise for Stir Me Up:

"Fun, steamy, and leaves you hungry for more. Sabrina Elkins nails the vulnerability of becoming an adult and the choices that come with growing up." —Katie McGarry, author of Dare You To

"Cami's slow burn for a wounded hero will rivet readers. I seriously loved this book." —Jennifer Echols, author of Dirty Little Secret

"This book is one of my favorite young adult contemporaries. Not only does it feature a hot romance, it's also very meaningful and well, you just have to read it and see." —#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

Review

Before signing up for this tour, I checked out the reviews on Goodreads to see if it was worth reading. There were a lot of people who thouroughly enjoyed it, and othes who thought that it was okay but wasn't the best thing they had ever read. After seeing several of the positive reviews, though, I decided that it would be a good chance to take. I'm glad I did. While Stir Me Up wasn't aimed at my age group, I enjoyed reading it. I don't read a lot of YA romance - mostly because I prefer paranormal romance novels and crime novels - so I don't know much about the genre, but I think the novel was definitely successful.

I think most of us have been in Cami's shoes. At that point when you're finishing your last year in high school and you know exactly what you're going to do when you're done - almost to the point of stubbornness. It's easy to have everything planned before you actually jump into it. Cami is a true high school student, ready to get out and do what she wants to do. As a character, I think she was well-rounded. She has goals and aspirations, but she's not perfect and her life is not a piece of cake. This is made most obvious when wounded, twenty-one year old ex-Marine Julian Wyatt comes to stay with her family as he recovers from his wounds. She loses her room to him and is forced to interact with him despite his surliness and bad attitude.

Cami is not the type of girl who takes it lying down, though. If she is going to be forced to deal with him, she's going to do it on her terms. She's not going to let him bother her, and she refused to treat him like a wounded bird. The anger and rudeness he gives her, she gives it right back to him. She refuses to let him walk all over her just because he's angry.

This is definitely the kind of romance that I like. The slow, anger-originated, can't-get-him-out-of-your-head-because-he-makes-you-so-mad, hate-relationship that really is just a guise for passion that just isn't being funneled the right way. The "slow burn" is so much better than a relationship that starts with a quick infatuation.

I would suggest this to anyone who likes romance with a military love interest, YA romance, romance, or a good, well-rounded read.

Rating

About the Author

I am a former journalist who worked for the Los Angeles Daily Newsand other newspapers in the greater Los Angeles area. Prior to this I worked in advertising, writing ad copy for corporate travel accounts and major motion pictures. My first job out of college was as an administrative assistant to an executive chef and a food & beverage director at a Four Seasons hotel. I also spent some time working as a prep cook for Spago in Beverly Hills.

I received my Master's degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California. While in graduate school, I had the privilege of studying fiction writing under renowned author Hubert Selby, Jr., and comedy writing under famed comedian Shelley Berman. I am a past participant of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers Summer Writing Workshop.

Raised in the woods of Vermont, I now live in the greater Los Angeles area with my husband and three children. STIR ME UP is my first novel.

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RULES AND RESTRICTIONS:

Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 18 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

Book Tour and Giveaway: The Sorcery Code by Dima Zales

The Sorcery Code

Author: Dima Zales

Publication Date: December, 2013

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

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Synopsis

From the internationally bestselling authors who brought you the Krinar Chronicles comes a captivating tale of intrigue, love, and danger in a world where sorcery is entwined with science . . .

Once a respected member of the Sorcerer Council and now an outcast, Blaise has spent the last year of his life working on a special magical object. The goal is to allow anyone to do magic, not just the sorcerer elite. The outcome of his quest is unlike anything he could’ve ever imagined – because, instead of an object, he creates Her.

She is Gala, and she is anything but inanimate. Born in the Spell Realm, she is beautiful and highly intelligent – and nobody knows what she’s capable of. She will do anything to experience the world . . . even leave the man she is beginning to fall for.

Augusta, a powerful sorceress and Blaise’s former fiancée, sees Blaise’s deed as the ultimate hubris and Gala as an abomination that must be destroyed. In her quest to save the human race, Augusta will forge new alliances, becoming tangled in a web of intrigue that stretches further than any of them suspect. She may even have to turn to her new lover Barson, a ruthless warrior who might have an agenda of his own . . .

Review

I will admit, when I first started doing blog tours, I signed up for a lot of books without reading what they were about or what the genre was. Opening The Sorcery Code in my ereader, I was a little surprised to find it something in my wheelhouse. Magic, fantasy, romance, it was all there, and I immediately began to enjoy the book that I had agreed to review for my blog.

Dime Zales crafted a wonderful world in this story, reminiscent of other popular fantasy novels. It's a brand new world that no one has ever seen, and it is definitely a world that I was ready to learn about. I will say, though, that it was a little unnerving at first to be dropped smack dab in the middle of this new world without much of an explanation as to where it was or how it came to be. I usually like to know a little more about the world I'm experiencing before I get too far in. Dima Zales makes it work, though, by gradually giving the information as it becomes relevant to the characters or to the reader.

It was a little unsettling at first to have four different perspectives through the story. It's all third person, but it's limited to the one character essentially "in charge" of the story for the chapter/pages that belong to them at the time. It jumps from person to person (Gala, Blaise, Augusta, and Barson), and, while the chapter always tells who is in charge of the scene, it is a little jarring sometimes, like I flew from one place to the other without much of an understanding where I was flying to. I like getting a little closer to the main characters, though. If you're going to jump perspectives, Zales approached it in a good, easier to follow way.

I enjoyed this novel and the characters that Zales brought to life on the page. Magic is always a wonderful place for stories to live and explore. I would suggest this story to anyone who likes a good fantasy novel, an escape, or a place where magic is real.

Rating

About the Author

Dima Zales is a full-time science fiction and fantasy author residing in Palm Coast, Florida. Prior to becoming a writer, he worked in the software development industry in New York as both a programmer and an executive. From high-frequency trading software for big banks to mobile apps for popular magazines, Dima has done it all. In 2013, he left the software industry in order to concentrate on his writing career.

Dima holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from NYU and a dual undergraduate degree in Computer Science / Psychology from Brooklyn College. He also has a number of hobbies and interests, the most unusual of which might be professional-level mentalism. He simulates mind-reading on stage and close-up, and has done shows for corporations, wealthy individuals, and friends.

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Book Tour and Giveaway: Sparks the Matchmaker by Russell Elkins

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Sparks the Matchmaker  

Author: Russell Elkins



Synopsis:

Ollie just wants one thing. The girl. Things haven’t been going so well with Anne lately, though; their relationship has become a perpetual study date, and Ollie’s roommates are starting to worry about him. How to fix things? Why, with a marriage proposal, of course. Unfortunately for Ollie, his relationship with Anne has run out of gas. Life feels like it’s counting down to one. And that one is the only person in Ollie’s life he really cares about: Ollie. Perhaps, then, he should get over himself. But first he has to deal with Sparks, the irritating little Yankees fan who invades his life in order to “help” him. And while Keith, his best friend, is doing all he can to help, Ollie’s other friend Richie never fails to show up and threaten to ruin everything just by being himself. Never mind all the drama Sparks brings to the party by forcing Ollie to take a job actually helping people in need. Will Ollie meet the girl? Will it be in history class? On a road trip to Colorado? Can he get over Anne, or should he try to mend the relationship? Should he pursue the new girl Sparks is trying to set him up with? As the strings of the puppeteer tangle with the strings of the heart, only one person can sort out the mess Ollie has made. It seems that the harder he tries, the more Ollie messes things up. Is Sparks a cruel manipulator, or is he really going to help Ollie find his match?

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Excerpt

Ollie was in the process of packing some clean underwear into his bag when he heard Sparks’ voice from the doorway. “Joy still hasn't broken up with her boyfriend. I thought she would have done it by now.”

“What?” Ollie was stunned. “Are you serious?”

“Relax. She's a little harder to read than most people. I really thought she'd have dumped him by now.”

Ollie suspected Sparks was concealing something, but he couldn’t guess it. “That’s just great. I'm picking her up in a few minutes, man! And now I’ll have that looming over my head the whole weekend.”

“It's not a big deal. Seriously. Not a big deal.”

“It is to me. Are you trying to tell me that you guessed wrong on that? I mean, that’s something that seems pretty pivotal and important. You seemed so sure before,” Ollie said.

“Yeah, I was. She's just harder to read, that's all. Nothing's gonna change. Everything is still on track. The boyfriend won't come into play at all… for the weekend, anyway.”

“Huh, it sounds like it’s going to make everything awkward.”

“Oh, I get it. You’re under the impression that you were gonna hit it off this weekend. But you're not going to be doing any kissing or holding hands or gazing into each other's eyes in soft moonlight. You won't be doing anything but getting to know each other. You know, as friends will do?”

“What? Why didn't you tell me that earlier? Sparks, you keep leading me into situations like this, and you don’t tell me anything. You like to keep me in the dark as much as you possibly can.”

Sparks looked at Ollie like he was missing something really obvious. “Listen. I’m not responsible for the things you imagine. I give you information you wouldn’t otherwise have, and I give it to you on a need- to- know basis. You need to be able to act spontaneously in order for everything to come out right. Besides,” he pushed his hat back on his head, “I don't like to be wrong when I'm guessing stuff. I prefer to wait when I give answers… just in case things change.”

“I can’t tell you how reassuring that is.”

“You don't have to accept my help, you know. I could go help someone else.”

Ollie took a deep breath and then let it out as a rumble in his throat. “Ah. You’re probably right anyway.”

Praise for Sparks the Matchmaker: I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. How many "romance" novels do you read where the protagonist is male, or even where the author is male? At first, I thought that was going to be the unique focus of this story. I was pleasantly surprised, though. The "Sparks" character was a completely unique take on things. Also, I tend to be one of those people who frequently predicts the endings of books and t.v. shows, etc., but I hadn't seen the ending of this story coming. It was a quick and easy read (which was just what I needed right now) but with plenty of intelligence and creativity woven into the story. I think I can say with confidence that even my teenage son would enjoy it, as well as my Mom. Looking forward to the next installment in the series.Definitely not what I expected from a romantic comedy novel, but in a good way! Can't wait for the next one :)

     

Review

I don't read a lot of fiction written by men, let alone a romance novel written by a man. It's a little unusual for the genre, no offense to Mr. Elkins. So I was a little surprised when I came across the chance to review this for a tour. I love new opportunities, though, so I jumped at the chance to give it a read.

Sparks the Matchmaker is not only a fascinating character, but a quirky, cute read. Ollie was not having the best luck with women, despite being in a long term relationship when the novel opens. Life with his girlfriend is lackluster, and he is desperate for things to get better. Instead of trying to revitalize the relationship with a talk or an adventure, he decides that a proposal is the best thing for them - his friends are not so sure.

In comes Sparks, "the irritating little Yankees fan who invades his life in order to “help” him". Sparks is determined to get his life back on track, even if Ollie hates it and doesn't see the merit in his methods. All Ollie wants to do is get the girl, and Sparks is just in his way.

For me, Sparks really made the novel. Without him, I don't think it would have been as good. The rest of the guys spend their time "being guys", but Sparks is the character that really gets in there and shakes things up for them. He was a great character to get to spend time with. This is definitely an interesting book.

Rating

Author Russell Elkins

Russell Elkins has become a leading expert on open adoption through first-hand experience that he now shares in Open Adoption, Open Heart. Russell regularly contributes to Adoption.com. He also writes his own blog at russellelkins.com to educate others in the struggles and beauties of open adoption. Russell has always been a family man at heart, looking forward to the day when he could be a husband and a father. It took him a little while, but eventually his eyes locked onto a beautiful blonde, and he has never looked away. Russell and Jammie were married in 2004. They had the same goals for their home and didn't want to wait too long before starting their family. However, filling their home quickly with children wasn't in the cards, and they found themselves weighing their options to overcome problems with infertility. Their lives changed dramatically the day they decided to adopt. Russell and Jammie have adopted two beautiful children, Ira and Hazel, and have embraced their role as parents through open adoption. Both are actively engaged in the adoption community by communicating through social media, taking part in discussion panels, and writing songs about adoption. Russell was born on Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., in the fall of 1977. Along with his five siblings, he and his military family moved around a lot, living in eight different houses by the time he left for college at age 17. Although his family moved away from Fallon, Nevada, just a few months after he moved out, he still considers that little oasis in the desert to be his childhood hometown. Even after leaving home, Russell always stayed close to his family. He shared an apartment with each of his three brothers at different times during his college career. They formed a band together back in the 1990s and still perform on a regular basis under the name of the Invisible Swordsmen. After nearly a decade of college and changing his major a few times, Russell received his bachelor's degree in sociology from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He later graduated from Ameritech College where he learned the trade of being a dental lab technician. Russell now owns and operates Elkins Dental Lab located in Meridian, Idaho.

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  Tour Giveaway 

 $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/12/14   a Rafflecopter giveaway   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 author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.