With Every Breath (audio)

BREATHE DEEP . . . AND JUMP IN

At the ends of the earth, Patagonia is a land where ambition trumps reason and the savage summit of La Aguja lures the most determined climbers. It's also the last spot a "play-it-safe girl" like Auden Woods expects to find herself. But she'll lace up her brand-new hiking boots and do whatever it takes to secure a dream job at an adventure magazine . . . even if it kills her. And it just might. When disaster strikes, her only chance at survival comes in the form of the surliest, sexiest mountaineer ever to come out of Scotland.

After a climbing accident cost him his brother, professional mountaineer Rhys MacAskill is at the end of his rope. Redemption is not in his future. That is, until a terrifying storm blows a budding journalist into his tent and it's up to him to make sure they both survive until morning. Despite the demons weighing on him, Rhys can't resist the temptation of the charming American and one wild night just isn't enough.

Auden and Rhys soon learn there are no shortcuts as they navigate their way between life, death, and atonement, and discover something they never expected-love.

Auden and Rhys were easy to like and get behind. Both of them had conflicts that promised to be intensely worked out and I looked forward to seeing how each resolved them all the while experiencing an attraction to each other. The way Auden settled her conflict with her sister was boring for me and I hope that in future books in this series it will be fleshed out more. Rhys's conflict was settled in a completely different way that I expected. I was a bit let down with the conflict resolutions, but still loved these characters and was satisfied with their story. The story is told in the alternating voices of Auden and Rhys. The narrators, Helen Wick and Paul Fox, did a great job narrating their character's voice. When they voiced the other character it was a bit strange, but not enough to stop me from listening. I will listen to the next book in the series.

*Thanks to Mitch and Hachette Audio for this review copy*

Hopeless and Finding Cinderella

Would you rather know a truth that makes you feel hopeless, or keep believing the lies?

Beloved and bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with the spellbinding story of two young people with devastating pasts who embark on a passionate, intriguing journey to discover the lessons of life, love, trust—and above all, the healing power that only truth can bring.

Sky, a senior in high school, meets Dean Holder, a guy with a promiscuous reputation that rivals her own. From their very first encounter, he terrifies and captivates her. Something about him sparks memories of her deeply troubled past, a time she’s tried so hard to bury. Though Sky is determined to stay far away from him, his unwavering pursuit and enigmatic smile break down her defenses and the intensity of the bond between them grows. But the mysterious Holder has been keeping secrets of his own, and once they are revealed, Sky is changed forever and her ability to trust may be a casualty of the truth.

Only by courageously facing the stark revelations can Sky and Holder hope to heal their emotional scars and find a way to live and love without boundaries. Hopeless is a novel that will leave you breathless, entranced, and remembering your own first love.

A chance encounter in the dark leads eighteen-year-old Daniel and the girl who stumbles across him to profess their love for each other. But this love has conditions: they agree it will last only one hour, and it will be only make-believe.

When their hour is up and the girl rushes off like Cinderella, Daniel tries to convince himself that what happened between them seemed perfect only because they were pretending it was. Moments like that happen only in fairy tales.

One year and one bad relationship later, his disbelief in love-at-first-sight is stripped away the day he meets Six: a girl with a strange name and an even stranger personality. Unfortunately for Daniel, finding true love doesn’t guarantee a happily ever after . . . it only further threatens it.

Will an unbearable secret from the past jeopardize Daniel and Six’s only chance at saving each other?

My first Colleen Hoover book was Maybe Someday on audio. I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this new adult book and quickly looked for her other book. I read/listened to both books without knowing what they were about which added to these stories. Hopeless was amazing as it unfolded slowly with a couple of surprises. I loved Holden and Sky immediately. Finding Cinderella features Six, Sky's best friend and Daniel, Holden's best friend. I had to suspend belief about the unbearable secret in order to enjoy this book. I thought it would have been better without that secret (could be my age). It was narrated by Jason Carpenter.

This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Simon and Schuster Audio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Until We Touch

After a family tragedy, former football hero Jack McGarry keeps the world at arm’s length – a challenge now that his PR firm has moved to neighborly Fool’s Gold.

Larissa Owens knows where she stands – Jack’s her boss, not her boyfriend. No matter what her heart says. But then Larissa's big secret is revealed...by her mother!

When Jack discovers Larissa’s feelings, her touch suddenly becomes tantalizing, and he’s not sure he wants to resist. But if he gives in to desire, heartache is sure to follow. Friendship or true love-- will Jack go for the ultimate play?

I was late in discovering the Fool's Gold series starting with book 10.  It has quickly become a favorite and I hope to get to the previous books soon.  I had a bad day and just wanted to sit down and take my mind off what happened, this was the perfect book to do just that very thing!  I loved Larissa and her heart for rescuing animals, well really anything that needs to be rescued.   It seemed that this was her story, more than hers and Jacks. Her plan for getting over Jack and what happened next came quickly.  Jack reacted badly and I am not sure he deserves Larissa.  I hope they make appearances in future books so he can show that he is worthy of her. 

SUSAN MALLERY is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 80 novels, with more than 25 million books sold worldwide. Mallery is known for creating characters who feel as real as the folks next door, and for putting them into emotional, often funny situations readers recognize from their own lives. Susan’s books have made Booklist’s Top 10 Romances list in four out of five consecutive years. RT Book Reviews says, “When it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself.” With her popular, ongoing Fool’s Gold series, Susan has reached new heights on the bestsellers lists and has won the hearts of countless new fans. Susan grew up in southern California, moved so many times that her friends stopped writing her address in pen, and now has settled in Seattle with her husband and the most delightfully spoiled little dog who ever lived.

 Visit Susan online website, Facebook


This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Alissa, Moss Media Relations, Inc.Moss Media Relations, Inc. and BookTrib and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Nova and Quinton Audios

Saving Quinton
Nova Reed can’t forget him-Quinton Carter, the boy with the honey-brown eyes who made her realize she deserved more than an empty life. His pain was so similar to her own. But Nova has been coming to terms with her past and healing, while Quinton is out there somewhere, sinking deeper. She’s determined to find him and help him . . . before it’s too late.

Nova has haunted his dreams for nearly a year-but Quinton never thought a sweet, kind person like her would care enough about a person like him. To Quinton, a dark, dangerous life is exactly what he deserves. And Nova has no place in it. But Nova has followed him to Las Vegas, and now he must do whatever it takes to keep her away, to maintain his self-imposed punishment for the unforgivable things he’s done. But there’s one flaw in his plan: Nova isn’t going anywhere . . .

**********************************************************
Nova and Quinton:  No Regrets

Today is the first day of Quinton Carter’s new life. The toxic guilt of his past left him in pieces-but one girl unexpectedly put him back together. Thanks to Nova Reed, Quinton can finally see the world with clear eyes. She’s the reason his heart is still kicking behind the jagged scar on his chest. And he would love to have her in his arms every minute of the day . . . but he’s not ready yet.

Playing drums in a band and living with her best friends are just some of the highlights of Nova’s life. But the best new development? Talking to Quinton on the phone each night. She wishes she could touch him, kiss him, though she knows he needs time to heal. Yet shocking news is on the way-a reminder of life’s dark side-and Nova will need Quinton like he once needed her. Is he strong enough to take the final leap out of his broken past . . . and into Nova’s heart?

I love it when an author surprises me by drawing me in to a story that consumes me and I fall in love with it's characters.  We are first introduced to these characters in Breaking Nova.  Each character suffered a tremendous loss with so much guilt attached.  The second Nova book, Saving Quinton, was emotional, heartbreakingly raw with the choices Quinton continued to make and hopeful too.  Nova was making changes in her life and could not forget Quinton.

No Regrets beings with a funeral that leaves us wondering who died.  Quinton begins his journey to wholeness so it was not as dark and depressing as the previous book.  I loved it that both of them put their recovery first and allowed their relationship to develop slowly.  The thread of hope, redemption and  possible healing and forgiveness is woven throughout the story.

Both books are told in alternating voices of Nova and Quinton  brilliantly narrated by Stephanie WIllis and Jed Drummond.

Author:  Jessica Sorensen
Published:  Feb. and April 2014
Genre:  NA Contemporary
Source: Hachette Audio
Finished: 6/2/14


This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Mitch and Hachette Audio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

Maybe Someday (audio)

At twenty-two years old, Sydney is enjoying a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers that Hunter is cheating on her—and she’s forced to decide what her next move should be.

Soon, Sydney finds herself captivated by her mysterious and attractive neighbor, Ridge. She can't take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either. They soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one.

I choose to listen to this book based on one of the narrators, and I am glad that I did as it was wonderful.  I started listening to the book without really knowing what it was about, and I recommend doing so.  I loved these characters, even with all their flaws! Sidney and Ridge are drawn together through music and their chemistry ignites the story. They team up to write music together and magic happens. Humorous, emotional, heartbreaking, well written,and expertly narrated. Telling the story in both Sydney and Ridge's point of views was brilliant. The soundtrack included enhanced the story.  This will not be my last Colleen Hoover book!

Author: Colleen Hoover
Published: March 2014
Genre: NA Contemporary
Source: Simon and Schuster Audio
Finished:  4/21/14


This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Simon and Schuster Audio and Lauren and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.

The Coincidence of Calle and Kayden

For Kayden, suffering in silence was the only way to survive. If he was lucky, he could keep his head down, do as he was told, and make it through the day. But one night it seemed like his luck - and his life - might finally end...until an angel named Callie appeared just in time to rescue him.

Callie has never believed in luck. Not since her twelfth birthday when everything was taken from her. After the worst was over, she locked up her feelings and vowed never to tell anyone what happened. Now, six years later, she continues to struggle with the painful secret that threatens to consume her.

When fate lands Kayden and Callie at the same college, Kayden is determined to get to know the beautiful girl who changed his destiny. Quiet and reserved, Callie still fears letting anyone else into her world. But Kayden is certain that Callie has come back into his life for a reason. And the more he tries to be a part of her life, the more he realizes that, this time, it's Callie who needs to be saved.

The story of two wounded people that find each other at college and begin to wonder if they can be together.  Both characters grab your heart and make you care deeply for them.  Told in the voices of Callie and Kayden authentically, honestly and emotionally.  The ending will make you crazy, thankfully, I had a heads up, and look forward to the next book.  Leslie Bellair did a fantastic job narrating. 

Author: Jessica Sorenson
Published: August 2013
Narrator:  Leslie Bellair
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Source: Hachette Audio
Finished: 9/28/13



This complimentary review copy was received thankfully from Kelsey and Hachette Audio and in no way influenced my review of this book. These are my personal thoughts and reactions to the reading of the book.