The Perfect Game

The Perfect Game

by J. Sterling

 

Blurb:

He's a game she never intended to play.
And she's the game changer he never knew he needed.

The Perfect Game tells the story of college juniors, Cassie Andrews & Jack Carter. When Cassie meets rising baseball hopeful Jack, she is determined to steer clear of him and his typical cocky attitude. But Jack has other things on his mind... like getting Cassie to give him the time of day.

They're both damaged, filled with mistrust and guarded before they find one another (and themselves) in this emotional journey about love and forgiveness. Strap yourselves for a ride that will not only break your heart, but put it back together.

Sometimes life gets ugly before it gets beautiful...  

I went into this book knowing full well it would impact me. J and I had talked about it and so I was prepared. At least I thought I was. I have to admit to those of you who are reading this though, that I have never...I repeat NEVER...been more unprepared in my life! This book brought me to my knees. I'd like to tell you that it brought me down figuratively, but that would be an out and out lie. This absolutely spectacular book brought me down literally as much as figuratively. I can assure you that this will be a book that I will return to over and over again.

When The Perfect Game starts, we're introduced to Cassie, a beautiful headstrong girl, who is determined to make her own way in the world, secure her dream job, and live a happy life doing what she loves. Taking pictures and sharing her craft with the world. The last thing she wants is to tie herself to someone whom she can't trust or give her heart over willingly to allow someone to break it and then hand the shards back to her. It's just too bad that a chance encounter on the way into a frat party changes all of that, and that encounter comes in the form of Jack Carter, the star pitcher of the university baseball team, MLB hopeful, and the world's biggest play boy. Much as she tries to heed her best friend Melissa's warnings to not get involved with the likes of Jack Carter, Cassie can't shake him, and he's not going away until she agrees to do something for him. One date. Just one. If she doesn't like it by the time it's over, he'll walk away and she'll never have to worry about him again. If only it were that easy. Thus begins a journey into the unknown... For the both of them. 

I have always liked the saying, "Trust is like a sandcastle. Build it without water, and its nothing but a mound of tiny grains that mean nothing and can be easily washed away in the rising tide or blown away on the breeze. Build it with water, far enough from the shore and reinforce it, and it will harden and stand even as the tide rises around it and the wind whips fiercely." Don't ask me who said it, I couldn't tell you, but the fact is that throughout this book, I wanted to crawl into the pages and give both of them, especially Cassie, that little morsel. I think they'd have both fared well knowing it. However, trust is a finicky thing, and when you've never been able to depend on someone in your life, it's pretty hard to build to begin with.

I loved Cassie. To death. I felt her pain, and more times than not, I wanted to take it from her, but most often I wanted to castrate Jack. I'm not even kidding. I literally felt a sort of bond with Cassie, a sisterhood if you will. And like Cassie, I loved Jack fiercely and I caught myself a few times praying for the release of the pain for the both of them.  As I said earlier, while I thought I had been prepared I most definitely was not, and while I didn't cry, it didn't stop me from wanting to. I honestly think that had I been listening to the right playlist while reading this book, I'd have certainly been in tears on several occasions. This book is powerful, beautifully written, and incredibly put together...beginning to end. If I'm being truthful, I found myself dreading the end, because I knew the second my Kindle said I was at 82% that it wasn't going to be enough once I finally hit 100%. It wasn't, it isn't, and I fear that it never will be. 

My favorite part of this book is hands down the quarters. It's sweet, beautiful, and spectacularly original. If you'd like to know what I'm talking about, read this book. You'll understand.  

So... It is with great pride, and huge amounts of pleasure that I recommend that you read The Perfect Game. Well done, J. Very well done! I <3 you more now than I did when I finished reading Chance Encounters. Tell Jackson that he's still my number 1! *grins*

Amazon

Barnes & Noble 

Smashwords 

The Modified Review Blitz

I am so incredibly honored to host my first ever Review Blitz on this blog. You guys can't imagine how happy this makes me. I am also equally honored to have that Review Blitz be for The Modified, a new novel by the superb mother & son author duo, C.A. Kunz.

When I was asked to be a part of the Blitz, I eagerly jumped at the opportunity because Carol and Adam have come to mean a great deal to me. So, it was with great pride, and pleasure, that I accepted the offer.

If you would, please allow me to tell you a bit about Adam & Carol.

Carol and Adam Kunz make up the mother and son author duo, C.A. Kunz. They thoroughly enjoy writing about things that go bump in the night and action-packed dystopian romances while drinking massive amounts of English breakfast tea and Starbucks coffee. The author pair currently reside fourty-five minutes away from each other in the sunny state of Florida. If you would like to find out more about this duo, The Modified, or The Childe, please visit the following links:

C.A. Kunz's Blog
C.A. Kunz's Facebook
C.A. Kunz's Twitter

And now for my review of The Modified. Please hang around after, because there will be a giveaway! Yes, yes. You read that correctly... GIVEAWAY!!!! At this time, I would break out into a spastic happy dance, but I don't know that you guys want that visual, so I'll let you do your own happy dance while you're reading my review. *grins*

 What would you sacrifice to save the one’s you love? To save the one who holds your heart? To save the world?

Kenley Grayson is all too familiar with these questions.

After Earth is thrust into its first intergalactic war with an unknown race called the Bringers, our military forces begin to suffer heavy losses. Desperate for a solution, the Allied Federation issues a worldwide draft for every able seventeen year old to enlist. As Kenley turns seventeen, she finds herself thrown into the very war that took her older brother’s life.

This year’s draft is a little different than in the past though. A new program, known as the Magnus Project, has been introduced, and only the best and brightest qualify. Kenley is amongst a select few whom are chosen to join this elite group of soldiers, and as a part of this project, undergoes a modification procedure that leaves her and her peers endowed with powers beyond their wildest dreams.

As Earth continues in its struggle against the Bringers, Kenley is transported to a high-tech training facility, the Magnus Academy, to prepare for the major battle that lies ahead. It’s here that she meets the California heartthrob, and son of a legendary war hero, Landon Shaw. As unexpected feelings toward Landon begin to develop, Kenley wonders if this is the right time or place for romance to bloom, especially when those feelings start to interfere with her training.

With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Kenley is constantly reminded of how important she and the rest of the Magnus cadets are to the fate of humanity. She is one of the Modified, Earth’s last line of defense against utter destruction.

It's always been hard for me to sink into a futuristic/dystopian style book, but they made it sooo easy. The style is flawless. I actually caught myself on a couple of occasions while reading the book, staring at my hands and asking myself, "Why can't you do that?!" Obviously, it's because I myself am not modified, but a girl can dream, right? Or in this case, read.  It's an absolutely amazing story.

Upon reading the first sentence of the book, I was immediately drawn to Kenley and could only imagine that she and I would be great friends, provided I were still a teenager and we lived in the same time period. Kenley is just my kind of girl. You see, Kenley and her friends (old and new) have been tasked with saving mankind and the world. However, there is only one way to do that and it means altering not only who they are, but their biology as well. They are called the Modified, and they are pretty badass. But, it's hard to focus on saving the world when you're falling in love at the exact same time. Enter Landon Shaw. Landon is a pretty boy. He's hot, sweet, intense, and although he comes off as filled with confidence, the only thing he's truly confident about is his ability to fight in this war and the fact that he wants Kenley for himself.

 I was also incredibly impressed with not only the character development and relationships between all of the characters, as well as the plot, flow, pit falls and resolution. I, personally, don't think it could have gotten any better. No wait, I take that back. It could only get better if I had my own Galileo. I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous that Kenley has one and I don't. It's just too bad that there wasn't a Galileo bracelet tucked into the back of my Kindle case. Ah well, ya win some, ya lose some. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you one of my favorite lines from the book.

"It isn't a line, Kenley. From the first time I saw you in the crowded tram station, I knew I wanted to meet you. I felt this connection that made me want to push my way through the mass of bodies just to talk to you. I know you probably think I'm crazy or something. And I am crazy...for you."

Okay, now I need a moment. *SWOON* Fabulous, right?! If you said yes, then I can only hope that that means you're going to run off to Amazon or Barnes & Noble or even Smashwords to grab your own copy of this truly outstanding book! I know that I loved it, and it's pretty safe to say that I am impatiently looking forward to the next book in this series! Color my hooked!!!

And now for that giveaway that I promised you would be coming!! All you have to do is complete the rafflecopter, and you will be entered to win one of the following:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, happy reading, and thank you all so much for stopping by! I do hope you'll come back in the future!!! And please don't forget to grab your copy of the book! Just follow the links below!

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords

Miss Me Not Cover Reveal

So my beautiful friend, Tiffany King, is working on a new book (to be released later on this year) and she asked me if I would like to participate in the cover/blurb reveal. Naturally, I said MOST DEFINITELY!!! Who wouldn't want to participate in a cover reveal for one of the most awesome authors they know?!

Now, I have to tell you that I personally am looking forward to this book. In fact, I'm sitting on pins and needles waiting to get my hands on it, because, well, I'll just show you why. How's that for a deal?? So, without further ado...

I give you...

MISS ME NOT by Tiffany King!!!!

Beautiful, right?!

Blurb:

They had a pact.
Leave the world behind much as they had lived it.
No one would miss them. No harm, no foul.

Their personal demons would be left behind once and for all.
It was the only thing they could count on.
It was all she had.

Madison Hanson has spent the last four years being a "shadow." Her parents ignore her. The students at her school stopped talking to her years ago, and the majority of her teachers forget she's even there. In her desperate yearning to leave her invisible life behind, Madison makes a pact with her only friend, James Garrison, to end their lives as inconspicuously as they live them. No fuss, no muss. No one would miss her and she would miss no one. Their plan is set, and it's all she can count on. That is, until fellow student, Mitch Peterson, beats them to the punch. Everything Madison believed in is shaken to the core when she watches the aftermath of Mitch's death unfold. By taking his own life, Mitch unwittingly saves hers. What a selfish prick.

She is now left with the daunting task of living. Trying to bury her demons once and for all, and finally trusting someone with her fragile existence.

Living is hell.
Death would have been so much easier.

I truly hope that now you understand just why I am eagerly anticipating the release of this book. I am so much more than excited for it. It is going to be just as amazing as all her other books!

Make sure you check out Tiffany on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, and don't forget to purchase your copy of her other absolutely amazing books! You can find the links below.

Facebook

Twitter

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Smashwords

The Sea of Tranquility

The Sea of Tranquility

By Katja Millay

 I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Full of rage and without a purpose, former pianist Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her pay.

All 17 year-old Josh Bennett wants is to build furniture and be left alone and everyone allows it, because it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, a hot mess of a girl who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. The more he gets to know her, the more of a mystery she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he may ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a slow-building, character-driven romance about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

Katja gifted her book to me a couple of weeks ago after we met in a book group on Facebook. I was captivated by the synopsis, and although I wanted to read it right away, I couldn't. I knew just based on what I had been told by those who had read it before me that this was a book that I would need to actually sit down for. Now normally, I don't listen to all of that, but something inside of me knew that I should heed their warnings. So, I did. I waited until I was finished with the 2 books I had ahead of it, and I picked up Katja's book last night.

I desperately wanted to pull an all nighter with it, because by the time I hit 50%, I was entranced. But alas, sleep hailed and I gave in. I finished today after many an interruption and I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I believe I spent a good majority of it updating Katja on my progress via Facebook and asking her things like "Can I slap Nastya?" or "Does the pain ever stop?". I wasn't ready for this book to end, but like all good things, it had to end at some point. I must confess though that once I read the final word, I was filled with a sense of peace, the likes of which I haven't felt at the end of a book in a while.

I think what brings the book into the forefront is the fact that it even though it's YA, it isn't cookie cutter and that is exactly what I love so much about it. It is truly unique, and very much a one of a kind. The fact that it's heart-wrenching while at the same time uplifting sets it apart from any other YA book I've read, and I have read a lot of them.

This is truly a book you won't want to miss, because you see, it's about a broken girl and equally broken boy. Neither wants the other, and they're perfectly unaware that they're even falling in love with one another, while every single person around them isn't so blinded by the pain the two of them live with as they are. If I could have a book boy, I'd ask for Josh Bennett. Which is saying A LOT because I haven't veered from Maddon (Forever Changed by Tiffany King) even once.

I can't tell you too many times to read this book. Read it, you'll love it. And if you don't, then you obviously read the wrong book, because I can't see how you couldn't love this book.

Chapter 1 of You Just Know

Now, a couple of days ago, I made a promise to all of my followers on Facebook that once I reached 100 'likes' I would post Chapter 1 of YJK for their reading pleasure. Well, because I can't figure out how to share it over on my Facebook page, I am going to share it here! So... without further ado, I give you Chapter 1!

Chapter 1

Slater

Some things you can never get back. I had dreams and I had a planned future. I wish someone had told me how quickly events can change once the truth surfaces. This is my story.

My name is Slater Price. I know what you're wondering who would name their daughter Slater? Well, the answer to that question would be my parents. Well, my mother to be exact. She had it stuck in her head ages before I was conceived that she would name her first born Slater, boy or girl. A lot of times, I wished I had an older brother or sister so that I hadn't had to carry the name, but alas. Things didn't seem to work out that way. In the spirit of honesty though, I think it only fair to tell you that my mother was a huge fan of the 80s sit-com Saved By the Bell and that that is how she chose my name. Lame, I know.

My mother and father went their separate ways when I was nine. Neither of them filed for divorce, so I guess you could say they're technically still married. I won't pretend to understand what happened or why, but I haven't seen or spoken to my father in eight long years. Do I miss him? Sure. However, it's hard to miss someone you barely knew. Mom has been my rock through the last eight years. We rarely talk about him. It works for us. Secretly though, I think she misses my father more than she will ever admit. 

When I walked into the house from softball practice on Friday afternoon, I was surprised to find my no nonsense mother sitting on the couch. Her eyes were cast downward and she was fidgeting with the hem of her shorts. I slammed the door loudly behind me to announce my presence. Her head snapped up and I could tell she'd been crying. My mother never cries so I knew this was something serious.

"Slater. You're home. Go put your things away, then come back in here." That was all she said before she returned to the stare-down she was having with her shorts. 

God, this can't be good. I thought to myself. "Yeah, sure thing Mom."

I made my way past her and into the hall toward my bedroom. Our house was small. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a dining room, and an office. Everything you needed all on one floor. Walking down the hall, I passed the row of family pictures on the left side of the wall, none of which featured my father. I've never bothered to ask her why.

I shoved the door to my room open and tossed my bags down on the floor near the foot of the bed. I decided to change out of my sweaty practice clothes, and put on something a little more suited to having a conversation with my mother who may or may not be falling apart finally. I kicked my sneakers off and tossed them in the closet. 

The layout for my room was pretty standard. When you came into the room, the bed was directly in front of you. There were two windows just to the left and right of the bed. The closet and my dresser were to the left, a night stand next the bed and a desk off to the right which held everything I needed to be a senior in high school, a teenager, and a softball player. The walls were a deep purple, and the bed linens were just a shade lighter to accentuate the sheer plum colored curtains that covered the windows. Mom insisted on the curtains, I would have just been happy with the blinds alone. 

Once my shoes were in the closet, I grabbed a change of clothes out of my dresser and quickly changed. I tossed my dirty clothes in the hamper, turned off the light, and made my way back down the hallway.

I stopped to study the woman sitting on the couch who had raised me all by herself. She looked as if she'd aged five years in the time between that morning when I left for school and when I returned that afternoon. There were a few things I knew for sure. 

First, Allyson Price was beautiful. At age thirty-seven, she was absolutely stunning. Her chocolate brown hair was long and straight, just like mine. Her eyes were a clear, sparkling blue, a trait that I unfortunately didn't inherit. My eyes were storm cloud grey, just like my father's. I may not remember very much about him, but I do remember his eyes. Eyes like Roger Price's are pretty hard to forget.

Second, no one could put you in your place quite like my mother could. She had this way of looking at you, and you knew that you'd better keep the next few sentences to yourself; otherwise you would regret it pretty quickly. That could have something to do with the fact that being an author, she was a walking, talking thesaurus/dictionary, but that was neither here nor there.

Third, I had never, I repeat never, seen my mother this upset. Not even the night my father peeled out of the driveway as though Satan himself were chasing him directly into the fifth circle of Hell. Therefore I knew that whatever had happened in the nine hours I was out of the house was a pretty big deal.

Oh God! Did he finally send divorce papers? Is he dead? I could do nothing to stop the thoughts from spinning out of control inside my head. Something in the back of my mind told me though that she wouldn't be this upset if he had petitioned for a divorce after all this time. Oh shit, he is dead. I'll never see my father again.

Looking back on it now though I realize how much of an over-exaggeration that thought was, but in that moment, standing in the archway separating the hall from the living room, and seeing my mother falling to pieces in front of me, it was the only thing that made any sense at all. 

Remember how I said that I wish someone had told me how quickly things can change? Well it was happening to me in that exact moment and I had no way of stopping the chain reaction that was soon to follow.

Cover & Blurb!!!

Okay, guys! I have to show all of you the outstanding cover for You Just Know, as well as share with you the blurb, so that you'll know what you're reading about. Ready... Set... Here we go!

We'll start with the cover, and then follow up with the blurb. Please be sure to leave me a comment letting me know what you think! Be honest! Honesty is the best policy. Well, it is for me anyway. Alright, I'll stop rambling and give you what you want.

Isn't it just beautiful?! I absolutely love it. I couldn't have done a better job if I had done it myself. Luckily, I didn't do it myself, so that's why it's as gorgeous as it is. :-)

And now for the blurb! I am so super excited to share this with all of you. If you haven't read it, and this is your first time reading it, I hope you'll like it. So, here we go.

Blurb:

Slater Price is a seventeen year old senior who hasn't had the easiest life. Abandoned by her father at a young age, Slater has grown up living with a mother who loves her, a best friend who understands her, and a softball team who will stand behind her through it all. There's just one thing missing.

Brady.

Brady Davis is the star of the football team, and was Slater's best friend until they were twelve. He was a witness to her father's abandonment, but broke his vow to always be there for her when she needed him most. Over the years, he watched as Slater slowly pulled herself out of the spotlight, and now he'll stop at nothing to make it right again.

His only problem- Slater's dad sweeps back into town, revealing secrets and truths about the whys and hows of his sudden departure.

Will this fledgling foundation of a renewed friendship between Brady and Slater be enough? Will the love that Brady has held inside help Slater when she needs someone to trust? Can Slater pull herself together, face the past and the truth, and allow Brady to be the rock he's always tried to be? Or will it have all been too late?

  

And there you have it! Don't forget to leave me a comment and tell me what you think! Happy reading!!!

Welcome!

Hello y'all!!! I just wanted to take a moment and welcome you all to my blog. I named it Ramblings of a Writer, because, well... I am a writer! YAY! If you didn't know it already, or you're new to the world of my writing, let me tell you just a little about myself.

First and foremost, I am a mom. I take pride in that, and I am happy to say that although my little creature is a handful, I wouldn't trade him for the world. Okay, perhaps that isn't completely true, as there are days when I would much rather ship him off to the circus than deal with his meltdowns and brattiness, but it comes with being a mom, right?

Secondly, I am writing my first ever full length novel titled You Just Know. Now, this has been quite the little adventure, let me tell you! But, it is coming along nicely and I couldn't be happier with how the story is unfolding. I will share the blurb with you in the next post, and you'll have to let me know what you think. :-) 

Third, okay, so there really isn't a third, but it looked nice so let's just go with it. 

Anyway, I hope you'll stick around and click follow! Also, I will do my very best to keep you all up to date on all things, You Just Know here and on my Facebook page. You can find that here.