[Review] Touching Melody by RaShelle Workman

Touching Melody by RaShelle Workman 
Publisher: Polished Pen Press
Publishing Date: May 14, 2013
286 Pages 
Format: ebook 

Synopsis 

Sometimes life isn't pretty, but you have to close your eyes and let go...

Maddie Martin's first weekend at college is nothing like she's used to. It's wild, like the wilderness on which the University of Bellam Springs sits. Roped into going to a fraternity party, she literally runs into Kyle Hadley. The boy she's loved since she was nine. The boy she promised all of her firsts to. But that was before his father killed her parents. 

Determined to stay away from him, she throws herself into her music. Practicing piano eases her heavy heart, calms the sadness, and pushes away images of Kyle's face. 

Until it doesn't. 

Her music professor asks her to play a duet for their annual Winter Gala. Doing so means she'll be assured another full ride scholarship. It's an opportunity she can't pass up. 

But Kyle is the other half of the duet. And that means hours and hours of practicing. 

Weeks of seclusion - just the two of them. And it's more than just music. It's passion like Maddie never believed was possible. 

The inevitable happens. She falls in love with him all over again. 

But, will loving him be enough to erase all the hate in her heart for his father? Can she look at him, and not see the evil in his family tree?

And maybe it's all a set up. Maybe Kyle is only pretending to care so he can finish what his father started, and kill her too.

My Review 

I downloaded this book from Amazon because it was free and it sounded interesting. I'm never sure what to expect when I download a free book, but I wasn't disappointed with this one! I really enjoyed the story line and learning about Maddie. Her tattoos are a huge part of her life, though she rarely tells anyone about them. I found this interesting because I have a few tattoos as well, and I generally share what two of them mean, but the third I tend to keep to myself. They are all very personal, but I don't feel the need to tell anyone about the third. I thought Kyle was a fun character too. At the beginning of the book, I thought he was going to be a jerk because of how he acted. But the more I read, the more I realized he was a truly nice guy that's been dealt a crappy hand in life. The only thing I wish were a little different in this book is the ending. Without giving away what happened, I felt it could have been detailed more rather that it being dealt with in about 3-4 pages. However, that being said, I still think it was a great book, and will definitely read more of her work (:

Buy on Amazon

It's Monday! What are you reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey, where we share what we read last week, what we're currently reading, and what is next for us! 

Last week was a pretty productive reading week for me! Hopefully that continues (: 

So Much It Hurts by Melanie Dawn

My review here.

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson

 My review here.

The Murderer's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers

My review here. 

Currently Reading

Touching Melody by RaShelle Workman. 

Good so far! Should be finishing it today (: 

Up Next 

Not quite sure actually! I thought I would start A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin, but then I also thought about reading some that have been on my shelf for much, much longer... so I'm undecided at this point (: 

[Review] So Much It Hurts by Melanie Dawn

 Much It Hurts by Melanie Dawn 
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing 
Publishing Date: Aug. 21, 2013
342 Pages 
Format: ebook

Synopsis

Life is full of uncertainty, but what happens when a what-if from your past suddenly makes its way into your present? 

Kaityln Thomas, a weary wife and mother, is taking a much needed getaway with her friends. All she wants to do is relax and rejuvenate on her weekend escape to the beach. Having a drink at the bar with the girls sounds like the perfect way to unwind. That is, until Kaitlyn hears a familiar voice from the stage that shakes her to her core. She grapples with her memory until Chris King, the lead singer of the band, walks up to her and eliminates the questions in her mind. 

Christ King...the misunderstood bad boy who once saved her in ways that no one else could.

Kaitlyn's friends beg to know the story behind this mysterious man. Forced to revisit a painful past from which she has spent years trying to heal, Kaitlyn's recollection of Chris awakens intense feelings that she has kept buried deep inside her heart. Has time changed him, or is he still the same person Kaityln fell in love with so many years ago? 

Marriage vows are sacred, but temptation is a powerful thing. 

Seeing Chris again has caused a war between her head and her heart. In the end, which one will win the battle? Facing a difficult decision, Kaitlyn just wants to be sure of one thing when she walks away from this weekend - no regrets. 

My Review

I won a copy of this book in a giveaway. I really enjoyed this book and finished it pretty fast! I thought Kaitlyn's struggle was something that many people probably face every day. There always seems to be someone that people want to go back to, no matter the relationship they are in. However, that doesn't always mean that person is the best for them. I thought what Kaitlyn did towards the end of the book is very admirable. She really loves Michael and cares so much for their family. It felt like there was a second story in the pages of this story, even though everything was related to the main story. It was definitely not was I was expecting when I first started this book, but I couldn't put it down! Very good book and I will be telling my sister to read this!!! (: 

[Review] The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Renee Anderson

The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Renee Anderson
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Publishing Date: Sept 16, 2012
304 Pages
Format: Kindle ebook

Synopsis

Luke Carney has no idea what possessed him to move back to Shelter Springs, Colorado, to set up his veterinarian practice. His parents have long since left, the small farming community is on the brink of extinction, and only one close friend from his childhood remains--Taycee Emerson, his best friend's little sister, who isn't so little anymore.

Then there's the matter of Shelter's Bachelorette, an online reality dating show created to raise some much needed funds for the town.

Unwittingly cast as the bachelorette, Taycee wants out, especially when she discovers that Luke, her childhood crush, is back in town and will be one of the bachelors. To make matters worse, it's up to the viewers - not her - to decide which bachelors stay or go. And they all seem to like Luke.

Unwilling to let him break her heart again, Taycee launches a subtle attack on Luke's good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. But she'd forgotten that Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

My Review

This was the perfect book to pick up yesterday! Its romantic, funny, and sweet. Taycee loves her life as it is, though she could probably deal with a few less relationships-gone-wrong. Her character is sweet and you just can't help but like her right away. Same with Luke. Yes, he left for years with no communication, but the moment he walks back into Taycee's life, you just want them to be together! He's charming and funny, and a really good guy!

I thought this story was very cute and entertaining. Sometimes I'm not sure what to expect with books that are free for Amazon's Kindle, but this one didn't disappoint! I enjoyed it so much that I finished it in one day! I also really want to read Ms. Anderson's other books as well after this one! Definitely a wonderful romantic comedy (:

I loved it so much, that I wanted to share a few teasers of the book to convince others to read it!

"The silence that followed made him feel exposed, as if he'd put his heart on a platter for her to take or wave away. A few more seconds came and went without a word. Not good. Was she trying to think of a nice way of letting him down, or was she scared too - like Luke? Hopefully the latter. He should reach for her hand, touch her, something. Only a few inches and his hand would brush against hers. Still, Luke hesitated."
                             pg. 199

"Luke stared at the starlit sky, feeling that his world had suddenly aligned. As though all the dots had been connected, creating an awesome picture, way better than Hercules or Draco or any of the other constellations out there. He felt something good. Something real. Something he'd never expected to find with his old friend from Shelter Springs, Colorado."
                            pg. 199 

Buy on Amazon

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop hosted by Dani @ Pen to Paper where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our shelves :)

This week, I've been seeing many posts and reviews about Jennifer Brown's books, specifically Hate List and Bitter End. These sound like really great books that deal with incredibly sensitive topics. These are the types of books I love to read. I think an author that can tackle a taboo or sensitive subject can send really powerful messages to everyone: teens, adults, etc. So those are the two books that are new to my wishlist, but hope to get off that list and onto my shelf fairly soon! 

WWW Wednesday

WWW Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Should be Reading. To participate, simply answer the three following questions:

- What are you currently reading?

- What did you recently finish reading?

- What do you think you'll read next?

What am I currently reading?

Started off a little slow, so I'm still unsure about it, but I'm going to keep reading it!

What did I recently finish?

Really enjoyed this book! You can find my review here. 

What will I likely read next?

I've had this book for so long and haven't gotten around to reading it! Mostly I'm worried about the size of it because then I won't be getting many other books done. But, I've decided this is a good time to start it. (:

Tell Me Something Tuesday

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Heidi @ Rainy Day Ramblings. Each week a new question is presented. Check out Heidi's blog for all the details :)

This weeks question:

Who are your favorite authors? 

As any book lover can probably tell you, this is a very difficult question to answer! However, since it does say 'authors' I can definitely list more than one!! (: These are some of my favorite, in no particular order!

Jodi Picoult

  

Nicholas Sparks

  

Sandra Brown

  

James Patterson

  

JK Rowling

  

When I was younger, I loved the Thoroughbred Series by Joanna Campbell, so she is definitely one I would need to add to my list (look for a post regarding her books later this week). Same with Lurlene McDaniel. I devoured her books and couldn't get enough of them! Sometimes I still want to go back and read them again now!