Amazon Book Review - JL Paul x 2

Hey y'all!

This is going to be a little different for today's review - mostly because it's for:

1. Amazon books
2. which were previously published on Fictionpress where I first read them
3. the second and third in a series since I consider the first to be more of a prequel and these two are one and a sequel with the same characters
4. they're self-pubbed from an indie author

I have started reviewing the amazing Amazon books that I've read in order to get them out there more in the world. This includes the freebies and the paid ones, so be warned! And, of course, most of this is being done on my YouTube channel before being posted here - which is why there's a delay between post dates.

But I'm getting away from today's review. Here it is!

Phone Calls from a Rock Star

Written by: JL Paul

Released: June 28, 2013 for Kindle

Summary: What would you do if you were sitting in a drive-thru late one night and a rock star jumps in your car? Would you scream? Call the police? 

You could do what Isabella Ames did – become his friend. 

After meeting Jake Johnson, lead singer for the band, Controlled Environment, hops in her car, Isabella is instantly plunged into a friendship that takes her through some rocky times. But when that friendship turns into something more, things couldn’t look better. 

Enter the tabloids and the rumors and the crazy fans. Isabella’s blissful life is suddenly turned upside-down. 

Being the girlfriend of a popular rock star isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

Back to the Top

Written by: JL Paul

Released: October 9, 2013 for Kindle

Summary: So much has changed since graduation. 

For Isabella Ames, life was supposed to start after high school; college, career, and living the rest of her life with Jake Johnson. 

But life always seems to throw a curve... 

Isabella’s new life is not what she expected, but she’s adjusting well. She has a job that she loves and is engaged to a wonderful man. 

But she finds herself face-to-face with Jake again, after three years and several heartaches. Although they have both moved forward, the connection that binds them hasn’t weakened in the least. Now Isabella is struggling to fight her attraction for the only man she’s ever really loved while trying to do what she thinks is best. 

Enter more paparazzi, family issues, and a new generation and things get crazier. 

Will Isabella find her way back to Jake or is she fated to this new life?

And now the video review!







So in short, while both books need some TLC from someone who isn't attached to them (i.e. a professional editor), they have an amazing story to tell and characters to love.

You're immediately sucked into the story and the romance between the main characters. However, what's refreshing about this is the fact that you're not dealing with any form or insta-love like you seen in so many comparable novels in the YA and NA genre.

While you have to pay a few dollars for each book on Amazon (sorry, no free first book here), it's well worth the money if you are interested in seeing where the story goes. If anything it's a great few hours in someone else's drama - which really does suck you in.

Best of Both Worlds

Today I bring to you my review of The 100 - which will be airing on The CW for its series premiere on Wednesday. Personally, I can't wait to actually see how the two relate. From the commercials I can already see that they've changed quite a bit. I'm also hoping that it will give me a few answers that the book left open. Of course, there is also a sequel to this duology (it that even a word?!) coming out this September. I'm hoping for an ARC at BEA in a few months. ;)

Stay tuned below for my video review of the book! There was so much more that I wanted to discuss in the video - but I also wanted to keep it short.

The 100

Written by: Kass Morgan

Released: September 3rd 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary: In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland... before it's too late.

Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust - and even love - again.

So, unless you didn't watch the video (shame on you) you saw that I did enjoy the book.

I loved how the characters stories were all laced together in one way or another - not that this should be a surprise since they live on a relatively small space ship - and how there were flashbacks mixed in with the present day so that you could understand they "why" better.

Since this was made into a CW show, or because of it, it really reads like a prime time drama on the station. While I personally enjoyed this aspect, I can see where others wouldn't find it the same way. There was a sense of predictability about the whole book, but when there were twists you expected them, but had no idea what they would be.

While it took me a few seconds each chapter to get into the different character perspective, I did enjoy the four main characters and seeing the events from their eyes. I loved how each of them were able to bring something different to the story and how they differed vastly.

I can't wait for the second book. It needs to come faster.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-CHANGES!!!

Hello all! I was super bored tonight and decided that it would result in my fooling around with my blog design. I wanted something clean and fresh for this new year.


(And yes I'm aware it's mid-March - maybe this stems from the never ending winter we're all living with)


The only good thing that's come from this late dumping of snowpocalypse is the fact that I'm ahead in my Goodreads challenge!! I might even surpass my goal this year if I keep up this pace!

On a side note, who else is just waiting for the end of May to get here so we can go to BEA? It can't be just me. Although if there's still snow then, I might not be the easiest person to be around. Heads will roll.

Stay tuned for more updates soon! I've been sick/tired/working/playing and haven't had the time to do much more than check my email on my computer lately. But I have some videos and posts that should pop up soon!!

Happy reading ladies and gents!

Top Ten Tuesday - Popular Author I've Never Read

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