Blog Tour (Review): Freedom Road by T.M Souders

Freedom Road by T.M Souders, Kindle edition book cover

Freedom Road

T.M Souders

Genre: YA, contemporary

Editions available: Paperback, Kindle, ebook

Date published: September 17, 2012

Publisher: T.M Souders

Source: BB Book Tours/author

Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
* Book Depository * Indiebound

Rating:

Summary (Goodreads):

Since the tender age of eight, music served as Samantha Becker’s source of solace against her father’s tyranny and her mother’s alcoholism. Now at eighteen, her only dream is to study classical guitar at Juilliard. But when her father’s careless actions lead to an “accident,” which threatens her ability to play the guitar, Sam becomes despondent. Losing all confidence in her future, Sam hides behind the emotional barriers that have protected her for years.

Just when Sam has given up, two unexpected people enter her life, giving her the confidence she needs, and forcing her to evaluate all she’s ever known. Battling her father’s plans for her future, band mates using her for personal gain, and a permanent injury, the odds are stacked against her. With auditions approaching and time running out, Sam must relearn to play the guitar, or be destined to give up her dreams forever.



My Thoughts:

To where and whom would you hold on to when you felt like your world has lost it all? Family, dreams, peers. None.

Samantha, the female protagonist, felt like she has lost it all. There's a point when I was reading this book that I thank God for I am not her. How unfortunate she was. And you--anyone--would say that it's not the end of the world, that there are other wonderful things in life and that there are other people had the worst problems. I also told Samantha that, while reading. I wish she could hear me.

One thing I liked about her was that she didn't shut the world out, she even gained real friends. Another thing was that she kept going, dreaming, and have that perseverance to reach her dreams.

I also enjoyed it because it's a music novel and I understand how important music is in her life. Especially it it's the one you've known and been for the most part of your life. The love story in it was also an added flavor for the book's very nice outcome. I loved that it made me felt real. 

Freedom Road is a book about like Samantha is, to keep going even if the ground is crumbling just to reach the dreams you're aiming for. It is an easy read and I think a lot of people will learn, if not relate, from this book. 

Recommendations:

This must be YA novel, but anyone can enjoy and learn from this one.

Book cover comment/s:

I really liked it. I love how she looks at you and you feel like you're seeing through her and she to you.

***


Author Bio:
T.M. Souders was born in Johnstown, PA and grew up in the suburbs outside of Pittsburgh. She graduated in 2004, from Youngstown State University, with a degree in Psychology and minor in Women’s Studies. She is the author of bestselling women’s fiction novel, Waiting on Hope, as well as the novelette Dashing Through The Snow. Her young adult crossover novel, Freedom Road, is due to be released later this year. She currently lives in rural Ohio with her husband and children.

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Book Review: Effortless by S.C Stephens

Thoughtless by S.C Stephens, ebook edition book cover

Effortless

by S.C Stephens

Series: Thoughtless #2

Genre: Romance

Editions available: Ebook, Kindle, paperback

Source: own

Rating:

Summary (Goodreads):

A continuation of the novel, Thoughtless...


A lot can happen in a year. You grow, you change, you learn from your mistakes. And Kiera had made a lot of mistakes to learn from. But she had learned, and she was determined to never cause a man pain again, especially the amazing man who currently held her heart. But life offers new challenges for every relationship, and when Kiera’s love is put to the ultimate test, will it come out the other side unscathed?


Love is easy…trust is hard.



My Thoughts:


You think The End has written in Thoughtless because finally, Kellan and Kiera are together? No. Effortless is the continuation--or should I say, start--of their bizarre love story.


Here in book two, Kiera became the Rockstar's Girlfriend. Her patience, understanding, trust and love was tested for being one. Like we're all most aware of, it must be hard being the girlfriend--especially if your boyfriend was not just popular, but also hot.


I liked this better than the first book, I guess. The first book is quite painful because of the affair. Kellan and Kiera tried to stay honest to each other while Kellan was away for the tour. But even as much as they tried, there're still some issues they can't seem to tell each other.


It almost break my heart and made me pissed again with all these secrets and issues but when I reached the 'revealing' part, I was more like, understood their situations. The ending was wonderful, and yes, swoon-worthy.


Reading this book, I also understand the role/s of a popular guy's (more like artist/actor) girlfriend. She have to trust and be proud of her guy. She must not get the girl fans under her skin--because when you really love each other and know that you're both faithful, any story lies or amount of girls would never rip you apart. On/off spotlight, it will all come down into just both of you.




Recommendations:


Thoughtless (book one) fans! *Adult content!




Book cover comment/s:


Now that's better than the cover of Thoughtless.


Alternate cover:

Cover for Kindle and paperback editions--Kellan playing the guitar!

Book Review: Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly

Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly, ebook edition book cover

Harmonic Feedback

by Tara Kelly


Genre: YA, music
Editions available: Hardcover, ebook, Kindle, Turkish
Rating:

Summary (Goodreads):

Sixteen-year-old, music- and sound design-obsessed Drea doesn't have friends. She has, as she's often reminded, issues. Drea's mom and a rotating band of psychiatrists have settled on "a touch of Asperger's."


Having just moved to the latest in a string of new towns, Drea meets two other outsiders. And Naomi and Justin seem to actually like Drea. The three of them form a band after an impromptu, Portishead-comparison-worthy jam after school. Justin swiftly challenges not only Drea's preference for Poe over Black Lab but also her perceived inability to connect with another person. Justin, against all odds, may even like like Drea.


It's obvious that Drea can't hide behind her sound equipment anymore. But just when she's found not one but two true friends, can she stand to lose one of them?





My Thoughts:


Drea, diagnosed with ADHD, doesn't have friends until she and her mother moved in with her grandma's. She first met Naomi, the gothic girl. Then Justin, the first guy who ever notice her. Together, they make music. 


I really like this book. Although I'm [TOTALLY] not diagnosed with ADHD, I can relate to Drea. She finds it hard to have 'social life' and just loses herself in music. She then became friends with two cool people who loves music at the same time. The romance between Drea and Justin has been cute and sweet but there's something missing. I could maybe give this book 5 hearts if only the near-ending part was different. I don't like that part because I feel like it revolved around Naomi--until the ending. I would like it to be more on Drea becoming fearless or something like people learned to appreciate her and her music. And more Drea-Justin.


I do hope, though, that these type of books would make people understand those people who has special needs and attention. They're normal, like us. It's just that there are really some things that some people aren't capable of and like we all know: we are all different. We have our own strength and weaknesses. In Drea's case, she's an exceptional musician and even if she not really socially friendly, she truly cares and loves her friends more than a normal person can do.




Recommendations:


YA, music book lovers. And if you wanted to understand what I'm talking about, read this book. And tell me if you agree with me not liking the near-end part.




Book cover comment/s:


The cover really best describes the book--where Drea, never had been out with the rain, finally do. It was like the start of her being free and happy.

Book Review: Thoughtless by S.C Stephens

Thoughtless by S.C Stepehens, ebook version book cover

Thoughtless

by S.C Stephens

Genre: Romance

Editions available: Paperback, ebook, Kindle

Publisher: S.C Stephens

Source: own

Rating: ^^^^^

Summary (Goodreads):

For almost two years now, Kiera's boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she's ever wanted: loving, tender and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together, Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university, everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart.


Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source – a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he's purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes...and none of them will ever be the same.

My Thoughts:


Kiera, the girl who's torn between two guys that she love and love her, I think she's kind of selfish to keep both guys for long. So long that three hearts broken big-time. Denny, as Kiera described him and reminisce about all they've been through, I liked him. He's a good guy with dreams for the future and oh-so faithful to Kiera--he doesn't deserve to be broken. Kellan, the hot guy rockstar who Kiera eventually fell for was well, definitely hot. Although there's his 'habit' that's well.. Anyway, he has past that explained his 'habit', and he turned out to be a deep person. I liked both guys and if I were Kiera, I wouldn't know who to stay with. But I guess she ended up with the right person for her heart in the end.

I both hate and love the story because it's heartbreaking and romantic and sticks out to reality. I'm so ready for the book two (Effortless)!




Recommendations:


For romance book seekers/lovers/readers. College romance. Love triangle. Drama. Music.
Adult content!

-       Michelle

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Book Review: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Nick & Noraj's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan, hardcover edition book cover

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

by Rachel Cohn and David Levitham

Genre: YA

Editions available: Hardcover, paperback, ebook, Kindle,

library binding, international

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Source: own

Rating: ^^^^^

Summary (Goodreads):

It all starts when Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for five minutes. He only needs five minutes to avoid his ex-girlfriend, who’s just walked in to his band’s show. With a new guy. And then, with one kiss, Nick and Norah are off on an adventure set against the backdrop of New York City—and smack in the middle of all the joy, anxiety, confusion, and excitement of a first date.


This he said/she said romance told by YA stars Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is a sexy, funny roller coaster of a story about one date over one very long night, with two teenagers, both recovering from broken hearts, who are just trying to figure out who they want to be—and where the next great band is playing.


Told in alternating chapters, teeming with music references, humor, angst, and endearing side characters, this is a love story you’ll wish were your very own. Working together for the first time, Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have combined forces to create a book that is sure to grab readers of all ages and never let them go.

My Thoughts:

How many times did I read the F-word? I don't even know. And if I counted from the very beginning, I might lose count. It's that many. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Well, the book presents the readers with humor, conflicts and romance. And I think if they didn't use the word, maybe it won't come as realistic or as its target humor and irony. If you know what I mean.

This is a one-day situation book, and I feel exhausted for them. So many conflict, so many holding back. But maybe those are the reasons why I loved it, along it's humor and romantic, happy ending (or should I say, beginning?).

This book was published years ago and already has adopted into motion picture. Am I late for review? I don't think so.

I haven't seen the movie yet (I'm not even aware that there's a movie til I saw movie stills and poster on Google), but I'm planning to. I've seen the trailer on Youtube and I realized that on the movie, it's Norah who asked Nick to be her boyfriend for five minutes. There were also scenes that were not on the book. Of course. What do I expect in movie adaptations? They change some scenes. But I'm still curious to watch it, anyway, and see which is better (for now, my bet is on the book).

Book cover comment/s:

The cover is just right for the story. Scroll down for two more covers.

Recommendation:

People who likes romantic comedy. Who likes urban taste novels. One-day situational story. Music. Those who are curious about the book upon seeing the movie.

Here are the different book editions cover ...

For paperback, ebook, Kindle editions. There's also an exact design, but in maroon--for hardcover edition.

And this is the book cover movie inspired.

-       Michelle

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