Ashley's Review: Moments of Julian (The McCain Saga #2) by Keary Taylor

Moments of Julian (The McCain Saga #2) by Keary Taylor

Publication Date: May 4th, 2014

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Pages: 278

Format: Kindle

Source: Free on Amazon

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

It was just a work party, filled with kissing the well-dressed rear ends of clients and fake smiles. Until my boss accused me of something I didn’t do. Until I got pissed and then there was this guy who was hot and flirting with me, and then there were his hands and the backseat of my car and a night of everything but you know what.

I never expected to see him again. But suddenly Julian Dohring is everywhere. And I can’t get over the endless tattoos that cover his arms, how he’s apparently a recovering video game addict, and dresses like he’s ready to walk down the red carpet at any moment.

Ten years ago I made a pledge to stay away from alcohol and sex, and to never get too personal with anyone. It’s gotten me this far. I’m twenty-seven, I have a career I’ve worked my heart and soul into, and more money than I could ever blow on shoes and the finer things in life. My attitude and pride have always been enough to keep any man from getting too interested. Until Julian…who claims I can’t dance, and has the nerve to call me a “peach.”

I’m Sage McCain, and needless to say, Julian has my attention.

 

 

~My Thoughts~

I honestly have yet to finish a book in quiet some time. I've started four books, Four!! and for some reason half way through I get tired of them. Not because they aren't good but because they're the same genre I always read, paranormals. I don't know if it's because my taste are changing or what but when I found out that Moments of Julian was free I jumped at the chance to get it. Then a couple days later I dived right in hoping that maybe this will be the read I'll finally be finishing.

 

And oh my god, it was!

 

At first when the summary came out, it was interesting but didn't catch my interest (ya know?). But as time went on and the more I was seeing it around the more I started to get interested and when it became free on Amazon, well that was just the cherry on top.

 

Moments of Julian was a short read but in a good way! I finished it in just a few days, less than a week! You have no idea how accomplished I felt (okay, maybe you do haha). This book helped me out of my reading slump and has me craving New Adult Contemporary Romances ever since. It hooked me from the beginning and I flowed through it without any troubles, I just couldn't stop reading it! It was truly a refreshing read!

 

Jumping head first I didn't know what I was getting myself into but as the first words hit me, I knew this was going to be an enjoyable read! Sage McCain is one person that has crafted her life into perfection. A life she dreamed of and has worked her butt off for. She's strong and show cases herself as if she's flawless, which makes me feel like she's the type of person that's running away from something.

 

As we get deeper into the story and Julian points out a flaw of hers, this leads her down a very unforeseen path but one that gives her hope. She may live but she isn't truly living. She's someone that doesn't feel alive and doesn't let anyone get close to her but Julian takes that as a challenge and we then start to get Moments of him (I actually find that cute, it gives the book a better connection and think Keary titled it beautifully).

 

Julian seemed too perfect too and when we learned more about him I thought it would be mind blowing. That it would rock this story even more but once we got to the truth it just felt blah, it needed to be juicer for me haha. Yes, the twist on him was great and him being a hot nerd that once was a video game addict was awesome! But I thought there would be more depth to his past, instead it was so-so.

 

Overall this was a story I could get into. I loved that Mrs. Taylor wrote this for herself, makes the read even more fun I think. But there was one thing that bugged me. There was a couple editing problems, certain words missing from sentences but nothings perfect. And another thing, she kept using this one phrase when describing a smile coming onto a characters lips, "Curl" or "Curling". Example, "a smile curling on my own lips". In the first chapter she used this to describe someone smiling 6 times. Let's just say it became repetitive. And that was her favorite phrase throughout the book, wished there was more of a variety. But other than that this was a fun read! A bit fairytale at the end but it had me smiling and that's all that matters, right? Looking forward to the rest of the McCain stories, especially Lake's as he's a Marine and you all know I'm in love with one ;)

 

If you'd like a light, fun, cheesy read that'll have you smiling and crying on the inside from the hurt of Sage's past then this book is for you!

   

 

 

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I'm a Graduate and Engaged!!!

Yes, on June 7th at 12:30 pm I graduated the Manicuring program at Marinello Schools of Beauty in front of my friends and family, which included my Marine boyfriend who was able to get leave to watch me clock out for the very last time!! *squeal* I was so excited to get the hell out of there! One word for that particular Marinello: ghetto! 

There was no leadership, no organization, no care in the world and they bought the cheapest stuff they could get because they were always "broke". Yet the cosmos are paying 21,000 and I was paying like 500 a month for my four month training. Sadly, at first sight the place looks like a fun place to be but the longer you're there the more you see the cracks beginning to shatter. Everyone had attitudes, no one smiled, and overall it was like being in high school all over again. What do you expect when you're surrounded by women and it's run by a women who plays favoritism, who hires only her best friends even though she promised the best worker there a job for three months yet gives it to someone just as incapable as she is. Seriously these people were like chickens running around with there heads cut off, especially when it came to the manicuring program.

Found out too late that they just started this program back in October, last year! If I'd knew that and known that I wouldn't get my own teacher then I would have checked out the one up north! To say the least this was a life experience.

Just cause the school was incapable, they did do one right thing. Three years ago they hired my teacher, Ms. Joy, and she's the most amazing teacher/person I've met! She may not have a manicuring license, just a cosmo though yes they learn about nails but don't go into the depth like we do, she worked her hardest to teach us what we needed to know! She even told us we were inspiring her, that she wanted to do more nails haha. If it wasn't for her or my classmate that turned into my mentor (she's been doing nails for 5 years, just now working to get her license) I wouldn't have the skills I have. I'm still learning, though this is one business you'll never stop! If you think other wise then this isn't the career for you.

     So what now? Well, I went to state board to get my license however I didn't pass. Doesn't mean I don't have the skills, just means I can't work in a salon and means I'm not used to acting as if my mannequin hand is a real person. If I did it with a real person then I would have kicked ass! But again my school was incapable. Out of four months, 400 hours, I only practiced through the whole thing completely once, ONCE! Even though only once, I tried my hardest, practiced on my own but I'm a visual person and once I got there I was so under prepared. Again, just cause I didn't pass doesn't me I don't have the skills. You can be the judge haha. My Instagram: @ashleys_little_nails

I've got my own at home salon and soon will be booking clients but when I don't know. Hopefully soon haha. Which leads into my other big news!

I'm engaged!!!

 

I'm getting married to my best friend January 3rd, 2015!! *squeal* It was made official June 12th when he asked me by giving me a set of his trucks keys (apparently Texas style of proposing haha). But I didn't get the formal proposal till July 4th. While he was home for my graduation in June my ring was being resized back where he's stationed. He didn't get a call saying he can pick it up till the day he was leaving to go back home, June 12th. So since then till July 4th I was dying to get my ring haha. 

 

He got a 96 (four days off) for the holiday and so we met up, he can only leave up to 400 miles away from base. The evening of July 4th, as we're driving to a firework show, he decides to propose then and there (it's so him!). And then as we parked and was hanging out in the bed of his truck (god I've missed that truck!) I really wanted him to propose down on one knee and he did! He's truly an a amazing person! I know we've been dying to start our lives together and now we are!

 

So as I'm trying to get back to normal, I'm also planning a wedding haha. I've got the venue, wedding invitation stuff, wedding dress, wedding shoes, and photographer's. Now I'll be working on caterers and a bakery then bridesmade's dresses. I've got to say, that part has been the most stressful haha.  

So there you go. I'm so excited and I'm also hoping I'll be having book news soon! I've got the cover for The Gatherers (Harvesting Series #0.5) ready and I'm almost done with the first draft of it, so close! So I'm hoping if I work hard enough it'll be out this year, maybe even next month....I know I promised it out sooner but with everything that just wasn't possible, plus I've practically rewritten the whole thing, giving it juicer details and more depth. So I'm hoping it'll be worth the wait!


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Silent Airways......

 

I've pretty much fallen off the face of the earth and I'm sorry about that. Well, not completely haha. I'm in the stage where in my life things can change quickly. I'm in my early twenties, 21, and that's when we're trying to find our footing in this big giant world. 

 

This year has been life changing! In January I started a new journey, working towards a Manicuring license. That was a full time thing, five days a week, waking up at 5:30 to get ready to leave in two hours to travel 45 minutes south for my class to start at 8:30, which sometimes didn't cause the teacher was late or the school was still closed and for some reason not everyone that worked there didn't have a freaking key (cause that makes sense). So to say the least this life experience (and it was a hell of a one) drained me. I was just too tired and not feeling it, especially the days I didn't get home till late in the afternoon because of clients (don't mind clients, it's what makes me money but down there you'd never know what you'd be getting, some were just strange) so blogging and reading went onto the back burner.

 

I read somewhat through the process but from being exhausted reading started to feel like a chore, same as reviewing, and so I was beginning to read even slower, took me weeks to finish a book! However now that things have settled down, Graduated June 7th, I'm starting to get back to normal and I would love to start blogging again! Though since you've been this patient I hope it'll continue because I'm still trying to get my footing.

 

I actually have some big news!! Which I'll be putting in a separate post, along with talking about me graduating and starting a couple new chapters in my life! I'm so excited! So just be even more patient as I get my blogging groove back. To those I promised to read and review your books I will be getting to them, probably not as quickly as you'd like, but I will be getting to them because once I make a promise I do not break it!!

 

 I've got a couple of books I have read and need to put up a review so look out for them, Alienated by Melissa Landers (review book) & Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. And right now I'm hooked by a couple New Adult Contemporaries, Moments of Julian by Keary Taylor & Breaking the Reins by Juliana Haygert (Review book), they are just such a refreshing read for me so I'm breezing through them and don't want to put them down!! So I'm getting the reading bug back haha. 

 

 

Thanks for being patient! <3

 

See ya soon!

 



{Cover Reveal} Between the Stars and Sky by David James

Available this September, BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY is a vivid contemporary novel from Young Adult author David James.  Lyrical and romantic, BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY is a heart-stopping, contemporary read for fans of Maggie Stiefvater and David Levithan. 

~Summary~

 

"In the small, lakeside town of Huntington, the Firelight Festival marks the end of summer. A time to laugh, to live, to love. And for Jackson Grant, it is a chance to begin again. 

 But there is a darker side to the Firelight Festival, a deadly tradition known as the Firelight Fall. A secret game. A legendary lie. A test of bravery. Those who fall risk everything, and Jackson is on the edge. Until he meets a girl who pushes him over. 

 For Jackson, falling for Sarah Blake might be as dangerous as jumping in the Firelight Fall. As summer burns away, Jackson and Sarah ignite an unstoppable love game. For her, his heart is on fire. And soon, Sarah shows him life, saves him from loss, and opens his heart to an infinite and wild love found between the stars and sky."

SEPTEMBER 2014

FIND THE PLACE WHERE LOVE IS INFINITE

David James writes books about stars and kisses and curses. He is the author of the YA novel, LIGHT OF THE MOON, the first book in the Legend of the Dreamer duet, as well as the companion novellas, THE WITCH'S CURSE and THE WARRIOR’S CODE. A Legend of the Dreamer anthology, SHADES OF THE STARS, was released July 2013, and includes the exclusive novella, THE ENCHANTER'S FIRE. The final book in the duet, SHADOW OF THE SUN, will be released in 2015. Living in Michigan, he is addicted to coffee, gummy things, and sarcastic comments. David enjoys bad movies, goofy moments, and shivery nights. Visit David’s blog at djamesauthor.blogspot.com and facebook at facebook.com/djamesauthor to learn more about his novels.

 

Ooh, sounds interesting! And the cover is gorgeous, definitely pulls me in! God, I really need to read David James's work so badly!!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!



{Cover Reveal} Taste (Take It Off #9) by Cambria Hebert

Taste (Take It Off #9) by Cambria Hebert

Publication Date: July 25th 2014

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Goodreads

 

 

~Summary~

 

One taste is never enough…

Spencer Waller’s main purpose in life is to protect and serve. After spending years in the military, he gets a coveted spot on the Secret Service detail protecting the president. Spence doesn’t have time for women or all the work having a relationship with one requires. But just because he isn’t looking for a lady doesn’t mean he can’t appreciate a beautiful one when he sees her.

And he makes it a point to see one in particular every single day.

Elle Bond has literally chopped and fried her way to the top of the food chain. Earning a coveted position in the White House as the president’s personal chef, she figures her professional life can only get better. Her personal life, on the other hand, could use a little bit of an overhaul, and because of that, she tries to ignore the charm-dripping cookie thief every time he comes into her kitchen. After all, she knows better than anyone that just one taste of something good is never enough.

One night after work, Elle is assaulted, threatened, and given an ultimatum. She can’t go to the police, and she sure as hell can’t do what she was ordered.
But she has to. Or else.

Pale, shaken, and scared to death, Elle confides in Spence, and his protective instincts take over. Together, Elle and Spencer have to uncover a sinister plot and stop it before someone ends up dead.

 

 

 

 

 

~About The Author~

 

 

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series, the new adult Death Escorts series, and the new adult Take it Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com 

 

 

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