My TBR List ~ January ~ Polling is Open!

My To-Be Read List is a meme hosted by Michelle @Because Reading. I think it's a fabulous idea because it gets y'all in the game and it helps me knock off some of the many, many books on my TBR list. You're more than welcome to join in the fun! I've included the basic rules below but you can click on the graphic above to hop over to Michelle's site where you can find all the details. 

Here's how it works:
On the first Saturday of each month, I will make a post with three books from my TBR List (these books can be already on your ereader or bookshelf OR books you might want to purchase) and add your link on the linky that will be provided on Michelle's post. Y'ALL will help me choose which book I will read next. The following Saturday, I will announce which book won. Then the last Saturday of the month, I'll post my review.

Fun, right?!?

***

It's been awhile, yeah? One of my Bookish Resolutions is catching up on series - I'm behind in 148 series! - so this month I'm having y'all decide which series I'm going to work at catching up on! :D

Your Choices Are:

Reckless
Thoughtless #3

Synopsis
Can love survive when life gets Reckless?

When the band hits it big, Kiera and Kellan must ask themselves: Can their love for each other survive the constant pressures of superstardom? The friendships they've formed, the new family they've found, and the history they've forged will all play a part in helping them navigate the turbulent waters of the band's exploding popularity. A greedy executive hell-bent on success, a declining pop star looking for an edge, and a media circus that twists lies into truths are just some of the obstacles the lovers will have to overcome if they are going to remain together. Fame comes with a price-but will it cost Kiera and Kellan everything?



Rampant
Condemned #2

Synopsis
Life is twisted. Cruel. After being ripped from the safe haven of Rafe's arms, my new kidnapper is waging a sick game. Unable to make my boy do his bidding, he's resorting to psychological warfare. He'll bend my mind until I break, and when I do, that just might be my saving grace.

I'll forge through hell to get back to Rafe, body and spirit broken and bleeding, but I'm unprepared for what I find. He's done what I can't: he's erased eight years of pain and betrayal. I don't know how to bring him back to me, because brining him back means ripping him to shreds all over again.




The Evolution of Mara Dyer
Mara Dyer #2

Synopsis
The truth about Mara Dyer's dangerous and mysterious abilities continues to unravel in the New York Times bestselling sequel to the thrilling The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past. She can't. She used to think her problems were all in her head. They aren't. She couldn't imagine that after everything she's been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets. She's wrong. In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?



Okay, now vote! And thanks! :D


Create your own user feedback survey

**25 Days of Book Boyfriends ~ Day 10 with Kellen Kyle**

Welcome, welcome to Day 10 of 25 Days of Book Boyfriends, hosted by Readers Live a Thousand Lives, Lovin' Los Libros, and Starbucks & Books Obsession. 

Today we are highlighting the one, the only... *drum roll*

Kellen Kyle 

from S.C. Stephens' Thoughtless series.

I first fell for Kellen back in the summer of 2012. His beautiful eyes and soulful music...he was this lost and broken young man, looking for love...someone to care. I recently became aware that S.C. Stephens is releasing Thoughtful, which is Thoughtless from Kellen's POV. I'm very eager to get into Kellen's head - to know exactly what he was thinking when he met Kiera. It releases February 25, 2015.

To honor Kellen, I, with some help from my daughter, composed an acrostic poem. I hope y'all like it.

Kellen is complex -- layered:

Eyes shining with soul,

Loyal to his friends.

Lilting songs speak,

Expressive and powerful and there is

No denying the myriad of emotions that lie underneath.

Kindness flows in abundance, though he was damaged in his

Youth. He is hopeful, but

Lost; determined, and 

Entertaining. This rock star has no comparison.

A few of my favorite Kellen quotes:

"When I fell in love with you...it was like nothing I'd ever known before. It was nearly instant. I think I started falling for you, the moment you shook my hand."

"Did you...did you just get me to pour my heart out to you...so you could get me naked again?"

"I know what we have is intense. I know it's terrifying. I feel that too, believe me. But it's real, Kiera." His hand ghosted from his chest to min, and then back again. "This is real and it's deep, and it wouldn't have just...burned out. I'm done with meaningless encounters. You're everything I want. I'd never have strayed from you." 

These are the books in the Thoughtless Series. Clicking the image will take you to their Goodreads links.

**Revisit & Reminisce ~ Thoughtless ~ SC Stephens**

Welcome to my first Revisit & Reminisce. This was totally inspired by Braine @Talk Supe's Flashbook Friday. But since these reviews will be sporadic and probably won't always post on Fridays, I came up with a different name. Essentially, I want to review books that I read prior to blogging - or books I read since blogging but didn't review for whatever reason. I'm revisiting them and reminiscing. :)

I first read Thoughtless back in the summer of 2012. I wanted to go to The First Ever Indie Conference in Chicago but since I couldn't, I challenged myself to read a book from every author that was attending. I chose to re-read Thoughtless because I'm participating in 25 Days of Book Boyfriends, hosted by Readers Live a 1000 Lives, Lovin' Los Libros, and Starbucks and Books Obsession, and I chose Kellen Kyle as my boyfriend. (my post goes up on the 10th)

One thing I wanted to note was that the version I read is from 2011. It could have used more editing to take out things like overuse of a particular word or too much detail, but it was an indie. It's since been picked up by Gallery Books and I'm certain it's been edited. At any rate, the story outweighed the need for editing. :) 

***

Thoughtless
Thoughtless #1
Release Date: June 11, 2010
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased ecopy from B&N
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
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 Kellen 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.

Thoughtless is a tender, angsty, touching story of growing up - growing apart, and growing together. It delivered the element of New Adult that I adore - maturing as you find your place in the world. If you hate love triangles and all that they might imply, this book is not for you. But if you enjoy a story where the characters make mistakes but learn from them - eventually - and find that deep love we humans seek, this one fits the bill.

Kiera Allen has come halfway across the country to be with her boyfriend. It's a big step for a small-town girl. Kiera is insecure in many ways and meeting new people is challenging, so moving to Seattle is a commitment. One of the first new people she meets is her new roommate, and good friend of Denny's, Kellen Kyle. Kellen is a local rock star. He's gorgeous and flirty and sets Kiera's nerves on edge.

Denny Harris, Kiera's Aussie boyfriend, is beautiful, both inside and out. He's constant, safe, and would do anything to prevent Kiera from pain of any sort. He's such a good guy.

Kellen Kyle is just what you'd expect of a rock star. He's H.O.T., talented, moody, soulful, and a bit of a man-whore. He's got a past that haunts him - and just might explain his actions and insecurities. Oh how I love this man.

The cast of characters is rounded out with Kellen's bandmates, Evan, Griffin, and Matt, as well as Anna, Kiera's sister, and Jenny, a fellow waitress and friend. They all add depth to the story with their distinct personalities.

As I said, Thoughtless delivers in the maturing of characters. Kiera is immature and selfish for much of the book. I allow her this because she is only 21, insecure, and inexperienced. Her relationship with Denny is largely built on the support and security he offers her. So when things heat up between she and Kellen, it's out of her realm of experience. Kellen is like a moth drawn to flame where Kiera is concerned. They certainly have chemistry. But even though they had that spark, their relationship is built around their friendship. However, things go awry, as these kinds of situations sometimes do, and trust is something they'll have to work on.

The journey Kiera, Kellen, and Denny take in Thoughtless is one fraught with intense emotion, passion, and ultimately powerful love. You can't help who you fall in love with - the heart wants what it wants - and it's usually when you least expect it that it happens. Kiera and Kellen's love story is a messy one - but one worth giving thought to.