OUR DARK STARS

Good morning fellow book lovers and welcome to my Blog Tour Stop for Our Dark Stars by Audrey Grey and Krystal Wade hosted by Rock Star Book Tours. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait rave about it. Remember to say until the end and join the giveaway.

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5 ★ – An Incredibly Entertaining and Fascinating Read

Genre(s): Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance

Release Date: March 6, 2018

Publisher: Blaze Publishing, LLC

Pages: 316

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Purchase Links: Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD, Goodreads

synopsispic

While she sleeps, the whole universe changes.

Princess Talia Starchaser has it all. Wealth. Status. Adoring citizens. But on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she’s forced to publicly betray her best friend, a companion mock she’s had since birth, setting events into motion that lead to the destruction of the humans, and the princess floating through space, a remnant of a time when humans ruled over droids.

One hundred years later, half-mock captain Will Perrault and his ragtag crew discover a device floating in space. When a very human Talia emerges from its depths, Will suspects she’s the key to buying his way back into the regiment he once commanded against the last remaining rebel humans—and the ruling mock queen’s good graces.

Both Talia and Will would rather get space-tossed than trust one another, but with the queen’s forces chasing them across the galaxy and the fate of both worlds hanging in the balance, they’ll forge the unlikeliest of alliances to survive.

review

So head over heels in love with this book! I love science fiction and fantasy movies and T.V. shows. There’s just something incredibly fascinating and exhilarating about sci-fi fantasy. However, when it comes to reading books in that genres, I’m quite picky and would usually choose stories with a bit of romance. Well, Our Dark Stars by Audrey Grey and Krystal Wade surely had some romance, but it’s definitely the gorgeous writing, awesome world-building, fantastically thrilling plot, and quirky lovable characters that won my heart. I love this book so much it’s already made my Top 5 Favorite Reads in 2018.

Princess Talia Starchaser and the future Sovereign of the Seven Planets has been taught that to become a great ruler, she must endure whatever comes her way with a smile on her face. On her 18th birthday, Talia is being married off to cold-hearted prince just to secure an alliance. As if things aren’t bad enough, she’s suddenly forced to publicly betray her mock best friend. Unbeknownst to Talia, her actions on that very moment would bring about the downfall of mankind — leaving her alone, frozen, and floating through space.

100 years later, droids have taken over the universe and ruling over humans. Half-mock captain, Will Perrault, is searching for something that would appease the mock queen when he and his crew of misfits discover a unique coffin-like pod – a pod that holds the human princess and the last Starchaser throughout the galaxies.

Not wanting to do anything with each other, the lost princess and the reckless, but charming half-mock captain must learn to trust and work together if they want to survive and save their people.

You guys… this book was such a breathtaking and enjoyable read! I know the concept of the story has been done before and I did get some Lunar Chronicles vibe – BUT, it was different and unique enough that I was enthralled throughout the entire time. Not to mention the story development was so incredibly well-written. With dual POVs that alternated from past to present in the beginning chapters, the authors amazingly created a sense of suspense that kept me on my toes. Even when I figured out a major part of the story, I still could not stop reading and was curious to see how everything would unfold. I also thought the world-building was creative and absolutely fascinating. The plot was fast-paced, humorous, and so exciting that I never wanted the story to end. Oh and the chemistry between Talia and Will… electrifying! Seriously so much out of this world awesomeness in this book that you need to read to experience it for yourself.

Talia was an awesome heroine and I absolutely adored her. She’s strong, determined, and most importantly kind. Will was impulsive, cocky, and a bit selfish, but his flaws made him more relatable and lovable. Being half mock, Will’s emotions conflicted with each other and I couldn’t help but feel for him. The side characters were great too! They’re obviously not perfect and had their own baggage, but that’s what I liked about them. Totally LOVEEEE complex and flawed characters…don’t you?

Overall, Our Dark Stars was such a blast and delightful read! There’s plenty of action, drama, conflict, and a cute swoony romance that had me completely glued to the pages. I really wish this was a series because I want more and I do think there could be another book or two… but the ending was more than satisfying and definitely left a huge smile on my face.

If you’re looking for a thrilling Sci-Fi adventure, then you need to check this book out.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from Rock Star Book Tours and the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

abouttheauthor

Audrey Grey

Hi! I’m an award winning and USA Today bestselling author of several books, including the Moonbeam Children’s Award bronze finalist, SHADOW FALL. I live in the charming state of Oklahoma with my crew: one husband, two little people, four mischievous dogs, and one poor cat. You can usually find me hiding out in my office from said crew, surrounded by books and sipping kombucha while dreaming up wondrous worlds for my characters to live in.

In between the chaos—What’s for dinner? Stop pinching your sister! Homework! Dishes!— and my writing, I make time for various projects. An admitted paintaholic, I’ve painted, sprayed or transformed nearly every piece of my house at least once. I even painted my husband’s beloved fabric chair. Oops!

I thrive on creation: starting from an idea, a blank canvas, or perhaps an outdated room, and using my imagination to create something new and emotionally engaging that’s all my own. But stories have always been my first love. Weaving together complex worlds full of flawed, conflicted characters allows me to express myself in a way I could never do otherwise.

I started creating stories during the sweltering Oklahoma summers spent laboring in my father’s wheat fields. Alone and bored, I dreamed up wild fables of vampires (the Anne Rice kind), cave men, and love-torn ghosts. By college my tales had grown more persistent, and I started to actually write them down.

Now, fiction is my life, and I look forward to sharing my characters and their stories with all of you.

Follow and Connect With Audrey Grey

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Tumblr | Goodreads

Krystal Wade

Krystal I’m happily married to the love of my life (don’t gag) and raising three beautiful children in the gorgeous state of Virginia. We live just outside Washington, D.C., and every day I wake up to find myself stuck in traffic trying to get there.

The horrid commute gives me plenty of time to zone out and think about my characters in full, brilliant details (I’m a safe driver; don’t worry). Stories give me a way to forget about the sometimes smelly strangers sitting next to me on the fifty mile trek into town (I pick up hitchhikers every day. True story. Check out http://www.slug-lines.com if you don’t believe me).

I’ve been a part of organized hitchhiking for nearly fifteen years, but that’s just one small aspect of my oh-so-large life. When I’m not working, commuting, or chasing after my three children (four if you count the man), you can usually find me outside talking to my chickens like they’re the cutest things in the world (they are), or training my amazing dogs how to herd said chickens (which they love), or curled up on the sofa with a good book (why can’t that be 100% of the time?).

I hope you love my stories (or just like them a little; that would be okay, too). And I hope that one day you find your passion, because there’s nothing in life better than doing what you love while surrounded by people you love.

Follow and Connect with Krystal Wade

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Follow the Tour

Week One

3/19/2018- Books at Dawn– Excerpt

3/19/2018- What A Nerd Girl Says– Review

3/20/2018- Emily Reads Everything– Review

3/20/2018- Darque Dreamer Reads– Review

3/21/2018- F A N N A– Interview

3/21/2018- Twirling Book Princess– Review

3/22/2018- The Desert Bibliophile– Review

3/22/2018- Here’s to Happy Endings– Review

3/23/2018- BookHounds– Interview

3/23/2018- Sincerely Karen Jo– Review

Week Two

3/26/2018- Wonder Struck– Excerpt

3/26/2018- Dani Reviews Things– Review

3/27/2018- Sweet Southern Home– Excerpt

3/27/2018- Smada’s Book Smack– Review

3/28/2018- Lisa Loves Literature– Interview

3/28/2018- A Gingerly Review– Review

3/29/2018- Novel Novice– Guest Post

3/29/2018- Twinning for Books– Review

3/30/2018- The Cover Contessa– Interview

3/30/2018- I Heart Romance & YA– Review

Giveaway

Details: 1 winner will receive a $30 Amazon GC and a hardcover copy of Cinder, US Only.

Join the Rafflecopter Giveaway

Thanks for stopping by everyone. I hope you enjoyed reading my review and get to meet Talia, Will, and the rest of the gang! And if you’ve already read this amazing book, let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful day and a funtastic weekend!!

sincerelykarenjo2

A Kiss in the Dark

Gina Ciocca

akissinthedark

4.5 ★ – ADORABLE AND WONDERFULLY SWOONY

PUBLISHED BY SIMON PULSE MARCH 6, 2018

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, CONTEMPORARY, ROMANCE

Purchase Links:

Amazon – Barnes and Noble – Target

Add on Goodreads

synopsispic

When the lights go out at a Georgia high school football game, Macy Atwood finds herself in the arms of a boy who kisses her senseless – but is gone by the time the lights come back on. All she knows is that there was something special – and oddly familiar – about her mystery kisser.

Noah Granger, Ridgedale’s resident bad boy and newest transfer student, has no problem taking credit for the kiss, but Macy can’t shake the feeling that he’s lying. Especially since a photograph of Macy and former star football player Joel Hargrove resurfaced online moments before the blackout, a not-so random reminder of how hard she fell for Joel last year. And how doing so ultimately sent her lifelong friendships with Meredith Kopala and Ben Collins up in literal smoke.

Soon junior year’s wounds begin to reopen as Macy realizes the events that unfolded are somehow tied to her mystery kisser. Discovering how means finally facing what really went wrong with Meredith, Ben, and Joel – and finding out what Noah is covering up.

But the closer Macy gets to figuring it all out, the more she starts to worry that the boy who kissed her in the dark and the boy who is stealing her heart might be two very different people

review

A Kiss in the Dark is a fun and wonderfully swoony YA contemporary story. With a mixture of drama, mystery, romance and humor, this book had me positively entertained throughout the entire time.

When I saw this book on Instagram, the gorgeous cover immediately made me swoon and I was dying to get my hands on it. Then I saw that Ciocca was also coming out with Busted and I just couldn’t pass up requesting for both books. I finished reading Busted a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it! REVIEW When I finally got approved for A Kiss in the Dark, I was beyond excited and couldn’t wait to finally read it. Well, I’ll have you know that I absolutely loved it!

During a high school football game, the lights suddenly go out leaving the field in complete darkness. Unexpectedly, Macy Atwoods bumps into the arms of a boy who kisses her passionately. By the time the lights come back on, her mystery guy has vanished. Macy, stunned and confused, knows that her mystery kisser is someone familiar – someone special – she’s just not quite sure who. Determined to find out the boy who kissed her in the dark, Macy starts to piece the clues together and soon realizes that to get to the truth, she must deal with old wounds about what really happened during her junior year. How far will Macy go to figure out the mystery kisser who took her breath away? And what if he’s not who she expected?

This book was such a delightful read with the perfect balance of mystery, teen angst, and slow burn romance. I thought the story development was great and paced quite well. I also enjoyed the way the storytelling was set up. The alternating chapters told from Macy’s POV both in her junior and senior year kept me intrigued until the end. I really loved the mystery aspect of the story. Ciocca definitely kept me guessing the entire time and the twist in the end – totally took me by surprise! I do have to admit that while I was trying to figure out Macy’s mystery kisser, I had a very strong gut feeling who he was and I really wanted it to be him. Well, I definitely squealed when I realized I was correct. But even though I solved that part, I thought the revelations were done well and I had fun seeing everything unfold.

Macy was a strong lead character. I found it very easy to like and relate with her. She’s caring, loyal, smart, and artistic. I also loved that she had a passion for photography. Adored the other characters too. Jadie was amazing, a great friend, and so likable. Her friendship with Macy was #goals. I even liked Meredith. She was bossy and kind of a mean girl, but she did care about her friends. I thought the parents were fantastic. Macy’s mom was just the best and I loved her to pieces. Her relationship with Macy was so endearing.

Macy’s potential love interests were fun to read about. Noah was mysterious, flirty and charming. Joel didn’t appeal to me at first. There was something off about him, but in the end he surely won me over. But Ben… Ben, Ben, Ben… that boy totally had my heart from the very beginning. He was easy going, friendly, caring, and super sweet. Swooned so hard over his friendship with Macy and the way he always tried to just be there for her. All in all, I really enjoyed getting to know these guys and seeing how they interact with Macy. They certainly created more conflict and drama than the girls. There were things that could have been avoided if they were just honest… but, what’s the fun in that?!

I’m so smitten with Gina Ciocca’s stories and this book is by far my favorite! A Kiss in the Dark is fun, heartwarming, and adorable. There are so many things I loved about this book – great friendships, lovable characters, sweet romances, and important life lessons. I truly enjoyed this novel and my heart was so full of happy with how Ciocca beautifully ended the story. So excited to read whatever she writes next and you should totally add this and her other books on your TBR.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Other Books by Gina Ciocca

Add Last Year’s Mistake on Goodreads

Add Busted on Goodreads

abouttheauthor

Gina Ciocca graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in English, but in her mind, she never left high school. She relocated from Connecticut to Georgia, where she lives with her husband and son. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her taking long walks around the lake in her neighborhood. Gina can also be found online at writersblog-gina.blogspot.com, on Instagram as gmciocca, and Twitter as gmc511.

Follow and Connect with Gina Ciocca

Website – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

I hope you enjoyed reading this review. Have you read this book? What did you think? Leave your comments down below.

sincerelykarenjo2