Showing posts with label kandi steiner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kandi steiner. Show all posts

Thursday, November 16, 2017

**New Release** On the Way to You by Kandi Steiner (Review)

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On the Way to You, an all-new emotional standalone from Kandi Steiner is LIVE!

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On the Way to You by Kandi Steiner

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publishing Date: November 16th, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Recommend: YES! Oh goodness. YES!

Triggers: so much sadness, but in a good way


What makes you happy?
That was the question Emery Reed asked me the day we met, and I couldn’t give him a single answer. I could have said my dog, or my books, or yoga — but I just stared.
And then, I got in his car.
It was crazy to take a road trip with a stranger, but after years of standing still, he was my one-way ticket to a new life, and I wasn’t going to miss it.
We shared the same space, the same car, the same hotel room — and still, we were strangers.
One day we’d be laughing, the next, we wouldn’t speak. Emery was surrounded by impenetrable walls, but I wanted in.
Discovering his journal changed everything.
I read his thoughts, words not meant for anyone’s eyes, and the more I learned about him, the harder I fell. It turned out nothing made Emery Reed happy, and I wanted to change that.
I earned his trust by violating his privacy, and as wrong as it was, it worked — until one entry revealed a darkness I never knew existed, a timer I never knew was ticking.
Suddenly, what made me happy was saving Emery from himself. I just didn’t know if I could.
OTWTY-AN-KU

Read Today!

Add to GoodReads: bit.ly/OtWtYGR
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**Dot's Deets**

**ARC received in exchange for an honest review**

Some of you may have already seen my initial thoughts on this book on my facebook page. The one where I said I wanted to sit and stare at Kandi Steiner all creep-like? Yes, that one! Well, my feelings remain the same. This book! This is my top book of 2017 and once you read it, you can fight me about this!

Why was this book so amazing and received a 5 star rating plus!? Well, let me just tell you, you are in for a real treat. I cried, I laughed, I cried some more. I felt every single emotion in the Webster. I wanted to reach through my screen and hold these characters. Slap these characters. Ask them why. Tell them it would be okay. Tell them I have been there too. Then turn to Kandi and ask her if she has been watching my life for last few weeks - only to release this book and silently whisper to me "It's okay. You are not alone." Shoot man. I read this book over a week ago and goose bumps are still forming when I think about these characters.

I'm not making any sense. Or am I? The storyline is typical. Girl meets cute boy type feel. But there is so much depth and substance to this book that has you looking at page numbers praying it takes you a little while longer to gobble up their story. Kandi Steiner has this magical ability to transport you into her stories and make you feel as though the world around you isn't enough. That there is more out there; if you go out there and grab it.

"What makes you happy?"

We ask ourselves this often. Some more than others. But everything is superficial. Our family. This book. We don't really think about what really makes us happy. And when Emery was kneeling in the snow, tears mixing with the elements, I thought to myself: "What would bring me to my knees like that if I lost it?"

So, before I give away too much information about this book. Grab it. It was released today. Also, grab a box of Kleenex and have your best friend on speed dial. Make sure he/she is reading it too. You will need the support. Or call me. I'm here for you. 


About the Author:

Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer. Kandi started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic (like most girls brought up on Disney movies). When Kandi isn’t working or writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys beach days, movie marathons, live music, craft beer and sweet wine – not necessarily in that order.
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Connect with the Author:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2fV1FZW
Twitter: @KandiSteiner
Sign up for Kandi’s Newsletter here: https://goo.gl/TLsut8

Thursday, August 10, 2017

***REVIEW*** Palm South University Season 3 by Kandi Steiner


  • Rating: 5 out of 5 HOT ⛤
  • Recommend: Yes 
  • Release date: August 10, 2017
  • Genre: New Adult
  • Read time: 2 days 
  • Triggers: rape 
  • Book 3 of a series 
  • ARC Received in exchange for an honest review. 
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/PSU3GR
Purchase:  http://amzn.to/2vu2dLL

***Book Blurb***
Drama. Lies. Sex. 

Welcome to Palm South University. 

The weather isn’t the only thing heating up in South Florida. At a school where fraternities and sororities don’t exactly play by the rules, relationships are bound to be tested. Parties and sex are definitely key ingredients in the Palm South recipe, but what happens when family issues, secret lives, and unrequited love get tossed in the mix? 

Follow Cassie, Bear, Jess, Skyler, Erin, Ashlei, and Adam as they tackle college at a small, private beach town university. Written in television drama form, each episode of this serial will pull you deeper and deeper into the world of PSU. 

Where the sun is hot and the clothes are scarce, anything can happen. 

****Dot's Deets****
Please keep in mind that my review may contain spoilers. If you have not read the first two seasons, do not pass go, you're not getting $200. Maybe $10 on a giveaway via my Facebook page HERE. Anywho, you've been warned!

I had to get this off my chest right here and right now before I picked up my next read (I said I was taking a break from signing up for reviews, but I lied). 

This one left me a little heartbroken. But after binging on all three books, I will say that this is my favorite out of the three. This one I couldn't out down. Maybe because I was so emotionally invested in these characters by book three. It's nice to see some strong POC in these books. Bear is by far my favorite and Mr. CHURCH...YESSSS! It is really funny because at the Colleen Hoover panel at Bookcon, they touched on the lack of POC in a lot of new adult and romcom books. But this was a breath of fresh air. The black guy wasn't a drug dealing, gun slinging, thug...he was a hot frat guy just trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cents. We need more Bears and Brandon Churchs. So, to those writers who feel they can't identify with a POC: I understand. However, just write us as human beings. As real life feeling people as you would write someone that is not a POC. just as Kandi Steiner did in these books. It's okay. Well, to me. People can be cruel. But as someone who loves to read this genre, it's hard sometimes when your reader wants to relate on more than just an emotional aspect. Thank you Kandi. 

This book/series left me wanting more. It wasn't filled with HEAs but with realness. You could actually be like, "okay, it hurts, but it hurts good." I honestly don't know how those who didn't binge read them like me waited between books. But, now I am one of you. 

My little heart is slayed and I don't think there's any coming back from that one. I want to write to Kandi Steiner and ask her, "how dare she do this to me??" In the words of Ms. Blige: :Gas me up, get me drunk, hitthe skins and scram!!" How dare she do this to me? Now I have to wait. 

I will definitely be hung over from this one. I know I said this last time, but yes, it is a perfect summer read!

I feel like there's so much more to say. I could relate to each character in my own way. And that made me love it even more. It made me miss college and the friends I gained while being there. It made me a little sad there wasn't a sorority on campus that I could possibly relate to to join. It made me wish I was back, soaking up that Tennessee sun. It made me wish I was more outgoing and put myself out there more. But this book also made me glad I had all those experiences. I cannot wait for the next season!!

***About the Author***
Kandi Steiner is a bestselling author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tampa, FL. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.

An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. She started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs.

When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys live music, traveling, anything heavy in carbs, beach days, movie marathons, craft beer and sweet wine — not necessarily in that order.

Goodreads - http://bit.ly/2dqsZtd

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Revelry by Kandi Steiner

Rating: 5 out of 5
Recommendation: Heck yes!
Standalone
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 20, 2017 (like my page on fb for updates on release and other goodies Dot's Dirty Deets)
Triggers: none
Read time: 2 days
**Received an ARC for an honest review**


Blurb (Courtesy of Goodreads. Add to your TBR list HERE.):


Wren Ballard is trying to find herself.

She never expected to be divorced at twenty-seven, but now that the court date has passed, it’s official. The paperwork is final. Her feelings on it aren’t.

Spending the summer in a small mountain town outside Seattle is exactly what she needs. The peaceful scenery is a given, the cat with the croaky meow is a surprise, but the real kicker? A broody neighbor with nice arms, a strange reputation, and absolutely no interest in her.

Anderson Black is perfectly fine being lost.

He doesn’t care about the town’s new resident — he’s too busy fighting his own demons. But when he’s brought face to face with Wren, he can see her still-fresh wounds from a mile away. What he doesn’t see coming is his need to know who put them there — or his desperation to mend them.

Sometimes getting lost is the way to find yourself. Sometimes healing only adds a new scar. And sometimes the last place you expected to be is exactly where you find home.



****
You know the drill by now. If you don't want spoilers, then do not read beyond this point. Because this one was a good one and I have a lot to say!


Well, Ms. Steiner, you have gone and done it again. I do not know why I torture myself and read your books. I really don't. This one will probably be on the top of my list of books that you have written. But I still have a few to play catch-up on, so the jury is still out. But...the feelings I felt when I read this one made me want to crawl inside myself and never come out. Why? No clue. I have suffered a loss. I have not suffered a big break-up like a divorce. I haven't run away to find myself (unless you count college, but nah). I guess the book was so real to me. All too often, when reading books, you think to yourself. "Come on, not in a million years would this happen." But this probably will touch so many hearts that it is so relatable. The word that poured out onto the pages, were brilliant. Beautifully written. Extremely heartbreaking. I have never rooted for two characters to stop worrying about outside forces and be together. Ugh.

Wren, Wren, Wren. I kept thinking in my head, "Who cares?!" So what you just got a divorce months ago. So what! So what! So what! She's just going to let this man who is giving her what she wants just walk out of her life? Anderson! I was having angry anxiety. I wanted him to just be like, "Shut up and be with me." That scene right before she left and the words Momma Von spoke to her ran through her head. She felt it. I felt it. The readers will feel this! OMG. Then Kandi Steiner pulls out the Morton's, grabs my shoulders and pours onto my open heart when Beau shows up at the end. Seriously? That entire story wasn't enough? You had to add that one last knife twist to make me hurt and feel more? Thanks. Thanks a whole effing lot.

If you all can't tell by this review, I loved this book. Revelry will have you all in your feelings. I almost gave it a 4.5 because she just made me feel way too much. It is definitely a can't put down book. I was up til 1am last night finishing it. Looking at my progress at the bottom of my app, thinking, "Just one more chapter...just 5 more minutes." Well, yeah...I'm tired. But this book...just read it. Yes. Please.

Release Blitz coming soon!


Sunday, January 1, 2017

A Love Letter to Whiskey By Kandi Steiner....and a few other things

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Whew! I haven't posted a book review since August of last year. Well, life and new babies can prevent a girl from curling up with a good book and enjoying the finer things in life. But I'm back and better than ever. I just launched my new Facebook page and I could not be happier! I am also working on my own little project that is coming along very well. I think I may be a little overzealous, but I have set my Goodreads  (click link to add me!) 2017 to 400 books!

Okay, so down to the good stuff. I have been trying to figure out a way to review books without giving away too much stuff and there really isn't much of a way to do this. So, I will post my rating, recommendation, the published book synopsis and then my spoiler alert warning if you do not want to read any more than that. If you do end up reading, please share your thoughts here or on the Facebook post!

Now that all of that is out of the way. I stumbled upon Kandi Steiner through a Facebook post she tagged Colleen Hoover in (and we know how much I am obsessed with Colleen). So, here I go clicking away being all stalkerish and adding her on my friend's list because she's a writer. I search through her books and this one has me pretty intrigued. So...here goes:

Rating: 5 out of 5
Recommend: YES! I could not put it down. I was being so mean to my fiance (sorry babe) when he was trying to talk to me about his game. Whoops. But that's what a good book will do to ya.

Book Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

It’s crazy how fast the buzz comes back after you’ve been sober for so long. 

Whiskey stood there, on my doorstep, just like he had one year before. Except this time, there was no rain, no anger, no wedding invitation — it was just us. 

It was just him — the old friend, the easy smile, the twisted solace wrapped in a glittering bottle. 

It was just me — the alcoholic, pretending like I didn’t want to taste him, realizing too quickly that months of being clean didn’t make me crave him any less. 

But we can’t start here. 

No, to tell this story right, we need to go back. 

Back to the beginning. 

Back to the very first drop. 

This is my love letter to Whiskey. I only hope he reads it.


~~~~SPOILERS AHEAD~~~~

So, where to begin? I'm just going to start with my thoughts on it.

I loved this love story. I hated the main character, Brecks or B (she didn't want to be called by her full name because of how she was conceived) throughout most of the journey through the book. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe it was because she came off as a brat to me. I can't quite put my finger on it. But this is a the love story of: boy meets girl, boy ignores girl for cute best friend, boy realizes he's dumb, wants original girl, can't have her, gets her, loses her, she wants him...its a long vicious cycle right up until the end of the book. But it is so perfectly written, I could not put it down. Book boyfriend status for Whiskey aka Jamie: achieved. Oh, okay, here's why I hated her: SHE COULD HAVE HAD THE BOY FROM THE JUMP, BUT WAS BEING SUPER STUPID. But I mean, if she got the boy then there would be no story right?

This book is a massive tangle of webs of love, mistrust, hurt, pain, joy and everything you could want in a book and I highly recommend reading it. Don't take my word for it, just read it!

If you have Kindle Unlimited, it is currently free to read or for purchase here.

Up Next: Pending my mommy book club.