Skip to main content

Giveaway + Review: Brush Strokes by Janelle Stalder


Brush Strokes
by Janelle Stalder


Art student, Olivia Banks, was living her dream at an exclusive school when everything came crashing down around her. Now back in the small town she grew up in, she's forced to spend her senior year at her old school where she's known as the 'freak', all because she'd rather focus on her painting than the trivial drama of high school. But things aren't the same as they were when she left. And the one thing that is turning her life upside down the most just happens to be the resident bad boy, Colt Morgan. Her senior year was supposed to fly by so she could pack up and leave again, but what happens when there's suddenly a reason to want to stay?


*This book contains strong language and some sexual content. For mature audiences. Mature YA/New Adult
4 out of 5 stars
After being away for two years, Olivia is back home for her senior year of high school - something she is not looking forward to. Before she left she was the quiet, shy girl no one paid much attention to, except to make fun of for her. Now that she's back she just wants to get through this year, which doesn't sound so difficult. Until next door neighbor bad boy extraordinaire decides he's waited around in the wings long enough and it's finally time to go after what he's always wanted…Olivia.

I liked the characters in this book. Olivia is pretty down to earth. For the most part, she does not care much what other people think of her. She has her art and her best friend, Ella. What more could a girl ask for? Ella is a fun loving character and I am looking forward to reading her story. She is who she is and doesn't make apologies for it. She tells it like it is, and if she offends you, too bad. Then there is Colt. Colt thinks of himself as the bad boy type, and he is to a point, but he's also got this soft side, especially when it comes to Olivia. And I have to mention, Rannon. He is Colt's best friend. He brings a lot of fun to the story. I hope we get to see more of him later.

Overall this is a fun story with a lot of high-school drama, art, and swimming in cold lakes. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.





Janelle Stalder was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. At an early age she developed a love for literature. Her debut novel, Eden, was the first book in a series of four, released in September of 2011. The second book, Eden-West, was released in July of 2012, and the third book, Eden-South was released in March of 2013. The fourth book of the Eden Series, Eden-East, will be release at the end of 2013. She is a strong supporter of other independent authors, and loves to interact with her readers. When she's not writing, Janelle is at home with her husband, two children, Aiden and Elora, and her two furry children, Alice and Lily. She now resides in a small town in Ontario in her old, possibly haunted, century home.

Facebook: Janelle Stalder
Twitter: @jmstalder
Website: www.janellestalder.com
Email: jmstalder@gmail.com



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

One Less Warlock by Judith Post

One Less Warlock by Judith Post My rating: 4 of 5 stars I think it's hard in a short story to create a unique setting, characters, etc., and still get some sort of story line in. In One Less Warlock, Judith did an excellent job of molding the story in such a way that we got a taste of a distinct world and character personalities, and a complete story to go with it. In this short story Judith was able to pack in witches, vampires, a sexy Were, succubus, voodoo, murder, and mystery, all in only about 20 pages. Pretty amazing. I enjoyed the story and Babet, the main character, and am looking forward to more of her in the future. View all my reviews

Q & A with Christina Weigand

Sanctuary of Nine Dragons  Palace of the Twelve Pillars #3 by Christina Weigand  Joachim banishes Brandan to prison island of Hyogo. His infant son, Prince Airyn disappears from his cradle. A chain of events is set in motion that will pit brother against brother, friend against friend, parents against children as Brandan and Joachim struggle for control of their sanity and their very lives. With Brandan declared dead and his son missing Joachim sinks into despair and anger, where those close to him fear he may never return. Is Brandan really dead and if he is, who is manipulating the Mantion and enemies of Crato? Can Maeve save her country and her husband from the tentacles of evil pervading the land ebook, 362 pages Published February 7th 2014  Find it on Goodreads Amazon * Barnes & Noble  *  Smashwords Read It & Reap:   April 26, 2018 Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of three grown children and a middle school daughter.

Book Beginnings: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by  Rose City Reader .  Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. You can find more information and how to participate on your blog  HERE!    "My father was a king and the son of kings. He was a short man, as most of us were, and built like a bull, all shoulders.  He married my mother when she was fourteen and sworn by the priestess to be fruitful." Title:  The Song of Achilles Author:  Madeline Miller Genre:  Historical Fiction/Fantasy Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. By all rights their paths should never cross, but Achilles takes the shamed prince as his friend, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine their bond blossoms into somethi