Friday, April 29, 2016

Book Reviews, Giveaway: The Fear of Falling Flat and Battle of Brains by Michelle Graves

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The Battle of the Brains The Misadventures of Maggie Moore #2 Publication Date: April 29, 2016 

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Humor

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Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

Maggie Moore is leaving small-town south Georgia behind to embrace adulthood on her own in big-city Atlanta. Finding inspiration in the unique people she’s met covering obscure sporting events, Maggie decides it’s time to fill her life with adventure – just as soon as she figures out how to cut ties with good ol’ Murphy, and his pesky laws, once and for all. Naturally, the universe has different plans. Before she even sets out to cover her next big story, Maggie is bombarded with old wounds and new insecurities, forcing her to choose between the reality in front of her and the promise of a dream just out of reach. Channeling the hard-fought lessons of her Dad, Maggie struggles against the seemingly insurmountable force that is her troublesome partner, learning the hard way that things are never as easy as you think they’ll be.  

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Purchase: Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

This Book Contains: 1- Novella, 1-Short Story, and 1-Full-length novel! Maggie Moore has been put on notice: Find a new place to live and a life for that matter. Spurred on by her mom’s ultimatum, Maggie sets out to fulfill her dream of Life & Style Stardom, a la Martha Stewart. After a colossal failure on her first assignment, which has nothing to do with crafting or curtains by the by, she finds herself fighting to save her career. Far from home, and struggling with the aftermath of a family death, Maggie’s already hard fought lifelong battle with Murphy, and his pride-stealing Laws, kicks into high gear. Her enigmatic world-renowned photo journalist currently sporting a chip-the-size-of-Mount-Rainier on his shoulder might have something to do with it. Determined to succeed despite numerous bumps along the way, Maggie throws herself – quite literally – into the heart of her assignments as she travels across the country, unlocking the oddities of various obscure sporting events and surviving the World’s Most Difficult Partnership along the way.   


My Rating:
 


Favorite Quotes:


The Fear of Falling Flat - Book #1   


“Why they had to wand me, I wasn’t sure. And not to complain, but I didn’t think the metal detector want was meant to bonk the passengers in the head. I was pretty sure the TSA agent had been drinking.”



“I think you just crushed seventeen-year-old-me’s dreams. You want to go steal a child’s ice cream while you’re at it? Maybe kick a nun?”



“My mom’s voice sounded entirely too excited by the prospect of me not being alone. I was pretty sure she was the only mother on the planet to get excited about her daughter having a guy in her hotel room. Seriously, wasn’t that bad parenting?”



“There was something different about them… Maybe they were all part of some weird cult. Looking at the band members, I would totally join that cult. Admission for one please.”



“It had been a year since I’d even been kissed. The desert didn’t have anything on the dry spell I was rocking.”



“I was sure the giant bruise on my forehead didn’t help my cause. Maybe he was into women that looked like prize fighters.”


“Secretly, I was beginning to anticipate getting a sneak peek into his domain. It was like getting an invitation to the Batcave. That place was sacrosanct…”



  Battle of the Brains - Book #2    

“I eyed them warily.  So what if they were beautiful.  They were probably dipped in poison, or cursed, or dipped in a poisonous curse.  There weren’t to be trusted these daisies of doom.”


Surely this was just a side effect for not getting any sort of man-action in over a year.”

“I cursed my mouth for watering as John pulled on a hoodie, sufficiently hiding his impeccable sculpting while simultaneously putting a lid on my sudden nuclear hormonal meltdown.”

“I suddenly felt quite out of place.  There was a shocking lack of estrogen in the facility.  Mean-looking men spread out as far as the eye could see.  They could be the loveliest men on the planet, but the general vibe coming off of the testosterone laden patrons was you mess with me and I will end you.”

“She was a vacuum that sucked all the good in the world right out of the room, leaving it void and bereft.”

“My rudder had fallen off my ship, the dolphins had eaten my compass, and the seagulls had pooped on my head.  Nothing was going according to plan and celibacy was looking more and more appealing.”


My Review:




Michelle Grave’s writing is clever, uproariously humorous, easy to read, and occasionally heart squeezing.  I barked, snorted, and smirked my way through two volumes of her work this week and am already looking forward to reading the next installment.  Maggie is a walking Calamity Jane and highly prone to disaster.  She is accident prone, inattentive, and clumsy, which is a lethal combination for this karma challenged young woman.  Yet despite her misfortunes and challenges, she remains optimistic, spunky, and upbeat.  I enjoyed the irreverent and self-effacing humor, which remains a constant, even when Maggie is upset or angry.  I loved being her head and found her endlessly amusing and highly entertaining.

Empress DJ


About Michelle Graves

Michelle Graves
Michelle Graves is a self-proclaimed nomad, moving every two to three years with her husband the Army man, her beautiful daughter, and a fat tailless cat named Torri. When she is not writing away trying to purge her mind of yapping characters she can be found entertaining her daughter, attempting to craft (whilst trying not to injure herself with the glue gun), baking yummy treats, or reading. She admits to having a restless spirit and forces her family to go out on adventures whenever possible. They lovingly play along.

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