This summer, I turned to my BTB girls for some new books to read. I was introduced to Slammed and Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover.

Slammed

Layken is an 18 year old woman with the world resting on her shoulders. When her father passes away, her mother must take a job in Ypsilanti to make ends meet. Putting on a brave face for her younger brother, Kel, they make the journey from Texas to Michigan to begin their new lives.

Upon arriving, Kel makes fast friends with Caulder, a boy in the neighborhood and Layken meets Will, his handsome older brother.

When Layken is brutally attacked by a smirking Garden Gnome while retrieving the coffee pot from her jeep wearing Darth Vader house shoes, Will comes to the defense of the gnome but offers Lake first aid. But is it only first aid he's offering?

excerpt:

"He brings his other hand to my cheek and slowly leans forward. I close my eyes and feel his breath draw closer as he pulls me toward him. His lips touch my lips, but barely. He slowly kisses my bottom lip, then my top lip. His lips are cold, and still wet from his drink. I lean in further to return his kiss, but he pulls away when my mouth responds. I open my eyes and he's smiling at me, still holding my face in his hands."

This book captivated me from the first chapter. Julia's advice about dating is advice I hope to pass on to my daughter (when she goes on her first date at the age of 36!!!).

Colleen made me laugh, fall in love, remember my youth (it was a long way back so it took a bit) & full out SOB. I admit it...I wept, while my husband laughed at me for crying over a book and then proceeded to get mad at the tv...silly men, can't keep their emotions in check.

I HIGHLY recommend this book! Beautiful, powerful and captivating!

Point of Retreat

In this second book of the series, we continue to follow Layken, Will, Kel and Caulder.

They all share much more than when we last saw them. The POV has switched to Will for this book and it is a welcomed switch.

We get much more advice from Julia, and even the new little girl in the neighborhood (who also introduces a new colourful word to everyone's vocabulary). IT'S BUTTERFLYING AMAZING!!!!

Will and Layken made a promise to Julia, and they intend to keep it. No matter how hard this promise is to keep or what it takes to keep them strong.

"I butterflying hate cheeseburgers"

I read this book in one sitting as well, and was amazed that Colleen could captivate me a second time.

******NEWSFLASH*******

Guess what?!!!

Slammed and Point of Retreat have been OPTIONED for FILM!!!!! I CAN'T CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT!!!! I need a minute....(see what I did there????)

*spinning in circles* EEEEEEEEeEeeeEEEEeEEEEeeEEEEeEeE

*pant pant*

Ok, so Colleen has GRACIOUSLY given ONE AUTOGRAPHED COPY of each book for readers of my blog!!!!!

So this giveaway will run until Sunday night at 7pm mst. But there are rules...yeah I know but here we go.

#1 You must subscribe to my blog
#2 You must follow me AND Colleen on Twitter (@passionboost  @ColleenHoover)
#3 You must mention this giveaway  on FB or twitter (provide link to blog) and comment below with link

When you have completed all or any of above email me with your official email address as I will announce and contact the winner of each book.

I will contact the winners via email and you will have 24 hours to respond with your mailing address (I suggest you add me to your address books so your email doesnt wind up in the spam folder).

passionatelylisa@gmail.com

This Giveaway is open Internationally but only for those over 18 (as my blog is for adults only). Please provide DOB in your email.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

*edited to clarify... There will be one winner for both books... how butterflying awesome is that?!*

******giveaway is now closed*******

My youngest daughter was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in June 2011. She was almost 4.

If you have had experience with this disorder you understand just how....interesting it can be.

M has sensory issues, a common trait amongst people with Autism. Hers are oral. Yup Oral sensory issues... This means she will only eat certain foods, drink certain drinks and well, we have just recently established a somewhat scheduled tooth brushing regiment.

She now has cavities. Tooth decay on her bottom molars. Now go ahead and judge if you will, frankly I welcome it. Walk a mile in my shoes before the diagnosis when I was living on 2 hours of sleep, constantly dealing with screaming frustrated child who couldnt communicate and feeling like I was the one that was in need of professional help, then..THEN you can have your opinion heard, until then this is MY story.

M has whitecoat syndrome. She is afraid of ANY doctor, ANY nurse and ANY Technician in scrubs or labcoats. I panic when shes sick...all out anxiety, She's only 5, as strong as a 250lb 6'3" Quarterback and her screams...oh her screams. Im constantly handing out my " my child isnt misbehaving, she has autism" business cards. I get all the tsks, eyerolls and sighs from EVERYONE in clinics. Frankly, its so damned deflating.

Anyhoo, for months I have been looking for a "gentle dentist". When I mention autism they act like she has 4 fricken heads and a chainsaw for a mouth. As soon as I hear the receptionist pause, I know I am NOT going to THAT clinic.

Finally, last Friday I found a dental clinic. I emailed them for an appointment (as that is how it is done with this specific clinic), and within 2 days they booked me an appointment with a pedodontist this coming Monday. I am SO nervous. Not about the work she will need, as I know there is lots of work to come...but I am nervous about the whitecoats.

This weekend I will be printing social stories about trips to the dentist and I will definitely be calling them tomorrow to remind them abput her fear.

Until M can communicate better with us, and have her comprehension level grow, my anxiety should settle, but until then I am a paranoid mama bear who has to cope with autism. Good and bad. Screams, tears, hugs and kisses.

Next time you see a frazzled parent at the grocery store, clinic or in a car and the child is boneless, screaming, crying, shaking, instead of tsking, giving a dirty look or sighing loud enough to offend please PLEASE remember 1 in 88 children are Diagnosed with autism and there is a chance you are witnessing a breakdown of communication or over stimulization. Let the parent know they are doing a good job. Sometimes we need to hear that from total strangers.