June 2014 – Read-Love-Blog

Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer Continues with Selene’s Review of Corralled: A Blacktop Cowboys Novel by Lorelei James

Corralled: A Blacktop Cowboys Novel Review

by Selene

Synopsis:

In the rodeo arena, all you have to worry about is surviving. But in the arena of love and ecstasy, things get much more complicated.

Lainie Capshaw has been servicing injured cowboys long enough to know that a charming Western drawl combined with a fine physical form doesn’t mean you should fall for a man. As a sports therapist, she travels the rodeo circuits patching up riders – and fending off their sweet-talking, swaggering advances.

So no one is more surprised than Lainie when she finds herself involved with not one, but two different men on different circuits. Hank Lawson, a bullfighter, and Kyle Gilchrist, a bull rider trying to stage a comeback. Lainie feels guilty about her two-timing, but it doesn’t keep her from doubling her fun -until Hank catches her with Kyle.

She’s shocked that Hank isn’t mad. She’s more shocked to learn Hank and Kyle are hometown buddies. But when the men offer to share her – she knows that both of them are going to try to win her, body and soul. Now it’s up to Lainie to choose the one man who can give her the ride of her life.

Selene’s review:

An excellent first novel of a series, Corralled introduces us to the fast-paced world of rodeo and some of its super sexy and super wild “blacktop cowboys”. Hank Lawson and Kyle Gilchrist are childhood friends who come to realize that they’ve both been seeing the same enormously appealing sports therapist Lainie Capshaw. Lainie, feeling somewhat guilty about being with them both, yet also feeling very, very lucky to be having them both, gets an offer of a lifetime… and it’s not the new job offer from her current employer; it’s to have a hot and steamy threesome with the objects of her affection Hank and Kyle!

Whereas Lainie is not what I’d consider an entirely relatable character, she is somewhat endearing and definitely a heroine in her own right. Not only does she fall in love with what I agree is her perfect man, she finds herself and matures as she is exposed to the realities of the world around her. Her vulnerability is sometimes counteracted by her stubbornness and directness and after an unwarranted advance by a professional bull rider in the circuit as well as a shocking revelation about her employer, she finds her strength and the emotional injuries from her past finally begin to heal.

Bull fighter Hank Lawson is exactly how I’ve always pictured a true cowboy: tall, dark, handsome, and 100% gentleman (at least away from the bedroom). Though his sexual antics had been on the tame side, he definitely kicks it up a notch… or ten. Lucky Lainie. His family is such a pleasure to meet in this novel as well and Lorelei James leaves me wanting to know more about his brother and sister; rancher Abe and Barrel racer Celia.

Bull rider Kyle Gilchrist, or Gilly, definitely has sexual tricks up his sleeve… and in his collar, and in his cowboy boots, and definitely, definitely in his pants. A more aggressive sexual partner for Lainie, that is until Hank steps it up, he’s the true definition of a rider. His competitive streak bleeds into his quest to win Lainie’s heart and his tenacity is one of his sexiest qualities. His romantic side definitely doesn’t hurt either.

This threesome together (along with them as separate couples) are hot, Hot, HOT!!! By the middle of the book, you know who Lainie belongs with yet you can’t help but want more of both cowboys. Author James continues to keep me intrigued by her world and characters and I am very much looking forward to the next installment!

Four Loves

About the author:

A bit about me: When I’m not squirreled away behind my laptop writing fun, sexy, contemporary erotic romances set in the modern day Wild West, I can be found reading everything under the sun, practicing yoga until I’m a pretzel, shootin’ my .22, watching the Professional Bull Riders tour on Versus, and running a kid’s taxi service, all in the guise of avoiding housework and rustlin’ up vittles. Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.

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Grace for Drowning by Maya Cross…Release Day Event

Release Date

June 29th

Genre

Contemporary Fighter Romance

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22306838-grace-for-drowning

Blurb

Hope is a dangerous thing. I know that more than most. Everything good I’ve ever had has been stolen from me — my friends, my fiancé, my innocence, some would say even my sanity. All I have left is the cage. Fighting is the only thing that eases the ache inside me even a little. It’s the only thing that keeps the bottle at bay.

I was content to ride out my life alone. I was done dreaming that things could be better. But then I met Grace, and suddenly, all I could do was dream.

She’s battling those same demons, only she’s losing. I don’t want to care, but something about her calls to me. That pain in her eyes is so sharp, so familiar. I know it’s only a matter of time before it pulls her below the surface.

I can help her, and maybe, just maybe, she can help me too. For the first time in what feels like forever, I’ve got hope, and that scares the hell out of me.

This is a full length novel with no cliffhanger. There will be a sequel, but this book resolves all the story elements by the end. It is written with dual perspectives, so both Logan and Grace get their say.

Excerpt (Grace POV):

I gave a tiny shake of my head. It felt like a big gesture, one that should have set the earth shaking and the sky falling, but it was strangely liberating at the same time. A moment of clarity in an ocean of confusion. I wanted him. I couldn’t deny that anymore. I wanted everything those absent words implied. His hands on my body, his lips on mine. I knew that given a few days, a few hours, maybe even a few minutes, my pain and self-loathing would resurface and start sabotaging this again, but right now, in that moment, I was free of that.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I lunged towards him. He was so tall that I had to stretch up onto my toes, wrapping my hands around his neck to pull his mouth down to mine. It sent a powerful longing through me, that height, that sheer bulk. I normally hate to be reminded how diminutive I am, but I liked how small he made me feel. There was something strangely comforting about it.

His body stiffened and he mumbled a curse against my lips. For a moment, he barely moved. I could feel the war playing out behind his eyes. But then the fight drained out of him, and his arms enveloped me as he began kissing me back with an urgency strong enough to be almost frightening. Part of me expected it to feel wrong, a betrayal of everything I’d had with Tom, but instead my body simply melted against his like it had always been there, and all other thoughts disappeared.

All my other first kisses had been timid affairs, but this was something else entirely, fierce and hungry; an explosion of everything that was simmering inside us. Though I’d initiated it, Logan quickly seized control. This wasn’t a man who simply stood by and had things happen to him. Leather-rough palms ran amok across my back and shoulders, pulling me against him as though he was afraid I’d be snatched away at any moment. I moaned involuntarily into his mouth as his tongue darted and teased. In some distant part of me I felt ashamed, but it was dwarfed by the fire that was coursing through my veins. I’d never been kissed like that before. Not by Tom. Not by anybody. It felt like a matter of need rather than want. Life or death.

I’d seen him shirtless plenty of times of course, but the sight was different now. Erotic, sensual, and above all, mine. I could barely breathe for how magnificent he looked. Sculpted and tanned and lit with moonlight; a living breathing Greek statue. I wanted to touch all of him, to feel each inch between my fingers, in my mouth, in every part of me. I’d never been so intoxicated by another human being.

My hands took on a mind of their own, dancing hungrily across his bare chest. His muscles were so hard, like his entire body was just skin stretched over stone sculpture. Everything inside me seemed to clench as my fingers took it all in, the perfectly defined grooves between his pecs and his abs, the mountainous curl of his biceps. He was still slick with sweat and hot from the night’s exertion, but that only excited me more. Images played through my head of him in the arena, his body a perfect primal machine leveling all of that power at his opposition.

My lack of control seemed to trigger something in Logan. He reached for my shirt, tugging it over my head, and then his hands turned ravenous, squeezing my breasts, my ass, the curve of my hips. It felt like his fingers were everywhere at once, and my body tingled and burned in response. It was so good to be touched again. I hadn’t realized how long it had been or how much I missed it, but there was something exquisite about it — a tactile euphoria that kept me centered in that perfect moment and scattered all my problems to the wind.

He broke away, breathing heavily, his face twisted into some bizarre combination of pain and desire. Pressing his forehead against mine he locked eyes with me. “Are you sure?” His voice was low, the primordial growl of a man who was just below the cusp where words were no longer relevant.

“I’m sure.”

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About the author:

Maya Cross is a writer who enjoys making people blush. Growing up with a mother who worked in a book store, she read a lot from a very young age, and soon enough picked up a pen of her own. She’s tried her hands at a whole variety of genres including horror, science fiction, and fantasy, but funnily enough, it was the sexy stuff that stuck. She has now started this pen name as an outlet for her spicier thoughts (they were starting to overflow). She likes her heroes strong but mysterious, her encounters sizzling, and her characters true to life.

She believes in writing familiar narratives told with a twist, so most of her stories will feel comfortable, but hopefully a little unique. Whatever genre she’s writing, finding a fascinating concept is the first, and most important step.

The Alpha Group is her first attempt at erotic romance.

When she’s not writing, she’s playing tennis, trawling her home town of Sydney for new inspiration, and drinking too much coffee.

Social Media

Website: http://www.mayacross.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/mayacrossbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Maya_cross

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6217503.Maya_Cross

Fake It by Jennifer Chance….Blog Tour Stop & Review

As her sizzling new series continues, Jennifer Chance sparks some serious combustion between a sexy biker and a corporate go-getter who’s ready to let her hair down.

Synopsis:

New grad Anna Richardson works hard—so hard that she’s given up having a romantic life. Anna has even convinced her friends that she’s dating an amazing guy—who they’ve simply never met. But now Anna has a wedding to attend and needs to produce the hottie she’s been lying about for the past six months. Enter Jake Flynn, her infuriating, motorcycle-riding, jaw-droppingly gorgeous neighbor, who’s more than willing to fake it for a weekend. In fact, Jake won’t be satisfied until things get real.

Though Jake is only playing the role of adoring boyfriend, he’s starting to feel the heat, and judging by Anna’s sweet blush, so is she. Letting chemistry this intense go to waste would be a real shame. Soon, though, the thin line between fantasy and reality fades. Jake may not be what every buttoned-up fast-tracker wants, but he’s sure as hell what Anna needs. And if she takes a ride with him, their adventure never has to end.

My review:

Fake it is the newest book from author Jennifer Chance and after loving the first in the series, Rock It, I was so excited to get my hands on this book and it was everything I was hoping for and more! There were so many amazing things with this book and I loved every minute.

Anna Richardson has had one mission in life for quite some time now. To be successful and never have to worry about money. To be financially stable. Of course, that came with a price and means she hasn’t had much time for dating. If she’s being honest, and after her last failed relationship, she can’t say she misses it that much. And certainly not as much as her friends miss her having a relationship…which leads her to the pickle she’s in now. You see, she kind of made up a fictional guy to get her friends off her back for a bit. Only problem now is that they want to meet him…at the wedding she’s in and the wedding he’s supposed to be coming to as her guest. Enter Jake, her sexy, motorcycle riding, tattooed, and complete opposite of everything Anna is, neighbor. Never in a million years would she have thought to ask him, the guy she’s been drooling over for over a year, and she never would have expected that he would offer after overhearing her story while she was chatting with her friends at the local bar. But he did and crazily enough, she accepted. Now he’s gotta take a crash course on all the things she made up about the fake boyfriend so she could get her friends to leave her love life alone once and for all. Only problem now is that what starts out as fake feelings between them starts to grow into very real ones.

Could something that started out as a charade turn into something real?

I fell in love with Fake It from just reading the synopsis alone. What could be better than the shy professional falling for the bad boy biker and vice versa? But even better than that was the fact that both Anna and Jake may look a certain part but there were so many more facets to their personalities which was such a treat to read. It really proved the whole “can’t judge a book by it’s cover” so to speak. Jake, for as rough and touch as he looks, has such a big heart and a beautiful and kind soul. Anna had a pretty rough spot during her childhood and it really had an impact on making her who she is today. How she approaches working hard and how much value she puts on that and having financial security. Of course the saying “money isn’t everything” kept popping into my head while reading and Jake was exactly what Anna needed when she needed it most. He really opened her eyes to the joys life has to offer. Joys that money can’t buy. Oh, and the chemistry between them? HOLY HELL! Beyond smoking hot!

If you love an unlikely hero, smoking hot chemistry, and crying big happy tears at kick ass endings, Fake It is for you! Thank you, Jennifer, for another fantastic read!

Four Loves

Goodreads | Amazon| Barnes and Noble

Also in the Rule Breakers series: ROCK IT by Jennifer Chance!http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fake-it-jennifer-chance/1117987843?ean=9780553392289

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About the author:

Jennifer Chance is the award-winning author of the New Adult series Rule Breakers. A lover of books, romance, and happily-ever-afters, she lives and writes in Ohio. Visit her website and find her on Twitter.

Connect with Jennifer Chance

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Want to get to know Jennifer better? Check out this exclusive interview!

Cover Reveal….Luke by H.J. Bellus

Cover Model: Sean Smith

Photographer: Kruse Images & Photography

Cover Designer: Wicked by Design

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Releasing Late Fall 2014

Synopsis

Life has never been the same since she left…

Booze helps dull the heartache at times and others it only fuels my anger.

Fights don’t matter. Win or lose its all the same shit.

Until…one night, one fight.

Who knew one night would change everything. She’s back, and my heart doesn’t

stand a chance.

But this may be a fight I’m willing to lose.

About the Author

I am an independent author excited about releasing my first novel very soon. A big dream coming true!!! I’m all country…the kinda country where green grass grows and corn pops up in rows….love Miranda and her bad ass music!!! Just a simple country girl getting one story out of her head at a time…I always fall hard for a trucker style hat…especially if it’s a John Deere hat….loves me a good ol’ farm boy!!!!!!

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHjBellus?focus_composer=true&ref_type=bookmark

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HJBellus

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7079478.H_J_Bellus

Blog: http://hjbellus.blogspot.com/

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Secrets Unveiled by Jill Patten…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

In the second and final installment, Jaxon and Courtney are forced into a world of more secrets. Some have been harbored from within, some are unknown, and some are just forming.

When the truth finally does come out, will their fragile love for one another be strong enough to hold, or will the weight of deceit break the string that tethers their hearts together?

My review:

Secrets Unveiled is the second book and in essence the second half of Courtney and Jaxon’s story continued on from the first book in the series, Toxic Secrets. I will say that if you haven’t read Toxic Secrets first, please do so before reading this book because you will be totally lost and not fully understand the story. That being said, reading the two stories back to back was enjoyable and I didn’t feel any wrath of a cliffhanger.

I am going to try to do my best and not give anything away in this review for those of you who haven’t read the first book….gah! It’s going to be hard!

Jaxon is in a pretty rough emotional state when this book picks up and to say his story is a rough one would be a gross understatement. He’s a broken man and is in need of some serious fixing. He winds up going down a very dark road and needs some light at the end of the tunnel. And that light is Courtney…

Courtney has a whole lot of growing up to do in this book and I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to handle all that life was throwing at her. I don’t really want to say what exactly she has going on in her life while this story is taking place, because it’s a pretty big spoiler, but know that she ends up growing into an amazing woman. There were some serious emotional moments happening in Secrets Unveiled and more than a few made my cry, but you all know I love that!

Overall this was an emotional roller coaster that dealt with a lot of serious and dark issues but it was the perfect story for Jaxon and Courtney and needed to be told to get them to their happy ending. I will say that the epilogue was absolutely perfect and made me give a big, happy, contended sigh. Of course, my lips are sealed!

Thank you, Jill, for giving us one hell of an emotionally charged read! It was one hell of a ride!

Four Loves

Buy links:

Amazon | B&N

Rafflecopter Giveaway

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Excerpt:

Tears pierced the back of my eyes like tiny needles and I quickly turned away. The gravity that had been holding me prisoner finally released its grasp, and I quickly made my way to the exit. The door latched behind me with a loud clicking sound, but I didn’t care. I had to get out of there.

With full-force, I ran down the beach, and didn’t stop until my legs could no longer move. There was no more energy left in me, and it caused me to fall onto the cool, gritty sand. There was no point in stopping the tears; I let them flow freely, I needed to get it all out. I needed to get him out, remove him from my system like he had apparently done me. To know how quickly he had moved on was gut-wrenching.

Curled up into a ball, I laid there in the sand and sobbed until my cries turned into hiccups. He had told me I helped him to remember what it felt like to fall in love again, but how did you feel that way then screw some other girl so soon after?

A little over a month. That was all it took for him to go back to his man-whore days. Was it really fair of me to judge him? Who was I to be mad? I was after all the one who pushed him away.

“I don’t know what you’re doing here, but you need to turn your ass back around and go back to where you came from. Nobody wants you around here. You’ve caused enough trouble.”

About the author:

Jill Patten was born a Yankee, but raised a southerner. She lives in the small town of Mayberry, North Carolina which was made famous by a popular TV show back in the sixties. (Maybe there will one day be a statue of her at the end of Main Street. Ha! A girl can dream, right?)

Jill has always loved to read, even during reading labs in middle school for reading comprehension. Judy Blume was her first author she hero-worshipped, maturing to revere the works of Stephen King. With all the fantastic authors today, she simply cannot choose a favorite. Her taste is very eclectic and she loves almost all genres. When she’s not captivated by her fictional characters, she spends time with her sweet husband and two beautiful children.

Music is her muse. Jill also loves elephants, sarcasm, and anything made with sugar, especially sweet tea. She enjoys all things rude and crude and laughs at stuff she probably shouldn’t. She has been accused of being bossy a time or two, but doesn’t really see it herself.

All in all, Jill is just a small town girl in this great big world trying to enable your book addiction.

webpage link:

http://www.jillpatten.com/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/jill_patten

Goodreads link:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7225528.Jill_Patten

Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jill-Patten/352289424899981?ref_type=bookmark

Cover Reveal….Razed by Shiloh Walker

RAZED, a sexy romance by award-winning author, Shiloh Walker, is the much awaited sequel to WRECKED in the Barnes Brothers series and it releases this December from Berkley!

Take a look at the cover and let us know what you think!

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed paperback copy of WRECKED, along with some fabulous swag! (Yes, it’s international :))

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About RAZED:

Tattoo artist Keelie Jessup can handle that someone else has claimed the man of her dreams. She’s just not pleased with her remaining options…

Keelie doesn’t believe in the “perfect man.” But the men who are worth the trouble are usually taken—like her business partner Zach Barnes. After a string of bad luck and the lost chance with Zach, Keelie decides that maybe flying solo—and living with suppressed desires—is the key to happiness.

As a photographer, Zane Barnes has an eye for the human form, and his eyes can’t get enough of Keelie’s curves. Unfortunately, Keelie is like most women—always fawning over his little brother, Zach. Zane is about ready to give up, but then a few stolen moments at his brother’s wedding have him thinking maybe there’s a chance there after all. Now he just has to prove that the perfect man does exist…for her.

Indiebound | BN | BAMM | iBooks | Amazon

Also in the Barnes Brothers series: WRECKED by Shiloh Walker!

Excerpt:

Humiliation burned in her.

Rejection turned her blood to ice while her skin shrank down about two sizes too small.

She wanted to sink into the floorboards, turn into something thin and vaporous so she could just disappear.

Pushing against his chest, she focused on the navy blue polo. “Then how about you let me go, huh? My mistake.”

The hand on her throat didn’t move.

It should have felt threatening.

But the feel of him touching her just made her melt that much more…and it was now a heavy ache inside because he—

His lips brushed her ear.

“You want to know what I want from you?” he asked, the words velvet, stroking over her like a caress.

Keelie closed her hands into fists to keep from reaching for him. He was messing with her. It pissed her off—and, to her disgust, it hurt. It almost felt like a betrayal, too, because she hadn’t expected to see this in Zane.

“Back off,” she warned, putting an edge into her voice and preparing herself to make him back off. So what if he had some moves on him? He hadn’t seen her moves yet. Not really.

“I want…” He slid his hand down from her throat, to rest on her chest, fingers spread wide where it rested above her heart. “This.”

The simplicity of the gesture stunned her into passivity.

She held still as he lifted his head and stared down at her.

She blinked, not moving, as he continued to stand there, his hand on her chest. “I want five minutes of your time…over a cup of coffee. An hour for lunch. I want you to pick up the phone when I call, talk with me for a while,” he said, staring into her eyes while the blue-green of his gaze cut into her.

Then he leaned in and pressed a hot, open-mouthed kiss to her chest, just above the neckline of her sweater. “I want to peel your clothes away, learn each and every one of these insanely sexy tattoos…each tattoo, and the reason behind them. I want to know what makes you laugh, and I want to know what makes you mad. I want to know what sort of book you’re reading whenever I’m in the office—I’ve asked, but you always toss it down when I walk by and you never answer me.”

His breath was a caress on her flesh and she broke out into goosebumps.

Her heart raced in her chest and she couldn’t even begin to understand why there was a knot in her chest.

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About Shiloh Walker:

Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid… she fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more…ah… serious vampire stories. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, but most all anything romantic. Once upon a time, she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest. She also writes under the pen name J. C. Daniels.

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Rina’s Quick Audio Bytes ~ Audiobook Reviews in Short: Forever His: Stolen Bride Series, Volume 1 by Shelly Thacker

Forever His: Stolen Bride Series, Volume 1

Written by: Shelly Thacker
Narrated by: Julia Motyka
Duration: 15 hrs 5 mins
Genre: Historical Romance

Story: 4.5 stars
Performance: 4 stars
Overall: 4.5 stars

Synopsis:

Whisked away over 700 years into past on New Years Eve, Celine Fontaine finds herself in the embrace of a boorish, wenching, lug of a man, who keeps calling her Christine. She soon learns that Sir Gaston de Varennes is not only incorrigible, he is also her betrothed, a marriage decreed by King Philip to ensure that Gaston and the Duke Tyrell put an end to their tiresome quarrel.
Gaston thirsts for vengeance, convinced the death of his father a brother was a result of foul play by the hand of Tyrell, but he lacks the proof. Believing that a marriage to Christine is just another ploy by the treacherous Duke, Gaston keeps Celine at an arm’s distance although he really yearns to have her in his bed.

Quick Byte:

Shelly Thacker is a master of historical romance, sucking the reader into a vibrant painting of the past. The modern world collides with what once was, for an edge of your seat adventure that had me listening way past my bed time to see what happens next. Celine and Gaston melt the pages, a push and pull of expertly delivered tension, threatening to bubble over. Will they or won’t they?

Julia Motyka does a wonderful job of bringing Shelly Thacker’s world to life, making the story all the more authentic and enjoyable. This is the first book of the Stolen Bride series. I already loved and reviewed the second book in the series, His Forbidden Touch, and can’t wait to start the third.

~Rina

Rina’s Quick Audio Bytes ~ Audiobook Reviews in Short: The Fever by Megan Abbott

The Fever

Written by Megan Abbott

Duration: 9 hrs 12 mins

Narrated by: Caitlin Davies, Kirby Heybourne, Joe Barrett

Story: 4 stars

Performance: 3.5 stars

Overall: 4 stars

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

“Hey, girl.”…“Hey, girl.”

Synopsis:

Life at Dryden High School is turned upside down when Lise Daniels collapses onto the classroom floor, overcome by a violent seizure. When Lise is suspiciously hospitalized and the health department arrives to investigate the matter further, questions surface as to what could’ve been the cause when two more girls appear stricken with the same condition.

Quick Byte:

This was a difficult review for me to write. Not because I didn’t enjoy The Fever by Megan Abbott. Quite the opposite really. I enjoyed The Fever very much. So much so, I found myself annoyed when life got in the way of me reading. However, I don’t want my review to ruin what makes this book so good in my eyes, the less you know…the better the journey. The Fever is dark, twisted and unnerving.

Although, I will say the book primarily focuses on the social dynamics of high school students in a small town, with two of the three points of view being that of teenagers. So if you have any aversion to those two elements, there is very good chance you might not like this book. If not, I highly recommend a dip into this neo-noir world Megan Abbott creates with expert precision.

As mentioned before, The Fever is told by three points of view and the audiobook is read by three different people. It took me a little bit longer to get used to the dynamic of three different voices, enjoying Caitlin Davies’s portrayal of teenage girls the most.

~Rina

Cover Reveal….Stripped Away by Ellis Carrington

Synopsis:

HE DOESN’T RECOGNIZE HIMSELF

David Moorehouse has spent his life hiding behind masks. Nice guy. Best friend. Reverend’s kid. After finding his father dead on the floor, he’s stripped of his job at the family church and his identity as the quiet, nice guy. The life he knew is over, and he doesn’t know what to do next.

HE KNOWS ANGER BETTER THAN ANYONE

Ricky Slade is itching for a fight. By the time he meets David, he’s struggling to save his business, his best friend, his drug-addict brother, and his own sanity. He’s got no patience for his business partner’s judgmental brother showing up and getting in his face.

Their angry heat turns into a fiery inferno, but Ricky’s fresh off a bad breakup, and David is getting guilt-tripped by his family and his ex. Every time they fight, they fall into bed, but will that be enough when things around them come apart?

Excerpt:

“You know—” Dave made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat. “Never mind. I don’t know what you’re talking about and I don’t want to know.” He threw his stuff in the rear of Ricky’s cab, then turned to jab a stiff four fingers into the center of Ricky’s chest. “Least we can agree on the dickhead thing. I mean, who shows up to a funeral with a firearm?”

Ricky didn’t show up to funerals at all when he could help it. Easier to avoid acknowledging death that way. “Need I remind, you tried to turn away your own brother? That sort of potential was exactly why I brought the thing.”

Ooh. Jumping jaw muscles and gritting teeth and everything now. “He’s only my brother by blood. I hardly know him.”

Ungrateful punk. “He’s the closest thing you got. He deserved to be at that funeral much as you did. ‘Sides, he was born first.”

Dave advanced on Ricky again, hot breath puffing and panting. “My mama’s heart can’t take that kind of shock. I was trying to keep the peace.”

Ricky matched the threat in Dave’s posture. “The person whose behavior was shocking, Church Boy, was yours.” He licked his lips slowly, grinning at the way Dave’s pupils got smaller and larger and smaller again, like he couldn’t decide whether lust or pissed-as-hell was winning in this fight of theirs.

Ricky himself had adrenaline swirling through his veins and a tornado in his belly. Man, this shit was better than a third ride on the Tilt-A-Whirl “I mean damn, any more heated and you and I coulda wound up going to the dirt right there in front of everybody. Bet that woulda really given your poor mama something to— fuck.”

David growled and gripped Ricky’s shoulders, hauling him front-first against the side of the truck. “Shut up. Shut the fuck up!” His breath beat harsh and ragged against Ricky’s ear.

With what air hadn’t been squeezed outta Ricky’s lungs, he laughed at Dave again. Was that the intelligent option? Hell no. This dude had the markers for being at least three colors of crazy. Ricky didn’t back down though, so he’d push until the other guy did.

Or until someone got hurt.

He’d have said no way could this guy kick his ass, not with his glasses and wiry frame, but Dave handled Ricky’s body with a reasonable amount of strength and know-how. Not enough for a total ass-kicking, maybe, but enough to impress. Speaking of impressive…. “If you think I’m gonna be intimidated by the anaconda you’re rubbin’ against my backside, Church Boy, you got another thing coming.” He sucked in a breath. “Gotta tell you though. If fucking in the parking lot is your thing, you really gotta give a guy some advance warning. I would’ve parked in an unlit area.”

Ricky’s most-likely unexpected response must’ve startled Dave into loosening his hands. Ricky twisted Dave’s arm and turned them both, pushing Dave’s back into the truck and Ricky’s fists into Dave’s chest. “See, that’s what I figured,” Ricky murmured with his lips a hair from one mother of a betrayed sneer. “Damn shame, too.”

Dave narrowed his eyes. “What’s a shame?”

Ricky smiled slightly, shaking his head. “You’re all bark, Church Boy.”

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Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer Return….Cowboy Take Me Away by Lorelei James reviewed by Selene

Read-Love-Blog’s Cowboy Summer RETURNS!

Happy Saturday and Happy First Day of Summer! Welcome to the return of Read-Love-Blog’s Summer of Cowboys!

I am SO happy to have my dear friend and guest reviewer, Selene, here every week for some cowboy loving fun!

She will be stopping by each week with a new review from the cowboy lovin’ Lorelei James’ books….totally delish! Enjoy!

Cowboy Take Me Away Review

by Selene

Synopsis:

The final Rough Riders book.
Settle in for the hot McKay romance that started it all…

The moment Carson McKay saw the sexy blonde at the dance hall, he wanted to throw her over his saddle and gallop hell-bent toward the closest church. Given his reputation as a lover and a fighter-not necessarily in that order-it wasn’t surprising she gave him the cold shoulder. But he hadn’t expected the mean right hook when he tried to steal a kiss.

Carolyn West might look sweet and innocent, but she’s no fool. The good-looking cowboy with the heart-stopping smile didn’t really want to marry her; he just wanted to take her for a test ride. But when he kisses her a second time, she doesn’t fight her burning attraction to him…until she learns he’s one of the McKay cowboys she’s been warned about.

Carson doesn’t care about the long-standing feud between their families; he knows that Carolyn was meant to be his. And the more intimate they become, the more Carolyn sees the real man behind the wild cowboy reputation-a man who wants the same forever kind of love she does…and who will lead her into a love story that spans fifty years.

Warning: Crazy, hot, sexy and sweet–good girl meets bad boy cowboy and they prove lust can last a lifetime.

Selene’s review:

Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. LOVE!

As a reader very invested in the Rough Riders series (I’ve literally read each book 3-4 times), I cannot think of a better way for the series to have ended. Rock ‘em, sock ‘em, Miz Lorelei James! Cowboy Take Me Away is funny, heartbreaking, nostalgic, endearing, shocking, and, without a shadow of a doubt, insanely friggin’ hot.

After being thrown from her husband’s horse and sustaining a serious head injury, Carolyn McKay is rushed to the hospital where she is placed into a medically-induced coma. Carson, feeling helpless and scared, refuses to let their children see her as it might risk her already dwindled health. Their five boys and one girl are none too happy about being denied their right to see their mother and this begins a trip down memory lane for the couple.

To say theirs was a whirlwind romance would be putting it lightly; Carolyn West and Carson McKay were putty for each other within minutes… and it couldn’t have been any sweeter! Some of the best (and worst) qualities of their offspring are very apparent in the couple we better familiarize ourselves with in this novel. And that overwhelmingly sexy charm oozing out of every single McKay is almost outdone by them wild West women! Since Tied Up, Tied Down, I had been chomping at the bit to see how Cal and the “blonde tornado” Kimi (brother to Carson, sister to Carolyn, and parents to the wonder twins Kade and Kane *growl*) got together. Miz James did not disappoint! Those two are truly some wicked scene-stealers.

I have to admit that reading this book was equal parts crying and trying to cool myself off from all of those shmexy downhome tumbles; to channel Carolyn’s Catholic upbringing… LORD HAVE MERCY!!! Woo. E. Now, Caro and Carson may not be quite as kinky as their rather inventive offspring, but they sure do know how to get the job done. And their tender moments have just as much steam as their, erm… rougher rides.

The pacing of this story also could not be more perfect. To be honest, I can never have enough sex scenes, especially by this author, but there are those break-your-heart moments, too… and plenty of them. Between memories where we get to see all of our favorite characters as youngins and the not-as-perfect-as-we-thought relationship between Carson and Caro, we also get to revisit spouses and extended family from prior books. One thing we the readers can always take away from this series is a strong sense of family.

To be able to see how it all started was such a pleasure and a privilege. This final chapter succeeded beautifully in bringing the story full circle and knowing that all of the characters the fans of this series have come to love are living their lives happily within this world, makes ours kind of… complete.

Five Loves

Buy links:

Amazon | B&N

About the author:

A bit about me: When I’m not squirreled away behind my laptop writing fun, sexy, contemporary erotic romances set in the modern day Wild West, I can be found reading everything under the sun, practicing yoga until I’m a pretzel, shootin’ my .22, watching the Professional Bull Riders tour on Versus, and running a kid’s taxi service, all in the guise of avoiding housework and rustlin’ up vittles.
Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.

Twitter | Facebook | Website

Above the Noise by Michelle Kemper Brownlow…Blog Tour Stop & Review

SYNOPSIS:

Becki Mowry’s journalism expertise keeps her busy as she spends her waking hours filling a calendar with gigs and public appearances for her boyfriend’s up and coming band, Alternate Tragedy. Radio interviews and TV spots result in sold out concerts and rowdy groupies hot for her guy; lead singer, Calon Ridge. But, as fame would have it, their time in the limelight also brings sabotage, rumors and false accusations. Becki and Calon try to stay steadfast on a personal journey that takes them to the depths of fear and uncertainty. And finally, the rug is pulled out from under the band when they must make a transition they never dreamed they’d be faced with.

In this third book of the In Too Deep series, Becki and Calon struggle to find balance as they navigate their new relationship while living amid the rock world’s nocturnal chaos. But when life’s unexpected obstacles come out of nowhere, they focus on finding their own private solace Above the Noise.

___________________________

My Review:

Michelle Kemper Brownlow has been blowing my mind since I read her first book, In Too Deep, and has continued pulling every emotional string I have since then…and Above the Noise was no exception. Sometimes I find by the third book in a series things kind of die down. How much emotion can an author possibly get from a reader? Well, if you’re Michelle, you can still get me to go through a box of tissues by the third book in a series. Damn, this book was amazing.

Calon and Becki are setting off on the adventure of a musical lifetime. Calon’s band is just starting to take off and in turn so is Becki’s career as their manager. Adding to that adventure is the beginning of Calon and Becki’s relationship…which starts out at an innocent pace but soon turns hot and heavy. From the very beginning though Calon and Becki seem to have what it takes to withstand crazy schedules, hot groupies and the stresses of being on the road. The bigger problem lies in the painful past Calon has had and having to watch his first love become sick and ultimately succumb to her illness. Those memories are hard to recover from but both Becki and Calon hope that what they’ve found will bring love back into his life. Unfortunately you know the saying “just when you think it can’t get any worse”, right? Life isn’t done throwing curveballs at Calon….only know he has Becki at his side to handle what life can throw at them.

We’ve known Becki from the very beginning of the series and have loved her since then. She’s tenacious and the best friend a person could ask for. She’s fun and loyal and is a gal I would love to hang out with. Calon is a freaking dream guy. It doesn’t matter that he’s an up and coming über talented rock star, he’s a gentleman first. Now, I’m not saying that their relationship is all flowers and sparkles, because it isn’t, but it’s a relationship that is strong and contains so much love.

As for the ups and downs Calon and Becki have to endure…oh my. I don’t want to spoil anything for you but I will say that these are very real and very relatable issues that anyone could have to shoulder in life and I think that is just one of the many reasons I enjoy Michelle’s writing so very much. Her books don’t have the billionaire with professional hit men coming after a character and car chases in cars that cost a year of college tuition. Her characters are real. Their problems are real. It’s all very relatable and it becomes a breath of fresh air. That being said, the breath of fresh air may be coming from your stuffed up nose because you’ve been crying your eyes out for the past few chapters but hey, you know I love that!

Now, if you know Michelle and follow her social media, you know music plays a huge part in her life…as well as in this book. Never before have I seen an author’s love for music transfer so beautifully into a story as it did in Above the Noise. It’s a gift Michelle has and it’s one that I truly appreciate.

Michelle, thank you for once again writing one hell of a book. I will continue to look forward to your work time and time again!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

PURCHASE
LINKS:

AMAZON ** B&N ** KOBO

EXCERPT:

“Becki!
Go! I don’t want you near this!” I turned back toward Max. I’d allowed my eyes
off him for way too long.

“This?
What is this about, Calon?” Max was a
dumbass for challenging me with semantics.

“You’re
hands all over Becki. That’s what this is
about, Max!” I motioned between us with my hand.

Just
then the beat of “Tsunami” by Dvvbs and Borgeous bounced the floor. The music
was so loud it’s all I could hear. Max’s mouth flapped, but I had no idea what
he said. I didn’t need to hear anything to read his cocky swagger as he walked
toward me or the two middle fingers he shot up when he got within reach. That’s
when it all went down.

Max
threw the first punch, seemingly in response to what he knew was coming his
way. He caught me in the jaw, and I heard Becki shriek my name, but my head
sprung back instantly, and my eyes locked on his. My fist connected with the
side of his head right at his temple, and I felt something in my hand crack,
but I felt no pain.

“Calon
James! Knock it the fuck off!” Becki’s voice was garbled, like it was coming at
me through liquid.

I
wanted to just leave with her and keep her safe, but the cocky motherfucker in
front of me needed to feel the line I
was drawing in the sand. He came at me again, this time he ducked and ran
straight into my chest with his head. I curled my arms under his and brought
them up violently and made contact with his chest with a deep thunk. I could
feel the hit reverberate through my forearms.
He staggered back, but his feet caught up with his body and he kept his
footing.

“You
think you’re such a fuckin’ hot shot, don’t you?” He was calling me the hot shot?

I
shook out the hand that hit him, and then ran it through my hair. I shoved the
other hand in the pocket of my jeans. “Are we done, Max?” I had to yell over
the music, and he was less than three feet from me. I drew my line. He needed
to understand his boundaries if we were going on tour together, but I didn’t
need to kill him. We could be done as soon as he got the point.

“Dude,
we’re done when I walk out the front door with Becki.” His lip curled when he
said her name, which sent a shock through my body I’d never felt before. I
could only imagine what went through his mind as her name rolled off his
tongue. We weren’t done.

I lost it and caught him in the head again
with my fist. No doubt, I felt that one. I took another shot and made abrupt
contact with his jaw then another. Becki was yelling, but I couldn’t make sense
of anything she said, the music was too loud. Someone grabbed me from behind
and pulled me back. “Dude, he’s not worth it, let’s bounce. C’mon, Cal, don’t
do this.” Spider, always the voice of reason.

I
nodded and wrestled my arms back from him. I took a deep breath and calmly
walked back over to where Max was crouched, trying to get up.

“Max,
you were out of line.” I crouched down in front of him and watched him wipe the
blood coming from his nose with the back of his hand. I didn’t want to
apologize. I wanted to continue smashing his head with my fist, but that wasn’t
how I wanted people to see me. “Stay away from her. She’s not yours to take.”

“And
I’m not yours to take either!”
Becki’s voice was loud and clear as the song ended. I stood and turned to her.
She didn’t say another word, but her eyes said it all. I’d disappointed her.
That revelation stung way worse than if she’d just punched me in the gut.

AUTHOR BIO:

Michelle Kemper Brownlow has been a storyteller her entire life. Her debut was on the high school cheerleading bus granting requests to re-tell her most embarrassing moments for a gaggle of hysterical squadmates.Earning her Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in Art Education and then marrying her very own “Jake,” she moved to Binghamton, NY where she taught high school. After having two children she quit work and finished her Master’s degree in Elementary Education at Binghamton University.The Brownlow family of four moved to Michelle’s hometown of Morgantown, PA while the children were still quite young. A few years after moving, her family grew by one when they welcomed a baby into their home through the gift of adoption. The family still resides in PA, just miles from where that high school cheer bus was parked.

Michelle has been an artist for as long as she can remember, always choosing pencils and crayons over toys and puzzles. As a freelance illustrator, her simple characters play the starring roles in numerous emergent reader books published by Reading Reading Books.

Stay connected with Michelle:

Visit my Author blog: MICHELLE KEMPER BROWNLOW

Follow me on Twitter: @MK_Brownlow

“Like” me on facebook: Michelle Kemper Brownlow/ Author

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