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Review….The Hunted One by Meg Collette

by Jilly

Book links:

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

The fallen have trespassed into Heaven for the first time in eternity. Prepared for battle, Michaela and her Archangels open Heaven’s gates to confront the fallen. Only, Michaela’s Archangels—her brothers and sisters in Heaven—betray her. And when the fallen attack the sanctuary in the skies through the gates Michaela inadvertently left open, the holy angels accuse Michaela of planning the invasion.

One simple mistake with a thousand consequences.

Dragged to Earth by an Archangel turned fallen, Michaela will do anything to return to Heaven and save it. In her fervor, she kills the Archangel—something no angel has ever done before. Wingless, without any hope, Michaela welcomes death when an unlikely human ally, Clark, finds her. With the help of Clark and Gabriel, an innocent Archangel whose friendship deepens into something far more torrid and unexpected on Earth, Michaela must prove the holy angels have their own plan for Heaven, and it is one that may prove to be the End of the Days.

It may be too late to save herself, but Michaela is the only one who knows the truth about the holy angels. If she fails, she may never be able to return to Heaven. But even that may be a hopeless dream.

My Review:

The Hunted One is the first book in author Meg Collette’s End of Days Series and one that piqued my interest immediately after reading the synopsis. It seemed like a new sort of twist on the whole Heaven and Hell story….well, it was….and it was awesome.

Archangel Michaela has been serving as General to the Archangels since the beginning of her existence. It was all she had ever known. She was charged with keeping things in line and balanced between Heaven, Earth and Hell. She was part of the elite force in Heaven and had her friends and fellow Archangels by her side. It was a job she performed with the utmost sincerity and respect. She thought she had done everything right until she found herself on the other end of horrible deceit and conspiracy. Deceit and conspiracy at the hands of her fellow Archangels…her friends. Suddenly, everything she had thought to be pure and true was tainted and she finds herself without her friends, without her wings, and without a clue on what to do next. She knows she has to do what she can to fight the forces of evil and save both Heaven and Earth but the problem now is that she is just Michaela….not the General Archangel. The remaining forces in Heaven are after, wanting revenge, and the forces in hell want to assure that she is destroyed as well. Her only hope is Clark, a human and part of a family line trusted to help the heavenly inhabitants. Will she have what it takes to regain the trust of Heaven, bring down the forces of Hell and save the human race? That’s a whole lot of burden to carry….

I always love stories surrounding Heaven and Hell and always enjoy reading each author’s unique spin on things. In this story, author Collette has given a darker side to characters we normally think of as good and it was exciting to read from the very first few pages. Michaela has been an upstanding member of Heaven and has never really had anything unsavory happen to her in all her years. Well, that poor gal was in for a really rude awakening. From the beginning she has so many obstacles to overcome and I was worried for her the entire book. She is being framed for some serious heavenly crimes and is being held responsible for unspeakable acts all thanks to her so-called friends. She finds help and friendship in Clark and I adored him! He is part of a bloodline of heavenly helpers, if you will, and really wants nothing to do with any of it. But, in the end, not only does he help Michaela when anyone else would walk away, he does it with bluntness and honesty. He had me laughing at the most inappropriate times because he said exactly what anyone would…even if it was a bit frank. He may win as my favorite character.

Now, I can’t give too much away here as to why Michaela was framed by her friends and what their end goal is but trust me when I say, there were more than a few “whoa” moments had when I was reading. This tale is woven beautifully with pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place until the end. Oh, and the end? Michaela gives one hell of a kick ass speech, which leads me to believe she will be on a path for revenge in the next book in the series (which I can’t wait to read!). Watch out, Team Evil….Michaela’s coming for you!

Thank you, Meg, for your unique spin on the good and the bad, Heaven and Hell….I enjoyed every minute and can’t wait for more!

Four Loves

About the author:

Meg Collett lives deep in the hills of Tennessee where there the cell phone service is a blessing andinternet is a myth of epic proportions. She is the mother of one giant horse named Elle and one giant dog named Wylla. Her husband is a saint for putting up with her ragtag life. End of Days is her first series, and trust her when she tells you that she hopes you enjoy it, because it has been a big pain in her #%&. Just kidding. Sort of.

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Website

ARC Review….Forever Wicked by Shayla Black

by Jilly

Forever Wicked releases January 14, 2014

Book links:

Kindle ~ Amazon print ~ Goodreads ~ 1001 Dark Nights

Synopsis:

They had nothing in common but a desperate passion…

Billionaire Jason Denning lived life fast and hard in a world where anything could be bought and sold, even affection. But all that changed when he met “Greta,” a beautiful stranger ready to explore her hidden desires. From a blue collar family, Gia Angelotti wore a badge, fought for right—and opened herself utterly to love him. Blindsided and falling hard, Jason does the first impulsive thing of his life and hustles her to the altar.

Until a second chance proved that forever could be theirs.

Then tragedy ripped Jason’s new bride from his arms and out of his life. When he finds Gia again, he gives her a choice: spend the three weeks before their first anniversary with him or forfeit the money she receives from their marriage. Reluctantly, she agrees to once again put herself at his mercy and return to his bed. But having her right where he wants her is dangerous for Jason’s peace of mind. No matter how hard he tries, he finds himself falling for her again. Will he learn to trust that their love is real before Gia leaves again for good?

My review:

Forever Wicked is a novella from author Shayla Black’s Wicked Lovers Series and is also part of the 1001 Dark Nights Series. A fan of Shayla’s and excited for this amazing novella series to start, I was thrilled to get an early copy of Forever Wicked. Well, let me say….Shayla has kicked off this series to one smoking hot start!

Jason Denning has many things. Tons of money and all of the material things that accompany having billions of dollars at his disposal. The one thing he doesn’t have and the one thing he really wants is his wife. He and Gia had met and married in a whirlwind affair and he had been looking forward to building a life together with her until her brother’s murder. After the tragedy, she had left him almost as soon as the ink on their Las Vegas marriage certificate had dried. And he had been thinking of her ever since. Now, armed with information on the reasons she left and the determination to get her back, he derives a plan. Surely Gia wouldn’t be able to turn down his offer and with a little bit of luck she would be wooed enough to stay with him. Forever.

To say Gia Angelotti is stretched thin would be a gross understatement. Besides the grief over her brother’s murder, helping her family and working as a police officer she had the guilt of leaving her new husband eating at her every day since she left him. Now it was too late though. It had been almost a year since she left him and certainly he’s moved on by now. Handsome and successful, Jason wouldn’t have sat around playing “she loves me, she loves me not” with a bunch of flowers waiting for her to come back to him. Imagine her surprise when, after all this time, he tracks her down and asks her to spend the two weeks leading up to their first anniversary with him. And being Jason, he makes her an offer she desperately needs and can’t turn down. The question is, what will happen when the two weeks ends….

It’s a good thing I read this book during the coldest week of the year…because the heat coming off of these pages sure kept me warm. Jason and Gia are in quite a stalemate in their marriage. Gia left Jason without a backward glance. Jason has been privately pining for her since she left. Both of them are unhappy. Their relationship isn’t conventional by any definition and I loved many things about it. They met at a BDSM club, married quickly and then ended up apart almost instantly. But that’s not what I loved most about it. What I loved most was that both Jason and Gia were willing to give their marriage a shot. Now, it wasn’t without a whole lot of struggles and there was certainly more than a little reluctance on both of their parts during the story but that’s where I grew to admire these characters. Both Gia and Jason were doing what they thought was best for their partners but in the end all it took was a little step back for each of them to realize they were both wrong….and it takes strong people to admit it. That’s what drew me to this couple. Of course, the ridiculously sexy scene in the department store dressing room and bathroom counter scene didn’t hurt.

Characters with numerous personality facets, hot chemistry and heaps of emotion make this novella a total win for me. Thank you, Shayla, for an amazing story and for kicking off the 1001 Dark Nights Series with a BANG!

Five Loves

About the author:

Shayla Black (aka Shelley Bradley) is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 40 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances produced via traditional, small press, independent, and audio publishing. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Shayla’s books have been translated in about a dozen languages. She has also received or been nominated for The Passionate Plume, The Holt Medallion, Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, and the National Reader’s Choice Awards. RT Bookclub has twice nominated her for Best Erotic Romance of the year, as well as awarded her several Top Picks, and a KISS Hero Award.

A writing risk-taker, Shayla enjoys tackling writing challenges with every new book.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

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Review….The Descent by Alma Katsu

by Jilly

Book links:

Synopsis:

The final installment in the “mesmerizing” (Booklist, starred review) and addictive trilogy—find out who truly holds the key to Lanny’s heart and whether she’ll ever be reunited with her beloved in this gripping supernatural tale of magic, lust, and longing.

Lanore McIlvrae has been on the run from Adair for hundreds of years, dismayed by his mysterious powers and afraid of his temper. She betrayed Adair’s trust and imprisoned him behind a stone wall to save Jonathan, the love of her life. When Adair was freed 200 years later, she was sure that he would find her and make her existence a living hell. But things turned out far different than she’d imagined.

Four years later, Lanore has tracked Adair to his mystical island home, where he has been living in self-imposed exile, to ask for a favor. She wants Adair to send her to the hereafter so she may beg the Queen of the Underworld to release Jonathan, whom she has been keeping as her consort. Will Lanore honor her promise to Adair to return? Or is her intention to reunite with Jonathan at any cost?

Of all the forces of the universe, the most mysterious, confounding, and humbling is the power of love. The epic story of love and loss, magic and destiny that began with The Taker and sparked a chase around the world in The Reckoning comes to a surprising conclusion with The Descent.

My review:

The Descent is the final book in author Alma Katsu’s The Taker Trilogy. After reading, and loving, the first two books I was beyond anxious to see how things would end for Lanny, Adair, Luke and Jonathan. Well, the ending was far better and more awe-filled than I ever could have imagined.

After being curiously spared from Adair’s wrath over his imprisonment, Lanny had lived the last four years peacefully with Luke. All was well until the nightmares began. Nightmares of Jonathan being tortured in the underworld. Lanny had been able to dismiss these for quite some time but now the dreams were more frequent and more violent. Fearing these dreams were Jonathan calling her subconscious for help, she knew she had to do something about it. Knowing full well there was only one person who could help her, she sets off to find that person. Adair. Her journey not only takes her to a secluded and remote island and to Adair’s home, but also to the underworld and to visits with many of the people and places that make up her past. The question remains, will she be able to find and help Jonathan before it’s too late or was this whole trip wasted effort?

I just finished this amazing book and I am still in awe over this series ending. I have had mixed emotions since the very first book between Jonathan and Adair and who, if either, were the right choice for Lanny. I was leaning heavily toward Adair but had a sneaking suspicion that he wasn’t to be trusted and that there were tricks hidden up his sleeve that would end up hurting Lanny. On the flip side, I was tired of Jonathan and his inability to love Lanny the way she had been longing for since, well, forever. Then there was Luke, the safe choice. I wanted to like him much more than I did, but he was just too vanilla for Lanny. More and more I kept pulling for Adair and I wanted so badly to believe he was honest in the astounding changes he’s made within himself. Almost right up until the end, I wasn’t sure of who was right for Lanny. My choice ended up being Adair. But was it Lanny’s? My lips are sealed.

Lanny’s journey into the underworld to rescue Jonathan was like a trip down memory lane and gave her a chance to revisit some of the characters we met earlier in the series. Some were good visits, and some painful. Peppered in between the chapters of her journey are snapshots of Adair’s earlier life and how he came to be the man he was today. Magic, alchemy and the occult all playing a part in shaping him. But one thing Ms. Katsu has done from the very beginning was subtly letting the reader know that nothing is what it seems…and oh boy, by the end of this story it was clear that what we had believed to be true was anything but. The ending threw me and had me dumbstruck…but in the best kind of way! Many secrets are revealed and puzzle pieces made to fit.

In a word? Brilliant.

This series is beautifully written with description that makes characters seem real and places seem tangible. If you haven’t read the first two books, I do recommend reading them before this final installment for you to truly appreciate the web of relationships that has been spun from the very beginning. Thank you, Ms. Katsu, for a trilogy that will stay with me for quite some time and for characters I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Five Loves

About the author:

Alma Katsu’s debut, The Taker, has been compared to the early work of Anne Rice, Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian and Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander for combining the historical, supernatural and fantasy in one story. The novel was named a Top Ten Debut Novel of 2011 by the American Library Association and rights have sold been in 16 languages. The Reckoning, the second book in the trilogy, was published in June 2012, and the third and final book, The Descent, will be published in January 2014. The Taker Trilogy is published by Gallery Books/Simon and Schuster and Century/Random House UK.

Ms. Katsu lives outside of Washington, DC with her husband, musician Bruce Katsu. In addition to her novels, Ms. Katsu has been a signature reviewer for Publishers Weekly and an occasional contributor to The Huffington Post. She is a graduate of the Master’s writing program at the Johns Hopkins University and received her bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University, where she studied with John Irving. She also attended the Squaw Valley Community of Writers.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

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Return to Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia….Blog Tour Stop, Giveaway & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Return to Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia Blog Tour!

I am beyond excited for this release!

Along with my review today, and the tour-wide giveaway, I have a set of the Poughkeepsie eBooks to give away to one lucky winner! Comment on this blog post to be entered to win. I will be picking a winner on Saturday morning (1/4)…..

enjoy and thanks so much for stopping by!

Book Links:

Synopsis:

Beckett Taylor is a murderer. His calling, his craft are destruction and intimidation—whether he wants it that way now or not. He left Poughkeepsie to keep his brothers safe, to keep Eve safe. Set up with happy lives to live, they’re better off without him, right?

But all his willpower crumbles when he hears his brother Blake’s frantic voice on the phone. An unknown enemy has moved in on his old territory, and Livia’s been taken. In an instant, Beckett knows it will take an attack only he and Eve can execute to bring her back. All his self-imposed embargoes are torn to shreds, perhaps along with the new man he’s struggled to become.

“Brother, call Eve. I’ll be there soon.”

In this emotional and action-packed sequel to Poughkeepsie, Debra Anastasia conjures a tale of love at its most raw and ragged. With Beckett and Eve, how could we expect anything less? But even when it’s messy, not magical, true love perseveres. Real love finds a way—for better or for worse until death does part.

My review:

Return to Poughkeepsie is the second book in author Debra Anastasia’s Poughkeepsie series and follows Poughkeepsie…..a book I adored so much so I got the tattoo (of course!). I have been DYING for this book and *dreamy sigh* Debra has done it again. It was amazing.

Ok…so you all know I don’t do spoilers and there is a whole lot I need to be tight lipped about, so bear with me here while I do my best to not ruin one single second of this kick ass book for you…..

Beckett Taylor has left Poughkeepsie behind…physically that is. There is no way he would ever be able to forget his brothers or Livia or Kyle…or Eve. He knows leaving was best for everyone, even if it still hurt like hell to be away from the only family he’s ever known. And don’t even get him started on missing Eve. He left his heart with her. He only hoped she had done what he wanted her to do and live a life without him filled with only the good things life had to offer. Not murder, death and deceit, which were the only things he could offer. He had settled in a small town and was doing the best he could, despite being a hardened killer. He still quietly kept tabs on Poughkeepsie and had been hearing there was a new player in town trying to take over his former “businesses” in the area. As long as nothing got too crazy, Beckett didn’t mind what was going on in the underbelly of society there. Yep, things were going ok until he gets a phone call from Blake. That phone call would change his life. Livia had been kidnapped and Beckett knew he had no choice but to go home and save his family. Yes, he was still a wanted man. Yes, he knew if he saw Eve his heart would break all over again. No, there was no way in hell he wouldn’t do whatever it took to get his brother’s wife back.

The crime-filled mess Beckett has to dive head first into to get Livia back was a way bigger and more “organized” mess than he ever expected. One his Eve was somehow a part of, too. Now, they’ve got to work their ass-kicking magic together to bring down a problem much bigger than just the kidnapping. But there’s nothing Eve and Beckett do better than kick ass and take names.

Hold on, I’ve give my fingers a stretch here, they are a bit cramped….I have just finished reading this book, you see, and I swear my hands practically crushed my eReader from the death like, white-knuckled grip I had on it while reading. Talk about one hell of a ride! I don’t think I can even begin to list all of the emotions I experienced while reading this book. Even if I did, it wouldn’t do this book justice. Equally gut wrenching and tender, hard assed and feather soft, Debra rocked my world. This book was a lot grittier than Poughkeepsie, and very fitting as it centers on Beckett and Eve. They are both just as wounded and dark as before but seeing their emotions in depth was so heartbreaking. If ever two wounded souls needed one another, these two are it. I love Beckett and Eve. They both had really awful lots in life and are the products of that. The amazing quality about them is that even though they have seen and been a part of so much darkness and pain, they have true emotions and are capable of such love…even if it is buried deep. Two broken pieces that make up an imperfect whole…but a whole nonetheless.

Blake and Livia are even more amazing than before…even through the horror of the kidnapping. The tender moments between the two of them reminded me of exactly why I adore them and their unique and beautiful relationship.

Cole and Kyle….broke my heart. Cole is just so freaking amazing and with every scene I grew to love him more. His words to Kyle are full of his love for her. He is real and wise and speaks from his soul. Kyle is the same feisty and foul-mouthed girl I love but shows a soft side that was humbling to read. I honestly love these two…big time. They are going through an exceptionally rough time in this book and I cried my eyes out more than once for them. My lips are sealed, but trust in Debra that she gives them happiness in the end….doesn’t she always?

Oh, and the even better thing? There’s another Poughkeepsie book in the works! Yep, if you didn’t already know, we will be getting book #3! *happy dance*

Now, I hope I was able to convey how amazing this book was without giving anything away. Debra wrote one hell of an emotional, pulse pounding book and it’s one that you deserve to experience first hand without knowing what’s coming next….truly, it’s a gift to read a book like Return to Poughkeepsie.

Thank you, Debra, for giving us more Poughkeepsie. Thank you for making me laugh, cry, gasp and smile like only you can do. Love you, girl! (and my tattoo loves you, too!)

Five Loves

My Poughkeepsie tattoo

Blog Tour New Releases New Reviews

About the author:

Debra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There’s dinner, the dogs, the two kids, and her violent IBS–which is under control thanks to medication except for occasional multi-tonal farts. Her first love and crowning achievement is her thriving career as the weirdest mom on the block.

Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when–along with the animals and humans in her house–the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra’s ear. Insomnia was the gateway to plots that wouldn’t give up, wouldn’t let go. Now they stalk her everywhere. Halfway through making lunches, a twist takes hold and–fingers full of peanut butter–she finds somewhere, anywhere to write it down.

She’s eternally grateful to Omnific Publishing, which has now published four of her books: two in the Seraphim Series and two in the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood Series, as well as her novella, Late Night with Andres. That one is special because 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. (So go get it right now, please!) She also very much appreciates her open-minded readers, who embrace everything she has to offer, with a focus on anti-heroes and bathroom humor.

Debra lives in Maryland with her family. You can find her at DebraAnastasia.com and on Twitter @Debra_Anastasia. But be prepared…

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Reaver by Larissa Ione…ARC Review & Giveaway

by Jilly

It’s Friday the 13h, one of my favorite days of the year and it’s only FOUR more days until Reaver by Larissa Ione releases!

I thought why not do something fun on this favorite day and to go along with my review?

So, in honor of that Reaver, that sexy angel, and because Larissa is awesome, I have THREE signed copies of Larissa’s Rogue Rider to give away!

Two copies are ARCs with a different cover than the mass market paperback, which is pretty cool if you ask me. Oh, and this contest is open internationally!

I hope you enjoy my review and thanks so much for stopping by!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ IndieBound ~ Powell’s ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

WARRIOR OF HEAVEN

Reaver is an angel with a past, a record, and a less-than-heavenly attitude. Powerful enough to fight alongside the fiercest battle angels-and crazy enough to risk his wings on a one-way mission to hell-he’s agreed to go where no angel has ever gone before…to steal the most seductive and dangerous prize of Satan himself.

ANGEL OF HELL

Harvester is one of the Fallen, a once-heroic angel who sacrificed her wings to work as an undercover agent in hell. But now her cover has been blown, and she’s been doomed to an eternity of agonizing torture. Even if Reaver can snatch her away from Satan’s lair, even if they can fight their way out of the underworld’s darkest depths, there is one thing Harvester can never escape-her newfound thirst for an angel’s blood…

My review:

Reaver is the fifth book in Larissa Ione’s Lord of the Deliverance Series and is also the tenth book in her Demonica Series. As some of you may know, I absolutely adore this series. It’s one of the series I will continue with as long as Larissa writes it and one that I will always recommend. I have been chomping at the bit to start this book and holy book gods in booktopia…..this book was truly amazing.

There are mysteries solved in this book as well as many secrets revealed…so I am going to do my best to give you a review without spoiling anything. Trust me, you would be mighty angry if I did because there are some major “WHOA” moments you need to experience for yourself. Okay, here goes nothing!

Reaver, the badass angel with a rebellious streak a mile wide, is a man on a mission. A mission he never would have thought he’d be on. Once again he will be breaking the rules set by the Heavens but this time, the stakes are much higher than they ever have been. He is going into enemy territory to rescue Harvester. The enemy being Satan’s lair, of course, and Harvester being the Fallen he has an extreme love/hate relationship with. Having been robbed of his memories, he had no idea what connection they shared, just that they shared one. What he learns about their connection had rocked him to his core and he knows, at the very least, he owes her this rescue and to be returned to safety. Many questions arise when his decision is made to go find her. Will they survive the journey back from the underworld? Will she agree to let him help her? What will she think when he tells her the truth of what they once were? That last question is the one that will plague Reaver and worry him most.

Harvester has pretty much accepted her fate in the underworld as the torture plaything for Satan. After she had been ousted as a traitor and spy, she knew it would happen. And yeah, it sucked but she knew what she was getting involved in when she volunteered to fall all those years ago and watch over the Horsemen. She would do it all over again for the angel she once loved and the one she made an oath to. The memories of that angel, Yenrieth, were the only things keeping her somewhat sane during the endless hours and days of torture. Memories were erased of Yenrieth so she was lucky that she still had any at all, even if she could never see his face. She had given up on ever getting out of this (literal) hell until Reaver shows up…to save her.

In the end, getting out of the underworld may not be the hardest journey for Reaver and Harvester. There’s five thousand years worth of history they will need to sort through and with the possibility that they shared more history than either one had imagined, putting up with Satan may be less complicated. Oh, and there’s also the itty-bitty problem of an impending war between Heaven and Hell. Yeah, lets just say the odds are stacked against them from the word GO.

I literally just finished this book ten minutes before I stared this review and I’m sill in awe of everything I just read. Larissa has blown my mind. I was already in love with Reaver from the previous books. On the flip side, I hated Harvester until the very end of Rogue Rider, the last book. Reaver was amazing in this story. His resolve and determination from start to finish is beyond anything I’ve read. He adapted to every twist and turn and proved himself a worthy warrior on the side of good. Harvester is beyond damaged, emotionally and physically, and broke my heart. When we finally learn her history and why she agreed to fall, oh my….she now goes down as one of my favorite heroines. She has a whole lot of rough exterior to break down and it was poignant when she showed her vulnerable side. Luckily Reaver realized what a gift that was and tried his best to handle her with care. As I had said earlier, there are MANY twists and surprises I never saw coming. Wow. Just wow. Larissa threw some zingers in this story that blew my freaking mind and I loved every single one! Oh, and the fight between Heaven and Hell is reaching a fevered pitch and had me on the edge of my seat until the last freaking chapter! Well done….

Oh, and I can’t go without mentioning how great it was to see our Demonica friends…Eidolon, Gem, Wraith, to name a few and of course the Horsemen and their other halves. Than talking about a play date between his kid and Wraith’s was priceless! The humor peppered into the story from these guys and enjoying their sibling bond was a treat to read.

And so here we are, at the end of my long, somewhat vague review and if you can take away one thing this should be it: BUY. THIS. BOOK. It was everything I was hoping it would be and ended exactly how I wanted it to for Reaver and Harvester (lips are zipped up tight!)

Thank you, Larissa, for an amazing, emotional, edge-of-your-seat, kick-ass read. You have done it again!

Five Loves

Giveaway:

December 2013 Giveaway New Releases New Reviews

About the author:

Air Force veteran Larissa Ione traded in a career as a meteorologist to pursue her passion of writing. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

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The World Without a Future by Nazarea Andrews…Blog Tour Stop & Excerpt

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on The World Without a Future by Nazarea Andrews Blog Tour.

I am beyond excited to have an excerpt to share with you today as well as the tour wide giveaway information.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

The World Without a Future by Nazarea Andrews

December 2013

Book links:

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

She was born the day the world ended…

Nurrin has lived her entire life with zombies—trapped behind walls meant to keep them safe. She’s mostly happy there. But when a zombie horde breech the walls of her Haven, she has to trust her brother, Collin, and his best friend to keep her alive.

He just wants his past to die…

Finn O’Malley has given up on voicing warnings that are ignored. No one cares that the zombies are changing. Now all that matters is keeping Collin and Nurrin safe from what’s outside the walls of a Haven. But when Nurrin’s best friend picks up a contact infection, he agrees to get the medicine needed to save his life. Forced together, relying on each other in a strange Haven, zombies aren’t the most dangerous thing they’re facing.

Excerpt:

The black man takes a half step forward, but Lori stops him with a single hand. Neither says anything to me as I escort Nurrin out of the tiny room. Another fight has started, and I drag her into the crowd, tugging her until her back is pressed against my front. She’s stiff and furious,

her breasts heaving under the material of her dress. “We can’t leave—Lori is watching, and it’s safest if we enjoy the Underground before we make a departure.” “So we’ll watch men pummel each other until Lori loses interest?” she hisses. It’s the first thing she’s said since we entered the Underground, and I’m pleased to hear how steady her voice is. “Unless something else in the Underground captured your interest,” I say. She inhales sharply, licking her lips. My dick hardens, and there’s nothing I can do to keep it from her, not with her pressed against me. I’m not willing to let her go. “What the hell, Finn?” she whispers, furious. “Chemical reaction, Ren. Nothing to worry about.” My words are dismissive, my tone condescending, but she twists, staring at me with curious, probing eyes. I see a question in them, but I don’t have an answer, and if she keeps staring at me, her lips inches from mine, I’ll kiss her and the consequences be damned. “Eyes on the fight, little girl,” I murmur.

Giveaway:

Nazarea is giving away a really awesome prize! The grand prize winner will receive a zombie survival kit and 25 edited pages of the manuscript and swag — with notes from Nazarea. A runner up will receive the zombie survival kit and swag. This contest is US only.

Blog Tour December 2013 New Releases

About the author:

Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog.

Site – http://www.nazareaandrews.com/

Blog – http://www.nazarea-andrews.blogspot.com/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/NazareaAndrews

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nazarea-Andrews/43623123516

“The Infects” Street Team – https://www.facebook.com/groups/427502530700422/

Review…Tinsel My Heart by Christi Barth

by Jilly

Tinsel My Heart Links:

Synopsis:

Becca Huntley’s produced the Lyndale Park Players’ over-the-top Christmas show for ten years. It’s a beloved Minneapolis tradition, and the theater’s main fundraiser. But this year’s production is in danger of being canceled when their director disappears into rehab. Good thing his directing partner steps in to save the day. Except for the minor fact that he hates everything about Christmas.

Jack Whittaker wiped this town off his shoe with his graduation tassel and never looked back. But duty compels him to fulfill Tyler’s promise to direct the show. Even though it means working with Becca, the girl he always wanted, lost to Ty, but never forgot.

It’ll take more than a few handfuls of tinsel to soften Jack’s heart toward Becca’s favorite holiday. Steamy kisses that melt the snow right off his boots are a step in the right direction. They’ll both discover that Christmas is about making each other’s dreams come true. But will it require sacrificing their chance at a happily-ever-after together?

My review:

Tinsel My Heart is a holiday novella by author Christi Barth and is part of the All I’m Asking For: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology. I adored this read and, in fact, it may actually be my favorite work from Christi!

The pressure to put on the Lyndale Park Players’ annual Christmas show and fundraiser has never been greater for Becca Huntley. And of course, this is the year that the show may not go on. In an attempt to raise money for a new home for the LPP, they decided to make this year’s show into a DVD to sell. Ty, her childhood friend and famous movie director, agreed to donate his time and make it happen. Now, only a few weeks before LPP needs to make the move to a new home and have their funds raised, the director ends up in rehab. At a loss for what to do next, Becca is shocked when Ty’s directing partner and also a childhood friend, Jack Whittaker, comes to the rescue. Figures that the guy she’s had a crush on since a kid and the biggest Grinch she’s even known would be here to help. Becca’s new mission is to change Jack’s mind about Christmas and try to keep her old feelings at bay…..the latter of those two not looking promising.

Jack Whittaker couldn’t believe the mess he was in now, thanks to his best friend and business partner Ty. He never wanted to step foot in his hometown again, especially at Christmas. Now, facing all of the bad memories of being made fun of all through his childhood, he has to direct the annual Christmas play. He was going to kill Ty when he gets out of rehab. The only saving grace in this whole mess is that he would be working with Becca. The girl he’s had an insane crush on for as long as he can remember. Seeing her again may be the only thing that keeps him sane during this Christmas hell. Seeing her again also makes him realize he has to tell her how much she means to him and how much he needs her. She’s the one that could thaw out his frozen heart.

This story was fantastic from start to finish. They backstory between Ty, Jack and Becca really added to things. The way they were the three amigos when they were kids was a layer to the story that I enjoyed. I loved that Becca and Jack had a mutual hidden attraction for years and finally have a chance to act on it. Becca is a loyal and caring gal with a big heart for the ones she loves. I admired how much she put into making this show work. Jack was a tough nut to crack, if I do say so myself. Not that I didn’t love him from the very beginning, but in that Becca sure had her work cut out! He is also loyal and kind to the people he holds close which is at odds with the gruff exterior he displays. I fell in love with him even more when we learned about his childhood and how rough it was for him growing up in a small town and being labeled a poor kid. It absolutely broke my heart. Becca, knowing how difficult it was for Jack to be back, was there for him and it was beautiful to see them reconnect but in a much deeper way than they ever had….and it was sexy and hot and oh-so-delicious! Oh, and the ending scene? So. Freaking. Perfect!

I highly recommend this holiday read. So, grab some hot cocoa, sit by the fire and enjoy! Thank you, Christi, for a heartwarming story!

Five Loves

All I’m Asking For: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology Links:

December 2013 New Releases New Reviews

Synopsis:

Put love on your wish list

This Christmas, the producer of a small-town holiday spectacular is swept away by a handsome Hollywood director. Being stranded in a snowstorm offers a couple a second chance at a future together. And an American in London helps a brooding Brit put the ghosts of Christmas past behind him. Wherever you are, however you celebrate, this collection of three festive novellas will bring warmth to your holiday season.

Edited by Angela James, this anthology includes:

Tinsel My Heart by Christi Barth
Season of Second Chances by Brighton Walsh
Mine Under the Mistletoe by Kat Latham

Stories also available for purchase separately.

About the author:

Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage.

A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance.

Christi is President of the Maryland Romance Writers and lives in Maryland with her husband.

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

December 2013 New Releases New Reviews

ARC Review…Out of the Ashes by Diana Gardin

by Jilly

Out of the Ashes releases December 12

Goodreads

Synopsis:

Out of the frying pan and into the fire…

Paige Hill is discovering who she is again after losing everything she loves in a tragic fire. She’s endured a long road to recovery with the help of her best fiend Gillian and is finally beginning her life again: college, a job, and a blossoming love she never even saw coming.

Clay Forbes is the notorious campus playboy. He’s a star athlete, a senior architecture major, and the only son in a family with power and money back in his hometown. When he crashes into Paige, his whole perspective on life shifts, and his world as he knew it becomes nonexistent. He’s wrapped up in her.

They’re both learning how to love, but Clay’s ex-girlfriend Hannah won’t make it easy for them. She puts a target on Paige’s back, and won’t stop until she’s derailed their budding romance once and for all. Who will be left standing after the ashes settle for the second time?

My review:

Out of the Ashes is the first in a new series from author Diana Gardin and a book I really enjoyed.

After a horrific fire took her entire family from her, Paige Hill enrolls in college with her best friend and is trying her best to live her life. The scars that mar her skin have healed pretty well, but the scars that mar her soul will never go away. It’s those emotional scars she wants to keep buried deep. Keeping people at a distance is always a safe bet but when Paige meets a gorgeous soccer player at the beginning of the semester and, after spending more and more time with him, she finds herself wanting to share her secret pain. Can this gorgeous, blue-eyed soccer jock look past her scars and grow to love her? Not if his vindictive ex-girlfriend has anything to say about it….

Running into the beautiful stranger at the bookstore has been on Clay’s mind for the last few days. Never had he been so affected by a girl before. On a mission to find out who she is, he’s surprised when she turns up at a party at his apartment. Turning on the charm he’s known for, he can’t help but feel that she’s special and she won’t be like any other girl he’s ever been with. With her shy smile and her understated beauty, he knows he will do whatever it takes to gain her trust and her heart. Now he just has to make sure his ex-girlfriend knows it’s over between then for good.

Paige and Clay have more than a few obstacles in their way. Paige’s family tragedy, Clay’s hateful ex-girlfriend, raw emotions and navigating a new love are just a few of them. They have found something special, but will it be strong enough to withstand all that life throws at them?

Ok, so I will say it now: this book has a cliffhanger ending. Now, I don’t mind them but I know a lot of people do. If you’re one of them, I suggest waiting until the second book comes out and read both books back to back. That being said, the ending had me gasping and my eyes bugging out when I read it. Not in a bad way….quite the opposite. It was a huge twist and I loved it. Paige has been through so much and I admire her will to live and to pick up her pieces and move forward as best she can. Clay is so amazing with her and treats her exactly how she needs to be treated. He is really in-tune with her needs and emotion states. He’s gentle, loving and kind but knows when he can give her a little push. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow. Paige’s best friend, Gillian, is a friend anyone would be lucky to have. She’s strong and loyal and is the rock Paige needs at her lowest moments. Clay’s has two close friends that also some great people. However, the ex-girlfriend, Hannah, is a raging psycho and tormented poor Paige. I wish I could hunt her down and give her a piece of my mind. Grrrrr. All of the relationship building and ups and downs leads us to an ending I never saw coming. Whoa. Diana really shocked me and I loved it!

Overall, Out of the Ashes is an enjoyable story about new love, letting go of the bad and letting in the good and overcoming the worst life can throw at you. If you don’t mind the cliffhanger ending, I definitely recommend this book. Thank you, Diana, for a fabulous story. I cannot WAIT to see what book #2 holds for us!

Four Loves

About the author:

Books are my passion. Whether I’m writing them or reading them, they have always been a big part of my life. As an adult who just entered my thirties, I realize that it’s something I can’t live without, and what I really want to do for a living every day. It’s, for me, the job that doesn’t feel like work. So now, I’m proudly able to say that I’m a crazy wife, a worrywart mama of two, and a passionate writer. Love this life!

Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Website

Book Tour December 2013 New Releases

Theatricks by Eleanor Gwyn-Jones…Book Tour

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Theatricks by Eleanor Gwyn-Jones Book Tour! My stop today includes the playlist for Theatricks as well as information on the tour-wide giveaway.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

Title: Theatricks

Author: Eleanor Gwyn-Jones

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction/Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: December 3, 2013

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis

Enna Petersen has never been good at making personal decisions, particularly when she has to choose between her passions. As a theater director, the stage is her world, the spotlight her vitamin D, the waft of greasepaint her oxygen. However, when her handsome American businessman boyfriend proposes and paints the picture of a luxurious life in Pennsylvania, she has to tear her heart in two and give up on her theatrical dreams.

But as she navigates the visa gauntlet at the US embassy in England, she meets Will, a charismatic, erudite actor who encourages her to not give up on her dilapidated and much beloved theater. She is torn, tormented by the thought that her departure will certainly lead to Ashtead Theatre’s demise, but she follows her heart, says goodbye to her homeland, and begins her new role as Cole’s fiancée in America.

However, homesickness soon strikes. Enna longs for the English countryside, her theater, and the passion that Will has inspired in her. After her American dreams fall apart, she is reunited with all three back in the UK, and with Will’s help, she soon finds her theater more successful than she ever thought possible. She has everything she’s ever wanted, including a gorgeous man in her bed to share it with, so why is it she can’t stop thinking about Cole?

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Tour-Wide Giveaway

Playlist:

About the Author:

Eleanor Gwyn-Jones lives in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but originally hails from Surrey, England. Huzzah! She studied biology at Southampton University before taking to the stage as an actress, agent and administrator of a touring theatre company. She performed in theatres, studios, schools and festivals across the British Isles before moving to the States. It was whilst visa-dangling and unable to take on acting work that she started to write and decided she far preferred it to anything else in the world! In 2008, Eleanor started her own ‘at home’ business to afford her more time to be with her ‘book babies.’ Now she spends her time writing by day and teaching ladies to look fabulous at night. She is a travel junkie—it’s research, darling, research!—a gourmand, a yogi, a sometime blogger and she adores her family and friends beyond all measure. She is currently putting the finishing key strokes to the sequel to Theatricks, due for release in 2014.

If she weren’t writing, she’d like to think you’d find her in Downton, The Paradise, or having a goblet of wine with Tyrion in King’s Landing.

Connect with the Author: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Out of Time by Jen McLaughlin….Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Out of Time by Jen McLaughlin Blog Tour!

I am beyond excited to share my review with you and my Finn tattoo!

I’m also thrilled to share Jen’s AMAZING giveaway! The grand prize winner will get to help name a character in book 3 of the series, and will get their name in the acknowledgement section of the book! How exciting is that!?

Also, to celebrate the release of OUT OF TIME, book one in the series, OUT OF LINE, will be just .99¢.

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

Buy links:

Out of Time: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Out of Line (book #1): Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Follow the rest of the tour HERE

Synopsis:

Desperate to keep him…

I’ve finally gotten everything I ever wanted: love, freedom, happiness, and, most importantly, Finn. Our love is everything I expected it to be and more. We’ve finally found each other, but the world seems determined to tear us apart. We thought my father was the only obstacle between us, but now it’s the military. With Finn’s departure looming, we’re squeezing in every moment together before we run out of time.

Trying to make every moment count…

Being Carrie’s bodyguard was one thing. Being her boyfriend is another. Every day she’s mine is a day the sun shines in my life. Yet our time together is running out. Her father will never think a tattooed Marine will be good enough, so I’ll do whatever it takes to be worthy of her love. But the road will take me away from the girl who makes me feel alive–the girl I can’t live without.

Time only gets us so far…

My review:

Out of Time is the second book in Jen McLaughlin’s Out of Line Series. After falling completely in love with Carrie and Finn in the first book, Out of Line, I was beyond eager to get my hands on this book. Well, it was everything I could have dreamed of…and more. I loved, loved, loved this book.

Carrie and Finn have overcome the obstacle of Finn being Carrie’s bodyguard and are enjoying their newfound love. Well, they’ve sort of overcome that whole bodyguard thing. Carrie’s father, a senator, still has no idea their relationship went from professional to personal. They plan on telling him, eventually, but now the more pressing problem is Finn’s role in the Marines. He’s gotten an ominous call and fears he will be deployed much sooner than he thought. Fearing he will upset her if he hides what little info he has about leaving, he has no choice but to tell her what may be in store. Finn sees an upside to this mess when he’s given the chance of a lifetime in the form of a special mission. One that will hopefully improve the senator’s view of him and ultimately the senator’s view of him as someone worthy of dating Carrie. Now, the only thing left is to just enjoy the possibly limited time they have left together. Of course, that’s when her father decides to come for a surprise visit. Now the question becomes will it be the Senator’s visit or Finn’s choice of a mission that will threaten their relationship more….

As some of you may know, I completely adore this series. So much so that I deemed it “tattoo worthy”….and got a Finn tattoo. Well, I was a nervous wreck waiting to read this book. I had an idea from the message Finn got in the last book that he would be leaving Carrie. Well, between the waiting game and Carrie’s dad visiting, I didn’t think my emotions could get any more chaotic! I was a ball of nerves from one page to the next but then I would get to a Finn and Carrie moment and I would just swoon and give a happy sigh. The heat and passion between them is scrumptious. I adore these two. I don’t know of many book couples that I enjoy this much. Finn is just, well, the perfect package. Loyal, caring, sweet, sexy and so in love with Carrie he is the perfect guy. If he didn’t already win my heart in the first book he would have won it in this one. His love for Carrie is so intense and so real. I just adore that man! Carrie is once again a girl with quite a head on her shoulders and really shows it at the very end of this book. She knows what she wants and will do what it takes to make it happen for her and Finn. The navigation from Carrie’s POV to Finn’s POV is so well done and makes his book that much better, which I didn’t think possible.

The ups and downs Carrie and Finn have to deal with in the beginning of the story are nothing compared to what they go through right before this story ends. Get tissues handy. Not a few tissues, a box of tissues. I was a complete and utter mess by the time I finished reading (I’m actually tearing up as I type this review). Not all sad tears though….there were tears of joy and relief after all the sad tears. I won’t give anything away, but I will say I would never recommend a book that ended badly….so you’ll just have to trust me on this.

Jen writes emotion so damn well. It’s raw and beautiful and makes the reader feel everything Carrie and Finn are feeling. It’s a rare gift and I appreciate every moment of it.

After all my blubbering, if you take one thing away from this review, it’s that you MUST get this book and if you haven’t read the first in the series, read it….and then read Out of Time. I am waiting on pins and needles for the next book and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Finn and Carrie. Thank you, Jen, for another amazing read and for a book dedication that still has me smiling from ear to ear! Heart you, girl!

Five Loves

My Finn tattoo!

Giveaway:

Jen is giving away 4 $10 Amazon Gift Cards and an amazing grand prize! The grand prize winner will get to help name a character in book 3 of the series, and will get their name in the acknowledgement section of the book! Contest is international.

If the book happens to hit the top 10 on amazon during the blog tour, there just might be another special surprise in the works for the fans!

Blog Tour December 2013 New Releases New Reviews

About the author:

Jen McLaughlin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She writes steamy New Adult books for the young and young at heart. Her first release, Out of Line, came out September 2013. She also writes bestselling Contemporary Romance under the pen name Diane Alberts.Since receiving her first contract offer under the pen name Diane Alberts, she has yet to stop writing. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Website ~ Facebook Fan Page ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads