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You Again by Ashlee Mallory….Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

You Again

by: Ashlee Mallory

Release Date: 3/24/14

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis:

A hopeless crush…

Back in high school, Allie McBride thought the sun set around Sam Fratto’s smiles, even if they were only friends. Now she’s older, wiser, hotter, and teaching at the same school they grew up in. When Sam joins the faculty, she has a chance to make good on the crush that got away. But when a dead body turns up on school grounds, they realize there might be a murderer in their midst. The heat keeps getting hotter between Allie and Sam, but more might be in danger than their hearts…

The cute kid from high school is all grown up…

A family crisis brings true-crime writer Sam Fratto back to town after more than a decade’s absence. Teaching at his alma mater seems like a good way to pass the time—especially when he sees that Allie, the geeky, sweet-mannered girl from high school, has blossomed into the saucy teacher in the classroom next door. Too bad finding a dead body transforms his return into one of his true-crime books come to life. And when it seems the killer might be after Allie next, it’s up to him to keep her safe…

A killer determined to keep the past buried at any price…

As if dealing with the return of one ghost from her past wasn’t enough, it looks like the killer might be the person they least suspected. Someone from the past. Someone with something to hide. Someone who thinks Allie and Sam are getting a little too close to the truth. If Allie and Sam are going to get out of this alive, these two friends to lovers will have to work together…or die together…

My Review:

You Again is the first book by author Ashlee Mallory that I have read and from start to finish I really enjoyed this suspenseful romance!

English teacher Allie McBride cannot believe he’s back. Sam Fratto. The one and only huge crush she had devoted her entire high school career to pining over from afar. He was smart, handsome and a star soccer player back then and everything a girl wants in those teen years. Of course now, he was just as desirable. Still handsome and even more sexy. And also a bestselling true crime author. SO it was a little bit shocking that he was here, back in their small hometown, offering to take up some of the English classes from a recently retired colleague at her school. As if Sam being back wasn’t emotionally jostling enough, a body has been found on the school grounds. The body of their beloved high school English teacher who had gone missing 14 years earlier. Allie soon finds herself working with Sam on trying to solve the mystery of what happened to Mr. Williams and also finds herself working on trying to squelch the attraction she thought had died out so many years ago….

Sam knew the beautiful blond looked familiar but he just couldn’t place her. Now being back at his old school and seeing she was on the faculty here with him, he figured out who she was. The shy, fresh-faced sweet underclassmen he had fond memories of working on the school paper with back in the day. She had turned into quite a stunning woman now and he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Determined to give a memorial to Mr. Williams, he offers to help her along the way and try to find out the truth of what happened to one of his favorite teachers. Will he also find more than an old friendship with Allie along the way?

The mystery surrounding the death of one of the kindest and well respected teachers in their alma matter will not only bring many suspects and scandals to life but will bring two people closer than they ever had imagined.

The suspense in this murder mystery had me guessing from the very beginning. The subtle hints that author Mallory dropped throughout were really well done and all came together in beautifully in the end. All the thoughts I had were validated when the pieces of the puzzle started fitting together. The story was well thought out and had more to it than just a murder. There was plenty of deceit, cover-ups and even infidelity, all leading to a “whoa” ending. The relationship between Allie and Sam built beautifully and believably along the way… something I really appreciate in a romantic suspense.

All in all, this was a very entertaining and suspenseful story with a juicy plot and unexpectedly devious characters. I enjoyed it from start to finish and will be putting author Mallory on my list of authors to watch for!

Four Loves

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Entangled

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Author Bio:

Ashlee lives with her husband, two kids, a dog, and cat surrounded by the majestic mountains of her hometown of Salt Lake.

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, she always wanted to know what it was like to live on the other side of the mountains. In college, she interned a semester in DC and later attended law school in Syracuse, New York, where she also ventured to Israel for a summer semester. After graduating law school with a taste of what it’s like living in the bigger world, she moved back home to Salt Lake and took the Utah Bar Exam, got married, and settled in with her hubby and two wonderful kids. After a few more years in the legal realm, she grew restless and turned her pen to one of her first loves—writing stories.

Currently, when she’s not working the day job as in-house counsel, she spends her time with the family and squeezing in writing time—anything to avoid the housekeeping. Just kidding, honey!

She writes with romance and humor at the heart of every story—and a healthy dash of mystery and suspense.

Hopefully she pulls it off.

Email: Ashleemallory7@gmail.com

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Blog Tour Four Loves March 2014 New Releases New Reviews Romantic Suspense

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Gabby Revealed by Amy Gregory…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Gabby Revealed Blog Tour!

Title: Gabby Revealed (Finding Perfect #2)

Author: Amy Gregory

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: March 25, 2014

Event Organized By: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis

Gabby James didn’t have the idyllic childhood many in her little hometown of Renlend, Kansas had. High school was a living hell, but when she graduated she couldn’t bring herself to leave Renlend. The town was her prison, but her family’s bookstore, The Looking Glass, was her one true love. It was the place she could run to, and escape the prying eyes of the ones who taunted her.

Shane Compton was a literary agent in one of the most prestigious publishing houses in New York City. He found no greater rush than finding the next big talent, someone who could take the written word and turn it into an art form. In the span of one rude phone call Shane was drawn into the mystery of just who the fiery new author from Kansas was. When everyone else in the office refused to deal with her, Shane willingly accepted the challenge. There was no logic to the madness, but every time he had contact with her, she drove him wild.

Gabby tried every trick in the book to keep Shane at arm’s length, but he had made good on his promise to come to Kansas. He wanted to pull her out of anonymity, he wanted her in the public eye. Now here he stood, on the sidewalk in front her bookstore, and one look told her he was everything she was afraid he’d be. Too bad she was anything but who he thought she was.

Gabby quickly discovers Shane has more on his mind than just books and with a little help from an ornery matchmaker, he shows her a whole new life through her looking glass.

My review:

Gabby Revealed is the second book in author Amy Gregory’s Finding Perfect Series. I read and enjoyed the first book but had been dying to get my hands on Gabby’s story. We met Gabby briefly in the first book and there was something about her that I knew would make a great character. Well, I wasn’t disappointed…this book was amazing.

Gabby James has come to terms with small town life. Well, as much as a girl that had been tormented by the “in-crowd” all through high school could be. The thing was, if she could have moved out of this town, she would have been able to let it all go. But she could never leave this town because this town held the very thing she loved the most….her book store. Within the shelves of this store, among the typed pages, she could let go of those years of hurt and live in her own skin. Sure she still had to deal with the uppity mean girls when they came in from time to time to buy the latest bestseller from the current most popular author, but she could deal with them because she had a secret. A secret that kept her smiling inside and giving those mean girls the silent “eff you” every time she sold one of those best selling books from that über popular author. It’s also the secret that lands literary agent Shane Compton on her doorstep. The same agent she’s been trying to keep firmly outside of her emotional barriers for the last five years. Now that he’s here, she realizes she’s in big trouble and in danger of those very carefully erected walls to come crumbling down.

Lit agent Shane Compton was always up for the challenge and the chase of finding the next big author. He’s found more than a few but the one he is most proud of, and the one he’s determined to meet, is the one he’s travelling to small town Kansas to see. She has piqued his interest for the last five years he’s worked with her and as crazy as it sounds, he’s pretty much resigned to that fact that he’s fallen for her. A woman he’s never seen in person. But he knows her and he knows her amazing mind. He also knows her smart mouth and somewhat abrasive personality…a personality he truly adores. Now, standing on the doorstep of the address the checks have been coming to, he can’t believe his eyes. The beautiful storeowner was one in the same as his amazingly talented and smart-mouthed author.

In reality, they’ve known each other for years. They’ve talked on the phone millions of times and know a lot about one another for the most part. But meeting in person for the very first time proves to be life changing for Gabby and Shane. The feelings that have Shane convinced that Gabby is worth moving across the country to be with are the same feelings that had Gabby running for the hills and hiding behind the hurt she suffered years ago. Will Shane have what it takes to convince Gabby that love is worth taking a chance on? Because Shane is convinced what they have is real and worth everything.

Before I start the (probably) long-winded part of this review, I just have to say that I’ve been talking about this book to anyone who will listen since I finished reading it two days ago. Oh, how I loved it!

As I said earlier, there was something about Gabby that had me anxiously waiting for her story. She was the broken butterfly. The kind-hearted artist that just wanted to see the good in life and was knocked down at every chance. A victim of the mean girls in high school, Gabby tried for years to get over all of that hurt…but just couldn’t. It was always there, that nagging feeling of unworthiness. I hated that she felt that way. But as much as I hated what those girls did to her, I had to thank them because they turned Gabby into an amazing person. Yes, she’s foul-mouthed and far from sweet and fuzzy, but damn that’s why I loved her. I am not a fan of the fluffy heroines so Gabby had me from the very first time she called Shane a jackass. I want to go out and share a beer with her…cause she’s so awesome. I relate a lot to her because I’m not a warm and fuzzy gal myself (seriously, just ask Mr. Read-Love-Blog, he’ll tell you).

As for Shane? Damn. That guy paid such careful attention to all of Gabby’s personality traits for five years and when he shows up in person, she has no case against why they can’t make it work. He knows her inside out and backwards before they even laid eyes on one another. And he’s got a fight in him that kept going. He’s amazing and just what Gabby needed when she needed it most. What a catch he is!

I also have to mention (and give a shout out to a certain 4^th grade teacher for having tissues in her room at school) that there was a part that had me crying my eyes out. If you know me, you know I love that and that just added to how awesome this story was for me.

Amy, thank you for Gabby. This story is one that will stay with me for quite some time and one I will continue to recommend!

Five Loves

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Purchase Links

Gabby Revealed: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Mike’s Way Back: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

When asked ‘when do you have time to write’, Amy Gregory simply laughs. The real answer is, “in bits and pieces”. She and her husband live in Kansas City with their three fantastic kids that keep them running in three very different directions. Because she sits so much, she always carries a notebook with her at all times.

She has an off the wall, snarky, off the cuff sense of humor that often shocks even those who’ve known her for years. And she loves that her children have all been blessed that ability to make others laugh as well. At least she’s grateful most of the time! Her husband often teases her about how she “makes this stuff up” when he’s reading a piece of her work. … The answer—“it just comes to me when I’m typing”. Scary thought, huh!

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

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Blog Tour Contemporary Romance Five Loves New Releases New Reviews

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Pretty Reckless by Jodi Linton…Blog Tour Stop, Review & Bonus Guest Post

by Jilly

She’s dead-set on giving one bullheaded cowboy the boot.

Pretty Reckless

by: Jodi Linton

Release Date: 3/24

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis:

Welcome to Pistol Rock, Texas where everyone knows secrets last about as long as the sporadic west Texas rain showers.

Laney Briggs has long been considered reckless by the denizens of her hometown, but she’s finally turned it all around—she’s happily engaged to the local veterinarian and she’s become a Pistol Rock deputy sheriff. Everything’s fine and dandy—until a dead body turns up and her ex, Texas Ranger Gunner Wilson, decides to stick his boots into the town’s first murder case. Of course, the troublesome cowboy’s rugged good looks and T-shirt-straining muscles are already leaving Laney knee-deep in hot water, but she’ll be damned if she lets Gunner trample all over her turf. She’s decided that, instead of conflict, she wants a contented, steady life with her vet—a life in which Gunner Wilson and his seemingly endless ability to undermine her resolve and her libido plays no part. Still, it’s hard to keep her head as forbidden sparks ignite and suspicions arise between old rivals and old flames. And when the bodies start to pile up, Laney has to ask the lethal bad boy for a hand—and a truce in exchange for his help. But after uncovering the pack of lies surrounding not only her job but her heart… Having an ex-boyfriend as an ally might not be the best idea, but it’s certainly the most reckless, and Laney has always been pretty reckless…

My Review:

Pretty Reckless is the first in author Jodi Linton’s Deputy Laney Briggs Series and really sets us up for what I think will be a great collection!

Sherriff’s Deputy Laney Briggs is used to the slow and somewhat boring country life in a small southern town. She’s been able to get past a pretty hurtful breakup and is adjusting to life as the fiancée of the town’s veterinarian. Life is pretty good. For Small Town, USA, that is. Things take a turn for the worse when there’s a dead body found up on one of the big local farms. Suddenly everything is turned upside-down. Not just because there’s clearly been a murder, but because her ex is now here working the case with her. He’s a Texas Ranger and is assigned to help on the case. A distraction she doesn’t need especially when this turns into a real humdinger case of who-done-it. The murder turns out to be the tip of the iceberg and Laney uncovers a huge case of debt, drugs and deceit. The likes she never thought she’d see in her small town. Add working alongside her sexy as sin ex and digging up all sorts of feelings she’d like to leave behind, and this may prove to be the hardest case of Laney’s life.

Whew, talk about a mystery that had me on the edge of my seat until the end! Laney sure had her hands full from the very beginning and with so many colorful townspeople and viable suspects; she had her work cut out for her. That poor gal was put through the ringer in this book but I loved that she never gave up…or even thought about quitting. One of my favorite parts of this book though was Jodi’s ability to write a small town that I truly felt a part of. The characters were described with such great detail that I loved some of them, hated others and laughed with many of them. I think this is a great start to the series and feel like we have a great foundation for the series to come.

Thank you , Jodi, for Pretty Reckless! I’m looking forward to what’s in store for Laney in the future.

Four Loves

Goodreads | Amazon Buy Link | Barnes & Noble Buy Link | EP Book Page

Guest Post from Jodi:

THE MAKING OF DEPUTY LANEY BRIGGS.

Often I’m asked how I came up with Laney Briggs. It’s a long story, so I’ll give the condensed version of it for now.

When we first moved to Austin from north Texas, my husband and I found ourselves thrust into a big city with small town charm. I worked various temp jobs for several months since having a bachelor’s degree in history really didn’t get the plum pickings in the job department. When it came down to the writing part of this story, I didn’t actually start typing away on the computer until I became pregnant with my first child. After several failed attempts at trying to complete a manuscript, I shoved writing aside and focused on raising my son for a few years.

Then, one day I decided to try my hand at writing again.

For the most part, the series started out with a brainstorming session I had with my husband. As I was in the middle of writing a manuscript (which will never see the light of day), I hit a wall and decided to trash the project until I could find my writing muse again. In the end, my husband suggested that I should write what I knew, and that was…Texas. My inner cheerleader wanted to shake her pom-poms when the name Laney Briggs popped into my head.

After that, it all sort of fell into place.

I grew up in a small town, so I knew the language and the fun peculiarities of small town people. Within days of that conversation with my husband, I had a clear vision of who my protagonist would be. There she was, a sassy female sheriff deputy whose sharp tongue could outwit any hunky cowboy.

Now if you want the longer version of the story, buy me a cold one if we ever cross paths later on down the road, and we’ll sit down for a spell.

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About the author:

Jodi Linton grew up across the street from a cow pasture, where she was more likely to be seen selling Kool-Aid in a Dixie cup at ten cents a pop, or inviting neighbors over to watch one of her plays staged on her father’s Bass boat.

In 2001, she traded in the rednecks, cowboys, and mesquite trees of her hometown to chase destiny out west. After a few years of mucking it around with the roughnecks, dust storms, and droughts, she decided to dust off her boots and head home. With a History degree in one hand and a marriage license in the other, she followed her husband in 2006 to central Texas the heartland, fabulous Austin.

After settling into the Texas Hill Country with her husband and two kids, she joined the Austin Romance Writers of America, and signed with The Belcastro Agency. Today she can be found cozied up to the computer escaping into a quirky world of tall tales, sexy, tight jean wearing cowboys, and a protagonist with a sharp-tongue quick enough to hang any man out to dry.

Twitter: @JodiLinton1 | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter

Blog Tour Four Loves March 2014 Mystery New Releases New Reviews

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Chasing Serenity by Eden Butler…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Eden Butler Blog Tour!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy my review of Chasing Serenity a much as I enjoyed reading it!

Synopsis:

Graduate student Autumn McShane has had her share of heartbreak. She’s been abandoned and betrayed and she lost her beloved mother in a tragic car accident five months ago. That loss damaged her body and fractured her spirit but she’s learning to recover, until her ex-boyfriend returns to town, intent on making her life miserable.

Declan Fraser hates her ex as much as Autumn does, but the last thing she needs is to put her trust in the hands of another man, especially one like Declan: his hard body and lulling Irish accent makes more than a few girls weak-kneed. The talented rugby player is rude and sarcastic, with tattooed, muscular arms and a cocky attitude, but he’s the only one who can help Autumn win an ill-advised bet that, if lost, could cost her more than she’s willing to pay. The reluctant alliance between Declan and Autumn stirs up cravings she doesn’t want to admit, but Declan is a hard man to resist.

Just when Autumn starts letting down her carefully constructed walls to the sexy bad boy, he betrays her when she needs him most. Autumn suspects Declan has secrets, and she is determined to uncover what drove him away from her, even if that means fraternizing with the enemy. But will the truth return Declan to her arms or add to the scars on her heart?

My review:

Chasing Serenity is the debut work from author Eden Butler and a debut that completely blew me away. I was drawn into this story from the very first few pages and loved every minute of this book.

Autumn McShane’s life was forever altered five months ago. Since that night, she has slowly been rebuilding herself since the tragic accident that took her mother’s life and almost took hers. Maybe it would have been easier to rebuild with the help of her family, but she didn’t have that. You see her father had left her and her mother years earlier and now that her mother was gone too, she only had her two close friends to rely on for the strength needed to rebuild. They had been there for her not just through the death of her mom and her rehabilitation but also through the devastating breakup with her boyfriend. Although boyfriend seemed to be a trivial term for what he had been to her. He was the rugby captain, gorgeous and pretty much consumed her. Autumn thought she would be with him forever. So, when you add all of the loss Autumn had experienced together, it’s a wonder she was able to get out of bed each day. But the things she loved managed to drive her. Her town, her home, her friends, her love for the game of rugby….they mattered. Imagine the crippling effect having her ex show up back into town was. Even more is that he seems hell-bent on making her life even more miserable when he tries teaching one of his new rugby teammates, Declan, a lesson in humility after he drunkenly groped her. Like she needed the headache of the tattooed, ill-mannered, ruggedly handsome rugby player. It’s a good thing she wasn’t attracted to him. Nope, not even a little bit. (Lie.) Between her ex trying to win her back and her unwelcome feelings toward Declan, Autumn sure has her hands full. The problem is, with each day that passes she becomes more lost to Declan….

Declan hasn’t found much to like since coming to this fecking school…except, of course, rugby. That will always be a bright spot no matter what the situation. Unexpectedly, the feisty red-head he groped while being three sheets to the wind turns out to be another bright spot. Even if she wants nothing to do with him and keeps pushing him away. He was never known for giving up on something he wants. And he wants her. The question is, is she worth all the heat he keeps taking from the rugby captain, aka her ex-boyfriend. Without question he knows….yes. Yes, she is.

Their relationship starts out with a one-two punch but what starts out as two people very much at odds with each other turns into so much more when they both acknowledge the magnetic ties that pull between them. And when they finally do acknowledge that pull? Oh my….

I get a lot of blog tour requests these days. I do as much as I can and if I can’t read the book that’s touring, I at least try to host some other sort of post. After all, it’s what I love doing! But every once in a while a book comes along that I just HAVE to read and review. I will rearrange my schedule and squeeze it in. This is one of those books. Oh man, I loved it. So much so that I ordered the paperback for my bookshelf. There is something about these characters that pulls you in from the very beginning and keeps you glued to the pages until the very end….and even after. Delcan is freaking insanely delicious. He’s kind of a jerk with a gruff exterior but you just can’t help but love him. His mannerisms are at odds with his prickly banter and good Lord I loved that about him. He was barely leashed at times and I so wanted to see him let go and devour Autumn with all of the intensity he felt for her. He’s sexy and brooding and tattooed and 100% alpha male but with a huge heart. The total package if you ask me! Autumn is one of the strongest heroines I’ve read. She has been through so much within the past year and I felt terribly for her at times but her spirit was so resilient. From the beginning, I knew no matter what she faced, she would overcome and she did…in spades. Now, there is quite a twist toward the end that I never saw coming and it had me a crying and worried mess. I won’t give anything away but remember my mantra: I won’t suggest a book that ends badly!

As I sit here and type this review I am missing Declan and stopping my typing from time to time to have a dreamy sigh moment. I hope that’s an indication as to how much I loved this book!

Thank you, Eden, for Chasing Serenity. I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us next!

Five Loves

Buy Links:

Chasing Serenity Amazon | Chasing Serenity Barnes and Noble

Behind the Pitch Amazon | Behind the Pitch Barnes and Noble

Giveaway:

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About the author:

Eden Butler is an editor and writer of New Adult Romance and SciFi and Fantasy novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum. Her debut novel, a New Adult, Contemporary (no cliffie) Romance, “Chasing Serenity” will launch October 2013.

When she’s not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden edits, reads and spends way too much time watching rugby, Doctor Who and New Orleans Saints football.

Links:

Blog Tour March 2014 New Reviews

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You Again by Ashlee Mallory…Book Tour & Spotlight

by Jilly

You Again

by: Ashlee Mallory

Release Date: 3/24/14

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Synopsis:

A hopeless crush…

The cute kid from high school is all grown up…

A killer determined to keep the past buried at any price

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Entangled

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Bio:

Ashlee lives with her husband, two kids, a dog, and cat surrounded by the majestic mountains of her hometown of Salt Lake.

Currently, when she’s not working the day job as in-house counsel, she spends her time with the family and squeezing in writing time—anything to avoid the housekeeping. Just kidding, honey! 😉

She writes with romance and humor at the heart of every story—and a healthy dash of mystery and suspense.

Hopefully she pulls it off.

Email: Ashleemallory7@gmail.com

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Book Spotlight Book Tour March 2014 New Reviews

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Tame Me by J. Kenner…ARC Review

by Jilly

Tame Me releases March 25

Pre-Order links:

Synopsis:

Aspiring actress Jamie Archer is on the run. From herself. From her wild child ways. From the screwed up life that she left behind in Los Angeles. And, most of all, from Ryan Hunter—the first man who has the potential to break through her defenses to see the dark fears and secrets she hides.

Stark International Security Chief Ryan Hunter knows only one thing for sure—he wants Jamie. Wants to hold her, make love to her, possess her, and claim her. Wants to do whatever it takes to make her his.

But after one night of bliss, Jamie bolts. And now it’s up to Ryan to not only bring her back, but to convince her that she’s running away from the best thing that ever happened to her—him

My review:

Tame Me is the first Blue Box Special in the 1,001 Dark Nights Series as well as the first story in author J. Kenner’s Stark International series, a spin-off of her Stark Trilogy. Talk about kicking off a series with a sexy and steamy bang. This novella was incredible!

Jamie Archer has decided it was time for a new plan. Her current situation wasn’t working for her anymore and she really needed a change. She was tired of not being happy with the girl looking back at her in the mirror. She wanted to ditch her sex-as-a-temporary-fix-for-a-permanent-problem ways. She wanted to mean more to herself and find out who she truly was. The first step in her plan was leaving L.A. and heading back home to Texas. With her mind made up and just about ready to set out on the road there was on thing that she hated thinking about leaving behind. Ryan. Deliciously sexy, he was the only man she had wanted, but never acted upon. Now he’s the one thing keeping her on the fence as to whether she should leave or stay.

Ryan Hunter has watched Jamie for quite some time now. He knows her habits, her ways, her inner fire…he knows her. He also knows he wants her with a desperation that he has never felt toward any woman before. The only problem was she wasn’t used to keeping a guy around past a romp or two between the sheets. And if there was one thing Ryan was sure of, it was that he took her to his bed, he would be staying around. For a very long time. Now, he just had to convince her to stay. Not just here in L.A., but with him.

Ryan and Jamie have an undeniable chemistry and one that cannot be ignored…with a little bit of convincing; Ryan just may be the only “plan” Jamie needs.

Dear all things hot and holy…this story was scorching! I devoured it in one sitting and was so sad I read it that fast. I will definitely need to go back for a re-read. The heat between Ryan and Jamie is blazing and builds at a delicious and delectable pace. Ryan is 100% alpha and makes no bones about telling Jamie exactly what he wants from her and hot damn, it is wonderfully detailed and beyond super sexy. I admired Jamie and her quest to find out more about herself. She is also a witty and sassy gal, which I loved. She gave Ryan quite a run for his money and the chase was indeed a whole lot of the fun. Together they make a scrumptious pair and totally balance one another out both in the bedroom and out. Hard and soft, stubborn and yielding…they really are a beautifully equalized couple.

Thank you, Julie for one hell of a steamy and sexy read! I can’t wait to see what the Stark International Series has in store for us.

Five Loves

About the author (from the author website):

As Julie Kenner, I’ve written in multiple genres, including romance, young adult, urban fantasy and paranormal mommy lit (have you met Kate from my Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series?).

As J.K. Beck, I write dark, sexy, gritty paranormal romantic suspense that USA Today raves is a “hot, alluring fantasy ride.”

Finally, I write emotionally charged erotic romance as J. Kenner. Book 1 & 2 of the Stark Trilogy, Release Me, and Claim Me, are New York Times and USA Today bestsellers. Book 3,Complete Me, is coming soon!

(The complete Julie Kenner/J.K. Beck/J. Kenner booklist is here.)

In other words, my stories cross all sorts of genres–paranormal mommy lit, dark and gritty paranormal romances, steamy erotica, edge-of-your-seat suspense, contemporary romances, demon-filled urban fantasy, young adult novels, and more (even screenplays!)

Make yourself at home on the site, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, drop me a line at juliekenner@gmail.com

Here’s an official bio (scroll down for the unofficial one!):

Julie Kenner (aka J. Kenner and J.K. Beck) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations,” J.K. writes a range of stories including super sexy romances, paranormal romance, chick lit suspense and paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, is in development as a feature film with 1492 Pictures.

Her most recent trilogy of erotic romances, The Stark Trilogy (as J. Kenner), reached as high as #2 on the New York Times list and is published in over twenty countries.

J.K. lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and several cats.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

March 2014 New Releases New Reviews

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Sweet Ruin by Nazarea Andrews….Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Sweet Ruin by Nazarea Andrews Blog Tour!

Synopsis:

It’s good to be on top… Asher Knox has it all. Girls, wealth, a career most would kill for. He’s just landed the biggest job of his career. And he’s miserable.

She’s fighting her way from the bottom… Megan Beauchamp has no illusions about why she was chosen to be Asher’s PA. She’s pretty, and down to earth, and everything the Hollywood star always falls for. Too bad Megan is just paying her dues and has no interest in anything but advancing at her PR firm.

He’ll throw it all away…Luca James knows what he wants. And he’s waited a long time for the window to open—when it does, he’ll walk away from the career he’s built for a chance at something real.

When Megan’s boss threatens to fire her, Luca and Asher convince her to leave town with them. Between bad hotels and pit stop confessionals, the three are drawn closer together. And the lines blur even more in Branton, where Megan is forced to look at everything she left behind. But when the boys want more, Megan will be forced to choose between the men she loves and the life she thought she wanted. And in a town like Branton, the secrets she keeps won’t be hidden for long.

Warning: for mature audiences. Two sexy men + one sassy heroine = hot sex.

My review:

Sweet Ruin is the third book in author Nazarea Andrews’ University of Branton Series. I have loved this series since the first book and let me say, Nazarea has really turned up the heat with this latest installment!

Megan Beauchamp isn’t a fool. She knows she has to work extremely hard if she ever wants to make it big in the PR firm she works for and handling celeb heart-throb Asher Knox is definitely the hardest job yet. But if anyone is an expert at handling Asher, it’s her. She isn’t like all the other women in his life in that she doesn’t let his status affect her. Sure, he’s gorgeous and sexy with a killer accent, but she knows him inside out and backwards and knows he’s really just an ordinary guy. An ordinary guy with a huge crush on her. Luckily for her, she isn’t interested in all the headaches that comes with relationships. What she needs to do is focus on her career. Sometimes that’s easier said than done.

Heart-throb Asher Knox has it all….except Megan. He’s rich and famous and über successful in Hollywood but he can’t help but be falling hard for her. She’s ignored his advances thus far but things have a funny way of working out sometimes and when Knox sees a chance at getting Megan away from all the glitz and glam, he knows he needs to take this chance for what it’s worth….the chance to make her fall for him.

Luca James has been in sort of limbo for too long. He’s best friends with Megan and would love to take it to the next level…but he wants more. He craves a different type of relationship, one he’s sure Megan wouldn’t be into. She’s already mentioned in the past that she doesn’t like to share….which is exactly what he does like. Will he ever get a chance to show Megan that sharing could be better than she’s ever imagined?

Fate, however, seems to have a plan for these three and sets them on a trip that will change them all…forever.

Excuse me for a minute while I cool down a bit. Whew, this book was by far the hottest and sexiest of the University of Branton Series. I, of course, enjoy a break from the vanilla every once in a while and this was just delicious. The chemistry between Megan, Asher and Luca was there right from the start and I can’t say who I would have chosen if I had to pick between Luca and Asher. Megan definitely had a tough choice but luckily she didn’t have to choose between them. *wink, wink* Again, this is definitely the sexiest of the Branton series and it was a nice departure and addition!

And of course it was a treat to see my fave Branton professor and other cast of characters I’ve grown to love!

Thank you, Nazarea, for letting us visit Branton again! It will always be one of my favorite towns and I will look forward to reading more of your work in the future!

Four Loves

Buy Links:

Amazon ~ Paperback ~ Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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 ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Blog Tour March 2014 New Reviews

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Rock It by Jennifer Chance…Blog Tour Stop & Review

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Rock It by Jennifer Chance Blog Tour!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy my review….

Book links:

For gals who love bad boys and musicians, Jennifer Chance brings ROCK IT,

the first novel in Rule Breakers, a sizzling New Adult series published by Random House’s LoveSwept imprint.

Want to learn more about ROCK IT? Be sure to check out this exclusive interview with Jennifer Chance!

Synopsis:

Jennifer Chance unleashes her hot new series with the tale of a smoldering rocker and the fangirl who catches his eye—and finds herself living out her wildest dreams.

Lacey Dawes is a total pro at the talent agency where she works, and it doesn’t hurt that IMO Worldwide Media represents Dante Falcone. The rock god has starred in her fantasies since she was sixteen—and remains her secret crush to this day. So when Dante picks her to be the interim manager on his Dream It tour, Lacey can’t believe her luck. Handling Dante is sure to be the most exquisite, spine-tingling, nerve-wracking mix of business and pleasure ever.

Although Dante is grateful for the adoring fans who scream for one more of his full-throttle, soul-searing songs, being surrounded by a cadre of corporate types backstage is wearing thin. Then Lacey shows up. Yeah, she’s organized, smart, quick to get him what he wants before he knows he wants it—but Dante senses there’s something else going on with sweet, sexy Lacey. One kiss tells him what that “something” might be . . . and makes him hungry for more.

My Review:

Rock It is the first book in author Jennifer Chance’s Rule Breakers Series and kicks it off with an enjoyable start.

Lacey Dawes’ career as a PA in a major talent agency has really been amazing thus far. She’s doing everything she could have dreamed of and when the chance to work with major star Dante Falcone is dropped in her lap she can hardly believe it. I mean he’s been her crush for as long as she can remember. She knows everything about him from way back when he was a little known teen idol to now…one of the most sought after stars in music. Sure, she’s beyond thrilled to be working with him but if she’s being honest, she’s pretty terrified too. But she knows she will be able to keep things on the most professional of levels and will be able to bury her screaming-fan-girl-ish crush, right? Turns out that is way easier said than done when she starts working with Dante. How is it possible he could be even more amazing in person? Oh, she was in so much trouble.

Dante Falcone is thankful every day for his fame and success. He has everything he’s dreamed of and is always working at getting to the next level in his career. But there’s always been something missing. He can’t quite figure out was it is, exactly, until he meets Lacey. There is something about her that draws him in. It’s almost like he’s met her before. But surely that can’t be true. He would remember someone as beautiful and refreshing as she is. Still, he can’t get her out of his mind. What better way to keep her around than to insist that she’s the one he wants to head up his latest tour and projects with his new talent agency? Nothing has ever been out of reach when he sets his sights on it, and Lacey is no exception.

I’m always a sucker for a Rock God meets fresh-faced girl story and Rock It totally delivered. Dante is the ultimate rocker with a soft side and big heart and the desire to find love and Lacey totally fits that bill. One of the things I liked best about Lacey was her very real reactions when she’s around Dante. Her plan of being professional and composed completely fly out the window and more often than not she ends up fumbling over her words and actions because, let’s face it, wouldn’t you if you had to work with your ultimate celeb crush? I know I would! It’s those reactions that made her a very endearing character and one I really enjoyed reading. And the chemistry between Dante and Lacey is totally scrumptious!

I am looking forward to more in this series and to see where Jennifer takes us!

Three-and-a-Half Loves

Follow the tour and win some awesome prizes!

Prizes:

An iPod Shuffle (open to US entrants only, if international entrant is chosen they’ll receive a $50 gift card to the eTailer of their choice). Additionally, Random House is sponsoring the tour with a $50 e-giftcard, and swag including a Loveswept mug and tote (open to US entrants only).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Jennifer Chance

I come by romance honestly, having spent several years writing adult romance and entering romance contests through Romance Writers of America–including finaling twice in the prestigious Golden Heart contest and winning once. But despite these and other contest wins, my first published novel came not in adult romance, but as a writer of YA historical fiction (you can read all about my Elizabethan spy girls stories, the Maids of Honor, here.)

Still, despite my love of Elizabethan spies, I could never quite give up those super Alpha contemporary romance heroes. So, in the summer of 2013, I decided to see if perhaps I might still have a romance or two up my sleeve.

I wrote a tale about a girl whose biggest high-school and college crush–a rock star–suddenly becomes her biggest client, only now she has to be professional and not betray the fact that she’s completely in love with the guy. It was a fun, sexy, romantic fantasy, and I suggested the idea to my agent… who asked what other ideas I had in addition to this story. Shortly after, the Rule Breakers series was born.

To separate these books from my historical work, I adopted the name Jennifer Chance. I am now pursuing my dreams (pretty much round the clock as it turns out) and am THRILLED to be able to have four e-books coming out in 2014 and early 2015, all with Random House LoveSwept’s New Adult romance line.

As to what will happen from here, who knows? But as long as there is a story to be written and an HEA to be had, I’ll be the one over in the corner, tapping away on my keyboard.

Connect with Jennifer at her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour March 2014 New Reviews

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Sex on the Beach Blog Tour Stop & Reviews

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Sex on the Beach Blog Tour!

I have two reviews to share with you all as well as information on the tour wide giveaway…

thanks for stopping by!

A note from the authors:

Dear Reader,

Prepare yourself for Sex on the Beach, a trilogy featuring BETWEEN US (Jen McLaughlin), BEYOND ME (Jennifer Probst), and BEFORE YOU (Jenna Bennett). Three separate novellas. Three different authors. One literary world. Read them all, or just read one. It’s up to you! No matter which route you choose, these standalone novellas are sure to satisfy your need for sizzling romance and an emotion packed story.

GOODREADS LINKS:

BEFORE YOU ~ BETWEEN US ~ BEYOND ME

Book links:

Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis:

I’m just a girl…

I’m a famous country star who’s spent her life cultivating a good girl persona to avoid bad press, but I’ve reached my limit. I’m going away for spring break with my two best friends from college, and we’ve vowed to spend the vacation seeking out fun in the sun—along with some hot, no-strings-attached sex. The only thing I needed was the perfect guy, and then I met Austin Murphy. He might be totally wrong for me, but the tattooed bad boy is hard to resist. When I’m in his arms, everything just feels right.

And I’m just a guy…

I’m just a bartender who lives in Key West, stuck in an endless cycle of boredom. But then Mackenzie Forbes, America’s Sweetheart herself, comes up to me and looks at me with those bright green eyes…and everything changes. She acts like she’s just a normal girl and I’m just a normal guy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. My past isn’t pretty, you know. I did what I had to do to survive, and she’d run if she learned the truth about my darkness. But with her, I’m finally realizing what it’s like to be alive. To laugh, live, and be happy.

All good things must come to an end…

My review:

Between Us by Jen McLaughlin is the second novella in the Sex on the Beach Series. Being a huge fan of Jen’s I was SO excited to get my hands on this novella. Well, Jen has done it again! I adored this book!

Country music superstar sweetheart Mackenzie Forbes just wants to have a normal girls weekend with her two best gal pals. Lay around, drinking cocktails and meeting guys. Shuck the good girl image she is known for and just be free. Of course, being in the spotlight, she knows this is pretty hard to do without going unnoticed. But so far so good! Mackenzie seems to be flying under the radar and luckily it doesn’t seem that the sexy bartender she has taken notice of realizes who she is. After talking with him and making plans to meet up, she is fairly certain her anonymity has remained, which is a huge relief. Because there’s something about this guy that she really likes. He’s different from anyone else she’s ever met and Mackenzie would love to get to know him better….without her fame getting in the way.

Key West bartender Austin Murphy can’t believe his eyes. Is Mackenzie Forbes really sitting as his bar? She clearly doesn’t think he recognizes her and clearly she doesn’t want to be recognized. Far be it from Austin to deny her that. He knows what it’s like to want to be someone else. After all, it’s why he moved here in the first place. But he can’t deny the attraction between them and he sure can’t say no when she says she wants to spend some of her vacation weith him. What would she say if she knew the dark things about his past? Would she change her mind about him? God, he hoped not. She’s the best thing that has walked into his life and he would hate to give her up.

The dance Mackenzie and Austin are swaying to is slow and sensual with plenty of heat but there’s also the issue of trust lying just below the surface. Will Mackenzie trust Austin with her true identity? Will Austin trust Mackenzie with his past? Will a weekend be enough for either of them to quench the thirst they have for one another?

Oh man, I loved this story. Jen does such an amazing job with her book guys. Austin is the quintessential bad-boy on the outside/good-guy on the inside and I absolutely adored him. Mackenzie has been stifled by her life in the spotlight and craves the normalcy of a young woman. Both wanting to escape their lives for even a day, both Austin and Mackenzie find solace in each other’s company…as well as plenty of heat. The sexual tension between them is smoldering and absolutely delicious! Then, learning more about Austin’s past, I loved him even more. Of course there was a big mess they have to deal with and it’s the test of their very new relationship….I won’t give anything away but I will say that I was so happy with how it ended. *dreamy sigh* Simply perfect!

Thank you, Jen, for yet another amazing, romantic, sexy, yummy read!

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon ~ B&N

Synopsis:

CAN FUN IN THE SUN TURN INTO LASTING LOVE?

Spring break in Key West with my besties was supposed to be casual fun. But I never expected to meet James Hunt. Sex and frolic? Yes! A relationship? No. But his hot blue eyes and confident manner drew me in. And when he let me see the man behind the mask, I fell hard, foolishly believing there could be a future for us. Of course I never considered our relationship might be based on lies…or that his betrayal could rock my foundation and make me question everything I believed in…

OR WILL A LIFE BUILT ON LIES RUIN EVERYTHING?

The moment I saw Quinn I knew I had to have her. She hooked me with her cool eyes and don’t touch me attitude. I had it all, money, social status, and looks. I could get any girl I wanted…until her. When my friends challenged me with a bet to get her into bed by the end of the week, I couldn’t pass it up. But sex wasn’t supposed to turn into love. She wasn’t supposed to change me, push me, and make me want more for myself. She wasn’t supposed to wreck me in all ways. And now, if I can’t turn my lies into truth, I just might lose her forever…

My review:

Beyond Me is a novella in the Sex on the Beach Series and being a big Jennifer Probst fan, I was so excited to get my hands on this story. Jennifer didn’t let me down. This story was just perfect!

On Spring Break in Key West with her two BFF’s, Quinn must venture out and meet a guy. Why, you ask? It was the deal her and her girlfriends had made. They wouldn’t be spending a ton of girl time together. They needed to branch out and get some action. Some guy action. It’s this deal that leads her to a house party at a gorgeous and sprawling mansion. After being there only a short time, Quinn isn’t too impressed with what’s going on. Scantily clad drunken girls and Ken doll perfect frat guys. SO not her thing. All that changes when she meets James Hunt. He seems to be different than all these guys here and she immediately takes to him. It doesn’t take long for Quinn to decide James should be the guy she throws caution to the wind with and enjoy a fling with….too bad she finds herself wanting more with him by the end of their trip. Forget the problem of the trip ending. The bigger problem, Quinn soon finds out, is James wasn’t exactly honest with her from the very beginning. Could his dishonesty ruin any chance for a long-term relationship?

James Hunt was used to throwing the parties at his parents house on Spring Break. He was used to the girls and the booze and all the annoying nonsense that came with it. And he was over all of it. But he couldn’t be annoyed tonight. Now when he sees Quinn. She’s unlike any other girl at this party and he instantly knows he must have her and after spending even a little bit of time with her, he was sure of it. Of course his friends take that as a chance to offer up a challenge to get her in bed before the weekend was up. Just to shut them up, James accepts. Quinn would never find out anyway, right? The more time James spends with Quinn he sure hopes she doesn’t because he’s fallen hard and fast for her. But even if she did find out about some stupid bet, she would surely know his feelings for her were true and very real….right? Or could that one stupid bet risk it all?

Two people from opposite ends of the social status spectrum turn out to be a perfect match when it comes to matters of the heart. Will they be able to overlook all of the silly mistakes that lead up to the present and give what they’ve found a chance?

I simply adored this book. In true Jennifer fashion, she gives the reader two fantastic characters with an undeniable attraction that built beautifully throughout the story. Of course, the whole matter of the bet had me a nervous wreck and I was so worried for Quinn and James because I really REALLY wanted things to work between them. James, despite coming from loads of money, was a broken soul and I wanted to give him a great big hug when he let his true feelings about his childhood show and how he feels about his parents spill out. Quinn was so amazing and strong. She has been dealt a tough hand in life but is determined to make the best of things. Their differences balanced out and I loved them as a couple. I won’t give anything away as far as the bet and the ending but I will say this: the thing I love most about Jennifer’s writing is her ability to write an amazing ending. Chick-flick-movie-worthy type of endings, I tell you. And this was no exception.

Thank you, Jennifer, for a sexy and loving story!

Five Loves

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author links:

JENNIFER PROBST
Website:  www.jenniferprobst.com
Facebook Fan Page:  https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage
Twitter:   https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

JEN MCLAUGHLIN
Website: http://dianealberts.com/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6921962.Jen_McLaughlin

JENNA BENNETT
Website:  www.jennabennett.com
Facebook Fan Page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Bennett-Jennie-Bentley/192400104127600
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Bennett_Jenna
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1549070.Jenna_Bennett

Blog Tour March 2014 New Releases New Reviews

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Review….Tempted by the Soldier by Nicolette Day

by Jilly

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

When one touch isn’t enough, why resist?

Road trips are supposed to be fun. Or, at least, full of hot sex. For photographer Lilly Grayson, the fifteen-hour drive to her friend’s wedding with Nate Jennings will be neither. Not that Nate isn’t sexy—the man is six-foot-three-inches of mouth-watering Marine. But Lilly’s been there, done that…and he walked away. Now it’s time for a little payback. The kind that’ll make a man desperate for a taste of what he can’t have.

And Nate wants a taste—so badly that he can barely keep his hands on the wheel. But the scars and ghosts of his last tour still haunt him. He can’t give into temptation, not this time. Lilly deserves a whole man—one who can love her the way she deserves to be loved, even if she doesn’t believe it can happen. And that can’t be Nate. Not when he’s leaving again in two weeks, and this time, he’s not sure he’ll return…

My review:

Tempted by the Soldier is the second book in author Nicolette Day’s Falling For You Series and holy hell….this book was drop dead delicious!

Photographer Lilly Grayson had never hated Mother Nature more than she did right at this very moment. She’s supposed to by flying to Vermont for her friend’s wedding but of course, a freaking hurricane has to be blowing through so now she’s sitting and waiting for the absolute last person on this earth she wants to see to come pick her up so they can drive the 15 hours together. Oh, joy. Nate Jennings. Brother of the groom, smoking hot Marine and former one night stand….and now she can add tardy to that list since he was two hours late. Luckily sitting, and stewing, gives her time to formulate a plan. A plan to get back at him for leaving her feeling cold and cheap after their one and only night of hot and steamy sex. She shouldn’t be bitter because they really only had one night together but the fact was she couldn’t stop thinking about him since that night. So now she was planning on using her female wiles to get back at him during their 15 hour excursion and leave him wanting her as badly as he left her wanting him. But you know what they say about the best laid plans, right?

Of all the dangerous missions Nate Jennings had been on, this was by far the most risky. Why did he have to be stuck in the small confines of his truck’s cab with Lilly for a grueling 15 hours? It was bad enough he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since their one night together and now he had to deal with her animosity toward him. Not that he could blame her. She had every right to be pissed at him…but did she have to make pissed off so sexy? There was no way he would be able to keep his hands off of her through this trip. But he needed to stop thinking that way. She deserved a man who was whole and not screwed up beyond repair…which is the exact opposite of what he was. She wouldn’t want to be saddled with a Marine carrying more baggage than a department store. The problem is, he wanted her with a desperation that defied logic. It was going to be one hell of a roadtrip…

With so much raw emotion and lust crammed into such close quarters for hours on end, it will be one hell of a ride for Nate and Lilly….and one that will change their lives forever.

You know that one meme of the kids wearing their “time-out” shirt? If you don’t, I’ll explain. Two kids who love each other but fight like cats and dogs are forced to wear one extra-large shirt and work out their problems ultimately reminding them that they do, in fact, care for each other and that differences can always be figured out. Well, Nate and Lilly’s situation reminds me so much of that shirt! There is so much chemistry between them that it practically burns the pages but their differences are getting in the way. Nate is delicious. He’s smoking hot and is so alpha that I loved reading every man-handling and cave-man-like scene. He’s also beyond stubborn. He doesn’t see himself worthy of Lilly. He’s got emotional scars that are in dire need of healing and if he could just take a step back and see that Lilly is willing to help him, he could have a chance at happiness. Lilly is just as stubborn but in a different way. She is trying so hard to deny her attraction to Nate and tries so hard to put up an angry front. But in the end, they both let down their defenses and ultimately give in. Dear God…when they give in it is pure passion. Yum, yum, yum. But there’s more than just smexy scenes to this story and the emotions run really high at times. Hurt, loss, tragedy, and guilt all play a big roll and it made this story that much better.

Oh, and the end? Freaking BEYOND perfect! I finished this book after midnight and was so tempted to wake my husband up just to tell him how much I loved this ending. Lucky for him, I refrained!

I am really, really hoping we get more from this series because I absolutely loved these characters! Thank you, Nicolette, for one hell of a book!

Five Loves

About the author:

A mom by day and a romance writer by night, Nicolette Day harbors a weakness for black and white mochas and books that steam up her Kindle screen. She grew up in a one stoplight town where she once upon a time she only dreamed of becoming a writer. Now she lives in a slightly larger town in North Carolina where they have at least three stoplights. If you love young adult romance, check out Nicolette’s alter ego, TaraFuller!

TWITTER * FACEBOOK *WEBSITE *GOODREADS *BLOG

March 2014 New Reviews

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Blog Tour & Review….Every Shattered Thing by Elora Nicole Ramirez

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Every Shattered Thing by Elora Ramirez Blog Tour! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy my review.

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

Synopsis:

Stephanie fights reality every day. The voices inside, the ones declaring her worth, deem her broken, used and dirty. She is an object. A toy. Something to be tossed aside when bored. Who will believe her if she whispers the truth about her wrecking ball of a family? Eventually, her secret explodes and the person who means the most to her knows just how shattered she is and why she’s so afraid. But rescue is closer than she realizes. Hidden in plain sight, her horror hasn’t been ignored by everyone. Racing against the truth of what she faces, forces are joining together and developing a plan to free her from the hell in her own backyard. And while she’s at her lowest point, she’s hit with the beauty of love at any cost – redemption in the face of ruin. Will it be enough?

*Warning: Contains mature content that may not be suitable for younger audiences*

My review:

Every Shattered Thing is a novel from author Elora Nicole Ramirez and deals with some pretty dark and upsetting situations but it’s those situations that left me loving the characters and really pulling for them from the very first chapter.

To say that Stephanie has had an awful life would be a terribly gross understatement. Her father has abused her both physically and sexually for too many years to count and her mother isn’t much better. As if that’s not horrid enough, her poor excuse for a father has some friends that like to use Stephanie as well. What’s even worse is the community’s lack of action and empathy. The teachers see her bruises, but do nothing. Stephanie is actually relieved they stopped calling the police. Why? Because the police already know about it. A few of the police are her father’s friends. And they use Stephanie, too. So calling the police or CPS only makes her life worse….as if that was possible. There are two things keeping Stephanie in this town and in this situation. Her little brother and her boyfriend. Her little brother needs her to keep him safe from their abusive parents and she needs her boyfriend to remind her that there is at least one kind and caring person in this world. But for all of the darkness and despair in Stephanie’s life, she always remembers there is hope. Hope for a better life someday. Hope for some justice. Hope to be free of all of this pain and suffering. The sun always rises the next day and with that sunrise comes the hope of a brand new day with new possibilities….of peace and love. Will she ever be free of her old life and able to find a new one?

Oh my, this book was really heavy. But it was also a stark reminder that there are very similar and very real situations happening in this world right this very minute. I appreciated Elora bringing these situations to life in this book because sometimes we need a reminder that there is someone out there in need of help. Maybe it will be a call to action for some readers and that would be an amazing thing. Stephanie absolutely broke my heart. She broke my heart not because of what she is going through, but because her spirit, though buried deep, was never broken. I can’t imagine living her life. Now, onto the rest of the characters. I wish Stephanie’s father a long afterlife in hell. And I wish his “friends” ended up there to join him. Oh, and her mom, too. They all deserve a special kind of hell. But Kevin, Stephanie’s boyfriend, is beyond special. He’s a football star and I admired his ability to look past outer appearances and to be able to discover who Stephanie is a person. He picks her up when she is beyond down and is always there to remind her that she is worthy of a happy life. This brings me to the ending….which I have to say I had a love/hate relationship with. It gave me some closure and hope for Stephanie but was also a bit of a cliffhanger. (Knowing that some of you aren’t fans of cliffhanger endings, I feel as though I should mention it.)

There is (hopefully!) going to be a book two and I will be anxiously waiting to see what the future holds for Stephanie and Kevin.

Thank you, Elora, for a relevant, harrowing and poignant story that will stay with me for quite some time. I will be thinking of Stephanie and Kevin until the next installment!

Four Loves

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Elora Ramirez lives in Austin, Texas with her chef-husband. At the age of four, she taught herself how to read and write, cutting her teeth on books like Dr. Seuss and writing anywhere she could find the space–including her Fisher Price kitchen set, the pages of picture books and Highlights Magazine. Since then, she’s grown to love the way words feel as they swell within her bones. Writing holy and broken is her calling, and pushing back the darkness and pursuing beauty through story is her purpose. She embraces the power of story and teaches women from all parts of the world how to embrace theirs. She has a knack of calling things out , the truth and the detail, the subversive threads that make a life a story. She loves hip-hop, wishes she lived by the beach and cannot write without copious amounts of coffee, chocolate, music, and her husband’s lavender liqueur.

Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Author Goodreads ~ Every Shattered Thing Goodreads

Blog Tour March 2014 New Reviews

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Book Promotion & Review

You Again

Synopsis:

My Review:

Four Loves

Synopsis

My review:

Five Loves

Purchase Links

About the Author

Pretty Reckless

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My Review:

Four Loves

Guest Post from Jodi:

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My review:

Five Loves

Giveaway:

You Again

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Giveaway:

Tame Me releases March 25

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My review:

Five Loves

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My review:

Four Loves

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My Review:

Three-and-a-Half Loves

Prizes:

A note from the authors:

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My review:

Five Loves

Book links:

Synopsis:

My review:

Five Loves

Giveaway:

Author links:

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My review:

Five Loves

Book links:

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My review:

Four Loves