Read-Love-Blog

1 Comment »

Review…Collide by Riley Hart

by Jilly

Book links:

New Reviews November 2013

Synopsis:

At ten years old, Noah Jameson and Cooper Bradshaw collided mid-air when they dove for the same football. For three years, they were inseparable…until one day when Noah and his parents disappeared in the middle of the night.

Noah and Cooper never knew what happened to each other. Now, seventeen years later, after finding his boyfriend in bed with another man, Noah returns to Blackcreek looking for a fresh start. And damned if he doesn’t find his old friend grew up to be sexy as sin. Coop can’t believe Noah—the only person he trusted with the guilt over his parents’ death—is back. And gay… Or that Cooper himself suddenly wants another man in his bed for the first time.

There’s no denying the attraction and emotion between them, but can they overcome the ghosts of their pasts to have a future together?

This title contains two strong, sexy men, and a passionate friendship that transforms into a sizzling hot romance.

My review:

Collide is the debut work from author Riley Hart and the first in the Blackcreek Series. I really enjoyed this touching story and think it was a great start to a series I’m looking forward to continuing.

Looking to make a new start, Noah Jameson wasn’t all that surprised when he found himself returning to the one childhood hometown that meant the most to him. Noah moved around a lot as a kid, but Blackcreek held a special place in his heart. After having his heart broken finding his boyfriend in bed with another man, he figured this town was a good place to pick up the pieces and start over. Of course getting hit by a truck wasn’t exactly the start he had planned. But fate, that tricky thing, seemed to have a plan. The driver of the truck that hit him turned out to be his childhood best friend. The best friend he never could replace after moving away all those years ago. The best friend that looked really freaking hot these days….Cooper Bradshaw. Now, finding himself staying with Cooper while recuperating, Noah can’t help but think things were only going to get better from here. Finally, things were looking up. Unfortunately, also looking up was his attraction to his very straight best friend.

Cooper Bradshaw couldn’t believe Noah was back in town…and that he’d hit him with his truck. If he was being honest though, he’s kind of happy he did because now his friend was going to be hanging around for a while. He was planning on renting out one of the rooms in his big old fixer-upper of a house and now he didn’t have to worry about a stranger living with him. He had Noah. Cooper was taken back a bit when his friend mentioned he was gay, but it didn’t bother him in the least. He was still the kid he shared the best years of his childhood with and that’s what mattered most. Besides, Cooper liked girls. Right. He did. Really. So what the hell were all these new feelings Cooper was having when it came to his friend?

Reconnecting has been great for Cooper and Noah and now it seems they have a lot more to talk about besides the good old days when the attraction goes from being one sided to very much a two way street. Could fate really have had a master plan when she put Noah in the path of Coopers truck that day?

Collide was an emotional journey that had feelings ranging from sweet and tender to sizzling hot and intense. Noah and Cooper have a great relationship right off that bat and it was great to see the evolution from friends to much more. What starts out as Noah pining over Cooper and a relationship that could never be turned into Cooper exploring all the foreign feelings that had awakened within him. This was the first M/M romance I have read where one of the main characters wasn’t experienced with a same sex relationship going into the story. It was really beautiful to see Cooper’s acceptance of his feelings and his willingness to try a new kind of relationship. It was also beautiful to read how patient Noah was with Cooper, treading lightly and waiting until Cooper was ready. From the very start I wanted nothing more than for Noah and Cooper to be together and find their happy ending. They have both been through so much in their own lives and I had faith that they could find happiness in one another. Oh, and when things got hot and heavy between them, damn…it was freaking delicious! Talk about some seriously scorching sex scenes. I was fanning myself on more than one occasion.

Overall, this was a great story and had some very real emotions involved along with the passion, thrill and intensity of a new relationship. The total package for a win in my book! Thank you, Riley. I’ll be looking forward to more from the Blackcreek Series!

Four Loves

About the author:

Riley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s a hopeless romantic. A lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together. If she’s not writing, you’ll probably find her reading.Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Website

Review…The Guardians by T.M. Franklin

by Jilly

Book links:

New Reviews November 2013

Synopsis:

It’s not every day a girl discovers she’s not entirely human and unlocks hidden powers strong enough to make even the First Race take notice. Then again, Ava Michaels is no ordinary girl.

Now, the Race’s Ruling Council wants her under their control, and that’s just the beginning of her problems. Her boyfriend, Caleb Foster, has disappeared—accused of betraying the Race—and Ava herself is implicated in a crime she didn’t commit.

Clearing their names will mean uncovering a web of deceit and intrigue with Ava woven right in the center. To unravel the strands, she joins forces with some unlikely allies; a Protector who once haunted her nightmares, a young girl with secrets as unexpected as Ava’s, and a group of rebel Guardians who have their own fight against the Council.

Together they stand in a battle to find the truth, bring Caleb home, and secure Ava’s freedom—not to mention save her life.

My review:

The Guardians is the second installment in author T.M. Franklin’s More Trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this read and absolutely cannot wait to see how this trilogy plays out in the next book!

Trying to come to terms with her Race heritage and learning she isn’t exactly a human has kept Ava Michaels busy for the last few months. She’s been training with her boyfriend, Caleb, trying to hone the supernatural skills she has and also trying to unlock skills she feels buried deep within her. Oh, all while being watched by the Council to make sure she isn’t a threat to them, being a half-breed and all. Now, as if that wasn’t enough to deal with, Ava senses something is off with Caleb lately. He’s had a short temper and been snapping over the littlest things, really unlike his normally patient and kind manner. Things go from a bit off to jumping off the charts after Caleb disappears and is suspected of working with Rogues and deceiving the Race and everyone he knows. Certain that there is no way he could be responsible for the charges against him, Ava sets off with the Protector in charge of keeping an eye on her to find Caleb and find out just what the hell is going on. Along the way, she will meet allies and foes all the while having to figure out who falls into which category. Danger and deceit lurks around every turn but to Ava, it’s all worth it to save Caleb. Will she have what it takes?

The twists and turns in The Guardians made this book an amazing and thrilling ride. Ava proves, on more than one occasion, that she is a force to be reckoned with and she will never back down from what she believes in. Knowing Caleb couldn’t have done what he’s accused of, she will stop at nothing to find him and get to the bottom of this mess. What she finds, however, is not at all what she thought she would. She uncovers a plot to take down the Council and the Guardians. In other words, a plot to take over the Race. Also, the mystery of where she came from before she was adopted is somewhat solved during her search for answers regarding Caleb and gives us an idea of what she will have to deal with in the next book (which I can’t wait to read!). Characters thought to be trustworthy prove otherwise while others step up and prove they will fight alongside Ava. I really enjoyed getting to see a different side of Tiernan as the story progressed. He’s turning into quite the softie when it comes to Ava. Love that! By the end of the story, Ava has gained a pretty great team supporting her and Caleb. Goodness knows she’s going to need all the help she can get to fight the opponent we are introduced to in this book. I apologize if my review sounds vague, but you know how I hate to give spoilers away….and trust me, there are a whole lot of things I don’t want to spoil!

Just believe me when I say, if you love a good mystery combined with fantasy and supernatural elements, pick up this series. You will not be disappointed. Thank you, Ms. Franklin, for a fantastic read!

Four Loves

About the author:

T.M. Franklin started out her career writing non-fiction in a television newsroom. Graduating with a B.A. in Communications specializing in broadcast journalism and production, she worked for nine years as a major market television news producer, and garnered two regional Emmy Awards, before she resigned to be a full-time mom and part-time freelance writer. After writing and unsuccessfully querying a novel that she now admits, “is not that great,” she decided to follow the advice of one of the agents who turned her down—write some more and get better at it. Her first published novel, MORE, was born during National Novel Writing month, a challenge to write a novel in thirty days.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mike, is mom to two boys, Justin and Ryan, and has an enormous black dog named Rocky who’s always lying nearby while she’s writing. Whether he’s soothed by the clicking of the computer keys or just waiting for someone to rub his belly is up for debate.

In addition to MORE and The Guardians, Franklin penned the Amazon best-selling short story, Window, as well as another short story, A Piece of Cake, which appears in the Romantic Interludes anthology.

Connect with T.M. Franklin

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Stop & Review….Hers by Dawn Robertson

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Hers by Dawn Robertson Blog Tour!

Please enjoy my review and thanks for stopping by!

Book links:

Blog Tour New Reviews November 2013

Synopsis:

I am weak.

I am lonely.

I am a slut.

I am strong.

I am Dominant.

I am independent.

I am Seven James.

My entire life, no one has wanted me, and that was fine, because I sure as shit didn’t need anyone else. Blah, Blah Blah, insert sad story here about negligent parents, and shitty siblings, and you have my life story in a nut shell. When my college boyfriend dumped me, it was just icing on the cake. Five years, and a booming career later I am here to collect my revenge.

That was until a delicious plaything walked into the kink club I frequent, and rocked my typically un-rockable world. Causing me to break the one rule I have lived by since Daniel Alexander walked out of my life, never have sex with the same person twice. Ever.

Warning!!!! Hers contains sexually explicit situations that may be uncomfortable for some. These include FF, FMF, and MFM interactions.

My Review:

Hers is the debut work from author Dawn Robertson and the first in a sexy new series. This was a great, smoking hot start and I gobbled it up on one sitting!

Seven James decided years ago when her college boyfriend left her she wasn’t going to be treated like dirt ever again. Since then it has been her mission to teach him a very important lesson: Don’t eff with Seven James. Now her company is taking over his family’s business and she plans on making her ex miserable…by being his boss. Revenge never felt so sweet. To celebrate, Seven goes to her favorite kink club to blow off some steam and indulge her darker side. The darker side that was spawned after years of being unloved and unwanted. Pushing her sexual limits is now what brings Seven a sense of peace and the minute she sees the hot newbie in the club, she knows he’s the one who will be helping her get to her happy place tonight. Too bad Seven has a one-and-done rule because he proves to be one hell of a partner and gives her the most pleasure she’s felt in a really long time. Clearly fate doesn’t like Seven’s love em’ and leave em’ attitude because she ends up seeing the club newbie alright…..sitting at the boardroom table of the newly acquired ex boyfriend’s company. Well, hell. Now what?

As I said, I read this book in one sitting. It was raw and gritty but filled with some pretty deep emotional turmoil. I really enjoyed Seven and her take no prisoners attitude. She has been hurt far too many times and has made damn sure it won’t happen again. I liked her even more when she started to show a vulnerable side and threw caution to the wind with Levi, the one-night-stand guy who ended up being so much more. Levi was a great match for Seven and called her out on some of her issues and really made her take a step back and let him in. Loved him for that! The sex between them is smoking hot and has a whole lot of kinkiness to it, so be warned, if you’re not into hardcore kink, you probably shouldn’t read this. The ending held a surprise that I never saw coming, but was so happy that’s how this story ended and how this is really just the beginning of Levi and Seven’s story.

So, if you’re looking for some serious heat and a kick ass heroine, look not further! Thank you, Dawn, for an emotional and sizzling read!

Four Loves

About the author:

Dawn is a woman of many colors. Born and raised in the North-East, the youngest child of three, to two hard working, and extremely dedicated parents, she thrived on her love for creative writing. Her commitment to hard work lead her down a number of career paths over the years, stopping with her love for fiction.

In a bold, and unexpected move, she quit her full-time nine to five gig to thrust herself into her debut erotic novel, Hers.

Dawn is a mother, entrepreneur, and self proclaimed book whore.

Facebook |Twitter | Goodreads | Website

Book Tour & Review…..Divinity by Patricia Leever

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Divinity by Patricia Leever Book Tour!

My review of Divinity is below and you can also find the rafflecopter to the tour-wide giveaway below. Up for grabs are five (5) ePacks of Divinity and the prequel short, Clarity.

Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy!

Add to Goodreads

Purchase links:

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Demons.

They’re everywhere, hiding in plain sight. Chances are, you’ve interacted with one or two of them in your lifetime without even realizing it…

Demon hunter Evelyn Brighton saves unsuspecting humans from the malevolent creatures masquerading around them every day. Working under the Lebriga Corporation’s direction, she never fails to bring her A-game with her keen skill, fiercely independent spirit, and the best weapon in her arsenal: the Divinity blade.

Evelyn’s world is turned on its ear, however, when she is ordered to train cocky new recruit Daniel Summers. They both feel an instinctive pull drawing them to one another, the ancient spells tattooed into their skin illuminating whenever the two hunters come into contact. But with evil looming over the city of Los Angeles, Evelyn and Daniel’s mutual competitiveness and sense of duty to Lebriga and all humankind forces them to hold back their desires. Will their restraint be enough to keep them focused and save southern California, or will the dark forces prevail?

Set in modern-day Los Angeles, Divinity is an action-filled, fast-paced marriage of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Edgy, witty, and sexy, it will bind you in its spell.

My review:

Divinity is the first book in author Patricia Leever’s Divinity Series and kicks off this series with a fantastic start! I am totally hooked on this series!

Evelyn Brighton has been seeing demons for as long as she can remember. She always noticed the evil nature hidden under the mask of a human. Evie also realized at a young age that she was the only one who seemed to notice these creatures. It was that sense that brought her to the attention of the Lebriga Corporation and it’s there she has worked for the last one hundred plus years. Slaying demons and the things that go bump in the night with her magic and her charmed Divinity blade by her side. She’s one of the company’s best hunters and it’s being the best that lands her in charge of their newest recruit, Daniel Summers. To say she’s annoyed would be a gross understatement. She didn’t have time for the young, arrogant newbie and has no idea why they higher-ups would have put her in charge of his training. Even more of an annoyance is the twitching of her one specific tattoo. The tattoo specifically designed to act up in the presence of a worthy mate. No way could the arrogant and annoying, albeit really freaking hot, Daniel be her possible mate…..

Daniel Summers still can’t believe he was transferred to the LA office of the Lebriga Corporation. Hell, if he’s being honest, he still can’t believe seeing all the weird and evil stuff through his life had actually meant something and he wasn’t crazy. Now he’s here and after meeting the delicious woman in charge of training him, he is thanking his lucky stars for that ability. The minute he meets Evie, he is totally enthralled. She’s a real tough ass, but stunningly beautiful and he is determined to get her to think of him as more than her student. Surely he isn’t totally wrong when he notices her attraction toward him, even if she is trying to pretend it isn’t there.

Daniel and Evelyn have much more than their love/hate relationship to deal with. While Evie tries to deny her attraction to Daniel and while Daniel tries to get Evie to admit it, things around the demon world are a bit off lately and have reached a bit of a fevered pitch. Now they must work together to save humanity….and hopefully live through their latest assignment.

I’ve read more than a few series involving demons and demon slayers and sometimes they’re really awesome, and sometimes they are really not awesome. This is one of the awesome ones. Not only is the whole premise behind the story a great one, but also the characters are kick ass. Evelyn has perfected her craft over the years and excels at what she does. What she doesn’t excel at is the relationship department. Bottom line? She’s scared to let someone in. She’s been around long enough to have seen what happens when a loved one is killed in the line of duty, and it’s nothing she ever wants to endure. So she’s tough and hard and keeps guys at arm’s length. I totally get that. Daniel is adorable. I loved his sense of wonder when it came to learning all of the magic and battle skills needed to be not just a good slayer, but a great one. I also loved how he handled Evie. He figured her out pretty quickly and knew she needed time and a bit of convincing. I won’t ruin anything, but I will say the slow build in their relationship is done deliciously well. Their push and pull and the sexual tension between them is palpable.

Patricia really pulled me in with this story. I want to know what happens next with all of the Lebriga and what evil has in store for them in the next books in the series. Yep, I’m a fan! Thank you, Patricia, for a series I am totally addicted to…I can’t wait to read more!

Four Loves

Giveaway:

Book Tour New Reviews November 2013

About the author:

Patricia Leever is a wife, stay-at-home mom of four and owner of one dog and one really old cat. On the average school day she runs about town like a lunatic picking up and dropping off kids and trying to find a moment of quiet to write down a word or two.

She’s a sci-fi geek that loves to dress up like a zombie and participate in the local zombie march down Main St. and laugh as much as possible; laughter frees the mind and heals the soul.

Live. Breathe. Write.

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

ARC Review….Neighbors by L.S. Murphy

by Jilly

Book Links

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Rena Woods has a great life. She recently landed the contract to decorate the home of basketball wife, Cecilia Hood, her business is growing, and this contract could make her the elite decorator in St. Louis. Rena’s sacrificed her personal life for her company without a single regret. When Staff Sergeant C.J. Riker moves in across the hall, Rena can’t stand to be around him. He may be on the volcanic side of hot, but his attitude sucks. Riker does whatever he can to get under Rena’s skin.

After a massive blow to her business sends Rena on a self-destructive binge, Riker is there to save her from doing something she might regret. Could there be more to Riker than meets the eye? And will he open up enough to Rena to tell her how he lost his leg or shut out love forever?

My review:

Neighbors is a novella from author L.S. Murphy and is the first work I have read from her. I really enjoyed it!

When Rena meets Riker, it’s not exactly in the best of circumstances. She needs him to move his truck so she can move her car. She’s annoyed with him and he’s annoyed with her. Well, the circumstances don’t get much better and it seems like every time they see on another it’s not exactly a pleasant exchange. Rena knows a bit of his back-story. He was in the military and has a prosthetic leg, so clearly he has some reason for being less than happy these days. She could only imagine what must have happened to him, and it broke her heart. Still, Rena doesn’t think too highly of his gruff attitude…until she sees him around their apartment complex every now and then doing something nice for someone. Soon Rena realizes she may not have given him a fair chance and when her job suddenly takes a nosedive, she thinks maybe giving him shot at friendship could be the distraction she needs. Who knows, maybe something more than friendship is what they both need?

This novella was really great. Sometimes a quick and entertaining read is just what the doctor ordered in between full-length novels. I enjoyed both Rena and Riker and would love to see more of them in the future!

Thank you, L.S.!

Four Loves

About the author:

L.S. Murphy lives in the Greater St. Louis area where she watches Cardinals baseball, reads every book she can find, and weaves tales for teens and adults. When not doing all of the above, she tends to The Bean (aka her daughter), her husband and a menagerie of pets.

She is a member of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the St. Louis Writer’s Guild.Email: LSMurphy524@gmail.com

Website: http://lsmurphy.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LSMurphy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LSMurphyAuthor

Review…Keep Me Still by Caisey Quinn

by Jilly

*ON SALE FOR 99 CENTS DURING RELEASE WEEK! THIS BOOK IS ON SALE FOR A LIMITED TIME AND WILL RETURN TO ITS REGULAR PRICE OF 3.99 AFTER SALE ENDS!*

**Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads ~ Kobo ~

**THIS IS THE STANDALONE EDITION OF KEEP ME STILL AND INCLUDES THE PREQUEL AND SEQUEL NOVELLAS Let You Leave and Hold Us Close

Synopsis:

Scarred by loss, Layla leaves her hometown of Hope Springs, Georgia, hoping to put her painful past behind her and start over in college in California. When she runs into Landen at freshmen orientation, she has a choice to make. Reinforce those steel walls she’s built up around herself or give the only boy who can keep her still a second chance.

Landen’s more than ready to tear down those walls, but this time when they come crashing down, they might bury her

* This special edition of Keep Me Still includes the novella, Let You Leave & Hold Us Close:

Layla Flaherty had the perfect life, or close to it. Until a stranger gunned her parents down right in front of her, leaving her with seizure inducing PTSD. After years of trying to pass as normal and failing miserably, she resigns herself to being invisible. But new to town Landen O’Brien sees her, and he likes what he sees. Much to Layla’s surprise, he doesn’t freak out when she has a seizure in front of him. He does the exact opposite, calming her until the tremors subside. But Landen has secrets of his own. Secrets that will either bind them together or tear them apart.

My review:

Quick note: the edition that I just read included the novellas Let You Leave and Hold Us Close which in essence are the events leading up to and following the main novel, Keep Me Still. I do recommend this edition, if for no other reason than you get more Landen!

Keep Me Still is a novel by author Caisey Quinn and the first of her works that I have read. Well, after this, I will be adding all of her other works to me to-read list (oh, goodie! She’s got a bunch of books out!). This book was a crazy, intense emotional trip that I absolutely loved.

Among the many things Layla Flaherty has wished for in her life, being normal and happy are the two that mean the most. She has been through more in her life than anyone should have to endure. She lost her parents in a horrible act of violence that left her scarred emotionally and physically. Even though you couldn’t actually see her physical scars, they have ruined her reputation at school in the form of a seizure disorder and threaten to ruin her chance at a normal life. Things change, however, the minute new student and star soccer player Landen O’Brien moves to their school. She thought things had changed for the good when they became fast and close friends that slowly grew to more. Soon she realized that things actually changed for the worse when he broke her heart and ended up moving again…away from her. Even a year later, freshly tucked into freshman year at college far away from her hometown and all those memories, she couldn’t forget him. He was it for her and no one will ever live up. Imagine her surprise when she finds out he’s on her college’s soccer team. Is fate giving them another chance? Would she be able to get over her broken heart now, with him here?

As an army brat, Landen O’Brien was used to moving around. He was also used to a crap home life with a less than warm and fuzzy father, to put it nicely. The only good thing in his life was soccer….until he met Layla. For once, he was thanking his lucky stars that they had to move again and that he ended up here, with Layla, in this small town in Georgia. After spending time together, he knows he’s fallen hard and fast, but like all things in his life, nothing good lasts and he soon finds out he has to leave her. He broke her heart the day he left and he knew enrolling at the same college she was going to may not be the best choice, but he has to try to get her back. She was everything to him and he is going to do all he can to make her realize that. Since he left her a year ago, he’s been planning this. Even with his unanswered emails, texts, phone calls, he was determined. Now, with a little undercover help from Layla’s aunt, he’s here and there’s no way is he going to let her slip away again.

Layla and Landen embark on an emotional, moving, touching journey that will test their commitment to each other as well as to themselves. Individually they carry their own heavy burdens and things will get hard along the way, but with love and trust in the bond they’ve found, they have the power to make it all work out in the end. It may not be easy, but some things are worth fighting for.

This book kicked my arse and I absolutely loved it. Layla broke my heart at the beginning. She was so damaged and lost and just plain sad. To have gone through what she did and still be willing to try to get to some kind of normal life was so very admirable. Then to see her grow with Landen’s help, and to gain some confidence was fantastic. It was that confidence that had me loving her through the book. After coming out of her shell, so to speak, she really learned that she could take charge of her future and that her scars and her past didn’t define her. It was beautiful to see that change in her. On the flip side, Landen ended up breaking my heart at the end. He is a book boyfriend that I know tons of gals will be swooning over. An adorable, all-American jock with a damaged side that slayed me. Reading some of his scenes had me bawling my eyes out. Of course, that made me love him even more. His determination to be with Layla and his love for her was so real and intense. The dynamic between Layla and Landen is amazing. He helped her when she needed it most and pulled her from her darkness and eventually she has to do the same for him. Their trip to a happy ending is a really, really, REALLY rough one but so damn well deserved. Gut wrenching, sob inducing, heart breaking, emotional charged scenes put this book on my list of favorites. I absolutely adore Layla and Landen and reading the last few pages of this book made me so very happy for them.

Oh, and Layla’s roomie? Corin…. KICKED ASS! That girl is a friend we all would be lucky to have. She’s there for Layla when the chips are down and it honest even when the truth hurts. Loved her!

Yes, this is clearly one of my long and rambling reviews, because I just LOVED this book. Again, I recommend getting the edition with the two novellas because, well, more is always better! Thank you, Caisey, for Layla and Landen and for this amazing story.

Four-and-a-Half Loves

About the author:

Caisey Quinn lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, daughter, and other assorted animals. She is the bestselling author of the Kylie Ryans series as well as several New Adult Romance novels featuring country girls finding love in unexpected places. You can find her online at www.caiseyquinnwrites.com .

Website: http://www.caiseyquinnwrites.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7041163.Caisey_Quinn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCaiseyQuinn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaiseyQuinn

Entangled Edge Book Blast….Bittersweet Magic by Nina Croft

by Jilly

Edge, a digital-first single-title romance line from Entangled Publishing, takes its lead from our popular Select imprint but gives its novels an edge in the marketplace by bringing great stories to readers at reasonable prices in a quick-and-easy way. Whether sexy or sweet, traditional romance or love and lust with a women’s fiction bent, at the center of every Edge book is heart. From Urban Fantasy to Contemporary Romance to Science Fiction Romance, Edge has a book for all romance readers—and right at their fingertips! As they say, all’s fair in love and war. To find out more about our titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow us on Twitter, and like our Facebook page.

Today I’m happy to be featuring Bittersweet Magic by Nina Croft! This followup to Bittersweet Blood is sure to please, but don’t worry, it can easily be read as stand alone. Nina Croft’s stories are Out of This World, so you won’t want to miss this one!

Roz has been indebted to the demon Asmodai for five hundred years, and her freedom is just around the corner. All she has to do is complete one last task for him—obtain a key that had been hidden in a church centuries ago.

Piers, the Head of the Order and an ancient vampire, is intrigued by the woman who comes to him for help. She’s beautiful and seemingly kind, but she’s hiding something. And he’ll find out who she is and what she really wants once he uses his power to get inside her head. But Piers has no idea that Roz is immune to his mind-control…or that he is simply a pawn in her dangerous mission for freedom.

Amazon Barnes & Noble

Author info:

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia, which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of nine-to-five work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain.

Nina’s writing mixes romance with elements of paranormal and science fiction.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Newsletter

Book Spotlight New Reviews November 2013

1 Comment »

Blog Tour Stop & HUGE Giveaway….Late Night With Andres by Debra Anastasia

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Late Night With Andres by Debra Anastasia Blog Tour!

Please enjoy my review and enter into the tour-wide giveaway in the rafflecopter below to win some AMAZING prizes.

Don’t forget, all of the proceeds from the sale of this kick ass book will be donated to fighting breast cancer….so grab a copy today!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Synopsis:

Rising-star blogger Milla Kierce knows she’s arrived when she sees the swag basket in her dressing room on the night of her late-night television debut. But before she can bite into the muffin that symbolizes her success, gunfire echoes through the TV studio. She’s just hidden herself (mostly in plain sight) when the door flings open. Instead of a gunman, there stands one of the world’s most popular rock stars, Gage Daxson, looking for his own way out of danger.

Thrown together, they’ll battle a venomous man seeking revenge and his own sexual pleasure, but they may never leave the building again. Distracted by fear, fame, and infamy, can these two somehow find their way to each other?

Equal parts horrifying and hilarious, Debra Anastasia’s Late Night With Andres offers more than a few twists and turns—and, of course, enough heat to keep things interesting.

100% of the proceeds generated from sales the novella Late Night with Andres will be donated by Debra Anastasia, Omnific Publishing, and all the staff members involved, to assist in the battle against breast cancer—because cancer sucks.

My review:

Late Night with Andres is the latest work from author Debra Anastasia, an author I truly adore. Well, Debra has done it again. Her wit and fun personality shine through in this story and these characters!

Milla Keirce is a rising star in the blogging world and is beyond thrilled to have an appearance on a late night TV show. Getting ready in the green room, and appreciating the muffins in her welcome basket, she is horrified to hear gunshots down the hallway and inching closer to where she is. So when the door bursts open, she was expecting a gunman, not rock star Gage Daxson. Her star struck awe is short lived however. The gunman has reached them and now they must work together to survive this almost certainly un-survivable situation.

Don’t let the length of this novella fool you. For a short story, there is plenty of action, emotion and humor packed in. The intensity of the situation is brilliantly offset with dark humor from Milla and I loved it! Milla realizes she’s screwed but refuses to go down without a fight. Figuring she has nothing left to lose, she won’t give the shooter the satisfaction of keeping quiet. She has every intention to tell him exactly what she thinks of him and his actions, consequences be damned. Daxson, bless him, is amazing through the whole ordeal and had hero written all over him from the minute he burst through the greenroom door. I have to go back to the humor for a minute though. Debra did such an amazing job with Milla and her unexpected humor was just perfect. I freaking laughed out loud too many times to count!

One of the things I liked best about this story was that Debra wrote it in small pieces of each person’s experience through the debacle. We saw it from Andre’s, Milla’s and Daxson’s point of views and that made it all the more exciting. Oh, and the relationship that developed between Daxson and Milla? Loved it!

So go out and by this funny and intense novella, because not only is it a great one-sitting-read, all of the proceeds go to fighting breast cancer. Yep, two great reasons to enjoy it.

Thank you, Debra! I’ve missed reading you!

Four Loves

Giveaway:

www.debraanastasia.com | twitter.com/Debra_Anastasia

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Debra Anastasia grew up in New York and got a bachelor’s degree in political science at SUNY New Paltz. At the start of her marriage, she moved to southern Maryland with her husband. She still doesn’t trust crabs and all their legs, though everyone else in her family thinks they’re delicious. Her favorite hobbies include knitting, painting furniture and wall murals, and slapping clowns.

Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when along with the dogs, cat, kids, and husband, the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra’s ear. Insomnia was the gateway for the plots that wouldn’t give up, wouldn’t let go. In the shower, a twist would take hold and–dripping and frenzied–she’d find somewhere, anywhere to write it down.

Blog Tour New Reviews November 2013

Book Tour & Review….Disclosure of the Heart by Mary Whitney

by Jilly

Welcome to my stop on the Disclosure of the Heart by Mary Whitney Book Tour. Please enjoy my review and be sure to enter the tour-wide giveaway in the rafflecopter below!

Book links:

Synopsis:

Sixteen years is a long time to wait for your true love to reappear, and, anyway, Nicki Johnson couldn’t wait for the impossible to happen. Hard life lessons have taught her that fairy tales are children’s stories, and fate is cruel. Burying her hopes, she’s spent the last sixteen years focused and driven toward her career, and it’s landed her with a job at the White House with a gem of a boyfriend. But when her high school love, Adam Kincaid, walks into the White House as a BBC reporter, Nicki’s world is thrown into turmoil as she relives their past. Adam has come back for her, but has he arrived too late?

My review:

Disclosure of the Heart is the second book in Mary Whitney’s Beside Your Heart Series and picks up sixteen years after the first book, Beside Your Heart. Disclosure of the Heart was a great “new” beginning for Nicki and Adam and I was really happy with where their story picked up and is headed.

After trying, somewhat unsuccessfully, to put her first true love Adam Kincaid out of her head, Nicki Johnson is completely thrown off balance when she sees that Adam will be working at the White House with her. How could this possibly be happening? She has a dream job, a sexy and devoted boyfriend and things are going pretty well for her. Although, if she’s being honest with herself, she’s realizes she’s totally full of it. The minute she sees Adam, Nicki knows she’s lost to him and the entire 16 years of distance they’ve shared disappears as if they had never been apart. But Nicki can’t let go of all that she has now, in the present, for the love she had so many years ago in the past. Besides, Adam probably doesn’t even think of her that way anymore…..could he? Working with Adam is a recipe for emotional disaster, and it may be more than Nicki can endure.

This is a beautiful story about the undying connection of that first true love. I thought Nicki did a fantastic job of not just jumping right back into things with Adam and wasn’t wiling to let her guard down and risk everything she’s worked for since he’s been gone. She can’t forget the hurt and pain of that broken heart from sixteen years ago, and honestly I don’t blame her one bit. She puts up a good fight, and in the end I would have done exactly what she did….nope, my lips are sealed! No spoilers from me. Adam really had his work cut out for him in this book and realized early on that he was going to have to fight to get Nicki back. He’s got sixteen long years to make up for and many mistakes to try and erase. Reading Nick and Adam’s journey was truly enjoyable and I was so happy with the way things worked out for them in this book. It was a new beginning for them and although some spots got messy with their careers and such, it truly did work out for the best.

Thank you, Mary, for a great read and I am looking forward to Adam’s story!

Four Loves

Giveaway:

Book Tour New Reviews November 2013

About the author:

Even before she graduated from law school, Mary Whitney knew she wasn’t cut out to be a real lawyer. Drawn to politics, she’s spent her career as an organizer, lobbyist, and nonprofit executive. Nothing piques her interest more than a good political scandal or romance, and when she stumbled upon writing, she put the two together. A born Midwesterner, naturalized Texan, and transient resident of Washington, D.C., Mary now lives in Northern California with her two daughters and real lawyer husband.

ARC Review & Excerpt….Drowning by Rachel Firasek

by Jilly

Book links:

Synopsis:

*Drowning is a New Adult Contemporary Romance suited for 18+ due to some violence, language, and sexual content*

“I dare you.”

Those words would change adrenaline junkie, Alice Harrison’s life forever. She’s a party girl that doesn’t believe in love until she meets a man that only writes about it.

Seth James escaped his overbearing father and moved into one of the James family’s vacant condos, hoping to create the music he loves in peace. But the fragile calm he’s envisioned shatters when a tiny woman with a world full of energy bounces out of the elevator and nearly takes him out.

With the patience of a saint, Seth seeks the dark that keeps Alice from enjoying life. He challenges her to exorcise the demons in her past in order to discover the true meaning of love. But when the walls fall down, the hidden deceptions will bare the ugly truth about a woman drowning in sorrow and a man who may not know how to be her hero.

My review:

Drowning is the newest work from author Rachel Firasek. I have read most of Rachel’s’ earlier works, and really enjoyed them, but nothing comes close to what she has done with Drowning. This book was remarkable.

To say that Alice Harrison has had a pretty heavy cross to bear would be a huge understatement. Feeling responsible for the recent accident that happened to her older sister is just the latest scar left on her emotions. Those emotional scars add another layer to the physical scars left by a person who was supposed to love and care for her. That combo has left her hardened and swearing off love and emotions for good. It was the only way she knew how to survive. That all changed when she meets her new neighbor, Seth. He refuses to let something like a slammed door to the face turn him away. The scariest part is, Alice knows he may be the one that can crumble her resolve and lead her to believe there may be some good left in the world. Will he have what it takes to love someone as scarred as she is?

Seth James hasn’t really had the best childhood. One of the things that has helped him through it, besides his brother, was his love for music. Now that’s his main focus. Well, it was until he sees Alice, the new neighbor. Funny that just a little conversation in the elevator can have him dying to know more about her. She’s going to be a tough nut to crack, but he’s up for the challenge. Seth soon finds out that there’s more to the challenge than just a tough exterior when he finds her crying in the stairwell and realizes she needs more than just a hot boy toy….she needs a knight in shining armor and damn if he wants to be that for her.

Seth and Alice have so much from their pasts that needs to be healed. Working on their own really hasn’t gone so well for them. Will working together finally be the balm they need to heal the wounds they both have?

Talk about an emotional story. We are given a peek into Alice’s story in the beginning and ever so slowly, the pieces are revealed and the puzzle that starts to take shape is so utterly heartbreaking. From the day she was born, she never stood a chance at happiness in the life she was brought into. Alice is truly a survivor though. She is finally free from the hell she called home and is now out on her own and is doing her best to live and be normal. Then she meets Seth and she gains be a sliver of hope that she could be loved….scars and all. Seth is amazing. He’s a man’s man with a huge heart and the love he has for his brother is evident from the first chapter. That made me love him even more and I knew if anyone can save Alice, he was it. Regardless of his own personal and family issues, he has a good head on his shoulders and is a delicious balance between hard and soft. The delicate dance between Alice and Seth was fabulous to read. There was a slow build of trust and caring between them. The attraction was instant but the progress into a relationship was done really well. Especially as we learn about Alice’s past and what she has endured. I can’t give anything away, but have some tissues handy.

Another fantastic addition to the story were the band members….besides brothers Seth and Gabe we meet Deacon and Evan. Those two boys are a terrific addition to the entire dynamic and make the whole gang have a real family feel. Albeit a slightly dysfunctional one, a family nonetheless, with all the teasing, bickering and caring that comes with it.

Rachel takes the reader on an emotional voyage with love, loss, angst, tenderness, anger, lust and so much more. Thank you, Rachel, for Alice and Seth and for all of the rest of these memorable characters. I can’t wait to see what you have planned form them all next!

Four Loves

Excerpt:

He laughs that loud laugh that cuts down into my stomach and vibrates my breakfast to the surface. “Of course. I haven’t seen you in quite some time and thought I’d pay my baby daughter a visit. Did you get my letter?”

I can’t help the tremble that takes root in my chin and bleeds up into my tear ducts. I fight the well of salt water. Seth was right. They were a weakness to him, and he’d feed on them. “You need to go.”

“I’ll go when I’m ready. I think you should remember whose roof you’re living under and be more gracious.”

The door across the hall opens, and I meet Seth James’ bold stare over my father’s shoulder. God no. Please, don’t watch this.

He leaves the door open and steps closer. “Everything okay?”

My father lurches back and clears his throat. “Everything’s fine.” He spins and thrust out his hand, all politician’s smiles and his kissing baby’s grin on his face. “E. Harrison, and you are?”

“Neighbor. Seth James.”

I grip my towel tighter, but Seth’s eyes never stray from Dad’s. He was so wrong about being a hero. He’d just saved me from pure evil. The two men stand taller. My father is forbidding in his expensive threads. He has years of cut muscles beneath that have kept him from sagging like most men his age. Seth, on the other hand, has youth on his side. He’s all hard ridges and full of territorial male dominance.

With a deep sigh that relaxes all those tightened nerves, I ask, “Father, did you need something?”

“I came by to speak to you about something, but, perhaps another time would be better suited.” He glances back at me and sneers, but returns to sleazy smiles before he gives a nod to Seth. “Mr. James, a pleasure. I’ll be on my way.”

Seth puts a hand out and catches my father’s shoulder. “Mr. Harrison, as the owner of this condo, I feel that I should warn you against making my tenants uncomfortable.” Seth steps across the hall and drops an arm around my scarred shoulder. His thumb soothes away the shiver chasing over my collar bone. “I’m not sure of your welcome here, so please correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t want to see either of these girls come to harm.”

I gasp. He spoke so eloquently. Bold and rich. I’d have never thought he had it in him if I hadn’t just witnessed it. And no one has ever come to my defense. Never. Seth James was ten feet tall and made of blue bubble gum right now. I’d chew him, blow him, and make him pop. Vulgar, I know, but there it is.

My father straightens his jacket. “Do you know who I am?”

“I do, but obviously you do not know who I am or what I’m capable of.” Seth tucks me even closer. If he’s noticed the scars stretching across my shoulders, he’s too polite to even give them a second glance, and for that, I’ll forever be indebted to him. “Don’t fuck with Alice again.”

He knows my name. And he just cussed my dad.

Harrison squints at us, and turns, clicking his heels together before stalking to the elevator. As much as I love seeing someone put him in his place, Seth James had just built me a coffin.

Fucking great. As soon as the sliding doors close on Dad, I shove Seth away from me. He’s too much right now. Everything is too much.

His brow wrinkles. “What?”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

He steps back and glances at the floor before smirking up at me. “Being your hero.”

About the author:

Rachel Firasek spends her days daydreaming of stories and her nights putting the ideas to ink. She has spent a dull life following the rules, meeting deadlines, and toeing the line, but in her made up worlds, she can let the wild side loose. Her wonderful husband and three children support her love of the written word and only ask for the occasional American Idol or Swamp People quality hour.

She has a philosophy about love. It must devastate or it isn’t truly worth loving. She hopes that you all find your devastating love and cling to it with all your heart!

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Goodreads