November 2013 – Page 2 – Read-Love-Blog

Rina’s Quick Audio Bytes ~ Audiobook Reviews in Short: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules

By Julie Kagawa

Narrated by Therese Plummer

——————

Story: 4.5 stars

Performance: 4.5 stars

Overall: 4.5 stars

Genre: YA Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Synopsis:

Vampires are on the top of the food chain and humans have no choice but to either scrape by with the threat of death around every corner, or agree to be walking blood bags in exchange for a false sense of security. Refusing to be a registered vein on tap, Allison Sekemoto scavenges to survive with her small gang of outcasts, always unsure of when her next meal will be. Tired of going hungry, Allie ventures into the dangerous ruins outside the vampire city of New Convington and stumbles upon a gold mine that could guarantee her group would not go hungry through winter. However, when she returns with the others to collect the invaluable fortune, what’s waiting for them changes the world Allison thought she knew forever.

Quick Byte:

Just when I felt the vampire genre couldn’t possibly have a fresh spin, I happened across The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa as part of an Audible BOGO promotion. From the first chapter of this dystopian thriller, I was completely captivated. Just think, Walking Dead, meets Hunger Games, meets Underworld, meets Mad Max, and not necessarily in that order. Allison is a strong, relatable character who develops and grows with every new challenge thrust upon her, bringing the reader along for one crazy ride. The world around Allie is dark and twisted, full of support characters who you grow to love or love to hate.

Therese Plummer does a wonderful job bringing the story to life, allowing the listener to know who is speaking just by the inflection changes in her voice. She portrays the males with expert ease, to the point where chills ran down my spine each and every time I heard one male in particular.

Immortal Rules is the first book in Julie Kagawa’s series, Blood of Eden. The second book, The Eternity Cure is available now.

~Rina

Review…Collide by Riley Hart

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

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

Cover Reveal….Desprite Measures by Deborah Jay

Title: Desprite Measures

Author: Deborah Jay

Expected Release Day: 13^th December 2013

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Hosted By: Luscious Laylah Release Day

Goodreads

Synopsis:

On the surface she’s a cute and feisty blonde, a slender pocket rocket fitness coach. But Cassiopeia Lake has a secret; she’s really a force of nature – an elemental.

Water sprite, Cassie, has lived undisturbed in her native Scottish loch for eons. Now, one encounter too many with modern plumbing has driven her to live in human guise along with her selkie boyfriend, Euan. It’s all going fine – until a nerdy magician captures Cassie to be an unwilling component in his crazy dangerous experiment.

Escape is only Cassie’s first challenge.

She’s smitten by her fellow prisoner, the scorching hot fire elemental, Gloria. But how do you love someone you can never touch?

And what do you do when your boyfriend starts to hero-worship your persecutor? Not to mention that tricky situation of being the prize in a power contest between two rival covens of witches.

So when Gloria’s temper erupts and she sets out to murder the magician, can Cassie keep her loved ones safe from the cross-fire, or will she be sucked into the maelstrom of deadly desires and sink without trace?

Cassie learns the hard way that friendship depends on truth, and that love and lust are not the same.

About The Author:

Deborah Jay writes fantasy and urban fantasy featuring complex, quirky characters and multi-layered plots – just what she likes to read.

Living mostly on the UK South coast, she has already invested in her ultimate retirement plan – a farmhouse in the majestic, mystery-filled Scottish Highlands where she retreats to write when she can find the time.

She has a dream of a day job, riding, training and judging competition dressage horses and riders, and also writes books and magazine features on the subject under the name Debby Lush.

Her taste for the good things in life is kept in check by the expense of keeping too many horses, and her complete inability to cook.

A lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy, she started writing her first novel aged eight, and has never stopped. Her debut novel, epic fantasy THE PRINCE’S MAN, first in a trilogy and winner of a UK Arts Board award, is now available from most ebook retailers, and her Urban Fantasy (first in a series), DESPRITE MEASURES, a tale of a Scottish water sprite trying to live as a human, is due out for the Christmas season.

Author Links

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

Also by Deborah Jay

The Princess Man

Goodreads ~ Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ Apple

Review…The Guardians by T.M. Franklin

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

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

The Sound of Shooting Stars by Heather Allen….Blog Tour Stop & Guest Post

Welcome to my stop on The Sound of Shooting Stars Blog Tour!

I’ve got some great teasers for you, a fabulous guest post from Heather and the rafflecopter to the awesome tour-wide giveaway! Oh, and The Sound of Shooting Stars will be on sale for 99 cents for the duration of the tour, how awesome!

Title: The Sound of Shooting Stars

Author: Heather Allen

Genre: Contemporary YA

Publication Date: 11 November 2013

Event organized by: Into the Night Reviews

Synopsis:

Jamie Grey grew up tossed around between foster homes. At an early age he shut the world out, deciding he wouldn’t care. Whatever life had to throw at him, he would look the other way. Now his senior year is about to start and he’s been forced into yet another new home. This will be the last time, he assures himself. When an unexpected curveball comes his way in the form of a certain stubborn seventeen year old girl, Jamie soon finds out that life doesn’t always work out the way you plan it.

Beckett Chase has been entitled her entire life. Living in the plush landscape of Palm Beach, Florida, she’s never wanted for anything. She’s always taken what and who she wants with no remorse. When she sets her sights on Jamie Grey and she’s met with rejection, her descent from the top begins.

With a twist of events causing Jamie and Beckett’s worlds to collide, will they be able to put aside their differences or will fate intervene offering an entirely different option?

Goodreads link

Purchase links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Smashwords

Guest Post:

My question to Heart was:
Do you believe fate plays a roll in life or do we all make our own destiny?

That is a great question! Fate as defined by Merriam-Webster is: a power or predetermined course of events that is believed to control what happens in the future. Additionally the things that will happen to a person or thing and the future that someone or something will have. It further defines destiny as the will or determining cause by which things in general are believed to be as they are or events to happen as they do.

I believe we all have a destiny, something we are all able to fulfill in our future. But is this something predetermined for each one of us or do we control what happens? That’s a hard one. Many of the books we read would have it be an act of fate, events that are already written in the future and meant to happen regardless of anything else.

Um no, I think each one of us has a role to play in our futures. We make our own destiny with our actions. Life is full of choices. The smallest such as “What should I order to drink in a restaurant?” to the largest, “Should I move across the country for another person?” Each of those decisions can impact our future. Think about it, the direction your own life has taken. Would you be where you are or who you are with, if you hadn’t made the decisions you’ve made? No, life would have taken you in a different direction. I KNOW this about my own life. And because of this which obviously I’ve thought about…I don’t regret a single decision I’ve made.Some of my own choices have been doozies but hey that is what life is all about. If we don’t make bad decisions, we don’t learn from our mistakes.

Okay, so now the question is how does fate fit in? I don’t exactly know. Was it a concept made up by an over imaginative romantic or does it have some semblance in our universe? I’d like to believe I was fated to marry my husband, we were written in the stars just like Jamie and Beckett but no, the corners I’ve turned and the streets I’ve crossed led me to him.

Of our fate though we can be sure of two things, we are born and we will die at some point. What comes in between is a choice in our destiny.

Thank you so much for stopping by, Heather. I truly enjoyed your take on fate and destiny! ~Jillian

Giveaway

Heather is offering an amazing Giveaway in conjunction with the blog tour! Prizes include ebooks & paperbacks by Tiffany King, Carol Kunz, Rachel Wade, Misty Provencher, Heather Dencker, Heather Allen and Heather Gunter as well as tickets to Indie Girl Con in February 2014 and a gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Heather Allen is the author of The Just Breathe Trilogy, and newly released- The Sound of Shooting Stars. Heather finally realized her dream of becoming an author only recently with her mermaid trilogy. She savors every moment on this new journey and the wonderful friends she has met along the way. She has many more books planned. More ideas pop up than she has time to write about.

Heather currently resides in the scorching hot state of Florida with her husband and three children. She holds degrees in education from The University of Central Florida and Nova Southeastern University. She is a hopeless romantic who loves to read just about anything, coffee and Jelly Belly jellybeans. When she isn’t teaching, writing or reading, Heather can be found at the beach or out on the water boating.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Allen/245833965548588

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kelconcar

Blog: http://heatherallen127.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/282217.Heather_Allen

Blog Tour Stop & Review….Hers by Dawn Robertson

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

Please enjoy my review and thanks for stopping by!

Book links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

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

Falling For Him by Anne Conley…..Blog Tour Stop & Excerpt

Buy Links

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

After eighteen years of marriage, Amy has finally found a man to talk to, and it’s not her husband. She’s tried everything she can think of to put the umph back into her marriage, but when she meets Cool_Hand_Luke in a movie chat room, he validates her thoughts and opinions in ways her husband seems incapable of. With the holidays fast approaching, my tries to hold herself together for her family, while simultaneously exploring her new online relationship. Will she meet him in real life? Or will she figure out how to save her own marriage? Find out in this Holiday novella from Serendipity, Texas.

Excerpt:

She stood before him and dropped her robe, revealing the breasts that had nursed both of their children and hips that had bore them. Her stomach was a little poochie, and everything was stretched, but it was her body, and damned if he was going to make her feel ashamed of it.

He stood, his gaze traveling up her body, from her toes to her face, and he cocked an eyebrow at her.

“What do you want me to do?”

She almost gave up then. But she couldn’t. Taking a shaky breath, she said, “I want you to fuck me, Bryan.”

In less than two strides, he was on her, pushing her back roughly, until the back of her legs hit the desk.

“You want me to fuck you, Amy?”

The look in his eyes was wild, intense, and scary. It was like he was at a precipice, and she had just told him to jump. She bit her lip, and nodded, unable to tear her gaze away from his face.

Bryan closed his eyes and breathed in a harsh ragged sounding breath. Then, without opening his eyes, he reached for her, grabbing her ass while his mouth suckled her neck. He lifted her on top of the desk and slipped his fingers into the waistband of her panties. With a growl, he ripped them off and shoved her legs open. His mouth was on her breast now, biting and sucking.

Amy didn’t know what to do. This was what she’d asked for, but it wasn’t like anything she’d ever experienced with Bryan before. It was like he was a different person.

Or she was.

Realization dawned, and Amy tried in vain to push him back.

“Bryan, wait…Stop.”

Instead of stopping, Bryan pushed his cock inside her folds roughly, filling her with a groan. He pumped in and out of her faster and harder than he’d ever done. In spite of herself, Amy started to feel a pressure build inside. A warm ripple that threatened to turn into a crashing wave. Bryan still hadn’t opened his eyes, and she just knew that he wasn’t fucking her.

He was fucking somebody else.

She was breathless now, almost on the edge. “Bryan.”

His voice was harsh. “Scream for me, baby.”

“What?” Oh god, she was almost there. Bryan’s mouth captured her breast again, and he bit down. Hard.

Amid a terrifying mixture of pain and pleasure, Amy hit the edge and screamed, as the raw release shuddered through her. He kept pumping furiously, harder and harder, until he came and fell on top of Amy.

Never once did he open his eyes.

When she had caught her breath, Amy said, “Who is she?”

Bryan lifted his head and looked at her. “Who?”

“Who were you thinking about just then?”

“What? Nobody.” Amy had known Bryan her entire life, and the guilt in his eyes was clear as glass.

He ducked down and reached for his pants to pull them up, before turning to lower himself back in his recliner.

She watched him, skin glowing with the after-effect of sex, his hair in need of a trim. His workouts had been working. Whoever he was trying to impress would be pleased.

About the author:

I raise goats. I raise children. I write. I don’t do any of it well, but I try to have fun with all of it. And I read. I’m not too terribly technologically savvy, but I’m working on that. My life is a continual work in progress. And when it gets to be

too much for me (quite frequently, I’m a little embarrassed to say) I read some more.

Author Links

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Website

Cover Reveal….HiT for Freedom ~ Anna’s Battle by Margaret McHeyzer

Title: HiT for Freedom ~ Anna’s Battle (HiT #2)

Author: Margaret McHeyzer

Genre: Chick Lit with Edge 18+

Publication Date: December 18, 2013

Cover Design: Sprowt Graphic Design

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis

Anna Brookes also known by her Professional name 15, did what she had never done before.

She didn’t kill her target, HiT 149.

HiT 149 better known as Ben Pearson did something he had never done before.

He fell in love with Anna Brookes.

In Hit for Freedom, the sequel to HiT 149, a nemesis so powerful, terrifying and frightening is threatening the safety of Anna’s love, Ben and his hometown, St Cloud.

15 must deal with a force that may be too dangerous even for her skilled ways. With limited information on her new HiT, she willingly infiltrates his trust to acquire the knowledge she needs to implode the operations of the deadly man.

“What you saw earlier must be playing around in your head. But you didn’t scream or freak out which tells me you are either very strong or very broken. Either way, the information I give you from here on in, you must understand that I will kill you if you choose to repeat it to anyone.”

I’ll let him believe that. ~ Anna Brookes

Add to Goodreads

About the Author

I love to read. I’m a huge fan of books and when I start reading anything, I usually forgo doing everything else, I mean the housework will still be there in the morning (right?). When I love a story or book that I’ve downloaded, I usually refrain from sleep and am crabby the next day – but only until I pick my iPad up and start reading again!

The idea for my debut novel HiT 149, came to me as I was chopping my vegetables for dinner and before the night was over I had written 10 chapters! My goal with writing is just to take people away from whatever is going on in their lives, even if it’s only for a split second.

I’m a go with the flow sort of person and don’t really take a course of action to get where I am going. I live in the moment and don’t usually worry about tomorrow because whatever life is due to bring me, I’ll be happy to accept.

I love my family and friends and will help anyway I can if someone needs it. But I can be a bit daft sometimes and need to be told very specifically or it’ll go over my head! I really don’t like people that are nasty just because they can be, I don’t believe that’s necessary, I mean life is hard enough as it is!

I hope you enjoy my books, I’ve had a hoot writing them. There’s more to come, and not all from the same series……

Til next time

Connect with the Author: Facebook | Goodreads

Blog Tour & Guest Post….The Guardians by T.M. Franklin

Welcome to my stop on The Guardians by T.M. Franklin Blog Tour!

I’ve got a fabulous guest post from T.M. to share with you all today as well as the rafflecopter for the tour-wide giveaway.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

About The Guardians: Book Two in the MORE Trilogy

Ava’s life is . . . complicated.

After all, it’s not every day a girl learns she’s not entirely human, or unlocks hidden powers strong enough to make even the First Race sit up and take notice. After surviving an attempted kidnapping and standing up to the Race’s Ruling Council, Ava Michaels returns to college and what she hopes is a normal life. But Ava quickly realizes that for her, normal may not even exist anymore.

In fact, the Council wants her under their control, and they’re not the only ones. The mysterious Rogues have a plan of their own, and it turns out Ava’s a big part of it, whether she wants to be or not.

On top of that, her new relationship is tested in ways she never expected. Her boyfriend, Caleb Foster, has disappeared—accused of betraying the Race—and Ava herself stands implicated in a crime she didn’t commit.

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

More Information | Goodreads

Buy links:

TWCS ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Amazon

T.M. Franklin’s Guest Post:

When I’m Not Writing…

Like most (if not all) authors, I do love to read when I’m not writing. It can be a challenge to find time when you’re actually working on a manuscript, though. I also like to stay away from books in my genre while I’m writing—especially books with similar themes—to avoid being influenced in any way.

I enjoy a lot of different genres, but I find lately when I invest in buying a book, it tends to be young adult. Here are some of my faves at the moment.

Yes, yes, YES! I am addicted to this series. I read Divergent and Insurgent, by Veronica Roth, in about a weekend this summer and at this writing am anxiously awaiting the final book in the series. (Although by the time this posts, I will hopefully have read it and flailed sufficiently about how much I loved it!)

Another series I’m enjoying is this one by Stephanie Perkins. Anna and the French Kiss is my absolute favorite (Etienne. Swoon.) but I loved Lola too. Isla doesn’t come out until next year (Sob!) so I’m counting down the days!

I started reading the Outlander series years ago, and I think I paused after Drums of Autumn. Lately, I’ve been feeling the urge to give this a go again, especially with word of the new TV series. Now, this isn’t YA, but it’s an amazing series – really well-written, but man, is it a commitment! These books are beefy (I think Outlander is 800+ pages) and when you start reading, you don’t want to stop!

When I need a laugh, it’s got to be the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich. These are books that never fail to make me laugh out loud (much to the annoyance of my husband.) I haven’t read Sizzling Sixteen yet, so that one’s probably next on my list.

Finally, since I published, I’ve gotten to know a lot of other authors, and I read their books when I have a chance. Some I’ve really enjoyed recently: Lessons Learned by Sydney Logan, Ghostwriter by Lissa Bryan, Where We Fell by Amber Johnson, and Sempre by JM Darhower. Can’t wait to read more from these talented ladies!

What books are you obsessing about lately? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing the reads you’ve been enjoying, T.M.!

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About the author:

Connect with T.M. Franklin

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Book Tour & Review…..Divinity by Patricia Leever

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!

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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:

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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

Alice Clayton’s new Cocktail Series: Book News & Giveaway

Oh, how much fun!

You got BANGED, now it’s time to get NAILED!

Alice Clayton is teaming up with Gallery Books to bring us some amazing new reads!

The first title in the new Cocktail Series, RUSTY NAILED, will be a sequel to WALLBANGER and is set to release in June 2104.

SCREWDRIVERED and MAI TAI’D will follow in September 2014 and December 2014. There’s also a novella, set to be published January 2015, is the beginning of a brand new Hudson Valley Series.

Are you excited yet!?!

Well, in case you aren’t, and in honor of this amazing news, I have a COMPLETE PAPERBACK set of the Redhead Series by Alice Clayton to give away to one lucky winner! (thank you, Gallery Books!)

Giveaway:

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About the author (from the author website):

Alice Clayton is a new novelist with an unholy love for her Kitchenaid mixer. Making her home in St Louis, she enjoys gardening but not weeding, baking but not cleaning up afterwards, and is trying desperately to get her long time boyfriend to make her an honest woman. Hi sweetie!!

After working for years in the cosmetics industry as a makeup artist, esthetician, and national educator for a major cosmetics company, Alice picked up a pen (read laptop) for the first time at 33 to begin a new career, writer. Having never written a thing before, she found writing was the creative outlet she had been missing since walking away from the theater 10 years ago. Combining her love of storytelling with a sense of silly, she was shocked and awed to be nominated for a Goodreads Author award in 2010 for her debut novels, The Redhead Series.

Alice has penned two novels, The Unidentified Redhead and The Redhead Revealed, and thinks you should purchase them immediately. She’s not kidding, not even a little bit. Everyone needs some comedic erotica in their lives. She is hard at work on the third book in The Redhead Series which will be out Spring of 2013 which will continue the saucy and sexual escapades of everyone’s favorite couple, Jack and Grace. She has another new release coming up soon in November of 2012, all new characters, all new story, but same brand of smutty hilarity.

Additionally, Alice loves spending time with her besties on notyourmotherspodcast.com, make sure you check them out on iTunes. 3 women rushing towards their forties still acting like teenagers. A saucy little mix of sex, love, relationships, pop cultural, celebrity gossip and All Things Jake Ryan.

Alice enjoys pickles, Bloody Mary’s, 8 hours of sleep, and a good pounding.

Finally Alice would also like all her readers and listeners to help her convince her long time boyfriend that the only other thing that would make her truly happy is finally bringing home a Bernese Mountain Dog. She is totally serious. And done talking about herself in the third person…

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