Saturday, February 16, 2013

Dark Promise

 3 of 5 stars false
Rylie has it all - great friends, dream boy, loving family. But on the eve of her sixteenth birthday, her perfect little world shatters. A stranger claiming to be her real mother appears with a secret: Rylie is a faery whose powers will be unleashed on her birthday. Captured and forced into a new life, Rylie struggles to keep everything she loves and discovers a terrifying truth: some promises cannot be broken.

Review

**** I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.****

Rylie is a normal fifteen year old girl, a few days before her sixteenth birthday she begins to have really bad headaches. The night before her birthday a woman comes to her house and Rylie finds out that she is a fairy and that the dark faeries want her for the incredible power she will have one she finishes her transformation. Rylie gets kidnapped and taken to the dark fairy land; she is told she must marry Kallan. Rylie loves her boyfriends Adam but she starts to have feelings about Kallan, Rylie has to figure out who she really wants. I liked this book a lot, Rylie is a really good main female character. She makes the best of her situation, without completely accepting it; she still tries to find different ways to get home. Adam was a sweet normal boy, everything a mom wants in her daughters’ boyfriend. Kallan was a bit darker, he seemed like a jerk at first, but once you got to know him he was a really great person. The writing was good and the suspense kept me interested. This book had a lot going for it; I would have given it five stars, except two things really bugged me. One I am pretty burned out on the love triangle, I have read to many books with a love triangle, now every time I read a book with one in it, it automatically makes me cringe. The second problem was the ending, I know this book is supposed to be part of a series, but I it still bugged me that the book left me with a lot of questions. Overall this is a pretty good book; if you like books with fairies and don't mind a love triangle then you will really enjoy these books. 

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Elizabeth Finn

Enter the rafflecopter at the bottom of the post to win all of Elizbeth Finns books. Contest is for 18+
  Elizabeth Finn is an Iowa native, where she lives with her husband and son. Elizabeth loves all things romance and enjoys immersing herself in the world of writing contemporary erotic romance stories. Look for more to come from Elizabeth Finn.
Links: Elizabeth   Twitter Facebook
 






Interview with Elizabeth:

 1. For someone who has been eyeing your books for a while but still never tried one, what one of your books would you suggest them to read?
Well, it would depend on exactly what you were in the market for. My first release, The Devil’s Pawn, is darker and grittier. Some have likened it to The Dark Duets, while others say it’s not nearly so dark. I’ve never read that series, so I can’t say one way or the other. I personally think it’s suspenseful and hard to put down. My second, Brother’s Keeper, is sweeter but a bit heartbreaking at times. The age difference of my H/h has caused some controversy – though I personally can’t imagine why… My third which has been my most popular but also most criticized… yes, I have no problem admitting that, is straight good old fashion contemporary smut – perhaps a bit angsty at times, but a good quick read. Of course, you could wait until 2/25/13 and read Immortal Protector – my first paranormal. It’s a contemporary paranormal erotic romance, and I’m really excited for it to release. I haven’t helped you decide what to read at all, have I?… LOL

2. As an author if you could be any author, if she is envious or could have written any story, who and what would it be?
This is going to move outside the realm of erotic romance, but I’m fanatical about J.K. Rowling, and the Harry Potter series. The world she created is amazing, and I can’t imagine having that level of creativity. I envy writers who can create entire worlds and do it as effectively as she did. I love writing contemporary because I love a believable story that feels like real life. BUT BUT BUT, I also enjoy escaping into other worlds, and as a writer, creating those other worlds isn’t my strongest ability.

3. The book Brother's Keeper has a somewhat taboo relationship in it, were you worried that people would not read your books because of this?
Truthfully, I didn’t worry about it at all. I started writing that story five years ago, and I was writing completely for myself without any thought of publishing it. I wrote about a third of the book and then put it away for years. I literally almost deleted it from my computer multiple times. I wasn’t considering a career in writing at that time. I was too busy working my tail off, starting a family, and pretty much anything other than writing. It wasn’t until I pulled it out years later and decided to finish it that I even had to consider that a 17 year old heroine paired with a 25 year old hero might ruffle some feathers. In my defense… She was 18 before any sort of sexual relationship started, and she was 18 ½ when she actually lost her virginity… (Sorry – spoiler) That darn near makes her a prude by today’s standards! When I write, I tend not to really consider if what I’m writing is going to offend someone, because truthfully, you will ALWAYS offend someone, and I don’t personally feel a writer should compromise on writing the story they want to write. I’m not ever offended when people say they don’t like something I’ve written. That’s probably odd, but I’m just not.

4. Have you ever had to rewrite a sex scene for being too racy? (yes I know that I already know that answer to this question, but not everyone does)
Oh, yes indeed!! And I wasn’t happy about it. I get it; I really do get it. Publishers have to consider what the masses will want to see and not a smaller niche that may appreciate certain … hmm … descriptive language about certain aspects of sex. Some think it’s sexy, some think it’s over the top. I have my personal preferences about what is sexy, what shows a particular level of intimacy, etc., but I’m not always going to be in line with the majority out there. I’m happy with the edited scene, but I still miss the original scene. After going through the editing process more times than I can recall, I’m used to it!

5. Your first paranormal romance book is coming out on Feb 25, Immortal Protector, what made you decide to write a book in that genre?
Well I love to read paranormal, and the story itself had been floating around in my head for a few years. I find I’m drawn to particular stories rather than particular genres, and I have stories in my brain from nearly all genres. I was just ready to write this story now. I will say, my take on paranormal is using paranormal elements in a contemporary setting. I’m not creating worlds or taking anyone to a new plane of existence.

6. What book has the best sex scene you have ever read?
Good question!! And I’m not sure I can even begin to answer it. I started reading romance in the historical genre years and years ago, so I have so many nostalgic feelings for some of those authors and scenes. I hate to not really answer the question, but I find that I love a particular scene in a book, but once I’m on to the next book, I fall in love all over with another scene. I truly can’t whittle it down to one scene in one book that was so impacting that I would place it above others.

7. Which authors have influenced your writing the most?
Every single last author I’ve read has shaped me in some way or another. My love for romance fiction started with historical romance, and I fell in love with Iris Johansen’s novels. So, from the perspective of what sparked my love for romance fiction, I have Ms. Johansen to thank.

8. Favorite fictional male character and why?
I’m actually going to refer to one of my own, and he is from an upcoming book - Angus Scott from the second book in The Immortals series, Immortal Distraction. I’m sooooo in love with Angus’ character. He is one smooth cat, he doesn’t get ruffled easily, and he is so seductively good at toying with his lady. I had a great time writing his character.

Books:

The Immortals
 
Unedited Blurb: Theirs was a forever love. At least it was supposed to be… Truman and Ember met in a cold, dark basement on the day that was to be her last. Kidnapped by a predator at ten years old, Ember wasn’t long for this world. But even Truman, a three-hundred-year-old vampire, was incapable of escaping his humanity with her. He follows her through her life to ensure her safety, unable to stop fighting for the scared little girl he met so many years in the past. Truman, like all others of his kind, has the ability to erase memories of himself, and he uses this ability to come in and out of Ember’s life while protecting her from the knowledge of his kind. When Truman finally caves in to his desire for Ember, he is forced to take the most precious memory she holds. But he never imagined he’d lose his ability to return those memories to her. After Ember is attacked, Truman becomes responsible for a woman without a shred of remembrance of him or their long history together. She doesn’t trust him, and he resents her cruelty toward him, but as much as she breaks his heart, he can’t give up on them. As Truman fights to win back her trust and remind her of just how good they are at falling in love, a threat looms closer and closer. Can he save her once more from the clutches of a monster intent on destroying her? Or will her life be lost before her memories are ever found? 




 




 Coming Soon 4/15/2013! Unedited Blurb Detective Brit Sutton is the epitome of difficult. As a homicide investigator, she learned early on that being a woman in a man’s world required a strong backbone, a harsh tongue and nerves of steel. But when one of her cases leads her to Angus Scott, she’s finally met her match. Angus is the head of the council of vampires for the Eastern region of the United States, and it is his responsibility alone to run interference with her investigation when the prime suspect is one of his own. But Brit is a determined woman, and as much as she’s met her match, Angus has as well. When his toying games turn to intense attraction to all out obsession, will he be able to stay his course? And when her life becomes threatened by the very suspect Angus is trying to shelter, will he abandon his need to distract her in order to protect her?








Restoring Jordan




When Adeline Parker decides to celebrate landing a coveted internship at one of Chicago’s most prestigious architectural firms by indulging in a brutally dark and handsome man, she gets more than she bargained for. Lost in a maze of hallways on the first day of her new position, she stumbles headlong into a boardroom of suits. Very expensive suits. They are the somebodies of this prestigious firm, and she is, by all accounts, the very definition of a nobody. And sitting at the table with the rest of the principals from the firm is a man—the very man who unwittingly deflowered her only days before. From the look of it, Jordan Ellinwood is none too happy to see her again; by his own admission, he’s a one-night-stand man, and the fact she conned him into taking her virginity isn’t sitting well with him either. But as her path is inextricably attached to his, their closeness will no longer be a choice. As an intern, she’s off-limits, and that says nothing of the fact he’s twelve years older than she is. But when coworkers bent on jealousy and resentment threaten her reputation and internship, the long-dormant emotions Jordan has so effectively stifled fight to break free. And as he struggles to get out of his own way long enough to let her see his compassion, her career is jeopardized and leaves him fighting with every last ounce of himself to save her. Will it be enough? Can he overcome his emotional shortcomings in time to rescue her future and his own—now so very attached to hers? 5 of 5 stars false





My Brother's Keeper


Trapped in a web of hate with no escape, a young woman discovers her attraction to the man determined to protect her may be her undoing. Will time run out, or will he find a way to protect her before her abusive father kills her? When Rowan is awarded a ballet scholarship to Michigan State University during her senior year of high school, her life’s dream is finally realized. Having lost her mother at an early age and being subjected to the abuse of a destitute drunken father, she has known unimaginable loss and heartache and been left wanting for a better life—a life now within her grasp. But with one ill-fated phone call, her life is turned upside down. Logan is Rowan's best friend’s older brother whose career is taking off as he prepares to graduate law school and move cross-country to the prestigious law firm that has offered him a very lucrative contract. When Rowan finds herself at Logan’s mercy after he inadvertently learns of the abuse she has suffered at the hands of her father, their lives become intertwined in a way neither ever imagined nor wanted. In an effort to protect her, but with his own hands tied by her unwillingness to report the abuse, Logan strikes a deal requiring Rowan to stay with him whenever there is a chance her father might be on a drunken binge—which is often. For her agreement and cooperation, he will keep her secret. Soon, their time together weighs on them both, and they find themselves constantly tempted to step outside the bounds of their supposed platonic relationship. But there is no point. The devastating fact of the matter is their lives are moving in opposite directions—a relationship destined to die before it even has a chance to live. The ever present clock plagues them both as it ticks off the days until they are parted. But one all important question remains—after he leaves, how will he protect her from a father intent on hating her until the day he dies … or the day he kills her? 5 of 5 stars false



 The Devil's Pawn
  A common enemy. A secret untold. One dark and handsome man determined to despise. One inexperienced, innocent, shy woman swept into a life she cannot control. Both pawns in a torturous game that will bind them together or tear them apart . . . forever. When Ashton is left orphaned after her parents are murdered, her life becomes a hell she could never have imagined. Left to fend for herself, and responsible for a debt she doesn’t owe, she is swept into a life as a gentleman’s escort at a private men’s gaming hall. Her new manager makes it abundantly clear he doesn’t appreciate her inexperience, innocence, and shyness. On the contrary, he despises everything about her. Derek can be “difficult,” she’s been told. And however dark and handsome he may be, he terrifies her in a way that chills her to the bone, but leaves her begging to understand him. As they are pulled along together, more secrets and threats than either one could ever conceive are revealed, and a common enemy emerges. This enemy will stop at nothing to bring Derek to his knees while using Ashton as the greatest pawn in his torturous game. Will Derek be able to let down his shield of cold, harsh emotion before it’s too late? Will he be able to sacrifice himself to save Ashton, or will they both be destroyed by the secrets of their pasts? 5 of 5 stars false 


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Friday, February 15, 2013

The Garden

 
5 of 5 stars false 
Nearly every religion and society in the world today begins with their story with Adam and Eve. And yet, this most basic story is couched in mysticism, myth, and vague detail. Did such a couple really exist? Were they the first man and woman on our planet–or is there more to the story?
For two hundred thousand years the Neanderthal race ruled Earth, then mysteriously, 40,000 years ago they disappeared forever leaving behind a new race of people, the Cro-Magnon. Why? What happened back then that changed our history?
The Garden of Eden, a perfect home built and designed for two people, until the serpent arrived. Who was the serpent? And what was he doing there in the first place? Is there a chance that the serpent is actually a reference to some hidden sexual transgression?

Imagine traveling billions of light years across space to settle an unknown world populated by primitive barbarians. Imagine being alone, just you and your spouse, the two of you in charge of an entire world with only your faith and your mission to guide you—and, of course, the devil waiting for that first fatal mistake.
Could you have done things better?
The Garden
A Love Story
A Saga of Good vs Evil
The Beginning of Humanity’s Historic Journey

Review

****I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review****
  This is the story of Adam and Eve, with an original plot line.It's not the story that everyone knows but rather one that is believable and highly entertaining. The characters are accessible and their mistakes are ones that everyone could make. The different characters stories were a little hard to follow at first but I got used to it and I wasn't left with any questions at the end of the book. The writing is done exceptionally well, Paul is technically one of the best writers that I read in a long time. There was a certain quality to the work that turned it from being a boring remake of an old story to a new and exciting story of people from the past. I don't think there is really any thing that I can say that would properly do justice to how well this story is written. I loved the book and would recommend it to anyone and everyone. 
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Awaken

Title: Awaken
 Author: Jaime Guerard
 Expected release date: March 15, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Thriller
Age Group: Young Adult; 14 – 20+
Cover Designer: B Design; http://bdesignpublishingservices.wordpress.com/
Event organized by: AToMR Tours
 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17281806-awaken
Three things run through my mind at this very moment… ONE, my life as I once knew it will never be the same. TWO, the person I’m in love with might not even exist. THREE, the deception that has unfolded before me has the power of life and death. Sixteen year old, Breanna Davis, has heard the saying; life isn’t always what it seems…well, that saying rings true now more than ever. As horrifying visions appear before her, revealing tragedies that will forever change the fate of those she loves, she realizes that she may be the only person who can stop them from becoming reality. Amongst the chaos of this new discovery, Bre is faced with a stranger, Eve, who moves in on Bre’s friends and begins to follow her every move. As Eve’s true motives begin to surface, Bre must fight against, not only the visions, but the dangers Eve holds close. There is another secret kept- Collin, a boy held captive in Bre’s dreams, the boy she is secretly falling in love with but isn’t sure he even exists. As she tries to make it work with Austin, an old friend who could possibly be more, Bre battles against her feelings for Collin. Bre is faced with an almost impossible decision, to choose her life or follow her destiny. If she doesn’t intercede, people will certainly die. If she does, her own life could be at stake. In the end,if she fails, she’ll lose everything.



Sneak Peak:  

PROLOGUE
I stood there, silently watching him, my mind willing me to move forward, but my body remained frozen. My heart began to beat heavily, the way it always does when he comes into view. He was just ten feet away from me now. I felt lightheaded and found it difficult to breathe.
I decided this time I had to move slowly. I had to focus on slowing down my mind to take everything in. I took one step closer, studying him carefully. His dark, almost black hair glistened in the descending sun. Even though I wasn’t looking directly at his face just yet, his beauty took my breath away. I felt it coming, one more step and he would know I was here. I was anxious to see his face again, but unwilling for our encounter to end. I took a deep breath and moved, as if the simple action of taking each step was timed, he turned and rose to his feet, his face blank. I thought my heart was going to race out of my chest. I hoped for a sign this time, some kind of acknowledgment from him. Was he happy to see me? Was I not what he was expecting? What secret thoughts were running through his mind? I knew the time had come. No more stalling, I had to go to him. I began moving toward the stream where he stood. This time, I would look directly at him, look into his eyes and make myself known. “Bre, this is Collin,” a voice introduced me as I approached. Though the voice was somehow familiar, I was oblivious to who had said it. All I cared about was making sure I captured this moment in every detail. Collin’s deep, royal blue eyes looked into mine and I realized I had never felt like this before. My nerves flared with an intensity that burned deep within me and held me captive in his gaze. Every bit of him was perfect. His silky hair fell perfectly over each side of his face. Occasionally, a strand or two would move gently across his forehead and dance along his eyes. His shirt melted into his chest, making it impossible for me to ignore the definition of his body. He slowly lifted his hand, gesturing for me to take it. “It’s nice to meet you Bre.” His bright smile stretched across his mouth as he waited for me to respond.
I swallowed, knowing what was going to happen next. I tried again to slow my mind down even more, pleading with myself to make this moment last. When I couldn’t hold on any longer, I reached out my hand in one last attempt to succeed. But I failed, and woke up.


Jaime grew up in a small town in Northern California. Having a passion for dance and music, never would she have thought herself to become an author. In late 2008, a story was born and a writer was developed. Jaime found the pieces of her novel beginning to take form and soon she had a full novel in her hands. Awaken is Jaime's first published novel. With many features still in the works, this debut novel is just a taste of the action-packed romantic thrillers to come from this aspiring new author. Jaime is a committed wife and mother of 3, who loves life and doesn’t take anything for granted.
Links: Blog Facebook  Twitter

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Fight with Me (With me in Seattle #2) 18 +

This review is for 18+ readers only
Fight With Me (With Me in Seattle, #2)

4 of 5 stars false
Jules Montgomery is too busy and content with her life to worry about a man, especially one Nate McKenna. If growing up with four brothers has taught her anything, she knows to stay away from sexy men with tattoos and motorcycles. That goes double if he's your boss. During the one incredible night they shared, he violated the no fraternization policy...among other things, and it won't happen again. Jules won't risk her career for mind-blowing sex, no matter how much her body and her damn heart keep arguing with her.
Nate McKenna could give a shit about the no fraternizing policy. He wants Jules and he'll have her. The rules could bend around them, or be damned. He's not a man to be taken lightly, and Jules Montgomery is about to find out just how he responds to being pushed aside after the best night of sex he's ever had. She can fight all she wants, but he'll have her in his bed in the end.
FIGHT WITH ME is the second novel in the With Me In Seattle Series
 

Review

Wow,I am glad I gave this author another chance. The first book in this series was a big fail for me. I could not get into the characters and as a result didn't finish the book.
What the other book lacked , to me, this book had is spades. I felt the connection between the two. There was a much more believable timeline for the couple to develop the feelings they had.
The couple themselves felt fully developed in my mind and phew, there was definitely sparks flying when they got together. The problems they faced were quite realistic and I could understand why certain issues popped up. All in all, I like this far more and I am really looking forward to seeing some of the other characters again in the next book in the series.



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Thursday, February 14, 2013

Dancing With Detective Danger 18+

The following review is for 18+ readers.
 



2.5 Stars
 Uncovering secrets and exposing truth are all in a day’s work for private investigator Sterling Aegar. But when her latest case threatens to reveal her own buried feelings for an old love, Sterling runs for cover.
A body in the bathtub and pleas from a jilted wife to find her wayward husband mean a welcome break from the usual humdrum cases Sterling and her sister, Lacey, are called to investigate. But when Sterling’s old flame, Detective Ben Kirby, walks into the murder scene, she feels her world spin out of control. Danger from thugs and murderers poses no greater threat than the peril she’d suffer if she lets daredevil Ben get too close.
Seeing Sterling for the first time in two years is for Ben like drinking in a healing tonic. He could never forget the way it felt to run his hands over her delicious curves or the way she touched his soul. She remains the one person who can make the emptiness in his gut go away. Finding the murderer is his job, but protecting Sterling from seriously dangerous people is his mission.
As the case unfolds, Sterling and Ben not only solve the murder and locate the missing husband, they confront secrets that set them each free from a painful past.

Review

*****This book is part of a blog tour, I was given a copy in exchange for my honest review.*****
 This was a book of loss, love, hope and self realization.
Sterling, our leading lady, has lost love ones and watched others  she loved dear lose those closest to them, and she will be damned if she will let that happen to her.
So she gives up her job as a cop, breaks up with the love of her life and settles for a "safe" existence, guarding her heart from the chance of more unbearable pain.
Ben, is living an empty life too. He is the man that has been left behind and he has never gotten over Sterling. Unbeknown to Sterling, is that Ben has made some changes to his life aswell and is no longer living the dangerous life he once did. Haunted by jobs gone wrong, the injury of his partner and the his lover leaving him, Ben really is living a shadow of a life.
When these two's paths cross again, all the unresolved feelings come with them, plus a whole lot of bitterness and resentment. Sterling's PI firm find a dead body and suddenly a simple case of a cheating husband becomes a police investigation into murder and intrigue and these two find themselves working the same case, for different reasons.
We are left to watch these two struggle with there obvious love for one another, wondering and hoping that they will get there happily ever after before these lose someone else.
"Maybe there is hope after all," Ben teased, his eyes glinting. " You still know the way. Maybe someday you'll be back----- to stay."
I loved the idea of this book, second chance romance is one of my favorite themes. They are so angsty, passionate and emotional, you are guaranteed a wild ride.
But I couldn't help but be frustrated and angry at Sterling. I found her hypocritical and extremely frustrating. The things that she seemed to blame Ben for and break up with him for  she was guilty of herself. So I spent some of the book fighting with myself as to whether she was a redeemable character in my mind.Also for an ex cop, she sure didn't seem to understand the term "withholding information".  These are of course very personal comments and not everyone is going to feel that way, unfortunately I did.
The plot line seemed to have some gaps in it , I found myself at a loss sometimes as to how certain conclusions had been reached. Also the reality of some of these situations..... it was a stretch for me and then the ending, everything wrapped up a bit to quickly.
But once again, this was my inability to feel a proper connection to the characters. Just like we don't get along with everyone in life, it is the same in a book.
I did complete the whole story and like I have said before the I loved the idea of this storyline. A more fleshed out storyline would have increased my enjoyment and a less snarky leading lady.
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The Darkening

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 4 of 5 stars false
 A tortured warrior and a peace-loving counselor battle to protect Second Earth against a powerful dark force…
He thwarted connection of any kind…
Fearing that his newly emerged grayle power will kill innocent ascenders, Samuel Daman struggles to keep his distance from beautiful Vela Stillwell. But the breh-hedden has struck and her light floral scent tears at his restraint. When the enemy draws them both into the darkening, a place of secret travel for Third ascenders, will Samuel learn to control his power, or will he destroy what he desires most?
She hid from grief…
Vela Stillwell wanted a new life, away from Militia Headquarters, away from the reminder of all she’d lost when her husband died five years earlier. Seeking a more reclusive occupation, she finishes her last day of work only to have Samuel Daman and the infamous breh-hedden sweep through her life. Though trying to disconnect from her new emerging power and from Samuel, the call of the darkening pulls Vela into an adventure that both terrifies her, yet reveals the truth about her deepest desires. Will she succumb to the breh-hedden, or will her fears prevent her from living life to the fullest?

Review


****I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review****

Vela has started having dreams about a warrior and on her last day of work her friends talk her into going to watch the men at the training center. While there she and the warrior Samuel start experiencing the breh-hedden.  The two of them have to deal with their emerging powers, find a lost warrior and fight the growing war. Vela has to decide if she can face her fears and love a warrior again. Vela is a compassionate woman, with a lot of power. Samuel is a loner with a lot of guilt. I liked the storyline and the characters that surrounded the couple were interesting. Endelle was brash, with the mouth of a sailor and Merl was an unrepentant flirt. The action was intense, exciting and wonderfully descriptive. The sex scenes were hot and the connection that the two main characters shared added emotional depth to their lovemaking. I really enjoyed this book; my only complaint was that I was confused in the beginning. I had not read the first book in the series so when I started The Darkening it took me a little while to figure out what was going on
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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Caramel and Magnolias

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Title: Caramel and Magnolias
Author: Tess Thompson
Release date: February 1, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction; Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult

Bestselling author Tess Thompson, whose debut novel Riversong touched the hearts of readers worldwide, delivers a captivating and suspenseful tale of the possibilities that await us in life and in love – if we can find the courage to get off the sidelines. Crushed by a broken heart, ten years ago Cleo Tanner walked away from her acting dreams and now leads a quiet, secluded life in Seattle. Sylvia, her best friend from college, is trapped in a loveless marriage, distraught by her desire to have a child – until an adoption agency owner in relentless pursuit of Cleo offers to help. Just as Sylvia begins to experience a love so profound that only a mother can feel, a detective approaches Cleo with disturbing questions about the adoption agency. Determined to protect her friend, Cleo jumps into a dangerous investigation that forces her to confront the ghosts of her past. A toast to friendship, motherhood, mended hearts and new beginnings, Caramel and Magnolias reminds us it’s never too late to reawaken the heart.
Links: Amazon Barnes and Noble Goodreads
Tess Thompson is a novelist and playwright with a BFA in Drama from the University of Southern California. In 2011, she released her first novel, Riversong, which subsequently became a bestseller. Like her main character in Caramel and Magnolias, Tess is from a small town in Southern Oregon. She currently lives in Seattle, Washington with her two young daughters, Emerson and Ella, and their puppy Patches. She is inspired daily by the view of the Cascade Mountains from her home office window.
 Links: Facebook  Twitter  Goodreads  Tess Writes 




Guest Post

Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them. ~Henry David Thoreau
The end. I love to type those words. The first draft of novel writing is a high. Everyone has a unique process. Mine begins with the characters. Once they’re firmly cemented in my mind, they tell me the story. I am merely the delivery vessel. Tell their story is taped to my computer screen.
I do not think about theme or genre during the first draft. But after I type the words, the end, the themes become apparent to me. Ah, so this is what I was writing about.
The last several years have yielded a tremendous amount of work, primarily two projects. One is Caramel and Magnolias (a romantic suspense, released February 1 by Booktrope Editions). The other is historical fiction set in the 1930’s in the American south (released later this year as a trilogy).
Caramel and Magnolias is about four people living on the outskirts of their own lives, or as I describe in the book, “the sidelines”. They’ve accepted their lives of quiet desperation. They cope with their loneliness and isolation by immersing themselves in their work.
It wasn’t until I read through the first draft that I realized I’d been writing about myself.
For years I’d been unhappy in my marriage. But I felt trapped. I couldn’t imagine a way out. I was worried about my children, primarily. And I felt responsible for his happiness. I couldn’t hurt him by telling the truth. I want out.
So I accepted my fate. I had my two beautiful daughters. I had my work. Surely this was more than most people had?
And I never uttered the truth to a living soul. Not my best friends. Not my mother. I was good at pretending everything was fine. I convinced myself it didn’t matter that I was slowly dying or that I was utterly alone despite being married.
I had a mantra. I am a good wife. I am a good mother. I can be happy. I will be happy. Just try a little harder.
Every night I asked God, please make me a better wife and mother tomorrow than I was today. And please let me love him as I should.
But then something happened that changed everything. I started being seen and heard. Riversong climbed the bestseller charts. My blog, Inspiration for Ordinary Life, developed a loyal following. I was something more than what the outside saw - good mother, loyal wife, caring daughter. I was an artist who had something to say that mattered.
Many readers wrote to me that I’d inspired them or moved them with one of my blog pieces. And it was always the pieces I hesitated to write, the ones I thought might expose too much of my soul that received the most response.
The more truthful I was, the more readers responded.
And the more readers responded, the more truthful I became.
I understood, as I never had before, that to create art one must tell the truth. How could I be a real artist, I asked myself, if I can’t admit the truth to myself? I dread the rest of my life.
But still I stifled it. Be grateful for what you have, I told myself over and over. I immersed myself further in my work. And then something amazing happened. A friend actually asked me the question no one had ever asked before.
Are you happy?
And I did something amazing. I answered with the truth.
No. But I’m trapped.
I knew it.
What was this? Someone saw the truth despite my skills at deception. Only one. But it was enough. Because telling the truth unleashed something I couldn’t take back. I was jarred awake. I knew I had to get out or I would slowly die.
In the months that followed I made big and necessary changes in my life. It was painful in every way – telling him, telling my daughters, telling my parents. There were many dark days I wondered how I would get through.
But I did. I am on the other side now. I am free. I am happy. Yes, I’m terrified some days, no question. However, in the midst of the fear, I am also hopeful and excited for the rest of my life. Like my characters in Caramel and Magnolias, I am choosing to live instead of walking around half-dead. I am no longer quietly desperate. I am living with purpose. I am living with passion and dreams and faith.
And my work? All the better for it.
The truth does indeed set you free. 
 



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Veiled Mist

 
Excerpt: 
“Then what…” he stepped back still holding the gun to Hanna’s head. “Todd? You took Todd? Put him down now!”
Hanna heard the click. Michael was about to pull the trigger. She wanted to do as he’d said, and was about to, but the African warrior appeared near the Cabin and shook his head. “No.”
“You put him down,” Michael hissed.
“We can’t. We need to get him to a hospital. If we don’t, he’ll die. Please let us…”
“You’re not taking my son anywhere near those traitors.” Michael jammed the rifle’s nozzle against Hanna’s head, hurting her and almost making her lose her grip.
“If you shoot me I’ll drop him,” Hanna said.
“Put him down.”
The warrior continued to shake his head. Hanna wished he’d do more than that. A little help would be nice. “You can shoot me, but I won’t put him down.”
“Hanna,” John whispered.
“He knows his son will die if we drop him,” Hanna said.
“Do you have a death wish?” John hissed.
All three heard a distant sound coming from their left. Hanna wondered if her guess was right.
“Put the gun down Michael,” John II said.
Hanna couldn’t see her grandfather.
“Williams? You’re behind this?”
“I am, drop the gun.”
“You bastard. I won’t let you take my son from me.”
“I’m not taking him from you, just getting him to the hospital. You can hate me later, but I’m going to do this even if I have to shoot you.”
Michael lowered the rifle. “You’re going to pay for this. Did you kill my dogs?”
“They’re resting. Hanna and John, head to the clearing.”
Hanna heard the radio static.
“Ray, how far are you?” John II asked.
“One minute.”
“It’s the chopper,” John whispered excitedly, as they made their way to the clearing. “Wow, this is so cool.”
“Quiet John, we can still get shot,” Hanna said.
The chopper now hovered above their heads, its bright beam aimed at the clearing. Hanna realized they stood on a putting green. She took a few steps back and crouched to protect Todd from the wind caused by the chopper’s blades.
“Why are you doing this?” Michael screamed as the chopper prepared to land.
“Because I owe you. Please, Michael, let us save him.”
“No,” Michael screamed, darting towards Hanna.
Her grandfather fired. Michael took another three steps and fell. The black chopper landed. The pilot got out and helped them with Todd. Moments later the chopper lifted off. Both Hanna and John watched speechless as their grandfather and Michael grew smaller. The chopper banked to the right and they lost sight of Tornado Hill. Hanna felt for the boy’s pulse. It hadn’t changed; it was weak, but steady. She looked down once more and saw the warrior’s green glow sliding down the hill, like a water stream. 

 2 of 5 stars false 
On the Caribbean island of Maurray, spoiled-rotten, fifteen-year-old Hanna wakes up to a nightmare. She is not the daughter of an aristocrat but the orphan of a Gypsy. She is the descendant to a mystical Gypsy tribe. Their magic is strong and has lasted six hundred years. Ornella, the tribe’s guardian, arrives at the island with her mutt, Count Dracula, to guide Hanna. Hanna is told she must embrace her heritage or die at the ripe age of seventeen. But Hanna does the unthinkable, she chooses death. She hates Gypsies and would rather die. What she doesn’t know is that her death will destroy the entire tribe. What she also doesn’t know is how persuasive Ornella can be. The nightmare begins

 Review

****This book was part of a blog tour, I was provided with a copy of the book for my honest review****
Hanna is a spoiled rotten fifteen year old girl; she likes a boy and does not understand why he doesn't like her back. She has nightmares, when she wakes up one morning her prized doll is broken so she goes to have it fixed. She meets Ornella a gypsy, Hanna finds out she is next to join this gypsy tribe. I loved the premise of this book and was really looking forward to reading it, however when I did start it I had a hard time finishing it. My first impression of Hanna with her sense of entitlement and disregard for other peoples feeling ruined the story for me. The rest of the characters in the book were not very enjoyable either, the only one I really liked was Count Dracula. The storyline was well thought out, original and very creative. The writing was done very well and there were certain parts in the book that held my interest. While the book is good and other people are sure to enjoy it, I personally could not get past my dislike of the characters. I have started reading another one of her books Souls of Darkness, I hope I like the characters in this book better.

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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Sweetest Taboo

Enter the rafflecopter at the bottom of the post for a chance to win a Kindle copy of The Sweetest Taboo, this contest is open internationally
Title: Sweetest Taboo
Author: Eva Marquez
Release date: October 1, 2012
 Genre and Age Group: *Mature* YA Adult Contemporary Romance/Ages 16+/Females
Event organized by: AToMR Tours
Isabel Cruz was fifteen years old when she met Tom Stevens. She was 15 when they started dating, and 16 when she lost her virginity to him. By the time she turned 18 and went to college, everything had fallen apart. This hadn’t been an ordinary love, though. Not a love between two dear friends, or even high school sweethearts. This had been the most taboo sort of love there was: a relationship between a student and her teacher. Isabel started her high school career as a normal student, but set her sights on Tom Stevens as soon as she met him, and pursued him with an intense – and sometimes reckless – fascination. When he finally approached her after swim practice and told her that he shared her feelings, it was the start of a forbidden and dangerous relationship.
Links: Amazon Barnes and Noble Goodreads Facebook




Excerpt (Chapter 1)

 “You’re my sweetheart," he told me, his voice sad. "I can’t imagine life without you. I don’t want to have to imagine life without you.”
Tom rarely used terms of endearment with me, these days. When he did – in these rare moments when he called me his sweetheart – my heart melted. All of the turmoil, the sleepless nights, the protracted nature of our relationship, became nothing more than a passing inconvenience and very worthwhile. Tonight, though, I knew that the word came with drawbacks. They gave me the courage I needed to say the words I’d been dreading.
“My graduation won’t affect our relationship, you know that," I told him. "Look at how much we’ve been through together. If we made it through all of that, we can make it through anything. Tom, I want to be with you always, no matter where life takes me after graduation.”
I spoke passionately, fully believing in what I said. I was absolutely devoted to this man. But somewhere deep inside, I knew I was being dishonest. Neither of us wanted our relationship to change, but it was clear that things were going to change, and soon. I had just been offered a place at a small, private liberal arts college on the East Coast. The choice had been difficult because although I wanted to stay close to Tom, I also wanted to move forward with my life. In the end, I accepted the offer. Tom hadn’t really reacted when I told him. It hadn’t affected our relationship. Now, though, the cracks were starting to show.
“I want to believe that,” Tom answered quietly. “I loved the last letter you wrote me. Every time I read your letters, I feel like I’m sixteen again. I feel like I’ve come out of a deep sleep." A
pause, and then, "I can’t lose you, Isabel. You’re the reason I wake up in the morning; I can’t love anyone more than I love–”
Suddenly I heard a distinct click on the line. My heart plummeted.
“Did you hear that?" Tom snapped, his tone suddenly terse. "Did someone pick up the phone at your house?”
“Hold on a minute, let me check inside.” I slipped back inside and listened, but the house was completely quiet. The kitchen phone was on the counter, my mom’s office was dark, and I was holding the only other phone in the house.
"Who picked up the phone?” Tom repeated, worry coloring his voice.
The click had not originated on my end of the line. I should've been relieved, but my panic rose even more.
“Tom," I whispered into the receiver. "It wasn’t here, everyone’s asleep..."
“I have to go," Tom interrupted abruptly. "Danielle's coming.”
There was another click, and the line went dead.


Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, daughter of European immigrants, Eva Márquez has spent most of her life outside of her home country. At the age of five, Eva accompanied her parents to the United States, where the family settled permanently. After graduating from university, she went on to complete graduate studies in International Relations in Spain. Eva received her Master of International Studies degree from the University of Sydney and went on to work in the global health field in Sub Saharan Africa and South East Asia. Eva currently resides in Southern Africa.
 Visit Eva’s Amazon Authors Central Page

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Wild Card 18+

The following review is for 18+ readers.
Wild Card (Elite Ops, #1)
4 of 5 stars false
It was supposed to be simple. All Navy SEAL Nathan Malone had to do was rescue three young girls from a Colombia drug cartel, then allow himself to be captured just long enough to draw out a government spy. That was before his mission went disastrously wrong…and before his wife, Bella, was told that Nathan was never coming home.
Bella’s mourned her husband’s death for three long years. But she has no idea he’s still alive. Forced to assume a new identity, the man Nathan was is now dead. If he can get back to his wife, can he keep the secret of who he really is…even as desire threatens to consume them? And as danger threatens to tear Bella from Nathan’s arms once more?

Review

We start off this book with heartbreaking scenes of a couple madly in love and then ripped apart when a mission goes wrong; Bella is told that her husband, Nathan "wild card" Malone is dead.
Truthfully in the beginning this is what everyone believes until Nathan is rescued after 19 months of torture.
In the seedy hole where he was kept, drugged, abused, the only thing that kept Nathan from bowing down to the demands of his captors was his vows to his wife. But in the end, Nathan feels that he is not the man he used to be and wants his wife to be kept in the dark to his rescue. Nathan Malone is "dead", Noah Blake has been created.
Six years go by and both Noah and Bella are living a bleak existence, until Noah is told that his next mission is in his home town and one of his objectives is to infiltrate his way into his old workplace and to keep his wife out of danger.
To me Lora Leigh will always be the "Queen of Steam", her books are my go to if I am after something raunchy, and she always delivers.
However, her storylines are in depth, the suspense and mystery in this novel kept me interested right up until the end and although I had my suspicions, the bad guys still managed to surprise me with just how bad they were. What I am trying to say is that these books are very steamy, I am fanning myself just thinking about it,but it is not all consuming, the story is solid enough and the sexy times do not take over.
This is a great start to the new Elite Ops series. It was an emotional roller coaster, but that just got my blood pumping more. The tension of what was going to happen, kept me right on the edge of my seat and I was very happy with the end outcome.
If you are a fan of the romantic suspense genre I would recommend this book, give it ago.     



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Lush 18+

The following review is for 18+ readers.
Lush (Delicious, #3)   
4 of 5 stars false 

Mary Whaley has her hands full running a successful catering company and overseeing her supper club. She has everything she ever wanted—or so she thought. When she meets ridiculously hot and very dirty rock star Damien Hurley at her friend’s engagement party, the attraction she feels is overpowering—and she isn’t about to deny herself.
Damien is used to a hard and fast life. He and two of his brothers started a band when they were fresh out of high school—then they hit the big time and stayed there. He’s also a legendary madman on the stage and in the bedroom. But when he meets Mary, something clicks, and the bad boy starts thinking he may have finally found something good.
What begins as a series of fleeting trysts soon gets much more complicated. Damien can’t figure out why Mary doesn’t want more from him. And before long, it’s Damien who wants more from Mary. But it turns out Mary is no stranger to celebrity news, and he’s got a very big job ahead of him: proving that he’s worth more than a one-night stand.

Review

*****Netgalley provided this book for me in exchange for my honest review.*****
Mary is a catering with an exploding career she knows what she wants and does not have time for a serious relationship. Damien is a bad boy rocker; he lives hard and has a new woman almost every night. They meet at a mutual friend’s engagement party and sparks fly, what was supposed to be a one night stand turns into multiple meetings. Damien has to show Mary that he can be faithful and being with him is worth living in the limelight. Mary is a strong woman, she has her own life, and she doesn't need a man to take care of her. She does not want to have something with Damien because she has seen the problems her friend had because she loved a celebrity. Damien lived hard and played hard, all that changed when he decided he wanted something more with Mary. He was sweet, understanding and off the charts hot, he has more patients than a saint at times. This book started out as another boy meets girl, they have sex and start seeing each other. I was really surprised when things started to change, the mood of the book subtly shifted from erotica to a sweet romance. There were still plenty of steamy sex scenes; however the difference in the characters actions and attitudes was huge. The changes added a new depth to the characters that was missing in the beginning, the characters started to matter to me and I was rooting for their happily ever after. The writing was good, the storyline was interesting and the sex scenes were hot. I really liked this book and will be picking up the other books in the series.

Secrets of The Apple

Secrets of the Apple  
Ryoki is comfortable is his custom-built hell, making money with both hands and slashing his path through the world of men. But there's something about Kate, something important dangling just at the edge of his consciousness. She can't read a map, she falls off her heels, and yet she saves his life with a button and a bit of thread. Terrified she's privately plotting to marry him, he studies her with hooded eyes, attempting to discover her secrets for himself. But understanding Kate will challenge everything he thought he knew. Why exactly did Eve hand over her apple? 

Review

****Netgalley provided me with a copy of this book for my honest review****
 Ryoki is an executive with a tendency to care more about work than people. He has to be in control of things, he works all the time and when he does have an off day he spends it drinking and sleeping with meaningless women. He meets Kate who is his temporary assistant, he starts to see things differently. This book was a slow love story, it focused on the importance of family. This book was well written, the characters had layers that were slowly exposed through out the book. The meetings of old customs and new ideas was  interesting to read about. This book had a lot going for it and I am sure there are a lot of people who will enjoy it. However, I don't feel that I can accurately rate it, I don't think it would be fair to author to give it a one star just because it was it was not my personal taste. I also can't give it anything higher because I can't see past my dislike. 

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