Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Just Because...

Determined to establish a new life far from the ghosts of her past, twenty-two year old Sydney Paige is willing to try anything to launch her reporting career and quiet the painful memories of her family back home.

Money-driven Mason Lachlan knows exactly what he wants in life and how to get it. Nothing stands in the way of the successful millionaire’s next deal, not even the deeply-buried anguish he feels from being abandoned by his father and tucked away as a dark family secret.

When Sydney must report the biggest land deal to hit South Padre in years, Mason becomes the focus of her story. Problems surface when their undeniable attraction for each other compromises everything they both have worked for.

Can love exist when bottom lines and deadlines collide?

This is a standalone Contemporary Romance, there is NO cliffhanger!
Buy links:
---


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was pleasantly surprised when I was asked to read an ARC version of author T.A. Foster's newest title Because of Sydney.  Going into this book, I had absolutely no idea what to expect since this is a new author for me and I was completely unaware of her work prior.  What I found, however, was a great story between the pages that I found incredibly hard to put down and anxious to get to the end.

Because of Sydney is a sweet story about news reporter Sydney and how she turns the world upside down for business mogul, Mason.  Mason doesn't do relationships.  He doesn't do commitment or promises but he finds himself lost without Sydney after meeting her. They have an instant attraction that is truly electric.  Foster's colorful use of words ensures the reader a front row seat to the sparks between these two.  The go hot and heavy very quickly which also leads to several misunderstandings so the couple are sort of on again-off again. It was a bit like a roller coaster at times and I wanted to yell (in fact, I think I actually did!) at them to just open their eyes and pay attention to what was happening instead of jumping to conclusions.  Then again, it would be a pretty boring story without a little drama added in there, right? 

Sydney is a determined woman, but still comes across a bit shy, a little naive.  Mason is powerful, yet sensitive and turns into every woman's dream in how he relates and deals with Sydney.  It made this reader's heart swoon, in fact! They're a perfect match for each other and Foster again does a superb job with character development throughout the story.  She made them come alive!  They felt so real and so did their story and I truly enjoyed reading it. I started reading it in the morning and just couldn't stop, taking advantage of every free minute throughout the day to read a little further because I had to see where this story was going to take me.

As I stated earlier, T.A. Foster is a new author to me, but based upon reading this one ARC of hers, I will definitely be checking out what else she has to offer.  If her other novels are anything like Because of Sydney, she has a new follower for life in this reader!

Monday, August 24, 2015

Discovering Karina

Am I the only one who just adores that feeling you get all over when you feel like you've discovered a new author to fawn all over?  Ah, I just love it!  Karina Halle is one of those authors for me.  I've seen her name thrown around with the likes of others super authors that I love, and some of her books have even piqued my interest but I just never dived in to see what she was all about...that is, until recently.  Well, actually I take that back.  I did purchase two of her titles a while back but they kept getting pushed to the back of my TBR pile over and over again.  Finally, I just decided I needed to read one of them.  I finally read The Pact and I totally and completely devoured every bit of it.  

When I was finished I had to have more so I quickly downloaded The Offer and Where Sea Meets Sky, along with the first two books in her Dirty Angels TrilogyDirty Angels and Dirty Deeds.  THAT is how much I enjoyed her writing; I feel this compulsive (some may say obsessive) need to read all of her books now.  Really, it's quite a compliment to the author.  ;)  

The Pact is a classic story of two best friends, Stephanie and Linden, who make a pinky-promise one night to marry each other when they're 30 if neither is in a serious relationship. We follow the two over the next several years with brief glimpses into their hideous love lives, and careers.  The two remain great friends through it all but there is always this brooding sexual tension between them.  So much so, that I really wanted to yell at the book (and the author) to just "get it over with already" so they could have sex and be done with it.  It was like watching Ross & Rachel putter around all those years without anything happening. 

Then, in a game of Truth or Dare, everything changes. Their friendship will never be the same and it's not just their hearts on the line...they have to consider their other best friend (and Stephanie's ex) too, especially considering he may still have feelings for her.

I had heard so much about this book before reading it so I was expecting a lot.  I'm happy to say that I personally feel like it lived up to the hype--100%.  This book...oh the feels!  Halle did such a fine job in developing this friendship between the two main characters, making them connect in such an intimate way that it felt very real and very life-like.  As a reader, I could feel the pull they had towards each other, yet the caution they kept feeling because they valued each other and the friendship so dearly.  It was powerful, and strong, and so easily to relate to.


As the relationship between Stephanie and Linden progresses, Halle does such a good job describing their feelings and how they've harbored them, hid them, kept them secret for so long.  

I'm so happy I gave in and tried reading something from Karina Halle.  She has enough published that catching up will keep me busy for quite some time, but I'm really excited see/read what else she has out there waiting for me and totally thrilled to have jumped on her bandwagon of fans!



Friday, August 21, 2015

The Way We...

The Way We FallThe Way We Break, and finally the much anticipated final installment in Stacey Mosteller's The Story of Us trilogy, The Way We Rise, is now available.  

SYNOPSIS

The highly anticipated conclusion to the USA Today bestselling Story of Us series.
 
With Liam’s fate no longer in the balance, Rory and Houston are poised on the precipice of a life-altering decision. When Rory’s father arrives in California to comfort Rory and make amends, Houston finds the decision becomes much easier to make.

When Houston suggests they take a break Rory thinks he must be joking. But he’s not. And his timing couldn’t be worse.

With Houston and Rory vowing to keep their new friendship strictly outside of the bedroom, their friends and family seize the opportunity to draw out the torture and surprises. Ensuring that Houston and Rory’s story has an ending they’ll never forget.

The Way We Rise is the final book in The Story of Us Series, which follows the tumultuous love story of Rory and Houston.




 THE STORY OF US SERIES ON GOODREADS

The Way We Fall (Book One):

The Way We Break (Book Two):

The Way We Rise (Book Three):




THE WAY WE FALL PURCHASE LINKS
Available for $0.99 during release week.






THE WAY WE BREAK PURCHASE LINKS
Available for $2.99 during release week.





THE WAY WE RISE PURCHASE LINKS





**EXCERPT **


I climb the fence quickly and wrap my arm around her shoulders to guide her back to the car. “What are you doing out here? I told you to stay in the car.”
“I was worried about you,” she says, her teeth chattering as I open the passenger door for her. “Is someone going to let us out?”
 “No one was there.”
Her eyes widen. “We’re stuck in here?”
I shake my head as I try to come up with an answer better than the truth, then I remember I promised to never lie to Rory again. “There may be a groundskeeper who’ll come by tonight and let us out. But if not, then yes. We’re stuck here for the night.”
Her mouth drops open in utter horror. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”
“Bullshit. I could have carried you to the car and forced you to leave. It’s not your fault. And, hey, look on the bright side,” I reply, raising my voice to be heard over the sound of the rain battering the top of my car, and Rory looks at me as if I’m insane to even suggest there’s a bright side. “Spending the night in a cemetery will probably be the ultimate test of our friendship.”
She rolls her eyes as she climbs into the passenger seat. “You call that a bright side? I call that a nightmare.”






AUTHOR BIO

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cassia Leo loves her coffee, chocolate, and margaritas with salt. When she’s not writing, she spends way too much time watching old reruns of Friends and Sex and the City. When she’s not watching reruns, she’s usually enjoying the California sunshine or reading – sometimes both.

Come chat with her on

You can also follow her blog at http://cassialeo.com to stay up to date on new releases and giveaways.

Monday, August 17, 2015

Sweet Home Amarillo

Leaving Amarillo is one of those books that was repeatedly suggested by other avid readers.  Everyone went on and on about how great it was.  Finally, I downloaded it in my Kindle app and decided to see what all the hype was about. 

The author, Caisey Quinn, is genius!  This story of sweet southern gal, Dixie, and the drummer in her brother's band, Gavin have an attraction like no other and Quinn does a great job leading the reader through the turbulent getting-together phase of their relationship in this book.  You see Dixie and Gavin have grown up together because Dixie's brother Dallas and Gavin have been best buddies since they were kids...and Dixie has long had a crush on Gavin.

Gavin has a sweet nickname for his buddy's sister, calling her Bluebird, an adorable and endearing term of affection. Their relationship is full of back and forth, push and pull, and both get frustrated easily.  They realize being in a relationship is harder than they realized, but they both desperately want to be together.  The question is, will Gavin's secrets keep them apart?  Can Dixie get over her fears?

This story was great, really.  It pulled me in right away and I truly loved the dynamics between the two main characters, and of course the brother, Dallas too.  The relationships between all of them were complex but believable and easy to relate to as well.  I could see this really happening.  In fact, I'm sure this story has been played out in real life more times than I can imagine.  That's what makes it so beautiful too.



Loving Dallas picks up where Amarillo leaves off, except now we get to meet and get to know the brother Dallas a lot more.  It also goes more in depth into who the redhead is and what she means to Dallas.  We learn that the beautiful redhead is Dallas' ex, Robyn, who left him and broke his heart.  He never lost feelings for her...and we discover that she might just still have feelings for him too.

I was truly excited to dive into the second book in this series after reading this one, titled Loving Dallas.  I knew I was going to absolutely love it and race through it just like I did Amarillo. Unfortunately, that was not the case.  For me, Dallas was kind of boring.  I don't know if my expectations were just too high after devouring the first book or what, but it just didn't hold my interest as much.  I found myself sort of forcing myself to keep reading. It's not that it was a bad story, but it wasn't filled with as much emotion or drama like the first one.  It didn't feel as fast paced either.

None of that is to say that I didn't like Loving Dallas because I did like it...I just didn't love it. 






Now I am just anxiously awaiting the release of the last book in the trilogy, Missing Dixie, which is due out in October of this year. Hopefully the Gavin and Dixie action will be just as fast, exciting, and as hot as the first one!  Come on Caisey, don't let me down.  End this long story on a high note!





Sunday, August 16, 2015

Armentrout FTW

I just finished reading Jennifer Armentrout's latest release, Every Last Breath from her The Dark Elements series, and it most definitely did not disappoint.  I mean, WoW!  

If you haven't read the previous books, you will most likely be lost because Every Last Breath really doesn't recap much in what happened in the story previously and just picks right up from where the last one left off. From the beginning, as soon as you open up the book and dive in, there's action and excitement.   This is very much a fantasy world with Wardens, Alphas, Demons, and The Boss. References to Heaven and Hell are abundant throughout.

While the main character, Layla, tries to figure out just who and what she is, she must also decide whom she ultimately loves:  Zayne, her best friend and childhood crush...or Roth, the bad boy demon who makes her feel things she never knew existed.  In the end, Layla must fight the Lilith and figure out just how to save everyone who  have sacrificed everything for her.  Will she give up everything?

I really liked this last installment in The Dark Elements series.  It was jam-packed full of action for at least two-thirds of the story.  I loved seeing a softer, less demon-y side of Roth, proving that not all bad things are all bad.  It was heartbreaking to see Abbott prove his love for Layla as well.  The scene where Layla spends her last night night before making her big decision, was epic.  Armentrout did such an excellent job of painting this passionate picture of them saying goodbye with their bodies, giving each other one last kiss, one last touch.  

The only complaint I have is that I feel like this story could've ended a lot earlier than it did. For me, the story was over after Layla did what needed to be done and then returned.  It was very drawn out at the end, giving more story that honestly just didn't need to be there. I know sometimes the readers like to know what happened next, but I think it took away from this story.  It would've been just fine without all the extra.  In addition, it seemed like there was a lot of plain gratuitous lovey-dovey junk that easily could've been left out as well.  We get it, they like each other, they love each other...that's enough!

Overall, this was a great story and the series as a whole was really just a lot of fun to read, if not a little scary at times.  Armentrout, as always, leads the reader into a fantastic fantasy world and makes it so realistic and believable .  Can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve next!

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

To The Stars Cover Reveal

I am so so so excited to be a part of the cover reveal for Molly McAdams' newest release, from the Thatch series, is To the Stars: A Thatch Novel (Thatch series Book 2), coming out on November 17, 2015.  I am so giddy and I'm about to SQUEE out loud because the first Thatch novelLetting Go, was excellent...superior...heart wrenchingly stunning.  I mean this!  In my humble opinion, hands down, this was Molly's best book yet.  That says a lot too because she's written about 8 books, including a few novellas, and has been included in at least 2 anthologies. This woman knows how to tug at - no, rip out- your heart!  

So without further ado, the info on the yet to be released, To the Stars: A Thatch Novel.





About TO THE STARS:
In the second book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Molly McAdams’ Thatch series, Knox Alexander must convince his long-time love Harlow Evans that they’re meant to be together.

He promised to wait for her.

She told him he was wasting his time.

Not waiting for him ended up being the biggest mistake of her life.

When they were younger, Knox Alexander swore to Harlow Evans that he would wait for her to turn eighteen so they could be together. But that was two and a half years away, and Harlow couldn’t ask him to give up all the fun and thrills of going away to college for her. As the years passed, Knox remained a constant in her life—whether she liked it or not—but when her eighteenth birthday came around, Harlow’s heart belonged to someone else.

Every day for the last four years, Harlow has been haunted by that fateful choice. And though he may appear unaffected by what happened in their past, Knox has always tried to fill the void Harlow left. But when he comes stumbling back into her life and refuses to leave, will Harlow finally let him into her heart…?




Pre-Order Your Copy Today!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


And don’t miss the first book in the Thatch Series…


LETTING GO





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



About Molly McAdams:  
Molly grew up in California but now lives in the oh-so-amazing state of Texas with her husband, daughter, and fur babies. When she's not diving into the world of her characters, some of her hobbies include hiking, snowboarding, traveling, and long walks on the beach … which roughly translates to being a homebody with her hubby and dishing out movie quotes. She has a weakness for crude-humored movies and fried pickles, and loves curling up in a fluffy comforter during a thunderstorm ... or under one in a bathtub if there are tornadoes. That way she can pretend they aren't really happening.

Links:

Friday, August 7, 2015

Cover Reveal for Cover Model

I've got another amazing cover reveal to share with all of you...YAY!!!  This is for Cover Model by badass male author, Devon Hartford.  This book will be out on August 14; that's just ONE WEEK away, ladies!  So get ready!

They called him Connor HUGE.
Connors Hughes f**ked his way through every girl in my high school.
Except me.
We hated each other.
That arrogant a**hole insulted me, tormented me, and ruined me without ever laying a finger on me.
After graduating near the top of my class, I escaped to UCLA, got my degree, and threw myself into a career as a serious journalist. But I never forgot the damage Connor did.
At least I’ll never have to see him again.
Until my editor at Trending Magazine tasks me with writing a tell-all article about Connor. Turns out my insufferable bad boy nemesis grew into the ultra-gorgeous model whose perfect body steams up the covers of half the romance novels on the bestseller lists.
Now I’m stuck shadowing him all weekend long at the world’s largest Romance Convention. I’m forced to watch in disgust as 45,000 women throw themselves at him and worship his shirtless body while he taunts me incessantly.
We hate each other as much today as we did seven years ago. But I can’t stop stealing glances at his perfect abs and perfect a**.
My better judgment tells me to drop everything and run, but something deep inside me is dying to know if he’s as HUGE as the rumors…

***Cover Model is a steamy standalone with an HEA***
***WARNING: Due to strong language and sexual situations, this book is intended for mature readers ages 18+***

About the Author:
A lot of people ask me, "Why is a guy writing romance novels for women?" The answer is simple. Everyone falls in love. Even men. Imagine that. ;-) 


But it goes deeper than that. I write romance to explore and understand my own emotions. 

No matter what most guys say on the subject, emotions are a part of the human experience for women AND men. Guys who deny their emotions, especially the difficult ones like sadness, grief, loss, and hurt, are missing out on a big part of life. Everyone has emotional scars. It's impossible to make it from cradle to grave without getting banged up along the way. For all that pain, we can also heal ourselves.

My stories feature characters who are on a quest to heal their pain, and in the process, find love. We all know that a loving relationship can be a conduit for both partners to heal together. When that happens, it's truly a beautiful thing.

It's my hope that my readers can gain some perspective regarding their own emotional wounds, and perhaps heal in some small way by going through the emotional journey I went through while writing my stories.
(taken from Amazon)

Other books by Devon Hartford include:

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Drowning to Breathe Release Date Announced!

One of my favorite reads so far this year has been A Stone in the Sea by A.L. Jackson, an author I previously had read nothing from.  After reading it though, I can honestly say that I'm hooked!  I loved the story line and everything about the book, including the super sexy cover.  Can you say va-va-voom about that male cover model??  The only bad part about the book was when it ended because the story wasn't over.  So I've been anxiously awaiting more info about Jackson's second installment in her Bleeding Stars story...and here it is folks!



Synopsis:
The danger in pretending is it becoming real...
Sebastian Stone, Sunder front man and guitarist with a rap sheet about ten miles long, escaped to Savannah, Georgia, to get away from the trouble he’d caused.
Not find more of it.
    The moment he saw Shea Bentley, he saw beneath all her sweet and innocence to something that went deeper.
Darker.
Their relationship was built on secrets; their love built on lies.
Sebastian never imagined how deep her secrets went.
When the past and present collide, Sebastian and Shea find themselves fighting for a future neither believed they deserved. Their passion is consuming and their need unending.
Now, holding the truth in his hands, Sebastian is faced with sacrificing everything he’s come to love to protect Shea and his family.
Two pasts intertwined.
Two lives bound.
Will their demons drown them or will Shea and Sebastian finally learn to breathe?




Drowning to Breathe A Bleeding Stars Novel, Book 2 --RELEASE DATE:  September 15th 




Author Bio  
A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary and new adult romance.
She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student.  She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.
Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children.
Connect with A.L. Jackson online:www.aljacksonauthor.com

To stay up to date with important news on A.L. Jackson, including new releases, sales, and exclusive specials and excerpts, text “jackson” to 96000 to subscribe!

Instagram @aljacksonauthor




 A STONE IN THE SEA
A Bleeding Stars Novel Book 1

 
He wanted nothing at all…

Until he found she had everything to give…

Sunder lead singer and guitarist Sebastian Stone has everything—fans, fame, and fortune. He also has a heart full of bitterness and a reputation for a short-fused temper. But an outward reputation rarely reveals the true man inside. Facing assault charges after trying to protect his younger brother, Sebastian is sent to Savannah, Georgia to lie low until the dust settles in L.A.

Shea Bentley is beautiful, kind, and hiding from the very lifestyle Sebastian has always embraced.

When the mysterious, tattooed stranger begins hanging out at the bar where she works, Shea is quick to recognize he is nothing but trouble, but she's helpless to the way her body lights up every time his intense gray eyes tangle with hers.

They both soon find themselves drowning in a sea of desire and passion that won’t let them up for air.

Sebastian knows firsthand secrets never die, and he’s not the only one who’s hiding them.

Loving someone always comes with a price. But will it be Shea’s past that costs them everything?