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Thursday, June 11, 2015

Reader Recommends | Mystery

Reader Recommends is a fun meme hosted by Ramblings on Readings where we recommend 3-5 books (or more!) based on certain given topics. This is a great way to see what other readers are enjoying in your favorite genres, or maybe find a new favorite series!

This Week's Topic: Mystery

What are those books that keep you guessing to the end? Maybe they’re just mysterious enough to keep you questioning the main characters motives or where the heck that crazy plot is heading. We’re sharing our favorite mystery novels this week!


 Lily Dale Series by Wendy Corsi Staub



The Triskellion Trilogy by Will Peterson



Deadly Series by Cynthia Eden



Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James


Red Nights by Shari J. Ryan


Next Week's Topic: Werewolves

Sometimes cuddly, always ferocious, werewolves really picked the short straw when it comes to supernatural abilities. That doesn’t make them any less awesome or loveable; next week we’ll share which novels include our favorite shape shifters!


Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday | The Consequence of Revenge by Rachel Van Dyken + Zack by Sawyer Bennett

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights an upcoming book release that I'm looking forward to. This week I'm sharing with you the second book in the Consequence series, The Consequence of Revenge by Rachel Van Dyken. This book was released yesterday, June 9th, 2015.


After losing his best friend to another guy, the notoriously too-confident Max Emory suddenly feels lost. He may have devastatingly good looks, an abundance of charm, and a claim to one of the biggest hotel empires around, but he has no ambition anymore. So when his fed-up friends decide they’ve had enough of his moping, they sign him up to be the next bachelor on the reality series Love Island. And between his pride and his forged signature on an ironclad contract, Max just can’t say no.

Now he’s stranded in paradise with twenty-four women, one terrifying goat, and Becca, the breathtaking barista who already turned him down back home. The closer Max gets to Becca, the more determined he becomes to win her over. As she gets to know him better, things start heating up. But is Becca really after Max’s heart—or is she after the cash prize she could claim once the cameras stop rolling?

***

Why am I looking forward to The Consequence of Revenge?

1.) I recently finished the first book, so I'm excited to read this next installment.

2.) Max was hilarious in the first book and quickly became one of my favorite characters, so I can't wait to read his story.

3.) I have a feeling that this book is going to be just as funny, or more so, than the first book.


You can buy The Consequence of Revenge for $3.99 on Amazon!

***

I'm also sharing with you the third book in the Cold Fury Hockey series, Zack by Sawyer Bennett. This book was also released yesterday, June 9th, 2015.


Rising star Zack Grantham has been stuck in a downward spiral of grief ever since the car accident that left him a single dad and put his career on hold. Back on the road with the Carolina Cold Fury and still crippled by emotional baggage, he’s in need of some serious help with his son. But while the nerdy new nanny wins his son’s heart, Zack isn’t sure he’s ready for a woman’s touch—even after getting a glimpse of the killer curves she’s hiding under those baggy clothes.

Kate Francis usually keeps men like Zack at a distance. Though his athlete’s body is honed to perfection, he refuses to move on with his life—and besides, he’s her boss. Still, the sparks between them are undeniable, tempting Kate to turn their professional relationship into a personal one. But before she makes a power play for Zack’s wounded heart, Kate will have to open him up again and show him that love is worth the fight.

***

Why am I looking forward to Zack?

1.) It's the next book in the Cold Fury Hockey series. I like being able to read each guy's story.

2.) There's some emotional hurdles that need to be jumped.

3.) Having a single dad main character is a little different than usual.

4.) I like when a character has to fight for the love he/she wants, so I'm looking forward to seeing if Kate can cause Zack to open his heart and love again.


You can buy Zack for $3.79 on Amazon!



Confessions of a Bookworm | Reading Genres You Dislike

Confessions of a Bookworm is hosted by Parajunkee. This is a weekly meme where readers tell their craziest bookish confessions!

This Week's Question:

What would you do if you were forced to read a genre you simply cannot like?

I honestly can't read anything that I'm not interested in. In school, when we were given a reading assignment, if it was a book that I just couldn't get into, I would either not read it (which caused me to almost fail the class a few times) or it would take me a really long time to read the book. So I either don't read the book or I really procrastinate in reading the book.



Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Pre-Release Blitz | Stalker by Clarissa Wild | Giveaway




STALKER
by Clarissa Wild
Expected Publication: June 16th, 2015
Genres: Adult Contemporary Dark Romance
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes
Fuck me once, I'll fuck you twice … then I'll bury you.

No prison can keep me from seeking revenge. Especially when it comes to her.

She, the woman who put me in jail.

I swore that I’d come for her, to claim what belongs to me: Her life.

I’m not a good man. On the contrary, I love to be bad. It’s in my veins. Just like it’s in my veins to ruin her.

She’s an actress, pretending to be a saint, but we both know that isn’t true. One way or another, she’ll pay for what she did.

I will hunt for her. Make her fear me. Make her body mine.

Bad deeds never go unpunished … And I always go out with a bang.

WARNING: This book is a DARK ROMANCE STANDALONE - it has a non-conventional ending. This isn't rainbow sprinkles & unicorn fluff. It's a dark, thrilling journey of two people clashing over love, lust, and hatred. Heed the warning. Contains graphic violence, alcohol, drugs & other disturbing content.

No Cliffhanger. Stand Alone.





Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author, best known for the dark Romance novel Mr. X. Her novels include the Fierce Series, the Delirious Series, and Stalker. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire's Bet series, and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.


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Monday, June 8, 2015

Giveaway Winner | Birthday Giveaway


The Winner of a $20 Gift Card for a Retailer of their Choice is...


MARY ANN CLOUD!!

Congratulations, Mary!
Thank you to everyone else who entered!
And those who wished my a Happy Birthday!

YOU ALL ARE AWESOME!!



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Saturday, June 6, 2015

4 Star Book Review | Exposure by Morgan & Jennifer Locklear

EXPOSURE
by Morgan & Jennifer Locklear
Published: June 3rd, 2015
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Provided by Author for Review
Purchase: Amazon

My Rating: ★★★★☆
Publicist Shaunna Noble is no stranger to the ego-filled dysfunction of Hollywood's elite, but is she ready for her two biggest clients to turn into her worst nightmare?

Kyle Petersen and Michelle Cooper are Hollywood royalty, everyone's favorite celebrity couple, but while on location filming their new summer blockbuster, Kyle ambushes his wife with divorce papers and orders Shaunna to destroy Michelle in the media. Unwilling to comply, Shaunna spectacularly and publicly quits her job, humiliating Kyle in the process.

David Quinn, a struggling actor cast alongside the A-listers, is caught in the crossfire. When pictures surface of David and Michelle out on the town, media and fans rush to crown them Hollywood's new hot couple. Kyle explodes, tensions boil over, and everyone's lives and careers are thrown into jeopardy.

So what's a publicist to do? Especially when Shaunna finds herself falling in love with the sexy and talented David. Can she put out fires on the set while keeping the flames burning in the bedroom?

Love, lies and passion. What happens when the naked truth is exposed?


Cover Review: 

The cover of Exposure is really simple, with a black background and reel of film negatives. What I really like is the scenes on the film negatives. They are scenes from the book. So even though it's simple, it shows a good portion of the story.

Book Review:

Kyle Peterson and Michelle Cooper are the It Couple in Hollywood, but not all is well between them. While on the set of a Sci-Fi thriller that they both star in, Kyle has Michelle served with divorce papers. As the tension between them escalates, their publicist Shaunna and young struggling actor David, get caught in the middle. Shaunna and David's budding romance is put in jeopardy, and Michelle's reputation is put on the line, as Kyle becomes more and more vindictive. But as Michelle, Shaunna, and David become closer to fight against Kyle's attacks, it's Kyle who had better watch out.

Most of Exposure takes place on the set of Sling Shot, a Sci-Fi thriller that they are working on. Kyle and Michelle are the leads and David has a smaller but no less important role in the movie. Shaunna is Michelle and Kyle's publicist. Michelle and Kyle's marriage was already rocky, but when he read in her journal that she was planning to divorce him, he took the initiative and served her with divorce papers first, hoping it would be better for his image and destroy hers. 

Things really escalate when Kyle demands that Shaunna spin the story in his favor, but Shaunna is outraged and won't ruin her best friend's career. Besides, Kyle always treated her like garbage, so her loyalty was always with Michelle. David is smitten with Shaunna the first time he sees her, and when Kyle has her arrested, he's determined to be there for her. David gets drawn further into the mess of Michelle and Kyle's divorce, when Michelle pretends that she's involved with David to stick it to Kyle. As events play out and they return home, Kyle becomes more vengeful and vindictive, but all this has made Michelle, Shaunna and David a close-knit group of friend and they have powerful allies to take Kyle down.   

Kyle is a character that I hated right away. He is the definition of a prick. He really disgusted me. I loved Michelle. Through everything, she was dignified and really held her own. Shaunna was the best. She loves Michelle and will do anything to protect her best friend from Kyle, even sacrifice her own happiness. David is the calmest and most understanding guy, and Michelle and Shaunna rely on him a lot. Their friend, Nathan, who was also the director of the Sling Shot movie, seems like this laid back guy, but when he finds out about the abuse Kyle has been doing to Michelle, he takes matters into his own handle, literally. Nathan is very protective of those he considers friends. Michelle, Shaunna, David and Nathan - along with a few other powerful friends - really make up a winning team to take Kyle down a few - okay, a lot - of pegs.

While there was a lot of nastiness with the divorce and all the power-plays, there was some really good romance in Exposure too. Shaunna and David grow closer with each new attack brought against them, and even when it seemed like they'd never be able to be together publicly, their love for each other never diminished but grew stronger. I really admired how they handled the situations thrown at them and never backed down from a fight. I see Shaunna and David having a forever kind of love. Michelle even found a new love interest in Sly, a man who works for her lawyer. Their beginnings were so darn cute. Sly is an old fashion kind of guy and Michelle is so shy, I just could help but smile whenever they were together. So darn cute!

Rating:

I gave Exposure a 4 STAR rating. Love and friendship prevailed in this book and the Prick was put in his place. A more than happy ending for our heroes. I loved this book and I'd actually really love to read another Hollywood-type story like this one. Really I'd love to read a book about Nathan. He was one of my favorite characters and I'd love to know more about him. It just seems like there could be a whole lot more to tell in this book world.



Morgan and Jennifer Locklear met in 1989 as teenagers and became high school sweethearts. They have been married since 1995 and live in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States with their two children, a son and daughter.

Although both enjoyed creative writing in their youth, they have only been working as a writing team since 2010. Since then they have created a dozen full-length and short stories together.

Jennifer has been employed in fundraising and development for a non-profit organization since 2000. She also enjoys participating in charitable activities, both locally and online. In her (limited) free time she is an avid reader.

Morgan has been employed in the hospitality industry since 1998. He has been active in the local performing arts community since childhood with many acting and directing credits to his name. He is also a musician and songwriter and has recorded 6 albums.


Friday, June 5, 2015

Feature & Follow Friday | Pitching Favorite Books As Movies

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly book blogger meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read to help bloggers gain new followers on their site.

This week's question is:

How would you pitch to the biz to make your favorite book into a movie?

My answer:

It would be hard to pick just one book! But I really don't think that I would pitch one of my favorite books to a movie company. If I wanted to see the book come to life, I would choose to have it made into a TV show. Sure some things could be changed, but a TV show can go more in depth than a movie can. Plus, quite a few movie adaptations have been big let downs lately. TV seems to do a better job with books.


My Birthday Giveaway Closes in 2 DAYS!!
$20 gift card for your choice of retailer up for grabs!

Birthday Giveaway! But YOU Get a Present! 



Thursday, June 4, 2015

Reader Recommends | Quirky Best Friends

Reader Recommends is a fun meme hosted by Ramblings on Readings where we recommend 3-5 books (or more!) based on certain given topics. This is a great way to see what other readers are enjoying in your favorite genres, or maybe find a new favorite series!

This Week's Topic: Quirky Best Friends

They’re always there to make a snarky remark when the main character is feeling down. They usually have crazy fashion, an adorably nerdy boyfriend, and best of all, they’re fabulously loyal to their best friends. Which quirky best friends are your favorites?


It's been a while since I read these books, so I'm not even going to try to give an accurate summary on these Best Friends, but I am going to link their names to a character description I found online. 

Each of these Best Friends is eccentric in their own way, and their loyalty and love for their best friend is strong and undeniable. I would totally want each of them as my BFF!




Simon Lewis from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare


Personality (Click his name to learn more):

Prior to their lives being changed by the Shadowhunter World, Simon was an open geek and the bass player of a garage band. He was described as cute but doesn't even realize it. He had been a vegetarian since he was 10 years old. He also often quoted different "nerdy" things, like Dungeons and Dragons. He can be sarcastic and describes himself as witty and ironic.




Stevie Rae Johnson from The House of Night Series by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast


Personality (Click her name to learn more):

Stevie Rae is described as having a bouncy and bubbly personality. She's amiable and very kind by nature, not to mention total Okie-ness - her biggest crush once being Kenny Chesney. Though she seems very nonchalant, she knows when to take charge and take orders when necessary. Although this did change as she Changed into the first Red Vampyre. She was said to be slightly dark and aggressive at times and then she would suddenly snap out of it and be herself again. Zoey said this was because of the dreadful change she had to go through and overcome to find her humanity again.


Next Week's Topic: Mystery


Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Waiting on Wednesday | Amber to Ashes by Gail McHugh + Amber Smoke by Kristin Cast

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights an upcoming book release that I'm looking forward to. This week I'm sharing with you the first book in the Torn Hearts series, Amber to Ashes by Gail McHugh. This book is set to be released on June 9th, 2015.


They were a storm I never saw coming, an unforeseen heartbreak on the edge of a dangerous cliff.

Amber Moretti’s life changes in the span of minutes. An orphaned outsider, she is desperate to start fresh the moment she walks onto campus. In the time it takes to cross the university’s dining hall, she meets two men who bring color, air, and light to her darkened world.

They became my addiction, each a needle to my next hit, my high.

Brock Cunningham’s appeal is dizzying, a potent force Amber can’t deny. A green-eyed smooth talker, he instantly attracts Amber. It doesn’t take long for him to consume her every thought, her every breath.

Ryder Ashcroft, a blue-eyed, tattooed, and pierced bad boy, turns Amber off immediately—that is, until he kisses her, stealing a piece of her heart, her soul.

They were as opposite as fire and ice, yet I ached for them equally.

Never knowing she could be broken down in so many unexpectedly beautiful yet petrifying ways, Amber finds herself falling for both men.

Immoral? Maybe. I say undeniable. Uncontained.

But one devastating event changes everything, shattering each of their lives...and Amber isn’t sure she can recover from it.

***

Why am I looking forward to Amber to Ashes?

1.) This book sounds highly emotional and it may sound strange, but I love books that completely wreck me emotionally. I know it's good writing when everything about the book evokes that kind of emotion from me.

2.) I'm interested in seeing how this love triangle works out.

3.) From some early reviews, which are amazing, a shady business deal goes wrong, so I'm thinking that's the "devastating event" that changes everything for them. I want to know how they all come back from it, if they do at all.


You can preorder Amber to Ashes for $7.99 on Amazon!

***

I'm also sharing with you the first book in the The Escaped series. Amber Smoke by Kristin Cast. This book is set to be released on June 9th, 2015.


There is a world that runs parallel to our own, a world in which the souls of the damned are caged, where they are looked over by the Furies, and where they spend eternity in torment, mirroring the devastation and mayhem they created when alive.

Someone has opened the cage.

The worst of terrors has crossed the barrier that separates our world from theirs, and the Furies send a great, albeit untested warrior—their only son, Alek—to try to bring those souls back. He is young and handsome, headstrong and impulsive, and he won’t be able to do it alone.

Eva has grown up, beautiful and beloved, but surrounded by secrets. First, she will be hunted in an ancient feud that will threaten her life. Then, she will become the hunter.

With the police closing in and two worlds on the verge of crumbling around them, Alek and Eva must find each other, discover the limits of their powers, and work together to save everything they hold dear, including one another. Blending elements of mythology with the dazzling storytelling that her fans have devoured through the House of Night series, Kristin Cast weaves a spellbinding and passionate tale that starts a thrilling new series with an explosive charge.

***

Why am I looking forward to Amber Smoke?

1.) Parallel worlds and mythology.

2.) I want to know more about the ancient feud that threatens Eva's life

3.) Sounds like there could be a great romance that develops between Alek and Eva.


You can preorder Amber Smoke for $9.99 on Amazon!



Monday, June 1, 2015

Cover Reveal | Reprisal by Kathy Coopmans

REPRISAL (Contrite #2)
by Kathy Coopmans
Expected Publication: TBA
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Clove Calloway thought she ended her nightmare life when she stabbed herself.

When the darkness took over, she thought she’d find peace. Seeing her husband die by the hands of his traitorous brother, Trent, destroyed her. Little did she know, her dreadful life without Turner is just the beginning. She awakens from one nightmare right into another, confined in a house with the Master Manipulator of them all.

Now, she's fighting for her life instead of trying to end it. As the truth unfolds, layer upon layer of deceit could suffocate her. How many times and in how many way can she be betrayed? But Clove refuses to lose. Just how she's going to win is a plan she's yet to determine...

Zack is determined to find his sister Clove, he knows she is out there somewhere. He can feel it. He wants her home. And he is going to find her! He’s ready to take down the evil that has her in his clutches. Only he’s just as shocked as Clove when the truth unfolds…

There’s more…. So much more. Are you ready?

Revenge. Retaliation.

REPRISAL.




Something is terribly wrong. I can feel it. My stomach is restricting, contracting. “Oh God.” My hands clutch my stomach. Excruciating pain progresses from my lower abdomen.

“Clove.” That grating voice reaches my ears from across the room.

“Stay the hell away from me.” His bare feet appear in my line of vision. His jean clad legs bend landing him on his hands and knees in front of me. “Please,” My voice wobbly. I’m petrified. I don’t know what’s happening or why. An unsettling feeling begins to well inside of me, clamping my eyes shut as another agonizing pain jolts. Only this time the pressure is so intense, so unbearable, making my body shake, beads of sweat instantaneously emerge on my forehead. “Trent.” Someone is calling his name, it’s not me though as my ability to speak is gone. My hearing is not.

There is nothing in this world that could make me not recognize the sound of that southern accent calling out Trent’s name. My heart pounding at an increasingly rapid pace. A dozen needles stabbing profusely over and over again.

My forehead crinkles in confusion, lifting it slowly, the click clack of her heels on the hardwood floor, louder the closer they approach. Heels as bright red as the blood beginning to pool underneath my body, those shoes are demanding the right to be heard as she squats down next to Trent. “W…what are you doing here?” My trembling sound waves ricochet throughout the room.

“You don’t look so well Clove, my dear.”

Her sound sugary sweet. She’s watching me so intensely. I don’t know how or why it hits me, but it does. When her head tilts to the side, her snide smirk graces her face.

“Y…you,” I say through a clenched breath. The last thing I remember before I fall on my side, crying, pleading, begging god to save my baby is the sound of her malicious laugh.


CONTRITE (Contrite #1)
by Kathy Coopmans
Published: April 6th, 2015
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes
Clove Calloway knows within an hour of picking up her husband Turner from the airport that something is different, yet she can't pinpoint what. Together since college, they know everything about each other... so why has she spent the last few days watching everything he does, hoping for a clue? What could have happened within the week he was gone?

One way or another, she's going to find out.

When Clove enlists the help of her brother Zach, a police detective, she's afraid her suspicions of infidelity will be confirmed. Terrified that such news will crush her heart, she sets about preparing for the worst, only to find it's much more than she could have imagined- there is no other woman.

Clove's life is about to descend into a web of deceit, lies, and betrayal.

Appearances can be deceiving...and only the Master Manipulator will be left standing.


Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Tsu

Kathy is a Michigan native where she lives with her husband Tony. They have two son's Aaron and Shane.

She is a sports nut. Her favorite sports include NASCAR, Baseball and Football.

By day she is a hairstylist and loves her job.

She has always been an avid reader and at the young age of 50 decided she wanted to write. She claims she can do several things at once and still stay on task. Her favorite quote is "I got this."


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