Review: In Control [The City 02] by Crystal Serowka!

Publication date: 22nd December 2013
Paperback edition: -
Source: Kindle
Rating: 5 stars
Synopsis: I wasn’t a typical teenager.
I’d been through more rough patches than a weed eater.
I didn’t grow up behind a white picket fence.
I didn’t go to Sunday school.
My body was no temple, though it was worshiped by many.
Girls kept their boyfriends away from me for good reason.
I was desired.
Wanted.
Admired.
While my friends were following the rules, I was breaking them.
I’m careless.
Reckless.
Uncontrollable.
I don’t apologize for who I am.
I embrace it.
But all things must come to an end.
He was my new beginning.
Favourite quote: "Love isn't something you hide from. Love isn't something you trade in. Love is a priority. It's the one thing in people's lives that makes them want to live."

This book was unreal! I had been desperate to read it since I read the first book in this series and even though I knew this book wasn't going to have the same main character, I still couldn't wait to read it! The synopsis of this book doesn't even give you a hint to what happens in it, but it sums up the main character perfectly! This book took me completely by surprise and made my heart break! It was such an emotional read! The plot of this book was written exceptionally well! I was sucked right in and once I stared reading, I couldn't put it down until I had finished reading every word! The plot was so sad and hard to read, but it had light to it as well! It was about a girl, who had had a really tough life, learn to move on and finally see herself for who she really was! I also have to point out that I loved that this book was written in a 'now' and 'then' format, as it really showed me just how hard the main character's life had been and it really hit me hard, as it showed the full extent of what the main character had been through! The characters were absolutely amazing! Kinsley was the main character in this book and she appeared in the first book in this series, In the Air, but she was only a secondary character! I couldn't wait to read her story, but I never expected her background to have been so hard! My heart broke for Kinsley as I learned about her life! Nobody should ever have to be submitted to a life like that, but the author didn't hold back and she showed the full extent of what Kinsley went and had been through in her life! I really have to admire the author for that! Kinsley was such a beautiful and sweet person, but she had been through a lot and what she had been through affected how she reacted and made her close up! I completely understood why she had a hard time trying to engage in a romantic relationship as opposed to a sexual relationship, as she had been violated in the worst way and she doubted her worth because of it! Kinsley was so much stronger than she knew and it took her until the very end of this book to realise just how strong she really was! Kinsley did have two love interests in this book, Wren and Porter, but one was in the 'now' stages and one was in the 'then' stages! I do have to admit that I definitely preferred Wren over Porter, as Porter was all about fitting in and having friends and he only really wanted a sexual relationship with Kinsley, whereas Wren was more about wanting a romantic relationship with Kinsley and he wanted her to open up to him! I could tell that Wren had genuine feelings for Kinsley as well! Plus, Porter started out really nice and then turned into an ass! I'm not sure if there's going to be another book to this series or a novella to Kinsley's story, as this book did end beautifully, but quite abrupt, so I think a novella would be an awesome idea! I will say that I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from this author and I can't wait to see what she's going to release next! The cover for this book is so beautiful! I haven't seen a cover like it before! It's beyond stunning! Big thank you to Crystal for an ARC of In Control!

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Exquisite Betrayal by A.M. Hargrove!

Publication date: 17th December 2013
Paperback edition: -
Source: Kindle
Rating: 4 stars
Synopsis: A male Romance Author… a convention in Vegas… a female book blogger… a goal to lose her virginity… what next? Find out when you mix all the above!

Fallon McKinley is headed to Vegas for the Wicked Wenches Romance Con and losing her virginity is only one of her goals. The other is to meet her favorite author of romance novels, R.T. Sinclair. What she doesn’t realize is that the sexy green-eyed god she rams into at the airport is the real R.T. When they keep running into each other, she’s shocked, but excited, because the attraction is irresistible.

Ryland Thomas Sinclair doesn’t want anyone to know his true identity. He’s the author that all women love, but everyone thinks he’s a female. He hides his persona behind the public face of his twin sister, keeping his own a secret. But after meeting the lovely Fallon, his intentions to avoid a relationship come to a screeching halt. She’s put an unwanted kink into his perfectly laid out plans. His unusual reaction surprises him because after a heart-shredding breakup a few years ago, he’s managed to avoid women at all costs.

Resisting Fallon becomes more difficult than he imagines. Soon things are spiraling out of control, until a major miscommunication has Fallon walking out of his home and his life. Will Ryland Thomas succeed in losing the woman he loves? Or can he win her back?

I was desperate to read this book once I found out about it! I've never read a book that focuses on a blogger and an author, so I was looking forward to seeing what the author did with it! This was also the first book by this author that I has read, so I was looking forward to seeing how I found it! I enjoyed this book, but there was something about it that made me not love it, love it! It was a good book and all that, but I just found it a bit slow! It started off really well for me and I loved getting to know the characters and form a bond with them, but then it sort of started to lead up to a big secret being found out and then once it did, the plot changed a lot! The plot was interesting though and I do have to say that I liked what the author did with the author/blogger relationship! It was pretty, damn hot if I'm honest! I did think that there were quite a few secrets in the plot which fueled the plot and plus, I loved the idea of the main female character being a blogger and going to a book convention! I thought that was so cool and the main character reacted in the same way I hope I do when I go to my first book convention next year lol! The characters were awesome! Fallon was the main female character and she was so funny! I loved how witty and sarcastic she was, even when she didn't mean to be! She had a really soft side to her as well and she kept going when things got rough! I sort of admired that about her! She also didn't have the best relationship with her mother, so my heart went out to her for that! I loved her relationship with her blogger friends though! It reminded me so much of my relationship with my blogger friends! Ryland Thomas was the main male character and his name really annoyed me! He wanted people to call him by his full name instead of just shortening it to Ryland, but I definitely would have shortened it if I ever had a conversation with him! His name's a mouthful, so I'm going to refer to him as Ryland lol! Ryland wasn't as hot as I was expecting him to be too be honest! I was expecting to be swooning at him, but I found that I liked him, but that sometimes he was a bit controlling! I loved this relationship and the way he was with Fallon though! I also understood why he wanted to keep his author identity a secret and my heart did go out to him when his big secret was revealed! I also loved how he covered up his author identity as events! It was a such a great idea! I enjoyed this book being written from both Fallon and Ryland's point of views, as it added a lot more to the story and I loved getting to see their relationship develop through both of their eyes! I can completely understand why this book is a standalone as everything was resolved and the main characters relationship was ended beautifully! The ending was a little quick in my opinion though! Especially the epilogue! I felt that it summed the story up in a way, but I was expecting it to show Fallon and Ryland's relationship so many years down the line! I really wanted to know if they had any children lol! The cover for this book is what first attracted me to it! It's so pretty and hot! I love the colouring as well! Big thank you to A.M. Hargrove for an ARC of Exquisite Betrayal and to InkSlinger PR for having me on the Blog Tour!

 

Check it out on Goodreads!

Buy your copy from:

 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1gAOchP
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1dEP28l
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/JyBv9u
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1c6VuI8

 

 

 

Author bio:

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss and quit her job. Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).

So began A. M. Hargrove's career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer. Her books include the following: Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge and Kissing Fire (The Edge Series); The Guardians of Vesturon series (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, ReEmergent and Beginnings); Dark Waltz and Tragically Flawed.

Other than being in love with writing about being in love, she loves chocolate, ice cream and coffee and is positive they should be added as part of the USDA food groups.

  

 

Blog: http://amhargrove.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Amhargrove1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMHargroveAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5338829.A_M_Hargrove

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Until You're Mine [Mine 02] by K. Langston!

Taking big risks had always been Archer Brook’s way of life. It’s what has to be done in order to get what you want, and he knew that better than anyone. Archer may have been born into a life of wealth and privilege, but he’d proven time and time again that his success was a result of his own true grit and determination. The savvy businessman was an experienced player in the game of life, always knowing when to ante up or when to cash out.

It was time to do both.

Burned out on the bright lights of Vegas, once the successful night club owner found the best of both worlds tucked away in a quiet Mississippi town, he never looked back.

That was until she walked into his bar.

Life has never been easy for Katy Vaughn. The preacher’s daughter turned small town rebel has seen her fair share of heartbreak, and she’s tired. Katy is done with men who have no idea what they want or how to treat a woman. She wants a real man. One who can give her everything she’s ever dreamed of. One who will give her everything she needs. Lovers of the past may have broken her heart, but they could never break her spirit.

There was only one man capable of that.
 

You never know when love will come along and change…everything.

Add it to your TBR list on Goodreads!

Excerpt!
 

Green eyes studied me for a moment before his lips crashed against mine, pressing me back down to the couch. “How could I deny you when you beg like that? Scoot that sweet ass down a bit.” I lifted my hips, scooting down. Archer adjusted the throw pillow beneath my head then propped my other high heeled foot onto his shoulder. Two fingers slid deep inside of me. “Fuck, I love how wet you get for me. Every time I touch you, you’re fucking soaked.”

   Breathing in and out was difficult. Sparks of fire licked every nerve in my body, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. “Please,”

   “Fuck yes. Beg. I wanna hear it. Tell me what you want, sweetheart.”

   “You. I want you.”

   “Me?” Archer grunted as he slammed inside of me. “Or this?” 

   The sudden invasion was hard and hot and skated along the line of extreme pleasure and immense pain. It took my very breath away. Open mouthed and wide eyed, I watched closely as he slid in and out of me. The pain subsided as pleasure took over and I couldn't help but close my eyes and get lost in it. Lost in the moment. Lost in him.

   Lost in us.

Author Bio:

I've worked in property management for the last decade. Married to my soul mate and gentle giant for 12 years, the man has never been, nor will he ever be, the romantic type. However, we still have a very passionate marriage and we love each other fiercely. We have two beautiful children who drive us absolutely insane, but we love them dearly and we are certain our life would suck without them.

I love music. I have a broad range of taste so I listen to all genres, but I love country the most.

Most of my friends and family will tell you that I'm a bit loud. I take that back...I'm very LOUD. I tend to always say what others are thinking and I never sugarcoat anything.

Writing has given me the release I've been craving all of these years. An outlet to express myself the way I want to, the way I need to. It's like therapy for me and my life was forever changed the moment I typed that first line.

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Langston2013

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7075649.K_Langston

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/klangston19/because-youre-mine/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/klangston13

 

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Cover Reveal: The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons!

What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?

Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself, gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too young an age.

But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the rest of the gods and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in the deep end of the sea before you can rise back up again.

 

Add it to your TBR list on Goodreads!

 

Author bio:

Heather Lyons has always had a thing for words—She’s been writing stories since she was a kid. In addition to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. Heather is a rabid music fan, as evidenced by her (mostly) music-centric blog, and she’s married to an even larger music snob. They’re happily raising three kids who are mini music fiends who love to read and be read to.

Website: http://www.heatherlyons.net
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/heatherlyons
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hymheather
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherlyonsbooks?fref=ts

Christmas Giveaway Week 4: Melissa Pearl!

Thanks for participating in Week 3 of the Christmas Giveaways!

 Congratulations to: Krista

 You have won:

The rest of you can enjoy a 2-day sale of The Elements Trilogy Omnibus, which also includes an exclusive next chapter so you can find out what happened to Jethro, Kyla and Athra! Normally $6.99, you can have it for only $2.99!

 You can find the book on Amazon or Smashwords

And to continue with the Christmas fun, please enter the final giveaway. This is the biggie with a bundle of excellent prizes!

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Save Me From Me by Erika Ashby!

Publication date: 13th December 2013

Paperback edition: -
Source: Kindle
Rating: 4.5 stars
Synopsis: Dani refuses to lose another parent due to her absence from their life. After pulling herself back together following the death of her father, she moves back to her childhood town to live with her mom. She’s slowly pulled back into the lifestyle she worked so hard to get away from ten years ago. She accepts that this is the life she has always been destined to live. Getting a job at the store down the road and hooking back up with her first love Gage, seems to be the logical way to go…that is until she meets Holden Reynolds.

Now that Holden is finally back home from the Navy he plans on following in his father’s footsteps. Still trying to move on from the one woman who had his heart, he busies himself in work and returning to the country boy lifestyle he’s always loved. The best way to get over someone is to get under someone, right? That’s his mindset as he travels town to town with his job perfectly content with being a rambling man…that is until he meets Danielle Brooks.

When Dani isn't leaving and Holden isn't staying will they be able to keep themselves from getting too attached? Or will they be just what each other needs to cut all the strings that have them bound?

“You can’t save me from me, Holden.” -Dani  

I was really looking forward to reading this book when I first found out about it, as it sounded like the sort of book I was going to love! And love it I did! This book was so beautiful! I will admit that it took me two attempts to really get into it when I first started reading, but I'm so happy I didn't put it down! It just got better and better as I read on! The characters, the plot, everything about this book just made me fall completely in love with it! The plot of this book was so emotional! I cried like a baby at the end, I smiled at the little things and I got mad as secrets unfolded! The plot was written brilliantly and I just couldn't stop reading it! It did take me a few chapters to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't get through it fast enough! It was amazing and had me hooked! The characters were amazing! Dani was the main female character and I just adored her! I loved that she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and she told people straight how she felt! My heart went out to Dani in this book as she went through so much and yet she tried so hard to stay strong! I admired her so much for that! Dani put other peoples feelings before her own, which meant that she rarely did what she really wanted to! I loved that her love interest showed her that she had to put herself first and other people second! Holden was the love interest of Dani and he was deliciously hot! He had also been through a lot and then he went through quite a lot in this book! I don't think he went through as much as Dani, but his story tugged at my heartstrings just as much! Holden showed Dani what it was like to live again, but he also showed her just how much love could hurt! My heart fluttered and broke as I read Dani and Holden's story, but it was so beautiful and full of real love! I loved that this book was written from both Dani and Holden's point of views as it made it more interesting and I loved getting to go inside both of their heads! There was a love triangle in this book between Dani, Holden and Gage! I was definitely Team Holden, but I did like Gage! Well, until I discovered his secret! The love triangle played a big part in the story, but it wasn't that big a part that makes you roll your eyes! It was perfect and added a lot to the story! I normally enjoy like triangles, but I've read a few recently that have let me down, so I'm really happy that I enjoyed the one in this book! I can completely understand why this book is a standalone! The ending was absolutely beautiful and had me crying like a baby! I do have to see that I could see a novella for Dani and Holden, but it's definitely not necessary! The cover for this book is beyond stunning! I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it! I'm definitely going to have to get it in paperback! Big thank you to Erika for an ARC of Save Me From Me and to Enticing Journey Book Promotions for having me on the Blog Tour!

  

 

Author bio:

Being born an "Army Brat", Erika Ashby has been residing in Oklahoma the last 10 years finally putting an end to the nomad tendencies she had grown accustomed to. She's a happily married woman who has 5 kids between her and her husband. She has an insane passion for music and embraces her Inner Groupie any chance she has. It wasn't until the age of 29 that she realized she also had a hidden passion for reading; before then she claimed to have hated it. Six months after unlocking that deep desire she never knew she held, she turned the key to another chapter of her life which has become the desire to write. And the rest is still history in the making.

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Undone [Unbreakable 02] by Rebecca Shea!

I’ve found it’s easier to share my body but not my soul. I need no one, yet I crave her.

Self-assured and independent, she doesn’t need me—but she wants me, and undeniably I want her too. At war with myself as I battle the secrets of my past, I don’t know if I can allow her to see the darkest parts of me, the parts I’ve left untouched—undone.

As she chips away at the walls I’ve built for years, I fear those secrets will hold me hostage from love—forever.

 

Add it to your TBR list on Goodreads!

 

Check out the Book Trailer here!

 

Excerpt!

 

   Sliding into their chairs Matt and Lindsay both stare at me, waiting for me to say something.
   “What?” I ask.
   “Is she why we’re here?” Lindsay asks coyly. I smirk and take a drink of beer.
   “Maybe.”
  “Jesus, Lan, I did a double take there for a second, she reminds me so much of…”
  “Linds,” Matt cuts her off. He’s tired of my sorry ass still moping around because of Jess. It’s been a year since she’s moved back to California and she’s now engaged. While I know I did the right thing in letting her go, I can’t help but wonder what if I could have been the man she needed? What if I could have changed for her? But I know I couldn’t, or wouldn’t. I would have hurt her. I would have drawn her in and pushed her away, because that’s what I do. But more importantly I knew I never had her heart, it always belonged to someone else.
   “It’s okay. I thought the same thing when I saw her last night. The similarities are uncanny.”
   “No shit,” Lindsay snorts taking a long pull of her drink through the skinny straw.
   “Jesus, Lindsay, you’re so fucking blunt,” Matt says, finishing off the beer in his mug. I laugh because I’m used to it—it’s Lindsay.
   “So what, I’ve got a thing for tall, leggy brunettes,” I shrug.
   “You don’t have to say that twice,” Matt interjects. Lindsay smacks Matt’s shoulder and shakes her head. “And this is why we find ourselves at Mac’s bar on a Saturday night,” Matt motions with his head toward Reagan who is squeezing through the groups of people standing around the tables.
   “She seems really nice,” Lindsay says finishing her drink. She shakes the tall glass and the ice rattles together. “Well would you look at that,” she says sarcastically, “looks like I need another drink.” She cranes her neck looking for Reagan. As she gets her attention and waves her over to our table, Lindsay smirks at me.
   “Reagan, can I get another Grey Goose and cranberry? And as much as I love them, I’d like to be able to walk out of here in a few hours, so maybe ask Mac to take it easy on the vodka pour.” Reagan laughs.
   “Of course.” Looking at our half full pitcher of beer, Reagan looks between Matt and I. “Is there anything else you two need?”
   “I’ll take a glass of ice water, I’m driving tonight,” Matt explains. Reagan looks to me waiting for me to answer.
   “No thanks, I’m good—for now. I’m sure I’ll want something later.” The remark is laced with undertones and Lindsay kicks me under the table while Matt lowers his head and laughs. Regan gives me a little smirk and shakes her head while clearing the glasses of the table. Leaning into me, she whispers “Then maybe I’ll be back later.” I catch my breath as her long hair sweeps across my cheek and her arm brushes mine. But as she turns to leave she smirks and says over her shoulder “Or maybe I won’t.”

Buy your copy of the first book, Unbreakable, from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-Rebecca-Shea-ebook/dp/B00E4Y6ZZC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386895706&sr=8-1&keywords=unbreakable+rebecca+shea

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unbreakable-rebecca-shea/1116176514?ean=2940148794776

iTunes: https://itun.es/us/fQ8jO.l

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/unbreakable-12

Author bio:

Rebecca Shea is the USA Today Bestselling author of Unbreakable. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her family and her beagle, Miles. From the time Rebecca could read she has had a passion for books. Rebecca spends her days working full-time and her nights writing, bringing stories to life. Born and raised in Minnesota, Rebecca moved to Arizona in 1999 to escape the bitter winters. When not working or writing, she can be found on the sidelines of her sons football games, or watching her daughter at ballet class. Rebecca is fueled by insane amounts of coffee, margaritas, Laffy Taffy (except the banana ones), and happily ever afters.

 

 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/beccasheaauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6878970.Rebecca_Shea
 

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