Monthly Archives: May 2014

Daughter of the Gods by Stephanie Thornton – a Review

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Daughter of the Gods by Stephanie Thornton – a Review

 

Daughter of the GodsAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
Egypt, 1400s BC. The pharaoh’s pampered second daughter, lively, intelligent Hatshepsut, delights in racing her chariot through the marketplace and testing her archery skills in the Nile’s marshlands. But the death of her elder sister, Neferubity, in a gruesome accident arising from Hatshepsut’s games forces her to confront her guilt…and sets her on a profoundly changed course.

Hatshepsut enters a loveless marriage with her half brother, Thut, to secure his claim to the Isis Throne and produce a male heir. But it is another of Thut’s wives, the commoner Aset, who bears him a son, while Hatshepsut develops a searing attraction for his brilliant adviser Senenmut. And when Thut suddenly dies, Hatshepsut becomes de facto ruler, as regent to her two-year-old nephew.

Once, Hatshepsut anticipated being free to live and love as she chose. Now she must put Egypt first. Ever daring, she will lead a vast army and build great temples, but always she will be torn between the demands of leadership and the desires of her heart. And even as she makes her boldest move of all, her enemies will plot her downfall….

Review:

If you are a historical fiction fan and love exotic places like ancient Egypt, then Daughter of the Gods by Stephanie Thorton is for you! It’s well researched (meaning the important parts are fact). It’s extremely well written, I laughed, I cried, I was appalled, I loved, and I was thoroughly engrossed!

This is the story of Hatshepsut, one of the few women pharaohs in Egypt’s history. She started as the second daughter of Pharaoh Tutmose and his Great Royal Wife Ahmose. Her older sister dies unexpectedly and she must now be the one to marry their half-brother Thutmosis. The linage and marriage rules of the Egyptian royals are very interesting.

The story is one of a young woman, her wants, needs, mistakes and eventually her successes on behalf of her country and people. She was one of the best and most successful rulers Egypt ever had, but it was a huge undertaking with incredible sacrifices.

Stephanie Thornton has filled this book with wonderfully described locations, ideals, and motivations. It’s an incredible journey through this woman’s life and times. It has all the elements needed for a first class romance novel, love, betrayal, intrigue and so much more.

I never felt overwhelmed with descriptions. I was thoroughly enchanted by the dialog and story. It felt like living her life with her as she made her choices and came to learn so much.

I warn you, make time when you start, you won’t want to leave this story and go back to your life… well not for long anyway.

Required equipment: your favorite beverage, snacks to crunch on (not your fingernails), tissues are a must!

Enjoy everyone, I certainly did!

Reviewed by Georgianna

Copy provided by Publisher

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Breakable (Contours of the Heart #2) by Tammara Webber-Review, Interview and Giveaway

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Breakable (Contours of the Heart #2) by Tammara Webber-Review, Interview and Giveaway 

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Breakable
Contours of the Heart #2
by Tammara Webber
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, romance

breakable May 14

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About the book: Release Date May 6, 2014

He was lost and alone. Then he found her.
And the future seemed more fragile than ever.

As a child, Landon Lucas Maxfield believed his life was perfect and looked forward to a future filled with promise — until tragedy tore his family apart and made him doubt everything he ever believed.

All he wanted was to leave the past behind. When he met Jacqueline Wallace, his desire to be everything she needed came so easy…

As easy as it could be for a man who learned that the soul is breakable and that everything you hoped for could be ripped away in a heartbeat.

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: BREAKABLE is the second instalment in Tammara Webber’s contemporary, new adult Contours of the Heart romance series. The storyline is told from alternating first person POVs –Lucas and Landon-using present day, flashbacks, memories and dream sequences. The story told from Lucas’s POV parallels the timeline in EASY (Book 1) and beyond; the story told from Landon’s POV covers the early years with Landon’s (Lucas) family, friends, school and the tragedy that destroyed it all.

Part of the premise follows Landon (Lucas) in the aftermath of the tragedy. We get up close and personal with a young boy/young man whose family has been destroyed; whose father is unable to cope; and a life that begins to spiral out of control. Landon struggles to survive in a world believing himself responsible for everything that happened.

Lucas’s POV follows the EASY timeline where our hero wars with his attraction to Jacqueline and his need to protect her from everyone including himself. The reader is pulled into the mind of a quiet, reserved genius who pushes away the memories and demons of the past by getting lost in his studies, his jobs, his volunteer programs and his need for the one woman he cannot have.

The world building follows several intersecting timelines that crossover between EASY and BREAKABLE. The secondary characters, especially in Landon’s (Lucas) early years are colorful, abrasive and dramatic. The reader will begin to understand the mind of a young boy as he battles the guilt that eats away at his heart and his soul; how the people in his life formed the building blocks of anger, revenge and temptation; and how a family friend would come to the rescue of a young man on a destructive path of violence and failure.

Tammara Webber writes a remarkable story that will captivate your mind; a story that is emotional, passionate and dramatic about a troubled boy who would grow up to be a responsible man but in between faces a life time of heartache and pain. BREAKABLE takes a closer look into the thoughts and emotions of Landon Lucas Maxfield as he endeavors to survive in a world of guilt and shame and, the one woman who will make it easier to acknowledge that a thirteen year old boy is not responsible for the sins of the past.

Reading Order
1. Easy
2. Breakable

Copy supplied by the publisher (Penguin)

Reviewed by Sandy

Interview beige

TRC: Hi Tammara and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of BREAKABLE, book two in your New Adult Contours of the Heart series.

Tammara: Thank you. ☺

Tammara WeberTRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Tammara: I wrote my first romance novel at 19 (and threw it away after deciding it wasn’t good enough – without showing it to a single other person!). I went back to school in my thirties and went to work as an undergrad advisor after I graduated. I wrote two more “shelf novels” before writing the first book I published, making Easy the seventh novel I wrote. I’ve been married more than half my life, have three “new adults” of my own, and recently – my first grandcat.

TRC: Who or what influenced your foray into writing?

Tammara: I’ve always written. You could say that Go Dog Go was the most influential book of my life. It was the first one I tried to imitate by writing/coloring a story of my own.

breakable May 14TRC: BREAKABLE is the second storyline in your Contours of the Heart series. Is BREAKABLE a combination of a prequel storyline and a parallel version of EASY told from Lucas’s POV?

Tammara: Yes.

TRC: What was the factor(s) behind writing the storyline from Lucas’s POV?

Tammara: When I wrote EASY, Lucas didn’t “speak” to me very much. I knew his deception, but I didn’t know his past. I literally got halfway through writing the first draft before I knew what happened to him. I had a vague idea – but nothing concrete until I woke up with it. My husband was getting ready for work, and I opened the bathroom door and blurted it out to him. We were both horrified. I thought Lucas would open up to me more after that, but nope. He was quiet until nearly a year after I published EASY. Once he finally started telling me his story, I had to write it.

TRC: EASY is the first storyline in the series. What or who was your inspiration for the premise? Is the story based in reality or a combination of factors?

Order Links: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

EASYTammara: All my stories are a combination of many factors – some real, some pure imagination. I was sexually assaulted in my early twenties by a friend/classmate; there was no Lucas for me. I didn’t tell anyone for 12 years, at which point I told my best friend. That telling was an important turning point for me – the point where I consciously realized, fully, what had happened to me. The point where I realized that misjudging that guy’s character didn’t mean I was at fault for the rape. It meant I was unlucky. It also meant I was a survivor.

TRC: How has your life changed with the success of EASY?

Tammara: It’s turned upside down – in positive but sometimes unsettling ways. I was always the supporter of my husband’s career. I had no desire to go to college after high school, but I worked at the university as a secretary to put him through. He never objected to anything I wanted to do, however, even when I did a 180 (like deciding I wanted to go to school after all). If I wanted to stay home with the kids, or work, or take classes, it was all good. By the time I wrote EASY, I’d completed a degree in English and was working for the university. Our oldest child had completed a theatre degree from NYU, the middle one was about to graduate with a BS in biology, and the youngest was finishing high school. Having a financially successful career as an author was sudden and unexpected for me (and him!), but came alongside other transformative life shifts. Maybe it was a good thing that at the time, I didn’t know how to separate all the crazy, lol.

TRC: When writing, how do you keep the plot of your novels unpredictable without sacrificing content and believability?

Tammara: I actually don’t worry at all about keeping the plot unpredictable. I go straight for believability. Life is unpredictable. If I write realistically, I’ve got the problem of predictability covered as well as can be expected. ☺

TRC: When writing a novel, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Tammara: The characters direct the writing.

TRC: The mark of a good writer is ability to pull the reader into the story so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writers fail in this endeavor?

Tammara: I can only go by the emotions I feel when I write. If a character is supposed to be sad or grieving, and I’m not tearing up or outright crying, I’m doing something wrong. My favorite scene of EASY is the sorority meeting. I had chills running all over my body when I wrote that scene. I cried when I finished it. I knew I’d hit the emotion I meant to hit, as close as my ability could take it, because I felt it. As writers, we’re sometimes deadline-rushed or too focused on making something happen in a scene. I sometimes skip scenes and come back when I’m in the right mindset to write them.

TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon. How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of writer’s block?

Tammara: I quit writing – take a walk, or read, or grab my husband and go get coffee, lunch or a drink. I bring a pad and pencil and we discuss where I’m stuck. Usually, stuck means it’s time to back up and go a different direction, even if it’s a small change. I make notes and come at it with fresh eyes later or the next day.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Tammara: My husband is my brainstorming partner and my first reader. If something doesn’t work or doesn’t sound authentic, he says so. I have critique partners (other authors) to work with once I’ve got the words down.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Tammara: I tend to think about what I plan to write for several weeks, brainstorming story ideas and making notes, before I begin writing. Sometimes I toss ideas out and start over. Once BREAKABLE is launched, I’ll be able to begin concentrating on the next project.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food – TexMex

Favorite Dessert – chocolate cake

Favorite TV Show – Walking Dead

Favorite Entertainer – my son, Zachary ☺

Last Movie You Saw – Divergent

Dark or Milk Chocolate – dark

Secret Celebrity Crush – Robert Downey, Jr.

Last Vacation Destination – Texas Gulf coast

Pet Peeve – people who cut in line

TRC: Thank you, Tammara for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the success of EASY and the release of BREAKABLE.

Tammara: Thanks so much for having me.

Tammara Webber is author of the New York Times bestselling New Adult novel Easy, the first novel in her Contours of the Heart series, and the Between the Lines series.  She is a hopeful romantic who adores novels with happy endings, because there are enough sad endings in real life.  Before writing full-time, she was an undergraduate academic advisor, economics tutor, planetarium office manager, radiology call center rep, and the palest person to ever work at a tanning salon.  She married her high school sweetheart, and is a mom to three adult kids and four very immature cats.  Connect with her online at tammarawebber.blogspot.com,  twitter.com/tammarawebber, and www.facebook.com/TammaraWebberAuthor.

BREAKABLE Buy Link:

http://widgets.penguin.com/Pages/affiliateLanding/index.aspx?isbn=9780425266861

EASY Buy Link:

http://widgets.penguin.com/Pages/affiliateLanding/index.aspx?isbn=9780425266748

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Tammara and her publisher are offering a paper copy of BREAKABLE to one (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. LIKE Tammara Webber on Facebook.

6. The giveaway is open to USA only

7. The giveaway runs from May 13 to May 18, 2014

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Leopold’s Wicked Embrace by Kym Grosso-Review Tour

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Leopold’s Wicked Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans #5) by Kym Grosso-Review and Blog Tour

 

Leopold’s Wicked Embrace
Immortals of New Orleans #5
by Kym Grosso
Genre: contemporary,adult,paranormal, erotic, romance
Release Date: April 4, 2014

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble /

An erotic paranormal romance…

Seductive and lethal vampire, Léopold Devereoux, returns to the Big Easy to find a killer. His search leads him to a beautiful and mysterious woman, who awakens desires and emotions that he’s long fought to keep buried. After centuries of self-imposed solitude, the billionaire philanthropist struggles to restrain his growing thirst for the intriguing, lovely female who’s captured his attention.

Laryssa Theriot, an antiques proprietor in the Vieux Carré, agrees to help the commanding yet debonair stranger, who seeks her assistance. She withholds her secret abilities, afraid to trust the man who threatens to unleash her darkest fantasies. All the while, Léopold consumes her thoughts, testing her erotic limits and bringing her to new levels of ecstasy. As the menacing force that has stalked Laryssa for years finally catches up to her, she submits, putting her life into the hands of the dominant vampire who offers his protection.

Deep in the heart of New Orleans, they embark on a perilous adventure, forced to search for an ancient sacrificial relic that they hope will save their lives. As they face formidable challenges, Léopold and Laryssa surrender to the passionate intimacy that possesses them. After hundreds of years of denying himself love, will Léopold bond to the woman who has begun to crack the impenetrable shell around his heart? As evil draws near, will Laryssa survive the demon that has come to take her soul?

Warning: This book contains several erotic love scenes and is intended for adult readers only.

•••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: LEOPOLD’S WICKED EMBRACE is the fifth instalment in Kym Grosso’s contemporary, adult, erotic Immortals of New Orleans paranormal romance series. This is ancient vampire Leopold Devereoux and Laryssa Theriot’s storyline. Leopold has been a fixture in the Immortals of New Orleans series since the first book and the ancient vampire will finally get his story.

The premise focuses on a foundling baby-part wolf, part something else. Discovered by Leopold, the powerful vampire knows there is something different about this child. Leaving baby Ava with Logan (alpha wolf) and Kade, Leopold goes in search of the only person who may be able to tell him who and what she is.

Enter Laryssa Theriot-an antiques dealer and the woman who calls to Leopold’s soul. As the couple begins their search for any information that may lead to Ava’s identity, Laryssa will be confronted by the evil that has followed her all of her life. The evil wants something from Laryssa and the baby is the bargaining chip used to pull Laryssa into the demands.

The relationship between Leopold and Laryssa is sensual, seductive and a little bit wicked. As an ancient, Leopold is believed to be the oldest and most powerful of his kind but with it comes heartache and memories of everything that he lost in the past. Denying his attraction to Laryssa only amplifies his need and in the end he will lose his heart and his soul to the spirited woman with unusual powers.

Kym Grosso has written an engaging, compelling and passionate storyline where an ancient vampire has been given a second chance at love. The world building continues throughout the series with the inclusion of many of the former storyline characters that gives Leopold’s story a sense of the familiar. We get an intimate look at the ancient vampire’s protective nature; the allure of family; and a love that he never thought would happen (again).

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

 

Laryssa had heard the customer behind her, but the damn mirror wire wouldn’t seem to catch right. It kept slipping and she cursed under her breath, hoping she wouldn’t drop it. If she could just hold it up a minute longer, she could get it to hang squarely on the wall. She fingered the hook that she’d just renailed into the wall and then moved her thumb over to the thin metal string. With a final shove upward, she attempted to flick it into place. But as the wire caught, it sliced into her flesh. A sharp sting threw her off balance, and her pumps began to waver. Shit. Not again.
“Oh my God!” Laryssa squeaked as she fell backwards, fully expecting to crack her head open on one of the many sharp-edged desks that sat adjacent to where she’d been working. As she felt strong male hands slide up under her ribcage, grazing her breasts, she gasped. She wasn’t sure whether to thank the stranger or call the police, but as she turned her face to try to see him, she immediately recognized her rescuer.
“It’s you,” she stammered, clutching his arms. Laryssa giggled nervously, realizing how once again she’d foolishly fallen in front of the sexy vampire. And like last night, he’d caught her. She couldn’t believe how clumsy she’d all of a sudden become. She tried to relax and find her footing, but her heart was beating so fast that she could barely think. What is he doing here in my shop? How did he find me?
Like a story book flipping pages, her mind whirled until she remembered what she’d done last night at the club. She’d fought off the asshole who’d grabbed her at the bar. The feel of his hands around her throat had forced her fear into overdrive. The knife had only been a few inches away, but still too far. Desperation had taken over as her power surged, calling the blade to her fingertips. Jamming it into his neck was as instinctive as breathing. Kill or be killed, she’d always choose the former. She’d run into the alley, refusing to discuss it with management. The only one who knew her was Avery and there was no way her friend would have divulged her identity to the vampire. She’d be more likely to turn him into a three horned sheep before she’d squeal. The only way the vampire could have found her would have been if he’d followed her home.
A brush to her breast reminded her that she was still being held upright by him, and Laryssa felt her face grow red. Arousal licked over her skin. Cautiously, she rooted her shoes on the floor and turned around, steeling her nerves.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
“My pleasure, mademoiselle, but I suggest you avoid heights in the future.”
Surreptitiously, she stole a glance at him, which reminded her how incredibly handsome he was. His short dark hair was perfectly coiffed. His white dress shirt hung casually over the waistband of his jeans. Laryssa forced herself to look away, trying not to stare at the masculine features of his face. Straight nose, square jaw and perfectly kissable lips… lips that were smooth talking and way too articulate, teasing her with every word he spoke. Beads of sweat broke out across her forehead. It felt as if someone had turned up the heat, her skin was on fire. She noticed his eyes were no longer on hers and had dropped to her chest. They lingered only a second, and then he met her gaze and smiled. She looked downward and noticed that several buttons had come undone in her fall, revealing the edges of her white lace bra. Could this day get any more embarrassing? Laryssa’s fingers shook as she buttoned her sweater.
“I’m so sorry. I just…you just…I just…” Great, first I’m a klutz and now I can’t speak. She bit her lip, paused and then took a deep breath before starting again. “Thank you for catching me.”
“Again.” Léopold watched her as she adjusted her clothes, wishing to rip the rest of the pearly buttons from their fragile seams. But he refused to let the beast within take what it wanted. No, he’d find out what the hell she was before showing her his true nature. “Yes, thank you…again.” She smoothed down her skirt, trying to pretend she hadn’t just fallen into his arms and let him feel her up in the process. Business, think business. Her pulse slowed and she willed herself to appear nonchalant.
“We met last night, remember?” he pressed. Léopold smiled and ran his hand over the colorful marquetry in rosewood that scrolled through a seventeenth century secretaire. Interesting that she could deliberately control the flow of her blood. It further piqued his concern about her species. What was she?
Laryssa’s eyes met his, widening at the confirmation that he knew exactly who she was.
“Yes, yes I do. But I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name.” Vampire. Big bad vampire. Laryssa watched intently as he fingered the furniture, trailing his thumb over the symmetrical scenes as if he was caressing a lover.
“Lovely.” Léopold flashed his eyes to hers.
“What?” Laryssa realized that he was toying with her, purposefully trying to make her nervous.
“I said, it’s lovely. The neoclassical architectural structures. The white marble top. Doré bronze mounts.”
“Is there something specific I can help you with?”
“You get directly to the point?” Léopold had intended to play with her a bit, throw her off her game. Yet his little rabbit wasn’t frozen in the field like he’d anticipated. No, she rebounded nicely, and now stood confidently like a wildcat, poised to attack.
“I don’t really have time to waste. So yeah, I’d like to know why you followed me from the club. And I really want to know what you are doing in my shop.”
Léopold merely laughed and crossed the room to admire a chair and matching settee.
“Circa 1775?”
Laryssa walked over and placed her hand on the elegant Louis XVI chair. “Yes. How did you know? It’s a very special piece. It has the mark of Versailles Palace on it.”
“Indeed.” Léopold sat in the chair, wrapping his fingers around its arms. “Nothing but the best. Fit for a king.”
“And I suspect you’d like being a king.” She put her hands on her hips, waiting for him to respond.
“Ah, a king I never was. But I’ve dined with kings, and I can assure you that while they enjoy the extravagances of the rich, they often lose their heads. Easy come, easy go.”
“Why are you here?” Laryssa brushed her hair back, attempting to regain her composure. “Are you looking for something specific?”
“Oui, pet. But not an antique. While I do enjoy shopping, this is hardly the time.” Léopold lost the smile, allowing his eyes to pierce hers. “So I shall get to the point. What are you?”
Laryssa lost her ability to rein in her pulse and her heart began to fiercely pump hot blood through her veins. Her lips tightened, and she clenched her jaw. How dare he ask about her? What the hell did he want from her anyway? Dear God, she had enough issues with the darkness on her tail and now he was asking about her origins.
“What do you mean, ‘what am I?’ I’m the owner of this store. Does that answer your question?” Laryssa asked, her voice growing louder. “Who are you?”
“Léopold Devereoux. That’s who I am. I can be your angel or nightmare, depending on the day. So listen up. What. Are. You?” Léopold didn’t make a move. He sat completely still, anticipating her answer.

 

 

 

KADE’S DARK EMBRACE: FREE ebook Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

LUCA’S MAGIC EMBRACE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

TRISTAN’S LYCEUM WOLVES: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk Barnes and Noble/ KOBO / Smashwords

LOGAN’S ACADIAN WOLVES: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

 

 

Kym Grosso is the author of the bestselling erotic paranormal romance series, The Immortals of New Orleans.  The series currently includes Kade’s Dark Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 1), Luca’s Magic Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 2), Tristan’s Lyceum Wolves (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 3), Logan’s Acadian Wolves (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 4) and Léopold’s Wicked Embrace (Immortals of New Orleans, Book 5).

In addition to romance, Kym has written and published several articles about autism, and is passionate about autism advocacy.  She also is a contributing essay author in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum.

Kym lives with her husband, two children, dog and cat. Her hobbies include autism advocacy, reading, tennis, zumba, traveling and spending time with her husband and children. New Orleans, with its rich culture, history and unique cuisine, is one of her favorite places to visit. Also, she loves traveling just about anywhere that has a beach or snow-covered mountains. On any given night, when not writing her own books, Kym can be found reading her Kindle, which is filled with hundreds of romances.

Connect with Kym:

Website: http://www.kymgrosso.com/
Email: Kym.Grosso@AutismInRealLife.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KymGrossoBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KymGrosso
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5785692.Kym_Grosso
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/kymgrosso/

 

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A Reason to Love by Alexis Morgan – Review & Giveaway

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A Reason to Love by Alexis Morgan – Review & Giveaway

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A Reason to Love
Snowberry Creek series – book #3
by Alexis Morgan
Release Date: May 6, 2014
A Reason to Love May 14Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
After a devastating tour in Afghanistan, all Spencer Lang wants is for life to return to normal. But when he rides into his hometown on his Harley, he learns that his friends and family have tried to move past their heartbreak since he was reported killed-in-action—and the woman he loved is about to marry his best friend. Now, all he can do is pick up the pieces of his life.

Years ago Melanie Wolfe left town, with no intention of ever coming back. But when her father dies, she reluctantly returns home to salvage the family business. Reuniting with Spencer, her high school crush, complicates the already thorny situation, especially when she begins losing her heart to him all over again.

As Spencer and Melanie work to restore order to her family’s company, two damaged hearts face an unexpected new future that is filled with possibilities…and love.

Review:
A Reason to Love by Alexis Morgan is the 3rd book in her Snowberry Creek series.  This is my first book in this series, and it read very well as a standalone.  I have read other books by Morgan, and I wasn’t surprised me how much I enjoyed this book, as she is a wonderful writer.

Our heroine is Melanie Wolfe, who came back home after her father’s death, to try to save the family business.  Melanie is alone in this, as her mother refuses to believe that the company was in dire straits, and doesn’t believe Melanie when she tells her.  So Melanie works alone to try to resurrect the company.  On the day she is attending a wedding, she goes to the cemetery to quietly lament to her dead father why he let everything go bad.  It is there that Melanie sees a soldier looking over another grave.   She sees he is agitated, and goes to offer her support.  To her disbelief, the soldier is Spence Lang, a friend from her high school days, who was thought to be dead, from explosion in Afghanistan.

Once they reach the wedding, Spence loses his temper, as he sees his best friend marrying one of his soldier friends.  The others of course are shocked, but Spence feels betrayed, not really looking at reality.  He storms away.  Melanie decides to follow him to make sure he doesn’t do anything foolish, and she ends up not going to the reception.

This is a wonderful story of a soldier who comes home emotionally a wreck, and unable to control his temper.  While he ignored all his family and friends, who love him, it is Melanie who will be there for Spence.  In a situation that is unlikely for a romance, it was a beautiful story how they bonded to help each other. I also loved Mooch, the dog who Spence had saved in Afghanistan, who was adopted by his friends when they thought he was dead.  Morgan has created some wonderful secondary characters, such as Callie, Sarge, and Leif.

Alexis Morgan pulls a lot of emotions from us, as we watch Spence and Melanie fall in love. We watch how a confused & tormented Spence must come to terms with his life, and if he wants to remain in town with all his old memories, not to mention friends.  Will Spence give up on a chance of a new life with Melanie?  Will Melanie find a way to save her family business?  Will Spence open his heart to his close friends again?  If you love a story of small town, friends, family, a dog, and a beautiful romance that started as friends; as well as an emotional roller coaster of a ride throughout; then A Reason to Love is perfect for you.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Alexis and her publisher are offering a paper copy of A Reason to Love to two (2) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Giveaway is open to US only.

6. Giveaway runs from May 12 to May 16, 2014

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Perfect 10 by Erin McCarthy-a review

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PERFECT 10 by Erin McCarthy-a review

Perfect 10

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date May 13, 2014

Katrina Phillips is an expert social media manager. But that doesn’t mean she can’t make mistakes. Horrible, hide-in-your-closet-forever mistakes… like accidentally syncing her BootyBook app with her online profiles.

Blammo. Now everyone in the world can see who Katrina has dated and how they rated in appearance, sexual performance, and (OMG) detailed descriptions of their manly parts! Now her phone is blowing up with irate exes—and an out-of-the-blue text from the only guy who came close to a perfect score…

Katrina has had a thing for Drew Jordan since forever ago, even if a booze-fuelled one-nighter did destroy their friendship. So why is he suddenly texting her now—and is it because she rated his Sexy Staff Of Manliness as “magnificent”? Now the only way to satisfy her curiosity is to reunite with Drew… and rate him all over again!

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: PERFECT 10 is the latest adult, contemporary romance novella from Erin McCarthy. The focus of the story is on independent social media manager Katrina Phillips and the he$$ that is her life. After accidently syncing her ‘BootyBook’ app (something akin to a black book) with all of her online profiles, Katrina’s phone begins to blow up with threats, suggestions and harassment-but one text in particular will find her face to face with the man she had fallen in love with years before. PERFECT 10 is a friends to lovers storyline about two people who experienced the awkward morning after drunken sex leaving four years of friendship lost in its’ wake.

The relationship between Katrina and her one time best friend Drew Jordan has been understandably strained following his quick disappearing act almost one year earlier. Neither one had tried to contact the other and in the ensuing time Drew never forgot about the one that got away. Wanting something more, Drew takes the opportunity of finding his name on one of Katrina’s online profiles and begins to pursue a more permanent kind of relationship.

PERFECT 10 is a quick, romantic friends to lovers storyline with a second chance at love. The secondary characters add a little bit of comic relief in the guise of teasing and back thumping ‘way to goes’ as well as a Facebook page that takes aim at Drew’s magnificent ‘profile’. The world building is limited as the storyline is short but Erin McCarthy takes the reader on a tour of New York City and everything it has to offer. The writing style is simple; there are no complex plot lines or character development. PERFECT 10 is a sweet tale about two friends who reconnect over the absurdity and stupidity of a social media blunder.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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One Lucky Night Anthology-Blog Tour and Giveaway

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One Lucky Night Anthology Blog Tour and Giveaway

One Lucky Night Banner

One Lucky Night Anthology
by Ana Blaze, Grace Teague, Melinda Dozier, Aria Cane, Constance Phillips
Release Date: May 7, 2014

One Lucky Night

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

One night can change everything…

The crew at Boston’s Brazen Head Pub hasn’t been very lucky in love. Can a mysterious visitor inspire them to look past old hurts and misconceptions and give romance a chance? One Lucky Night is a collection of five sexy interwoven novelettes by Aria Kane, Grace Teague, Ana Blaze, Constance Phillips, and Melinda Dozier.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Lucky Break by Aria Kane
Four years ago, chef Derek Chase walked out of Andrea Rivera’s life after a tragedy neither of them were prepared to deal with. When she’s called to the Brazen Head to repair a dishwasher, old sparks ignite buried feelings.

Lucky Star by Grace Teague
When her life is threatened by a mugger, Charlotte Price realizes she’s in love with her best friend, Tommy Leung. The Brazen Head seems like the perfect neutral place to confess her feelings, but nothing goes according to plan.

A New Tune by Ana Blaze
When it comes to dating, Holly Hall has one unbreakable rule: no musicians. Not even gorgeous ones. Especially not gorgeous ones. Dating them only leads to heartbreak. So why did she let singer-songwriter Cian O’Neill kiss her? And why is she thinking about doing it again?

Lexi’s Chance by Constance Phillips
As a bartender, Sean Whelan meets all kinds of women every night, but none turn his head the way that Lexi has. She’s been playing cat and mouse with him for weeks. Tonight, Sean’s determined to get Lexi to quit teasing and take a real chance on him.

Drink or Dare by Melinda Dozier
A bachelorette party Drink or Dare game pairs paramedic students, Rachel Robertson and Killian Whelan, in a flirting match. Soon, the dares threaten to turn their academic rivalry into something much more.

 

review

4 out of 5 for this reader folks!

This is a harder review for me as One Lucky Night is an anthology written by five different authors and consists of five different stories. I tend to avoid anthologies as they usually are short stories weaved into a series and I’m rarely reading all the series that are involved. I decided to approach this anthology differently and not worry about whether any series were involved and just appreciate five short stories by authors I have never read before. I am some glad I did that, because this was a REALLY REALLY good collection.

We have one setting called Boston’s Brazen Head Pub that features all five stories. Unlucky in love, the patrons just may find that luck is changing when a mysterious individual decides to become a little busy body …. LOL

LUCKY BREAK by Aria Kane

After four years of no communication and heart break, Andrea (Andy) and Derek cross paths suddenly when Andy is called to the pub to fix an appliance. Well it doesn’t take long for sparks to ignite and unsaid emotions bubble to the surface. Derek is Andy’s brother’s best friend and has vowed to stay away from his sister. Easier said than done though when fate decides it’s time for these two to sort it out already! I have to say, problems that arise from lack of communication drive me bonkers, especially when it’s so avoidable. Four years have been wasted and these two stubborn, meant to be together souls, really need to get it together is they want a happy ending.

LUCKY STAR by Grace Teague

What happens when you are in love with your best friend but fearful of the “friend” card being played against you? Well Charlotte and Tommy are about to find out. They have been the closest of friends for some time now, but have decided it’s time to take a chance and spill their feelings in the hope that the other will feel the same. I am a sucker for a friends to lovers story and this one was heart warming and so beyond sweet. A little “oops” near the end of the story, but when something is meant to be, fate makes sure it happens.

A NEW TUNE by Ana Blaze

After taking a chance and being left heart broken, Holly has no interest in dating a musician .. again. After sharing a New Years Eve kiss with Cian (a musician that works at the pub), Holly is fearful of heart break once again. She builds up her walls and does all she can to push Cian away. I do love a persistent man and before Holly realizes it, she is being full on pursued. Cian isn’t messing around either … he wants Holly, and he’ll do whatever he can to break down those walls. Full of sweet endearing moments, this was a perfect love story.

LEXI’S CHANCE by Constance Phillips

Sean is a co-owner of the pub and takes his job seriously, knowing that sweet words and flirting gets the ladies through the front door, and coming back for more. When he begins to flirt with Lexi, he sees something very different about this woman and really wants to pursue her and see if they would make a good couple. A couple problems though, Sean doesn’t date his customers and Lexi thinks he is just a player. Lexi spends her days helping the needy and every Friday night she enjoys kicking back with her colleagues and having a couple of drinks. She is attracted to Sean but realizes that he flirts with all the girls, so she certainly isn’t anything special. If they both can stop long enough to realize that there is something pretty great between them, they just may have a chance at love.

DRINK OR DARE by Melinda Dozier

This one was my fave! Must be because it was full of sass. Killian is a co-owner of this pub. His heart and passion however are in becoming a paramedic and he is currently in school earning his degree. Rachel is one of Killian’s classmate and his competition in academics. Always trying to one up each other, they push the other to do better. Rachel attends a bachelorette party that just so happens to be hosted at the pub, and can’t believe it when she discovers Killian is one of it’s owners. Before we know it, these two are engaging in a heated game of drink or dare, once again trying to upstage the other. This time however, the line of friendly rivalry is crossed and before they know it, they are playing for keeps … of each other. This was soaked in humour and fun but the stakes were always high … good thing they both end up winning! LOL

Overall, a wonderful collection of stories. I do love when authors collaborate with each other and we get peeks of another story before or after they have happened. This was well done throughout the entire book. If you enjoy romance and need a quick fix, this is a great selection to add to your collection.

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by the blog tour operator

Reviewed by Rachel T

About the Author

Aria Kane is a recovering mechanical engineer and romance writer. As a military brat, she grew up all over the country, but now lives in sunny Florida with a 60 lb mutt who thinks he’s a chihuahua.

Website | Twitter | Facebook |

Grace Teague lives in Pittsburgh with her spouse, children and a cat named Mr. Sushi.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads |

Ana Blaze lives near Washington DC with her charming husband and three cats who firmly believe they are royalty. Ana is a member of Romance Writers of America.

Website | Twitter |Facebook |

Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, two ready-to-leave-the-nest children, and four canine kids. Her perfect fantasy vacation would involve hunting Dracula across Europe with her daughter, who also digs that kind of stuff.

Website | Twitter | Facebook |

Melinda Dozier teaches English to middle schoolers by day and writes at night. She lives in Guatemala, Central America with her college sweetheart and three sons.

Website| Twitter | Facebook|

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Trail of Obsession (Trail Series #1) by Rebecca Tust-a review

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Trail of Obsession (Trail Series #1) by Rebecca Tust-a review

Trail of Obsession

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 4, 2014

Megan Cartwright is a victim, a survivor, and a fighter. In TRAIL OF OBSESSION, Megan Cartwright, a successful real estate agent, survives a brutal attack on a popular trail in Palm Beach, Florida. As she struggles to pick up the shattered pieces of her life, she discovers she’s not only been given a second chance at life, but a second chance at love.

When Megan crosses paths with Stephen Braun again, the handsome and charming Good Samaritan, who helped save her, neither one of them are prepared for the intense attraction that sizzles between them.

Stephen helps convince the slow to trust heroine that love is worth the risk. But with a killer fixated on Megan as a target, as well as someone from Stephen’s past with a debt to settle, Megan finds herself on borrowed time once again.

••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: TRAIL OF OBSESSION is the first book in Rebecca Tust’s adult, contemporary romance, suspense, thriller TRAIL series. The focus of the storyline is Megan Cartwright-a Florida real estate agent-who has the dubious distinction of having not once, not twice but three times been attacked.

Megan is the target of a crazed rapist and murderer as well as the target of someone from Stephen’s past. Stephen Braun is the man who found a dying and bleeding Megan at a local Florida running park and the man with whom Megan will fall in love. As the storyline develops, Megan and Stephen’s relationship goes from rescuer to friendship to love but not before her would-be assassin sets his sights on a series of other women whilst waiting for his chance to finish the job. With a serial murderer and rapist on the loose the Florida law enforcement have their hands full and are doing a rather poor job of investigation and protection.

We are introduced to Megan and Stephen’s best friends Blake and Chelsea whose storyline will be told next. Their relationship is tepid at best but there is a definite sexual attraction between the couple.

TRAIL OF OBSESSION reads like an episode from a television crime drama but there are so many unanswered questions that the ending left me bereft; the secondary plotline is never completely resolved; the probability of some of the issues and events is questionable.

As this is the first in the series, I am hoping that many of these questions will be answered or addressed in the upcoming instalments. The premise is interesting, inviting and has so much potential but the unanswered plot points and open ended subplot had me questioning everything. I wanted closure but there was none to be had-for the reader or the victim.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Lian/Roch (Bayou Heat 9 & 10) by Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright-a review

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LIAN / ROCH (Bayou Heat #9 & 10) by Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright-a review

Lian:Roch

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 21, 2014

LIAN (by Alexandra Ivy)

The Hunter:
Lian isn’t a happy puma. He’s a lethal Hunter who should be out fighting the enemy, not babysitting a human scholar. Still, he’ll do whatever necessary to rid the world of the evil goddess, Shakpi. And there’s the bonus of spending a few hours away from his family of Nurturers who have been smothering him with love. The last thing he expects is to discover a female who not only stirs his passions, but who calls to his cat on a primal level.

The Scholar:
Dr. Sage Parker has always known she’s different. Not only because she’s a genius with languages but, because she has a weird ability to see auras around people. It’s no wonder that she prefers to remain secluded in her small cottage. Then Lian charges into her life, dragging her out of the safety of her home and forcing her to travel to the Wildlands. Even more dangerously, he touches a place in her heart that she shut off long ago. Now, to claim the future she never dreamed possible, she must translate the ancient Pantera scrolls before Shakpi destroys the male she loves.

ROCH (by Laura Wright)

Brilliant Diplomat Roch is devoted to his work. The sexy, blond male wants nothing more than to keep his life just as it is. But when he falls ill, he’s forced to find help in the human world. Who would’ve guessed that the cure he needs is a human woman carrying the next Pantera child?

Attorney Lydia Page has not only been fired from her job for being pregnant, but the clinic where she was inseminated wants her to end the pregnancy because she’s carrying an ‘animal.’ Shocked and scared, Lydia has nowhere to turn. She loves her unborn child, and soon realizes that the only way to keep herself and her baby safe is to accept the help of a mysterious and very handsome puma shifter. But could the stranger be more than just her rescuer?

REVIEW: LIAN/ROCH are the ninth and tenth instalments in the contemporary, paranormal romance BAYOU HEAT novella series co-written by Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright. This is the continuing series about a group of feline shifters known as the Pantera who live in the Wildlands of Louisiana. When one threat against their existence is finally neutralized another threat comes from an unknown source. The little blurbs say it all.

Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright have written an amazing series that focuses on discrimination and the extinction against and (of ) a supernatural species. The authors’ combined efforts and ability to write a series together is heightened by their similar styles that compliment one another’s storylines.

BAYOU HEAT is a paranormal romance series where the Pantera male will discover that there is someone for everyone but not necessarily of the Pantera world. There is an insta-love quality to the series as each Pantera finds the mate of his heart and knows she is his forever. Ivy and Wright have penned a seductive series about heartbreak, betrayal, alienation and love. There is a little bit of everything in the Bayou Heat series and just enough steamy sex to keep you turning the pages.

Reviewed by Sandy

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