Monthly Archives: November 2014

Going To The Chapel by Rita Herron-a review

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Going to the Chapel by Rita Herron-a review

Going to the Chapel

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 11, 2014

If there’s a naughty list, Izzy Sassafras is on it—but she’s ready to make a new start this Christmas. Especially after leaving her lying, cheating, no-good husband and fleeing to her old hometown of Matrimony, Georgia. Izzy’s made herself a promise: no more men. All she wants to do is get her wedding business up and running—and mend fences with her estranged sisters. But Izzy knows she’s in trouble when her very first client, a smooth-talking Texan, makes her light up like a Christmas tree.

Desperate for business, private investigator Levi Fox reluctantly takes a case involving a runaway wife in a town called Matrimony. When he meets sweet, sexy Izzy, he decides she can’t possibly be as innocent as she seems. At first, posing as her client is the perfect cover; but he soon imagines himself as a groom—with Izzy as his Christmas bride! Will this case end with a trip to the chapel…or the jailhouse?

••••••••••••••••••••••

That was a fun read 🙂

It kept at a steady pace, and highly amusing.

Izzy Sassafrass is the youngest of three sisters, their family best remembered for their mother’s killing of their father.

Years later, the sisters are reunited under their aunt’s roof, she is ill and needs their assistance. While none of the girls are speaking, and tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife, they come when called.

We hear the story the story from Izzy’s perspective. At first she came across as spoilt and high maintenance, but as the story moved along, I chanced my mind and grew to love the character.

She left a cheating husband.

Izzy is convinced he would never find her in Georgia, oh …. and she took a duffel bag of money?

Levi is our hero, he’s a struggling P.I, we find out that not only did he nearly get his partner killed, he also got involved with a suspect!!
I got the impression that Levi is a little lazy.

So When he is hired by Ray, (Izzy’s cheating husband,) to find his wife, Levi heads to Matrimony. He has an idea that Izzy is, involved in Ray’s scams.
Levi, falls for Izzy? But has a hard time trusting her.

The attraction that is between them, could lead to something wonderful? But could also jeopardize everything he hopes for. But when Izzy’s husband returns to take back what is his, everything changes.

The story is hard to put down, with characters that are easy to enjoy and plenty of moments to laugh and smile… and their “knock-down-drag-out fight with ice cream and assorted sundae components in the town’s ice cream parlor” was hilarious.

Copy supplied by the publicist

Reviewed by Julie B

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Invisible Secrets by Mary Buckham – Review & Guest Post

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Invisible Secrets by Mary Buckham – Review & Guest Post

 

Invisible secretsAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Description:
Kelly McAllister has a chance to uncover her true identity but only if she manages to shield a secret that threatens to destroy her IR team. On a new assignment she and sexy shifter Van Noziak are at cross purposes when Kelly becomes the unwitting protector of a teenage Seer that Noziak has been ordered to capture. Now Kelly faces a choice of protecting Van or stopping a powerful predator determined to manipulate a Seer with the ability to destroy the world.

 

Review:

Invisible Secrets by Mary Buckham is the 2nd book in her Kelly McAllister arc, which is part of her Invisible Recruits series. Invisible Recruits is an secret organization of agents who have different kinds of unnatural abilities to help them protect humans against non-humans. Kelly McAllister, who is our heroine, is just coming into her powers. A former teacher, now an IR agent, Kelly has the ability to become invisible. Alex Noziak is her  best friend, and fellow team member of IR. Alex is a witch, and in the first three book of this series, she was the heroine. Alex plays a big part in this book, as do other team members. But this belongs to Kelly, as she is charged with taking care of a 15 year old seer, who is laying in coma.

Van Noziak is our hero, and is Alex’s brother. Kelly and Van have been attracted to each other for awhile, especially when they worked together in Africa, on her last assignment. Knowing that Alex is not happy about the two of them getting together, Kelly tries to keep her distance from Van. Well best laid plans do not always work out..

What follows, without giving any spoilers is an exciting adventure, with a demi god threatening all their lives to get his hands on the young seer. With the impossible tasks for finding the predator, who inhabits other peoples bodies, Kelly and Van find themselves in danger almost from the beginning. But the action gets intense, when the predators brings all his resources to the IR compound and Kelly must find a way to kill him, before he kills all her friends.

I liked the characters within the IR group, and Van, who is a werewolf. I also liked Kelly and Van together. Even though it was an exciting storyline, it was also a fast and light read. Invisible Secrets does end with a cliffhanger, which will lead to more for Alex and Kelly to continue this case.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author

 

Guest Post-White and Aqua

How I came up with the idea of the Invisible Recruit series

The basis of the Invisible Recruit series was born out of the time we currently live in that’s subtlety yet radically different than the world of our mothers and grandmothers. These stories are about ordinary women who are suddenly called upon to do extraordinary things.

            Women have traditionally made sacrifices. That’s not new. It’s universal and consistent throughout history. Often the sacrifices have been hard ones, made for others. They’ve made choices for their spouses, their children, their loved ones, but their actions have largely invisible to the larger world.

            It’s a different world today. Women are still willing to make hard choices and sacrifices but they have a desire to be seen, to be acknowledged, not in a selfish way but in a way that lets others know that what they are doing matters, that they are making a difference by what they are willing to do and to sacrifice, and those choices are acknowledged and, hopefully, valued.

These stories are about understanding what’s truly heroic because most women’s actions have been quietly done, in the shadows, undervalued.

            Today’s women are no longer accepting that they must remain in the shadows or allow their actions to be left unseen. Today’s women quietly grapple with the idea that their sacrifices no longer need to be assumed as givens.

Today’s women know it’s important that their sacrifices, their choices are seen in the world for the betterment of everyone.

            The Invisible Recruit women are not quiet women. We’re not talking loud as in boisterous or blatant self-aggrandizement. We’re talking about the feeling every woman has felt at some point in her life. The feeling of invisibility—that who and what they are doesn’t matter enough to those around them.

            The IR (Invisible Recruit) women may have started their lives invisible—being seen in their familial roles as daughters, sisters—or their social roles—teacher, beautician, debutante—but never for who and what they really are. Each has hidden gifts that they must learn to tap into and accept as strengths, not flaws—not for their own gain, but for the betterment of the larger world.

            Each of these women is flawed but even those flaws, in the right situations, can be assets. They also learn, like most women do, that those flaws are called flaws by someone else’s definition of what’s appropriate for a woman to do, say, think or act.

The series is about women embracing their talents, stepping out of the shadows and laying their lives on the line for the sake of a larger good. They do this by fighting dangerous preternaturals and villains with paranormal abilities. They also do it by fighting their own inner demons—their doubts, insecurities and fears. We all have them. What we do about them is what makes the Invisible Recruits series, and the readers who love them, stand out.

In the new world of these novels, just as in the new world of today’s women, it’s about becoming visible, learning to step into our abilities, stepping out from the shadows.

 

About The Author
Mary-color-pic-mm
USA Today Bestselling author Mary Buckham credits her years of international travel and curiosity about different cultures that resulted in creating high-concept urban fantasy and romantic suspense stories. Her Urban Fantasy Invisible Recruit series has been touted for the unique voice, high action and rich emotion. A prolific writer, Mary also co-authors the young adult sci-fi/fantasy Red Moon series with NYT bestseller Dianna Love. Mary lives in Washington State with her husband and, when not crafting a new adventure, she travels the country researching settings and teaching other writers. Don’t miss her reference books on the craft of writing. Writing Active Settings and Writing Active Hooks

Her Urban Fantasy series centered around five women drafted to combat preternatural beings agitating for world domination, combines a fantasy/paranormal element with high stakes and the pace of action adventure stories. Mary loves creating thrills, spills and spells as she follows the ups and downs of fascinating characters starting with Alex Noziak, the heroine of INVISIBLE MAGIC, INVISIBLE FATE and INVISIBLE POWER, and Kelly McAllister, the heroine of INVISIBLE FEARS, INVISIBLE SECRETS and INVISIBLE EMBRACE.

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

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Captivated by You (Crossfire #4) by Sylvia Day-a review

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CAPTIVATED BY YOU (Crossfire #4) by Sylvia Day-a review

Captivated by You

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

RELEASE DATE: November 18, 2014

Gideon calls me his angel, but he’s the miracle in my life. My gorgeous, wounded warrior, so determined to slay my demons while refusing to face his own.

The vows we’d exchanged should have bound us tighter than blood and flesh. Instead they opened old wounds, exposed pain and insecurities, and lured bitter enemies out of the shadows. I felt him slipping from my grasp, my greatest fears becoming my reality, my love tested in ways I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to bear.

At the brightest time in our lives, the darkness of his past encroached and threatened everything we’d worked so hard for. We faced a terrible choice: the familiar safety of the lives we’d had before each other or the fight for a future that suddenly seemed an impossible and hopeless dream.

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: CAPTIVATED BY YOU is the fourth installment in Sylvia Day’s contemporary, adult Crossfire erotic romance series focusing on Gideon Cross and Eva Trammell. Told from alternating first person points of view (Gideon and Eva) CAPTIVATED BY YOU follows immediately on the events of book 3-Entwined With You. If you have not read the series, be aware there may be some spoilers in my review. The series must be read in order for cohesion and understanding. The entire series, to date, covers but a few months in real time.

The storyline focuses on the continuing relationship between Eva and Gideon-two broken and wounded souls whose earlier years were destroyed by betrayal and abuse. Secretly married in an island ceremony, our couple returns to civilization where revealing their ‘engagement’ is anything but a happily ever after. Events will set into motion a destructive path that may be too difficult to overcome.

CAPTIVATED BY YOU will see secrets revealed, heartbreak and betrayal for one family when the past comes crashing down. Eva and Gideon’s relationship is as destructive and unhealthy as it is strong. Gideon’s need to protect and control forces an ultimatum from Eva that will shatter all semblance of Gideon’s self discipline. He is a man possessed; haunted by his past; and broken by the demons who continue to destroy his soul. The chaos that ensues finds Eva and Gideon on the verge of sabotaging their own relationship-one ex at a time. Eva is Gideon’s weakness, his strength and his heart. Eva continues to push Gideon’s buttons; and they equally manipulate one another’s emotional fragility and strengths.

We will revisit with Cary’s love triangle of Trey and Tatiana although there is very little closure for Cary or the reader. Gideon’s dysfunctional family dynamics is a major stumbling block in Gideon’s recovery and some issues of the past will be confronted. Brett Kline remains a point of contention between Eva and Gideon-one that is slowly tearing away at Gideon’s control. And some questions will be answered as to the who, what and how.

CAPTIVATED BY YOU is an intensely personal and in depth storyline. The sex scenes are numerous, aggressive, continuous and erotic. As Gideon begins to lose control in his personal life he sets into motion a diverging set of controls in the bedroom. A different and previously unaddressed side of Gideon will emerge.

Sylvia Day’s CROSSFIRE series and CAPTIVATED BY YOU is a compelling read. There are moments of intimacy, seduction, arousal and love juxtaposed with heartbreaking betrayal, painful confessions and destructive realizations. Eva and Gideon’s relationship is intensely seductive and alarmingly toxic to everyone and themselves.

Crossfire Series 1-4

Bared To You: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Reflected in You: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Entwined With You: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Captivated by You: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Look of Love by Sarah Jio-a review

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THE LOOK OF LOVE by Sarah Jio-a review

The Look of Love

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 25, 2014

Born during a Christmas blizzard, Jane Williams receives a rare gift: the ability to see true love. Jane has emerged from an ailing childhood a lonely, hopeless romantic when, on her twenty-ninth birthday, a mysterious greeting card arrives, specifying that Jane must identify the six types of love before the full moon following her thirtieth birthday, or face grave consequences. When Jane falls for a science writer who doesn’t believe in love, she fears that her fate is sealed. Inspired by the classic song, The Look of Love is utterly enchanting.

•••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE LOOK OF LOVE is an atypical romance storyline with a slight paranormal twist from author Sarah Jio. The focus of the story is on florist and Christmas baby Jane Williams who on her twenty ninth birthday begins a quest to identify six kinds of love. Jane has been gifted with the ‘ability’ to see love and she has one year to complete her quest or face a lifetime without love-for herself. Enter six friends and strangers whose lives become the focus of Jane’s journey and the entries into a journal where the seers of love, before Jane, have chronicled their own adventures.

Told from first person (Jane) and several third person points of view
the reader is pulled into a different kind of storyline where issues of ethics and morals make for some interesting bedfellows. Most of the characters on Jane’s journey are not happy in their present life; the grass is always greener on the other side and Jane is aware, more than anyone, that love can present itself in mysterious ways. THE LOOK OF LOVE follows six relationships from beginning to end; the heartbreak, the sorrow, the love and the emotional fall out of questionable fidelity, soul mates and loss when two people meant to be together must overcome everything life has to offer before getting on with their lives or moving on. The characters are flawed; some relationships are explored more deeply than others; and not everyone will walk away with a happily ever after.

Jane’s own story of love is woven throughout the book-a story of building love, hope for the future and an act of betrayal so heartbreaking that to never find love may be easier than to have found love and lost. It is this particular part of the storyline where some issues of ethics as it pertains to one character are questionable, illegal and never completely addressed. To make a contemporary storyline believable, the author must confront the reality of certain situations, regardless of the slight paranormal premise.

THE LOOK OF LOVE identifies six different types of love and presents six different relationships that will equate to the name and definition:

Ludus-Game of Love
Eros-Passionate Love
Storge-Love born from friendship (natural affection)
Mania-Obsessive Love
Agape-Unconditional, altruistic love
Pragma-Love driven by the head

Sarah Jio explores the emotional, physical and psychological ‘look of love’ in a storyline that is slow to develop as the players on Jane’s journey are introduced. The potential to find one’s soul mate is tempered with the reality of life and everything it has to offer. Not every love is fulfilling or comes with a happily ever after.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

About The author

Sarah JioFOLLOW: Goodreads/ Website/ Facebook/Twitter/

Sarah Jio is the New York Times bestselling author of THE LAST CAMELLIA, BLACKBERRY WINTER, THE VIOLETS OF MARCH (a Library Journal Best Book of 2011), THE BUNGALOW, and the forthcoming, MORNING GLORY (11/26/13), all from Penguin/Plume. Sarah is also the former health and fitness blogger for Glamour.com. She has written thousands of articles for national magazines including Redbook, O, The Oprah Magazine, Glamour, SELF, Real Simple, Fitness, Marie Claire, and many others. She has appeared as a commentator on NPR’s Morning Edition. Sarah lives in Seattle with her husband and their three young boys.

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No Promises Required (Love Required #4) by Cari Quinn-a review

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NO PROMISES REQUIRED (Love Required #4) by Cari Quinn-a review

No Promises Required

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 17, 2014

No strings. And no restraints…

Professional football player Bryan Townsend is sidelined for the next two weeks while he recovers from a knee injury. The upside? He’ll get to attend his sister’s wedding. The downside? He’s not sure he’ll have a spot on his team when he returns. So when he’s confronted by a sexy blast from his past the night of the bachelor party, he sees an opportunity to seduce the very stunning maid of honor.

But Bryan had no clue Jill St. John was still a virgin. Or that she was merely looking to expand her sexual repertoire without having to trust anyone with her heart. But with every encounter, Jill can’t help but fall for the man Bryan’s become. The clock is running down. If he’s to win it all, Bryan must make the biggest play of his career—choosing between his team…or the woman he’s always wanted.

••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: NO PROMISES REQUIRED is the fourth installment in Cari Quinn’s contemporary, adult Love Required erotic romance series focusing on a tight night group of family and friends. This is veterinarian’s assistant Jillian St. John and professional football quarterback Bryan Townsend’s storyline –a friends to lovers trope- that uncovers a few secret desires in the bedroom. Although it is the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from two distinct and close third person points of view, the storyline follows the impending wedding of Bryan’s sister Victoria to CEO Cory Santangelo. Back home, on two week’s leave recovering from a knee injury, Bryan finds himself falling (again) for his sister’s best friend (and his former neighbor) Jill St. John. Jill has always had a thing for Bryan but Jill has been off limits as she is his little sister’s best friend. When Jill makes Bryan an offer he can’t refuse, Bryan counter-offers with 2 weeks (and five official dates) of no strings attached, friends with benefits sex. What ensues is the discovery that Bryan and Jillian want the same thing in the bedroom, but not necessarily the same thing with one another-long term. Bryan is in town for two weeks and anything permanent is not on his mind but keeping their relationship a secret is difficult especially when Jill’s friends suspect she is hiding a lover behind their backs.

The relationship between Jill and Bryan is a friends to lovers storyline that rekindles upon Bryan’s return visit for his sister’s wedding. Behind her good girl exterior, Jill hides a plethora of wants, needs and desires that border on the erotic. Bryan’s reputation with the ladies precedes his time with Jill and she is a woman determined to prove that she is just as capable in the bedroom with a man such as Bryan. There is a slight B&D premise to the storyline-one that is explored within the confines of the bedroom that involves some role playing and control. The sex scenes are hot, provocative, and inspiring.

The secondary characters include several of the previous storyline couples including Cory and Vicky (No Romance Required), and Dillon from No Flowers Required as well as Bryan and Vicky’s parents whose own history is not without some heartbreaking moments.

NO PROMISES REQUIRED is a quick and romantic storyline about two people who like to experiment in the bedroom with imaginative role play and sexy games. Cari Quinn invites the reader into a world of friends and family who know what it is they want but in the end each will discover that what they want isn’t necessarily what they need. Each of our couples will find their happily ever after, but there may be some stumbling blocks and preconceived notions that get in the way.

Reading Order
No Dress Required
No Flowers Required
No Romance Required
No Promises Required

Copy supplied by the publisher.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Dirty Rowdy Thing by Christina Lauren – a Review

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Dirty Rowdy Thing by Christina Lauren – a Review

 

Dirty Rowdy ThingAmazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository / BAM

Description:
Book Two of the brand-new Wild Seasons series that started with Sweet Filthy Boy—a story of friends, love, and lust.

Despite their rowdy hookups, Harlow and Finn don’t even like each other…which would explain why their marriage lasted only twelve hours. He needs to be in charge and takes whatever he wants. She lives by the Want-something-done? Do-it-yourself mantra. Maybe she’s too similar to the rugged fisherman—or just what he needs.


Review:

Dirty Rowdy Thing is book two in the Wild Seasons Series by author duo Christina Lauren.

Harlow Vegas made one mistake. She married a man she had just met in Vegas and had an earth shattering night of marital bliss.  Only to realize she made a horrible mistake. This book takes you on the journey of what has happened since the divorce.

Harlow has gone on with her life. She is a strong willed, career minded woman who likes to have her share of fun.   She is an intern at NBC and is slowly working her way to her dreams, or at least she believes she is. That is until she sees the one man she has dreaded seeing, Finn Roberts. After a quickie mistake marriage in Vegas and an unexpected trip to Canada to see if the marital bliss was as good as she remembered, Harlow isn’t expecting to see Finn standing in line behind her at Starbucks. Yet, there he is – this sets off an undeniable, angst ridden relationship.

Harlow doesn’t want to find Finn as attractive as she does. She curses the universe for making him as tasty as he is. But soon there will be no denying the way she feels.

Finn is rugged, strong and strikingly handsome. He is running his families fishing business and although he is trying his hardest to keep it afloat – the boats just don’t seem to be cooperating. 

When they meet up again they are both struggling with secrets and issues. Each of them need someone stable to hold onto. Some one to anchor them to where they need to be. What starts out as a sex only friendship slowly develops into something more. But will the secrets be too much for each of them to handle? Will it push them farther apart then they truly want to be.

I absolutely loved Harlow Vega in this story, she is quick witted, sarcastic and hilariously funny. I found myself laughing out loud. Finn is quiet, pensive and reserved. Yet when he gets around  Harlow she seems to bring out the best in him. Their witty banter and sarcastic dialect led to some very interesting conversations.   And let me just say that Finn Roberts does not disappoint in the dirty talk realm. Lord have mercy he is a force to be reckoned with. I found all of the sub-characters just as intriguing and fascinating as the main ones.   Their stories leave you wanting to know more.

The relationship that Finn and Harlow come to have is one of undeniable love and true friendship. I must admit I read this book without reading book one in the series but it seemed to fill in all of the answers and didn’t leave me wondering what was going on. But I will now purchase book one and read it as I found the writing and story line absolutely wonderful.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a sweet romance with a side of dirty!

Reviewed by Erin

Copy provided by Publisher

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Braydon (Alluring Indulgence #6) by Nicole Edwards-Review,Interview & Giveaway

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BRAYDON (Alluring Indulgence #6) by Nicole Edwards-Review, Interview and Giveaway

Braydon Banner

Braydon
Alluring Indulgence #6
by Nicole Edwards
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic romance
Release Date: November25, 2014

Braydon

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 24, 2014

Braydon Walker has always shared everything with his identical twin brother Brendon—hopes, dreams, career choices, and yes, even women. Known for tag-teaming their love interests in every way imaginable, Braydon is surprised and unnerved when he finds himself wanting to keep their newest lover all to himself. Will the twins’ relationship evolve to fit this new mold, or will Braydon’s desire for independence tear them apart?

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW:  BRAYDON is the sixth installment in Nicole Edwards contemporary, adult Alluring Indulgence erotic romance cowboy series focusing on the Walker family of Coyote Ridge, Texas. This is Braydon Walker and Jessica (Jessie) Prescott’s storyline, one that has been building for several storylines. There are some sexual scenes of M/F/M.

Told from third person point of view BRAYDON follows the relationship between Jessie Prescott and thirty year old twin brothers Braydon and Brendan Walker. From a young age, Braydon and Brendan have done everything together including sexual relationships but never have they ever fallen in love. Things will become complicated when Braydon’s feelings for Jessie grow stronger knowing that leaving his brother behind is not in the plans.

The relationship between Braydon and Brendon is symbiotic; dependent and interdependent with one another to the point where Brendon is unable to thrive without the presence of his brother. Brendon, always the one to initiate a relationship and fun, slowly begins to withdraw when he realizes that Braydon’s feelings for Jessie go beyond friends with benefits.

BRAYDON is an emotional friends to lovers story where a lack of communication between Braydon, Brendan and Jessie begins to destroy a friendship leaving conflicts unresolved. There are numerous misunderstandings that lead to broken promises and broken hearts where one brother begins to spiral out of control and Jessie is left alone to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. The lack of communication results in confusion, anger and a constant need to run-for everyone. At times I wanted to smack all three across the back of the head and tell them to open their eyes and their hearts. Not only does Jessie feel the loss of her best friends, but she also believes there is no future with Braydon when his anguish pulls him in another direction. Jessie has vowed she will never come between the brothers and in this she is willing to walk (or run) away and let go of any hope for the future.

The secondary characters include all of the previous storyline couples. We get another look at eldest brother Travis and his relationship with Gage, and Jessie’s sister Kylie: as well as Ethan Walker’s marriage to the love of his life Beau Bennett. Sawyer Walker has decided a puppy is what he needs to attract the ladies in his direction. And of course, Mrs. Walker does her best to ensure all of her boys are happy.

Nicole Edwards writes from the heart with passion. Her tall, dark and dangerous cowboys are fallible humans whose ability to love knows no boundaries. The Walker Brothers are brooding, emotional and intense men who will captivate your imagination but at times the drama is distressing and profound.

Copy supplied by the author through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

Interview-Black

TRC: Hi Nicole and welcome to The Reading Café.

Nicole EdwardsWe would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Follow: Goodreads/ Website/ Twitter/ Facebook

Nicole: Nicole Edwards is my pen name (the name is comprised of my husband middle name – Edward, and my daughter’s middle name – Nicole). I live in Texas with my husband, three kids and our four crazy, rambunctious dogs.

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Nicole: I think every book I’ve ever read has influenced me in some way.

TRC: When not writing, what do you do to relax?

Nicole: Read.

BraydonTRC: BRAYDON is the sixth installment in your Alluring Indulgence contemporary, adult series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?

Nicole: Braydon has spent his entire life living in his twin brothers shadow. He’s always been the go-with-the-flow kind of guy. That is until he met Jessie. She flipped his world upside down in ways he hadn’t expected and he finds that what he’d always thought he wanted no longer fit into what he wanted from her. He learns that not everything in life is easy, not every decision has the desired outcome, and above all else, he finds that love is worth fighting for.

TRC: What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics, background) did you encounter writing this particular book and series?

Nicole: The biggest challenge I had was actually regarding Braydon’s twin brother Brendon. I could feel Brendon’s pain and I hated that he was hurting because of the decisions that were being made by those around him.

TRC: Are any of the characters or the premise based in reality or a combination of reality and fiction?

Nicole: Very rarely have any of my characters or stories been based on any sort of reality – future or past. Sometimes I wish they had, but my stories are just figments of my crazy imagination.

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

Nicole: My characters have always directed my writing. Sometimes I find myself staring at the screen thinking “Really? That just happened?”

Alluring Indulgence Series

TRC: What are your thoughts on writing a series and ending an installment with a major cliff hanger?

Nicole: I think there are different definitions of cliffhangers. There are the ones that literally leave you hanging – like the sentence just trails off and you’re wondering where the rest of the story went. I think there are endings that leave you desperately wanting to know more about the characters or what’s happened to them. And I think there are endings where you get a glimpse at future characters (just enough to pique your curiosity) and you’re left wanting to know more right then. As with any book, I think the ending is important and sometimes a cliff hanger is necessary.

TRC: Writer’s block is a very real dilemma for many writers. How do you handle the phenomenon?

Nicole: Oh, the dreaded writer’s block. For me, this has happened at the worst possible time – then again, I don’t think there is ever a good time. One way I try to circumvent it is by writing more than one book at a time. I can move to another story, hope it pulls me in and I can devote time to it while I’m desperately trying to figure out why the other characters stopped talking to me. Then there are the times that I just have to walk away. Take a day or two away from my computer and not think about it.

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

Nicole: My husband. I’ll toss an idea at him and he is always good about asking questions. Sometimes he goes off in an entirely different direction and I wonder just who I’m talking to, but no matter what, when I get a chance to talk about the idea, it generally spurs more ideas.

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

Nicole: Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor? I can’t speak for other writers, however, I can say that in order for me to feel the emotions of the characters, I have to get to know them. With my characters, I know plenty of minor details that are never included in the books, things that help me to connect to them.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Nicole: I’m currently working on a stand-alone novel. The idea just came to me one day and I had no choice but to sit down and start writing. Granted, I’m also working on a couple of other books, but the stand-alone is what has captured my interest mostly.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food Chocolate

Favorite Dessert Chocolate mousse

Favorite TV Show The Big Bang Theory

Last Movie You Saw Fast and Furious… whatever the last one was.

Favorite Musical Group There are so many but I’ve had an infatuation with Brantley Gilbert recently.

Dark or Milk Chocolate Mmmm… chocolate. I like both, but prefer milk chocolate most of the time.

Secret Celebrity Crush Jim Parsons (he plays Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory)

Last Vacation Destination New York City

TRC: Thank you Nicole for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the release of Braydon. We wish you all the best.

giveaway

Nicole is graciously offering an ecopy of BRAYDON to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1.If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by 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. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on GOODREADS  for an additional entry.

6. Please LIKE Nicole Edwards on FACEBOOK.

7. Giveaway is INTERNATIONALLY

8. Giveaway runs from November 28-Dec 2, 2014

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December Rain (August Fog #2) by A.L. Goulden-a review

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December Rain (August Fog #2) by A.L.Goulden-a review

August_Fog_6x9_Cover_070114

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

Click HERE for Rachel’s review of book 1-AUGUST FOG.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 25, 2014

(Due to explicit sex & language, this book is for readers over 18)
Monica and Alex Waters have spent that last few months working to repair a broken marriage and rekindle their passion. Just as they start finding their spark, Quinn Matthews and his escalating career resurfaces, but this time Alex makes the decision to let Monica go.

The devastation of losing her high school sweetheart, her home, and even her dog twists Monica down a destructive path that alienates her from her closest friends and lands her in the one place she was trying to avoid… Quinn’s couch. Despite her efforts to resist jumping into his arms again, the spark between them reignites and sweeps her away on a whirlwind holiday. She finds that falling in love with Quinn’s family and lifestyle is as easy as falling for his ocean colored eyes. The problem is that it’s all too easy, and when she sees that Quinn’s reinvented life has completely shifted towards her dreams, she starts to question whether he’s too good to be true.

Quinn has a secret that was never meant to be, but will Monica be able to trust another man who’s lied? And now that Quinn’s got his happily ever after in sight, he’s not about to let her go or share her with another man.

REVIEW

4 out of 5 for this reader folks!

December Rain by A.L. Goulden is the second book in the August Fog series. The first book August Fog left us with a bit of a hole, and December Rain is all about attempting to fill it and get the reader closer to a HEA.

Monica and Alex are high school sweethearts and best friends somewhat trapped in a marriage they both are trying to rekindle. After they had both been unfaithful, they decide to do their best to give this relationship another go until Quinn (Monica’s lover) resurfaces and Alex truely sees how much Monica is in love with him. Realizing it’s time to let go, Alex sets Monica free. Monica struggles with losing her best friend and goes on a serious path of self destruction (she completely obliterates friendships .. so sad) that eventually leads to Quinn’s arms (errr… couch ..lol). While Quinn does his best to completely invest himself in Monica’s life, Monica does all she can to deem herself unworthy of his love and trust. Quinn has secrets too and before he is able to spill the beans to Monica .. the beans are spilled for him .. thus leading to more trust issues and a cliffhanger.

Obviously more to the story but that is the basics. OK …. so Monica drives me nuts in this book. The pity party bus she was riding really got on my nerves as did the patience Quinn had. New Adult angst is totally expected but I wavered on disliking Monica at times. Good thing Quinn is yummy in all ways and the fire between Monica and him is full on blazing. Some super hot scenes that left me in a complete puddle.

I will be reading the next one to see where these characters are going to end up. There is so much passion and love with the angst that it has captivated me and wanting me to ride this series out for sure!

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Rachel

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