War of Hearts (True Immortality ) by S. Young-Review & Excerpt tour

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Sandy

War of Hearts (True Immortality) by S. Young-Review & Excerpt tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 1,2019

Thea Quinn has no idea what she is. All she knows is that her abilities have been a plague upon her life since she was a child. After years of suffering at the hands of a megalomaniac, Thea escaped and has been on the run ever since.

The leadership and protection of his pack are of the utmost importance to Conall MacLennan, Alpha and Chief of Clan MacLennan, the last werewolf pack in Scotland. Which is why watching his sister slowly die of a lycanthropic disease is emotional torture. When Conall is approached by a businessman who offers a cure for his sister in exchange for the use of Conall’s rare tracking ability, Conall forges an unbreakable contract with him. He has to find and retrieve the key to the cure: dangerous murderer, Thea Quinn.

Thea’s attempts to evade the ruthless werewolf are not only thwarted by the Alpha, but by outside dangers. With no choice but to rely on one another for survival, truths are revealed, intensifying a passionate connection they both fight to resist. At war with themselves and each other, Conall and Thea’s journey to Scotland forces them to face a heartrending choice between love and betrayal.

•••••••

REVIEW: WAR OF HEARTS is the first instalment in S. Young’s (aka Samantha Young) contemporary, adult, TRUE IMMORTALITY paranormal romance series focusing on thirty year old, Alpha and Chief of Clan MacLennan Conall MacLennan, and twenty-five year old, Thea Quinn.

Told from dual third person perspectives ( Conall and Thea) WAR OF HEARTS follows the building relationship between thirty year old, Alpha and Chief of Clan MacLennan Conall MacLennan, and twenty-five year old, Thea Quinn. Conall Maclennan has been tasked with bringing in a killer; a young woman of unknown supernatural origin but a woman who has been identified as the killer in a series of deaths across Europe. Unbeknownst to Conall, Thea has been targeted by someone from her past, someone who is desperate to bring Thea under his control. What ensues is the continental journey of Thea and Conall; the building relationship between Thea and Conall; and the potential fall-out as Thea finds herself facing her own mortality.

Thea Quinn lost her parents at an early age and therefore has no idea as to her natural heritage. Raised by an abusive and sadistic man, Thea’s escape from imprisonment meant our heroine must remain under the radar without relationships or friends. Conall MacLennan is about to discover that the woman he has been contracted to bring under control is his fated mate. Unaware of the truth, Conall must come to terms with the possibility that his mate is a killer, and unable to control.

The relationship between Conall and Thea is one of immediate attraction but begins acrimoniously as Conall finds himself battling between head and heart as it pertains to the job at hand. Thea is not what she appears to be, and when the truth is revealed, Conall must protect the woman with whom he will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters many of whom are members of Conall’s Pack. We are introduced to Conall’s sister Callie and her soon to be husband James; hunters Grace and Angus MacLennan vampire Vik; North American Alpha Peter Canid, and his children Richard and Sienna; Jasper Ashforth, and his son devon.

WAR OF HEARTS is a story of family, responsibility, power and control. The premise is fast paced, engaging and entertaining; the character are energetic and dynamic; the romance seductive and captivating. WAR OF HEARTS is an exciting, imaginative and inventive tale of fated mates and happily ever after.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Stepping back inside the motel room, Thea halted as Conall came out of the bathroom. His height caused a logistical problem for her next move.
Although his color hadn’t fully returned to normal, the wolf was looking much stronger. She didn’t know if she could take him in a fight when he was at full strength, which was more than a little concerning. As if he’d read her mind, he cut her an expressionless look. “You should have left me to die, lass.”
“Probably. I guess I’m just going to have to take the chance you were bluffing.”
He frowned and opened his mouth to question her, but Thea had already made her move.
Before he could comprehend it, she was on the bed behind him and reaching for his head before his weakened reflexes could catch up.
The crack of his neck echoed around the room, causing a sick lurch in Thea’s stomach.
For some reason, stupid tears stung her eyes as she watched his body hit the ground with an almighty thud. Why should she care? It wasn’t like he was dead. She’d knocked him out. For … however long he took to heal.
And he had stuck her with that goddamn injection.
Speaking of …
Thea jumped off the mattress, avoiding Conall’s body. Earlier when she’d been treating his wounds, she’d spied the syringes in the first aid kit. Grabbing them, Thea hurried out of the motel room and toward the fields beyond. Quickly she dug a hole with her bare hands and buried the syringes. Hurrying back, she avoided staring at Conall because he looked very much dead.
She grabbed his wallet and as she took his money, leaving him his credit cards, a folded-up photograph caught her attention. Curiosity got the better of her and she pulled it out. Smoothing her fingers across the picture, she spotted who she thought was Conall only to realize it wasn’t. The man who looked like him was standing next to a much younger Conall, and Thea deduced it was his father. The younger Conall had his arm around the waist of a small, redheaded girl buried into his side. And beside the man she’d mistaken for Conall was a beautiful redheaded woman.
Was this Conall and his family?
They were standing on a rocky beach, a beautiful lake and mountains behind them.
Thea wondered which one of them was sick. Which of these people was he willing to sacrifice her for?
Memories of her own parents swelled in her throat, burning and screaming to get out. But Thea shoved them back down as she shoved the photograph into his wallet.
There were times she pulled those memories out and let herself swim in the pain because it was worth it to remember the happy moments.
But now was not the time.
With a ruthless supernatural sure to wake up from a broken neck wanting to kill her, and some unknown entity out there hunting her too, now was very much the time to go.

Samantha Young is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows. Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us was published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017. Play On is an adult contemporary romance and the first in a brand new series set in Scotland. Villain is a companion novella to the New York Times bestselling romance HERO.

Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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Things We Never Said by Samantha Young-Review Tour

Posted on May 5, 2019 by Sandy

Things We Never Said by Samantha Young-Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 7, 2019.
Local metalsmith and gift shop owner, Dahlia McGuire, likes her quiet life in Hartwell, Delaware. It’s the perfect place to hide from her family and the tragic events that led to their estrangement. However, when her father, the person she loves most in the world, needs her Dahlia has no choice but to return to Boston to face her ghosts. One of those happens to be her ex-boyfriend’s best friend, Michael Sullivan. The man she was never supposed to fall in love with.

Michael Sullivan has never forgotten Dahlia McGuire. Some might say he’s never gotten over her. For years he lived with the anger of her desertion, and now, newly-divorced, he’s finally ready to move on. That proves impossible when Dahlia returns to Boston and reawakens their explosive connection. Despite everything, Michael wants her back, but Dahlia can’t seem to let go of the tangled emotions of the past. When she flees home to Hartwell, Michael follows, determined to do everything in his power to convince her they belong together.

However, when the unthinkable hits the quiet seaside town, Michael finds himself trying to unravel more than the mystery of Dahlia’s broken heart. It’s time for truths left unsaid to finally be spoken or Michael and Dahlia might find themselves torn apart forever

•••••••••

REVIEW: THINGS WE NEVER SAID is the third full-length instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult HART’S BOARDWALK romance series focusing on the men and women of Hartwell, Delaware- a spin off from the author’s ON DUBLIN STREET SERIES. This is Boston detective Michael Sullivan, and metalsmith / jewellery designer Dahlia McGuire’s story line. THINGS WE NEVER SAID can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person point of view (Dahlia) and third person perspective (Michael) THINGS WE NEVER SAID follows twelve years in the life of Boston detective Michael Sullivan, and metalsmith / jewellery designer Dahlia McGuire. Ten year earlier Dahlia McGuire fell in love with Michael Sullivan but at the time Dahlia was dating Michael’s best friend Gary. In the ensuing months, Dahlia would discover that Gary was cheating, but Michael had moved on to someone else. Life spiralled out of control for everyone involved, and Dahlia found herself on the outside looking in when the time came to move on and move out. Fast forward to present day wherein Dahlia has settled in Hartwell, Delaware, a quiet town where her past is forgotten until the call to come back home, where not everyone welcomed her with open arms. On the receiving end of more vitriol than she could have ever imagined, vitriol from so many directions, it was like reliving the past, all over again. Words said in anger; the harsh truth revealed, Dahlia heads back to Hartwell where her life is about to implode with the arrival of the man that she loves. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Dahlia and Michael, and the potential fall-out as the small town of Hartwell, Delaware discovers their own fair share of skeletons and more.

Michael Sullivan has never stopped loving Dahlia McGuire but a love laced with hate is hard to endure. Blaming Dahlia for everything that went wrong in his life, Michael struggles to accept what happened, and blames Dahlia for the down turn in everyone’s life. Dahlia McGuire has struggled to accept what happened and why, a struggle that is reinforced by the hatred spewed by those she once loved. Making a new start and a new life in Hartwell, Delaware would hopefully ease the self-hatred and blame she placed on herself.

The relationship between Michael and Dahlia is one of immediate attraction but at each connection throughout their lives someone or something else had come into play. Dahlia’s love for Michael never waivered until the day his hatred and cruelty towards Dahlia became more than she could bear. When the truth is finally revealed, Michael is determined to claim Dahlia as his own, a claiming that will face many hurdles including the wall around our heroine’s heart. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters divided between Boston and Hartwell, Delaware. We are introduced to Dahlia’s large Irish family in Boston including her siblings Davina, Darragh, Dermot and Dillon, as well as their parents Sorcha and Cian McGuire; and the Hartwell gang including Cooper Lawson and Jessica Huntington (The One Real Thing #1), Bailey and Vaughn (Every Little Thing #2) , Iris and Ira and their daughter Ivy, who own the local Italian eatery; Emery Saunders book store owner, Cooper’s ex-wife Dana Kellerman, Sheriff Jeff King and the embattled Devlin family.

THINGS WE NEVER SAID is a heart breaking story of guilt and grief; secrets and lies; family, friendship, forgiveness and love. Dahlia’s disappearance years before allowed for the lies to fester and grow, for the blame to be directed at our story line heroine; for family and friends to think the worst of Dahlia McGuire The complex premise is emotional and engaging; the romance is spirited and lively ; the characters are broken, flawed, tragic and impassioned.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

The One Real Thing
Every Little Thing
On Hart’s Boardwalk
Things We Never Said

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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Fight or Flight by Samantha Young-a review

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Sandy

FIGHT OR FLIGHT by Samantha Young-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: release Date October 9, 2018

The universe is conspiring against Ava Breevort. As if flying back to Phoenix to bury a childhood friend wasn’t hell enough, a cloud of volcanic ash traveling from overseas delayed her flight back home to Boston. Her last ditch attempt to salvage the trip was thwarted by an arrogant Scotsman, Caleb Scott, who steals a first class seat out from under her. Then over the course of their journey home, their antagonism somehow lands them in bed for the steamiest layover Ava’s ever had. And that’s all it was–until Caleb shows up on her doorstep.

When pure chance pulls Ava back into Caleb’s orbit, he proposes they enjoy their physical connection while he’s stranded in Boston. Ava agrees, knowing her heart’s in no danger since a) she barely likes Caleb and b) his existence in her life is temporary. Not long thereafter Ava realizes she’s made a terrible error because as it turns out Caleb Scott isn’t quite so unlikeable after all. When his stay in Boston becomes permanent, Ava must decide whether to fight her feelings for him or give into them. But even if she does decide to risk her heart on Caleb, there is no guarantee her stubborn Scot will want to risk his heart on her.

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: FIGHT OR FLIGHT by Samantha Young is a contemporary adult, stand alone romance story line focusing on thirty-five year old CFO of Koto Technologies Scotsman Caleb Scott, and thirty –year old, interior designer Ava Breevort.

Told from first person point of view (Ava) including memories of the past, FIGHT OR FLIGHT follows the enemies to lovers relationship between thirty-five year old CFO of Koto Technologies Scotsman Caleb Scott, and thirty –year old, interior designer Ava Breevort. The death of a former friend, a series of mishaps, a volcanic eruption in Europe, and several flight delays eventually find Ava Breevort facing off against a belligerent and hostile Scotsman slash Viking, who pushes all of our heroine’s buttons. From one unexpected delay to another, and an overnight stay in Phoenix, Ava’s frustration mounts as Caleb Scott becomes the proverbial thorn in her side, and vice versa. Not that Caleb is thrilled that his business plans have been placed on hold but the continuous reappearance of the beautiful but presumably high-maintenance Ava Breevort begins to chafe at Caleb’s growing anger towards a woman he perceives as all kinds of wrong. A one-night stand, and another round of run-ins in Ava’s hometown of Boston, Massachusetts continues to pull at their mutual attraction but equally mutual hatred for one another. What ensues is the agreed upon friends with benefits arrangement between Ava and Caleb, and the potential fall-out as Ava ‘apparently’ pushes too hard forcing Caleb to hurt the woman with whom he is falling in love.

Caleb Scott is a sexy, brooding, and antagonistic male whose dislike of Ava is immediate and aggressive. Unable to let go of the past, Caleb is unbending in his friends with benefits-only arrangement, an arrangement that is about to destroy the heart of our story line heroine. Caleb’s initial assessment and treatment of Ava is embarrassing and exasperating, as our heroine questions if she has done something wrong, a question that has Ava giving as good as she gets. Ava Breevort knows love and loss, a loss that has affected Ava’s self-esteem, and scarred our heroine to the possibility of future love, another betrayal, and issues of trust. Falling for Caleb was never on the radar but having her heart ripped out meant Ava needed to reassess what she wanted in her life.

The relationship between Ava and Caleb is an enemies to lovers/friends with benefits arrangement that leads to something more. For weeks Ava and Caleb will be both friends and lovers but jealousy, heartbreak and memories from the past are but the tip of the ice-burg that is slowly collapsing their hard-fought friendship. Caleb wants to know everything about the woman he refuses to love but isn’t capable of talking about his own embittered past. The push and pull of jealousy is immature and sophomoric in the face of Caleb’s inability to feel something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Ava’s best friend, executive pastry chef Harper Smith whose own life experiences are painful and hard –there is a small plot development focusing on Harper, and the fall-out of her own relationship disaster; Ava’s bosses Stella and Patrice; and Caleb’s brother, artist Jamie Scott. I am hoping for a storyline focusing on both Harper and Jamie, but more importantly Harper and Jamie together.

FIGHT OR FLIGHT is a story of pain and heartbreak, and tainted perception. Caleb struggles in the face of former betrayal, and paints Ava with the same judgemental brush. The premise is inviting; the characters are dynamic, flawed and broken; the romance struggles in the face of preconceived notions, and demons from the past.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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As Dust Dances (Play On #2) by Samantha Young-Review & Excerpt Tour

Posted on August 12, 2018 by Sandy

AS DUST DANCES (Play On #2) by Samantha Young-Review & Excerpt Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 7, 2018

Once upon a time Skylar Finch was the lead singer of a hugely successful American pop-rock band. But fame made her miserable. When years of living a lie suddenly ended in tragedy, Skylar fell off the map.

Eighteen months later she’s sleeping in a tent in a cemetery in Glasgow, making just enough money to eat by busking on the streets. She manages to avoid recognition, but not the attention of one of Glasgow’s ambitious A&R executives.

Killian O’Dea works at Skyscraper Records, Scotland’s most successful record label. Raised by his uncle and owner of the label, Killian’s upbringing would have been devoid of affection entirely if it wasn’t for his loving sister. Killian is unflinchingly determined to bring the label more success than ever, and the young homeless woman who busks on Buchanan Street is going to help him do that. Her music speaks to him in a way he refuses to over-analyze. All he knows is that if it can touch his dark soul, it’ll set everyone else’s alight.

Skylar makes it clear that she doesn’t want to sign with him. But when she experiences the dangerous reality of a woman sleeping rough, Skylar has no one else but Killian to turn to. An undeniable connection forms between them. But Skylar doesn’t want the career Killian is trying to forge for her, and when her past comes back to haunt her Killian will be faced with a decision that could ruin him. He must either free Skylar from his selfish machinations and destroy everything he’s ever worked for, or lose a woman who has come to mean more to him than he ever thought possible…

•••••••••

REVIEW: AS DUST DANCES is the second instalment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult PLAY ON erotic, romance series. This is twenty-four year old, American singer Skylar Finch, and thirty year old, Scottish record producer Killian O’Dea’s story line AS DUST DANCES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

NOTE: Due to some of the story line content, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person point of view (Skylar Finch) AS DUST DANCES follows the tumultuous journey of singing superstar Skylar Finch. Eighteen months earlier Skylar Finch fell off the face of the earth in the aftermath of a tragedy that all but destroyed her life. Fast forward to present day wherein our heroine has been living and busking on the streets of Glasgow, Scotland until the day a record producer recognizes Skylar for the talent she was. Enter record producer Killian O’Dea, and the man with whom Skylar would fall in love. What ensues is the slow building relationship between Skylar and Killian, and the potential fall-out as fame and the glare of the paparazzi begin to overwhelm our heroine, once again.

Killian O’Dea recognized Skylar the moment he heard her voice on the street but Skylar had been reported missing for close to two years, and her backstory and history were tragic and sad. Killian knew the woman hiding beneath the worn clothing and dirty hair was a flower waiting to bloom when cared for and loved. Skylar no longer needs the spotlight of fame and notoriety but her love the music is what propels her forward. Broken by tragedy, and the glare of the spotlight, strong-willed but stubborn Skylar ran from her past only to find herself battling her will to survive.

The relationship between Skylar and Killian begins as a business arrangement when Killian must come to terms of what happened and why. Skylar is but a shadow of her former self, having lived on the streets for several months, a life that proved harder as the weeks went by. As Skylar’s emotional and physical health began to improve so did her feelings for her ‘would-be’ rescuer, and happily ever after. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Killian’s half-sister Autumn O’Dea, a woman who struggles to find her path in life; their uncle and record company owner James Byrne; Killian’s assistant Eva; as well as the members of Skylar’s former band-lead guitar Micah, drummer Brandon and bassist Austin. Autumn’s story line is next in HOLD ON.

AS DUST DANCES is an emotional story of betrayal and loss; heartbreak and pain; falling in love and letting go of the past. The premise is sensational and inspiring; the characters are colorful and creative; the romance is inspiring and captivating. AS DUST DANCES follows one woman’s fall into obscurity, and one man’s struggle to bring her back to life.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

It was my turn to stare at him quizzically, but he didn’t acknowledge the look. He sipped his water and stared around the restaurant as if this weren’t awkward and weird. His nose had a slight bump in it, his cheekbones high, and his jaw chiseled and angular. Overall, he had a very hawklike profile, masculine, rugged, and intimidating. And at that moment I felt like prey, stupidly allowing myself to be caught.
Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he genuinely didn’t want anything sexual from me.
I stared at him unabashedly, wanting answers.
He remained steadfast, ignoring me, until the waitress he’d called out to returned with a plastic carrier bag. “Will this do?”
“Aye.” He took it from her. “Thanks.” When I returned to the main restaurant, I put the folded-up wet clothes beside me on the bench, my underwear tucked out of sight.
I couldn’t meet the stranger’s eyes as I reached for the Diet Coke I’d asked for, savoring the taste. On tour, I’d needed lots of energy so I’d eaten well and drank plenty of water. Soda was a treat at the best of times. But I hadn’t had a Diet Coke in months, and it tasted great.
“Excuse me,” my companion’s voice jolted my gaze upward and I saw him wave down a passing waitress. “Do you have a bag?”
“A bag?”
“Carrier bag, paper bag. A bag.”
“Um … let me check.”
He held it out, staring at me with those eyes that would’ve been much more suited to a Lothario, to someone who knew how to be charming. “For your clothes.”
Oh.
It was a kind gesture, also at odds with his demeanor, and my suspicion increased. I took the bag, however, sliding my wet clothes into it and out of sight. Exasperated, I said, “What the hell do you want?”
“Food first.”
“So I’ll be well fed, satisfied, and more amenable to whatever the hell it is you want from me?”
He looked at me now, really looked at me, and the corner of his mouth curled up ever so slightly. “Exactly.”
“A good villain doesn’t admit to his plan, you know.”
“I’m not a villain.”
“What are you?”
“Fo—”
“Food first. Yeah, yeah.”
And so we sat in silence until the food arrived, and the smell of my sea bass made my stomach grumble loudly. Years ago, it would’ve embarrassed me. Now I couldn’t give a shit. All I cared about was that fish.
I dug in, closing my eyes in joy as I ate.
When I opened them to scoop up buttery mashed potatoes, I felt his gaze on me.
The furrowed brow, the glimmer of concern in his eyes, made me stiffen. But just like that, his expression cleared, blank, and he went back to eating his burger as if I didn’t exist.
I savored every morsel of that meal, including the Chocolate Fudge Fixation I ordered for dessert.
My belly felt full and satisfied, and exhaustion began to force my eyelids to droop.
And I knew it was time to pay the piper. “So …” I pushed away my empty dessert plate and slumped back against the booth, my expression baleful. “What the hell do you want from me?”
His answer was to reach into his wallet, pull out a business card, and hand it over.
I stared down at it, disbelief flooding me.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young-Review & Giveaway Tour

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Sandy

The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young-Review & Giveaway Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 26, 2018

I am Comet Caldwell.

And I sort of, kind of, absolutely hate my name.

People expect extraordinary things from a girl named Comet. That she’ll be effortlessly cool and light up a room the way a comet blazes across the sky.

But from the shyness that makes her book-character friends more appealing than real people to the parents whose indifference hurts more than an open wound, Comet has never wanted to be the center of attention. She can’t wait to graduate from her high school in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the only place she ever feels truly herself is on her anonymous poetry blog. But surely that will change once she leaves to attend university somewhere far, far away.

When new student Tobias King blazes in from America and shakes up the school, Comet thinks she’s got the bad boy figured out. Until they’re thrown together for a class assignment and begin to form an unlikely connection. Everything shifts in Comet’s ordinary world. Tobias has a dark past and runs with a tough crowd—and none of them are happy about his interest in Comet. Targeted by bullies and thrown into the spotlight, Comet and Tobias can go their separate ways…or take a risk on something extraordinary.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: THE FRAGILE ORDINARY by Samantha Young is a contemporary, young adult story line focusing on sixteen year old British student Comet Caldwell, and American Tobias King.

Told from first person point of view (Comet) THE FRAGILE ORDINARY follows one year in the life of sixteen year old Comet Caldwell, a product of emotionally absent parents whose lifestyle has affected their only child. Comet is a bit of a loner; a unique teen whose sense of style is one of a kind; a socially-awkward nerd who prefers to spend Friday nights with a book rather than partying with her two closest friends. But things are about to get a little more exciting when an American student saunters into our heroine’s life. Enter sixteen-year old Tobias King, the young man with whom Comet will fall in love. What ensues is the slow building friendship and relationship between our leading couple, and the fall-out as life, betrayal and loss threaten any semblance of normalcy for our struggling heroine.

Comet Caldwell uses poetry and pose to pen her deepest secrets and the painful reality of life amongst the Caldwell clan. Her home life is a mess, as she battles the emotional highs and lows of her first teenage crush without the support of the people at home. Tobias King has been uprooted from his American home, and finds himself caught between right and wrong. Meeting Comet Caldwell is like a breath of fresh air but not all is well as life begins to spiral out of control.

THE FRAGILE ORDINARY has all of the hallmarks of the young adult genre: oblivious and narcissistic parents who struggle to maintain their own destructive relationship; the mean girls and boys whose direction in life is to make everyone else miserable and sad by spreading lies and rumors, issuing threats and ultimatums; a love triangle or a potential for a love triangle involving one or both of the leading characters; the odd-ball heroine who is a little bit clumsy, unfashionable, geeky and lost; and ultimately, the object of our heroine’s affection- the beautiful, athletic and broken bad boy whose own secrets and history are damaged and dark.

Samantha Young pulls the reader into a coming of age, heart-breaking story. An emotional roller coaster of teenaged angst mixed with successes and failures, rejection and acceptance, ultimate highs and pitiful lows. The premise is endearing; the romance is sweet and passionate-the sex scenes are limited and mostly implied; the characters are colorful and engaging.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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On Hart’s Boardwalk (On Dublin Street 6.7 Hart’s Boardwalk 2.5) by Samantha Young-Review and Excerpt

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Sandy

ON HART’S BOARDWALK (On Dublin Street 6.7 / Hart’s Boardwalk 2.5) by Samantha Young-Review and Excerpt

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

ABOUT THE BOOK: RELEASE DATE March 20, 2018

One of New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young’s most beloved couples returns for the first time in a brand new novella set ten years after her blockbuster bestseller Before Jamaica Lane…

Nate and Liv have a great life together but they miss the spontaneity and freedom they enjoyed early on in their romance. Careers and their children have inevitably kept them busy, so when Nate discovers Liv is feeling disconnected from him, he plans an anniversary trip to the idyllic seaside town of Hartwell, Delaware. There he hopes they will have the opportunity they’ve been craving—a chance to reinvent themselves and fall in love all over again.

With each new day comes a new adventure, from wedding crashing at the five-star boardwalk hotel to pretending they are two strangers having a chance encounter at the boardwalk bar. In the midst of this daring, sexually charged game of romantic rediscovery, Nate and Liv discover the only constant they need is each other.

•••••••••••

REVIEW: ON HART’S BOARDWALK is instalment 2.5 of Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult HART’S BOARDWALK romance series that in turn is a spin-off from the author’s ON DUBLIN STREET series. ON HART’S BOARDWALK is a continuing look at Nate and Olivia Sawyer (Before Jamaica Lane) as they approach Olivia’s fortieth birthday, and the celebration of ten years of marriage. ON HART’S BOARDWALK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines (in either series) is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person point of view (Olivia Sawyer) ON HART’S BOARDWALK is a heartbreaking story that fast forwards ten years in the life of Nate and Olivia, as our heroine struggles with the approach of her fortieth birthday, and the apparent loss of affection from the man that she loves. Nate and Olivia’s love life has lost the spontaneity and romance with the birth of two children, busy lifestyles and busier jobs but Olivia has always battled issues of low self-esteem that are currently exacerbated by her husband’s apparent disinterest, and the approach of her fortieth birthday. Nate will overhear Olivia talking to her friends, and in this Nate struggles to accept Olivia’s concerns. What ensues is the couple’s battle to move forward, and bring the romance and spontaneity back into their lives as they head to America and Hartwell Delaware to celebrate their ten year anniversary.

ON HART’S BOARDWALK is both a heartbreaking and heart warming story; an emotional roller coaster ride as one man struggles with the loss of a friend, and one woman battles issues of the past that continue to affect her self-esteem and ability to let go. The secondary and supporting characters are familiar, colorful and fun; the romance is sexy, provocative and inspiring. ON HART’S BOARDWALK is an uplifting and spirited look at a rekindling romance that had yet to completely fall apart.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Although Nate had agreed to wait to have sex until we played out our little strangers in a bar fantasy, I could tell he was disgruntled. For some reason his irritation made me want to torment him even more. After we showered (separately) and dressed, I grabbed his hand when we walked down to breakfast, trailing the fingertips of my free hand over the skin on his forearm exposed by his T-shirt.
Walking down the stairs he frowned at me. “You’re doing that deliberately.”
“Are you saying I don’t get to touch you at all until tomorrow night?”
“No.” He suddenly stopped and pressed me up against the wall of the stairwell, his mouth inches from mine. His hand, the one not holding mine, slipped under my sundress, his fingertips caressing their way up my inner thigh.
“Nate,” I gasped, looking down the stairs to make sure the entrance was empty.
“You tease me, babe…” His hot breath whispered against my lips. “I tease you tenfold in return.”
I fought with the desire flooding me and the concern over disrespecting our very nice inn owner. My concern won out and I reached for his wrist under my dress and forcefully removed his hand with a flash of ire in my eyes that made him smirk in triumph. “Not here.”
“Just playing your game.” He stood back and then began leading me down the stairs like nothing had happened.
There was only one other couple in the dining hall that early in the morning, an older couple who smiled warmly at us and greeted us ‘hello’ as we grabbed some coffee from the buffet area.
We’d just taken a seat at a table when Aydan came out of the kitchen and beamed at us. “You two are up early. Jetlag?”
“Yeah,” I said, fighting off a yawn. “I’m still kind of feeling it actually. But this will help.” I raised my coffee cup.
“So will some food.” She handed us each a menu. “I’ll be back in a minute to take your order.”
We were looking over the small menu and I was trying to decide between scrambled eggs, potatoes, and bacon; pancakes, maple syrup and bacon; or waffles. “I forgot how good breakfast is here.” I glanced over at my husband, who seemed less excited than me about breakfast. “You’re getting the egg white frittata, aren’t you?”
Nate used to indulge more food-wise but he’d found, as we all found, that he couldn’t metabolize crappy food as well as he used to. So, he only indulged every now and then.
“Aye.” He nodded, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He knew it bugged me that he had more willpower than I did.
“I’m getting the waffles,” I immediately decided.
Nate laughed and leaned over to caress the top of my ass, which thankfully was hidden by the back of my chair from anyone else’s few. “You eat whatever you want, babe. We’ll both enjoy the fruits of that labor.”
I should have glared at him for feeling me up in the breakfast room of this quaint inn, but I couldn’t, because it felt like I had my old Nate back. The guy who made me feel sexy and wanted no matter what. So instead I gave him a soft smile.
For some reason my reaction made his gaze turn liquid with heat and he impulsively leaned over, cupped my face in his hand and kissed me. Hard. Deep. Quick.
When he let me go I couldn’t even think long enough to be embarrassed that he’d just Frenched me in front of an elderly couple who were trying to eat their breakfast. I could only blink, dazed, my lips wet and waiting for more. “What was that for?”
“Because I love you.” He shrugged, like it was most obvious answer in the world.
Before I could say anything else the sound of Bailey Hartwell’s raised voice met our ears from somewhere near reception. “It’s ridiculous that’s why!”
Nate and I shot each other amused looks, and pretended to peruse the menu even though I knew were both listening in. Nosy buggers.
Her voice was lower now, and the fact that we hadn’t heard another voice reply suggested
she was on the phone. “Vaughn, we have a house,” she hissed. “We don’t need another… why would you sell it? It’s beautiful… we don’t need to buy a house together to be together… it’s a waste of money…” there was a longer stretch of silence. “Okay, if you’re that intent on wasting money why don’t we just strip the house out and make it the way we both want it… it sits right on the water…. Stop being romantic when I’m trying to be practical, you know it confuses me… Stop it, I’m at the inn.” Her voice dropped even lower. Her breath seemed to catch. “You’re going to pay for that, Tremaine… no… no… Vaughn… okay, fine…. I love you too, you, handsome bastard.”
That seemed to be the end of the conversation, and I turned to Nate, laughter bubbling in my throat. “That sounded familiar.”
He grinned. “Didn’t it.”
“I don’t think our inn owner is going to Scotland anytime soon.”
“No?”
“No. If she’s got what I’ve got, she’s staying put.”

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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Villain (Hero 1.5) by Samantha Young-Review & Excerpt Tour

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Sandy

VILLAIN (Hero #1.5) by Samantha Young-Review and Excerpt Tour

VILLAIN
Hero 1.5
by Samantha Young
Release Date: December 5, 2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, romance

Villain

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

About the book: Release Date December 5, 2017

Nadia Ray is not just a broadcast meteorologist. She’s Boston’s morning television It Girl. Successful and independent, she’s put a past she’s ashamed of behind her and is forging a future she can be proud of. However, when her new boss discovers her secret he blackmails her, intent on using Nadia’s popularity to make them the number one morning show in Massachusetts. He wants her to be part of uncovering the city’s biggest scandal – a secret billionaire Caine Carraway is hiding.

Soon Nadia is thrown into the path of Caine’s best friend: sexy, wealthy bachelor Henry Lexington. But she doesn’t encounter the dashing high society gentleman Henry is purported to be. Instead she’s faced with an insulting and defensive villain who misjudges her at every turn.

When Henry finally realizes the truth, and decides to make amends, Nadia wants nothing to do with him. But she underestimates his determination and charm and soon they find themselves embroiled in an intense, passionate affair.

An affair Nadia knows must come to an end before their feelings grow any deeper and he discovers her secrets.

After all, Henry Lexington isn’t the only one who played the part of a villain once…

•••••••••••••••

REVIEW: VILLAIN is the second instalment and companion novella in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult HERO erotic, romance series. This is broadcast meteorologist Nadia Ray, and successful businessman and managing director of his father’s bank Henry Lexington’s story line. VILLAIN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order as VILLAIN is the companion to book one, and many of the events run parallel to, and cross over with book one HERO.

Told from first person perspective (Nadia Ray) VILLAIN follows the building relationship between weather meteorologist Nadia Ray, and billionaire Henry Lexington. Nadia Ray is hiding in plain sight. The latest ‘It Girl’ on the local morning show, Nadia’s ‘buxom’ body has caught the attention of too many admirers including her boss who has discovered that our heroine has a secret in her past-a secret that will be used against her in a blackmail scheme aimed at uncovering the latest scandal of the rich and famous Caine Carraway. Enter Henry Lexington, Caine’s best friend, and the man with whom Nadia will fall in love. What ensues are Henry’s attempts to stop Nadia from discovering the truth about his best friend Caine, and Henry’s seduction of a reluctant Nadia who is desperate to keep her secrets buried in the past.

Nadia has had to endure too many advances from over zealous admirers who believe the beautiful and voluptuous meteorologist is nothing more than b**bs with hair. Now that her boss know the secret in her past, our heroine struggles between keeping her secrets, or burying the secrets of the infamous billionaire. Henry Lexington doesn’t do relationships; his reputation as a player, and manwhore precedes his introduction to our story line heroine-an introduction that pushes all of Nadia’s boundaries and buttons when Henry threatens to destroy Nadia if she continues on the path of certain discovery.

The relationship between Nadia and Henry is one of immediate attraction that is tempered by Henry’s attitude with regard to his over protective nature towards fellow billionaire and best friend Caine Carraway. Henry knows that he screwed up when he verbally attacked our story line heroine-a screw up Henry intends to right before too long. The $ex scenes are intimate, intense and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a small ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Caine Carraway and Alexa Holland; Henry’s parents Penelope and Randall Lexington; as well as Nadia’s boss Dick Peters, and the morning show host Barbara.

VILLAIN is an enjoyable and encouraging story line about two people pulled together by circumstance and fate. The premise is spirited and inspiring; the characters are spicy and energetic; the romance is sexy and passionate.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
HERO
VILLAIN

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

excerpt

Maybe he really did feel bad for the way he’d treated me.
Yeah, maybe he did.
But did that change anything?
He’d still treated me poorly and who was to say he wouldn’t again?
Just because people felt awful for doing something didn’t mean they wouldn’t repeat the crime.
The real problem was my attraction to him.
I could admit it.
I was attracted to the son of a bitch.
There was something deeply wrong with me that I could be attracted to a man I didn’t even like.
Turned out that lunch with my colleagues was a terrible distraction idea. Because Henry was dining at The Bristol Lounge with none other than Caine Carraway.
“Maybe we should go somewhere else,” I said as we stood in the lobby outside the restaurant. Henry hadn’t spotted us yet.
Barbara frowned. “This is your favorite place. You love the Bristol Burger.”
I did love the Bristol Burger.
And for the first time in weeks, I was hungry.
Dammit.
No man was chasing me away from my goddamn burger.
“You’re right.” I nodded, sounding more assured than I actually felt. “But I’ll walk on your left side.”
My friend eyed me in confusion as I huddled at her side, trying to hide behind her as the host led us up the few stairs onto the main floor of the restaurant and right past Henry and Carraway’s table near the bar area, to a larger table at the back of the restaurant. As far as I could tell, he hadn’t spotted me and there were now pillars between us that I could hide behind.
Relieved, I slid into my chair beside Barbara.
“Drinks?” the waiter asked.
We’d finished giving him our orders when the sight of Henry Lexington walking into view around one of those aforementioned pillars and toward our table made my pulse skitter.
He gave me a soft smile as if we hadn’t been enemies up until twenty-four hours ago. “Miss Ray, what a pleasant surprise.” That soft smile grew into a roguish grin. “Are you stalking me?”
I arched an eyebrow, wondering what the hell kind of game he was playing now. “A burger. I’m stalking a burger.”
“The burgers are very good here.”
“Mr. Lexington,” Barbara said beside me, sounding delighted to see him, and awfully familiar. “What a pleasure to see you.”
“You too, Barbara. And please, I’ve told you before—smart, beautiful women should call me Henry.”
I didn’t know what to do first: be surprised they knew each other or gag at his flirting with her.
“You know each other?”
“I know everyone worth knowing.” He winked at Barbara and she tittered like a schoolgirl.
Dear God.
And then I was the focus of his attention. He leaned against Andrew’s chair who was, as always, oblivious to anything but himself. “So this burger … will it put you in a good mood?”
“Excuse me?”
Those blue eyes were too intense, much too intense. “A good enough mood to agree to have lunch with me tomorrow?”
I was going to kill him.
How dare he put me on the spot in front of my colleagues, in front of Barbara! What? Did he think I’d be civil to him because we had an audience? I scowled. “No.”
“Are you seeing someone?” he persisted.
“No, she’s not,” Barbara interjected, giving me an “Are you crazy?” look. “And yes, she’s free for lunch tomorrow. You can pick her up from the station at one.”
“Fantastic.” Henry gave her a grateful, gorgeous smile before turning it on me. “See you tomorrow.”
He was gone before I could even get past the shock that had sealed my lips.

About the Author Black and Green

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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Every Little Thing (Hart’s Boardwalk #2) by Samantha Young-Review & Giveaways

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Sandy

EVERY LITTLE THING (Hart’s Boardwalk #2) by Samantha Young-Review and Giveaways

EVERY LITTLE THING
Hart’s Boardwalk #2
by Samantha Young
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Every Little Thing

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / BAM /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 7, 2017

Hartwell, Delaware—the perfect place to get away from it all, and find what you never knew you needed…

Bailey Hartwell has many reasons to feel content—her successful business, a close circle of friends, and her steady boyfriend…even if their romance feels staid after ten years without a serious commitment. The only challenge in her life comes in the form of sexy businessman Vaughn Tremaine. She thinks the ex-New Yorker acts superior and that he considers her a small-town nobody. But when Bailey’s blindsided by a betrayal, she’s shocked to discover Vaughn is actually a decent guy.

Vaughn admires Bailey’s free spirit, independence, and loyalty. As his passion for her has grown, his antagonism toward her has only worsened. Every little thing Bailey does seduces him. But when Vaughn’s painful emotional past makes him walk away in fear he will hurt her, it opens an old wound in Bailey, and she uncharacteristically retreats.

Once Vaughn begins to realize he’s made the biggest mistake of his life, he has no choice but to fight like he’s never fought before to convince Bailey that the love they’ve found together only comes around once in a lifetime.

•••••••••

REVIEW: EVERY LITTLE THING is the second installment in Samantha Young’s contemporary, adult HART’S BOARDWALK romance series focusing on the people and places of Hartwell, Delaware. This is thirty somethings hotelier Vaughn Tremaine, and inn owner Bailey Hartwell’s story line. EVERY LITTLE THING can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order as Vaughn and Bailey’s story begins in book one THE ONE REAL THING.

Told from first person point of view (Bailey) and third person perspective (Vaughn) EVERY LITTLE THING looks at the frustrating love-hate relationship between competing hotel owners Bailey Hartwell, and Vaughn Tremaine in Hartwell Delaware. Bailey Hartwell is the proprietor and co-owner of the family heritage hotel; a descendent of the original town founders, but on going battles with a local developer –the Devlin family-find our heroine facing a break in and assault. Enter Vaughn Tremaine, the man Bailey has lusted after for several years. What ensues is the acrimonious relationship between Vaughn and Bailey, the dissolutionment of a ten year relationship, and the ongoing heartbreak with every personal encounter.

Both Vaughn and Bailey battle demons from the past: rejection, jealousy, betrayal and heartbreak have hardened each of our leading characters but none more so than Vaughn Tremaine-a billionaire hotelier who refuses to accept that marriage and love are part of his future.

The relationship between Vaughn and Bailey is tempestuous at best. The back and forth, love-hate, antagonizing exchanges are frustrating but the sexual energy is palpable and not easy to ignore. The other characters struggle with the hostile communication and interactions between Vaughn and Bailey-an emotional exchange between two people afraid to admit their attraction and desire for one another….in this my enjoyment of the story line faltered with their belligerent and combative attitudes and immature emotional mindsets. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

There is a large secondary and supporting cast of characters including the introduction of Bailey’s prodigal sister Vanessa-a spoiled, selfish, young woman apparently intent on destroying Bailey’s life. Cooper Lawson and Jessica Huntington (The One Real Thing #1), as well as Cooper’s sister Cat and her son Joey, Iris and Ira who own the local Italian eatery, Emery Saunders book store owner, Cooper’s ex-wife Dana, and the embattled Devlin family return for the ongoing saga of the Hart’s Boardwalk business association vs Ian, Stu and Jack Devlin. Dahlia McQuire, the shy and withdrawn local gift shop owner struggles with her attraction to Jack Devlin, a man who may or may not side with the Devlin clan.

EVERY LITTLE THING is a story of angst, heartbreak, mistakes and family. The premise is intense ; the characters are frustrating and challenging; the romance struggles with preconceived notions, and the back and forth immaturity of two people battling their own emotional demons.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE ONE REAL THING

Copy supplied by the publisher from Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

about the author

About the author: Samantha Young is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series, including Moonlight on Nightingale Way, Echoes of Scotland Street, and Fall from India Place, as well as the standalone novel Hero. She resides in Scotland.

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Tag Archives: Samantha Young

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