Catching Liam Book Blitz

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Synopsis:

Twenty-one year-old Jillian Nichols only has one rule when it comes to boys: catch and release. Boy-catching isn’t just a game for Jillian and her friends, it’s a lifestyle. After all, boys might be good for a dance or a drink and certainly a little under-cover action of the scandalous variety, but expect much else and you’re bound for heart ache.

So when her best friends and fellow boy catchers start dropping like flies junior year, Jillian is determined to keep boys in her bedroom and out of her heart. Until she meets Liam McAvoy, the kind of guy that sticks around to make waffles and who can’t—or perhaps won’t—take a hint.

Study abroad student Liam doesn’t want to be another notch on Jillian’s bedpost. Actually he has much more interesting ideas for Jillian and her bedposts, but his student visa’s set expiration date means he can’t promise her forever. That doesn’t mean he’s going to walk away from the challenge of discovering why Jillian is hell-bent at keeping people at a distance.

Before long, neither is sure who is catching who—or if they’re playing for keeps. Jillian knows one thing though: falling in love will not only break the only rule of boy-catching, it could also break her heart.
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Buy Catching Liam for Kindle  |  Kobo  |  Nook

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Liam’s “Caught You” Waffles

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups warm milk

1/3 cup butter, melted

Secret ingredient #1: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Secret ingredient #2: 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Directions

This recipe will make about 10-12 waffles.  The perfect amount to impress any roommates that straggle in, or to feast on if you’ve pulled an all-nighter.

  1. Preheat waffle iron to desired temperature. I like it really hot.  I know, I know. That’s what she said.  Now would be a good time to make sure you push the iron far enough back on the counter to avoid any burns through accidental contact of your hands…or other areas.

  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar, and I do mean sift.  Don’t just throw it all in the bowl.  You have to give it a little attention.  Mix it up a little.  Don’t just set it aside.

  3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Here’s my trick.  If your girl’s still sleeping, separate the eggs first.  Whip the egg whites like they’ve been naughty until soft peaks form.  Stir in the milk, yolks, butter and vanilla. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Mix together until combined, but don’t overdo it.  Too much attention and they’ll come out tough instead of crisp and slightly chewy.

  4. Ladle the batter into a preheated waffle iron. Don’t get burned.  Cook the waffles until golden.  Refrain from getting distracted with extra-culinary activities.

  5. Serve before she or the waffles get cold.

About the Author:
Sophia
Sophia Bleu is a secret identity where I can write about fantasies and falling in love and all the smexiness in between.  In real life, I’m likely catching a plane, chasing kids, or making out with the love of my life—all 6 ft 3 inches of hotness that he is.  Life is pretty good.

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This Man Book Review

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Synopsis

Young interior designer Ava O’Shea has an appointment for a first consultation at The Manor with the owner, Mr Jesse Ward. She is expecting nothing more than an overweight, cravat wearing, well-to-do countryman, and on arrival, nothing would suggest otherwise. How wrong could she be? This Man is devastatingly handsome, charming and confident. He is also a conceited, hedonistic playboy, who knows no boundaries. Ava desperately does not want to be attracted to him, but she can’t control the overwhelming affect he has on her. Every instinct is telling her to run, so she does, but Jesse Ward is not so willing to let her go. He wants her and is determined to have her. She knows she is heading for heartbreak, but how can she run when he won’t let her?

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So, where do I begin? I had a love hate relationship with this book but I also know I’ve immediately started the next book in the series. What can I say? Curiosity got the best of me. I guess that says something about the writing/book.

Jesse, Jesse, Jesse – he drove me insane at times. His temper is maddening. I love him, he’s sexy and everything you look for in a good fictional love interest but I also don’t know if I could put up with a man like him. He was hot but definitely had a control issue that at times was just a tad much for me. He was a bit too possesive for my liking. I mean what girl doesn’t love a strong male character, a manly man who is  a touch possessive, but some of his actions were straight crazy. And Ava, let’s not get me started on Ava. She annoys me. I mean really annoys me. I have a total love hate relatonship with her. I loved that she wanted to have her own identity but the more I read, the more naive she became with all things Jessie. It was a bit unnerving but I don’t know if I would have been able to resist a man like Jessie either…so I’m torn! She is docile which isn’t necessarily the worst thing when it comes to Jessie but her flip flopping between I want you, I don’t want you, I love you, I hate you…it all drove me insane. I mean, if you know you will give in to whatever he demands, why are you fighting him and your feelings so much? I don’t know. I’ve since started the second book and I am enjoying it a lot more than I did the first. But we will get to that review at a later time.

I didn’t read it in one sitting, but I easily could have. It held my attention and I wanted to know what would come next. You get sucked into this story and questions overtake your mind. I have to admit there were some hilarious, jaw dropping, make me blush moments. I think anyone who enjoys a good erotica/erotic romance will like this book. I laughed and gasped a lot. I swooned and gushed, but I was utterly frustrated with the relationship between these two. And the whole age thing, omg, when is he going to come clean already? It’s driving me nuts!!!! I’m eager to get to This Man Confessed already but I am already frustrated reading Beneath This Man…which btw is getting good LOL.  It’s one of those books where you want to choke and kiss the protagonists all at once. All the while asking yourself what’s next?!! I do recommend it but know that you’re in for one hell of a read. I haven’t given this book a rating yet I’m torn between a 3/4 but leaning towards a 4…ish. LOL go ahead and read this book and you will understand the ish reference! Happy Reading!

Purchase This Man for Kindle  

About the Author:

http://jodiellenmalpas.co.uk   |   Facebook   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads

Girl in Translation Book Review

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Synopsis
Introducing a fresh, exciting Chinese-American voice, an inspiring debut about an immigrant girl forced to choose between two worlds and two futures.
When Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to Brooklyn squalor, she quickly begins a secret double life: exceptional schoolgirl during the day, Chinatown sweatshop worker in the evenings. Disguising the more difficult truths of her life like the staggering degree of her poverty, the weight of her family’s future resting on her shoulders, or her secret love for a factory boy who shares none of her talent or ambition. Kimberly learns to constantly translate not just her language but herself back and forth between the worlds she straddles.
Through Kimberly’s story, author Jean Kwok, who also emigrated from Hong Kong as a young girl, brings to the page the lives of countless immigrants who are caught between the pressure to succeed in America, their duty to their family, and their own personal desires, exposing a world that we rarely hear about. 
Written in an indelible voice that dramatizes the tensions of an immigrant girl growing up between two cultures, surrounded by a language and world only half understood, Girl in Translation is an unforgettable and classic novel of an American immigrant-a moving tale of hardship and triumph, heartbreak and love, and all that gets lost in translation.
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Review
I read this book a couple of months ago and I really loved it but then I was left in a state of distress. An ending to a fantastic novel that fails to meet my expectations usually ruins an entire book for me, but this book was so well written and moving that I still can’t help but rate it high on my list. While I was disappointed with the ending the book deserves notable mention as a good read. I just felt a little warning was needed especially to those who are easily disappointed by less than stellar endings.

 

The story documents the life and times of a Chinese immigrant girl Kimberly Chang and her mother who are thrust into a new life in America, namely New York City. Their lives are rough from the start. I rooted for their success throughout the book, but how far would you go to escape poverty? How much would you be willing to sacrifice?
Kimberly was an extremely selfless person who considered the future of not only herself but those who would be affected by her choices. She grew up quickly and became the one her mother depended on due to the language barrier. This explores her struggles, her accomplishments, her decisions and the outcome. Her selflessness was noble but at what cost?

 

This book is a quick read and really explores the difficulties the protagonist Kimberly and her mother face adjusting to a new culture and country. I was all in, until the last few pages and not because there wasn’t a happy ending or it wasn’t necessarily a love story but it really was anticlimactic. I was disappointed, to say the least, but I really thought over how affected I was by the story as a whole and in retrospect, it was well written.

 

Jean Kwok paints a vivid picture of life as an Asian American immigrant. She adequately describes the struggles many immigrants face entering a new country and essentially a new way of life. It shows not only the American experience but the struggle to achieve the American dream. This book is definitely worth a read but I’m giving you fair warning you may or may not love the ending. I’d love to know your thoughts on this book so comment, email, tweet, facebook, smoke signal, whatever  ℓσℓ

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Out of Breath Book Review

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*This book was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.

Synopsis

Emma leaves Weslyn and everyone in it behind to attend Stanford University, just as she always intended. A shell of her former self, she is not the same girl. She is broken, and the only way that she’ll be whole again is through forgiveness. Emma must find a way to forgive herself and recognize her own worth before she can receive the love she deserves. This final installment will have readers holding their breath until the very last page.

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Out of Breath, Book 3 of the Breathing Series is finally here and I am sad it is over. I don’t think I can adequately put into words my love for this series and Rebecca Donovan’s stellar writing, but here goes. What an emotional ride!!! I was nearly about to give up on this book. I had palpitations reading this one. I was nervous yet excited. My heart raced and my stomach dropped. By 12% I was disappointed and unsure of my feelings, but I kept reading knowing that Rebecca Donovan has managed to completely surprise me in the past. By 20% I was hooked. I could not put the book down. At 50% I was in a state of shock.

“Living in the mistakes of your past isn’t going to do anything but destroy your future”

Emma scared the hell out of me, more so in this book than the previous two. I was terrified of the choices she made. Early on I hated what was happening to her, she was lost and utterly broken. It was unlike anything I had expected. I was sad and upset at a lot of her decisions but I understood how messed up things were for her. Emma was screwed up from the first two books but in this book Emma took it to a whole different level. I feared for her and didn’t know what to expect,  every decision she made had me on the edge of my seat. I seriously had anxiety throughout most of this book and I most certainly was holding my breath!

What about Evan, you ask? Well, he’s still one of the most incredible book boyfriends EVER! I was in a panic when things progressed in this book and he was no where to be found. I was anxious, to say the least, but boy oh boy was his return worth every nail biting moment! I don’t want to give away too much so that’s all I will say about Evan. I just wanted to hug them both and make things better, you will go through emotional hell reading this one but it will be worth it, I promise.

Sadly at 70 some odd % the exhaustion took over and I had to call it a night. I could not keep my eyes open and I tried desperately to finish but the last few days of little to no sleep finally caught up with me. I gave in. I woke up and the first thing on my mind was Out of Breath. I knew I would never be able to breath again until I finished. My kindle was my first priority of the day! Damn a shower, damn brushing my teeth, damn breakfast and damn getting out of bed. I grabbed my kindle, powered it on and continued from where I left off. I needed to know how it would end. I seriously did not start my day until I finished this book and it was worth every minute. I was not disappointed. I devoured the last few chapters. This book is emotional, raw and gritty. I loved it, but it was a completely bittersweet feeling knowing this was the final book of the series. I was satisfied with the ending…but, I wouldn’t be opposed to a continuation of this story in the future…hey, a girl can dream 😉

This is a must read and if you have yet to check out the series…what are you waiting for? All three books are out, ready and waiting for you.

Go.

Read.

Now.

Purchase Out of Breath for Kindle or Purchase Out of Breath in Paperback

Need the entire series…

Book 1Reason to Breathe for Kindle or Reason to Breathe in Paperback

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Book 2Barely Breathing for Kindle or Barely Breathing in Paperback

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More on this author:

http://rebeccadonovan.com

http://www.goodreads.com/RebeccaDonovan

https://twitter.com/BeccaDonovan

https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaDonovanAuthor

Finding Bliss Book Review

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*This book was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.

Synopsis

“Chloe Carlyle has always longed for the perfect family.

Growing up with an alcoholic single mother, she has seen her share of heartbreak and disappointment, and is striving to build a new legacy for herself. After graduating from college, she takes a job working as a summer girl for the Reeds––a wealthy, accomplished family that personifies her American dream. Her summer takes an unexpected turn when the Reeds’ eldest son Tyler, the star quarterback for Notre Dame, shows up and turns her life upside down.

An ambitious young woman with a wry sense of humor, Chloe never imagined herself as the type to succumb to the looks and charms of the hometown hero, but she falls hard for Tyler, and is devastated when they part ways at the end of the summer. As she heads off to law school, Chloe tries to convince herself this was just a fling, but she can’t quite get over him. It’s not until Tyler contacts her out of the blue late one winter night that everything changes.

After doing everything in her power to build the perfect life, Chloe soon learns that there are things beyond her control. She must draw on inner reserves of strength as her life takes unpredictable—and sometimes heartbreaking—twists and turns, and she finds herself faced with decisions she never thought she’d have to make. Poignant, heartfelt, and emotional, Finding Bliss is a reminder that you don’t have to live a fairytale life in order to have a happy ending”

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For those who are unfamiliar with Dina Silver’s One Pink Line…I highly recommend you read it as well. It is a superbly written book. Finding Bliss is a spin-off of One Pink Line, but you do NOT need to read one in order to read the other. However, I think you’d be doing yourself a great disservice by not reading both. They are both beautiful stories in their own right. You can read my very brief but straightforward review about One Pink Line here.

So, my thoughts on Finding Bliss

First thoughts were…this is good, this is really good. But, then my heart broke and then it healed again, then I was angry, then I was sad and then I was happy again…This is definitely an emotionally charged book.

What I really like about Dina Silver’s writing is that it is extremely realistic. Her stories aren’t sugar coated, people struggle, suffer and fight, they’re faced with hard decisions and sometimes things don’t work out. She focuses on real issues that everyone can relate to and dives in with all her might. There is a rawness to her writing that is so real. The characters are lovable, revered, moving and sometimes sickening. This particular book explores alcoholism and mental illness as well as a whole slew of other topics I’d rather not divulge to avoid spoiling it for you! I will say, this book is incredible! The protagonist, Chloe takes on a huge responsibility at an early age, and that specific characteristic stays with her throughout the book. She remains responsible, dependable but utterly naive at times. Her character develops well throughout the book and she, in my opinion, becomes an amazing and inspirational woman. The hurdles she faces and overcomes make you appreciate all you have and all you strive to be in a world filled with many unforeseeable obstacles. Not many people would endure and persevere the way Chloe did. I have a lot of thoughts on the other characters namely Tyler and Cam but I feel this may give away too much and this book is worth the read.

If you are looking for a deeply poignant story that shows you it isn’t impossible to stand up again after repeatedly falling, a story that shows not every happy ending is in fact YOUR happy ending, and that no matter what obstacles you face there is always a way to overcome them, then this book is definitely for you. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Finding Bliss is slated for release July 16, 2013.

Pre-order your copy for Kindle or Pre-order your copy in Paperback

Hold On My Heart Book Review

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*This book was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.

Synopsis

To build a future, sometimes you have to tear down the past…

Chicago event planner Libby Hamilton can turn any bland setting into a dramatic venue – but when she abruptly loses her job, and her fair-weather boyfriend moves to another state, Libby suddenly finds herself back in the tiny town she grew up in. Worse than that, her father wants help transforming an old schoolhouse into a vintage ice cream parlor and Libby must trade in her power suits for power tools.

Widowed restoration specialist Tom Murphy can rebuild just about anything – except the shattered relationship he shares with his teenaged daughter. Hired by Libby’s father, Tom isn’t interested in sharing the details of his personal life with beautiful, spunky Libby. He just wants to get the job done. But she is tenacious – and sexy – and it doesn’t take long before she breaks down his walls, builds up his hope, and gets a hold on his heart that won’t let go.

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This is actually my first Tracy Brogan book, but after reading Hold On My Heart…I know it will not be my last. This book is delightful, witty and heart-warming. The author’s descriptive language shows that she is truly a gifted writer. She pulled me into this small town world and I loved every minute of it.

We’re introduced to Libby in the first chapter. She is a woman who returns to her small town home after her corporate career abruptly comes to an end, all thanks to an email. Libby appears to be an accident-prone klutz, but something about her is endearing. Her retired father pulls her into his latest harebrained scheme — opening an old fashioned ice cream parlor. The author creates a vivid image of Libby’s quirky, sometimes comedic family but you love them nonetheless. Libby’s father hires Tom Murphy (who in my opinion is deliciously sexy) to restore his investment and Libby’s first encounter with Tom is rather amusing. Despite her embarrassing first impression, Libby’s curiosity gets the best of her.  Her interest in Tom grows while Tom resents his interest in Libby. She is loquacious and drives Tom mad but there is something about her he can’t shake. Slowly he begins to open up to her. While these two grapple with their feelings, you will undoubtedly root for their happy ever after.  This is a great summer read. I read it in one sitting. The story is realistic, well written and utterly charming. I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy a good romance with a dash of comedy.

Purchase this book for Kindle or Purchase this book in Paperback

More on this author:

http://www.tracybrogan.com
https://twitter.com/tracybrogan
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTracyBrogan
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6452601.Tracy_Brogan

Losing Hope Book Review

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*This book was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.

Synopsis

In the follow-up to Colleen Hoover’s #1 New York Times bestseller Hopeless, the charming and irresistible Dean Holder tells the passionate story that has melted thousands of hearts.

In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.

Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…

Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs.”

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First of all I just have to say…this book is fucking incredible. I am still in tears. I am so not a crier, but what can I say, Colleen Hoover writes so beautifully that I am touched by every single word she writes.

Holder…what an incredible, loving, supportive person he is! I love Holder, everything about him. I absolutely love books written in male POV. Something just makes you fall deeper in love with the men of the book and I will say I even fell more in love with Breckin and Daniel after this read! Oh, but Colleen you have now made me curious about Daniel’s story…hmmm…maybe you can write a book about it? I’ll even settle for a novella…short story…essay? LOL

Reading this book was like opening presents on Christmas. I was incredibly moved by the outpouring of love and devotion throughout this book. You fall in love with Sky and Holder reading Hopeless. It is a heartbreaking yet incredibly touching story. Hopeless broke my heart and warmed it all at once. I found the same to be true when I read Losing Hope. Somehow I managed to fall deeper in love with Holder this time around and I did NOT think that was possible. I thought I’d maxed out my love for him with Hopeless but Losing Hope lived up to every expectation I had and then some!

The book is phenomenal. I highly recommend it and if you have yet to read Hopeless please do me a favor and order yourself a copy! I would hate for anyone to miss out on an opportunity to experience these emotionally-charged books. I’m still reeling from my own experience!

Losing Hope is slated for release on July 8, 2013 

HOPELESS is available on Amazon Kindle for only $0.99  (LIMITED TIME) order your copy today and while you’re at it…

Pre-order Losing Hope for Kindle or Pre-Order Losing Hope in Paperback

About the Author:

www.colleenhoover.com

https://twitter.com/colleenhoover

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorColleenHoover

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5430144.Colleen_Hoover

Lick (Stage Dive #1) Review

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*This book was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.

EXCUSE my slang but this book was EVERYTHAAAANG! hehe 😉

I loved it. Actually I loved David, yeah, definitely David. (drools)

This book just did it for me. It had just enough romance, just enough chemistry to steam things up and just enough drama. It  was everything you look for in a good read, sweet, funny and utterly sexy. The story was solid and I found myself laughing and smiling a lot while reading this book. So what’s it about…

Synopsis

Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas’s plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure as hell never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is for certain, being married to rock and roll’s favorite son is sure to be a wild ride.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I pretty much devoured the book. I finished it in one sitting. 

What would you do if you partied so hard you couldn’t remember anything about your night? Would you freak out when you notice a hot guy in the room, nursing your hangover? Evelyn Thomas wakes up with one hell of a hangover and one hell of a rock on her finger. Scratch that, a five carat Cartier to be exact! She doesn’t remember anything about her night with David Ferris and doesn’t remotely recognize him for his fame. Without so much as a second thought she freaks out…too shocked to think long enough to ask any of the right questions she suggests an annulment. David is seemingly upset by this, but agrees to have his attorneys contact her and draw up the papers. Although upset, he leaves slamming his way out of her life. A quickie annulment should solve all their problems, she could go back to her life and stick with her carefully mapped out plans. Simple enough right? Wrong! Upon returning home to Portland, OR she is rudely awakened by reality and just how drastically her life will change courtesy of her wild night in Vegas.

Although the ending left me fully satisfied. I do hope there will be more to David and Ev’s story. I really enjoyed this book and would love to read more by this author especially if David is involved! hehe 😉

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This book is slated for release on July 1, 2013.

Pre-order Lick (Stage Dive 1) for Kindle

Here’s an excerpt to hold you over until the release:

 A blackbird had been inked into the side of his neck, the tip of its wing reaching up behind his ear. I still had on my pretty white party dress, compliments of Mom. But he wore just a pair of jeans, some scuffed black boots, and a loose white bandage on his forearm.
     Those jeans … he wore them well. They sat invitingly low on his hips and fit in all the right ways. Even my monster hangover couldn’t detract from the view.
     “Aspirin?” he asked.
     And I was ogling him.”

About the author: 

Website  |  Goodreads  |  Twitter  |  Facebook 

 

Left Drowning Book Review

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“What does it take to rise from life’s depths, swim against the current, and breathe? Weighted down by the loss of her parents, Blythe McGuire struggles to keep her head above water as she trudges through her last year at Matthews College. Then a chance meeting sends Blythe crashing into something she doesn’t expect—an undeniable attraction to a dark-haired senior named Chris Shepherd, whose past may be even more complicated than her own. As their relationship deepens, Chris pulls Blythe out of the stupor she’s been in since the night a fire took half her family. She begins to heal, and even, haltingly, to love this guy who helps her find new paths to pleasure and self-discovery. But as Blythe moves into calmer waters, she realizes Chris is the one still strangled by his family’s traumatic history. As dark currents threaten to pull him under, Blythe may be the only person who can keep him from drowning.”
*This book is intended for mature audiences due to strong language and sexual content.
Pre-Order for Kindle or Pre-Order in Paperback

 

I finally read my ARC yesterday and I definitely put my entire life on hold just to finish this book. I COULD NOT put it down. It was 100% worth it! I walked to the store, I was reading, I went to the mall, I was reading, I ate lunch, I was reading…..I COULD NOT stop. I read so much my kindle and iphone batteries died. I finally put the book down at about 88% because I was afraid to finish. I wasn’t sure I was ready for it to be over. I wanted to live in that world for just a bit longer.

 

Favorite characters:
I really honestly and truly loved them all. Jessica Park has a way of making you love her characters as though they are your extended family. She managed it again with Left Drowning but I must say my three favorite people were Sabin, Christopher and of course Blythe.
Sabin, Sabin, Sabin oh how I loved Sabin! If I could wrap him up and put him on display for all the world to see, I would. He was one of my favorites. Ok, I think he is my favorite as much as I loved Blythe and Christopher, there was just something so special about Sabin. He held everyone together even when they wanted to fall apart. He had his issues but he loved fiercely. He was the funny, animated one that made everyone crazy but he was also their glue.
Chris, as much as I loved him I wanted to strangle him…and often. He broke my heart…repeatedly dragging it through the mud and stomping on it until I was sure it wouldn’t beat again. But somehow, I still rooted for him! What a past he ran from. His running caused me great pains but I understood. I really did. Chris was intense and ridiculously patient even when he was boiling inside. There was something very noble about that but again I had my moments where I wanted to ring his neck.
Blythe…what a journey she had! I admired the woman she became even through all the pain she persevered. She was a shell of a person when the book began. She’s alive but not really living…inside she’s unfeeling, cold and completely void of emotion. By the end of the book she came out of her shell, opened up, accepted the many faults and losses she’s incurred. Finally, she thought, she felt, she loved. She was truly an inspiration. I rooted for her from start to finish.
This was an amazingly beautiful book. I went through a plethora of emotions while reading it. I laughed, I cried, I was heartbroken, enraged and somehow I continued to root for a HEA!!! What I loved the most about this book were the relationships. The love story is only one aspect of this book. One tragically beautiful aspect, but there is a camaraderie that is seen throughout this book that simply amazed me. I wanted to be a part of this unconventional family. Through their troubled pasts they all hold onto one another for the strength to continue…to continue breathing in a world where they “were left drowning.”  Their fights are deeply emotional, as their battle scars run deeper than merely the physical. They’re all seeking a way to somehow just breathe again. Even through the pain they’d all experienced they made the best of what they had…each other!
Here is one of my favorite parts…
Blythe.”
Chris looks around the room as if trying to find a way to convince me.
He thinks for a minute. “Your parents died. Your world fell apart.”
I nod.
He puts his hand on my cheek.
“You were left drowning.”
I nod again.
“And you’re struggling to breathe.”
I am. It’s a constant struggle to stay near the surface. I have just enough air to stop me from totally going under, but not enough to thrive.
“So do it. Breathe. Just breathe.”
This is part of what makes Jessica Park’s writing so wonderful. I connected with these characters, each and every one of them. I truly connected with them. I wanted things to work out for them. I laughed at their joys, cried during their sorrows, and felt how much love they had for one another. I was angry when they were and I wanted so very much for things to work out in their favor. This book was an incredible journey that I urge you all to take. You won’t be sorry!

Left Drowning is slated for release on July 16, 2013 

Pre-Order for Kindle or Pre-Order in Paperback

Happy Reading!

Wicked Wednesday

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Today’s pick is The Opportunist. I’ve had this book on my To-Read shelf for months and I finally read it this morning. Let me just say WOW. It is the first book in the Love Me With Lies series by Tarryn Fisher. The minute I started reading this book it pulled me in and captured my attention from start to finish. I held on to every single word.

Olivia, Olivia, Olivia jeez sometimes I wanted to scream at her  for all her hare-brained ideas and other times I didn’t know whether I felt sorry for her or if I actually understood her desperation. I loved how the author switched between past and present day. It allowed you to take the journey with Caleb and Olivia in a way that made you fall in love with them. And Caleb….dear sweet Caleb, oh how I love him!

The book starts in present day. Caleb and Olivia are not speaking for some unknown reason at this point…

Caleb apparently has amnesia from an accident and doesn’t remember Olivia. She takes advantage of this opportunity to find a way back into his life…as short lived as it may be, she wants in. Guilty as she feels she can’t give him up…not again.

I really hate giving things away it’s always difficult for me to write a review without feeling like something I say will spoil it for the reader. So I will just say this…

The Opportunist is a must read! The ending! OMG!  Go read this…NOW!

I am still going through a lot emotionally after reading this so I will post a more in depth review…which will likely have spoilers at a later time…here’s the goodreads synopsis:

“Olivia Kaspen has just discovered that her ex-boyfriend, Caleb Drake, has lost his memory. With an already lousy reputation for taking advantage of situations, Olivia must decide how far she is willing to go to get Caleb back. Wrestling to keep her true identity and their sordid past under wraps, Olivia’s greatest obstacle is Caleb’s wicked, new girlfriend; Leah Smith. It is a race to the finish as these two vipers engage in a vicious tug of war to possess a man who no longer remembers them. But, soon enough Olivia must face the consequences of her lies, and in the process discover that sometimes love falls short of redemption.”

Buy The Opportunist

More about the author:

http://www.tarrynfisher.com
https://twitter.com/Tarryn__Fisher
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5410816.Tarryn_Fisher
https://www.facebook.com/tarryn.fisher.reynolds

Forever Too Far Book Review

OK guys and gals. I finally read Forever Too Far last night and let me just say OMG.
When I say I loved this book…I freaking loved it! Rush…sigh…he’s so dreamy ℓσℓ.
This book was absolute perfection! This is a must read! In fact, if you haven’t read the series you NEED to read ALL 3 books…like right now!

Without giving too much away I definitely smell a Grant book in the works…let’s hope it’s soon!
Excuse me while I continue to swoon. I will resume this review at a later time…just kidding.

The book begins where we leave off in Never Too Far, we finally get to know the elusive Dean Finlay a little better. Of course Rush and Blaire have their ups and downs mostly because of his psychotic temper tantrum throwing sister Nan! More on her later.

We also meet Harlow who I won’t share many details about to avoid giving too much away. Just know that I am dreaming of the next book where Harlow has an integral role…in my head this is already happening…Abbi Glines don’t crush my hopes and dreams ℓσℓ

Back to Rush and Blaire. They have their ups and downs but they are so deeply connected. Their love is so impenetrable that I couldn’t help but shed a tear..or two…or four ok whatever don’t judge me I cried like a baby because, well, you know what, here’s a quote from the book but that’s all I will give away. You all are going to have to grab your own copy if you want to know what happens next!

“Blaire,

This was my grandmother’s. My father’s mother. She came to visit me before she passed away. I have fond memories of her visits and when she passed on she left this ring to me. In her will I was told to give it to the woman who completes me. She said it was given to her by my grandfather who passed away when my dad was just a baby but that she’d never loved another the way she’d loved him. He was her heart. You are mine.

This is your something old.

I love you,

Rush”

Excerpt From: Glines, Abbi. “Forever Too Far.”

Jeez if that didn’t make you tear up, swoon or sigh; If reading that didn’t make you feel something, anything at all, you’re obviously not of this earth. Kindly leave your info below so I can look into donating you to science!

Anyways, back to Nan…or not. I swear she could’ve all together disappeared and I certainly wouldn’t have missed her. She had such negative energy. She was such a toxic person throughout the book. The hardships and difficulties she faced growing up came into question but in my opinion she was way too immature and refused to acknowledge her part in her creating her own misery. I also wouldn’t be surprised if there was a book about Nan, though I wouldn’t be inclined to read it…even if she is my favorite character to hate! ℓσℓ

All in all I enjoyed this book. I loved every hot and steamy minute of it….and let’s just say there were quite a few. Even with all the drama it was well worth the read so check it out! It is also a quick read.  The ending was decent but I feel like it left a little to be desired. I wouldn’t say it was a bad ending just that the book was left in such a way that if the author chose to continue she could but still sort of perfect. Sigh…who will I swoon over now?

Grab the series here:

#1 Fallen Too Far
#2 Never Too Far
#3 Forever Too Far

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Undeniable Book Review

Boy oh boy, where do I begin?

I finished reading Undeniable last night but I needed time to process everything.

Without giving too much away let me briefly summarize this book. Undeniable is the story of Deuce & Eva. The book begins when Eva is five and meets Deuce who is then twenty-three. Their first meeting happens to be while visiting both their fathers in prison. Deuce is the son of Reaper, Prez of the Hell’s Horsemen while Eva is the son of Preacher, Prez of the Silver Demons Motorcycle Club . While technically they are rival clubs these clubs come together throughout the years to conduct business, usually in the form of some criminal activity. This book explores the MC lifestyle, every aspect of it. The loyalty, the love, the rage, the rough, rugged and the raw. This story is NOT a love story, well, not a conventional one. It is filled with pain, pleasure and completely horrendous acts of betrayal. There are moments you want to scream, moments you want to swoon and moments you completely lose your ground.

This book shadows the lives of Eva and Deuce over the course of a twenty-five year period. Twenty-five years of insanity and absolute madness. It is filled with heartbreak, unadulterated passion and absolute horrific moments that make you wonder “why am I reading this and why do I still love it?” I will mention one thought and I’m sorry for bringing this up even though I quite enjoyed the book there were way too many “Bitch” moments meaning too many guys calling women bitches. I am the least offended when it comes to cursing but I think there were moments when it was unnecessary. Deuce was big on respecting women but there were so many moments when he’d turn around and call them a bitch as well as other men throughout the book. That’s really my only negative thought. I mean there were some incredibly screwed up moments but they only made you curious to know what would happen next.

Madeline Sheehan nailed this one! I believe there are more books to follow but I think Deuce and Eva were quite enough for me…for now.

My official goodreads review is below:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/541808038

Madeline Sheehan’s GR profile and website:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6554504.Madeline_Sheehan

http://www.madelinesheehan.com

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