Reviews

Jun 06 2014

Book Review: Your Perfect Life

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

YOUR PERFECT LIFE
a novel by
Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke 

 

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Release Date June 10, 2014
PRE-ORDER NOW:

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Synopsis
With “a delicious, page-turning premise, and sweet and surprising insights” (New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster), Your Perfect Life (Atria Books; On-Sale June 10, 2014; $15.00) perfectly illustrates that old adage: Sometimes, you have to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes to see what’s in her heart.

Best friends since childhood, Casey and Rachel couldn’t lead more different lives. While workaholic Casey rubs elbows with celebrities daily as the host of Gossip TV and comes home nightly to an empty apartment, stay-at-home mom Rachel juggles an “oops” baby, two fiery teenagers, and a husband who barely seems the man she fell in love with two decades before. After an argument at their twentieth high school reunion, Casey and Rachel throw back shots to get the night back on track. Instead, they get a life-changing hangover.

Waking up in each other’s bodies the next morning, they must figure out how to navigate their altered realities. Rachel is forced to face the broadcasting dreams she gave up when she got pregnant in college, and Casey finally steps out of the spotlight to face the real reason why she’s alone. And they soon discover that they don’t know themselves—or their best friend—nearly as well as they thought they did.

Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke bring their “witty, winning style” (Sarah Pekkanen, author of The Best of Us) to every page of this novel that is sure to please fans of In Her Shoes and The Opposite of Me. Your PerfectLife is a story of humor and heart about two best friends, what they didn’t know about each other, and how, by switching lives, each learns to appreciate her own. 

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Review 

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

Wow. I was completely blown away with this book.  After reading a blurb, I just knew I had to read it. Sometimes in life, we become so engulfed with our routines that we often forget to live. We often forget that others may be going through their own issues, fears or waging a battle you can’t even begin to fathom, even those closest to us. We tend to focus on what’s wrong with our lives rather than what’s right. Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke take the reader on a journey that will change the way you view others as well as yourself. They reinforce the powerful adage, “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.” This book is the perfect blend of wit, humor and insight. It will make you laugh, cry and reflect on your own life and that even you may be guilty of taking something in your life for granted.

 

Your Perfect Life tells the story of two women, Rachel and Casey, who have been friends since the 7th grade. They’ve stood by one another through every major milestone and accomplishment, yet they don’t know the innermost fears each harbor. Their twenty year high school reunion brings a few issues to the surface and Rachel and Casey get into an argument over success and lack thereof. Rachel feels like she gave up all her dreams to become a stay-at-home mom and Casey feels she’s given up on love choosing her career above all. With the help of a magical drink their bartender assists in bringing these two closer than they’ve ever been….so close, they actually switch lives and bodies, but can they get back to their old lives or will they want to once they walk a mile in the others shoes? Resentment, regret and fear cause a divide, but experiencing life through the others eyes allows them an opportunity to see all the things they’ve taken for granted. Has everything they’ve ever needed been right in front of them the entire time and will they ever be the same again? This story is wildly hilarious, heartwarming and unforgettable.

 

Five stars, two thumbs up and all ten toes 😉
This is an entertaining and insightful book and I recommend this to anyone who likes a good tearjerker. Contemporary, Women’s fiction and chick lit fans will love this book. 

 

About the Authors:
Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have been best friends for 25 years and survived junior high, high school and college together. Liz lives in San Diego, CA with her husband and two children. Lisa, a former talk show producer, now lives in Chicago, IL with her husband, daughter and two bonus children. Your Perfect Life is their first novel. 

 

Connect with the Authors
Website   |   Twitter   |   Facebook   |   Pinterest   |   Instagram

 

 

Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke’s Appearances for YOUR PERFECT LIFE

Sat/Sun June 7-8 Printers Row Lit Fest
Chicago
Monday, June 9, 7pm ET BOOKTALKNATION
Virtual booksigning via Google Hangout
with Allison Winn
Booktalknation.com
Tuesday June 10, 7pm LAKE FOREST BOOKSTORE
Vernon Hills at Sullivan Center
A conversation with Jen Lancaster
635 Aspen Drive
Vernon Hills, IL
Wednesday, June 11, 7pm ANDERSON’S BOOKSHOP
Naperville A conversation with Tracey Garvis Graves
123 W. Jefferson
Naperville, IL
Thursday, June 12, 7pm BOOK CELLAR
Chicago 4736-38 North Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
Monday, June 16, 7pm BARNES & NOBLE
Huntington Beach 7881 Edinger Ave. #110
Huntington Beach, CA
Tuesday, June 17, 7pm PAGES BOOKSTORE
Manhattan Beach 904 Manhattan Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA
Thursday, June 19, 7:30 pm WARWICK’S BOOKSTORE
San Diego 7812 Girard Ave.
La Jolla, CA
Friday, June 20, 6pm LAGUNA BEACH BOOKS
Laguna Beach A conversation with Anita Hughes
1200 S. Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA
Sunday, June 22, 2pm LAGUNA NIGUEL LIBRARY
Laguna Niguel A conversation with Anita Hughes
30341 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA

 

May 18 2014

Book Review: That’s A Lie (Promises Promises, #2) by Victoria Klahr

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 1 Comment

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Release Date: March 25, 2014

Add It: Goodreads

Seth is back.
When he walked back into my life, it almost felt like the pieces of my broken heart could be fixed. I thought we could go back to being best friends, but then I started to feel what I had been blocking out for years. I tried. Boy, did I try! But once I started to let him in, I wanted nothing more than to cross that line from friendship into something more…
Just when I think I can move on and let myself be happy, an ugly reminder from my past comes storming in and threatens to destroy the sliver of hope that’s been growing since Seth came back.
Do I even deserve to be loved?
“I’m not asking to fix your heart. I’m not asking to mend you. I love each and every shattered piece of you. I’m asking that you let me love you. Let me love each piece of your broken heart, and I swear to you I will make up for every heartache you have ever experienced.”
I came back for Josie.
I knew I’d have to fight for her, but with the loss of her dad and the truth about what happened with her and Blake, I quickly realized that making her mine was going to be a lot harder than I first thought. The problem is, I can’t pretend like she’s just my best friend. I can’t pretend I don’t want more.
I’m willing to do anything to get her to admit she has the same passionate feelings for me, because I know once she opens up and stops lying to herself, I can show her what it really means to be loved. It’s a battle of wills, but my love for her is stronger than her will to stop me.
So I fight for her. I fight because I know she deserves it. 

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From That’s A Lie 
© 2014 Victoria Klahr

“You lied to me,” he said gruffly, sitting on the barstool at my counter. His blonde hair flopped in front of his eyes, and my hands itched to push it back. To get to touch him again the way I want to would satisfy only a millimeter of the need I have, but it would relieve some of the pain. I turned around to hide my thoughts.

“Ugh… I need coffee,” I said vacantly, reaching for my coffee maker. I didn’t even hear Seth move, but his hand grabbed mine and he turned me around, placing his hands beside me on the countertop to trap me. My breath caught, and I was almost positive he could hear my heart pounding in my chest.

His blue green eyes were angry, but I didn’t even care about him being mad. All that mattered was the charge that thumped between us. I was very aware of him.

“You lied, Josie. You’re not supposed to lie to me.”

“Seth… come on,” I said, turning my face away, unable to look at the raw emotion in his expression. His hand dashed out and grabbed my chin.

“How long, Josie?” he asked. I closed my eyes, not wanting to admit anything. “Open your damn eyes, Jos. Stop fucking hiding.” His voice was hard, but it was also full of desperation. I opened my eyes and narrowed them at him.

He doesn’t understand that I need to keep him away from me. My life is tainted by darkness, and he doesn’t need that. “It doesn’t matter, Seth. I’m fine.”

“Like fucking hell it doesn’t matter. I haven’t heard you scream like that since after everything that happened.”

He was referring to when I would have nightmares after I was raped. He or one of my dads would come lay with me to help me fall asleep. Every day that Seth wasn’t in school, he was there with me, trying to make the nightmares go away.

“Since the engagement party,” I whispered, looking down. I don’t know why I admitted it, but I think there was a part of me that realized I couldn’t hold onto all this pain anymore.

That’s when my resolve started to break. How long can I go on fighting the feelings that I have for Seth? How long can I act like nothing hurts me?

“Fuck, Jos…,” he whispered back, placing his forehead against mine. I was able to smell the mixture of hay and apple pie on his skin, and I almost lost my footing from wanting him so badly. “You should have told me.”

“I didn’t want you to worry,” I admitted.

“I worry about you every second you’re not with me, Pussy Cat. Every second that you hide behind that wall you’ve built, I wonder when you’re going to crack.” His hand reached up to caress my face, and I started to lean into his touch. It was only a minute movement, but I still heard Seth’s breath hitch. My lapse in self-control made him bold. He brought his mouth to the side of mine, and kissed me. I couldn’t stop the whimper before it escaped my mouth.

“There you are,” he whispered hoarsely against my lips. I wanted to bask in the moment, but I had already opened up to him too much. I pushed through the barricade he had made, and ran back to my room.

Where to Buy

That’s A Promise (Promises Promises #1)

Amazon US  |  Amazon AU  |  Amazon UK

That’s A Lie (Promises Promises #2)

Amazon US  |  Amazon AU  |  Amazon UK

 

 

Review

*eARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.* 


Ever read a book that completely captivates your mind, body and soul? I think I may have experienced this feeling while reading That’s a Lie. Victoria Klahr has a gift. She manages to draw you into an emotional and dramatic world while captivating the essence of love and desire unlike any other book I’ve read. Her descriptive language and heartfelt emotions emit a plethora of feelings that draw the reader into a deeply painful, deeply meaningful yet incredibly beautiful experience that sits with you long after you’ve read the final chapter.
To say I was surprised is an understatement, sure I love That’s A Promise, but That’s a Lie took me one step further. I didn’t think it was possible to fall more in love with this series, but I am so deeply in love with this story and the authors ability to completely unleash all sorts of emotions.  I can’t even adequately describe the feeling, but it is deeper and stronger than love. I went through a roller coaster ride of emotions from frustration to pain to intrigue and definitely experienced more than a few blush worthy moments. This book is super hot, filled with raw emotions and deeply engaging.
Josie, as usual, is incredibly stubborn, but she grows a lot in this book. She’s been through so much pain and she internalizes it all. She pushes those closest to her away and with Seth back, how long will she be able to deny her feelings before she breaks? The road is bumpy, but it makes you appreciate both Josie and Seth’s journey. 
Now, let’s take a minute to discuss Seth. I will never deny my love for him. I’ve been a day one fan and I’d proudly wear a Team Seth T-shirt any day! You all know I go through phases, currently Seth has topped my best book boyfriends of all time list! Yes, he is that amazing! You need him in your life, so if you’re into tattooed, pierced and hot he’s your man and this is a must-read. I was so frustrated with Josie throughout this read for a number of reasons, but mostly because Seth is such an amazing catch yet she did everything in her power to push him away. Did she succeed? You’ll  have to read to find out.
I am sooooooo impatiently awaiting book 3…I’m sure it’s going to be one hell of a ride! 

*Recommended for all new adult and contemporary romance fans. 

 

 

Giveaway

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About the Author

 

Victoria Klahr (pronounced like “Claire”) lives in Elizabeth City, North Carolina with her husband and daughter, Stephen and Alexis. She loves her chug (Pug/Chihuahua), Bandit, and three year old to pieces. She loves to stay home and take care of them, even if they do drive her insane at times. She is a huge and proud book nerd who looks at her bookshelf in admiration daily. She has her Associate’s degree in Business Administration, but her passion has always been the stories that talk to her in her head. One day she decided to take a chance and let the voices write her story. She has never felt more certain or comfortable about who she is than when she writes.

 

Where to Find Her
Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Amazon  |  Goodreads
Sign Up for Victoria’s Newsletter

 

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Apr 13 2014

Book Review: Throttle Me (Men of Inked, #1) by Chelle Bliss

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 1 Comment

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Throttle Me by Chelle Bliss

Men of Inked Series Book #1

 

SYNOPSIS:
Suzy’s a control freak and has her life mapped out – work hard, find a man with a stable job, and live happily ever after. She’s content with the status quo, but her plan comes to a screeching halt when he enters her life and turns it upside down.
City gave up on love when his heart was crushed in college, preferring to be the typical bachelor. He spends his nights hopping from one bed to another and his days working at his family tattoo shop, Inked. A chance encounter on a dark road makes him question what he had sworn off forever – a relationship.
A night of passion and lust causes them to question everything. Is City the knight in shining armor to the damsel in distress? Can their relationship survive when a fantasy falls apart and a secret comes out that changes everything? 

 

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Book Review

Before I even talk about the actual content in this book let’s talk about this smoking hot cover! Seriously though, Throttle Me had me salivating from the moment I laid eyes on the cover! I mean seriously I wanted to lick this guys abs! haha! Ok, let me stop drooling and actually tell you about the steam in this book!

 

Hot hot hot! Mucho Caliente! I loved Throttle Me. It is a fun and sexy read. I fell in love with City and enjoyed seeing Suzy come out of her shell! 

 

Suzy thinks she has her life mapped out. She a teacher, she knows she wants to settle down with a nice guy, but she has no idea that City is about to turn her world upside down. She knows what’s expected of her, but sometimes plans and the perfect picture in your head don’t align with your heart. When Suzy meets City she begins to question everything. She knows she should steer clear of this “bad boy”, but something draws her to him, and its obvious the feelings are mutual. Something inside of her begins to stir and Suzy finds the courage to take a walk on the wild side. Problem is there’s more to City than she imagined. As she begins to peel back the many layers she sees how easy it might be to fall for him…terrified she must decide if she should follow her heart or go back to her carefully mapped out life? 

 

City isn’t interested in a relationship, at least he wasn’t before meeting Suzette. Now the school teacher is slowly weaving her way into his head…and his heart. City’s been through a lot and it’s made him steer clear of relationships, but something about Suzy is getting under his skin and he wants to know her. He might even want more…but is he willing to admit it? How far will he go to possess her and how far will she run from the one person she knows has the power to break her heart.  Throttle Me was a one sitting read for me. The story is fun and engaging. It will keep you hooked and wanting more. If you like a heated romance with plenty of sparks you’ll enjoy Throttle Me. There’s plenty of steam and substance. Perfect for New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction and Erotica fans and of course any fans of sexy tattooed bikers hehe!

 

Happy Reading!

 

“Do you swear?” I asked as she set the glass back on the bar.
“What?” She gaped at me.
“Do you swear? Simple question. You’ve said ‘heck’ and ‘friggin’’ so far, but nothing dirty.”
“Oh, um, yeah, I swear.” Her cheeks turned pink and a small smile spread across her face. “I’m just used to watching my words with the kids around all day.”
“Prove it,” I said as I stared in her blue sapphire eyes.
“What? Why?”
“Cause I need to know if it’s in you. Are you all good girl or is there more under there dying to come out?” I hid the smile and laughter that was so close to breaking free from my lips. The pink of her cheeks spread across her face. I know I embarrassed her, but fuck, I needed to know if I stood a chance.
“Yes, I swear. What do you think I am? I’m not a child, City.” She glared at me as she raised the drink to her lips and wrapped them around the rim. Fuck I wanted those lips wrapped around my shaft, taking me deep and sucking me off.
“Never said you were, babe. Do you drink besides tonight?” I asked, now smiling because I knew she was upset. I liked the fire I saw in her eyes when I pointed out her good girl qualities – she obviously didn’t like being labeled.
“Sometimes. I’m just responsible. I don’t drink and drive. My dad used to be a cop and it was drilled into my head at an early age.” The words she spoke hit me like a ton of bricks. Drunk driving was the one thing in the world that caused my blood to boil.
Good girl teacher with a cop father? Just my luck. “Nothin’ wrong with that. Virgin daiquiris aren’t always your thing, then?”
“Why? Do I have to be a drinker? I mean does it make me less of an adult?”
“No, Suzy. Just trying to get a feel for who you are – what you are.”

 

Throttle Me Playlist

Throttle Me

 

Throttle Me Purchase Links:

Amazon  |  Amazon UK  |  Amazon CA  |  Amazon AU  |  Barnes & Noble  
iTunes: Coming Soon!
STALK THE AUTHOR:
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Mar 27 2014

Tour Stop: Frenched by Melanie Harlow Review & Giveaway

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 1 Comment

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Released March 18, 2014

Synopsis 

 

Mia Devine plans over-the-top weddings for a living. So when it comes to her own nuptials, she spares no expense—hand engraved invitations, Vera Wang gown, luxury honeymoon in France. And since her fiancé is Tucker Branch, playboy heir and notorious flirt, local media is obsessed with every little detail.

 

Which is why it really sucks when he jilts her a week before the wedding.

 

Mortified, Mia wants nothing more than to crawl under her newly monogrammed sheets and plan a funeral for her dignity, right after blabbing to the world how fitting it is that Tucker will inherit a bolt and screw company, because that’s all he wants to do—screw, and bolt. And he doesn’t do either with much finesse.

 

When her friends convince her that bitter tastes better when it’s drowned in Bordeaux, she grits her teeth and packs her bags, determined to make the best of a week in Paris alone.

 

She never planned on meeting Lucas Fournier.

 

The free-spirited musician’s scruffy good looks and less-than-sympathetic ear annoy her at first, but when she takes him up on his offer to show her around the city, she discovers that the romance of Paris isn’t just a myth.

 

Nor is the simultaneous O.

 

The last thing Mia needs is another doomed love affair, but since she only has a week, she figures she might as well enjoy La Vie en O with Lucas while she can. But each day—and night—with him is better than the last, and suddenly her heart is telling her this is more than a rebound fling.

 

Is it just the seduction of Paris…or could this be the real thing? 

 

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Review

 

Frenched is a book that makes you believe in love and all the possibilities a new relationship can bring. It makes you believe in that earth shattering, passionate, all consuming love.  The chemistry in this book is insane and highly addictive! You won’t be able to put this book down. You’ve been warned. 

 

Mia Devine is an expert planner and one of Detroit’s most sought after event planners. She’s made a successful career and business with her best friend. She has everything she’s ever dreamed of. Her “plans” have all come along nicely, that is until Tucker Branch, her fiancé decides to leave her a week before their scheduled wedding. Embarrassed by the highly publicized breakup Mia spends a week in hiding making lists (her favorite pastime). She locks herself at home in the lush flat she shares with Tucker. Desperate to help Mia face reality and begin to move on her friends devise a plan to make Mia use her preplanned honeymoon vacation. They persuade Mia to travel to Paris alone, but she never imagines a solo trip to Paris will result in a whirlwind romance with Lucas Fornier…drool…sigh…can I keep Lucas? Lucas is just perfection. This book is excellent, if you’re a Melanie Harlow fan you’ll enjoy this read, but if not for any other reason….do it for Lucas. Trust me when I say he WILL be your new book boyfriend.  When Mia meets Lucas he pushes boundaries and makes her forget about lists and plans. All the things Mia needs in life to actually live. But how far can an international fling go and what exactly happens when lines begin to blur?

 

This book is steamy hot, you’ll blush, you’ll laugh, you’ll enjoy the magic of Paris as if you are there. Melanie Harlow’s descriptive and sensual writing bring the reader into a world of passion and beauty while capturing the essence of love and romance. This is a great feel good read and definitely erotic. I personally hope this isn’t the end of Mia and Lucas’ journey. I enjoyed the book, but I definitely want more. I highly recommend this book to Adult Contemporary Romance/Erotic Romance fans. 

 

 

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About the Author 

Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her lipstick red, and her history with the naughty bits left in. I write New Adult historical and contemporary stories.
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

 

GIVEAWAY

(1) Signed Copy of FRENCHED and bookmark
(1) $25 gift card

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Mar 22 2014

Chelsea Fine’s BEST KIND OF BROKEN (Finding Fate #1)

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 2 Comments
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Synopsis

 

SOMETIMES MOVING ON MEANS MOVING IN
Pixie Marshall wishes every day she could turn back time and fix the past. But she can’t. And the damage is done. She’s hoping that a summer of free room and board working with her aunt at the Willow Inn will help her forget. Except there’s a problem: the resident handyman is none other than Levi Andrews. The handsome quarterback was once her friend-and maybe more-until everything changed in a life-shattering instant. She was hoping to avoid him, possibly forever. Now he’s right down the hall and stirring up feelings Pixie thought she’d long buried . . . 
Levi can’t believe he’s living with the one person who holds all his painful memories. More than anything he wants to make things right, but a simple “sorry” won’t suffice-not when the tragedy that scarred them was his fault. Levi knows Pixie’s better off without him, but every part of him screams to touch her, protect her, wrap her in his arms, and kiss away the pain. Yet even though she’s so close, Pixie’s heart seems more unreachable than ever. Seeing those stunning green eyes again has made one thing perfectly clear-he can’t live without her.  
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Excerpt 

The door to the dining room swings open again and this time Levi walks through, a box of tools in his hand.

Cougar Mable immediately lights up. “Morning, Levi!”

“Morning, Mable.” He smiles at her. He scowls at me.

I notice his face is now clean-shaven and a part of me misses his scruff—what? No. NO. I do not miss his scruff. Missing scruff is for weirdos.

I scowl back at him and start grating Swiss cheese.

“Where’s the fire alarm in here?” he asks in his work voice. It’s a very different voice than his get-out-of-my-way voice or his if-you-want-hot-water-wake-up-earlier voice.

Mable points to the wall, looking far too happy to be of service, and I keep my eyes down as he moves past me. As I sprinkle cheese over the quiche, I can’t help but notice how grated Swiss kind of looks like white scruff.

I’m not a weirdo.

Quiche finished, I turn to start sautéing vegetables and my gaze automatically darts to Levi. He’s so distracting. His arms are all raised, and his shoulders are all broad, and he’s fixing crap, and it’s just… it’s just… annoying.

You know what else is annoying? The fact that the freaking fire alarm is right by the stove.

With a huff and a puff and some choice words in my head, I grab my sliced bell peppers and force my feet to the stove. I throw the vegetables into a frying pan, grab a wooden spoon, and ignore Levi’s close proximity.

My body hums.

I ignore that too.

I steal a glance in his direction and watch as the corded muscles in his forearm flex as he unscrews something on the alarm box. Why does he have so many muscles in his forearm? That can’t be healthy.

I drop my eyes to the frying pan and focus on bell peppers, because bell peppers are interesting and they don’t have backs the size of Alaska or copious amounts of forearm muscles.

The forearm muscles that I’m not thinking about lightly brush my shoulder, and the humming inside my body knots together and zips around like a bumblebee on crack.

I casually turn down the heat on the stove, like that’s the reason I’m suddenly a human vibrator, and go back to stirring. Levi goes back to screwing.

Bell peppers.

I’m thinking about bell peppers.

Levi brushes against me again, except this time his forearm grazes my breast and my body immediately goes wild, like I’m some love-starved teenager, and the humming dives low in my belly and the stove gets hotter and my breaths get shallow and suddenly bell peppers are the sexiest vegetable on earth.

Welcome to Hotel Horny Women, home of scruffy cheese and sensual produce.

From the corner of my eye, I catch his Adam’s apple bobbing with a nervous swallow, which can mean only one thing. The boob brush was an accident.

Well, crap.

If he had been trying to cop a feel with his Hulk-ish forearm, I could have responded with some kind of snarky “you’re a pervert” comment. But it wasn’t on purpose and somehow that makes it sexier, and now the cracked-out bumblebee is buzzing in my nether regions and my hands are starting to tingle and why the HELL is this stove so hot?

I turn the burner down another notch and take a slow, deep breath. I have a boyfriend. A great boyfriend. So this sexual frustration I feel around Levi is nothing to get my bee-loving panties in a bunch about. I just need to calm down.

Levi lowers his arm for a moment, his eyes still on the alarm, and stretches his neck.

Ah, the neck stretch. The universal sign of stress. Well, at least I’m not alone in my frustration. My hot, distracting, pants-are-so-inconvenient frustration.

Wait, what?

Who said anything about pants? I am NOT thinking about pants—or lack thereof. Damn you, bell peppers!

I toss the wooden spoon to the side and move back to the counter, where the threat of being turned on by a handyman or, you know, a sautéed vegetable is much less severe.

I stare at the scruffy quiche and bite back a groan. What was I thinking, living under the same roof as Levi? There’s no way I’ll survive the summer.

Hell, I can barely survive breakfast.

Purchase:

Amazon  |  B&N  |  iTunes

 

 
Chelsea Fine Headshot 2About Chelsea Fine:
Chelsea lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she spends most of her time writing stories, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs. She’s ridiculously bad at doing dishes and claims to be allergic to laundry. Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks. She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete 
lack of skill in the kitchen. 
 
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

 

 

 

Giveaway

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Mar 12 2014

Book Review: Underestimated (Underestimated #1) by Jettie Woodruff

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-fine-art-photo-sexy-lady-posing-image28772515 

Synopsis

Morgan starts her life in a bad situation, she doesn’t really know what she wants out of life. She’s never had anyone to look up to or help guide her in the right direction. She had it rough and never dreamed that it could get worse. However, she finds that it can and it does.

She learns what real hell is when she meets the husband that she doesn’t want to marry but isn’t given a choice.

Can she escape? She can and does, only to wake up and find herself right back at square one.
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Warning! This is not your everyday fall in love romance. This book contains disturbing situations, strong language, graphic, sexual content – some forced, some not. If it’s a happily ever after love story that you are looking for, you should probably move on. If you are up for the ride, stick around and it may just turn into a love story after all.   

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Review

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

Wow.

It’s not often that a book renders me speechless, but Jettie Woodruff’s Underestimated certainly did. I am still unsure how to describe my feelings about this book. Let’s just say, never could I have imagined what I signed up for. I was glued to Underestimated. I could not put it down! I practically lost a day reading…yeah, this was definitely a one sitting read.  

It’s incredibly difficult for me to describe the roller coaster of emotions I experienced while reading Underestimated, but ultimately I fell completely in love with the authors ability to draw me in. I was sad, angry, frustrated, overwhelmed with emotions I didn’t realize I could experience. The warning that the author clearly includes with the synopsis should not be taken lightly. This is not for the faint of heart. This book is raw and completely fucked up at times. It is a read that will make you question your own judgment and possibly your sanity. This book….wow…that’s all I keep coming back to. That one word sums up my thoughts on it. 

This is a bizarre story that will bring you through a world of emotions. Frustration topped my list on how I felt and midway through I wasn’t sure who I was rooting for anymore. This isn’t an ordinary romance and as Jettie Woodruff warned me, it’s “effed up.”

Where do I begin? Let’s start with Morgan…the book begins in the world of seventeen year old Morgan’s eyes. She’s had an incredibly difficult upbringing and has grown up too fast. She’s been raised in a trailer home with a drunkard father and a mother who abandoned her. She cared for her little brother as though he were her own; taking on the responsibilities of a mother at an early age, but eventually losing him to social services and left to fend for herself.

At seventeen she meets the handsome and powerful Drew, who will become her husband. Exciting as the prospect sounds Morgan is terrified and soon finds out she’s been sold to a monster. She marries Drew against her will and endures years of submission among other heinous acts. Morgan finally escapes and begins a new life with a new identity only to be haunted by her past. She can’t escape the nightmares and daydreams. Drew is in her and as much as she hates him, he’s gotten under her skin. 

Morgan just wants to lead a simple life far away from the chaos and abuse she endured for so long, but can she ever truly be normal again? Is love in her future or only pain? When she meets a handsome man who takes an interest in her, she dodges any attempt at dating. She is damaged and doesn’t want or need the drama, but can she steer clear of falling in love with someone who thinks the world of her? 

This story took some unexpected turns and the romances were downright frustrating. I began to question my own sanity for the feelings I began to develop for certain characters while reading this book. Morgan frustrated me…a lot. Her indecisive nature drove me to the brink of insanity. There were times where I understood the struggle, but other times I wanted to yell at her for being so incredibly reckless. Regardless of how much she frustrated me, I felt for her. She had a rough life that seemed to get harder with time and although she was brought into a world of wealth by marrying Drew, she rarely ever enjoyed it. She was a prisoner in her own home and experienced trauma and abuse no one should ever have to endure. The outcome of this book may or may not shock you, but the ride will definitely be bumpy.  

Underestimated is dark, twisted and may not be suitable for all readers. It is raw and brutal at times exploring many aspects of abuse — psychological, physical, sexual and even verbal. The best way to describe the type of book you are about to read is to tell you if you’re a fan of CJ Roberts Dark Duet series I think there’s a good chance you’ll fall in love with this book. This is an excellent read for my Dark Erotic Romance readers. Please take note that the warning is very real and if you cannot handle a book of this magnitude, steer clear, if you’re interested in one hell of a ride…pick it up today!

 PURCHASE UNDERESTIMATED

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Feb 28 2014

Tour Stop: Lean on Me (Take My Hand, #3) by Nicola Haken

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

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Synopsis

Rachel Mason oozes confidence. She’s outgoing, adventurous and would chop off her right arm before caring what other people think of her or her disability.

Right?

Jared Mattheson on the other hand, is more than a little goofy and a whole lot of carefree. He’s happy living the bachelor life on his father’s credit card, takes nothing seriously and wouldn’t know difficulty if it slapped him in the face.

Right?

With Emily and Dexter away in the States, Rachel and Jared are left behind to keep each other company. They share the same sense of fun, their personalities bounce off one another perfectly and perhaps inevitably, they become best friends. But what happens when the lines of friendship start to blur? How will they cope when the sides of themselves they’ve kept hidden from the world for so long begin to show?

Their journey together may have started with fun, games and alcohol – but it seems the future has other ideas.

Turns out, even the strongest of people need someone to lean on sometimes.

(Not suitable for under 18’s due to adult language and sexual content)

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BOOK REVIEW

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

She’s done it again!

You all know how much I love Nicola Haken’s books. I have to say, I think Lean on Me is my favorite of all her books.

This is Book 3 of the Take My Hand series and takes place in the UK while Dexter and Emily are in the US.   In my head while reading Hold on Tight I knew Rachel’s story would be interesting and unpredictable. While I had my suspicions I  never imagined the story would take the turns it did.

This book is special. If you’ve read the previous books you will likely laugh at Rachel and Jared’s antics, but you will absolutely fall in love with them, especially after reading Lean on Me. This book and these characters made my heart melt. I fell hopelessly in love with Rachel and Jared from the moment I read Take My Hand. I never imagined their brief appearances in Hold on Tight would lead to what was revealed in Lean on Me. I really can’t compare their relationship to Dexter and Emily’s because both go through their own sets of trials and tribulations and although their struggles are different each story is beautiful in its own right. I think for me though, I connected with these two on a deeper level than I did with Dexter and Emily.

When I first started the series all I wanted was for these two to get together and get on with it. I mean, how could two people who are so perfect for one another not see it? Well, these idiots made me wait long enough haha. Rachel is a complex character and although she appears strong and confident on the surface there are so many layers beneath the persona. It’s hard for her to trust or rely on others. When Jared starts to break down those walls it’s then that you really begin to see who they both are. I never imagined how deep and meaningful a relationship between these two would be, but boy did I enjoy getting to know them. Rachel and Jared both have secrets and getting close only begins to make each of them unravel. The beauty in this story is their commitment to one another as friends and as lovers, but how far will this relationship get? Both Rachel and Jared steer clear of relationships…can they possibly build more than a fling? Or will they ruin a perfectly good friendship trying?

Lean On Me is a beautiful story about two incredible people who learn being different isn’t always a bad thing and sometimes having someone to lean on is all you need. This is an excellent read. I highly recommend this series to New Adult/Contemporary Romance fans. 

 

Nicola HakenAbout the Author

Nicola lives in Rochdale, England with her husband and four children and she is the author of New Adult/Contemporary romance novels Inevitable, Saving Amy and the Take My Hand series. When she is not busy playing with her imaginary book friends (or talking about them with real life friends!) she can usually be found studying or carrying out her ordinary mum/housewife/all round slave duties!

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BOOK TRAILER

 

EXCERPT 

Day 5 ~ Your future boyfriend x

 

Day five? What the hell was that supposed to mean? Seemed I was about to find out when a few seconds later, Jared let himself into my flat, waving his key proudly in the air and looking too hot for his own good in black jeans and a white shirt with just the right amount of buttons undone at the top.

“Fucker.”

“Good afternoon to you too, saffy. I see you got my flowers?”

“Day five?”

“Today is the fifth day you’ve still not said yes. If I were smarter I’d have started sending them on day one. But I’m not… so we’re starting at day five.”

“Well as long as you know you’re going to end up bankrupt,” I said dismissively, trying to ignore the warm feeling cocooning my heart.

“Nah. It won’t take that long,” he replied confidently. I simply shook my head, amused at his sureness. “You ready?”

“My hair is wet. Do I look ready?”

“You look beautiful.” A smile emerged on my lips without permission, even though I knew he was probably bullshitting me as part of his master plan. “Let me do your hair.”

“My hair. You… want to do… my hair?” What the…

“Sure,” he said, shrugging nonchalantly.

“Um… let me think. How about, fuck no!”

“I’m doing your hair.”

“You are not doing my hair!” I protested, gripping my hand-rims and wheeling away from him.

“I’ll catch you, saffy. I can run faster than you can wheel,” he teased.

“Seriously, I don’t get what’s gotten into you lately!” I stopped, throwing my hands in the air. Damn, I was laughing. I was supposed to be acting pissed off.

“Well I know what’ll be getting into you soon enough.” He strode over to me with a wicked grin illuminating his irritatingly gorgeous face. Then he bent down so his mouth was level with my ear, and when his breath swept across my heated cheeks my breath caught. Damn. “Me,” he whispered throatily.

Ah, fuck. I’m so screwed. 

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February 24

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Feb 18 2014

Book Review: Reborn (The Guardian Trilogy #3)

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 2 Comments

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Synopsis

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

When Emma Donohue wakes to find her world turned upside down, she wants nothing more than to return to the life she knew. To a life filled with a loving family, close friends, and college classes. To a normal life that didn’t involve the supernatural, odd bracelets, or three strangers who refuse to leave her side.

Unsure of what truly happened during The Allegiant’s attack, Emma tries to reconcile her past with her growing feelings for James, Garrett, and Dane. They remain steadfast in her protection, awaiting the arrival of the only people who hold the answers.

The Larvatus.

When Madeline and Ash appear, the revelations they bring not only rock Emma’s world, but everyone she touches. Her mind is twisted, caught up in new abilities and new desires. Her old self forgotten, she has never been more scared. She has never been more confused.

She has never been more empowered. 

You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.
But, sometimes, the absence leaves space for something better

Review 

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

If you have not read Guardian or Allegiant take a step back and immediately read them.

This review MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. You have been warned.

I realize that when it comes to final books I tend to take my time getting to them. I like to live in my book worlds and when I know the end is near, I dip into other worlds before finally committing to ending my trilogy/series. I received Reborn over a month ago and for some reason kept pushing it aside. I was going mad waiting for my ARC, but when it was finally in my hands I didn’t know if I was actually ready for it to end. The first two books in the trilogy left me in utter disbelief. By the end of Guardian and Allegiant, Sara Mack was indeed evil, but Reborn is the finale, this was different, things would be resolved, we’d get answers and Emma would undoubtedly need to make some very difficult decisions. I wasn’t ready. I still don’t know if I am fully ready to let go of this fantastic trilogy. 

I have been under the weather for a few days and although I joked with Sara Mack that I have been in and out of consciousness I decided to spend my time reading Reborn. I can say in all honesty I would have finished this book in about 2-3 hours had I not been sick, but it did take me a couple of days. I procrastinated with this book and I don’t know why. Simply put, Reborn is amazing. I loved it as much as the first two books. I think a big part of me was dying to see who Emma would end up with, but since I fell in love with James, Dane and even Garrett. I think I may have felt as torn as Emma. 

This book definitely changes the game, leveling the playing field. With these “strange” men vying for her affection, Emma has to choose wisely. She has bigger things on her plate, but losing her memories has helped her get reacquainted with James, Dane and even Garrett. Something that early on I felt may have clouded her judgment. Losing her memories was both a blessing and a curse. Emma is able to sort out her feelings based on the present and not so much the past, there are a lot of events that occur in Reborn, centered around her memories and her emotional state. Emma is strong in many ways, but the challenges she faces with the Larvatus, the Allegiant and her love life solidify her character and to what lengths she will go to protect those she loves. She builds new relationships and rekindles others. Emma has an incredibly difficult challenge in Reborn and Sara Mack executes this dilemma flawlessly. 

This book gets a bit crazy at times, there is a lot going on. Every time you think there is no way things will get more complicated or insane…guess what? They do! I loved every minute of Reborn. It’s hard to express all my feelings without giving much of the story away, but I will say I think you will be satisfied with the outcome and the decisions that lead Emma to her HEA. This is the perfect ending to a phenomenal trilogy. I love every single character in Emma’s circle. I was saddened by a few events that took place, but I will not detail much of those events because this is a MUST read. This book had me on an emotional roller coaster, but I’d gladly take the ride again. I highly recommend this trilogy to my paranormal/fantasy fans. This is an incredible story that will completely captivate you from start to finish.   

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About the author 

Sara Mack is a Michigan native who grew up with her nose in books. She is a wife and a hockey mom on top of being trapped in a windowless office forty hours a week. Her spare time is spent one-clicking on Amazon and devouring books on her Kindle, cleaning up after her kids and two elderly cats, attempting to keep her flower garden alive, and, of course, writing. She has an unnatural affinity for dark chocolate, iced tea, and bacon. Guardian is her debut novel. 

 

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Feb 11 2014

Book Review: Inner Core (Stark, #2) by Sigal Ehrlich

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 1 Comment
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Publication Date: January 2014
Synopsis:

When Hayley makes a resolution to take back the control over her life, and declare their relationship R.I.P, it’s all good in theory…

That is until Daniel decides to prove her wrong and get her back.

Together, Hayley and Daniel seem to have it all. But can love ever be enough when two strong personalities collide and while reality takes the lead?

Faced with more obstacles than she could have ever bargain for when it comes to Daniel, struggling to keep her own identity while sharing a life with her man. Buds of doubt start rooting in Hayley’s confidence, making her rethink her decision.

And just when it seems that they might make it together after all, life happens. Bringing a threat that neither Hayley nor Daniel could ever anticipate, a threat that could break them apart forever . . .

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REVIEW 

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

Holy hell! I didn’t think it was possible for me to fall deeper in love with Daniel, but boy is it! Inner Core, like Layers won me over. I devoured this book in a matter of hours and I loved every minute of it. If you haven’t already read Layers, I would hate to spoil it for you. Visit Goodreads for more on this book or purchase it now for only 99 pennies at Amazon. 

This book is wonderful, sexy and as addictive as Layers. Both Hayley and Daniel struggle in this book with their emotions and trust is a major issue for both of them.  Picking up where Layers left off, Daniel and Hayley’s relationship has come to a crossroads and only Hayley can change the outcome. She fights tooth and nail to push Daniel away, but only succeeds in falling deeper in love with him. What is she so afraid of? Who broke her so deeply that she is willing to walk away from this amazing man? Answers…I know you want answers, but you’ll need to read the book for those. A lot is revealed in Inner Core and the good thing is there is no cliffhanger. Hayley will frustrate you, Daniel will frustrate you, but in the end you’ll love every minute of their journey. One of my favorite parts of the book is the epilogue which contains Daniel’s POV…excuse me while I swoon some more! Yes, we get a glimpse into Daniel’s head and heart…if you’re not already head over heels for Mr. Stark you will be by the final pages. 

This book is perfection. The characters are flawed making them real and relatable. Another thing I love about this series are the supporting characters…Hayley’s lifelines (and Daniel’s) – Ian, Tasha and Iris are three wonderful characters who you want to adopt into your own family. I love how Sigal Ehrlich builds such a beautiful story that allows the reader to effortlessly step in and join the party. As you read, you will understand what I mean. I hope there will be more on their stories in the future. Inner Core is sweet, shocking and is a beautiful follow up to Layers. You will laugh, you may cry and I’m sure you will get frustrated for a number of reasons, but in the end you will fall in love with Daniel, I mean this story/series. hehe 😉 

I can’t wait to read more from this author. I highly recommend this book and the series to New Adult, Contemporary Romance and Erotica fans. Happy Reading. 

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SigalAuthor Bio

By teen age, Sigal already lived in three different continents where she had the luck to experience and visit varied places, meet unique people, which only helped fuel her overly developed imagination. Currently, Sigal calls Estonia home where she lives with her husband and three kids.

Not exactly sure where they will end up next…

When she is not hiding in her office, writing, she enjoys music, reading and taking care of her little clan.

With a great believe in “don’t wait for things to happen – make them happen,” she enjoys anything exciting life has to offer.

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Feb 02 2014

Book Review of Robin York’s Deeper (Caroline & West, #1)

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

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Synopsis 

In this New Adult debut by Robin York, a college student is attacked online and must restore her name—and stay clear of a guy who’s wrong for her, but feels so right.
 
When Caroline Piasecki’s ex-boyfriend posts their sex pictures on the Internet, it destroys her reputation as a nice college girl. Suddenly her once-promising future doesn’t look so bright. Caroline tries to make the pictures disappear, hoping time will bury her shame. Then a guy she barely knows rises to her defense and punches her ex to the ground.
 
West Leavitt is the last person Caroline needs in her life. Everyone knows he’s shady. Still, Caroline is drawn to his confidence and swagger—even after promising her dad she’ll keep her distance. On late, sleepless nights, Caroline starts wandering into the bakery where West works.
 
They hang out, they talk, they listen. Though Caroline and West tell each other they’re “just friends,” their feelings intensify until it becomes impossible to pretend. The more complicated her relationship with West gets, the harder Caroline has to struggle to discover what she wants for herself—and the easier it becomes to find the courage she needs to fight back against the people who would judge her.
 
When all seems lost, sometimes the only place to go is deeper.

Advance praise for Deeper
 
“The perfect new adult story . . . West will make you swoon!”—New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy
 
“Beautifully written and full of swoony tender moments, toe-curling chemistry, and delicious, twisty angst . . . Stop whatever you’re doing and read this book.”—Christina Lauren, author of the Beautiful Bastard series

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Review

I fell in love with Deeper and was utterly heartbroken by the pain these characters endured. This is a book that will leave you wanting more. I don’t know how I’ll get through the next few months waiting on Harder, book two in the series.

I absolutely adore West. He is definitely my new book boyfriend! The spark between Caroline and West is so strong my kindle nearly burst into flames. There were some pretty intense moments between these two and after reading this book I can only say, I want West. I want someone to love me that deeply, that intensely.  Fictional guys always seem so perfect don’t they? West, however, is far from perfect, in fact he fucks up…a lot. The way he redeems himself is worth every agonizing, sexually frustrating moment that leads up to it. Yeah, I’m gonna leave you hanging there…sorry.  You’ll just have to read it, trust me…worth every minute!

Caroline Piasecki fell for the wrong man, no, she TRUSTED the wrong man and is betrayed as a result. She spends three years of her life loving him, appeasing him, being good to him, but when Caroline realizes she doesn’t want to be with Nate anymore, she decides to end their relationship. She even believes there is a chance they’ll remain friends, but Nate has other plans. After a seemingly amicable breakup, Caroline receives word that her photos have been posted online and distributed to students at Putnam. The photos are pretty demeaning and as much as Caroline would like them to go away, the damage has already been done. 

Caroline can’t prove that Nate posted the photos, but she knows they were intimate acts, private moments now on display for anyone who has access to the internet. Caroline is mortified. She’s suddenly gone from good girl to ‘slut’. She’s the youngest daughter of a judge. How can she hide this from getting back to her father? What will he think? Caroline is the one who wants to follow in his footsteps. She wants to go to law school, but how can she knowing these photos are out there. All she’s ever wanted is to go to school, get an internship and follow her dreams, but now her dreams have become a nightmare. She’s taunted every time she closes her eyes, every time a stranger looks her way. She can’t stop the comments, she blames herself and she can’t tune out the voices in her head…she’s read the comments online, she hears them everywhere she goes and doesn’t know how to turn them off. She’s barely getting by, but she is incredibly strong. This book shows Caroline’s strength in so many ways.

West Leavitt doesn’t need any distractions, his head is filled with enough. Caroline is his weakness, he can’t understand why, but she gets to him and as much as he hates to admit it, he needs her. West is intense, he’s focused and his priority is to remain at Putnam long enough to graduate. What he doesn’t factor into those plans is Caroline and the way his world will be turned upside down by just allowing her in.  They’re not friends, they bake, they talk, they listen and they part ways. The routine they’ve built for themselves becomes necessary and lines begin to blur. How far is too far, how much is too much? What will it take to bring them together? What will it take to tear them apart?

Deeper is a poignant story that explores revenge porn and how Caroline grows after experiencing what could be seen as her worst nightmare come true. She’s an incredibly strong woman and by the end of the book seems even more empowered than the broken girl we meet in the beginning. Robin York creates a hauntingly beautiful story that explores what its like to find a deep, passionate, earth shattering love in the midst of pain. While I really admire Caroline and her story, West definitely has his own story to tell and I hope Harder gives us more insight into his character. 

This is an incredible debut and I highly recommend this book to all my New Adult fans. This is an absolute must read! 

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About the Author 

Robin York grew up at a college, went to college, signed on for some more college, and then married a university professor. She still isn’t sure why it didn’t occur to her to write New Adult sooner. Writing as Ruthie Knox, she is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary romance, including RITA-finalists About Last Night and Room at the Inn. She moonlights as a mother, makes killer salted caramels, and sorts out thorny plot problems while running, hiking, or riding her bike.

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Deeper Blog Tour

January 24

Romance Addict – Excerpt & Review
Stories & Swag – Review
Fictitious Delicious – Review

January 25

Dream Within A Dream – Playlist
Behind Closed Covers – Review
The Procrastinator’s Corner – Review

January 26
Three Girls & A Book Obsession – Review
The Book Lovers Codex – Review
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January 27

Shelf Pleasure – Author Interview
Stay Bookish – Review
Hooked On Books – Review

January 28

Anna’s Book Blog – Review
Steamy Guys After Dark – Character Interview (West) & Review
Sticky Reads – Review

January 29

Ramblings From This Chick – Excerpt & Review
A Novel Idea – Review
Forever Me Romance – Review

January 30

All Romance Reviews – Review
Bookish Treasures – Guest Post & Review
The Reading Date – Review

January 31

XPresso Reads – Dream Cast & Review
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February 1

Books To Light Your Fire – Review
Electively Paige – Guest Post

February 2

BiblioBelles – Review
Reading Between the Wines – Excerpt
Confessions of a BookWhore – Review

February 3

Starbucks N Books Obsession – Excerpt & Review
FicTalk – Review
Not Everyone’s Mama – Review

February 4

Books Over Boys – Author Interview
I Dare You To Read – Review
Reading A Little Bit Of Everything – Review

February 5

Fiction Fare – Guest Post
Dirty Girl Romance – Review
Red Hot + Blue Reads – Review

February 6

Stuck in Books – Character Interview (Caroline) & Review
Keep Calm & Read Romance – Review
Lustful Literature – Review
Falling in Fall Book Blog – Review

February 7

Books, Books, Books – Review
FicCentral – Review
Rumpled Sheets Blog – Review

February 8

Crazy Book Chicks – Review
A Life Bound By Books – Guest Post & Review

February 9

The Book Lovers – Review
Love Words N Books – Guest Post & Review
My Favorite Things – Review

February 10

Cocktails & Books -Excerpt & Review
Gone With The Words -Review
Nerd Alert Book Love -Review

 

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Jan 29 2014

Missing Pieces

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

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Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Maddie Davis has spent her whole life on the move. With an unstable mother who has a knack for making bad decisions, she’s never stayed in one place long enough to remember its postcode. But this time is different… This time, she has been dragged half way across the world. Arriving in California and being forced to go back to school feels like stepping back in time. She wants to go home…

Until she meets Blaine Elwood – the stepson of an old family friend.

Blaine appears to have it all. To the outside world, quarterback Blaine is rich, confident and has the ‘arrogant bad boy’ image down to a tee. But nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors. Nobody ever can. He has vowed never to let anyone get too close – let anyone discover how weak he is. So when new girl Maddie starts tugging at strings he didn’t know existed in his heart, his only option is to push her away…

Until he realizes how much he needs her.

Together, after being forced into adulthood from an early age, they begin to learn what it feels like to be young – to smile, to laugh… to love. So when shattered secrets and splintered lies start unraveling around them, will the trust they’ve worked so hard to build be irreparably destroyed? Or will they realize they are two pieces of the same broken puzzle? 

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Review

I’m in complete awe of Nicola Haken’s bravery as an author. She pushes boundaries and doesn’t always stick with the safest path, She discusses the uncomfortable topics and does so in a way that draws you in, makes you hold your breath and cling to her words. Every single one of her books has left me in utter disbelief at one point or another. Missing Pieces is no different, except I do believe I may actually be a bit traumatized at how severe and twisted some of the storyline in this book is. Does this make it a bad read? Absolutely not, as I’ve said before…Nicola Haken has found her way into my heart and I love all her books thus far including Missing Pieces. This book is pretty heavy and though I’ve read all her published work so far, this is probably the most disturbing book for a number of reasons. I wasn’t quite sure what would happen by the end of this book, but I couldn’t quite shake the feeling of impending doom. Was I right? You’ll have to judge for yourself…yeah, some things you just have to experience on your own and I won’t give away the ending. 

The book is about two relatively young adults Maddie and Blaine, both are seventeen and seniors in high school. They’ve grown up incredibly fast and taken on roles unsuitable for the typical high school student. Their home life is pretty screwed up and they end up leaning on one another as they learn more about each other. 

Blaine is the star football player and all the girls at school want a piece of him. He’s got a reputation for being a womanizer – a love ‘em and leave ‘em guy, but when Maddie moves to America and is forced upon him by his stepmom, he tried everything in his power to push her away. She gets under his skin and he doesn’t like feeling that way. Maddie can’t figure Blaine out and is stuck trying to figure out why he is so hot and cold. As Blaine and Maddie grow closer, secrets they’ve tried to keep hidden begin to unravel. Soon they begin to need one another. They rely on one another to get through the many traumatic and heartbreaking events of this book. Blaine fears his secrets will only push Maddie away. While he longs to keep her in his life he knows it will only bring pain upon them. He’s afraid she will know he isn’t as strong as she believes.

Maddie has become the parent of her household; her life has been one obstacle after another. Never remaining in one place long enough to make friends or get comfortable, Maddie begins to form some of her best relationships while in California. The one relationship she wants more than anything is with Blaine, but he harbors some pretty deep scars and even though she’s breaking through to him she’s afraid she’ll push him away if she digs too deeply.  

This book is heartbreaking and beautiful. I couldn’t put it down. I wept for the two young adults that endured a tremendous amount of pain while exhibiting an inconceivable amount of strength and love. Though Missing Pieces is about two young adults, it does contain mature content and can get pretty dark at times. It is not suitable for readers under 18.  I’d recommend this for Nicola Haken fans, New Adult/Mature YA fans and anyone who is interested in a story of strength, courage, unwavering love and loyalty.  

Nicola HakenAuthor Bio

Nicola lives in Rochdale, England with her husband and four children (six if you include the dogs!) She is the author of New Adult/Contemporary romance novels Inevitable, Saving Amy and the Take My Hand series. When she is not busy playing with her imaginary book friends (or talking about them with real life friends!) she can usually be found carrying out her ordinary mum/housewife/all round slave duties. Oh, and if the kids ever ask, she moonlights as the Pink Power Ranger while they’re sleeping…

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Jan 24 2014

Unraveled Book Review

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

unraveled woodland

Release Date: January 20th

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Synopsis

Twenty-five-year-old Sgt. Gray Phillips is at a crossroads in his life: stay in the Marine Corps or get out and learn to be a civilian? He’s got forty-five days of leave to make up his mind but the people in his life aren’t making the decision any easier.  His dad wants him to get out; his grandfather wants him to stay in. And his growing feelings for Sam Anderson are wreaking havoc with his heart…and his mind.  He believes relationships get ruined when a Marine goes on deployment.  So now he’s got an even harder decision to make: take a chance on Sam or leave love behind and give his all to the Marines.

Twenty-two year old Samantha Anderson lost her husband to an IED in Afghanistan just two months after their vows. Two years later, Sam is full of regrets—that she didn’t move with her husband to Alaska; that she allowed her friends to drift away; that she hasn’t taken many chances in life. Now, she’s met Gray and taking a risk on this Marine could be her one opportunity to feel alive and in love again. But how can she risk her heart on another military man who could share the same tragic fate as her husband?

Note: Although these books are part of a series, they do not need to be read in order.

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Excerpt 

 “I’ve been watching you all night.” His mouth was right above the tip of my ear and I felt something crack inside me, a fissure was forming in the mask I’d donned earlier today or perhaps his breath, his touch, his words were simply hastening the demise of the barriers I’d held between myself and everyone else for two years. Because inside my body, it felt like there was an awakening and every fiber of my being reached toward him, upward and outward as if I was a flower on the first day of a spring rain. I lifted my head to gaze up, wide-eyed and anxious with anticipation. 

Some part of my brain was telling me that the storage closet was just two steps to my right at the end of the hallway and the exit door was just beyond that. My Rover was outside and all three were safer than standing here almost in his embrace but I couldn’t hear the warning over the pounding of my heartbeat. He bent toward me, his face serious and even in the low light of the corner I could see the gold flecks feathering out from the center of his eyes.

“I’m going to kiss you now.” His voice was deep, rough and matched the rest of his thoroughly masculine body. 

“I know,” I whispered back. And I wanted that kiss from Gray who ordinarily wouldn’t be my type at all. I wanted it more than I wanted to breath. When his mouth molded against mine, it felt like bliss as if my whole cold body had been submerged into a warm bath. If I thought I was engulfed before it was nothing like I felt at that moment. My entire world—my thoughts, my feelings, my senses—were full of him. I tasted the mint and hops on his tongue. I inhaled the cinnamon, bergamot, ocean of his faint cologne into my airways. I felt the calloused palm on my waist and then lower against the exposed skin of my thigh. His dense muscles were drawn tight under his skin and the fabric of his t-shirt and he felt as strong as a citadel. The moan that had been building since he first backed me into the wall escaped. It had been so long since I’d had the touch of a man’s hand on any part of me and I nearly wept at the pleasure of it. 

 

Review 

Fan-fuckin-tastic. Five stars. Two thumbs up and a blush!
I seriously loved Unraveled
I was kind of smitten with Gray in Unspoken and this book only made my love for him grow. When Jen Frederick announced the release of Unraveled I couldn’t wait and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. 

Fan-fuckin-tastic. Five stars. Two thumbs up and a blush…or two!
I seriously loved Unraveled
I was kind of smitten with Gray in Unspoken and this book only made my love for him grow. When Jen Frederick announced the release of Unraveled I couldn’t wait and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. 

Sam is a girl who has grown up quickly. Married and widowed before the age of twenty, she’s experienced the kind of loss that makes her feel unable to move forward. She doesn’t notice men, sexual feelings barely register and she mindlessly knits to pass the time. She’s numb and trying to find her way. Still reeling from the loss of her deceased husband, she meets the mysterious Gray. Their first encounter is pretty steamy, but ends abruptly. Their intimate encounter leaves a lasting impression for not only Sam but the untouchable Gray.

Gray is at a crossroads, he’s been a marine for eight years. He isn’t sure if he should re-enlist. He loves his job, he loves the marines, but he’s unsure if he should make a career of it or get out and find something else to occupy his time. He takes a 45 day leave and visits his old buddies Noah and Bo to clear his head and figure things out. One thing Gray never wanted was to be in a relationship while being a marine. He is adamantly against anything beyond sex preferably with women who understand his situation and aren’t looking for anything serious. Gray is extremely selective when it comes to the women he dates, rather has sex with. Past experience and a terrible breakup have caused him to exhibit caution when dealing with women. He doesn’t trust most women. When he arrives to town he never imagined he’d find someone like Sam. Now that he’s found her and they’ve connected he’s afraid to let her go. The rules are clear and this situation has to be temporary…or does it?

All I can say is holy hell! I think this book was actually steamier, dirtier and hotter than Undeclared and Unspoken combined. Jen Frederick got pretty naughty with this one…and…I loved every minute of it!!! I could not put it down I started reading after midnight and finished by 2:30am…yeah I was pretty hooked. This is a great read for new adult fans who like steamy scenes. Gray and Sam’s chemistry is scorching. I think Gray and Sam may have actually given Bo and AM a run for their money!!! I had to cover my eyes while reading…shame on you Jen, you made me blush hehe!

I highly recommend the entire series. I can’t even quantify an order of which I love more, but I really, really loved this book. 

Happy Reading!!!

 

More Books by Jen Frederick

Woodlands Series (Book 1 & 2)

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Synopsis

For four years, Grace Sullivan wrote to a Marine she never met, and fell in love. But when his deployment ended, so did the letters. Ever since that day, Grace has been coasting, academically and emotionally. The one thing she’s decided? No way is Noah Jackson — or any man — ever going to break her heart again.

Noah has always known exactly what he wants out of life. Success. Stability. Control. That’s why he joined the Marines and that’s why he’s fighting his way — literally — through college. Now that he’s got the rest of his life on track, he has one last conquest: Grace Sullivan. But since he was the one who stopped writing, he knows that winning her back will be his biggest battle yet. 

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Synopsis

Whore. Slut. Typhoid Mary.

I’ve been called all these at Central College. One drunken night, one act of irresponsible behavior, and my reputation was ruined. Guys labeled me as easy and girls shied away. To cope, I stayed away from Central social life and away from Central men, so why is it that my new biology lab partner is so irresistible to me? 

He’s everything I shouldn’t want. A former Marine involved in illegal fighting with a quick trigger temper and an easy smile for all the women. His fists aren’t the danger to me, though, it’s his charm. He’s sliding his way into my heart and I’m afraid that he’s going to be the one to break me. 

Impulsive. Unthinking. Hot tempered.

I allow instinct to rule my behavior. If it feels good, do it, has been my motto because if I spend too much time thinking, I’ll begin to remember exactly where I came from. At Central College, I’ve got fighting and I’ve got women and I thought I was satisfied until I met her.

She’s everything I didn’t realize I wanted and the more time I spend with her, the more I want her. But she’s been hurt too much in the past and I don’t want to be the one to break her. I know I should walk away, but I just can’t.

Bonus Content: Upon reaching the USA Today Bestselling milestone, I wrote a 10,000 word epilogue as a thank you to the readers who loved and supported Unspoken.  I posted it for free on my blog but at the urging of readers, I have added it to the original version. 

Note: This is a New Adult Contemporary Romance with mature content and sexually explicit scenes. 91,000+ words. Standalone novel.

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Author Bio

Jen Frederick lives with her husband, child, and one rambunctious dog.  She’s been reading stories all her life but never imagined writing one of her own. Jen loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at the email link below.

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Giveaway

$200 GC to retailer of your choice

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