Oct 15 2013

Believing Again (Second Chances, #5) Blog Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 2 Comments

Synopsis

As the youngest woman ever to make detective in the Portland Police Bureau, Danny Hartmann has racked up an impressive record. It doesn’t keep her warm at night, but it does make up for feeling she’s somehow disappointed her family with her career choice. Called to the scene of the murder of a homeless veteran in a transient camp, Danny doesn’t expect it to be anything other than another case she clears.

Then she meets the man who made the 9-1-1 call and everything changes.

Jake Abrams, a volunteer doctor at the Veterans Medical Services Clinic, doesn’t have much faith in anything other than his work and the vets he cares deeply about. Not shy about voicing his opinions, even to the cops investigating the murder of one of his patients, he annoys Danny with his snarky remarks.

However, working the case, she has to rely on Jake to help her find her way around the transient camps under the bridges and in the city’s huge wilderness park. As they work together, their attraction becomes mutual and passionate.

But Jake has demons. Like the vets he cares for, he carries scars both mental and physical from his service in the National Guard in Iraq. He fears Danny will turn from him in disgust when she discovers them. She’s afraid his experience in Iraq makes it impossible for him to love someone who does what she does for a living.

When the murderer of the homeless vets comes too close to Jake, it’ll be up to Danny to save his life. It’ll be up to their love for each other to save them both.

Review

Believing Again is book five (5) of the Second Chances series. The good thing is each book can be read as a standalone, although I would always recommend beginning with book one (1) in any series.

This book was enjoyable and a super quick read. I finished the book in one sitting. I love how the author tied in the many issues veterans face when returning to civilian life. It is a common problem that a lot of people don’t acknowledge and one that many people don’t even realize is an issue.

Danny Hartmann knows how to take care of herself. She’s a detective with the Portland police department and a damn good one in her opinion. She’s been single for a while. Every relationship has seemingly fallen apart when she’s attempted to date. Her job always come first and this has left little room in her life for anything but work. When a series of mysterious murders begin to take place, Danny’s first encounter with Dr. Jake Abrams isn’t a positive experience. In fact, she outright dislikes him and his attitude. Dr. Abrams regularly volunteers to help veterans around the city of Portland, but when his patients begin to be targeted the two must come together to track down the killer.

These two clashed from the beginning but the heat coming off these pages is palpable. Jake knows they got off on the wrong foot and quickly tries to apologize asking if they can start over. Danny is cautious but receptive accepting his apology but when she realizes she too is attracted to Jake things begin to get complicated. Jake realizes he wants to know more about Danny and is definitely attracted to her. Danny’s curiosity gets the best of her, she enlists the help of the good doctor to help track down the killer. She wants to know more about Jake, but is afraid to admit it. Jake has demons, Danny has her own issues she’s certain she doesn’t want or need anyone. When Jake’s overwhelming need to protect Danny becomes an issue for her, these two must figure out how strong their feelings really are for one another.

Dating is a distraction and complication that Danny thinks will get in the way of her life…which happens to be her job. Jake seems to break down some walls and what the reader gets is a hot, steamy romance with plenty of drama. How can two people who are seemingly perfect for one another allow everything to go wrong? Will they find a way to make it work?

This is a fun, sexy romance with plenty of heat. I’d recommended this to my Mystery/Romance fans. Check out the rest of the series…in order preferably lol:

Beginning Again (Second Chances, #1)
Loving Again (Second Chances, #2)
Together Again (Second Chances, #3)
Trusting Again (Second Chances, #4)

**Buy Believing Again:**

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About the Author

Born in Philly, I’ve spent most of my adult life in the Pacific Northwest where I have happily grown webs between my toes and moss behind my ears. I pursued a number of careers—nurse, legislative staffer, lobbyist, public affairs consultant, non-profit association executive, workshop teacher, oh, and mother and wife—before deciding to leave it all for what I’ve loved through every stage of life—writing. I’ve been published in anthologies, magazines, newspapers and in the brochures, newsletters and reports of my consulting clients and employers. Unless you count speeches for politicians, I’d never written fiction until a cast of characters began inhabiting my daydreams. A glass artist and a gallery owner were there. So were a sculptor and a jewelry designer. When some dead bodies showed up, a couple of cops and a deputy DA arrived. Soon they began to fall in love with each other and work for their happy ending. Bingo. I was a romance writer.

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Oct 13 2013

Allegiant (The Guardian Trilogy, #2) Blog Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 1 Comment

Allegiant (The Guardian Trilogy, #2) Synopsis

Last summer, Emma discovered that true love never dies.
It can return.
It can give you hope.
It can pull you from darkness.

Until it’s ripped from you.
Again.

As her 22nd birthday approaches, Emma Donohue finds herself back at school and utterly alone. Hours away from family and friends, her solitary days are spent contemplating what never should have been. James should never have died, but he did. He should never have been assigned as her Guardian, but he was. And she should never have allowed Dane to get too close to her heart.

But she failed.

Desperate to fill her time, Emma is intrigued by her mysterious new neighbor, Garrett. She’s never met anyone quite like him before, and, curious, she attempts to discover his past. Little does she know his presence will pull her into a world she could never imagine. A world that follows an ancient doctrine. A world built on loyalty, yet plagued by secrets and lies.

A world that will threaten everything – and everyone – she loves.

Allegiant is the second story in The Guardian Trilogy.
The third novel, Reborn, is complete and due to be published in February 2014.

My Review

Well, I can’t say that I am surprised…Sara Mack is lucky I live in New York, otherwise I would’ve resorted to kicking and screaming for a copy of Reborn…full on tantrum! That’s right Sara…how could you do this to me again? How? LOL.

To say this book is amazing is an understatement. Sara Mack continues to draw the reader into this complex world of love, loyalty and confusion. The characters all experience their own trauma at one point or another but they are all conflicted and all connected in some way. I had a few jaw dropping moments and I must say this is a cleverly crafted book. I could not believe the connections, the decisions made and the turn this book takes! The ending will leave you in a state of shock, but definitely craving more.

I love, love, love this book and I cannot wait for the final installment. I already know it is bound to be great. This is a fantastic follow-up to Guardian. The author has managed to…painfully…leave me hanging…again….I will reiterate my earlier sentiments from my review of Guardian that Sara Mack is indeed evil…yeah I said it…again 😛

All jokes aside this is a phenomenal book. I seriously recommend this trilogy to any Paranormal Romance lover…it is one of the best paranormal series I’ve read to date. You will be kept in suspense. The concept is beyond anything I could’ve imagined. The characters are faced with some incredible obstacles and tough decisions. Emma has one hell of a choice to make and although the book ends in a way that leaves me wondering if this can possibly go in a different direction later, I absolutely have no clue. I am astonished that Sara Mack might actually surprise me. It isn’t often that an author can do that to me so I must give credit where it’s due. I love that I am so unsure of what the final outcome will be and shocked at what has already come to pass.

What a story and boy do I love these characters…each and every one of them have managed to weasel their way into my heart and I am still torn between the love interests. This is a series that I can tell I have NO idea which way it will go and I can’t say I’d be angry with either outcome as all of these characters have been through hell and back. I just don’t know.

And now for some shouty capitals to express myself with a little oomph….THAT ENDING!!!! Brace yourselves!!!! I LOVE THIS BOOK. I LOVE GUARDIAN AND I’LL BE BOLD AND SAY I CANNOT WAIT TO READ REBORN!!!!!!! Sara…you’re still evil!

I didn’t want to give away too much from this book just know there will be plenty of James AND Dane in this book and a whole host of new wonderful characters (and some not so wonderful)!!! This is a series you truly have to experience to understand how great it is.

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

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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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Oct 12 2013

I Stand Before You (Judge Me Not #1) Blog Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 2 Comments

Synopsis

When it comes to tattooed bad boys, Chase Gartner is the real deal. Partying, engaging in meaningless sex, getting into fights—Chase indulges in it all during his late teen years, thus firmly solidifying his status as a heartbreakingly gorgeous but way-too dangerous-to-trust guy in his hometown of Harmony Creek, Ohio. Then, following one fateful night of reckless decisions, Chase’s actions finally catch up to him and land him in prison.

Now, four years have passed and Chase finds himself a free man. He returns to Harmony Creek, ready to pick up the pieces and start rebuilding his shattered life.

Things are off to a promising start when he meets Kay Stanton, a young woman with a tragic past of her own. Despite a powerful attraction, Chase and Kay are naturally hesitant to become involved. That’s why friendship feels like the safest option. But when passions ignite and love blossoms, a relationship that is destined and meant to be can only be resisted for so long. When Chase and Kay finally succumb to their feelings they realize being together feels more right and true than anything they have ever experienced.

But their love is soon tested. Chase’s wild past still haunts and tempts him, and Kay is keeping a secret that could tear them apart.

I Stand Before You is a journey of hope and forgiveness, coming to terms with the past and moving forward. But mostly it’s a story of two damaged people who take a chance, open their hearts, and find true love.

Warning: Contains Graphic Sexual Situations, Drug Use, Some Violence, and Profanity

My Review

I feel like I’ve been saying this a lot recently but this book is intense AND WTF with the ending come on!!! LOL. I am starting to think I’ve been set up with these endings…jeez stop leaving me in suspense. I mean I appreciate a good story but damn lol. It is an excellent read I just hate that I have to wait for book two lol.

This book takes on some very heavy, very real topics. You name it, the book has it. I honestly really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the romance and how it developed. Chase and Kay’s relationship is beautiful and they both bring out the best in one another while continuously helping keep each other grounded. They both have demons and together they work through them, building a solid friendship first with a passionate romance to follow. The secrets they share with one another are deeply personal, but the trust they build between one another is admirable. It makes you covet this relationship.

A few things to know…Chase’s mom, after the loss of her husband didn’t do much to protect her sons and keep their relations strong. Chase gets himself caught up in the wrong crowd and for that he pays the consequences. Four years later he meets Kay, the woman who will change his life. I think Will (Chase’s little brother) will play an important role in the second installment. I can’t wait to read book two. I really want to know more about Will and Cassie. I refuse to read the synopsis for the next book…I’d like to be equally surprised with this one lol. I loved the significance of Chase’s tattoos. As serious as the book is at times, it is equally steamy, so there is something for everyone with this read.

I Stand Before You makes you reflect on all the judgments you’ve ever passed in your life, and the danger of preconceived notions. It makes you take a serious look at how you perceive others whether it be your first encounter, your fiftieth or simply if you gain your knowledge via the rumor mill. This book delves deeply into a few different, heavy subject matters — drugs, addiction, struggles, consequences and recovery. I loved every minute of it. This is an excellent pick for New Adult/Contemporary Romance fans. I highly recommend it, but know that you will be left in suspense on that last page 😉

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

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About the Author
S.R. Grey is the author of Harbour Falls and Willow Point, first and second novels in A Harbour Falls Mystery series. She is also the author of I Stand Before You, first novel in the Judge Me Not series (New Adult/Contemporary Romance).

Ms. Grey resides in western Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris College, as well as an MBA from Duquesne University.

She is currently working on Wickingham Way, the third installment in A Harbour Falls Mystery series, to be released in January 2014, as well as Never Doubt Me, second novel in the Judge Me Not series.

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Giveaway:

(1) $50 Amazon Gift Card – International
(5) eBook copies of I Stand Before You – International

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Oct 11 2013

Left (Still Standing, # 1) Blog Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 3 Comments

Synopsis

Your own two feet are all you have when you’ve been left.
A naive Baylee loves Colt, her boyfriend of four years, more than she ever thought possible. After a little snooping, she’s convinced she’s well on her way toward hearing an once-in-a-lifetime proposal and starring in the wedding-of-the-year event. Instead, she’s blindsided by a very public breakup and the crushing news that Colt is marrying someone else… someone more befitting him and the role his father expects him to take in his law firm.
Baylee may have spent years resenting Ariana, her mother, and her suicide, an intolerable show of weakness in Baylee’s opinion, but after Colt leaves her just short of the altar, Baylee sees the world through her mother’s eyes. She sympathizes with Ariana’s actions and realizes that some things—soul-deep aches—can irreparably damage you and make moving on nearly impossible.
At least that’s how she feels until she meets Ryker. With his help, Baylee discovers there is life after Colt, and she prepares to move on by pulling herself up by the bootstraps, holding her head high, and standing on her own two feet. Unfortunately, a new jealous and hateful Colt has his own plans for her, and they are plans no one—especially Baylee—ever saw coming.

My Review

The prologue begins with some pretty heavy issues. I was immediately hooked. The story drew me in and by the end I was biting my nails to know what happens next. Heavy as it gets it is a great read with real issues that people will either relate to or empathetic towards the situations that are presented.

Baylee’s had a tough life, her mom committed suicide when she was only ten but she’s moved on. She’s found love and is dedicated to keeping her man happy, even if it means sacrificing her own wants and desires to please him. She ignores the telltale signs that trouble is brewing and has no clue she’s about to be in for one hell of a ride.

How far would you go to be with the one you love? Would you sacrifice your own happiness? Baylee loves her boyfriend Colt. She’s uprooted her entire life to be by his side. She’s even accepted a job she hates to appease his controlling father. Although she’s made many sacrifices, it isn’t enough and although Colt appears torn, he’s a coward. He cares more about pleasing his father than being with the woman he claims to love. Baylee arrives to dinner believing Colt is about to propose instead he chooses a very public setting to inform her that he’s leaving her. To top it all off, he makes it clear he’ll be marrying another woman, one within his affluent circle. Colt’s behavior and treatment is so shocking Baylee becomes infuriated and flips out commanding the attention of the entire restaurant. When a handsome stranger comes to her aide, Baylee must enlist his help to get away from Colt, but she has no idea her world will forever change.

Rucker…oh Rucker I love him…he is the handsome stranger that intervenes. Their romance is a whirlwind and though it progresses quickly they seem genuinely perfect for one another. The issues they face however will be what makes or breaks these two. This book is intense, sexy and utterly terryfying at times. I kind of have mixed feelings about this book. Hear me out though. On one hand, I loved it, but on the other hand, this book ends with a bang. I was left an emotional wreck and had a total WTF moment!!!! T. R. Graves is a cruel, cruel woman for leaving me hanging like that lol. The content in the book can get heavy at times, but the message is clear. I was left breathless after reading Left (Still Stading, #1). I can’t say the ending is actually a cliffhanger, but it definitely left me wanting more. I cannot wait for the second installment.

About the Author

T. R. Graves, the author of The Warrior Series and The Secrets Series and The Underwater Series, is a 2012 NaNoWriMo Winner.
She lives along the Texas coast with her husband. Together, they raise T. R.’s beta reading daughter and their football-loving son. Besides being blessed with a supportive family, she counts her career as a registered nurse in not-for-profit hospitals high on her list of fulfilling accomplishments.

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Oct 07 2013

Play With Me (Grover Beach Team #1) Blog Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 3 Comments

Publication date: December 9th 2012

Synopsis:

A short, sweet novella.

Ryan Hunter’s parties are legend. And tonight she’s going to be there.

Liza Matthews anticipates the return of her best friend and only love since kindergarten from soccer camp. But when Tony finally shows up, his mind is more focused on another girl. And worse, she’s a soccer player. Fighting for the attention Liza craves, she’s just a hairbreadth away from making a very stupid decision. But when extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, she’s prepared to play ball to get her man.

The tryouts are hell, the first match ends bloody, and the morning after the selection party she wakes up in the worst place possible—in the arms of the captain of the soccer team. The hottest guy in school. Ryan Hunter.

My Review

Play with Me is a very sweet, very innocent young adult novella about sixteen year old Liza Matthews who is infatuated with her best friend, Tony. The problem is Tony’s got his eyes set on another girl. Although Tony’s feelings don’t mirror Liza’s she’s determined to get his attention. She goes as far as joinging the soccer team just to prove a point. What she doesn’t know is the hottest guy in school Ryan Hunter has his eyes set on her. Oblivious to his feelings she continues vying for Tony’s heart but Ryan becomes a distraction, leaving her unsure of her own feelings. This is a sweet novella. It’s a very quick read that I would recommend to the younger readers or those interested in an innocent young adult romance.

Purchase (FREE on Kindle for all of October):

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About the Author

The quick-and-dirty:
I’m a cool girl with a passion for writing.
The genres you’ll find me hanging out at are contemporary and paranormal YA, but I’m also snooping into some adult paranormal right now. All of them romances…of course.
The nitty-gritty:
I’m an Austrian lass—totally uncomplicated and up to anything fun.
I grew up in Vienna, not by free will but because my parents decided to move there when I was only 4 years old. I. Hated. The. City. Everything about it. So right after graduation I moved back to Upper Austria, where I settled down with a nice husband and an awesome laptop.

I’ve been a storyteller all my life. Already in kindergarten, I came up with the most exotic fantasies and tales. My teacher would call me a liar. I call it the cornerstone of my writing career.
People always told me you can’t make a living with being an author. So when my first novella PLAY WITH ME came out and shot straight to the stars within the first week, I was totally dumbstruck. Took me a while to realize what was happening, LOL.
And the personal stuff:
At the (awesome) age of seventeen, I met the love of my life. But he was a playboy, and I was so not going to be his next trophy. It took him another four years of fighting for me until I finally decided to give that “couple-thing” with him a shot. I’m now married to this man. 😉We have an eleven-year-old son, and together we travel a lot…although I sometimes wish the trips were shorter because I can’t wait to get back to my laptop and my many stories. Unless we’re in Disneyland. No stress to go home then…If you still want to know more about me, my FAQ page is the right address for you. 😉

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Grand Prize Giveaway:

Prize (open internationally)
-A boxed set of PLAY WITH ME and RYAN HUNTER. One book, both stories inside.

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Oct 06 2013

Façade (Games, # 2) Blog Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

Synopsis

No one knows who twenty-one year-old Adrian Westfall is behind his façade. After what he’s done, he deserves to live alone with his pain, even if he’d do anything to forget. Anything for a moment of quiet without his past haunting him.

Eighteen year-old Delaney Cross wants nothing more than to absolve her family from her father’s sins. To keep her suicidal mom off that ledge, and help her brother Maddox get the light back in his eyes. She thinks their road to freedom is through Adrian. Adrian and Delaney are bound together by tragedy… Only Adrian doesn’t know it. As their lives intertwine, they find a solace in each other they never knew existed. Laney knows she needs to tell him-to come out from behind her smoke screen, but to say the words could mean losing him.Two people. Two disguises. True love. Will it be enough to save them when all secrets are bared?

My Review

My first experience reading Nyrae Dawn’s work was when I read the book Charade. It is book one of the Games series and I was hooked. Façade is the second book in the Games series and I am still reeling from the emotional roller coaster ride. Of course Colt and Cheyenne make appearances in Façade, but the book is about Colt’s best friend Adrian and Delaney, the new girl who’s come to town looking for forgiveness only to find she’s falling hard and fast for Adrian, the only one who can unknowingly absolve her. These two tortured souls find solace in one another, but as with any great love story the road is never easy. The secret Delaney harbors is one that could drive a wedge between the two not only breaking her heart, but ultimately shattering Adrian’s world. This book is emotional, raw, sexy and utterly captivating. I found myself crying and not just a tear or two, but those big ugly tears that make you an emotional train wreck. I’ve found this to be the case with both books in this series. I was deeply touched by this story and although I had my suspicions about the direction the book would take. I never imagined how affected I’d be if what I suspected were actually true. I can’t stress enough how much I loved getting to know Adrian and Delaney. Their stories were both beautiful and heartbreaking. Something about Adrian is so deep and all you hope is that he finds a way to heal. Delaney has the biggest heart and you seriously hope these two can weather this storm. This is an excellent follow up to Charade. It was great to see Colt and Cheyenne still going strong and meeting Delaney and Maddox (her brother…who I hope to get better acquainted with in the future). I can’t wait to read Masquerade…yay Maddox’s story!!!

Excellent read…I definitely recommend this to my New Adult/Romance fans! If you haven’t read Charade I also highly recommend that book!!!

Buy it Now:

Excerpt

When I see my sister, Angel, walk over to Ash’s grave I don’t get out of the car. When some guy walks up and grabs her hand, I don’t know who he is and yet, I don’t bother finding out. They hug and I don’t walk over and do the same thing to her. It’s not our thing to stand around having some group, mourning session over the two year-old boy who died too soon.
Nope. This is real life. Not like all the stupid fucking books I read or the movies people watch or the reality shows that couldn’t be farther away from reality.

            Without moving an inch, I watch her. Watch as she sets flowers on Ashton’s grave. As the guy pulls her into a hug. As they kneel on the ground, probably talking to him in a way I’ll never have the balls to do.

            The guy says something to her and then gets up and walks away. I duck further down in my seat, but no one is paying attention to me. He heads back to a little car and waits.

            Angel’s hands go to her face and I know she’s crying in them. Know she’s mourning the loss of Ash, the boy she loved so much. The boy she took care of better than any mom could. I know she sent the guy away because she’s like me and needs to handle shit on her own. Only unlike me, she’ll never run.

            She cries out there for probably thirty minutes. The whole time my chest is tight. Aching. It’s hard to breathe and I want to turn away, but I don’t. I deserve to feel this way and deserve to see this.

            A fist squeezes tighter and tighter around my heart. My face is wet, but I don’t bother to wipe away the tears, either. Real men don’t fucking cry. That’s what dad always said before he hit me in a series of body shots, until I couldn’t stop myself from doing just what he said I shouldn’t do.

            Then he’d beat me harder for being weak.

            Angel’s shoulders are shaking. I can tell from this far away.

            I’m not an idiot. Never have been. I know it wouldn’t make me weak to walk over there and hug her. To hold her and tell her it’ll be okay, but I still won’t do it. What right do I have to try and console her, when I’m the one who destroyed everything?

            When I’m the one who let Ash die?

            So I sit here and watch her, just so I’ll never forget the pain I caused.”

Nyrae Dawn_Photo Credit - Cherished Memories Photography[1]

About the Author:

Writing has always been Nyrae Dawn’s passion. Nyrae gravitates toward character-driven stories. She loves going on emotional journeys with characters whether it be reading or writing. And yes, she’s a total romantic at heart and proud.

Nyrae resides in sunny Southern California with her husband (who still makes her swoon) and her two awesome kids.When she’s not with her family, you can be pretty sure you’ll find her with a book in her hand or her laptop and an open document in front of her. Nyrae also writes adult romance under the name Kelley Vitollo.

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Oct 05 2013

Surrender to Fate Blog Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

Synopsis

Some say fate holds the cards. But what if love deals the hand? No love goes untested. Ever. Indeed, true love is left to prove itself. And that is exactly where fate steps in to play the game.

For William and Sarah, that game begins with growing up, in the unspoiled mountains of Colorado. In a time and space as clear as the Rocky Mountain skies above, these young souls together learn about life, what matters most, what endures, what doesn’t, and about love. Innocent young love moves ever so surely toward lives they both can picture, lives spent loving each other in a place they know so well and cherish.

Will and Sarah are ecstatically swept away in the swells of new love. And it is in their rarefied bliss that they make the fragile promise of first love, a promise that fate will soon rock and pound into doubt, guilt, and epiphany.

Unexpected and unprepared, these young lovers are suddenly torn apart, first by distance, and then by the far greater pressures of temptation that test the very fidelity of their heart-held promise. No longer able to console each other, hold each other, touch each other, they face the inevitable decision: move on to other loves, or cling to the faith that they will someday be together, again.
Will and Sarah stare down an unknown path, sensing destiny will not wait long before it comes to take them. Wracked with doubt, they wonder if their love was real. Caged by guilt, they both feel tempted by others intent on stealing their hearts.

Fate plays hardest when love is tested. And Will and Sarah are no exception, letting go of their happy past to embrace hope for an uncharted future. Love plays hardest when fate tests. And so it is, even through their trials of the heart, Will and Sarah never really stop loving each other. Theirs is a love so real and pure that each just wants the other to find happiness, even if it’s with another.

But fate does not surrender so easily. Dealing blow upon blow, both Will and Sarah are each struck by jolting events that take them to the very edge of life, itself.

Sarah and Will hold tightly to their past, but steadfast promises begin to wane. Life continues, filled with romance, drama, and two souls yearning to understand the challenges brought with coming of age, and learning that fate is ultimately in control. What happens to love when life is on the line? Can they both relinquish control when love is on the line? Will fate even allow them to find out?

My Review:

Surrender to Fate drew me in from the beginning. I kept getting caught up with things in my life while reading this, but every time I tried to put it aside, I would find an excuse to finish another chapter and then another lol. The book isn’t my typical read, but I adored it. I am not usually one for books that take place in this particular time period, but this book drew me in and I could not put it down. The romance between Will and Sarah is sweet and beautiful, but you know something will inevitably draw them apart. Even though I knew it was coming I was incredibly sad when that moment took place, but when Sarah’s new love interest enters the picture I can’t help but like him. I completely hate Will’s love interest and want her to fall off of a cliff. She is conniving and manipulative from the very beginning.

I really was surprised at how much I loved this book…like I said it is not my preferred time period, but this book is incredibly special. The author paints a vivid picture and somehow makes the readers emotions mirror that of the characters. I shared their confusion, their pain, their anger, their joy, their sorrows but most of all their love. I felt every emotion, that is something that is often difficult for an author to accomplish with me as the reader. Jacelyn Rye does a phenomenal job engaging the reader.

Will finding a way back to one another prove impossible? Sarah’s love interest has grown on me…I don’t actually want him to fall off of a cliff lol. I felt like the question I asked myself throughout this book was…is it possible to love two people simultaneously? A big part of me hopes Will and Sarah do keep their promise, that “Me Ware Wo” means more than just words, but so much happens throughout the course of this book that all you can do it question if they’ll actually find a way.

This book made me question so many things, but it is a true example of a coming of age story. Watching these two grow and the decisions they make when faced with a separation like this must be difficult for two young people in love, but is a promise of love enough to keep two people together? Does distance make it easier to forget someone and move on or are you forever etched in their heart. The book took many surprising turns, but I can’t say it is wholly unexpected. I definitely got emotional a few times throughout the book and you will likely share in that reaction. I’m still not sure how I feel about how everything has played out so far, but I think I definitely need book two…and soon…to satiate my curiosity.

I don’t want to give away too much, but expect a cliffhanger…you’ll definitely want to grab the next book in the series to see what happens next! I’d rate this book a solid 4-4.5 stars!

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About the Author

Jacelyn spent her childhood growing up in the mountains of Colorado. After graduating from college, she moved to Southern California, where she still resides with her husband and two young sons.

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Oct 03 2013

Saving Amy Blog Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

Synopsis

Eighteen year old Amy’s surname may be Hope, but her life contains anything but. She drinks, she sleeps around, she cuts… anything to help her escape the agonizing existence growing up between her mother’s drunken wails and her father’s fists. But nothing works. There is no escape. And Amy wants out…

Enter Richard Lewis – the doctor responsible for saving Amy’s life after her drink and drug-fuelled suicide attempt. Thanks to his own hidden demons, Richard is drawn to Amy and her situation, and despite the incessant warnings from both his own mind and his jealous ex-lover Joanna, he feels compelled to help her.

But how will Amy feel when she discovers Richard’s attachment to her is born out of his own guilt? He was her last resort – her last chance at being saved. Can anybody save Amy, or has she finally reached the end of a very long, torturous road?

(Not recommended for younger readers due to language, scenes of self-harm and sexual content)

My Review

I’ll save you a repeat synopsis and say Saving Amy was a pretty intense read for me. It was heartbreaking and beautiful. This book has a lot of incredibly dark moments that made me fear for Amy’s life and well being. A lot of the choices she made early on shocked me, but they also let me know I was in for one hell of a ride.

Amelia Hope is all out of hope until the day she wakes up in Richard Lewis’ bed. Her world irrevocably changes from that day forward. Amy splits leaving his home and disappearing back to her hell of a world thinking she’ll never see him again. She continues on a destructive path that forces their worlds to collide.

Saving Amy isn’t just about Amy finding redemption, but Richard finding his own. Their need to save one another is where the beauty lies in this book. As hard as some moments are for each of them, they continue to find ways to help one another by offering constant support when guilt, fear or the pain of the past become too much to bear. The road isn’t easy for these two but well worth the read. Prepare yourselves for a very emotional ride. The book took a few surprising twists and turns but the end result was a beautifully put together masterpiece.

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About the Author

Nicola lives in Rochdale, England with her husband and four children (and dog!). She is the author of two stand alone novels, Inevitable and Saving Amy, and is currently having fun working on her first series with book one, Take My Hand, to be released in October. When not reading or writing Nicola can usually be found carrying out her daily slave duties – cleaning, feeding the mob, cleaning a bit more etc… or watching The Twilight Saga for the fifty-billionth time 🙂

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Oct 02 2013

Mystery Book Revealed…My Book Review of Genna Rulon’s Only For You (For You Series #1)

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

“In its purest form love is self-sacrificing, eternal, selfless, enduring, truthful, forgiving and indulgent. It also feels an awful lot like a kick to the stomach when you try to fight it!”

All Everleigh Carsen wanted to do was complete her final semester at Hensley University and begin the life she carefully planned.

When a wave of violent crime seizes campus, Everleigh is persuaded to attend a school sponsored self-defense seminar by her best friend, where she meets volunteer instructor, Hunter Charles. After Everleigh’s biting sarcasm induces Hunter to eject her from class, a tempestuous relationship is born.

Everleigh is determined to forget the striking man, but fate—that fickle shrew—continuously intervenes. Unable to escape him, she declares Hunter an enemy combatant. The only complication…Hunter is resolutely pursuing vindication…by any means necessary. Verbal warfare ensues, and despite Everleigh’s ingenious efforts, in Hunter, she has finally found her equal.

Only For You is a compelling tale of friendship, desire, and redemption—brimming with intelligent characters, witty dialogue, unexpected twists, profound sorrow, unfettered hope, and love’s unassailable perseverance.

My Review

For those of you that follow me on Facebook, I made a comment on Monday night about a book that I read that is amazing. If you didn’t catch the comment it was…

“Holy shit you guys I just read an amazing book and the review will be up this week!!!! Omg! I’m, I’m, I’m speechless…..”

I later followed up my comment with this photo:

Although for me, I was experiencing emotional trauma at the hands of my kindle…

I know, it was wrong of me not to share the details (title/author), but I felt I needed a moment to absorb the weight of the book and express myself in a way that did justice to how amazing this book is.

I guess I should actually mention the book is Genna Rulon’s debut novel Only For You and it is a fantastic debut!

There is always one book that absolutely blows your mind when you finish, you sit back for a moment to reflect but all you can think is…”wow.” After reading Genna Rulon’s Only For You I must say it left me speechless. I was completely taken by surprise. The book was so unlike anything I could have imagined. I’m not saying it was the storyline that got to me, rather it was the authors language, her use of wit, sarcasm and even the general sense of intelligence through her writing. I actually discussed with her briefly via email how a lot of new adult books were beginning to disinterest me as too many had similar plots and even dialogue. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a die hard fan of new adult books but I am at a point where I read so many books a week that when I read an ARC or even a book I purchase of my own accord it needs to completely blow me away for me to seriously consider it great. I found a gem amongst stones in Only For You. This book is unique in plot, dialogue, and it completely shocked the hell out of me. I am usually very good at figuring out how a book will end or what direction it will go in about midway through reading I usually figure it all out…sometimes earlier. This book took so many turns it was difficult to know where it would end and my jaw dropped close to the end at some revelations that were made. I was suspicious of ever person in this book at one point or another. I won’t be giving away any spoilers, but it ended beautifully and made me scream that I’ll have to wait until December for the next installment.

This book is a complex blend of romance, mystery, friendship and anguish. There are moments that will have you cackling while other moments will leave you in tears, though I may have actually laughed so hard it brought me to tears. The blooming friendship/romance, witty dialogue, inner monologues and suspicions will have you holding your breath and leave your heart racing. I experienced all of these emotions while reading Only For You. You may have a similar experience, you may experience only one or two of the above-mentioned emotions but you certainly will have a rather emotional experience after reading this book.

Only For You is it’s classified as a new adult book but I firmly believe it could fall outside of the romance genre to bordering mystery, suspense and even sociology/abuse. The book was REAL. I mean it had some really raw, really fucked up moments that made you want to cry out for the people afflicted. I certainly cried but I also laughed so much while reading this book. The witty banter between characters is unmatched to any book I’ve ever read and I have read some hilarious books, but this one took the cake winning my nomination for wittiest, most sarcastic dialogue….

Only For You provided a moment of sheer bliss for me…ok maybe more than a moment. I adored this book. I seriously devoured it and I want seconds!!! It is an experience I am still reeling from. I loved the main characters and can’t wait for the follow-up. There are so many stories I want to hear and I am so smitten over Hunter and Griffin! I’ve officially slutted myself out to them mentally! Yeah that’s right they don’t call me Book Whore for no reason! Genna…I want more…no, I need more!!!!

With that said, Only For You is probably one of the best new adult books I’ve read to date. I give it 5 stars, 2 thumbs up, 10 fingers and toes lol. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a suspenseful romance with twists, turns and some heartache along the way while leaving you with an ending that will make your jaw drop, your heart smile and your stomach flutter. I actually think I am going to read it again having discovered a few things…I may notice even more the second time around!

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

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Quotes from Only For You:

“When someone tells you something about themselves don’t want to hear—believe them.”

“You’re going to listen to me, and for once you’re going to hear what I say and not read between lines that aren’t there.”

“I was a fool, alone, preparing to do what every fool did at such times—I was going to a bar to drink myself smart.”

“He had a skull and crossbones label on him, but I drank his poison nevertheless and loved it; now I needed an antidote.”

“If you don’t remember your value, no one else will. Don’t ever settle, Ev. You’re far too precious a treasure to squander.”

“You’ll continue to be a bitch no matter what, but I’m glad you aren’t a callous, self-absorbed one.”

“I stepped off the merry-go-round for a reason. It made me dizzy and I kept ending up in the same spot. It may have been fun for a short ride, but was never headed anywhere.”

“Jose had loosened my tongue; curse him, the ninety proof bastard.”

“We played hot potato with my heart—me throwing it to him, him tossing it back to me. Every time the music stopped, I was always the one holding the bruised organ, out of the game.”

About the Author:

After 15 years in the corporate world, Genna, an avid reader, fantasized about penning her own stories. Encouraged by the success of her favorite authors, many of whom are self-published, she committed to pursuing her aspirations.

Genna was raised in Long Island, New York, where she still resides, surrounded by the most extraordinary family and friends. Married to a wonderful man, who patiently tolerates her ramblings about whichever book she is currently working on (he even feigns interest relatively convincingly). Genna is blessed with two little boys who do their best to thwart mommy’s writing time with their hilarious antics and charming extrapolations.

All of Genna’s novels are brought to you courtesy of coffee and Disney Junior.

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The second book in the series, Pieces For You (For You Series #2), is scheduled to be released in December 2013.

Sep 28 2013

A Perfect Mess (A Perfect Secret Series, #1) Blog Tour & Review

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

Release date: August 19, 2013
Publisher: Blue Moon Creative, LLC (self)

Synopsis
I know what you did last summer.
Aubree Walker, the perfect girl most likely to succeed, is sure there’s only one person who knows what she did.
Booker Outlaw, one of the three Outlaw brothers—all identical, all gorgeous, all from the wrong side of the tracks, and all pure bad boys. He was always the unpredictable one, the one who would be brash enough to make it big self-publishing horror novels on the internet. He promised never to tell, but everyone knows you can never trust an Outlaw.
Then a year later, in the middle of the night, she receives a phone call at Tulane. Her aunt, who took her in after her mother’s death, is in a coma under suspicious circumstances. Now she has to face that one person who knows all about what she did that summer—sexy Booker.
Returning to Hope Parish to be with her aunt, stirs up all those ugly memories. When Aubree starts getting threats, she can’t help but wonder if what she did last summer was tied to her aunt’s “accident.” Afraid, she turns to the only person who knows the truth and Booker doesn’t hesitate to offer his broad shoulder for her to lean on. But Booker has a secret of his own that could crush their fledgling relationship.
As the hot, sultry summer days move on, she finds that even a perfectly smart girl can lose her heart to a perfectly bad boy. What is she going to do when someone starts asking questions Aubree doesn’t want to answer? She’s knee deep into a terribly dangerous, wholly life changing, who-can-she-really-depend-on perfect mess.

Review

Aubree Walker has walked away from her life in Suttontowne, LA. She leaves for college attempting to drown out the memories of life before Tulane. She engulfs herself in her studies and work to avoid her life back home, carefully hiding behind the perfect life she’s built. Aubree makes excuse upon excuse to avoid returning home, but when an accident occurs involving her beloved aunt she must travel home for the first time in nine months. Nine months that she’s dreaded returning for fear of seeing him and facing what was done…Booker Outlaw, town bad boy, one third of “the unholy trinity” and the one who has undeniably stolen Aubree’s heart. The fear of facing him after the secret they share is overwhelming but when she comes face to face with Booker himself there’s no denying she’s in trouble.

Booker Outlaw has been smitten by Aubree Walker for as long as he can remember. She’s been placed in a category all her own. She’s so high on a pedestal that he can see no wrong when it comes to her, but he’s not the only one with a secret. Aubree has been hiding something from Booker for years. A secret she fears will change the way Booker sees her for good. She’s sure it will break him and what they’ve been working towards…whatever this is between them. Aubree has run from her feelings for him for so long that when things start to spiral out of control her world becomes a mess. She knows he is it for her, her perfect man, the one that will set the bar so high that no one will ever meet or exceed her expectations. He’s the one she’s waited for but is she ready to admit it to herself, to Booker? Aubree is far from perfect but maybe, just maybe, this life is her perfect.

This book is a splendid mix of romance, mystery and suspense. I loved Booker Outlaw and his brothers or “the unholy trinity” as they’ve been deemed. They’re sort of the band of misfits in a town that feeds off of rumors and gossip. Aubree sees past the town rumors, she sees the good in Booker and his brothers. Set in the deep south and filled with southern drawl and cajun dialect, this book will leave you completely satisfied yet wishing for more. I am eagerly awaiting the release of the second book in this series!

About the Author
Zoe Dawson is the alter ego of Karen Anders, award winning, multi-published author. Her writing journey started with poetry and branched out into fiction. With a couple of college English courses under her belt, she penned a historical, then moved onto contemporary romance fiction. Today, she is happy producing romantic suspense, romantic comedy/mystery, new adult, urban fantasy. The words feed her soul and the happily ever afters feed her heart.

Sep 24 2013

In Harmony Blog Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 7 Comments

From New York Times bestselling author Helena Newbury, the second in the Fenbrook Academy series.
A self-contained romance with no cliffhanger ending!

Everyone expects her to succeed…
Karen plays the cello like an angel, and it’s the only thing that makes her truly feel alive. But her father’s dream—for her to join a prestigious orchestra—leaves no time in her life for anything but music…not even love. Trapped on her path, she doesn’t know how to rebel.

Everyone expects him to fail…
Connor plays rock guitar like the devil himself, and his ability has got him all the way from a dead-end life in Belfast to a scholarship at Fenbrook Academy. But beneath his arrogance and charm, he doesn’t believe he has what it takes. He’s spent his time in New York drinking and partying, and the only future he sees is a return to Ireland as soon as he flunks out.

But what no one expects…
When Karen’s duet partner is injured, the bad boy guitarist and the shy, sheltered cellist are forced to team up. Neither likes the idea, but what begins as anger and distrust slowly spirals into love…and lust. If they can face up to their feelings, they might just have a chance together. If Connor will allow Karen to stop his fall, maybe he can show her a life she never thought possible…

This New Adult Romance is recommended for readers 17+ due to adult themes and sexual scenes.

Review

Bad boy rocker meets shy/geeky cellist! I loved it! Who doesn’t love a good bad boy romance? First of all, I really enjoyed Dance for Me and In Harmony continues following the Fenbrook family, moving on to Karen’s story (Natasha’s pal) and bad boy IRISH rocker Connor! ::Excuse me while I swoon:::

If you haven’t read Dance for Me…don’t fret, it isn’t necessary to follow this story as they are each stand alone BUT I strongly recommend reading both as you’ll have a greater understanding of the relationships.

Karen’s desire to be a concert cellist has driven her to spend all of her waking moments practicing. She’s dedicated and determined but to what extent is she living the neatly carved path her father has made for her. She’s wanted this for as long as she can remember. Now that she is in her senior year she’s that much closer, but knowing her final performance of the year will possibly solidify a career with the NY Philharmonic she’s obsessed with perfection. With Karen’s duet partner injured, her chances with the Philharmonic seem less likely but her graduation depends on this performance, with graduation at risk the only possible solution comes in the form of an Irish bad boy rocker Connor Locke. Can she convince him that with his help the deal will be mutually beneficial? Let’s just say things begin to get complicated. Karen’s life is neatly carved out for her but she puts pressure on herself determined to deliver nothing but a perfect performance. She starts to envy Connor’s laid back, care free spirit and while she’s never been interested in dating or having a boyfriend Connor is filling her world with color.

I have to be honest (as if I could be anything but haha). I actually liked this book more than I did Dance for Me. I was drawn in to this relationship in a greater way than I had been with Dance for Me. Both books are well written, sexy and sweet but this one is more believable to me. The romance progressed in an interesting manner. Things shifted from confusion to lust to love. I felt the relationship in Dance for Me developed rather quickly BUT I still love Darrell and Natasha! Now Connor….something about an Irish rocker appeals to me! The accent, the edginess, the mystery. This book has it all and I recommend this to all New Adult/Romance fans. I can’t wait for more from this author.

Excerpt:

“Let’s dance.” Suddenly, his other arm was around my waist.
“What? No, wait –”

He pulled me close and I yelped. Suddenly my body was pressed against his, the heat of his body shocking through my thin dress. I could feel the hard wall of his abs against my stomach and I tried to speak, but I couldn’t seem to get any air. I was dimly aware that the band were playing a slow number, and a few couples had drifted back onto the floor around us, but we still seemed to be very much the center of attention.

“I can’t dance,” I squeaked.
“You’re doing fine.” We were barely moving, just a few steps in each direction as we turned slowly around. But even that was hazardous in my ridiculous heels, and I staggered and had to hang onto his arm to stay upright. It felt as solid as iron, and I was reminded of how he’d caught me on the steps. He was even stronger than he looked.
Unfortunately, not even he could make me a better dancer. I recovered, but kept tripping over my own feet, my face going red as I felt everyone looking. “Connor–“

And then he pulled me even closer to him and lifted me, my shoes just leaving the floor. He swept me round without appparent effort, and without my stumbling it actually looked good. “Better?” he asked.
I was panting. The whole length of my body seemed to be molded to his. His broad chest was pressed against my breasts, and the touch of him there was making my nipples rise and harden despite me willing them not to. His arm around my waist meant that my groin was mashed to his, and I was uncomfortably aware of the hardness I could feel along the inside of his thigh, and the effect it was having on my own body–a dark, twisting heat inside me that I could already feel turning to moisture. This is Connor, for God’s sake! What’s the matter with me?

I looked up at him, helpless. I expected him to be smirking, or outright chuckling at me. I thought he’d make some crude comment, but what I saw in his eyes took my breath away.

He looked just as helpless as me.”

About the Author

Helena Newbury is a New Adult Romance author with a love of bakingly hot summer days, strawberry gelato, good coffee and interesting people. Unlike the characters in her books, Helena cannot dance, act or play anything (though she is substantially more flexible since she started writing Dance For Me and tried doing dancer’s stretches, so she’s hoping that something will rub off on her from each book).
Helena writes in a very noisy, very busy coffee shop which means she sometimes end up mainlining caffeine to keep her seat. You’ll know when this happens because she’ll still be on Twitter that night at 4am.
She loves meeting and talking with other authors, traveling to new places and discovering new books. You can find her on:

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Sep 21 2013

I Rize by S.T. Anthony Book Review

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

First of all I need to acknowledge how amazing this book cover is. I ordered this book on Amazon a while back and the cover is what actually enticed me. I was curious to know what the book was about so I read the synopsis and downloaded the book. I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed this unique book. It is a very short read but it covers a very real problem today — Bullying. What I liked the most was that the author gave multiple perspectives. She went from bullied, to best friend, to parent, to love interest, to bully and back. It covered a wide range of issues that any person can relate to whether they’re fifteen or fifty. I truly loved that about this book. I spent a lot of time psycho analyzing characters because…well, that’s just something I do, but this book was written in a way where you could play devil’s advocate by understanding their own issues yet you could easily dislike them or feel absolutely no sympathy for them even through their own struggles. I’d rate this read at a 3.5-3.8. I enjoyed the style of writing as it is poetic but I would have loved a full length novel. I could actually see this YA book used in schools as a required reading. It would be a good pick.