Articles

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 10 2013

Riptides: A Lengths Novella (LENGTHS #4.5) Exclusive Excerpt

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

Release Date: October 15, 2013

RIPTIDES Synopsis:

Enzo Rodriguez doesn’t take much seriously–unless it involves waves, boards, or good beer. When too-hot-to-handle Jessica Mills strolls into his life, Enzo is willing to forego all of those things for every second he can spend with her. But Jessica has a huge secret–and when it’s revealed, it not only crushes Enzo, but has the last person he wants to ask a favor of–his brother-in-law Adam–bailing him out of jail. Enzo is convinced that the only way to mend his bruised ego and heart, is to pack his bags and leave the turbulent waters of Silver Strand…for good.

Exclusive Excerpt

I pull her into my arms and, now that we’re done talking, we keep ourselves busy with other things. Like stripping each other naked.

“What if I get another customer?” Jess asks, her breath skipping and her words stuttering. “What if someone comes to the door?”

“Want me to lock up?” I offer.

“You’re naked, Enzo,” she giggles, gazing down at my body appreciatively. I’m glad I’ve been able to work less and surf more lately, even if she did call me a bum for it. “The entire front of the store is plate glass.”

“I have zero body issues.” I hold my arms out at my sides. “Give me the keys.”

She chews on that lower lip. “I don’t think anyone is coming. Don’t worry about it.”

“Ah. You’re afraid other ladies might get a glimpse? Storm the place?” I nod. “Want to keep me trapped back here in your…love bakery?”

Her laugh rings out. “You’re ridiculous. But, since you’re in my bakery, I should probably do a little work on you.”

“A little work?” I watch her saunter to the fridge and rifle around.

Author Bios:

Steph Campbell grew up in Southern California, but now calls the Northeast home. She has one husband, four children and a serious nail polish obsession.

She’s repped by Kevan Lyon at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.Steph’s works include Delicate, Grounding Quinn and Beautiful Things Never Last; My Heart for Yours and My Fate for Yours (with Jolene Perry); A Toast to the Good Times (with Liz Reinhardt) and the bestselling new adult LENGTHS series with Liz Reinhardt: Lengths, Depths, Limits and coming soon: Riptides & Drift.

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—

Liz Reinhardt was born and raised in the idyllic beauty of northwest NJ. A move to the subtropics of coastal Georgia with her daughter and husband left her with a newly realized taste for the beach and a bloated sunscreen budget. Right alongside these new loves is her old, steadfast affection and longing for bagels and the fast-talking foul mouths of her youth.She loves Raisinettes, even if they aren’t really candy, the Oxford comma, movies that are hilarious or feature zombies, any and all books, but especially romance (the smarter and hotter, the better), the sound of her daughter’s incessantly wise and entertaining chatter, and watching her husband work on cars in the driveway.She is the author of the Brenna Blixen series (Double Clutch, Junk Miles, Slow Twitch), the Youngblood series (Fall Guy, Perfectly Unmatched), and co-writes with the awesome Steph Campbell in the Lengths series (Lengths, Depths, Limits, Ties, Riptides).

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Oct 09 2013

Say When (Something More #1) Blog Tour

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: 1 Comment

Publication date: July 19th 2013

Synopsis:

He told me to say when, but I can’t. Not with Andrés. It’s so hard to say anything when he’s trailing feather soft kisses down my neck, or when his touch sends hot currents of lust rippling across my skin.

Then there’s the way he smiles and offers soft words of encouragement when I’m creating art, almost like he believes I have talent.

He’s not like any guy I’ve ever met. Not like my ex-fiancée. Not like my father. He’s got me thinking that maybe we can have something more. More than just lust, degradation, and abuse.

And now I’m scared, because that means I’ll have to trust him with more than just my body, but with my heart, too.

Christina Duval

Excerpt

“So it’s your birthday?”

            I gasp as I look up to see Andrés standing between two dilapidated candy shelves. How had I not noticed he’d come into the store? He walks forward, his boots clicking on the grimy tiles. He slants a smile at me as he joins me inside the beer fortress.

            “Yeah.” I shrug, feeling the blush creep into my cheeks and unable to do anything about it. Mechanic or not, the boy is smokin’ hot. Images of random stranger sex flash through my mind.

            “Happy birthday, Christina,” he says. I love the way my name rolls off his tongue and sends a ripple of heat across my skin, like pouring warm chocolate fudge over cool vanilla ice cream .

            “How’d you know my name?” I ask as my pulse quickens. I also love that he says my entire name and not some made-up shortcut. Christina. Not Teenie, Tina, or Christy, I think. The name on my birth certificate. The name I wish everyone would call me.

            His smile widens, revealing two perfectly white rows of teeth. “I heard your friend call you Christina. It’s a beautiful name.”

            “Thanks.” Even though I consider myself a relatively fun loving person, my smile feels contrived. That’s when I realize I’m in trouble. This guy unnerves me. I force myself to break eye contact, missing his warm chocolate gaze almost instantly. I focus on the first thing that catches my eye, his gleaming silver belt buckle.

            This is a very bad idea, because my gaze instinctively travels lower, and I notice the bulge beneath his zipper. Despite the fact that my back is chilled from the refrigerated wine section behind me, I feel a bead of sweat on my temple.

            “This isn’t the best side of town,” Andrés says to me, in a voice that carries a note of concern.

            I pull my gaze from his crotch and nod. My head bobbles maybe a bit too hard, and I feel like my brain is stuck in an earthquake. “I know.”

            “I’ll wait with you until your friend gets here.” He takes a seat on a beer display, never taking his gaze off me.

            The chill from the fridge causes me to shiver. My nipples feel so hard, they could probably cut glass. I resist the urge to look down and confirm it. I realize they’re probably already poking through my lacy bra and sheer dress fabric. Knowing Andrés is getting an eye-full mortifies and excites me at the same time. Still, modesty forces me to cross my arms over my chest.

            “She was at Dylan’s,” I say, trying to sound casual and not all hot and bothered, “so it shouldn’t take long.”

            “That’s where I was going,” he says as he motions toward his boots. “Maybe I’ll see you there.”

            Weird, how just a few moments ago, I didn’t feel like celebrating anymore. Now I’m thinking about dancing with Andrés at Dylan’s. I’m not a very skilled dancer, but I can follow someone else’s lead if I have a good enough partner. I wonder if Andrés is a good dancer. I wonder how it would feel to have his rough denim pressing against me.

            My knees wobble at the thought. I look down at my stupid stilettos and realize I’m not dressed for dancing.

            “I don’t have my boots,” I say as my lip turns down in a pout.

            “We’ll slow dance. Come on, Christina.” My name slides off his tongue in a sensual purr. “It’s your birthday.” He jumps down from the beer display and bridges the distance between us in a few easy strides.

            Having Andrés this near me sends a jolt straight up my spine. My flesh buzzes and I feel it all the way to the core of my body. He smells like leather and spice, and right now the only dancing I want to do with Andrés is between the sheets.

Purchase:

About the Author

A former Texas high school teacher, I enjoyed coaching the writing team and even the hectic deadlines that came with running the school publications. After taking a break to raise my baby girl, I now work from home as a cover artist.
In my spare time, I loves to read, exercise and spend time with family and friends. I contribute the cover art for my Whispers Series and have designed covers for over 500 other books.

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Grand Prize Giveaway
Prize (open internationally): a 50$ Amazon Gift Card

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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!!!

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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 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.

Buy the Book:

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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.

Oct 01 2013

HER Cover Reveal (Carey Heywood)

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

Release Date: October 26, 2013
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Synopsis

You know her side of the story, now learn his.

“It was useless. I felt branded beneath my skin by a girl who left without even saying goodbye.”

When Will Price was assigned a partner for a sixth grade class project he had no idea she would become his best friend. After years of friendship, she eventually became so much more. Then, one day she left with no explanation.

Will’s life shattered right before his eyes and he was left alone to pick up the pieces. Floundering, Will must figure out a way to carry on, to find a way to exist without her.

Seven years later, a chance encounter leaves him desperate to get her back. He has one week to make her his again. Not everyone gets a second chance with the love of their life and Will is determined to never lose her again.

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. I make up stuff and write it down. Here are some things that make up who I am, in no particular order; Books, Swedish Fish, Rivers, Kids (I have some), Husband (I have 1), Dog, Wuss, Reader, Elephants, Mermaid Shows, Belgian Chocolate, Plastic Rings, Fizzy Water, Abs (I don’t have them…well yes, I have them but they’re nothing to look at I meant Abs that I like to look at), Twitter (@careylolo), Making up Words, Chair Dancing, Old Movies, Cartoons, Belgian Waffles, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, People, Kayaks, Screen Porches, Laughing, Colored Paperclips, Junky Green Laptop, Golden Rule, Falling in Love, Jumping in Puddles, Spellcheck, Windy Days.

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Purchase book one of the HIM series

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Sep 29 2013

Take It Off Series Tour featuring Author Playlist

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

Synopsis

f you can’t take the heat… stay away from the flame.

Katie Parks has been on her own since the age of fifteen. All she’s ever wanted is a place to call her own—a life that is wholly hers that no one can take away. She thought she finally had it, but with the strike of a single match, everything she worked so hard for is reduced to a pile of smoking ash. And she almost is too.

Now she’s being stalked by someone who’s decided it’s her time to die. The only thing standing in the path of her blazing death is sexy firefighter Holt Arkain.

Katie’s body might be safe with Holt… but her heart is another story.

As the danger heats up, sparks fly and the only thing Katie knows for sure is that her whole life is about to go up in flames.

Buy Torch Now:

TORCH PLAYLIST

I have a confession to make. I don’t listen to music when I write. I know. I’m super boring. I don’t listen to music because then I end up singing along, dancing in my panties and typing the words instead of actually writing the story.

That’s not really good for business and my children are traumatized every time I dance in my panties. (Oh please, you know you do it too).

Oh that and the fact that when I do listen to music its usually from Disney because thats what my kids want to hear! Save me now!!!!

So, this playlist isn’t really what I listened to while I wrote TORCH, because I listened to nothing.

But these are a few songs I think would go great with the book!

#1 Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys

#2 Stronger by Kelly Clarkson

#3 It’s My Life by Bon Jovi – a tribute to firefighters

#4 Tip of my Tongue by Civil Wars

#5 Bruno Mars – It will Rain

#6 Strip Me by Natasha Bedingfield

#7 Adele- Set Fire to the Rain

So those are some of the songs I think goes well with Torch! Have you read TORCH? What do you think?

Synopsis

You can look, but you can’t touch…

Harlow is a broke college student. When her tuition assistance is taken away, she is faced with a choice: admit to her mother she couldn’t hack it on her own or make a lot of money fast.

So she gets a good-paying job.

As a stripper.

She thought it would be easy, but it turn out being sexy is a lot harder than she thought. When a few mishaps work in her favor, she manages to hang on to her job and catch the eye of the Mad Hatter’s best-looking bartender, Cam.

She’s also caught the eye of someone who wants to do more than look, someone who’s decided she’s nothing but a tease.

As the clothes come off, Harlow finds herself caught between list and murder, The only thing she knows for sure is that her new risqué job is a lot more than she bargained for.

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TEASE PLAYLIST

These are a few songs I think would go great with Tease:

#1 Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard

#2 Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye

#3 I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred (you just LOL’ed didn’t you?)

#4 Fire by the Pointer Sisters

#5 Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

#6 Slave for You by Britney Spears

So what about you? What songs do you think would be good for a stripper book? LOL

About the Author

Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series, the new adult Death Escorts series, and the new adult Take it Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com

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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 27 2013

Just Once Cover Reveal

Author: Bibliowhore • Discussion: No Comments

by Julianna Keyes and Omnific Publishing

Releasing October 29, 2013

Kate Burke is done making bad decisions. Thirty years old and belatedly determined to grow up, the successful travel writer and one-time party girl returns to work at the remote Ponderosa Pines Ranch to reassess her life.

Although her kitchen/cabin staff is lacking and the workload never relents, Kate’s main challenge is Shane Maddox, the ruggedly handsome and doggedly stubborn ranch foreman. Instantly at odds, they battle over everything from ceiling fans to bothersome bats—studiously ignoring the sparks they generate with each confrontation.

They can’t explain their explosive physical chemistry, but after a few frustrated weeks they can’t deny it either. Their solution? Just once. They’ll get past their inconvenient lust and move on.

Kate’s been trying to think with her head instead of her hormones, but is this just another bad decision in a lifetime of careless choices? Has she really changed at all?

Set in the striking and serene hills of southern Colorado, Julianna Keyes’ debut novel offers a sizzling and satisfying tale of unexpected chemistry and the power of second chances. Her characters will get under your skin and into your heart. Just once may not be enough for you either.

About the Author

Julianna Keyes is a Canadian writer who has lived on both coasts and several places in between. She’s been skydiving, bungee jumping, and white water rafting, but nothing thrills—or terrifies—her as much as the blank page. She has volunteered in Zambia, taught English in China, and dreams of seeing pink dolphins in the Amazon. This is her first book.