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Book Review: It Happens All The Time by Amy Hatvany

ABOUT THE BOOK:
From master storyteller Amy Hatvany—whose writing has been hailed as “gripping and emotionally honest” (Stephanie Evanovich, New York Times bestselling author)—comes a provocative and compelling novel about two friends whose lives are changed by a drunken kiss.
I want to rewind the clock, take back the night when the world shattered. I want to erase everything that went wrong.
Amber Bryant and Tyler Hicks have been best friends since they were teenagers—trusting and depending on each other through some of the darkest periods of their young lives. And while Amber has always felt that their relationship is strictly platonic, Tyler has long harbored the secret desire that they might one day become more than friends.
Returning home for the summer after her college graduation, Amber begins spending more time with Tyler than she has in years. Despite the fact that Amber is engaged to her college sweetheart, a flirtation begins to grow between them. One night, fueled by alcohol and concerns about whether she’s getting married too young, Amber kisses Tyler.
What happens next will change them forever.
In alternating points of view, It Happens All the Time examines the complexity of sexual dynamics between men and women and offers an incisive exploration of gender roles, expectations, and the ever-timely issue of consent.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amy Hatvany is the author of Best Kept SecretOutside the LinesThe Language of SistersHeart Like Mine, and Safe with Me. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her family.

 

FIND AMY ONLINE:
Website   |    Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram   

 

 


 

Book Review 

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

Without sharing too much of the content, I will give a trigger warning that it deeply explores the process of consent and rape culture. The author does provide a very solid and meaningful warning at the beginning of the book, but I felt it necessary to provide another.

 

Wow. Talk about intense. This weighed on my heart, but I respect Amy Hatvany’s initiative for writing a book about such a sensitive topic, but also in such a unique way. It is powerful.  I have a vested interest in this topic as my background is in crisis and trauma counseling and I work with college students who have had similar experiences. Believe it or not understanding consent is one of the most difficult things to convey to college students. While everyone knows the word, a true understanding without casting doubt, self-blame or understanding drug facilitated assault and what that means for consent is incredibly relevant – not only to college aged individuals, but for anyone who has had an experience invalidated by another or questioned. Obviously with fiction there are elements that are inaccurate or biased. This book not only paints a very real picture of ones experience and the complexity of opposing viewpoints, but it also acknowledges several facets of the societal norms and constraints that box in or compartmentalize individuals experiences. Gender roles and expectations play an integral role in the content of this book, but there are so many layers to what Hatvany is trying to convey. 
 
While I applaud Amy Hatvany for her understanding and portrayal of a very difficult topic, there were moments where I felt individuals in the characters lives violated that sense of consent and empowerment. So I’m extremely torn on my thoughts about the language used at times. Keeping in mind that anyone who has a support system in place would likely have individuals in their lives that want them to tell. For me, there were situations in the book that produced feelings of anger as I felt the language used at times was a bit less supportive and more coercive. I did remind myself that this is a work of fiction and that in real life, family and friends often feel helpless and want to support, without always knowing how. The author did a great job creating those dynamics while allowing the main characters the space to grow and their own stories to develop.  I believe it is crucial for someone who has been through a trauma to reclaim power and autonomy. Their decisions should be their own and not influenced by the thoughts or views of others. You will experience that in this book, there is a sort of reclaiming and redemption aspect that make this a significant yet heartbreaking experience for the reader.

 

This is a heavy read, I cried at several points, but I will say the depth of these experiences is well worth exploring. It Happens All the Time is a book that is truly necessary as it accurately captures thoughts, feelings and behaviors of individuals who have experienced trauma. It may be triggering for some, but cathartic for others. I would highly suggest knowing your limit before reading, but perhaps leaning into your discomfort to understand a view you may have never considered. It may also make you connect to thoughts, feelings or views you’ve experienced or shared. While I can’t say the author intended to have the reader sympathize with individuals in the book, what she did was humanize them and that to me was incredibly powerful despite my very strong beliefs about consent and victim blaming. I was affected and I know any reader who picks this book up will have a strong reaction to the content. I appreciate the way she built the foundation of the relationships of everyone involved and how anyone can relate to having individuals like this in their lives without ever knowing they might be the victim or even worse a perpetrator. This is a book I’d recommend to all readers, not just women!

IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME by Amy Hatvany
Atria Books Hardcover | ISBN: 9781476704456 | On sale: March 28, 2017 | 320 pages | $26.00
Atria Books eBook | ISBN: 9781476704463 | On sale: March 28, 2017 | 320 pages | $11.99
ORDER NOW ON:
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Resources for Survivors or Loved Ones

RAINN Online Hotline – Free & Confidential – Available 24 hours/7 days a week
National Sexual Assault Hotline  –  Call 1-800-656-4673 – Available 24 hours/7 days a week
1 in 6 (Support for Men who have experienced sexual abuse)
Darkness to Light (Service for Child Sexual Abuse)
Understanding Consent
How to Help a Loved One

 

Book Review: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

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IT ENDS WITH US

BY COLLEEN HOOVER

 

“Colleen Hoover reminds readers that love is a fragile thing, built from courage, hope, and tears. Every person with a heartbeat should read this book.”
– Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling author

 

Visit www.ItEndsWithUsBook.com for teasers, tour dates and more.

ABOUT IT ENDS WITH US:
Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.
Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.
As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened. 
With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. Combining a captivating romance with a cast of all-too-human characters, It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of SlammedThis GirlPoint of RetreatHopelessLosing HopeFinding CinderellaMaybe SomedayUgly LoveMaybe Not, and Confess. She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. Please visit ColleenHoover.com

 

 

FIND COLLEEN ONLINE: 
Website   |   Facebook   |   Twitter   |   Instagram

 


Book Review

 

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

Wow. I feel like I preface every Colleen Hoover review with that simple word yet it’s generally the best way I can describe how I feel immediately following my “CoHoma” (aka the Colleen Hoover induced haze/shock that immediately follows reading one of her books). This was super complex and deeply personal. I cried a lot of ugly tears…mostly toward the latter part of the book, but definitely not surprising because her books always get to me somehow. I don’t know this woman, I’ve never met her, I know her the way most readers do, through her words and let me tell you if you follow anything about her, you’ll know just how kind and generous she seems. Reading this book made me feel as though I knew a deeper part of her and it may sound weird, but I saw some of the best in her through this one book. She manages to make you question everything you ever think you knew by simply making her characters so human. You fall in love with them, you take journeys with them, your heart is sometimes broken by their actions, but in the end you have a better understanding of not only them, but yourself. This is what It Ends With Us does to the reader, it allows you to not only engage in a wonderfully complex journey, but it also makes you do some soul searching.

 

I’ve followed her work since Slammed and have been an avid fan ever since, I go through the same process with every release…asking questions like, “is this my new Colleen favorite?” and then grunting or sighing because I know rating or ranking any of her work is pointless because everything she writes is golden. There has never been a bad Colleen Hoover book and I’m convinced there never will be. Her books are generally very poignant, thought provoking, usually witty and always ; her characters are perfectly flawed, they have depth and their stories generally shock you into a “CoHoma” (this is my new word and I’m sticking to it because her books are spellbinding). It Ends With Us is different in that it pushes limits, makes you question yourself and what decisions you would make if you were any of these characters. This isn’t very different from most of her books because she always shocks me, but her voice and the plot twists combined are completely unparalleled. This was a tough read in so many ways for me because it was so relatable. For many who pick this book up you might have been through something similar or chances are you know someone that has. You may have even judged, commented or witnessed something similar, regardless of the how, I’m betting that you will relate in some way. When you realize how easily black and white can turn to grey it is then that you will understand what it truly means to unravel the mystery that is a Colleen Hoover read. She finds a way to make even the most difficult situations real and creates a challenge for the reader by daring them to confront ugly truths or in this case naked truths.

 

Lily is an incredibly strong character that will both inspire and transform you. I’m afraid to say this was Colleen Hoover’s best work yet, but because of how personal it is I have to applaud her for sharing such a difficult yet brilliant story with her readers. There are a handful of books I’ve read with similar storylines and they’ve never gotten to me to this degree. I hate to be so vague, but this story is worth withholding the plot, the summary does not begin to explain what you will go through reading this, but it is worth every second. Although the end seems final and complete (and totally perfect) somehow I hope she somehow is inspired to continue this as a series or at least a novella. I hope you all will take a chance on this one it is probably on my top 5 best reads of all time and might be my favorite book published in 2016. This book is heavy at times, but if you pick up one book this year please please please let it be It Ends With Us. I promise you won’t regret it.

 

It Ends With Us releases Tuesday, August 2, 2016 (that’s right less than 24 hours) get your pre-orders in now and be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy!
~ Happy Reading Lovelies ~

 

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Grab your copy of IT ENDS WITH US:

 

Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble   |   B-A-M   |   iBooks   |   IndieBound   |   Kobo   |   GooglePlay   |   Nook

 

IT ENDS WITH US

BY COLLEEN HOOVER

http://www.itendswithusbook.com/

Atria Books Paperback | 384 pages | ISBN: 9781501110368 | August 2, 2016 | $16.00

eBook: 384 pages | ISBN: 9781501110375 | $7.99

 


Now for the fun….the #ItEndsWithUs Contest!

Enter the Rafflecopter  to win a signed copy of IT ENDS WITH US and a limited edition Everything’s Better in Boston magnet (trust us, you’ll get it after you read the book)! (3 prize bundles in total) Contest is open until August 26th

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Don’t miss Colleen on tour for IT ENDS WITH US

 

 

BOSTON, MA
Tuesday, August 2nd
BROOKLINE BOOKSMITH
7:00 PM
279 Harvard Street
Brookline, MA 02446
www.brooklinebooksmith.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1765869680321385/

 

MADISON, NJ
Wednesday, August 3rd
SHORT STORIES COMMUNITY BOOK HUB
7:00 PM
23 Main Street
Madison, NJ 07940
www.shortstoriesnj.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1816436548588340/

 

NEW YORK, NY
Thursday, August 4th
STRAND BOOK STORE
7:00 PM
828 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
www.strandbooks.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1266828406680888/

 

CINCINNATI, OH
Friday, August 5th
JOSEPH-BETH BOOKSELLERS
7:00 PM
2692 Madison Road
Cincinnati, OH 45208
www.josephbeth.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/277088292641430/

 

CHICAGO, IL
Saturday, August 6th
ANDERSON’S BOOKSHOP
2:00 PM
Meiley-Swallow Hall
On the campus of North
Central College 31 S Ellsworth Street
Naperville, IL  60540
http://www.andersonsbookshop.com/
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/260878437616737/

 

LOS ANGELES, CA
Sunday, August 7th
CHEVALIER’S BOOKS
6:30 PM
126 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
www.chevaliersbooks.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/260712770964176/

 

PHOENIX, AZ
Monday, August 8th
CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE
7:00 PM
6428 S. McClintock Drive
Tempe, AZ 85283
www.changinghands.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1188482081195713/

 

HOUSTON, TX
Tuesday, August 9th
BARNES & NOBLE – Town & Country
7:00 PM
12850 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77024
www.barnesandnoble.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1755063464713808/

 

DALLAS, TX
Wednesday, August 10th 
HALF PRICE BOOKS
7:00 PM
5803 E. Northwest Hwy
Dallas, TX 75231
www.halfpricebooks.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1714556692137769/

 


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Book Review: Honor Me (Men of Inked, #6) by Chelle Bliss

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NEW RELEASE

Honor Me, Men of Inked Book 6, by Chelle Bliss

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City & Suzy are back!

I had everything I ever wanted—a wife, a kid, with two more on the way. I was living the American dream. After the babies were born, we hit a rough patch. I did everything to prove my love, to show Suzy that nothing was more important than her. After some work and a lot of time, we found our groove again. Just when life had evened out, a familiar enemy came back to haunt us. It wasn’t my past that followed us, but my brother’s. When the danger gets too close, I’ll do anything to defend my family. There’s nothing more important than the people I love, and I’ll protect what’s mine—even if it costs me my life.

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Excerpt

Suzy glared at me. “What’s this we shit? I’m the one with two aliens inside of me, trying to claw their way out of my body. I’m the only one pushing them out of my tiny vagina. Not you. Not her. Me!” She waved her hands frantically in the air. “I’m the one doing everything while you sit there calm, sexy, and without your body splitting in two. I’m going to be the one tearing wide open as I push two humans and their giant Gallo heads out of my body.” She collapsed, gasping for air, and closed her eyes.
I bit my lip. Pregnant Suzy was unpredictable, but in-labor Suzy was just downright scary. “I know, sugar. You’re doing all the hard work. I’m just here to cheer you on and support you.”
Her nostrils flared and her eyes grew wide when she glanced up. “Support me? If you want to support me, you’ll never knock me up again. You want to cheer me on?” She rolled her eyes and made a noise low in her throat. “Stop fucking talking.”
I braced myself, waiting for her head to do a 360. I brought my mouth right next to her ear. “My sweet little wife, you beg for my cock every day. It takes two to tango, sweetheart. I didn’t put you in that bed.” I lowered my voice further, whispering, “Your sweet little cunt did.”
She closed her eyes again and moaned. “You’re just too damn good. I can’t keep my hands to myself. It’s still your fault, my dear husband.”
I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I burst into laughter. “Now, I fuck you too good?”
“Yes!” she screeched, pounding her fist on the crappy, plastic hospital bed. “If you weren’t so good at it, I wouldn’t be lying here right now.”
Just as I was about to reply, the nurse walked in. “I hear someone is ready to push.” Her voice was so chipper, kind of like my wife’s used to sound like before pregnancy. “Are we excited?” she asked, moving a tray of instruments next to the foot of the bed.
“I just want this over. I’m so freaking uncomfortable.”
“That makes two of us,” I muttered and nodded at the nurse with a fake smile on my face before leaning over and kissing Suzy’s forehead. “Ready, sugar?”

Review 

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

First of all I have to reiterate this with every Men of Inked release…I adore the Gallos! I was over the moon when I heard there would be another installment to one of my most beloved series. City and Suzy might be my favorite couple of the series, though I love them all. Throttle Me is where it all began so they’ll always have a special place in my heart.  It’s only fitting that we get a new installment continuing City and Suzy’s story.  Honor Me, the sixth installment in the series is everything I hoped it would be and more. Chelle Bliss consistently touches on real life issues through her writing. She knows just how to deliver blows to the reader yet keep you enamored and hopeful. This story had a bit of everything — friendship, family, humor, suspense, action, drama, heartbreak/sadness, admiration/love. It’s one of the reasons I am always a fan of her books. It has a little something for everyone and everything about her books makes this family and their stories always feel so real. You connect with these characters because they feel familiar, like loved ones or long lost cousins, but the ones you actually like haha. 
She definitely throws some curveballs this time around, but then again when doesn’t she?  This time I think she shocked me more than any other Men of Inked book. In fact, I’m pretty certain I fully stopped reading for a good twenty minutes and just stared at the page because I was in utter disbelief, but I picked my jaw up and as I continued reading I realized the error of my ways. Chelle never makes anything easy for her readers and I should’ve expected these twists, but she did a great job shocking me. She likes to torture us just a tiny bit, but as always those moments are beyond worth it. She also always focuses on serious, but key issues that people can actually relate to. This book focused on a few very real issues centered around self, family, relationships and how it isn’t impossible to overcome any hurdles with the right support systems in place. Although the book focuses heavily on City and Suzy, we continue to get more than a glimpse of the entire Gallo clan. 
This book makes clear how deep loyalty runs when it comes to the Gallos and how far they’ll go to protect one another. They are a resilient and lovable group whose stories continue to enrapture me. This story has it’s serious moments, but what would a Chelle Bliss book be without the “bliss.” Theres still the kinky, raunchy and downright dirty moments we all have come to know and love with this bunch. The only difference now is with a bunch of kids in the mix the stories are all the more hilarious. Absolutely adore this book and I can’t wait for more Gallos! 

 

~ Happy Reading Lovelies  ~


About the Author

Bliss

Chelle Bliss, USA Today Bestselling author, currently lives in a small town near the Gulf of Mexico. She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and coffee fiend. Currently she’s written a dozen books in three different series. She loves spending her free time with her boyfriend, 2 cats, and hamster.

Before becoming a writer, Chelle taught high school history for over ten years. She holds a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and a bachelor’s in history. Although history is her first love, writing has become her dream job and she can’t imagine doing anything else.

FACEBOOK   |   WEBSITE   |   NEWSLETTER   |   TWITTER   |   INSTAGRAM

 

HAVEN’T READ THE MEN OF INKED? NOW’S YOUR CHANCE TO START FOR ONLY 99 CENTS!

 

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Book Review: PERFECTLY IMPERFECT by Harper Sloan

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Meet Willow and Kane in the newest stand alone by Harper Sloan!
NOW AVAILABLE on the following retailers:

 

Amazon US   |   Amazon UK   |   Nook   |   iBooks   

 


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Blurb

 

Mirror, mirror … who’s the fairest of them all?
I still cringe when I hear that line. A fairy tale that had girls pretending they were the fairest, the most beautiful, and the most entitled. A fairy tale most couldn’t grow out of turned my haunted childhood memories into a living nightmare. Girls who grew up believing that pile of garbage became the meanest of all ‘mean girls.’
And those mean girls were right – it was a line meant for all the beautiful people in the world – and I knew the answer would never be me.
The women with long legs, flat stomachs, and perfect chests.
The type of women Kane Masters gravitated toward.
Well, that’s definitely not Willow Tate.
No. That will never be me.
Because I’m completely imperfect.
And … I hate myself.
I have no idea what Kane could possibly see in someone like me when he could have them. 

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Book Review 

*This was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. 

All thoughts and comments are my own.* 

Perfectly Imperfect is absolute perfection. It is a deeply personal account of struggles with body image and self-worth. It is bold, raw and entirely unapologetic. I loved it, I devoured it and I could not get enough. The story follows Willow, a woman who’s self-loathing, upbringing and experiences have only sunk her deeper into the rabbit hole. As she fights to claw her way out and make peace with who she’s becoming, she struggles, continuously struggles to find and own the person she truly wants to be. It is a bumpy, painful sometimes heartbreaking ride, but every step she takes towards healing and growing is entirely worth it. Willow’s endurance, strength and the love and support she receives from those closest to her help transform her into someone who is fiercely beautiful in every way. She overcomes many adversities, learns to love the woman she is becoming and begins to realize just how perfect imperfect can be.

 

Kane — oh goodness what can I say about Kane other than I AM IN LOVE! Can I get a Kane? Please??? Just send him  my way and all will be right in the my world hehe. From the moment we meet Kane he is a man on a mission. His intentions are clear, but he takes his time and is exactly what Willow needs at a time where her world seems to be crumbling apart. He takes a piece of your heart and begins to weave his way around it making you fall in love just a bit deeper with every encounter. He is the embodiment of what a loving support system should be and although Willow has her reservations every moment between these two is electric. He is kind, loving and patient. Their connection, their trust, their attraction and their ability to support each other in all the simplest ways is absolutely incredible. Willow begins to learn what it feels like to receive unconditional love and support, something she lacked for many years that only contributed to her self-contempt. What Kane offers Willow isn’t a cure or a patch to fix her, no, he offers her so much more. Although Willow is as big of a Kane supporter as he is to her, what I loved the most about these two is the trust between these two is one of the things that allowed them to grow together.

 

Through it all Willow’s journey to self discovery is one that will inspire you. Perfectly Imperfect will walk you through the good, the bad and the awful, but in the end you will see just how far she’s come. This is a wonderful book that is clearly written through the eyes of someone who has experienced what it feels like to struggle with loving the person you are and accepting all those imperfections that make you…YOU. Harper Sloan has written another wonderful story, a bit more personal, albeit phenomenal and very necessary. Books like this inspire and give hope to people, like Willow, who may not realize just how much their so called flaws might be the exact thing that makes them perfect in not only their eyes, but the eyes of someone who can truly offer selfless, unconditional love. 
This is a must read! It is a multi-layered story told from dual POV. I hope you love it as much as I did. 

 

~ Happy Reading Lovelies ~

 

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Excerpt 

 

“Are you nervous right now?”
I nod.
“Tell me why.” His demand, steady and calm, gives me the courage I need to tell him. To open a vein and bleed my insecurities.
“I’m not perfect,” I whisper.
“And neither am I, Willow. I don’t want perfect. What so many see as perfect, to me, is fake. Perfect isn’t achievable naturally. No one, and I mean no one, is perfect.”
I’m shaking my head before he’s even done speaking, but one long finger comes up and presses against my lips before I can speak.
“No, let me finish. There isn’t beauty in perfection. It’s as fake as the image the word projects. Beauty is found in imperfection, Willow, because to admit you’re not perfect means you’re admitting you’re not whole and absolute. When I think of myself, I see someone willing to admit he’s as far from complete as it gets because, in order to get to that perfection, I need to find the other part of me who will make my life better. To take all the faults I have and fill them, and only then will I be there. You see, the way I see it, the only way to become perfect is to find that perfectly imperfect person who brings it out of you.”
When he stops, I swear I might have stopped breathing. How am I supposed to respond to that?
“Do you trust me?” he asks, his voice strong and sure.
“Yes, Kane. Nerves or not, I do.”
“Then let me show you what I see when I look at you.”
He brings his hands up, framing my face once again in a way I’m quickly becoming addicted to the feeling of. His warm eyes implore, begging me without words to let him continue. I do not intend to stop him, regardless of the butterflies currently taking over my system. I’m all in.”
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harper sloanAbout the Author
Harper lives in small town Georgia just a short drive from her hometown of Peachtree City. She (and her 3 daughters) enjoy ruling the house they dubbed ‘Estrogen Ocean’, much to her husband’s chagrin. Harper has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books; you can almost ALWAYS find her with her eReader attached. She enjoys bad reality TV and cheesy romantic flicks. Her favorite kind of hero–the super alpha kind!
Harper started using writing as a way to unwind when the house went to sleep at night; and with a house full of crazy it was the perfect way to just relax. It didn’t take long before a head full of very demanding alphas would stop at nothing to have their story told.

 

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Book Review: NOVEMBER 9 by Colleen Hoover

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NOVEMBER NINE

BY COLLEEN HOOVER

 

November 9 is yet another breathtaking novel by Colleen Hoover that’s full of blushing, gushing, and heartache. I loved every page and breathed in every beautiful word.”
—Anna Todd, Author of the After series
 
Visit www.November9.com for teasers, tour dates and more. 

 

ABOUT NOVEMBER NINE:
Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day of her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.
Can Ben’s relationship with Fallon—and simultaneously his novel—be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Slammed, This Girl, Point of Retreat, Hopeless, Losing Hope, Finding Cinderella, Maybe Someday, Ugly Love, Maybe Not, and Confess. She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys.

 

FIND COLLEEN ONLINE: 
Website   |   Facebook   |   Twitter   |   Instagram  

 


Book Review

 

*This 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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To rate this book 5 stars would be an understatement. It is by far the best book I’ve read this entire year and may very well be the best book Colleen Hoover has ever written. She outdid herself and with every book release she continues to remind me why I love her writing so much. She’s brilliant. She makes you feel, makes you cry, makes you angry, makes your heart break – practically guts you before there can even be a HEA. For some, the end of a book is usually the most dreaded part, because you’ve become a part of this world you can’t describe yet you connect with these characters so well, you hurt with them, you love with them, you feel with them and when it comes to an end you just want more. When I read a Colleen Hoover book that expectation goes out the door. For me, the endings have become my favorite part because the journey her characters take to get there are some of the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful I’ve ever experienced. You learn some valuable life lessons and by the end it’s a bittersweet goodbye that leaves you completely satiated. A Colleen Hoover book is an experience you will truly never ever forget.

 

There’s this process I go through on an annual basis where I try to pick the best book I’ve read all year. I read, love and repeat this process over and over again often citing how this one is a favorite or that one is absolute poetry, but with every Colleen Hoover release this process becomes a battle because it’s like her books continuously try to outshine the previous release.  They often do, but my thoughts range from OMG I love it, I have a new book boyfriend to what the heck does Colleen have in store for us next? In the past I’ve said it’s too difficult to rank her books in order of my favorite to my least favorite because they’ve all been favorites. Her books are truly gems, but November 9 just changed the game for me. I know without a doubt (and I mean no disrespect to any authors I’ve read or will read from here on out, but) this will be the best book I’ve read for all of 2015. The wait was grueling, but it was definitely worth it. Secondly, this is likely the best book I’ve EVER read and I have only said that about a handful of books (which I’ll sort through and list at a later date). Colleen Hoover deserves awards for this release. It is brilliant, chilling and poignant. I fell in love and was devastated with equal measure. I was in tears and on edge for about 30-40% of this book. She threw unexpected curves and shattered my heart and I swore she’d never render it whole again.

 

I’m not going to summarize the plot, the synopsis is wicked enough for that. Instead I’ll tell you that November 9 is easily the best book you will ever read. It is a book that you will want to own and read over and over again. It will draw you in and make you wish you could find a love as epic as Fallon and Ben’s. This is a must read, must own, must be made into a film…. fingers crossed on the last one there. It was the most beautiful story I’ve ever read. Colleen Hoover never disappoints and with all the release dates and published books that alone speaks volumes. She’s opened a book store, started a monthly book subscription service with all proceeds going to charity, has a family and makes time to deliver us masterpiece after masterpiece. She is truly amazing and when you read a work like this, her brilliance and creativity shine through. I hope she continues to bring more great releases like this one. It is outstanding.

 

~ Happy Reading Lovelies ~

 


BUY IT NOW 

NOVEMBER NINE
BY COLLEEN HOOVER
www.november9book.com
Atria Books Paperback | 320 pages | ISBN: 9781501110344 | November 10, 2015 | $16.00
eBook: 320 pages | ISBN: 9781501110351 | $7.99

 

ORDER NOVEMBER 9:

Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble   |   Bilo   |   Books-a-Million      
iBooks   |   IndieBound   |   Kobo   |   Google   |   Nook  

 


Don’t miss Colleen on tour for NOVEMBER 9:

DALLAS, TX
Monday, November 9th
HALF PRICE BOOKS
10:00 PM
5803 E Northwest Hwy
Dallas, TX  75231
www.hpb.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/571747856307832/ 

 

CINCINNATI, OH
Tuesday, November 10th
JOSEPH-BETH BOOKSELLERS
7:00 PM
2692 Madison Road
Cincinnati, OH 45208
www.josephbeth.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/910564405703742/

 

CHICAGO, IL
Wednesday, November 11th
ANDERSON’S BOOKSHOP
7:00 PM
26 S. La Grange Rd.
La Grange, IL 60525
www.andersonsbookshop.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/877624532344894/

 

RIDGEWOOD, NJ
Thursday, November 12th
BOOK ENDS
7:00 PM
211 E. Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
www.book-ends.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/176661676006949/

 

WHITE PLAINS, NY
Friday, November 13th
BARNES & NOBLE #2202
7:00 PM
230 Main Street
White Plains, NY 10601
www.barnesandnoble.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/760158847428849/

 

MIAMI, FL
Saturday, November 14th
BOOKS & BOOKS
5:00 PM
265 Aragon Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134
www.booksandbooks.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/903716756377916/

 

BOSTON, MA
Sunday, November 15th
BROOKLINE BOOKSMITH
5:00 PM
279 Harvard St
Brookline, MA  02446
www.brooklinebooksmith.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1484734548495141/

 

LOS ANGELES, CA
Tuesday, November 17th
CHEVALIER’S BOOKS
7:00 PM
126 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
www.chevaliersbooks.com
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1008186655868793/

 

AUSTIN, TX
Tuesday, December 8th
BOOK PEOPLE
7:00 PM
603 N. Lamar Blvd 
Austin, TX 78703 
512-472-5050
http://www.bookpeople.com/
RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1642732965964748/

 


GIVEAWAY

Now for the fun….the #November9 Contest!
Enter the Rafflecopter to win a prize bundle of one signed copy of NOVEMBER 9 and a pair of #November9 sunglasses! (5 prize bundles in total) Contest is open until November 30th.

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Book Review: Loving the White Liar by Kate Stewart

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Loving the White Liar by Kate Stewart
Release Date: July 20, 2015

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BLURB
I met my true love when I was twenty-seven. He was handsome, charming, witty, and irresistible. Jayden Monroe came along when I was struggling with indecision and made things simple, turned monochrome into vivid color, and forever altered my perspective on life.
I was not naive enough to believe in happily ever after, but with Jayden, it seemed possible . . . until I realized something wasn’t quite right.
You see, I met a man who would be anyone I needed him to be, and after I found out that fact, I knew it would be impossible to walk away. His disorder, however, would change everything I ever thought about love and what it truly meant to accept someone for who they are.
This is not my sob story; this is his success story.

 

BUY IT NOW:

AMAZON US   |   AMAZON UK  

 


 

BOOK REVIEW

 

Talk about an emotional roller coaster ride! Loving the White Liar  is a raw, emotionally intense account of what it truly means to love someone unconditionally. There were times where it even brought me to tears.   Jayden and Hilary’s story is one that will touch you. It will etch its way into your heart forever branding you. Its message is profound, their story is unforgettable, the book is unputdownable! You will love every moment – even the heartbreaking ones. I fell in love with Jayden as I have no doubt you will too, but the struggles Hilary dealt with and the love she had for him was truly inspiring. Reading a story like this makes you wonder how deep your love for another could run and if you’d have the strength to walk a day in their shoes. Masterfully written, Loving the White Liar is a brave and heartfelt story that will tug at your heartstrings and although the author makes no claims to be a professional she does create an experience that makes this story realistic enough that you become emotionally connected to the characters and their struggles. This story is so realistic it touches close to home by making you consider the way you’ve treated those in your life especially those suffering from disorders/disabilities. It makes you seriously question if you could take a walk in their shoes and even consider the way you’ve treated a loved one. It shows all the real struggles one endures while in a relationship and magnifies those issues making you ask yourself could I handle this? Could I love someone this deeply and be this forgiving? Don’t get me wrong this story definitely shows the ups and downs of Jayden and Hilary’s love, but it makes you love them even more for the way they fight to keep it all together when everything seems to be falling apart. I absolutely LOVED this book. It exceeded my expectations and I look forward to reading more of Kate Stewart’s work in the future. This is a perfect read for Romance/New Adult/Contemporary Romance fans. 

 

Happy Reading Lovelies xo

 


EXCERPT

“Jayden,” I said in warning.
“Okay.” He let out a long breath. “It’s like a tidal wave that’s impossible to stop. I just get sad and a little scared. It’s not clinical, but it’s rough.
I feel like everything’s wrong. Nothing will get better. You know, hopeless.” I nodded as I felt the discomfort he was feeling from telling me. “It doesn’t
happen a lot, once or twice a year, and it doesn’t last long. It’s not even really a symptom of ADHD. I don’t know. I guess my racing brain just gets tired
and I shut down. It’s all about the chemicals in my brain. You know what ADHD is, right?”
“I’m beginning to think I don’t,” I said honestly. “I started to look it up the other night and then your mom called.”
“My mom called?”
“Yes, we are going to a barbeque Saturday.”
“No shit,” he said, smiling.
Jayden picked up a sponge from the side of the tub and poured some liquid soap on it to suds it up then began rubbing my leg with it. “She’s going to love
you, Hilary.”
“Oh yeah, how do you know that?”
“I know her.” He grinned.
Jayden’s sponge drifted over my stomach as he crept closer to me. Still working his sponge, he managed to lift me by my arms, pulling me into his seated
lap. I felt his growing hardness as I wrapped my legs around him. His muscled arms firmly around me, he used the sponge on my back as he stared into my
eyes. “I missed you.”
“You didn’t have to,” I protested, looking away. I didn’t want to cry again. I didn’t want him to think of me as weak. I wanted him to be able to trust
that I could handle it.
“Look at me,” he ordered gently, gripping me tighter as he continued to bathe me. “I wasn’t there.”
I nodded. “I’ll live. I . . . You didn’t tell me about that part.”
“Do you have any idea how hard it is to explain to the person you are falling for that they might not want to reciprocate your affection because you may on
occasion have an uncontrollable, explosive temper tantrum? Or that you may pop off with inappropriate comments at any point in time that could alienate
them? Oh, and don’t forget the controlling, OCD tendencies with a small, short-lived side of anxiety and depression. Or better yet, how to explain you
weren’t listening to something important they were trying to convey because you were too busy figuring out the difference between jelly and jam.”
“Just like that,” I answered, knowing it wasn’t that simple.

 


AUTHOR BIO
Kate Stewart, a native of Dallas, now resides in Charleston, S.C. She moved to the city three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, declaring the city her creative muse. Since her move in 2010, she has published two novels, the third Loving the White Liar set to publish July 2015. She lives with her husband of 8 years, Nick who is featured on the cover of the novel, TITAN. (Set to re-release some time in 2015.)
Her other novels include Room 212 and Never Me which are both available now.

 

WEBSITE   |   FACEBOOK   |   TWITTER   |   GOODREADS   |   TSU   |   EMAIL   

Release Blitz: THE HURRICANE by R.J. Prescott

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THE HURRICANE by R.J. Prescott (July 14, 2015; Forever E-Book; $0.99)

Emily McCarthy is living in fear of a dark and dangerous past. A gifted mathematician, she is little more than a hollow, broken shell, trying desperately to make ends meet long enough to finish her degree. Through an unlikely friendship with the aging, cantankerous owner of an old boxing gym, Em is thrown into the path of the most dangerous man that she has ever met. 
Cormac “the Hurricane” O’Connell is cut, tattooed and dangerous. He is a lethal weapon with no safety and everyone is waiting for the misfire. He’s never been knocked out before, but when he meet Em he falls, HARD. Unlike any other girl he’s ever met, she doesn’t want anything from him. Just being around her makes him want to be a better person. They are polar opposites who were never meant to find each other, but some things are just worth the fight.

 

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EXCERPT

He grabbed my hand and pulled me to a stop facing him. He moved in so close that our noses were almost touching.
“Tell me you can feel this. I need to know I’m not the only one,” he spoke gently.
“I feel it,” I whispered, staring at the ground. “But I’m not doing anything about it. Everything that you make me feel is completely overwhelming, and I can’t give you what you need, not even close. I don’t want to talk about why I am this way, but just offering you friendship is a big deal for me right now.”
I finished my rant feeling more desperate than ever. This big, strong, beautiful, terrifying man had feelings for me, but seriously how long would they last? I was getting better, but I was afraid of my own shadow most of the time. I was small, weak, and lacked any self-confidence. O’Connell was dangerous, addictive, and so sexy that I was consumed by lust every time we were in the same room together. He used his body like a weapon and the danger attracted women like a magnet. With that many women, all vying for his attention, what little charm I held for him would fade like mist in the morning sun. If I let him in, he had the power to break what little of me was left whole when I couldn’t keep him.
Reaching out one giant, scarred and calloused hand, he tucked a wayward curl behind my ear. He lifted my chin with his knuckle forcing me to meet his gentle gaze. He looked so happy and intense right now that I could feel my eyes welling up. I never thought that anyone would ever look at me like that.
“I know I’m scary and loud. I’m fucked up, and I’m gonna fuck up with you a lot because I’ve never done this before. I don’t date girls, I fuck them and walk away because that’s what they expect. It’s all they think I’m good for. I’m not smart like you, and I know I don’t deserve you. Right now, I’m dirt poor, but one day, I’m not gonna be. I will fight to make something better of myself, to be someone better. Someone you can be proud of. If you need time, then I’ll give you time. If you need friendship, then I’ll give you friendship. But you’re mine, and when the time is right, when you’re ready, I’m coming for you.”
I nodded, so close to tears I knew that if I tried to speak, I’d completely break down. I swallowed hard, and the tears fell anyway. O’Connell wiped them away with his thumb and gently pressed his big firm lips to mine. Just like that, my fears were forgotten. The kiss was gentle, but fireworks exploded all over my body. It was like he had invigorated every cell with life. The touch of his lips wasn’t enough to satisfy, only to feed my addiction. I knew in my head that I wasn’t ready for a relationship, but my body wanted to drown in the revelation that it could feel something other than cold, hunger, and pain. It was a kiss both chaste and pure and everything I hoped that my first kiss would be, because everything I gave to him, I gave freely. Slightly out of breath, our lips parted, and he rested his forehead back against mine.
“I’m gonna give you the fuckin world, baby,” he whispered against my lips.
He kissed me again quickly and grinning like a kid, threaded his fingers through mine.
“You know friends don’t hold hands,” I whispered, knowing that there was no way that I was letting go first.
“Huh,” he grunted. “Me and Kier hold hands all the time.”

 

99 PENNIES FOR A LIMITED TIME!

ORDER NOW:

 

Amazon    |    B&N     |    iBooks    |    GooglePlay    |    Kobo    |    BAM

R.J. Prescott
About the author:
R.J. Prescott was born in Cardiff, South Wales and studied law at the University of Bristol, England. Four weeks before graduation she fell in love, and stayed. Ten years later she convinced her crazy, wonderful fire fighter husband to move back to Cardiff where they now live with their two equally crazy sons. Juggling work, writing and family doesn’t leave a lot of time, but curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate for family movie night is definitely the best part of R.J. Prescott’s week. “The Hurricane” is her debut New Adult Novel.

 

Social Media Links:
Website   |   Facebook   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads

 

Post Independence Day Giveaway

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I’m so excited to bring you all this giveaway. I’ve teamed up with one of my favorite Life & Style bloggers mylifeinmascara to bring you a little post Independence Day fun! Just in time for the release of Harper Lee’s Go Set a Watchman, mylifeinmascara and I are are giving you a few Keep-Collective and Harper Lee giveaway items. This giveaway will be open until July 12, 2015 and one (1) winner will be selected to receive all prizes listed. This giveaway is open to US residents only.

 

➡️ One (1) copy of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
➡️ One (1) copy of Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (upon release)
➡️ One blue keep collective bracelet with USA map and red, white and blue color bars 

 

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Book Review: Amber to Ashes by Gail McHugh

AMBER  to ASHES

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

GAIL McHUGH

 

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They were a storm I never saw coming, an unforeseen heartbreak on the edge of a dangerous cliff.
In AMBER TO ASHES (Atria Paperback; June 9th, 2015), Amber Moretti’s life changes in the span of minutes. An orphaned outsider, she is desperate to start fresh the moment she walks onto campus. In the time it takes to cross the university’s dining hall, she meets two men who bring color, air, and light to her darkened world.
They became my addiction, each a needle to my next hit, my high.
Brock Cunningham’s appeal is dizzying, a potent force Amber can’t deny. A green-eyed smooth talker, he instantly attracts Amber. It doesn’t take long for him to consume her every thought, her every breath.
Ryder Ashcroft, a blue-eyed, tattooed, and pierced bad boy, turns Amber off immediately—that is, until he kisses her, stealing a piece of her heart, her soul.
They were as opposite as fire and ice, yet I ached for them equally. 
Never knowing she could be broken down in so many unexpectedly beautiful yet petrifying ways, Amber finds herself falling for both men.
Immoral? Maybe. I say undeniable. Uncontained.
But one devastating event changes everything, shattering each of their lives…and Amber isn’t sure she can recover from it.

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Book Review 

*This was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. 

All thoughts and comments are my own.*

My favorite thing in the world is picking up a new book and reading through all the words an author has penned together creating a new journey for me to embark upon. Words are powerful and can reveal the most beautiful or even the ugliest inner workings of someones mind. Gail McHugh has a gift with words and through it they reveal a story in which she has claimed contain many layers of her own reality. Parts of her own story woven together with fictional elements to create a gem that will captivate you from start to finish. 

 

This is the first book I’ve read by Gail McHugh and it definitely won’t be my last. I don’t think I have EVER read a story like Amber to Ashes. I was completely spellbound. I could not put it down. I read it in one sitting by the final page I was dying for more. Addiction, obsession, desire, love, lust, pleasure, pain by the end you’ll have fought a battlefield of emotions and even question your sanity. The physical and emotional turmoil all three characters experience will tear at your heart. Their desires overwhelming at times, torturous and completely unlike any story you’ll ever read. It is not an erotic fantasy come to life, it is a dangerous and desperate yearning that plague these three and may be the beginning of the end for all of them. I was intrigued and as I delved deeper into the story it was hard to form an alliance or choose. I almost felt like I was Amber because I became as torn as she was. Parts of this story at least the arrogance of the two leading men made me a bit suspicious of their intentions at times. This book will mess with your head. Gail’s poetic style of writing leaves you to ponder many painful yet harsh realities of love, life, death and everything in between.

 

Amber to Ashes is a raw and artfully crafted masterpiece that takes you on a bumpy, deeply emotional, chaotic and passionate journey through the lives of three people whose stories culminate in the mother of all cliffhanger endings. This is a dark and gritty story that will rip you to shreds rendering you absolutely speechless . It is a book you won’t soon forget. One that will seep its way into the depths of your soul and completely own you. It is an all-consuming, fiery, get your heart racing, question your sanity kind of ride. I loved every minute of it and I cannot wait for more. Check out an excerpt here.

 

Buy NOW

 

AMBER TO ASHES by Gail McHugh
Atria Books Paperback | On sale: June 9, 2015 | 480 pages
ISBN: 9781476766010, $15.00 | eBook ISBN: 9781476766041, $7.99

 

Order the AMBER TO ASHES paperback:
Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble   |   Books-a-Million   |   IndieBound

 

Order the AMBER TO ASHES eBook:
Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble   |   Blio   |   B-A-M   |   GooglePlay   |   iBooks   |   Kobo

 


441084315_hrAbout the author:
Gail McHugh is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Collide and Pulse. She is the mother of three beautiful children and has been married to her husband for fifteen years. 

 

Visit Gail online at:
Website   |   Twitter   |   Facebook   

 


Giveaway

Enter to win one (1) of ten (10) signed copies of AMBER TO ASHES HERE

 

COVER REVEAL: Surviving Ice (Burying Water, #3) by K.A. Tucker

Surviving Ice - Cover Reveal banner

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Cover Reveal for K.A. Tucker’s SURVIVING ICE!! SURVIVING ICE is a New Adult Romantic Suspense novel, and the fourth novel in K.A. Tucker’s Burying Water Series, published by Atria books, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster. SURVIVING ICE is set to be released October 13, 2015!

 

Surviving Ice - cover 

 

SURVIVING ICE (US)

Amazon  | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound | Apple | Blio | Google | Kobo

 

SURVIVING ICE (UK)

Amazon | Waterstones | Foyles | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

 

SURVIVING ICE (AUS)

Apple | Amazon

 

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About SURVIVING ICE:
Ivy Lee, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have finally found it working in her uncle’s tattoo shop in San Francisco. But all that changes when a robbery turns deadly, compelling her to pack up her things yet again.
When they need the best, they call him. That’s why Sebastian Riker is back in California, cleaning up the mess made after a tattoo shop owner with a penchant for blackmail got himself shot. But it’s impossible to get the answers he needs from a dead body, leaving him to look elsewhere. Namely, to the twenty-something-year-old niece who believes this was a random attack. Who needs to keep believing that until Sebastian finds what he’s searching for.
Ivy has one foot out of San Francisco when a chance encounter with a stranger stalls her departure. She’s always been drawn to intense men, so it’s no wonder that she now finds a reason to stay after all, quickly intoxicated by his dark smile, his intimidating strength, and his quiet control.
That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter was no accident—and that their attraction could be her undoing.

 

And don’t forget BURYING WATER, BECOMING RAIN and CHASING RIVER, the first three books in this thrilling series…

Burying Water

BURYING WATER (US)

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BURYING WATER (UK)

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BURYING WATER (AUS)

Apple | Amazon | Kobo | Booktopia | Bookworld

 

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About BURYING WATER:
The top-selling, beloved indie author of Ten Tiny Breaths returns with a new romance about a young woman who loses her memory—and the man who knows that the only way to protect her is to stay away.
Left for dead in the fields of rural Oregon, a young woman defies all odds and survives—but she awakens with no idea who she is, or what happened to her. Refusing to answer to “Jane Doe” for another day, the woman renames herself “Water” for the tiny, hidden marking on her body—the only clue to her past. Taken in by old Ginny Fitzgerald, a crotchety but kind lady living on a nearby horse farm, Water slowly begins building a new life. But as she attempts to piece together the fleeting slivers of her memory, more questions emerge: Who is the next-door neighbor, quietly toiling under the hood of his Barracuda? Why won’t Ginny let him step foot on her property? And why does Water feel she recognizes him?
Twenty-four-year-old Jesse Welles doesn’t know how long it will be before Water gets her memory back. For her sake, Jesse hopes the answer is never. He knows that she’ll stay so much safer—and happier—that way. And that’s why, as hard as it is, he needs to keep his distance. Because getting too close could flood her with realities better left buried.
The trouble is, water always seems to find its way to the surface.


 


Becoming Rain 

BECOMING RAIN (US)

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BECOMING RAIN (UK)

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BECOMING RAIN (AUS)

Amazon | Apple | Booktopia | Boomerang Books

 

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About BECOMING RAIN:
Luke Boone doesn’t know exactly what his uncle Rust is involved in but he wants in on it—the cars, the money, the women. And it looks like he’s finally getting his wish. When Rust hands him the managerial keys to the garage, they come with a second set—one that opens up the door to tons of cash and opportunity. Though it’s not exactly legal, Luke’s never been one to worry about that sort of thing. Especially when it puts him behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 and onto the radar of gorgeous socialite named Rain.
Clara Bertelli is at the top of her game—at only twenty-six years old, she’s one of the most successful undercover officers in the Washington, DC, major crime unit, and she’s just been handed a case that could catapult her career and expose one of the West coast’s most notorious car theft rings. But, in order to do it, she’ll need to go deep undercover as Rain Martines. Her target? The twenty-four-year-old nephew of a key player who appears ready to follow in his uncle’s footsteps.
As Clara drifts deeper into the luxurious lifestyle of Rain, and further into the arms of her very attractive and charming target, the lines between right and wrong start to blur, making her wonder if she’ll be able to leave it all behind. Or if she’ll even want to.

 


Chasing River

CHASING RIVER (US Preorder)

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CHASING RIVER (UK Preorder)

Amazon   Apple   Barnes & Noble   Kobo  |  Waterstones   Foyles

 

CHASING RIVER (AUS Preorder)

Amazon   Apple   Booktopia

 

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About CHASING RIVER:
Armed with two years’ worth of savings and the need to experience life outside the bubble of her Oregon small town, twenty-five-year old Amber Welles is prepared for anything. Except dying in Dublin. Had it not been for the bravery of a stranger, she might have. But he takes off before she has the chance to offer her gratitude.
Twenty-four-year-old River Delaney is rattled. No one was supposed to get hurt. But then that American tourist showed up. He couldn’t let her die, but he also couldn’t risk being identified at the scene—so, he ran. Back to his everyday life of running his family’s pub. Only, everyday life is getting more and more complicated, thanks to his brother, Aengus, and his criminal associations. When the American girl tracks River down, he quickly realizes how much he likes her, how wrong she is for him. And how dangerous it is to have her around. Chasing her off would be the smart move.
Maybe it’s because he saved her life, or maybe it’s because he’s completely different from everything she’s left behind, but Amber finds herself chasing after River Delaney. Amber isn’t the kind of girl to chase after anyone.
And River isn’t the kind of guy she’d want to catch.

 

 


Author Photo

About K.A. Tucker:
Born in small-town Ontario, K.A. Tucker published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

 

 

 

 

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Book Review: BLACK IRIS by Leah Raeder

9781476786421

 

 BLACK IRIS by Leah Raeder 

Atria Books Paperback | 384 pages | ISBN: 9781476786421 | On sale: April 28, 2015 | $15.00

eBook: Atria Books | 384 pages | ISBN: 9781476786438 | On sale: April 28, 2015 | $5.99

 

ABOUT BLACK IRIS:
It only took one moment of weakness for Laney Keating’s world to fall apart. One stupid gesture for a hopeless crush. Then the rumors began. Slut, they called her. Queer. Psycho. Mentally ill, messed up, so messed up even her own mother decided she wasn’t worth sticking around for.
If Laney could erase that whole year, she would. College is her chance to start with a clean slate.
She’s not looking for new friends, but they find her: charming, handsome Armin, the only guy patient enough to work through her thorny defenses—and fiery, filterless Blythe, the bad girl and partner in crime who has thorns of her own.
But Laney knows nothing good ever lasts. When a ghost from her past resurfaces—the bully who broke her down completely—she decides it’s time to live up to her own legend. And Armin and Blythe are going to help.
Which was the plan all along.
Because the rumors are true. Every single one. And Laney is going to show them just how true.
She’s going to show them all.

 

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REVIEW

Mindfuck. This book is a total mindfuck.
That perfectly describes Black Iris and the psychological turmoil I experienced while reading. 
I thought my first experience reading Leah Raeder’s Unteachable was intense, but this book displays a whole different level of her literary genius. It’s powerful and deeply personal which makes the reader connect in an indescribable way. 

 

The novel captivates you from the moment you begin reading. I am generally not a fan of making highlights in books. When I started reading more e-books I rarely took advantage of the highlight feature on my Kindle. I loved that I was able to highlight and flag things without marring the book, but I’ve still remained a bit conservative in that respect. Something has to really speak to me for me to highlight. Black Iris seems to be the exception. I found myself constantly highlighting wanting to savor and remember every moment, marking the words that moved me so I could go back to them later and relive the experience. The writing is profound, lyrical and undeniably haunting.  There is a pain and complexity to this book that I’ve never experienced before as a reader. It is as though you are watching someone come to terms with their very existence and how they begin to accept every part that makes them a whole. The book is sexual, but doesn’t fit in any particular mold. The romantic aspect of this book is complex and at times troubling. I worried about how toxic some of the relationships in this book had become at one point, but there was such immense beauty in Laney’s coming to terms with who she was. Bit by bit, piece by piece, as disturbed as I was at times by her actions I understood them in a way that made me question my sanity. 

 

There are writers I dislike, writers I like and then there are the writers that I love. The ones who I know will repeatedly produce outstanding content. The author whose writing seeps its way into my veins, searing their name into my soul. Leah Raeder managed to win me over with Unteachable, but Black Iris gripped my heart solidifying my love for her writing and a deep respect for her as an author. It is addictive, flawlessly unique and oddly refreshing. It is unlike any book I’ve ever read. Black Iris is raw, wild and completely unpredictable. It crosses boundaries and takes you through a journey of acceptance, revenge and pain unlike any book I’ve ever read. It examines human sexuality on a deeper level than I’ve ever contemplated. It describes how fierce love between human beings can be, the effects of non acceptance from society as well as self and how deep an individuals experience can brand them and to what lengths someone will go for retribution. Love is love — Reader’s brilliant, dark and poetic writing capture this message beautifully. I voraciously devoured Black Iris and I hope you will too. 

 

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AUS:

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Leah Raeder is a writer and unabashed nerd. Aside from reading her brains out, she enjoys graphic design, video games, fine whiskey, and the art of self-deprecation. She lives with her very own manic pixie dream boy in Chicago. Visit her at LeahRaeder.com.
Find Leah online:
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Book Review: CONFESS by Colleen Hoover

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CONFESS

BY COLLEEN HOOVER

 

Atria Books | Paperback
On-Sale: 03/10/15
Paperback ISBN: 9781476791456, $16.00 

eBook ISBN: 9781476791463, $7.99 
320 pages

Get Your Copy Now!

Amazon   |   Barnes & Noble   |   Blio   |   B-A-M   |   GooglePlay   |   iBooks   |   IndieBound   

 

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 From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a new novel about risking everything for love—and finding your heart somewhere between the truth and lies.
 
Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.
 
For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is keeping some major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.
 
The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…
 
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REVIEW

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

Some secrets should never turn into confessions. I know that better than anyone.

There are a million reasons why I love reading and Colleen Hoover is one of those reasons! Authors like her grab your attention from the very first line and keep you hanging on to their every word. To say I experienced emotional turmoil reading Confess is an understatement. I cried big ugly tears, but what else is new when it comes to Colleen? I think she is the only author that consistently makes me cry and for some reason I read and repeat the process with every release. She’s figuratively punched me in the gut time and time again and yet I keep coming back for more. All I can say is, so far every book has been well worth the tears. She brings the reader into a very realistic world with relatable issues (for the most part). When I read Colleen’s books it’s as if a piece of art is being painted in my head (how apropos) or puzzle pieces coming together, either way, she’s ingenious. Her creativity knows no bounds, she’s made a book with an accompanying album, one that included slam poetry and has even co-authored a book with Tarryn Fisher. Now she’s teamed up with the amazing UK based artist Danny O’Connor. Together, they have created an absolute masterpiece. The art in Confess creates the perfect visual for the reader. Danny O’Connor’s work is brilliant. His art adds so much intensity to this novel. I spent time looking at his work and I absolutely fell in love. I understand why Colleen decided to work with him. The joint effort was well worth the wait!
 
I’m not a fan of spoilers, never have been, never will be. I’ll attempt to give you as much information about Confess without giving away too much of the storyline. Confess is the story of Auburn Reed and Owen Gentry. It reveals how their lives intersect and the upheavals they experience following their first interaction. There is an attraction that begins as curiosity, but slowly builds to an indescribable desire and a connection that makes you feel as though you’ve just witnessed a fairytale match coming alive, but all fairytales experience trials and tribulations before they ever make it to the HEA and boy did Auburn and Owen get a run for their money. This book will give you angina. I hurt for these two. I cried for them and I wanted to throw this book against a wall at times.
 
I don’t watch much television and people like to look at me like I’m crazy for admitting I prefer to read, but to me, I am visualizing everything as if it were TV or a movie. I like to tell people when I read I AM watching a movie (in my head). With Confess you’re living the movie with Auburn and Owen. Every emotion, every heartrending incident, every breathtaking moment you LIVE with them. I wasn’t sure what direction she would take with the storyline and I have to admit I grew nervous as the ending grew closer. ANGINA I’m telling you! I kept looking at my kindle like, “Why are you at 80% and all the things I need to happen aren’t coming together yet? Please tell me this will be a HEA or I really will throw this kindle.” Yes, I had this internal monologue. Don’t judge me because trust me, you will too! I have to admit Colleen vividly and flawlessly captures the emotions and behaviors of all the characters. And although I was heartbroken for a while I felt as though I were truly witnessing an accurate portrayal of control, helplessness and genuine heartfelt love.
 
This is one of those novels that make you enjoy every step of the reading process. It is utterly heartbreaking at times, yet incredibly beautiful. This book gutted me and I wasn’t sure I’d ever recover. So many things were happening and as usual Colleen kept the surprises coming. I laughed, I cried and held my breath waiting patiently for my demise at the hands of a book. I was captivated by the realistic and complex characters, the multilayered plot and emotionally charged storyline. This book is the epitome of unputdownable. I was addicted from the minute I started reading and I COULDN’T stop, until I begrudgingly turned that final page. Confess is an incredible read with plenty of bumps along the way, but the final outcome is well worth your time ahem and tears. Oh, and did I mention this book is written in dual POV!!!!
 

Colleen has Confess prints for sale at her online store HERE and if you’re interested in viewing or purchasing art from Danny O’Connor you can find his work HERE

 

My Confession:

 

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 Comment with yours.


 GIVEAWAY

 

Enter for a chance to win! Visit Atria’s Tumblr page from 3/9 – 3/22 to enter to win and a grand prize of a signed framed print of one of the images in the book plus a signed copy of CONFESS or one of the runner up prizes of one of four signed copies of CONFESS.

 


11109_408567071_hrAbout the Author:
Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl, Hopeless, Losing Hope, Maybe Someday, Finding Cinderella, and Ugly Love. She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. Please visit ColleenHoover.com

 

Find Colleen online:
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