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Saturday, February 28, 2015

Review: A Different Kind of Fine (Twelve Beats an a Bar #1.5) by KK Hendin

Synopsis

Happily Ever After is never as easy as it seems…

Hayley’s finally come back to Texas, and seeing her is everything Nate dreamed it would be. But three years apart means that everything has changed between them, and all the things that broke them up in high school have come back to haunt them.

Nate’s barely recovered from the explosion that lost his leg, part of his eyesight, and his entire squad. Being able to spend a week back in Leland was supposed to help him recover, yet all it has done is make everything worse. Everything still seems like a threat, nothing is safe, and Nate’s nightmares are only getting worse. His survivor’s guilt is crippling him, and ruining his relationship with Hayley. He loves her more than anything, but she deserves more than a broken man slowly losing his mind.

Being with Nate again is all Hayley’s wanted for the past three years. But reality isn’t exactly like her dreams. Nate’s fighting demons he brought home with him from Afghanistan, and Hayley’s scared that she’s not enough to help him fight them. When an unexpected ice storm and road trip stumble into their Christmas plans, Hayley and Nate are both forced to face their pasts and the unknown future.

It’s a love story that has spanned four years, over seven thousand miles, and countless YouTube videos, and it all boils down to a seven hour road trip.




My Review

ARC given in exchange for an honest review. 


Yes! This is what I wanted in the first book! Lots of Hayley and Nate in the present! I am a sucker for a good reunion.

This book basically picks up where "Come Back to Texas" left off. Hayley and Nate have reunited and they are spending time together. Nate only has a week before he has to return to rehab so they are trying to make the most of their time together. Unfortunately, the past is still hanging over them and they need to deal with it.

They both are carrying around A LOT of guilt about how they ended things almost 4 years ago. Hayley feels guilty for the way she left Nate and Nate feels guilty for treating her the way her did. And neither of them are ready to talk about it. They have just reunited and the last thing they want to do is talk about the past. 


Also, Nate has Post-traumatic stress disorder. He is having frequent nightmares and flashbacks about the explosion. He was the only one of his squad to survive so he is carrying around a lot of survivor's guilt. Not to mention Nate still has A LOT of rehab to go through, so these two have a long road ahead of them. As much as he tries to push Hayley away, she is in it for the long haul and wants to make it work. 

In this book, the two of them go on a road trip to bring Nate back to rehab. While he drove himself home, there is no way he can drive himself back, so Hayley volunteers to do it. I think the road trip was exactly what they needed. While the trip wasn't all sunshine and rainbows, it allowed them to fall back into their comfortable relationship. They have these funny, nonsense conversations about random topics just like they did back in high school. It was nice to see the old Hayley and Nate, even it was just for a little bit. 


There are some very tense moments on the trip, but they work through it together. I loved that it's clear the two of them are committed to working things out, as hard as it may be. Hayley and Nate's story is far from over and I hope that we get another book about these two. The author's next book is about Hayley's college friend Olivia, so hopefully we will get a little insight into how they are doing. I just really want them to get their HEA.

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00Q2DIMZE



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

KK Hendin’s real life ambition is to become a pink fluffy unicorn who dances with rainbows. But the schooling for that is all sorts of complicated, so until that gets sorted out, she’ll just write. Preferably things with angst and love. And things that require chocolate. She’s the author of the NA contemporaries HEART BREATHS and ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG.

THIS MUCH SPACE is the second book in her new series, TWELVE BEATS IN A BAR.

KK spends way too much time on Twitter (where she can be found as @kkhendin), and rambles on occasion over at www.kkhendinwrites.blogspot.com.



AUTHOR LINKS: 










RELEASE DAY BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: Sting by Jennifer Ryder




Title: Sting
Series: Spark #4
Author: Jennifer Ryder
Release Date: February 28, 2015


Synopsis


Going undercover has its challenges. When Detective Ryan Clark is sent to the sleepy coastal town of Fremantle to dismantle the country’s most lethal drug syndicate, it’s worth the risk. Even if he becomes a fatality, in the war against drugs.

Ryan finds himself coming back to the same coffee shop. Blondie, the local barista, has him hot under the collar and reaching for his piece. He knows the attraction isn’t just one-sided.

She’s trying to keep her distance.

It only makes him want her more.

Willow Asher left it all behind, but not by choice.

After two long years, she’s finally getting somewhere. Willow has a busy cafĂ© with her buxom business partner, Gabby, who is the closest thing she has to family.

Although Willow’s past still plagues her thoughts, she’s determined to have her happily-ever-after. As soon as her demons stop haunting her.

What she doesn’t need is the complication of Mr Sexy-Brown-Eyes, who seems to be drinking more and more coffee.

She doesn’t want the questions.

She’s still trying to get her story straight.








Links to Buy

AMAZON US / UK / AU







From 6pm EST on Saturday, February 28

Special guests include:

Lila Rose
Becca Lee
TJ Hamilton
Kate McCarthy
Stephanie Smith
Max Henry
EM Abel
Simone Nicole
Carmen Jenner
Kirsty Dallas
Lauren McKellar




Also Available


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AMAZON US / UK / AU




AMAZON US / UK / AU






 Author Bio


New Adult and erotic romance writer, and author of the Spark series.

A sexy imagination, a life-long love of books and a sucker for romance, Jennifer Ryder couldn't stifle her creativity any longer.

Writing steamy adult romance has become her new focus. Living on a rural property in New South Wales, Australia, she enjoys the best of city and country.

Her loving husband is ever willing to provide inspiration, and her two young cherubs, and sheep that don't see fences as barriers, keep life more than interesting.

Jennifer placed third in the International Stringybark Erotic Short Fiction Award 2013.



 Author Links




Giveaway

BLOG TOUR: Pink Shades of Words

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Release Date: February 3, 2015

About the Courage Anthology Charity



All proceeds from sales will benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer via the Fifty Shades of Pink team.

FIFTY SHADES OF PINK team is made up of a group of girlfriends who raise funds annually to participate in the Avon 2 Day Breast Cancer Walk in Santa Barbara, CA.

For one weekend in September, we wake up before the crack of dawn, dress in as much Pink as humanly possible and prepare to walk for 39.9 miles.


We suffer and laugh through: 

• Torn muscles which require surgery

• Blisters that are almost covering your entire foot and body parts you never realize you could get a blister on (ButtCrackGate 2013)

• Passing out in the triage medical unit

• Sleeping in a tent on the grass

• Taking the best mobile showers EVER

• Limping like old ladies

• Cursing at the curbs to get onto the sidewalk (Walk 39 miles and you will be cursing at them too).

We do this all in the hopes that no other Mother, Sister, Aunt or Friend will have to deal with Breast Cancer.


***Money raised from the anthology will go towards the 2015 Avon Walk***


Titles Included in the Anthology

Shanghai Wind from Chloe T. Barlow 
When You Want from Ruth Cardello 
Alpha Love from Gretchen de la O 
Mr. Online from Jennifer Foor 
Kindred from Angela Graham & S.E. Hall
Relinquished from K.A. Hunter 
Insatiable Hunger from Jade C. Jamison 
Will You Be My Valentine? from Jade C. Jamison 
Dry Spell from Vi Keeland 
Break Down Here from Shayne McClendon 
The Auction from J.B. McGee 
Frozen Fantasy from Nicole Andrews Moore
Roses are Red from Liv Morris 
Cricket from Tess Oliver 
The Fantasy from Julie A. Richman
Teasing Destiny from Melanie Shawn
Undoing You from Jessica Sorensen 
Always On My Mind from Hilary Storm



ab177-buy2blinks

AMAZON * AMAZON UK



9d0d2-about2bthe2bauthor

Shanghai Wind by Chloe Barlow

Chloe is a contemporary romance novelist living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and their sweet dog. She is a native Washingtonian that graduated Duke University with a degree in English and Chinese language. She met her husband at Duke and he brought her to Pittsburgh over a decade ago, which she has loved ever since and made her adopted hometown. She also attended the University of Pittsburgh Law School where she continued to be a book-loving nerd.

Chloe has always loved writing and cherishes the opportunity to craft her fictional novels and share them with the world. When Chloe isn't writing, she spends her time exploring Pittsburgh with her husband and friends. She also enjoys yoga, jogging, and all Pittsburgh sports, as well as her Duke Blue Devils.

She also thoroughly enjoys every opportunity to communicate with her readers. Since the release of her debut novel, Three Rivers, she has enjoyed the honor of meeting and talking with numerous fans, and looks forward to getting to know many more.

When You Want by Ruth Cardello

Ruth Cardello was born the youngest of 11 children in a small city in northern Rhode Island. She spent her young adult years moving as far away as she could from her large extended family. She lived in Boston, Paris, Orlando, New York--then came full circle and moved back to Rhode Island. She now happily lives one town over from the one she was born in. For her, family trumped the warmer weather and international scene.

She was an educator for 20 years, the last 11 as a kindergarten teacher. When her school district began cutting jobs, Ruth turned a serious eye toward her second love- writing and has never been happier. When she's not writing, you can find her chasing her children around her small farm, riding her horses, or connecting with her readers online.

Her third book in the Andrade Series, Maximum Risk is now available for pre-order!

Alpha Love by Gretchen de la O

By day Gretchen teaches computers, by night she dons the cloak of motherhood, wifehood, and authorship. She is making her way through self-publishing and is truly learning to let go with every curve and bump in the creative process. She enjoys writing about first loves and first times, in the first person. She is a firm believer that anything is possible if you set your mind to it; and what you expect out of life, always finds a way of showing up.

Gretchen happily lives in Northern California with her amazing husband, their three terrific boys, her talented mother, one goofy black lab, two crazy kitties, and seven happy chickens. Even though it sounds like it, she doesn't live on a farm.

The Wilson Mooney Series is Gretchen's 3 book complete series about a forbidden student/teacher romance. The series is a New Adult Romance. Pick it up today!

Mr. Online by Jennifer Foor

Jennifer Foor - Author of the Best Selling Mitchell Family Series, The Kin Series, The Bankshot Series, The Twisted Twin Series, Diary of a Male Maid, Hope's Chance and Love's Suicide.

Kindred by Angela Graham & S.E. Hall

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author.

Angela knew she found her calling in the world of fiction the moment she began pounding away at the keys for her first short story in 2012. With a baby on her shoulder, she wrote for about a year before deciding to try her hand at an actual novel. It was the best decision she ever made and since then she continues to bring characters to life in her free time snuck away from her first role as mother to her three young children.
S.E.Hall is the author of the Amazon Best Selling Evolve Series: Emerge, Embrace, Entangled(novella)and Entice as well as the best selling stand-alone NA Romance, Pretty Instinct. She also co-wrote Stirred Up, Packaged and Handled, stand-alone erotic quickies with her CP and friend, Author Angela Graham and Conspire, a romantic suspense with friend and author Erin Noelle.
S.E. Hall is honored to be a part of the USA Today and NYT Best Selling Devour box set.
She resides in Arkansas with her husband of 18 years and 3 beautiful daughters of the home.

Relinquished by K.A. Hunter

Kimi grew up in the San Gabriel Valley (mostly Alhambra) and still lives in Southern California. She's been married to her high-school sweetheart and prom date for over 22 years and they have two hilarious boys.

When she's not reading or writing, Kimi spends her time in the kitchen trying to come up with vegan meals that don't taste like cardboard. Her family might disagree with this however.

Volunteering is extremely important to her and her family. Together, they work with several local non-profit organizations. A portion of her sales will always go to charity.

Books 1-3 in the Intertwined Hearts series, are available now and book 4, Grafted Vines (Dani & Zachary's story) is anticipated to release in early 2015.

*** UPDATE BY AUTHOR...I have some EXCITING news. I decided to write a new novel under the pen name, K.A. Hunter (will add links when they become available). I'm not hiding behind the name but this novel, and others that will follow, is more raw and definitely grittier than my Intertwined Hearts series. The first 4 chapters have been written into a short story that will appear in an anthology in February 2015 and I anticipate publishing the full novel around July 2015. Those that have read it confirm that it's nothing like what I've written before and they were blown away. Can't even tell you how happy that makes me :D

Insatiable Hunger & Will You Be My Valentine (Two Stories) by Jade C. Jamison

For years, Jade C. Jamison tried really hard to write what she thought was more "literary" fiction, but she found herself compelled to write what you read by her today--sometimes gritty, raw, realistic stories and other times humorous, light stories--but most of the stories she writes revolve around relationships and characters finding their way through life. While she doesn't confine herself to just one genre, nor is there a nice neat label for what she writes, most of her work could be called erotic romance.

She lives in Colorado with her husband and four children.

Dry Spell by Vi Keeland

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. She is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting New York Times & USA Today Best Selling smut author by night!

Break Down Here by Shayne McClendon

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Shayne McClendon is an indie author who has received rave reviews for her premiere novel "The Barter System."

Other projects recently released are "Yes to Everything," "Completely Wrecked," "Love of the Game - The Complete Collection," "The Hermit," "Hudson" - the second book set in "The Barter System" world, and "Just a Little - The Complete Collection" with Alexandra Andersen.

Writer, mom, and hermit...Shayne listens to the voices in her head because their ideas are awesome. Those around her have learned not to question the crazy. Coffee consumption is too high, amount of sleep is too low, but the words always feel just right.

She currently lives in Oklahoma wrangling teenagers, opening doors for her pets, and running her content writing company. She dreams of peace, quiet, travel, and always having a viable internet connection.

The Auction by J.B. McGee

J.B. McGee was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina. She is the mother of two beautiful children and a stay at home mom/entrepreneur. She finished her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of South Carolina-Aiken in 2006. During her time studying children's literature, a professor had encouraged her to become a writer.

In 2011, it was discovered that both of her children, she, and her husband have Mitochondrial Disease, a disease that has no cure or treatments. Being a writer allows J.B. to remain close to her family, work on raising awareness for this disease, and to lose herself in the stories that she creates for her fans.

J.B. McGee and her family now reside in Buford, Georgia. She is an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of her debut series, the 'THIS' Series.

Frozen Fantasy by Nicole Andrews Moore

Nicole lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, a teenage son and daughter, and Kenna. Every day is new and sparkly...which is why she chronicles them on her blog, Suddenly *Not So* Single Journey. It is a way for her to spread her brand of hope, happiness, and love.

Previously, Nicole has been published by McClatchy News in their syndicated papers. In 2010, she joined the Yahoo! Mother Board, became a Shine Parenting Guru, and has become an award winning dating and relationships expert for Shine.

After a few bad sailing experiences, the Moores decided they were safer on land. Their boating adventures will be limited to cruise ships. And those cruises are centered around their travel goal of visiting ever Margaritaville. Two down, eleven to go!

Roses Are Red by Liv Morris

Raised in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, Liv Morris now resides in Manhattan with her first and hopefully last husband. After relocating eleven times during his corporate career, she qualifies as a professional mover. Learning to bloom where she's planted, Liv brings her moving and life experience to her writing.

Cricket by Tess Oliver

Custom Culture #5: Nix & Scotlyn: The Wedding COMING DECEMBER 20th

I write romance for young adult, new adult and those of us past the 'new' stage. My stories take place anywhere from 19th century England to 21st century California. And you can count on a super alpha in each book.

Tess Oliver is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Custom Culture Series. She lives in sunny California with her husband, kids and a herd of spoiled pets

The Fantasy by Julie A. Richman

USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. A creative writing major in college, reading and writing fiction has always been a passion. Julie began her corporate career in publishing in NYC and writing played a major role throughout her career as she created and wrote marketing, advertising, direct mail and fundraising materials for Fortune 500 corporations, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an award winning nature photographer plagued with insatiable wanderlust. Julie and her husband have one son and a white German Shepherd named Juneau.

Currently, Julie has published The Needing Moore Series - Searching for Moore, Moore to Lose and Moore than Forever, and has works included in Pink Shades of Words and Tempting Fate Boxed Set (Searching for Moore appears in its entirety)

Teasing Destiny by Melanie Shawn

NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Melanie Shawn is the writing team of sister duo Melanie and Shawna. Originally from Northern California, they both migrated south and now call So Cal their home.

Growing up, Melanie constantly had her head in a book and was always working on short stories, manuscripts, plays and poetry.

Shawna always loved romance in any form - movie, song or literary. If it was a love story with a happy ending, Shawna was all about it! She proudly acknowledges that she is a romanceaholic.

They have joined forces to create a world where true love and happily ever after always has a sexy twist!

Undoing You by Jessica Sorenson

Jessica Sorensen is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Always on my Mind by Hilary Storm

Hilary Storm lives with her high school sweetheart and three children in Enid, Oklahoma. She drives her husband crazy talking about book characters everyday like they are real people. She graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with an MBA in Accounting. Her passions include being a mom, writing, reading, photography, music, mocha coffee, and spending time with friends and family. She is the international best selling author of the Rebel Walking Series.

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Friday, February 27, 2015

5 Star Review: Collateral Damage (Limelight #3) by Elisabeth Grace

Synopsis

Now trending
Hollywood It Girl, Francesca Leon, has just landed the biggest role of her career…one that could clinch an Oscar nomination and open doors. If she’s going to move her career to the next level and work with top directors, she has to nail this part — and keep her sexy, but unreliable leading man from screwing everything up.

Team Calder
Bad boy Calder Fox is the son of Hollywood royalty and fresh out of rehab after his best friend’s death sent him on a downward spiral of drugs and alcohol. While his fans still love him and the paparazzi stalk him, he’s never taken life, or anything about his career, seriously. He may be charming and drop-dead gorgeous, but if he doesn’t stay sober, he could ruin Frankie’s future and expose her long-hidden family secret to the voracious media.

Behind the scenes
Things heat up during filming and have the potential to become hotter, deeper, and much more real. But can Frankie trust Calder with her secret? Or is he doomed to sabotage his own happiness yet again?








My Review

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

I recently did a spotlight on Elisabeth Graces's Indiscretion series, which you should read if you haven't yet: Series Spotlight: Indiscretion. And the ridiculously sexy man in that series, Max, made my book boyfriend list: Kimmy's Book Boyfriend List - Part 3. So yeah, I don't just like the author's books, I LOVE THEM. "Collateral Damage" is no exception. 


This book is not just a love story. It's a story about forgiveness, redemption and learning how to trust not only yourself, but other people. The entertainment industry is a fickle one and good people are hard to come by.

Calder Fox is trying to get back on track after an accident that not only takes away his best friend, but also his career. He is just out of rehab and looking for that one role to help propel him back to the top. Francesca Leon is an up and coming actress that has finally booked what could be her breakout role. When Frankie's costar has to back out of the film, Calder is given the role. She is wary of his commitment to the movie and is basically waiting for him to screw up. Just out of rehab and still battling a lot of demons, Calder is walking a thin line of trying to stay sober while giving all he can to prove that he is a changed man.  

Luckily for Frankie, her initial assumptions about Calder are totally wrong and what starts as a purely professional relationship turns into an absolutely beautiful one. Frankie starts to learn about the real Calder Fox and discovers that there is A LOT more to him than what is put in the papers. They form a wonderful friendship that blossoms into so much more. She is there for him when he struggles to stay on the straight and narrow and Calder acts as a support system when he discovers that Frankie is carrying around a secret that only a few people know about.  

I will admit that just like Frankie, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. There were a few moments when Calder faced temptation and it would have been very easy for him to give into his urges, but he is able to resist. Luckily for him, he does have a great support system that wants him to succeed just as much as he does. Not to mention that he gets involved with Frankie at at time when he probably shouldn't have, but it turns out she is the best thing for him. They are actually the best thing for each other. 

Towards the end of the book something great happens and Calder gives this lovely speech:
"In all seriousness, I want to talk directly to anyone out there who finds themselves lost and without hope. What I know is this—if I can come back from the brink of almost destroying myself, so can you. Forgiveness is a gift you have to give yourself and that validation comes from within. That’s the most important lesson I’ve learned through all of this. You’ve got to forgive yourself in order to move forward. Everyone deserves a second chance to start anew. We think it’s everyone else in our lives that harbor ill will toward us, and perhaps in some cases that’s true. But often the self-hatred comes from within and we just need to let it go in order to see clearly. You’re worth it. It does get better. So don’t stop trying until you find your second chance.”
See. I told you that this wasn't just a love story. Now do yourself a favor and click on that link below. 

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00TSN6ZS6