All in a Book

Release Week Blitz + Giveaway: Every Last Breath by Jennifer Armentrout

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:00:00 +0000

Every Last Breath (The Dark Elements #3) by Jennifer Armentrout

Release Date: July 28, 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 400
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Some loves will last ‘til your dying breath...

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…

“Armentrout is a major talent…I just can’t stop reading!”
- New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter

“Armentrout works her magic with swoon-worthy guys and a twist you never see coming.”
- #1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines on White Hot Kiss

Excerpt from Every Last Breath

Roth cleared his throat. “Shortie, look…look at your hand.”

Look at my hand? Why in the world would he be asking me to do that in the midst of all the cray?

“Do it,” he said quietly and too gently.

The dread exploded in my gut like buckshot, and my gaze dropped to my left hand. I expected to see the weird marbling of black and gray, a mixture of the demon and Warden that existed inside of me and a combination I’d become almost familiar with by now. My nails had lengthened and sharpened, and I could tell they were hard enough to cut through steel, as hard as my skin, but my skin…it was still pink. Really pink.

“What the…?” My gaze traveled to my other hand. It was the same. Just pink. My wings twitched, reminding me that I had shifted.

Zayne swallowed. “Your…your wings…” “What about my wings?” I almost screeched, reaching be‑ hind me. “Are they broken? Did they not come out—” The tips of my fingers came into contact with something as soft as silk. My hand jerked back. “What…”

Stacey’s watery eyes had doubled in size. “Um, Layla, there’s a mirror above the fireplace. I think you need to look in it.”

I met Roth’s gaze for a second before I spun around and all but ran to the fireplace I was sure Stacey’s mom had never used. Clutching the white mantel, I stared at my reflection.

I looked normal, like I did before I shifted…like I was going to class or something. My eyes were the palest shade of gray, a watered-down blue. My hair was so blond it was almost white, and a mess of waves that went in every direction like usual. I looked like a colorless china doll, which was nothing new, except for the two fangs jutting out of my mouth. I wouldn’t show them off at school, but that wasn’t what caught my attention and held it.

It was my wings.

They were large, not as massive as Zayne’s or Roth’s, and normally they were almost leathery in texture, but now they were black…black and feathered. Like legit feathered. That soft, silky thing I’d felt? It had been tiny feathers.

Feathers.

“Oh my God,” I whispered at my reflection. “I have feathers.”

“Those are definitely feathered wings,” Roth commented.

I whipped around, knocking over a lamp with my feathered right wing. “I have feathers on my wings!”

Roth cocked his head to the side. “Yeah, you do.”

He was absolutely no help, so I turned to Zayne. “Why do I have feathers on my wings?”

Zayne shook his head slowly. “I don’t know, Layla. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Liar,” hissed Roth, shooting him a dark look. “You’ve seen that before. So have I.”

Trailer for Every Last Breath

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And don't miss the first titles in the Dark Elements series!

Bitter Sweet Love

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White Hot Kiss

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Stone Cold Touch

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About the Author

# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel Don't Look Back was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.

She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: While It Lasts by Paige Rion

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:00:00 +0000

While It Lasts (Callaway Cove #2) by Paige Rion

Release Date: January 20. 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages:
Format: Paperback
Source: Review Copy
Goodreads • Amazon - Kindle • Amazon - Paperback

A loan shark that doesn't bite?

Rachel Beaumont discovers her mother's gambling debt has put their family in danger of losing their money and social status. It's up to Rachel to do anything to maintain the lifestyle she's accustomed to—including hunting down her mother's debtor. But the green-eyed, dark-haired, hunk known as Rex Greene matches none of the stereotypes of a loan shark. Her spur-of-the-moment plan to make him fall in love with her is a dangerous roll of the dice.

FBI agent Colton McCabe arrived at Callaway Cove with one motive. Play the part of Rex Greene and gather evidence in the Beaumont racketeering case. He never anticipated the involvement of the subject's beautiful daughter, Rachel. Not only is she unexpected in every way, but she may just be the one to crack the case. Or his heart.

In this second installment of the Callaway Cove series, While It Lasts delivers a sweet romance, filled with joy, heartbreak, love, and choices.

While It Lasts follows the unlikely romance of Rachel Beaumont, a largely spoiled, directionless twenty one-year-old, and Rex Greene, the man she believes holds the power to bring her life down around her. As her mother's apparent loan shark, Rachel seeks out Rex with the intent of resolving her family's debt—by making him fall in love with her. But Rex is not who he seems. His name is really Colton McCabe, and he's spent months trying to bring Rachel's father down for racketeering. And Rachel may be his ticket to resolving the case.

The romance between Rachel and Colton is fast-moving but sweet. They find comfort and support in each other in a way they've never experienced. While much of the book really drives home their reluctant development of feelings, it wasn't unbearable in its frequency and helped to build the tension. And there was certainly no shortage of tension—the banter and chemistry between them really helped make the story believable.

Colton's position within the FBI, however, was much less believable. There were many aspects of his life that I highly doubt would work for someone who's undercover. Not to mention some of the advice with regards to Rachel from his superiors. I can only hope there exist more regulations in that regard. Basically, without giving too much away, this was a very irresponsible setup for someone who's undercover and could be at any kind of risk.

If you're looking for a short, fun escape-read While It Lasts may be right up your alley. I read it over my spring break, and it was the perfect sweet and easy book to relax with!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

While It Lasts

by Paige Rion

Giveaway ends March 31, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

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About the Author

Paige Rion is a contemporary romance author. She's a mother, wife, blogger, hopeless chocoholic, coffee-addicted, wine-lover. Her debut romance, Written On Her Heart, is the first in the Callaway Cove series. Since her first release, she has completed five novellas and the second installment of the Callaway Cove series, While It Lasts. She grew up in the suburbs outside of the city, and while she will always be a city girl at heart, she now but lives on a farm with her husband and children (and animals).

She loves connecting with readers on her blog and social media.

Subscribe to her newsletter for news on giveaways, new releases, and exclusive content.

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Release Day Launch: Better When He's Bold by Jay Crownover

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 05:01:00 +0000

Better When He's Bold (Welcome to the Point #2) by Jay Crownover

Release Date: February 3, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins)
Pages: 400
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From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jay Crownover, comes the second book in a combustible new series, Welcome to the Point, that is sexier, darker, and better than ever.

There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who is bad. . . . Welcome to the Point.

In a dark and broken kingdom, a ruler has be fearless to control the streets and the ruthless people who run them. Race Hartman is just bold enough, just smart enough, and just lost enough to wear the crown. Places like The Point will always have bad things and bad people, but the man in control of all that badness can minimize the devastation. Race has a plan, but can he prevent total annihilation without destroying himself?

Brysen Carter has always seen the real Race—a guy too pretty, too smooth, and way too dangerous. Basking in his golden glow is very tempting, but Brysen knows she’ll eventually get burned. She has enough problems without the risky danger and mayhem that comes with a guy like Race. Too bad Brysen faces a threat close to home that might be more dangerous than anything The Point has ever produced.. And the only person interested in keeping her safe is the one man she can’t allow herself to have.

Sometimes being bold is the only way to stay alive. But can she let Race save her life . . . if it means losing herself to him?

And don't miss the previous book in the Welcome to the Point series:

Better When He's Bad

Excerpt from Better When He's Bold

I wheeled the Mustang into the compound and watched to make sure the gates swung closed behind us. The security lights flickered on overhead, casting her in an ethereal, bluish glow. Everything about her was refined and pure looking. God, I wanted to mess her up. I wanted my hands in her hair, my marks on her skin, and my taste in her mouth. I wanted her to look as rough as she made me feel on the inside. No one had ever riled me up like that before. Maybe because I was so used to just getting without having to ask, and Brysen never offered that to me. I always had to ask her what the next move was going to be, and her answers often surprised me. She was not a sure bet, and I think the challenge of that made her even more desirable.

“The lengths we go to in order to keep our family safe, to do right by those we love, is often a weighty burden to bear.” I got out of the car and went around to let her out of the passenger side. When I pulled her up, I pressed her back into the side of the car with the full length of my body and bent down so that my mouth hovered enticingly over the plump ridge of hers.

“I would do anything for Dovie, anything. I have done things for her that made me hate the man I had to be in order to do them, but it was in her best interest. I admire you being able to put your own life down and pick up a different one out of loyalty to your sister, but somewhere in there, you need to remember she’s going to have to learn to take care of herself. She’ll eventually have to admit that your parents are fucked and move on with her own life. Dovie found the one person in the world to love who has the ability to insulate her from anything the Point wants to throw at her. Your sister will eventually have to find her stability as well. She won’t need you forever.”

I saw something flare deep in those cerulean eyes, a spark of pain, maybe of realization that I was right, but then it was gone and she was pressing up on her tiptoes and sealing her mouth over mine. I let my hands glide down her sides and fall under her backside. She had the nicest butt on any girl I had ever seen, the nicest body really. There was no end to all her curves and dips, and anywhere my hands decided to land, they were filled with firm and sexy flesh. The brief glimpse I had had of her out of her towel the last time we were this close together had been enough to burn out the image of any other female I might’ve seen naked in the last few years. All I could see was Brysen and her pretty, pale skin, her high breasts with perfectly pink nipples, and her most private of places that were just at elegant and alluring as the rest of her. She was a blond bombshell and I could feel my body urging me to stop playing around and finally seal the deal with her.

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About the Author

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men and The Point series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.

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Cover Reveal: Amber Smoke by Kristin Cast

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 05:01:00 +0000

Amber Smoke (The Escaped #1) by Kristin Cast

Release Date: June 9, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal
Publisher: Diversion Books
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The door to the massive New York Times bestselling House of Night series has closed. Now, Kristin Cast kicks down a new door to welcome her millions of fans to her latest sizzling series.

There is a world that runs parallel to our own, a world in which the souls of the damned are caged, where they are looked over by the Furies, and where they spend eternity in torment, mirroring the devastation and mayhem they created when alive.

Someone has opened the cage.

The worst of terrors has crossed the barrier that separates our world from theirs, and the Furies send a great, albeit untested warrior—their only son, Alek—to try to bring those souls back. He is young and handsome, headstrong and impulsive, and he won’t be able to do it alone.

Eva has grown up, beautiful and beloved, but surrounded by secrets. First, she will be hunted in an ancient feud that will threaten her life. Then, she will become the hunter.

With the police closing in and two worlds on the verge of crumbling around them, Alek and Eva must find each other, discover the limits of their powers, and work together to save everything they hold dear, including one another.

Blending elements of mythology with the dazzling storytelling that her fans have devoured through the House of Night series, Kristin Cast weaves a spellbinding and passionate tale that starts a thrilling new series with an explosive charge.

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About the Author

Kristin Cast is a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author who teamed with her mother to write the young adult House of Night series. She has stories in several anthologies, as well as editorial credits, and a thriving t-shirt line. The first book in her new adult paranormal romance series releases June 9th, 2015!

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway + Author Interview: Sweet Surprise by Candis Terry

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 15:30:00 +0000

Sweet Surprise (Sweet, Texas #4) by Candis Terry

Release Date: January 27, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Avon (HarperCollins)
Pages: 384
Format: eBook
Source: ARC for Tour from Edelweiss
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Playing naughty or nice . . .

Fiona Wilder knows all about falling in lust. Love? That's another story. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, the single mom and cupcake shop owner is focused on walking the straight and narrow. But trouble has a way of finding her. And this time it comes in the form of a smoking hot firefighter who knows all the delicious ways to ignite her bad-girl fuse.

Can lead to heartbreak . . .

Firefighter Mike Halsey learned long ago that playing with fire just gets you burned. He's put his demons behind him, and if there's one line he won't cross, it's getting involved with his best friend's ex. But when fate throws him in the path of the beautiful, strong, and off-limits Fiona, will he be able to fight their attraction? Or will he willingly go down in flames?

Or a sweet surprise!

As a single mother, Fiona is doing her best to navigate the many responsibilities that follow. Her daughter is her world, and while she wants to find the one someday, little Isabella and her dream of owning her own cupcake shop come first. So she makes the move to Sweet, Texas to be closer to the support of her surrogate family. Enter Mike, the hotter-than-hell fireman who makes her reconsider her own "serious relationships only" promise. They both have their histories, but the possibility of being together may be just what they need to let go.

Fiona and Mike as characters were definitely solid. They had a lot of baggage from their pasts that manifested in—what felt to me like—real, believable interactions (perhaps with the exception of Fiona's camaraderie with her ex-husband, but only because I've never seen two people as enviably amicable post-divorce). But, despite their respective hang-ups, they worked hard to move past them in order to be together. I also really enjoyed Fiona's—and eventually Mike's— devotion to and consideration for Fiona's daughter. That had the maternal instincts going haywire in the best way. On top of that, Fiona's drive and determination with regards to her business were admirable and likable qualities. In both cases, our leads certainly strong, worthy characters with enough flaws and missteps for intrigue and believability.

Perhaps my favorite aspects of this book were the little town of Sweet and the lively, genuine characters that inhabit it. The family and small-town dynamics of the Wilders and the rest of the residents were brimming with charm, humor, and all-around entertainment value. Sure, there are elements that aren't so new—the meddling, matchmaking matriarch (Ha! Alliteration!) for instance—but they all worked within the story for me and I never got hung up on whether they might be tired or trope-ish.

Sweet Surprise was the perfect cute read for a decompression weekend. I had a lot going on while I was making my way through it and the book I'd been reading before really hadn't been doing it for me, but this book was the perfect way to bring my stress down. It was a pretty quick read, but not in a way that detracted from the overall story. It was the textbook fun, light read, with enjoyable characters and interactions, but a healthy dose of heart. If you're a romance fan and looking for a way to relax, look no further! The town of Sweet, Texas has you covered.

Excerpt from Sweet Surprise

Fiona swallowed. Something warm and forbidden swirled in the pit of her stomach, then wound its way into her heart and other vital parts of her body. In the old days she’d tug him closer and take what she wanted. But this was a new day. A new Fiona. A more responsible Fiona who, unfortunately, couldn’t seem to get this man off her mind.

“Then maybe this won’t work out.” She eased her hand from his and instantly missed the fire in his touch.

“Maybe.” Those broad shoulders beneath that fresh cotton T-shirt lifted in a nonchalant shrug. “I’m willing to give it a shot if you are.”

Give what a shot, she wanted to ask. The actual work? Or the sexual tension that ignited between them like gasoline and matches?

A sigh expanded her chest. “If you’re going to work for me there can’t be any flirting. Or touching.”

His smile widened to a grin. “It’ll be a pleasure working under you.”

Oh boy.

Interview with Candis Terry

What drew you to write a series set in Texas? Assuming it's more than just the cowboys, that is... ;)

Hello! Thank you so very much for having me here today! Well, I do love my cowboys. I live on a farm in an agricultural area and there might be more rodeos here per year than anywhere else. When my daughter was involved in the rodeo circuit I got an eyeful of those cowboys. And I’m not complaining! Writing a series set in Texas was a very exciting venture for me. I’d been to Texas many times. I have relatives in Texas. And I just really love the state and its people. So the possibility of being able to do research and spend a little more time there was very appealing. Plus, Texas just seems to have very hearty people, and I knew the Wilder bunch was going to have to come from someplace that had a lot of guts and grit.

Where did you get the inspiration for Sweet, Texas?

I put boots on the ground and traveled all through the Texas Hill Country and I found more inspiration than I could have ever imagined. Sweet, Texas is really a combination of the small towns of Boerne and Comfort. I love these places! Sweet’s favorite fashionista goat, Miss Giddy, would not have come to pass had I not been driving through Comfort and seen an adorable little shop with that name. The sweet potato fries served at Bud’s Nothing Finer Diner may not have made it to the page if I hadn’t discovered the delicious ones at Soda Pop’s in Boerne. And Wilder & Son’s Hardware and Feed may never have opened its doors if it hadn’t been for Bergmann Lumber. There were so many places I discovered that I just couldn’t wait to come back home and create the little town that has become so near and dear to my heart.

What are your favorite characteristics in female and male leads?

Strength and the ability to push past their problems. Anyone who has read my books knows I write very flawed characters. And sometimes their stubbornness drives me a little crazy (Hello, Jackson Wilder from Sweetest Mistake!). But honestly, I want these characters to be as real as the people I meet every day. Real people are complex. They aren’t always nice. They have pasts that mold them into who they have become. Personally, I can tell you why I am the way I am and what caused me to be that way. Characters in books must act and react in the same way real people do. But in a story, the reader must admire or even relate to the characters. And that can only come from giving the characters enough depth and enough strength to overcome their issues and be brave enough to reach out there and grab hold of what really matters. I don’t create wimpy characters because I can’t tolerate them. I want to create characters who, at the end of the day, can be proud of themselves for the way they handled something. Even if they have a tough road getting there. And I want to create characters that the reader will (hopefully) remember long after they close the book.

Is there a part of Sweet Surprise that you really love? What makes it special?

Okay, narrowing it down to just one part is really hard . . . but . . . (groan) okay, I’m going to divide this up into a part that I really love and a scene that I really love. How about that?

The part that I really love is Fiona’s love and relationship with her daughter. I was once a single mom and my daughter is now a single mom. It’s a tough job. Fiona questions herself all the time and wonders if she’s doing a good enough job with Izzy so her daughter will grow up with the least amount of baggage possible. She works hard to achieve that dream, but she’s realistic enough to know that she’s not perfect and somewhere along the way she’s going to hit a brick wall. But her love for Izzy is apparent in everything she does. And I love that part about her.

The scene that I really love is the one where Jana calls in her charity donation from the Black Ties and Levi’s Bachelor Auction and asks Fireman Mike to help Fiona move into her new house and get her cupcake shop started. Poor Mike isn’t quite sure what to make of Jana and her request, but it gives him the opportunity to look at things a different way. It helps him leave his baggage at the curb and open the door to his dream, even if he gets there kicking and screaming all the way.

Fiona and Mike both have a lot of baggage, but they’re both strong characters and after a few bumps and bruises, are able to push forward and grab hold of what really matters.

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About the Author

Candis Terry was born and raised near the sunny beaches of Southern California and now makes her home on an Idaho farm. She's experienced life in such diverse ways as working in a Hollywood recording studio to scooping up road apples left by her daughter's rodeo queening horse to working as a graphic designer. Only one thing has remained constant: Candis' passion for writing stories about relationships, the push and pull in the search for love, and the security one finds in their own happily ever after. Though her stories are set in small towns, Candis' wish is to give each of her characters a great big memorable love story rich with quirky characters, tons of fun, and a happy ending.

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Blog Tour + Giveaway: In His Keeping by Maya Banks

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 11:00:00 +0000

In His Keeping (Slow Burn #2) by Maya Banks

Release Date: January 27, 2015
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: Avon (HarperCollins)
Pages: 432
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#1 bestselling author Maya Banks continues her suspenseful and steamy Slow Burn trilogy with this second book—a twisting tale featuring a strong yet vulnerable heroine in danger and the sexy alpha hero who must save her.

Abandoned as a baby to a young wealthy couple and raised in a world of privilege, Arial has no hint of her past or who she belonged to. Her only link lies in the one thing that sets her apart from everyone else—telekinetic powers. Protected by her adoptive parents and hidden from the public to keep her gift secret, Ari is raised in the lap of luxury, and isolation. That is, until someone begins threatening her life.

Beau Devereaux is no stranger to the strange. As the head of Deveraux Security, he’s more than familiar with the realities of physic powers. So when a family friend approaches him about protecting his daughter, he’s more than ready to jump on board. What Beau isn’t prepared for is the extent of his attraction to his beautiful and powerful client. What began as a simple assignment, just another job, quickly turns personal as Beau discovers he’ll do anything at all to protect Ari. Even if it costs him his life.

Check out the rest of the tour here!

Excerpt from In His Keeping

GAVIN Rochester stood in the doorway of his enormous living room watching as his wife carefully examined a Christmas ornament before quietly replacing it in the box and tucking it back into the plastic basin they used to store Christmas decorations.

Her sadness instilled an ache inside his heart that made him physically rub his chest in an effort to alleviate the pain. But some wounds were simply too deep. Permanent and unable to heal. And her pain was unbearable to him because he couldn’t fix this for her. His connections, money, power. None of it meant anything if he couldn’t give his beloved wife what she wanted most. He felt her pain as keenly as if it were his own—and it was. Because he couldn’t stand for her to be unhappy. He’d move mountains just to make her smile.

She’d changed him. Made him a better man. A man he never thought he could be—never wanted to be. But she changed everything—his world—his place in his world. Suddenly he’d wanted to be a better man. For her. Because it was what she deserved. And he would never place her in harm’s way with his business practices. It was a new experience for him. Living clean. In the light. Having someone who made him want to feel . . . worthy.

Then she turned from her sad perusal of the lone orna- ment, and when she saw him, her face lit up, rosy from the shining Christmas lights strung around the tree. He marveled at how, whenever she smiled at him, it took his breath away. It was something that would never go away. His love for his wife was like nothing he’d ever experienced in his life. Staggering. Yet warm, like the flames in the fireplace. Unwavering. Without res- ervations, strings or conditions.

She loved him, and that knowledge still had the power to bring him to his knees.

“That’s the last one,” she said, her gaze drifting one last time to the sole ornament that hadn’t been hung on the tree. Sorrow briefly chased the warmth from her eyes before she appeared to make a concerted effort to collect herself, and the grief filling her features slipped away, but he’d seen it. Knew it to be there no matter the effort she made not to let it show.

He crossed the room, no longer able to bear the distance between them. He pulled her into his arms and thrust his fingers into her long hair and then nuzzled the top of her head, inhaling her scent as his lips pressed to her glossy brunette strands.

“We’ll try again,” he murmured, trying to inject confidence and reassurance in his tone. And yet he knew he’d failed miserably. He sounded as dejected as he knew her to be. Not because she’d failed him. He could live his life with only her and never suffer a single regret. But he’d failed her. He was unable to give her a child he knew she wanted with every breath.

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About the Author

Maya Banks is a #1 USA Today and New York Times bestselling author whose chart toppers have included erotic romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, Scottish historical romances. She is the author of the Breathless Trilogy, the KGI novels, the Sweet series, and the Colters Legacy novels.

She lives in the South with her husband and three children and other assorted babies, such as her two Bengal kitties and a Calico who’s been with her as long as her youngest child. She’s an avid reader of romance and loves to dish books with her fans and anyone else who’ll listen! She very much enjoys interacting with her readers on Facebook and Twitter as well as in her Yahoo! Group.

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: The Grown Ups by Robin Antalek

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:00:00 +0000

The Grown Ups by Robin Antalek

Release Date: January 27, 2015
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins)
Pages: 304
Format: eBook
Source: ARC for Tour from Edelweiss
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From Robin Antalek, author of The Summer We Fell Apart, comes an evocative and emotionally resonant coming-of-age novel involving three friends who explore what it means to be happy, what it means to grow up, and the difficulties in doing both together. Spanning over a decade, and told in alternating voices, The Grown Ups explores the indelible bonds between friends and family and the challenges that threaten to divide them. It is the addictive and moving story of these old friends who wind up confronting their past in order to find happiness in their adult lives that make this novel an anticipated winter release.

Sam Turner, the summer he turns 15, feels lucky enough to enjoy the unexpected attention of his friend Suzie Epstein, even though it’s only a few secret months. For reasons Sam doesn’t entirely understand—and will never question—the budding relationship is kept hidden from their close circle of friends. But before their summer tans can even start to fade, Sam’s world unexpectedly shatters twice: Suzie’s parents are moving away to save their marriage, and his own mother has suddenly left the house, leaving Sam’s father alone to raise two sons.

Watching as her parents’ marital troubles escalate, Suzie Epstein takes on the responsibility of raising her two younger brothers while simultaneously planning an early escape to college to seek independence. Though she occasionally thinks of Sam, it’s her oldest friend Bella Spade she finds herself missing. Embarrassed by the destructive wake of her parents as they left the only place Suzie could call home, Suzie makes no attempt to reconnect with the one person she needs. Its years later that a chance meeting with Sam’s older brother Michael will reunite her with both Sam and Bella—finally forcing her to confront her friends, her past and what she left behind.

After losing Suzie, Bella surprisingly finds her first real love in Sam. But his inability to commit to her or even his own future eventually drives them apart. Watching Suzie and Michael as they seem to have worked it all out, Bella’s only to wonder where she went wrong and how to make it right.

It's been a while since a story put me through the emotional gambit quite like The Grown Ups. At times I was left mixed up, hurting, but in this kind of wonderful way. This story just made me feel everything—from the warmth of love curling low in your belly to the hollowed-out insides of despair and flush of anger. While I can't claim my life really looks like any of these characters', there's a stark honesty to the way Antalek portrays the inter-weaving of their development that feels impossible to not relate to in some small way, at the very least. You will relive those awkward, terrible times of thinking you understood the world and your place in it, only to have that belief dashed over and over again. It's difficult to make it through at times for that very reasoning—a visceral recalling of all of the moments of failed bravado and having to accept that no one ever really knows what will happen in life.

As far as the characters go, I was immediately drawn to Sam. I don't know if it's as simple as the fact that his was the first perspective shared or some more complex thread connecting us, but I often found myself falling into his feelings. The way Suzie treated him kept me irrationally angry at her for far longer than I should've been and I really didn't know who I wanted him to find his way to in the end between her and Bella. At times I resented his brother, Michael, for being the golden child that everyone wanted, just as Sam seemed to. So while I enjoyed parts of all three narratives, it was Sam's that really pulled me in, for reasons I won't delve to far into for now.

Throughout the entirety of the story, most of the moments that really stood out were nothing short of poetic. Antalek crafts prose that a some points has a flow so present that you have expect to see it in some stanza-ed format. I'd never read any of her books before, but it was certainly one of my absolute favorite parts. Because those lilting passages seemed to follow the path of the emotions behind them, only to be felt all the more intensely. It's possible I'm getting a tad over-dramatic, but that's how it felt for me. Sure, that effect may not be present for everyone. But for me it was something pretty damn special.

With all of that said, there were a couple of struggles. For one, I had trouble keeping the timeline straight on more than one occasion because of the narrative switching and time jumps. Honestly, though, once I sopped worrying about it and just kind of decided I'd more or less figure out where we were, that frustration disappeared. Secondly, some portions of the narrative seemed to drag a bit. Then, upon reflection, I didn't even care, because they chronicled those points in time where you feel at a standstill and like nothing is happening to you, but the world just keeps on turning. And within this particular story, with these particular players, those times really needed to be acknowledged.

Overall, The Grown Ups is everything you would expect from a coming-of-age novel: full of emotion, the fumbles we make, and just everything else that is life. For me, this book represents some of the very best of what these types of stories have to offer. So if you're a fan of such chronicling tales, I highly recommend giving it a chance. Even the times that seemed to drag packed the kind of punch that only comes from recognizing yourself and our own life in the pieces of a character's. This book offers the kind of kinship and acknowledgment of all the twists and turns we go through so you feel just a little bit less alone at the end. And there's just something so incredible about it.

Check out the rest of the tour!

Excerpt from The Grown Ups

Years ago on a December night in their junior year of high school they had been in Peter Chang’s basement before the winter dance, when Sam had turned to Bella, his eyes as navy as his sweater, and said, “So?”

It began as simply as that, friends who had known each other since they were in diapers. Sam made her happy. Just the sight of him as his cheeks flushed a deep shade of red was all it took. She wanted to kiss him and she knew that he probably wanted to kiss her too. Later, when they had all stumbled from Peter’s basement, wandering through the streets of their neighborhood to the high school, Sam had bumped up against her shoulder and she had found his hand down by his side and grabbed hold of his fingers. He wound them through hers and hadn’t let go, and right then in that moment she had been so sure of everything she had ever wanted.

Since her mother’s funeral, Bella had been stuck on that memory, and she didn’t know why. Maybe it was only the ache of nostalgia. She wanted to lie in bed alone and go over every minute she had spent in Sam’s arms. But then she had noticed the way her mother was looking at her and instead she had crawled into bed with her and whispered about Sam. The mustard light in the room was diffused by the angle of the bathroom door, and she caught a glimpse of her mother’s face in the shadows. She was smiling but there was also something sad in her expression.

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About the Author

Robin Antalek is the author of The Summer We Fell Apart. Her nonfiction writing has been published in literary journals and in several collections, including The Beautiful Anthology; Writing off Script: Writers on the Influence of Cinema; and The Weeklings: Revolution #1 Selected Essays 2012-1013. Her short fiction has appeared in 52 Stories, Five Chapters, Sun Dog, The Southeast Review, and Literary Mama among others. She lives in Saratoga Springs, New York.

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Cover Reveal: All Played Out by Cora Carmack

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 14:30:00 +0000

All Played Out (Rusk University #3) by Cora Carmack

Release Date: May 12, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins)
Pages: 320
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First person in her family to go to college? CHECK.
Straight A’s? CHECK.
On track to graduate early? CHECK.
Social life? …..yeah, about that….

With just a few weeks until she graduates, Antonella DeLuca’s beginning to worry that maybe she hasn’t had the full college experience. (Okay... Scratch that. She knows she hasn't had the full college experience).

So Nell does what a smart, dedicated girl like herself does best. She makes a "to do" list of normal college activities.

Item #1? Hook up with a jock.

Rusk University wide receiver Mateo Torres practically wrote the playbook for normal college living. When he’s not on the field, he excels at partying, girls, and more partying. As long as he keeps things light and easy, it's impossible to get hurt... again. But something about the quiet, shy, sexy-as-hell Nell gets under his skin, and when he learns about her list, he makes it his mission to help her complete it.

Torres is the definition of confident (And sexy. And wild), and he opens up a side of Nell that she's never known. But as they begin to check off each crazy, exciting, normal item, Nell finds that her frivolous list leads to something more serious than she bargained for. And while Torres is used to taking risks on the field, he has to decide if he's willing to take the chance when it's more than just a game.

Together they will have to decide if what they have is just part of the experiment or a chance at something real.

And don't miss the other books in the Rusk University series:

All Lined Up

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All Broke Down

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About the Author

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, Losing It, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Call Sign Karma by Jamie Rae

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 14:00:00 +0000

Call Sign Karma by Jamie Rae

Release Date: January 5, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press (Kensington Publishing Corp)
Pages: 270
Format: eBook
Source: ARC for Tour
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Love in the no-fly zone…

Distraught over the loss of her brother in a fighter jet accident, Tinklee Pinkerton decides to follow in his footsteps and prove the tragedy wasn’t his fault. But when she’s chosen as the first woman to fly the Air Force’s F-35, her plan for a life that revolves around work is thrown off course by a handsome, mysterious stranger…

Thanks to Locke’s seductive British accent, sweet nature, and one too many beers, Tink is soon inspired to throw caution to the wind and herself into his arms. She thinks maybe love can heal after all—until she discovers Locke is her superior officer. Tink has no problem risking her life in the air, but with everything on the line, is she brave enough to risk her heart on the ground?

Tinklee Pinkerton—despite the setbacks to being taken seriously of being small, blonde, a girl, and named, well, Tinklee Pinkerton—is well on her way to being a certifiable bad-ass. Her status of being the first woman chosen to fly the Air Force's new baby has made sure of that. Now if she can just convince herself and the boys' club around her she's worthy of the honor, maybe she can finally prove that the accident that killed her brother wasn't his fault.

Enter Locke. He's sweet, sexy, British...and her new flight instructor, as she finds out after one oh-so-very fun night between them. Somehow, Tink doesn't see an indiscretion with her superior helping her with any of these endeavors. But she's determined, and the same tenacity that got her here will carry her through, if only she could move past the weight of her brother's death.

The one thing that I can't stress enough about Call Sign Karma is how incredibly awesome it is to have a female fighter pilot lead. Tinklee's character brings a kind of freshness into military romance stories (an—arguably—otherwise saturated market) that I didn't realize I was waiting for until I read it. More often than not, these types of stories fall into the civilian woman/military man trap without consideration for the fact that there are women right alongside those men, albeit in smaller numbers. It's a foundation to the story that had me hooked from the get-go by sheer force of girl-power appreciation. Tink is by no means perfect as a character—the loss of her brother has left her emotionally stunted and unwilling to let others in, even in the case of sexy British pilots you may or may not be rooting for. But over the course of the story she must face what has happened to her and learn how to be the strong female pilot she needs to be, while also letting herself be vulnerable when it counts.

Which brings me to the romance. While I liked Tink for a whole lot of reasons, I really wanted to smack her a few times. Locke is that charming, sweet, and emotionally supportive. Although—I begrudgingly admit—it ultimately led to a stronger bond between the two, the number of false starts to their relationship made me so crazy I wanted to pull my hair out. But despite my frustration, theirs is an enjoyable relationship with laughs, trials, steam, and one fabulous accent.

Perhaps the most important recommendation I can make for this book is for fans of the more traditional military man male lead stories to give it a shot. While I enjoy those books as much as the next sucker-for-a-uniform, it's beyond refreshing and uplifting to have a story go a step further and show the female perspective. I—like many others out there—love feisty female leads, and this is the perfect set-up for just that. Here's to hoping for more leads like Tinklee and stories like Call Sign Karma!

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About the Author

Jamie Rae is a New Adult and Young Adult author. She writes with one goal in mind—create stories with a positive message that will stay with the reader long after they've finished reading.

Jamie is an avid reader and loves discovering stories with a great hook, though she will not eat, sleep, or speak until she reaches the end. The Harry Potter years weren't pretty!! Convinced that her Hogwarts letter was lost in the mail, she keeps a watchful eye for owls hoping her children will have better luck!

In her other life, Jamie Rae is an orthodontist, and literary agent. She keeps her heart overflowing with love as a mother of three and has perfected the art of nomadic living as a military spouse and Air Force veteran. Jamie has a passion for critters of all shapes and sizes and you can often find her sneaking them into her own home or volunteering for rescues.

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Cover Reveals: Hard to Be Good and Hard to Let Go by Laura Kaye

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 14:30:00 +0000

Hard to Be Good (Hard Ink #3.5) by Laura Kaye

Release Date: April 7, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Avon Impulse (HarperCollins)
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Hard Ink Tattoo owner Jeremy Rixey has taken on his brother’s stateside fight against the forces that nearly killed Nick and his Special Forces team a year before. Now, Jeremy’s whole world has been turned upside down—not the least of which by a brilliant, quiet blond man who tempts Jeremy to settle down for the first time ever.

Recent kidnapping victim Charlie Merritt has always been better with computers than people, so when he’s drawn into the SF team’s investigation of his army colonel father’s corruption, he’s surprised to find acceptance and friendship—especially since his father never accepted who Charlie was. Even more surprising is the heated tension Charlie feels with sexy, tattooed Jeremy, Charlie’s opposite in almost every way.

With tragedy and chaos all around them, temptation flashes hot, and Jeremy and Charlie can’t help but wonder why they’re trying so hard to be good…

Hard to Let Go (Hard Ink #4) by Laura Kaye

Release Date: June 30, 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Avon Impulse (HarperCollins)
Pages: 384
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Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.

Beckett Murda hates to dwell on the past. But his investigation into the ambush that killed half his Special Forces team and ended his Army career gives him little choice. Just when his team learns how powerful their enemies are, hard-ass Beckett encounters his biggest complication yet—a seductive, feisty Katherine Rixey.

A tough, stubborn prosecutor, Kat visits her brothers' Hard Ink Tattoo shop following a bad break-up—and finds herself staring down the barrel of a stranger's gun. Beckett is hard-bodied and sexy as hell, but he's also the most infuriating man ever. Worse, Kat's brothers are at war with the criminals her office is investigating. When Kat joins the fight, she lands straight in Beckett's sights . . . and in his arms. Not to mention their enemies' crosshairs. Now Beckett and Kat must set aside their differences to work together, because the only thing sweeter than justice is finding love and never letting go.

And don't miss the other books in the Hard Ink series:

Hard as It Gets

Hard as You Can

Hard to Hold On To
Hard to Come By

Praise for the Hard Ink Series

For Hard as You Can:

"TOP PICK! There is a sinister and desperate edge to this tale that will keep readers glued to their seats. Kaye has dark romantic suspense nailed!"
~ RT Book Reviews Magazine

"Hard as You Can is another five star read. The characters Ms. Kaye has created are wonderfully broken and the drama is gritty, but the burgeoning romance and the tight-knitted relationship of the team leaves you with a sense of redemption. A must read series!"
~ San Francisco Book Review

For Hard as It Gets:

"Edgy, sexy and full of suspense! A great read from a great new author!"
~ #1 NYT Bestselling Author J.R. Ward

"Sizzling romance... The intriguing tattoo parlor and military background will appeal to fans of Suzanne Brockmann and Lindsay McKenna."
~ Publishers Weekly Review

"Kaye's depiction of sexual tension and her sex scenes are masterful and this will appeal to fans of Maya Banks' KGI and Julia Ann Walker's Black Knight's series."
~ Booklist

About the Author

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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Blog Tour + Review: Blind Date Bride by Arlene Hittle

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 14:00:00 +0000

Blind Date Bride (Reality TV Bites #1) by Arlene Hittle

Release Date: June 10, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 274
Format: eBook
Source: Review Copy for Tour
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Nearly a decade ago, accountant Kari Parker shed 220 pounds of dead weight—her hulking, abusive college boyfriend. The last thing she wants in her life is another man—especially one as tall as a Windy City high rise. Yet when her best friend enters her in Romance TV’s “Get a Love Life” contest, another man is exactly what she gets. As much as she'd love to just say no, she can't turn down the prize money that will allow her to help her parents save the restaurant they've run all her life.

Sparks fly between Kari and her bogus groom, and as she and Damien share close quarters, intimate meals and—gulp—his bed, Kari doesn’t stand a chance of resisting his considerable charms. Even worse? She might not want to. But building a real future out of their sham marriage will be tougher than baking a wedding cake from scratch… with no flour… in a broken oven.

What happens when the day you meet your future husband is on your wedding day? Thanks to a Romance TV contest Kari's best friend Bethany nominated her for, she's about to find out. Now Kari, still burdened with the aftermath of an unhealthy relationship 9 years ago, must try to make it work with a man she just met in order to secure financial security for her parents. Perhaps easier said than done.

Blind Date Bride is the kind of romance that attempts to show every part of life and relationships--from the serious to the sad to the hilarious and embarrassing. There were moments of challenge caused by Kari's past and the Romance TV-meddling in their relationship. Moments that acknowledged the inherent awkwardness of getting to know someone. And all of that is only heightened by the fact that they got married before getting to know each other.

The relationship between Kari and Damien is full of sweetness and heat and, at first, the demons from Kari's past. When their relationship is good, it's so sweet, fun, and lovable. But my one continuing annoyance came from certain references to Kari's past. For instance, the near-constant fixation on Damien's size. I understand that this is something that would be hard for Kari, given her experience, but something about the way it was stated just rubbed me the wrong way. I can't explain it exactly, but it didn't keep me from enjoying the other aspects of their courtship.

For fans of light-hearted romance fair, this book is the perfect choice. The humor and romance are dominant throughout the story, and even when the struggles arise. And the major struggles are not overly drawn-out, so you get to enjoy the periods of happiness. So if you prefer the lighter, fluffier side of life in your books, and laughing while reading is what you you love to do, check out Blind Date Bride!

About the Author

Arlene Hittle is a Midwestern transplant who now makes her home in northern Arizona. She suffers from the well-documented Hittle family curse of being a Cubs fan but will root for the Diamondbacks until they run up against the Cubs. Longtime friends are amazed she writes books with sports in them, since she's about as coordinated as a newborn giraffe and used to say marching band required more exertion than golf.

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Release Day Launch + Giveaway: Call Sign Karma by Jamie Rae

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 14:00:00 +0000

Call Sign Karma by Jamie Rae

Release Date: January 5, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press (Kensington Publishing Corp)
Pages: 270
Goodreads • Amazon • B&N • iTunes • Kobo

Love in the no-fly zone…

Distraught over the loss of her brother in a fighter jet accident, Tinklee Pinkerton decides to follow in his footsteps and prove the tragedy wasn’t his fault. But when she’s chosen as the first woman to fly the Air Force’s F-35, her plan for a life that revolves around work is thrown off course by a handsome, mysterious stranger…

Thanks to Locke’s seductive British accent, sweet nature, and one too many beers, Tink is soon inspired to throw caution to the wind and herself into his arms. She thinks maybe love can heal after all—until she discovers Locke is her superior officer. Tink has no problem risking her life in the air, but with everything on the line, is she brave enough to risk her heart on the ground?

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Make It Last by Megan Erickson

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 14:00:00 +0000

Make It Last (Bowler University #3) by Megan Erickson

Release Date: January 6, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins)
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: ARC for Tour from Edelweiss
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After graduating from Bowler University, the last place Cam Ruiz ever expected to find himself is his hometown. A bad job as a bouncer and worry over his mom’s health make living in Paradise anything but. There’s only one thing that can make his return any harder—running into the only girl he’s ever loved.

Tate Ellison made a mistake when she was eighteen, one that cost her the best thing she’s ever had. She’s always hoped the regret of losing Cam would fade over time. Too bad it’s only grown. She took comfort in the fact she’d never have to face him again, so his presence in Paradise throws her for a loop.

The pull between them is instant and when the truth of what happened years ago tumbles out, they share a mind-blowing kiss...which leads to more. But the past has a way of repeating itself. When all the cards are on the table, Cam and Tate must decide what they are willing to do to make it last.

Make It Last has all of the makings of exactly the kind of new adult novel I really love. For whatever reason, first and childhood love stories just really get to me, and that's exactly what this book offered. Tate and Cam had that kind of love once. Now they're back in their home town together, and they may just find their way back to what they once had.

As a leading lady, Tate holds what felt like the perfect level of complexity. Her decisions, especially with regards to her relationship with Cam, will be all too well understood by anyone who I identifies as a caretaker. She's so focused on caring for those around her that she never stops to let them decide their own fate. It's heartbreaking how relateable it can feel while also being pretty clearly the wrong move. It made her lovable and easy to get, despite my frustration with her choices.

And Cam was just as lovable as his lady. He's sweet and chivalrous in a natural, not overbearing, way. Not to mention he commits all of himself to things in a way that is just delicious. His determination to care for his mother to his own detriment will make you swoon. The care and affection he shows for Tate's family will have him worming his way into your heart. And the ease with which he believes in Tate will render you nothing more than a pile of goo. He's perhaps the best kind of male lead out there as a result.

I personally hadn't read the other books in the Bowler University series, but reading Make It Last really left me wanting to! With that said, this book could definitely be read as a stand alone and I certainly didn't feel like I was missing any important information. So don't let the fact that it's part of a series discourage you if you're like me.

For fans of the new adult genre, this is sure to be a winner. Their relationship is sweet, sexy and filled with all of the complications that come with real life. all in all, it made for a highly enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who's a fan of contemporary romances.

So if you're looking for a sweet, fun read, check out Make It Last!

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About the Author

Megan Erickson grew up in a family that averages 5’5” on a good day and started writing to create characters who could reach the top kitchen shelf.

She’s got a couple of tattoos, has a thing for gladiators and has been called a crazy cat lady. After working as a journalist for years, she decided she liked creating her own endings better and switched back to fiction.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids, and two cats. And no, she still can’t reach the stupid top shelf.

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Forever Found by Nazarea Andrews

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Forever Found (Neverland Lost #2) by Nazarea Andrews

Release Date: December 30, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: A&A Literary
Format: eARC
Source: ARC for Tour
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Losing Gwen was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to survive. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love her.

But finding her was never about that. And now that I have found her—now that she knows the truth about me and the Island, I have to trust her to believe. Because her leaving me didn’t just destroy me—its killing Neverland.

I need her to love me. But we all need her to believe again.

Peter Pan has grown up and found the girl who left—but the stakes are higher than ever in this romantic conclusion to the story begun in Girl Lost.

When I read Girl Lost, the first book in the Neverland Lost series, the ending was unsatisfying to say the least. The big reveal that Gwen had not imagined the island or the boy and the Peter was in fact that boy all grown up came, and then...nothing. So once I heard about Forever Found, the continuation of the series, I had to check it out.

Told from Peter's point of view, Forever Found picks up right about where Girl Lost left off, with Gwen learning the whole truth about Peter and her past. Despite Peter finally sharing the truth with Gwen, Belle and the island are still fading. It's up to Peter to really convince Gwen that she truly isn't crazy. She still refuses to believe, but her resolve is cracking. And if Peter is going to save the island and Belle, he has to make sure it crumbles, and possibly risk leaving Gwen even more broken than before as a result.

I still really don't like Peter as a character, so his narration wasn't a selling point for me. The "wild" aspect in him, to me, just came off as overly aggressive, violent, and feral—and not in any appealing way. I missed Gwen's narrative for the calmer, nicer nature, but also for the interesting dynamic that stems from her rather fragile sanity. Peter comes off as more than a little crazy, but with a distinctly more homicidal edge, and that's just not for me.

As far as the story, this was a very short read. As a novella, it didn't have much in the way of plot. It was really comprised of getting into Peter's head a bit, a couple flashbacks, and Peter's efforts to convince Gwen once and for all that he was telling the truth. It made for a quick read that helped to give a much more substantial ending to the story. With that said, there were still a lot of things up in the air at the end, but the story of the island got a real resolution.

I still think that the premise of this story is inventive and cool and made for a fun read. If you are someone who loves fairy tales re-imagined, this is certainly right up your alley. While I didn't like the mechanics of this book as much as the first, if you enjoyed the first book but were, like me, left unsatisfied by the ending, Forever Found certainly manages to alleviate that. Be sure to check it out!

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And don't miss where it all began...

Girl Lost (Neverland Lost #1) by Nazarea Andrews

Release Date: May 1, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: A&A Literary
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Northern was supposed to be a fresh start—a place where people didn’t know who I was or how I had spent years in and out of mental institutes. People didn't know about my parents death or the island no one heard of. But when Peter sits next to me in lit class, I can’t stop the memories, and I don’t want to. He looks too much like the boy from the island, and despite my best intentions, coaxes my secrets from me.

He’s gorgeous, irresistible, a little mad, and completely lost—we are a pair of broken cogs in a world neither of us truly fits into. He is somehow gentle and fierce, heartbreaking in his devotion and savage in his defense.

When Belle, his best friend, shows up, pale and lovely and sick, Peter pulls away from me, a startling withdrawal. It’s a relationship that scares and confuses me. She is at times warm and friendly, and other times is violent and unpredictable.

Peter says that he wants me, but refuses to let himself get close. And there are secrets, surrounding both of us, that border on nightmares. As the memories close in, as Belle gets sicker and more violent, I’m torn between what is true and what I believe, and what this magical boy knows about my mysterious past.

About the Author

Nazarea Andrews is an avid reader and tends to write the stories she wants to read. She loves chocolate and coffee almost as much as she loves books, but not quite as much as she loves her kids. She is the author of the University of Branton series, Neverland Lost series, and Edge of the Falls.

She lives in south Georgia with her husband, daughters, and overgrown dog. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Review: Tangled by Emma Chase

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Tangled (Tangled #1) by Emma Chase

Release Date: May 20, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Comedy
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 254
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased by Reviewer
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Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed?

He’ll tell you he has the flu.

But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything - or anyone - derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life?

Can Drew Evans win at love?

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.

When I first stumbled across Tangled, I was most intrigued by the concept of a romance novel entirely narrated by the male lead. It's certainly not the most common choice. Add to that the quality and hilarity of said narrative, apparent even in the synopsis and other small snippets I read before purchasing, and it seemed like a no-brainer choice. Drew seemed to by far be the shining star of his story, a concept I know he would 100% get behind.

And I wasn't wrong. There's something about him that feels so real. He is absolutely what set the story apart for me. His inner monologue was entertaining as all get-out and felt incredibly realistic and raw. Even in the context of a through and through romance, having what comes across as an honest male narrative serves to elevate Tangled to feel different than all of the other books saturating this area of the market. Because, while there are great romances out there, often times the majority seems to fall in the mediocre and below categories. Drew and the spin he brings to the story, in my opinion, help to catapult this book to the top tier of that heap.

There were moments that I laughed out loud (serious, for real lol-ing) at the humorous way in which Drew told his story. His voice is incredibly funny, blunt and unapologetic, which made virtually every comedic move hit home for me. Sometimes it was funny just because he was such an alpha-male type man, and seeing him try to navigate the waters of infatuation was a beautiful justice. But there was also a level of vulnerability to him as the story progressed that grounded him. This seemingly unflappable, strong, in-control guy was brought down by the same romantic devastation female protagonists often experience within the romance genre. And yet, throughout the entirety of his breakdown, the humor is perpetuated by a steadfast denial that he's suffering from anything more than the flu. A likely story...

Of course, his leading lady, Kate, also deserves a mention. She is certainly the perfect counterpart to Drew: a strong, capable personality, both personally and professionally, that matches his own. If the chemistry between them when they first meet sizzles, it lights on freaking fire when she ends up being a new associate at Drew's dad's firm. And it only builds from there. Even as Kate remains steadfast and faithful in her previous, long-term relationship, the tension between her and Drew mounts to the point that I was almost rooting for her to say "screw it." Almost.

I am, after all a steadfast supporter of fidelity and monogamy. Boring, I know.

The moment when things start to happen—the right way to boot—is beyond satisfying. As the romance kicks up, the heat flies off the charts, making for steamy scenes that are...let's say effective.

Indescribably so.

For a few blissful moments, everything is perfect. These two have a dynamic that runs the full romance gambit: sweet, sexy, challenging, and more. You'll find yourself basking in the glory of their one perfect weekend right along with them. Which just makes it all the more saddening when that weekend comes to an end.

And that end is brought about by a painfully obvious misunderstanding—one that makes you want to physically shake whatever book/e-reader/what-have-you you're reading in lieu of doing so to Drew himself. Because it's all his freaking fault. But it brings about the "flu" and you can't help but feel sorry for him as a result.

Of course, that just makes the moment he steps up all the more satisfying.

Because Drew, our just-maybe-reformed playboy, might just master the grand gesture to win back his perfect match. And by might, I totally mean will. And it feels so good!

If you are a romance fan already, Tangled is not to be missed. This story is, in my opinion, the best of what the genre has to offer. It has the heat and the swoon-factor, but without taking itself too seriously. The humor element is possibly the strongest part of the story overall, and it was definitely one of my favorite parts as I was reading. If you're not currently a romance fan, then this may be exactly the book to convince you that there's more to the genre than its reputation often suggests. As someone who both loves romance and understands why people tend to disregard and turn their noses up at it, finding a book like Tangled that can really showcase all the genre is capable of bringing to the table is special to me. If you haven't already given this a shot, you definitely should!

About the Author

By day, Emma Chase is a devoted wife and mother of two who resides in a small, rural town in New Jersey. By night she is a keyboard crusader, toiling away the hours to bring her colorful characters and their endless antics to life. She has a long standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.

Emma is an avid reader. Before her children were born she was known to consume whole books in a single day. Writing has also always been a passion and with the 2013 release of her debut romantic comedy, Tangled, the ability to now call herself an author is nothing less than a dream come true.

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Review: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Hopeless (Hopeless #1) by Colleen Hoover

Release Date: December 17, 2012
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Atria Publishing
Pages: 488
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased by Reviewer
Goodreads • Amazon

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

Hopeless was one of those reads that I just couldn't escape. It was recommended to me on virtually every book-centric platform I participate on, and it only seemed to show up with more frequency the more books I read. It got to the point that I figured I had to give it a shot, and I'm so glad I did.

Sky is, at best, a participant in her own life. She moves through it with a level of apathy and lack of connection that is jarring and intriguing in the same moment. At times, she seems to be an entirely normal (read: bizarre and weird but built that way) teenager. Others, there's a layer to her that's shrouded in mystery. Something that just doesn't click and might just explain those feelings of discord she occasionally brings about as you read.

Then she meets Holder. And for the first time in as long as Sky can remember, she's feeling things again. At first, it seems like all they have in common are shared poor reputations among their peers. Then, gradually, she starts to feel a growing connection to her fuzzy past. The more time she spends with Holder, the more she starts to think he's hiding something from her and wonder what exactly it could be.

The progression of their relationship combines a number of different elements. There's a sweetness that comes from their lack of histories where meaningful relationships are concerned. There's subterfuge with regards to what Holder isn't telling Sky. There's the complexity that comes with the mystery of how they're connected. It all comes together to make you swoon and sweat and want them to work it out so badly.

The two experience their ups and downs from an early point in the story. When they finally seem to be on solid footing with regards to their feelings for each other, Holder's secrets come to a head. And what he has to say begins a slow build to what will ultimately bring devastation.

Because that's not the end of it. The first reveal is only one in a series of steps to uncovering the truth. And by the time the last layer is pulled back...there are hardly words to describe it.

The final reveal in this book is flawlessly done to exact maximum impact. I'm talking about the kind of reveal you start to see coming, but continue to deny because it would be too gut-wrenching. Even as it becomes more and more clear what's going on, you'll want to deny it. You'll want to look the other way, turn out the lights, and hide under the proverbial covers. You'll want to fight it, tooth and nail, until the moment that you're exhausted, out of excuses and alternatives, and have to face what's right in front of you. But, even though you knew it, saw it coming and just didn't want to believe it could be real, it's like a punch to the gut and a vice on your insides.

Am I being a little melodramatic? Perhaps. But, damn, if this wasn't exactly what I went through while I was reading. I have intense, visceral memories of actively and out-loud denying what I was reading, because what happened to Sky...it's just the lowest of what humanity is capable of doing. It made me feel ill and cry and just want to scream as the pieces of her history were revealed. This is not an easy read. It is not something I would recommend to everyone. If you can make it through, though, the end is worth it.

Because, at it's core, Hopeless is a story of healing. It's a story about what it takes to pick up the pieces and move yourself forward when your very foundation has been soundly cracked and ripped apart. With Holder's help, Sky begins to overcome what could for some be an insurmountable tragedy in a beautiful example of human triumph.

You can probably tell from the touchy-feely review, but I have a lot of love for this book. It comes with just a little bit of hate as well. Not for the story or the characters or anything related to the story in that way, but I kind of hate the story itself. Only because it wrecked me, in that I know this could've happened to someone and that hurts. It just does. To the point that it's painful to think about, even far removed from reading it. The hurt is so good, though. The kind of pain that will bring you back for seconds, thirds...as much as you can get.

If you are a fan of the emotional, romantic drama this could be an amazing pick. This is the kind of book lovers of Wait for You by Jennifer Armentrout and/or Easy by Tammara Webber would likely enjoy, but it's possibly even more heartbreaking. If you're looking for a hugely engaging (perhaps to the point of temporary emotional combustion) read that may just give you a cathartic release for the ages, be sure to check out Hopeless!

About the Author

Colleen Hoover is the author of five New York Times bestselling novels. Her first series was published in 2012 and includes Slammed, Point of Retreat and the companion novel This Girl. Her second series, published in 2013, includes the #1 NYT's bestseller Hopeless and the companion novel, Losing Hope. She has released a free novella, Finding Cinderella, as a thank you to her readers for their continued support. The novella is a companion to her Hopeless series, but can be read as a standalone.

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Cover Reveal: Asa by Jay Crownover

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 14:30:00 +0000

Asa (Marked Men #6) by Jay Crownover

Release Date: April 21, 2015
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins)
Pages: 416
Goodreads

Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one stunning arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best.

Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak.

A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make.

Jay will be doing a chat at 3 pm EST on the Between the Covers page on Facebook! Go join in the fun!

And don't miss the other books in the Marked Men series:

Rule

Jet

Rome

Nash

Rowdy

About the Author

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series. She also introduced the dark and sexy world of The Point that started with Better When He's Bad and is currently working on her newest series The Saint of Denver. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.

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Review: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Opal (Lux #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: December 3, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 382
Format: Paperback (Emily), eBook (Izzy)
Source: Purchased by Reviewers
Goodreads • Amazon

Emily's Rating:

Izzy's Rating:

No one is like Daemon Black.

When he set out to prove his feelings for me, he wasn’t fooling around. Doubting him isn’t something I’ll do again, and now that we’ve made it through the rough patches, well... There’s a lot of spontaneous combustion going on.

But even he can’t protect his family from the danger of trying to free those they love.

After everything, I’m no longer the same Katy. I’m different... And I’m not sure what that will mean in the end. When each step we take in discovering the truth puts us in the path of the secret organization responsible for torturing and testing hybrids, the more I realize there is no end to what I’m capable of. The death of someone close still lingers, help comes from the most unlikely source, and friends will become the deadliest of enemies, but we won’t turn back. Even if the outcome will shatter our worlds forever.

Together we’re stronger... and they know it.

Emily:

Note: this review is based off a re-read. Does it matter? Probably not. But now you know.

In Obsidian, we saw asshole Daemon.

In Onyx, we saw sassy, wooing Daemon.

Prepare yourselves, because Opal is bringing a whole other animal...

Romantic boyfriend Daemon.

And the world was never the same again.

At the end of Onyx, Katy, Daemon, and company were left shaken. The destruction Blake left in his wake coupled with the reappearance of the one person they'd been desperately trying to find made for an epic, emotional conclusion, and they're still reeling as Opal begins. I have loved all of the books in this series (see my reviews here and here) and it just keeps getting better and better—the stakes are higher, the action is more intense, and the romance...well...let's just say Daemon and Kat totally have the ability to render me nothing more than a pile of goo.

I'll start by discussing their relationship, because the happiness it brings me is practically boundless. The chemistry between Daemon and Katy has always been beyond intense, and that's only more true now that they've made things official. Their snark and quips—the reason I fell in love with them as a couple—still abound even as they settle into being together. But now everything has an extra layer of playful sexiness and tension that will make your knees weak, put butterflies in flight in your stomach, and have a stupid smile on your face virtually the whole time you're reading. Of course, in true JLA fashion, it's just setting you up for the heart break.

And it's a doozy, y'all.

Because despite all of the happiness our beloved alien and kitten are experiencing, things are far from perfect. Dee is being Ash-level awful (perhaps the most gut-wrenching thing of all). Daemon's friends and family are still not happy with Katy, made worse by the end of Onyx. Katy still doesn't know the full extent of what being a hybrid could mean. Not to mention that with the mysterious return of Dawson, Daemon and Dee's brother, the drive to understand what the Department of Defense is up to has never been greater for our group. While Daemon and Dee are overjoyed to have their brother back, Dawson is...different. He's not what they remember, and he's determined to get Bethany back. The others just want to know what the DOD's end game is. Their fact-finding missions were intense and nerve-wracking, but also gave some awesome ways to showcase the culmination of Katy's blossoming into a certifiable badass. Which was too amazing for words.

Real talk: Katy is the kind of female protag I love, the kind I want to be. Her attitude, spunk, and passion are beyond fabulous. She loves books. She runs her own book blog. I mean, gah. With every installment, I fell more in lady-love with her, and I truly believe you'll feel the same. But I digress.

Back to the story itself. With all of this spy-level observation of a top-secret government agency going on, they still manage to struggle with those normal teenage experiences. Juggling a government agency that may or may not want to kidnap, study, and probe you with prom and exams is just so very Katy and Daemon, I can't stand it. And they do it with flawless sarcasm, quick wits—basically perfection. This is the best kind of story, with supremely fantastic elements while still maintaining a quality that is relateable for the reader. I smiled like an idiot, squealed with joy, groaned in frustration, and generally got way too invested in the incredible moments of these characters' stories.

But the real impact moment comes at the end. This book will leave you wrecked, with a conclusion so intense and gut-wrenching that you should definitely prepare for the possible tears. I know I shed more than a few. It's beyond rough, and still somehow beautiful. All you can do is take a deep breath, pull on your big girl (or maybe boy—you could be lurking out there somewhere!) undies and trust in the magical powerhouse that is JLA. Because she'll take care of us. We hope.

The Lux series is one of those extra-special finds. I was lucky in that I got wise to it relatively early on (in fact, over one particular summer I found both the Covenant and Lux series, kick-starting my complete and utter devotion to JLA—certainly the high-point of that summer), but if you still haven't jumped on the bandwagon, do so. I seriously can't recommend it enough. With an excellent story line, amazing characters, and beautiful interactions throughout, this series is a clear choice for any YA paranormal fan. And Opal may be my favorite of the series. I don't know. It tends to switch depending on which installment I'd last read, but Opal has a special place in my heart. In an already stellar series, this is an incredible installment and should not be missed!

Izzy:

After the debacle with Blake and Will, everyone knows. The damage has been done. People have been hurt— been killed—and Katy isn't who she used to be. And, her blog is in complete disarray!

IF YOU HAVEN'T FINISHED ONYX STOP RIGHT HERE!

Dawson, apparently not dead, returns. But he is not the brother Dee and Daemon lost a year ago. Unhinged, Dawson is obsessed with finding and rescuing Bethany. At the same time, Blake approaches Katy and Daemon with a proposition that will get Bethany back to Dawson. And now, Katy and Daemon have to decide if they can trust him...again.

With the rest of the Luxen against her, Katy feels isolated from her friends—but at least she has Daemon! That's right, they're official (THANK ALL THAT IS HOLY)! So, Daemon fans, get ready to live vicariously through Katy! But their relationship is not smooth sailing. If ever there is a theme to their relationship, it's this:

Every. Single. Time. I mean, is there no privacy in this group? Nope, apparently not! Poor guys, they just want to spend an hour together without someone barging in and demanding their presence.

The third installment of the Lux saga is jam packed with sizzling chemistry (the only thing better than a wooing-Daemon is boyfriend-Daemon—get ready to swoon repeatedly) and action. The DOD is still sniffing around, suspecting that a hybrid has been made. Pair that with Katy actively poking around them to find out about Bethany, and you've got yourself a severe case of anxiety.

Seriously, I was so nervous for them every time they decided to "scout out" the DOD.

Unlike Onyx, Opal focuses back on high school life (Prom time!) and I loved it. I feel terrible that Katy has to balance an alien boyfriend to whom she is telepathically connected with (okay, not so much sympathy there), hiding her shenanigans from her mom, and Bio exams. That just straight up sucks--high school is terrible enough without adding paranormal stuff!

I can feel unstructured ramblings coming on, so I'm going to cut myself short. I loved Opal, behind Origin it was probably my favorite in the series. And in general, although I've made this pretty clear, I love this series!

So PLEASE go read this series! You will fall more and more in love with Katy and Daemon with every page in every book!

About the Author

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

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Review: White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:00:00 +0000

White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: February 25, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 392
Format: Paperback (Emily), eBook (Izzy)
Source: Purchased by Reviewers
Goodreads • Amazon

Emily's Rating:

Izzy's Rating:

One kiss could be the last.

Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses.

Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever.

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul.

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.

Emily:

After reading Bitter Sweet Love and getting a first glimpse at the dynamics between and story surrounding Layla, Zayne, and Roth, I couldn't have been more excited! If you've read my review of the prequel, you know just how incredible I found the world of Wardens. Even just that small snippet painted a picture of strong characters with enthralling histories.

We'll start with Layla. I've mentioned on multiple occasions how much I despise the reader-on-female protagonist hate, and perhaps my favorite thing about JLA and her stories is that not only does she think it's bull as well, but she writes characters that seem to openly defy it. They are by no means perfect—in fact they can be downright frustrating at times—but she writes characters with a realism that opens your eyes to the fact that hating or mocking them for their limitations is as healthy as doing the same to yourself (read: not at all). The strength of these girls, even in the case of those trained with the skills of a thousand badasses (of which Layla is definitely one), comes not from particular skills but overall character. They have their beliefs and positions and they don't apologize for them. They do everything they can to protect those they love, albeit with a few natural, selfish hang ups along the way. They always rise to the occasion. It's an incredible skill to consistently be able to craft characters of this caliber, and JLA is a gift to all genres she writes as a result.

But let's talk specifics. Layla, introduced to us briefly in BSL, is a half-human, half-Warden struggling to define herself. She has the kind of spunk and determination that makes her instantly likable, while also managing to constantly question herself and her place in the world—that totally natural, teenaged thing to do—made worse by her hybrid heritage. There are aspects to her that are so fantastic, in fitting with the world she lives in, but also things that really serve to ground her. She appreciates high school, because it allows her to feel normal. She loves ice cream and has an excessive sweet tooth. She has dreams and goals, but she sometimes struggles to not get derailed by the prospect of romance and cute boys—especially since it's something she thinks is out of reach. Her soul-stealing (literally) kiss makes sure of that,

Basically, she's the coolest, and I'm not sure I can really explain just how true that is. So at risk of ranting, I'll move on with the parting message that this is a leading lady you definitely want to get to know.

Next up is Zayne. He's the Warden who's been Layla's protector, best friend, and unrequited love for as long as she can remember. Their friendship is one that everyone can relate to—it has both the feeling of that beloved, super-comfy, and comforting sweater with a healthy dose of butterflies-in-your-stomach. Zayne is sweet and safe and completely off-limits, given Layla's very specific affliction.

Which bring us to Roth, resident hotter-than-hell (ha!) demon. And holy mother of god is he worth talking about.

While, realistically, I'm aware he is the embodiment of the risky choice, I couldn't help but be pulled in from the start. He has some of the cockiness seen in the likes of Daemon from JLA's Lux series with an extra dose of bad boy—complete with tattoos that can come to life—thrown in. And it's exactly for that reason that—the lack of soul, that is—that Layla can't help but be intrigued. He's different from what she'd expect, their chemistry is off-the-charts, and suddenly all those romantic milestones aren't so out of reach. Their relationship is full of sparks and snark—which are definitely two of my favorite things! The amount of swooning done over the course of the book was ridiculous, more than a little embarrassing, and oh-so enjoyable.

The story itself has all the makings of an intense, adventurous, and fun read. It's full of rich mythology to build up the back story, peppered with a number of new elements to make it pop. There's a healthy dose of action and some pretty serious suspense and emotional carnage (the end...the FEELS!) for a book of it's kind. Perhaps we should just take to calling this the JLA special? It's like the TARDIS of YA novels; there's so much more to it on the inside.

And with that beyond-lame Doctor Who joke, I should probably wrap this up...

If you are a fan of the YA paranormal romance and you still haven't picked up this series, I'm seriously beginning to question what you're doing with your life/time/whatever. Fans of the genre will not be able to resist the insane appeal and captivation power, and fans of JLA will surely mark this as another win. And now that she's announced that the first draft of Every Last Breath is finished, there couldn't be a better time to get sucked into the magic of the Dark Elements!

Izzy:

Where do I even begin? I guess with the fact that Emily is still the Queen of Recommendations, because I loved it! Seriously, if any of you ever get the honor of getting a rec from her, read it—she will not lead you astray!

I'm a huge fan of angel/demon literature, so you'll see that I read it a lot. And I am quickly becoming an avid and adoring fan of JLA! The voice she gives to her characters is absolutely hilarious and engrossing. I swear I have fallen equally in love with her narrating leading ladies as I have with her devilish love interests! Basically, I always want to transport myself into their worlds (preferably when they're not getting attacked) and get coffee with her characters...maybe become best friends with them. Nope. Definitely become best friends with them.

But anyway, my rantings are not what y'all are looking for. So here's what I thought of the basic plot:

Fabulous. JLA's interpretation of gargoyles is fascinating and original. It's obvious that she's had this story close to her heart for a while now, because every detail about the culture is completely thought-out.

The Wardens (gargoyles) are charged with the protection of humans. Humans are now aware of their presence, but they remain blissfully ignorant of the existence of demons. Which is ironic, really, because demons are more prevalent than ever now.

Set in D.C., White Hot Kiss is about Layla, a half-Warden, half-Demon, who just happens to be able to suck people's souls out. Like a Dementor kiss, really. It makes having a boyfriend extremely difficult, I imagine....

But Layla is a trooper, shunning her demon heritage and fighting her constant cravings of the soul variety. She just feels isolated. The Wardens that she lives with despise her existence out of sheer principal, and the demons hate her for her association with the Wardens.

Talk about being stuck between a rock and Hell.

But enter Roth: the mysterious, sexy Upper Level Demon who is now enrolled in Layla's biology class. And man-oh-man, if he had been in my bio class in high school, I would never have passed. And I would be completely okay with that. But with his mere presence, he turns Layla's world upside down and introduces her to the good side of bad.

To all the Daemon lovers out there, know that Roth exudes that Daemon-esque quality that you fell in love with. He will become your new obsession to keep you warm. So, grab ahold of something and get ready to swoon!

And Layla? Bless her. You can't help but to sympathize with her and admire her. I mean, sure she has her hang-ups, but she is a great character. Her narration makes the book, in the obvious manner and the ... non-obvious manner. Basically, this chick is my new homegirl, and I want her on my team if the apocalypse kicks-off.

Imagine, for a moment, that I actually have an eloquent transition here. I hope it's tear inducing in it's beauty.

Let's talk about Zayne, Layla's brother-not-brother who she's been in love with all her life. Zayne is a nice guy, I would love to be his friend, but that's about all I can say about him. Wait. No. I like his car. Every Supernatural fan will like his car. It's Baby, but in red, and I drool every time it's mentioned. But as far as Zayne's character goes, he seems to be lacking a personality. I mean, sure, he is handsome, nice, and has a strong sense of justice...but let's be honest, he can't hold a candle to Roth. Basically, Zayne is the love interest I would support if this wasn't a fictional piece of literature.

But anyway, holding true to her infinite awesome-ness, JLA's White Hot Kiss is adding itself to my favorites shelf. For lovers of Paranormal Romance, this is a must-read.

So get off your butts and get it! ....Or order it to your kindle, if you can't be bothered to go to a bookstore. No judgement. That's precisely what I did.

But you. Will. Love. It.

Promise.

About the Author

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer Armentrout lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website • Goodreads • Twitter • Facebook

Release Day Launch + Giveaway: Inspire by Cora Carmack

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 05:01:00 +0000

Inspire (Muse #1) by Cora Carmack

Release Date: December 15, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Goodreads • Amazon • B&N • iTunes • Kobo

Kalliope lives with one purpose.

To inspire.

As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life—a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something real.

Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal.

Her presence may inspire genius.

But it breeds madness, too.

Excerpt from Inspire

I can feel Wilder’s breath against my lips. More than that, I can see it. The sun has set and the temperature has dropped, and air fogs between us. There’s something about actually seeing it, like our lips are touching, we are touching, despite the distance between. And as we sway from side to side, my heart gradually begins to pick up speed.

The strains of guitar music flowing out from the restaurant are nearly indecipherable over the heavy heartbeat in my ears. But Wilder must hear it. His hands are strong on my body, guiding my movements, and I’m practically clay in his palms.

We dance, eyes on eyes, lips nearly on lips, and there is lightning beneath my skin each time his body brushes against mine in a new way. His touch is firm, but gentle, never pushing or pressuring, though I can tell from the dark look in his eyes that he’s just as affected as I am. The music shifts, building to a crescendo, and he spins us. My chest pushes tight against his, and I bite back a gasp. I don’t know if it’s the cold or him or some combination of both, but the tips of my breasts are painfully tight. Just the pressure of my bra is enough to rub them raw.

I remember the night at his apartment, the way he’d taken his time learning my body. I think of the heat of his mouth on my skin, and the memory alone is enough to make me shiver and clench.

He’s back to being business, grown-up Wilder tonight in his button down and glasses. Only now that I know him, it doesn’t seem like such a stark difference. He is neither the straight-laced man nor the tattooed bad boy. Or perhaps he’s both. Regardless of what he’s wearing, Wilder is caring and loyal and strong and so sexy that I’m having trouble remembering why I shouldn’t push him into the backseat of his SUV and crawl on top of him.

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life—boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, Losing It, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

Release Week Blitz: Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Wicked (A Wicked Trilogy #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: December 8, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 371
Goodreads • Amazon • B&N • iBooks

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her. But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.

Excerpt from Wicked

It was him. Green Eyes. Ren. That was his name. Now I remembered. I started to step forward, but he beat me to it. Moving as quickly as a damn snake striking, he caught my wrists. He didn’t yank my arms to my sides. All he did was hold my fists away from his face.

A lopsided grin appeared on those full lips. “Can’t say I’m entirely surprised you took a swing at me.”

“Then I guess this won’t surprise you either.” Leaning back, I shifted my weight onto my left leg, but again, Ren outmaneuvered me with a quickness that was sort of embarrassing.

He stepped into what would’ve been a fantastic kick and forced me back against the wall. Then there was nowhere to go, no space whatsoever. My back was against the building, and the entire length of his hard body was pressed against mine.

Son of a bitch.

As if he could read my mind, that grin spread and the dimples played peekaboo. “Now I think we can have a conversation without me ending up bloody.”

I blew out an aggravated breath. “I wouldn’t bet on that not happening.”

He chuckled, and the sound rumbled through me. I couldn’t even remember being this close to a guy since . . . since Shaun. “Look, I’m sorry for snatching you off the street like a kidnapper, but you were about to make yet another huge mistake.”

His apology was lost on me. “Make another mistake?”

“Yeah, like the one last night that ended with you getting shot.” He dipped his chin, and the yellow glow of the light attached to the wall above us glanced off his broad cheekbones. “I know what you were about to do.”

“I didn’t make a mistake last night. I was doing my job,” I spat. “And I doubt your job includes grabbing chicks off the street.”

“That would be a hell of a lot more entertaining, but the moment you thought you could engage that fae last night, you made a mistake. And you were about to do it again, you little ass.”

“Little ass?” I sputtered. “You grabbed me off the street like a serial killer!”

“And I’ve apologized for that even though you should be thanking me. I just saved your life, sweetness.”

Floored, all I could do was stare at him for a moment. “You’re insane.”

“I’m a lot of things, but today I’m your fucking saving grace.”

About the Author

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website • Goodreads • Twitter • Facebook

Release Day Launch + Giveaway: Breaking the Rules by Katie McGarry

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Breaking the Rules (Pushing the Limits #1.5) by Katie McGarry

Release Date: December 8, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 304
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iBooks • Google Play

A summer road trip changes everything in this unforgettable new tale from acclaimed author Katie McGarry.

For new high school graduate Echo Emerson, a summer road trip out west with her boyfriend means getting away and forgetting what makes her so . . . different. It means seeing cool sights while selling her art at galleries along the way. And most of all, it means almost three months alone with Noah Hutchins, the hot, smart, soul-battered guy who's never judged her. Echo and Noah share everything--except the one thing Echo's just not ready for.

But when the source of Echo's constant nightmares comes back into her life, she has to make some tough decisions about what she really wants--even as foster kid Noah's search for his last remaining relatives forces them both to confront some serious truths about life, love, and themselves.

Now, with one week left before college orientation, jobs and real life, Echo must decide if Noah's more than the bad-boy fling everyone warned her he'd be. And the last leg of an amazing road trip will turn . . . seriously epic.

And don't miss the other books in the Pushing the Limits series:

Pushing the Limits

Crossing the Line

Dare You To

Cash Into You

Take Me On

Excerpt from Breaking the Rules

From Echo's POV

There’s nothing like the rush of being chased by the great Noah Hutchins…

I hold my breath and strain to listen past the late-day birds singing in the branches above. The fine hair on the back of my neck rises as if Noah has appeared behind me and deliciously blown over my skin. I close my eyes. He’s so near I can imagine his body wrapped around mine.

Noah is wily and good at seeking, but I’m crafty and better at hiding. I edge to the side again and in painfully slow movements look behind me and…

“Gotcha.”

I scream. Loudly. My heart ramming through my chest. Birds’ wings beat together as dozens of them take to the sky. The moment I spot the laughter in Noah’s chocolate-brown eyes, my scream quickly morphs into a fit of giggles. He reaches for me, but I stumble back from the solid arm attempting to sneak around my back.

“You’re not getting away this time.” Noah’s deep voice vibrates down to my soul.

Noah’s arm slides one way and in a maneuver so slick it seems choreographed, I slip to the side, once again barely dodging his grasp.

“You’re too slow,” I taunt as I gain traction and sprint for the field of untamed wildflowers. The white-and-yellow daisies brush against my legs as I push forward. My skirt swishes against my thighs, and I love how the smooth material grazes my skin. Clean air fills my lungs, and my blood beats manically in my veins. Never in my life have I felt so alive. So high that I’m soaring.

“I’m letting you win,” he calls out.

“You are not.” I slow and pivot to watch as he struts behind me. The tall grass and flowers reach his jean-covered legs. For once, his dark hair doesn’t hide his eyes, and I love the spark of naughtiness in them. “You’re sore that you’re losing.”

He flashes the type of grin that encourages tingles. “You’re becoming cocky, Echo.”

I laugh, and the sound causes his smile to widen. Even though he’s slow in his approach, his wide gait closes the distance between us faster than I’d like. I steadily walk backward, unable to tear my eyes off the fluid way he moves. “Now, now. Out of the two of us, we both know you own that title.”

“Own it, wear it, I am it. I’ve never claimed differently.”

Nope, he never has. Noah is exactly who I see. A few months away from Kentucky, away from home, the rough foster kid is evolving into a man.

“Hey, Echo.” Noah gestures with his chin that he has something important to say, and I stall, watching as his gaze falls to my midriff. “Your tank rode up.”

I peer down and in a heartbeat realize my mistake when grass rustles and Noah grabs my waist. In a dizzying circle, my arms wrap around his neck and somehow we both end up on the ground. Me on top. Noah on the bottom. As always, Noah becomes my safe place to land.

With a wink, Noah rolls us, reversing our positions, but I don’t complain. I dream of his body over me. The heavy sensation is familiar and addictive. Noah skims his nose along the side of my neck, and the pleasing tickle causes me to suck in air.

“I won,” he whispers against my skin.

I find myself in a waking dream as I savor his caresses. “Did not.”

Noah presses a kiss to that sensitive spot behind my ear. A stream of warmth floods my body. Longing for more, I twist to expose my neck.

“Did, too.” His hands roam, sliding to my side. I melt and tense at the same time. We’re in the wide open, but I can’t stop the way my body molds to his. My fingers bunch the material of his shirt as I play with the idea of removing it. We’re far from the walking trail, far from the campsite. How many people, besides Noah and me, allow themselves to wander to the point of being lost?

“You said you could find me in five minutes,” I say softly. “That was longer than five minutes.”

“Echo,” he says as he raises his head. His fingers begin this little dance. Moving up then slowly down. Each down is slightly lower and promises very wicked things.

“Yes?”

“I’ve got you beneath me and not a person in sight. That’s winning.”

A peacefulness unfurls within me. I have to agree. That is winning.

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie is the author of full length YA novels, Pushing the Limits, Dare You To, Crash Into You, Take Me On, Breaking the Rules, and Nowhere But Here and the e-novellas, Crossing the Line and Red at Night. Her debut YA novel, Pushing the Limits was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. Dare You To was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads • Pinterest • Tumblr • Instagram

Review: Bitter Sweet Love by Jennifer L. Armentrout

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Bitter Sweet Love (The Dark Elements #0.5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: December 1, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 105
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased by Reviewers
Goodreads • Amazon

Emily's Rating:

Izzy's Rating:

In a sizzling prequel novella to her new series The Dark Elements, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout draws readers into the extraordinary, irresistible world of Wardens and demons.

Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining balance between good and evil. He was her everything...right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again...

Emily:

Novellas are always interesting endeavors. It's hard to fit a well-developed story with multi-dimensional characters into what's usually half the length or less of a regular novel. It's the nature of the novella to feel a little rushed as a result—either the entire story feels like a surface-level retelling of events, or the end is abrupt and generally unsatisfying. Add to this the fact that the premise of this series—gargoyles—was unorthodox and unimaginable to say the least, and I was a little bit apprehensive. But, in JLA we trust, so I still waited on bated breath for the release.

Really I never should have doubted the master. Serving as a prequel to her new Dark Elements series, Bitter Sweet Love is our introduction to a whole new, fantastic world. The Wardens—a version of gargoyles that combines elements of the classic mythology with a whole lot of new intrigue—and their world will pull you in from the start. They're human hybrids that can take on the form of the iconic stone guardians, tasked with fighting demons and protecting unsuspecting humans around the world. It's an involved, awesome concept rounded out by a rich developed history and way of life.

We're also introduced to their rather bizarre mating ritual, made necessary by their dwindling numbers. Since females are frequently targeted by the demons they hunt, the clanswomen are highly protected and kept in confinement in many ways. It's intense and disconcerting, but its crafted into the story in a way that makes you understand the fear the clans have, if not completely condone it. The scenario doesn't improve once the girls come of age—marriages happen young in an effort to boost population, and once a male Warden has chosen a mate, he makes his intentions clear to the entire clan. The weird part? The girl has no say in this declaration. She's given seven days to either accept or decline, but still, the original uncomfortable feeling is there. It's a whole lotta weird, but you can't help but be fascinated.

These are the circumstances in which our heroine, Jasmine, finds herself. Dez, her childhood friend-turned-crush, has returned after an abrupt departure years before to make his intentions known...for Jasmine. And fiercely independent, rebellious Jasmine is less than amused. But Dez is determined to use his seven days to win her over. What ensues is nothing short of magic.

In the typical way of JLA books, Jasmine is a fantastic heroine. She's struggling with the confines of her community and a heavy destiny, trying to find a balance between obligation to her people and what she wants in her life. She's a fighter—and that includes where Dez is concerned. Jasmine is the kind of girl I want not only read about, but be. Her approach to Dez has a healthy level of skepticism and she does an impressive job of resisting the beyond enticing Warden. The voice with which she navigates the adventure and supremely high tension of their courtship is entertaining as anything, filled with the unique and sharp quips that are JLA's staple.

It's this courtship that really is the star of the show. Jasmine's quest for independence, coupled with Dez's willingness to give it to her—to give her the world, really—is touching and empowering all at the same time. And with the romantic and sexual tension abounding, you'll be hard-pressed not to squeal at all the near misses and sweet moments. I certainly lost the battle more than once.

Bitter Sweet Love is, in my opinion, at the top of the novella game. The story felt complete, with enough depth to the characters and story to make you feel the full effective of the story. I don't know how she does it, but JLA once again brings a winner. It's the perfect setup to the world of White Hot Kiss (even introducing you to its main characters!) and an incredible feat for such a small page count. If you have yet to start the series, you should absolutely do so. And if you have but skipped over this prequel, I highly recommend going back to the beginning. This is the beginning of and sets the stage for what has been one of my absolute favorites series this year.

If you're a fan of the young adult genre, this is definitely a winner. JLA is one of the best authors out there, and if you haven't already become acquainted with her awesomeness, I honestly have no idea what you're doing. Seriously, pick this one up!

Izzy:

When series have a prequel novella, I get super excited. I just do. I love the fact there is an expansion of the author's universe; and I find that I am greedy when it comes to extended universe material. I basically hoard this information like a dragon. Let that image sink in: a manic gleam in my eye (maybe even a slight twitch) as I clutch novellas, sneak peaks, and excerpts to my chest. Smaug's got the general idea:

And this photo of Benedict just cracks me up:

But I digress, this is about JLA and her infinite awesomeness! Bitter Sweet Love is a wonderful introduction to her Dark Elements series. It does a fantastic job encapsulating Warden culture in a succinct manner. In my opinion, Bitter Sweet Love augments the series (granted, there is only one out...but I await October with baited breath).

If I hadn't read Bitter Sweet Love first, I probably would have thought all Wardens were immense douchebags. But reading a short story from their perspective, it is easier to sympathize with them. They seem less stoic and stick-up-their-@$%y. And it familiarizes you with the sad truth that they are a dying race.

So while their mating ritual is a little...disconcerting, it is understandable. Females are few in number and aggressively protected. But our heroine is having none of that!

Also, I kind of love Jasmine. JLA has an incredible talent when it comes to constructing her narrating characters (and writing in general).

Here's a short summary:

Jasmine is doing her own thing, sneaking out and asserting her independence, when her childhood friend-crush returns after three years. He claims her. She revolts. He has seven days to win back her trust.

Short. Sweet. Simple.

And so full of sexual-tension. Dez is one sexy gargoyle...which is a sentence I never thought I'd write. But the relationship between Dez and Jasmine is wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Also, I'd like to point out that Jasmine is perfectly justified in her refusal to immediately cave in to Dez. I know that the temptation to scream at her, "Just say 'yes,' already!" is at an all time high—trust me, I know—but once I took a step back from it, I realized that I couldn't actually fault her. If I were in her position, I'd be just as reluctant (or possibly more) as her. But that's neither here nor there, I just wanted to give you something to think about as you go through the ten bajillion stages of frustration.

But, in short, this is a good warm-up to White Hot Kiss. I'd definitely encourage people who want, or already have read WHK to try this one out!

Website • Goodreads • Twitter • Facebook

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Hard to Come By by Laura Kaye

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 14:00:00 +0000

Hard to Come By (Hard Ink #3) by Laura Kaye

Release Date: November 25, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Avon Impulse (HarperCollins)
Pages: 384
Format: eBook
Source: ARC for Tour
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B&N • iTunes • Kobo

Caught between desire and loyalty…

Derek DiMarzio would do anything for the members of his disgraced Special Forces team—sacrifice his body, help a former teammate with a covert operation to restore their honor, and even go behind enemy lines. He just never expected to want the beautiful woman he found there.

When a sexy stranger asks questions about her brother, Emilie Garza is torn between loyalty to the brother she once idolized and fear of the war-changed man he's become. Derek’s easy smile and quiet strength tempt Emilie to open up, igniting the desire between them and leading Derek to crave a woman he shouldn’t trust.

As the team’s investigation reveals how powerful their enemies are, Derek and Emilie must prove where their loyalties lie before hearts are broken and lives are lost. Because love is too hard to come by to let slip away…

Pre-order or purchase before December 2, and get awesome bonus content!

Laura Kaye's Hard Ink series had been on my mental to-read list since before the first book actually released. Before I even started blogging, I read Kaye's Hearts in Darkness and Hero series and I couldn't help but fall in love with her ability to craft rich, absorbing characters, stories, and romance. So, when I came across Hard Ink, it seemed like a no-brainer—not only was it by an author that I already knew could hook me, but it also catered to my from-afar obsession with tattoos and bad-ass types (Jay Crownover's Marked Men, anyone?). But as any halfway-true bookworm knows, there is never enough time to read all of the book's I want to. Seriously—I could probably read all day, everyday until I die and still have a bloated to-read line up. This series just ended up a casualty of that fact, and I never made it around to actually reading it. which meant that when the opportunity to review Hard to Come By came about, I had to jump!

Derek and Emilie's story is the stuff romance fans dream of. He's a wounded ex-soldier, working with his former teammates to try and clear their names. She's a family-oriented psychologist struggling with her desire to help her troubled brother. The premise itself may not sound ground-breaking, but the way these characters come together—along with the cast of excellent secondaries—that's really something special. Derek Marz and his crew are a ragtag bunch of lovable badasses, and the ways in which they interact with each other pull you in from the start. This is the jokester's book with Marz at the helm, and it makes it all the more entertaining. But when he gets serious, your heart can't help but melt a little. Emili provides aspects of the every-woman with enough specificity to make her multi-dimensional.

Perhaps the most incredible aspect of the book is the intriguing, mystery-like back story. It started with the first book, so I had to play some catch up, but there was enough recap to get me up to speed. From there my curiosity was peeked and, without giving anything away, I definitely plan on continuing the series to find out what roles exactly the different players have. And, although I started from the third book, I definitely plan on making my way back to the beginning to fill in the gaps.

My one real disclaimer is that this is not a series to enter without just a little bit of suspension of disbelief. The spy vibe already sets you up for it, but there were parts of HTCB that needed an extra dose. For instance, rocket launchers—they're awesome. Buffy even used one once, and Buffy is basically gospel. I'm willing to accept them—and even enjoy their inclusion for sheer blow-'em-up entertainment potential—but I'm certainly not buying that using one in Baltimore's industrial district would go unacknowledged by neighbors and authorities. Did it make for a thrilling read? Sure. Did I roll my eyes a little at the casual use of rocket launcher? You betcha.

There were a couple of other aspects that were treated a little too blasé within the narrative. The inclusion of a motorcycle gang that really only seemed to provide extra muscle when needed. The depth of the conspiracy was also portrayed—at least to me—in an overly casual manner. The timeline of the romance is also incredibly condensed and had an instalove feel at times. But none of these details took away from the overall story and my ability to enjoy it. Which I most definitely did! In fact, I wonder if some of these details would have been less glaring if I'd read the rest of the series previously. While HTCB can definitely be read as a standalone, there were a lot of details I felt I would've benefited from having from the earlier books. If you're like me and haven't started the series but want to, I'd definitely encourage starting from the first book, Hard as It Gets.

If you're looking for a fun, quick-but-packed read that's got action, intrigue, and a healthy dose of romance, Hard Ink just may be the series for you. Hard to Come By is the kind of book that transcends the stigma of the genre—while it's a romance at its core, the rich, involved story can more than carry its own, and so can the characters behind it. With the holidays coming up (and hopefully some break time with them), it's a great time to get in on the ground floor of this series as it really starts to ramp up!

And don't miss the other books in the Hard Ink series:

Hard as It Gets

Hard as You Can

Hard to Hold On To

Praise for Hard to Come By

"Rough sex and explosive fights power Kaye's third Hard Ink novel, a thrilling adventure that feels more like an action movie with a romantic subplot than a typical contemporary romance. New readers will head straight for Kaye's backlist after powering through this installment."
~Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"TOP PICK! If you're looking for danger, gritty action, and sizzling passion, then Kaye has just the book and the series for you."
~RT Book Reviews Magazine

Excerpt from Hard to Come By

Boxing Emilie’s body in tight against the railing, Marz leaned his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes. “Does this feel good?” he asked as he continued to tease and stroke her body.

Her breath caught and she gave a fast nod. “Oh, yeah. So good.”

He flicked his tongue over her lips, loving the way she attempted to capture it. “I bet you’re really fucking hot here,” he said, cupping between her legs to make sure she knew exactly what he was saying.

“Yeah,” she said in a breathy little gasp that made him thrust against her palm.

“Bet I could make you feel even better,” he said, sucking her bottom lips between his and giving it a little nip.

“Please,” she said, one hand fisting around the side of his shirt.

The word speared through him, spiking his pulse and turning his cock to steel. “Right here, Em? Right now?” The very idea turned his blood molten and silenced every bit of argument against taking this even one step further.

Her body trembled everywhere they touched. She stared at him a long moment, and then she nodded. “Here,” she breathed.

Marz had enough presence of mind to do another visual sweep of the end of the pier, and, finding it empty, he tugged the button free at the top of her jeans.

Her eyes widened, like she was surprised, or excited.

Watching her carefully for any sign of reluctance, he drew down the zipper slowly. One metal tooth at a time.

“Shit,” she said. “Hurry. I need it. Need you.”

Her urgency had every part of him achy with desire.

“Yeah?” he asked as he skimmed his palm down the curve of her belly and into her panties. His fingertips encountered a soft patch of hair and then hot, slick feminine flesh. “Oh, you do need it, don’t you? You’re so wet for me.” He circled his fingers over the top of her sex and devoured the string of little whimpers and moans and pleading words that spilled from her lips.

He could’ve lived on them.

She reached for his zipper, but Marz gently blocked her. “This is all for you, baby. I want to have all my wits about me when I watch you come.”

“Derek, faster,” she said, her hand reaching up to hold the railing above her. “Please.”

“Anything you need, Em.” Their lips so close they breathed each other’s air, Marz swirled his fingers right where he knew she needed them.

Moments later, every one of her muscles went taut.

“Derek, I’m . . . oh . . .” The word died in her throat as she held her breath through the orgasm.

“Aw, yes,” he said. When her knees went weak, he wrapped an arm around her lower back to support her and slowly gentled his fingers.

She heaved a long, contented sigh. “Oh, my God. I’m lightheaded,” she said with a chuckle.

Marz grinned and withdrew his hand. “Yeah? I’m glad,” he said. And then he cupped her face and held her so she could watch as he sucked each of his three wet fingertips into his mouth. “Next time, you’ll come on my tongue,” he said. Somewhere, way far in the back of his mind, a very small part of him questioned the idea of a “next time.”

“Oh, yeah?” she said, pushing off the railing and wrapping her arms around his neck. He arched an eyebrow and nodded, loving that she wasn’t too shy to talk about this stuff. “Next time, you’ll come on my tongue, too.”

Which pretty much made “next time” a sure thing.

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About the Author

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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Release Day Launch + Giveaway: Rowdy by Jay Crownover

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 13:01:00 +0000

Rowdy (Marked Men # 5) by Jay Crownover

Release Date: October 21, 2014
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins)
Pages: 400
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The New York Times and USA Today bestselling Marked Men series continues with this sizzling, sexy story of love, heartbreak, fate, and second chances.

After the only girl he ever loved told him that he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and set out to live up to his nickname. A good ol’ boy looking for good times and good friends, Rowdy refuses to take anything too seriously, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Burned by love once, he isn’t going to let himself trust a woman again. But that’s before his new co-worker arrives, a ghost from the past who’s suddenly making him question every lesson he ever learned.

Salem Cruz grew up in house with too many rules and too little fun—a world of unhappiness she couldn’t wait to forget. But one nice thing from childhood has stayed with her; the memory of the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been head over heels in love with her little sister. Now, fate and an old friend have brought her and Rowdy together, and Salem is determined to show him that once upon a time he picked the wrong sister. A mission that is working perfectly—until the one person that ties them together appears, threatening to tear them apart for good.

Excerpt from Rowdy

When I put the key he had given me in the door to his apartment it felt like the end of a long journey. Really it was only a little over twelve hours and I had stopped to nap once along the way, but it still felt like too long since I had seen his face or been able to touch all that toned and tattooed skin. Jimbo greeted me at the door when I pushed it open. His tongue lolled out of his mouth and he jumped up and put his paws on my legs. He was going to be huge when he finally grew into his fuzzy body and I was overwhelmed at how happy I was to see him. I dropped to my knees and rubbed my face in his neck as he licked me all over my face. I was obviously missed and I had to say it was just one more reason I knew I was finally where I was supposed to be. It was late, so the apartment was dark.

I checked the dog’s food and water, trying to be quiet in case Rowdy was already asleep. I was winding my way toward his bedroom when a haphazardly discarded sketch pad lying on the couch caught my eye in the dim light. I paused for a minute to pick it up and felt my heart stop and then start to race as I flipped through the first few pages. There were a couple of drawings that were obviously for clients, tattoos that hadn’t made it from paper to skin yet, but most of the pristine white pages were covered with images wearing my face. There was mermaid me, and naughty-sailor-girl me. There was sassy Indian girl me with long Pocahontas braids and there was sexy devil me standing next to angelic me. There were dozens of them all in different shapes and sizes, but every single image was undoubtedly modeled after my distinct look. I wasn’t sure if he had drawn them all over this last week while I had been gone or over the months we had been chasing each other in circles.

Either way it made my heart swell and the full certainty that I was it for him settle deep inside my bones. I set the pad down and tiptoed through the hall. Jimbo took one look at where I was going and huffed out a disgusted-sounding snort. The poor guy had learned early on that he wanted no part of what happened between his humans when they were together in the bedroom. The light was off and Rowdy was sprawled on his stomach across the covers. His blond hair was sticking up everywhere and he hand one arm bent up under his head. The only thing that could have made the sight better would have been if he hadn’t bothered with the black boxers before crashing out.

Even with them obscuring the view, I couldn’t complain. I let out a breathless sigh and crept closer so that I could lean over and touch my lips to that anchor on the side of his neck. I felt his pulse leap and tasted the salt on his skin as he murmured sleepily and rolled over onto his back. Those infinitely blue eyes glowed at me in the dark as a grin pulled up the corner of his mouth.

“Hey.”

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About the Author

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series. She also introduced the dark and sexy world of The Point in a new series this last summer starting with Better When He's Bad. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.

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