Thursday, April 16, 2015

Blog Tour Stop/Review - True Love Way by Mary Elizabeth


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BUY LINKS


SYNOPSIS

Some days are brighter than others, but Penelope Finnel has been taught she can be invisible behind the colored lenses of her heart-shaped sunglasses.

Her mind is her worst enemy, and simply waking up in the morning is risky. For a kid like her, staying in bed is easier, especially when the day has come to start school in a new town with new kids who don’t understand that the clouds are not the only reason everything is so gloomy.

Dillon Decker is a typical boy from a typical small town who radiates light and happiness. Under the hovering glare from her father, Dillon leads Penelope around on his bicycle’s handlebars, hoping he is the cure to her madness.

But when friend turns to lover, and lover turns to caretaker, how much can either of them tolerate before they’re swallowed whole?

A story about moving trucks and rollerblades, candy for smiles, and notes across lawns.

First loves and the struggle to keep it sane.

The true love way.


EXCERPTS

My dad stares at me like I just told him there’s a dental theories’ seminar for nerd dentists like himself he wasn’t invited to.

No, better than that.

His face reminds me of that time he realized a grown man had stolen his lucky molar spreader from his office after an extraction and was forced to buy a new, unlucky one.

"Are you sure you’re ready?" Dad clears his throat, shutting the door so that Mom doesn’t hear our conversation.

Sex is natural, it happens, and it’s a part of becoming a man. Dad told me all of this when he was naming parts on a plastic uterus, and now he wants to know if I’m ready. I wasn’t ready for hair to grow on my balls, but that happened.

I wonder how many M&M’s Coach Finnel will give me if I make Pen smile during sex.

Those should count as double.

"Considering Penelope’s condition, Dillon, committing to a physical relationship with her isn’t very wise."

"She’s sad sometimes," I say, swallowing my anger. "Not dying."

Pulling the rolling chair out from behind his desk, he sits and takes his glasses off. Dad pinches the bridge of his nose before continuing. "There’s more to it than that, Dillon. Especially in children, and that’s exactly what the two of you are."

Excerpt Two:

We’re tangled limbs and naked skin, breathing heavily and touching curiously. My bare back stings under the summer sun, and her pale, undressed chest practically glows. A cage of stark white bone, red blood and muscle, and blue veins protect the fragile beating heart beneath. I brush my lips over the diamond-shaped collection of freckles at the base of her throat and push my knees up, opening hers around me.

She’s tired-wild and lifeless-living.

The dense wall of trees around us protects her from being seen, and the blanket over the grass keeps her comfortable. Far enough out into the woods, only the wildlife will hear her screams.

She’s all that matters and safe with me.

Sliding my hands up her thin stomach and over her round chest, my girl tilts her head back, and her brown eyes move under her translucent lids. Chapped lips part, and a sound so small escapes I don’t know if I heard it and question my own sanity.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" I ask, unbuttoning my shorts.

Penelope’s long lashes flutter, and she opens her eyes against sun rays so strong red blotches slowly appear on her outstretched arms. She has green blades of grass in her grip, holding on to Earth so she doesn’t fly away as I slowly push my fingers into her warmest spot.

My girl circles her hips over my hand, and I shove deeper, like either one of us knows what this really means.

Leaning over her small body, I kiss the length of Pen’s neck and pull her earlobe between my teeth.

"We can stop whenever you want," I say, licking the single tear that bleeds from the side of her eye.

"I don’t want to," insistence answers with a breathless voice.


REVIEW

Ah, young love and misunderstandings... That's what ultimately causes most drama growing up.

But that is the least of Penelope's problems. That's some of what Pen deals with, but she also suffers from depression. Like really bad depression. Has manic episodes and everything.

I think I love Penelope, because I can see a little bit of myself in her, and that is why she is such likable character. We can all see ourselves in Pen.

Then, there is the sweet young boy who lives next door.

Dillion wants to help Pen manage her depression so much, he is neglecting his own academics, health, and more importantly, enabling some of Pen's depression, whether he knows it or not.

I love that Dillon brushes Penelope's hair and asks her to be his girl on a piece of paper held against the window!

Mary Elizabeth has a way with telling a story that captivates you, and makes you feel all the emotions of these falling in love teens.

You feel for Dillon trying to help Penelope with her struggles, and you can't help but be mad at Pen, at times.

Especially when Pen starts accepting help from a Rez boy, and it breaks Dillion's heart. So what does he do? He starts smoking with über popular Pepper. Tit for tat, right? WRONG!

These lovestruck teens both made me want to pull my hair out at times.

But you know what? That's the sign of a great writer. One who can make you feel.

My two favorite quotes are: "She was born for me to love." and "Love consumes. Love conquers."

I loved True Love Way by Mary Elizabeth and I give it 5-stars!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Mary Elizabeth is an up and coming author who finds words in chaos, writing stories about the skeletons hanging in your closets.

Known as The Realist, Mary was born and raised in Southern California. She is a wife, mother of four beautiful children, and dog tamer to one enthusiastic Pit Bull and a prissy Chihuahua. She's a hairstylist by day but contemporary fiction, new adult author by night. Mary can often be found finger twirling her hair and chewing on a stick of licorice while writing and rewriting a sentence over and over until it's perfect. She discovered her talent for tale-telling accidentally, but literature is in her chokehold. And she's not letting go until every story is told.

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure."--Jeremiah 17:9

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Elizabeth/e/B00MW8Z81Y

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7496678.Mary_Elizabeth

Website: http://www.maryelizabethlit.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Elizabeth-Author/1431640340382

Twitter: https://twitter.com/teamsmella23

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Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Review - The Mad Hatter by J.M. Darhower


The Mad Tatter
By
USA TODAY Bestselling Author
J.M. Darhower
Release Date: April 13, 2015

Synopsis:
Reece Hatfield has just one rule when it comes to falling in love: don't fucking do it. There's no room in his life for another person. He can barely keep a handle on things as it is. A shadow of the man he used to be, Reece spends his days tattooing, the artist inside of him longing for the chance to do something different. Avery Moore is all dance, all the time. Ballet is all she's ever known, and she's damn good at it. Her body is her art, a living canvas that captivates Reece the first time he lays his eyes on her. He yearns to leave his mark on her body... in more ways than one. The tattooed degenerate with a shady past. The beautiful ballerina with a bright future. They live in different worlds, yet somehow, they fit. But just because they fit doesn't mean they belong together. Cracks sometimes form. Two pieces don't always make a whole. The course of love never did run smoothly. Things get messy. And Reece doesn't do messy. Not anymore.


Trailer:




Buy Links:



My Review:

J.M. Darhower literally blew my mind away with The Mad Tatter.


Man, I love Darhower's writing! She just has a way with words. Her storytelling is very descriptive; like painting a picture in your mind.


She evokes these feelings from you, and takes you on the most incredible emotional journey. There are many emotions covered in the book, such as self-worth, acceptance, and love.


Now let's talk about the book...

I LOVED Reece!! One more book boyfriend to swoon over! *sigh*


I mean, Reece is not perfect. He owns up to his mistakes. He's just trying to be the best that he can be.

You know what was hot about him? As soon as Reece saw Avery, he was attracted to her immediately! There was just something about her that he couldn't shake.

Instant attraction.


And let's not forget him calling his daughter, "Little Miss"... GET OUT!!


Charlie Kellar is truly who I picture as Reece.

*Side note* Have you stalked checked out Charlie's Instagram account? In real life, he posts pictures of him and his "Little Miss" too! *Sighs again*


*Note to self* Do not read books by J.M. Darhower and listen to "Hate Me" by Blue October... SOB CITY!!

J.M. Darhower owes me a hug and some tissues, damn it! I never cried so many times with any other author! And they aren't even sad scenes!! Just emotional.


As much as I LOVE book series, I feel that J.M. Darhower wrapped up The Mad Tatter perfectly and complete, as a standalone. Do yourselves a favor and pick up this up!

I give The Mad Tatter by J.M. Darhower my 6-star rating!


= For those books that were extra special for me. Sometimes they moved me emotionally or made me think deeply about a topic. Sometimes they were beautiful stories. Most of the time they were the books that I need to own and will reread over and over again because I love the characters and story.




About the Author:
J.M. Darhower is a USA Today bestselling author, best known for her Mafia romantic suspense novels. She lives in a tiny town in rural North Carolina, where she churns out more words than will ever see the light of day. She has a deep passion for politics and speaking out against human trafficking, and when she isn't busy writing (or being a fangirl) she's usually ranting about those things.

Author's links:

Also, stop over at TRSOR for a giveaway!

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Jack Hammer by Tabatha Vargo & Melissa Andrea is now STRIPPED BARE!!

Have you heard? Jack Hammer now has a new name and cover! Jack Hammer is now STRIPPED BARE! Same sexy Blaine, just a new name and cover. Check out my review below!


Title: Jack Hammer

Authors: Tabatha Vargo & Melissa Andrea

Genre: New Adult/Romance

Cover Design: Romantic Book Affairs


Jack Hammer Text Synopsis

Blaine Wesley I’m the Jack Hammer. Exotic dancer extraordinaire. The teaser and the pleaser—the paid for penis for play. I have to be all these things to survive. It’s who I became when I lost her. But now she’s back, and I can’t decide who I want to be more. The Jack Hammer or Blaine Wesley. All I know is she’s foreplay at its finest, and it’s my job to get them wet and ready.
Chelsey Ford Liar. That’s what I called him when he walked out of my life. Losing your first love will turn you into someone bitter. Hateful. Angry. But now he’s back, and he’s determined to torture me. The only problem is, I’m enjoying his form of torture too much. And the hatred for him that holds me together is slowly starting to dissolve.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | Kobo | B&N


Wow. When the word 'penis' is the second word in the book, you KNOW it's going to be something special!

Honestly though, Jack Hammer is nothing like what you expect it to be- and that is a good thing!

From the first page, Tabatha and Melissa had me guessing what was going to unfold.

I know some may not prefer stories being told from younger years, but I LOVED IT!!! I love it when you're taken on an emotional journey with the main characters; from their teenage years into adulthood, and this book did not disappoint in any way.

There is sex, love, heartbreak, tragedy, miscommunication, betrayal, and every other emotion you can think of, (not necessarily in that order) and I LOVED it!

I do admit, there were a few times that left me going, "ehh..., I don't know about this..." but after taking time and thinking about what each character goes through emotionally in their individual lives, I GET IT!

Both Blaine and Chelsey are young, stubborn, and doesn't quite know how to react in certain situations. But isn't that what young ansty love is all about?

Overall, I really really loved the book. I had such a book hangover by the time the book was through, I was doing my normal day-to-day routine and I was STILL thinking about these characters!! Great job ladies!

I give Jack Hammer by Tabatha Vargo & Melissa Andrea 4 sexy stars!
Jack Hammer Text Author Bio
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Tabatha Vargo

Tabatha is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, but mostly she's a sweet tea sippin', front porch sittin' kind of girl from South Carolina. She loves old, historical anything, wind chimes, and all things romantic. She's the mother of an 9 y/o rockstar/princess and the wife of her very own Prince Charming.
When she isn't writing, she's texting book ideas to herself. Tabatha is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

Melissa Andrea

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

I find it hard to sum up my life in a paragraph, but I’ll try.
Reading has always been a passion for me and writing is as instinctive as breathing. Every inhale is an idea; every exhale a creation. Flutter, The Discover Series, was my debut release and since then I have written a contemporary romance duet- The Edge of Darkness and The Grace in Darkness. I also co-wrote Little Black Book and The Wrath Of Sin with Tabatha Vargo.
The only thing I do better than writing? Making beautiful, sassy, and independent girls. My daughter’s will always be my greatest accomplishment, my biggest fans, and my every inspiration. I live, breath, and would die for them! I’ve been married to one of the greatest men in my life for eight years and I love him more than chocolate (you know shit just got real :)), Justin Timberlake and Friday’s. Without him, my website would be a mess and I would probably being paying more taxes than I should be. He’s a jack of many trades, and this is just my opinion, but I like to think besides my daughters, I’m his second biggest accomplishment. (Does anyone else hear a horn tooting?)
I was born in Denver, Colorado, but I grew up in sunny Arizona. I currently live in South Carolina. I don’t have a big family, but I’m close with my sister, brother & mom. My mom is my hero, my reality check, and I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing person to be raised by. She has supported me throughout this crazy adventure and I’m lucky to have her on my side!
6 things you should know about me:
1. I’m a tornado with lipstick! Translation: I’m very girly, but I can get down and dirty with the best of them.
2. I adore the color pink!
3. I love things that sparkle (including vampires!)
4. I like even numbers (hence 6 things about me, not 5)
5. I’m loyal to a fault, but I like to see the good in everybody. Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness though because my bark is not always bigger than my bite :))
6. I don’t like calling readers ‘fans’. When it come down to it, I am all YOUR biggest fan! MWAH!
I will never be able to thank every reader, every blogger, or every author who has helped me in one or a million ways since I published, but I will try every chance I get. Y’all are the reason I’m here and every comment, every message, and every review makes me feel like I have a reason to be. So to the moon and back, THANK YOU! Mwah!
Okay, so this was a little longer than a paragraph.
Jack Hammer Text Follow Here

Tabatha Vargo

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Melissa Andrea

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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Release Day Blitz and Giveaway - Comforting Touch by Cara Dee

Comforting Touch
by
Cara Dee

Release Date: March 31, 2015
Buy Link: Amazon


~~SUMMARY~~

One encounter changed them both. She discovered the lifestyle. He left it.
Ten years later, they meet again.


Chelsea Dunn is excited to start over in San Francisco. Her best friend Kayla lives there, and Chelsea gets a warm welcome into a new BDSM community. If only the man she's been infatuated with for so long was as welcoming. It's just her luck, really. She's never been able to connect with anyone enough to let her guard down fully, and it looks like that won't change.


Rio Kelly has only recently returned to the scene, but he steers clear of emotional attachments. He's grown jaded and cynical over the years, and he's resigned himself to be alone. Even when he sees a ghost from his past. Even when that ghost is the very same girl who changed everything for him a decade ago.

But can he stay away when she shows up at his play party with another Dom?

~~Add To TBR List~~


~~Excerpt~~

An hour after the scene has ended, I'm back in my corset dress, and Dante is satisfied with the aftercare. I've told him bits and pieces about why I couldn’t get into the scene like I had done last time we played, which I think is why he ultimately lets me go. The sadist even guilt-tripped me into telling him.

"How can I be a good Dom to you if I don’t know what upsets you in a scene?" he'd asked.

Bastard.

But bastard or not, I'm quick to accept the invitation to a play party next weekend. Maybe a little fun away from Switch will help. A friend of Dante's is hosting it, and the theme is Ancient Rome.

The music is loud and the dance floor is packed with people dancing, grinding, engaging in foreplay—oh, screw that. Literally. One Domme has her sub giving her oral, and another pair is full-on fucking.

My mouth quirks up a bit in amusement, and I walk over to the bar where I know Kayla's waiting for me. I've decided to simply take all her questions and answer as best as I can. Then we can move on with our lives.

I find her alone, though I catch the bartender keeping an eye on her. And she's too fucking cute, trying to slip the end of a straw into her gagged mouth.

"Trouble, pipsqueak?" I cram into the spot next to her, ignoring the scoff from someone behind me. "Maybe your Sprite can wait until Nicholas has taken off the gag."

She mumbles something, only to roll her eyes since I obviously can't hear what she's saying.

"Where's Brayden?"

More mumbling and some gesturing for the exit. I'm guessing Brayden's gone home already. Then she huffs and hops off her stool before she grabs my hand and begins dragging me in that direction.

"Kayla!" the bartender yells. "You're not allowed to leave my sight!"

She points upward, so I assume we're going up the stairs. Nicholas's office is there, I remember. It's where I said a quick see-ya-later to a half-asleep Kayla last week.

Speaking of her…

She tries to talk again, and she gestures wildly in order to make sense.

She doesn’t.

"Ugh! Weh-weh-wahh." At last, she gives up.

I snicker. "Was that supposed to be 'never mind,' Kayla?"

She nods sullenly as we reach the landing and wipes her mouth. Next, she places a finger over it, indicating…well, that we're probably about to eavesdrop.

I narrow my eyes at her. "Who're we listening in on?"

She blinks innocently, which is total bullshit. A part of me is already annoyed 'cause I know she wouldn’t be this urgent unless it was about Rio.

I hiss. "Is Nicholas in there with Rio?"

Leaving her coyness—and patience, I guess—behind, she snarls and pushes me toward the door.

Part annoyed…part fucking intrigued…it doesn’t take much for me to glue half my face to the door, and Kayla follows with glee sparking up her light blues.

"…would've told you sooner," Nicholas is saying, chuckling, "had you only been answering your phone."

Kayla shoots me a superior look, as if to say I'm not the only one immature enough to dodge calls.

"I still can't believe it." Rio sounds…tired. Tired and aggravated. "It's fucking with my head." To hear him speak again is indescribable. There's no forgetting that accent. Mostly American, the nondescript kind we get on TV, but with a hint of Australian and Irish. "Nick, I…I don’t want her here."

I recoil as if I've been slapped and take a couple steps back.

It feels like I've been slapped.

I'm not arrogant, but I'm not stupid, either. Of course he's talking about me.

Kayla appears irritated, hopefully on my behalf, but then she widens her eyes and quickly waves me forward again. She points to the door.

So I sigh and listen again, even though I'd rather go home and eat ice cream until I pass out.

"She’s the reason you left the scene, isn't she?"

What? Why would—

"No," Rio growls.

"Easy, tiger," I mutter.

Nicholas laughs. "I'm sorry, my friend, but this is hilarious. And sad. We both are. You know, I went through this exact same thing with Amand—"

"She's not the bloody reason," Rio replies angrily. "I don’t know what the fuck happened back then, but…" He lets out another growl, and a thump follows.

"No need to take out your anger on my furniture," Nicholas says mildly. "I won't leave Liam watching over Kayla much longer, so unless there's something else…?"

I arch a brow at Kayla. You're in trouble, girl.

She just shrugs, although there's a little wince, too.

"So she's staying," Rio states flatly. "She lives here now."

Sorry to disappoint, asshole.

"Yes. Chelsea is staying. And you better respect her, Rio." The warning in Nicholas's voice makes me a little misty-eyed. He's looking out for me. The fondness in Kayla's eyes tells me she loves that about her fiancé. "You're one of my closest friends, but if you refuse to tell me why her being here is so upsetting, I can't help you."

It's clear that Rio won't talk, so I nudge Kayla back and nod at the stairs.

Time to go home.


~~About the Author~~

There aren't many things better than picking up my Kindle and getting completely sucked into a whole new world—where words morph into images and characters' moods suddenly reflect my own. Aside from good plot and writing, for me, it boils down to relatable characters. 

As a writer, I'm not finished until the men and women in my books come to life, until I can see them as real people, until I can connect with them. Which means I write what I want to read: everyday heroes and heroines who have the same struggles we all do. They evolve, have flaws, make mistakes and amends, learn, and find the endings they fight for. 

Those are the characters who take the readers on a journey away from work, laundry, grocery shopping, and to-do lists. 

When I'm not writing, researching, or brainstorming, I'm either planning my next trip (never-ending bucket list!), reading, watching hockey, or spending time with family and friends.

~~Author's Links~~



Be sure to look for Cara Dee's other books!


The Touch Series

Look But Don't Touch - Touch #1

Twice The Touch - Touch #2

Touch To Surrender - Touch #3

Touch Of Trouble - Touch #4

Aftermath

Outcome - Aftermath #2

Public Display Of Everything

On The Offensive

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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Review - Manwhore by Katy Evans

MANWHORE 
Book #1 of 'The Manwhore Series' 
March 24, 2015

Is it possible to expose Chicago’s hottest player—without getting played?

This is the story I've been waiting for all my life, and its name is Malcolm Kyle Preston Logan Saint. Don’t be fooled by that last name though. There’s nothing holy about the man except the hell his parties raise. The hottest entrepreneur Chicago has ever known, he’s a man’s man with too much money to spend and too many women vying for his attention.

Mysterious. Privileged. Legendary. His entire life he’s been surrounded by the press as they dig for tidbits to see if his fairytale life is for real or all mirrors and social media lies. Since he hit the scene, his secrets have been his and his alone to keep. And that’s where I come in.

Assigned to investigate Saint and reveal his elusive personality, I’m determined to make him the story that will change my career.

But I never imagined he would change my life. Bit by bit, I start to wonder if I'm the one discovering him...or if he's uncovering me.

What happens when the man they call Saint, makes you want to sin?

~ ~ Buy Links ~ ~




Amazon Print: http://amzn.to/1DFXWQr





~ ~ Review ~ ~

Where do I start? I LOVE LOVE LOVE Malcolm Kyle Logan Preston Saint! (I called dibs a long time ago, ladies! #SorryNotSorry)

Katy Evans out did herself. I mean, how can this possibly be a series, and each book be better than the last? Well, if anyone knows how, it’s certainly Katy Evans. She has already proven this theory with the Real series.

Here’s the thing, Malcolm Saint can be a bit cocky. Which is totally okay, since he can back his stuff up.

In AND out of the bedroom...

How naïve Rachel is too, thinking she can do an expose on Saint, and come out unscathed. That Saint is a charming one!

Do yourself a favor and read Manwhore. I know you’ll love it, just as much as I did. In fact, I had such a book hangover from this book, I had to reread it again!

Evans is such a fantastic writer, I needed to be immersed in this world one more time. There was so much to love, I wanted to be apart of Rachel and Malcolm’s journey again. Because that is exactly what Katy Evans did; She took me on an emotional journey.

This is, in my opinion, Katy Evans’ best work to date, and I can’t wait to read what she has in store for us next.

I give Manwhore by Katy Evans my 6-star rating!


= For those books that were extra special for me. Sometimes they moved me emotionally or made me think deeply about a topic. Sometimes they were beautiful stories. Most of the time they were the books that I need to own and will reread over and over again because I love the characters and story.