Tuesday, September 30, 2014

All Things Pretty - Release Day Launch

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I am thrilled to bring you the Release Day Launch for M. Leighton's ALL THINGS PRETTY! 

ALL THINGS PRETTY is a Contemporary Adult Romance and the third novel in M. Leighton’s Pretty Series. 

Sig's book is here!

 

  All Things Pretty

 Barnes & NobleKobo

 

Book Description:

Pretending to be something they’re not, afraid to trust anyone completely, destined to tear each other apart– this is the story of unlikely love and unbearable consequences. Sig Locke is a cop. He was raised by a cop and all his brothers are cops. He bleeds blue, believes in right and wrong, and sees in black and white, never in shades of gray. But that was before he met Tommi. Tommi, with her long legs and bright green eyes, she captured Sig’s interest from the moment he saw her. Even after he discovered who she was–the girlfriend of a drug dealer, the beauty behind a criminal–he still found her utterly irresistible. What Sig doesn’t know, however, is that she has a secret even a cop can’t uncover. Tommi Lawrence hasn’t had an easy life, and it only got more complicated the day she met Sig. She learned long ago that she can’t trust anyone. Her gut tells her that Sig is no exception, her heart tells her that he is. But that was before she found out his real identity. Can love be forged in a fire of lies? Or will the truth destroy them both? 


Excerpt:

 Her lips are still curved when she turns her attention back to me.  Something about the moment hits me like a punch to the gut.  I think for a second that I could stand here and stare at her, just enjoy her smile and her happiness for hours.  Days, maybe.  But I can’t.   We can’t. So, instead, I brush a clump of mud from the end of her nose. “Have fun?” “I did. Thank you. This was so good for him.” “And you.” “And me,” she concedes. “You can be the real you around me anytime.  I won’t tell a soul.” “So you prefer this?” “Oh, hell yeah!  I don’t need glamorous. Or proper.” “I’m not proper.” “You forget that I heard your…expressiveness that day on the side of the road.  And it didn’t consist of ‘darn’ or ‘golly gee’.  But I haven’t heard anything like that come out of your mouth since then.” “Ladies aren’t supposed to talk that way, according to Lance.” “I don’t want a lady. I want a woman.  One who knows her own mind. One who wears what she’s comfortable in, one who says what she’s thinking.”  I take a step closer. I can’t help myself. Her scent draws me in.  Even covered in mud, she smells like sexy sunshine.  “I want the woman who kisses like she’s on fire and makes me feel like I’m the only one who can put her out.” “Sig,” she begins. I break in to cut her off.  I know her objections.  And I know how much I don’t want to hear them.  “I’m just being honest.  I’m not even touching you.” Her eyes are glued to mine, a damn near irresistible gravity pulling us together.  “It’s not like you can anyway.  I mean, we’re in public.  With my little brother.  What could you possibly touch?” I reach down and smear my hand in mud.  With her eyes locked on mine, I reach between us and flatten my palm on her chest, right over her heart.    

 
Author PhotoNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, M. Leighton finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days M. Leighton enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.
A note from M. Leighton: I love coffee and chocolate, even more so when they are combined. I'm convinced that one day they could be the basis for world peace. I also love the color red and am seriously considering dying my hair.

Twitter | Author Goodreads | Website | ALL THINGS PRETTYGoodreads | Facebook

 

Friday, September 26, 2014

The Reluctant Prince by Dani-Lyn Alexander - Cover Reveal

Today I have a gorgeous cover reveal for Dani-Lyn Alexander’s  
Reluctant Prince. 

 She’s also sharing an excerpt with us and hosting a giveaway!!! So make sure to keep reading and check all the goodies along with this awesome cover! :)

Reluctanct3

 Release Date: November 3, 2014



Book Description:
 Betrayal lies cloaked in shadow. Seventeen year old Ryleigh Donnovan is certain her life is cursed. Nothing ever goes smoothly, and her first job interview is no exception. An earthquake rocks the building, sending Ryleigh on a frantic search for her younger sister, a search which lands her in the hospital. Terrified they’ll push her for answers she can’t afford to give, Ryleigh flees with a mysterious stranger. Jackson Maynard is about to be ordained as a Death Dealer, a warrior for the Kingdom of Cymmera, but first he must pass one more test. When he fails to acquire the human girl the prophet has chosen, he’s forced to stand trial for treason. Banished from his realm, he seeks out the girl from the vision, Ryleigh Donnovan, and together they embark on a journey to save his dying kingdom.    


Advance Praise for Reluctant Prince:

 "A gorgeously wrought fantasy realm with a heroine who will make you cheer!" ~Wendy Higgins, NYT and USA Today bestselling author of the Sweet Evil trilogy.   



 Exclusive Excerpt: 

Jackson clutched the stone wall of his chamber and gasped for air. What had just happened? He had returned to Cymmera, of that he was certain, but how? He hadn’t accessed the gateway. At least he didn’t remember opening it. A vision of her assailed him, beat at him, reminded him that he’d failed. Oh, man. He was in trouble. He pushed away from the wall. Images of his target taunted him. He shoved a chair aside and tore through the pictures scattered across the table in a desperate search for salvation. There. He pulled the shot from the mess but found only condemnation. The long blond hair flowing behind her in the snapshot had not been visible to him, but there was no mistaking the deep blue of her eyes. The pounding of a fist against the heavy wood door released him from whatever spell she’d cast. “Jackson.” Another loud thud punctuated his name. He struggled to get his bearings, tried to slow the racing of his heart. “Yeah, one minute.” “Now. Your father wants to see you, immediately.” Kai, his father’s most trusted warrior. He was in more trouble than he’d originally thought. Was it possible the king would sentence him to death for ignoring a direct order? Surely not without offering him a fair trial, or at least granting him the opportunity to explain. But what could he say? What explanation could there be for failing to deliver the girl? None. “I won’t knock again.” The warrior would soon break down the door and drag him before the throne. He crumpled the offending photo, the evidence of his disgrace, into a ball. Instead of tossing it in the trash as he’d intended, he shoved it into the small leather satchel he wore at his waist. With a deep breath, he released the latch and pulled open the door. “Come.” Kai turned his back on him and strode purposefully down the corridor, their footfalls echoing through the silence of accusation. The thought of escape taunted him, but he would never make it out of the castle. He had only recently completed his warrior training under Kai’s watch and would be no match for the seasoned soldier. Besides, Kai was a stickler for the rules. If he tried to run, the warrior would surely take him down, protégé or not. 



      
Dani-Lyn_Alexander (1) 


About Dani-Lyn Alexander Dani-Lyn Alexander lives on Long Island with her husband, three bkids and three dogs. She loves spending time with her family, at the beach, the playground, or just about anywhere. In her spare time, which is rare, she enjoys reading and shopping—especially in book stores. Some of her favorite things include; Bernese Mountain Dogs, musicals, bubble baths and soft blankets. She’s an incurable insomniac and has an addiction to chocolate.  


Enter Dani-Lyn’s giveaway!!   

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Inspire by Cora Carmack - Cover Reveal

Another gorgeous cover and you know how I love a gorgeous cover.  Check out Cora Carmack's INSPIRE! 

INSPIRE is a New Adult Paranormal Romance novel and is due to be released on December 15, 2014!

  Inspire

 Goodreads

Book Description:

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.

This sounds so awesome, I can't wait to read it.  I love that New Adult is really starting to find it's place and branching out from just Contemporaries to Paranormal Romance (my favorite genre) as well!  Make sure to click on the Goodreads link and add it to your To Be Read list! 



Headshot
   About Cora Carmack: 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 | Author Goodreads






Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Scarlett Red - Release Day Launch and Review





Special Price 99c
(will change September 29)


Author: P.T. Michelle
Publication Date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Self Publication
Series: In the Shadows, book 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Thriller
Age Recommendation: 18 and up (Mature Adults)
Rating: 4 stars



Book Description:

Mister Black swept in and out of my life like a tornado, leaving me twisted up and forever changed in his wake.

And now that my life is finally back on track, I need to move on, despite the many reminders of our time together.

But our pasts are only as far away as the shadows we hide behind, and sometimes those shadows grow darker, converging on the present in the most insidious way.

He is Black: a stealthy hunter and rainbow master.

I am Red: a truth seeker and desire keeper.

Together we are obsession. Passionate colors destined to be drawn together.







My Review:

After leaving us standing in an open doorway staring at a white box we find ourselves thrust back into Talia's life,  three years later. 

Three years!  At first I wanted to rail against the injustice of it all.  How is it possible that Red and Black went three years with no contact? How could Talia have fooled herself into thinking any other man would do?  How could Sebastian not thrown everything aside to come find the woman who gave him a rainbow?  Three years have gone by, how will Talia and Sebastian ever reconnect?  

"I am even more screwed up than the guy Talia met three years ago. He might've had a glimmer of hope for something more with her, but I am half the person I was back then.  Learning to reengage in life, while pretending to be whole has been hard enough since I got back." -Sebastian

Those are the questions that ran through my head as soon as I realized the time jump from Mr. Black and Scarlett Red, I needed answers and they can be found in the book, but I can't give you any of them because they are all tied up so neatly into the plot that any hint will give away the story and you don't want me to do that.  

Talia is as strong as ever.  She's spent the last several years fighting her way through life and her memories.  She's graduated from college, gone to work at a newspaper, gotten engaged, let go/quit from the newspaper, started a successful writing carrier, and been cheated on by her now ex-fiance (whom I loathe by the way) Nathan. Talia is as she's always been though, a fighter.

"I put one foot in front of the other and lift my head higher. Screw the non-forkness of my path.  I'll plow a new road if I have to!"  -Talia


Yet while she fights to live life on her terms she struggles everyday not to live in the past.  Not to live the past of her childhood. Not to live with the never ebbing yearning for the one man she has always wanted, Sebastian Black.

After being urged by her aunt and also her best friend Cass ( I do hope we will get her story one day), Talia finds herself (thanks for bailing Cass, *wink*) heading off to a singles event, onto the radar of a sexy pilot who reminds her of her Mr. Black,

"Two gorgeous bright blue eyes stare back at me - not Sebastian's unique dual chocolate brown and brilliant blue one.  The sight reboots my stunned brain, which then goes into major comparison mode just to be sure.  Even though Bash is obviously ripped, he's leaner than Sebastian's thick bulk.  His eyes are different, and his hair is longish, brushing his collar, instead of close-cropped.  Bash has a beard and his voice is definitely deeper and raspier.  He's not Sebastian.  Disappointed yet relieved I exhale and try to get control of my nerves." -Talia

and into a deadly mystery that she needs to unravel and solve.  

P.T. Michelle's ability to build her characters so beautifully gets to me every book of hers I read. They are perfectly flawed, they are raw, and honest.  She lays them out there for us (don't get me started on a Talia buffet) to make what we will of them, but she doesn't sugar coat them or try and make them grittier than they need to be.  They just are and I love that about Sebastian and Talia.  My favorite quote from the book actually sums this up very well I think.

"They represent us, Talia.  Naturally raw and beautifully dirty." -Sebastian

Scarlett Red is a longer book than Mr. Black and I loved that.  It gave Ms. Michelle the chance to lay out the story in such a way that we as readers can pull it all together nicely, a way that answers almost (the story isn't over, so there will always been a few questions) every question I was left with after Mr. Black and after the beginning of Scarlett Red.  There are plenty of things you will just kind of figure out along the way, but the twist at the end I don't think you will ever see coming ( I know I didn't) and Ms. Michelle is very good at leaving us with teasing cliffhangers.  Not the kind of cliffhanger that makes you want to hurl cuss words and your book across the room.  No, it is the kind that leaves you sitting there staring at those last few words and knowing that there is so much more to come and I can't wait to read it!  

This is a mature adult read due to some violent and sexual situation.  It's a great read for those that love a bit of a gritty Contemporary New Adult, Alpha males, strong females, and some mystery! 





Also Available
Only 99c
(will change after September 29)




Book Description:

We all have someone who crossed our path and fundamentally changed us. That one person who blew through our lives, their presence forever stamped on our psyche. They linger in our thoughts, in our hearts, and in the decisions we make. A soul crusher or a dream maker, depending on the perspective.

My person is MISTER BLACK.

I didn’t know him by that name when I first met him. 

I didn’t know him at all, but the impression he left behind was just as powerful as the name I call him today.

He is Black: a deadly enforcer and masterful seducer.

I am Red: a justice bleeder and willing participant.

Together we are passion. Colors colliding through each other’s lives.

When our secrets converge in a passionate encounter,
stepping out of the shadows just might be worth the risk.








  

Author Bio


P.T. Michelle is the NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY and International Best Selling author of the New Adult/Contemporary romance serial IN THE SHADOWS, the YA/New Adult crossover series BRIGHTEST KIND OF DARKNESS, and the romance series: BAD IN BOOTS, KENDRIAN VAMPIRES and SCIONS (listed under Patrice Michelle). She keeps a spiral notepad with her at all times, even on her nightstand. When P.T. isn't writing, she can usually be found reading or taking pictures of landscapes, sunsets and anything beautiful or odd in nature.
 


Author Links

Giveaway

Stay With Me - Release Day Launch!

SWM RDL Banner  

I am beyond thrilled to help bring you the Release Day Launch for Jennifer L. Armentrout's STAY WITH ME! STAY WITH ME is a New Adult contemporary romance being published by Avon (William Morrow), an imprint of HarperCollins, and is a part of Jennifer’s With You Saga! 

 I can not tell you how much I love this series and this is the best book in the series yet!  I just finished it last night and am looking forward to sharing my review with you soon.  If you love Contemporary New Adult you do not want to miss this series!

  Stay With Me Cover

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ iTunes ~ Kobo ~ GooglePlay

Book Description:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wait for You and Be with Me comes a daring tale that pushes boundaries . . . At 21, Calla hasn't done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends. But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she’d left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming. Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up  if she doesn't give them her mom.

 

 


EXCERPT: 

As I lay there, trying to swallow a loud, obnoxious yawn, I remembered something he’d said when we first met, about life being too short. I imagined he had firsthand experience with shortened lives while he was serving. That mentality came from experience. I got that now. Could even understand it, but there was something I didn’t understand. “Why?” I asked. There was a beat. “Why what?” Jax sounded tired, and I should shut up or point out that I was now tired and could sleep, so he could leave. But I didn’t. “Why are you here? You don’t know me and . . .” I trailed off, because there really wasn’t anything left to say. A minute went by, and he hadn’t answered my question, and then I think another minute ticked on, and I was okay with him not answering because maybe he didn’t even know. Or maybe he was just bored and that was why he was here. But then he moved. Jax pressed against my back, and the next breath I took got stuck in my throat. My eyes shot open. The sheet and blanket were between us, but they felt like nothing. “What are you doing?” I asked. “Getting comfortable.” He dropped an arm over my waist, and my entire body jerked against his. “It’s time to sleep I think.” “But—” “You can’t sleep when you talk,” he remarked. “You don’t need to be all up on me,” I pointed out. His answering chuckle stirred the hair along the back of my neck. “Honey, I’m not all up on you.” I freaking begged to differ on that point. I started to wiggle away, but the arm around my waist tightened, holding me in place. “You’re not going anywhere,” he announced casually, as if he wasn’t holding me prisoner in the bed. Okay. The whole prisoner thing might be melodramatic, but he wasn’t letting me up. Not when he was getting all kinds of comfy behind me. Oh my God, this was spooning. Total spooning. I was spooning with an honorary member of the Hot Guy Brigade. Did I wake up in a parallel universe? “Sleep,” he demanded, as if the one word carried that much power. “Go to sleep, Calla.” This time his voice was softer, quieter. “Yeah, it doesn’t work that way, Jax. You have a nice voice, but it doesn’t hold the power to make me sleep on your command.” He chuckled. I rolled my eyes, but the most ridiculous thing ever was the fact that after a couple of minutes, my eyes stayed shut. I . . . I actually settled in against him. With his front pressed to my back, his long legs cradling mine, and his arm snug around my waist, I actually did feel safe. More than that, I felt something else—something I hadn’t felt in years. I felt cared for . . . cherished. Which was the epitome of dumb, because I barely knew him, but feeling that, recognizing what the warm, buzzing feeling was, I fell right asleep.   


 Stay With Me Teaser 2   
 Stay With Me Teaser 1 

 

Author PhotoJennifer L. Armentrout/J.Lynn Bio: # 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 ** Facebook ** Twitter ** J. Lynn Goodreads ** Jennifer L. ArmentroutGoodreads

Novel Goodreads

 
 

Friday, September 19, 2014

Harley - Review

Author: Irish Winters
Publication Date: August 23, 2014
Publisher: Windy Days Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Military
Age Recommendation: 17 and up
Rating: 4 stars

Book Description:  

Sometimes, only the heart remembers… He’s in the fight of his life… Suddenly back in Iraq, US Army Corporal Harley Mortimer searches for the men he left behind. He finds himself lost in a world where guilt never lets go and nothing seems real. Dead men talk and die over and over again. There is no peace or rest. Only war. Only despair. Only—didn’t he survive this exact scenario once before? And who the hell is Judy? She is a force to be reckoned with… Judy O’Brien’s future is planned and perfect until Harley, the man she intends to marry, goes missing. Mysteriously, Kelsey Stewart disappears the same day. He and Kelsey have a shared history, but do they love each other—that way? Worse, is he the murderer the FBI claims he is? Judy must come to grips with the man she thought she knew. And all of his secrets

My Review:

Harley by Irish Winters was both a beautiful and heart wrenching read for me.  I was in tears from the moment I started the prologue. There are several reasons this was a difficult read for me:

1. I am an Army wife of a Chinook pilot (well, he's flying desks these days) who deployed with the 101st Aviation Brigade in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in January of 2002.  In February 2002 he was in a crash that luckily everyone came away from, unfortunately not all walking.  In 2004 he deployed again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, no crashes for him this time thank goodness!  

2. We are currently stationed in Northern Virgina where much of this book takes place and I can clearly recall the terrifying grip the Beltway Snipers had on this community.  You can still see and feel the effects those days had on this area and the people who call it home.  

3.  Incidents of abuse and/or bullying of anyone, but particularly of persons who are unable to understand the events occurring sends me straight into a raging blubbering mess of emotions.  

4. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is something that hits directly to my heart.  We have been an Army family for 17 years ( I grew up an Air Force Brat) now, we have been through several deployments and many hardship tours.  We have watched friends as they leave and come home changed, we have watched friends leave and come home in flag-draped coffins.   PTSD has in someway affected everyone around me.  This is a serious and difficult issue for the military and it is not always easily seen.  PTSD manifests itself differently in each individual it affects.  It can be as terrifying as what we see with Harley or it can be small quiet changes...what it does do no matter how it manifests is it changes everyone!  Your loved one may think they can handle it only to find out too late that they couldn't.  If you see changes that you believe are associated with PTSD I beg of you to talk to someone.  Talk to your loved one and if they won't listen talk to someone in your unit or someone at family support.  If you don't know where to turn try this website http://www.ptsd.va.gov/ 
On that note what I don't want to do is scare you.  The majority of our Service Men and Women return home from combat situations with no lasting effects and PTSD does not mean that lives and careers are over.  It is just another battle to be won and it can be with love and support...I think Harley proves that!  

SO, off my soapbox and back to the book!  This book is jam packed, full of action, suspense, and all of our favorite characters.  I have been so anxious to read Harley's book.  Ever since he made his first appearance in Alex I have been wanting to get my hands on him.  He's a cocky New Yorker with a Texas sized heart and accent.  He is one of the sweetest male heroes that I have come across in a long time.  Don't let that fool you though, he is also terribly flawed and a down right bad ass when he needs to be.
The only thing I could have wished for in this book is more Harley.  There are basically two stories going on and while they merge together and while I loved seeing favorite characters come back, I missed the focus being on one couple. 

And speaking of couples, I can not leave out the wonderful heroines that Irish Winter writes.  Judy is no exception, she is another amazingly strong woman.  A woman who will fight not only for the people she loves but for herself.  The struggle that Judy endures when Harley goes missing and then is found...heart breaking, but Judy (like Kelsey and Libby) never gives up hope.  Yes these are strong military men, but their women are just as strong if not stronger.  

Something else I really enjoyed about this book and this series as a whole is the amount of research Mrs. Winters put into these books.  Remember that I am both an Army Spouse and someone who lives right outside of the Nations Capital.  There are a lot of books (and movies) that revolve around the military and the DC area and I often find myself rolling my eyes and 'calling bullshit', but I never find myself doing that with these books.  It is obvious that Mrs. Winters spent the time to truly research her subjects...heck she even got metro line right for a trip in from Alexandria to DC!  

Harley is more fast paced then previous books in the series, but I liked that turn for this book.  Go in knowing this is an emotionally tough read, get yourself set up with your book, a drink, and a box of tissue because once you start you are not going to want to put the book down. 

This book can be read as a stand alone, Mrs. Winters does a lovely job of filling us in with back story, but I do recommend starting the series with Alex (Alex, Mark, Zach, Harley) so you do not miss out on any of the little things and you have a full understanding of the character dynamics.  

This is a great read for military suspense or contemporary romance lovers!  And if you made it through my terribly long and talkative review then you have totally earned the chance to enter the giveaway for a signed copy of Harley so keep on scrolling!  



The wife of one handsome husband and the mother of three perfect sons, Irish divides her time between writing at home and traveling the country with her man while - writing. (Seriously, what else?) She believes in making every day count for something and follows the wise admonition of her mother to, "Look out the window and see something!" To learn more about Irish and her books, please visit www.IrishWinters.com.
Irish Winters is an award-winning author who dabbles in poetry, grandchildren, and rarely (as in extremely rarely) the kitchen. More prone to be outdoors than in, she grew up the quintessential tomboy on a farm in rural Wisconsin, spent her teenage years in the Pacific Northwest, but calls the Wasatch Mountains of Northern Utah home. For now.
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September 15th Kristin Holt – Review/Guest Post  September 16th The Pleasure of Reading Today – Review  September 16th ~ TBA  September 17th My Secret Bookspot – Review/Top Ten  September 17th Cabin Goddess – Guest Post   September 18th Fangirlish – Interview/Guest Post  September 18th ~ TBA  September 19th Jen's Reading Obsession – Review (Series)  September 19th Reads All The Books – Review (Series)
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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Molly Pepper and the Night Train - Cover Reveal

I am thrilled to help reveal the cover for MOLLY PEPPER AND THE NIGHT TRAIN by Courtney King Walker! This is a Middle Grade book that I am super excited about.  Mystery, magic, friendship, and hope, I can't wait to share this with my oldest daughter.  How cool is this cover?  All the right amounts of spooky and mysterious with out being overly frightening for our budding readers!   Check out the cover and be sure to let me know what you think in the comments.



 MollyPepper&NTcover_crop-01
Add Java Man to your Goodreads TBR!

 

MOLLY PEPPER AND THE NIGHT TRAIN by Courtney King Walker | Lands Atlantic Publishing Release Date: March 13, 2015

Book Description:

Hidden somewhere in the fog of the San Francisco bay lies Blue Rock Island, home to the bay area’s two best-kept secrets: Bell’s Bluff, the old, abandoned prison on one side of the island, and the Night Train, a mysterious train ride on the other. When twelve-year-old Molly Pepper receives a secret invitation promising a night of magic and adventure aboard the Night Train, she is skeptical. In her experience, most promises prove too good to be true. The fact that she lost her mom is proof enough. Still, Molly gives hope another chance. Together with her loyal friend, Noah Wonderly, they sneak out of the house and follow a string of clues leading to the Night Train. But when the train stops at Bell's Bluff, Molly discovers the real reason she was invited. There, she starts to wonder if hope and magic not only fix broken promises; but make you believe in them again.

So what do you think of the cover?

CourtneyKingWalker_WEB 

About the Author

Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Courtney King Walker grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area building rocket ships and rafts out of cardboard, hoping to make it the moon or at least Niagara Falls. But a trip across the border to Tijuana was as exciting as it ever got, so she decided writing about adventure was the next best thing. She now lives in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and four children, and still dreams of flying to the moon. Her YA debut, ON THE FRINGE, was published in 2011 by Lands Atlantic Publishing.

Giveaway

Monday, September 15, 2014

Exiled - Review




Author: Sophie Davis
Publication Date: September 3, 2014
Publisher: Sophie Davis Books
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 15 and up
Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:

Kenly Baker is alone. TOXIC has been defeated. Her friends from the McDonough School for the Talented are scattered to the wind. Even Kenly’s only living family member cannot hide the scared teenager from those who wish to contain her. Because Kenly is one of the Created.
For her, it’s a future worse than death.
She travels across the Atlantic Ocean, to the slums of London. There, Kenly finds tentative acceptance among a group of outcasts. They have spent their enire lives dodging shadows, barely staying alive. Kenly thought she knew what horrors haunt the night, but her new companions reveal predators far more alarming than anything she’s ever faced. Suddenly, she is brutally aware of the dark side of humanity.
Kenly’s biggest concern was the UNITED trackers, who round up and capture the Created. But there are adversaries in this new world who are far more terrifying. And unfortunately for Kenly, now their sites are set on the Created.

My Review:

First let me say that this book is a companion novel, not a stand alone.  For your best reading experience I suggest reading the entire Talented series before picking up Exiled. There is a lot of background that you will need in order to truly understand what is going on.  

Exiled follows Kenly Baker, the one time protege of Talia, as she finds herself alone and on the run from the newly formed Union organization.  The Created are being hunted and in order to survive Kenly escapes to London hoping to find safety.  I love that we are getting to see more of the world and characters that Sophie Davis creates.   I think that one of my favorite aspects of her books in this series is Sohie's character interactions and the bonds they create with one another.  Sophie writes these characters raw, there is no fluff and filler to who they are.  We seem them at their best and their worst and Exiled is no different in this aspect.  

Kenly, oh Kenly...I admit it was a bit hard for me to connect with her, but I think she's been that way since her first introduction in the series.  She's a bit of an introvert with a black and white view to the world around her.  Yes, she has a higher reasoning talent and she can assess a situation in seconds, but she doesn't easily see the grey all around her.  Things are the way they are in her mind and this often leads her into dangerous situations, and creates danger for those around her.  That said this is definitely a coming of age tale for Kenly and she needs every one of those situations to occur for her to be able to find herself, to come to terms with the world around her, and to allow herself to love and trust others.  Now keep in mind Kenly is not Talia, don't go into the book thinking she's this kick ass girl who is going to conquer it all and maybe take names on her way out.  Kenly is a totally different character, she's strong in her own right, and once she stops believing that because she is Created she should somehow be better than everyone else we really get to see her shine!  We readers couldn't really handle another Talia anyway could we?  ;-)

I loved all the 'gang' in this book Willa, Honora, Riley, Tug, and of course James.  Ah, James, the brooding hot boy with an edge that girls just can't help but swoon over.  I really liked his protectiveness and compassion.  His relationship with Kenly is wonderfully sweet and well written.  He's just one of those characters you immediately take a liking to and only adore more as the book continues.  He and Erik are definitely two amazing make heroes.
The start of the books is a slow build up, I find this to be common in most of the series.  There are a lot of pondering and thoughtful moments looking back on the past for Kenly in the first several chapters, but don't let that discourage you.  As usual with this series once the action begins it is full on and loaded with twists and turns.  So just keep reading!  
This is a great series for Young Adult book fans.  If you enjoy Dystopians, Science Fiction, and/or Contemporary Romance this is a great read for you.  If you have already read the other books in the Talented Series do not let this one slip by it's a must read as it brings back some of your favorite characters, introduces you to new ones, and sets us up for what comes next! 


Connect to the Authors:


ophie moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from Penn State University to pursue a career in the Sciences.  After deciding to actually write down one of the stories she makes up in her head, Sophie began the long journey towards her first full-length novel, Talented.  Caged is her second novel, and the second in the Talented Saga.  Hunted, the third novel in the Talented Saga is available now.  
The final installment in Talia's story, Created, will be released in Summer 2013!  
PAWN will be the first book in Sophie's new series, the Nightmares Trilogy, and is set for  April 26, 2013 release.   
When Sophie isn't hunched over her computer, she can be found shopping in Georgetown, running in Rock Creek Park, or at the local dive bars in her Columbia Heights Neighborhood.
- See more at: http://www.sophiedavisbooks.com/bio/#sthash.QA2e0F2S.dpuf
ophie moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from Penn State University to pursue a career in the Sciences.  After deciding to actually write down one of the stories she makes up in her head, Sophie began the long journey towards her first full-length novel, Talented.  Caged is her second novel, and the second in the Talented Saga.  Hunted, the third novel in the Talented Saga is available now.  
The final installment in Talia's story, Created, will be released in Summer 2013!  
PAWN will be the first book in Sophie's new series, the Nightmares Trilogy, and is set for  April 26, 2013 release.   
When Sophie isn't hunched over her computer, she can be found shopping in Georgetown, running in Rock Creek Park, or at the local dive bars in her Columbia Heights Neighborhood.
- See more at: http://www.sophiedavisbooks.com/bio/#sthash.QA2e0F2S.dpuf
ophie moved to Washington, D.C. after graduating from Penn State University to pursue a career in the Sciences.  After deciding to actually write down one of the stories she makes up in her head, Sophie began the long journey towards her first full-length novel, Talented.  Caged is her second novel, and the second in the Talented Saga.  Hunted, the third novel in the Talented Saga is available now.  
The final installment in Talia's story, Created, will be released in Summer 2013!  
PAWN will be the first book in Sophie's new series, the Nightmares Trilogy, and is set for  April 26, 2013 release.   
When Sophie isn't hunched over her computer, she can be found shopping in Georgetown, running in Rock Creek Park, or at the local dive bars in her Columbia Heights Neighborhood.
- See more at: http://www.sophiedavisbooks.com/bio/#sthash.QA2e0F2S.dpuf