Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Make It Right - Review


Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes | Google Play

Author: Megan Erickson
Publication Date: September 9, 2014
Publisher: William Morrow Impulse
Series: Bowler University #2
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Age Recommendation: 18 and up
Rating: 5 stars


Book Description:
Max Payton lives by two rules:

 Size and strength win any fight, and never show weakness.

 When a rash of assaults sends Bowler University for a tail spin, Max volunteers to help teach a self-defense class. One of the other instructors is the beautiful pixie-faced girl he keeps butting heads with…and who challenges everything he thought he knew.

 Lea Travers avoids guys like Max - cocky jocks who assume she's fragile because of a disability caused by a childhood accident. She likes to be in control, and something about being with Max makes her feel anything but. But during the moments he lets his guard down, Lea sees a soul as broken inside as she is outside. Trusting him is a whole other problem...

 When the assaults ramp up and hit close to home, Lea and Max must learn, before it’s too late, that true strength can come from vulnerability…and giving in to trust is sometimes the only way to make things right.


My Review:

 So....I have to tell you that while I enjoyed Make it Count, the first book in the Bowler University series, and while I adored Alec I did not fall in love with the book (not to say I didn't enjoy it, just that it didn't move me.), so I was a little hesitant going into Make it Right, especially considering what a jerk Max had been.  That said I loved Make it Right!  

We're given hints of Max's life in Make it Count.  We know that he has things going on we can't possibly understand yet and we know some of this is what leads him to be the absolute jerk that we are introduced to.  Is that who he truly is?  Is that who he wants to be? In Make it Right we learn the answer and what I discovered is Max is an AMAZING character.  There is a depth to him that I would never have expected.  He's truly caring, funny and loving.  He's been overcome with the stress of expectations, everyone (even Alec's) expectations of him.  Expectations that he doesn't want or doesn't know how to fulfill.  How does he make everyone happy?  When does he get to make himself happy?  Can he and everyone else let go of the past, can they all Make it Right?

Into Max's turmoil walks in Lea, a spitfire of a woman who struggles daily with an injury from a car accident when she was a teen.  An injury that visibly effects her but one that she doesn't allow to define who she is. She is a determined and strong character who isn't going to allow Max to wallow in his guilt, who breaks down his facade, and won't allow him to fall deeper into what I recognize as depression.  While it is never spoken of in the book it is clear to me that Max suffers from depression brought on by all the pressure he feels his family and friends have placed on him.  It is also clear to me that Lea is the ONLY one who looks deep enough to recognize it.  The only one who looks deep enough to see the man behind the walls he's built in an attempt to hide from it.  

I loved the chemistry and playfulness between Max and Lea.  Sometimes banter between characters falls flat or feels contrived or 'corny', but I never got that with these two.  Their banter while snarky and innuendo filled (at times) always held a deeper and emotional truth to it.  These are two characters who truly see one another.  It is a relationship that I don't question, it is one that if this were real life I can see that the would actually make it.  

I enjoyed getting reacquainted with Danica and Cam (seriously can not wait for Cam's book) and I walked a way actually respecting Max's dad, Jack, which I would never have expected.  In the end this isn't just to story of Max's redemption.  It is the story of knowing who you are and trusting your loved ones (friends and family) to stand by you no matter what. 

For fans of Contemporary New Adult, this is a great read and you are definitely going to want to pick it up! 

Oh and by the way....I am totally TEAM WAYNE and I am not a cat person, but then again I am not sure Wayne isn't a bear!  ;-)


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About Megan

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.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Posted by at No comments:

Monday, September 8, 2014

Impulisive Desires - Cover Reveal






Title: Impulsive Desires
Series: The Fitzgerald Family Series
Author: E.B. Walters
Release Date: October 27th
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Description:

He has tradition ingrained in him…

 She lives for the moment…

 Will they find a common ground?

 Billionaire Lex Fitzgerald has a knack of outbidding and outsmarting his opponents and has never met a challenge he can’t win. So when an old-fashioned auto-parts maker threatens to give a coveted contract to his competitor because Lex is still a single man, he comes up with the perfect solution. Find a temporary wife—a top notch actress who can convince his business associates and nosy family he is a happily married man.

 Stuntwoman Jillian Finnegan hates Hollywood. Doing stunts is just a temporary gig before she goes back to her family business: performing death-defying acts in front of adoring fans. Then she learns that her father borrowed money from unsavory characters and must sell the company to pay them back. Desperate for cash, Jillian accepts Lex’s offer.

 But one evening with Lex and Jillian realizes that the attraction between them is going to be a problem. It could derail all her plans. Little does she know that from the moment they met, Lex knew he’s found what he’s been searching for. Not an opponent to outsmart. Not a challenge to be won. And definitely not a temporary wife. He has found the woman he’s meant to love. But can one adoring fan be enough for Jillian?


AUTHOR BIO

E.B WALTERS (Ednah Walters) grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and dreaming of one day writing her own stories. She is a stay-at-home mother of five humans and two American short-hair cats (one of which has ADHD) and a husband. When she is not writing, she’s at the gym doing Zumba or doing things with her family, reading, traveling or online chatting with fans.

Ednah is the author of The Guardian Legacy series, a YA fantasy series about children of the fallen angels, who fight demons and protect mankind. AWAKENED, the prequel was released by Pill Hill Press in September 2010 with rave reviews. BETRAYED, book one in the series was released by her new publisher Spencer Hill Press in June 2012 and HUNTED, the third installment, was released March 2013. She’s working on the next book in the series, FORGOTTEN. Visit her at www.ednahwalters.com.

Ednah also writes YA paranormal romance. RUNES is the first book in her new series and there are currently three other books published in this series. SOULS (Grimnir book 2 a side story to the RUNES series) and WITCHES book 4 will release 2014.  Read more about this series and the world she's created here www.runestheseries.com.

Under the pseudonym E. B. Walters, Ednah writes contemporary romance. SLOW BURN, the first contemporary romance with suspense, was released in April 2011. It is the first book in the Fitzgerald family series. Since then she has published five more books in this series. She's presently working on book seven. You can visit her online at or http://www.author-e-b-walters.com/

AUTHOR LINKS
Facebook
Twitter
Website
AmazonAuthor
Goodreads
B&N Author
Smashwords
Kobo
Newsletter Sign up



Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Bang Bang Release Day Blitz






 Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ iTunes


He was my best friend. 
Until he became my enemy. 
All within the span of one night. 


Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang. 


The rapid fire of gunshots became the soundtrack to my life. 


This is the Mafia. Lines are blurred. Choices are never black and white. And the life you thought you knew is... one giant lie. 


He was dead. 

And I didn't want his life to be in vain, so I tried to make something of myself. I tried and failed. 


Now he's back. Alive. And he wants something... 


Me. 


Nobody ever said the mafia played fair. 

Welcome to The Family. 







EXCERPT

I wanted his lips more than I wanted my next breath, but how long before those lips were taken away? How long before my heart would get ripped from my chest a second time? I almost didn’t survive the first — I knew I wouldn’t live through the second.
With a jerk I pulled back and slapped him across the face. “How dare you!”
Ax swore and hit the steering wheel. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry I shouldn’t have assumed—”
“Assumed, what?” I yelled. “That I wouldn’t be completely pissed off? That I wouldn’t be shattered!” My voice wavered. “Totally wrecked forever because I’ve been mourning the loss of my best friend for five damn years only to find out he’s very much alive and suddenly wanting to play the white knight?” My body started to shake. “I died that day!”
Ax’s face twisted with pain. “Amy, I had to protect you… at all costs I had to protect you.”
“Your protection broke my heart,” I whispered.
He sighed, running his hands through his hair before answering. “Ames, sometimes what’s the best for us — is exactly what hurts the most.”
I refused to look at him. Instead I looked down, down at my bare legs, at the outfit I’d almost paraded about in before a crowd of horrible drunk men in order to make money. I wasn’t the same girl he’d left. I was damaged in the worst way. Because by saving me, Ax had taken away all purpose from my life. When I thought he’d died, my only goal was to live because he hadn’t.
And now? Now the shame of my situation was crippling.
Foster care kid.
Unwanted.
Unloved.
And completely and utterly alone. Abandoned, even by my best friend.
“Five years, Ax. And now you come for me…” I licked my lips. “I’m not vain enough to think it’s because you can’t find anyone to warm your bed at night, and I’m not confident enough to think it’s because you missed me so much you just couldn’t stay away. What do you want?”
“You.”
“Try again.”
He swore and looked away. “It doesn’t have to be like this. Had I known you were in this position—”
“What?” I snorted then bit down on my lip to keep from crying. “You would have driven here faster? You would have rescued me sooner? Pitied me more? Take your pick, Ax. Now tell me the truth. Don’t start off this new-found relationship with a lie.”
He was silent for a while then whispered, “You have something I need.”
“A brain?”
Ax’s smile nearly took my breath away “Besides that.”
I pressed my lips together and looked out the window at my dark and cramped apartment. “I have exactly one stuffed animal from my old life, the one you gave me when I was six. I have a Polaroid picture, a toothbrush, enough clothes to get me through a week and a half of living, a hairbrush, two elastic hair bands — Do you see where I’m going with this?” I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. “I have nothing you need, let alone want. Believe me.“
Ax studied my face, his expression softened as he said, barely above a whisper, “Let me be the one who decides that.”
I looked away.
“Don’t do that, Ames,” he murmured. “Don’t shut me out.”
“Five years, Ax.” I looked straight ahead. “Five years where my tears were the only thing keeping me company at night. I think you lost the right to tell me what to do.”
He swore. The car door opened. I gasped as humid air filtered in. “What are you doing?”
“Getting out of the car.” He shrugged and gestured at the building. “Going into your apartment and packing you up. We’ll stay at a hotel tonight.”
I snorted. “My apartment not good enough for you?”
“No.” He pulled a gun from his jeans, thumbed off the safety, and held it out in front of him. “I just hate getting woken up in the middle of the night with gunshots ringing out, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” I gulped, my eyes still trained on the gun.
“Guns don’t hurt people… people do,” Ax said softly. “Remember that.”
“I do.” I met his gaze. “Because in the end, it wasn’t the gun that broke my heart — it was you.”
















Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com


Links:
 FACEBOOK
 TWITTER
 GOODREADS








Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Dante's Fire - Review





Author: Jennifer Probst
Publication Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: Cool Gus Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Age Recommendation: 18 and up
Rating: 3 stars

Book Description:

It’s Time To Meet A New Kind Of Hero...

Dante Stark has a dark secret--a legacy left to him by his father which is both a blessing and a curse. A traumatic experience as a small boy gave him special powers of healing, but it comes with a price. Destined to wander the world alone to heal others, he's accepted his fate. Until Selina Rogers forces him to confront his deepest fears, erotic desires, and question his capacity to love.

Selina Rogers has made a name for herself at Inferno Enterprises. She's tough, confident and prepared to succeed. She's also built a world she believes is safe, until she's attacked and then saved by a masked stranger. As he helps her heal physically and emotionally, she becomes fascinated by his overwhelming power and gentle touch. Determined to show Dante the love he's been denying himself, Selina surrenders her heart, and dreams of a future with the mysterious man who completes her.

But will his dark legacy destroy them...or save them both.. 

 My Review:

Dante Stark carries a secret that forces his hand in the matters of love.  He fears he will always be alone, unable to form any lasting relationship with anyone other than his best friend Chase.  His secret?  He's a new kind of super hero, not immortal, not invincible, just a normal man with normal desires who has a special ability.  An ability that sets him apart from the world and although he is saving and changing lives he is barely living his own. 


"Dante dragged in a breath and leaned his forehead against the smooth glass.He couldn't do this to himself any longer. Or to them. He needed to accept the truth about his destiny.  He would always be alone. It was safer. Kinder. No more hurt or false promises. No more lies. Loneliness, yes. But loneliness he's always been able to handle."

The walks in Selina Rogers, a hardworking, dedicated woman who has brought herself up from a challenging past.  She finds herself working at Inferno Enterprises and becoming friends with mail room clerk....Daniel Stark, superhero and secret owner of Inferno Enterprises.

~Okay so it isn't really shocking, I just wanted to use a superhero gif in here some where *wink*~

Over the next two years of working at Inferno Dante (Daniel) has watched her slowly, falling in love with her but too afraid of all his secrets to do more than be her office friend.  

"She was a hell of a woman.  What intrigued Dante the most was her heart." 

Until one fateful night brings them together only it's not him as Daniel, but as the masked hero,his true persona, Dante.

I think my favorite thing about this book is that while Dante is the typical alpha male, he tends to a more calm, quiet, soothing side.  Is he going to tell you what to do, yeah but he's going to do it in such a way that he makes you feel content and cared for.  Also I like that this isn't really some rushed 'hey I have just met you and now I love you and would die without you in my life' romance.  While there is some aspect of that due to the dual nature of  Dante, we know for him he has fallen for Selina over time and we have to assume that before Selina truly recognizes Dante for Daniel she knows, deep down she knows.  

I will say that only two things really bothered me about the book: One there were times when things felt a bit rushed.  I could have really delved deeper into Dante's story and the history of his abilities, but perhaps we will get that in the coming books. Two, I struggled with some of what Dante is required to do because of his abilities.  I wonder how close is too close and how fast is too fast  when trying to help someone heal from such a horrifying event.  I don't want to give anything away by telling you about his abilities or the people he helps and while I question some of what he has to do I think that it is all handled with grace in the book.

If you are looking for a paranormal romance with a twist you haven't come across yet I think this is a great book to give a read.  It's truly something different and I look forward to reading Chase's story and learning more about this new group of superheros.






  Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She is the NYT and USA Today bestselling author of The Marriage Bargain. She is published both erotic and sexy contemporary romance with Entangled, Decadent, Red Sage and TWRP. She has also written a children's book, Buffy and the Carrot, co-written with her twelve year old niece, along with a short story, "A Life Worth Living." Visit her website for more info!

Author Links:

Website:  www.jenniferprobst.com
Facebook Fan Page:  https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage
Twitter:   https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst 
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Guardian - Excerpt Blog Hop

 

I am thrilled to be one of the stops on Courtney Cole's Guardian Excerpt Hop.  Below you will find section 3 of excerpt 3.  Also you will find the listing with all participating blogs so you can check out all the excerpts in the blog tour as well a a chance to enter the giveaway!  




EXCERPT: SECTION 3:

“Are you okay?” he asks again, sliding down to sit beside me. Great. This is just what I need… Brady Parker witnessing my nervous breakdown. “Is this about the car?”
“Um, no. I’m fine.”  I’d actually already forgotten about the car. I look up at him through my lashes, which I’m startled to realize are wet. I’m crying and didn’t even realize it.
My emotions are out of control.
“You’re not fine, and this isn’t about the car, is it?” Brady puts put his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close to him.
I’d been mistaken- only his hands smell like soap.
The rest of him smells like cedar and musk. I fade into the warmth of his body, resting my head on his shoulder. I’ve never been an overly huggy person, but I suddenly realize how much I’ve been needing a hug.
At the same exact time, I realize that I’m getting snot on his shirt. I wipe at my nose with the back of my hand. He lowers his head so that his eyes are level with mine.  



Excerpt Hop Schedule:

September 1-Excerpt 1
September 2-Excerpt 2
September 3-Excerpt 3
September 4-Excerpt 4
September 5-Excerpt 5
September 6-Excerpt 6




 

ABOUT COURTNEY COLE:

Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could. She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds. She loves chocolate and roller coasters and hates waiting and rude people.

Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo.

Links:

 
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Fragile Reign - Cover Reveal

MESFBCover.v3


I am really excited to help reveal the cover for FRAGILE REIGN (Mortal Enchantment #2) by Stacey O'Neale! I loved the first two books The Shadow Prince (Novella) and Mortal Enchantment.These are fabulous fantasy/Paranormal YA reads.   Check out the cover below, and let me know what you think in the comments. Then be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Amazon or B&N gift card!

 
Add Java Man to your Goodreads TBR!

Details about the cover, from author Stacey O'Neale:

In case you're curious about the cover, the model represents Marcus. The background represents the woodland court and the caves at the bottom are where the members of the royal family live. I chose caves because the woodland court protects the forests of the world. I didn't think they would choose to cut down trees to make a castle, so the massive caves worked out nicely. If you zoom in, you can see where the doors and windows are cut out. The inside is very lavish. If you read FRAGILE REIGN, you'll learn all about it.

FRAGILE REIGN (Mortal Enchantment #2) by Stacey O'Neale | November 18, 2014

Book Description:

It’s been a week since all hell broke loose… Rumors of King Taron’s weakened powers have left the air court vulnerable. Kalin is desperate to awaken her akasha powers, except she doesn’t know how. Tension within the court is at an all-time high. Pressure is mounting for her to ascend to the throne, but a halfling has never ruled over any court. To solidify her position, the council has advised her to marry Sebastian—a high ranking air elemental she’s never met and her betrothed. Will Kalin sacrifice her relationship with Rowan to strengthen her court? Rowan and Marcus return to a fire court in turmoil. Liana’s death has fueled the fire elementals’ distrust against the air and woodland courts. The unbalanced elements have set off natural disasters all over the mortal world. Rowan takes the throne to restore balance, promising to unite the fire court. But not all elementals are happy with his leadership. Many are secretly loyal to Valac, which means Rowan needs to find allies for his cause. Can Rowan unify the court of fire before the elements destroy the world?



  The prequel novella, THE SHADOW PRINCE, is currently free on Amazon, and you can also read MORTAL ENCHANTMENT for free if you have Kindle Unlimited.

Stacey O'Neale 

About the Author

Stacey O’Neale lives in Annapolis, Maryland. When she’s not writing, she spends her time fangirling over books, blogging, watching fantasy television shows, cheering for the Baltimore Ravens, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.
Her career in publishing started as a blogger-turned-publicist for two successful small publishers. Stacey writes young adult paranormal romance and adult science fiction romance. Her books always include swoon-worthy heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.
Stacey loves hearing from readers. Follow her on Twitter @StaceyONeale, look for her on Facebook, Pinterest, and GoodReads.

 

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels:

Monday, September 1, 2014

Upcoming Book Releases - Week of Sept 1, 2014

Here we are again, a new week and a lot of awesome books coming out.  Remember if you know of something and I don't have it here (because I can't fit them all or find them all) please feel free to add it in the comments so we don't miss out on a great book.  These are just a few of my most looked forward to books for this week and I would love to know about yours! Don't forget each book is linked to Goodreads so you can go check out the synopsis and see if your are interested!

These are all releasing on my favorite day of the week Tuesday!

September 2

Middle Grade:



Young Adult:







New Adult:





Paranormal Romance:

(One of my all time favorite Paranormal Romance Series!)


Adventure:


That's all for this week.  I know there are so many more books out there that I don't have here, but I hope this might give you a few good choices to pick from!  Have a great week fellow book lovers!
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)