Sunday, December 22, 2013

Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: What's Left of Me: Amanda Maxlyn

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Life works in mysterious ways.
Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer.
I refuse to cry.
And I refuse to give in.
A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants. Me.
He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.
But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him.
What if it changes everything?
Tragedy found me when I was seventeen.
Love found me when I was twenty-one.
My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.
 
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Laura's Review:

I don't know why, but I've been reading a lot of emotionally charged books lately. And this one just knocked me flat out. To say it is heavy is an understatement. It isn't just the cancer part - which of course, is as seriously heavy as it gets - it's the pain and suffering and ultimate healing that goes along with it all. Parker is just perfect, and that's just what he had to be to put up with the unfairness of the situation. But, he doesn't see it that way, he is just this gorgeously solid rock of support and love. Ahhhhh - we all need a Parker in our lives. At times I felt like the author was trying a bit too hard to pull tears out of her readers, and the book could have used some more moments of levity, but other than that, it was well-written and stunningly emotional. For those who like tear-jerking romances, this one's for you.

What's Left of Me: 3.5/5 stars.

About Amanda:

I am the mother of two little boys, married to the love of my life, and living in one of the smallest towns in Minnesota. When I’m not chasing or cleaning up after my boys (yes, all three), I can be found writing or snuggled up with my kindle, a glass of wine, and spending time with my fictional friends and family.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AmandaMaxlynAuthor
Website - http://amandamaxlyn.com/
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7264050.Amanda_Maxlyn
Twitter - https://twitter.com/AmandaMaxlyn
Instagram - http://instagram.com/amandamaxlyn
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Friday, December 20, 2013

Review, Blog Tour & Giveaway: Your Exception by Bria Starr


For more fun & giveaways, come join our Facebook Release Party & Blog Tour Event ~ Friday, December 20th – CLICK HERE

Happy Release Day to Bria Starr on her debut novel “Your Exception". Make sure to enter the GIVEAWAY below!

Author: Bria Starr
Book Title: Your Exception
Genre: New Adult/Romance
Blog Tour Manager: Brandee’s Book Endings
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Logan Kalford was Wren Summers’ dream come true.
All I’d ever wanted was to fall in love and be loved in return.
Logan stole my heart when I least expected it. He was sexy, adventurous, and the way he played guitar left me weak in the knees. He made me happy. He made me think I’d found the one. And he made me believe in happy endings.
I knew he was my forever. I thought he knew it too.
I was wrong.
He destroyed everything I thought we had and shattered my dreams of us. He left me heartbroken. He made me doubt myself.
And he didn’t even seem to care…
Now I must let go. But how can I when he still consumes me?
How do you walk away from what you know was real?
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Laura's Review:

This was one of those books that made you want to scream at the characters while you were reading it. I think at one point, I actually tried.  As with any love triangle, there are pros and cons to each, some of which are easier to see than others. And any author who gets me to believe in the characters so much I'm having conversations with them has done her job well.

Your Exception: 4/5 stars

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About the Author:

Bria Starr grew up in a small town in Minnesota and continues to live there with her husband and beautiful baby girl. She’s a stay at home mom who is very close with her family, loves junk food, and is always cold. Her favorite things include reading books, writing, listening to music, and watching too many movies.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bria-Starr-Author/180078098828468
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*** GIVEAWAY ***

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Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Release Day Romp, Review, & Giveaway: Pieces For You by Genna Rulon

Title: Pieces for You (For You #2)
Author: Genna Rulon
Genre: New Adult 18+
Publication Date: December 17, 2013
Cover Designed By: G. Relyea Designs
Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

~ Synopsis ~
"The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies, and still defying fortune's spite; revive from ashes and rise.” -Miguel de Cervantes

Samantha Whitney survived unimaginable tragedy only to discover she had been betrayed by a man who claimed to love her. Shattered, Sam spends months at a safe haven trying to piece herself back together. Ready or not, the time has come for her to return home.

As Sam struggles to resume a life that no longer feels familiar, she finds unwavering support in an unexpected, familiar face. Confronting Sam’s raw emotions and open wounds head-on, Griffin manages to take two steps forward for every step she retreats.

But when Sam is once again threatened, Griffin must decide how far he is willing to go to protect the woman he wants…knowing the cost of her safety is the risk of losing her.

Pieces For You is a captivating journey of survival, healing, and sacrifice—teeming with honesty, humor, unexpected twists, and love’s unsurpassed endurance.begin to plague Sam, it is Griffin she is forced to turn to.


Though Pieces For You is a part of the For You Series, the book can be read as a stand alone
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18460174-pieces-for-you
Purchase Links: Not available. Please check back on the tour page on release day. http://wp.me/p3EtUb-uM


Laura's Review: 

I read the first book of this series, Only For You, a couple weeks ago, and declared it one of my favorites of 2013. So, of course, I just had to read this sequel - not just to get another taste of Genna Rulon's amazingly smart and witty writing, but also to see Sam get the HEA that she so very much deserves. Not to mention the incomparable Griffin. Ah, Griffin. Loved him in Only For You, fell IN LOVE with him here. He's just the perfect book boyfriend - and I loved seeing his patience pay off. This book tackles some very serious subject matters, and I found it a bit heavier to read than the first one. Don't get me wrong - the Gilmore Girls-esque quick banter still is at play here, but with the backdrop of abuse, neglect, and survival that could have quickly gone the way of an after school special, but this is way hotter than any of those I've ever seen!
They put in the blurb that Pieces For You could be read as a stand-alone, but I really wouldn't. Anyone who reads it is going to just HAVE to read the first book, and by reading them out of order you'd be missing out on a whole lot that makes Only For You just so great.

Pieces For You: 4/5 stars



~ About the Author ~
Genna Rulon is an up and coming contemporary romance author.
During her 15 years in the corporate world, Genna, inspired by her love of reading, fantasized about penning her own stories. Encouraged by her favorite authors, many of whom are indie writers and self-published, she committed to pursuing her aspirations of writing her own novels. Genna was raised in Long Island, New York, where she still resides, surrounded by the most amazing family and friends. Married to a wonderful man, who patiently tolerates her ramblings about whichever book she is currently working on, even feigning interest relatively convincingly! Genna is blessed with two little boys who do their best to thwart mommy’s writing time with their hilarious antics and charming extrapolations.
Connect with Genna: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumblr
Tour-Wide Giveaway

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Dear Emily by Trudy Stiles

Trudy Stiles' debut novel "Dear Emily" Now Available.  Make sure to check out the TRAILER, TEASERS & enter the GIVEAWAY for a Kindle HDX below!

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Author: Trudy Stiles
Book Title: Dear Emily ~ Series: Forever Family #1
Genre: New Adult/Romance
Two women. Carly and Tabitha. They each have suffered life-altering events that have left them both traumatically damaged.


Carly Sloan’s life was perfect until her security and innocence was torn from her. The vast repercussions from horrific events threaten to destroy her stability and her chances for a happily ever after. Kyle Finnegan comes into Carly’s life at the height of her turmoil. Can he help her find what she desires most?


Tabitha Fletcher has constantly suffered from a very young age. She has been hiding from her past, which was full of sadness, loss and abuse. She has been so brutally damaged that she has very little hope for redemption. The revolving door of men only leads her deeper into misery.


What circumstance brings these two women together and can they help each other heal? And will they each find what they need?


Redemption.
Love.
Family.


“Dear Emily” is the first book in the “Forever Family” series.


This book is not suitable for young readers. It is intended for mature adults only (18+). It contains strong language, adult/sexual situations, non-consensual sex and some violence.


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*** BOOK TRAILER & TEASERS ***







Laura's Review: 

Lately I've been staying away from heavier novels and keeping my reading on the lighter escapism side. However, when I was approached by this author to be part of her book release and blog tour, I read the blurb and was drawn to it. I knew it was going to be emotional, but I didn't know just how intense those feelings would be and how invested I'd become in the lives of these characters. So invested that I found it difficult to read some because I hurt along with their hurt, but the story was just so compelling, I had to keep going. This is one of those books that will stay with you long after you've read the last sentence. A stunning and emotionally gripping debut from Trudy Stiles.

Dear Emily: 4.5/5 stars

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. 
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About the Author:

Trudy Stiles is a New Adult author, avid reader, mom to two beautiful children and married to the love of her life. She just wrote her debut novel, "Dear Emily, and cannot wait to share it with everyone.You'll know that she's writing when you see her plugged into her laptop with her earbuds and she always has a playlist ready for her writing sprints.When she's not writing, she's carting her children to their various activities while avoiding any kind of laundry or housework. She also loves to run along the boardwalk of the beautiful New Jersey shore.She's always been an avid reader and frequently escapes into the fictional worlds of the many characters that she has come to love. Well now there are some fictional characters in her head dying to get out!This first story is called "Dear Emily" and will begin the "Forever Family" series.
Twitter: @trudystiles
Author page on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7255897.Trudy_Stiles
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*** GIVEAWAY ***  


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Friday, December 13, 2013

Release Day Blitz: What's Left of Me by Amanda Maxlyn

For more fun & giveaways, come join our Facebook Release Party & Blog Tour Event ~ Friday, December 13th – CLICK HERE

Happy Release Day to Amanda Maxlyn on her debut novel “What's Left of Me". Make sure to check out the TEASERS & enter the GIVEAWAY for a Kindle HDX and Amazon Gift Cards below!

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Life works in mysterious ways.
Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer.
I refuse to cry.
And I refuse to give in.
A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants. Me.
He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.
But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him.
What if it changes everything?
Tragedy found me when I was seventeen.
Love found me when I was twenty-one.
My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.
 
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About Amanda:

I am the mother of two little boys, married to the love of my life, and living in one of the smallest towns in Minnesota. When I’m not chasing or cleaning up after my boys (yes, all three), I can be found writing or snuggled up with my kindle, a glass of wine, and spending time with my fictional friends and family.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AmandaMaxlynAuthor
Website - http://amandamaxlyn.com/
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7264050.Amanda_Maxlyn
Twitter - https://twitter.com/AmandaMaxlyn
Instagram - http://instagram.com/amandamaxlyn
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*** GIVEAWAY ***

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Thursday, December 12, 2013

Review Tour and Giveaway: Lovers at Heart by Melissa Foster



Lovers at Heart
The Bradens Series Book One
By: Melissa Foster

Blurb
Handsome, wealthy resort owner Treat Braden is used to getting what he wants. When Max Armstrong walked into his life six months earlier, he saw right through the efficient and capable façade she wore like a shield, to the sweet, sensual woman who lay beneath. She sparked an unfamiliar desire in him for more than a one-night stand, leaving his heart reeling and his blood boiling. But one mistake caused her to turn away, and now, after six months of longing for the one woman he cannot have, he’s going home to try to forget her all together.

Max Armstrong has a successful career, a comfortable lifestyle, and she’s never needed a man to help her find her way—until Treat Braden caught her attention at a wedding in Nassau, causing a surge of emotions too reminiscent of the painful past she’d spent years trying to forget. Max will do anything to avoid reliving that pain—including forgoing her toe-curling, heart-pounding desire for Treat.

When a chance encounter turns into a night of intense passion, Treat realizes that the mistake he made six months earlier may cause him to lose Max completely. He will do everything within his power to win her heart forever—and Max is forced to face her hurtful past head on for the man she cannot help but love.



Buy Links
 B&N: (Coming)


Author Info
"Melissa Foster is a wonderful connector of readers and books, a friend of authors, and a tireless advocate for women. She is the real deal"-- Bestselling Author Jennie Shortridge
"What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about... desperately. This  is psychological suspense at its most chilling. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked."  International bestseller, M.J. Rose 
Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today's book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she's not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine. 

Author Links
Twitter: @Melissa_Foster
My social network for women: http://www.TheWomensNest.com
World Literary Café: http://www.worldliterarycafe.com
Facebook Melissa Foster: http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor  (Fanpage)
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster

Laura's ReviewMelissa Foster's strength is her characters- written with depth and real emotion. And it's hard not to like any book whose characters you like right off the bat. I had not read the previous books of this series, so I felt like a piece of the story was missing at first, but I quickly got caught up. The tortured stubbornness of both Max and Treat got a little old, but I still was rooting for them to work out all those demons. Add in some super steamy romance scenes and fans of this series will not want to miss this book! 
Lovers at Heart: 4/5 stars

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Cyrus (Men of Steel #2) by MJ Fields





~Cyrus~
Truth
I know who I am. I’m Cyrus Steel, son, brother, uncle, friend to people I choose to bring into my life.
Truth
I could fuck up anyone I want.
Truth
I know the devastation I can and have caused.
Truth
I can’t change the past, but I have chosen how to live now.
Truth
I like to fuck, and I will do a chick better than she’s ever been done. Hard and wild. No more than three hook ups. No expectations, no one gets hurt. As long as she agrees …it’s on.
One of my favorite tattoo’s bridges the V, and it says Truth.
A constant reminder of who I was and who I am now.

~Tara~
I wasn’t sure I knew how or even if I should tell him there was no one who loved me. Tony was the last person to say those words to me and he hadn’t meant it. He just wanted to use me.
That’s what this beautiful man underneath me, showed me today. He hadn’t used me, he didn’t even know me. But he thought I was beautiful, and he was nice to me. Tony was wrong about him, and even though I never want to see him again, I wish I could tell him just how wrong he was.

Can truth be altered? Can truth be seen when walls are built for protection, for self preservation? Will self doubt and years of pain cloud two hearts from finding their truth?





I never liked it when the tourist season slowed down on the shore. It meant less business at the shop and more free time on my hands. “Idle minds are the devils play yard”… that’s what Momma Joe always says. I suppose that’s why we started Forever Steel to begin with. Sure, it brought in more money than the restaurant did, especially this time of year. I buy that-- but with four boys I'm pretty damn sure it also had a hell of a lot more to do with our idol hands than our minds. Pretty sure the idea came about when she caught Zandor with our neighbor’s wife. Funny as shit watching her chase them both out of the garage with that broom.
Zandor's pants were around his ankles as he ran out and Miss Betty’s tits were flying in the air. She still had her pants on, so I was confused... nah-- more like curious at first to what REALLY went on in our garage that night. That was until Jase and I overheard her going off about how wrong it was to have sex with a married woman. She was sputtering in half Italian and half English her hands flying everywhere. I remember it like yesterday.
 “Momma, I didn’t have sex with her. She was performing fellatio.”
“Where do you learn words like that, Aleszandor?!”
“In your books, Momma. It’s beautiful-- adoring one’s body, and your body being adored. Miss Betty was showing me the art work she had just gotten done, and ...”
“ZANDOR STEEL! Miss Betty has the leprechaun from that cereal tattooed on her fake breasts! It’s not art! Now is there something on your penis that she needed to adore?”
“Momma, not to brag but my penis IS a work of art….”
Jase and I were rolling when she pushed through the door and grabbed our ears, mind you we were a bit old for that shit but when your Momma is Josephina Steel-- that don’t matter at all. She dragged us out to the table and sat us down for one of those ‘chats’. Xavier was due home anytime, he was actually late but we convinced her that he had said after nine, not nine.
 I rocked back in my chair and looked out the window as Xavier was running through the back yard zipping up his pants saying goodbye to Miss Betty’s oldest daughter. I laughed out loud and Momma tossed me a nasty look. Jase saw him too and he was dying. No doubt he was high, back then then… Jase was a fucking wreck with losing Charlee and then Little Bell. Xavier winked when he came and Zandor gave him a high five.
I knew right away that those fuckers planned it. He diverted the mom while Xavier finally tapped that ass next door. Betty’s daughter Sally, yeah Sally, was the neighborhood tease. You know the type, hot as fuck, but too good for anyone around here. Xavier sat down and Momma walked around the kitchen yelling, pleading…. she even cried. Well, fake tears but she gave it her all. Not quite Oscar worthy--maybe a daytime Emmy.
Zandor gave him a look that asked how it went and Xavier winked. Momma’s back was turned when Xavier reached across and swiped his finger under Zandor’s nose. Fucking pig! Zandor gave him the attaboy look and Xavier continued the game of sexual charades telling us what had happened. He sucked his fingers and Zandor mouthed ‘Good?’ He shook his head yes and sat back. Zandor made a circle with one hand and pointed one finger and mimicked intercourse. Xavier mouthed ‘Tomorrow’. Jase smirked and made a gesture mimicking a blow job and he shook his head no. Jase whispered, ‘She gave me one.’
Both Zandor and Xavier gasped and Momma turned around and continued her rant.
By the end of it, they all placed bets on who would get it first and I threw my chips all on the table. I was going to have them both…at the same time.
Momma was at the restaurant the next night helping Dad close up. I had one day left of leave before I deployed again so I took over a bottle of scotch, along with an apology to Miss Betty for my mother’s behavior. Sally came home and we did a few shots. One thing led to another and well let’s just say I won that fucking bet.
Later that night I shared the information with my brothers. Sally wasn’t as pure as she would have you believe. Betty wasn’t either. Xavier was pissed at me, honest to God I didn’t see that coming, or I swear I wouldn’t have bothered. I had plenty of two on one action. I got my heart broke too, once, and never fucking again so that was it. Why the fuck would I want a relationship that I had to worry about feelings, and dates, and hearts, and flower shit so that I could make love to a chick? Fuck the pleasantries! New rule for me since then, three times that’s it. I don’t miss guide anyone-- they know the drill. I’ll fuck you hard and wild, probably ruin you for anyone else but that’s all you get. You wanna ride this train? You bring the condoms and it’s on, if not, get to step-in. Let’s be honest here-- sweaty, dirty talk, ball slapping that ass, sloppy wet blow jobs ending in my cum all fucking over your face fucking, was better than hearts and flower’s  bullshit… any day.

I am a very new self published writer. I will tell you I have always had a very vivid imagination. Starting at age 3 (as it states in my Baby Book).

Sigma was my very first love (imaginary boyfriend). He lived about fifteen miles from my childhood home, (a farm). I took him chicken noodle soup every night on one of our families snowmobiles, (Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring). Apparently he was very ill and "Thank God" I was able to take care of him.

Next was my very first self publishing gig. At eight my cousins and I (and yes I was the president) wrote a newsletter and sold it to our family members.

Years later I decided to put it back into print to entertain my cousin as she was on an aircraft carrier on 9/11 (Kick ass cousin BTW) and very far away from home during a very scary time for our country, (protecting our butts).

Fast forward to 2012. I read 50 shades and thought, I can do that, (meaning writing). I have two complete series The Love Series, and Wrapped. I have two new series Burning Souls and Men of Steel. Ten books in 13 months. CrAzY and wonderful.

I love love! ( I would love to reference Pinks new song here, however I am not sure if that would cause copyright issues.)I also tend to enjoy watching people grow and change with self realization and moments of clarity that just sneak up behind you and smack you in the head. I love people and have always been able to see both sides of a story. Each person that comes into our life leaves us with something it is what we choose to do with it that helps us grow.

I live in central New York in the middle of nowhere and am surrounded by family and friend most the time. I run a small business out of my home and spend time reading and doing the typical Mommy things. Our house is full of pets and friends and noise ninety percent of the time, and I would have it no other way.
I love people,music, laughter, hugs, and books.

Website: http://mjfieldsbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MJ-Fields-books/514446948612589
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjfieldsbooks