Cover Reveal: Searching For Moore by Julie A. Richman

Cover Reveal

Title: Searching for Moore

By: Julie A. Richman

Series: Needing Moore Series #1

Genre: Adult Romance, Chick Lit

Length: 318 Pages

Expected Publication: April 15, 2013

Book Blurb:

Attended by reality TV star wannabes and Southern California social climbers, Schooner Moore knows the party his wife is throwing for his forty-third birthday has little to do with him and everything to do with her social standing in Orange County. The evening turns out to hold more surprises than just his wife's Botoxed friends groping at his privates, when a conversation with his old college roommate, Beau, reveals the biggest surprise of the night.

Beau has had contact on Facebook with Mia Silver. Just hearing her name sends Schooner into a tailspin, as he is now just a Friend Request away from the one who got away when she disappeared without a goodbye, leaving him wondering why she left.

A serial failure at romance, Manhattan boutique ad agency owner, Mia, gets a blindside of her own when a Facebook Friend Request from first love, Schooner, appears in her email. Going with her gut reaction, Mia hits accept, propelling her past to catch up with her in a New York minute, as a forceful Schooner is determined to understand what tore them apart and to explore the possibility of a second chance at love.

From a 1980's Southern California college campus and a devastating first love to present day New York City, Searching for Moore explores how technology has eradicated the divide between our past and our present, and asks whether you would give up everything to reconnect with The One in a single keystroke?

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Kristen Ashley- Own The Wind GIVEAWAY!

Hey all! It's the best time of the year. Another Kristen Ashley gem is about to be released to the world, and I couldn't be more excited.

 

In honor of Tuesday's release of Own The Wind,  I decided to have a giveaway! I'll be gifting an e-copy (Nook or Kindle) to three winners!

Tabitha Allen has a not-so-secret crush on Parker "Shy" Cage. Shy thinks he knows the path Tabby's on and it isn't a good one. So he decides to teach her a lesson to lead her to the right path.

Unfortunately, he was wrong and his actions wound Tabby, breaking her heart. It's Tabby who then teaches Shy a lesson about casting judgment and Shy Cage learns what it feels like to be invisible. But when tragedy strikes and Tabby's heart is broken again, Shy does what he can in the background to help. Trying to forget her heartbreak, Tabby finds herself in danger. To keep it secret from her biker family, the Chaos Motorcycle Club, she calls Shy to rescue her. But when she lets him back in, she gets much more than she bargained for.

 

I don't know about you guys, but I'm pumped for more of the Chaos MC and especially appearances from Tack! Enter the giveaway and tell your friends!

 

 

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Always Something There To Remind Me by Beth Harbison

Always Something There To Remind Me on Goodreads

 

Can you ever really know if love is true? And if it is, should you stop at anything to get it?

Two decades ago, Erin Edwards was sure she’d already found the love of her life: Nate Lawson. Her first love. The one with whom she shared everything--dreams of the future, of children, plans for forever. The one she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. Until one terrible night when Erin made a mistake Nate could not forgive and left her to mourn the relationship she could never forget or get over.

Today, Erin is contentedly involved with a phenomenal guy, maneuvering a successful and exciting career, and raising a great daughter all on her own. So why would the name “Nate Lawson” be the first thing to enter her mind when her boyfriend asks her to marry him?

In the wake of the proposal, Erin finds herself coming unraveled over the past, and the love she never forgot. The more she tries to ignore it and move on, the more it haunts her.

Always Something There to Remind Me is a story that will resonate with any woman who has ever thought of that one first love and wondered, “Where is he?” and “What if…?” Filled with Beth Harbison’s trademark nostalgia humor and heart, it will transport you, and inspire you to believe in the power of first love.

Thirty-seven year old Erin Edwards is seemingly content with her life as a hotel party planner. She has a wonderful, intelligent daughter, Camilla, with whom she has a fantastic relationship. She's been dating Cam's best friend's dad, Rick, for the past year. One night, unexpectedly, Rick pulls out a ring and asks Erin to be his wife. Shocked, the first thing that comes to Erin's mind is Nate.

Nate. Nate what Erin's first in every single way, and he's the one man she's never truly gotten over. Through flashbacks, we learn about Erin and Nate's passionate, albeit often times tumultuous, relationship. These flashbacks intersect with chapters from the present in which Rick continues to await Erin's answer to the proposal.

Days go by and Erin still cannot get Nate off of her mind as she considers Rick's proposal. Can she really marry another man when she still hasn't gotten over her first love? Eventually, she finds herself walking outside Nate's mother's house. Suddenly, after almost two decades, she's face to face with the man she still loves. The man she's never gotten over, the man who broke her heart so terribly that she's never been able to fully put it back together again.

So what does this mean? Will she finally get the closure she deserves, or will she find herself falling for him all over again?

The premise of this book and the use of the flashbacks is an intriguing idea, but it didn't really work for me. Erin and Nate's relationship, while passionate, was plagued with immaturity issues, no doubt due to their high school ages. I never truly felt this amazing, once in a lifetime kind of love that we're supposed to believe they possess. The reasons for their breakup in the past were just silly to me, and if they'd had this larger than life love, it never should have happened.

That being said, I did find myself rooting for them in the end. This was a good one time read for me, and I'll probably check out the author's other works.

Let It Go by Brooklyn James

Let It Go on Goodreads
Let It Go on Amazon

We meet sweet, sassy Savannah Bondurant an hour after she's signed the paper to officially free herself from Jack Brigant, the man from whom she's been separated for the past year and a half.

"Has it escaped your attention that you are a marriage columnist?" her quirky boss, Willow, exasperates upon hearing the news.

Savannah creatively decides to use this new development in her life to appeal to those who've gone through, or are going through, the same thing. She's excited to share with her readers her experiences as she begins this new, unexpected chapter in her life. You see, there was no huge, explosive breakup. No cheating scandal. No sordid affairs. Savannah and Jack simply grew up and grew apart.

"People grow, they evolve, and not always in the same direction." Savannah tells Jack, after he shows up, in shock, that she's actually signed the papers.

It simply just wasn't working anymore, and Savannah refused to spend her life in an unhappy marriage. Savannah, although nervous, is eager to move on begin this new journey, adamant that she's not looking for anything other than friendship.

"I'm not going to be that girl, hopping out of one relationship and right into another. I am not afraid to be alone."

Famous last words, right? Enter Gym Boy,  the smoking hot stranger that Savannah's secretly noticed at her gym four days a week, every week, for the past year.

Standing about six-foot-four, weighing in at two-hundred-twenty-five pounds, with a chest and shoulders out to there, his waist and hips narrow, chiseling his form into a delightfully attractive V.

"There's this guy at my gym. I swear it's like an episode of Clash of the Dinosaurs: Mating Season on the Discovery Channel every time I'm near him." Savannah hilariously reveals to her sister, Jac.

Fate. Coincidence. The universe aligning. Call it what you want, but there's something to be said for the fact that on this day, the first day of the rest of Savannah's life, Gym Boy, speaks to her for the first time, finally introducing himself as Brody McAllister. After a playful, flirtatious exchange, they part ways, but not before Brody can leave a note with his number inviting Savannah to join him for a run anytime she wishes. She soon finds herself contacting him, and they fall into comfortable conversation as they begin to get to know one another.

As there is an undeniable attraction between the two, Savannah and Brody quickly find themselves unable to fight the scorching chemistry that radiates whenever they're together.

His intuition magic, he reads her, every part of her like his favorite book, knowing exactly how to touch her, taste her, enchant her.

As they spend more time together, it becomes to clear that there are feelings between the two. Savannah's apprehensive to begin another relationship out of fear that she'll end up in the same spot again. For now, Brody's comfortable enough to let her set the pace, his own experiences having allowed him to understand the need for time.

"We all have scars, Savannah. Wounds. They take time to close. To heal. But in the meantime, you'd be better off to stop second-guessing yourself. Beating yourself up over past mistakes. Trust me."

The question remaining is how long will it take Savannah to allow herself to give in to her feelings for Brody...and how just how long is Brody willing to wait?

Savannah: I really enjoyed Savannah in this book. She was so down-to-Earth and comfortable in her own skin. She had such a positive outlook on like that I admire, especially when she could be drowning in post-divorce blues. She knew what direction she wanted to take her life in and she made it happen, no matter how hard it hurt. In the end, she came out a better person, with a better relationship, and a more beautiful view on life, love, and the art of letting go.

Brody: Brody was a fantastic male lead. Three years after his divorce, Brody chooses to be picky about the woman he plans on settling down with. He has a "checklist" of sorts, and darnit if he doesn't find himself mentally clicking off items every time he's with Savannah. Even though Savannah is the relationship columnist, Brody is akin to a modern day love guru. Rather than wallow in self pity, he used his relationship experiences and let downs to provide the insightful, heartfelt guidance that Savannah needs as they navigate the unknown waters of post-divorce dating.

Jack: Jack Brigant is an irritatingly sympathetic character, and he's ultimately an understandably lost man who is having trouble coping with the fact that he's now divorced. Although he did nothing to try and keep her, he didn't want to lose her, and now he's wallowing in self-pity. He cannot accept that his marriage is over, or that he had any responsibility in the breakdown of it. I'd actually really be interested in reading another story with Jack working through his issues and finding the woman he'd actually be willing to fight for and do anything to keep her.

The supporting cast truly made this book remarkable. Every character was relatable in one way or another. At times, I had to set my Kindle down and contemplate on various situations with which I could associate some of my own life experiences to better understand the character. Throughout the course of the story, we're given an incredible group of women whose stories are woven beautifully with Savannah's. We have many interactions with her sisters, mother, and nieces. The female dynamic amongst the Bondurant women is beautiful, heartwarming, and at times, laugh out loud funny. The extraordinary display of love and affection between the three Bondurant girls brought tears to my eyes. They loved each other fiercely, creating an undeniable support system as each sister dealt with real life issues that had them questioning everything they've ever known.

Overall, this was a refreshing, realistic take on modern relationships. We've all known someone whose suffered through divorce, or perhaps you have yourself. It can be painful. It can be lonely. It can be so agonizing that you're filled with pain with every breath you take. But it can also be exactly what you need. It can be revitalizing. It can rejuvenate your soul and revive your heart. That's the message I got from this beautiful story of taking the reigns and finding happiness if you can just find a way to Let It Go.

Cover Reveal!!!! The Do Over by A.L. Zaun

Life doesn't look like it's supposed to for Daniela, aka Dani. After a painful break-up with Rick, Dani decides she doesn't want to deal with the hassles of relationship.

After almost two years, Dani's friends stage an intervention, forcing her out of her holding pattern and back into the real world of dating.

Liam, a down to earth firefighter, may be just the person to show her she’s still worth something. Their chemistry is instant and electric. But will Dani be able to trust her patched-up heart with him?

And what will happen when Rick decides he’ll go to any lengths to get her back?

Title: The Do Over

Author: A. L. Zaun

Genre: Contemporary Adult

Cover Designer: Wicked by Design

Expected release date: May 20, 2013

 About the Author

 

A.L. Zaun graduated from Florida International University with a degree in English Literature a long time ago. A degree she didn’t use at all in her professional endeavors. She loves to read, write and take pictures. She walks around with her camera, and most importantly she has her e-reader available at all times. Healthcare Management by day, Mommy in the evening and most nights, you can find her sitting in front of her laptop with a bottle of Diet Pepsi, bringing the voices in her head to life on the pages of her debut novel, The Do Over.

A.L. Zaun| Facebook

Amazon Freebie!! Rogue Alliance by Michelle Bellon

This Weekend Only, Rogue Alliance by Michelle Bellon is Free!!!

5 Stay Rated Adult Crime Suspense with Paranormal Elements!!

Buy Link

http://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Alliance-ebook/dp/B009ZJ7M12/ref=la_B004TZ0CUK_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1356446798&sr=1-5

Book Description 

Trying to escape a horrific past, Shyla has immersed herself in life as a tough, sassy cop in the bustle of LA. When the case of a lifetime takes her back to her hometown of Redding , she is thrown into a world of organised crime, deceit, and bitter reminders of her childhood.

As Shyla’s path crosses that of Brennan, an unwitting and troubled sidekick to the ringleader she’s intent on taking down, she is forced to re-evaluate everything she believes about herself, her job, and what she knows about right and wrong.

Can she face the demons of her upbringing and learn to trust again? Her life will depend on it.

Praise

 “Bellon gives a whole new twist to the vampire story!”…”This book was fantastic…I could not put it down…”

Excerpt

He faded in and out of consciousness. Sound, light, and movement blended together until he couldn’t tell one from the next. Coherent thought was impossible; fragments of ideas filtered in then slipped through the sieve of his mind. He was weak, dehydrated, and starving.

The one consistent concept he was able to grasp was his name. Brennan Miles. The name he had given himself. Simple, strong, normal; all qualities that he longed for. He no longer remembered his real name, just as he no longer remembered anything before he’d come to the institute.

The few who had ever met him took one look at his stocky build, and thought he looked plenty strong. He could see it in the way they looked at him with a mix of awe and fear. But he wasn’t strong in the way that he wanted to be. At the moment, he wasn’t even physically strong. They’d kept food and his supplements from him for over seventy-six hours - the longest period to date. Water was the only offering and even that had been the bare minimum. They wanted to see how powerful his need would be when triggered.

He had seen how intense his need could be and what it could drive him to do. All those other times, though, he had been in prime condition - healthy and agile. In his current state, he doubted he would be able to lift his head, much less give in to the power of his unnatural instinct. The doctor would be disappointed.

Serves him right, he thought.

Brennan heard the swish of the door open and close. His acute sense of smell instantly recognized the scent of Doctor Shinto and that of a stranger. Repulsion and hate flowed through his veins. The voices of his visitors drifted in and out. They spoke about him as if he weren’t there. He was just an object, an experiment. He wanted to lash out and crush the doctor. He wanted to give in to his need here and now, but with his ankles shackled and his wrists bound, he would do no such thing. Even if he had been unrestrained, he doubted that he could stand up, let alone end Doctor Shinto’s unconscionable life in his current condition. Instead, he let his head loll against the back of his chair and listened to the conversation at hand.

“Don’t get too close, Mr. Champlain. He can smell us. I don’t want him to be tempted.”

“Tempted, huh?” Champlain said, “he’s restrained and looks to be half dead. What threat could he be?”

Dr. Shinto spoke methodically. “He’s been without supplement or food for over 3 days. He’s had only 50ccs of water daily. He is extremely weak and dangerously dehydrated and will go into hypovolemic shock if he doesn’t get what he needs very soon.”

His voice was devoid of concern. The only inflection was a breathless excitement revealing the delight he took in his work.

Code Red by Amy Noelle

Code Red on Goodreads
As my first ever ARC for NetGalley, I couldn't be happier with my selection. Code Red by Amy Noelle was a fun, sexy, light-hearted book that I just could not put down.

Nicole's heart was crushed when she was in college, so she's decided to forgo relationships, opting for simple sex and nothing more. She and her friends, Amy, Kim, Ashley, and Jen came up with a plan: Code Red. Anytime one of them got to close to a man that they were afraid would hurt them, they'd call Code Red and the others would get her back on track.

Flash forward seven years later. Nic's a successful technical writer who wears yoga pants and ponytails to work. She doesn't do relationships; she has sex with losers that she knows won't be able to get into her heart. Amy, Kim, and Ash have married their Code Reds, and wish she'd put and end to her Code Red and find a man with whom she can settle down. Nic and Jen remain single, something that Nic is perfectly content with.

While waiting to meet the "new Suit" that's being sent to Chicago from New York, she begins a hilarious e-mail to Jen outlining all the ways her BOB (battery operated boyfriend) is better than a real man. As she's typing, the Suit sneaks up on her and catches her off guard. Way off guard. Nic soon learns that Josh Daniels, the sexy new Suit, is there to partner with her to write a manual for a new electronics product. They'll be spending weeks sharing an office while working on the manual.

There's an instant attraction between the two, and the chemistry is undeniable, so of course, Nicole is quick to call her girls and declares: CODE RED. It's up to Josh to break down the walls around Nicole's heart so that she can finally experience love once and for all. The question is, will she let him?

I loved this book. I was grinning like a loon throughout most of it. Nicole reminds me so much of myself, straight down to the two cats! I related with her on so many levels. I wish she were real so we could share wine while watching Supernatural on Friday nights. The friendship among the group of girls had me rolling with laughter quite often. These girls were laugh out loud funny. And the playful, sexy banter between Josh and Nic was fun to read and had me fanning myself quite a bit. Josh is a completely swoon-worthy book boyfriend, and Nicole's a hilarious, sweet and sassy hot chick. Their romance was such a fun one to read. Now, they weren't without their issues, but they were seemingly normal relationship type issues. There wasn't any crazy, angsty drama, and that was such a nice change. This book was simply a beautiful, funny, light-hearted romance that I'd recommend to any of my friends and then make them watch Supernatural with me. I truly cannot make one single complaint about this book. I will definitely be looking forward to more of Ms. Noelle's work.

Favorite Lines (Quotes are subject to change upon publication):

You're smart, and funny, and maybe a little weird, but I wouldn't change a thing about you. I don't care if you're a lady or not. You're what I want.

You cloud up everything so I'm completely full of you.

At least he didn't steal any hearts. Josh did. He's a thief, too. A cat burglar. (This scene had me in stitches)

**ARC was provided by NetGalley and The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House in exchange for an honest review

Collide by Gail McHugh

Goodreads: Collide by Gail McHugh
Amazon: Collide by Gail McHugh

A missed first encounter…

Colliding with a second chance…

On the heels of graduating college and trying to cope with her mother’s death, Emily Cooper moves to New York City for a fresh start.

While harboring secrets of his own, Dillon Parker takes care of Emily through her grief. Knowing he can’t live without her by his side, he’s sweet, thoughtful, and everything Emily has ever wanted in a man.

Until she meets Gavin Blake—a rich and notorious playboy who is dangerously sexy and charming as hell. Emily tries to deny the instant connection she feels, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome is not inclined to let go so easily. Recovering from his own painful past, Gavin will stop at nothing to win Emily over.

This unexpected encounter compels Emily to question her decisions, forcing her to make a choice that will destroy friendships, shatter hearts, and forever change her life.

Phew, wow, what a rollercoaster!

Emily Cooper, a recent college graduate, is trying to get over the death of her mother as she moves to New York to be near her boyfriend, Dillon, and to move in with her best friend, Olivia. While she searches for a teaching job, she takes a position as a waitress at a local Italian restaurant. After a delivery boy quits, she's sent on a order run to Blake Enterprises where she encounters Gavin Blake, with whom she has an instant connection.

Take-your-breath-away good looking. Want-to-strip-your-body-naked-and-let-him-devour-you-alive good looking. Certified-eye-candy good looking.

The next day Mr. Tall, Dark, and Fuckable Handsome, the more than appropriate moniker Emily's bestowed upon Gavin, shows up at her restaurant. Although in love with Dillon, she's drawn to Gavin and his sexy smile, beautiful blue eyes, and incessant charm. After a flirtacious exchange, in which Gavin expresses his definite interest, Emily gives him a fake name and sends him on his way, but she can't stop thinking about him all the while.

Several nights later, Dillon talks her into meeting his at a club to meet some of his buddies. Little does she know that Gavin happens to be one of those buddies. As she approaches the table, she's shocked to find him there: Mr. Tall, Dark, and Fuckable Handsome.

Situations continue to push Gavin and Emily together, while Dillon becomes increasingly controlling, possessive, and begins working extremely late nights. As Dillon's neglect continues, Gavin's always right there to lavish Emily with the attention he knows she deserves. He promises to just be looking for friendship, but he can't seem to stay away, can't seem to keep his hands to himself, and can't help falling for her. Emily is not far behind. As she begins to realize that Dillon is not the man she thought he was, she finds herself wanting Gavin more and more with each passing day.

Will Emily realize that Gavin's the man she's meant to be with, or will she make the biggest mistake of her life and stay with Dillon?

 

I loved this book and the incredible, intense, passionate chemistry between Emily and Gavin. From the beginning, it's clear that Dillon has a few screws loose, but Emily has a misguided notion that she owes him and loves him because of how caring he was during her mother's illness. Unfortunately, the further we get into the story, the more unraveled, erratic, and creepy Dillon becomes. At the same time, Emily's struggling to fight the gravitational pull she feels whenever Gavin is around. It was so abundantly clear which man was perfect for her, which man found love, cherish, and protect her, and you find yourself rooting for him from the very first encounter.

Gavin. I absolutely adored Gavin. He treated Emily with more passion, love, and respect that her boyfriend of the last year. There wasn't a single second that I questioned his motives. He knew what he wanted, no qualms about it.

I'd never hurt you, Emily. Stop fighting me. Stop fighting what you already know.

I want to take my time with you, brushing my fingers over the sports he's neglected. He's never loved you the way you need to be loved.

Say it with me now...Dillon Who?!

And Emily. Oh, Emily, I love to hate you. Honestly, I liked Emily and her interactions with Gavin, but there were so many times I wanted to smack her over the damn head. The girl drove me nuts!!

There were so many signs and indications that Dillon was so wrong for her, but she either ignored them or rationalized them. I couldn't imagine being Olivia, having to sit back and watch your best friend in such a destructive relationship.

I won't say much more because I don't want to give anything away, but it really bothered me that Emily couldn't see Dillon for the lying bastard that he was, but she was so quick to believe that absolute worst of Gavin without a second thought.

Again, I loved this book, finished it in a day. I can't stop thinking about this story and what's going to happen next. I'm on pins and needles until Pulse comes out!!

 

Dark Romance Giveaway!!!

I'm getting really anxious for the release of CJ Robert's Epilogue to Caleb's and Livvie's story. If you're read both Captive In The Dark and Seduced In The Dark, you can read chapter one of Epilogue here: Epilogue Chapter 1 I'm so excited for this book, so I'm giving away a set of the e-books on Kindle! 

I am DYING for Convicted to come out! DYING! These two books mind effed the hell out of me, and I'm still not sure I've recovered. I've never felt more unbalanced in my entire life. How can you love and hate someone so passionately at the same time? I simply have to give this away. If you haven't read it, you're missing out!

Enter the raffle below, tell your friends, and check back for future giveaways!! 

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Jamie McGuire Book Signing: Dayton Ohio!

Jamie McGuire, the fabulous NYT best-selling author that brought you Beautiful Disaster and the Providence series, is coming to Ohio!!! She'll be promoting her new book, Walking Disaster, one of the most anticipated books of 2013. Yep, MORE TRAVIS MADDOX!!!!

She will be hosting a book signing in Dayton on Thursday, April 11. She's be appearing at Books & Co. at the Greene. The address is 4452 Walnut Street, Dayton. It's right off of I-675 and very easy to find! Signing starts at 7, so get there early!

For those not familiar with the Dayton area, the Green is an outdoor mall with all types of shops and restaurant. Book & Co. can be found next to The Cheesecake Factory and Brio. There's also a fantastic pub, called The Pub, right across the street. Their Bourbon Barrel Ale is to die for, so pop in for a cold one if you get a chance.

The Release Date of Walking Disaster, from the POV of the very sexy Travis Maddox, is set to release on April 2. You can pre-order it from Amazon here: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire. Barnes & Noble: Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Finally, the highly anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster. Can you love someone too much?
Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. But just when he thinks he is invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Beautiful Disaster, Abby had her say. Now it’s time to see the story through Travis’s eyes.

Let It Go by Brooklyn James Release Day Giveaway!!

Amazon release date MARCH 25!!

Let It Go by Brooklyn James
Synopsis:
Savannah Bondurant, a marriage and relationship columnist for the Savannah Sun Times, just signed her divorce papers.

Brody McAlister, the elusive and smoking hot gym boy, has finally recovered from his divorce three years ago.

Be it spurred by loneliness or sheer attraction, the two slip into the sheets for a memorable one-night stand.

Savannah's pesky ex-husband continues to try and worm his way back into her life, insisting they remain friends, even though he is living with his jealous new girlfriend.

An up-and-coming woodworker artist, Brody has every socialite cougar in town promising him success and riches, for a price, of course.

With two advice-giving older sisters, one fiercely single and one seemingly happily married, Savannah learns her parents' long and successful relationship does not come without its own secrets. Why should she believe in happily ever after?

Her constant overanalyzing and skepticism bodes well in her profession as a journalist, but proves counterproductive in her personal life. Divorce, guilt, suspicion, holding on to the past—can Savannah trust in Brody to help her Let It Go...

If you've followed my reviews either here or at Goodreads, it's no secret that I loved The Boots My Mother Gave Me. It was the first book I've read by Ms. James, and I am so excited to dive into more of her work. If you haven't read it, what are you waiting for?! I also want to share with all my fellow book lovers, so five people will get copies of this book as soon as it is released. Enter the rafflecopter giveaway below!!


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Escorted by Claire Kent

Review is intended for mature audiences, 18+.

Synopsis:

She hired him to take her virginity...but now she wants even more.

Lori might be a popular romance writer, but she's never been anything but a flop with sex and love in her personal life. Still a virgin at twenty-six and increasingly frustrated by her inexperience, she decides to take matters into her own hands. She hires a talented, sexy male escort to take care of her inconvenient virginity.

She assumes one time with Ander will be enough, but she never dreams how much pleasure he can make her feel. Once isn't nearly enough. Twice isn't enough either. Soon, she becomes one of his regular clients.

Lori knows that nothing would be as foolish as falling in love with her paid escort, but she's never been wise with her heart. And, despite his professionalism, he doesn't seem entirely immune either.

My rating: 4 Stars

As an Amazon freebie, I wasn't really sure what to expect with this one. I'm pleased to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Lori is best selling romance author who is known for her steamy sex scenes. She's also a twenty-six year old virgin who is ready just get it over with already. Instead of waiting for a real man, she decides to hire an escort to take her virginity and maybe teach her a thing or two.

Ander is the perfect man for the job. He's bald, sexy, and oozes sensuality. It also doesn't hurt that this man totally knows his way around the bedroom.

Seriously, the perfect Ander. Who wouldn't want this bedroom tutor?

The initial encounter yields some promising results, but it's clear that Lori could benefit from Ander's expertise a few more times.

The way this book was written was very interesting to me. For the most part, the interactions between Lori and Ander are in the hotel room. The author did a fantastic job at slowly showing the progression and the changes in the relationship from client/escort to a fast friendship to even maybe something more.  She dropped subtle hints along the way, and it was killing me every time Lori noticed a change but didn't really put much credence to it. At the same time, this is one of things that I loved about her. She went into this knowing it was going to be all business, and she didn't mind. Even as she found herself falling for him she was strong enough to keep her feelings at bay. She didn't turn into a weak sniveling heroine. She kept her head up and continued to enjoy the ride. ;)

Ander was pretty much perfect for me. From the beginning, it was so clear that he was drawn to her. He treated her like she was so much more than just a client. Watching him bring out Lori's sensuality was no where near clinical. He treated her as if she were his most coveted lover. The man that things can do in the bedroom...whew!

One of my favorite aspects of this book is that Ander and Lori interacted with such ease. It was heartwarming to watch them quickly become friends, and soon they had me chanting "TELL HER ALL YOUR FEELS!!!"

We are treated to some action outside of the hotel, and I really was left wanting more. Don't get me wrong, I loved the hotel interactions, but it was refreshing to see them in another setting. However, that doesn't affect my rating in any way. I think the point of this book is for us to see the relationship development from the hotel room, and the author did a fantastic job paving the way.

All in all, this was a really good read and I will check out more from Claire Kent!

Rocked Under by Cora Hawkes

Read March 6, 2013.

Rocked Under by Cora Hawkes

Goodreads Synopsis:

Picking up the pieces and starting again in the US, Emma enrols in college with her cousin, Ashley. She is finally free to do what she wants and live how she chooses, and no man will ever rule her decisions or emotions again.

That is, until Scott Mason walks on stage...

Intense bad boy Scott is the lead singer of a popular local rock band. A ladies’ man and Ashley's long-time friend, Scott holds an instant fascination for Emma — she finds herself drawn to him, even though he represents everything she hates and needs to stay away from in a guy. He treats females like he does a cigarette — light it, use it, and lose it.

For her cousin's sake, Emma makes an effort to get along with Scott, but she soon discovers that there is more to him than first appears, making him even more dangerous in her eyes. Behind the façade of friendship, jealousy, obsession, fear and insecurity fester — an internal battle rages as she fights her attraction and does everything she can to stop history from repeating itself.

One thing she knows for sure is that if she breaks her rule, it may destroy her.

3.5 stars from me on this one.

If I could describe this book in one word, it would be frustrating. I found myself wanting to yell at both main characters throughout the entirety of the book, to the point where I was beginning to not even care if they decided to get together.

Emma has moved from her home in England to the United States to start college with her cousin, Ashley. Almost immediately, Ashley warns Emma off of her best friend Scott, the bad boy musician who lives in the apartment above them. According to Ash, Scott doesn’t date, he just screws around with a different chick every night. Personally, this irritated the ever loving crap out of me. It's cool to look out for your girlfriends, but sweet Jesus, let the girl come to her own conclusions.
Emma and Scott’s first encounter is a very steamy, erotic dance at the nightclub where Scott’s band plays. Emma is drawn to him immediately, but pushes him away once she realizes who he is. Thus begins the game of “I want him…but I can’t… I like him….but he’s a man whore…. I reallllllllly want him…but he’ll hurt me.” Emma is so back and forth that if I’d have been in a moving car I’d have gotten whiplash.

Emma and Scott have incredibly undeniable chemistry, but she stands firm on their belief that they can only be friends. As their friendship develops, it becomes clear to everyone and their mom that Scott wants Emma more than all those other girls who’ve shared his bed. Unfortunately, Emma’s too blind to see that she’d be more than a notch in his belt, so she continues to play the friend game.

Scott’s not without his faults, either. Come on, dude. If you’re trying to prove to a girl that she’s more to you than just another lay, it’s probably wise to stop bringing home a different girl every night. You’re not really giving her any indication that you’ve changed. In fact, she may as well run for the hills. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t blame the guy for getting his rocks off after the twentieth time Emma told him she didn’t want him or that he wasn’t good enough, but in the beginning, a little self-restraint may have caused a lot less heartache.

Lastly, I really failed to connect with Scott and Emma as a couple. The lust factor was off the charts, but I really didn’t feel the emotional connection between the two.

Regardless of my rant, I did like the story. I just felt like the relationship could’ve been developed a bit more to make me really feel the love between Scott and Emma. I believe they have the potential of having a deep, meaningful, loving relationship. Perhaps I’ll feel it more in the second book.

The Boots My Mother Gave Me by Brooklyn James

Read February 17-18, 2013

The Boots My Mother Gave Me


Goodreads Synopsis
Strong-willed tomboy Harley LeBeau puts you in the boots her mother gave her, as she takes you along her journey of escape from an abusive childhood and the desire to find herself as she comes of age. Made to feel a burden to her father simply by her gender, Harley is determined to prove her worth and independence, leaving the small town she grew up in and the one boy who gave her a soft place to fall, Jeremiah Johnson. Torn between saving herself and abandoning her mother and younger sister, Harley chooses her own life in hopes they will choose theirs, too.

I found it really difficult to put into words just how deeply I loved this book. It's been days since I read it, and I still cannot get it off of my mind.

Harley's home life was terrible, to say the least. An abusive father? Check. An enabling, apologist mother? Check. Younger sister to protect? Yep, we have that, too. Incredible, swoon-worthy protective best friend of the opposite gender? Oh yeah, Miah fills that role quite well.
Jeremiah and Harley have been best friends since childhood. He was her first kiss, her first love, her first.

 

 



After high school graduation and one last beautiful night with Miah, Harley left her town and her abusive father behind, while Miah went off to join the military. Neither of them really knew where they were going, or when they'd see each other again.

Throughout the course of the book we travel with Harley as she goes from town to town, working various jobs and investing in various relationships. She keeps in close contact with her family, so we continue to learn about what's happening at home, as well. Several times Harley finds herself back in Georgia, PA, straight back into the family drama she tried to leave behind.

And then there's Miah. I swear, Miah had the patience of a saint. He always knew that Harley was it for him, and he was just waiting for her to stop running.

Overall, this story resonated within me. I cried, laughed, and found myself contemplating the various situations throughout Harley's journey. I'll remember this story for a long time, and would recommend it to anyone. I'm going to re-read and probable add to this review, because this is a book that deserves more than one pass.

Beauty From Pain by Georgia Cates

Read March 4, 2013.

Beauty From Pain by Georgia Cates

Goodreads Synopsis:

They agreed on three months...but their love knew no boundaries.

Jack McLachlan is a winemaking magnate and easily one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors. His success and wealth make him no stranger to the complications of romantic relationships and that’s why he goes to extreme measures to avoid the hassle. He prefers simplicity in the form of a beautiful female companion with no strings attached. He arranges relationships like business deals and they’re always the same. No long term relationships. No real names.

It’s his game and his rules. He’s content to play as usual, but when Laurelyn Prescott enters his life, his strategy must change because this player is like none he's ever encountered. His world is turned on its head after he begins a three month affair with the beautiful American musician. Nothing goes according to plan and as he breaks more and more of his own rules for her, she’s exceptionally close to becoming something he never thought possible. His ultimate game changer.

Not recommended for younger readers due to sexual content and language.

My Review:

My Jack:

Jack Henry McLachlan, a wealthy wine magnate and one of Australia's most notorious bachelors, is a man who doesn't do relationships, and he certainly never falls in love. Jack does anonymous, casual sex, and he's looking for his next fling.

American musician Laurelyn Prescott is spending the next three months in Australia with her best friend, Addison. Jack becomes enchanted with her when he witnesses her singing at a bar on her first night in Australia. She's beautiful, breathtaking, and best of all, she'll be thousands of miles away when he's done with her.

After a quick encounter at the bar, and another at a local wine event, Laurelyn agrees to go to dinner with Jack. Jack uses this date to extend his proposition to Laurelyn: They're together exclusively for the next three months, they use aliases, and at the end, they part ways without another glance. Initially, Laurelyn immediately says no. Hell no.

Jack, not one to give up that easily, tells her to think about it and if she changes her mind, she can meet him the next evening.

If you say yes, you'd spend the next three months having the time of your life.

The more she thinks about it, the more fascinated Laurelyn is with the idea. Addison is quick to push her to accept. Umm, the best three months of your life and fantasties coming true? It's a no brainer.  Laurelyn accepts his proposal, with neither of them realizing that this relationship will end up like neither of them expected.

Over time, they both realize that this physical, no emotions relationship isn't enough, and they both are struggling to fight the rising feelings that have developed over time. As they continue to spend their days and nights together, they inadvertently begin to learn more and more about each other, making it even harder to fight their feelings.

Their time goes by all too quickly, and eventually it's time for Laurelyn to head back to the States.

It's all good, right? This is exactly what Laurelyn signed up for, and exactly what Jack wanted. This is what was meant to be, right? Or have they invaded each other's hearts in such a way that saying goodbye is devastatingly impossible?

To put it plain and simply, I loved this book. I was pleasantly surprised with dual POVs. It was thrilling hearing Jack's side of things as his relationship with Laurelyn progressed. I loved and admired Laurelyn's strength. Even once she realized her feelings were growing, she was strong enough to accept that Jack hadn't signed up for that. I did want to shake her a bit once it was so obvious that he was head over heels for her.

The bedroom/bathroom/gym/pool scenes are some of the steamiest I've read in a while. Both Jack and Laurelyn are extremely passionate, sexual individuals and they simply ignite when they touch. Their sexual chemistry,  their chemistry in general, is explosive.

This book ends in a cliffhanger in the utmost heartbreaking fashion, and days later, I can't stop thinking about Jack Henry and Laurelyn. I need part 2 NOW!