Monday, August 31, 2015

Blog Tour: To the Steadfast by Briana Gaitan



Book Info

To The Steadfast
by Briana Gaitan
Genre: Coming of Age Romance
Cover Artist: Romantic Book Affairs
Release Date: August 31st 2015
BUY NOW: TO THE STEADFAST http://amzn.to/1NfD6hf
$2.99 or Free with KU


Resolute. Firm. Unwavering
That was my love for him.
Steadfast for as long as I can remember.

As my best friend's brother, he ignored me before noticing me. He protected me, bought me my first beer, but eventually became my undoing. 

There was a time I would have died to get him to notice me, now I'd do anything to forget him. 
I'm not the one who can tame him, and he's not the guy who will change for me.
This isn't a story about falling in love, this is a story about falling out of love.
Unrequited love. 
And finding the strength to move on.
Here's to the steadfast.

*This is a standalone story that crosses years from YA into NA genre, due to heavy subject matter this book is for ages 16 and up. This is not your typical love story.*




My Review
Wow. This book was completely unexpected in so many ways. This is NOT a love story. Yes, there are love interests involved but this is about that kind of love that is just flat out bad for you, and about the kind of love that is staring you in the face but you are too blind to see it.
This book is divided into different parts based on Cody's age. I was actually really surprised by everything that went on when Cody was 16. If you have an issue with underage drinking, drug use, and underage sex then this part will bother you. Usually this stuff is glossed over, but Ms Gaitan held nothing back. This is a big part of the book and a big part of Cody. This is where we meet Mischa, Violet, and Killian. A lot goes on and as I read I felt the ups and downs of emotions with Cody. Though I disagreed with a lot of her choices, this is her life.
The blurb is not wrong, this isn't a story about falling in love. More of a story about finding out who you are without that love and overcoming it. Sometimes love is toxic. It does nothing but drag you down and this story is one of those. I really hope this is not the end because I need to know more. I need more of all of these characters, particularly a certain one but saying whom is a spoiler. This book held my attention and I read it in one setting! Not all love stories have a happy ending.
4 stars!
***ARC provided in exchange for my HONEST review.Thank you.***








About the Author
Briana Gaitan is the bestselling author of the Hollywood Timelines series (The Last Thing and The One Thing) and coauthor of the Ethereal Underground series. 
Briana is a southern native and self-proclaimed geek. She has never wanted anything but to create whether it be composing music, decorating her house, or giving voices to the characters inside her head.Her days are spent obsessing over a good read, raising her three kids, and watching anything on the SyFy channel. Through her writing, she hopes to inspire others to believe in the impossible.



Saturday, August 29, 2015

Surprise Release: Throttled by Elizabeth Lee


Get ready for the thrill of two wheels and a second chance love story! THROTTLED by Elizabeth Lee is LIVE! 


THROTTLED (A Wild Riders Novel #1) by Elizabeth Lee
NA Contemporary Romance

PURCHASE LINKS
B&N, iTunes, and Kobo: Coming Soon!

Blurb:
Reid Travers knows how to win. Becoming Motocross royalty was always the plan, and he was willing to make sacrifices along the way to reach his goal. Sacrifices he thought he could live with until he returned to the small town where he grew up and learned to ride, and, more importantly, where he fell in love.

When fate sends Nora Bennett back into his life, he takes one look at her and realizes that he made a huge mistake breaking up with her five years ago. Now, he'll do whatever it takes to win her back. As Reid sets out to earn her forgiveness and convince her that the guy she's dating is not the one for her, Nora finds herself torn between what her head is telling her and what her heart wants.

It's a race he never expected to be in, for a girl he can't stand to lose again.



EXCERPT
Reid Travers had grown up. He had always been attractive, but time and professional racing had done something to his features and body that he should have thanked the good Lord every day for. His jawline and nose seemed more chiseled. His eyes wiser and brighter. Well-worn jeans hung around his hips, the waistband sitting just below a set of abs that had me thinking all kinds of things—none of which had anything to do with a real estate transaction. While my stomach was a knot of nervousness, below that something inside of me was coiling so tightly that the possibility of shooting straight into the sky seemed feasible. Especially if he kept looking at me the way he was. His brown eyes were locked on mine and I was helpless to look away. “Nora Bennett,” he said as he closed the distance between us. He ran his hand down his jawline, the days’ worth of stubble only adding to his new all-grown-up appeal. “How are you?”

“Fine,” I answered softly as he reached out. The second his hand touched my arm, I knew I was in trouble—his rough, calloused fingertips met my smooth skin and it was like striking a match.



My Review
I absolutely loved this new book by Elizabeth Lee!
Reid Travers and Nora Bennett were head over heels in love back in high school but Reid ended things with her when his family moved to support his up and coming motocross career. But after being gone for seven years, Reid is back and he's ready to fight for Nora.
This was a great second chance romance and immediately I was sucked in and connected to these characters. Nora was a very likable female lead and Reid is every bit of book boyfriend material! I can already tell this is going to be a new favorite series. I loved all the secondary characters and I am hoping they all get their own books too. Because let me tell you, I think I am going to fall in love with these motocross boys more and more!
Great new book and start of what looks to be an amazing new series!!
***ARC provided by the author in exchange for my HONEST review. Thank you!***

5 star!!!!




RAFFLECOPTER LINK:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

When I'm not writing or playing the part of wife and mom, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in hand. Here's the thing about being born and raised in a small town--you have a very vivid imagination! Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that!

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Cover Reveal: RIP by Rachel Van Dyken


On OCTOBER 20 Rachel Van Dyken brings you Rip a complete stand alone novel that fans of the Eagle Elite series will devour! With twists and turns you won't see coming, this dark romantic suspense will keep you on your toes and leave you screaming for more.





Pretty things aren't meant to be broken.
But I broke her, and now we both have to pay the price.
I'm her nightmare.
I'm her savior.
And now that I have her signature on an ironclad contract, I own her body and soul.
She doesn't remember me.
She will.
It's inevitable.
Because as much as I know I need to stay away, for fear of unlocking the memories I helped her father bury--I can't.
She was the apple in the Garden, dangled in front of me, her core so tempting and sweet. A voice whispered. Just. One. Bite.
I bit.
I tasted.
I fell.


Welcome to the world of the Russian mafia, where death, is your only future.








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, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!
You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken  or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com 


Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Cover Reveal:Sins of Sevin by Penelope Ward

SINS OF SEVIN
(A standalone)
A Contemporary Romance novel
 New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author
Penelope Ward

Cover Information
Cover designer: Letitia Hasser, r.b.a designs
Photo: Scott Hoover Photography
Model: Zeb Ringle 






Add Sins of Sevin to your TBR list on Goodreads!


Sign up for Penelope’s mailing list now and be the first one notified of releases!


RELEASE DATE: September 21, 2015








Blurb
From the New York Times bestselling author of Stepbrother Dearest, comes a new forbidden STANDALONE romance.

What happens when the one you want is the only one you can’t have?

My name is Sevin.

Homeschooled and sheltered by my ultra-religious family, I was always taught that lust was a sin.

Elle was the girl who’d been carefully chosen for me.

After a long-distance courtship, I’d be moving into her family’s guesthouse so that we could get to know each other in the months before the wedding.

Boundaries were set: no inappropriate touching, no kissing, no sex before marriage.

I’d accepted those rules and my fate.

Until I met the one I wanted to sin with.

That was when restraint became a problem…especially since the one wasn’t Elle.

It was her sister, Evangeline.

You know what they say about best laid plans.

My name is Sevin, and I have sinned.

Told in alternating points of view, Sins of Sevin is a full-length standalone novel. Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. Only appropriate for adult readers age 18+.








Meet Penelope Ward


Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.
         







Other books from Penelope Ward
Cocky Bastard


Stepbrother Dearest


Gemini

Jake Undone (Jake #1)

My Skylar

Jake Understood (Jake #2)


Review Tour: In The Dark by Monica Murphy



Have you started the new series by Monica Murphy? Fans are loving this crew and we know you will too! We'll be celebrating the release of IN THE DARK! Join us in the fun!

Title: In The Dark
Series Name: The Rules Series
Author Name: Monica Murphy
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations
Add to Goodreads



IN THE DARK (Book 2) August 25, 2015
Stuck spending the summer with his screwed up family, Gabriel Walker is bored out of his mind and looking for an adventure. And he seems to find it with the hot girl who lives next door. The attraction between them is instant. Electric. Soon they’re spending every stolen minute together. Talk about the perfect summer fling…

Lucy isn’t what she seems. She doesn’t live next door—she’s the girl who’s been hired to house sit for the summer while the family goes on a worldwide vacation. If Gabe wants to believe she’s a spoiled rich girl looking for some fun, she can go along with that. After the summer, she’ll never see him again.

They don’t count on running into each other at college. Now Lucy must keep up the pretense of being a rich girl—and it’s exhausting. She knows she’s falling in love with Gabe and she’s scared he feels the same. Will he still care about her when he discovers the truth?






GIVEAWAY:

My Review
I really do love this new series by Monica Murphy.
I think I loved Gabe from the beginning. He never came across as a jerk like I was expecting. He's spending his vacation with his family, even though he doesn't want to. And I don't blame him. His parents seem like real jerks. I mean he is 21 butt out already. I loved meeting his sister though! Anyways, the opening of the book made me smile. I think that is why I instantly liked him.  I also really liked seeing how he saw Lucy from the beginning. They had instant chemistry even if things didn't go as smoothly as he expected!
Lucy was a great female character. She was fiesty and sweet all at once. She's house sitting for the summer and Gabe assumes she is a spoiled little rich kid like him. So she doesn't correct him. Even though they spend the whole summer together practically glued to the hip. Knowing her background, I get why she was nervous to tell him. I might not agree with it, but I totally got it.
I really liked how the story started at the beginning. To often you will read books that are similar to this that start off in the middle and leave out the whole first meeting. Thankfully, this one takes you right from the beginning all the way up to the oh shit moment in college. I can't even say this is where the story really starts because it isn't. These two were off the charts from the very beginning. And there was plenty of steam in this book, though I would have liked to read some other scenes that were mentioned as a memory instead of just wondering what happened. I hope that makes sense! :)
I cannot wait to read more in this series and hope to have glimpses of everyone again in Tristan's book!
 5 stars!!! 
***ARC provided in exchange for my HONEST review.Thank you!***


Meet the crew!

Blurbs :
FAIR GAME (The Rules Series, Book 1) May 12, 2015
When your boyfriend bets YOU in a poker game, you better know when to run...
Bad enough Jade Frost's boyfriend drags her to a boring poker game. Even worse that he actually threw her into the betting pot during an intense round...and lost. Talk about the perfect excuse for Jade to make him her ex-boyfriend.

Now she supposedly belongs to the ultra rich, extremely gorgeous Shep Prescott. He could have anything he wants yet he seems to be in hot pursuit of her. No matter how rude, how snarky, how impossible she acts, it doesn't stop him. More like her horrible behavior seems to make him want her more.

When she finds herself starting to fall for him, Jade's confused. There's more to Shep than the carefree rich charmer he portrays. No way could he want a serious relationship with her...or could he?
Goodreads

SLOW PLAY (Book 3) November 10, 2015
Newly broke girl Alexandria Asher just wants to live a normal life. After her parents are sent to prison on embezzlement charges, she enrolls in college under her mother’s maiden name and tries her best to pretend she’s someone else.

Tristan Chadwick is everything Alex is trying to avoid. A seemingly egotistical, lazy, rich jerk, she dumps her beer on his head when he comes on to her one night at a party. This only spurs Tristan into action. He loves nothing more than a challenge. And the beautiful Alex is exactly the type of challenge that intrigues him.

Despite her reluctance, Alex finds herself quickly involved with Tristan. Underneath that playboy exterior is a good guy, a sweet and sexy guy who she is undoubtedly falling for. What they both don’t realize is the actions of Alex’s parents are the reason for so much tragedy in Tristan’s family. And when Tristan discovers who Alex and her family really is, can he forgive and forget?

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. She's a workaholic who loves her job. When she's not busy writing, she also loves to read and travel with her family. She writes new adult and contemporary romance and is published with Bantam and Avon. She also writes romance as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.
Facebook | Twitter | Website

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Book Blitz: A Stunning Accusation by Sarahbeth Caplin

Title: A Stunning Accusation
Author: Sarahbeth Caplin
Release Date: June 22, 2015
Find on Goodreads
Adelaide Scott is a 25-year-old relationship advice columnist for Stunning! Magazine. Her new boyfriend, Jordan Johnson, is a renowned photographer for Sports Unlimited. On the surface, he is everything a woman should want: Good-looking, hilarious, and charismatic. Their relationship seems perfect, and Addie slowly allows herself to consider a future with him…until his ex-girlfriend confronts them at a bar, and accuses Jordan of raping her, turning their world upside down.

It doesn’t help that her best friend and editor, Kiersten Sharp, sees rape as a black-and-white issue, with no shades of doubt. Addie is about to discover that the truth – in all its forms – is complicated, and not at all what she expects. 

I was no closer to a new column idea by the end of the workday than I was that morning. Well, to clarify, there were always ideas; just nothing worth printing that would garner the same kind of attention as the one my readers loved most. If I were truly desperate, I could always piggyback off that column and write a series of other attention-getting accessories to attract men.
It was as if I turned Tracy Cavanaugh into a pin-up doll, where I borrowed her shoes, her hair, her clothes…her things. But what would happen once I peeled that all away? Then there would be just the woman, herself, to dissect. All the inside stuff that made up who she was.
Would anyone want to read about that?
Without much difficulty, I shoved the thought away, because it was Jordan Time. He suggested Mochahitos, a place known for serving alcohol and coffee, my two favorite things (though to my knowledge, they had yet to make a drink that was both a mocha and a mojito).
“Make good choices,” teased Kiersten as I slung my bag over my shoulder. Like I needed any reminders.
Jordan was already waiting at the bar when I got there. I hope I didn’t look too eager as I set my bag on the counter and took the chair next to him. Be cool. Be Stunning. “What are you drinking?” I asked.
“Coffee-flavored stout,” he answered. “Wanna try?”
He pushed the bottle toward me. I exhaled before trying a sip because it was a stout, a drink I knew I’d hate. I don’t like beers that are thick enough to be a meal.
“It’s good,” I told him, and then signaled the bartender. “I’ll have what he’s having, please.”
“So,” Jordan said. He turned to face me. “There’s someone I want you to meet. She’ll be here shortly.”
My stomach clenched at the word she. His next hookup partner? A secret girlfriend? I supposed either possibility was inevitable, since it’s not like he ever promised me anything serious. I realized I was acting a bit paranoid. Still, it would have been nice to get a heads up before springing this new woman on me out of the blue in a casual moment.
In fact, I grew annoyed, and opened my mouth to rip him a new one, but I was interrupted.
“Hi,” chirped a child’s voice. We both looked down, and I wanted to kick myself for being so paranoid. The greeting came from to the toddler from the photo in his wallet.
“Zoe!” Jordan scooped her up, which she loved, judging by her breakout smile. “Where’s your mom? You’re too little to be in here by yourself.”
“Potty,” Zoe answered.
“Ahh. Okay. Well I guess you can chill with us while we wait for her to come back. Addie,” Jordan said. He settled Zoe in his lap and rested his chin on the girl’s head. “Meet my niece, Zoe. My favorite person in the whole world.”
“Hey there,” I said. I had to stop myself from extending my hand, as if toddlers knew how to handshake.
I’m not the best with kids, but Jordan clearly adored her. My uterus almost skipped a beat.
Not before too long, Jordan’s sister showed up. “Do you mind watching her for a few minutes, Jordy? I’m so behind on this research paper, I only need maybe twenty minutes to look some things over. Your next drink will be on me, I promise.”
“You know you don’t need to bribe me to hang out with this girl,” Jordan responded, bouncing Zoe on his lap, which made her laugh and laugh. I almost couldn’t handle this cuteness. “Hey, this is my girlfriend Addie, by the way.”
Girlfriend! Addie? Seriously? I felt as shocked as I was honored.
“Oh, wow, hey. Sorry, I’m so rude. Nice to meet you Addie, I’m Elise. I’d love to stay and chat, but I have so much homework. We’ll talk later?” She disappeared to a table across the bar before I could respond.
What just happened here?
While Jordan ordered a scone for Zoe, I nursed my drink and tried to think of what to say. “So…girlfriend, huh?” Not too eager, not too emotional. I hoped.
“Well, yeah,” He broke the scone into smaller bites for his niece. “What did you think?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “You just made it seem like we were…”
“Well maybe that’s how it started.” He reached for my hand with his free one, as the other gently cradled his niece. “But I like you. I assumed you felt the same.”
Keep calm, Adelaide. I forced myself to take another swig of beer. “Of course.” As much as I’d have loved to know when he realized I was a keeper and not just a fling, I switched to another topic instead. “So Elise seems nice.”
“Yeah, she is. Just constantly tired and overworked. She finally decided to go back to school after she had Zoe, and she’s determined to graduate within a year. Not bad for a single mom.”
My next question – assuming I could have found a tactful way to put it – was going to be about Zoe’s dad, since I noticed Elise didn’t have any rings on her left hand. “You must be very proud of her.”
“I am. I’m proud of both my sisters. Emma is a junior in high school and did better on the ACT than I did. And she kicks my ass in chess.”.Now mindful of the impressionable girl in his lap whose face was covered in scone crumbs, Jordan cooed, “I mean, butt. Don’t say ‘ass,’ Zo-Zo. Uncle Jordy has a potty mouth.”
“Potty mouf!” Zoe cried, releasing a spray of crumbs. Jordan shook his head. “What can I do? I’m her favorite babysitter, but also her worst influence.”
It was hard for me to reconcile these two sides of him: Jordan, the high-profile photographer with a girlfriend list as long as my arm, and goofy Uncle Jordy, fun-loving family man, charmer of adult women and two-year-olds. I was about to say, “I highly doubt that’s true,” but was interrupted by a frail, redheaded woman who just entered the bar. She stared directly at us. I only noticed her because of the fiery brightness of her hair – the merciless eyes that locked onto mine gave me an unexpected shock. I jerked my head back to Jordan. “How long can you go before teaching her your dirtiest jokes?” I asked.
“Hmm…” He continued to hold Zoe with one arm as he grabbed his beer and took a big gulp, pretending to ponder. “Those will have to wait until she’s much older. Like kindergarten.”
“Will Elise approve of that?”
“Elise will be grateful to have someone else to blame so people don’t think she’s the one who corrupted her.”
My laugh, though genuine, was louder than I’d anticipated, as the red-haired woman’s intense stare continued to freak me out. Her gaze locked on Jordan’s back, but Jordan didn’t face her, so he had no idea. “So, you come from a family of potty mouths, I take it?”
“I wouldn’t say that, exactly. My parents…well, let’s just say, we try to hide that side of ourselves when we’re around them.”
“I see…” I stopped speaking as the woman started walking toward us. Her eyes continued to bore holes in Jordan’s back, but she wobbled as she stepped closer. Was she drunk? No, more like…nervous.
“Hey.” Squeezing Jordan’s knee, I jerked my head in what’s-her-face’s direction. “You know that woman?”
By the time Jordan turned around, she stood in front of him, close enough to almost feel her visible anger. Her eyes widened and her face grew red like her hair.
“Jordan Johnson?” she said. “Is that you?”
Jordan’s forehead creased as he stared her down. Cautious. There was a flash of recognition in his eyes, mixed with surprise, and, then, dread. He knew her. And however he knew her, it looked like he wished he didn’t. “Um, yeah. What are you doing here, Sam? I thought you moved out of the city?”
This Sam was so thin and short statured, with a baby-looking face to match, she could pass for a high school senior. Her eyes darted around like a spooked horse’s as she shook her head. “You,” she exclaimed, voice shaking while pointing a trembling finger. “You!”
“Look, Sam, I’d love to catch up sometime, but I’m kind of with my new girlfriend here.”
I relished this moment, the second time in the same hour I’d been referred to as Jordan’s girlfriend. But the euphoria didn’t last long, because the next words out of Sam’s mouth were piercing and unforgettable:
“You raped me.”


My Review
This book was nothing like I expected. It was refreshingly different. I went into this thinking it would be a love story that was thrown a curve ball. But really it was so much more. I mean what would you do if the guy you just recently started seeing was accused of rape? Would you take his word for it? Or would you investigate?

I think what I like most about this book is that it's very informational in a way. This book explains that rape is not a black and white thing. There are so many things that can count as rape.

I just have to say I really liked Addie. However, from the beginning I hated Jordan. I also hated Kiersten. But everything else in this book kept me pulled in. I read this book in a matter of hours and I really like the way the writing flowed. I do wish there would have been a little more elaboration on some things but found this to be a good read. 

4 stars!!! 


***ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!***





Beth is a stay-at-home author, blogger, editor, and freelancer in northern Colorado with a degree in English Literature from Kent State University and an MFA in progress at Colorado State. Her first book, Confessions of a Prodigal Daughter, ranked #51 in Amazon's top 100 bestselling books on personal growth in May 2015.