Tuesday, September 30, 2014

All Things Pretty by M. Leighton Release Day Launch + #Giveaway

ATP RDL Banner  

We are so stoked to bring you the Release Day Launch for M. Leighton's ALL THINGS PRETTY! ALL THINGS PRETTY is a Contemporary Adult Romance and the third novel in M. Leighton’s Pretty Series. Sig's book is here! And don't y'all forget to enter the giveaway below. 

All Things Pretty
 


Excerpt: Her lips are still curved when she turns her attention back to me.  Something about the moment hits me like a punch to the gut.  I think for a second that I could stand here and stare at her, just enjoy her smile and her happiness for hours.  Days, maybe.  But I can’t.   We can’t. So, instead, I brush a clump of mud from the end of her nose. “Have fun?”

“I did. Thank you. This was so good for him.”

“And you.”

“And me,” she concedes.

“You can be the real you around me anytime.  I won’t tell a soul.”

“So you prefer this?”

“Oh, hell yeah!  I don’t need glamorous. Or proper.”

“I’m not proper.”

“You forget that I heard your…expressiveness that day on the side of the road.  And it didn’t consist of ‘darn’ or ‘golly gee’.  But I haven’t heard anything like that come out of your mouth since then.”

“Ladies aren’t supposed to talk that way, according to Lance.”

“I don’t want a lady. I want a woman.  One who knows her own mind. One who wears what she’s comfortable in, one who says what she’s thinking.”  I take a step closer. I can’t help myself. Her scent draws me in.  Even covered in mud, she smells like sexy sunshine.  “I want the woman who kisses like she’s on fire and makes me feel like I’m the only one who can put her out.”

“Sig,” she begins.

I break in to cut her off.  I know her objections.  And I know how much I don’t want to hear them.  “I’m just being honest.  I’m not even touching you.”

Her eyes are glued to mine, a damn near irresistible gravity pulling us together.  “It’s not like you can anyway.  I mean, we’re in public.  With my little brother.  What could you possibly touch?”

I reach down and smear my hand in mud.  With her eyes locked on mine, I reach between us and flatten my palm on her chest, right over her heart.  “This.  I’d touch this.”

Synopsis

Pretending to be something they’re not, afraid to trust anyone completely, destined to tear each other apart– this is the story of unlikely love and unbearable consequences.

Sig Locke is a cop. He was raised by a cop and all his brothers are cops. He bleeds blue, believes in right and wrong, and sees in black and white, never in shades of gray.

But that was before he met Tommi.

Tommi, with her long legs and bright green eyes, she captured Sig’s interest from the moment he saw her. Even after he discovered who she was–the girlfriend of a drug dealer, the beauty behind a criminal–he still found her utterly irresistible. What Sig doesn’t know, however, is that she has a secret even a cop can’t uncover. 

Tommi Lawrence hasn’t had an easy life, and it only got more complicated the day she met Sig. She learned long ago that she can’t trust anyone. Her gut tells her that Sig is no exception, her heart tells her that he is. But that was before she found out his real identity.

Can love be forged in a fire of lies? Or will the truth destroy them both?


Author Photo

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

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

 


Monday, September 29, 2014

ARC Review: The Maverick of Copper Creek by R. C. Ryan

The Maverick of Copper Creek by R. C. Ryan
Review copy via Publisher + Netgalley
Goodreads /
PpublishedSeptember 30, 2014

Synopsis

In the New York Times bestselling tradition of Linda Lael Miller and Diana Palmer, comes R.C. Ryan's stunning new western trilogy about the MacKenzie brothers of Copper Creek, Montana.

First love always burns hotter . . .

Ash MacKenzie broke his share of hearts when he left Copper Creek all those years ago and struck out on his own. Tall, tough, and proud. That's how Brenna always remembered him, and from the looks of things, he hasn't changed much. Once, she thought he could save her—whisk her away from her rough childhood home and start fresh together. Now she knows better . . .

Ash isn't planning to stick around town long. As soon as he uncovers the truth about his father's death and makes sure the family ranch is safe, he'll be back out on his own. And then he runs into Brenna Crane. It broke his heart to leave her once—a herd of stampeding horses couldn't make him do it again. But Brenna has made a new life for herself, one that doesn't include him. Now he just has to convince her to give their first love a second chance.



You gotta love cowboys and drama and long lost love (or is it lost?) along with family drama (the really good looking kind of family drama!) and this book has all of that. But, something was missing. I think it was the connection to the characters that was missing. I mean, I love them all to pieces. Bad Ass gramps and a housekeeper who keeps said gramps in line along with two more (yes, more) hot brothers who are also sweet and nice and work on the ranch. Also, food. Food is really nice.

So this book begins with murder. (That makes you interested, doesn’t it?) It’s the murder of small town royalty and the father of these three boys. One of the boys, out main one as a matter of fact got tired of living under his father’s critical eye and left all he had ever known to make something of himself. He left without a goodbye to the only girl he ever loved. His best friend. Also known as the main girl in this book. Brenna and Ash. If these two aren’t soul mates, I don’t know who is. *throws up hands in an exasperated manner*

I love the whole down-home feel with the ‘we’re all in this together’ front everyone puts on. I also love the fact that everyone is so genuine. With all the genuine feel-good feelings, one would think that I would like (or at least connect) to all the characters more than I did.

Some of it was a tad bit too nacho like for me, such as the rather excessive use of ‘bro’ but other than that, I really have no complaints.

OH! And I really want to make the mashed potatoes at the end of the book. FOOOOOOD!

Cowboys. Yummy food. But no connection. Y'all looking forward to it? 

Music Monday #3





So basically From Eden  is me least favorite song by this way too talented artist and even that's freaking gorgeous. Though my favorites are Take Me to Church, Cherry Wine, and Like Real People Do. 


I simply adore his voice. I mean, honestly y'all, how much more beautiful can a voice get? His is all low with just a hint of rasp and that accent. 

He is coming to the US in 2015 and I can't even express how disappointed I am that there are no stops in Texas. It's like book tours all over again, y'all. *bangs head on wall* Well, that's not really true, They're all in Houston. I want them in Dallas. Pretty please? 

Anyways, go forth and listen. OH AND HE HAS A CONTEST GOING ON!


Saturday, September 27, 2014

ARC Review: As Long As You Love Me by Ann Aguirre

As Long As You Love Me by Ann Aguirre
Via Netgalley + Publisher
September 30, 2014
Goodreads


Synopsis

Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. She has her reasons; missing her family, losing her college scholarship. But then there's the reason Lauren can't admit to anyone: Rob Conrad, her best friend's older brother.

Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He's the guy who women love and leave, not the one who makes them think of forever; until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her.

Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.





So basically there are people who were meant to make the world more beautiful. They might have been torn down by the ones who are meant to protect them: unconsciously marring their future greatness. Rob is one of these people. Y’all, his soul is beautiful. No- his soul is freaking gorgeous. There’s this whole air of sadness and innocence to him, and to him it’s unconscious. He wants to be the brother his sister remembers when she was eight and skinned her knees and he made her feel better. Back when he was still smarter than her. Back when his grandmother didn’t whisper “at least he’s handsome” (which by the way, the way his family acted towards him made my soul ache. It made me mad. I bet he had a learning disability that was never looked into or something. Because that boy is not dumb. Okay?) and his dad didn’t call him a wussy daily. Everyone say him as something that needed fixing, even his girlfriend. *scoffs* Not Lauren. Nope. He was her something perfect. Rob was her dream guy. And their story is beautiful, y’all.

After Lauren comes home after flunking out of college, she moves into her mom’s house. She tries to pick herself up by the bootstraps. She tries to get her anxiety issues under control. She uses Rob as a safety net. After him and his girlfriend breakup, he and Lauren get together. They help each other. Rob helps her find herself, more like re discover, and helps her settle back into small town life. Lauren helps Rob with his self-esteem issues. Or tries to. As well as setting up his own furniture building company.

For me, I was mostly focused on Rob’s adorableness, and trying not to jump through the kindle screen and strangle his family for how much they had unknowingly broke him by comparing him to Nadia and focusing on her accomplishments and letting her have the full extent of the spotlight. I mean, come on! Just because school isn’t his things doesn’t mean he’s not worth something. HAVE Y’ALL EVEN ADKNOWLEGED HOW GOOD OF A CARPENTER HE IS?! *takes a deep breath* It just pisses me off. Okay. Okay. I’m fine. *seethes*

This was a story about learning to love yourself. I mean, straight to the bone and past all that pesky flesh and blood and all those veins, this is a book about accepting who you are. I really don’t have much else to say. Lauren’s character is amazing. She’s self-conscious and confident. She’s anxiety ridden but strong and fearless, at least when it comes to the people she loves. She’ll do anything, even sacrificing her own happiness in turn for them having theirs.

The reason this isn’t getting a higher rating is because despite my love for the characters and the unraveling of it all, not much really happened. I mean it was gorgeous and the small town feel really was there, but I like a little cinnamon in my hot chocolate, if you know what I mean.


Overall, with I WANT IT THAT WAY as a first book and this one as a second, I cannot wait to get my hands on THE SHAPE OF MY HEART! 

Well the Backstreet Boys are awesome inspiration. 



Thursday, September 25, 2014

Book Look #40: Magnolia by Kristi Cook

Magnolia





In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived.

Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist.

But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over.


Goodreads



Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Press Play Trailer Release + #Giveaway


Welcome, my lovlies! Enjoy the trailer and don't forget to enter the giveaway!


PRESS PLAY
Author: Erid Devine
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Publisher: Running Press Kids

Greg Dunsmore, a.k.a. Dun the Ton, is focused on one thing: making a documentary that will guarantee his admission into the film school of his choice. Every day, Greg films his intense weight-loss focused workouts as well as the nonstop bullying that comes from his classmates. But when he captures footage of violent, extreme hazing by his high school’s championship-winning lacrosse team in the presence of his principal, Greg’s field of view is in for a readjustment.
Greg knows there is a story to be told, but it is not clear exactly what. And his attempts to find out the truth only create more obstacles, not to mention physical harm upon himself. Yet if Greg wants to make his exposé his ticket out of town rather than a veritable death sentence, he will have to learn to play the game and find a team to help him.
Combine the underbelly of Friday Night Lights with the unflinching honesty of Walter Dean Myers, and you will find yourself with Eric Devine’s novel of debatable truths, consequences, and realities.


About The Author
Eric Devine is the author of multiple works of Young Adult fiction, most recently Dare Me, withPress Play being published 10/28. He is also a veteran high school English teacher who spends as much time teaching as he does completing field research for his novels. His work has been listed byYALSA and Booklist for reluctant readers and for Best in Sports. He is married to his high school sweetheart, and his wife and he have two wonderful daughters and two not-so-wonderful Labradors. Find out more at ericdevine.orgfacebook.com/ericdevineauthor, or Twitter: @eric_devine







Giveaway
Must be 13+ To Enter | Ships in US only.

1 Winner will get a signed copy of PRESS PLAY and a PRESS PLAY phone case. (Winners chooses case size)
a Rafflecopter giveaway


LINK TO BOOK TRAILER:


Happy reading! And leave the author some comment love!


Tuesday, September 23, 2014

ARC Review: Dark Redemption by Angie Sandro

Dark Redemption by Angie Sandro
Dark Paradise #3
Published September 2, 2014
Review Copy via Publisher + Netgalley
Goodreads

Synopsis

From rising star Angie Sandro, a steamy Southern gothic romance that will appeal to fans of Beautiful Creatures . . .

Deep in the Louisiana bayou, Mala LaCroix cannot escape the mysterious things she's seen. Haunted by her otherworldly past, she only wants to hide her special abilities and care for the man she's come to love. But the dark swamp she calls home holds more than just Mala's secrets, for a killer is leaving behind ghosts trapped between worlds, hungry for vengeance . . .

Landry knows Mala could never turn her back on those in need. It's part of what attracts him to her. But now that he's wrestling with his own demons-and losing-he fears that just being near the woman he loves endangers her life. And that traps him in a terrible dilemma: leave Mala alone to catch a murderer by herself or stay close-and risk entangling her in the brutal battle for his very soul.


This is the end of the oh so very unique and rather fantastic trilogy about coming into your powers, falling in love, and generally just being a little badass while retaining the need to be saved every once in a while. Because who doesn’t want a knight in shining armor? I WANT ONEEEE! *****If you haven’t read the other two –Dark Paradise and Dark Sacrifice- beware of spoilers from previous books. ALSO! Y’all should look at the Dream Vacay post Angie Sandro did for my blog! Okay, onto the story.

We always start where the previous book left off exactly. And that’s just how I like it. I hate WITH A FIERY PASSION when books somehow skip a few months into the next book. It annoys the crap out of me. The reader has our same loveable and annoying character that I have grown attached to.  Because they’re them. How can you not grow to want them to be happy when they have a crazy voodoo queen of their booties and dead people wanting them dead? How can you not want them to be happy when they’ve already been through so much? That’s right. You want them to be happy. Everyone does at this point. But nothing is ever easy, now is it? And goodness do Mala and Landry have a lot on their plate.

In the final installment we have evil and crazy and evil and I didn’t like this one as much as the first one. I still love the characters, don’t get me wrong. They all have stolen a piece of my heart. And some my soul. Literally. Crazy voodoo queen is freaking loco to the nth power.

Again, we are surrounded by spirits, murder and magic. Again, we have a love that can last either an eternity or end in a millisecond. Again, we have something so very dark that you can’t just help to secretly hope for the bad stuff to happen so you can see how the characters react. But then again, we also have relatively the same story line we’ve had the entire series, just with a few extra hints of surprise (like that ending . . . HOLY FREAKING MOLY!) After the whole prison and psyche ward shenanigans we have the strange and grotesque murder of little boys that seemingly only Mala can solve. And solve she does.

But then we have the pesky non-demon making itself all comfortable in Landry’s head. I am rather fond of señor non-demon.

This was a satisfying end. I got the answers I needed, granted, some I was totally not prepared for. But there were some I really needed. And I got them. Ms. Sandro, you deserve applause.


The best quote was made by the occupant in Landry's head: I am immune to the evocative nature if a females breasts. Unless they belong to Mala LaCroix. She, as humans say, has a fine rack.
Well, it's the end! So bittersweet.




Monday, September 22, 2014

Music Monday #2



Music Monday


Welcome one and all to my second Music Monday post! Who's heard of Vance Joy?


His song Riptide just came on the Dallas radios, but my personal favorite by him is Emmylou. It's so pretty. His voice is just rather epic. He's an Aussie indie folk singer, who originally planned on studying law. Just a bit of difference. 

A few more singers like him are NONONO and American Authors, both of whom I AODRE! (think Pumpkin Blood and Luck)



Thanks for joining me everyone! Happy reading and music listening....if that makes sense. 


Again by Lisa Burstein {Release Day Launch + Giveaway}

Again Banner RDL It's release day for Lisa Burstein's Again. Check out the release day blitz, and all the book details, and be sure to enter Lisa's amazing giveaway!!! :)


About Again How far would you go for a second chance?

Again.cover

Eleven years after flunking out of college, Kate has finally hit rock-bottom. Losing her job and boyfriend in one drunken night, she’s determined to fix her life by going back to the moment when she let partying and sex take over. And do things right this time. At twenty-nine, she heads back to freshman year of college, with a catch. Pretending she's nineteen with a new roommate and full class schedule is easy. When she meets her shy, sexy and seven-years-younger RA, Carter, following her self-imposed sobriety and celibacy rules is proving to be anything but. A senior enduring years of regret, Carter is more than ready to graduate. He’s anxious to move on from the party his freshman year where he witnessed his frat brothers about to commit a sexual assault. Instead of doing the right thing and stepping in, he looked the other way and left. His guilt has made for a lonely four years. When he meets the new freshman on his floor, spunky and confident Kate, he wonders if his time as an outcast has finally come to an end. Kate and Carter’s growing friendship and undeniable attraction make it harder to hide the demons from their respective pasts. But when their secrets are finally revealed, will their chance at starting over together still be there?
Lisa Burstein HeadshotLisa Burstein Bio: Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University. She is the author of Pretty Amy, The Next Forever, Dear Cassie, Sneaking Candy and The Possibility of Us. As well as a contributor to the essay collection, Break These Rules: 35 YA Authors On Speaking Up, Standing Out, and Being Yourself. Again is her self-publishing debut. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats.
Enter Lisa's giveaway!! a Rafflecopter giveaway


Saturday, September 20, 2014

ARC Review: Dark Sacrifice by Angie Sandro

Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro
Published August 12, 2014
Via Netgalley + Publisher (THANK YOU!)
Goodreads / Buy it here / Review of Dark Paradise

Synopsis

A GIFT AND A CURSE

Mala LaCroix sees dead people—really. After using her psychic gifts to catch a killer, she's locked in a psych ward and must strike a deal with the devil to secure her release. Apprenticed to a dark arts practitioner, Mala vows to free herself and save her loved ones from danger. But she doesn't know who to turn to when her crush on Landry Prince turns into something more serious.

A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH

Landry has sacrificed everything to protect Mala. A near-death experience changes him forever, and now he, too, possesses supernatural powers he doesn't understand. Mala and Landry must band together to defeat the dark forces—both human and otherworldly—who would use their abilities for evil. Even as they fall for each other, they must prepare to battle for their very souls . . . 





Well this book freaking stunned me. Like full on tasered in the backside. Honestly, I’m still sort of in shock. It seems that all I’ve been doing lately is complaining how nothing in the book is happening. So, Ms. Angie Sandro, thank the Lord for you ma’am because you pulled me out of withdrawal!

The book starts right back up from where DARK PARADISE left off, and sweet goodness gracious did we get off swinging. I certainly did get no space for a breather (no complaints from me!) with all the soul sucking, crazy Aunties and followers who approve of rape (or attempted rape). And then we still have Georgie. He’s an odd one, that boy. For the most part of the book I wanted to slap him with a brick, though he did a good job with the whole redeeming factor. I still don’t like him all that much, though. I mean come on, y’all. MALA + LANDRY FOREVERRRRRRR!!!

The characters have grown so much from the first book; they’re not as unsure and not as wobbly on their legs. They have a better understanding of what they are. I mean they’re not, like, hell yeah this is who I am and of course I’m gonna rock it, but they don’t have the façade to keep up. They know they have room to grow and they’re willing to utilize that room. Not only have the characters grown, but Ms. Sandros writing has as well and it’s mighty spectacular.


I suggest you run and go get yourself a copy of this lovely second installment. And if you haven’t already, please go read the first on : DARK PARADISE.


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Let Me Tell You Why Being a Romantic Rocks (and sucks)

Hello everyone!

Books, although we all love them to the ends of the earth, basically set us up to have our hopes and dreams crushed, don't you think? I mean where in the world are you going to find a sweet, sensitive bad boy who just happens to be, like, 6'5, have a great sense of humor, drop dead gorgeous, give amazing presents has great breath all the time and know all your favorite things by heart? WAIT YOU FOUND ONE OF THOSE? WHAT IS YOUR SECRET?!  AND HE FIGHTS GOOD? AHHHHHH!!! HE CAN COOK TOO??

In a book? Oh. Well, that explains a whole lot. As a matter of fact, that explains everything.

Besides all of that, I just happen to be a hopeless (and I do mean hopeless) romantic. I mean have y'all seen my pinterest page? *le major sigh*

And this, my friends, is the reason why I love reading. Well one of the reasons.

via RandomHouseCA Tumblr


So what about you? What do you think on this particular subject?



ARC Review: Dare to Kiss by S.B. Alexander

Dare to Kiss by S.B. Alexander
Via Publisher + Netgalley
Goodreads

Synopsis

Besides her family, Lacey Robinson’s only other love is baseball. She’s on top of the world when Arizona State University approaches her to discuss a scholarship. To be the first girl ever to grace a college boys’ team is beyond what she has ever dreamed.

Her fastball is impeccable, her curveball equally as good, and her slider annihilates anyone who dares to step in the batter’s box. But fate has its own way of throwing curveballs. When she looses her mother and sister to a home invasion, baseball and her dreams die with them. Tragedy has a way of seeping deep into her psyche, causing nightmares, panic attacks and blackouts. Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, her psychiatrist recommends a change of scenery and picking up the things that she loved to do, and for Lacey that is baseball.

After a move clear across the country, only two things matter to Lacey—overcome her PTSD and make Kensington High’s baseball team. But trying out for the team comes with obstacles—the captain, Aaron Seever, doesn’t want a girl on the team. 

Her life is further complicated when she meets Kade Maxwell, a tall, sexy and drool-worthy bad boy who has a magical touch that awakens her feminine side and a kiss that slowly erases her nightmares. But getting involved with him may be dangerous when Kade’s archenemy returns to town to settle a vendetta. 

To complicate matters, her PTSD has taken a turn for the worse. She has to find a way to heal otherwise she may not have a chance at anything in life, especially love.






Cute, fun and a little sassy with a bit of tragedy acting as the cherry on top of the New Adult sundae, DARE TO KISS has a bit of the old strung into the new. Sort of like when your knitting. Or when I’m knitting. Do any of y’all knit? Now, this book isn’t going to break your heart or stop the world. Even just for a bit, but it was a good read.
Lacey is broken. Her mother and sister were killed in a break in and she’s the one who found them surrounded in their own blood. Diagnosed with PTSD, her dad decided to move them to a new state, a new place: a fresh start. With a fresh start comes a baseball team surrounded in mystery. And nobody seems to want to talk about that one time a girl was on the team and mysteriously died. Sounds iffy, yes? Yes. Yes it does. Lacey has her sights set on the team. And Kade has his sights set on her.

Oh. I haven’t mentioned Kade yet, have I? Well Kade is lovely. Broken and frustrating, but lovely all the same. And he has a lot of siblings. WHAT IS THAT?! DO I SEE A SEQUAL OVER THE HILL? OH MY LORD IT IS!!!

I really liked all the characters pretty well in DARE TO KISS. I mean sure I didn’t like them one hundred percent of the time. I mean who does? Lacey would jump to really stupid conclusions and Kade. . .I just really wanted to hit him with a brick sometimes. Other times I wanted to give him a giant hug. And then Tyler was just adorable. Totally friend zone but adorable none the less.


Overall this was a book about sticking together. Friends. Family. It was about getting through the hard times, learning to trust, healing. Never giving it. It was refreshing. It wasn’t my favorite and I probably won’t re read it anytime soon, but it was a nice filler book.

 I just love baseball. And romance. And cute guys who say even cuter things.