Sophia Henry's Blog, page 5
August 4, 2015
CAN'T GO BACK by Marie Meyer LAUNCH DAY BLITZ // 13 QUESTIONS and EXCERPT
Today is the Release day for CAN'T GO BACK by Marie Meyer!!CAN'T GO BACK is the sequel to Marie's May 2015 New Adult release,
ACROSS THE DISTANCE. (See my AtD review: HERE.)
Today, I'm lucky enough to have a fun Q&A with Marie AND
an excerpt from CAN'T GO BACK.
More Griffin??? YES PLEASE!! Keep scrolling...
ABOUT: CAN'T GO BACK
When Jillian moved next door, she refused to get out of the car. I climbed into the backseat beside her and promised to never leave her. Now, I'm driving her a thousand miles away, so she can leave me.
She has to go. What else would she do? Follow me and my band from one cheap bar to another, get hit on by sleazy promoters? Because Jillian would definitely get hit on. She's the most gorgeous, talented girl I've ever known, and she doesn't even see it.
This scholarship gives Jillian the chance to study at the best design school in the country. It's what she's always wanted. I won't stand in the way of her dreams, no matter how much it hurts to watch her go. I just wish she wasn't leaving without knowing the truth.
BUY: CAN'T GO BACK Amazon // Amazon UK // B&N // Kobo // iBooks // Google Play
13 Questions with Author, MARIE MEYER: What was the last film you saw at the cinema? My girlfriends and I went to a dine-in theater to see Magic Mike XXL. Not only was the food yummy, but the movie was quiet delectable as well! ;) Umm….I could watch Channing Tatum dance all day long!
What is your favorite TV show? Right now, I’m hooked on ABC Family’s Chasing Life. I can’t get enough of that show! It’s the only one not backlogged on my DVR. It has also been a huge source of inspiration for my new project, THE TURNING POINT. And I must say, I ship April and Leo sooooo hard!
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Oh, this is easy! San Diego, California! I LOVE California. I visited San Diego a few years ago and fell in love with it. Give me palm trees, a sandy beach, and the roaring ocean, and I’m a happy girl. I’m a complete beach bum! I keep telling my husband, I will live there one day, with or without him (preferably with, though)!
Favorite Place to Eat? I adore the Cheesecake Factory! I always choose this for my birthday. And I have a rule, if you go to the Cheesecake Factory with me, everyone has to order their own dessert, because I DON’T SHARE! ☺ I take my Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake very seriously!
What foods do you dislike? Olives. Green or black. Raw or cooked, deep fried, or otherwise. On pizza, sandwiches, or by themselves. I do not like them, Sam I Am.
What are your favorite clothes? T-shirts, hoodies, and yoga pants! The traditional writer’s uniform, right? I have to wear dress clothes for my day job, so the minute I get home, I’m slipping on the yoga pants!
Where would you visit if you had the chance? Italy! My third book, THE TURNING POINT takes place in Southern Italy, and I’m completely enamored by its history and beauty. In all my research of Naples, Sorrento, and Capri, I have planned the most perfect vacation. Now, I just need to convince the hubs to take me! ☺
Where were you born? I still live near the city where I was born. I live about fifteen minutes from downtown St. Louis, MO, in a small Illinois town. I can see the St. Louis Arch and city’s skyline when I visit my favorite coffee shop.
What is your favorite sport to watch? St. Louis Cardinals Baseball. Notice, I said Cardinals baseball. I don’t care to watch other teams play, only the Cardinals! I’m a diehard Cardinals fan!!! I have a thing for pitchers! ;) Go Cards!
Are you a morning person or a night person? Both? Does it count if I’m up at all hours? Since I do have a day job, I’m up early, but then come home and write well into the night. I’m lucky enough to have my summers off, but I still get up early. I get a lot finished when my darling girls are still in bed, so I have to utilize those quiet moments! I do find that I’m most productive in the morning, though.
What did you want to be when you were little? I wanted to be Britney Spears. No, seriously! When I was in high school and college, I wanted to be a pop singer. I was a pageant girl growing up, and singing was always my talent. I loved the rush of being on stage and performing (I still do)! In college, I studied vocal performance and got my minor in music. But, that didn’t work out. Now, I get to live vicariously through my fictional musicians. I related to Griffin’s characters, a lot! ;)
Broccoli? Yes, please! With cheese? Raw? Cooked? I do! I like broccoli, Sam I Am!
What are you listening to right now? Ed Sheeran. I could listen to him sing the phone book, or burp the alphabet! He opens his mouth to sing, and I turn into a gushy, swoony, schoolgirl! Love him!
Thanks for indulging my silly questions, Maire!!!
And now....
CAN'T GO BACK EXCERPT: The headlights flashed across the Pennsylvania Welcomes You sign just as my playlist ended. Reaching for my phone, I scanned through others. I needed music to fill the growing hollowness inside me. Moving my best friend, Jillian, to design school was one of the hardest damn things I’d ever had to do.
With the cruise set at eighty, I watched the odometer tack on mile after mile. Jillian snored away in the passenger seat, her head against the window, legs stretched out, bare feet resting on the dashboard. Every now and then, I’d sneak a quick peek at her and smile, years of friendship played on a highlight reel in my head.
Twelve years ago, after Jillian’s parents died during the 9/11 attacks, she came to live with her grandparents—my neighbors. The day she arrived, she refused to get out of the car. I climbed into the backseat with her, offered her my hand, and promised to always make her smile. I’d never leave her. Now, I was driving her a thousand miles away, so she could leave me.
When she’d been offered a scholarship to an elite design school in Rhode Island, I was thrilled for her. Jillian always dreamed of being a designer. After everything she’d been through, losing her parents at such a young age, and struggling to overcome her self-harm tendencies as she got older, it was time something positive came her way. But, it wasn’t until now that I realized just how many miles stood between Rhode Island and Illinois…between Jillian and me.
“Uhhh,” I groaned, pressing my feet into the floorboard, stretching the best I could. I needed some tunes to liven up the drive. The lonely, dark road was fucking with my state of mind. With the pad of my thumb, I swiped through countless artists on my iPhone, finally deciding on the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I needed something heavy, loud, and bass-driven to pull me out of my current funk. Letting my head fall against the headrest, I fingered Flea’s bass riffs along the steering wheel.
Jillian sighed and moved her head from the window, placing it back onto the seat. Wisps of blonde and orange hair covered her face and her neck slumped at an odd angle. No way was she comfortable. Hell, I wasn’t comfortable. It was almost eleven. I was tired, hungry, and I really needed a restroom.
Holding the wheel steady with my left hand, I used my right to rock her gently. “Jillian. Jillian, wake up.”
She blinked a few times and sat up, still half asleep. Her hair was a tangled mess on top her head, like a pile of vanilla ice cream swirled with orange sherbet. I ran my palm over her head, smoothing some of the pieces back where they belonged.
Jillian looked out her window, then back to me. “I’m sorry,” she croaked, her voice thick with sleep. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. What time is it?” She lowered her pale legs from the dash and raised her arms high, stretching.
She wore a faded t-shirt featuring my band, Mine Shaft, and like any red-blooded male, it didn’t escape my attention when the t-shirt rode up, exposing the small patch of skin above the waist of her yoga pants. She wasn’t the scrawny little girl who used to play in the dirt with me.
I removed my hand from her head with a sigh and adjusted the volume knob, reducing Anthony Kiedis to background noise. “It’s just after eleven.”
“Ugh, I hope there’s a good yoga class on campus.” She yawned, arching her back. “Where are we?”
I took the next exit, getting off the turnpike, following the blue signs to the nearest hotel. “We’re in Pennsylvania. Do you want to keep driving or call it a night?” The choice was up to her; if she wanted me to keep going, I would. But, I hoped she didn’t. I was beat.
“Shit, I’m sorry. I should have taken over the wheel a hundred miles ago.”
“It’s alright.” I flashed her a smile. “You looked too peaceful to wake up.” More than peaceful, she looked gorgeous. Many times throughout the night, I’d fought the urge to run my fingers through her hair, or touch her porcelain cheeks.
But then I reminded myself, friends didn’t get to touch.
Three months ago, I’d had my chance. Back in May, the easygoing friendship Jillian and I had as children was obliterated the second she kissed me. In that moment, I wanted to do a whole hell of a lot more than kiss her.
A light wind whistled through the doorway, causing Jillian’s long hair to float on the breeze. Without a second thought, her hand came up and she swiftly tucked the flying strands behind her ears. I would have liked to do that for her...but it was too late. I kept my hands in my lap.
Stretching out my legs, I leaned my back against the wall of the little old cabin. Jillian did the same, resting her head against the dusty log walls. This cabin had been our place in high school. Off the beaten path, in a forested section of the state college campus, the miniature cabin became the home to many late night talks, song writing sessions, and countless other memories. Where most childhood friends have treehouses, Jillian and I had a tiny cabin in the woods.
After having dinner with my parents and sister, Jillian insisted on coming out here. Since she was leaving for college in three months, it seemed fitting that we needed to say good-bye to “our cabin”.
She’d been quiet since we’d gotten here. “What’s on your mind, Jillibean?” I nudged her with my shoulder.
“Hmm,” she hummed. “Nothing. Just enjoying the night. It’s always so peaceful out here.”
“Yeah, it is.” I closed my eyes and listened to the crickets chirp. In the distance an owl hooted.
“Griffin?”
“Yeah?” I answered, but kept my eyes closed. I liked the way her voice mingled with the sound of the wind.
“Griff,”
With a tap on my shoulder, I rolled my head in her direction, and opened my eyes. Our faces were less than an inch apart. My pulse went from zero to erratic in the matter of second and the cabin grew stuffy. Jillian’s midnight eyes searched my face.
My eyes fell to her mouth. Like so many times before, I wanted to kiss her. What would her lips feel like on mine? What did she taste like?
I moved my head closer…the tips of our noses touched and Jillian sucked in a tiny breath.
What noises could I elicit from her? How loud could I make her scream my name?
And while my mind conjured a dozen and a half erotic scenarios, Jillian closed her mouth on mine.
I shivered at the memory and readjusted in the seat, trying to accommodate the bulge in my pants.
It had taken every ounce of energy I possessed not to push my hands through her long, rainbow-dyed hair, press her against the cabin wall, and show her exactly why she couldn’t leave me at the end of the summer.
Her lips were hot and full, and I wanted to devour her. My hands itched to explore the curves of her tiny frame. With just one kiss, she’d released a flood of emotions I’d never felt for another woman.
And it scared the shit out of me.
Jillian was my friend…my best friend. If we ventured down that path, I feared she’d give up on her dream to stay with me. I didn’t want her to blow off design school and stay in Illinois and end up at the junior college. She was too talented for community college. I wanted more for her. I’d spent so many years trying to protect her from every pain and sadness life threw her way, I worried she’d grown too reliant on me. She needed this opportunity to spread her wings and find herself.
With one infinitesimal nudge—all I could muster—I pushed her way. When our lips parted, I could still taste her, and like a starving man, I wanted more. Energy crackled between us. Jillian stared at me, desire and confusion pooling in her dark chocolate eyes. Her expression begged me for an explanation. Then I told her the biggest lie of all: I only wanted to be friends.
And now she was leaving…without knowing the truth.
ABOUT MARIE MEYER: Marie Meyer was a Language Arts teacher for fourteen years. She spends her days in the classroom and her nights writing heartfelt new adult romances that will leave readers clamoring for more. She is a member of RWA and the St. Louis Writers Guild. Marie's short fiction won honorable mentions from the St. Louis Writers Guild in 2010 and 2011. She is a proud mommy and enjoys helping her oldest daughter train for the Special Olympics, making up silly stories with her youngest daughter, and bingeing on weeks of DVR'd television shows with her husband.
Website // Twitter // Facebook // Tumblr // Goodreads // Google + Also By Marie Meyer: 
Buy ACROSS THE DISTANCE:Amazon // Amazon UK // B&N //
Kobo // iBooks // Google Play
August 3, 2015
MEGA BOOK GIVEAWAY - Entries Start Today!!
6 DAYS * 6 MEGA BOOK GIVEAWAYS In case you hadn't heard (haha), my debut novel, DELAYED PENALTY, comes out on Tuesday, September 1st, 2015. What better way to celebrate the release than to giveaway books by some of my friends and favorite authors?!? 
THE VIRTUAL TOUR FOR DELAYED PENALTY begins on August 24th.
Random House Loveswept/Flirt is offering a mega giveaway as part of the blog tour.
I'm taking cues from their generosity and kicking off a week of giveaways starting on the 24th! For a day-by day breakdown of authors featured:
CLICK HERE
Every Day contains at least one signed book.
Some have multiple. (FOR REALS) And to the SUPER AWESOME people who read all the way to the end of this post...
Three books in the giveaway are normally Digital Only books that were printed for the Loveswept/Flirt signing at RWA. Three of my favorite Loveswept authors were kind enough to sign a copy for the giveaways leading up to my own Flirt release.
NYT & USA Today Best Selling Author Tracy Wolff - EXPOSED
USA Today Best Selling Author Sidney Halston - LAID OUT
Elisabeth Barrett - ONCE and AGAIN
// Huge hugs to these wonderful ladies for helping me out!! //
THE VIRTUAL TOUR FOR DELAYED PENALTY begins on August 24th. Random House Loveswept/Flirt is offering a mega giveaway as part of the blog tour.
I'm taking cues from their generosity and kicking off a week of giveaways starting on the 24th! For a day-by day breakdown of authors featured:
CLICK HERE
Every Day contains at least one signed book.
Some have multiple. (FOR REALS) And to the SUPER AWESOME people who read all the way to the end of this post...
Three books in the giveaway are normally Digital Only books that were printed for the Loveswept/Flirt signing at RWA. Three of my favorite Loveswept authors were kind enough to sign a copy for the giveaways leading up to my own Flirt release.
NYT & USA Today Best Selling Author Tracy Wolff - EXPOSED
USA Today Best Selling Author Sidney Halston - LAID OUT
Elisabeth Barrett - ONCE and AGAIN
// Huge hugs to these wonderful ladies for helping me out!! //
June 30, 2015
Where's Your Mama?
Parents in Young Adult (YA) books - or lack of parents in YA - has become a stereotype; a joke I see almost every time I read criticism of YA.
Auden, the protagonist in DELAYED PENALTY, my debut Mature Young Adult/New Adult novel, doesn't have parents. She is raised by her grandparents. What a cliche I am, eh? Knowing this is a stereotype and jumping right into it. The hero doesn't have parents either. GASP!
I didn't write my heroine without parents for convenience of my plot. Quite the opposite, actually. Every part of who Auden is/what she knows/how she thinks was shaped by the fact that she lost both of her parents before she turned 6 years old. My goal who ago show how the traumatic loss intensify the plot and gives the reader more insight into her character.
A person who grew up with a major traumatic event (or events) is going to see the world differently than someone who didn't. It's a fact. And it has to be taken in consideration when writing a character--or even when befriending a person like that in real life. I don't have a problem with YA protags not having parents - if it's done well. I think something like that needs to be researched, not just thrown in for convenience.
The age a person loses a parent is important.
Which parent they lose is important.
How the parent was lost is important.
How the loss is dealt with in the family is important.
I tried to incorporate all of this into my novel. In my research, I noticed distinct patterns and emotions, especially in females who lost mothers early in life. **Through my eyes and the research I have done. I understand that not everyone deals with loss the way my characters deal with loss. We are all different. Fictional people and real people.**
If I wrote a book set in Regency period. I would have to research that period, right? I can't make things up off the top of my head because it fits into my plot. It loses authenticity and believability. I feel the same way about how the loss of a parent is portrayed.
I may be a little crazy on this one, because it's close to my heart. What do you think about parents in YA?
*Great Resource Read. Draws from personal experiences:
Motherless Daughters: A Legacy of Loss by Hope Edelman Buy MOTHERLESS DAUGHTERS
Auden, the protagonist in DELAYED PENALTY, my debut Mature Young Adult/New Adult novel, doesn't have parents. She is raised by her grandparents. What a cliche I am, eh? Knowing this is a stereotype and jumping right into it. The hero doesn't have parents either. GASP!
I didn't write my heroine without parents for convenience of my plot. Quite the opposite, actually. Every part of who Auden is/what she knows/how she thinks was shaped by the fact that she lost both of her parents before she turned 6 years old. My goal who ago show how the traumatic loss intensify the plot and gives the reader more insight into her character.
A person who grew up with a major traumatic event (or events) is going to see the world differently than someone who didn't. It's a fact. And it has to be taken in consideration when writing a character--or even when befriending a person like that in real life. I don't have a problem with YA protags not having parents - if it's done well. I think something like that needs to be researched, not just thrown in for convenience.
The age a person loses a parent is important.
Which parent they lose is important.
How the parent was lost is important.
How the loss is dealt with in the family is important.
I tried to incorporate all of this into my novel. In my research, I noticed distinct patterns and emotions, especially in females who lost mothers early in life. **Through my eyes and the research I have done. I understand that not everyone deals with loss the way my characters deal with loss. We are all different. Fictional people and real people.**
If I wrote a book set in Regency period. I would have to research that period, right? I can't make things up off the top of my head because it fits into my plot. It loses authenticity and believability. I feel the same way about how the loss of a parent is portrayed.
I may be a little crazy on this one, because it's close to my heart. What do you think about parents in YA?
*Great Resource Read. Draws from personal experiences:
Motherless Daughters: A Legacy of Loss by Hope Edelman Buy MOTHERLESS DAUGHTERS
June 26, 2015
Review: THE LIST by Kate L. Mary
THE LIST (College of Charleston #1) 
The List. Twenty things every girl must do before she turns twenty. . .
Body piercing
Get drunk
First kiss
But thanks to her crazy, over-protective father, Annie Roth is way behind schedule. Good thing it’s her first semester of college, because Annie is more than ready to start checking off items. . .
Fake ID
Skinny dipping
Road trip!!!
Where it gets complicated? Ryan and Chris. Best friends. Both sweet, funny, totally hot, and totally into Annie.
But there are some things on The List that Annie only wants to do with Ryan. . .
Lose it
Get Heart Broken
Fall in love BUY THE LIST
The Review 5 STARS!!
You know how you start a book thinking it's going to be one thing, then you finish and think holy &*^% that was awesomely intense. That was my view on THE LIST. I love books whose premise revolves around a list. Bucket lists. Lists that get the character to participate in things they've never done. This book fulfilled my need and then some.
I expected a light, fun story, but I got an amazing read with an emotional ride. Kate L. Mary knows how to hook you in with characters you want to be friends with, and guys you want fighting over you. ;) I'm also the reader that loves when I can connect with books on a personal level. I could connect with Annie. I grew up fairly sheltered. Not as sheltered as her, but there were similarities. I actually saw college Sophia making some of the decisions that Annie did--in fact I'm pretty sure a few things may have happened. (Another story for another time).
Let's talk about the triangle. I didn't know what to do, how to feel. It pulled at my heart. Made my stomach tight. Ryan, but Chris, but RYAN!! Because that boy got me. He got me and I wanted to smack him and then I wanted to jump in bed with him. And well...Even up until the end, I was still guessing. I knew what I wanted. I knew what Annie wanted, but I wondered it if was gonna happen. Deep breath.
I loved the portrayal of family - and how families aren't perfect, but they can still be there for you in their own way. And it takes some people years--if ever--to get through some grief stages. I'm a person who goes through the cycle many times at various points of my life. It's so sad to see Annie's dad, who gets stuck in a stage and can't pull himself out. Mary does such an amazing job of writing his character, even though we see the story through Annie's eyes.
You want this book on your summer reading shelf. Especially since we get to know Cami, Annie's best friend, so well. And her story is next in the College of Charleston series! Woo hoo!! I liked Cami. She reminded me of my own college best friend--my partner in crime for all sorts of shenanigans.
Go. Buy. Read. Take it to the beach/pool. It's summer, baby!
About Kate
Kate L. Mary is a stay-at-home mother of four and an Air Force wife. She grew up in a small town just north of Dayton, Ohio where she and her husband met at the age of twelve. Since their marriage in 2002, they have lived in Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and California.
Kate enjoys any post-apocalyptic story - especially if zombies are involved - as long as there is a romantic twist to give the story hope. Kate prefers nerdy, non-traditional heroes who can make you laugh to hunky pieces of man-meat, and her love of wine and chocolate is legendary among her friends and family. She currently resides in Oklahoma with her husband and children.
Be sure to check out her bestselling BROKEN WORLD series, top 100 book in dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction on Amazon.
Connect with Kate Website // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads
The List. Twenty things every girl must do before she turns twenty. . .Body piercing
Get drunk
First kiss
But thanks to her crazy, over-protective father, Annie Roth is way behind schedule. Good thing it’s her first semester of college, because Annie is more than ready to start checking off items. . .
Fake ID
Skinny dipping
Road trip!!!
Where it gets complicated? Ryan and Chris. Best friends. Both sweet, funny, totally hot, and totally into Annie.
But there are some things on The List that Annie only wants to do with Ryan. . .
Lose it
Get Heart Broken
Fall in love BUY THE LIST
The Review 5 STARS!!
You know how you start a book thinking it's going to be one thing, then you finish and think holy &*^% that was awesomely intense. That was my view on THE LIST. I love books whose premise revolves around a list. Bucket lists. Lists that get the character to participate in things they've never done. This book fulfilled my need and then some.
I expected a light, fun story, but I got an amazing read with an emotional ride. Kate L. Mary knows how to hook you in with characters you want to be friends with, and guys you want fighting over you. ;) I'm also the reader that loves when I can connect with books on a personal level. I could connect with Annie. I grew up fairly sheltered. Not as sheltered as her, but there were similarities. I actually saw college Sophia making some of the decisions that Annie did--in fact I'm pretty sure a few things may have happened. (Another story for another time).
Let's talk about the triangle. I didn't know what to do, how to feel. It pulled at my heart. Made my stomach tight. Ryan, but Chris, but RYAN!! Because that boy got me. He got me and I wanted to smack him and then I wanted to jump in bed with him. And well...Even up until the end, I was still guessing. I knew what I wanted. I knew what Annie wanted, but I wondered it if was gonna happen. Deep breath.
I loved the portrayal of family - and how families aren't perfect, but they can still be there for you in their own way. And it takes some people years--if ever--to get through some grief stages. I'm a person who goes through the cycle many times at various points of my life. It's so sad to see Annie's dad, who gets stuck in a stage and can't pull himself out. Mary does such an amazing job of writing his character, even though we see the story through Annie's eyes.
You want this book on your summer reading shelf. Especially since we get to know Cami, Annie's best friend, so well. And her story is next in the College of Charleston series! Woo hoo!! I liked Cami. She reminded me of my own college best friend--my partner in crime for all sorts of shenanigans.
Go. Buy. Read. Take it to the beach/pool. It's summer, baby!
About Kate
Kate L. Mary is a stay-at-home mother of four and an Air Force wife. She grew up in a small town just north of Dayton, Ohio where she and her husband met at the age of twelve. Since their marriage in 2002, they have lived in Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and California.
Kate enjoys any post-apocalyptic story - especially if zombies are involved - as long as there is a romantic twist to give the story hope. Kate prefers nerdy, non-traditional heroes who can make you laugh to hunky pieces of man-meat, and her love of wine and chocolate is legendary among her friends and family. She currently resides in Oklahoma with her husband and children.Be sure to check out her bestselling BROKEN WORLD series, top 100 book in dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction on Amazon.
Connect with Kate Website // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads
June 19, 2015
Review: LETTING GO by Jessica Ruddick
LETTING GO 
How long do you hold on?
Cori Elliott likes order. Her schedule, her social life...even her GPA is perfect. Then she finds out her high school boyfriend's death wasn't an accident—it was suicide. The devastating revelation is enough to fracture her perfectly structured life, sending Cori in a downward spiral of self-doubt and impulsive decisions.
And right into the arms of Luke Evans.
But Cori's life isn't perfect anymore. In fact, it's all coming apart. The only way she can save herself is to let go of everything—including the girl she used to be. Even if it means losing the one guy who might just be perfect for her in the process...
BUY LETTING GO
The Review There’s a reason LETTING GO was a Golden Heart Finalist in 2014. It’s an extremely well written novel about intense, emotional issues.
Cori is exactly what I want to read in a New Adult character. Kids—yes, I said kids—kids in college are adults in age, but not in experience and maturity. I don't mean that as a slam. The reality is that they usually don't make decisions like full grown adult would. Which is why I love that Ruddick writes Cori so genuine. I ached for her struggle with grief and guilt, and being overwhelmed with everything going on in her life piled on top.
I love the friendship that unfolds into a relationship between Luke and Cori. Luke is swoon-able. Swoon-worthy? Totally swoon-tastic? However you want to say it, I’m still swooning. He was who he was. Which was exactly what Cori needs at the exact time she needs it. And sure, she guards her heart and sometimes doesn’t open up to him when we really, really want her to, but that is part of the authentic NA-character development. And it helps us see Cori’s arc by the end.
LETTING GO tugged at my heart strings, made me cry, but left me filled with warm fuzzier of a sweet read.
Oh, and auto-correct, please stop changing Jessica’s last name to Roddick. I know, we all love Andy—but this is Jessica RUDDICK’s time to shine!
About Jessica Jessica Ruddick is a 2014 Golden Heart finalist for her new adult novel, Letting Go, which was inspired by her own college experiences. She lives in Virginia and is married to her college sweetheart—their first date was a fraternity toga party (and nothing inspires love like a toga, right?). When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her hands on a keyboard, she can be found wrangling her two rambunctious sons, taming two rowdy but lovable rescue dogs, and battling the herd of dust bunnies that has taken up residence in her home. To learn more about Jessica, please visit her website at www.jessicaruddick.com.
Connect with Jessica Website // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads
How long do you hold on?Cori Elliott likes order. Her schedule, her social life...even her GPA is perfect. Then she finds out her high school boyfriend's death wasn't an accident—it was suicide. The devastating revelation is enough to fracture her perfectly structured life, sending Cori in a downward spiral of self-doubt and impulsive decisions.
And right into the arms of Luke Evans.
But Cori's life isn't perfect anymore. In fact, it's all coming apart. The only way she can save herself is to let go of everything—including the girl she used to be. Even if it means losing the one guy who might just be perfect for her in the process...
BUY LETTING GO
The Review There’s a reason LETTING GO was a Golden Heart Finalist in 2014. It’s an extremely well written novel about intense, emotional issues.
Cori is exactly what I want to read in a New Adult character. Kids—yes, I said kids—kids in college are adults in age, but not in experience and maturity. I don't mean that as a slam. The reality is that they usually don't make decisions like full grown adult would. Which is why I love that Ruddick writes Cori so genuine. I ached for her struggle with grief and guilt, and being overwhelmed with everything going on in her life piled on top.
I love the friendship that unfolds into a relationship between Luke and Cori. Luke is swoon-able. Swoon-worthy? Totally swoon-tastic? However you want to say it, I’m still swooning. He was who he was. Which was exactly what Cori needs at the exact time she needs it. And sure, she guards her heart and sometimes doesn’t open up to him when we really, really want her to, but that is part of the authentic NA-character development. And it helps us see Cori’s arc by the end.
LETTING GO tugged at my heart strings, made me cry, but left me filled with warm fuzzier of a sweet read.
Oh, and auto-correct, please stop changing Jessica’s last name to Roddick. I know, we all love Andy—but this is Jessica RUDDICK’s time to shine!
About Jessica Jessica Ruddick is a 2014 Golden Heart finalist for her new adult novel, Letting Go, which was inspired by her own college experiences. She lives in Virginia and is married to her college sweetheart—their first date was a fraternity toga party (and nothing inspires love like a toga, right?). When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her hands on a keyboard, she can be found wrangling her two rambunctious sons, taming two rowdy but lovable rescue dogs, and battling the herd of dust bunnies that has taken up residence in her home. To learn more about Jessica, please visit her website at www.jessicaruddick.com.
Connect with Jessica Website // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads
June 17, 2015
Review: RUN AWAY by Laura Salters
RUN AWAY 
"Ignorance is bliss…until there's blood involved."
Drenched in blood and sitting in the sweltering interview room of a Thai police station, Kayla Finch knows that Sam, the love of her life, is dead. It doesn't matter that there's no body. All that blood can mean only one thing.
It isn't the first time Kayla's had blood on her hands. After finding her brother dead by his own hand, she tried to outrun her grief by escaping to Thailand. Heartbroken, the last thing she expected was to find love on the smoggy streets of Bangkok. But everyone Kayla loves seems to wind up dead.
Returning home to England, Kayla is left with a barely-functioning family, a string of gruesome nightmares, and the niggling feeling that nothing is as it seems. And as she confronts her brother's suicide, she starts to suspect that something is very wrong.
Three months. Two tragedies. One connection: there's more to both cases than anyone is willing to admit. And Kayla's determined to uncover the truth…no matter what the cost. BUY RUN AWAY
The Review I’m still on edge and tense and surprised—and I read this over a month ago. That’s how into this book I got. Laura Salters is a phenomenal writer. She has the ability to describe places so well that I felt like I was right there with the characters, even though I've never been to this particular part of Northern England - or Thailand at all. And let's talk about those characters - and character development. Was I the only one who wanted to party with the characters? But seriously, Kayla's journey through the book was written so well I was there, not just in setting, but emotionally. I was with her. I felt the tension seize my gut. I felt her frustration, her grief, her determination.
The chapters alternating alternate between present and past, which really worked for me, because it made reading the book that much more sinister. It gave me the right amount of "where am I again" to add to everything going on in the plots. Plus, I loved that we got to travel back to the past and see who Kayla was pre-shock. I liked seeing her interact with her friends as well as how her friendship with Sam developed into a relationship. Because when I began the book, I thought, how am I supposed to get to like this guy if he's...(no spoilers here)? But Salters got me, as I knew she would, because this story didn't read like a debut novel.
I can't even--with the ending of this book! The Scooby Gang isn't knocking down my door to join them, but I've read a lot of Suspense in my day, and the end of RUN AWAY totally shocked me. I had no clue. It wasn't out of left field, the plot and characters were just that well-written.
RUN AWAY from this blog post and 1-click RUN AWAY because you'll love it. Look forward to more by Laura Salters.
About Laura Laura Salters is a YA/NA suspense author (represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media Inc) from the northernmost town in England. Her debut novel, RUN AWAY, released on 19th May 2015, by HarperCollins (Witness Impulse).
When Laura isn't writing, reading or thinking about writing or reading, she's a music lover (and terrible singer), pet cuddler, beach-goer, runner (*cough* jogger), passionate foodie, caffeine addict, tennis player, lipstick wearer, Harry Potter fangirl (yes, still), housework dodger and relentless chatterbox.
Connect with Laura
Website // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads //
"Ignorance is bliss…until there's blood involved."Drenched in blood and sitting in the sweltering interview room of a Thai police station, Kayla Finch knows that Sam, the love of her life, is dead. It doesn't matter that there's no body. All that blood can mean only one thing.
It isn't the first time Kayla's had blood on her hands. After finding her brother dead by his own hand, she tried to outrun her grief by escaping to Thailand. Heartbroken, the last thing she expected was to find love on the smoggy streets of Bangkok. But everyone Kayla loves seems to wind up dead.
Returning home to England, Kayla is left with a barely-functioning family, a string of gruesome nightmares, and the niggling feeling that nothing is as it seems. And as she confronts her brother's suicide, she starts to suspect that something is very wrong.
Three months. Two tragedies. One connection: there's more to both cases than anyone is willing to admit. And Kayla's determined to uncover the truth…no matter what the cost. BUY RUN AWAY
The Review I’m still on edge and tense and surprised—and I read this over a month ago. That’s how into this book I got. Laura Salters is a phenomenal writer. She has the ability to describe places so well that I felt like I was right there with the characters, even though I've never been to this particular part of Northern England - or Thailand at all. And let's talk about those characters - and character development. Was I the only one who wanted to party with the characters? But seriously, Kayla's journey through the book was written so well I was there, not just in setting, but emotionally. I was with her. I felt the tension seize my gut. I felt her frustration, her grief, her determination.
The chapters alternating alternate between present and past, which really worked for me, because it made reading the book that much more sinister. It gave me the right amount of "where am I again" to add to everything going on in the plots. Plus, I loved that we got to travel back to the past and see who Kayla was pre-shock. I liked seeing her interact with her friends as well as how her friendship with Sam developed into a relationship. Because when I began the book, I thought, how am I supposed to get to like this guy if he's...(no spoilers here)? But Salters got me, as I knew she would, because this story didn't read like a debut novel.
I can't even--with the ending of this book! The Scooby Gang isn't knocking down my door to join them, but I've read a lot of Suspense in my day, and the end of RUN AWAY totally shocked me. I had no clue. It wasn't out of left field, the plot and characters were just that well-written.
RUN AWAY from this blog post and 1-click RUN AWAY because you'll love it. Look forward to more by Laura Salters.
About Laura Laura Salters is a YA/NA suspense author (represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media Inc) from the northernmost town in England. Her debut novel, RUN AWAY, released on 19th May 2015, by HarperCollins (Witness Impulse).
When Laura isn't writing, reading or thinking about writing or reading, she's a music lover (and terrible singer), pet cuddler, beach-goer, runner (*cough* jogger), passionate foodie, caffeine addict, tennis player, lipstick wearer, Harry Potter fangirl (yes, still), housework dodger and relentless chatterbox.
Connect with Laura Website // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads //
June 12, 2015
Review: THE REARRANGED LIFE by Annika Sharma
Nithya, a vivacious, intelligent and driven college senior has always known what she has wanted: a successful career in medicine and the love of her family. She's even come to terms with the idea of an arranged marriage, a tradition her conservative Indian family has held up for thousands of years.
When a night of partying puts her on a collision course with danger, Nithya's entire life changes.
Enter James St. Clair, the smart, challenging and heartbreakingly handsome American.
As Nithya and James fall in love, she questions the future she and her parents have always planned. Now, Nithya has a choice to make: become a doctor and a good Indian bride, or step away from her family and centuries of culture to forge her own path.
The decision she comes to takes her on a journey that transforms how she sees her future, her relationships with loved ones, and how she learns to put herself back together when even her best-laid plans fall apart.
The Review 5 STARS!!!
I love books that keep me engaged in the story, and also teach me something new. The Rearranged Life gave me that easy, fun mix of both. I have Indian-American friends, but I never knew the depth and beauty of their culture until I read this book.
Sharma does an amazing job of writing a seemingly everyday story of first love, yet shares all the intricate details of a culture so different than what I know. I was touched by the family scenes in this book. Nithya's family was honest, fun, and caring. And they were on her side, despite some difficult decisions and bumps in the road. I've always valued my family's opinions and approval, but Sharma made me realize just how much the decisions of one person in a family can effect that entire family - and the reputation of the family. I can't imagine the guilt of making the "wrong" decision or trying to go my own way in life, if it differed from what my parents wanted. Sharma's writing pulls you in. I felt torn by Nithya's struggle to find her path like it was my own. There were no bad guys or good guys. There were no winners or losers. This book was the reality of life when a person has to choose between their heart and their family. And how that decision can tear one up inside.
Grab the Rearranged Life now. It's a fast and fun read, with lots of emotion and heart.
Additional note: The descriptions of a Hindu wedding ceremony - and all the events and parties in the days leading up to - are magical. Sharma's writing put me right in the mix, yet I put the book down upset that I didn't get to join in the fun. Gorgeous look into the culture and traditions. BUY THE REARRANGED LIFE
About Annika Annika Sharma was born in New Delhi and brought up in the United States, where she moved with her parents as a baby. A proud alum, she graduated from Penn State University with dual degrees in Biobehavioral Health and Neuro-Psychology, and minors in Biology and Human Development and Family Studies. She received her Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education before pursuing her dreams of becoming a writer, landing her agent Stacey Donaghy of Donaghy Literary Group while daylighting as a preschool teacher. The Rearranged Life, her first novel, was written in the month before graduate school.
Annika, a Gryffindor and Scorpio, spends much of her time dreaming of adventure, working on her next book, going on Starbucks runs with family and friends, shopping online and watching superhero movies.
Connect: Website // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads
May 26, 2015
LETTING GO By Jessica Ruddick ~ Release Day
Release Day - Round Two!
I'm thrilled to feature LETTING GO by Jessica Ruddick on the blog
for Round Two of May 26th Release Day Madness!
How long do you hold on?
Cori Elliott likes order. Her schedule, her social life...even her GPA is perfect. Then she finds out her high school boyfriend's death wasn't an accident-it was suicide. The devastating revelation is enough to fracture her perfectly structured life, sending Cori in a downward spiral of self-doubt and impulsive decisions.
And right into the arms of Luke Evans.
But Cori's life isn't perfect anymore. In fact, it's all coming apart. The only way she can save herself is to let go of everything-including the girl she used to be. Even if it means losing the one guy who might just be perfect for her in the process...
BUY LETTING GO
Release Party Multi-Author Facebook Release Party, May 26th from 7-10pm EST
Not only can you enter to win lots of awesome prizes, but you’ll also have the chance to interact with some pretty cool authors as well!
RSVP HERE
About Jessica:
Jessica Ruddick lives in Virginia and is married to her college sweetheart--their first date was a fraternity toga party (and nothing inspires love like a toga, right?). When she doesn't have her nose in a book or her hands on a keyboard, she can be found wrangling her two rambunctious sons, taming two rowdy but lovable rescue dogs, and battling the herd of dust bunnies that has taken up residence in her home. To learn more about Jessica, please visit her website at www.jessicaruddick.com.
Connect with Jessica: Website // Facebook // Twitter
I'm thrilled to feature LETTING GO by Jessica Ruddick on the blog
for Round Two of May 26th Release Day Madness!
How long do you hold on?Cori Elliott likes order. Her schedule, her social life...even her GPA is perfect. Then she finds out her high school boyfriend's death wasn't an accident-it was suicide. The devastating revelation is enough to fracture her perfectly structured life, sending Cori in a downward spiral of self-doubt and impulsive decisions.
And right into the arms of Luke Evans.
But Cori's life isn't perfect anymore. In fact, it's all coming apart. The only way she can save herself is to let go of everything-including the girl she used to be. Even if it means losing the one guy who might just be perfect for her in the process...
BUY LETTING GO
Release Party Multi-Author Facebook Release Party, May 26th from 7-10pm EST
Not only can you enter to win lots of awesome prizes, but you’ll also have the chance to interact with some pretty cool authors as well!
RSVP HERE
About Jessica:
Jessica Ruddick lives in Virginia and is married to her college sweetheart--their first date was a fraternity toga party (and nothing inspires love like a toga, right?). When she doesn't have her nose in a book or her hands on a keyboard, she can be found wrangling her two rambunctious sons, taming two rowdy but lovable rescue dogs, and battling the herd of dust bunnies that has taken up residence in her home. To learn more about Jessica, please visit her website at www.jessicaruddick.com.Connect with Jessica: Website // Facebook // Twitter
THE LIST by Kate L. Mary ~ Release Day!
Today is Release Day for THE LIST by Kate L. Mary! This was such a fun book. I'll be posting my review on the blog next week.
Scroll down for an awesome Excerpt and for info about an amazing Multi-Author Facebook Party!
THE LIST
The List.Twenty things every girl must do before she turns twenty. . .
Body piercing
Get drunk
First kiss
But thanks to her crazy, over-protective father, Annie Roth is way behind schedule. Good thing it’s her first semester of college, because Annie is more than ready to start checking off items. . .
Fake ID
Skinny dipping
Road trip!!!
Where it gets complicated? Ryan and Chris. Best friends. Both sweet, funny, totally hot, and totally into Annie.
But there are some things on The List that Annie only wants to do with Ryan. . .
Lose it
Get Heart Broken
Fall in love
Excerpt: “I don’t want to go crazy, Cami. I just want to experience the normal things teenagers experience. While I’m still a teenager. I’ll be nineteen next month, and I haven’t done anything! I have one year.”
Cami nodded as a slow smile spread across her face. “Kind of like a bucket list for your teen years.”
I grinned and my wet hair bounced around when I nodded emphatically. “Exactly!”
Cami jumped to her feet and started pacing the room. “That I can help with! But we should start a list right now. Write it all down, so we can mark it off as we go.”
My insides jumped and fired to life, and I got to my feet too. “That’s a great idea.”
Cami grabbed a notebook and flipped it open, then grabbed a pink Sharpie. At the top of the paper she scribbled Annie’s Bucket List. “Okay, what’s first?”
I chewed on my bottom lip and ran my hand through my damp hair. “Let’s start small. Buy makeup.”
Cami nodded and jotted it down, then said, “And some new clothes and shoes. Girly stuff.”
She wrote down, buy a dress and heels and I inwardly cringed. Wearing heels seemed a bit unrealistic, but I was determined to do this. Even if I fell out of my shoes and broke my arm in the process.
“Get highlights,” I said.
Cami giggled while she wrote. “With your hair, I’d get lowlights.”
I nodded even though I had no idea what she was talking about. She’d know better than me.
Cami looked up and raised an eyebrow. “Get your ears pierced?”
“And something else too! Like my nose or my belly button!” I was getting really excited. Bouncing around like Cami. I’d always been intrigued by the way most girls these days glinted under the lights. It was rare, especially in California, to see girls in their teens without multiple piercings. I wanted to be one of those girls.
Cami wrote it down before looking back at me. “A tattoo?”
I hadn’t even considered that one. Something inside me jumped, but with the painful way it twisted I wasn’t sure if it was fear or excitement. “I don’t know…”
“We’ll put that one on the shelf for now. What else? Just fire them off and I’ll write as fast as I can.”
I took a deep breath and went for it. She was willing to help, so I shouldn’t be scared about revealing how little I’d done. “Go on a date, go to a formal, go skinny-dipping, get drunk, have a first kiss, stay up all night, take a road trip with a group of friends.” I took a deep breath and peered at her out of the corner of my eye, but she hadn’t even blinked and she was still scribbling away. “Have sex….”
BUY THE LIST
RELEASE PARTY Multi-Author Facebook Release Party, May 26th from 7-10pm EST
Not only can you enter to win lots of awesome prizes, but you’ll also have the chance to interact with some pretty cool authors as well!
RSVP HERE
About Kate
Kate L. Mary is a stay-at-home mother of four and an Air Force wife. She grew up in a small town just north of Dayton, Ohio where she and her husband met at the age of twelve. Since their marriage in 2002, they have lived in Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and California.Kate enjoys any post-apocalyptic story - especially if zombies are involved - as long as there is a romantic twist to give the story hope.
Kate prefers nerdy, non-traditional heroes who can make you laugh to hunky pieces of man-meat, and her love of wine and chocolate is legendary among her friends and family. She currently resides in Oklahoma with her husband and children.
Be sure to check out her bestselling BROKEN WORLD series, which is a top 100 book in dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction on Amazon. Connect with Kate Website // Facebook // Twitter
May 19, 2015
Flirting with Scandal - Confess - Run Away!!
May 19th is an Amazing Release Day!!
I have a THREESOME of new releases to shout from the rooftops!
Two Debuts Authors and the 1st Book of a New Series.
Read On!
RUN AWAY
by Laura Salters
"Ignorance is bliss . . . until there's blood involved."
Drenched in blood and sitting in the sweltering interview room of a Thai police station, Kayla Finch knows that Sam, the love of her life, is dead. It doesn't matter that there's no body.
All that blood can mean only one thing.
It isn't the first time Kayla's had blood on her hands. After finding her brother dead by his own hand, she tried to outrun her grief by escaping to Thailand.
Heartbroken, the last thing she expected was to find love on the smoggy streets of Bangkok. But everyone Kayla loves seems to wind up dead.
Returning home to England, Kayla is left with a barely-functioning family, a string of gruesome nightmares, and the niggling feeling that nothing is as it seems. And as she confronts her brother's suicide, she starts to suspect that something is very wrong.
Three months. Two tragedies. One connection: there's more to both cases than anyone is willing to admit. And Kayla's determined to uncover the truth . . . no matter what the cost.
BUY RUN AWAY About Laura: Laura Salters is a YA/NA suspense author (represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media Inc) from the northernmost town in England. Her debut novel, RUN AWAY, will be published by HarperCollins (Witness Impulse) on 19th May 2015.
When Laura isn't writing, reading or thinking about writing or reading, she's a music lover (and terrible singer), pet cuddler, beach-goer, runner (*cough* jogger), passionate foodie, caffeine addict, tennis player, lipstick wearer, Harry Potter fangirl (yes, still), housework dodger and relentless chatterbox.
Connect with Laura:
Website // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // YouTube
CONFESS
by Reagan Phillips
When Nashville homicide detective Mitch Kilpatrick defies department orders to investigate a string of small town murders his singular goal is to catch a serial killer. That is until his investigation leads to Lacy Andrews, an uninhibited and sexy-as-sin bartender who happens to be the police chief’s only daughter.
Confident and alluring, Lacy is everything Mitch’s pride rejects, but that won’t stop him from getting her in his bed, especially when he learns she’s sworn off cops for good. Winning her over proves the perfect challenge until her secretive past connects with his current case and she becomes an unwilling pawn.
Confronted with repeating past mistakes, will Mitch push Lacy away to keep her secret hidden, or expose her to solve the most important case of his career?
BUY CONFESS About Reagan: Reagan Phillips’ roots are buried deep in the South Carolina clay and sandy soil. When a career as a professional horseback rider and social assistance coordinator didn’t pan out, she married her collage sweetheart, the Officer, and went to work in a cooperate cube farm. Writing instruction documentation and teaching computer programs by day, she rekindled her love of writing by night. After the birth of her son, she left the corporate world and followed her heart to write about everyday heroes and heroines and happy ever after’s.
Today she lives North Carolina with the Officer, their son, Mini-me, and a B-Jack mix, Molly-dog.
Reagan is a 2013 Beacon Award Winner for erotic romance for her debut title, Confess. Connect with Reagan:
Website // Twitter // Facebook
FLIRTING WITH SCANDAL
by Chanel Cleeton
The author of I See London sets her sights on Washington, D. C., with a sexy new series about three sisters, the secrets they keep, and a powerful blog with a knack for exposing scandals...
Jackie Gardner knows all about dirty little secrets. The illegitimate daughter of one of the most influential senators in Washington, D.C., she grew up surrounded by the scandals and shadows of politics. Now that she's landed an internship with a powerful political consulting firm, she's determined to launch her career and take this city by storm.
William Andrew Clayton was born for politics. He knows the drill: work hard, play discreetly, and at all costs, avoid scandal. At twenty-six, his campaign for the Virginia State Senate is the first step to cementing his future. It's time for him to settle down, to find the perfect political spouse. He needs a Jackie Kennedy, not a Marilyn...
When Jackie meets Will in the bar of the Hay-Adams Hotel, sparks fly. But the last thing Will needs is to be caught in a compromising position, and an affair with a political candidate could cost Jackie her career. When what began as one steamy night, becomes a passion neither one of them can walk way from, they must decide if what they have is really love, or just another dirty little secret...
BUY FLIRTING WITH SCANDAL About Chanel: Originally a Florida girl, Chanel Cleeton moved to London where she received a bachelor's degree from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master's degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever, until fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise and a fighter pilot with smooth dance moves swept her off her feet. Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure.
Law school made Chanel realize she'd rather spend her days writing sexy stories than in a courtroom, and she hasn't looked back since. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she's happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for handbags, her three pups, and her husband. Connect with Chanel:
Website // Twitter // Facebook
I have a THREESOME of new releases to shout from the rooftops!
Two Debuts Authors and the 1st Book of a New Series.
Read On!
RUN AWAY
by Laura Salters
"Ignorance is bliss . . . until there's blood involved."Drenched in blood and sitting in the sweltering interview room of a Thai police station, Kayla Finch knows that Sam, the love of her life, is dead. It doesn't matter that there's no body.
All that blood can mean only one thing.
It isn't the first time Kayla's had blood on her hands. After finding her brother dead by his own hand, she tried to outrun her grief by escaping to Thailand.
Heartbroken, the last thing she expected was to find love on the smoggy streets of Bangkok. But everyone Kayla loves seems to wind up dead.
Returning home to England, Kayla is left with a barely-functioning family, a string of gruesome nightmares, and the niggling feeling that nothing is as it seems. And as she confronts her brother's suicide, she starts to suspect that something is very wrong.
Three months. Two tragedies. One connection: there's more to both cases than anyone is willing to admit. And Kayla's determined to uncover the truth . . . no matter what the cost.
BUY RUN AWAY About Laura: Laura Salters is a YA/NA suspense author (represented by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media Inc) from the northernmost town in England. Her debut novel, RUN AWAY, will be published by HarperCollins (Witness Impulse) on 19th May 2015.
When Laura isn't writing, reading or thinking about writing or reading, she's a music lover (and terrible singer), pet cuddler, beach-goer, runner (*cough* jogger), passionate foodie, caffeine addict, tennis player, lipstick wearer, Harry Potter fangirl (yes, still), housework dodger and relentless chatterbox.
Connect with Laura:
Website // Twitter // Facebook // Instagram // YouTube
CONFESS
by Reagan Phillips
When Nashville homicide detective Mitch Kilpatrick defies department orders to investigate a string of small town murders his singular goal is to catch a serial killer. That is until his investigation leads to Lacy Andrews, an uninhibited and sexy-as-sin bartender who happens to be the police chief’s only daughter. Confident and alluring, Lacy is everything Mitch’s pride rejects, but that won’t stop him from getting her in his bed, especially when he learns she’s sworn off cops for good. Winning her over proves the perfect challenge until her secretive past connects with his current case and she becomes an unwilling pawn.
Confronted with repeating past mistakes, will Mitch push Lacy away to keep her secret hidden, or expose her to solve the most important case of his career?
BUY CONFESS About Reagan: Reagan Phillips’ roots are buried deep in the South Carolina clay and sandy soil. When a career as a professional horseback rider and social assistance coordinator didn’t pan out, she married her collage sweetheart, the Officer, and went to work in a cooperate cube farm. Writing instruction documentation and teaching computer programs by day, she rekindled her love of writing by night. After the birth of her son, she left the corporate world and followed her heart to write about everyday heroes and heroines and happy ever after’s.
Today she lives North Carolina with the Officer, their son, Mini-me, and a B-Jack mix, Molly-dog.
Reagan is a 2013 Beacon Award Winner for erotic romance for her debut title, Confess. Connect with Reagan:
Website // Twitter // Facebook
FLIRTING WITH SCANDAL
by Chanel Cleeton
The author of I See London sets her sights on Washington, D. C., with a sexy new series about three sisters, the secrets they keep, and a powerful blog with a knack for exposing scandals...Jackie Gardner knows all about dirty little secrets. The illegitimate daughter of one of the most influential senators in Washington, D.C., she grew up surrounded by the scandals and shadows of politics. Now that she's landed an internship with a powerful political consulting firm, she's determined to launch her career and take this city by storm.
William Andrew Clayton was born for politics. He knows the drill: work hard, play discreetly, and at all costs, avoid scandal. At twenty-six, his campaign for the Virginia State Senate is the first step to cementing his future. It's time for him to settle down, to find the perfect political spouse. He needs a Jackie Kennedy, not a Marilyn...
When Jackie meets Will in the bar of the Hay-Adams Hotel, sparks fly. But the last thing Will needs is to be caught in a compromising position, and an affair with a political candidate could cost Jackie her career. When what began as one steamy night, becomes a passion neither one of them can walk way from, they must decide if what they have is really love, or just another dirty little secret...
BUY FLIRTING WITH SCANDAL About Chanel: Originally a Florida girl, Chanel Cleeton moved to London where she received a bachelor's degree from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master's degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever, until fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise and a fighter pilot with smooth dance moves swept her off her feet. Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure.
Law school made Chanel realize she'd rather spend her days writing sexy stories than in a courtroom, and she hasn't looked back since. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she's happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for handbags, her three pups, and her husband. Connect with Chanel:
Website // Twitter // Facebook
