Lori L. Clark's Blog, page 106

Book Review: With the Father

With the Father by Jenni Moen: I had a choice, and I chose wrong.

I thought I lost everything. But when the smoke finally cleared, I discovered that I wasn’t alone.

Father Sullivan was a force – a living and breathing force, a forbidden desire I couldn’t resist. I didn’t want to resist. But I wasn’t the only one who wanted him, and by all accounts neither of us should have him.

I had decisions to make, secrets to uncover. Both would tear my heart, my life, and what was left of my family apart.

I wasn’t going to take any chances this time around. If I’d learned one thing during my life, it’s that death is the only certainty. It’s a matter of when, not if.

For every action, there is a reaction. For every choice, a consequence. If I hadn’t chosen to live again, I would have never known what life could be like …

With the Father
Lori's thoughts: This book was a lot different from what I expected. I expected it to be filled with sinful, hot, smoldering love scenes. Forbidden love between a woman and a priest. I didn't get that. I expected sexual chemistry that wasn't to be ignored. I didn't really feel that either. I still enjoyed the book and found it hard to put down. I did want to keep reading, because I wanted to what the outcome would be. There is a twist to the book that I didn't see coming. I'm still not completely sure I understood everything. I mean, I get what happened ... I'm just not sure I liked how it happened. A good twist that no one sees coming is always entertaining. I wish it would have ended differently, but I still really liked the book. A little more sizzle would have been nice. A little more forbidden would have made me giddy. All in all, an entertaining read that I recommend. Don't form your opinions too soon into the book about how you think it's going to end. You'll be wrong.

Book Review: Serial, Volume One

Serial, Volume One (Serial #1) by Jaden Wilkes, Lily White: Serial. A brand new dark, erotic thriller from the twisted minds of Lily White and Jaden Wilkes.

Jude Hollister kills. Born with everything, wanting for nothing, murder has become his addiction. He kills women who entice him. He immortalizes them while they’re still young and beautiful. How will he manage to save the one woman he loves?

Ronnie Lapierre is a survivor. Born with nothing, she’s struggling in a dead end job with an abusive bastard for a boyfriend. Jude offers her a way out, salvation beyond her wildest dreams. What will happen when she learns his terrible secret?

Donovan Blake is the brightest mind to come out of Quantico in years. Charged with finding the Cascades Butcher, he’s perfect for this game of cat and mouse. Will his own dark past lead him to success, or drag him into the depths of hell with the most dangerous man he’s ever encountered?

Hearts will be broken, families destroyed, and good men will turn evil. In the end, only one will remain. Find out who survives in this intense story of love and ruin.


***Explores dark themes of murder, violence, sexuality, BDSM, the nature of evil...basically all the good stuff.

****Serial is a serial, shorter stories published faster. How long is ultimately ends up becoming is solely dependent upon our readers. The more you want, the more we write.
Lori's thoughts: I really enjoy a good story about a psychopath. Seriously. There must be something wrong with me. :) This is a good book and I found myself thinking of the book called "The Collector" due to the way Jude ends up with his "pet." Very interesting read, never dull and boring. I can't wait to get to Volume Two now. I've read other work by Jaden Wilkes and as long as she continues writing about the sociopaths, the psychopaths, and the just plain bat-shit crazy folk, I'll continue to read them. Great story here!

Book Review: A Vault of Sins

A Vault of Sins (Chaos Theory #2) by Sarah Harian: In her stunning New Adult debut, The Wicked We Have Done, Sarah Harian introduced readers to the Compass Room: a twisted experimental jail where the guilty and the innocent suffer alike. But breaking out was only the beginning…

Even though she’s escaped, twenty-two-year-old Evalyn Ibarra is anything but free. She’s desperate to return to a life that no longer exists, but prying reporters continually draw her back into nightmarish memories, using the tabloids to vilify her. Bad press is the last thing she needs during the trial of the year: the case that she and her fellow survivors staked against the Compass Room engineers. A case that could terminate the use of the inhumane system forever...

But in her dreams, she is still locked in that terrifying jail.

When she wakes, someone is trying to communicate with her in secret, through strange and intricate clues. As Evalyn follows their signs, she uncovers a conspiracy that goes so much deeper than her own ordeal. A dangerous intrigue that only she can bring to light. One that will force her to work with the one person she doesn’t want to see.

The person who owns her heart...
Lori's thoughts: Awhile back, I read The Wicked We Have Done, and really enjoyed the book. It was different, it was unique, and kept me wondering what was going on the entire way through. Not in a bad way. I jumped at the chance to read A Vault of Sins, to see where things would go from where TWWHD left off.

Truthfully, I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I didn't not like it or anything, but I didn't love it either. It might have been better if I read the two books back to back. Because A Vault of Sins picks up right where TWWHD leaves off and I found myself digging in my feeble memory banks to retrieve info so that I could continue knowing who/what/when, etc.

I absolutely adored Evelyn. The romance with Evelyn and Casey continues, albeit rocky.

I'm not sure if there will be another book after A Vault of Sins, but I hope so.

When it all comes down to it, I do like A Vault of Sins, just not as much as the first book.

Cover Reveal: Carry My Heart

CARRY MY HEART COVER REVEAL“Jacob Phillips was my first best friend.
I was his first love.
We shared our first kiss together.
He broke my heart.”

Sage Weston and Jacob Phillips met as children at Little Kitty Orphanage. They had the type of friendship that could weather any storm and they vowed that they would always be there for each other. And then Jacob was adopted, and everything changed. At first the letters were fast and furious but then they stopped and Sage was left all alone.

Four years later, Sage and Jacob bump into each other at a university party. Sparks fly, daggers are drawn and Sage wants nothing to do with Jacob or the bevvy of women that seem to follow him everywhere he goes. Then Sage loses a bet, and she can no longer avoid Jacob. Though she does everything she can to let him know that they are no longer friends.

But Jacob has plans, and is determined for Sage to know the truth about what happened four years ago, even if it costs him everything. Join the J. S. Cooper Mailing List to be notified when there is a new teaser and the book is released. Like J. S. Cooper on Facebook to see all updates.ADD CARRY MY HEART ON GOODREADS

Release Blitz & Giveaway: Seeds of Iniquity

RELEASE



The
first book in the series, KILLING SARAI, will be on sale for a limited time for
$1.99 (Kindle and Nook) starting October 1st.



Adult Crime/Suspense/Mystery Released October 1, 2014

Victor Faust’s new Order is growing.Business is good as there is no rest for the wicked in an underground world of
hardcore criminals and contract killing. Relationships among the operatives
have changed little over the past year—but things are about to change now, and all six high-ranking members of the
new Order will be blindsided by an unlikely enemy.
Loved ones whose only ties to Victor’s
organization are their relationships with its members, are abducted. The price
to get them back safely—the six must confess their deepest, darkest secret to
this mysterious young woman named Nora, who is as deadly as she is beautiful,
and who seems to know more about each of them than they know about each other.
And although no one has any clue about who Nora really is, it becomes clear
that she also isn’t who she appears
to be.
So much more is at stake than secrets
and the lives of innocent loved ones; with each member that Nora forces to
confess, the truth about their dark pasts and their present objectives will cast
suspicion, pit some against each other, and may tear others apart.
Before the game is over everyone will
know who this woman is and why she is here, but the damage she will leave in
her wake could be the beginning of the new Order’s destruction.
Whose dark secret will be the darkest of
all? And can Victor’s Order survive any of them?

IMPORTANT
NOTE: SEEDS OF INIQUITY is NOT a prequel about Fredrik Gustavsson as previously stated. It is a brand new present day book.

GIVEAWAY

The author is offering (3) Signed Sets of the In the Company of Killers Series!  Visit AToMR's Facebook page to enter!
About the Author

J.A. Redmerski, New York
Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling
author lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children, two cats
and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries and
is a huge fan of AMC’s The Walking Dead.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads






 

Release Blitz & Giveaway: As Long as You Love Me

We are absolutely ecstatic to bring you the Release Day Launch for Ann Aguirre's AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME! AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME is the second novel in Ann's New Adult Contemporary Romance 2B Trilogy Series, published by Harlequin HQN! If you haven't already read I WANT IT THAT WAY buy it NOW. We can't wait for you all to read it so you can dish with us about it!
Amazon | B&N | BAM | IndieBound | Vroman’s | Book Depository | Powell’s| iTunes

AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME Synopsis:

Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. There are the justifications she gives to everyone else—missing her family, losing her college scholarship. And 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 can’t pinpoint exactly what’s missing until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her. But he’s the guy that women love and leave—not the one who makes them think of forever.

Though she’s terrified of opening up, Lauren’s ready to take that chance. Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.


AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME on Goodreads

EXCERPT:

Mom was asleep, so I checked my email. I had the usual spam, plus notes from all my former roomies, which made me happy. I missed all of them, even Max, though things were unspeakably awkward between us at the end. I opened Nadia’s first:

LB! You know I miss you like crazy, right? Courtney’s in your bed right now, and she has completely alphabetized my books. I’m pretty sure there will be a lending library program implemented the next time I get home from work. So how’s Nebraska? Did you find a job yet? Have you started applying to any schools? I have like ten more questions but you’ll get grumpy if I dump them on you all at once. Hug and kiss my family for me, okay? Write back soon or I’m sending my brother to track you down.

She didn’t mention the hot single dad she’d broken up with right before I left. Mr. Hot Ginger had dumped Nadia for her own good, which would drive her quietly crazy. I’d felt horrible about the timing, but there was little I could do about it. I hadn’t gotten to know him well before I left, but Ty seemed like a good guy. He was only a few years older than us, but already had a four-year-old. That was the crux of the conflict.

Writing back, I didn’t quite nail the tone, talking about Rob too much and inventing interesting anecdotes because there was so little going on. I could’ve mentioned Krista, but Nadia had never been as close to her, and there was some tension by the time she moved. Mostly I didn’t want Nadia to worry; things would be fine once I got a job and had less time to fret about whether I’d made the right decision.

I opened Angus’s email next:

Hey, you. Got your check. It appears not to be rubber, but I said you didn’t have to pay me back. I hate you for leaving. Come back right now. I’ll wait. This is me, waiting. It’s been at least five minutes. You’re shattering my faith in humanity, Lauren. Take responsibility for it! Not sure what you’ve heard from Nadia, but she’s such a hot mess. I can’t believe you abandoned us. All the light has left my life. All of it! Okay, enough drama. I’m working on getting over Josh. Classes suck but I will survive. (You’re singing it now, aren’t you?)

“Damn you, Angus Starr. You know me too well.” I got up on my bed with a hairbrush and sang two verses before reading on.

In all seriousness, there is a Lauren-sized hole in my life. Please don’t lose touch. Write soon. Love and hugs, Angus.

It was simpler writing back to Angus; our friendship was sweet and uncomplicated. Briefly I considered deleting Max’s email without opening it, but that seemed like an asshole move. In the end, I read it, two lines only:

I’m sorry about everything. Take care of yourself.



Grab the whole series today!


I WANT IT THAT WAYAS LONG AS YOU LOVE METHE SHAPE OF MY HEART

About Ann Aguirre:

Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Tumblr ** Goodreads ** Newsletter SignUp


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Release Blitz & Giveaway: Keep Me

Title: Keep Me (Twist Me, #2)Author: Anna ZairesPublication Date: September 30, 2014Genre: Dark Erotic Romance



SynopsisAbducted at eighteen. Held captive for 15 months.

It reads like one of those headlines. And yes, I did it. I stole her. Nora, with her long dark hair and silky skin. She’s my weakness, my obsession.

I’m not a good man. I never pretended to be one. She can love me, but she can’t change me.

I can, however, change her.

My name is Julian Esguerra, and Nora is mine to keep.

***Keep Me is the sequel to Twist Me, told from Nora & Julian’s POV.***








Twist Me (Twist Me, #1)Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | iBooks
Keep Me (Twist Me, #2)Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks


About the Author Anna Zaires fell in love with books at the age of five, when her grandmother taught her to read. She wrote her first story shortly thereafter. Since then, she has always lived partially in a fantasy world where the only limits were those of her imagination. Currently residing in Florida, Anna is happily married to Dima Zales (a science fiction and fantasy author) and closely collaborates with him on all their works.

After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics, Anna spent eight years on Wall Street analyzing stocks and writing research reports. In 2013, she became a full-time author, pursuing her lifelong dream of writing romance novels.

Dima Zales is the love of her life and a huge inspiration in all aspects of her writing. Every book Anna writes is a product of their unique collaborative process.

In addition to reading and writing, Anna enjoys drinking tea (coconut oolong, anyone?), watching addictive TV shows, and discussing book ideas during long walks with her amazing husband.

She loves hearing from her readers, so please don't hesitate to contact her through her website or connect with her on Facebook, where she hangs out way too often. Also, please visit her husband and collaborator, Dima Zales, at www.dimazales.com and check out their fantasy & science fiction books.Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Twitter


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Book Review: Crazy Beautiful

Crazy Beautiful (The Crazy Series Book 1) by Penny Dee: Heath Dillinger, lead singer and renowned love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy, is wrapped in an impressive package of muscle, tattoos and three lethal dimples that drive the girls crazy. He is every girls dream and nightmare rolled into one. The last thing he expects is to meet the girl of his dreams. After all, who knew she even existed? But when Harlow Montmarte walks into his crosshairs, he knows he is done for. He’s prepared to give up his wild ways. Except, Harlow isn’t interested in anything more than friendship and refuses to be charmed out of her panties by the charismatic rock star. She’s just left a whole world of heartache behind her and isn’t in the mood for any more.
Heath Dillinger has met his match.
Nicole's thoughts: Swoon!!! I really, really like this book!! Who doesn't love a bad boy redeemed? The good girl was sweet, sassy, sophisticated and smart. The one thing she wasn't is stuffy. In a lot of ways she is the girl next door and she has the added bonus of a backbone. I truly cannot stand weak female leads so Harlow was right up my alley. Heath is all kinds of hellfire and sexiness and I love his sense of humor and determination. This was a fun read, romantic to the core, and sexy! A total joy! Can't wait for #2

Book Review: Down and Out

Down and Out by Kelley R. Martin: *Don’t read this book if you don’t like snarky, dominant, tattooed men who say things like “Open your mouth, and I will,” after you tell them to shove it. And don’t read this book if you don’t like sassy, strong-willed, fiercely independent heroines who use phrases like “bossy asshole” as a term of endearment. You have been warned.*

“Tattooed package of sin.”

That’s how Savannah Ryan would describe her new boss, Declan Whitmore, the deliciously tatted and pierced fighter who holds the top spot in Boston’s newest underground fighting organization. She’d also describe him as bossy, arrogant, and—depending on what he does to piss her off that particular day—an asshole.

It’s that aloof attitude, along with Savannah’s witty comebacks and tight little body that land her on his radar. Unfortunately for her, Declan is relentless when he sets his sights on someone, both in and out of the ring. Unfortunately for him, this recently reformed bad girl is trying to go straight after heading down a dangerous path. She’s not going to make this easy for him. In fact, she’s going to make it—and him—very, very hard.

Declan’s not worried, though. He’ll have Savannah come hell or high water, because if there’s one word he’d use to describe her, it’s “MINE.”
Liza's thoughts: When I started to read Down and Out, I was a little worried. I am honestly not one for the f-bomb and descriptive words for body parts that are deemed vulgar. However, in the author’s defense she does warn the readers up front. At first, I had a little trouble, because when the author says strong characters; guess what, she means it. Now with ALL that being said, I fell in love with this book. I found myself wanting to be Savannah and falling hard for the rough and sexy bad boy, Declan. Oh my is he sexy.

So to just tell you a little about the story without giving away all the secrets that lie within the pages let’s start with a little background. You have a strong, yet weak main female character, Savannah who has nothing. She has no family, no one who cares and most of all trust no one……well not with her heart or feelings. Through circumstances, she ends up in a situation where she sees she is better than where she is in life. She ends up meeting Declan. Strong, stubborn, arrogant and one of the sexiest men she has ever seen. Due to her past, she has sworn off men and men like him are 100% off limits. However, one thing after another happens and she is left with only one place to turn, one man to trust, but at what cost???

Declan has no room for a hot chick like Savannah in his life, but in she comes. I say this in all my reviews; I do not want to give anything away. I feel you get the most out of a book by experiencing the ups and downs, twist and turns for yourself. It takes away from the feel and impact of the book for me to tell you what happens. I will tell you that this book is worth reading. I would give it a 5-heart review, but those words (the vulgar and f bomb) did take away from some of it at times and a few places that needed a little more development. HOWEVER, there were times that I can see why the author used the words, because the characters would have used nothing less. I would read another book by this author and hope she continues in the NA world :)

Book Review: Follow

Follow (Social Media #1) by J.A. Huss: #Women.

I f*ck them. I use them. I pay them off. I find another. My demands are never denied. My contracts are always signed. They submit to me. Willingly. Completely. Temporarily. This is how it's always been.

Until I saw that filthy tweet.

@VaughnAsher My bare pussy. Your tongue. #ThingsIThinkAboutToGetOff

"FilthyBlueBird" thinks she can tease me with hashtags and then hide behind a Twitter handle? She thinks I wouldn't be more than happy to #RockHerFilthyWorld? She's wrong.

Her online fantasy is about to collide with her public reality, and it's about to happen... now.

THIS IS A SERIAL NOVELLA
THAT MEANS ALL ENDINGS ARE CLIFFHANGERS
THIS NOVELLA IS ABOUT 150 PAGES LONG
THIS IS PART ONE OF SIX
BOOKS ARE RELEASED EVERY TWO WEEKS.
TeriLyn's thoughts: Major props to the author for creating a love story revolving around a woman who's playfully obsessed with Twitter and the online persona she's created. As an avid tweeter and lover of all things Twitter I thought the use of hashtags, the stories of Grace's followers and social media antics were hilarious. This contemporary novella is well written and fun with a flair of something just a little different.

Grace meets Vaughn Asher, the object of her desires, completely randomly while vacationing with a friend. Grace is shy when not hiding behind her twitter feed. Vaughn a self-righteous Hollywood star with a pension for sexual deviance. Sparks fly when these two collide and a roller coaster of emotions ensues.

The creativity and comedy of the story really kept me going. Vaughn Asher is lovable jerk who'd I definitely like to get to know better but who I also think is hiding behind a sexual preference he doesn't totally get. Grace had me questioning a lot of her motives as there was a lot of push/pull between the two characters.

Overall, I thought the book was cute and funny and look forward to reading where the author takes us readers on Vaughn and Grace's journey.