Lori L. Clark's Blog, page 139
May 5, 2014
Book Review: Return to Newport
Return to Newport
A.L. Parks
Genre: Contemporary / Adult / Romance
Synopsis
Eve is ready for a clean slate. She nearly lost the love of her life in The Return. Now Eve must confront the people refusing to let her go quietly into her happily ever after with Jake. Returning to Newport to tie up loose ends may be the biggest mistake of her life.
Jake wants one thing – and one thing only – Eve. He is ready to build a life with her, and spend the rest of his days loving only her. But his surprise visit to Newport makes him question everything he thought he knew about her, including her love.
At the center of the turmoil is Eve’s ex-husband. Intrigued by the changes he sees in her, Brad is determined to sabotage Jake and Eve’s relationship – and take Eve back.
Jake and Eve must face their demons, and battle the outside forces that seek to destroy their future. Can their love survive the Return to Newport?
Lori's Thoughts: A.L. Parks' books just keep getting better and better. I am honored to have been a beta reader for Return to Newport -- and let me tell you, you need to read this book. Of course, you'll want to start with the first book in the series and soak up some sexy fireman flames which continue to smolder in book two.
The writing is smooth. The story line is unique. The ex-husband needs to take a long walk off a short pier. :)
Incredible Ms. Parks! Can't wait for book #3!
Excerpt
Jake. It nagged at her that she had still not had a word from him. She walked into the kitchen to find some crackers to calm her now upset stomach. What the hell was going on? She heard the kitchen door open, but had already pressed the button for Jake’s phone, and she didn’t turn around. Clarissa’s voice filled the air around her.
“Hey, Mom, I have a surprise for you,” her voice sang.
“Hold on Clarissa, I’m on the phone. I haven’t heard from Jake all day,” she muttered more to herself than for Clarissa’s benefit. Jake’s voicemail picked up, and Eve shifted her weight as she heard the beep. “Jake, where the hell are you?”
“I’m right here, beautiful,” came the deep voice behind her.
Eve turned around, and her eyes met the most beautiful blue eyes that she had ever seen - the ones that held the deepest love - all for her.
“Jake,” she exhaled, and came towards him. Her arms went around his neck, and she launched herself at him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her tightly against his body. She pressed her lips against his, tilting her head to the side, and slipping her tongue into his mouth. She was desperate for him, needed to feel him, make sure he was truly there.
“Geez, you two, get a room,” Clarissa’s voice giggled behind them. Eve placed her forehead against Jake’s, eyes closed, and breathed him in. All the worry, the fears - the demons - all of them melted away with the stroke of his hands across her back.
He exhaled, and pulled Eve tighter against his body, whispering in her ear, “Now everything feels right again.”
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Author BioBorn and raised in the Rocky Mountains, A.L. Parks has spent the last 25 years moving all over the United States. Married to the Navy - well a man in the Navy - Parks has lived in various places throughout the United States. Now she resides in the Washington D.C area, and loves every minute. She has four children, and one spoiled German Shepard.
2013 marked her debut in publishing. Her first novel, Strangers, released on her 45th birthday. She was amazed at how many people fell in love with a story about two people dealing with grief, and finding love again. Abby and Bryce were the perfect couple to introduce Parks as an up-and-coming author.
Her second novel, The Return, released in December 2013. A wonderful Christmas romance, it is the first book in the Return To Me series.
Website
Book review blog
Goodreads
Amazon author's page
May 4, 2014
Interview & Giveaway: Bastard's Brew Blog Tour
Synopsis for Bastard's Brew by Gillian Felix
When L'Wren's ex-boyfriend Jeff suddenly disappears, she turns to Kevin to help her find him. With one phone call, Kevin makes sure that Jeff stays hidden and that L'Wren's heart is broken, leaving the door open for Kevin to pursue her. But Kevin is not as free as L'Wren thinks; she is in the dark about his affair with her stepmother, Savi. Savi constantly reminds Kevin of his devious ways and uses their secret to keep him as her toyfriend.
“You don’t deserve to be loved, and you don’t deserve to be happy. You and I are the same … we’re broken inside. Everything we touch, we destroy. We don’t get happily ever after … we don’t get to ride off into the sunset. You know who gets that? L’Wren … she gets it, she gets the guy, and she deserves a decent guy.”- Savi
Kevin desires to be the man that L'Wren deserves, but before he can assume the role of white knight, he brews one last plan to get rid of Savi for good. Will L'Wren, the innocent victim in their twisted game, become a casualty?
Kevin may have sold his body to the devil in stilettos, but he'd be damned if he let her have his heart.
Suitable for adults 18+
Purchase Links
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Enter coupon code: RS54B for 50% discount
Enter coupon code: FX48M for 10% discount off The Banovic Siblings https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/415280
Want to give the series a try? Changes the first novel in the series is FREE on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EADYMCA.
iTunes
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Gillian Felix's Bio:
I have been writing since I was old enough to hold a pencil. I enjoy creating characters that could be your next-door neighbor, but would you want them as your neighbor is another story.
Originally from the island of Trinidad and Tobago, I moved to the United States in 1998. Since then I have been involved in the entertainment industry for over ten years.
I am an entrepreneur and advocate for women and children’s rights and I enjoy being in nature and volunteering.
Contact the Author:
Website
Newsletter
Interview:
SRNA: I noticed on your Goodreads profile that you are trained in the Meisner and Stanislavski technique of acting. Would you tell us a bit about these methods and how they helped you in writing the Family Portrait series? Which would you say was most beneficial to you in writing the series?
GF: Wow nice question. First I should explain that the Meisner technique deals with bringing forth emotions and improvising. I learned this while studying acting in NYC. It has helped me to 'go there' emotionally with the characters I write. When I have an emotional scene to write, I bring up an emotional experience from my past and capture that emotion in writing. While writing, emotions are flowing and my fingers are moving at a fast pace, and I am all wrapped up in the scene. It is intense and a bit draining. Usually I write that one scene and let it sit. I usually write before I go to bed, so I let it marinade and see if ideas come to improve the scene before I move on to something else. The improvising part comes in because sometimes I don't plan the situations the characters get themselves into so I have to let them guide me through it.
I'd learned the Stanislavski method a long time ago; it was the first method I learned in acting back in my home country. This method deals with more the physical aspect of the craft. It is where the actor embodies the character, e.g. Christian Bale in The Machinistor American Hustler. I've walked around in Adriana's shoes so to speak; I've eaten what she's eaten, I saw the world through her eyes while crafting her character. A simple thing like the way she eats pizza. She picks off the ingredients and eats them individually. I don't like eating pizza that way but while crafting Adriana I became her for a day. Both methods are very instrumental in my day-to-day writing and most importantly when I am crafting a new influential character.
SRNA: You became involved in the entertainment industry after moving to the US in 1998. How did you come to be involved in that industry?
GF: I always loved acting and creating. I started acting in plays in high school, but even before that, I used to play dress up and act out scenes from movies like Romancing the Stone, the alligator scene,it's so funny I always remember that scene.
I became involved in professional theater in Port of Spain after being terribly bored in a regular job. I did that for a couple of years then moved to the US. Naturally, I sort out theater, I gave regular jobs a try but I kept imagining myself working on or behind the scenes of stage, film or television. I enrolled in acting classes at night. Then I got an internship with a theater company, where I learned to stage manage, operate lights and sound. It was awesome. That opened up a whole lot of doors. I got a small role in an independent film and the script supervisor baled on them at the last minute. Since I was always there on time, they asked me to fill in until they found someone else. I didn't know what a script supervisor was. The AD gave me a quick rundown and I picked it up quickly and liked it. I asked them to recastmy role and let me stay on as a script supervisor. They said okay and I even got paid for it. After that I got other script supervising jobs, some paid some not, worked backstage in theater, and was able to support myself in NYC working the behind the scenes theater and film circuit. It is a very tight knit community and if you are good, you work a lot and I was very good. After a couple of years I moved to LA, through a series of events I got a job with Disney/Buena Vista and their promotional team. One of the best times of my life!
SRNA: You mentioned that you originally wrote the Family Portrait series as a TV script. What was the hardest part of revising the script into the book series?
GF: The hardest part is dialing back the amount of characters so readers can follow the story. Because there is no visual, it can get pretty confusing for the reader to follow who's connected to whom. Here's a secret; I had to combine 2 characters into one in the book. Some storylines will have to be cut or totally restructured; I am trying to figure out how to accomplish that while remaining true to the series.
SRNA: Who are your favorite and least favorite characters in the series? Why?
GF: I love all the characters. They all have a purpose. I guess if I had to throw one on the train tracks would be Astrid ( Changes - Vol. 1 and The Banovic Siblings Vol. 2 ). She is so typical. One of the producers interested in the television series LOVES Astrid and wants her to have a bigger role. Personally, I think she's every mean girl in high school.
SRNA: Which character has been the most fun to write?
GF: I enjoy writing different characters for different books. In Changes I loved writing Adriana. The Banovic Siblings I'd have to say Savi, and Bastard's Brew I'd say Haze.
SRNA: Which character would you say is most like you?
GF: Leighann is a lot like how I was growing up (minus the rock star thing). She's very shy, holds things in and observes the world quietly. Adriana is the opposite and thinks Leighann is a coward. The fact is, she (Leighann) is very brave but she has strength under control, she's meek.
SRNA: You are an advocate for children’s and women’s rights. Some of the characters in your series are child actors and musicians. How do you feel about children who grow up in the entertainment business? Additionally, how do you view the aspect of “mom-agers” or parents who manage the careers of their children?
GF: Great question! Life is hard enough growing up normally; imagine growing up with the spotlight on you with tons of people pulling you in different directions. It is easy to get lost in that world and never develop into who you were meant to be. As a child actor, especially if you start as a baby like the Olsen twins, you don't really have a choice. What if the Olsen twins didn't want to become actors? Maybe they wanted to become accountants or lawyersor work at Walmart.Now they have amazing opportunities but in the beginning they didn't chose that life. I wish that kids growing up in that industry remain level headed and in touch with reality.
Sometimes parents who manage their kid's careers are a good thing, if they have the kid's best interest at heart. I have a very dear friend, who has been in the industry since she was a child, and her parents managed her career and she turned out just fine. Her parents are grounded and wouldn't allow her to get away with crap. They never got caught up in thespotlight or all the hoopla that the industry throws at you.
SRNA: Bastard’s Brew is the third book in the Family Portrait series. Do you have an idea of how many books you will write in this series?
GF: I wish I knew, maybe 5 or 6. It depends on if readers are in to it. There is a lot of storylines, but I can wrap them up anytime.
SRNA: Do you have plans to write other series using the same “tv script” concept?
GF: One of the characters who hasn't been introduced to the book audience yet, gets a spin off series. I don't know if I'll make that into a book series yet. When I am done with the Family Portrait series, will work on a romantic novel, based on a movie script I wrote. It will be a longer book and not the typical submissive female and domineering male characters you find in romance novels. I am not into that. Madison Lucky Littrell is a spunky, kick ass female. SRNA: I can’t wait to see if you are about to bring a new group of characters into the mix or if Adriana will be able to work her way out of the mess she has gotten herself into at the end of this book. Is there anything you can tell us??
GF: Spoiler alert: Someone will get shot, someone will get pregnant, someone will die and new family alliances will form. Not in that order ;-) There is so much juice to come.
Thank you for your questions and I look forward to stopping by your wonderful blog.
Book Review: Bastard's Brew
Bastard's Brew (Family Portrait # 3) by Gillian Felix: When L'Wren's ex-boyfriend Jeff suddenly disappears, she turns to Kevin to help her find him. With one phone call, Kevin makes sure that Jeff stays hidden and that L'Wren's heart is broken, leaving the door open for Kevin to pursue her. But Kevin is not as free as L'Wren thinks; she is in the dark about his affair with her stepmother, Savi. Savi constantly reminds Kevin of his devious ways and uses their secret to keep him as her toyfriend.
“You don’t deserve to be loved, and you don’t deserve to be happy. You and I are the same … we’re broken inside. Everything we touch, we destroy. We don’t get happily ever after … we don’t get to ride off into the sunset. You know who gets that? L’Wren … she gets it, she gets the guy, and she deserves a decent guy.”- Savi
Kevin desires to be the man that L'Wren deserves, but before he can assume the role of white knight, he brews one last plan to get rid of Savi for good. Will L'Wren, the innocent victim in their twisted game, become a casualty?
Kevin may have sold his body to the devil in stilettos, but he'd be damned if he let her have his heart.
Julie's thoughts: **I was gifted a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion**
Bastard’s Brew is the 3rd book in the Family Portrait series by Gillian Felix. I’ve been lucky enough to get the opportunity to participate in the book tour for the release of this book.
Where to begin with this review? I have so many things I would LOVE to talk about but can’t. I don’t want to risk ruining anything for those who may be reading reviews to decide whether to try the series. (If that’s you, you really should give it a try!) There is so much happening and a few really big secrets coming to light (or about to be blown wide open).I can’t imagine how I will make it through the wait for the next book. I am not known for patiently waiting on anything, especially in reading a series.
I absolutely love the bond that the Banovic siblings have with each other. As a parent, I would certainly disagree with some of the things going on and the way Kevin, as the older sibling and the one in charge, handles them. But as far as the sibling relationship itself, I love it. I love that Kevin knows without a doubt he can count on his sister to help with anything, no questions asked. I love how both boys take care of Adriana when she needs them. One of my favorite scenes was when Adriana woke up from a nightmare and went downstairs and cuddled up on the couch next to Kevin. How sweet! Now, in this book, Kevin does something that could potentially harm Adriana. I question why he went as far as he did (and that he wouldn’t know that what he did could have caused harm, but I’ll overlook that since the book isn’t written to be totally realistic), but I’ve seen parents react in a similar fashion about similar issues with their children. I know he meant to help her, and probably protect her, in the long run.
This book also deals with a more serious issue that I don’t want to mention and give anything away. However, I will say that because of this, I would categorize this book as NA. Nothing is described in detail, but I wouldn’t want my 13 year old reading it, although I would be ok with my 17 year old reading it. I hope that we will get to watch how the characters deal with what happened as they continue to live their lives. The subject, as Ms. Felix has written it, is one that many people shy away from, but one that does happen.
I am enjoying the writing format Gillian Felix uses for this series. It is easy to follow and understand, but it moves at a quick pace. As I’ve mentioned before, there is never a dull moment. I like having a bunch of different characters to follow, especially when they all link together in some way as well. Please note that each book does tend to end on a cliffhanger, just as a TV episode does each week. I feel that is important to mention since some people are completely against cliffhangers. Honestly, I am one of those people. I hope we don’t have to wait long for the next book.
Just as you expect when watching a TV show, there are characters you will love, those you will hate, lies you are dying to see found out and others you hope stay hidden, relationships and/or friendships you enjoy watching come together and those you can’t wait to watch fall apart. There is one thing I think I have figured out and am dying to bounce off of someone else. So, if you are reading the series and want to discuss it, feel free to contact me!!
Book Review: The Banovic Siblings
The Banovic Siblings (Family Portrait #2) by Gillian Felix: College boy Kevin Banovic’s casual affair with Savi DaCosta suited him perfectly. Things change when he finds out that Savi is his mom’s high school bestie. When Kevin tries to end their affair, Savi blackmails him. After Kevin rescues Savi’s stepdaughter, L’Wren, from her abusive boyfriend, he can’t stop thinking about her. He must find a way to handle Savi, protect L’Wren, and keep his sanity.
Bad girl Adriana Banovic is pleased with herself for getting her nemesis expelled from Westwood Academy. As feelings between her and her latest victim Haze Lyndon escalate, an unexpected rival discovers her secret and threatens to expose her. With emotions on the line, will her new rival beat her at her own game or end up another casualty of Adriana’s wrath?
Zax Banovic has it all. Tall and handsome, he’s an academic genius, with a killer smile and a heart of gold. When his best friend gets into trouble, he feels responsible and covers for him. But his best friend is not as honorable and has other plans for Zax.
The Banovic Siblings learn that blackmail is a gift that keeps on giving. This is the second book in the Family Portrait novel series.
If you like shows like the original Melrose Place, Beverly Hills 90210 and Nashville, where the guys and girls are hot and the schemes are hotter, you will like The Banovic Siblings.
Julie's thoughts: 4 stars
**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion**
The Banovic Siblings is the second book in the Family Portrait Series by Gillian Felix. This book continues to follow the lives of characters introduced in the first book of the series, Changes. Since this series is written similar to a TV series, you need to read the books in order to follow the stories. Books 1 and 2 end with cliffhangers similar to those you would get at the end of a TV episode as well.
While Changes was more of a YA book, The Banovic Siblings moves a little more into the NA genre. Overall, I would still consider it older YA, though. Although most of the characters of the series attend the same high school, not much of this book actually took place in the school. There continues to be many different storylines, but they are all easy to follow. This is not one of those stories where you will get bored. It moves at a good pace and doesn’t bog down at all.
It’s really hard to write this review. I want so badly to discuss some of the storylines, but don’t want to give anything away. Suffice it to say, some of the stories are about to get really interesting. Some secrets are bound to come out soon. I can’t wait to see what happens. If you grew up watching 90210 and Melrose Place and/or currently enjoy shows like those on the CW (I’m guessing on that reference since I don’t get that channel, but the commercials for the shows seem similar), you should definitely give these books a try. They are very entertaining. The third book came out April 13th. I imagine it will be torture having to wait for the rest of the series.
Book Review: Changes
Changes (Family Portrait #1) by Gillian Felix: Adriana Banovic’s 15th birthday sucked! She got fired after eight years of playing Shayanne Montgomery on the #1 soap in the country, found out that her family was on the verge of bankruptcy and worst of all, forced to return to Westwood Academy. Her only saving grace was a chance glance at dreamy mystery boy Haze Lyndon. Armed with only his picture and a determination to find him—even if it means turning Los Angeles over on its ass.
In this young adult novel, you’ll meet Robin Banovic, Adriana’s father; financially challenged, dealing with the death of a family member and his brother’s disappearance. You’ll meet Savannah DaCosta aka Savi, mother/manager; Savi enjoys the life her rock star daughter Leighann has provided. When Leighann makes a choice to end her career, Savi sees it as a personal attack. You’ll meet college boy Haze Lyndon; New to Los Angeles, Haze soon realizes how quickly money changes hands in the City of Angels. Will he return to questionable ways to survive or go back to the safety of his family in Wisconsin?
Julie's thoughts: 3.5 stars (I would have given 4 full stars if it were a little longer.)
**I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review**
When I received an offer to review ‘Changes’ and ‘The Banovic Siblings’, I logged onto Goodreads to get an idea of how long the books had been out and how they had been received so far. I didn’t read actual reviews, but noticed that ‘Changes’ was published in July 2013 and has 16 ratings; ‘The Banovic Siblings’ published in December 2013 and has 28 ratings. I wasn’t expecting a whole lot from the books. I figured if they were good, there would be more buzz about them, right? WRONG!
‘Changes’ is aYA book, and the first in the ‘Family Portrait’ series following the lives of the three Banovic siblings: Kevin, Zax and Adriana. There are a couple of interesting secondary characters as well that look to play a bigger part in the rest of the series, at least I hope so. Much of ‘Changes’ takes place within Westwood Academy, a snooty, rich private school with the typical snooty, rich students. Adriana is 15, an actress, but she isn’t your typical YA heroine. She is smart and beautiful, but she isn’t awkward, unaware of her beauty, or stuck on herself. She is blunt and not very friendly, but I really liked her a lot. She knows what she wants and is determined to make it happen.
There are many storylines to follow in this book. The author describes the series as having a similar feel to 90210 and Melrose Place. I can see this comparison. The first book is definitely more 90210, definitely a YA. The next book, ‘The Banovic Siblings’, looks to move into the NA genre and probably closer to Melrose Place. Although there are many different storylines, they are all interesting and easy to follow. There is little drama and angst. I’m not an English teacher, but I found the book to be very well written. It flows well and the dialogue sounds natural and is easy to follow.
I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy YA that is character driven instead of romance/drama driven. This is a story about the lives of different people. As I mentioned, at the end of the first book, there isn’t really any drama or angst that makes you want to smack the main character. It is just an interesting story about different people and the things happening in their lives. There is somewhat of a cliffhanger at the end of this first book, but the second book is already published. And now, I’m on my way to read ‘The Banovic Siblings’.
Book Review: Nash
Nash (Marked Men #4) by Jay Crownover: Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there’s no room for love. She doesn’t need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he’s the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused. But he turned her world upside down... and now he’s trying to do it again.
Saint has no idea that Nash isn’t the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he’s struggling to figure out his future. He can’t be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them —or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she’s the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.
When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now, Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?
TeriLyn's thoughts: The Marked Men Series holds a high spot on my favorites list. These guys and their ladies together maintain a special place in my book heart. Jay Crownover made falling in love with Rule, Jet, Rome, Nash, and Rowdy completely effortless. The relationships between the Marked Men and their women always provide the best reads. Every character from previous books is present in Nash's story in big ways. A major, intense...something... happens with Rule and Shaw, true to classic Rule & Shaw, making you want to read their story all over again.
With that said, throughout the first three books Nash charmed his way into my heart with a level-headed attitude, striking looks, and all the love the in the world for his motley crew. I couldn't wait for Nash to find his person because I knew that he had so much give. This hunch didn't disappoint. There's something about Nash's dangerous looks yet gentle disposition that makes you want to hold onto him and never let go. He's a gentleman, a kind soul, the best best friend. I loved him.
Saint, on the other hand, drove me nuts after a while. As the outcast in high school and unpleasant experience with Nash, Saint built an impenetrable shield around her. Empathizing with her and understanding her issues proved easy for me. However, her guard was constantly on high alert. She liked him but wouldn't tell him over-analyzing everything and and trusting very few people. I could only understand for so long before wanting to shake some sense into her. Unfortunately, she wasn't my kind of heroine throughout a lot of the book mostly liking at the beginning and the end.
Nash still receives 4 stars from me even though the heroine isn't my favorite. This series continues to provide well written, entertaining stories about the importance of being unique and loving it. Jay Crownover creates heart filling stories of an "unconventional" family of alpha males who fall hard and deep. If you're fan of the series you're going to like Nash because you already love him from before. The secondary characters help Nash stand out. Plus, you don't want to miss the epilogue for an awesome glimpse of what we're going to get with Rowdy's story next.
Book Review: The End
The End: An Apocalyptic Romance by Stephanie Albright: We all have it. That feeling that something bad is about to happen, something really bad. We don't like to think about it and we never talk about it, but still, we worry about it. Sometimes we can almost feel the Earth holding its breath and waiting. We are all preparing in our own ways. Some have built bunkers and gathered supplies, some have a contingency plan on paper or maybe just in their head but nothing concrete. Then there are those of us who are in the middle, we don’t have a well supplied bunker but we have a stash of things we might need when that day comes and a sort of plan to go with it. We think about how much we will miss things like chocolate bars, wine and coffee and brainstorm about ways to preserve the things we will miss the most. We decide where to go, if leaving is possible and consider the pros and cons of each possible location. The more pessimistic at heart are checking things off their bucket lists before it’s too late and maybe even devising an exit strategy. When Lucy and her sons wake up to a living nightmare on the last morning of their weekend camping trip, they must make the most of the people and resources surrounding them to endure, The End.
Lori's thoughts: I enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down because I wanted to know what happened! I found it realistic and often thought to myself -- something like this really could happen, and then what?!
The only complaint I had was that it seemed to read like a diary and I would have loved for the author to have been a little more descriptive in some of the things that happened. But that's just me, and my morbid curiosity.
The ending? Didn't see that one coming!
Bravo Stephanie!
Amazon Top 10 New Adult Books: May 4, 2014
Amazon Top 10 New Adult Books: May 4, 2014. These are the top 10 bestselling New Adult books as listed on Amazon.com at the time of posting! (Single titles only - No box sets.) Also: No pre-orders! Sorry.
1. Losing It by Cora Carmack
4.2 out of 5 stars
2. Phenomenal X by Michelle A. Valentine
4.4 out of 5 stars
3. It Ain't Me, Babe by Tillie Cole
4.7 out of 5 stars
4. The Proposition 4: The Ferro Family (The Proposition, The Ferro Family) by H.M. Ward
4.8 out of 5 stars
5. Unbelonging by Sabrina Stark
4.3 out of 5 stars
6. The Billionaire's Game: The Billionaire's Obsession ~ Kade by J. S. Scott
4.8 out of 5 stars
7. Unbreakable by Rebecca Shea
4.4 out of 5 stars
8. Fighting to Forget (Fighting Series) by J.B. Salsbury
4.8 out of 5 stars
9. Take Me for Granted by K.A. Linde
4.5 out of 5 stars
10. Love, in English by Karina Halle
4.7 out of 5 stars
May 3, 2014
Release Blitz: Seductive Chaos
Cole Brandt was the self-centered and philandering lead singerfor Generation Rejects
Vivian Baily was a flaky, attention seeking drama queen.
Apart they were challenging…together they were complete and total chaos.
Cole and Vivian were two people who should never have been together.
Yet they crashed into each other at every turn.
Their relationship was anything but stable. But it was passionate. It was
messy. It was hopelessly seductive. And it might possibly drive them both
insane.
They fought. They made up. They screamed. They made love.
They hated and they loved in equal measure.
And now that Generation Rejects are starting to hit it big and the band is on
the road, temptation and massive egos could very well spell the end of their
roller coaster.
If only they could stay away from each other.
But Vivian has finally reached her breaking point. Tired of their endless cycle, she is ready to say goodbye to Cole for good.
Yet Cole isn’t one to go away quietly. Particularly when he is starting to
realize exactly what he stands to lose if Vivian walks away.
As his world begins to turn upside down, Cole realizes that the one person who
can hold him together is the girl who may no longer want him.
Love can be a comedy of errors, particularly for two people who never seem to
get the timing right.
And In the crazy world of rock and roll, the hardest lessons to learn just
might be the ones with the sweetest rewards
Amazon US:http://amzn.com/B00K43U5MQ Barnes & Noble http://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/seductive-chaos-a-meredith-walters/1119423704?ean=2940149493753 Amazon UKhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00K43U5MQ
EXCERPT:
I pressed myself up against Cole, my
face an inch from his. My heart was thumping wildly, my blood was buzzing
with fury. “I am sick of your bullshit,
Cole. You better walk the line tonight or you’ll be sorry. Do I
make myself clear? I didn’t come all this way to be humiliated by
you. If you want me here, then fucking act like it,” I hissed. Cole’s eyes snapped and sizzled, his
chest heaving up and down. He was flushed and just as furious as I was.Then he grabbed the back of my head,
his fingers curling into my hair and smashed his mouth down on mine.The kiss was bruising and
forceful. This wasn’t about romance. This was about
domination. I bit down on his bottom lip and could taste his blood. He pulled away, his lips swollen and
bleeding. “I’m happy you’re here. Is that what you want me to
say? Is that what you want to hear?” He grabbed my upper arms and
pushed me back against the wall, his pelvis thrusting against mine.“Does that make you happy?” he
demanded.I couldn’t take my eyes away from
him. He was gorgeous. And he made me feel completely and totally
alive. I craved this manic insanity that I only seemed to experience when
I was with him.Why couldn’t I be content with nice
and normal? Why did I crawl over broken glass for this madness?Why did I allow Cole to degrade me
and humiliate me over and over again? Why did I scream at him and make a
scene just so I could get this reaction from him?What the hell was wrong with me?What the hell was wrong with us?I was so turned on I could barely
stand. I wanted him to take me then and there. I didn’t give a crap
about the people openly gawking at us. I thrived on it.I wanted the hard press of his body
against mine. I wanted the chaos. “Yes! It makes me happy,” I bit out,
giving him that tiny victory.“Good,” he said, leaning in and
kissing me tenderly on the nose. His thumbs caressed the side of my
face. A remarkably gentle act from such a volatile man.“Stand in front. I want to see
you when I sing,” Cole murmured, leaning in to kiss me on the mouth. And
this one wasn’t hateful or angry. It was soft and almost loving.
And it shook me to my core.Then he
was gone and I stood there, my back against the wall, trying to catch my
breath, not sure what the hell had just happened.
Bad Rep
Perfect Regret (Bad Rep)
The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary and Paranormal romance including The Find You in the Dark and Bad Rep series as well as the upcoming stand alone romance, Reclaiming the Sand, and a dark new adult series for Gallery Books.A. Meredith spent ten years as a counselor for at risk teens and children. First working at a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault program and then later a program for children with severe emotional and mental health issues. Her former clients and their stories continue to influence every aspect of her writing.
When not writing (or being tortured with all manner of beauty products at the
hand of her very imaginative and extremely girly daughter), she is eating
chocolate, watching reality television that could rot your brain and reading a
smutty novel or two.
A. Meredith is represented by Michelle Johnson with the Inklings Literary
Agency.FacebookGoodreads
Book Review: Shadow Heart
Shadow Heart by Pamela Taeuffer: Nobody wants to talk about them, but there are events that occur in our lives that become deep, dark secrets we hold inside. And they dramatically influence who we are and who we become.
Such is the case for seventeen year-old Nicky Young who was raised by an alcoholic father and disengaged mother. When Nicky tries to make her way into the world she is confronted by the demons of her dysfunctional and sometimes violent upbringing.
Unlike many of her friends, she has shied away from boys, makeup, and clothes, instead focusing on achievement and her goal of getting into Stanford.
But then Nicky meets Ryan Tilton, a sexy, high profile professional baseball player, eight years her senior, and a strong desire is awakened in her.
Nicky questions Ryan's motives for wanting to be with an inexperienced girl and can't decide if he's a scoundrel or genuinely cares about her. She is both excited and frightened, torn between protecting her heart and wanting to trust.
Ryan brings his own demons--losing his father at the age of fourteen, and a sexual partner from his past who will not leave him alone.
Will their young, uncertain love be enough to help them open their hearts and experience the intimacy they both crave so deeply, or are Nicky and Ryan on a collision course?
Loosely based on the author's life growing up in San Francisco, this inspired contemporary romance novel deals with the disturbing secrets siblings share, the dance between love and protecting one's heart, and he innate desire to conned t with another even when it means risking everything.
Rosie's thoughts: **I was given this book in advance for an honest review**
Shadow Heart is based on some of the author's real life experiences. It delves into the illness of alcoholism and how it is to grow up as the child of an alcoholic. Nicky Young has had to grow up without the help of her parents and when she is 18 she has two men after her affections. Jerry a young man she has grown up with and Ryan a professional baseball player. Ryan in my opinion seems to use his connections to have power over Nicky. He seems able to solve her family's problems. However he also seems able to be a gentleman and looks after Nicky. Jerry is your typical high school student who is looking to have his first serious relationship.
I found some parts of the book difficult to read as they had little action but a lot of emotions. I prefer a good mix of the two. The storyline has most definitely been left as a cliff hanger and I'm not sure if I like it ending like that. I feel like there should have been some resolution between the three main characters and a second book could show the relationship that followed.
I give this book 3 hearts. It certainly would have been more if the ending had been more conclusive.
