Lori L. Clark's Blog, page 141

Cover Reveal: The Deepest Cut

Title: The Deepest Cut (Book 2)

Author: T.A. Anderson

Release date: May 5, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Cover Designed by Najla Qamber Designs

What consequences would you be willing to suffer for the
truth? How much would you willingly give and take for love?

Ande's life has changed drastically in the past year. Her mere plans to make it
through culinary school unscathed are a thing of the past. Graduation is on the
horizon, but Ande's life refuses to slow down and let her enjoy it.

Daniel stole Ande's heart, then ripped it, unforgivingly, from her chest. He
left her feeling rejected and alone, buried deep under a mountain of questions.
Now he's ready to let Ande see the darkness of his past, but is it too late?
Has she moved on?

Blake is on the mend and his heart is back with a vengeance. Can people really
change their ways? Is Blake the man for Ande?

With a new found mantra, and bad-ass friends at her side, Ande forces her way
through the questions the men in her life have left her with. When she finally
has the answers, will she regret searching for the truth?

Love and friendships will be tested. Lies will become truths. Who will make the
final cut?





I'm a sarcastic, Disney loving, procrastinator. I hope to
write stories that speak to me first and foremost, then give readers an honest,
non-cookie cutter world to get lost in. I always root for the underdog, so I
try to inject one into each of my stories. I'm in desperate need of Starbucks,
a shower, and sunlight on any given day. I'm certain Chewbacca is my soulmate.
I hope you read my words and enjoy them. If you don't, I still dig you.
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | WEBSITE | GOODREADS

Book Review: To Professor, With Love

To Professor, with Love (Forbidden Men #2) by Linda Kage: Junior in college. Star athlete. Constant attention from the opposite sex.

On this campus, I’m worshiped. While seven hundred miles away, back in my hometown, I’m still trailer park trash, child of the town tramp, and older sibling to three kids who are counting on me to keep my shit together so I can take them away from the same crappy life I grew up in.

These two opposing sides of myself never mix until one person gets a glimpse of the true me. I never expected to connect with anyone like this or want more beyond one night. This may be the real deal.

Problem is, Dr. Kavanagh’s my literature professor.

If I start anything with a teacher and we’re caught together, I might as well kiss my entire future goodbye, as well as my family’s, and especially Dr. Kavanagh’s. Except sometimes love is worth risking everything. Or at least, it damn well better be because I can only resist so much.
Hannah's thoughts: FIVE FRICKEN HEARTS!

**ARC generously provided by author in exchange for an honest review.**

To Professor, with Love was given to me from Linda Kage as an arc. I was so excited when I received this book, I screamed! As a person I love teacher student relationships. I can't stay away from the forbidden aspect. It's really really hot.

When it comes to second books in the series you never like them as much as the first, but I loved this one so much more. I especially loved the visits from the characters in the first book and I loved the new characters we met.

This book is about a teacher and a student who have misconceived ideas about each other. Noel Gamble is seen in Aspen's aka Miss Kavanagh eye's as a lazy popular boy who only cares about getting sweaty and throwing a ball around as the schools leading Quarterback. Aspen is seen as a harsh cold woman as first. She only lets people see her in a certain way. What they both don't know that the way they have conceived each other is completely wrong. They only see each other the way the other allows them to. Miss Kavanagh is really a woman who wants to be loved and adored after having cold relationships with people, especially her parents.

Noel's life isn't exactly perfect either. People think he has everything easy when in reality he's struggling to take care of his younger siblings because of his absent mom and his scholarship is his only chance at college and a bright future to support his family. Miss Kavanagh failing him pulls him further and further away from his dream.When Miss Kavanagh gives Noel a bad grade he gets angry, certain situations put them in close quarters where Miss Kavanagh has to help Noel do better in class. It doesn't help that these two have sexual thoughts about each other. As they begin to spend more time together they realize the mistakes they have made when judging each other and how everything is not as it really seems. This leads to a strong bond forming between them which leads to the inevitable. They never would have expected to find solace and acceptance in each other, but when the little bubble they have created for themselves starts to pop, they find themselves having to fight everything they believe in, including themselves. They have to make a decision whether to give into their hearts desires or walk away from each other.

Now to the quality of the book and author, I believe it was honestly great. There was humor, romance, emotional scenes that had me pulling at my hair, steam and the forbidden aspect was just the best. The writing flowed and I flowed right along with it to the last page. It was so easy and smooth to read and the characters were lovable and exciting. I loved reading their conversations, they were very funny and enjoyable. The best part was the lead up to the two main characters finally deciding to go ahead with their feelings. That part of the book was tense (sexually as well as emotionally) and was lovely to read. My favorite part must have been the banter and flirting at the bar between Aspen and Noel. The quotes at the start of every chapter was a really nice addition to the story. It matched the story line at the time and made the story all the more emotional. It made me feel more connected to the book.

Overall, this book was amazing. You have to read it. It was everything an NA romance book should be. It was very unique to me, in the way everything was handled and how the story went about.

I cannot wait for more from miss Linda Kage! I hope to see more from the previous characters in the next book. This was a great book and I loved it. You should all go buy it! You'll fall in love Noel Gamble...trust me ;) and the heroine is great. She was strong, selfless and really funny. Go out and get it on release day!

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Carnival

Carnival by K.B. Nelson, cover designed by Yocla Designs.


BOOK & AUTHOR INFO:
Carnival by K.B. Nelson
Publication date: June 2014
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:
Blue’s a carny and he’s got molly. Charlie’s a local and she’s got ninety-nine problems but Blue ain’t one. Enter the world of neon lights….
Charlie never intended to sleep with a perfect stranger at the county fair. Finding out he was a carny was like winning the bonus round of the worlds worst game. Blue grew up in the carnival, never staying anywhere long enough to call home. He didn’t mean to seduce Charlie that night, but he’s use to living life on the edge.

Charlie’s supposed to be packing her bags for college. Blue’s supposed to get in his jeep and drive to the next town. She’s ready to leave for a life she’s not certain she wants and he’s searching for a place to call home.

Unable to resist him, Charlie makes the choice to stay. She follows Blue down the rabbit hole; into a world with no regard for rules and consequences. But when tragedy strikes, will it send her and Blue down a more destructive path? Or will it bring them closer together? Either way, they both come to realize that life is just like a carnival ride.


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21453236-carnival?ac=1
Author Bio: 
I grew up on a farm in Ohio, but that's not very interesting, is it? When I'm not writing you can find me doing one of two things; getting lost on highways or getting lost in the lives of fictional characters. If my heart had two feet, one foot would be in romance and the other solidly in geekdom. I hope you'll all follow me on my journey through this carnival they call life.I promise there will be a happy ending.

Author links: http://kbnelsonbooks.com/https://www.facebook.com/kbnelsonauthorhttps://twitter.com/kbnelsonkbhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8052332.K_B_Nelson
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Release Blitz: Dancing on the Edge

Dancing on the Edge by Kit Bakke 

Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Synopsis:
Twelve year-old Dot is not a dancer, but after her mother’s sudden and senseless death, she finds herself dancing on the edge…of everything. After her whole world unravels in seconds, Dot is propelled on a voyage to discover the meaning of her past, and of her mother’s greatest gift to her.

With all familiar anchors swept away, Dot’s trip becomes a struggle between finding that gift and running away from a future that feels so bleak. Pack your bags for a memorable, powerful journey into life in the wake of profound loss.







AUTHOR BIO

Kit Bakke spent the last half of the 20th century as a political radical (SDS and the Weather Underground), a pediatric oncology nurse, and an information technology consultant. In the 21st century, she became a published writer. Her MISS ALCOTT'S E-MAIL has led to further writing adventures, including being a founding member of Seattle7Writers (www.seattle7writers.org) and a chapter in HOTEL ANGELINE. Her latest book, DOT TO DOT, is a story of travel, discovery and possibly magic. Young teens, if they are good readers, like it, and so do adults.


Author links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/138630.Kit_Bakke
http://kitbakke.com/
https://twitter.com/kitbakke
https://www.facebook.com/kit.bakke?fref=ts

Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Impulsion

Title: Impulsion Author: Jamie Magee          Genre: New Adult
Reveal Host: Lady Amber's Tours
BLURB
With a glance Wyatt Doran stole Harley Tatum’s heart. With each summer that passed, touch by touch, they robbed each other’s innocence, birthing a love that was so deep that it scorched within. Without warning, they were ripped from the clutches of each other, placed in lives that were worlds apart. Only to cross paths after a freak accident where Harley’s horse rig was flipped. An accident that Wyatt Doran, from fire station 32, responded.
The tension was immediate, the emotions were raw. One breath told them they were not the same as before, one touch…changed their world.





The fun non boring Bio :)
I'm an obsessive daydreamer. Lover of loud alternative music. Addicted to Red Bull. I love to laugh until it hurts. Fall is my favorite season. Black is my favorite 'shade.' Strong believer in the saying: there is a reason for everything, therefore I search for 'marked moments' every moment of everyday...and I find them. Life is beautiful!Boring one....
Jamie Magee has always believed that each of us have a defining gift that sets us apart from the rest of the world, she has always envied those who have known from their first breath what their gift was. Not knowing hers, she began a career in the fast paced world of business. Raising a young family, and competing to rise higher in that field would drive some to the point of insanity, but she always found a moment of escape in a passing daydream. Her imagination would take her to places she'd never been, introduce her to people she's never known. Insight, her debuting novel, is a result of that powerful imagination. Today, she is grateful that not knowing what defined her, led her on a path of discovery that would always be a part of her.
Author Links:
Web: http://www.authorjamiemagee.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Magee_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Insight.Jami...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Magee/e/B...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Buy Links:
ibooks preorder - https://itunes.apple.com/nz/book/impulsion/id864146391?mt=11

His fingertips slowly moved down her face, down her neck. He noticed how all the tension in her body drifted away, how her eyes slowly closed, the long, deep breaths that were causing her chest to rise and fall.“The sight of you brought it all back, past and present colliding with a magnitude that is so great…that I have no choice but to stop and realize that the only thing holding us back this go ‘round is us.”He reached his arm around her waist and pulled her body against his, causing her eyes to fly open, those breaths to come even faster. “And Harley, I’m going to fight like hell for you. And as soon as I make you mine again, I will die before I ever let anyone take you from me again.” His hand rose to her face, his thumb grazed her flesh, his eyes dipped to her lips, then met her gaze once more. “You’re the only woman I have ever loved. That I ever will love.”All at once, they both moved forward, their lips connecting as if they were molded from one source, a well-practiced dance of flesh, the perfect rhythm, teasing brushes of tongues that knew just when to fall into a deeper kiss, a kiss that was so devouring that all thought, all reason vanished. The impulse of the heart, that deep passion that lies dormant within erupted to a euphoria that made it impossible to fathom life outside of that very instant.

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Book Review: Life Lived Twice

Life Lived Twice by Sherrie Wouters: Some promises are made to last forever...

What if you fell in love with a stranger...but that stranger had come from your past, a past you never knew existed until the moment your eyes met?

When Tess Winters locks eyes with a stranger at an airport bookstore, it ignites a feeling of passion somewhere deep inside her that she can't explain.

Although the encounter is innocent and brief, the intensity of it lingers, leaving her overwhelmed by a yearning for the mystery man now consuming her every thought.

Struggling to break the powerful hold he has over her heart, Tess starts to experience strange but familiar dreams...dreams from the turn of the twentieth century of the charming Mr Addison Taylor.

As her dreams start to materialize into reality, and past and present begin to blur, Tess is forced to put the pieces of a forgotten time together, and soon discovers that love isn't the only thing that can find you after an eternity.

Captivating, mysterious, and romantic, Life Lived Twice will leave you wondering whether love is so powerful it could last more than a lifetime.
Julie's thoughts: **I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.**

WOW! That about sums up this debut novel from Sherrie Wouters. Once I started reading, I could not put the book down…not a good thing when you have to get up early for work the next morning. Be warned! Wait until Friday afternoon or Saturday morning to start this one!!

Ms. Wouters is a fantastic storyteller! This story is so different from anything I have ever read. Maybe it has been done before, but I’ve never come across it. It took me until maybe halfway through the first chapter to really get into the story. I started off thinking I wasn’t going to like it. However, once I got to page 10 or so, when the mysterious LB enters the picture, I was hooked. Who is he? How does Tess have such a connection with him? Yes, this could be labeled as insta-love, but if that isn’t your thing, READ THIS ANYWAY!! It isn’t that kind of insta-love. Besides the sweet, sigh-worthy romance, there is plenty of mystery and suspense. I figured out some of the mysteries easily enough, but some things kept me guessing for a good while. I was kept on the edge of my seat, uh hmm bed, for hours as I devoured page after page.

I’ll admit, one of the things that made me first feel as if I wasn’t going to like this book was the MC, Tess. She is that awkward, immature girl from all of the other books. But, as the story moves on, she does grow a little and become a little more confident in herself. Also, some of her awkwardness and lack of self-confidence is explained later in the story. So, don’t let Tess stop you from finishing the book. The dialogue does feel a bit ‘older’ than the age of the characters at times. Some of this is due to the storyline, but some of it is just written in the wrong voice at times, but I didn’t even care. The story was THAT good.

I HIGHLY recommend this for those who love YA paranormal romance. This is definitely YA; no sex or bad language. This story doesn’t have vampires, shifters, angels, or any of the other typical YA paranormal characters. There is a slight love triangle (which I am not fond of, BTW). But I absolutely loved this story! Overall, I recommend you give this one a try. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Book Review: Finally

Finally by J.B. Wayne: Seventeen-year-old Rogue knows all suicides become Death’s reapers. How does he have the skinny on this? He offed himself in 1976, two days after driving the car that accidentally killed his girlfriend Lily. So when Rogue stops Emerson, a girl who looks exactly like Lily, from overdosing, it lands him on Death’s bad side. Not that Death necessarily has a good side.

As punishment, Death forces Rogue to spend one week inside a living body. Within this week, Rogue must gain Emerson’s trust and convince her not to kill herself, or Death will steal her soul and torture her for his own amusement.

The ticking clock bullies Rogue to push Emerson out of her comfort zone, only to discover a dark past leading her quest to die. Struggling with his own fears and memories, Rogue never expects Emerson to start falling in love with him. Or even worse, for the first time in decades, realizing he feels the same for her. Seeing the opportunity to manipulate and punish Rogue further, Death offers to let Emerson become a reaper if Rogue now encourages her to seek him.

Rogue wrestles with what to do: Save this girl’s life in a way he never could for Lily? Or encourage her to suicide, so they can be together forever as reapers?

Julie's thoughts: **I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.**

At the age of 17, Rogue commits suicide two days after his girlfriend is killed in a car accident during which he was driving. Now, he works as a reaper for Death. His job is to reap the souls of others who commit suicide, not to intervene and save them, but that is exactly what he does for Emerson. Emerson is the spitting image of Rogue’s girlfriend, Lily. How can he not save her this time when he wasn’t able to save her last time? So, when Rogue stops Emerson a second time, he is sent to earth in someone else’s body for one week. His mission: convince Emerson not to kill herself or Death will steal her soul and torture her as he does the rest of the reapers. As Rogue and Emerson spend the week together, they begin to have feelings for each other. When Death makes Rogue an offer, will he be able to convince Emerson to stay with him forever or will he be able to give her up and let her live?

This was an enjoyable, quick read. Rogue is a great hero. He is a really good guy and not the screwed up, hot, alpha male that we have come to know and love. We learn more about Emerson as the story moves along. She seems to have it all, but she has her secrets.

The story is written from Rogue’s point of view, which I loved. We get to meet Rogue’s friend/fellow reapers. I really enjoyed seeing the relationships he has built with each of these characters. These relationships show the kind of person Rogue really is…he cares for people and tries to bring his friends a little happiness in a place where none exists.

I would recommend this book for those who love YA books. I had it in my head that this was the first in a series, but I can’t find anything saying that for sure. It appears to be a stand alone. Although there were some sad sections, overall, this is an uplifting read about loss, love, and redemption.

Book Review: Living With Love

Living With Love by Clarissa Carlyle: Book 3 in the Lessons in Love New Adult Romance series.

Alex Heron has graduated from Princeton, and now it’s time for her to make her mark in the big wide world. With an exciting job opportunity in New York City, everything seems to be going well, but with the two great loves of her life, Oscar and Mark, still looming in the background it’s going to be far from smooth sailing.

Will Alex finally get the happy ending she so desperately deserves? Only time will tell as she navigates both the city and life back in Woodsdale in her ongoing search for her true self and true happiness.
Julie's thoughts: **I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.**

Living with Love is the third and final book in the Lessons in Love trilogy. The first two books follow Alexandra (Alex) Heron from her senior year in high school through college graduation. This last book follows Alex as she starts her first and moves completely out on her own.

Although parts of this story where ok, overall, this was my least favorite book of the series. I felt as if Ashley and Alex traded personalities in this book. In the first two books, Ashley seemed the more responsible of the two, but in this book, she suddenly turned into a teenager for the first half. There were many things she said and did that were frustrating considering she is supposed to be 21ish and especially since she just graduated from Princeton. For example, she didn’t know that The Hunchback of Notre Dame or Les Miserables were books before becoming a Disney movie or musical, respectively. She also makes a pretty stupid decision while the girls take a vacation after graduation. Of course, as everything with this series, it ended well, so no worries. The decision and the way that it turned out so perfectly really sends a bad message to young people who travel abroad. I hope those who reads the story don’t follow examples from fictional books.

My favorite character from the series was Oscar, mostly because I felt he was the only real person in any of the books. He is messed up, mean at times and selfish, but there was something about him that I really liked. I liked him much better than Mark. I liked the part of this book where Oscar visits Alex in New York. They have such a good relationship now. It was fun watching them together. Alex grows up a lot in this book. She quits being the brat she was in the first two books and starts acting like a real daughter. I really enjoyed that part of the story as well.

I would recommend this book for YA readers who can overlook things. Overall, this was just an ok read. The series is a fast, easy read and written well enough. But, all of the books in the series are short. At $2.99 each for the last two books in the series, I would expect more. Many of the things that happen throughout the series are unrealistic. I had a hard time getting past many of them since this isn’t written as a fantasy.

Book Review: Fighting Destiny

Fighting Destiny (The Fae Chronicles #1) by Amelia Hutchins: Have you ever heard of the old Celtic legends of the Fae - beautiful, magical, and deadly creatures that have a love of messing with humans just for kicks and giggles?

Welcome to my world.

What started out as a strange assignment, lead to one of the most gruesome murder mysteries of our times. My friends and I are set and determined to find out who is killing off Fae and Witches alike.

Couple of problems in the way – I hate the Fae and the Prince of the Dark Fae is bound and determined that I work for him. He’s a rude, overbearing egotistical ass with a compulsive need to possess, dominate and control me. Oh – did I mention that he is absolutely sex-on-a-stick gorgeous and he makes me feel things that I never ever wanted to feel for a Fae...every time he touches me or looks at me with those dangerous golden eyes he seems to pull me further in under his spell, despite my better judgment.

My friends and I can’t trust anyone and nothing is as it seems on the surface – not even me.(
Hannah's thoughts: OKAY. I loved this book! It was so hot and fast paced! I have a lot of ideas about what I think is going on and what will happen! OMG This book was so good though! The mystery, the story behind it, all the different creatures! I loved the heroine Synthia, she was a bad-ass, no shit taking, feisty girl! Ryder....OH GOD RYDER. I WANT RYDER! He was so bad-ass and hot. I can tell he has his secrets! Damn I can't wait to find out what's going on with him and what he really is! And what the hell was he doing at the end? I REALLY WANT TO KNOW! I hope him and Synthia have a good ending and lots of kids tho yes please Miss Amelia Hutchins? PRETTY PLEASE! And more hot moments. I really liked the glimpse of his vulnerable side we got. This book blew me away, really loved it. I will definitely be getting the next book! Thank you for this! It was wonderful to read and left me wanting so much more :( please hurry up and bring the next book out! I need it desperately!

Amazon Top 10 New Adult Books: April 27, 2014

Amazon Top 10 New Adult Books: April 27, 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. Phenomenal X by Michelle A. Valentine
4.5 out of 5 stars

2.  Fighting to Forget (Fighting Series) by J.B. Salsbury
4.8 out of 5 stars

3. Love, in English by Karina Halle
4.8 out of 5 stars

4. Unbelonging by Sabrina Stark
4.3 out of 5 stars

5. When I Surrender (When I Break) by Kendall Ryan
4.8 out of 5 stars

6. KNOX: Volume 1 by Cassia Leo
4.5 out of 5 stars

7. Fearsome by S. A. Wolfe
4.4 out of 5 stars

8. Knockout by Tracey Ward
4.3 out of 5 stars

9. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
4.9 out of 5 stars

10. In Finn's Heart (Fighting Connollys #3) by Roxie Rivera
4.9 out of 5 stars