Lori L. Clark's Blog, page 18

Book Review: Unbreak My Heart

Unbreak My Heart (Fostering Love #1)by Nicole Jacquelyn (Goodreads Author) 4.18  ·   Rating Details ·  3,529 Ratings  ·  580 ReviewsWhat do you do when your soul mate marries your best friend?

If you're Kate Evans, you keep your friend Rachel, bond with her kids, and bury your feelings for her husband. The fact that Shane's in the military and away for long periods helps-but when tragedy strikes, everything changes.

After Rachel, pregnant with her fourth child, dies in a car accident and the baby miraculously survives, Kate upends her entire life to share parenting duties. Then on the first anniversary of Rachel's death, Kate and Shane take comfort in each other in a night that they both soon regret.

Shane's been angry for a year, and now he feels guilty too - for sleeping with his wife's best friend and liking it . . . liking her. Kate's ability to read him like a book may have once sent Shane running, but their lives are forever entwined and they are growing closer.

Now with Shane deployed for seven months, Kate is on her own and struggling with being a single parent. Shane is loving and supportive from thousands of miles away, but his homecoming brings a betrayal Kate never saw coming. So Kate's only choice is to fight for the future she deserves - with or without Shane. . .
Teri Lyn's thoughts: This book. This story. I honestly don't even know how to describe this but I'll give it the ole college try. Held captive by the totally engaging writing until 2am last evening, this book was finished in one emotionally taxing sitting. AND I LOVED IT. The story is truly heart breaking yet so special and comforting. I spent the majority as frustrated, confused, sad, loyal, and determined as both the H/h. During some very poignant and passionate points of the prose I was giggling so hard through tears of frustration and sadness right along with H/h again. That's what this book is - a conglomeration of growing, moving on, forgiveness, understanding, strength juxtaposed with bitterness, anger, resentment, and melancholy. You feel everything these two characters do beautifully. 

Nicole Jacquelyn tells this story through the alternating first person points of view of both hero and heroine. We're living the present right along with them. There's some heavy, heavy, heavy stuff in this book yet she constantly keeps it moving forward. She doesn't delve to deep yet she shows us brilliantly the effects of that depth of pain. You will undoubtedly not want (key word *want*) to fall in love with the hero. You'll undoubtedly find yourself perplexed and appalled by his behavior. Yet with those emotions you will absolutely fall in love with the hero. He makes you feel an entire gambit of emotions for him. You simply can't help it no matter how bad the circumstances. Just like our heroine does. I've some reviewers call her a doormat. No way. No how. Nuh uh. I refuse to call her that because to me she's not. Instead I find her fascinating and frustrating, loyal to a fault and the most forgiving heroine I've ever had the pleasure to read. She's strong and funny and loves with her whole heart even when she shouldn't. The two of them mixed with four kids and an exemplary secondary cast is the cat's meow, I promise. 

Unbreak My Heart is truly a captivating, compelling love story. It's hard for me to review this one and do it justice. Because while I get why some people don't prefer certain events in the story it's the way it's played out and why those things happen that make this so special. This is real. And undeniably awful. And completely conforms to the notion that we hurt most those who are closest to us. It's painful and brutal at times to read. But it's beautiful and heart felt too. I literally, no exaggeration, did not put this book down. I read straight through beginning to end from 10pm to 2:30am and I regret nothing. A love story that keeps you frantically flipping the pages through pain, heartache, and glory deserves nothing less. Bravo to this author for this story and deviating from the norm. I can't wait to read more of her work. 

Book Review: Change of Heart

Change of Heart (Fostering Love #2)by Nicole Jacquelyn (Goodreads Author) 4.06  ·   Rating Details ·  1,295 Ratings  ·  203 ReviewsThey've spent their lives pushing each other away, but what will happen when they need each other most?

Anita Martin doesn't expect much from life. Growing up on the street, bouncing from one foster home to another, she learned to rely only on herself. Even after she finally found a loving family to take her in, she was still an outsider-something Abraham, one of the family's older sons, never let her forget.

Abraham Evans doesn't know how Ani always manages to get under his skin, only that's she's been doing it since they were teens. She is-and always has been-undeniably gorgeous. But he's never met anyone as pissed off at the world as Ani.

For fifteen years, Ani and Bram have agreed on exactly one thing: they can't stand each other-until one night when their anger gives way to passion. Yet even as Ani and Bram begin to secretly seek comfort in one another's arms, they remain emotionally worlds apart. When Ani's life takes a dramatic turn and she realizes she needs more than Bram can give, their fragile, no-strings relationship unravels. One way or another, Ani is determined to survive. But when Bram finally admits his true feelings, he may discover Ani has moved on without him . . . 
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Change of Heart generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

As if Unbreak My Heart hadn't already solidified the fact, Change of Heart definitely cemented it in stone - I'm totally wrapped up in this author's story telling of this ever-changing, loving family. Nicole Jacqelyn convinces readers of unique family dynamics. She proves how far love can reach, what boundaries it can stretch, and the walls it can tear down. The foundation of both these stories I've read in the Unbreak My Heart series is that love of all kinds can get us through anything. Her stories evolve from that foundation of familial love into more intense, emotional kinds of romantic love and it's captivating to read. Her main characters give readers a sense of understanding, respect, and adoration. They force us to think and to remember humility and to be grateful. And Nicole Jacquelyn's writing effortlessly leaves you glued to the pages from start to finish. 

Bram and Anita come from complicated histories that once fatefully intersected, kept them circling each other for years, and unknowingly changed the course of their lives. Pitted against each other as sort of the frenemies in their family, Jacquelyn creates natural chemistry between the two born out of banter, sarcasm, and witty zingers each character using these mechanisms to mask their feelings yet at the same time not really masking them at all. This dynamic gives them reason to push each other further out of their individual orbits while simultaneously pulling them together tighter as they generally and uncannily find themselves lost in each others orbit. Even when they are at each others throats. It makes for interesting dialogue and family dynamics too. Bram and Anita just get each other. They sense each other, read each other so well. It was a fun relationship to read. Two people being exactly who they are and accepting each other while still battling at every turn. I enjoyed every minute of it. This author's gift of creating strong characters who don't seem to each other like a perfect fit but really they can't live without is excellent. 

The secondary cast is back and as just as entertaining as in the first book. The family dynamics here unique. Often crude but never dishonest. Witty and light. You get a great sense of peace, acceptance and solidarity from the whole crew that is brilliant. The genuine love reflected from each character endears them to readers even further. 

Nicole Jacquelyn tells Bran and Ani's story from the alternating first person points of view of both main characters. The different story line brings different emotions and different feelings than book one but it's just as effective in making you feel deeply for the characters. I found myself completely invested in the story as well as the stories working with the secondary characters. I think this could be read as a stand alone but it would give major spoilers to book one that I suggest you don't miss out on reading. Change of Heart is an excellent second book. I'm very much looking forward to see where the author takes us next with this series, if it's anywhere near where I think it'll be another intriguing reading experience.

Book Blitz: Skye

Skye
Kimberly Loth
(The Dragon Kings, #4)
Publication date: October 19th 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Rowan Winters is completely in love. With a shifter dragon.
But the drop-dead gorgeous Skye only thinks of Rowan as her best friend. But when she turns up in his room in the middle of the night in tears, he yearns to do whatever he can to help her. Even if that means running away and letting his family think he’s dead.
Skye’s entire world turns upside down the day her scales turns black. She knows she’ll have to flee to find answers. But she wasn’t planning on Rowan coming too. She just wanted to say goodbye. He is so eager to help that she can’t leave him behind even though she knows she’ll never be able to love him in return.
Together, they fight off murderous dragons and uncover sinister plans. But can they find the answers Skye so desperately seeks? And can Rowan sacrifice everything he knows to win her heart?

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:Skye was a coward. She knew that, but she couldn’t bring herself to stay and watch Sid and Aspen commit suicide. There was no way the council would allow Aspen to become queen.Not to mention that then Skye would have to know the exact moment when she died, because anyone who pledged loyalty to Sid would die the second he did. No, running away was better. She should have enough time to get to her parents before death came. She’d able to say goodbye.
This was her fault. Pearl had told her to keep Aspen safe. Instead she’d gone and made everything worse. Maybe if she’d kept Aspen at home, Sid would’ve been fine.
If she’d never given Sid that damn loyalty seal, she wouldn’t be this close to death. She wasn’t sure what she was thinking at that time. Part of her thought he’d make it. Another part didn’t care whether she lived or died. It wasn’t like she’d have much of a life anymore.
When Sid became King she found Everett and begged him to remove the seal that marked how much she loved him. He did and now she longer had a swirl of gold on her ankle. But Everett warned her there would be a price to pay. She gladly paid it at the time, but but she hadn’t expected to feel so empty.
For a half second she thought about heading to Everett’s instead of her parents. Maybe he could remove the loyalty seal before she died. She shook her head. How cowardly of her. The price would not be worth it. That was for sure.
She was only fooling herself though. She would make the same decision if given the choice. Aspen was the only way they could possibly survive. When Skye dropped Aspen off , there were three possible outcomes. One, she and Sid would die and all those with loyalty seals would as well. Two, Helios, the final dragon that Sid needed to secure all the loyalty seals got to him before the council had a chance to killed him. Or three. Aspen could be become queen. She’d have to convince the council that she should be queen and pass the queen’s tests She hoped Aspen could do it.
She felt her wings tiring. This could be the beginning of her death. She hadn’t known anyone who had died because of the loyalty seal and didn’t know how it worked. She spotted a lake below her and decided to stop and get a drink. She had to make it home.
Skye landed a little rougher than normal. This had to be the end. She staggered over to the water and took a deep drink. The water sparkled under the full moon. Skye stretched her wings out and swiveled her neck around to scratch her nose. She froze. Her wing was no longer silver.
This must be part of her death. Or at least that was what she tried to convince herself of. Adrenaline coursed through her veins and she no longer felt tired. Dragons didn’t change color before they died. In fact dragons never changed color. Except when they became king. Then they turned black.
Skye spun neck around the other direction. It was more than her wings that had changed. Her whole body was now a deep coal black.
This was impossible. There was no way she could become king. Sid was king. Unless he died. Then someone else would take his place, but that someone had to be a full royal dragon and male. Of which she was neither. There had to be some huge mistake. This had to be a dream. She stuck her head in the cold water and came out again. Still black. This wasn’t possible.
Unless.
That stupid prophecy.
The one that said three kings would rise. The one that said they could come from other races. But she was still female. Something was definitely wrong. She was also still very much alive. She couldn’t go see her parents now, not like this. No, she had to go see the one dragon who could explain how this happened.
She wracked her brain trying to think of everything she’d learned about the prophecy. She loved history and so she studied a lot, but this baffled her. Nothing in the prophecy said anything about a girl. She’d spent hours listening to Everett’s boring details about the prophecy, yet he hadn’t mentioned that females could become kings. He was so in for it.

Author Bio:
Kimberly Loth can’t decide where she wants to settle down. She’s lived in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, California, Oregon, and South Carolina.
She finally decided to make the leap and leave the U.S. behind for a few years. After living in Cairo, Egypt for 2 years, she's decided to go to the Far East and currently calls Shenzhen, China home. She loves romantic movies, chocolate, roses, and crazy adventures.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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Book Review: Run to You

Run to You (Risking It All #1)by Rachel Lacey (Goodreads Author) 4.17  ·   Rating Details ·  190 Ratings  ·  125 ReviewsONE LITTLE LIE. A WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE.

Moments after meeting the most gorgeous guy ever, Gabby Winters promptly gets stung by a zillion yellowjackets and falls-not gracefully-into a stream. Yup, Ethan Hunter is trouble with a capital "hot," and Gabby definitely needs to keep her distance. Except in the small town of Haven, there's nowhere to hide from Ethan's sexy, infectious grin . . . and all the residents are conspiring against her.

At the center of the town's matchmaking is Ethan's grandmother, who's convinced their relationship is a done deal. Rather than break her heart, Gabby and Ethan find themselves cornered into pretending to be falling in love. The problem: there's serious sizzling attraction between them. And if this charade continues, they won't fool just the entire town - they might fool themselves too . . .
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Run to You generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

The first book of the Risking it All series features a quirky heroine, adventurous hero, feisty grandma, and a comfortable, sweet North Carolina setting. Rachel Lacey's contemporary romance told from the third person points of view flows serenely from beginning to end. Run to You hails as a classic, easy love story from Forever romance. 

Both Ethan Hunter and Gabby Winters are hiding from past troubles. While spending a summer away in Haven Gabby meets Ethan rather when she least expects. Ethan lives a carefree existence, trying to construct a future free of attachments except for his dream of opening an outdoor adventure spot in his hometown. With Ethan's fun and spirited Gram having health issues, Ethan and Gabby embark on a fake relationship. They're fast friends and their chemistry is palpable. 

Throughout the middle of the book I felt the story was dragging a bit. There was a lot of superfluous detail and some redundancy about each characters hang ups in their personal lives causing the prose to become a bit stagnant. For this chunk of the middle I felt a bit disconnected from the story and characters. However, with certain events the plot became energized again and I was more than interested in knowing how Ethan and Gabby's relationship would play out. 

With more colorful characters in the townspeople and Ethan's buddies the story also had an edge of intrigue for what's to come for the other two most eligible bachelors now back in the small town of Haven. If you're a reader who enjoys contemporary romance with little angst - a sort of beach type read you'll find enjoyment in Run to You.

Lauren Blakely's The Sexy One

From NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a swoony new standalone romance…THE SEXY ONE!Want a romance guaranteed to make you melt? Get ready to fall in love with THE SEXY ONE!






“Swoony, passionate and oh-so-romantic!” ~NYT Bestselling author K Bromberg
“Insanely romantic and so genuinely charming…” ~Fresh Fiction







From the NYT Bestselling author of MISTER O, comes a sexy new standalone romance...Let me count the ways why falling into forbidden love is not my wisest move...
1. She works with me every single day.
Did I mention she's gorgeous, sweet, kind and smart?
2. She works in my home.
Playing with my five-year-old daughter. Teaching my little girl. Cooking for my princess. Which means...
3. She's the nanny.
And that makes her completely off-limits...But it doesn't stop me from wanting her. All of her.***The other nannies in this city don't call him the Sexy One for nothing. My boss, the amazingly wonderful single father to the girl I take care of every day is ridiculously hot, like movie star levels with those arms, and those eyes, and that body. Not to mention, the way he dotes on his little girl melts me all over. But what really makes my knees weak are the times when his gaze lingers on me. In secret. When no one else is around.
I can't risk my job for a chance at something more...can I? But I don't know how to resist him much longer either...With all the heat, heart and humor readers have come to expect, this newest standalone will make you laugh, swoon and feel like you're falling in love!
Excerpt Two:
“I want to talk to you about the other day.” He sounds so serious.All of a sudden, the weight of my mistake crashes down. “Are you firing me?” I blurt out.His jaw drops. “What?”“I’m sorry,” I say, and the wild anxieties consume me once more. “I love this job, and I love working with Hayden, and I didn’t mean to jeopardize it by . . .”By making out with you? By touching you? By murmuring your name when you kissed me senseless in the cab, and would you please just do it again?He steps closer. My stomach makes like a skydiver.“You did not jeopardize a thing. I’m not firing you. I promise.” His blue eyes are locked to mine. “I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable. And I hope I didn’t lose you, either. You’re so good at what you do, and I value your skills so much. You’re great with Hayden, and I don’t want to mess that up. I’m sorry for crossing the line.”I shake my head. “It’s okay. I crossed it, too.”He licks his lips. “And I really appreciated you inviting me out with your friends. I wanted to go, but I didn’t want to mess up your night. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”A grin threatens to take over my face because my heart soars. I thought he was turning me down. Instead, he was thinking of me. “You wouldn’t have messed it up.”“I wouldn’t have?”“No.” I latch onto Harper’s advice. Talk to him. “I wanted you there.”My breath comes fast, and the hairs on my arms stand on end. We’re so near to each other—our words, our voices, our bodies. Everything in me reaches for him.“I’m glad,” he whispers.“And you don’t make me uncomfortable. I promise.”He doesn’t say anything in response. Just nods. I press my teeth into my lips. My back is against the sink, and he’s standing so close I can smell him. The faint scent of his soap intoxicates me. He must have gone to the gym after work and taken a shower, and oh God, now I’m imagining him naked in the shower, soaping up his strong body. I go up in flames.“What happened in the cab was”—he pauses, as if he’s searching for the right word—“crazy.” But the way he says it in a voice full of longing doesn’t sound like crazy-bad. It sounds like . . .“Crazy-good,” I supply.He nods. “So good,” he whispers, and inches closer.“It was so good,” I echo, my voice breathy, full of this potent need for him.He stares at me, his eyes brimming with heat. I exhale, and my lips part slightly. He’s looking at my mouth now, and I’m burning all over.We collide.His hands are in my hair, and his lips crush mine. My fingers race up his shirt and around his neck. I pull him against me, his strong, hard body aligned with mine. His erection presses against my belly, and the realization that he’s already hard thrills me. Sparks fly through me as I register how hard he is, and my God, I want him. I want to feel him slide into me, I want to take him deep into my body. I want him to know what he does to me, too—that I’m as turned on as he is, and I can’t stop kissing him.His big hands curl around my head, and I moan into his mouth. I love how much bigger he is than I am—taller, broader, stronger. He meets every primal desire I have to be taken. I want this man to consume me. I want to be under him, I want to be pinned by him—I want the full weight of him moving over me.His lips are demanding, coaxing out more and more kisses from me. More murmurs, more sighs. As I arch into him, he groans, rough and husky.Then, he breaks the kiss.“This is bad,” he says firmly, his breath coming heavily. But then, he’s not so certain at all. “Is this bad?”“Yes,” I answer quickly. “It’s bad. But it’s so good.”
Amazon US | Amazon Paperback | iBooks | Kobo | Barnes & Noble  Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2ekWqgwAmazon UK: http://amzn.to/2e8LhSyAmazon CA: http://amzn.to/2dtjnzqAmazon AU: http://amzn.to/2dYvG9Z



A swoony, forbidden standalone contemporary romance, THE SEXY ONE is a forbidden love story, the romantic tale of a single father falling head over heels for the smart, kind and beautiful nanny. Resistance is hard as these two fall deeply in love while she works in his home. But forbidden romances are fraught with their own challenges, and nothing comes easily for this couple. Told in dual POV, THE SEXY ONE is being called Lauren Blakely’s most romantic novel yet. THE SEXY ONE is swoony, sweet, hot and forbidden.“A good old-fashioned love story with a forbidden twist.” ~Bookalicious Babe Blog








Add it to Goodreads here!



✮✮✮Celebrate the release of The SEXY ONE! Enter to win a NIGHT OF ROMANCE, including a $100 gift card to your favorite restaurant, Signed copies of Big Rock, Mister O, and Well Hung, $25 gift card to Fandango, $25 gift card to 1-800 Flowers, and a $25 gift card to Victoria’s Secret or Bath and Body Works for 1 winner. Second and Third place prizes include a Signed copy of Well Hung and $25 Amazon Gift Card. ✮✮✮ ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!



About Lauren Blakely:

Since self-publishing her debut romance novel CAUGHT UP IN US three years ago, Lauren Blakely has sold more than 1 million books. She is known for her sexy contemporary romance style that's full of heat, heart and humor. A devout fan of cake and canines, Lauren has plotted entire novels while walking her four-legged friends. She lives in California with her family. With eleven New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than sixty times. Her bestselling series include Sinful Nights, Seductive Nights, No Regrets, Caught Up in Love, and Fighting Fire as well as standalone romantic comedies like BIG ROCK, MISTER O and WELL HUNG, which were instant New York Times Bestsellers. In the fall she'll release THE SEXY ONE, a swoony contemporary romance. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter at laurenblakely.com/newsletter.


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Book Review: Ravage

Ravage (Scarred Souls #3)by Tillie Cole (Goodreads Author) 4.34  ·   Rating Details ·  2,279 Ratings  ·  421 ReviewsIs finding one's true love worth committing the greatest sacrifice of all?

Taken as a teen, prisoner 194 was stripped of his name and freewill, meticulously honed to be a ruthless machine. Even as he tries to fight his captors hold on him he knows that obedience is the only way to save his sister, who is the one person that keeps him from turning into a monster.

As a young girl Zoya Kostava barely escaped the brutal attack that killed her entire family. Now twenty five she lives in secrecy. That is until she hears her brother also survived and is living with their greatest enemy.

Zoya risks her safety and anonymity to find the brother she thought dead and is captured by a beautiful, brutal man. A man who both captivates and scares her, in him she sees a soul as lost as her own.

They both have so much to lose will they be able to save each other…and survive.
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Ravage generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

The mind of Tillie Cole must be quite an interesting place. In her third book of the Scarred Souls series Cole once again explores the deepest parts of human depravity. It'll shock and outrage you, it'll make you feel so much more for her characters. Ravage is told mainly from the points of views of 194 and Zoya with a couple chapters from Luka. It is not a stand alone book, in my opinion this series should be read in order. 

I've been a fan of this series from the beginning. The darkness of human nature Tillie Cole continually portrays never ceases to engage me. Her stories come from a place of raw honesty and empathy. Her writing matures with each book. The story of 194 and Zoya and their roles in this tangled web of a world Cole has created was as consuming as the others. However, for me, something was off in their relationship, in the romance. I missed the connection I felt with the previous books main characters. While Cole dug deep into their past and pulled out their flaws and vulnerabilities so well as individuals, an aspect of their chemistry and need for each other just didn't quite click. 

This series consistently moves forward though adding more depth and layers to the ultimate story and goals of all of these characters. And in that aspect, the story really excelled and has me just as intrigued in how it all works out as I ever was and I very much look forward to the next installment of the Scarred Souls series. Ravage left much open to be explored and I'm confident in Cole's story telling to take me even deeper into her interestingly depraved world.

Happy Release: Away From the Dark

Women are disappearing. What is happening when they step into The Light?

Nine months ago, Sara Adams awoke with no memory. The man holding her hand told her she's a member of The Light, a tight-knit religious group led by the terrifying and charismatic Father Gabriel. As a woman in the community of The Light, her duty is to be unquestionably obedient and to submit to the will of her husband.

But as Sara's memory starts to return and she remembers her past, she sees that everything she's been told is a lie. The Light is an insidious and dangerous organization, and its corrupting influence reaches well beyond the confines of the remote campus where Sara is being held.

With everything at stake, Sara struggles to sort out her true memories from her indoctrination. The desire to escape consumes her, but who can she trust? And what other followers of The Light were forced into this life, brainwashed to believe they belonged? The more she remembers, the mort it becomes clear that Jacob, the man who calls himself her husband, is keeping shattering secrets of his own.

But Sara cannot flee alone, leaving innocents behind. She must fight to extinguish The Light.
AMAZON US / AMAZON UK / AUDIBLE / B&N SaraShrill screams echoed throughout our dimly lit bedroom, accelerating my heartbeat and pulling me from the terrible nightmare. I waited for more, until the realization struck. The screams were my own.

“Jacob?” I called, my voice shaking with dread as I reached for my husband. Instead of reassurance, my fingers met cold empty sheets. He was gone—still away at another campus.

What just happened? Was it a dream?

I clung to the covers as I puffed my cheeks and slowly exhaled. While each breath helped to still the chaos, the exercise wasn’t enough.

Who am I? Who is he?

Jacob’s questions from months ago came back. They were my security. They’d worked before.

I am Sara Adams and my husband is Jacob Adams.

Pushing the images from my dream, or nightmare, away, I imagined Jacob’s comforting embrace. Slowly I threw back the down comforter and willed the cool air to soothe my perspiration-drenched skin. From the way my heart galloped in my chest, I might have been running a marathon, not sleeping.

In my sleep I’d been battling to escape a vehicle, and then an explosion of heat.
It had been a dream, I reassured myself—a nightmare. The accident I’d had, nearly nine months before, had been different. I couldn’t remember it, but I’d been told that I’d been injured and gone unconscious. In the nightmare I had been out and away from the wreckage.

I shook my head.

It seemed so real.

In my dream I hadn’t been able to see past the darkness, yet I’d known I wasn’t injured.
My arms surrounded my midsection as the memories replayed like pictures in my mind. Someone was hurting me—purposely harming me, and there was a voice—a deep voice.

Jacob’s voice?

No. He wouldn’t hurt me.

My entire body shuddered as goose bumps peppered my skin. Sitting upright, I reached for the bedside lamp. With trembling fingers I turned the knob and my eyes adjusted as the soft light combined with the sun’s perpetual summer glow.

I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on Jacob’s questions.

Who am I? Who is he?

This time I said the words aloud, praying that if I spoke the truth, the images would disappear. “I am Sara Adams. He is my husband, Jacob Adams.” I pulled myself from the bed and walked to the bathroom. Turning on the light and the faucet, I cupped the cool water and splashed my face. As I reached for the cup and began to fill it, a metaphoric dam that had been constructed to hold back my past burst.

My mind was flooded—no longer with simple images, but with scene after scene.

For the first time since I could recall, I knew the woman in the mirror.
I knew me. Book 1: Into the LightAn investigator’s search for a friend draws her into a world darker than she could have imagined.Sara Adams awakes bling, unable to remember the most basic details of her life, but her darkness seems a blessing when she discovers the terrors of The Light.Stella Montgomery investigates the news on the mean streets of Detroit, where she’s noticed a disturbing trend: young women are vanishing. When her best friend disappears, Stella investigates—despite warnings from her police detective boyfriend—following a twisted trail that leads her through the city’s most dangerous and forsaken precincts. There she uncovers something more sinister than she could have imagined: a shadowy organization known as The Light, led by the enigmatic Father Gabriel.As Sara struggles to understand her place in these strange world she’s awakened to—an oppressive cult demanding unquestioning obedience—and her feelings for Jacob, the husband she can’t recall and whose harsh and tender attentions confuse and beguile her, Stella risks all to discover the truth. But enlightenment always comes with a price…AMAZON US / AMAZON UK / AUDIBLE / B&N Aleatha Romig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raise three children with her high school sweetheart and husband or nearly thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she’s not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. The standalone thrillers continue Aleatha’s twisted style with an increase in heat.In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romance with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK will be published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.Aleatha is a “Published Author’s Network” member of the Romance Writers of America and represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Browne & Miller Literary Associates.
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Book Release: The Destined

The Destined
E.J. Mellow
(Dreamland #3)
Publication date: October 17th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult

I searched for you in the stars tonight.

But I found none

that burned as bright as you.
—Part of a letter from Dev to Molly
With the loss of Terra’s greatest weapon, the war against darkness escalates rapidly, and time is on no one’s side. While Dev struggles to keep his home and hope alive, Molly and Rae find themselves forced to confront a desperately kept secret and quickly learn that a life-altering sacrifice is the asking price to restore order.
Nightmares, betrayal, the fate of two worlds, and one man’s hunger for vengeance lead Molly down a twisted and dark path she fears she might never come back from. Cornered into making a heart-wrenching decision, Molly teeters between deliverance and damnation. Who is worth saving most—a nation or the one she loves?
From Award Winning author, E.J. Mellow, comes the breathtaking conclusion of The Dreamland Series. A story that will take you on a spine-tingling and gripping ride through self-sacrifice, the true power of love, and the importance of friendship.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble—

Author Bio:
E.J. Mellow is the Award Winning author behind the NA Contemporary Fantasy trilogy The Dreamland Series. With a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, E.J. Mellow splits her time between her two loves – visual design and writing. Residing in NYC, E.J. is a member of Romance Writers of America and their Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Chapter. She has no animals but loves those who do.
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Book Review: The Proverbial Mr. Universe

The Proverbial Mr. Universeby Maria La Serra (Goodreads Author) 3.59  ·   Rating Details ·  46 Ratings  ·  36 ReviewsDear girl with the red scarf,
Love was never meant to be conquered,
you have to surrender to it.
Trust me. After all, I am Mr. Universe. 

When the universe conveys a message, you listen.

Olivia Montiano just caught her fiancé cheating. Now she is forced to question what she wants out of life and love. Striving to live up to her father’s unrealistic standards for the past twenty-three years, every decision she has ever made was with her father’s wishes in mind—until she finds mysterious, handwritten letters tucked away in places only meant for her. That’s when she realizes she’s been on the wrong path all along and gives her heart to a guy her father thinks is entirely wrong.

Washed-up abstract artist Nick Montgomery has had quite a few setbacks in life. He’s accustomed to never needing anyone, thinking he’s just fine—until he meets the girl with the red scarf. She’s not his type. But the universe has other ideas. Nick has a secret he’s keeping from her, afraid it will bring their new relationship to a sudden halt.

Will they figure out what the universe holds for them?
TeriLyn's thoughts: **The Proverbial Mr. Universe generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

As Maria La Serra's debut novel, The Proverbial Mr. Universe comes as a enjoyable story filled with kitzy moments, sweet sentiment, and a charismatic hero. The story takes shape nicely as our heroine, Olivia, goes through a life-altering change leaving her mentally abusive fiance. Kismet happens for Nick, our hero, the moment he sees Olivia from afar. As the pairs lives collide Olivia starts receiving mysterious life and self affirming notes from Mr. Universe. 

The enjoyment of this story came from the simplistic details of Olivia and Nick's lives as well as the notes and encouragement from Mr. Universe. Nick is full of life even after so much has happened in his past. He's charming and sweet, says all the right things, and cares deeply with a big, full heart. Olivia can't quite seem to see herself for what she truly is having an ex that messed with her self-worth so much. The blossoming of their relationship and the relationships around them were happy to read. At points in the story I thought things were dragging and that Olivia's deteriorated self confidence became too much. I wanted more for her especially. There were a few points where I thought the forward motion of the story was stalled. And then a few plot points that weren't nearly completed when "the end" came. Nearer to the end I felt rushed and slightly disappointed in how the story was finished. 

The Proverbial Mr. Universe was easily read in a day. Written from the third person POV, it easily engages. It's one of the books that even when it's dragging you're so intrigued that you just can't wait to see how it plays out. La Serra's writing is good and engaging. Her Mr. Universe notes a true beacon in the story. As a stand alone contemporary romance the story holds the ability to pull at your heartstrings.

Book Review: Evelyn After

Evelyn, After: A Novelby Victoria Helen Stone 3.74  ·   Rating Details ·  1,869 Ratings  ·  150 ReviewsEvelyn Tester is sleepwalking through her suburban life—until a late-night phone call startles her awake. Her husband, a prestigious psychiatrist, has been in an accident. And he isn’t alone.

Suddenly Evelyn’s world isn’t as tidy as she thought. And in the midst of it all is Juliette, not only her husband’s secret lover but also his patient. If news of the affair were to get out, it would ruin more than just Evelyn’s marriage. Although it’s a bitter pill for Evelyn to swallow, protecting her family means staying silent—even if, as she begins to discover, the night of the accident has consequences far more dangerous than the unmasking of an affair.

But the more Evelyn learns about Juliette’s picture-perfect life—complete with a handsome, unsuspecting husband—the more she yearns for revenge…and satisfaction. Her growing obsession fuels her rage, burning away her complacency. What will be left of her after it flames out? 
Lori's thoughts: The book alternates between past and present. I can't say that anything really took me by surprise or shocked me. I found myself thinking, "Ah-ha! I knew it!" But in a way that I didn't know. It's hard to explain, but I wasn't surprised when what happened-happened. I enjoyed the book immensely and the story kept me up at night turning pages when I should have been asleep. Highly recommend.