Lori L. Clark's Blog, page 194

Book Review: Out From Under You

“Love is an earthquake. It comes when you least expect it. It rips the ground clear away. Right out from under you.” The day Lia Smart met Grayson Walker, eight years ago, was the day she fell helplessly in love with him. Coincidentally, it was the same day Grayson fell in love with someone else: Lia’s smarter, sexier, superior-in-every-way older sister, Alex. Now, nearly a decade later, Alex and Grayson are long over and twenty-two-year-old Lia has finally managed to forget all those lonely nights she spent pining after her sister’s boyfriend. But when Grayson unexpectedly arrives back in town with Alex for Labor Day weekend and the two announce that they’re not only back together but engaged, all the feelings that Lia buried suddenly come bubbling back to the surface. But Lia is no longer the awkward, gangly tomboy she was at fourteen. Far from it. And Grayson is conflicted by the lustful thoughts he’s now having for her. He knows he could never act on those thoughts, however. Grayson has always prided himself on being one of the “good guys.” But as the weekend wears on, he’s finding this new grown-up version of Lia more and more impossible to resist... Heartbreaking and sexy with a dash of humor, Sophie Swift crafts a passionate, unforgettable tale about desire, growing up, and the kind of love that shakes us to the core. *Contains adult situations and explicit content. Recommended for ages 17+
Kath's thoughts: I love it. Well okay... To be honest I had a "love-hate relationship" with this book. Love because of the way how Sophie Swift wrote it. It's written in dual point of views. One for Grayson Walker and the other is for Lia Smart. I love how Sophie connected those two minds but also you can see the difference of the thoughts of the two characters. I also loved the flow of the story, there's some unexpected twist and turns just when I thought it'll be a happy ending. 

To the hate part, ok... I think I've never ever read a book with characters like this whose been so so so stubborn! I mean come on Grayson! Get it on already! Be a man and have the balls to choose which Smart girl are you choosing. It's like he's stuck in a Robert Frost poem that he cannot choose which road to travel by! And trust me I really hated that for playing with Lia's feeling (My feelings too!) and then there's Lia. Lia Lia Lia. I don't know... I understand her. That some admiration isn't just a simple crush like for others but some times an admiration can turn into a one sided love. (Oh trust me Lia I know the feeling) so I really couldn't imagine how she handle hiding it all those years that her long time crush, an on and off boyfriend of her sister Alex and a surprise news "we're engaged". 

Then there's Alex Smart. I mean these two siblings really? All those years you've been having a silent sibling rivalry and no one ever said "hey let's talk what is wrong with you?!" see what I mean? Anyways my point is while reading this it's a roller coaster ride of feelings for me. That is why I loved this book. Most especially I loved Sophie! Her words are amazing and i mean uh-may-zeeng! Like this quote for example "Love is an earthquake. It comes when you least expect it. It shakes your foundation to the core. It rips the ground clear away. Right out from under you." Sophie can deliver a great humor too especially Blake's line or Lia's "Lois Lame", have loads of drama, has steaming scenes (oh you'll get why it's steaming alright) :) so for people who's been irritated or hated the story well... Like I said it's a love/hate with this story but in the end I've gotta say it's love. I love it the most. And as Lia's mom said "The choices that lead us to happiness are never the easiest ones or the least painful." So give this a chance and try to understand this amazing characters that Sophie created.



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OUT FROM UNDER YOU – Author Dream CastI think almost every author dreams of his/her book being turned into a movie one day and I’m no exception! But until that glorious day comes, I’ll just have to dream it up in my imagination. And since in this fantasy movie, I am the director, producer, costume designer, music supervisor, AND casting director, I get to pick all the actors that star in it!
So here it is, my dream cast for the main characters of OUT FROM UNDER YOU!


Lia Smart - Brittany Snow After watching (and loving!) Pitch Perfect, I fell in love with Brittany Snow. I think she has the perfect mix of sexiness and adorableness. But she can also be snarky, witty, and comedic. This combination is the epitome of Lia Smart. I also think you could really have fun “dorking up” Brittany Snow for the younger flashback scenes before she grew up and “turned pretty.”






Alex Smart – Hayden Panettiere Hayden has such great sex appeal. She oozes confidence and sultriness on screen. This is exactly the kind of person I pictured when writing Alex Smart, Lia’s sexy, confident, intelligent older sister. I could see how someone like Hayden Panettiere could totally put a spell on Grayson!


Grayson Walker – Liam Hemsworth SWOOOOON! I just LOVE Liam Hemsworth! I will secretly be married to him one day, mark my words! I fell in love with him after watching The Last Song and I think he just embodies that perfect mix of steamy goodness and sweet-natured “nice guy.” That is Grayson Walker to a T! And don’t even get me started on his body. *&^$%#!!!!











Blake – Hunter Parrish In my mind Blake, the bartender at Lia’s restaurant, is this totally hot flirt with an undeniable boyish charm. I love Hunter Parrish for this role. He has this playful, jokester look about him. He would nail the role of Blake.








Danika – Mila Kunis Lia’s best friend, Danika, is spunky and charismatic. She’s Lia’s voice of reason. I could totally see Mila Kunis in this role. She has so much personality and spark on the screen. Plus I love picturing Mila and Brittany hitting up Hank’s bar together and playing with the hearts of all the local men. :)

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Empath

I'm very excited to announce the release of my latest New Adult novel Empath, the first book in the Flawed Series. Read on to find out more about this paranormal thriller and be sure to enter the giveaway at the end for an awesome prize package.
The Struggle of an EmpathSupernatural empathy isn’t a gift, it’s a curse. Anywhere she goes, Jade’s emotions are replaced by those of the people around her.Jade grew up in a suburb of Colorado Springs, protected from other people by her parents. Now she faces college—and the world—with nothing to shield her from unwanted feelings.When Cam, a classmate with a major crush on her unintentionally hijacks her emotions, Jade struggles to keep from being carried away in feelings of attraction. When Ethan, a psychopath with a thirst for fear, fixates on her, the emotional impact could be lethal. Caught in a deadly trap, Jade must untangle the emotions and find a way to use her empathic curse to overcome this killer or be overcome by him.
Empath eBook Now AvailableGet your ebook copy now at any of these sites (paperback copies are not yet available, but coming soon!):
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Barnes & NobleKobo | iTunes (coming soon!)

Prize Package GiveawayTo celebrate the release, I'm running a giveaway for two lucky winners.
Grande Prize:A rare, autographed proof copy of the paperbackA 12" X 18" poster of the cover artEmpath notebook
Empath collector's button
Second Prize:An autographed paperback copya Rafflecopter giveaway

Becca J. Campbell is the author of the New Adult Romantic Science Fiction novels Foreign Identity and Gateway to Reality , and Sub-Normal, a series of short stories. An avid lover of stories that tiptoe the line between fantasy and reality (even when they plunge off one side or the other), Becca looks for new angles on bridging the gap between the two. She holds a special place in her heart for any story that involves superpowers or time travel. Her passion is defying the limits of her own creativity. You can find her on her Author Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Amazon

Cover Reveal: Whiskey Lullaby

Whiskey Lullaby by Dawn Marten & Emily Minton: Julie Walker thought she found true love with Jase. Until he betrayed her in the worst way, with one of her best friends. Devastated and heartbroken she runs away,leaving behind her family and friends. She starts a new life filled with secrets.

When Julie meets Dean, she thinks he is the answer to all her prayers, but Dean isn't who she thinks he is.

Jase Gibson is a player. Even when he had the girl of his dreams, he still played. When he lost Julie, his life fell apart. He turned to whiskey and women, to fill the void. But, only Julie will ever make him whole.

Nine years later, Julie's back home, but shes not alone. What will happen when all of Julie's secrets are uncovered?
Jase vowed that if he ever got her back, he would do right by her and never let her go. Will he let Julie's secret keep them apart?

When Julie's ex-husband refuses to be her ex, Jase must choose to help her or hang on to his anger.
Jase and Julie have to find a way to give their whiskey lullaby a happy ending.

Expected Publication Date: September 30, 2013








Dawn Martens: I'm Dawn. I co-wrote two books (Chase and Kade) with fellow author Chantal Fernando, in the Resisting Love. We went solo on three of the books, she wrote Ryder, and she is writing James, and I'm writing Derek.Also working on a book currently with my friend Isabella Bearden, called A Second Chance!
AND I'm currently writing a book with good friend Emily Minton called Whiskey Lullaby.
I drink too much, Swear too much, and Read too much. Yes I read too much. I don't have a filter, and I tend to speak before I think.
I'm a beta reader for many authors, I'm on a few authors ARC list, because apparently I'm THAT awesome. ;) And I also edit. Not a professional, but I do help a few with that.
I have two children, 5&2, and have another on the way. They bug the shit outta me, but hey, that's what kids are supposed to do. ;) Married since 2007. He's amazing, but he's also a bigger pain in my ass than my kids are.
I love to read. And I love being able to write stories that *I* want to read!I couldn't do this without the help of some very special friends!
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Cover Reveal: Hopeless For You

Hopeless For You by Hayden Hill: Ash Jensen, a squeaky-clean sophomore at the University of Tennessee, has a trail of baggage a mile long. She swore she'd never love again but when she finds herself interned to a yummy Canadian conservation officer that promise is tested big-time. Kade Gyllenhahl sports wild tattoos, a rebellious attitude and a fohawk to die for. He's definitely the wrong man for her and she knows it.

Kade doesn't have time for a girl like her. She's a pretentious, unreadable princess who lives her life by her parents' rules. Besides, he'll lose his job if he sleeps with Ash. Now if only he could get his mind off her.

When the two of them end up alone and isolated on a routine field trip into the woods, things get a little complicated...
HOPELESS FOR YOU by Hayden Hill is scheduled for release on September 21st, 2013. To be notified when the book comes out. click here.



ABOUT HAYDEN HILL:

Hayden Hill is the author of HOPELESS FOR YOU, an upcoming New Adult contemporary romance.

When not writing, Hayden enjoys photography and travel. Hayden is known to have a weakness for a certain white chocolate cheesecake...

Goodreads: Hayden Hill
Facebook: Hayden Hill Books
Twitter: @HaydenHillBooks
Website: HaydenHillBooks.com

Book Blast & Giveaway: Ricochet

As a sex addict, Lily Calloway must do the impossible. Stay celibate for 90 days.

Cravings and fantasies become her new routine, but while Loren Hale recovers from his alcohol addiction, Lily wonders if he’ll realize what a monster she really is. After all, her sexual compulsions begin to rule her life the longer she stays faithful to him.

Progress. That’s what Lily’s striving for. But by trying to become closer to her family—people who aren’t aware of her addiction—she creates larger obstacles. When she spends time with her youngest sister, she learns more about her than she ever imagined and senses an unsettling connection between Daisy and Ryke Meadows.

With Lily and Lo’s dysfunctional relationship teetering and unbalanced, they will need to find a way to reconnect from miles apart. But the inability to “touch” proves to be one of the hardest tests on their road to recovery. Some love brushes the surface. Some love is deeper than skin.

Lily and Lo have three months to discover just how deep their love really goes.

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Includes the first chapter to the sequel Addicted for Now.



Companion to the Sequel: A full-length New Adult Romance that continues where Addicted to You left off. As a companion novel, it bridges the gap between the first and second book. It is highly recommended to be read before Addicted for Now.

Purchase your copy today!
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Excerpt!

“Shhh, and let me finish my diagnosis,” he says.

My cheeks grow hot.

“You’re flushed,” he nods and tries to suppress a growing smile. He puts his hands on my shoulders and leans my head back against the pillow, kneeling and towering over me. “I have to listen to your heart.”

“No,” I retort weakly, not in the mood to play with him. Not when it always has to end with me tense and aroused and needy. He loves to tease me, and I worry about the day where I won’t have the strength to say no.

He ignores me and places his ear to the bareness of my collarbone, the place peeking from my V-neck shirt. I inhale a sharp breath, his face too near. After a long moment, he rises a little and says, “I knew it.”

My eyes narrow. “Knew what?”

His hot gaze traces my lips, and then flits back up to my eyes. “You’re suffering from a clear case of...” His mouth brushes my ear. “…infatuation.”

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Becca Ritchie is a carnivore of pop culture, television, film and of course YA and NA books. While in college, she worked at The CW television network and put her vampiric knowledge to good use, blogging about hit series and swooning over actors’ abs. When she’s not blogging, she writes novels and has teamed up with her twin sister for their New Adult novel ADDICTED TO YOU. Available July of 2013.

Krista Ritchie is the mind behind popular trading website YA Book Exchange and created Nawanda Files, a book blog that also features books into movies news. When not pouring over entertainment news and the newest releases, she spends her time working in the science field. She’s happy to join forces with her sister, harnessing their twin powers to produce the first in a New Adult series.

Website † Twitter: Krista/Becca †  GoodReads 

Cover Reveal: Retribution

Retribution by Amy Thompson: Regan Edison has just moved from California, to enter her first year at Georgia Liberty College, the place where jacked up Chevy trucks and hunting are a way of life. Regan hopes to start a new life for herself and she thinks that Georgia is just the place to do it. That is until she meets an unexpected stranger.

Colter Hayes is a member of the Collectors, a group of wrongfully punished lost souls. Colter and the rest of his team, Finn, Kaiden and Devon, work for the Requiem Council who pass judgment on those souls that are neither tagged for Heaven nor Hell. The Council has charged the Collectors with finding the lost in exchange for a chance at redemption.

When an ex-councilmember known to pass Retribution on lost souls sets his sights on Regan, the Requiem Council dispatches the Collectors to Georgia to work as protectors for Regan. The Collectors must fight to save Regan from a fate they know all too well, but can they work to earn back their chance at redemption or are their fates sealed forever?

Who is meant for Heaven?

Who is meant for Hell?

And who is just lost?

Title: Retribution
Author: Amy Thompson

About The Author

Amy Thompson graduated from Randolph-Macon College with her B.S. in Biology. She currently works as a high school mentor and is earning her M.S. in Higher Education from Drexel University. Amy is a first time, self-published author of Retribution, a new adult paranormal romance novel that is the first in the Lost Souls series. She lives in Southern Virginia with her family and two lazy cats. Amy Thompson is currently working on the next book in the Lost Souls series and continues to be an avid reader of all things books.

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Blog Tour: Life on the Edge

Life of the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux: "Nineteen-year-old Emily is new to pairs skating, but she and her partner Chris have a big dream–to be the first American team to win Olympic gold. Their young coach Sergei, who left Russia after a mysterious end to his skating career, believes they can break through and make history.
Emily and Chris are on track to be top contenders at the 2002 Winter Games. But when forbidden feelings spark between Emily and Sergei, broken trust and an unexpected enemy threaten to derail Emily's dreams of gold."




Jennifer Comeaux earned a Master of Accounting from Tulane University and is a Certified Public Accountant in south Louisiana. While working in the corporate world, she sought a creative outlet and decided to put on paper a story that had played in her head for years. That story became Life on the Edge, her first published novel.
When not working or writing, she is an avid follower of the sport of figure skating, travelling to competitions around the country. Those experiences allow her to see another side of the sport and serve as an inspiration for her writing.

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Book Review: Unraveling

Unraveling (Second Chances) by Micalea Smeltzer: Katy Spencer’s life fell apart two years ago. Since then, she’s closed herself off. She’s a shell of the person she used to be. The only person she trusts is her best friend Rollo, but even he can’t keep the nightmares away. Then she meets Jared. He’s the first man she’s been around since the event that she’s not afraid of. He makes her heart race, not in fear, but in a fluttering that could become something meaningful.

Jared can tell that Katy is broken. He sees something in her eyes that he’s often seen reflected in his own.

Pain.

Fear.

Self-loathing.

Jared is determined to get to know her.

He wants to solve the mystery of Katy Spencer.

He will… unravel her.

NOTE: This book is the first book in a series, but each book will follow different characters and be able to be read as a standalone, with no cliffhangers.
This is a New Adult Contemporary Romance and some content might not be suitable for younger readers.
File Size: 708 KB
Print Length: 447 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1482635836
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00C5J11CK
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

TeriLyn's thoughts: I liked Unraveling, especially Jared. His story was that of triumph. He went through something sick that could have broken him forever but he was strong and saw the light in Katy. He was so kind, patient, and understanding. He saw so much good and life in her.

Katy was pulled into a darkness that she couldn't fathom overcoming. Jared was the comfort and security she needed to come undone. I felt her personal growth through this story and their growth as a couple. It was sweet, innocent, and romantic. I loved that there wasn't a ton of drama here just two people discovering themselves together. Their stories prove that no matter the screwed up background you can always find a semblance of normalcy and happiness.

I love that in a book and this book; it was a good read.

Book Review: Twisted Perfection

Twisted Perfection by Abbi Glines: My future was about to be completely thrown off track because Della Sloane was under my skin, and I had to have her. I couldn’t ignore it anymore. . . . I’d gotten close enough to her to see deeper.


Della Sloane is not your average girl. Yearning to break free of her dark and sheltered past, and the memories of the illness that claimed her mother, Della plans a solo road trip to experience real life on her own terms. But the trip is nearly cut short in the little beach town of Rosemary when she realizes she can’t even pump her own gas—until Woods Kerrington shows up, more than willing to help out a pretty girl in need.


Woods’s family wants him to settle down with a wealthy woman in pearls, but he can’t resist this carefree girl in cutoffs passing through town. A one-night stand should have been enough, but months later, Woods can’t get the irresistible Della out of his head.


When a twist of fate brings Della back to Woods, all signs point to trouble if they don’t keep their distance. Neither is truly free, and a relationship could destroy both of them. With their hearts on the line, Della thinks the safest bet is to walk away. But Woods isn’t about to let that happen…
File Size: 551 KB
Print Length: 273 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1476756503
Publisher: Atria Books; Original edition (May 30, 2013)
Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
Language: English
ASIN: B00CVR2OW2
Text-to-Speech: Not enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled

TeriLyn's thoughts: I wasn't smitten with Woods in the Too Far books like many were. His character didn't do much for me. Twisted Perfection definitely changed that! At the beginning I wanted to shake him a little because of his decisions but he totally redeems himself. Delving deeper into his life makes it hard not to be smitten with him. From the outside, he's from a seemingly good place; exposing his demons make him vulnerable and I enjoyed reading about him.

Della made the book for me. I loved the fact that she too is dealing with some very heavy demons and she is vulnerable; and that vulnerability makes her that much more desirable to Woods. I liked the attitude she possessed about learning to live her life and learn who she is without the heavy. Woods became a major factor in that. I enjoy these characters from Rosemary.

I'm excited to see where Abbi Glines takes this story and how these two navigate their new lives together.

Book Review: Bring Me Home

Bring Me Home (Shattered Hearts) by Cassia Leo: Claire Nixon is a college student with a past full of secrets and heartbreak. She was saved once by her first love, and rock star, Chris Knight. But when she encouraged Chris to leave town to pursue his dreams, both Claire and Chris didn't realize it would be the biggest mistake of their lives.

After a devastating year apart and thousands of miles of distance between them, Claire met sexy surfer Adam Parker. With his awful jokes and profound patience, he helped Claire pick up the shattered pieces of her broken heart for the second time.

But now Chris has returned and he is willing and determined to make Claire’s dreams come true—the same way she did for him when she let him go.

With Adam’s former girlfriend in the picture, Claire finds herself torn between the new, passionate love she shares with Adam and the love and family she shares with Chris.

New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language, drug use, and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
File Size: 528 KB
Print Length: 349 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1491072032
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Gloss Publishing LLC (August 3, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00EBTKGCI
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

TeriLyn's thoughts: Bring Me Home was an excellent ending to the Shattered Hearts series. Claire, Chris, and Adam were all great characters. I was worried going in that there would be a lot of love triangle drama and I'm thankful there was not. All the characters showed their maturity and made their choices. Claire and Adam especially showed growth from when we met them in Relentless. They were holding on to a lot of issues and not making any strides towards healing and moving on. Rather they were using each other to numb. However, in Bring Me Homey hey moved forward, towards acceptance. All three of them plus Lindsay too grew and moved on the best they knew how. For people so young Adam, Chris, and especially Claire learning the power of forgiveness is healing; not only forgiving others but forgiving oneself. This story made for great, easy reading. Acceptance and love are major themes here. Cassia Leo's writing draws you into this world and makes you feel for these characters and their struggles. There were a couple of times when I couldn't wrap my mind around Claire and didn't always agree with her decisions but I still felt for her. That's a testament to the excellent story telling of this author. The epilogues were great. I especially liked Adam's; I always had a soft spot for him. Great Series.