Lori L. Clark's Blog, page 198

Book Review: Sapphire Universe

Sapphire Universe by Devon Herrera: Rule #1 Do NOT ignore the signs.

Rule #2 Pay attention.

Rule #3 The less they know about you, the harder it is for them to hurt you.

Rule #4 Comfort is dangerous. It can be taken away.

Rule #5 Need is a handicap. It can cripple you.

Rule #6 He isn’t what he seems. Don’t trust him.

Simple rules made for a simple purpose. Nina Ryan learned early on in life that if you want to avoid being hurt, you need to be proactive. If you pay attention, the Universe will always steer you in the right direction. It will help keep you safe. So, she follows the rules, and she is safe. Until Connor Wright barges his way through all her carefully laid defenses and threatens to destroy the comfortable life she has created. Faithfully following her #1 rule, Nina tries to accept that the Universe has pushed Connor and her lives together for a purpose. Determined to make Nina his, Connor chips away at the walls Nina has placed around her heart and her secrets. Is Nina following the signs that will lead her down the right path, or does Connor hold secrets of his own that will ruin Nina for good? Only the Universe knows.


Disclaimer: This is a mature New Adult Romance recommended only for 18+
File Size: 466 KB
Print Length: 240 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00B9L2B56
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

Whairigail's thoughts: ****4.5 Loving Hearts****

I stumbled across this book thanks to some Goodreads friends and I'm MORE than pleased I did - Devon Herrera, you my lovely little lady, are amazing :)

It's book covers some serious issues, some of which are very hard to read, but somehow Devon manages to make the reader feel at ease reading about them (sorry if that didn't make any sense!)

For the first time when reading a book, I made notes and highlighted sections to refer back to [go me, organised!]. To keep my reviews spoiler free, I'd rather tell you how parts of this book made me feel rather than divulge any of the story so here goes...

17% Shocked. Confused.
31% touched. Loved. Warm and fuzzy.
50% Angry ... Why?? Grr.
89% deliriously happy.
92% Badass!
100% so glad I bought this book.

Overall a brilliant book, 0.5* subtracted because the pace wasn't steady, it seemed to go way too fast, then it slowed up, then it was perfect, then it seemed to go too fast again.

Favourite Quotes:

"I will always carry you Princess. Not everyone can say they have held their entire Universe in their arms.”
"It’s a message from the Universe."
"The best relationships begin as friendships.”
Will definitely read more of Devons novels so come on Devon - get writing!!

Book Review: Off The Record

Off The Record (Off Series, #3): Ever Montgomery suffered the ultimate betrayal by the one man who she should have been able to count on for anything. It has left her hurt, jaded and incapable of forming relationships, but it also means that she can spot a liar a mile away. These traits are earning her a reputation as a reporter with a keen nose for a good story and a complete understanding of the extreme power of the written word.

Lincoln Caldwell, is the hot goalie for the New York Rangers. At twenty-four and a rising star, he works hard and he plays even harder. He's gorgeous and carefree--the ultimate charmer. Ladies fall at his feet and the single life has never been lived the way Linc Caldwell does it.

When Ever publishes an article about Linc containing information that she received off the record, she finds herself on the receiving end of the athlete's fury. Rather than basking in the glory of exposing Linc as a shameless user of women, she finds herself at his mercy when he demands and receives retribution. Required by her editor to trail Linc for six weeks, Ever is forced to look at the real Linc Caldwell.

And she just might find that she has misjudged him.

** This book can be read as a stand alone, as can any book in the Off Series.
File Size: 1042 KB
Print Length: 236 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0989416429
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Big Dog Books, LLC (June 8, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00DAHFEJW
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

Whairigail's thoughts: *4.5 Panty Dropping Hearts*

"Your smile would bring a lesser man to his knees. But if you wore your glasses and smiled at me like that, it would topple me"

This is Book 3 in the Off Series.

WAY Better and Book 1. Off Sides

Not as Good as Book 2.OFF LIMITS

But Panty Droppingly Sexual!

Roll On Book 4!Off Course

Linc Caldwell is Yum. Just Yum!
He is the Goalie for a Top Hockey Team, he has a great cirle of friends, his brother happens to be Nixon Caldwell who is just sex-on-legs and he has it all.

Ever Montgomery has been hurt - really hurt by her father and her Fiance. She hates men and quite rightly so! She is an up and coming journalist who is given the honor of interviewing Linc.

This interveiw happens to take place at one of Linc's end-of-season parties. Throw in some mis-conceptions, alcohol, jumping-the-gun-decisions and you have a scathing article and mutual hatred.

Linc forces Ever to be by his side for 6 weeks - much to her annoyance.

This book is filled with Laughter, Lust, Vicarious Living and Love.

I loved it and cannot wait on Book 4.

Book Review: Off Limits

Off Limits (Off Series, #2) by Sawyer Bennett: Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life. And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman. Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time. And she likes it.

Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation. It's certainly the easiest way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down.

When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms. He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart.

Having grabbed life by the horns, Emily wants it all. But is she willing to accept just the small part of himself that Nix is offering? Or can she reach the part of his soul that he has deemed to be Off Limits?
File Size: 388 KB
Print Length: 254 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Big Dog Books (April 14, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00CD6KQSK
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

Whairigail's thoughts: *****5 INCREDIBLE, OUT OF THIS WORLD HEARTS*****

I save my 5 Heart for books that have me thinking about them for weeks. Books that get hold of my heart and stay there. Books I want to shout about from the rooftops.

OFF LIMITS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT ONE OF THOSE BOOKS

Emily Burnham is from a Wealthy, Politically Famous family and her mother has spent her like forcing her to Conform to the Norm. Be "the perfect daughter" - pretty, smart and popular. And Emily was happy to be this person, maybe even enjoy it.

Until she grew up.

And realised her life was fake, she was immature, shallow and self obsessed and if she didn't make a stand to change her life, she was destined to be her mum's puppet forever.

So get this folks - our Heroine actually GREW A SET OF BALLS and made the effort to turn her life around. I am a complete sucker for a Heroine that has a great sense of self respect and doesn't rely on Daddy. I love it even more when she is the one to cut the strings and make it on her own!

Nixon Caldwell.

"Nix"

Oh Nix.

Sweet, Sexy, Messed Up Nix.

Book Boyfriends?? STUFF THEM ALL!! Nixon Caldwell is up there with the Will Coopers, Holder's, Travis Maddox's and Remmington Tate's of the Book Boyfriend World.

He is the strong, silent type - but one with a huge heart, a sexy body and a work ethic to die for. He is just scrum-diddly-umptous!

This was a wonderfully written, funny, sweet, touching and heartfelt novel which will stay with me for a long time. A definite must read.

N.B:
The story ties back to Off Sides, but it could, quite easily, be read as a stand alone novel.

Book Review: Fixed on You

Fixed on You (Fixed, #1) by Laurelin Paige: Stalking and restraining orders are a thing of Alayna Wither's past. With her MBA newly in hand, she has her future figured out--move up at the nightclub she works at and stay away from any guy who might trigger her obsessive love disorder. A perfect plan. But what Alayna didn't figure on is Hudson Pierce, the new owner of the nightclub. He's smart, rich, and gorgeous--the kind of guy Alayna knows to stay away from if she wants to keep her past tendencies in check. Except, Hudson's fixed his sights on her. He wants her in his bed and makes no secret of it. Avoiding him isn't an option after he offers a business proposition she can't turn down and she's drawn further into his universe, unable to resist his gravitational pull. When she learns Hudson has a dark history of his own, she realizes too late that she's fallen for the worst man she could possibly get involved with. Or maybe their less than ideal pasts give them an opportunity to heal each other and finally find the love their lives have been missing.
File Size: 433 KB
Print Length: 247 pages
Publisher: Mandevilla Press (June 24, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00CR0QM12
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

TeriLyn's thoughts: Fixed on You was an engrossing and quick read. I really enjoyed Hudson and Alayna. Both characters have extremely addictive personalities stemming from sordid pasts. Their addictions are opposite however both extreme in intensity. Alayna loves too hard and Hudson doesn't love at all. What I loved about the story is that they are both brutally honest to each other. There are no secrets between them about the extent to which they both have gone to feed their addictions.

Alayna is broken. And while I do think that the back story as to why she is broken could have been developed more, her past is interesting and unique from other things I have read before. Falling in love quick and craving co-dependence is an easy trap to fall into. With Hudson, she makes it known that this will likely happen. Hudson does not judge her, rather he finds a kindred spirit. They both found someone who understands them and matches their intensity. Hudson while rich, powerful, and dominant has been defeated by his Mother. Sophia Pierce is a fierce woman and as mean as the day is long. She is condescending about Hudson's problems. She even relishes the fact that he is a sociopath so she could use it against him. When Alayna starts to prove she can be just as strong if not stronger than Sophia in her convictions about Hudson's ability to love, it makes you want to hug her.

I'm so excited to read the second book. Hopefully Hudson realizes he's met his match. The ending of Fixed on You tells me they might just tackle their addictions and the world together.

Book Review: Free Falling

Free Falling by Kirsty Moseley: They say that your school years are supposed to be the best years of your life, and that you should make the most of them because you’ll miss them when you’re all grown up. Up until Maisie Preston’s senior year, she would have totally agreed with that statement. Life was great; she had everything going for her, excellent grades, great parents, an annoying yet caring twin brother, and an impossibly sweet boyfriend.

Everything was perfect — that is until the arrival of Zach Anderson. A misfit delinquent that seemed to bring with him a lot of bad karma. Is it just a coincidence that his arrival marks a significant change in Maisie’s life? Up until senior year, life was perfect, but things seem to be going downhill fast.

This is a companion novel for ‘Always You’ — though this novel stands alone so there is no need to read Always You first.
File Size: 578 KB
Print Length: 281 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1484079795
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00CSH9PGS
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

Whairigail's thoughts: **3.5-4 Hearts**

Let me start with saying I LOVE KIRSTY MOSELEY. Like adore her writing so giving anything less than 5 stars hurts more than a little.

Blurb: They say that your school years are supposed to be the best years of your life, and that you should make the most of them because you’ll miss them when you’re all grown up. Up until Maisie Preston’s senior year, she would have totally agreed with that statement. Life was great, she had everything going for her, excellent grades, great parents, an annoying yet caring twin brother, and an impossibly sweet boyfriend. Everything was perfect - that is until the arrival of Zach Anderson. A misfit delinquent that seemed to bring with him a lot of bad karma. Is it just a coincidence that his arrival marks a significant change in Maisie’s life? Up until senior year, life was perfect, but things seem to be going downhill fast.

It's book is a spin off from Always You which tells the story of Riley and Clay - note: I'd read always you first, not because you need to but for 2 reasons...

1. This book gives away the ending of always you
2. Always you is an awesome book

Kirsty's writing style is unique, touching, heartfelt, very relatable and very very loving. She can describe innocent, mesmerising and all consuming love like no other author I've ever read.

Things I liked:
Maisie
Zachary
Riley and Clay of course!

Things I disliked:
Not understanding why Zach was in the story
The amount the school featured (for a YA, I was expecting more college-ish scenarios)

All in all this is a touching read, I saw the ending a mile away but that's because I read the first 16 chapters when this was an unpublished book on wattpad.

If your looking for a summer, beach, not too deep book - this is for you. Not Kirsty's best but love it none the less.

Book Blast & Giveaway: Adam's Apple

Adam's Apple by Liv Morris: Adam Kingsley reigns as the young prince of Manhattan. Everything he touches turns to gold making him the envy of Wall Street. Women swoon at his feet, money falls out of his pockets, and his killer good looks are as wicked as sin. A dangerous trifecta.
What more could a thirty-two year old man wish for? Maybe that his life never changes and his past stays far away? Sounds reasonable but life seldom is.
Kathryn Delcour is a beautiful and alluring socialite with unique erotic tastes. When she suddenly appears on the New York City social scene, Adam finds her too tempting to resist. He has to have her, but she is warned to stay away from him and his player ways. She tries her hardest to keep him at arm's length however Kathryn's arms may not be strong enough to hold Adam at bay.
Hidden secrets, Kathryn's passion for an ancient sexual practice, and a former business partner wanting to inflict a deadly revenge set the scene for a wild ride as Adam tells the story in his own words.

Title: Adam’s Apple
Author: Liv Morris
Publisher: Kiki Press
Release date: July 30, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Event organized by: AToMR Tours; http://atomrbookblogtours.com





Liv Morris resides in Manhattan with her husband of twenty-eight years. Relocating eleven times during her husband's corporate career, Liv qualifies as a professional mover. Learning to bloom where she's planted, Liv brings her moving and life experiences to her writing.

A native of the beautiful Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri, Liv feels blessed to have a supportive and close family. Her three grown daughters are scattered across the country, but thankfully call home on a regular basis. Her favorite saying, "Life is not a dress rehearsal," motivates her to live life to its fullest. She received a B.S. in Communication from the University of Maryland. Currently, Liv is writing and publishing her short story series, Love in the City. Two short stories ranked in Amazon's top best sellers list in Contemporary Romance. Her novel, Adam's Apple, is due for release this summer.
Twitter | Facebook | Website 

Giveaway!
1) Event ‘Giveaway’: The author is offering a Release Giveaway of (1) $50 USD Apple Store Gift Card, (2) Signed Paperback Copies of Adam’s Apple, (5) eBooks of Adam’s Apple, and Swag.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Give Me Love

Give Me Love by Kate McCarthy: Evie Jamieson, a former wild child, is not only a headstrong, smart-mouthed trouble magnet, she is also a lead singer with a plan. That plan involves uprooting her band, including her two best friends guitarist Henry and band manager Mac, to Sydney to kick off their dreams of hitting the big time.

Jared Valentine is the older brother of Evie's best friend Mac and also the man determined to make Evie his. They strike up a long distance friendship which suits Evie because she's determined to avoid the distraction of love, not only because it doesn't fit in with her plan, but because twice in the past it has left her for dead. Moving to Sydney, however, has put her directly in Jared's path and he has decided it's the perfect opportunity to make his play.

Unfortunately Jared, co-owner in a business that 'consults' in dangerous hostage and kidnapping situations, makes an enemy who's determined to enact revenge. When his enemy puts Evie in his sights, Jared not only has a fight on his hands to make her his own, but also to keep her alive.

Is accepting the love he's so desperate to give worth the risk to both her heart, and her life?

*Please Note: Kate McCarthy is an Australian author and Australian English, spelling and slang have been used in this book.*
File Size: 619 KB
Print Length: 429 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0987526111
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Kate McCarthy; 1 edition (March 13, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00BTTKGNM
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

TeriLyn's thoughts: Give Me Love was a very good read. Suspensful, romantic, and funny. Every character had a great personality and brought charm to the story. I especially loved the relationship between the three roommates, Evie, Henry, and Mac. They were hilarious. There was so much love and loyalty between this big group of friends.

Jared and Evie are a perfectly flawed couple. The chemistry and attraction was evident from the beginning. So much angst between the two as they tried to get over their pasts in order to be with each other in the present. I loved their texting and bantering.

The suspense of the story was equally as entertaining as the romance. Danger was following them. Jared and Evie and the rest of the crew were strong as ever though. Evie is true bad ass; faces the world head on even though she doesn't realize her loyalty and bravery. This is the first book I've read where the heroine is a rock star and I loved it!

Book Review: The Ballerina & The Fighter

The Ballerina & The Fighter by Ursula Sinclair: New Adult Contemporary Romance. Due to the mature subject matter recommended for 18+

I travel through life dancing.

All I ever wanted to do was dance, as did my best friend. We'd made so many plans together, but one night an explosion changed it all. Only one of us survived, and I promised myself I'd succeed for us both. And I did, until an accident almost ruined my career, but Maze came back into my life when I needed him most. He pulled me out of the depths of my despair. But could I save him now?

I travel through life fighting.

It had always been Ivy; from the first moment I saw her leaping through the air like she had wings to lift her from the ground. But she was my dream, something I wanted more than anything else in my life. I promised myself I would stay away from her. Violence followed me everywhere and I tried to keep her far away from it. She was my point of illumination in the dark tumultuous world I lived in. But I could not stay away from her. Not when I knew she needed me. As much as I needed her. But could she accept me as I am?
File Size: 451 KB
Print Length: 149 pages
Publisher: Isisindc Publishing, LLC (June 30, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00DQ6VI60
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

Whairigail's thoughts: **4.5 Intense, Raw, Passionate Hearts**

"Only that the beauty of the evening paled in comparison to the female that stole my attention, as she propelled her body through the air"

This is One of the Stunning opening lines to The Ballerina & The Fighter. Grace, elegance, passion, talent - all of which Ursula Sinclair writes with an abundance of.

I was torn over what rating to give this book, it was gripping and addictive but I felt I had to subtract 0.5 stars as I felt it was too short and I wanted more - so much more.

Anyway - negative out of the way, let me proceed with the gushing - sorry, review - of this wonderful piece of writing.

This book is written from 2 points of view - one being our lead male, Maze and the other being our lead female Ivy.

Ivy is a Ballerina - a graceful individual with talen pouring from her. She is beautiful and Maze is instantly drawn to her.

Maze is our Mixed Martial Arts Fighter. Strong, Powerful, Precise, Clever. Oh Maze is up there with the Yummy BookBoyfriends of the world. He actually makes me swoon!

Ivy & Maze have an incredible connection - sparks fly between them and the passion is positively dripping off the pages. they spend a very short time together and following a heartbreaking event, they are forced apart - to opposite ends of the world.

Fast Forward 5 years and their story continues.

To keep my review spoiler free - I'm going to stop here. All I'll say is - READ THIS. It is only 144 pages long, and as it is beyond addictive, you will finish it in no time.

Bring on the Sequel Ursula...We need Maze in our lives...

Favourite Quotes:

"Damn ballerina had the cutest set of dimples. I wanted to dip my tongue into them."

"I always paid attention. It’s why I was such a good fighter"

"A shirtless Maze was a thing to behold"

"Then I looked at her. “Yeah, beautiful.” I made sure she knew I wasn’t talking about the place."

Cover Reveal: Wicked Thing

Wicked Thing by Angeline Kace: Carmyn Rafferty witnessed the aftermath of her mother's affair. She learned at a young age not to trust anyone. Especially not your spouse. So she's planned. She's planned every detail of her life: who her husband will be, what their careers will be, what their lives will be like. All to avoid the pain of infidelity.

Dallas Brown lives a life all his own. He doesn't do relationships, he doesn't care what anyone thinks of him, and he doesn't live up to anyone's expectations but his own.

When Carmyn's fiancé cheats on her, it sends her into a whirlwind of one-night stands with the most infamous player on campus. She can't seem to stay away from this tough guy and his dangerous motorcycle. Everything about him is the complete opposite of who she'd planned to fall in love with: tattoos, dark stubble along his jawline, and hair that brushes his shoulders.

As Dallas and Carmyn begin to fall deeper and deeper into each other, they learn that love can truly be a wicked, wicked thing.








Angeline is a Scorpio living in the Rocky Mountains with her husband and dogs. She loves all things paranormal, believes ghosts are real, werewolves aren't, and vampires? Definitely real! At least in the Vampire Born world they are. She is currently at work on her first New Adult Romance, Wicked Thing, which releases September 2013.

Website | Facebook | Fan Page | Goodreads 

Book Review: Game Changer

Game Changer by J Sterling: Jack appeared at my door last night after six months of no communication wearing a Mets jersey and holding a dozen red roses. He told me he was sorry, that he loved me, and that he would earn my trust again. It took everything in me to not fall apart at the mere sight of him. I wanted to take him back into my life, but I needed to know that this time it would be forever…
In J. Sterling’s highly anticipated follow-up to her USA Today bestselling novel The Perfect Game, Jack and Cassie quickly realize that their new lifestyle can often be cruel and unforgiving. Their happiness is put to the test as the past is never truly far behind.

How do you stay together when the world's trying to tear you apart?
File Size: 569 KB
Print Length: 320 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1477808663
Publisher: Amazon Publishing (June 25, 2013)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00BYEGSQQ
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

TeriLyn's thoughts: I'm disappointed in this. I wasn't expecting the entire book to be the period of time between the events of the last chapter and the epilogue of The Perfect Game. I was hoping for more of a progression of their lives beyond the engagement. I loved The Perfect Game so to be disappointed in this is hard to swallow.

The first 30 or so percent of the book I thought Jack and Cassie were so juvenile. I don't know what it was, the dialogue maybe but it felt unnatural and lacking any real growth. Neither of them frustrated me in the first book, not even Jack and his philandering. He was good in this constantly proving himself to Cassie but she was downright annoying at times. Not making up her mind, not letting him in. Doing exactly what was in direct contradiction of her own 'rules'. I liked the HEA of course. And I dug Jack. But I expected more, waited a long time to read this and was unfortunately disappointed.