Lori L. Clark's Blog, page 46

Book Review: The Raven Room

The Raven Room (The Raven Room #1)
by Ana Medeiros

Anything you can imagine. Everything you crave. For the members of The Raven Room, it’s every fantasy fulfilled. But for some, that desire is a matter of life and death.

Drawn by needs he cannot control, Julian ventures to The Raven Room, a secret and exclusive sex club in the underbelly of Chicago. It goes beyond sex. It goes beyond kink. The Raven Room is the only place where Julian finds release from the dangerous urges that threaten to destroy the successful life he’s worked so hard to build.

When the police link the Raven Room to the death of a young woman, it threatens to expose a number of powerful people—people who would kill to stay anonymous...

Meredith’s body can’t get enough of Julian. He has opened her sexual horizons to tempting new possibilities. But out of bed she’s an aspiring journalist, and The Raven Room is the story she’s been looking for. By writing an exposé on the club and its elite clientele, she plans to launch her career.

As Meredith embarks on a sexual journey into the forbidden world that Julian inhabits, questions emerge, and dark appetites threaten to swallow her whole. How much can she trust the man who has laid bare her erotic nature and how much will she sacrifice in order to protect him?
TeriLyn's thoughts: **The Raven Room generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**

I really, really enjoyed The Raven Room. The book is quite different. Very intriguing. Many moving parts and layers kept me totally engaged. Told from multiple third person points of view, the writing engaged me throughout leaving me wanting more.

The focus of the story is the emotionally driven, Dr. Julian Reeve, child psychologist. As the story progresses there are many layers to Julian unveiled ranging a wide span from vulnerable to perverse. He's conflicted about who he is yet makes not excuses for it. He feels deeply for the women who hold his attention in this story even though he fights those emotions. Meredith and Alana the women who grace the story are both very different and take from Julian what they need to satisfy their own emotional turmoil and in Meredith's case, tangible gains for her career. Meredith turned out to be the most intriguing character for me in the story. She undergoes a major shift from beginning to end that I really felt connected to as a reader.

I wouldn't say there's a central love story imperative to The Raven Room but more an exploration of the emotions Julian feels when it comes to these women and other characters in his life. The story delves into the perverse underworld of Chicago, a kink club where crime looms provoking curiously ominous feelings for the reader. At the club seemingly anything goes including the crime prevalent throughout the story. Each new wave of plot always manages to bring the story back to Julian Reeve even when the reader doesn't fully understand why. You'll have guesses and be given clues but never truly told how it's connected. It was an awesome way to read, that feeling of uncertainty as you're invested in the prose.

In addition to these main three characters there are several other characters for whom we see take center stage causing the story to branch off in other directions however still keeping that mystery tied to one Julian Reeve making him all that more alluring. There are many moving parts to The Raven Room. Amassing emotions as the reader to each and every occurrence isn't hard. There were times when I guessed a few occurrences in the plot and turns out my guesses were accurate. This didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book but rather satiated some of the mystery. And while those things came to fruition they opened other boxes to which we still need the answers.

The writing of Ana Medeiros is really good. There were a few transitions in the story that went a little wonky but nothing to detract from my overall enjoyment. I'm quite impressed with the many moving parts in the story and how Medeiros kept all the parts related to Dr. Reeve and the Raven Room embedding him fully into each of the characters lives whether directly or indirectly in our minds. With so many moving parts she always kept the story moving forward never dwelling in one particular area.

The Raven Room mixes undeniable passion, lots of kink, intriguing suspense, and deep emotion into a story you'll want more more from. I can't wait to continue with the series as I feel the second book, given how the author very brilliantly left the first, really has the potential for greatness.

Book Review: Cross the Line

Cross the Line (Boston Love)
by Julie Johnson

Phoebe West has been head-over-heels in love with her brother’s best friend for as long as she can remember.

Not that he’s bothered to notice.

Despite several mortifying attempts at seduction and a decade’s worth of unrequited pining, nothing Phoebe does seems to make any impact on the man she’s obsessed over since her bra-stuffing days. She knows it’s time to let him go, though just the thought is nearly enough to shatter her…

Nathaniel “Nate” Knox has only ever seen Phoebe as one thing: forbidden.

There’s a darkness in Nate, the kind you can’t avoid after years working in special forces and private security. He’s no good for anyone — especially not someone as sweet as his best friend’s little sister. He knows he can’t have her. Not ever. Even if she makes him feel things he barely recognizes...

Some lines aren’t meant to be crossed.

When an unforeseeable series of events sends Phoebe stumbling headfirst into danger, there’s only one man who can protect her. Though, in his quest to save her life, he may just break her heart...


CROSS THE LINE is a full-length contemporary romance about a woman who can’t seem to walk away… and the man who’ll go to any length to keep her safe. Due to sparks flying, suspenseful moments, steamy scenes, and one sassy heroine, it is recommended to readers ages 17 and up.
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Cross the Line generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.**

I’m a TOTAL Julie Johnson fangirl. With each book she releases, Johnson continually dazzles me with her cleverly crafted stories. Cross the Line gives us another comedic, contemporary romance in only a way Julie Johnson can write. I couldn’t put it down once I started and read it in one sitting. This book comes as the second in her Boston Love series but can be read as a standalone although I personally don’t recommend it since you’d be missing out on Chase & Gemma’s excellent story in Not You It’s Me where we also meet the heroine of Cross the Line.

Witty and intelligently written the words just flow across the pages of this book making it impossible to put down the love story of Phoebe West and Nathaniel Knox. Julie Johnson makes reading so simple with her stories. It’s effortless to become enamored in the plot right from the start. You’ll laugh, you’ll swoon, and you’ll fall in love with her words and her zany characters. The way the book is plotted takes you on an adventure. So vivid the words on the page they play like a rom-com movie in your mind. I can see Phoebe’s nervous gestures that punctuate her wit. Nate’s uber alpha mojo vibrates from the pages with the exact intensity as Phoebe describes. Since the book is told solely from the heroine’s first person point of view, we feel this quite often.

Phoebe West and Nathaniel Knox have known each other since childhood. Phoebe’s unrequited crush on Nate spans over many years with many blundering failed attempts to get his attention. Until Phoebe goes on a date with a dangerous man for whom Nate warns her away. From there hilarity, perfectly-timed snark, true feelings, passion, and a cat-and-mouse game of fun and danger ensues. With a colorful cast of secondary characters, including Chase and Gemma from Not You It’s Me, Phoebe takes us on the crazy journey that is her life. At the beginning of each chapter is a little Phoebe or Nate anecdote that made me giggle every time. I feel it important to note as it helps enhance the personalities of each character. Full of antics and fun twists and turns Cross the Line is yet another prime example of this author’s penchant for excellent story telling.

Her characters are always perfectly suited, their personalities shine through the writing making them completely compatible. Julie Johnson also always writes a quirky, down-to-earth heroine that I want to befriend. Phoebe’s honesty in her emotions, her rambling, her sadness, her humor all resonate with me on a basic level. I understand her plight and I root for her through the entire story. And Nathaniel Xavier Knox? Holy wow. Told from Phoebe’s perspective really ramps up the alpha bad ass levels of Nate. He’s the man you want stalking towards you, pinning you the wall with his heated stare. He’s the man you feed all your fiery sass to because deep down you know he loves it just as much as you love zinging it at him. Phoebe presents to Nathaniel Knox a challenge. Actually Phoebe provides him the biggest, most rewarding challenge of his life. Watching this controlled man come to terms with that fact, a fact he’s held dormant for many years, was beyond satisfying. This is the first of Johnson’s books where her hero was an all-consuming, demanding, bossy, more in-your-face alpha who bottles his feelings until the exact PERFECT moments when he lets it out in all his alpha male glory. I’m telling you Phoebe West’s reaction to those moments were pure gold. Because like her, as the reader, I was liquid – a melted puddle of gooey warm heat in my reading heart.

If you like comedic, contemporary romances with adventure and wit brilliantly woven into great characters and a fun plot Cross the Line most definitely will work for you along with its counterpart the first standalone of the Boston Love series, Not You It’s Me. Infused with a precise kind of humor, a great plot, clever characters, and awesome pop-culture references, Johnson creates uniquely refreshing stories that I anticipate with bated breath from the time she announces her works in progress until their release. She’s one of my favorite authors. When I need good pick-me-up, a good laugh in my reading life I always revert back to one of her stories. Julie Johnson stories are good for the romance reading soul. Cross the Line will make you laugh, it’ll melt your heart, and it’ll you remind you why you love a good love story. Another Bravo-job-well-done for you, Julie Johnson. You rocked it again!

Book Review: Hard Beat

Hard Beat (Driven)
by K. Bromberg

Foreign war correspondent Tanner Thomas is addicted to living on the edge. Needing the adrenaline rush of his job to help him cope with a personal loss, he throws himself back into the game, concentrating all his energy on getting the next big story.

But when he meets his new photojournalist, Beaux Croslyn, he can’t help but feel like he’s losing his focus—and maybe risking more…

With secrets she won’t address, Beaux is far from your ordinary woman. Determined to keep her distance, she’s willing to pull Tanner in closer and hide behind the sparks flying between them. But as Beaux’s past begins to put their relationship—and their lives—at risk, Tanner’s determination to find the truth puts them both in jeopardy.

He's ready to chase her to the ends of the earth to find out if what they had was real, or if the danger surrounding them was just an exquisite heat fated to burn out…
TeriLyn's thoughts: **Hard Beat generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

Having first met Tanner Thomas, our hero, in the Driven trilogy I was excited to read his story. The glimpses and side notes we learn about Rylee's brother were quite intriguing. In Hard Beat, Tanner tells us his story from his point of view.

Full of secrecy and mystery the story of Tanner and Beaux zigzags with angst. Their connection happened almost immediately although Tanner did his best to fight it. He's grappling with demons from his past and Beaux is seemingly running from something. There were several moments between the two when they let their guards down that were very touching making their connection palpable. Being that the story was told entirely from Tanner's point of view, I thought were a few spots where the his thoughts were very back and forth for a man. But also some instances where his analyzing helped me understand a little more about Beaux. And while I never guessed the plot twist, I thought it was a very intriguing choice.

The writing of Bromberg gets very detailed for me. I found myself getting a little bored in some of the details. But what I find so interesting is when I feel like I'm start to lose interest Bromberg supplies another hook and I'm right back invested in the love story of the characters. Hard Beat wasn't epic for me nor did I not like it, it just fell into my category of OK reads. For those readers who love angst ridden stories I definitely recommend this for you. For fans of the previously published Driven trilogy - you can expect the same angst factors of Bromberg's characters getting together but it's much different in presentation from the story of Colton and Rylee.

Book Review: Secret Sisters

Secret Sisters
by Jayne Ann Krentz

They knew his name, the man who tried to brutally attack twelve-year-old Madeline in her grandmother's hotel. They thought they knew his fate. He wouldn't be bothering them anymore...ever. Still their lives would never be the same.

Madeline has returned to Washington after her grandmother's mysterious death. And at the old, abandoned hotel—a place she never wanted to see again—a dying man’s last words convey a warning: the secrets she and Daphne believed buried forever have been discovered.

Now, after almost two decades, Madeline and Daphne will be reunited in friendship and in fear. Unable to trust the local police, Madeline summons Jack Rayner, the hotel chain’s new security expert. Despite the secrets and mysteries that surround him, Jack is the only one she trusts...and wants.

Jack is no good at relationships but he does possess a specific skill set that includes a profoundly intimate understanding of warped and dangerous minds. With the assistance of Jack's brother, Abe, a high-tech magician, the four of them will form an uneasy alliance against a killer who will stop at nothing to hide the truth.
Lori's thoughts: **ARC received in exchange for an honest review**

Secret Sisters was my first Jayne Ann Krentz book. Which is hard to believe considering how many she's written. I found this book to be a page turner that kept me guessing. There were many twists and turns to the mystery. There was a lot of action, and I didn't find the book slow or dragging at all. I liked the relationships between the people. Romantic and otherwise. I kept reading because the book was entertaining and engaging and I wanted to know if my sleuthing abilities were on target. They were not. I've been wanting to read other books by this author, and I am going to do that! If you like to read a good "who done it," then by all means, read Secret Sisters! As an aside, I think the cover is great!



Add to your Goodreads shelf today!

Cover Reveal: Running in the Dark

Running in the Dark
Inger Iversen
(Running in the Dark #1)
Publication date: February 8th 2016
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

He is known only as Trace—because he leaves no trace of his victims behind.

A deadly Russian slayer, Trace’s life has always revolved around death. Death, and preventing humankind from learning about the legendary creatures of the night. But now his position as a Watcher has become a prison, and dealing death for the Vampire Nation isn’t as prestigious as he once believed it to be.
College dropout Bessina Darrow has witnessed things she isn’t permitted to see, a simple case of wrong place at the wrong time putting her life in danger. When Bessina becomes his new mark, Trace is prepared to eliminate her—until he discovers a way out for them both.
Protecting Bessina means defying the leaders of the Nation, an act that has them both running for their lives. The more Trace fights to disappear from danger, the more he unravels the secrets crafting his world—secrets he must unveil in order to finally save a life, instead of destroy it. Okay , I can do that.

Add to Goodreads

Author Bio:
Inger Iversen was born in 1982 to Anne and Kaii Iversen. She lives in Virginia Beach with her overweight lap cat, Max and her tree hugging boyfriend Joshua. She spends 90 percent of her time in Barnes and Noble and the other ten pretending not to want to be in Barnes and Noble.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Hosted by:

Blog Tour: Solving Us

Title: Solving Us
Author: Susan Renee
Release Date: Nov 15, 2015
Find on Goodreads





Twenty four year old Olivia is trapped in her own life, not able to escape the painful scars of her past. Moving in with her best friend and old college roommate, Olivia seeks a life of independence, happiness, and love. Above all she desperately seeks a life not defined by her physical appearance.

Finn's world collapses with one shattering phone call. Seven years later, though successful in the family business, he still struggles with guilt, depression, and an unwavering need to protect what’s important to him.

A serendipitous encounter could change both of their lives, but what happens when they find out that they both have broken souls and what will happen when the ugly pieces of each other are exposed?


Amazon | Barnes & Noble





For what feels like long minutes, I lose myself in the feeling of Finn.  I think about nothing but the warmth of his body enrapturing mine paired with the sweetness of his breath, the obvious mint he must’ve had on the way over here tonight mixed with the beers I had with him earlier. I feel the electricity on his fingers as he touches me, holds me, but that feeling comes crashing down as soon as I feel his hand move up my body. His fingertips are only centimeters away from the scars on my neck. The proximity scares me because I can’t remember how it feels to have someone else physically touching them. I recoil, bringing my right shoulder to my ear out of habit, squeezing my eyes closed when I realize what I just did.

Shit!

He was just kissing you Olivia!

“I’m sorry; did I hurt you? I’m sorry!” Finn exclaims holding his hands up in front of him like I’m the kissing police. The concern in his eyes is agonizing.

“No.  No, you didn’t hurt me at all.” I shake my head. Crushing my eyes closed again, I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Damnit! I’m so sorry, I just…”

“Fuck.” I whisper.

Two hands are on my head softly smoothing my hair back on each side. “Olivia, it’s okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Finn’s hands are strong and comforting. He makes me want to relinquish to his soft touch. Kissing him was definitely great, until I screwed it all up.

“No, Finn you didn’t. It’s me. I just…” I take a deep breath and look down too timid to look at him; and quite frankly, I’m just not ready to have this conversation. “It’s just been a while….I guess.”

Maybe I’m really not ready for this.

Maybe I really don’t want it.

“I understand.” Finn tilts my head back to capture my attention. He studies me while stroking my cheek with his thumb. “Olivia, I get that something horrible must’ve happened to you in your past that you’re not ready to talk about, and that’s okay. Hell, it’s okay if you never want to talk about it, but if and when you do, I’m here. I’ll be here.”

How can he read me so well in just a short time?

He kisses my forehead, an affectionate show of compassion. “We all have parts of our past that we wish never happened Liv, and even though sometimes I don’t want to believe it, I have a respect for the saying ‘What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger’.”








Susan Renee lives in Ohio with her husband, two kids, and two dogs. A music teacher for nine years, Susan is now the proud wearer of many different hats! Her favorites are Mommy, wife, and new indie writer! On a whim she decided to try her hand writing the type of novels that she enjoys reading and the rest is history. She is currently working on a new book, unrelated to Solving Us, expected to be published in the spring of 2016. Susan loves to hear from her friends and fans so be sure to look for her on social media platforms!

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Cunning

"He owns you. Whatever he tells you to do you do". One year. No future. A past that won't go away.Lennox "Nox" Demetri broke his own rule by making a deal. It may not have been directly with the devil, but that doesn't mean Satan himself isn't watching. Was it fate that brought Charli into his life and his bed? What will happen when rules are broken and secrets are revealed?"New rules...my rules."Alex "Charli" Collins found pleasure with Nox like she'd never known. That was before she knew his last name. Now that Infidelity is involved and the rules have changed, what will result when real life and fantasy collide?Is it really cheating if you're doing it to yourself?From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Aleatha Romig comes a sexy, new dominant hero who knows what he wants and a strong-willed heroine who has plans of her own. With classic Aleatha Romig twists, turns, deceptions, and devotions, the depth of this new, epic dark romance reaches new levels and will have readers swooning one minute and screaming the next.Have you been Aleatha'd?CUNNING is a full-length novel, 360 pages, and the second of five books in the INFIDELITY series.Infidelity - it isn't what you think.
PREORDERiBooks AMAZONEXCERPT
I did my best to appear nonchalant as the bellman used my key to open the door of the executive suite. As he flipped the switch in the dark entry, I scanned the luxurious suite. Beyond the light illuminating the foyer, the furnishings appeared modern and sleek, while the walls were covered in heavy drapery keeping the late afternoon sunlight at bay."Ma'am, I apologize," the bellman said as he hurried across the living room. "Your suite has a spectacular view. Let me open—"His feet and words stopped. My heart leapt to my throat. Stepping from a darkened doorway was a man who immediately dominated the executive suite."Sir, I didn't know that anyone..."I no longer heard the man in the Mandarin uniform. Nox was all I saw. His silence filled the air muting anything else. His pale eyes narrowed capturing mine. Without words his icy gaze bore through me, planting my feet and sealing my lips. Displeasure radiated from his every pore. Rage rippled from his chiseled jaw as the muscles in his face and neck flexed. My knees grew weak as I realized this wasn't the man I remembered, but rather the man whose voice I'd heard on my call.Only minutes earlier there had been so many things I'd planned to say and questions that consumed me. Yet, now, with Nox before me, none of them surfaced or made their presence known; instead the suite warmed as my heartbeat raced. I gripped tighter to my purse. With the winds of his displeasure swirling about the suite, I needed an anchor, something to ground me.




One week. No future. No past. No more.Alexandria Collins has one week to live carefree—no ghosts of her past or pressures of her future haunting her. Reinventing herself as "Charli," she is knocked off her feet by a sexy, mysterious man who brings her pleasure like she never imagined. With her heart at stake, she forgets that decisions made in the dark of night reappear in the bright light of day."Some of my tastes are unique. They aren’t for everyone. I understand that.”Lennox "Nox" Demetri is wealthy, confident, and decisive—he knows what he wants. From the first time he sees Charli at an exclusive resort, he knows he wants her. Although he is usually the one to make the rules, together they agree on one:One week. No more.When betrayal comes from those closest to Alexandria, she must decide how far she is willing to go to survive. Choices are not always easy, especially when they involve the heart, body, and soul. After all, Infidelity is a business, and some rules are meant to be broken."Is it really cheating if you're doing it to yourself?"From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Aleatha Romig comes a sexy, new dominant hero who knows what he wants, and a strong-willed heroine who has plans of her own. With classic Aleatha Romig twists, turns, deceptions, and devotions, this new epic dark romance will have readers swooning one minute and screaming the next. Have you been Aleatha'd?BETRAYAL is a full-length novel and the first of five in the INFIDELITY series.
Kindle Amazon UK B&N iBooks Kobo





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 raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of 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 of 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. These standalone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat. In the fall of 2015, Aleatha will move head first into the world of dark romance with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series.

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.

NEWSLETTER WEBSITE FACEBOOK AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE GOODREADS INSTAGRAM TWITTER PINTEREST

Cover Reveal: Who I am With You

Title: Who I Am With You (My Kind of Country #1)
Author: M. Lynne Cunning
Release Date: Feb 19, 2016
Find on Goodreads





People only reveal what they want you to see…

Chad Kirkwood has a secret. One he’s determined to keep buried until he’s ready to divulge it. So when he shows up on Katie’s doorstep in answer to a job posting, he stretches the truth and tells her only what she needs to know.

Katie Wicken is broken. Left to pick up the pieces of a called-off engagement and a failing farm after the death of her father, she’s determined not to let anyone else into her heart. Then she hires Chad, and Katie finds herself glancing in his direction, watching him work, and thinking about him after the sun goes down.

Something begins to awaken within Chad, too. It’s been forever since he’s felt such a genuine connection and been able to fully enjoy his life. Hell, live his life. But when Chad’s lie catches up with him, he’s forced to come clean.

And the truth could break Katie’s heart once again.

Grief and pain can make people do crazy things…but so can love.





“Don’t speak about something you don’t understand, all right? Whatever Katie has told you, that’s all it is...a piece of a much bigger pie. You don’t know me, and no matter what you think, you don’t know her either.”

Chad crossed his arms in front of his chest, not sure what to say next. From the corner of his eye, he could see Katie stomping through the tall grass towards them. The dust from Jay’s car had finally billowed into the garden where she’d been working. 

“Are you warning me about her...Jay?” Chad locked eyes with him, his gaze never wavering even though Katie was getting closer with each step.

Jay slammed the car door, wearing a muted grin as he matched Chad’s pose, crossing his own arms and pulling himself up to his full height, at least three inches taller than Chad’s five feet and eleven inches. “She used to be different, that’s all. Calm yourself, will you? I’m just telling you, you don’t know the real Katie. To be honest, you probably never will. The real Katie we all knew and loved died along with her father. My Katie is gone, so like I said, don’t talk about things you only think you understand.”

Thankfully, Chad didn’t have to form a response, not that he knew what he would say to that, anyway. Katie’s feet hit the gravel just as Chad had opened his mouth to speak; however, the look on her face evoked enough uncertainty in him that he swiftly closed it again.

“You said you were picking Mason up at five thirty. It’s only a few minutes past five.” Katie consulted her watch as though to confirm it, lifting her head to glare at Jay again.

“I’m a few minutes early. I wanted to see how everything was going.”

“Everything is just fine, Jay. You can come back in twenty seven minutes.” Katie didn’t look at Chad as she brushed past the two men and headed for the house, where Chad knew Mason was currently packing up his clothes and Nintendo DS to take with him.

“Katie, wait...” Jay’s pleas went unanswered, the screen door banging closed abruptly behind her. Only a defeated sigh sounded in the thick silence between them, and Chad uneasily turned away from the other man, intent on cleaning up his mess near the barn wall and getting the hell out of dodge before this situation got any more heated. Jay, on the other hand, didn’t have the same intentions.

“See? What’d I tell you? She’s impossible.”

“No. She’s hurt. There’s a difference.” Chad didn’t look at him. Instead, he plucked the hammer and tin can full of nails from the ground and pretended to admire his handiwork on the barn wall.

“You seem to know a lot about my girlfriend and her—“

“Ex.”

“What?”

“She’s your ex-girlfriend.”

Jay stared at him, seeming to mull over how to react. Chad couldn’t be sure whether it was humiliation or anger that clouded the man’s clean shaven face, maybe a bit of both. Either way, Chad didn’t fear him, and he stared back, unblinking.

“Good to meet you, Chad.” Jay’s tone was condescending and gruff.

“See you in twenty four minutes,” Chad replied, and the hint of a smirk crossed his face the moment he broke eye contact and turned away.







M. Lynne Cunning has always wanted to be an author, but it wasn’t until she discovered National Novel Writing Month and all the insanity that goes along with it that she began to truly realize her love for writing stories. While she doesn’t limit herself to writing only specific genres, her first two published novels, Until I'm Found and Blurred Lines, are considered Romantic Suspense. Her new book, Who I Am With You (to be released February 2016), will be the first in a contemporary romance series. She also doesn’t believe that the traditional typical “happily ever after” is always the way to go. You’ve been forewarned.

She is almost always reading or writing, but also enjoys spending time and traveling with her husband/best friend, Dennis, and is the proud dog-mom of two brindle boxers. She’s also a too-far-gone coffee addict and a lifelong country music fan.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

 

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Choices

Choices
Alexander Patterson
Publication date: December 8th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Young Adult

Richard Örlendr died over a thousand years ago. He lived in Norway during the Germanic Iron Age and trusted in the judgement of the gods. That is not to say he did not question them when they gave him a dragon, nor did he blindly follow their orders when they told him to go to war. But, when one god told him to kill another, Richard was unable to rely on their wisdom. He had to turn to the Norns.
The Norns guide fate. They shape it past, present, and future; however, it is not set in stone. A hero can change his fate. A hero can chose his destiny. The Norns can weave a new life, but what happens if the Norns are dead? Do heroes have greater freedom? Or are they locked into their destiny since there is no one left to weave?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & NobleAre you a reviewer? Request a review copy of Choices here!—AUTHOR Q&A:What made you want to write this?

I had been tinkering with the idea of a story revolving around a hatchling for about a year when I had the first of many surreal dreams. I walked out of a subway station, it was dark and the streets were deserted. Within half a dozen steps, I was attacked by a man. He demanded my money and as I fumbled for my wallet, the gun went off. I collapsed to the ground and experienced an Assassin’s Creed-esque conversation. Everything melted away save me and a small, blue dragon. He whimpered and begged me not to die. He told me if I died, then he would die with me. All my doodles, little scratches on math notes, everything that he was would disappear. No one would read about him. It would be as if he never existed. Then, I woke up and immediately went to my computer. It has been three years since that first dream, and I am relieved to say if I die now, at least my blue dragon will have the chance to live in the imagination of others.
What inspired you?

I cannot possibly list all of my inspirations here. Dozens of books, movies, and artists have captured my imagination and allowed me to create this work in turn. My largest inspirations, however, are songs. I followed the swells of John Powell through the crests of chapters, lay in beautiful melancholy with Ólafur Arnalds, and relieved stress with Taylor Swift and Imagine Dragons. And on top of these wonderful artists are dozens more. From Peter Hollens to Aeralie Brighton, each contribute to the world in ways I know I can never do. They create beauty from nothing but their imagination and talent. They are my inspiration.
Why are some of the names modern while the rest are Anglo-Saxon or Old Norse inspired?

Two of the characters, Richard and Aiden, have modern names. Truth be told, Richard and Aiden are not their real names, though I doubt I will ever talk about what those are. Choices is told as if it were Richard telling the story to a modern audience. Because of this, Richard is an unreliable narrator. He wants people to like him, and thinks he will be more relatable with a modern name. Everyone else can have their real name as they do not need to be likeable.
Why does Sweden not exist in your novel?

This is one of those cases where the short answer and the real answer are actually the same: the story works better without it. To be technical, Norge is a microcosm for the world if the Old Gods were real. It is a depiction of how I believe the world would work if monsters stalked the forests, and supreme deities imposed their will upon us. Thus, keeping Norge isolated from everything else helps me to create this setting. To be blunt though, Sweden simply does not have a role to play in the story and in a story where I go into enough frivolous detail it is far better to have a land simply not exist than to shoehorn in reasons for Sweden to not get involved. This decision was one of the many things which inspired me to write the Author in as a character.
Are you the Author?

Yes and no. I am the author in that I wrote Choices and in that I dreamed of the dragon ‘Aiden’ before writing Choices; however, I do not have any doubts about both the character of Richard and the falsity of the story. The Author in Choices is my way of looking into how writers develop stories. I do not mean this in a pretentious, ‘my writing is a philosophical inquiry into the nature of writing,’ sort of way –in fact Choices is far from a philosophical inquiry. What I mean is I thought it would be fun to explain my writing decisions to myself in a canonical format.

GIVEAWAY!a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

Giveaway & Release Blitz: Forgetting August

Today is the day - USA Today bestselling author J.L. Berg's FORGETTING AUGUST is out in the world! We're so thrilled for everyone to finally meet Everly and August - this is such an incredible story and we can't wait for everyone to get their hands on it!

About FORGETTING AUGUSTShe can forgive, but can she forget?
Some days, Everly still thinks she sees him. In the food court at the mall, or in a car speeding past as the light changes. It only lasts a second, but when it happens, she slips back to a time when she was ruled-and nearly ruined-by August Kincaid. And it doesn't matter that she's moved on, that she's about to marry another man. In those moments the only thing she can do to regain control is take a deep breath and remind herself that August can't hurt her-because he's in a coma. Except that he's not anymore.

August is awake. With no memories, he sets out to solve the mystery of his lost life. He unearths a photograph of a beautiful redhead named Everly and knows instinctively that she's the key. But when he finds her, the August she describes is more monster than man.

Tortured by the thought of having hurt her, August wants only to become the man Everly deserves. As the new August emerges, Everly glimpses the person she first fell in love with. But can she trust that this August is real? When the final secret of their shared past is revealed, one of them will make a choice that changes their future forever . . .
Add it to Goodreads here!Get FORGETTING AUGUST now: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | GooglePlay | Kobo | BAM
Preorder the second book in the Lost & Found duet, REMEMBERING EVERLY:Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | BAM
Watch the TrailerWe're OBSESSED with this trailer for FORGETTING AUGUST!


Read an ExcerptMy hand shook as I pulled the box into my lap, preparing myself for what may lay hidden within. I felt nervous and sick with anticipation. I suddenly wanted to flee, but where would I go? And how would I get there? Moving my leg took more concentration than I was willing to admit and I was still attached to what looked to be a hundred monitoring devices.

The box stared back at me, waiting...wondering when I would crack its lip and finally divulge the secrets it had been keeping for so long.

What if I didn't like what I found? What if I did?

Taking a deep breath, I placed my hand on the lip and pulled, knowing there was only one way to find out.

All neatly arranged inside, I found clothes, a wallet and a scattering of other personal belongings. I immediately went for the wallet, knowing it would hold the most information. Everything else forgotten, my fingers traced the smooth edges of the soft leather as I bent it open.

There staring back at me was a picture of my own face. Because of the mirror across the room near the sink, I'd managed to catch a glimpse of my reflection a time or two since awaking here hours earlier.

The man looking up at me on the California driver’s license photo was a stark contrast to the person I was today.

Cold empty green eyes looked through me, as if the world and everything in it were beneath him. With a crisp white shirt and flawless green tie and jacket, there was no smile permeating through the lens--not even a hint of emotion was showing. My now long, unkempt hair had been trimmed short and neat, matching the impeccable persona that could be seen even through the tiny picture.

My attention turned towards the address.

1023 Sea Cliff Lane, San Francisco.

I looked out the window, trying to see if anything beyond its paned glass brought back any hints or memories of a life I once led.

San Francisco.

Even though the driver’s license confirmed what the nurse had already told me, I still felt no connection with the city below. Nothing called out to me, nothing held my attention.

Was there anyone down there that would remember my name?

I dug further through the wallet, finding a couple hundred dollars in cash, as well as several credit cards and a few membership cards to places I'd never heard of, but apparently belonged to.

Or had belonged to.

What happened to your life when you went into a coma? Did you disappear? Cease to exist or did life carry on? I looked at the address on my driver’s license and wondered if I still had a home...a bank account? I wasn't dead, but who had been paying my bills for the last two?

Did I have money to pay the bills?

Fuck.

Suddenly, all I wanted was to slip back into that coma and never wake up again.

And then I saw her.

It was just a glimpse at first, the edge of a picture sticking out from inside the wallet--a wisp of hair that had me pulling at it to see it properly.

With the golden gate bridge as our backdrop, a much younger, carefree version of myself held a girl in my arms and suddenly the world didn't feel so lonely anymore. Copper red hair tumbled down her back like a fiery mane. Her bright blue eyes sparkled as if she held untold secrets waiting to be revealed. In my own eyes, I didn't see harshness or the rigid void of nothing. I saw her, reflecting back in spades, the love radiating between us.

I flipped the photo over, hoping for something...anything that would tell me who this girl was.

There was nothing but a date and a name.

August and Everly - 2005

Everly.

She had a name.

Now all I had to do was find her.
Enter to WinWant to win a $50 Amazon giftcard? Enter via the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Join us for the FORGETTING AUGUST Release Party!Forever Romance and J.L. Berg invite readers to join them for a Facebook party on December 9 from 7 – 10 PM EST to celebrate FORGETTING AUGUST, on sale December 1. In addition to fun guests and giveaways, there will be a great discussion about the book as J.L. Berg takes fan questions. RSVP here .
About J.L. BergAuthor J.L. Berg is a California native living in the South. She is the author of the self-pubbed Ready series, which has sold over 100,000 copies. Married to her high school sweetheart. She and her husband have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she's not writing, you can find her with her nose stuck in a romance book, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter