Laura McCarthy Benson's Blog, page 15

Blog Tour & Book Review, Mogul, Ginger Voight

Reading Level:Contemporary Romance/New Adult


Format:

Ebook


Publisher:

Self-Pubbed 2/2/13


Rating:

4








MOGUL takes place right after ROCK STAR. Andi and Vanni are starting their life together while Graham is still reeling with the loss of her. Of course, Holly is heading to LA with her own pregnancy that could possibly threaten any happiness that Vanni and Andi could hope for. Also weighing on the couple is the Baylee Wilke family that wants to clean him out for the damage he's done to their daughter.



I love Andi and I never really saw her as a groupie. She fell in love with a guy who just happened to be an up and coming rock star. He too fell for her, but she wasn't exactly "rock star" material. He needed to be with a tall, willowy supermodel. But Andi never, ever gave up



Vanni's career is just about over, he's threatening to leave Graham's record company, he's willing to pay the Wilke family more than enough money, but he's not really thinking about the long term. It's not until a reality show producer approaches Graham and tells him that they want Vanni for a singing competition. They would pay him handsomely to mentor an up and coming singer. It's a win-win for Andi and Vanni. Until Holly comes to town and tells Vanni that she really is pregnant.



Vanni tries his damnedest to keep both women safe and healthy, but it's weighing on his conscience. Holly is using Vanni to get Julian back in the band.



It takes a while for things to really start brewing in this story and really does reach a climactic ending that will leave you breathless. I've always loved Vanni and Andi and the first two books were so good. Ginger is a great writer and I'm looking forward to reading much more from her. Plus she's really cool.



MOGUL is available at both Barnes & Noble and Amazon.



Below is the GROUPIE Trilogy book trailer!



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Ginger Voight will be giving away (1) eBook ARC copy of “The Groupie Trilogy” at each stop.



Please comment below if you'd like to be entered to win a copy. This is a different contest from the rafflecopter one above. That is the grand prize.













Bio:



Ginger Voight is prolific author, freelance writer and optioned screenwriter. Her fiction is diverse, with novels like the edgy, coming-of-age drama DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS, and the fun family adventure for kids of all ages, COMIC SQUAD.



Having grown up reading different authors like Danielle Steel and Stephen King, Ginger has always been drawn more to story than to genre. This shows up in her various stories. Titles such as MY IMMORTAL and TASTE OF BLOOD are a delicious, heady mix of horror, suspense, and romance.



Genre romance, however, has held a special place in her heart, ever since she read her first Harlequin novel when she was only eleven. As a result, Ginger is making a name for herself writing romances of her own, starring women who look more like the average American woman rather than those traditionally represented in the size-biased American media. Her Rubenesque romances were created especially for those heroines with fuller figures, who can still get the man of their dreams if only they believe they can. Such titles include UNDER TEXAS SKIES, LOVE PLUS ONE, GROUPIE and PICTURE POSTCARDS.



Ginger was included in the best-selling book by Smith Magazine NOT QUITE WHAT I WAS PLANNING, featuring her six-word memoir.



Website: http://gingervoight.com/



Blog: http://gingervoight.com/Blog.html



Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GingerVoight?...



Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...



Twitter: @Geevie



Below is the GROUPIE Trilogy book trailer!

Blog Tour and Review: Caught Up in Us, Lauren Blakely

Reading Level:Contemporary Romance/New Adult


Format:



Ebook


Publisher:

Self-Pubbed 1/20/13


Rating:

3













This was a really cute and frothy read. Kat is graduate student at New York University and in order to graduate, she needs to pass a business class in which she is mentored by a successful alumni. Unfortunately for Kat, it turns out to be the one person who shattered her five years ago. Her brother's best friend and her secret summer boyfriend. Kat does everything she can to get out the assignment, but it's just not going her way.



Lauren weaves a business angle, a love story, a small bit of a mystery and yet she leaves you begging for more. Bryan knows his faults, but is willing to try to work them out with Kat; who seems unwilling to give up her heart yet again. And for good reason. He just left. No reason, nothing. Just adios, see ya later and I'm done. Total heartbreak.



My only problem was the mystery bit. It sorta fizzles out and there is no resolution to it, or it's swiftly pushed aside. I'll call this first time authoritis. It happens. It doesn't ruin the story, it's a bit jarring, but other than that. I really enjoyed it.



It does get hot at moments. There are some scenes that are scorching and the two characters are in separate locations! Yep, I'll leave that up to your imagination.



I think this is a great beach read, snowy day read, rainy day read, etc.



And during the blog tour the book is bargained price at $0.99! (Amazon only)









Blurb

Five years ago, Kat Harper fell into a dizzying summer romance with her brother’s best friend Bryan. It was a mad, crazy love full of kisses all through the night — but he broke her heart and she had to move on.



Five years later, Kat is finishing her graduate degree and building her business as a jewelry designer, when Bryan, head of his own successful company, walks back into her life. Bryan has been assigned to Kat as her new business mentor and the rules are clear. No hanky panky permitted. That works for both of them. Kat needs to grow her business to help her parents; Bryan needs to run a clean operation after his former business partner’s romantic scandal that rocked his firm.



Kat can handle that because she's totally over him... right? Except, he still makes her laugh. And he remembers all the things she likes. And he's more handsome now than he was then. Then there’s the spark between them — the simply undeniable chemistry.



Can they resist each other? Or are they willing to risk everything for a second chance at first love?




Bio

Lauren Blakely is an unabashed fan of clever jokes, toast, and good guys in novels. Like the heroine in CAUGHT UP IN US, she thinks life should be filled with movie kisses and coffee drinks. Lauren lives in California with her husband and children, and spends her days writing both true stories and make-believe ones.




You can find Lauren and contact her here-




laurenblakelybooks@gmail.com 




Twitter.com/LaurenBlakely3




http://www.facebook.com/LaurenBlakelyBooks?ref=ts&fref=ts




http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...




http://laurenblakelybooks.blogspot.com/

GIVEAWAY!!!

 I want to gift ONE person with two incredible books. One is available now and one will be preordered as a gift (or however I can figure out how to do that).



The first book I'm offering is a copy of COLLIDE by Gail McHugh. I will purchase either a Nook or Kindle copy or a paperback copy (if they have them). I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think that it deserves all the accolades it deserves.











Gorgeous cover!



















Second book on the list is a copy of RECKLESS by SC Stephens. I've got a huge girl crush on her and I've read all the THOUGHTLESS series books AND COLLISION COURSE. Plus I've * interviewed  the D-Bags back in November. Yeah, that was quite a coup!













This will be preordered as it doesn't release for a couple of weeks.

















So all you have to do is follow the instructions on the RAFFLECOPTER. Please let me know if you prefer Nook, Kindle or Paperback. Otherwise, I will have to disqualify you. Hunting you down for that information is difficult.



*link



This contest will run for ONE week only.



 Rafflecopter giveaway

Dark Days Winter Q&A

Tomorrow I am heading to Harvard Square to interview three awesome authors! And I need help from you!



Come up with some questions for



Tahereh Mafi



Cynthia Hand



Brodi Ashton



Do you want to know secrets to sequels? You want to know how long it takes them to write?  Just leave a question here and I'll ask them tomorrow!

Interview with Issa Clark

I'm doing something a little different. In September 2013 I will be publishing my first book via myself. Just to test the waters, see how things go. I'm really excited to do this, but it's also scary. I've been having a hard time getting into my main character's head. So I interviewed her. So from Forsaken Lovers I introduce you to Issa Clark!






LM (me): Hi Issa.




Issa Clark (IC): Hey. Thanks for talking to me. I understand you’re having a hard time getting into my head.




LM: Yeah, just a bit. Can you give me some background on yourself? Describe yourself?




IC: Wow, ya, um. Well, I’m about 5’6, thin, but curvy, I guess. My hair is about shoulder length, with waves and some curls. I guess it’s full of body (hahaha!). It’s been described as brown, but with caramel highlights running through it. I went to college for marketing and am currently working as an assistant to the vice president at an ad agency. I manage some of his portfolio for him. We work great together. I mean, Mike is a good guy, cute too. But those are definitely shark-infested waters.




LM: I can imagine. What about your friend Sam? Can you tell me about your relationship with her?




IC: Wow, do you have all day? I’ve known Sam forever. She’s been my best bud since elementary school. She’s there for all the good and bad times. She’s sarcastic as hell and tells it like it is. No filter on that one. But that’s what I like about her. She can have different men every single night and she’ll remember each and every one of them. How she manages that is completely beyond me. Yeah. She also hates the idea of me getting involved with Mike, my boss. I know she’s right, but it’s just something I’ve been exploring, you know?




LM: (I nod my head) So Nick Castle…




IC: What about him? (she seems defensive)




LM: Why don’t you describe him to me. Give me an insight into why you could possibly fall for him.




IC: Hmmm… well he’s enigmatic. He’s got this dark brown hair and these god-awfully sinful blue eyes that just blow anyone away. You know, he looks like he could see right through you. It’s scary in a way. But once he opens his mouth to sing. It’s incredible. There could be a million women in the room and he makes it so that he’s singing to you and you alone. I can’t describe it. There’s this je ne sais quoi. It’s just something about him. He’s something special.




LM: uh huh. Why would you pursue a relationship with him?




IC: Have you seen him? (I nod yes) But there’s something else about him. He seems lost and can’t quite figure out where he should be. Do you understand what I mean?  Even though his eyes can pierce the soul, they also show that he’s conflicted. Women are throwing themselves at him. I can’t imagine that’s always exciting. I don’t want to come across as that type of person. I want him to like me for me. What I can bring to the table.




LM: Sure, I understand. What if he had secrets? Very dark and potentially life altering secrets?




IC: (she stares at me for a minute and shakes her head) Don’t we all?




LM: (I frown) Are you telling me you have dark, life altering secrets too?




IC: (she giggles) No, silly, just trying to throw you off your game. So what if he has secrets. Everyone has a skeleton in their closet. If he wants to keep things quiet, I’m not the person to be angry or mad at him. To err is human or some shit like that.




LM: Yes, but what if you got pulled into his secret? You gotta give me something here.




IC: Well, I don’t think I’d be happy, but I’ll have to work with it, you know? Why do you care if he has secrets?




LM: Well I am writing this story and I want to make sure that people will like it. How do you feel about having your sex life described?




IC: (here she blushes a deep red, I’ve embarrassed her) Well, obviously it’s kinda weird, but isn’t that what people want to read? But who am I having sex with?




LM: (I just smile)




IC: Fine, be that way. (She sighs)




LM: I still don’t feel like I’ve gotten enough information from you. How can we make this work?




IC: Well I know what people are going to say. Write every day and just keep going. I know that you’ve got some scenes worked out. Not sure how that is going for you, but I know you want to keep my scenes in the first pov. Which is why we’re doing this exercise? Listen. I’m not overly complicated. Just make me sympathetic, but not dumb. Make me sexy but not trashy. Don’t overthink things.




LM: Wow, so now you’re my Jiminy Cricket?




IC: (she laughs) Not really. You want to get this out by September and you want it to be good. It will be good if you stop overthinking things. People will like it. You’ve got a hot conflicted guy (from what you told me) and you have me and Sam. The other stuff will come.




LM: Wow, so insightful, Issa. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me. I think I have a somewhat better idea about you. You’re a good girl, but also conflicted. We’ll work that out.




IC: No problem, nice talking to you too. Good luck and break a leg.




LM: (I twitch my lips) I think that’s for performing live. Not writing a book. (She waves a hand at me and leaves. Yep, she’s a feisty one.)

Cover Reveal: Light in the Shadows, A. Meredith Walters

Light in the Shadows, A. Meredith Walters




Blurb:




How do you keep going when you feel like your life is over?



Maggie
never thought she'd see Clay again. So, she attempts to put her life
back together after her heart has been shattered to pieces. Moving on
and moving forward, just as Clay wanted her to.



Clay
never stopped thinking of Maggie. Even after ripping their lives apart
and leaving her behind to get the help he so desperately needed. He is
healing...slowly. But his heart still belongs to the girl who tried to
save him.



When
a sudden tragedy brings Maggie and Clay face to face again, nothing is
the same. Yet some things never change. Can the darkness that threatened
to consume them be transformed into something else and finally give
them what they always wanted? And can two people who fought so hard to
be together, finally find their happiness? Or will their demons and fear
drive them apart for good?



The
thing about love, is even when it destroys you, it has a way of mending
what is broken. And in the shadows, you can still see the light.




Release: March 26th












And a new cover for the first book Find you in the Dark:

COVER REVEAL: While He Was Away, Karen Schreck

I'm so honored to be able to show you this brand new cover of Karen's book. Karen has also graciously posted her tips to writing which is below the gorgeous cover!









Karen's Tips for Writing:






While
He Was Away Walmart-Exclusive Cover Reveal

and My Top Tips for Writing

Even When the Writing Gets Tough

By Karen Schreck




My birthday falls in January,
just a few days after New Year’s Day.  This
January, I received an incredible gift from my publisher, Sourcebooks
Fire.  My young adult novel, While He Was Away, is being released
nation-wide into Walmart with a brand new cover! 




When my editor at
Sourcebooks, Leah Hultenschmidt, graciously asked if I’d be open to this
possibility last fall, I blinked, breathed deep, confirmed I wasn’t dreaming,
and said, “Yes!”  I held on to the
possibility until it became a reality. 
Then, and only then, did I celebrate.




I won’t speak for all
writers, but for me, writing is an act of faith.  I love the work deeply, or I wouldn’t do
it.  I’ve generated a lot of pages that
have never seen the light of day, written multiple novels that I’ve relegated
to folders on my laptop.  Keeping the
faith in anything, especially writing, can be hard.




The fact that Sourcebooks
believed enough in While He Was Away
to bring it to life the first time felt like a much-needed confirmation of
years of hard work.  The fact that they
are standing behind my book again in this way . . . well, it feels like a
miracle.  I’m truly grateful.




Without further ado, here are my Top Writing Tips
(they’ve help me a lot; I hope they help you in some way):




1.    Read a lot. Read
voraciously. Read like a writer. Read some more. Read people who write in your
genre or in a style that is similar to yours and take note of how they do what
they do.  Read people who write in a
completely different way to keep your head clear and give you new ideas.  Just. Keep. 
Reading.




2.    Develop a ritual
for your writing.  I wouldn’t think of
telling you what to do.  You need to find
what works for you, and sometimes that changes with your circumstances.  This year, I’ve been working at an ad agency
in the city.  My ritual is to hunker down
in the quiet car on the train and GET A LOT DONE.  Previously I’ve written in the very same
quiet corner of my local library.  In
basements.  On couches.  In bed. 
By candlelight.  I’ve found that
consistency and ritual can trigger my creativity.  Ring the bell and I’ll salivate.  Kind of like that.




3.    Don’t be afraid
to be messy in your work.  Don’t be
afraid to push forward even though it isn’t perfect.   Nothing is perfect!  Embrace that reality, and be kind to
yourself.  And forgiving of the words on
the page.




4.    Fall in love with
revision.  “I’m not a writer,” I once
heard a writer say.  “I am a
re-writer.”  I LOVE that.  I love the word revision.  Re-vision. 
Seeing again, anew, as if for the first time.  Revision gives great perspective.  And I think it’s where the real work gets
done.




5.    Never give
up.  Keep the faith.  Years may pass.  But the more you write, the more the very act
of writing becomes rewarding.  Writing is
soul-work; it lends meaning to life. 
That’s what I believe, and that’s what sees me through.  Publication—well, that a wonderful
thing.  But the writing—that’s where it’s
at.

Book Review: Effortless, S.C. Stephens

Reading Level:Contemporary Romance/New Adult


Format:

Ebook


Publisher:

Gallery 1/8/13


Rating:

5






EFFORTLESS takes place about three months after the end of THOUGHTLESS. Kier a and Kellan are a couple and Denny has moved back to Australia. Although still suffering through the complications of their affair, both Kiera and Kellan are trying to make their love work.



Unfortunately, The D-Bags are discovered and a famous rock group wants them to tour with them and that would mean Kellan leaving Kiera for several months while the band tours. Because of what happened the last time her boyfriend left, Kellan does everything he can to make the separation a lot easier.



As Kellan's star rises, Kiera feels left out and wonders if he'll go back to his man-whore ways. Even thought everyone tells her that he is madly in love with her. He did tattoo her name over his heart. Kiera tries to stay away from the tabloids, but finds it difficult when she sees a video of Kellan hugging a woman.



Anna, Kiera's sister, is still having a relationship with Griffin, much to Kiera's dismay. She's not a fan of Griff's abrasiveness and lowly opinion of women. However, Anna comes up with a plan to get them to see the band in Idaho. The D-Bags have become so popular on the tour that they are bumped up to opening band and the other band on the tour is put out, so when Kellan takes Kiera back to the bus, one of the sore band members, makes it seem like this will be his second conquest of the night. Luckily, Kellan (after being smartly slapped across the face) is able to explain to Kiera what the jerk meant. She's not happy, but she has to trust him.



However, Kiera is also keeping secrets herself. Denny is back from Australia and has become a friend to lean on. Although he tells her constantly to tell Kellan he's back in the picture, she doesn't. Yep, by now, you're like, why Kiera? She's trying to trust Kellan, but keeping secrets herself. It sort of backfires, when at Christmas time, Kellan receives phone calls that he's not answering and lies to her about it. The both of them are keeping things close to the vest.



Probably the most shocking revelation is Anna gets pregnant and good lord it's Griffin's! Kellan comes home, sees Denny at Kiera's and of course thinks the worst. But it's Kiera who tells him what is what. They make love, she showers, he finds the pregnancy sticks (Anna was freaking out), and storms out, leaving Kiera to wonder what the hell just happened.



This time she's not leaving it alone. She goes to Kellan's and demands to know what is going on. He accuses her of cheating on him because he found the positive pregnancy tests. She informs him loudly that they are Anna's. He forgives her, she forgives him. He tells her about the phone calls. They're from his biological father and he wants nothing to do with him. Kiera tries to ease his mind that it would be a good idea to meet his other family. Kellan will have nothing to do with him (them).



Kiera finally graduates college, Kellan comes home from tour. Griffin finds out he's about to be a dad. Everyone meets Denny's Australian girlfriend. Kiera and Kellan get married at Pete's bar (well metaphorically, they meld their hearts together and vow to be together forever.)



If my review seems like whiplash, it's because the book gave me heart palpitations and whiplash! I loved the first book, loved the second book. Kellan really proved to be a true romantic by leaving little notes for Kiera to find on a daily basis while he was gone. She's even find notes weeks later. How can you not love that. Kellan struggles to remain true, but he's so in love with Kiera it makes it easier. The secret-keeping could get a bit annoying at time, but as a plot device it works, because you don't know what is going on, like Kiera and you really wonder if he's doing something detrimental. Anna's pregnancy is probably one of the brightest spots in the book. Yeah, she's freaked out (she works for Hooters!), but she calms down enough to enjoy the ride. However, she's not ready to tell Griffin yet. And of course everyone wonders how that will play out.



Kellan is a definitely book boyfriend. He's gorgeous, sexy, romantic and troubled. His life has not been an easy one and he struggles with his self-esteem. Although on stage he is a rock God. In his real life he is anything but. With Kiera by his side, his self-worth grows leaps and bounds. Kellan meeting Kiera's parents the first time is just as difficult and painful as if you were really there. And Kiera really does have the squeakiest bed ever.



SC's books have become a phenomenon since they were self-published a few years back. She is defintely one of those authors that I will search high and low for something new by her. She is definitely an author to watch. The last book in the trilogy will be out March 5, 2013 and it's titled, RECKLESS.

Book Review: Forever My Girl, Heidi McLaughlin

Reading Level:Contemporary Adult


Format:

Ebook


Publisher:

Self Published 12/27/12


Rating:

4









Liam Westbury had everything; a hot girlfriend, a chance at a football scholarship that would end with him in the NFL. But a chance encounter with a long lost aunt, changed all that. He started singing, and liked it. Quit school, dumped the girlfriend he was supposed to marry and became a rock star.




Years later, when his best friend from high school is killed in a horrific car accident, Liam must go home to attend the services. He knows he's not well respected and will be persona non grata to show up. 




Josie was the girl that Liam gave up. Struggling to make a career of herself in a small town, when every one knows that she was abandoned by the person who loved her the most. Most shockingly is that she's a single mom with a young son. 




Liam never expected to come home to a hero's welcome, but he wasn't expecting to be part of the services either. Katelyn, (Mason's wife), pretty much forced him into being a pall bearer. 




Liam sees what he's missed in all the years of being a rockstar, and tries to better his and Josie's life. He's still in love with her, but she's engaged to married to his former nemesis. To Liam, a mere blip. Especially since he is the father of Josie's son.




A wonderful, heartfelt debut by a terrific author. This story grabbed me from page one, and up until the end. Watching the characters unfold during a time of absolute tragedy brings a sense of community to them all. Josie never got over Liam just breaking up with her suddenly and Liam, could never get Josie out of his system no matter how many times he tried with various groupies, floozies and for hire women.




Liam is a complex character and not one that you want to like at first. He's stubborn, full of himself and just downright nasty to women. A veritable misogynist. But Josie humanizes him, even if she does it the chagrin of her fiancee (who has always been jealous of Liam.).




Heidi is currently writing a second book the Beaumont series and I know that it will be just as amazing as the first one. These self-published authors are proving themselves time and time again, that you don't really need a traditional publisher to put a good book forward. Highly recommend this one.

Book Review: Just One Day, Gayle Forman

Reading Level:Young Adult




Format:


ARC from Publisher
Publisher:Dutton 1/8/13


Ratings:


4









I received this book from Penguin a few months back, and honestly forgot about it. But then I saw last week that there was going to be a readathon, so I finished up what I was reading and picked this up. I'm a big fan of Gayle's and was really excited to read it. Her If I Stay & Where She Went are probably two of the best contemporary young adult romance books out there. If you haven't read them, well get to it.




One thing that intrigued me about this book was the idea of falling in love with someone in a day. Love at first sight. Does it happen? Is it ridiculous to say you love someone when you really don't know them? Well Allyson finds out when she meets a Dutch actor in London who is performing with an underground Shakespeare group. He's a mystery and Allyson is smitten. What surprises Allyson and her friend, is that she's willing to travel to Paris with Willem on a whim. 




As they make their way around Paris, Allyson (who Willem calls Lulu), she finds out that Willem is more complex than originally thought. He knows people, mostly women, that he's been intimate with, but is off on his own. He's an enigma. As each person break through the tough skin of walls, they both become entranced with each other. Until it culminates in making love in an abandoned warehouse. When Lulu wakes up the next morning, Willem is gone and her world crashes around her.




Once back stateside, and a freshman in college, Allyson struggles. She struggles to understand why Willem would leave her with no note. Struggles to appease her parents who try to rule her life with an iron fist. And most importantly she struggles in college. But depression hits, she loses her best friend to NYC and that life. Her friend at college may or may not be a fantastic actor who can be anyone he wants to be. A real-life chameleon. 




However, Allyson can't let Willem out of her head. She gets a job to earn enough money to find out where Willem is and what happened that one day. As she gets closer to the truth, she realizes that everything may not be as it seems and perhaps, his leaving wasn't something that he wanted. 




A beautiful story of want and longing and first love and hopes and dreams. Doing what is right for you and following your own path.




I literally inhaled this book because I really had no clue where it was going. But once I got there, it was marvelous.




There will be a companion piece to this one, Just One Year, which will tell us Willem's side of the story. And the way that Just One Day ended, I cannot wait! I've read that it's June sometime. Highly recommend for fans of Forman, Dessen, Eckeles and Echols.