Tamsyn Bester's Blog, page 13

*Cover Reveal: Let Love Heal by Melissa Collins*

 **Cover Reveal: Let Love Heal (Love #3) by Melissa Collins**  
Synopsis for Let Love Heal:
Perfection.  We all strive for it, but what happens when the desire to be perfect consumes you?  What happens when the need to bury your mistakes blinds you? Melanie Crane has always been the perfect daughter, friend, student – she’s been perfect at everything, in fact.  But when she lets her insecurities, the ones that she keeps hidden from everyone, get the best of her, she falters in her pursuit of perfection.  Melanie crumples under the pressure and buries her pain.  Numbed by sadness and guilt, she is determined never to let anyone find out how broken she really is. Bryan Mahoney may appear to have everything in order.  He’s charming, witty and completely swoon-worthy. In short, Bryan has life all figured out, but appearances can be deceiving.  When the landscape of Bryan’s family changes in an instant, he’s left to pick up the pieces. Not all bruises leave a mark. Now, weary and afraid, Melanie and Bryan must find a way to let love heal their broken and jaded hearts.*ADD TO GOODREADS* *READ THE PROLOGUE*   
Synopsis for Let Love In:
What would happen if you lost everything?  If the people who were supposed to love you unconditionally were no longer there for you, how would your world change? 
That’s exactly what happened to Madeleine Becker when her parents died when she was ten years old.  Ripped from her home and everything that she has ever loved, she is forced to start all over again.  The only way for her to move on is to build walls around her heart and keep everyone at a safe distance. Her logic: she can't get hurt if she doesn't fall in love.
That theory is blown to pieces when she meets Reid Connely during her freshman year at college. He is gorgeous and darkly mysterious. He understands Maddy's pain all too well, but sharing his pain would mean breaking down the walls he put up around his own heart. Conflicted between loving Maddy and hiding his dark past, Reid starts to reevaluate his world.  Maddy's inner strength, snarky personality and breath taking beauty help Reid to make peace with his past.
Together they find out what happens when they let love in.
Snippet of Maddy and Reid’s first encounter from Let Love In:
There was a group playing quarters on the island and another group lining up shots on the breakfast bar – so not my scene.  I just shrugged my shoulders, opened the door, pulled out a bottle of water and, when I turned around to walk back outside, I face-planted into a wall of solid muscle. 
“Hand me one?” His voice was smooth and... gruff at the same time.  Red-faced, I turned back around and got him his water, glad for the cool respite that the opened refrigerator door offered. 
“Here you go.” I could not peel my eyes away from his mouth as he moved the bottle to his lips.  They were perfect - beautiful and full in a completely masculine way.  I watched, completely fascinated, as his throat moved, downing the water in three or four large gulps. He wiped his mouth with his forearm and I couldn’t help but let my eyes travel up the rest of his arm to his biceps and shoulders – those were the same as his lips – perfect.  Amazingly, gorgeously, utterly, divinely perfect.  Muscled and tanned, his arms were mouthwatering.
My knees wobbled.  My heart thudded.  Thousands of butterflies spread their wings in my belly. 
“Thanks…” he stared blankly at my face for a minute and I couldn't help but wondering if he liked what he saw.  He cleared his throat and roused me from my little daydream where the gorgeous boy is mesmerized by the maybe-a-little-above-average looking girl.  That’s when I realized he was asking for my name.
“Maddy.  Sorry, my name’s Maddy." I nearly choked on my tongue to get my freaking name out.
 
Book Trailer for Let Love In -http://vimeo.com/68016203   Amazon  Amazon UK Apple iBookstore Barnes & Noble Nook Kobo  

Synopsis For Let Love Stay:
If you’re lucky, you’ll fall in love – truly, madly and deeply in love.  But what happens when that honest and pure love isn’t enough to erase your fears?  What happens when your past rears its ugly head and threatens your future? 
Maddy and Reid had that kind of love – the all-encompassing, Earth shattering, once in a lifetime kind of love.  Then life happened.  Old wounds that were thought to be long healed and scabbed over are ripped opened and they are forced to face the possibility that, maybe, they are not strong enough to fight their demons and embrace the light. 
Together, they found out what love is, but now they will each need to heal on their own before they can ever be together again.  They must face their fears and beat down their pasts in order to find their way through this crazy uphill battle called love. 
They’ve let love in, but now, they need to find out how to Let Love Stay. 

Excerpt from Let Love Stay:
I get out of the truck and walk over towards the two of them.  Maddy’s back is to me as I approach her and her date, so she doesn’t see me right away.  But once the guy sees me, she spins around to look at what has caught his eye. 
Her face is shocked and when our eyes lock, my heart skips a beat.  There’s a pull between us.  As much as I hate to admit it, she owns me.  Her eyes are magical.  They dance with light and passion and when she looks at me, they are filled with love. 
The love and passion that are sparkling in her emerald green eyes evaporate when she realizes the scene that I’ve just stumbled upon.  I can only imagine what’s going through her mind, but I’m sure the images of me kicking Logan’s ass are flashing vividly through her mind. 
I’m no more than a few feet from them when the guy pushes Maddy behind him to protect her from what he perceives as a threat.  He’s not very far from the truth, but she’s not the one who needs protecting. 
Menacingly close now, he pipes up.  “Who the fuck are you?  What do you want?”  Okay, I’ll give the prick a little bit of credit for trying to stand up to me, but he has no clue what he’s competing against here. 
The caveman in me wants to deck this guy and drag Maddy into a bed – any bed – and claim her, repeatedly, until she understands that she’s mine and no one else’s.  I’m going to do that anyway, but hopefully I can refrain from knocking this guy on his ass.  I’d like to have the use of my hands tonight. 
My eyes never leave Maddy’s, but my words are directed at him.  “Me?  I’m the boyfriend, asshole.”  Maddy’s eyes widen slightly as I say “boyfriend.”  Did she really think we ever broke up? 
I avert my gaze from Maddy for a minute to stare this douchebag down.  “And who the fuck do you think you are?”  He falters, not enough that most people would notice, but I’m in predator mode.  I see his throat work hard to swallow past the newly formed fear.  His pupils dilate slightly and the pulse beating in his neck picks up as adrenaline surges through him.  If he thinks he’s going to win this battle, he is wrong – so fucking wrong. 
He puffs out his chest as he says, “I’m Maddy’s date for tonight.”  He snickers lightly as he says, “You know?  She never mentioned a boyfriend when I asked her out.  Must not be much of a boyfriend if she doesn’t even mention you.”  He swells with pride at his snarky little quip.  In the split second he looks away from me to gauge Maddy’s approval, I lay him flat on the ground as I drop my shoulder into his gut and take his legs out from underneath him with one of my own.  I freaking love my takedown skills.  I didn’t even have to bust up my hands.  I’m definitely going to need them in a little bit. 
I straddle over him and pull him up by the collar.  “Whether she mentioned me or not, she’s mine, so lay the fuck off.  Got it?”
Maddy still hasn’t said a word and I haven’t actually spoken directly to her.  I’m pretty sure she understands my actions though.  Wordlessly, I reach my hand out to her.  This is her chance.  If she still wants me, then she’ll come with me.  This is who I am, who I’ve always been.  If she can’t understand that I love her, that I want her more than anything, then it’s not because I haven’t tried as hard as I possibly could to prove it to her.
Hand still outstretched, I look her directly in the eyes, as I try to convey everything that I’m thinking, that I’m feeling.  In what feels like an act of God, she understands me and laces her hand in mine.   Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Apple iBookstore  Barnes & Noble  Kobo    Author Bio:  I’ve always been an avid reader.  Majoring in English Literature was a no brainer.  Becoming a teacher and instilling my love for reading into my students was also a no brainer.  I’ve spent the last ten years teaching and I’ve loved (mostly) every minute of it.  When I was home on maternity leave for my third son, I discovered a new genre that sparked my creativity.  My passion for writing sprang from my love of reading and once I knew I had a story to tell, I couldn’t wait to get it out there.  I only hope that my readers enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.     Facebook  Let Love In Let Love Stay Let Love Heal Twitter Web      
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*Cover Reveal: Far Too Tempting by Lauren Blakely*

   HI Brats :)  What better way to end another fabulous weekend in the world of books than with a cover reveal :) Lauren Blakely is one of my absolute favourite authors and I can't wait to get my hands on her newest work-in-progress, Far Too Tempting :)     ABOUT FAR TOO TEMPTING: Jane Black has written the break-up album of the century, earning her a Grammy, a huge legion of new fans, and the pressure to repeat her success. Sure, the heartbreak from her husband’s unconventional abandonment might have been her inspiration, but it hasn’t done her any favors in the dating department. So when Matthew Harrigan, the toughest music journalist out there, asks for an interview, Jane agrees—as long as her personal life is completely off-limits.

British, gorgeous, and way too tempting, Matthew’s the first guy Jane’s been attracted to since her husband. As she spends more time with him and their relationship heats up, though, so does her writer’s block. How can the queen of the break-up pen the perfect follow-up when she’s seriously in love?

FAR TOO TEMPTING Goodreads Pre-Order on AMAZON Pre-Order on BARNES AND NOBLE  ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He’s Mine, Playing With Her Heart, and Trophy Husband. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.

Website Blog Facebook Twitter Lauren Blakely Goodreads  Entangled Publishing
       

*Blog Tour: Who We Are by S.Q Williams*

 
Hi Brats :)
Today, the blog tour for Who We Are, the sequel to S.Q Williams' Who He Is, makes a stop at TheSecretBookBrat HQ :):) Be Sure to check out my review and an EXCLUSIVE bonus scene :):)
Tam 


Synopsis:

“I thought I had gone through something much worse. I thought the abuse and pain from my mom and step-dad was bad, but this? This heartache? This pain? This depression? This gut-wrenching, heartbreaking moment? This knotted up feeling in my gut, the tightness in my throat, the ache in my chest? It was slowly but surely killing me.”

Eight months.

That’s how long it’s been since Eliza last saw Gage and they both feel as if they don’t deserve one another’s forgiveness. He screwed up. She walked away without looking back. They’ll try and make up all the time they’ve lost with one another, that is until they’re facing the choices of either going their separate ways, or hanging on and fighting for dear life.

The fights will be endless. They heartache will be real. The demons will return, and they won’t back down without a fight.

There are some who will do anything to keep true love apart, and those same people will dig deep into their demonic ways until Eliza and Gage are literally no more.

Can Eliza and Gage overcome it all? Will they be able to face the true demons that are seeking to destroy them? Or will they just forget about everything they’ve worked so hard for and go their separate ways?

Sometimes you have to go through struggles in order to reach an ultimate point of peace… but will their struggle be worth it?
 My Review

At the end of the first book in this series, we were left with a major cliffy when Eliza left Gage. After a hot, sexy, sweet summer, she decided it was important for her to follow her own dreams, and believed that if her and Gage were meant to be together, the stars would align and make it happen. Of course, we experience the ‘break-up’ from her point of view, making you wonder how exactly Gage dealt with it… Well, we find out soon enough…
It’s been 8 months since Eliza and Gage saw each other last and their first encounter proves to be unnerving – how will he react when he sees her? How will SHE react when she sees him? Needless to say, the sexual tension was off the charts, even more so than when they first met, but Gage was still in a place of anger. Their first encounter doesn’t go quite as Eliza expected, and for the first time she realizes just how much she hurt him…
“I want that kiss to be a reminder of what we could’ve had but what you ended up leaving behind,” he finally said, his voice deep, unfamiliar and gravelly. “I still can’t fucking believe you walked away like that, Eliza. Without sticking around and talking to me. I – I…Fuck, man!”
Eliza wants him, and still cares for him, but she recognizes the differences in their lives, and no matter how badly she wants Gage back in her life, achieving the things she wanted to were still too important…
“I still had work to do, and I was sure by the time I finished and graduated with a well-paying job, he would be with someone else… someone worth his time. That someone just wasn’t me.”
But that doesn’t mean she didn’t feel guilty about how she ended things…
“There was never a day that went by when I didn’t think about how I crushed him. How he literally buckled to his knees, tears streaming. I relived that moment every single day of my life and killed me over and over again. I know it killed him.”
Or that it didn’t hurt her…
“I thought I’d gone through something much worse. I thought the abuse and the pain from my mom and stepdad was bad, but this? This heartache? This pain? This depression? This gut-wrenching, heart-breaking moment? This knotted up feeling in my gut, the tightness in my throat, the ache in my chest? It was slowly but surely killing me.”
Now, Eliza is about to learn that what Gage wants, Gage gets and when that means he’ll do what it takes to have her, she’ll have to balance working towards her future and the force that is Gage Grendal. Their relationship finally starts to ‘stabilize’ when Gage’s demons cause another rift – only this time it’s Gage who has to make the tough decision and Eliza who is left to pick up the pieces…
There was so much going on in this book and it was a guessing game from the beginning. It was so much better than I expected and just when I thought “Yes! Finally! These 2 stubborn people will FINALLY get their chance!”, Shanora swooped in with a *KAPOW* and left my mouth hanging open… I loved how the story was ‘fast forwarded’ slightly, to a point where Eliza had matured emotionally and was able to be who Gage needed, while still being who she wanted to be. The supporting characters, like Roy and Montana, played a bigger role in this story and it was interesting to get to know them better. When the ending came, it was so sweet and satisfying, and it leaves you with a sense of contentment – the Epilogue?? All I can say about that is OMG!!!!!
Shanora once again wrote an amazing story that makes it impossible to stop reading until the last page. Her growth as a young writer is reflected in the character development and the fluidity of her writing. Loved this book <3


Amazon US



About Shanora   Shanora Williams was born and raised in Matthews, North Carolina. She's the author of the New Adult series, OBTAINED and the Best Selling New Adult novel, Hard to Resist. Her upcoming mature New-Adult/Adult novel, Who He Is, will be released in July of 2013.
When she's not writing, she's happily reading or watching cartoons like the big kid she is. She has a wonderful family that you will hear her brag and talk about all of the time. Whenever she just wants to get away from the words for a while, she'll spend some time with her loved ones, eat gummy bears, or drown in Coca-Cola and anything else caffeinated. Facebook Twitter Website Goodreads *If you haven't read Who We Are yet, STOP READING NOW...* Exclusive Bonus SceneGage's POV   Shit… this was it. The moment. The challenge. My heart literally dropped as I heard Ellie scream. She was in the bathroom and as I stepped around the corner to see what the commotion was about, there she was. A puddle was on the floor beneath her and she was staring down, eyes wide, fingers trembling. “G-Gage… I—I think my water just broke…” she stammered. “Uh… holy fuck.” Okay. Cool off. Calm down. “Okay—okay. It’s cool, babe. Let me go get the keys. I’ll call Dr. Hertz, Kelsey, and then I’ll call the boys.” She sealed her lips and nodded. Ducking around the corner, I snatched up my phone and with quaking hands called Dr. Hertz. He said he was on he was getting dressed and on his way there and as soon as I hung up I gave Kelsey a quick ring. “Sup, girl?” she chimed into the phone. “No, Kelsey. It’s me, Gage. Eliza’s water just broke.” “Oh… shit!” she hissed. I heard scrambling in the background and then keys jingling. “I’m on my way. Meet you at the hospital.” I hung up, grabbed my keys, Eliza’s jacket, and rushed for the bathroom. The boys could wait. “Okay, Sweet Ellie. Come on.” I was trying to play it cool. I read all those fucking books about how to keep calm when your woman is in labor. Right now I wanted to say screw the fucking books. Screw all of it. I was scared shitless. I don’t even know how I was cooperating right now. I was never okay when it came down to being pressured and relied on. Ellie clung to her round tummy, staring up at me with wide eyes. “Taking this a lot better than I thought,” she breathed out. I shut and locked the door behind us and hurried for the elevator. “All those books you made me read… it kinda helped.” She smiled a little. We took the elevator down and as soon as we reached the first floor I told Ellie to wait on one of the benches while I grabbed the car. I went out the door as fast as I could to the parking deck. To my luck my car was parked on the first deck. I unlocked it and jumped in the driver’s seat. My tires squealed as I stopped in the front of the building, hopped out the car, and rushed for Ellie. She was smiling as I helped her to the car and carefully helped her inside. After strapping her in and jumping in the driver’s seat again, I peeled off. Approaching a red light, I tightened my grip around the wheel. “Hurry the fuck up,” I muttered under my breath. Ellie placed a warm, gentle hand on my arm, the other still clinging to her belly. “It’s okay,” she murmured. I nodded. “You’re right. Okay. Uh… wasn’t it white noise you wanted to hear when this happened. I’ve got the CD right here.” Opening the dashboard, I pulled out the white noise collection and slid it in the CD player. Ellie smiled a little and tilted her head back, but I could see her covering up some of the pain. She was a strong girl. At times I loved it but at this exact moment I was worried. Is she supposed to be acting like this? I guess all those pre-natal yoga classes paid off. She was putting herself at ease. She was breathing evenly through her nostrils as she listened to the waves ripple through the speakers of the car. The light flashed green and her calm seemed to calm me down a bit. The hospital was only two more blocks away. Okay. That’s not to far. I can do this. I can do this. At least… that’s what I thought. Out of the blue, Ellie let out a scream so loud it overpowered the white noise. I flinched, almost veering off the road as she bit her fingernails into my arm. “Shit!” she screamed. “Babe… breathe.” It was hard keeping my voice steady. “I can’t fucking… breathe right now, Gage. I mean, I’m trying.” I took a glance at her as she pulled her hand away to hold her belly. Swallowing thickly, I weaved through the cars rapidly, ready to be at the hospital already. Another screamed ripped through the vehicle and this time she grabbed the collar of my shirt. Her fingers curled and she clutched it, pulling me toward her. It was hard to focus on the road with her grabbing a hold of me like this. I took another glance at her and she was controlling her breaths. Aggravation definitely had a hold of her features but she was forcing a smile to try and cover it. I could see right through it. “Get me there… now. Please,” she said through her teeth. “I’m trying, babe. Just do what you were taught to do. Breathe. Do it for Dalton.” She nodded, releasing me and breathing repeatedly. Finally we reached the hospital. I didn’t even bother parking. I pulled right up to the front and helped Ellie out. She gripped my hand tightly and I led her to the entrance. As we got closer to the front desk my heart thundered more and more. I couldn’t believe this shit was happening… and why the fuck hadn’t I passed out yet? I guess because I knew I had to be strong for Ellie. I had to be strong for the baby. “Doctor Hertz, please,” I said, leaning over the counter a little. The woman behind the desk nodded and paged him. Moments later and Dr. Hertz was rushing down the hallway. He saw Ellie and I standing in front of the desk and put on a smile. That smile said it all. He wanted us as calm as possible. He gave us some bullshit speech but I really don’t think either of us was listening. A nurse was pushing Ellie in a wheelchair to the room. Dr. Hertz was telling me what do when I entered. After washing my hands, putting on the shitty blue gown, cap, gloves, and then covering my mouth with a mask, I turned around, spotting Ellie sitting on the bed. Sweat dampened her skin. Her platinum hair was matted and she was inhaling through her nose and exhaling from her mouth. Looking up at me beneath her eyelashes, she gave me a faint smile and I stepped toward her. I bent down and kissed her forehead and she sighed, reaching for my hand and squeezing it. “I’m here, babe,” I whispered. “I know,” she murmured. “You always are.” Dr. Hertz and a few of the nurses were standing at the end of the bed, putting on gloves and preparing themselves. He allowed an hour to pass as her contractions continued. Each one seemed to get more and more painful for her. Tears were building up in her eyes. Her face was getting beet red. She was trying to stay strong and I felt for her. If only I could take away that pain. Another hour passed and that’s when shit got real. Ellie’s face tensed and she released a wild scream. “Another contraction…” Dr. Hertz said, looking at the nurse to his right. I gulped as she squeezed my hand tighter. Dr. Hertz frowned beneath his mask and sat in the chair. “And another… oh, my. They’re getting faster. He’s coming, Miss. Smith.” Ellie’s hand tightened even more around mine and I winced. Shit. She was strong. She then wailed so loud it pierced my ears. “Fuck!” she screamed, gripping the bar of the bed with her free hand. “All right. I’m gonna need you to start pushing, Miss. Smith.” I used my free hand to push the stray hairs away from her forehead. “Breathe, Sweet Ellie,” I cooed to her, hoping it would keep her calm. I was pretty sure it wasn’t working. “All right… give it a push now,” Dr. Hertz said over her gown. Ellie pushed and veins appeared on her forehead. She gritted her teeth, gasped, and screamed… all while I stood beside her like an idiot. I never thought I’d see her in so much agony. “Good… good,” Dr. Hertz said. “Now push!” Her hand locked around mine, causing the tips of my fingers to turn purple, but I couldn’t feel it. All I could feel was fear. It was strange how all my worries seemed to come at me all at once. It was like a blow to the gut. What if my baby didn’t come out healthy? What if he doesn’t like me? What if I’m not good enough? What if I can’t take care of my own child? What if he grows with a disease later on in life? I started panicking, and I knew right now wasn’t the time to panic, but I couldn’t help it. This was a life-changing moment. After this day I was going to have responsibility over another human being. A human being with my blood and my DNA. Fuck. Dr. Hertz told Ellie to push again and she did. He mentioned that the head was crowning. Ellie didn’t wait for his cue this time. She pushed again, screaming with veins bulging from her neck and forehead. I soothed her as best as I could with my free hand, running it back and forth along the edges of her hair. I could move, but I couldn’t speak. Not anymore. So much worry… so much to take in. While he was in the womb it was different, but now that he was nearly here it seemed all the tables were going to be flipped completely upside down. My heart thundered as Ellie did one last push. It was the final push. The life-altering push. The push that was about to officially turn me into someone I never thought I’d become. A father. Baby Dalton’s head appeared and Dr. Hertz pulled him out with bright, smiling eyes. I didn’t want to look… I didn’t want to see… but as I heard that first cry for comfort—his first cry period—I had no choice. As Dr. Hertz held him up and the nurses cleared all the gooey, slimy stuff from his tiny body, my heart came back to life. It pounded hard—harder than it ever had before. Warmth coursed through my veins. Joy. Happiness. I was asked if I wanted to cut the umbilical chord. I was hesitant, but I did. I was afraid I was going to hurt him. After cutting it, the nurses wrapped him in a blanket and then handed him to Ellie. Ellie smiled at him, whispered to him, kissed him. And when she handed him to me, our bond became even deeper. She was crying tears of joy and I was grinning like a big goof because this was it. I was no longer a man trying to live life like a boy. I was a man, turning into a real man with responsibilities and a family to take care of. A son to raise. A fiancée to keep happy. It was too late to even dare back out—not that I ever would have. Once he was in my hands, it was a done deal. Tears filled my eyes as I stared down at the spitting image of me. The only thing he took from Ellie was his eyes. They reminded me of her. The tears spilled as I cooed to him. Whispered to him. I told him I would always be here—that I’d never leave. I refused to be like my father. I was going to do all I could to keep this baby happy. My son. Right now, at this moment, nothing could ruin it. With my Sweet Ellie and Dalton Christopher Grendel, my life was perfect. Whole. Complete. Yeah… that’s it. My life was complete, and I knew with them around it always would be.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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*Cover Reveal: Make Me by Amanda Heath*

  Release date late November
 “Make me, Channing. Make me fall. Push me, shove me, just make sure I get there.”  I shout at him, taking a step back. His eyes clash with mine. I read the challenge there, making me take another step back.
He stalks the few steps to me and grabs my arms slamming his forehead down on mine, “I’ll make you.” His lips skim against mine as he continues to speak, “And I’ll be falling right there with you.”

 Paisley Vaughn grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. After finding her mother dead from an overdose, Paisley and her baby sister are shipped off to live with her maternal grandparents.

 She always knew they were rich, she just didn’t realize how rich they were. Now she’s being forced to go to a prestigious high school. One where the tuition is more money then she’s ever seen.

 Thinking these rich kids are going to be snobbish and rude, she’s surprised to find the Vaughn name means she’s untouchable. Well unless your name is Channing Southerland.

 Paisley has to navigate her new life and all the new people in it. While her mother might have lied about her grandparents, no one is lying about Channing. He’s beautiful, mean, arrogant, and turning her on.
Before long a war is fought, leaving Paisley wondering if she’ll be ruined or made. Though she might just fall irrevocably in love. 

GR Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18552831-make-me

Cover artist: Robin Harper from Wicked by Design
https://www.facebook.com/WickedByDesignRobinHarper  

*Release Day Blitz: Lovely by Beth Michelle*

     Hi Brats :)

Today we're celebrating the Release Day for Beth Michele's 2nd novel, Lovely! I am so excited to meet Ashton & Cara :) Beth has also been kind enough to give us the Prologue for Lovely, so make sure you check it out :)
 
TITLE - Lovely
AUTHOR - Beth Michele
GENRE - New Adult
RELEASE - September 26, 2013
GOODREADS - http://tiny.cc/0w7x3w



BOOK DESCRIPTION -
A moment can change everything…
Ashton Taylor. Six foot one, Dark hair, chiseled jaw, riveting hazel eyes, and a body cut in all the right places. He’s a natural. Things just come easy to him. He’s used to getting everything he wants, excelling at everything he does. The grades, the recognition, the beautiful women.

His path was set. A girl, a full scholarship to UC San Diego, and a bright future. To others, his life seemed perfect. But, things are never what they seem, and life, well, at any moment, something or someone can come along and turn it upside down.

That something…the death of his father.

That someone… Cara Hayward. The girl with the hypnotic eyes, melodic voice, enchanting smile, and lips sent straight from heaven.

The girl who doesn’t want to be seen.

So what happens when a guy who everything comes easy to, meets a girl who doesn’t come easy?

Can he crawl through all the broken glass to find her? Will the girl he discovers deep down be able to see past his perfect exterior?

Together, do they have the power to heal one another? Or, could the very thing that brings them together, be the one thing that tears them apart?




Prologue
            Who am I?

Fuck if I know.
I step out of a scalding hot shower, humidity filling the bathroom, the air weighing so heavy it's hard to breathe.  I can relate.  I wrap a towel around my waist and feel my way to the sink.  Who am I?  This question continues to plague me.  My eyes crawl up to the mirror begging for an answer, but a build-up of moisture prevents me from seeing my reflection.  I place my fists on either side of it, rub the steam off with my palm, and stare.  As I contemplate this question, the only thing I'm left with are blank eyes looking back at me.  I know this shouldn't be, but it is.  I'm a devoted son, responsible brother, trusted friend, excellent student, and a good fuck.  I’ve been told I'm talented.  And I suppose things come easy to me.  My life seems perfect.
There shouldn't be anything missing right?  Wrong.
There is.
I only wish I knew what it was.  Amazon US Amazon UK 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR




I am a wife, a mom, an author, and a lover of all things chocolate, well, anything sweet really. While stuffing chocolate in my face, I enjoy reading young adult and new adult novels furiously, and spending time with my husband and two adorable children who keep me on my peppermint pink painted toes. Those same children who inspire me to tell silly stories that cause hysterical giggles to tumble from their bellies.

I love to laugh and love to have a good cry, especially after reading a novel that stretches my soul, one that makes me feel, and lingers in the corner of my heart.

I’m a hopeless romantic and a happily ever after fanatic, and I love to write about LOVE.

I began writing when I was in middle school, penning anything from short stories, to poetry, and then later moved on to write children’s books. I have now endeavored into New Adult and Contemporary Romance novels and am loving every minute of it. My first novel, Love Love, was released in May, 2013. 
  

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LOVE LOVE by Beth Michele is currently on sale for only $0.99 for a LIMITED TIME
Amazon US - http://tiny.cc/fu9x3w




 

*Cover Reveal: Wild Child by M. Leighton

  Hi Brats :)  I am so excited to be doing tis cover reveal - I'm a huge fan of Michelle Leighton's books and first fell in love with her stories when I was first introduced to Cami & Trick in 'The Wild Ones'. Now, Jenna and Dusty are getting their own story in this 'Wild Ones' novella....      About 'The Wild Child'  Jenna Theopolis has always known what she wanted.  Getting out of her small hometown of Greenfield was number one on her list of priorities.  Until she met Rusty Catron.Rusty’s fun-loving personality was the perfect match for Jenna’s inner wild child.  But what started off as a summer fling quickly turns into something more.  At least it does for Jenna. Rusty has lived with the ghost of his father’s abandonment since he was a child, but now he’s beginning to feel the crippling effects of his scars.  He wants to trust in Jenna, but deep down he doesn’t believe someone so wild and free can ever be tamed.  But tragedy strikes, pushing Jenna out of Greenfield and leaving Rusty with a choice to make—face his inner demons or lose the love of his life.  Forever. Goodreads   About M. Leighton  M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies.  She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books.  When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

*Blog*  *Twitter* *Facebook* *Author Goodreads* *Amazon Author Page*  

*Cover Re-Reveal: Playing With Her Heart by Lauren Blakely*

 *Hi Brats :) Lauren Blakely decided to have her cover for 'Playing With Her Heart' redesigned, and I must admit, it's a sexy stunner :)*      ABOUT PLAYING WITH HER HEART:

From the NYT & USA Today Bestselling romance author, a sizzling and addictive story of a woman with a broken past and the man who can't fight his attraction to her...

Twenty-three year old rising theater star Jill McCormick has built a life out of pretending. Pretending she's happy, pretending she's not haunted by the dark secret that shattered her world six years ago. But then she comes face to face with her new director - sexy, sophisticated, possessive, all-alpha Davis Milo. He tries to resist the actress he's cast, but the attraction between them is too powerful, and soon their private rehearsals spiral into new, forbidden territory. The passionate connection, the intense chemistry is undeniable, and it hits them anywhere, and everywhere - in the theater, on the piano, in the limo, in the restaurant...But the tragedy in Jill's past stands between them. Davis has walls too, so they can either face their fears together, or risk the deepest love and greatest passion either has ever felt...

EXCERPT:

From Lauren: "This short excerpt is from chapter 12 when Davis unclips Jill's hair, and it served as the inspiration for the new look for the cover. To me, this short moment says so much about their relationship."
 
He leans into the car, reaches for the seat belt, and pulls it across my chest, buckling me in. He’s inches from me, and he smells cold like the night air. But he also smells the way a man should at the end of the day: a little bit of sweat, a lot of work, and all raw power. He brings one hand behind my head and unclips my hair, letting it fall over his fingers. I tremble from his touch as a shiver runs down my spine. “I like your hair up and I like your hair down,” he whispers to me, breaking down all my resistance in an instant.
I can see this playing out if I do nothing—I’ll spend it rewinding this moment and putting it on repeat all night long. But I don’t want to go home with only a memory to feed my body, and I can’t stand the thought of this night ending too soon.
I make my choice. There’s only one choice. “Do you want to share?” I ask, praying he lives in the same direction.
“You’re downtown, right?”
I nod.
“Me too.”

PLAYING WITH HER HEART Goodreads AMAZON BARNES AND NOBLE iBooks
  ABOUT LAUREN BLAKELY:

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.

Website Blog Facebook Twitter Lauren Blakely Goodreads
     

*Release Date Reveal: Save Me From Me by Erika Ashby*

Release Day: December 13, 2013


Synopsis:Dani refuses to lose another parent due to her absence from their life. After pulling herself back together following the death of her father, she moves back to her childhood town to live with her mom. She’s slowly pulled back into the lifestyle she worked so hard to get away from ten years ago. She accepts that this is the life she has always been destined to live. Getting a job at the store down the road and hooking back up with her first love Gage, seems to be the logical way to go…that is until Holden Reynolds shows up in town.

Now that Holden is finally back home from the Navy he plans on following in his father’s footsteps. Still trying to move on from the one woman who had his heart, he busies himself in work and returning to the country boy lifestyle he’s always loved. The best way to get over someone is to get under someone, right? That’s his mindset as he travels town to town with his job perfectly content with being a rambling man…that is until he meets Danielle Brooks.

When Dani isn't leaving and Holden isn't staying will they be able to keep themselves from getting too attached? Or will they be just what each other needs to cut all the strings that have them bound?

"You can’t save me from me, Holden.” –Dani.”




♥ COMING DECEMBER 13, 2013♥
About Erika:

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Being born an "Army Brat", Erika Ashby has been residing in Oklahoma the last 10 years finally putting an end to the nomad tendencies she had grown accustomed to. She's a happily married woman who has 5 kids between her and her husband. She has an insane passion for music and embraces her Inner Groupie any chance she has. It wasn't until the age of 29 that she realized she also had a hidden passion for reading; before then she claimed to have hated it. Six months after unlocking that deep desire she never knew she held, she turned the key to another chapter of her life which has become the desire to write. And the rest is still history in the making.

Book



Teaser:


Chapter 1: Dani

Who would have thought at twenty-nine years of age this is where I'd be in life? I sure as shit didn't. I didn't expect to lose my dad six months ago and in return lose everything I had going for me. I was a daddy’s girl. The moment he died a piece of me went with him. I was left to pick up the life he had left behind — what little pieces there was left of it. I used that excuse right there to cease what life I had going before to a halt. I left everything to move back into the house my dad left me and my brother TJ — it was a couple towns over from where we grew up; a town he moved to once him and my mom got divorced. Maybe I thought I'd feel closer to him somehow by being surrounded by his stuff. Hell, that's exactly what I thought. But it had the reverse effect. Not only did I feel furthest away from him living in his empty house surrounded by everything him, I felt furthest away from myself. Not only did I lose my dad, I was starting to lose me.

I knew my dad would be pissed that I was drowning in sorrow. If he was here he'd say, "Dani Jo, what the hell baby girl. Don't you dare sit around this house letting your life fall to shit. I damn well raised you better than that! Now get the hell up and go get your life back."

Knowing that my dad would want me to let go of the pieces I lost of him and pick up mine instead, I moved back to the small town I graduated from. The town I love to hate. The town with stupid drama filled bitches and home to some of my bestest friends. The town with guys you'd love to hate and ones you will always love....and hate. The town where lots of hoes hated me because I didn't put up with their shit. I was the girl that could put a tramp in her place in no time. Not trying to say I was a badass, but I was a badass. Hell, I’m still a badass if I do say so myself. Growing up around my rowdy older brothers and sister, I had no choice but to be tough. I was definitely thankful for my Chuck Norris like skills in high school. Being in Oklahoma, we had some tough as shit Indian chicks that all the bitches were scared of. Everyone except me.

Having no job, no money, or a place to stay my only option was going back and living with my mom. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? Wrong, maybe if my mom didn’t let my tweaking ass half-siblings reside there whenever they damn well pleased, then it wouldn’t be a bad set up. Billy and Brandy have always been mooches; must be something they inherited from their own father — maybe the drug habit runs in the blood too. I don’t know if mom is flat out stupid and doesn’t see that they’re doped up, or just turns a blind eye at them afraid to confront the truth. As if hiding the reality of the situation makes it okay. Maybe overlooking that there is an existing problem that needs tending to is much easier than dealing with the repercussion of bringing it up. I hate how they use her, and she just fucking lets them.

You try telling her to kick their asses out and she just says,

“Now Dani, they have nowhere to go. Just like you.” Rub that salt a little deeper. Just like I need another fucking reminder of how my life has gone to shit. But damn, it’s not like I’m trying to suck the life out of my mom by using her. Seeing the way they run all over her, I realize I’m the only one who truly has her back. I wasn’t there for my dad when he needed me most. Not that he would have admitted he needed me, but damn maybe if I wouldn’t have run off. I could have been around more to make sure he kept his health in check at least. Maybe he would have made some appointments to get the slight pains he was having in his chest checked out. But no, I wasn’t around as much as I should have been, and all his damn “friends” just played it off to stress or muscle spasms. Isn’t your heart a fucking muscle? Yah, that’s what I thought.

So, here I am now, living with my mom back in my old room taking a vow to never drop the ball with her as I feel I did with my dad. I’ve accepted the fate that I’m destined to live out — my life in this shitty town. I got to live a good ten years away, and like a vacuum I was sucked back in. I don’t even think about the what if’s anymore. All they do is set you up for failure. They have you always wanting and wishing for more out of life. If you’re always wanting more, you can never be content with what you have. I gave up the good life when my father lost his. This is what my life is now. I’d like to say that I’m just temporarily putting my desires on the back burner until I get my shit together or I know for a fact that my mom will be fine without me around, but that’s not true. Hell, she’s been fine the whole time I’ve been gone, and while I had my breakdown after dad died, but now that I get a firsthand experience to the shit she deals with on a daily basis I’ll be damned if I leave her to deal with it alone. She won’t speak her mind, so I’ll do it for her even if it means more countless fights with my dope whore of a sister. The sister who runs off for days at a time leaving her kids with us to take care of. I’ve been so close to calling Department of Human Services on her nappy ass, but every time I do, my mom begs me not to. Why the fuck does she care what happens to her, the bitch needs to go to jail before I end up going for beating some sense into her ass. As if that is actually possible; it would have happened already. We literally fight at least once a week. She’s losing her touch I have to say. I’m sure it’s the drugs. All they’re good at is making her run her mouth faster than normal, but her reflexes are sloppy these days.

She’s up to no good tonight bitching at my mom and I can already tell it’s not going to end well. The bitch doesn’t know how to watch her damn mouth. It’s called respect. There was a song about it. She’s yelling, “Why the hell won’t you let me borrow your damn car? I need to go to the store, it’s not like you need it,” to our mother at the top of her lungs.

Nobody yells at my momma…nobody. “You better watch how you talk to mom Brandy. I’m only gonna warn your ass once.”

She walks up to me acting like she’s going to bow up to me, “Oh yah Dani? Whatcha gonna do to me lil sis.” She laughs the words out like she actually thinks I won’t keep my word. Oh boy I’m about to get in a fight I can feel it. When she is like this the only way to shut her up is to put her in her place and the only way to put her in her place is with my fist.

I sigh, “Do you really want to find out? It always ends the same with your bloody ass on the floor crying. Is that the look you’re going for tonight?” I turn to walk away hoping I had made my point which apparently I didn’t because the trick actually pulls me back by my fucking ponytail. When the hell did she become a coward? Oh wait, it’s nothing new. I can’t help but fall to the ground with the sudden yankage of my hair and she is instantly hovering over me yelling and trying to punch me through my arms that I’m using to protect my face.

“Who the hell is on the ground now bitch? It’s not a fucking good look on you either. I don’t know who the fuck you think you are just showing back up here out of the blue thinking you can take over. We’ve been fucking handling shit just fine without your too good ass here.”

That was all the motivation I needed. If she would have been smart she would have sat down on me, but since she didn’t I’m able to hike my leg back as much as possible between us and with all my might I kick the shit out of my evil sister. I can’t help the laugh that escapes my bloody lip as I watch her sail across the living room. “Ha! You didn’t expect that did you bitch? If you ever lay a fucking finger on my again I’ll make sure you die with your trusty needle in your arm. Same goes with the way you talk to our mom. You will treat her with nothing but respect. You know how easy it’d be for me to call up DHS on you? I got that shit on speed dial just for special occasions such as this.”

She grabs her wrist and whines at me, “You broke my damn wrist. I’m calling the cops.”

I laugh as I come out of the bathroom from cleaning my bloodied lip. I grab my purse and keys sitting on the ground next to the couch. “Okay well good luck with that. Go ahead and let them know that you’re coming down and we got into a fight because you didn’t have a ride to go get your next fix. I’m sure they’ll love to hear all about it.” I walk into the kitchen to where mom is making herself a new pot of coffee. She does this at night because being a mother to a bunch of heathens, she likes to make sure she’s up and around if any of them need her in the late hours. Her back is towards me as she just stands there watching the coffee drip into the pot. It smells so good I debate on having a cup with her, but I know I need to get away from this house, from my siblings.

“Mom,” I lightly say as I reach for her shoulder. She jumps. Great, I scared my mom. “Sorry about that. I hate how she treats you. I hate how they both treat you. I can’t just sit around and say nothing.”

She turns around fully to face me, grabbing both of my shoulders, “I know Dani Jo, but you can’t protect me. I understand that losing your dad has made you feel like you have to protect your loved ones, but no matter how hard you try, things happen that you have no control over. I just want you to be happy and get your life back honey.” She raises up to kiss me since I’m a good four inches taller than her.

“I’m gonna go stay the night with TJ.” I give her a weak smile and she just nods. I pay no mind to my crazy ass sister yelling at me on my way out the door. If I let her get to me I’ll end up finishing what she started, and might really end up in jail. Sometimes it’s better to just shut people off even when it’s so damn hard. I jump into my truck that my dad left for me and crank the engine. It’s loud and rumbles to life beneath me. My dad had a lift kit installed knowing that I have always wanted a jacked up truck. I feel so delicate in it; the way I sit so high above everyone else is a feeling that I love.

I pull out my phone and call TJ. Unlike my other two siblings, he’s got his shit together. Hell, unlike me as well. TJ is my go to man whenever I’m down. The only man I can count on now since our dad died. Anytime I need him, he’s by my side no questions asked…and tonight I’m desperate for his company.

“Dannnnnniiiii Jo,” He drags out my name, “What’s happening sister?” I hear the loud music in the background and have a pretty good clue where he is.

“Depending on if you’re back home, I’m heading your way.” He’s got a really good job these days working out of state. I miss having him closer to me, but unlike me, the way he deals with things is by getting away. And since he lives in our dad’s old house, it’s easier for him to travel around. Everyone deals with pain differently. I’m still trying to figure out the best way for me.

“Yeah I’m home. Go ahead and meet us at the bar.”

“Be there in forty-five.” I put my truck in drive and head for tonight’s distraction from reality.

Holden

All I’ve ever wanted is a fucking break. A fucking break from life and all the mundane shit it entails. I’d like to say I’ve been living life for me the last ten years, but I’m the only one who knows that’s the furthest thing from the truth. Maybe I was until my cousin ended up with my best friend who I was secretly in love with. The cousin who pushed me away after graduation because he obviously felt I was a threat. Call it what you will, but that’s when I started pushing my wants to a place of inexistence. What I wanted didn’t matter anymore. Did I want to join the Navy soon after graduation…was that ever a life goal or plan I had had? No flipping way. I was strongly encouraged to book it out of town and I gladly did since I wasn’t too sure how my heart would handle being rubbed in to the joyful couple’s happiness. I had doubts that my cousin would be good enough for Jesika. I had thought no one would be good enough for her…except me that is.

Ten years ago I scrammed and got lost just like I was told to and two years ago I returned. I returned knowing my cousin wasn’t around to keep me from the one woman I had ever loved. It was pretty fucking wrong on my part to think I could come swooping back in after he died and pick up where me and her left off and tell her my feelings, but she had already moved on anyways. Lucky bastard. But honestly I couldn’t be happier with her choice because through all the bull shit, Jesika will always be one of my closest friends and I want what’s best for her even if it isn’t me. But whatever, I’m done living in the past. I’d like to say I’m living for me now, but that’s not the fullest truth either. Working for my dad has never been a dream of mine. It was a dream of his and like a genie his wish was finally granted. Yeah the money’s good and the work is hard, but it’s not me. An oilfield worker/pipeliner or whatever job title I have for the day is not what I want for the rest of my life, even if it’s what my dad wants to leave for me one day. No, this is temporary. This is what I do for now, until I find something else. Until something comes to me that I can’t shake. When that day comes I’ll be screaming Hallelujah and hopefully booking it with the whole father/son relationship still fully intact. Later, Pops.

So here I am now driving me and my new buddy to our next destination…our new home for a while since this is a big job we’re headed to. He’s definitely not the best driving companion to have. He won’t stay up for shit and on top of that he snores. I can’t even drown him out with the damn radio and I sure as hell can’t get much thinking done with the croaking noises coming out of his mouth. It seriously sounds like he inhaled a frog and it’s lodged in his throat. I pull into some dinky Motel 6 and throw the truck in park. It’s not like hotel options are grand in the towns we end up working in and it’s not like our weekly per diem pays us enough to live like rock stars either.

I smack Rusty’s arm startling him awake before I open my door to get out. “Wake up you snorin’ bastard. You’re damn lucky I didn’t have a pillow or anything else to suffocate your ass with.”

“Quit trying to play tough, Holden. You like me too much to kill me.”

“More like I like freedom too much.” I tease.

“Ha! And you call this freedom?” He’s got me there.

“Close enough. Plus, I don’t have to worry about dropping the soap with you around.” I joke.

“You are damn fucking straight about that brother. Your asshole is safe around me.” You see my buddy here is a bit on the homophobic side. I don’t know why and I don’t really care to know. It’s not like he gets hit on by guys. Hell, I’m better looking than him and I don’t either. The truth is gay guys aren’t just going to walk up to you and try to get you naked. Sometimes small town mentalities make people think all crazy — damn bible-belter’s. But just like I don’t judge gays, I’m not judging my new buddy. It’s much easier to just be easy going. I’m not one to run towards conflict and in fact I usually try to re-direct it. It’s not because I’m a pussy and can’t deal, it’s just because I’ve always tried to be the peacemaker. Which is mostly why I’m even here today.

We make our way into our room and I throw my bag on the floor next to my bed and fall back first onto my bed. It’s stiff as a three day old carcass. What I’d give for a soft damn bed and a non-scratchy comforter. I swear these things feel like a mixture between wool and a brillo pad.

“You’d think these places could at least afford mattresses that don’t feel like they are filled with center blocks and blankets that won’t exfoliate you while you sleep.”

“What I wonder is how do you even know what exfoliate is?” Rusty laughs. “I mean, I have three sisters and had no choice but to learn about all the foo foo shit they do, but you, you’re an only child, right?” He asks.

“Dude, you don’t have to be a fucking chick to know about stuff chicks do. I’m sure plenty of guys actually do exfoliate.”

“Yeah and I’m sure they tan and get pedicures as well while totally defiling their man card.”

“There are plenty of straight guys that care that much about their appearances too, you know?”

“Yeah, I’m starting to think you’re one of those guys.” He teases as he throws his pillow at me.

“Fuck you man.” I toss it back nailing him in the face.

“Nice arm, bro. And you said you never played any sports.”

“Besides in my backyard with my cousin, I never did.” I remember playing catch with Jake when he’d come over. He was desperate for the companionship since he never got it at home. We both got to experience different aspects at each other’s houses growing up. It was kind of like living the best of both worlds. I’d go over to his house and be in video game heaven, and he’d come to mine and be in outdoor country boy heaven. “Anyways, what are we doing tonight?” I ask.

“I guess we can drive around and look for a bar. I wouldn’t mind getting fucking laid tonight.” I really wouldn’t mind either. It’s been a good minute. When I first took off on the road I went a little crazy with it. Trying to get Jesika and the past years outta my mind. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Wrong. I’m slowly realizing sleazing around doesn’t help you get over people or circumstances, it’s time that does. Does that mean I don’t still sleep around and get any when the getting is good? No. I’m a fucking man. And usually a horny one at that. I’m not fucking stupid though and I always play it safe, but it doesn’t’ mean I can’t have fun.

“Okay, get ready and we’ll grab something to eat first and then see what this town has to offer.”

“Now that’s what I’m talking about. Let’s see what kind of pussy this town has to offer.” He waggles his brows at me.

“Dude, I was talking about food and drinks. But you’re a crazy fuck, so pussy probably fits under that category for you.”

“Damn straight. It’s a fucking meal and beverage all in itself.”

  

*Blog Tour: Very Bad Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills*

 
 Hi Brats!

The blog tour for 'Very Bad Things' by Ilsa Madden-Mills kicks off today and makes a stop here at TheSecretBookBrat HQ! There has been loads of hype about this book, so check out Michelle's 5 star review, read an excerpt and watch the book trailer :) ~ Tam
   [image error]   About Very Bad Things Born into a life of privilege and secrets, Nora Blakely has everything any nineteen-year-old girl could desire.  She’s an accomplished pianist, a Texas beauty queen, and on her way to Princeton after high school.  She’s perfect…Leaving behind her million dollar mansion and Jimmy Choos, she becomes a girl hell-bent on pushing the limits with alcohol, drugs, and meaningless sex.  Then she meets her soulmate.  But he doesn’t want her. When it comes to girls, twenty-five-year old Leo Tate has one rule:  never fall in love.  His gym and his brother are all he cares about…until he meets Nora.  He resists the pull of their attraction, hung up on their six year age difference. As they struggle to stay away from each other, secrets will be revealed, tempers will flare, and hearts will be broken. Welcome to Briarcrest Academy…where sometimes, the best things in life are Very Bad Things. Amazon  Michelle's Review
 I feel like I waited FOREVER for Very Bad Things to come out! Seriously, once I read the blurb and saw the AMAZING cover, I was counting down the days until its release! Well I can tell you now that it was WELL worth the wait. Leo and Nora had me from the first chapter and didn’t let go. It was one of those books that was SO good it had me watching my reading % and thinking “NO!! I’m not ready for it to end!!”
 
VBT is the story of Nora Blakely, a beautiful, smart, talented, rich girl who is not all she appears to be and is hiding a very dark secret.  Nora comes complete with a BITCH on wheels mother, an absentee father and a loser half-brother. She is 18 (almost 19) years old and is attending a very prestigious school called Briarcrest Academy where she is on the fast track to be valedictorian as well as very active in many groups and an accomplished piano player. Everything in Nora’s life is mapped out for her…her classes, college, her future, what she wears and even what she eats. Right before her senior year begins Nora kind of snaps and decides it is time to take control of her life. She does this by making a list of Very Bad Things which she is determined to complete. This list includes mostly destructive, bad girl behavior but what Nora doesn’t realize is all she really wants is for someone to love her.
 
Leo Tate is an incredibly HOT, tattooed, gym owner who is raising his younger brother, Sebastian, after their parents are killed by a cracked out druggie. He first sees Nora at Briarcrest Academy, which is the same school his brother is going to be attending, and is instantly intrigued by her.
 
“As if she sensed me, her eyes opened, and when her green ones found mine, I swear, it felt like someone hit the pause button on the universe, and she was all I could see.”
 
 Leo is extremely closed off after the death of his parents and has sworn off love as he doesn’t want to feel the pain of losing someone again. He has resolved his life to making his gym business successful, raising his brother, playing guitar in his band,  dating girls only to meet his “needs” and avoiding any form of commitment.
 Nora is looking for someone to love her…Leo is avoiding love at all costs…seems like a relationship doomed before it even starts but… nope! These two are perfect for each other…they just don’t know it yet! They officially meet the night Nora decides to take a can of yellow spray paint and “decorate” Leo’s car. Of course she doesn’t know it is Leo’s car at the time and is quite a bit drunk. Leo catches her in the act and takes her in to sober up. Nora ends up spending the night after she quite brazenly throws her naked self at Leo and he turns her down, regardless of how attracted he is to her. Leo ends up in bed with Nora that night after she has a nightmare and they talk, telling each other secrets and falling asleep holding hands but NO sex! 
From that point on Nora is a big fixture in both of the Tate brothers’ lives. She and Sebastian become best friends and Leo does everything in his power to avoid his attraction to Nora while she does everything in HERS to show him how he feels. I love how strong Nora is and how she doesn’t let what happened to her define who she is and how she feels about love. She is probably one of my favorite female book characters EVER!! She is funny and quirky and I really liked her! I also loved her relationship with Sebastian.  The two of them together are hysterical and Sebastian has some of the best one liners ever.
 “Forget those stupid Master Card commercials. Watching two chicks duke it out in high heels…now, that’s priceless.”
 Without giving any more secrets away, I will tell you that throughout this book you will laugh, you will cry, you will want to kill Leo AND have sex with him all at the same time and you will love it! The sexual tension is off the charts and when you do finally get some “action” it is SCORCHING hot!!! And did I mention he calls her Buttercup?? Best.Nickname.Ever. This story has it all and there is no dreaded cliffy…thank GAWD! It is seriously an AMAZING debut novel and I am a fan of Ilsa for life! You can’t not fall in love with these characters and their story. This one is a huge 5 star read for me and I can’t recommend it enough! Enjoy!
 
   
Excerpt The Kiss in the Library
“I got one last request, and I’ll never ask again,” Leo said.
“What?” I croaked out.
He set his books on a shelf and then took mine and set them beside his. He tugged me to him until our chests were touching.
“What are you doing?” I mumbled in confusion.
He put his hands on either side of my face and slid them into my hair, letting out a breath as if in relief. “Just saying goodbye, Nora.”
“You’re going to kiss me?” I asked, tears pricking my eyes at the sadness in his face.
“Please, just this last time, Buttercup,” he said.
And with that one word, I was his.
He lowered his head, his gaze holding me captive. When our lips touched, his heated eyes stayed open and mine did, too. My mouth melted into his, moaning as his hot tongue explored the details of my tongue, my teeth, my lips. We started slow but it escalated rapidly, the passion between us burning higher and higher. He owned me with his mouth, and I was lost.
I palmed his ass, grinding myself against him. He hissed at the increased pressure and pushed me back against the sturdy bookshelf, positioning me so his hips fit into my pelvis. I lifted one of my legs, and he caught it and wrapped it around him.
“Say my name,” he muttered gruffly as I sucked hard at his neck. He grunted, and I dug my nails into his back as I kissed my way around his collarbone, sucking another spot.
“Say it, Nora.”
“Leo, Leo, Leo,” I pleaded, arching my back and pushing into him.
He shuddered. “Fucking love that,” he whispered.
 He placed his lips back on mine, dominating my mouth, like a man starved. All I could think about was him, him, him . . . his lips, his tongue, his taste, his butterscotch smell. I wanted all of him, and I’d never have him, and that thought made me frantic. I gripped him tighter, pushed my nails deeper, and kissed him harder.
I never wanted to say goodbye.
     
About the Author Ilsa Madden-Mills wrote her first work at the age of twelve when she penned a little ditty about a handsome prince who had no sense. Since then, she’s always written, whether it was for work or fun. When she was young, she entered every short story and poetry contest around; when she was in college, she wrote for the university paper; when she taught English, she wrote a play along with a wonderful group of drama students. Very Bad Things is her first full-length novel and part of a new series called Briarcrest Academy. She graduated summa cum laude with a master’s in English from an esteemed university in the South where she now resides. She spends her days with two small kids, a neurotic cat, and her Viking husband. When she’s not typing away at a story, you can find her drinking too much Diet Coke, jamming out to Pink, or checking on her carefully maintained chocolate stash. She loves to hear from fans and fellow avid readers. Check her out on Facebook or her author website.





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*Release Day: Untamed Hearts by Melody Grace*

   Hi Brats :):)  I absolutely love Melody Grace and admittedly, Brittany and Hunter stole my heart in Unafraid :) Now, Melody has release a novella, telling their story from the beginning - How Brit and Hunter met :)     UNTAMED HEARTS Synopsis  It's the last night of summer in Beachwood Bay, but for Brit and Hunter, it's only the beginning …

She is: rebellious, wounded, free.
He is: handsome, searching, enchanted.
One night. Two restless hearts. But what happens when morning comes?

A tantalizing new novella from the internationally best-selling Melody Grace.

*Untamed Hearts is set 3 years before the events of Unafraid. It can be read before, after, or as a stand-alone novel.*

**Contains adult material, 17+** 
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Melody Grace Bio  Melody Grace is the USA Today bestselling author of UNBROKEN and UNTOUCHED. A small-town girl turned SoCal beach-lover, she spent years with her nose in a book before deciding it was time to write them for herself. She loves bad boys, good books, and pistachio-flavored ice-cream.
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