Tamsyn Bester's Blog, page 18
June 25, 2013
*Review: Choices by Sydney Lane*
Hi Brats :)
We have tonnes going on over here at TheSecretBookBrat HQ - the first of which is my review for Sydney Lane's debut novel Choices which was published this week :)
This book is a sweet read with a love triangle that will have you swooning all over the place :)
Synopsis:
Choices
Fate brought her here, but will her choices destroy her dreams?
Quincy Priest made all the right choices in her small town, black-and-white life. But being perfect is tiring. So. Very. Tiring.
Wanting desperately to step out of her sister's shadow, Quincy jumps at the opportunity to attend college with her best friend. The quiet bookworm with family secrets comes out of her shell. But when Quincy meets not one, but two perfect guys, she has to make a choice. In doing so, she might forfeit the relationship she secretly longed to find.
Declan. Sweet, handsome, and perfect. He makes her feel cherished for the first time in her life.
Brody. Sexy, hot, and irresistible. He could tear down her carefully built walls.
Before she can become the woman she wants to be, Quincy will make mistakes. And suffer one unimaginable loss.
My Review:
Quincy Priest has spent her entire life trying to be perfect while her parents deal with her older sister, who has Bipolar Disorder. Her bubble is safe, controlled and comfortable, until she goes to college.
Quincy decides that it’s time to live a little, be reckless and discover who she is away from a home life that has been fraught with emotional challenges. When she attends her first Frat party with her best friend Jenna, she meets not one but 2 guys who end up flipping her world on its head.
Declan is sweet and charming, with a God-like body that has the girls flocking to him constantly. He’s perfect, and evidently lacks the arrogant bravado that one would expect from your typical college Frat boy. He very soon becomes a friend that Quincy depends on for emotional support but also becomes a contributor to her confusion – his feelings for her are more than just friendship but she’s not sure if she can return those feelings. He doesn’t make her stomach flutter or her toes curl, but he makes her feel safe, and cherished.
Brody on the other hand is quite the opposite – he’s broody, sexy and hot and is fascinated by Quincy from the moment they meet. Brody evokes new and terrifying feelings that she’s never experienced before. He ignites the fire in her soul and draws her to him. She knows he’s a player, and as hard as she tries to stay away, her choices always start and end with him, creating a push-and-pull dynamic in their relationship. She experiences first love with Brody and in the end she gives a part of herself to him that she can never take back.
Quincy tries to do right by everybody, but when she loses her sister, she decides to follow her heart. For the first time, it’s a choice that feels right.
This book is about learning from your mistakes, the struggle between listening to her heart or your head, and stepping outside your comfort zone. Sydney did a great job, not only with the writing but with the character development as well.
This was a fab read and I highly recommend this for lovers of NA Contemporary Romance.
Buy Choices on Amazon
About Sydney Lane
Sydney Lane lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and children. Growing up in Small town, USA, Sydney dreamed of being a writer. After spending an outrageous amount of money to go to college, Sydney finally decided to follow her heart. With her babies in bed and husband neglected, she worked by the light of her laptop and wrote Choices. Sydney is very active in charity work for anti-bullying and depression awareness groups.Goodreads Facebook Be sure to add this to your TBR lists my Brats, it's goodie :)
Love you all madly!
Tam
xxx
We have tonnes going on over here at TheSecretBookBrat HQ - the first of which is my review for Sydney Lane's debut novel Choices which was published this week :)
This book is a sweet read with a love triangle that will have you swooning all over the place :)
Synopsis:
Choices
Fate brought her here, but will her choices destroy her dreams?
Quincy Priest made all the right choices in her small town, black-and-white life. But being perfect is tiring. So. Very. Tiring.
Wanting desperately to step out of her sister's shadow, Quincy jumps at the opportunity to attend college with her best friend. The quiet bookworm with family secrets comes out of her shell. But when Quincy meets not one, but two perfect guys, she has to make a choice. In doing so, she might forfeit the relationship she secretly longed to find.
Declan. Sweet, handsome, and perfect. He makes her feel cherished for the first time in her life.
Brody. Sexy, hot, and irresistible. He could tear down her carefully built walls.
Before she can become the woman she wants to be, Quincy will make mistakes. And suffer one unimaginable loss.
My Review:
Quincy Priest has spent her entire life trying to be perfect while her parents deal with her older sister, who has Bipolar Disorder. Her bubble is safe, controlled and comfortable, until she goes to college.
Quincy decides that it’s time to live a little, be reckless and discover who she is away from a home life that has been fraught with emotional challenges. When she attends her first Frat party with her best friend Jenna, she meets not one but 2 guys who end up flipping her world on its head.
Declan is sweet and charming, with a God-like body that has the girls flocking to him constantly. He’s perfect, and evidently lacks the arrogant bravado that one would expect from your typical college Frat boy. He very soon becomes a friend that Quincy depends on for emotional support but also becomes a contributor to her confusion – his feelings for her are more than just friendship but she’s not sure if she can return those feelings. He doesn’t make her stomach flutter or her toes curl, but he makes her feel safe, and cherished.
Brody on the other hand is quite the opposite – he’s broody, sexy and hot and is fascinated by Quincy from the moment they meet. Brody evokes new and terrifying feelings that she’s never experienced before. He ignites the fire in her soul and draws her to him. She knows he’s a player, and as hard as she tries to stay away, her choices always start and end with him, creating a push-and-pull dynamic in their relationship. She experiences first love with Brody and in the end she gives a part of herself to him that she can never take back.
Quincy tries to do right by everybody, but when she loses her sister, she decides to follow her heart. For the first time, it’s a choice that feels right.
This book is about learning from your mistakes, the struggle between listening to her heart or your head, and stepping outside your comfort zone. Sydney did a great job, not only with the writing but with the character development as well.
This was a fab read and I highly recommend this for lovers of NA Contemporary Romance.
Buy Choices on Amazon
About Sydney Lane
Sydney Lane lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and children. Growing up in Small town, USA, Sydney dreamed of being a writer. After spending an outrageous amount of money to go to college, Sydney finally decided to follow her heart. With her babies in bed and husband neglected, she worked by the light of her laptop and wrote Choices. Sydney is very active in charity work for anti-bullying and depression awareness groups.Goodreads Facebook Be sure to add this to your TBR lists my Brats, it's goodie :) Love you all madly!
Tam
xxx
June 24, 2013
*Release Week Blitz: Playing For Keeps by Emma Hart*
Hi Brats :) Today the Release Week Blitz for Emma Harts new New Adult Contemporary Romance Novel kicks off :) I have been eagerly awaiting the chance to post my review because I LOVED this book and I LOVED Aston Banks even more!
Synopsis: She's in love with him. He's trying not to love her. One night changes everything. Aston Banks never meant to get close to Megan Harper – not even for that one night. Haunted by a childhood he refuses to face, he knew she could break through every wall he’d ever built and tear them down without even realizing she was doing it. Betraying Braden by starting a relationship with Aston wasn’t on Megan’s to-do list, but the second she sees a glimpse of someone other than the arrogant ass she’s come to know, she can’t walk away. Aston’s childhood is worse than Megan ever guessed, but as he tries and fails to push her away, it’s clear her love is stronger than the demons that cling to him every day. And now, because of it, he finally has to deal with what he’s buried deep down. What he doesn’t want to face. What he’s fought against for so long. And they have to do it all without Braden finding out. Keeping a relationship secret has never been harder. My Review: Ok, I’m going to get real – Emma Hart kicked it up a notch in Playing For Keeps. I loved The Love Game, but I thought there was so much more to Aston and Megan’s story to fall in love with. Megan and Aston act as if they can’t stand each other but one night changes that when they realise that they can’t resist each other. Although having a secret relationship is challenging, Megan and Aston really believe they are doing the best thing by keeping it quiet, especially from her over-protective best friend Braden. When their situations becomes more complicated and their feelings develop, Aston feels as if Megan is slipping behind his carefully built walls, which terrifies him because it means he will come face-to-face with his dark past, Aston Banks is a notorious play boy, but what people don’t know is that he behaves that way for a reason – Sex is the only way Aston allows himself to feel. He keeps his past hidden and tries to keep it that way but after a one night stand with Megan, he starts to feel more. Before long, Megan and Aston’s secret is out. While Megan’s friend Maddy can sympathise, her best friend Braden feels betrayed and let down. However, Megan and Aston stand strong and after proving that Megan isn’t just another notch in his bed post, Aston and Braden make peace. But Aston is still broken inside and despite his fear of losing Megan once she finds out what he’s hiding, he starts chipping away at his own walls to allow Megan in. I loved this book, like REALLY REALLY loved it. Aston is just another imperfect book boyfriend that will have you swooning WITH a broken heart. Playing For Keeps can be read as a stand-alone, but reading The Love Game first is highly advantageous to your reading experience :)
Amazon US Amazon UK Barnes & Noble Kobo iBooks Smashwords
About Emma Hart
By day, New York Times and USA Todaybestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to a terrible two year old and growing bump, due September 2013. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of juice and writes books.
She likes to write about magic, kisses and whatever else she can fit into the story. Sarcastic, witty characters are a must. As are hot guys.
Emma is currently working too many books to even count - including Playing for Keeps, the companion book to New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel, The Love Game. She likes to be busy - unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to when all the ideas come to life.
Find Emma online at:
Blog: http://www.emmahart93.blogspot.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/YAAuthorEmmaHart
Twitter: @EmmaHartAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6451162.Emma_Hart
Thanks for stopping by Brats :) Love ya madly! Tam
June 21, 2013
*Release Week Blitz: Fallen Crest Family by Tijan*
Hi Brats :)
Today we kick of the Release Week Blitz for author Tijan's newest release, Fallen Crest Family (Fallen Crest #2) :) I am super excited to not only be hosting the Blitz, but to also kick it off here TheSecretBookBrat HQ :)
Samantha and Mason are together. Everyone knows it. Not everyone is dealing with it. While Mason’s ready to give them the middle finger, there’s one not going away. Her mother. Threats are issued. Ultimatums are given. Even blackmail is used, but only Samantha can put a stop to Analise. However, when a trauma from her past is triggered, she may not have the courage or strength to do what’s needed. If she doesn’t, Mason’s future could be destroyed.Tijan is one of my absolute favourite authors, and my author crush started when I first picked up Fallen Crest High (Fallen Crest #1) almost a year ago! Tijan's writing is unique and although many would label her books Young Adult, it is better fitting to put it into the New Adult Category. The story provides for an intense read and covers some very mature subject matter with a rather dark undertone. In short? Not only does Tijan rock my socks (and my Kindle) but so do her books!
Fallen Crest Family picks up where Fallen Crest High left off but was slightly more intense than Fallen Crest High! There is so much going on in this book that I had to break it down!
Here are my thoughts...
The drama never stops for Sam and Mason. They are still together and the forces against their relationship only prove to strengthen both their physical connection and their emotional connection.
Sam's mother, Analise, shows her true, crazy colors and tries to do all she can to keep Sam away from Mason, her reasoning being that their relationship is inappropriate. But there's far more to it than is visible at first glance - she is overcome by the fear of losing her daughter. It is impossible not to spend the majority of the book hating her mother, especially when the abusive nature of their relationship is exposed.
Of course, the usual antics take place amongst Fallen Crest Academy's Elite, even though everyone has turned their backs on Sam. Her friends have proven to be disloyal to her which has forced her to consider moving schools. Fallen Crest Public is a far cry from elite, but if Sam switches, she will be protected from the Elite. However, attending Fallen Crest Public brings it's own challenges - being Mason Kade's girlfriend has made her some enemies and a target.
The dynamics of each relationship Sam has is exposed, revealing vulnerable connections between her and the people who care about her. Her relationship with Logan Kade becomes stronger, and she realises that she has more in common with her boyfriends younger brother than she thought. She finds herself caring about him since Mason tends to keep him out of the loop. Sam also realises the dangerous nature of Mason's relationship with his friend Nate. Together they are manipulative and conniving, two things that frighten her. Sam also encounters new threats, namely the girls from Fallen Crest Public, who want nothing more than to be rid of her. Little do they know that its a pointless endeavour, especially when Sam yields more power than even she realises.
One of the things I loved most about this book was that we were finally able to see a more vulnerable side to Mason. We learn more about why he is the way he is and the lengths he is willing to go to in order to stay with Sam. His need to protect her from those who have targeted her is endearing and dare I say heart-warming. Tijan also took Sam and Mason's relationship to a far more intimate level and to the delight of ALL Mason and Sam fans, upped the SMEXY! Although most would agree that a relationship between Mason and Sam is inappropriate, neither of them care enough to break it off and even when the consequences are severe, Mason does what is necessary to protect Sam.
This book was nothing but tension from start to finish and held it's own when compared to the first book, Fallen Crest High! It's a completely new take on High School drama as well as the kind of drama that comes along with a strong hierarchy. The dark edge with which Tijan writes is sure to suck you in and leave you wanting more....
Tijan, YOU.ARE.AWESOME! <3
Buy Fallen Crest Family HERE
Other books by Tijan (Available on Amazon):
Jaded
Still Jaded
Broken and Screwed
Brady Remington Landed Me In Jail
Davy Harwood
Davy Harwood In Transition
Join the Fallen Crest Series discussion on Facebook
*A little bit of Everything...:)*
Hi Brats :)
I've been crazy busy lately, which is why I haven't had any new posts recently - but that's about to change because I've had a Brat join my team here at TheSecretBookBrat HQ :)
My dear friend, and Beta reader, Michelle has agreed to join my Brat family in order to keep up with the craziness around here :) This is very exciting as it means more reviews and more blog tours :)
Here's a little bit about Michelle...
Hi everyone! My name is Michelle and I am really excited about being added to the Brat team! I am a stay at home mom with 3 boys ages 14, 12 and 4. I also have an amazing husband, Lance, who puts up with my book boyfriend cheating ways! Although all 4 of my boys keep me SUPER busy, I always find time for my favorite thing....reading! I have enjoyed reading since I was a very little girl and that has never changed. I believe I encountered my first book boyfriend crush in a Sweet Valley High book and never looked back! Although I will read just about anything, my favorite genre is YA and NA. My favorite author is Abbi Glines and I will drop anything and everything the day one of her books comes out! She is also the creator of my #1 book boyfriend, Rush Finlay. My passion for book boyfriends is a “little” intense at times but I just can’t seem to help myself! I really look forward to getting to know some new authors and meeting some new BB’s as well as sharing my love of books with all of you! Happy reading :) ~ Michelle I also have 3 pretty awesome book covers for you all to check out, since I was unable to post them earlier this week :) If Forever Comes by A.L Jackson (12 September 2013)
About If Forever Comes
If Forever Comes, the final chapter in the New York Times Bestselling Regret Series (Lost to You and Take This Regret).
Christian Davison’s life is complete. With a ring on Elizabeth’s finger and his daughter at his side, he’s ready to run headlong into their future.
Elizabeth Ayers never believed she would again find this kind of joy—the joy of a family and the wholeness found in the touch of the man she’s always loved.
Their love is intense and their passion only grows as they set out to rediscover each other.
But life is never easy.
Rocked by the unforeseen, Christian and Elizabeth will find themselves fighting for the one thing they hold most important—family. Teaser:
I stood in the hush of the darkened room, the long drapes pushed to the side as I leaned with one hand pressed to the wall just at the side of the window. I stared out, watching as winter pressed down on the city. Snowflakes fluttered toward the ground as they were set free from the inky sky. Through the haze, lights glimmered, and far below, the city was still alive even though night had grown late.
My past seemed to echo from the streets, the memories so thick they almost seemed alive.
I looked over my shoulder and let my eyes wander over the one who inhabited them all.
Elizabeth lay facing me, twisted just to the side, her blonde hair spread out over the pillow where she rested her head. Her chest lifted and fell in a slow cadence, her soft breaths released into the air.
The deepest kind of devotion quickened my heart and pumped fiercely through my veins.
Sometimes it was hard to believe we’d come this far, that this beautiful girl lying across the room from me had been strong enough to forgive me for the greatest mistake I’d ever made, that she was good enough to look past my failure, and that she had the capacity to lie there now, lost in sleep, free of fear and full of love.
A wistful smile tugged at my mouth as my gaze traveled over her perfect body. She wore a short nightgown, the creamy material bunched up over her hip, the length of her legs fully exposed. One arm was draped over her head, and the other was stretched across the sheets in the spot where I had held her in my arms as she’d fallen asleep.
Emotion squeezed my lungs, knocked at my ribs, just as strong as the desire that lifted in a crushing swell before it settled as a subdued ache in the pit of my stomach.
Elizabeth would never stop stealing my breath.
Only because she possessed my soul.
As if she felt the intensity of my stare, she stirred. Those brown eyes blinked open as she adjusted to the dimness in the room. A soft, sleepy smile crept to her lips when she found me watching her in the shadows. She ran her hand over the sheets on my side of the bed. “What are you doing way over there when you’re supposed to be in bed with me?” she whispered.
“Just thinking.”
She lifted up onto her elbow. “And what are you thinking about?”
My mouth tipped up in a slow grin as I made my way over to her. She rolled onto her back just as I crawled over her, bracing myself on my hands and knees.
“Thinking about you. What else would I be thinking about?” I trailed the back of my index finger down her cheek and along the underside of her jaw. At her chin, I twisted my hand to drag my fingers all the way down her neck to the cleft between her breasts.
A soft breath parted her lips.
“You consume me, Elizabeth,” I said. “Every second.”
Trembling, she reached up to cup my jaw. “Always.”
That word shot straight through me, her touch a firestorm that singed me from the inside out.
And she had it right. I wanted her. Always.
I pressed my hands into the bed on either side of her head, dipped to caress her mouth with mine in the same second her fingers wove through my hair. I could feel her heart hammering, pounding just as hard as mine, this thrum of need spinning through us with the slightest touch.
It’d always been that way.
Always.
I rocked and Elizabeth moaned, our bodies pitching and lifting and seeking, the soft skin of her inner thighs like strokes of fire as they brushed against mine. Our tongues caressed and every last inch of my body hardened.
God, there was nothing in this world that felt so good.
I pulled back, one hand gripping the fabric at her hip as I searched her face.
“Elizabeth, I don’t want to wait. I know that’s what we planned, but being here, in this city, it just makes me think of all the time I wasted, and I don’t want to waste any more.”
Shock rolled through her, and brown eyes snapped up to lock on mine. “What do you mean?”
“All of it, Elizabeth…waiting to get married…waiting to add to our family. I want it all…and now…because I want it with you.”
“Christian—”
“Don’t say anything now. I just want you to think about it.”
She grabbed my face. “I don’t need to think about it. I’m ready for this. Ready for us to move on.”
Relief and joy escaped me in a throaty groan. It was all I wanted, to spend my life with her, to spend it with our daughter, to live for my family, to watch grow.
“Oh my God, Elizabeth.” I dropped to my elbows, brought us closer, our kiss frenzied between our words.
“Christian.”
“I love you so much…so much.”
I sucked at her bottom lip, kiss her at the edge of her perfect mouth, dropped to feast along the line of her jaw.
My nose got lost behind her ear, in her hair, in the softness of her skin.
I burned.
Elizabeth arched, silently begged.
I rose to one elbow and grabbed her left hand, kissed the ring she allowed me to place on her finger. “Forever,” I promised against it.
Her heart thudded a little more. “Forever,” she said.
And I couldn’t wait for forever to begin. About The Author:
A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled and When We Collide.She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.
Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.
Show A.L. Jackson some love! Check her out on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and her Website! Undertow by Leigh T. Moore (July 18th 2013)
About UNDERTOW:
Book #2 in the DRAGONFLY series
"Falling in love will pull you under..."
Three friends, three dreams.
One of them will end up dead. T
Two will be forever shattered.
Recovering from her broken heart, Anna decides to spend the semester break diving into the three journals Bill Kyser gave her to read--the journals that hold the secret and that Bill says will help her understand his need for silence.
But the more Anna learns about the tragic events behind the powerful developer’s seclusion, the more she’s convinced silence is a mistake.
Anna has to decide if she’ll keep the secrets or tell him the truth about a past that’s been buried for decades. The only problem is the more she knows, the more Anna realizes either choice could cost her the boy she's starting to love. About Leigh T. Moore: Leigh Talbert Moore is the author of the popular young adult romantic comedy The Truth About Faking , its companion The Truth About Letting Go , and the mature YA/new adult romantic suspense novel Rouge , a Quarter Finalist in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. She is an award-winning journalist and editor, who has also worked in marketing and public relations for many years. Her writing has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the southeast and Midwest U.S., and she runs the popular writing-craft blog That’s Write . A southern ex-pat and beach bum, she currently lives with her husband, two young children, and one grumpy cat in the Midwest. Stalk The Author Facebook | Amazon Author page | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads Read excerpts of her books on Wattpad and Figment ! Escaping Me by Elizabeth Lee (July 2013) 
About ESCAPING ME:
All she wanted to do was forget. Forget the memory of walking in on her boyfriend in the middle of, well, another girl. Forget how she had her entire life planned out. And, forget about being perfect all the time. Unfortunately, she was Whitney Vandaveer and despite the fact that she moved to the middle of nowhere—she couldn't.
He always knew he would never be more than nothing. No job, no money, no future. Cole Pritchett had accepted the fact that he would always be the screw up and he was okay with it. Until he met her.
Here's the thing they quickly found out—sometimes we all need a little help escaping who we think we are. About Elizabeth Lee: When I'm not writing or playing the part of wife and mother, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in hand. Here's the thing about being born and raised in a small town—you have a very vivid imagination! Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that! Links: Facebook: www.facebook.com/elizabethleewritesTwitter: www.twitter.com/elwritesWebsite: http://elizabethleewrites.blogspot.com Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6542627.Elizabeth_LeeNovel Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17854029-escaping-me?ac=1 Well Brats, all I can say is...BRING ON THE BOOKS :):) Love you all Madly! Tam xxx
I've been crazy busy lately, which is why I haven't had any new posts recently - but that's about to change because I've had a Brat join my team here at TheSecretBookBrat HQ :)
My dear friend, and Beta reader, Michelle has agreed to join my Brat family in order to keep up with the craziness around here :) This is very exciting as it means more reviews and more blog tours :)
Here's a little bit about Michelle...
Hi everyone! My name is Michelle and I am really excited about being added to the Brat team! I am a stay at home mom with 3 boys ages 14, 12 and 4. I also have an amazing husband, Lance, who puts up with my book boyfriend cheating ways! Although all 4 of my boys keep me SUPER busy, I always find time for my favorite thing....reading! I have enjoyed reading since I was a very little girl and that has never changed. I believe I encountered my first book boyfriend crush in a Sweet Valley High book and never looked back! Although I will read just about anything, my favorite genre is YA and NA. My favorite author is Abbi Glines and I will drop anything and everything the day one of her books comes out! She is also the creator of my #1 book boyfriend, Rush Finlay. My passion for book boyfriends is a “little” intense at times but I just can’t seem to help myself! I really look forward to getting to know some new authors and meeting some new BB’s as well as sharing my love of books with all of you! Happy reading :) ~ Michelle I also have 3 pretty awesome book covers for you all to check out, since I was unable to post them earlier this week :) If Forever Comes by A.L Jackson (12 September 2013)
About If Forever Comes
If Forever Comes, the final chapter in the New York Times Bestselling Regret Series (Lost to You and Take This Regret).
Christian Davison’s life is complete. With a ring on Elizabeth’s finger and his daughter at his side, he’s ready to run headlong into their future.
Elizabeth Ayers never believed she would again find this kind of joy—the joy of a family and the wholeness found in the touch of the man she’s always loved.
Their love is intense and their passion only grows as they set out to rediscover each other.
But life is never easy.
Rocked by the unforeseen, Christian and Elizabeth will find themselves fighting for the one thing they hold most important—family. Teaser:
I stood in the hush of the darkened room, the long drapes pushed to the side as I leaned with one hand pressed to the wall just at the side of the window. I stared out, watching as winter pressed down on the city. Snowflakes fluttered toward the ground as they were set free from the inky sky. Through the haze, lights glimmered, and far below, the city was still alive even though night had grown late.
My past seemed to echo from the streets, the memories so thick they almost seemed alive.
I looked over my shoulder and let my eyes wander over the one who inhabited them all.
Elizabeth lay facing me, twisted just to the side, her blonde hair spread out over the pillow where she rested her head. Her chest lifted and fell in a slow cadence, her soft breaths released into the air.
The deepest kind of devotion quickened my heart and pumped fiercely through my veins.
Sometimes it was hard to believe we’d come this far, that this beautiful girl lying across the room from me had been strong enough to forgive me for the greatest mistake I’d ever made, that she was good enough to look past my failure, and that she had the capacity to lie there now, lost in sleep, free of fear and full of love.
A wistful smile tugged at my mouth as my gaze traveled over her perfect body. She wore a short nightgown, the creamy material bunched up over her hip, the length of her legs fully exposed. One arm was draped over her head, and the other was stretched across the sheets in the spot where I had held her in my arms as she’d fallen asleep.
Emotion squeezed my lungs, knocked at my ribs, just as strong as the desire that lifted in a crushing swell before it settled as a subdued ache in the pit of my stomach.
Elizabeth would never stop stealing my breath.
Only because she possessed my soul.
As if she felt the intensity of my stare, she stirred. Those brown eyes blinked open as she adjusted to the dimness in the room. A soft, sleepy smile crept to her lips when she found me watching her in the shadows. She ran her hand over the sheets on my side of the bed. “What are you doing way over there when you’re supposed to be in bed with me?” she whispered.
“Just thinking.”
She lifted up onto her elbow. “And what are you thinking about?”
My mouth tipped up in a slow grin as I made my way over to her. She rolled onto her back just as I crawled over her, bracing myself on my hands and knees.
“Thinking about you. What else would I be thinking about?” I trailed the back of my index finger down her cheek and along the underside of her jaw. At her chin, I twisted my hand to drag my fingers all the way down her neck to the cleft between her breasts.
A soft breath parted her lips.
“You consume me, Elizabeth,” I said. “Every second.”
Trembling, she reached up to cup my jaw. “Always.”
That word shot straight through me, her touch a firestorm that singed me from the inside out.
And she had it right. I wanted her. Always.
I pressed my hands into the bed on either side of her head, dipped to caress her mouth with mine in the same second her fingers wove through my hair. I could feel her heart hammering, pounding just as hard as mine, this thrum of need spinning through us with the slightest touch.
It’d always been that way.
Always.
I rocked and Elizabeth moaned, our bodies pitching and lifting and seeking, the soft skin of her inner thighs like strokes of fire as they brushed against mine. Our tongues caressed and every last inch of my body hardened.
God, there was nothing in this world that felt so good.
I pulled back, one hand gripping the fabric at her hip as I searched her face.
“Elizabeth, I don’t want to wait. I know that’s what we planned, but being here, in this city, it just makes me think of all the time I wasted, and I don’t want to waste any more.”
Shock rolled through her, and brown eyes snapped up to lock on mine. “What do you mean?”
“All of it, Elizabeth…waiting to get married…waiting to add to our family. I want it all…and now…because I want it with you.”
“Christian—”
“Don’t say anything now. I just want you to think about it.”
She grabbed my face. “I don’t need to think about it. I’m ready for this. Ready for us to move on.”
Relief and joy escaped me in a throaty groan. It was all I wanted, to spend my life with her, to spend it with our daughter, to live for my family, to watch grow.
“Oh my God, Elizabeth.” I dropped to my elbows, brought us closer, our kiss frenzied between our words.
“Christian.”
“I love you so much…so much.”
I sucked at her bottom lip, kiss her at the edge of her perfect mouth, dropped to feast along the line of her jaw.
My nose got lost behind her ear, in her hair, in the softness of her skin.
I burned.
Elizabeth arched, silently begged.
I rose to one elbow and grabbed her left hand, kissed the ring she allowed me to place on her finger. “Forever,” I promised against it.
Her heart thudded a little more. “Forever,” she said.
And I couldn’t wait for forever to begin. About The Author:
A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled and When We Collide.She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.
Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.
Show A.L. Jackson some love! Check her out on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and her Website! Undertow by Leigh T. Moore (July 18th 2013)
About UNDERTOW:
Book #2 in the DRAGONFLY series
"Falling in love will pull you under..."
Three friends, three dreams.
One of them will end up dead. T
Two will be forever shattered.
Recovering from her broken heart, Anna decides to spend the semester break diving into the three journals Bill Kyser gave her to read--the journals that hold the secret and that Bill says will help her understand his need for silence.
But the more Anna learns about the tragic events behind the powerful developer’s seclusion, the more she’s convinced silence is a mistake.
Anna has to decide if she’ll keep the secrets or tell him the truth about a past that’s been buried for decades. The only problem is the more she knows, the more Anna realizes either choice could cost her the boy she's starting to love. About Leigh T. Moore: Leigh Talbert Moore is the author of the popular young adult romantic comedy The Truth About Faking , its companion The Truth About Letting Go , and the mature YA/new adult romantic suspense novel Rouge , a Quarter Finalist in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. She is an award-winning journalist and editor, who has also worked in marketing and public relations for many years. Her writing has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the southeast and Midwest U.S., and she runs the popular writing-craft blog That’s Write . A southern ex-pat and beach bum, she currently lives with her husband, two young children, and one grumpy cat in the Midwest. Stalk The Author Facebook | Amazon Author page | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads Read excerpts of her books on Wattpad and Figment ! Escaping Me by Elizabeth Lee (July 2013)
About ESCAPING ME:
All she wanted to do was forget. Forget the memory of walking in on her boyfriend in the middle of, well, another girl. Forget how she had her entire life planned out. And, forget about being perfect all the time. Unfortunately, she was Whitney Vandaveer and despite the fact that she moved to the middle of nowhere—she couldn't.He always knew he would never be more than nothing. No job, no money, no future. Cole Pritchett had accepted the fact that he would always be the screw up and he was okay with it. Until he met her.
Here's the thing they quickly found out—sometimes we all need a little help escaping who we think we are. About Elizabeth Lee: When I'm not writing or playing the part of wife and mother, you can find me dancing back-up for Beyonce, singing back-up for Miranda, or sunning myself on the beach with a drink in hand. Here's the thing about being born and raised in a small town—you have a very vivid imagination! Now, I channel it all to create stories where the girl always ends up with the right guy, first kisses are magical, and a happy ending is just that! Links: Facebook: www.facebook.com/elizabethleewritesTwitter: www.twitter.com/elwritesWebsite: http://elizabethleewrites.blogspot.com Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6542627.Elizabeth_LeeNovel Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17854029-escaping-me?ac=1 Well Brats, all I can say is...BRING ON THE BOOKS :):) Love you all Madly! Tam xxx
June 17, 2013
*Cover Reveal: This Heart of MIne by Amanda Bennett*
Hi Brats :)
EEEEEEEK!!! I'm here to bring the cover reveal of Amanda Bennetts third and final instalment in the Raine Series, This Heart of Mine :) I am *DYING* to get my hands on this and see how Kayla and Madison's story will continue after This Trust of Mine and how it will conclude - you just never know what Amanda has up her sleeve ;)
This Heart of Mine (Raine Series #3) by Amanda Bennett (July 11th 2013)
Synopsis:
Kayla seems to have it all. She has a wonderful man who would go to the ends of the earth for her and a family that seems to support her regardless of the consequences.
But is it enough to help her face her demons and to truly find happiness within her heart?
Madison never thought he would be faced with so many life altering decisions at such a young age. he wants to do right by Kayla and his family, but when old wounds reopen he finds himself questioning every choice he has ever made.
Life isn't all it seems for these two and they're coming to the realization that there will always be someone wanting to come along and destroy it all.
Will following her heart prove to be the right decision, or will it be the one thing that could make the only man she's ever loved, say good-bye for good?
Add This Heart of Mine on *Goodreads*
Stalk Amanda:
*Facebook* *Twitter* Website
If you haven't read This Love of Mine (Book 1) and This Trust of Mine (Book 2) then I suggest you do it now! :):) Much love Brats :) Tam xxx
EEEEEEEK!!! I'm here to bring the cover reveal of Amanda Bennetts third and final instalment in the Raine Series, This Heart of Mine :) I am *DYING* to get my hands on this and see how Kayla and Madison's story will continue after This Trust of Mine and how it will conclude - you just never know what Amanda has up her sleeve ;)
This Heart of Mine (Raine Series #3) by Amanda Bennett (July 11th 2013)
Synopsis:
Kayla seems to have it all. She has a wonderful man who would go to the ends of the earth for her and a family that seems to support her regardless of the consequences.
But is it enough to help her face her demons and to truly find happiness within her heart?
Madison never thought he would be faced with so many life altering decisions at such a young age. he wants to do right by Kayla and his family, but when old wounds reopen he finds himself questioning every choice he has ever made.
Life isn't all it seems for these two and they're coming to the realization that there will always be someone wanting to come along and destroy it all.
Will following her heart prove to be the right decision, or will it be the one thing that could make the only man she's ever loved, say good-bye for good?
Add This Heart of Mine on *Goodreads*
Stalk Amanda:
*Facebook* *Twitter* Website
If you haven't read This Love of Mine (Book 1) and This Trust of Mine (Book 2) then I suggest you do it now! :):) Much love Brats :) Tam xxx
*Blog Tour: Driven, by K. Bromberg*
Synopsis
Rylee Thomas is used to being in control. But she’s about to meet the one man that just might make her enjoy losing it…I am the exception to the rule.
In a world full of willing women, I’m a challenge to the roguish and achingly handsome Colton Donavan. A man used to getting exactly what he wants in all aspects of life. He’s the reckless bad boy constantly skating that razor thin edge toward out of control, on and off of the track.
Colton crashes into my life like a tornado: sapping my control, testing my vulnerabilities beyond their limits, and unintentionally penetrating the protective wall around my healing heart. Tearing apart the world I rebuilt so carefully with structure, predictability, and discipline.
I can’t give him what he wants and he can’t give me what I need. But after a glimpse beneath his refined exterior into the dark secrets of his damaged soul, can I bring myself to walk away?
Our sexual chemistry is undeniable. Our individual need for complete control is irrefutable. But when our worlds collide, is the chemistry enough to bring us together or will our untold secrets and battle of wills force us apart? Excerpt #1 He pushes off the wall and steps in closer to me. His signature scent envelops me. “I guess I just proved you do in fact lose sometimes Ryles.” He reaches up to move a tendril that has fallen over my face, his lone dimple deepening with his victorious smirk. I recoil at his touch but he holds my jaw firm in his hands. “I’m looking forward to our date Rylee.” He grazes a thumb over my cheek and angles his head to the side while he considers his next statement. “In fact, more than any other date I’ve had in a while.” I close my eyes momentarily leaning my head back as “Oh, God!” slips from my lips in a sigh. What an unbelievable night!
“So that’s what it will sound like?”
I open my eyes, confused at his comment, to see him regarding me with a bemused look on his face. “What?” I bark, my response harsh like a curse.
“Those words, Oh God,” he mimics me, reaching out and running a finger down the side of my face, “Now I know exactly how you’ll sound when you say that while I’m buried deep inside of you.”
I open my mouth in shock at his audacity. The overconfidence of his words astounding me. His haughty smile grates on my last nerve. The arrogant prick. Luckily I’m able to voice an articulate thought. “Wow! You sure think a lot of yourself, don’t you Ace?”
He slips his hands into his pockets, his smirk dominating his magnificent face. He leans in, a salacious look in his eyes and his voice a daunting whisper. “Oh sweetheart, there is definitely a lot of me to think about.” His quiet laugh sends a chill up my spine. “I’ll be in touch.”
And with that, Mr. Arrogant, turns on his heels and walks away without a backwards glance. I watch him and his broad shoulders until he disappears into the throng of people and finally exhale the breath I didn’t know I was holding.
Screw him and his sexy mouth and his gorgeous green eyes framed with thick lashes and his dexterous hands and his….his….just his everything! Ugh! I’m shaking I’m so irate at him.
And at myself. Donavan is confident and sure of himself and more than comfortable with being the alpha-male. For me, there is nothing more attractive in a man than that. But right now, I’m irritated with him for he’s gotten under my skin. And I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not, but I know that places inside of me that died that horrific day two years ago showed some signs of life tonight.
Starting the moment he touched me.
I stand there trying to comprehend the night’s unexpected events, and after a few moments, I’m certain of two things. First, there is absolutely no way I am honoring this agreement. And second, deep down, despite my staunch resolve, I know this will not be the last I am going to be seeing of Donavan.
Excerpt #2 Now that he has me positioned, he raises a hand up to wipe an errant strand of hair off my face. He then places his fingers on the side of my jaw and holds me there, his eyes searching mine. “You have one chance to walk away,” he warns me as the elevator alerts us we’re at the destined floor. The husky tone in his voice wreaking havoc on my willpower. My heart beats erratically at his words. I shake my head in an unconvincing acceptance for I can’t find the words to speak to him.
He ignores the opening elevator door behind him and continues to look intently into my eyes. “I won’t be able to walk away Rylee,” he says as he scrunches up his eyes as if the admission is painful. He blows out a loud breath, releasing me and running his fingers through his hair. He turns his back to me, reaches out, and stabs the door open button, bracing his hands against the elevator wall. His broad shoulders fill the small space of the elevator. His head hangs down as he mulls over his next words. “I want to take my time with you Rylee. I want to build you up nice and slow and sweet like you need. Push you to crash over that edge. And then I want to f*** you the way I need to. Fast and hard until you’re screaming my name. The way I’ve wanted to since you fell out of that storage closet and into my life.”
I have to bite my lower lip to stifle the immediate groan I feel at the dark promise of his words. I fight the need to sag against the wall for some kind of relief from the tension on my core.
“Once we leave this elevator, I don’t think I’ll have enough control to stop…to pull away from you Rylee. I. Can’t. Resist. You.” His voice is pained, quiet, and chalked full of conviction. He turns back to me, his face swarming with emotions, his eyes reflecting a man tinkering on the edge of losing control. “Decide Rylee. Yes. Or. No.”
My Review
Let me start off by saying that although I had difficulty connecting with these characters, I thought the story was great and the writing even more so. This was definitely a racey story :)
Rylee Thomas has endured a heart breaking loss after the death of her fiancé in a horrific car accident. Her physical scars may have healed but her emotional scars are still somewhat raw and exposed. She throws herself into her work and focuses all her energy on taking care of orphaned children, a job that she is absolutely passionate about and devoted to. Her life has become safe and predictable, until she meets race car driver Colton Donovan.
Their introduction is more than 'racey' when she stumbles into him at an auction she's organised for her company and he kisses her senseless. As luck would have it, he wins a date with her and after her many refusals, he goes to extraordinary lengths to get her to agree - lengths that she can no longer say no to.
Their sexual chemistry is off the charts but after spending some time with him, Rylee realises that not everything as it seems and Colton has some secrets of his own. Colton is wealthy, arrogant and drives Rylee crazy, but there are parts of his life that remain hidden and have made him afraid of commitment.
Rylee and Colton test each other in every way, with a definite 'push-pull' dynamic as the foundation to their arrangement-turned-relationship. Rylee is forced to live outside her comfort zone as she never knows what she'll get with Colton, and Colton is forced to open up more because his feelings for Rylee are completely new to him.
Overall, it was well-written with the right amount of sexy, tension and quirky banter between Rylee and Donovan - I can't wait to see how their story continues in the 2nd book :)
**3.5 Stars**
This is definitely worth adding to your TBR lists Brats :)
Love ya all madly :)
Tam
xxx
June 13, 2013
*Cover Reveal: The Accidental Assassin by Nicole Chase*
Hi Brats :)
Today's cover reveal is for Nicole Chase, the author who brought us Suddenly Royal :) The Accidental Assassin is a Contemporary Romance novel and is due to be released in late summer 2013 :)
The Accidental Assassin by Nicole Chase
ABOUT THE ACCIDENTAL ASSASSIN:Ava McKenzie is a creature of habit. Life is passing her by and she has nothing to show for it. She’s had the same job since she started college, she orders the same dish every time she goes to her favorite restaurant, and she only reads books from authors she knows. There is nothing new or surprising in her life… until her best friend marries a man from London. When her newlywed friend asks her to house-sit in England while she honeymoons, Ava jumps at the chance. This could be the very thing she needs to shake up her life. Ava throws herself headfirst into her new lifestyle; she wants to try everything, go everywhere, and never get stuck in a rut again. Of course, offing a man in a car garage hadn’t been one of the things on her list to try. Owen Walker spends every day in a new place with a new mission. As one of the most renowned assassins in the world, he has his choice of marks—and he’s never failed to complete a task. When a new hit takes him back to his hometown, he looks forward to spending time somewhere familiar. What he isn’t expecting is to help an attractive, confused American woman find out how she’s ended up on a hit man’s list. As Ava and Owen dodge bullets, will they be able to escape their undeniable attraction to each other? Or will all that chemistry blow up in a shower of hot and dangerous sparks?
BIG News about SUDDENLY ROYAL from Nichole Chase: For those of you that have been following me for the last two months, you know that life has gotten a bit crazy. Crazy good! And I have even more good news. I’ve accepted a three book publishing deal with Avon Publishing of HarperCollins. With their help we will be bringing Suddenly Royal, The Royal Agenda, and the untitled third book to stores and bookstores near you! I’m very excited about working with Tessa Woodward and the people of Avon. I can’t wait to see what we do together. What does this mean for the readers? Well, it means more accessible books! You’ll be able to find Suddenly Royal in bookstores, Walmart, and Target in just a few months! AND! And! There will be some added content to the new paperback. Don’t worry—it’s nothing that changes the story, so you won’t be missing anything important—but it does give you a little more Sam and Alex (and I know how much you guys love Alex). We’re also working to have fast turn-around on the next two books so you guys don’t have super long wait times. I will be letting you know those dates as soon as I can. I’m very excited and am so grateful that everyone loves Sam and Alex as much as I do. Thank you to everyone that has made this possible. It’s a dream come true. ABOUT NICHOLE CHASE:Nichole Chase is a daydreamer. No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule.
For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs.Well, no longer! She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Ms. Chase is the author of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy, Flukes, and Suddenly Royal (including several short stories).Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, dog, tortoise, and two cats. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises. Links: Website: www.nicholechase.com Blog: http://www.nicholechase.BlogSpot.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/NicholeChase Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.nicholechase Goodreads Author: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5074162.Nichole_Chase Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/nicholechase/ Be sure to add this to your TBR lists Brats, I've added it to mine ;) Love ya all madly!! Tam xxx
Today's cover reveal is for Nicole Chase, the author who brought us Suddenly Royal :) The Accidental Assassin is a Contemporary Romance novel and is due to be released in late summer 2013 :)
The Accidental Assassin by Nicole Chase
ABOUT THE ACCIDENTAL ASSASSIN:Ava McKenzie is a creature of habit. Life is passing her by and she has nothing to show for it. She’s had the same job since she started college, she orders the same dish every time she goes to her favorite restaurant, and she only reads books from authors she knows. There is nothing new or surprising in her life… until her best friend marries a man from London. When her newlywed friend asks her to house-sit in England while she honeymoons, Ava jumps at the chance. This could be the very thing she needs to shake up her life. Ava throws herself headfirst into her new lifestyle; she wants to try everything, go everywhere, and never get stuck in a rut again. Of course, offing a man in a car garage hadn’t been one of the things on her list to try. Owen Walker spends every day in a new place with a new mission. As one of the most renowned assassins in the world, he has his choice of marks—and he’s never failed to complete a task. When a new hit takes him back to his hometown, he looks forward to spending time somewhere familiar. What he isn’t expecting is to help an attractive, confused American woman find out how she’s ended up on a hit man’s list. As Ava and Owen dodge bullets, will they be able to escape their undeniable attraction to each other? Or will all that chemistry blow up in a shower of hot and dangerous sparks?
BIG News about SUDDENLY ROYAL from Nichole Chase: For those of you that have been following me for the last two months, you know that life has gotten a bit crazy. Crazy good! And I have even more good news. I’ve accepted a three book publishing deal with Avon Publishing of HarperCollins. With their help we will be bringing Suddenly Royal, The Royal Agenda, and the untitled third book to stores and bookstores near you! I’m very excited about working with Tessa Woodward and the people of Avon. I can’t wait to see what we do together. What does this mean for the readers? Well, it means more accessible books! You’ll be able to find Suddenly Royal in bookstores, Walmart, and Target in just a few months! AND! And! There will be some added content to the new paperback. Don’t worry—it’s nothing that changes the story, so you won’t be missing anything important—but it does give you a little more Sam and Alex (and I know how much you guys love Alex). We’re also working to have fast turn-around on the next two books so you guys don’t have super long wait times. I will be letting you know those dates as soon as I can. I’m very excited and am so grateful that everyone loves Sam and Alex as much as I do. Thank you to everyone that has made this possible. It’s a dream come true. ABOUT NICHOLE CHASE:Nichole Chase is a daydreamer. No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule.For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs.Well, no longer! She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Ms. Chase is the author of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy, Flukes, and Suddenly Royal (including several short stories).Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, dog, tortoise, and two cats. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises. Links: Website: www.nicholechase.com Blog: http://www.nicholechase.BlogSpot.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/NicholeChase Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/author.nicholechase Goodreads Author: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5074162.Nichole_Chase Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/nicholechase/ Be sure to add this to your TBR lists Brats, I've added it to mine ;) Love ya all madly!! Tam xxx
June 12, 2013
*Cover Reveal: A Little Too far by Lisa Desrochers*
Hi Brats :) What an intense week it has been so far :) There are so many amazing books popping up everywhere and I'm excited to be part of yet another cover reveal for one of them....
**Cover Reveal: A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers**
SYNOPSIS: Have you ever gone just a little too far? Lexie Banks has.Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother.In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it’s more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he’s been her best friend and confidant for better part of the last few years…and is so off limits. It’s a good thing she’s leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome.But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to Confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt…and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy on the eyes deacon…only eight months away from becoming a priest. As Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro’s signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn’t know what to think. She’s torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn’t want and the man she can’t have. And she isn’t sure how she can live with herself either way.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This sounds sexy, wouldn't you say Brats? :)
Be sure to add this to your TBR lists!!
Love ya all madly <3
Tam
xxx
**Cover Reveal: A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers**
SYNOPSIS: Have you ever gone just a little too far? Lexie Banks has.Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother.In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it’s more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he’s been her best friend and confidant for better part of the last few years…and is so off limits. It’s a good thing she’s leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome.But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to Confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt…and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy on the eyes deacon…only eight months away from becoming a priest. As Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro’s signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn’t know what to think. She’s torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn’t want and the man she can’t have. And she isn’t sure how she can live with herself either way.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This sounds sexy, wouldn't you say Brats? :)
Be sure to add this to your TBR lists!!
Love ya all madly <3
Tam
xxx
*Blog Tour: Redesign by Denise Grover Swank*
Hi Brats :)
Today TheSecretBookBrat is a stop on the Blog Tour for Denise Grover Swanks' newest novel, Redesigned (After Math #2).
REDESIGNED Synopsis:
While fashion design major Caroline Hunter may have been born economically unlucky, in college, she’s been lucky in love. Until her senior year at Southern University. She’s gone from a serious long term boyfriend to a string of crappy dates.
Then she meets mathematics grad student Reed Pendergraft.
Reed is everything she’s not looking for. Serious. Headed for a low paying university job. Boring. Caroline spent the first eighteen years of her life wondering where her next meal was coming from. She sure wasn’t getting trapped in that life again with a man living on a professor’s salary.
An encounter with Reed in a club proves she might have pegged him wrong. He brings out a lusty side she never knew she had. But just when she’s about to give in to her hormones, Reed makes a fool out of her.
When she shows up for the first committee meeting for Southern University’s Fall fashion show, a fundraiser for underprivileged kids, Caroline’s horrified to discover the insufferable Reed is the committee chairman. While she refuses to tolerate his totalitarian rule of the committee, she’s not sure she’ll survive the month with her heart—and her pride—intact. Just when she thinks she has everything figured out, she finds that her entire life has been redesigned, thanks to Reed Pendergraft. My Review We were first introduced to Caroline Hunter as the lovable, honest best friend of Scarlett Goodwin in After Math. Now, she has her own story. Caroline is a design student with aspirations to have a life she dreamed of as a little girl. She has worked hard to get to where she is and when an opportunity of a life time arises, she grabs it with both hands. What she wasn’t counting on was meeting Reed Pendergraft – a hot, sexy post grad Math student with a serious disposition. He is everything she doesn’t want and he proves that after making a fool out of her at a club. Unfortunately she can’t escape him – he’s the chairman of the committee responsible for organising the Fall fashion show for underprivileged kids. She has to spend an entire month working for someone with a totalitarian approach to everything. Caroline soon realises that Reed gets under her skin in every way, making her heart race and driving her hormones wild. But his career prospects have her running backwards – the last thing she wants his to go back to wondering where her next meal will come from. Reed has Caroline pegged as a gold digger before getting to know her and when he finally sees past her walls, his feelings for her are inescapable. He understands her need for financial security but he has secrets of his own, secrets that make him fearful of what Caroline will do when she finds out that he’s not entirely who he claims to be. I loved this book, and I became a fan of Denise Grover Swank’s work after reading After Math. Caroline and Reed’s story is different and it’s about two people from two different walks of life. Caroline is afraid of going back to a life of poverty while Reed is afraid that Caroline will only love him when she finds out he’s wealthy. They learn to trust each other and open up, and the chemistry between them is HOT HOT HOT. While I loved Scarlett and Tuckers’ story in After Math, there was something about Redesigned that got under my skin. I finished this is one sitting and highly recommend it :)
Author Bio:New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.You can find out more about Denise and her other books at: www.denisegroverswank.com.Links:Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Redesigned-Off-Subject-2-ebook/dp/B00CKXAIAM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370663176&sr=8-1&keywords=Redesigned+denise+grover+swank Blog: http://denisegroverswank.com/blog/ Website: www.denisegroverswank.comAuthor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeniseGroverSwankTwitter: https://twitter.com/DeniseMSwankNovel Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17788557-redesigned Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4921525.Denise_Grover_Swank
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for stopping by Brats :)
Love you all madly <3
Tam
xxx
June 11, 2013
*Cover Reveal: Very Bad Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills*
Hi Brats :)
Today I have the opportunity to share with you the cover reveal of a new book, Very Bad Things, in a new series written by Ilsa Madden-Mills :) Early reviews of this book have made me beyond eager to read this :)
Very Bad Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Title: Very Bad Things (#1 Briarcrest Academy)
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Expected release date: September 10, 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Mature YA and NA
Cover Designed by: Toski Covey Photography and Sommer Stein from Perfect Pear, Model is Mariah Jane Scott
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.
About the Author
Ilsa 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 written plays, poems, and numerous short stories. 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. After graduation, she directed plays, worked with autistic children, helped start a children’s clothing company, and eventually had a family. Now, she spends her days with two small kids and her Viking husband. When she’s not typing away at a story, you can find her drinking too much coffee, jamming out to Pink, or checking on her carefully maintained chocolate stash.
She loves to hear from fans and fellow avid readers. You can find her on Facebook and a soon to come author website.
Facebook | Goodreads
I've DEFINITELY added this to my TBR list Brats, I suggest you do the same ;)
Love you all madly <3
Tam
Today I have the opportunity to share with you the cover reveal of a new book, Very Bad Things, in a new series written by Ilsa Madden-Mills :) Early reviews of this book have made me beyond eager to read this :)
Very Bad Things by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Title: Very Bad Things (#1 Briarcrest Academy)
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Expected release date: September 10, 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Mature YA and NA
Cover Designed by: Toski Covey Photography and Sommer Stein from Perfect Pear, Model is Mariah Jane Scott
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.
About the Author
Ilsa 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 written plays, poems, and numerous short stories. 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. After graduation, she directed plays, worked with autistic children, helped start a children’s clothing company, and eventually had a family. Now, she spends her days with two small kids and her Viking husband. When she’s not typing away at a story, you can find her drinking too much coffee, jamming out to Pink, or checking on her carefully maintained chocolate stash.
She loves to hear from fans and fellow avid readers. You can find her on Facebook and a soon to come author website.
Facebook | Goodreads
I've DEFINITELY added this to my TBR list Brats, I suggest you do the same ;)
Love you all madly <3
Tam
