Sorcha O'Dowd's Blog, page 41
May 8, 2014
New Release ~ ‘Squirm’ by Cari Silverwood.
Squirm by Cari Silverwood
An Erotic Parody.
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SYNOPSIS
A parody of everything great and weird in erotic romance that could be stuffed into one book without it exploding.
For some girls, one tentacle isn’t enough.
Having a bad day isn’t good but when Virginia Chaste has a bad day, she gets felt up by a tentacle monster. If it simply has to happen, let it at least be a billionaire and a hot biker.
Virginity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and her search for the Holy Grail of Erotic Romance, the ten inch purple-headed schlong, may have finally borne fruit.
Yeehaw! Playing hide the tentacle has never been so much fun.
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Virginia swept back her long blonde hair and smiled as enticingly as she could at the man on the other side of the chain mesh gate. Her little black dress was fine but the six inch red stilettos were going to kill her any second. He grinned back, anchoring his fingers high in the mesh, leaning on the gate, and exuding eau de biker. The muscle of his flexed and tattooed bicep shone under the florescent light.
“C’mon in. We don’t bite much. Name’s Jace.”
She breathed in again, swooned, then swiftly recovered and slipped past Jace into the garage.
Eau de Biker. Mmm. Oil, leather, and beer smells always did it to her. Her panties had wet through in an instant.
But, she had a job to do.
The garage was dark, dingy and filled with testosterone-hyped tatted up bikers. They roamed across the concrete floor checking out the chromed bikes like a pack of thirsty hungry snakes let loose on a Sunday picnic of virginal squeaky mice.
She shook her head, knowing she’d imagined that with way too many adjectives. Sometimes her imagination went a little gaga.
Past the knowledge that she was here to look for Cyndie, she wondered, ever so hopefully, if among these men she would find her holy grail – what she’d been saving herself for from the day she opened the pages of her first romance novel – the man with the ten inch purple-headed schlong.
Fabio with his flowing locks could take a hike.
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Cari Silverwood
Cari Silverwood is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of BDSM stories and dark erotic fiction.
She writes the way the world should be – dangerous and sexy with bullets piercing the darkness and lovers wrenched close by ropes. When you need escape, when you need that rough lover to bring you to your knees, here you will find stories to singe your fingers. The taste of adventure, the tang of BDSM, the burn of fantasy run wild. Brace yourselves, if you dare to read.
And…in this real world, she has a lovely family in Australia, with the prerequisite teenager who dwells in the dark bedroom catacombs…a husband who raises eyebrows when he catches glimpses of what she writes, and a menagerie of other animals barking, meowing, and swimming about the place.
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~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~
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Blitz organised by We Love Kink Author Promotions.
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May 7, 2014
‘A New Life’ by Sorcha O’Dowd ~ A J.A.Mes Press ‘Rebirth’ Anthology Submission.
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A New Life
by Sorcha O’Dowd
My submission for #J.A.MesPress ‘Rebirth’ Anthology
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Title: A New Life
Word Count: 983
Author: Sorcha O’Dowd
Book: Yes
The road was rocky, causing the pony to struggle over the cobbles, its jerking movements leaving Maria and the driver bouncing up and down on the trap. She held a hand to her head, making sure the hat pin was doing its job of securing her hat in place.
It was growing dark when they finally reached the main square, a lone light shone from the single lamp post that stood in the far corner by the baker’s.
The small village of Tucker’s Prior had changed little in four years. Where London had been overtaken by sights of war; news sellers on every corner holding papers aloft, with a new figure captioned, “10,000 CASUALTIES IN FIRST SURGE”, Tucker’s Prior showed no such changes. The grocer’s stood where it always had, the only difference from 1913 being the faded notice in the window; the one that was handed out at the beginning of the war which explained the rations allowance.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drop you somewhere nearer home, Ma’am?” the driver asked her, looking cautiously around at their dark surroundings before offering his hand to help her down.
“No, thank you.” Maria replied with a soft smile as she hefted her bag from the back of the trap. “I’m near home.”
He nodded, although still unsure. “You take care of yourself Ma’am.”
Holding her bag in one hand she watched the driver give one more concerned look around before turning and urging the pony back along the cobbles. She smiled sadly as he rounded the corner, the retreating trap signalling the end of her journey.
After taking a moment to deliberate, she let her feet take her away from the path leading home. She guiltily thought of her mother, most likely in her rocking chair waiting to welcome her eldest daughter home. Maria pushed the guilt away, knowing her Mother would understand if she knew her plan.
But, would he want to see her? Would he still think her as selfish as he once did?
She could feel the heavy carpet of her bag brushing against her skirts as she walked. Reaching a stile she hoisted the offending hem and stepped over, trying to avoid covering the bottom of her skirt with the slimy mud that was quickly coating her boots.
She felt a quick smirk grow on her lips.
“Welcome back to the country,” she murmured.
But despite her bravado, her limbs felt weighted with her every step, as though her body was trying to dissuade her traitorous heart as it led her onwards. It wasn’t until she turned the corner, spotting a light at the end of the road that her confidence waned.
It was the light that should have told her she was home, that she was safe, that she wasn’t alone.
Instead it gave her a rush of memories, memories buried in desperation by a broken hearted girl.
She forced herself to walk on; trying desperately to push their last meeting from her mind, but his heated words flowed over her, cracking her heart a little more with every remembered word.
“I need to help. I refuse to stay here in this tiny village doing nothing! I have to go.”
“No Maria, you’re not going off for your country. You are going off to escape. You just needed any excuse to escape from the fact that I’m in love with you.”
She pushed the tears away that were threatening to flow, and approached the farmhouse. The house was in darkness, unsurprising as it was past midnight, and when Maria lifted her hand to knock on the door she hesitated, suddenly unsure. Memories of Sarah Darling kissing him as his platoon left for the front flashed through her mind, and she blanched.
“What was I thinking?” she thought desperately. “He wouldn’t still be waiting for me.”
Suddenly a light from her right caught her attention and she turned curiously, seeing a thin strip of dull light spilling from the barn door which had swung open.
She moved without thinking, heading straight towards it before her courage failed her.
Her heart stopped as she peered around the corner.
He was there.
Unlike the village which remained frozen in a previous life, time and the war had changed him. His once dark hair, was now speckled with grey strands, despite him being not yet thirty-five. His shirt sleeves were pushed up above his elbows, displaying the strong muscles built from long hours working on the farm, and the years fighting in the trenches.
It was Robert.
The sound of an animal bleating redirected her attention, and only then did she notice the sheep that lay before him. Its back legs jerked as she gave birth, and enraptured Maria watched Robert as, frowning with concentration, he reached low, hands entering the lamb and pulling hard. A split second and it was over, the lamb slipping from its mother’s womb and flopping onto the straw covered ground.
Not once had he lost a lamb.
“You’re back.”
His words jolted through her and she jumped back, but there was no malice in his face as he moved to standing, leaning heavily on one leg; his limp, a momentum from the trenches, now obvious.
“That was my first lamb this spring,” he said quietly. “Hopefully means the birth of better times to come.”
Her head shot up, and at the soft smile on his face the flood of tears she’d held in for years finally fell.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, as he moved closer looking down at her tenderly; his fingers still messed from the birth stopping a breath away from her cheek.
“No!” He exclaimed, a small light in his weary eyes. “It’s behind us. It’s a new beginning, a new life.”
“Together?” She dared to ask as hot tears dripped down her cheeks.
He nodded.
“Together.”
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Book Blitz ~ ‘Losing Enough’ by Helen Boswell.
Losing Enough by Helen Boswell
(A Second Chances Novel #1)
Publication date: April 30th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
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SYNOPSIS
When Alexis Lin heads to Sin City for the summer, she wants nothing more than to dive into the clubs, spas, and concerts – the benefits of her father’s high roller lifestyle. On her first night in the city, Alexis gets into trouble at a club but walks away from it with the help of Connor Vincent. Private security guard to the top gamblers, Connor is all charm with his clients, but he’s the anti-Prince Charming when it comes to women. Connor doesn’t have time for romance. He has his own problems to deal with, including his wild card of a brother who has come to town to collect on a past debt.
Alexis and Connor’s unlikely chemistry heats things up as chance again conspires to throw them together. The stakes become even higher when unexpected tragedy strikes Alexis’ family and when Connor’s brother threatens to ruin the life that Connor has worked so hard to build. To come out ahead of the game, Alexis must be brave enough to listen to her heart, Connor must finally face up to his past, and both must decide how much they’re willing to lose.
Sometimes risking your heart is the biggest gamble of all.
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I sprint for fifteen laps before surfacing at the end of the pool. Mom isn’t on the chaise lounge anymore. Connor is.
His broad shoulders are slightly hunched over, his elbows braced on his knees, his hands loosely clasped in front of him. And those startling blue eyes are resting on me like they’ve been watching me for a while.
I kick up, propping myself on the edge of the pool with my arms as I catch my breath. “Hi. What did you do with my mom?”
He cocks his head at me. God, his gaze is so, so focused in on me like they were in the high roller room, like laser beams. I wonder if he’s always so intense. I let go of the pool’s edge and sink back into the water, my toes touching the bottom.
“Nothing.” He stands, not breaking eye contact with me. “She told me she was going to go back to her suite to shower. Asked me to keep you company and remind you that brunch is…” He glances at his watch. “…in fifty minutes.”
“I know when brunch is,” I say simply. “But thanks. And as for keeping me company, I’ll be swimming for about twenty more minutes and then going inside, so don’t feel obligated to babysit.”
I’m not trying to be rude, just straight with him. I don’t need any company when I’m out here. I push away from the wall, my head still out of water so I can hear him in case he responds.
I stare at him as he throws his watch on his towel, right before he pulls his shirt over his head and drops it. I try not to gawk, but he has a great body, all tanned with well-defined muscles. I’d felt some of those muscles when we danced last night. He walks forward, swimming trunks slung low on his hips, and crouches down by the side of the pool. My head is right at the level of his crotch, and I fight to drag my gaze back up to his face.
My mouth is suddenly dry. No harm in looking, right? He was just watching me swim for however long without me knowing. I can make out a pretty big scar on his left shoulder, and I wonder what it’s from.
“You don’t seem like the type who requires babysitting,” he says in a low voice. His jaw is shaded with a little bit of stubble today, like he slept in this morning and didn’t have time to shave. I stare at his lips and finally manage to swallow.
“You’re observant,” I say back.
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~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~
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Spotify Playlists!
CONNOR
ALEXIS
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Prizes Open Internationally
*3x $10 Amazon Gift Cards plus signed book swag*
+ Ends May 10th +
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Q: If your characters could describe each other after one day of knowing each other, what would they say?
A: Connor would describe Alexis as a spitfire – sexy and saucy, and with an attitude.
Alexis would describe Connor as an ass. LOL.
Q: Why Las Vegas? There must be more less sweltering places to vacation in the summer. :-)
A: Vegas is the perfect setting for this story because everyone goes there for different reasons. Connor’s had to do with escaping his past, Alexis’ was tied to her dad’s love of gambling. I actually spent a lot of my own summers in Vegas, and yes, you get fried as soon as you step outside. But that’s what the pool is for. ;-)
Q: Will we see Alexis and Connor again?
A: Yes, but as secondary characters. The next novel in this series will be Elle’s story, told through her POV alternating with a male POV. #nospoilers as to who that is going to be. As drama unfolds, Elle will of course be interacting with her best friend and her cousin, so Alexis and Connor will be back.
Q: Losing Enough is your debut NA novel. Prior to this, you’ve written two YA novels. Which do you like better?
A. Okay, hard question…. Because I will always love my YA male main character Micah, first and foremost. Yes, he came out of my head but he also serves as my muse (if that even makes sense). But I love the extent of emotional development that characters can have in the NA genre in those coming-of-age moments., so I really do enjoy writing NA a bit more than YA (don’t tell Micah).
Q: Biggest dream?
A: NYT bestseller list and seeing one of my stories adapted to TV or a movie. But seriously, just being able to write more and reaching out to readers.
Q: Favorite writing food?
A: Chocolate. And more chocolate. (Isn’t that a given?)
Q: Greatest weakness in a guy when admiring from afar?
A: Eyes. And you’ll see what I mean when you meet Connor. Or Micah, for that matter. :-)
Q: Some recent NA reads that you’d recommend?
A: The Untamed Series by Victoria Green and Jinsey Reese #TeamDare, Masquerade by Nyrae Dawn #TeamMaddox. I loved these stories, and as you can tell, I’m very character-inspired. :-)
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Helen Boswell
Helen Boswell loved to get lost in the pages of a story from the time she could sound out the words. Originally from upstate New York, Helen spent much of her early adult life tromping around in Buffalo, NYC, Toronto, and Las Vegas, those cities now serving as inspiration for the dark and gritty urban backdrops of her stories. An author of both urban fantasy and contemporary romance, she loves to read and write characters that come to life with their beauty, flaws, and all.
Helen dedicates her time to raising her family of two boys, teaching college students, and of course, writing.
Find out more about Helen at www.helenboswell.com.
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~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Website ~
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Book Blitz organised by Xpresso Book Tours.
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Project Reveal ~ ‘The Chatsfield’ by Harlequin Presents.
The Chatsfield Series
Authors: Lucy Monroe, Melanie Milburne, Michelle Conder
Published by: Harlequin Presents
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
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The Chatsfield
SYNOPSIS
Step into the opulent glory of the world’s most elite hotel, where the clients are impossibly rich and exceptionally famous. Whether you’re in America, Australia, Europe or Dubai our doors will always be open…..Welcome to the Chatsfield.
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Harlequin, has launched The Chatsfield, a “first of its kind” digital series from Mills & Boon on 6th May.
Set in the luxury hotel “The Chatsfield”, this digital series provides an extra journey for the reader to continue engaging with the characters of a book and series beyond what is just on the page, thereby extending the life of the story.
The Chatsfield is a digital journey that blends fiction and reality and comes across multiple mediums including print (The Chatsfield Presents books), video (YouTube), digital (blogs and the main Chatsfield website) and social (twitter, Facebook).
To be a part of the digital journey, you can explore here:
The Chatsfield opened its doors on 6th May at www.thechatsfield.com
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~ Facebook ~ Google+ ~ Mills & Boon ~ Twitter ~ YouTube ~
Hashtags ~ #TheChatsfield – wherever possible
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This is the trailer for the Chatsfield webisodes, called The Loedown.
~ YouTube ~
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~ Release Date: May ~
Sheikh’s Scandal by Lucy Monroe
SYNOPSIS
Sheikh Sayed of Zeena Sarha and his harem of beautiful women are staying at the exclusive, opulent Chatsfield Hotel, London, for the last stop on his worldwide tour before his wedding. But when his engagement is unceremoniously broken, Sayed sets his sights on his sexy chambermaid!
Liyah Amari only took the position as chambermaid to find the truth about her birth father. But her search ends in heartache, leaving Liyah vulnerable to this powerful Sheikh’s desires. Now their one night of passion could result in a scandalous consequence for the proud Sheikh!
Welcome to The Chatsfield, London!
Lucy Monroe
Award-winning and bestselling author Lucy Monroe lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, surrounded by a plethora of pets and children (her own, the neighbors, her sisters…). She finds inspiration for her stories everywhere as she is an avid people-watcher. So much so that she disconcerted her husband upon first meeting him when she watched the other dancers as much as she watched him. He thought she wasn’t interested…silly man.
She believes there is no stronger emotion than love; that it truly can overcome pain, past rejection and the challenge of finding happiness despite the hardest things life has to offer. She believes in the victorious conclusions found in today’s romance. To her, the passionately sensual romance novel is a beautiful expression of the reality of love, packaged in a fantasy readers can enjoy.
When she’s not writing, Lucy likes to read—big surprise, that. She can’t tell you the latest show going on television, but she loves romantic movies, action adventure and the theater. She adores her family, and is a smatterer when it comes to hobbies…a little of this, a little of that.
Since selling her first book to the Harlequin Presents line in September of 2002, she has sold more than thirty books to three publishers and shows no signs of slowing down in the near future.
Visit her web site to read about all of her books and see flash movies for select releases, including her Harlequin Presents title. She truly loves to hear from readers, and can be reached at lucymonroe@lucymonroe.com.
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~ Release Date: June ~
Playboy’s Lesson by Melanie Milburne
SYNOPSIS
Lucca Chatsfield has one simple motto: no rings, no strings. Adored wherever he goes, he has yet to meet a woman who can resist him. Until he’s sent to the small principality of Preitalle and meets his greatest challenge ever….
Poised and polished, princess Charlotte does not do drama. The very last person she needs interfering in her life is this reckless playboy! Lottie is determined to resist Lucca’s seduction, but his charm is potent, and practically perfect Lottie finds herself risking everything for just one more touch….
Melanie Milburne
It was while she was supposed to be studying for her final high school exams that Melanie Milburne read her first Mills & Boon novel. She was 17 and decided right then and there she would continue reading romance novels, and not only that, she would settle for no less than a tall dark handsome hero as her future husband. Well, she’s not only still reading romance but writing it as well! And the tall dark handsome hero, you ask? She fell in love with him on the second date and was secretly engaged to him within six weeks.
They moved to Scotland so he could work and study for his M.D. in surgery, and two sons later, arrived in Hobart, Tasmania—the jewel in the Australian crown. Once their boys were safely at school, Melanie went back to university and upgraded her teaching qualifications to a bachelor’s and then master’s degree.
As part of her final assessment she conducted a tutorial in literary theory concentrating on the romance genre. She had the tutorial room decked out with hearts and champagne and roses and was standing at the front of the room reading a paragraph from the novel of a prominent Harlequin Mills & Boon author when the door suddenly burst open. The husband that she thought was safely tucked away in an operating theater doing what surgeons are supposed to do was actually standing there dressed in a tuxedo, his dark brown compelling gaze centered on her startled blue one. He strode purposefully across the room, hauled Melanie into his arms and kissed her deeply and passionately before setting her back down and leaving without a single word. The lecturer gave Melanie a High Distinction and her fellow students gave her jealous glares! You can see by now her pilgrimage into romance writing was more or less set!
As well as writing full-time, Melanie is also a keen athlete. She enjoys long-distance running and is a nationally ranked top-10 master’s swimmer in Australia, holding several individual state records. She learned to swim as an adult, so for anyone out there who thinks they can’t do something—you can! Her motto is “Don’t say I can’t; say I CAN TRY.”
Melanie loves the pace and passion of the Harlequin Mills & Boon Presents series and hopes fans enjoy reading her stories as much as she loves writing them.
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~ Release Date: July ~
Socialite’s Gamble by Michelle Conder
SYNOPSIS
As the darling of London’s party scene, Cara Chatsfield isn’t surprised when her father’s CEO sends her to Las Vegas to host The Chatsfield’s world-famous poker tournament. And if behind the glitz and glamour there’s a girl hurt by her past? She’ll never tell.
Aidan Kelly detests women like Cara, but when his biggest rival includes Cara in the stakes, Aidan must win—and not just for her protection! But getting to know the stunning socialite, he discovers a beautiful, vulnerable young woman awoken by his own personal brand of passion!
Welcome to The Chatsfield, Las Vegas!
Michelle Conder
After graduating from the University of Melbourne, Michelle Conder took a variety of jobs before packing her bags and traveling and working overseas. When none of the career opportunities she encountered grabbed her she returned to Australia, and after more study decided to follow her lifelong dream of becoming a writer.
Michelle now lives in Melbourne with her husband and three children; when she isn’t writing, she loves to visit faraway places and spend time with her family and friends.
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*10 winners will get copies of The Chatsfield series (Books 1-3)*
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Project Reveal hosted by Xpresso Book Tours.
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May 6, 2014
Book Blitz ~ ‘Moments of Julian’ by Keary Taylor.
Moments of Julian by Keary Taylor
Publication date: May 6th 2014
Genres: Adult, Romance
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SYNOPSIS
It was just a work party, filled with kissing the well-dressed rear ends of clients and fake smiles. Until my boss accused me of something I didn’t do. Until I got pissed and then there was this guy who was hot and flirting with me, and then there were his hands and the backseat of my car and a night of everything but you know what.
I never expected to see him again. But suddenly Julian Dohring is everywhere. And I can’t get over the endless tattoos that cover his arms, how he’s apparently a recovering video game addict, and dresses like he’s ready to walk down the red carpet at any moment.
Ten years ago I made a pledge to stay away from alcohol and sex, and to never get too personal with anyone. It’s gotten me this far. I’m twenty-seven, I have a career I’ve worked my heart and soul into, and more money than I could ever blow on shoes and the finer things in life. My attitude and pride have always been enough to keep any man from getting too interested. Until Julian…who claims I can’t dance, and has the nerve to call me a “peach.”
I’m Sage McCain, and needless to say, Julian has my attention.
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Lake stares him down hard for a few long and heavy moments. Finally, his arms relax slightly. “So you know this is the part where I have to say if you hurt her I will kill you, right?”
“And there are two more of us that will kill you two times again once he’s done with you,” Kale pipes up. He’s looking at Julian, but he’s fighting a smile and one of his eyebrows is raised in a way that tells me he’s fine now and Julian has passed into the cool range.
“I’d expect nothing less,” Julian says with a nod.
“You boys are so dramatic,” I say with a roll of my eyes. The microwave beeps and I pull the bagels out and stick them into the toaster. “I’d think all of you would know by now I can fend for myself against any man.”
“Seriously, Julian,” Kale says with a chuckle. “You have my respect if you can hold your own up against the likes of my sister.”
I look over at Julian and he meets my eyes. A genuine smile spreads on his face and I can’t help it when I smile back. “Who, Sage? She’s a peach.”
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~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~
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Prizes: Open Internationally
*3x $20 Amazon gift cards*
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Keary Taylor
Keary Taylor grew up along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she started creating imaginary worlds and daring characters who always fell in love. She now resides on a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their two young children. She continues to have an overactive imagination that frequently keeps her up at night. She is the author of THE EDEN TRILOGY, the FALL OF ANGELS trilogy, and WHAT I DIDN’T SAY. To learn more about Keary and her writing process, please visit www.KearyTaylor.com.
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~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Website ~
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Book Blitz organized by Xpresso Book Tours.
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May 5, 2014
Exciting News! The New & Improved Edition of When Empires Fall Is Available!
Originally posted on She Writes With Love:
Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! It’s another beautiful day here in SoCal. It’s supposed to be in the high 70′s which is the perfect weather for barbecuing. I’ve got some carne asada and marinated chicken ready to throw on the grill and some beers chilling in the fridge for tonight (I should have gotten some Corona, but Blue Moon will have to do!).
I’m excited to not only enjoy some delicious tacos tonight, but also to celebrate the official re-release of When Empires Fall!
As you may have heard, When Empires Fall has undergone extensive improvements, making it better than ever. It sports a brand new cover, featuring the lovely lady Madison in her favorite color–blood red.
Get the New Edition of When Empires Fall
on Amazon in eBook and Print!
For those who already own an eBook copy of When Empires Fall, please look for an email from Amazon…
View original 83 more words
Blog Tour ~ My Writing Process
Last week, I was tagged by author K.R. Green to take part in the writing process blog tour.
I’m really a rather boring author, but here’s a little about me. Feel free to answer the questions yourself in a comment.
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1. What am I working on at the moment?
Ah, how difficult it is when I have somebody ask me what my current writing project is. As I think any writers will know, there is a never ending bombardment of thoughts, ideas and characters that infiltrate into your mind all day, everyday. I find it really difficult to stay focused on one writing project when I have ideas for others, but I am hard at work on my novel ‘Poppy Field’ at the moment which I am determined to give my full attention until I have it finished.
Poppy Field is a really special story to me, as it is set during the German occupation of France during World War II, and therefore has the potential to remind readers, young and old, of the hardships that our previous generations went through in order for us to live the lives we do today. Poppy Field tells the story of a young French girl who falls in love with the ghost of a dead English soldier whose spirit wanders the Poppy Field that marks his final resting place after his death in WWI’s battle of the Somme. However, the story isn’t his, it’s about the girl trying to make sense of the feelings for a dead man whilst fighting for her country’s freedom in the French Resistance.
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
My novel is a strange one. I remember talking to ‘Chocolat’ author Joanne Harris about the genre of her books, and she’d said that she is in one of her own, where her books don’t fit into any fixed genre when it comes to publication. I find that similar with Poppy Field. Whilst there are fantasy/paranormal elements, this is very much something that is in the background. The story does not revolve around how this man is a ghost, but on our heroine’s feelings and actions in the French Resistance which are very much rooted from her deep love for this man and her need to fight the German regime almost in revenge for his death.
3. Why do I write what I do?
I can’t remember a time that I didn’t write. As a young child I remember writing a story about two young identical twins (blatantly stolen from the ‘Home Farm Twins’ book series), and about their father who was working nights storming out of his bedroom and running down the stairs in his underpants ranting that they were making too much noise when he was trying to sleep. Whilst it is definitely not bestseller material, I knew from that young age that I wanted to write stories that people could connect to and say ‘Oh yeah, that happened to me too.’
With my current works-in-progress, especially Poppy Field, I just can’t not write it. The characters seem so real to me, with their pain, heartache, desperation and strength in a hopeless time, that I feel I have to tell their story. It’s something that I hope any readers who were alive during WWII will connect with and say ‘In other circumstances, this character could have been me.’
Everything has to have emotional meaning for me to write it. I can never write something if I don’t feel the emotion seeping through me just at the idea of it. I love a cathartic cry, and reading or watching passionate, heartbreaking scenes is something that drives me on. I always connect to the characters who have the longest, hardest journey, the relationships that slowly burn until the last few pages, and the power of love keeping people afloat during times of crisis.
4. How does my writing process work?
As I suffer from chronic fatigue, my writing process is very unconventional. I write when I’m awake (which isn’t a lot of the time), but usually end up needing a nap after half an hour of writing, so I barely make a dent in my word count, before doing the same at night after I get home from work, when I’m wide awake. I find my best work comes from me writing in the middle of the night. I’ve always been this way, at University the essay’s I wrote at night were the ones that got the best marks. There’s also something really atmospheric about writing at night. On a windy night you can hear the wind howling through the trees, and the rain hitting the window, and on a still night I can hear foxes, monkjacks and owls calling out.
I tend to write until the words don’t flow anymore. I hate to force words out in sake of a higher word count, because my best writing comes from deep emotion and pain seeping through my fingers. I’m also one of those authors who loves to write by hand by a single lamp, especially when working on my historical novels as it helps me feel closer to that time period where they’d work by hand with only a single dull light to see with.
The one thing I hate more than anything is word counts. I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo for the last four years, and whilst it’s been an amazing experience I really do notice a difference in the quality of my writing at the beginning and end of my NaNoWriMo project. The beginning flows well, but then becomes stilted and forced later and the characters become different to how I want them. The most important thing about my writing process is that it takes time, it flows naturally and I don’t add words for the sake of a word count. It’s something that I have to constantly remind myself, but for me it really works.
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Next Monday (12th May), two of my fellow writers will be posting their answers to this blog tour. Don’t forget to head over and see how their processes differ from mine.
* Author links to be posted soon *
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Book Blitz ~ ‘Bend: An Anthology’ From The Erotica Consortium.
BEND - 99 cents until May 11th
An Anthology from The Erotica Consortium
Published: May 5, 2014
Stories and Authors:
Kick by C.D. Reiss
Unraveled by K. Bromberg
COME by J.A. Huss
Red & Wolfe by Ella James
The Devil in Me by K.I. Lynn
Worth by Shay Savage
These Men by Andrea Smith
STILL by Alessandra Torre
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SYNOPSIS
Eight mistresses of the erotic bring you eight original, never before published stories to excite and arouse, including USA Today Bestsellers Alessandra Torre and CD Reiss, and NY Times Bestseller K. Bromberg.
These are not your mother’s erotic stories.
We’re not giggling about foul language over tea, or avoiding smut talk at the Tupperware party.
This book is slick fingers and flesh on your lips. It’s twisted bodies late at night when the city sleeps and the moans fall where no one can hear them. This book is pain and pleasure, lust and passion, a body brought to the breaking point. It’s drenched in the musk of sweat, shuddering at the touch of a Master.
It’s not your mother’s erotica. It’s yours.
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—-
Unraveled
By K. Bromberg
SYNOPSIS
One night.
One mistake.
Filled with fear.
Sated by pleasure.
Robbed of control.
Blindfolded and bound.
Shamed she liked it.
Doomed to want it.
Limits tested.
Boundaries pushed.
Desire awakened.
Inhibition unleashed.
An identity unraveled.
Lives changed forever.
—
My body begins to writhe, its need to sate the burning ache a sharp contrast to the warring emotions in my psyche. My only focus is on the slow slide in of his fingers and the pressure and friction against nerves unexpectedly reawakened. The tortuous withdrawal of leather not wet enough tugging softly on the most tender of flesh, causing a different but equally arousing sensation.
I try to fight it.
At least I tell myself I do.
I try to understand how this is possible. How an orgasm can rip me apart right now—again—when fear still holds my breath captive.
I should have never accepted the drink, never looked up to acknowledge him with a subtle nod of my head.
My body vibrates as the swell of white-hot heat sears through me, taking nerve endings hostage and overwhelming all thoughts.
I shouldn’t have looked up—no—so the question is, why am I glad that I did?
—
K. Bromberg
~ Amazon ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~
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The Devil in Me
by KI Lynn
SYNOPSIS
In search of strength and guidance at a nearby church, Jared happens upon a temptation. One he cannot hope to resist. Each time he sees her, the overwhelming urge to have her consumes him. The lust is overpowering, dragging him deeper and deeper with each encounter, exposing the devil within.
—-
The Devil in Me Soundtrack
Obsession by Animoto
Tear You Apart by She Wants Revenge
Fight Inside by Red
My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark by Fall Out Boy
Monster by Imagine Dragons
Monster by Lady Gaga
Monster by Skillet
Seven Devils by Florence and the Machine
Bitch Came Back by Theory of a Deadman
Killin’ It by Krewella
Dark Horse by Katy Perry
Closer by Nine Inch Nails
Timber by Pitbull
—
K.I. Lynn
~ Amazon ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~
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Kick
The first novella in Songs of Perdition.
by CD Reiss
SYNOPSIS
Fiona Drazen, sex addict, submissive slave, celebutante, trapped in a mental ward until Dr. Elliot Chapman can help her remember why she’s there. But once she does, she might not want to go home to the Master she tried to kill.
—
The club is thick with humanity. The dance floor stinks. The voices are like a bag of broken glass. The music is a throbbing heartbeat. And the man is gone.
I put my hands on bare, sweaty skin, pushing through. Amanda finds me, blonde hair stuck to her forehead, lipstick fading, her bodyguard, Joel, two steps behind in dark glasses and firearm. She kisses me on the lips. I push her away.
“You see a guy in a suit? Tall? Hair like this?” I make a motion with my fingers.
“Hot?”
“Hot.”
She points to the exit with a wink. I smack a kiss on her lips, and continue pushing through.
She calls my name as I walk away, but I pretend I don’t hear her. I have a man to find.
Nothing like coke to make the impossible seem within reach, or to make it within your rights to shove, tread upon, growl and curse to get through a crowd just to get a look at some hot stranger. Nothing like that expansion of the ego to make it okay to push some squealing teeny bopper out of your way when she screams “Fiona Drazen! You’re Fiona Drazen!” in your fucking face as if your name alone is front page fucking news.
Of course, they wait outside in a cluster, pressing against the red velvet ropes. Paparazzi don’t care about the weather, which is rainy and cold for Los Angeles. Lights flash. They call out my name as if I even answer to it any more. Let them get their pictures. I have him in my sights.
He hands the valet a tip and takes the keys to a black Range Rover.
He is a thoroughbred, and there are twenty assholes with cameras between him and me, which is too bad, because I have to have him.
I put my knuckles out to them, both middle fingers extended for all it’s worth. I have rings on top of rings, and I know the lights are going to glint on them like hell in the pictures. I’m going to look like a flashy rich bitch and the coke tells me I don’t give a fucking shit what Daddy thinks.
I turn to the doorman, skinny ex-cop with a pencil moustache. He looks at my chest, then at my face. I know Irv. He’s a hustler. He keeps these assholes off us when we’re around, but he takes cash to let them know when Amanda and I show up.
“Irv! What the fuck?”
“I got it,” he says.
“Outta my way cocksuckers!” I shout, plowing through, with Irv’s help. They back off for him in a way they’d never do for me. I know they’d chew me up, spit me out, and photograph me crawling to the hospital.
I get to the Range Rover and pound on the passenger side window. It’s tinted. The car doesn’t move and the window stays up. Do I have the right one?
“Fiona Drazen!”
They’re behind me, and I’m on the curb, in the drizzle, out of Irv’s field of influence. If he comes to get me, he’s leaving the door, and that’s not cool.
I pound on the window again. Bursts of light flash on it.
I’m about to get mobbed.
“Hey, asshole,” I shout.
The window rolls down so slowly I feel as if I’m in a movie about falling.
And there he is. My heart jumps out of my chest.
“Hi,” I say, sticking me head in. I can feel them behind me. I can hear them calling my name, over and over. “You took something of mine outta the bathroom.”
“Really?” He’s older than I thought, and this makes him more attractive then humanly possible. “What?”
“My heart.” It’s a stupid come on, but I’m a girl. I can get away with it.
“Ah. I thought maybe your shirt buttons.” For the first time, he glances at my chest, and I feel that my breasts are chilled.
My shirt is wide open. Fucking Earl with his octopus hands.
“Don’t make me turn around,” I say. “They already got enough pictures.”
He takes a second to think about it, looking me straight in the face. A little smirk plays on the perfect line of his lips and I think I just might die.
—-
C.D. Reiss
~ Amazon ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~
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Worth
by Shay Savage
SYNOPSIS
An injured Roman Tribunus finds comfort in the touch of the slave commanded to tend to his wounds. As a slave, her value is measured as a couple of coins, but as Tribunus Faustus learns more about her, he begins to understand her true worth.
Still, a man of his station can never acknowledge feelings for a slave, and she is already owned by another man.
—-
Aia squeezed my hand gently before releasing it and moving back to her bench. She reached for a cloth and dipped it in a bowl of water and then ran the cool cloth over my forehead and down the side of my face. She continued, apparently determined to wash whatever remained of the blood of battle away from my flesh.
I closed my eyes and evened out my breaths as her ministrations lulled me. My shoulders still ached from the constant position against the bed, but I tried not to think of the discomfort. When I opened my eyes, I saw Aia looking down my body and couldn’t help but respond with a smile.
“Do you still think of it?”
Aia looked back at me.
“Of what, Faustus?”
“My cock pressed against your belly.”
She looked away, but I could still make out the crimson shade of her cheeks and neck in the glow of the candles on the table. I wanted to reach out and grab her hand again, but she was too far away.
“I’m still in need of distraction,” I reminded her.
“I think you need sleep,” Aia rebutted. Her lips pressed together, and I was sure she wanted to comment further, but chose not to do so. I found my eyes drawn to the front of her dress as she leaned over me, partially exposing one of her breasts.
Despite the discomfort, my cock took notice.
“Distract me,” I commanded again.
“I think you know everything about my life now, Faustus.”
“Then distract me another way,” I suggested. I kept my eyes on her, and when she looked to me, I raised an eyebrow and smiled suggestively.
Aia turned to drop the cloth in the bowl, and I watched her eyes as she looked down my body. From my supine position, the state of my cock was becoming noticeable. Her blush returned, and she looked back to the bowl again. Her hand trembled slightly as she wrung out the cloth and hung it beside the table.
Reaching out, I took her wrist and guided her hand to the hard length of my cock.
“How long will it be,” I asked with lowered voice, “until I can fill you with this?”
—
Shay Savage
~ Amazon ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~
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These Men
by Andrea Smith
SYNOPSIS
Paige Matthews has a lot to learn, and more than just about being an intern with the F.B.I. Inexperience with all types of relationships leaves her looking for a new place to live. Eli Chambers and his partner, Cain Maddox, are looking for a roommate. It’s the perfect arrangement, but one that will change all their lives forever.
—
THESE MEN PLAYLIST
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
Sexual Thing – Poison
My Prerogative – Bobby Brown
I Want Your Sex – George Michaels
Losing My Religion – R.E.M.
Waiting On The World to Change – John Mayer
Something to Talk About – Bonnie Raitt
Who Says You Can’t Go Home – Bon Jovi
All Through The Night – Cyndi Lauper
Dreams – The Cranberries
We Belong – Pat Benatar
I’ll Stand By You – Pretenders
—
Andrea Smith
~ Amazon ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~
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COME
by JA Huss
SYNOPSIS
He must have her, take her, control her, keep her. She will submit. But she will do it when she is ready and willing. The bond is uneasy and the future uncertain. But one thing’s for sure.
Alone… Harper and James are dangerous.
Together… they are unstoppable.
—-
JA Huss’ Top Five Movies
Tombstone
The Last Samurai
The Fifth Element
Oh Brother, Where Art thou
Blade Runner
JA Huss’ top Five Books
Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
The Edge of Never by JA Redmerski
Takeshi Kovacs Series by Richard K Morgan
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
JA Huss’ Top Five Dream Vacation Spots
Fiji – I just might move here. :)
Any place in Japan, but preferably the entire collection of islands. I’d like to spend a year there.
A summer in Antarctica because it scares the shit out of me.
A cruise around Alaska.
The Golden Coast of Australia.
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J.A. Huss
~ Amazon ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~
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Red & Wolfe
Part I – An erotic telling of Little Red Riding Hood.
by Ella James
SYNOPSIS
After years attempting to contact her estranged grandmother, an artist who lives on a remote island, Sarah “Red” Ryder is surprised to receive an invitation. When she arrives at the island, she’s shocked to find it is now the home of J. Wolfe, the reclusive artist, who has his own plans for her.
—-
I refresh my red lipstick about twelve times before leaving the shrimp shack, then point my Camry toward the water.
The clouds are darker now, hanging low over the harbor. Gulls crisscross the sky, moving frenziedly. I follow the instructions of my GPS and pull into a parking lot that reaches to the water’s edge, where there’s a long, wooden dock lined with boat slips.
I shoot off an e-mail. “I’m here.” Then I grab my duffel bag, lean against my hood, and wait.
What will Gertrude look like? I watch the boats docked, serviced by fluttering figures, heads bowed against a muggy but swift breeze, and I wonder which of the boats could be hers.
My phone vibrates. “Walk closer to the dock. The boat name is ‘Fog.’” My heart hammers. My mouth feels dry. I tuck my hair behind my ears, adjust the bag on my shoulder, and start walking. I walk along the long plank of the dock, passing boats—“Double Trouble,” “Choppy Cass,” “Stupid Does.” The wind blows my hair across my cheeks. A few strands stick to my lips. I’m pushing at them with my fingertips, looking down a few slots, watching for a woman with gray hair and my mother’s mouth. I’m walking slowly I see him: a tall man with broad shoulders, a short beard, and piercing black-brown eyes. He’s wearing a pair of slacks and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, so I can see his muscled forearms. His face is partially shaded by a baseball cap. And even so, I know he’s here for me.
Before his eyes even meet mine, my body flares like a lit match. He takes a few strides toward me, and his gaze touches my face. The heat fades from my cheeks, replaced by bloodless cold.
“You’re Red,” a low voice says.
“You’re not my grandmother.”
—-
Ella James
~ Amazon ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~
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STILL
by Alessandra Torre
SYNOPSIS
I was raised right. To mind my manners, keep my knees together, to put my napkin in my lap. But somehow, with one look at the dark sexuality that is Brett Jacobs, I forgot my Southern graces. They may have gotten lost in the pushmeupagainstthewall and takemehere action that occurred. In the clothes-ripping ohmygod action that followed. They may have, along with my sanity and common sense, deserted me, leaving me with bruised lips, ripped panties, and multiple orgasms.
—-
TOP 10 TV SHOWS THAT DOMINATE ALESSANDRA’S TV:
1. Vikings (I’ll take a threesome with the two brothers ANYTIME)
2. Black Sails (almost makes me want to be a wench)
3. The Good Wife
4. Scandal
5. NCIS: Los Angeles (LOVE me some LL)
6. Family Guy (Stewie just said that!)
7. Spongebob (I’d blame it on the 11 year old but… we love SB)
8. Seinfeld
9. Tosh.O
10. Nashville
—-
Alessandra Torre
~ Amazon ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~
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This set will only be available for a limited time, so get it before it disappears.
~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ Kobo ~ iTunes ~
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Giveaway 1:
*Prizes: 2x $50 and 2x $10 Gift Cards*
Giveaway 2:
*Prize: Kindle Cover & Nook Cover Signed by all BEND Authors*
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The Erotica Consortium
The Erotica Consortium was the brain child of CD Reiss. In December 2013 she asked JA Huss to help her pull together the hottest erotica writers to start a private Facebook group that would encourage support in all areas of bookish things. Members of The Erotica Consortium were personally invited by JA and CD and the group is complete with six additional authors: Shay Savage, Andrea Smith, KI Lynn, K Bromberg, Ella James, and Alessandra Torre. BEND is their first anthology together.
~ Facebook Page ~
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Book Blitz organised by Xpresso Book Tours.
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May 4, 2014
Book Review ~ ‘Begin Again’ by Tamsyn Bester.
Begin Again by Tamsyn Bester
Beautiful #2
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Release Date: 5th May 2014.
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SYNOPSIS
One year ago, Brody Scott made the biggest mistake of his life and has lived with his regret every day since then…
One year ago, Demetria ‘Demi’ Rosemead watched the love of her life turn his back on her, leaving her to face one of the hardest things she’s ever had to go through on her own.
So much has happened, and when Brody and Demi are forced to spend a week together after a year apart, they will be drawn back into the raw intensity of what they feel for each other. Only this time, Brody won’t walk away so easily…
But Demi is keeping something from him, and not only will she have to forgive him, but he will have to forgive her too…
Can they erase the time that has passed, and move forward? Or will Demi’s secret and Brody’s mistake keep them from their forever?
*This can be read as a standalone, but it is highly recommended that you read Beneath Your Beautiful to enhance your enjoyment of this book. Due to mature language and adult situations, this book is not recommended for readers under the age of 17.*
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Book Review ~ ‘Begin Again’ by Tamsyn Bester ~ 5+ Stars!
Ever since I heard that Demi and Brody would be having their story told, I proceeded to jump around like a lunatic and facebook stalk Tamsyn Bester (guilty as charged). It can sometimes be difficult to pull off making a sequel as great as the first book, but Tamsyn Bester nailed it! From the word go ‘Begin Again’ just drew me in and had me so enraptured and invested in the storyline and characters that I would scream at people if they disturbed me during my reading time. My heart pounded as the story went on, and I wanted more than anything for Demi and Brody to get their happily ever after.
The emotion with which Tamsyn Bester wrote Demi and Brody’s story just seeped off the page, I could feel the passion, love and devotion that went into these characters, making them seem very real to me as a reader. She very cleverly switched from past to present, breaking my heart with every little snippet of the past that had lead to Demi and Brody’s present separation.
I loved the psychological aspects that were entwined so neatly throughout this book. Demi’s gradual development in accepting and moving on from the past, really nicely contrasted with Brody’s descent into confusion and devastation as he finds out about what has been kept from him, and how he hadn’t been there for Demi through her ordeal. I loved how Demi and Brody really had to work through their past and the pain that they had put each other through before they could even begin to think about starting over. The slow development of their forgiveness made it so beautiful and heartfelt to read, and made me really see the strength of their feelings for each other that they were desperate enough to save each other from more pain.
What really made this story even more amazing was the great insight we had into Huntley and Grayson’s relationship in the future. Huntley is such a loving and kind-hearted person and I just admire her strength so much. I loved seeing the brilliant mother she was to Hunter, and seeing how well her and Grayson had adapted to parenthood. To see what happened after their happily ever after in ‘Beneath Your Beautiful’ was just such a gift, and had me grinning from ear to ear, and desperately wishing for my own happily ever after.
‘Begin Again’ was just a wonderful, heartfelt and beautifully written story. Tamsyn Bester is definitely an author to watch as everything she writes is just so heartfelt, pure and amazing.
5+ stars!
* ARC was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
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~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Website ~
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Book Review ~ ‘Yours Truly, Taddy’ by Avery Aster.
Yours Truly, Taddy by Avery Aster
(The Undergrad Years #2; Invitation to Eden)
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Humour
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SYNOPSIS
Jetting to Martinique for a modeling assignment with three of Europe’s hottest magazine photographers—Gustave, Fabian, and Leon—should’ve been easy, breezy beautiful. Never did I expect to look up and see a hole in the ceiling of our plane that was bigger in size than my Birkin bag.
Shit! We’re nose-diving toward Eden Island. I pictured how my New York Times obituary might read when I’m gone, “Taddy Brill, Manhattanite, dethroned descendant of the Austrian House of Brillford royalty, dies at age eighteen, penniless, unloved, and a virgin.” I swear this crap only happens to me. Suddenly, Leon pulls me with Fabian and Gustave. Adrenaline racing through me, our bodies clung as one. We prepared to…crash.
Reader warning: Contains mature content intended for readers 17 and up.
The Undergrad Years is a New Adult contemporary miniseries about first loves, independence, and everlasting friendships.
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Book Review ~ ‘Yours Truly, Taddy’ by Avery Aster ~ 5 Stars!
Yet again Avery Aster’s witty prose and brilliant characters have left me laughing till my sides hurt and eagerly awaiting the next instalment in the ‘Undergrad years’ series.
Taddy’s story was one that really struck with me. As much as I loved Lex in the previous book, with Taddy we could see first-hand how badly affected she was by her parent’s abandonment as a teenager. I loved how strongly independent she was, and it made for a great story to see how she had to come to trust a stranger with her life, and how when in a life or death situation she thought back to the happier times with her parents, showing how much she missed the relationship they used to have. It also made it clearer why the Undergrads were as close as they were, having bonded through desperation to be accepted, which then grew into the most powerful of friendships.
Avery Aster had me in stitches through this story. The hilarious descriptions of the French magazine photographers, and Taddy’s internal monologue as her life flashes before her eyes was just brilliant. I also really loved the twist that came in this book. It was great to see how Taddy felt about each of the three photographers, and how in the heat of the moment, and in desperation for their lives, views on what they want change completely. (I am being purposely vague here, as it was a great twist to read and I don’t want to spoil it!) I also loved delving into the closeness that the group of friends had, and how without each other, they feel as though they have nothing to fight or live for. Whilst written in brilliant witty prose, and hilarious banter, there is a emotional and meaningful story entwined throughout that is really beautiful to read.
This was also a great part of the ‘Invitation to Eden’ series, and it was great to see a snippet of how the Island of Eden had grown since the prologue ‘Master of the Island’ by Lauren Hawkeye. I will definitely be reading more of the Eden series.
5 Stars!
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~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~
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Avery Aster
Swag and reader contests can be found on Avery’s blog at: AveryAster.com
Interact with Avery while reading this story on Instagram and Twitter @AveryAster using the hashtags #UndergradYears #NewAdult
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“Welcome to Eden, a series from 27 of the biggest names in romance… an island where anything… and everything can happen. We hope you’ll enjoy your stay…”
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*Review Copy was kindly provided by the author through Xpresso Book Tours Review Opportunities, in exchange for an honest review*
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