Sorcha O'Dowd's Blog, page 54
January 15, 2014
Book Blitz ~ ‘Wasteland’ by Lindsay Leggett.
Wasteland by Lindsay Leggett
(Flight #2)
Published December 7th 2013
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
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SYNOPSIS
Wasteland, the next book in the FLIGHT trilogy, takes place a few months after the ending of book one.
Trapped in a cell and experimented on, Piper Madden’s only hope is remembering Asher. Then, Elder Corp President Rupert Elder gives her new orders: to be a leader in a war against the Harpies. Without a choice, Piper must obey Rupert’s commands or suffer from paralyzing and painful Nanomachines. But the war is just beginning, and Asher has gone missing. The resistance is slowly building, and the upcoming war will be larger and bloodier than anything seen since the Devastation that ruined the earth. Throughout all of this, Piper remembers the time before she ran to Ichton, when David was alive and her hope in Elder Corp was still strong.
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~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~
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Light shines on me, and I groan as shocks of pain spread behind my eyes. I realize I’m lying in the corner of the cell, curled up into a ball. My hair is knotted and dirty, and almost all of the red dye has now faded. I squint toward the light, seeing only a dark figure smudging its bright rays.
As my eyes adjust, so does the outline of Rupert Elder. His suit is ebony and spotless, and gold earrings capture his ears. He’s alone, and shuts the cell door behind him, leaving us in momentary darkness before the cell’s faint lighting flickers on.
He stares down at me, an arrogant grin across his lips. He has me exactly where he needs me; weak and pumped full of whatever he’s had his techs administering into my system. My arms are covered with tract marks and bruises from the large needles. I hate what he has reduced me to, but I am losing my will to keep moving.
Just remember him. Think of how he is fighting for you. Fight for him.
“Piper Madden,” Rupert drawls. He crouches down to my level and runs his fingers across my cheek. I shudder involuntarily. His hands are cold as ice, and his breath stinks of stale cigar smoke. His many rings glint in the fluorescent light.
“What do you want from me?” I gasp. My voice is sparse; my mouth is dry. I can’t even scream as he lifts me from my armpits and drags me up onto the bench where I usually sleep. He drops me on the far corner and then seats himself, swiping his pants as if he were infected just from touching me.
“I just wanted to show you some of the new initiatives the Hunter program has begun,” he says, his voice shallow and cheerful. He pulls a small tablet from his pocket, presses a button, and it lights up. It’s a portable vid-screen, I realize. Must be new technology. I can’t help but wonder how many citizens now own one, the Corp monitoring their every move, their every transaction.
Rupert slides his thumb along the screen, then presses down. A video pops up onto the screen, and he holds it in front of me for me to watch.
At first I just hear voices; the usual sounds of rush hour in Central, but then the video comes into focus, and the voices turn to chants and vicious shouting. The video was taken at one of the town squares. The area has been cordoned off, and in the middle of the intersection, there were two people chained to large metal posts.
But then the camera zooms, and I realize that the figures are not people; they’re Harpies. Their wings have been pinned around the posts, and their eyes are listless, broken. One of them looks to be a child. Tears spring to my eyes, pulling from the last dredges of hydration I have left. The young one is a little girl, looking up to the fake sky in search of some kind of rescue. A rescue I know never came.
The chanting grows louder; the people of Central throw bits of rubble at them. Then Rupert appears. In the video he is dressed as he is now, only with a microphone set clipped onto one of his jeweled ears.
“My dear people of Central. In front of you I have brought the enemy. The ones who wish to kill and eat your children. The ones who threaten your lives every day. But we will not let them frighten us. We will show them how strong we are, that we can bring them down. Who is the superior race?” he shouts.
“Humans!” the crowd launches back. My teeth are clenching, but I can’t take my eyes away.
“Let us prove to the Harpies that Elder Corporation has the control of this world. We will rise and take over the planet, just as we were meant to!” he growls. The crowd grows rowdier.
Two Hunters march into the square in full Hunter dress regalia; stiff jackets with the Elder crest. They wear helmets, so I cannot tell who they are, but they look young. New. Malleable. Both are carrying large guns. They stand before the Harpies, who do not protest, who are not vicious or feral, but who tremble with fear.
Then there is fire. Everywhere, flames as the Hunters discharge their weapons. The flames are tinged red, diluted with augmented Hunter blood. After a few moments the Hunters back away, and once the fire subsides, all that is left of the two Harpies is ash.
My stomach turns, and I fight the urge to gag.
“You’re sick,” I spit at Rupert. He raises his eyebrows.
“Oh, really? I was under the impression that you were the one who was sick; your mind, torn apart by anguish and a disgusting affair with a monster. I am a savior to these people, Piper. I protect them. All I’m doing is giving them proof that they are safe,” he says.
And there is nothing that I can even say, because I know that is what the people believe. Everyone believes Elder Corp. What other choice do they have? To them, life is perfect here. They may live underground, but they want for nothing. They have their holo-sky and their Pure Air generators and lab-grown food, and now, they have Harpy executions, to remind them that the only reason they live in this utopia is Elder Corporation.
“Why don’t you just kill me?” I say finally. Rupert furrows his brows for a moment, and then bursts out laughing, his chuckle ringing hollow from the cell walls.
“I would never kill you, Miss Madden. You are far too valuable, don’t you see?” he replies.
I don’t see. What use am I to him trapped and broken?
“What have you done to me?” Fear pervades my voice as I say this, as I look over the bruises from so many needles. He’s been experimenting on me, I know this. But what is his plan? What does he expect me to become?
“You will see, soon enough. Now get up. Your muscles have been wasting away. You look like you’re on your last legs from radiation poisoning. I thought you were stronger than that,” he commands.
I try to stand, but my body is slow to obey me, and my muscles are weak. Rupert stands up and reaches his arms over, forcing me off the bench and onto the ground. My face lands first; blood drips from my nose.
“Now stand, Hunter.”
I try my hardest not to groan as I push myself up. Blood flows from my nostrils over my lips and off my chin. I grit my teeth, the metallic taste of my own blood filling my mouth. Once I’m upright, Rupert pushes me into the cell wall, and I slide down to the floor, the blow causing me to lose my wind.
“Again.”
I refuse to let him beat me. I can hear Asher’s voice in my mind, telling me to be strong, telling me not to break, because I’m better than that.
I stand up, faster this time. I clench my muscles, expecting another blow, but instead Rupert just grins. If I could right now, I’d punch that stupid smile from his mouth.
“You never fail to disappoint, Piper. You shouldn’t even be able to breathe from the amount of drugs in your system. I couldn’t be more proud,” he says.
I glare at him.
“What are you doing to me?” I say again, fiercer this time.
He walks slowly toward me, menacing and somehow comforting at the same time. He lifts his hand to my face, and I turn away, but he strokes my cheek softly, lovingly.
“I’m making you stronger. It might seem like hell now, but when the procedure is over, you’ll be the best Hunter the world has ever seen,” he whispers. His breath on me is toxic.
“After all of this, why me? I’m not a Hunter anymore,” I say. He steps back, only the hint of a smile left on his face.
“I’ve never lost faith in you. You have always been… like a daughter to me,” he says.
He gathers his things, and I keep my body pressed against the wall. Before he leaves, he turns back to me.
“I want you to work on your strength, every day. The stronger you get, the closer you will be toward gaining your freedom.”
The word echoes from his lips and reverberates throughout my body. Freedom. Is there such a thing?
He leaves, closing the door behind me. Soon my next meal will come; I’ve lost count of what time it is, so every meal is the same. Then Evan will come and administer the drugs, and my world will reset.
But what Rupert said doesn’t leave me. I can almost taste fresh air on my tongue; real fresh air, damp and drizzling from the sky.
And even though my body aches and my face is bloody, I start to work it, to gain back the strength I have lost. If it means freedom, I would do anything. But in the back of my mind, I know that this freedom will come with a steep price, and I need to be ready to pay it, or flee.
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Prize: (1) ebook copy of Wasteland (Flight #2) by Lindsay Leggett.
Open internationally.
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Lindsay Leggett
Nearly every writer struggles to put together information about themselves, perhaps because we’re so used to detailing the lives and ways of others. For the most part I am a writer, editor, photographer, and all-around artist living in the wilds north of Toronto, Ontario. I thrive on the juxtaposition of beauty and grit, enjoy urban crawls, indie everything, and time well-spent in the woods.
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~ Website ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~
January 14, 2014
Book Blitz ~ ‘Layers Peeled’ by Lacey Silks.
Layers Peeled by Lacey Silks.
(Layers Trilogy #2)
Publication date: January 13th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
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SYNOPSIS
Allie is about to knock the wind out of Tristan with the biggest news of her life.
Tristan has a few surprises for Allie as well.
While the couple tries to deal with their predicament, ghosts from Allie’s past haunt her, slowly calculating the timing of their return.
Can Allie and Tristan peel away their protective layers? Fate has stacked a threat against them and if they don’t work together, trusting and sharing information, it may be too late.
Layers Peeled is Book 2 in the Layers Trilogy and should be only read after Layers Deep. Contains adult content and graphic language suitable for mature audience.
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~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~
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I closed my eyes. I’d missed the dance of Tristan’s lips on my body. The three weeks without his touch felt like forever. I couldn’t even remember the last time we’d had sex, and part of me began feeling like a virgin again. His hot breath still at my belly grazed upward, meandering through the valley of my breasts as he stood to face me. My bottom pressed against the sink as I braced my entire weight there.
A button popped open on my tightening shirt. My breasts had grown the last few weeks, and most of my wardrobe seemed to be shrinking in the chest area.
“I missed you,” he said.
Another button loosened and Tristan kissed my neck. I leaned my head to the side, allowing him greater access, and whispered, “I missed you too.”
Tugging on his shirt, I yanked it out of his pants. “You have no idea how much I want you.”
“I can imagine.” Tristan nibbled on my ear and swept along my chin toward my mouth. He spread my lips with a longing that had been denied for too long. The delicious scar on his upper lip rippled against my mouth, his tongue controlling me like it wanted to learn the shape of my lips all over again. I moaned into him and his response hardened in his pants.
By this time I was done with his buttons, and I smoothed my hands along his naked chest. Somehow we’d been walking and ended up by his desk again. I didn’t remember the details. All that mattered was that my skin was connected with his. His hands were all over me, exploring, tracing, fumbling with my bra until I felt my breasts loosen.
“And I missed these as well,” he said against my mouth, while molding the twins, one in each hand.
My hands roamed his chest and stomach. I couldn’t decide where to touch next, and I wanted to feel him, all of him, all at once. Oh, how I’d missed the field of muscles on his abs! I slid my palms over his lean torso. The white scar over his heart, where Kendra had stabbed him, rippled under my fingers. For the first time Tristan didn’t flinch. He let me caress and smooth over the healed wound, all the while exploring my mouth. The kiss became more fevered and so did my response. I didn’t recognize the desire burning inside me. I had never felt this needy. I mean, I’d always wanted him, and the sex held the gold medal in awesomeness, but this greed aching in my nipples and between my legs was definitely something new.
I craved Tristan’s whole body as if it was on the menu as my last meal. His erection poked against my belly. I wanted him inside me, yearning to feel his stretch and warmth. The painful longing begging me to part my legs and let Tristan do as he pleased pounded in a sweet tantalizing rhythm.
The phone rang. He pulled away from my mouth and pressed the intercom button, saying, “I’m not in for the rest of the day.” Tristan didn’t wait for whoever called to reply, but just hung up. Another click, and the lock on his double door twisted and blinds lowered over the windows.
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We have two fantastic giveaways with some great prizes up for grabs!
GIVEAWAY #1
(Open Internationally)
Prizes: (1) eBook copy of Layers Peeled by Lacey Silks.
GIVEAWAY #2
(Open internationally):
Prizes: $25 Amazon gift card
An ecopy of Lacey’s 3 volumes of short stories (that’s 11 short stories)
Ecopy of ‘Dazzled by Silver’ (prequel to the Layers Trilogy)
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Lacey Silks
Lacey is an Author of Erotic Romance. Her stories come from her life, dreams and fantasies. She’s a happily married wife with two kids. Lacey likes to make her readers blush and experience the story as if they were the characters. Drawing on the reader’s most sensitive emotions through realistic stories satisfies her more than… …ok not really, but you get the point;) She likes a pinkish shade on a woman’s cheeks, men with large feet and sexy lingerie-especially when it’s torn off the body. Her favorite piece of clothing is a ‘birthday suit’.
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~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~
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Book Blitz hosted by Xpresso Book Tours.
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January 13, 2014
Book Blitz ~ ‘All I Ever Wanted: An Abbot Springs Anthology’
All I Ever Wanted: An Abbott Springs Anthology
All About Us by Marilyn Brant
All I Need by Caisey Quinn
All for Love by Rhonda Helms
All or Nothing by Lexi Ryan
Genres: New Adult, Winter Anthology.
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SYNOPSIS
ALL I EVER WANTED,
Winterfest is heating up in Abbott Springs…
As the town’s yearly festival kicks off, cold days turn into steamy nights, new flames will be ignited, and old romances will be rekindled.
All About Us by Marilyn Brant
All Sami Abbott ever wanted was permission to be herself. At home, she aims to be the perfect daughter but never measures up. At college, she’s the bold girl who had a one-night stand with sexy musician, Alex Hamilton. When he arrives unexpectedly in Abbott Springs, her worlds collide and she must reconcile the girl she tries to be with the person she really is.
All I Need by Caisey Quinn
All pink-haired rocker chick Everly Abbott thought she wanted was acceptance in her straight-laced hometown. But her best friend and bandmate Justin Cohen is about to show her that what she thinks she wants isn’t necessarily what she needs.
All for Love by Rhonda Helms
All Maya Monterey ever wanted was to belong. Happiest with the Abbott family, Maya’s been secretly in love with sexy pastry chef Oliver Abbott for years. With a flirty new look, she’ll pull out all the stops to get him to notice her. And if her plan fails, she’ll walk away from the only home she’s ever known—and Oliver—for good.
All or Nothing by Lexi Ryan
After years of placing the wrong bets, all Aubree Baxter wanted was someone to take a chance on her. Golden boy Kennedy Hale plays it safe in life and love, but to keep Bree in Abbott Springs, he’ll have to go all in.
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All About Us by Marilyn Brant.
Alex slipped through the swinging door off to the side of the counter and joined me. I was still holding the plate with the scone out for him. He took it from me this time…and immediately set it on the counter.
“Oh, sorry! Did you want a fork?” I asked, reaching toward the drawer with the silverware.
But he put his hand on mine, stopping me. “No, Samantha,” he whispered. “That isn’t what I want.”
He swallowed again and nudged me toward the kitchen wall nearest us until my shoulders were touching it. Until the zipper of his leather jacket pressed against the red Abbott’s Sweet Confections apron I was wearing. Until I could feel his breath on my forehead.
He looked into my eyes and waited. Waited until I’d tilted my head up toward him and licked my lips and leaned a little closer. Then he smiled and brought his mouth down on mine.
Everything about our kiss said hunger to me. We were in a place filled with heaping platters of food, but Alex was the only thing in the whole building I wanted to devour. It was like my dream from this morning, only better because it wasn’t a simple dream. Because I could really feel the roughness of his stubble on my cheek, smell the crisp January air when he exhaled, taste the warmth of his tongue as it mingled with mine and left me wanting more. More of him. All of him.
All I Need by Caisey Quinn.
Somehow it had become bigger than us. Bigger than a couple of kids playing around in the garage. At our last few shows, we’d been approached by managers and even a few small record labels.
I gripped the steering wheel so tight to keep from reaching over and putting my hand on her knee that my knuckles ached. As much as I wanted to comfort her, I knew if I ever touched her like that I wouldn’t be able to stop. A hand on the knee would turn to a hand on her inner thigh. Which would turn to… Jesus. I could not go there while operating a motor vehicle. Think of the band, dude.
We were on the brink of something huge, and in a way, it was fucking terrifying. What was even more terrifying was that every second of the day I knew I was one wrong move from ruining all of it. From destroying Ev’s dream of the band making it big before she’d even had a chance to live it.
All For Love by Rhonda Helms.
With her eyes fixed down at the table, Maya’s voice was soft as she began to organize the trays for easy carrying. “I’m not a little kid anymore, Oliver.”
No, she wasn’t—she was nineteen now, no longer that scrawny pre-teen girl our family had unofficially adopted. My gaze was drawn to her face, and I studied her like it was the first time I was really seeing her. Her high cheekbones, the bridge of her small nose, the proud thrust of her chin.
My focus moved to her mouth, and I detected a slight sheen of pink gloss on her lips. Funny, that color made her mouth look more plump than usual.
My throat tightened.
“What are you thinking about?” she suddenly asked as she turned to face me. Her intense brown eyes locked on mine.
I swallowed; my heart gave a knock against my ribcage. “Um, what?”
Maya took a step toward me, and her tongue darted out to lick her lower lip. My eyes darted down and I noticed her coat was unzipped a touch. Enough for me to see right into the curves of her cleavage.
A strange stirring pumped through my torso, a throb that ended at my crotch and caused my back to stiffen. I ripped my attention away from her chest and looked back into those eyes that were staring so innocently up at me. What the hell was my problem today? Was I seriously just checking out Maya—my friend?
All or Nothing by Lexi Ryan.
“So, are we going to pretend it didn’t happen?” he asked. His voice was low and rough, and I wanted to rub against it, nuzzle it like a cat. You’ve lost your mind, some sane part of my brain told me. “Because I think we should talk about it.”
My head snapped back and my eyes went wide. “Talk about what?”
“October? You showing up unannounced? Naked in my bed? Ring any bells?”
This was not the conversation I’d expected to have tonight. Didn’t he want to pretend it hadn’t happened even more than I did?
His dark eyes softened as he studied me, and I stiffened at his pity. I hated that he felt sorry for me.
“Yes,” I finally said. “Yes, we’re going to pretend it didn’t happen. I hardly remember it anyway. You know me. I get drunk and do stupid things.”
“And then you avoid my calls for months? Fuck that, Bree.” I tried to escape his embrace, but he drew me tighter against him and whispered in my ear, “I’m not going to let you throw this friendship away just because you’re embarrassed by some dumb drunken mistake.”
Dumb drunken mistake? Five years of unrequited love and he thought the night I found the courage to act on it was a drunken mistake?
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**Limited time release week sale price of 99 cents!**
~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~
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ALL I EVER WANTED is a winter anthology, complete with sledding races, spiked hot cocoa, and ice skating. Are you a winter lover?
Marilyn: I grew up in Wisconsin and now live in Illinois, so I’ve had to make peace with shoveling snow and scraping ice away every winter, LOL, but I can’t say I love the cold temps. I am very, very fond of hot cocoa (both spiked and unspiked), however, and I’ve always enjoyed ice skating and watching the Winter Olympics when they’re on.
Caisey: I love winter clothes, but the actual cold part, not so much!
Rhonda: For the most part, yes! But usually when I’m inside, sitting by a deliciously roaring fire. lol. I hate being super cold, but I do enjoy making snowmen, sled racing, and ice skating. I also like taking outdoor pictures.
Lexi: Maybe I’d say yes if it were a sweltering Indiana summer out my door right now, but instead it’s twelve inches of snow and negative windchills and I’m feeling like I really, really don’t like winter. But I sure don’t mind writing about it.
This anthology is really unique in that all the stories are connected and scenes from one story might appear in another. What was your favorite part about working on this anthology?
Marilyn: I loved the experience of getting to see a scene told in multiple viewpoints by our differing main characters. And it was fascinating to work so closely on a writing project with three authors whose stories I admire so much.
Caisey: Getting to see the many differences and similarities in each of our writing processes.
Rhonda: There was a community created by working so closely together that I’ve never experienced before. It really made me connected to my story and to the others. We were all vested in each other’s novellas, which I loved.
Lexi: We spent a weekend in Louisville to really nail down some of the continuity issues on the anthology. We worked a lot, but we also laughed more than I think I’ve ever laughed in my life. We writers spend an awful lot of time in solitude. It was wonderful to laugh with people who “get” the business like you do..
What was the most difficult part about putting it together?
Rhonda: Oh, all those nitpicky touches, the back-and-forth exchanges of scenes, then going over and over and over it all to make sure we didn’t mess up the timeline. FUN. lol
Marilyn: Yeah, Rhonda nailed it. There were a lot of details!
Caisey: What Rhonda said!
Lexi: To echo what Rhonda said…When we were in Louisville, we sat down at about 10am to start nailing down some of the details. We went page by page through each of our stories. “Oh, here your character says this.” “No, he wouldn’t change it quite like that. Change it to this.” “What’s Maya wearing that night?” “How would Kennedy be acting at the opening address?” Yes! Tons of details! But it was worth it to create what I think is a really unique product.
Obviously, a love of new adult romance brought you four together for this anthology. Name two of your favorite NA reads.
Marilyn: Aside from Lexi’s, Caisey’s, and Rhonda’s stories, which are awesome, I’ve also really enjoyed The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski and Violet Duke’s Resisting the Bad Boy.
Caisey: Oh gosh. There are so many good ones it’s hard to pick just two! My two faves of 2013 were probably Escaping Me by Elizabeth Lee and Break It Up by E.M. Tippetts.
Rhonda: Well, I love all of my fellow anthology authors’ works, lol. Seriously, they’re brilliant–make sure to check them out. But if we go beyond those, I also adored EASY by Tammara Webber and TANGLED by Emma Chase. So good!
Lexi: Oh, yes, I echo what everyone else said. Read them first! Obviously we enjoy each other’s work and that’s why we decided to do this together. After them, definitely EASY by Tammara Webber and ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND (well, the whole series) by Monica Murphy.
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International Giveaway! Enter below for the chance to win one of 4 Amazon/B&N $10 gift cards!
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Marilyn Brant
Marilyn Brant is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of eight novels to date, writing in the genres of contemporary women’s fiction, romantic comedy, and new adult/mystery. Recently, the Illinois Association of Teachers of English selected her as their 2013 Author of the Year. As a former teacher, library staff member, freelance magazine writer, and national book reviewer, Marilyn has spent much of her life lost in literature. Her books have been featured by the Doubleday Book Club, Book-of-the-Month Club, Literary Guild, BOMC2, and Rhapsody Book Club, and they’ve won awards such as the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart, the Booksellers’ Best, and the Aspen Gold Reader’s Choice. She lives in the Chicago suburbs with her family, reads a lot of Jane Austen, and loves chocolate, old movies, and road trips with music blaring and the windows rolled down.
Please visit her online at www.marilynbrant.com or find her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/marilyn.brant and Twitter @marilynbrant
Caisey Quinn
Caisey Quinn lives in a suburb outside of Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, daughter, and other assorted animals. She wears cowgirl boots most of the time, even to church. She is the bestselling author of the Kylie Ryans series and writes New and Young Adult books about country girls finding love in unexpected places.
She can be found online at www.caiseyquinnwrites.com or on Twitter as @CaiseyQuinn where she spends entirely too much time chatting with readers, writers, and anyone who’s willing.
Rhonda Helms
Rhonda Helms started writing novels several years ago and loves teen and New Adult romance. She has a Master’s degree in English and a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. She also freelance edits (visit rhondaedits.com to learn more about her services). When she isn’t writing, she likes to do amateur photography, dig her toes into the sand, read for hours at a time, and eat way too much cheese. Rhonda lives in Northeast Ohio with her family, dog, and a very loud cat.
Visit her at rhondahelmsbooks.com for details about her and her books. You can also find her on twitter @rhelmsbooks or Facebook at facebook.com/rhondahelmsbooks.
Lexi Ryan
A New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author, Lexi Ryan considers herself the luckiest chick she knows. Her books have been described as intense, emotional, and wickedly sexy. When not writing, she enjoys watching football, perfecting her chocolate martini, and reading her way to the title of Biggest Romance Fangirl Evah. A former college professor, her biggest fears include faculty meetings and large stacks of ungraded freshman composition papers. She now writes full-time from her home in Indiana, where she lives with her husband and two children and their neurotic dog.
You can visit Lexi at her website www.lexiryan.com or find her on Twitter @writerlexiryan or Facebook at facebook.com/lexiryanauthor.
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Cover Reveal ~ ‘Getting by ~ A Knight’s Tale I’ by Claudia Y. Burgoa.
Getting by ~ A Knight’s Tale I by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Publication date: February 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
Cover Design by Damonza.
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SYNOPSIS
When Emma Anderson arrived at San Francisco International Airport, she regretted accepting the distinction of being the maid of honor to Gaby’s—her childhood friend—wedding. It had been years since the last time she set foot in Menlo Park, where her parents had been killed. The rug where she had been shoving her feelings since that day looked bumpier than a camel’s hump—who could blame her, if she hadn’t been selfish they’d be around. Ever since she’s just perfecting the knack of Getting by.
Cade’s wedding in Menlo Park—a city close to San Francisco—might be the perfect place for Jake Knight to shake the memories of his ex, Emma Anderson for good. Single, available women galore for an entire week. The perfect medication, one he intended to take three times a day for an entire week to return to his player days. A plan the former spy thought flawless until he came face to face with the maid of honor, it comes to a flight, fight or hide week of celebrations.
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Claudia Y. Burgoa
Claudia lives in Colorado with her family and three dogs. Two beagles who believe they are human, and a bichon who thinks she’s a beagle. While managing life, she works as a CFO at a small IT Company. She’s a dreamer who enjoys music, laughter and a good story.
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~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Website ~
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Cover Reveal organized by ‘Xpresso Book Tours’.
January 9, 2014
Book Blitz ~ “Where Life Takes You” by Claudia Y. Burgoa.
Where Life Takes You by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Publication date: July 31st 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
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SYNOPSIS
Becca Trent lived her childhood next to a cruel woman—her mom—who lived to torment and neglect her. During her high school years, her mother married; bringing home not only a new husband, but a step sister her same age. The latter took over her Mom’s role—making Becca’s life miserable. Including stealing Ian—Becca’s best friend and boyfriend—Lisa treated her worse than her mother had for the previous fifteen years. A couple of years later, things ended up in tragedy.
Becca buried that part of her life in the deep corners of her psyche, but that only work during the days when the nightmares didn’t come back to haunt her. Her best friend, Dan gives her that family love she always lacked. Everything was close to perfect, until everything and everyone from her past came back. Now, she’s trying to figure out how to survive and keep that bond which seems now to be held together by a thread.
Note: This is the first part of a two book novel.
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~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ B&N ~
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“We ran out of chocolate chips.” Dan put a full plate of pancakes on the table. “Do you think you’ll survive a few days without your fix?”
“I’ve more across the hallway, and you can fetch them later.” if drenched the pancakes with maple syrup, took a bite, and moaned. “Amazingly good! I’m impressed. You dominate the kitchen like it’s your boardroom. Who taught you how to cook?”
Dan poured orange juice for us both, as well as a cup of coffee for him, and a glass of milk for me. He sat next to me, covered his own pancakes cautiously—not Becca style—cut a piece of pancake, and ate it. “Hmm they are good, but they don’t seem to affect me the way they do you.” he chuckled.
I awaited his answer curiously.
“My last foster family.” He’d gone through more than one foster homes? “My foster mother taught her surrogate children to fend for themselves. Our chores included cleaning, cooking, and washing dishes and clothes. No, she didn’t want cheap labor. She did it to teach us how a normal house hold functioned, and to care for ourselves.”
“She sounds smart. I’m guessing you helped her—or them— after you became the all-powerful Daniel Brightmore?” if asked, while sneaking my fork onto his plate to steal a piece of his pan- cake. Mine had disappeared way too fast. He playfully fake- slapped my hand away, and I pouted at him. “Selfish. That’s why no one likes you.”
“You not only like me, you love me, little one.” he fed me a fork full of pancake and gave me a satisfied smile. “After my first company became fully successful, I set up a trust fund for the Swansons. It made sense to help them after everything they did, and didn’t, do for me.” I knitted my eyebrows in confusion. “They didn’t hit me, or abuse me. Very few children get to spend their years in the system with people who truly care. Richard Swanson taught me how to hold a hammer, use power tools, and fix cars.” His voice became more animated as he continued with the story, and those gray eyes smiled at the fondness of the moments he told. “Thanks to him and those skills, I held a few jobs during college. And was able to begin my first company. Last year I moved them to Austin, Texas. They’re getting old, and the weather is nice year-round.”
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Book Trailer
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Giveaway Open Internationally.
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Claudia Y. Burgoa
Claudia lives in Colorado with her family and three dogs. Two beagles who believe they are human, and a bichon who thinks she’s a beagle. While managing life, she works as a CFO at a small IT Company. She’s a dreamer who enjoys music, laughter and a good story.
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Book Blitz hosted by Xpresso Book Tours.
January 7, 2014
Blog Tour ~ ‘Draw Me In’ by Megan Squires.
Draw Me In by Megan Squires
Publication date: January 7th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
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SYNOPSIS
He’s a young, up and coming businessman with the keys to his family’s Italian wine enterprise.
I’m a fine arts student, navigating life in the Big Apple, my pencil and sketchpad in hand.
We meet. We fall in love.
But it’s not that story.
Sometimes, by a rare gift of fate, two lives cross paths. And hey, if that happens to occur when staring at Michelangelo’s naked masterpiece, even better. We can tell our future children how a seventeen-foot tall marble guy named David brought us together.
But there’s always more to a relationship than its beginning and ever after. In life, there’s a whole lot of backstory. There are ex-fiancés and hot roommates and family members whose advice continues, even beyond the grave.
When you say you love someone, it’s never just that one person you’re saying it to. And it’s never just that one moment that sets everything in motion.
There is always more that draws you in.
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There is always a few things that I take into account when I start rating and reviewing a story. These are that the story connects with me on an emotional as well as natural level, without the characters deemed to be too perfect or without flaws, and that the choices that the characters make, regardless of whether I agree with them, are made with as much thought as we would make them in our own lives. ‘Draw me in’ did all of these things and the author brought the story together with some great laughs, some gorgeous romantic scenes and a brilliant writing style which flowed so effortlessly from scene to scene, making the story easy to read and impossible to put down until I had finished it.
I absolutely adored this story and the deep issues that are entwined within the romantic element of the story. Leo and Julie’s relationship was one that simply warmed the heart. I loved the differences between the two, and really connected to Julie as the story’s heroine as she was so realistic and human in her ways. I liked how she learnt from Leo that being herself was all he wanted from her, and it was beautiful to see how Julie blossomed into her own being rather than one that she felt she had to put on to be what Leo wanted of her.
I also loved how Leo and Julie shared a great sense of humour and how although Julie’s own humour style was very different to his, Leo didn’t think any less of her instead only regarding her more fondly for her adorable ways. (Julie’s drunk scenes were hilarious!)
I always enjoy seeing how authors use the arts to mimic the storylines the y are writing. Julie’s art work was a brilliant way for me as a reader to get an insight into Julie’s character. The whole moral of the story of the outer beauty of the roman statue David by michaelangelo, being nothing in comparison to the strength and utter owner of a man fighting for his life was brilliantly done and I applaud the author for the wonderful and original way she depicted this.
What I really admired about this story was the way that the issue of Cancer was delicately brought to the table, and it was a real reminder that even the youngest, fittest (and hottest) of men can be hiding a terrible illness. I was so distraught when Leo’s journey with Cancer was revealed, and Julie having this realisation that every day in love is sacred was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The strength of Leo and Julie’s love was a real inspiration to me. The way that author Megan Squires was able to show both sides of the battle of Cancer was I truly beautiful. She flawlessly creates a wonderful distinction and connection between those who suffer from cancer! telling the story not only of the victim, but also of the caretaker, and for me, this was the true beauty of this book that I took this message with me from reading this story, and I know I will carry it with me forever.
This was a beautiful, heartwarming and funny tale which was an absolute pleasure to read. 5 stars and a definite recommended read.
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Grand prize giveaway open Internationally.
Enter below for the chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card.
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Megan Squires
Megan Squires lives with her husband and two children just outside of Sacramento, California. A graduate from the University of California, Davis, Megan is now a full-time mother, wife, and dreamer—though her characters don’t often give her much opportunity to sleep.
Visit www.theoutlierchronicles.com to learn more about her latest young adult series.
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Tour hosted by ‘Xpresso Book Tours’. Click the banner to follow the ‘Draw Me In’ Blog Tour.
December 27, 2013
Book Review ~ ‘To Catch a Falling Star’ by L. Duarte.
‘To Catch a Falling Star’
by L. Duarte
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult.
Release Date: TBA
SYNOPSIS
It’s been five years, but Melody still mourns the death of Tim, her soul mate and beloved husband who never had a chance to hold their daughter. Mel and her daughter have the love and support of Mel’s brother Will and sister-in-law Portia, the famous Oscar-winning actress-turned-mother. Mel works three jobs and mothers Ella, but she spends her mornings facing the demons of her grief. Her faith and her father, the pastor, helps Mel grapple with her grief.
Portia opens her home to her childhood friend Tarry Francis, a successful, womanizing rock star. He’s trying to beat his addictions. Again. He’s going through the motions, but needs his drugs and rowdy lifestyle to keep his childhood pain in check. Tarry’s privileged upbringing contrasted with his cruel parents, who starved him of affection. Who can fix that?
Mel is forced to counsel Tarry, but he’s so damaged and unwilling to try that she’s not sure anyone can help fix him. She gives him a special coin. Could this open their hearts to each other and fuel their love? Is this a step forward that will free them to catch the falling stars? Or will Mel remain faithful to her first love?
Rich in meaning, To Catch a Falling Star is about two lovers whose hearts struggle to open to find the magic of the journey of love. It’s a joyful and passionate story about overcoming challenges to lead us to love and the fulfillment of our dreams.
To Catch a Falling Star is the stunning follow-up novel to L. Duarte’s debut Chasing Stars about Portia and Will’s romance. A spiritual and playful read, L. Duarte has provided readers the chance to believe in healing a broken heart.
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I received an ARC of ‘To Catch a Falling Star’ in exchange for an honest review.
I always lament when I start an amazing book just before Christmas. With all the festivities, helping my parents prepare for the annual ‘have the whole family over for boxing day’ bash, having to remove my nose from a book long enough to have christmas dinner is a tough chore, especially when reading a book as wonderful, emotional and heartbreaking as ‘To Catch a Falling Star’.
I absolutely adored the first book in this series ‘Catching Stars’ which told the story of Portia and Will, and I was so pleased that author L. Duarte was able to not only meet the brilliant level of ‘Chasing Stars’ but also to exceed it and literally have me travelling to the stars as I read this
beautiful story.
L. Duarte’s beautiful writing style always has the ability to bring me to tears in the space of a second. Her gorgeous prose had me so connected to the story, and I found myself so invested in Tarry’s personal development of overcoming his demons and his fight against addiction, as well as the beautiful relationship that he and Mel begin to develop when they are both at the lowest points of their lives.
What I really loved about ‘Chasing Stars’ was how not everybody got their happily ever after. I really liked how Tarry was still spiralling despite his best friends finding solace in their life. To be able to read Tarry’s story from his own perspective, to see the struggle he had and the way his mind worked through the addiction that plagued him was a real priviledge. Tarry’s internal dialogue was written to absolute perfection and I felt so connected to him as not just a character but as a real man who was struggling to find his true self. To see his connection with music and how he expressed his inner demons through singing and composing was great, and I loved how he shared this with Mel.
Mel was another great character who I really connected with. I’ve always been one of those people who is sceptical of second love. I’ve not experienced love for myself so I suppose the romantic in me always believes that you can’t love another person after your first husband dies. Reading Mel’s story completely widened my view on this. The story was tackled so beautifully and with such grace that I finally began to understand how Mel was finally able to think of Tim and their time together fondly rather than wallowing in his absence. I loved how we were given glimpses into Mel and Tim’s past, it made him seem so real to me, and I mourned his loss with Mel and understood her fear of falling in love again. This was delicately approached and I can’t say how much I loved this story and the pace of the development of Mel and Tarry’s relationship.
With her beautiful storytelling and her creation of realistic and relatable characters, L. Duarte has become one of my favourite authors who I would read time and time again. ‘To Catch a Falling Star’ is on my list of favourite books for 2013, and I can’t wait to see more of L. Duarte’s work.
5 Stars and a definite recommended read. This book will have you travelling to the stars!
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December 25, 2013
Book Blitz ~ ‘Exception’ by Patty Maximini.
Exception by Patty Maximini
Publication date: November 2nd 2013
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
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SYNOPSIS
When all hope for moving on from a life filled with pain and abuse was gone, Emily Watson closed herself off to the world, packed her bags, and moved across the country in search of a new life. What she found was a career she adored and friends she loved. It wasn’t a full and complete life, but it was definitely better than what she knew before.
When all hope for being loved and accepted for who he was instead of what he had was gone, Taylor Carter decided that trusting people outside of his family wasn’t really smart and would only lead to disappointment. With his world turned upside down, his life became about his work, and every new relationship was meaningless and superficial. He was safe and definitely content but never truly happy.
When all hope for staying awake during a long day was gone, Emily and Taylor found themselves at the same coffee cart. Little did they know then that the worst coffee they’d ever had would forever change their lives.
When hopeless people are blinded by an endless pain, when contentment and safety feel like the best options, and when love seems impossible, they may just find an exception.
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~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon US ~ Barnes & Noble ~
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“You kissed me,” he said, in between chuckles.
Emily groaned and covered her burning face. “Not that. Don’t say things like that. Besides, I didn’t kiss you, I kissed your cheek.”
Taylor couldn’t understand why she was so embarrassed by such an innocent and sweet display of affection, but it was very funny. With a smug chuckle he teased her once more. “Twice—you kissed my cheek twice.”
“I haven’t done that to anyone other than Charlie, Z and J in a very long time, so don’t make fun of me,” she begged from behind her hands.
“Hey, I’m not. I’m just—wowed.” He removed the hands that covered her face and, with a gently finger beneath her chin, he lifted it so she would meet his eyes. “I really liked it, please do it more often,” he requested honestly.
“When you’re done with your story, I might do it again,” she teased with a shy smile.
“I better get on with it then,”
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10 Things I Think Every Aspiring Author Should Know!
1- The easiest part of being an author is writing a book.
2- Make as many friends in the writing community as you possibly can. Only authors understand the rollercoaster that publishing a book is, and at one point you’ll need the support.
3- Reviews are only other people’s opinions. Don’t freak out over them.
4- The more you check your reviews on Goodreads the crazier you’ll get. Be careful.
5- You need a good editor. It doesn’t matter if you know grammar like the back of your hand; your book needs a professional set of editing eyes.
6- Look for critique partners whose opinions you respect and trust their feedback. It’s better to hear from them that the scene you thought was awesome really isn’t, than from readers.
7- Read books written by authors you judge to be better than you. They will challenge you to better yourself.
8- Not everyone will like your book, that’s a fact. So be grateful for those that do and don’t get upset by the ones that don’t.
9- It takes time and perseverance to make it. Be patient.
10- It’s only worth it if you have fun, so write for yourself first.
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There are 20 ebook copies of ‘Exception’ up for grabs!
For the chance to win a copy, enter at the link below!
(Open Internationally)
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Patty Maximini
Words have always been a passion of mine. I’ve always loved to read them, write them and learn them in other languages. Last year, I’ve decided to take that passion and turn it into a book, the result was Exception, my very first novel due this October.
Whenever I’m not sitting behind my computer, I’m either enjoying the company of my dear hubby, Alex, and our four four-legged babies or reading. I’m a firm believer in long hand written letters, love of any kind and good stories.
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December 20, 2013
Book Blitz ~ ‘The Cure’ by Stephanie Erickson
The Cure by Stephanie Erickson
Publication date: November 14th 2013
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult
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SYNOPSIS
“One life will make the difference.” Macey Holsinger has been hearing that promise her whole life. But it hasn’t saved anyone yet, not even her little brother.
The disease has claimed countless lives in the last hundred years, and the government is working hard to find a cure through human testing. Testing that has killed nearly as many people as the disease.
At sixteen, Macey has better things to think about than saving lives and submitting to any rule other than her parents’. As a budding artist, she has her whole life ahead of her, at least until she faces her own testing.
Questions plague Macey. Questions that make everyone else nervous. How can death be justified with more death? What’s the point of all this?
Answers evade her until she’s left with only one question: How much will she sacrifice in the name of the cure?
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5 Things I Wish I Knew About Being an Author I Didn’t Know Before
by Stephanie Erickson.
5. Everyone and their mother has an opinion
Everyone, and I do mean everyone, has an opinion about your life, your writing, your approach to publishing, your cover art, your book layout, your venue, your promotions, and…well, you get the idea. Learn to filter out the ones who are just being mean because they are jealous, and the ones who are being constructive. That is quite possibly your most valuable tool.
4. Read!
There seems to be a stark division on this subject. Either people feel writers should devour books like air, or they think you shouldn’t read at all for fear of copying someone else’s idea. Personally, I think the latter is complete hogwash. If you don’t read, how are you supposed to learn and grow as a respectable writer? You can not only get ideas and see how other people are writing, but you can learn grammar, vocabulary, and evolve your style by reading. So, for heaven’s sake read!
3. Write as much as possible
So, most people will say, “write every day!” but I’m a realist. I know you can’t write every day. But you should write as much as possible. The idea behind the sentiment of “write every day!” is that it’s a priority for those people. Maybe their number one priority. For me, even though it’s not number one on my list, writing is still a priority for me, so I set goals. Usually weekly goals, like I need to write 5,000 words this week to stay on track. And, even if I’m not in the midst of writing a first draft, I still try to write, with stuff like this – blog posts, journal entries, musings etc. Bottom line here: Whatever you write doesn’t have to be Earth shattering. It just has to be words on a page.
2. Never stop learning
The writing and publishing world is going through a dramatic change right now. If you are dumb enough to refuse to evolve with it then I’m done talking to you. There are a tremendous amount of resources out there, and all you have to do is absorb them. Some of my favorites are Stephen King’s On Writing and David Gaughran’s Let’s Get Visable.
1. Find what works for you
I used to be a seat of your pants writer. My first book – The Blackout – was filled with plot holes, changed character names and major issues when I finished with the first draft. So, for The Cure, I tried outlining. The first draft went much better. I had fewer changes, fewer mistakes, and in the end, produced a better book. However, I was flexible with my outline. When inspiration struck me, I went with it and ended up writing several chapters that weren’t included in my outline. I feel like it was a good marriage of outlining and seat of your pants writing. And it worked for me. You might be a little more organized than that, and need to have a 17 page outline before you can even think about writing, or you might just need to start at it when the mood strikes. That’s fine. The important thing is to keep trying different things and do what works for you.
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Enter below for the chance to win…
A Kindle Fire!
(Open internationally as long as Amazon ships there):
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Stephanie Erickson
Let’s see. What do you want to know about me? I love apocalypse movies like 2012 (which is probably why my first book is sort of apocalyptic), I love to read, I love my fur babies, my husband and my family.
I’m a graphic designer by trade, but hoping to some day be able to write full time.
Dan, my husband, and I are brand new parents and loving life!
As far as writing goes, The Blackout was my first published novel, but I’ve been writing for quite awhile. I won honorable mention in the 72nd Annual Writer’s Digest Competition for a short story junior year of college, so that was…awhile ago anyway. Although I published a scholarly paper senior year, fiction writing has always been my passion. Can’t wait to see what’s next!
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December 18, 2013
Blog Tour + Review ~ ‘Being Kalli (Kalli #1)’ by Rebecca Berto.
Being Kalli (Kalli #1) by Rebecca Berto
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance.
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At nineteen, Kalli Perkins has never been in love and doesn’t ever intend to be. She has her issues handled. She’s managed to keep the secret of what happened to her nine years ago from her mother, although her mother’s usually high anyway and barely notices Kalli or her little brothers.
One night at a party, Kalli makes a bet with her friend, Nate, that could change everything. But she didn’t count on him. Nate’s very capable of satisfying her, not only under her clothes, but in her heart, too.
She just doesn’t know it yet.
*** Recommended for mature readers due to explicit content. This book is published in Australian English and includes relative diction. ***
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Being Kalli by Rebecca Berto.
You know that feeling you get when you read a book that just resonates with you and you then spend two weeks attempting to write a review because all you feel you can do is just obscenely ramble about your adoration for it?
Well, Being Kalli is one of those books.
I always adore Rebecca Berto’s writing style as it has a brilliant mix of both prose and factual statements which makes reading it almost like experiencing the story in real life. In Being Kalli, there’s a way that she manages to entwine psychological elements in her book so well with the everyday activities of Kalli’sl life that made me identify with her as a character and as a real person. There’s not many characters that I can say I’ve stuck with and sympathised with through all of their bad choices like I did with Kalli. Seeing the trauma she was subject to in her childhood and the strength of her love for her little brothers made her to me seem, despite some of her more racy behaviour, a real role model to other sisters and daughters. She faced a lot in life and through it all she still longed for the love of her mother, and everything she did she did with the benefits of her little brothers at the forefront of her mind.
I adored the relationship between Kalli and Nate, and also the way that the relationship developed. I liked that the part of storyline where their relationship deteriorates and then begins to build again was not all forced into the final quarter of the story, as with many stories. I liked that Kalli attempted to fix their relationship throughout the novel, making it part of the drama along with the issues she faces in her home life.
What really made this book stand out to me, and yet again remind me of Rebecca Berto’s exceptional skill at storytelling, was that she always brings the details within the novel to the next level. Her descriptions of playing the Violin, and of the fluidity of a piece of music, with the different tones was absolutely superb. I can’t tell you the number of times where authors forget to have the character add rosin to a bow. ROSIN PEOPLE ROSIN! Rebecca Berto not only showed this, but she also gave the action a reason in a reader-friendly way by making the use of rosin a joke with Nate. In my opinion, that is first class storytelling and is real ‘show-not-tell’.
This story is one of love, family, overcoming fears of the past and trust and as always Rebecca Berto brings in some really difficult and emotional issues in her writing and tackles them flawlessly. In this novel the issues of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Child Sexual Assault, Emotionally absent parents, and the fears of a girl who despite her strength of character towards her brothers, mother and people who do not know the real her, has an emotional vulnerability which needs only the most devoted of men to soothe.
5 stars!
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Rebecca Berto writes stories about love and relationships. She gets a thrill when her readers are emotional reading her books, and gets even more of a kick when they tell her so. She’s strangely imaginative, spends too much time on her computer, and is certifiably crazy when she works on her fiction.
Rebecca lives in Melbourne, Australia with her boyfriend and their doggy.
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ENTWINE (Entwine #1)
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PRECISE (Pulling Me Under #0.5)
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PULLING ME UNDER (Pulling Me Under #1)
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DROWNING IN YOU (Finding Forever in Us #1)
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