I *heart* Ryan GOING UNDER Blog Tour ~ Playlist, Review & Giveaway
- Mama – This song represents an overarching theme in the novel: possession.
- R.I.P – The moment Brooke discovers her “purpose” or plan for revenge.
- Angry Johnny – Brooke gets to work. It’s time to seduce Cal and destroy him!
- Nasty Boy – Cal. Tim. Parker. ‘Nuf said.
- Hearts – Brooke and Ryan kiss. It’s a little awkward.
- New York Girls – Brooke and Gretchen hang out and watch Sex and the City. Brooke gets a little drunk.
- Video Games – Yeah . . . I think this one is well understood.
- Crawling – Brooke’s emotional and psychological breakdown.
- What’s My Name – Brooke and Ryan. In a bed. Doing fun things. Brooke’s POV.
- Fast Car – Brooke and Ryan. Still in bed. Doing fun things. Ryan’s POV.
- Island in the Sun – Brooke and Ryan skateboarding.
- Possession – Brooke’s rape from Cal’s POV.
- It’s Too Late to Apologize – Brooke finds out Ryan’s secret. Refuses to forgive.
- Retrace – Brooke heals, forgives, and decides to reconnect with Ryan.
- Stand Inside Your Love – Nuclear. Orgasm.
We asked Summer if there was one song that sort of embodied the entire novel. Here’s what she said. Read More…
Friends and Lovers by Bethany Lopez
Title: Friends & Lovers Trilogy: Make it Last, I Choose You, Trust in Me.
Author: Bethany Lopez
Rating 4/5 Star for Series
Genre: Contemporary Romance – novella series
Age Group: New Adult
Event organized by: AToMR Tours
Make it Last:
In a small town, it’s hard to recover from being dumped by your high school sweetheart. That’s just what Briana has to do after Colin leaves her to follow his dreams. She focuses her energy into her friendships and the pursuit of her own goal of becoming a chef. Just when she finally feels like she’s on the right path, he comes back to town.
Colin knew breaking up with Briana before leaving for college was the right thing to do. He was determined to leave small-town life behind forever, and that included his high school girlfriend. But when a sports injury puts him on the sidelines, he’s forced to return home. Seeing Briana again brings back a lot of memories, and Colin wonders if he made the right decision. It doesn’t take long for him to realize he wants her back, and this time, he wants to make it last.
I Choose You:
Up until now, Nicole’s life has been mapped out for her. She’d go to college, marry Jake and become the upstanding minister’s wife. When she leaves that life to begin again in a small town in Texas, she finally has the freedom to live as she chooses. There, she meets Kent, a guy whose charm and passion make it hard to stick to her morals.
Dodging his father’s fists and protecting his twin sister made Kent into the man he is today. He learned by watching his mother stay by his father’s side that it’s better to keep relationships simple. Then he meets Nicole. Her sweet smile and genuine response to him land like punches to his resolve. After a lifetime of learning to protect his heart, can he finally let down his guard?
Trust in Me:
Roni’s dreams of becoming a contemporary dancer were smashed under the brutal rage of her ex-husband’s fists. Getting divorced and starting over at the age of twenty-two was never her plan, but maybe in Texas, she’ll find her path. When the town’s local player, Rich, opens a Rec Center, she sees a way to rekindle her dancing dreams…and maybe have a little fun with her sexy new boss.
Rich never expected to fulfill his dreams in the town he planned to leave behind, but that’s just what he’s doing. His reputation as a noncommittal ladies’ man might make it challenging to earn respect in the business world, but he’s willing to prove that he’s serious. In fact, when it comes to pursuing Roni, he’s more than willing. But she’s taking a page out of his book, not wanting to risk another relationship. Can he convince her that his playboy days are over and that she can trust him with her heart?
Review
Hi, Today I am reviewing the Friends and Lovers Trilogy by Bethany Lopez. I would classify the genre of these books as contemporary romance and the age category as new adult. Did the word trilogy give a hint as to how many books are in the series? HMMMM, Lopez tried to stump me by calling it a trilogy; but there are more than three love stories explored, which I absolutely loved. The premise of the Trilogy is as follows; a group of early twenty something friends, who love, hook up, laugh, cry and have plenty of good angst together. This group of new adults is trying to find their way in the world and Lopez does an excellent job in providing the path for them to follow.
The first in the series of novella is Make it Last (Briana & Colin), second is I Choose You (Nicole & Kent) and the last is Trust in Me (Roni & Rich). Besides the main couple in each story the characters from previous stories are included as well. I liked getting to know the characters over the span of time; as I was really rooting for them when it came time for them to have their own book. I thought Lopez did a really good job in the camaraderie and sometimes competitive nature of the characters. It is the type of series that I was enjoying while I read it and was sad when it was over. If you are tired of just two people in a story, and want to fill your world with well fleshed out characters, then I recommend this read.
Buy Links Barnes and Nobles | Amazon
About the Author
Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult series. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her novels through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords
Social Media Links
IAN
Webpage
Twitter
Facebook -
Pinterest
THE TWELFTH PALADIN BY NORA WESTON
Title: The Twelfth Paladin
Author: Nora Weston
Publisher: Melange
Books
Pages: 242
ISBN-10: 161235176X
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Scarred with angelfire by a rebellious angel named Micah, Jake Cottrell is sanctioned to become the twelfth paladin in Micah’s supernatural unit of slayers. However, regret abounds as Micah is banished from his command and ordered to protect what he now despises…a human he believes is unworthy of such an honor.
Jake slips far away from righteousness, outwardly proving Micah’s judgment, by replying to a wicked email from next@hell.net. Forever a seeker of mischief, Jake dares Hell to burn him. Hell agrees. Davis Travers thickens the plot by introducing Jake to Rachel Darnell. A temptress extraordinaire, she erupts from the fiery pits to steal Jake’s soul. After a steamy seduction from the dark side, Jake is left spellbound.
With his soul dangling between Heaven and Hell, Jake soars on a blistering blacktop to escape the wrath of Hell as he fights for redemption while transforming into the twelfth paladin. Read More…
Until I Break by M. Leighton
Title: Until I Break
Author: M. Leighton
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Release date: May 13, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Event organized by: AToMR Tours
Book Description:
Laura Drake is an author. She writes bestselling paranormal romances that continue to top the charts. She is sharp. She is confident. She is in control.
And she doesn’t exist.
Samantha Jansen is the woman behind the wig, the woman most of the world doesn’t know exists. She is shy. She is insecure. She is nothing like her main character or her alter ego. She is scarred—deeply scarred—by a past she can’t let go of and a present she can’t make peace with.
Samantha’s dreams are consumed by one man, the broken hero from her books. Mason Strait is both her wildest fantasy and her most terrifying nightmare.
When Samantha meets Alec Brand, a corporate consultant, it is as though Mason has come to life. Alec is handsome to a fault, as elegant as he is arrogant, and more intense than any man has a right to be.
Samantha is soon sucked into a world that mirrors the fiction she writes. Just like her main character, Daire Kirby, Samantha finds herself unable to resist the forbidden lure of Alec. And just like Daire, she also finds that she is faced with taking a chance on a man who could either set her free or destroy her.
The scale tilts toward destruction when Samantha finds out that Alec is as much a work of fiction as Mason. And he has scars of his own, scars that could ruin them both.
EXCERPT
I know from lots of experience to let Ari sort out all the clamoring and select the next person to ask a question. So, patiently, with hands folded demurely in my lap, I wait.
It’s odd, the comfort that I feel in the wig, glasses and heavy makeup. My Laura Drake get-up is much more than a disguise, it’s a shield—a protective barrier that keeps the world out and the tender Samantha Jansen (the real me) in.
As my eyes drift through the crowd again, they’re drawn to the back of the room, to a latecomer. I feel my jaw go slack and, slowly, the earth stops spinning, grinding to a halt. For a moment, it’s as though the entire world is as breathless and reverent as I am.
My first thought is that someone has managed to find the exact image I have of Mason Strait, the one that’s only ever been in my head and in my darkest dreams, and send him here as a publicity stunt. Read More…
After Math by Denise Grover Swank
Title: After Math (Off the Subject, #1)
Author: Denise Grover Swank
Rating: 4.25/5 Star
Release date: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tour organized by: AToMR Tours
Book Description
Scarlett Goodwin’s world is divided into Before and After.
Before she agreed to tutor Tucker price, college junior Scarlett was introvert, struggling with her social anxiety and determined to not end up living in a trailer park like her mother and her younger sister. A mathematics major, she goes to her classes, to her job in the tutoring lab, and then hides in the apartment she shares with her friend, Caroline.
After junior Tucker Price, Southern University’s star soccer player enters the equation, her carefully plotted life is thrown off its axis. Tucker’s failing his required College Algebra class. With his eligibility is at risk, the university chancellor dangles an expensive piece of computer software for the math department if Scarlett agrees to privately tutor him.Tucker’s bad boy, womanizer reputation makes Scarlett wary of any contact, let alone spending several hours a week in close proximity.
But from her first encounter, she realizes Tucker isn’t the person everyone else sees. He carries a mountain of secrets which she suspects hold the reason to his self-destructive behavior. But the deeper she delves into the cause of his pain, the deeper she gets sucked into his chaos. Will Scarlett find the happiness she’s looking for, or will she be caught in Tucker’s aftermath?
Review
After Math by Denise Grover Swank is a really good new adult read. Why you ask? Yes, you in the back; I heard you ask the question, don’t try to deny it. The book is about two socially dysfunctional young adults who, because of tragic childhoods, are scarred adults in their early twenties.
The female character Scarlett is a math whiz, who uses numbers to cope with her panic attacks. Those attacks are brought on because of normal social situations, which for most people might be awkward but for Scarlett they are debilitating. Scarlett also find solace in numbers, as numbers are safe, and as long as you know the rules, math will never disappoint. Scarlett is the type of person who wants to, needs to blend into the wallpaper of life. She is happiest when she is not seen and has her numbers to keep her company. Scarlett does interact with people, but it is obvious that she is extremely uncomfortable.
The male character of Tucker seems at first to be the opposite of Scarlett. He is the star soccer player and a fame whore; but appearances are not what they seem. Tucker has been just as wounded by life as Scarlett; his coping mechanism of ‘life of the party’ is a mask. He has filled his life with parties and one-night stands trying to fill the void in his life. He is living with unrealistic pressure and self-hate; and his self-destructive behavior is a cry for help that no one cares to hear.
Neither of these two characters are living genuine lives; they are hiding from themselves and the world, each for their own reasons…Tucker because he believes he is unworthy of love, and Scarlett because she is incapable of love, that something inside of her is truly broken. It is not until their two worlds collide that they truly begin to live.
What I liked about this book is that each of these two people learned from one another about how to live. The girl doesn’t suddenly take off her glasses and is cured of her social awkwardness, and the guy doesn’t transform overnight, but they work at the people they want to become. In their own way they both strive to truly reach for happiness, even if that happiness comes with a price. Are they willing to pay the price for happiness or are they too scared to live? Guess you’ll have to read the book to find out.
Click on Picture to Enter Giveaway
About the Author
Denise Grover Swank lives in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She’s a gypsy who can’t live in one place too long or stay in one genre. She writes contemporary romance, urban fantasies without vampires and werewolves, young adult science fiction, and romantic comedy mysteries set in the south. Denise has six children, three dogs, and an overactive imagination. She can be found dancing in her kitchen with her children, reading, or writing her next book. You will rarely find her cleaning.
You can find her at:
Her website
Facebook
Twitter
The Demon’s Song by Kendra Leigh Castle
Synopsis of The Demon Song
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. At least, that’s how it seems to Sofia Rivera when her attempt to help a friend ends in a blood-soaked confrontation with creatures that aren’t even supposed to exist. With a group of rogue vampires determined not to leave a single witness to their violence hot on her heels, Sofia finds herself saddled with an immortal bodyguard—Phenex, the fallen Angel of Song.
While the vampire king roots out the corruption threatening to take down his underworld kingdom, Sofia will have to deal with a fallen angel whose dark beauty is often at odds with his ornery nature. Slowly, Sofia and Phenex give in to the strange attraction neither can deny. And as the darkness closes in around them, Phenex begins to wonder whether even the wickedest Fallen might find his own happy ending…and his heart.
Excerpt Teaser
“We need to talk,” Sofia said.
Phenex raised his eyebrows and said nothing. He hadn’t expected her to be so direct. Probably he should have.
“About this morning,” she added.
“What part?”
Sofia’s mouth tightened ever so slightly. “You know what part.”
“Maybe.” He plucked out a melody absently, watching Sofia try to figure out how to deal with him. “There were a number of parts to this morning.”
“Only one part involved you almost biting me.” She paused, and then her voice dropped. “Among other things.” Read More…
Blog Tour ~ Excerpt & Giveaway ~ BEAUTIFULLY TWISTED by Jennifer Domenico
Title: Beautifully Twisted
Author: Jennifer Domenico
Genre: Erotic Romance
Publish Date: May 8, 2013
~ Synopsis ~
Alexa Drake is at the top of her game. Heading up the London office for Patrick Collins Media, she’s done what it takes to get to the top and have the career and independence she’s always wanted. Her life in London is everything she’s worked hard to achieve, and she revels in her newfound control. If only she could forget the one man who brings her to her knees. Literally.
Scott Patrick is successful, commanding, and the kind of man women dream about. He’s also responsible for Alexa’s career success and her twisted view of love. Scott is a master at avoiding commitment and emotions and always thought of himself as the kind of guy who would never settle down. So why can’t he get Alexa out of his head?
When Scott suddenly turns up in London, Alexa has to decide if she can open herself up to the same man that broke her heart or if she’s ready to give someone new a chance.
Beautifully Twisted is an intense power struggle between two people who have a hard time being together but an even harder time staying apart.
Purchase Links
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords
~ Excerpt/Teaser ~
“I’m not like that anymore.”
“Yes you are. Remember, your office today. You let me touch you like that because you need me to touch you like that. No one else knows how. No one else can do to you what I do.”
“I know,” she whispers. She’s certainly tried to find someone who could. “I don’t want to be submissive anymore.” Read More…
Finding Faith by Ysabel Wilde
Finding Faith Synopsis:
Faith Connolly moved away, determined to start a new life for herself, leaving everything behind. Years later, in turmoil from a love gone bad and accusations of theft swirling around her, a relationship is the last thing Faith wants, especially with the new fireman.
John Bauers’ life turns upside down when the love of his life deserts him with not so much as a warning. Then tragedy strikes. Missing the chance to be with the girl who stole his heart, John roams aimlessly, taking advantage of women, not caring who he hurts. But a night out with the guys changes everything.
Faith may have run but her past refuses to let her go.
Interview with Ysabel Wilde author of Finding Faith
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’ve lived in the Midwest my entire life. I’m a married mother with 3 girls and have worked in the medical field for 15 years.
2. What do you do when you are not writing?
When I’m not writing I’m usually reading or carting my girls around to activities or friends houses.
3. How did you choose the genre you write in?
All of the characters for Finding Faith popped into my head one night during a bout of insomnia. I wrote a paranormal YA prior and was going to continue until that happened.
4. Do you work with an outline, or just write?
Once I get the main idea I brainstorm and jot down thoughts as they come so I don’t forget. Then the rest makes itself. If I feel stuck I let it simmer until they tell me their next move.
5. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? Little Women by Louisa May Alcott was my favorite book.
Six Smooches
Favorite Old Hollywood Movie? The original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Favorite season & why? Summer. I love flip flops and shorts. It’s worn off onto my girls they try too wear them year round.
Favorite season in Chicago? Winter. Downtown Macy’s,which use to be Marshal Fields, does up their street windows in a different theme every year so we make a day of it.
Favorite song?This is a hard one because it changes. I guess all time favorite is Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Favorite sport to watch? Baseball, but only at the park. I can’t watch sports on TV just not the same to me. I need to feel the excitement of the crowd.
Favorite Superhero? Wonder Woman!! I even had her under roos and would pretend I had her cool bracelets.
Author Biography:
The mid-west has been my home my entire life. Make that the same state, Illinois. I even lived in the same house the first twenty-three years of my life until I moved out. I am married with three young daughters that are always into something.
I work a part time job in the medical field. I have been lucky enough to have been doing it for almost 15 years. The stories I could tell would probably amaze you. They are almost as entertaining as Finding Faith, but not quite.
This journey started out as a hobby to keep me busy while my husband is at work. Not that the kids don’t do a good job, but at night I get bored while he’s gone. I wrote a YA Paranormal novel that is still sleeping, waiting for me to do something with it, but John and Faith called to me. I really don’t know what it is but their story took over and I have to get it out. I fell in love with them and have to share in hopes that you all fall in love with them as much as I have.
Mirror of Shadows by T. Lynn Tolles
Title: Mirror of Shadows
Author: T. Lynne Tolles
Release date: September 1, 2012
Genre: paranormal mystery romance
Age Group: New Adult
Book Description:
Ella McKaye returns home for her grandmother’s funeral to find she’s inherited a ton of money and a run down mansion she never knew existed, called Grey Manor. Her greedy mother is appalled when the will stipulates specifically that Ella can’t give her any of the inheritance. She quickly throws Ella out of her home forcing her to take up immediate residence in the spooky old mansion.
Within minutes of entering her new home she has a strange interaction with a creepy old mirror in the main hallway and the ghostly inhabitants of the past get more and more agitated the longer Ella’s there. Nearly fatal back to back accidents make Ella start to wonder if she’s angered some ghost or if there is something more sinister at work.
Will Ella unravel the deadly mystery before she becomes a ghost herself? Or will fate take another one of the Grey ancestors to the grave.
Book Links Amazon | Barnes and Nobles | Goodreads | Smashwords | CreateSpace | Website | Trailer
Click on Picture to Enter Giveaway
Author Guest Post
Where I like to write…Hmmm. Well, I wish I could say that I like to write while skydiving or in the dining car of a train heading somewhere exotic, but truthfully, I’m not that exciting. I have a laptop, which allows me to be mobile with my thoughts, but let’s face it, my imagination stops at the tips of my fingers.
Simply put, I write in bed or on the couch. I don’t have a special writing room with a massive corkboard with multi-colored strings going every which way pointing to different things. I don’t have a special chair, pen or desk. No. I suppose you could say I’m rather boring, in that respect.
I tried once to set up my sewing room as a writing room, but it never stuck. No, I’m a simple girl. I have a comp book, index cards, some pictures and my computer. However when I did the Blood Series, I did have a map of the O’Rielly house, an elaborate map of Heart Island and the tunnels below it (based off the real Heart Island in the St. Lawrence River and the castle upon it). I also tend to make extensive family trees and timelines to keep my facts straight, but really there’s nothing fancy or exciting about where I write or how I go about it and pretty much everything I need I stuff in my comp book or have on in a folder on my desktop.
I will say though, that I wish I had more time to write. I tend to get easily distracted, especially if I am having trouble deciding what the next step the characters need to take or what twist the story should go. That’s when I really need to stay away from the Internet. I sometimes even trick myself into playing on the Internet, telling myself that I need to look up something. Low and behold, that something had to do with a wedding, than I remember I have a wedding to go to and I don’t have a dress. Next thing I know I’m searching for a dress, then shoes, then a handbag. Next thing I know two hours have gone by, I’ve spent $400 on a splendid new outfit and I’ve written two words. DANG IT!
In conclusion, the way I go about writing a story may be uninteresting, but the stories, themselves, are imaginative and fun – much like myself I suppose. To any normal onlooker, one might think I’m a boring housewife with a quirky sense of humor, yet underneath my mild mannered persona, beats the heart of a wanna-be adventurer. Guess I picked the right career after all!
About the Author
T. Lynne Tolles is a lifelong avid reader of all things paranormal and now is a writer of new adult paranormal romances for readers 15 to 115. She grew up in the sunny California San Francisco bay area. She’s the mother of two, wife to one and pet mom to three cats and Newfoundland dog.
Blood of a Werewolf is the first of five books in a series called, the Blood Series. Other titles include Somber Island and Mirror of Shadows – both unrelated to the series
Social Media links:
Facebook | Goodreads | website:| twitter| YouTube: Trailers – Trailers: | Authorgraph:|
LibraryThing:
Spirit: Book Five in the Elemental Series by Shauna Granger
Title: Spirit: Book Five in the Elemental Series
Author: Shauna Granger
Publisher: Self-Published
Release date: April 30, 2013
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult/New Adult
Book Description
Always careful to watch out for others, Shayna put too much trust her abilities to keep herself safe and has been cut down by crazed man. Now she is trapped in the land of the dead, watching as her two best friends suffer the consequences of her death; their powers are fading and soon they will too. Shayna is desperate to return to the land of the living to save them from a similar, cold fate. To save her friends Shayna must turn away from the Light and, in doing so, sacrifice her wings.
But the longer Shayna stays among the dead, the further she slips from sanity. If Shayna cannot find her way back she will be condemned and lost forever among the restless souls of the dead. With nothing left to lose, she will do whatever it takes to fight her way back, with or without her wings.
EXCERPT
On the night I died, when Liam had walked me away from my friends and the wreckage of the house, the tips of my wings had dragged along the ground. I thought maybe that, though dead, I was still an earthbound angel. I thought I would get to stay, and I just had to wait for someone, like my guardian angel, to show up and tell me what I was supposed to do.
Follow Us
literatiliteraturelovers
rozette69
Hobbitgirl
Elizabeth
Tiffany (TLC4YOU)
mandacolette
Michelle
