Yearning Devotion by Rachael Orman with Giveaway

Synopsis

Gwen has lived a hard life. She has endured many situations that would have broken a weaker person. But she has found love in her life and it keeps her from completely losing it when things get rough. That is, until one day a man enters her life that changes everything.

Will this man help Gwen become a stronger woman or will he completely destroy her?

**This is an erotic book with F/F, F/F/M, M/F situations and not intended for people under 18**

Excerpt

She quickly slipped into a skintight strapless dress with no bra, no panties. Might as well be easy since that’s exactly what she was going over for. As she walked out the door, she slipped on a pair of 4 inch black heels that were sitting next to the door. She hailed a cab and gave herself a pep talk the whole way. When the cab arrived she paid and headed up the elevator. She stopped and listened in front of his door. She could hear music softly playing but didn’t hear any voices. She knocked softly on the door.  She waited a minute. But she didn’t hear anything. Taking a deep breath, she knocked once more, a little harder this time. Still nothing. She turned and walked the few steps back to the elevator. 

She pushed the down button berating herself the whole time. Why had she come here? What was wrong with her? This was not something she would have ever done in the past. Did she seriously think that sleeping with him in a strip club would change who she was? He probably just felt bad for her earlier when he had kissed her in his apartment. Men always wanted to have the upper hand, right? She put her forehead on the wall and told herself how stupid she was to have come back to his place. 

Review

This story starts with a bang, then comes back to a slow build and ends with a bang.

As the synopsis highlights – this is Gwen’s story.  Gwen is a 27 year old fashion student who has a past. Her past is dark and traumatic, and clearly influences her life choices, including her relationships and her job.

Gwen goes through her days in the way that she knows how, showing compassion to those with less than her, and keeping a very tight focus on her activities.  Then she stumbles, literally and is introduced to Cole Cressley.  Cole is a man who distracts Gwen in lots of ways, and who makes her start question the decisions she has made in her life.

The growth of Gwen and Cole’s relationship comes with its own drama and secrecy which is bound to lead to disappointment for one or both of them!

I really enjoyed this story, particularly because it takes a very broken soul, and showcases her strength. The strength that Gwen has developed by relying on herself and surviving.  This is one story where the girl doesn’t need the alpha guy to make her strong!  That is not to say this character trait of Gwen’s is healthy, but for the most part, it works for her, and is nothing short of admirable.

The relationship development between Cole and Gwen is intense and emotional with vulnerability for both characters for different reasons. But when Gwen is forced to face her past, does it all come crashing down?  I don’t have the answer to that last question – because, yep you guessed it – Cliffhanger!!!!!!!

As I said at the start, this story started strong, threw you right in the guts of the drama, then plateaued while life went on.  This plateau was still interesting and revealing, but a bit slow.  At about 70% the book really picked up again – but by this point it was clear there would be a cliff hanger, and that disappointed me a little bit.  Will I read the second book – hell yeah – with where it ended, I have no choice – I so need to know what happens!  

Would I recommend Yearning Devotion, yeah!  It’s a page turning book, and the story has many layers of complexity that you can’t help but be drawn in, bonding with Gwen and wanting her to win life’s battle – surely someone with her experience deserves happiness.

Oh and the sex – hell yeah – it’s hot!   On a side note if F/F is not necessarily your style, I would say to try and read past it, because it fits with the story perfectly, so much so, that if that emotional and physical element was not there – I don’t know that I would buy the story or rally for Gwen quite as much!

Book 2 Yearning Absolution looks set to be out around October 2013, thank goodness it’s not that far away, I am dying to know what happens next for Gwen!

.

Author Bio

Rachael is a stay at home mom with 2 young daughters and a husband that keep her constantly on her toes. She lives in the extremely hot state of Arizona, where she reads and writes away the blistering heat outside. She is a cancer survivor with a quirky personality. She’s been an avid reader for as long as she can remember and been writing since she was in high school. Her hopes of being a writer were crushed when she was young but one day she decided she was going to do what makes her happy and that was to write.

Links

Goodreads (book) ~ Goodreads (author) ~ Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shuttered Affections by Rene Folsom **COVER REVEAL**

From the author of the Roommate Romance series comes a breathtaking tale of a girl trying to escape her past and focus on her future, all while coping with lust at first sight when she least expects it. To be read as the first novel in the Cornerstone series, I give you the cover of Shuttered Affections...

Release Date: October 15, 2013

Synopsis

After escaping to a college town, Juliana Petersen was determined to put her troubled past behind her and make the most of life. She was satisfied with her current situation, or so she thought. It wasn’t until the day her new photography professor stole her parking spot that she realized there was such thing as lust at first sight. Now, she must struggle with the decision to break the rules and fall in love, or step back and let the chance of a lifetime pass her by—all while her past relationships come back to haunt her.

How many men will it take to break Julia’s hold on reality?

Excerpt

In an attempt to lighten the mood, I changed the subject. Uncrossing my legs, I planted my feet slightly apart in front of me and propped my elbows on my knees.

“I also brought some fruit… grapes and strawberries.” I smiled big at my attempt to be sweet.

“Ahh. Actually, grapes would be great, but I’m allergic to strawberries,” he said with a bashful look on his face.

“Oh, what a shame,” I said with a hint of seduction in my voice. “Because they’re very plump and juicy. I just love strawberries.”

“Oh, you do, do you?” he teased.

I nodded, biting my lip out of nervousness with what I was about to do.

Then, I did the most daring thing I could think of.

I grabbed one of the strawberries and slowly brought it to my mouth. I parted my lips and thrust my tongue slightly out to meet with the delicious red morsel. I bit down while sucking the juices slowly. My eyes fluttered and rolled shut as I enjoyed the delicious flavors bursting onto my taste buds. Seductively, I flicked the leftover green cap into the grass beside us, then began licking and sucking on the two fingers that were covered with the sticky juice.

After enjoying each slow chew, I opened my eyes to gaze upon a man with power and hunger in his eyes. Hunger for me.

The next thing I knew, Aiden was on his hands and knees, methodically making his way towards me.

Out of sheer instinct, I backed away while keeping my legs slightly apart and propping myself back on my arms. He continued his prowl until he was kneeling between my knees with both his hands braced beside me.

He edged closer to me, his lips hovering precariously close to mine. A sudden gasp of breath was all I could manage before our lips met.

His right hand steadied my upper back while he held himself up with his left, hovering over me. His chest pressed hot and hard against mine. Our tongues met and tangled together. I struggled for air but couldn’t pull away. He consumed me.

ADD TO GOODREADS

About the Author

Rene Folsom, author of paranormal romance and erotica, lives in Florida with her husband and three kids. She has officially diagnosed herself with creative ADD and, if it weren't for her day job as a web programmer, she would have a million and one writing projects going at once. In addition to web design, she is also a graphic artist who loves to create custom book cover designs for indie authors. She is definitely an artist at heart and would love nothing more than to be elbow deep in clay during her waking hours.

Rene believes that all fiction is based on some form of reality—otherwise we would never have the inspiration or knowledge to dream up the realistic situations we portray with our words. She is proud to say that her personal experiences have been inspirational, though perhaps not always identical to that of her fictional characters. Where reality and fantasy diverge, however, must remain her little secret…

Connect with Rene: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter

Withstanding Me by Crystal Spears with Giveaway

If you haven't read Seize Me, which is Book 1 in the Breakneck MC Series,

 you probably want to grab a copy of that first. 

 Click here for my review and all the purchase links you will need.

Blurb

While the chaos and bloodshed have slowed for a short period, life is never quiet in the world of Breakneck. The club is taking time to regroup from internal betrayal and the changing of the guard in a rival group. 

Zig Zag became a father at the age of thirteen. While raising a child has never been easy, now his eighteen year old daughter Tatiana makes his life downright hard. She has caught the eye of Travis, the new President of the rival MC Gunners, but all she really wants is Shadow, the newest addition to the Breakneck family. When Shadow’s rejection sends Tatiana running from the only family, home, and safety she’s ever known, ZZ is crazy with worry. The distraction caused by Tatiana’s disappearance could prove to be Zig Zag’s downfall.

If that isn’t enough, ZZ finds himself rampantly attracted to the one and only Storm. She’s beautiful, quick and witty. Their friendship is the one thing that keeps him from growing crazy, and Storm stands by ZZ through all the turmoil. Zig Zag is not accustomed to hearing the word no, so Storm’s constant withstanding just draws him in deeper. Their friendship is one thing keeping him from going crazy, until one night…

The club is regrouping and rebuilding from the mayhem known as the Russian Mafia. A hit is ordered on Tatiana, Storm, Winter, and Piper.

Tatiana’s egg donor reveals secrets that a thirteen year old Zig Zag was too young to understand.

Braxxon is out of reach while he helps Greg Cage deal with some dirty business.

Bloodshed… Secrets… Betrayal… Trauma… Welcome back to the Breakneck world.

Review

Withstanding Me is primarily ZZ and Storms story.  However, there are elements in this story that expose us to many other characters and their points of view.  

This time round, life at Breakneck has settled down a little, but is still chaotic.  The chaos always keeps the brothers and their women on their toes.  This is not helped when Tatiana (ZZ’s daughter) never does what she is told!

Winter and Braxxon still feature strongly in this story, and that is probably essential to any Breakneck title.  

If you read Seize Me, then Withstanding Me is definitely worth the read.  This story flowed much smoother for me.  While lots of things still happened in this book, they seemed to happen at a speed that was comfortable for the reader.  The elements of Seize Me that didn’t work for me, seemed to have resolved this time round, so props to Crystal on her growth as an author with her tone.

This book is again, brutal in its telling of violence and sex, however, in Withstanding Me, these elements seemed less gratuitous, and therefore worked well within the story. 

I enjoyed the personalities of Storm and ZZ, but felt that I learned little about them as a couple.  To me it seems that the depth of the characters gets minimised in order to focus of the multiple plot elements. I guess that works for some, but I really enjoy it when I know deep in my bones what makes a character tick.   

Withstanding Me planted the seed for many potential other stories, so it will be interesting to see how they all unfold.

I can’t say much more, as it will give elements away.  I will continue to read the series.  I am very keen to see what happens by the time Shadow’s story is told.  I like that it is evident Crystal has grown as an author, so when its Shadow’s turn my hopes are high.

Withstanding me gets 3 ½ hearts 

Links

Barnes & Noble 
~ 
Amazon

Giveaway

This giveaway is for US residents only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Touched By You by T.H Snyder **COVER REVEAL** with Giveaway

Title: Touched By You

Author: T.H. Snyder

Genre: New Adult Romance

Release Date: October 31

Synopsis

Chloe and Derrick have spent most of their lives together as friends and as lovers; they have formed a connection that few couples can make last. This duo is bound by one thing that no one can destroy. They have been touched by one another and no one can take that away. That is until one of them is forced to make a decision and their lives take on a different path. 

Can these two withstand the reality of what lies ahead? Are they able to hold a relationship together with just the mere fact that they may love each other? Is it possible to maintain a bond that no one else has been able to touch? 

Chloe and Derrick may have the relationship others dream about, but sometimes things do get in the way and it can be impossible to forgive and forget. 

  Goodreads Link  

Excerpt 

“May I have this dance?” I ask. “I can’t believe this night Derrick, it’s our song.” “It sure is angel. Come on let’s dance to it.” I walk her over to the small dance floor area and swing her around in my arms. As we dance to our song, Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat, I envision what it will be like to dance with her to this song on our wedding day. I pull her in closer to me so that I can feel her heart beating against mine. This day has been absolutely perfect and there’s just one more thing I need to do. 

I pull away from her just enough so that I can look into her eyes again. “You are so beautiful to me Chloe.” I tell her and kiss her lips ever so softly. “I love you so much Derrick. No matter what we’ve been through we always make it work. You make us work. I love you.” She kisses me back but instead of a soft kiss she kisses me fiercely. 

I feel tears coming down our cheeks and I pull away. “Don’t cry angel. This is all for you. Everything I do is for you so that our future is perfect. Come on we have one last surprise for the night.”   

About the Author

T.H. Snyder is a 33 year old mother of 2. She has been an avid romance and paranormal reader for well over a year and felt it was about time to explore her creative side and write her own book. 

Author Social Media Links

Facebook

Goodreads Author Page 

Twitter

Website 

Touch Me (Book 1) is on sale for $0.99
Grab your Kindle copy here


http://amzn.com/B00ETBKOES

(25) Touched By You bookmarks with Touch Series Swag bracelets

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Lost Souls by Madeline Sheehan with Giveaway

The Lost Souls is book 2.5 in The Holy Trinity Series

My first and only Madeline Sheehan reading experience was Undeniable.  So when the chance came to join the tour for something of Madeline’s I was super keen.  This tale is so different to Undeniable, but at the same time, it is perfect Madeline Sheehan.

As you will tell from the blurb, this story is a paranormal.  I love a good paranormal – so I was cool with that!  Madeline has an ability to tell a story in ways that makes you believe almost anything – so with as far fetched as the action of this tale is – hell I was there, along for the ride!

If you have read any of my reviews – I am not a fan of including spoilers, so try everything to avoid them, sometimes this comes at the expense of detail within my review.  This is the case with the Holy Trinity series unfortunately, but keep reading for my reviews of The Lost Souls (Book 2.5), The Soul Mate (Book 1) and My Soul to Take (Book 2).

Goodreads Blurb 

Tahyra Petros tried desperately to save herself and her sister, and instead ended up forever changed.

Shandor Asenov battled with death, and lost.

Hockey Sava, in a valiant attempt at saving his friends, vanished.

Caroline Andrews lost her brother during a violent attempt at survival and was subsequently left alone in the hands of an unknown fate.

And, Marko Siwak disappeared in the middle of the night and was never heard from again.

These are the stories of their journeys lost in a world where devastation knows no boundaries, where enemies await them at every turn, and where heartache, loss, and death supersede happiness, peace, and love...and the destiny that awaits them.

Prologue

"Not all those who wander are lost…
- J. R. R. Tolkien

What is fate? Or destiny?

Do we each have a predestined plan? A path to follow on our journey, mapped out long before us?

Does someone, something, somewhere, already know what hasn’t yet come to pass?Are words such as chance, fortune and luck, just words?Are we all just pawns in a game being played by a force of power, so much bigger than us, a force so great, so unfathomably paramount that we, as mere humans, simply do not have the ability to comprehend it?

What if the answer was yes?

What if every step we’ve taken, every choice, every mistake we’ve make, every success, every sad or happy moment in our lives, every person we’ve met, every feeling, every emotion we’d ever experienced, every single breath we’ve taken, our first and our last…

What if every single moment of our lives was, is, will be --no matter who you are, poor or wealthy, famous, criminal, loved or hated – what if it was all an inevitability, a foreordination, utterly uncontrollable by us?

Would it still be worth it?

Review

The Lost Souls is a novella that is aptly named…  This story is about all of characters who we have previously met, whose souls have a story to tell.

This book is action packed to say the least, it is heart in your mouth kind of stuff.  It also answers any previously unanswered questions.

The relationships in this story are perfect, even in their unpredictability.  Having met the characters, learned about these characters, and come to love these characters, the Lost Souls has done nothing but ignite my desire to reach the ultimate climax in the Holy Trinity Series.

So i hear there are going to be 3 books in this series, however many there are – I know it is going to be a bloody, action packed, emotionally and sexually charged journey that takes us to the end. I was a late comer to this party – and I am hanging in until it’s shut down for good!

This story is brutal, in true Madeline style.  As I turned the final page in this story, my jaw dropped, I screamed…. FUCK OFF… No way Madeline… I need more!…then ripped my anticipating heart out of my throat.

I rate this a 4.5 hearts!
As my ratings increase, so are my expectations
but I am confident Madeline will deliver. 

Links

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter  

Amazon (Author) ~ Barnes & Noble (Author)

The Soul Mate (Book 1)

Blurb

Trinity had an ordinary life. That is, until she barely escaped a worldwide apocalyptic plague that took her loved ones from her and transformed most of humanity into flesh-eating monsters.

Gerik, her savior, a six-foot-four-inch Scandinavian Gypsy, takes her back to his magically protected Gypsy camp where she discovers a whole new way of life that she never knew existed – as well as a whole new set of problems.

Gerik has power over her that she cannot begin to understand, and she is convinced he is using his magic on her. Through her journey of trying to understand her feelings and this new magic-filled life she’s been brought into, she begins an unlikely friendship that grows into having potential to be something more.

While the remaining humans are fighting for their survival, Trinity is fighting a battle of her very own – the right to choose her own destiny.

Is Gerik’s hold on her too strong? Or can new love set her free?

Review

The Soul Mate is the journey of Trinity, as she overcomes her loss of life as she knew it, while trying to find her feet in this new Gypsy world.  Trinity is a Gaje (non Gypsy) and while the clan take her in – she is an outsider, so the Gypsy secrets are not hers for the knowing.

The Romani Clan that Trinity has been welcomed into rules by a mix of old and newer Gypsy Law. The old elements that still exist predominantly relate to the clan hierarchy, and the claiming (relationship status) of the females to a particular male.  With that in mind, Gerik’s interest in Trinity is more than fleeting.

Trinity is a strong young woman who uses her time to try and understand as much as she can about her new situation, the apocalyptic situation outside of the camp, and the relationship dynamics of the clan. There are a number of situations that occur to and around Trinity that cause her to buck the expectations upon her, and in doing this she forms a bond with Xan.  Xan is best described as the Rebel Gypsy.  As time goes on, Xan and Trinity become really tight, and this creates its own issues within the clan, and not only with Gerik.

The world that Madeline has created is an interesting one.  One that I have struggled to grasp the origins of.  I can picture the world as Madeline describes it, and I can see the fear that the apocalypse has created.  The relationship dynamics that are born in these circumstances are well developed and the character traits are very buyable.  However, I think the complexities of the story got lost a little in the plot.  For my personal pleasure if I could I would have asked for more detail in the scene setting around the apocalypse and Trinity’s arrival at camp.  If I had this, I may have been able to go with the flow more during the read.  

I enjoyed this story, but I was a little overwhelmed trying to understand it all.  The characters are great, and the relationship dynamics are on the money!  It’s a read that if you start – you have to see where it ends up, and the climax is intense!

I rate this 3.5 Hearts

Links

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ 

Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

My Soul to Take (Book 2)

Blurb

When Trinity escaped a worldwide apocalyptic plague in the arms of Gerik, a Scandinavian Gypsy, she never imagined they would be soul mates . . . or what that even meant. Xan showed Trinity that love could save her from the seemingly unbreakable ties she had to Gerik . . . or so she thought.

After a brutal attack on camp and being abandoned outside of the wards, Trinity, now possessing her own - and very unstable - magical powers, is left to her own devices surrounded by Skin Eaters and all other dangers of the unknown.

Now, Trinity is alone. Having no idea where her husband, her soul mate, or the Popa Clan are, Trinity is forced to discover her powers on her own.

On a journey full of self-discovery, chance encounters, unwelcome news, and enlightenment, Trinity is fighting for survival in a world where the only thing certain is death

Review

My Soul to Take is book 2 in the Holy Trinity Series, and the game has seriously changed for Trinity. Left to survive away from the Gypsy camp, we see Trinity’s own self discovery.  She is strong, resourceful, compassionate, but cold blooded when she has to be.

Trinity’s relationships with Gerik and Xan take on their own paths – for a number of reasons, the emotion behind this is heartbreaking.

This book also gives us some time with Xan’s point of view.  To see such a hard ass, self destruct is another emotional experience.

For me, this book flowed so much smoother, it was gripping from start to finish, and the journey that Trinity goes on makes completely perfect sense.

The challenges the she faces are faced with integrity and a strength that is unexpected from someone with her experiences.  You cannot help but cheer for Trinity in every situation.

The ending of this story grabs you by the heart, and throws a little twist in, and ends……   I cannot wait to see where it picks up, and how this series resolves itself.  The seeds have been planted for an amazing climax of the Holy Trinity – whenever and however that may be!!  

Links

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ 

Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Love Interrupted by AJ Warner **Release Blitz** with giveaway

Add to your shelf!

Blurb:

Logan Brooks and Andrew Eastin shared a once in a lifetime love. After losing her parents and overcoming many obstacles, she could not handle the possibility of losing him, too. She loved him enough to walk away, for both of their sakes.

As tragedy strikes again, Logan is on a downward spiral. Andrew knows she needs protection from herself, and he needs to love her through it, even if only from a distance.

When fate intervenes and allows them a second chance at love, will Logan and Andrew risk it? The Attraction is undeniable. The sexual tension, relentless. She is everything he has ever wanted. He sweeps her off her feet, renewing all that was lost.

Andrew promised her forever, but can words ever be enough? Can love prevail when life has different plans—bringing on more pain and emotions than imaginable? When lies and deceit corrupt the one thing sacred to them, plans will be ruined, promises will be broken, and hearts will be shattered.

What happens when the unknown threatens all of their dreams? Will Logan and Andrew survive their love, interrupted?

Author Links

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

Amazon US

Bio:

A.J. was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. Four years ago, she relocated to the Dallas/Fort Worth area with her husband and four wonderful children, Hayden (15), Jacob (13), Riley (11), and Isaiah (10).

A.J. is passionate about working with people with disabilities, and has a long time love of working with munchkins. She currently owns and operates a childcare facility in North Central Texas.

When she is not busy breaking up fights about who is mom’s favorite, or who ate the last bowl of Fruity Pebbles, A.J. enjoys reading and writing. She also likes chatting and laughing with her book club friends. Love Interrupted is her first book and she is currently working on her second and third novels.

Blog Tour Giveaway

Enter to Win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hers by Dawn Robertson **COVER REVEAL**

Release Date: 31st October 2013

Blurb

Seven James is a stubborn woman. Strong, independent, sexual, and heartless. She takes what she wants with little care about others or their feelings. After a fucked up childhood, no one blames her. But when Levi Parker walks into her life, all bets are off.

If there is one thing Seven James is good at, it is hiding her scars. The scars of her childhood. The scars depicting the years of self loathing. Most of all the scars of a broken heart. When Daniel Alexander walked out of her life for the warm arm and trust fund of blonde bombshell Samantha Reese Warner, Seven knew her life would never be the same.

Levi Parker is a gorgeous playboy businessman, making his way through the Manhattan singles scene. A divorcee with little time for commitment, he has a big secret to hide. His need for new found sexual kink in the bedroom.A chance meeting at a club makes him question his single lifestyle for the first time ever, as he aches to chase the petite, tattooed brunette who rocked his world. 

But, when the woman in question, Seven James, walks into his board room, and tramples his boss all hope is lost.

What does the future hold for Seven, Daniel, and Levi?

Warning!!!! Hers contains sexually explicit situations that may be uncomfortable for some. These include FF, FMF, and MFM interactions

Author bio: 

Dawn Robertson is a New York City based Erotica author who quit her nine-to-five corporate job to pursue her love for writing. 

She is witty, sarcastic, and downright colorful. 

Dawn is a mother, entrepreneur, whiskey lover, and self proclaimed book whore.

Links

Facebook 

Twitter

Goodreads link for Hers

Website

IGNITE by Tessa Teevan **COVER REVEAL** with Giveaway

Title: Ignite (#1, Explosive Series)

Author: Tessa Teevan

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Expected Release Date: November 4, 2013

Ignite on Goodreads

Read the Prologue on Goodreads

Synopsis

After nearly a year and a half of grieving the loss of her husband, twenty-seven year old Alexa Sullivan Tate is headed back to her hometown after a decade of being away. She has no idea her high school crush, Jace McAllister, the guy who stole her heart the same night that he broke it, is more than ready to pick up the pieces. 

Jace has spent the last ten years in the Army defusing bomb after bomb, trying to forget the girl who ignited all his passions. Little does he know that the spark still exists. 

Ten years ago they had smoldering chemistry, but the spark between them now might light a fuse that leads to an explosion even Jace can't stop. Not that he wants to. If only Alexa can get past her guilt and trust her heart again. 

But how do you put it all on the line when you've already lost everything once before?

*While this is a series, each book will be standalone

Excerpt

At one point I see her eyeing the tattoo on my forearm and before I know it her fingers graze over the italic words and the jagged, raised scar that underlines them as she reads aloud to herself. “Vulneratus non victus. What does it mean?”

I begin to tell her about the time when a roadside IED hit the Humvee in front of mine. My left arm had been hanging out the window and a piece of shrapnel tore into it. I had a four inch gash that had required forty-two stitches, but other than that I’d been fine. 

“It’s Latin for ‘wounded, but not conquered.’ We were fortunate to have not had any bad injuries, so when we got back the guys and I all went and got this tattoo to commemorate that those bastards tried, but failed.” 

She pales slightly at the mention of my injury, no matter how minor, so I wrack my brain trying to find a way to change the conversation into something much lighter, even though her fingers trailing over the words on my arm are making my skin tingle, bringing all kinds of erotic thoughts to mind.

About the Author

After moving around for much of her life due to being an military brat, Tessa finally settled in Dayton, Ohio where she lives with her husband, her two cats, and an ever growing book boyfriend shelf (okay, shelves). Working for the government by day, and writing by night, she couldn't be more excited to publish her debut novel.  Her Kindle is practically glued to her hands, but when she's not reading or writing, you can find her rooting on the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals, and the Ohio State Buckeyes. She loves her sports almost as much as she loves her books. Her other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.  

Social Media Links

Tessa's Facebook Page

Tessa's Goodreads Author Page

Tessa's Twitter Feed

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Secrets of a Hart by Elizabeth James **Release Day Blitz**

Amazon Buy Link

Barnes & Noble * Smashwords

Blurb:

Five years ago, Kendall Hart's life changed forever.  A tragedy forced her to grow up fast and become a responsible adult overnight while her friends were still enjoying high school.  She lives and breathes work leaving no time for a social life and her circle of friends is small.  She has no room for complications in her life...then Tristan walks in.

Tristan O'Neal is forces to return home when his father becomes terminally ill.  Taking care of his parents, dealing with a irresponsible brother, and starting a new job bring challenges to his life.  Starting a relationship is the last thing on his mind but when he sees Kendall, he finds himself drawn to her... she is so familiar.

Tristan is what Kendall has always wanted but life isn't always fair.  Sometimes you have to let go of the one person you've always loved in order to protect them.  Will Tristan be able to break through the wall she's built around her heart or will Kendall's secrets consume her and destroy their chance at a life together?

Author Links

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

Bio:

Elisabeth James is the author of the Design Series.  She writes contemporary romance set in her native North Carolina.  A life-long reader, she began writing a novel at age fifteen, put it away with no hopes of publication, but now has realized her dream as an adult.  Inspired by several bestselling authors she began working as a beta reader and her passion for writing once again surfaced.  She embarked on a journey to see if she could complete a novel and Love by Design was born.  With warm reception to her first novel she is now making this crazy world a part of her life.  Elizabeth believes you're never too late in life to realize your dreams and this has opened up a new world of adventures and meeting new people which she loves to do.  Elizabeth lives in North Carolina with her husband and their dogs.  She enjoys traveling, exploring North Carolina, and spending time with her friends.

Skipping Stones by J.B McGee with Giveaway

Add to your shelf!

Blurb:

They say there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Not everyone will grieve in this order, nor will everyone go through every stage. It’s during the stage of denial when Alex Hart meets Andrew Foster. He takes her one-step closer to acceptance: the stage when new, meaningful relationships are formed. The stage when the realization occurs that this is now the new state of normal.

Just when Alex thinks she is on her way to healing, she enters the bargaining phase. That’s the phase where you wonder what you could have done differently. You wonder “what if?” Specifically, what if the ones you loved hadn’t left you?

Leaving…this is what makes heading off to war so difficult and frightening for Alex. She knows all too well what it’s like to be the one on the losing end of life, which is why she’s made it her personal mission in life to save as many lives as possible. The extreme high she gets from treating trauma victims turns into Alex’s own form of therapy, or so she thinks.

When faced with her world being turned upside down, Alex may just find that her true therapy is in the one who has always saved her.

Excerpt

He pulls my arm back like a slingshot and as we’re gaining momentum to release the stone, I hear, “Alex!” being proclaimed through the entire neighborhood. It causes my already racing heart to speed out of control. I lose complete concentration, virtually spinning myself around as the stone is released, plummeting me into his arms, our lips just mere millimeters away from each other.

We stare into each other’s eyes. Speechless seems to be my middle name for one reason or another today. I blink. “I...”

“You can’t skip a stone to save your life, can you?” He smirks.

I breathe for what seems like the first time in five minutes and start to laugh. “No. No, I can’t.”

He brushes a piece of hair out of my eye. “You will. I’ll teach you.”

“I am not sure I’m teachable. Been trying for years with Papa.”

“Come back to me. I’ll teach you. If it’s the last thing I do...” His entire face lights up. “I’ll teach you everything I know.”

I feel him, every inch of him. I know there’s more to that statement. I must admit that I’m curious. “Everything you know, huh?”

“Everything.” He caresses my cheek, just below my eyes. “Come back to me. I’ll teach you how to deal with those beautiful tears of yours. I’ll teach you how to breathe again. I’ll teach you everything.” He looks down to his pile of rocks. “I’ll share those with you. And I’ll teach you how to skip stones. It’s a promise, and I don’t break promises.”

Review

Wow – how to not give anything away?  I will try and do my best with this one.  

This is my first JB McGee book read, it wont be my last! 

This is Alex’s story, it ranges over an approximate 15 year period, from 1996 – 2011 ish.  When we meet Alex she is 15.  

This story revolves around Alex’s relationships with her parents, her grandparents and her studies, with her first love thrown in.

The emotion of this story grabbed me by the heart.  As I read this story, the tears streamed for pretty much most of the book.  At times, I had to move to Candy Crush, just to give my eyes time to dry out! 

It takes a wonderfully emotive story to make me a crier – there have been a few, but this one, the grief and loss that Alex experiences throughout and the way JB McGee translates that, just had me. I was there with Alex.   Its an emotional roller coaster that had me reliving my own grief experiences, and wondering how Alex would be able to go on.

The relationship between Alex and Drew was beautifully written, it was innocent but with enough chemistry to know it was significant – Poor Alex and Drew….   Life really isn’t fair to these two, but as with every book within this genre – there is a HEA and its perfect.  There is no cliff hanger in this book, It comes with its own hard fought but picture perfect ending.

I will confess I read this book in one sitting – I started it in the evening, and at 2am, I turned the last page – it is a page turner, you keep reading to see what could possibly happen next, I had to know would Alex find happiness and start to live again?  

My one critique is that I would have liked to have learnt more about Alex’s struggles to have relationships throughout her years studying – as an adult with her back story, how did she engage with others?  Did she sabotage her relationships because they couldn’t compete with her memories, or did she just go through the relationship motions without ever giving herself to anyone?  Alex’s story was so insular that these elements left with me wondering what her life became…  this was a journey I wanted to go on with her.

That said – none of that detracts from this story – the story is complete the way it is told – JB McGee, you have a wonderful tone and style with your writing, it resonated with me to the point where I couldn’t put it down.

This story has no sex, it is a love story and ultimately a story about life after tragedy. 

 A 4 1/2 heart read

            

Links

Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads * Website

Bio:

J.B. McGee was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina. After graduating from South Aiken High School, she toured Europe as a member of the 1999 International Bands of America Tour, playing the clarinet. While attending Converse College, an all-girls school in Spartanburg, South Carolina, she visited Charleston often. It quickly became one of her favorite vacation spots. She met her husband, Chad, during Christmas break her freshman year, and they married in 2001 and she moved back to her home town. 

In 2005, the couple welcomed their first son, Noah. J.B. finished her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of South Carolina-Aiken in 2006. During her time studying children's literature, a professor had encouraged her to become a writer.

In 2007, she welcomed their second child, Jonah, and she became a stay at home mom/entrepreneur. In 2009, the found out their two children and J.B. have Mitochondrial Disease. In 2011, a diagnosis also was given to Chad. Please take a moment and learn more about Mitochondrial Disease. Awareness is key to this disease that has no cure or treatments.

J.B. McGee and her family now reside in Buford, Georgia, to be closer to their children's medical team. After a passion for reading had been re-ignited, J.B. decided to finally give writing a shot. Broken (This Series), is her first book and first series

Enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway