A Life Less Broken by Margaret McHeyzer

A Life Less Broken by Margaret McHeyzer

*Released May 12, 2014*

Synopsis

On a day like any other, Allyn Sommers went off to work, not knowing that her life was about to be irrevocably and horrifically altered.

Three years later, Allyn is still a prisoner in her own home held captive by harrowing fear. Broken and damaged, Allyn seeks help from someone that fate brought her.

Dr. Dominic Shriver is a psychiatrist who’s drawn to difficult cases. He must push past his own personal battles to help Allyn fight her monsters and nightmares.

Is Dr. Shriver the answer to her healing?

Can Allyn overcome the broken?

Kota's Review

Ms McHeyzer has done it again..  She starts this book in graphic detail that has your insides churning.  This Blurb comes with a graphic warning…  well placed I’d say! Particularly in the early stages.

This story follows Allyn a young lady whose life was hers for the taking, until others decided to impact her future path.  This impact was so dramatic that Allyn survived in a life frozen by fear.  This story is confronting in its telling.  The psychological impacts of these events for Allyn are significant, and I couldn’t read this story without my heart being full of empathy for Allyn’s existence and how truly traumatic it must be for her to wake up each day.

After a life of sequence, OCD and therapy, Allyn’s life shifts again when she meets Dominic.  

The story follows Allyn’s growth from a living shell to someone with a glimmer of hope.  Love may even feature on the horizon.  

Ms McHeyzer tells this tale with attention to detail, she dares to address taboo’s and doesn’t hold back when Karma pops her head in.  

For me, this review is challenging to write and avoid spoilers. 

I found this story engaging, it was heartwrenching, it was full of hope, it focussed on some really pertinent messages….  You know, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder; what goes around comes around; life is made for living, you just need to be courageous enough to live it (I might have made that last one up – or maybe not who knows..)

There were elements of this story that I found slightly unbelievable.  I think primarily this was because the life of this book required storylines to progress expeditiously which meant what would normally take substantially longer to occur happened rapidly – minor I know, but it meant the story lacked a little of the effort required to make it believable.  Sorry for talking in riddles, but if I give the examples I am thinking – well – that would be spoiling.

Anyhoo…  A life less broken is a confronting, yet compassionate telling of a life filled with trauma, and the significant emotional and physical impact that trauma has on Allyn’s ability to move forward.  Her journey goes full circle, and while there were some elements that were predictable (thanks to the breadcrumbs along the way) on the whole this was a story well told.  This story is driven by a violent act and graphic reflection, but that is not the ultimate message Ms McHeyzer writes about.  If you can tolerate the graphic and confronting parts of this story, I suspect you will find an empathy and compassion for Allyn’s story that will have you cheering for her to win in the end.

I am giving A life Less Broken 4 stars…  I wish the story had the time to capture the background work on some elements that presented with gaps due to brevity.

Links

Goodreads   |    Amazon US   |   Amazon UK   |    Amazon AU

About the Author

I don't do 'normal'.

I've found that the more I write, the more I like being different to other authors. I write in first person, and I love to challenge a reader.

I take the normal and switch it around.

For me, I really enjoy getting a reaction from a reader. So if I can evoke an emotion (regardless of if it's the emotion the reader wants) then I figure that I've done my job as an author I want to be.

I really quite revel in taking people out of their comfort zones and pushing them to read something different.

My genre of writing is, well quite frankly, where ever my mind goes. I won't label myself because I don't like sticking to one genre.

My goal with writing is just to take people away from whatever is going on in their lives, even if it's only for a split second.

I'm a go with the flow sort of person and don't really take a course of action to get where I am going. I live in the moment and don't usually worry about tomorrow because whatever life is due to bring me, I'll be happy to accept.

I love my family and friends and will help anyway I can if someone needs it. I really don't like people that are nasty just because they can be, I don't believe that's necessary, I mean life's hard enough as it is!

I hope you enjoy my books, I've had a hoot writing them. There's more to come.....

Til next time.

M xx

Follow Margaret McHeyzer on Facebook

Lust by 10 Aussie Authors **Release Day Blitz**

Title: LUST

Release Date: May 12, 2014

 

Ten books - Ten Authors - Ten Alpha males - Ten juicy tales.
The set includes novels from NYT, USA Today, Amazon Bestselling and International Bestselling authors.

 

Buy the Book

Limited time only

Amazon US   |  Amazon UK  |   Amazon AU   |  Kobo

 

***

Bella Jewel - Number Thirteen

We're thirteen girls, captive to a man we rarely see. 

Obedience will become all we know. It is the only emotion we're permitted to feel. 

When we're bad, we're punished. When we're good, we're rewarded. Our scars run deep. Yet we survive, because we have to, because HE teaches us too. 

All of us are special, we feel it with everything we are. 

He has us for a reason, but it's a reason we don't know.

***

Belle Aurora - Friend Zoned

Nikolai Leokov never thought he'd fall in love with the only girl he's ever befriended. 

Valentina Tomic has issues with commitment after the ultimate betrayal. 

When Tina decides to make broody Nik's day better, she never thought she would end up friends with the hard man.

***

Carmen Jenner - Welcome To Sugartown

Ana Belle never wanted anything more than to hang up her apron, jump on her Vespa and ride off into the sunset, leaving Sugartown in the dust. 

Elijah Cade never wanted anything more than a hot meal, a side of hot arse and a soft place to lay his head at night where he could forget about his past. 

But you know what they say about wanting: you always want what you can’t have.

***

Chantal Fernando - Maybe This Time

Moving in with my half-brother Xander, I had no idea what to expect. 

But nothing could have prepared me for this. 

My brother’s friends are wild, protective, secretive, always around. 

And drop dead gorgeous.

***

Jennifer Ryder - Spark

Not many people know that I, Eevie Lawson, have a problem. An addiction to romance novels. I eat them for breakfast. I hide it the best I can, but I need them to breathe. It’s how I cope. 

I’ve had a swag of book boyfriends, but now that I’m free from the responsibility of caring for my three younger brothers, it’s time to find one in the flesh. 

In real life, no girl meets their hero on page one, or even at the end of chapter one. I should know.

***

Kasey Millstead - Illicit Desire

Beau Diesel…He was my “one”. My one that I would sacrifice everything for. My one that I wanted to be with until I took my final breath. My one that completed me. 

I wanted him. I needed him. But he was off limits. I knew this, but the risk of consequences didn’t outweigh the depth of my desire. 

So, I fought for our love.

***

Kate McCarthy - Give Me Love

Evie Jamieson, a former wild child, is not only a headstrong, smart-mouthed trouble magnet, she is also a lead singer with a plan. That plan involves uprooting her band, including her two best friends guitarist Henry and band manager Mac, to Sydney to kick off their dreams of hitting the big time. 

Jared Valentine is the older brother of Evie's best friend Mac and also the man determined to make Evie his.

***

Pepper Winters - Tears Of Tess

My life was complete. Happy, content, everything neat and perfect. Then it all changed.I was sold. Kidnapped. Drugged. Stolen. Tess is forced into a world full of darkness and terror.

***

Rachel Brookes - Just Breathe

In the eyes of outsiders, Tate Connors has it all; the ultimate LA bachelor who is content with his lifestyle of wild nights, women and one night stands. He's Mr. Unpredictable with looks that could destroy any woman with one glance. 

The craziness of Los Angeles throws them into the chaotic path of each other. Savannah becomes the perfect game, and Tate becomes the ultimate prey. Lines are crossed, emotions are smashed, and the idea of who they truly are begins to be tangled.

***

TJ Hamilton - You Can Call Me Miranda

I was born to dance. I may have even become the best ballerina this country has ever seen. 

But when you have no one to guide you as a young person, you become very lost. 

I craved love and attention, and I found it in men.

 

Giveaway!

Enter to win a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Bella Jewel

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Inflame by Tessa Teevan **Release Day Blitz**

Title: Inflame (Explosive #3)

Author: Tessa Teevan

Release Date: May 12, 2014

 

Synopsis

Easy going soldier Kale Montgomery, a self-proclaimed ladies man, has no plans of settling down, especially not with his best friend- the sexy, sassy schoolteacher Lucy Dawson. Their relationship, though unconventional, is mutually beneficial, and they wouldn't have it any other way. Friends with benefits? Casual lovers? Whatever you want to call it, they’re having fun, in and out of bed, and to them, that’s all that matters. At least that’s what they think, but how long can you spend in someone's bed before you find they're also infiltrating your heart? As their casual fling with no strings attached progresses, it's not long before they realize they're both in way over their heads. One fateful night changes their lives forever in ways they could never have imagined, giving them the push to finally admit that maybe, just maybe they want more than they’ve let on. Their mutual attraction rapidly intensifies as it shifts from burning lust to unrelenting want, need, and possibly even love. Suddenly the idea of settling down doesn't seem so bad. In fact, it sounds pretty damn perfect. Just when things seem to be falling into place, past pain and renewed insecurities rise to the surface and threaten to smother the flames of their passionate relationship, reminding them both why they’ve always kept the idea of love at arm's length. Will Kale and Lucy realize that what they've been waiting for is each other, or will the blazing whirlwind of their feelings burn out too quickly, causing it to all go up in smoke?    

Excerpt

She looks me over, and I love the fact that she’s checking me out. I don’t know why I’m so drawn to her, but I am, and I want to get to know her better, at least where the bedroom’s concerned. Eventually, she extends her hand, and I give a firm handshake, the kind she wanted when we first met. “Please, Kale, call me Lucy.” Shaking her hand, I say it out loud. “Lucy. I like it.” “That’s fortunate since I’m stuck with it. Okay, Montgomery. As much as I love flirting with a hot ass soldier in the parking lot of an elementary school, I’ve got to get going. Maybe I’ll see you around?” She starts to walk away, but I grab her hand, reeling her back in. I’m not ready for her to go, yet I don’t want to seem like some crazy stalker guy. “Can I see you again? You know, outside of an elementary school?” I ask, my eyes bearing down into hers, begging for her to say yes. She hesitates, and I’m afraid she’s about to say no when she finally responds. “I don’t date. I’m not looking for anything serious, so if that’s what you’re looking for, I’m the wrong girl.” My cock practically sings at her words. A no strings attached relationship with a hot teacher right before I deploy? I couldn’t have asked for better luck. “I don’t do relationships, either, Lucy. I just want to get to know you and to have some fun. No feelings, no strings, no nothing,” I tell her, and watch as a look of relief washes over her. She starts digging in her purse and I watch as she scribbles something on a piece of paper before hanging it to me. “Number’s right there. Call me when you’re feeling adventurous,” she says. Before I can say anything, she spins around and swiftly walks away, leaving me to wonder just how adventurous she can be.

Buy the Book

 

Inflame (Explosive #3)

Amazon US   |   Amazon UK   |   Amazon CA   |    Amazon AU

Ignite (Explosive #1)

Goodreads | Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

Incinerate (Explosive #2)

Goodreads | Amazon US | Amazon UK

 

About the Author

I'm a twenty six year old book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and have been married to my own book boyfriend for over seven years. We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats.

If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.

 

Connect with Tessa

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Goodreads

 

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Pistol by Max Henry **Release Day Blitz with Giveaway**

Title: Pistol

Author: Max Henry

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 10, 2014

Synopsis

Stephanie Drake, or Steph as she’s known to her friends, is lost. Somewhere between the end of her childhood, and the day her loser of a boyfriend called it quits on their so-called relationship, she forgot who she was. She lives each day in a perpetual routine, stuck in the confines of her normal, safe life. If she doesn’t take a risk, she won’t get hurt—right?

Then she meets Pete—or Pistol to his friends. He’s blunt, arrogant, and straight forward about what he wants. And as it turns out, he wants her. Should she take a walk on the wild side, risk being burnt, and lay her heart on the line? Something in the way he makes her feel tells her ‘yes’, but her friends aren’t so sure this emotionally shut-off man has a place in her life. Why should she listen to them, though? After all, they don’t know a thing about him … … do they?  

Buy The Book

Amazon US   |    Amazon AU   |   Smashwords

Kota's Review

Pistol is the story of Steph and Pete.  Steph is a young lady fresh out of a relationship with a bloke who is an arrogant arse and treated her poorly.  While she tries to come to terms with her life after this relationship and who she has become, she starts to question her place in the ‘normal’ world of her peers.

Pete is an Irish rogue – of the hot, tatted and dangerous kind.  He has immigrated to Australia to start a clean life, but it is harder than he anticipated.  Then he meets Steph and it becomes a whole lot more complicated.

Steph has some friends that she leans on to help guide her, such as Cassie and Ivan.  When she starts to rebuke their views on Pete though, these friendships become strained.

Max Henry has created characters that draw you in.  Pete starts out like a hot alpha who makes your insides squirm, he then shows his colours that range from bastard to arsehole, yet at the same time, we are introduced to his broken soul, and his past that has tainted his heart.  His inability to communicate how important Steph becomes to him is as frustrating for the reader as it is for Pete.

Steph quickly learns that her needs and wants do not fit the stereotype set by her friends and family.  She is a little left of centre and unique, and it is not until she understands Pete that little bit more, that she starts to truly embrace that side of her personality.

As a reader I was initially sceptical of this story – what was its point of difference? would I really engage with the characters who initially seem superficial?  Would the instalust be a turn off for me?  Before I knew it, I was at 70% in the book and at that point I could not stop – I had to know what happened.  

This story is a part of a series, so be aware going in – all is not resolved in this story.  Are we kept wondering?  Definitely…  Is this a good or a bad cliff hanger?  I am undecided, mainly because where the story ends has the potential to turn everything on its head, and I am not sure I can wait to find out what happens.

I found that this was not a perfect book.  Ms Henry has mixed darkness and light, sex, love and kink and sometimes that mix was seamless and other times not.  The introduction of kink between Steph and Pete seemed somewhat unbelievable, but the rationale behind the actions made it almost work.

I was sucked into this story – more so Pete’s and where he is going on his path to redemption – if he gets there of course, and I felt that Steph was a good accompaniment to his story.   I am not sold that this will be a partnership worth savouring, but I am keen as to find out!

A solid 4 stars.

About The Author

Max Henry is a wife, and mother to two young boys. Originally born and bred in New Zealand, she now calls Australia home, and is proud to call herself a ‘Kiwi-Aussie’. Life can be hectic at times, and sometimes she may not be able to write as often as she would like, but she wouldn’t change a thing.

When she’s not writing, she can be found at the gym brain-storming while she lifts weights, or out having a ball 4wd-ing with the family.

Pistol is Max’s first Contemporary Romance, however she already has two paranormal titles under her belt: Battle to Become, and Methods for Mayhem. Max’s books can be found at Amazon, Kobo, and iBooks.

Facebook | Blog | Goodreads

 

 

Excerpt

The lights spilt a soft creamy glow over the walkway as he approached. Had she thought he would turn up? Or had she hoped he lied? Pete stopped outside the plain black door to her unit, and drew a breath to compose himself. He needed to remain cool, distant, and unaffected—no matter what she did to unnerve him. Not that it usually took much. He lifted his hand, and knocked. Small scuffs were audible from the other side, but no shadows played across the low light to indicate close movement. The lock on the door clicked, and it opened, slowly, but past the limit of a chain. She drew it wide, and greeted him with a smile. He stared, and inwardly screamed at himself for being this deep already. Show no emotion. Show. No. Emotion. Steph stood in radiant beauty; the lamp-light cast an enticing glow over the out-fit she wore —if he could call it that. Her perfect curves were draped in another oversized t-shirt; the large neck dropped over one shoulder to reveal the tattoo he knew she had already, and more. She didn’t wear anything underneath it. Lord have mercy. Pete swallowed hard, and willed all the blood from his groin back into his head. “Well?” She crossed her slender ankles as she leant into the door. “Are you coming in?” He raked his gaze over her body; the t-shirt had lifted on the opposite side she leant on, and exposed smooth, creamy skin on her upper thigh. Fuck. I’m fucked. He managed a shrug, and mentally patted himself on the back for not drooling. “I don’t think I need to.” She stuck her head out the door, and checked both ways. “You want me to come out there?” Her eyebrow rose, as did a corner of her velvety lips. A shiver ran down his spine. Damn, he wanted to bite those lips so fuckin’ hard. “I won’t stay long.” He cringed inside at how callous his tone came across. But it worked. She dropped her gaze, and drew her arms over herself. He’d crushed her. Like a squishy little bug under his boot. You’re an arsehole, O’Malley. “I only wanted to stop by and wish ya luck in yer new place.” Her eyes lifted to his, and the unshed tears she tried so hard to hold back glistened in the glow of the distant street-light. “You’ve been fun. This—” he gestured between them, “—has been interestin’.” Her chin quivered, and she ducked her head to swipe at her face with a careless hand. “Yeah, okay. Whatever. I guess, um, I might see you round.” “Maybe,” he shrugged again. “Thanks for stopping by.” She looked at him a last time, and the tears broke free as she took a step back to shut the door. He lifted his hand to stop her closing it, to say something, to ease the pain of his heart as it tore in two and became a cold, tar-covered abscess in his chest. But she was quicker.  

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Scoring Wilder by R.S Grey **Cover Reveal**

Tentative Release Date: June 26th

What started out as a joke— seduce Coach Wilder—soon became a goal she had to score. With Olympic tryouts on the horizon, the last thing nineteen-year-old Kinsley Bryant needs to add to her plate is Liam Wilder. He's a professional soccer player, America's favorite bad-boy, and has all the qualities of a skilled panty-dropper. • A face that makes girls weep – check. • Abs that can shred Parmesan cheese (the expensive kind) – check. • Enough confidence to shift the earth’s gravitational pull – double check. Not to mention Liam is strictly off limits . Forbidden. Her coaches have made that perfectly clear. (i.e. “Score with Coach Wilder anywhere other than the field and you’ll be cut from the team faster than you can count his tattoos.”) But that just makes him all the more enticing…Besides, Kinsley's already counted the visible ones, and she is not one to leave a project unfinished. Kinsley tries to play the game her way as they navigate through forbidden territory, but Liam is determined to teach her a whole new definition for the term “team bonding.” A fun & sexy New Adult Romance (age 17+)

   

 

I am a lover of books, chocolate, good TV, metaphors and similes, black labs, and cold weather. Seriously, if I had it my way I would be curled up on the couch with all of those things... everyday. I live in Texas where I spend my free time writing and reading. My favorite authors are Mindy Kaling & Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm a comedy geek and love all things "funny". Women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling are definitely the biggest inspirations for my writing, though I think my work tends to skew a bit smuttier than theirs.

| FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | Twitter: @authorrsgrey

 

Better When He's Bad by Jay Crownover **Promo Post**

So you’ve met Rule, Jet, Rome, and soon Nash! But there’s a new boy in town, along with a new series, by Jay Crownover. Better When He’s Bad (Welcome to the Point #1) is a new adult novel scheduled for publication on June 17, 2014, by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing. 

This is how Jay describes her new novel/series:

“It’s dark and dangerous and set in a fictitious underworld/bad part of town. The men in all of the books are way more along the line of being anti-heros than true leading men. I guess the easiest way to sum them up is by saying the books are all about the choices these characters have to make and the outcomes and results of those decisions. Bax’s book is all about having to make the hard choices and what becomes of him and his lady in doing so. They are super fun, very atmospheric and I think really what writing a bad boy should be like if you’re going to do it :)”

Look in the back of Nash’s book to find the first chapter of “Better When He’s Bad.” 

Synopsis 

Welcome to the Point There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who’s bad . . . meet Shane Baxter. Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn’t just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he’s the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there’s a new player in the game, and she’s much too innocent, much too soft…and standing directly in his way. Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She’s always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con The Point has ever produced. Bax terrifies her, but it doesn’t take Dovie long to realize that some boys are just better when they’re bad.  

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Pre-Order Links

  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | IndieBound

About the Author 

 I’m supposed to share interesting details about myself so that my readers get to know me so here we go in no particular order: I’m an natural redhead even though I haven’t seen my real hair color in years, I’m a big fan of tattoos and have a half sleeve on either arm and various other pieces all over the place, I’ve been in the bar industry since I was in college and it has always offered interesting insight into how men and women interact with each other, I have 3 dogs that are all crazy, I live in Colorado and love the snow, I love music and in all reality wish I could be a rock star not a writer or a bartender but I have zero talent so there is that. I love to write, love to read and all I’m interested in is a good story with interesting characters that make the reader feel something.

Connect with Jay

  Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Down the Shore by T. Torrest **Cover Reveal**

We are VERY excited to be able to share this cover with you today! 

We're HUGE fans of T. Torrest and the cover reveal today means we're one step closer to reading Down the Shore!

Down the Shore by T. Torrest New Adult Romantic Comedy To be self-published in Summer 2014 Cover designed by Hang Le @ By Hang Le

LIVIA CHADWICK is a photographer by day and a self-proclaimed rock slut by night.
Her dating life is a lackluster parade of evasive jerks and her boss is an unrelenting nightmare of a human being.
What else can a girl do but rent a beach house with her girlfriends and blow off a little steam every weekend?
But hey, she’s from Jersey. Barhopping down the shore all season is sort of mandatory.
All is going according to plan… until she meets Jack.

JACK TANNER is a contractor-turned-musician in a small-town cover band suddenly thrust into the limelight.
He’s already had enough of the rock-and-roll lifestyle, and groupies have never been his thing.
Then again… there’s a gorgeous brunette in the audience tonight, checking him out with the most incredible green eyes he’s ever seen.

She's looking for a fling.
He's looking for forever.

It’s gonna be one helluva summer.


Set in the summer of 1995, DOWN THE SHORE takes the reader on a tour through some of the Jersey shore’s hottest hot spots over one, sleepless, flannel-clad summer.

It’s a look back to a time when the music was groundbreaking, the rock clubs were king, and bar bands ruled the world.

 

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