Sunday 31 August 2014

A Beautiful Thought by Alicia Rae Blog Tour -#bookreview, #giveaway & #playlist

Beautiful Thought  
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Title: A Beautiful Thought  
Author: Alicia Rae  
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance  
Publish Date: July 14th 2014  
Cover Design: Okay Creation Sarah Hansen 

~Synopsis~

 As a physical sports therapist, Gail Bennett is accustomed to working with gorgeous athletes every day, but after falling for a few of these attractive men, she has been left heartbroken one too many times. When Gail’s hours at work are unexpectedly cut, she must find a way to continue helping her parents pay for her sister’s education. Reluctantly following her best friend’s advice, Gail takes on a roommate with the one man she has been avoiding since the first time she laid eyes on him. Damon Johnson loves a challenge, and he is not the type of man to back down when he wants something. From the first moment he meets Gail for dinner, he feels an inexplicable pull between the two of them. In his determination to have her, he finds himself helping her in any way he can. Can Damon break through all the barriers Gail has so carefully placed around her heart and prove that he’s different? Or will Gail’s reservations keep her from falling in love? One thought could change everything.

Goodreads

 

Purchase Links

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Alicia Rae photo Authorpic_zpse012118d.jpg
 About the Author
Alicia Rae is a Contemporary Romance Author who lives in Dekalb, Illinois, with her husband and three beautiful boys. Alicia has a passion for reading all types of romance, writing to bring a story to life, and photography. Thank you to my dear sister, Kels, who showed me a few years ago how much I truly missed reading. And to my loving husband, for not throwing away my Nook, and planting the seed of writing into my mind. I am forever grateful. Xo Readers, words cannot thank you enough for supporting me along this incredible journey. I hope you enjoy my novels as much as I do writing them. I thank each and every one of you. Believe in yourself and follow your dreams...
Connect with the Author:

Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

   

~ Giveaway ~

 
Readers - Kindle Paperwhite
Signed paperback of A Beautiful Thought 

     



Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy From Author and Literati Author Services
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Part 5 in a series but can be read as a standalone

My A Beautiful Thought Review ...

So, this for me was one of those books that I liked but different love.  It wasn't written poorly, the story was good but in the end there was just something that I didn't connect with the characters and the story.    It can be read as a stand alone but I think it would have been better read as a whole series. I liked it but it felt too neat and tidy, too smooth that its missing the raw and edginess of the relationship woes.

Gail was down on her luck and needed financial assistance so her BFF came up with the thought that she should room with her new sexy soon to be brother-in-law.  Gail doesn't like to ask for help but as soon as she re-connects with Damon they decided to be roommates.  There was tension between the two but it didn't have that build up of angst before it exploded.  There chemistry between the two was good but it felt very structured and clean (coloring within the lines).  Sometimes with great chemistry it is like coloring outside the lines to feel the angst and passion. 


As for Damon he likes a challenge and to him Gail feels like the ultimate challenge. However, between his three jobs and his dreams it causes his lines truths to get blurred.  The idea of Damon was good but sometimes his POV came across to feminine to me, which caused me to lose some of his manly man edge.

Once their drama comes to a head if it wasn't for Abby I may have had to throat punch Gail if she didn't get her head out of her ass but thankfully she did. Phew! And then they get their HEA or we hope they do but I assume we get to read more about them from in future books in this series.  I am curious enough though that when I have a spare reading moment I would like to read the series as a whole and I have a sneaky suspicion that I will like Gail and Damon more with doing that.

Again the story was super sweet and I adored the idea of it but I just wanted some more 'oomph' from it, for me to have loved it.  I know I'm most likely in a minority with this opinion but that is the beauty of an opinion that everyone is entitled to one. :)

3 Thoughtful Thumbs up!
thumbs upthumbs upthumbs up
Lauren



 



 

Friday 29 August 2014

Shatter (True Believers #4) by Erin McCarthy - #bookreview

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DD6YAEU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DD6YAEU&linkCode=as2&tag=lirebr-20&linkId=5TTV6QP5GBHYNEQO
Shatter (True Believers #4)

 
by
 
From the USA Today bestselling author of True, Sweet, and Believe comes a tantalizing New Adult novel about finding love in the most unexpected ways…

Kylie Warner prides herself on being optimistic, but after finding her best friend in bed with her boyfriend and flunking chemistry, her upbeat attitude has taken a dive. Even an impromptu hook-up with her sexy new chemistry tutor only brightens her mood slightly. After all, it’s not like she’ll ever see the tattooed scholar again…

While he’s a whiz at complex equations, Jonathon Kadisch has trouble when it comes to figuring out women. So when Kylie tells him that she’s pregnant after their night of passion, he’s at a complete loss. He’s prepared to be a good father—unlike his own deadbeat dad—but he’s less prepared to fall for the genuine and alluring blonde bearing his child.

With emotions running high, Kylie wonders if Jonathon’s devotion is out of growing love or looming obligation. And when heartbreak threatens to tear them apart, Jonathon will have to fight for the only girl who’s ever made him feel whole…





Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy from Intermix (Penguin)
Genre: NA Contemporary Romance
Part 4 in a series but could be read as a standalone but recommended to read the series as a whole 

My Shatter Review ...

When I first started to read this I was starting to think that it was going to be similar to the last couple of books in the series but I was pleasantly surprised for this book to be a bit different compared to the others.  There was still angst and insecurites but Darwin/Jonathon was not a tattooed uber alpha he was a super sexy yet quirky chemistry genius.  I was digging this book until about the 90% mark when I wanted to bitch slap Kylie for all her insecurities. I'm not trying to be harsh but there comes a point when you want the insecure heroine to just pull up her big girl panties and get over herself. 


Luckily Kylie got her shit together or I would have been pissed.   This was not your typical romance where it things all rainbows and unicorns and love at first sight.  For Kylie she is getting over her Nate the douche canoe of an ex-boyfriend who broke her heart and cheated on her.  With all the emotional turmoil it starts to effect her school which causes her to need a tutor .... enter Darwin/Jonathon.  

While Darwin helps her with chemistry he also helps her with a night of good loving to help her feel better about herself and to get over her ex.  What they didn't expect was for science to make a breakthrough.  They were both content with this one night stand until Kylie has to tell Darwin/Jonathon that they are pregnant.   I must say he takes the news rather well and with this new pregnancy they decide to give dating a try, which is a bit backwards but worked until tragedy happens and Kylie's insecurities overpower her.   


I think Erin McCarthy rocked the dual POV's and captured Darwin to perfection. I adored everything about him.  It was a quirky angsty romance with many ups and downs but still super sweet as the rest of the series.  I believe this is the last of the series and if that is the case it ended well.  Sweet story minus the insecurities overload but all in all I adore this book and this NA series. 

4 Shattering Thumbs up!
thumbs upthumbs upthumbs upthumbs up
Lauren


 Pre-Order for Sept.2/14: AMAZON (Kindle) 

 


Crossing The Line (Daniel Brothers #3) by Sherri Hayes Blog Tour - #guest post, #giveaway & #bookreview

Crossing The Line 

(Daniels Brothers #3)
by Sherri Hayes


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Release Date: September 4 , 2014
Genre: Romance/Contemporary and Crime 
ISBN e-book: 978-1-61213-268-6
Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH
 

~~SUMMARY~~
 
Detective Paul Daniels has spent four and a half years mourning the loss of his wife. He’s been doing his best to raise their daughter, Chloe, with the help of his in-laws. When they inform him right before Thanksgiving that they’re going to be moving over two hours away, Paul finds himself without anyone to watch Chloe—especially when he’s called out to a crime scene in the middle of the night. Little does he know that meeting his baby brother’s girlfriend and her sister, Megan, will change everything.
Megan Carson has taken a few wrong turns in her life, but she’s doing her best to get back on track. When she meets Chloe, the little girl swiftly worms her way into Megan’s heart. The opportunity to help Paul out and watch his daughter appears to be a blessing in disguise. She quickly volunteers to be Chloe’s live-in nanny.
Everything is working well until the three of them head back to Ohio for Chris and Elizabeth’s wedding. Paul has a little too much to drink during the reception, and he and Megan end up sharing a heated kiss. When he wakes up the next day, he has a pounding headache but remembers nothing.
Megan, however, isn’t willing to forget. Over the past few months since she’s been playing nanny, her feelings for Paul have changed. He is everything she never knew she wanted, and now that she knows there might be something there, she’s going after what she wants—Paul.



~~PRAISE FOR CROSSING THE LINE~~
"I really loved the build up in this story and couldn't read fast enough to find out what happens next. Will Paul let go of his guilt from the past and give a relationship with Megan a chance? Or is Paul bad for Megan and lose her because of another mistake he makes? Read this book if you want a good romance, with a side of suspense, enjoyable characters and some smokin HOT scenes." ~Diane Williams, Goodreads


To read the full review, click here.

~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~
Sherri spent most of her childhood detesting English class. It was one of her least favorite subjects because she never seemed to fit into the standard mold. She wasn't good at spelling, or following grammar rules, and outlines made her head spin. For that reason, Sherri never imagined becoming an author. At the age of thirty, all of that changed. After getting frustrated with the direction a television show was taking two of its characters, Sherri decided to try her hand at writing an alternate ending, and give the characters their happily ever after. By the time the story finished, it was one of the top ten read stories on the site, and her readers were encouraging her to write more. Seven years later, Sherri is the author of seven full-length novels, and one short story. Writing has become a creative outlet for Sherri that allows her to explore a wide range of emotions, while having fun taking her characters through all the twists and turns she can create. She is most well known for her Finding Anna Series about a young woman rescued from being a sex slave by a wealthy Dominant. Sherri’s eighth novel, Crossing The Line, is scheduled to release September 4, 2014.
~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~


Sherri Hayes Book Club - Goodreads * Google+ * Pinterest



~Guest Post~
Where and when do you write?
Unlike some authors, I don’t have a set time and place where I write. Sometimes, I’m at my desk. Other times, I’m sitting on the couch typing away on my laptop. I’ve also been known from time to time to take my laptop to the library or a local restaurant to work. Once I was sitting in the middle of a Panera writing a phone sex scene. It was rather funny as two young men kept walking behind me trying to clean things up in preparation for closing. If they were eighteen, they were barely eighteen. I can imagine their reaction had they gotten a glimpse of my screen. LOL.
The when for me also varies. I’m very much a mood writer, and I’ve learned to go with the flow. That means that if I’m in the mood to write, I write. If I’m not, then I don’t. This, of course, changes when deadlines come around. As with any job, there are times when you have to force yourself to sit down and work even when you’re not feeling it. Luckily, there are usually ways to get myself into the correct headspace.
One of the things I use is music. What works best for me is classical music. I go to YouTube and select one of the study/relaxation playlists. I set the volume to low, and off I go. Once I’m in the rhythm, I can usually pump out a little over a thousand words per hour.
I’m not sure what it is about having that melodic background music playing, but it works. Do you have something that gets your creative juice flowing?


a Rafflecopter giveaway


~~Behind Closed Doors $0.99 Sale and Red Zone New Price~~




~~OTHER NOVELS BY SHERRI HAYES~~











Source: eARC for Honest Review from TWCS
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Part 3 in a series but could be read as a standalone but better as a series.

My Crossing the Line Review ...

 After reading the Finding Anna Series I devoured anything from this lovely author, and I found another gem with this series.  These Daniel Men come from a good family, are loyal to a fault, they are sexy and successful and are trouble magnets. 

Paul Daniels is the oldest brother of the family and tries to hold it together so his family can't see his true pain after the tragic loss of the love of his life.  With his stressful job he needed help to take care of his daughter so luckly his brothers new wife's sister also needed a fresh start so she jumped at the chance to help Paul out. 


Megan has a knack for falling for losers and doesn't expect anything from Paul except to take care of his lovely daughter Chloe.  However, the more time Paul and Megan spend time together the more Megan develops feelings for Paul.  But with Paul his love for his wife is almost impenetrable until one drunken night and a passionate kiss changes everything. 

As Megan fights for what she wants Paul has do deal with his past to overcome all his fears and move forward and be happy with Megan even with the 13 year age gap.  As Paul finally gives in, trouble finds his way into their lives and potentially destroys everything but thankfully Megan has strong willed and she convinces that stubborn Paul that it is ok to love again and be loved. 

As with this whole series, it is full of sweet, suspense, angst, passion, drama and love.  I love the fact that there is always a sideline drama going on with these couples instead of the only drama being lack of miscommunication and insecurities between the couples which makes it more fulfilling read for me. 

4 Crossed the Line Thumbs up!
thumbs upthumbs upthumbs upthumbs up

Lauren






 

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Black Dog (Bannon's Gym #1) and Takedown (Bannon's Gym #2) by Cat Grant - #bookreviews, #mm

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I41ZA66/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00I41ZA66&linkCode=as2&tag=lirebr-20&linkId=TVR4H6TUU56QY3FV
Black Dog (Bannon's Gym #1)

 
by
 
Which dog wins? The one you feed.

Danny Bannon and Eddie Roscoe have been fighting, in and out of the ring, for more than fifteen years. Mutual attraction and small-town ties hold them together, yet they’re haunted by a shared tragedy that still hangs between them.

Their tenuous, on-again off-again relationship takes a hard right cross with the arrival of Tom Delaney, a teen on the run from his punch-happy father. In no time, the kid shows himself to be a boxing prodigy.

But Tom’s politically influential father isn’t yet down for the count. When his mother shows up at Eddie’s diner with a shiner and a haunted look in her eyes, Tom is hopeful for her future. But when that hope is snuffed out, Tom’s rage has him ready to turn his new fighting skills to a deadly purpose. Revenge, or die trying.

Unless his surrogate big brothers can put their painful past behind them to keep history from rising up for another round.
This book has been previously published.

Warning: Tough guys with a long history beating the crap out of each other to avoid saying “I love you”. Heaps of sexual tension. More angst and emotion than deemed safe by the Surgeon General. Proceed with caution!




Source: eARC for Honest Review from Samhain Publishing via NetGalley
Genre: MM - MMA Contemporary Romance
Part 1 in a series

My Black Dog Review ... 

Hmmm, so it had many elements that I liked but in the end this book was just ok for me.  I think as a writer it must be a hard feat finding that right balance between angst, drama, love, sex, passion, etc...
It wasn't bad but it felt like I needed a bit more from this story.

Eddie has some issues and can't get over the past, however, Eddie also has a savior complex and when he finds a young boy down on his luck he gives him a helping hand.  As Eddie starts to help Tom, he is forced to deal with his past and get help from Danny who owns the gym down the street. 

With Tom being a natural fighter, Eddie and Danny are forced to deal with their issues.  There was sexual tension but not enough sexy time for me leaving their relationship a bit flat.  Often I find lately when I'm reading too much sex and not enough substance but here it felt like it needed more passion with the substance to really feel the desperation between Eddie and Danny.  In the end it left me middle of the road of liking it. 

2.75 Uppercutting Thumbs up!
thumbs upthumbs up. 75
Lauren



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IGSFORC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IGSFORC&linkCode=as2&tag=lirebr-20&linkId=ZYEBPHFOOG43BEK2
Takedown (Bannon's Gym #2)

 
by
 
Home may not be what he remembered, but it might hold what he needs.

Bannon’s Gym, Book 2

An abusive father drove Tom Delaney away from Lincoln Beach. Now that he’s back to settle his family’s affairs, he’s finding that not even the good things he left behind are the same. The old neighborhood is a dangerous slum. Eddie’s diner is on its last legs. Gloria, who looked after him like her own son, is seriously ill.

His only refuge is Bannon’s Gym, where Danny Bannon nurtured his talent for mixed martial arts. Bannon’s also harbors Travis, his ex—as in ex-sparring partner, ex one-night stand. The man who, the last time they faced off in the ring, left Tom with a broken jaw and a concussion.

The sparks are still there, in the ring and out of it. But when Travis’s own troubles quite literally explode, their only chance to build something solid on their broken past could go up in flames.

Warning: Hot guys slugging it out. Heaps of sexual tension and cursing. Fighting. Grappling. Kicking. Throwing elbows. All drenched in buckets of manly sweat.





Source: eARC for Honest Review from Samhain Publishing via NetGalley
Genre: MM - MMA Contemporary Romance
Part 2 in a series

My Takedown Review ...

In the end of Black Dog Tom was knocked out in his championship fight by his ex which has left him with more baggage then he already had, so he tucked in his tail and ran.  Now a few years later he comes back after the death of his father.  The only thing stable upon his return is the relationship between Eddie and Danny.  As he comes back he is faced with more negative shit, however he does reach out to Travis to try and mend the fence to their broken relationship.

Travis is attracted to broken men so it is not a surprise he falls for Tom, but with Tom comes a lot of baggage.  As Tom and Travis deal with their own lives they lean on each other when it counts but is it enough.  With Tom he starts to realize that there is also good in his life with his new family, Eddie, Danny and Gloria and also Travis.  With this revelation he decides to stay instead of always running.  Even though we get a bit of HEA we know that there is more drama to come.  I will continue with Tap Out to see how everyone ends up.  Because this was book 2 in the series we have more depth of the characters which made me get into the story more but I still craved more passion from these men.

3 Taking down Thumbs up!
thumbs upthumbs upthumbs up 
Lauren

Sugar On The Edge By Sawyer Bennett Blog Tour - #giveaway & #bookreview


SUGAR ON THE EDGE

BY USA Today Best-selling Author Sawyer Bennett


Last Call, #3
Adult Contemporary Romance

Released July 28, 2014


He’s utterly alone…
Tortured and existing in a dark spiral of despair, bestselling British author, Gavin Cooke, has come to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to escape the seedy lifestyle he had been living in London and in a desperate attempt to regain his writing focus. He’s twisted, bitter and angry at the world. He’s a loner… needing not a single thing other than his Scotch and a laptop upon which he can bang out his next erotic, dark thriller.

She’s running in place and getting nowhere…
Savannah Shepherd’s life is falling apart. Her dream of being a wildlife photographer seems a distant memory and she’s barely able to make ends meet. Driving herself forward with no clear goals apparent, she’s about ready to pack up her bags and head home with her tail between her legs.

Two unlikely lovers…
He’s raw, forceful and a dirty talker. She’s a flowers and romance type of girl. Yet within each other, they find a mutual craving that can only be satisfied by giving in to their desires for one another.
Lust turns into something more… something they were not looking for but tentatively accept. Will it be enough to push them past the obstacles of Gavin’s bitter past?
*SUGAR ON THE EDGE can be read as a stand-alone*




About the Author
USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Website | Facebook | Twitter


Purchase links:
Amazon -  http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Edge-Last-Sawyer-Bennett-ebook/dp/B00M6D18O6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408134979&sr=8-1&keywords=sugar+on+the+edge
Barnes and Noble – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sugar-on-the-edge-sawyer-bennett/1120014441?ean=2940149631414
iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/sugar-on-the-edge/id894326729?mt=11


Follow the tour by clicking here


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Source: eARC for Honest Review from Author and ATOMR Promotions
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Part of a Series but can be read as a standalone.


My Sugar on the Edge Review ...

It has been awhile since I read a sawyer Bennett book and I could kick myself for the delay.  I jumped at the chance to read this even though it is book three of a series. It can be read as a stand alone and I wasn't lost at all but I sill think I would have loved it even more having the back story and emotions of everyone. 


Here we have bitter jaded drunk Gavin Cooke who happens to be British and a famous author. Suffering from a terrible loss Gavin drowns his sorrows in all kinds of addictions and sadistic tendencies.  He moves to North Carolina to escape his life so he can finish writing his next book. Once there, he meets Savannah a meek quiet shy girl who could be instantly broken but what he didn't expect was the opposite from this enigma of a girl.  Savannah is so different then he thought that she begins to intrigue Gavin out of his dark place. 
"You're wrong, Gavin.  When you just exist, you have no emotion. No passion.  But when you live ... you seize opportunity,  you drink a joyful life, and you're motivated.  The man I know ... the man I've let into my heart, he's a man that lives."
As Gavin gives into the light he starts to heal while Savannah starts to blossom to her full potential. From the other Sawyer books I have read this is a jump into her naughtier side ;), which I quite liked by the way. 

All things go smoothly until Gavin's past is brought to the surface and the darkness reappears. It takes a lot for Gavin to get his light and heart again but so worth the fight. 

I really did like this story. I liked the blossoming of both Savannah and Gavin. There story was full of sweet and filthy the perfect pairing. 

4 Sweet & filthy thumbs up!
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Lauren



 

Tuesday 26 August 2014

Rival (Fall Away #2) by Penelope Douglas - #bookreview

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INIXJ0O/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00INIXJ0O&linkCode=as2&tag=lirebr-20&linkId=743HA6RERAUIFELI
Rival (Fall Away #2)

by

From the New Adult sensation and New York Times bestselling author of Until You

Madoc and Fallon. Two estranged teenagers playing games that push the boundaries between love and war…

She’s back.

For the two years she’s been away at boarding school, there was no word from her. Back when we lived in the same house, she used to cut me down during the day and then leave her door open for me at night.

I was stupid then, but now I’m ready to beat her at her own game…

I’m back.

Two years and I can tell he still wants me, even if he acts like he’s better than me.

But I won’t be scared away. Or pushed down. I’ll call his bluff and fight back. That’s what he wants, right? As long as I keep my guard up, he’ll never know how much he affects me…



 LINKS: AMAZON (USA)  | KOBO | B & N 



Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Penguin
Genre: YA/NA Contemporary Romance
Part of a series but could be read as a standalone

My Rival Review ...

So, I have mixed emotions about this book.  If I hadn't just read Until You or if I never read Bully I think I would have liked this book so much more.  To be truthful when I was reading it, it started to feel like Bully v2.0 with the same drama but instead of neighbors/best friends it was step brother and sister.   I felt like this book was trying to be a bit taboo but to me it felt forced.  I think if Fallon was actually part of Bully and Until You then I might have felt the angst and desperation a bit more between Madoc and Fallon.   

I loved Madoc in the first two books but when I read this I have to admit how I pictured Madoc was not was portrayed in this book.  I pictured him as a bit of a bad ass not a abercombie and fitch guy with some bad tendencies. 


I liked the idea of the story but it felt repetitive to the first two books, but with this one I didn't feel the connection like I did with Jared and Tate.  It was all angsty and sex while being a bit all over the place.  The both were lied to but heaven forbid that if you were lied to than there is a big chance that maybe the other was also lied to???  No?  I'm sure it makes much more sense to assume that the other person is at fault then really look at the reality of the situation.  

I know it sounds like I hated to book which I didn't but I just didn't connect with it nor love it.  The good parts were:  finally having Madoc's story, the continuation of Jared and Tate and the build up of the mysterious Jax. 

2. 75 Not so rivaling thumbs up!
thumbs upthumbs up. 75 
Lauren