The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros #bookreview #romance

The Last Letter

by

Rebecca Yarros (Goodreads Author)

 

Beckett,

If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have.

I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride.

My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. It’s not fair.

And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart. She’s going to need help.

So if I’m gone, that means I can’t be there for Ella. I can’t help them through this. But you can. So I’m begging you, as my best friend, go take care of my sister, my family.

Please don’t make her go through it alone.

Ryan

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Release Date: February 26/19 

Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Entangled via NetGalley

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Standalone

My The Last Letter Review . . .

Gah! This book!.  Rebecca Yarros always knows how to tear out your heart with her beautiful stories.

Ella is a single mom and has started a pen pal relationship with an unknown soldier whom is overseas and friends with her brother Ryan. 

During these letters she starts to open up to her new pen pal, named Chaos.  And at the same time starts to fall for him once he finally returns her letters and opens up in return.

As the letters start to progress, Ella's life starts to come apart then all of a sudden after a tragedy her letters from Chaos stop. 

The only thing that was keeping Beckett going was his letters from Ella, but he can't keep writing her when he's the reason for her pain.  But he has a promise to keep for Ryan and he's determined to do it, the only way he can.

Here are some of the examples of why I fell for this book:

~ Because somewhere between letter number one and letter number twenty-four, I'd fallen in love with her.~

"I'd forgotten what this felt like." "Being hugged?" My voice was sandpaper-rough.  "Being held together."

"You have to fight for what you know to be right.  Stand up for the people who need your protection.  Never let anyone tell you that you're anything less than a warrior because you're a girl.  Because in my experience, girls are the strongest warriors.  Maybe that's why all the boys try to keep them out of battle.  They're scared they'll shown up."

"It's a good thing, though.  Missing him.  Grief means you had someone worth grieving."

" ... We are imperfect people made that way by an imperfect world, and we don't always get a say in what shapes us. . ."

"We figure it out together.  And if you can't breathe, I'll do it for you.  One morning at a time.  Minute by minute if we have to."

 And here are some examples of why Ella frustrated me at times:

"He's not your father.  He's not Ryan.  He's not Jeff.  You have got to stop convicting him of their crimes."

"My brother.  All of this was for my brother?  Did you sleep with me for him, too?  Just to keep me close?"  (so irrational her thoughts)

While Beckett helps out Ella and her family I fell in love with him and his heart.   Ella's kids were fantastic and so loveable.  There was so much depth and heart to this story, I absolutely loved it.

For me this would have been a 5 out of 5 but the reason that that didn't happen was Ella's stubbornness on not seeing what Beckett wanted which was her.  That grew a bit tiring throughout the story until she got her head out of her ass and saw what was actually happening.  As well to punish the kids when she learned the truth was low and unfortunately this is more of a reality when emotions get involved.  I know I'm looking at this part of the story line from a logical POV  when it's a purely emotional concept, however it still gets to me.  

4 . 5 Emotional Thumbs up!

. 5

Lauren

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Release Date: February 26/19  

Cover Reveal!! Order by Kindle Alexander Tattoos and Ties #2 #MMMCromance #coverreveal #excerpt

Title: Order

Series: Tattoos and Ties #2

Author: Kindle Alexander

Genre: M/M MC Romance

Release Date: March 5, 2019 Cover Design: Reese Dante Release Alert
 

 

Assistant District Attorney Alec Pierce wants a future with the sexy, tough-talking biker who came to his rescue six months ago. But when evidence capable of destroying his future comes to light, Alec sets a plan in motion to keep the man he loves from a district attorney bent on vengeance.

Will Alec’s efforts pay off or will he destroy them both in the process?

As a Disciples of Havoc member, Keyes Dixon rides the line between society’s moral code and that of his brothers. He straddles two worlds… One owns him and the other seduces him with the promise of a future. But when a rush to judgment has him swerving to miss the roadblocks suddenly in his lane, he’ll have to choose between the club that demands his loyalty and the gorgeous assistant district attorney who deserves his commitment.

Can Keyes escape his circumstances to take a chance on a future he wants?

Six months into what started as a one-night stand, both men must navigate their developing feelings as they remain bound by differing oaths that threaten to drive them apart. Not only does their future hang in the balance of opposing forces, but an unexpected strike of the gavel could send them on a collision course neither is prepared for.

Will havoc continue to determine their lives or is their love strong enough to bring order?

 

 

They came from two different worlds.

Fuck. Keyes’s eyes closed as the illusion that they’d somehow found their balance began to shatter. The pain in his chest grew, hurting on a level he couldn’t quite absorb, and that said a lot since his parents had really done a number on him as a kid.

He had seen enough about the world to know words like I love you were a conditional misconception, something said by people who didn’t understand what life was about. Keyes was never going to be good enough for Alec’s world, and at some point, Alec would get tired of isolating himself inside this house. Keyes couldn’t even imagine a time they could ever go out in public together. If for some unseen reason that time came, what the fuck would they do?

If the situation wasn’t so damned dire, he’d laugh at the mental image of Alec at a club BBQ. Club whores hanging out with Alec Peirce… What a fucking joke. His bothers would never understand whatever this was between him and the attorney.

Resentment and anger slithered up his spine and coiled around his heart. Fuck, if he wasn’t so much more comfortable with those emotions.

Nothing had changed between them. They were a good time, nothing more. Fuck his heart’s vehement denial. Where his heart and his head completely agreed, there was no way a good guy like Alec would continue to love him if he ever found out the truth of everything Keyes had done in his life. Hell, he’d been on a drug run less than a week ago. Alec wouldn’t understand why he did the things he had.

No matter what happened right now, their end didn’t change. They didn’t fit no matter how much he wished they did. White hot pain lanced through the useless organ in his chest. It hurt so fucking bad to think of Alec leaving him.

“Babe, your heart’s pounding,” Alec murmured, laying a warm hand dead center of his chest. Whatever Alec felt caused him to lift his head and open his eyes wider. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

This was too much. How could he have let hope, of all things, cloud his reality? Hope and fairytales went hand in hand, both big fucking wastes of mind-space. He wanted to cry, which pissed him off even more. Thank God for the burst of anger, because now the bullshit pain wasn’t the only thing driving him. Keyes bucked his body out from underneath Alec’s and flipped the covers off, sending his phone flying. He literally jumped out of bed, making a beeline for his jeans draped over the bedroom chair. He shoved his feet in the legs of his jeans, forgoing his underwear. He needed out of this house. He couldn’t fucking breathe. He needed to be back in his world, back to what he knew, and never venture out again.

Luckily, Alec had removed his jeans in such a way that his keys, wallet, and belt were still in place. Keyes shoved his dick inside, zipping himself up as the memory of the unspoken need darkening Alec’s eyes when he’d arrived last night sent his rage skyrocketing. He didn’t get the jeans much more than zipped when he dropped down in the chair and started to shove his sockless feet inside his dirty work boots.

“What’s happened, Key?” Alec asked, his tone even but on the controlled edge of panic. Keyes looked up to catch Alec pulling on his athletic shorts which spoke volumes about the gravity of the situation.

 

Best Selling Author Kindle Alexander is an innovative writer, and a genre-crosser who writes classic fantasy, romance, suspense, and erotica in both the male/male and male/female genres. It's always a surprise to see what's coming next!

I live in the suburbs of Dallas where it's true, the only thing bigger than an over active imagination, may be women's hair!

Usually, I try for funny. Humor is a major part of my life - I love to laugh, and it seems to be the thing I do in most situations - regardless of the situation, but jokes are a tricky deal... I don't want to offend anyone and jokes tend to offend. So instead I'm going to tell you about Kindle.

I tragically lost my sixteen year old daughter to a drunk driver. She had just been at home, it was early in the night and I heard the accident happen. I'll never forget that moment. The sirens were immediate and something inside me just knew. I left my house, drove straight to the accident on nothing more than instinct. I got to be there when my little girl died - weirdly, I consider that a true gift from above. She didn't have to be alone.

That time in my life was terrible. It's everything you think it would be times about a billion. I love that kid. I loved being her mother and I loved watching her grow into this incredibly beautiful person, both inside and out. She was such a gift to me. To have it all ripped away so suddenly broke me.

Her name was Kindle. Honest to goodness - it was her name and she died a few weeks before Amazon released their brand new Kindle ereader. She had no idea it was coming out and she would have finally gotten her name on something! Try finding a ruler with the name Kindle on it.. It never happened.

Through the course of that crippling event I was lucky enough to begin to write with a dear friend in the fan fiction world of Facebook. She got me through those dark days with her unwavering support and friendship. There wasn't a time she wasn't there for me. Sometimes together and sometimes by myself, we built a world where Kindle lives and stands for peace, love and harmony. It's its own kind of support group. I know without question I wouldn't be here today without her.

Find out more by visiting www.kindlealexander.com or email me at kindle@kindlealexander.com
 

 

HOSTED BY:

Beautiful Hearts Duet by Emma Scott #bookreview #duet #NAromance

Bring Down the Stars

(Beautiful Hearts #1)

by

Emma Scott (Goodreads Author)

I fell for Connor Drake. I didn’t want to; I fought against it, but I fell in love with him anyway. With his words. With his poetry. With him. The gentleness and beauty of his soul that speaks directly to mine. He writes as if he can feel my heart, hear its cadence and compose the exact right lyrics to accompany every beat and flow.

I’m in love with Connor…so why do I feel an inexplicable pull to his best friend, Weston? Grouchy, sullen, brooding Weston Turner, who could cut you down with a look. Fiercely intelligent with a razor sharp wit and acid tongue, he’s the exact opposite of Connor in every way, and yet there’s electricity in the air between us. The thorny barbs Weston wraps around himself can’t keep me away.

But the more time I spend with these men, the more tangled and confused my emotions become. When they both sign up for the Army Reserves during a time of increasing strife in the Middle East, I fear I’ll never unravel my own heart that sometimes feels as if it will tear straight down the middle…for both of them.

**********
Bring Down the Stars is an emotional, angst-filled novel of unrequited love by bestselling author, Emma Scott, and is inspired by the classic tale, Cyrano de Bergerac. (Roxanne) It is Book I in the Beautiful Hearts Duet, coming this summer. Book II, Long Live the Beautiful Hearts, to be released a few weeks later. THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL LOVE TRIANGLE #confusedhearts #notamenage

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Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of NetGalley

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Part 1 of 2

My Bringing Down the Stars Review . . .

This books starts as a modern day Cyrano de Bergerac but turns into so much more.

Weston Turner has a burden to carry which weighs down his heart. Thankfully the friendship, and support from his best friend Connor and his family helps carry him through. Wes is not one to take handouts which creates more burdens that he feels like he owes Connor's family everything.

"Maybe pain exists to make us appreciate the beauty."

 So when Wes and Connor have the crush on the same girl he let's Connor win, but Connor needs Wes's help to make this happen. This is where the Cyrano de Bergarc story line comes into play.

"Parfois, le coeur se cache derrière l'esprirt."

As Autumn gets to fall for Connor in person she truly falls for his words. But real life Connor and paper Connor aren't the same person.

~ My heart ached as pieces of Weston Turner clicked into place for me.  Not an asshole, but an abandoned, bewildered kid, grown into a man, chasing that car, always. ~

 
The more Autumn falls for Connor the more it breaks Wes. Connor has his own issues with the demands and expectations of his family. So when he signs up for the army, Wes has his back with both leaving Autumn behind.

Now truly my favorite part is . . . Professor Ondiwuje.

" . . . A writer who chooses an economics major.  A runner who ignores his gift.  A poet's heart now encased in a warrior's armor."

We all need a champion like this in our corner. Professor Ondiwuje was written so brilliantly and he was such a key part of this book.

I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to see how it all plays out in book #2.



4 Beautiful Thumbs up!

Lauren

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Long Live the Beautiful Hearts

(Beautiful Hearts #2)

by

Emma Scott (Goodreads Author)

Never again would I allow my heart to become the plaything of someone else.
Never again would I let a man (or men) come between me and my goals.
Never again would I love without feeling the fullness of that love in return.
Not until I knew it was real. And if that took me a lifetime to find, so be it.

Those were my vows, and after all that had happened with Connor and Weston, I was determined to keep them. To protect my heart.
And then he came home, and my vows became his promises.

He held my heart in his hands with reverence and care.
He helped me find my soul’s greatest purpose in life.
He loved me with a love so pure and vibrant, I knew I’d never feel anything like it in a hundred lifetimes.
It was real.

Until it wasn’t.
Until it all came crashing down when I discovered the deep love I thought I’d found was nestled in a web of lies—so soft and silken I hadn’t noticed it was there.
Until it was too late.

 

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Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of NetGalley

Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Part 2 of 2

My Long Live The Beautiful Hearts Review . . .

This book starts with Connor and Wes in Syria fighting for their lives and dealing with the aftermath of their decisions.   

Both Connor and Wes come back but also not whole.  And both have to deal with that aftermath on their own.    

Once returned Autumn starts to learn the truth of Connor and Wes and it breaks her heart but eventually she starts to befriend Wes again and fall for the real him not just his words.   But this is not an easy journey for both of them. 

Here are just a few examples how this book stole my heart:

"Stay with him.  And keep holding his hand, Autumn.  No matter what happens. Don't let go of him."

"Is this some kind of pep talk?"  "Straight talk," he said.  "The universe doesn't make mistakes." 

"My God, Wes." he said. his voice cracked.  "Nothing to fight for?  Fight for you.  For who you are.  At long last, fight for yourself and what you love.  Who you love."

"But here is the secret: every Once Born is a Twice Born who hasn't yet discovered their strength.  I've seen your heart and heard your words, Wes.  You will survive this. You're a poet encased in warrior's armor.  You will come out the other side, but you must take the first step forward.  There is no other way." 

" . . . Take a fucking chance at being happy for once in your life."

" . . . In my mind, Wes, that has always been the fault of our armor; you have built it so strong that it doesn't protect you so much as it hurts you to carry its impossible weight."

"I've loved you for so long.  Meeting you in the library that first time felt like a reunion.  I've loved you in a thousand lifetimes.  Do you feel it?"

"You owe me nothing.  The only thing I want from you is to live your life with truth, honor, and respect for the dreams and talents of your heart."

I loved that what happened to Wes didn't define him, and was only just another challenge for him.  He already had enough burdens and this didn't become another instead it forced him to fight all his demons and let go of his armor.  Which gave him the opportunity to truly live freely and be able to love and be loved in return. 

From what I gather this duet was written in the before and after of the author's personal tragedy and you can feel the pain and emotion in her writing and its moving and beautiful.  This duet was so much more than a story.  It's something I think everyone should have to experience.    It took my breath way the depth of emotions it stirred up in me. 

5 Emotional thumbs up!

Lauren

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