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Saturday, May 10, 2014

My Favorite Book Couple Event Winners


There are many winners to announce but before I do so, I just wanted to take the time and say a SUPER BIG THANK YOU to each and every author that helped us celebrate RFTC's 3rd blogoversary. We loved having you all come by and share your all-time favorite book couples. We had a blast with hosting you all. Thank you so very much. =)

Now, on to the winners!

ARC Review: Wild About Her Wingman by Robin Bielman


I am a huge fan of Robin Bielman's at this point, and she had never once disappointed me. I have been looking forward to her next Secret Wishes novel since I finished Shane and Kagan's story! I started reading Wild About Her Wingman with the intent of reading a few chapters before bed, but I was so drawn in that I ended up staying awake until the early hours of the morning because I had to finish this story! I absolutely devoured it because I loved Troy and Erin so much! This book is the third novel in her Secret Wishes series, but these can be read as standalones containing interconnected characters. I highly recommend reading all the book in this series though as they are fantastic!

Erin has always been the wild child and thrill seeker when it comes to life, but after being cheated on in college she has been protective of her heart. She never usually gives anyone more than a few dates before walking away. She decides that she might finally be ready to have a boyfriend again, and with the help of her friends decides to get herself out there. While hanging out with a group of friends, a bet is made that Troy will help her find the perfect guy. He has had luck with set-ups in the past and seems to be the perfect guy for the job. With doing the grocery shopping for his fire house for the next two months on the line, Troy is not about to lose the bet and sets out to find Erin her perfect match. But the more that Erin and Troy get to know each other, the more their feelings for each other grow. Even though Troy could see himself with Erin and likes her, he knows that she is the last kind of girl he needs. After losing his girlfriend in a horrible accident, he needs to find a girl that is safe and doesn't take risks like Erin does. Can Troy and Erin get over their pasts and realize that they are perfect together?

I really liked Troy. He was so sweet and nice and I loved his commitment to his family. He was absolutely adorable with his niece, and I loved how close the two of them were. He was also just such a really good guy. He wasn't a manwhore or a pushy alpha, he was just so normal and real. I liked that he seemed to believe the best in others until proven differently. I also really loved Erin's character. She was strong and adventurous, but she also had such a soft and vulnerable side that she didn't show to most people. I liked seeing her really start to let Troy in and allow him to see who she really was. Erin was a really cool heroine that I could totally see myself hanging out with in real life. She was fun and sweet, and she was really great with her friends and family. I thought that her and Troy were the perfect pair, and they really seemed to fit together with a natural ease. They both enjoyed a lot of the same things, and they were always just so comfortable with each other. They had a great connection and they also had a ton of chemistry together. You could really tell just how attracted to each other they were, but you could also tell that it was more than just physical.

I really loved this book, but I wasn't at all surprised because I knew that Robin Bielman always delivers. She has a way of writing this real characters that are so easy to relate to and become invested in. It was really great to get to know both Troy and Erin in this story, but I also loved meeting some new characters as well as getting more of some past favorites! This book was written well and sucked me in from the very start. The thing that really amazes me about Bielman's books are that even though they are closed door romances, I never miss the sex or physical aspects of the books. They are such good stories, that it doesn't even matter that they don't really show anything physical. They just draw you in and make you become invested in the characters, and are so believable. I really loved Luke and Sela from the first book, but I have to say that Troy and Erin are my new favorites! These two were so much fun to read about and I loved the matchmaker premise of this book. I highly recommend checking this story as well as the others in this series out. Robin Bielman is one of those that I would auto-buy at this point, and so far all of her books that I have read are absolute must reads. Troy and Erin's story is no exception and I can't wait to get more from Robin Bielman in the future.

**ARC provided by Author**

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes |




Feature and Giveaway: One Lucky Night by Ana Blaze, Grace Teague, Melinda Dozier, Aria Kane and Constance Phillips


One night can change everything…

The crew at Boston’s Brazen Head Pub hasn’t been very lucky in love. Can a mysterious visitor inspire them to look past old hurts and misconceptions and give romance a chance? One Lucky Night is a collection of five sexy interwoven novelettes by Aria Kane, Grace Teague, Ana Blaze, Constance Phillips, and Melinda Dozier.

Lucky Break by Aria Kane
Four years ago, chef Derek Chase walked out of Andrea Rivera’s life after a tragedy neither of them were prepared to deal with. When she’s called to the Brazen Head to repair a dishwasher, old sparks ignite buried feelings.

Lucky Star by Grace Teague
When her life is threatened by a mugger, Charlotte Price realizes she's in love with her best friend, Tommy Leung. The Brazen Head seems like the perfect neutral place to confess her feelings, but nothing goes according to plan.

A New Tune by Ana Blaze
When it comes to dating, Holly Hall has one unbreakable rule: no musicians. Not even gorgeous ones. Especially not gorgeous ones. Dating them only leads to heartbreak. So why did she let singer-songwriter Cian O’Neill kiss her? And why is she thinking about doing it again?

Lexi’s Chance by Constance Phillips
As a bartender, Sean Whelan meets all kinds of women every night, but none turn his head the way that Lexi has. She’s been playing cat and mouse with him for weeks. Tonight, Sean’s determined to get Lexi to quit teasing and take a real chance on him.

Drink or Dare by Melinda Dozier
A bachelorette party Drink or Dare game pairs paramedic students, Rachel Robertson and Killian Whelan, in a flirting match. Soon, the dares threaten to turn their academic rivalry into something much more.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

Feature and Giveaway: Take Me for Granted by K.A. Linde


Grant

Manwhore. Adrenaline junkie. Lead singer of ContraBand. What you see is what you get. I make no apologies for my actions, and by now no one expects any from me. I live my life the way I want and as long as it pushes the demons back, then I'm solid. I've never needed a chick for more than a good lay. Why would I need just one when I can have a different one every night?

Until she walks into my world.

Aribel

Mouthy. Perfectionist. Princeton student. Chemistry major. Yes, that pretty much describes me. Oh, and virgin. But I'm only nineteen, and have more important things to concern myself with. What really matters is finishing my degree and getting a good job. I’ve worked hard for what I want, and do what’s expected of me. I don’t need anyone to get in my way.

Until he opens up my world.

But if I give you my world, whatever you do…don’t TAKE ME for granted.

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N |

Feature and Giveaway: Pistol by Max Henry

pistol
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?

Purchase: | Amazon |

ARC Review: Take Me for Granted by K.A. Linde


I have been a huge K.A. Linde fan since reading her Avoiding series. When I found out she was doing a rock star story, I knew I absolutely had to read it! If you have ever read anything by her, especially her Avoiding series you know that her stories are well written and filled with angst and drama. I loved Take Me for Granted, and I thought it offered the perfect amount of drama and angst to keep me flipping the pages. I thought that this story was lighter than the Avoiding series though, and absolutely loved Aribel and Grant! I cannot wait to get more of these two and their friends!

Grant is the lead singer of ContraBand. He has the reputation of being a manwhore, and he is proud of it. He has never had a girlfriend and doesn't do repeats. After a concert one night he meets Aribel, and they get off to a rocky start. Aribel is a student at Princeton and is committed to getting good grades, graduating and starting a career. She has been raised by her strict parents and has always had an idea of what her future would look like. Having just broken up with her boyfriend, Aribel isn't interested in being just another girl to Grant even if she does find him to be incredibly hot. But Grant continues to pursue her even after she repeatedly turns him down. Aribel starts to see a different side to him than anyone else has, and they begin to date. But with obstacles from Grant's past as well as his rock star lifestyle, their relationship is threatened before they ever really have a chance at a future together. Can they make it through everything thrown in their way, or will it be too much for them to overcome?

I really liked Grant. He was sexy and honest and a lot sweeter than one would ever expect. He was relentless in pursuing Aribel, and I liked that he never gave up. He felt that he wasn't good enough for her, but he was unable to stay away from her. I liked seeing him open up to her and let her in. He was always up-front with her and the fact that he was able to admit his feelings for her was really refreshing. He had never had feelings for a girl before, and he struggled with what was developing between them but he never avoided it or lied about what was going on. I also really loved that he was so protective and possessive of her. He had claimed her as his and wanted to make sure that everyone knew it. I also liked Aribel (Ari). She was determined and mouthy and yet she was really innocent. She was inexperienced and was completely dedicated to her studying. But she was really great with Grant when she started to get to know him, and they were really great for each other. She helped him be more serious and open up about his past, while he helped her to have some fun and loosen up. These two could not have been more different, and yet they were absolutely perfect together. This was such a true case of opposites attract, and I loved the chemistry between them. These two were really hot together, and you could feel the attraction between them. But more than that, they had such a strong connection between them and you could tell how very real and intense their feelings were for each other.

Overall, this was another fantastic book from K.A. Linde. I really love her writing style and she has become one of my favorite authors. Her stories are always interesting and unique and they are filled with completely original characters. I love that her characters aren't your typical cookie-cutter type of heroes and heroines, and I love that they are flawed and real. Grant and Aribel's story was so believable, and I was invested right from the start. These two didn't have things easy, and they both made mistakes and handled things poorly. But it was so real because of their age and the way that things happened. I really loved that they took things slowly and that this wasn't another case of inst-love. I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book in this series and get to see more of Aribel and Grant's journey. These two are great together, and I know that whatever happens next will be just as interesting as this book was. This book is a must read for NA rock star fans, but I also think that most romance fans will find something to identify with in Take Me for Granted. If you haven't read anything by K.A. Linde yet, you are absolutely missing out! I look forward to reading the next installment in Grant and Aribel's story (Take Me With You) and will have to try to be patient as I wait!

**ARC provided by Truly Schmexy Promotions **

Purchase: Amazon | B&N |




Friday, May 9, 2014

Review: Bending the Rules by L.K. Lewis


Bending the Rules is the second book in L.K. Lewis's Breaking the Rules series. This is the continuation of Drake and Morgan's story and is not a standalone. If you haven't read Breaking the Rules yet, you will need to read that book first. I had some mixed feelings after the first book, but I liked Drake and Morgan and was curious to see how things would play out for them. While I did have mixed feelings about this book as well, a lot of the things that I had problems with before were different with this book.

After Breaking the Rules, Drake has been sent to Switzerland by his father for breaking his rules. He wasn't allowed to have any contact with Morgan for the next nine months or even allowed to tell her where he went. Morgan has no idea what happened to make Drake up and disappear, but she promised him that she wouldn't stop fighting for them and has hope that he will return. Morgan quits her job at Baylor because of Drake's dad and gets a job working for Adrian at Thompson Manufacturing. As Morgan struggles to deal with Drake's absence, Adrian uses the opportunity to try to win her back. But when Adrian and Morgan head to Switzerland for New Year's, Drake and Morgan meet back up and decide that they are done being apart for good. With Drake and Morgan reunited they start to make plans for their future, but there are still obstacles that threaten to stand in the way of their relationship.

I like Drake and Morgan. After the first book, I thought that they were great characters and that they really belonged together. That didn't change with this story. However, I felt like Drake should have never done what he did by taking off and not talking to Morgan at all or at least allowing Garrett to fill her in on what was going on. I understand his reasons and that he was trying to provide for Morgan and that he was trying to protect her job. But I still don't really see why he felt like he needed to follow his dad's wishes. He was determined to see it through though and he always kept Morgan and their future as his top priority. But he also expected her to realize that whatever he was doing was for them and their future, and I felt like that was complete unrealistic. I'm sorry but if the love of my life up and left me with no explanation and I didn't hear anything from him, regardless of how well I thought I knew him I would figure that we were over. That just didn't make sense to me at all. I also didn't really understand some of the things Morgan did. She was committed to Drake and fighting for them, and she believed that Drake would be back despite what he had done. But yet she allowed Adrian to take her out on dates and kiss her. I know that she and Drake weren't exactly together, but it felt like cheating to me and I wasn't okay with it.

I did think that the writing was much better in this book than the first, and some of the flow problems and chapter problems that I had with that story were so much better this time around. You could tell that L.K. Lewis's writing has improved and it was very noticeable from the first to the second book. I liked that the chapters weren't so choppy in this story, but that we still got multiple POVs. I will say that we get more than just Morgan and Drake's POVs in this story, and it was a bit much at times. It did allow the reader to see more of the story and what the characters were feeling, but at times it got to be confusing trying to figure out which character's POV it was. I liked the way that things were at the end of this story, but I felt that the ending was a bit abrupt and that there could have been more. Then I found out that there is going to be a third book to the series, so I am hoping that we will get more of Morgan and Drake's story and things will have a satisfying conclusion. I really didn't like Adrian in the first book, and I liked him even less in this. I hope that the third book doesn't focus as much on him. His character also confuses me. He was so calculated and manipulative in the first book and all through the beginning of this book. Then towards the end of this book its as though he flips a switch and is completely different. I didn't really believe that he would give up like that and just change his tune. I do like Morgan and Drake despite the criticisms that I had with these books, and I am interested in seeing how things end for all these characters. I really like Morgan's friend and Drake's friend a lot, and I am glad that they are together. I hope we get more of them in the next book. I think that Drake and Morgan's story is worth reading and I am looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

**Copy provided by Xpresso Book Tours**

Purchase:Amazon |




Feature and Giveaway: Bending the Rules by L.K. Lewis


“Drake isn’t just someone I love, he’s the one I love the most in this world. He’s my best friend, my breath, my everything. I realize in this moment that the true reason I’m on this journey to find Drake is not just because I miss him and want him back, I’m also missing a huge part of me. Until we’re together again, my life isn’t complete. Without him I’m not whole.”-Morgan

“… I’m so sorry I couldn’t go to you. It was nearly impossible not to but Morgan we wouldn’t be standing here right now if I had. You found me Baby. When you met me on your first day at Baylor what seems like a lifetime ago you found me. Only this time I’m not letting you go.”-Drake

Struggling to get her life back on track after being left suddenly and inexplicably by (secret) boyfriend –not- boyfriend and boss Drake Baylor Jr., Morgan Lane searches the globe to find Drake knowing that the only way to truly live the life she’s worked so hard for is with him by her side.

Banished to Zurich, Switzerland by his father after being caught Breaking the Rules, Drake has nine months to get the European Division of Baylor Industries back on track. Again, he must obey the rules so that he can hopefully return to his life with Morgan and take the helm of Baylor Industries.

Everything is going according to plan as usual for Adrian Thompson who has just gotten Drake banished to Switzerland as part of his plan to get Morgan (his college sweetheart and hopefully future trophy wife) back in his life for good. With a little help from Lana Lane, Morgan’s mother, Adrian is hoping to have Morgan wearing his ring by New Year’s Eve.

After a few months of being wooed by old flame and now boss Adrian, and without so much as a word from Drake, Morgan hesitantly accepts Adrian’s invitation to join him for New Year’s Eve in St.Moritz Switzerland. Foiling Adrian’s plan, a “chance encounter” finds Morgan back in Drake’s arms.

Will Drake and Morgan be able to overcome the distance and time that is now between them along with a few of the hurdles that life has thrown their way? Morgan and Drake are once again faced with figuring out how to start their new future together- this time not Breaking the Rules, only Bending them.

Purchase: | Amazon |

Interview with Author Elene Sallinger and Giveaway

Meet Elene Sallinger, author of Reflection.

Hailing from Washington, DC, Elene Sallinger first caught the writing bug in 2004 after writing and illustrating several stories for her then four-year-old daughter. Her writing career has encompassed two award-winning childrens stories, a stint as a consumer-education advocate, as well as writing her debut novel, Awakening - a novel of erotic fiction that won the New Writing Competition at the Festival of Romance 2011.

Places to find Elene: 
| Site | Twitter

Review: Breaking the Rules by L.K. Lewis


Breaking the Rules is the debut novel from L.K. Lewis. I was really looking forward to this one after reading the blurb and I loved the cover! This book was different than I was expecting though, and while there were things that I liked there was a lot that left me with mixed feelings. This book had a lot of potential, and I think it could be really great with some work. It has the makings of a great story, and Morgan and Drake kept me interested enough to keep reading. But the writing style of the author took some getting used to, and wasn't one that I clicked with.

Morgan Lane has just finished grad school and gets a job at Baylor Industries with the help of her father. Her father is golf buddies with the owner and CEO of the company. On Morgan's first day she is surprised to find the son of the owner instead of the CEO at her meeting. Morgan and Drake Baylor Jr. are in instantly drawn to each other and share an intense attraction to the other. But Drake has been given a set of rules by his father in order to work at the company after his past. Drake intends to push Morgan away and keep things to a minimum and only professional. He cleaned up his act and doesn't want anything to interfere with the second chance his father has given him. But the more Drake and Morgan are around each other the harder he finds it to stay away from her. Morgan is interested in Drake, but doesn't understand his hot and cold attitude and can't figure out why he reacts the way he does to her. When Drake finds in impossible to stay away any longer, he comes clean with Morgan and tells her that he is not allowed to date anyone or have a relationship of any type until his father retires and he becomes CEO. Morgan and Drake are willing to fight for each other though, and decide to wait it out by seeing each other secretly. But will they be able to keep things hidden between them when they can't help but be drawn to each other?

I liked Drake and Morgan. They were both smart and hard working. They were both open and honest. I liked that they both weren't afraid to lay everything on the line for their relationship and the fact that they had no problem really telling the other how they were feeling. They were drawn to each other from the beginning and you could tell that they were extremely attracted to each other. That being said though, their relationship was a huge case of insta-love and I had trouble believing that they were as madly in love with each other as they claimed. It was extremely fast, and it was more physical than anything. They didn't know each other at all basically, and yet somehow they just knew that they were meant to be. It felt more like lust than anything to me. But once I got over that, and saw them together more I could tell that they were good together. Their feelings seemed to become more real as the story went on and I really believe that at the end their relationship was more than just physical. I just wish that things wouldn't have been so rushed between them.

I also felt like because of the author's writing style and the way that the chapters were written, this book was really choppy to me. It didn't flow as well as I would have liked, and I felt like the transitions needed work. The chapters were really short and switched back and forth between POVs pretty randomly. I will admit that while I liked getting both Drake and Morgan's POVs, I felt like the way that it was done really drew me out of the story and caused me to lose interest at points. I liked Drake and Morgan though, and I feel like their story is a good one despite the problems I had. I was curious to see how everything would play out and I will be interested to see what happens for them in the next book. There is a second book and things are left up in the air at the end of this story, so it will be interesting to see what happens next. I also hope to see more of Morgan's best friend! I loved her character. While I loved her character, I really hated Drake's dad and Adrian. I know a lot of people will probably really like Adrian, but I have to admit that he rubbed me wrong from the start and he seemed to be up to something. I knew he was still interested in Morgan and I figured he would try to come between her and Drake. He just seemed really shady. Drake's dad was so different than he seems at first, and I honestly don't understand why he is the way he is. His actions at the end of this book really confused me, and I really hope that he gets whats coming to him. I think that this series has promise, and even with my criticisms I would still recommend reading this one. If you not a fan of insta-love though, this one might not be for you. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and can't wait to see where L.K. Lewis takes these characters in the future.

**Copy provided by Xpresso Book Tours**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |



Thursday, May 8, 2014

ARC Review: Night Child by Lisa Kessler

Night Child Four stars
Lisa Kessler
ARC obtained from publisher
Paranormal
April 28, 2014
Entangled
http://www.amazon.com/Night-Child-Entangled-Edge-ebook/dp/B00IWUXWS2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1397757033&sr=1-1&keywords=night+child

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17801005-night-child?ac=1


Muriah LaDeaux is hoping her thirtieth birthday will be special. Instead, she’s sitting in her friend Richard’s apartment, waiting for him to call. Fed up, she leaves and heads home. She walks toward her family’s business, The Dimension’s Den, a supernatural bookstore. Police cars surround it. Agent Bale is inside. Richard’s body was found without his hands or head, but his wallet was in his pocket. Richard dealt in illegal drugs and Mayan artifacts. Issa is a Night Walker and God of the West. He sacrifices mortal and immortals to keep balance and stability in the world. So much death over the centuries has stirred his mind toward insanity. His jaguar shape helps him resolve his loneliness. For now. Issa’s brother’s child will save the world. Gretchen is a mortal woman found for the task. Apep, the God of Chaos, plans to kidnap the baby and rule the world. His spies are his snake tattoos who live in the shadows. Everyone is searching for a Mayan codex and Muriah has it. Issa is called to help Muriah find a way to capture Apep. He presumes to be in charge and she reminds him she has her own mind. Muriah is psychic and travels to the past in her thoughts. They need to get to Egypt to trap Apep. Issa hates to fly, so Muriah brings a DVD of The Wizard of Oz to relax him. Apep learns of their plans and throws down barriers by shutting down the airports. Stuck in New York, Issa takes Muriah to see Wicked. It provides a fun break in the action and makes Issa irresistible. In the face of danger and blocks from Broadway, he treats her to a show. Finally in Egypt, they find more relics and devise a plan to capture Apep. Stop Chaos, assist in the safe delivery of a chosen child, and fall in love. Which is the hardest task for them to complete?

Issa has a terrible haunted past. Muriah sees herself as alone with no surviving family. They are well matched, both bring what the other needs to the relationship. They are equals and prove themselves worthy. Muriah counters his demands with reminding him to say please and thank you. When he does it automatically, without a smirk or gritted teeth, she starts to fall in love. He has waited centuries for her, enough to make her melt.

Apep is an excellent villain. Evil gods, who smack down the good guys without breaking a sweat, are interesting. He has an agenda and will kill anyone and anything in his way. To force Muriah out in the open, he starts fires in every hotel he passes. Stirring up chaos, everyone is afraid. The snakes tattoos are creepy good minions.

This book is the last of a series. The secondary characters follow into this story.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N |



Guest Post with Author Angie Stanton and Giveaway

Meet Angie Stanton, author of Royally Lost.

Angie Stanton never planned on writing books; she wanted to be a Rockette. However, growing up in rural Wisconsin, with her brothers' 4-H pigs as pets, dance didn't work out. Instead she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head, she began to write them down, and the rest is history.

Angie is the author of six books including Royally Lost, Rock and a Hard Place, and Snapshot. She graduated with a Journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin, and is a proud double finalist of the National Readers Choice Awards for Love 'em or Leave 'em.

Find Angie at:

Feature and Giveaway: Angel Kin by Tricia Skinner + The Demon Lord by Paula Altenberg


The thief will steal his heart...

Book Synopsis: While channeling Robin Hood’s “steal from the rich and give to the poor” attitude at a local politician’s house, ex-con Katie Logan witnesses a forced suicide. Dirty or not, supernatural or not, he didn’t deserve to die, especially not by his own hand. But with her record, stepping forward as a witness isn’t an option. On the run from the police and the murderer, she turns to The Bound Ones for help.

When a beautiful woman comes to The Bound Ones, half-angel assassin Cain is immediately drawn to her. But when she fingers him as the killer, he can come to only one conclusion. The twin he thought was dead is very much alive…and trying to send him a message. Unfortunately, that message is: “You’re next.”

It’s a race against time as Cain fights to save the woman he’s falling in love with before his brother Abel destroys them both.

Purchase: | Amazon | B&N |

ARC Review: Pulled Beneath by Marni Mann


Pulled Beneath is the first book in Marni Mann's Bar Harbor series. This book was so good, and it was so much more than I ever expected. The blurb sounded good, but once I started reading this story I was drawn in and instantly intrigued. This book kept me guessing the entire way through and I had no idea what was really going on half of the time. I loved that I couldn't guess the twists and turns, and that this one was so different from everything that I have read before. The way that Marni Mann was able to weave everything together in this story and have it so that every character and event had its purpose was really fantastic. I loved her writing style, and I can't wait to read more from her.

When Drew Stevens loses her parents after they are brutally murdered, she ends up feeling lost and looking for anything to help her escape. She swims to quiet her thoughts and erase the horrible images in her head. She receives notice that she has inherited a house from grandparents that she thought had died when she was a small child. She leaves Florida and heads to Maine to get more answers. When she arrives she meets with the lawyer and decides to renovate the house before putting it up for sale. But the more that she starts to learn, the more questions she has. She meets her grandparent's next door neighbor's grandson Saint, and she is instantly drawn to him. But Saint is closed off and has a reputation for using women and lots of them. The more that she gets to know him though, the more she realizes that no one really knows Saint and they have him all wrong. Can Saint and Drew find a way to heal from their painful pasts and move forward together? What happens when Drew starts to get the answers to all the questions that she has?

I liked Saint. He was such a sexy mystery for the first portion of this story, but I was like Drew in that I was both intrigued by him and wanted to know more. Drew was able to see that there was so much pain beneath the surface with Saint, and they were able to relate to each other because of it. They understood each other in a way that no one else did. Saint tried to stay away from Drew because he thought that she deserved better, but he was also always there when she needed him. He was always looking out for her, and he was really thoughtful when it came to Drew. Drew was struggling with so much, and she was questioning her entire life. I felt so bad for her as I cannot even imagine what it would be like to find out that not only did you lose your parents, but you find out that the parents you knew were not anything like what you thought. I was glad that she had her best friend Gia and that she had started to make other friends in Maine. Even though Saint appeared to have a certain reputation, Drew didn't let that stop her from getting to know him and I liked that she got to see the person that he actually was. They had a lot of chemistry and were so drawn to each other. I thought that their connection was very real and believable, and they had an intensity to them that is so rare.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved that there was so much more to this story than you first realize, and that I never was able to figure everything out. I can't really go into much more about this story without spoiling anything, but trust me when I tell you that you should read this one for yourself to see what happens! This story was so good and I thought it was a great start to this series. I loved Saint and Drew, but I also really liked a lot of the secondary characters. I am so excited to get more of them and see what happens next in this series. The reason that this book wasn't a full five stars for me is that I felt the beginning and a few other parts were a bit slow. I was intrigued from the start, but it was a little hard to get into at first. Despite the fact that it lagged a bit, the story had a great flow and kept me intrigued. I highly recommend this story and look forward to reading more from Marni Mann in the future.

**ARC Provided by Tasty Book Tours**

Purchase:Amazon | Kindle | B&N | The Book Depository |




Wednesday, May 7, 2014

ARC Review: Misunderstandings by Tiffany King


I have been in kind of a book funk lately. Everything that I have read has been just ok or good and nothing has been that memorable. Having never read a book by Tiffany King before, I wasn't sure what to expect with Misunderstandings but I was hopeful that this might be the one to get me out of the funk. This book was fantastic! It was more than I ever expected and I ended up absolutely loving it! Misunderstandings captivated me from the very first page and kept me turning the pages until I had devoured every last word of Justin and Brittni's story! This is the second book in the Woodfalls Girls series, and I can't wait to not only read the next book, but go back and read the first one as well! This book is a must read for NA fans!

Two years ago everything fell apart for Brittni. She left Seattle and headed back home to get away from everything. Now she has been talked into returning by her friends for their engagement party. When she arrives for lunch with her friend she ends up getting trapped in an elevator with the last person she would want to be stuck with, her ex Justin. Justin was the love of her life, only problem is that he hates her. Justin thinks that he knows what happened two years ago, and can't figure out why Brittni did the things that she did. But when they spend hours locked together in the elevator, he quickly begins to realize that things weren't as they seemed and everything he thought he knew might have actually happened differently. What happens to Justin and Brittni when the truth finally comes out and everything that went wrong between them is revealed?

I really loved Justin and Brittni. They were both afraid of commitment. Justin had the reputation and first impression of being a total player and a notorious flirt. Brittni was a one and done type of dater, never going beyond the first date with anyone. But as they got to know each other better, they realized that they were different than they first appeared. Justin was a flirt, but he was also honest and would never cheat. He was an artist and he was thoughtful and caring. He was a laid back and easy going guy who was determined to convince Brittni to give them a shot. He wasn't afraid to go after what he wanted, and I liked that he didn't give up on pursuing her. Brittni was complicated and dedicated, and as much as she tried to keep Justin at arms length she wasn't able to. It was really great to see these two start to fall for each other and really let the other in. I was glad that they took things slow and that they allowed their relationship to really progress naturally. They had a lot of chemistry and attraction, but their connection was so much stronger because they were able to connect on such a deeper and more emotional level than just the physical. These two were perfect for each other, and they really seemed to bring out the best in each other. They did fight and argue, but they were extremely passionate about each other and you could tell that they were so intense because of the feelings between them.

I loved that this book gave us the past as well as the present of their relationship. I will admit at times I was a little frustrated to be switching back and forth because things would just start to get good and give us details and then it would switch. But honestly it kept me interested and unable to put this one down. I simply had to know what happened next and even though I couldn't get there fast enough to figure everything out, I also wanted to really savor the story because it was that good! Justin and Brittni both made mistakes and handled things poorly, but they were young and thought that they knew everything that was going on. Sometimes things happen and we jump to conclusions that we shouldn't, and this was definitely a story where they should have better communicated with each other. But I loved seeing how they were able to really figure things out in the end and see the whole truth. Brittni and Justin are definitely some of my favorite NA characters ever, and I really loved their story. I cannot recommend this one enough, and I think that their journey is definitely a must read. Tiffany King is a new to me author, but after this I know that I will be looking for more from her in the future.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Guest Post with Author Tiffany King and Giveaway


USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iPhone and iPad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.

Find Tiffany at:
| Site | Facebook | Twitter

Feature and Giveaway with Laura London


Country bred and city green, Elizabeth Cordell lives a quiet life with her sisters in a humble cottage in Kent. But upon the death of their kindly guardian, the orphaned girl discovers that her happy home is now the property of a surprising new owner: the notorious Lord Nicholas Dearborne.

Devilishly rich, diabolically handsome-and rumored to be a despicable cad-Dearborne arrives in a grand carriage with a wicked woman and a wanton smirk. Elizabeth can't help but be flattered by Dearborne's bold flirtations, and can't refuse his offer to stay as a companion to his young ward. But how long can she resist his masterful seductions-when she craves his kiss as much as he craves hers?

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ARC Review: Slope of Love by Melissa Foster


Slope of Love is the thirteenth book in Melissa Foster's Love in Bloom series and is the fourth Remingtons book. This is Rush Remington and Jayla Stone's book, and I have been dying to get my hands on this one. I am a huge sports romance fan and I also really love the friends to lovers trope. I knew I was going to really like this one, but after Sienna and Cash's story I wasn't sure if it would be better than theirs. Rush and Jayla's story absolutely blew me away though, and is by far my favorite of the series to date. This book was so good and I couldn't put it down!

Rush Remington and Jayla Stone are professional skiers and are on the US Olympic team. They have both won Olympic gold and spend their time practicing and preparing to compete. Rush and Jayla have been best friends since they were kids. Jayla was thirteen and Rush was seventeen when they first met. They have always been there for each other and have been able to be completely open with each other, but their relationship has always been platonic. Jayla has secretly loved Rush since they were kids, but knew that he never looked at her that way. She has had to watch him with girl after girl and hear all of his sexcapades. Rush was woken up to the fact that he was a womanizer by his brother and has seen himself differently ever since. He has decided to take a break from women for the last year when he realized that he was in love with Jayla. He finally gets up the courage to tell her how he feels, and even though she feels more for him also she is scared that he will get bored easily and leave her heartbroken. Rush is determined to prove to her that he has changed though and that the only woman he wants forever is her.

I loved Rush and Jayla. Rush was caring and thoughtful and really protective of Jayla. He was always thinking about her and knew her so well. I loved seeing him look out for her but also letting her tell him what she needed and then accepting her for who she was. There were times when he would have multiple reactions to things she needed and struggled with how to view things because he understood that a friend would do one thing while an athlete or boyfriend would do something else. But he always talked to her about things and really listened to her and what she needed. Jayla was strong and sweet, and vulnerable. She had loved Rush for so long and accepted him flaws and all. I liked that she knew everything that he had done and all about his playboy ways, and she was able to see beyond that. Rush and Jayla were so open with each other and knew everything about the other. They had no secrets and they didn't lie to each other. They had such a great foundation for a relationship after being best friends for years. They were perfect for each other and had great chemistry together. They brought out the best in each other and pushed the other when needed. But they also understood each other in a way that others never would being professional athletes that competed at such a high level. I loved the ease they had to their friendship and relationship and they just fit together in every way. These two were really hot and had a great connection, but it was so much more than just attraction and it was clear to see that they were everything to each other.

Overall, this book was fantastic. Rush and Jayla were made for each other, and their story was so much fun to read. I was invested from the start and they kept me turning the pages. Rush and Jayla were easy to fall in love with and root for, and I knew that they would be together forever. There was no one else for either of them, and I loved seeing them start to figure things out. It was nice to get to see them make the transition from friends to lovers, and I loved that they were committed to each other and serious about their future together. I think that the ending to the story was great but a little bit abrupt. I would have liked to have been given a little more of the two of them and seen what happened in the future. Luckily Melissa Foster is good at giving us glimpses of the characters as the series progresses, so I am sure that we will see some more of these two. I just loved them so much that I am a little greedy about them and wasn't ready for their story to be done. This series is one that I have really enjoyed and the books seem to just be getting better. I would highly recommend this series to contemporary romance fans, and even though I would recommend starting with the first Remingtons book to get full enjoyment, these can all be read as standalones. I can't wait to read the next story which is Kurt's and is called Read, Write, Love.

**ARC Provided by Tasty Book Tours**

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