Review: Real by Katy Evans

Title: Real (Real, Raw & Ripped #1)
Author: Katy Evans
Release Date: April 8th, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 266
Source: Bought from Amazon.com

Synopsis:
A fallen boxer.
A woman with a broken dream.
A competition…

He even makes me forget my name. One night was all it took, and I forgot everything and anything except the sexy fighter in the ring who sets my mind ablaze and my body on fire with wanting…

Remington Tate is the strongest, most confusing man I’ve ever met in my life.

He’s the star of the dangerous underground fighting circuit, and I’m drawn to him as I’ve never been drawn to anything in my life. I forget who I am, what I want, with just one look from him. When he’s near, I need to remind myself that I am strong–but he is stronger. And now it’s my job to keep his body working like a perfect machine, his taut muscles primed and ready to break the bones of his next opponents . . .

But the one he’s most threatening to, now, is me.

I want him. I want him without fear. Without reservations.

If only I knew for sure what it is that he wants from me?

Mature New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance - recommended for ages 18 and up

My Thoughts:

Remington “Riptide” Tate is an underground fighter. His fans love him and everyone around him loves him. And I LOVED this book. I found it to be refreshing; I think I was in the beginning of a reading slump but this book brought me out of it. If I could have read it all day I would have (but that would mean neglecting my family I went to Texas to visit). I wanted to know what was going to happen. It was that good, I was always thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading.

I thought this book was great from the very start. The chemistry between Remington and Brooke, whew, it was HOTTTTT…Yes it needed the extra T’s. It was so strong; I could literally feel the attraction between them. I think the author did a really good job at making you feel what Brooke was feeling.

And about Remington…all I can say is WOW. He is the ultimate alpha male. From the first time he laid eyes on Brooke, he considered her to be his. He reminded me of the men in the Black Dagger Brotherhood marking their mate so other males would know they were taken.

My favourite part of the book was the last chapter which was in Remy’s POV. That was unexpected and surprising but I was so happy to get a little slice of his take on things. I think “Remy” which is his POV of the event of Real will be awesome.

The only thing that bugged me was Brooke’s constant guessing if Remy did actually want her in the beginning of the book; it was clearly obvious that he was. This was the small thing that annoyed me.

Real is highly addictive and entertaining. I am looking forward to reading the next part of the story, Mine, coming out June 2013.

My Rating:

5 out of 5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday (12)

Frozen (Heart of Dread #1) by Melissa De La Cruz and Michael Johnston

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I was intrigued by the description of this book. I am very interested and excited to see what it is all about. The cover also drew me in. I am a sucker for a beautiful and unique covers!

Expected Publication Date: September 17, 2013

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)

Set in 111 C.D., one hundred and eleven years after a Catastrophic Disaster has wiped out 99% of humanity and left the earth covered in ice, this new series introduces readers to a ragtag group of friends and the dawning of a new time. The world of reason, of mathematics and science, is ending, and a new civilization is being born from the ice: a world of magic and mayhem, sorcerers and spellcraft.

                                   

I would love to hear from you!

Cover Reveal: Steel Lily by Megan Curd

Title: Steel Lily

Author: Megan Curd

Expected release date: Fall 2013

Genre: Dystopian w/ hints of Steampunk

Age Group: Young Adult

Cover Designed by: Regina Wamba of Mae I Design;  www.maeidesign.com

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Book Description:

AVERY PIKE is a commodity. No, more than a commodity. Her existence is guarded at all costs.

She’s a water Elementalist, the strongest of her dwindling kind. She creates steam to provide energy to fuel Dome Three: the only thing standing between humanity and an earth ravaged by World War III. No steam, no Dome. No Dome, no life.

Or so she thinks.

That is, until a mysterious man offers her a way out of having to donate steam. A way to escape the corrupt government of Dome Three. While the offer seems too good to be true, Avery is intrigued.

But when she arrives to her new home, she realizes the grass isn’t any less dead on this side of the fence. Instead, the lies are just hidden better.

…Which means digging deeper.

When Avery enlists the help of her friends to uncover the truth, it may make her wonder if she was better off being a government tool than searching for freedom.

Some secrets are better left concealed, but humankind was never meant to live in a cage. And when you can control the most sought after resource, you can learn to control anything…including the fate of your world.

About the Author:

Megan began her journey into writing as a college junior during winter finals at the encouragement of a friend. What resulted was Bridger, Megan's first full-length novel. Since then she has written the second book in the series, Traitor, and a stand-alone novel (which will hopefully become a series!) called The Guardian Chronicles: Forbidden.

When not writing, Megan enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and Great Dane, aptly named Dozer. She enjoys snowboarding, playing xBox, and crocheting. Music is a huge part of her life and drives her writing. Her favorite bands are Muse, Bon Iver, Florence + the Machine, and The Civil Wars.

Megan resides in Kentucky, near two of her writerly tweeps Hope Collier and Beth Isaacs, and swears it's Hope's fault she's living in the land of the banjos, but wouldn't have it any other way.

You can contact the author by:

Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Website

New Batch (10): New Books

Books Releasing May 26- June 1

Goddess (Starcrossed #3) by Josephine Angelini

Release Date: May 28, 2013

Of Triton (Of Poseidon #2) by Anna Banks

Release Date: May 28, 2013

The Girl with the Iron Touch (Steampunk Chronicles #3) by Kady Cross

Release Date: May 28, 2013

Dare To You (Pushing the Limits #2) by Katie McGarry

Release Date: May 28, 2013

Spirit (Elemental #3) by Brigid Kemmerer

Release Date: May 28, 2013

The Forever of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen

Release Date: May 28, 2013

Sky on Fire (Monument 14) by Emmy Laybourne

Release Date: May 28, 2013

Faerie After (Bones of Faerie #3) by Janni Lee Simner

Release Date: May 28, 2013

Beauty from Surrender (Beauty #2) by Georgia Cates

Release Date: May 30, 2013

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: May 31, 2013

In My Mailbox (11) & Stacking the Shelves (6)

Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Mod Podge Bookshelf, who was inspired by a fellow book blogger Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It features books I have bought or received for review.

Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual. This week I got a couple of books. I started reading Tangled which is one the books I got this week and I am loving it. It is soooooo funny, just like the reviews state. Lately, I have been so sick that I have not been able to read much but hopefully that will change soon :)

I hope everyone has a good week in books.

Bought for my Kindle:

What books did you get?

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The description of the book sounded great. It is very different from a lot of the books I usually read but I am so excited for this book to be released. This is going to be a great thriller!

Expected Publication Date: October 8, 2013

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)

A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists.

Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why.

Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.

Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair.

Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage.

Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire.

By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

I would love to hear from you!

Release Event: The Do Over by A.L. Zaun

Title: The Do Over 

Author: A.L. Zaun 

Release date: May 20, 2013 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Age Group: Adult 

Event organized by: AToMR Tours

Synopsis:

Life doesn’t look like it’s supposed to for Dani Ruiz, a hopeless romantic.  After a painful and sudden break-up with Rick Marin—who  she thought was the One—Dani hides away from reality, retreating to a world of fiction, preferring book boyfriends over the hassles of a relationship.

After almost two years of watching Dani in a holding pattern, her friends stage an intervention and force her back into the real world of dating.

Unexpectedly, Dani meets Liam Lucas, a down-to-earth firefighter. He might be the person to show her she’s still worth something. Dani’s hesitant to trust her heart with another man, but their instant and electric chemistry is something she can’t deny.

As Dani starts to believe that she’s found her real-life book boyfriend, Rick decides that he’ll go to any lengths to get her back. Seeing Rick as a changed man makes Dani question everything.

Can Dani trust her patched-up heart with Liam?

Or has Rick transformed into the man she’s always wanted?

Told from various points of views, The Do Over is a story of second chances and new beginnings.  

Excerpt:

Looking over at her again, I noticed she wasn’t showing any interest in this part of the class. It was my job to make sure that every student was properly trained in advanced life support. I owed it to her to engage her in this class activity.

“Ms. Ruiz,” I called, waving for her to come up to the front.

She straightened up, like she was startled. Shit, I hope I didn’t freak her out.

After she sauntered to the front of the class, she got into position. Clearly, she knew what she was doing, but that didn’t stop me from assisting her. I didn’t know what had possessed me. I was drawn to her. I stood behind her as she placed her hands on the dummy. She was the perfect height. I could’ve easily rested my chin on her head. I reached over, almost leaning into her. I laid my hands over hers as we pushed down on the dummy.

Making sure she applied the correct pressure, I said in a hushed voice, “Make sure it’s deep, hard, and steady. Yeah, that’s right. You’re doing it perfectly.”

About the Author:

A.L. Zaun graduated from Florida International University with a degree in English Literature a long time ago. A degree she didn’t use at all in her professional endeavors. She loves to read, write and take pictures. She walks around with her camera, and most importantly she has her e-reader available at all times. Healthcare Management by day, Mommy in the evening and most nights, you can find her sitting in front of her laptop with a bottle of Diet Pepsi, bringing the voices in her head to life on the pages of her debut novel, The Do Over.

You can contact the author by:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website

Trailer:

You Tube

Book Blast: Tragic by J. A. Huss

Book Title: TRAGIC: Rook and Ronin, #1
Author: J.A. Huss
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 15, 2013
Published by: Science Future Press

Synopsis:

Rook Walsh is TRAGIC
Because life so far – just sucks. Some girls get parents. Rook got the foster care system. Some girls get Prince Charming. Rook got an abusive frog. Some girls get lucky…
Rook got a second chance.
And she took it. Because when fate throws you a bone – you grab it with both hands and run.
Antoine Chaput knows the minute he spies Rook in his photography studio that she’s got The Look. The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.
Rook is paired up with top model, Ronin, and he’s everything her abusive ex-boyfriend wasn’t. Patient, gentle, happy, attentive, and sexy! He knows exactly what to do to make Rook blush for Antoine’s camera.
Rook’s luck changes in an instant and suddenly she’s the darling of the modeling world. It’s a dream job to go with a dream guy and all she has to do is look pretty and follow directions. But there’s always a price to pay – and Rook is about to get the bill.

New Adult Contemporary Romance *Mature Content* Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language usage

**Does contain strong language**

I gather up all my clothes and stick them in the stackable washer in the closet just off the bedroom. The breeze caresses my naked limbs and gives me the chills, but I enjoy it. The goose bumps travel up my arms and spread out to my whole body. I shiver for a second and then head to the kitchen.
And stop dead in the living room.
Ronin fucking Flynn is sleeping on the couch.
What is he doing here? My eyes track to the front door and I suppose it's my fault, I left it open. There's nothing but a screen door between this apartment and the terrace. My gaze wanders back to the sleeping man. He's lying on his stomach, his one arm tucked underneath him, the other falling over the edge of the cushion, and he's shirtless.
And then I realize I'm naked.
"Shit!"
He stirs and I make a break for the bedroom. It's one thing to let him see me naked half hidden in darkness and quite another to be fully illuminated by the bright morning sunshine. I wrangle the sheet around my body and then head back to the living room, wistfully looking at the washer that contains every single article of clothing I own.
"Ronin!" I say loudly.
Nothing except a half-muffled snore from him. Lord, this man has the most perfectly chiseled and muscular back I've ever seen. Both hands pull up and go under his face, like he's blocking out the sunlight, and this gives me the perfect opportunity to study his flexing biceps. The muscles are thick and hard-looking near his shoulders. They curve down, dip into a little valley, and then climb once again.
I lean down and smell him.
"Why are you sniffing me?" he asks groggily.
"Uh—" Because you smell delicious, the inner Rook says. But luckily the outer Rook says, "I'm checking to see if you're drunk. Why are you sleeping on my couch?"
He peeks up, opening one eye in my direction, squints, and then croaks out some words. "I love your outfit." He grins, winks, and then drops his head back down into his arms.
"Are you leaving?" I ask, frustrated and confused at the same time. "I mean, why are you here?"
"I told you I'd come back with dinner. But when I got here, the lights were on and you were in bed. I only sat down for a second to think up a rational excuse to wake you up, but I guess I fell asleep." He raises his head again, grins sheepishly, and then rolls over on his back, tucks his hands behind his neck, and flashes his perfect body at me as he closes his eyes, probably confident that I'll be checking him out.
I do check him out. It's quite hard not to notice that he's got the perfect six-pack abs and that absolutely adorable fuzzy happy trail you see on a shirtless designer jeans model. Hmmmm… maybe he is that model? "You have no shirt on."
Yes, after all that gawking, I finally manage the obvious.
He opens the one eye to look at me again. "Neither do you."

Book Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/agh17mzbbg4?rel=0

You can buy it here: 

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo

J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).
She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

You can contact the author by:

Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website

Enter Here

New Batch (9): New Books

Books Releasing May 19- May 25

Absent by Katie Williams

Release Date: May 21, 2013

All I Need by Susane Colasanti

Release Date: May 21, 2013

Transparent by Natalie Whipple

Release Date: May 21, 2013

The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

Release Date: May 21, 2013

Thousand Words by Jennifer Brown

Release Date: May 21, 2013

Dark Shore (Book Two of the Atlanteans) by Kevin Emerson

Release Date: May 21, 2013

In My Mailbox (10) & Stacking the Shelves (5)

Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Mod Podge Bookshelf, who was inspired by a fellow book blogger Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It features books I have bought or received for review.

Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual. This week I got a few books. I am excited for the rest of the May and June because there are a lot of books coming out that I want and have to buy.

Also, if you haven't already don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a $15 Amazon Gift Card. There are 2 being given away. Enter now!

Bought for my kindle:

Received for review:

What books did you get???

Review: Ashes and Ice by Rochelle Maya Callen

Title: Ashes and Ice
Author: Rochelle Maya Callen
Release Date: February 4, 2013
Publisher: C&C Legacy Publishing
Pages: 294
Source: Bought from Amazon.com



Synopsis:
She is desperate to remember.
He is aching to forget.
Together, they are not broken.
But together, one may not survive.

​Jade wakes up with no memory of her past and blood on her hands.

Plagued by wicked thoughts, she searches for answers. Instead, she finds a boy who doesn't offer her answers, but hope. But sometimes, when nightmares turn into reality and death follows you everywhere, hope is not enough.

LUST. LOVE. LOSS. Sometimes, all that is left are Ashes and Ice.

My Thoughts:

When I first read the synopsis of Ashes & Ice, I was very interested and I wanted to find out more about it. Well, this book did not disappoint. I thought it was magical and enticing. The book always had me guessing until the end about what was happening to Jade and why she sometimes acted the way she did. I found it to be very different than anything else I have read before and that is what I loved about it most.

I found the beginning to be a little slow at first. In the beginning, I found I liked Connor’s point of view more. I can feel the depth of his pain and had tears in my hands because I was feeling everything he was feeling. I really liked that they were alternating chapters of Jade and Connor’s point of view. I found I got to know them both more. On the other hand, just when I was getting into, for example, Connor’s point of view the chapter would end and change to Jade’s. Due to this, I felt like some chapters were cut short and it left me a little frustrated.

I absolutely loved the writing. The author has a beautiful way of connecting words together. It is breathless. There is something so honest about it and it left me wanting more.

I liked how with Jade, because she doesn't remember anything, she has to learn small things all over again. Small things we take for granted, for example, Eskimo kisses, is something so significant to Jade and the story line. Small things or incidences make the story.

What I loved most about this story? Love is the be all and end all. Love is what saved Jade from going dark numerous times. Jade could be evil, really evil, after all she is the daughter of a devil, and love is what saved her from dooming the world. I strongly believe that love will continue to be the one thing that will keep Jade on the good side.

This book was a great start to a series and I am looking forward to reading more from the author.

My Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Blog Tour: Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett

Welcome to my stop on the Off Limits Blog Tour! Below you will find an awesome giveaway and my review of the book.

Title: Off Limits 

Author: Sawyer Bennett 

Release date: April 16, 2013 

Publisher: Big Dog Books, LLC 

Age Group: New Adult 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Tour organized by: AToMR Tours

Book Description:

“There is a vulnerability there, hovering just below the surface. And I want to pick at it until I expose it. Then I want to kiss it."

Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life. And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman. Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time. And she likes it.

Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation. It's certainly the easiest way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down.

When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms. He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart.

Having grabbed life by the horns, Emily wants it all. But is she willing to accept just the small part of himself that Nix is offering? Can she reach the part of his soul that he has deemed to be Off Limits?

This book is the follow up novel to Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett. It can be read as a stand-alone.

Where to find/Buy the book:

Goodreads ~ Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author:

Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for 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.

You can contact the author by:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website

My Thoughts:

Sawyer Bennett had an epiphany 2 years ago; she doesn't want to be the same snotty person she was before. She vowed to become a different person, her own person controlling her own life. When Emily & Nix first meet, it is by accident. One thing I loved about Emily, she is not afraid to speak her mind and tell someone off. She is independent, witty and smart and you can see from the first meeting that Nix had a soft spot for her. 

Nix. What can I say about him? He is HOT, bad ass and definitely an alpha male. For me, Nix made the story. It is heartbreaking the trauma he went through while serving in Afghanistan. I loved his character development. He did a total 180 by the end of the book. At first, he was closed off and mean to everyone (which is a nice way of saying it) except his father and brother. Emily manages to get under his skin little by little as time passes; she understood him because of her own experiences and knew when to push and ask questions and when to just to leave it alone. I think that is one of the main reasons why he let Emily in and started caring for her emotionally, she is very different from other women.

I loved all of the characters. They were really likable. They were all strong and charismatic in their own way. One thing I thought was off was in the beginning of the story, Emily’s mother was so focused on what can be done to help get The Presidency, and by the end of the book her attitude changed 100%. I found the change in her behaviour was sudden and did not feel real to me. I would have liked to see her appear more in Emily’s life after Emily admitted what her ex-boyfriend did to her so we could see how the changes. Other than that, I found the story to be really enjoyable.

I did not read Off Sides before reading this novel, but I found I really liked Danny and Ryan and I may have to buy it and read it. Off Limits is a testament to how relationships, whether they are physical/love or best friends can change a person for the better.

My Rating:

4 out of 5 stars