Sunday, July 28, 2013

Stacking the Shelves (15)


Welcome to this week's Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews. It is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual.


Bought from Amazon:


Frigid by J. Lynn

Received for Review:




Witchling by Ari Harper
Unteachable by Leah Raeder
Spring Training by Parker Kincade

I hope everyone has a good week :)

Raquel
xoxo

Friday, July 26, 2013

Review: Selling Scarlett by Ella James

Title: Selling Scarlett
Author: Ella James
Release Date: April 14, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 269
Source: Received for review from author


Synopsis:
Elizabeth DeVille doesn't belong at a party like this—one where the gowns cost more than her Camry and cigars run higher than her grad school utility bills. Dragged out of seclusion by her best friend Suri, Elizabeth is merely playing dress-up, rubbing elbows with a crowd that banished her troubled family years ago.

Hunter West is tired. Tired of parties, tired of pretending, and tired of trying to right a wrong that haunts him every day. Bourbon heir and professional poker player by day, by night Hunter is gambling with his life in a high-stakes game of crime and blackmail.

When Elizabeth stumbles into Hunter's den of vices, she's a light in the darkness, a flame in the void. And, just like everything he touches, Hunter mars her in a record time. To rectify the damage done, Elizabeth needs money she doesn't have, and she's come up with a foolproof way to get it.

Follow Elizabeth—code-named Scarlett—to the lush Nevada brothel where she'll auction her virginity and risk the only thing that's not for sale: her heart. The highest bidder is a familiar face, with wicked hands and the devil's mouth. And a secret so dark that it could cost her life.

***RECOMMENDED FOR READERS 17+ DUE TO SEXUALITY AND MATURE LANGUAGE.***

My Thoughts:
In Selling Scarlett, we meet Elizabeth Deville who is a 23 year old virgin. She has known Hunter almost her entire life but has never really talked to him. Lizzy (Libby, Liz or Scarlett) has a major crush on him and sees the good in him. At one of his parties, Lizzy’s best friend Cross, admits he has feelings for her. After they have a fight, Cross ends up in a major accident and in a coma. Cross is not able to pay for his treatment and Lizzy comes up with a plan on how to pay so that he can get the best treatment. She decides to sell her virginity to the highest bidder.

I was really looking forward to this book but it fell short of my expectations unfortunately. The beginning of the story was a little confusing, I didn’t know what was going on or if the same person was being talked about. After that got figured out, the story picked up but after awhile I predicted what was going to happen.

I find this book a little hard to review. There were some parts I really liked and thought was interesting like Lizzy going to a brothel to get training lessons on smut. The story was definitely unique, someone actually selling their v-card to make money; this was extremely new to me. Who knew men would pay such a price for a woman’s virginity. I mean $10,000,000…wowser.

I really didn’t like Hunter. I find he was always 5 maybe even 10 steps behind Priscilla and her partners. I think this is what bugged and irritated me the most about this book. Overall, the book was ok for me. This book is so much more than ‘Selling Scarlett’, it has a lot of mystery behind it as well.

My Rating:
2 stars out of 5 

Raquel
xoxo

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Blog Tour-Blurb, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Corollaria by Courtney Lyn Batten

The Corollaria

Release date: February 2nd 2013
PurchaseAmazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:
Emily has always felt like there was more to her parents' mysterious death, more to her being sent to live with the Lyall’s when she was fifteen. And definitely more to her inexplicable infatuation with Luke, the Lyall’s youngest son.

Luke can’t help but be drawn to Emily. She has these perfect blue eyes, unlike any he’s ever seen. And he feels a fierce need to protect her. Suddenly, one night, changes everything. He feels conflicted about his feelings and his destiny, as he and Emily are suddenly plunged into a strange new world. 

Fast paced and action packed, a romance between Emily and Luke begins to take shape just as they are thrust into an ancient war, caught in the crossfire of bloodlust, revenge and love.


About the Author
Courtney grew up in Texas where she still lives with her husband, their two kids, and two dogs. She was studying to become a teacher and has graduated in May 2013.
Courtney loves to read and write love stories. She has an obsession with books, and owns far far too many.

Blurb: 
The excerpt I picked below is kinda steamy and gives you a glimpse of how much Luke's wolf wants Emily and their need to be together. I hope you enjoy :)

Excerpt:

Emily’s breathing was ragged. Her body trembled with longing and anticipation. Her left arm draped over his shoulder, her right hand gently and tentatively caressed up the hard muscles of his chest, and then over his scruffy neck, and into his hair, her fingers gliding easily through the shaggy brown strands.

Luke’s eyes never left hers. He was waiting. Waiting for her or waiting for himself to fight against this, he wasn’t sure. Emily wiggled herself forward, her soft breasts brushed against him, and he had to bite back a groan.

“Kiss me,” she implored impatiently. Her breathy whisper was so husky and sexy Luke could no longer resist. He crushed his lips to hers, desperate and hungry. Emily’s lips were unbelievably soft. When she parted them, he slid his tongue inside the warmth of her mouth, and moaned at the taste of her tongue against his, sweet and delicate.

Luke’s hand on her hip slid over the curve, his thumb brushed the bare skin there and she shivered. A new and intense heat surged through her, collecting between her thighs. His hand gripped her firmly, pulling her body hard against his. Emily swung her leg over his hip as his hand continued to caress her, moving in slow circles over her back.

His lips left hers, kissing along her jaw and down the smooth slope of her neck. Luke’s nose brushed along her skin, inhaling the deep rich heady scent of her. He buried his face in her neck and groaned.

“You’re killing me, honey,” he murmured into her skin. His muscles were twitching and quivering, barely restrained passion burned in his veins. He had a fleeting thought to pull back, but then she whimpered and dug her nails into his shoulder. Whatever semblance of control he had vanished.

Luke kissed his way across her collarbone, and then back up to her jaw. His scruffy chin scratched her smooth skin, as he reclaimed her lips once again. Their mouths melded together with a fevered intensity. Emily was swept away. Luke hands under her thin cotton shirt skimmed along her ribcage, roving over her soft satiny skin.

All Emily could think about was how good his hands felt against her bare skin, his tongue as it probed and explored her mouth.

Luke was completely lost. Overcome by the intensity of his emotions and the way her body was reacting to his touch. He kissed her until she was breathless, panting, her eyes heavy and a deep dark midnight blue with desire. He slowly slid his hand the rest of the way up her torso, feeling her softness beneath his hands.

Emily gasped. Luke stilled. His breath was ragged. He suddenly worried he shouldn’t be doing this. Was he taking advantage of her? Shit.

“Luke?” Emily asked softly. He rested his head on her shoulder for a moment, trying to convince himself that he had to do the right thing. He had to stop. This was too much too fast.

“I’m sorry, Em. I think—” Luke cleared his throat, part of him kicking himself, part of him so full of desire for her he could barely breathe. He took another deep breath and forced the words through his throat, “— we should, um, we should slow down.”

“Oh,” she responded. “ Okay.”

Emily couldn’t help but feel rejected. It pricked her skin and twisted in her gut. Luke felt it too. He quickly pulled her against him, an instinctual desperation to comfort her roared inside him. Emily hid her face in his neck, breathing in the familiar smell. Her breathing slowed as he rubbed slow circles on her back and pressed his nose against her ear.

Luke hugged her to him tightly. Mine. He was startled by the thought. Mine. This moment, this feeling felt real and pure. And it had nothing to do with the wolf or destiny or some ancient magic.



Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (20)

Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

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

Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)
After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?


Hope to hear from you!

Raquel
xoxo

Monday, July 22, 2013

Cover Reveal: Change of Heart Part 2 by Scarlett Edwards

Title: Change of Heart Part 2 
Author: Scarlett Edwards
Release Date: July 25, 2013


BOOK DESCRIPTION
---------------------------------------------------------------

If you told me two weeks ago that I would fall in love with my would-be kidnapper, I would have laughed in your face.

Yet here I am today. Madly, deeply, and hopelessly in love. With Richard Blackthorne. With the man who drugged me and left me for myself... but with the same man who came back for me later.

Nobody in my life has ever given a shit. I've always been on my own—before Rich.

Now, things are different. Feelings I'd never have thought possible are rushing through me. With Rich, I feel... alive. Alive, and treasured.


Yet doubts still poison my thoughts. Can a relationship that began with a lie lead to true happiness? How will Rich and I escape our pursuers? Will Min ever be free?

As I open my heart to the man I love, our devotion to each other will be tested. In this tumultuous world, friends become enemies and enemies friends. Every choice I make leads to consequences for those around me. The secrets Rich holds spread far deeper than he ever let on. When cracks begin to show in our relationship, I'm faced with the most important question of all: Can Rich and I ever find the peace I so dearly crave?
--
Change of Heart, Part 2 concludes Rich and Penny's story. Will they get the happily-ever-after they deserve? There's only one way to find out...



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

GoodReads Photo SmallScarlett Edwards is a full-time student and part-time writer. She hopes to switch those around soon!
She describes herself as kind of old fashioned. Scarlett writes all her stories using paper and ink. At the end of the day, she transcribes them onto her laptop. It takes a bit longer, but writing in a notebook really focuses her thoughts.
Scarlett loves vintage photography. She has an old-school film camera that was her mom’s before she was born. Scarlet used it to take pictures almost every day.
Scarlet takes inspiration from all the indie romance authors. Addison Moore, Samantha Young, Colleen Hoover, Jessica Sorensen, and everyone else...to her, those girls rock!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Stacking the Shelves (14)


Welcome to this week's Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews. It is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual.

Bought from Amazon:



Lick by Kylie Scott
Pulse (Collide #2) by Gail McHugh

Bought from Chapters Indigo (Hardcopy):




Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
Pivot Point by Kasie West

I haven't bought a hard copy book in awhile so I decided to get one. I walked into Chapters Indigo and walked out with 3 books instead of one, lol. When I go to a book store, I am like a kid in the candy store, I want all of them. I didn't have much time, if I had more time in the store I probably would have walked out with more, haha. These are books I have been meaning to get because I have heard all good things about them. Excited to start them!

Received for Review/Blog Tour:





Fixed On You by Laurelin Paige
Imperfectly Perfect by A. E. Woodward
No Reverse by Marion Croslydon
The Corollaria by Courtney Lyn Batten

I have been impatiently waiting to get my hands on both Fixed On You and No Reverse. They both look like awesome books, so when I saw they are a part of a blog tour I jumped at the chance to be a part of it.

Needless to say I am very happy with all the book I received. I am eager to start them, schedule permitting. I hope everyone else had a great week in books as well.

Raquel
xoxo

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Blog Tour: Trust by L. Chapman



Trust by L. Chapman
Cover designed by Indie Pixel Studios

Synopsis:
Lovely Megan Madden has lost her faith in men. But this has not kept her from the joy of her best friend's up coming wedding. While in London shopping for the big event, Megan's life takes a surprising turn when a quick drink brings changes to her life she never saw coming. Join in the roller coaster of emotions Megan must endure as she attempts to regain her TRUST.

Who knew a quiet drink could change your life?


About the Author:
L. Chapman was born in and continues to live in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. She has spent most of her life helping others as a health care assistant, and was, at one time, a DJ for a special needs club. Blending her love of helping others and her love of children, L dreams to one day own and operate a childcare nursery that will help mainstream special needs children with others.
In the rare times that L. is not working to help others or maniacally writing, she enjoys making a mess of things while creating beautifully detailed greeting cards. She spends time relaxing with family, friends, and good books. L. loves to travel and has been to many places in the United Kingdom; her favorite places all involve the ocean. She hopes to one day share a kiss with her happily-ever-after in the romantic shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Should she ever get over her fear of flying, those kisses may be shared in the shadows of the Egyptian Pyramids.
Ever the fussy eater, L. has never once tasted peanut butter, and she despises coffee. If you should feel the need to bribe her, it is suggested that you bring chocolate, as that is one of her know weaknesses.


Excerpt:





Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday (19)

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

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

I love this cover. This is what drew me into the book and made me want to read the description. It sounds great and I am excited to get my hands on it :)

Expected Publication Date: September 3, 2013

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)
Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.



I hope to hear from you!
Raquel
xoxo

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Cover Reveal: Adam's Apple by Liv Morris

    Title: Adam’s Apple 
  Author: Liv Morris
  Expected release date: July 30, 2013 
  Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense Romance 
  Age Group: Adult 
  Cover designed by: Okay Creations   

Synopsis:
  Adam Kingsley reigns as the young prince of Manhattan. Everything he touches turns to gold making him the envy of Wall Street. Women swoon at his feet, money falls out of his pockets, and his killer good looks are as wicked as sin. A dangerous trifecta. What more could a thirty-two year old man wish for? Maybe that his life never changes and his past stays far away? Sounds reasonable but life seldom is. Kathryn Delcour is a beautiful and alluring socialite with unique erotic tastes. When she suddenly appears on the New York City social scene, Adam finds her too tempting to resist. He has to have her, but she is warned to stay away from him and his player ways. She tries her hardest to keep him at arm's length however Kathryn's arms may not be strong enough to hold Adam at bay. Hidden secrets, Kathryn's passion for an ancient sexual practice, and a former business partner wanting to inflict a deadly revenge set the scene for a wild ride as Adam tells the story in his own words.

 photo goodreads-badge-add-38px11_zps1ae6e47f.jpg

About the Author:

Liv Morris resides in Manhattan with her husband of twenty-eight years. Relocating eleven times during her husband's corporate career, Liv qualifies as a professional mover. Learning to bloom where she's planted, Liv brings her moving and life experiences to her writing. A native of the beautiful Ozark Mountains of southern Missouri, Liv feels blessed to have a supportive and close family. Her three grown daughters are scattered across the country, but thankfully call home on a regular basis. Her favorite saying, "Life is not a dress rehearsal," motivates her to live life to its fullest. She received a B.S. in Communication from the University of Maryland. Currently, Liv is writing and publishing her short story series, Love in the City. Two short stories ranked in Amazon's top best sellers list in Contemporary Romance. Her novel, Adam's Apple, is due for release this summer.


 photo AToMRToursC66a-A00aT03a-Z_mdm_zpsa3cc6896.jpg
 

Monday, July 15, 2013

Cover Reveal: Wings by Elizabeth Richards


Today we are super excited to share the cover to WINGS, the third and final book in author's Elizabeth Richard's BLACK CITY series!

Check out this beauty! 


Wings (Black City #3) by Elizabeth Richards


Get the first two books in the series! 



OPEN INTERNATIONAL!!!

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Book Blitz: Wuther by V.J. Chambers


Wuther by V.J. Chambers 
Publication date: July, 2013 
Genre: New Adult Retelling

Synopsis:
This new adult retelling of Wuthering Heights is intended for mature readers due to explicit sexual content and coarse language.

Instead of storms tearing through Yorkshire moors, the sounds of '90s grunge rock whisper through backwoods American cornfields...

And give new life to the Bronte characters you love to hate.

A gypsy orphan, Heath Galloway adores Cathy Earnshaw, his childhood sweetheart. He would do anything to protect her from her drunken, abusive father--even push the man down a flight of stairs to stop him hitting her.

But with her father dead, Cathy's older brother Matt runs the Earnshaw farm and both of their lives. And Matt despises Heath. Forced to drop out of school and work the fields, Heath is separated from Cathy and the two begin to drift apart.

When Cathy meets the rich, blond, and suave Eli Linton, she finds herself torn between Eli's charm and Heath's brute potency.

Fiercely proud and stubborn, Heath doesn't take well to being brushed aside. He'll get what he wants, or he'll get revenge. No matter how long it takes.



About the Author:

V. J. Chambers likes bad boys, but she likes them to be actual bad boys, not misunderstood weaklings who cover up their emotional scars with a thin veneer of pretend bad-boy-ness.
She likes to tackle difficult philosophical questions. She likes to push fiction to the edge, to go just a little farther.
She writes stories about difficult people living difficult lives in difficult situations. Usually, there’s magic. Or monsters. Or space. Or gun fights. A lot of times, there’s also L-O-V-E. (Or at least uncomfortable conversations about sex.)

She’s the author of the Jason and Azazel series and many other stories for teens and adults. She lives in Shepherdstown, WV with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat.





“A compound of vulgar depravity and unnatural horrors.”

“Burn Wuthering Heights.”


Wuthering Heights is a strange sort of book, yet, it is impossible to begin and not finish it; and quite as impossible to lay it aside afterwards and say nothing about it.”


“In Wuthering Heights the reader is shocked, disgusted, almost sickened by details of cruelty, inhumanity, and the most diabolical hate and vengeance.”


“Heathcliff… a creature in whom every evil passion seems to have reached a gigantic excess.”


Thus read the reviews of Wuthering Heights when it was first released in December 1847. It was obvious that Emily Bronte had written something polarizing. Some people were disgusted with the book. Others were impressed with it.


It was horrifying but fascinating. And I think if the book is read today, the same phenomenon occurs. The characters in the book are intriguing, but they are also difficult to, well, like.


No character is more difficult than Heathcliff himself. Even Emily Bronte’s sister Charlotte was made uncomfortable by Heathcliff. She wrote that Heathcliff’s love for Cathy was “a sentiment fierce and inhuman.” She called Heathcliff an “evil genius.” To Charlotte, Heathcliff’s “ever-suffering soul… dooms him to carry Hell with him wherever he wanders.”


Is Heathcliff tortured and damaged like a modern-day romance hero? You betcha.


Is Heathcliff the titular bad boy, the one whose masculine power is absorbing and exciting? Oh, heck, yes.

Heathcliff is a character unlike any that we’ve seen before, but he’s not completely foreign to us. He has aspects of a hero, but he also has aspects of a villain. We root for Heathcliff as he struggles to overcome the class barriers that keep him from marrying Cathy. We feel sorry for him when he is beaten by Hindley. And we are utterly caught up in his passion, his deep love for Cathy. But at the same time, Heathcliff disturbs and frightens us. He’s violent. He’s cruel. He’s obsessed with revenge. And he seems irredeemable.

When I set out to retell Wuthering Heights, I wanted to capture that with my book. I took some pretty heavy liberties with Bronte’s tale, but my goal was always to be able to provide the kinds of characters that she does—confusing, deep, real characters, full of flaws but still captivating.


A retelling can never truly hope to encapsulate the brilliance of the original, so I know that my book is not even close the masterpiece of Wuthering Heights. But I hope that my Heath is absorbing. I hope that he inspires your pity and your anger. And I hope you fall in love with him just a little bit, despite how awful he is. 



Sunday, July 14, 2013

July New Release Giveaway Hop


Hosted by: Book Twirps & Refracted Light Reviews

I am giving away any book being released in July 2013. This giveaway is international. I am only giving away a book from The Book Depository, if it does not have the book you want I am sorry :( The Book Depository will be shipping the book. I am not responsible for any damaged packages. Open to anyone 13 and over.  The winner will be announced on the Rafflecopter widget.

Some books the winner can choose from:



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

If there is any other book, you would like that comes out in July and can be ordered on The Book Depository please let me know :)

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