Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (46)

The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost

"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: August 26, 2014

Synopsis:
In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…


Raquel
xoxo

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Release Day Blitz: Out Of Mind by Jen McLaughlin



Book Summary:

Reaching for sunlight...

Finn survived the ambush and came home to me, but in his head, the battle is still raging. He’s falling apart and I’m trying my best to pick up the pieces of him, to find the us we used to be. I love him as much as I ever did, but love isn’t enough to fix this. I thought telling my father about our relationship would be the hardest thing we’d ever have to face. I was wrong.

Lost in shadows...

All I wanted was to be worthy of Carrie. One mission, just one, and I’d be able to give her the future she deserved. Then everything went wrong, leaving me tainted and broken. Carrie wants me to be who I was, but all that’s left is what they made of me. I’m no good for her. No good for anyone like this. I have to figure out how to move forward. Alone.

Sometimes love isn’t enough…

Friday, April 25, 2014

Blog Tour: Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars by Codi Gary

Tour Banne Good Girls Don't Date Rock Stars photo GoodGirlsDontDateRockStarsJPEG_zps84577e46.jpg

GoodGirlsDontDateRockStars

Title: Good Girls Don’t Date Rock Stars 
Author: Codi Gary 
Genre: Contemporary Adult Romance 
Publish Date: April 22, 2014 
Publisher: Avon Impulse an Imprint of HarperCollins 
Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.  

~ Book Synopsis ~
Gemma Carlson didn’t plan on waking up married.
She also didn’t count on running into her old flame—and her son’s father-turned-country-rock star—Travis Bowers, followed by a night of drunken dares. Apparently one of those involved a ring on her finger and a vow…neither of which she intends to keep. Now with a hangover from hell, this good-girl-gone-bad knows there’s just one thing to do: run. Travis has been all over the world, but Gemma has never been far from his thoughts. So when he had the chance to catch up over a few drinks, he didn’t hesitate. Of course he didn’t expect it would lead to marriage, or a runaway bride! Travis finally has a second chance and doesn’t plan on losing Gemma again—or the son he didn’t know he had. He proposes—albeit belatedly—a date. Or rather, a few. If they can make this marriage work by starting over, he stays. If not… Gemma’s not interested; she’s got a son to protect and a heart to heal. But having Travis around could make both a little easier. Still, good girls don’t date rock stars…right?


Purchase Links

Excerpted from GOOD GIRLS DON’T DATE ROCK STARS by Codi Gary

  How many glasses of champagne did I have last night? Gemma Carlson groaned, gritting her teeth against the stabbing pain that seemed to be spreading through her brain. She didn’t want to open her eyes, afraid of what she would find. Right now she was only sure of two things. One, her head hurt like a son of a bitch and two, she was very, very naked. Prying open her right eye, she tried to focus on her surroundings, but instead of seeing intricate, golden wallpaper, she found the walls were now light colored. A couch sat in the corner of the room, though her room had had a tiny office chair and desk. The landscape on the wall was new, too. She opened both eyes, blinking rapidly at the dryness, and realized she had no idea where she was. Which meant she obviously wasn’t in her hotel room. A light snore behind her caught her attention and she stiffened, turning her head slowly to look at her bedmate. She sucked in a breath at the sight of dark curls and a broad back, the only things visible above the heavy comforter. What have I done? Sitting up, she swallowed down the rolling nausea and fought the splitting headache, catching her face in her hands. And then she felt it. Something cool and metal on her finger. Something that definitely shouldn’t be there. Pulling her hands back, she stared at the large three-stone diamond ring on her left index finger and froze.  

My Thoughts:I first wanted to read this book because after I read the description it kind of reminded me of the Stage Dive series. This was definitely a lot different than I thought it was going to be.

Gemma and Travis were best friends turned lovers in high school. When Travis got a huge record deal and went on tour, Gemma found out she was pregnant. Gemma decided not to tell Travis due to an unfortunate incident. Ten years later, she bumps into him at a convention in Las Vegas. Travis will not let Gemma get away a second time. Little did he know that Gemma is keeping a huge secret from him.

First of all, I want to say that I loved Travis. He was really sweet, caring, will stop at nothing to get what he wants and I loved Gemma’s description of him. I must say I wasn’t a big fan of Gemma. I mean I understand she might have been scared about telling Travis she was pregnant but 10 years is way too long to not tell someone something so huge. I thought her reasons for keeping Charlie from Travis were selfish and I didn’t buy into it.

What I loved about the story were the secondary characters like Gracie and Charlie. I am looking forward to Gracie’s book. Charlie is just like his father, smart, sweet kid anyone would love. I loved where the story took place and how the whole town wants to know everyone else’s business. I am curious to find out who the gossip columnist is and how they get their info.

Overall, I found the book to be enjoyable. I wish the book was more in depth so that I can get lost in the characters. This book was more of a summer read to me. Anyone who wants a light read with good smut will enjoy this.

My Rating:
3.5 stars out of 5

About the Author
Codi GaryAn obsessive bookworm, Codi Gary likes to write sexy small-town contemporary romances with humor, grand gestures, and blush-worthy moments. When she's not writing, she can be found reading her favorite authors, squealing over her must-watch shows, and playing with her children. She lives in Idaho with her family
Authors Social Media

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (45)

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

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

This book sounds epic! This book sounds like it is going to be one of those books you always remember.

Expected Publication Date: October 7, 2014

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)
I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.


Raquel
xoxo

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Mini Review: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Title: Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 416
Source: Purchased from Amazon


Synopsis:
The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.

My Thoughts:
Ignite Me was just perfect. It had the perfect ending and actually, I wanted more. I am so sad to see all of the characters go. I fell in love with each and every one of them. Each character had an important part to play. I loved each and every minute of it.

We finally see Juliette coming into her powers. She is finally accepting who she is and embracing it. I must say, her powers are so cool; when she realizes what she can do with it, she is basically indestructible. She is a major asset to the war to come.

The front cover is the true depiction of the novel. Juliette is flourishing, reveling in her new powers. She embraces it and everything that goes with it.

It is so hard to write a review without any spoilers. Everything is beautifully written, which is a given if you have read the first 2 books in the series. Tahereh Mafi is such a stunning writer. Every sentence, every word, has a specific purpose. There are no extra words in her writing. I want to thank Tahereh Mafi for writing this amazing series.


My Rating:
5++ out of 5 stars

Raquel
xoxo

Sunday, April 20, 2014

In My Mailbox (39) & Stacking the Shelves (45)


Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Story Siren, 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 2 weeks whether it is physical or virtual.


Bought from Amazon:
Room For You by Beth Ehemann

Unfixable by Tessa Bailey

Protecting What's Theirs by Tessa Bailey

Audiobooks I Purchased from Audible:

Lately I have been on an audiobook fix. I can't get enough of them. For me, listening to the story makes it even more real and enjoyable. These are the audiobooks I got in the past couple of weeks.

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Play by Kylie Scott

Book I Won:

I am so excited for all the book I got. I was especially excited when I found out I won To All The Boys I've Loved Before through Goodreads. I am excited to read this one as well as the other books I recently received. Happy Easter everyone!

Raquel
xoxo

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Arc Review: Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins

Title: Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3)
Author: Wendy Higgins
Release Date: April 29, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 464
Source: Received for review 


Synopsis:
It’s time.

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.

In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

My Thoughts:
Sweet Reckoning is definitely the best book of the trilogy. I am feeling so much emotions happening at once but the dominant emotion I feel is happiness. Sweet Reckoning was epic. It was AMAZING. It is everything I hoped for and more. I loved, Loved, LOVED this book.

Sweet Reckoning picks up where Sweet Peril leaves off. The battle on earth is about to begin with Anna in the lead. This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I was so scared for her and everyone else. I just wanted everyone to be ok.

Many times this book left me feeling anxious, shocked, dismayed, and other times I just burst out laughing.  And can I say how much I love Kaidan? I definitely fell deeper for him by the end of this book. Words cannot express how much I love him.

What I loved most about this book is the overall feeling of hope it brought me. Everything seemed so bleak, no one knew if they were going to survive what was to come. Even with all of that, they had to believe and hope that they would get through it.

The secondary characters just added to the book. We get to see everyone one last time: Ginger, Marna, Kope, Blake, Zania, Patti, Jay, Veronica and of course Anna and Kaidan. I think Anna has the greatest character development in the series. In Sweet Evil, she was innocent and which each book she had to come out of her comfort zone.  She was a little unsure of herself. In Sweet Reckoning, she is a strong woman who knows what needs to be done and she is ready to fight; for herself, her family, and most importantly her one true love, Kaidan.

I am so sad now that it is over. I will certainly miss the Nephs and the world Wendy Higgins created. Sweet Reckoning is one of the best series ending books I have ever read.  My heart is so full of happiness.

My Rating:
5+++++stars out of 5

Raquel
xoxo

Friday, April 18, 2014

Cover Reveal: Finding Her Way Back by Heather van Fleet

FINDING HER WAY BACK
By Heather van Fleet
Releasing October 7, 2014
A New Adult Contemporary Romance

Meet Callie. She’s eighteen, quirky, and fears commitments. She also has a love/hate relationship with her tennis shoes.

Nine months of college, done and gone, and all Callie has to show for it is her freshman thirty. But alas, no worries, life has other crap plans for her now. Plans that include a set of nuptials from hell for her older, she–devil sister Anna. Struggling to rid her chubby–sexy vibe, Callie is put on a strict Anna regimen of ‘do this do that’ while attempting to avoid the unavoidable. The unavoidable being Ky Hampton: her once skinny–skater–boy turned sex–god, ex best friend from across the street.

Kylan feels as though he is a waste. A mechanic, country music singer with not a lyrics to his name. A boy with a proverbial skateboard still strung around his neck from high school. He’s lost, and he’d be the first to admit it. But the moment he spots Calla Lily––with a cemented penis in hand––the more he realizes that she’s exactly the muse he’s been missing.

But when the going gets tough, and the secrets of her past grow thicker, Callie has to figure out if her tennis shoes will be her escape this time around in life, or her demise instead.



About the Author

Midwestern native Heather Van Fleet lives in a small town on the Iowa/Illinois border. She’s a wife to her hubby--and high school sweet heart--Chris, as well as a mom to her three little girls, Kelsey, Emma and Bella. When she’s not obsessing over her fictional book characters, cooking dinner, or running around chasing her crazy kiddos, you can usually find her with her head stuck in her Kindle, sucking down White Chocolate Mochas like they're water. 


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Thursday, April 17, 2014

Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi


Title: Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 461
Source: Purchased from Amazon


Synopsis:
tick
tick
tick
tick
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it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.


My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved this book. It was over a year ago that I read Shatter Me and I almost forgot how beautiful the author’s writing is. Unravel Me was beautiful, breathtaking and completely addictive. 

Unravel Me starts off right after the events of Shatter Me. Juliette, Adam, Kenji and James has left the Reestablishment and made their way to Omega Point. They are settling in, trying to find their place in the underground city. Juliette is not used to being around people. She has to adjust; has to learn how to have conversations to get to know people around her. She has to think of others and not only herself and how she is feeling. She needs to come out of her head. 

Some of the revelations we find out in this book were shocking. Even now, I still am shocked. And that ending…WOWZERS. 

I loved the world building and the setting. We are reading about a future world where people have powers and the government (The Reestablishment) is trying to control everything. Tahereh Mafi did such an amazing job with all of the descriptions of places; it felt like I was experiencing everything with Juliette. After reading, Destroy Me (which I loved by the way), I liked both Adam and Warner. I couldn’t make up by mind. Even through the first half of Unravel Me, I couldn’t decide. By the end of Unravel Me, I was firmly on one team. Team Warner all the way! I love reading characters with a disturbed past. It makes the person all the more interesting and, boy, did Warner have one. I find him fascinating and I really can’t get enough of him.

He says some of the most beautiful things: 
“I want to be the friend you fall hopelessly in love with. The one you take into your arms and into your bed and into the private world you keep trapped in your head. I want to be that kind of friend. The one who will memorize the things you say as well as the shape of your lips when you say them. I want to know every curve, every freckle, every shiver of your body.

I want to know where to touch you, I want to know how to touch you. I want to know convince you to design a smile just for me. Yes, I do want to be your friend. I want to be your best friend in the entire world.” 

*SWOONS* My heart can't take it. Just reading this passage again gives me chills all over again.

Kenji was an unexpected delight in this book. He easily became one of my favourite characters. He provided comic relief when everything was so serious. There are some great character developments in this book. It showed you different sides of the characters which made them easier to like.

I love, love, love the front cover. It encompasses the true meaning of the book. After Juliette reaches Omega Point, it is almost like she is frozen. She still doesn’t know anything about herself. It is almost like she is stuck. She goes through everyday life, following everyone else’s lead. She has not recognized her true potential as yet. By the end, Juliette starts to come in her own. She decides not to be scared anymore and take action.

Unravel Me was an awesome sequel to Shatter Me. It gets you ready for the conclusion of the series. 

My Rating:
5 out of 5 stars

Raquel
xoxo

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (44)

Talon (Talon #1) by Julie Kagawa

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

Ahhhh, I love this cover! Julie Kagawa is an amazing writer. I first read her Iron Fey series and I honestly could not get enough of it. I love reading books about dragons so I am extremely excited for this one. 

Expected Publication Date: October 28, 2014

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)
Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secret, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey: and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him: and what he might be willing to give up to find the truth about dragons.


Raquel
xoxo

Monday, April 14, 2014

Cover Reveal: Goodbye To You by A.J. Matthews

By A.J. Matthews

New Adult Romance

Release July 1, 2014

Published by Swoon Romance

Europe? Nope. Mexico? Nope. Key West?

Not me. This summer, I’m playing nursemaid to my sister. Yeah, I know. Relatively good looking twenty-two-year-olds don’t spend the summer bedside in the cancer ward but, that’s the plan. Until my sister threatens me with bodily harm unless I get on the plane.

That’s when I met him. He likes me. Really likes me. But more than that, he loves my boobs — like can’t get enough. I have no idea how to tell him that they’ll be gone soon. Courtesy of a preventative double mastectomy. Yep. That’s what testing positive for the breast cancer gene mutation will do to a girl.

But don’t feel sorry for me. I’m enjoying him, holding on until the last possible minute, while I muster up the strength to tell him, and watch him walk away.



You can find the author on Goodreads here.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

A Little Too Hot by Lisa Desrochers Character Blitz

LisaDBlitz

Today is the character dream cast blitz post for the A LITTLE TOO FAR series by Lisa Desrochers. Three groups of bloggers will be posting dream casts from one of the books in the series. Be sure to check out each group to see how each story is connected and which characters can be found in one of the other books.

ALTH_Blitz
   

This blog is featuring the dream cast from A LITTLE TOO HOT.

Character Casting

A LITTLE TOO HOT:

Samantha West has been in love with Trent Sorenson forever. Problem is, he’s her best friend Lexie Bank’s older stepbrother, and he’s never seen her as anything but his sister’s friend. But in A LITTLE TOO FAR (book 1 in the A LITTLE TOO series) that all changes and she finally gets her man. What she doesn’t know is that Trent is secretly in love with Lexie, so things don’t turn out quite like Sam hopes. Not only does she loose her boyfriend, but also her best friend and it stings that they chose each other over her.   

  Amber Skye Noyes is totally Sam.
ALTH_Character1
Her life takes a downward spiral and in A LITTLE TOO HOT she ends up thrown out of college and out of her parent’s house. Desperate for a job, she lets her goofball rocker best friend, Jonathan, talk her into a gig dancing at Benny’s Gentleman’s Club. 

Picture Jonathan as Gaspard Ulliel with a few facial piercings and ink up his neck.
ALTH_Character2
 There are rules to dancing at Benny’s: No touching, keep your clothes on at all times, and don’t get closer than three feet. Unfortunately for Sam, her first private client makes her want to break every single one of them.   Harrison Yates is scorching hot, but he's got a past that involves being left at the altar not too long ago.

Mike Vogel is my Harrison
ALTH_Character3
  Sam is determined to make Harrison forget about his ex, and she consults a fellow dancer at Benny’s for ideas. Izzy knows ways around the rules, and she’s all to willing to help Sam, and they become besties.  

I saw this picture of Beyonce Knowles and screamed, “That’s Izzy!”
ALTH_Character4
 But when Sam makes her move on Harrison, it flings her life into a spiral of chaos she never saw coming. Because Harrison Yates isn't who he seems to be. And his secret will probably get her killed. Look for all your favorite characters from the entire A LITTLE TOO series in a pivotal scene near the end of A LITTLE TOO HOT!     ---------------------

ALTHot
BOOK SUMMARY: This book is a stand-alone A LITTLE TOO FAR novel. "Every page is deliciously breathtaking, wickedly sexy and sensational. A LITTLE TOO HOT is wonderfully unique and a LOT HOT! I am a HUGE Lisa Desrochers fan." --KATY EVANS, New York Times bestselling author of REAL If you play with fire… Tossed out of college and cut off by her parents, Samantha West is in pretty dire straits. So when her rocker best friend hooks her up with a job dancing at a gentlemen’s club, who is she to turn it down? Plus, there are rules to dancing at Benny’s: No touching, keep your clothes on at all times, and never get closer than three feet. Unfortunately for Sam, her first private client makes her want to break every single one of them. Harrison Yates is scorching hot, but he’s got a past that involves being left at the altar not too long ago. Sam is determined to make him forget about his ex, but when she makes her move, it flings her life into a spiral of chaos she never saw coming. Because Harrison Yates isn’t who he seems to be. And his secret will probably get her killed. From USA Today bestselling author Lisa Desrochers, comes the third book in her sizzling New Adult series.


BUY LINKS FOR THE SERIES

A LITTLE TOO FAR Buy Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/Q5sQhu B&N: http://bit.ly/NAKZlS A LITTLE TOO MUCH Buy Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1k50NMu B&N: http://bit.ly/1bzqHhf A LITTLE TOO HOT Buy Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/Jx61jI Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1cpveCZ

AUTHOR BIO:
lisad
 LISA DESROCHERS is the USA Today bestselling author of the A Little Too Far series, courtesy of HarperCollins, and the young adult Personal Demons trilogy from Macmillan. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two very busy daughters, and Shini the tarantula. Find her online at www.lisadwrites.com, on Twitter at @LisaDez, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LisaDesrochersAuthor. AUTHOR LINKS:
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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Cover Reveal: Nice Work If You Can Get It by Linda Morris and Swoon Romance

By Linda Morris

Adult Romance

Release August 2014

Published by Swoon Romance

Andrew Sheffield and Ally Arietta meet in paradise: Playa del Carmen, Mexico. They have nothing in common: He's a workaholic CEO, embittered after the failure of his first marriage. She's been caring for her ailing Sicilian grandmother who's just passed away, and now she's ready to put herself first for a change. The sparks fly, but Andrew is no easy guy to get along with. His workaholic ways have them bickering from the start, but Ally decides that doesn't matter: It's just a fling.

But when Ally nearly dies during a para sailing accident, Andrew realizes she means much more to him than casual sex. The accident causes Ally to run scared: She's vowed to put herself first after years of self-sacrifice. She breaks it off and returns to Chicago to resume the life she interrupted to care for her grandmother, but she hasn't seen the last of Andrew, who is determined not to let her walk away.

About the Author

Linda Morris is a writer of contemporary romance. She writes stories with heart and heat, along with a joke or two thrown in. Her book Melting the Millionaire’s Heart was an Amazon Top 100 Series Romance bestseller. Its sequel, The Mason Dixon Line, was published in Feb. 2014. Her vacation fling romance, Nice Work if You Can Get It, will be published by Swoon Romance in Aug. 2014. A Sedona-set spa story, Just a Touch, is coming from Samhain in Dec. 2014.

When she’s not writing, working as a freelance editor, or mommying, she’s doing yoga, reading, working in her flower garden, or baking delicious things she probably shouldn’t eat. She believes that there are two kinds of people: pie people and cake people, and she is definitely one of the former. Her years of Cubs fandom prove she has a soft spot for a lost cause. A beat-up old copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss’s Ashes in the Wind was her gateway drug into the world of romance novels, and she’s never looked back.



Waiting on Wednesday (43)

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

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

To tell you the truth the cover is what drew me in at first. I thought it was so unique. After I read the synopsis, the book became even more appealing. This is the kind of book where I will prob listen to it in audio book to get the full effect but I am excited none the less. 

Expected Publication Date: October 14, 2014

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)
A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Sara Raasch’s debut fantasy is a lightning-fast tale of loyalty, love, and finding one’s destiny.


Raquel
xoxo


Monday, April 7, 2014

How to Say Goodbye Release Day Launch


How to Say Goodbye Synopsis:
Amy has a secret: no one’s ever held her hand. She doesn’t even know how to hug. Everyone thinks she’s smart, but straight As are way easier than making friends. Then she meets Dane, a golden-haired surfer whose easy charm and hot touch teach her what she longs to know.
Dane lives for the salty breeze and a sweet wave, because that’s all he has. He’s been on the streets since he was fourteen. A drifter. Homeless. Then he meets Amy. Smart and accomplished, she’s everything he’s not. He wants to be the sort of man who deserves her.
Except that means facing down his past—and that past might very well swallow them both.
Amber Lin Bio:
Amber Lin writes edgy romance with damaged hearts, redemptive love, and a steamy ever after. Her debut novel, Giving It Up, received The Romance Review’s Top Pick, Night Owl Top Pick, and 5 Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies. RT Book Reviews gave it 4.5 stars, calling it “truly extraordinary.” Since then, she has gone on to write erotic, contemporary, and historical romances. She has been published by Loose Id, Carina Press, and Entangled.
Excerpt:
He smiled with the barest hint of irony. “Guess you have better things to do than build a sand castle.”
She hated how his words echoed her thoughts, how they put him down. Didn’t he know how much she would give to be like him? Relaxed. Confident. God, she didn’t want to be afraid anymore.
“I’ve got time.”
He pointed behind the castle. “There’s an enchanted forest right there.”
She knelt down. “Here?”
“No, over. A few inches to the left. Don’t you see it?”
He was…teasing her. It took her a second to understand just because it had never happened before. Not that she could remember.
She looked down to hide her smile. “I think I’ve got it now.”
He grinned. “Then get building, Cornell.”
Her first attempt was more like a molehill with a pointed top. By her second she’d learned to pack the sand more tightly, earning a brief nod from him. After that she worked steadily, forming the little conical pine trees in varying sizes. A vision sketched in her mind, of lush trees and woodland creatures, of fancy and imagination.
Kneeling in her oh-so-practical shoes was impossible, so she took them off. Her skirt hiked up her thighs as she scooted around the forest. Sand squeezed between the mesh of her stockings.
She hoped it would never come out.
When he finished carving arched windows, he stood back and dusted the sand from his palms. She trailed a finger down the last tree—this was how he’d feel, gritty and soft—before standing up to join him.
He was tall. His height shouldn’t have been a surprise; she was often the shortest one in the room. But she’d been equal to him on the ground, both of them dirty and eager in the sand. Now he was the tall, handsome stranger, and she the shy girl who hardly spoke.
She’d aced fluid mechanics, for God’s sake, so why should this matter? It didn’t, it didn’t. But her heart double-timed when she asked, “What do you think of the forest?”
With mock solemnity he studied the trees. They lined up neatly in rows like a Christmas tree farm she’d passed once in rural New York.
“It’s pretty,” he said, repeating her words. Then he smiled, almost shy. “Very pretty. Do you want to grab some dinner?”
Her breath caught. Had he just asked her out? It had sounded like that. Exactly like that. Her heart beat a rapid pace.
Daylight traced tiny lines radiating from his eyes, from the corners of his mouth. A smattering of blond hair covered the tanned skin of his chest, highlighting lean muscles beneath. Even the tips of his eyelashes were bleached, every part of him touched by the sun. A golden boy, a rippling-surface stereotype, while hidden depths lurked beneath. What would it take to dive under? In that moment she wanted to find out. Right then she wanted to drown.
But she’d had a lifetime of treading water, of survival. Only one answer made sense.
“I’m sorry.” Her voice sounded hoarse with disuse, as if she hadn’t spoken in years instead of seconds. “I’m not going to be here long. In Florida.”
She kicked herself. He hadn’t asked her to marry him, for God’s sake. He’d only wanted a date, and she should be able to do that. If she were more normal, she could have.
Fleeting emotions flickered across his face. Disappointment first, followed by others she couldn’t understand. But resignation—that one she recognized like an old friend.
“All right. Take care then.” His voice rang with finality. They would part now. She wouldn’t see him again, because she didn’t know how to be close to another human being. No textbook had ever taught her. No monthly phone call had told her how to feel.
Her face heated.             
“You too,” she murmured. “I’ll see you around.”
But even that presumed too much. A slight shake of his head said no, she wouldn’t. His lips curved in a cold shadow of his former smile.
“Bye, Cornell.” He crossed the beach, heading for the water.
He walked right past the frothy edge and dived underneath, leaving only ripples in his wake. His head came up once for air, and again, and again, growing smaller, farther away.

She waited for hours. Or seconds, really. She stood with sand caked to her hands and her knees, feeling abraded and raw. Every other time in her life, she’d pretended not to want this. Friends and laughter. Easy camaraderie. Touch. Standing on the cooling sand, her stomach grumbling with hunger, she could no longer pretend.