Review: Beauty from Surrender (Beauty #2) by Georgia Cates

Title: Beauty from Surrender (Beauty #2)

Author: Georgia cates

Release Date: May 30, 2013

Publisher: Self-published

Pages: 277

Source: Bought from Amazon/Kindle

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Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)
How do you move on when he’s every song you sing?

After Laurelyn Prescott walks away from the love of her life, she returns to Nashville to pursue the only dream she has left. Determined to find a distraction from the pain of losing Jack Henry, she immerses herself in her music. But with her old life comes old acquaintances and new expectations. When Laurelyn refuses her record producer’s outrageous demands, she finds herself without a career—until an unforeseen opportunity presents itself. From there it’s a rocket ride straight to the top where Laurelyn finds the success she’s always dreamed of. Will it be enough to bring her the happiness she so deserves, or will the absence of Jack Henry leave her wanting more?

Jack Henry McLachlan never expected to fall in love with Laurelyn Prescott—but he did. After he foolishly let her slip through his fingers, he spends three months searching for her, but their reunion doesn’t come easy. The woman he finds isn’t the same one who drifted away without a goodbye. No longer an insecure girl on an Australian adventure, this Laurelyn is a successful musician with a promising career. Her dreams are becoming a reality, and Jack is terrified his American girl won’t have a place for him in her new life. With only a month to convince her otherwise, will it be enough time to make her visualize a life beyond the glitz and glamour, a life that includes him?

My Thoughts:

Beauty from Surrender takes place 1 week after Laurelyn leaves Australia without saying goodbye. Jack Henry is heart broken because he realizes he loves her and didn’t get a chance to tell her. Laurelyn misses Jack Henry so much she begins to become depressed. As Jack Henry beings his search for the love of his life, Laurelyn gets a chance to make it big in the country music industry. Laurelyn must decide what she wants; a life pursuing her dreams or spending her life with Jack Henry.

I could not her enough of Laurelyn and Jack Henry. They are so cute together. I love Jack Henry in this book although I did find him to be a little too sappy at times. I don’t remember him being even remotely sappy in Beauty from Pain (book #1). At the same time, I really liked the fact that one woman can change Jack Henry’s views. Previously, he was against marriage and having kids but since he met Laurelyn, he wants those things with her.

I absolutely loved Jack Henry’s mom. She is hilarious in this book. I found myself laughing out loud a lot when she was around. My favourite quote actually includes Jack Henry, Laurelyn and his mom:

“I know and if it does, it just does. By the way, you should know now that I’m not using rubbers on our honeymoon. Forget it. It’s not happening.” There. She has her warning.

“I know. I have some other stuff, but it’s useless if you don’t give me a chance to put it in.”

“Next time, babe. We won’t be in a rush.” We’re trying to beat the Margaret alarm.

“Next time, I’ll be your wife.” Wow. I hadn’t thought of that.

There’s a pounding at the bedroom door, followed by my mum’s voice. “I know you’re in there, you little shit, and I’m giving you two minutes to shut it down, get dressed, and get out of there.”

We look at each other in the mirror and laugh as we simultaneously say, “Busted.”

I loved how Jack Henry supported Laurelyn and allowed her to experience life on tour before she went back to him. He didn’t hold her back; he supported her in her dreams even though they may be apart for awhile. He knew Laurelyn would come back to him eventually.

2014 really can’t come fast enough, that is when the 3^rd book in the series will be out. I am so excited for it.

My Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Raquel

xoxo

Stacking the Shelves (22)

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:

Unchained by J. Lynn

A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers

Received for Review:

Found in You by Laurelin Paige

I have been looking forward to Unchained for awhile now. I will definitely be reading it soon. I have heard good things about A Little Too Far.

I have read the first book to Found in You called Fixed on You. I loved Fixed on You and will also be reading the second book soon. 

I hope everyone has a good week!

Raquel

xoxo

Blog Tour- Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Freeing by E. K. Blair

Freeing by E.K. Blair

Release Date: September 13, 2013

Coming of Age

New Adult

Synopsis:

FREEING: a companion novel to the USA Today bestseller, Fading.

Knowing who you are and accepting who you are come at different prices.

Jase Kinrick grew up in your typical, all-American household. But after the death of his sister, his parents shut down, forcing him to deal with everything life throws his way alone. Terrified of the person he’s discovering himself to be, Jase has his way with every willing girl to try and rid himself of what he fears he is—gay.

Escaping California and moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, Jase frees himself to the reality that he likes men. Never staying with any guy long enough to get to know them, he doesn’t realize that he’s still hiding from who he is until he meets Mark. Scared of having real feelings for another guy stirs up the questions and fears he’s fought hard to bury.

To strip away the barriers to the heart of what is real, and to be okay with what lies underneath, will be Jase’s moment of truth. But he’ll need Mark to lead him there.

**THIS IS A FULL-LENGTH COMPANION NOVEL TO FADING**

Goodreads ~ Amazon

The author can be reached by:

Facebook ~ Twitter

My Thoughts:

This is my first m/m romance I have read and I must say it was great. In Fading, we meet Jase, Candace’s best friend; they are more than friends, they are family. Their own families have disowned them so they only had each other for the longest time. Freeing is in Jase’s POV and overlaps the events in Fading. We see Jase going through his own struggle and journey on accepting himself for who he is.

Jase grew up in California and moved to Seattle because he wanted to escape his home life. He knew he was gay in high school even though he slept with a lot of girls; he couldn’t admit it to himself and thought something was wrong with him. After his sister’s death, his parents shut down, so he didn’t have anyone he could talk to. In Seattle, Jase is still at war with himself because he admits to himself that he is gay but afraid of what people might think. It is only when he meets Candace that he can tell someone who he truly is. Even then, he is still not completely comfortable with it. He has hookups with men but never a real relationship. It is not until he meets Mark that everything changes for him.

I love how E.K. Blair writes about taboo subjects but make it bearable and not so taboo for the reader. With Fading, I was bawling my eyes in the aftermath of Candace getting raped and in Freeing, reading Jase prospective on things I think I cried even harder. The emotion the author puts behind every word is magnificent and a real talent. Not many writers can do that. I was awed when I first read Fading and I am still in awe because Ms. Blair makes you care about things or situations where you might not have cared before. While reading I put myself in Jase’s shoes, through finding out about the rape of his friend/family member, I would be angry as well if that happened to one of my close friends. I think it is a very hard situation, being supportive for your friend/family member and also knowing who did it and not being able to do anything about it.

I think that Mark is exactly what Jase needed to start accepting himself for who he is. I really liked Mark. I think it was awesome how he stepped in and helped take care of Candace. It shows the kind of person he is.

I think many people would be surprised by how the author writes this m/m romance. She will have you caring about the characters no matter your opinion on the subject. For me, this is 2 for 2 for E.K. Blair’s books; I am excited about what she writes in the future. I will gladly read it!

My Rating: 

5 out of 5 stars

Excerpt:

Everything tunnels: my hearing, my vision. My heart thuds. Hard. I drop my head in my hands, and the tears just spill out. Allie continues to talk, but I’ve already heard all my soul can handle at this point. This girl is my fuckin’ heart, and I’m terrified to see what’s left of it.

I turn to look at the nurse when she hands me a tissue, but I don’t reach out to take it. I just look at her with no words.

“I’m so sorry. You can utilize this room for as long as you need, but it’s not going to be good for her to see you so upset. You need to be strong for her right now.”

I nod my head. She’s right. I’ve got to pull my shit together. I finally take the tissue from her hand. I could sit here and cry for the rest of my life if I allowed myself, but I need to see her. So that’s what I tell the nurse. “I need to see her.”

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