Saturday 28 September 2013

After Alex Died by Dakota Madison

After Alex Died
by Dakota Madison
Genre: New Adult
 
Book Description:
 
“Don’t be someone who defines her life by someone else’s death.”
 
Dee Dee DeMarco’s brother, Alex, was funny, free-spirited and creative. He was also gay. Tormented by bullies, Alex killed himself on his 15th birthday.
 
Two years later, and now in college, Dee Dee believes getting a summer job working with a college-prep program for disadvantaged high school students is a stroke of luck, until she discovers that the guy assigned to co-lead her group is Cameron Connelly, a star basketball player and one of the bullies who tormented her brother to death. How can Dee Dee possibly spend the entire summer working so closely with one of the boys she blames for her brother’s death?
 
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I think this is a little story with a lot of heart. I hope you think so, too!
 
My Review:
 
After Alex Died by Dakota Madison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dakota Madison has written a story around a topic that we are all quite aware of in today’s society. Bullying!

Now the story is fiction so of course there are some things that may have happened a little too fast around the romance part of the story. But in saying that I think the situation warrant’s itself to get some major points across to the reader.

Deedee DeMarco is a young woman who just completed her first year of college and is pretty much broken. Her brother Alex committed suicide and Deedee is still grieving the loss of her brother and is struggling to move forward. Dealing with so many different issues herself. Besides losing her brother it appears she has lost herself, parents and friends. Truly feeling alone in the world.

Now this story shows so many sides to how bullying affects everyone to Alex, Deedee, parents, friends and even the bully at times.

I have to give Dakota Madison high praise for writing this story as she brings up so many issues facing so many young people today. Being gay, lonely, grief, suicide and living your life after the loss of a family member and moving forward.

I have rated After Alex a 4 star rating and want to say that anyone reading this review should defiantly buy this book.

I received After Alex free in exchange for an honest review.



About the Author:

Dakota Madison has been writing since she learned to read and fell in love with books. When she's not at her computer creating spicy new romances, Dakota is traveling to exotic locales or spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.


 Where to Purchase
 
Amazon 
Smashwords   
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Friday 27 September 2013

Blog Tour - Love Interrupted by A.J. Warner - Review & Giveaway




Blurb:

Logan Brooks and Andrew Eastin shared a once in a lifetime love. After losing her parents and overcoming many obstacles, she could not handle the possibility of losing him, too. She loved him enough to walk away, for both of their sakes.

As tragedy strikes again, Logan is on a downward spiral. Andrew knows she needs protection from herself, and he needs to love her through it, even if only from a distance.

When fate intervenes and allows them a second chance at love, will Logan and Andrew risk it? The Attraction is undeniable. The sexual tension, relentless. She is everything he has ever wanted. He sweeps her off her feet, renewing all that was lost.

Andrew promised her forever, but can words ever be enough? Can love prevail when life has different plans—bringing on more pain and emotions than imaginable? When lies and deceit corrupt the one thing sacred to them, plans will be ruined, promises will be broken, and hearts will be shattered.

What happens when the unknown threatens all of their dreams? Will Logan and Andrew survive their love, interrupted?

My Review:

Love Interrupted by A.J. Warner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I’ve read by A.J. Warner and I think it’s her debut novel. The writing, plot and characters are well written. The book is well rounded you get a look into their history, a touch of mystery, suspense and of course their romance.

Logan Brookes is struggling and her life is falling apart, having to live with the death of her parents and the loss of her first love, she is defiantly on a downward spiral. Deep down inside Logan understands that she truly has never gotten over Andrew and Andrew has never stopped loving Logan either.

At a loss of how to help Logan and Andrew their friends decide to reunite Logan and Andrew. But of course things do not always go the way we expect. There are twist and turns in this story that makes you want to cry and at one point consider throwing your e-reader across the room.

Love Interrupted does truly make the reader feel some strong emotions. Now if you are the type of person who likes to read romance novels with twist and turns this is the one for you. Once you finish though be prepared to want book 2 ASAP as there is a cliff-hanger.

I have rated Love Interrupted 4 stars, as I really dislike cliff-hangers and normal do not read these types of books someone else may say it’s a 5 star rating novel. I of course will definitely be reading the next book in this series. I hope it’s coming out soon though.


 
Author Links
Bio:


A.J. was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. Four years ago, she relocated to the Dallas/Fort Worth area with her husband and four wonderful children, Hayden (15), Jacob (13), Riley (11), and Isaiah (10).

A.J. is passionate about working with people with disabilities, and has a long time love of working with munchkins. She currently owns and operates a childcare facility in North Central Texas.

When she is not busy breaking up fights about who is mom’s favorite, or who ate the last bowl of Fruity Pebbles, A.J. enjoys reading and writing. She also likes chatting and laughing with her book club friends. Love Interrupted is her first book and she is currently working on her second and third novels.

 
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Wednesday 25 September 2013

Book Blitz - Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers #1) by Mia Hoddell

 
Deadly to Love (Elemental Killers #1)
by Mia Hoddell
Release Date: February 2013

Genre: YA/Romance/Paranormal/Fantasy
ASIN: B00BDQ3QGA
ISBN: 978-1-291-41025-9



Book Description:
 
The world is dangerous – but love will kill you.

Little did Serena Jackson know that one simple, flirty remark to an anonymous guy online would lead to her world being changed forever.

She doesn’t know him, but inexplicably, is drawn. She knows it is wrong but she agrees to meet.

His real name is Kai. He is beautiful. And immediately Serena feels herself blindly falling for him even though she senses a lie. She knows he is hiding something and it terrifies her.

What she doesn’t realise is that her entire life has been built on secrets and lies. The people she loved left her in the dark for a reason.

She trusted them. She trusts Kai. But as he pulls her straight into the heart of the danger the lies and deadly secrets are revealed. They overwhelm her, and the person she once was no longer exists as she is thrown into a ruthless world of elemental forces. The price of truth is her life—and now the world wants her dead.


Available from:
Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Lulu
and only 99c / 77p on Kindle for September!

Praise:
“I couldn't put it down. So I finished it last night and all I can say is WOW! This book was amazing and different.” Brianna (Book Blogger)
 
I loved how the author took a different approach to writing a love story in modern times with the paranormal element present. I thought it was absolutely wonderful and refreshing. Marvelous!” Kathy H (Amazon Reviewer)
 
I will admit I scoffed at the way it started but in the end I had fallen in love with this story…completely untraditional it was a very original idea, not to mention modern. This story had such a good plot and the story structure was sound. Kacii – The Kooky Bookworm (Book Blogger)
 

About the Author

Mia Hoddell lives in the UK with her family and two cats. She spends most of her time writing or reading and loves anything paranormal. Mia always had a love of writing but never reading. She was more interested in sports and hated sitting still - despite getting three poems published before the age of sixteen. Finally though, she found some novels that captured her interest and developed a love of reading which is now one of her favourite hobbies.

Mia began with poems before moving on to short stories. Although she enjoyed this, Mia found she had too much to tell with too little space, so later on she created her first series 'The Wanderer Trilogy' and from there other ideas have emerged. With a total of nine books planned at this moment, she is busy working on her second series 'Elemental Killers' before moving onto the next idea on her ever growing list.


Author Links
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***Excerpt***

Happy with the amount of photos I had collected I started to head back out of the forest, still flicking through my shots. As well as close ups, I had taken a few landscapes and as I was almost at the edge of the forest I noticed something in one of the photographs that made me stop.
In the left hand corner was a figure that looked mostly human, but was blurred as if they were moving on the spot.
A cold shudder shot through me.
Looking over my shoulder I became slightly panicked and felt as if someone was following me.
My eyes flicked and searched the shadows. Even though there was no sign that anything had ever been behind me, the forest looked different now - dark and threatening.
Instinctively I broke away and ran, still clutching the camera that was displaying the freaky image. Surrounded by trees I didn’t stop until I was free of the forest and back in the open light and sight of my house.
Throwing open my door, I slumped against the inside of it, regaining my breath from the short sprint. Once I had recovered I looked down at the photo once more, just to make sure that I hadn’t been seeing things. The old saying “the camera never lies,” came into my mind and for the first time I wished it not to be true. Sure enough though, as I looked down at the screen, the figure was still there and this time I noticed a red and orange glow around where its feet should have been. The image almost looked like the person was on fire but I thought I would have surely noticed if there had been a burning man in front of me.

***GIVEAWAY***

Mia Hoddell is giving away an Amazon gift card this month only there is a slight twist: the more entries she receives the more money she will put on the gift card to giveaway! For example:


No matter what = $5
100 entries = $10
150 entries = $15
200 entries = $20
and so forth...
So if she gets 1000 entries she will give away $100, there’s no limit!


To enter all you have to do is buy or have bought Deadly to Love. It's only $0.99 or £0.79 on Amazon for the duration of the giveaway! This will also unlock extra entries for you so you can earn more points by sharing the giveaway. Remember the more entries she gets the bigger the prize for you so share!




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Tuesday 24 September 2013

Release Day Blitz - Tragically Flowed by A.M Hargrove



 
Book Summary:
 
TRAGICALLY FLAWED

Riviera Benson has a talent...one she discovered by accident. She’s a painter, but canvas isn’t her medium. She creates her lovely masterpieces on walls and ceilings of million dollar homes as murals and faux finishes. Her art is in high demand now, but life wasn’t always that way. Riviera has secrets from her past she intends to keep tightly locked away...terrifying secrets that keep her awake at night...that prevent her from getting close to anyone...anyone that is, until she meets Shan.
 
Benjamin Shandon, owner of Shandon Homes, works like a thousand demons are chasing him...because perhaps they are. His business has boomed, ever since the forest fire swept through the canyon and destroyed hundreds of million dollar homes. He demands excellence in everything...from his employees to his women. He slows down for nothing, keeping a schedule that no sane person would want. But Riviera interrupts everything, twisting his guts inside out, and wedging her way into his heart, destroying a promise he made to himself.
 
Will they let their pasts control their future, or will they decide to let go and allow their hearts to discover each other’s?
 
This book contains mature content and is not intended for younger readers.
 

 


A.M. Hargrove's Bio:

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life.  So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase.  Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head.  Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window.  She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss and quit her job.  Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).

So began A. M. Hargrove's career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer. Her books include the following: Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge and Kissing Fire (The Edge Series); The Guardians of Vesturon series (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, reEmergent and Beginnings); Dark Waltz and Tragically Flawed.

Other than being in love with writing about being in love, she loves chocolate, ice cream and coffee and is positive they should be added as part of the USDA food groups.

Author's Contact Info:


Purchase Links
 



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Destructive Silence by L.U. Ann - Social Splash

Title: Destructive Silence (The Destructive #1) by L. U. Ann
 Published Date: August 16, 2013
 Genre: New Adult
 
Book Summary:
 
If you never speak of the past, can it be erased?

Lacey Edwards has a past.

A past which changed her life forever.

A past she is desperate to forget.

Lacey is quiet and reserved compared to her best friend Becca Fox. They became instant friends when Lacey moved to Maryland nine years ago. Becca helped pull Lacey out of her internal shell to experience life. By high school, Lacey was active in the club scene and would occasionally have to drag Becca with her. One night, Lacey realized she might be able to run from her past with the help of Becca and one steamy Caine Rogers.

Lacey didn't know, until it was too late, how feelings, honesty, heartbreak and life altering events can change a person. Lacey has Becca’s support but will that be enough?

Will Lacey sacrifice her own happiness to do what is expected?
 
***WARNING***
Appropriate for readers 18 & up only!
This novel contains explicit language, sexual situations and abuse that some might find offensive.
 
 
Author Bio:
 
Author L.U. Ann recently moved to Colorado from the Eastern Shore of Maryland with her husband and two children. Life in Colorado is so much different. In Maryland, you would find her in the garden tending to her vegetables and flowers, sea glass and shark tooth hunting once a week, and enjoying the kids swimming in the backyard. Her life took a drastic change when her family moved to their own “Little House on the Prairie" at an elevation of over 6,000 feet above sea level, and a semi-arid climate that makes it hard to grow anything. While barely anything can grow where she resides now, the wildlife makes up for it. Mountain Lions, and coyotes, and rattlesnakes, oh my!
 
She tries to spend a little time each day writing, but domestic chores around the house usually take precedence. She would much rather hide them from her husband. She tends to her loving four-legged children who at times become much too demanding when she locks herself in the office. This often results in MORE domestic work, and she finds herself cleaning up after their deviant behavior.
At night, you’ll find her begging the kids to go to bed so that she can catch up on the latest book before her sister can. Yes, she is an avid reader who escapes her chaotic but wonderful home to the feisty depths of romance land in search of her newest book boyfriend. Shh, don’t tell her husband!
 
She is an artist by the grace of God. She worked as a set designer for six years, helping establish a local children's theatre where she was the scenery artist, set, and prop designer. Before that, you would find her covered in paint, so engrossed in painting a mural that time didn't exist. Graphic design is her guilty pleasure.
 
Contact Info:
 
  Twitter
 
 
Purchase Info:
 


Series Name: The Destructive Series
Book order in the Series:
#1 - Destructive Silence
#2 - Destructive Choices (November 2013)
#3 - Destructive Release (Early 2014)



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Monday 23 September 2013

The Weekend Proposition by Ella Jade - Book Tour/Guest Post



Guest Blog Post
The Weekend Propositionby Ella Jade
Thanks so much for having me today. I’m thrilled to share my newest release, The Weekend Proposition, with all of you. Please check out the giveaway at the bottom of the post.

 
Growing up, one of my favorite movies was Pretty Woman. I love reading or watching stories about a strong heroine who needs a little assistance from a sexy, domineering, rich man. If he’s a few years older than the girl, that does it for me too. This book has that Pretty Woman feel but it’s an entirely different story.

When I began writing The Weekend Proposition, I wanted the hero to make the heroine a proposition she couldn’t refuse. Of course, I didn’t want to make the proposal an indecent one. Not that there is anything wrong with an indecent proposal but when I came up with the concept for the book I couldn’t blur the lines between the couple. In Spencer’s mind, his request could never be about sex. He saw an opportunity to help Coda and he took it. When I developed the character of Spencer I knew he’d be the perfect knight in shining armor. He’s charismatic, polite and follows through on his word. He’s also just the right amount of dirty too ;) I don’t think anyone will blame Coda for falling fast and hard for the no-nonsense CEO. He’s a charmer.

One of my favorite scenes…
“I’m not looking to be the next Bachelor.”  

“I’m sure that show would love you. Rich, successful, and totally hot.”  

“You think I’m hot?” He smirked all smug-like and sexy.  

“Like you didn’t already know?”  

“That I’m hot or that you thought I was hot?”  

“You are arrogant.”  

“I don’t have time for a relationship. My job is very demanding.”  

“You still need a social life.” She shrugged. “Not that I have time for one.”  

“You see, that’s why my proposition is perfect.”  

When he turned to leave the room she reached out and touched his tattoo. She couldn’t stop herself. His muscles tightened under her fingers. He looked over his shoulder and into her eyes.  

“I didn’t expect this.” She traced over the keys. “Do you play?”  

He nodded as he held her gaze.  

“It’s really good.” She moved closer to get a better look. She wasn’t sure where her boldness came from but she couldn’t stop touching his heated skin. “Did you have it done in the city?”  

“Um, yes.” He spoke so low she almost missed it.  

“Old Souls Tattoo Parlor?” She saw a date written just underneath the picture. She wondered what it symbolized. 

“How did you know that?”  

“I’m friends with Jake. He’s a remarkable artist. His tats almost pop off the skin. I could tell by the color scheme this was his work. It looks like you could almost play this miniature piano.” She continued to run her fingers over the image. “He’s done all of mine.”  

“You have more?” He turned to face her. “I saw the one at the nape of your neck.”  

“I have a few more.”  

“Where?” She felt his breath on her lips.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She gave him a flirty smile. “You better get ready for dinner.” 

“Only if you’ll promise to tell me later.”
“Maybe I’ll show you.”
“You like to tease me, don’t you? That could be dangerous.”
***

See what I mean? Spencer is a total panty-dropping kind of guy. The Weekend Proposition is available now wherever eBooks are sold.
Book Description:
One weekend—no strings, no expectations, and no commitments. On Sunday afternoon it all ends, or does it?
No-nonsense businessman Spencer Cannon has a dilemma. He’s headed to Connecticut for the weekend to attend his cousin’s elaborate wedding. His whole family will be there in addition to his obsessed ex-girlfriend Ava. According to Spencer’s brother, Ava has been telling her friends she’s planning a magical reunion with her favorite ex-boyfriend. Spencer’s not in the mood to deal with her, but he can’t miss the wedding. He needs a plan.
Struggling Brooklyn waitress and aspiring graphic designer Dakota Vercelli has fallen on hard times. College debts, pending eviction, and her sick mother are taking a toll on her. A chance encounter with Mr. Cannon, CEO of Cannon and Carrington Advertising, leads to a proposition that may be just the thing to solve both of their problems. Spencer’s offer—spend four days with him during the wedding festivities and keep his ex off his trail. In return, he’ll compensate her generously for her time. He needs a weekend girlfriend, and Dakota needs the cash.
It was just supposed to be a business deal, but after sharing a room, kissing under the stars, and attending a wedding, their attraction is undeniable. Will the illusion end when the weekend is over or is the proposition just the beginning?
Content Warning: contains mature language and graphic sexual content

Buy Links:    Beachwalk Press      Amazon     Barnes & Noble

 

About Ella
Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.

Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy writing, attending PTO meetings, kickboxing, and scrapbooking. She hopes you'll get lost in her words. 

You can find Ella here…

 

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