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Sunday, March 31, 2013

Picture Perfect Blog Tour and Guest Post




Fashion design major Cat Mitchell has a closet full of gorgeous clothes - and not a single thing fits. After two years of runway modeling for easy cash, an accident shattered her lower leg bone and her self-esteem in just one swift fall. Ten months of no exercise, prescription steroids, comfort eating and yoga pants meant returning to campus as a size twelve instead of her former size two. When her gorgeous long-time friend with benefits sees her for the first time after her accident and snubs her in front of all her friends, Cat’s self-image hits rock bottom. Her sorority sisters all insist that she looks gorgeous, but all Cat sees is the roll of her stomach when she sits down, or the dimpling at the back of her thighs that wasn't there last year. Cat’s therapist prescribes something radical to stop the downward spiral - nude modeling for a nearby college's human form drawing classes. When Cat faces her fears and bares it all for the class, she realizes that she's posing naked in front the most gorgeous, buffest guy she's ever seen in her life. He asks her out after the class, and after one steamy night together, Cat's absolutely smitten.

Nate’s pretty close to perfect – he takes Cat rock climbing when he discovers that it makes her feel strong and becomes a great chef after he learns that the perfect pesto sauce makes her swoon. Cat starts to feel like her old self again - confident and beautiful - as long as Nate's around. Even when he discourages her from entering the Real Woman Project, a design competition for plus-sized apparel, she reasons that he's just trying to prevent old body image wounds from splitting wide open again. But when Cat goes home with Nate for Thanksgiving, she discovers something shocking from his recent past that proves that he hasn’t always been so encouraging of women of all shapes and sizes. Cat has no idea what to think, but she does know one thing - this might destroy their relationship before it's even had a chance to get off the ground.

Before Cat can figure out whether the real Nate is the sensitive, adoring guy she fell in love with, or an undercover asshole, she'll have to finally feel comfortable in her own skin - even if it means leaving him forever.

My Thoughts

I really liked Picture Perfect! It was a very real feeling story and one that is easily relatable. I liked the balance of feelings in it too! One minute you're all hot and bothered, the next depressed, then back again. I highly recommend this book, it's a quick non-put-downable book!

Giveaway


Hi there! Thank you so much for having me over to your blog! I’m totally honored and excited to be here talking about cliffhangers, whether I love them or hate them, and why.  First, I’ll talk about them as a reader, then as a writer.
Before we throw down about cliffhangers, let’s have a definition, shall we? Per Wikipedia:
A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction. A cliffhanger is hoped to ensure the audience will return to see how the characters resolve the dilemma.

As a reader
So, here’s the thing: My tolerance of a cliffhanger is inversely proportionate to the amount of time it takes me to get my grubby little hands on it. So, for example, if the cliffhanger occurs at the end of:
A story with weekly installments on Wattpad? You’d better believe I’m going to be on that site each and every week, hitting refresh until my precious next bit of story here. The Cliffhanger efficacy rating  here is HIGH.  That little cliffhanger did exactly what it was supposed to do – bring me back, begging for more.
A novel whose sequel is coming out in a few months? Eh. This one could really go either way. If I loved the story, a few months isn’t too long to wait, but if I’m merely curious, I could forget about ever having cared at the end of a few months, you know? The Cliffhanger efficacy rating here is MEDIUM, or, less scientifically, “EH.”
A novel whose sequel is coming out a year or more later? Honestly, I don’t know that many humans whose attention span is long enough to wait a YEAR for a plot resolution. This can be even worse when you’ve made us love your characters, but then given us the ultimate frustration of not knowing what happens to them. In this case, it’s most likely I’ll give up because I bought a book and feel dragged along with it only to discover that I have to wait to find out what happens. So the Cliffhanger efficacy rating here is LOW, just because I have no patience.
Which is all a fancy way of saying: If I don’t have to wait that long, they’re actually pretty okay.

 As a writer
Look. I’m just like 90% of writers out there – we get some kind of sick pleasure out of watching our characters squirm, and hopefully, out of hearing from our readers, “Must have more now!!!’
But.
If that was the only thing I listened to when considering whether to write anything, I’d be an egomaniac and an not-so-great writer, because after all, isn’t a writer’s main goal readers? If I know doing something to my story will alienate my readers, because I know it would alienate me, why would I do that thing?
I know that I’m supposed to want to write cliffhangers because the idea is that it’ll keep readers invested in the story. But I do think there are other ways to accomplish that. Strong, memorable characters with complex relationships, a compelling plot with just enough loose threads to make the reader wanting more, but not desperate for more.

So that’s a NO on cliffhangers, I think.  
What about you all? Do you like cliffhangers? Have you ever liked one when you didn’t think you ever would?

Author Bio

Alessandra Thomas is a New Adult writer who swears she was in her twenties yesterday. Since she's not, she spends her time looking back on her college years fondly, and writing sexy stories about guys and girls falling in love and really living life for the first time. When she's not writing, you can find her with a spoonful of ice cream in one hand and the newest New Adult release in the other.

Links:



Friday, March 29, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday




The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs! Thank you for stopping by my blog! I will follow back, just leave your link in the comment box! Have an awesometastic weekend!

Cover Reveal and Giveaway- Of Silver and Beasts

Of
Silver and Beasts (A Goddess Wars Novel)
Release
Date: June 1, 2013


Genre: New Adult Dark Fantasy

Cover Reveal Organized by: YA Bound

Cover
Designed by: Steven
Novak

Summary
from Goodreads:
In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once
saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to
hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it,
but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant
reminder that she’s different.




When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she
becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a
neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the
last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared
Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where
they must fight for their life in a caged arena. 




Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive
while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic
that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can
somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.





***Excerpt***


I open my mouth to say something comforting, but I’m unsure of what. In this moment, I’m reminded that I know little about him. Other than the sarcasm and desire to understand nothing of my queendom, he hasn’t allowed me past the surface.
But then, I have my own walls, hiding things I’d never want him or any other to know. And I understand that need to hide them. You can’t trust anyone.
“Caben…” I start, but still can’t find the right words.
He lowers his hand from his face, never taking his eyes off the glinting water top. “You’re right,” he finally says. “Let’s find the access to Lilly’s section.”
A hollow pang hits my chest, and I’m not sure why. Something in his voice sounds lost, broken. I imagine the gears around my heart spinning faster, trying to keep up with my racing heart.
When he sidesteps me, I reach out and grab his arm. “Caben, I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine, Kal,” he snaps. “We have work to do.”
“No, I’ve said something to offend you.” I drop my hand, but keep close to him, not allowing him to leave my side. Goddess, trying to understand the male brain is harder than anything in protector training. I’ve heard people say that you have to tip-toe around a woman’s emotions, but a man’s ego is every bit as fragile, if not more so.
He releases a heavy breath through his nose and walks back to the pool. He sits down along the edge and rolls up his pants, then slips off his boots. “I honestly don’t think Bax or his goons will be returning tonight.” He sinks his bare feet into the water and sighs.
Glancing at the back of the cave, I plant my hands on my hips. We don’t have time for indulgencies, but the prince is still my charge. If it were my empress, I’d give her anything she’d ask for. Allow her as much time as she needed to collect herself. I have to watch over his mental state as well as protect him, so I try to push the pending need to find Lilly aside and sit down next to him.
“Here,” he says, turning his hand out near my crossed feet. “You have to feel this.”
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “I can remove my own—”
“Have you never been pampered a day in your life?” he asks, lifting an eyebrow. “I know that the Nactue are fierce and will put a hurt on any man for touching them. But try to relax.”
“Is that the rumor in Perinya?”
“What?”
I bite my lip, suddenly regretting my blurt. “Nothing. Never mind.”
From the corner of my eye, I see his lips pucker into a pinched smile, as if he’s trying not to. “Ah,” he says, like he’s made some great universal connection. “Well, there are many whisperings about the Nactue. Some I dare not repeat for fear I’d leave here missing a limb, but that’s one, yes.” He takes my booted foot and begins to unlace it. “I’ve heard that the empress’s protectors are untouchable—forbidden to give themselves to men. And that they’ll snap a man’s neck just for making an advance.”
My mouth drops open. Appalled, I counter, “That’s not true.”
“All right,” he says, as if he hasn’t just insulted my very existence. “It’s only rumors. Things men jaw about in pubs. The unattainable woman is a fantasy, Kal. Don’t be offended.”
“Unattainable?” I grit my teeth, trying to maintain my composure. “Tell me, prince. Do men in your country just go around bedding every woman they can in order to keep them compliant?” I shake my head. “If their fantasy is a woman that would have nothing to do with them, it seems to me it’s their way of feeding their egos after being rejected.”
His eyes widen. “No! How does your brain come up with these—” He bites off his words, his lips thin as he presses them together. “Look, it was a joke.”
I nod, many times. “Another joke. I’m glad that our hard work and sacrifice is amusing to the men of Perinya.”
Caben lets out another sigh and slowly pulls off my boot. His warm fingers skim my calf as he inches up my pant leg. “Just stick your foot in,” he says, then adds lower, “while I stick mine in my mouth.”
Unexpectedly, I laugh. “At least it’s now clean,” I say. “Would you like some help getting it to your face?”


***GIVEAWAY***
a Rafflecopter giveaway





Thursday, March 28, 2013

Swoon Thursday




A HAWT meme sponsored by YA Bound. From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! We want to know :-)

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Cover Reveal- Before You Go by Clare James



Forgiveness is the only option, but can she learn to forgive herself? 

Paralyzed by the past and terrified of the future, Tabitha Kelly is broken. 

After a public sex scandal at her college, Tabby moves to a new city with a new school, convinced she can start over. But she soon realizes the changes are not enough. Tabby must take action to help her heal and move on from the past. 

And though it sounds crazy, she believes a one-night stand is the best way to take back what’s hers. If she can choose where, when, and most importantly, who … maybe she can regain control. 

First, she needs a willing participant. 

She finds more than that when she meets Noah Adler. 

Unfortunately, she can’t go through with it. And when she tries to forget about the plan–and the guy—it becomes impossible. 

Noah quickly weaves his way into her new life and her heart. But as he comes dangerously close to discovering her secret, Tabby’s at risk of losing it all. 

Goodreads Link:
Clare James spent her childhood, writing, reading, and dancing. Not much has changed since then, except she can no longer get up on toe shoes like she once could. And don’t even ask her to go into the splits because she may never get back up. 

A new adult and contemporary romance writer, Clare loves a happy ending. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son. BEFORE YOU GO is her debut new adult novel. 
 


Author Links:



Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Cover Reveal: The Do Over by A.L. Zaun

The do Over by A.L.Zaun photo THEDOOVERecoverLarge_zpsd67596c7.jpg

Title: The Do Over
Author: A. L. Zaun
Genre: Contemporary Adult
Cover Designer: Wicked by Design
Expected release date: May 20, 2013

Goodreads Button photo goodreads-badge-add-plus_zps5d68ec23.png


Life doesn't look like it's supposed to for Daniela, aka Dani. After a painful break-up with Rick, Dani decides she doesn't want to deal with the hassles of relationship.

After almost two years, Dani's friends stage an intervention, forcing her out of her holding pattern and back into the real world of dating.

Liam, a down to earth firefighter, may be just the person to show her she’s still worth something. Their chemistry is instant and electric. But will Dani be able to trust her patched-up heart with him?

And what will happen when Rick decides he’ll go to any lengths to get her back?



About the Author
A.L. Zaun photo ALZaun_zps02443741.jpg
A.L. Zaun graduated from Florida International University with a degree in English Literature a long time ago. A degree she didn’t use at all in her professional endeavors. She loves to read, write and take pictures. She walks around with her camera, and most importantly she has her e-reader available at all times. Healthcare Management by day, Mommy in the evening and most nights, you can find her sitting in front of her laptop with a bottle of Diet Pepsi, bringing the voices in her head to life on the pages of her debut novel, The Do Over.


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Monday, March 25, 2013

It's Monday! What are you reading?



It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.
Welcome to It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Cover Reveal: Tragic by JA Huss




Rook Walsh is TRAGIC

Because life so far – just sucks. Some girls get parents. Rook got the foster care system. Some girls get Prince Charming. Rook got an abusive frog. Some girls get lucky…

Rook got a second chance.

And she took it. Because when fate throws you a bone – you grab it with both hands and run.

Antoine Chaput knows the minute he spies Rook in his photography studio that she’s got The Look. The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.

Rook is paired up with top model, Ronin, and he’s everything her abusive ex-boyfriend wasn’t. Patient, gentle, happy, attentive, and sexy! He knows exactly what to do to make Rook blush for Antoine’s portfolio.

Rook’s luck changes in an instant and suddenly she’s the darling of the modeling world. It’s a dream job to go with a dream guy and all she has to do is look pretty and follow directions. But there’s always a price to pay – and Rook is about to get the bill.

TRAGIC is a new adult contemporary romance.

Tragic by J.A. Huss
Publication date:  May 20th 2013 
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance











J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Author links:






Friday, March 22, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday




The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs! Thank you for stopping by my blog! I will follow back, just leave your link in the comment box! Have an awesometastic weekend!

Vacant Blog Tour

vacant-book-tour-banner
Title: Vacant by Evelyn R. Baldwin
Released: February 23, 2013
Genre: New Adult / Adult Romance (Mild Erotica)
Stand Alone Novella
Vacant [Adult version]
vacant-cover-reveal
Ethan Parker gets up every day, surviving the only way he knows how—alone. Orphaned as a child and forced into the child welfare system, he knows better than to depend on anyone but himself. He’s learned trust is a word used all too often, but rarely earned. Ethan believes that his best chance for maintaining a simple and solitary existence is to live by a simple mantra: Don’t get involved. Keep things simple. Take care of yourself! When a young woman moves in next door, Ethan is forced to reevaluate his beliefs. He tries to keep his distance, but his new neighbor’s infectious smile and outlook on life leave him struggling with the decision of living the life he knows, or taking a chance on the unexpected. As Ethan develops a relationship with his new neighbor, Emily, he realizes nothing is simple and learns that life is about more than just surviving… it’s about living.

**This version contains sexual content only suitable for adult audiences.

My Review

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was a great love story. It was really short and easy to read. The chemistry between the couple grows and it is really sweet (and if you have the adult book HOT at times). My only problem is that it was WAY too short, I needed more. It was kinda like eating chips for dinner. Good but didn't fill me up. I felt like I was reading a long excerpt. I would have really loved a duel POV, which there was a few chapters from Emily, but I would have liked to know what she was thinking through a couple of the scenes.. actually the whole book. Plus, even though their love for one another grew, it didn't give you really any details. This book could be devastatingly wonderful if it were expanded. I know this review sounds mostly negative, but the book as it is was great!

Cover and Writing
I love this cover. The writing was easy to read and relate to, as I said it could be expanded upon.

Swoonworthy points: 7
You grow to fall in love with Ethan and the lengths that he's willing to go through to take care of Emily, especially considering the way his life had been up until that point. But when the time is just right and they both decide upon a relationship, it's pretty hot! :)

Final thoughts
Good quick, sweet, hot read.


About the Author:
6871363
She’s written short stories since childhood but only recently began exercising her real writing muscles. While she does not consider herself a professional writer in any sense of the word, she continues to polish her craft and hopes for success in her writing ventures, even if they are just as a hobby.
After moving to St. Louis to attend college, she earned a degree in Education. During her Master’s program, Evelyn discovered her fascination with behavior and psychology.
Her first professional job experience was as a juvenile counselor, which led her to venture into other human sciences, eventually making a career with Behavior Analysis. While writing is a hobby for Evelyn, she often uses her experiences with human behavior to guide her characters.
After moving to St. Louis to attend college, she earned a degree in Education. During her Master’s program, Evelyn discovered her fascination with behavior and psychology.
Her first professional job experience was as a juvenile counselor, which led her to venture into other human sciences, eventually making a career with Behavior Analysis. While writing is a hobby for Evelyn, she often uses her experiences with human behavior to guide her characters.


Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Why Can't I Be You Promo and Giveaway!!


Title: Why Can’t I Be You
Author: Allie Larkin
Publisher: Plume
Release date: February 26, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Age Group: Adult
Tour organized by: AToMR Tours

WHY CAN’T I BE YOU takes its name from a 1987 hit song from English rock band The Cure.  All her life, Jenny Shaw toed the line, striving to be the perfect colleague, girlfriend, and daughter – a path that has led her to an unhappy (though successful) career, a failed relationship, and all-but-severed family ties.  On her way to the airport for her first business trip, she is unceremoniously dumped by the man she thought she would one day marry.  In her haze of shock and confusion, she responds to the wrong name when Myra Aberly, organizer of Seattle ’s Mt. Si class of 1999’s thirteenth high-school reunion, shouts “Jessie!” across the hotel lobby. 
In an instant, Jenny Shaw becomes Jessie Morgan, a woman to whom she bears an uncanny resemblance. She is immediately embraced by Jessie’s warm circle of friends – and gains a possible love interest.  But when Jenny becomes more and more curious about Jessie’s history, she uncovers a trail of secrets, pain and deceit that inspires her to uncover the truth that will heal her own painful past.



Excerpt #4

I knew I had to look absolutely awful, but the woman behind
the reception desk gave me a big smile and said, “Welcome to the
Salish Lodge,” as if she were graciously inviting me into her own
home. “Here for the reunion?” she asked. She wore a crisp white
shirt and a black sweater with a ruffled front, and her hair was
pulled back into a sleek, low ponytail without the slightest hint of
a flyaway hair. Her name tag rested perfectly just below her shoulder,
so you weren’t forced to stare at her boob to learn that her
name was Ashley.

“No,” I said. “The New Media in Public Relations conference.”

“Oh, yes.” She took my name and found my fi le. “Will you be
needing help with your luggage?”

I felt my eyes well up again. “They lost my luggage,” I said. I
turned my head and watched the flames in the big stone fi replace
in the lobby while I composed myself.      

“Well, I can call the airline and see when they’re expecting
to deliver it.”        

“Oh, no,” I said, hating to be caught in a lie, even if it was a
little one. “It was the car service to the airport. They drove off
without leaving it.” It wasn’t a total lie. “I called, but the best they
can do is take it back home for me.”

“Then you’ll probably be needing a shuttle back into Seattle
to do a little shopping before the conference starts tomorrow,” she
said, with a wink.

“That would be wonderful,” I said, feeling worse about the lie.
She was so nice. She probably would have been sympathetic if
I’d told her the truth.          

To learn what the “the truth” is read WHY CAN’T I BE YOU by Allie Larkin.



About the Author
Allie Larkin is the internationally bestselling author of the novel Stay, and the upcoming novel Why Can’t I Be You (2013).  She lives with her husband, Jeremy, their two German Shepherds, Argo and Stella, and a three-legged cat.








Click the banner below to see the full tour schedule.




Giveaway!!







Monday, March 18, 2013

The Boys of Summer Tour and Giveaway!!

Welcome
to my stop on The Boys of Summer blog
tour hosted by YA Bound.  Click HERE
to check out the full blog tour schedule!

The Boys of Summer (Summer #1)
Release
Date: 12/17/12
294
pages
Summary
from Goodreads: 

It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.

To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget. 

It will be a summer she will always remember. 

Warning: sexual references, and occasional coarse language.




The Boys of Summer is a fun, sweet, and touching romance. Tess is the 17 year-old girl who has come to the point in her life that she has a chance to potentially redefine her herself, both internally and the way she is viewed by those around her. She starts as the quiet girl, that wanted nothing more then to blend into the background, hiding behind her gorgeous best friend who loved the spot light. But here comes the summer, and a new waitressing job puts Tess in her own spot light with the regulars at the restraint  the Onslow Boys. Though Tess has always crushed on the devastatingly handsome and irresistible Toby Morrison from afar, she now has him face to face, and he is looking back at her. The rest of the summer chronicles their relationship, through boyfriends and girlfriends (exes and current) pool games at the hotel, drives to the Pointe, days on the lake, they find their love for each other. This is a perfect YA romance, and will be enjoyed by all who still have those fond memories of first loves during summer days. 

As much as I fell in love with Tess and Toby, what made the story that much more enjoyable were the secondary characters. Tess, Ellie, and Adam are best friends and quite the mismatched trio. Ellie is the lovable  bubbly, girly-girl that helps build up Tess's confidence and Adam is the goofy, endearing "bozo" who adds the perfect amount of comic relief. I did like how there were parts of the story when he was not actually there and Tess had to relay what was going on to him through email. It gave a wonderful insight to what Tess was feeling, and some of his reactions to the situations were hilarious! 

"To tessmcgee: Do you still love me??? How did it go tonight? I spoke to Chris, he said you smashed it! I take it he is not referring to a plate and assume you did well? Go you!! I knew you would do good. That's why I hand picked you, you know? Seriously Tess, that's really great. I better go, Nan's telling me Mattock is on. Oh goody! Sender: Adam I can jump puddles Henderson."

And Toby's best friend Sean was a great compliment to him; where Toby was more dark and brooding, Sean was Mr. Popular and full of carisma. I liked that Sean would sometimes let some of Toby's feelings and he obviously confided to him slip out to Tess. I think we need another novel centering around Sean! My favorite part of the book was when Tess, Ellie, Sean and Toby went out on the boat for the day. It was one of the first times Tess was able to fully and confidently come out of her shell (in a sexy white bikini and all!). They were all fun and flirty and it made your heart melt as the connection and sparks were flying between Tess and Toby. For me, the Aussie setting really made this book, I loved the slang and the references. The cover was great, it really drew me in, but I thought the title was a little lacking, it was a little shallow for my taste and didn't give justice to the story behind it. 

Swoonworthy Points: I give this book a 9/10. One of my favorite aspects to this story is that is isn't insta-love, the majority of the book Tess and Toby's relationship is developing and growing, starting off as friendship and blossoming into more. I think this gave so much more validity to their feelings and their connection, it didn't just happen after one date or one look across the room. They spent time together, had conversations, and even though they did have that instant attraction to each other, they didn't act on those attractions until the timing was right. This, of course, added quite a bit of angst to the story (there were moments of screaming at the book: "Just kiss her already!") but I think that added to the credibility and emotional draw to their relationship as well as the authors talent to keeps us rooting for Tess and Toby through out the whole book. 

"Toby strode towards me, his hands cupped my face and his lips claimed mine. My surprise soon melted into his touch, my hands entwined around his neck as I kissed him back. Toby's hands were in my hair, his soft lips brushed against mine, gentle at first and then more intently as the pressure of his kisses coaxed me to open my  mouth, his tongue delving gently to taste my own. I followed his rhythm and pushed more eagerly against him, my hands moved to divide the thick, silken folds of his hair. I had dreamed of those lips, but never had I imagined they would be so soft, so utterly mind shattering. A small noise escaped me in pleasure; I could feel Toby smile against my mouth as he slowly edged me back against the table, the weight of his body pressed against mine; it felt like a dream, like I should wake at any moment, but no, this was real, this was definitely real!"

"I glanced around. "Did you want to talk about this somewhere else?" I asked. "Oh, I think right here is perfect for what I need to do." Toby smiled his perfect, wicked smile, the very one that melted me. I thought my heart might stop as he edged closer closer, tilting my chin up with his hand. "What do you need to do?" I whispered. "This." He captured my lips in a long, lingering kiss. My walls came crumbling down as I melted against him, his arms encircled me, and I was lost to the feel, the memory, of all that was Toby."




Add An Endless Summer (Summer #2) to Goodreads:



About the Author

C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia.

The Boys of Summer is
Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.






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Sunday, March 17, 2013

Surrender Your Love Review




Meeting Jett was like lightning. Dangerous. Better left untouched. And better forgotten. But lightning always strikes twice.

Brooke Stewart, a realtor in New York, doesn’t do relationships. When she’s sent to a remote estate to finalize a real estate deal, she discovers her new boss is no other than the guy she left naked in bed.

Sexy, dangerously handsome, and arrogant Jett Mayfield attracts trouble, and women, like a lightning rod. But the night he meets Brooke he gets more than he bargained for. The green-eyed millionaire playboy isn’t used to taking no for an answer, and he isn’t about to start now.

When he proposes two months of no strings sex, Brooke is intrigued and accepts his proposal. Little does she know Jett’s determined to claim the one woman he can’t have, pulling her deeper into his dangerous world.

A man who doesn't take 'no' for an answer.
A woman afraid to surrender to love.
Two lives that are about to cross...and secrets laid bare.



My Review


Surrender Your Love is sure to seduce you off your feet! It is highly sensual and mysterious. The chemistry between Brooke and Jett is very heated. I love how the story takes off and just keeps going, there are no boring parts, and I literally read it in one sitting!

Cover and Writing
Um, yes!! I love the cover and the super smexy hero worship going on! (wipes drool from face) The writing was easy to read and get lost in! My gripes (and the reason for the rating) there were too many strings that were left loose. To me, it felt like it stopped in the middle of a book. AND it was Cliffy :'( I silently shed tears when books end like this! Ms. Reed, I love your story and could read it for ever.. next time could you please end the book? Thanks!!

Main Character
Brooke Stewart is a tough character to crack in the beginning. She is damaged and afraid to get too attached, seeking solace in 'SAFE.' She had a terrible tragic life and is just barely managing. I like that she is snarky yet unsure. She is human and easy to relate to. I feel sad for her and yet I'm glad that she's able to keep picking herself up and dusting herself off!

Swoonworthy Points: 8.5
HOLY SMOKES! Your uber-sexy-rich boss takes you on a trip to Italy and completely romances you. He can cook, dress and loves to live on the wild side. There's some super hot beach sexin' and some office work ;) The couple are completely cute together!

Casting





GAH! I was so mad at the cliffhanger on this! But after careful deliberation, I've decided to not be too mad.. it was a great steamy read. It'll definitely get your blood flowing! I definitely recommend it!




ARC Provided by author in exchange for an honest review!
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