~One Hot Second by Stacy Gail Blog Tour Review Stop~

Title:One Hot Second
Author: Stacy Gal
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 5, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions (http://bookenthusiastpromotions.com)
Reviewed by Guest Reviewer: Holley H.
Add the book to Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22447049-one-hot-second

 

Synopsis:

Parker Radclyffe is up against a wall. Thorne Mansion, the mysterious Italianate castle she’s come to Texas to restore, isn’t the problem. No matter how intriguing the relic is, it’s merely an ember compared to the blazing magnetism of its owner, Chandler Thorne.

When his family mansion burned down, Chandler had to watch over a hundred years of proud history go up in smoke. After more than a year, he finally has everything in place to rebuild, including a renowned conservation architect to oversee the

restoration. But when he lays eyes on Parker he realizes he’s gotten more than he paid for. Maybe more than he can handle.

Parker is a military brat who never sits still long enough to get burned. Chandler is her opposite, a man with deep roots and deeper family secrets. It won’t be easy to find the common ground it takes to build a home together, but Chandler is a Thorne in every sense. He plans to stick with Parker until she sees that love is more than worth the risk.

 Review:

 One Hot Second by Stacy Gail was a very good book. The story line is original. I have yet to read a book about putting down roots. Parker grew up a military brat. So to her putting down roots somewhere never crossed her mind until she took a job rebuilding a historical mansion in a small dusty south Texas town and met the owner.

    Chandler is not only the owner of the mansion that Parker is rebuilding but he is also the owner and editor-in-chief of the towns only paper. He has left town and went to college in Chicago and moved back to takeover the paper. Before he moved back to Bitterthorn, Texas he was engaged. She didn’t want to live in a small town. So naturally things didn’t workout but the situation left a bitter taste in Chandlers mouth. So much so he became – for lack of a better term – a playboy. He of coarse isn’t really a playboy just very cautious and doesn’t do relationships.

    A lot of history is uncovered and the town is all curious about everything because the mansion was built by the town founders. When things are uncovered the town finds out about the sordid past of the founders as well as others in the community. There is a mayor that has it out for the Thorne’s. Gossip, gossip, gossip. Just like any small town. Then, here is the attraction between Parker and Chandler. They are tested in different ways. However, Parker learns that putting down roots isn’t as bad as she thought when she tries to leave and Chandler learns when you find the  right person home is wherever they are no matter how much history you have in one town.

    There is a love story but it doesn’t consume the story. There is just enough of the story that isn’t just the couple together. In other words there was a story to go with the couple falling in love at the same time. The love scenes didn’t overpower the story line. I loved that.

Meet the Author:

A competitive figure skater from the age of eight, Stacy Gail began writing stories in between events to pass the time. By the age of fourteen, she told her parents she was either going to be a figure skating coach who was also a published romance writer, or a romance writer who was also a skating pro. Now with a day job of playing on the ice with her students, and writing everything from steampunk to cyberpunk, contemporary to paranormal at night, both dreams have come true.

Social Links:

http://stacygail.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/Stacy_Gail_

https://www.facebook.com/stacy.gailauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4945283.Stacy_Gail

Newsletter: http://blogspot.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=693f988e521102c0ca1d96d25&id=dc87a00307

http://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Gail/e/B005J1NETO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Giveaway:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZWVmNGVlNGJjMTU1MjI4NzVlZTMxNDA4OTYzNWMyOjU1OQ==/

Buy Links:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/one-hot-second/id884888025?mt=11

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/One-Hot-Second-Stacy-Gail-ebook/dp/B00KPJNL70/ref=la_B005J1NETO_1_10_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402269752&sr=1-10

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-hot-second-stacy-gail/1119640988?ean=9781426898785

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stacy_Gail_One_Hot_Second?id=jCORAwAAQBAJ

Incandescent by River Savage 5 STAR REVIEW, EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY

Title: Incandescent
Series: Knights Rebels MC #1
Author: River Savage
Release Date: August 11, 2014
Thank you to Give Me Books for letting me be apart of the Blitz.

Synopsis

Phoenix ‘Nix’ Knight thought pulling his club out of the illegal shit his Pops got them into was difficult.

Until he meets Kadence.

Kadence Turner has no business lusting over a student’s father, especially the president of the Knights Rebels MC. Nix is crass, obnoxious and dangerously sexy and for some reason, Kadence can’t seem to hate him for it. The bossy biker breaks down her defenses, but unlike the old Kadence, the woman she is today won’t give in without a fight.

The tension is undeniable, the attraction fierce. A man that wants what he wants and a woman that will fight him every step of the way.

GOODREADS

Review

You know the books that keep you awake till the early hours of the morning. Incandescent by River Savage was a ball-part 2:30am finish for me and I couldn’t have enjoyed and loved it more. Nix; a father, a friend, a prez and the outlawing badass smart mouthing male body of Incandescent made the pages weep with passion and love, which was so POWERFUL. Nix meets Kadence in a parent-teacher interview for his son Z. Like all smug cocky guys his intuition is to set the sassy and confident teacher in her place when Kadence retaliates with banter that made me laugh and love during reading.

“So you’re stubborn and sassy. I love a good chase,” he responds, not one bit deterred.

“It would be a pretty boring chase, like a dog chasing his tail.” I smile sweetly at him. The thrill of going back at him sends a swarm of butterflies through my stomach.” – Incandescent by River Sage.

The narrative flowed as rivalries resurfaced, the pain of the past was let go and raw emotion in Kadence and Nix was unleashed in a steamy, erotic form that will leave your panties wet. Incandescent is a new MC book by debut River Savage and I got to admit I am kind of in love with the vibe of how River tells MC narratives. A definite recommended read for those who love MC novels.

5 STARS!

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US
AMAZON UK
AMAZON AU

AUTHOR BIO

River Savage is the author of the soon to be released, Knights Rebels MC Series. The first book Incandescent, will be released August 11, 2014.

An avid reader of romance and erotic novels, her love for books and reading fueled her passion for writing. Reading no longer sated her addiction, so she started writing in secret. She never imagined that her dream of publishing a novel would ever be achievable.
With a soft spot for an alpha male and a snarky sassy woman, Kadence and Nix were born.

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook

Twitter

Website

Goodreads
Email: riversavageauthor@gmail.com

GIVEAWAY

There is a giveaway for 5 x $20 Amazon Gift Cards
Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

~Not Yet by Laura Ward 5 STAR Spoiler-Free Review~

Title: Not Yet
Author: Laura Ward
Age: NA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Designer: Mae I Designs
Blog Tour Hosts: Wordsmith Publicity

BLURB:

Emma Harris is learning that life is just a series of lessons.

Lesson #1: Nothing goes the way you plan.

Lesson #2: You can’t trust men. Especially not the pretty ones.

Lesson #3: Turns out, appearances are almost always deceiving.

Emma thinks she has life all figured out, and what she knows isn’t good. For years, she’s put her big sister, who was born with Down syndrome, first. Now Emma’s ready to start her own life, but fate has other plans. To do the right thing for the sister she loves, Emma’s dreams will just have to wait.

She doesn’t plan on meeting Landon — a rich, flirtatious jock, who never has to wait for anything. Not for attention, not for money, and certainly not for girls. Meeting Emma marks the first time in his life that he’s had to fight for something. And Landon doesn’t know how to lose.

Emma has no interest in wasting her summer with a superficial guy like Landon. But very soon she realizes she is wrong about him. The question is, can she trust him? Or will he let her down like every other guy in her life? But most importantly, can Emma trust herself enough to live the life she’s always dreamed of?

Life has a way of sneaking in the most important lessons when you aren’t looking. And once the heart gets involved, that’s when the real learning begins.

Review

Not Yet by Laura Ward astonished and disbarred me. The uncanny and brilliant work of Laura was not seen or heard through just the words on the page but through the emotion in the characters. Emma and Landon create this electric and blood roaring passion that kept me reading from beginning to end. The novel does more than teach the lessons of moving forward, breaking down walls guarding your heart and taking a chance.

Not Yet enlightens a breathtaking journey of two people who despite some untold words come together in pure delight. It was both passionate & pure with the edge of rules being broken, a connection that can’t be shaken and so much more. I loved the story, it wasn’t your conventional love story which made it all the more desirable to read and see how the story develops. Through kinship, hard times, passion and a bond the narrative Laura preludes to write pure raw and flawless emotion. Landon is the prince in an army of misfit with Emma struggling with her emotions and if she will let someone in. A fun, beautifully written read that gripped me and tore me to shreds all in one. x Highly Recommended Read – 5 STARS~!

Purchase Links
Amazon US

TRAILER

GIVEAWAY:

17 ebooks-Not Yet

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Laura Ward lives in Maryland with her loud and very loving three children and husband. She married her college sweetheart and is endlessly grateful for the support he has given her through all their years together, and especially toward her goal of writing books. When not changing diapers, driving to lacrosse practice, or checking spelling homework, Laura is writing or reading romance novels.

facebook.com/LauraWardAuthor
Twitter- @laurarosnerward
Instagram- _Laura_Ward
Email- laurawardauthor@yahoo.com

~Before You (Before & After #1) by Amber Hart Review ~

Title: Before You (Before & After #1)
Author: Amber Hart
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: 29th July 2014

~About BEFORE YOU~

Some say love is deadly. Some say love is beautiful. I say it is both.

Faith Watters spent her junior year traveling the world, studying in exquisite places, before returning to Oviedo High School. From the outside her life is picture-perfect. Captain of the dance team. Popular. Happy. Too bad it’s all a lie.

It will haunt me. It will claim me. It will shatter me. And I don’t care.

Eighteen-year-old Diego Alvarez hates his new life in the States, but staying in Cuba is not an option. Covered in tattoos and scars, Diego doesn’t stand a chance of fitting in. Nor does he want to. His only concern is staying hidden from his past—a past, which if it were to surface, would cost him everything. Including his life.

At Oviedo High School, it seems that Faith Watters and Diego Alvarez do not belong together. But fate is as tricky as it is lovely. Freedom with no restraint is what they long for. What they get is something different entirely.

Love—it will ruin you and save you, both.

 ~Review~

Book hangover in the house. I have never felt so many driven emotions whilst reading a book, than I have whilst reading Before You by Amber Hart. I couldn’t quiet place from the beginning whether Before You by Amber Hart was going to whip me into a frenzy of emotions but rest assured it sure did. The novel follows Diego and Faith in an emotionally charged pure embedment of love, passion, power and fight.

I couldn’t put the book down. The chemistry Amber created with ethnically charged depictions of some societal views played an important role in the novel and made me towing line to line, page to page reading without stopping. I felt like my heart literally stopped at points during the novel. All the praise in the world for Amber in creating such an ethically and passionately sound novel that strung raw emotion in two uttermost astounding characters.

Faith and Diego’s narrative did one of the most emotionally driven things that novels can do; make me as a reader cry. It may sound silly, but I rarely cry when reading books that is until today apparently. Ugly crying and having people on a train look at me strangely was probably both a reward and sacrifice as my mascara ran down my cheek. I can’t have enough praise for Amber in the high school orientated novel that brings the unlikely pairing of Diego and Faith to the surface of greatness and passion with a truly inspiring, heartbreaking and awe-inspiring novel. I can’t wait to read more from Amber in After Us (Melissa and Javier) and future releases.

5 STARS.

Links for BEFORE YOU

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Goodreads

About Amber Hart

Amber Hart grew up in Orlando, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. She now resides on the Florida coastline with family. When unable to find a book, she can be found writing, daydreaming, or with her toes in the sand. She’s the author of BEFORE YOU, AFTER US, UNTIL YOU FIND ME, and sequel to UNTIL YOU FIND ME (untitled as of yet). Represented by Beth Miller of Writers House.

Connect with Amber Hart

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Thank you InkSlinger PR for letting me be apart of the release day fun.

~More Than Music (Chasing the Dream #1) by Elizabeth Briggs REVIEW~

Title: More Than Music (Chasing the Dream #1)
Author: Elizabeth Briggs
Genre: New Adult
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22137739-more-than-music

~Synopsis~

Music major Maddie Taylor seems to have her life all figured out. She’s just finished her junior year of college, has a summer internship lined up with the LA Philharmonic, and plans to go to grad school to write movie scores. Only her roommates know she practices guitar every night and secretly dreams of a louder life. But geeky girls like her don’t get to be rock stars.

Tattooed singer Jared Cross has a new girl every week, but when he catches Maddie playing one of his songs, she attracts his attention in an unexpected way. His band needs a fourth member for The Sound, a reality TV show competition—and he wants her. Though Maddie refuses to be another notch on Jared’s bedpost, she agrees to risk everything for the chance to be a rock star.

Once on the show, Maddie discovers there’s more to Jared behind his flirty smile, and with each performance their attraction becomes impossible to ignore. When the show pressures Jared to flaunt his player image, they’re forced to keep their relationship secret, but Maddie can’t help but want something real.

As the competition heats up, Jared will do whatever it takes for his band to win, and Maddie must decide if following her dream is worth losing her heart.

*** New Adult romance suitable for 17+ due to mature content. ***

~Review~

Who doesn’t love a rockstar? I can’t pinpoint any moment that I stopped and stepped away from reading the amazing debut by Elizabeth Briggs- More Than Music. It was a beautifully written rockstar romance with so much heart, drama, romance and much more. It hit all the right notes, (see what I did there J) and I am completely head over heels in love with the two main characters Jared and Maddie.

The narrative had me from first strum, to last bang of the drums and we all know I love a rockstar romance so I am a little bit overexcited to swoon and drool over the amazing book. Jared and Maddie are the dynamic duo that’s relationship is developed and explored through More Than This and I absolutely LOVED IT! I could relate to Maddie in more ways than one, because growing up a tell tale I was shy and loved music too. Her relationships and her personality is how I came to fall in love with the narrative even more, because I could see a lot of Maddie in me, which made reading a real experience.

The chemistry that Elizabeth created is downright rock your socks of hot and from the moment Jared and Maddie met, it was so much fun to read. It is a light read with Maddie struggling with her own flaws and Jared in his rockstar ways, but I really LOVED it. The incorporation of music was a highlight for me because I play a number of instruments so I can relate. The brilliant debut was a 5 STAR rating and a definite swoon of a read. I loved it and couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend it if you love rockstar romances.

~Purchase~

~Amazon US~ Amazon UK~ Amazon AU~

~More Than Forever by Jay McLean Blog Tour Stop 5 STAR Review~

Title:More Than Forever (More #4)
Author: Jay McLean
Genre:New Adult
Release Date: July 12, 2014
Add to Goodreads

~BLURB~

-LUCY-

There is a love so fierce it cannot be measured.
A heart so strong it will never slow.
There is a promise so sure it can never lie.
He promised me that love forever.
Even when it wasn’t enough.

-CAMERON-

Forever. Everlasting. Eternal.
There is no measure of time.
No sounds of the ticking of a clock.
Just the rising and falling of the sun.
And our own sense of forever.

But our forever isn’t always.

 

~REVIEW~

I have rewritten my review numerous times, without feeling like I have done More Than Forever justice in the words of my own thoughts. The outskirts that front every bleeding and worshiping cell that courses through this ever romantic heart of mine doesn’t do the novel justice. More Than Forever takes raw refined pure love to a whole new level. I couldn’t control the tears, the fast heart rate that preluded me to read More Than Forever in one sitting because my hand broke with no moment that was etching for me to stop reading and flipping to the next page.

More Than Forever is the fourth book in the More Series and it’s unshadowed clarity of heart and at times stabbing deep wounds of heartache brought characteristically sound of pure perfection. The Aladdin sonnet of Jay McLean’s majestic writing made Cam and Lucy’s narrative eleventy-three of a power stage and correlates to a penis moment and good old sappy ugly cry at more than one occasion.

“I just don’t see the point of reading and living in someone else’s world when my reality is perfect.” More Than Forever by Jay McLean

To say I idolize the way Jay writes is uncharacteristically shy of the truth, I leach onto every word on the page and every heart moving, stopping, grabbing moment that Jay writes I feel through the heart of the pages as I read. Jay may look up to Colleen Hoover, but I look up to Jay in more ways than one, she has been a guiding light and Cam and Lucy’s story (hold on two sec.. tears here) sends MORE than enough feelings tracking every inch of my heart and why I love to read.

“You can’t predict the future. You can’t tell me that we’ll be forever when you don’t know.” More Than Forever by Jay McLean

Moral of my overall sappy review, that probably doesn’t do anything to make you want to read the novel, is in fact to READ More Than Forever. For book lovers it’s a dynamite of heart, power and pure perfection all, that leads to so much love for the characters of Cam & Lucy in the fourth installment of the series.

5 + Eleventy-Three Stars

BUY LINKS 


  ~Amazon US~ Amazon UK~ Amazon AU~

iBooks > http://bit.ly/1qrKsUO

B&N > http://bit.ly/1qrKxrB

Kobo > http://bit.ly/1qrK8p3

~ TEASERS ~

 

The More Series 

More Than This, #1

*Mikayla* 

In one night my fairytale ended. Or it may have begun. This is my story of friendship and love, heartbreak and desire, and the strength to show weakness.

*Jake* 

One night I met a girl. A sad and broken girl, but one more beautiful than any other. She laughed through her sadness, while I loved through her heartbreak.

*This is our story of a maybe ever after.*

He was right. It made no difference whether it was 6 months or 6 years.
I couldn’t undo what had been done. I couldn’t change the future.
I couldn’t even predict it.
It was one night.
One night when everything changed.
It was so much more than just the betrayal.
It was the Tragedy.
The Deaths.
The Murders.
But it was also that feeling.
The feeling of falling.

BUY LINKS

**LIMITED TIME ON NOOK AND IBOOKS**
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1aIy8Im (currently unavailable)
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ryjNn5 (currently unavailable)
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1nVIU2j
Nook: http://bit.ly/1ryi2pZ

More Than Her, #2

“For every action there is an equal or opposite reaction.”

For every choice you make there are rewards, or there are consequences.
It was my choice to walk away the first time.
And my choice to chase her the second.
But sometimes you don’t get a choice,
and all you get are the consequences.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Unless that someone is Logan Matthews.
Because loving him didn’t give me the strength to walk away.
It didn’t give me the courage to fight for him.
And when it was over, all it gave me was a broken heart.

BUY LINKS

 Amazon: http://amzn.to/17FDmnp
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ryjQz8
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1nVIZD6
Nook: http://bit.ly/1ryikgo

More Than Him, #3

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.” – Marianne Williamson

We live in a world of darkness and shadows,
where monsters hide and aim to ruin.
And they did.
They ruined us and turned our dreams into nightmares.
But now we’re back.
And we’re fighting.
Not just for us, or for each other, but for our light.

~BUY LINKS~

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1liA53P
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ryjUyY
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1nVJ6yC
Nook: http://bit.ly/1ryiPXW

~AUTHOR BIO~

Jay McLean is the author of the More Series, including More Than This, More Than Her, More Than Him and soon to be released, More Than Forever. She also has two standalones coming soon titled The Road, and Combative.

Jay is an avid reader, writer, and most of all, procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her two little boys, or devouring some tacky reality TV show.

She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her smile, make her hurt, and make her feel.

~AUTHOR LINKS~

You can follow Jay on Instagram and twitter @jaymcleanauthor. You can also find her on her blog at www.jaymcleanauthor.com where you can subscribe to her newsletter and get teasers and updates first hand, her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jaymcleanauthor or her fan group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/moreserieslovers, or you can contact Jay directly at jay@jaymcleanauthor.com

All her other social media links can be found below.

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/jaymcleanauthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4724550.Jay_McLean

Home www.jaymcleanauthor.com

~Uninhibited (The Callahan’s #2) by Melody Grace 5 STAR ARC REVIEW~

Book Title: Uninhibited
Author: Melody Grace
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: July 21, 2014

~SYNOPSIS~

He’ll teach her a pleasure beyond her wildest dreams…

Alicia Wright isn’t the kind of girl to make out with a stranger in a dark alley. She’s spent years playing it safe, pining after the perfect man – who’s about to marry someone else. She doesn’t know how to move on, until a sexy stranger turns her world upside down with a wickedly tempting proposition…

She’ll rescue him from the edge of oblivion.

Rock star Dex Callahan swore his days of fame and debauchery were behind him, but the spotlight keeps calling his name. Determined not to fall into his old life, he goes looking for distraction — and finds an intoxicating red-head with a mouth made for sin. One kiss could never be enough, so Dex offers her a deal: spend one week with him, and she’ll forget her old flame ever existed.

Together, they’ll ignite a passion that will change them forever…

No rules. No limits. As the whirlwind week of pleasure unfolds, Alicia discovers a desire she never knew existed – and the tortured heart Dex hides behind his charming smile. But can old loves so easily be replaced? And when the week is over, will their bond be strong enough to weather the storm?

Melody Grace returns with her sexiest book yet!

*This book contains adult situations and explicit content. 17+*

UNINHIBITED is set 3 months after the events of UNREQUITED, but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.

~REVIEW~

DEX!

One week, one chance at love.

Melody Grace is one of my favourite authors and I have followed her since I started blogging, so of course I jumped at the chance to read Uninhibited, the newest release in the Beachwood Bay series and the intertwining new series The Callahan’s. Uninhibited begins a few months after the prequel Unrequited following Dex and Alicia. At the width end of having a simple life, Alicia tempts fate by taking Dex up on his offer. One hot steamy sexcapading week of full of passion.

“Never make the first move, never show a man I want him. Hiding my feelings, day after day. It’s second nature to me now, keeping it all locked inside.”

With passion in the eyes of the page, I loved how Alicia and Dex’s narrative grew. Alicia had her flaws and worries after fighting the feelings she had for a long time friend who was happy with someone else. Alicia’s development was beautiful and I could relate to her, going into a relationship where the regulations and rules of life didn’t fit to Dex’s persona and what she knew was challenged.

I admire and love how Melody creates character’s that challenge and compute to have flaws. Dex blames himself for faults of the past and I the intertwining chemistry and moral of can you let go of your past as well as finding who you want to be is why I loved the narrative and character’s so much.

“I don’t need anything else, just this. Just her. Mine. Always.”

Melody’s reads are always full of lighthearted fun and are beautifully written with sexy moments, which Dex and Alicia definitely delivered on. I loved how it wasn’t all about a brokenhearted rock star shadowing away, but it was a development of raw uninhibited love can be felt in being truthful, expressing desire and breaking down the walls to find. I love how Melody connects each book and creates strong dynamically sound characters we want to read. For both new and old fans Melody doesn’t shy away from leaving you with a book hangover and I loved the chemistry she created with Dex and Alicia.

5 STARS!

**provided by author in return for an honest review**

~PREORDER- OUT TOMORROW~
Amazon US~ AMAZON UK~ AMAZON AU

~UNREQUITED (#1 cALLAHANS- PREQUEL)- currently FREE ~
amazon us~ AMAZON UK~ AMAZON AU

~TEASERS~

~Meet The Author~

Book-lover and author of USA Today & international bestselling Beachwood Bay series. I’m 28, a SoCal transplant, and sexy new adult romance junkie 😉

~Social Links~

~Beauty in the Ashes by Micalea Smeltzer 5 STAR Book Review & Author Interview~

Title: Beauty in the Ashes
Author: Micalea Smeltzer
Release Date: July 15, 2014
Genre: Standalone Dark Contemporary Romance
Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20761170-beauty-in-the-ashes
Cover Design: Regina Wamba (Mae I Design)

~Book Description~

Some stories are a fairytale…but this isn’t one.

Caelan Gregory’s life fell apart the night he went home and opened the door to find his whole family murdered. Since then, his life has held no meaning. He’s angry. He’s bitter. He’s barely human anymore. There’s nothing left to remind him of the straight A student, and football quarterback he once was…but he wasn’t a good person then, and he’s certainly not a good person now. He’s retreated into a world where all that exists is numbness and his passion for painting.

When Sutton Hale moves into the apartment across the hall from Caelan she’s not prepared for her reaction to him. Something in his broken blue eyes calls to her—after all she’s always had an irrational need to fix everything.

But Caelan doesn’t do relationships or feelings. He does drugs and alcohol. However, he can’t ignore his desire to get to know the raven-haired woman across the hall.

Two broken souls trying to mend one another.

But not everything can be fixed.

In the end, Caelan and Sutton will have to learn that there is beauty in the ashes.

---

~Review~

So, Micalea DID IT AGAIN! She left me flawed and in a pool of so much emotion. Beauty in the Ashes is a masterpiece that can’t be reckoned with. It is not your average romance. It’s not your average story. It leaps bounds of passion and pain that seep through the pages in an undying catastrophic emotional read. Sutton and Caelan are the noise in a white background of pure. I’m telling you for every emotion that a felt, the heart that I could see within the pages was like sewing a bleeding heart that wouldn’t stop.

“She was beautiful. She was warm. She was vibrant. She was a fighter. She was everything I was not.”

Micalea has the ability to convey so much emotion in all her New Adult books and BitA was like a pool of ramped emotions that went on a joy ride running the outskirts of my whole body. In an apartment complex they meet, they love, they sore into a world that is full of many dangers.

“We were two broken souls, desperately trying to put ourselves back together. But not everything could be fixed.”

I don’t have many words that can convey how influential and how passion driven BitA is. Micalea deserves all the praise and more for the tremendous admiration and heart she put into Sutton and Caelan’s narrative. I implore you to read Beauty in the Ashes it’s not your average romance, but that’s what makes it beyond a shadow of a doubt phenomenal. Without any hesitation it is a 10 +++++++++ Rating for me!

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~Author Interview~

Congratulations on the release of Beauty in the Ashes, tell us a bit about the story? How did it narrative come along to the piece it is?
Beauty in the Ashes tells the unconventional love story of an extremely broken man and a woman that’s just at broken, but better at hiding how messed up she really is.

Beauty in the Ashes has been a long time coming. I got the idea about six years ago now, but this story scared me so much that I never made it past the “curtain” scene. Back then I didn’t even have the guts to write the prologue. In February Caelan popped into my head once more and was like, “Hey, it’s time for my story to be told.” So, I knew it was finally time.

BitA is a unique, in that it’s not your traditional love story? Tell us what made you choose that path of creating a dark contemporary romance ?
Haha, I didn’t choose to tell this story, it chose me. I was really resistant to writing this story because I knew it was a big risk and lot of people would hate me for it, because it’s definitely not traditional. But Caelan and Sutton never went away. I always knew one day I’d sit down and write it, but I wasn’t sure I’d ever publish it. But no matter how dark and twisted it is, Caelan and Sutton deserved to have their story read. Plus, while it is a love story, it’s so much more. I hope that everyone that reads it (love it or hate it or just sorta liked it) comes away ‘getting’ the story and the point it made.

Did you always see Sutton and Caelan’s story, the way it evolved?
Absolutely. It’s why I was scared to write it.

What do you want the readers to get out of reading BitA?
That no matter what’s happened to you, you have the choice to get better. In fact, you have all the power. And sometimes, the love we want, isn’t the love we need.

You said recently that Beauty in the Ashes wasn’t its original title? Do you have a process as how you come up with titles? Is it incorporated into the book in a certain way?
Ah, yes, the original title was Misfits. (In fact, it was originally going to be told from FOUR POVs. Caelan, Sutton (who was originally named Kaylee), Daphne, and Cyrus. That obviously didn’t happen. It was too chaotic so I scraped it a loooong time ago.) I HAVE to have a title before I start writing a book, even if I change it later on, which I usually do. It helps me organize the story in my head and connect with it more because it has a name, lol. I really like the title to tie into the book somehow, even if the meaning is obvious to me and no one else it HAS to mean something. I really have no certain process for coming up with titles. They hit me at the most random times and when it feels right, I know it, because I stop thinking about changing it, haha.

BitA is different to your other New Adult series, was it hard to separate yourself and dive into the unknown knowing you wanted to tell this story?
It wasn’t that hard to separate myself at all. I was ready to tackle this book and do something different. I will say that it was extremely hard to write (the hardest one so far), but I’m definitely the most proud of it. I feel like a much stronger writer, having written this book.

So, I have to ask how do you come up with your cover designs. Time after time, you create really unique covers; do you go to a designer with a certain concept in mind or an idea?
I’m really lucky to have such an incredible cover designer/photographer with Regina Wamba of Mae I Design. We discuss what I want to do, pick out models that match the characters, and do a shoot. (It sounds like fun, but it’s actually really stressful, haha) With Finding Olivia the original concept was actually the restaurant kiss against the wall, because I didn’t want to have one of the things on her list on the cover. I thought that was saying: THIS ONE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. But as I filled out the forms for Regina, I realized I was being stupid and dancing in the rain would be such a fun and different cover. Thank God the models didn’t mind getting drenched. (I actually have a really fun picture of that part)

For Beauty in the Ashes, I wanted to do the first kiss scene where Caelan busts into Sutton’s apartment and pushes her against the wall. I had hinted at doing something with paint on the models, but Regina and I never discussed actually doing it. I figured the models would run screaming for the hills. So, I was really surprised when she did it (Like OH MY GOD THIS IS AHHHMAZING! Surprised) I was still against having one of those pictures on the cover, though. I thought people wouldn’t understand that it was paint. Regina was persistent about it and I’m so glad she was, because it’s PERFECT. The paint. The emotion. Everything about it suits the book. Plus, the paint is so unique and different. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another book with that on it. Haha.

Last question, what’s coming up in the future for you with upcoming release?
Next up is Saving Tatum, which is the fourth book in the Trace + Olivia Series. I’m planning for this to be the last one, but there wasn’t supposed to be a 2^nd, or 3^rd, and so on. Lol. I’m really excited about Saving Tatum and so in love with Jude. (Trace lovers, you might have a new boy to drool over) There’s so much more depth to Jude than readers knew in Tempting Rowan. Saving Tatum can be read as a standalone, but I do recommend reading the other books, at least Tempting Rowan when Tate and Jude first pop up, because there will be crossover.

After that, I’m working on a completely new book that I got the idea for only a few weeks ago. I’ll be posting more info about it in the coming months.

A HUGE THANK YOU to Micalea for answering my questions. xx

~Purchase~
~Amazon US~ Amazon UK~ Amazon AU~

~Trailer~

~About the Author~

Micalea Smeltzer is a bestselling Young and New Adult author from Winchester, Virginia. She’s always working on her next book, and when she has spare time she loves to read and spend time with her family.

Follow Micalea:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MicaleaSmeltzerfanpage?ref=hl

Twitter: @msmeltzer9793

Instagram: micaleasmeltzer

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/micaleasmeltzer/boards/

~Unwritten by Chelsea M. Cameron Blog Tour Review Stop~

Title: Unwritten
Author: Chelsea M. Cameron
Release: July 2014
Genre: New Adult

~BOOK SUMMARY~

Children’s librarian by day. Romance novelist by night.

British single father.

Someone else is writing this love story…

Blair Walton isn’t your average curvaceous tattooed children’s librarian. She’s also one half of bestselling romance author, Scarlet Rose. Along with her BFF Raine, she spends her nights writing books so steamy, she’s afraid they would shock her Southern conservative grandmother to death . . . if she knew about them. That’s why she and Raine write in secret.

On deadline for their latest book and out of ideas, Raine suggests (demands) that Blair find a guy and “do some research”. Declan Bennet has all the qualifications: He’s British, looks fabulous in a suit, has glorious blue eyes and gets bonus points for being an amazing single dad to his adorable son, Drake. But what starts out as a research project quickly turns into something much more. And Blair’s not the only one with secrets.

~Review~

I read a crapload of books, no denying that. Narratives need to grab me to continue reading. Unwritten by Chelsea M. Cameron is a standalone novel that was powerful and extraordinarily unique. The narrative blew me away as the power of Chelsea’s words is uncanny and why I love to read her novels. Let’s just say If the beginning sentence of a book has ‘pussy’ in it, you know that is going to bring you to your knees with swoon worthy moments at least once of twice, right? Chelsea definitely did.

Unwritten defines why I love to read stories that are not your average run of the mile love stories. Unwritten is a narrative about a young librarian who falls for a very charming Brit, unbeknown to everyone is she also has a secret or maybe a secret identity? It didn’t take me long to just read page after page, from start to finish as I was wrapped and pulled into the magnificent world of Blair and Declan.

I love how Chelsea creates characters and Blair has to be one of my all-time favourites. She is so unique, as she is not stereotypical. I loved how Blair and Declan formed their bond through him being a single father. It brought so much raw emotion and real love to the story. Declan and Blair’s chemistry definitely is swoon worthy and I did have to tell myself it’s a book a couple of times.

The swoon worthy young dad, Declan OMG Declan! Is reason enough to why I loved Unwritten. I’m sighing just thinking about the masterpiece of swoon worthy, and amazing moment’s that Chelsea has divulged and spread within the seeping pages of Unwritten. It is a romance for you. It’s very unique and that’s why I love it. I don’t want to give away to much of the narrative because you NEED TO, NEED TO READ IT! I would absolutely read Unwritten over and over again. I gave it a massive 5 STARS because it was just beautiful and I loved everything about it.

~Author Information~

Chelsea M. Cameron is a YA/NA New York Times/USA Today Best Selling author from Maine. Lover of things random and ridiculous, Jane Austen/Charlotte and Emily Bronte Fangirl, red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, vegetarian, former cheerleader and world’s worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, singing in the car and tweeting (this one time, she was tweeted by Neil Gaiman). She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.

Her New Adult Contemporary Romance titles include My Favorite Mistake, which has been bought by Harlequin along with a sequel, Deeper We Fall and Faster We Burn (April 20, 2013)

Her Young Adult books include Nocturnal, Nightmare and Neither, the first three books in The Noctalis Chronicles. The fourth and final book, Neverend will be out in 2013. Whisper, the first in The Whisper Trilogy is also available, with the second book in the series, Silence and the final book, LIsten coming out in 2014.

Website: http://www.chelseamcameron.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chel_c_cam

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chelsea-M-Cameron-Official-Author-Page/304422529610919

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5752359.Chelsea_M_Cameron

Tempting Tatum by Kaylee Ryan 5 Star Spoiler-Free BOOK REVIEW

Title: Tempting Tatum
Author: Kaylee Ryan
Genre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 7, 2014

~Synopsis~

What do you do when your whole life crashes and burns? How do you get through the flames?

Tatum Thompson is living the dream. Her life is perfect; with a loving boyfriend, loving parents and a soon to be college graduate how can life get better? Life is good until it isn’t. When tragedy strikes Tatum runs to Josh only to find him in a compromising position with someone else. Turning away from the only life she knew, Tatum is forced to alter her life plan.

Blaise Richards is a tattoo artist who moonlights as a volunteer fire fighter. Lies and deception leave his broken heart closed until the beautiful green eyed girl casts her spell over him. She’s making him feel things he’s never felt. Making him want things he thought he would never want.

Tatum wants Mr. just for tonight.

Blaise wants Tatum to be his forever.

Can Mr. Just for tonight convince Tatum that she’s the one? How long can Tatum resist Blaise’s determination to make her his?

~Review~

Outstanding and a brilliant new read.

Tempting Tatum is the first book I have read from Kaylee and boy did I fall in love! Tatum had everything going for all, then it all comes to a crash holt when life takes a drastic turn from what was perfect. From beginning to end, start to finish; I did not stop reading! Tatum and Blaise captured my heart from the very first time they met and I reckon if you love a firefighter, you will love Blaise; talk about the charmer and swoon worthy man of the century.

There were so many emotions and with every one, Tempting Tatum became a favourite book of 2014 for me. Tatum was such a strong character and the electric chemistry Kaylee created between Tatum and Blaise made reading all the more drool worthy. Between Blaise’s ability to charm the socks off me and Tatum’s headstrong ability to get through thick and thin, the love story is beautiful and fast paced which I love. I enjoyed the dual perspective especially the Blaise swoon worth moments.

Tempting Tatum phenomenally captured my heart; it was a sexalicious, tattoo-fied breath of a love story that charmed through all the heart racing, loving passionate moments. 5 STARS, and a strong recommendation to read. It’s beautiful and can’t wait to read more from Kaylee.

Buy The Book

Amazon | Barnes And Noble

~Excerpt~

Tatum POV

Blaise has stepped up his seduction tactics. He’s constantly touching me, giving me sweet gentle kisses. His attention has me on fire. I’m ready to take him to the nearest storage closet or bathroom and take full advantage of what he’s offering.

He’s marking his claim for the night, and really, he doesn’t need to. I plan to allow him to seduce me. My earlier thoughts coming to mind. I know I shouldn’t since he is Ember’s brother, but I want him. I want to know what it feels like to feel his weight on top of me. To be able to trace his ink with my tongue. I can no longer resist his charms, or seduction techniques, whatever you want to call it. I just don’t want to resists him any longer. I want one night with him. One night of passion and no thoughts of what I lost. I just want him. With that thought, I relax against him. Blaise releases my hand and slips his arm around my waist to hold me against him. I need a drink!

~About The Author~

Kaylee Ryan has had a passion for reading since she was a little girl. That passion has slowly led to spinning romantic tales, and a one-click addiction. When she doesn’t have her nose stuck in her kindle or fingers glued to the keyboard, you can find Kaylee hanging out with friends and family. She loves all genres of music, and enjoys scrapbooking. She lives in Ohio with her husband (her real life happily ever after) and their rambunctious little boy.

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