Daily swoon...

     Today I am reading The Redemption of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorenson.  I started it last night after being bombarded with texts from my sister asking me "what part I was at" and continuous "OMG this is so good!"  Gah, enough already!  I couldn't take it anymore.  I tore myself away from a DVR'd episode of Roy Donovan and jumped in to the latest Sorenson novel.
     WOW!  It is amazing.  I can't put it down.  Here I am with a list of things I should be doing a mile long and I all I want to do is zone out and read.
     I am about 60% done and there is no way I am not done with it tonight.  I won't say much more about what I think about the novel right now.  I will save that for my review which I suspect will be posted by Friday afternoon.  Until then...

Happy reading!!

Updated my "About Me" page... Just wanted to share.

     About me, huh?  Where do I begin?  I am a full time wife and soccer mom with a full time job that has an obsession for reading.  My husband and I have been together almost half my life.  Half. My. Life.  And I only recently hit the dreaded 3-O.  How the hell did that happen?  My darling husband's name is synonymous with romance novels.  I will not spell it out for you.  I am sure you can figure it out.  That said, I wonder why he is shocked that I am obsessed with the same stories he was named after.  My husband is my Kellen Kyle and my Travis Maddox.  He is my Jack Henry and my Gavin Blake.  On occasion he is my Jesse, Remy and Christian as well.  (If he happens to read this - hunny it is OK that you don't have any idea what I'm talking about.  It's OK.  I still love you.)

     Together we have two amazing children.  They are my legacy and I only hope I do right by them.  Both of them have developed a love for reading and have begun to do a little creative writing of their own.  Watch out all you authors out there.  Pretty soon you will have some stiff competition.  ;)

    I have always had a love for writing.  When I was in High School I always had a notebook within arms reach.  Tucked in my purse, my glove box, my locker, or under my pillow there was always one nearby.  Writing was the one way I could freely expression my thoughts and feelings.  I would pour myself into each word filling page after page.  I still have them all, neatly stored on a bookshelf.

     Somewhere along the line between college, work, marriage and children I lost touch with the writer within.  Now and then I would dabble a little, but I could never find the time.  I still can't.  I envy every single author who is able to complete what they have started.  Whether anyone likes it or not I applaud you for finishing.  Occasionally the characters that live in my subconscious come knocking, asking me to come out and play, and maybe someday I will, but for now I will leave that to the professionals.

     While I have always loved writing, reading was a completely different story.  As a child I struggled with reading.  I almost stayed back a grade in elementary school because of it.  A multitude of negative experiences scarred my adolescence and it took a long time to overcome it.  Even to this day I do not like to read out loud in front of people.  I am not shy by any means.  Public speaking, presentations, meetings - no problem.  Reading something word for word off a sheet of paper... terrifying. 

     My outlook on reading was changed all thanks to one Mr. Christian Grey.  Or maybe it was is Edward Cullen.  Either way it was November (2012) and the last movie in the Twilight series was about to be released in theaters.  My sister and I talked about the finale for weeks.  I thought my husband was going to strangle me if he had to hear about it one more time.  (This is an urge, thankfully, has lessen over time.  Now when I talk about a character as if they are the next door neighbor he just smiles and nods.)  During opening weekend of Twilight I dragged Mr. Fabulous to the movies to see the conclusion of a great love story (don't let him fool you he loved it) and then it happened.  The unthinkable.  It ended.  It was over.  Done.  Finished.  Kaput.  What was I going to do with myself?  I need something to fill that void.

     Enter Fifty Shades of Grey.  The FSoG craze was beginning to wan by this time, but my mother had just finished reading the trilogy and insisted on filing me in on some of the details.  Let me stop here and say if I ever hear my mother use the words "riding crop" and "tie up" in the same sentence again it will be too soon.  I mean seriously Mom, give me a break here.  Eww!  Anyways, I began reading FSoG and finished all three books in three days.  Yes, that's right, THREE DAYS.  I read every chance I got.  I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to finish the next chapter.  I woke up early to pickup where I felt off before work.  I loved it.  I loved every chapter.  Every paragraph.  Every word.  

     It sparked something inside and when it was over I was sad, but I was on to find my next fix.  Book after book I devoured them.  A few weeks later and I came across This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas.  Swoon.  I fell in love with Jesse.  It quickly became one of my most favorite books, but everyone I spoke to hadn't heard of this novel.  Fear not, by the time I was done they were 1-clicking away.  Jodi Ellen Malpas was the first author I ever looked up on Facebook.  I began reading her post and was taken back by her humility.  She was genuinely humbled by the attention she was receiving.  This melted the misconceived notion I had about authors.  It was the first real look I took at the indie author.  The average person with a story to tell.  It was a wonderful experience.

     By following Jodi I began to see constant references to theSUBCLUBbooks.  I was curious.  Before I knew it I was checking out their Facebook page and poking around on their blog.  If you have never checked out "the girls" I strongly recommend it.  They are like rockstars in my eyes.  If any of them ever came across my little ol' blog I might pass out.  The reviews and interviews they write are amazing.  For weeks every book on my to be read came from them.

     TheSUBCLUBbooks lead to another blog and which lead to yet another. Soon my entire Facebook news feed was nothing but blog and author posts.  It was amazing to discover an entire community of people who loved the same stories I did.  I continued chugging through novels left and right.  My 'to be read' list was almost as long as my 'read' list (still is).  I began giving recommendations to my family and friends.  I would simply ask what kind of story they wanted and drop the names of a few titles.

     Deciding to start a blog was a way that I could combined my new found love for reading with my smoldering love of writing.  A place where I could put those recommendations on paper.  It allows me an avenue to let out a little literary energy, until I get the guts to try something more.

     To my fellow readers, I hope you enjoy the reviews you find here.  I hope that they lead you to some amazing stories and to some amazing authors.  To the authors out there, you are all amazing.  I envy the courage it takes to put your heart out there for the world to see.  Bravo.  

Happy reading!!

Review: Unbreakable by: Rebecca Shea

Unbreakable
By Rebecca Shea

Synopsis: *This book contains mature subject matter and is not intended for those under 17 years of age.*

Jessica Harper is the epitome of perfection. She’s a good daughter, makes excellent grades, and always strays on the safe side of life. The last thing she thought would ever happen was falling in love with her best friend’s brother. But sometimes fate just has a way of bringing two people together.

Wide receiver for the University of Arizona, Gabe Garcia, seems to have it all. When his feelings for Jessica come to surface, Gabe will give up everything to be with her. 

But what happens when a tragedy abruptly changes the course of your life? For Jessica and Gabe, everything they thought they knew about each other will be questioned. Sometimes, there are scars in life that are cut too deep to completely heal. 

Will their love prove to be unbreakable, or will it shatter and prove fate is just another lie?

***

Review:  The dedication page of Unbreakable offer the most perfect perfect quote from M. Leighton.

"Every broken person's worst fear - that no one will be able to love us in spite of our scars."

     This sentiment describes Jess's journey perfectly.

     Jess is a young woman on the cusp of adulthood.  When the author first introduces us to her, she is days from her High School graduation.  Growing up in a small California town she was raised mostly by her neighbors, the Garcia's, while her father buried himself in work, trying to cope with the loss of her mother.

     For fourteen years she has been a fixture in the Garcia household.  Ava is more than her best friend, she is her sister.  "Mom" and "Dad" are more like parents to Jess than her own father.  Luke is like the older brother she never had.  Then there is Gabe.  She has loved Gabe for as long as she can remember, but she has suppressed those feelings.  Forcing them down.  It is wrong to feel for him like that and it is even worse that he probably doesn't share the same feelings for her.

     Gabe has spent years with Jess as part of the family.  He has loved her since he was nine years old, but being a few years older than her he never acted on those feeling.  It is not until one fateful evening when they kiss at a college party.  Gabe feels the world shift beneath his feet and suddenly the things he once thought were important, are no more.  Coming home from college for the summer with a new plan for his future he decides it is time to confess his feelings.  Either Jess will fall into his arms or out of his life.  He is nervous as hell, but it is a chance he has to take.

"I will love you everyday for the rest of my life."

     The moment Gabe confesses his feelings for Jess the author had me falling in love with him too.  The thought that they were meant to be, like to puzzle pieces finally coming together, warmed my heart.  Unfortunately that love is tested much too soon.  Jess's trust and security are robbed from her.  Within a blink of an eye her and Gabe's lives are forever changed.

"We will get through this, together.  You and I.  Nothing will break us, ever.  Not this.  Do you hear me, Jess?  Nothing.  We're unbreakable."

     The helplessness that consumes the young couple was hard to take.  One moment I thought the climatic struggle would be one thing and then WHAM! something so much worse happens.  Watching Gabe try to keep Jess with in his grasp was heartbreaking.

"I am numb to the world that is moving around me."

     Through the sorrow, Jess recognizes that she needs to take a step back and heal.  This is not an easy decision,  but it is necessary.  Traveling clear across the country she heads to the Carolina coast.  I have said it before, but I will say it again, I love the Carolina coast.  For me it is the most beautiful backdrop a novel can ask for.  I was grinning from ear to ear when I read her destination.  The author gets extra points from me for this. :)  

     A new city brings new people into her life.  Jess plasters on a mask of normalcy and tries to blend in.  It is working for the most part, until she meets a bad-boy, tattooed, cop names Landon.  I have to admit when Landon was first introduced I thought he was creepy and sleazy.  I kept waiting for him to be an additional protagonist.  Waiting for him to cause even more damage to Jess's fragile self esteem.  

     I was pleasantly surprised, however.  Bravo to Ms. Shea.  Landon was beautifully written and an excellent addition to the story.  When all was said and done, I may have loved his character more than Gabe's.  

     Unbreakable was beautiful and well written.  The plot was well developed.  The characters grew and evolved as the the story played out, drawing me in and creating an emotional connection.  I felt each emotion along with the characters.

     I would strongly recommend this book.  I am very glad I did and I cannot wait to read Landon's story!

Happy reading!!

Review: Guardian By: Sara Mack

Guardian
By: Sara Mack

Synopsis:  True love never dies.

Emma Donohue begs to differ.

When a late night accident claims the love of her life, Emma secludes herself in memories of James. In his sandy brown hair and clear blue eyes. In their innocent first kiss and declarations of love. In their plans for a life together after college. But happy dreams can’t rid her of the guilt she carries. She can’t erase her actions the night he died. She can’t erase her reaction at his funeral. And she can’t erase the hollow void that fills her chest and consumes her heart.

The first time Emma hears James’ voice, she’s astounded. It sounds as if he’s standing right beside her, and she fears her shattered heart is trying to drive her mad. But, as she continues to hear the voice, she finds comfort in it. With the help of her best friend Shel and handsome newcomer Dane, she tries to move forward and start living again.

Until the voice in her head turns out to be more. So much more.

You know what they say.
True love never dies.

Guardian is a new adult/college paranormal romance containing moderate language/mild innuendo.
Guardian is the first story in The Guardian Trilogy. The second novel, Allegiant, is complete and due to be published in the fall of 2013.

***

Review:  The Guardian by Sara Mack was an emotional roller coaster.  Agony.  Despair.  Joy.  Empathy.  Desire.  Guilt.  Love.  So much love.  Love so powerful it transcends everything.  A love so powerful it is spiritual.

     The author begin by introducing us to Emma, a college junior who has just lost the most important person in her life.  The one person who is the binding thread of her past and the one on which her future was planned on, her boyfriend, James.  His death plummets Emma into the depths of depression.  Every waking moment she is consumed by grief.  Drowning in despair.  The nights are worse, however.  This is when her subconscious assaults her with the most precious memories.  Memories that don't provide comfort, but instead further break her already broken heart. 

     How can she move forward with out him?  He was supposed to be hers forever.

"I love you more than you know.  More than the sun.  More than the stars.  More than breathing.  More than life itself.  Until the end of forever.

      Lost in a haze of depression Emma begins to hear James's voice.  It is as if he is really there.  It is impossible.  She must be losing her mind.  With the help if her best friend, Shel, she tries desperately to move forward with her life.  If not for her sake, but for those around her.  Emma allows Shel to drag her shopping, out to dinner, to friendly cookouts, even to get a job at a local gold course.  Anything that could potentially distract her from the gaping hole in her heart.

     Despite her best intentions Emma still can not stop the pain.  And the constant hallucinations are not helping.  Until... until they are no longer figments of her greif striken imagination, but become a reality.  James finds his way back to Emma.  His love for her is so strong even death cannot stop him from being with her.  He has bargained for a chance to be able to watch over her.  An opportunity to remain with her forever.  James has become a Guardian.

     

"I will never love again the way I was able to love you; you will be it for me."

     I was sobbing when Emma could finally see James.  Love conquers all and such.  "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers played in my mind.  I wanted Emma to be happy.  I wanted James to swoop in and mend her heart, but it isn't that simple. It never is.

     Though Emma has James to see in the evening her days are often spent working at the gold course with Dane.  Dane is a gorgeous, well to do, son of the club owner.  He is kind and sweet and recognizes that Emma needs a shoulder to cry on.

     What starts as a friendship blossoms into more.  Emma struggles with her commitment to James.  Spending the rest of her days waiting until they can be together again or move forward, leaving her past and James behind.

     I was torn by the end.  The author had me so emotionally invested with each character that I was conflicted on what I wanted Emma to do.  Unsure on who's heart I could bear to see broken.  However, in the end the choice was no longer Emma's.

     I look forward to reading the next book in this trilogy, as well as anything else this author may do in the future.

Happy reading!!

Review: Truth (Finding Anna Book 3) by: Sherri Hayes

Truth
By: Sherri Hayes

Synopsis: For the last two months, Brianna has discovered something she never thought she would again. Hope. After the horror of being Ian’s slave for ten months, a fate she never imagined she’d escape, it feels as if she is living a dream. She has freedom she hadn’t expected to have again, and she wakes up every morning not fearing what the day will bring.

There is also Stephan. The man who saved her from the daily torture she had to endure at the hands of Ian and his friends. The same man who makes her heart race with just the thought of him. Life is good.
Outside forces are determined to conspire against them, however. When Brianna’s father shows up on her doorstep, it sends her world spiraling out of control. He brings with him new information about how Brianna ended up in Ian’s clutches, but will it make a difference? Will Stephan be able to find a way to make Ian pay for all he made Brianna suffer?

As Brianna and Stephan try to find out the truth, their relationship is tested. She is forced to face her past head on and deal with the ugly reality of what happened to her. Will Stephan’s love be enough to see her through her newest challenge, or will the fragile trust they’ve built come crumbling down around them as the truth makes itself known.

Review:
     (I received this novel as an ARC from NetGalley.com)
     Let me begin by saying I really enjoyed this book and it was a great third installment to the Saving Anna series series.
     When I first discovered Slave seven months ago I had only recently begun reading as if my life depended on it.  I had found a few series and trilogies that I had fallen in love with and my hunger for more was only just beginning.  That cold winter morning when I began reading Brianna's story I was shocked.  Up until that point The Finding Anna series was the darkest, most disturbing subject matter I had encountered.
     Sherri Hayes's series is not your typical BDSM novel.  This series goes beyond the D/s relationship or even the overbearing alpha male you may know.  These novels touch upon something much worse, actual human trafficking and sexual slaves.  Shocking...  Behind every fiction is a truth.  The truth is there are people out there like Ian Pierce and his sadistic merry men.  There are individuals like Johnathan Reeves, so wrapped up in their own guilt and sorrow that all rational though escapes them.  There is an innocence like Brianna's that is stolen countless times a day in unthinkable ways.  But there are also people like Stephan Coleman.
     Stephan's lifestyle may not be everyone's cup of tea, but after getting to know him is compassion and loyalty is undeniable.  The patience he has for Brianna is amazing.  The powerful Dom has a soft spot.  At only twenty four he has a refined aura around him.  Perhaps his maturity is a product of his own tragic past or maybe it is simply is upbringing.  Whichever, I often had to remind myself of his age.  Although he is only six years older than Brianna the way in which he interacts with her is almost paternal.  I know, I know that is kind of creepy sounding, but I struggle to find another way to describe it and the author did an excellent job walking that delicate line.  Ms. Hayes was able to provide Stephan the compassion and empathy to calmly and efficiently help Brianna work through her fears, but also keep the spark and raw sexual tension heavy in the air.
     Brianna's strength astounds me.  She is not only able to work very hard to send her demons into the darkness where they belong, but she is able to find moment to finally laugh.  To find some enjoyment in life.  The growth she has made of these three novels is amazing.  Looking back to when Stephan first met Brianna to saying goodbye at the end of Truth the difference is like night and day.
     I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve.  Stephan was no longer the only one offering comfort.  He has learned to find serenity in Brianna.  The author did a great job developing that relationship over the course of the series.
     I am anxious to see where Brianna's story might go next.  I am hoping there is a fourth novel.  I will be disappointed, and cannot even begin to imagine, if the storyline ends where it did.  I need to know Brianna and Stephan turn out OK.

Happy Reading!!

    

Review: Fear of Falling By: S.L. Jennings

Fear of Falling
By: S.L. Jennings

Synopsis: ***Inspired by true events***

I can't remember the last time I felt completely safe. Security seemed more like a luxury to me, reserved for those who were fortunate enough to have picture perfect childhoods. For those who didn't bear the ugly scars that keep me bound in constant, debilitating fear. I've run from that fear my entire life. But when I met him, for once, I couldn't run anymore.

He scared the hell out of me in a way that excited every fiber of my being. It wasn't the tattoos or the piercings. It wasn't the warmth that seemed to radiate from his frame and blanket me whenever he was near. It was just...him. The scary beautiful man that threatened to alter 23 years of routine and rituals, and make me face my crippling fear.

My name is Kami and I am constantly afraid. And the thing that scares me the most is the very thing I want.

"Don't worry," he smiled, pulling me into the hard warmth of his chest. "I've got you. I'll always catch you when you fall."

And just like that, Blaine had staked his claim on the untouched part of me that no living soul had ever moved. He had captured every fear, every reservation, and crushed them in the palm of his inked hand.

Author Disclaimer: Abuse is real- verbal, emotional, physical and sexual. It takes place all around us; it doesn't discriminate against race or gender, wealth or poverty. It affects us all- those of us who've had to live through it, or watch it happen, even those of us who've only heard about it. We are all affected. We are all forever changed.

This is not a story for the faint of heart; this is the story of one woman's very real struggle through a world against her, the people who hurt her, her real life demons and the people who showed her that every gray sky, no matter how dark, has a sun waiting to break through.

*This is a stand alone novel*

***

Review:  Wow, simply wow.  Fear of Falling had me choking back the tears one moment and whispering words of encouragement the next.  I felt the agony of Kami's struggle and journey to heal and let love in.

"Funny thing about life is that it never turns out the way you want it to.  It's never fair.  It's harsh and brutal."

     Kami is a young woman who experienced and witnessed the most horrific abuse at a very young age, all at the hands of her father.  The physical, emotional and verbal abuse had left her scarred.  However, her scars did not mare her appearance.  No, they are much worse.  Her soul has been battered and bruised leaving thick calloused scars around her heart.  Kami is a walking, talking shell of a person making it through each day wearing a mask of normalcy even though underneath she is choking on unimaginable fear.  253 fears to be exact.  Fears locked away in the stars allowing her to keep her panic at bay.

     Kami is OK with the masquerade that is her life.  That is until she met a scary-beautiful man named Blaine.  Some how Blaine can see beneath the mask.

"He had eyes of a man that had seen things.  Eyes that were soulful and wise, yet vibrant and sultry.  Eyes that made me want to run away, yet urged me to stay."

     From the moment the author introduced Blaine I was swooning.  I never wanted to partake in tequila shots so badly in my life.  From his just sexed hair and warm brown eyes to his intricate, colorful tattoos and piercings he had me at hello.  Blaine's life hasn't been all sunshine and roses either, but the moment he meets Kami he can't seem to stop thinking about her.  Kami also feels an instant connection.  She knew instantly he would change her life forever, even if she wasn't able to admit it at the time

"Something that would not only rock your world right off its axis but flip it upside down and shake the shit out of it."

     The author did an amazing job presenting Kami's struggles and fears.  My heart broke and bled for everything her father stole from her, as my hatred for him grew.  However, the one thing that monster could not take was her strength and though she had trouble tapping into it at times, it was always just below the surface.

"... just remember, the storm doesn't last forever.  It can scare you; it can shake you to your core.  But it never lasts.  The rain subsides, the thunder dies, and the winds calm to a soft whisper."

     

     I would recommend this book to anyone.  It has earned a spot on my top shelf and the characters will remain with me.

Happy reading!!

Review: Escaping Reality by: Lisa Renee Jones

Escaping Reality
By: Lisa Renee Jones

Synopsis: Recommended for 17+ due to mature themes and sexual content

Book 1 of THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN Series

ESCAPING REALITY

***

Infinite possibilities....
Infinite passion.....
Infinite danger....

His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn't trust him. I shouldn't tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.

At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loved to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she's finally dared to believe she is forgotten-even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets her guard down, the ghosts of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run. 

On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take "no" as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give? And what if there is more to Liam than meets the eyes?

***

Review:  Hands down 5 stars!

     Brilliant.  Amazing.  Suspenseful.  Sexy.  These are only a few words I would use to describe Escaping Reality by Lisa Renee Jones.

     The author takes us into the mind of Amy, a young woman who must live on the run from her tragic past.  Always looking over her shoulder.  Constantly having to keep her guard up.  Amy is existing, not living, but she is alive and that is all that matters.  That is until she meets the gaze of one Liam Scott.

     I have to tell you, it has been several novels since I have been introduced to a super sexy, very domineering, uber controlling alpha male character.  Boy, oh boy, did Liam give me the fix I have been jonesing for.  With just one look Liam can make any woman's panties drop ((fanning myself))  In true alpha fashion Liam comes swooping into Amy's life attempting to take control.  But can Amy trust him?  Can she be so selfish as to allow him in even if it puts him in danger?  That is the journey you are about to embark on.

     I had read somewhere online someone question whether or not a reader who like the If I Were You series would like Escaping Reality.  I have to be honest, I liked it more.  I enjoyed the If I Were You series, but I enjoyed this novel more.  This storyline reeled me in and never let go.  Also, don't let it's size foul you.  207 pages seems small.  At least to me.  I often get leery of books that small.  Yes, there are some amazing books out there that size, but often times I am left feeling a little empty.  Not this time.  This novel is jam packed with emotion and suspense.  I was left my head swimming and I feel very satisfied.

     I look forward to seeing Amy's story continued in the next book.

Happy reading!!

Review: The Secret of Ella and Micha By: Jessica Sorenson

The Secret of Ella and Micha
By: Jessica Sorenson

Synopsis: If you loved Beautiful Disaster then you're ready to discover . . . 

THE SECRET OF ELLA AND MICHAA rule-breaker with a fiery attitude, Ella always wore her heart on her sleeve. Then she left everything behind to go to college, where she transformed into someone who follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. Now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home. But once there, Ella fears that everything she's worked so hard to bury might resurface-especially with Micha living right next door.

Smart, sexy, and confident, Micha can get under Ella's skin like no one else. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. If he tries to tempt the old Ella to return, he will be impossible to resist. But what Ella doesn't realize is that when she left, she took a piece of Micha's heart with her. Now he's determined to win back the girl he lost, no matter what it takes.

***

Review:  As I said before, I know I am a little behind just reading this now, but it was worth the wait.  Now on my TBR is The Forever of Ella and Micha!

     I was a fan of Jessica Sorenson's heading into The Secret of Ella and Micha, but I am an even bigger fan on the way out.  She has a way of taking a heavy subject with damaged characters and making the reader's heart break for them and rejoice when the light appears at the end of the tunnel.  This story was no different.

     Close your eyes for a moment  Now imagine you have realized your are in love with your best friend.  The one person who has stood by your side through thick and thin.  The only person in this world who knows you as well as you know yourself.  They have seen you at your best and they were there to catch you at your worst.  Imagine you confess this sentiment to them.  You wait on baited breath for their response, only to have them run.  Run as fast as they can, as far as they can and not tell a single soul where they have gone.  Would you panic?  Would you do everything you could to find them?  What would you say if you saw them again.

     Open your eyes.  Feel that tightening in your gut?  The race of your heart as fear sets in?  Welcome to Micha's world.  He has been in love with Ella long before he realized it himself.  The world dims when she leaves.  She takes this light of his life with her when she runs.  When she quietly returns he swears he will do everything he can to get back the girl he loves.

     Ella's life is scarred by one enormous mistake.  A few moments in time that changes the lives of everyone around her.  She would give anything to have that time back, but she can't.  Feeling the only way she can move on is to never look back.  Fleeing the people she loves she takes off to reinvent herself.  To start anew.  Only it is not that simple.  Denying who she really is leaves her feeling hollow, but it is a feeling she is willing to endure.  Her transformation is put to the test when she has to return home on summer break and comes face to face with the biggest reason to change, Micha.

     Ella and Micha test each other.  They pull each other from their pasts and push one another into their future.  Only they know the secrets their journey holds.

Happy reading!!

The Secret of Ella and Micha, By: Jessica Sorenson

I know I am late reading this one but it had been on my TBR for months.  While I was in between a few novels I decided to read it. OMG. Why did I wait so long?  Now I have to squeeze in The sequel, The Forever of Ella and Micha. 

Review to follow...

Escaping Reality by Lisa Renee Jones to be released Monday July 22

Escaping Reality, by Lisa Renee Jones will be released on Monday July 22.  This is at the top of my 'to be read' and it can be preordered.  Head on over to Amazon and get your one-click on.

Happy reading!!

 New Adult novel 

Recommended for 17+ due to mature themes and sexual content

Book 1 of THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN Series

ESCAPING REALITY

***

Infinite possibilities....
Infinite passion.....
Infinite danger....

His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn't trust him. I shouldn't tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.

At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loved to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she's finally dared to believe she is forgotten-even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets her guard down, the ghosts of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run. 

On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take "no" as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give? And what if there is more to Liam than meets the eyes?

Review: Who He Is By: S.Q. Williams

Who He Is
By: S.Q. Williams

Synopsis: *Strong sexual content and mature situations. Recommended for ages 18+*

Eliza Smith has never been the one to seek a relationship. She’s never dated a guy in her life, never even hugged a man (outside of her father/manager of the hot and popular rock band, FireNine) but when she decides to spend her summer on tour with FireNine, it all changes. Eliza really gets to meet Gage Grendel - her former crush from high school and the lead singer of FireNine - and witness sides to him to which she’ll begin to truly despise.
She’ll ignore him, she’ll dislike his ways, she’ll do anything to try and stay away from him until Gage finally gets her to slip up and give in. She agrees on a casual fling with Gage, but soon they’ll both see how the fling will blur into something they can’t control and when it’s finally time for Eliza to go and accomplish her own dreams, she’ll know there’s more she took from Gage than she ever thought possible.

***

     Ah, the Rocker.  The irresistible, edgy, raw, passionate, crude man who makes panties drop with only the sound of their voices and a wink of an eye.  The damaged soul with hauntingly beautiful lyrics.  Gage fits this mold perfectly.  He is gorgeous and knows it.  His dark past drives him forward and the muse for his widely successful music.  Beautiful scantly clad women fill the void in his heart, but never make him feel whole.

     Enter Eliza.  Eliza has had a crush on Gage since High School, though Gage doesn't remember her.  With a painful past of her own she has worked very hard to put it all behind her and move forward, by leading a very quiet, isolate life.  The quiet is quickly interrupted when her father, Ben, drags her along for the summer tour of the band her manages, FireNine.

     Forced to live on a tour bus with the guys of FireNine, including Gage, Eliza slowly begins to shed the walls she has built in order to keep her isolated from the world and begins to truly live.  Befriending members of the band she edges out of her shell, but winds up getting under the skin of Gage.  

     The connection between Eliza and Gage simmers under the surface before exploding and igniting both of their hearts.  If only they could take that passion, tuck it away and ride off into the sunset on the tour bus.  It can never be that simple though.  Both characters have a past they must move beyond before they can start looking at a future.  Is either willing to do that?  

     At the end of the last chapter I was on the edge of my seat, heart beating wildly begging for the ending to be different.   But never fear... there is a sequel.  Phew, now I can sleep a little easier.  Who We Are is tucked neatly in my 'to be read' list.

Happy reading!!

Review: Pulse By: Gail McHugh

Pulse
By: Gail McHugh

Synopsis:  A New York Times and USA Today Bestseller

(Pulse is the sequel to Collide Volume 1) 

How do you keep existing when your heart is so splintered, so completely torn to shreds, your pulse is fading?

You’re…broken. How do you move forward when every breath is nothing more than a constant ache? Living becomes an insidious reminder that you threw away the single largest part of yourself. Your… soul. No amount of distraction can pull you from the torture of losing your…life.

Now that Emily Cooper has walked away from her first love, she finds herself running toward her only love. Unraveling fast, but clinging to hope, Emily risks all she has left on the man that has consumed her every thought and dream since the day they met. Will Gavin take her back? And if so, will their reunion be a collision of two hearts destined to complete one another and rekindle a love that knew no boundaries? Or will scars from their past rip open, tearing slowly at what each of them was meant to be? Can fate, the ultimate game changer, mend the shattered road it laid out from the start?

Only time will tell…

Tick-Tock…

***

      Pulse is the continuation of Gavin and Emily's story from Collide.  It is a heart warming, gut wrenching, eye watering, breath stopping journey that had be smiling like a goon and crying like a baby. 
     The story begins where Collide left off.  Emily has realized she has made a terrible mistake and seeks out Gavin.  Finding him proves to me more difficult then she originally thought it would be, but once she tracks him down winning him back is not too difficult.  After all, Emily is the air Gavin breathes.
     Emily and Gavin's road to their happy ever after is paved with trails and tribulations.  They find themselves in the mist of the most joyous time of their lives, but is overcast with angst and torment.  It was heartbreaking that they never got to enjoy the little moments as much as they should have.  (Maybe next time.)
     The author did an amazing job highlighting the emotional toll an abusive relationship can have on a person.  Ms. McHugh shows us the tremendous effort and love Gavin must bestow upon Emily to help heal her soul from the emotional, verbal and physical abuse she has endured at the hands of Dillon.
     I must say before I go that chapter eighteen was totally... 100%... without any doubt... the most unkind chapter I have every read.  It was absolutely brilliant by the author, but completely horrible to do to the reader.
     Collide and Pulse were an amazing duo.  I cannot wait to see what this author does next.

Happy reading!!
  

Squee... Pulse

I began reading Pulse by Gail McHugh last night. Oh Gavin how I love you.  I can't wait to review this book.

Before I get to that though I wanted to say hats off to the author. She wrote a heartwarming post on Facebook last night.  It is exactly the type of post I love to read.  The absolute awe that a "boring housewife" can turn the one thing that has always given her solace into something beautiful for all the world the share.

Ms. McHugh you are no longer 'boring'. Embrace it. You have accomplished something thousands of others in your shoes can only dream off. You deserve all of the praise and admiration. I hope you take  your current emotions and turn them into another beautiful story.

If you have not read Collide or Pulse I recommend it!  Review to follow.

Happy Reading!!

Dear Self Published Author

Dear Self Published Author,

I applauded you.  I rise to my feet before you and give you a standing ovation for your bravery.  Don't  balk at me.  Don't roll your eyes dismissively or duck you face to hide the blush that is creeping to your cheeks.  There will be none of that.  You must truly have courage deep within to be able to pour your heart into three hundred pages for all the world to see.

One of my favorite sections of a novel to read is the acknowledgments at the end, and that of a self published author is my ultimate favorite.  I love reading the thank you's to the children who were forced to eat macaroni and cheese night after night while you immersed yourself in your words.  The apologizes to those near and dear for the blood shot, puffy eyes cause by late nights.  The loving sentiments to husbands and significant others for putting up with being ignored day after day while you poured your self into each chapter.

Do you know why I love reading these sections so much?  It is because my own children have been forced to endure macaroni and cheese night after night while I was immersed in your words.  It is because I have also had to apologize for my puffy red eyes caused from staying up until the wee hours of the morning having to read just one more chapter.  And because my own husband has stood by my side and been ignored while I poured myself into each sentence.

See, we are in this together.  Author and reader.  Reader and author. You can't have one without the other.  I think each self published author should be encouraged to share the struggles of their journey with their fans.  It is human nature to forget that authors are normal people.  Their celebrity doesn't discredit their struggle. (If you need a good 'celebrity' novel to remind you let me know).

Authors, create this connection with your fans by joining Facebook and Twitter.  Post and tweet.  Comment.  Engage. Ask your fans to write reviews.  I can think of countless examples when I may have overlooked writing a review if it hadn't been for a request by the author.

My fellow readers, READ.  Review.  Comment.  Recommend.  If you love a story shout it from the roof tops.  Tell everyone you know. Talk about the fictional characters as if you know them in real life.  Most of us will understand.

So, to the average person who had a dream of writing an amazing story and sharing it with the world, my hats off to you.  Keep those pens flowing and keys tapping.

Happy Reading!!

Review: Lick By: Kylie Scott

Lick
By: Kylie Scott

Synopsis: Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas's plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure as hell never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is for certain, being married to rock and roll's favourite son is sure to be a wild ride.

***

Review: Is it possible to be in love with someone after only a few hours together?  Is it even more plausible when those few hours are completely blacked out by one too many tequila shots?

When Ev planned to spend her 21st birthday in Vegas she never expected to wake up the following morning with the world's worst hangover and a giant diamond ring on her finger.  But it was never in her wildest dreams that the man she was supposedly married to was none other than David Ferris, the country's biggest rock n' roll God!

None of this is part of the plan.  Setting out to annul their situation David and Ev are forced to spend some time together.  Slowly, hour by hour, day by day, the connection they created during those few late night hours begins to rekindle.  Screw the plan.  Plans are for chumps right?  Time for a new plan.  No sooner is the 'no plan is the right plan' plan in place do they hit a bump in the road.  Is it enough to break them for good?

I enjoyed Evelyn's no nonsense attitude.  Even though her world is set upside down she still comes out swinging.  Oh and David, yum David.  What I wouldn't give to run my fingers through his long rock n' roll hair.  He can sing me a song any day.  

The author did a nice job creating characters the reader could cheer for.  To stalk like the paparazzi until the very end.  I look forward to what else this author may bring us in the future.

Happy Reading!!

Review: The Impact of You By: Kendell Ryan

The Impact of You
By: Kendell Ryan

Synopsis: **A New York Times & USA Today Bestseller**

Needing an escape from her past, Avery chooses a college where no one knows her. Keeping a low profile was the plan, falling for the intense frat boy, Jase wasn’t. Yet she can’t deny how alive she feels when he’s near. Even as common sense implores her to stay away, her body begs her to get closer.

Jase, numb from his own family drama, has grown bored with weekends fueled by nameless girls and countless bottles when he meets Avery. Helping her cope with her past is better than dealing with the bullshit his own life’s served up. Determined to drive away the painful secret she’s guarding, he appoints himself her life coach, and challenges her to new experiences. Getting close to her and being the one to make her smile are simply perks of the job.

But when Avery’s past boldly saunters in, refusing to be forgotten, can Jase live with the truth about the girl he’s fallen for?

Recommended for 17+ due to mature themes and sexual content.

***

Review:  Have you ever done something in your life that you regretted wholeheartedly?  Something so humiliating that you wanted to curl up in a dark hole and hide away from the world?  Well that is exactly how Avery feels.  In the past she made some terrible decisions and she lives with the the fear that everyone around will some day find out.  Hoping to escape the past she flees and tries to start over in college.

Enter Jase, the mind-numbingly gorgeous guy looking for his own escape.  Drawn to Avery he immediately recognizes her wounded soul.  Appointing himself as Avery's life couch he sets out to help break her out of her shell.  What he hadn't prepared himself for was the way in which she would save him.

I loved watching the relationship develop between Avery and Jase.  I enjoyed Jase's softer side as he helps Avery come back to life.   I thought this was a wonderfully written NA novel.

Happy Reading!!

Review:: This Man Confessed By: Jodi Ellen Malpas

This Man Confessed
By: Jodi Ellen Malpas

Synopsis: THE STUNNING CONCLUSION TO THE THIS MAN TRILOGY! 

The Manor, the very place where their passionate love affair began, fills with guests on what should be the happiest day of Ava and Jesse's lives. She has accepted that she'll never tame the fierceness in Jesse-and she doesn't want to. Their love is profound, their connection powerful, but just when she thinks that she's finally gotten beneath his guarded exterior, more questions arise, leading Ava to believe that Jesse Ward may not be the man she thinks he is. He knows too well how to take her to a place beyond ecstasy . . . but will he also drive her to the brink of despair? It's time for this man to confess.

***

Wow...  It has taken me a week to find the right words to say.  My heart has been trampled by this amazing man named Jesse.  After reading the first two books I didn't think I could love him anymore, but I was wrong.  

This Man Confessed is the final installment of the This Man trilogy.  The novel begins a few short weeks after Beneath This Man leaves off, with Ava nervously waiting for the start of her wedding ceremony.  We watch as Jesse and Ava promise to spend the rest of their lives loving each other, but, of course it can never be that easy.  Soon their love is tested.  Through the twists and added doses of drama will they finally find their own slice of paradise?

Ms. Malpas did an amazing job with the finale.  I am often very weary if the final book in a series.  The suspense of how the story will end.  The expectation of the perfect ending for beloved characters.  Following this author on Facebook I know she voice how nervous she was.  Hoping this book would be well received.  Let me just say, all that worrying was for not.  She hit this one out of the park.  I don't think I could have envisioned a better ending.  And the epilogue!  Oh my... I was grinning fro ear to ear.  I immediately called my closest friends to tell them to hurry up and finish reading so we could swoon together.

If you haven't read any of the novels in this serious I highly recommend it.  The Lord of the Manor rivals even the most talked about alpha characters every written.  If you are familiar with the story of Jesse and Ava, what are you waiting for!? 

Happy Reading!!

Review: The Mourning After by: Adriane Leigh

The Mourning After
By: Adriane Leigh

Synopsis: Haunted by a painful past, Georgia Montgomery escapes the memories by buying a beach house on the North Carolina coast. She hopes a summer filled with sun, sand, margaritas and best friends will heal her, but when an unexpected visitor shows up, her past, present and future collide.

Georgia is instantly drawn to Tristan Howell, the bronze-skinned, golden-haired stranger with an easy smile and eyes the deepest shade of green she's ever seen. She tries to deny the depth of her feelings for him, but just like an addiction- one look, one touch, one taste is never enough. With Tristan she loses control of the lonely world she's constructed for herself and learns that moving forward isn't possible while she's still chained to the events of her past.

Before the summer is over friendships will be tested, hearts shattered and lives changed, and waiting for Georgia to find herself may destroy them all.

***

     Sweet, that is the best adjective to describe the story of Georgia and Tristan. 
     

     As mentioned in the blurb, The Mourning After is the story of Georgia Montgomery and what she anticipates to be a fun summer at her newly acquired beach home, but life can never be that simple. Soon Georgia's past and present collide with her future setting the stage for a heavy dose of drama and angst.
   

     This story has many great elements. First, a damaged soul lost in this world desperately trying to cling to a normal life. Second, an amazingly sexy man with a sly smile and well defined ads who also has a kind heart and sensitive spirit. Third, there is the supporting cast there to offer a shoulder to cry on or a healthy helping of comic relief. All of these elements are wrapped neatly and set on one of the best stages a novel could ask for, the Carolina coast. I love novels set on the shores of North Carolina. Perhaps Georgia isn't the only one who has read one too many Nicholas Sparks novels. ;)

    I thought the author did a wonderful job building the characters and story line. I enjoyed the little glimpses and breadcrumbs she left along the way to help the reader piece together the tragic events of Georgia's past. My heart broke as she was forced to make tough decisions, but she wasn't always the recipient of my sorrow. 

     I look forward to seeing that the future holds for the characters, but I am also anxious to see what else the author may come up with. Great job!

Review: Ember X, By Jessica Sorensen

Ember X

By: Jessica Sorensen

 Synopsis:  **Mature Content Advisory** 

Recommended for readers 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

For nineteen-year-old Ember, life has always been about death. With a simple touch, she can see when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person that knows her secret is her best friend Raven.

But that changes when she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous and mysterious and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. The silence he instills in her mind and body allows her to feel things she’s never been able to before, so despite her initial reservations, Ember lets Asher into her life and lets herself to get close to him. But the closer they get, the more Ember realizes that Asher is keeping secrets from her.

When unexplained deaths begin to surface in her town, Ember questions why she can’t see Asher's death and what it is he’s hiding from her.

***

 4 out of 5 stars

Ember is a nineteen year old girl living with a haunting ability.  She can sense death with the slightest of touch.  This curse has caused her to limit the close relationships she builds with other people.  Who can she become close to someone when she knows how they will die?  The only exception is her best friend Raven.  

Going through the motions of living like a normal teenager Ember finds herself drawn to two mysterious men who comes sweeping into her life.  Though sh tries to keep her distance she cannot shake the connection she feel for both of them.  Even more shocking is the calm that soothes her mind in their presence.  

Little does Ember know she is in the middle of a war she never knew was raging.  A war that she places an important part in.  A battle in which she must choose a side and everything is weighing on her decision.

I found myself on the edge of my seat while reading this novel.  The story line is a change from the books I normally read.  You should have seen my husbands face when he asked what this book was about and i simply responded "death".   That was not at all the answer he was expecting.  I enjoyed the character development.  I truly felt bad for Ember.  The writing definitely painted a dark picture.  Throughout the novel I imagined overcast skies and gloomy nights.  Each scene was dim and shadowed, which is exactly the mood the characters were portraying.

I gave it 4 out of 5, because I would recommend this book to someone, but I wasn't left so in love with it that I wanted to scream from the mountain tops that everyone must read this novel.  It was well written, but just lack something for me.  This could also be because it is much different from my usual genre and should not deter anyone from giving it a try.

Happy reading!

ONE DAY Until This Man Confessed!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Man Confessed by Jodi Malpas will be released tomorrow.  I read This Man back in December and quickly read Beneath This Man the day it was released.  I love Jesse and Ava's story.  I need The Lord right NOW.  Come on July 2nd.

Review: Eversea, by Natasha Boyd

Eversea
By: Natasha Boyd

Synopsis:  An orphaned, small-town, southern girl, held hostage by responsibility and self-doubt.

A Hollywood A-list mega-star, on the run from his latest scandal and with everything to lose.

A chance encounter that leads to an unlikely arrangement and epic love affair that will change them both forever. 

When his co-star and real-life girlfriend is caught cheating on him with her married and much older director, A-list hottie, Jack Eversea, finds himself in sleepy Butler Cove, South Carolina. Jack hopes the sultry southern heat in this tiny coastal Lowcountry town will hide him not only from the tabloids and his cheating girlfriend, but his increasingly vapid life and the people who run it. He doesn’t count on meeting Keri Ann Butler. 

Keri Ann has relied on herself so long, dealing with her family’s death and the responsibilities of keeping up her family's historic mansion, that boys and certainly the meager offering of eligible boys in Butler Cove, have never figured into her equation. But fate has other plans. Suddenly face to face with the man who played the movie role of her favorite fictional character, Jack has Keri Ann yearning for everything she has previously avoided ... and Jack must decide whether this funny, sassy girl is worth changing his life for, before his mistakes catch up to him.

***

If you loved 'Love Unscripted' you will love this book. I hope the author takes that as a compliment, as it is one of my favorites, and this book deserves a spot right next to it. The two are very similar, but not so much so that I felt like I was retreading the same story.

Keri Anne (not Kerianne or Carry Ann) is in her early twenties. She has had her share of heartbreak and grief after losing several people close to her. Feeling the pressure of being one of the last Butler's in Butler Cove, SC she tries to do the best she can with the life she has. Her contentment is interrupted when a hooded stranger sits down at her bar. Nothing could have prepared her for who the mystery man is or what effect he would have on her life.

Jack's life is not his own. Everyone wants a piece of him. Everyone tells him what to do and when to do it. Who he can and cannot be with. Despite the chaos around him he is lonely. Stepping out of the limelight he finds the silence even more uncomfortable. Finding Keri Anne adds focus to his life. A lifeline to reality. 

Unfortunately, their bond is tested. Will the connection they feel and the depths of thief emotions be enough to keep them together. 

The author developed the story beautifully. I would have like a little more detail of Butler Cove. I am a sucker for the coast line of SC and would have loved to be able to picture it more clearly. However, the characters were will described and developed. I almost had a stroke when the story ended as it did. I was relieved to find out there will be a sequel. I couldn't have enjoyed the story as much if it had truly ended the way it had. Now the question is, when will that next book be released!?