Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Best of the Bunch - August 2016





Today I am going to talk to you about the best book I read in August.  

I read 8 books in August.  It was a little bit of a slow month for me.  I went into a book funk a couple times so that hindered my reading a little this month.  Nevertheless, I still had a couple 5 star reads.  

Out of those books, my favorite of the bunch goes to Laws of Attraction by RC Boldt




Laws of Attraction is book 4 in the Teach Me series and follows the story of Lawson and Langley.  These two are complete opposites but let me tell you, they are absolutely perfect for each other!  I've been following this series from the beginning and love the characters RC Boldt has created more with each book.  


From Goodreads: 
RC Boldt's fourth book in the Teach Me series shows us that sometimes the perfect person for you is the one you least expected it to be ...

Langley Ford is the definition of serious. Going through life as a pararescue jumper, working solely around men, she’s had to go above and beyond to prove she’s their equal. In fact, she can’t recall the last time she allowed herself to truly relax or let her guard down.

Always the one others rely on to crack jokes, the one to liven things up, Lawson Briggs is a fun, easygoing guy who doesn’t take life too seriously. But witnessing so many of his friends falling in love, he begins to wonder what the fuss is about. Will he ever fall prey to that infamous “love bug”?

Langley is now out of the military and working at a security consulting firm. When she meets the tall, bearded teacher who has endless wisecracks and comments, a part of her wishes she could be like him, wishes she could remember how.

While Lawson might be the best person to teach her how to live life to the fullest, will Langley be the one who teaches him all about love?
 


Tuesday, August 30, 2016

*Release Blitz* When Stars Collide by Micalea Smeltzer




Title: When Stars Collide
Series: Light in the Dark #2 
Author: Micalea Smeltzer
Genre: New Adult
 Release Date: August 30, 2016



Blurb

We were like two stars orbiting each other—dancing around the possibility that one day we might collide. When we finally did, we opened up a black hole, obliterating everything around us. No one would be the same.

Least of all, us.

Waking up in Vegas married to the guy of your dreams sounds like a good thing, right? Not when you’re Thea Montgomery and said guy is your brother’s best friend.

Thea and Xander have always avoided the connection between them because her brother would never approve. Now, they’re married— the strongest bond you can have as a couple—and they’re not even a real couple…unless they want to be.

Thea wants an annulment immediately, but Xander’s waited too long to see her become his and he won’t let her go easily.

If she wants a divorce, fine, but he wants the summer to convince her that he’s the one. If at the end of the summer she still wants to end their marriage he’ll sign the papers, but until then…


All is not fair in love and war.



Read the first 3 chapters on Wattpad now

FOLLOW ON WATTPAD

My Review: 

3 out of 5 stars
★★★☆☆

This was my first book by this author. I had a little trouble connecting with the characters. I'm not sure if reading the first book in the series would have helped or not. I did really enjoy seeing Xander fight for Thea and convincing her of how great they would be together. His love for her never wavered.






Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Purchase When Stars Collide
and receive an exclusive short story






Trailer




Excerpt

Unedited and subject to change.

Holy mother of all hangovers.

I’d succumbed to the lure of Vegas and gotten completely wasted. Granted, that’s what everyone did in Las Vegas but I like to think I usually have more sense than the social norm.

I rub my eyes and blink them open. The hotel room comes into formation around me. The walls are a warm golden color and the flat screen on the wall plays some home improvement show. I can see the bathroom from the bed, the tiled walls and large soaking tub.

I roll over onto my side, hoping I can sleep off the hangover, and reel back.

“Oh my God,” I cry, flailing in bed.

My legs kick the sleeping guy beside me.

Not just any sleeping guy.

Oh no.

Xander Kincaid, my brother’s best friend, lays in the bed beside me.

His dark hair tumbles over his forehead and his cheeks are covered with several days worth of scruff. His chest is bare and…holy shit. He’s naked.

I look down.

Oh God, I’m naked too.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, reaching his left hand out to pull me closer to him. That’s when I see it.

“Is that a wedding band?” I scream shrilly.

His eyes narrow. “You don’t fucking remember?”

I shake my head and look at my own hand. A thin silver band rests on my finger. “What did we do?”

He sits up in bed and I try to ignore how adorably rumpled he looks with his hair sticking up.

Everything begins flooding back to me in quick bursts.

Drinks.

Kissing.

Laughter.

Confessions of love and desire.

A wedding chapel.

Vows.

Rings.

A contract.
 

“We’re married,” I whisper. “Holy shit.” It’s all I’ve ever wanted—to be with Xander, but not like this. Never like this. “My brother is going to kill us.”



Also Available


Book One in the series. Cade and Rae’s story.
Can be read as a standalone.

Currently FREE everywhere.
 

What I remember the most about that day was that it was completely ordinary. Then with one stupid decision everything fell apart and nothing was ever the same.

Rae Wilder wants nothing but a do over—but life doesn’t work that way. She’s stuck living out the consequences of her actions. At times the burden feels unbearable.
College is supposed to be her second chance.
New place.
New people.
New life.
No one to know what she did.
Despite that, she has still vowed to avoid everyone and everything at all costs.
Unfortunately for her, an accidental run-in with the campus heartthrob, Cade Montgomery, derails that plan.
He’s determined to thaw the ice around her heart and expose the girl she used to be. He wants to show her that life is worth living for and that she really is a Rae of Sunshine.


Free

AMAZON US / UK
B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS



Author Bio


Micalea Smeltzer is a bestselling twenty-something author. She started scribbling stories before she even knew her alphabet. She currently resides in Virginia with her doggie side-kick Ollie.


Author Links

*Spotlight* Prodigal Son by Lisa Beth Darling

Prodigal Son-Sister Christian Finale

Blurb:
When the Hour is Darkest Love and Faith Can Conquer All.
In the final installment of the Sister Christian Series, the Court has demanded a hearing regarding Hannah's capacity. Hannah and Nick are falling deeper and deeper in love. Looking forward to a bright future together they begin planning their life together. A shadowy stranger from the past has set his sights on Hannah and her 3.5 million dollar trust fund. Is he really Rick MacNeill, the son Hannah thought died in the terrible fire at Saint Anne's? Is he someone sinister? The last of the family secrets come to light in this roller coaster ride of suspense, love, betrayal, and faith.

SHORT EXCERPT:
Coming through the soup kitchen line on that fourth day, she smiled at him as she asked; "You're from Michigan?"
Knowing that his plan was working he did his best to keep his cool as he made full eye contact with her for the first time since he started coming here, "Pardon, ma'am?"
Hannah was thunderstruck by the sight of those piercing blue eyes. Her stomach turned and a knot twisted in her throat making her feel as though she were about to vomit. Catching her breath and trying hard not to stare at those eyes or the arch of his brow and the line of his nose, she cleared her throat as she fumbled for recovery, "I saw the plate on your car yesterday, I'm from Michigan too, Victorville, you probably never heard of it."
"Me too," he mumbled and held his burnt hands out for the steaming cup but she didn't release it to him right away.
Trying not to stare at him and appear rude, Hannah thought he man looked oddly familiar but she couldn't quite place him. He seemed far too young for her to have known when she lived there but it was the only logical explanation coming to her mind, "Did you go to Saint Mark's?" No, probably hadn't been in her class but maybe he was the younger brother or even the son of one of her old classmates.
"Me? No, ma'am, I went to school at Saint Mary's Orphanage, that's where I grew up. But I was born at Saint Anne's." He'd been anticipating a reaction but when her eyes welled with tears and the hot cup between them spilled its hot contents over her hands it was more than he'd hoped, "Ma'am? Are you ok? Here let me take that."
Letting go of the cup she picked up a nearby dishrag to wipe the hot broth from her hands, "Clumsy sometimes, I'm sorry, did you get…did you get burned?" Even as she handed over the dishrag for him to clean his hands, Hannah shook her head slightly admonishing herself. Of course he'd been burned, what a stupid thing to say.
Settling the cup of soup down on his tray he gave her a smile as he held up his hands for her to get a really good look, "They don't feel anything. I got burned a long time ago all the way to the bone."
A bolt of ice shot down Hannah's spine as she wavered on her feet with her knees suddenly threatening to give out from under her. "I'm-I'm sorry about that."
"Why? You didn't do it, did'ja?"
With her throat threatening to swell so much it cut off her air supply and her knees growing weaker, Hannah grabbed her side of the counter to keep steady as she choked out a question, "What's your name?"
"Richard, my friends call me Ricky." Without waiting for her to reply he slid the tray down the line where the nun was waiting to give him French fries and a chicken salad sandwich.  Taking his customary seat where he could see Hannah serving people from behind the line he watched her excuse herself and run off into the kitchen.  Trying not to be too obvious about it, he adjusted his seat and craned his neck until he saw her downing a few pills from the bottle in her pocket. She grabbed the side of the long metal preparing table, bent over it, and tried to catch her breath even as she shook her head, "Got'cha, hook, line and sinker."


AUTHOR BIO:
Lisa Beth Darling is 49 years-old, lives in her hometown of New London, CT with her husband of 30 years, Roy and is mother to their two daughters.  She is the author of more than fifteen novels along with several short stories and non-fiction books. When she’s not writing she likes to garden and is an avid movie buff.

Author links: Website: http://www.lisabethdarling.com Blog: http://lbdarling.wordpress.com Twitter: @lb_darling Facebook: http://facebook.com/lbdarling Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1577311.Lisa_Beth_Darling

Purchase Links: Amazon/Kindle: http://amazon.com/author/lisadarling Nook: http://barnesandnoble.com/c/lisa-beth-darling iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/lisa-beth-darling/id411650358?mt=11 Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/lisadarling

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

*Review* Eminent Love by Leddy Harper

30171475



Synopsis:
Life doesn’t always start with once upon a time. 
Love doesn’t always end with happily ever after.

After spending five years with the love of my life, I did nothing to stop her from walking away. She had her reasons to leave. I had my reasons to stay. But a year later, the realization of loss hits me, and I’ll stop at nothing to fix it. I leave everything behind to drive across the country to win her back, and I refuse to accept anything other than fulfilling old promises. 

But the only certainty in life is: nothing is as expected.

The most valuable lessons don’t often revolve around a fairytale ending—frequently, they come from hurt and healing. They come from the kind of personal growth love offers. The mending of your heart, your soul, and your life. And every once in a while, you find the greatest gifts in the packages you never expected to open.



My Review:
5 out of 5 stars
★★★★★

I don't think I've ever come across a book that has crushed my heart the way this one has. There was a point close to the end where I actually had to stop reading, put the book down, and just broke down into gut-wrenching sobs. I was crying so hard my husband had to come and calm me down. Even with all of that, this was such a beautiful story. Layne and Creed had the love that we all want to have. That real, TRUE, soul deep love. Everyone should experience that kind of love at least once in their lives.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

*Blog Tour + Review* Laws of Attraction by RC Boldt

Today we have the fantastic Laws of Attraction by R.C. Boldt! Check it out and grab your copy today!


Laws of Attraction BT Ban 



  About Laws of Attraction: 
  LawsofAttraction_Amazon
RC Boldt's fourth book in the Teach Me series shows us that sometimes the perfect person for you is the one you least expected it to be ...
Langley Ford is the definition of serious. Going through life as a pararescue jumper, working solely around men, she’s had to go above and beyond to prove she’s their equal. In fact, she can’t recall the last time she allowed herself to truly relax or let her guard down.

Always the one others rely on to crack jokes, the one to liven things up, Lawson Briggs is a fun, easygoing guy who doesn’t take life too seriously. But witnessing so many of his friends falling in love, he begins to wonder what the fuss is about. Will he ever fall prey to that infamous “love bug”?   Langley is now out of the military and working at a security consulting firm. When she meets the tall, bearded teacher who has endless wisecracks and comments, a part of her wishes she could be like him, wishes she could remember how.

While Lawson might be the best person to teach her how to live life to the fullest, will Langley be the one who teaches him all about love?



My Review:
5 out of 5 stars

Another amazing book by this author! I've loved Lawson since the beginning of this series and was absolutely thrilled when I found out he was going to be getting his own book. He's definitely my favorite book boyfriend of this series so far. He knows what he wants and he is going to go out and get it! I love his funny personality and his jokes. Every group of friends needs someone like him to keep things fun and interesting. And Langley! She is one bad *** woman!! She is so strong after everything that she went through. I really admire her. I love how Raine, Tate, and Laney took Langley in as one of the group and made her feel welcome with them. These friends are absolutely amazing ! Lawson and Langley may be complete opposites, but they are PERFECT for each other! They compliment each other well. I was also glad to catch up with the other characters from the series. It's always a treat to get to see more from them!




  LOA quote card-LAWSON


Get your copy today! Laws of Attraction:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1Rr5eM5
Kobo: https://
Google Play: https://goo.gl/EYi6dA


   Laws of Attraction-Teaser 2, RC BOLDT

Catch up on The Teach Me Series:

Wildest Dreams:
Amazon Kindle: http://goo.gl/uhBV5W
Google Play: https://goo.gl/5Hle6X

Hard to Handle:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1TRF3l9
Google Play: https://goo.gl/NvUN76

Remember When:
Google Play: https://goo.gl/X8973T


Laws of Attraction-Teaser 3, RC BOLDT   



  About R.C. Boldt:
RC Boldt 

 RC Boldt is the wife of Mr. Boldt, a retired Navy Chief, mother of Little Miss Boldt, and former teacher of many students. She currently lives on the southeastern coast of North Carolina, enjoys long walks on the beach, running, reading, people watching, and singing karaoke. If you're in the mood for some killer homemade mojitos, can't recall the lyrics to a particular 80's song, or just need to hang around a nonconformist who will do almost anything for a laugh, she's your girl.

  Connect with R.C.:
Email: rcboldtbooks@gmail.com
Amazon: http://goo.gl/jgT1vR



Laws of Attraction-teaser 1, RC BOLDT   


  Enter R.C’s giiveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Sale Blitz* The Perception by Adriana Locke



Title: The Perception
Series: The Exception #2
Author: Adriana Locke
Release Date: Feb 28, 2015


There is no greater burden than a secret, and Kari Stanley has been carrying one alone for a long time. But fate intervenes in the form of a broken down car and the kind offer of assistance from a handsome stranger with a sweet, southern drawl. In exchange, all she has to do is go to dinner with him. Temptation was never so sweet.
Max Quinn has secrets of his own. His good deeds aren't just a product of his southern upbringing; they're his atonement. As one dinner turns into two, he realizes that Kari just might be his salvation.
As they struggle to find their path together, their secrets weigh heavier on them. Will they be able to trust one another with the truth, or will their secrets keep them apart forever?
This book CAN be read as a stand-alone novel.
On sale for $0.99 for a limited time!
Prologue
Max
Well, well, well. What do we have here?
I spotted a woman standing in front of her car a few spots from mine in the parking lot. Her head in her hands, she stared at the front of her vehicle. I just finished my meeting and really wanted to go back home, but I couldn’t leave a woman stranded in the heat. 
Not with a clear conscience. 
And not with an ass like that.
“Somethin’ wrong?” I asked, shutting my truck door behind me and walking slowly towards the brunette. 
She turned her head and a smile slowly spread across her pretty face. She stood, wiping her hands down the sides of her green workout shorts. Her body was lean and tight and I wanted to run my hands all over it.
She was little as hell, probably a good foot shorter than my 6’2” frame. Her tight white tank top showcased her breasts in the best way possible. Her hair was piled on top of her head, strands sticking to the back of her neck. 
Her smile grew wider as I made my way across the parking lot. Sweat dotted her smooth, tanned skin and she wiped her brow with the back of one hand.
The beauty raised her eyebrows, her green eyes lighting up.  “My car won’t start.” She ran her gaze down my body, making little effort to conceal the fact that she liked what she saw. 
That makes two of us.
I flashed her a smile and cleared my throat. I needed to focus, but that was easier said than done. The last thing I wanted to do was come across like Cane, my friend with no couth.
“What seems to be the problem?” I unlatched the hood and raised it open.
“I turned the key and got nothing but a buzzing sound,” she huffed, crossing her arms in front of her. 
I looked up, the movement catching my attention, and my gaze landed right on her chest. 
“What are you looking at?” she asked cheekily.
“Nothin’ you shouldn’t be proud of.”
Hi!
I’m Adriana Locke, author of The Exception Series and two standalone novels, Sacrifice and Wherever It Leads. My next story is set to be released in September 2016.
Living in Indiana, I’m a true Midwestern. Life, for me, is about family, faith, and food. I spend a large amount of time playing with my four unruly sons, three cats, two dogs, and a bird that chirps constantly.
I run on lots of coffee and sticky kisses. I love sunshine, candy, random quotes, and steamy bad boys in fantastic books.
I’m on nearly every social media platform. Please find me on the ones you frequent – I love chatting with readers!
Thank you for visiting! I look forward to hearing from you!
xo,
Addy

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

*Release Blitz + Review* Broken Pieces by Allie Able



Broken Pieces 
By
Allie Able
(August 16, 2016)



Zack: I made a promise to myself the day I met Lexie Sinclaire—a promise that I would protect her. What I didn't expect was to fall in love with my best friend. For eighteen years I have kept my feelings for her a secret, always waiting for the right time to tell her. So, when that time finally comes, the unthinkable happens and I find myself doubting if she is the one who can mend my broken pieces. 

Lexie: I never realized Zack's true feelings for me. I should have seen them all along, but I didn't and now it may be too late. My strong best friend is crumbling, barely holding on. I'm scared that his broken pieces are too fractured and I'm not sure if I'm capable of holding them together.

**This book can be read as a standalone.








My Review

5 out of 5 stars
★★★★★
This book just shattered my heart and then (thankfully) put it back together. I haven't cried that much while reading a book in a really long time. I loved getting to read Lexie and Zack's story and catching up with the other characters from this series. I've always really liked Lexie with her spunk and sass. She is hilarious! Zack is such a sweet guy and incredibly patient to have held onto his feelings for Lexie for so long. I love how much he loved Lexie, flaws and all. These two are just perfect for each other!



Excerpt

“I had sex with my best friend.”
Jenna stares at me in shock. Cupcake batter is dripping off the spoon and onto the floor. She is so still I wonder if she is frozen like that. I walk over to where she is standing, careful to avoid the spoon, and poke her in the shoulder.
“Say something,” I demand.
She snaps her mouth closed and opens it again, but no words come out. I roll my eyes and make my way over to a stool and sit down at the island, grabbing a cupcake off of the cooling rack. I shove half of it in my mouth and stare at Jenna.
It’s still early and we haven’t opened the bakery yet. I was hoping to get a little advice from her, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen since she can’t form words. Zack didn’t say much this morning. He was already awake and in my kitchen making coffee when I woke up. When I walked into the kitchen, he gave me a quick kiss and told me he had to get to work. Now, if that would have been any other man, I would have thought that he was avoiding me, but I know that’s not what Zack was doing.
“Zack?” Jenna ask. I guess she did find her voice.

I continue eating the delicious cupcake as I nod my head. “Yup.” “You had sex with Zack? Last night?”
I almost roll my eyes. Haven’t we been over this already? But I decide to give the poor girl a break. Maybe, she hasn’t woken up yet. “Yes. I had toe curling sex with my best friend, Zack, last night.”
“Jesus Christ,” she mumbles.
“What?”

“Nothing. So, did y’all talk?”
I wipe my mouth with a napkin and take my time answering. I’ve never been one to hold back, but the things that were said last night with Zack feel like things that should stay between us. I don’t feel right sharing all of those intimate details with anyone else, that’s ours. Finally, I nod my head. “Yeah, we did talk.”
Jenna studies my face for a second and then goes back to stirring the batter. “So, he finally told you he was in love with you. How did that go?” “What? How did you know that?”
She pins me with a look. “Lexie, the question is, how did you not know that?” I start shredding the napkin I’m holding into tiny pieces. I’ve been asking myself the same question since last night. I shrug my shoulders and shake my head. “I don’t know.”
“Hmm...”
“What was that?” I ask.
“Nothing.”
“It was something.”
“I was just wondering if maybe you just didn’t want to know.” “Well, that’s stupid,” I scoff.
She looks at me and raises an eyebrow. I wish Summer were here. At least she would be nice about all of this.
“You’re mean.” I reach for another cupcake and before I know what’s happening, she is moving at super speed and slapping my hand with the batter covered spoon.
“Ouch!” I squeal, looking down at my hand in shock.
“Oh, please. That didn’t hurt,” she says, with an eye roll.
“You are so mean.” I give her my best ‘poor me’ look, but she isn’t falling for it.
“So, tell me how everything went. Are y’all a couple now?”
I look at the cupcakes longingly before standing up to go wash the cake batter off of my hand. “I don’t know. We both had to get to work this morning and didn’t really have time to talk.
“Hmm...”
Her hmm-ing is really starting to piss me off.
“What was that?” I ask, drying my hands off.
“Nothing,” she replies quickly.
“It was something.”
She starts laughing and I roll my eyes. This conversation is going nowhere fast.
“I want Summer.”
That just makes her laugh harder. “Why? So she can baby you?”
I stick my tongue out at her and make my way towards the front of the shop. I quickly scoop up a cupcake and haul ass through the kitchen doors, trying my best to avoid the spoon wielding witch.
“I saw that!” she yells.
“You’re just mad because I’m faster than you,” I yell back. I can’t make out her muffled reply as the kitchen doors close.
I smile as I sit down at one of the tables by the front windows and enjoy my cupcake. God, I love my job


Scattered Pieces (Book 1)

The quaint coastal town of Cape Isle, South Carolina, is the perfect spot for Summer Foster when she escapes her abusive husband. 
Finally able to live her dream of owning a bakery, Summer begins the task of rebuilding her life, making sure there is no room for romance or relationships, because in her experience they only lead to trouble. However, when Grant Hamilton, who has served as a Marine for the last ten years, crosses her path, the chance encounter has them both rethinking their futures, as there is no denying the magnetic pull they feel towards each other. 
When Summer’s past returns to haunt her, will Grant help Summer pick up the scattered pieces of her life, or will they all fall apart? 

**This book can be read as a standalone.



Damaged Pieces (Book 2)

“When something is damaged or broken, the pieces can be put back together, but they will never be the same.” 

KATIE: When I was left to raise my daughter alone, I decided dating just wasn't worth it. I never wanted my daughter to experience the kind of heartbreak only a man can give you and I didn't have the time, until Nicholas Sinclaire came walking into my life with his charming smile and his mischievous eyes. I just wish I would have known how it was going to end. 

NICK: I knew she was it for me the moment I met her, but I had to leave. I had one more tour to do overseas and then I could come home to her for good. Little did we know, I wouldn't come back the same man. I was damaged beyond repair, so I pushed them away and hurt them. It didn't take me long to realize the mistake I had made. Now, I will stop at nothing to get them back in my life, but will Katie want my Damaged Pieces? 

*This book can be read as a standalone.


Connect with Allie!






 
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