Making Connections One Year Anivversary Celebration

 

Be part of the Making Connections one-year celebration!

We are looking for 26 blogs, each to host one letter of the alphabet (one per day).
On your day, you will give one reason Making Connections is so great, beginning with your letter.
Example:
A-Amazing Company.  Making Connections is a great group because of the great company you find there.

 

In addition to the blog hop, we will also have giveaways, prizes, games, and book awards for the authors and bloggers of the Making Connections group!

See the In-Linkz widget below for sign-ups.
Sign-ups widget will close at 11:59pm on Feb. 1st, 2013.

 

 

 

 

Dark Walz by A.M. Hargrove

Dark Waltz, a Praestani Novel by A.M. Hargrove
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dark Waltz is the first book in a spinoff of A.M. Hargrove's The Guardians of Vesturon series. This book takes the characters from the YA series and brings them into a whole new light in this adult series, set a few years in the future. Don't worry…if you have not read The Guardians of Vesturon books, you do not absolutely need to in order to understand Dark Waltz. However, you will get a lot of background understanding by reading those books first.

That all being said, one of the reasons I loved this book so much was Jurek. I absolutely fell in love with him in Determinant, and here he is again, all hot and sexy. Now, at first Jurek is kind of…a jerk. But, can you really blame him? Look what he's fighting against and everything he has to deal with. He pretty much has the weight of the world on his shoulders. So I will forgive him if he acts a bit defensive, protective, and untrusting at first. He certainly redeems himself.

As for the rest of the characters, they were a lot of fun. I really loved Jurek's group of friends and can only hope the series continues with them. Liasare is a great lead. She's a bit naive about some things, but she's tough and does not back down to anyone. She's fighting for something she believes in and is willing to take risks to get there. Liasare's stubbornness and Jurek's demand for control do not go well together. Their relationship is hot and heavy and definitely explosive until they learn to trust each other.

Overall, a great sexy sci-fi story.


View all my reviews

Hybrid by Juliann Whicker

Hybrid by Juliann Whicker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 2 in the House of Slide series is, in short, amazing. We come into the story shortly after Dariana has gotten her soul back and becomes "normal" (if there can be a normal in this story) again. She has to learn to live a completely different life than she had been, and I love the character development we get to witness as she deals with everything thrown her way. The continuation of the world we first entered into in Hotblood (book 1) is completely unique from anything you've read before…and the complexity! I am amazed how the author is able to strand everything together to make it into a coherent, engaging story. Delving into the world of the Hotbloods, Cools, Wilds, and Hybrids is an amazing journey. The author's incredible imagination feeds the story and grows it into this fascinating creation.

In Hybrid we are reintroduced to our favorite characters from Hotblood, Dariana and Lewis (oh Lewis, how I love him!), plus we get more of Satan and Grim! Yay and double Yay!

Haven't read Hotblood yet? Go get to it now!! Then come back for this one…

Interview with Juliann Whicker:
http://shutupandreadgroup.blogspot.co...

View all my reviews

The Rise by H.D. Gordon

The Rise by H.D. Gordon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The third installment of the Alexa Montgomery series is amazing in that the author took the word "twist" to a whole new level. No way could anyone have seen that coming. The story continues right where book 2 left off but plunges into a dark abyss that will be difficult to climb out of. The book is action packed with never a dull moment. There is a lot of love in this story, as well as loss, pain, hope, fear, emotion, emotion, emotion, and the author did it all quite well.

Through the whole story, even still at the end, Alexa is conflicted with what and who she is. She knows her fate and never questions it, though she does wonder, why her? What makes her so special that she should be able to do what is being asked of her? Though I love Alexa and her badass self, her whole crappy attitude did get on my nerves a bit in this book (is it really necessary to be so freaking rude to EVERYBODY? I'm sure she has some niceness in her somewhere…I hope it does come out eventually. It would be a nice change for her…maybe at least to be nice to Kayden).

And Jackson, oh my true love, Jackson. What could I possibly say about you? I cannot possibly leave you out of my review of this book; however, I'll just leave it at that. I love you. Enough said.

On top of all of that, the books are incredibly well written. The author really has a way with words, painting almost whimsical pictures with her poetic-like words. I would definitely recommend this series as a must-read to everyone!


View all my reviews

Dark Waltz by A.M. Hargrove

Today is my stop on the Dark Waltz blog tour!   

 

Just check out this cover...

 

WOW! And the book is just as hot...Trust me, you won't be dissapointed!

Title:  Dark Waltz

 

Series:  A Praestani Novel #1

Author:  A.M. Hargrove

Genre:  Paranormal Romance/Erotica

Heat Level:  Hot!!

Published:  November 2012







About Dark Walz:
Dark Waltz--A sizzling legend of loss, lust and love.

It’s the year 2030 and the human population has been annihilated by a virulent form of small pox. Liasare Davidson is desperately searching for her brother, who has been missing for three months. It’s been eighteen years since she was evacuated from Earth and she is horrified to see it’s become a cesspool of unimaginable things.

In her quest to find her brother, she meets Jurek, a powerful and enigmatic being that frightens her, yet she is unable to resist. When things begin to unfold between them, they both discover a paralyzing truth that puts Liasare at grave risk. She must make a choice to join Jurek and find her brother or fulfill a role she believes she is ill equipped to undertake.


My Review:
4 of 5 stars
Dark Waltz is the first book in a spinoff of A.M. Hargrove's The Guardians of Vesturon series. This book takes the characters from the YA series and brings them into a whole new light in this adult series, set a few years in the future. Don't worry…if you have not read The Guardians of Vesturon books, you do not absolutely need to in order to understand Dark Waltz. However, you will get a lot of background understanding by reading those books first.

That all being said, one of the reasons I loved this book so much was Jurek. I absolutely fell in love with him in Determinant, and here he is again, all hot and sexy. Now, at first Jurek is kind of…a jerk. But, can you really blame him? Look what he's fighting against and everything he has to deal with. He pretty much has the weight of the world on his shoulders. So I will forgive him if he acts a bit defensive, protective, and untrusting at first. He certainly redeems himself.

As for the rest of the characters, they were a lot of fun. I really loved Jurek's group of friends and can only hope the series continues with them. Liasare is a great lead. She's a bit naive about some things, but she's tough and does not back down to anyone. She's fighting for something she believes in and is willing to take risks to get there. Liasare's stubbornness and Jurek's demand for control do not go well together. Their relationship is hot and heavy and definitely explosive until they learn to trust each other.

Overall, a great sexy sci-fi story.

Get your own copy now!
Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK~ Barnes & Noble ~ Smashwords

Where you can find A.M.:

Blog: http://www.amhargrove.blogspot.com

Website: htttp://www.amhargrove.com

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/anne.m.hargrove

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/amhargrove1

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5338829.A_M_Hargrove

Goodreads Fan Club:http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/71364-a-m-hargrove-s-fan-club

 ____________________

 

For my blog post today I was trying to come up with something a little fun...so after consulting with A.M., I have for you -

The Top 10 Reasons to Fall in Love with a Praestani...

10. Travel anywhere at the drop of a hat.

 

 

9. If your Praestani is Jurek, then you have the sanctuary.

 

 

8. Those eyes…need I say more?

7. Don't know about you, but I could look at those tats till the sun stops shining.

6. The power, all encompassing and consuming.

5. The healing power.

 

 

4. Never getting sick again a day in your life.

3. Immortality.

 

 

2. That exotic scent.

 

 

1. And the number one reason to fall for a Praestani...the sheer sexual prowess and super charged sex!

Thanks for stopping by our blog today!  As a bonus, A.M. is hosting a giveaway to go along with this tour. Click on the Rafflecopter link below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prizes:
$15 Amazon Gift Card
Signed copy of Dark Waltz by Anne Hargrove (US and Canada Only)
Set of The Guardians of Vesturon Series (ebook)
Copy of Dark Waltz (ebook)
Copy of Hale Maree by Misty Provencher (ebook)
Copy of Mercy, A Gargoyle Story by Misty Provencher (ebook)

 

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While you're here, check out all the stops on the Dark Walz tour hosting by Making Connections:  December 11 to December 20th

11 - http://diveunderthecover.blogspot.com/
12 - http://mybookboyfriend.blogspot.com/
13 - http://coffeebooksandlipgloss.blogspot.com/
14 - http://passionatebookdivas.com/
15 - http://darkobsessionchronicles.blogspot.com/
16 - http://makingconnectionsgroup.blogspot.com/
17 - http://www.mistypro.blogspot.com
18 - http://tana-someofmyfavoritebooks.blogspot.ca/
19 - http://abitofdash.blogspot.com/
20 - http://randomjendsmit.blogspot.com/

Shadow of the Oak by Eric Edstrom

Shadow of the Oak by Eric Edstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shadow of the Oak is a novella, roughly 93 pages, but a whole story in itself. Many times when reading a short story you just do not get enough detail to really be able to make the story complete, and though I feel like I keep repeating myself when reviewing Eric Edstrom's books, I have to say again that the detail he puts into each and every character is fabulous. His characters are wonderfully written, and it's the characters that make really a story.

Sal is great fun, and so is his best friend Billy, and even though we never actually met Billy's mom, I really like her! I heard a rumor that there is a second Sal Van Sleen Adventure in the works, and I'm looking forward to it!


View all my reviews

Blood Warrior by H.D. Gordon

Blood Warrior by H.D. Gordon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blood Warrior is the story of Alexa, a 17-year-old girl struggling to fit into her life. She has a seemingly crazy mother, a sister she would kill for, and a best friend who she knows will always be there for her.

Alexa’s life takes a crazy turn the night her home is attacked and she’s forced to run with her sister and friend Jackson, leaving her mother behind. Along the many twists and turns, Alexa comes to the realization that nothing is as it seems, even herself. Through this book we watch her inner struggle with herself as she comes to term with who she really is, as well as the outer struggles among the people who are supposed to be allies.

Blood Warrior is a captivating book. The characters are so well drawn, you cannot help but want to be happy for them, cry for them, and be upset when they are wronged. Alexa is a teenage girl who has always been a loner, never seeming to fit in, and she ends up with more attention then she ever wanted. Watching her character struggle throughout this book is heart wrenching. You cannot help but lover her and cheer her on. Nelly is such a sweet sister, and the strong bond between Alexa and Nelly is evident. Jackson…well, I love Jackson! He wears his heart on his sleeve and is so good to Alexa you cannot help but love him, too. As for Kayden…there is definitely a strong bond between Alexa and Kayden, but at this point she’s not sure she can trust him.

This book is the best .99 I have ever spent! I would have gladly paid more for it and felt it worth the money. I love the author’s writing easy writing style, the plot, and the characters. Blood Warrior was a page turner that left me wanting more. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to see where it takes Alexa and her friends.


View all my reviews

The Flight of the Griffin by C.M. Gray

Title:  The Flight of the Griffin

Author:  C.M. Gray

Genre:  YA Fantasy/Adventure

Page Count:  253

Published:  June 25, 2012

Available From:   Amazon ~ B&N

Goodreads Rating:
4.32


Living in their old boat ‘The Griffin’ four young characters and their guide become the unlikely heroes at the end of time when a burglary sets them on the path to finish the ‘Last great Spell’ - a spell to stop the balance of the World tipping into Chaos...

They become the Magician, Thief, Priest and Fighter when a magical book guides them upon a quest that pits them against magic, demons and ‘The Hawk,’ an evil hunter of men.

Join a race against time to find three crystal skulls that must be brought together, while all the forces of Chaos try everything to stop them! 


Excerpt: It all starts with a little burglary, one uncommon evening...

The floorboard creaked under the sole of his felt boot - a calculated risk whenever entering a sleeping man's room uninvited. 

A breeze fluttered the loose linen curtain, and the sleeper stirred at the welcome respite from the hot sticky night. The prowler slowly exhaled the breath that was starting to burn in his lungs, every sense tingling, receptive to any change in the room or a sound from the street below. 

The sleeper, thankfully, continued to sleep. 

The street under the second-storey window was silent, the night given up to the occasional rounds of the city watch and those set on a darker business, the never-ending cat and mouse game that went mostly unappreciated by the law-abiding citizens of the sleeping city. 

The summer had been one of the hottest people could ever remember, taxing the energy of the city’s inhabitants to the limit. Several of the more elderly citizens down at the port could be heard explaining that, ‘in their day’, the summers were often this hot, and indeed often hotter. Of course, these were the same group who would entertain the regulars at the portside taverns with tales of goblin hordes, ferocious sea serpents or the time the winters were so cold that the seas had frozen solid.

‘A man could have walked from here to Minster Island without ever seeing a boat or even getting his feet wet,’ was a much-repeated reminiscence. Whatever history really concealed, it was a hot summer, and this, a particularly humid night.

Pardigan watched the now softly snoring form and, moving his foot from the traitorous board, crept towards the cabinet that he knew held his prize. It was an elegant cabinet - its construction given over to more than mere function. Gracefully curved legs supported drawers and shelves that were fronted by a scrollwork of intricate designs. He inserted the blade of his knife between the edges of the middle left-hand drawer and felt for the hidden catch. If the information Quint had given him was correct, the false front should spring open. A prickle of sweat tickled his brow and he wiped it absently away. Glancing over to the still-sleeping form, he applied a little more pressure on what he hoped was the catch.

Nothing.

The merchant stirred, smacked his chops, exhaled wetly and then returned to snoring. Pardigan tried again...


About the Author:

Born in Essex, England C.M.Gray has since been lucky enough to live and travel in many countries around the world. In fact he has lived more time outside of England than living there! Home now is just outside of Barcelona, Spain in a house in the middle of the forest with his Dutch born wife and two children.

C.M.Gray’s writing is mostly fantasy and many of the experiences he has had in Asia, Africa and the Middle East come to life in his writing. The Flight of the Griffin follows the adventures of a group of young orphans as they battle demons and bandits on a magical quest to stop the world tipping into Chaos, while his second book, Shadowland blends fantasy with history as an old story teller takes his audience back to Britain's dark ages in a pre Arthurian legend.

 
Contact:  

Goodreads page:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5752854.C_M_Gray

Twitter:  @cgray129

Email:  cgray129@gmail.com

Amazon US:  http://www.amazon.com/C.M.-Gray/e/B00765XUMC

Amazon UK:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/C.M.-Gray/e/B00765XUMC

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Cmgray

Blog:  http://flightofthegriffin.blogspot.com/

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 Stop by and check out the other blog tour stops!

Dec. 1 - http://stephenherfst.blogspot.com/
  Giveaway

Dec. 2 -  http://thecovercontessa.blogspot.com/
 Giveaway

Dec. 3 -  http://tana-someofmyfavoritebooks.blogspot.ca/

Dec. 4 - http://makingconnectionsgroup.blogspot.com/

Dec. 5 - http://suzannevanrooyen.com/blog/
 Giveaway

Dec. 6 - http://the-avidreader.blogspot.com/ 

Dec. 7 - http://passionatebookdivas.com/
 
Dec. 8 -  http://xxdaydreamer21xx.blogspot.com
 
Dec. 9 - http://kimberlylewisnovels.blogspot.com/

Dec. 10 - http://fromthebootheelcottonpatch.blogspot.com/
 Givaway

Underneath by Michael Cargill

Title:  Underneath

Author:  Michael Cargill

Genre:  Thrilller

Pages:  122 (approx.)

Published:  June 2012

Available From:  Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Smashwords



Look at the person sitting just across from you. It doesn’t matter whether they’re a loved one, a friend, or a complete stranger.

Now look at their face. Are they happy? Are they sad? Or are they angry? Can you even tell?

How well do you actually know the people closest to you?

Have you ever seen the real person that lies just underneath what you see…?



   

Reviews: 

“After finishing this book, I had to sit for a while and think about how I really felt about the story presented. It does take you to another level of thinking and wondering...What does the person you are in contact with at this moment really think underneath the exterior?”

K Meador

 
“The narration is split into two parts where you observe the main character of Hugh alongside two police officers, until ultimately the connecting segments join together in the most dramatic climax of an astonishing ending. I found the character of Hugh extremely fascinating and intriguing, as his dual personality was one that mesmerized and made me want to read on to find out more.”

Lucinda
 

“This story is cleverly written, it's rare that you can follow a character, get inside their head, dislike them intensely and then be completely surprised by a revelation that completely explains why they are the way they are. Hats off to Michael for his clever character portrayals.”

Joanna Barker

About the Author:

Michael works in IT by day, and has heard the words “Yuck, I hate computers” more times than he cares to count.

Although generally a fan of thriller-suspense stories, he is also something a WWII enthusiast. By this, he means that he likes reading about WWII; he has no desire to travel back in time, and actually be a WWII soldier. Everything was black and white back in those days, so telling the difference between a blood stain, and a coffee stain is almost impossible.

Michael is a new author, and he published his first story in mid-2011. Underneath is his debut novel, and he cites Stephen King, John Grisham, and James Herbert as influences.

Michael is as much a humorist as he is a novelist, and his website is chock full of hilariously irreverent and sarcastic articles.

Anyone looking to sample his work, should check out Shelter from Thunder. It is short, and available for free on Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.

Interestingly, he thinks that authors should be more willing to embrace piracy. He uploaded his own work to numerous torrent sites, and links to them are available on his website.

Contact Info:  

Website:  http://michaelcargill.wordpress.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/MichaelCargillAuthor

Twitter:  @MichaelCargill1

 
 

Excerpt:

 For most of the night he was friendly, charming and flirty. A couple of times, however,


she thought she saw something unsettling and sinister about him. It was something she


would never be able to actually explain, but it was as if she had seen another person


somewhere underneath his pleasant exterior. Someone who was snarling at her. Ready to


pounce. To smash her face, again and again, against the table if she didn’t give him what he


wanted. Or worse.

However, it was nothing more than a glimpse that she saw out the corner of her eye, and


when she looked back it was gone. It was just Hugh sitting there, smiling and laughing as he


always did. She put it down to nerves, and the fact that she was in an unfamiliar place with a


man she had only met the other day; the wine was also clouding her judgement.


After a while, she felt completely at ease in his company.


Later on, they went to another venue that had a dance floor. He whispered in her ear that


he also found the absence of her brassiere very liberating. She laughed, and playfully


slapped his hands away.


They walked back to his apartment, sliding across one or two car bonnets on the way. It


was late and dark when they got to the complex, so there was no-one hanging around



outside, but Hugh didn’t even notice. He was too busy giving Abigail a piggy back to care


about anything else. As they took the lift up to his floor, in the mirror’s reflection Abigail



thought she saw that sinister look on Hugh’s face once more. Yet when she looked back, it



was gone.


The lift doors opened and when they stepped out, Abigail saw some straws lying on the


floor of the corridor. She yelped in delight, and kicked at two that were lying right next to


each other. One of them shot off across the floor, whilst the other one looped up into the air


and hit her on the forehead. She screamed with laughter. Hugh couldn’t help, but smile.


“Where the bloody hell did they come from?” she asked.

Seven Day Loan by Tiffany Reisz

Seven Day Loan by Tiffany Reisz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this short story before reading The Siren, and now after reading some of the other reviews, I feel I am going to have to come back and re-read it after I have read The Siren. That being said, I enjoyed the short story anyway, even if, as the other reviews say, you should have read the other book first to fully understand the implications of what happened during the story.

A trained submissive, Eleanor will do whatever her master commands...even spend a week with a stranger. Eleanor was given to Daniel to 'keep him company' for a week while her master was away on business. Apparently Daniel and Eleanor's master are good friends, and the master thought Eleanor would be good for Daniel. Daniel, a former dom, takes to Eleanor and she to him.

The short story is well written and fun to read. Eleanor is a well-trained submissive with a bit of an attitude. I'm looking forward to reading more about her in The Siren.


View all my reviews

Wicked Weekend by Gillian Archer

Wicked Weekend by Gillian Archer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a quick, sexy story that was a lot of fun. Lauren was looking for a way out of her life for a short time; Jamie was looking for some fun. Lauren thinks she knows what she's getting into with Jamie, but ends up getting a whole lot more than she bargained for. Jamie opened her mind to a world she had only dreamed of before.

I loved this story enough to wish it had been longer. There was definitely enough hotness there for a full-length book. The characters were great and easily likable, and I could definitely see an interesting side story with Lauren's mother and sister. I would also love to have more of Sawyer! As there is a #1 behind this book, I will definitely be looking for more!


View all my reviews

Rape Girl by Alina Klein

Rape Girl by Alina Klein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a relatively short story at just over 100 pages, but it really packed a punch. The story is about Valerie, your typical teenage girl who is looking for a good time just like everyone else. Her good time, however, ends with her being raped. We get to see very little of the events leading up to the rape, in fact, only a few hours. What this book deals with is the aftermath. You see rapes in books often, but never a book based specifically around the act.

Valerie's story, I suspect, is not that unusual. It was incredibly well written and very emotional. The author did not drag the story down with a lot of detail, but focused mainly on Valerie and her reactions to everything going on around her. It was heartbreaking reading about Valerie trying to 'get over it,' as the saying goes, and get back to her life. Because she chooses to face her attacker, she loses everything, including her reputation and her best friend.

I would have loved for this story to be longer so we could see where Valerie goes from here. She proves herself a strong individual and I would have loved to see a happy ending for her.


View all my reviews

Awakening the Mobster by Amy Rachiele

Awakening the Mobster by Amy Rachiele
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The second book of the Mobster series picks up right where the first left off. I love Megan and Antonio! Their story is fun and romantic. I also loved getting to know Vito. He's a fun character and adds some laughs to the story.

This is a great series. The author does a great job of getting into mobster mode and making the thoughts, actions, and even the vocabulary seem real. There were many twists and turns in the story to keep me captivated. I just wish the books were longer! I am very much looking forward to see where this series goes.


View all my reviews

Seduced in the Dark by C.J. Roberts

Seduced in the Dark by C.J. Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew even before I picked up this book that it was going to mess with my mind. I had, after all, read the first book. Still, somehow I was not prepared. In the first book of The Dark Duet we were introduced to Livvie and Caleb, and I completely fell in love with them. Caleb, oh, Caleb. What are we going to do with you? In this second book, we see their "relationship" evolve into something dark, dangerous, and very unhealthy…for both of them. We learn about Caleb's past and why he is the way he is, and through everything, I cannot but help falling more and more for him. Yes, it's unhealthy. I get it. However, I completely understand Livvie and her way of thinking. We also find out in this book that Livvie is capable of doing what it takes to survive. She is a survivor.

Through flashbacks and bits and pieces of Livvie's present mind, a rather dark place to be, the author unfolds the rest of Livvie and Caleb's story. The author takes us on a journey through the world of sex slaves. The story is incredible, the writing is superb, and I cannot think of one negative thing to say about this book. The author has this knack of getting into her characters' heads that makes you, as the reader, live the story through the words on the page. Open your mind and give the story a chance. You will not regret it.


View all my reviews

Love Unscripted by Tina Reber

Love Unscripted by Tina Reber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had a love/hate relationship with this book. I absolutely loved the first half, so I'll start there. Taryn is a fantastic character. She is a small-town girl who is tough, self-sufficient, and level headed. She is fun, not a Tom-boy but not girly-girly either. I love, love, love Ryan. He is a big shot movie star who does not like the fame. He has groupies following him everywhere, but deep down he's a quiet romantic who would like some privacy. When the two meet, it's just awesome. The two together are super fun. They have a playful, friendly relationship. Add in Taryn's friends, and we have a super fun story. Taryn and Ryan's getting to know each other phase was sweet and romantic. I loved getting to know them.

About halfway through the book things changed. Taryn went from tough, self-sufficient, and level headed to having this whole 'I'm not good enough for him" attitude that really got on my nerves. I get it. If I were dating a mega hot movie star (hmmm...daydreaming) I'd be jealous of him being in pictures with other girls or whatever. But she was getting jealous and/or upset over every little thing. It was way more annoying than sweet or romantic. The other thing I did not like was that this book was super long. The story was good and the writing was superb, but I felt there was a lot of filler that could have been left out and the book would have been just as good.

The story was maybe a bit predictable at times, but there was still enough unknown to keep me reading. As for the next book in the series...I can't decide whether or not I want to read it. Normally when I give a book 4 stars the next book is a must, but after reading the book description for Love Unrehearsed, it just sounds like a lot more of the same. If it's just going to be more of Taryn's insecurities, people trying to break them up, etc., I really am not interested. I guess we will see.


View all my reviews

If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones

If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After inheriting a storage unit from a friend, Sara becomes obsessed with some journals she finds in the unit and decides she needs to find the owner. During her search, she meets the man she thinks may be the subject of the journals as well as another incredibly sexy man she cannot seem to stop thinking about.

I really like the characters in this story. We do not really know much about Sara, and I like how the author, rather than telling us her whole past right up front, made her past part of the secrets being unveiled through the story. She seems the shy, quiet "good girl" type, but as the story unfolds we find out she is able to stand up for herself and is not pushed easily. Chris is freaking awesome. I love him. He is Mr. Mysterious, sexy as hell, and carries a sexual tension with him everywhere he goes. The chemistry between him and Sara is fantastically erotic, but he has a way of putting her off balance that makes us as the reader never quite know where their story is going to go next. The rest of the characters at this point are rather remote thus far, but I'm sure hoping we will get to know more about them as the story goes on, particularly Mark.

This book gives us a glimpse into the world of BDSM, but really it's just a tease. The excerpts from the diaries are a great addition to the book. They show a world of danger, pleasure, pain, love, confusion that Sara just has to find. They make her feel like something is missing in her own life and she will not stop until she finds out exactly what it is. I am very much looking forward to the continuation of this series.


View all my reviews

Straight by the Rules by Michelle Scott

Straight by the Rules by Michelle Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Straight by the Rules is the third installment in the Lilith Straight series and is as great as the first two. The story follows Lilith as she desperately tries to balance her "normal" life with her succubus life. However, as she is sent on her crazy assignments she is finding this balance harder to find. I don't think I'll ever look at sushi the same way.

After her latest set of assignments, Lilith is more desperate than ever to get out of her contract as a succubus and will go to any lengths to find a way. As she tests the limits of her contract, she tries to stay true to herself as much as possible.

Oh yes, and we got some more William in this book. Who would not love to be seduced by him?

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Traffic Jam by Melissa Groeling

Traffic Jam by Melissa Groeling
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Traffic Jam is one of those books where you are not quite sure how it is going to end. Though the book was relatively short, there was plenty of drama and suspense to keep you interested. The book followed Val, a teenage girl who is a bit of a loner. I think a lot of teenage girls could understand Val. She fought with her sister, fought with her best friend, was too shy to tell a guy she liked him, and she kept secrets. However, she proves to everyone that, though at a shy and awkward age, when it comes to the important things like her family, she is determined to do the right thing and can hold her own when things get tough.
In addition to being a quick, entertaining read, Traffic Jam had life lessons implanted into it. Val learned throughout the story about family, trusting, and telling the truth, even if it hurts. The only thing that really bothered me about the book was the use of "dude." Once or twice would have been fine, but used at least once a page it really got annoying.


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Life of the Party by Christine Anderson

Life of the Party by Christine Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Life of the Party is one of those books. You know the type…it makes you think, and I mean really think; it sticks with you long after you have finished because you have become invested in the characters; it makes you cry. I hate it when books make me cry.

Mac and Riley are best friends. Their favorite pastime is to get drunk and high. Hey, they're young, why not? Everything is great until Riley decided he needs to get clean. Mac, feeling abandoned by her best friend, delves deeper into the world of drugs, trying to forget Riley and everything that is wrong with her life.

I loved, loved, loved the characters in this book (which I guess is why I felt so much for them that I was bawling my eyes out by the end). The author let us get into Mac's head and really enjoy being there. Mac, though young and stupid and obviously making mistake after mistake, was real. She had real problems and real choices and real feelings. And Grey…I so love Grey. It is obvious from the way he treats her that he loves Mac, but he is young and free and has the world ahead of him, so of course he makes mistakes, too. When he realizes, however, that things have gone too far he does the only thing he can think of to fix it, even if it is the wrong thing. We do not see much of Riley for most of the story and mostly get to know him through Mac's feelings and memories of him. Though Mac feels he abandoned her, he had always been there just waiting for the right time.

I think the thing I really loved about this story was about how realistic it is. From Mac's mom and dad (just ignore the problem, it will go away) to her sister and Mac's feelings of inferiority around her (which I can relate to having two perfect older sisters myself) to the drug use. The author did an exceptional job (in my humble opinion) of detailing and describing Mac's drug use and feelings. I did find myself thinking a few times, can someone really use that much cocaine and still be alive/walking/standing/coherent? But, I have absolutely no first-hand knowledge of the subject so it could be true. Even if it's not accurate, the author did a great job faking it and making me believe it was real.

I sincerely hope this author writes more books in the future. I loved everything about this story from the characters to the story to the writing style. She is an amazing storyteller and I thank her for sharing her story with us.  

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Zane by Kimberly Lewis

Zane by Kimberly Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Though I do not generally read westerns, I love cowboys, and this book was a nice change for me from my usual. Zane is a fun, entertaining story. Though the plot was predictable, I enjoyed the way Kimberly Lewis told the story. She was able to bring her characters to life in such a way that they were believable, likeable, and the cowboys were sexy as hell. Lewis was able to bring out individual personalities, and you felt like you got to know each character. Lewis made the romance fun and believable, if not a bit quick. I also loved the sibling rivalry between Zane and Luke; they were really fun together. I am so looking forward to read Luke's and Norah's stories.

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Zane by Kimberly Lewis

TITLE:  Zane

AUTHOR:  Kimberly Lewis

SERIES:  The McKades of Texas #1

GENRE: Western Contemporary Romance

PAGES: 259

PUBLISHED: August 2012

AVAILABLE:   Amazon

Kellan Anderson is in hillbilly hell – or at least that’s what it feels like. After enduring endless accounts of abuse from her now ex-boyfriend, Kellan makes a run for her life and finds herself in cowboy country. Leaving her fancy clothes and expensive lifestyle behind her, she trades in her high heels for cowboy boots and changes her name to Andi Ford. With her painful past threatening to catch up with her, hiding out in this small town seems easy enough – until one blonde hair, blue eyed cowboy steps in the picture.

Zane McKade has sworn off women, determining that they are all liars and cheats – including the new waitress at the local bar. After a rather unpleasant first encounter with the beautiful brunette, Zane’s radar is set to high as he believes this woman is not who she claims to be. When his intimidation methods fail to break through Andi’s barrier he decides to turn on the charm to get her to tell the truth. But Zane’s plan begins to backfire as the more time he spends charming Andi, the more he finds himself breaking his own rules and falling for her.

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MY REVIEW:

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Though I do not generally read westerns, I love cowboys, and this book was a nice change for me from my usual. Zane is a fun, entertaining story. Though the plot was predictable, I enjoyed the way Kimberly Lewis told the story. She was able to bring her characters to life in such a way that they were believable, likeable, and the cowboys were sexy as hell. Lewis was able to bring out individual personalities, and you felt like you got to know each character. Lewis made the romance fun and believable, if not a bit quick. I also loved the sibling rivalry between Zane and Luke; they were really fun together. I am so looking forward to read Luke's and Norah's stories.

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Q & A WITH KIMBERLY LEWIS:

Q: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
A: Well I’ve always loved writing. When I was a child I used to make up my own stories and “publish” them. I’d use a regular old spiral notebook, write the story down and illustrate it. Then I’d take it to school and my wonderful librarian would read it to our class during story time. I love that woman and miss her dearly. Writing took a backseat when I hit middle school and I didn’t get that itch to start writing again until a few years ago. When the whole Twilight craze happened I was like, “Oh I can totally write something in that genre.” Needless to say, it didn’t happen. I couldn’t get into and threw away what I had come up with—which was completely horrible, lol. When a friend of mine loaned me one of her contemporary western romances I fell in love and knew that that’s what I wanted to write. So I did and when people responded well to the story I decided to take this writing thing seriously. That happened last year when I published my first novel and I haven’t looked back since.

Q: Tell us a little about your main characters, Kellan and Zane.
A: Kellan is a city girl who makes an unexpected transition to country life. She’s completely oblivious to life outside of city limits with her only knowledge of country living being from things that she’s heard of.

Zane is from the country—born and raised—and doesn’t really have a lot of patience with Kellan when they first meet.

The two of them both have their trouble pasts and that’s what keeps them from really getting to know one another in the beginning. But once they realize that they’re not so different, well... You’ll just have to read the book to find out:-)

Q: How would you describe your writing style?
A: I’d probably describe it as casual. I try not to be too serious with my writing and keep things light. I always read books to escape my daily life and that’s what I try to bring to my readers. There are no deep messages in my novels or things that make you ponder life’s biggest questions. I just want people to have fun, be entertained, and enjoy reading the characters’ love story.

Q: How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?
A: I am a country girl—born and raised. So naturally my writing revolves around that country lifestyle. Write what you know, right?

Q: What do you do to unwind and relax?
A: Anything involving peace and quiet relaxes me:-) But to be specific, I love lounging on the sofa in my comfy clothes, reading a good book or watching one of my favorite movies. Horseback riding is one of my all time favorite things to do. It may not sound like a “relaxing” time but I find it extremely relaxing. With nothing but the sound of nature and the slow rhythm from your horse—it’s enough to put you in a tranquil state.

Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
A: I’m a pretty good artist. Just to name a few of things I can do: sketch, paint, computer art, and cake decorating.

Q: Are you working on anything new?
A: Right now I’m working on the second book in my “McKades of Texas” series. This book revolves around Norah (Zane’s younger sister) and her love interest Chase.

Q: What book are you reading now?
A: Well I’m not currently reading anything at the moment but I just did finish reading “Family Ties” by Krista Kedrick. It’s a contemporary western romance (because those are my favs!) and I thoroughly enjoyed it.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In November of 2011, author Kimberly Lewis stepped into the writing world with her first original western contemporary romance novel, When the Heart Falls.

Born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, this country girl at heart caught the creative bug at an early age, doing everything from drawing to writing short stories.

After the birth of her son, Kimberly found the inspiration to pick up a pen, or in this case a laptop, and began writing her first novel. Since then she has continued to write and credits her husband, Rob, and her wonderfully crazy family, who with their love and joking demeanor provide her with the ideas that inspire her novels.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, horseback riding, and spending time with her amazing family. 

CONTACT: 

BLOG:  http://kimberlylewisnovels.blogspot.com/

FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimberly-Lewis/290011734397673

TWITER:  https://twitter.com/klewisnovels

GOODREADS:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/978131.Kimberly_Lewis