Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Review + Giveaway: The Charlotte Chronicles by Jen Frederick


Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Release: December 11, 2014

Blurb:

Charlotte and Nathan were supposed to be forever. They grew up together. Their families were intertwined. Charlotte was Nathan's first love. Nathan was Charlotte's first everything.

Until they weren't. 
How do you hold on to the person you know in your heart you are supposed to be with when everything and everyone in the universe is telling you it's over? 
How many times does a heart break?

When is enough…..enough?

How long is forever?

Review:

I'm a HUGE Jen Fredrick fan, so I jumped at the chance to be a part of this blog tour. I've read all of the Woodland Series books and recommend them to all my friend, and The Charlotte Chronicles is another must read, especially for fans of the Woodland Series.

I don't even know where to begin with this review... I enjoyed every word I read. It was fun getting a look into the grown up lives of Noah, Grace, Bo and AnnMarie, to see their careers and families grow. Those four always had a tight bound so it was inevitable that their children would as well. You don't necessarily need to read their stories to understand The Charlotte Chronicles, but if I were you, I definitely would.

The Charlotte Chronicles starts off with Charlotte, Nate and Nick as teenagers. Charlotte is battling cancer and the boys, who would do anything to love and protect her, are besides themselves and they each step up for her in their own ways. This is when the love between Charlotte and Nate really blooms. As the story goes on there are the ever present high school mean girls, letters that go unanswered and things get tense as time goes by. The first part of the book does a great job of showcasing the depth of their feelings, but it really gets going when about 9 years go by and Nate realizes he has been a dumbass.

I really can't say enough about this book, but I don't want to say too much right now. I'm not big on spoilers in reviews, but I will say this... The Charlotte Chronicles brings out all the feels. The excitement of first love, the ache from your first heartbreak, the hesitance and longing when that spark makes a reappearance and a dash of fear from the unknown of how fragile life can be.

From beginning to end, from the main characters to the supporting characters, I loved it all. The Charlotte Chronicles is a story that you can't read fast enough, but don't want to end. I can't wait to read the future stories from the rest of the crew!

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Happy Reading,
A
Jen Frederick lives with her husband, child, and one rambunctious dog. She's been reading stories all her life but never imagined writing one of her own. Jen loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at jenfrederick@gmail.com.

Website         Facebook         Twitter          Goodreads

 

NOW AVAILABLE for .99!
Amazon US     Amazon UK      Barnes & Noble      iTunes

 
*EXCERPT*

But when I close my eyes, I can see him—and me. I can see me pressed up against the mirror in the bathroom, my hands making starfish prints as I brace myself against his thrusts. I can hear his harsh breathing, his commands to come, come now, Charlotte. There was that passage of time that felt endless when he was between my legs, licking me softly and leisurely as if there wasn't anything in this world that gave him more pleasure than helping me find my own. I touch myself, but it's useless. My body wants one thing: Nathan Jackson.


I'm on fire and the ache of want is so acute it's like a knife in my chest. I've had multiple surgeries, chemo treatments, radiation but that's nothing compared to what I feel now.


Time and distance had dulled my pain and that my desire and love for Nathan had actually started to ease only to be stoked into high, hot flames by his reappearance in my life.


He is the poison and the antidote.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Review + Giveaway: Play Me Serial by Tracy Wolff


PLAY ME Series
Books 1-5
Tracy Wolff
Loveswept
Releasing Dec 2nd, 2014


Wolff’s Play Me series centers on the love story between Aria Winston, a cocktail waitress at one of Vegas’ hottest five-star casinos and Sebastian Caine, the casino owner’s son and handpicked successor. It is an erotic romance series intended for mature audiences.

*Scroll down for full blurbs for each Play Me book!*

Fans of Wolff’s bestselling Ethan Frost series will be excited to learn that the characters in Play Me are closely connected to Ethan Frost and Chloe Girard from Addicted and Ruined—and that Ethan and Chloe make cameo appearances in Play Me. The third installment in the Ethan Frost series Exposed, coming February 2015, will feature the characters from both series.


Review:

Serials can be tricky.  I'm not a big fan of only getting "snippets" of a story at a time and having to wait for the next one when it could just be all put together as a full length novel from the get-go. Luckily, the Play Me serial was released all at once, so you don't have to wait for the next installment.

As a whole, I enjoyed Aria and Sebastian's story. These two come from similar backgrounds, yearn for control over their lives, and have such a deep connection. Throughout the serial the reader gets to experience their story through both Aria's and Sebastian's point of view-- which I tend to like in a book. With all the secrets and hidden pasts floatin' around in each installment, you'll need to get an idea of what each of them is thinking. Plussssss, as mentioned above, Ethan makes an appearance... need I say more? My only complaint is that the end just didn't do it for more. I felt like there was more to it, some things that I felt needed to be resolved (not necessarily with Aria and Sebastian), but I'm hoping we will get more of them in Exposed, or maybe even another Aria and Sebastian book...?



a Rafflecopter giveaway
-----------------------------------------


Play Me Wild

In the seductive first installment of an eBook original serial from the New York Times bestselling author of Ruined and Addicted, a woman running from her past has finally found a bit of control . . . until her powerful new boss makes her go wild.

My name is Aria Winston. I’ve fought desperately to escape the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Now I’m on my own, in control of my own life and my own destiny . . . just the way I like it. Until Sebastian Caine changes everything.

Working as a cocktail waitress at one of Vegas’s hottest five-star casinos means putting up with a ton of bad behavior from the big spenders. But it pays the bills—and that’s all that matters to Aria, who needs every last dollar to escape from her father’s destructive grasp and the brutal man he expects her to marry. But when she lashes out against a billionaire who won’t take no for an answer, she nearly loses everything—until Sebastian steps in.

The owner’s son and handpicked successor, Sebastian is dark, sexy, and kinder than any rich man should be. And when he apologizes and offers to keep her job safe, Aria can’t help the way her body reacts to his. Suddenly her job, and the security it brings her, isn’t the only thing Aria wants.

Play Me is an erotic serial intended for mature audiences. Aria and Sebastian’s story continues in Play Me: Hot.
Amazon | Barnes | iBooks | Kobo


Play Me Hot

Return to a world of secrets and desires. In the sultry second installment of an eBook original serial from the New York Times bestselling author of Ruined and Addicted, Aria and Sebastian turn up the heat. But will they get burned?

My name is Aria Winston. I’ve fought desperately to escape the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Now I’m on my own, in control of my own life and my own destiny . . . just the way I like it. Until Sebastian Caine changes everything.

If getting tangled up with her new boss is wrong, Aria doesn’t want to be right. Powerful men usually have a way of thinking they can take whatever they want while giving nothing back, but Sebastian is different. He’s gentle with her body. Rough in all the right places. And hot enough to make Aria break every last rule she’s set for herself. But with her history, it’ll take more than mind-blowing sex to heal the pain deep inside . . . no matter how good Sebastian’s intentions are. She’s spent her entire life fighting for control of her own life, and no one’s going to take that from her. But the more time she spends in Sebastian’s world, the deeper she’s drawn into his sensual games.

Play Me is an erotic serial intended for mature audiences. Aria and Sebastian’s story continues in Play Me: Hard.



Play Me Hard

No one ever said love is easy. In the third installment of an eBook original serial from the New York Times bestselling author of Ruined and Addicted, Aria and Sebastian discover that building trust might be harder than they ever imagined.

My name is Aria Winston. I’ve fought desperately to escape the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Now I’m on my own, in control of my own life and my own destiny . . . just the way I like it. Until Sebastian Caine changes everything.

Ever since taking Aria under his wing and into his seductive domain, Sebastian hasn’t been able to think straight. Their chemistry is intoxicating. Their power exchange is exhilarating. And the sex leaves them both absolutely exhausted. But if there’s one thing Sebastian does know, it’s that he needs to protect this strong yet vulnerable woman. Because she has depths that are unknown—even to her. Aria has worked hard to establish herself as anything but submissive. That isn’t who she is, or who she wants to be. So why does it feel so sweet to give up control . . . and so intense when Sebastian takes care of needs she doesn’t even realize she has? But he has needs of his own—and secrets that run just as dark and deep as Aria’s.

Play Me is an erotic serial intended for mature audiences. Aria and Sebastian’s story continues in Play Me: Real.
Amazon | Barnes | iBooks | Kobo


Play Me Real

How do you know when something’s real? In the steamy fourth installment of an eBook original serial from the New York Times bestselling author of Ruined and Addicted, a devastating betrayal unravels a fierce yet tender connection.

My name is Aria Winston. I’ve fought desperately to escape the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Now I’m on my own, in control of my own life and my own destiny . . . just the way I like it. Until Sebastian Caine changes everything.

Aria has learned to play Sebastian’s game. She’s given him control, taken it back, and let him push her farther than she ever imagined she could go. But when Sebastian’s past comes to light, Aria receives a glimpse behind the facade—a revelation that disturbs her even as it makes her feel closer to this simmering, complicated man. Finally she comes to understand the real reason why Sebastian feels the need to dominate everything in his path. But Aria has a tortured history, too. And together they’re a dangerous combination. Now she’s the one pushing Sebastian to the breaking point . . . and if one of them burns up, they’ll both go down together.

Play Me is an erotic serial intended for mature audiences. Aria and Sebastian’s story concludes in Play Me: Right.
Amazon | Barnes | iBooks | Kobo


Play Me Right

Good things never have to end. Tracy Wolff, the New York Times bestselling author of Ruined and Addicted, brings her eBook original serial to an unforgettable climax in Play Me’s sensational finale . . . for now.

My name is Aria Winston. I’ve fought desperately to escape the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. Now I’m in control of my own life and my own destiny . . . but my future belongs to Sebastian Caine.

Technically, Aria may still be in one piece, but she’s feeling pretty damn close to broken. While she knows Sebastian would die before hurting her, their intense, steamy encounters have opened up old wounds in them both. Now Aria is considering the unthinkable: walking away again—this time to save Sebastian from the pain she knows her past will cause him. But Sebastian’s the one who set her free in the first place—how can she not show him the same care and compassion? Because, in the end, being together forever is the only thing that feels right.

Play Me is an erotic serial intended for mature audiences.
Amazon | Barnes | iBooks | Kobo


Tracy Wolff lives with four men, teaches writing to local college students and spends as much time as she can manage immersed in worlds of her own creation. Married to the alpha hero of her dreams for twelve years, she is the mother of three young sons who spend most of their time trying to make her as crazy as possible.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Review: Ripped by Katy Evans

Genre: New Adult Contemporary
Release: December 9, 2014

Blurb:
Every woman wants me--except the one I sing for.
Seattle shakes with anticipation: they call it the concert of the year. They say girls are getting pregnant just thinking about my band being in town.
But when you love a girl, you don't leave her with nothing but a ring and a promise. Any man with half a brain should know.
So what did I expect my girl would do when she saw me again?
Well, for starters, she loathes our music. Particularly the song I wrote about her.
When I sing it, the stadium is in an uproar. Thousands of fans scream my name like I'm a god--but yeah, not her. Crystal clear: the girl's not happy to see me.
Black hair, black boots, a bad attitude, that's her -- Pandora Stone is a freaking man-eater and she's out for my blood.
That's alright.

Let her come at me. Because I'm out for her heart and, this time, there's no way she can stop me.

Review:

Ripped, book 5 in the Real series, was such a fun, hot read and I'm kicking myself for not reading the previous books in the series. Though with Ripped being a standalone readers should be okay if reading out of order.

Pandora and Kenna had the kind of romance in high school that had to stay hidden. She was the awkward goth girl who got bullied, he was the good looking bad boy who stood up for her. She was the daughter with a dead father and an emotionally stunted mother who was the lawyer putting his father in jail drug reasons, among other things. It was obvious Kenna didn't like being kept a "dirty" secret, but Pandora didn't want the one good thing in her life to be taken away by her mother, but of course, in the end, that is exactly what happened.

Flash forward to Pandora still living at home under her mothers thumb as a grown woman and Kenna out in the world as a front man for an incredibly famous band. This is where the book begins and I couldn't quite read fast enough to see what was going to happen. After being completely gutted by Kenna walking away from her all those years ago, Pandora wants revenge. She hasn't quite learned how to let go of all that bitterness, so she comes off as a man hating bitch to everyone who knows her. When she finds out that Kenna will be back in Seattle with his band, she decides to humiliate him in front of thousands of people, just like he humiliated her by leaving back in high school, but of course she gets caught and the consequences of her actions lead for to going on tour with the band.

I usually don't get into the whole man-hater thing, but Pandora totally sold me. This story was hot, hot, hot, yet heart warming. Katy Evans wrote in a way that had me completely enthralled. I felt Pandora's heartbreak and Kenna's frustration. Sexual tension would be high, dirty mouths racing, then all of a sudden it would turn cold, then later sweet. Their back and forth emotions in the beginning were frustrating, but aren't most love stories that way? Not everything is perfect for them, but I enjoyed seeing these characters grow into themselves. They both learned the truth from all those years ago and were able to stand up for themselves and each other and that was all they ever needed.


Happy Reading,
A

About the Author
Katy Evans grew up with books and book-boyfriends until she found a real sexy boyfriend to love. They married and are now hard at work on their own happily ever after. Katy loves her family and friends, and she also loves reading, walking, baking, and being consumed by her characters until she reaches “The End.” Which is, hopefully, only the beginning…


Review + Giveaway: Want It by Jennifer Chance

Genre:Contemporary Romance
Release: December 9, 2014

Blurb:
In the latest tantalizing Rule Breakers novel from Jennifer Chance, an irresistible alpha male follows his ex into a deadly standoff—and reignites a heated affair.
For Erin Connelly, being a good girl isn’t such a bad thing. She’s working her dream job at a Boston art gallery and staying out of trouble, which is more than she can say for her deadbeat mom. Unfortunately, her mother’s latest misadventure lands her in the clutches of a Mexican drug lord. Now the only person who can save her is the one man Erin has no business asking for help: the sexy-as-sin army ranger who just so happens to be her former high school sweetheart.
Zander James is no gentleman—and no officer, either, thanks to Erin. Four years ago, she made a call that terminated his highest aspirations . . . and their relationship. He’s never forgiven her, but when he learns that Erin’s embarking on a half-baked rescue mission, he sure as hell can’t let her go alone. Now, with a treacherous enemy lying in wait, the electrifying tension between them may just be Zander’s undoing. Because while he may be able to keep Erin alive, he can’t promise to keep his hands off her.

Review:

Want It, book 3 in the Rule Breakers series, is a story all about getting a second chance at love with a bit more of a dramatic twist to it.

Though Want It wasn't my favorite out of the this series so far, I do like stories like this--stories about lost loves and coming back together. Zander is the typical guy out looking for adventure and Erin is a little more cautious, and eventually their high school romance ends abruptly and leaves some unresolved issues. Fast forward some odd years and now Erin needs help finding her absentee mother who has been abducted and Zander is the man for the job. I wasn't sure if I was going to get into the whole "my mom has been abducted" thing, but it worked and added that dash of drama, but I'm more into romance and towards the last half of the book, I just didn't feel it. Zander still held some anger towards what happened during their breakup all those years ago and I ended up just not feeling their connection in the end. He may have forgiven her, but I didn't feel it the way I probably should have by the books end. Despite all that, I've enjoyed Jennifer Chance's other work and plan to read future books, especially from this particular series because I liked the first two so much,

Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Reading,
A

Author Info
Jennifer Chance is the award-winning author of the new adult Rule Breakers series. A lover of books, romance, and happily-ever-afters, she lives and writes in Ohio.


Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes | iTunes | Kobo


Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Teaser Tuesday + Giveaway: Take Me with You by K.A.Linde


Genre: New Adult Romance
Release: January 27, 2015

Grant 
All of my demons are coming to head. 
I thought Ari could push them back. 
I thought I could conquer my vices with her at my side. 

I thought wrong. 


Aribel 

Fear is my new constant. 
I thought I could conceal it, contain it, control it. 
I thought that now that I had Grant the worst was over. 

I thought wrong. 


But if we’re going to survive, wherever you go…take me with you. 


Find out what happens with Grant and Aribel in book 2 in the Take Me series!


 iBooks                   Amazon                GoodReads

*Giveaway!*
Stop by K.A. Linde's Facebook page today for a special giveaway: 






Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Review + Giveaway: All I Want by J Daniels


Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release: November 24, 2014

Blurb:
Luke Evans is a heartbreaker. 
I didn't want to give mine to him. Not when he kept me out. 
He gave me enough, just enough to make me fall in love with him. I say this to convince myself. But I know the truth. 
I would've fallen in love with him at a distance. 
Handing my heart over to Luke was the easiest thing I've ever done. I was naive when I wished for more, when I hoped he wanted the same things I did. 
I try to hate him. I try to forget him. 
But it's not that easy. 
Love is a ruthless bitch, and I'm her latest victim. 

Tessa Kelly is a man-eater. 
When she sets her sights on you, she doesn't just consume your heart, she goes for your soul. 
What we had was perfect, real, and all I would ever want. 
But she destroyed it. 
She destroyed us. 
I try to hate her. I try to forget her. 
But it's not that easy. 
Love is for people who have hope, and I have none. 


Review:

Sweet.Baby.Jesus!

J Daniels never disappoints! I'm a single mom and college student, so I'm careful with how I spend my money, but I'm all about One-Clicking her shit so fast-- I don't care what the cost is. Now I don't want that to seem like her books are super expensive, because that's not true and the prices on Amazon Kindle are great... All I'm saying is that if her books were $10+, I'd still buy them every.damn.time! J Daniels has got a fan for life in me...

All I Want is book 2 in The Alabama Summer Series, but can be read as a standalone-- but if you know what's good for you, you'll read Where I Belong as well. When you read book 1 you'll get just a little taste into how Tessa and Luke started and what broke them apart, but again, it will all be recapped for you in All I Want.

With that being said, All I Want starts off with the lingering bitterness from a rough break up between Tessa and Luke. It's obvious these two need to work on their communication skills, but sometimes it's hard to shake off an imagine you've made for yourself, so people just start assuming things about you. And Luke doesn't help things by keeping a firm wall between his past and personal with his family up against everyone else, and that doesn't fly with Tessa.

There is the usual back and forth love/hate thing going on, but their deep longing and passion for each other is undeniable and burns through in every page. All these two want is each other, but there are things holding them back. They are both willing to make sacrifices for the other to be happy and if loving and letting go is what needs to happen, then so be it. *tear*

You'll laugh and despair over Tessa's attempts at online dating. You'll swoon and excuse yourself for a quick panty change anytime Luke opens his mouth. You'll flush and "aww" over the pure sweetness that is Mia, Ben and the ever adorable Sir Nolan!

Written Revelry gives All I Want 5 out of 5!

Seriously, this book has everything. Dirty talk. Sexy (and meaningful) tattoos. Badassery. Reed's usual manwhoring ways. The texting-- I mean, are you freaking kidding me? *Wet* And Mason, an uber hot Aussie who just so happens to be moving to Chicago-- if you've read the Sweet Addition series then you know what I'm alluding to! AHH!


*Get Where I Belong, Sweet Addiction and Sweet Possession for only 99 pennies until the end of this tour! One-click it, ladies! You wont be disapppinted. : ))*
--------------------------------------------


Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Happy Reading,
A
Click.Tweet.Buy.


J. Daniels was born and raised in Maryland.
After putting her kids to bed, she escapes into her cheeky world where some of her characters kiss, and some of them do a lot more than kiss.
She is an avid reader and enjoys everything from unconventional romance to fantasy novels.
                                        Facebook                Twitter                   Goodreads