Reviews

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn



~Blurb~

Hugh Prentice has never liked Lady Sarah Pleinsworth, and his opinion is confirmed when he overhears her yammering on about how she must get married this season or she will simply die. He’s never had patience for dramatic females, and the words shy and retiring have never been in Sarah’s vocabulary. Besides, even if he did grow to enjoy her company, it wouldn’t matter. A reckless duel has left this brilliant mathematician with a ruined leg, and now, unable to run, ride, or even waltz, he could never court a woman like Sarah, much less dream of marrying her.

Sarah has never forgiven Hugh for the duel he fought three years earlier, the one that forced her cousin into exile, nearly destroying her family. But even if she could find a way to forgive him, it wouldn’t matter. She doesn’t care that his leg is less than perfect, it’s his personality she can’t stand. 

But when the pair is forced to spend a week in close company they discover that opinions--even those firmest held--can, in fact, be altered. And when a kiss leads to two, three and four the mathematician may lose count and the miss may, for the first time, find herself speechless. 



~Buy Links~

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NF6Z84/?tag=juliaquinnhomepa

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sum-of-all-kisses-julia-quinn/1113200526?ean=9780062072931&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-kRS/sZqTjko-_-10:1&r=1

BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Sum-All-Kisses/Julia-Quinn/9780062072924?id=5566393264792




~Review~

5 stars

I have read and LOVED all of Julia Quinn's novels and The Sum Of All Kisses was another that did not disappoint. 

Lady Sarah and Lord Hugh hated each other from the moment they met. Sarah hated Hugh for his part in the dual that sent her cousin Daniel away and Hugh hated Sarah because, really who could like someone when the first time they meet they are yelling at you. 

As luck would have it they get stuck together at two wedding within a few weeks time. 

But the more time they spend together the more they realized they didn't really know each other and they actually really enjoyed each other's company. 

The more time they spend together, the more their love grows. And it grows into something beautiful and needed for both characters.

Julia just knows how to pull at your heart strings and root for her characters.

Can't wait to see what comes next from Julia Quinn. I'll buy it no questions asked :)


~Excerpt~

Hugh Prentice was strong on the inside, where it truly counted. He’d have to be, to come back from such an injury.

                She swallowed, her eyes finding focus somewhere across the room even as she continued in step next to him. She felt unsettled, as if the floor had suddenly dropped an inch to the right, or the air had gone thin. She had spent the last few years detesting this man, and while this anger had not consumed her, it had, in some small way, defined her.

                Lord Hugh Prentice had been her excuse. He had been her constant. When the world tipped and changed around her, he had remained her steady object of disgust. He was cold, he was heartless, he was without conscience. He had ruined her cousin’s life and never apologized for it. He was horrible in a way that meant nothing else in life could ever be that bad.

                And now she had found something within him to admire? That was unlike her. Honoria was the one who found the good in people; Sarah held the grudge.

                And she did not change her mind.

                Except, apparently, when she did.

                “Will you dance to your heart’s content once I’ve left?” Lord Hugh suddenly asked.

                Sarah started, so lost in the tumult of her thoughts that his voice hit too-loudly at her ears. “I hadn’t thought about it, honestly,” she said.

                “You should,” he said quietly. “You’re a lovely dancer.”

                Her lips parted in surprise.

                “Yes, Lady Sarah,” he said, “that was a compliment.”
                “I hardly know what to do with it.”

                “I’d recommend accepting it gracefully.”

                “And do you base this upon personal experience?”

                “Certainly not. I almost never accept compliments with grace.”

                She looked up at him, expecting to see a sly look, maybe even a mischievous one, but his face remained as impassive as ever. He wasn’t even looking at her.

                “You’re a very odd man, Lord Hugh Prentice,” she said quietly.

                “I know,” he said, and they steered around Sarah’s enormous great uncle (and his remarkably tall wife) to reach the ballroom door. Before they could make their escape, however, they were intercepted by Honoria, who was still radiating such happiness Sarah thought her cheeks must ache from smiling. Frances was standing at her side, holding her hand and basking in the bridal glow.

                “You’re not leaving so soon!” Honoria exclaimed.

                And then, just to prove that it was impossible to make an unnoticed exit in a room full of Smythe-Smiths, Iris suddenly materialized on Honoria’s other side, flushed and out of breath from the Scottish reel that had just ended.

                “Sarah,” Iris said with a tipsy giggle. “And Lord Hugh. Together. Again.”

                “Still,” Hugh corrected, much to Sarah’s mortification. He gave Iris a polite bow, then turned to Honoria and said, “It has been a delightful wedding, Lady Chatteris, but I must go to my room for a rest.”

                “And I must accompany him,” Sarah announced.

                Iris snorted a laugh.

                “Not to his room,” she said quickly. Good Lord. “Just to the stairs. Or maybe—” Did he need help on the stairs? Was she supposed to offer it? “Er, up the stairs, if you—”

                “As far as you wish to take me,” he said, his benevolent statement clearly meant to tease.

 

 

~About Julia~

#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and in 2001 she did so in grand fashion, appearing on the game show The Weakest Link and walking away with the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, answered all of her history and geography questions correctly, and knew that there was a DaVinci long before there was a code. Ms. Quinn is one of only fifteen members of Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame, her books have been translated into 26 languages, and she currently lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Running in Place (Mending Hearts #2) by L.B. Simmons ~ Blog Tour ~ Review


 
 
Book Title: Running in Place (Mending Hearts #2)
Author: L.B. Simmons
Genre: New Adult
Release date: October 24, 2013
 
 
 
*Synopsis*
 
Tatum O'Connell:
Some call me a party girl. People see me as happy, full of life, with absolutely no cares in the world. They see what they want to see. But no one knows me - really knows me. Not even Noah Reese. Mr. Perfect is always watching me, most likely judging  every single imperfect thing I do. But, if Noah wants to keep an eye on me, that's fine. I definitely don't mind. I just hope he doesn't have any plans to save me from my new-found life of self-destruction because in order to save me, he will have to see me...
 
Noah Reese:
Perfect. That's me. That's the only acceptable way to be, according to my father. Perfect grades. Perfect manners. Perfect athlete. Perfect SAT scores. Perfect college. And recently, I was accepted into the perfect med school. My future has already been mapped out for me and there's nothing that can change that. Not even Tatum O'Connell. That girl is out of control, yet for some reason, I can't seem to keep my distance from her. I watch her closely, hoping that one day she'll let me in, but watching her lead her life down the dangerous path she's on right now isn't easy... I have a feeling I'm about to find myself swept away by the hurricane that is Tatum O'Connell.
 
"Two fleeting souls,
Unknowingly tethered.
Too slowly drawn,
Impatient fate calls.
The jolting collide intertwines their lives
And splinters their walls."
"Catalyst" -Noah Reese
 
 
 
*Review*
 
 
 
Running in Place (Mending Hearts, #2)Running in Place by L.B. Simmons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

***4.5 Stars!***

"With my arms open wide, I'm going to take the leap of faith and pray that the fall doesn't kill me"



L.B. has really out done herself with this story. It has just the right amount of love, emotion, life lessons, and a heartfelt story.

It has been a while since I connected with a character as much as I have with Tatum. She was very well rounded. I didn't sigh with frustration or roll my eyes at idiotic behavior. She took me on her journey and let me experience it right alongside her and I just got her flaws and all. Noah - the perfectly imperfect boy who discovers himself and ends up ALL MAN! He is so swoon-worthy. I want Noah!!!

Together Tatum and Noah help each other mend some of the shattered and broken pieces that plague both of them since their childhoods. They each deal with their problems in a similar way. Tatum journals and Noah writes lyrics. Tatum's journals have so much sorrow and depth, they ear your heart out. Noah's lyrics are beautifully expressive and full of hope. Both the journals and the lyrics give the story so much character and add so much to the story.


But... it doesn't matter how much you love someone. You cannot fully accept that love until you learn to love yourself.

I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this story. It was perfectly balance with hard hitting emotion and some light hearted parts as to not overwhelm the reader, which I appreciate. Ohhh...and our beloved characters from running on empty and recovery are never too far. It's so nice and refreshing to see them. This story is one not be missed. Add and read it right away!

View all my reviews



*Buy It!*



Although Running in Place is part of the Mending Hearts Series it CAN be read as a stand alone.


**But, we recommend you reading Running on Empty and Recovery as well**

Running on Empty (Book #1)


I had the perfect life.
Beautiful and loving husband. Three gorgeous little girls.
Successful career.
The only thing missing was the white picket fence. I really wanted that fence.
Three years ago, I lost that life. I lost my husband. And I lost myself. But, eventually, I found my way through the darkness. I've made peace with my new life. I have my girls, and that's all that matters. They are my world. I have no illusions of ever falling in love again or getting whisked away on a white horse.
But then he came back into my life. On a freakin' motorcycle.
There's no way I'll let him turn my life completely upside down. Absolutely no way.
The question is...
How long can I keep pretending that I'm happy with my life being right-side up?


Recovery - a Novella (Book #1.5)


I have the perfect life.
I've finally found my happy ending.
I fought through the loss of one husband, lucky enough to be given a second chance at a lifetime of happiness. Settling into our new lives, however, may not be as easy as it seems.
What really happens after the fairytale ending? What happens after the price rescues the princess? After he sweeps her off her feet and carries her off into the sunset? Do they truly live happily ever after?
Well...
This is our story.



*Author Bio*

L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a degree in Biomedical Science. She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets.

Connect with L.B.:
Website: http://www.lbsimmons.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lbsimmonsauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lbsimmons33
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6580347.L_B_Simmons



*Giveaway*


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Willing Captive

18071296
Author: Belle Aurora
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: September 26, 2013
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Synopsis
Delilah “Lily” Flynn is used to her drab existence. Lily’s been living it for twenty two years. Her boring life is suddenly turned on its head when she’s rudely kidnapped from her bedroom. Or so she thinks. Nox Taylor is far too high up in his field to be assigned a babysitting job. There’s nothing more he wants than to complete his mission so he can be rid of the smartass tomboy, Lily. Day after day, Nox watches Lily and her strange ways. She’s unlike any woman he’s ever met. Getting close to the girl is purely for her own protection…right? Lily never imagined she’d make her first real friends in captivity. What lengths would she go through to keep them? (Author note: This is NOT a dark romance.)
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Buy the Book

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Smashwords


~Review~

*4.5 Stars*

You know how some people have a Love/Hate relationship well Lilly and Nox have a Hate/Hate relationship.

Lilly is kidnapped by Nox so their relationship starts off ... Let's just say "a little rocky". But as secrets are revealed and the more time they spend together, Lilly finds that there is a lot more to her kidnapping and the man who kidnapped her.

One of the things I loved about this book was the humor. 

"I swear this guy must've been conceived through backdoor action. There's no way being that much of an asshole is natural."

The only thing I didn't like was at times the dialogue felt cheesy and didn't fit the ages of the characters.

Overall, Willing Captive is a fun and sexy read that will make you want to be kidnapped by Nox ;)


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Excerpt
"Do you have a boyfriend?”
Shaking my head, I tell her, “Not unless he’s the fictional kind. It’s just me and my books.”
Her face turns thoughtful, her eyes sad. She murmurs, “Must get lonely.”
Smiling, I say just as quietly, “I could say the same for you.”
She smiles back. “Touché.”
We both lay back down on the bed with a sigh. I guess my life isn’t so bad.
At least I’m not dead

About the Author
Belle Aurora is twenty six years old and was born in the land down under. At an early age she fell in love with reading. Boredom one summer had her scouring the bookshelves at home. She stumbled across Sandra Brown’s Breath of Scandal and fell in love with romance. Having been brought up in a loud and boisterous family of Croatian descent, she developed a natural love for dramatics and humor. Only some years ago had she discovered a new love. Humorous romance novels. Kristen Ashley and R.L. Mathewson had opened a brand new world where she could lose herself yet feel safe and at home in their stories. Belle has been known to become a screeching banshee while anxiously awaiting their newest titles. Belle never thought she would write. It had never interested her until recently. Friend-Zoned began to form and in February this year Belle typed the words Chapter One. And she fell in love. With words. With writing. With a creative imagination she never knew she harbored.
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Connect with the Author

Facebook | Goodreads

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Giveaway

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Moore to Lose by Julie A. Richman ~ Blog Tour ~ Review, Excerpt & Giveaway!


Click banner for complete tour schedule to follow the blog tour!
 
 
 
 
Release date: September 30, 2013
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
 
 
 
 
 
 
*Blurb*
 

Continuing the fight for their happily ever after that began in Searching for Moore, Schooner Moore and Mia Silver struggle to overcome the ghosts and baggage they accumulated during their time apart.

Exploring the missing 24 years when they were separated, Moore to Lose follows Mia's journey from heartbroken teen to kickass businesswoman to her emotional reunion with Schooner and the exploration of the love that was ripped from them.

But is their love really enough to overcome the damage of those missing 24 years or will they continue to be ripped apart by pasts that can't be changed?


This is book 2 in the Needing Moore Series. This is not a stand alone book. It is meant to be read after Searching for Moore.




*Review*

 
Moore to Lose (Needing Moore, #2)Moore to Lose by Julie A. Richman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The sequel to the smashing hit novel Searching for Moore .


This review is a tricky one to write because although I LOVED Moore to Lose, I disliked several parts of it too. So I will do my best to try to express exactly what it was that just didn't sit right.

Moore to Lose is a little different than Searching for Moore. This is more Mia's journey and how she saw things happening in the 24 years that she and Schooner spent apart. We really get into her head. At times I wanted the hell out of her head! She was infuriating!!

It has three parts...

Book One shows Mia right after she left Schooner and moved to New York. This is the part that I had the most trouble with. Because, although it was beautifully written, as you would expect from Julie A. Richman, it was a bit slow and hard to sympathize with her choices. I felt like a lot of her pain and suffering was self-inflicted.

Book Two goes through when Schooner finally contacts Mia and it's so nice to finally have some Schooner into the story. This is where I started to breath easy and get a smile on my face while reading.

Book Three is set in the present. We see Mia having to stay bedridden because of the fall she had at the end of Searching for Moore. This is my favorite "book" of the story! This book was refreshing, invigorating, and addictive the only bad thing about it was that it was too short! I wanted waaaayyy MOORE!!!

Sooo... the ending...We have another dreaded cliff-hanger!!! I wanted to scream, and throw things and generally act like a two year old throwing one epic tantrum. deep breath in, deep breath out. So...yeah, not my favorite of endings because I just get so antsy. My emotions can't take this constant hanging on the edge!!!

But overall, a very good novel. A must read. Especially, if you enjoyed Searching for Moore as much as I did. The range of emotions come at your from one extreme to the other. Get ready! Mrs. Julie please get writing because I can't wait for the next one for too long. My nerves can't handle it! :)



View all my reviews






*Teaser*

Damn, this woman could bring him to his knees. There they were - both standing there, naked. Vulnerable. The truth was finally out. And if he was standing there high on the edge of a cliff, he wasn't standing there alone anymore. Mia had joined him. She was as bold and fearless as she'd always been. This was the Mia Silver with whom he had  fallen hopelessly in love.

     "We're going to be ok, Mia," he reassured her. He wasn't going to allow himself to believe anything else. He could picture her shaking her head yes on the other end of the phone as he heard her trying to hide her tears. He pictured gently wiping them away with his thumb.

     "You promise, Schooner?"

And as always with Mia, making a promise was so damn easy. "I promise, Baby Girl."



*Buy it!*


 


Don't forget to get Searching for Moore if you haven't yet read it. It is meant to be read first.

For a limited time it is only $.99!

   


*About the Author*
 

Author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. A creative writing major in college, reading and writing has always been a passion. Julie began her corporate career in publishing in NYC and wring played a major role throughout her career as she created and wrote marketing, advertising, direct mail and fundraising materials for Fortune 500 corporations, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an award winning nature photographer plagued with insatiable wanderlust. Julie and her husband have one son and a white German Shepherd named Juneau.




*Giveaway!*


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Blog Tour hosted by:

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Love and Lists (Chocoholics #1) by Tara Sivec ~ Blog Tour--Review


Click on the banner above for a complete list of tour dates



Love and Lists (Chocoholics #1) by Tara Sive
Release date: October 1st, 2013



~Blurb~

Love and Lists is the first book in the Chocolate Lovers spinoff - Chocoholics: The foul-mouthed offspring tell their stories.

Twenty-five-year-old Gavin Ellis has always had the love and support of his family ever since he was a little boy and couldn't stop talking about his penis. He's also always had their unsolicited advice and uncanny knack of embarrassing him at all costs. Now that he's an adult and trying to convince the love of his life to love him back, things haven't changed very much from when he was younger.

When Gavin's best friend Tyler suggests he make a to-do list of items that will ensure he wins the girl, Gavin is one-hundred-percent on board: after a few six packs.

After puking in the shrubs, a bad experience with Viagra, a Sex-Ed course gone wrong, and a slew of other mishaps courtesy of his family and friends , Gavin is pretty sure this list will be the death of him.

Sometimes, trying to make someone love you with a list isn't always the best idea. Especially when "Show her your penis" is the first "to-do" item...




~Review~


Love and Lists (Chocoholics, #1)Love and Lists by Tara Sivec
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 STARS!!!



Love & Lists was everything you expect from Tara Sivec's hilariously twisted mind and so much more.

Another laugh out loud funny novel by Tara! A perfectly balanced romantic comedy. There were so many times where I found myself laughing so hard that tears poured down my face.


Gavin is all grown up and has not lost his funny. He is no longer running around nut-checking people or talking about his penis. He grew out of those phases. Now he is a bit awkward at times, but that made him so relatable and a really fun character to read.


"I am not one of those guys who are all like 'awwwww, shucks. You really think I am good looking? Naaaaah, I'm just me.'"


Gavin's friend Tyler is crazy, he was Gavin's partner in crime ( no that's not right-- more like the instigator of such crime) and he felt like another version of Drew which was great.


With the help of Tyler, Gavin is on a mission to conquer the love of his life, Charlotte. A mission that would prove not as easy as writing a list of objectives to get her to notice him.


"She has no idea that anytime I'm within three feet of her my penis perks up like a meerkat when it hears a noise. It's fucking Meerkat Manor in my pants."


This story was a little bit on the short side but it really sucks you in and you are able to finish in a few hours. It has appearances from your favorite characters from the chocolate lovers series. This book is a definitely a must read especially if you are in a reading funk and need something to pick up and make your day.


View all my reviews


~Where to buy ~





~About the Author~

Tara Sivec is a wife, mom, chauffeur, cheerleading coach, soccer coach, babysitter, short-order cook, genius and albino squirrel hunter. She lives in Ohio with her husband and two kids. In her spare time she likes to read, write, and cover things in chocolate. Most of her material comes from real life experience with family and friends. Lucky for them, the names have been changed to protect the innocent (aka, drunk).

Tara also writes under the pen name T.E. Sivec where she can be serious, suspenseful and not at all funny.

Website ~
  
 
 
 
 
 
~Giveaway~
 
Up for grabs:
 
 2 winners will receive ebook copies of Love and Lists. 2 winners will receive signed paperback copies of Love and Lists.  And the GRAND PRIZE will receive a signed paperback copy of Love and Lists along with an L&L tote bag filled with fun swag!!! (open everywhere). 
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