Monday, June 30, 2014

Carey Heywood Week - Day 1 - Better

Review

Oh... my... gosh!!! Better has officially jumped nearly to the top of my favorite books list.  It is incredibly rare that I get so emotionally attached to a story, or even can identify closely with a character. So the fact that I did both with Better makes it the book equivalent of riding a unicorn over a rainbow. I cried, I laughed, and I cried some more. It was an emotional journey, but I loved every minute of it.

I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that I bawled my eyes out reading this one. The first chapter tugged on my heart strings and got me hooked on the story; the second chapter broke my heart and reduced me to a puddle of tears. But even though Carey ripped my heart out and tore it to shreds, she didn't leave it that way. For the rest of the book, I felt like I was on the trip with Aubrey; healing my own wounds along the way.

And then there is Adam. Hello, swoon worthy! He's strong and just a little bit of a jerk. But, at the end of the day, he is sweet, loyal and protective of Aubrey, and exactly what she needs.


BETTER
Book Title: Better 
Author: Carey Heywood 
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Release Date: February 17, 2014 

Synopsis


Aubrey is embarking on a bucket-list trip around the world, the last wish of her Aunt Ally. It was supposed to be the trip Ally would have taken when she got better. Now, it’s just a chance for Aubrey to say good-bye. Adam escapes in his solo trips overseas, working just enough to fund the next one. When the opportunity to circle the globe falls in his lap, he can’t refuse. The only catch is that he won’t be traveling alone this time. Unable to hide from each other, Adam’s overprotective nature thwarts Aubrey’s desire to find her own way. Can they move past initial assumptions to find something better?


Excerpt

 

“What are you doing in here?" I stammer.
He’s on his knees by the bed, reaching under. "This bed is a trundle. There's no way I'm sleeping on that sofa."
"But I'm sleeping in here," I argue.
I watch as he pulls the trundle out. It's smaller, maybe twin sized.
"Yes, and I'm sleeping here." He makes a wide sweep with his hands over the smaller bed.
I remember how awkward it felt, sleeping so near him the night before. At least the trundle is low to the ground. My mouth drops as he depresses a lever and raises it to the same height as my bed, and the way it's made, we'll be face to face with maybe an inch separating his bed from mine.
I gulp. He turns to look at me. "Um, I was going to get changed."
"Oh, don’t mind me."
"Out," I order him.
His eyes travel lazily down me, and I shiver. His mouth twitches before he turns to leave, closing the door behind him. I hurry over to it and lock it, sagging against it. I had been looking forward to a night away from him. I quickly change, unlock the “door, and climb into bed. I hear the door open and shuffle further under the covers.
When I wake the next morning, I'm facing him. Wiping sleep from my eyes, I watch him. He's shirtless, his sheet draping low across his hips. I lick my lips, mesmerized by the rise and fall of his chest. I quietly slip out of bed and out of the room, taking my clothes for the day with me. I need distance. I can't stay in that room any longer. It smells like him, a mixture of Irish Spring, his cologne, and something just him.
I shower and get dressed. I'm in the kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets for something to snack on when he walks out. He's still shirtless. Why can't he put on a shirt?
"Hungry?" he asks, scratching the back of his head.
"A bit," I admit.
"Give me a minute. I saw a bakery close by."
"Okay."
He walks back into the room and shuts the door. A couple minutes later, he walks back out, now in jeans and a vintage looking M*A*S*H t-shirt.
"Nice shirt."
He laughs. "It was my dad's."
"You're wearing hand me downs," I joke.
"Just trying to live the green life."
I don’t give him the satisfaction of a chuckle even though that was funny as I follow him out of the flat.
"What about Abe?"
"He can get his own breakfast," he says, grabbing a set of keys that are hanging on a hook by the door. I give him a look.
"Don't worry. I'll bring him something back." He holds the door open for me.
I tuck my hair behind my ear and hurry down the stairs. I wait for him at the bottom, not sure which direction to go. He comes up beside me, tilting his head to the right. We turn together and walk.
"I saw you."
"Excuse me?" I stop.” “He's now a step ahead of me. He looks back at me.
"I saw you watching me this morning."
"I wasn’t," I stammer, looking away.
"If you say so," he says as he continues to walk.
I follow him but stay a step behind on purpose. I can't believe he saw me.”

About the Author



Carey HeywoodCarey Heywood is a self-published New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with six books out and many more to come. She was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia. Ever the mild-mannered citizen, Carey spends her days working in the world of finance, and at night, she retreats into the lives of her fictional characters. Supporting her all the way are her husband, three sometimes-adorable children, and their nine-pound attack Yorkie.







Buy Links

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Lost in Starlight - release day

RELEASE DAY SPOTLIGHT - #StarlightSaga

LOST IN STARLIGHT
Sherry Soule
Today author, Sherry Soule has some exciting news to share with us!
Her brand new Upper YA / Sci-Fi Romance series: the “Starlight Saga” with scorching-hot character chemistry, exciting suspense, and epic romance has been published today, June 26, 2014!!!
To help promote this interstellar love story, “LOST IN STARLIGHT,” Sherry is doing this fun virtual release party and Amazon gift card giveaway all day to share the book love.
ENTER TODAY ONLY!
This giveaway is open internationally. Please help us tell the blogging world!

Please buy your copy of LOST IN STARLIGHT on June 26th 2014!

VOLUME ONE: Starlight Saga
High school reporter Sloane Masterson knows she has one helluva story when she witnesses hottie Hayden Lancaster bending forks with his mind.
Like any good journalist, Sloane sets out to uncover the truth, even if it includes a little stalking. When the superhuman feats start to pile up and the undeniable heat rises between them, Hayden has no choice but to reveal his secret: he’s an alien hybrid.
They’re as different as night and day—she’s a curvy, purple-haired, horror junkie and he’s a smoking hot, antisocial, brainiac—yet the intense fascination between them refuses to go away. Even at Hayden’s insistence that dating each other is “off limits” and crazy dangerous, their fiery attraction threatens to go supernova.
Now Sloane’s dealing with creepy government agents, über snobby extraterrestrials, and a psycho alien ex-girlfriend out for revenge. After a crash course on the rules of interstellar dating, Sloane must decide if their star-crossed romance is worth risking her own life....
Excerpt:
I’m suddenly aware that Hayden Lancaster’s blatantly staring at me. Hard to miss. His messenger bag is in one hand, and drumsticks stick out of his back pocket. I lift my hand in a hesitant little wave. He doesn’t return my gesture, just continues gazing at me through those thick lashes that frame his unique eyes. My head goes all woozy. Even my limbs feel jittery. Frustration and confusion are warring inside me for having any feelings for someone like him.
And what’s with the stare?
A wave of nervousness hits hard.
Is there toilet paper hanging out of my jeans? Food stuck in my teeth? Or have Frankenstein bolts suddenly sprouted from my neck?
Being on Hayden’s radar is a little unsettling. I admit there’s something about Mr. Puppy Hero’s rare smiles, lopsided with an edge, that draw girls to him like insects buzzing a bug zapper. For better or worse, no one can resist Hayden Lancaster. Not even me…

Random winner will be picked on June 27th 2014 and contacted by email. All prizes will be electronically delivered. Please review all terms & conditions before entering.  

Mandatory giveaway details:

Places you can find Sherry Soule:
Twitter @SherrySoule: http://twitter.com/SherrySoule
Please add LOST IN STARLIGHT to your TBR on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20707942-lost-to-starlight

Read the first five chapters for free on wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/story/14214838-lost-in-starlight-syfy-romance

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Entertaining Angels - Release Day!

Young Adult Author, Emerald Barnes, is releasing her latest novel, Entertaining Angels, today. It's a Young Adult Christian romance that faces the issues of self-esteem and weight in teens. It's a story that will hopefully grab the attention of girls - and boys alike - and help them understand that no matter what they are beautiful.

EntertainingAngels

About Entertaining Angels

"I've read many books that tackle the issue of spiritual warfare, but I especially loved this one. Mads was alive and real and jumped off the page! Her character is so strong, she needed strong characters to balance her, and Barnes certainly provided that in the characters of Chase and Zach." - Author Precarious Yates
"This story is beautiful and so profound." - Author Sylvia Stein
"I would recommend Entertaining Angels as a graceful stepping stone to self-acceptance and self-love." - Author Christine Cunningham
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Madison Andrews can’t face her reflection in the mirror. All she sees is a big, fat nobody. Yet, deep inside she longs for something more, something that’s not skin deep.
Along comes Zach, the new guy in school. He’s smoking hot and totally out of her league. She somehow catches his eye, and he makes her feel beautiful for once. But just as she gets close to Zach, her nerdy best friend, Chase, won’t let Madison doubt her true beauty, no matter how many meals she skips. Even as Madison begins to realize that she is more than what she thinks, darker forces are at work, darker than the lies and mocking from her peers, stopping her from amounting to her full potential. Can Madison find true happiness in her own skin?
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A Word from the Author

Entertaining Angels is near and dear to my heart. Essentially, it's my story. I have struggled with my weight issues for many years, and I remember clearly the very first day I fell victim to the word fat I am more than that label. I am a Child of God, and He wanted me to see that. Making a long story short here, I have began to realize that although I am overweight, it's not who I am. I am so much more, and He wanted me to share that story with everyone else, especially young adults and woman who need to be reminded just how beautiful they are. If you do buy Entertaining Angels, I hope that it shows you just how beautiful, or handsome if you're a guy, you are.
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Giveaway Time!

Enter to win this autographed (by Emerald) tote bag with the Bible Verse Psalm 91:11 on it, and this notebook that says "God Makes Beautiful Things." (US Only please. If you're international, Emerald will send you an e-book and choose another winner.)
PicsArt_1403483264228
 
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Where can you purchase Entertaining Angels?

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Book Spotlight - Another New Life

Another New Life by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
New Adult Contemporary
**This book contains adult subject matter. Not intended for young readers.**

Miranda Preston is a walking contradiction. Talented, smart and beautiful on the outside and insecure, haunted and damaged on the inside. Despite these contradictions, she’s ready to start Another New Life.

When her talent wins her a piano performance scholarship to the University of Texas, Miranda arrives on campus determined to experience everything college has to offer and to keep her secrets in the past where they belong.

An easy task, until the first guy who catches her eye happens to be someone, she’s known all her life.

Eight years have passed since the last time Miranda and Troy saw each other. He reminds her of the best and worst times of her life, but she can’t think about one without dwelling on the other. As they grow closer, every day their attraction reminds them they are no longer kids.

The epic romantic love story that is Miranda and Troy seems to be destined for a happy ending, but Miranda knows it's only a matter of time before her secret is discovered. A secret that will not only destroy their relationship, it will destroy Troy, too.

Can Miranda focus on her future with Troy while preventing her past from tearing them apart all over again?
Purchase
About Sydney Aaliyah Michelle
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle is a New Adult Contemporary Romance writer, a voracious reader and movie fanatic who hails from Texas.
After surviving 5 1/2 years living in China, she had the courage to finally pursue her passion and become a writer.
Sydney has been blogging at sydneyaaliyah.com for three years, where she interviews people about their tattoos, discusses her favorite movie quotes, reviews books (New Adult & only the ones she loves) and journals about her writing and editing process.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Coming Next Week...

I'm putting together a really fun event for next week and am super excited about it.  So of course, I could not wait to share it with you all!

Next week is going to be a week long spotlight on an amazing author, Carey Heywood.  I'll be posting reviews of a couple of her books and giving away an ecopy of one of her books as well (gifted through Amazon).

Here's the Carey Heywood Week Schedule:
                      Monday            Review of Better
                      Tuesday            Review of Him
                      Wednesday       Review of Her
                      Thursday           Review of Sawyer Says
                      Friday               A look at some of Carey's other books 

So stop by next week and watch for your change to win a Kindle copy of one of Carey's amazing books.  And the best part, you get to choose which book you win!


Saturday, June 21, 2014

Breaking Fences - book blitz


Breaking Fences (The Breaking Series, #2)
Genre: NA contemporary romance
Word Count: ~80,000
Release date: June/2014
Cover by: Okay Creations

Summary from Goodreads:
All Beatriz “Bia” Fernandes wants is to prove herself—to her family and friends—though it’s hard to prove anything with an overbearing father and three famous polo-playing older brothers. After her acceptance into college results in a heated family argument, the Brazilian girl leaves everything behind to find her own American dream.

College life away from home is perfect until the people she believes to be her friends turn on her. With lies and rumors threatening to suffocate her, Bia turns to her only freedom. Riding.

But one thing gets in the way of her escape. Garrett Blackwell and his bad cowboy attitude. Working at the ranch is his obligation, bugging Bia is his newfound hobby. His thick skin and easy grin don’t hide what Bia already knows—this misunderstood and lonely cowboy fights his own demons. Brushing horses’ coats and mucking out stalls shouldn’t be this sexy, and it isn’t long before he becomes a part of her distraction.

However, escaping won’t solve her problems, and it’s up to Bia to break down the fences around her and prove her strength—not to her family and friends, but to herself … and for Garrett. Because standing on her own doesn’t have to mean standing alone.

** Companion novel of Breaking the Reins. Can be read out of order.**


Available from:
Amazon | B&N | Kobo iBooks

Companion Book:
(cover linked to Goodreads)


Breaking Fences – Excerpt:

“Time’s up,” Garrett shouted.
I pulled the reins and slowed Midnight, steering him toward the men.
I leaned over the horse and patted his neck. “Good boy.” I stopped him in front of Garrett and smiled. “He’s amazing.”
Garrett nodded, his face serious, and Tom looked at me with a frown.
I was about to ask them what happened when Garrett’s cell phone beeped. He glanced at it and sighed.
“Delilah will be here in ten minutes,” he said, jumping off the fence. “Can you cool him down, please?”
“Yeah,” I said. He stalked off and I glanced at Tom. “Something wrong?”
“When isn’t something wrong?” Tom answered before following Garrett inside the stables.
What the hell?
Midnight nickered, bringing my attention back to him. “All right, big boy.” I slipped off him. “Let’s get you cooled down for your practice.”
I didn’t take him inside to a wash stall since he would be out here again in a few minutes. I just tied his reins to a fence post, took off his saddle, and turned on the hose on the outside of the stable.
As soon as the cold water hit his hot coat, he advanced on me, in a happy gait. I laughed and got out of his way. To let him play, I untied his reins and held them in my left hand, while I hosed him with the right one.
He nipped at my shirt, biting the edge, and pulled me closer.
I laughed. “Hey. Are you trying to get me wet too?”
He nickered and I laughed louder. He tried nipping at me again and I stepped aside, turning around to escape him, and saw Garrett leaning in the stable’s doorway, watching us with his arms crossed.
That caught me by surprised, and I came to an abrupt halt, facing him. He held my stare, his expression impassive. I didn’t get him. Half an hour earlier, I could swear he was flirting with me, and now he was distant and looking at me as if I had stolen something from him.
Midnight poked his muzzle on my waist, tickling me, and I laughed again. I pushed Garrett out of my mind and turned to the horse.
We played with the water for a while, and he did manage to get my legs soaked. Droga, I didn’t have any other jeans with me. Next time, I would bring a couple of extra pants, boots, and tops.
I was about to turn off the hose when Midnight bit my shirt again and pulled me back, away from the faucet.
I laughed. “Come on, big boy. We have to get you ready.”
“What’s going on?”
A chill wave rushed through me. Midnight let go of me and neighed.
I turned around and found Delilah tapping her foot on the ground, her hands on her waist, and her blue eyes about to murder me.
“I asked, what’s going on? What are you doing with my horse?”
“I was helping Garrett. He asked me to cool Midnight down before your practice.” I walked to her, pulling the horse with me. He snorted, not wanting to come, but I jerked the reins with force. I offered her the reins. “Here. He’s all yours.”
She took the reins, still looking at me as if she was going to jump at my throat at any moment.
“Excuse me.” She took a step closer, expecting me to move from her away. Oh, there was plenty of space by my sides. I jutted my chin out and didn’t move.
With a huff, Delilah walked around me, keeping her eyes on mine until she couldn’t turn her neck any farther.
I watched as she marched to the other side of the arena, fighting with Midnight all the way. He didn’t want to go with her, but she pulled him hard and hissed at him. That was no way to treat a horse.
Garrett was going after her, but before walking on, he paused by my side and offered me a hand towel.
“You’ve got some balls,” he said, his lips turned up.
I smiled, using the towel to dry a little of my pants. “I rather think I don’t.”

He chuckled low, and I swear he almost smiled. Shaking his head, he said, “Gotta make sure the princess is well attended.” He tipped his hat and followed his half-sister to where the jumping poles were set up.

About the Author:
New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Author Links:
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