Like All Things Beautiful - 5-Star Review

Like All Things Beautiful 

(Hearts of Haines Book 2)

By: Shannon McCrimmon

Released: May 2, 2015

Synopsis:

In this sequel to Kiss Me Hard Before You Go, Evie Barnes is living day-to-day, trying to keep her father's land and his cattle business afloat.  She is adjusting to his absence and to living with Finch and the rest of the carnies, which is creating quite a stir amongst the locals in Haines.  As Finch and the others learn a new way of life that doesn't involve the carnival, they're dealing with prejudice from almost everyone in town.  A string of suspicious incidents occur, prompting all fingers to point the blame at them.  Just when Evie and Finch learn to deal with the mountain of obstacles facing them, the unexpected happens, causing them to question if their relationship can survive it all.

Review:

Welcome back to Haines, South Carolina!  It's been a little over a year since I first met Evie, Finch, and the whole carnie crew and let me tell you... I have missed them!  To read my 5-Star review of Kiss Me Hard Before You Go (Hearts of Haines Book 1), click here.

If you thought that you loved Finch before, just wait until you see Farmer Finch who will do anything to make the love of his life happy.  He is an all-around good guy that exactly what every girl wants and needs.  

Where Evie was a strong woman in Kiss Me Hard Before You Go, she grows into an even stronger woman in Like All Things Beautiful and we really get to see the extent of her character.  She doesn't just make decisions for the heck of it or because they fit her whims.  She truly views Katie, Finch and the other carnies as her adopted family.  So she always tries to think of what is best for all of them.  

I am in love with the Hearts of Haines series for a couple of reasons.  First, while Evie and Katie are in their late teens, they don't act like stereotypical teenagers.  This means that while they face real life struggles, the story is not filled with annoying teen angst.  They face real problems that adults face and are looking for real love, not just a string of flings.  Second, it's a love story that you don't have to feel guilty about reading.  It's about life and love, not sex.  Third, the writing is fantastic!  You will be transported back in time to the 1970's with the perfect sprinkling of cultural references that will make you want to toss your skinny jeans and pull out your bellbottoms and platforms!

Stay tuned for my review of This is Where We Begin.  Book 3 in the Hearts of Haines series is Katie's story.  I'm reading it now, and I already feel so close to Katie.  

Buy Links:

Like All Things Beautiful:

http://goo.gl/9voYxJ

This Is Where We Begin:

http://goo.gl/ZYMrwq

Kiss Me Hard Before You Go:

http://goo.gl/VbZaoH

About the Author:

Shannon McCrimmon was born and raised in Central Florida.  She attended Rollins College and earned a Master's Degree in Counseling.  In 2008 she moved to the upstate of South Carolina.  It was the move that inspired her to write her first novel.  She currently lives in Greenville, South Carolina with her husband and toy poodle.  She'd love to hear from you!  Connect with her at shannonmccrimmon.com.

Connect with Shannon McCrimmon

www.shannonmccrimmon.com

writermccrimmon@gmail.com

Instagram: @writermccrimmon

Twitter: @smccrimmon1

Facebook: shannonmccrimmonauthor

Midnight Ballering - 5-Star Review

Synopsis 

“When I grow up, I’m going to be a dancer. I just know it.” 

Of course, life doesn’t always work out how you want. Just ask Monroe Hartley. After burying her childhood dream, Monroe works toward a new one, determined to prove her independence. When life catches up with her, stripping away her resources, she slowly turns toward an unlikely profession. Miller Buchanan has enough on his plate; he doesn’t need to worry about anything or anyone else. Then a petite, dark-haired beauty falls into his lap and despite his personal demons, he can’t stay away. Temptation and possibility linger, but when the past comes knocking, will they trade their future for the familiar? Or will they continue on the path of the unknown?

Prologue

I GLANCED AT my watch, seeing it was just after midnight. I needed to get the hell out of here so I could get some sleep. Already overworked, I shouldn’t have promised her the favor but she’d always done right by me. I couldn’t keep putting it off. My feet froze when I passed by the open door of one of the rooms, eyes drawn to the lone figure in the center of the glossy, wooden floors, her back facing me. Hair as dark as the night sky in a tight bun atop her head enhanced her creamy white skin, body clad in a scrap of black material that offered as little coverage as a bathing suit. That must be what they wore, even when there weren’t many people around so late at night. Business must be good if the place continued to stay open almost twenty-four seven. I didn’t get the need for it, really. My attention snapped back as she gracefully raised her arms, completely in her own world, before balancing on her tiptoes and spinning around the room endlessly, making me dizzy. My eyes stayed glued to her perfomance, her legs drawing me in like a moth to a flame. While she was petite, her legs seemed to go on for miles, and were powerful and lean as she twirled across the floor, changing quickly into step after step. I was mesmerized. She moved fluidly, legs kicking in every which direction, perfectly in sync with the soft music playing in the background. I could barely make out the song as I focused solely on the ballerina, her body making a tempo of its own, creating a rhythm as she glided effortlessly. Back and forth, forward and backward, round and round. My whole body hummed as I shifted, pressing closer as I continued to observe, unnoticed. I didn’t want her to stop my private show, but it all came to an end too soon as someone walked past me in the hallway, pulling me out of my trance. I looked down to see that almost an hour had passed, cursing myself for letting the dancer distract me, and when I glanced back in the studio, she was gone. It was for the best, really. I walked back out to the front, gathering my tools, re- signed to the fact that I’d have to come back to complete the job another time. It wasn’t happening that night. My little midnight ballerina made sure of that.

Review

I am totally and completely in love with Midnight Ballerina!  It was the cover that initially drew me in and mesmerized me.  But once I cracked that cover, I was hooked.  I mean, hello... did you read that Prologue?!?

The characters are freaking perfect.  Monroe is a fireball and perfectly able to take care of herself.  She knows who she is and how to survive.  So it is incredibly hard for her to let Miller take care of her.  She's spunky and fiesty, and I totally relate to her.  

Then you have Miller... oh, swoon-worthy, southern gentleman, Miller.  He has trust issues galore, but he is strong and loving.  I promise that you will want to jump into the pages, knock Monroe out of the way and get into Miller's arms.  Can you tell that I have a little crush on him?

Seriously tho... you do not have to be a dancer or a dance lover to enjoy this.  It isn't all about the dancing and dance lingo... it's about Miller and Monroe.  Midnight Ballerina is brilliantly written and a perfect example of the New Adult genre! 

Buy Now

AMAZON/B&N

About the Author

Cori "C.A." Williams is the author of The Journey Series, Full Count, Imperfect Perfection Series, and The Crush; all of the New Adult Genre. She  lives in Michigan and is married to her high school sweetheart. When she's not busy typing away at a new book, she's also trying to juggle three little ones. While being a stay at home to her three little ones, she likes to read and write, in between cleaning up messes and being a short order cook.

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorcawilliams?ref=hl

Or friend me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorca.williams.1

Hosted By:

Blog Tour Openings

We still have a few openings for the upcoming blog tour of Nothing Like the First Time by Keren Hughes! Nothing Like the First Time is currently on the Amazon's New Adult bestseller list. 

Tour hosts are automatically entered in the host incentive giveaway to win a signed paperback of the book.  Tour stops can include reviews (review copies will be provided), guest posts, or Author interviews.

Sign up for your spot on the tour here!

Nothing Like the First Time

By: Keren Hughes

Limitless Publishing

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

On Sale May 20th, 2014

Synopsis:

Carly Summers and Greyston Sterling were each other's first kiss, first sexual experience, first love, first everything...

They were a match made in Heaven, that was, until Grey took a job as a freelance photographer which took him to the other side of the world. When it came down to a choice between his career and his girl - he chose his career.

Now, 10 years later, Grey's back in town and wants to see if they can rekindle what they had all those years ago. Carly has had relationships but nothing that lasted. No one ever compared to Grey.

But how can they if he's engaged to somebody else?

Breaking Fences - book blitz

Breaking Fences (The Breaking Series, #2)

by Juliana Haygert 

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:
    

***GIVEAWAY***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz Organized by:

Kiss Me Hard Before You Go - 5-star review

Kiss Me Hard Before You Go

By: Shannon McCrimmon
Available May 14, 2014

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance 

Synopsis
Kiss Me Hard Before You Go:

Every summer, Gray Barnes and his eighteen-year old daughter, Evie, open up their farm in the foothills of South Carolina to Kip Kierkin's Carnival of Wonder. The carnival attracts hordes of locals and out-of-towners, and it brings in the extra cash that Gray and his daughter need to keep the family estate running.

Evie decided long ago that she wants nothing to do with the carnival or the farm that her dad so desperately works to keep afloat. She doesn't understand her father's appreciation for the land or the work that it takes to maintain it, but that's all about to change when she meets Finch Mills.

Finch is a lifer – a carny since birth. He's spent all of his twenty-two years on the circuit and longs for a different path. He's never paid much attention to Evie, not until this eventful summer of 1978.

5-Star Review:
I was so excited to get a copy of this and could not wait to read it.  I mean, seriously... who can resist a good story with carnies? After reading The Days Lost by Shannon McCrimmon, I knew that Kiss Me Hard Before You Go would be good, but it turned out so much better than I ever expected!

The first page draws you in, the first chapter sets a tone of mystery that will be a background to the whimsy and entertainment of the rest of the story.

If you've read some of my other reviews, then you know that I am a sucker for stories that are set in the south.  What can I say, I'm a true southern girl! In Kiss Me Hard Before You Go, McCrimmon expertly folds in just the right amount of southern charm and sass with sayings that will have you chuckling throughout the book.

The characters are great! Evie is strong, sassy, and won't take crap from anybody.  I love the fact that she is not only relatable, but the type of character that you read and think that you want to be more like her.  Finch is totally swoon-worthy! I love how Doris (one of the other carnies) describes him as being a piss-ant with the heart of a lion. Like Evie, he takes no crap, but is fiercely loyal and fights for what he wants... and Evie has piqued his interest.

Book Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Author Bio:

I'm a Florida native who currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina, with my husband and toy poodle. When I'm not writing, I can be found drinking Earl Grey tea with honey and cream, singing ineptly and butchering the lyrics to my favorite songs, and asking my friends ridiculous, hypothetical scenario-based questions. I'd love to hear from you. 

Connect with me at www.shannonmccrimmon.com

Social Media Links:
www.facebook.com/shannonmccrimmonauthor
www.twitter.com/smccrimmon1
www.shannonmccrimmon.com
www.pinterest.com/crimms

GoodReads Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21871900-kiss-me-hard-before-you-go

Nothing Like the First Time - Cover Reveal

Nothing Like the First Time

By: Keren Hughes

Limitless Publishing

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Coming May 20th, 2014

Synopsis:

Carly Summers and Greyston Sterling were each other's first kiss, first sexual experience, first love, first everything...

They were a match made in Heaven, that was, until Grey took a job as a freelance photographer which took him to the other side of the world. When it came down to a choice between his career and his girl - he chose his career.

Now, 10 years later, Grey's back in town and wants to see if they can rekindle what they had all those years ago. Carly has had relationships but nothing that lasted. No one ever compared to Grey.

But how can they if he's engaged to somebody else?

Excerpt:

“So your career comes before me?” I asked, already knowing the answer. “At least look me in the eye and answer me, it’s the least you owe me Grey.”

“I don’t want to have to choose Carls,” he said as he caught my eye. “I just don’t want to miss out on the experience of a lifetime. I get to see amazing things, capture them on film while I experience the different cultures.”

“Just answer the question Grey – you want your career more than you want me.” I started to cry again, I had wanted to get through this without crying but I was fooling myself when I thought that.

“I’m sorry Carls,” he said as he took my hand into his. “I love you, I always will. But this is the opportunity of a lifetime, it may never happen again. I need to do this. I’m not making a conscious choice to put you second but if you weren’t so stubborn, you’d come with me like I asked.”

About the Author:

Keren lives in the UK and is an avid bookworm; she has been since she read things like Black Beauty, What Katy Did and The Hobbit as a child. Her first real memories of reading are the summers she used to lie on her bed and re-read What Katy Did and What Katy Did Next.

Over the years she has come to realise that she is a bit OCD about books. They have to be in perfect condition without the slightest bit of damage.

She is a book reviewer and has been for the past 18 months or so.

The idea for Stolen came to her one day but she never thought she’d actually write it let alone publish it. If it wasn’t for her author friend Kira Saito, the idea would still be stuck in her head not on paper. But constant love and support from Kira is why you are now able to read Stolen.

Stolen is her first novel but now that she’s written one, she knows she needs to write more. There will be one sequel, called Freed which will be from Bodhi’s POV. This will be set a couple of years on.

Then, the plan is for her to write either NA or Adult Contemporary Romances. She has a big crush on Lady Antebellum’s music at the moment and their songs have inspired a few book ideas.

Keren loves hearing from her readers and if you want to contact her, you can do so at any of the following places:

Email: kerenkiesslinger@gmail.com

Twitter: @Gothic_Angel28

Facebook (review page): www.facebook.com/GothicAngelBookReviews

Facebook (author page): www.facebook.com/stolenbykerenkiesslinger

Review Blog: www.gothicangelbookreviews.blogspot.com

Author Blog: www.authorkerenkiesslinger.blogspot.com

Author Links: