Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Release Day Spotlight: All’s Fair In Love And Weddings by Christine S. Feldman

Release Day Spotlight



All’s Fair In Love And Weddings by Christine S. Feldman
Contemporary Romance


Prudence Collier spent the better part of her reckless youth proving that she was not aptly named, and unfortunately she burned a few bridges in the process, including where her family is concerned. So when her long-estranged sister invites her to her destination wedding in the Virgin Islands, Prue leaps at the chance to mend at least one broken family relationship and prove that she’s a changed person. 

Tucker Davies, on the other hand, has come to the islands for a very different reason: to stop the wedding. As a childhood friend of the groom, he has reason to believe that his friend is about to make a huge mistake and is intent on not letting that happen. One thing he didn’t count on, though, was going up against Prue. 

Determined to make up for the past, Prue resolves to keep Tucker from interfering with her sister’s happiness in the present and is willing to go to any lengths necessary to do so. Any. And if that requires a few tiny deceptions here and there, the occasional brush with the local authorities, and perhaps even instigating a barroom brawl, so be it. A sister has to do what a sister has to do. 

But so does a friend, and Tucker has no intention of backing down, no matter how aggravating or even—to his surprise—appealing Prudence Collier can be. 

The war is on, and neither side believes they can afford to surrender. 

Which is a shame, because they’re both beginning to suspect surrendering would be a lot of fun…

Purchase on:
Amazon





Excerpt:
She froze in front of him like a deer caught in the headlights, and despite the fact that she had some serious explaining to do, the first thought that went through Tucker’s mind when her eyes widened was that they certainly were a remarkable shade of green, weren’t they?
“Good morning,” she returned warily, and then those green eyes of hers narrowed.
Well, that seemed like an odd reaction. If either of them ought to be upset, he was fairly certain it should be him, not her. And had he not been so intensely curious as to why she had sent him on a wild goose chase yesterday, he might have been more upset than he already was.
“Coffee smells good,” Tucker said conversationally with a nod toward her cup. “Is there more where that came from?”
“Depends,” Prue returned, eyeing him as if she expected him to make a sudden move at any time. “Are you a guest of the resort?”
“Are you kidding? At their prices? No.”
“Then I think you’re out of luck.” And she drained the rest of her drink in front of him.
He watched her, unfazed. “Yeah, my luck has been pretty poor the past twenty-four hours.”
“Has it?”
She seemed to be avoiding his gaze. Under the circumstances, he was not surprised. “But it’s taking a turn for the better now, because I was hoping to run into you again.”
“I’ll bet,” she muttered, so much under her breath that he almost missed it.
“Mainly because I was hoping you could explain something to me. Like why you sent me racing after the wrong ferry?”
After a moment’s pause, she turned to look directly at him and widened her eyes again with what—in any other situation—he might have interpreted as innocence. It was almost, but not quite, convincing. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“I think you do know what I mean. You sent me to the Water Island ferry.”
One of her eyes twitched before both of them grew even wider. Too wide. “That’s the one you wanted, wasn’t it?”
He looked at her evenly, wondering what kind of game she was playing at here. “No. It wasn’t.”
“Well, that’s what I heard you say. You specifically said Water Island, I’m sure of it.”
“I said St. John.”
She shook her head. “I think you must be confused.”
Understatement of the year, he thought. “Very, yes, but not about the islands. And neither are you, are you?”
“I think you must be remembering wrong.”
“I fell for that line once already, remember? What else have you got?”
Instead of answering, she played with the empty coffee cup in her hands.
“Look, sweetheart, I don’t know if you just like to do this kind of thing to other people for kicks, but I’m really not in the mood for it today. I had a very long night, and it would be hard to say if the crowning moment was when one of the tires on my car blew up or when the tow truck guy discovered he was lactose intolerant while I was still riding beside him in his truck, but—” He caught another twitch around her eyes then, one that almost looked like guilt taking its toll. And then another thought occurred to him for the first time, and he stared at her, incredulous. “Wait—did you have something to do with that?”
“A lactose-intolerant truck driver? Not likely.”
“I meant my tire.”
She played with her cup some more without looking up, and he realized he had his answer.
“Are you kidding me?” He was almost too bewildered to be angry. Almost. “Do you usually screw over the people who do you favors, lady, or am I just special?”
Her head shot up then, and she had the nerve to look indignant. “Screw people over? You’re one to talk!”
“Huh?” Tourists all over these islands, and he had to cross paths with the one who appeared to be an escaped mental patient. A very attractive mental patient, he thought as a distracting curl escaped from the band she’d used to pull her hair back into a loose ponytail, but a mental patient nevertheless. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about that wedding you’re so anxious to stomp all over, that’s what.”
His irritation grew. “I don’t want to ‘stomp’ on anything. I just want to—”
“Ruin the bride’s special day. I know.”
“The bride—”
“Is my sister.”
He blinked and then stared at her, and she nodded back, her displeasure with him written all over her face. “No…” he breathed in disbelief.
“Guess again.”




About the Author:

Christine S. Feldman writes both novels and feature-length screenplays, and she has placed in screenwriting competitions on both coasts.  She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her ballroom-dancing husband and their beagle.





Monday, September 29, 2014

Review: Incarcerated by Inger Iversen

Title: Incarcerated
Author: Inger Iversen
Publication: September 29th 2014
Genre: Adult ~ Contemporary Romance
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 4/5


Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.



One of the few white kids in a rural Kentucky town, Logan Whyte always kept to his own kind out of self-preservation. He never considered himself racist, but that didn’t stop him from falling in with the wrong crowd that celebrated hate as much as he fought it - or from ending up in prison for eight years on an armed robbery charge.

A successful and educated black woman, Katie Andreassen is tired of being accused of betraying her own race. Her lonely isolation, coupled with her grief over losing her mother, inspire her to create a new pen pal program at Capshaw State Penitentiary, where her father is a warden.

The program brings together the unlikely pair, but Logan and Katie soon find themselves forced to overcome past fears and prejudices. Their friendship doesn’t come easily - threatened by a crooked lawyer with a grudge and a best friend who betrays her promise to help.

When faced with a world that forces them apart, Logan and Katie must show everyone else what they have discovered: that love is, in fact, colorblind.




I'm going to jump right in and saying I really liked Incarcerated. I've been very excited about this book every since I saw the gorgeous cover (I swear I'm obsessed with it). So I'm really glad it didn't disappoint me at all. It's not a genre I've read before from Inger Iversen but she did a damn good job at it!

I loved the concept of this book, of two people, Katie and Logan coming closer together, first through letters and then through talking on the phone. What made it so special was that one of these people, Logan, was in prison. So I really liked the chapters that involved the letters and reading them, and the way they got they know each other. And I loved the moment where they first meet. It was sizzling!

Katie was a really great character to read about, in my opnion. She's a lot like me in many ways, I think, so that made me relate to her quite a bit. Logan was also an interesting character, even with his issues. I loved the dual points of view and Logan's was my favorite (male pov is almost always a favorite with me). Their relationship was intense and a bit too hurried sometimes but I love them so much as a couple. And oh, the sex scenes were scorching hot. Way to go, Inger! I had to literally fan myself at times. Katie and Logan sure had enough chemistry to light my Kindle on fire!

Of course, there were a whole lot of issues involved mostly for Logan because he has issues with black people, mostly men, due to his violent past with them. Once he finds out that Katie is a black woman, he feels lied to, though he's willing to work on his issues because of his feelings for her. I must say that some scenes were a little hard for to read like the scene where he finds out she's black. It was an emotional one and I could really feel how much it had hurt Katie. But it was very well written by the author and I just love her for writing a book like this.

Incarcerated was a beautiful story. It had all the right elements I'm looking for in a great contemporary story — engaging characters, enjoyable writing, steamy romance and an amazing message. You'll definitely want to read this book. It's definitely a favorite of mine and I can't wait to read more books in this genre by Inger Iversen.







About the Author:

Inger Iversen lives in Virginia Beach with her tree-hugging boyfriend Joshua and her overweight lap cat Max. When not reading or writing she spends her time watching reruns of True Blood or killing zombies in Call Of Duty.


Sunday, September 28, 2014

Book Gif Tag - Tagged by Chene @ Mean Who You Are

I was tagged by Chene @ Mean Who You Are
to answer a list of 10 books with gifs!

Make sure to check if you're tagged below and which books I'm tagging you for!





1. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare


One of my favorite books and series ever but it all ended too soon!


2. Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira


I just orderd it the other day and I can't wait to read it!


3. Fallen by Lauren Kate


One of the only books about angels that I actually love + I met the author once and she was super awesome!


4. The Fault in our Stars by John Green


Brilliant book but yeaaah... 


5. Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead


Started the arc once but coulnd't get into it... Didn't stop me from buying the paperback ,though.


6. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi


One word: Warner


7. Angelbound by Christina Bauer


Yeah, no... angel books aren't my thing.


8. Chasing the Star Garden by Melanie Karsak


Yet another book I'd love to read!


9. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong


Oh, Clay... Whew! *fans herself*


10. Few Are Angels by Inger Iversen


One of my favorite books and the very first author who asked me to review her book!




I'm Tagging:

Christina @ Booksane
Aparajita @ Le Grande Codex
Megan and/or Nitzan @ The Book Babe's Reads
Ashley @ The Caffeinated Booknard


The Books:

1. The Emperor's Conspiracy by Michelle Diener
2. Torrent by Gemma James
3. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
4. Gone by Michael Grant
5. Blood Vine by Amber Belldene
6. Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott
7. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
8. Murder on Olympus by Robert B. Warren
9. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

10. Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter




This challenge was loads of fun and I hope if I tagged you that you'll enjoy it as well! :)





Saturday, September 27, 2014

Stacking The Shelves: 27/09/'14

Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted @ Tynga's Reviews, to showcase the books we received.
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Bought:
Falling for Fate by Caisey Quinn
It's the second book in this series and the first book wasn't a favorite of mine so I didn't plan to buy this one right away but I saw it was on sale so why not!

Bought:
Rockin the Heart by Gracen Miller
Only .99 for Kindle, so how could I resist?




Freebie:
Love Sucks and Then You Die by Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate
Found this prequel to MG and KA's book on Amazon which is awesome because I just ordered Eva & Adam. Awesome.








So, what books did you all receive?
Leave me links to your hauls so I can stop by!


Friday, September 26, 2014

Review: Sinners in the Dark by Inger Iversen

Title: Sinners in the Dark
Author: Inger Iversen

Series: In the Dark #2
Publication: September 17th 2014 by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing
Genre: New Adult ~ Paranormal
Purchase: Amazon
Rating: 5/5

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.



Depending on who you talk to, the Vampire Nation is either corrupt or a necessary evil. The Sect was formed to eradicate all things vampire, or maybe it’s just their mission to protect humans. Echo has been on both sides. He was once a Watcher for the Vampire Nation, but when he uncovers an ongoing plan to kill chosen Sect leaders to force war, he is driven to make a decision he never thought he’d make.
Echo becomes a Ghost, the name used for traitors of the Vampire Nation. It’s a dangerous way to leave the Nation, but Echo is sick of all the blood on his hands. However, leaving the darkness behind isn’t as easy as he thinks. Choices he made might cost him the one person that could help redeem his soul.
Olivia lost so much at a young age, and she has spent the last four years wading through the blood of vampires. Her goal has always been to avenge her family’s massacre. When she met Echo in battle two years ago, there was instant chemistry. Now, he is not only a part of the Sect but her new partner. Will she be able to set aside her hatred for vamps to expose the V Nation for what they really are?




Wow. Okay. Just wow! Sinners in the Dark was a freaking fantastic book. I hadn't expected to like it this much since the previous book wasn't my favorite ever, but man... Inger Iversen blew my mind with this one!

Echo is by far now one of my favorite male vampires. I simply loved him. His attitude and overall sexiness just makes me want to fan myself. And he's Russian. Talk about hot! I also really liked Olivia a.k.a. Via. She was fierce, witty and doesn't let Echo walk all over her. Yeah, she was awesome. I loved the way their relationship was written. Their attraction too each other was obvious yet Echo had to make her see it and I loved it all!

Correct me if I'm wrong but there was a total of three points of view in this book - Echo, Via and Vasily which is Echo's brother. If you know me even a little bit you know that I adore multiple povs. I really do and I even liked Vasily's, even though he was a villain. It's just interesting to get inside the bad guy's head. Though, of course Echo was my favorite's, what with being a little obsessed with the man. 

The overall story was very well-written, in my opinion. I loved the plot and the twists involving a certain character from the previous books. Not going to say too much about this but damn that was good. 

Sinners in the Dark was amazing. I was really surprised by how much I ended up almost not being able to stop reading and loving the book completely.  Whenever I get bored of vampire stories, I'll just have to read one of Inger Iversen's and I'm back on team vampire. Way to go!






About the Author:

Inger Iversen lives in Virginia Beach with her tree-hugging boyfriend Joshua and her overweight lap cat Max. When not reading or writing she spends her time watching reruns of True Blood or killing zombies in Call Of Duty.



Thursday, September 25, 2014

Throwback Thursday #34: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Throwback Thursday is a bookish meme hosted every two weeks by me and Christina @ Booksane where we feature books that we've read in the past but are still crazy about. It could be a book you read as a child and still remember and love or maybe just a book that you haven't read in a long time and want to show your love for.
Each week we'll be featuring a new random question to answer!
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Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Lux #1
Read from August 06 to 09, 2012


 

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something... unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.


Ah, Obsidian... the book that started my love for JLA. I read this book two years ago and well, it's been one of those books that rocked my world. Four words: Daemon Black! Fuck yeah!




Quote:
My palms itched to have a close encounter of the bitch-slap kind with his face.




Question of this week:
Last book you bought at a bookstore?



The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare


How could I not buy this when I saw it? Honestly! Some books just have to be bought.





Next question (October 9): 
Most intimidating book you've read?
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If you'd like to participate in Throwback Thursday you can add your post to the linky below. 



Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Review: Stay with Me by J. Lynn

Title: Stay with Me
Author: J. Lynn
Series: Wait for You #3
Publication: September 23rd 2014 by William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: New Adult ~ Contemporary Romance
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 4/5

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.



From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wait for You and Be with Me comes a daring tale that pushes boundaries . . .

At 21, Calla hasn't done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.

But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought shed left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.

Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from they moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn't give them her mom.







Although I didn't completely love it, Stay With Me was a good book. Calla has a great story to tell and Jax was a fantastic character.

I'm not sure in which book Calla got introduced originally but I never really paid any attention to her. So I'm glad she got her own book, so we all could get to know her better. She turned out to be a likable character in the end but initially, I wasn't impressed because of her low self-imagine and constantly asking Jax why he could like her. I do get it why she was portayed that way but after the first few times of doubting herself it got a little old.

Which brings us to Jax. Holy bartender hotness! That man was sexy. After Jase and Ollie, he's probably my favorite guy of the bunch. He's different because he's the bartender (among other things) at the bar where Calla grew up. He's older and more mature yet very naughty and I love him to death! I loved his "when I want something, I go for it" attitude.

The romantic scenes in one word were simply wicked. There's a lot more to this story than just the romance of course but damn, they were so hot. Jax has got some skills! But like I said there's a lot more to the story, there's some themes involved like drug abuse and how it can really screw people (like Calla's mom) up. At times it was a little hard to read everything Calla went through when she was younger but I thought it made the story a little deeper.

As usually with a book by J. Lynn (otherwise known as Jennifer L. Armentrout), there were a bunch of great secondary characters that I couldn't help but adore. I loved everyone working at Mona's (the bar). They were all awesome to read about. I also really liked Katie who works across the street at a strip bar. She was a hoot! Of course the familiar bunch of characters made appearances too. We get to see Cam, Avery, Teresa, Jase, Ollie, etc... And even Raphael or was it Michelangelo? Anyway, it was fantastic seeing everyone again.

So overall, Stay with Me was another great addition to the Wait for You series. J. Lynn always manages to capture my attention with her books, making me laugh one moment and wanting to cry the next. Yet I love her books and this one was an almost perfect one once again!




About the Author:

# 1 New York Times and International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.
She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Jennifer would love to hear from you. If you have questions about any of her books, would like to set up an interview, book signing, etc, please use the email address below. Please check out each book/series individual page for more information about each title and the FAQ section.
For rights information on any of her titles, please contact Kevan Lyon from Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.