Giveaway, Double Review & Tour: Allure (Spiral of Bliss #2) by Nina Lane

GOODREADS:    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17376108-allure

“We both want this so badly. I can feel it resonating between us like the hot pull of our first attraction, tangible and intense.”

After lies and betrayal almost destroy their marriage, Dean and Olivia West reignite their blissful passion. The medieval history professor and his lovely wife are determined to fix their mistakes, and Liv’s unexpected pregnancy intensifies their desire to fall madly in love all over again.

Then a family crisis forces Dean back into a feud with his parents and siblings, dredging up guilt over a painful family secret. Dean fights to shield Liv from the hostility, but for the first time, Liv resists her white knight’s defense. Her newfound resolve clashes with Dean’s desperate need to protect her.

Liv and Dean have battled obstacles together before, but bitter family conflicts now endanger their fragile intimacy. And when Dean’s career is suddenly threatened, he and Liv must struggle with events that could damage them in ways they had never imagined.

*ARC provided by author for an honest review*

**PLEASE NOTE** if you have not read Allure, book one of this series, this review may contain spoilers.

I don't know where to even start with this review. By the time I reached the end of the book, I felt emotionally drained. The constant up and down that is Liv and Dean's marriage makes for a tough read. But at the same time, it is that relationship between them, the love that is so obvious even at the worst moments, that is the major draw for me with this series. And it is a refreshing change from the overwhelming NA tidal wave of books that seems to be coming at us.

It became very clear early on, to me at least, that Dean has learned nothing since the first book. He is still keeping things from Liv. And while I somewhat understand the why of it, it still is unacceptable. His seems to feel the need to protect her from all the bad things that have happened in his life or are happening. And it is surely going to be their down fall. I don't feel he sees Liv as an equal partner, someone to share the burdens of life with him. I am hoping that as their story progresses, he will recognize her as his equal.

I was proud of Liv is this book. As the story continued, I could see her growing stronger. More sure of herself. She is finally starting to recognize what she wants and needs from Dean. I do not agree with her decision at the end though. I feel that it is going to place an even bigger strain on an already fragile marriage. Communication has never been a strength for either of them and the choice Liv pushes Dean to make, is not going to help that. Or at least not in a way I can see.

Some things I truly loved in Allure were the love notes passed between Liv and Dean. They were so cute and cheesy, but absolutely perfect! And of course one area these two have never let us down is the bedroom. And that is no different in this book. If anything, I think they were maybe a bit hotter. And I also liked how we got glimpses of their past together. It makes you understand the dynamics of their relationship a little better.

Overall, this was a good read. The only reason I didn't give it a higher rating is because it still is not the end. There is another book, Awaken, coming sometime this summer. So, of course that means we are left with questions of what will become of Liv and Dean.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW -mature content reader discretion is advised.
5 HEARTS out of 5
Genre: Adult Romance Erotica

HIGHLY EROTIC. HIGHLY EMOTIONAL. TRUE TO LIFE CHARACTERS. 

"You’re the first woman who’s ever made me afraid.” I stared at him.
“Afraid?” 
“Afraid of how good this is. Afraid it won’t last.” He pushed a lock of hair off my forehead.
“Scared to death of losing you.”
“Oh.” I was speechless. I swallowed hard.
“You’re… you don’t have to be scared of losing me.” Something flickered in his expression that I didn’t under- stand, couldn’t decipher.
“I don’t?” he said.

I think one of the best qualities in this book series is its believable characters. Nina Lane has written these realistic characters that we can all relate to. They make mistakes proving to be far from perfect, they have insecurities, they have family issues and they want to accomplish certain things In life. Just like you and just like me.

In Allure Dean has no choice but to face his fears and deal with his wife’s pregnancy. Liv and the baby’s health become his number one priority when a family emergency has them boarding a plane to California. Bringing Liv in to the lions den was not how he wanted his wife to spend her time but Liv insisted on being by his side and he reluctantly agrees.

Aware that his mother and sister are not her biggest fans Liv goes to California and gets a little more than she bargained for when she comes face to face with his past.

It becomes clear to readers that this family(Dean’s family) puts on a nice facade for friends but lacks the love, compassion and tenderness towards one another that a family should embody. Secrets in the form of scarred over scabs are reopened. Scars that have not healed properly. So now our already fragile couple is thrown in to a family conflict that has been ongoing for years. Brother against brother, mother ignored by the father and a sister who picks a side and remains ignorant towards her brother and his wife.

Meanwhile Dean tries to tackle an issue on his own that could be career damaging. In doing so he leaves Liv alone at his parents home not knowing this is a time she needs him most. Of course this is when the person everyone least expects lends a helping hand. With no questions asked.

Lane alternates from between Dean and Liv’s pov in Allure which I LOVE! Her writing was emotional and highly erotic. I’m talking squirm-in-your-seat-panty-melting-slick-wet-S-E-X-Y!







‘Her hair falls in a curtain on either side of my face. I grab a swath of her hair to pull her closer for a deep kiss. She sinks farther onto me until I’m throbbing inside her. She shifts, gasping. I dig my fingers into her hips.’
“Ride me,” I whisper. “Hard.”

She also does an excellent job with going from the present to the past while showing us how their relationship slowly built and how Dean’s over protectiveness has become a weight on Liv’s life.

‘Without my husband, I have so little of my own. I don’t know how I let that happen.’

She wants to lift that weight to grow and stand on her own two feet.

“You have to let me fail, Dean, and you have to believe I can get back up on my own.”
“I know you can.” My heart constricts.
“But you have to let me prove it. You have to accept that I’m going to get hurt, but also that I can be self-reliant. You can’t always save me.”
“No. I can’t.” It’s the first time he has ever admitted that. And I don’t want to imagine how much it cost him to finally do so.

Big step forward to progress. HUGE.

I cannot wait to see what the future brings this couple in book #3 Awaken. 

My Thoughts
Not gonna lie this book had me in tears as this couple struggle with a lot of personal issues. There was a scene when Liv pulled out her manifesto and started writing... I teared up and could not wipe the tears away fast enough. As a woman I’ve felt and had those same thoughts… Liv just wants to be her own person and to achieve success on her own terms. Not with the assistance of Dean or his bank account.

I for one want more Archer(Dean's brother) This obviously incredibly tormented soul of a man needs his story told. And I am begging Ms.Lane to please please please give Archer a book!

My Casting





My Ratings
Characters- Lovable
Writing Style- Excellent
Plot/Storyline- Gut-Wrenching, Soul Searching and Emotionally Charged
Steam Factor- High/Very Steamy
Overall- I LOVED IT!!! READ IT!!!

Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it!
*Copy kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Nina Lane is a multi-published author of elegant, romantic and often raunchy erotica. Her recent release AROUSE is the first book in the Spiral of Bliss series, and her novel THE EROTIC DARK is a #1 Amazon erotica bestseller.

Nina used to write novels under the name Natasha Rostova and has published stories in anthologies such as “Best Women’s Erotica” and “Erotic Travel Tales.” Her work has been translated into both German and Japanese. In addition to writing, she's an avid reader who loves popcorn and has recently joined a workout boot-camp that is kicking her rear end.

Website: http://ninalane.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NinaLaneAuthor 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NinaLaneAuthor

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5785925.Nina_Lane

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Cover Reveal: Following Me by K.A. Linde

“I knew you were running the first time I saw you…"

Devon didn’t have a game plan when she decided to leave St. Louis on a Chicago-bound train for the summer. Just a reason. One she couldn’t share with anyone.

Not Hadley, her best friend from college, who lets her stay in the guest bedroom; no questions asked. Or Brennan, the bartender at the local restaurant they frequent, who she actively tries to avoid. Or Garrett, Hadley’s boyfriend, who befriends her when she has no one else to turn to.

"I just didn’t know what you were running from...."

Desperate to hide at all costs, Devon plunges into her new life in the city. Everyone around her starts to reveal sides of themselves Devon never expected. And just when she starts to get comfortable, her world flips upside down…

"...but I think all along you were running toward me."

4 lives.
All connected.
All with secrets that just keep following them.

*****

Sweat beaded on Devon’s temple, and she wiped it off her forehead and out of her eyes.  The party had been going all night, and it was nice to loosen up and get lost in the music and dancing.  She hadn’t partied in so long, and she couldn’t resist when Amy had actually invited her out.  Either she was getting over her hatred for the new girl, or Devon had just been there long enough that she wasn’t considered the new girl any longer.

People were packed into the club shoulder to shoulder, many even closer than that.  The music was ear-splittingly loud.  Crazy lights traversed the warehouse-sized room, and they alternated to strobes slowing everything down to slow motion.  She hadn’t had much to drink, but she was dizzy with dehydration and the energy in the room.  Her tank top was sticking to her back, and she had long since pulled her hair up off of her neck into a ponytail.

God, I need another drink, she thought.

Her eyes moved around the room taking in as much as she could from her vantage point.  It really only ended up being the two feet encircling her.  Amy had to be somewhere inside the building.  How had she lost track of her?

Well, she knew how.  There were too many damn people in the place.  It was easy to lose track of one person, especially when that person was as short as Amy.  Still, she should have done better. She didn’t like being alone in dark places.  Whether she was surrounded by people or in a back alleyway at night, she was still alone.

She craned her head to look for her, but was having no luck.  It felt like more and more people were being crushed into the space.  How was this in line with fire code?  Surely the place would be shut down soon.

Walking in the direction of the bar, Devon tried to find Amy in the crowd.  Seriously it was getting harder and harder to maneuver through.  She was literally having to elbow people out of the way. This wasn’t okay, and it wasn’t fun.  They shouldn’t let any more people in.  Things could get out of control.

Devon looked up over the heads of people in front of her and sighed.  It felt like she was never going to reach the bar, and there was a huge line anyway.  She thought maybe the bathroom would be a better alternative…at least there she would have some privacy.

She turned to walk the other direction and slammed right into a meaty guy in front of her, who glared at her as she lost her balance and tumbled to the floor.  Someone stepped on her hand as she tried to get up.  Devon swore and hissed pulling her hand away from the ground where someone else could do the same thing.  She stood as best she could, cradling her aching hand.  It wasn’t easy pushing through people with one hand pressed between her breasts to keep from someone else smashing into it.  All it did was cause people to unknowingly smash into other parts of her.  She hadn’t made it more than a few feet toward the bathroom, and she had already been elbowed in the arm, gotten her foot stepped on, and been drunkenly body slammed knocking the breath out of her.  The club was getting dangerous.

A space opened in the crowd, and she took advantage, rushing forward through the throng of people. It took her closer to the bathroom but not close enough.  Then she felt it.  Eyes on the back of her head.  She didn’t even know how it was possible.  There were hundreds of people in the place.  No one could be focusing that intently on her, but she could swear that someone was watching her.

K.A. Linde graduated with her Masters in political science from the University of Georgia in 2012. She also has a bachelors in political science and philosophy. She wrote the Avoiding Series while struggling through advanced statistical modeling and writing her thesis. She enjoys dancing and writing novels that keep you guessing until the very end.

She currently resides in Georgia with her boyfriend and two puppies, Lucy and Riker.

 

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Giveaway, Review & Tour: Unbeautifully Loved by Emma Grayson

SPOILER FREE REVIEW -mature content reader discretion is advised.
3.5 HEARTS out of 5
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Lexie and her young son Finn have been on the run from her abusive ex with the support of her best friend Mollie. Moving from place to place has not been easy for the trio. Their new destination in the small town of Camden seems to be the perfect place to settle in.

Lexie soon finds a job at a local bar(Fishers). Even though Lex knows to have her guard up at all times from being on the run; she is in complete shock when she is attacked after work one night and almost raped. She is save by Lukas Gunn a local cop who just so happens to also be her neighbor. Her HOT AS ALL HELL neighbor! *wiggles eyebrows*

Lukas immediately takes charge he tells Lexie that he will be taking her to and from work until this rapist is caught. Lexie concedes to his wishes which are more like demands. Lukas wants Lexie and he does not hide it. Survival is her goal. Day to day survival, she is on the run from her abusive ex/baby father. Lexie has no time for love.
Hmmmm, but she is definitely being tempted by her sexy neighbor and it does not go unnoticed by Mollie!

“Hey, I’ve seen the look you give Lukas, and honey, you totally eye fuck him whenever he’s around and believe me, he fucks back and he fucks back hard.” ~Mollie

Lukas is does not take no for an answer. He slowly worms his way in to her good graces and things heat up pretty quickly between the two.

“Fuck me Lukas,” ~Lexie

REAL H O T!

He knows that Lex is hiding something.. Something that she can’t face alone. So when she pushes him away he comes right back like a boomerang.

Thoughts
Truthfully Lexie did a number on me, she had me infuriatingly mad for the majority of the book. I’m talking throw your Kindle across the room mad. She is not how I prefer my heroines to be… Annnd lets jut leave it at that. I think Emma Grayson has some Kristen Ashley inspired aspects in her characters. Lukas had a TOTAL Kristen Ashley vibe especially in his speech. He saw her, he wanted her, he claimed her and then he owned her. “MINE” Total KA alpha male style.

This book is a 3.5 so close to 4 STARS for me! The plot was a bit predictable but surprisingly I look forward to the next book. Kane Archer… Oh, he has my UNDIVIDED ATTENTION. 

Dear readers,
One thing really bothered me. I did not fully understand why Lexie’s parents were not around. That story line seemed a little weak for me personally. I also thought a plot line was left WIDE open. Which could have been purposely done this is a series after all.
I fought myself on how to rate this book.. I think this author has potential and I do want to continue with the series. This may surprise many who followed my updates for this on Goodreads. At around 54% I thought I would rate it at 2 stars. Then at around 78% I almost declared it a DNF. I put the book down at 80% And picked it up 2 nights later with a clear head. Once I hit 100% I decided to go with 3.5 almost 4 stars.


My Ratings
Characters- Witty and Sexy although Lexie drove me C R A Z Y
Writing Style- Fair
Plot/Storyline- At times intense and a little predictable
Steam Factor- High/Pretty damn steamy
Overall- I thought it was an okay read, it wasn't bad I just did not love it.

Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it!
*Copy kindly provided by the author for an honest review*

Prologue

Meeting him changed my life. I never thought I’d meet someone who’d finally complete me like he did. Someone who finally made me feel whole and loved as much as he did. There’s always been a void in my heart, a void I thought I’d never have. I was in love, deeply in love, the kind of love that only comes around once in a life time, the kind you don’t want to live without and he didn’t even know how I felt. I’d waited too long and I didn’t know if I’d ever get to tell him.

The thought of him fizzled from my mind as my body shook from the cold under the thin sheet of a blanket that was wrapped around me. I was in shock, I could tell. I knew the signs. I winced as I moved; shooting pain licked my body in every direction. I knew a couple of my ribs along with my wrist were broken, and possibly something on my face, as pain swept over it and into my head. I raised my free arm up slowly, painfully, feeling my damp face as my hand found its way to the laceration on the side of my head, the source of only some of the pain. Unable to hold my arm up for much longer, it fell to the side throbbing and dangling off the edge of the bed. My body, it was beaten and bruised possibly more than ever before and I could feel myself slipping away, wanting nothing but to close my eyes and sleep, but it was the last thing I’d allow myself to do. 

My mind was disoriented; I had no idea what day it was or how long I had been locked in this cold, dark place. Time was frozen, becoming nonexistent, and I was sure the days were just bleeding together. I thought about Finn and Mollie, hoping and praying they were safe because I didn’t know if I was going to see them again. The thought of that was unbearable. My eyes watered, nose burned and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. 

Pull it together. 

Think.

I didn’t know where I was, why I was even here or what caused him to do what he did to me. I felt like my life, my being, was being sucked right out of me. The abuse had taken its toll on my body and I had no fight left in me. All hope that I had earlier was beginning to fade away.

The door creaking open brought me back from my thoughts, my eyes snapped closed at the light that followed him in. I wanted to pull my blanket up to hide myself and hope it would make me disappear but I couldn’t and there was no point in trying. Looking at him you wouldn’t think any kind of malicious evil would consume him, but it did. It was written all over his face, in the grin he wore and the burning in his cold, dead blue eyes. A shiver ran through me as I thought of his eyes looking back at me, blank, filled with nothing but coldness and the brightness of those eyes forever gone. I’d never seen a pair of eyes so cold, or so hollow and dark, not even the pair I looked into years before compared to what I was seeing now.

He walked over to the side of the bed, no words said. His rough cold hands roamed over my hair down the side of my face and my body stilled as I wished him away. My eyes snapped shut not knowing what was about to come. 

His hand slipped under the covers, gliding over my naked arm, stopping above my elbow, lingering there a moment before moving away and then my cuffed hand was free. His hand went back, gripping my arm tightly as he pulled me to a sitting position. Pain radiated through me as I let out a whimper. He pulled me to my frozen feet, my knees shook, feeling like they were going to give out, unable to support me. I felt myself sway to the side but his grip held me upright, tightly; his fingers dug into my arm, pinching my skin.

What’s one more bruise? 

He started to pull me towards the open door, my eyes squinting, trying to adjust to the light. I didn’t know where we were going and I was sure it wasn’t going to be good and for the first time I was wishing to stay in the hole. I didn’t have any strength to fight him so I let him pull me, taking me wherever he was going. 

Maybe I had it all wrong. Maybe it was meant to end here and meeting him, falling in love, having this emptiness I carried around finally filled, maybe it was only supposed to be... temporary. 

Life had a way of playing cruel tricks on you. 

This I knew. 

Boy did I know. 

I no longer saw the future with him as bright, happy and full of love; it was suddenly now empty, numb and full of complete and utter darkness.

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Cover Reveal: Damaged 2 by H.M. Ward

Title: DAMAGED 2 (Damaged, #2)

Author: H.M. Ward

Expected release date: June 24, 2013

Genre: Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Click here to pre-order on Amazon

  The steamy sequel to the New York Times bestselling New Adult novel DAMAGED by H.M. Ward. Home isn't supposed to be dangerous, but for Sidney it is. Returning home means that she has to face her past. It's not just the man who hurt Sidney that makes it horrible, but the family that didn't believe her. They were dead to her, but now that her mom is really dying things seem different. It's a chance to set things right. What Sidney doesn't realize is that she's dragging Peter into a collision course with his past. Peter must deal with the demons haunting him if he wants to move forward with Sidney. He's willing to give up everything for her, even wade deeper into his past life to help her move forward. But, Peter isn't sure if he can get over what happened to him in New York.  

About the Author

NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, DIGITAL BOOK WORLD, & USA TODAY Bestselling author H.M. Ward is a native New Yorker living in Texas. She loves purple, glitter, and Disney World. Her bestsellers include THE ARRANGEMENT series, SCANDALOUS, and DEMON KISSED.

Don't want to miss a H.M. Ward release date: Text AWESOMEBOOKS to 22828 and get an email reminder on release dates.

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Cover Reveal: Lost for You by BJ Harvey

Lost For You by BJ Harvey (Lost #2)

Expected release: August 2013

What would you do if you were told that everything you had ever believed in and everything you had ever known, was a lie?

Elle’s life is altered forever after an unexpected phone call and an unwelcome visitor. Trying to put her life back together, Brax’s last words continue to echo through her mind. Why she is being followed and why is she suddenly in danger? The fact that Brax knew about it all and still left her alone, breaks her fragile heart all over again.

Brax will never forgive himself for leaving Elle at a time when she needed him the most, even if he believed it was the only way to protect her. As he makes his way back to her life, he is determined to win her back, regain her trust and help rebuild her for the second time. His return proves he is the same man, yet Elle sees in his eyes a haunted look she knows all too well.

When a confession leaves Elle reeling, her entire life unravels around her. She begins to understand that the people she trusts the most have put her in grave danger and the people who have been protecting her actually want to cause her harm.

Elle soon discovers that the old adage is true, you have to become lost before you can be found.

Her whole body starts to shake, so I pull her close to me again. Her shoulders are slumped over and she grabs my shirt, gripping so tight that her knuckles are almost white with strain. Once the shaking subsides I shift back, placing my fingers under her chin so that her eyes meet mine. Her eyes are red and puffy, like she’s been crying for days.

 I’ve never seen her like this. So low, so broken, so shut down.

“Baby, let me look after you. We’ll talk about everything tomorrow. I’ll tell you everything you want to know, but tonight I want to get you out of these wet clothes, wrap you up in my arms and comfort you. Will you let me do that, hon? I need you to let me help you.”

Unable to form words, Elle slowly nods, never once dropping her gaze. I strip her wet tank top off her, wrapping her towel around her chest as I pull her off the counter, carefully placing her feet on the kitchen floor. I yank her shorts down her still wet legs until she’s standing naked and exposed in front of me.

There is nothing sexual about this moment.

I take her hand and lead her into our bedroom, walking over to her drawers and pulling out a new top and pajama pants for her. I kneel down in front of her, lifting her feet one at a time as I put her legs into the pants and pull them back up to her waist. Not once has she lifted her head. She appears mesmerized by my every move.

Leading her over to the bed, I sit down on the edge and pull her into my lap as I hold the tank top in front of her. She puts her arms inside the top and I pull it the rest of the way down her body. I grab the towel and start drying her hair. I’m taking my time, wanting her to feel cherished and adored, hoping she’ll see the sincerity in my actions and not just my words, I wrap my arms around her and carry her into our bed.

“I’ll just be a minute, sweetheart,” I murmur, placing a tender kiss her forehead. I make my way into the bathroom, stripping off my wet clothes and wrapping a towel around my waist. Walking back into the bedroom, I grab a pair of boxers from the closet and put them on before crawling into bed beside her.

I move my arm around her shoulders and pull her tight into my side. She still hasn’t said a single word since I arrived. I start tracing shapes on her arm as I hold my lips to her forehead. She lays her head on my shoulder, moving one of her legs across mine as her heat cloaks me.

This is where I’m meant to be.

Where I hope Elle wants me to stay. 

Having always loved reading, and having been befriended and inspired by some awesome self published authors and book lovers alike, I decided to start writing my first novel, Lost in Distraction in December 2012. It was a conscious decision that started with a song, then the prologue and then catapulted from there. I love music too, like REALLY love music, if there isn't music playing, something is wrong. Out and Proud Vampire Diaries fan as well.

I'm also a wife, mother, full-time university student and I do contract work for myself from home.

Blog:  http://bjharveyauthor.blogspot.co.nz/

GR link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17731531-untitled

GR Author Profile: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6886702.B_J_Harvey

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/BJ-Harvey/471226826268697?fref=ts

Cover Reveal: Giving You Forever by Ashley Wilcox

Title: Giving You Forever

Author: Ashley Wilcox

Expected release date: July 8, 2013

Genre: Erotica

Age Group: Mature Adult

Cover Designed by: B Designs

  From the moment Nolan Pratt walked into Alexa Arnold’s life everything was forever changed. After a year of dating, the ring was on her finger, the house was purchased, and life was heading down Pleasantville Lane. Everything was perfect. Or so they thought. With help from his parent’s inheritance, Nolan takes on a new business adventure, utilizing all his free time. What was once their life- carefree with minimal responsibilities, is no more. When Alexa starts to feel the pressure from school, wedding planning, and lack of help from Nolan, exhaustion kicks in and feelings get hurt, testing the strength of their relationship. But, if there is one thing that Nolan will never compromise, it’s Alexa’s happiness. There’s nothing Nolan Pratt won’t do to make sure Alexa is well taken care of, loved, and happy. When Nolan’s past resurfaces- a past that Alexa didn’t know existed- will it all be too much? Will Nolan’s devotion to Alexa’s happiness cost him their relationship and lose him the only thing that has ever mattered in his life? Or will Nolan discover that his past doesn’t determine his future and he is worth the happiness he doesn’t think he deserves?


  About the Author Some may consider me a jack of all trades, but I consider myself well rounded. I’ve waitressed, styled hair, answered phones and, most recently, worked full time as mom to my two beautiful little boys. Then there was this book… Everyone and their brother started talking about this book series titled Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James. I didn’t really pay attention to the craze at first, since I wasn’t a big reader- okay, I didn’t read at all. But curiosity got the best of me, so I downloaded it to my kindle. I was immediately hooked. I read the whole series in three days. Yes, three books in three days. I kept finding all these great books that I HAD to read (just ask my credit card!). Then I started hearing voices. Voices that turned into stories; stories that were begging to get out of my head. I started writing them down on scraps of paper. Then I transferred them to my computer. Before I knew it, Planning on Forever was born. The voices in my head are still talking, so I’m still writing.  

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Review, Interview & Tour: Inhale, Exhale by Sarah M. Ross

Jillian had a plan: celebrate the end of her first year of college with an amazing summer full of beaches, barbeques, and bonfires. When her mom insists she needs a summer job, and her boyfriend spends more time with his band than with her, Jillian’s plans go down the drain. 

Grant had a plan: finish his Masters, get a great job at Google, and get the hell out of Georgia. He might be giving up some of the fun of his youth, but he knows his all work and no play method would be worth it when his dreams came true.

But things never go according to plan. 

When temptation brings them together and tragedy tears them apart, Jillian and Grant will be forced to choose: fight for their dreams, or fight for each other.

*ARC provided by author for honest review*

With all the New Adult novels coming out almost daily, I have to admit that most of the stories have become repetitive for me. So, while the summary and teasers the author put out for this book caught my eye, I truly was not expecting much from it. But that was my mistake because Ms. Ross delivers not only with a beautifully written story but what one that stands out in the crowd.

First, I LOVED that we get both Jillian and Grant's POV. I have become a huge fan recently of getting the male perspective in the books I read. I believe it only enhances the storyline. And though I am sure it is not an easy task for a woman to write a man's view, this author does it well.

Which brings me to Grant. He was so easy to love from the moment you meet him. He isn't perfect by any means, but that is what makes him all the more appealing. I liked the alpha male in him that saw something he wanted and went after it. Add in the fact that he actually had his crap together and had a plan for his life and his hotness level just bumped up a few notches!

Jillian was, for the most part, a likable character. She had her moments where I didn't agree with her decisions, but I could see why she would make them. But the thing that made her stand out for me is that she owned up to her mistakes. She didn't place blame on circumstances. So for that, I respected her. But it was also those decision that had me withholding a star. 

And then we have Christian. Where as Grant was easy to love, Christian was just as easy to hate. He was barely present and when he was, it very evident that he was shady. He was not there for Jillian in the way you would expect a boyfriend to be after having a four year relationship with someone. 

And the best part? NO CLIFFHANGER!! The author wraps the story up nice and neat. You are not left waiting for another book for closure. That alone makes it a must read IMO. Plus the hot smexy scenes don't hurt either. Couple that with a hot guy named Grant and you have a great book!! 

First, I wanted to start by saying THANK YOU for taking the time answer a few of my questions. I loved Inhale Exhale and am excited to have you here at Reality Bites!

Okay I am going to start with the toughest question first, chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate! 100 out of 100 times! It is by far my favorite dessert!

What are three things you can not leave home without?

Hmm.. I would say my iPhone, my Kindle Fire, and my “to go” cup – usually filled with Mint Water that I infuse myself at home J

What is the last book you read?

The last book I read was One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy—and it was great!

Okay, now that we for the fun questions out of the way, let's move on to the book! One of the things I loved about Inhale Exhale is getting the dual POV's. How difficult is it to write the male perspective?

For me, it was a bit difficult. I was nervous the whole time that I wasn’t making Grant “manly” enough. I (obviously) am not a guy, so I had one of my male friends read each of Grant’s chapters to make sure they sounded authentic.

But even if it’s difficult, I am very glad that I included Grant’s POV. I think that it really helped readers understand a lot of his motivations, and I really think readers love getting the male POV in books that they read!

In an exploding market of Contemporary New Adult genre, what do you think makes your book stand out in the crowd?

            New Adult is the cool kid on campus right now, and I’m thankful I just happened to have an idea for a novel in the genre. I think what makes Inhale Exhale different is the emotions behind the characters. My goal was to bring the struggles of these characters to life, and I hope that I accomplished that.

What was your favorite moment between Grant and Jillian?

           

            That’s a tough question because, honestly? All of the moments between Grant and Jillian are my favorite! If I had to pick one however, I would say that I really enjoyed the scene at her car just after bowling. They were both so amped up from earlier and so, so close to what they both wanted. Trust me, even I wanted them to just give in at that point!

And last question, what new projects are you currently working on?

            I am currently working on another contemporary romance. I’m not sure if it’ll be mature YA or NA. I’ll have to wait and see where the characters take me. I’m also working on the second book in my Earth Angel trilogy, Fate of an Earth Angel.

What is the one interview question you keep waiting to be asked that no one has yet?

Hmmmmmmm….. I keep thinking someone will ask me what’s on my iPod right now. 

And how would you answer it?

            Ed Sheeran

 Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions today!

                Thanks again for having me!!! It was fun!  I hope you and your readers get a chance to fall in love with Jillian and Grant just like I did!! 

The laughter, clinking of glasses, and music from the juke box faded away. I could only hear the whooshing of my own heartbeat. I swallowed hard. Grant’s eyes lowered to watch the movement of my neck, and I imagined what it would be like for him to kiss me there like in my dream. To trace the line from my jaw with his finger or tongue down to my clavicle, dipping into that tiny hollow.
I forgot to breathe.
My leg grazed his, with just the tiniest amount of friction. I didn’t take my eyes off him, and I could see his own widen almost imperceptibly. His hand slipped under the table next to mine, hovering. He never touched me. I could feel the heat from his hand like a furnace. He was waiting for permission, a sign that I wanted and accepted his touch. My hands stayed glued to the seat beside me, but I lifted up onto the balls of my feet, causing my knee to bump into his awaiting hand.
It took but seconds for his large, strong hand to clasp the top of my leg, the pad of his thumb brushing along the soft skin inside my thigh. I looked around the table, but everyone was deep in their own conversations, and no one was paying us any attention.
Neither his hand nor my leg moved for a long time. Just the tiny swipes of his thumb, causing my breath to hitch. We didn’t look at each other as to not draw attention. He chatted casually with people at the table, while I was drawn tighter than a bow.
Finally, after an excruciatingly long time, he began to move his fingers. He ran his thumb in tiny circles on the inside of my thigh as his fingers brushed behind my knee, making a painstakingly slow ascent upward. One millimeter at a time.
Time stood still and the room around me blurred. He was still an inch or two below the hem of my shorts, but I felt like he was touching me at my core. Goosebumps rose along my skin, and I shivered. 
Grant must have taken that as a good sign, because he began to very slowly—agonizingly slowly—inch his fingers further up my thigh. My muscles tightened in anticipation, knowing this was wrong but wanting nothing but his touch.  He made his way to the hem of my tiny shorts, sliding his fingers back and forth against it. Inside my thigh. Outside my thigh. Inside. Outside. In. Out.
My vision blurred, and my eyes slid shut with pleasure. I bit my bottom lip to contain the groan that threatened to escape my lips.
 

 
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Sarah Ross started her obsession with reading at an early age, getting in trouble for sneaking BabySitter Club and Nancy Drew books into math class in elementary school. She would read any fiction book she could get her hands on. Sarah knew it was an addiction when instead of grounding her from TV or music, her mom would take away her books as punishment (The Horror!). Her love of all things paranormal was inspired by her good friend Laurie, who convinced Sarah that books with vampires, witches, and all things shifter were amazing. After a little reluctance, she gave it a shot with the Sookie Stackhouse books, realized she was right, and the rest was history.
Sarah grew up in Pittsburgh, graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English, and taught 8th graders to love reading as much as she does for several years. She will always be a proud member of the Steelers Nation, but couldn’t take the cold and moved her frozen tush to Florida where she now lives with her family and two cats. You will find Sarah now with her trusty Kindle in hand and toes in the sand!

Website: http://www.sarahmross.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SarahtheAuthor 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahtheAuthor 
Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5447785.Sarah_M_Ross 
Book Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17348805-inhale-exhale?ac=1 

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