Reality Bites! Let's Get Lost!: January 2013

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Review: Metamorphosis by Erin Noelle

4 Hearts

Goodreads Summary

Scarlett MacGregor has lived a very sheltered life courtesy of her over-the-top controlling parents. Having never been to a co-ed party, much less on a date, Scarlett has relied on her books, her music, and living vicariously through her best friend Evie to keep her sanity as she's patiently awaited her freedom from their rule.

When Scarlett and Evie go away to college, Scarlett quickly meets Ashton, Dylan, and later, Mason, and is thrown into a crash course of like, love, and lust. With Evie's help, she must figure out the difference in the three and which one she wants before she ends up without any of them.

Metamorphosis is the story of Scarlett's transformation from a young, naive girl to a strong, mature young woman and her search for self-discovery and true love.

Recommended for readers 17+ due to sexual content and harsh language.

My Thoughts

Oh where do I begin with this review? I guess I can start with the beginning....

When I first started reading this, I felt like I had read it before. It kept reminding me of another book. Young girl, just graduated high school, sheltered life, going off to college, breaking out of her shell? Any of this sound familiar?! It is funny because right when I said "hey this is just like Taking Chances!", the author herself brought attention to that fact. And you will find that there are many other books you may have read recently mentioned in this one! And I have to say, I LOVED it!

Now, do not let the above deter you from reading this book. Although it does have similarities to others, this story is its own. There is a uniqueness to it that you won't find in any other book. I loved Erin's writing style. The flow of the book made it easy to become engrossed in Scarlett's life and made you have to keep turning the page!

And the boys!! Oh, the yummy HAWT boys.

First, we have Ash. Be still my heart! As soon as the author described him I immediately pictured a younger Charlie Hunnam, and he will forever be who I picture as Ash! He is your typical college hottie who goes through women like most frat boys go through kegs! But when Scarlett meets him for the first time, there is an immediate connection. At first, she believes it is just her innocence attracting her to him and vice versa. But they both quickly realize it is something more...

Then we have Dylan. He is a sweet Abercrombie and Finch type frat boy. Scarlett loves spending time with him as he makes her feel wanted. And while they have fun together and she REALLY enjoys making out with him, something just feels off. They text and talk on the phone often throughout the week, but he only wants to see her on Saturday's. Seems suspect to me!

And I saved the best for last..Mason. He is the hot rocker bad boy that has a panty melting smile. From the moment Scarlett lays eyes on him, she falls head over heels in lust. She finds herself wanting to do things to this boy she has never done with anyone else. And he seems just as taken with her. Their connection is H-O-double-T HOTT!!!

As you can see, Scarlett has herself quite the dilemma. How the hell is she going to pick from this delish selection of man candy?!

But tragedy strikes and leaves Scarlett's world turned upside down. She has to take time to do some soul searching and get herself right again. It is during this time that the decision of who she should be with becomes clear. But is it too late? Well, you will just have to read the book to find out! And believe me, you WANT to read the book! I must warn you though, this is a To Be Continued story!!

**i received an email from the author and she informed me she is currently writing the second book! she hopes to have it out to us by the summer!**

Cover Reveal: Light in the Shadows by A. Meredith Walters & Cover of Find You in the Dark Revamp!

How do you keep going when you feel like your life is over?

Maggie never thought she’d see Clay again. So, she attempts to put her life back together after her heart has been shattered to pieces. Moving on and moving forward, just as Clay wanted her to.

Clay never stopped thinking of Maggie. Even after ripping their lives apart and leaving her behind to get the help he so desperately needed. He is healing...slowly. But his heart still belongs to the girl who tried to save him.

When a sudden tragedy brings Maggie and Clay face to face again, nothing is the same. Yet some things never change. Can the darkness that threatened to consume them be transformed into something else and finally give them what they always wanted? And can two people who fought so hard to be together, finally find their happiness? Or will their demons and fear drive them apart for good?

The thing about love, is even when it destroys you, it has a way of mending what is broken. And in the shadows, you can still see the light.

Release date is March 26th

REVAMPED COVER of Find You in the Dark!!!!!

Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5416410.A_Meredith_Walters

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Meredith-Walters/311504738868378

Twitter
https://twitter.com/AuthorAMWalters

Review: The Valentine's Arrangement by Kelsie Leverich

4 Hearts

Goodreads Summary

“I didn’t want the line to get blurry, and I sure as hell didn’t want you to cross it.”

Ronnie Clark, an edgy tattoo artist with hopes of high tailing it out of the forsaken Military town she followed her now ex-fiancé to, is counting down the days until Valentine’s Day is over. Ronnie doesn’t do romance. She doesn’t do flowers or dates, and she sure as hell doesn’t do love—not anymore. After her fiancé slept with a female solider while deployed, she has vowed never to fall in love again, especially with a soldier.

Sergeant First Class Kale Emerson is home on his mid-tour leave from Iraq, but he only has one thing on his mind—returning to his deployment to finish leading his soldiers on their mission. The last thing he wants is a relationship, but casual sex, that’s a different story. And when he meets the renowned tattoo artist Ronnie Clark, a snarky, blunt, takes no prisoners kind of woman, that seems to be all he can think about.

But when Kale realizes he has met his match with a bombshell woman who is hell bent against love, will just sex be enough? And if it’s not, will he be able to convince Ronnie that the proverbial hearts and flowers aren’t so bad after all, even if he is a soldier?

“You changed something inside me, something I didn’t ever think I would want, or feel—but you did, and now I can’t go back”

This book contains explict sex scenes and is recommended for readers 18+

My Thoughts

Ronnie is a hot tempered, foul mouth tattoo artist who loves dropping the "F" bomb.

Ronnie also happens to be a chick.

She is bitter after having her heart broke by her scum bag ex-fiancé, who thought being half way around the world made it ok to cheat on her. She has no time for all that hearts and romance crap.

Kale is home on R&R leave and is looking to get tatted up. Imagine his surprise when he finds out the Ronnie all the guys told him he should go see, happens to be a sexy as hell woman. He is intrigued by her from the start. He also can not stop imagining all the things he wants to do to her between the sheets, up against the wall...well just wherever he can have her!

The chemistry between Ronnie and Kale is enough to burn the house down. And it isn't long before they give into the inevitable. But Ronnie makes it clear up front, this is sex only. Kale has no problem with that as he is only home for a short time and he doesn't do commitments.

But like any sex only, non-relationship, things slowing evolve into more. But Ronnie is scared to take that chance. She has already had her heart broken by one solider and believes they are all the same. Kale has finally found the girl that is more important to him then anything else, but how does he convince to take a chance on him? Especially when he is set to leave again for months.

This book was a quick hot steamy read. I loved the story of Ronnie and Kale. And I was so happy that after everything they went through, they got their HEA! : )

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Review: Rule by Jay Crownover

5 HEART REVIEW!

Goodreads Summary:

I had loved Rule Archer since the first moment I ever laid eyes on him. He was everything I shouldn't want and the only person I went out of my way to not try and please. He only saw me as a brat, and an entitled, stuck up princess but worse than that all he saw when he looked at me was his deceased twin's girl. It broke my heart because as much as I had loved Remy Archer there was never anything romantic between us and no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that loving Rule was a terrible idea, my poor heart just wouldn't listen. We tolerated each other, barely and had forged an uneasy alliance until one night I had too much to drink and changed the way we were forever. Suddenly life long secrets were no longer hidden and the one thing I always wanted for myself seemed obtainable as long as I was willing to go through hell to hold onto it.

Shaw Landon was a class act and I had no idea what to do with her. She was tied to my family, tied to the person that was my other half so I tolerated her and her haughty attitude when I didn't have any other choice. What I didn't know was that a short skirt and too many cocktails on her birthday was going to change my outlook on her for the rest of my life. Some people thought I hid behind all my tattoos and piercings, that I tried to distance myself from my dead twin, Shaw saw through it all and wasn't scared of what was underneath. We weren't supposed to be together, weren't supposed to be anything but uncomfortable acquaintances but that all changed in the blink of an eye. Now I had to figure out just how a girl like her and a guy like me were supposed to be in love without destroying each other. Add in her custom made ex and two disapproving sets of parents and the whole situation sounded like it was more trouble then it was worth.
Recommended for mature readers due to sexual content, language and drinking.

My Thoughts

First, let me address the elephant in the room.
Editing...
YES, this book does need some editing. It honestly did not bother me. I am more about the meat of the book, not if someone misspelled a word or forgot a comma. But if that sort of thing bothers you, I would suggest waiting until the edited version (the author is having it done as I type!) comes out. "Opposites don’t just attract they freaking catch fire and burn the entire city down.” No words could be better used to describe Rule and Shaw.

Rule is a hot, tatted up bad boy. He has piercingly in places that would make most men shriek like a girl.

Shaw is a high class blond bombshell who is used to the finer things in life.

No two people could ever be more different. But Shaw has been in love with Rule since she was 13. Problem is, he has always considered her to be his dead twin brother, Remy, girl.

The roller coaster that is Rule and Shaw's relationship is full of ups and downs. When things are good, they are really good. But when they are bad, you have to question if opposites really can work.

There were times when I wondered if the baggage of their past was just too much for them. Don't get me wrong, I was pulling for them from the beginning. But some of Rule's actions, past and present, made me wonder if he realized just how deeply Shaw felt for him.

Their story literally sucks you in from the first page and does not let go. I could not put the book down because I needed to know what was going to happen. Even now, hours after do finishing the book, I am still thinking about Rule and Shaw. Seriously an AH-MAZ-ING book, typo's and all!!

And YES this is a series, but there is NO cliffhanger! The next one will be about 2 of the supporting characters you will meet in this book.

Review: A Song for Julia by Charles Sheehan-Miles

4 Hearts

Goodreads Summary

Everyone should have something to rebel against.

Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out his rage at the world. Six years later, he’s still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn’t ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job. The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success.

Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy.

When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart.

My Thoughts

**copy of book provided for honest review**

This is the first book I have read by this author. And only one in a handful of books I have read by a male author. I have to say, I am 100% impressed. The story is very well written and hooks you pretty much from the beginning.

Crank is smitten with Julia from their very first meeting in Washington DC. It is so out of character for him to want more than just sex from a girl. That is why he is shocked when he asks Julia to meet him for lunch. And even more surprising, she agrees. They end up spending the entire day together. They learn that they both live in Boston and Crank begins wondering if there is a chance they might see one another back home. It is as the end of that time together when she offers him a one night stand, nothing else. But Crank feels a connection with her that is about more than sex...so he walks away.

Crank and Julia never expected to see one another again. But fate is a funny thing sometimes. They do end up seeing each other, at a bar where he just got done performing with his band. Last song they sang? Well it just happens to be one Crank wrote about Julia....AWKWARD!! And to make matters worse? She ends up backing into his car and totaling it!

Through the course of the book, the author alternates between Crank and Julia's POV. We get to see their relationship continue to grow from the encounter that night at the bar. Crank slowly falls head over heels for Julia. But she is still not interested in more. Julia has a lot of healing to do before she can become involved emotionally with anyone. She just doesn't realize it yet. But with the help of some unlikely sources, she begins to mend her wounded soul. And piece by piece the armor comes off. But will it be too late for her and Crank? Well you will just have to read the book to find out!!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Book Review of Deadly Deception by Andrea Johnson Beck

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS -none will hinder your reading experience and are alluded to in the synopsis
3 STARS out of 5
Genre: Romantic Thriller/Suspense

Her final memory of Carter floated around her, replaying like a syndicated sitcom.
“Please stay with me, Carter.” Anne stood in the threshold of Carter’s bedroom while he continued to pack his navy blue camping sack.
“It’s only for three nights. You worry too much.”
“I have a bad feeling about this.”

It's been three years since the death of her boyfriend Carter Leeds and Anne still struggles with it. Now engaged to wed a very well respected attorney, Adam Whitney, Anne wants nothing more than to be free of her demons. And in order to be free Anne has to fight for it. Literally.

Anne Jamison is a neuropsychologist working and sharing a Minneapolis office with her best friend Casey. And it is while she is at her office when an envelope addressed to her is left containing pictures taken of Carter on the day he died. Frozen in place it takes Anne a minute to get herself together and ask her assistant who delivered the envelope. Of course the assistant has no clue as to who did...

Carters death had always been surrounded by so many unanswered questions. And now Anne has more questions.. Like, who is the mystery guy in the photo?
Who wanted her to have the photos?

And more importantly

'Why now? Three years have passed so why would anyone want me to have these photos?' -Inner monologue of Anne

As questions are answered Anne is stunned by the information she learns.

“I just couldn’t stay away from you any longer. There’s so much I want to say, so much I want to tell you. Once I heard you were engaged to Adam I couldn’t…” -Carter

Carter being alive is just the tip of the iceberg. Anne begins to question everything.

“You can’t marry him, Anneliese. You don’t know him like I do,” Carter begged.
“What does that mean? How do you even know Adam?”

According to Carter, Adam cannot be trusted and her life is in danger.

But how honest is Carter can she trust him after his own death proved to be false? Anne decides to search for answers from Adam.

“You quickly forget that I’m the psychologist. I take pleasure in the mind games.”
He stood up, loosening his navy tie and rolling the sleeves of his crisp snowy shirt. He crossed the room to the rustic bar.
“How quickly you forget, I’m the lawyer. I take pleasure in arguing my way out of tight situations.”

Who is Adam Whitney?
-Is he the sexy well accomplished attorney she plans to marry.
-Is it possible he could be a killer?
-What was Adam's role in Carter's disappearance?

And who is telling the truth Carter or Adam?

Twist after twist lead to a shocking conclusion when Deceit, lust and lies leave a web of Deadly Deception.

Thoughts
Honestly I thought the author had a great concept; I just failed to connect with the main character. I did not get to know Anne well enough to feel empathy for her. The love and connection she and Carter or Adam was supposed to have. The connection for the two leading men never really came across on the pages for me personally I wanted more.
In my humble opinion I think if the book had a good 50 more pages I would have been able to connect better. Even if it was with a few more flashbacks to before Carter died to gauge the depth of love the two shared. I don't know... I just felt like I needed more...

Dear readers
I gave this book 3 stars simply because I failed to connect with the main character. Plus I felt all of the characters lacked the depth and intensity I look for in (throws hands up and makes air quotes)Thrillers. I thought Anne's patient, the ten year old girl... Yeah, the girl, she made for a more intriguing storyline. Heck at one point I wanted to know more about the girl/patient and her mother.

Bottom line -If you have a half crazy character with a whole personality they've never displayed before I would like to know why. Or at least where it stemmed from...give me something.

My Ratings
Characters- likeable
Writing Style- Fair
Plot/Storyline- I felt like something was missing I wanted more
Steam Factor- Low/light -on simmer but still sexy
Overall- Not my cup of tea

Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it!

*Copy kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Seduction (Club Destiny #3) by Nicole Edwards

4.5 Review

Goodreads Summary:

Ashleigh Thomas might have made the biggest mistake of her life. Uprooting life as she knew it, moving back to Dallas to be closer to her family, she finds herself much closer to the one man who she had never been able to say no to. Attempting to hide the fact that she moonlights as an erotic romance author, she quickly finds herself in his arms and his bed – hoping he’ll fulfill some of those deep, dark desires she has always written about, but never experienced for herself.

Alex McDermott has spent the better part of a decade trying to convince himself to stay away from the alluring Ashleigh, but when she moves back home, he finds out that he’s no longer willing to resist the overwhelming desire she instills in him. But he’s got a secret too – one that might just push Ashleigh out of his life for good – something he’s not willing to let happen.

It doesn't take long for the heat between them to ignite into a wildfire of lust, but can they stop hiding from each other and more importantly stop holding back?

Publisher’s Note: This book contains graphic material not suitable for readers under the age of 18, including, but not limited to one smoking hot game of Truth or Dare!

My Thoughts:

OH. MY. GOD!!!! I will never ever think of Truth or Dare the same again!!!!!!!! That was the hottest most explosive scene!!!! If you get this book for nothing else but this scene, it is totally worth it!

While this book does not have ménages like the previous books, it is still hot under the collar. To say Alex is possessive is an understatement! He won’t share, but that is what I loved about him. He was the dominate male that wants to pleasure his woman, but wants total pleasure himself. Ashleigh has been looking for someone to dominate. So, a match made in heaven…or not.

I was rooting for these two, but there are several obstacles that they face in trying to decide if they are good together. It is a very well written journey.

Overall, highly recommended! I love this series. I can’t wait for the next one to come out!!!!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Cover Reveal: Unbeautifully Loved (Unbeautiful Life #1) by Emma Grayson

Blurb:

On the run from her dark and painful past, Lexie Todd is finally forced by her best friend Mollie into settling into a new place for the first time in months. Having been hurt in more ways than one in the past, the last thing Lexie is expecting or wanting is to meet someone as persistent and annoying but incredibly gorgeous as Lukas Gunn.

When an incident leaves Lexie banged up and rattled, Lukas knows there’s more to her than meets the eye as something is haunting her to the core making him nothing but determined to make her his and protect her from whatever it is that casts the dark painful shadow behind her eyes.

But when her past shows up and pulls Lexie back into the nightmare she already once escaped while leaving her closest loved ones in danger it’s up to Lukas to save her from her darkest nightmare relived.

Will Lukas be able to save Lexie? Or will Lexie succumb only having known what it’s like to be Unbeautifully Loved?

Coming in April!!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Books UNLEASHED this week 1/27/13 through 2/2/13

Sins and Needles (The Artists Trilogy #1) by Karina Halle

- Genre: Romantic Suspense

-Release Date: Now Available for purchase

-Link: http://www.amazon.com/Sins-Needles-Artists-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00B5O7LAC/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_11

Killing Time (One Eyed Jacks #1) by Cindy Gerard

- Genre: Romantic Suspense

-Release Date: Now Available for purchase

-Link: http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Time-One-Eyed-Jacks-ebook/dp/B0088Q9R98/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1359265131&sr=1-1

Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook

- Genre: YA Contemporary Romance

-Release Date: 1-29-13

-Link: http://www.amazon.com/Nobody-But-Us-ebook/dp/B0089LOFIK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1359264540&sr=1-1

Rock the Band (Black Falcon #1.5) by Michelle A Valentine

- Genre: Romance/Erotica

-Release Date: 1-29-13

-Link: http://www.amazon.com/Rock-the-Band-ebook/dp/B00B39FRA0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359320730&sr=8-1&keywords=michelle+a.+valentine

Muscle for Hire by Lexxi Couper

- Genre: Contemporary Romance

-Release Date: 1-29-13

-Link: http://www.amazon.com/Muscle-for-Hire-ebook/dp/B009SQRXCK/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_3

Crazy Thing Called Love (Crooked Creek #3) by Molly O’Keefe

- Genre: Contemporary Romance

-Release Date: 1-29-13

-Link: http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Thing-Called-Love-ebook/dp/B008TSCA8K/ref=tmm_kin_title_0

If You Stay by Courtney Cole

- Genre: New Adult Romance

-Release Date: 1-29-13

-Link: N/A

Lost To You by A L Jackson

- Genre: New Adult Romance

-Release Date: 1-31-13

-Link: N/A

Ruining You by Nicole Reed

- Genre: New Adult Romance

-Release Date: 1-31-13

-Link: N/A

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Review & Giveaway: Bent by HB Heinzer

4 Review

Goodreads Summary

If there’s one thing Julia Wilson has learned in life, it’s that you can’t push your own dreams to the background for anyone. Newly divorced, Julia returns to the hometown she once swore would never see her again. Her plan is simple; enjoy the cheap rent her friend is offering and stay just long enough to develop a plan to make her own dreams come true.

It doesn’t take long before Julia realizes she’s made a big mistake.

Micah Anderson came closer to breaking Julia than anyone else ever had. After promising her forever, he broke her heart the week before she left for college. Now, Julia’s back in town and he’s going to have to tell her the truth about why he left her. It’s not possible to hide a twelve year old child when you live in a town of 5,000 people.

Is following your dreams worth it if it means giving up on a second chance with her first love? Is trying to make a relationship work worth it if his past becomes a threat to her safety?

My Thoughts

**ARC provided by author for an honest review**

When Julia left her hometown of Brooklyn 13 years ago, she left with a broken heart and a vow never to return. But life had other plans. When her marriage ends, she goes back home but only plans to stay along enough to get her life back in order. She never counted on reconnecting with Micah or the way he can still makes her feel.

The first night Micah sees Julia again he is floored. She is the last person he ever expected to see again. He quickly realizes he is going to have to come clean as to why he broke her heart all those years ago. He only hopes that she can somehow forgive him. He knows this is one and only shot at having a second chance with her.

I have to admit, I was a little confused as to how after all these years, not one person had told Julia anything about Micah and what he was going through. The only think I could chalk it up to was the fact maybe they thought she didn't want to hear about him? And then when she did find out, she forgave him rather quickly. Like 3 days quickly, if you know what I mean (wink wink!).

Julia and Micah can't seem to stay away from one another. The more time they spend with each other, the harder it is to fight all those feelings that resurface. It brings to question, do you ever really get over your first love? And if presented with the opportunity to try again with them, would you?

As the story progresses, so does the relationship between Micah and Julia. But it all seems to be too much too fast for Julia. And she gets spooked when he makes an off handed comment about parenthood. Julia makes the decision to run. But this time, Micah isn't letting her go without a fight. He had to let her go once and he knows he can't so it again. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make it work. Will that be enough? Well, you are just going to have to read the book to find out!

This book has...

mild heat

lots of angst

some lack of communication

first love

forgiveness

a HEA

And NO CLIFF HANGER!!

All which make for a pretty good read if you ask me! I am looking forward to reading Carly and Adam's story!

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