Friday, September 26, 2014

Guest Review: I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre


Summary:

Nadia Conrad has big dreams, and she's determined to make them come true—for her parents' sake as well as her own. But between maintaining her college scholarship and working at the local day care to support herself, she barely has time to think, let alone date. Then she moves into a new apartment and meets the taciturn yet irresistible guy in 1B….

Daniel Tyler has grown up too fast. Becoming a single dad at twenty turned his life upside down—and brought him heartache he can't risk again. Now, as he raises his four-year-old son while balancing a full-time construction management job and night classes, a social life is out of the question. The last thing he wants is for four noisy students to move into the apartment upstairs. But one night, Nadia's and Ty's paths cross, and soon they can't stay away from each other.

The timing is all wrong—but love happens when it happens. And you can't know what you truly need until you stand to lose it.

Publication Date: August 26, 2014


Jessica's Review:

3.5 stars. There wasn't anything wrong with this story, it was actually quite realistic, but it just sort of dragged on for me. I loved Sam and the dinosaur jokes Nadia shared with him, but despite Ty having Sam and using him as an excuse not to have a relationship with Nadia, there was little of Sam in the actual story. I also didn't connect or care for her friends and roommates.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Book Spotlight: Immortal Heat by Loni Lynne


The Guardians of Dacia Series

Romania has been called the mystical land of paranormal beings and creatures of the night. Before the Romans conquered their land, Dacia was a mystical land of magic and folk-lore until one man and his army destroyed the closely woven fabric set by the gods between man and beast. Now, cursed by their gods over two thousand years ago, one immortal clan struggles to maintain their private world while still learning to live and protect their human brethren while their enemy seeks power to destroy the new world.
But as the clans face extinction, a new generation of Dacian blood emerges to unite the clans once more. The world as they know it may never be the same.

Immortal Heat
Dacian Historian…
Determined to study ancient Dacian folk lore abroad, Marilyn Reddlin’s plans are cut short when she is abducted by a dark haired stranger who insists she’s in danger. The only danger she’s in is losing herself to her abductor’s inexplicable seductive energy. Draylon Conier teaches her there is more to Romania than myth and fairy tales while sweeping her into a wild adventure of paranormal mystery and intrigue.

Dacian History…
Thousands of years trying to pay back a debt, Draylon Conier is finally able to do so. Sent to capture a young, American student who is in danger while in Romania, he just has to send her back home. Easy enough for him. Unfortunately, Marilyn Reddlin is determined to thwart his every attempt—even telepathy. But there is more to her than meets the eye and the closer he gets to her, the more danger she is in, not only from the ancient immortal Dacian clans he’s trying to protect her from, but also his own sexual need.

History just got a lot harder.
They must find out what connection Marilyn has to Dacian history before Draylon destroys her when she succumbs to Immortal Heat.

Author Bio and Links

Born in north-central Michigan, Loni Lynne still loves the quiet woods, lakes and rivers in Otsego County and the Victorian era bay side houses of Little Traverse Bay. But after decades of moving around the country as a child and twenty-five years of marriage to her personal hero, she calls western Maryland her home.

Serving in the United States Navy didn’t prepare her for the hardest job ever, being a stay at home mom, to her two wonderful daughters. After years of volunteering as a scout leader, PTA officer, and various other volunteer positions, all while still writing snippets of story ideas, her husband decided it was time for her to put her heart to finishing a story. He gave her a laptop, portable hard drive and his blessings to have a finished manuscript, ready to be sent out to the masses in one year. He created a writing monster.

Immortal Heat was her first idea six years ago and has gone through many revisions since then. In the meantime another story took hold, Wanted: One Ghost and it became her first published book in 2013. Now with the help of her friends, family and friends of the romance writing community, she’s pursuing her love of telling stories written from her heart.


Links to Immortal Heat and Loni Lynne:

Amazon Page for Immortal Heat, Book 1 of The Guardians of Dacia series: http://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Heat-Guardians-Dacia-Book-ebook/dp/B00NHDED50/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410880327&sr=8-1&keywords=Immortal+Heat

Facebook Page for The Guardians of Dacia series: https://www.facebook.com/TheGuardiansofDacia

Loni Lynne’s website: http://www.lonilynne.com
Loni Lynne’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/lonilynne
Loni Lynne’s Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/LoniLynne1


Excerpt for Immortal Heat

The server rolled out a dessert tray, and Marilyn automatically possessed room for the piece of decadent Belgian-chocolate cake whispering her name. She couldn’t pass up the temptation. Besides, it was only a sliver of cake. She needed something to absorb all the wine. The rich chocolate would complement the merlot and appease her craving.
 The first bite hit her taste buds with the smooth, sinful flavor of Belgian chocolate- ganache. Marilyn sighed blissfully and closed her eyes, allowing the sweetness to pleasure her senses as she dragged the fork through her lips to capture every last molecule of taste.
Upon opening her eyes she saw a man sitting at her table, staring at her. She inhaled a crumb of chocolate cake, setting her to cough. Marilyn tried to breathe as her eyes watered behind her spectacles. The man handed her the water goblet and their fingers touched. Trembling at the jolt of electricity shooting through her hand, Marilyn took a sip to clear her throat.
She picked up the subtle scent of the amber and musk she’d noticed in the airport. Was it him? Was he spying on her?
He didn’t blink. His electric blue gaze bore into her soul. Small tremors of the fear her mother had addressed for years came running back, but she sat immobilized, staring back at him.
Dressed all in black, his raven hair blended in with the black leather of his jacket and turtleneck shirt. Those blue eyes caught fire from the reflection of candle light between them. Little bubbles of sensual awareness boiled within her bloodstream, and her mouth went dry as if the cake she’d been eating left behind a sawdust residue. She tried to laugh away the nervousness, but what came out was more of a croak. “I think you have the wrong seat,” she said in broken Romanian.
“You have to leave,” he said.
He spoke in perfect, modern English with a hint of accent. She wasn’t sure what kind. You have to leave, her mind echoed. She shook her head at the distracting sound of his voice. Like the Belgian chocolate ganache, the thick tenor drizzled delicious intent that could make a woman fantasize about what that voice would sound like whispering rich, sweet words into her ear. She needed to stop drinking red wine. It made her think silly things.
What would her mother do in a situation like this? With the stiffened spine she’d learned from Diane Reddlin, she met his gaze—difficult as it was to look into his eyes without melting. “This is my table. You are the one who needs to leave.” She took another bite of her cake as if he weren’t there. Whether the cake was more acceptable to bite into than he was would be a matter of decorum, but she bet he would taste yummy.
Hands joined in a single fist planted on the table, he leaned forward until his face was mere inches from hers. He studied her every move as she ate. The intensity should have unnerved her, and yet a wine induced boldness hit her, coupled with a determination to put him in his place, whoever he was. His good looks and dark, sensual appeal could only mean trouble.
The flickering candlelight created shadows along his jaw line, making him appear even more mysterious. His elegant European nose flared, the muscles in his jaw flexed. The mixed scent of the aroma she’d been alerted to at the airport and leather from his jacket again hit her senses. As much as she tried to fight her feminine instincts, her inner woman wasn’t cooperating. Her nipples hardened, and a quiver started in her core. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
“You are in danger, Marilyn Reddlin. Leave now. . . before it’s too late.”
Those eyes penetrated straight through to her soul. She hoped to God he didn’t know what her body was saying. Then his words and the fact he’d just addressed her by her name hit her like a bucket of icy water. She shook off the strange enchantment.
“Who are you?  How do you know my name?”
“That’s my business. Now, leave Romania…tonight.”
Marilyn sat stunned, fighting the commanding lilt of his voice. There was an odd, suggestive pull. She fought it but he’d already left. She hadn’t seen him get up. But when she looked, he’d walked out of the restaurant into the hotel lobby towards the entrance.
 A few moments later she grabbed his hand, halting him. His eyes flared up at her, and then down to where her hand had attached itself to his wrist. She stopped and realized she didn’t remember how she’d gotten from the table to being outside, trying to stop his departure. But here she was. They stared at each other for a moment, both astounded at the circumstances.
He jerked his hand from her touch and popped the collar on his jacket, glaring at her before walking away.
You will leave.
Did she just hear his voice in her mind or had he said that aloud? His back was to her, so she wasn’t sure. She shook her head to get the sound of his voice out of her senses. This was too bizarre.
Like hell I’ll leave, asshole, she thought while staring after him. Who did he think he was? Had her mother put him up to this?
Stopping dead in his tracks, he slowly turned around. Marilyn stood her ground, her hands fisted on her hips in defiance. Did she hear him curse? That was impossible, his lips hadn’t moved, and they were now a parking lot away from each other. 
A logistics truck pulled up through the circular entrance of the hotel, blocking her view, before driving away. When the view was clear, her mystery man had disappeared into the night, leaving only the echo of his warning behind in her head. She walked back to the dining room puzzled over the man’s audacity.
She’d be damned before she turned tail and ran back home to Mama.


Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Review: Just a Little Crush by Renita Pizzitola

Summary:

Good girls stay away from Ryder Briggs . . . or, at least, they try to. In Renita Pizzitola’s emotional novel of heartache and seduction, one college freshman just can’t get enough.

Brinley Dawson doesn’t drink, she studies—and despite the accusations of her alcoholic mother, she’s still a virgin. But if Brinley’s life is so put together, why is she freaking out to be going to college with the gorgeous, green-eyed jerk she kissed on a stupid dare in high school? Ryder Briggs can have any girl he wants . . . and the rumors say that he does. So why, after publicly embarrassing Brinley four years ago, is he suddenly acting like he’s interested?

Ryder never forgot Brinley. In fact, those perfect seven minutes permanently raised the bar for what a kiss could be. The truth is, Ryder doesn’t dare get too close to anyone. He knows how that worked out for his parents. But when his roommate takes a shot at Brinley, Ryder can’t contain his jealousy. Now he must do the hardest thing he’s ever done: forget about sex and convince Brinley his feelings are real.

Brinley isn’t sure whether she believes Ryder, but for the first time, her body isn’t playing by the rules. Then she discovers that she’s an unwilling part of a cruel game, humiliating her all over again—and Ryder might be to blame. Has Brinley’s little crush turned into a huge mistake . . . or has she found the one guy worth trusting with her heart?

Publication Date: October 21, 2014


Just a Little Crush was a fun and cute read. I really liked the main characters and I felt there was just enough angst to keep the story interesting. I’d highly recommend the book to fans of New Adult romances.

Second chance romances can be a hard sell sometimes for me. I wasn’t completely buying what Ryder was selling at first. However, what he did to Brinley in high school luckily didn’t make him completely unredeemable. I enjoyed how the author peeled back his layers to reveal a good guy underneath the bad boy exterior. There was a twist about him I didn’t love, but I still felt invested enough in the romance to continue reading.

Although Brinley was sweet, I felt like the secondary characters outshone her and I wouldn’t mind reading spin-offs featuring Fallon and Mason. Fallon was very funny and Mason was there for Brinley when she needed him the most during high school.

There is a lot of back and forth between Brinley and Ryder and there were times I wasn’t sure if they would work out. I thought the author was heading toward a cliffhanger ending and I was pleased to finish the book and have the plot wrapped up nicely. Overall, a well-written contemporary romance that will appeal to fans of books like Beautiful Disaster.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!  

Monday, September 22, 2014

Cover Reveal and Amazon Gift Card Giveaway: Pretending Hearts by Heather Topham Wood

Summary:

Delia Bridges is done living in the shadows cast by her ex-convict father and her football star brother. Attending Cook University will finally give her the chance to be her own person and hopefully find love at the same time. When she meets Wyatt Johnston, she knows immediately he’s the one.

Wyatt fulfills all of Delia’s requirements for the perfect man: he’s rich, handsome, and a talented forward for Cook’s soccer team. However, Wyatt turns out not to be the man she thought. When he dumps her and simultaneously ruins her reputation, she has to start over once again.

Levi Caldwell has every quality Delia doesn’t want in a boyfriend. He has no money, works for the maintenance staff at Cook, and has no problem sharing his judgmental opinions about how Delia is living her life. Despite her growing attraction for the tattooed drummer, Delia tries to avoid Levi. But when a new crisis threatens to destroy all she has rebuilt, she finds Levi is the only person she can trust.

***Standalone New Adult Romance-Ages 17+ Due to Strong Language and Sexual Situations***

Publication Date: November 11, 2014

Unedited Excerpt:
Cole gestured to the remaining shot glass on the bar counter. “Do you want Levi’s shot?” he asked. “Levi swears he becomes tone deaf if he drinks while playing so he passed the drink up.”
“No thanks,” I said before swerving my head back and forth between Cole and Evan. “So identical twins? Are you very close? Is twin ESP a real thing?” 
“No, but I can read your mind and sorry we’re not interested,” Evan replied with a stony expression. “We’re not into threesomes, so get it out of your head.”
“Huh?”
“I know a lot of girls have a fantasies about being with twins. Especially two as hot as us.” Evan smirked. “But it’s just not happening, sweetheart.”
“Will you shut it, Evan.” Levi came up from behind me and I could hear his annoyance. He turned his head to face me. “He’s just messing with you. My brothers have a warped sense of humor.”
“You guys were really great,” I said as I felt all of their eyes on me. When no one replied, I asked, “How did you come up with the name? Trojan Jedi is um… pretty unique.”
“We combined a reference to sex and Star Wars,” Evan said. “Because what two things do guys like better?”
Rain rolled her eyes. “Obviously, they came up with it before I joined. We’re open to better suggestions.”
“Not happening. We already have a rep and we don’t want to alienate the fans,” Evan said.
“By fans, he means the girls who come to the shows to sleep with them after.” Rain directed her statement at me. I felt the stirrings of jealousy deep inside and couldn’t help but hope she was referring to the twins and not the youngest brother.
Rain slunk off the bar stool and slowly walked to stand in front of Levi and myself. “Our break is almost over, so I’m going to head back up,” Rain said. “Nice meeting you, Delia.”
“Great to meet you too.” Rain made eye contact with Levi and I felt something silently pass between them before she turned and walked away. Her movements and voice were leisurely as if she knew she was worth waiting for. The brothers waved and followed Rain back to the stage area.
I cleared my throat. “So, do you have to go too?”
Levi smiled. I loved how his hazel eyes glittered with amusement as he considered me. “I have a minute or two.” He took a sip of water, but kept his eyes locked on my face. Once finished, he set the water bottle behind me on the bar counter. “Did I tell you how glad I am you came?”
“You may have mentioned it.” I was beaming at him like a complete fool. Levi was such a departure from most guys I’d hung around. He was sweet and open and I loved spending time with him.
“Can you stay a while?” he asked. “We could hang out after…”
I lifted my eyebrows. “Just hang out?”
Levi let loose a strangled laugh. “Oh… the stuff Rain said, she was talking about Cole and Evan.”
“And not you?” I asked while attempting to keep out any inflection from my voice.
Levi shook his head. “That’s not my thing.”
“Sleeping with girls after your rock show isn’t your thing?” I didn’t conceal the disbelief in my tone. Levi shrugged and looked a little uncomfortable with the topic. Of course, his reaction made me all the more curious. “Do you have a girlfriend?”
“No girlfriend. And my brothers think I’m lame, but I don’t like hooking up with randoms each night like they do.” He scrubbed his jaw and continued, “I’ve had two serious girlfriends and things ended in both relationships because things ran their course.”
I smirked. “Are you a real boy? Because I don’t think I’ve met any guy like you before. You’re nice, polite, and into committed relationships. There must be some secret flaw you’re hiding.”
“Maybe you’ve just been hanging out with the wrong type of guys.” 

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Saturday, September 20, 2014

Stacking the Shelves #105

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and features books you've added to your shelves, both physical and virtual.

For Review:
Stripping the Billionaire by Noelle Adams

Served Cold by Marie Harte

The Pocket Wife by Susan Crawford

Finding Jake by Bryan Reardon

Once Upon a Dream by Kate Perry

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Every Ugly World by Aimee L. Salter


Friday, September 19, 2014

Guest Review: Worth the Fall by Claudia Connor

Goodreads Summary:

They meet on a beach. . . . Abby Davis isn’t wearing a skimpy bikini or sipping umbrella drinks, not when she’s busy chasing around four little ones. And Matt McKinney isn’t looking for fun—he’s a Navy SEAL, a grown man with a long list of missions . . . and fallen brothers.

They only have a week. . . . Abby has brought her children to this beach to start over, to give them the enjoyable memories they deserve. Matt’s been sidelined by a combat injury, and haunted by the best friend he lost and the promise he made: to remain a SEAL—focused and dedicated. This leaves no time for what he’s always wanted: a family.

But a week is all it takes. . . . Matt opens her heart while Abby soothes his soul. And though they plan to say good-bye when the week is over, something magical happens on that beach, something neither can forget. Something utterly, completely worth falling for.

Publication Date: September 9, 2014

Jessica's Review:

I really liked the way this book started out. The characters drew me in and the scenes were realistic enough to keep me entertained and wondering what would happen next. But then I got halfway through and it just fell flat. It didn't give you an idea of how much time had passed which would have helped in some areas, and just when the tension was getting good, it ended. I just felt the author could have done a lot more with the story in the second half of the book.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Review: Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

Goodreads Summary:

It's an oppressively hot and sticky morning in June when Sterling and her brother, Phin, have an argument that compels him to run into the town swamp -- the one that strikes fear in all the residents of Sticks, Louisiana. Phin doesn't return. Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out, and now Sterling is the only person in Sticks who remembers her brother ever existed.

Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp's done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance -- and loner boy Heath Durham might be the only one who can help her.

This debut novel is full of atmosphere, twists and turns, and a swoon-worthy romance.

Publication Date: October 21, 2014


Beware the Wild sold me on a genre I’ve recently been tiring on. As soon as I’m ready to give up YA paranormal novels, I get sucked in again by books like Beware the Wild. I really enjoyed the concept and for a debut novel, I thought the execution was very well done.

Beware the Wild grabbed me from the beginning. The swamp bordering Sterling’s town is filled with mystery and danger. When her brother ventures into the swamp, he doesn’t return. Instead, Lenora May comes out and besides Sterling, the townspeople have forgotten her brother ever existed.

Sterling was a fantastic character. She was tough and stubborn and I admired her unwillingness to be cast under the spell of the swamp. A few of her actions were impulsive, but I admired how she was willing to take risks to save the brother who always acted as her protector. Sterling’s romance with Heath was sweet and their relationship takes more center stage by mid-point in the novel.

The action slowed a little in the middle of the book, but picked up again during the last third. The author threw in some creepy twists and I was never sure who was going to make it out of the swamp alive. I didn’t love the conclusion, but I felt like the plot was wrapped up nicely.

I’d highly recommend Beware the Wild based on the writing alone. While reading, I felt transported to this creepy and ethereal swamp where magic is possible.

Rating: 4/5 Stars


Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Review: The Gray Horizon by M. Kircher

Goodreads Summary:

What does it mean to be brave? This is the question Caden must answer as he accompanies Thea, Ben, Rain, and Naomi back out under the dark clouds of the canopy, to rescue Viv from the deadly shadows and save a shattered Earth from the brink of destruction. Caden’s lazy, arrogant nature is tested as the group draws closer to finding Viv, forcing him to confront his inner demons and admit his feelings for Thea—even as their relationship is threatened by her ever-growing connection to Ben.

Will Caden discover his true potential? Or, when the group uncovers a devastating secret and faces a betrayal that has the power to turn the tide in the war with the shadows, will he abandon his friends and go back to a life of never-ending darkness?

Find out in The Gray Horizon, the exciting, action-packed sequel to The War Inside
Publication Date: August 13, 2014

I had forgotten a lot about the first book, so I was nervous starting The Gray Horizon. However, after a couple of chapters, I was able to re-familiarize myself with the characters and the world Kircher has created. I got really into the story again and I felt like it was a solid sequel.

I loved the idea behind the series and I was happy to see the author continue to develop her dystopian society. Readers got to learn more about how Thea and Caden’s world came to be and I found the history interesting. The author brings attention to important environmental issues in a very subtle way.

The characters grew more in the novel and I especially appreciated being inside Caden’s head. He has grown the most in the series and I love the budding romance between him and Thea. My only complaint is that I wish Thea had a bigger part to play in the sequel.

The pace was good and I did feel like there was more action and suspense in the sequel. The conclusion left me eager to see how the trilogy concludes. Overall, The Gray Horizon is a solid book for fans of teen dystopians.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Thanks to the author for a copy of the novel for review!

Monday, September 15, 2014

Review: The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh O'Brien

Goodreads Summary:

From the author of the Birthmarked trilogy comes a fast-paced, psychologically thrilling novel about what happens when your dreams are not your own.

The Forge School is the most prestigious arts school in the country. The secret to its success: every moment of the students' lives is televised as part of the insanely popular Forge Show, and the students' schedule includes twelve hours of induced sleep meant to enhance creativity. But when first year student Rosie Sinclair skips her sleeping pill, she discovers there is something off about Forge. In fact, she suspects that there are sinister things going on deep below the reaches of the cameras in the school. What's worse is, she starts to notice that the edges of her consciousness do not feel quite right. And soon, she unearths the ghastly secret that the Forge School is hiding—and what it truly means to dream there.

Publication Date: September 16, 2014

I’ve read the Birthmarked trilogy by the author, so I was very excited to read her latest. I liked The Vault of Dreamers, but I think a little more world building and a stronger ending would’ve made me like this book a whole lot more. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed the concept and the characters, but something seemed missing.

Rosie was relatable and I felt like her characterization was realistically done. Rosie isn’t perfect and she doesn’t try to be. However, I admired the way she was willing to risk her future to find out what exactly was going on at night in the Forge School. The secondary characters were great too and I would like to know more about Burnham and Linus in future books.

I needed a little more world building, especially since I had a hard time picturing the school. I also wanted more of an explanation on how some of the scientific processes were done. The book is set in the future, but I wanted to know more about how that future came about. The ending was also a little confusing and a major cliffhanger. I don’t mind cliffhangers, but with that kind of conclusion, I hope the release will be somewhat soon.

Overall, I enjoyed the writing and I thought the plot was unique. There is a lot of room for growth in the series and I do plan to read the follow-up.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the novel for review!

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Stacking the Shelves #104

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews and features books you've added to your shelves, both physical and virtual.

For Review:
Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay

Prophecy by Julie Anne Lindsey

New Point by Olivia Luck

After the Rain by Renee Carlino

Suspicion by Alexandra Monir

Dream Student by J.J. DiBenedetto

Dehumanize Us by Emmanuelle Grey

Death Date by Victoria Laurie

Friday, September 12, 2014

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Inevitable Detour by S.R. Grey

Book & Author Details:

Inevitable Detour by S.R. Grey 
(Inevitability #1) 
Publication date: September 7th 2014 
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense

Synopsis:


The day my life took an inevitable detour things got a little crazy.

My name is Essalin Brant, but everyone calls me Essa. I attend a small college in a tiny town, and in my twenty-two years of life I’ve never even traveled outside the state of Pennsylvania. You could say my life is pretty boring. I live by the rules. I’m a good girl and nothing exciting ever happens.

But that’s all about to change.

Enter Farren Shaw. Not only is he older and intimidating, but he’s more sure of himself than any 29-year-old man has a right to be. Did I mention that he’s drop-dead gorgeous? Well, he is. He also happens to be my best friend Haven’s brother. And I would be content with just fantasizing about Farren from afar, but when Haven suddenly goes missing, her gorgeous brother is the only one who believes me when I say she was abducted, even though all signs seem to suggest Haven left town willingly.

I know better, though. As does Farren. So when he asks me to accompany him to search for his sister, I accept.

That’s when the real adventure begins.

Our quest to find Haven takes us across the country. And throughout the time we spend together, I find myself falling for Farren . . . falling hard. He's everything I’ve ever wanted. But is he really someone I should fear?

Because aside from making me feel things I’ve never felt before, Farren is hiding something. Something big. What could this stunning man be keeping from me? And why? Is Haven’s disappearance somehow connected to his mysterious job?

All I know is that things are about to get real.

Welcome to the Inevitable Detour that has become my life.

**mature themes**






AUTHOR BIO
S.R. Grey is an Amazon and Barnes & Noble Top 100 Bestselling author. She is the author of the popular New Adult novels I Stand Before You (Judge Me Not #1) and Never Doubt Me (Judge Me Not #2). Her newest novel, Inevitable Detour (Inevitability #1), is a wild ride combining the New Adult genre with elements of Romantic Suspense. She is also the author of the Harbour Falls Mystery trilogy. Ms. Grey's novels have appeared on Amazon and Barnes & Noble bestseller lists in multiple categories, including Amazon Top 30 and Barnes & Noble Top 5. 

New novels slated for 2015 release dates are Just Let Me Love You (Judge Me Not #3), Inevitable Circumstances (Inevitability #2), and a New Adult novel to be revealed in the future. 

Ms. Grey resides in Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, as well as an MBA. Her background is in business, but her true passion lies in writing. When not writing, Ms. Grey can be found reading, traveling, running, or cheering for her hometown sports teams.

Author’s Social Media Links: 
Newsletter sign-up link (exclusive excerpts, specials, writing tips, and more):http://mad.ly/signups/106801/join

Author Interview:



1) Your two prior series, Harbour Falls and Judge Me Not, fall into the Romantic Suspense and New Adult genres, respectively. Which genre does your new series, Inevitability, best fit?



Inevitable Detour (Inevitability #1) is a New Adult novel first and foremost. The heroine, Essa Brant, is a college student, twenty-two, who is trying to find her place in the world. She’s learning about life and love while dealing with many unexpected things. Farren Shaw, the hero, is somewhat of a mystery. The circumstances surrounding him add the elements of Romantic Suspense to the novel, as do the situations they get involved in because of Farren. So, in that sense, Inevitable Detour is both New Adult and Romantic Suspense in terms of genres.



2) Speaking of the heroes in your novels, all three—Adam from Harbour Falls, Chase from I Stand Before You, and Farren Shaw from Inevitable Detour—have strong alpha-male attributes. Compare and contrast the three men.



True, they are all alphas! I think we all like reading about handsome, strong men who love and care for their ladies. All my lead male characters are like that. They are loyal and committed once they know they’re in love.



Now, for the differences.

Adam Ward (Harbour Falls trilogy) is a super-successful businessman. He’s rich, brilliant, and used to getting his way. Chase Gartner (Judge Me Not series) is the quintessential bad boy. He’s tatted, tall, and beautiful. He’s a man who has seen and done it all—fighting, drugs, alcohol, women. Chase has even served time in prison. But he’s also an alpha looking to heal his fractured past and find peace in the present with the love of his life, Kay.

Then, there is Farren Shaw (Inevitability series). He is probably the most alpha of the three men. He’s ex-military, Special Forces, a man not to be trifled with. He can kick ass, and when he falls for Essa Brant, he’ll do anything for her. The readers will discover a sweet, thoughtful side to this strong and silent man when he’s around Essa. Still waters run deep and all that jazz.



3) There are a couple of shockers in Inevitable Detour, particularly toward the final chapters. And that ending…. I need book #2, Inevitable Circumstances, like yesterday. When can we expect it?



True, there are a couple of surprises, some bigger than others. I’m purposely being cryptic to avoid spoilers. In any case, the second novel of the duology will be in reader’s hands Spring 2015. Not too long of a wait, right?



4) How did Inevitable Detour come about? What was the first grain of that idea?


Oh, good question. Actually, I thought the story would be something very different when the idea first came to me. I had the characters in my head, Farren and Essa, and I saw turmoil, but I wasn’t sure what kind and/or why.

The first scene I imagined and wrote was Farren and Essa at the Blue Cactus Inn. I saw the neon hotel sign, bathing the room in blue. I saw them taking shots, having fun, and I knew this night would be a pivotal point in their relationship. It all came together from that point on.



5) Final fun question… Chocolate or vanilla?


Chocolate!

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Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Twisted by Lola Smirnova

Lola Smirnova is an author from Ukraine, who for many years worked in the sex industry. She recently released her debut novel Twisted. Twisted is a work of fiction, but it is inspired by the author’s real life experiences making a living in the sex trade. 

Synopsis:

In the corrupt economy of post-Soviet Ukraine opportunities are scarce. Young and eager sisters – Natalia, Lena and Julia – harbor dreams of a better life. Naïve and tempted by the allure of ‘quick’ money, the girls set off on an adventure that changes their lives forever.

Can they stay out of trouble enough to fulfill their ambitions? Can they hold on to their idealism in a world where depravity and danger are constant companions? How far are they willing to go to make a buck?

Twisted is a disturbing behind-the-scenes look at a world that most will never see. It is shocking, raw, and explicit.

Twisted tells the story of a young Ukrainian girl named Julia, whose family is struck with poverty after the fall of the Soviet Union. Her two older sisters leave home and become sex workers, glossing over the more distasteful aspects of their occupation, planting the seeds of both curiosity and greed in young Julia.  She eventually finds the lure of easy money too beguiling and begins her journey into the darker aspects of drug abuse, drunken stupors, and the horrid and loveless life of a sex-for-sale prostitute... Twisted is an amazing book that is well written and provocative. This book is a worthwhile read.” - Michael Alexander’s BDSM Review

The characters are real, dialog intoxicating, and the plot well crafted.” – Reviewed by Gary Stout at Readers’ Favorite

Twisted is available for sale on Amazon in ebook and paperback. 

Lola Smirnova is currently working on her second novel Crave – a sequel to Twisted. To learn more, go to http://lolasmirnova.com/.

Connect with Lola on:




Excerpt:

‘Sag es!’ he screams at me.

The heavy motorcycle helmet is so tightly strapped to my head that I can hear the blood rushing through my ears. The smell of stale sweat reeks from the worn padding inside it. I struggle to swallow. A drop of spit runs down the ball gag that has been shoved into my mouth, then down my chin, and drips onto the couch beneath my knees. My shoulders are screaming from the pull of the handcuffs, which force my hands together behind my back.

He stands in the middle of the small and gloomy room and I can see the outline of his large body. Two bloodshot eyes are firmly fixed on my exposed nipples. A fleshy tongue slides backwards and forwards through the gap in his teeth. He licks the sweat off his lips, moans, and starts rubbing his groin, rocking his wide hips back and forth. He increases the pace, while his moans get louder and louder. Next, he stops abruptly, moving his eyes from my chest to my face, scowls, and takes a few menacing steps towards me. I shrink instinctively, tensing my body …

‘I know him. Don’t be scared Jul. He’s a bit strange, but a harmless motherfucker.’ That is what my sister, Natalia, managed to whisper in my ear half an hour ago, before I followed this freak, with the brain bucket in his hand, upstairs.

Natalia and I were sitting at the bar counter when he walked in. He didn’t even have a drink; just stepped in the door, looked around, stopped his stare at me, and mumbled, ‘I want you. Let’s go.’

‘It’s time to work!’ teased Natalia. Her naughty look followed us all the way up the stairs.

‘Sag es!’ the crack-head screams again, which I think means ‘say it’ in Luxembourgish or German.

He grunts, and with a wild thrust shoves his hips right into my face. He doesn’t even bother to take his jeans off. A quick unzip and he pulls out a flaccid penis, puts one foot up on the couch and starts violently pumping it, so close that his clenched palm is punching the helmet. Lucky for me the visor is shut.

I sigh deeply and try to shift on the couch to get rid of the cramps, which start crawling up my legs and back.

A bit strange? Come on, Natalia! You could call him anything – cracked, insane, alien on Earth – but hardly ‘a bit strange’!

I glance at the half-empty bottle of champagne seductively chilling in the ice bucket. If I’d known what Natalia had meant by ‘a bit strange’, I would have finished it before he handcuffed me and shoved the damn ball into my jaws.
‘Sag es!’ brings me out of my thoughts again.

I peep at his red face … What the hell does this crack-head think he is doing? I wouldn’t even call it masturbation! He tortures his penis in a spasmodic exertion. The awful tongue tossing in his distorted mouth, the dark brown hair stuck to the film of sweat on his broad brow, and the whimpering noises coming out of his fat body make a disgusting spectacle.

‘Sag es!’

According to the instructions he gave me before we started this session, I was supposed to say ‘I love you, I forgive you’ through the gag.

I wonder what my seventh-grade teacher would say if she walked in the door right now? She always believed in me and encouraged: ‘You are going to come out on top, Julia …’ Good shot, Anna Ivanovna. You were pretty close!

He shuts his eyes and wrinkles his forehead in concentration. Frustrated, he drops his limp penis and squats next to the small table in the centre of the room. He pauses only to wipe the trickle of sweat from his forehead. Then he quickly snorts the line of blow on the glass table, and doesn’t get up for a while, staring deadpan at the wall.

Hey, fat boy, get on with it so we can have some together after this. I think I deserve a little pick-me-up for my efforts here.

I wonder what could possibly have happened to turn his grey matter inside out like this. A few hours later, when I kick my ‘labour hour’ around with the girls, they will tell me some rumours about him having had a motorbike accident. Apparently, he was riding ‘under the influence’ with his fiancée in tow. She died there on the street, in his arms, in a puddle of mud. With the last beats of her heart, he stared at her wide-open eyes, full of terror, and at her bleeding lips that breathed in agony: ‘Please, baby, I don’t want to die.’

I shudder. I don’t know if he was injured in the accident, but after this short time we’ve spent together I can assure you that his brain was nowhere to be found after that crash.

‘Sag es!’

Yeah, whatever …

He finally comes back to the couch, pulling and beating his poor half-dead cock in front of my plastic shield. I try to say what he demands – anything to get this over and done with, and me out of here – but ‘I love you’, that forms beautifully in my throat, dissolves into an incoherent mumble as it hits the ball.

His small eyes devour every inch of my naked body, which is truly just skin and bone with boyish nipples where there are supposed to be breasts. The only reason why any man would choose to fuck me (aside from being a paedophile, of course) would be my big blue eyes and long blonde hair.

‘Sag es!’

His whole face is scrunched up in an ugly leer and his bottom lip is quivering as he makes a weird whining noise.

Oh please! Don’t tell me you are going to cry now! Pathetic, sick, even disturbing, but not just ‘a bit strange’, Natalia?!

He keeps on yanking and jerking and thrusting like a maniac – harder and harder. He’s going to pull that thing off if he doesn’t stop!

‘Sag es! Sag es!’ he whines over and over, then forcefully flips the visor up and pulls the bottom of the helmet so close that his soft crotch hits my face. I shut my eyes a second before the first squirt of semen hits them.

‘It’s over’ slips with warmth and ease into my head, then streams down through my body, echoing the semen on my face. My eyes are closed but I can still hear him sobbing, sniffling and mumbling.

I can’t believe this fucker just ruined my make-up!

All I’ve got from this pathetic episode is an experience I will never be able to share with my grandchildren and €60 with no promise of a tip.

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