Sunday, February 23, 2014

Fairy, Texas by Margo Bond Collins: Promo + Excerpt!


Synopsis: (From Goodreads.com)

Fairy, Texas. A small town like any other.

Laney Harris didn't want to live there. When her mother remarried and moved them to a town where a date meant hanging out at the Sonic, Laney figured that "boring" would have a whole new meaning. A new stepsister who despised her and a high school where she was the only topic of gossip were bad enough. But when she met the school counselor (and his terminal bad breath), she grew suspicious. Especially since he had wings that only she could see. And then there were Josh and Mason, two gorgeous glimmering-eyed classmates whose interest in her might not be for the reasons she hoped. Not to mention that dead guy she nearly tripped over in gym class.

She was right. Boring took on an entirely new dimension in Fairy, Texas.

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Buy Fairy, Texas

E-Book:

Paperback:


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Excerpt:

Fairy High could have fit into one wing of my old school. The three-story, red brick building looked like it had been around for at least a century—it actually had carvings over two of the doorways that read “Men’s Entrance” and “Women’s Entrance.” I was glad to see that none of the kids paid any attention to those instructions.
“Counselor’s office,” I muttered to myself. At least I wasn’t starting in the middle of a term—though given the fact that there were fewer than 500 students in the entire high school, I didn’t think I was going to be able to go unnoticed, even in the general bustle of the first day back from summer vacation.
I walked through the door marked “Men’s Entrance,” just be contrary, and faced a long hallway lined with heavy wooden doors. The spaces in between the doors were filled with lockers and marble staircases with ornate hand-rails flanked each end of the long hallway. Students poured in behind me, calling out greetings to each other and jostling me off to the side while I tried to get my bearings. None of the doors obviously led to a main office; I was going to have to walk the entire length of the hallway. And people were already starting to stare and whisper.
God. I hated being the new kid.
I took a deep breath and stepped forward. I made it halfway down the hall without seeing anything informative—all the doors had numbers over them and many of them had name plaques, but neither of those things did me any good since I didn’t know the name or office number for the counselor. I was almost getting desperate enough to ask Kayla, but of course she was nowhere to be seen.
I turned back from scanning the halls for her and caught sight of the first adult I’d seen—and almost screamed. As it was, I gasped loudly enough for a guy walking past me to do a double take. The man standing in the open doorway was tall, over six feet, and way skinny—so emaciated that it looked like you ought to be able to see his ribs through his shirt, if his shirt didn’t hang so loosely on him. He had white hair that stuck out in tufts, thin lips, a sharp nose, and pale blue eyes that narrowed as he watched the kids walk past—and all the kids gave him a wide berth without even seeming to notice that they did so. He stood in an empty circle while students streamed around him in the crowded hallway.
But none of that was what made me almost scream.
For a moment, just as I’d turned toward him, I could have sworn that I’d seen the shadow of two huge, black, leathery wings stretched out behind him.

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Connect with Margo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargoBondCollin @MargoBondCollin
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/vampirarchy

Be sure to add Fairy, Texas to your Goodreads bookshelves: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19502285-fairy-texas






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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Chicago's Headmistress by Loretta Giacoletto

Chicago's Headmistress
Read in: January,2014 
Format: eBook
Source: Amazon
Star Rating: 5 

Synopsis: from Goodreads.com 
Step back in time to Prohibition and prostitution during the Roaring Twenties. Follow Giulietta Bracca's notorious rise to wealth and power, from street urchin in 1905 Genoa, Italy, to the headmistress of Night School, Chicago's most popular and innovative men's club in the 1920s. Along the way Giulietta plays a deadly game of one-upmanship with men who use her, abuse her, and fall head-over-heels in love with her. This quick-study seductress soon learns to give as good as she gets, and with few regrets--those so devastating they will haunt her into eternity. But there is one man Giulietta will never forget: the immigrant bootlegger she gave up too soon and will stop at nothing to lure him back, even if it means jeopardizing all she holds dear. 

A prequel and partial parallel to Giacoletto's Italian/American saga The Family Angel, Chicago's Headmistress can also stand alone. Every story has more than one side and within a generational saga many stories link and overlap. And as in real life, their endings rarely dissolve into happily ever after. 
A must-read for fans of The Family Angel, Family Deceptions, The Godfather, and HBO's Boardwalk Empire.

Prosecution: 
Found a few grammar issues and would have loved to have a little more of a back story on the mother. 

Defense: 
Gritty, emotional, and sexually charged, this historical novel set in the early 1900s will rock your socks off. Guilietta is tough and such a great character. Watch her grow from an orphan to a hard shelled woman and all of the in betweens. Absolutely loved the setting and can't wait to read the other books in this phenomenal series. 

Verdict: 
5 stars. Giulietta is gritty, dark, and overall..a great character. She evolves from a scared but jaded orphan to a woman in charge of herself without any debt to anyone. While her profession may not be the most respectable (even if it is the oldest) she owns it and flourishes in a life she swore she would never have. I can't wait to read the next novels in such a fantastic series. 
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Release Launch of Trust by J.C. Valentine (including Giveaway!)


Trust (Night Calls Novella): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IF4MD08

 Synopsis: 

Following his divorce, Felix Sinclair vowed to never commit to a woman again...until he washed up on Poppy Montgomery's doorstep, proving that sometimes taking the road less traveled pays off.

One night of passion promised a lifetime of happiness, but when Felix begins to grow distant, disappearing for long periods of time without an explanation, Poppy begins to suspect that Felix may not be as committed to her as he claims.

They say the hardest part of love is trusting your heart to someone else, but Poppy is about to find out that sometimes the hardest part may be letting go.

 Excerpt: 

“Lucy, I’m home!” he called out in his best Ricky Ricardo impression. Dropping his tote by the door, Felix kicked off his shoes and hung his jacket on the peg nailed to the wall. He heard rustling in the kitchen and headed in that direction. “Hey, kitten, didn’t you hear…me…calling? What is all of this?” 

Pausing in the doorway, Felix soaked in his surroundings. The kitchen was lit by candles. Dozens of candles. They were everywhere. Clustered in the middle of the small table in the corner, dotting the countertops, on the shelf over the stove alongside jars of spices. Not that he was complaining. The soft, ambient glow made Poppy’s exposed ass look plump and firm. 

“Shit, baby, the maid’s uniform? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” There really wasn’t much to it. There was the black cap with the white ruffles pinned to her hair, a mind-bogglingly short dress made of the same black and white material, and a pair of heels so tall he couldn’t process how she even began to walk in them. 

She was stirring a pot of something on the stove when he came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his face in the side of her neck. “Smells good,” he said against her skin, his lips slowly caressing her. 

“This is the dessert. Homemade vanilla pudding. Dinner is on the table.” 

It was? He’d missed it completely. But could he really be blamed? With Poppy standing there in nothing but a dress that exposed every part of her that was worth exposing, he wasn’t left with much of an attention span. “Mmm, I think I’ll have my dessert first.” His hand slid up to cup her breast, which was spilling over the cups of the dress, while the other went in the opposite direction. 

A moan ripped out of him as his fingers met her hot, wet flesh. “Shit,” he grunted, resting his forehead against her shoulder. He had barely touched her and he was about to lose control. He needed to calm down. 

Laying down the spoon that she was using to stir the pudding with, Poppy shut off the stove and turned in his arms. When she lifted her arms to wrap them around his shoulders, his hands met the naked, round globes of her very fine ass, and he couldn’t resist pressing her up against him. 

“I was hoping you would say that.” It took a moment for Felix to catch up and realize that she was talking about his comment to skipping dinner and going straight for dessert. Taking him by the hand, she tugged on his arm. “Come with me. I have something I want to show you.” 

If it had anything to do with what was happening under that dress—which left absolutely nothing to the imagination—then he was all for it. The angels must have been smiling on him, because whatever it was she wanted to show him involved following her upstairs, giving him the perfect view of his most favorite parts of her. “Again, are you trying to kill me?” he asked as she led him into their bedroom. 

“Death is not what I had in mind for tonight.” 
Meet the Author: 

J.C. Valentine is the alter-ego of Brandi Salazar, whose enjoyment of erotic tales of romance spurred her to branch out and create her own.

Brandi Salazar lives in the Northwest with her husband, their wild children, and far too many pets. As a university student, she studies literature, which goes well with her dream of becoming an editor. Brandi entertains a number of hobbies including reading and photography, but her first love is writing fiction-in all its forms.






GIVEAWAY: 
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Sunday, February 2, 2014

Versatile Blogger and Awesome Blossom Award Nomination!

   

Thank you to Jannat at The Book Addict for nominating me! I couldn't agree more that it inspires and connects other bloggers, not to mention how cool is it that someone is actually reading my blog! I've put a ton of hard work into this blog in the past year and a half, and to know someone cares enough to nominate me has flattered me, just to say the least. Again, thank you!!

Rule 1: Thank the Blogger who nominated you and write a post with a link back to his blog.
Rule 2: Share 7 interesting facts about yourself.
Rule 3: Nominate other bloggers who in your opinion satisfy the requirements for these awards.
 
7 Interesting? Facts about me: 
  1. I am an AVID crocheter. I actually run a shop, too! (link at the top)
  2. I'm a licensed nail technician at 17. 
  3. I call Florida home, but I (unfortunately) don't live by the beach :c
  4. I'm a full time college student..while still in high school. (Dual enrollment, woo!)
  5. One of my new years resolutions is to start really practicing yoga. 
  6. My first job was as an intern for a fireworks company. 
  7. I very rarely read print books anymore, I read off of my iPad mostly!
I nominate Harman, at Little Bookworm Reviews! 


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Clutch (Custom Culture #2) by Tess Oliver

Clutch (Custom Culture, #2)
Read in: December, 2013
Format: eBook
Source: Amazon
Star Rating: 5

Synopsis: 
When Taylor Flinn’s parents shipped her off to an aunt for her last year of high school, James “Clutch” Mason had convinced himself it was for the best. Taylor, the wild, impulsive and far-too-appealing seventeen-year-old had been driving him nuts. Her school girl crush on him had been the last thing he needed. Now he had time to concentrate on his booming classic car part business, his new found love-- drag racing, and keeping his twenty-year-old brother Barrett out of trouble.

But when Taylor returns from her aunt’s more grown up, utterly seductive, and attached to another guy, Clutch realizes that the only thing he ever needed or wanted was Taylor Flinn.

Prosecution: 
How dense can you beeeeee Clutch?? Also, I know this is Clutch's book, but I really would've like to hear more about Nyx and Scotlyn. 

Defense: 
Oh wow!!! I have been looking forward to reading this novel since I finished Freefall! Lately I've been really focusing on tattoo-ed and pierced men (I.e. Maked Men series by Jay Crownover-HOT) So Clutch was the perfect mix of sensitivity and bad attitude. Definitely an A+ read and crafted for the happily-ever-after set. 

Verdict: 
5 SOLID STARS! I rarely give out five stars but this series will always have a special place in my heart.. and maybe be the inspiration behind me moving out to California? 
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Release Blitz: Beautiful Addictions by Season Vining {Review & Excerpt!} Jan. 28th-Feb. 2!


Beautiful Addictions
Read in: January, 2014
Format: eBook
Source: Author ARC
Star Rating: 4 

Synopsis: 
Josie Banks is a girl without a past.  After being found unconscious with no memory, she was shuffled in and out of foster homes where she suffered years of abuse. An experience that left her broken, damaged, and clinging to drugs and meaningless hook-ups to numb her pain.

When Josie disappeared years ago, she took a piece of Tristan with her.  She’s the girl he thought he lost forever—the one he’s never been able to forget.  Now a twist of fate has brought them back together, and he never wants to let her out of his inked arms again.  But Tristan is haunted by a dark past of his own.  On the run from ruthless criminals that shattered Josie’s world years ago, reentering her life puts them both in danger.

As Josie and Tristan’s lives become tangled once again, they find themselves unwilling and unable to escape the relentless pull that draws them together.  But will the past leave their love in ruins—or bind them together for a lifetime?
Prosecution: 
While this novel is really the whole package (dark, gritty, New Adult..you know, up my alley) I had a hard time just getting into it. The whole tone of the novel was a little off and I can't quite place my finger on it.

Defense: 
While the tone was off, I could overlook it for the novel. This novel was gritty, dark, sexy. It almost bled new adult. That's how great the story line was. It had mystery and danger. I really enjoyed the actual story line of it, but while I can overlook a lot of the writing style, I just have a hard time getting past how off the writing style was.

Verdict: 
Three stars! I really enjoyed the novel, but had a hard time getting into it.

EXCERPT: 

Beautiful Addictions
by Season Vining
Release: January 28, 2014
Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis
Josie Banks is a girl without a past.  After being found unconscious with no memory, she was shuffled in and out of foster homes where she suffered years of abuse. An experience that left her broken, damaged, and clinging to drugs and meaningless hook-ups to numb her pain.
When Josie disappeared years ago, she took a piece of Tristan with her.  She’s the girl he thought he lost forever—the one he’s never been able to forget.  Now a twist of fate has brought them back together, and he never wants to let her out of his inked arms again.  But Tristan is haunted by a dark past of his own.  On the run from ruthless criminals that shattered Josie’s world years ago, reentering her life puts them both in danger.

As Josie and Tristan’s lives become tangled once again, they find themselves unwilling and unable to escape the relentless pull that draws them together.  But will the past leave their love in ruins—or bind them together for a lifetime? 




Excerpt
Josie craved his touch and she couldn’t understand why they hadn’t had sex yet, or any form of it. She wanted it; her fingers ached to touch him in places she’d only yet imagined. It was obvious that Tristan felt the same way, so she failed to make sense of his need to take things slow. She longed to feel his sweat slicked skin against hers and inhale the scent of their bodies combined. Not ready to admit any kind of emotional connection, she desperately needed a physical one. It was the only thing she was comfortable with.
She found it curious that her dependency seemed to be shifting. No longer did she need meaningless sex or drugs to numb her. Josie only wanted to submerge herself in Tristan, to soak up everything he offered. He was her new addiction.
Tristan was in a constant state of arousal in Josie’s company. Never able to completely relax, his muscles remained tense and rigid with yearning. If it had been any other girl, he would have taken her already, hard and fast, several times. But he knew that Josie used sex to avoid attachment. He didn’t want to be just another mark on her therapeutically notched bedpost. To him, Josie was something new, yet familiar, something he wanted to cherish. He felt like two ancient souls, separated for a lifetime, had suddenly been reunited. 
Unable to contain the sexual tension clawing at her skin, Josie slid her notebook from her lap and straddled Tristan. He gave her his lopsided grin as his long fingers wrapped around her waist. Josie smiled triumphantly, thinking that she’d already won.
“What are you up to?” he asked, dipping his head so that his lips pressed ever so softly to her shoulder.
“I need to feel you Tristan. Just touch me.” The sound of Josie’s words echoed around the quiet room. “I want you.”
Those three little words left him breathless. Such a brazen statement from Josie sent his willpower into a faltering tailspin. He hummed in agreement, sliding his kisses down to her neck. 
Josie ran her nails along Tristan’s scalp, making his eyes close in contentment. The feel of her hot body pressing down on him caused momentary insanity, totally emptying his brain of rational thought. He wanted her more than anything he’d ever wanted before. Not here, not now. There was so much more to say.
“Can I take you out?” Tristan asked, suddenly moving his hands back down to her waist and resuming a neutral position.
 “Out of the apartment?”
“Out on a date,” he clarified. 
“A date?” Josie asked, her frightened voice making the words sound foreign. 
"You know, an appointment for a particular time, especially with a person to whom one is sexually or romantically attached."
"Are we attached?" she asked, not really knowing what she wanted the answer to be.
"More than you know," he answered. 

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Author Bio


Season Vining is the author of Beautiful Addictions, a New Adult Romantic Suspense novel from St. Martin’s Griffin. She received her three-book deal and agent representation as a result of attending the 2013 Jambalaya Writers’ Conference. She first gained attention for the book in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award in which the story was a Quarterfinalist. Season is a graphic designer by trade and adores all form of art. She’s a fan of live music, vintage cars, and people who know the difference between their, there, and they’re.

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