6/30/2013

Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match by Marilyn Brant

Beth Ann Bennet is a single mother who isn't looking for love. She is finishing up her degree in social work and is using Lady Catherine's Love Match website to help her complete a sociology paper on sex-role stereotypes, which is why her profile states that she is a 22-year-old child psychology major named Charlotte Lucas.

Dr. William Darcy isn't looking for love either. He's looking to fund his new medical clinic to help single mothers, and to do that he has to win a bet he made with his wealthy cousin, Bingley McNamara. Will needs to find a woman, take her on at least 5 dates, and introduce her to his cousin by his birthday.

When Beth Ann meets Will she never expected to develop feelings for him, nor did Will expect to fall for Beth Ann. However after discovering Will's prejudices against social workers and dating single mothers, Beth Ann can't bring herself to tell the Will the truth behind her true identity. When their secrets are finally revealed, Will is left questioning everything he believed before he met Beth Ann and wondering if maybe his own prejudices are keeping him from his own happily ever after.

This was a fun little Austen inspired story. Those who go into it expecting a straightforward retelling of Pride and Prejudice will be disappointed, but the spirit of the story is there. What I liked most about this story is that there is a role reversal with Beth Ann (Elizabeth) and Will (Darcy). While Elizabeth is the one who must overcome her prejudices in the original, in this retelling it is Will (Darcy) who must face and overcomes his prejudices. The story switches perspectives which allows the reader glimpses into both characters' heads, something I always wish for when I reread P&P. It is a very quick read and the story at times moved almost too fast, glazing over events, which left it with a rushed, underdeveloped feeling at times. True to Austen, there is a happy ending and I found myself not at all unsatisfied having spent my afternoon with this book.

Real (Real, Raw & Ripped #1) by Katy Evans

"I'm every woman's adventure, damn you, and I don't want to be yours. I want to be your fucking REAL. You get that? If I fuck you, I want you to belong to me. To be mine. I want you to give yourself to me"

The night that Brooke meets Remington Tate will change her life forever. Remington is the star of the dangerous underground fighting circuit. He is larger than life, a sexy as sin, beast of a man. The chemistry between Brooke and Remy is borderline combustible, and Brooke wants him. But when she is summoned to his hotel room, the last thing Brooke ever expected was for him to offer her a job, but that's what he does. Remy wants to hire Brooke as his personal PT to travel with him for the remainder of the season. Brooke accepts the job, never anticipating the adventure ahead of her.

As Brooke and Remy spend more and more time together, the connection between them grows, but Remy is holding back because he is damaged. He's hiding a secret for fear that Brooke will run when she discovers it. When the secret is finally revealed, Brooke knows that running is not possible anymore. She has fallen for Remy, despite the difficulties being with him presents. When Brooke discovers that her sister has become involved with Remy's enemy - The Scorpion - the ensuing conflict will have Brooke and Remy putting everything on the line.

I LOVED this book! When I finished I felt I like had been run over by a freight train named Remington Tate. He is such a domineering, powerful FORCE. There is just no other word for him - he is a FORCE! I still have trouble forming a coherent thought when I think about him and he has jumped to the top of my book boyfriend list. Remington is an amazingly complex character wrapped up in every woman's fantasy. The sexual tension between him and Brooke is intense and provides the perfect amount of angst to keep you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't put the book down once I started. Yet Remy is so much more than just a "beast," he can be amazingly tender and at the end of the story he proves just how far he is willing to go for Brooke. It is amazing stuff, this book.

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Coming soon...

I'm super excited for the next installments of this series.

Mine (Real, Raw & Ripped #2) - Brooke and Remy's sequel - expected release October 2013
Remy (Real, Raw & Ripped #3) - Real told from Remy's POV - expected release November 2013
Raw (Real, Raw & Ripped #4) - Melanie's story - expected release December 2013
Ripped (Real, Raw & Ripped #5) - expected release March 2014 

Wanted by Amanda Lance

At 17, Addie Battes is a girl who calculates everything and spends most of her time in the library with her nose stuck in a book. When she and her father make a stop at a crowded rest area, she never could have predicted the way her life would change forever. Addie finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, witnessing a truck hijacking, which leads to her kidnapping by one of the thieves.

Addie's life is now in the hands of Charlie Hays, the thief that kidnapped her. Charlie finds himself feeling strangely protective of Addie, and when one of his colleagues tries to eliminate Addie, he comes to her rescue. When she awakens from the attack, Addie finds herself a stowaway on a cargo ship in the middle of the ocean. Addie knows that she shouldn't trust Charlie, but their relationship quickly evolves into something neither one of them expected. Addie and Charlie fall in love, but their future is anything but certain. When Charlie's spurned colleague comes to seek his revenge, Addie and Charlie find their love and lives in danger again.

I honestly don't know how to feel about this book. I really wanted to love it. The description was intriguing, but once I got into the story I had some serious reservations. For one thing, Addie is 17 and Charlie is 29 - that's quite an age gap, bordering on statutory. It made the story less believable and somewhat uncomfortable for me. Charlie is a series of contradictions. He is rough around the edges, lacking a formal education, and yet he is intelligent and artistic. It is clear that he comes from a difficult past, which we get glimpses of, but is never fully explained. While that might normally serve to make his character complex, in this case it left me scratching my head and made it difficult for me to fully embrace him. I liked Addie, but confess that I didn't find anything all that special about her. While description of the book originally intrigued me, the more I read the more clique the story felt to me. I think it had tremendous potential, but ultimately it fell short for me. It is left wide open for a sequel and while I have reservations about the story, I will probably pick the sequel up out of curiosity sake and hope that the story gets better. What can I say, I'm an eternal optimist...  

6/29/2013

The Game Changer by J. Sterling

The Game Changer is the continuing story of Jack and Cassie, who we first met in The Perfect Game. Jack shows up on Cassie's doorstep desperate to win her back, ready to beg if necessary. After everything that they have been through, Cassie has every right to slam the door in Jack's face, but she knows that can't live without him. Even though they are back together, their problems are far from over. Cassie finds herself suddenly thrown into the spotlight and forced to deal with the realities of dating a professional ball player - the fans, the paparazzi, the other baseball wives. As the pressure mounts, Cassie must figure out a way to deal with it or risk losing Jack all over again.

I loved The Perfect Game and when I finished it, I honestly did not feel the need for a sequel. I was happy with how the story ended and felt content. When I heard that J. Sterling was going to be releasing a sequel (thanks to fan demand), I was initially hesitant to read it. I wasn't really sure where the story could go and didn't feel like there were a whole lot of loose ends to tie up. I knew that I couldn't handle another colossal f-up by Jack, like what happens in the first book. I wouldn't be able to forgive him or Cassie if she had taken him back again. I love Jack - he is arrogant, cocky, with an ego the size of Texas - and I think a lot of people can dismiss him as a douchebag. While he is all of those things, he is also extremely passionate - about his family, about baseball, and most importantly, about Cassie. His passion is he redeeming quality for me. I enjoyed getting to read about what happened during the 6 months between when Cassie tells Jack to "prove it" and when he shows up at her door. I also loved watching him prove over and over again how he was trying to be a better man for Cassie - it was perfectly swoon worthy.

While I can't say that The Game Changer was a necessary sequel, I can say that I am happy J. Sterling listened to her fans and wrote it. I will admit that it did provide some closure to the story that I didn't realize was missing until after I read it. I am hoping for a spin off series starring Melissa and Dean, and am fairly certain that we can expect one soon based on all of the hints dropped throughout The Game Changer. I don't see anything posted on Goodreads or her website yet, so I guess for now I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed. 

6/27/2013

Lucas Needs Your Help!


Are you a fan of Tammara Webber's Easy? I know I am! Lucas is one of my favorite book boyfriends and he has been nominated for the NA Crush Tourney hosted by NA Alley (click here for details). 

Wanna join Lucas' street team and help spread the word? You can either email theromancecover@gmail.com or message on FB (www.facebook.com/TheRomanceCover). Make sure to mention that you heard about the team from me!

And don't forget to vote for Lucas on July 2nd!


It Had to Be You (Lucky Harbor #7) by Jill Shalvis

Ali Winters moved to Lucky Harbor to start over and build herself a better life, and for the most part she had. She has a job she loves in a flower shop and is dating and living with Teddy, the handsome town clerk. Everything seemed to be going right, or so she thought. In the span of 24 hours, Ali's life falls apart. Her boyfriend cheats on her and breaks up with her via text, she learns that she is homeless, and she is the lead suspect in a case involving $50,000 that has gone missing.

Detective Luke Hanover returned to Lucky Harbor for peace and solitude, and to escape the media fire from a case gone wrong. The last thing he needs is to get involved in the problems of a stranger, even if she is a bombshell. But when he walks into his house, the house previously rented by Teddy, and finds Ali in nothing but her bra and panties, he can't help but be sympathetic to her plight. Despite his grumblings about not getting involved, Luke feels compelled to help Ali and sets out to help her prove her innocence.

However, the more time Ali and Luke spend together the stronger their connection grows and the harder it gets to ignore the chemistry between them. Ali and Luke know there is no future for them - they come from different worlds and Luke will be heading back to San Francisco soon - yet they can't help putting their hearts on the line.

I really enjoyed this book. I did not have the reaction to it that I had towards some of my other favorite romance novels (50 Shades, Fallen Too Far, Easy, etc.), but it is still a really good read. Ali is extremely likable and her optimism makes her endearing. Luke is hot and brooding, which is always a good combination. The story is well written and although it is part of a series, you do not need to have read any of the previous novels to follow the story. I think it is the setting the links the series together, not the characters. It Had to Be You is a perfect weekend or beach read. The story is entertaining (laugh out loud funny at times) and has everything a romance fanatic would want. 

6/26/2013

Twilight: The Graphic Novel Vol. I & II and New Moon: The Graphic Novel Vol. I by Young Kim

I am not a graphic novel fan generally, but my love of all things Twilight demanded that I give this series a chance, and I'm glad that I did. Had I not already been a fan of Twilight, I'm not sure how I would have responded to the graphic novels. I'm not sure that they added anything to my overall love of the stories. It just offered me a way to experience the story again in a different medium.

Some of the illustrations were quite beautiful - I especially loved the meadow scenes at the end of Twilight, Vol. I and the ending of Twilight, Vol. II. I also really liked the close up shots of the characters' eyes throughout the novels. I was surprised at how well the emotions of the story were conveyed in the pictures and couldn't help but compare some of the scenes to the movie versions. I'm sorry to say that the emotion played out better in the graphic novel than on the big screen for some of the scenes.

Fans of the books do not need to fear, all the text is taken directly from the books and there isn't any reinterpretation of the original story. These novels are a great addition to any Twihard's library.

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Coming soon...

New Moon: The Graphic Novel Vol. II - expected release April 2014

6/25/2013

Faking It (Losing It #2) by Cora Carmack

We first meet Cade Winston in Losing It, as the best friend and rejected suitor of Bliss Edwards. In Faking It, Cade finds himself in Philadelphia, the same city as Bliss and her boyfriend, Garrick. He is nursing a broken heart while attempting to foster his fledgling acting career and attend graduate school. Cade's life takes an unexpected turn when a chance encounter in a coffee shop brings a beautiful, tattooed, pierced and damaged siren into his life.

Mackenzie "Max" Miller dreams of making it big as a musician, but finds herself hiding her true self in order to please her parents. Max's parents don't know about her tattoos and piercings, and they certainly wouldn't approve of Max's boyfriend, Mace. When Max's parents make a surprise visit to Philadelphia, expecting to meet the nice guy Max has been dating, Max approaches Cade with a crazy proposition - pretend to be her boyfriend. Cade, intrigued by Max, agrees, but plays his part a little too convincingly and Max and Cade are forced to keep the ruse going.

As Cade and Max spend more and more time together, they discover that neither one of them is exactly as they seem. They each have demons and secrets that threaten to control their lives, but the pull they feel towards each other is undeniable and a game changer. Together they will shatter the walls they have built to protect themselves, exposing their true selves, but can they hold on to each other in the process?

I loved this book! While I enjoyed Losing It, I loved Cade's story even more. Cade and Max are much more complicated characters and their storyline is much more complex than Bliss and Garrick's. Cora is a fantastic author and I love the characters she creates. They are just a little awkward, or find themselves in ridiculous situations and it makes them so endearing and relatable. Cora also mixes in just the right amount of humor which is always refreshing in a narrative. I felt so bad for Cade after reading Losing It and hoped that Cora would continue his story. He is such a good guy, truly genuine, and so deserved a happy ending (and title of book boyfriend!). Max is not the girl that I would have pictured him with, but she is exactly the girl that he needed. Together they just fit. They understand each other and I loved watching their story play out. In fact, I stayed up to about 1 am finishing the book because I just had to know what happened next. This is a perfect romance read and I highly recommend it!

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Coming soon in the Lose It series...

 Keeping Her (Losing It #1.5) - expected release August 2013

Garrick Taylor and Bliss Edwards managed to find their happily-ever-after despite a rather . . . ahem . . . complicated start. By comparison, meeting the parents should be an absolute breeze, right? 

But from the moment the pair lands in London, new snags just keep cropping up: a disapproving mother-in-law-to-be, more than one (mostly) minor mishap, and the realization that perhaps they aren't quite as ready for their future as they thought.

As it turns out, the only thing harder than finding love is keeping it.

Check out a sneak peek as well as some scenes from Garricks POV here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/148428285/Preview-Package-Cora-Carmack-s-KEEPING-HER

AND...

Finding It (Losing It #3) - expected release October 2013

Most girls would kill to spend months traveling around Europe after college graduation with no responsibility, no parents, and no-limit credit cards. Kelsey Summers is no exception. She's having the time of her life...or that's what she keeps telling herself.

It's a lonely business trying to find out who you are, especially when you're afraid you won't like what you discover. No amount of drinking or dancing can chase away Kelsey's loneliness, but maybe Jackson Hunt can. After a few chance meetings, he convinces her to take a journey of adventure instead of alcohol. With each new city and experience, Kelsey's mind becomes a little clearer and her heart a little less hers. Jackson helps her unravel her own dreams and desires. But the more she learns about herself, the more Kelsey realizes how little she knows about Jackson.

6/24/2013

Jane Austen: A Life by Carol Shields and Jane Austen by Marghanita Laski

I picked both of these books up because they were on the recommended reading list for the Jane Austen Summer Camp that I will be attending at the end of July. I have never attended anything like this before and I have to say that I am very excited. As much as I love Jane Austen's novels, I must confess that I have never felt the compulsion to learn more about the authoress herself until recently. I prefered to just get wrapped up in the stories she so beautifully penned.

Both of these books are easy to read and have a somewhat conversational tone to them. The Laski book has over a hundred black and white illustrations that accompany the narrative, which were nice, but didn't really add anything in my opinion. Both books offer similar insights into Jane's life and are fairly straightforward tellings of her life. I find it intriguing that as much as we know about Jane, there is still so much we don't know. I would love to know, as would many other Austinites, what was contained in the correspondence destroyed by her sister, Cassandra. Alas, we shall never know... 

6/21/2013

His Fair Assassin Series (Book I and II) by Robin LaFevers

Book I: Grave Mercy
While growing up in 15th Century Brittany (France), Ismae Rienne's life has been anything but easy. Her mother attempted to kill her while she was in her womb and Ismae has been raised by a hateful father. Now at the age of 17, Ismae finds herself facing an arranged marriage which promises nothing but brutality. Rescued from her new husband, Ismae is brought to the convent of St. Mortain. There she learns that she is the daughter of Mortain, a god of old (now worshipped as a saint) and bringer of death. The sisters at the convent train Ismae to become a deadly assassin and handmaiden to Death.

Ismae's most important assignment will bring her into the high court of Brittany and into the path of Gavriel Duval. The Duchess of Brittany is struggling to secure her crown and faces treachery at every turn. Gavriel, her half brother and sworn protector, is forced by the convent to take Ismae to aid the Duchess. Presented as Gavriel's mistress, Ismae finds herself struggling to navigate the politics of the court and fulfill her duties to the convent and Mortain. When Gavriel himself comes under suspicion, Ismae finds that following her heart may mean disobeying the convent and betraying her vow to Mortain. Each move Ismae and Gavriel make is like a game a chess where not only their fate, but the fate of a nation hang in the balance.

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Book II: Dark Triumph
We first meet Sybella in Grave Mercy, when she arrives at the same convent where Ismae has sought sanctuary. Sybella has been driven half mad by the horrors of her past and seeks to escape the evils of her family. At the convent, Sybella learns that she is also the daughter of Mortain and trains alongside Ismae to become one of his handmaidens. Sybella quickly learns that her refuge comes with a price, when the abbess sends her back to her family to act as a spy. For Sybella's father is none other than d'Albret, the cruel and brutal noble seeking to force the Duchess of Brittany into marriage so that he may control her kingdom.

After returning to d'Albret's house and being forever on her guard, Sybella waits impatiently for the marque to appear that will allow her to strike d'Albret down, but it near appears. Then Sybella receives word from the abbess of a new mission - to help a knight taken prisoner by her father escape so that he can return to the service of the Duchess. The knight turns out to be none other than Benebic De Waroch, a.k.a. the Beast of Waroch, famed warrior. As Sybella travels with Beast and nurses him  back to health, she cannot help the pull she feels towards him, despite her feelings of unworthiness. Together Sybella and Beast will  fight to thwart d'Albret's plots against the Duchess and Sybella will face the demons of her past, embracing what it truly means to be a daughter of Death.

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This series is a historical fiction gem! It has all the great things you would expect of time period - intrigue, betrayal, scheming politicians, a dash of myth and mystery, honorable knights, and romance. The series centers around 3 women - Ismae, Sybella, and Annith - all of whom are sired by Mortain, the ancient god of Death. All three women are trained to be assassins by the sisters at the convent of St. Mortain. These books are linked together and most of the characters are the same in both books, however, they each focus on one of the 3 fair assassins. The characters and events in the books are based on real historical events and the author does make the attempt to use the vernacular of the time, but does not create a stumbling block for the modern reader. The books have a continuous storyline throughout, which means that they need to be read in order and together or you will probably be lost. I was totally engrossed in the story from the very beginning and didn't want to put the series down once I started. 

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Coming Soon...

His Fair Assassin Book III: Mortal Heart - expected release Spring, 2014. 

Check out the blurb belong: 

Annith has watched her gifted sisters at the convent come and go, carrying out their dark dealings in the name of St. Mortain, patiently awaiting her own turn to serve Death. But her worst fears are realized when she discovers she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever sequestered in the rock and stone womb of the convent. Feeling sorely betrayed, Annith decides to strike out on her own.

She has spent her whole life training to be an assassin. Just because the convent has changed its mind doesn't mean she has.

6/18/2013

The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

Book One: Divergent
The setting is a dystopian Chicago. At the age of sixteen, every teenager faces an aptitude test and a Choosing Ceremony, where they will make a choice that will affect the rest of their lives. They will chose one of the five factions as their own - Abnegation: The Selfless, Amity: The Peaceful, Candor: The Honest, Erudite: The Intelligent, or Dauntless: The Brave. Each faction has its own role, its own purpose, its own views and values.

Beatrice Prior has grown up amongst the Abnegation, but has always felt like she doesn't quite fit in. On the day of her aptitude test, Beatrice learns that her test results are inconclusive, that she is a Divergent. Being a Divergent is a dangerous thing - it means that you don't fit into one of the prescribed molds, that you are considered a danger by some of those in power. Beatrice knows that she can never reveal the fact that she is a Divergent to anyone and that she must now make the difficult decision of which faction to join without the help of her aptitude test results.

When Beatrice chooses to join the Dauntless, she becomes "Tris" and faces numerous physical, emotional, and mental challenges as she struggles with her fellow initiates to make it through Dauntless' initiation. She will have to learn to defend herself, who to trust, and come to rely on strength she never knew she had. Tris will also find herself trying to navigate a growing romantic connection with one of her instructors, Tobias, a.k.a. "Four." Through her training, Tris will discover that being a Divergent is both a blessing and a danger.

When the world as she knows it becomes threatened by escalating tensions between factions, resulting in Erudite launching an attack on Tris' home faction of Abnegation, Tris finds herself facing new fears, new losses and an uncertain future.

Book 1.5: Free Four
This is a little teaser that tells the knife throwing scene from Tobias' (Four's) perspective. It's really short and gives us a little glimpse into his head. It doesn't really add anything to the overall series, but it only costs $0.89. You can take or leave this one.


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Book 2: Insurgent
The factions are falling apart and the conflict is quickly escalating towards out and out war. The Erudite are more determined than ever to find a way to control the Divergent and will stop at nothing to accomplish their goal. Tris, racked by guilt and grief, finds herself struggling to hold on to herself. When Dauntless decides to launch an offensive against Erudite, Tris' instincts tell her something isn't right.

Determined to find out the truth, the secret her parents sacrificed their lives for, Tris finds herself trusting people she never thought she would and betraying those who mean everything to her. She will learn that all actions have consequences and that the life she seemed so willing to throw away is really worth fighting for. When all the secrets are finally revealed, the world as Tris knows it will never be the same.

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This series is fantastic! I was hooked from the very first chapter and couldn't put it down. The story is incredibly creative and the characters suck you into this world created by Veronica. I love Tris - she is such a multifaceted and well developed character. Tobias is the perfect male lead and for once there is no love triangle! Don't get me wrong...I love a well executed love triangle, but it was refreshing to not have to deal with one. I loved how Tris and Tobias' relationship develops, especially in the second book. Neither of them is the type of person who can easily trust, and to watch them break down each other's walls was gratifying to the romantic in me. There is plenty of action and twists and turns, which kept the books exciting, even without the usual triangle drama. The cliffhanger at the end of book two has me impatiently awaiting the third installment, which will be released around my birthday in October!! I am also really excited to see how this series will translate into film. I'm thinking it will be another huge success. I just hope they don't deviate too far from the books. 

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Coming soon...

A series of four short stories told from Four's perspective - starting with The Transfer: A Divergent Story - expected release date September 2013

 Book Three: Allegiant - expected release date October 2013

Film version of Divergent - expected release March 2014

6/17/2013

The Company You Keep by Neil Gordon

The year is 2006. Seventeen-year-old Isabel Montgomery begins to receive emails from her father, the man whose secrets forever altered her life at the tender age of 7 when a newspaper reporter exposes him, resulting in him abandoning her in a New York City hotel room. Through these emails, sent to her by her father and other members of "The Committee," Isabel learns that her father, Jason Sinai, had been living under a false identity to escape facing charges stemming from a robbery gone wrong in 1974.

As the story unfolds, all of her family's secrets will be revealed - her father's involvement in Weather, a Vietnam anti-war movement; her mother's drug problems, the discovery a half-sister, and the real reason why her father abandoned her all those years before. However, these emails also serve another purpose - her father and "The Committee" will also ask something of Isabel, something that will force her decide the company she will keep.

I liked this book. The story is interesting and full of twists and turns. Neil Gordon does a good job weaving all the different narratives together and the story comes full circle in the end. While enjoying the book's historical references, I have to admit that I have not studied the anti-war movements of the 1960s and 1970s in great detail. I had never heard of the Weather Underground Organization (a.k.a. Weather) and had to Google it to see if it was even a real thing. An understanding of the historical references, while providing an interesting context, are not entirely essential to being able to follow the story. There are enough explanation in the story to provide context, without turning into a history lesson.

The book was turned into a movie, starring and directed by Robert Redford, and I am curious to see how it compares to the novel when it is finally released on DVD.

 

6/11/2013

Forever Too Far (Too Far #3) by Abbi Glines

"When you find your reason for living, hold onto it. Never let it go. Even if it means burning other bridges along the way."

Forever Too Far is the third installment of Blaire and Rush's story. In Fallen Too Far, we watched as Blaire and Rush's worlds collided and family secrets rocked them to the core. In Never Too Far, Blaire and Rush, both irrevocably changed, struggled to rebuild their relationship based on trust, even as family issues continued to threaten their happily-ever-after. In Forever Too Far, we get to see the fruits of their struggles. Blaire and Rush finally make it through to the other side and it is gratifying to see.

I loved this book! It was everything I could have hoped for - sigh inducing, swoon worthy, happy tears falling perfection. Just when I thought Rush couldn't get any more perfect, he proves me wrong! He is so romantic and thoughtful, and I hope that I can find a man who will take care of me the way he takes care of Blaire, and I don't mean the money and the gifts, but the utter devotion he shows towards her. I feel like he finally embraces the man he was always meant to be, the man that deep down he always was. Finally realizing that he couldn't fix all his sister's problems, realizing that she had to fix them herself, frees him and allows him to fully embrace what's truly important - Blaire and his son.

While books like this can sometimes turn out to be fluff and all filler, I do not feel this is the case with Forever Too Far. It is not as angsty as the other two books, but I don't think that was the point of this book. Instead of focusing on the drama surrounding Blaire and Rush, this story focuses on them as they focus on each other and their lives together. There are still plenty of steamy scenes, too. It provides just the right amount of closure to Blaire and Rush's story, and yet left me wanting more!

Forever Too Far also gives us a glimpse into the continuing story of Woods and Della, as well as some insights into Grant's upcoming books. I love the Rosemary world created by Abbi and all the characters. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Oh, and make sure you check out Rush's wedding song on iTunes...it's super swoon worthy! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/id659106527

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Coming soon...

Book #2 for Woods and Della - Simple Perfection - expected release October, 2013 (maybe in time for my birthday??? Please!!!)

AND...

Grant is getting his own series!!
Book #1 - This One Chance - expected release sometime this winter
Book #2 - Take a Chance - expected release date unknown (not soon enough!!)

6/07/2013

The Crossfire Series (Books 1-3) by Sylvia Day

Book One: Bared to You
Eva has just moved to New York to start a new job and a new life. Just as she is settling into her life in New York, she finds her life turned upside down when she meets Gideon Cross - a rich, powerful, sexy as sin businessman. The connection and pull between Eva and Gideon is undeniable and consuming, but both Eva And Gideon are seriously broken and hiding dark secrets from their past. As Eva and Gideon fall deeper into each other, they will realize that sometimes love isn't enough and that staying together will require hard work and facing the demons of their pasts.

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Book Two: Reflected in You
Eva has revealed everything about her past to Gideon, but he is still keeping secrets. When their relationship is good, it's amazing, but when it's bad, it has the power to derail both of them. When Eva's past comes back to haunt her, Gideon pulls away, throwing Eva into a tailspin. Eva doesn't understand the distance Gideon is putting between them and why he has become so cold, and it leaves her questioning everything about their relationship. All Gideon says is to "trust him" and to "wait." Eva must come to terms with her own insecurities and decide once and for all if she is able to put her trust in Gideon, even if the evidence and pile of secrets tells her not to.
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Book Three: Entwined With You
Eva and Gideon's connection is stronger than ever and no one but Eva knows how far Gideon will go to protect her. Now Gideon is the one who needs protection. What he has done for Eva has the power to destroy him and until they can be sure that a knife no longer hangs over Gideon's head, the two are forced to conduct their relationship in secret. As the threat to Gideon diminishes, Gideon is determined to take their relationship public and make it clear that Eva is his, even if Eva has some lingering reservations as to what that entails. Even as their relationship gets back on track, there are still dark clouds circling above - Gideon's demons, loose ends of a police investigation, a spurned reporter out for revenge - that have the potential to destroy Eva and Gideon's happily ever after.
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Fans of 50 Shades will love this series. I know I have jumped on the Gideon fan train! There are quite a few parallels between the two series, but I feel like the Crossfire Series is more intense. What I liked about the series is that both the characters are broken, not just one or the other. It brings a new dynamic to the story and makes for some serious dramatic reading. Eva and Gideon's relationship is so rout with turmoil that it leaves you wondering how they manage to stay together. Their "love" is borderline obsession, and yet it is a lifeline for both of them. The challenges, insecurities, and setbacks they deal with make you wonder if the relationship is really worth it. For every step forward they take, they end up taking two steps back. And yet they continue to fight to stay together. It makes for some seriously passionate and steamy scenes and truly compelling reading.

This series was originally intended to be a trilogy, but Sylvia announced that there will actually be two more books in the series to tie up some loose ends. There is definitely a lot more to explore and wrap up and I am excited to see what's next for Gideon and Eva. No information of expected release dates for the next two books. I just hope that I don't have to wait too long. I miss Gideon already...

6/04/2013

Jet (Marked Men #2) by Jay Crownover

Ayden Cross is determined to leave her past behind her. She knows what she wants and is determined to get it – a future based on security and stability and the opposite of everything she left behind her in Kentucky.

Jet Keller is every girl’s rock and roll fantasy come to life – tall, dark, sexy as sin, covered in tats, clad in leather and skin tight pants, and the ability to transfix every person in a room when he performs.

When the two of them meet, the chemistry between them is undeniable. Jet makes Ayden want to forget about her best laid plans, the plans that she doesn’t really want, but thinks she should. Terrified of losing everything she worked so hard for and getting burned by Jet, Ayden keeps her defenses up and refuses to let Jet in.

Ayden makes the fire inside of Jet bearable and centers him in a way that no one else ever has. The closer he gets to Ayden, the more he falls, but she has built up walls that Jet just can't seem to get through. Jet is dealing with his own demons, and when push comes to shove, he walks away rather than staying and fighting.

Fear, insecurity, and family drama drive the two of them apart and threaten their chance at a happily ever after. Making it work will require them both to let go of what they thought they wanted and needed to be happy, and realizing that all they really need is each other.

Do yourself a favor and pick this one up ASAP!! I loved Rule, but I love, love, love Jet! He is definitely worthy of book boyfriend status. I mean, who wouldn't want a sexy rock god who burns with a fiery passion? Sign me up! He is the ultimate fantasy – tats, leather, talent, passion – with a beautifully compassionate heart. I also really liked Ayden. Usually the female characters in these novels tweak my nerves a bit, but I totally related to Ayden. I understood her and why she did the things that she did, and I totally think that she and I could be friends.

While there is no major cliffhanger, the ending is open enough that there could be a sequel, something that I would gladly devour. I am also looking forward to the next book in the series featuring Rome and Cora. I have a feeling that it will be a good one. I hope that Rowdy and Nash get their own books too. I love this motley crew of characters and how they are so much more than outward appearances. Jay Crownover is an excellent writer and I love how she weaves the male and female perspectives together so that you get to see into the heads of both characters. She has quickly become one of my new favorite authors and I can't wait to see what’s coming next.

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Coming soon…

Rome (Marked Men #3) – expected release January 2014

Cora Lewis is a whole lot of fun, and she knows how to keep her tattooed bad boy friends in line. But all that flash and sass hide the fact that she’s never gotten over the way her first love broke her heart. Now she has a plan to make sure that never happens again: She’s only going to fall in love with someone perfect.

Rome Archer is as far from perfect as a man can be. He’s stubborn and rigid, he’s bossy and has come back from his final tour of duty fundamentally broken. Rome’s used to filling a role: big brother, doting son, super soldier; and now none of these fit anymore. Now he’s just a man trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while keeping the demons of war and loss at bay. He would have been glad to suffer it alone, until Cora comes sweeping into his life and becomes the only color on his bleak horizon. 

Perfect isn’t in the cards for these two, but imperfect might just last forever . . .

6/03/2013

The Forever of Ella and Micha (The Secret #2) by Jessica Sorensen

"You and I, good or bad, belong together. We make each other whole."

Ella and Micha found the love they have always been missing in each other in The Secret of Ella and Micha (review here) and their story continues in The Forever of Ella and Micha.

Ella and Micha's relationship is put to the test as Ella returns to school and Micha hits the road with his band. Distance, long absences, and Ella's fears threaten to ruin their chances at a happy ending. Ella and Micha love each other, but that might not be enough to build a future.


"Most people go into this blind. They don't know the bad side of the person they are with. But we know each other's flaws and cracks - we know what we're getting into and that makes us stronger."

This is another great one from Jessica Sorensen! What I love about this story is the way Ella and Micha love each other. Soulmates is the only way that I can think to describe them. They know each other so well and accept each other, flaws and all, unconditionally. Micha is my hero in this book. Even though he has his own issues, he is so strong for Ella, so unwavering in his love. He is her rock. Ella, despite what she thinks, is perfect for Micha too. She calls him on his BS and know what he is thinking and feeling even when he's trying to hide it. 

They are not perfect people and the each have a world of issues to overcome, but their love makes them stronger and better. This is what makes Ella and Micha's love story the perfect example of what true love should be. It's accepting, unconditional, unwavering, and something that doesn't force you to change, but inspires you to be a better version of yourself.

While there is no clifhanger at the end of the book, it is certainly open enough that there could be more. I know that I would love to know what the next chapter holds for Ella and Micha, but don't know if Jessica is planning on writing more. If not, I think that this book provides a satisfying conclusion to the story. I am really hoping that there will be more to come for Ella and Micha.

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Don't forget...

Coming soon is The Temptation of Lila and Ethan, a spin off novel to Ella and Micha's story. According to Goodreads, we should expect it in October, 2013, and I'm looking forward to this one! Check out the blurb below:

Ella's best friend Lila has always been a good girl who likes pretty clothes and preppy boys. But ever since the first day she met Micha's best friend Ethan, she hasn't been able to stop thinking about him. Girls have always flocked to Ethan--but never princesses like Lila. And until Lila came into his life he never wanted them to. From the outside the two couldn't seem more different, but somehow they have a connection deeper and more intense than anyone could have imagined. Can two people from such dramatically different worlds really have a love that lasts?

Oh, Sleepur! by Marty Schoenleber III

Oh, Sleepur! is a collection of poems by the spoken word poet, Marty Schoenleber III, and if you haven't checked out his work, you need to! I first came across him when Colleen Hoover posted a video of him performing one of the poems from her book, Slammed. Curious, I checked out his website and other videos and became an instant fan.

His poetry is everything a good poem should be - raw, brimming with emotion, thought provoking, and inspiring. Poetry, especially slam poetry, is a true artform and Marty is a master craftsman.

Check out Marty's blog here: http://mereair.wordpress.com/

Check out the videos of Marty performing two of my favorite poems from Oh, Sleepur!


Mewzeeum Harts (Museum Hearts)



Push



This one isn't in Oh, Sleepur!, but is probably my favorite poem of Marty's and worth sharing.

Inventoree (Inventory)

Take a deep breath inventory
Of yourself
Do not count your hands or feet
Not your wandering legs or
Wavering arms
Do not take inventory of your clothes
Not of your favorite shoes or
Your special hat—not even your
Coat that you save for those cold,
Cold nights
Ignore your car—payments or paid off
Your home—apartment, trailer, mansion
Your work uniform—whatever that may be

Make emergency stops only
You are still several miles from
The intersection of contentment and identity
And you have not been there
In far too long
Do not take inventory of how you look
In a summer dress or a tuxedo and bowtie
Don’t count your history with
Drugs and alcohol
Don’t count your computer, your television
Or that collection of movies
Or albums
Or books that you’ve been working on
Don’t take account of your ability to curl
Dead weight
It’s just curling dead weight
Don’t count the number of visible abs
You have
Or your BMI

You are so much more than a body
You are so much more than possessions
Your body and belongings have not
Done you well to feel like you belong

Instead take inventory of your joy
You have some joy don’t you?

Count your friends
Count your love letters
Count the moments when it rains
And you have an umbrella
Count the last time you had strawberries
Count the start of every kiss
Count the paid off credit cards
Actually, count those twice
Because freedom counts for twice as much
Account for all of your freedoms
Take inventory of playing catch with your dad
Your last home-cooked meal
Account for the last time you rode a bike
When you didn’t think about exercise, you just felt the wind
Count the times you wrapped birthday presents
Count the smell of the last bouquet of flowers you were given
Count the last time you went to the zoo
And you swore, nobody ever fell in love with the
Animals quite like you did
Cause you have an eye for beauty
And you’re seeing it everywhere
Take a deep breath inventory of the beauty you have seen

And when you can’t seem to find anything that matters
To take inventory of
Count those dark moments where you still
Have the hope to rack your brain
To try to find a memory where you had joy
If you still have hope to try to find it
That is joyful
All on its own
Because I know they can be hard to find sometimes
Those things worth taking inventory of
But I have found the greatest of these things is love
Not the way I love Pulp Fiction and Casablanca
But the way I love my wife
And my father and my mother
And a good rescue
Cause that is what I’ve had—a good rescue
And life is sweet like honey
Not because it’s easy
And certainly not because I feel good all the time
But because I have found joy in a rescued life that I can hope in
When I take a deep breath inventory
I have to realize all I have is love
The rest will go away someday
But not my hope and joy and love