Friday, April 19, 2013

Release Party and Giveaway: Off Limits by Sawyer Bennett

Buy Now On Amazon    
 
 
Book Description
“There is a vulnerability there, hovering just below the surface. And I want to pick at it until I expose it. Then I want to kiss it."
Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life.  And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman.  Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time.  And she likes it.
Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation.  It's certainly the easiest way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down.
When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms.  He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart. 
Having grabbed life by the horns, Emily wants it all.  But is she willing to accept just the small part of himself that Nix is offering?  Can she reach the part of his soul that he has deemed to be Off Limits?
 

This book is the follow up novel to Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett. However, Off Sides can be read as a stand-alone.

 
 
Excerpt



Once I pull myself up into the driver's seat, I look over at her. She's sitting with her hands clasped in her lap and her gaze looks a bit vacant as she stares out the side window.
"Are you okay?" I ask her.
She just nods her head but I see her bottom lip start to quiver a bit. My stomach clenches. Normally, a girl crying will freak me out and I'll do anything to get away. But now, I kind of want to take her in my arms and hold her...to reassure her that everything is okay now. My arm rises up on its own accord and as I reach out to her, I suddenly feel awkward. I'm not built for this. I don't do chivalrous and I don't do reassuring.
I do hard and tough.
My arm drops in my lap and I start the truck. Then I decide to be an asshole to prove I'm still me. "What the hell were you doing out there by yourself? How could you let yourself get in that situation?"


About the Author
 
 
Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.  
 
 



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Thursday, April 18, 2013

Review: This Love of Mine by Amanda Bennett

4.5 Star Review by Annie

 

I needed an escape. An escape from my momma, a woman who cared more about herself than her own daughter. A woman who couldn't stand the sight of me since my father left. A boyfriend who was nothing but trouble. Trouble that I couldn't say no to.

Unfortunately, leaving them both would prove to be either the best decision I could ever make, or the biggest mistake of my life.

My plan was to escape to the one place I always felt safe. A place where life is simple and quiet, and a place where I could finish my senior year of high school unscathed. Abernathy, Texas was my second home, and my grandparents were the parents I aways wanted. There was no one around this one horse town to complicate my life any further, or at least that's what I thought. That was, until I met Madison Raine.

He held the power to turn my peaceful escape upside down and inside out with just one look. He was beautiful, in every sense of the word and with that beauty, came trouble. There were a million reasons why I should stay away from him, but none of them seemed to matter when I caught sight of those emerald green eyes. It was becoming clear that staying away from Madison would be harder than I had anticipated.

A past like mine never fully disappears, until you find yourself faced with the irreparable truth that sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands, consequences be damned.

Kayla James (KJ) was everything I never knew I wanted. This was the last summer I would be on the farm before I headed off to college, and meeting her was the last thing I expected. I didn't know what had brought her here, and I honestly didn't care. I had my own things to deal with and a relationship wasn't one of them. Little did I know that this girl, would wind up being exactly what I needed in every way possible.

Life hasn't always been easy, and telling my grandparents that I was going to college in another state was going to be the death of me, but it was something I needed to do. I needed a life outside of Texas, one where no one knew who I was or what I had lost. Between baseball and my band, I thought I had it made.

All it took was one look into those baby blues and I was a goner. I ended up needing her like I needed air to breathe, and everything inside of me wanted to be with her regardless of the outcome. How do you choose between love and life, and convince the one person who trusts no one, to take a chance on you?


“Never doubt or question your love for someone else, because it could be the last time you experience it.”
 
This book was just absolutely amazing. Amanda Bennett did a great job of capturing you into this book from page one. You become so emotionally involved in the story that it feels as though you are there in the book right alongside of the characters.
 
Kayla is a broken seventeen year old girl who desperately wants to get away from her mother and start a fresh new life. So she heads to the one place she feels the safest, her grandparents farm. She goes there looking for nothing but a safe place to call home, but what she finds is something more and it comes in the form of a cowboy.
 
“There is one person for everybody. You may meet her now or you may meet her later, but she will always stay with you, whether in body or spirit.”
 
Madison spends every summer working at his grandparent’s farm. With a scholarship to college in another state awaiting him, he plans on cutting this summer at the farm short. He never had the intention of finding someone to hold him back, that is until a beautifully damaged girl came walking into his life.
 
Madison is definitely swoon worthy and will make you just fall in love with him from the moment he is introduced, and it also helps he wears tight jeans. Madison is what I like to call a triple threat he is a cowboy, a baseball player and the lead singer of a band. Does it get any better?
 
“Hold onto your cowboy boots, because I’m pretty sure he is going to take you for one hell of a ride.”
 
I really enjoyed the characters in this story. Kayla is strong and has the will power to survive anything thrown her way. She has had more struggles in her seventeen years of living then some do their whole lives.
 
The bad news is this book has a major cliffhanger, but the good news is that you only have to wait until May. This story is a beautiful story about survival and love.

 


 
 

Review: Elite By Rachel Van Dyken

5 Star Review by Heather


When I won the annual Eagle Elite College Scholarship lottery, I was thrilled. After all, my grandma had just died and I wanted to take care of my aging grandpa -- he couldn't be a farmer in Wyoming forever. And graduating from Eagle Elite meant opportunity.
But I wasn't counting on meeting Nixon.


Nor was I counting on the rules of the Elect.

1. Do not touch The Elect.
2. Do not look at The Elect.
3. Do not speak to The Elect.


And worst of all? Don't discover the secret they hide, because in the end, you may just realize... it's about you.



Do me a favor. Tell your grandpa you invited me so that they don’t shoot me on sight. You don’t want innocent blood on your hands.”
“Are you?” I whispered.
“What?”
“Innocent?”
“No.” His voice was shaky. “Not since the day I was born, not since the first day my dad raised a hand to me, not since the first time I watched my mom huddle in the corner, and definitely not since the first time you let me kiss you. No, Trace. I’m anything but innocent.”

Wow, Wow, Wow! I could not put this book down once I started reading it. I love it when a book has that hold on me.

Trace Rooks is a farm girl from Wyoming. She entered a contest to get into Eagle Elite thinking she would never get in since the chances are very slim. She gets in and finds out that the life she has been living is a lie. She struggles with this new life and what is right and wrong.

Nixon is the head of the Elite group. He is the student body president. He issues out the rules and gives access cards out to student. He is also hiding a very big secret from Trace. Will this secret bring them closer together or tear them apart?

I'm thankful that while I've been standing her Nixon hasn't attempted to trip me or knock me off the stage. Guess there's hope for me yet. Moo.- Trace

I can't wait to find out more in book 2!!! This book is AMAZING! It is definitely in my top 5 books of this year! Very well written book Rachel Van Dyken!!!!!

Screw Nixon. Last time I checked, he wasn't God, nor would he be wanted by Him.”- Monroe

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Review: Music of the Heart by Katie Ashley

4.5 Star Review by Annie

 
For Abby Renard, the plan was supposed to be simple—join her brothers’ band on the last leg of their summer tour and decide if she’s finally ready for the limelight by becoming its fourth member. Of course, she never imagined stumbling onto the wrong tour bus at Rock Nation would accidentally land her in the bed of Jake Slater, the notorious womanizing lead singer of Runaway Train. When he mistakes her for one of his groupie’s, Abby quickly lets him know she sure as hell isn't in his bed on purpose.

Jake Slater never imagined the angel who fell into his bed would resist his charms by promptly kneeing him in the balls. Of course, the fact she seems like a prissy choir girl makes her anything but his type. So he is more than surprised when after betting Abby she wouldn’t last a week on their tour bus, she is more than willing to prove him wrong. But as Jake’s personal life begins to implode around him, he finds an unlikely ally in Abby. He’s never met a woman he can talk to, joke with, or most importantly make music with.

As the week starts comes to a close, neither Abby nor Jake is ready to let go. Can a sweetheart Country songstress and a bad boy of Rock N Roll actually have a future together?
 
 
“As a self-respecting dude, I'd never believed in fairy tales, but in that moment, I did. I'd found my angel to live happily-ever-after with.” 
Katie Ashley hits a high note with this book. It is truly an amazing love story about a good girl and the bad boy!!
Abby Renard was the virginal goodie goodie church going girl who accidentally found herself on the tour bus of one of the sexiest rock bands.
Jake Slater was the groupie loving tattooed lead singer of the Runaway Train.
He thought she couldn’t handle being around a bunch of rockers, and she thought he was a sleazy overly sexual jerk. So what better way to prove each other wrong then with a bet. One week. One bus. One beautiful love story.
 “I know all about the missionary position, Angel. In fact, I believe I was trying to acquaint you with it earlier when you cock blocked me.”
Can I just start off by saying how envious I am of Abby. In all my life I have never stumbled upon a rockers tour bus, especially one with a lead singer as screxy (yes, that means he is both scrumptious and sexy) as Jake Slater! Not to mention the three other members of Runaway Train.
This book was one of the better rock star romances I have ever read. I really loved all the main characters. This book will have you on an emotional rollercoaster. It will have you  laughing, crying and even throwing your kindle at the wall.


Cover Reveal: Pieces of You by Cassia Leo


Cover Reveal: Pieces of You by Cassia Leo


Summary


Claire Nixon is only twenty-one, but her heart has been shattered and put back together more times than she can count. Finding solace in meditation and a change of location, she thought she had buried her painful secret for good. Then she met the persistent and sexy Adam Parker. Adam’s pursuit of Claire’s heart and her secret nearly destroyed them, but their love was relentless. With no more secrets between them, Claire and Adam thought they had it all figured out. Though they knew they’d never be whole again, their love had survived the test. Until Claire’s rock star ex-boyfriend, Chris Knight, came back. Now Chris has promised to mend the final piece of Claire’s broken heart as only he can. With Claire attending college a hundred miles away from Adam and Adam’s busy travel schedule, Chris’s offer looks more and more enticing.
Expected release: 5/17/13 

 

Pieces of You – Teaser #5


Chapter 7 – Claire

“I’ve been dreaming about this all week,” I murmur into his mouth.

His hand slides under my knees and he scoops me up in his arms as he stands from the chair and carries me to my bed. He sets me down gently, our lips never losing contact as I reach for the waistband of his jeans and pull him on top of me. Right away, my body begins to tremble with my need for him.

“Are you okay?” he whispers as he kisses my neck and I nod hastily. “Good ‘cause I’m about to wreck you.”

He spreads my legs open and I lift my hips as he grinds into me.

I moan softly. “Please take this off,” I beg as I yank his shirt up.

He chuckles as he pulls his shirt over his head and gazes down at me with that sexy smile that makes me ache for him. His body is so perfectly smooth and muscular. I reach up and touch the tattoo on his chest, the compass filled with waves, and he grabs my hand. He kisses the inside of my wrist then lays my hand down at my side. His hands slide over my belly then under my lower back. He lifts me up so my back is arched and plants a soft kiss just above my belly button. The smile in his eyes as he looks up at me makes my chest heave with anticipation.

His fingers whisper over my skin and I sigh as they land on the button of my jeans. He takes his time undoing the button and I feel body growing hungrier and more impatient by the second.

“What do you want me to do to you?” he asks as he drags the zipper down and lays a soft kiss on abdomen.

I hate when he asks me this. I get so flustered when I talk about this stuff.

I swallow my nerves then answer. “I want you to make me… scream your name.”

I whisper the last three words and he laughs softly. “You’re so fucking adorable. Do you need a joke to relax?”

He grabs the waistband of my jeans and I lift my hips so he can slide them down, taking my panties with them. “Yes, please.”

“This one’s going to be dirty,” he says as he tosses my jeans and panties onto the floor and kisses my hipbone. “First, take off your shirt. I want to look at you.”

I tear off my shirt and slip out of my bra then lie back as he sits up on his knees to look at me. It’s a testament to how comfortable I feel with Adam that I don’t even flinch at the fact that the lights are on. Adam has never made me feel anything other than completely beautiful.

His eyes take in every inch of me, his gaze skimming over ever valley and curve before landing squarely on my face. “I’ll save the joke for later.”

He slides two fingers inside me and I close my eyes as I hold my breath. His fingers slide in and out of me as his thumb massages my clit.

“Oh, my God,” I breathe as I roll my hips against the motion of his hand.

“Look at me.”

I shake my head as the pleasure builds inside me and he laughs. “Come on, baby. I want to see your eyes.”

I open my eyes and he smiles as he slides his fingers out of me right before I come.

“That’s not fair,” I protest.

He ignores my grumbling as he lies on top of me and kisses me hard. I’m breathless, lost under the weight of his body and the power of his kiss. Then he starts to move down, laying a soft trail of kisses straight down the middle of my torso until he reaches my center.

I gasp as soon as his tongue touches me. “Adam.”He lets out a soft grunt as a reply. “Don’t stop.” I try not to writhe away from him as the warmth builds inside me, spreading out from my core in furious waves. “Adam!”

“Say it louder,” he says, and the sensation of his breath and the vibration of his voice send chills through me.

As the orgasm reverberates through my body, a cry of euphoria explodes from my lips. “Adam!”

I hear a soft chuckle as he finishes me off with another lick and a soft kiss. My body trembles as he kisses each of my breasts then sits up. He takes off his jeans and I attempt to recover as he slides a condom on.

“Sweeter than sugar,” he says, as he lies on top of me, resting his elbows on either side of my head, and kisses me.

I rake my nails softly over his ribs and he twitches between my legs. He kisses me slowly, taking his time, drawing out the moment until I finally clutch fistfuls of his hair and pull his face back. I don’t say anything. He knows what I want from the hunger in my eyes.

He eases himself into me and I wrap my legs around his hips to coax him farther inside. I draw in a sharp breath as he hits my core and a spark of pain ignites the fire inside me.

He watches every change in my face as he moves rhythmically in and out of me. “Are you okay?” I nod and he kisses my forehead then goes back to gazing into my eyes. “I love you, Claire.”

“I love you, Adam.”

He presses his lips to mine and I know, from that one look and the way he’s kissing me so tenderly, that there’s something he’s not telling me.

 

About the Author



USA Today bestselling author Cassia Leo loves her coffee, chocolate, and margaritas with salt. When she's not writing, she spends way too much time watching old reruns of Friends and Sex and the City. When she's not watching reruns, she's usually enjoying the California sunshine or reading--sometimes both.




Sunday, April 14, 2013

Review: Destined to Change by Lisa M. Harley

3.5 Star Review by Heather

 
Destiny…it’s really an interesting thought isn’t it…destiny.

Loralei Harper’s destiny was determined before her birth. It was very simple. She was expected to graduate from high school, marry Declan Sharp, and have two kids. She would stay at home with them, while her husband worked on the family farm. But the funny thing about destiny is…it can change in the blink of an eye. Now Loralei has to figure out what to do when everything changes.

Declan Sharp, a sweet country boy, grew up with Loralei. Their parents couldn’t have planned their relationship any better. Loralei was the love of his life and their future was bright, but sometimes life gets in the way of your plans.

Jaxon Daniels, a pierced, tattooed, badass with a gentle soul, just wanted to get out of the city and relax in the country for a little while. The last thing he was looking for was right in front of him. With skeletons in his closet, will he be able to hold on to the woman he loves, when the past comes out to play?

Cade Walker, a cocky cowboy, never gave love a second thought. Sex? Now that was a different story. After a drunken night, all of that changes when he feels something for Loralei...with his heart. This good ole boy learns that alls fair in love and war.

What happens when all of these lives cross paths? Whose destiny will change and who will get their happily ever after?
 
This book is a good read! I love a good love triangle.

Lorelei had her life planned out for his since before her birth. She was to graduate high school, marry Declan Sharp, have kids and help run the family farm. All that changed in the blink of an eye.

Declan Sharp was sweet country boy. Loralei was the love of his life. He wanted the best for her. Sometimes life takes a whole different turn.

“He might not be the right guy for forever, but maybe he is the right guy for right now.”

Jaxon Daniels is a pierced tattooed bad boy. He needed out of the city to reevaluate his life so he goes to work on Lorelei's farm with his uncle. The last thing he is expecting is to find love. He has a lot of baggage and this baggage can change everything between Loralei and him. Is their love strong enough to survive it?

Cade Walker the sexy manwhore cowboy. He doesn't do relationships until one drunken night with Loralei has him rethinking relationships. He can't seem to get her off his mind. He will do anything to try and get her. Can he be the man for her?

Then it's settled. I'm going to sleep with you tonight and I'm going to cuddle the shit out of you.” Jaxon


The journey that Loralei takes to find her happily ever after is amazing. You will cry, laugh, get mad and be happy! Definitely worth the read!I would give this book 3.5 Stars! Great book Lisa!!!!