Blog Tour & Giveaway: Back to Life by Danielle Allen

~ Synopsis ~

 

Sahara Lee has spent the last ten years living with the guilt of a tragic accident and its aftermath. That night irrevocably changed the outgoing, fun-loving college freshman into an introverted, workaholic with no social life. Sahara isolates herself from everyone and everything that reminds her of home in an effort to forget what happened. Using art as a substitute for love, Sahara throws herself into music and art as a way to feel something other than the guilt that haunts her. She accepts her lonely existence as penance for the role she played in the accident. That is, until she meets Tyree Barker, the good looking entrepreneur with baggage of his own.

Blindsided by a legal loophole, Sahara is suddenly forced to confront the past she’s been running from. Juggling the guilty feelings of her past and the unexpected feelings of her present, Sahara’s future becomes complicated as she heads down a path of forgiveness, love, and heartbreak…and not in that particular order.

Back to Life reminds you that living and existing are two completely different ways to go through life. Grief will break you but guilt, guilt will destroy you. And once that happens, what can bring you back to life?

 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1fxmYn0

 

~ Our Review ~

5 Star Review by Natalie

 

Sahara is trying to get her life back together. Sahara  Lee and Emily Mills are best friends. Their parents have been friends since college. So they grew up together and were like sisters. Sahara and Emily even went off to college together.

Emily was in college to be a teacher and Sahara was a pre-med student. After Sahara finished one of the hardest tests of the semester she needed to unwind and have fun. Emily on the other hand was ready to rest without the fun.

Sahara finally convinced Emily to go to the Spring Social that everyone was going to. Knowing Emanuel, Emily’s brother, would be their DD if needed they had fun and let loose. She always looked forward to seeing Emanuel because they flirted with each other all the time. Everything was going good, until an accident changes their lives forever.

Ten years later, and Sahara is still hating herself and taking blame for what happened that night after the Spring Social. That one night at 19 years old reshaped everything she thought of herself and everything around her. Sahara moved away from all of her family and friends. She was freeing everyone from seeing her and being reminded of what she had done.

Sahara never made any connections with anyone she came in contact with. For her it was easier that way so she never had to talk about her past. Will she ever make a future for herself? Will she find love?

I absolutely LOVED this book. It reminded me of Taking Chances. This book made me feel every emotion I have. I would be laughing one moment and crying the next. Danielle did a great job writing this book and putting all the characters together. There is so much more to this book than my mini synopsis that is amazing. For an amateur writer I can only imagine the absolute genius she will bring to paper once again. For me I think she will be up there with Molly Adams and Colleen Hoover. This book is definitely on my top five of fave books for sure!! If I could I'd give this book ten stars but I guess we'll have to settle for five ;)

~ Top 3 Sexiest Kisses in Back to Life ~

 

1) He inched his face closer to mine and asked, “Does that mean what I think it means?”

I cocked my head to the side coyly, “I don’t know what you think it means.”

He inched in a little more, our noses touching, “I think it means you feel this. You feel as drawn to me as I am to you. I felt it from the moment I saw you, heard your voice,” His voice had dropped to a hushed whisper.

“I’ve never felt anything like it,” I admitted. It scares me. I wanted to admit that too but opted not to.

We were so close, I could just barely feel his lips on mine. He eyed me hungrily but didn’t make a move to kiss me. Kiss me, kiss me, I willed him to put me out of my misery and kiss me. The waiting was unbearably sexy. My nerve endings were on fire. Finally, his lips gently found mine and as the level of intensity increased, so did my level of desire.  Our mouths and tongues moved together in reverent kisses causing soft moans to escape me. My heart hammered in my chest as we pulled apart. Mind. Blown, I thought as my body sagged against the door, trying to catch my breath. He tasted like mint and chocolate—clean and sweet.

 

2) As he pulled off his tie, he licked his lips seductively.  Putting on ‘Whenever Wherever Whatever,’ he quickly undressed, uncrossed my legs, and crawled between them.  His naked body felt so hot against mine. He kissed me before he moaned against my mouth, “I was trying to wait for your birthday baby girl. You made it so hard for me. All of those nights with you lying next to me braless, wearing those short shorts.” His eyes dropped to my lips and then my breasts and then back to my eyes.  He kissed me again, sliding his hand down the side of my body.

 

3) I put my ear to the door and strained to hear the front door close.  Not able to hear anything, I waited a few more minutes.  I splashed water on my face and willed myself to calm down.  I opened the door and peeked down the hall. I didn’t see or hear anyone so I looked for the room with my stuff in it. 

Closing the door behind me, I flipped on the light switch and looked around the guest bedroom.  A wooden four poster full size bed with a pretty floral comforter complimented the wooden dresser and TV stand.  I lifted my luggage onto the brown ottoman beside the bed so I could put away my clothing.  The room was small, but clean. I searched for my pink sweatpants that I packed to lounge in. Finding them, I threw them on the bed.  I was in the midst of finding my white T-shirt when the door flew open unexpectedly, banging against the wall.

I screamed and spun around. He charged toward me and grabbed my face. Crashing his lips against mine, he kissed me with enough passion to take my breath away.  Butterflies spread across my belly as his full lips overpowered my own.  Impulsively, I moaned and when my mouth opened, his tongue grazed mine sending shivers up and down my spine.  Before I registered what was happening, it was over.  He took a step back and his eyes flashed with the same intensity as that fleeting kiss.  We stood staring at one another for a moment. 

Oh my God, I thought with wide eyed shock.  I was winded and my skin tingled with desire.  I felt flushed and I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but the buzz of my phone shattered the moment before I could formulate an intelligent thought.  As if awakening from a dream, we both started talking at the same time.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” he announced as he started to back out of the room.

“Where did that come from?” I inquired as I picked up my phone without looking at it.

We both stopped, contemplating the other’s remark. Our eyes never left one another.

  

~ About Author~

 

I am a married event planner and life coach. My awesome friends and family and my amazing husband make my life sweet. I love to have fun and enjoy the life I’ve been blessed with. I love shopping and football with equal fervor. I’m an amateur movie critic (i.e. my husband and I watch and critique a lot of movies for fun). I love to read and I enjoy sharing my love of books with anyone who will listen. I love music. A good lyric with a good melody can paint a vivid picture and invoke such a range of emotions. I have a soft spot for most mediums of creative, artistic expression.

With degrees in psychology, human services, and marriage and family counseling, I have a unique perspective on life, love and the pursuit of happiness. As an author, I combine an active imagination and life experiences to create stories that are easily relatable and intentionally intriguing. I want to offer you a peek into someone else’s life and for you to get lost in their story, their trials, their triumphs. My ultimate goal is to create a character or a story that stays with you long after you’ve put the book down.

So in a nutshell: I plan. I teach. I read. I write. I watch. I critique. I shop. I play. I love.

  To know me is to love me.

 

XOXO

Danielle

 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6523680.Danielle_Allen

Webpage: http://www.authordanielleallen.com/

Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDanielleAllen

Back to Life Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/BacktoLifeSeries

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/XOXO_DAllen

 

 

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Everything I've Never Had by Lynetta Halat

~ Synopsis ~

 

Celeste Hebert has always appeared to have it all, but there are many things she's never had, been forbidden from having.
 

One night. One song. One kiss. The perfect trifecta to unleash the floodgates of a forbidden attraction between the widow and her husband’s bad boy cousin, Adrian.

 

Celeste endeavors to rebury the feelings that surface after this one night since her powerful family despises him. Kindred spirits, best of friends they attempt to douse their attraction; however, Adrian always seems to know exactly how to push her buttons and may prove too much to resist.

 

Having defied his family by making his way on his own terms, Adrian struggles to regain their acceptance. When he meets his cousin’s wife and wants her for his own, he feels he’s finally lived down to the title—black sheep. But, when his cousin dies unexpectedly, Adrian fights his attraction and swears to honor them both by helping her raise her boys. 

Finding himself enveloped in a cocoon of love and acceptance, Adrian knows it’s more than just physical attraction. However, unforeseen events threaten to destroy those he now holds dear and his newfound peace.

 

Will the ties that bind them be their undoing?

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1buucuS

 

~ Our Review ~

4 Star Review by Heather

 This book was really good.  The characters are really likable and you can relate to them.

 

Celeste is a widow with three boys trying to make it on her own.  She has the help of her husband’s cousin, Adrian.  She has had feelings for him for a while now and tries to hide them because she knows that his family and her family would not approve of them being together. Can she keep her feelings hidden after one night they share a hot kiss? Will she open up to him and say to hell with our families?

 

Adrian is struggling to be accepted into his family.  He doesn't want to be exiled from them like his father, so her tries to do the things they want.  Whether it is right or wrong.  So he denies his feelings for Celeste and tries to work her out of his system with nameless women.  Can he finally see that it is worth losing his family to have her and the boys with him?  

 

This book needed a little something more.  I can't say exactly what it needed.  I just felt like the other shoe was about to drop and it never did.  Overall this book held my attention and left me wanting to know what was going to happen so I do recommend reading it!!

 

 

~ About The Author ~

 

For as long as she can remember, Lynetta Halat has lived to read and has written countless stories and plays since she was a young girl. A teacher by day and an avid reader and closet writer by night, she has always dreamt of penning books that people could connect with and remember; and her first novel, Every Rose, was the perfect catalyst to launch her into the world of publishing. Her love of the English language prompted her to attain her master's degree in English from Old Dominion University in Virginia. A self-proclaimed "Coast Girl," she lives in Mississippi with her adorable husband, two amazing sons, and two loveable dogs. She is currently at work on her third book.

  

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/LynettaHalatAuthor
 

Website: www.lynettahalat.com
 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynettaHalat (@LynettaHalat)
 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18231432-everything-i-ve-never-had

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Blog Tour: Against the Ropes by Sarah Castille

~ Synopsis ~

 

He scared me. He thrilled me. And after one touch, all I could think about was getting more...

Makayla never thought she'd set foot in an elite mixed martial arts club. But if anyone needs a medic on hand, it's these guys. Then again, at her first sight of the club's owner, she's the one feeling breathless.

 

The man they call Torment is all sleek muscle and restrained power. Whether it's in the ring or in the bedroom, he knows exactly when a soft touch is required and when to launch a full-on assault. He always knows just how far he can push. And he's about to tempt Makayla in ways she never imagined...

  

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1dwAvi2

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/against-the-ropes-sarah-castille/1114780664?ean=9781402284854

 

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/books/Against-the-Ropes/TCwqSHCxhU-23ajhtUZjyw

~ Our Review ~

5 Star Review by Natalie

 

This book follows two polar opposite people that somehow find their way into each other’s hearts. Makayla is a wannabe med student that works in hospital admissions. Everyday living the same boring life, with little or no excitement. Her best friend , Amanda, is always trying to get her to do something exciting and adventurous. Until one day her life got turned upside down.

 

Amanda is Makalyas' wild and crazy lawyer friend that drags her to an MMA club to get out and have a good time. Makayla is very hesitant considering she has such a weak stomach, but she’s in store for a lot more than she bargained for.

 

Torment is an MMA fighter that owns his own underground mixed martial arts club. He loves to fight and loves control. No matter what, Torment plays to win at all costs. Between running his club and dealing with his other life he stays busy. Torment AKA Max Huntington is a multimillionaire with a past.

 

Makayla and Tormet work hard to get through their pasts and work more on their present together. The daily struggle for both of them seems to bring them closer together rather than farther apart.

 

I loved this book. Not only was the MMA fighting amazing and the guys were hot, but Makalyas innocence won me over. I would give this book a  solid five stars. Thank you Sarah, for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. I look forward to reading more of your work.

 

~ About The Author ~

 

Recovering lawyer, karate practitioner, and caffeine addict, Sarah Castille worked and traveled abroad before trading her briefcase and stilettos for a handful of magic beans and a home near the Canadian Rockies. Her steamy, contemporary romantic tales feature blazingly hot alpha heroes and the women who tame them.

Website: http://www.sarahcastille.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook/sarahcastilleauthor.com

Twitter (@sarah_castille): http://www.twitter/sarah_castille.com

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6920675.Sarah_Castille

Newsletter: http://sarahcastille.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=873de882785693c01f022e6a1&id=55ccf58aa3
 

Amazon Author: http://www.amazon.com/author/sarahcastille

 

 

September Author of the Month: Faith Andrews

~ Synopsis ~

 

Mia Murphy may be married to the man of her dreams. But the man in her dreams is the one that got away—her high school crush.

Mia’s stuck in a rut, just like every other stay-at-home mom, and the only thing saving her from her monotonous routine is her perfect husband, Declan. He’s gorgeous, he adores her, and the man stole her heart with his sexy singing voice. Mia feels like the luckiest girl in the world, until she discovers that Mr. Perfect is not Mr. Faithful. Mia is devastated. Everything she once believed about Declan and their marriage is now covered in a big cloud of doubt and regret. On impulse, she kicks the cheating bastard out, pushing them into a separation that could mean the end of the picture-perfect couple.

But when Mia receives an invitation to her high school reunion, she finds herself abandoning the present for the oh-so alluring pull of the past. Although her heart still belongs to her husband, inescapable thoughts of her crush, Noah, resurface. And ten years later, Noah isn’t afraid to make his move. When the build-up of fantasies and ‘what ifs' comes to a head, sparks fly and it’s Mia’s turn to question if her marriage is everything she wants out of life. Searching for answers, Mia dives head first into dating Noah, falling further away from her husband and closer to her old flame.

But Declan’s not giving up so easily. Mia is his one and only and he’s not about to let another man win her heart.

 

Expected Release: September 19,2013

 

Check out this amazing book trailer for Man of My Dreams

Man Of My Dreams Playlist

 

 

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Becoming More by Bayli Lane

~ Synopsis ~
 

At first it was all freedom, fun, and games for Lilly Fairfield. Being a freshman in college was supposed to create some of the best memories of her life, especially with her best friend, Lauren, and longtime boyfriend, Sander, by her side.

But the excitement begins to slip away when the people closest to her start to change. They begin moving in a direction Lilly doesn’t want to go, forcing Lilly to be faced with a decision. Should she fight for her relationships with both Sander and Lauren or move on to something different? Something unknown. Someone like…

Colton Davenport. Colton isn’t Lilly’s typical type. He's shockingly sexy with his colorful tattoos, shiny silver lip ring, and ear gauges. His smile alone leaves her breathless. Then again, she hasn’t had a specific type other than Sander. When she meets Colton she feels an automatic attraction that stuns her into utter stillness. She can’t look away, doesn’t want to look away.

Lilly must decide between a life with Sander, a life she always thought she wanted, and an unknown path with Colton.

   

Will Lilly make the right choices for her future, Becoming More?

 

  **This book is a New Adult Romance - intended for a mature audience.**

 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17841306-becoming-more

 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/197uzFo

Paperback: http://amzn.com/1492141372

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-more-bayli-lane/1116394895

 

~ Our Review ~

4.5 Star Review by Heather

 

This book drags you in from the beginning.   Becoming More will make you happy, sad and mad enough to kick a couple people’s asses!
 
Lilly is so excited to go to college with her boyfriend, Sander  of four years and her best friend Lauren.  All three of them are excited to start college free of their parents and to do what they want.  Lilly is shocked at how rude Sander's roommate, Bryan is and that he lets him talk to her with such disrespect.  She doesn't like Bryan and can see all the changes he is making in her boyfriend.  She isn't surprised that Lauren, her best friend is always gone, because that is just how she is. She just wishes that Sander wouldn't be doing the same and ditching her also.  She is now making her own friends.  She is having a hard time not wanting to get up close and personal with Colton, the guy she meets her first night out.  She wants him, but can't betray Sander and their future together.   With Sander changing she is no longer sure they have a future, but doesn't know how to give up on him.  Will she let her past go so she can have a future she deserves?
 
Sander is so excited to get away from his parents and head off to college. He tells Lilly that they can finally be together all the time and no one can stop them.  That all changes the day they get to campus and he would rather hang out with Bryan his roommate.  He starts hanging with his roommate and turns into someone else.  He does things that he claims he doesn't remember doing.  Will he finally man up and be the person he needs to be for Lilly? Or does he get caught up in himself?
 
Colton doesn't do love.  He is a love 'em and leave 'em guy.  He doesn't want the drama or the heartache that comes with women. He has experienced it before.  The night he sees Lilly he knows he should stay away, because she might change his way of thinking.  Their connection is just too strong.  He knows she has a boyfriend so he is just going to be there for her as a friend.  He doesn't like the way Lilly is being treated, but tries to not pressure her.  Can he make Lilly see that he is the man for her?  Can he help her forget the past and start a new future?
 
This book was really good, but I needed a little more from it.  I remembered why I don't read reviews on books before I read them.  I don't know that Lilly was weak, but it did take her awhile to realize her future wasn't what she always thought it would be.  I understand that is a hard thing to come to terms with.  I would definitely recommend this book.

 

~ Excerpt ~
 

The feel of Colton’s skin on mine is more than I ever imagined it would be. God, it’s so much more. I should have known that the sexual attraction between us was so alluring for a reason, but this is unbelievable. It’s like he knows my body better than I do. I’ve never reacted this way before; it’s surreal. I’m afraid it’s going to end, and I’m not ready to feel the lack of Colton against me. Instead, I want more. I reach down and grab at the button on his jeans. He stills on top of me and pulls away from my face. He looks into my eyes and then shakes his head.

 

“Not today, babe,” he says fiercely and reaches for my hand and pins it above my head. Okay, not what I was going for, but this is pretty nice too.

 

“Why not?” I whisper against his neck and then press my lips to his pulse.

 

“I told you earlier. I’m going to take my time with you. I want to get to know your body, slowly.” He grabs my hand and pins it alongside my other. His lips meet mine again in a tantalizing but leisurely tempo. I nibble at his bottom lip and draw the metal ring into my mouth, flicking my tongue across the warm metal.

 

He moans into my mouth as I let go of the ring. He starts nibbling on my lower lip, pulling it and teasing it with his teeth. “Please,” I beg and push my body against his.

 

He smiles and places a peck on my lips. “As hot as it is that you want it, not tonight,” he says with ardor and then pulls me up. I sit up, and he sits across from me. He runs his hand along my neck and down my chest, grips my hips, and pulls me onto his lap.

 

“You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to kiss you,” he says sincerely and bites my shoulder.

 

I throw my head back while his lips skim the skin to my chin. “Me too,” I reply roughly. I didn’t even know my voice could sound like that; I’m so out of breath.

 

“It exceeded my expectations,” he says against my skin.

 

  

~ About The Author ~

 

Bayli Lane didn’t realize how much she loved creating a world from nothing until college. She went to Marian University where she majored in Communications but in her spare time wrote and read. Her love for reading is what really brought out her desire to create her own novel. After starting loads of stories and not finishing them, she finally decided it was time to put her passion to work. Becoming More is her first novel but certainly not her last. Bayli lives with her husband, Tim, in Indiana where she is probably sitting with a large cup of coffee and her computer working on her next book.

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbaylilane
 

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7061310.Bayli_Lane
 

Twitter: @thsnyder4
 

 

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Promo Post & Giveaway: Beautiful Chances by Alicia Rae

~ Synopsis ~

 

After losing her parents and sister in a tragic car accident, Lily distances herself from those still around her. As she solely focuses on her work, she refuses to form any emotional attachments in fear of struggling through another unbearable loss.

 

…until Kyle enters her life with his possessive and overbearing personality. Instead of running, Lily finds herself drawn to him. Helping her on a path to healing, Kyle stands by her side and lends her his strength.

 

A bond is formed, but it is tested when the unthinkable happens.

Can taking a chance on love conquer all?

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18157092-beautiful-chances

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1egn6v1

 

~ About the Author ~

 

Alicia Rae is a Contemporary Romance Author who lives in Dekalb, Illinois, with her husband and three beautiful boys. Alicia has a passion for reading all types of romance, writing to bring a story to life, and photography.

Thank you to my dear sister, Kels, who showed me a few years ago how much I truly missed reading. And to my loving husband, for not throwing away my Nook, and planting the seed of writing into my mind. I am forever grateful. Xo

Readers, words cannot thank you enough for supporting me along this incredible journey. I hope you enjoy my novels as much as I do writing them. I thank each and every one of you.

Believe in yourself and follow your dreams…

 Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest
 

 

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Feeling This by Casey Blue

~ Synopsis ~

 

Whoever said life is hard didn’t know the half of it!

Completely devastated when his life is ripped out from underneath him, Jordan Rhodes decides to take a break. A break from everything he’s always known; the country club life-style, his life-long friends and his overbearing parents. He just wants to be free to get lost and not feel the pain he has endured.

Kimber Maguire has been dealt the tough card her entire life. An ailing mom, a sister who refuses to face reality and a yearning for the one that got away, she finds putting one foot in front of the other as her only saving grace. What she really wants is to be free of feeling the pressure that is her life to get lost.

 

But when Jordan finds Kimber while losing himself, they both discover, sometimes you just need to feel to be found.
 

 Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18176639-feeling-this

 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1846joO

 

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EW6KD5U/

 

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00EW6KD5U/

 

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/354734 

 

~ Our Review ~

3.5 Star Review by Heather 

This book just didn't do anything for me.  I was looking forward to reading it, but when I started it I had trouble getting into it. It took me forever  to finish it.  It just seemed slow and drawn out.
 
Kimber is trying to take care of her mother, working two jobs and going to college.  She can't walk away and leave her mom even though that is what she wants to do.  She doesn't have time to date guys with everything else she does. So when Jordan appears in town she is shocked to have such a reaction to him.  She is unsure if she should pursue a relationship with him or just stay away from him.  Can she open up her heart and trust someone to be there for her?
 
Jordan is desperately trying to get away from his life. After being devastated by his fiancé he runs away and finds solace in Mt. Vernon.  Here he learns his love for horses never went away.  He is working as a ranch hand and loves the hard work.  He then meets Kimber and feels that he shouldn't be looking at another woman so soon after everything that happened with his fiancé.  Will he open up his heart? Or will he end up breaking Kimber's heart?
 
This book had potential and I am sure there are a lot of people that love this book.  I just couldn't connect with it and/or the characters.  I just feel like the story was slow going and that things were unrealistic in the book.  I really feel bad that I didn't like the story.

 

~ About The Author ~

 

Casey Blue is a hopeless romantic always striving for the perfect love in which to write about. Her ideal swoony boy constantly changes. She is the Hyde to Jekyll and Hyde; whatever her other half does, she’s a little naughtier! J She is addicted to caffeine and loves Jelly Bellies. She loves imperfect characters because in the end we are all imperfect. She has been writing her whole life but ‘Feeling This’ is her first New Adult masterpiece. She is happily married with kids and lives in the sunny state of Florida.

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caseyblue777
 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaseyBlue123
 

Blog:  http://caseyblue123.blogspot.com/
 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7166439.Casey_Blue

 

 

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