Blog Tour & GIVEAWAY | THE MOMENT OF LETTING GO by J.A. Redmerski

The Moment of Letting Go by J.A. Redmerski
New Adult Romance Published August 11, 2015
Forever Romance Publishing
Author's website  |  Goodreads  |  Buy the Book on Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

You can follow the rules or you can follow your heart...

THE MOMENT OF LETTING GO

Sienna Murphy never does anything without a plan. And so far her plans have been working. Right after college, she got a prestigious job and gained the stability she'd always craved-until work takes her to the sun-drenched shores of Oahu and places her in the path of sexy surfer Luke Everett. For the first time, she lets her heart take control. Drawn to his carefree charm, she makes a spontaneous and very un-Sienna-like decision to drop everything and stay in Hawaii for two more weeks.

Luke lives fast and wild. When he meets Sienna, he's convinced that some no-strings-attached fun is just what she needs. As their nights quickly turn from playful to passionate, Luke can't deny the deep connection he feels. But there's a reason Luke doesn't do long-term. He can't promise Sienna forever, when the enormity of his past has shown him just how fragile the future can be . . . 

My Thoughts...

I loved this book maybe even more that The Edge of Never and that's saying a lot because I really loved that book.  For me this was a very emotional and compelling story.  There is nothing better than reading a book and having deep feels for the characters that you are reading about.  Redmerski is one of the best at creating these kinds of characters.

Sienna is young and ambitious.  At 22 she already has a job that she enjoys and that provides her with a great income.  Is she following her dreams?  Not really, but she's making money and she's able to help her parents out when they will let her.  She is making sure that she is secure in the now.  Her job as an event coordinator takes her to the island of Oahu for a wedding.  It's an expense paid weekend in a place she's never been before and even though she's terrified of flying she's embracing the opportunity to leave the mainland for the first time.  The wedding doesn't necessarily go according to plan and while Sienna is "taking a break" from the chaos she meets Luke.  Luke is a surfer who appears to live life to the fullest and he tells Sienna that her life will change for the better if she can learn to let go of her fear and just live.  She confides her true passion to Luke and he makes her promise that she will pursue it in some degree when she goes back home the next day.  The problem is, the more time she spends with him the less she wants to leave. Luke and Sienna each feel that there is something deeper connecting them and neither of them are ready for their time together to be so short.  

Over the weeks that they spend together they get closer, but do they really know each other well enough to sustain something long term?  Sienna has issues with fear that she needs to resolve and Luke goes a long way to help her, but he's not without his own issues.  When their issues clash they have to decide if what they are feeling for each other is worth the risk.

This story was very emotional and I definitely needed the tissues handy for a good part of the last 1/4 of the book or more.  I loved both Sienna and Luke from the very beginning and there is a handful of supporting characters that just bring the story full circle.  This book is done in alternating first person POV through the eyes of Sienna and Luke and I have to say this is my favorite way to read a story.  I feel like it's the best way to really get to know the characters.  There are some sexy love scenes in the book because this is a New Adult Romance, but they are tastefully done and not overly descriptive and not at all crude.  If you have never picked up a book by J.A. Redmerski then I highly suggest you start with this one!

XOXO, Shelly

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

About the author:

J. A. Redmerski, New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children, two cats and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries. 

Connect with the author!

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

GIVEAWAY!!

Here are the rules:

1. You must live in the US and have a Street Address (NO PO Boxes) to enter (per the publishers request)
2. You must be 18 to enter 
3. You must contact me within 24 hours of being notified that you are the winner or I will choose another winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Review | "Seldom Come By" by Sherryl Caulfield

Please join Sherryl Caulfield as she tours the blogosphere for Seldom Come By, the first book in her Iceberg Trilogy, from November 24-December 13, and enter to win an eBook or Autographed copy!

Publication Date: December 10, 2013
Cedar Pocket Publishing
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 490
Series: Iceberg Trilogy
Genre: Historical Fiction



READ AN EXCERPT

Two years after the sinking of the Titanic, fifteen year-old Rebecca Crowe’s fascination with icebergs leads her to save a shipwrecked survivor, Samuel Dalton, the nineteen-year old son of a Toronto medical family.

Love sparks in the crystal cave of an iceberg but is thwarted by an unreasonable father and the Great War that drags Samuel and his brother, Matthew, to the Western Front as medical officers. Knowing Rebecca is home and safe in Newfoundland brings Samuel great comfort. But as the war moves towards its final harrowing days, they both discover that tragedy and terror can strike anywhere, setting their love on an unforeseen path.

Only when Samuel and Rebecca can fully come to terms with such devastating loss and their impossible choices can their love soar. With an emotional intensity reminiscent of The Bronze Horseman, Seldom Come By, named after an actual place in Newfoundland, is an unforgettable journey across waves and time and the full spectrum of human emotions.

My Review...

I just finished this book about an hour ago and I quite enjoyed it.  It is a fairly lengthy read, but I took advantage of the extra time I have on my holiday break to sit down with it and really dig in.  I ended up reading the book in just 3 sittings.   This story is an epic love story that spans over 25 years.  Most of the story takes place in smallish chunks of time and the rest spans the years with mention of only the big moments or events.  That makes no sense really when I re-read it, but if you've read the book you will understand!  

Rebecca and Samuel meet by chance when she saves his life after the boat he is travelling on is shipwrecked somewhere off the cost of Newfoundland.  She is nearly 15 and he is 19 at the time.  They fall in love over the course of the summer that he is recovering in the home of her family.  It's not long before he is saying goodbye to return to his family in Canada.  They don't see each other for nearly 3 years, but the love they have grows stronger even though they are apart.  They reunite briefly and make plans for the future, plans that are thwarted by her overbearing father.  When Samuel returns home he almost immediately ends up with his brother Matthew on the Western Front of the war.  It's another year again before they see each other again and those years are full of turmoil and the most unimaginable loss.  

This book will most definitely take you on a journey.  I was caught up in the story from the very first chapter.  I will have to say that there were sections of it that I did skim read.  There were parts that I didn't think were completely necessary to the story, but I do see why she added them.  Overall, I really enjoyed the book.  I felt like the characters were very well developed and I came to care very deeply for Rebecca and Samuel.

If you like historical romance then I completely recommend this book.  It's an adult read so there are lightly descriptive love scenes, although they are very tastefully written and there is no profanity in the book whatsoever.

XOXO, Shelly

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of the author in exchange for my honest review.*

Buy the Book

eBook

Amazon  |  iTunes  |  Kobo  |  Nook  |  Smashwords

Paperback

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository  |  Chapters  |  CreateSpace

Praise for Seldom Come By

“Seldom Come By is a haunting love story set against the windswept coast of Newfoundland. The story draws you in from the opening lines and takes you on a compelling journey across time and continents, through love, loss, heartache and healing. It is a beautiful and memorable story — a great accomplishment and a wonderful read.” – Julie Fison, Australia

“A wholly engaging read that wraps you up in another world. The story of how Samuel and Rebecca met and fell in love will always stay with me — and leaves me feeling as if I have already visited Newfoundland.” – Carolyn Wood, New Zealand

“If you love deep, epic, romantic stories this is one for you.” – Jeannie Zelos, United Kingdom

“Historical fiction is by far my favorite genre and this book captures the elements perfectly. An engaging, strong heroine, a dashing, honorable stranger, a brutal daily life existence in Newfoundland set during WWI. The story and characters are made more rich by the superb writing. I look forward to reading more from this author.” – Diane Tyson, USA

“This book was a real treat to read. By 30% in I was completely invested in the characters. The strength, passion and adversity that the couple have to endure are reminiscent of The Bronze Horseman, but beyond that, Rebecca and Samuel find their own way of handling things. I have already found myself recommending this book to others that have loved The Bronze Horseman. I do believe that if you enjoy an epic love story, this will make a fine reading suggestion.” – Karen Scott, Canada

About the Author

Australian-born Sherryl Caulfield is a marketer, writer and traveller. After twenty years working for some of the world’s leading technology brands and a stint with Outward Bound, she longed to write about the human experience and the redemptive qualities of nature.

In 2006, haunted by an encounter with a woman she met in Canada, Sherryl started what has now become known as The Iceberg Trilogy. From her home in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, she distilled the lives of three generations of women – Rebecca, Evangeline and Lindsay – over the course of a century. In the telling of their stories she crafted a series rich in landscapes – of sea, land and the human soul.

For more information please visit Sherryl Caulfield's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Review & Giveaway | "Owning Violet" by Monica Murphy

Owning Violet by Monica Murphy
Adult Romance published December 2, 2014
Published by Bantam
Author's website  |  Goodreads  |  Buy the Book on Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy begins a sexy new contemporary romance series—perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emma Chase—that introduces three sisters born to wealth, raised to succeed, ready to love, destined to make waves.

I’ve moved through life doing what’s expected of me. I’m the middle daughter, the dutiful daughter. The one who braved a vicious attack and survived. The one who devoted herself to her family’s business empire. The one who met an ambitious man and fell in love. We were going to run Fleur Cosmetics together, Zachary and I.

Until he got a promotion and left me in the dust. Maybe it’s for the best, between his disloyalty and his wandering eye. But another man was waiting for me. Wanting me. He too has an overwhelming thirst for success, just like Zachary—perhaps even more so. He’s also ruthless. And mysterious. I know nothing about Ryder McKay beyond that he makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.

One stolen moment, a kiss, a touch . . . and I’m hooked. Ryder’s like a powerful drug, and I’m an addict who doesn’t want to be cured. He tells me his intentions aren’t pure, and I believe him. For once, I don’t care. I’m willing to risk everything just to be with him. Including my heart.  My soul.  My everything.

My Thoughts...

This was the first book I have read by Monica Murphy, but I really enjoyed it.  I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the books in this trilogy.  This book introduces Fowler sisters Violet, Rose and Lily and I just realized as I typed it that Fowler is an anagram of Flower!  The family runs a very successful cosmetics company called Fleur that was started by the Grandmother who also happens to have a flower name.

Violet is the sister who has always worked for the company, that at the current time is being run by her Father.  She doesn't realize it at the time, but he is grooming her to take over some day.  She has been dating Zachary for 2 years now and seems to be on the verge of getting engaged, but things don't turn out the way she thought they would when Zachary chooses a promotion that will send him to London.  Meanwhile we have Ryder who is just the opposite of seemingly safe Zachary.  Little does Violet know how much her life will change when she decides to start "seeing" Ryder.  At first they have a deal, a friends with benefits type of relationship where they are both using the other, but things progress for each of them quite quickly.

Their whole relationship is built upon deception and lies, but it's clear they have a deeper connection than either of them anticipated.  Will it be able to survive when the lies are brought to light?

This is a quick, sexy read. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of Monica Murphy's books. I can't wait for the rest of this series to be released!  This is an adult book and there is a fair amount of profanity and some very descriptive love scenes.  

XOXO, Shelly

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

Review & Giveaway | "Keep Me Safe" by Maya Banks

Keep Me Safe by Maya Banks
Adult Romance published October 8, 2014
William Morrow Paperbacks
Author's website  |  Goodreads  |  Buy the Book on Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A sizzling story of a woman who risks her life and her heart to find a wealthy man’s missing sister—the first novel in a sexy new romantic suspense series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Maya Banks

When Caleb Devereaux's younger sister is kidnapped, this scion of a powerful and wealthy family turns to an unlikely source for help: a beautiful and sensitive woman with a gift for finding answers others cannot.

While Ramie can connect to victims and locate them by feeling their pain, her ability comes with a price. Every time she uses it, it costs her a piece of herself. Helping the infuriatingly attractive and impatient Caleb successfully find his sister nearly destroys her. Even though his sexual intensity draws her like a magnet, she needs to get as far away from him as she can.

Deeply remorseful for the pain he’s caused, Caleb is determined to make things right. But just when he thinks Ramie's vanished forever, she reappears. She’s in trouble and she needs his help. Now, Caleb will risk everything to protect her—including his heart. . . .

My Thoughts...

If you have followed this blog for very long then you know how many of Maya's books I have read and reviewed.  I have liked, if not loved, most of them, but this book was absolutely my favorite of all of hers that I have read so far.  Here is why I loved it so much: it's a complete departure from the last couple of her series that I have read, it wasn't just another romance story and it had a excellent plot line.  

Ramie has a psychic ability that allows her to help find kidnap victims.  When Caleb tracks her down to help find his missing sister he has no idea what actually happens to Ramie when she connects to the victims.  He's shocked and horrified with himself when he sees what happens to her.  He leaves her to go back to his family, but he vows that he will make it up to her someday.  That day comes just over a year later when Ramie desperately needs someone to protect her.  Caleb Devereaux is a very wealthy man.  When he and his brothers found their sister they started a Security company that would ensure that no one was able to harm his family again.  He has been looking for Ramie for the last year, but she's managed to stay off the grid.  The minute he gets her troubled call he's prepared to do whatever he needs to do to keep her safe.

This story is full of suspense and kept me hooked to the very last page.  It was a quick read for me but that could be just because I didn't want to put it down!  I thought the characters were well done and while I did think they could have used a little more time to get to know each other, it wasn't totally unbelievable that they would have feelings for each other so quickly.  I think that Caleb had feelings for Ramie right off when she unwilling helped him find Tori.  I felt like he was kind of pining for her that whole year he was looking for her.  I think Ramie felt safe with him and it was inevitable that she would fall in love with him quickly.

I will admit that after some of the reading I've been doing for school, this was a little harder for me to read.  Not because I didn't like the story, but because it's not exactly the type of writing I have been reading lately.  I am becoming more critical of writing because of the way I am having to dissect books for one of my classes and that makes it a little harder to just sit and enjoy these types of books that I read "for fun".  I did love the story though and I can't wait for the other 2 books in the series to come out!  This is an adult book so there are some pretty intense and steamy love scenes.  If you are a fan of Maya's work, the scenes in this book are a lot more tame that what I have seen in the past, but they are still very sexy.  This book is also has a serial killer in it so there are some pretty dark scenes as well.

XOXO, Shelly

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

GIVEAWAY!!

Here are the rules

1.  You must live in the US to enter (per the publishers request)

2.  You must be 18 to enter 

3.  You must contact me within 24 hours of being notified that you are the winner or I will choose another winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day Blast | "Every Time I Think of You" by Tracey Garvis-Graves

We're celebrating the release of Every Time I Think of You by best selling Author Tracey Garvis-Graves! Check out how Tracey came up with the idea for the book and take a peek at the excerpt below. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post!

Title: Every Time I Think of You
Author: Tracey Garvis-Graves
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Goodreads

Amazon US (e-book and paperback) | Amazon UK 
Amazon Canada | Amazon Australia  
Barnes & Noble  Apple | Kobo 

SYNOPSIS:

Thirty-year-old Daisy DiStefano has two people she holds dear: the grandmother who raised her, and her three-year-old son, Elliott. But when Daisy’s grandmother is killed in a seemingly random act of violence, Daisy must take steps to protect herself and her child.

Despite a thriving career in San Francisco, thirty-six-year-old Brooks McClain has returned home to spend what little time his mother has left before she succumbs to the deadly disease that is ravaging her. The seasoned investigative reporter has taken a position with the local newspaper and been on the job less than twenty-four hours when he’s summoned to cover the death of Pauline Thorpe.

Brooks is all business, but the more time he spends with Daisy DiStefano, the more invested he becomes; there’s something about a single mother, a defenseless child, and an unsolved crime that has stirred Brooks’s protective instincts like nothing ever has before.

And when the unthinkable happens, Brooks will do whatever it takes to clear the name of the woman he’s fallen for and the child he’ll protect at any cost.

Romantic and suspenseful, Every Time I Think of You shows how far two people will go to fight for the ones they love, and the life they’ve always imagined.

An idea was born. 

One of the questions I’m often asked is, “How did you come up with the idea for this book?” My books are fairly plot-driven, and Every Time I Think of You was no different. I could see the opening scene in my head like a movie so I knew what the inciting incident – in other words, the event that would send the main characters’ lives in another direction – would be. But in this case, my opening scene was the result of not only plot, but also a character. I have wanted to write a book where the main character was a crime reporter for a while now. I tend to gravitate toward heroes who are regular guys, and I wanted to see what would happen when I put this particular hero into various situations (and a little hot water). What would he do? How would he react? What, exactly, was he made of?

However, if main character Brooks McClain was going to be a crime reporter, that meant I had to come up with a crime (which ultimately, I’d have to solve). I’ve never written a book with a mystery or suspense element before, but I wasn’t going to let a little thing like that get in the way of telling this story. I’ve said time and time again that I never want to be an author who writes the same book over and over, but with that motto comes challenges. I have to deal with the discomfort that comes from tackling something different than I’ve done before, and often this means learning new things.

I have a love/hate relationship with research.  I keep telling myself I’m going to write a book that doesn’t require as much research, and then I write a book that requires extensive research. I should really start listening to myself! Some of the things I did in the name of research for Every Time I Think of You included taking a four-hour firearms safety course and learning how to load and shoot a gun, which was something I didn’t have any experience with.

I also studied ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, by reading memoirs and poring over countless websites dedicated to the disease. Although the timing of the recent ALS ice bucket challenge is merely a coincidence, it makes me happy to know that this devastating illness is receiving such an outpouring of support from the general public.  I studied addiction, specifically methamphetamine addiction. What I learned was heart-wrenching, eye-opening, and often tragic. In total, I read six memoirs about addiction and read countless online articles. I watched a fascinating Frontline documentary from PBS about methamphetamine addiction and its effects on law enforcement and the community.

I reached out to a criminal defense attorney in California so that I could gain an understanding of that state’s legal processes, and I spent several hours in person and on the phone with my cousin Jack, who is a detective with the Des Moines Police Department. Jack was instrumental in explaining the outcomes of all the different scenarios I proposed (naturally, I named the detective character after him). I interviewed three different crime reporters (who all told me slightly different things), and one of them saved me from a potentially embarrassing gaffe. In Every Time I Think of You, I include an actual newspaper article written by Brooks McClain. Newspaper reporters use the Associated Press Stylebook to ensure that their articles are written correctly whereas The Chicago Manual of Style is the go-to guide for fiction writers. The crime reporter who proofed my article had me make a small tweak so that it was correct in form.

I spoke to a nurse, to make sure I got the details of Daisy’s DiStefano’s work schedule correct. There were less significant things I needed the answers to, such as what kind of jewelry a nurse would be permitted to wear to work and what floor she might work on if she were involved with a particular patient.

In addition to the  factual research necessary to write this story, I also had to choose the path I’d take to solve the crime. I learned that there were a few different ways I could handle this: One, I could write the story in such a way that the reader would probably not know who committed the crime until the very end. Two, I could choose the slightly-less-suspenseful route and let the reader be privy to clues that would allow them to guess the identity of the perpetrator much earlier. That way, I could let the focus of the story rest on how the person would be brought to justice. I chose option two because I felt it would lend emotional resonance and depth to the story.

Now that I knew how I’d tell the story, I needed to concentrate on the characters. I usually have a pretty good outline in place before I sit down to start writing. This method doesn’t work for everyone, but for me it helps to have a roadmap of sorts so that I don’t waste too much time writing myself into corners. This is not a spoiler because you know from the blurb that the book deals with the aftermath of the death of Daisy’s beloved grandmother.  However, once I was about a fourth of the way through the first draft, I realized that the character I’d chosen to commit the crime didn’t actually do it. I fought it for a while, but the more I got to know these characters, the more I realized my inner muse was right. This person couldn’t have done it.  Delete, delete, delete, delete. Sigh.

The real perpetrator had a motive, but it was subtle and at first I couldn’t see it. And the person who I’d originally intended to commit the crime was actually somewhat responsible. But it will be up to the reader to draw their own conclusions about what transpired that evening in Daisy’s grandmother’s apartment, because the opening chapter of the book is narrated by Daisy’s three-year-old son, who has a very limited ability to explain it. I actually first wrote this opening chapter from the point-of-view of Daisy’s grandmother, Pauline. It gave the book a much darker tone than I wanted so I scrapped it and decided to let Elliott take the reins.

There is also one final plot thread that I chose not to tie up with a big red ribbon. Initially I wrote a paragraph that would have explained why a certain character made the choice that he did, but then I realized it wasn’t necessary. Readers are smart and book discussions are extra fun when there’s a bit of speculation involved.

I’m not an especially fast or prolific writer, and that’s fine with me. Between the research and the actual writing time, this book took fourteen months to complete, and there were times I wanted to pull my hair out. I’d told my husband there were a couple of twists I was hoping to pull off, but wasn’t sure I knew how to accomplish them. I told several people that writing this book made my brain hurt (but one of the readers who received an advance copy told me she kept saying to herself as she read it, “This book is so smart!”). When I hear feedback like that, it tells me that everything I did in the name of Every Time I Think of You was worth it.

I hope you enjoy Brooks and Daisy’s story.

About the Author:

Tracey Garvis Graves is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Todaybestselling author. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent 9 weeks on the New York Timesbestseller list, has been translated into twenty-seven languages, and is in development with MGM and Temple Hill Productions for a feature film. She is also the author ofUncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, and Cherish. She is hard at work on her sixth book.

Tracey loves to interact with her readers and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY

ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE (INT):

ONE signed copy of On the Island, Covet, and ETITOY. Also included, a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Also, the winner will receive an ARC of Tracey's next work-in-progress, The Girl He Used to Know (an adult contemporary second-chance romance novel). And finally, Tracey will either use the winner's name in The Girl He Used to Know (first name or last name only, or the actual real name if comfortable) OR the winner can suggest a name for a character. 

**The restrictions to this are that it will not be the name of a main character. It will be a supporting or minor character. Also, this is a fictional character. It is not a character based on the winner. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review & Giveaway | "Taking It All" by Maya Banks

Taking It All by Maya banks
Adult Romance published August 5, 2014
Berkeley Trade
Author's website  |  Goodreads  |  Buy the Book on Amazon

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Chessy and Tate have been married for several years. In the beginning, their relationship was everything she wanted. Passionate. All consuming. She offered her submission freely and Tate cherished her gift with a tenderness that made her feel safe. Content. Wanted. And loved beyond all measure. But as the years have gone by, Tate has become more immersed in making his business the success it has become, and Chessy has taken a back seat to his business obligations. Growing unhappier with the status of their once blissful marriage, Chessy knows that something has to give. Or they stand to lose it all

Tate loves his wife. Has always loved her. Providing for her has always been his number one priority. But lately she’s seemed unhappy, and he’s worried. Worried enough that he arranges for a night together that he hopes will reignite the fire that once burned like an inferno between them.

But a business call at the wrong time threatens everything. Chessy’s safety, his concentration, his wife’s faith in him as her husband, a man sworn to love and protect her above all else. Gutted with the realization that he’s going to lose her—has already lost her—he readies for the fight of his life. Whatever it takes, he’ll get her back. And prove to her that nothing is more important than her love. And that if she’ll allow him to prove himself one more time, he’ll take it all. Everything. But he’ll give far more back. Himself. His undying love.

My Thoughts...

This was most definitely not my favorite book of this series.  In fact, it was my least favorite.  I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads, but I would say probably 3.5 and at least 1 full star was given because of how much I loved Jensen in this book.  He and Kylie play a significant part and that made me love the 2 of them even more.

I was a little hesitant about this book because I was worried how she would work it all out since Tate and Chessy have been married for 5 years.  I do think she set it up nicely in the first 2 books, but I do also think the set up was maybe a little misleading.  I was expecting the problems between them to be much bigger than what they really were.  Basically their only issue, at first, is neglect which because of her childhood, Chessy is use to.  He is spending all his time focusing on his business and not on her.  His intentions are truly good and in his defense, he doesn't really realize that it's gotten so bad.  They have their little blow up and then things are really going well when something happens that is just so bad that she is finally broken.  ** I will typically not post spoilers, but I think it's only fair to warn you that this "event" is quite graphic and I think that this book should come with some sort of disclaimer that warns readers that there is a violent BDSM scene that isn't exactly typical of even this genre. **

I will be the first to admit that this whole dominant/submissive thing is a mystery to me.  I don't understand it and honestly I don't care to.  It's not something I would ever be "in" to and because of that I don't particularly care to read much about it.  This book went way more into that world that I really cared to venture and when it all plays out it's clear why I don't care for it.  When it's all said and done I was a little disappointed that Chessy was still into it.  I realize that it's probably not something you get over, but sometimes you need to see when something isn't healthy for you and be done with it.

I did like how the book ended in most regards and especially liked the epilogue where we see how everyone is doing in the end.  I do think that Tate is a good man, he just needed to get his priorities straight.  I always liked Chessy and I love the relationship that she has with her friends.  Everyone should have people in their lives that they can depend on like that.  What I didn't like was the role that The House played in this book, I guess it's just not my thing!  There were a lot of sappy lines and I hated that he called her "my girl", there were times that an endearment like that fit, but most of the times it just sounded like he was talking to a child and it was annoying.  There was also a line in the book about him being a very private person and that just doesn't jive with someone who does what he does at "The House".

Overall, I enjoyed the series.  There were things I would change about it, but I did like the characters.  Keep reding for your chance to win your very own print copies of this entire series courtesy of the publisher!!
XOXO, Shelly

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

GIVEAWAY!!

Here are the rules

1.  You must live in the US or Canada to enter (per the publishers request)

2.  You must be 18 to enter 

3.  You must contact me within 24 hours of being notified that you are the winner or I will choose another winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Adult Blog Tour ''Remy" by Katy Evans

Title: Remy

Author: Katy Evans

Date of Release: November 26, 2013

Publisher: Gallery Books
Blog Tour Hosted by: The SUBClub Books

Buy Links

AMAZON  |  B&N 

Synopsis

Underground fighter Remington Tate is a mystery, even to himself. His mind is dark and light, complex and enlightening. At times his actions and moods are carefully measured, and at others, they spin out of control.

Through it all, there's been one constant: wanting, needing, loving, and protecting Brooke Dumas. This is his story; from the first moment he laid eyes on her and knew, without a doubt, she would be the realest thing he's ever had to fight for.

MY REVIEW

I believe that this is the final book in this series, but I am not 100% positive that this is the case.  I enjoyed this one quite a bit more than the 2nd one and I will tell you why.  This book is told completely from Remy's perspective and I love him!  This book starts out a couple months after Mine leaves off but only bits, tiny bits of the book are in the present.  This reminds me a lot of This Girl by Colleen Hoover in that it's the 3rd book, it's told from the mans perspective and it's his re-telling of the first 2 books interspersed with small scenes from the present.  For Will and Layken it was him telling her his story in moments of their honeymoon.  In this book its's Remy remembering all the main scenes of the prior 2 books while on his way to his church wedding to Brooke.

There really isn't a whole lot to review here since there isn't a whole lot of new stuff happening so I will just give you my thoughts overall.  I love Remy, I can't say it enough.  I loved that we get all the good stuff from book one from his perspective.  We do get the high points of book 2, but there seemed to be less of book 2 represented here in this one, which was fine by me because book 1 was definitely better.

I don't normally think that it's necessary to re-write a book from the other MC's POV, but I liked this one because there is so much about Remy that was still a mystery.  I would almost say that I could have read this one and skipped the other 2, but I can't really.  I think that the addition of this book made for a more well rounded character.  Remy is so blatantly male and you see that so much more in this book.  He's very primal and almost animal like so Brooke comparing him to a lion made so much more sense after reading this book.  Remy is HOT, there is no denying that...not that I ever tried!

I quite enjoyed this book and if you loved the first one then you will love this one just as much if not more.  I will say that his excessive and I do mean excessive use of the "f" word is a little off-putting to the point that I wanted to start counting them just to see how many times he said it!

This is a New Adult book, so there are some very descriptive love scenes as well as quite a bit of profanity. Definitely for the 18 and over crowd! 

About Katy Evans

Hey! I’m Katy Evans and I love family, books, life, and love. I’m married with two children and three dogs and spend my time baking, walking, writing, reading, and taking care of my family. Thank you for spending your time with me and picking up my story. I hope you had an amazing time with it, like I did. If you’d like to know more about books in progress, look me up on the Internet, I’d love to hear from you!

Website: www.katyevans.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katy-Evans/521052267929550

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorkatyevans

Email: authorkatyevans@gmail.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Q&A with Ryan Winfield & a SIGNED book Giveaway!!

If you have been reading my blog for long you know how much I love Ryan's work.  I stumbled upon his first book through a Facebook ad over a year and a half ago and I have read all of the books he has put out since then, most of them on the day of release!  If you would like to go take a look at the reviews I have done of his books you can find them all here:

• South of Bixby Bridge
• The Park Service
• The Isle of Man
• Jane's Melody

He has spanned several genre's and with each one he seems to be right at home.  I do have to say that Jane's Melody is probably my favorite and I think he has a flair for the romance novel so I can't wait for more books about Jane and Caleb.  Which brings me to the point of this post!  Ryan has just signed a book deal with Atria, a division of Simon & Schuster.  They are going to re-print Jane's Melody, but he has also signed on for more books and I believe we have not heard the last of Jane and Caleb's story.  So this is excellent news for the 1000's of us who read and loved the book!

I got this Q&A from a publicist at Atria and I thought I would do a post and include it and then give you all a chance to win your very own copy of Jane's Melody signed to you from Ryan Winfield! So be sure to read through the interview and then enter to win.

Since your writing career began, what has surprised you the most about your novels? Your readers?

I’ve been surprised by how real the characters and their journeys feel to me after I’ve written them. Almost as if I had the honor of reporting someone else’s story rather than creating it. I take credit only for doing the work—where the stories come from is a mystery and a gift. Readers have surprised me with their willingness to suspend disbelief and read those stories as if they were true. I’ve also been surprised by their generosity with me.

Jane’s Melody is the third different genre in which you’ve published (South of Bixby Bridge, literary fiction; The Park Service, young adult dystopian; and Jane’s Melody, romance). Do you have a favorite go-to genre to read yourself?

I have favorite authors I love to read, but not genres. Genre comes up a lot, but to me it seems more a tool for cataloging a work once it’s completed rather than something that should drive the creation of the work. When a story comes to me, I try to tell it as honestly as I can. I’ve never really given genre any thought.

Because of the diverse genres in which you have written, you’ve gained a large audience of readers in a wide range of ages.  What have you thought of this?

I think it’s great. I know it might not be the best business model, but I love the diversity of the audience my different books have enjoyed. A few of my books have touched on themes of addiction or alcoholism, and possibly the biggest reward for me has been interacting with readers who have been moved by those stories, either to understand themselves or a those they love better.

Your last book, Jane’s Melody was your first romance novel.  Where did your inspiration and story come from for this story?

I wish I knew. I think I was taking a bath when Jane came to me. I had the opening image of her sitting in her car watching the rain fall on her daughter’s grave. I started writing about her right away. Caleb’s character had been with me for a long time in the form of a notebook filled with songs I had been writing over the years, but I had no idea it would be him who would show up to change Jane’s life.

Music plays a big role in Jane’s Melody, not to mention, the double meaning in the title itself. Did you listen to music while writing the book? If so, was it the same tunes we “heard” in the story?

I never listen to music while writing. Stories come to me largely in images, and the words themselves make the music. I’d hate to have someone else’s melody slip into or influence my prose. I wrote Caleb’s songs in the book. The few that are mentioned when Caleb plays covers just happened to be songs that I love.

Did you learn anything about your characters while writing Jane’s Melody?

Yes. Almost everything the reader learns. Writing is a very exploratory process for me and I’m often surprised by my characters and the choices they make.

Can you relate to any of the main characters from Jane’s Melody, through personality, preferences or struggles?

I relate in some way to every character I write. The protagonist, in this case Jane, takes on most of my own struggles dealing with family dysfunction, grief, and finding the courage to start over, although in different ways, but each character has some kernel of my own experience working in them.

Is there a message in this story that you want people to know?

I never set out to teach anyone anything when I write. I do, however, set out to learn things for myself. Sometimes all I end up with are more questions, but I’m always better for having written it anyway. I’ve received many messages from readers who take away wonderful life lessons from Jane’s journey to freedom, and some of those mirror my own. But I think ever reader has to have their own experience with the story.

Is there anything about you that your readers would be surprised to learn (quirks, rituals, habits)?

I love sea salt baths. At least once a week I run a bath, light candles, and set my sound machine to ocean waves before sinking into the water to dream. I get some of my best ideas there.

Your writing style is so colorful and descriptive, do these lines come naturally to you at the first writing or do you go back and edit them?

The best lines come naturally in the first draft, although I have no idea where they come from or how they get across my pen. Editing is more about reducing and cutting away what is unnecessary, which can be difficult because sometimes my favorite lines have to go.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!  I am going to go back to the Rafflecopter because I have more luck with those.   There is an option to leave a comment though, so make sure you just click on that option within the Rafflecopter then leave your comment for me!

So...here are the rules:

• Must be at least 18 to Enter
• You must live in the US for hard copy books.
• You will have 24 hours to contact me once it's confirmed that you are the winner and I have emailed you.
• Failure to contact me in 24 hours will result in my drawing another name as winner. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway