Lift- Week 4 …Authors Raising Autism Awareness

Posted on 04/25/2015 by shellbellereads

The last week of LIFT is here! What an amazing ride the last month has been, raising awareness, acceptance and action on behalf of families living with Autism.

And if you missed the LIFT t-shirts, there’s still a chance! Reserve yours in our “round two” LIFT order today! Don’t be left out when we have LIFT selfie day!

This week’s MegaGiveaway highlights and benefits Autism Speaks, the largest Autism organization in the world, fighting for research, legislation and services for ASD families.

And our LIFT “anchor” authors, bringing it home this last week with amazing prizes:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt : Under The Influence by L. B. Simmons – Releasing May 11, 2015

Posted on 04/24/2015 by shellbellereads

Dalton,

I loved you once. A love I thought irrevocable. A love I mistakenly believed could transcend both time and circumstance. Under the influence of my dimwitted, naïve, traitorous heart, I became intoxicated with what I now know was simply a figment of my self-indulgent imagination. So drunk on the feeling, I couldn’t see what was right in front of my face. So foolishly enamored, I blindly followed my heart into the depths of an emotion that would ravage me.

Years later, I know now what I wish I knew then. I am stronger. Smarter. Tougher. I will not allow myself to be broken again.

I loved you.

I raged for you.

I wept for you.

And now, I’m letting you go.

Author’s Note: Under the Influence is the journey of two childhood friends that spans the course of five pivotal years in their lives. It is a story about their discovery of true friendship as it blossoms into first love, their experience of crucial sacrifice and ultimate betrayal, and their endurance of agonizing heartbreak on the way to finding lasting redemption.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Make sure to sign-up HERE for L. B Simmons newsletter for exclusive teasers.

L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and
holds a degree in Biomedical Science.
She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years. She lives with her husband and three
daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets.

FACEBOOK TWITTER TSU WEBSITE GOODREADS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Blog Tour: Driven By Destiny by Eve Carter

Posted on 04/24/2015 by shellbellereads

I’ve been burned! Again! I should know better than to let down my guard when it comes to matters of the heart, especially with regards to Lauren Mitchell.

A night in jail left Aedyn Cumberland feeling dejected, bitter and used by Lauren Mitchell. The only way forward is to return to Chicago and the impossible task of tearing Lauren out of his heart, for the second time in his life.

Meanwhile, in Granger, Lauren stands up for herself and makes a dangerous decision to take control of her destiny, clearing the way for a relationship with Aedyn. She only hopes it’s not too late.

Just when everything seems to be moving forward for Lauren, disaster strikes. No one realizes exactly how far, Chip Harrison, her former boyfriend is willing to go to save his own reputation.

Don’t miss the thrilling continuation to Flirting With Destiny by New York Times Best selling author, Eve Carter

* AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * iBOOKS * KOBO *

** DESTINY SERIES **

* AMAZON US * AMAZON UK * KOBO * iBOOKS * BARNES & NOBLE *

Tracey’s Review

A night in jail has left Aedyn Cumberland angry and determined to leave Granger, Iowa, and all the memories of his past in his rear-view mirror. But as he tries to forget home and the betrayal by Lauren Mitchell, Aedyn finds himself unable to stop thinking about the woman that he loves.

Driven By Destiny is the second book in the AEDYN series by Eve Carter. I had not read the first book, and felt like I was missing out on the backstory with Aedyn and Lauren, so I do suggest that you read them in order. That being said, I enjoyed this story. It is fast-paced and full of action, not to mention some seriously hot scenes between Aedyn and Lauren. I was glad to see Lauren finally stand up to her bully of an ex and be strong enough to leave her old life behind to pursue her dreams with Aedyn.

There is more to Aedyn’s and Lauren’s story beyond the ending of Driven By Destiny, so this book ends on a cliff-hanger. It was well done, though, and left me wishing that I had Saved By Destiny (Book 3) ready to dive into. As it stands, I give Aedyn and Lauren 4 steamy stars, and look forward to the speedy of arrival of the ending to their story.

I am a true romantic at heart and with a modern contemporary erotic twist to my romance novels, you had better fasten your seat belt, as the ride is always fun, exciting and fiery.
Living in Southern California, but a mid-westerner at heart, I find plenty of inspiration for my books in my own exciting life. I have always loved the arts and as a young girl, I took dance classes and spent the summers reading books from the local library. Fascinated with the written word and its power to guide the imagination, I started writing short stories and later took Creative Writing classes in college. I graduated from The University of Iowa with a B.A. in Journalism and an M.A. in Higher Education. I also have a Teaching Credential from Chapman University in Southern California.

* FACEBOOK * TWITTER * WEBSITE *

5 Star Review: The Mad Tatter by J. M. Darhower

Posted on 04/23/2015 by shellbellereads

The Mad Tatter

By J. M. Darhower

Synopsis

Reece Hatfield has just one rule when it comes to falling in love: don’t fucking do it. There’s no room in his life for another person. He can barely keep a handle on things as it is. A shadow of the man he used to be, Reece spends his days tattooing, the artist inside of him longing for the chance to do something different.

Avery Moore is all dance, all the time. Ballet is all she’s ever known, and she’s damn good at it. Her body is her art, a living canvas that captivates Reece the first time he lays his eyes on her.

He yearns to leave his mark on her body… in more ways than one.

The tattooed degenerate with a shady past. The beautiful ballerina with a bright future. They live in different worlds, yet somehow, they fit. But just because they fit doesn’t mean they belong together. Cracks sometimes form. Two pieces don’t always make a whole. The course of love never did run smoothly. Things get messy.

And Reece doesn’t do messy.

Not anymore.

Buy: Amazon

Michel’s Review

The Mad Tatter by J. M. Darhower was fantastic! J. M. Darhower stepped outside of her box and gave the readers a story that did not involve the mob,assassins, kidnappings, and violence. She gave the readers an ordinary hero that was managing to get by in his ordinary life. She gave us a heroine that was also trying to find her place in her own life that blended with the world she was born in. Together these two regular people find the one thing we all search for. They found love. They had to find a way to blend their worlds together to make it one they could both live in. This is a story about the true struggles and triumphs that every relationship experiences in one form or another. It is a story about real people working hard to make their relationship work. It was refreshing to read a book that was about real people with ordinary problems in life.

Like most young men, at one time Reece Hatfield thought he was invincible. He didn’t consider the consequences of his actions and how they would affect others. Art was his passion. Along the line he made some very serious mistakes that not only affected his art but also affected his future. Six years later Reese is still paying for his mistakes. He’s lost his passion for art. The one bright and shining thing in his life is his five year old daughter. Even though he is a good father his past mistakes have affected his parenting rights. He has to deal with court appointed visitation rights and a resentful ex. Although he makes his living with his art by being a tattoo artist, it is not his passion.

Reese is not your typical bad boy tattoo artist like we read about in so many books. He is an ordinary man struggling to get by day to day. When he meets Avert Moore things begin to change in his life. She is the first woman he has allowed around his daughter. She is the first woman he has taken to his home. She is the first woman he has wanted a relationship with. He fears that he won’t be enough for her. He can barely rub two nickels together, he is a package deal that comes with a horrible ex, and his past mistakes are still very present in his life.

Avery Moore is a ballerina. She is in her senior year at Julliard when she meets Reece Hatfield. Although she loves dancing, the direction it is taking is not what she really wants. Her dancing is lacking the passion she has buried away. Spending time with Reece and his daughter will encourage her to find her own direction. Encourage her to own her art.

These two people come from different worlds. They both have lost their passion for their art. When they get together they will make discoveries about themselves, about each other, and about their art. Together they will find friendship and love. Together they can build a life that has meaning.

This was a beautiful story of love, redemption, and family.

Read The Mad Tatter by J. M. Darhower.

Author Bio:

JM Darhower is the author of countless stories and poems, most of which only she has ever read. She lives in a tiny town in rural North Carolina, where she churns out more words than will ever see the light of day. She has a deep passion for politics and speaking out against human trafficking, and when she isn’t writing she’s usually ranting about those things. Chronic crimper with a vulgar mouth, she admits to having a Twitter addiction. You can find her there.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

5 Star Review: The Consequence of Loving Colton by Rachel Van Dyken

Posted on 04/23/2015 by shellbellereads

The Consequence of Loving Colton

Release Date: April 21, 2015

By Rachel Van Dyken

Buy: Amazon

Synopsis

It’s all fun and games…until someone’s heart is broken.

They’re not kids anymore, but Milo Caro is certain that Colton Mathews will only see her as his best friend’s little sister for the rest of their lives. After all, he made that clear the night before she left for college. But four years later, her brother is getting married and Colt’s the best man—and guess who is the best man’s last-minute date?

Milo vows to use the wedding to either claim the smoldering firefighter’s heart or douse this torch for good. When Max—her best friend from college, who may be carrying a torch of his own—crashes the party, they devise a plan to make Colt see what he’s missing. But after Colt catches on, he decides to cook up his own revenge.

Now it’s personal. Colt and Milo are at war, and between Max’s questionable acting methods, an unfortunate trip to jail, and a maniacal fiancée, what could possibly go right?

Buy: Amazon / B & N

Michel’s Review

I loved The Consequences of Loving Colton by Rachel Van Dyken! It was one of the craziest and insanely hysterical books I have read in 2015.

Milo is dreading going home for her brother Jason’s wedding. One, she hates the bride. Two, she has been in love with her brother’s best friend Colton all her life. Three, Colton doesn’t see her as a girl or woman, he sees her as one of his buddies or his best friend’s little sister. But duty calls and Milo is heading home for the dreaded wedding weekend.

The weekend quickly turns into a major fail….

Here’s some hints for The Consequences of Loving Colton….

One crazy best friend decides to pose as Milo’s finance.

Crazy best friend, Max, might be a manwhore or he might be gay.

Crazy best friend Max has a solution for everything. He is a problem solver. The only problem is for every problem he solves it seems to create three new ones.

Milo’s mom has become a Wedding Commando. She forces her troops (aka family) into the deep trenches of making the perfect wedding.

The groom Jason may not survive the weekend. Literally, the guy is walking on death row. By the end of the weekend he is going to either be dead or look like he’s gone ten rounds with Muhammad Ali after being hit by a semi truck.

There is Bridezilla that makes Maleficent look like a heavenly angel.

There is a dragon slayer present but is clueless how to get the princess.

There’s the horny gun toting grandma that has set her sights on the gorgeous actor that was enlisted to ruin the wedding and destroy Bridezilla.

The gorgeous actor, who may be crazy best friend Max’s brother has been damaged for life after the queen of the cougars makes her play. He’s forced to do drugs and hide in a tree.

The motto for the weekend… “Be The Doughnut”

All of this is …. The Consequence of Loving Colton!

Read the book!

I am looking forward to the sequel to this book… The Consequence of Revenge. A certain crazy best friend named Max is going to get a taste of his own medicine.

_____________________________

About Rachel Van Dyken:

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Review: Marrow by Tarryn Fisher

Posted on 04/23/2015 by shellbellereads

Happy Release Day to Marrow by Tarryn Fisher! We are so excited to be sharing the release of another much anticipated book from this amazing author!!

♥ BUY THE BOOK ♥

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

In the Bone there is a house.

In the house there is a girl.

In the girl there is a darkness.

Margo is not like other girls. She lives in a derelict neighborhood called the Bone, in a cursed house, with her cursed mother, who hasn’t spoken to her in over two years. She lives her days feeling invisible. It’s not until she develops a friendship with her wheelchair-bound neighbor, Judah Grant, that things begin to change. When neighborhood girl, seven-year-old Nevaeh Anthony, goes missing, Judah sets out to help Margo uncover what happened to her.

What Margo finds changes her, and with a new perspective on life, she’s determined to find evil and punish it–targeting rapists and child molesters, one by one.

But hunting evil is dangerous, and Margo risks losing everything, including her own soul.

Robin’s Review

In her new psychological thriller, Tarryn Fisher writes about an imaginary town in Washington State named Bone Harbor. The inhabitants of The Bone are impoverished. There is little hope for a better life. As the children of The Bone grow older, their life force is drained. Faith is missing. Depression is commonplace. People are undereducated, desperate, mentally incapable and abused. Criminal activity is widespread. Folks numb themselves with alcohol. Malnourishment is prevalent. If you are raised in The Bone, in The Bone you will remain.

What was the inspiration behind writing Marrow? Children suffering for the sins of their parents. People hurting each other. Individuals crying out for help. The lack of a voice for those who are persecuted. Fisher wrote a letter to readers that can be found at the end of her novel. Marrow was borne as a way for her to cope with feelings of hopelessness for people who suffer. If Tarryn Fisher could not take vengeance on behalf of a suffering child, she decided Margo Moon would do it for her.

Margo narrates her own story. We first meet her at the age of thirteen. She lives with her prostitute mother in the “eating house” on Wessex Street. Margo gradually paints a picture of decline in the relationship with her mother after the early years of her life. She befriends Judah Grant, a handsome boy who is confined to a wheelchair. Judah lives just a few houses down the street from Margo, and he is her only friend. Judah becomes a source of encouragement and support for Margo, even when life in The Bone continues to be oppressive. When a young girl from their neighborhood goes missing, Margo and Judah join the search to find her. Margo is observant. Her eyes are slowly opening, and the truth that she sees sparks an anger that irrevocably changes her life.

Why choose the name Marrow? Marrow is a metaphor for the essential self. It’s your very essence. Marrow is a psychological thriller, but it’s also a character study of Margo Moon. Fisher’s background in psychology was beneficial in crafting this novel. Margo undergoes a dramatic transformation during her teenage years. She’s determined to find a way to leave The Bone. She is incredibly angry at the injustice she sees. She is no longer meek. Margo wants vengeance for all of the innocents. She follows her own moral code and delivers her own form of justice. Fisher calls it “poetic vengeance.”

Marrow is like nothing I have ever read. Tarryn Fisher’s writing style is creative, poetic and brilliant – it always has been – but she really steps up her game with Marrow. It’s a very intelligent story from both a societal and psychological perspective. Getting inside of Margo’s head was both dark and disturbing. Flashes of Fisher’s witty sense of humor are peppered throughout the story to help temper the darkness. It was fascinating for me to follow the slow deterioration of Margo’s reasoning – her descent into becoming a sociopath. Although there are places where the story was slow, I do feel much of Margo’s inner dialogue is necessary to see the gradual changes to her personality. When Marrow begins to feel like a psychological thriller? That’s when you really find out what’s in Margo’s marrow!

If you are interested in Marrow, you should consider reading Mud Vein (also written by Tarryn Fisher) first. Although Mud Vein and Marrow are meant to stand alone, the plots of both novels are loosely tied together. In my opinion, reading Mud Vein before Marrow will significantly improve your reading experience. If you love reading dark thrillers, I highly recommend 4.5 star Marrow!

Tarryn Fisher is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of six novels. Her newest novel, Marrow, just released in April 2015 and she is currently working on the second installment of Never Never. She is the co-founder of Clothed Caption, a fashion blog she runs with her friend, Madison Seidler. Tarryn resides in the Seattle area with her family. She loves rainy days, Coke, and thinks Instagram is the new Facebook. Tarryn is represented by Amy Tannenbaum of the Jane Rotrosen Agency.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Instagram | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting On Wednesday: Clipped By Love by Toni Aleo – Bellevue Bullies Series – Book 2

Posted on 04/22/2015 by shellbellereads

Clipped by Love by Toni Aleo

Contemporary Romance

Bellevue Bullies #2

Coming April 27th!

Things are heating up for the Sinclair boys! With one already in the NHL, Jayden Sinclair is hoping to be next!

This has been the toughest year of my life. I watched my brother go into the draft without me, my mom got divorced, and the weight of my family’s issues is heavy on my shoulders. I feel like it’s my job to fix everything while working my butt off in school and trying to make my game better. I have to go into the draft. It will give my family the support they need, and it will prove that I’m good enough. But to get there, I have to show I can be the best captain for the Bellevue Bullies. The spot is mine—no one can take it. First though, Jude is making me go on a brother’s weekend. Innocent enough, I guess…until I see her. She’s the biggest competitor I’ve ever faced. Not only for my spot but also my heart. It’s hard to ignore someone like Baylor Moore.

***

I don’t lose. I can’t. My dad has bred me to be the best in anything I do. I am driven, I am smart, and I am going to be the first woman in the National Hockey League. No two ways about it. I’ve worked too hard. I’ve been through too much not to have what I want. I know I can do it. I will make my dad proud, and no one will stand in the way of that. That is, until I let him in. He scares me. He makes me feel. And he could very well be the one person who can make me want more than just to win.

We both have the same goal. Victory. But how do you compete against the person you want to win? It’s not easy. Love isn’t something you can control. It isn’t like a puck that can be handled by a stick. No, it has a mind of its own and does what it wants.

Neither of us saw it coming, and we really don’t know if there is a way to score, especially when you’re being Clipped by Love.

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

About the Author

Toni Aleo is the author of the Nasvhille Assassins series: Taking Shots, Trying to Score, Empty Net, Falling for the Backup, and Blue Lines.

When not rooting for her beloved Nashville Predators, she’s probably going to her husband’s and son’s hockey games and her daughter’s dance competitions, taking pictures, scrapbooking, or reading the latest romance novel.

She lives in the Nashville area with her husband, two children, and a bulldog. Read more about Toni here.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Blog Tour + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Meet Me In The Dark by J. A. Huss – A Dark Erotic Thriller

Posted on 04/22/2015 by shellbellereads

Meet Me In The Dark

A Dark Suspense

Release Date:April 15, 2015

By J. A. Huss

Synopsis

Eight years ago, Merric Case—AKA Merc, freelance assassin—was sent to rescue a sixteen year old girl from a Wyoming-based militia group on Christmas Eve. A new life, new friends, and a whole lot of new money came out of that job. But a choice had to be made that night, and the girl he should’ve saved was left behind.

Sydney Channing was collateral damage in more ways than one when the rescue she expected turned into an eight-year nightmare filled with lies, sexual servitude, and mind manipulation. Case’s last threat gave her hope that one day he’d be back—even if it was just to kill her.

And now Merc is back. But he’s not here to save Sydney. His job is to pick through her damaged psyche and find the truth using whatever means necessary. Sex, drugs, lies, and love. Those are his weapons of choice. And when Merric Case takes aim—he never misses the target.

Meet Me In The Dark is a full-length dark suspense novel due to be published on April 15, 2015.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / Kobo

Excerpt

“Shhh,” I tell her. She’s out of it now. Lost in her own world. I hate to take her this way, but I need her in that world. It’s the place that has the answers. And this is the only way I know to get her there. Garrett used her this way. He knew a long time ago how to make her comply with his demands.
I’m just figuring it out now. And she’s damn good at it. Her teeth scrape against my skin and make me wish for more. I want her on her knees. I want her eyes on me, open wide and filled with the desire to please. I’d fist her hair and pull her towards me, making her take me all the way to my balls.
Just imagining that is enough. I throw my head back and she chokes as I come down her throat, but she swallows just as the sobs start. I pull out and get off the table so I can get dressed.
The sobs build to full on crying. Big ugly gasping. Tears streaming down her face. Coughing. Semen she didn’t already swallow spilling out of her lips.
I have a moment of pause and wonder if I should just kill her. This is not what I thought it would be.
But I don’t. Because I need so much more from her than this. I need to get inside her. So I lean into her ear and whisper, “Hush.”

Michel’s Review

Warning: Meet Me In The Dark is a dark thriller that has extreme violence, psychological violence, explicit language,sexual violence, and captivity.

Meet Me In The Dark by J. A. Huss can be read as a stand alone novel. It is a spin off of some of the books in the Rook and Ronin series and the Dirty ,Dark, and Deadly series. The leading characters, Merc (Merric Case) and Sydney, were first introduced in Slack ( Rook and Ronin series) and the events in that book led to Meet Me In The Dark eight years later. The eight years (Dirty, Dark, and Deadly series) in between escalated the Merc’s need for revenge. His skills as an assassin and mercenary are finely honed when he makes his final deadly move. He has unfinished business with Sydney Channing, the spoiled Senator’s daughter, who’s involvement with the Company cost many lives and almost killed the one person that has become dear to Merc. Merc is going to get retribution. He is going to kill Sydney Channing.

Sydney Channing has been looking over her shoulder for eight years. In the short span of her twenty four years she has been kidnapped, abused, deserted, and been a pawn in a very deadly game. After the kidnappers deserted her six years ago she has tried desperately to live a normal life. A life that keeps her isolated from most of the world. A life as a bartender in a small backwoods town in Wyoming. She has finally moved on and is planning to get married. She is fearful to move on but also fearful to stay put. On the eve of her wedding she realizes that if she moves forward that it may be a death sentence to all those she is involved with. She flees her future husband only to fall into the arms of a very dangerous, ruthless assassin, Merc Case. This is the beginning of the end of her life.

As the story evolves the readers will get to see just how ruthless the mysterious Merc Case is. He has no limits on what he can do. He will use every means of physical torture and mental torture. He needs answers. Answers only Sydney Channing can give him to locate the final player in the deadly game he has been engaged in for the last eight years. Sydney is just a means to an end, another pawn in the game.

As captor and captive spar back and forth, shocking revelations will be made. Things are not all that they seem to be on the surface. The worst revelation will bring Merc to his knees. Sydney Channing never had a chance.

Meet Me In The Dark was a very dark read that messed with the reader’s minds throughout the entire book. The direction that J.A. Huss took these characters was a complete shock. The over all outcome was thrilling.

Once again J.A. Huss has demonstrated her superb talent. She has woven a tale that will leave the reader’s spiraling. The one good thing that J. A. Huss adds to her very dark world is romance. The romance leaves the readers with hope in a hopeless situation.

Read Meet Me In The Dark by J. A. Huss. It is thrilling!

Author Bio:

J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Heath by Chelsea Camaron – Roughneck Shorts – Book 2

Posted on 04/22/2015 by shellbellereads

Heath

Roughneck Shorts – Book 2

By Chelsea Camaron

Synopsis

“One day, I will be more than an item to be bought or sold, won or lost.”

At fifteen, she was helpless. At eighteen, she was ruined. LoraLeigh Riffel fights every day to hold on to herself as she is tossed from the loser to the next winner, time and again.
Heath ‘Hitman’ Thomas works hard and plays even harder. From tripping pipes to winning fights, his world is in his hands.
When a battered and unstable woman is left at his doorstep for payment on a fight, every-thing changes in an instant.
She is the prize, but is he willing to accept the payment?
This book contains mature content not suitable for those under the age of 18. Involves strong language and sexual situations. This book contains some elements of violence that may be a trigger for some readers.

Originally released as part of the Blue Colla Make Ya Holla Box Set.

Buy: Amazon

Tina’s Review

— MY THOUGHTS —
Judging a Book by it’s Cover:
The cover, in it’s subdued watercolor-esque palette, is hard-pressed to catch and keep your attention. However, if it *does* manage to do so, you’ll notice the few overlapping layers that are trying to co-exist. Synopsis reads much darker than MAVERICK was. With such a short story, I am curious how Ms. Camaron will convey all the necessary elements to create a rich and full story.
Looking Deeper:
Alternating first-person POVs in present tense, clearly defined and easy to follow. Heath works on the oil rigs as a derrick-man. He also participates in the underground fight circuit. LoraLeigh or “Annie” as she’s first known, has been one person or another’s property since fifteen when her mother’s drug addiction spiraled out of control. From the drug cartel to other organized crime, she became an unwilling sex slave, used as payment to settle debts.
The prologue mostly concentrates on the beginning of her nightmarish life as a teen. The main body of the story focuses on present time, jumping to four months later. The epilogue concludes with a “one year later” caption, allowing for a pseudo time span to exist. Heath is a great character, very likable. After the “day one” incident at Heath’s, LoraLeigh becomes a stronger character. She’s more complex and developed, due to the perceived timeline we are given on her. The secondary characters play a minor role in this short story, with cameos from Mav and Kenzy. Lance was not mentioned or seen in this episode. There was a mostly natural feel to the dialogue and interaction. For being such a short and quick read, Ms Camaron managed to put together a strong plot with easy readability. There were plenty of conflicts along the way, but they were handled and managed well. There was not a lot of predictability and the conclusion was tight. It can stand alone, it does not need to be read in order. Makes for a nice, little, quick read.

_____________________

The Roughneck Shorts

Maverick – Book 1

Invisible – Unseen

He was the high school crush who never knew I existed. I am still the girl hiding against the wall.
Life for Kenzy Davis is far from easy right now. After ending a long term relationship, she is back in her hometown, starting over.
Maverick Collins works hard and plays even harder. An invisible illness shakes his world at its core as his father fights for his life. Everything he ever took for granted stares him in the face, including the shy girl from his past.
Watching someone you love battle an illness is never easy. When the ICU nurse caring for his dad is the one girl from his past he saw around but overlooked, does Maverick find comfort in her embrace? Does Kenzy find a new calm in the chaos of her life? Or do their feelings remain invisible yet again?

Intended for mature audiences only. This book contains strong language and strong sexual situations. Please do not buy if any of this offends you.

Buy: Amazon

Heath – Book 2

“One day, I will be more than an item to be bought or sold, won or lost.”

Buy: Amazon

Lance – Book 3

Release Date: May 18, 2015

Value, worth—these are things I don’t have. College degree, great job—none of that matters if you look in the mirror and can’t find anything to love.

Structure, dedication, and determination are the traits that Candace Jones has survived and thrived on. When no one cares at home, it takes her self-drive to push and work her way through college. Life is funny while you’re growing up, and adulthood isn’t any easier than childhood. Little girl dreams are often destroyed before they can even begin.

Lance ‘Rush’ Miller works hard and plays even harder. He lives life from one adrenaline rush to the next, from working as a roughneck to trick riding his street bike. He has it made and knows it.

What happens when firm resolve crashes into wild abandon? Two complete opposites are thrown together when Candace finds herself in need of a quick escape that Lance is all too willing to give her.

_______________________

Author Bio

Chelsea Camaron was born and raised in Coastal North Carolina. She currently resides in Southern Louisiana with her husband and two children but her heart is always Carolina day dreaming.

Chelsea always wanted to be a writer, but like most of us, let fear of the unknown grab a hold of her dream; she realized that if she was going to tell her daughter to go for her dreams, that it was time to follow her own advice.

Chelsea grew up turning wrenches alongside her father, and from that grew her love for old muscle cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles, which just so happened to inspired her ‘Daddy’s Girls’ series. Her love for reading has sparked a new love for writing and she currently has a few more projects in the works.

When she is not spending her days writing you can find her playing with her kids, attending car shows, going on motorcycle rides on the back of her husband’s Harley, snuggling down with her new favorite book or watching any movie that Vin Diesel might happen to be in.

She hates being serious and is still a big kid at heart. She is a small town country girl enjoying life and, Chelsea hopes that her readers remember not to take life too seriously and to embrace your inner five year old, because five year olds know how to enjoy the simple things in life and how to always have fun.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Sunshine & Whiskey by R.L. Griffin- Drinking Series-Book 1

Posted on 04/22/2015 by shellbellereads

════════════════════════════════════════════════

Title: Sunshine & Whiskey

Author: R.L. Griffin

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Cover Designer: Silver Plum Creations

Release Date: April 21st, 2015

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

════════════════════════════════════════════════

Synopsis:

Sometimes the best things in life come from the unexpected. So if you lower your expectations, then you’ll never be disappointed. Sound cheesy? It is, but it’s also true. Clichés come from a grain of truth…like a man with a Porsche is compensating for something, or once a cheater always a cheater—you get the idea. Sorry, I digress. I’m supposed to be telling you what this book is about.

I’m Megan Walker, a lawyer at one of the hottest boutique law firms in Atlanta. I’m on the fast track to making partner and have my entire life planned out…or I did.

We all know how that goes, right? Best laid plans and all that.

Life just threw me a couple curveballs, so I’ve set out to take things into my own hands. By throwing caution to the wind and getting out of my A-type personality bubble, I’m learning more about myself than I have in my twenty-seven years.

Sound like a chick flick, doesn’t it?

It’s not.

════════════════════════════════════════════════

Michel’s Review

Wow! Sunshine & Whiskey by R.L. Griffin was a quite a wonderful surprise for me. I have heard many good things about this author and wanted to try one of her books. I was expecting romantic suspense or something along that line since this is what she is known for. I think she surprised her die hard fans and is going to gain a whole slew of new fans with the release of Sunshine & Whiskey.

What do you do when you catch your boyfriend banging his secretary on your 700 thread count sheets? You buy booze and a lottery ticket. You call your BFF but when you find out she lost her dream job you don’t have the heart to tell her your own “wo is me” problems. Instead you convince her to get her butt down to Georgia and leave New York City behind for awhile. It is time for some serious GIRL TIME.

Little does Megan Walker know that the impulsive purchase of a lottery ticket is going to change her life.

What do you do when you win an insane amount of money? ROAD TRIP!

Megan and Laura are the modern day Thelma & Louise ( only with a more positive ending). What starts out as a fun road trip leads to many different experiences. It will be a trip that will change both of their perspectives about life. It will be a trip packed with fun, romance, heartbreak, self discovery, and infinite wisdom. Both women are in for the ride of their lives.

Sunshine & Whiskey is a must read book. The spectrum of emotions I experienced while reading this book stunned me. One moment I was laughing so hard I about peed my pants and then the next moment I was crying my eyes out. The writing is brilliant. The witty dialogue, the quirky women, the unusual situations, and fast pace of the story will keep the readers glued to the pages.

Sunshine & Whiskey by R. L. Griffin was FANTASTIC!

════════════════════════════════════════════════

Author Bio:

R.L. Griffin published her first book in 2004. After that she focused on practicing law. A few years ago she began writing the By A Thread series, which is out now. Her goal is to keep readers on their toes, whether it’s the plot twist or the book itself, her books are outside any box. There is a little bit of grit in most of her books and a ton of cussing. Most books are enjoyed better with a glass of wine, or whiskey, whatever your poison may be.

She lives in Atlanta with her husband, kid and dogs. She loves to travel and meet readers.

════════════════════════════════════════════════

Come visit R. L. Griffin’s FACEBOOK PARTY on Tuesday April 28th from 8:00-9:00 PM EST
The party will be on her Facebook LIKE page
https://www.facebook.com/R.L.GriffinByAThread

Come Party with R. L. Griffin on TWITTER Thursday April 30th from 8:00-9:00 PM EST
Remember to use the #SaddleUp
(You type the Hashtag into the Discover of the Twitter & to keep up, hit refresh. All questions and communications have to use the #Saddleup.)

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: Book Review

Lift- Week 4 …Authors Raising Autism Awareness

Excerpt : Under The Influence by L. B. Simmons – Releasing May 11, 2015

Blog Tour: Driven By Destiny by Eve Carter

5 Star Review: The Mad Tatter by J. M. Darhower

5 Star Review: The Consequence of Loving Colton by Rachel Van Dyken

Review: Marrow by Tarryn Fisher

Waiting On Wednesday: Clipped By Love by Toni Aleo – Bellevue Bullies Series – Book 2

Blog Tour + 5 Star Review + Giveaway: Meet Me In The Dark by J. A. Huss – A Dark Erotic Thriller

Review: Heath by Chelsea Camaron – Roughneck Shorts – Book 2

Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Sunshine & Whiskey by R.L. Griffin- Drinking Series-Book 1

Come visit R. L. Griffin’s FACEBOOK PARTY on Tuesday April 28th from 8:00-9:00 PM EST
The party will be on her Facebook LIKE page
https://www.facebook.com/R.L.GriffinByAThread

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Come visit R. L. Griffin’s FACEBOOK PARTY on Tuesday April 28th from 8:00-9:00 PM EST The party will be on her Facebook LIKE page https://www.facebook.com/R.L.GriffinByAThread

Share this:

Come visit R. L. Griffin’s FACEBOOK PARTY on Tuesday April 28th from 8:00-9:00 PM EST
The party will be on her Facebook LIKE page
https://www.facebook.com/R.L.GriffinByAThread