Happy Release + Two 5 Star Reviews + 2015 Favorite : Where Sea Meets Sky by Karina Halle

Posted on 03/31/2015 by shellbellereads

Where Sea Meets Sky

By Karina Halle

Release Date: March 31, 2015

Publisher: Atria Books

Genre: New Adult

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Synopsis

A new adult novel that perfectly captures the existential angst of your early twenties with raw wit, fresh insight, and true feeling from a critically adored USA TODAY bestselling author.

Joshua Miles has spent his early twenties spinning his wheels. Working dead-end jobs and living at home has left him exhausted and uninspired, with little energy to pursue his passion for graphic art. Until he meets Gemma Henare, a vivacious out-of-towner from New Zealand. What begins as a one-night stand soon becomes a turning point for Josh. He can’t get Gemma out of his head, even after she has left for home, and finds himself throwing caution to the wind for the first time in his life.

It’s not long before Josh is headed to New Zealand with only a backpack, some cash, and Gemma’s name to go on. But when he finally tracks her down, he finds his adventure is only just beginning. Equally infatuated, Gemma leads him on a whirlwind tour across the beautiful country, opening Josh up to life, lust, love, and all the messy heartache in between. Because, when love drags you somewhere, it might never let go—even when you know you have to say goodbye.

Excerpt

“Gemma,” I whisper softly. Before I know what I’m doing, I’m raising her palm to my lips and kissing along her scar. She smells so good, feels even better.

She lets me do it for a moment then she awkwardly clears her throat.

Don’t make me let go, I think. Please don’t make me let go.

The rustle in the bushes is back again. Gemma jerks her hand away, as if we’re about to be caught by Nick the Peeping Tom, as if we’re doing something wrong.

Are we doing something wrong?

Suddenly the air around us fills with squeals, and the rustling increases. The nearest bush to us at the base of the yard, near the fence, starts to move back and forth.

I stand up out of my chair to get a better look and see what looks to be little creatures waddling out of the bushes and heading for the side of the house. Once they hit a patch of light coming from the house, I can see what they are.

Little blue penguins.

“What the fuck?” I say softly, feeling like my mind has just imploded. “What the hell are those?”

“Little blue penguins,” she says proudly.

I turn to her in disbelief. “Are you serious?” I thought I was making that up. In my head.

She nods. “Yup. Little blue penguins.”

And she’s right. They’re about a foot high, miniature versions of the ones I’ve seen on TV, and they’re entirely blue in color. I thought it was just the darkness playing tricks on me but no, once they hit the light, you can see the color on their oily feathers.

“I don’t get it,” I say, watching as the last of their group quickly scampers out of sight. That might have been the cutest and weirdest thing I have ever seen.

“You never head of them?” she asks. “They probably have a burrow under the house. It’s actually quite common for beach houses.”

“Look, I wasn’t lying when I said I didn’t do a whole lot of research about the country.”

“I can see that,” she says. “Well, how about that, then.”

“How about that,” I say, sitting back down. The penguins’ magical appearance has somehow taken Gemma’s heartbreaking story to another place, and she’s quick to jump on the transition. She tells me all about the interesting birdlife in New Zealand, from yellow-eyed penguins on the Otago Peninsula down south, to the Kea—cheeky green parrots that live in the snow-covered Alps. She’s animated as she tells me all she knows, and I absorb it like a sponge.

I drink my beer and she goes back to drinking hers, and before Nick, Amber, and the Irish show up all sloshed, she’s painted a beautiful picture of what’s to come. I can only hope I’ll continue to be part of the picture.

Robin’s Review

I would like to express my appreciation to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review Where Sea Meets Sky.

I am thrilled to be able to share with you about the latest novel from author Karina Halle. It’s called Where Sea Meets Sky, and it’s her first foray into the New Adult genre. Before I even begin discussing the plot or characters, I need discuss the writing. Imagine taking a tour around the country of New Zealand in an orange Volkswagen Bus. Picture the gorgeous Southern Alps and volcanos. Clear blue lakes and white beaches. Glaciers. Unique foliage and wildlife. The sights. Sounds. Smells. Maori culture and language. Where Sea Meets Sky is one of the finest examples of descriptive writing I have ever had the pleasure of reading!

The narrative. This is where Halle blends a beautiful story about two people on the journey of their life with her descriptive style of writing. Halle is unusually creative when she develops a story. Her imagination seems boundless. Whether it be a paranormal horror romance or contemporary romance or romantic suspense, Halle knows how to blend the perfect amount of drama and tension with her trademark descriptive writing which makes her stories so vivid and authentic.

Where Sea Meets Sky is told in first person opposing points of view. Josh Miles is in his twenties. He’s been living with his mother in Vancouver and working dead-end jobs. Josh lacks motivation or energy, and he longs for something he doesn’t understand. Gemma Henare is at the end of a backpacking tour that has taken her across Canada and the United States. She is invited to attend a traditional Halloween party in Vancouver where she meets Josh. Josh and Gemma are naturally comfortable around each other. They have an instant connection when they meet, but Gemma has to return to her native New Zealand following their one-night stand.

After Gemma returns to New Zealand, Josh can’t seem to get her out of his head. She is exotic and full of life. Josh is an aspiring graphic artist. He learns he has been accepted to the art school where he applied, but Josh is also deeply intrigued by the adventure and freedom Gemma experienced on her backpacking trip. Weighing the circumstances of his life, Josh makes an impulsive decision. He quits his job and catches a plane for New Zealand to seek adventure, to search for Gemma, armed with a backpack of his belongings, cash and Gemma’s first name.

This isn’t your typical romance novel. Josh and Gemma are both in the midst of self-discovery as they tour the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Gemma has experienced great loss in her life, and her sense of self-worth is low. She has very low expectations of the people in her life. Josh is completely uninspired until he meets Gemma. He sees something very special in her, so he decides to place his heart in her hands, even when he knows Gemma could destroy him. Where Sea Meets Sky is about taking risks. Self-discovery. Putting your heart on the line.

New Zealand is such an unusual setting for a romance novel. It’s different from the typical settings of Europe or the United States. When I finished reading Where Sea Meets Sky, I was left with a longing to travel to New Zealand. I want to zip-line into the mouth of Waitomo Caves and ride inner tubes on the underground river. I want to hike the Routeburn Track in the Southern Alps. Dive with dolphins. See Franz Josef glacier. Witness the first sunrise of the world at the remote East Cape. If you pick up a copy of Where Sea Meets Sky and begin reading, I can promise you will embark on a journey which will not only appeal to your senses, but will take you far away from the reality of your life. I have read at least twenty-four novels written by Karina Halle, and Where Sea Meets Sky is decidedly one of my favorites. The writing is impeccable, and I absolutely loved this 5-star novel!

Michel’s Review

It is no secret that Karina Halle is one of my favorite authors. She is one of my go to authors and I never miss a book. She is known for her edgy characters, her graphic descriptions that bring her stories to life, her unique plots, perfect sense of timing & delivery, adrenalized action scenes, and red hot romance. Her characters and their stories come to life and jump off the pages. Each and every novel is fresh and unpredictable.The reader lives and breaths the story right along with the characters. It is an incredible gift for a writer to evoke this kind of reading experience. The reader always walks away from a Karina Halle novel with a sense of overwhelming satisfaction. My expectations for Where Sea Meets Sky were very high. I was anxious to see how Karina would deliver a New Adult genre novel when she was well known for romantic suspense and paranormal/ horror romance. I may have set my expectations and hopes too low. Where Sea Meets Sky blew me away. It is Karina’s best writing to date. She reached deep within herself and tapped into an emotional vault that had me floored. She took two ordinary people that had very ordinary issues that they would face at their age and made their story epic. I think every reader will be able to identify with each of these characters on some level that makes it very personal.

We have all reached that path in the road where we question what we are doing with our lives. Is this direction we want to go or is there something else? We have questioned our choices, reflected on our actions, changed our dreams, and struggled along the way. There comes a point where we have to stop the path we are on and look for something different. We have to face our realities, dig deep for our true desires, and then have the courage to change. This is something that every person will experience. It is a natural part of life. It is the one gift as humans that we have. We have the power of choice. We have the opportunity to learn from mistakes. We have the power to change. We have the power to grow mentally and emotionally.

This is where Joshua Miles and Gemma Henare’s story begins. An accidental meeting and one night hook up will lead both of these people down a new road in life. Gemma has been touring the United States and Canada, living moment to moment, searching for the next path to take in her life. She meets Joshua the night before she is going home to New Zealand. Even though they have an incredible night together they both accept the reality of their meeting. For Joshua it is the moment that makes him start to take inventory of his life. He admires Gemma’s bravery to step outside of her life and do something that is just for her. He has never done that. He has always just muddled along and accepted what came his way. He never reached out for something he wanted or had the courage to change the life he was living. This meeting was the kick start to Josh’s road of self discovery. He quits his job, drains his savings account, buys a plane ticket, and heads for New Zealand. He isn’t really looking for Gemma, he is looking for himself. He knows this trip is going to be the defining factor that changes his life.

When Gemma returned to New Zealand she fell into the same rut she was in before she left. She didn’t allow her new experiences to shape and mold her into something different. She doesn’t have the guts to let go of the familiar and grab onto something new. Part of it is her self esteem and the other is the fear of the unknown. When she runs into the sexy Canadian she spent her last night abroad with, a yearning is kick started once again. But what exactly is she yearning?

A road trip through New Zealand in an old VW bus with Josh, her American cousin, Amber, and convient boyfriend Nick will be an adventure of a lifetime and eye opening experience for them all. They will discover their true colors. They will tap into hidden dreams and desires. They will get to know the people that they are. And they will get to experience the natural and beauty of New Zealand.

At the end of the trip, each of these people will be affected in some way. For some it will be life changing, for others it will be the stepping stone, and for some it will be clarification.

I will say that Where Sea Meets Sky is a passionate love story. Although there is a bit of a love triangle, it does not have a sense of betrayal or cheating. It is a discovery of the heart.

Karina’s writing was phenomenal. I felt like I was in the VW bus right along with all the characters. I experienced the beauty of New Zealand in my mind. The emotional journey that this book took touched my soul. I could easily empathize with the characters. I felt the passion and sense of wonder at discovering what true love really is. I laughed, cried , and fretted right along with Josh and Gemma. I sympathized with Amber’s plight.

Where Sea Meets Sky was a rich reading experience. I highly recommend this book.

I am looking forward to Amber’s next fork in the road. Racing The Sun is Amber’s story. It will release on July 28, 2015.

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Racing The Sun

Release Date: July 28, 2015

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Where Sea Meets Sky comes a new adult novel about a young woman who becomes a nanny in Capri and falls for her charges’ bad-boy brother.

It’s time for twenty-four-year-old Amber MacLean to face the music. After a frivolous six months of backpacking through New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia, she finds herself broke on the Mediterranean without enough money for a plane ticket home to California. There are worse places to be stuck than the gorgeous coastline of southern Italy, but the only job she manages to secure involves teaching English to two of the brattiest children she’s ever met.

It doesn’t help that the children are under the care of their brooding older brother, Italian ex-motorcycle racer Desiderio Larosa. Darkly handsome and oh-so-mysterious, Derio tests Amber’s patience and will at every turn—not to mention her hormones.

But when her position as teacher turns into one as full-time nanny at the crumbling old villa, Amber finds herself growing closer to the enigmatic recluse and soon has to choose between the safety of her life back in the States and the uncertainty of Derio’s closely guarded heart.

Pre Order: Amazon / B & N / ITunes

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Author Bio:

Karina Halle is the New York Times bestselling author of Where Sea Meets Sky, The Pact,Love in English, and other wild and romantic reads. A former travel writer and music journalist, she lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her rescue pup, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails, and devours a lot of books.
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + 6 Star Review: The Virgin by Tiffany Reisz – The Original Sinners: White Years – Book 3

Posted on 03/31/2015 by shellbellereads

The Virgin

The Original Sinners Series -The White Years – Book 3

By Tiffany Reisz

Synopsis

The provocative story before the story continues in the critically acclaimed and award-winning series The Original Sinners

For years, Kingsley Edge warned Eleanor the day would come when she, the mistress of a well-respected Catholic priest, would have to run. She always imagined if that day came, she’d be running with Søren. Instead, she’s running from him.

Fearing Søren and Kingsley will use their power and influence to bring her back, Eleanor takes refuge at the one place the men in her life cannot follow. Behind the cloistered gates of the convent where her mother has taken orders, Eleanor hides from the man she loves and hates in equal measure.

With Eleanor gone, the lights have gone out in Kingsley’s kingdom. When he learns the reason she left, he, too, turns his back on Søren and runs. On a beach in Haiti, Kingsley meets Juliette, the one woman who could save him from his sorrows. But only if he can save her first.

Eleanor can hide from Søren but she can’t hide from her true nature. A virginal novice at the abbey sends Eleanor down a path of sexual awakening, but to follow this path means leaving her lover behind, a sacrifice Eleanor refuses to make.

The lure of the forbidden, the temptation to sin and the price of passion have never been higher, and Eleanor and Kingsley will have to pay it if they ever want to go home again.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Kobo / Google Play

Robin’s Review

I would like to express my appreciation to NetGalley and MIRA Books for the opportunity to read and review The Virgin.

When I turned on my Kindle to begin reading The Virgin, I expected a great novel. Tiffany Reisz always writes in a solid and dependable fashion. I agree some of her novels are more enjoyable than others, but I have always found them entertaining. Reisz wholeheartedly captured my attention with this story. My eyes were glued to the pages, and when I finished reading, I couldn’t wait to sit down and begin writing my review. The Virgin has the same magic of The Siren and The Angel, and I absolutely loved it!

For all intents and purposes, I began reading this story blind. I knew we would learn about the year Nora spent at her mother’s convent. I also knew Nora had an affair with a nun while she was staying at the convent, so I expected some sexy time between the two of them. This was, however, the limit to my knowledge of the plot.

If you follow The Original Sinners series, you may have noticed we are missing an important piece to the puzzle. I have read each of the novels in this series, and I have patiently waited for an explanation why Nora would walk away from Soren and Kingsley. Prepare yourself because it’s not just an explanation. You are able to experience what happened between these characters. Tiffany Reisz drops us right into an emotionally charged situation. It could possibly be the crowning moment of this series because what happened between them certainly changed the direction of each of their lives.

Nora and Kingsley and Soren. They have such a rich history together. Throughout the previous six novels of this series, Reisz has sprinkled bits and pieces and segments of their lives, but not necessarily in chronological order. We’ve seen Nora at many different stages of her life. Elle Schreiber in her teenage years. Eleanor as Soren’s submissive. Author of erotic novels, Nora Sutherlin. Professional Dominatrix of the Underground, Mistress Nora. We’ve read about the period of time Kingsley and Soren were lovers in boarding school. We’ve also met Kingsley Edge, the King of the Underground. And my personal favorite is Father Marcus Stearns, Catholic Jesuit Priest.

But in The Virgin, Reisz writes about a period of time we have not yet had the privilege to read about – the events which take place just before The Siren. I finally understand Nora’s state of mind during the early stages of her writing career – when Wes Railey was living with Nora, and she was working for Kingsley as a professional Dominatrix. Nora’s disposition towards Soren during that period of time has always been a mystery to me. And now that I have read The Virgin, everything has become so much clearer. I want to pick up my copy of The Siren and begin rereading the series!

I love Kingsley Edge, but his character has always been more interesting to me when he is with Nora and Soren. So I was surprised by how much I enjoyed reading about Kingsley and Juliette. We have never had the opportunity to read how Kingsley met Juliette before now. We’ve never heard how she became such an important part of his life. The only thing I can tell you is it all goes back to Soren and Eleanor. Kingsley would have never had the opportunity to meet Juliette if the events between him, Nora and Soren had not occurred as they did. Their story is unusual, but I found it lovely.

The Virgin is the seventh novel of The Original Sinners series, and I’m awarding it a 6-star rating. If you have never had the opportunity to read The Siren, the first novel of this series, I highly recommend it. The characters are so compelling, and they each have intriguing backstories. The Original Sinners series is definitely untraditional and erotica at its finest!

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Author Bio:

Tiffany Reisz lives in Portland, Oregon with her boyfriend (a reformed book reviewer) and two cats (one good, one evil). She graduated with a B.A. in English from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and is making both her parents and her professors proud by writing BDSM erotica under her real name.

When not under arrest, Tiffany enjoys Latin Dance, Latin Men, and Latin Verbs. She dropped out of a conservative southern seminary in order to pursue her dream of becoming a smut peddler. Johnny Depp’s aunt was her fourth grade teacher. Her first full-length novel THE SIREN was inspired by a desire to tie up actor Jason Isaacs (on paper). She hopes someday life will imitate art (in bed).

THE SIREN was awarded the RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Erotic Romance 2012.

If she couldn’t write, she would die.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Blog Tour + Review + Givaway: Hearts of Fire by L. H. Cosway

Posted on 03/19/2015 by shellbellereads

Hearts of Fire

A Spinoff of Six of Hearts

By L. H. Cosway

Synopsis

***A contemporary romance***

The Circus Spektakulär is proud to present Jack McCabe: Fire-breather, knife-thrower, risk-taker.

My house burned down when I was just a boy, robbing me of both my parents.

Now I breathe fire, eat the poison that almost killed me.

Crowds come to see me night after night. Men for the spectacle, women for the thrill. I’m an oddity to be stared at and desired. With each flame I spit, I risk my life.

I wear scars on my body that will never go away, but the scars inside my head are far more difficult to overlook.

My brother doesn’t know me, and if I have it my way he never will.

Life was going exactly the way I’d planned until Lille came along. She wanted to run away with the circus, have an adventure, but this world was never meant for her.

I try to keep her safe, because she doesn’t know the dangers that are out here on the road. She doesn’t know the monsters that lurk behind the bright lights of the ring. In truth, I could be considered one of them.

We were fashioned from different cloths, never intended to mix. So I watch her. I try not to touch, even when her eyes invite me.

Join us in the Spiegeltent and let us give you a show. Allow my Lille to draw a picture for you in paint and sweat and skin.

The truest love is always the hardest to let in.

**This is a standalone romance that tells the story of Jack McCabe, Jay Fields’ long lost, presumed dead brother. It is not necessary to have read Six of Hearts in order to enjoy Hearts of Fire.**

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes / Smashwords

https://vimeo.com/121182628

Excerpt

“Oh,” I said and tightened the towel around me again. When I turned, Jack’s gaze wandered from my wet temples, along the side of my cheek, and down my neck before finally settling in the region of my chest. I felt touched. Hot and flushed. I looked up at him from under my lashes and he met my eyes then. There was something intense about the way he looked at me, but again, it could have all been my active and fatally hopeful imagination.

“Got a nice little look at you earlier,” he said and I seriously thought I might die of mortification. My skin prickled with awareness.

“What?” I replied, my voice so, so quiet.

He didn’t say anything for a second, just hummed low in his throat and it was the sexiest sound I’d heard, possibly ever. Then he took my hand into his. I’d taken the bandage off, but I still had a red burn mark down the centre of my palm. Holding it up, he seemed fascinated as he ran a finger down it gently. It only stung a tiny bit, and the combination of him touching me and the sting caused a strange tingling between my legs. Yep, my vagina was definitely on Team McCabe, even if my brain was waving around big red BEWARE signs like a maniac.

His mouth moved and there was something intrigued in his expression, like he just figured out he’d aroused me and it both interested and surprised him. He moved closer, eating up my space…and just stared at me.

And man, could he stare. I felt like he was telling me a silent story and it was captivating.

“Could I get by you, please? I need to go get dressed,” I said, breaking the quiet. It could have been minutes or hours that I was standing there, but I’d never know. Time moved in strange patterns when I was around this man.

Robin’s Review

Author L. H. Cosway thrilled me with magical illusions performed by Jay Fields in her novel Six of Hearts. Jay is charismatic. Descriptions of his performances are colorful and energetic. Full of electricity. The writing in Six of Hearts was so realistic that I felt like I was sitting in the audience during his performances. It was such a unique novel, and I enjoyed the chemistry between Jay Fields and Mathilda Brandon. When I wrote my review for Six of Hearts, I was completely unaware it was the first novel of a series. I was pleasantly surprised to learn Cosway has now written a novel about the brother of Jay Fields. Although it may be read as a standalone novel, Hearts of Fire is the second contemporary romance in the Hearts series.

Jack McCabe is just as charismatic as his older brother. He lost his family to a house fire when he was a child. Jack was abandoned by his uncle because he was so badly burned. He grew up in foster care. Now he throws knives and breathes fire for a circus that travels across Europe. He is handsome. Dark. Mysterious. And Jack is the exact opposite of Lille Baker. Lille is twenty-one-years-old. She’s kind. Craves adventure. She has a bucket list of things she would love to do. But more than anything, Lille is desperate to get away from her controlling and abusive mother who dictates her life with rules.

Marina is the owner of Circus Spektakulӓr. She and Jack visit the small diner where Lille works as a waitress. On the last day the circus is in town, Marina invites Lille to come see their show. She notices just how much Lille enjoys painting faces on children who come to eat at the diner, and she makes Lille an offer she can’t refuse – “come to France with us.” Marina offers Lille a job to paint the faces of the children who visit the circus.

How often have you read a novel where the characters never truly grab your attention? Or the characters are dull or lifeless? Cosway gives her characters plenty of personality – they practically leap off the page! Jack McCabe is intriguing. Mysterious. Broody. He’s full of energy. Darkness. He loves fire. I was definitely drawn to Jack, and I couldn’t wait to find out more about him. Lille is finally experiencing adventure. She is quirky and so easy to love. It didn’t take long for me to connect emotionally with her character. I thought Marina and Lola were full of vitality, and they each added to the quality of the story. Even King, the circus alcoholic, was intriguing.

Hearts of Fire has an artistic feel to it. It’s suspenseful. Sexy. Romantic. It’s a story about forgiveness and healing. Reconciliation. You will find darkness in Hearts of Fire. Crime. I love mysteries, and my favorite scene in Hearts of Fire is how the crime is solved. I feel the writing is solid throughout the entire story. It flows extremely well, which makes Hearts of Fire a quick and entertaining read. And if you loved Jay Fields and Mathilda Brandon in Six of Hearts, you will be excited to learn they are guest stars in Hearts of Fire! I am delighted to give L. H. Cosway a 4.5 star rating!

L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Giveaway

The author is giving away (open internatonally):

1st prize: Hearts of Fire tote bag

Signed copy of Six of Hearts

Signed copy of Hearts of Fire

Hearts of Fire pocket mirror

2nd prize: Signed copy of Hearts of Fire

Hearts of Fire pocket mirror

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M. J. Rose

Posted on 03/19/2015 by shellbellereads

The Witch of Painted Sorrows

Historical Romance

By M.J. Rose

Synopsis

Possession. Power. Passion. New York Times bestselling novelist M. J. Rose creates her most provocative and magical spellbinder yet in this gothic novel set against the lavish spectacle of 1890s Belle Époque Paris.

Sandrine Salome flees New York for her grandmother’s Paris mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds there is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is mysteriously closed up. Although her grandmother insists it’s dangerous for Sandrine to visit, she defies her and meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing young architect. Together they explore the hidden night world of Paris, the forbidden occult underground and Sandrine’s deepest desires.

Among the bohemians and the demi-monde, Sandrine discovers her erotic nature as a lover and painter. Then darker influences threaten—her cold and cruel husband is tracking her down and something sinister is taking hold, changing Sandrine, altering her. She’s become possessed by La Lune: A witch, a legend, and a sixteenth-century courtesan, who opens up her life to a darkness that may become a gift or a curse.

This is Sandrine’s “wild night of the soul,” her odyssey in the magnificent city of Paris, of art, love, and witchery.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes

Robin’s Review

I would like to express my appreciation to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review The Witch of Painted Sorrows.

It’s not often I venture down the path of reading historical fiction, but I can genuinely admit my all-time favorite novel falls in this genre. Choosing my next read usually involves a recommendation from a person whose opinion I trust, or I’ll choose a novel written by an author I am familiar with. I decided to read The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M. J. Rose because I was intrigued by the synopsis, and I liked the idea of the supernatural mixed in with historical fiction. I also thought the cover of this novel was beautiful. Really beautiful.

The setting for The Witch of Painted Sorrows is 1890s Belle Époque Paris. Sandrine Salome fears her husband. She runs away from her home in New York to seek sanctuary at the home of her grandmother in Paris, France. We learn Sandrine is descended from a long line of courtesans, the most famous being a sixteenth century painter and witch known as La Lune. When Sandrine arrives at Maison de la Lune, she learns her grandmother has closed up the opulent mansion for renovations.

Sandrine meets the architect her grandmother has hired to renovate the mansion. She sneaks away every day to visit Julien Duplessi at Maison de la Lune. She repeatedly ignores warnings from her grandmother that she is in danger. She pursues painting, explores her sensuality and falls in love with Julien. She dabbles in the occult. Sandrine is in the midst of self-discovery and is undergoing change – she’s becoming something new. But at what cost?

I have nothing but praise for the world-building in this novel. It is very apparent M. J. Rose did an extraordinary amount of research about Belle Époque Paris. The occult movement was very popular in Paris during this era, so mention of mysticism and witchcraft and alchemy was historically accurate. Paris landmarks. Names of streets. Businesses. The École des Beaux-Arts – one of the finest art schools in France – is still in operation today. Moreau and Matisse are names of actual painters who lived in Paris during the late 1890’s. Even the frequent use of French names and the French language lent to the authentic feel of this historical novel.

I would love to share with readers how much I enjoyed reading The Witch of Painted Sorrows, but unfortunately, I just didn’t enjoy it. There were scenes in this story that I feel did not advance the plot. I never felt an emotional connection to Sandrine, who is the main character of this novel, or either of the secondary characters. The ending of this novel is very abrupt, which left me with plenty of questions when I was finished reading. There doesn’t appear to be a sequel. I struggled to maintain interest, and to be quite honest, it was very hard for me to finish reading The Witch of Painted Sorrows. I am certain individuals who love historical fiction will love Rose’s attention to detail, but I can only give The Witch of Painted Sorrows a 2-star rating.

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M.J. Rose grew up in New York City mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum, the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park and reading her mother’s favorite books before she was allowed. She believes mystery and magic are all around us but we are too often too busy to notice… books that exaggerate mystery and magic draw attention to it and remind us to look for it and revel in it.

Please visit her blog, Museum of Mysteries at http://www.mjrose.com/blog/

Her photo was taken by Judith Pushett utilizing an old relic: a turn-of-the-century 11 x 14 inch wood camera.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

Her most recent novel THE COLLECTOR OF DYING BREATHS (Atria/S&S) was chosen as an Indie Next Pick and her next novel, THE WITCH OF PAINTED SORROWS will be released March 2015.

Rose is a New York Times and USAToday bestseller whose work has appeared in many magazines including Oprah Magazine and she has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, WSJ, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio. Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the ’80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors – Authorbuzz.com

The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose’s novels in the Reincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and currently serves, with Lee Child, as the organization’s co-president.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Confess by Colleen Hoover…5 Star Reviews …The Art… Finding Your Heart Somewhere Between The Truth And The Lies

Posted on 03/12/2015 by shellbellereads

Confess

By Colleen Hoover

Release Date : March 10,2015

Buy : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a new novel about risking everything for love—and finding your heart somewhere between the truth and lies.

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is keeping some major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

Buy : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Robin’s Review

Colleen Hoover is well-known for including innovative and artistic features in her novels. Whether she is collaborating with a musician or artist, writing poetry or writing in the lyrical style, Hoover’s creativity makes her stories unique and special. In the past, she successfully collaborated with recording artist Griffin Peterson for Maybe Someday. Peterson wrote and recorded several songs that are included in the story. I found that listening to each of the songs while I was reading Maybe Someday greatly enhanced my reading experience.

Colleen Hoover has now collaborated with artist Danny O’Conner to create paintings that are included in Confess. Hoover also asked her readers to submit anonymous confessions – real confessions – some of which were chosen to be included in Confess. In this story, anonymous confessions are left at the door of artist Owen Gentry, and he uses these confessions as inspiration for his paintings. Pictures of Danny O’Conner’s paintings are found throughout the novel.

Confess is a deeply moving story about two individuals who each have a past shrouded in mystery. Twenty-year-old cosmetologist Auburn Reed recently moved from Portland, Oregon to Dallas, Texas. She needs a second job so she can afford to hire an attorney. Twenty-one-year-old Owen Gentry is desperately in need of an assistant to help in his art studio. Auburn notices the “HELP WANTED” sign in the window of the art studio first. Then she notices a sign that reads CONFESS. Finally, she notices a multitude of confessions – each written in different handwriting – which cover the windows of the studio. When Owen opens the door of his art studio to find Auburn reading the confessions, it felt like fate was throwing these two characters together.

Colleen Hoover’s writing is top-notch in Confess. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to weave an unforgettable story, and Confess is unforgettable in the best kind of way! Owen Gentry and Auburn Reed both have their own secrets. In fact, there is a lot of mystery surrounding the main and secondary characters. It didn’t take long for me to realize this, and if you are anything like me, your head will be full of questions as you read this novel. If you didn’t already know this about Colleen Hoover, you will find out she is an expert at slowly unwinding her story, giving readers small bits of information until you finally have the full picture at the end of the novel.

Confess was not easy for me to read. I have read every novel Colleen Hoover has published, and Confess has a darker feel to it than most of her previous novels. My emotions were all over the place while I read this story. Parts of Confess left me feeling very sad. I felt anger. Angst. But I also felt hope, and there were plenty of moments where I caught myself smiling, laughing and feeling joy. There are huge reveals in Confess. Twists in the storyline. I am still intrigued by the confessions submitted by real people like you and me – most of them are profound and heartbreaking. And O’Conner’s paintings are incredible. Confess is a very special novel that is well-deserving of 5 stars. You won’t want to miss reading this latest novel from author Colleen Hoover!

Michel’s Review

Colleen Hoover has once again delivered a compelling novel that touches more than the reader’s mind. She incorporates their senses as well as their imagination. She taps into their emotional realm and touches their soul. She engages the reader’s complete attention.

Colleen is known for her collaboration with other types of artists to bring her stories to life. She collaborated with musician Griffin Peterson in her novel Maybe Someday and brought music to her story. This time around in her latest release she has collaborated with artist Danny O’Connor to bring color and visual emotions to the reader. She has also incorporated some of her readers by using their confessions to inspire her writing and the artist’s paintings. This monumental collaboration resulted in the truly touching novel Confess.

Confess has a bit of a darker undertone than most of Colleen’s novels. It starts out with despair and heartache. The kind of heartache that will never go away and be forgotten. Time does heal the deep rooted pain to a dull ache that remains in the soul. Time also gives back a new kind of balance that helps alleviate the pain. Time gives us new things to focus on, new things to love and cherish. It teaches us that it’s okay to move on and live again. It teaches us that is okay to have regrets, remorse, heartache, and rebellion. It also teaches us that it is okay to be happy, live life to it’s fullest, and that love is the greatest gift. The one thing about life is that it is going to be no matter what. That is where confessions come into play. They can be good or bad. They can be mean or pleasant. They can be beautiful or ugly. They are parts of ourselves that validate our lives.

Owen Gentry is a gifted artist that uses anonymous confessions as inspirations for his work. He lets they confessions touch his soul and guide his brush. He has witnessed life at it’s ugliest and knows that others have had their own personal crosses to bear. When he places a help wanted sign in his studio window he is unaware that is the first footstep to a new journey in his life. It has opened the door to his destiny and fate.

Auburn Reed has come to Texas with a purpose. She is young and broke. She needs money to bring her purpose into action. Her job as a cosmetologist isn’t going to get it done. She needs another job. When she stops at a storefront window and begins to read confessions pasted all over the windows, she is mesmerized. When she spies the help wanted sign in the window, she knows fate has led her down this path. When she meets the charismatic artist, Owen Gentry, she knows her destiny is somehow intwined with his.

Auburn and Owen’s lives have been fated for a long time. Their history is intertwined in a very odd and mysterious way. The other people in their lives are dictating the path their lives are on at this time. It will be up to Owen and Auburn to make their own path and let destiny guide them. They will have to let go of the secrets in their souls. They will have to confess.

Colleen Hoover delivers a powerful message throughout Confess. She not only delivers an entertaining novel, she gives her readers food for thought. Then she adds an extra layer of icing by giving her readers another way to experience her story. She gives them a visual with the artwork by Danny O’ Connor.

Danny O’ Connor’s contribution was breathtaking. Each of the paintings captured that one moment and monumental emotions of that moment. He looked into the soul of the characters and gave them more than a face. He painted their souls.

Confess is a consuming reading and visual experience. Thank you Colleen Hoover and Danny O’ Connor for this experience.

Buy The Art… click on BUY link or here….

http://store.colleenhoover.com/catalog/Merchandise/Confess-Prints/

All of the confessions inside the book are true, and were submitted anonymously by readers.

About Colleen Hoover

Colleen Hoover’s love for writing began in 1985 when she was five years old. Her first story was titled “Mystery Bob” and was a huge hit with her mother, who was really good at faking interest. Colleen continued to write short stories for friends and family until December of 2011, when she decided to write a long story she titled, “Slammed.” She self-published SLAMMED to Amazon in January, 2012 and it hit the NYT’s bestsellers list in May, 2012. She has since signed with Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, and now has six NYT’s bestsellers. Colleen prefers to be called a writer, as the term “author” still terrifies her and makes this feel like a job with expectations. She doesn’t work well under pressure and hopes writing will always remain fun and exciting. Colleen’s newest novel, UGLY LOVE, releases August 5th, 2014. She is currently working on a new novel, CONFESS, which she is writing as fast as she can before she wakes up from this crazy dream.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram and Twitter @colleenhoover. You can also find her on her blog at http://www.colleenhoover.com where she holds a daily book-a-day giveaway, or on her very active Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away more free stuff when her husband isn’t looking.

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

About Danny O’Connor

My name is Danny O’Connor I’m an artist from Liverpool UK and I studied Graphic Arts at Liverpool John Moores Art School.

My work is a celebration of contrasts focusing mainly on portraits and figures with a prevalence of opposing artistic influences. My inspiration walks a tightrope between high and lowbrow sources as diverse as Comics, Illustration, Character Design, Tattoo art and Graffiti to Abstract Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Art Noveau, Modernism and Constructivism all pulled together to create hyper stylised and abstracted works. Contrasts play a big role in what I do, it’s probably the most resounding feature throughout all of my work in one way or another. I like to mix natural flowing lines with harsh diagonals. Clean crisp areas of colour with layered messy splashes of paint. I’m trying to achieve something that appears both modern and almost futuristic whilst retaining a raw traditional aesthetic.

The paintings are built up in layer upon layer of paint which give the pieces great depth of field. They are created with an arsenal of tools that doesn’t settle with convention. As well as the more widely acknowledged paint and brush I use all manner of mediums such as, Correction Fluid, Spray Paint, Ink, Paint Markers, Texture Pastes, Charcoal, Graphite, Oil sticks and Collage. All applied in an equally diverse manner using brushes, fingers, paint rollers, sticks, paper and cardboard to drip, splash, spray, print and stroke the paint onto the surface.

Danny O’Connor aka. DOC Artist based in Liverpool UK

Website ~ Facebook

Happy Release + 5 Star Review: Confess by Colleen Hoover

Posted on 03/10/2015 by shellbellereads

Confess

By Colleen Hoover

Release Date : March 10,2015

Buy : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a new novel about risking everything for love—and finding your heart somewhere between the truth and lies.

Buy : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Robin’s Review

Michel’s Review

Confess is a consuming reading and visual experience. Thank you Colleen Hoover and Danny O’ Connor for this experience.

About Colleen Hoover

Colleen also wants the world to know that writing short biographies in third person is incredibly awkward.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

About Danny O’Connor

My name is Danny O’Connor I’m an artist from Liverpool UK and I studied Graphic Arts at Liverpool John Moores Art School.

Danny O’Connor aka. DOC Artist based in Liverpool UK

Website ~ Facebook

Happy Release + Review + Giveaway: For Authentication Purposes by Amber L. Johnson

Posted on 03/02/2015 by shellbellereads

Presents…

For Authentication Purposes

by Amber L. Johnson

Release Date: March 5th , 2015

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Genre: New Adult Romance / Contemporary Romance / Romance Erotica / Humor ISBN e-book: 978-1-61213-387-4

Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH

~~SUMMARY~~

Dawn Sims has made a name for herself writing romantic fiction online. When she’s pushed to try her hand at publishing, she thinks she has everything figured out. The only problem? She’s never been in a relationship, especially one that has led her to finding The Big O.

So much for writing what you know.

Warner Green has had Dawn in his sights since she walked into his class in seventh grade. She broke his teenage heart not once, but twice, so seeing her in his night class at the local community college was an unexpected surprise.

Accidentally reading her bad erotica on her laptop was a blessing from the Smut Gods themselves.

It’s clear she has no idea what she’s writing about, but Warner does. In fact, he knows so much that he’s willing to offer her his services. The deal is simple: teach the good girl from high school everything she needs to know to write from experience. If he gets to live out a fantasy or two that he’s been harboring for almost a decade, then there’s no harm in that either.

The lessons turn more heated, and Dawn begins to question where Warner has learned his skills, but he’s not ready to talk, until his past comes back to haunt him at the worst possible time.

It shouldn’t matter when it’s for authentication purposes only.

Goodreads * Add to Want To Read List

~~EXCERPT~~

“Come on. Say it. I know where you’re going.”

Shifting a little to look at him, I resisted the urge to kick him in the nuts and lick his neck at the same time. I mean he looked pretty hot sitting in my chair eating that muffin. Stupid handsome face and fornication hair paired with what I assumed were dirty jeans and a plaid flannel.

“Fine. I’m going to buy a vibrator with the money you gave me. Happy?”

His smile was in full force now. “Hell yeah, I’m happy. Ecstatic, even.” He chewed around the pastry in his mouth and laughed. “I’ll come with you to make sure you get the right one.”

“Oh, hell no. Being with you in a porn shop is on my list of Things to Never Do before I Die.”

Robin’s Review

Amber L. Johnson continues to show her diversity as a writer in her most recent novel titled For Authentication Purposes. I have now read six novels written by Johnson, and I find myself impressed by the variety of topics and genres in which she writes. Young Adult. New Adult. Contemporary Romance. And now erotic romance. The improvement in her writing is noticeable as she continues to publish stories that she has written over the last few years. Johnson has labeled this story “humorotica,” which is entirely appropriate because For Authentication Purposes is funny. Really, really funny!

Dawn Sims and Warner Green met in the eighth grade. It didn’t take long for them to give each other nicknames. Bunny and Wardo. They have a colorful past. Warner was always hanging around. Looking at Dawn. Sitting in front of her in class. Warner was good-looking. He hung around with the bad crowd and always got into fights. Every girl wanted his attention, but not Dawn. She wanted nothing to do with him. She wanted credibility. She was all about the books. In high school, Dawn finally understood Warner’s reputation. All of the girls just loved the bad boy. She knew Warner liked her. Warner knew Dawn hated to like him. Dawn and Warner even went to prom together.

Now its ten years later, and Dawn has decided to take night classes towards an English degree. She is in the process of writing a novel, and she wants to have some credibility when she submits her manuscript to a publisher. Once again, Warner and Dawn have end up in the same class, where he sits nearby and continues with his usual harassment. When Dawn excuses herself to go to the ladies room, Warner reads a portion of the historical romance she is writing, and he recognizes it is bad. Very bad.

Warner gives Dawn plenty of grief. He tells her she writes terrible porn – think “love buttons” and “pink pebbled peaks”. Dawn has no idea how to write sex because of her inexperience, so of course, Warner makes her an offer she can hardly refuse. He offers to show Dawn the ropes for research purposes, so her writing will be authentic. For authentication purposes. After all, you can only write about what you know.

I discovered Johnson after receiving a recommendation to read Puddle Jumping. Puddle Jumping was one of my favorite novels that I read during 2014. It’s considered a young adult or mature young adult novel. I almost always feel more comfortable reading novels from these genres, but I will occasionally read an erotic romance upon recommendation. I admit I was curious to see how Johnson would fare in this genre. And you know what? I was pleasantly surprised! I enjoyed this story – something which is extremely important to me when I read erotic romance. For Authentication Purposes is hot! It’s erotic in the best kind of way, but there is also an intriguing story buried beneath the surface which slowly unfolds with each chapter. All of these things, combined with Johnson’s witty humor and excellent writing, kept me turning the pages until the end. I’m giving For Authentication Purposes a 4.5 star rating. I can’t wait to see what is next from Amber L. Johnson!

~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~

A true child of music, Amber’s parents surrounded her with the loudest beats they could find, molding her into a girl who found inspiration and meaning in lyrics and chords. Raised on John Hughes movies, Luck Dragons, and pirate ships, she dreamed of love and adventure. When Amber began to create her own world, she envisioned a place where Happy Ever Afters do exist. Since then, she has authored several romance novels, all of which focus on songs and the way they can touch people’s lives. Music may not be able to fix a broken heart, but it can provide one hell of a soundtrack for healing.A full-time wife and mother with a full-time job, Amber finds her muse in everyday life and the people who bring her inspiration.

Be sure to look for Amber’s other books!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~

Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Website

Praise for For Authentication Purposes

“Hot! Great UST, very funny, and I loved the characters. Another great one from Amber. ” – Andrea

Goodreads Review

Happy Release + Review: By Any Other Name by J.M. Darhower – Forbidden Series – Book 1

Posted on 02/23/2015 by shellbellereads

By Any Other Name

Forbidden Series – Book 1

Release Date: February 23, 2015

By J.M. Darhower

Synopsis

Genevieve “Genna” Galante knows a thing or two about causing trouble. After all, it’s engrained in her DNA. As the only daughter of Primo Galante, notorious boss of the Galante crime family, her life is dictated by a certain set of rules… rules Genna was never very good at following.

Matteo “Matty” Barsanti never wanted anything to do with the family business, but as the first-born Barsanti son, certain things are expected of him. It’s his duty, according to his father, to help take down the enemy… even if that enemy means something to him.

A chance encounter on an elevator changes the course of lives, causing the biggest trouble of Genna’s young life. The only good Barsanti is a dead Barsanti. She’s heard it said time and time again. So what happens when she falls in love with one of them?

The story of star-crossed lovers caught in the middle of the biggest rivalry New York has ever seen, determined to make it… if only they can survive their parents’ feud.

Teaser

“A Roman Coke,” Genna mused. “What’s that?”

“It’s rum and Coke. We just call it a Roman Coke around here.”

“Because you’re Italian?”

“And because when you get drunk enough, it all just slurs together anyway.”

“Ah.” Genna picked hers up, motioning toward him with it. “So what are we drinking to?”

“Today.”

“Today?”

He nodded. “Right now, this moment. Let’s drink to it.”

Smiling, she clinked her glass with his. “Today, then.”

They threw them back at the same time. The liquor hit Genna’s taste buds and she grimaced, the vicious burn seeping down her throat and settling deep in her chest. “Ugh, is there even any Coke in this damn thing?”

Matty laughed, setting his empty glass down. “Just a splash.”

“I couldn’t tell.”

“That’s because I prefer it that way,” he responded. “Strong and rough, enough to leave a lingering ache. I like it to hurt just a bit.”

Oh good God. Those words sent a chill down Genna’s spine, one she couldn’t hide, as Matty waved for the waitress. Eyes never leaving Genna, he ordered another round of drinks.

“Another?” she asked, picking up the water to take another sip, this one to soothe the sting in her chest. “You said one drink.”

A sly smile curved his lips. “I like to keep them coming.”

“Is that right?”

“Absolutely.” Matty stood, leaning across the table, his lips near her ear. “Maybe you’ll let me show you later.”

Robin’s Review

Two Mafia families at war. Close friends who are now bitter enemies. Family loyalty before love. Two children – a Galante daughter and a Barsanti son – have fallen in love. One romance destined for tragedy.

By Any Other Name is the first novel of the Forbidden series. It’s a modern-day version of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet from author J. M. Darhower, and I am extremely impressed with her interpretation of this famous star-crossed tragedy.

In New York City, there are five major crime families that control the underworld: the Galantes, the Barsantis, the Amaros, the Genevas and the Calabreses. While the Galantes and the Barsantis are at war with each other, the other three crime families attempt to remain neutral.

Matteo Barsanti is the oldest son of Roberto Barsanti. Matteo disappeared from society as a child. Hidden away by his father, his existence has largely become an urban legend. Matteo returns to his family in New York City only when he learns his mother has become critically ill.

Genevieve Galante is the only daughter of Primo Galante. Because she has been extremely sheltered by her family, Genna is naturally inclined to fight any and every rule. And fight the rules she does! Genna has been in trouble with the police “for everything from underage drinking to trespassing to vandalism,” but it’s her arrest for grand theft auto which lands her in criminal court.

Here is where the story gets interesting. When Genna leaves court, she has a chance encounter with a family enemy. She unknowingly steps onto an elevator with Matteo Barsanti……and then the elevator breaks down. Since Matteo has been missing from the circles of the New York City underworld, neither of them recognize who the other is. Stuck between floors of the criminal court building, Genna and Matty get to know each other, which leads to him asking her if she would like to go get a drink.

“If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it. Similarly, the payment must be hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.” Exodus 21:24 Old Testament Bible

Darhower is consummate when she writes about the Mafia. These stories are always packed full of intrigue, nail-biting action and romantic suspense. By Any Other Name no different. It was completely intense! And I just fell in love with Matty and Genna – I couldn’t help but pull for these star-crossed lovers. Of course, this had me unsettled because it felt as if I was waiting for a train wreck to happen! Remember Romeo and Juliet?

My mind is having trouble letting go of this story. Darhower states in her acknowledgments that By Any Other Name was her National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) novel of 2013. She also mentions she wrote By Any Other Name in thirty days. Thirty days! Honestly, the more I think about this novel, the more impressed with it that I am. If you are looking for an exciting new novel, I recommend By Any Other Name by J. M. Darhower. My rating is 4.5 stars.

_________________________________________________________________

About the Author:

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

Happy Release + Review + Giveaway: Maybe by Amber L. Johnson

Posted on 02/12/2015 by shellbellereads

Maybe

Amber L. Johnson

Release Date: February 12 , 2015

Published by The Writers Coffee Shop

Genre: FICTION / Romance / General / Contemporary / Erotica

ISBN e-book: 978-1-61213-371-3

Available from: Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and TWCS PH

~~SUMMARY~~

Emily Portman loves her job. A writer for Breakout! Magazine, she shadows and showcases up-and-coming bands. When her next assignment takes her to Austin, Texas, she can’t wait to add the city to her map of places she’s visited. Places she’s left without looking back. Her plan is to keep moving on, and the last thing she needs is a man holding her back. She’s not going down that road again.

Tyler Macy is stuck in a rut. Despite his exceptional talent as a musician, he has chosen to take a backseat with his music and let others grab the limelight. Wounded and mistrustful, he doesn’t appreciate his friends’ efforts to bring him back to center stage. Emily comes onto the scene and sees his full potential, but he fights to stay in the shadows, shutting her out before she can add to the scars another woman gave him.

For Tyler to find his music again, he needs to accept the help that Emily and their friends offer. When he discovers that his muse lies underneath Emily’s skin, it is still not enough to keep her from walking away. Neither will admit what they really want until it is too late.

Emily is once again thrown in Tyler’s path when she is assigned to join them on tour. Despite the pain in his past, Tyler sees that she is worth it, even if she’s stolen both his heart and peace of mind. In order for them to be together, they both must discover whether the music and their passion are enough to overcome the obstacles that separate them.

Maybe finding love is worth the risk.

Goodreads * Add to Want To Read List

~~EXCERPT~~

Walking toward him is like trudging through the deepest mud, but I hold my head high, my hands in my pockets and strides long. When I’m less than a foot away, his head turns toward me without lifting his chin, and he looks up from under his brows. The white smoke from his cigarette causes his eyes to nearly close before he pulls it from his lips and exhales upward into the air.

I’m struck by how incredibly handsome he is in black wool and new jeans. I want to know if his skin feels hot under his clothes and if his back feels the same when I scratch fingernails across his spine. My fists clench in my coat pockets at the thought. This is going to be so much harder than I’d been prepared for.

Robin’s Review

In July of last year, I received a recommendation from a trusted friend to read Puddle Jumping. I had never heard of author Amber L. Johnson, but I decided to read Colton and Lilly’s story after reading the synopsis. I found their story so refreshing! I loved it so much that I ordered a paperback copy as soon as I finished reading it – something I only do with my very favorite novels. Puddle Jumping also made my list of ten favorite novels of 2014, and I read 125 novels last year! I was very excited to be chosen to review a copy of Maybe, the newest contemporary romance from Johnson.

Emily Portman dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina, but her dream came to an end when she blew out her knee at the age of nineteen. It was a time of great loss for Emily. She had to reconsider her career choice. Emily now travels across the United States, shadowing and writing about up and coming bands for Breakout! Magazine.

Tyler Macy is an incredible musician, a gifted song writer and, until recently, the lead singer for his band. He could sing beautifully in front of a crowd until his muse broke his heart. Now he prefers to hide behind a drum set and struggles to write new songs for the band. He’s lost his inspiration.

Emily’s newest assignment takes her to Austin, Texas, a city well-known for producing talent for the music industry. Her company places her in a temporary apartment where a mysterious drummer in her building keeps her awake at night. That drummer is Tyler Macy, and he’s her next assignment.

Tyler and Emily have both been deeply scarred by past relationships. They are both scared of commitment. Afraid of being hurt again. Neither of them is looking for a relationship, but Emily and Tyler are undoubtedly attracted to each other. And with Emily, Tyler discovers music again. He starts writing beautiful songs. Singing. Gaining confidence. Emily has become his new muse.

Amber L. Johnson is a gifted writer. She uses her creative ability to write unusual and interesting stories. Puddle Jumping was no coincidence. I have also read two other novels written by Johnson, Beatless and Eight Days a Week, and I enjoyed them both. But it saddens me to say I was disappointed with Maybe. I found this story to be less polished than other novels I had previously read by this author. Maybe held my attention, but there were many occasions where I felt the writing did not translate what the author was intending to communicate. I had a difficult time identifying which characters were speaking, especially in conversations involving more than two individuals. Sometimes I struggled because the text was not descriptive enough. This made it hard to picture what the author was attempting to convey. I found myself rereading scenes in an attempt to understand what I had already read.

It is my understanding Maybe may have been written earlier in Johnson’s writing career and is now being published several years after it was written. If this is the case, it may explain the difference in writing quality that I have grown accustomed to from Johnson. Generally speaking, writing usually improves with experience. I really do think Maybe is a sweet and sexy contemporary romance. With further editing to clarify the text, I believe Maybe could be a 4-star novel. But as the story is now, the best rating I can give Maybe is 3 stars. This definitely won’t hold me back from more from Amber L. Johnson! I’m already looking forward to her next novel, For Authentication Purposes, which will be released soon!

~~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~~

Be sure to look for her other book!

TWCS Link Amazon Link

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR~~

Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Website

Praise for Maybe

“The characters are fun, likable, and well done. It’s such a feel good story with a wonderful romance. Honestly, if you want a good, easy read with a cast of characters that will make you laugh and cry, and a romance that will sweep you off your feet then give this book a read. You won’t regret it. ” – Jennifer

Goodreads Review

Verum by Courtney Cole : 5 + Star Reviews and 2015 Favorite

Posted on 02/05/2015 by shellbellereads

Verum

The Nocte Trilogy – Book 2

By Courtney Cole

Synopsis

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE.

My name is Calla Price and I’m drowning.

My new world is a dark, dark ocean and I’m being pulled under by secrets.

Can I trust anyone? I don’t know anymore.

The lies are spirals. They twist and turn, binding me with their thorns and serpentine tongues. And just when I think I have it figured out, everything is pulled out from under me.

I’m entangled in the darkness.

But the truth will set me free.

It’s just ahead of me, so close I can touch it. But even though it shines and glimmers, it has glistening fangs and I know it will shred me.

Are you scared?

I am.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

Verum , the second book in the Nocte Trilogy, by Courtney Cole released this week. The moment it went live I had to download it and begin reading it. Nocte, the first book in this trilogy, left readers with so many questions. It left our mind boggled. It left the reader with residual emotions that could not be put into perspective. The desperate anxious feelings have been festering.

The teasers that were put out before the release of Verum had readers theorizing and speculating where the this book would lead. The more readers formulated theories, the more confused I became. Each theory I read seemed credible and valid. They made sense. But… here is the thing… one part or two parts of a story are not a whole. They are building blocks that lead to the eventual outcome. It is a journey that takes many twists and turns. It was meant to engage the readers imagination, stimulate their sense of reasoning, test their patience, and induce every emotional response intended.

Verum takes a completely different direction from the previous book. The setting has changed. The circumstances revolving around the characters have morphed into something more complex. The potential danger and conflict has changed. New characters are introduced. There is a deeper and darker sense of despair. The twists and turns throughout the story have the reader’s mind whirling. Although the overall sense of the story has changed, the original plot is still driving this story. Each time the reader feels they have formulated pieces of the puzzle, the story shakes it up and the pieces fall into a new pattern. In the end, there is a huge revelation that makes this story make sense. This huge revelation is a relief. It also raises more questions.

Verum consumed me. It was a reading experience that left me drained (in a good way). Courtney Cole did an outstanding job with this book. She took the reader hostage, tortured their senses, engaged their minds, and led them on a very gothic journey. She meticulously chose each word to convey this story. Each passage was methodically placed to keep the reader on their toes and searching for clues. The writing was brilliant!

I am look forward to the final book in the Nocte Trilogy. I think the outcome is going to shock the reader to the core. I’m ready!

Robin’s Review

If you have already read Nocte by Courtney Cole, you know exactly what to expect with Verum. Unforeseen plot twists. Clues. Phrases and pieces of sentences which will have you scratching your head. Sentences consisting of nonsensical gibberish. Dreams? Visions? Hallucinations? Or truth?

The Nocte Trilogy is a literary jigsaw puzzle. It’s an intriguing mystery that will challenge your intelligence. Courtney Cole wants you to be confused. And if you are? She has succeeded with what she set out to do. In my case, Cole was successful. After I had finished reading Verum, everything I previously understood about Calla and Dare had been altered. I honestly have no idea what to think! One thing is for certain, I am desperate for the final novel of this trilogy! I cannot wait until the puzzle pieces finally fit together! Lux is expected to be released later in 2015. Courtney Cole has most definitely earned 5 stars and a place on my list of 2015 favorites with Verum!

ABOUT COURTNEY COLE:

Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could. She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds. She loves chocolate and roller coasters and hates waiting and rude people.

Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo.

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Saucy Southern Readers

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