Summer Reads: Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley

Posted on 07/18/2015 by shellbellereads

Ride Steady

The Chaos Series – Book 3

A Biker MC Romance

By Kristen Ashley

Synopsis

The ride of her life . . .
Once upon a time, Carissa Teodoro believed in happy endings. Money, marriage, motherhood: everything came easy—until she woke up to the ugly truth about her Prince Charming. Now a struggling, single mom and stranded by a flat tire, Carissa’s pondering her mistakes when a vaguely familiar knight rides to her rescue on a ton of horsepower.

Climb on and hold tight . . .
In high school, Carson Steele was a bad boy loner who put Carissa on a pedestal where she stayed far beyond his reach. Today, he’s the hard-bodied biker known only as Joker, and from the way Carissa’s acting, it’s clear she’s falling fast. While catching her is irresistible, knowing what to do with her is a different story. A good girl like Carissa is the least likely fit with the Chaos Motorcycle Club. Too bad holding back is so damned hard. Now, as Joker’s secrets are revealed and an outside threat endangers the club, Joker must decide whether to ride steady with Carissa—or ride away forever . . .

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Robin’s Review

During the summer of 2012, I found myself on a serious Kristen Ashley reading marathon. I read at least twenty-five of her novels over a three-month period. I was addicted. Plain and simple. Kristen Ashley is incredibly witty. She has a knack for writing the best alpha male characters. She has her own, unique writing style. So, when presented with the opportunity to read Ride Steady: A Chaos Novel, I didn’t hesitate.

It began with a wildly popular novel titled Motorcycle Man of the Dream Man series. We now have the Chaos series, a well-received spinoff of Motorcycle Man. Kristen Ashley absolutely nails writing a contemporary romance/romantic suspense novel set within a motorcycle club! The Chaos MC of Denver, Colorado is her baby. Her creation. It’s a very realistic look into the world of a motorcycle club. Brotherhood, comradery, danger and suspense are all prevalent in each novel. You’ll find all of this and more in Ride Steady.

Carissa Teodoro was the height of popularity in high school. Not only was she a cheerleader, but she dated the quarterback of the football team. Carson Steele couldn’t figure out why she would want to date the likes of Aaron Neiland. She was perfect for Carson, everything he could ever dream of. She was beautiful and sweet and kind to Carson. Carissa was the light of his world – a sixteen-year-old boy who had been abandoned by his mother and abused by his father – and she didn’t even know it.

It’s now been seven long years since high school. Carissa is a single mom who has recently been through a divorce. She finds herself stranded on the side of a highway with a toddler in her arms, when a biker named Joker pulls up to assist her with a flat tire. Joker is sort of scary. He’s dressed in leathers and is hiding behind a beard and sunglasses, but he is nothing but kind to Carissa. She doesn’t realize it, but she knows this man. His name is Carson Steele, and she’s about to get to know him a whole lot better.

Ride Steady absorbed my interest. I’m not really sure why, but I was especially taken with what Carissa has experienced at the hands of her ex-husband. She’s a victim, and her story called out to me. Scenes involving Carissa’s ex-husband are very tense; however, Kristen Ashley adds humor at just the right moments to balance out the seriousness of the plot. In fact, there are moments when Ride Steady is super funny!

I noticed a few passages where the writing wasn’t as polished as it could be, and I struggled to understand what was being communicated. That being said, I want to emphasize this was not a widespread issue. Most of Ride Steady is well-written. I love Kristen Ashley’s writing style. Conversations between her characters feel authentic, heartfelt and full of emotion. Consider how a biker might speak to his woman. Think attitude. Bossiness. Slang. Kristen Ashley does a fantastic job of communicating the authenticity of the character with her written words.

It’s always entertaining when the Chaos MC family gets behind a person who is unsuspecting! The Chaos MC is a family unit that reaches far and wide. It always includes Elvira and her posse, but characters from the Dream Man, Chaos, Unfinished Hero and Rock Chick series all play a role in Ride Steady. I probably left some out, but you get the picture. Kirsten Ashley ties in characters from her other novels, which only adds to the fun. It was such a joy to read another Kristen Ashley novel! She earns 4.5 stars for Ride Steady: A Chaos Novel, and I am definitely adding to my list of 2015 favorites!

_______________________________________________

Author Bio:

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen’s Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning.

Nothing’s changed.

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she’s blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Review + Excerpt : Evanensce by Cassia Brightmore – The Darkness Series – Book 2

Posted on 07/08/2015 by shellbellereads

Evanesce

The Darkness Series – Book 2

By Cassia Brightmore

Synopsis:

If your soul has been plunged into the dark depths of despair, how hard would you fight to claw your way back to the surface? Can the life you lost be restored, or is it destined to be forever phased out of existence? Fated to dissolve into a distant memory.
The Black Market—a ferocious, starving beast. An endless sinkhole of precious valuables; the playground for blood-thirsty power seekers. Only one thing feeds its hunger like no other…human life.
A sinister criminal ring has descended on the small town of Norton Springs, instilling fear in the residents. A vicious wave of disappearances coupled with the gut-wrenching horror of infants being ripped from the arms of their helpless mothers has the town quaking in terror.
When Gabe Thornton strolls back into his hometown, his main goal is to claim the one woman that has always denied her feelings for him—Nora Jacobs. The last thing he expects is to be thrust into a storm of devastation and chaos. Will his strength be enough to save them from the dark souls that threaten to destroy their chance at happiness?
Broken futures. Shattered dreams. Mind-numbing loss. When your heart has been ripped away from you—how do you find the will to go on?
No one is safe. Everything you thought you knew is about to change in this second installment in The Darkness Series.
Warning: Due to adult content and graphic situations, this book is intended for readers 18 and up.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Excerpt

Gripping Red’s hand tight, the two ran up the stairs, Brooke wincing each time one of the boards squeaked under the pressure of their weight. At the top, the door was open, a fact that had Brooke’s heart jumping up her throat like it was on a damn trampoline. Peering out, she ensured there was no one in sight before tugging Red forward. A few steps into the carpeted foyer, the sound of voices drifted towards them. Panicking, she pulled Red into what she thought was an empty room and shut the door.
Panting, she leaned against the door, trying to catch her breath.
“We have to hide here, Red. I’ll check if it’s safe in a few minutes.” When there was no reply from Red, Brooke turned her head, searching. “Red?” The other woman stood frozen, unmoving in the middle of the room.
“What are you—ahh…” Brooke stepped up beside Red, concerned why she was non-verbal. The room was not empty as she had expected. It wasn’t empty at all and the scene before them was a terrifying one.
Cots. Rows and rows of cots and each one was occupied with a tiny infant. Some were sleeping, wrapped in thin blankets. Others were squirming, having come loose from their bundle. A few were wailing, a loud sound that would make any dog in the surrounding area sit up and take notice. How Brooke didn’t hear them, was beyond her. The adrenaline was a roar in her ears, blocking out everything except listening for footsteps of anyone that might be approaching. A quick count revealed twenty-four cots. Twenty-four babies either stolen are birthed by a mother that was likely a prisoner in the same house of horrors she was trying to escape from.
Covering her mouth, Brooke suppressed a scream of disgust. Children. Helpless infants all lined up and ready to be sold by the indescribable monster, Marcus. An auction straight from a mother’s worst nightmare.
“Red,” she tried to get her attention. “Red,” she said with more force. When that still didn’t work, she reached out and lightly shook her. The haunted, empty look in her eyes when Red finally acknowledged her, broke Brooke’s heart into a million tiny pieces.
“My sons. My daughters…” she moved towards the cots. “I—I have to find them. I—I—I didn’t get to—to hold them,” she stammered, peering over the cots at the tiny faces. Her heartbreak was written all over her face as she searched from cot to cot for her children.
Not being able to stand seeing her torment, Brooke rushed to her side, trying to tug her away. “Red, I don’t think they are here now. These…these are infants. As in just born, and you—” Red’s head whipped around to pin Brooke with furious eyes.
“Shut up. You know nothin’. My children are here. They are here.” Tears sprang to Brooke’s eyes at the utter despair in Red’s voice.
“I really wish they were, God, Red. But I promise you, we will make these bastards pay. We will find your children and make sure they can never do this to any other woman,” Brooke’s promise was fierce and true. She would shut this operation down, even if it killed her to do it.

Tina’s Review

** Provided by author via promotion in Exchange for an Honest Review **
Judging a Book by it’s Cover:
The cover is very dark in coloration as well as content, although it is rather murky, it sort of sets the mood to the story inside. The synopsis does a fairly good job at depicting the dark and disturbing world that Ms. Brightmore plunges her readers into.
Looking Deeper:
Third-person POV, from various characters’ perspectives; not clearly defined therefore you are several sentences in before realizing that the POV has shifted to another person. It makes for some necessary backtracking. WARNING: Ms. Brightmore once again fearlessly immerses her readers into a dark abyss of chaos, depravity, and some psychotically twisted, sick content. It is guaranteed to offend and trigger those sensitive to rape, abduction, sex slavery, human trafficking, trafficking, abuse.
There are two simultaneous story lines happening here…. One of Brooke and her fight to survive her abduction and subsequent horrors, the other of Nora and Gabe. There’s really no way to rate *a* lead male or female in that respect. The characters are well-developed and the interaction is fantastic. The dialogue gets a little tiresome when one character addresses the other by name every time they open their mouth to speak, but other than that, the context was great. I have to say, I was rather put off by how “animated” Nora’s pussy is…. first referred to as a dog on a leash, then an Olympian vaulter? That’s just a little disturbing and comically absurd. While the main conflicts are resolved, Ms. Brightmore throws yet another volley of curveballs at you, leaving you gaping at the final page and wondering…. what the ever-loving f—!?! The conclusion is not quite solid, there is unfinished business and loose ends – it felt abrupt and unfinished. Overall, fans of Malevolent will most likely love this. If they thought book 1 was a brain-screw… just wait. This one is pure insanity.

_____________________________________

Cassia Brightmore is a new indie author. Her debut novel, Malevolent is the first book in the Darkness Series and can be read as a standalone.

Writing has always been a passion of hers and publishing her first novel is truly a dream come true. She enjoys writing dark stories that she hopes will thrill the reader. When she’s not reading she can be found playing xbox one, watching re-runs of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and catching up on Revenge and Scandal. She also has an unhealthy obsession with Jon Snow from GOT (but who doesn’t??).

She lives in Grimsby, Canada with her two furbabies, Harley and Molly.

Release Tour + Review : Salvation by Ahren Sanders

Posted on 06/29/2015 by shellbellereads

Her innocence is masked with vulnerability. Until her walls crumble…

Undeniable Desire

His world is full of despair. Until he finds her light…

Unyielding Chemistry

Falling in love seemed to heal them both. Until their haunting pasts threatens to destroy…

Unrelenting protection

Robbie Hayes’s life changed the day a horrific accident shook his foundation. He’s resolved to regain control. While the physical wounds have healed, the emotional scars remain.

Will he ever be able to outrun the memories? Can she be his salvation?

Ember Walker’s life hasn’t been easy. Fleeing from a world filled with hatred gives her a fresh start, one she desperately craved. Now, she’s stronger, but guilt and insecurities still plague her.

Will she ever be able to outrun her memories? Can he be her salvation?

Excerpt

My eyes flutter as soft fingertips drag across my lower back. The faint sound of thumping pounds against my ear as I open my eyes, feeling disoriented. The first thing I see are the hard lines of Robbie’s stomach as his chest rises and falls.

My face buries into the warmth of his embrace and he starts chuckling.

“Is it possible to wake you?” he rumbles.

“Guess so, but I was having the most wonderful dreams.”

“So was I, but mine weren’t while sleeping. Mine are right here in the flesh, laid out on top of me.

When I lift my head to his, my heart melts. The look of devotion on his face is so strong it threatens to crush me.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“About an hour. When I came out of the bathroom, you were passed out.”

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

“Because I have an incredibly sexy, naked woman lying in my arms. It would be a shame to miss this.”

“I’ve slept with you naked before.” Blush creeps up my cheeks.

“Think we both know this is different.”

Emotions bubble inside of me, and I curl into him.

“You mean something special to me, Ember. More than special. I want you to know that.”

Tracey’s Review

Both Ember Walker and Robbie Hayes have seen darkness and despair. Ember is finally at a place in her life where she is experiencing the love denied her during a childhood filled with betrayal and hate. Robbie, still dealing with a loss that left him bereft and changed him completely, is holding tight to his heart. But as the two find their other halves in each other, they can finally begin to heal and move forward.

I am a fan of Ahren Sanders, because I like the complexity that her books offer. In typical Ahren fashion, Salvation is a love story, but not only a love story. It is also a story filled with passion and tenderness, with intrigue and redemption, and I could not put it down. Ember and Robbie spark off each other from their very first meeting, evoking feelings in each other that start the process of renewal for both of them. That Ember is able to be so optimistic, so generally full of light, is pretty amazing, given all that she dealt with while she was growing up. Robbie is a born protector, and it takes no time at all for him to focus on Ember, seeing that part of her that still needs building up and taking care of. Watching them navigate the ups and downs of their relationship had me flipping pages non-stop, because I was so invested in seeing them make it through all of the roadblocks to get to the other side. If I’m still thinking about a book days after finishing, which I definitely was with this one, then I count it a success. Add in the interesting, quirky, and well-written group of supporting characters, and this book had everything that I look for in a good read. I enjoyed it so much that I am eager to go back and read the first two books in this series, and easily give Salvation 4.5 heart-wrenching, romantic, redemptive, sexy, and, oh, so hot stars.

**AMAZON * B&N * KOBO**

AMAZON

Ahren spent her formative years living in an active volcano. There her family made collectible lava art. She studied rock collecting at the Sorbonne in France. There she met the love of her life-her pet pig Sybil. She returned to the states and started writing. She is happily married to a guy who used to live under a bridge and she met while pole-dancing. They have one amazing daughter.
Now, meet the real me. I grew up in the south and consider myself a true “Southerner”. Most of the special locations mentioned in my books are reflections of my favorite places. Living on the Florida coast, my family spends a lot time at the beach which is where I usually can be found with a book in my hand. I started writing my Surrender Series, in the spring of 2013 and have received incredible support from the Indie community. Throughout this year, I have been privileged to meet some amazing people that I am thankful to have in my life.

Visit me online:
Facebook * Goodreads * Twitter

Click on link below to join my mailing list!
http://eepurl.com/S4RI9

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Blog Tour + Review: Deep Down by Brenda Rather

Posted on 05/29/2015 by shellbellereads

Deep Down

by Brenda Rothert

Add to Goodreads

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes & Noble

I’m
falling.

Faster.Further.Deeper.

Sometimes you fall so hard you can’t get back up. My closest companions now are
shame and loss. But a sliver of hope lies in the only person I have left in
this world – the one who’s growing inside me.

Survival becomes living again because of my child, and the town where I begin
anew. That’s where I meet the man who starts to melt the ice inside my heart.

As we get closer, reminders of my past become sharper. Clearer. To confront the
pain, I have to discover what’s deep down inside me. Is there enough left there
to become whole again, or am I too wounded to heal?

**Warning** This book has mature content that some readers may find troubling.
It is intended for readers 18 and up.

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Today I’d eaten lunch in a closed bathroom stall at school to avoid the stares. And instead I got to listen to Mandy Barton telling two other girls that she’d slept with Levi last night to comfort him over what his slutty girlfriend had done to him. They’d speculated about who the father of my child was, eventually deciding on Mr. Schultz, a teacher and coach at my school whom I’d never even spoken to. I was on the outskirts of our small city, walking past a rusted, abandoned factory, when a car slowed to a stop nearby. I turned to see a marked police car. A familiar sick taste rose in my throat. My dad was giving me a puzzled glance from a rolled down window, his elbow resting on the door. “Ivy, what are you doing out here? It’s the dead of winter and you’re miles from home.” “What are you doing here? Are you following me?” My icy tone was challenging. What was there to be afraid of now? He’d stolen the vulnerable, trusting part of me. He’d shown me that there was no one in my life I could count on. “I was on patrol and I saw you,” he said, glaring at me. “Get in the car and I’ll drive you home. We need to talk.” “Talk? Is that code?” I spat out bitterly. His face was a mix of contrition and anger. “Ivy. Let’s not do this. Get in the car.” “No.” “What’s this I hear about you being pregnant? Is it true?” A powerful wave of nausea swept through me. He didn’t deserve to know, and he certainly didn’t deserve to ask me about it.

Tracey’s Review

Having been warned beforehand that this book contains emotional triggers, I have to say that I was still unprepared for just what those might be. Brenda Rothert has managed to tackle a subject that is uncomfortable at best, unthinkable in actuality, with grace and sensitivity.

Ivy Gleason may well be one of the strongest heroines that I have ever had the opportunity to read. She has suffered loss of the greatest degree, and betrayal by those that should have only had her best interest at heart. The decisions that she makes are more mature and selfless than I could possibly imagine, given the circumstances that she’s endured. And the fact that she is able to love so openly and to trust again is nothing short of inspirational. Brenda’s ability to create a character that touched me so personally is a true testament to her craft.

And Reed, wonderful Reed. His love of Ivy, and his acceptance of her once he fully understands the truth of all that she has experienced, is the stuff that romantic heroes are made of. Their love story is gentle and takes time to mature, but is nonetheless sexy and heated.

Deep Down is the first in Brenda’s new Lockhart Brothers series, and I look forward to reading about all of the brothers. In the meantime, this is a 4.5-star emotional, heartbreaking, uplifting read, and I couldn’t recommend it any more highly.

*** ARC provided for an honest review ***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brenda
Rothert lives in Central Illinois with her husband and three sons. She was a
daily print journalist for nine years, during which time she enjoyed writing a
wide range of stories. These
days Brenda writes New Adult Romance in the Contemporary and Dystopian genres.
She loves to hear from readers by email at bjrothert@sbcglobal.net.

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Falling For His Best Friend by Katee Robert

Posted on 05/19/2015 by shellbellereads

Falling For His Best Friend

Out of Uniform Series – Book 2

By Katee Robert

Synopsis

Avery Yeung’s biological clock just went off early. Thanks to her family’s medical history, she’s running out of time to get knocked up. And the only guy within donating distance? Her overprotective—and irritatingly hot—best friend. So clearly she needs an anonymous donor…

Anonymous donor? Over Sheriff Drew Flannery’s dead body. While daddyhood will never be in the cards for a man with his past, Drew won’t let Avery shop for a “popsicle pop.” He’ll do what’s right for his best friend by doing his best friend. But only if they do it properly.

But there’s nothing “proper” about it. Between the bed, the kitchen counter, and against his squad car, Avery and Drew are having the hottest sex ever. They can’t get enough of it—or each other. And without knowing it, they’ve crossed the one line that could ruin their friendship forever…

See where it all began with book 1 of the Out of Uniform series, In Bed with Mr. Wrong.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Photo of sensual kissing young couple

Excerpt

He jumped, and then climbed to his feet when Avery did, and followed her to the plump older nurse. She smiled at them, making him wonder if she were someone’s grandmother—the kind who made cookies and read bedtime stories and…

What the hell was he even thinking?

As soon as they turned the corner from the waiting room, she handed him a small clear cup that had a sticker with his information on it. “You’ll put the specimen in here, please.”

The nurse opened a door. “You can leave the cup in the room when you’re done.” She smiled at Avery. “You’re welcome to go into the room with him, but we ask that you ensure there’s no saliva or other fluids involved so you don’t contaminate the specimen.”

Avery made a choked noise. “That’s so not going to be a problem.”

The nurse laughed and patted her shoulder. “I’ve heard that one before, honey. I’ll just leave you to it.”

He barely waited for her to disappear back around the corner before he turned to examine the room. It looked like an entire frat house’s stash of porn had exploded in there. “Isn’t this a little much for a few tests?”

She looked at him like he was an idiot. “How else are you going to get your engine running?

Besides, this isn’t about tests—though I’m sure they’ll run a few. You wanted to help me make a baby, so let’s make a baby. Now go get ‘em, Champ.”

Jesus Christ. She expected him to leave a specimen so the doctor could shoot it up her…

Apparently when they’d talked about making a baby, something had gotten lost in translation.

“You’re shitting me.”

“Nope.” She slid past him into the room and meandered around, stopping in front of the television and eyeing the collection of DVDs on the shelf next to it. “Oh, look, they have Busty Blondes #37. I seem to remember you having one of these videos back in high school.”

He grabbed her shoulders and tried to steer her away from the shelf. “Not interested.”

Truth was, his inspiration for self sessions had migrated toward pretty Asian women who looked a whole lot like the one standing in the room with him.

“If you’re not into the DVDs, they have magazines, too.” She poked one with her finger. “Though this one appears a bit crusty.”

“Christ, stop touching things. Do you know what men do in here?”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Drew, that’s kind of the point. They come in here, watch or read whatever tickles their fancy, and then masturbate into that sanitary little cup right there.”

When she said ‘masturbate’ he thought his head might actually explode. “Avery—”

“Are you worried about hitting your mark? That is kind of a small cup. Want me to go find something bigger?”

God, she was killing him. It would have been so much more bearable if he thought she was kidding, but Avery was drop dead serious. It was a sign of her nervousness that she hadn’t cracked a joke since he got into her Jeep.

He couldn’t do it.

Tina’s Review

Judging a Book by it’s Cover: The colors and cover design attract the eye. The synopsis sounds like it will be a fun friends-to-lovers story with a healthy dose of trouble-making.
Looking Deeper:
Alternating third-person POV’s. Drew and Avery have been each others best friends since childhood; each being the other’s source of comfort, confidante, and solace. They learned the one another’s nuances and knew how to support the other in any given mood. But now, it seems things may be shifting in a different direction. She’s fast approaching 28, the age both her mother and sister were diagnosed with cancer and could not have children after, she’s in a race to get pregnant. Drew refuses to let his best friend go at it solo with some random baby daddy’s swimmers, so he volunteers for the job.
I’m guessing by the plot drops that Drew’s brother, Ryan, and Avery’s best friend, Bri, are the couple from book one. There’s enough of a background given on it to make me want to go back at a later time and read it. That said, this book can and does stand very well on it’s own. The characters are thoroughly enjoyable and completely likable. The dialogue is natural and interactions are believable. The plot is a whole lot of fun, while sprinkled with some highs and lows and the story line progressed smoothly at a perfect pace. The conflicts were resolved well in a timely manner as they arose. Predictability was virtually non-existent. The conclusion was good, but it felt cut short. The epilogue felt like a jump time jump, leaving the final conclusion a bit open ended; making you wonder about the pink or blue, a wedding, the crotchety grandparents, the heartsick sister… even still, I enjoyed the heck out of this one & would recommend the series to anyone who enjoys a bit of smart and sassy with their steamy, sexy.

About Katee Robert

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. She found romance novels at age twelve and it changed her life. When not writing sexy contemporary and speculative fiction romance novels, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her wee ones, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card

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Happy Release + Review + Giveaway: Falling For His Best Friend by Katee Robert – Out of Uniform Series – Book 2

Posted on 05/19/2015 by shellbellereads

Falling For His Best Friend

Out of Uniform Series – Book 2

By Katee Robert

Synopsis

See where it all began with book 1 of the Out of Uniform series, In Bed with Mr. Wrong.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Tracey’s Review

After learning that she has inherited a genetic trait that will make it hard to have a baby the older she gets, Avery Yeung has made the decision that she is going to be a mother. Right now. No matter that there’s no man in the picture, because once Avery makes up her mind, there’s no going back. Drew Flannery, town sheriff and Avery’s BFF since the tender age of seven, is not about to let Avery select the father of her child from an a la carte menu at some paternity clinic. Before he can stop to think about the wisdom of his decision, Drew offers himself to Avery, and life as they know it is about to get very real.

I really enjoy reading books from Entangled Brazen. They are spicy, sexy, and oh, so much fun, and this book definitely does not disappoint. Avery is a kick-butt, take no prisoners kind of lady. After finding out that both she and her sister are likely to suffer from the same health issues that took their mother from them at a very young age, Avery tends to live life to the fullest. Drew has been her partner in crime since they met as little kids, so the thought of him as something more has Avery a little flustered. Because, if this crazy idea works, then it could be the best thing ever, but if it doesn’t, then they each stand to lose their best friend.

This book was a quick read, because it was so entertaining, and just really darned sexy, but no less satisfying for the way that I sped through it. The chemistry between Avery and Drew is sizzling, and the whole ‘best friends to lovers’ history, one of my favorite tropes, just adds to it. Author Katee Robert has a way with dialogue, both between characters and in their own heads. Add in the great supporting characters, and this is a book that I would happily recommend. 4.5 sexy steamy stars for this one. Grab it, read it, love it; you will not be sorry.

About Katee Robert

Giveaway

Spread the love and enter to win the tour-wide giveaway!
1 $30 Gift card to Amazon or Barnes and Noble
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Review: Breaking Noah by Missy Johnson and Ashley Suzanne

Posted on 05/15/2015 by shellbellereads

Breaking Noah

By Missy Johnson and Ashley Suzanne

Synopsis

What happens when you start falling for your worst enemy? Fans of Abbi Glines and Monica Murphy will relish this addictive novel of smoking-hot seduction—and revenge gone so wrong, it’s right.

I wasn’t always this jaded. I had a clear head, things I wanted out of life, and a concise plan on how to get there. For being only twenty-one, I pretty much had it all figured out. Until the day my cousin died.

I spent months going over all the details surrounding her death, trying to figure out how I missed the signs, and the only thing I could come up with was she would still be alive if it wasn’t for one person: her professor. So I transferred to his college, enrolled in his class, and set my new plan in motion.

First I’ll seduce him. Then I’ll ruin him. I’ve just got to stay strong and not let his charm and my emotions get the best of me. Because someone has to pay for her death. If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to break Noah.

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Tina’s Review

Judging a Book by it’s Cover:
Seductive pose. Subtle color palate. Great use of light and shadow. The synopsis sounds ruthless, yet intriguing.
Looking Deeper:
Written in a first person POV, alternating between Zara and Noah, all clearly defined for easier comprehension.
Wow…. that’s all I can say at first. Within the first few chapters, this seems like a pretty straight-forward cut-and-dry story line. I’ve never been happier to be wrong. The synopsis does a rather good job at setting up the plot, so I’ll not go into that any further at the risk of revealing spoilers. Instead, I’ll get straight to the breakdown. Noah is an awesome lead male. Kind, caring, compassionate. Zara is fiercely loyal to her beliefs, smart, and strong. Together, they have the makings of a power couple. The magnetic pull and chemistry is continuously at war with her thoughts and beliefs making their connection all the more a force of nature. The secondary characters were an interesting blend of wonderfully supportive to love-to-hate-them. They full the full spectrum for a nice variety. The dialogue and interaction was, most of the time, believable and natural, there were a few instances that were eye-roll worthy, but then maybe that’s par for the college-age course. The plot is complex, much more so than I’d expected it to be. It is written very well and flowed quite smoothly. The conflicts are not handled well in some instances, but that lends to the plot more buildup and drama for later. The final conflict is truly fantastic and leaves the reader feeling vindicated and free of the oppressing weight that hung in the shadows. There’s virtually no predictability, in fact there were a few things that surprised me. The conclusion is fantastic. This is, by far, one of the better New Adult / College sub-genre books that I’ve read this year.

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Author Bios:

Missy lives in a small town in Central Victoria with her husband, and her confused pets (a dog who think she’s a cat, a cat who thinks he’s a dog…you get the picture).

When she’s not writing, she can usually be found looking for something to read.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Ashley Suzanne has been writing as long as she can remember. As a youngster, she was always creating stories and talking to her imaginary friends. Thankfully, her parents also carried this love of fiction, and helped her grow into the writer she is today.

Ashley is a bestselling author and spends equal amounts of time writing and reading. Being the true book whore she is, Ashley would rather dive into a good book before going out of her house. Giving up her career in Real Estate, Ashley has officially moved to hermit status.

When Ashley isn’t coming up with her next story, you’ll most likely find her on the couch with a kindle in her hand (probably watching some crappy reality show while , annoying her husband by telling him all about her new book boyfriend or spending quality time with her two gremlins … Sorry, I mean adorable children.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Happy Release + Review: Getting Lucky Number Seven by Cindi Madsen

Posted on 04/28/2015 by shellbellereads

Getting Lucky Number Seven

By Cindi Madsen

Synopsis

What’s your lucky number?

Lyla Wilder is done being the shy, chemistry nerd extraordinaire. While every other college student is out having fun, Lyla is studying. With her cat. Well, she’s played it “safe” quite enough, thank you. So she creates a “College Bucket List”?with item #7 being a night of uninhibited, mind-blowing sex…

But she needs some help from her man-whore best friend.

Hockey player Beck Davenport thought Lyla’s transformation would be subtle. Man, was he wrong. With every item she ticks off, Beck finds himself growing seriously hot for his sweet, brainiac best friend. And if he’s not careful, he’ll end up risking their friendship in order to convince Lyla that he might just be her lucky #7…

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Tina’s Review

Judging a Book by it’s Cover:
The cover design is a nice monochromatic red/brown. Subtle and appealing. Add just a few touches of black to the font and it takes on an almost classic, old-school Hollywood vibe. The synopsis sounds like yet another college friends-to-lovers story with plenty of drama and fun antics.
Looking Deeper:
First thought: Similar plot to “She’s All That” (1999, Freddie Prinze Jr, Rachel Leigh Cook) Alternating first-person POV’s, clearly defined and easy to follow.
Short and extremely curvaceous, Lyla was taught easy on to hide her curves under layers of boho chic clothing. Studious and nerdy, she’s socially awkward. When the buddy of her roommate’s boyfriend is overheard referring to her as “fugly and boring”, she makes it a point to makes some changes – not for him, but for her. Recruiting the help of her hockey-jock and chem lab partner, Beck, is just the icing on the cake.
The lead characters are easily likable. The secondary characters add a nice filling layer. The dialogue and interaction is believable and natural. The plot has it’s moments of fun, seriousness, and emotional ups and downs all while reading with a smoothness that’s rare to find. There were enough conflicts and challenges to keep things interesting and enough humor to balance the more serious issues. There was not a whole lot of predictability, but I did feel that the conclusion was left a bit rushed and open-ended. This does not mean that there were cliffhangers, but I think it could have benefited from an Epilogue 6, 12 or even further into the future. Overall, it was a fun read, lighter on the angst, heavier on comedic drama.

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Cindi Madsen is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

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

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Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Dear Juliet by Trudy Stiles- Forever Family Series – Book 3

Posted on 04/20/2015 by shellbellereads

NOW AVAILABLE

Along with Trudy Stiles, we are very excited to share with you the Release of “Dear Juliet”, the 3rd book in The Forever Family Series! Don’t miss the special Release Price of ONLY $.99 (2 days only)!

Make sure to check out the Book Trailer, add this series to your Goodreads, enter the Giveaway below and join the Facebook Release Party Event for more fun and giveaways!

Dear Juliet by Trudy Stiles

Book #3 in the Forever Family Series

Release price $.99 for TWO days only

Robin’s Review

Alcoholism. Teen pregnancy. Child abuse. Rape. Adoption. Anxiety. Depression. Each of these are social problems or mental health issues that are relevant in contemporary society. These are just some of the topics Trudy Stiles explores in her new adult Forever Family series, but you should also know she writes stories of redemption, family, and love.

Dear Emily was the debut novel for Trudy Stiles. We meet Carly and Kyle in Dear Emily, a couple who desperately want to adopt a child. It’s a story of hope and love for an unborn baby girl named Emily, but this novel is also about a woman named Tabitha who has a background of abuse and finds herself pregnant and scared.

Dear Tabitha is a second-chance romance focusing on Tabitha and Alex, and how the two of them create their own family. It’s an incredibly sweet story of redemption for both characters, and a powerful story of healing, love and family.

Dear Juliet is the final novel of the Forever Family series. It centers on characters Juliet Oliver and Seth Tyson, two friends who started corresponding as pen pals in the fourth grade. Stiles alternates back and forth between each of their points of view, so we are able to read how their friendship evolves over the course of twenty years.

Juliet was adopted by a wonderful couple. She’s been surrounded by love her entire life, but Juliet struggles with knowing she was unwanted by her 16-year-old birth mother. Juliet knows her parents have a letter that was written to her from her birth mother, but she fears what the letter will say. Juliet believes she was a mistake and unwanted, which leads to her becoming emotionally unavailable. She has perfect parents who love her more than anything, but the unread words of her birth mother’s letter hold an incredible amount of power over her.

Seth comes from a wealthy family. It was much better for Seth and his siblings when they were young children, but as the years have passed by, their parents have drifted apart. His father is always gone, and when he does come home, his parents fight. His mother is a heavy drinker. Seth doesn’t feel loved by his parents, and he deals with self-hate for not being able to bring normalcy to his family.

Dear Juliet should not be read as a standalone novel. Stiles ties the Forever Family series together through her characters and their story arcs. A good example of why these novels should be read in order is Seth. His character is introduced in Dear Emily, and he plays an important role in the first two novels of the series. But you should also know that most of Seth’s story in Dear Juliet is new material.

Dear Juliet is about lifelong friendship. Healing. Redemption. It’s a story about best friends who become lovers. It’s an emotional story. There were times the story was very sad, and I really struggled with what Seth and Juliet were experiencing. Please follow these characters through the years, and I promise you will be rewarded. I finished this novel with a huge smile on my face! My rating for Dear Juliet jumped from 4 to 4.5 stars during the last third of the book, and I applaud Trudy Stiles for a very strong ending!

Dear Emily – Book #1 in the Forever Family Series

This book is not suitable for young readers. It is intended for mature adults only (18+). It contains strong language, adult/sexual situations, non-consensual sex and some violence.

Dear Tabitha – Book #2 in the Forever Family Series

The Epic Fail series will begin this summer (2015)

This is a spinoff of the bestselling Forever Family series. These will all be standalone novels focusing on the various characters from the band Epic Fail that were introduced in Dear Emily.

Book 1 – expected Summer 2015

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25359937-epic-fail-book-1
Book 2 – expected Winter 2015

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25359945-epic-fail-book-2
Book 3 – expected Spring 2016

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25359957-epic-fail-book-3

Trudy Stiles is a New Adult author, mom to two beautiful children, and married to the love of her life. She is the author of the Forever Family series including “Dear Emily” and “Dear Tabitha”. There will be many more stories from this series and you never know who may have a standalone or novella written for them. Stay tuned!

Trudy is a music junkie and you’ll know that she’s writing when you see her plugged into her laptop with her earbuds in. Her playlist is unique and is a must for her writing sprints.

When she’s not writing, she’s carting her children to their various activities while avoiding any kind of laundry or housework. She also loves to run along the boardwalk of the beautiful New Jersey shore.

She’s always been an avid reader and frequently escapes into the fictional worlds of the many characters that she has come to love. Well, now there are some fictional characters in her head dying to get out!

Her first story “Dear Emily” was released in December 2013. “Dear Tabitha” was released in March 2014. The Forever Family series will continue with several companion/stand alone novels.

Email: authortrudystiles@gmail.com

Website: http://trudystiles.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortrudystiles

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/trudy_stiles

Twitter: @trudystiles

Instagram: https://instagram.com/trudystiles/

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Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Tag Archives: 4.5 Star Review

Summer Reads: Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley

Review + Excerpt : Evanensce by Cassia Brightmore – The Darkness Series – Book 2

Release Tour + Review : Salvation by Ahren Sanders

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Blog Tour + Review: Deep Down by Brenda Rather

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Falling For His Best Friend by Katee Robert

Happy Release + Review + Giveaway: Falling For His Best Friend by Katee Robert – Out of Uniform Series – Book 2

Review: Breaking Noah by Missy Johnson and Ashley Suzanne

Happy Release + Review: Getting Lucky Number Seven by Cindi Madsen

Review: Marrow by Tarryn Fisher

Release Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Dear Juliet by Trudy Stiles- Forever Family Series – Book 3

Along with Trudy Stiles, we are very excited to share with you the Release of “Dear Juliet”, the 3rd book in The Forever Family Series! Don’t miss the special Release Price of ONLY $.99 (2 days only)!

Make sure to check out the Book Trailer, add this series to your Goodreads, enter the Giveaway below and join the Facebook Release Party Event for more fun and giveaways!

This book is not suitable for young readers. It is intended for mature adults only (18+). It contains strong language, adult/sexual situations, non-consensual sex and some violence.

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Along with Trudy Stiles, we are very excited to share with you the Release of “Dear Juliet”, the 3rd book in The Forever Family Series! Don’t miss the special Release Price of ONLY $.99 (2 days only)!

Make sure to check out the Book Trailer, add this series to your Goodreads, enter the Giveaway below and join the Facebook Release Party Event for more fun and giveaways!

This book is not suitable for young readers. It is intended for mature adults only (18+). It contains strong language, adult/sexual situations, non-consensual sex and some violence.

Share this:

**AMAZON * B&N * KOBO**