Review: Unstoppable by Melody Grace- The Callahans Series- Book 3

Posted on 09/19/2014 by shellbellereads

Unstoppable

The Callahans- Book 3

By Melody Grace

Synopsis

“My daddy always told me you could never run out of second chances…”

Tegan Callahan has sworn off bad boys for good. Growing up on tour with her rock star brother, she knows first-hand the damage they can do. She’s looking for a nice, safe, stable guy – until a chance encounter with a devastatingly sexy stranger makes her question everything she thought she wanted.

A troubled soul…

Ryland James arrives in Beachwood Bay on the run from his mistakes. He knows he’s the last thing Tegan needs, but somehow, he can’t stay away. There’s something about her fierce beauty that draws him in – and makes him vow to protect her, whatever the cost.

A passionate destiny…

Their bond is undeniable; the stakes, higher than ever. But the past won’t stay gone forever, and soon, Ryland must make the ultimate choice: will he risk everything he treasures in the world, or keep Tegan safe – and sacrifice her love forever?

*This book contains adult situations and explicit content. 17+*

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tracey’s Review

Tegan Callahan is doing her best to come back from a year of heartbreak, a year of losing herself. Ryland James is ready to put his past behind him, to make a life that is permanent and real. Neither one would guess that a chance meeting in Las Vegas would bring them both everything that they’re looking for.

Melody Grace has a gift for writing characters that are complicated, that have pasts that are not perfect nor pretty. She is also gifted at crafting a story that shows the strength that is born out of such pain, and bringing imperfect people together to create a perfect whole. Her Beachwood Bay series has become one of my absolute favorites ever. The characters feel like old friends, and the sense of community draws me more deeply in each time I read about this lovely little town in coastal North Carolina. UNSTOPPABLE is the fifth book in this series, and is Tegan’s and Ryland’s story. I fell in love with Ryland from the moment he approached Tegan. He knows exactly what he wants, and he takes it, and Tegan, for all of her brokenness, gives back as good as she gets. Two people that have dealt with loss and pain, they smooth away the rough edges in each other, and allow real healing and growth to occur.

I feel like each installment in this series just gets better, and UNSTOPPABLE is no exception. I was hooked from the opening scene, and could not put it down. Watching the relationship between Tegan and Ryland unfold was both heartbreaking and uplifting, as well as, oh, my goodness, sexy as all getout. The heat between the two

of them is absolutely palpable, and had me fanning myself more than once. And getting to revisit and learn more about Brit, Hunter, Blake, and Zoey made the story even more real and rich. As with the rest of the Beachwood Bay books, I cannot recommend UNSTOPPABLE enough, and cannot wait to read UNWRITTEN, Zoey’s and Blake’s story.

Author Bio:

Melody Grace is a small-town girl turned SoCal beach lover. After spending her life with her nose in a book, she decided it was time she wrote one herself. She loves steamy romance novels, happily-ever-afters, and lusting after fictional menfolk.

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Review: One More Chance by Abbi Glines- Rosemary Beach Series- Chance #2

Posted on 09/18/2014 by shellbellereads

One More Chance

Rosemary Beach Series

Chance #2

By Abbi Glines

Synopsis

Grant Carter did everything in his power to convince Harlow Manning that he was a good guy. More than a smooth-talker and someone she could trust. He had to overcome his reputation as a playboy, and his history with Harlow’s half-sister, Nan, a woman with a reputation of her own.

Harlow had taken the chance, falling hard and fast for the guy who thrilled her with his all-consuming desire. After a lifetime of avoiding bad boys like Grant, she had opened herself to the possibilities of love…

But a life-changing secret has torn them apart, and now Grant and Harlow must decide if they have enough fight to make it work – or if the pain of betrayal has permanently destroyed their future.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

The Rosemary Beach gang is back in Abbi Glines latest release of One More Chance. It is the sequel to Take A Chance and features Grant Carter and Harlow Manning.

Readers were left with a cliffhanger in Take A Chance. Grant and Harlow had finally come together and developed a heated relationship. Grant’s insecurities and fears about death and losing someone he loves destroyed their relationship and drove Harlow away. We were left with this couple separated and very little chance of reconciliation. Readers were devastated and left wanting this couple to resolve their issues.

One More Chance is the perfect title for the sequel of Take A Chance. The book opens with Grant groveling through phone messages. Harlow has disappeared from Rosemary Beach and Grant wants to make amends and fix his mistakes.

Harlow had to escape Rosemary Beach and the paparazzi. It is no longer a secret that she is rocker Kiro Manning’s daughter. She is heartbroken. She also has a secret that Grant will never accept. She is pregnant. With her heart condition this pregnancy could kill her. She is afraid to tell Grant because of his fears. She knows he will not want her to have this baby. She is determined to give this baby life, even at the cost of her own.

Surprisingly Grant grew the backbone and strength he needed to support Harlow. Although he did not want her to have this baby, he overcame his fears and came to terms with fatherhood. The care and devotion he gave Harlow was breathtaking. He became the man that readers wanted him to be.

Harlow and Grant’s new life together is not easy. They are having to deal with Harlow’s health issues, her pregnancy, blending their lives together, the paparazzi, Kiro Manning and his issues, and the people from Rosemary Beach. This couple pulls together and shows the readers how amazing their love for one another is. They are ready to show their baby the love they have built together. They are going to be the perfect family. That is if Harlow survives.

Grant and Harlow are facing the hardest challenge two lovers will ever face. They are both strong people and have built a very strong foundation.

I absolutely loved the conclusion to Grant and Harlow’s story. Through the phone messages and letters, Abbi Glines delivered a story that will engage all of your emotions. Not only did we see a beautiful romance grow into a strong lifetime love. We witnessed the growth of these two characters as individuals as well as a couple. Through their phone messages and letters we got to get inside their hearts.

I loved that we got to see the strength and support from the gang in Rosemary Beach. Even Nan gave us some big surprises. New characters were introduced into their world. We also got a little build up of what is to come next in the Rosemary Beach series.

I absolutely love the Rosemary Beach series and cannot wait for more. Tripp and Bethy are going to steal our hearts just like their friends have.

I highly recommend One More Chance and the Rosemary Beach Series by Abbi Glines.

Author Bio:

Since publishing her first novel Breathe in May of 2011, Abbi has also released The New York Times bestselling Seabreeze Series which includes Breathe, Because of Low, While It Lasts, Just For Now and Sometimes It Last, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless. New York Times and USA TODAY bestsellers The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers. Last but not least her most popular series to date, Rosemary Beach which includes The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Twisted Perfection and Simple Perfection. Her newest book scheduled to be released on December 17th, 2013 is Misbehaving (Seabreeze).

When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: The Exception by Adriana Locke

Posted on 09/18/2014 by shellbellereads

The Exception

Release Date: September 18, 2014

By Adriana Locke

Synopsis:

They say there is an exception to every rule…

Jada Stanley is starting over, refusing to repeat her past mistakes. Everything is going great until she meets Cane Alexander. He is gorgeous, cocky, and everything she needs to avoid.

Cane lives within a set of carefully constructed guidelines to ensure his life remains uncomplicated. When he sets his eyes on Jada, all of his rules are called into question.

As their worlds become intertwined, they find it impossible to stay away from each other. Will they be able to maintain the rules they’ve created to protect their hearts? Or will they make an exception?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt:

Cane shook his head, apparently to rid himself of whatever he was thinking. His eyebrows raised, he turned towards me. “So you will have lunch with him and not me? What am I missing here?”

“It’s business. Pretty simple, I think.” I peered out the door, watching Simon’s black Avalanche pull out of the parking lot.

“I can pretend it’s about business, if that’s what you want.”

“Cane,” I warned, turning my head to look at him.

“Lunch with him will not be about business. When I walked in here, that was not about business.”

“Whether it was or it wasn’t is no business of yours.”

Cane blew out a breath, his forehead marred in frustration. “Do you know Simon Powers? Have you dealt with him before?”

“No, I just met him today. Why?”

He looked relieved. “It doesn’t matter. Look, if he needs to see this property again, I want you to call me first, okay?”

“All right. I won’t bring him here without calling you first.”

“I’m going to give you my phone number. If he wants to see this property or becomes a pain in your ass, I want you to call me. Don’t put up with any shit from him and don’t bring him here unless you actually speak to me. Do you understand?”

“You’re making me nervous. What’s going on?”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about,” he said calmly, trying to dissipate the mood he just created. “I just don’t like that guy. I don’t trust him.”

“Whatever you say.”

“I like it when you just do what I say.” His eyes darkened.

“Noted. I have to go, Cane.”

“What’s your phone number?” He placed his hand on the small of my back. I stilled at his touch. A jolt of energy darted through my body, landing at the apex of my thighs. I closed my eyes and just felt for a minute.

“You can get my number from Max,” I said breathily, throwing his words from the night at the restaurant back at him.

Cane spun me around quickly, my back pressed against the wall. He leaned in, his face almost touching mine. I willed myself not to moan, to not give him any inclination that my willpower was melting away.

“Oh, Jada,” he whispered, the warmth of his breath only adding to the riot inside me. “Why do you fight this so hard?”

“Cane …” I tried to formulate a response but words were not accessible.

He smirked, knowing what he was doing to me. “Yes?”

“I … I need to go.”

“You need to. But do you want to?” He searched my eyes with his own. “I know what you want and what you need, baby. Why won’t you trust me?”

My eyes widened, my pulse pounding. He was so close and I wanted more than anything to reach out and pull him up against me.

But I can’t.

He smiled before leaning in, his lips grazing my ear as he whispered, “Why do you fight this? Just give me one night to get you out of my system.”

I turned my head to respond, to explain that was exactly what he wasn’t getting, and our eyes locked. The air between us, so hot and rife with energy, boiled over.

He captured my lips with his own, tentatively at first. I resisted for a split second before succumbing to his charge. His lips moved over mine, a soft juxtaposition to his hard exterior. The heat of the exchange, of him finally touching me, melted me from the inside out.

I opened my mouth, giving him entry, and he took it without hesitation. He explored my mouth with his own lazily, the softness of his tongue making my knees buckle.

I tried to focus, tried to commit everything to memory, because it would only happen once. That would be the first and last time I allowed my defenses to be obliterated by Cane Alexander.

The sound of blood roaring past my ears and the feel of his body, hot and hard against me, made it impossible to concentrate on anything for long. I hesitantly placed my hands on his back, feeling his muscles ripple beneath them.

The sensations were overwhelming and I was on the cusp of bursting at the seams.

Cane pulled back slowly and kissed me lightly on the lips, before retreating far enough away to look into my eyes. There were a hundred emotions playing across his gorgeous face, his eyes a dozen colors of blue.

I looked away, trying to catch my breath. I wasn’t able to figure out my own emotions—I had no business trying to figure out his.

“One night.” He lifted my chin so that my eyes met his. His tongue flicked across his lips.

He only wants one night …

My wits were scattered across the room and I gathered as many of them as I could before responding, “I need to go.”

A look flashed across his face that I couldn’t read. He raised his eyebrows. “That’s all you’re going to say?”

“I don’t know what else you want me to say.” I sidestepped him and made my way to the door. I looked over my shoulder one last time and he changed before my eyes.

The confused, vulnerable look gave way to an impassive, cool veneer. He sat his hands on top of his head and turned away, heading towards the office.

Seeing everything I needed to see, more than enough to convince myself I was doing the right thing, I pushed through the door and didn’t look back.

Tracey’s Review

Jada Stanley is back home in Arizona, having left behind a bad marriage and years of unhappiness. She’s come back to heal and to figure out what life is going to look like from now on. Cane Alexander is your typical hot alpha male, completely satisfied with his life rules, one of the most important of which is that he doesn’t do permanent, no exceptions.

Cane is deliciously full of himself. He knows what he wants, and it’s seldom that he doesn’t get it. Even though he comes across as a real piece of work, it’s hard not like him, because, well, the bad boys are just hotter. He is a bit of a a puzzle, though, and learning more about him during the course of the story just makes him that much more loveable. Jada has always had a thing for the guys that she shouldn’t; her ex, Decker, had shown her that. She is determined to make a new life for herself, and is absolutely not looking to hook up with Cane, who has ‘trouble’ written all over him.

I really enjoyed ‘The Exception.’ Adriana Locke is new to the romance scene, and she has done a really nice job of weaving together multiple storylines, giving readers not only hot and sexy romance, but mystery and intrigue, along with a story of healing and redemption. Once I started reading, I had to keep going just to find out how the action would play out, and the subplot had me on the edge of my seat, anxious to see how it would be resolved. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters, especially Kari and Max. They added so much personality to the story, and I really hope that she will do a follow-up story for them. I look forward to reading more from Adriana, and would happily read and recommend her books.

Author Bio:

Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own. The Exception is Adriana’s debut novel and will be released on September 18th.

Adriana lives in the Midwest with her family. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. Her favorite things include sunshine, candy, and random quotes. Please contact Adriana at http://www.adrianalocke.com. She loves to hear from readers.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Giveaway:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1eeafd78188/

Cover Reveal: Chasing The Tide by A. Meredith Walters

Posted on 09/18/2014 by shellbellereads

RELEASE DATE: DECEMBER 16 2014

***The
powerful continuation of the story that began in Reclaiming the Sand- a tale of
love and forgiveness and learning to over come a past that has come to define
you.***

Bully and
Victim

Friend
and Lover

Past and
Future

Ellie
McCallum and Flynn Hendrick’s story was as painful as it was devastating. But they were able to find within each other
an unlikely yet beautiful love. Despite the obstacles that tried to keep them
apart.

And
together they rose out of the ashes of their tragic history.

Now years
after their life changing reunion Ellie is back in Wellston, having just
graduated from college and ready to start her future with the man who taught
her how to love. However, returning to a town that held so much bitterness and
anger was the last place she wanted to start over.

But for
Flynn, who is now an art professor at the community college and firmly rooted
in the place that gave them their beginning, she’d do just about anything.

Yet it’s
difficult building a life when you’ve only just learned how to live.

And love, no matter how strong, doesn’t always
conquer all.

Ellie and Flynn must learn how far they are
willing to go to stay together. Or whether the ghosts of the past will consume
them both.

Because
finding a happily ever after is harder than it seems. Particularly when you’re
fighting against the one thing that could destroy you.

Yourself.

From the
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of Find You in the Dark and Bad
Rep comes a story of forgiveness, redemption and finding love in the most
unlikely of places.

*THIS IS
A STANDALONE WITH NO CLIFFHANGER!*

Bully and
victim.

Tormenter
and tormented.

Villain
and hero.

Ellie
McCallum was a bully. No connection to anyone or anything. A sad and lonely
existence for a young woman who had come to expect nothing more for herself.
Her only happiness coming from making others miserable.

Particularly
Freaky Flynn.

Flynn
Hendrick lived a life completely disconnected even as he struggled to become
something more than that boy with Asperger’s. He was taunted and teased,
bearing the brunt of systematic and calculated cruelty, ultimately culminating
in a catastrophic turn of events that brought Ellie and Flynn’s worlds crashing
down.

But then
Flynn and Ellie grew up.

And moved
on.

Until
years later when their paths unexpectedly cross again and the bully and the
freak are face to face once more.

When
labels come to define you, finding yourself feels impossible. Particularly for
two people disconnected from the world who inexplicably find a connection in
each other.

And out
of the wreckage of their tragic beginnings, an unlikely love story unfolds.

But a
painful past doesn’t always want to let go. And old wounds are never truly
healed…and sometimes the further you try to run from yourself the closer you
come to who you really are.

AMAZON

B&N

The New
York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary and Paranormal
romance including The Find You in the Dark and Bad Rep series as well as the
upcoming stand alone romance, Reclaiming the Sand, and a dark new adult series
for Gallery Books.

A.
Meredith spent ten years as a counselor for at risk teens and children. First
working at a Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault program and then later a program
for children with severe emotional and mental health issues. Her former clients
and their stories continue to influence every aspect of her writing.

When not
writing (or being tortured with all manner of beauty products at the hand of
her very imaginative and extremely girly daughter), she is eating chocolate,
watching reality television that could rot your brain and reading a smutty
novel or two.

A.
Meredith is represented by Michelle Johnson with the Inklings Literary Agency.

Yourself.

ARC Review: What If by Rebecca Donovan

Posted on 09/17/2014 by shellbellereads

What If

Genre: YA / New Adult

By Rebecca Donovan

Synopsis

A new novel by the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Breathing Series . . .

What if you had a second chance to meet someone for the first time?

Cal Logan is shocked to see Nicole Bentley sitting across from him at a coffee shop thousands of miles from their hometown. After all, no one has seen or heard from her since they graduated over a year ago.

Except this girl isn’t Nicole.

She looks exactly like Cal’s shy childhood crush, but her name is Nyelle Preston and she has no idea who he is. This girl is impulsive and daring, her passion for life infectious. The complete opposite of Nicole. Cal finds himself utterly fascinated-and falling hard. But Nyelle is also extremely secretive. And the closer he comes to finding out what she’s hiding, the less he wants to know.

When the secrets from the past and present collide, one thing becomes clear: Nothing is what it seems.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Michel’s Review

What If by Rebecca Donovan is one of those books that leaves the reader with lasting impressions and thoughts. It was meticulously written with a unique style. The story is told through multiple POV. It is a story of childhood friendships that leave a lasting impression on the main characters as they leave childhood behind and become adults. Their connections throughout the story are memorable and the reader begins to understand how these connections mold the story into what it is.

We have all had those “What If” moments in our lives. We have questioned our actions and reactions to moments in life that have impacted our future. What If is the story of three girls and one boy that have a powerful friendship in their childhood years. As they begin to become young adults their lives start to take different directions. Their friendships start to drift into more of acquaintances. But below the surface those deep bonds of friendship will be with them throughout their lives.

One friend, Richelle has abruptly moved away and lost complete touch with the other three. Nicole has moved on to the popular crowd and left her old friends behind. Cal and Rae have managed to remain close.

A year after high school is where the story begins. Nicole has left to go to an Ivy League school. No one has heard a word from her since she left. She has dropped all communication with new and old friends.

Cal wonders what has happened. Rae could care less because she has anger issues towards Nicole for betraying their friendship.

A year later Cal comes face to face with a girl that is Nicole. But is that girl really Nicole? Her name is Nyelle and she is nothing like Nicole at all. Nyelle is a free spirit and spur of the moment kind of girl.

Thus begins the mystery of who Nyelle really is. Cal is determined to find the Nicole he once knew because she is his “What If” girl. As the story unfolds the reader gets more insight to what really happened. As Nyelle begins to lose her façade and Nicole begins to resurface, Cal is there to help her remember exactly who she is. Cal will take Nyelle as Nicole or Nyelle. He will take her anyway he can. He wants her back in his life. But as the story unfolds there will be revelations that will affect all the friends and their perceptions of what they thought they knew about life.

I found this was a lovely novel about the bonds of friendship. The evolution from childhood to adulthood. But I also found at times I was having a hard time keeping up with the multiple POV’s and multiple relationships each character had with the other characters. I also felt when the final “aha” moment was revealed I had a hard time buying it. I felt like Nyelle bordered on being insane. I felt like Cal sold himself short. I felt Rae seemed a bit insignificant in the whole scheme of things.

I am not sure if this book is YA or New Adult. It felt more like a YA book. While as a mature adult and seasoned reader I found the book somewhat unbelievable. My sense of reasoning just could not grasp it. But then I took a step back and thought about my teenage daughter and how her relationships are with her friends. I observed that she could grasp all the multiple POV’s and multiple relationships with great ease. I also could see how young people can walk away with a different perception of a situation than a mature adult would. Their perceptions of the world are new, fresh, jaded at times because of all the social media, and quite different because of our information type of society. Their coping mechanisms are different than the coping mechanisms we adults have had in our younger lives. With that being said I think Rebecca Donovan created a story that this audience will grasp and love.

I would highly recommend this book.

Author Bio:

Rebecca Donovan is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the highly-acclaimed New Adult trilogy, The Breathing Series. Her novels include: Reason to Breathe, Barely Breathing, and the eagerly-anticipated conclusion of the series, Out of Breath.

Rebecca is a graduate of the University of Missouri -Columbia and lives in a quiet town in Massachusetts with her son. Excited by all that makes life possible, she is a music enthusiast and is willing to try just about anything once.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: The Certainty of Violet & Luke- The Coincidence Series- Book 5

Posted on 09/16/2014 by shellbellereads

The Certainty of Violet & Luke

The Coincidence Series – Book 5

Book 3 of Violet & Luke saga

By Jessica Sorensen

Synopsis

Violet Hayes’s life is a mess. Between her stalker, Preston, refusing to leave her alone, her parents’ case still being unsolved, and falling behind in school, she always feels on the verge of losing it. When some unexpected news comes her way, it’s the final straw and she ends up doing something that almost costs her life. Thankfully, she survives and makes a promise to herself to put her life back together and to try and figure out exactly how she feels about Luke Price, the one person that’s always there for her.

But as a recovering alcoholic and gambler, Luke has his own struggles to overcome. He’s also fallen in love with Violet, but fears telling her the truth, that it will scare her away or worse, she won’t reciprocate the feeling. Plus, there never seems to be a right time to say it, either the case, Preston, or life getting in the way.

Can the two of them ever get enough peace in their lives to conquer their fears and finally tell each other the truth about how they feel?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt

“I do trust you. Too much,” I whisper, shutting my eyes. “You could crush my heart if you wanted to.” The silence that follows is maddening.

Did I just say that out loud?

One…

Two…

Three…

Time feels endless as I wait for what comes next. I hear him shift on the seat, feeling him scoot closer

“Violet, open your eyes.” His breath dusts my cheeks.

I swiftly shake my head, smashing my lips together. “I can’t.” But I find myself opening my eyes anyway and he’s so close, only inches away from me.

“I would never ever hurt you,” he promises, his hand gently cupping the back of my neck, fingers spreading across my skin. His touch sends a shot of tingles across my flesh and causes me to shiver as he guides me toward his lips. But I’m already leaning in, an invisible current pulling me toward him, like two magnets about to collide.

When we do crash into one another, it’s dangerously intoxicating, steals the air from my lungs, and sends my heart slamming in my chest. I’m already falling again to that place where I feel helpless yet safe. Emotions press their way to the surface, this time too strong to ignore. It hits me like lightning, an electric current surging through my body, overwhelming heat that both brings me alive and kills me at the same time.

I think it’s then that I know what I’m feeling. The thing I’ve been trying to avoid for days now, and I’m both terrified out of my mind yet alarmingly at peace.

The Coincidence Series Reading Order

1. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / ITunes

2. The Redemption of Callie and Kayden

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

3. The Destiny of Violet & Luke

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

4. The Probability of Violet & Luke

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

5. The Certainty of Violet & Luke

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

6. The Resolution of Callie and Kayden

Pre-Order- Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

7. Unbeautiful

Pre- Order – Amazon

8. Seth and Greyson

Pre-Order – Amazon

Michel’s Review

The Destiny of Violet & Luke

The Destiny of Violet & Luke is the first installment in Violet Hayes and Luke Price’s story. It can be read without reading the first two books in The Coincidence series. The previous books feature Callie and Kayden. There will be three books in the story of Violet and Luke.

The Destiny of Violet & Luke introduces the reader’s to the characters. We get a glimpse of their horrific childhoods, the scars the childhood left in their souls, and a full understanding of their destructive behaviors. Both came from completely different backgrounds with their own personal hells. Both have adopted destructive behaviors as coping mechanisms to get them through the pain and memories of the past. These destructive behaviors are escalating to the point of pure destruction. They are taking over what little control they have in their lives. They are the path that could very well lead to death. But destiny may have something different in mind for these two besides pain and death. Destiny may tie them together by one horrific night but it has also lead to find one another to ease their pain.

Luke Price has suffered an abusive childhood at the hands of his insane, drug addicted mother. His mother has abused him and his sister. The abuse eventually led to the suicide of his older sister and for Luke to turn to destructive ways to cope. He is closed off and has never shared his abusive past. His best friend Kayden has no idea of the horrors he has been subjected to. For Luke, fighting, gambling, alcohol, and women are his coping mechanisms. He is known as the elusive party jock on campus.

Violet Hayes witnessed her parents murder when she was five years old. The murders were never found. She has been shifted from one foster home to another. She has been rejected, abused, and neglected throughout her life. Her coping mechanism is danger and the adrenaline it brings. She is constantly flirting with death. She is closed off, extremely bitchy, and appears to be the campus slut. She is dealing drugs for her foster father. She is getting closer to the edge.

One fateful night brings Violet to Luke’s attention. She is jumping out of a window and literally lands on top of him. His sister committed suicide by jumping out a window. For some reason he wants to know why Violet, Callie’s dorm roommate, would be doing this. As he gets to know Violet and destiny throws them together several times, he realizes that he may have met a kindred spirit.

As the two get to know one another they find that they both need a place to stay for the summer. Neither can go home to their crappy families. They end up becoming roommates with Luke’s gay friends, Seth and Greyson. This odd group finds a way to not only live together but become friends that have each other’s backs.

The Destiny of Violet and Luke ends on a cliffhanger. Both are heading towards the worst kind of destructive that they will not be able to turn back from.

The Destiny of Violet & Luke gave a great introduction to this mysterious set of characters. Not only did we get to know these two troubled people, we also got to meet their friends (their books will be coming soon). This series has a great cast of characters that have their own personal demons to conquer. They come from different walks of life, have different responses to life in general, and capture the readers attention.

I highly recommend the The Coincidence Series by Jessica Sorensen.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

The Probability of Violet & Luke

Destiny has thrown Luke and Violet together once again. After Violet and Luke made the connection that his mother was involved in the murder of her parents, they went their separate ways. Violet couldn’t handle the pain and returned to her drug dealing foster father. It was the ultimate mistake and she realizes that she may have acted too compulsively. Her foster father wants more from her than dealing drugs for him. He is forcing her to do sexual things in order to keep a roof over her head. His abuse has also become violent. He manipulates Violet’s fear of being alone and fear of rejection. It reaches a point where Violet knows she has made a horrible mistake leaving Luke and returning home. She misses Luke fiercely. He had a way of making her feel safe, wanted, and understood. She was beginning to share her past and look to the future with Luke.

Luke was devastated when Violet left. He became very reckless with his drinking and gambling. He is pushing his own hard limits. When his gambling gets him into deep trouble, Violet is there to witness it. She is determined to help him out of his mess. They go to Vegas to see Luke’s card shark Uncle to get the money Luke owes. But trouble seems to follow them wherever they go. They are learning their past coping mechanisms are no longer working.

When the Vegas trip turns into a complete disaster, Luke has no other choice but to call his father. The man he hates because he deserted him and left him with his mother. The man he will have to learn to trust in order to survive his mistakes.

While Luke is coming to terms with his gambling, drinking, and father, Violet’s troubles are escalating. Her parents murder case is back in the media, she is being threatened by an unknown stalker that was involved in her parents murder, and her coping mechanisms are no longer working.

Violet and Luke have finally established a real relationship. They have learned that they need each other in a way they never thought was possible. They are connected to each other by choice as well as destiny.

Can they survive the storm ahead?

This installment to Violet and Luke’s story reveals some of the mystery behind Violet’s parents murder. It also opens Luke’s eyes to the destructive path his life has been on. He wants to become a better person for Violet. He wants to be the one who is strong and there for her no matter what. He has realized that he is in love with her and wants her happiness no matter what. It is an intense story that shows how these two damaged people can find solace in each other. They can find their inner peace together. They can look at past relationships and mistakes in a whole new light.

I highly recommend the Coincidence series. You must read The Destiny of Violet and Luke before reading The Probability of Violet & Luke. Their story is dark and powerful. They have led a very stormy existence and survived. Now they have to reach for the rainbow.

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The Certainty of Violet & Luke

Wow! The conclusion of Violet and Luke’s story has finally released. The Certainty of Violet & Luke finally brought the peace and closure both of them needed in their lives. It gave them an understanding of why their destructive behaviors where not the answer and why they would no longer work. This book made them realize they needed something more than their relationship as it was. They needed to learn to reach out and trust other people. They needed to understand the importance of having any kind of relationship whether it be a romantic relationship, a friendship, a family relationship, or an outside relationship dealing with their lives. Most of all they needed to recognize that only they could fix their own problems. They had to take the helping hands that were offered. They had to open themselves up to others. Once they did that, their own relationship would grow by leaps and bounds. They would have the love and security they always needed.

The Certainty of Violet & Luke was a powerful book about healing, closure, letting go of the past, and moving forward in life with a positive outlook. It was their destiny to be together and find the love they needed.

I highly recommend The Coincidence Series. The Destiny of Violet and Luke and The Probability of Violet and Luke must be read before reading The Certainty of Violet Luke.

Violet and Luke were strong characters that captured the readers attention. The other characters in this series are just as captivating as Violet and Luke. Each of these characters is being featured in this series. I am looking forward to seeing their stories come to life.

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The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

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Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Bad Son Rising by Julie A. Richman

Posted on 09/15/2014 by shellbellereads

Bad Son Rising

The Needing More Series- Book 4

By Julie A. Richman

Blurb:

People think I’m a douche.

And maybe I am.

I use most people.

It’s what I know.

But if I love you,

I’d die for you.

I just don’t know that I’m worth loving.

Handsome, privileged bad boy Zac Moore has always played by his own rules – at school, in business, with women. He’s rewritten the rules to suit his own needs and his needs are all that matter.

Serious and focused family friend Liliana Castillo has one goal. Leave the pre-Med program at Yale to help people in developing nations.

As their paths cross and uncross, a tale of love, agony, betrayal and growth is woven, transforming two people who’ve hidden from relationships and love.

This is a stand-alone novel.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt:

“Lils, I don’t know that I’m great boyfriend material. I’m used to being a dick. It’s what I know.” He was hoping she’d say something, but she didn’t. “But I would want it to be different with you. You’re not a drive-by. And I don’t really know how to do the other stuff. But you make me want it. You make me want to try.”

Sweeping her hair to one side, he buried his face in her neck.

Finally, she spoke, “Are you saying this to me because we’re stuck here? Because if you are, don’t. I don’t want a one night stand with you, Zac.”

Letting his teeth graze the soft skin of her neck, he felt her shiver, “I don’t want a one night stand with you either and with my track record I know that may be hard to believe. And of course the one girl I want to believe it, doesn’t.” Pulling his mouth away from her delicious tasting neck, he rested his chin on her shoulder.

“Ok, I’ve got nothing to lose here,” he began. “The weekend we met, all I wanted to do was make you notice me,” he laughed, “and you didn’t even know that I was alive. I wanted to make you smile, Lils. Isn’t that crazy. I just wanted to make you smile.”

Turning herself fully within the circle of his arm, she was on her knees facing him, “You wanted to make me smile?”

He nodded.

“I was so miserable. I just wanted to be over here. I didn’t want to be back at Yale.” Surprising him, she placed her hands on his cheeks, “And you wanted to make me smile?”

He nodded again.

And there it was, beautiful and elusive, and Zac could feel his emotions rising dangerously close to the surface. Liliana Castillo had a heart stopping smile and the only thing he could do was return it with one of his own.

Michel’s Review

I have been reading the Needing Moore series from the very first day Julie released Searching For Moore. I was blown away by the characters and their story. I needed more and became addicted to this series. Julie A. Richman delivered a mature romance that spans over twenty years. From the beautiful young love romance to the painful separation that spanned over twenty years, the readers experienced an emotional story. The entire series touched on some very realistic situations and realities that most people experience at some point in their lives or they know someone who has. By allowing her characters to experience these realities it made the series much more credible and personal to the readers. One of those realities was the rebellious teenage son. The son that objected to his parents divorce and acted out in the most horrific ways to prevent the divorce. He almost killed his father’s girlfriend in a fit of anger. The readers absolutely loathed this kid. It was impossible to believe that this kid could be redeemed and become a human being people actually liked. But Julie wielded her magic pen and as the series evolved we got to see this young man slowly begin to turn around. By the end of the trilogy we were astounded that he had come so far but were still a bit leery of trusting the changes. She gave us some insight into some of his other issues outside his parents separation and new lives. Now the readers are going to meet the real Zac Moore in Bad Son Rising.

I was sucked into Zac Moore’s story in the very first paragraph. As Bad Son Rising begins, Zac has now graduated from high school and is now in college. He has established a good relationship with his father’s new wife. He adores his younger brother and sister. He has become a part of the new family unit instead of being a hostile outsider. He recognizes the true meaning of love and what real happiness really means. He is happy that his father has finally found his true happiness. While Zac is in a better place mentally than he was in his earlier teen years, he is still not one hundred percent happy. He appears to be this over confident, smart, good looking young man with a bright future ahead of him. Beneath the surface, Zach has some low self esteem issues that have made him feel unlovable. He has suffered sexual abuse in his early years and has found that sex is mere act to deflect from his insecurities. He’s never had a real steady girlfriend or relationship. He doesn’t really date, he just has sex. He has not learned to trust others with the true Zach that hides within. Only a few friends have had a glimpse of who he really is.

When he meets Liliana Castillo his views on love and life begin to change. For the first time he wants to be the giver in a relationship rather than the taker. For the first time he wants to show someone he can be a better man. For the first time he is letting the real Zac out of his cage.

In Bad Son Rising we will witness Zac go from a party college boy to a brilliant engineering student. We will see his loyalty to his friends and family. We will witness his screw ups and mistakes. We will watch him take responsibility of his actions and life. We will watch him fall in love and make ultimate sacrifices for the woman he loves. In the end we will see a noble young man that has earned respect and love.

I feel like a parent or aunt that is so proud of their child. Zac Moore is very dear to my heart and I think I am just as proud of him as Schooner Moore is. As I finished this book I had tingly goosebumps all over.

Thank you Julie for giving us The Bad Son Rising. We have embraced Zac into our hearts. We are so proud of the man he has become!

Author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. A creative writing major in college, reading and writing fiction has always been a passion. Julie began her corporate career in publishing in NYC and writing played a major role throughout her career as she created and wrote marketing, advertising, direct mail and fundraising materials for Fortune 500 corporations, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an award winning nature photographer plagued with insatiable wanderlust. Julie and her husband have one son and a white German Shepherd named Juneau.

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Needing Moore Trilogy

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All three Bestselling, Top-Rated Books from The Needing Moore Trilogy by USA Today Bestseller Julie A. Richman, PLUS never before seen BONUS CHAPTERS for each book.

SEARCHING FOR MOORE – Book 1

MOORE TO LOSE – Book 2

MOORE THAN FOREVER – Book 3

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Boarded By Love by Toni Aleo – Bellevue Bullies Series -Book 1

Posted on 09/15/2014 by shellbellereads

Boarded By Love

Bellevue Bullies – Book 1

Spinoff of The Assassin’s Series

By Toni Aleo

Synopsis

Jude Sinclair here, hockey player for the Bellevue Bullies and lover of all ladies. Hockey’s in my blood, and not to sound full of myself, but I’m good at it…really good. The draft is within my reach—it’s mine to take—but that’s not the only reason people know my name. They know me because of my way with women. They know the score, and I aim to please. I just tend to stay away from repeat performances. In other words, I don’t do relationships beyond my family and friends. I’m happy with life. However, I should warn you that my story and how I see it playing out is about to change due to a certain redhead on campus.

She’s beautiful. Stunning. Breathtaking.

She’s my game changer.

~*~

He’s trouble from the moment I see him. I don’t know what I’m thinking, but from the moment I meet his gaze, I’m his. It’s a scary feeling.

I’ve never trusted anyone outside my aunt and uncle—and even that took months. I didn’t have it easy growing up. My mom was usually strung out, and she didn’t give me a second thought. Drugs and the men who paid her were more important to her. It was horrible, but I’m stronger today. Because of my past, security is what I need most. Money assures me that I can take care of myself today, tomorrow, and next month. I don’t want to ever be hungry or go without again, so I work hard for every penny.

Oh, by the way, I’m Claire Anderson. I’m a hard-studying sophomore at the University of Bellevue, dancer for the school dance team, and a burlesque dancer at a club, but that’s my secret.
You may think you know how our story ends, but you have no clue. It’s not easy falling in love… or living happily ever after. At first it may seem so, but when is anything worth having ever won without a fight?

Especially when you’re boarded by love.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt

I can still taste her on my lips.

I swear. The taste hasn’t left me since I kissed her less than twenty-four hours ago, neither has the hard-on. She has me completely wound-up tight, whacking off till my dick is raw and wishing like hell to get in her pants. When I walked in to find her in only a sports bra and shorts that should be illegal… Well, I’m surprised I’m still vertical.

God, she is fucking hot.

Her long red hair is in a mess on top of her head with a cute little black bow at the base. She stands with such amazing confidence while the other girls cover their stomachs with their arms or slouch to the side, but not Claire. No, she stands proud, beautiful, and man, I just want to rush over there and touch her again. I still can’t believe she kissed me senseless then ran off without a second glance. While I don’t mind being used, I wasn’t done.

I need her. On me. Beneath me. Anywhere on me. Now.

I can’t take my eyes off her. I’m supposed to be watching some girl dance, but there is no way. Not with Claire in the room. She stands with the brunette from her Facebook. She’s even prettier in person, but she holds no candle to Claire. Hell, no one does. I watch as they talk, and the love just shines out of the brunette’s body for her. It’s crazy to watch. It reminds me of my mom’s love, and I figure it’s her mom. I need to ask because I have to know. I don’t know what it is about this feisty little redhead, but I want to know her ins and outs. Then I want to sleep with her. Continually. And then some more.

Michel’s Review

Boarded By Love by Toni Aleo was a fantastic start in the Bellevue Bullies series. It is the spin off of the Assassin’s series and features a college team located in Nashville, TN.

This novel features Claire Anderson, the troubled niece of Phillip Anderson, Assassin player featured in the Breakaway novel. Claire was a real troubled teen in the Breakaway novel and gave Phillip and Reese a very hard time. Her mother was a junkie that abused and neglected Claire throughout her childhood. Claire adopted her mother’s wild lifestyle until she went to live with her Uncle Phillip after her mother’s death. It took a lot of patience and unconditional love to bring this young woman around. Now she is on the right track. She is in college,dancing, and pursuing her dreams. She’s got herself together and is very focused. She wants to become a dance choreographer, preferably in the Burlesque style.

When she meets Jude Sinclair, captain of the Bellevue Bullies hockey team, she is knocked for a loop. It is the first time she has been attracted to someone in three years. He makes her want more than her dancing and future career. He gives her the love she never knew she needed. But will her dreams of Burlesque dancing and the route she is taking to secure those dreams keep Jude around for the long haul? She is afraid to tell him that she is working in a Burlesque club for fear of losing him. When the opportunity arises to make her dreams come true, she will have to come clean with her secrets and risk losing Jude. She will have to faith in their love. Trust doesn’t come easy for Claire.

Jude Sinclair is the Bellevue bad boy. He has a different girl in his bed daily. He is upfront with the girls and makes no promises. He’s sexy, hot, charming, and a very gifted hockey player. He will be going into the NHL draft soon and is focused on his hockey career. When he meets Claire Anderson, she changes his perspective on relationships. He wants Claire in his life and he doesn’t want to share her with anyone. She has stolen his heart. Claire is his game changer.

Boarded By Love was more than a new adult love story. Both Jude and Claire’s families played strong roles throughout the book. The reader saw a true glimpse of what real families are and how their relationships are important to a couple’s dynamics. We saw how these family relationships shape and mold their thoughts, feelings, and drives.

I loved all the characters in this book. They were very real and had an important role in the story. I loved seeing some of our favorite Assassin players make their appearance. I loved their protectiveness towards Claire and how they intimidated Jude. I loved Jude’s reactions to them.

While most New Adult books dwell on a lot of angst, indecision, and self reflection, Boarded By Love did not. Toni Aleo created characters that were very real and at the maturity level that they should be. Jude and Claire were very focused individuals, had good heads on their shoulders, and reacted just as they should have in all the emotional moments. Their relationship was beautiful. Toni allowed them to meet, flirt, date, and fall in love. She progressed their relationship in a way that most relationships progress in real life. It was beautiful watching Claire and Jude fall in love and tackle all the problems that came their way.

I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Like I said earlier, Toni created some interesting secondary characters. I am hoping the other Sinclair brothers get their own books. I am also hoping that Lucy Sinclair finds her true love, hopefully it will be an Assassin. The other team members and campus friends were intriguing as well. I think we have a lot to forward to in the future from Toni Aleo.

I highly recommend Boarded by Love.

My name is Toni Aleo!

I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.

I have been told I have anger issues, but I think it’s cause of my intense love for hockey!
I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!
When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.
I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life…probably Belle, and did I mention I love hockey?

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Cover Reveal: Loving Eden by T. A. Foster

Posted on 09/12/2014 by shellbellereads

Today is the bonus scene reveal for LOVING EDEN, the sequel to KISSING EDEN by T.A. Foster! This is a New Adult contemporary romance. This title will be released on September 25th.

Be sure to ADD IT TO GOODREADS

BOOK SUMMARY:

Have you ever thought of packing up everything you own and moving halfway across the country?

I’m talking about leaving your entire life behind—friends, family, school—with no turning back. No? Me either, but that was before a week of spring break changed my life forever. Before I did something I never thought I’d do at twenty-two. Before I fell in love with Grey.

Sometimes happily ever after isn’t always what you think it will be.

CHAPTER ONE

GREY

Room twenty-four. I looked at it one last time. The day I moved in here wasn’t a happy day. Pops had died, left me the Palm Palace, and I didn’t have anywhere else on the island to stay. Somehow it became home. A small, one room spot by the ocean had become home.

There wasn’t much to pack: work clothes, a few tools, my boots. I had already hauled most of it next door, but there were still a few boxes in storage. I would try to get those before Eden arrived. I looked at my phone. She should be here in four or five hours.

I shook my head. I hated the idea that she was on the road by herself. She was stubborn. I knew that the first minute I laid eyes on her, but this was crazier than hell. Driving all the way from Chapel Hill to Padre was damn near reckless, but I couldn’t talk her out of it. She said it had something to do with proving that she was moving for the right reasons. If it meant that much to her I knew better than to stand in her way.

I pulled the door behind me and turned the heavy brass key in the lock to secure the room. Maybe one day I’d be able to afford those fancy keyless entries, but that was far off. I was lucky the Palm was still open. It had been a rough year trying to keep it afloat, but Eden breezed in here and showed me what was possible. She had all kinds of creative ideas about marketing, advertising, and services we could add. It was one of the things I loved about her—she saw past the peeling paint and the rusty doorknobs. She saw the Palm the same way I did and she loved it. She loved every last pink and blue tile, the way the boardwalk creaked when you walked on it, and how we probably had the only pool on the island without a diving board. That girl was something else.

I didn’t take it lightly that we were moving in together. Who could? Last time I tried this Laura and I barely left on speaking terms. But that was different. That was Laura and her obsession with med school. This was Eden and everything about her made me realize it was the right decision. Sure I was nervous, but I’d never tell her that. I didn’t want things with us to end up like they did the last time I gave this a shot. I was going to make sure it wouldn’t.

That’s why I had to surprise her with the beach cottage. I couldn’t let her move all the way here and start off in room twenty-four. We’d probably get on each other’s nerves faster than the tide changed on the beach, but besides that I wanted her to know I took this seriously. The blue house next door meant something. It wasn’t a cramped shoebox where we’d have to split a closet and a dresser combo. It was a place that could be ours, a place we could work on together, and a place where we could figure out the future.

I shoved the key in my pocket. I had to get it back to the office. My phone rang.

“Hey, Marin. What’s up?”

“I just talked to Eden. She’s in Louisiana.”

“You didn’t ruin the surprise did you?” I had trusted everyone on the island with the beach house secret, but deep down knew someone would let it slip. Things had a way of getting out around here.

Marin laughed. “No, she has no idea. She thinks you are bunking up in that cute little room of yours at the Palm.”

“Thanks, girl. Did she sound ok? I’m trying not to bug her.” What I really wanted to do was call her every hour and find out where she was, but that would contradict her plan. I managed to respect it since she got on the road.

“She sounded like a girl who can’t wait to see you. I’ll let you know when she get’s to the bridge, ok?”

“Alright. Thanks. I appreciate you checking up on her for me. I don’t want her to think I don’t think she can handle it.” I opened the door to the stuffy office.

“She can handle it. Don’t worry about her, Grey. She’ll be here tonight. Call you later.”

“Thanks.”

Marin hung up and I tossed my phone on the cart. I had a few rooms to check before I made my way to the cottage to get things set up. Eden would be here tonight. This would be her office. I was handing over the books, the reservations, and all of the marketing to her. It was probably a bigger step than sharing a bathroom, but I knew I didn’t trust anyone else with Pop’s legacy like I trusted Eden.

As I shoved the cart out of the back door, I heard the wind kick up on the beach. Eden and I were moving in together. I knew after tonight my life would never be the same, and there was no turning back. Good thing I didn’t want to.

—————–

Previous book in the series.

KISSING EDEN – AVAILABLE NOW!

Purchase KISSING EDEN from…

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

T.A. Foster’s Bio:
T.A. Foster once spent a monthlong spring break on South Padre Island, where she soaked in the Texas sun, beach, and learned what real Texas country music is. Sometimes fiction does spring from reality.

She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children, and two canine kiddos.

T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing, or planning her next beach trip.

Author Links:
Blog: http://www.tafosterauthor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tafosterwriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAFosterauthor
Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7164289.T_A_Foster

Review: Trashy by Cambria Hebert- Take It Off Series – Book 10

Posted on 09/11/2014 by shellbellereads

Trashy

Take It Off Series – Book 10

By Cambria Hebert

Synopsis

She’s trying to move on, but the past won’t let her go.

I fell in love once.

It was a big mistake, but the biggest mistake of all was staying with him.

He pushed me around. He cheated and treated me like trash.

I don’t feel sorry for myself, because I let him.

But no more.

I moved out. I’m saving my stripper’s salary for an education that will get me somewhere better.

But breaking the chains of a shitty past isn’t easy. He says I owe him. He says we aren’t done. I don’t care what he says anymore.

I do care about Adam.

But my history tells me I’m not the best judge of men. And the fact Adam’s been married four times tells me he probably isn’t a safe choice.

I need safe. I need better. I need out.

If the past is any indication of my future, getting out isn’t going to be easy.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Excerpt

“Kiss me.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. In seconds he was standing to his full impressive height and towed me up along with him. Adam released my hand and cupped my face. His hands engulfed my jaw but he was so gentle. His eyes swept over me like I was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen and around us sparks flew like snowflakes in a blizzard.

Instead of crushing his mouth to mine like I expected, like I wanted, he took his time. His heated gaze dropped to my lips, then back to my eyes. His fingers spasmed against my head and tightened ever so slightly.

Slowly, slowly he lowered his head, cupping my jaw so that I could do nothing but hold still and wait for him to arrive.

The anticipation of his lips on mine was almost my undoing. Everything going on inside me head floated away. I became aware of the moment, of the quietness in the room, of the way my body swayed wanting to get closer.

Adam’s lips brushed over mine, a gentle caress, once, twice and then a third time. He lifted his head just slightly and stared down at me, his thumb climbed up and caressed my lower lip.

He smiled softly and then joined our lips once more.

The Take It Off Series

Torch- Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Tease – Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Tempt – Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Text – Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Tipsy – Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Tricks – Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Tattoo- Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Tyrst – Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Taste – Amazon/ Barnes and Noble

Michel’s Review

Cambria Hebert has added another fantastic book to the new adult romantic suspense Take It Off series. Each book in this series can be read as a stand alone book and does not have to be read in order. Each book features a different couple, different circumstances, suspenseful plots, and red hot romance. The Take It Off series is one of my favorite series. I am always one clicking Cambria’s books the moment they go live. Cambria always delivers a fantastic book.

We met the main characters from Trashy in the previous book Tease (book 2 in Take It Off Series). They were such strong secondary characters. They demanded their own book. Now eight books later, Roxie and Adam have their story told.

Roxie is the star stripper in Adam’s club. He has been fascinated with Roxie since she began to work for him a few years earlier. Unfortunately he was always in a relationship or married . He has a rule, never date his dancers, never mix business with pleasure, and he never cheats. He runs a clean business and keeps his girls safe. He shows them the respect they deserve. He is a fair and giving boss. He wants to give Roxie more but circumstances never allowed him to act upon it. When an incident happens and Roxie is attacked in her apartment ( Tease-book 2) it comes to light that Roxie had been living in an abusive relationship. Her ex is a dangerous man and has hurt her before. This incident makes Adam realize that he has to take some steps forward and make Roxie his. He proceeds forward with a divorce from his fourth wife, plans to open a new club, and promote Roxie to manager so she no longer has to dance. He is going to make her his no matter what.

Roxie may seem wordly because she is a stripper. That is the exact opposite of the woman she really is. She has only been with one man and that relationship proved to be life threatening. It took her years to free herself from the abusive relationship. She is finally free and living with her friend and fellow worker Harlow. After she is attacked in their apartment, it makes her realize that she will always have to look over her shoulder. Her ex has made it clear that he is not finished with her. Adam wants to protect her. Adam wants to love her. Adam wants her to have a better life. She wants the same things. She is fearful that her past is going to ruin her future. She is clearly right.

Adam and Roxie will face life threatening danger. Together they will stay strong. Hopefully they will be able to put the past where it belongs and move forward in life together.

I loved Trashy. It had a strong message about domestic abuse. Domestic abuse can begin a young age, when love looks pure and beautiful. As teenagers they don’t often recognize it as abuse. They are more in tune with their personal insecurities and ideas of perfect love. To a teen the control can look like unconditional love. Many women get into abusive relationships this way. When they finally want to get out it’s not easy. They’ve never experienced what a mature,strong, united, and giving relationship is. They’ve lost their own self worth. Roxie was that girl. She was strong enough to recognize the destruction in her life. She was smart enough to get out. She was brave enough to let Adam love her. She was strong enough to become the woman she was meant to be.

I highly recommend Trashy. Although the subject matter is heavy, Cambria wrote an entertaining story filled with passion, romance, compassion, and bravery.

Author Bio:

Cambria Hebert is a bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently resides in North Carolina with her children (human and furry) and her husband, who is a United States Marine.

Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house).

Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are: Text, Torch, Tryst, Masquerade, and Recalled.

Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.

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Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Tag Archives: New Adult

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Review: One More Chance by Abbi Glines- Rosemary Beach Series- Chance #2

Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: The Exception by Adriana Locke

Cover Reveal: Chasing The Tide by A. Meredith Walters

ARC Review: What If by Rebecca Donovan

Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: The Certainty of Violet & Luke- The Coincidence Series- Book 5

Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Bad Son Rising by Julie A. Richman

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Boarded By Love by Toni Aleo – Bellevue Bullies Series -Book 1

My name is Toni Aleo!

I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.

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Cover Reveal: Loving Eden by T. A. Foster

Today is the bonus scene reveal for LOVING EDEN, the sequel to KISSING EDEN by T.A. Foster! This is a New Adult contemporary romance. This title will be released on September 25th.

Be sure to ADD IT TO GOODREADS

BOOK SUMMARY:

CHAPTER ONE

Previous book in the series.

KISSING EDEN – AVAILABLE NOW!

Purchase KISSING EDEN from…

Amazon-http://amzn.to/1oBvOVF

B&N: http://bit.ly/NKhAGi

Smashworks: http://bit.ly/1dcvQB5

iTunes: http://bit.ly/Y9509p

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Review: Trashy by Cambria Hebert- Take It Off Series – Book 10

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My name is Toni Aleo!

I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | Website

Share this:

Today is the bonus scene reveal for LOVING EDEN, the sequel to KISSING EDEN by T.A. Foster! This is a New Adult contemporary romance. This title will be released on September 25th.

Be sure to ADD IT TO GOODREADS

BOOK SUMMARY:

CHAPTER ONE

Previous book in the series.

KISSING EDEN – AVAILABLE NOW!

Purchase KISSING EDEN from…

Amazon-http://amzn.to/1oBvOVF

B&N: http://bit.ly/NKhAGi

Smashworks: http://bit.ly/1dcvQB5

iTunes: http://bit.ly/Y9509p

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

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