Release Blitz: Rise Up Volume One: Indie Authors Against Cancer: A Benefit Collection

Posted on 07/14/2014 by shellbellereads

Rise Up Volume One

Indie Authors Against Cancer

A Benefit Collection

“We all know how fragile life is, especially when faced with a life threatening illness.” ~Nic, Flirty and Dirty Book Blog.

Fiction introduced us. Reality binds us together.

Stephanie Thomas—co-founder of The Indie Bookshelf—has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma. Stephanie isn’t only a blogger; she’s a loving wife, and mother to three young boys.

In the independent author community, we have an extraordinary network of fellow authors, and readers. A special group of people who bridge this gap—helping authors connect with readers—is book bloggers. These men and women dedicate hours upon hours to reading and reviewing our works, and spreading the word to help us reach new readers.

Now, one of these women needs our help.

100% of the proceeds of the Rise Up anthology (volumes one and two) will go directly to Stephanie and her family to help them on this unexpected leg of their journey together.

Inside the pages of this collection, you’ll find amazing works of fiction. But please remember the reality, and help support Stephanie and her family.

Included in Volume One of this collection are the following novels:

What Happens Tomorrow – Elle Michaels
Insipid — Christine Brae
Bouquet Toss — Melissa Brown
Can’t Go Home — Angelisa Stone
Point of Submission by Remy Landon
Breakaway by Lindsay Paige and Mary Smith
A Love by Any Measure by Killian McRae
Discovering Lucy – Laura Dunaway
Something’s Come Up – Andrea Randall and Michelle Pace
By A Thread – RL Griffin
Honest Love – CM Hutton
Serendipity – Stacey Bentley
Haven from the Storm – Sarah Dosher
Damaged – Nina D’Angelo

The Authors:

Elle Michaels is a professional in the tech sector, residing with her family in the Pacific Northwest. Having spent years acting in and directing stage productions, she dreamed of writing a screenplay, but at the suggestion of a friend, she decided to write a novel instead.

She has always had a passion for reading and romance. There is nothing she loves more than to get lost in a sexy romance story.

When not working or writing, she can be found spending time with the love of her life, her two young children and Yorkshire Terrier. Connect with Elle on Facebook .

Christine Brae is a full time career woman who thought she could write a book about her life and then run away as far as possible from it. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same story to tell. Her second book, His Wounded Light was released in December, 2013.

Christine’s third book, Insipid, is a standalone that was just released in June, 2014. Connect with Christine on Facebook

I am a writer of contemporary romance. Bouquet Toss, Champagne Toast, Picturing Perfect and Unwanted Stars are all available as ebooks and paperback.
Description
I have always been fascinated with books—-ever since I was a little girl sitting in front of my record player, following along with my huge 12×12 storybooks.

I love books—everything about them. I love reading them, being surrounded by them in bookstores and libraries, and most recently, writing some of my own.

Bouquet Toss and Champagne Toast are available in ebook and paperback via Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Picturing Perfect was signed by Montlake Romance (a division of Amazon Publishing) and is available only on Amazon.com

Unwanted Stars is coming February 3rd!

A new series called “Sorority of Three” is also coming in spring of 2014!

When not listening to the voices in her head or spending late nights at the office, Christine can be seen shopping for shoes and purses, running a half marathon or spending time with her husband and three children in Chicago. Connect with Melissa on Facebook

Angelisa Stone, author of CAN’T GO HOME.

Connect with Angelisa on Facebook

Connect with Remy on Facebook..

Lindsay Paige is the author of the Bold as Love series, Don’t Panic, and You Before Me. She is also the coauthor of The Penalty Kill Trilogy.

She has three passions in life: reading, writing, and watching hockey, especially the Pittsburgh Penguins. Among the pile of books to read, stories to write, and games to watch, Lindsay is also focused on completing college.

Lindsay resides in North Carolina and is inspired by world around her and the people in it. Many of the aspects in her books stem from her love for hockey and her struggles in life and with anxiety, as evident in Don’t Panic. Connect with Lindsay on Facebook

.Mary Smith was born in Chicago, Illinois, but raised in Princeton, Illinois. She now lives in the hills of West Virginia. She is an avid reader, co-founder of Book Nerds Across America, and co-author of The Penalty Kill Trilogy. She goes nowhere without her cell phone or Kindle. Mary loves anything to do with Chicago Blackhawks, Patrick Sharp, and hockey related! She is also an avid Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls fan.She is currently working on numerous solo works and a couple of projects with coauthor Mary Smith as well. Connect with Mary on Facebook

Killian McRae would tell you that she is a rather boring lass, an authoress whose characters’ lives are so much more exciting than her own. She would be right. Sadly, this sarcastic lexophile leads a rather mundane existence in the San Francisco Bay Area. She once dreamed of being the female Indiana Jones, and to that end she earned a degree in Middle Eastern History from the University of Michigan. However, when she learned that real archaeologist spend more time lovingly removing dust with toothbrushes from shards of pottery than outrunning intriguing villains with exotic accents, she decided to become a writer instead. She writes across many genres, including science fiction, fantasy, romance, and historical fiction. Connect with Killian on Facebook.

Words are beautiful and powerful. The ammunition held in a single word is infinite.
I’ve been writing poetry since I was in first grade. Words have always mattered to me, and it’s fun to combine them into a multitude of masterpieces.

While I’ve written either Romance or General Fiction thus far, you’ll find something unique in each one of my books. I don’t own cookie cutters. Connect with Andrea on Facebook

Michelle Pace: Author of Crazy Love. Co-author of Good Wood, Fury, The Perpetual Quest for the Perfect Life, Rage, and Something’s Come Up.
Biography
Michelle Pace lives in north Texas with her husband, Les, who is also a novelist. She is the mother of two lovely daughters, Holly and Bridgette, and one uber-charismatic son, Kai. A former singer and actress, Michelle has always enjoyed entertaining people and is excited to continue to do so as a writer. Connect with Michelle on Facebook.

Laura Dunaway has been married to her prince for 18 years and together they are raising three amazing kids. While she’s always had a passion for reading and writing, it wasn’t until a few years ago that she finally realized she should pursue her dream of writing and publishing a book. After many many attempts at starting one, her first book, Distorted, was finally the one that flowed and before she knew it, she’d written The End. Discovering Lucy is her second book and she is currently at work on her third. See Laura on Facebook

R.L. resides in the Atlanta area with some cool dudes: her husband, son and one crazy dog. She was born and raised in the South. She attended Georgia Southern University and moved to Washington, D.C. to intern in the United States Senate during the impeachment trial. Falling in love with the city, she went to law school at American University, Washington College of Law. By A Thread is R.L.’s second book, but is the first in a series of books. Connect with RL on Facebook..

CM Hutton:I’m a wife, a mom of three, a friend, an aunt, a sister, a daughter and a teacher. Now, I can add writer to my list! I’ve always wanted to write and finally found inspiration and support to do it.

I live near Austin, Texas with my family and love to read and travel. Put me on a beach with a good book and the world just disappears around me.
Paradise Taken was my first novel and is a highly emotional book based on true events. Its sequel (Saving Us) is now available.
Loving Her was the second book I wrote after needing a little time off from Paradise Taken. It is a story close to my heart.
I love that you are willing to take a chance on a new writer and promise to keep striving to put out great books!  If you don’t like my books, that’s okay. Just please be gentle on my fragile ego. 😉

I’d love to chat with you, so look me up on any of my social pages.
Happy Reading. 🙂

with CM Hutton of Facebook.

When Stacey isn’t writing or reading, she’s a mom which means she’s a cook, chauffeur, maid, and constantly on the go. She was born and raised in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan which is where she resides today. Raising her children as a single parent has proven it’s difficulties but she doesn’t let that stop her from doing the things that make her happy.

In down time, which is rare, you can find her curled up with a book. Her famous line…”Just a few more pages.” Connect with Stacey on Facebook.

Serial Review: The Love Trials Vol. 1 – Vol. 3

Posted on 07/13/2014 by shellbellereads

Synopsis for Part One

New hot, sexy and suspenseful serial from the New York Times Bestselling Author of The Ex Games and The Private Club. The Love Trials is a three part contemporary romance serial.

She thought she knew what was between the sheets, but she really had no idea.

I thought I knew what I was getting into when I received the invitation from the lovers academy. I thought I was going for love. I had no idea that the lovers academy cared more about what happened between the sheets than it did a meeting of the minds and souls.

This isn’t your regular love story. My Prince Charming didn’t ride up on a white horse and come and save me. In fact, he warned me to stay away from him. Of course, I didn’t listen. Why would I? There’s something so exciting about going after someone you shouldn’t have.

However, I never thought it would be like this. I’ve never felt so conflicted in my life. No one told me that being bad could feel so good. No one told me that when the big bad wolf tells you to run away and hide, you should listen.

If I’d only known just how far from charming my prince was, I would have ignored the invitation.

Readers of this serial should be prepared for a wild sexy ride. They should also be above 18 years of age due to sexy situations.

* 4 Stars for the complete Love Trials Serial*

Michel’s Review

The Love Trials serial by J. S. Cooper is an addition to the ongoing story introduced in the The Ex Games serial and The Private Club serial. The dynamic characters, their stories of deceit, lust, and wrong doing will have the readers intrigued. The Love Trials is the story of Nancy and Jaxon. We met Nancy in The Private Club and her place in the series surprised us all. Now we get to see what Nancy does now that she has found her place in the intriguing world J. S. Cooper has created.

*4 Stars * for The Love Trial Serial

Individual Ratings for each volume below:

The Love Trials Vol. 1

4.5 Stars…..

Another great serial romance by J. S. Cooper

Were you addicted to The Ex Games serial and The Private Club serial by J. S. Cooper? I know I was. I just couldn’t get enough. As both series ended there were characters that I wanted to know more about. I wanted them to have their own story. I was curious on how their lives would turn out. One of those characters was Nancy.

Nancy turned out to be a complete surprise in The Private Club series. Her connections with the owners of the Private Club were much deeper than the readers anticipated. She became a major player in this ongoing saga. The Love Trials is her story.

Nancy has been in love with an older man for years. He was her teacher and mentor. She truly thought they were to be destined soulmates. Once she became an adult and a legal age, she decided she was going to go after her dream. After a lengthy research, she finds her former teacher is now teaching at the Lovers’ Academy. It is not your ordinary school. It is a school that teaches women the art of seduction and the power of sex.

Nancy enrolled and was accepted into the Lovers’ Academy. She sees this as her opportunity to reunite with her beloved Hunter. She knows that once she gets there, they will be able to pursue a relationship without the boundaries of society, family, and friends. They can be together now that she is legal. They can have the forever love they were destined to have.

Things didn’t turn out exactly as Nancy planned once she arrived at the Lovers’ Academy. Hunter didn’t regconize or acknowledge her. She was assigned a different teacher. The actual curriculum of the Lovers’ Academy is quite different from her expectations. It is not lectures, demonstrations, and book reading. It is hands on. She will learn the art of love making with her new instructor in a very personal manner. Is she up to it? If it will land her Hunter, she will go the mile.

Her instructor has her heart racing, her desire escalating, and her complete attention. He is strong, sexy, knowledgeable, and mysterious. He has the right kind of curriculum to have Nancy striving to be a star student.

As the lessons begin, Nancy will discover secrets about herself she never thought she had. She will start falling into her instructor, Jaxon’s web, and will find that Hunter may not be what she thought he was. In fact, it appears Hunter has an agenda of his own that might not be good for Nancy. We won’t know until The Love Trials Vol. 2.

What is Hunter’s agenda?

Why has Jaxon chosen Nancy as his student?

Are there secrets lying beneath the surface at the Lovers’ Academy?

What is Nancy’s next assignment?

J. S. Cooper has delivered another sensual, intriguing, suspenseful new serial. It is the spin off of The Ex Games and The Private Club. It is starting out just as thrilling. I can’t wait to read more.

I would give this story a five star rating for the plot, characters, story flow, and pacing. Five stars for entertainment value, I could not put it down. The only thing that kept The Love Trials Vol. 1 from being a five star rating is that there were several editing errors in the 48 pages. As a reader and reviewer I expect better editing.

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

*****************************************************************************

The Love Trials Vol. 2

5 Stars!

The Love Trials 2 by J. S. Cooper picks up right were the Love Trials 1 left off. Nancy confronts Jaxon about the disturbing conversation she has overheard. His explanations leave her reeling with all kinds of confusion. Despite her inner instincts to cut her losses and run far away from the Love Academy she choses to stick it out. After all there is a mystery to solve, facts to be found, feelings to be explored, choices over which man to chose, and a profound need for self preservation.

The longer she remains at the Lovers Academy, more questions begin to build a fragile reason to hang on to her original motivations for attending the Lovers Academy in the first place. She has learned that Jaxon and his father have a vendetta against her newly found father, Brandon. The more she learns, the more she questions her newfound relationship with her father and her place in the family unit. She also begins to question her feelings about Hunter. The more she learns, the more twisted it becomes. Hunter is not all she thought he was. He also has an agenda.

Jaxon, on the other hand is not playing his hand completely. On one hand he seems to care about her as a person and as a student. On the hand, he also has a vendetta that could very well destroy her and her family. The only thing that makes him different from Hunter and his father is his honesty about his involvement. She knows he is involved but not the whole story. She has to make a choice on whether to trust him or cut her losses.

Just as things start surfacing, new questions lead the story down another path. It ends with a startling cliffhanger that has your jaw on the floor! I cannot wait for The Love Trials 3.

J. S. Cooper has mastered the art of writing a serial romance. She creates intrigue, mystery, and hair raising scenes. She adds red hot sexual tension loaded with passion. She creates a line up of dynamic characters and brings characters from the former Ex Games & Private Club into play. It is like reading an ongoing saga that features different characters in each serial but blends the former serial with a perfect balance in their world.

I must say the editing and flow of the story was perfection.

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

***********************************************************************

The Love Trials Vol. 3

* 3 Stars *

The Love Trials has reached it’s conclusion. Secrets have been revealed, the final hand has been played, a murder has been solved, players have switched sides, and road to vengeance has been traveled.

Everything that happened in the final episode of this serial surprised me. At times I felt like the story was rushed and some scenes didn’t have enough “meat” to make them work in the story. At other times I found scenes that had too much “meat” , that made it feel like the words were just fillers. The ending was good and the characters found their HEA, however again it was too rushed.

The overall series was good but I do think the final episode was the weakest contribution. I felt the story was rushed, a times the character motivations did not seem realistic, and I found quite a few editing errors. The Love Trials serial is a good contribution to the overall story that has played out in The Ex Games serial and Private Club serial. I would recommend all three serial’s because J. S. Cooper has created some fascinating characters in a world that is beyond our imagination.

Buy Link: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

**********************************************************

Author Bio:

J. S. Cooper is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She is a true romantic that is in love with love. The J. S. stands for Jaimie Suzi. She just thought J. S. sounded cooler! J. S. was born in London, England and moved to the States at age 17. She studied history in college and then went to law school and then decided to follow her writing dreams. J. S. writes ‘New Adult’ contemporary romance books because that is what she also loves to read.

Available Books: The Last Boyfriend, The Last Husband, Before Lucky, The Other Side of Love, Zane & Lucky’s First Christmas, Crazy Beautiful Love, Scarred, and Healed.

Upcoming books: Finding My Prince Charming, If Only Once (The Martelli Brothers), Everlasting Sin, The Rebel Next Door and Hot Prof.

Please join J. S. Cooper on her facebook page if you enjoy her books here: https://www.facebook.com/J.S.Cooperauthor. If you wish to get in contact, please email her at Jscooperauthor@gmail.com.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

Review: Little Black Book by Tabatha Vargo & Melissa Andrea

Posted on 07/12/2014 by shellbellereads

Synopsis

My name’s Sebastian Black, and I want to buy you. I could have any woman I want, but I choose you.

NO RELATIONSHIP, JUST SEX.

Here’s my offer…

I’ll put your name in my LITTLE BLACK BOOK, and when I want you, I’ll call you. When I call, you’re going to come, in more ways than one. It will be mutually pleasurable for both of us.

There are only two rules:

DON’T EVER DENY ME.

DON’T FALL IN LOVE.

If you do either, I’ll remove you from my book and payment stops.

Do we have an understanding?

“This book was amazing, super sexy, heart breaking, stomach in knots kind of awesome.” ~ Eye Candy Bookstore

“From the very first scene, it grabbed my attention – who knew a threesome could be so deliciously hot. This book set my little finger on fire – I couldn’t flip the pages on my kindle fast enough.” ~ Deliciously Wicked Books

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Michel’s Review

Little Black Book had me from page one. It was one of those books that kept the reader intrigued and guessing what was going to come next. When all the pieces of the puzzle come together the reader’s will be floored.

Sebastian Black is one of those men you love to hate and hate to love. He is a pig when it comes to women. He has no regard for their feelings and simply uses them until he has no further use for them. Basically he buys them for his sexual pleasure. Their names go into his little black book. If a woman’s name is in the book they are at his beck and call until he draws a line through their name. He never gets personal and always controls their time spent together.

When the new waitress at his club catches his eye, he has to have her. He is ruthless with his actions in order to obtain her. He uses her weaknesses against her and plays on her misfortunes. The more he pushes, the more she pushes back. Sure he may of paid for her to warm his bed but he didn’t pay for her soul.

Rosslyn proves what a strong woman she is. She will soon turn the tables on Mr. Black. She will touch his soul that he buried many years ago.

It may be a soul that will destroy her very essence.

The authors created an intriguing story. The word play was very well thought out. I loved the analogies with cartoon characters and what they meant to Mr. Black. I loved that the authors allowed Rosslyn to be a strong woman that held onto her convictions no matter what. I loved the twisted and complicated plots throughout the book.

I hope that Tabatha Vargo and Melissa Andrea team up to write more books. They have formed a championship team.

I highly recommend this book. It will not disappoint.

About The Authors:

Tabatha is a USA TODAY bestselling author, but mostly she’s a sweet tea sippin’, front porch sittin’ kind of girl from South Carolina. She loves old, historical anything, wind chimes, and all things romantic. She’s the mother of an 8 y/o rockstar/princess and the wife of her very own Prince Charming. When she isn’t writing, she’s texting book ideas to herself. Tabatha is represented by Jane Dystel of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~Twitter

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author, Melissa Andrea- I find it hard to sum up my life in a paragraph, but I’ll try. Reading has always been a passion for me, and writing as instinctive as breathing. Every inhale is an idea; every exhale a creation. Flutter will be my debut release, and I couldn’t be more excited about it! The only thing I do better than writing you ask? Making beautiful girls. My daughter’s will always be my greatest accomplishment. I was born in Denver, Colorado -but I will always think of sunny Arizona as my home. I don’t have a big family, but I’m close with my sister, brother & my mom. My mom is my hero, my inspiration, and I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing person to be raised by. 4 things you should know about me: I’m very girly, but I can get down and dirty with the best of them. I adore the color pink, I love things that sparkle (including vampires) and I like even numbers (hence 4 things about me, not 5)

Website ~Goodreads~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Review: Blonde Date by Sarina Bowen ~ The Ivy Years 2.5

Posted on 07/11/2014 by shellbellereads

Synopsis

A blind date. A nervous sorority girl. A mean-spirited fraternity prank. What could go wrong?

As a sorority pledge, there are commandments that Katie Vickery must live by. One: thou shalt not show up for the party without a date. Two: the guy shall be an athlete, preferably an upperclassman.

Unfortunately, Katie just broke up with her jerkface football player boyfriend. Even worse, her last encounter with him resulted in utter humiliation. She’d rather hide under the bed than attend a party where he’ll be.

Yet staying home would mean letting him win.

Enjoying herself tonight was out of the question. She could only hope to get through the evening without her blind date noticing that he was spending the evening with a crazy person.

Andrew Baschnagel is living proof that nice guys don’t finish first. He’s had his eye on Katie since the moment her long legs waltzed into his art history class. So when her roommate sets Andy up to be Katie’s date, he’d be crazy to say no. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a lot of practice with either girls or parties. Yet.

BLONDE DATE is a 24,000 word novella. ALSO INCLUDED: an exclusive preview of the third novel in the Ivy Years series, THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR.

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Michel’s Review

Sarina Bowen has done it again. She has added another fabulous addition to The Ivy Years Series with recently released novella, Blonde Date.

We met Andy and Katie (ponytail Katie) in The Year We Hid Away. Katie is one of Scarlet’s roommates and Andy is a neighbor in Bridger’s dorm.

Scarlet sets up a blind date for Andy and Katie after Katie has a bad dating experience with her football jock boyfriend. Katie wants to date a different kind of guy but he has to meet her dating commandments criteria.

Andy may not be a football jock but he is an athlete. He plays for the school’s losing basketball team. He is a nice guy, an upper classman, and is cute in his very own way. He has also crushed on Katie since the beginning of the term.

Katie needs a date for a sorority charity party. When Scarlet suggests a blind date with Andy, Katie is all in. After all, how bad can he be? He’s a jock, he’s male, and he will help her save face with her ex boyfriend and sorority.

What starts out as your usual uncomfortable blind date turns into a complete surprise for both Andy and Katie. Their date ends up being magical for them both.

I am not going to say more because it would give away too many spoilers. I will tell you this, Andy and Katie’s story had me captivated. I felt every emotion both were going through throughout their date. I felt the nerves, the attraction, the comradery, the playfulness, and sexual chemistry. This sexual chemistry between these two had me fanning myself. The word play had me giggling.

This novella was fresh, fun, and unique.

Sarina Bowen and The Ivy Years series has me completely hooked. Sarina’s writing is beyond superb. Her books flow beautifully, her characters are memorable, their stories are “real” life situations, and the secondary characters make the Harkness College world come to life.

Blonde Date can be read as a stand alone novella or in series order. I would recommend the entire series. It is one that will grab your attention.

Read this series!

*Note* ~ There is a preview for the upcoming book in this series at the end of this novella. I cannot wait for The Understatement of the Year, Book 3 in The Ivy Years series. It is another unique story that needs to be told. Coming Fall 2014.

Author Bio:

Sarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction from the wilds of Vermont.

The Year We Fell Down, Book #1 in The Ivy Years series, began breaking hearts in March 2014. Book #2, The Year We Hid Away, is brand new.

For Harlequin-E, Sarina writes the Gravity series. Coming in From the Cold features an angsty downhill ski racer and one of the most unique plot conflicts in contemporary romance today.

Sarina enjoys skiing, coffee products and a nice glass of wine. She lives with her family, eight chickens and more ski gear and hockey equipment than seems necessary.

She would be honored to connect with you at http://www.sarinabowen.com.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter~ Goodreads

Review: Rhett by J. S. Cooper

Posted on 07/10/2014 by shellbellereads

Synopsis

New Standalone novel from New York Times Bestselling Author J. S. Cooper

I’m Rhett.

I’m cocky because I can be. I’ve got it all: the looks, the money, the endurance. I’m the guy that every girl wants to be with, yet none of them have ever been able to tie me down.

I don’t do love. I don’t do relationships. And I sure as hell will never do marriage.

I’m all about the fast life and everything that entails. There’s a different woman in my bed every week. My friends are jealous of me. My enemies envy me. Everyone wants my life. And everything in my life is absolutely perfect. At least, that’s what everyone thinks.

Everything changed the day, Clementine O’Hara told me she was moving away. She’s my best friend. She was my first kiss in grade school. We share everything with each other. She’s the only girl I haven’t tried anything with because she’s off-limits to me and my friends. Only, suddenly I’m seeing her in a different light.

I’m Rhett and I don’t let anything get me down. Then one night changed everything and everything I thought I knew was called into question. All of a sudden, being Rhett didn’t mean so much anymore. All of a sudden my friendship with Clementine was in jeopardy and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.

Buy Links:

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Michel’s Review

Rhett by J. S. Cooper is another fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I loved watching a player brought to his knees and losing his heart. Those are the best ones to fall.

Rhett has always had everything he ever wanted. He’s good looking, smart, rich, a ladies man, and a best friend that has been by his side no matter what. That best friend is Clemmie. He knows he can depend on her. He knows she will always be there. But will she?

Clemmie has been Rhett’s best friend through thick and thin. She understands him and his conceited ways. She has always been there for him. But now, she realizes that she has always put him first and her needs lasts. Now she is going to put herself first. She is going to put herself out there, start dating, and start moving towards her future life. A new life that might not have room for Rhett.

Once Clemmie starts dating other men and looking into moving, Rhett sees her in a new light. He suddenly sees a woman instead of a girl. A woman that he wants more than anything.

Rhett always gets what he wants. This time he may not. This time it isn’t going to be easy. This time Rhett is going to have to give himself. Can he do it?

Read the book! It is a fun romp that will not disappoint.

Author’s Bio:

Available Books: The Last Boyfriend, The Last Husband, Before Lucky, The Other Side of Love, Zane & Lucky’s First Christmas, Crazy Beautiful Love, Scarred, and Healed.

Upcoming books: Finding My Prince Charming, If Only Once (The Martelli Brothers), Everlasting Sin, The Rebel Next Door and Hot Prof.

Please join J. S. Cooper on her facebook page if you enjoy her books here: https://www.facebook.com/J.S.Cooperauthor. If you wish to get in contact, please email her at Jscooperauthor@gmail.com.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

Review: The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen ~The Ivy Years Series

Posted on 07/09/2014 by shellbellereads

Synopsis

The sport she loves is out of reach. The boy she loves has someone else.

What now?

She expected to start Harkness College as a varsity ice hockey player. But a serious accident means that Corey Callahan will start school in a wheelchair instead.

Across the hall, in the other handicapped-accessible dorm room, lives the too-delicious-to-be real Adam Hartley, another would-be hockey star with his leg broken in two places. He’s way out of Corey’s league.

Also, he’s taken.

Nevertheless, an unlikely alliance blooms between Corey and Hartley in the “gimp ghetto” of McHerrin Hall. Over tequila, perilously balanced dining hall trays, and video games, the two cope with disappointments that nobody else understands.

They’re just friends, of course, until one night when things fall apart. Or fall together. All Corey knows is that she’s falling. Hard.

But will Hartley set aside his trophy girl to love someone as broken as Corey? If he won’t, she will need to find the courage to make a life for herself at Harkness — one which does not revolve around the sport she can no longer play, or the brown-eyed boy who’s afraid to love her back.

Buy Links:

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Michel’s Review

While I was on a one-click fury, I came across this book in the buying recommendations. The synopsis had me intrigued. One – it was about hockey players, which I am a real sucker for. Two – it is a new adult romance, which I love because of all the angst. And three – it had a different type of plot, and I love originality. How could I not one click this book? The funny thing is, the one book I was originally shopping for has not been touched. I had to read this one immediately.

The Year We Fell Down was fantastic! This book had me tingling all over. I loved every aspect of this book. It was well written, had an original plot, the main characters were exceptional, the secondary characters were just as charismatic, intensely romantic storyline, the right amount of turmoil and a love triangle that was explosive.

Corey was one of the most amazing heroines I have ever read. She was an athlete, a top ranked hockey player, with a bright future and scholarship on the horizon until she has an accident on the ice that forever changed her life. Now she is starting her freshman year in a wheelchair. She is still learning to deal with her physical limitations. She is not only adjusting to her physical condition but also her mental condition. Her hopes and dreams were severed when her accident resulted in a spinal injury. Rather than dwelling on what might have been, she is moving forward with a determination and positive outlook. She is discovering things about herself she never knew existed. She is learning to manage her new life. She is still a fighter at heart, a competitive soul, and a winner.

Moving into a dorm that accommodates students with special needs was not what she had planned on. Fate or destiny has other plans. She meets Adam Hartley, a star hockey player, that was placed in the same dorm because of his broken leg. Adam is the hottest guy she has laid eyes on. He’s upbeat, friendly and very taken. He is dating every guys dream girl. She’s rich, gorgeous, has the perfect body and has legs that work. Something that Corey will never be able to compete with.

As luck would have it, Hartley’s girlfriend is doing a semester in France. During her absence these two people form a strong friendship and bond. They share their love for hockey, their athletic attitudes, their down to earth attitudes and some of their hidden secrets. Once his girlfriend returns from France, Hartley will have to make some choices and figure out what is right for him. He will also have to deal with his deepest dark secret before he can truly love either woman.

This is a moving and emotional story. The reader gets a very real insight on what it means to have a handicap. Not only are there physical limitations, but also mental hurdles one has to overcome. The bond of friendship and respect is an unbreakable foundation in a relationship. When it comes right down to it, physical and sexual attraction are not enough to hold a relationship together forever. It is what is inside the heart and soul that will make it last.

Sarina Bowen wrote a compelling romance that will stay in the reader’s heart long after the book is closed. I am looking forward to the next book in the Ivy Years series. The Year We Hid Away will be out on June 1, 2014. I highly recommend this series. It will not disappoint.

Author’s Bio

Sarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction from the wilds of Vermont.

The Year We Fell Down, Book #1 in The Ivy Years series, began breaking hearts in March 2014. Book #2, The Year We Hid Away, is brand new.

For Harlequin-E, Sarina writes the Gravity series. Coming in From the Cold features an angsty downhill ski racer and one of the most unique plot conflicts in contemporary romance today.

Sarina enjoys skiing, coffee products and a nice glass of wine. She lives with her family, eight chickens and more ski gear and hockey equipment than seems necessary.

She would be honored to connect with you at http://www.sarinabowen.com.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter~ Goodreads

Unbeloved by Madeline Sheehan- Undeniable Series #4~ Review

Posted on 07/09/2014 by shellbellereads

Synopsis

Warning: This is not a conventional or predictable love story. It involves one woman and two men bound by a love so destructive it spans two decades, pitting brother against brother, and shattering the lives of those touched by it.

Dorothy Kelley is a born romantic, searching for her prince. Instead she finds herself pregnant at fifteen, and a in a loveless marriage by the tender age of eighteen. Then hope comes riding into her life on a motorcycle and within weeks, Jason “Jase” Brady, a member of the Hell’s Horsemen motorcycle club, sweeps Dorothy off her feet.

But nothing is ever simple for Dorothy. Jase is married with children. And as Dorothy patiently waits for Jase to give her the happily-ever-after she’s been dreaming about, James “Hawk” Young, a member of the Hell’s Horsemen with secrets of his own, sees an opening into Dorothy’s life and takes it. What follows is a long and painful journey of self-discovery and forgiveness, as Dorothy comes to realize that home was exactly where she’d left it, and the love she’d forever craved had always been within her reach.

This is the story of Dorothy, Jase, and Hawk.

We are all born pure; it is our journey that burdens us and leads us astray. Our mistakes that beat us down and cover us in guilt and shame, burying us a little more with each passing hardship. It is up to us to dig ourselves out, to come to terms with our faults, to embrace not only our imperfections but those of the ones we love, and to once again find the path we strayed from.

Praise for the UnDeniable Series:

“I have never been so beautifully uncomfortable than when reading the Undeniable Series. I didn’t just feel while reading them. Madeline Sheehan set every single emotion within me on fire with a blowtorch.”

—S.L. Jennings, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author

“In an untouchable league of her own, Madeline Sheehan has created a riveting tale of ugly, forbidden love turned beautifully right. Heartbreak, grief, and finding strength and healing through family is the foundation of this emotional saga. A single breathing entity working in tandem against the cruelty that is their world, every character in the Undeniable Series will become a piece of you, embedding themselves into your thoughts for years to come.”

—Gail McHugh, New York Times best-selling author

Buy Links

Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Michel’s Review

The Undeniable series by Madeline Sheehan is one of my all time favorite series. Her portrayal of what being a member of The Hells Horsemen is brutally honest. These men play hard, love fiercely, and protect what is theirs. It is not a matter of black and white, right or wrong, or good and bad. It is real life, the life they chose to make for themselves. They honor that life, honor their brothers, and give their all to the club. Their women are just as tough and charismatic. They have chosen men that are not easy to love and will not always put them first. But they know beneath all of that hardness lies a heart that is dedicated to them and their children.

Madeline Sheehan writes a story that portrays what real life is about. This series is full of honest emotions, coping with choices, moving forward in life no matter what direction it is heading. She is not afraid of time, she allows her characters to age in a realistic manner, she allows sickness and death to touch their world, she shows the hardships of raising families, and she shows the heartaches that come along with life whether it be through mates or friends. On the other hand she shows the beauty life has to give us all. Finding the one person you can give your heart to, raising your children to become strong adults, sharing lifetime friendships, and living life to the fullest. I have to commend Madeline Sheehan. She has created a world in which every reader can relate to. It is not the world of the Hells Horsemen, it is the world where “real” life and very “real” characters.

Unbeloved is not a stand alone novel. The events leading up to this book have played out in every book prior to this book. It would short change the reader to start this series with this book. Relationships have been formed and some have been irrevocably damaged. Friendships have been cemented. Families have been formed. The path the three main characters is on has reached the final crossroads that will take their lives in new directions. It is a path that they need to chose wisely and with care. It is not only their lives that have been affected by their prior choices.

Dorothy Kelley was not always a club whore. She was not always a homewrecker and mistress. She was once a young woman with Cinderella dreams. Her choices and hunger for love have lead her life down a road she would never imagined taking. She loved a married man for years. The cost of that love was high. She lost her self respect, raised her only child in an environment that caused bitterness within that childs heart, and almost paid for her mistakes with her life. One man watched her destroy herself and loved her regardless. He was willing to wait for her to see all that he could give her, his heart. The other man loved her with passion, but not enough to give her an honest life and respect. Because of his selfishness she is now separated from the only family she has known, the Hells Horsemen. The family she walked away from after she almost lost her life and her child.

Dorothy has been summoned home. The club is in danger and Deuce wants all the members home so that he can protect his family. One man will bring her home. One man will give her his heart. One man will face the truth. One man will sacrifice for his family, the other will let go for his family. But at the end of it all, Dorothy will find out the true meaning of love. She will find self respect and be respected by others. She will find that she is valued by all those who love her. She will become the woman she was always meant to be.

Madeline Sheehan wrote an emotional story of one woman’s journey in life. She did a spectacular job. She made Dorothy the kind of woman we all want to be.

Author Bio

USA Today Bestseller, Madeline Sheehan, is the author of the Holy Trinity Trilogy and the Undeniable Series. Homegrown in Buffalo, New York, Madeline resides there with her husband and son.

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Infinity + One by Amy Harmon 5-Star Review

Posted on 07/05/2014 by shellbellereads

When two unlikely allies become two unwitting outlaws, will two unforgettable lovers defy unbeatable odds?

Bonnie Rae Shelby is a superstar. She’s rich. She’s beautiful. She’s impossibly famous. And Bonnie Rae Shelby wants to die.

Finn Clyde is a nobody. He’s broken. He’s brilliant. He’s impossibly cynical. And all he wants is a chance at life.

One girl. One boy. An act of compassion. A bizarre set of circumstances. And a choice – turn your head and walk away, or reach out your hand and risk it all?

With that choice, the clock starts ticking on a man with a past and a girl who can’t face the future, counting down the seconds in an adventure riddled with heartbreak and humor, misunderstanding and revelation. With the world against them, two very different people take a journey that will not only change their lives, but may cost them their lives as well.

Infinity + One is a tale of shooting stars and fame and fortune, of gilded cages and iron bars, of finding a friend behind a stranger’s face, and discovering love in the oddest of places.

Buy Links

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

Michel’s Review

Infinity + One is a book you cannot miss. Do not leave it on your to be read list, read it today.

Amy Harmon has penned a captivating book with a fresh plot and multi dimensional characters. Their story is heartbreaking, misunderstood, hopeful, rejuvenating, and in the end Bonnie and Clyde find their happily ever after. Their journey will take the readers on an adventure of a lifetime. We will learn about how resilent the human spirit can be when everything seems to be all wrong. We learn about all the possibilities life can offer if we are brave enough to embrace them. We learn that although life can seem chaotic at times, there really is true order in the universe. We learn that numbers never lie and music soothes the soul.

Our modern day Bonnie and Clyde are not like their namesakes. They are not leaving a legacy of destruction, violence, and crime. They are making a legacy of their own. A legacy based on compassion, understanding, honesty, and the true meaning of love. The only thing our modern day Bonnie and Clyde have in common with their namesakes is their dedication and love for one another.

Two unlikely people will find each other in a moment of despair. They will find that even though their lives are vastly different, they have more in common than what is on the surface. They will form a friendship that is based on their true hearts. They will touch lives and be touched by others. They will finally learn to live and love with a true heart.

Their journey will have you weeping and laughing. As their relationship grows throughout the journey you will be rejoicing. They are finding their inner peace. They have found each other, their true soul mate. This journey will be a once in a lifetime proclamation. At the same time, that sense of dread will increasingly grow. The outside world is against them. They are out to destroy their sense of peace and happiness. Between the media, police, family, and past histories there is no escape for this love struck couple. It looks like they may face the same demise as the original Bonnie and Clyde.

Amy Harmon blended so many elements into this story. She brought the story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow into a new light that most of us have not heard. She used numbers to make the world of modern Bonnie and Clyde make sense. She used music to soothe their souls. She used genetics to make the reader understand the bonding of twins. She didn’t add fluff and rainbows. She portrayed a story that was very real in today’s world.

I highly recommend Infinitey + One. It is an emotional journey that will have you believing in the power of love.

Author Bio:

Amy Harmon is a USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in several countries, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.

Amy Harmon has written five novels – the USA Today Bestsellers, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, and the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue.

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Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Tag Archives: Self Published

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Serial Review: The Love Trials Vol. 1 – Vol. 3

Review: Little Black Book by Tabatha Vargo & Melissa Andrea

Review: Blonde Date by Sarina Bowen ~ The Ivy Years 2.5

Review: Rhett by J. S. Cooper

Review: The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen ~The Ivy Years Series

Unbeloved by Madeline Sheehan- Undeniable Series #4~ Review

Infinity + One by Amy Harmon 5-Star Review

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