Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Heart-Shaped Hack Release Day





When Kate Watts abandoned her law career to open a food pantry in Northeast Minneapolis, she never dreamed it would be this difficult. Facing the heartbreaking prospect of turning hungry people away, she is grateful for the anonymous donations that begin appearing at the end of each month. Determined to identify and thank her secret benefactor, she launches a plan and catches Ian —a charismatic hacker with a Robin Hood complex—in the act.

Ian intrigues Kate in a way no man ever has. But after learning he’s snooped around on her personal computer, she demands retribution. Impressed with her tolerance and captivated by her spirit, he complies and begins to slowly charm his way past her defenses. Time spent with Ian is never boring, and Kate soon finds herself falling for the mysterious hacker.

But Ian has enemies and they’re growing restless. In the hacking world, exploiting a target’s weakness is paramount, and no price is too high to stop an attack. And when Kate learns exactly how much Ian has paid, she’ll discover just how strong her love is for the man who has hacked his way into her heart.





 AMAZON      Barnes & Noble     iBooks





© 2015 Tracey Garvis Graves
Heart-Shaped Hack
EXCERPT


“Oh, hi,” she said.
“Imagine running into you here.”
“This is quite a coincidence.”
“It’s not a coincidence at all. I knew you were following me.”
“You did not.”
“I spotted you hiding behind the plant when I walked into the bank. Plus I could smell your perfume as soon as I stepped out here.”
“Did you”—she used her fingers to make little air quotes—“appropriate money from this bank?” she whispered.
“Of course not. I do all my work from the Batcave. Believe it or not, I actually bank here. I was just signing some papers.”
Kate had never seen a man look so utterly scrumptious while wearing glasses. There was something about the combination of his hair, his scruff, and the semi-rimless designer frames that made him irresistible. “Are the glasses a disguise? Because I totally knew it was you.”
“The glasses are real. I often suffer from eyestrain since I spend so much time on the computer, and I was up late last night, working.”
“They make you look very smart.” She took a moment to imagine how his scruff would feel rubbing against her skin if he were to kiss her.
“I am smart, but I think you mean devastatingly handsome. More so than normal, that is.”
“You’re so humble.”
“Ready?” He walked to the door and held it open for her.
“Yes.”
“Follow me.” He looked at her and laughed. “That shouldn’t be a problem for you.”
They took the elevator to the basement, and when the doors opened to the parking garage, Kate followed Ian to a row of cars. He stopped beside one and pulled a set of keys from his pocket.
She gasped.
Ian smiled. “It’s a—”
“1964 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe.”
“’65. But color me impressed.”
“My brother Chad was obsessed with this car. He used to have a poster of it on his bedroom wall. There were only six built between 1964 and 1965.”
“A bit rare indeed.”
The last authentic Shelby had sold at auction for around seven million. Ian’s was obviously a replica, of which there were quite a few, but it was still a very notable vehicle with a price tag that started in the low six figures. “Helena called it an old blue car.”
He grinned, looking contemplative. “Technically, that is correct.”
Kate could not resist running her hand lightly over the Guardsman Blue paint and the white racing stripes on the hood. The Shelby was unmistakably race-car-like in appearance with its aerodynamic design and unique body style. Chad was going to be so jealous. “For someone who values his privacy, isn’t this a bit ostentatious?”
“How so?”
“Rakishly handsome playboy who makes grand philanthropic gestures and drives a flashy car. Any of this ringing a bell?”
“Rakishly handsome playboy?”
“Well, if the Prada loafer fits. Wouldn’t you fly under the radar more easily in, say, a Ford Focus?” she asked.
“A Ford Focus? You want me to tool around town in a Ford Focus? Jesus, would I still have my balls?”
“No, they cut them off when they hand you the keys. Of course you’d still have your balls. What kind of question is that? This conversation has gotten way off track.”
“You mean because we started out talking about my car and now we’re talking about my balls?”
“Are we?”
“I believe so.”
“Maybe we should go back to talking about your car.”
“You want to drive it, don’t you?”
“Why would I want to drive your car?”
“Why wouldn’t you want to drive my car? Can you handle a stick shift?”
“Yes, and rather competently I might add.”
“That’s an enormous turn-on. Truly.”
She pretended not to hear him. “This is not a good car for Minnesota winters.”
“Horrible, I agree. My other car has four-wheel drive, but it’s not nearly as fun to operate as this one.” Ian dangled the keys in front of her.
He was right. Kate was dying to drive his car and couldn’t wait to see how it handled. She took the keys, opened the door, and reached over to unlock the passenger side for Ian. They belted up, and she started the car.
“Please note that I’m already making good on my promise, Katie. Because I assure you, driving this car will be the opposite of boring.”

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Tracey Garvis Graves is a New York TimesWall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Her debut novel, On the Island, spent 9 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, has been translated into twenty-seven languages, and is in development with MGM and Temple Hill Productions for a feature film. She is also the author of Uncharted, Covet, Every Time I Think of You, and Cherish
Tracey loves to interact with her readers and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

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Saturday, August 15, 2015

[Review] The Distance Between Us by Kasie West

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.




~Review~
4 out of 5 stars

So I joined up with the Square in Wonderland Book Club and this is one of the August Picks. Thanks to Dana for letting me know about the book club, I have always wanted to join one. So I haven't participated much but I do read the books. My life has been a little bit crazy right now but I promise I will try to join in on the discussion soon. Here is the link if anyone wants to join: 

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/166871-square-in-wonderland-book-club

I thought it would be important to mention this because every month I will be writing reviews of the books I read there. I will add the little thingy (pictured above) that I can't remember the name of now so you know its a book I read from Square in Wonderland. I like this because it will introduce me to new books and new authors that I don't think I would read otherwise.

Now lets get started. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a great refresher from all the other intense books that I have been reading lately that have had me bawling my eyes out. I absolutely love the dry sarcasm this book had with the amazing Caymen. Her personality and her well, sarcasm were so good. I thought she had a lot of spunk and character and it made me enjoy the book more. It was funny and it made me laugh at times.

So Caymen's dad left her when he found out her mom was pregnant. He was rich and he abandoned them so we know that the mom won't be happy if she starts dating a rich boy. Cayman didn't intend for that to happen but Xander just walked into her creepy doll shop that they own and live in. The dolls are a bit creepy but I loved it because its not cliche or common so I was ok with it. It's a good business to have. All those creepy dolls looking at you. Ok well not so much, that would freak me out but it worked well for them.

It was fun that Xander walked into the shop and that's how the met. I liked that cute game they played. I don't know why but Xander had something since the beginning that I liked. I liked his personality and he wasn't obnoxious or overpowering and he didn't show off his richness too much. He was adorable and I loved the Career Days he planed for Caymen. He was sweet to her and I liked that he was the one that pursued her. I also thought it was cute that Caymen tried to deny his attraction towards him.

I liked the buildup of the relationship and the characters were very well written. It was a good book and a cute story. Let me tell you though, it did surprise me at the end. I did not see that coming. I thought that was a good addition to tie in some of Caymen's history. Overall it was a really good book that I enjoyed. It was a really quick read too!

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Wednesday, August 12, 2015

[Blog Tour] Blackmail Boyfriend by Chris Cannon


Blackmail Boyfriend
Release Date: 08/11/15
Entangled Teen: Crush

Summary from Goodreads:
Sometimes, blackmail is the only weapon a girl has…

Haley Patterson has had a crush on golden boy Bryce Colton for ages. But then when she hears a rumor—Bryce is telling everyone that  he hooked up with her. With Haley’s reputation taking a nosedive, she gives Bryce him a choice: be her boyfriend for a month for a month or face the angry, cage-fighting boyfriend of the girl he actually did hook up withto show other guys that she’s dateable—despite her overprotective and very intimidating brothers.—or deal with the angry, cage-fighting boyfriend of the girl he actually did hook up with.

Bryce didn’t know the other Haley even had a boyfriend. He was just trying to get his ex off his back. And now doesn't know what's more unbelievable, not only is—that he's he being blackmailed,  or that he's being blackmailed by an honor student. His little “hook up” was supposed to end his problems with girls, not create new ones. Not only that, but his new “girlfriend” has two overprotective brothers, three-legged dogs, her father mows grass at the country club, and she's…well, difficult. And different.

Besides, everyone knows that perfect boys never fall for imperfect girls…Sometimes, giving in is all a boy can do…Can something so fake turn into something real?


Buy Links:
AmazonBarnes & NobleKobo BooksiBooks



Review

4 out out of 5 stars

Let me tell you, this book pulled me right in with the title. Blackmail? I mean who doesn't love a good blackmail? Haha just kidding, but this book did have a little bit of it but it was endearing and cute! I liked the whole concept of this honor student trapping a popular boy to do her bidding. I found it hilarious, and not because I was an honor student, well maybe just a little. It is fun to see the smart and sassy Haley come up with a plan to get her brothers off her back so she can finally start having a real boyfriend. Bryce was supposed to be the way in to all her other boyfriends but that might not have gone as Haley had planned. I liked that it is a slow but quick progress. They are not really keen on the idea of being together for real at first but I mean how can you not grow to love Haley when she is such a well written character.

Since the very beginning Haley had great things. She is smart and sass rolled into one! I absolutely loved this about her. Her quick answers and her personality make her a great character to love. I loved that she was able to blackmail Bryce. It gave her power. Now Bryce on the other hand, he was a bit hard to like at first. He was mean, rich, and a flirt. I liked that we could listen in to his thoughts and his point of view because this really made me start falling for him. If it weren't for his little thoughts I would of thought he didn't really like Haley. It was cute that Haley would pop into his head at some point and he would try to stop it.

It was a great book and I loved the dogs it involved. Haley and Bryce's best friends were also having a little love fest going on and I liked that it was shown. It made for a fun combination. The only thing I can complain about is the ending. I thought it ended to abruptly and there wasn't enough left to explain the remainder or advancement of their relationship. I would of liked if the book furthered things along for a little bit so I could know more about Haley and Bryce. Other than that I think Chris Cannon does an excellent job with her books. By the way, I read her other books and those are great too so check out Going Down in Flames. It is about dragons!

About the Author
Chris Cannon lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and her three dogs, Pete the shih tzu who sleeps on her desk while she writes, Molly the ever-shedding yellow lab, and Tyson the sandwich-stealing German Shepherd Beagle. She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures or snarky romantic comedies.

Author Links:

Book Tour Organized by:

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Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Kick Push by Jay McLean Blog Tour


 Blog Tour & Review

Title: Kick, Push

Author: Jay McLean

Release Day:  August 4, 2015

KICK PUSH KDP

PURCHASE LINKS:



BLURB 
There’s a single defining moment within every skater. It lasts only a second. Two if you're good. Three if you’re really good. It’s the moment you’re in the air, your board somewhere beneath you, and nothing but wind surrounds you. It’s the feeling of being airborne.
The sixteen-year-old version of me would’ve said it was the greatest feeling in the world. Then at seventeen, I had my son. And every single second became a defining moment. Even the ones that consisted of heartbreak when his mother left us.
Seventeen. Single. Dad. That’s what my life became. Yet, every day, I managed to find that feeling of being airborne. Or at least I convinced myself I did. But I lied—to myself and to everyone around me. Until she showed up; Tanned skin, raven dark hair, and eyes the color of emeralds.
You know what sucks about being in the air? Coming down from the high. Sometimes you land on the board and nail the trick. Then kick, push, and coast away. Other times you fall. You fall hard. And those are the times when it’s not as easy to get back up, dust off your pads and try again. Especially when the girl with the emerald eyes becomes your drug... And you become her poison.

GOODREADS LINK: http://bit.ly/1FSYTTZ
5 out of 5 stars

Kick Push is one of those books that just hits you right in the heart. It had so much love and heartbreak. It makes your heart bleed tears of agony but it also speeds it up with love and joy. Josh is a single father and I have never loved a single father in a book this much. The choices he made, the tears, the loneliness, and all he endured was all for Tommy. How can you not love that? His love for Tommy shines above all else, even his emotions and feelings at times. I hurt so much reading this book since the very beginning. Jay does an amazing job since the start of the book explaining and bringing the emotions early on in the book. When doesn't she do an amazing job? She is one of the best.

As the book advanced along we got to meet Becca, or Emerald Eyes as Josh likes to refer her as. As you can guess, he loves the color of her eyes but he sees the emotions behind them. Becca is very reserved and has a lot of hidden secrets. This is something that is hard to explain without giving to much away so lets just keep it at secrets. Despite all of these secrets Becca and Josh start the relationship off slow. It is hard for Josh to draw Becca in but oh he does. How can you not love a father that dedicates his life for a child?

Becca draws me in right away but I know that her past has scars. I thought I knew what was wrong with her but she has a deep past full of heartbreak. When I found out I couldn't hold back the tears. She is strong though and even though it hurt me, she did the right thing in the end of the book. She knew what she needed to do. Josh and Becca have a lot of problems but I think they are going to resolve them in the next book! Yes their will be a next book! I am so excited about this because by the end of this book I was holding my heart in my hand. My everything hurt. I couldn't think I just felt this immense sadness.

This book is one of those books that you can read in a day because you can't stop or it can be one of those books that holds so much pain that it takes you a few days to get through it. For me, it took me a few days to get through because I couldn't stop crying and feeling so much emotions. At times I couldn't handle it so I had to pause and take a break. It had so much meaning and truth that is applied to in the real world. This book is definitely a book that must be read. I recommend that you read the first book, Where The Road Takes Me. That one is one of my favorites like ever! So get to reading and make sure you have tissues next to you because you're in for a long emotional ride.
kick-push-teaser-4
kick-push-teaser-3

AUTHOR BIO
Bio_pic
Jay is an avid reader, writer, and most of all, procrastinator. When she's not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her two little boys, or devouring some tacky reality TV show.
She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her smile, make her hurt, and make her feel.
For publishing rights (Foreign & Domestic) Film, or television, please contact her agent, Erica Spellman-Silverman, at Trident Media Group.
AUTHOR LINKS Jay McLean 
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Monday, August 3, 2015

[Blog Tour] Tangled Bond by Emma Hart


TANGLED BOND (Holly Woods Files, #2)
RELEASE DAY: July 30

One date with the sexier-than-sin Detective Drake Nash. Simple.
Until you take into account that my brother finally proposed to his girlfriend, so Nonna is on a warpath—and the crazy old bat has Cupid by the balls.
The upcoming mayoral elections has everyone running on full speed, and while I couldn’t give any less craps about the corrupt Holly Woods mayor’s office, a dead body in the middle of a campaign speech has me thrown right into the middle of it. The victim is close to the mayor, but all he cares about is minimizing the damage to his campaign, so he hires me to work alongside Drake to close the case as quickly as possible.
Bad news for our tentative relationship.
We disagree far more than we agree, but being at loggerheads won’t get this murder solved… Or deal with the arrival of someone from his past.
The mysteries behind the murder aren’t the only things unraveling, and despite being knee-deep in lies and corruption and bonds so tangled they’re almost indecipherable, I have to figure out if I’m willing to fight for Drake the way I do justice…
Or if he’ll be my one who gets away.


Review

I am loving this series so much! Emma Hart captures everything I want in this book. It has mystery, passion, bantering, and suspense. The best part of the whole book, is that Drake and Noelle are at the center of it. They have become my new favorite couple. I love their fighting and I love Noelle's passion. She is so much like Nonna and I love me some Nonna. For those of you have not read the first book, Nonna is a crazy lady but she has good intentions. She drives Noella crazy, as she calls her. She is always setting up Noelle for dates and it is funny to watch that unfold. At the moment she is trying to get Drake in her grasp.

While Nonna wants them together, Drake and Noels relationship gets more steamy and the case gets more confusing and complicated along the way. I love it all. I love the mystery and I love watching them solve the case. I like how new things keep popping up and changing the course of the investigation. This is a perfect mix of steamy romance and mystery solving.

I love that Mrs. Hart gives Noelle the power. She is on point the whole way through the investigation. She owns it and is in control of her actions. She is smart and intuitive when it comes to solving cases. I like that she is in the lead of them because it shows some awesome girl power that some books lack. That is one of the reason I love Emma Hart's books so much. She makes the girl have the control (most of the time). Ok, sorry for my rambling, let me get back to the whole investigation. So murder continues to happen in Holly Woods. This is another mystery that Noelle and Drake have to solve in the investigation. Like always their is a shock factor that I will not share because it makes it even more interesting while reading.

This book two is more tricky because Noelle and Drake have a little thing going on but they can't let that get in the way of the case or their relationship. It becomes difficult for them to separate their relationship from that of work. Will the solving the case get in the way of their relationship or will the  case hurt their relationship?? Find out by reading this book! I am sure you won't regret it!


Author Bio:
By day, New York Times and USA Today bestselling New Adult author Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to two beautiful little monsters. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of whatever she fancies - usually wine - and writes books.
Emma is working on Top Secret projects she will share with her followers and fans at every available opportunity. Naturally, all Top Secret projects involve a dashingly hot guy who likes to forget to wear a shirt, a sprinkling (or several) of hold-onto-your-panties hot scenes, and a whole lotta love.
She likes to be busy - unless busy involves doing the dishes, but that seems to be when all the ideas come to life.
LINKS:
Newsletter:  http://eepurl.com/YQvfn

Exerpt 

“So,” she says to us, turning back to her cooking. “You come-a together?”
I choke on my water and thump my fist into my chest. “Excuse me?”
“Dinner. You come-a together?”
Unfortunately, I catch Drake’s eye. He’s grinning at me. Bastard.
“Yes,” he tells Nonna. Double bastard. “We came together.”
“So you-a dating? Noella! You-a dating?” She spins around quickly, the spoon still in her hand. White sauce splatters across the cupboards. “You-a really-a dating?”
“Dating is a strong word,” I hedge, shooting a fuck-you look to Drake over the top of Nonna’s head. “We are…trying not to kill each other every time we see each other.”
“So you-a dating.”
“Not every relationship has to be defined, you know.”
“So you-a admit-a it is-a a relationship?”
“Not all relationships are romantic ones. Some of them really do come with murderous tendencies.” I scowl at her, but it goes right over her head.
“Oh! Noella, you-a dating!” She drops the spoon and shuffles into the front room. “Antonio! Noella is-a dating!”
“You’re dating?” Dad and Trent ask at the same time.
“You’re taking the word of this crazy old woman? I’m already married inside her head!” Seeing her hopeful grin, I point my finger at her. “No. No. Put those wedding bells down, Nonna!”
“You’re dating?” Trent repeats, turning on the sofa so he’s facing us. “Really?”
“No!” I protest.
“We’re apparently tryin’ not to kill each other,” Drake adds. “Which is a good start, I reckon.”
“Well, if that’s what you’re callin’ it,” Mom sighs, “then no wonder she thinks you’re dating. Her whole marriage was spent trying not to kill Nonno.”
“She’s crazy,” I tell her. “Look at her. She can’t walk to the car without her cane, but she’s dancing—why is she dancing? Dad, make her stop dancing. That ain’t right.”
I fill one mug and smile sweetly over my shoulder. Then I slide the cup along the counter to him. He picks it up and sniffs.
“Hey,” I say to him, “Normal coffee, no cream or sugar.”
His smile reflects in his eyes. “We already know how the other takes their coffee. Maybe there’s hope for us yet.”
I purse my lips, but he winks, exaggerating his smile, and I laugh at him. To be fair, Trent and Alison never really got it right until he finally learned how she takes her coffee on a morning before her shifts…and that took him eighteen months. So Drake does have a point there.
“What if one of us didn’t drink coffee? Then what?” I ask, fitting the lid on my cup.
“Let’s be honest here. You’d never be the one to not drink coffee, and if I didn’t drink coffee, I wouldn’t come near you before four in the afternoon. I wouldn’t be brave enough to face you until you were falling asleep.”
“I could so go without coffee,” I argue, grabbing a muffin and shoving it at him. “I’m not that much of a bitch without it.”
“Sweetheart, don’t take this the wrong way, but you can be that much of a bitch with coffee.”
I glance at the clock on my fireplace before I step outside. “Fifteen minutes into the day. I’m going to count myself as the bigger person here and not respond to that asinine comment.”
“Oooh, asinine. Big word for this early.”
I spin on the balls of my feet by his car. “Keep that sass up, Detective Nash…”
“And you’ll shoot me?” His eyes twinkle.
“No,” I say with a sassy half smile. “I can implicate a sex ban now. That’s way more threatening than shooting you.”
Drake snorts, getting back into the truck and putting his cup and muffin in the center console. “A sex ban? Yeah, all right, cupcake.”
“I’m dead serious.”
“Noelle, if you think your dumbass sex bans can stop me from touching you and turning you the fuck on whenever I want to, then clearly I need to fuck you again—and harder this time.” He lifts one eyebrow, almost running a red light.
“You need to pay attention to the road,” I scold him, but my mouth is dry.
Holy shit, and I thought I had no brain-to-mouth filter. Does Drake Nash spit out every sexy thought in that delightful little mind of his without a second thought?
Wait—delightful little mind? What kind of voodoo is this prick pulling on me?
Handsome, part Italian, a Catholic in theory, killer eyes, deadly kiss… Oh, that voodoo.
New Orleans, I need a cure, please and thank you.

Twisted Bond:
I’m an Italian-Texan woman in a family full of cops. I’m passionate and shoot before I think. You only f*ck with me if you’re stupid.

Photograph cheating spouses. Hand over the evidence. Cash my check.
That was my plan when I returned home to Holly Woods, Texas, and became a private investigator.
Finding the dead body in my dumpster? Yeah… Given the choice, I think I would have opted out of that little discovery, especially since all three of my brothers are cops. And my Italian grandmother is sure the reason I’m single is because of my job.
Of course, my connection to the victim is entirely coincidental. Until I’m hired by her husband to investigate her murder and shoved bang-smack into the path of Detective Drake Nash.
My nemesis, a persistent pain in my ass, and one hell of a sexy son of a bitch.
Shame he still holds a grudge from that time I shot him in the foot twelve years ago, or we could have something. In another life.
So now all I have to do is avoid my nonna’s blind dates, try not to blackmail my brothers into giving me confidential police files, and absolutely do not point my gun at Drake Nash. Or kiss him. Or jump his bones.
All while I hunt down the killer.
Sounds totally simple—until a second body proves that sometimes things that start as coincidences don’t always end up that way…

(Twisted Bond is book one of the Holly Woods Files series and while it does not end in a cliffhanger, it is not a standalone.)

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON US: http://bit.ly/TwistedBondUS
AMAZON UK: http://bit.ly/TwistedBondUK

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