Tuesday, March 8, 2016

[Review] Redemptive by Jay McLean

RELEASE DAY BLITZ

Title: Redemptive (Combative Trilogy 2)

Author: Jay McLean

Release Day: March 8

It's said that your life flashes before your eyes when you die.

It must only happen to those whose lives were worthy.

Clearly, mine was not.

The only thing that happened to me was a repeat of what I thought was my death.

The blast of the gun as it went off.

The loss of my breath as two hundred pounds of dead weight dropped on top of me.

And then darkness.

This replayed over and over.

When the guy squatted down next to me and asked if I was hurt, the only thing I could see, feel,

hear, were those few seconds.

Even now, as I sat in the back of a blacked out van—it was the only thing that ran through my mind.

Gunshot, breath, darkness.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon | Amazon UK | iBooks | B & N | Kobo

COMBATIVE (BOOK 1) ON SALE FOR 99c

Amazon | Amazon UK | iBooks | B & N | Kobo

My Thoughts

Jay McLean has just revealed to us one of her best books yet. Redemptive is gut-wrenchingly, heartbreaking in the most beautiful way. Redemptive left me cringing, gasping, and wanting more. When I read Combative, the first book in the trilogy, I had a direction of where this book was going to head, but that is not even close to what I got. I was not expecting anything of what I got. Redemptive tore me to pieces. It gave me the very few answers that I was not ready for. I wasn’t prepared for them. I wasn’t prepared for characters that made me love them and hate them at the same time. Although, I admit, it was more love than hate.

Redemptive is a book I thought would give me answers, but instead it literally took me back, not moving me even an inch forward in time. Jay McLean left me in shock and reeling with emotions. I do not know what is to come or where she will take this trilogy next. I am left dumbfounded. I don’t have the words to express how wrong but so right this book is.

I can’t even speak my mind because I can’t reveal too much. I can’t talk about the characters because it would give too much away. I can’t talk about the story because it feels wrong to share something that is too good to speak about. This book is all about experience. You have to experience it yourself to be caught up in this emotional twist of events. All I can tell you is that this book is beyond great. It NEEDS to be read. It needs to be cherished and appreciated. Don’t get me wrong, this book will leave you in a whirlwind. BUT it is definitely worth it.

I have nothing else to say. This has been one of the hardest reviews I have ever written. I have too much to say but not anything that I can actually say. I will just leave you with this: READ THIS BOOK. Love it, and fall in love with Jay McLean a little bit more. Her books are everything you need and you will not be disappointed.

GOODREADS LINK:

Combative: http://bit.ly/1XcpqqB

Redemptive: http://bit.ly/1TItqis

About Jay McLean

Jay McLean is an international best-selling author and full-time reader, writer of New Adult Romance, and most of all, procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her two little boys, playing house and binge watching Netflix. She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her hurt and make her feel.

Jay lives in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, in a forever half-done home where music is loud and laughter is louder.

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook | Fan Group | Web | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter |

[Review] Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

Title: Archer's Voice

Author: Mia Sheridan

Release Date: January 25, 2014

Format: e-Book

Rating: 5 stars

When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. A man no one else sees. Archer's Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man who lives with an excruciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice. It is the story of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love.
THIS IS A STANDALONE SIGN OF LOVE NOVEL, INSPIRED BY SAGITTARIUS. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

Goodreads Amazon

My Thoughts

When I heard that this book was going to be made into a movie I finally decided to take the plunge and read it. I have been harassed by my amazing, yet stubborn book friends to read it, so I finally did! Let me tell you that this book was amazing. Archer’s voice is full of new beginnings, new adventures, and a beautiful blooming love. First I fell in love with the writing and then I fell in love with the story. Mia Sheridan did an amazing job in putting a story together of two people, who were perfect for each other. I couldn’t imagine two more perfect, beautiful, and broken characters deserving each other more that these two.

Archer’s Voice is about Bree and Archer. Both have sad stories, but it is these stories, and Bree’s curiosity that brings them together. Archer is secluded from everyone in town and no one even looks his way. They don’t even talk to him. Bree left her home town because her loss was too big for her to handle so she ends up in Archer’s town. Bree starts engaging with Archer and she is very curious about him. She rides her bike everyday past Archer’s secluded house. One day she stops outside the gate, but her dog escapes and she strolls right into Archer’s house! That is where their story begins. It was rough at first, because Archer wasn’t very forthcoming, but Bree persists. This is the start of their journey. This story is something greater than remarkable, it is heart-throbbingly beautiful.

Bree, bless her heart, is one curious creature! She starts their journey together by just being her. These two were meant for each other. Bree knows sign language and Archer can’t speak, so they were made for each other. Archer’s wall is hard to breach but Bree doesn’t give up. When Archer starts opening up, his vulnerability shines through. I can’t thank Bree enough, for being her amazing, patient self. Bree is strong and she doesn’t care what others think. That is one of the many reasons I love her.

As for Archer, he is vulnerable and it is like he is living his life for the first time at 23 years old. He was always secluded so he doesn’t know anything about the world. It is like he is finally being taught so many things and I couldn’t be more happy that that woman teaching him was Bree. The way he loves with all his heart is astounding. He develops into this brave and courageous character. I think he just became one of my top favorite book boyfriends! I can’t even explain to y’all how amazing this man is!

Seriously, get on this book now. It will leave you with this beautiful ache in your chest. It makes you look at life in a different way too. Archer’s Voice is powerful and I need it to hit everyone’s bookshelves/kindles right away!

DIRTY LITTLE RENDEZVOUS

By Emma Hart

Release Date: May 10, 2016

Standalone

Sometimes the past becomes the present... And he's hot, cocky, and British. Leila Burke expected a lot of things when she joined her brothers on tour in Europe. He wasn't one of them. Jase Masters had no idea what to expect when he agreed to support Dirty B. on tour. She definitely wasn't it. It's been eighteen months. He remembers that night a little too well. She insists she has no idea who he is. He's rugged and determined. She's wild and free. Together, they're a tornado. Keeping it from touching down is the least of their worries.

Goodreads | Amazon Signup to be Notified | B & N | iBooks

About Emma

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 | New Release Updates Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

[Cover Reveal] Empire by Rachel Van Dyken

EMPIRE

BY Rachel Van Dyken

Release Date: May 31, 2016

Must Read ELUDE prior to Empire

SYNOPSIS:
I have lost everything.
My purposeMy love
My soulDeath knocks on my door, I want to answer, but every time I reach for the handle -- the promise I made her brings me back.
So I breathe.
I live.
I hate.
And I allow the anger to boil beneath the surface of a perfectly indifferent facade. I am broken, I don't want to be fixed.But the Empire is crumbling and it's my job to fix it.
My job to mend the pieces that were scattered over thirty years ago.
A trip to New York, only one chance to redeem a lost part of our mafia family.
The only issue is, the only way to fix it, is to do something I swore I'd never do again.
An arranged marriage.
Only this time,I won't fall.
Or so help me God, I will kill her myself.
My name is Sergio Abandonoto, you think you know my pain, my suffering, my anger, my hate?You have no idea.I am the mafia.
I am the darkness.
Blood in. No out.

Amazon : US | UK | Australia | Canada

iBooks | B & N | Smashwords

About Rachel Van Dyken:

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com.

LINKS:

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page | Newsletter

EXCERPT

Sergio looked ready to strangle me. “No. I don’t believe I asked for an annoying little sister, but if that’s what you’re offering, please don’t let me stop you. Just know, I won’t hesitate to put you over my knee if you get out of hand.”

The minute the words left his mouth. I froze.

He froze.

The taxi driver stared little laser like holes into the rearview mirror.

And Sergio leaned toward me.

I swallowed as tension swirled around us.

He gripped me by the chin and turned my head to the side, his lips brushing my ear. “It’s like you have a death wish.”

“You wouldn’t do it.”

He pulled back as both of his eyebrows shot up, and then he looked down, like he had spotted something.

I followed the direction of his gaze and let out a little gasp as a gun dug into my stomach.

“It’s been directed at you for the last four minutes,” Sergio said through a practiced smile. “I meant what I said. Listen well. I keep my word. Kiss me, and blood will be spilled.”

“Y-you’re a crazy person!” I hissed, shoving at his chest. “And I wasn’t going to kiss you!”

“Sure you weren’t.” He put the gun away. “Good talk though, right? Oh look, the movie theater.”

To say that I scrambled out of the car like a kid running away from her kidnapper would be a gross understatement, but the minute my feet hit the pavement, I paused.

My body told me to run.

The guy had pulled a gun.

On me.

I didn’t even watch violent movies.

Get the beginning of Sergio's story in Elude on sale now.

Twenty-Four hours before we were to be married--I offered to shoot her.Ten hours before our wedding--I made a mockery of her dying wish.Five hours before we were going to say our vows--I promised I'd never love her.One hour before I said I do--I vowed I'd never shed a tear over her death.But the minute we were pronounced man and wife--I knew.I'd only use my gun to protect her.I'd give my life for hers.I'd cry.And I would, most definitely, lose my heart, to a dying girl---a girl who by all accounts should have never been mine in the first place.I always believed the mafia would be my end game--where I'd lose my heart, while it claimed my soul. I could have never imagined. It would be my redemption.Or the beginning of something beautiful.The beginning of her.The end of us.

Amazon | iBooks | Nook

[Review] Liquid and Ash by E.M. Abel

Title: Liquid & Ash
Author: E.M. Abel
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Format: e-ARC
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Love was my weakness. In the light of the truth, no one can hide. Derek had ignited a spark inside of my heart, a hope for a love I never expected to find. However, our connection lacked the substance it needed to burn. Weakened with resentment, our relationship crumbled under deception, slowly dissolving into ash. I had sacrificed myself for him and paid the price. By the time Brandon entered into my life, the longing in my heart had turned cold. But fate was not done with me. His crystal blue eyes and fluid touch revived a wish that had been frozen in time. He gave me hope once again. Hope is a dangerous thing, especially when you dare to dream. *Warning: This book contains adult content.

My Thoughts

I am going to be brutally honest with this review. I have never disliked a book from the start and then later fell in love with it. Liquid & Ash is real and raw and incredibly truthful. E.M. Abel delivers one of the best books I have ever read. I am truly impressed by her work and I will for sure look into more of her books!

When diving in, the beginning depressed me and it left me sad. I never judge a book until the very end so I continued reading it. As I continued, there was this switch inside me, or maybe it was the book, that made me realize just how GOOD it was. It wasn't until I moved on from those sad moments, that I realized that those moments are what made this book so much better. It was a struggle, a real struggle, but the main character, Penelope, was able to overcome so much and find a path for herself.

Liquid and Ash is about this girl who is broken. She chose to follow love and leave everything behind. She quit school and picked love instead. It wasn't until years later that she realized her love and her marriage were not working. It was destructive to her and it was a depressing life. After many struggles she decides to start over, which is such a strong and brave choice. Will Penelope let love ruin her life once again or will she follow her own path toward healing?

Penelope is the best character that I have ever read. With her, I discovered just how much truth other books lack. E.M. Abel gave us the most truthful character in Penelope. She tells the reader how it is. Penelope reveals her feelings and thoughts without shame. It gave me this incredibly strong and real connection towards her. I didn't realize just how much other characters try to hide their emotions, thoughts, and feelings in their own book! They don't share the truth until the very end! Penelope shared it with every chapter! It was truly incredible and I am in awe and so grateful that the author gave me this beautifully truthful character even when she was at her most weak and vulnerable state.

Her character development was beautiful. Penelope was struggling in the beginning but she because such as strong woman. She thought love was her weakness but it wasn't that. She just needed to believe in herself. In the end she found strength in love. It was such a beautiful thing!

In the beginning I hated the man in Penelope's life. I hated Derek, her husband. He only brought her problems. Their love was once thought of as whole, but he was never the one. HE was destructing Penelope and I am glad she had the strength to leave and look out for herself for once. With this book, I didn't know if I was going to get another love story. But in walks beautifully, damaged Brandon. I FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM. Brandon is so amazing. It was hard for me to decipher him in the beginning but as soon as we go more of him he was everything I wanted him to be.

This book is all about struggles and finding the right path. Liquid and Ash is one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful stories I have read. It is a story about love, loss, finding the will to love again, and finally finding happiness. This book is not easy to read and I am sure it is not for everyone but the least you can do is give it a chance! It is truly wonderful. I highly recommend.