Friday, December 6, 2013

Switched by Cassie Mae - Blog Hop and Giveaway

 

 
 
Rafflecopter and Additional Giveaway Details at the end of this post!
 
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 
Kayla and Wes both have the same problem, they are in love with their best friend's significant other. Kayla has been drooling over Talon secretly for years. When watching Reagan hang all over the man of her dreams becomes too much, Wes and Kayla hatch a crazy plan to subtly show them they are with the wrong person.

"It's hard to see your best friend with someone you love. Doesn't matter if they're sad or happy, they're together. And you wish it was you, and at the same time, you feel guilty for thinking that, because it's your best friend."

At first, their plan doesn't seem to be taking effect but slowly cracks in Talon and Reagan's relationship start to show. Everything is fitting into place when the trip home for Christmas break is planned. They just have to make them 'see' them in time.

Wesley and Kayla grow closer together as the plan unfolds. They comfort each other when things aren't going well and they boost each other's confidence to keep going.

"My arms lock around him underneath his coat, and I never realized how much I really like the gummy bear smell Wesley has. It's oddly comforting. Like he's my comfort food. Which is so ridiculous I end up snorting a laugh through my tears."

Somewhere along the way, feelings start to switch direction. Suddenly it isn't Talon causing her stomach to do somersaults or making her sigh. And this is where I'm hooked! Watching her pine after Talon was your typical NA plot but when the plan backfires, it takes on a life of it's own.

What a crazy, wild ride! I'll say right now, I LOVE Wesley and he is by far my favorite character. His adorable and quirky personality had me laughing at every turn. I didn't think I would recover from:

1. The morning scene in her parents living room.

'I move my face to snuggle further into Wesley's lap, I get the shock of my life when I see that straining against his jeans and pressing into my nose.
Please still be asleep..
"Uhh."
"Oh crap! I'm so sorry. I didn't mean...I was still sorta asleep." I blabber shaking my head.
When I notice the dark, wet spot, that's when I really start to freak out.
He did not just...
"That's not me!" He shouts. "I think you drooled. That's not...I didn't..."'

2. The revelational scene at Wesley's apartment.

"Kayla?" he whispers. His fingers leave my hip and land on my cheek. He strokes my face, twirling my curls in his hand.
"I...I don't think I want to do this anymore."

Hello...complete swoon material! Shaggy blonde hair with a cowlick in the front, dimple in his chin, plays the guitar and nipple rings? What's not to love?

So, the beginning I wasn't really sure how I felt about the book. Kayla was just too wrapped up in Talon but....when they go home for Christmas, my mind is changed and I begin to connect more solidly with her as she opens up with Wes. Wes, of course I loved. Reagan I kind of had a love-hate relationship with but she totally made up for it at the end. And Talon, I liked him but not as much as Wes. Sure he was sweet and all that but nothing about him really grabbed me.



 
A blog giveaway!

Anyone who comments on this review post through midnight (PST) on Sunday, December 8 is eligible to win a NetGalley review copy of SWITCHED! Winner chosen at random.

 

Don’t forget to connect with Cassie on Facebook and Twitter!

 

 

Hop along!

 




















































Wednesday, December 4, 2013

ShadowBoxer Cover Reveal & Excerpt


Synopsis:

She's in for the fight of her life...with the man who only wants to be her lover.

Fighter Mia Anderson has faced the dark side of life and survived. But just getting by is no longer enough. Tofund her new life with her baby sister, she’s determined to beat the reigning king of the male fighters in NewYork’s underground MMA circuit, Tray “Fox” Knox.

Tray refuses to fight a woman, until he learns Mia’s tougher than anyone he has ever known. He soonrealizes he wants more from her than blows and blood, and he’s willing to hit below the belt to get it. He’llfight her, but if he wins, she spends the night in his bed. All night long, his rules. No tapping out.

Mia agrees, certain that he’ll lose. What she doesn’t realize is that Tray loves to fight dirty…and that thismatch may end up being the most important one of their lives.

**A NOTE** No men actually hit any women in this book, in the ring or out.

About Cari:
USA Today bestselling author Cari Quinn wrote her first story—a bible parable—in 2nd grade, much to thedelight of the nuns at her Catholic school. Once she saw the warm reception that first tale garnered, she washooked. Now she gets to pen sexy romances for a living and routinely counts her lucky stars. When she’snot scribbling furiously, she can usually be found watching men’s college basketball, playing her music waytoo loud or causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.

Cari’s Links:





Cover designed by Hot Damn Designs
Coming February 2014
There are no buy links available as of now.

Falling From Disgrace Holiday Blog Tour



 


Falling from Disgrace by L. Maretta

Description:

Four years ago Adrianna was on top of the world. A bright girl who was going to be a pediatrician, she was ready to start med school with her best friend, Rachel. Closer than sisters, Adrianna and Rachel had opportunities others only dreamed about…until….

One night, one horrific accident and a one way trip to misery. Thank God for painkillers…only problem is all they do is postpone the inevitable.

Jack was easygoing and happy with his life. He had his job. He had his new car. Content, that’s what he was…until…

He meets her and he realizes there is more to life than the ordinary. He wants Adrianna. He wants to find out what she is hiding, make her see that she is worth loving, and bring the strength inside of her to the surface. But what will it cost him? What toll with their relationship take on the both of them?

There is no drug that will cure what ails them…only time, patience, trust, and love.

Review:
A story of friendship, loss and redemption. Adrianna had the perfect life, heading toward her dream of being a Pediatrician and her best friend by her side. In one horrible night, her dream is shattered and it leaves behind a lost, lonely shell unable to cope. Ade hides from her past, living a lie in Chicago under the veil of men and Vicodin. A night out at Loki's with her only friend Heather, leads her into the arms of Jack who breaks all her rules and finds a way past her defenses, but the fear of him discovering her secrets was overwhelming and frightening.

"Even if Jack wasn't disgusted by her life of doing nothing and living alone, he was bound to find out about her habit and she was sure he'd cut and run at that. What guy wanted to deal with a girl who was depressed, isolated and hooked on painkillers?"

Adrianna and Jack grow closer but he knows he is not getting the complete truth from her. When she finally comes clean, it is too late to shut him out, their feelings for each other running too deep. Jack comes to her with a plan and his support if she'll accept it. She decides love is enough to fight for, to get better and fight her addiction. Jack watches her agonizing withdrawal, going through his own personal agony over her pain.
"He felt completely helpless as he rocked her in his lap on the bathroom floor. He wanted to put Adrianna out of her misery and since knocking her out wasn't an option, he sang to her.

'Still my heart and hold my tongue. I feel my time, my time has come. Let me in, unlock the door. I've never felt this way before. For you, I'd wait 'til Kingdom come. Until my day, my day is done. Just say you'll come and set me free. Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me.'

He'd stay on the floor singing and humming to Adrianna all night if he needed to."


I think it was that moment, I clicked with Jack. I really liked his character, even though he could be a bit frustrating and bullheaded. Ade is a strong female lead and overcame a lot in such a short time. The strong connection between the characters was portrayed beautifully and I wish there was a little more focus on their relationship and a little less on their questioning of emotions for each other. In the end, it all comes together and even though your heart is aching, you find a reason to smile again.
"I need you Adrianna. I need you more than I can even put into words and more than you can possibly imagine; and not to feel like a hero but to feel whole."

Enter to Win! 

• 3 digital copies of Falling from Disgrace Mobi or Epub
• 3 digital copies of Whatever it Takes Mobi or Epub

a Rafflecopter giveaway




About the Author:


L Maretta, a full time educator, has a passion for many things but most of them have taken a back seat to writing. After writing for her own enjoyment since she was a teen, she finally decided to try sharing her work with the world, and her debut novel, Whatever It Takes, was published in June of this year. She has a great love of books, and enjoys reading everything from horror to erotica.

She lives in Florida, where she thinks the heat is ridiculous, but survives it by lounging by the pool with her laptop all summer. She is the mother of two beautiful little girls and the wife of a very supportive and patient husband.

L. Maretta's books are not only engaging romance novels, but they are also stories that people can relate to. These are not fantasy stories with billionaire playboys and sex goddesses. The content is real, centering on the true trials and tribulations of every day life, making the reader feel much more connected to the characters. 

Social Links:  
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Buy Links:

Tour Coordinator:

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This Holiday Party Blog tour is being run in conjunction with the 
Check out the entire schedule of the 18 Holiday Party Blog Tour stops & participating bloggers HERE.


Join the party and win from a prize pool of over 1,500 books and prizes by these generous authors!

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