Destined to Succeed - Lisa Harley | Book Review

Rating : C+

Goodreads | Amazon 

Author: Lisa Harley
Publisher: Self published / Lisa Harley
Release Date: June 2013
Genre & Age Group: Romance / Adult

Goodreads Rating: 4.57/5Amazon Rating: 4,8/5

Destined to Succeed, the second book in Lisa Harley's Destined Series, was our guest for Release Event last week. I haven't read the first book, but really, I haven't felt anything missing, except for wondering Cade's relationship with Loralei and how she could have not choosen him. ;) - have I mentioned, I want me a Cade please :D... 

Destined to Succeed is Cade's and his childhood best friend Suzanna's story. The book begins from the end of Destined to Change, with a short Prologue. And then its pace increases with a tragic event on the farm in present. Then the story of Cade and Suzy B starts from their first meeting at the age of nine. We read their friendship and their growing love with the important moments they share, as if looking through an old photo album, with a smile on our face. The love for each other is so palpable, you can almost feel it yourself. 

Cade Walker is handsome, cocky and a little (!) arrogant, a typical women's men. But with all these traits, when it came to Suzanna, he is caring, protective and sensitive... but they are - and can be - just friends!!!  He lost his parents and shouldered the responsibility of the Walker Ranch at an early age. And loosing his best friend during the same time to a marriage wasn't helping either. He was definitely a womanizer, and every woman was after him - he is what you'd call a sex on a stick - damn! I am not a cowboy fan and even I wanted to have him for myself ;) But he wasn't really interested in them, except for some fun, he never had with any of them what he had with Suzanna once.  My heart went out to him during those days, I must admit... 

Suzanna is sweet and always loyal, she made sure her love for Cade could be seen by the reader from the first moment she laid eyes on him. However, I would be lying, if I say, I never thought to shake some sense into her!!! ;) She was in an abusive marriage with her longtime boyfriend, Branch, from the first day of their marriage I should add. She felt as if, she had no choice and this was her destiny - which I will never understand why - she chose this life. I felt broken for her and IzzyB, especially Izzy B - I had a daughter same age and couldn't bare the thought of happiness around sweet Izzy B. Noone should bare this type of abuse. Wish she reached out for help sooner... 

“Son, when you find the right one, you’ll just know it. Your dick won’t pick her. Your heart will. Always listen to your heart, because your dick can be a lyin’ bastard.”~ Cody

During their teenage years, they came to cross the thin line between a friendship and being lovers, but they didn't have luck on their side; they moved on to others - though they were always close through their lives. SuzyQ had an abusive marriage, that she could only stand for her lovely daughter IzzyB and nothing else to make her happy. And Cade had his share of women; many who he can't even remember their names...

This wasn't my usual cup of tea; however, I really enjoyed reading it and loved Cade, I must add. Lisa didn't just put a simple love story out there; she showed family bonds, friendship and a heavy subject-matter; domestic violence, but never overwhelm the reader or take these issues lightly. Even though I wanted to strangle the two main characters at times, their feelings and frustrations were perfectly reflected which helped the readers to connect them, in a perfect sense. 

I would suggest this book to any romance reader, and fans of sweet love story fans with some taste of reality in their books; you can grab your cold drink - let me warn you, you will need that cold drink at times with Cade out there!!! - settle on your comfy couch, and get ready to have a couple of hours of fun with this fast read. I will definitely be checking out the next book in the series...

Cade walked up behind me and pulled my hand with the shot glass up to his mouth. He had me press it to his lips as he slammed it back. He was standing so close to me. His chest was pressed against my shoulder. 
“You havin’ a party without me, hon?” I could feel his breath against my neck. 
“A party just ain’t a party without Cade Walker, right?” I was trying to be funny, but my voice was shaky because he was just too close for me to think straight. He gently turned me around to face him. I felt his finger under my chin as he tilted my head up to look at him. His eyes were smoldering and this might have been the shots talking, but he was totally kissing me with those eyes.

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Book Lovers' Buffet | Bouquet of Books Sale

Introducing the Book Lovers’ Buffet. Load up, you won’t gain a pound!

The Buffet’s “Bouquet of Books” sale will be open May 1-3. More than 175 ebooks, all reduced
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Suspense, Erotic Romance, and more!

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A Terrible Love - Marata Eros | Teaser

Title: A Terrible Love

Author: Marata Eros

Release date: February 11, 2013

Publisher: Self-Published

Age Group: New Adult

Genre: Women's fiction, contemporary romance

Tour organized by: AToMR Tours

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Jessica Mackey is living a meticulously fabricated lie of necessity. She's left the secret tragedy of her past behind along with who she was and is forging ahead with a clean slate. Jess soon discovers that passion can't be left behind; her own and that of the one man that sees who she really is. Whose presence caresses her soul in a way that may breach the peaceful life Jess has made for herself.

Devin Castile sees a young woman that is the missing puzzle piece to his existence and who is also the victim to a heinous crime. Devin convinces himself that he can remain emotionally distant even while indulging his physical desire for her. When the lies that Jess has made crumble before their attraction and the truth is revealed, one of them might pay with their life... or their very being.

Teaser

“What I should have done the moment I saw you with Maverick,” he says, his lips hovering across mine. They are so close I can feel the heat of his skin; I imagine the stubble that I saw on that square jaw rasping against me in places he hadn't explored.

“May I kiss you, Jess?” he whispers above my mouth.

No. “Yes,” I whisper back against every impulse not to.

He doesn't take my lips softly but crushes my mouth against his, a storm crashing into the shore, his full lips working over mine, forcing them open and I groan as he gathers me against him, his huge hands splaying against my lower back in a convulsive surge, bringing me into the line of his body.

“Respond,” he commands in a low growl....

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Tamara Rose Blodgett, writes dark romantic erotica under the pen name Marata Eros. She is a passionate reader who loves interacting with her readers and is more grateful than she can express for their support. Tamara is currently writing the companion novel to A TERRIBLE LOVE; A BRUTAL TENDERNESS, coming soon!

Author Social Media Links:

Blog: http://marataeroseroticaauthor.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarataEros

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marata-Eros/336334243087970

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5052261.Marata_Eros

To follow the tour and see reviews, guest posts, and excerpts, click here or the banner below.

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Lost and Found - Nicole Williams | Cover Reveal

Title: LOST AND FOUND

Author: Nicole Williams

Expected release date: May 7, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: Mature Young Adult, New Adult/Adult crossover

Cover Designer: Okay Creations

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

  There’s complicated. And there’s Rowen Sterling. After numbing pain for the past five years with boys, alcohol, and all-around apathy, she finds herself on a Greyhound bus to nowhere Montana the summer after she graduates high school. Her mom agreed to front the bill to Rowen’s dream art school only if Rowen proves she can work hard and stay out of trouble at Willow Springs Ranch. Cooking breakfast at the crack of dawn for a couple dozen ranch hands and mucking out horse stalls are the last things in the world Rowen wants to spend her summer doing. Until Jesse Walker saunters into her life wearing a pair of painted-on jeans, a cowboy hat, and a grin that makes something in her chest she’d thought was frozen go boom-boom. Jesse’s like no one else, and certainly nothing like her. He’s the bright and shiny to her dark and jaded. Rowen knows there’s no happily-ever-after for the golden boy and the rebel girl—happily-right-now is a stretch—so she tries to forget and ignore the boy who makes her feel things she’s not sure she’s ready to feel. But the more she pushes him away, the closer he seems to get. The more she convinces herself she doesn’t care, the harder she falls. When her dark secrets refuse to stay locked behind the walls she’s kept up for years, Rowen realizes it’s not just everyone else she needs to be honest with. It’s herself.  





  About the Author I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here's to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* . . . care to join me?  

Nicole Williams | Facebook | Twitter

The Edge of Always - J.A. Redmerski | Excerpt

Author: J.A. Redmerski

Publisher: Hachette Book Group

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Expected release date: November 5, 2013

Pre-order on Amazon  |Pre-order on iTunes

He was taking the long road. She was taking the road to nowhere. It just so happened that they led to the same place…

Five months ago, Camryn and Andrew, both dealing with personal hardships, met on a Greyhound bus. They fell in love and proved that when two people are meant to be together, fate will find a way to make it happen.

Now, in the highly anticipated sequel to THE EDGE OF NEVER, Camryn and Andrew are pursuing their love for music and living life to the fullest as they always swore to do. But when tragedy befalls them, their relationship is put to the ultimate test.

As Camryn tries to numb her pain, Andrew makes a bold decision: To get their life back on track, they’ll set out on another cross-country road trip. Together they find excitement, passion, adventure—and challenges they never could have anticipated.

Sexy. Daring. Dangerous. THE EDGE OF ALWAYS takes you on a ride you won’t forget .

THE EDGE OF ALWAYS Excerpt

Camryn shrieks and I start laughing as we dash away from the cows and toward the car.

“Awww, shiiiit!” I yell when I step in a huge pile of it.

Camryn cackles with laughter and we both practically stumble the rest of the way through the field, me trying to scrape the shit off the bottom of my shoe while running at the same time and Camryn’s flip-flops getting caught on the ground trying to keep up with her feet.

“I can’t believe that just happened!” Camryn laughs as we finally make it back to the car. She arches her body over forward and props her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.

I’m out of breath, too, but I still relentlessly scrape the bottom of my shoe on the asphalt. “Dammit!” I say, rubbing my foot back and forth.

Camryn jumps up on the hood of the car, letting her legs hang over the front. “Can we finally say that we did it?” she asks with laughter in her voice.

I stand still finally and catch my breath. I look at her, at how beautiful and bright that smile of hers is and I say, “Yeah, babe, I think we can safely mark it off our list.”

“Good!” she says.

Then she points behind me. “Do it on the grass,” she says with one side of her mouth pinched into a hard line. “You’re just spreading it around doing it like that.”

I hop over into the grass and start rubbing my foot back and forth again. “Since when did you become an expert on shit?”

“Better watch your mouth,” she warns, getting into the driver’s seat.

“What are you going to do?” I taunt her.

She starts the Chevelle and revs the engine a few times pressing on the gas. There’s a cruel gleam in her eyes. She props her left arm across the top of the open window and next thing I know she’s driving slowly past me.

I give her the warning eye, but her grin just gets bigger.

“I know you won’t leave me here!” I shout as she goes past me.

Surely she wouldn’t….

She gets farther away and at first I call her bluff and just stand here, watching her get smaller and smaller…

Finally, I take off running after the car.

  

About the Author

J.A. Redmerski, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of THE EDGE OF NEVER lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries and is a huge fan of AMC's The Walking Dead.

Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Web Site

Unbroken - Melody Grace | Book Blast

Sneak Peek...

“So, you own the bar now?” I say, “That’s great. Why didn’t you say?”

Emerson gives me a measured look. “You didn’t ask.”

I stop. How is this my fault? “Yeah, well I didn’t exactly have time, what with you pummeling a guy, pretending like you were going to make out with me, then judging every one of my life choices.”

My reply whips out before I can stop it. I clamp my hand over my mouth, and stare at the shocked expression on Emerson’s face. He so wasn’t expecting that! But why the hell shouldn’t I say it? It’s the truth, after all. I let out a giggle, unable to stop myself.

His expression changes.

“You’re drunk.” He says shortly.

I shrug, defensive. “So what if I am?”

“You never could hold your liquor.” He shakes his head, and takes another gulp of his beer. “I wonder, what else has changed…?” Emerson’s mouth curves into a lascivious smile. “You still make that breathy noise when you come?”

I gasp, shocked. “Fuck you!”

“Already been there, darlin’.”

Amazon † B&N † Smashwords

About Melody Grace
 

Melody is a small-town girl turned SoCal beach-lover. After spending her life with her nose in a book, she decided it was time to try writing one for herself. She loves bad boys, steamy romances, and (of course) happily-ever-afters.

Find Melody Grace

Website: http://www.melodygracebooks.blogspot.com

Twitter: @melody_grace_

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6926290.Melody_Grace

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/melody.grace.771

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Lost In You - Heidi McLaughlin | Cover Reveal

Coming May 1st
Cover by Sarah Hansen ~ OkayCreations.net

Lost in You

Ryan Stone is a less than average teenager. He doesn’t have fancy clothes. He doesn’t carry around the latest smartphone and he definitely doesn’t have an MP3 player. Instead, he goes to school, does his chores and dreams of a new life away from Brookfield where he’s expected to follow in his blue collar family’s footsteps. 

Hadley Carter is America’s Pop Princess. A successful recording artist living her dream with a sold-out tour and a handful of Grammy’s there isn’t much that she wants for, except love. But finding love on the road is near impossible when all she longs for are romantic dinners, a nighttime stroll on the beach and holding hands with someone who isn’t going to exploit her. 

When a chance encounter introduces Ryan to Hadley, will he be like her adoring fans looking for a way in, or will it be Hadley who pursues Ryan even though it might cost her the only career she's ever known.

Lost in You is a story about following your dreams, taking risks and getting lost in love. 

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumblr | Facebook | Blog


About Heidi:

Heidi is the author of USA Today, Digital Book World, Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestselling novel, Forever My Girl

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.

USA Today Bestseller - Forever My Girl - Amazon | Barnes & Noble 



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An Endless Summer - C.J. Duggan | Cover Reveal

An Endless Summer by C.J. Duggan
Series: Summer, #2
Publication date:  July 17th 2013
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16301141-an-endless-summer

Synopsis:

Sean looked out over the lake, squinting against the sunlight. He turned to me, his expression sobering as his eyes flicked over my face in a silent study.

“Come on Amy, I saved you once, I’ll save you again.”

I met his stare unflinchingly. “I don’t need saving.”

A wicked grin formed slowly. “Don’t you?”

After a rebellious summer night that almost claimed her life, Amy Henderson – the Onslow publican’s only daughter – is sent away to suffer a fate far worse than any other punishment:

Boarding School.

Three years on, a now nineteen-year-old Amy returns to Onslow for the summer. What once was a cauldron of activity with live bands, hot meals and cold beers, the Onslow Hotel now lies dark, deserted and depressing. All fond childhood memories of loitering on the hotel stairs and eavesdropping on customers’ colourful conversations are in the distant past.

How had her dad let it come to this?

With the new threat of putting the Onslow up for sale, Amy reluctantly turns to a local tradesman for help: Sean Murphy, the very same Onslow boy who saved her life all those years ago. With his help and that of some old friends, the task is clear: spend the summer building the hotel back up to its former glory or lose it for good.

In an endless summer, Amy soon realises that sometimes in order to save your future, you have to face your past, even if it’s in the form of a smug, gorgeous Onslow boy.

----

AUTHOR BIO

C.J. Duggan

C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia.
The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.
For more on C.J and ‘The Summer Series’, visit www.cjdugganbooks.com

Author Links:

Website: http://www.cjdugganbooks.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5779034.C_J_Duggan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cj.duggan.1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CJ_Duggan

Interview With Holly Stephens The Author of Second Rate Chances | Blog Tour

Holly Stephens is a new name for my readers, can you tell us a little about yourself? 

I'm 32 years old from Louisiana. I've been married for going on eight years and we have one little boy who is about to turn six. He's my world and he makes it nearly impossible for me to write LOL

I've been writing for about four years now but finally worked up the nerve to actually do something with my stories. I have a notebook full of ideas so hopefully I'll be around for a while. My day job consists of selling plumbing. I'm not joking. We're like interior designers for your kitchen and baths. You'd be surprised how serious some people take picking out a toilet.

On a side note, LSU Football is a religion in my house (even though I prefer baseball). Mardi Gras is a major holiday for us. I love everything Disney related and I hate clowns.

Much like y'all, I LOVE to read. I use to think I'd be lost without my iphone, but now I think if I were to lose my Nook I'd have a panic attack.

  

Your book is a new adult conteporary romance? Why this genre and what do you think about

the New adult hype? 

To be honest, when I started writing SRC I didn't write it to be new adult. I wrote it with the mindset that it was just contemporary romance. Not that I mind the new adult label. So when the cover/synopsis came out and people began talking about it, that's what it was labeled. When I sat and really thought about it, it made sense.

As for the new adult hype, I know a lot of authors/readers are one side or the other on their opinion. For me, I think it's a great addition. You have YA then you have CR. Why can't we have something that's in the middle? If there are people writing and people reading, does it really matter what a books labeled?

There is a strong subject behind the love story and happenings in your book that I don’t

want to reveal too much now. But how did the idea of this book come out, what was your

inspiration? 

Like all good ideas, this one started in the bathroom LOL Music is what drives me so as I was getting ready for work one morning, I had Pandora on and Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade came on. And that one line- This time I will fall for you, over again- really hit me. From there the idea started. A guy and a girl falling in love all over again- a second chance at love. Then I heard The Script's, For the First Time, and the song itself- this couple kind of seeing each other for the first time again just built to the story. I think that's when the amnesia idea came to me. I wanted them to have this second chance, this moment where they really see each other for the first time even though they've known each other for years.

And as it is all about second chances, do you believe in them? 

I think everyone deserves the notion of a second chance but you have to earn it. Does that make sense? Like, don't tell me you're going to change- show me. If I've seen that you're serious, that you're not just pulling my leg, then yeah I believe in them. But it's like that saying goes. Fool one once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

This is your first published book right? How does it feel to be a published author now?

It's surreal. A few weeks ago we were down in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and having dinner with a friend of my in-laws. HE asked what I did for a living and I automatically said, "I sell plumbing." Apparently that was the wrong answer for my husband and in-laws because they promptly said, "SHE'S AN AUTHOR!" LOL I was a little taken aback by their outburst because I'm not used to telling people that. To me it's my side job- one that I'm very proud of- but still. It's not my fulltime job. But regardless, it's a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. It's like, I've been talking about doing this for so long and now I have!

And what changed in your life? Can you tell us a little about your journey from writing to publishing? 

Honestly nothing much as changed. I'm a little more stressed because now that I have one book out I have deadlines I want to meet for more books to come. And finding the time now to write those is proving impossible. Thankfully, my husband is a little more understanding now that I have one book out. He's more apt to take over a few household responsibilities while I sit down and write.

Sam and Lily were so natural and realistic together, it felt just right. And Chloe was so mean

and cold, I literaly felt it. =) How do you create your characters? Do you set a goal in the beginning of your story or find their place a long the way?

No, the goal was set at the beginning. I wanted Chloe to be that force you hated. I didn't want people to feel sorry for her. And Sam & Lil, given their history, they needed that natural ability about them. Same with their friends. Even though all this time has passed I wanted it to feel like- once the inital getting over what they were pissed about was out of the way- that they all had this great vibe between them. And her dad? Oh he was also a villian. I had this big powerful man who always gets what he wants in my head.

There is also Sam’s amnesia,you have put the details and behavior very believable out there. What type of research did you have to do? 

When I first started mapping this story out I googled amnesia and read about the different types. Dissosiative was the perfect diagnosis for him. It wasn't this long term condition and the patient only loses a minimum amount of time. It's not like reverted back to being a kid. But over time, the memories return. I knew the moment I wanted him to remember and how it was to happen so it was a perfect fit. But yeah, I spent weeks reading up on amnesia.

There are very sad moments along Sam and Lily’s story, was there a particular scene or

chapter, you had difficulty in putting into words?

A couple. The scene when they have the fight about Toby, that was hard for me to have him pretty much defend Chloe to Lil. It was hard to write because I love her so much and Sam? He's not a malicious person so for him to pretty much tell her that maybe he's got a stronger relationship with Chloe was hard.

What should we expect from Holly Stephens next? 

OH! A lot! LOL I have a packed schedule of things to come that I'm really excited about. Originally I had a book, Risque Business, that I had planned to release this summer but I've put that one on hold for the start of a new series I'm working on.

AND... there is a second, Second Rate Chances, book in the works. I had never imagined writing a second book for it but a source of inspiration struck and now I'm planning it all out. The only thing right now that I can tell you about it, is that it won't be Sam and Lil centered. They will be there but I'm going to focus on another character we've already met.