Book Blitz: "Life in The Danger Zone" by Patricia B. Tighe


I was invited by Swoon Romance to feature Patricia B. Tighe's "Life in the Danger Zone"! A sweet romance with cruise and mystery!

About the Book
D:\Documents\Swoon Romance\November Releases\Life in the Danger Zone\1.pngSixteen-year- old Rose Mulligan’s plan for the summer cruise with her grandparents is simple—read mysteries in the sunshine and see historical sites. It doesn’t include joining a young people’s tour group or crushing on a boy whose flirting runs hot and cold. And it definitely doesn’t include being accused of theft.
Sam Briggs also has a plan for the trip—hang out with his uncle and cousins, and avoid thinking about his stupid parents. But when family members pair-up with strangers, Sam is left wanting to hit something. The only bright spot is shy, constantly blushing Rose, a girl he really needs to avoid. She’s too nice for a meaningless hookup. Then why can’t he stop thinking about her?

Determined to clear her name, Rose decides to find out who the real thief is. It quickly becomes clear that everyone has secrets. Dangerous secrets. But by the time Sam starts helping with the investigation, Rose is wishing she could forget the whole thing and just focus on his intense gaze and lopsided smile. There are only a few days left on the trip after all, and they’ll never see each other again once it’s over. Right?

But it’s too late. Danger has a way of finding you, whether it’s disguised as a cunning thief or a swoony boy.


Author Bio
The mother of two grown sons, Patricia B. Tighe lives in West Texas with her husband and dog. She eats way too much pizza, drinks way too much coffee, and watches way too much NFL football. On the bright side, she also reads and writes teen fiction. She promises to include as much romance, angst, and adventure as possible in her books.



Author Website: www.patriciabtighe.com



Blog Tour Review+Trailer+Giveaway: "Fire in You" (Wait for you #6) by J. Lynn

fire-in-you-feature-tour-banner    

Some are born with fire in them.

✮✮✮SECOND CHANCES, HOPE, & RED-HOT CHEMISTRY…FIRE IN YOU, the final book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Wait For You World, releases November 28, 2016! Don’t Miss Brock and Jillian’s passionate and richly moving story in this standalone contemporary romance! And check out each stop on the FIRE IN YOU Feature Tour taking place November 21-December 3!✮✮✮

Let the FIRE IN YOU burn and order your copy today!

                               fire-in-you-cover
About FIRE IN YOU (Standalone Contemporary Romance Releasing November 28, 2016):
From the # 1 New York Times and International bestselling author comes a richly moving story about heartbreak and guilt, second chances and hope. Full of familiar, fan-favorite characters and no two people more deserving of a happy ending, Fire In You will burn bright beyond the last page…
Jillian Lima’s whole world was destroyed in a span of a few hours. The same night her childhood love, Brock ‘the Beast’ Mitchell, broke her heart, her life was irrevocably altered by the hand of a stranger with a gun. It takes six years to slowly glue together the shattered pieces of her life, but Jillian is finally ready to stop existing in a past full of pain and regret. She takes a job at her father’s martial arts Academy and she’s going out on her first date since a failed relationship that was more yuck than yum. Jillian is determined to start living.
She just never expected Brock to be a part of her life again. But he’s firmly back in her life before she knows it, and not only is he older, he’s impossibly more handsome, more teasing and more everything. And when he sees Jillian, he’s no longer capable of thinking of her as the little girl who was his shadow growing up or the daughter of the man who gave him a second chance at life. He sees the woman who’d always been there for him, the one person who believed in him no matter what.
Brock knows she’s the one he should’ve made his, and what begins as a tentative friendship quickly turns to red-hot chemistry that sparks a flame that burns brighter than lust. Falling for Brock again risks more than her heart, because when the sorrow-filled and guilt-ridden past resurfaces, and a web of lies threatens to rip them apart, the fallout could lay waste to everything they’ve fought to build together, and destroy the dreams of those they care most about.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

                                            fire-in-you-feature-tour-teaser-1
 

Pre-Order a digital or paperback copy of FIRE IN YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout, writing as J.Lynn, AND fill out THIS FORM by December 3rd, and get an exclusive bonus scene-an Epilogue featuring POVs from all the major couples throughout the Wait For You World!

FIRE IN YOU will be available in paperback and eBook November 28th, 2016!

Just enter your name, age, email address, and the order number from your digital or paperback pre-order receipt athttps://a.pgtb.me/M7KhMCto receive your exclusive FIRE IN YOU bonus scene! All entrants will receive the bonus scene on December 5th, 2016 through email using the email given when the entrant filled out THIS FORM.



REVIEW

I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

"Fire in You" was one of the strongest, most emotional books of the series. Jill's and Brock's story broke my heart and remade it within 200 e-pages. Their background story, the glimpses we got from both of them, even the blooming romance were so well-written!

I liked how Jill tried to get over Brock. Because after everything she'd been though she wanted to move on. But my sweet Brock never gave up, even if he carried all these emotional scars with him. Also the cameo appearances of all the previous characters some with children, some with husbands, were a sweet reminder that this series is over but you can always go back and enjoy these amazing stories. Jen Armentrout's final book was a masterpiece! ;)



   


FIRE IN YOU Feature Tour
November 21
The Book Bratz-Review This Wacky Mama Reads!-Review & Excerpt Booklovers For Life-Character Q & A-Jillian
November 22
The Reading Geek-Review Words With Sarah-Review & Author Interview
November 23
November 24
A Bookish Escape-Review Star-Crossed Book Blog-Review & Author Interview
November 25
Book Bitches Blog-Review & Excerpt The Irish Banana Reviews-Review & Author Interview
November 26
Stuck In YA Books-Review & Top 5 List Step Into Fiction-Review & Excerpt
November 27
Less Reality, More Books-Review & Character Q & A-Kristen My YA NA Book Obsession-Review & Author Interview
November 28
November 29
Milky Way of Books-Review Love Between the Sheets-Review & Character Q & A-Brock Book Boyfriend Reviews-Review
November 30
The Cover Contessa-Review & Top 5 List Deity Island-Review & Excerpt All Romance Reviews-Review & Excerpt
December 1
Cocktails and Books-Review Readers Live 1000 Lives-Review & Character Q & A-Avery & Cam K-Books-Review
December 2
Tome Tender-Review & Excerpt The Book Hookup-Review & Excerpt
December 3
Nose Stuck in a Book-Review & Excerpt Kimberlyfaye Reads-Review & Top 5 List





author-photo-jla_j-lynn    About Jennifer L. Armentrout: # 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. She spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Jennifer has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Reviewers Choice Award for Wait for You, the 2015 Editor’s Pick for Fall With Me, and the 2014/2015 Moerser-Jugendbuch- Jury award for Obsidian. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.  

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads




                       

                                                   inkslinger-blogger-final

Review: "Beast" by Brie Spangler


Beast by Brie Spangler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Tall, meaty, muscle-bound, and hairier than most throw rugs, Dylan doesn’t look like your average fifteen-year-old, so, naturally, high school has not been kind to him. To make matters worse, on the day his school bans hats (his preferred camouflage), Dylan goes up on his roof only to fall and wake up in the hospital with a broken leg—and a mandate to attend group therapy for self-harmers.
Dylan vows to say nothing and zones out at therapy—until he meets Jamie. 

She’s funny, smart, and so stunning, even his womanizing best friend, JP, would be jealous. She’s also the first person to ever call Dylan out on his self-pitying and superficiality. As Jamie’s humanity and wisdom begin to rub off on Dylan, they become more than just friends. But there is something Dylan doesn’t know about Jamie, something she shared with the group the day he wasn’t listening. Something that shouldn’t change a thing. 

She is who she’s always been—an amazing photographer and devoted friend, who also happens to be transgender. But will Dylan see it that way?




BUY ON



REVIEW

I was very excited for this book! Not only it had a male POV but it also dealt with matters of identity, sexuality and high school drama.

Dylan is an overgrown, too tall, too meaty/strong but overall shy boy. Though he tries to blend in school he has one "good" friend JP and he lives with his mother. When circumstances makes him interact with Jamie, he will find himself questioning both his life and his behavior.

No one is perfect in this book; everyone have flaws and sometimes I found myself groaning in frustration with JP's behavior. But Dylan, despite his mistakes and boyish behavior he is a sweet guy with a golden heart. I really, really like Jamie. She is strong and confident, finally feeling more at ease with herself and many times in the book, she gives to Dylan verbal slaps in order to make him see and understand.

While I thought that Dylan would be like Takeo (from the anime Ore Monogatari), but he proved much smarter and I actually liked his wit and love he has for his mother, even if sometimes she is a lot to handle.



This book was sweet and had a really good ending. I wouldn't mind a companion novel or a sequel to the book. I wanted more of Dylan and Jamie! ;)







About the author:

Author/illustrator of children's picture books and YA novels, Brie Spangler loves to draw and write stories and drink massive amounts of caffeine, but not quite Dave Grohl "Fresh Pot!"/require hospitalization levels. Writing down the ideas in her head was scary as a kid, so she turned to making pictures instead. Brie worked as an illustrator for several years before she began to write and immediately became a frothing addict. BEAST is her debut novel. Hit her up on twitter! @BrieSpangler

Review: "The Architect of Song" (Haunted Hearts Legacy #1) by A.G. Howard


The Architect of Song by A.G. Howard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

A lady imprisoned by deafness, an architect imprisoned by his past, and a ghost imprisoned within the petals of a flower - intertwine in this love story that transcends life and death.

For most of her life, nineteen-year-old Juliet Emerline has subsisted – isolated by deafness – making hats in the solitude of her home. Now, she’s at risk to lose her sanctuary to Lord Nicolas Thornton, a twenty-seven-year-old mysterious and eccentric architect with designs on her humble estate. When she secretly witnesses him raging beside a grave, Juliet investigates, finding the name “Hawk” on the headstone and an unusual flower at the base. The moment Juliet touches the petals, a young English nobleman appears in ghostly form, singing a song only her deaf ears can hear. The ghost remembers nothing of his identity or death, other than the one name that haunts his afterlife: Thornton.

To avenge her ghostly companion and save her estate, Juliet pushes aside her fear of society and travels to Lord Thornton’s secluded holiday resort, posing as a hat maker in one of his boutiques. There, she finds herself questioning who to trust: the architect of flesh and bones who can relate to her through romantic gestures, heartfelt notes, and sensual touches … or the specter who serenades her with beautiful songs and ardent words, touching her mind and soul like no other man ever can. As sinister truths behind Lord Thornton’s interest in her estate and his tie to Hawk come to light, Juliet is lured into a web of secrets. But it’s too late for escape, and the tragic love taking seed in her heart will alter her silent world forever.

International and NYT bestselling author, A.G. Howard, brings her darkly magical and visual/visceral storytelling to Victorian England. The Architect of Song is the first installment in her lush and romantic Haunted Hearts Legacy series, a four book gothic saga following the generations of one family as - haunted by both literal and figurative ghosts - they search for self-acceptance, love, and happiness.
New Adult: Recommended for ages 16+. 





BUY ON



REVIEW




I have heard so much about A. G. Howard and her books, not to mention that many of my blogging friends have recommended her books to me. But "The Architect of Song" was the first book I've read of hers!

And was I amazed. Which one should I praise first? The background setting of the book? How wondeful all the characters were? Or the fact that Juliet is deaf, yet she finds a way to overcome her disability, despite the rules of society? (you really don't want to mess with the Victorian society).

Despite its dark atmosphere and the relevations which follow the book to the end, I liked how Juliet tried to help Hawk, even if that meant endangering her own safety. For a reason Thorton's name reminded me of "Jane Eyre" and even the plot had a tiny similarity to the classic.
The descriptions of the dresses and the houses and how hard it is for Juliet to be brave, despite her circumstances are the main points of the book, as also the mystery and the romance.

Despite having a love triangle, it's fairly resolved in a very quiet way you really don't expect. And some characters, despite being quite different in the start of the book, prove to be totally misunderstood!

I loved this series and I plan to get the rest of the books too! Not to mention that the upcoming release of A. G. Howard's is a retelling of "The Phantom of the Opera"! I really recommend all the books and I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I did! ;)







About the author:

A.G. Howard is the International and NYT bestselling author of the Splintered Series, with a slew of other classical spinoffs and original stories in the works that she hopes will one day find a place on the shelves. 

She was inspired to write her tribute to Carroll's Wonderland while working at a school library. Her pastimes are reading, rollerblading, gardening, and family vacations which often include impromptu side trips to 18th century graveyards or condemned schoolhouses to appease her overactive muse.

SPLINTERED, UNHINGED, ENSNARED, and UNTAMED, the first four books in her urbanized /gothic Alice in Wonderland series, are now available from Amulet Books. Also soon to be available from Amulet is her Phantom of the Opera spinoff, ROSEBLOOD -- slated to launch January 2017.

THE ARCHITECT OF SONG, the first book in her New Adult historical literary romance saga, will be available in August 2016.


Website

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Feature & Follow #34




THE FUTURE & FOLLOW IS HOSTED BY TWO HOSTS, PARAJUNKEE OF PARAJUNKEE'S VIEW AND ALISON OF ALISON CAN READ. EACH HOST WILL HAVE THEIR OWN FEATURE BLOG AND THIS WAY IT’LL ALLOW US TO SHOW OFF MORE NEW BLOGS.

HOW DOES THE #FF WORK?


The goal is to increase blog followers, make friends and have something to post.
If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followersYou create your own post using the post prompt. You leave your link and thumbnail in the linky list that links back to your post prompt. Once you have your post up and linked, visit other posts and tell them hi. The point is to FOLLOW them not just comment. If you see a post that just hit it to the moon, or just want to show appreciation to a fellow blogger friend, like their name on the linky list to show some appreciation. The person with the most likes gets chosen as the next Feature (you can be chosen every 90 days unless we are in need of features) It is required that if you participate that you have to follow the FEATURE. It is a big no-no to participate and ignore the feature. They are the special snowflake in this little blizzard. As a participant it is up to your discretion on how you want people to follow. Please post RSS, GFC etc if you have a follow of choice.

Specific RULES
Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.

Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.

If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followedFollow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”

Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”


THE POST PROMPT:

What are you most thankful for (in the blogging world)?

MY ANSWER:


I do not live in America. If you follow my blog, you may have noticed that I hail from Greece. BUT, I do like every tradition the American history has! For Thanksgiving, I would say that I am mostly thankful for the friends I've made in the blogging world and the endless posts about reviews, recommendations and diversity in literature!

I hope you will all have an amazing weekend as also, if you're brave enough, a good Black Friday! Many stores have decided to adopt Black Friday here too, so I'll go to hunt down my books! ;)




Happy Thanksgiving!

How about you?


FOLLOW ME IN ANY WAY TO YOUR LEFT

Review: "Rhapsodic" (The Bargainer, #1) by Laura Thalassa


Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want … at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken. 

If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.





BUY ON



REVIEW

Laura Thalassa is one of my most favorite authors. Not only she creates flawed heroes anf heroines, who strive to survive and overcome their past, but she also creates amazing worlds, dystopian and fantastic alike. Rhapsodic is one of these books, filled with mystery, romance and a really amazing couple.

Callie is a siren who works as an PI. She does remind me of Jessica Jones in the way she uses her powers for her work. But when a man from her past appears once again, the so-called Bargainer, in order to have his dues repaid, passion will ignite between them.

Despite having a really swoon-worthy romance, "Rhapsodic" is not only about the relationship between Callie and the Bargainer. We also get to see a really strong worldbuilding, adamant to the urban fantasy genre, but with a slight touch of the mythical and of "Midsummer's Dream". The POV is Callie's and it alternates from past to present as we learn more of her story.

I enjoyed Callie; despite being emotional traumatized, she still grows into a strong woman with her own voice and sass. And don't let me begin with the Bargainer! ;)

I was also very excited when I saw the cover. I mean look at this beauty! The designer is also a good friend of mine and if she also makes the next covers of the series, then this series will be spectacular!





About the author:

Found in the forest when she was young, Laura Thalassa was raised by fairies, kidnapped by werewolves, and given over to vampires as repayment for a hundred year debt. She’s been brought back to life twice, and, with a single kiss, she woke her true love from eternal sleep. She now lives happily ever after with her undead prince in a castle in the woods.

… or something like that anyway.

When not writing, Laura can be found scarfing down guacamole, hoarding chocolate for the apocalypse, or curled up on the couch with a good book.

Never want to miss a release? Sign up for my newsletter HERE 

Like to discuss my books? Join my Goodreads fan page HERE or my Facebook fan page HERE 

Official Site: http://www.laurathalassa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraThalassa/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraThalassa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurathalassa/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/laurathalassa/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+LauraThalassa/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Thalassa/e/B00DN9YA3S/
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/LauraThalassa
Email: laurathalassa.author@gmail.com

Review: "The Sun is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon


The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

Be the first to read the dazzling new novel from Nicola Yoon, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything

Natasha:
 I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true? 




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REVIEW

One of the most powerful, emotional, funny and heartbreaking novel of 2016. I was eager to read this book, since I learnt about its publication date. I had also loved Nicola Yoon's debut novel, "Everything, Eveything", so this was an insta-read for me.

Natasha is from Jamaica and her family will be deported in twelve hours. Daniel is a Korean boy who has lived through his family's expectations, despite having his own dreams. And he has a jerk for a brother.
Now, when the universe totally conspires for those two to meet, a love will bloom, not knowing if it will be doomed in twelve hours.



THE best part of this book is the triple POV. Two are the ones who belong to Daniel and Natasha and one is the third which shows the backgroumd of the book's cast. And they are all connected with each other and the final choices of the protagonists. With New York as the background, music and many funny moments, this book made me smile, cry and turns my heart into tiny pieces.

To be honest I kept expecting something to happen, but I was very rewarded in the end! It's a book about migration and broken dreams, the need to prove yourself and family, even if it's a broken one.

The Sun is Also a Star is an amazing book, recommended not only for its diversity but also for the unforgettable moments between all the characters! ;)





About the author:

Nicola Yoon grew up in Jamaica (the island) and Brooklyn (part of Long Island). She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and daughter, both of whom she loves beyond all reason. Everything, Everything is her first novel.









Website

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ARC Review: "The Crown's Dog" (Golden Guard #1) by Elise Kova


The Crown's Dog by Elise Kova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Summary from GoodReads

The first in an Air Awakens prequel trilogy.

A coastal summer is turned upside down by a violent murder, and a quest for lost pirate treasure turns into a hunt for the killer.

Jax Wendyll is the crown’s dog. As punishment for the unspeakable crimes that tourment him to this day, his life has been conscripted to the Empire Solaris. However, in an Empire afflicted by peace, his duties are relegated to unquestioningly aiding the antics of the youngest prince, Baldair.

Erion Le’Dan, a nobleman’s son, expects a quiet summer visit to the Imperial Palace, his only agenda to visit with his unlikely friends. But Jax’s discovery the legendary pirate Adela Lagmir’s old workroom inspires a hunt for her long lost treasure.

The pursuit of Adela’s truth takes the three men to the Imperial summer manor, built along the old pirate mainstays. When Adela’s trident is branded into a murdered servant, Prince Baldair’s summer amusement of treasure-hunting becomes a hunt to find the killer. But, as mysteries compound, the ghosts of Jax’s past may not be the only things haunting them.



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REVIEW


I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I learnt that my dear Elise Kova was writting a prequel novella series for the characters of her completed "Air Awakens" series, I could sign fast enough! I loved all her characters on her debut series and while it's sometimes hard for me to read novellas, (they have to make me interested on them) this one had everything I loved in a good short story: memorable characters (Baldair and Jax!) and a good ystery to go with it.

It almost turned Sherlock-like with the mystery behind the Pirate Queen! How strong the friendship between everyone was! It's clear now why the Guard seemed to be so well connected with each other on the series.

I'll be anxiously waiting for the next novella!





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Elise Kova has always had a profound love of fantastical worlds. Somehow, she managed to focus on the real world long enough to graduate with a Master’s in Business Administration before crawling back under her favorite writing blanket to conceptualize her next magic system. 
She currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and when she is not writing can be found playing video games, watching anime, or talking with readers on social media. 
She is the USA Today bestselling author of the Air Awakens Series as well as the upcoming Loom Saga (Keymaster, 2017).

SOCIAL MEDIA:


Blog Tour Review+Excrept+Giveaway: "Consolation Prize" (Forbidden Men, #9) by Linda Kage


What do you think? Should I give him a try?


CONSOLATION PRIZE
Forbidden Men #9
Linda Kage
Released Nov 17th, 2016


Don't you just hate it when someone destroys all your carefully made plans?

I mean, I had goals: college to graduate in one semester, a future I was working hard to reach, and an image of myself I wanted the world to see. My life was stacked into these precisely placed blocks. But then Colton Gamble came along and knocked them all askew.

I hated how he messed everything up, how he could hog all my attention whenever he was around, how he made my pulse quicken--but only because he ticked me off...not because I was attracted to him. Oh! And I hated how he knew how attractive he was too, the shallow, full of himself, doesn't take no for an answer, too-flirty, too cocky, extremely irritating jerk.

The boy had all the qualities that turned me off. Or so I thought.

One night he wasn't quite the brainless, over-confident jerk I usually took him for.

One night, he took care of me when I was at my lowest. He opened up to me and made me open up to him.

Now I'm learning maybe he's not what I first thought he was. And maybe I'M not what I first thought I was. Maybe it’s okay to rearrange a couple of my perfectly set blocks. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll stop worrying about what I’m afraid everyone else will think and finally reach for something I really want. It’s possible some of my plans need to be destroyed, and Colton Gamble is exactly the kind of mess I need in my life.

What do you think? Should I give him a try?

Desperately seeking your advice,
Julianna Radcliffe





REVIEW

I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored Linda Kage's new relese of her "Forbidden Men" series! And the funny part is that I read the book, while the US is still shocked after the new elections. Because Juli and Colton make not only an amazing couple but also an example that love can defeat prejudice and have fun along the way!

Colton's POV was very funny and despite his young age he is quite mature. Juli had the most to deal with since she had a crush on Brandt. Her POV sometimes annoyed me because she couldn't see the person in front of her for who he really was and not just a substitute for her lost crush.

I really enjoyed this story and I hope we'll get to see Carmen's story too!




EXCREPT


“Juli can’t stop staring at you tonight.”
“Juli?” That name perked me to immediate attention. “Julianna’s here?”
I followed Asher’s gaze to a dimly-lit table in the back corner that bordered the dance floor. It was empty save for one individual, one of the loveliest individuals to grace the planet.
I have no clue how she did it, but Julianna Radcliffe always managed to look equal parts disdainfully untouchable and wet-dream sexy.
Tonight, her dress was pure sin. She wore a long, strapless light gray number that had a front slit, exposing a perfectly toned leg most the way up her thigh and a bustier top that hugged proud, ample breasts. The paleness of her dress made the tone of her skin appear even darker than usual, which made my stomach knot with tension because I yearned to investigate all that dark-dark skin, see how it felt under my hands, how it tasted against my tongue, how it trembled when I stroked it.
Yet I knew without a shadow of a doubt there was no way that would ever happen, because that lady right here was a ball breaker. You could tell it by the straight-backed, poised way she held herself, as if she might as well be behind a boardroom table, doling out punishments to her inferior insubordinates, and by the way she had no tolerance for stupidity or players. I swear, her stare alone could shrivel a guy’s family jewels to impotent nothingness. I usually had the itching urge to cover my junk whenever I talked to her.
And yet she was an irresistible challenge to idiots like me. Not just because she was model-worthy stunning, which she was. Nothing on her was ever out of place; it always struck me with the urge to mess her up…in the best ways possible. But because I felt the need to be the exception to the rule, the one who got past her defenses and scaled that impossible mountain.
Brandt groaned.
I glanced at him, forcing my brain back to the problem at hand, that being Julianna and her inability to take her eyes off my newly married brother. “Hasn’t it been months since you and she were over?” I asked, confused.
He sent me a sharp glance. “Over? We never started. There’s nothing to be over. Juli and I didn’t even finish the one date we went on.”
Asher sniffed. “Well, it looks as if she’s still willing to finish it.”
“Dammit.” Brandt glanced toward his wife. “I hope Sarah doesn’t see her watching me. I don’t want anything upsetting her on our wedding day.”
Asher shook his head. “So, why’d you even invite Juli?”
“I work with her.” Brandt moodily tugged at the collar of his tux.
It seemed odd to me that someone so classically beautiful worked in a nightclub as a bartender. To me, Julianna clearly belonged on a runway, displaying the latest fashion, or—
“It would’ve been strange to invite everyone else and leave her out. Besides, we’re still friends. She’s probably my favorite coworker.”
“Hey,” Asher muttered, offended since he occasionally bartended at Forbidden with Brandt too.
Brandt rolled his eyes. “You don’t count.”
But that only seemed to confuse Asher more. “Why don’t I count?”
Ignoring him, Brandt brought his hand up to his mouth so he could chew on his thumbnail. “We need to distract her somehow. Someone needs to...” Trailing off, he turned slowly toward me, and the intent in his gaze was pretty damn clear.
I paused mid-sip. “Wait, what? You can’t possibly want me to distract her?”







Linda Kage grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest as the youngest of eight children. Now she lives in Kansas with her husband, daughter, and nine cuckoo clocks. Her life's been blessed with lots of people to learn from and love. Writing's always been a major part of her world, and she is so happy to finally share some of her stories with other romance lovers.



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Feature & Follow #33




THE FUTURE & FOLLOW IS HOSTED BY TWO HOSTS, PARAJUNKEE OF PARAJUNKEE'S VIEW AND ALISON OF ALISON CAN READ. EACH HOST WILL HAVE THEIR OWN FEATURE BLOG AND THIS WAY IT’LL ALLOW US TO SHOW OFF MORE NEW BLOGS.

HOW DOES THE #FF WORK?


The goal is to increase blog followers, make friends and have something to post.
If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followersYou create your own post using the post prompt. You leave your link and thumbnail in the linky list that links back to your post prompt. Once you have your post up and linked, visit other posts and tell them hi. The point is to FOLLOW them not just comment. If you see a post that just hit it to the moon, or just want to show appreciation to a fellow blogger friend, like their name on the linky list to show some appreciation. The person with the most likes gets chosen as the next Feature (you can be chosen every 90 days unless we are in need of features) It is required that if you participate that you have to follow the FEATURE. It is a big no-no to participate and ignore the feature. They are the special snowflake in this little blizzard. As a participant it is up to your discretion on how you want people to follow. Please post RSS, GFC etc if you have a follow of choice.

Specific RULES
Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.

Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.

If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followedFollow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”

Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”


THE POST PROMPT:

What is your favorite scary story?

MY ANSWER:


I don't read thrillers. Only once did I try to read a book Tika and Sarah had recommended to me and I actually cringed. The same applies to Stephen King books. Only one book was scary but not too scary for me to read. That's "The House" by Christina Lauren.

It reminds you of that movie with the kids and the haunted house? It's similar but with more mystery behind it.






BUY ON





How about you?


FOLLOW ME IN ANY WAY TO YOUR LEFT