Thursday, July 2, 2015

Blog Tour: STOP by Alison Bailey




Synopsis
Every life has a different path full of sharp turns, smooth curves, and steep drop offs.

Hollis Murphy has a plan—college, career, boyfriend, love, marriage, family. A predictable, normal life. She’s on track until an outside force causes her to crash and burn. They call it an accident, because that’s the only word they know to explain what happens to her. It helps everyone move on with their lives, except for Hollis. She holds on to the belief that she’s been targeted for a reason. 

Risher Stevenson is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the hottest boy Hollis has ever laid eyes on. He fits perfectly into her original plan for a normal life. Everyone loves him.

Benton Daniels is intelligent, caring, sweet, and the bravest boy Hollis has ever met. He doesn’t fit into her life but gives it purpose and makes it extraordinary. Everyone hates him.

One is bullied. One is tormented. All are judged. How will it STOP? 
Release Date: 6/25/15


4.5 Star Review by Jen Skewes

I loved this book but writing this review is going to be difficult for two reasons.  One is that I am not sure words can even express how much this book affected me, and the emotions it brought out.  And two this is one of those books where I do not want to give anything away.  You need to go in blind an experience it all for yourself just like I did.  I will say that STOP is real and emotional and deals with a very delicate topic that is sadly a huge issue in society today.

STOP tells the tory of three individuals, Hollis, Risher and Benton.  They are all different in their own way but at the same time alike in many ways.  They all are looking for acceptance, to be loved and to not be judged for who they are. 

Hollis is starting college and looking for a fresh start.  After an accident a year ago her life has not been the same.  She had a difficult time in her last year of high school and she just wants to start fresh, and move on.  She meets Risher, who is extremely good looking, sweet, kind and the guy that every college girl drools over.  Every girl wants his attention but the only girl that he has his eyes on is Hollis.  She knows how good looking he is and that he can get any girl that he wants but for some reason he wants her.  Risher has his own story to tell which is why he understands Hollis the way he does.  He sees her beauty both inside and out.  But given her insecurities, especially since the accident,  she begins to wonder what he sees in her.   Does he have other reason for wanting to be with her?

Hollis also meets Benton who is trying to find acceptance in a world that is too judgemental to understand who he is.  Hollis and Benton become friends, they understand each other and Hollis is probably the only person who actually gets Benton.

These three characters completely had my heart from the very beginning.  My heart hurt for all three of them, but more so for Hollis and Benton.  The pain that they both endure will just break you.  I felt it all, their pain, their insecurities, their hurt but I also saw how much love these characters had and were willing to give. 

STOP is one of those stories that will stay with you for a long time.  It will touch you in so many ways.  Alison Bailey did such an amazing job with this story.  It is real and at times can be very raw and intense.  Ms. Bailey managed to bring out every emotion in me.  It is a story of acceptance, survival, love and hope, that also comes with a very powerful message.  Everyone wants to be accepted for who they are.  No one wants to be judged because they are different.   Everyone has flaws, and while they may be different on the outside it’s the beauty within a person that helps to make them who they are.  Hollis, Benton and Risher just wanted to be accepted.  They didn’t want to be seen as different and be judged because of it.  They have feelings too and their feelings were real.  They were real.  I wanted to be able to give them the comfort and love that they needed, to tell them it would be ok.  This is how much this book affected me.  Alison Bailey made me feel like I was experiencing it all with them.  At times my hurt just broke in pieces for these characters.  But Alison Bailey managed to piece it all back together. 

All I can say is what a beautiful, heart wrenching journey that will also warm your heart.   Everyone needs to read this story!!

Excerpt
“Name?” she said, impatiently.
I was so flustered that for a second I’d forgotten who I was. “Hollis Murphy.”
She scribbled something on a spreadsheet and handed me a packet with my name and the number two hundred ten typed out on the front sticker, which I assumed was my room number.
In a flat bored voice, she said, “Everything you need to know is in the packet. Should you have any additional questions or needs after reading the information, please ask your RA. Have a productive semester. Next!”
Clutching the envelope to my chest, my gaze shifted back down, and I walked quickly out of the office.
As I turned the corner, a loud deep woot! jerked my attention down the hall. I took one step before crashing full force into something solid and warm. Stumbling back, I dropped the envelope. Once my balance returned, my eyes focused on a gray T-shirt with cut off sleeves, stretched across broad shoulders. When I glanced down in search of my envelope, I couldn’t help but spot the narrow hips and round ass covered in black basketball shorts. As I squatted to pick up the envelope, a tanned forearm came into view. My gaze roamed up to find the arm was covered in bulging muscles.
“Oh god, I’m so . . . sor…ry,” I stammered, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.
            “Here ya go,” a deep voice said.
Reaching for the envelope, my gaze inadvertently shot up to the warmest green eyes ever created. His dark brown hair was cut short on the sides, longer on top, and tousled. The perfect amount of scuff peppered his strong jawline, with deep dimples framing a sexy lopsided smile. The air was immediately sucked from my lungs. He wasn’t just hot, he was boy band hot.
            A deep chuckle drifted down before I realized he had stood up and was extending his hand to me.
Oh boy! I get to touch him.
I slipped my hand into his and felt an immediate jolt of electricity. The muscles in his arm twitched. He felt it too.
“Thank you,” I said, as he helped me up.
            “I’m Risher Stevenson.”
            He was actually introducing himself to me.
            It had become a habit not to look directly at anyone, especially a stranger. I automatically angled my head down and to the left, to hide the messed-up side of my face. But those green eyes locked me in place. 
            “Hollis Murphy.”
            “Nice to meet you Hollis Murphy.”
            “Sorry again about running into you. I need to do a better job at watching where I’m going.”
            The tip of his tongue slipped between his lips before they formed into a slight smirk. Just as he was about to speak, his name came barreling down the hallway.
            “Rish! Get your ass down here. We’ve got a ton of boxes to haul in.” A blond-haired guy was standing at the end of the hall.
            “I gotta go finish helping my friends move in.”
            I nodded.
            Risher took three steps before turning back toward me. “Don’t do too good of a job.”
            My eyebrows squished together in confusion.
            “At watching where you’re going. I hate to think I won’t get rump bumped again.”
He winked before jogging away.
            I Sasquatched those shoulders, those hips, and that ass all the way down the hall.

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Buy Links
Should be available next Wed 6/24 – I will send to you when LIVE
**for blogs posting before release day – please do not post the LIVE NOW graphic attached to the email until the book is LIVE online at retailer sites**



Author Bio and Links
Alison was born and raised in Charleston, SC. She attended Winthrop University and graduated with a major in Theater. While at school Alison began writing one-act plays, which she later produced. Her debut novel, Present Perfect, landed on Amazon's Best Seller List and appeared on many "Best Reads of 2013" Book Blogs. The novel won Best Book at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention Awards. Her second novel, Past Imperfect, was published in February of 2014 and appeared on several best books of 2014 lists as well. Presently Perfect, the third and final book in The “Perfect” series was released in Dec 2014 to rave reviews. In March 2015 all the love, swoon, heat, and angst were combined into the Perfect Series Box Set.

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