Review: Facade by Nyrae Dawn

Can love save them?

After her father commits a crime that shatters her family, eighteen-year-old Delaney Cross is tired of pretending everything is all right. Packing up her car, she sets out to find the people her father hurt. Her search leads her to places she’s never been—and into the arms of Adrian Westfall.

To the outside world, Adrian is a sexy, charming ladies’ man. But his playboy persona is just an act. Secretly his soul is tortured by a memory too painful to share. Only Delaney seems to see through his façade to the real man underneath. And for the first time in his life, Adrian feels he can begin to open up about his past.

Together, Adrian and Delaney share a passionate love they never expected to find. Yet both still harbor their own secrets. When the dark truth is finally revealed, will it bring them closer together—or tear them apart forever?

4.5  Star Review

I adored Colt and Chey from Charade. So much so that I would not be surprised if Nyrae Dawn had a restraining order put out on me. Her second book in The Game Series, Façade, does not disappoint. Adrian Westfall and Delaney Cross are both tortured souls for different and yet similar reasons. Adrian is a party loving, nail every female in sight, kind of guy. His nightly ritual is having tons of people, half of whom he has no idea who they are, over to get drunk, high and meet the girl of the night. The next night-it will start all over again, but with a new girl of course. He is tormented by visions of his nephew, Ash’s, death and his guilty part in it. Alcohol and drugs numb his pain; even if it’s just for a little while. Delaney and her brother Maddox have always depended on each other. She is 18, he is 3 years older. Their father is in jail, and their mother has a habit of trying to commit suicide and blaming Delaney for letting her live. The siblings decide to move to a new town, although Delaney has a specific town in mind for a specific reason.

Adrian is outside talking to Colt and Chey (Oh, how I have missed you two) when Delaney pulls up to unload boxes for her new apartment. Seems she and Maddox will be living in the same complex as Colt and Chey. Adrian can’t let a good opportunity to hit on an attractive female get by him and he seizes the moment. Introductions are made and some flirty banter is exchanged. Finding they have an instant attraction, the moment is ruined when Maddox drives up on his motorcycle and Adrian mistakes him for Delaney’s boyfriend. He retreats as he has no interest in triangles and drama.

“My friend’s girl is over there. She’ll tell you I’m nothing but a huggable teddy bear.” I almost throw in a “Wanna cuddle?”  but I think it’s too much.

These two are destined to meet again. Delaney is well aware of who Adrian is, but Adrian has no idea that she knows more about him than what he has told her. He shows such a soft protective side when he is with her. The remedies to cope with the pain don’t seem quite so necessary as they did before.

Delaney struggles with her secrets. Adrian has become so important to her that she worries if he knows her secrets he’ll hate her. Meanwhile, she is trying to keep a relationship going with her mother, who is nothing short of abusive to her, and trying to hold the family together for her brother, who has his own set of problems.

Like all good secrets, Delaney’s eventually manage to surface. Will this tear them apart? Can both of them live with the demons in their pasts?

I loved this book. Seeing many of the characters is like visiting old friends, especially Colt and Chey. Adrian is one of the most tortured souls I’ve ever read about; he wears his guilt like it was part of his skin, embedded into his soul and he is incapable of forgiving himself or finding closure on his own. Delaney is like a salve to his wounds and even though she too is fractured she brings out the best in him and helps him heal. There are a couple of twists in this book that will throw you for a loop, and make you wonder if you read that right or not-all part of the journey you are travelling. This is a wonderful book!

“You helped me stop bleeding. You made my heart beat when I thought it was gone. All those things you said I do for you? They’re nothing compared to what you do for me.”

Review: Uncharted: An On the Island Novella by Tracey Garvis Graves

Tracey Garvis Graves - and Anna and T.J. - return in this companion novella to the New York Times bestseller On the Island

When twenty-three-year-old dot-com millionaire Owen Sparks walked away from his charmed life, he had one goal in mind: get as far away as possible from the people who resented his success, or had their hand out for a piece of it. A remote uncharted island halfway around the world seemed like a perfectly logical place to get away from it all.

Calia Reed wasn't part of Owen's plans. The beautiful British girl - on holiday in the Maldives with her brother, James - made Owen wonder if getting away from it all might be a lot more enjoyable with a carefree girl who didn't know anything about the life he left behind.

But Owen had no idea how much his carefully detailed plans would go awry. Nor did he realize that a decision he made would have such a catastrophic effect on two passengers who boarded a plane in Chicago.

And when Owen shows up at Anna and T.J.'s door with an incredible story to tell, everyone involved will learn just how much their lives are intertwined.


4 Stars

When TJ and Anna spent 3 years stranded on a remote island they had stumbled across the skeletal remains in a cave. Once they were rescued they were told that more than likely they belonged to Owen Sparks , a reclusive millionaire who was believed to have travelled to the island and died there.   In this novella, Owen visits TJ and Anna to explain that he was on that same island, but obviously, did not die there. He has come to tell them something important, something he thinks they will hate him for telling.

A good part of the novella is Owen’s story, how he amassed such a great fortune in his early twenties. How his sister has used him over the years for his wallet and how much he despised his stepfather and his disappointment in his mother. His business partners; once his close friends in college, have allowed money and prestige to change them. All these factors resulted in why Owen was on that island.

“But I had a bad feeling about the direction of the company and just wanted out. I had plenty in the bank already, and three million on top of it meant I could go anywhere and do anything I wanted.”

Owen became friendly with the pilot, Captain Mick Forrester, who flew him back to the island and brought him his supplies (remember the shack TJ and Anna built?), ironically the same pilot who flew TJ and Anna to the island. Over several years of flying from Male to the island, he met some interesting characters and two in particular changed the course of his life. He fills in the gaps of his life with TJ and Anna at their home on more than one occasion. He admires their partnership in raising their family. They are now proud parents to a set of twins, Josie and Mick age two and a baby girl, Piper. Family is everything to them and their experience and almost death from that time on the island has never left them. Ben, TJ’s friend is now engaged to Stacy and is soon to be married. Owen has a strange request he makes to TJ and Ben, one that at first glance, one might expect them to refuse. Each has their own demons to wrestle, each must decide if they are up to the challenge. 

“We still won, Owen. We survived and we have this great life. I understand why you came here and why you needed to tell us your story. But you can let it go, okay?”

I enjoyed this novella. I adore TJ and Anna. Although this is primarily Owen’s story, there were some really sweet moments with them and their kids (love the chickens for pets). They will always hold a special place in my book heart as their story is one of my all time favorites. Owen also, has an interesting story, and we can leave him at peace with his life. 

Review and giveaway: Watch Over Me by Tara Sivec

Synopsis

Addison Snow is your typical teenager. She has a family that loves her, friends that make her laugh, and she's wrapped up in the excitement of graduating high school and going off to college to pursue her dream of becoming an author. When her mother, who also happens to be Addison's best friend, dies unexpectedly, her world comes to a crashing halt.

Death changes everyone...

To make the pain go away, Addison and her father travel down separate, dark paths. She chooses to end her grief forever, while he drowns his sorrows in the bottom of a bottle. How do you learn to live again when the most important person in your life is gone?

Addison struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. Instead of getting back to being the carefree teenager she once was, she's stuck handling all of the responsibilities that should have been her father's. She has no time to grieve, no time for emotions, and no time for happiness...until Zander Reinhardt walks in. All it takes is one little handwritten note on a napkin to kick-start her back to life and help her realize that maybe there's more to that life than pain.

But can it really be that simple? Can she really trust this man who makes her feel alive again for the first time in a year?

Addison and Zander both have secrets they aren't ready to share. When the truth finally comes out, is it enough to tear them apart or has something bigger than themselves always been watching over them, pushing them together, making sure they both get their happily ever after?


4.5 star review 

Death changes everything.

For Addison Snow death did change everything.  It changed the way she lived, how she felt, it changed her ability to trust people and let them in.  Addison's world was shattered when her mother and best friend suddenly passed away.  And at the young age of 18 she was left to pick up all the pieces.  Her father was just as shattered but he chose to turn to the bottle to get past the grief and pain.  Addison chose a different alternative, one that would leave her feeling numb and no longer having to deal with the pain.  Addison was saved that night where she tried to end it all and it's now 10 months later and Addison is still dealing with the pain and grief of losing her mother.  Her father has been in and out of rehab more times than she cares to count.  Her other family and friends have managed to let her down as well, leaving her all alone to deal with not only her own grief but the responsibility to taking care of the house, the bills and her mom's bakery that she was so proud of.   She feels that she cannot trust anyone and shuts anyone out who tries to get close to her.  She sees a therapist and goes to group therapy as well, but she just sits there and listens to other people.  She is just going through the motions of everyday life and has learned to do that by shutting her feelings off. Until she meets Zander Reinhardt.

"I wonder if I've just found my safety net." ~ Addison

What can I say about Zander, other than he is complete perfection.   Zander has become a regular in her mom's bakery.  He has been admiring her from afar and one day leaves a little note for her on a napkin that says;   "You're beautiful when you smile.  You should do it more often." - see perfect!

Zander begins leaving notes for her each day and they begin to develop a friendship.  Zander is there for her when she breaks down, when she needs a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen.  He slowly brings back that spark in her life that has been missing since her mother passed away.  Addison knows that she is starting to fall for Zander but she is still a little hesitant to move forward because she is afraid of being let down by Zander, just like everyone else in her life.  She is afraid to open up her heart to him only to have it crushed.  Through therapy though, she learns that she needs to live for herself for once.  She needs to do something for Addison, something that will make her happy.  She slowly starts opening up to Zander and their friendship turns into something more.  But Zander is hiding something from her and is afraid that when she finds out what it is that she will run.  Zander has fallen in love with Addison, he has no intention of hurting her.  He wants to be there for her, to help her heal and see her beautiful smile.  But when his secret is revealed can she forgive him and move past it?

"I have loved you from the first moment I saw you."  ~ Zander

Zander and Addison were so great together.  Zander understands Addison, he "gets" her like no one else does.  He cares about her and wants to make her happy, wants her to believe that everything will be OK. He never pushed her, instead he just let her know that he was there for her.  That she didn't have to do it all on her own.  He was sweet and caring and totally swoon worthy.  He thought she was beautiful and stunning and wanted to make her smile.  The notes he left her will make you smile and the scenes with the Legos will completely melt your heart.  While Zander and Addison's love story is a beautiful one, the main focus of this story goes much deeper than that.  It is the heart breaking journey of a young girl trying to cope with the loss of her mother.  She is trying to learn how to live again, how to move past the hurt and the pain. Learning how to live her life again with feeling and emotion.  With the help of her therapist and Zander she learns how to heal and how to be the girl that she once was.  They both believe in her, believe in the dreams she has for herself, but Addison needs to believe in herself.  She needs to learn that it is ok to be afraid and at the same time it is ok to let people in again. 

"YOU'RE STUNNING WHEN YOU SMILE AND LAUGH. ADDISON!"   he yells to me.

"I'm 5'4 with boring, brown, wavy hair that hangs past my shoulders, unless it's in my usual messy ponytail....But Zander thinks I'm stunning.  He sees something that I've never seen."

Tara Sivec has written a very emotional story that is both heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time.  This story is told from Addison's POV, going back and forth from present to flashbacks of Addison and her mother, to her sessions with her therapist.  Addison's story will touch your heart.  The emotions that she goes through are real and raw and intense.  And as the reader you will be going through those emotions along with her.  I think Addison was an amazing heroine and I admired her in a lot of ways.  At one point she made an attempt to give up,  but once she had a second chance at life, she did everything she could to embrace it.  She was 19 years old and carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.  Her journey to healing was a bumpy one with a few twists and turns along the way.  But in the end she learned how to get through it all.  Amazing job by Tara Sivec!

"You can still pick up the pieces, Sugar.  They fell apart for a little while, but it doesn't mean anything is damaged.  Everything can be fixed.  And you don't have to fix it alone.  There's always someone who will help you rebuild."





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Cover Reveal: Girl on Tour by Casey Quinn

Title: Girl on Tour: A Kylie Ryans Novel

Author: Caisey Quinn

Expected release date: August 27, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Cover designed by: E.M. Tippetts Book Designs

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Book #2 (of 3) in the Kylie Ryans series An up and comer trying to make a name for herself... Kylie never imagined she'd be stuck on a bus with a pampered princess and her boyfriend's ex. A troubled artist struggling to hold onto his career... Trace thought he was finally getting to do his tour his way, but the label has other plans. Surrounded by relentless paparazzi, tabloid rumors, and people they can't trust, they need each other more than ever. But the choices they make will change everything. Because chasing your dreams and following your heart don't always lead you to the same place.



 
  About the Author Caisey Quinn is a wearer of cowgirl boots, writer and avid reader of New Adult romance, lover of wine, who is addicted to chai tea lattes. She is the author of Girl with Guitar and soon to be released Girl on Tour. A Gemini, wife, mom, and former high school English teacher living in Birmingham, Alabama, she spends her days chasing a three-year-old and her nights hiding away with her Macbook.  

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Giveaway: Love Has a Name by S. Ann Cole

Being the daughter of Vince Blacksille, proprietor of a multi-billion dollar armament company, Axia Blacksille is rich by default and holds control over everything and everyone around her. She’s her own woman, who has her own money, her own business, and stars her own show. She does whatever she wants, whenever she wants, however she wants, because her life is hers and no one else’s. 

Control is hers. And, as she was taught by her famous, but dark, ex-boyfriend, she never, ever submits.

Until… Nah, there’s no ‘until’… is there? 

When Axia inadvertently comes eye to eye with the illegally-handsome, cocky, womanizing, Internet billionaire Lovello Nelson, she doesn’t even bat an eyelash. Because if there’s one thing she hates, it’s pretty boys. Well, that’s her excuse…

But the slate-gray eyed billionaire, who has Love as a name, is determined to get the stubborn, dark-haired gym owner beneath him and under control. 

To some extent, he succeeds, of course. The guy isn’t labeled a ‘genius’ for nothing.

But at the velocity which Axia and Lovello’s relationship takes off, there can only be one outcome: A heart-wrenching, yet beautiful, disaster.



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Review and Giveaway for The Game Changer by J. Sterling

Review for The Game Changer by J. Sterling

4 Stars

“The older you get, the more you realize that it isn’t about the material things, or pride or ego. It’s about our hearts and who they beat for. I know your heart beast for Jack in the same way his heart beast for you. I don’t think one can survive without the other. Do you?”

In the Perfect Game we left off with Jack surprising Cassie at her New York apartment with the most awesome apology and gifts. After the initial shock has worn off, Cassie realizes that it isn’t a dream and that Jack is back, his arms around her.  Although she is happy again, there is one thing that plagues her. Why did it take him six months to get her and why didn’t he contact her?  *insert gut wrenching recall of Jack F’N Carter’s EPIC mistake- with she who shall not be named*

“First of all, Kitten, you have to understand that I made myself a compromise. I had to put you in the back of my mind until the season was over. I knew that if I lost both baseball and you, I’d have nothing in my life. I’d never be able to survive that much loss.”

With the slate wiped clean, Jack and Cassie focus on moving forward. Jack has hired a driver for them and so far things seem to be working out great.  No relationship is perfect and when jealousy and insecurities start rearing their ugly heads it makes things a little complicated.

“Don’t be like that. It’s not fair to me. I’m the one who gets to be upset and have insecurities, and figure out how to trust you again. Not the other way around.”

Now that Jake has made it to the big league, things seem to get difficult for Cassie. With Jake’s crazy schedule and her work schedule, they don’t have much time together.  She learns quickly that being the girlfriend of a pro ball player isn’t glamorous at all. Top that off with fans and the paparazzi watching their every move, Cassie has a crash course in being in the public eye. She learns quickly that the press along with the public are cruel and relentless.

“You can’t let them get to you. The press will write and post whatever they think will sell ads or get them attention. They say things all the time that aren’t true, and you just have to remember what is and what isn’t. OK?”

Dealing with the stress of public scrutiny and worrying about their safety they go house hunting. Again, things seem to be going well but the pressures of being in the public eye are becoming a huge burden for Cassie and then when someone from their past comes back, Cassie breaks. Needing to get away from the crazy she heads back home to Southern California to hang out with her best friend, Melissa and to think about what she really wants.

Jack struggles to keep them together and Cassie feels like things are falling apart. When the tables are turned on Cassie will she be strong enough to stand or will she crumble and lose it all?

“ You’re my game changer, Because nothing else matters if you’re not with me.”

I didn’t think it was possible to fall more in love with a character.  Jack F’N Carter swept me off of my feet in this book.  Even though we have to relive the nightmare of his EPIC mistake which made my stomach drop all over again we also get to see exactly what he went through with she who shall not be named and the things he did the six months he was away from Cassie. I loved, adored and savored seeing things from his P.O.V.To see his apology from the end of TPG from his eyes was FANTASTIC! My heart broke all over again but in a good way. Jack definitely "proved it"and then some! Did I mention how much I love him?

Cassie is doing her best to move forward. She is over the moon to have Jack back in her life so does her best to put the past behind her. No matter how strong a relationship is, doubt has a way of seeping in the smallest of cracks. Not used to being in the public's eye, Cassie struggles and she struggles hard. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tries, she seems to sink further into self- doubt because of the public scrutiny. My heart broke for Cassie. She tried to put on a front and tried to let the gossip not get to her. I do have to admit, Cass is my new hero and all I have to say is that there was one moment when I was like “Freaking HECK YEAH!” but I really didn’t use those particular words if you catch my drift.

I also adored that we had more Dean Carter and Mel!  Those two really did make for some great entertainment!  Dean is such a great brother to Jack and a wonderful friend to Cassie through it all! Then you have Mel. What an awesome BFF! She had Cassie’s back at every turn and man, I love the mouth on this girl! She gave Cass great advice when needed and called her on her sh!t when Cass was being ridiculous.

My heart also fell in love with Jack’s grandpa. I absolutely, whole heartedly, fell in love with that man and his advice. I teared up. He left me speechless.

I was hooked from the first sentence. J. Sterling wrote such a beautiful story about learning from your mistakes, facing your fears and moving forward.  There were a few jaw dropping moments that were hilarious, unbelievable, heart wrenching and BEAUTIFUL! 

J. Sterling has a home run on her hands with this one. When the tables turn on Cassie, it definitely becomes The Game Changer! LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!

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**Hot Pick** Review and Giveaway Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

5 Star Review by Guest Reviewer Allison East

If you have ever read any of my reviews- you can tell I am an avid reader. I am talking 5-7 books a week. And every year I do my top 30 books of the year (260-364 books a year, but who's counting!). I try to pick an eclectic group, so people can read different things. Romance, Suspense, YA, etc. You get the point. I have read less than a handful of books that have me saying "That is definitely on the list!" (the Fifty Shades series, the Crossfire series, Hopeless, the Hunger Games)

That being said, Branded is on that list- without a doubt. Never have I read a book faster and slower at the same time. It is one of those books that you want to savor, and devour. I wanted to know what happened, but I also didn't want it to end. I was ruined for other books for days- DAYS PEOPLE! I couldn't get Lexi, Cole, and their world out of my head.  And  twists that are out of this world!

Sinners are branded around the neck with the different sins they commit in High Society, the seven deadly sins. Lust is blue, gluttony- orange, greed- yellow, sloth- black, wrath- red, envy- green, and pride- purple. Our heroine Lexi's crime- a crime she didn't commit was Lust. Those with a blue brand never last long in the Hole, people know why she is there. She is brought to the Hole and stripped of everything. Even of her late father's ring which bares the inscription, 

"You can overcome anything, short of death."

 And she does. Her story draws you in, her personality keeps you warm, and her strength makes you love her as if she is your sister. It doesn't matter what she did, but we find out she is innocent.

Then she meets her guard- Cole.

"Our eyes meet. I get lost in a pool of darkness, unable to distinguish where his pupils begin and where they end."

Something was different about Cole though, unlike the other guards- it almost seemed as if he cared. Cole is definitely a book boyfriend. And if I had to choose a guard, it would be him. He is a lot nicer than any of the other guards would be. He notices things about Lexi, like the fact she didn't even scream when they branded her, but cried when they took her father's ring. He protects her when most guards wouldn't and they start to build a bond.

"I hate when you leave, and that scares me" "I hate leaving you," he says into the darkness. "And that petrifies me."

In the Hole- everyone's lives are always at risk. There are daily shootings, robbing people, rapes, murders everywhere, and bombs exploding on the streets, it's like nothing you can fathom. Cole and Lexi's bond blossoms into something more, and something that is forbidden. Not only is a Guard associating with a Sinner illegal, it's punishable by torture and death, strict orders from the Commander. But even after all of that- it doesn't matter, they are still falling for each other.

"Damn it, you've complicated everything," His voice sounds anguished. "How can you say that?" "I never planned on falling for you. You were just an assignment. But it just sort of happened and now, look where I am.

"You're all I think about. My mind is constantly consumed by you and it scares the crap out of me."

I will not lie to you, this book is not for the faint of heart. There are some scenes that made my stomach drop, I cried- and one particular one I may never get over. But I can tell you it was so worth it. It is very violent, and harsh, but that is the beauty of dystopian. That is just how their society was ran. Can you imagine living in constant fear? That's what Lexi and Cole did. Not just from the everyday things- but because they had the audacity to fall in love.

"Just leave me," I whisper in his ear.     

"Never."

I rooted for them from day one, I knew it was forbidden but yet still wanted them to be together. That is the beauty of Abi and Missy's writing, you never know what you are going to feel from one page to the next.There is absolutely no cliffhanger, bless you!! But there will definitely be a book two, and I cannot wait to read it.

Finally not only was the story well thought out and scripted, it was so well written. I thought I was actually watching a movie, that's how descriptive it was. I could see and feel the emotions these characters were feeling.  As awful as some parts were, I wanted to crawl inside the book and wrap myself in the page- just stay there for days. The story was amazing and I immediately craved more- you will too.

If you love dystopian novels, like the Hunger Games, you will definitely love this one. I think I even dare say it's better.  Look out for Abi and Missy, they are fantastic!

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