Giveaway and Review: Picking up the Pieces by Jessica Prince

After having her heart broken by the only man she’s ever loved everything seemed to go downhill for Emerson Grace. It has taken eight years but Emmy is finally starting to pick up the pieces of her damaged life. But the man who destroyed it has returned bringing with him the pain of the past. Can she let go of the pain Luke caused and accept him back into her life or will the memories be too much for her to overcome? Running from Emmy was the only way Lucas Allen knew he could protect her from the demons he carried with him. After spending one perfect night together Luke takes off, certain that he can’t possibly give Emmy everything she deserves. Now he’s made the decision to return to Cloverleaf and make things right. But is he prepared to truly face all of the damaged he has caused? Will Luke and Emmy finally get their chance at love or will the secrets of the past stop them before they even get to begin?



4 Star Review by Lisa Kane

Luke and Emerson were best friends. Both have had scarred childhoods and they are each other’s refuge from the world. Emmy has been living with her grandmother ever since her parents were killed in a car accident. Luke was abused by his alcoholic father and his mother is a drunk. They are each other’s rock. That is until Luke decides to enlist in the marines and tells Emmy he is leaving. She was getting ready to move away for college and he thinks everyone in their close knit group of friends is moving on. Emmy deserves the best and Luke thinks that sure as hell isn’t him.  As the time for Luke’s departure draws closer, a night of dinner between two friends turns into a passionate night for them. Emmy confesses her feelings for him and Luke cherishes her as he takes her virginity.

The next day Emmy tries to reach Luke over and over but he doesn’t answer her texts or calls. She goes over to his place and sees that he is otherwise engaged. He has his “hands full” and the skank he is with -she has her mouth full. Emmy runs away, heartbroken. She tries to see him before he leaves, but is too late.

Eight years later, Luke moves back to their hometown as the new deputy sheriff. He never kept in touch with anyone, including Emmy. And she had a very good reason to try to track him down. He never opened an E-mail or answered a phone call. Emmy has grown up and taken over her grandmother’s diner. She has a great support team in her best friends Savannah, Lizzie, Stacia and Jeremy.  They are torn between their loyalty to Emmy and their returning friend. Luke wants to fix things with Emmy but she can’t allow him to hurt her again.

 Luke spends lots of time trying to make amends and to explain his screwed up thinking. He hasn’t been able to get Emmy off his mind and he has come back to win her heart. Good luck with that. There were times I wanted to go all deputy on Luke’s ass myself; who drops out of site and expects to waltz in and all is forgiven? Emmy spiraled out of control when things went from bad to worse when he left. My heart broke for her. I love stories about second chances, although I wish Luke had suffered half as much as Emmy did. I enjoyed this one.

 Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review and Giveaway: Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.

Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.

When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.

Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?

In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.

5 Star Review by Jen Hagen

 

“Dear Blake Hartt, thank you.  Thank you so much for thinking my smile was worth waiting for.” -- Livia

 

Poughkeepsie rates high on my list, in fact it would be one of the best books I’ve ever read.  I continue to re-read it and every time I still cry.  It is intensely heartwarming of a love that knows no bounds, a girl who is strong and willing to go after what she wants despite the stigma, and a boy who has nothing to give her but his love.

 

Livia is a psychology graduate student.  She takes the train every day and every day has seen a man sitting in the shadows of the train station.  She hears everybody call him “crazy” and she wonders what has happened to him. 

Blake is 25 and homeless.

 

“All he has is what he’s wearing and a cardboard piano." 

 

 He sits in the shade of the train station watching people.  Livia has caught his interest because she is genuine, she smiles at everybody and is kind to all she meets.  Blake loves her smiles and keeps track of every one that she has given him.   One day Livia defends Blake and suggests that he find a different place to sit.  His reply: 

 

 “I can’t.  This is the only place where I get to see you.” 

 

 After their brief conversation, a friendship is formed and they see each other twice a day at the train station.  These brief visits give both of them a sense of hope.  

“Me.  She sees me.” –Blake 

Blake was sent to a foster family when he was 12 as his mother could no longer take care of him.  It is there that he met his friends for life, Beckett and Cole.  They are “brothers” and will stand up and take a hit for the other without thinking twice.  Beckett was the first of the brothers to turn 18 and when he was forced out of the foster care system he made a name for himself on the streets.  Beckett is bad ass, but he did this to make it easier on his brothers when they hit the street.   He wanted his name to mean something so that nothing got carried over onto Cole and Blake.

Blake doesn’t accept charity.  He wants to be treated just like everybody else.  Beckett and Cole have tried to make Blake’s life better, but all Blake asks for is a shower and a change of clothes.  He is content living in the trees and counting Livia’s smiles.  Blake seems to have a mental illness but has not been medicated for it since being in foster care.   Blake never forgets his manners and is a gifted piano player.  His fear is being caught in the sun. 

 

“Livia, I’m made of glass, but it only shows in the sun.  I can’t be caught in sunlight or everyone will know what I am.” 

“He can’t be a normal husband or father—or man.  He’ll never hold a job.”

 

Despite these harsh words from Blake’s brother, Livia doesn’t give up on her love for Blake.  She will do anything for Blake, and one night she finds out how far she would go to make certain that no one can take Blake away from her. 

“She positioned her hands, almost an inverted prayer, and committed herself to the act.  Livia pushed her hands straight down from her shoulders, as she’d practiced time after time.” 

This book is not just about Blake and Olivia.  There are stories involving each of the brothers and each one is critical to make the story complete.  I have read hundreds of books in the last year and none of them have come close to this storyline.  It is unique and I love Debra’s writing style – there are a lot of unique one liners coming from Beckett and Livia’s sister.  This could be considered a stand alone, but I am happy to say that a sequel is coming Dec. 7, 2013 titled “Return to Poughkeepsie.” 

 

How does a foul-mouthed angel end up as the last hope for all of Heaven and Earth?

When Seraph Emma is maimed and tossed from Heaven by a rogue angel who's taken charge, she fears she'll never be allowed to return. Tasked with the impossible job of showing the self-loathing (and not even human!) Jason his worth, Emma is sure she's doomed to fail.

Meanwhile, having wormed his way into Heaven, the corrupt Everett has trapped God in Hell and has designs on unleashing evil everywhere. Fortunately, if there's one thing Emma can't do (in addition to minding her language), it's give up. Determined to save Jason and get back to Heaven-even if it means going to Hell-Emma's plan is simple yet impossible: trick the Devil to save God.

What she doesn't count on is the devotion and, well, humanity she finds in Jason; the spirit, hidden compassion, and raw sex appeal within the Devil; and the vulnerability of her own heart. With the help of two unlikely allies, she'll wage the battle for Heaven. But will Emma be sidetracked by a new sort of heaven along the way?

What's truly more dangerous?

Falling from Heaven, or falling in love?




Suffering is worst when you’re doing it alone. But Emma’s taking Hell like an angel—even though her languishing began with having her seraph wings torn from her back. Now her worst enemy lords his body and his evil desires over her while she tries desperately to remember the words to her favorite prayer.

As Devil, Jack used to have Hell and its women humming like well-oiled machines. Too bad he’s nowhere near the place now. Stuck on Earth as a human, he must work with a ragtag team of exiled minions and half-breeds to save the angel who’s become all that matters.

Rescuing a seraph is the plan, but breaking into Hell means letting evil things out. Once they collide, minions and angels converge in the battle of the ages: good versus evil. But which side is which? Will Jack destroy the world as he fights to save Emma, his true and timeless love, from a damnation he designed?

An action-packed sequel to Crushed Seraphim, this tale reveals—time and again—what happens when the heart’s deepest desires break free. With a story both sizzling and sensual, emotional and enigmatic, Debra Anastasia invites readers to join a battle with nothing less than love on the line.


Nook Poughkeepsie


Nook Crushed Seraphim


Nook Bittersweet Seraphim



a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: The Light in the Wound by Christine Brae

Synopsis

Affected by her parents’ highly publicized divorce, Isabel grows up isolated and alone, with a resolve to never fall in love and repeat their mistakes.

When Jesse Cain enters her life, she falls hopelessly in love with him, and every sadness she’s ever felt is washed away by his intensity and passion. But people change as they grow up. Things can never stay the same forever.

Jesse and Isabel fight to stay together, determined to hold on to what they once had. Isabel wonders if a second love can ever be enough to make her forget her first

5 Star review by Kristie Wittenberg

“You, my love, will be okay. You will fix yourself if you need to. You are so strong, so determined, I have no worry whatsoever that you will survive this. That’s what you are, Isabel. You’re a survivor.”

It is so true when people say “the apple doesn’t fall to far from the tree”. In life we are shaped by our parents and events that happen whether we are young or old. Our parents are our first guides of how we want to be or not.

Isabel is not only affected by her parent’s publicized divorce. Witnessing some things that no child should, Isabel has no choice to but live with her grandparents. Although she is well taken care of and never has to want for anything, she tells herself that she will not become her parents and definitely will not fall in love. It is funny how life never seems to go with your plan.

Enter Jesse Cain, he is handsome, popular and determined to make a name for himself. Isabel never expected a man to enter her life and turn it upside down. She did everything she promised she wouldn’t do, she fell in love. Sometimes love isn’t what it seems and sometimes love isn’t enough. Jesse is the only thing that Isabel knew. Constantly fighting to stay together, trying to hold on to what they had. 

“What if I said I don’t want you to run with her? Find someone else, Jesse, Please,” I pleaded.

“I can’t,” he said resolutely.

You can’t, or you won’t? Is it really that important to you to win this? You have so much going for you as it stands now. If you’re really doing this for us, I am telling you, this is going to kill us.”

As time passes, Isabel struggles to find herself again. When she does, she has also become a successful business woman in the process. When she has a second chance at an amazing love, can she give him her heart and will he be enough for her to move on from her first love?

“I love you, Isa. But I need to know that I’m the only one you want. We’ll move away, and I’ll fight for you for the rest of my life.”

This story touched me in more ways than one. First off, having to grow up so quickly because of the mistakes your parents made. Having no choice but to become the caretaker of the family at such a young age, it is devastating! People telling you they love you but keeping you alone and isolated.

Being judged because you look like a younger version of the person you vow to never ever become. It is damaging. 

Falling head over heels in love with someone who loves control and not knowing any better that some of the things happening in the relationship aren’t healthy. He is showing you affection, affection that was pretty much a void in your life growing up. You need to feel wanted and loved, not just told.

Who doesn’t remember their first love, their first time and their first heart break? I know I do. Feeling like I would never find the light in anything ever again. That feeling that your world is over. Believing you will never be happy again. It hurts but then again, it helps to shape the person you have become today.

The other thing is losing the ones you love. No matter the mistakes they have made, you will always love them. Through the great times, the horrible times, the love you have for them will never falter. Again, it truly it a life altering experience and that pain never fully goes away and like the title says, you simple start to see the light in the wounds. 

A brilliant, emotional and heart felt debut novel from Christine Brae. 

I felt every single emotion and ended up feeling humbled, happy and at peace in the end .

This is definitely an upcoming author to keep your eyes on. A sweet and talented rising star!

Here is who we picture as the main characters

Jesse Cain

 Isabel

 Alex Ailey






About the Author

I love to read, write about reading, shop, write about shopping, three day weekends, high heels and purses. I’m a wife, a mother, a corporate executive, a loyal friend and a passionate believer in true love. This is all you need to know about me. If you get my stories, you get my heart.

Christine Brae Facebook Page ~ Goodreads 

Buy links
Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review and Giveaway: Mangled Hearts

Synopsis

Francesca and Cade

Can two loves find their way back to each other despite an addiction and a hardened heart? Will their love overcome it all?

Francesca Taymon is young, successful, and broken. A tragic accident years ago haunts her to this day, and she blames only one person--the one that holds her heart. When she finally gets her first case, will she be able to handle seeing him again? Can she do her job and keep her heart intact?

Cade Kelling doesn’t take life seriously. He’s reckless and irresponsible, drinking all his problems away. When his parents bail him out for the last time, will he be able to handle seeing Francesca after all of these years? Will he be able to tell her what really happened that night five years ago or will he lose her forever?

And the most important question….

Can these mangled hearts be mended?

4.5 star review by Jen Skewes 

Francesca is a lawyer who has been working at a law firm , but has not had any cases of her own.  She basically does the grunt work while everyone else does the job she has dreamed of doing.  Until one day her boss calls her in and offers her her very own case, which she is more than happy to take. Until she realizes who her client will be, and as much as she wants to say no, this is an opportunity that she cannot just pass by.  Her client is the boy who she gave her heart to when she was 16 and the same guy who completely shattered it into pieces.  It's been years since she has seen Cade Kelling, and she is not sure what her reaction will be when she sees him.  A part of her hates him for hurting her and blames him for the tragic accident involving her sister.  But at the same time she wonders if she still loves him?  And how will Cade feel when he sees her.  

What can I say about Cade Kelling, other than I loved him.  He is one of those characters that you instantly love from the moment you "meet" him.  He has his fair share of problems and issues though, but that never got in the way of how I felt about him.  Cade started drinking at an early age and is basically an alcoholic at this point in his life.  He always manages to screws things up and is never good enough for his father.  His life is basically meaningless and he drowns any feelings that he has in a bottle of alcohol.  He gets by day to day, wondering where he is, trying to remember what he was supposed to do that day and some days wondering how the day just passed him by, until he sees the empty bottle and then it all comes back to him.  But beneath the drinking is a young man who is hurt and broken and hides it all behind a bottle.  When he gets himself in trouble once again, he parents agree to help him one last time, by hiring him a lawyer to fight his case and keep him out of jail.  But he never expected his lawyer to be the one and only girl to ever hold his heart, the same girl whose heart he broke all those years ago.

Cade has loved Francesca from the moment he met her in high school.  There was just something about her that drew him to her.  But even back then Cade never thought he was good enough for her and pushed her away, broke her heart.  But that didn't mean that he stopped loving her.  Seeing her again sparks all those feelings that he had for her.  He still loves her and will do whatever it takes to keep her in his life.  He let her go once and will never let her go again.  

Every feeling that Francesca had for Cade comes back to her when she sees him.  She wants to believe that he loves her and wants to be able to trust him.  But he hurt her in ways that she is not sure she can get past.  Aside from breaking her heart, she blames him for what happened to her sister.  When Cade finally tells Francesca exactly what happened that night with her sister will she be able to move past it and have a future with Cade?  

Mangled Hearts was an emotional story about love, addiction, loss, forgiveness and redemption.  Francesca and Cade have always loved each other even after being a part for so many years.  But when they see each other again you feel the love and the chemistry between the two of them.  But they can't just push aside the past and move on and suddenly get their happily ever after.  It is something that they have to work and fight for.  They both have to come to terms and admit the feelings that they have had for each other and still continue to have, they need to move on from the past and learn to forgive.  But most importantly Cade needs to deal with his addiction not only for Francesca but for himself.  He needs and wants to be a better person in hopes of winning Francesa's heart.  

"Francesca...the night you stayed with me was the best night of my life.  I've never felt more alive, more loved, happier, that when I hold you in my arms.  Seeing your face makes my heart beat faster, in a good way, and I feel this calmness come over me."

Felicia Tatum wrote a beautiful and emotional story. Cade was sweet and caring and you never doubted for one second that he loved Francesca, he was just broken and dealt with it the only way he knew how.  There were moments when you just wanted to hug him.  He let the alcohol take over and when he finally realized it, he decided to fight and fight he did.  The moments between him and Francesca especially through letters will completely melt your heart.  Cade truly is an amazing person.   I loved Francesca.  She was a strong and successful woman who has her own insecurities that most woman can relate to.  This book will make you laugh, cry and warm your heart.  It is told in alternate POV between Cade and Francesca which I love.  I always love to see both sides of the story.  I also loved the flashback scenes to when they were teenagers, which helped you understand their relationship.  I loved Cade and Francesca's story and was rooting for them from the beginning to find their happily ever after.  Ms. Tatum did a wonderful job with the characters and the connection to their story.  I cannot wait for the next one in the series. 

"You're so beautiful and you don't even know it.  Those girls that are mean to you...they've broken your self-esteem.  I wish you could see you the way I do.  A gorgeous girl with the most amazing brown eyes I've ever seen."



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review and giveaway: Fall From Love by Heather London

Synopsis

Struggling to put her life back together after a tragic mountaineering accident kills her college sweetheart, twenty-one-year-old Holly Treadwell is trying to set aside her grief, forge ahead in school, and find herself again.

When Carter Hansen, a guy who brings back horrible memories from the night of the accident, finds his way back into her life, Holly’s unsure if she should let him in. He terrifies her in more ways than one and invokes feelings in her that she thought were buried forever. Regardless of her fears, she knows she must face him in order for her heart to heal.

Everyone tells Carter that what happened on the mountain that night was just a terrible accident, but even then, he can’t help but carry around the guilt and is unable to forgive himself. He’s drawn to Holly and being near her helps ease his conscience and gives him the release he needs.

As Holly and Carter’s relationship grows, they begin to realize that the more time they spend with one another, the more their wounds begin to heal—her grief and his guilt. But when Holly learns the details about the night of the accident—what everyone has been keeping from her—it will rip open old wounds and tear apart what they’ve both worked so hard to overcome…\

4 star review by Jennifer Skewes 

"I love you, Holly.  You've brought me back to life, something I wasn't sure was even possible."

Holly and Adam have been together for two years.  On the eve of their anniversary Adam is called away for a mountain rescue mission.   Holly is not thrilled that they will miss celebrating their anniversary together but understands why he has to go.  Holly receives a phone call that night that completely shatters her world and her heart.  When she said goodbye to Adam that night she had no idea that it would be the last time she saw him.   It is now months later and Holly has been living life day to day with no emotions.  Trying to get past the hurt and pain of losing Adam.   Her friend Jenna has been there for her and convinces her that she needs a girls night out.  All though she has no interest in going she agrees, and it was at the bar that night where she sees him, Carter Hansen.  The guy who was there in the hospital the night she lost Adam.  Carter brings up too many bad memories from that night and she finds herself running in the other direction.  Seeing Carter will not help her get over her loss, but twill only make it worse.  Unfortunatley, Carter will be in Holly's life more than she thinks, because he is best friends with Jenna's boyfriend. 

I fell in love with Carter.  He seemed so broken, having lost someone close to him before Adam's accident.  Carter blames himself for what happened to Adam, even though it was not his fault.  He has been carrying around the guilt and pain of that night and when he sees Holly he needs to know that she is Ok.  He really just wants to be there for her and see her get through this. He sees the sadness in her eyes and part of him blames himself for it being there.  Their best friends are dating so avoiding each other won't work, so instead they form a friendship.  Holly enjoys spending time with Carter and seeing Holly smile is all Carter needs to help him with the guilt he feels. They begin to have feelings for each other that go beyond friendship, but Carter knows that he needs to tell Holly exactly what happened that night and that he was there, before he can move forward with her.  When he finally tells Holly the truth, will she blame him and run?  

"It feels so good to have her in my arms, but it feels wrong, too, on so many levels.  Without a doubt, things are changing between us and, as much as I want more with her-as much as I want to give her what she wants-I'm not sure I should.  At least, not until she knows the truth."

"I know what I want.  I want you.  I want us.  Please don't ask me if I'm sure." ~ Holly 

Holly and Carter were so good together.  They were both broken and found happiness with each other.  They both let their walls down with each other and found comfort in each other.  What I loved about this book was the pace in which Carter and Holly's relationship blossomed.  It was never rushed, especially since it was only months prior that Holly lost the love of her life.  Their friendship was so sweet, you could feel the chemistry between them, even if they weren't aware of it.  Heather London did such a wonderful job with this heart warming story of loss, forgiveness, hope and love.  She created characters that you can connect with, feel the emotions with.    Holly and Carter had two best friends that were so amazing.  Jenna was there for her in every way that a best friend should be.  And Josh, how could you not love the guy.  He was there for Carter, but also there for Holly when she needed him to be.  There were times this book ripped at your heart, but Heather London put it all back together in the end.  A wonderful job by Ms. London.  A must read!



a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog tour: Axel by Harper Sloan

Synopsis

Fate hasn’t always been friends with Isabelle West. In fact, fate has been a down right bitch.

Isabelle has learned the hard way how hard life can be when fate isn’t by your side. It can hand you dreams on silver platters, but it can snatch them right back and hand you nightmares. One thing Isabelle knew for sure fate was consistent with was taking away everything she ever loved.

For the last two years Isabelle has been slowly clearing the clouds of her past. Happiness is finally on the horizon. She has a thriving business, great friends, and her life back. All she has to do is jump over the last hurdle…her ex-husband.

When problems start causing her to fear her new life, and memories that are better left forgotten start rushing to the surface the last thing she needs is a ghost from her past to come knocking on her door.

Axel never thought he would look into the eyes of Isabelle West again, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to now. He’s carried his anger for so long he isn’t sure he can just turn it off, but when he is faced with protecting her and an unexpected desire to have her again, life gets a little more complicated.

How will Axel and Isabelle deal when all their cards are put on the table and everything they thought was true blows up in their faces?

4 Star Review by Lisa Kane

Isabelle West is due to start her senior year in high school. Her heart is breaking as she says goodbye to the love of her life, Axel. Having graduated a few days ago, he is leaving to join the marines. He has spent years in foster care and wants to make something of his life; the life he wants to spend with Izzy. He is no fan of his foster parents and his foster mother, June, suffers his presence in order to get the state’s check each month. Their plan is to start their lives together after Izzy graduates. Just a few months, less than a year. After a passionate night together, they say their goodbyes. That will be their last night together-it will be twelve years before they see each other again.

Two weeks after Axel left for the service, Izzy’s parents were killed by a drunk driver. She is forced to move hundreds of miles away with her grandparents. She tries to get in touch with Axel, but hasn’t been able to reach him at his base. She leaves her contact information with June.  Before the shock of her parent’s death has sunk in, the unthinkable happens and Isabelle’s life spirals out of control.

“All the dreams that we had, promises we had made; they all seemed like the biggest slap in the face now.”

A few years later she meets Brandon. He is rich, and well- bred and protective of her. Her best friend Dee introduced them and a few months later they are married. Little by little, Brandon’s uncontrollable temper escalates and his verbal abuse quickly turns to physical abuse. Izzy becomes isolated and her world is full of secrets. Dee suspects the truth, but Izzy covers up Brandon’s assaults. Isabelle sneaks out and meets up with Dee and when Brandon finds out his attack almost kills her.

Two years later Izzy has started her life over. She and Dee have moved away and Greg, Dee’s good friend is their “big brother”. Brandon has been fighting their divorce and starts to play mind games with Izzy. Greg calls in help from his new security expert, ex-marine Holt. Turns out Holt is really Izzy’s Axel. Axel has deep resentment for Izzy and yet he can not deny his feelings for her have never died. Izzy shuts him out for his rejection years ago and Brandon is still out there trying to get back what he feels is his property.

The chemistry between Izzy and Axel is hot enough that I thought I would need kitchen mitts to hold my Kindle. The things this man says…

“Going to make you scream Princess, and when you can’t take it anymore, then I’m going to lick my way up this sweet f#*cking body and finally I’m going to make you mine.”

“We move like we haven’t been apart a single day; like our bodies were made for each other.”

Will the truth come out about what really happened between them all those years ago? Can Brandon be stopped? I really enjoyed this book, it had an interesting storyline, great, strong secondary characters and smoldering sex. At times Izzy deserved a swift kick (Greg has been her biggest champion for years and at one point she treats him like a dog). Axel-that man is a dream! He is so sweet and so in love with this woman. I loved the alternation POV’s between these two-it added so much to the story line. I am looking forward to reading more from Ms. Sloan.

 About the Author

Harper lives in small town Georgia just a short drive from her hometown of Peachtree City. She (and her 3 daughters) enjoy ruling the house they dubbed 'Estrogen Ocean', much to her husbands chagrin. Harper has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books; you can almost ALWAYS find her with her eReader attached. She enjoys bad reality TV and cheesy romantic flicks. Her favorite kind of hero--the super alpha kind!

Harper started using writing as a way to unwind when the house went to sleep at night; and with a house full of crazy it was the perfect way to just relax. It didn't take long before a head full of very demanding alphas would stop at nothing to have their story told.

Author Links

Goodreads 
 
Facebook  

Twitter:  harpersloan
 
Pinterest

Instagram @harper_sloan

Email authorharpersloan@gmail.com 

Buy Links
Amazon 
Barnes and Noble 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Let Love Stay by Melissa Collins

Synopsis

Book #2 in The Love Series - Release Date July 31, 2013.

f you’re lucky, you’ll fall in love – truly, madly and deeply in love. But what happens when that honest and pure love isn’t enough to erase your fears? What happens when your past rears its ugly head and threatens your future?

Maddy and Reid had that kind of love – the all-encompassing, Earth shattering, once in a lifetime kind of love. Then life happened. Old wounds that were thought to be long healed and scabbed over are ripped opened and they are forced to face the possibility that, maybe, they are not strong enough to fight their demons and embrace the light.

Together, they found out what love is, but now they will each need to heal on their own before they can ever be together again. They must face their fears and beat down their pasts in order to find their way through this crazy uphill battle called love.

They’ve let love in, but now, they need to find out how to Let Love Stay


4.5 stars by Guest Reviewer Nicole Lorenzo 

When Maddy watches Reid walk away from her she realizes she made the biggest mistake of her life. She pushed the love of her life away because of her own insecurities and now she will need him more than ever.  Between still not dealing with the pain over losing her parents, and now losing Reid it takes all of Maddy’s courage to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and continue on. Knowing she cannot live without Reid in her life, Maddy hopes he can forgive her and come back to her.

“ I never wanted to let anyone in until Reid, and now that I love him, I don’t know how to give him up. I can’t let him walk out of my life even if he has already chosen to walk out of mine.”

Reid is lost without Maddy in his life. He is hurt that she pushed him away, but he knows he needs to deal with the demons of his past in order to be whole again. Determined to makes things right, Reid goes down a road he thought he never would again, home. Going home again is hard for Reid, and he learns things that shed a new light on his past, but is it too late for him to forgive and start to heal?  Overwhelmed from dealing with his past Reid decides he is going to go to Maddy and prove to her how much he loves her and wants her to be his future.

“I wish I was smarter. I wish I had more experience in this whole relationship thing. I wish I could make you understand the weight of my words, but please, baby, please understand that the words ‘I love you’ don’t even come close to expressing how I feel about you”

Together again Maddy and Reid try to focus on their future instead of the past. Maddy learns that she cannot punish Reid for dealing with his past the way he needs to, especially because she is still dealing with hers. Reid knows ignoring his problems is wrong and in order to have a healthy future with Maddy, he needs to try to forgive his family. Together can they overcome their insecurities and move on to build the future they both deserve? Together can they learn to let love stay?

“I will not let my demons ruin a future with my angel.”

Let Love Stay is the second novel in The Love Series by Melissa Collins and like the first installment it did not disappoint!  I was happy to see Reid confront his past so he can heal and move on with his life with Maddy.  I was also happy to see Maddy grow up a little, understanding that she can’t live in fear of love.  The Epilogue was my favorite part! It’s heartwarming and gives you a little insight into Maddy and Reid’s future! I would love to see the series continue, maybe another novel featuring Maddy’s best friend Mel! Whether the series continues or not I would definitely read anything else Melissa Collins writes!