Saturday, May 31, 2014

May Update at Thoughts (including a thank you to readers and bloggers!!)


I've decided to do monthly updates instead of weekly updates here at Thoughts. So here's a racap of the month of May for you.

May was a lot like April post-wise, but like I said before, this summer will be different! I've actually got some plans for the blog to boost it up a little bit. ;)

~*Reviews*~

TOTAL: 6



~*Books Finished*~


TOTAL: 10

  • The Scoundrel's Seduction (House of Trent #3) by Jennifer Haymore
  • Breaking (Escorted #1.5) by Claire Kent
  • Heated (Most Wanted #2) by J. Kenner
  • The Reunion (Sugar Cay #2) by Jennifer Haymore
  • Late Call (Call #1) by Emma Hart
  • Just A Kiss (It's In His Kiss #0.5) by Ally Broadfield
  • Moments of Julian by Keary Taylor
  • Matched to a Billionaire (Happily Ever After, Inc. #1) by Kat Cantrell
  • Her Wicked Heart by Ember Casey
  • Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins





    ~*Tours/Blasts/Reveals*~

     ~*Otherwise*~






    ~*As for me...*~

    It was a whirlwind month for me with work and writing and reading. I managed to go out and have some fun with friends. Thank goodness the weather is better so that I can DO STUFF again! I'm glad for June being almost here (in only a few hours). Summer means being able to do even MORE stuff. Not only that, but I'll be attempting to get a lot more writing in so that I can publish the second book in my novella series, This Night, called All This Time (already put it up on Goodreads, don't know the exact date for release yet, but I should know once I have more of the book written out).

    OH! And I'm working on some new fun stuff for the blog for the summer. I'm hoping to have a few giveaways and participate in a couple of memes I've been wanting to do for the longest time. So keep an eye out because it's gonna be awesome. ^_^


    ~*Thank you!!!*~

    I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all the wonderful people who have shared, read, and/or reviewed my book Not Until Tonight! It's been a great week and I have read the absolute sweetest things ever. I seriously couldn't stop grinning the one day and I almost started crying.

    You guys are the BEST EVAH.
    *hugs and kisses for you all*

    Oh, and don't forget! You still have a chance to enter my Release Day Blitz Giveaway where you can win a Prize Pack with chocolate or signed postcards. So, go do that... like right now... because you KNOW you want to... SERIOUSLY. Who doesn't love giveaways and winning? Because if you don't love them, you're crazy.

    Jessica

    Thursday, May 29, 2014

    Review: The Scoundrel's Seduction by Jennifer Haymore

    Title: The Scoundrel's Seduction
    Author: Jennifer Haymore
    Published: May 27th 2014
    Source: Copy given by author for honest review
    Genre: Historical Romance
    Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
    Add to your Goodreads shelf
    Caution: May contain spoilers
    Temptation Knows No Bounds…

    Undercover agent Sam Hawkins has devoted his life to protecting king and country. So when he receives orders to assassinate a ruthless traitor, he doesn't question his mission. But Sam didn't know his deed had a witness—the beautiful and mysterious betrayer's wife. Now he has no choice but to take her as his prisoner—one he can neither trust…nor resist.

    Élise, Lady Dunthorpe, will do anything to escape her powerful captor—including seducing him senseless. She didn't know of her miserable husband's crimes, but she has secrets of her own—secrets that threaten everything she holds dear. With his piercing dark eyes and gentle touch, Sam inflames Élise's deepest desires, but how could she ever trust a man who won't let her go? Caught between the crown he's sworn to serve and the woman he's come to love, Sam will risk his heart—and his very life—to keep her safe.

    My Thoughts:

    After reading, and ADORING, three of Jennifer Haymore's books, I've decided that whenever I'm in the mood to splurge, I'm buying a new one of hers. This one is the first full-length novel of hers I've read (the other two being novellas), and even though it was longer, I still wanted MORE.

    The premise of this one--the whole "Stockholm Syndrome" thing--is actually quite the opposite. Maybe it's a little bit there, but you can feel the realness of their attraction. Sam and Élise are a shining example of an amazing couple. Sam, despite being her captor, is so protective of her. And
    Élise? She's such a ball of fire... and her adoration of Sam is just heart melting. She calls him "My Sam" and I swear inside I think, Awwwwww...... as I touch my hand to my heart.

    The Scoundrel's Seduction is simply stunning. I could read it over and again. Jennifer Haymore keeps on giving me the perfect stories to read. I don't see how I could ever, EVER, stop reading her work. You need to check her out for yourself, either this one or another by her. I guarantee you won't be sorry.

    My Rating:


    Wednesday, May 28, 2014

    A is for Abstinence by Kelly Oram – $100 Book Blast #giveaway

    perf5.250x8.000.indd

    A if for Abstinence by Kelly Oram

    Six-time Grammy Award wining musician Kyle Hamilton has it all—money, fame, talent, good looks, and a job he loves. His only regret in life: walking away from a certain notorious virgin because he was too prideful, stubborn, and even afraid to give her the only thing she asked of him—his abstinence.

    Four years and a broken heart later, Kyle realizes that sex isn’t everything, and he suddenly can’t stop thinking about the girl that got away. Virgin Val Jensen got under is skin like no one else ever has. He wasn’t ready for her then, but things are different now. He’s grown up, he’s learned a few things, and he’s finally figured out exactly what he wants, or, rather, who he wants.

    Kyle Hamilton wants a do-over, and this time he’s willing to do—or not do—whatever it takes.

    add to goodreads

    ~*~

    Kelly
    Author Kelly Oram
    Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen–a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which family and friends still tease her. She’s obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and loves to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and four children.


    ~*~

    book blast button

    ~*~

    Excerpt

    I’d never seen Val so upset before. I’d flustered her on a regular basis back in the day. I’d always pushed her to her limits on purpose, trying to get her strong façade to crack and she never once had. She was the strongest person I’d ever met. It said something about her emotional state of mind that she’d asked for a few moments to collect herself before having to do the signing with me.

    I knew she probably wanted these few minutes alone, but I couldn’t pull myself away. I couldn’t leave her like this. I cleared my throat to gain her attention, and she jumped at the intrusion. She whirled around, hastily wiping away a tear or two as she forced her emotions down and reverted back into the calm, controlled woman I’d seen onstage.

    She opened her mouth as if to explain herself but shut it again, realizing that there was no hiding what I’d just witnessed. Instead she decided to ignore it. “Kyle Hamilton.” It was a warm greeting and a sigh at the same time.

    Her smile was sincere, and her eyes held genuine pleasure, but there was a wariness about her that made me afraid to approach her. We stared at each other in silence, both cataloging the changes four years had brought. I wasn’t sure what to do or how to break the silence between us, so Val took the initiative. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again,” she said with a small shake of her head.

    “Me, either.” I finally broke from my stupor and managed a small smile. “Hug for an old friend?”

    I held out my arms, still not taking any steps further into the room, letting her come to me on her terms. It took her a moment to decide, but eventually she pushed her smile up into her eyes and crossed the room to me.

    We sank into the embrace and simply held each other as the tension left our bodies. Her arms were low around my waist and mine tight around her shoulders. Thanks to her heels she was only a few inches shorter than my six-foot-three inches, putting her at the perfect height to rest her head on my shoulder, which she did with the smallest sigh. My eyes drifted shut and I enjoyed the moment. It was a long time before I whispered, “Are you okay?”

    She sucked in a sharp breath and pulled herself out of my arms. “I’m fine.”

    I didn’t believe her. The words sounded too much like a personal pep talk. “Val, if you’re not up for sticking around to sign autographs with me, I’ll understand. I’ll tell them you’re not feeling well.”
    Val gaped up at me, stunned by the offer. She was shocked that I’d let her off the hook. Normally I wouldn’t, but the image of her crumpling to pieces alone in this room was not one I was going to forget anytime soon.

    “The thing about surviving fame,” I told her, “is knowing when to say no. The public will always take everything you give them. They’ll take and take and take, and it will never be enough. You have to remember that ultimately you come first. If there’s ever something you need, you have to put your foot down.”

    For instance, not singing your most popular song again no matter how much it pisses people off and lets them down. I didn’t voice the thought, but I wondered if she was thinking about that, too.
    “If you’re not up for it today, then go.”

    Val studied me for a moment, and her nerves melted away. Giving her the chance to say no had apparently been what she needed to say yes. “It’s okay, Kyle, I don’t mind staying.”

    She sounded much more confident, but I still asked, “You sure?”

    “I’m sure,” she promised. A smile crept over her face, reaching all the way up into her eyes and she said, “I can’t let you go out there alone. Who knows what kinds of rumors you’d start. I’d probably wake up tomorrow and learn that I’d been hospitalized after going into severe shock when you kissed me backstage.”

    Surprised, I burst into laughter. “That does sound like something you’d do,” I teased.

    She laughed with me and we headed back to the main studio and our waiting fans. “It may have been four years, Kyle, but that doesn’t mean I don’t remember how you operate.”

    I snatched her hand as she reached to open the door to the studio. I wasn’t ready to end this moment alone with her. “You don’t think I’ve learned a few things since then?”

    She smirked and shook her head. “New tricks. Same dog.”

    It was impossible not to take her words as a challenge. I pushed her back until she was pinned against the door and leaned in close enough that our breaths mingled. Her eyes snapped wide the same way they always had whenever I’d invaded her personal space, and I watched, satisfied, as she sucked in a lung full of air and held it.

    “That mentality will be your downfall this time around, Val.” I leaned in, letting my lips linger at her jawline for a moment too long before bringing them to her ear. “Same old tricks,” I whispered. “New man.”

    With that, I kissed her cheek and breezed past her into the studio, leaving her flustered and in need of another moment to collect herself all over again.

    ~*~

    Blast Giveaway

    $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

    Ends 6/16/19

    Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

     a Rafflecopter giveaway




    Jessica

    Monday, May 26, 2014

    Release Day for my #newadult novella Not Until Tonight! + #giveaway #thisnight


    Yay! It's release day for Not Until Tonight, A This Night Novella!

    I'm super extremely excited to share with you my new story, Not Until Tonight. It is the first in a series of New Adult novellas. So far, there will be at least four novellas in the series, if not more.

    ~♡~


    Title: Not Until Tonight
    Series: This Night Novella
    Genre: New Adult Contemporary
    Release Date: May 26th 2014
    Add to your Goodreads shelf
    Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

    Every day after work, Haley goes to the bar across the street from her apartment to get a drink. It's the only time she gets to see Skylar, her bartender and crush. She would like to get to know him as more than a friend but she's afraid he won't be interested and she'll have to go elsewhere for her after work drink.

    When Skylar asks Haley to pretend to be his girlfriend for a night, she is more than happy to oblige. She finally has the chance to make something happen without risking anything. But pretending proves to be more difficult than she thought. She's not sure she can resist the pull any longer with her feelings growing stronger, and it seems like Skylar is feeling the same way.

    At the end of the night, will they be willing to turn a fake relationship into a real one?

    ~♡~

    Follow me on

    ~♡~

    Excerpt

    It would be kind of hard for your friends to believe we're dating if we didn't kiss.

    He stares off at nothing, obviously deep in thought. That's very true. He turns to me quickly, a serious look on his face. It would appear very awkward if we kiss for the first time tomorrow.

    My eyes widen. Is he saying what I think he's saying? My heart thumps wildly. What are you suggesting?

    If we were to kiss tomorrow without kissing before, it would be obvious we never have.

    And they would get suspicious.

    Exactly. His gaze is unwavering on mine.

    I shift closer to him, tilting my head. Whispering, I ask, Are you asking for permission to kiss me now?

    He whispers back, Yes.

    ~♡~

    Giveaway


    THREE WINNERS
    ONE Prize pack: Notebook, Chocolate, Book Swag, and an E-book copy of Not Until Tonight
    TWO signed postcards
    ~Open Internationally~

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    ~♡~

    Thank you so much for reading/sharing/everything! I hope you really enjoy this story. *tosses kisses to all the lovely friends*

    Jessica

    Friday, May 23, 2014

    Review: In Bloom by Katie Delahanty

    Title: In Bloom
    Author: Katie Delahanty
    Published: February 10th 2014
    Source: Copy given by author for honest review
    Genre: New Adult Contemporary
    Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
    Add to your Goodreads shelf
    Caution: May contain spoilers
    My name is Olivia Bloom and I. Am. Free.

    I left for LA with everything I owned piled into my old Volkswagen and dreams of becoming a costume designer. Little did I know I’d wind up designing for a lingerie company—yeah, not sure how I landed this gig—and taken under the wing of two young Hollywood insiders. The fashion shows and parties were great, but life really got exciting when the seriously hottest lead singer of my favorite band started to fall for me.

    How does someone like me, an ordinary girl from Pittsburgh, wind up in the arms of the world’s sexiest rock star—surrounded by celebrities, fashion, and music—and not be eaten alive? Berkeley is everything I've ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, but the paparazzi, the tabloids, the rumors, it's all getting a bit too crazy. My life has become every girl’s dream come true, if only I don’t blink and lose it all…

    My Thoughts:

    Before I chose to step into this book, I hesitated. I wasn't sure if this was a story I wanted to read. I glanced at a couple reviews and saw people were raving, then knowing it was taking place in California, I decided to cave. In the end, it wasn't as good as I was hoping.

    I was enjoying seeing Olivia experience this new world in the beginning. I've been wanting to go to California for awhile, so hearing little mentions of Cali was pretty cool. But, some of it started to feel far fetched for me. Just too glitzy and I started to get annoyed with all the celebrity of the story. And the romance with Berkeley and Olivia didn't really draw me in. It kinda did, and kinda didn't. I didn't feel the pull that I usually do when the characters have those moments. Maybe it's because I started losing steam partway in and could hardly pay attention without skimming. I'm not sure.

    In Bloom may not have been a favorite, but it's not a horrible book either. I gave it 2 stars on Goodreads, and I only give stories that have some sort of redeeming value to them 2 stars even if I didn't like it a lot. It was well-written, I just couldn't get into it myself. Doesn't mean you shouldn't check it out. I may pick up another one by Katie Delahanty, see what I think about that.

    My Rating:

    Thursday, May 22, 2014

    Review: Fool Me Twice by Meredith Duran

    Title: Fool Me Twice
    Author: Meredith Duran
    Published: March 25th 2014
    Source: Copy given by author for honest review
    Genre: Historical Romance
    Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
    Add to your Goodreads shelf
    Caution: May contain spoilers
    Sensible and lonely, Olivia Mather survives by her wits—and her strict policy of avoiding trouble. But when she realizes that the Duke of Marwick might hold the secrets of her family’s past, she does the unthinkable, infiltrating his household as a maid. She’ll clean his study and rifle through his papers looking for information.

    Alastair de Grey has a single reason to live: vengeance. More beautiful than Lucifer, twice as feared, and thrice as cunning, he’ll use any weapon to punish those who fooled and betrayed him—even an impertinent maid who doesn’t know her place. But the more fascinated he becomes with the uppity redhead, the more dangerous his carefully designed plot becomes. For the one contingency he forgot to plan for was falling in love…and he cannot survive being fooled again.

    My Thoughts:

    Gimme all the romances please! No, seriously, somebody do this. So, yeah, I went on a requesting spree on NetGalley since my first historical romance was a hit for me. I just couldn't help myself. While this one wasn't exactly the same, it still has its sweetness to it.

    It took awhile for us to get there with Olivia and Alastair, but it was compelling. I kept reading the new interactions between them, seeing the little changes taking place, drawing them inevitably closer. Olivia's tenacity was key in the development of it. She drew him in and he couldn't resist. It was impossible not to love her... and then eventually him.

    Fool Me Twice has everything a good romance needs. The banter, the precious banter, of Olivia and Alastair woven throughout the story. I would definitely say Meredith Duran is worth picking up off the shelf and giving a shot.

    My Rating:

    Tuesday, May 20, 2014

    TEASE by Sophie Jordan Trailer Reveal #newadult


    Welcome to the trailer reveal for Tease by Sophie Jordan! If the first book in the Ivy Chronicles was amazing, I can't WAIT to read this one. Which, P.S., is totally on preorder... ;)

    ~*~

    TEASE by Sophie Jordan
    Book 2 of The Ivy Chronicles
    On-sale 5/27/2014
    ISBN: 9780062279897 | e-ISBN: 9780062279903


    A born flirt and good-time party girl, Emerson has never had a problem finding a willing guy. She’s always chosen her hook-ups carefully, and she’s never broken her three cardinal rules:

    ·         Never let them see the real you.
    ·         Never fall in love.
    ·         Always leave them begging for more.

    Then comes Shaw. A hottie from the wrong side of the tracks, he’s immune to her flirtatious banter and come-hither smile. After rescuing her from a disastrous night at a biker bar, he doesn’t even try to take her to bed-he calls her a tease and sends her home instead. Unable to resist a challenge, or forget the sexy dark-eyed bad-boy biker, she vows to bring him to his knees.

    But instead of making Shaw beg, she finds herself craving him. For the first time in her life, she’s throwing out her rulebook. Suddenly, she’s the one panting for a guy she can’t control. A guy who won’t settle for anything less than the real Emerson, who forces her to do things she’s never imagined, including facing a past she thought she’d buried.

    A guy who just might leave her wanting more . . .

    Sophie Jordan is an international and New York Times bestselling author whose books include historical romances and the Firelight series. When she’s not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-television shows. She lives in Houston.

    ~*~



    Jessica

    Monday, May 19, 2014

    Book Blitz: Tryst by Cambria Hebert #newadult


    Welcome to the Tryst by Cambria Hebert book blitz!

    You better believe this book is on preorder for me. Woot! Can't wait to read it!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


    Tryst by Cambria Hebert
    (Take It Off #8)
    Publication date: May 16th 2014
    Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
    Sometimes all a girl needs is a little fling…

    Talie Ronson needs a vacation.

    From life.

    Since she caught her cheating, loser husband in bed with his assistant, her life has been on a steady spiral—right into hell. Her car’s a junker, her job sucks, and her perfect, gorgeous sister likes to brag about her wonderful life every time they “do” lunch.

    In an effort to salvage what’s left of her life and her sanity, she takes the advice of her kooky best friend and takes off to Topsail Island. A week at the beach, alone, is exactly what she needs to recharge, regroup, and relax.

    Only, her alone time is about to get derailed.

    Gavin Palmer’s favorite activity is walking around in his boxers and eating junk food. He and his neighbors have an understanding. They stay out of his business and he stays out of theirs. He lives at the beach, not for vacation, but for isolation. He’s had enough of people to last him a lifetime.

    Gavin’s isolation is interrupted when his normally quiet neighbor starts disturbing his peace. He stomps across the sand to give the guy a piece of his mind… only it isn’t a guy.

    It’s Talie.

    She’d maddening, nosy, and talks too much.

    But she’s hot and her bedroom eyes have him thinking maybe he’s had enough solitude. Maybe a week of company is exactly what he needs.

    Maybe what they both need is a no-strings-attached tryst.

    Purchase:

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    About the Author:
    Cambria Hebert is the author of the young adult paranormal Heven and Hell series, the new adult Death Escorts series, and the new adult Take it Off series. She loves a caramel latte, hates math and is afraid of chickens (yes, chickens). She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband and children (both human and furry) where she is plotting her next book. You can find out more about Cambria and her work by visiting http://www.cambriahebert.com 

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    Excerpt:

    He began to draw lazy circles over the inside of my elbow with his fingers. He didn’t play fair. How was I supposed to keep up with a conversation when he did things like that?

    And why did he affect me this way?

    He was maddening, bossy, and he lived off snack cakes for goodness sake.

    “Talie?” he said, my name ripping from deep within his throat.

    “Oh, um… Vacation.”

    “Who takes a vacation alone?”

    “Who lives in a beach house alone?” I answered.

    “I like my privacy. I’m not a social guy.”

    “Then why did you bring me here?”

    “I don’t know,” he said, sounding absolutely mystified.

    “I’ll go,” I declared.

    He nodded.

    Neither of us moved. He didn’t release my arm.

    It was as if we were both paralyzed in a bubble of attraction. The pull between us was so unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. It was physically powerful, chaining us together where we sat. Both of us voiced the intent to break apart, to go our separate ways, but our bodies overruled our brains.

    There would be no moving away.

    Only closer.

    In one fluid movement, Gavin came forward, sweeping an arm around my waist and pulling me to the very edge of the couch. His knees parted and my body fit between them as his lips fastened to mine.

    We were Velcro. He was the rough side and I was the soft. The closer he pressed, the more tightly we fused. I swear to you in that moment I didn’t think. I couldn’t. I could only be pummeled by the onslaught of heavy desire that flooded my system like a surging waterway.

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    Giveaway:

    Blitz-wide giveaway
    Open INTL - Ends May 25th
    --A signed paperback of Tryst, a swag pack, and a $20 amazon gift card

    Thursday, May 15, 2014

    Review: Star-Crossed by Luna Lacour

    Title: Star-Crossed
    Author: Luna Lacour
    Published: March 28th 2014
    Source: Copy given by author for honest review
    Genre: New Adult Contemporary
    Buy: Amazon
    Add to your Goodreads shelf
    Caution: May contain spoilers
    It started with a game - seduce the new teacher.

    Eighteen-year-old Kaitlyn Laurent is living the American Dream. Born into a wealthy, socialite family with more opulent surroundings and material things than any girl could even fathom, Kaitlyn is the fresh, young face amidst a sea of morally-amiss Manhattan Debutantes. She is educated, poised, and on the outside - entirely virtuous. Her life, in short, is perfect.

    Or so it would seem.

    Inside the walls of her Upper East Side mansion, Kaitlyn is struggling. After her parents' divorce and her father's remarriage to a beautiful but otherwise utterly vapid woman, Kaitlyn quickly finds herself living in a realm of self-created fantasy, completely detached and entirely clashing with her new family – particularly, her classmate-turned-stepbrother, Marius. Arrogant and with a penchant for playing games, he is intrigued and infatuated by Kaitlyn's faux-chaste outer facade that she uses to cover an otherwise calloused heart.

    When the two of them enter into into their final semester at Trinity Prep, and the buzz around campus is that a gorgeous new teacher has set foot in the classroom, Marius makes Kaitlyn a bet: seduce the man who is now her Literature teacher.

    If she wins, she gets his trust fund. Money that she can use to finally escape a life that she has come to loathe.

    If Marius wins...he gets her virginity.

    When an initial spark turns into full-blown obsession, and her affections are inevitably returned – Kaitlyn learns that there are no actions without consequence, and some affairs are simply star-crossed.

    My Thoughts:

    When I signed up to share the cover reveal for this book, it intrigued me to where I had to email Luna Lacour to ask if she would be so kind to let me read and review it. She is very kind and kept me on a list to read it once it was released. I'm glad she did because it was worth reading.

    Sometimes when you read a synopsis, you have this idea of how the story will be. And sometimes you're right... sometimes you're wrong. I was wrong. Wrong in a good way though. The bet ended up leading to something entirely different. Kaitlin and Mr. Tennant have a connection, which Marius doesn't expect or want to see happen. Kaitlin's romance was a surprise, and intense, and real. I enjoyed seeing it develop over the pages, and it became more than either of them realized.

    Star-Crossed was a novel I wasn't expecting, but, of course, in a good way. A star-crossed romance, well-written prose, it was nice all around. It was packed with a mixture of everything, and the characters weren't cardboard. I look forward to Luna Lacour's future work, because it's got a lot more to it than most.

    My Rating:

    Tuesday, May 13, 2014

    Review: The Trouble With Honor by Julia London

    Title: The Trouble With Honor
    Author: Julia London
    Published: February 25th 2014
    Source: Copy given by author for honest review
    Genre: Historical Romance
    Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
    Add to your Goodreads shelf
    Caution: May contain spoilers
    Desperate times call for daring measures as Honor Cabot, the eldest stepdaughter of the wealthy Earl of Beckington, awaits her family's ruin. Upon the earl's death she and her sisters stand to lose the luxury of their grand home - and their place on the pedestal of society - to their stepbrother and his social-climbing fiancée. Forced to act quickly, Honor makes a devil's bargain with the only rogue in London who can seduce her stepbrother's fiancée out of the Cabots' lives for good.

    An illegitimate son of a duke, George Easton was born of scandal and grows his fortune through dangerous risks. But now he and Honor are dabbling in a perilous dance of seduction that puts her reputation and his jaded heart on the line. And as unexpected desire threatens to change the rules of their secret game, the stakes may become too high even for a notorious gambler and a determined, free-spirited debutante to handle.

    My Thoughts:

    My interest in this genre again ended up getting me to come across this cute little story. They always have a different story to them, although they usually run around the same lines, like making bargains, as is the case with this story. Some may end up sounding like repeats of themselves, but this one had the different feel to it.

    The book starts with a game of cards involving George and Honor, which was only the beginning of their story. Honor later offers her winnings from that game of cards (oh yeah, she won) in return for the favor from him. He, of course, has to think about it at first. Then once things get started, it becomes obvious there's something between them heating up. All their conversations and interactions are amusing and sweet.

    The Trouble With Honor is a great romance to pick up for fun. I really liked Honor, a smart woman, and definitely liked George and his swoonworthy ways. Julia London drew me in and kept me reading. I'll probably be willing to keep reading this series sometime in the near future.

    My Rating:

    Monday, May 12, 2014

    Book Blitz: Chasing Luck by Brinda Berry


    Welcome to the Chasing Luck book blitz!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~


    Chasing Luck by Brinda Berry
    (A Serendipity Novel #1)
    Publication date: May 2014
    Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense
    Sometimes surviving doesn’t feel lucky. Especially when you’re a sole survivor…

    At the age of seven, Malerie walked away from a bombing that left hundreds dead—including her mother. When a crazed gunman kills her guardian on her eighteenth birthday, Malerie suspects there may be more to her survival than luck. A mysterious code holds the key to her future, and a reluctant white knight holds the key to her heart.

    A loner wearing emotional armor…

    Ace is a twenty-year-old entrepreneur focusing on two things in life: financial security and a life without ties. A life that doesn’t risk losing the ones who matter. When Ace is hired to secretly act as a bodyguard for Malerie, he faces an unwanted attraction that threatens to sabotage his heart. Can Ace find the courage to love a girl with a death wish?


    Purchase:

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    About the Author:

    Brinda Berry lives in the southern US with her family and two spunky cairn terriers. She has a BSE in English and French and a MEd in Learning Systems Technology. She's terribly fond of chocolate, coffee, and books that take her away from reality. She doesn't mind being called a geek or "crazy dog lady". When she's not working the day job or writing a novel, she's guilty of surfing the internet for no good reason.

    Author links:

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    Giveaway:

    Blitz-wide giveaway
    Open INTL - Ends May 20th
    --A $25 Sephora gift card and two book swag necklaces

    ~*~*~*~*~*~


    Jessica

    Saturday, May 10, 2014

    Stacking the Shelves #25: April Edition


    Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews. Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week (or in my case, each month), sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!

    Disclaimer: You may freak out over how many I got this month. Don't worry, I did too.

    Bought/Free:


    Lost In Me by Lexi Ryan (-Goodreads-)
    Stolen Wishes by Lexi Ryan (-Goodreads-)
    Protecting What's Theirs by Tessa Bailey (-Goodreads-)
    His Risk to Take by Tessa Bailey (-Goodreads-)


    Wicked Games by Samanthe Beck  (-Goodreads-)
    Rising Assets by Rebecca Zanetti (-Goodreads-)
    Seducing Mr. Right by Katee Robert (-Goodreads-)
    His to Keep by Katee Robert (-Goodreads-)


    Dirty Nights, Part One by Emerson St. Clair (-Goodreads-)
    Price of a Kiss by Linda Kage (-Goodreads-)
    Unfixable by Tessa Bailey (-Goodreads-)
    Legal Briefs by N.M. Silber (-Goodreads-)


    Sex Love Repeat by Alessandra Torre (-Goodreads-)
    Bedding the Bad Boy by Verna DePaul (-Goodreads-)
    Lockout by Maya Cross (-Goodreads-)
    Playing Doctor by Jan Meredith (-Goodreads-)


    Dare to Resist by Laura Kaye (-Goodreads-)
    Chasing Mrs. Right by Katee Robert (-Goodreads-)
    One Hot Night by Noelle Adams (-Goodreads-)
    Late Call by Emma Hart (-Goodreads-)


    Melting the Ice by Jaci Burton (-Goodreads-)
    The Seduction of Emily by Rachel Brimble (-Goodreads-)
    The Rogue's Proposal by Jennifer Haymore (-Goodreads-)

    For Review:


    The End of Feeling by Cindy C. Bennett (-Goodreads-)
    Undeniable by Ashley Simone (-Goodreads-)
    Heated by J. Kenner (-Goodreads-)
    The Unexpected Duchess by Valerie Bowman (-Goodreads-)


    The Reunion by Jennifer Haymore (-Goodreads-)
    The Scoundrel's Seduction by Jennifer Haymore (-Goodreads-)
    The Wedding Trap Adrienne Bell (-Goodreads-)
    Just a Kiss by Ally Broadfield (-Goodreads-)


    Matched to a Billionaire by Kat Cantrell  (-Goodreads-)
    Fiance by Fate by Jennifer Shirk (-Goodreads-)
    In Bed With The Boss by Alexa Bravo (-Goodreads-)

    Won:


    Southern Seduction Boxed Set by various authors (-Goodreads-)
    A Lush Betrayal by Selena Laurence (-Goodreads-)
    (Thank you LOTS and LOTS Mickey!! <3 You're the BEST!)


    Two Wrongs, One Right by Katee Robert (-Goodreads-)
    Private Research by Sabrina Darby (-Goodreads-)
    (Thank you for the trade on YA Book Exchange, Terri!)


    Bookstore Purchases:




    (from left to right, then top to bottom, then left to right)

    Sweet Persuasion by Maya Banks (-Goodreads-)
    Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks (-Goodreads-)
    Blush by Lauren Jameson (-Goodreads-)
    One Night With You by Sophie Jordan (-Goodreads-)
    Seduction of a Proper Gentleman by Victoria Alexander (-Goodreads-)
    Confessions of a Little Black Gown by Elizabeth Boyle (-Goodreads-)
    To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt (-Goodreads-)
    The Seduction Of An Unknown Lady by Samantha James (-Goodreads-)
    Led Astray by a Rake by Sara Bennett (-Goodreads-)
    Three Nights of Sin by Anne Mallory (-Goodreads-)
    One Touch of Scandal by Liz Carlyle (-Goodreads-)
    Sold to a Laird by Karen Ranney (-Goodreads-)
    A Borrowed Scot by Karen Ranney (-Goodreads-)
    The Program by Suzanne Young (-Goodreads-)
    Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier (-Goodreads-)
    Easy by Tammara Webber (-Goodreads-)

    ~*~

    The final count: 54 books

    I just... my brain can't wrap around this.

    How in THE WORLD did I accumulate THAT MANY books in ONE FREAKING MONTH?!

    Well, I know how. It's called "one-click addiction" on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and NetGalley. And then it was all Molli and Kay's fault that I went to Books-A-Million after work one night and discovered the bargain books... I haven't LITERALLY stacked my shelves in a LONG time. So, holy freaking crap, dude.

    That was my awesome month of bookish goodness. How about you? Did you get anything good this week/month?

    Jessica