Review ~ The Right Side of Mr Wrong by Jane Linfoot.

Title: The Right Side of Mr Wrong.
Author: Jane Linfoot.
Publisher: Harper Impulse.
Release Date: March 6, 2014.

Purchase: Amazon UK ; Amazon

One-off, moving on sex wasn’t meant to be this hot…

When determined singleton Shea Summers is persuaded to become the “wife” of the Lord of Edgerton Manor, the last thing she wants to do is play house with a stranger.

Brooding playboy Brando Marshall, is far from happy when Shea turns up at his sprawling estate with production crew in tow. Surely she’s just another woman after his wallet? And if she’s looking for Mr Right, she’s definitely hitting on the wrong guy. Then again, after catching an unscheduled glimpse of her knickers, perhaps Brando needs to teach this “gold-digger” a lesson!

She’s seizing the moment, he’s breaking the rules, and when bad boys can be so much fun, who can resist getting on the right side of Mr. Wrong...

Review:

The Right Side of Mr Wrong is the kind of flirty, fun book which puts a smile on your face from start to finish. Once I’d started reading, the humour and light-hearted writing made sure the only time my Kindle was getting put down was once I’d got to the end.

I loved the chemistry between Shea and Brando – right from the beginning when Shea makes her grand entrance and flashes her underwear, the one upmanship started and this provided a lot of laughs throughout the book.

As for other characters, I had kind of expected to see more of them, and especially see more of Bryony since she seemed to be important to the plot. However, Jane Linfoot really honed in on the relationship between Shea and Brando and it worked so well. From the saucy moments (and there’s a few), to the laughs and the endearing, sweeter moments, Brando and Shea were two characters I really cared for.

The pacing worked great too – it was fast from the start and this never faltered. The Right Side of Mr Wrong never got boring. I also loved how everything was linked in – all the small things mentioned earlier on in the book which you think might have been forgotten towards the end never were – and from the title to the characteristics of Shea and Brando to their reservations and emotions, nothing was pushed aside. It all worked brilliantly.

This book was just really refreshing and uplifting. It was nice to read a different take on a romance, one which managed to combine emotion without over-the-top drama and glum moments. The Right Side of Mr Wrong was a whirlwind of fun.

Rating:

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


Review also posted on Goodreads ; Amazon UK ; Amazon

About the Author:

I’m Jane Linfoot, and I write fun, flirty fiction, with feisty heroines and a bit of an edge. I live in a mountain kingdom in Derbyshire, England, where my family and pets are kind enough to ignore the domestic chaos – happily, we’re in walking distance of a supermarket. For me, writing romance is cool because I get to wear pretty shoes instead of wellies. I love hearts, flowers, happy endings, all things vintage, most things french. When I’m not on facebook, and can’t find an excuse for shopping, I’ll be walking, or gardening. On days when I want to be really scared, I ride a tandem.

Connect with Jane: Facebook ; Twitter ; Website

Review & Giveaways ~ Defining Destiny by Deanna Chase.

Today is my tour stop for Defining Destiny by Deanna Chase. My post will include a review of the book and two giveaways. To follow the rest of the tour, click the banner above to take you to the schedule.

Title: Defining Destiny.
Author: Deanna Chase.
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance.
Publication Date: February 20, 2014.

Purchase: Amazon

When destiny fails…

Singer-songwriter Lucy Moore thought her life was perfect. At just twenty-one, she’s already met her soul mate and together they’ve landed a recording contract. But when her father dies and the love of her life betrays her in more ways than one, she returns home to pick up the pieces. On the shores of Mendocino, California, Lucy has some decisions to make. Should she start a solo career? Or should she leave it all behind for some semblance of normalcy in the quiet town she grew up in? And what about Seth, the tortured artist who always seems to be there when she needs him?

Seth Keenan has demons of his own. Eighteen months ago, he was involved in a horrific accident that he never talks about. His career as an accomplished oil-paint artist has been abandoned, replaced by the buzz of his tattoo gun. And women—well, he never sticks around for longer than a few hours of pleasure… until he meets Lucy. After one evening of listening to her seductive voice, he’s pulled under. But what about the vow he made to never get close to anyone again?

In a world where everyone has one true soul mate, can these two find love in the arms of each other?

Review:

Defining Destiny really drew me in to the emotional stories of two characters. Almost instantly, this book produced a story and people I were interested in and it had an entertaining plot throughout.

It’s written from both Lucy and Seth’s perspective. I loved both of them for different reasons. Seth was strong and honest and he would do anything to help the people he cared about. Lucy was admirable in that at times she might have come to the wrong outcome but she always refused to settle for something she didn’t truly want. I really enjoyed reading the chemistry between them as well as the more touching moments.

I thought the side characters were interesting too (but not all likeable). Caden was part of a love triangle which actually worked – I liked how I never really knew what to expect from him and his seemingly split-personality. Jax was a good character too and I really wish Mike would have been involved more in the story as the last part he was in, I felt like his character had so much more to give.

There wasn’t an aspect of Defining Destiny I didn’t enjoy, but for a book billed as paranormal romance, I just didn’t get it. Okay so obviously there was the you only have one soulmate bit but it didn’t really feel paranormal at all. Although I loved it as a New Adult Romance story, I think if someone picked up this book hoping for a paranormal romance they would probably be a bit disappointed. For me, it wasn’t disappointing at all but I could understand if others weren’t completely satisfied.

Deanna Chase excellently executed the plot as Seth and Lucy tried to overcome and grow from the obstacles in their lives. I loved this book a whole lot more than expected and really didn’t want it to end, although it did have a great ending. It was really enjoyable and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Rating:

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author:

Deanna is a native Californian, transplanted to the slower paced lifestyle of southeastern Louisiana. When she isn’t writing, she is often goofing off with her husband in New Orleans, playing with her two shih tzu dogs, making glass beads, or out hocking her wares at various bead shows across the country. For more information and updates on newest releases visit her blog at www.deannachase.com.

Connect with Deanna: Blog ; Goodreads ; Facebook ; Twitter

Giveaways:
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Reviews ~ Delilah Dusticle & Delilah Dusticle's Transylvanian Adventure by A.J. York

Title: Delilah Dusticle (Delilah Dusticle #1).
Author: A.J. York.
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy.
Release Date: March 3, 2013.

Purchase: Amazon UK

Delilah Dusticle has special powers, she can completely eradicate dust. With her quiver pouch of special dusters Delilah can run up walls and reaches places others just can’t. As a maid in the Fenchurch-Whittington house Delilah’s unusual skills soon lead to her being promoted to Chief Dust Eradicator and Remover. Until one day a broken heart leads to her powers taking an expected turn.

This is the first in a series of touching and funny stories about Delilah Dusticle. Follow her on a journey of self-discovery, friendship and adventure.

Excerpt:

A suit of armour standing beside her in the hall coughed and shot out a puff of dust from its helmet. “Staff are not permitted to fraternise with the family and any shenanigans would lead to instant dismissal,” wheezed the armour.

“Don’t I know it,” said Delilah who then waved her duster at the falling dust cloud making it vanish in mid-air. For good measure she selected her dandelion duster and polished the armour, who was very ticklish and kept giggling. She then made her way to the staff kitchen for dinner.

Review:

Delilah Dusticle combined all the components I love to see in a middle grade book – charm, friendship, fun and humour. A.J. York wrote what I would consider a near-perfect children’s story, with uplifting messages throughout.

The book is very short which for me suggests that it would be the kind of book fitting for a heart-warming end to the day. The plot went down a more unexpected route for me as I was expecting it to focus more on the heartbreak and not friendship. However, it was the friendship which gives the book a sweet, positive feel for younger readers – for me giving the impression that when you’re in a slump, friendship will help you find yourself and bring your mood back up.

The eccentric fantasy elements in Delilah Dusticle were fun and humorous. I loved the small moments when Delilah talked to the portrait and I also liked how her dust-eradicating powers seemed to be linked to how happy she was. A good mood meant good dusting and sadness and heartbreak stopped her powers from working.

Amongst the entertaining story was a selection of quirky illustrations which fit the book brilliantly. They’re great for keeping smiles on faces even through the sadder moments in Delilah’s story and really made this book a must-read children’s story.

Rating:

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Title: Delilah Dusticle's Transylvanian Adventure (Delilah Dusticle #2).
Author: A.J. York.
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy.
Release Date: January 15, 2014.

Purchase: Amazon UK

In this illustrated instalment, Delilah and the Dustbusters are invited to Transylvania to cater for the Hallow Eve Ball. All is not what it seems and Count Dracula has a very unusual request for Delilah.

This is the second in a series of stories following Delilah and the Dustbusters on journeys and adventures around the world. Delilah Dusticle’s Transylvanian Adventure guarantees to have has more action than you can shake a feather duster at!

Excerpt

There was also an ugly brown sponge that looked like a grumpy gargoyle with a squished face. Delilah called him Grumpy Sponge. He would suck up dust on contact, or, if Delilah was feeling sad, he would throw-up dirt on every surface.

Delilah wiped every book in the library with Grumpy Sponge, who would stick out his tongue and lick up any grime, and then she would do a quick sweep with Abi’s dusters to remove any small dust flakes. Delilah was leaning into the fireplace with Grumpy Sponge, who instead of licking up soot was now sucking up coal dust, when the lady of the house appeared. She looked about the room to ensure they were alone and then handed Delilah a letter.

“It is from a very distant cousin of mine. He wishes to acquire your services for his annual event.”

Delilah turned the letter in her hands. It was very strange indeed. It was an old, yellowed piece of folded cartridge paper with her name written in spindly pink writing on the front. On the back was a red wax seal, imprinted with the image of a winking bat.

Review:

Delilah Dusticle’s Transylvanian Adventure is a light-hearted read packed with weird and wonderful characters sure to result in plenty of giggles and fun.

The second instalment in the Delilah Dusticle series started off a little slow, as it seemed to recap on what happened in the first novella. However, once Delilah and the Dustbusters started on their way to Transylvania, this book brought the humour, entertainment and quirky nature which I loved in book one.

There was a whole host of characters featured in this book, from the relatively normal Dev and Doris to Count Dracula to football-playing spiders and Grumpy Sponge. Although I expected and hoped that Abi would be involved more as she was a big part of book one, there were plenty of other characters who kept the charm, bringing friendship and loyalty.

Gavin Childs' illustrations added some colour and spark to the book and I was glad to see more illustrations in this book than book one. They all worked wonderfully with the story and provided more entertainment instead of a distraction.

Delilah Dusticle’s Transylvanian Adventure has a mixture of things young readers will enjoy, from heroes and villains to fun characters and plenty of laughs. The mixture of fantasy elements lead you into another world you just might not want to leave.

Rating:

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Spotlight & Giveaway ~ In the Fading Light by Tara Brown.

Today is my tour stop for In the Fading Light by Tara Brown. My post will include a spotlight of the book and tour-wide giveaway. To follow the rest of the tour, click the banner above to take you to the schedule.

Title: In the Fading Light.
Author: Tara Brown.
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy.
Publication Date: 2014.

Purchase: Amazon ; B&N

Separated by a curse but bound by love.

In the fading light of the night, their eyes meet where their lips cannot. It is a single second that sustains their love. From the moment her eyes met his, Estelle Dumont was captivated. Her heart would always be his.

But Edmond Lamont’s heart wasn’t entirely hers. He had been in love once before, tricked by the fair beauty of an Encantado named Lisle.

Desperate to rid themselves of the curse she placed upon them, they must decide just how far they are willing to go. They must decide if their love is more important than their lives.

But how far is too far and what cost is too much?

About the Author:

I am not going to talk in the third person. It feels weird.
I am a Bestselling author of Contemporary and Paranormal Romance but my true passion is my Post Apocalyptic and Fantasy novels. I write a lot of books and jump Genres a lot. Mostly because I think I have Writers ADD, I like to call it WADD. It might be a real thing.
I write New Adult, my books have sexual content (Heck yes) and Swearing. You have been warned. Now enjoy!

I have a beagle named Buster, a husband who I force to read everything I write and two girls who want so badly to be a character in my books. And not in that order.

I am mid thirties so be prepared for the chick lit novel this year. I am calling it my Ode to my Midlife Crisis.
I have been writing since I was old enough to lie. So for some time.

Welcome to my world. Please enjoy the ride.

Connect with Tara: Facebook ; Twitter ; Website ; Goodreads

Giveaway:

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Review ~ Chills: A Short Story Collection by Sahar Sabati.

Title: Chills: A Short Story Collection.
Author: Sahar Sabati.
Genre: Suspense.
Release Date: October 17, 2013.

Purchase Links: Amazon ; Kobo ; B&N ; iTunes

The same people are impossibly spotted in two different places at once; a man considers murdering the husband of a woman he loves; while driving home very early in the morning, a driverless car appears out of the fog and follows two sisters home. Fear of the unknown, emotional intensity, and plain old creepiness will give you chills long after you have finished reading the seven stories in this collection.

Review:

Chills provided an eerie set of short stories, an ideally creepy read for a dark night in or perhaps an occasion like Halloween. If you’re hoping for blood and guts than this collection probably isn’t for you. However, if well thought-out, spooky tales based on not completely unrealistic scenarios is more your thing, this book is the one to pick up.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect from Chills but was pleasantly surprised by how developed the short stories were. Each had an intriguing setting and strong characters and they were all packed full of twists. I thought individually that Sahar Sabati’s vivid imagination shone through in every story in the collection and it was hard to pick a favourite.

I was enthralled from the moment I started the first story in the book, and my attention was kept throughout until I ended up finishing the book in one go. My only criticism would be that I felt the last two stories were slightly weaker than the rest, but they were still entertaining.

Sahar Sabati showed off some great writing in Chills: A Short Story Collection. Each story really held its ground and the author did wonderfully in making each story, as short as they were meant to be, feel complete and not lacking. Overall, Chills was an imaginative, fascinating spooky read.

Rating:

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author:

The author of Spirit Within Club and Chills: A Short Story Collection, Sahar was born the first of three siblings and the first of eight cousins who grew up together. Thrust in the role of head of the brood at a very early age, she honed her imagination by creating stories and plotlines the eight of them could play to all summer long. But soon, her interest in the paranormal took its toll on said brood. Worried on the long-term effects (as well as potential therapy costs) of this continual exposure to increasingly scary stories her oldest was (too) expertly weaving for their terrified ears, her mother gave her a typewriter – and a writer was born. Many books, a couple of screenplays, countless short stories, numerous essays, two blogs, and one Facebook page later, Sahar joined the ranks of Blogcritics, delving into the world of reviews.

Connect with Sahar: Website ; Blog ; Facebook ; Twitter ; Instagram

Review ~ Only For You by Tista Ray.

Title: Only For You.
Author: Tista Ray.
Genre: Young Adult.
Release Date: February 18, 2014.

Purchase: Amazon UK ; Amazon ; CreateSpace - everyone who buys Only For You will receive a bundle of other writings from Tista for free.

It is said that people’s lives are tales of two great journeys - the pursuit of happiness and the search for true love.

Edward seems to have achieved one of these ultimate goals by falling in love with Daisy.

But in his quest for true love, will he be willing to let go of his one special friend, and perhaps, sacrifice his chance for happiness?

If there’s a choice between love and friendship, will Edward sacrifice one for the other? Will he be able to live with his choice and never ask himself what if he chose the other?

Review:

Only For You was written in three parts, two fiction, one song lyrics, telling the story of Edward, torn between his girlfriend and best friend. Tista Ray showcases her talents by combining the two formats into a well-balanced story.

The fiction in Only For You was written in first person, from Edward’s perspective, and the lyrics at the end were written from Ady’s point of view. I thought first-person suited this plot perfectly because it really helped me understand Edward and his feelings towards both Daisy and Ady. Plus, it’s not that often a Young Adult book is told from a male point of view.

However, whilst the combination of fiction and lyrics made the story stand out a little, I would have preferred to have seen Ady’s songs split up parts of Edward’s perspective, because I found Edward really unlikeable and at times, frustrating to read. He was judgmental and full of himself and I’m sure I was meant to like him more as the story went on but I just didn’t.

The pacing of Only For You was fast, but at times it felt like it was just getting more and more unrealistic. Although I liked how we’re thrown right into the story and Edward’s conflicted feelings, the plot felt a little too rushed. Things which could have been considered major plot twists in other books were just used and forgotten about as quickly as they were introduced.

Despite this, the author wrote a really entertaining story. At times it was sweet, funny, dramatic and all the good things you’d hope to see in a Young Adult book. The twists towards the end of Only For You made it refreshingly different to other books in this genre and the Ray’s combination of music and fiction suggests to me her future is bright.

Rating:

*I beta-read Only For You but received a final copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cover Reveal ~ Bentwhistle the Dragon in a Chilling Revelation by Paul Cude.

Title: Bentwhistle the Dragon in a Chilling Revelation (Bentwhistle #2).
Author: Paul Cude.
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Adventure.
Release Date: March 1, 2014.


Peter Bentwhistle, the human shaped dragon and reluctant hero, returns in this action-packed, electrifying adventure.

After his harrowing near death experience at the talons of evil dragon Manson, Peter expects his slow recovery to be uneventful.

Helped by his dragon friends, Tank and Richie (both in their human forms), he finds solace in his new-found friendship with the dragon king. But the three friends are soon unwittingly drawn into a deadly plot, when a straight forward meeting with the monarch sees them helping an injured dragon agent, straight back from his mission in Antarctica with news of a devastating encounter with another ancient race.

Soon Peter is involved in blackmail, intrigue, forbidden love interests, a near fatal mantra gone wrong, a highly charged rugby match in which Tank takes a beating, combined with enough laminium ball action to please dragons the world over.

New friends and ancient enemies clash as the planet braces itself for one of the most outrageous attacks it has ever seen. Lost secrets and untold lore come to light, while sinister forces attempt to steal much coveted magic.

Explosive exploits are set against a chilly backdrop with unexpected danger at every turn. 'Snow way you'll wanna miss this!

A message from the author...

I’m excited about the forthcoming publication of the second Bentwhistle book in the series. To celebrate its launch, book 1, “Bentwhistle the Dragon in A Threat from the Past” also has a new look.

These are all the different ways you can connect with me or read the first book in the Bentwhistle series. It’s currently available for free at Smashwords, in all formats, or can be purchased in either paperback or Kindle version from Amazon.

The Goodreads page for my first book can be found here.

My Facebook page is here.

I can be found on twitter @paul_cude.

Why not check out the Bentwhistle website to find our more at www.bentwhistlethedragon.co.uk or my blog at www.thesoberhockeyplayer.co.uk.

Be sure to keep an eye out for more details of “Bentwhistle the Dragon in A Chilling Revelation” as they are announced!

Book Blitz, Review & Giveaways ~ Lost In Us by Layla Hagen.

Title: Lost in Us.
Author: Layla Hagen.
Genre: Contemporary New Adult Romance.
Publication Date: February 17, 2014.

Purchase: Amazon

Serena has learned to live with her past, locking her secrets and nightmares deep inside her. But when her boyfriend of six years abruptly leaves her, she’s catapulted back into pain, nursing a broken heart. When indulging in mountains of chocolate doesn’t work, Serena decides the best way to deal with her shattered heart is to indulge in something else. A rebound . . .

The night she swaps her usual Sprite for tequila, she meets James. The encounter is breathtaking.
Electrifying.
And best not repeated.

James is a successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. A man who has amassed a fortune by taking risks. A man who has shunned commitment completely, and still does. He’s the exact opposite of Serena. But sometimes opposites attract. Sometimes they give in to burning passion. Sometimes opposites are perfect for each other.

James is everything her damaged soul could want. His kisses are intoxicating, his touch out of this world. He makes her forget. He grants her peace from her pain. But as they grow closer, Serena discovers she isn’t the only one with a past. James carries the scars of a past much darker than hers. One that has left him damaged, hurt, and wary of love. A past that gives him the power to shatter her.

Now James and Serena must find a way to mend one another. Or risk losing each other forever.

Excerpt:

"Is your office far from here?"

"You can see it over there actually," he says, pointing to a spot over the trees.

I frown. "I don't see anything." I sway a little as I get up from my chair, and James hurries to steady me.

"Who gets wasted from two glasses of wine?" he says, amused.

"I am not wasted," I say. "I just have balance problems."

"Okay," he says, grabbing me by the waist with one arm, and taking my right hand with the other, pointing up. "There."

And now I do see it. The skyscraper. The top of it, at least.

"Which floor is your office?"

Instead of an answer I get a kiss on my neck. And then another one. I dig my fingers in his hair and turn my head, desperately searching his lips. I find them at the same time his hands slide under my top. I don't know if it's the wine or the chocolate, or my desperate need for him finally overpowering me, but I don't make any move to stop him as his hands go higher and higher, touching my breasts, my nipples. I don't want him to stop. I want him to touch me. All of me. Right here. Right now. He bites my lip and I moan deeply in his mouth.

It's only when one of his hands slides down and unzips my jeans that I come to my senses.

"Not here," I whisper, and for a frozen second, neither of us moves.

Then he grabs my hand. "Fuck, Serena. Let's go."

Review:

I was so looking forward to reading Lost In Us, ever since I signed up for the cover reveal for it. The book definitely did not disappoint.

The synopsis did leave the book open to being predictable and overdone, but I was so impressed that never happened. In fact, at times it was infuriatingly realistic because I just wanted a straight-forward happy-ever-after for Serena and James! I loved how it worked though – both characters won me over almost instantly and I was engaged throughout the whole book.

Layla Hagen paced Lost in Us to perfection. It did not feel like a debut novel at all – more like the author had been bringing high quality books out for years on end. The characters were strong, even the less involved ones like Jess and Parker. My only slight wish would have been to see a bit more of Jess and Parker, but in a way that was only because the author did so well in making me care for them too.

Lost In Us was a great debut, and already I’m anxiously awaiting more from Layla. All aspects of the book worked well together, and it stepped away from a lot of the predictability seen in romance books. I think the author is on to great things.

Rating:

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


Review also posted on Goodreads ; Amazon UK ; Amazon


About the Author:

My name is Layla Hagen and I am a New Adult Contemporary Romance author.

I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.

I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.

And I drink coffee. Lots of it, in case the photo didn’t make it obvious enough.

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Random facts about me and Lost in Us:

• James was initially called Liam. . .because I had a crush on Liam Hemsworth. I got over it in the meantime (am now crushing on his brother Chris) :-D

• I love chocolate as much as Serena does. Unfortunately I can’t get away with eating as much of it as she does.

• I wrote a *certain* steamy scene on a piece of paper—on the back of which I then printed an official letter. Which I sent. Oh, the joy of being a writer :)

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Connect with Layla: Website ; Goodreads ; Facebook ; Twitter

Giveaways:

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Cover Reveal ~ Dead Girl Walking by Ruth Silver.

Title: Dead Girl Walking (Royal Reaper).
Author: Ruth Silver.
Publisher: Patchwork Press.
Cover Design: Erica Crouch.
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy.
Expected Publication Date: Summer 2014.


In 1346, Princess Ophelia Dacre sneaks out of the castle to visit her boyfriend in secret. A perfect night cut short when she’s brutally murdered.

Ophelia is given the rare chance to become a grim reaper. She must become Leila Bele, cut ties with her old life, and follow the rules of the reapers. Her greatest adventure begins with death.

Excerpt:

"The scroll chose you. For whatever reason, she's your reap."

"Well, that sucks." Leila chewed her bottom lip. "If I don't do it?"

Edon hesitated before he said, "Her soul will rot inside her body. Do you have any idea what that’s like? She'll be a living corpse, a shell of a person. She won't feel anything including love. We as reapers, the undead, feel more than she ever will alive."

Leila swallowed the lump in her throat. "How do you know that?"

"Because I've seen what it does to a person," Edon said. "That little girl deserves better."

About the Author:

Ruth Silver attended Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor's in Communication in the spring of 2005. While in college, she spent much of her free time writing with friends she met online and penning her first novel, Deuces are Wild, which she self-published in 2004. Her favorite class was Creative Writing senior year where she often handed in assignments longer than the professor required because she loved to write and always wanted to finish her stories. Her love of writing led her on an adventure in 2007 to Melbourne, Australia. Silver enjoys reading, photography, traveling and most of all writing. She loves dystopian and fantasy young adult stories. Her debut novel published by Lazy Day Publishing and Patchwork Press, ABERRANT, was released April 2013. The second novel in the series, MOIRAI, continues the saga. ISAURA, is the final installment in the ABERRANT trilogy. Ruth has been actively writing since she was a teenager. Her current writing projects include a YA science-fiction fantasy series, ORENDA, and a YA paranormal series, DEAD GIRL WALKING. Both novels are due for release in 2014. She currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

Connect with Ruth: Website ; Twitter ; Facebook ; Amazon

Review and Giveaway ~ A Valentine Challenge by Kiru Taye.

Title: A Valentine Challenge (Challenge Series #1).
Author: Kiru Taye.
Genre: Contemporary Multicultural Romance.
Release Date: February 14, 2014.

Purchase: Amazon UK ; Amazon ; All Romance eBooks ; B&N

Challenge Series – Three friends. Three challenges. Are they willing to risk everything for love?

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Life is good for ex-soldier turned entrepreneur Michael Ede. Or so he thinks. When his friends set him a challenge to exorcise the memory of a woman from his past, he expects it to be a walk in the park.

Socialite Kasie Bosa is spitting fire at men. Her long-term boyfriend has asked for a break via text message of all things. Fuming, she’s told him to go take a dive off the nearest bridge. So the next man who crosses her path is at risk of being shredded with her spa manicured nails.

Bad news for Michael who has chosen her as the object of his challenge. But neither of them can deny the sizzling chemistry between them nor control their responses, it seems. It’s the season of love. Will they escape unscathed?

Excerpt:

I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. ~ Leonardo Da Vinci.

Trouble. He could spot it a mile away.

A man accustomed to dealing with danger in all guises, he'd come across its varied forms from the killing fields of Sierra Leone to the marshy jungle of the Niger Delta. Danger came in the form of men with machetes or AK47s and explosives packed into cars in crowded markets. Though scarred, he'd dealt with trouble and survived.

Yet, standing outside the front entrance of Park Hotel, Enugu, the light morning breeze fanning Michael Ede's face, his gut twisted with the awareness of a different kind of trouble.

Today, danger was disguised as a woman. A stunningly beautiful woman.

Sure, she had the poise and elegance of a well-bred lady. A white shirt and high-waist black trouser suit enhanced as well as hid a curvaceous figure in silk swatches, feet encased in black shiny leather peep-toe high-heeled pumps, jet-black hair pulled back in a chignon, blood-red lips matched her toe nails, she exuded sophistication and class.

Perhaps it was the way she avoided eye contact or the vicelike grip she had on the Louis Vuitton satchel she clutched in her left hand, but some vulnerability seeped out of the exterior shell of elegance and connected with a part of him—the part currently buried under the rubble of a demolished heart. A flame ignited in his gut, licking his skin with hot yearning.

Danger signals resounded within his head, veins churning with rising adrenaline, all his attention focused on the object coming toward him, a sixty-kilogram missile made of flesh and bones.

Get out of here!

Ignoring the screeching warning, he stood his ground. A born fighter, he was no yellow feathered bird ready to take flight at the flicker of a storm. He never ran from danger.

Sashaying toward him, lips in a glorious pout, eyes amber-brown and captivating, she came to a halt more than two long strides away from him.

Did she know, if she came any closer he might not be able to keep his hands off her? He wanted to touch her caramel skin. Slide his tongue along the curve of her collarbone. Would she taste as delightful as the sweet?

Squeeze. Release. He curled fingers into his palms and unclenched them at his sides; the sound of his pounding heart rivalled the drumbeats heralding Obiagu masquerades.

Hot blood scorched his veins, his body ablaze with desire. It had nothing to do with the early morning sun burning his back.

And everything to do with the woman standing before him. Trouble!

Review:

A Valentine Challenge was a short story which was cleverly written by Kiru Taye as she managed to keep everything relevant and not waste pages on unimportant material.

At the beginning, I found the story a little too slow and I struggled to dive straight into it but it didn’t take long before I found it progressed into a much stronger book.

The sexual tension between Kasie and Michael was fun to read but I did find them two very infuriating characters! Kasie seemed quite stuck up and I struggled to find her endearing although we did find out perhaps what was causing her attitude towards the class system near the middle of the book.

Michael, I didn’t really like at all and I think I would have preferred for the characters to have been more developed earlier on as it took until about two thirds in before I felt like I understood them and their motives.

One relationship I really enjoyed in A Valentine Challenge was the friendship between Kasie and Franca. I liked how it was a relatable friendship in that it wasn’t all perfect – they bickered like normal friends do but in the end, they were loyal and caring towards each other.

For the most part, A Valentine Challenge had great pacing and a really enjoyable story. The characters were intriguing despite not being my favourites. The book was never boring and I think it makes a nice, steamy choice for a couple of hours reading.

Rating:

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author:

A lover of books, as a teenager Kiru Taye used to read novels under the blanket during lights-outs in boarding school. These days, with a young family to take care of, she's still sacrificing sleep for the pleasures of a good book.

During the day though, she transforms her wildly vivid imagination into sensual, atmospheric romance stories with passionate characters.

When she’s not writing or reading, she'd hanging out with family and friends or travelling. Born in Nigeria, she currently lives in the UK with husband and children.

Connect with Kiru: Blog ; Website ; Facebook ; Twitter ; Google+ ; Pinterest

Giveaway:

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Release Day ~ Every Second With You by Lauren Blakely.

Title: Every Second With You (No Regrets #2).
Author: Lauren Blakely.
Genre: New Adult.
Release Date: February 10, 2014.

Purchase: Amazon UK ; Amazon ; B&N ; iTunes ; Kobo

Every Second With You = Sex. Love. Addiction. Heartache. Pain. And Hope.

In the sequel to the bestselling new adult romance THE THRILL OF IT, Harley and Trey face new challenges that will make battling blackmail, sex addiction, and a virgin call girl past look easy…

I used to think love was a lie. Now I know it’s real, powerful, and I don’t want to lose it…But my future scares me, and there’s no way this can be happening, especially since I’ve finally broken free from all the people who wanted pieces of me. I don’t even know how to start over, but I have to find a way. So when I discover what my mother’s been keeping from me, it doesn’t make me hate her. It gives me hope for a new life, outside of New York. But the ties that bind me to this city are so strong, sometimes they are chains. If only I could leave with…

Trey...

I will do anything for her. She owns me, heart, mind and body. But when Harley tells me this, I am rocked to the core, and terrified of what happens next. Especially when now it’s not her past that chases me, it’s someone from my own. And that someone is messing with my head when I’m trying to be strong for Harley. But all I really want is to escape with the girl I love…For the rest of our lives.

How can you move forward when the past keeps chasing you?

About the Author:

Lauren Blakely writes sexy contemporary romance novels with heat, heart, and humor, and her books have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. Like the heroine in FAR TOO TEMPTING, she thinks life should be filled with family, laughter, and the kind of love that love songs promise. Lauren lives in California with her husband, children, and dogs. Her novels include Caught Up In Us, Pretending He’s Mine, Playing With Her Heart, and Trophy Husband. She also writes for young adults under the name Daisy Whitney.

Connect with Lauren: Website ; Blog ; Facebook ; Twitter ; Goodreads