Interview, Review & Giveaway: The Sometimes Sisters by Carolyn Brown

I've been a long-time fan of Carolyn Brown, so I'm thrilled to have her on the blog today to answer a few questions about her latest, The Sometimes Sisters (totally loved!) and a few other pressing questions this romance junkie had for her.  The lovely people of Montlake Romance provided a giveaway of The Sometimes Sisters as part of this post, so don't forget to scroll down and fill in the rafflecopter for a chance to win! 

The Sometimes Sisters by Carolyn Brown
Publication Date: February 27th 2018 by Montlake Romance
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

About the book:

When they were growing up, Dana, Harper, and Tawny thought of themselves as “sometimes sisters.” They connected only during the summer month they’d all spend at their grandmother’s rustic lakeside resort in north Texas. But secrets started building, and ten years have passed since they’ve all been together—in fact, they’ve rarely spoken, and it broke their grandmother’s heart.

Now she’s gone, leaving Annie’s Place to her granddaughters—twelve cabins, a small house, a café, a convenience store, and a lot of family memories. It’s where Dana, Harper, and Tawny once shared so many good times. They’ve returned, sharing only hidden regrets, a guarded mistrust, and haunting guilt. But now, in this healing summer place, the secrets that once drove them apart could bring them back together—especially when they discover that their grandmother may have been hiding something, too…

To overcome the past and find future happiness, these “sometimes sisters” have one more chance to realize they are always family.

Carolyn Brown: Exclusive Interview:

First of all, I want to say thank you for visiting Waves of Fiction! I’m a huge fan of your romances!  Your stories touch my heart, make me laugh, and keep me entertained until the last page!

Thank you for that compliment. And thank you so much for inviting me to Waves of Fiction today. It’s such a pleasure to be here.

Q: Can you tell us a little about The Sometimes Sisters, and what motivated you to write their story?

It all started when the sisters showed up in my head and wanted me to write their stories. I had two sisters. Like Dana, I had a father who rejected his first family. One sister I never met. We shared different mothers. The other one was a part of that first family, and we were best friends and confidantes until the day she passed away. So the what ifs came into play. What if we’d met as adults? What if Joy hadn’t died in a car accident before I ever met her? What if Patti hadn’t passed away suddenly? What if we’d been thrown together as adults and had to overcome all the past?

Q: You’ve written several colorful female characters, like Agnes and Violet from your Cadillac, Texas series or Mavis and Naomi from your Burnt Boot, Texas series. These women alternately had me laughing myself silly and shaking my head. What inspired you to write these women and their battles? 

Those women simply popped into my head and I couldn’t get them out. They were my inspiration. Agnes was only supposed to be a minor character, the crazy old aunt who lived across the street from the café, but she almost stole the show. After reading The Wedding Pearls, (that book has a couple of sassy elderly women also—Frankie and Ivy) my daughter called me late one night. She was still sniffling from the The Wedding Pearls ending and informed me that if I ever wrote another Cadillac story and Agnes died, she wouldn’t talk to me for a month.

Q: Will we see any fierce rivalry like that in The Sometimes Sisters?

Not so much as Agnes and Violet or Mavis and Naomi. Like sisters, they do have their jealous moments, but that stays “in the family”. Let anyone come in and threaten one of them, and the other two are there to support and protect.

Q: The Sometimes Sisters sounds more like Women’s Fiction from the book description, so I’m curious if there’ll be any romance?

It’s definitely Women’s Fiction. Dana, Harper and Tawny have a journey to make so they can lose the emotional baggage that’s weighing them down. It’s a story of friendship—but I’m not sure that I could write a book without a little bit of romance. After all, love heals and these sisters have a lot of hurts that need to be taken care of. So yes, there is romance mixed in with the friendship.

Q: Do you base any of your fictional characters on real life people?  Have you written any characters based on yourself?

Real life people always sneak into my books, whether I know them or not. For example, Mr. B and I were out on a research trip and stopped for ice cream. A young cowboy, wearing dirty jeans, boots and spurs, a sweaty cowboy hat and a faded pearl snap shirt—oh, and a belt buckle with a long horn bull on the front—waited in line ahead of us. He became my next hero. Sometimes it’s something as simple as an attitude that I see in someone. The attitude shows up in a character that doesn’t look like that person, but sure tosses her head to the side like the lady I worked with at one time. Writers are people watchers so beware!  

Q: You’ve been writing for quite sometime now, what is your favorite thing about writing?

Freedom and flexibility. My office is in my house and I can work in pajama pants and oversized t-shirts. I’m basically a hermit so this lifestyle suits me.  So I’m free from all the entanglements of a job that takes me outside: business clothes, makeup, fixing hair and alarm clocks. I do wear shoes on Sunday, but some weeks that’s the only day. I’m very disciplined so I write for several hours every day, but my schedule is flexible. I don’t have to schedule time off with a boss when I want to go to a writer’s conference or the yearly family reunion.

Q: What is your least favorite thing about writing?

Fear. So far I’ve never been without the voices in my head. But sometimes I fear that they’ll stop giving me ideas. I have a plaque on my wall that says, “I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but they have really great ideas.” I hope that those voices stay with me forever.

Q: What advice would you impart to aspiring writers?

Write! Don’t Whine! Do you realize that both words start with a W and end with an E and they each have five letters? Why waste your time whining when you could be writing? Writing accomplishes something, even if it’s only 500 words a day. That means someday you will have a manuscript to offer somewhere. Set a goal, set your mind and sit down in the chair and write.

Thank you again for letting me stop by Waves of Fiction to talk about The Sometimes Sisters.

My pleasure, Carolyn!  I love these answers, and I can't wait for what you have in store for us next! 

Now here are my thoughts on The Sometimes Sisters:

My Thoughts:

I just loved this story so much! I shed tears, both sad and happy, The Sometimes Sisters brought out all the feels!

Dana, Harper, and Tawny are the “Sometimes Sisters” who had gathered for a month during each summer at their Granny Annie’s lakeside resort.  Dana is the oldest, a bastard child of their father he refused to acknowledge, but Granny Annie wouldn’t stand for her son’s behavior and accepted her as the true granddaughter she is.  Harper and Tawny were the legitimate daughters, but didn’t mean they weren’t abandoned by a parent too.  These girls only got along sometimes, and there’s been a lot of years since that’s happened.  Each one of the sisters has a sad tale and a sort of a chip on their shoulders, but they’ll need to get over it to work together after their Granny’s death.  It’s Granny Annie’s dying wish to make it so, and Uncle Zed has been tasked to transforming these women to the “always sisters” instead of “sometimes sisters”.

At the death of their Granny, all three sisters gather at the Lakeside Resort, to mourn her passing and take over running the place with Uncle Zed, Granny Annie’s best friend, and their as-good-as grandpa. We gradually discover why each need this place to call home as the story progresses.  I loved watching these women heal and draw close, while their Granny whispers encouragement or snap-out-of-it statements in their heads.  I had to laugh at some of her sayings! Uncle Zed is quite the peacemaker, too, and I just loved him to pieces!  My heart broke for his loss at the beginning of the story, but I was glad he got to stick around and witness these sisters putting aside their differences and becoming a real, solid family. 

The setting is exactly the kind of place I’d love to spend the summer, a beautiful lakeside resort with old-fashioned cabins, a little snack, bait and tackle store, and a café serving all the good home-cooked favorites! This place sounded like a dream escape to me!

This is more of a women’s fiction story, but there are romances for each of the girls, including Brooke, Dana’s daughter.  Even though they were side stories and not the complete focus, each of them was sweet and lovely, and a welcome addition!  There’s also a back story, a touching one, about Granny Annie and Uncle Zed that I suspected, and then was revealed in the end.  Like I said, tears, both happy and sad were shed with this heartwarming, lovely story!

4.5 Suns

About the author:

Carolyn Brown is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and a RITA finalist. Her books include romantic women’s fiction, historical romance, contemporary romance, cowboy romance, and country music mass-market paperbacks. She and her husband live in the small town of Davis, Oklahoma, where everyone knows what everyone else is doing—and reads the local newspaper on Wednesdays to see who got caught. They have three grown children and enough grandchildren to keep them young. When she’s not writing, Carolyn likes to sit in her gorgeous backyard with her two cats, Chester Fat Boy and Boots Randolph Terminator Outlaw, and watch them protect their territory from all kinds of wicked varmints like crickets, locusts, and spiders. Visit her online at www.carolynbrownbooks.com.

Connect with Carolyn Brown:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads

The lovely people of Montlake Romance have generously provided a copy of The Sometimes Sisters to one lucky reader!  Please fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win!

Cover Reveal: Blackwood: Lily by R.L. Kirk

 

 

Hello readers! Today I'm excited to be part of the Cover Reveal for Blackwood: Lily by R.L. Kirk organized by Xpresso Book Tours.  Thanks for allowing us to participate!

Doesn't the synopis sounds amazing?!  I've recently read and loved a couple of books on shapeshifting wolves and I love all the things that come with it: Alpha male dominance, primal urges, and true mates!

 

Look below at the fabulous cover designed by: LMK Graphics:

 

 

 

Blackwood: Lily by R.L. Kirk

Genre: Paranormal Romance Age 18+

Expected Publication: June 2013

 

About the book: Amidst a war of attrition and a struggle for power

Lily Blackwood is torn between two strong men...

One, Wallace is her perfect idea of a partner, loving, loyal and handsome. The second, Bryn, is her true mate, the man chosen for her by nature and her family. Denial and naivety for nature’s choice, sends her into a rage of independence against the laws of her own destiny, family and her own father.

Wallace Kirk is assigned to protect the beautiful Lily since her birth...

His loyalties are tearing him apart. His own mate, dead, taken from him, fills his thoughts as Lily begs for his attention. She needs him, but not as much as the wolf that prowls in her flesh.

Bryn Kemp's nature and need fill his flesh...

Yet his true mate, the woman chosen for him, denies her destiny. His battle for her and his own pride must overcome her feisty rebellious streak.

Both men must fight for her in the throes of oncoming battle and she must make the right choice. A decision that will shape the war.

 

About the author:

R.L. Kirk is the brain child of two authors, working together to bring you urban fantasy novels with a kick.

It has been quite a journey to get here, trying to find the right ingredients. A little action here, a bit of flirting there, an intense storyline with characters you want to be with.
Male characters with bite and females not afraid to go that extra mile.

After writing shorts as Bonnie Bliss, R. L. Kirk is the progression. Full length novels are coming, bigger ideas with bigger worlds.

R, a man with a need to get his world in print. A Yorkshire man, an accent to die for. Loves to work and dream, bringing both together. Loves listening to music and watching Game of Thrones and obsesses with Heisenberg.

L, a woman with writing dreams and ambition. Loves her daughter. Loves to read until she falls asleep. Loves Disneyland and making jewelry. Loves swimming and second hand book shops.

R. L. Kirk. Bringing imagination to life.  

 

 

Website | Facebook | Blog

 

 

 

 

 





Reviews & Giveaway: More Than Meets the Ink & Heavy Issues by Elle Aycart

More Than Meets the Ink by Elle Aycart

Published: June 28th 2011 by Loose Id, LLC

Purchase: Amazon | Loose Id | Barnes & Noble

About the book: Wickedly sexy James Bowen is a bad boy of the highest order -- tattoos and attitude included -- which unfortunately ranks way up on Tate's not-a-chance-in-hell list, right there along with skydiving naked over Teheran and juggling Ebola vials just for kicks. But what the heck, she's on holiday, the guy is absolutely irresistible, and she needs to unplug from her life. With her dad and brother gone, Tate is left to deal with the family restaurant, which is fast going down the drain. Her employees are acting out, her boyfriend has bailed out, and her very own private stalker is emailing her to death with lovely threats of doom, fire, and dismemberment. So yeah, maybe a little holiday fling is in order. Strictly sex though, and no follow-up whatsoever once.
She hadn't counted on her take-charge holiday fling having an opinion of his own and stubbornly sticking around, before and after the sex, making himself at home in her life. There is definitely more to James than meets her prejudiced eye, and even if she's not ready to look deeper, James isn't prepared to permit her not to.

My Thoughts:

Tate is in Florida visiting her mother while on vacation. While there she meets James, the son of a neighbor. He's the perfect picture of a "bad boy" if she ever saw one with devastatingly good looks and prominent tattoos, she knows his type. At least she thinks she does. He's exactly the type her sister goes for and those doomed romances never end well. So when James shows an obvious interest in Tate, she is initially hesitant. She doesn't have time for drama and she needs to guard her fragile heart. She's already nursing wounds. She just lost her father and brother in a tragic accident a year ago. Add to that, she is trying to keep the family restaurant afloat. However, her close proximity to James and instant chemistry is wearing her down. She's on vacation so she decides, for the time being, she'll give into her desire and have a sex-only, no-strings attached relationship. Here's Tate's initial thoughts on James:

"This man belonged on the front cover of a firefighters' calendar, for God's sake, not in the common area of the senior community skyrocketing everybody's blood pressure to the moon. He should come with a warning from the health department: Handle with extreme caution and use at your own peril. Looking will cause palpitations, dizziness, and hyperventilation. She knew, for she was having all of those and then some."

Let me tell you, I was hyperventilating right along with Tate!

James for his part will take anything she's willing to give but as he spends more time with Tate, he finds he's getting more, and more attached to her. Suddenly, this no-strings attached business is not going to cut it for James. So when Tate returns home, James, who lives close by, follows, not willing to let her go. He knows she's afraid of getting hurt, whether she'll admit it or not, but he's determined to gain her trust and help her get her life and restaurant back on track.

I absolutely and completely fell for James! He was such a sweetheart. He was so patient and loving with Tate, determined to protect her and help her get past her issues. I felt bad for Tate and all she went through, so her constant reluctance to admit her true feelings for James was bearable. Plus, she would only try to push him away with her words, for like two seconds, and then with her actions, pull him close. This is such a sweet romance with a lot of humorous scenes, as well. The beginning with these two always getting caught by the senior citizens was pretty hilarious. 

I think on the Spicy Scale this would rate: LETHAL!! Oh my stars!

5 Suns





Heavy Issues by Elle Aycart

Published: May 29th 2012 by Loose Id, LLC

Purchase: Amazon | Loose Id | Barnes & Noble

About the book: Steering clear of relationships has never been difficult for demolitions expert Cole Bowen, but now, with his brother's engagement sending the female population into full-blown hysterics and the town of Alden's month-long festivities helping along, he finds himself in hell. When he discovers Alden's new resident and the object of all his wet dreams, Christine Sheridan, has sworn off relationships and is going to hire a gigolo to get professionally laid, he decides to kill two birds with one stone.

Christy is so not drinking again. Thanks to José Cuervo she has her friends signing her up for stud conventions and Cole frigging Bowen offering sex in exchange of fake dates, which is so out of the question it isn't even funny. She knows the domineering man will push her boundaries, and after battling all her life with self-esteem issues, she isn't ready for that. Too bad he won't take no for an answer.

Cole is determined to strip away all of her defenses but refuses to lower his ever-present walls, so when Christy realizes she wants more, she's left with only two options; walk away or crack his shield and risk her heart in the process.

My Thoughts:

Well I think Elle Aycart topped herself when she wrote this one.

I loved More than Meets the Ink, but I think I loved Heavy Issues even more!

Both Christy and Cole have plenty of baggage! These two had heavy issues, pun intended! They end up together as part of a no-strings-attached, sex-only bargain that ends up being so much more. Turns out when they took away the pressure of a regular relationship, they freed themselves up to caring and trusting each other. They confided their deepest, darkest secrets and in the process they formed a relationship. Something neither one of them wanted or thought they needed.

I really loved Christy. She struggles so much with her demons in the past and was ashamed of her problems but she continued fighting and never gave back in. Cole helps Christy work through her insecurities and find some self-esteem. Christy, in turn helps Cole deal with his abandonment issues getting him to open up more emotionally.

Of course all of this started with the sex! Let me tell you, this was one of the steamiest reads I have ever read! It rivaled Fifty Shades of Gray, in my opinion! Cole was possessive, bossy, intense, demanding and ran the show! Very alpha-male.

I'm officially an Elle Aycart fan-girl and can't wait to read the next Bowen brother's story. Max is going to be a difficult one to tame!     

5 Suns



I am offering an eBook of More Than Meets the Ink by Elle Aycart to entrants that can receive an electronic copy through either Loose-ID, US Amazon or US Barnes & Noble. Simply fill out the rafflecopter and share with us either a thoughtful comment about the post or if you're already a fan of this book, share your reaction to this story. We'd love to hear your thoughts!  Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Sweet On You (A Laurel Heights Book) by Kate Perry

Today, Waves of Fiction is joining AToMR Tours in hosting a book promo for:

Sweet On You by Kate Perry

Published December 20th 2012 by Phoenix Rising Enterprises, Inc

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple | Kobo

About the book:

Sugar and spice and everything…naughty?

Pastry-chef-to-the-stars Daniela Rossi wants one thing: the abandoned building South of Market. Turning it into a soup kitchen for the homeless is the only thing that's excited her in months. And Daniella needs to feel again. Until she finds herself feeling too much - for the man who's competition for the property.

Ruthless entrepreneur Nico Cruz wants one thing: the abandoned SOMA building he grew up in, where his brother was killed. Destroying it is the only thing that will set his brother's soul at peace. And Nico always gets what he wants. But Daniela's sweet temptation makes him question what it will take to soothe his own soul.

Fortunately, in this bidding war, all's fair...

My Thoughts:

What an adorable story! It's perfect for curling up under a blanket on a snowy day with some hot chocolate, which is exactly what I did when I started reading this book! And it was so good that I was sucked in immediately and unable to put it down.

Sassy and witty - Daniela Rossi is a famous pastry chef who's at a crossroads in her life. After the loss of her beloved grandmother the previous Christmas, and her over-bearing brother/business manager breathing down her neck, she feels lost and unsure of her future. She gets an idea to open up a soup kitchen/homeless shelter and puts in a bid on an old abandoned building that she's stumbled upon. But even though her intentions are good, her plans will be derailed by a controlling real estate mogul who's determined to get his hands on the same building.

Enter Nico Cruz.

If he were cake, he'd be Devil's Food - rich, dark. Forbidden. A guility pleasure you wanted to indulge in secretly.

Sexy as hell and used to getting everything he wants, while doing whatever it takes to make it happen. He's made it his life's ambition to be successful and overcome the shady past that still haunts him. But when Daniela enters his life, he starts seeing things differently.

These two have a connection that sizzles from their first meeting. It seemed so right that never once did I feel like it was rushed or unrealistic. They just clicked and I loved their banter back and forth.

"A woman would have to be stupid not to want to get into your pants. But I'm busy right now."

Daniela knew how to handle Nico and wasn't willing to back down. And he needed someone strong like her to push him and make him feel. They were a perfect match and I loved them together.

But what surprised me most about this book wasn't the story between Daniela and Nico, although it was sweet and satisfying in itself. It was the side story about her assistant Marley. Normally, I'd get really annoyed when another story is tossed into the book that throws me off from the main characters. And I'll be honest - in the beginning, when the book kept going to Marley's story, I had the inclination to skim because I was irritated and wanted to just get back to Daniela and Nico. Had I done that - I would have missed out on my favorite parts of the book!!!!!

Marley is a wallflower who lives to please others while never having the courage to be who she wants to be. She wears black so she won't be noticed, has a geeky obsession with super heroes, and harbors a major crush on her boss Daniela's brother. As a favor to a friend who's starting a matchmaking service, she agrees to be set up on a date.

This is where she meets the sexy, yet slightly geeky Brian. An accountant with a mutual love of super heroes, who rides a motorcyle. I know it sounds like a weird mix, but I absolutely adored Brian and his personality. He was determined to get Marley to come out of her shell and prove to her that she's wasting her time with fantasies about her boss' brother. They built a friendship that slowly started to become more and it was so sweet and swoon-worthy that I found myself reading faster just to get to THEIR parts of the book.

Marley - "Do you think there's one right person for everyone? Or do you think there are people who are good enough?"
Brian - "There's not one right person. I think we find someone who clicks and then have to work to make it right. When you stop working, it falls apart. Most people are lazy and just want it to be perfect, but a relationship takes effort." (AMEN - I loved this!)

The book wasn't without a little angst to make you keep reading to see if both of these ladies would get their happy ever after. A very sweet and romantic book, with a dash of spice and pinch of humor!

4 Suns

About the Author:



Kate has tangoed at midnight with a man in blue furry chaps, dueled with flaming swords in the desert, and strutted on bar tops across the world and back. She’s been kissed under the Eiffel Tower, had her butt pinched in Florence, and been serenaded in New Orleans. But she found Happy Ever After in San Francisco with her Magic Man.

Kate's the bestselling author of the Laurel Heights Novels, as well as the Family and Love and Guardians of Destiny series. She's been translated into several languages and is quite proud to say she's big in Slovenia. All her books are about strong, independent women who just want love.

Most days, you can find Kate in her favorite café, working on her latest novel. Sometimes she's wearing a tutu. She may or may not have a jeweled dagger strapped to her thigh...

For more on Kate, visit: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Make sure to visit the rest of the blogs joining in the tour.  To see a list go HERE.

AToMR was gracious enough to host an awesome giveaway for this blog tour.

(15) eBook copies of SWEET ON YOU. Mobi and ePub formats only. Open International.

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Review: Stuck on You by HeatherThurmeier

Stuck on You by Heather Thurmeier
Published on February 11, 2013 by Crimson Romance
Purchase: Amazon

About the book
If being forced to team up with reality TV’s favorite bad girl wasn’t enough, falling for her brother might just make this reality show a real nightmare.

Paige Anderson agrees to be on a new reality show called Treasure Trekkers, a show where contestants use handheld GPS units to find hidden caches filled with prizes, with her good friend Cassidy. But when Cassidy is unable to compete, Chip Cormack, the show’s producer, steps in with a last-minute replacement to be Paige’s partner—Zoe Oliver, reality TV’s favorite bad girl.

Jack Miles (aka Miles) is a mountain climber with the body to prove it. Miles convinced his climbing partner Ben to come on the show with him for one reason—to prove to Ben that they can still hike together, regardless of the fact that Ben lost his foot in a tragic accident. Miles isn’t about to let anything get in his way of winning—not even beautiful Paige.

But when Miles and Paige are thrown into an alliance with their teammates, working closely together leads to more than just good strategy. Can Paige steal Miles’ heart while surviving Zoe long enough to win the game?

My Thoughts:
Heather Thurmier definitely knows how to write amazing characters. Stuck on You is another hit in my opinion and it is one of the funniest books I have ever read.

When Paige was dumped on the reality show The One by Brad the bachelor she wasn’t sure what would be next for her. When the producers calls her with a tempting offer to join her best friend in a new adventure reality show she decides with a little hesitation that she will join in. Things take a turn when Cassidy her best friend can’t compete and her new partner ends up being the infamous mean girl Zoe from The One. It is not easy having Zoe for a partner and add to that the hunky mountain man in the competing team and her focus is all over the place. Filled with awesome humor, sizzling romance, and lots of adventure Stuck on You delivers a fun story.

I am quickly becoming addicted to these stories. I have to admit that I do watch a little bit of reality TV and reading about them is even more fun. Paige was such a fun character. I liked her in the first book Falling for You and it was so great to see her as the star in this one. She deserved a happy ever after. It wasn’t all roses though. I did get a little bit ticked at her when she blew up at Miles for something that she should have understood. I really thought she should have understood why he did what he did especially after he spilled his guts to her. I was so disappointed in her. I’m glad that things did eventually work out for her, but I thought that was a very poor moment for her. Miles was great and I was so glad he stuck to his guns time and time again. I was right there with him when he said she needed to loose the heels. Who hikes in spiked heels?! Beyond all that though their love story was so cute and very funny. I have so many passages bookmarked that just made me giggle and I enjoyed this new show that the author created.

I truly loved Miles and Paige even with her bad moment at the end but the shining star for me was Zoe. After reading Falling for You I was sure I hated her, but much to my surprise she is one of my favorite characters. I know the next book will be hers and I can’t wait to read it. I have a feeling it will be one of the best of the series. Zoe is hiding so much and I can’t wait to see it all spilled.

3.5 Suns

Review: Rule by Jay Crownover

Rule by Jay Crownover

Kindle Edition

Published December 30th 2012

 

About the book:

I had loved Rule Archer since the first moment I ever laid eyes on him. He was everything I shouldn't want and the only person I went out of my way to not try and please. He only saw me as a brat, and an entitled, stuck up princess but worse than that all he saw when he looked at me was his deceased twin's girl. It broke my heart because as much as I had loved Remy Archer there was never anything romantic between us and no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that loving Rule was a terrible idea, my poor heart just wouldn't listen. We tolerated each other, barely and had forged an uneasy alliance until one night I had too much to drink and changed the way we were forever. Suddenly life long secrets were no longer hidden and the one thing I always wanted for myself seemed obtainable as long as I was willing to go through hell to hold onto it.

Shaw Landon was a class act and I had no idea what to do with her. She was tied to my family, tied to the person that was my other half so I tolerated her and her haughty attitude when I didn't have any other choice. What I didn't know was that a short skirt and too many cocktails on her birthday was going to change my outlook on her for the rest of my life. Some people thought I hid behind all my tattoos and piercings, that I tried to distance myself from my dead twin, Shaw saw through it all and wasn't scared of what was underneath. We weren't supposed to be together, weren't supposed to be anything but uncomfortable acquaintances but that all changed in the blink of an eye. Now I had to figure out just how a girl like her and a guy like me were supposed to be in love without destroying each other. Add in her custom made ex and two disapproving sets of parents and the whole situation sounded like it was more trouble then it was worth.

Recommended for mature readers due to sexual content, language and drinking.

 

My Thoughts:

 

'Opposites don't just attract, they freaking catch on fire and burn the entire city down.'

I was seeing this book all over Goodreads and after reading the synopsis, I bumped it up to the top of my list. I'm a sucker for bad boys with tattoos and piercings. And this book did not disappoint! I absolutely loved it!

Shaw grew up in a wealthy family with parents who were more concerned with their social status then being parents. At the age of 13, Remy Archer brought Shaw home to his family and took her under his wing. They became best friends, and the Archer family treated her like the daughter they never had. When everyone thought she and Remy were an item, the truth was that she was harboring feelings for his wild twin brother, Rule, who didn't give her the time of day.

After graduation, they all move to the big city to start their lives - Rule working in a very successful tattoo shop, Remy working as an event coordinator, and Shaw working and going to school to be a doctor. A tragic accident takes Remy from them and essentially drives a wedge between the Archer family. Shaw, being the peacekeeper and wanting to stay close to the only real family she's ever known and loved, she shows up every Sunday to drag Rule to his parents for dinner, even though she finds him in bed with a different girl every weekend.

Rule lives his life as he wants, answering to no one. Covered in tattoos and piercings, his parents have a hard time accepting him for who he is underneath all of that. But Shaw has always seen the real him and loved him regardless. And Rule is about to finally notice Shaw for the first time and realize he can't get her out of his head. His biggest obstacle is whether someone like him can actually be with one girl and give her everything she deserves.

Once these two finally give in to each other, it is so sweet and SO HOT. Of course, they aren't without their drama and trust issues that cause angst and worry throughout the book. But seeing them finally realize what they have is worth every single second of it.

'You have me Shaw, anyway you need me, anyway you want me, you have me.'

'Here's my heart, Shaw. You have it in your hands and I promise you're the first and last person to ever touch it. You need to be careful with it because it's far more fragile than I ever thought and if you try and give it back, I'm not taking it.'

SWOON

I adored both of them - Shaw was strong, independent, and determined to be something without the help of her overbearing parents. She knew she was deserving of real love and wouldn't settle for anything less. And underneath all of his tattoos and bad attitude, Rule was sexy, protective, sweet, extremely successful and had a band of friends who'd do anything for him. He proved he was a great guy who just needed the right girl - and all along she was right under his nose.

A fantastic stand-alone book with a wonderful supporting cast. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series about Jet & Ayden! I highly recommend this one!

 

4.5 Suns

 

Review: Falling for You by Heather Thurmeier

Falling for You by Heather Thurmeier
Published on August 20, 2012 by Crimson Romance
Purchase: Amazon
About the book

Newly single Cassidy Quinn is thrilled to be a contestant on the new reality dating show The One. But her excitement turns to horror when the gorgeous bachelor turns out to be her ex-boyfriend. Seeing Brad again makes Cassidy realize she might not be as "over him" as she thought-and then she meets hunky cameraman Evan Burke. After watching his brother lose his wife in a tragic accident, Evan vows never to fall in love. But following Cassidy around as her personal cameraman makes him question his decision, and resisting her gets harder with every sunbathing, bikini-wearing day. Cassidy and Evan begin a forbidden affair while her ex-boyfriend tries to win her heart back one groping, awkward moment at a time. If Cassidy can manage to stop falling off horses (literally), stop falling onto her ex-boyfriend, the bachelor (yes, literally), and stop falling in love with backstage playboy Evan, she might still make it through the show without becoming a tabloid sensation. But soon Cassidy must choose between the ex who broke her heart and the cameraman who might never love her back. For Cassidy, this reality show just got real.

My Thoughts:
Falling for You was such a fun book.  It captured my attention from the first page and I was on the edge of my seat gripped with panic that everything I hoped for would come crumbling down for one my favorite characters!  Thrown in with my panic were laugh out loud moments and some very yummy eyebrow raises that I wish were coming my way.

Cassidy needs some fun in her life so her sister signs her up for a reality dating show.  Even though Cassidy isn't fond of the idea she decides to go along with the whole idea thinking that she might find love, but the overall experience might be a lot of fun.  That is until she meets the bachelor, who just so happens to be her ex who dumped her six months ago on the sidewalk.  Cassidy has no choice but to go through with the competition since she signed several contracts and fears what will happen if she drops out.  What she doesn't count on is falling head over heels literally for the hunky cameraman assigned to follow her around.  This throws a huge wrench in the game for both of them since they both have legal problems staring down at them if their secret is found out not to mention that the bachelor has decided her wants Cassidy back.

Like I said this book was a lot of fun and totally hilarious.  I loved that Cassidy was klutsy, it made her more down to Earth and very likeable.  She was definitely one of the funnest characters I have ever read before and I loved that she didn't take anything from anybody.  Evan oh my Evan, he was awesome.  I loved how he was with Cassidy and his inner comments whole filming were hilarious!  I laughed so hard at so many of his comments that I think I even snorted.  He had a few obstacles to overcome as well and those obstacles totally tore at my heart.  I cheered when he revealed his true feelings!  These two together were awesome and I totally rooted for them throughout the book.  I did get a little frustrated at times especially the times when Brad, her ex, was in the picture.  I kept screaming at Cassidy to run and to kick him!  I can understand that she had lingering feelings but I still didn't like their moments. Evan was my man and I totally stuck by his side!

I think the author did a wonderful job at capturing the whole reality show world. She showed the fun side and the cast of characters that we all know belong to these shows.  We had the mean girl, the sweet friend, the crazy producer, and a host who over does everything.  I was really impressed with how she created the show and I am chomping at the bit to see what she has in store with the sequel Stuck on You!

3.5 Suns

Review: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Published December 19th 2012

About the book:

Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

 

My Thoughts:

My expectations were high after reading and loving Slammed and Point of Retreat. I wasn't expecting this book to be so amazing it blew my mind. Holy freaking wow - this is Colleen Hoover's best work and a must read!

There are so many tiny elements and surprises that made this book incredible that it's hard to write a review without spoilers or giving away important plot information.  I will try my best.

Amazing and emotional - it will stop your heart multiple times. The intense connection between Sky and Holder is so deep and passionate, I couldn't get enough of them. Both of them have experienced their share of trials only to come together for their biggest one ever. The events surrounding them test their feelings, trust, and strength and it's beautiful watching them survive it. It was a book I couldn't put down and that stayed with me days after I finished.

This is a heavy book with serious issues, not for the faint at heart. You have to trust me when I say it's worth reading! Absolutely superb writing.

I have to mention some of my favorite quotes from the book.  SPOILER warning!

"Sky, I'm not kissing you tonight but believe me when I tell you, I've never wanted to kiss a

girl more. I need to know for sure that you're feeling every single thing that I'm feeling the

moment my lips touch yours. Because I want your first kiss to be the best first kiss in the

history of first kisses."

"Fuck all the firsts, Sky. The only thing that matters to me with you are the forevers."

"In a way, he makes me feel necessary. Like my existence alone is necessary for his

survival."

There were so many powerful moments and things said that blew me away while reading

this book. I can't stress enough how much everyone should READ THIS BOOK.

5 Suns

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Lightning by Taryn Kincaid

Today Waves of Fiction has the wonderful opportunity to review Lightning by Taryn Kincaid. Special thanks to FMB Author Promotions for allowing us to join in the fun!

Lightning by Taryn Kincaid
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Published by Decadent Publishing
Book Trailer: Here
Purchase: Decadent Publishing / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / All Romance

About the book
In mystic Sleepy Hollow, succubus Lily Night put her prom date, Campbell Jones, into a coma after a night of wild, unbridled sex. She has steered clear of mortals ever since, afraid of damaging them or worse, not to mention the inconvenience of knocking out the power every time they have sex.

Successful architect Campbell Jones has lived with strange powers and a sexy secret since that prom night. He’s buried himself in work to forget the woman who’d dumped him at the ER then vanished from his life without a trace.

Neither Lily nor Campbell have forgotten that night or the love they’d shared. Will a 1Night Stand help them bury their past?

Excerpt:

“A little higher and more to the left.”
Lily Night narrowed her eyes as the building maintenance man shifted her framed diploma on the freshly-painted wall opposite her desk. She tried not to ogle the firm ass encased in a pair of tight jeans or the way the man’s shoulder muscles rippled beneath his T-shirt.
Maybe if I pop an Altoid, I’ll have an excuse to wipe away the drool.
She refrained from jumping the handsome worker dude’s bones. The last time she’d dallied with a human, the encounter had not gone well. Vivid images of that long ago prom night bombarded her. Campbell Jones had been a young, strapping, hunk-and-a-half football player and they’d started their date full of hope and expectation and lust. When he’d adjusted the fragrant gardenia corsage on her wrist, she’d inhaled his crisp, citrus scent and thought she might swoon at the sight of him in his tux. The black material stretched across broad shoulders that mirrored the promise of the bruising man he’d be in his prime. But she’d all but sucked him dry as flashes of lightning crackled over their heads. By the time dawn painted the sky, she’d turned him into a mere shadow of his former self. Literally.
And briefly knocked out cell phone service in the lower Hudson Valley, as well.
She’d sworn off humans ever since. Instead, she pulled all-nighter after all-nighter to evade the dreams in which men called to her—and to avoid the university dating scene that inevitably led to frequent and addicting sex.
Mortals. Bleh.  

My thoughts:

I love that excerpt!
Lightning by Taryn Kincaid is filled with spicy fun!  If you are looking for a quick read full of quick dialogue, hot moments, and a guy that says all the right things then look no further ladies! 

Having had an unforgettable experience in more ways than one with a human, Lily has sworn off all men.  This wouldn't necessarily be a problem if she herself was a human but Lily is far from that.  Lily is a succubus and she needs well a good romp in the hay to survive.  When her sisters have enough of her withering away they sign her up at a dating agency called 1NightStand.  Lily agrees knowing that she needs this, but when her past catches up to her all bets are off.

From the first page I was glued to this story.  It has some of the best spicy moments I have ever read and let me tell you it was hilarious!  Lily and her sisters are a hoot, a little crass but a hoot nonetheless!  I would love to see a full novel developed around them.  This story though was a lot of fun.  I loved the tension between Lily and Campbell and it was great seeing them reconnect.  Campbell was very much the hawtiee he is described to be and I loved every minute they were together.  This is another case where the book was too short.  I read it and I was like NOOO I want MORE!  So this is my first Kincaid book, but it is definitely not my last.  The author can definitely tell a steamy story and I am ready for more!

4 Suns

About the Author:

TARYN KINCAID is a multi-published author of sensual romance. Her 1Night Stand series stories, LIGHTNING and THUNDER are available from Decadent Publishing and wherever eBooks are sold. Her Regency romance, HEALING HEARTS, for Carina Press; her erotic paranormal, SLEEPY HOLLOW DREAMS, for The Wild Rose Press, are also available wherever eBooks are sold.
Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Facebook Author Page / Amazon Author Page

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Review: The Awakening by Mary Abshire

The Awakening by Mary Abshire
Published  January 23, 2012 by Lyrical Press
Purchase: Amazon

About the book
She's the only one of her kind. And she doesn’t even know her name.

Two investigators--one human, one vampire--find a young woman among a mass of dead bodies. She has no memories, and nothing but her clothes, two receipts, and a mysterious dagger carved with the initials ‘SB’.

As she seeks her identity, SB realizes she's unlike any other creature in the world, making her the most valuable person on the planet. And the most wanted.

WARNING: Language, violence, and graphic sex.

My Thoughts:

I knew from the description this was going to be a me book.  Paranormal-check, romance-check, spicy-check what more could a girl ask for?!

The Awakening starts off with a wonderful mystery.  We have "Stephanie" who has no memory of who or what she is. She wakes up at a murder scene and well things don't get much better from there.  She teams up with a hot vampire, his partner, and a very spunky shapeshifter so try and solve the riddle of who she is.  This story has a lot of intrigue and mystery.  I honestly never knew  what was around the corner and I appreciated the way the author went about things.  There were a couple spots where I would have liked a bit of tightening of the story and for me at some points I wanted Stephanie to act more mature.  I really enjoyed the relationship between Stephanie and Boss, it was very electric and just what the story promised.

The Awakening does have a few slow parts, but for the most part I was satisfied.  I am very interested to see where this story will go after the explosive ending.

3.5 Suns

 

ARC provided by the author for an honest review.