Playing the Maestro Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway

Book Info- Title-Playing the Maestro
By Aubrie Dionne
Publication Date: February 11, 2013
Published By: Entangled Publishing: Bliss

Melody Mires has sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant, haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.

Wolf came to America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question, but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for a chance at love?

Source: Received the book for free to review for a blog tour

I really enjoyed this book. I'll admit, it's not what I'd usually go for when choosing a romance. I like mine with a bit of steam and this was lacking in that category. This is one of those sweet and tame stories when all I want is spicy and naughty. You really have to be in the mood for this type of book. Don't get me wrong, this didn't affect my enjoyment of the book at all.

It's always fascinating to learn about new things. In this case, it was the world of classical music. I'm not completely brain dead when it comes to instruments, but I'm almost there. I played trumpet back in middle school, but couldn't scrounge up the courage to play in front of others. Back to my review lol... It was interesting learning about all of these things that make up an orchestra. The determination of musicians and their dedication to their craft. Adding the music element into this contemporary romance made it unlike most contemporaries I have ever read. There was never a dull moment.


I liked the relationship between Melody and Wolf. They tried to fight the attraction as long as they could, thinking it would cause conflict in their work relationship. I found myself saying awwww way too many times during this book. It was definitely a cute read.

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Aubrie grew up watching the original Star Wars movies over and over again until she could recite and reenact every single scene in her backyard. She also loved The Goonies, Star Trek the Next Generation-favorite character was Data by far-, and Indiana Jones. But, her all time favorite movie was The Last Unicorn. She still wonders why the unicorn decided to change back to a unicorn in the end.

Aubrie wrote in her junior high yearbook that she wanted to be "A concert flutist" when she grew up. When she made that happen, she decided one career was not enough and embarked as a fantasy, sci fi author. Two careers seems to keep her busy. For now.

Aubrie Dionne is an author and flutist in New England. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. She recently signed her YA sci fi novel with Inkspell Publishing titled: Colonization: Paradise Reclaimed, which will release in October 2012. When she's not writing, Aubrie teaches flute and plays in orchestras. She's a big Star Trek TNG fan, as well as Star Wars and Serenity.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2964057

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authoraubrie

Blog: http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com/

This blog will receive around $0.04 for every $1 you spend by purchasing your book from the above link. Thanks!

Entangled Publishing: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/playing-the-maestro/

Barnes & Noble-Nook : http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/playing-the-maestro-aubrie-dionne/1114502925

Kobo-: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Playing-the-Maestro/book-bWrhPKl0IkCD7pusZiXiXA/page1.html

Author is giving away 2 ‘Key to My Heart’ Necklaces US ONLY

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Review: The Last Boyfriend by J.S. Cooper

Lucky Morgan has had her share of heartbreak. She is devastated when her boyfriend dumps her after sleeping with him and she vows to herself that she won't be used again. She decides that the next guy she dates and sleeps with, will be her one true love.

Zane Beaumont is the mysterious and snooty guy that comes into her diner every Friday night with a different girl. He's the type of guy she's learned to avoid: carefree, fast, handsome, rich, and sarcastic. Unfortunately, she can't stop thinking about the devilish gleam in his eyes.

When Lucky's car breaks down one night after a party, it is Zane who comes to her rescue. As Zane attempts to sweep Lucky off of her feet, she soon realizes that nothing is as it seems and that Zane may very well be the guy for whom she changes the rules. That is until she meets Braydon.

Source: Reviewer purchase

I came across this book in a message from the author on my Facebook page. I'm always in the market for new books even though I have more than I could ever possibly read. I just so happened to have a gift card so I figured I'd support the authors that shared links with me. I still had yet to read it and bought it weeks ago. She either has some really awesome fans or a very effective street team. My inbox was FLOODED with praise for The Last Boyfriend! I decided that I needed to drop everything and read this book. I'm so glad that I did!

I'll start off with my feelings at the beginning of the book. Lucky pissed me off for the first two chapters. If she complained one more frickin time about Zane Beaumont being this, this, this and that, I was going to jump in the pages and choke her. Thank goodness she got over that quickly because I grew to love her character. She was such a sweetheart with bouts of wit. I love my female leads to have a little spunk in them.

Zane...where do I start with Zane? He's one of those asshole male leads that you just can't help but love. :-P He's so guarded with his emotions that he pushes Lucky away every chance he gets. He's like an abused puppy that you just want to have sex cuddle with to make him feel better. This book definitely had those steamy moments mixed with angst that I love in my romance novels.

One of my readers on Facebook said that the ending "just doesn't wrap things up." Now here is where I'm conflicted. Did I like the ending? Yes. Did I feel like it was missing something? Yes. There's part of the story line that was left unfinished, but I'm hoping the author will complete it in the next book. And can I just say bravo on the cover choice?! It's simple yet his look is so scorching! I've seen this model on several covers but I had yet to see this one. I couldn't help buy picture him as Zane because he's so frickin fine!

 
This blog will receive around $0.04 for every $1 you spend by purchasing your book from the above link. Thanks!
 

 

Broken Gates Blog Tour & Review

 (P.J. Stone Gates Trilogy #2)

Paperback

Expected publication: May 24th 2013 by Dragonfairy Press 

 ***Genre - New Adult Paranormal Romance. 

P.J. Stone is a Seer who saw too little, too late.

In the past, her biggest worries were boys and school—but war has a way of changing things. Now, the alien Riders are trying to overrun the world. As the last of their kind, P.J. and her friends must find a way to save humanity before there’s nothing left to save. 

After choosing a mate, P.J. hoped she'd have time to enjoy her love life. But with everything changing so quickly and major secrets revealed, who knows what the future will bring?

 *******************************

 (P.J. Stone Gates Trilogy #1) 

Paperback, 299 pages

Published February 28th 2013 by Dragonfairy Press

***Genre - New Adult Paranormal Romance

For P.J. Stone, being a “Seer” who has never seen anything is less than fun. And P.J. isn’t known for her patience.

To make matters worse, she must choose a suitable mate to continue the Seer bloodline. Duty always comes before her heart…at least that’s what her parents taught her. When she finds herself wanting someone who is considered off-limits, P.J. is forced to question everything she believes.

As if navigating her love life isn’t complicated enough, P.J. finally receives a vision—of a threat to her world that only she can perceive. But no one will believe a fledgling Seer’s warnings. With nowhere else to turn, she may decide to trust a stranger with her life, her world, and maybe even her heart.

Source: Beta Reader

I was going to let my potty mouth fly for this review, but I thought better of it. There are still some curses in there, but nothing compared to how I felt that night when I finished reading Broken Gates. I’m at a loss for words on how to describe the love/hate relationship I now have with the author. I was a beta reader for her 1st book, Hidden Gates, and it was AMAZING!! She is such an awesome story teller and her stories suck you right in and leave you begging for me. Of course, this was my reaction when I received the email that Broken Gates was ready for beta….

Yes, attractive. I couldn’t contain myself. But of course, life had other plans and I didn’t get to start it right away. Meanwhile I have Dara’s other stalkers asking me have I read it yet. UGH. I just wanted to go into hibernation and devour this book. Since the author had FINALLY figured out how to use GIF’s, I’m going to go through my reactions during this read and then get to my review.

I am normally not opposed to books ending with a cliffhanger, but that was downright maniacal. I sat there, gaped mouthed, for about 15 minutes while I tried to put my head on straight. I fucking cried. SERIOUSLY! How can you do this to me?! You just ripped my fucking heart out and stomped on it. I can so image D.T. Dyllin doing exactly that, but crushing it with her stiletto heels. I don’t even know if you wear stilettos lol.

I have decided that PJ’s new motto is “Once a dragon hussy, always a dragon hussy.” I stole that from Dara and it seemed very fitting. You are no longer a lip slut…you’ve been upgraded. Or would that be downgraded? I don’t know…take your pick. And seriously, Bryn, WHAT THE FUCK?! You really pissed me off and you’re on the low end of my really shitty totem pole. He really pissed me off so bad that I wish I could choke the life out of him, bring him back to life and choke him again. I’m not your Anam Cara anymore!! Now Khol on the other hand…that dragon is sex on a stick and I’d take a lick any day. Even with the ending being the way it was, Khol stayed true to his self. I’ve made up my mind that Kohl is now my Anam Cara. Who cares what he did in book one? I don’t, do you? And Shona doesn’t count lol.

I don’t think Dara can write a bad novel. I’ve read 3 of hers so far and she has been bumped up to my top 2 favorite authors. I have a huge girl crush on her! I am impatiently waiting for the day she finishes edits on book 3 and it’s read for beta. I will cry tears of joy and drop everything to read it.

Cynical-Optimist. Chocolate-holic. Sarcasm Addict. Paranormal Believer. Romance Junkie. Self Imposed Insomniac. Animal Lover. Writer.
Website  /  Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Check out what others say about 
BROKEN GATES on the tour page HERE!

Review: Days of Love and Blood by R.S. Carter

A post-apocalyptic zombie book for women.

Without the zombies.

Worse than zombies.

The Demon Virus spreads worldwide in a matter of days leaving nothing but a few uninfected people in its path along with disease-riddled survivors who possess homicidal tendencies.

Carson drives across the country, back to her parents’ farm, with her son Ronan to begin a new life in a post-apocalyptic world. There she discovers more uninfected people like herself and attempts to build new relationships after the devastating loss of her husband.

Two men distract Carson from her grief, each possessing different characteristics that she found, loved and needed in her husband. Cooper has a bad attitude but gives Carson the space she needs with his self-sufficient, independent ways. Ben panders after her but exhibits a kindness she appreciates. Neither of them embody all of which she lost in her husband’s death.

The need for human interaction intertwines with the daily struggle of tribulation, remorse and adjustment, revolving around the constant battles between the uninfected and the last remaining homicidal maniacs. Days of Love and Blood is a story which examines the bonds created between people in times of change with an unexpected shocking end that will have you questioning your own threshold for pain.

Source: Received book from author in exchange for an honest review

I was impressed with this book, in more ways than one. You have a woman who is pretty much badass in taking care of herself and her child.
In a way this book reminded me of The Cell by Stephen King as if you read that book you know people went crazy as well. 

I liked Carson and how she was a survivor not only for herself but for her child as well. And she killed the homicidals with a cool ass set of weapons. I kind of wanted to get some training in myself just in case!! I am not sure if I could what she had to in order to survive with all the crazy homicidal people running around.
I think the one thing that though me off and I would just wonder okay what does this have to do with anything is when you would go back and forth with her memories and the main storyline. You would just reading a part with action then all of a sudden you would be jumping into a memory she has with her past and her husband. In a way it deterred me from giving this book a 5 star rating.

This book had a bunch of twist and turns that I did not really see coming especially the ending. I so did not see that coming and was very surprised. This is one book that will keep you on your toes and leave you staying up late at night just to see what is going to happen next.

Another main character was Cooper, at times I could feel his heartbreak but then when he started acting the way he did towards Carson that was no excuse he made me want to punch him in the balls for treating her that way.

There was so much going on in this book that captured me from the beginning! Action, romance, drama, and suspense! All of it combined made for a really great read.

This blog will receive around $0.04 for every $1 you spend by purchasing your book from the above link. Thanks!

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/days-of-love-and-blood-rs-carter/1114202741?ean=9781482042054 

Review: Howl by Cynthia Rayne

To escape madness, Scarlet Rhodes made a magical pact to serve as a blood slave and sexual plaything to Hayden, a powerful vampire. But while Scarlet is a treasured pet, she has never captured his heart. When Hayden bids her to sexually service a handsome werewolf named Rand Stamper, she finds herself falling for him. In and out of bed.

Rand has come to Fairfax Manor to secure the southern hunting grounds for his pack, but finds himself distracted by the vampire’s blood slave. Their passion is undeniable, and he has the urge to take her with him and make Scarlet his own.

Seeing his sexy human slave with the swaggering wolf awakens feelings for Scarlet Hayden wasn’t even certain he was capable of anymore. But he can’t blame his pet. Despite the unfamiliar feelings of jealousy, he finds himself drawn to the sexy wolf also. If he plays his hand right, in the end he might be able to keep Scarlet and the werewolf for himself.

Source: This book was provided by the author for honest literary review.

Anytime I get a chance to get my hands on a book that's paranormal with a smorgasbord of creatures, I am all in. This one is one of the most unique storylines that I have ever came across.

Scarlett is a blood slave to vampire royalty. Hayden keeps her well enough as long as she keeps herself available for him ay all times, both for blood and sex. Rand is a delicious werewolf who has came to the castle seeking a pact from Hayden. From there it seems that the story seems to get lost. While the sex scenes were very well done, I was missing the meat of the story. It started off well, and did draw me in, but as time went on I just felt like the storyline was lost at times.

This is a relatively short novella. I think this had potential to be expanded on to be a very good novel. Too much of the story was left out or rushed and it affected the over all storyline. The characters are great and the blend of.all the supernatural characters grabs your attention.

This blog will receive around $0.04 for every $1 you spend by purchasing your book from the above link. Thanks!