Book Tour Review & Giveaway- Silver Heart by Victoria Green

Silver Heart by Victoria Green
Publication date: July 25th 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

There comes a moment in everyone's life when they must decide which road leads to personal happiness. For Dylan Silver, this is that moment...

For the past twenty-two-years, Dylan has been living in her parents' carefully crafted world, always putting her own dreams on hold to play the role of a dutiful daughter.

So when her best friend coaxes her into a winter getaway to a mountain cabin, she sees it as a chance to forget about the responsibilities waiting for her at home. At least for a little while.

But then her past catches up to her--in the form of sexy snowboarder, Sawyer Carter.

Six years ago, Dylan bid goodbye to the only boy she ever truly loved. Now he's standing right in front of her, bringing up bittersweet memories and igniting suppressed desires as he dares her to be the person she has always wanted to be.

Dylan and Sawyer's unexpected meeting is a second chance, but will a girl who doesn't believe in fate and taking risks be able to overcome her fears of losing control and finally embrace the life she desperately wants?

Only one thing is certain: after a week in Whistler, Dylan's world will never be the same.

***** 5 Stars *****
Dylan Silver is a 22 year old with bachelor’s medical degree she doesn’t want, a fake boyfriend she never sees, and living a life for the sake of her overbearing parents. Under her parent’s forceful thumb, especially that of her guiltily nagging mother, Dylan rarely makes a decision for herself. When her best friend gets her up into the mountains for a getaway, along with Dylan’s moody brother, she comes face to face with her childhood best friend Sawyer. Sawyer grew up in an abusive home, one that caused his younger sister’s death. Sawyer and Dylan had a magical friendship on the cusp of a budding relationship, but Sawyer flees after his sister’s death and becomes a professional snowboarder.

They have a clandestine meeting at a local bar and immediately reconnect. Dylan battles with losing the death grip control she has on life and Sawyer tries to make up for six lost years with Dylan. Dylan rediscovers her passion for life and photography while Sawyer woos her with steamy nights and old memories. Of course, the typical queen bee of the slopes tries to kill their relationship, along with the insanely controlling mind control Dylan’s mother continuously dumps on her.

I really enjoyed this book. I’ve started to get a bit jaded on cookie cutter new adult novels and their love and sex at first glance plots. Both Dylan and Sawyer are solidly build characters with age appropriate dilemmas and dysfunctional families. Their romance is sweet, a little crazy like all young love, and the sexy times are hot and add just the right touch of steam to the novel.

Victoria Green is a New Adult author who enjoys writing about unspoken love and second chances. She’s a travel junkie and a huge photography enthusiast. Her experience growing up in a war-torn country has helped teach her the importance of living life to the fullest and appreciating every single day. She believes in true love, good chocolate, and great books. She lives in Canada with her high school sweetheart (though he’s graduated to a fiancé now) and their pack of puppies, and also writes Young Adult novels under a different name.

Author Links:
Website: http://www.victoriagreenauthor.blogspot.ca/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7165422.Victoria_Green
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-Green-Author/608122942541582
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VG_Writes

Tour wide giveaway
Prize: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card - open INTL

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Book Tour, Review, & Giveaway (print copy/swag)- ARV-3 by Cameo Renae

 

BLURB:

The beginning of the end. The Apocalypse.

A nuclear fallout wiped out every living thing on the planet, except for a few thousand of us who took shelter in underground bunkers across the globe. Now, after thirteen long years, we were finally able to return to the topside to begin to rebuild.

We thought we were alone. We were never more wrong.

Before the fallout, scientists had worked on creating an anti-radiation vaccine (ARV). The first two attempts failed, but despite the incomplete tests and results, the government approved and distributed the third serum to the masses in an effort to aid those who had no shelter.

It worked, keeping those who remained on the topside alive, but it also altered and mutated them. This new and infectious threat had completely outnumbered us. Now, we not only had to rebuild our planet. We would have to fight for it.

My name is Abigail Park. I'm seventeen, and this is my story.

• Amazon http://www.amazon.com/ARV-3-After-Light-Cameo-Renae-ebook/dp/B00GWTXJH4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1387250063&sr=1-1&keywords=arv-3

You need this book. No really. Trot along and buy it... like, right now. If you enjoy any type of end of the world adventure, especially young adult style, this book will be an excellent addition. Abi's underground hive, created by her father, houses about 13 people total. She's grown up with 'em, fight with 'em, and now trying to survive topside to get to a "safe zone" created by a past government with everyone intact. The topside is arid, dusty, and void of life. Arvies, mutated humans that survived the horrific solar flare that killed Earth, are out for blood- human blood. Intelligent, deadly, and telepathic, they form hordes that hunt down any survivors. Abi's best friend and love, Finn, are thrust out into the real world and fight for their lives constantly- inside and outside the dubbed "safe zone." All is not well inside the refuge and Abi finds herself in many compromising situations and eventually barely surviving herself as she tries to rescue Finn from an outside mission.

This book is heart stopping and a hard to put down. I was immediately drawn into the story and the details, plot lines, and character building were super easy to follow. There were no jerky details or getting lost in the background like in some end of the world plots. Past, present, and possible futures flowed together. There is brief cursing and a few make out scenes which keep it spicy enough for a young adult novel, without taking away from the overall story. READ IT. Be warned that is does end on a cliff hanger- grrr!

Prelude:

According to the Mayan calendar, many thought the world was going to end on December 21, 2012. Some stayed home from work and school, some gathered in prayer, while others just blew it off and went on with their daily routines.
That Friday, on the day of the predicted doomsday, the sun rose and set without change. A few days later… life continued.
People crawled from their worried slumps and assumed their normal positions back in the daily grind. Many years passed, with no signs of world destruction. In no time, talk of the end of the world had dissipated like a foul smell caught in the winds.
Unbeknownst to the public, NASA had been giving warnings to the government of impending natural disasters, but they were never officially broadcast to the general population because it was all considered… “theory”. No one really knew what was going to happen. No one expected anything.
Behind closed doors, the government began preparations for building large, underground bunkers that would survive any type of apocalypse. Only select military personnel, and a handful of the world’s leading scientists, were privy to this information.
They knew it wasn’t a matter of if it was going to happen - it was a matter of when.

*****

START OF THE APOCALYPSE
THURSDAY – 3:16 PM GST

The sun aligned with the Milky Way galaxy, causing a gravitational pull, tugging on the sun’s surface. This caused a massive solar storm to erupt.
It was a solar storm of maximum proportions, labeled Class-X, and it triggered the beginning of the end. As soon as the mass ejection entered the earth’s atmosphere, it completely collapsed the national power grids, shutting down all navigational and communication systems across the globe. Millions were suddenly thrust into darkness.
The solar flare not only disrupted the earth’s magnetic field, causing thousands of birds and fish to die instantly, it also set off massive earthquakes and volcanic activity. Those who were at higher altitudes were exposed to massive doses of radiation from the sun.
Terror and chaos, along with widespread rioting and looting, broke out across the globe.
But that wasn’t the worst of it.
Over four hundred nuclear power plants were operating across thirty countries. Very few nuclear power plants were “walk away safe”. Even fewer had backup generator pumps which relied on large tanks of water for cooling the containment shells. Without electricity, it was only a matter of days before the unimaginable would befall.
Every nuclear power plant was a ticking time bomb, and most were running on battery power alone.
A majority of the population had no inclination their days were numbered. Within a span of about ten days, nuclear fuel would begin to melt through containment rods, sending out vicious, unspeakable amounts of radiation into the atmosphere.
There was no way to give warnings without communication.
The government, and a select few, started emergency evacuations into their underground bunkers around the world. Even the Doomsday Preppers withdrew to their own shelters, which left the rest of humanity unprotected, with no means of survival.
After the solar flare, skies everywhere danced with the most beautifully colored auroras. The beauty… before the beast.
All those who didn’t prepare, panicked, and ran to the few shelters set up by the governments. Shelters which were completely useless against the oncoming horror.
A handful of scientists had been working on a new serum, an anti-radiation vaccine, which was supposed to aid the body in resisting the absorption of radiation. The first two versions failed, causing the lab animals to become crazed and subsequently, die.
With the end swiftly approaching, the governments made an urgent and ill-advised decision. In an effort to keep the world’s populations from revolting and storming the emergency bunkers, they gave the people some kind of hope, offering reassurance that a vaccine had been created which would save them.
So, despite a lack of proper testing or receiving positive results, the government not only approved the third anti-radiation vaccine, it was mass produced. They used helicopters, which had been strategically kept protected against the electromagnetic pulses, for distribution to the shelters.
The helicopters were given orders not to land, but to simply drop the crates of serum, and head back to the bunkers. The risks of landing were too great.
Thousands panicked, storming the shelters; hundreds were killed in the name of survival. Many brandished guns or other types of weapons, and used them to try and secure vaccines for themselves and their families.
Meanwhile, secret bunkers around the world were filled to capacity and locked down.
Amidst all of this mayhem…it began.
The end of all things.
The Apocalypse.

One by one, nuclear power plants across the globe began meltdown. Due to their size, a number of them exploded like atom bombs, spewing massive doses of radiation into the atmosphere. Slowly and quietly, the invisible death stalked, and was believed to have eventually killed every living organism on the topside.
Scientists estimated it would be a minimum of ten years before any form of life could safely set foot on the topside. Even then, many areas of the earth would be uninhabitable.
This is where I come in.
My name is Abigail Park. I’m seventeen, and this is my story.

Cameo Renae was born in San Francisco, CA, raised in Maui, Hawaii, and recently moved with her husband and children to Alaska.

She loved reading from as long as she can remember, and it was C.S. Lewis' - Chronicles of Narnia - which sparked a fire in her soul and made her want to create her own wondrous, magical worlds and awesome characters to go on adventures with.

In My Dreams & Hidden Wings were both recently published through Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing earlier this year. Descent (A Hidden Wings novella) was released May 15, 2013, and Broken Wings (Book 2 in the Hidden Wings Series) was released June 1, 2013.

Her most recent release is ARV-3. A YA Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian novel with a new twist on zombies.

She is currently working on the next Hidden Wings Series book titled: Tethered Wings. No release date yet. :)

One day she hopes to find her own magic wardrobe, and ride away on her magical unicorn... Until then... she'll keep writing!

 

ONLINE LINKS:

Website: http://cameorenae.com

Blog: http://cameorenae.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CameoRenaeFanPage?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CameoRenae

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18629550-arv-3

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Review, Spotlight, & Giveaway: Dangerous Pursuit by Margaret Daley

 
Blurb:
  Reading about danger never prepared Samantha Prince for the desperate phone call from her brother in Brazil that sent her from the safety of her New Orleans bookstore into the rugged, inhospitable Amazon in search of him and a hidden treasure. And reading about romance never prepared Samantha to resist the mysterious appeal of Brock Slader, a guide she hired to help her in her quest.Alone with Brock in an alien world of orchids and anacondas, primitive headhunters and very up-to-date gunmen, she struggles to keep their relationship strictly business. Will Samantha survive the dangers in the jungle only to have her heart broken by a man who lives on the edge—no strings attached?
Dangerous Pursuit is the first book in The Protectors Series. Coming Soon: Dangerous Interlude and Dangerous Paradise

Amazon  Barnes and Noble   Smashwords  Apple

*** 3 Stars ***
Dangerous Pursuit has a flair of "Romancing the Stone" with a touch of traditional brooding hero guy and helpless, smart, and way out of her element heroine. Samantha meets Brock after she arrives at her hotel in South America trying to locate her brother who is in some deep trouble with the wrong people. They are swept into the jungle, fleeing with her brother's cryptic "treasure" fleeing really bad guys out for their blood. In between snakes, rapids, and other creepy crawlies, Brock and Samantha banter back and forth and fight their attraction for each other. A run in with the local jungle tribes, a Malaria attack, and almost dying a few times, they learn of each others hurtful pasts. After all the adventure is left and done, they are left with trying to find a way past their own hang up and maybe find love.

This was an entertaining read for a beach day or rainy night. The plot was pretty easy to guess and the heroine/hero a little cookie cutter, but fun enough to make the read worth while.

Author Bio:
Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-five books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website, Twitter at and Facebook.
Heartwarming to Heart Pounding, an Electrifying Read
Website    Facebook   Blog

 

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Cat Thursday: Good Work, Johnson.

 

(Belated) Book Tour & Review: Because the Night (Night Songs Collection, #1) by Kristen Strassel

*Note: Due to family emergency, was a bit late in posting this. My apologies to the author and book tour!*

Immortal Dilemma is the hottest band in the Las Vegas vampire rock scene. They draw insatiable fans from around the globe, thanks to a supernatural attraction called Bloodlust. Tristan craved such an opportunity to fill his empty mortal life, and now he has eternity to earn his place along the legends of rock n roll debauchery.

Callie always feared that Tristan’s excesses would get him into trouble, but she never thought they’d lead him to immortality. To reconnect with him, she must weave her way through a world not only she had no idea existed, but does not welcome her.

Blade turned down a spot in Immortal Dilemma after learning what he must sacrifice for that lifestyle. He finds Callie a refreshing change from the girls in the vampire rock scene. When Callie drags Blade back into the world of Immortal Dilemma, his resistance drives her into the waiting arms of Tristan, who shows her the true meaning of Bloodlust.

But the very things that Callie fights so hard to save are the very things that fight to destroy her.

Callie met Tristan when she was 14, he was 17, and fell hopelessly in love with the drugged out movie star’s son. Skip ahead a handful of years and Callie is grown, head strong, and still mooning after Tristan who is now a famous rock star is a pseudo vampire heavy metal band.  She takes a vacation with her cousin to seek out Tristan in Las Vegas. After attending a live recording of his band’s show including nearly naked women he drinks blood from and hysterical fan girls, Callie and her cousin end up meeting new friends and attending a party. At the party, Callie meets Blade and they have an intense and harmonious relationship ‘til the end of the girls’ vacation. In between, Callie meets Tristan who is majorly hot, mysterious, and even more messed up while she’s seeing Blade. Callie ends up staying in Vegas and plays a dangerous love triangle. Oh, and vampires are real and Callie has pissed off the queen of vampires who runs Las Vegas with her interferences with Tristan. A friend dies, Callie gets a new job, drinks blood, Blade is kidnapped, Tristan and her have wild, blood filled sex a whole bunch, and Callie is left at the end totally changed. Literally and figuratively. Story ends with a cliff hanger with no idea who will end up happily… alive or dead

Fun, fun, fun read with Callie’s immature, goofy, though sweet decision making that drags everyone in her life through the washer. She keeps falling for the wrong (maybe) dude, who is totally hot and drool worthy (though a complete emo vampire), and ends up putting herself right where she deserves. I would definitely give this a new adult rating  for all the steamy sexy time scenes. This was a fun and engaging read to get lost in.

• Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Because-Night-Vampires-Kristen-Strassel-ebook/dp/B00GFCRJRO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383537425&sr=8-1&keywords=kristen+strassel+because+the+night


• B &  N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/because-the-night-kristen-strassel/1117564135?ean=2940045468152

Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross. She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are. She's worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world's worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and author. Kristen is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary.

ONLINE LINKS:

Blog deadlyeverafter.com

Facebook deadlyeverafterblog.com

Twitter @kristenstrassel

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18489280-because-the-night

(Belated) Book Tour & Review- Seasons in the Sun (The Night Songs Collection .5) by Kristen Strassel

*Note: Due to family emergency, was a bit late in posting this. My apologies to the author and book tour!*

Summer has finally arrived, along with a boy who will forever change the life of fourteen-year-old Callie. After growing up hearing stories about Tristan Trevosier and his famous family, Callie finally meets him when he spends the summer on Martha's Vineyard. Seventeen-year-old Tristan is a hurricane of destruction and rebellion, and he quickly blows a hole right into Callie's sheltered life. Callie sees a side of Tristan that he doesn't show anyone else. She's determined to make everyone see what she sees in him.

Callie defies her parents by leaving the island with Tristan. But when his ugly habits rear their head, Callie realizes maybe she's the one who's wrong about him. He's beyond her help. But it's too late for her to walk away. This summer, she learns that love can be stronger than reason.

 

“Meet me in my aunt’s driveway tonight,” Tristan whispered into my ear just before we left work for the day. His warm breath tickled my skin.

“When?”

“Later on.  Like midnight.”  He raised his eyebrows at the suggestion.

I stared at him open mouthed, not sure I understood what he said. “How is that going to work?”

“You’re a smart girl, you’ll figure it out.” Tristan squeezed my hand before he walked away.

I had a hard time concentrating on my routine for the rest of the afternoon and evening.  How was I going to pull this off?  Was I going to be able to sneak out when I shared a room with someone?  I toyed with the idea of telling Keisha about Tristan’s proposal, but I decided against it.

Since I was useless anyway, I went to bed early. Or so everyone thought.  I laid awake, watching the clock.  It was so hard not to drift off to sleep. I couldn’t set my alarm, I’d wake Keisha. At 11:30, when I was satisfied Keisha was down for the count, I quietly slipped out of bed, washed the sleep from my face, got dressed, and began my journey.

Every floorboard creaked as I crossed the living room.  At first I took slow deliberate steps, but I felt like that only amplified the noise, so I changed my pace to a quick tip toe.  The kitchen door caught in the jam, swollen with humidity.  I pulled as hard as I could to free it, jerking back with its force when it opened.  I had to close it just as hard.  In my nervousness, the forgotten screen door slammed door behind me on the porch.  I squeezed my eyes shut, knowing I must be caught for sure.  I was relieved to find that my actions seemed to have gone unnoticed.  I tip toed gingerly down the stairs of the deck and sprinted towards Tristan’s house.  I slowed up my pace when the driveway came into sight.  Running the whole way would have been nothing short of pathetic.

Tristan sat on the rear bumper of his jeep, throwing his keys up in the air and catching them.  I don’t think he heard me approach.  I sat down next to him and he jumped.  Finally, I caught him off guard.  I laughed as he fumbled on the dark ground for his keys.

“You made it.  I wasn’t sure if you’d do it or not.”

“You thought I’d chicken out?” He wasn’t the only one.

“Kinda.”

“You were wrong.”  My eyes were adjusting to the light, and I met his in challenge.  All this defiance made me brave.

“Let’s go for a walk,” he suggested.

“Where to?”

“I don’t know.  You’re the one who lives here.”

“Well I usually don’t wander around in the middle of the night.  But I guess we can go down by the beach.”

He took my hand and we set down the rocky road that led to the ocean without saying much of anything until we reached the sand.  The only sound was the waves lapping against the shore. And my heart thundering in my chest.

“You can see so many of the stars out here.”  Tristan declared, looking skyward in appreciation.

“How is that different than usual?”

“The city lights are too bright, they don’t stand out as much.  It’s just so peaceful to look up at them all.  See, there’s the Big Dipper.” He pointed skyward.

I nodded.  “Can you see Orion’s Belt in it?”

“I can.”

Tristan sat down on one of the rocks that formed a breakwater.  I climbed up next to him.  I felt small next to him, with my legs dangling off the giant rock and the sky so huge above us.

“I’m having a really good time here this summer.” His arm made its way loosely around my waist.

“I am, too.”

“I’m going to hate going back to California.”

My heart twinged in my chest.  I knew all along the day was coming soon when the twins would leave the island and normal life would resume, but not thinking about it made it less real.

“Maybe you don’t have to go,” I offered, softly.

He pulled me in closer to him and sighed.  “I do.  What am I going to do here?”

He was right, but I hated it.  I hated myself for thinking I’d be enough to make him stay. It wasn’t like he was even my boyfriend. “You’re right.”

“What do you want to do, Callie?”

“What do you mean?”  I pulled away from him nervously, heart pounding even harder.

“About everything.  What do you want your life to be like?”

I knotted my fingers in my lap as I thought about his question.  “I don’t know. This is my life.”

“There’s a whole world out there, you know.  But it is nice here.  It’s simple. No drama. “

I tried not to feel simple myself. “What’s California like?”

Tristan leaned back on his hands and looked up at the sky. “Right now it’s a hot mess.  My parents hate each other.  They’re trying to work things out, but I know they’re going to split. That’s why we got shipped here.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.  Honestly, it’s probably better. They’re always fighting, and using me and Taryn to get back at each other.”

“That’s awful.”

“Whatever.  The peace and quiet is nice.”  He pulled me back in.  “And I like hanging out with you.  It’s nice to hang out with a girl who doesn’t want anything from me.”

“What do you mean?”  I wasn’t offended, just genuinely confused.

“I’m sick of all these chicks, sorry, girls, who just want me to buy them things, or want to be with me because of who my parents are. But you aren’t like that.”

“No.” Who knew I was getting it right?

“It’s a nice change.”

“So what do you want to do?” I asked.

“About what?”  His eyes burned into mine, only visible by the light of the moon reflecting off the ocean.

My breath caught in my throat.  “Same thing. Everything.”

He sighed.  “Honestly, I don’t have a clue.  I could probably act, but I don’t want to do it just because my father does it.  I’d love to have a band.”

“Why don’t you?”

“I don’t know. I never thought I was any good, but being here, my head’s been so clear. I’ve even worked on some songs.”  He said the last part quietly.  The way he said it, I was pretty sure I was the only one who knew anything about this.

“I’d love to hear them sometime.”

“I don’t know. They’re probably crap.”

“You always tell me not to be down on myself, and here you are, doing the same thing.”

“I know,” He leaned in, so his face was very close to mine.  “I know what I want to do right now.”

“What?”  I could barely speak.

“Kiss you.” He leaned in closer, his lips grazing mine.

I panicked and pulled away.

“What’s the matter?”  Tristan seemed alarmed.

“I don’t know what to do.”

I couldn’t see it, but I could feel his smile.  He ran his thumb softly along my jaw line, his fingers snaking into my hair.  “You’re doing just fine. Just relax.”

That seemed impossible.   “Okay.”

His lips parted mine gently.  I simply followed Tristan’s lead, mimicking his actions as I curled my fingers around his arms.  He slowly nipped my upper and lower lip, almost teasing me, before unwinding his fingers from my hair, sliding his hands down to my waist, and pulling me up into his lap, against his chest. I could feel his heart thundering in unison with mine.  I moved my hands up into his hair, pulling him close to me as he placed his lips over mine.

I don’t know how long we stayed there, locked together like that.  One of us would pull away, just enough to breathe, and then be drawn right back in.

Finally, Tristan slid me down off of his lap.  I could feel the chill immediately being separated from his body.  If I looked at him at that moment, we’d be right back where we started, so I looked up at the stars.  They were even more beautiful than I ever remembered them being.

Everything was so right, with just us sitting out here, no noise but the lapping of the waves and the beating of my heart.

“I have to get you back,” Tristan’s voice was husky.

The sky had brightened. I prayed it was just lights from the town and not sunrise.  No one in my house waited for the sun to be up to get out of bed.  I needed to be safely back in bed before anyone’s feet hit the floorboards for the day.

We started to make our way through the sand, and back to the rocky road that led back to Beach Plum Lane.  We held hands, not leaving enough space for one another.

I wasn’t ready to part ways when we reached my porch.  I don’t think Tristan was either, he took my hands and pulled me close to him.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“For what?”

“Tonight.”

He shook his head against my forehead.  “No,” he said, just as softly.  “Thank you. For everything, Callie.  I mean it.”

I looked up at him, puzzled, but didn’t say anything.  I wasn’t sure what to say.

“Will you be my date at the President’s party?”

“Of course.”

He squeezed my hands and leaned in for one last kiss.  I could feel his smile against my lips.  “Sweet dreams, Callie.”

• Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Seasons-Sun-Kristen-Strassel-ebook/dp/B00H3NQ1DW/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1386198437&sr=1-2&keywords=kristen+strassel


• Smashwords  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/381686

Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross. She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are. She's worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world's worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and author. Kristen is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary.

ONLINE LINKS:

ONLINE LINKS:
Blog deadlyeverafter.com
Facebook deadlyeverafterblog.com
Twitter @kristenstrassel
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18774105-seasons-in-the-sun

5 fun Stars

Callie is 14 years old and under the thumb of an overprotective mother and doting father. She works with her cousin at her mother’s café on the beach in Martha’s Vineyard. Her life is disrupted when Tristan Trevosier and his twin sister arrive to stay with their aunt. Tristan deals with his parent’s lack of attention by partying and using any drug within hand’s reach. He takes a shining to Callie and lures her into one misadventure to another. Eventually, after sneaking out and attending a disastrous party with a drunken Tristan, Callie is left to pick up the destroyed trust between her parents and Tristan disappears. This novelette was a fun hop and skip before the first book in introducing the characters, their relationships, and their beginnings. I highly recommend reading this short one before starting book one. The reader will get a good feel of Tristan’s before life and his slow spiral into paranormal trouble readers will meet in book one of the series.

Cat Thursday: Busy Kitten Day

Busy day in the life of a kitten!

Book Review Tour & Giveaway: Charred Heart by Lizzy Ford

A modern day retelling of “Beauty and the Beast”

***Recommended for ages 18+ due to multiple, creative, detailed, steamy, sexy-time adult situations.***

For a thousand years, Chace has searched for a way to break the curse placed on him by a jilted lover. He’s a dragon shifter, one who can’t control when the magic will force him into a different form. He’s already lost everyone he ever cared about a few times over and doesn’t know how much longer he’s meant to suffer.

At his wit’s end, he makes a deal with a mysterious figure that offers him what he wants most – an end to his misery – in exchange for everything that’s his: His life, his power. His heart.

The next day, he meets Skylar, a modern day dragon slayer whose mission is to cage him – or kill him. Sexy, witty and brave, she is the yin to his yang, the woman destined to break the curse, balance his magic and make his broken heart whole.

Except it’s too late. Not only has he sealed his fate, but an innocent one-night-stand with Skylar has dragged her into the middle of a deal with the devil, one she won’t escape, if he can’t convince her that dragon shifters aren’t her enemies.

 

3 Stars

Chace is a thousand year old hunky guy who is cursed to shift into a teal colored dragon after wronging a powerful, magical, and very angry woman from his distant past. He is also a hunky guy’s who heart is dead and black. His heart can’t beat unless he finds the other half that will make him whole. In comes sexy and young Skylar. Given Chace’s track record for “doh” moments, it’s not too surprising his heart mate is out to wrangle him and take him to“shifter rehabilitation” instead of making his heart whole. Moving forward with the book after a lot of hung up, whish washy moments between Chace and Skylar fighting their feeling for each other- and having a LOT of random sex that calms Chace’s inner beast- Skylar’s true past comes to light. Chace makes yet another stupid decision by trading what’s precious to him for humanity. His humanity is granted by another powerful dragon shifter known as Mr. Nothing… ‘cause we don’t know anything about him. Thrown in the story are the other Slayers who might also be brainwashed, a jealous ex of Skylar’s, his angry father, and some other random friends of Chace. Readers are left in the dust of Chace’s stupid decisions and Skylar’s life hinging on his survival.

Honestly, I was not a fan of the book until the later half. I think if the storyline and details in the end had been flipped, the story would have flowed a bit better and not been so cheesy with the immediate and out of place sex scenes. I personally prefer some kind of relationship established for the romance to have a backbone to lean on. I got hooked on later as the story gets interesting with mysteries revealed and a strong romance.  I would like to follow this paranormal couple into the next book.

• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Charred-Heart-1-Fire-ebook/dp/B00GTC1412/


• Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Charred-Heart-1-Fire-ebook/dp/B00GTC1412/


• BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/charred-heart-lizzy-ford/1117483598?ean=2940149050758


• Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/charred-heart-1-heart-of-fire


• Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/380355


• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18716456-charred-heart

Lizzy Ford is the author of over twenty books written for young adult and adult paranormal romance readers, to include the internationally bestselling “Rhyn Trilogy,” “Witchling Series” and the “War of Gods” series. Considered a freak of nature by her peers for the ability to write and release a commercial quality novel in under a month, Lizzy has focused on keeping her readers happy by producing brilliant, gritty romances that remind people why true love is a trial worth enduring.

Lizzy’s books can be found on every major ereader library, to include: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Sony and Smashwords. She lives in southern Arizona with her husband, three dogs and a cat.

ONLINE LINKS:

• Website: http://www.guerrillawordfare.com


• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LizzyFordBooks


• Twitter: http://twitter.com/LizzyFord2010


• Google+: https://plus.google.com/b/106728579413949863215/#106728579413949863215/


• Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4558309.Lizzy_Ford


• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lizzy-Ford/e/B004XTTYOC/


• Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lizzy-Ford/e/B004XTTYOC/


• Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/LizzyFord


• Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/lizzy-ford


• Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/Search?query=Lizzy%20Ford&fcsearchfield=Author


• iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/lizzy-ford/id416011470?mt=11


• Sony: https://ebookstore.sony.com/author/lizzy-ford_198927


• Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LizzyFord


• Hyperlinked: Website, Lizzy Ford Books on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, Amazon author page 

 

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