Blog Tour (Review) & Giveaway: Beautiful Failure by Mariah Cole

Welcome to my stop in the Beautiful Failure by Mariah Cole Blog Tour, hosted by Dreams Come True Promotions :D!

 

Title: Beautiful Failure

Author: Mariah Cole

Genre: New Adult

Publication Date:December 17, 2013 

Tour Host: Dreams Come True Promotions

If you're looking for a heartwarming story about a girl who falls deeply in love with a troubled boy who changes her life--a sob story with pretty metaphors and a million ways that'll tell you how "broken" she is, STOP. Don't read another word of this.

I'm not that type of girl.

My name is Emerald Anderson and I'm not going to bullshit you: I flunked out of college after my sophomore year, I've been fired from every job I've ever taken, and I've never had a fully functioning relationship in my life.

I wish I could say that I had a cheerleader in my corner, someone who says, "No, Emerald--You're great and you are good at something!" but I don't. My grandparents are completely oblivious to my life, and my mother's dying words to me were "You're going to end up just like me one day. A beautiful nothing."

She was right.

As I decide to start my life over and take two jobs that will forever change me--one from the inside, and one from the outside, I keep my mother's words close to my heart so I can keep the sexy and mysterious Carter Black away.

He's the first man who's ever pursued me, the first man who seems bent on finding out why I am the way I am, but he's wasting his time.

I'm not broken. I don't need to be fixed. I'm perfectly fine being a beautiful failure...

Beautiful Failure by Mariah Cole is a beautiful debut novel! The story is unique and the characters are what makes the story beautiful, bittersweet, and a little heart wrenching.

Emerald Anderson has only known two things in life: 1) You can never have friends, but you can always have sponsors and 2) Use your looks to get what you want in life. These are the two things her mother engraved into her mind since a very young age. Once her mother dies she keeps these two things close to her heart, and this advice ends up ruining her and making her a beautiful failure in life. This is why my heart broke for Emerald's character, because her character is tough, independent, and strong minded, but deep down she is a little broken. She doesn't even realize the problems she has, because her mother always taught her and raised her to believe that nothing was wrong with the things they did together as mother and daughter, when in reality is what ends up ruining her. I loved Emerald's character because she is not your typical broken girl that doesn't know how to handle her problems in life, she is strong and when she realizes what her problems are she faces them head-on and comes out being a better person. I loved the person Emerald develops to be by the end of the book :).

Carter Black is just wow!!!! I believe I have just found another 2014 Book Boyfriend to add to my Book Boyfriend list :D! I instantly feel in love with his character in the story. At first it did seem that he was being stalkerish with Emerald, but I understand the guy- she is a tough girl to go beyond her walls. Why did I fall in love with his character? The things he did and the way that he did not judge Emerald for all of her actions and the things she has done is just admirable. Other guys would have just kicked her to the curve or used her for sex. But this guy is a true gentlemen in every way, but don't get me wrong he can get down and dirty too :). Now, here is the thing with Carter Black that will have me reading the second book...we don't really know his story!!!!! I thought that if I kept reading more I would soon find something out about him, but no that never did happen. So yes, Carter Black is a hot and sexy mystery that I can not wait to uncover in Beautiful Temptation (Beautiful #2).

Emerald and Carter's relationship just sort of happens. They first meet when she is working at a coffee shop- I think it's Starbucks, but can't remember- and they both instantly feel the physical attraction towards one another, but Emerald just acts that she is not interested. Here is another thing about Emerald's character, she doesn't believe in love because she has never been in love before. So the next time they see each other is just a HOT- I can't say how, because I don't want to give a lot away. Anyway once they start to hang out with each other they just end up being in a relationship. There relationship is just one of those relationships that makes sense, because they are perfect together and it just flows. I really loved reading all the breathtaking kisses, swoon moments, and hot sex scenes between these two. I can't wait to see what will happen with them in Beautiful Temptation :D!!!!

Beautiful Failure by Mariah Cols is just a bittersweet, unique, heart wrenching, and beautiful story! This is definitely a must read, so go add it to your book shelf. Now, I will admit that the ending was something that I was not expecting and had my jaw dropping to the ground. But I'm a little scarred to read Beautiful Temptation, because I have a feeling that I already know how things are going to happen, but I will still read it because I want to know more about Carter Black :D!

Final Verdict: 4.5  Stars

Starbucks Addict. New Adult author. Dreamer.

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mariah-Cole/522717034482807

* Author Website: http://unapologeticmc.blogspot.com/

* Author GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7319309.Mariah_Cole

* GoodReads Page for Book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18625288-beautiful-failure

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Release Day Blitz & Excerpt: Carnage by Lesley Jones

Title: Carnage

Author: Lesley Jones

Genre: Erotica

Publication Date: February 14, 2014

Tour Host: Dreams Come True Promotions

I love him, from the instant I set eyes on him when I was just 11 years old I have loved him and nothing will ever change that, he owns me, he owns my heart and he owns my body and no matter how many lies are told, no matter how many people conspire to keep us apart, despite the fame and the distance, we will find a way.

“Georgia Rae, when we made love you used to cry”… He waits for me to sing my bit. I try to swallow down a sob but I just end up singing through it…

“I said I love you like the stars above, I’ll love you till I die”

Carnage, an edgy coming of age love story that breaks all the rules and transcends the decades. Georgia and Sean's story will stay with you long after you read the final word.

An emotional, smoking hot, gut wrenching read.

I am a born and raised Essex girl now living on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, just outside of Melbourne Australia, I moved here with my husband and three sons in 2006.

Not only do I love to write but I also love to read and can devour a book overnight if the story grabs me.

I love watching my sons play football and am very partial to a glass of wine, a nicely chilled Marlborough Sav Blanc being my favourite.

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Available February 14!

Blog Tour (Excerpt) & Giveaway: One Ride by Chelsea Camaron

Welcome to my stop in the One Ride by Chelsea Camaron Blog Tour, hosted by Dreams Come True Promotions!

Title: One Ride (The Hellions Ride)

Author: Chelsea Camaron

Genre: Erotica

Publication Date: December 19, 2013

Tour Host: Dreams Come True Promotions

Delilah “Doll” Reklinger never imagined her life with anyone that wasn’t a Hellion. She never imagined a Hellion would come along and prove himself worthy enough to her father, Roundman, Hellions Club President. Content in living in the bubble of safety the motorcycle club family has always provided, Doll never thought that danger surrounded her.

Roundman has kept the Hellions contained for the last thirty years by controlling the chaos surrounding their lifestyle. When the dangerous side to their business comes knocking on his door, he realizes his precious Doll isn’t safe. The Hellions code may be that women and children are off limits in any altercation or dispute, but that doesn’t mean their enemies follow that same moral compass.

His only child, now in danger from the association to him and his club, Roundman makes a decision. He sends her away to a charter club, in hopes that the trouble won’t follow.

One ride across the country. One simple ride. Talon “Tripp” Crews has been ordered to take Doll on one ride away and to keep her safe. She’s off limits, his head knows this, but his body can’t deny the sparks between them. She’s feisty, fierce, and fearless. Constantly in close confines together, can they deny the chemistry? Will they give into the attraction between them? Can one ride turn lust into love?

Goodreads Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18526139-one-ride

Excerpt 3

Copyright © Chelsea Camaron 2013

Doll

“Tripp, you son of a bitch, I’m not done talkin’ to you.” He stops on the spot, but doesn’t turn around. Rex and Sass are standing still by their bike watching everything as it continues to unfold. He’s making no attempt to acknowledge me. Frustration running high, I march up behind him. I poke him in the shoulder, in an attempt to get him to turn around. When that fails, I jab my finger into the top of his shoulder. Still, nothing. Walking around to face him, I’m met with a mixture of laughter and lust in his eyes. He’s enjoying this, the fucker.

“You just fucking kissed me. I don’t even know your real damn name and you kissed me! You’ve insulted me, belittled me, taken me from my home to God knows where, and I don’t even know your fucking name!” I say jabbing my finger in his chest. Our eyes are now locked, battling each other in the stare downs of stare downs. My eyes are full of fury and his full of fun, maybe. Is this turning him on?

“If you’re running your mouth so I kiss you again, it ain’t gonna happen Doll. You’re wound up. You need to release the tension. How ‘bout we see if Jared can give you some ink?”

“You have lost your ever lovin’ fuckin’ mind if you think I’m going to let some friend of yours permanently mark my body. Again, I don’t even know your name. Yet, I’m supposed to trust some guy you know to tattoo me? Really? I may end up with Tripp tattooed on my ass.”

He laughs at me. Not the little ‘ha ha you’re so funny’ kind of laugh. No, Tripp folds over holding his stomach because he’s laughing so hard at me.

“What the fuck is so damn funny?”

Tripp stands up. The smile now gone from his face, replaced with his ever present serious glare, he looks directly at me.

“Get your ass inside. Shut the fuck up for two seconds so you can meet Jared.”

He walks off, heading for the front door. Sass is now beside me, as I stand here with a stupid look on my face.

“Come on, Doll. Let’s make the best of it. I’m game for new ink. You should get that tat you’ve been wanting with another damn bird. We’re stuck here until the guys have rested. Jared may be hot or have hot friends. You’re way too bitchy, loosen up some.”

“Sass, Delatorre had cameras in our house. How can I relax?”

“Fuck! He had what? Come on, let’s get inside and figure this shit out.” She says, taking me by the hand to the front door.

Walking inside we are surrounded by the designs on the red painted walls. Each intricate piece of work brings something new to life for someone. Hearing the buzzing of the tattoo gun in the back room, I’m immediately itching for a new tattoo. I have a sparrow on my right hip in memory of my mother and a robin on my wrist to represent the bond Sass and I share. Maybe Sass is right, and it’s time to get that tattoo I’ve been wanting on my left hip.

Tripp is leaning against the counter talking to a beautiful lady. She’s probably in her fifties, but time has treated her well. There’s vibrancy in her eyes as she’s chatting with Tripp, her face telling the story of a strong woman. We approach the counter.

“Doll, Sass, this is Momma C. And Momma C, you remember Rex. This is Doll and Sass.”

Introductions out of the way, I’m overwhelmed with a sense of comfort. Momma C gives me a feeling of home. Being around her reminds me of being with the ol’ ladies of the club. The level of nurturing and compassion that is held in the depths of Momma C’s eyes washes over me. I’m smiling and I’m comfortable here even with all the chaos surrounding my life. Tripp was right, I’m safe here. Even without meeting Jared it’s obvious Momma C will protect those around her.

A man with spikey hair, gaged ears, and full sleeved tattoos emerges from the back room. He’s followed by a man that walks over to Momma C pulling out his wallet, making it obvious he is a client. Immediately, the spikey hair man greets Tripp and Rex with that man half hug, back slap shit. When he’s done, he stares at me momentarily. He extends his hand. When I place my hand in his, he holds it.

“Name’s Delilah, but everyone calls me Doll. You must be Jared.” I say looking into his eyes. They tell the story of a strong man.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Tripp’s a lucky mother fucker.”

I laugh at his comment. “Tripp’s not my man.”

He pulls me into a hug and whispers in my ear, “With the death glare he’s giving me, I think he may disagree, Doll.” He kisses my cheek before releasing me.

He greets Sass quickly and escorts us to the back office area. The client is done paying, raises his hand in a slight salute wave in goodbye as he exits the building.

“Mom’s locking up. Here’s the key to the apartment upstairs. I’ll be here the whole time. No one will get to you without getting through me.” Jared informs us as he’s handing Tripp a key.

We go upstairs to the tiny apartment and settle in. Tripp’s in the shower. I update Sass on what I now know on Delatorre. Sass and I are restless, so we head back down to the tattoo shop. Finding Jared at a desk drawing, I smile at his focus. He seems like he’s good people, and maybe I shouldn’t have doubted Tripp. I need to learn to trust him.

“You need somethin’ Doll, Sass?” Jared asks looking up from his design to both of us.

“I’d like a new tattoo.”

“Sure thing, whatcha thinkin’ of getting?”

“I want an eagle on my left hip, stretching out in flight. Not overly big, but in its talon, I want it holding a very girly heart, not a lifelike heart, a feminine heart and a shield.”

He pauses, as a strange look comes across his face. “Doll, why do you want this specific tattoo?”

“An eagle represents the freedom of the motorcycle club world I live in. It’s talon holding my heart and a shield for protection. All my life I’ve been guarded and loved by all of the Hellions, not just my dad.”

“You’re sure you want an eagle and not the Hellions insignia?”

Irritation consumes me. Why is he questioning me? This is his job. I’ll pay for the damn tat. Cocking my hand on my hip, I glare at Jared. “It’s not my place to wear the insignia. Look, if you don’t want to do the tat that’s fine, just say so, enough with the bullshit.” Looking over at Sass for some sort of comfort as my frustration builds, she shrugs her shoulders like this is no big deal.

Hearing a noise behind me, I turn to see Tripp in the doorway. His hair down and wet. With his arms over his head gripping the door frame, and his jeans slung low on his hips, I can clearly see the toned ‘v’ of his lower abdomen peeking out from his shirt. The tattoos on his arms on display, as usual. Holy hell, he’s hot.

“What bullshit?” Tripp asks looking back and forth between Jared and me.

“Nothin’. I wanted ink, but Jared’s asking eighteen hundred questions like I’m trying to get married or some shit.”

“Hold the fuck up, princess. Tripp may be interested to know the exact tattoo you’re talkin’ about marking your body with.” Jared pipes up. Sass backs away from me, leaving me inching closer to Tripp.

“I wanted an eagle with an outstretched talon holding a heart and shield. It’s whatever now, you guys seem to know better. I’ll get my fucking ink elsewhere. I’m going to bed.” As I start to move to the doorway, Tripp moves his arms off the frame. Great, he’s going to block my exit. Then, I watch as he removes his shirt. The ink adorning his body is all on display. I see the tats of his forearms go all the way up his shoulders and he has a dragon that peeks on both sides, maybe it wraps across his back. What has my attention though, is the large eagle over his left shoulder blade is coming down with an extended talon holding a lifelike heart and a shield.

He says nothing, as his muscles twitch involuntarily. Before I can stop myself, I’m standing mere inches from him, as I reach out and slowly trace the details of the design. I start at the white of the eagles head, delicately I outline the bird. As I reach his talon, Tripp stiffens underneath me. He grabs my hand holding it to his heart, the very place the heart of the tattoo lands. He drops his head, our faces cheek to cheek. His hair has fallen down off his shoulder it tickles my face as his breathing sends chills down my spine as it hits my ear.

“My name is Talon Ward Crews. Talon is for an eagle’s talon as its tool and its weapon. Ward meaning guard and protector. The eagle guards and protects my heart.” He whispers to me.

Chelsea Camaron was born and raised in Coastal North Carolina. She currently resides in Southern Louisiana with her husband and two children but her heart is always Carolina day dreaming.

Chelsea always wanted to be a writer, but like most of us, let fear of the unknown grab a hold of her dream; she realized that if she was going to tell her daughter to go for her dreams, that it was time to follow her own advice.

Chelsea grew up turning wrenches alongside her father, and from that grew her love for old muscle cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles, which just so happened to inspired her ‘Daddy’s Girls’ series. Her love for reading has sparked a new love for writing and she currently has a few more projects in the works.

When she is not spending her days writing you can find her playing with her kids, attending car shows, going on motorcycle rides on the back of her husband’s Harley, snuggling down with her new favorite book or watching any movie that Vin Diesel might happen to be in.

She hates being serious and is still a big kid at heart. She is a small town country girl enjoying life and, Chelsea hopes that her readers remember not to take life too seriously and to embrace your inner five year old, because five year olds know how to enjoy the simple things in life and how to always have fun.

Email chelseacamaron@gmail.com

Twitter @chelseacamaron

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/authorchelseacamaron

Website www.authorchelseacamaron.com

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6980925.Chelsea_Camaron

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Chelsea-Camaron/e/B00BM8FRJS/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1378850688&sr=8-2-ent

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Promo Tour (Excerpt): Alluring Seduction by Skye Turner

Title: Alluring Seduction, Book 2 Bayou Stix

Author: Skye Turner

Genre: Adult Contemporary Sexy Romance

Publication Date: January 3rd

Tour Host: Dreams Come True Promotions

Jessie Adams is the womanizing, lead guitarist for the hottest rock band in the country, Bayou Stix. Seduction is his game. He does what he wants, when he wants, and with whom he wants. Women are playthings, but eventually meaningless sex with groupie after groupie gets old.

Blue Delaney has spent years working nonstop and cultivating her way to being the hottest rock reporter in the business and the lead reporter for Rock Hard Magazine. She’s confident, sexy, and has no time for games.

Jessie loves women and women love him, but something about Blue gets under his skin. She’s not what he’s used to.

Blue loves Bayou Stix and is friends with the guys, but something about Jessie pushes her buttons. It doesn’t stop her from wanting him.

When Blue is forced to go on tour with Bayou Stix and cover the band, tensions run high, chemistry is explosive, and Blue and Jessie begin to see each other in a new light.

Their attraction is obvious to everyone but them. But in the end… the question is who’s seducing whom and is chemistry enough to sustain a relationship?

Can this fierce woman tame this bad boy rocker? Does she want to?

***Contains graphic sex and language. Not for young readers.***

Skye Turner is an avid reader and an editor turned writer.

She attended Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana State University where she majored in Mass Communications, centering her studies in Journalism. Unfortunately life intervened and she made the choice to leave her studies.

She lives in small town Louisiana with her husband, 2 children, and 4 fur babies.

When she's not chained to her laptop pounding out sexy stories she can usually be found playing Supermom, reading, gardening (playing in the dirt), listening to music and dancing like a fool, or catching up on her family oriented blog.

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Blog Tour (Excerpt) & Giveaway: Shuttered Affections by Rene Folsom

Title: Shuttered Affections

Author: Rene Folsom

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publication Date: October 15, 2013

Hosted By: Dreams Come True Promotions

After escaping to a college town, Juliana Petersen was determined to put her troubled past behind her and make the most of life. She was satisfied with her current situation, or so she thought. It wasn’t until the day her new photography professor stole her parking spot that she realized there was such thing as lust at first sight. Now, she must struggle with the decision to break the rules and fall in love, or step back and let the chance of a lifetime pass her by—all while her past relationships come back to haunt her.
How many men will it take to break Julia’s hold on reality?
Warning: This novel contains sexual situations and is meant for adult readers ages 18 and up.

Rene Folsom, author of paranormal romance and erotica, lives in Florida with her husband and three kids. She has officially diagnosed herself with creative ADD and, if it weren't for her day job as a web programmer, she would have a million and one writing projects going at once. In addition to web design, she is also a graphic artist who loves to create custom book cover designs for indie authors. She is definitely an artist at heart and would love nothing more than to be elbow deep in clay during her waking hours.Rene believes that all fiction is based on some form of reality—otherwise we would never have the inspiration or knowledge to dream up the realistic situations we portray with our words. She is proud to say that her personal experiences have been inspirational, though perhaps not always identical to that of her fictional characters. Where reality and fantasy diverge, however, must remain her little secret…

 

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