Blog Tour (Review) & Giveaway: Beautifully Awake by Riley Mackenzie

Welcome to my stop in the Beautifully Awake by Riley Mackenzie Blog Tour, hosted by Love Between the Sheets :D!

 

 Title: Beautifully Awake

 

Author: Riley Mackenzie

 

Series: Beautifully Awake #1

 

Publication Date: October 2, 2013

 

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

 

 Source: e-Arc provided by author for the blog tour, in exchange for my honest thoughts and review

 

Description from Goodreads:

Diagnosis: Sleep-running

Treatment: Truth

Prognosis: Beautifully Awake

Lili Porter hates the rain. Bad things happen in the rain. As a small town social worker dedicated to protecting children, she is forced to start over to escape her rural disaster. Determined to follow her father’s advice—head up and chin high—Lili finds herself in a new city, taking on a new system, this time healthcare. In doing so, she gets something she never expected, an intimate behind-the-scenes look at life in the hospital.

Lili learns that a surgeon’s hands have the power to heal more than physical wounds. And a prescription for truth can cure three years of sleep running and leave you beautifully awake.

Add Beautifully Awake by Riley Mackenzie to your TBR Pile-->Goodreads

Purchase Beautifully Awake:

Amazon Paperback (US)  ~  Amazon ebook (US)  ~  Amazon Paperback (UK)  ~  Amazon (UK) ebook  ~  Kobo

My Thoughts:

I had literally walked around for three years blocking out any and all penetrable emotions.

Lili Porter has been sleepwalking through three years of her life. She left her hometown to escape the reality of her nightmare, and has moved into a new city. Lili is working in the healthcare system in a hospital, and she just goes through life without feeling any emotions. After what happened to her in her hometown, she doesn't trust people easily. She doesn't even trust herself. What can I say about Lili's character? At the beginning she is broken, damaged, and insecure. Lili has built a brick wall so no one can break it down and hurt her again. As the story progresses, we slowly get to see Lili's character become stronger, secure, beautiful, and all of her broken pieces are being put back together by Chase. I loved Lili's character because she felt so raw and real. 

 

He wasn’t just tormented; he was broken too.

Chase Colton is the new doctor and Lili's new boss at the hospital. Just like Lili he escaped his hometown to get away from his past. Chase is even more tormented and more damaged than Lili. Riley Mackenzie really did a number on me with him. My jaw literally dropped when I found out all of his secrets, because I never could have imagined any of them. I'm not a huge fan of doctors, but I wouldn't mind being attended by Dr. Chase Colton ;). Chase's character is tormented, broken, possessive, bossy, generous, sexy, sweet, and he is one major jealous boyfriend. There were a few things that I wasn't madly crazy in love with, but who could resist Dr. Playful? All I have to say is that Chase had me fanning myself more than once. 

 

This man held my fragile heart in his hands and he knew it. And I reveled in the idea that he would do everything in his power to keep it safe.

Chase and Lili's relationship is emotionally and physically intense. Both Chase and Lilli are broken, damaged, and tormented with their own past. When they become a couple the secrets they want to keep from each other, are what breaks them and at the same  time brings them closer to healing each other. I admit that I at first thought that their relationship was a little messed up, because of their secrets. But after thinking about it, I can see the raw beauty of it. I cried for both Chase and Lilli, because their relationship moved me. Now let me go and turn on my fan, because the sex was insanely HOT! My gosh, Chase had me fanning myself so many times that I lost count. Like I said I wouldn't mind being attended by Dr. Playful :D! But Chase doesn't only bring on the heat in their sex, he also shares sweet moments with Lili.

I don't usually talk about secondary characters, but I loved Sierra! OMG, Sierra  had me laughing so hard. I would love to have a best friend like this girl. She is loyal, supportive, sarcastic, blunt, out-spoken, fashionable, and is the BFF any girl would love to have. Sierra's character really brought the humor in Beautifully Awake. 

 

No more pauses, no more rewinds. This was playing out live. Forever started now.

Beautifully Awake by Riley Mackenzie was mind blowing! The story is raw, intense, dark in a few moments, sweet, hot, emotional, and original. The first few chapters were a little slow for me, but once Chase got into the picture it picked up speed. Chase and Lili's connection is beautifully intense and sweet.
I can't wait to read the second book in this series, because it's going to be Asher's story! 

 

 

Final Verdict: 4.5 Stars

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

Yep. That's an “s.” There are two of us! We’re East coast girls separated by Long Island Sound who met in Physician Assistant School and have been besties ever since. We can safely say that thirteen miles of water does not get in the way because we talk or text, no exaggeration, at least 150 times a day. No, really, we do—about everything and nothing. Shockingly, we never (we mean never) run out of things to say. Umm, ever. We definitely laugh A LOT and we’re a tad sarcastic. And if we’re being totally honest, one or two people might have, on occasion, used our names and ‘dramatic’ in the same sentence. But it’s hard to trust the sources since they married us. 

It only took twelve years, two husbands, five kids, two dogs, and a two-week vacation in Cape Cod later to decide the romance world needed a splash of medicine. Write what you know. So you can easily find us at 4 o'clock on Bank Street beach with a glass of cold Prosecco brainstorming. And guaranteed if we bump into you, literally, it’s only because our iPhones are glued to our hands (totally out of our control) either writing or editing our next novel (and yes, it is possible to do from your iPhone, we mastered it … damn those straight quotations). 

When we are not working on our book or reading the latest angsty romance on our kindles, you basically name it and we have it going on. Soccer, lacrosse, golf, swimming, dance, gymnastics, football, chess, baseball, basketball, skiing, ice skating, school, homework, and more school.  Oh yeah, did we forget to mention our careers in medicine?

Needless to say, we realized fast that something had to go, so we opted for sleep. It’s completely overrated (yet so AMAZING) and delirium makes everything funnier. Good thing we share a brain and can pretty much complete each other’s sentences (definitely weird, we know), otherwise it might have taken us two years to write Beautifully Awake rather than one. 

So that’s our story, who we are … just add AUTHORS to the list!

 

 

Connect with the Authors:

Facebook | Website | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour (Review) & Giveaway: Don't Let Go by Michelle Lynn

Welcome to my stop in the Don't Let Me Go by Michelle Lynn Blog Tour, hosted by Love Between the Sheets :D!

 

Title: Don't Let Go

Author: Michelle Lynn

Series: Don't Let Go #1

Publication Date: August 25, 2013

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Source: e-arc was provided by author for blog tour, in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.

 

Synopsis: 

Sadie Miller is attempting to change her ways and hide somewhere no one knows her former self. She only wants to finish her final year of college, obtain her degree, and get out from the hold of her affluent parents. Then she meets Brady Carsen, the lead singer of The Invisibles, a local band popular with the college crowd. She tries to stay away but quickly realizes that, although he might not be what she’s used to, he’s exactly what she needs and more importantly, everything she could possibly want.

Unfortunately, Sadie’s troubled past left her with insecurities that make her question Brady’s true intentions. And while Brady is convinced that Sadie is the one for him, he has his own secrets that he fears will be their undoing. If they want to be together, they will have to stand united and fight the outside influences that are threatening to tear them apart. Can they put their pasts behind them for good in order to secure their future? 

 

 

Add Don't Let Go by Michelle Lynn to your TBR Pile--->Goodreads 

 

Purchase Don't Let Go by Michelle Lynn:

Amazon(US)  ~  Amazon(UK)  ~  B&N  

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

I no longer matter to anyone, or have any one important person in my life.

Don't Let Go by Michelle Lynn was simply incredible. I have to admit that at the beginning it felt a little bit like Deja Vu, because it reminded me a little bit of the beginning of Addicted to You by Krista & Becca Ritchie. Don't Let Me Go was a roller coaster ride for me from the very beginning and all the way to the end. I found myself caring and falling in love with all of the characters, except for Sadie's father, and the story :D!

I hate being alone; it only makes me relive my mistakes.

From the very first page I read about Sadie I thought she was going to be a sex addict or a girl that liked to sleep around. But Sadie is just broken from the inside and she uses sex to forget about her pain and loss. The choices she makes in her life after her loss haunt her, and she moves to a different school to try to forget about all her mistakes. From the beginning of the novel Sadie is insecure about herself, and has a wall up to keep people away from finding out about her past. We don't really know who she losses at the beginning of story, which really kept me wanting to read more to find out who she loss.

One thing I want to say is that I hated Sadie's father! What a fucking asshole. Who would say that to their daughter? I love that her mother and grandmother stood by her side and supported the choices she has to make in her life.  By the end of the novel Sadie's character develops into a secure, happy, and strong girl.

He brings feelings out of me I didn’t think I possessed, or could exist inside of me.

Just thinking about Brady makes me swoon! Brady is hot, sexy, funny, lonely, possessive, and doesn't easily let others into his life. What's not to love about Brady?!?!? Michelle Lynn delivers the whole package with this bookboyfriend! Brady is the lead singer in The Invisibles (who doesn't love a guy that can sing to you?), he writes songs, and he is mysterious. I was literally swooning over Brady throughout the entire novel. From the beginning of the story we know that Brady has a secret and only the people close to him know about it. We really don't know anything about his family or his past until half-way through the novel. Just as Sadie, Brady puts a wall up to keep Sadie from finding out about his secret, because he's afraid of what might happen if she finds out.

“I won’t give up. If you’re not going to fight for this…I’ll do it for the both of us.”

What a way to meet the guy of your dreams? I couldn't have thought of a better way for Sadie and Brady to meet :). From the beginning Sadie doesn't want to let Brady into her life, not even as friends, because she doesn't want to lead him on. But Brady never stops finding ways to get her to go-out with him. Did I mention that Brady made me swoon throughout the entire story? He made me swoon over the sweet gestures he had towards Sadie. Brady also made me swoon-scratch that-made me fan myself with all the hot sex and hot make-out sessions. I loved Sadie's and Brady's relationship. Even though they both have pasts and secrets they want to keep hidden from each other, they are able to overcome them by never letting go of each other.

"You are it for me. Game over. I’m yours…and you’re mine.”

Michelle Lynn delivered an unforgettable story with unforgettable characters. Her writing is just incredibly amazing that I was sucked right into the story, and felt connected to each one of her character in different ways. I can see myself re-reading this book :). I can't wait to read Grant's story in Let Me In :D!!!! Just by reading the epilogue I know I'm going to love reading from Grant's POV!

 

Final Verdict: 4.5 Stars 

 

About the Author:

Michelle Lynn has always been a reader, but her passion has become a full-blown addiction since her husband bought her a Kindle for Mother's Day. She's pretty sure that he regrets this on a regular basis. Especially when she has it propped up next to the stove while she cooks, which often results in a burnt dinner. Or when he loses sleep because the glow from the screen wakes him up when he rolls over at three in the morning. He does agree, however, that she uses this gift more than any other he has ever gotten her. She joking counters that, because of some of the steamy novels she reads, he also benefits more from this gift than any other he has gotten her. ;)

Michelle moved around the Midwest most of her life, transferring from school to school before settling down in the outskirts of Chicago ten years ago, where she now resides with her husband and two kids. She developed a love of reading at a young age, which helped lay the foundation for her passion to write. With the encouragement of her family, she finally sat down and wrote one of the many stories that have been floating around in her head. When she isn’t reading or writing, she can be found playing with her kids, talking to her mom on the phone, or hanging out with her family and friends. But after chasing around twin preschoolers all day, she always cherishes her relaxation time after putting the kids to bed. 

 

Find Michelle Lynn:

Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Goodreads

 

 

Giveaway!!!

4 - $25 Gift Cards to Amazon

2 - copies of signed Love Me Back paperbacks

4 - ebook copies of Don't Let Go

6 - Don't Let Go Bookmarks  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour (Review) & Giveaway: Playing With Fire by Ashley Piscitelli

Welcome to my stop for the Playing With Fire by Ashley Piscitelli Blog Tour, hosted by Mary Elizabeth's Crazy Book Obsession :D! I was super excited to be chosen to be part of the blog tour. For my stop you can read my 4.5 star review :D!

Title: Playing With Fire

 

Author: Ashley Piscitelli

 

Series: Guarded Hearts #1

 

Publication Date: July 15, 2013

 

Genre: New Adult

 

Source: e-arc was provided by author for the blog tour for my honest opinion/review

 

Synopsis:

Madison Stevens has had a shitty life, her mother died at the age four and her father has always blamed her for it. She went through the foster system and is now attending college. Her boyfriend Chris is not willing to share Madison with anyone, not even her friends. 

Her first day at college she meets Carter James, who makes her want everything she never thought she could have. She knows that she should ignore her feelings for Carter, but it's not as easy as it sounds.

As Carter and Madison begin to fall in love, they face many obstacles. Their biggest one is Chris who is not going to let her go easily.

 Playing with Fire will be the first book in a three book series. It is about the obstacles that stand in your way on the path to love. It tests the characters strength and commitment to each other on every level from old boyfriend/girlfriends, to insecurities, and throws a little violence and scheming into the mix.

"Chris was like fire. It was pretty to look at but if you got too close you got burnt, and if it wasn’t controlled it would destroy everything in its path. Doing what I was about to do with Carter was dangerous, but what can I say I never had parents to warn me not to play with fire."

Add Playing With Fire by Ashley Piscitelli to your TBR Pile--->Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Before reading the synopsis of Playing with Fire, I thought it was going to be a New Adult paranormal book (the cover looks like it would be paranormal). But after reading the synopsis I got a contemporary romance/ realistic fiction interpretation :D! Playing with Fire was a great read, and it just kept me flipping through the pages. This has been one of the fastest reads that I've read so far :).

I hate that I always immediately think the worst of people. I wish I was the kind of person that could give their trust to someone.

I had a love and hate relationship with Madison's character. Let me start by saying that I loved how she started to pump up her self-esteem (all thanks to Carter), because her self-esteem was so low at the beginning. She always thought she was worthless- that no one needed her or would ever love her. But she is not to blame for feeling this way. I just felt that she was so broken from inside, as if she were almost hollow. I just felt sorry for the situations her character goes through. I did not really hate her character that much, because really she is sweet and lovable. I only hated that her self-esteem was so low. But loved that she became confident with herself, learned to love herself, and let others in her life.

She had a story and I was dying to find out what it was.

 

I fell in love with Carter's character :D! I don't usually fall for the nice and sweet boys in books, but I had to make another exception with Carter's character. He is just any amazing guy. No guy would ever stand next to Madison side, and support her the way Carter did. I feel in love with the way he supported, helped, loved, and cherished Madison. He is just your typical good, caring, loving, protective, sweet, and cute guy. Carter is Madison's hope to actually living a new life full of love and caring people. Without Carter Madison would have never been brave enough to take the steps she needed to get out of her situation.

Sometimes, I've thought about leaving him but, the truth is, I am scared of what he would do.

I have never read a story with the main character experiencing relationship abuse. Chris was seriously the creepiest, obsessive, and possessive character I have read so far. I actually felt Madison's fear towards Chris, and I just hated him. To think that girls go through what Madison went through with Chris, just makes me sick. This is where I had my hate relationship with Madison's character. I hated that she let herself be manipulated by Chris and let herself be both physically and mentally/verbally abused by him. I know that most of the girls that experience domestic abuse are either in denial, or feel that they don't have anyone that will help them. Ashley Piscitelli did an incredible job with bringing and centering relationship abuse in Playing with Fire.

He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. “You deserve the world, baby, and I wanna help give it to you if you’ll let me.”

  I loved the relationship between Carter and Madison. I believe I already mentioned what an amazing guy Carter is, when it comes to treating Madison like she is the most important person in his world. I love all the details Carter does to demonstrate how much he loves Madison, and to demonstrate how important she is in his life. My heart seriously ached for these two when Madison sacrifices her happiness to protect Carter. But when these two are together it is a sweet and caring relationship.

There went another little piece of my heart to him. I barely had any of it left; he had been taking it piece by piece ever since we met.

Playing with Fire by Ashley Piscitelli is a great start to a two series book. I feel in love with the whole concept of the story, and completely feel in love with both Madison and Carter. Ashley Piscitelli delivers love, happiness, grief, realistic situations, and two character's that will play with fire to be with each other. I just have to say one thing. Ashley Piscitelli WHY did you have to end Playing with Fire with a CLIFF-HANGER?!?! OMG, please tell me that it is a cliff-hanger, and it doesn't just end like that. My jaw just dropped to the floor with the ending. You can not just end Playing With Fire like that. I am seriously dying over here to get my hands on Breaking Through The Wall!!!!

 

Final Verdict: 4.5 Stars

 

 

 

Excerpt #5:

He turned around and smiled when he saw me. When he started to walk over to me doing his sexy strut and wrapped his arms around me, I was ready to drag him into the bedroom.
“Some amazing man left me a cute surprise on your pillow.”
He smirked. “He better not still be here, because I made you breakfast.”
I laughed and leaned up to kiss him. Moments like this were the best; just being able to relax and enjoy being happy together. “Happy Valentines Day, baby!” He pulled back and frowned at me. “What?”
“You stole my line!” I laughed and he kissed me again. “Happy Valentines Day, baby! C’mon, let’s eat.”

Teaser Pic:

Buy Playing With Fire:

Amazon (Ebook)

Barnes & Noble (Ebook)

About Author:

I live in Philadelphia Pennsylvania with my husband, two kids, and two dogs. On top of starting a writing career I am a full time student, and a full time mom. I love spending time with my kids, although I have to hide the computer from them when I am writing! I love being active and being able to do any activity outdoors.

I love reading romance books! I feel like being able to lose yourself in a book in one of the more exciting aspects. The books I love to read and write will be ones that make you feel for the characters. You should have an opinion on every character in a book. Whether you love them, hate them, or think they are up to something.

I have always thought as an author the most important critic is your reader, so I would love to hear from you. If you read the book and loved it or hated it, tell me. As long as it is in a constructive way I will always answer and interact with you. I want fans to feel free to tell me what they want for the characters in the story and what they want to see happen.

Find Ashley Piscitelli:

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

GIVEAWAY!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour (Review) & Giveaway: Undescribable by Shantel Tessier

Welcome to my stop in the Undescribable by Shantel Tessier blog tour, hosted by Hardcover Therapy :D! I was so excited when I received the arc for the blog tour. I was seriously dying to get my hands on this arc, because I read all the teasers Shantel Tessier posted on her FB page. Now for my stop you can read my 5 star review, see character casting, and enter a giveaway.

 

Title: Undescribable

 

Author: Shantel Tessier

 

Series: Undescribable #1

 

Publication Date: July 21, 2013

 

Genre: New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance

 

Source: e-arc was provided by author for the blog tour for my honest opinion/review.

 

Synopsis:

Samantha Hall needs a fresh start

Broken hearted and alone in a new city, Samantha begins to build a new life for herself while working as a bartender. Focusing on her new friends and rebuilding her broken life, Samantha is content.

Until she meets him – attorney by day and a cocky, foul mouth playboy by night. All girls want Slade Long, but not one has ever been able to keep his attention for long. Having a different woman in his bed every night is how he prefers it-no emotion, no connection.

Until he meets her - an angel with the sweetest voice he has ever heard and the most enticing green eyes. Samantha makes him second guess his actions and has him wanting something he didn’t know existed. How can a man who has never been in love, be so sure? Can real love happen this fast?

Burned by her past, Samantha struggles to keep up with the overwhelming passion she feels for Slade. She knows that he will be nothing but trouble to her already fragile heart, but how long can she continue to deny the love that she feels for him?
Will Samantha let Slade prove his love is real, or will she push him away?

She thought she knew love…… He thought he never wanted love….. Together they will show each other what they can’t live without.

 

Add Undescribable by Shantel Tessier to your TBR Pile--->Goodreads

 

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

***WARNING: Don't read any further if you might be offended by curse words and sexual references***

 

Undescribable: Too unusual, extreme, or indefinite to be adequately described; indescribable.

WOW! Undescribable by Shantel Tessier was everything I expected and much more :D! If you read the teasers and excerpts Shantel Tessier posted before it's release day, then you will not be disappointed. I loved the story and all of the characters in her book, except Jax, who was a total ass hole. Now where to begin to explain how amazingly hot Undescribable is :D!

I’m known for this kind of thing; fucking a girl that I don’t know somewhere in a corner. It’s nothing new.

I will be completely honest and say that I was not very fond of Slade from the beginning. He treated women horribly (but let's face it, if a women acts like a slut she will be treated as one), a major player, thought women should bow down at his feet, and he is cocky. But Slade just grew on me. Who can resist this sizzleing hot alpha male? Not me :D! I was practically drooling for this guy, and wishing I was Samantha (LUCKY GIRL!). Shantel Tessier you choose one of the sexiest names for this sexy man. I did not just fall for Slade's sexiness, cockiness, straightforwardness, and panty dropping man. I also feel for the man that is hidden deep inside. He is a different man when he meets Samantha. I guess I just feel in love with the whole Slade package.

My heart is already broken and lying at my feet in a thousand pieces.

I had a love and hate relationship with Samantha's character. I just wanted to slap this girl for staying in a relationship with Jax for so long! In the beginning of the story Samantha is insecure, has had her heartbroken, does not feel loved, and she is very independent (love this). Once she meets the famous playboy, Slade, her whole world changes. What I loved about Samantha's character was that she didn't let Slade play her, like he had played all the other girls. Of course she was instantly attracted to Slade, but she did not show it. She makes him work hard for her love-way to go girl :D! I also love that Samantha keeps her independence, but at the same time let's Slade help her and care for her. The only problem I had with Samantha was that she apologized a lot. Most of the times it wasn't really necessary for her to apologize, because of her actions in certain situations. Other than that, I just loved Samantha and her obsession with heels :D!

She might look like an angel, but my thoughts of her have been nothing short of sinful.

The way he touches me is light as a feather, and my body hums with the softness. It’s as if he can control my entire body with just a touch.

It is obvious that these two hot people are not going to be able to keep their hands off each other for long. Did I mention how LUCKY Samantha is to have a man like Slade in her life? Seriously, the relationship these two develop is just everything you would want in a relationship-trust, love, passion, support, lust, friendship,etc. I guess that you can describe their relationship as being both sweet and spicy, but spicy is pretty high on the scale ;D! Both Slade and Samantha bring out the best on each other in their relationship. Samantha gives Slade all the love that he has never experienced with other girls. Slade brings out the wild side in Samantha, and he makes her feel loved and wanted. These two are just perfect for each other.

I just want to take her in my arms and hold on tight and enjoy this crazy ride she has got me on.

Undescribable by Shantel Tessier is a sizzling hot read. From beginning to end you will be fanning yourself, taking cold showers, or both because this book is just sexy hot. Shantel Tessier gives us both sweet and hot with Samantha and Slade's characters. Their story is not only hot sex and sexual attraction. Both Samantha and Slade go through situations that proves how strong their love towards each other truly is, because without one another they would never be able to make it through. The ending is not really a cliff-hanger, but Shantel Tessier leaves you wanting more Samantha and Slade :D! Can't wait to read the next book in this three book series. Shantel Tessier you definitely delivered a book that made me fall in love with your characters and their story!

 

Final Verdict: 4.5 Stars

 

 

 

Buy Undescribable:

Barnes & Noble (Ebook) 

Kobo (Ebook) 

Amazon (Ebook) 

Amazon (Paperback) 

 Smashwords (Ebook)

 

Undescribable Dream Cast: (Provided for Blog Tour)

 

Undescribable Playlist:

 

 About the Author:

I'm a Texas born girl who now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with my high school sweetheart, and our three year old little princess. I consider myself extremely lucky to be a stay home wife and mother. When I'm not reading or writing, I spend my time with friends and family.

 

Find Shantel Tessier:

Twitter 

Facebook 

Goodreads 

 

 

GIVEAWAY!!!!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blog Tour (Review) & Giveaway: Nearly Broken by Devon Ashley

Welcome to my stop on the Nearly Broken blog tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours.  Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule! I am super excited to be part of the Nearly Broken blog tour, because I just LOVED this book! You can read my 4.5 star review of Nearly Broken below and enter the giveaway :D!

 

Title: Nearly Broken

 

Author: Devon Ashley

 

Series: Nearly #1

 

Publication Date: June 4, 2013

 

Genre: New Adult/ Dark Contemporary 

Romance

Source: e-arc was provided by author for blog tour, and for my honest opinion/review

 

Synopsis:

We’d both gone missing at one point, but Claire had one thing I didn’t. Someone to notice. So why was I the one still here and she the one still gone?

Nineteen year old Megan Smith has spent the past year working in a small town diner in the middle of nowhere. Life is quiet, simple, safe. Then comes the news that her look-a-like has gone missing.

Claire.

Still damaged both physically and mentally, Megan's not looking to be noticed. Wherever she goes from here, it's a road she needs to take alone. But when Nickolas Ellis takes the job as the new nightshift cook, it scares her how easily her defenses crumble down, down, down for him. But there are secrets she can't bear to share with just anyone, unspeakable acts that continue to haunt, and when the similarities of Claire’s abduction couples with the fear of an unwanted visitor in town, the urge to run before it all happens again intensifies, threatening the only happiness Megan's ever found.

New Adult Romantic Suspense / Realistic Fiction
Recommended for 17+ for mature and disturbing situations, language and sexual content.

 

Purchase at:

    

 

My Thoughts:

 Blabber: I read this on Nook and did a lot of highlighting, but freaking Nook erased all of my highlighting!!! This is the second time this has happened to me, and now I won't be able to do this review as I have done all my other reviews. Anyone know why this happens? Anyway, I plan on re-reading Nearly Broken again because I loved it, and because I want to do the quote then my thoughts review type. Ok, now that I got that out of my system let's get to the review :).

Nearly Broken by Devon Ashley is exactly what I expected it to be and much more. I got sucked into this book from the first page, and there was so much suspense! I will admit that there were a few things that were kind of obvious from the beginning. The story was just freaking dark and Devon Ashley did not sugar coat the situation Megan goes through. Thank you Devon Ashley for keeping this raw, dark, and intense. Nearly Broken is not all dark, because Nick sheds some light in this story.

At the beginning I thought Nick to be a little suspicious, because when I read suspense books the good guys always turn out to be bad. This was not the case with Nicks character. What he did for Megan is just unbelievable. No one would do what Nick did for Megan, and this just made me fall in love with him. He is protective, supportive, cute, an amazing cook, and I love the way he flirts :). As I said before, I always love my bad boys. But I will make an exception for Nick's character :D!

Megan's character is a whole different story. Devon Ashley did an incredible job in writing from Megan's POV, because I felt and experienced every single emotion and situation Megan goes through in the story. Megan in the beginning of the story is just "nearly broken," with the situation she went through. We don't know what is going on, because this is where the mystery and suspense are focused on. As the story progresses, Megan's character develops into a strong girl and a fighter. She is slowly coming out of her shell and injecting herself back into the world, with the help of Nick.

As I said before the suspense and the mystery kept me reading until I reached the end of Nearly Broken. I was seriously flipping (in my case scrolling) through the pages, because I wanted to know what would happen next. Then when what I was not inspecting to happen, just slaps me in the face (this has to do with one of the man that hurt Megan). At first I thought Megan was just too paranoid and was making this man up, but when he finally makes an appearance I was completely shocked. This guy is totally bad news and sort-of gave me a Caleb vibe (Captive in the Dark). I won't say more on this, because I don't want to ruin the story :).

As I was reading through Nearly Broken I thought to myself "how is this supposed to be part of a series?" I thought that this could be a good stand alone book. I was completely wrong on this account. Devon Ashley had to give us that ending, but it's just the beginning kind of story!! I am freaking excited that there is going to be a second book to Nearly Broken. Cause really you can't just end it like that, especially with what happens with Megan and a character in the story. I can't wait to get Nearly Mended (Book 2) in my hands!

Nearly Broken by Devon Ashley is a great beginning to a series (not sure if there will be more than two books). There is everything a reader can ask for. Devon Ashley gives us suspense, mystery, love, dark real life situations, sadness, and just when you think you have it all figured out she puts an unexpected to twist to the story.

Final Verdict: 4.5 Stars

 

 

About the Author:

Devon Ashley was born in Huntington Beach but has spent most of her life residing in Texas. She spends a great deal of her time taking care of her husband and son but always seems to find time to write, knit and create unique decorative pieces. She particularly likes to write Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.
Interesting Fact: Devon Ashley shares her birthday with her favorite author, Jane Austen.

Find Devon Ashley:

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

***GIVEAWAY*** 

2 signed paperbacks and 2 e-books (epub or mobi) of Nearly Broken, open Internationally! 

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Breathe Me by Alexia Purdy (Interview)

Today I am participating in the Breathe Me by Alexia Purdy Blog Tour, hosted by Anna at RBTL World of Books Blog Tours :D! You can read my interview with Alexia Purdy. Let me just say that this is the first interview I have done. I hope you guys enjoy it!

 

 

Title: Breathe Me

 

Author: Alexia Purdy

 

Series: NA

 

Publisher: Lyrical Lit. Press

 

Publication Date: May 31, 2013

 

Genre: New Adult/ Contemporary Romance

 

Synopsis:

Sometimes the one who broke your heart, needs the most saving.
Piper Sandervale never thought she’d see Sasha Koval ever again. Not since he took her heart, ripped it out and obliterated it from existence. Now, six years have passed and she has run into him once more at the local fairgrounds in Las Vegas. He desperately wants another chance, and he’d do anything to get her back. She’s willing to give him a taste of his own medicine, if this is her chance for payback. But, will she find herself way in over her head?
Something has changed with Sasha and Piper struggles to justify the worth of past hurts to continue her quest for atonement.
Who needs saving now?

 

 

Add Breathe Me by Alexia Purdy to your TBR pile--->Goodreads

 

 

Read my 4.5 star Review of Breathe Me by Alexia Purdy Here!

 

Kassie’s Book Thoughts Interview for Breathe Me by Alexia Purdy

1. This is your first New Adult contemporary romance. What inspired you to write in this genre?

I actually had this story floating in my head for a while. I love epic love stories with a modern twist. Though I haven’t written in the genre before, it was digging into my brain and screaming to be written, so I did.

2. Breathe Me is about giving a person a second chance at love and a relationship. Do you personally believe in second chances?

I do believe in second chances. Some people never change, but there are those who do. I have an open heart and mind, this makes me want to believe that there is good in everyone. I don’t let the few rotten ones ruin the many good shiny ones.

3. I love listening to the playlist an author creates for their novels, because most of the time it describes a character perfectly or makes me get in the zone for a particular scene. While writing the novel did any song(s) inspire any particular scene in the book or identifies a character?

I have extensive playlists for any one book. I do choose a small amount of songs that do make up the meat of the story I’m writing. For Breathe Me I would say these songs embodied it the most: Lego House – Ed Sheeran, Breathe Me – Sia, Try- Pink, You and Me- Lifehouse, and ‘Indestructible- acoustic verson’ by Robyn.

Breathe Me Playlist 

4. I loved Breathe Me and the characters you created, because they feel like real people I can meet in real life. Are your characters based off on you or anyone you know?

I try not to base them to strictly on real people, but yes, each character is a tiny piece of me and pieces of people I have known. I mix it up so no one can ever tell who I’m talking about, it’s private and intimate so I don’t want to make anyone feel embarrassed or anything.

5. Are you planning to write another novel of the same genre of Breathe Me? I would really love to read another NA Contemporary romance from you :D!

I am. I’m not a big ‘romance’ writer, but I enjoy bringing out stories with sensuality and longing driving the story. I have several in the works and will continue to release in the Contemporary genre.

6. Why did you choose Breathe Me as the title of your novel? Where there other titles you had in mind before you choose Breathe Me?

It was always Breathe Me. It does relate to Piper, the main character. She suffers from severe panic attacks which rob her control over breathing for moments. It just fit.

7. Everybody has and uses a kindle, nook, or some other device to read books. Do you prefer reading books from a reading device or do you prefer reading physical copies?

I used to be a physical copy only kind of person but since I received my kindle two years ago, I have to say, I’m a total convert. I collect paperbacks and hardbacks now, signed especially. But I prefer to read on the kindle.

8. How do you get started with writing a story? Do you brainstorm a lot or do you just go for it without planning too much?

I brainstorm in my head all day long, all night long until it clicks. Once this happens, I write the first couple chapters. If I get stuck, I do some character outlines or even break down and do a summary outline of each chapter. This rarely happens, I usually just write by the seat of my pants, edit later.

9. Who are some of your favorite authors? Did these authors inspire you to become a writer or your writing?

Absolutely they inspired me to become a writer. My favorites growing up include Margaret Mitchell, Paulina Simons, Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, Alice Hoffman, Jean Auel, and Anne Rice. I do have a lot of Indie authors on my list now, they include but are not limited to: Ella James, Amber Garza, Madison Daniel, Jenna Kay, Linna Drehmel, Kyani Swanigan, HD Gordon, S.M. Boyce, Lizzy Ford and so many others.

 

This or That:

1. Chocolate or Candy?

Chocolate

2. Book or Movie (books that have been turned into movies)?

Books, and yes to books that have been turned into movies too. 

3. Starbucks or homemade coffee?

Neither, I don’t care for coffee. Tea?

4. Bad Boys or Good Boys?

Good boys all the way!

5. Rain or Snow?

Rain

Thank you Alexia Purdy for the Interview :D! Why didn't I think of tea? Love all of the songs for Breathe Me, and can't wait to read another of your future contemporary book projects.

About the Author:

Alexia currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada–Sin City! She loves to spend every free moment writing or playing with her four rambunctious kids. Writing has always been her dream and she has been writing ever since she can remember. She loves writing paranormal fantasy and poetry and devours books daily. Alexia also enjoys watching movies, dancing, singing loudly in the car and Italian food.

 

Where to Buy Breathe Me:

Amazon (Ebook & Paperback)

Barnes & Noble (Ebook)

Smashwords (Ebook)

 

Where to Find Alexia Purdy:

Blog (Keep Updated)

Amazon Author Page

Barnes & Noble Author Page

Smashwords Author Page

Facebook ("Like")

Twitter (Follow)

Goodreads (Add her Books)

Linked In

 

Like her Book Series Page on Facebook:

Reign of Bloos Series 

 

A Dark Faerie Tale Series 

 

 

Like Lyrical Lit. Publishing on Facebook 

 

Giveaway!!!

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