Showing posts with label death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label death. Show all posts

Friday, August 28, 2015

Stranded in Sunshine by Eric Henderson

(Image found on Goodreads)

Welcome to A Better Place. Twelve people in a shopping mall. With the right combination of people it could be amazing, but what about these twelve? Catastrophe strikes and it's up to them how to handle things. Find the official description on Goodreads.

Eric Henderson has certainly posed an interesting question with this novel. And he certainly handled it with humor and wit. It was a clever answer that brought up the issues that come with living without money or technology without sending it into darker territory. The plot was intriguing and certainly unique.

The characters were an interesting blend. Each chapter revealed a different personality and a different perspective on their current situation. That certainly kept things interesting. It also meant that you didn't really feel any deep connection with characters though. But that wasn't as big a deal as you didn't really need the deeper connection to get into this book.

Stranded in Sunshine was an amazingly hilarious read, one that certainly passed quickly.
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Thursday, August 27, 2015

Rip by Rachel Van Dyken Cover Reveal!


On OCTOBER 20 Rachel Van Dyken brings you Rip a complete stand alone novel that fans of the Eagle Elite series will devour! With twists and turns you won't see coming, this dark romantic suspense will keep you on your toes and leave you screaming for more.










Pretty things aren't meant to be broken.
But I broke her, and now we both have to pay the price.
I'm her nightmare.
I'm her savior.
And now that I have her signature on an ironclad contract, I
own her body and soul.
She doesn't remember me.
She will.
It's inevitable.
Because as much as I know I need to stay away, for fear of
unlocking the memories I helped her father bury--I can't.
She was the apple in the Garden, dangled in front of me, her
core so tempting and sweet. A voice whispered. Just. One. Bite.
I bit.
I tasted.
I fell.




Welcome to the world of the Russian mafia, where death, is
your only future.













Rachel Van Dyken is the New
York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency
and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking
coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.


She keeps her home in Idaho
with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from
readers!


Want to be kept up to date on
new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!


You can connect with her on
Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken
 or join her fan group Rachel's New
Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com 





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Sunday, July 19, 2015

Inflicted by Peiri Ann

(Image found on Goodreads)

Nathan and Tracey have suffered. And they are continuing to suffer as the demons are trying to takeover the world. But not without certain help. And now they must find their way through this trial. Find the official description on Goodreads.

I really enjoy the romance in these books, mostly because I'm a sucker for soul mate romances and Peiri Ann delivers. Although it's not an easy path. The two mates seem to find themselves arguing or running into problem after problem and it never seems to stop. This is jus tone of the many things that drew me into this series. And the other is that there is plenty of action and plenty of surprises one after the other. And many of them are painful. But yet you just can't stop reading.

And there are so many things that we are in the dark about because Tracey and Nathan aren't omniscient. Which can be frustrating but it's more in the I WANT TO KNOW NOW DAMMIT! way. 

Inflicted was a bit confusing at times but it wasn't as bad because both characters were confused and lost at the same time as the reader. 

We did finally get some of Nathan's perspective which was different and I enjoyed. Because it's not often that we do get that except maybe in the quotes at the beginning of each book. And speaking about the beginning now I'm jumping to that cliffhanger ending. AND WOW, what a cliffhanger. CAN I HAVE PLAGUED NOW???

The only issue I had with this book is sometimes the grammar and writing had errors, but it didn't make it hard to read the book at all. The plot was certainly worth it!

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Sacrifice by Adriana Locke Cover Reveal!






Title: Sacrifice
Author: Adriana Locke
Cover Design: K23 Design
 Release Date: July 13, 2015




Blurb




My life changed forever the night my husband died.



I was left with a shattered heart, a heap of bills, and our daughter, EVERLEIGH. I don’t want to rely on anyone, least of all CREW GENTRY. He’s my first love and the man who almost destroyed me, the man who has let me down every time I’ve needed him.



But when tragedy strikes a second time, Crew just might be my only hope.





My life changed forever the night my brother died.



I was left with a guilty conscience, a pile of mistakes, and little else. I take care of JULIA GENTRY, my brother’s widow and the love of my life, and their daughter. I know she doesn’t want my help, but she gets it anyway. I owe her that. When another disaster hits, I’m given the opportunity to make things right. I’m taking it. I'm willing to sacrifice it all.






Excerpt





“She’s been missing him a lot lately.”



Julia’s voice is barely a whisper and my chest constricts. Our conversations don’t normally make it to discussing Gage unless we’re already arguing. The fact that she just brought it up shocks me and I’m not comfortable with it. I don’t know how to take it. I feel my jaw pulse with frustration and scramble to change the subject again. “Why is it so chilly in here?”



Her smile disappears and she tugs her sweatshirt nervously. “I didn’t know it was.”



“How can you possibly not know?” I start to the thermostat across the room when she clears her throat.



“The heater isn’t working right. I asked Lane to come by and look at it earlier this week.”



“And he hasn’t been here yet?” I shoot her a look and she shakes her head. “He’ll be here tonight.” I dig my cell outta my pocket.



“Crew, don’t. Please. The last time you called my landlord he was a complete jerk to me for a couple of months. I just got on good terms with him again.”



I scroll through my contacts list, looking for his name.



“Crew ...” I know her doe-eyes are pleading with me. I also know if I look up at her, I’ll be somewhat inclined to give in. So I don’t.













Author Bio




Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

Adriana resides in the Midwest with her family. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. She loves to be outside in the sunshine and always has a piece of candy in her pocket.

Her first novel, The Exception, was released in 2014. The followup, The Perception, was released in March 2015. Both books follow the same characters, but can be read as standalone novels.

Sacrifice, a novel unrelated to the others, will go live on July 13, 2015.

Please contact Adriana at www.adrianalocke.com. She loves to hear from readers.




Author Links

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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Boss by Tara Oakes Release Blitz!

BOSS IS NOW LIVE!


SYNOPSIS
******This book is intended for mature audiences, over 18 years of age
This book is a sequel, Book 2 in the Chianti Kisses series.

Everybody expects something of Dom, they have his entire life. His family expects HIM to lead, provide, and support them. His company and employees expect him to keep their business successful, intact. His wife, V, expects him to be the beST man he can be.

And then there are the expectations of his father and his "associates."

Dom's father, although long past, had left unfulfilled expectations of his own. Everything he built, bled for, killed for... died for, was left in Dom's hands.

Dom tried to change things, set things straight, atone for the sins of his father and father-in-law. But, it hasn't been easy. Many others benefitted from his business dealings, and aren't willing to loose them so easily.

Emilio Rizzo has vowed to keep things the way they were. He's waged a war to take full control from Dom, with no concern for the toll it will take on everyone involved. Innocents will be harmed, lives will will be taken, and hard-earned progress will be lost unless Dom steps in and fights the way he was born to.

Someone will be disappointed. Will it be his family, his employees, his father, or his beloved V, when he becomes...

BOSS.
If you'd like to purchase Boss, feel free to grab your copy here:Amazon US

Boss:
It was really great to catch up with V and Dom, especially now that they're married and living together. It's nice to see that their relationship had developed to that point and they were happy. Although I have to admit that I did want to smack both at one point or another. Dom didn't seem to be learning lessons from his past and it was slightly frustrating. So yes, I have to say I loved the characters. And we were introduced to two new perspectives; that of Carmine and Theresa. Who I have to say I cannot wait to hear more from.

It was amazing that Tara Oakes didn't portray V and Dom's life as perfect. There were ups and downs that they had to work out in order to remain happy with each other. It didn't just fall into place and require no work at all. Not to mention there was more "family" involved. And I have to say I'm shocked that I'm actually finding these types of romance more and more interesting as I find some more and more family or mob romances.

I WANT MORE RIGHT NOW. Can that be a thing? 
 photo Boss Teaser 1_zpswila7kpk.jpg
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 photo Boss Teaser 3_zps5z5rqpam.jpg
BOSS TRAILER


OTHER BOOKS BY TARA OAKES


      Amazon US 


                                                               Amazon US       
                                                            
                                                                     Amazon US
 
                                                                     Amazon US





LEARN MORE ABOUT TARA
Tara is a thirty something newbie author from Long Island, New York. She's a voracious reader, a passionate writer and obsessive junk T.V. aficionado. When she's not doing one of those three things she is attempting to garden, hanging with her hubby or partaking in some retail therapy. She enjoys connecting with her readers and is having a blast entering into this new world of publishing.
FIND TARA ONLINE
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Monday, March 16, 2015

Drops of Rain by Kathryn Andrews

(Image found via Goodreads)

After Ali's mother dies, her father moves them. And then disappears, hiding away at his work. Ali feels alone, and dancing is her refuge. Drew is counting down the days until he can drive far away from his home. But when he runs into the girl who will prove his biggest distraction, he might just find that maybe home isn't so bad. Find the official description on Goodreads.

I really liked the writing style and the character's voices in Drops of Rain. It was easy to sit down, promise I'd read only 50 pages or one chapter and before I knew it an hour or two had passed and I was farther than I had thought I would be. Drops of Rain drew me in quickly, making me interested and pulling me in with little problem.

The plot line was great! It was hard to read but at the same time, it was dealing with issues that are difficult to deal with and so it should be hard to read. Or at least during those parts. 

It was really easy to get attached to Ali and Drew. Both were just trying to find their way and discover who they were or find something better than what they had. It was a beautiful story and I think a lot of people can relate to the struggle of both at least partially. 

Drops of Rain was a painful, emotional read but it was well worth it! 

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Thursday, February 26, 2015

Soulbound by Kristen Callihan

(Image found via Goodreads)

Adam needs his soul mate to end the curse he is under but Eliza is fearful of losing her freedom. So she escaped him, but she escaped to a world in which it's even worse than the fate she first escaped. Eliza and Adam must work together but will they be able to after their tumultuous first meeting. Find the official description on Goodreads.

Soulbound certainly starts out interesting. I don't think I quite expected anything like that. It took me by surprise but it was good. I was drawn in, and it kept things interesting throughout the novel. Especially with Adam and Eliza's rocky relationship.

Soulbound wasn't in the usual time period that I usually would be reading. But it wasn't too bad actually. Maybe I should branch out. It certainly wasn't boring. I did actually enjoy the story and time period as well.

The characters and plot were definitely what kept me reading. Eliza was not what I expected of a female at that time. She was feisty and stood up to Adam. Adam drove me crazy throughout the book and I definitely felt the need to growl and curse him more than several times but as you get farther and farther in then you realize that he's not too bad actually. 

There were certainly several disturbing characters and that also helped the story along and definitely made things intriguing. 

Overall Soulbound was a good book that I enjoyed but didn't fall in love with. 

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Elect Launch Day Blitz!


ELECT by Rachel Van Dyken
Would you die for the one you love?
Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family's enemies. The only way to keep Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him.

Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family's sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend... But Trace isn't ready to give up on a future with Nix--and if he won't fight for them, she will. 
In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner . . . 


Buy Links:
iBooks

Excerpt:
“Trace, we can’t be seen together right now.”
She jerked her hands away from mine and glared. “Oh no you don’t, Nixon Anthony Abandonato!”
Wasn’t expecting that. I laughed without really thinking, and then she slapped me across the face. It stung like hell. “What was that for?”
“You aren’t leaving me!”
“Did I say I was?” Although my cheek was throbbing I couldn’t  help but keep laughing at her response. And this was why I would never walk away. Who would walk away from such a little pistol?
“Oh.” Trace tugged her lower lip between her teeth and sheepishly looked up at my cheek. “You should probably put some ice on that.” I winced as she touched my cheek.
Covering her hand with mine, I winked. “Yeah, well, I’ve had worse. Promise.”
Her eyes welled with tears, but to her credit she kept them all in. If anything I fell in love with her a little bit more. Her strength was so damn sexy, I couldn’t even put into words what she did to me.
I kissed her softly and sighed against her still chocolate-tasting mouth. “Sweetheart, Chase was . . . well, today he was gifted with a stroke of brilliance. The head of the Nicolosi family talked with us this evening, and he had Phoenix with him.”
I quickly explained to her what had happened, leaving out all the violence, guns, and threats. So basically I censored everything and then dropped the bomb. “You and Chase need to pretend to be together. People will be watching you, they’ll be following you.”
Tracey swallowed and licked her lips. “And you’ll what? Pretend you hate me again?”
“Hell no!” I snapped, grabbing her ass and lifting her until her body was firmly pressed against mine midair. “I’ll just be the friend. Basically, Chase and I are switching parts. He gets to play the boyfriend, I get to play the jackass.”
That earned an eye roll and a laugh from her. I dropped her to the ground and kissed her nose. “If they find out how much you mean to me, they’ll use that against our family and against your grandfather.”
She was silent for a moment. Her hands traced circles around the tattoo peeking out from underneath my white tshirt. The writing was in Sicilian, but it said, “Every Saint has a past, every sinner has a future.” I had always wondered which I was. The saint or the sinner?
It was Trace’s favorite tattoo, even though I had several down my left arm and a few on my stomach and back. Her favorite had always been that one, on the left side of my chest. She said it gave her comfort. I guess she was using it for comfort right now.
“Okay,” she whispered, “I’ll do it.”
I was waiting to feel relieved, but all I felt was tense. My muscles literally tightened underneath her touch the minute the word “okay” had fallen from her perfectly pouted lips.
“I’m going to apologize in advance, though.” Tracey sniffed as a tear ran down her cheek.
“Why are you apologizing?”

Her eyes met mine. “Because I’m going to break your heart.”

Review:


I loved loved loved this book. It was amazing and just as good as the first book, Elite. I already had connections with characters and they just grew throughout Elect.


This book, this book. It hurt me so much. It tore my heart out and honestly I felt like I was dying most of the time while I was reading it. But it felt good. And that is what is weird. Or maybe not so much. You honestly felt that the pain was necessary to get to the happiness and it was not a necessarily good feeling. I’m explaining this really weirdly but I will tell you that Elect will hurt you so much.


It was also interesting to see how the Elect came to be. I didn’t really understand the group fully until the creation story came up. And then it made sense.


And the different perspectives we were given. There were several that honestly changed my opinion on characters. I honestly couldn’t believe some of the feels I had for certain characters that changed throughout the book. It was actually shocking to me. I think I might have annoyed my roommate when I kept exclaiming over my changing feelings.

There are honestly no words to describe Elect or the series so I’ll just sum up with saying that if you’re looking for a book different from the others then you should definitely give this series a peek! You won’t regret it!

About the author:
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandyken.com

Social Media Links:

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Friday, November 28, 2014

Vis Major by T.A. Anderson Cover Reveal!

And now.....
........................
...........................
.............................
The cover for Vis Major by T.A. Anderson!




Release Date: To be announced...


Synopsis:

Death changes people.





It's a phrase Reeve was all too familiar with. His father uttered those words on a daily basis. Following his parents into the family business had meant being the glue for others who were falling apart after a death... and in this line of work, grief was inevitable.

When Reeve suffers real loss in the death of his best friend and soul mate, he’s left questioning if his entire life was a sham. Consumed by loss and doubt, he detaches himself from reality.

In an attempt to get his son back, his father abandons all he thought he knew about healing, and pleads with Reeve to take on a new case.

But, this wasn't just any case; it was Jessie Case, a woman more mysterious than the circumstances surrounding the death of his best friend.

When these two lives merge, they entice each other into a world of forgotten pain. What they discover is far more haunting than either of them could imagine. 





Excerpt:



Her voice is thick with emotion as she pleads, "Show me."


Hesitant, I move toward her, holding her gaze in a way that seems to push her further back with each step I take. 
My jacket falls to the floor, and I welcome the sharp bite of cold air against my flesh. 
She gasps, a mixture of fear and awe garbling the sound. Her eyes dip to take in all I've exposed to her. “Reeve, what have you done?" she whispers.
"It doesn't hurt," I explain, running my fingers along my angry, red skin. 
Instinctively, she clasps her hands around her arms, as if to protect herself from me scaring her too.
Sweet Jessie. Don't you understand I would never hurt you?
I envision myself saying this out loud, but in this moment, I move closer to her, lips like a vault, securing all my thoughts around my tongue. 
She backs herself into the corner, jaw slack, eyes wide. "How long did this take?" She points to my arms, covered with words.
The first time I'd pushed a needle into my skin was when Cadmium died. At first, the pain had pulled me out of my grief... made me feel something greater than the loss of her. But, I'd refused to be the guy labeled as a 'cutter'. No, I was purposeful with my pain, etching Cadmium's words into my skin. Each promise, fear, and every other word she had ever spoken was now a part of me.
Flesh of my flesh.
For a brief moment, I witnessed pity in Jessie's eyes. Pity was for people who asked for it. I didn't need it or want it.
I move closer so I can lean into her, exhale against her ear and answer, "Years. But forever wouldn't be long enough to finish what I started."
Goosebumps rise on her neck, her pale skin flushing from her heated blood. "You're a cutter? You do this to make yourself numb?" 
She's psychoanalyzing me. It makes me angry. "Oh, the misconceptions," I laugh into her neck, then pull back to look in her eyes. "Carved, tattooed, branded; any of these would be more accurate, Jessie.”
Pity has fully disappeared from eyes, and now she’s staring at me like I could be Lucifer. I’m feeding off of her discomfort, so I taunt her. “You disappoint me. I thought you were a stone pillar with a solid foundation, rooted firmly in your own resolve." I place my finger against her shoulder and nudge her. "But look how easily you sway under the pressure. Your core is corroded." 
"Why are you so hateful?" she asks, choking on her question as she shoves my hand away. Her eyes began to glisten, darting between me and the door. 
It's then I realize she's a coward. Escape routes forming in her head, plan B always set "just in case".  I thought she was different. She is, I remind myself. She just doesn’t know it yet. "You gonna run, Jessie?" I sneer, towering over her fear crippled stature.
Your move sweet girl. 
She squares her shoulders, taking on a challenging stance. "I want to understand." Her voice is stern, but I hear her insecurities in every word. She wraps her hand around my forearm, looking up at me as if I might be the savior she's been in search of. "I don't know you, but I want to.  The real you. I've never been more scared of someone in my life, and not because I think you will harm me. It’s your thoughts that breath life to my fear, Reeve." 



About the Author:

I'm a sarcastic, Disney loving, procrastinator. I hope to write stories that speak to me first and foremost, then give readers an honest, non-cookie cutter world to get lost in. I always root for the underdog, so I try to inject one into each of my stories. I'm in desperate need of Starbucks, a shower, and sunlight on any given day. I'm certain Chewbacca is my soulmate. I hope you read my words and enjoy them. If you don't, I still dig you.





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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Louisiana Fever by DJ Donaldson

Portly & Proud CSI Catches Louisiana Fever
Threat of Outbreak Drives Latest in Southern Suspense Series



“D.J. Donaldson is superb at spinning medical fact into gripping suspense.  With his in-depth knowledge of science and medicine, he is one of very few authors who can write with convincing authority.”

--Tess Gerritsen, NY Times best-selling author of the Rizzoli & Isles novels




Andy Broussard, the “Plump and Proud” New Orleans medical examiner, obviously loves food.  Less apparent to the casual observer is his hatred of murderers. Together with his gorgeous sidekick, psychologist Kit Franklyn, Broussard forms a powerful, although improbable, mystery solving duo.

Astor + Blue Editions is proud to release Louisiana Fever (ISBN: 978-1-938231-33-9; Fiction / Mystery & Suspense; $5.99 E-Book) the latest Broussard mystery by DJ Donaldson.

When Kit goes to meet an anonymous stranger—who’s been sending her roses—the man drops dead at her feet before she could even get his name. Game on.

Andy Broussard soon learns that the man carried a lethal pathogen similar to the deadly “Ebola”—a highly contagious virus, feared worldwide for killing its victims (grotesquely) in a matter of days. When another body turns up with the same bug, widespread panic becomes imminent. The danger is even more acute, because the carrier is mobile. The man knows he’s a walking weapon and… he’s targeting Broussard.

And when Kit Franklyn investigates her mystery suitor further, she runs afoul of a cold- blooded killer, every bit as deadly as the man searching for her partner.

Louisiana Fever is written in Donaldson’s unique style:  A hard-hitting, punchy, action-packed prose that’s dripping with a folksy, decidedly southern sense of irony.  Mix in Donaldson’s brilliant first-hand knowledge of forensics, along with the sultry flavor of New Orleans, and readers will be fully satisfied with this irresistibly delectable mystery.

Buy links:

###

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

D.J. Donaldson is a retired professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology.  His entire academic career was spent at the University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, where he published dozens of papers on wound-healing and where he taught microscopic anatomy to thousands of medical and dental students.

He is also the author of seven published forensic mysteries and five medical thrillers. He lives in Memphis, Tennessee with his wife and two West Highland terriers. In the spring of most years he simply cannot stop buying new flowers and other plants for the couple’s prized backyard garden.

Louisiana Fever
By DJ Donaldson
ISBN: 978-1-938231-33-9
Fiction / Mystery & Suspense
301 Pages

Review:

Right from the beginning DJ Donaldson captures the readers interest. The writing quickly grabs you and makes you pay attention. Not to mention it's a different way to kill victims in a mystery/suspense novel. 
The descriptions, especially of the medical facts or the autopsies were very realistic and very detailed. This definitely adds to the book in such a way that you can imagine easily what an autopsy looks like even if you haven't seen something like it on TV. Sometimes it was scarily descriptive, especially after just having eaten. But as long as you have a strong stomach or don't read it after eating, you're good to go.
The big picture in Louisiana Fever is slowly unveiled but the danger of the situation is very real and always lurking under the surface. While the threat becomes clear, the danger also is revealed and it's definitely not the kind of danger that should be ignored.
The thing I think I loved most about Louisiana Fever other than the descriptions was the fact that DJ Donaldson personifies the killer. He presents it almost as if it's human and I found that a very interesting way to look at things. It added to the book and I enjoyed it.
Louisiana Fever gets your heart pumping, and along with the detailed descriptions, it keeps you coming back for more. If you would like to read Louisiana Fever or any other books by DJ Donaldson, they are on sale on Amazon for $0.99. The buy link for Louisiana Fever is above. If you're a fan of suspense and mysteries, than I strongly suggest you give Louisiana Fever a read. 
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