Friday, May 31, 2013

Change of heart by S.E. Edwards Release day event + Giveaway



Synopsis:

Persevere.

That's how I've gotten through nineteen years of life. It's what I do every single day--no matter how badly the odds are stacked against me.

Persevere, and survive.

Those are my two guiding words. I never knew either of my parents. I have no family and no home. The only person I could ever rely on was myself. In this cruel world, that's about as much as I can ask for.

Love? Hah. Don't talk to me about love. I stopped believing in it the day my first boyfriend ripped out my heart three years ago.

That's why love is the last thing on my mind when I leave a packed college bar with a captivating stranger. Yet everything changes when I'm awakened in the middle of the night by a pounding at the door. Suddenly, an arrangement meant for just one night threatens to become something much deeper.

All expectations are thrown to the wind as I'm tangled in a dangerous world unlike anything I can believe. The man I met has secrets swirling around him like a dark cape. I'm about to become his biggest one...

Author Bio:



I'm Scarlett Edwards. I'm a full-time student (2nd year, undergrad) and part-time writer. I hope to switch those around soon!
I'm kind of old fashioned. I write all my stories using paper and ink. At the end of the day, I transcribe them on my laptop. It takes a bit longer, but writing in a notebook really focuses my thoughts.
I love vintage photography. I have an old-school film camera that was my mom's from before I was born. I use it to take pictures almost every day. Yours to Savor is the first full book I worked on. It went through six drafts, and took me ten months to complete. In the two months since getting it done, I finished two drafts of brand new stories. I'm getting faster!
I love hearing from my readers. I love getting feedback about my books. I'm just getting started, and plan on doing this writing gig for a long, long time.
I take inspiration from all the indie romance authors. Addison Moore, Samantha Young, Colleen Hoover, Jessica Sorensen, and everyone else…. you girls rock!


Social Media Links:
Scarlett Edwardss profile on goodreads


Buy Links:
Here are the Amazon links:
Change of Heart ebook for USA
Change of Heart ebook for Uk
Change of Heart ebook for Canada


And the Barnes & Noble link:change of heart by S.E. Edward

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Extra:
Personal Message:
"I love hearing from readers! If you read my book and want to share your thoughts, good or bad, email me! Scarlett@ScarlettEdwards.com. I'll be sure to reply!! <3"

Excerpt:

Together, we stumble toward the elevator. Rich breaks away for a second to hit the button. The light doesn’t come on.

“Damn,” he growls, “it’s busted again.”
I’m one step ahead of him. I’d spotted the stairs when we entered. I grab his hand and pull him after me with no hesitation. I start up the cement stairwell, determined to get to his room as fast as possible.

“Penny, wait.”

I look back, confused. “What?”

A devilish smile plays on his lips. “Only this.” Without warning his hands wrap around my waist, and I’m being lifted up as easily as if I were a doll. He turns to the side and presses my body against the wall, suspending me between him and the concrete.

His mouth crashes down on mine again. I curl my legs around his torso, locking my ankles together, and kiss him back with the passion reserved for a lover after ten long years apart. I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m getting even more turned on. Rich’s hands move down to grasp the outside of my thighs, and I moan into his kiss as the muscles of my core clench in sinful fashion. I want him so
badly. If we don’t get somewhere private soon, I won’t be wholly opposed to jumping him in public.

I gasp as he steps away, freeing me from the wall. I start to fall, but one of his hands darts down to catch me just beneath the knees. The other one cradles my shoulders. Before I know it, I’m slung across his arms like a bride on her wedding night.

“I’ve always wanted to carry a girl up these stairs,” Rich admits.

I laugh, and wrap my arm around his neck. “Oh, you are just the best type of romantic.”

Four flights of stairs later, Rich pushes open the fire door to a dimly-lit hallway. He carries me down the hall and stops in front of an entrance on the right. He sets me down, then fishes around in his jeans for the key. When the door creaks open, he sweeps a hand out in front of him. “Welcome to my humble abode.”

I walk in, curious about his apartment. I tend to side with the camp of people who believe that a person’s living arrangements can reveal a lot about his personality. But, I don’t find much to work with here.

The apartment is sparse and dark. Pale moonlight filters in through the balcony window, shining down on the only piece of furniture present: a queen size mattress lying on the floor of the living room. The red brick walls are totally empty—no girly posters or other things I might expect in a bachelor’s apartment. There are no lamps, no chairs, no couches.

After a moment, I notice a second piece of furniture: a small, old-school CRT TV camped in one corner of the studio apartment.

Rich switches on the light. “So?” he asks, “what do you think?”

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Blown by Braxton Cole


Rating 4.5/5 stars
Pub. Date April 23 2013

Blurb:

Blown is a novella length erotic romance.

Veronica “Roni” Guard is an undercover cop trying to bust a drug ring. Unfortunately, she runs into her ex-boyfriend, Mateo Vargas, at an illegal street race in the California desert. He just happens to be a pretty big criminal himself. That’s why they split originally. No matter how much chemistry they have between them, a cop and a gangster are not a good match. Roni Convinces Mateo to help her with her case, his reluctance derailed by the one thing that always worked between them–sex. Yes, he’ll help her. But on one condition. In his world, she belongs to him, and him only.

Will Mateo’s possessiveness unravel Roni’s case? Or, worse, blow her cover? And if they get out of this alive, is there a future for them together?
Review:
It could have one less sex scene and it would still be good. It was quick and it was good. Nothing heavy but neither light. It was interesting for me and if I can recall correctly a first too. Usually the hero is the cop and meets (for the first time in almost every case, in this case they meet again) the heroine who is the one that needs saving. In Blown no one needs saving, saving. Maybe Mateo because he is on the most wanted list but aside of that everyone is good. I liked the characters and the storyline even if there wasn't much of a it. Roni's undercover mission is not the main story. The main story is Roni and Mateo's relationship. She is a cop and he is from the other side of tracks. As Roni says the relationship would end awkwardly when she has to arrest him.

The stereotypes people have for gangsters and cops don't exist here. Mateo and Luis are close and they love each other. They are a family both literally and not. Mateo has weaknesses and Roni isn't the delicate flower one would expected her to be. 

You should give it a try. 

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Blog tour: Norma Jean by Amanda Heath


Rating 3/5 stars
Pub. Date April 7 2013

BLURB:

The night Chance Duncan drunkenly kissed me on his couch, I vowed my revenge. I finally had something over his head, something that would bring him to his knees. It only served him right. He bullied me for years and turned me into this messed up person I am now.


Though I didn’t know at the time he wasn’t that mean little boy anymore. He was almost a man and easily stole my breath away. I just wanted to make him fall in love with, then break his heart into a million pieces. Just the way mine was. Instead he put the pieces back together and I started to feel whole again.
Good things never last. He did what I was supposed to do. Broke my already fragile heart all over again. Betrayed and alone I fled my home town and started a new life where I wasn’t in the shadow of what I did. 
Now he is back and trying to worm his way into my heart, again. Though he will never know it will always belong to him. He hurt me and I want nothing to do with him. Life has other plans. Doesn’t it always?

He doesn’t know though. Doesn’t know what I’m hiding or who I’m hiding from. I never thought I would see Chance again and I’m afraid that he’ll get hurt getting mixed up in my mess. Though he is right in the middle of it, without even knowing it. I have to find a way for us to get out, before somebody dies.

My name is Norma Jean and this isn’t a fairytale.

Review: Some people cried, some couldn't finish it and others loved it. I don't belong to any of these categories. The strongest feeling I felt is disgust. I have to make it clear before you get anything wrong. That feeling came from a source you might not notice or cause you a similar feeling. For me though that resulted to a turning stomach and a strong desire to stop reading the book for a while. I am not a big fan of the parts where the characters live their life without the other after a break up and they get involve with other people.

My dislike for the book came from the second half. I felt as if some parts were missing. I could see when Chance and Norma connected  for the first time but not the second. While Chance's behaviour wasn't a good or nice or proper behaviour, I couldn't understand why Norma was so fixed and determined to make him hurt. I don't understand such hate. Until a point I get it but not completely. 
I thought Chance and Norma's bond was stronger than Heath made it to be.  The synopsis promises a story that isn't fairytale, but the story is similar to one. Fairytales have Happily Ever Afters right?

After a couple of not so good books Norma Jean became a pleasant way to spend my time. I am not sure if you should consider this review if you are thinking to read the book. I don't think my judgment was at it's highest level nor I am completely honest.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick


Rating 5/5 stars
Pub. Date October 23 2012

From Goodreads:Will love conquer all?

Nora and Patch thought their troubles were behind them. Hank is gone and they should be able to put his ugly vendetta to rest. But in Hank's absence, Nora has become the unwitting head of the Nephilim and must finish what Hank began. Which ultimately means destroying the fallen angels - destroying Patch.
Nora will never let that happen, so she and Patch make a plan: lead everyone to believe they have broken up, and work the system from the inside. Nora will convince the Nephilim that they are making a mistake in fighting the fallen angels, and Patch will find out everything he can from the opposing side. They will end this war before it can even begin.
But the best-laid plans often go awry. Nora is put through the paces in her new role and finds herself drawn to an addictive power she never anticipated.
As the battle lines are drawn, Nora and Patch must confront the differences that have always been between them and either choose to ignore them or let them destroy the love they have always fought for.
“I want to wake up with you every morning and fall asleep beside you each night,” Patch told me gravely.“I want to take care of you,cherish you,and love you in a way no other man ever could.I want to spoil you—every kiss,every touch,every thought,they all belong to you.I’ll make you happy.Every day,I’ll make you happy.”The antique, almost primitive band he held between his fingers caught the sunlight, glinting silver.“I found this ring shortly after I was banished from heaven.I kept it to remind myself of how endless my sentence was,how eternal one small choice can be.I’ve kept it a long time.I want you to have it.You broke my suffering.You’ve given me a new eternity.Be my girl,Nora.Be my everything.“I swear to you,Nora Grey,on this day,from now and forever,to give myself to you.I am yours.My love,my body,my soul—I place in your possession and protection.”He held out the ring,a single offering,a binding promise.“Patch,”I whispered.“If I fail my cove fail mynant,my own misery and regret will be my endless punishment.”His eyes pinned mine,a stripped sincerity clear in his gaze.But I wont fail, Angel.I wont fail you.

“I swear to you, Patch, to take your love and cherish it. And in return, to give you my body and my heart—everything I possess, I give to you. I am yours. Wholly and completely. Love me. Protect me. Fulfill me. And I promise to do the same.”
 


I couldn't resist to pute these quotes in the beginnging.I know they'll spoil the book but they are beautiful.

Whenever doubt and regret crept into my conscience,all I had to do was think of Patch.I wasn’t sure I’d made the right choice every time,but I knew one thing for certain.I’d made the right choice in Patch.I couldn’t give him up.Ever

“Did you know, the first time I saw you, I thought: I’ve never seen anything more captivating and beautiful?”“Why are you telling me this?” I said miserably.“I saw you, and I wanted to be close"


I have to say that this is the best of the series.It had the most action and of course Patch.Nora is kick ass in the end and I finaly liked Scott.It had an epilogue!How awesome is that?Even Marcie seemed good in this book.

For a moment I thought Nora and Dante will be moere than profesional but thank God that wasn't the case.It makes for good press. They might even call us Norante. Or Danta. Do you like the sound of that?”

“If I get caught, it’ll mean the end of kissing you. Do you really think I’d risk that?” His face grew serious. “I know I can’t feel your touch, but I feel your love, Nora. Inside me. It means everything to me.I wish I could feel you the same way you feel me, but I have your love. Nothing will ever outweigh that. Some people go their entire lives never feeling the emotions you’ve given me. There is no regret in that.”My chin quivered.

Hello? Scott Parnell? A sweetheart? Was I the only one hearing the absurdity in all this?

I liked Scott and Vee as a couple.Too bad they didn't last.The cop may not appear in the book many times but what he does in the end for Patch and Nora made him one of the best archangels ever.

“Making sure you’re safe is more important to me than your goodwill. I don’t want to fight, but if you’re set on seeing me as the bad guy, so be it. Better that than lose you"

I couldn't resist reading the book when the greek edition would be released(who can wait until March?)and I read it yesterday.I am very glad I didn't wait.

“As soon as I know where we’re heading, I’ll meet you there. Do one last thing for me, Angel.”“Name it.”“I want to find you safe and sound when this is over"

Unlike Kate Lauren and Rapture Becca Fitzpatrick in Finale ended the series without leaving anything answered.Maybe Nora's mother but all the other people Nora,Patch,Vee,Scott,Marcie,Dante got what the deserve(Scott's case is special) even the war between the angels and the nephilims ended in the best possible way.

I never pictured my life so complete. I never thought I’d have everything I want.You’re everything to me,Angel.”His words filled my heart to the brim.I loved him in a way I’d never be able to express in words.He was part of me.And I was part of him.Tethered together for the rest of eternity.


This was it.Together.Forever.As we left it all behind,the sun warmed my back,lighting the way before us.I knew of no better omen.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Schooled: a novel by Deena Bright (+ Giveaway)

Rating 3.5/5 stars
Pub. Date October 10 2012

Blurb:

The horrifying shock of witnessing her husband banging his skank-whore secretary spurred this ever-wholesome and rule-following teacher to seek some new lessons of her own. A young teacher learns about sexuality, pleasure, and satisfaction from rather unlikely and forbidden teachers, her former students, now recent college graduates. Not only does she get “schooled” by the beautifully- built all-American football player who struggled to pass her class, but she also learns a few tricks from the innocent, well-read, and thoroughly sexy bookworm. Both men teach her that not all curricula worth learning comes from a book.

 Go through the journey Janelle Garrity-Flowers faces after discovering her husband’s infidelity. Growing up, she followed the rules, but now, she wants to defy the norms and play by her own rules. Janelle explores her own sexuality, searching for pleasure beyond her wildest dreams. However, despite this callow teacher’s “lesson plan” of forgoing the rules and not letting emotion get involved, the teacher must decide between the athlete, the scholar, and the career she loves. But what or who does she love and want more? 

Adult language Adult content Explicit sex scenes


My Janelle:



My Briggs (I am not sure if he is dark enough or not but that's how I picture him):


My Leo:



Review:

When I first signed up for the blog tour I was exited because I was waiting for a relationship between 3 people (Janelle, Leo and Briggs). Insteand I read a medium book with a wanna be triangle. 

The blurb is not matching the story completely. The one who got schooled is Briggs, Janelle hasn't learnt much. The first half wasn't very book but in the second half it got better and I liked it more. But the end saved the day. Even though it reminds me of another story which I cannot place right now I liked it and that  tiny twist in  the end. I wasn't expecting Marcus to do that and certainly I wasn't expecting the boys to act the way the did. The cliffhanger wasn't a huge one but it is one and I am now expecting to read The final lesson  plan (schooled's sequel) with a little bit more eargerness than before.

The thing is that Bright either contradicted herself or she has plans for the final plan that have yet to be revealed. It didn't have any steamy scenes and there was some girly action which was more than surprising. When I finally felt that we were heading somewhere with the book it ended. Many readers are team Leo. I can understand that. He reads chick-lit, understands a bigger part of women than the one usually men do and he is sweet. Briggs is more the one night stand guy who doesn't seem to able able to commit. The love them and leave them guy. The weird part in the book is that the two men want a relationship and the woman doesn't. I don't have a preference. Maybe a guy who is half Briggs, half Leo. 

As I am closing this review I have one demand and one thing to add.. I want a picture with the baby costume Janelle wore because I can't picture  something that could turn half school on and in the same time being appropriate and in her might a turn off. I would like to add that no one should be disturbed because the author is a teacher herself or because a Janelle has an affair with two of her EX-students. Janelle hasn't done anything inappropriate with someone who is currently her student.

Excerpt:

It was starting to get late; I told Jasper that I’d cook dinner at his house for him. He had things he wanted to talk to me about. I explained to Leo that I needed to get a shower and go to the “main house.” We both laughed at “main house”; he needed to get going too. He’d wasted an entire day playing in the pool, instead of doing the landscaping for Jasper. Jasper would be pissed, but I’d handle him.

Leo got out of the pool first, grabbing a towel for me, holding it out like a parent holds a towel for their child when the kid gets out of the water. I hesitated momentarily, and then walked into the cloth as Leo wrapped the towel and his strong arms around me. My arms were pinned against my sides, trapped inside the towel. I was afraid to look up, into his eyes, at those cherubic dimples. I paused, then slowly looked up at him. He rubbed my arms, up and down my arms and shoulders, drying me off and staring at me the entire time. He asked if I was warm enough; I nodded, licking my lips, not taking my eyes from him. I waited.

I was surprised when he released me, and stepped back a few steps, away from me, asking if he could borrow one of the towels over on the chair. Shocked, I nodded and threw a towel in his direction, not reaching him. He walked to pick it up, thanked me for lunch, and started to get his shoes on. “I had fun today Miss Garrity.” He stated, smiling. “You’re fun and easy to talk to.” He started to walk toward the water toys, stopped, and said, “Plus, it’s always a good day to hang out with a hot chick in her bikini.” He laughed, flinging his towel at me.

Leo put the rafts and buckets back in the storage shed and left. I stood there confused and extremely disappointed. There was no doubt about it; I’d wanted Leo Cling to kiss me, really kiss me. I could almost taste his lips on mine. I wanted to feel his mouth on mine. I’d wanted nothing else since he saved me from Marcus the other day. I gave him all the signals, didn’t resist it at all, and he didn’t take the cue. Or maybe he didn’t want to take the cue? Maybe, he was resisting me? Damn, I’d have to conquer that, fix that. I wanted to kiss his lips, taste him, and even lick his adorable dimples when he grinned. Hell, he’d said he studied the woman’s anatomy, because of me. I wanted to know if his studies paid off. I had to know.

Giveaway(s):

Yep. We are having two giveaways.
First: 1 person will win 1 ebook copy of Schooled by Deena Bright. To win you have to either like our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SofiaLovesBooks?ref=hl or follow us by email or google friend connect (comment after you do). It ends this Sunday 26.
.
Second: If you leave a comment you will enter to win a Schooled iPhone 4 cover answering this question:
 Who is your all-time favorite teacher and why?

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Eyes wide open (The Blackstone affair #3) by Raine Miller



Rating 5/5 stars
Pub. Date May 14 2013

*It might get a little spoilerly down there*

Admit it. Ethan is one of the reasons you read the books. Aside from some typical male mistakes (you don't mention obligation when you propose! you mention love!!)In eyes wide open I liked him more than I did in the previous two put together. I can see why people say it's the best of the three and I agree with them.

The story is told from two point of views (Ethan and Brynne's). I prefer the 2 POV because it is easier to see what the characters are thinking. I was wondering who was going to tell us the next part of the story and I was happy when I saw that both them were. The prologue was very interesting and it's the only part that we see from a different POV (it's the person who threatens Brynne).

I think Miller left a little clues for the reader to find out what is going to happen before she revealed them herself. An example for you: Brynne says that she does something every morning, which we didn't knew before, and it's related to the reason she got sick in the end of All in.

I enjoyed the book and especially the epilogue (I have a thing for them, what can I do?). I would like to see the stories of other characters from the books.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

The Boleyn King (The Boleyn Trilogy #1) by Laura Andersen



Rating 5/5 stars
Pub. Date May 14 2013


The Boleyn King is a page turned book. I couldn't put it down and I was eagerly turning every single page to see what is going to happen next. The story is told from 4 point of views. Elisabeth is a person we all know from history. Her and a part of her story in the book so far have really happened. There aren't many things to say about her as you already probably will know already about her. I liked the fact that the author decided to write from her POV too. Robert Dudley is also a part of the story and after finishing the book I am very intrigued. I want to see what will happen to his relationship with Elisabeth and what he is planning. After googling Dudley and reading the book I think Andersen combined some true facts with her story and made them happen a few years earlier.

William, Dominic and Minuette are completely fictional characters as far as I know. Here comes the historical fiction. I love the what ifs and I have certain feelings towards Henry VIII after watching the tudors so I knew I had to read the book. I grew very fond of Minuette and I liked her with Dominic who I also liked. The sort of ttriangle thing has me torn. I don't know if I want her with Dominic or with both of them. I certainly don't want her with William alone, though in the end the prospect of them ending up together crossed my mind. I like way too much Dominic to see him being hurt like that.

The four of them have a great relationship and you can see how they love and care about each other (not always in a you-are-the-love-of-my-life way). I am a newbie to the Alternate History genre and if the rest of the books are like that I will safely say that it will become one of my favorite genres. In the king's court everything happens. From finding someone to spend the night with to finding your true love to the making of plots against the king and other people. While I was reading the book I felt as if I were a part of the story and I was living 5 centuries ago. The interlude left me wanting more. I highly recommend the book.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Skin in the Game by Jackie Barbosa


Rating 3/5 stars
Pub. Date May 27 2013


I don't have a good impression for this one. I didn't felt the clik I feel when a couple gets together and in my head they are meant to be together forever. Angie might as well go and marry a random guy and Cade might go to N.Y. and never marry. There wasn't much of a story. The characters and their personalities left me indifferent. The only one I liked was Angie's father.

In the end I had two questions: A) The author is planning a sequel? Will I read just it in case it's better than Skin the hame? If not it's really bad the end. And B) It's over? Really?? When did that happened? Am I missing something? This isn't a proper way to write the book. Something is not sitting well with me.

I did not liked it but I did not disliked it either. It's a good thing that is short because I didn't waste much time with it. 

Friday, May 3, 2013

The Bare Naked Truth: Dating, Waiting, and God's Purity Plan by Rebekah Joy Martin


Rating 3/5 stars
Pub. Date May 7 2013

Why I didn't notice the "waiting and God's Purity Plan" when I requested this book? I really hate the tiny letters on the cover. If you are not a Christian teenage girl who lives in America or a mother/father who wants to make his/her daughter to wait until marrige for sex than you don't a have a reason to buy it. I only finished 77% of it because I was thinking that I was going to kill someone if I read one more time the word God. Page after page there was talk only about God and how you should wait until you lose your cherry.
There was only one point of view. The "I am a good Christian". It's like they are trying to brain wash you into not having sex until you marry.

The 3 star rating come from these factors. 1) My little brother really liked the tests in the end of the chapter and so did I. Also the results were fitted to my personality. 2) The point of view. Both in a  positive and a negative way. It's different from the way we live and think now, not so many people think this way. And 3) the God part. Not all people are Christians and it will be weird for them to read a book with quotes from the Bible. Also I think that if the author wanted to speak about random events in her life she should have written an another book