Book Release Blast for Lost In Seoul by Rachel Van Dyken and Colet Abedi (REVIEW)…….

 Readers are reintroduced to the K-pop world courtesy of the young and talented artists of the My Summer In Seoul series.  From the very first page, the relationship between the youngest member of SWT, and the older woman who works for the band, makes for a complicated journey to HEA full of emotional ups and downs.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Lost In Seoul by Rachel Van Dyken and Colet Abedi, along with my impressions of it, then add this second installment in the K-pop fueled series to your bookshelf too!

Lost in Seoul is a standalone new adult romance set in the competitive world of K-pop from bestselling authors Rachel Van Dyken and Colet Abedi.

A meet cute is supposed to be cute. Ours was sexy. Chaotic. Not normal.
Less than 10 minutes after we met, I realized we could never be. She was forbidden to me.
She held my hand behind his back.
I gripped hers, knowing it was wrong.
I was on the cusp of superstardom—and still I held her fingertips because it felt right.
Knowing that when it all went wrong, we would be done—the media would destroy us.
After all, not only was she four years older than me, she was the leader of SWT's sister—my best friend—and someone who could wreck everything we'd worked for.
But I still held on.
I'm lost. So lost.
I'm the youngest in the group, the one everyone sees as the most innocent. But they don't know the stolen moments with her.
The kisses.
The touching.
They don't know any of that.
So I keep acting as if I’m pure as the driven snow when really all it took was one chance meeting. To make.
Me.
Sin.
Hi, I'm Sookie, Maknae of SWT, the most famous K-pop group in the world. And I'm pretty sure I'm not just lost...nah, I'm about to fall.

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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

A previous taste of the forbidden continues to be a part of what binds K-pop artist Sookie to Ari, his band's business lawyer and sibling to his bandmate too.  Though these two know they shouldn't be together, for both personal and business reasons, they can't give up on the feelings engendered by being together.  The power of love can be potent in battles of the heart though and it's what had me rooting for them from the first page to the last.

With K-pop music gaining in popularity, this is a timely story that took a deep dive into this world and showed every aspect...warts and all.  Readers are given a look behind the curtain and can see that it's not all glitz and glamour.  It's a demanding world where you're treated like a commodity, where every aspect of the artist's life is controlled in order to make money.  You're nothing more than an image who is to look, act, and dress according to what the label wants and it's a way of living that keeps you constantly on edge and under pressure that starts to feel like an anchor.  With this world as a sad and painful backdrop, readers get to see the joy of the connection between Sookie and Ari, a relationship that brought meaning to Sookie's life along with acceptance.  To keep those feelings would require a battle as the record company has put a label of innocence and purity around Sookie's neck and his having an older lover isn't part of the image created for him.  This dichotomy leads to lots of ups and downs for this couple, investing me completely in their burgeoning HEA, in a journey that took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

This was a multi-layered story that dealt with business along with personal.  It showed harsh truths about the music world, showed the mental and physical toll of being a famous musician, and how easy it was to lose the real you in the K-pop world.  These truths made for moments of sadness, disappointment, and even anger over the treatment of the musicians who could easily become interchangeable if they didn't toe the line.  Watching the sweet and subtly sensual romance between Sookie and Ari brought a smile to my face.  It was one of the few things in this world that was real and it provided moments of empowerment that I cheered over.  I enjoyed seeing the other members of SWT, as well as their younger tour mates TestME, and their bonding over the demands of their record label was an immensely satisfying sight to see.  One last aspect of this story that I thoroughly enjoyed was super fan, Dueri.  She's not blinded by the images and can see each of the band members quite clearly.  She shows them the importance of their music to the people, and after everything is stripped down, she also shows them what's most important in life.  This was a story packed with a lot of stuff, issues and baggage that made for a bumpy road to HEA.  On a whole, I enjoyed the characters and hope to see more of them again soon!

My rating for this is B+

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Rachel Van Dyken is the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books ranging from new adult romance to mafia romance to paranormal & fantasy romance. With over four million copies sold, she's been featured in Forbes, US Weekly, and USA Today. Her books have been translated in more than 15 countries. She was one of the first romance authors to have a Kindle in Motion book through Amazon publishing and continues to strive to be on the cutting edge of the reader experience. She keeps her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, adorable sons, naked cat, and two dogs.

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Colet Abedi is an Iranian American, best-selling author, television and film producer. She was born in Virginia and currently lives in Los Angeles. When she's not writing she's either off/on an adventure in a far off land or planning her next getaway. She writes contemporary romance, women's fiction, and young adult.

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Book Release Blitz for Sangria by Heidi McLaughlin (REVIEW)…….

 Fans of opposites attracting, romances set in the music world and full of heart and soul, will be drawn to this tale and devouring it in a few hours.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Sangria by Heidi McLaughlin, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this first installment in the Nashville Nights series to your bookshelf!

Under the bright lights of Nashville, Levi Austin is a country music superstar whose life is rocked by the tragic death of his former wife, leaving him to raise their two daughters. Now faced with having to tell his girls, and making the hard decision about where they’ll live, Levi packs his bags and rushes off to Los Angeles—the last place he wants to be, but the one place where no one will recognize him.

Zara Phillips loves two things: her husband Van, and the band she created with her brother, Reverend Sister. To her, her life is perfect until she discovers that her high school sweetheart husband is cheating on her. The paparazzi are relentless, forcing a devastated and heartbroken Zara to stay hidden until the record label demands she shoot a video for the band's new single, driving her out of seclusion.
Two people collide from opposite worlds. Neither knowing who the other is, yet both intrigued by one another. When Levi spills hot coffee on Zara, everything changes. He’s focused on his daughters, trying to do what’s best for them while Zara is determined to get away from everyone and everything in Los Angeles.
When Levi offers her sanctuary at his home in Nashville, Zara jumps at the opportunity to disappear...with the hopes that Levi comes with her. What transpires next are the lives of two very different people finding their path along a very bumpy and unforgiving road, who are tested by their loved ones, the media and one ex that doesn’t want to go away quietly.

EXCERPT:

Our lives, Van’s and mine, are intertwined in so many ways. From the time he joined my silly little garage band to the day we took our friendship to the next level. Everything we did, we did as a team with people around us and now those people depend on us. Reverend Sister isn’t Van’s or mine, it’s ours and only works together if we’re in it together and right now I don’t want to be anywhere near him.
By the time the tears start to fall, and I mean really fall, I’m halfway home, and my phone is ringing with Van calling. The alerts are going off like crazy because the paparazzi are relentless and insist on snapping pictures of people. And when they put them online they add the most ridiculous headlines, except these, are spot on and tell people about my impending breakdown. It’s coming. I can feel the gut-wrenching ache, my heart being ripped out of my chest and every muscle and bone in my body in pain. The takeover is slow and almost alien-like. I can feel it in my toes, moving its way up my legs. It’ll take some time for my brain to really figure it out. For the light bulb to go off that my marriage is over.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  iBOOKS  |  BN  |  KOBO

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

From start to finish this is a book that captivates with a storyline that ticks many boxes for me.  The characters are realistic and appealing, dealing with issues that are emotional and relatable.  Set in the music world, it sees a rockstar and a country crooner make beautiful music together, despite a few differences that are worked through as readers make their way through a bumpy journey to HEA.

Levi Austin is a country star dealing with the death of his wife while trying to be the best dad he can be.  Deciding that change can be helpful, when nobody knows your name, he moves the remnants of his family to the West Coast.  A stop for coffee changes everything though, introducing him to the rockstar dealing with her own heartbreak courtesy of a cheating spouse.  He may wear denim while she wears leather, his music has a bit of twang while hers has a pounding beat, but despite their differences their mutual heartache brings them together in a burgeoning romance that has them dealing with their past as well as a possible future when an ex comes back to cause bumps in their road to HEA.  Levi's a caring dad whose relationships with his daughters are realistic while pulling at my heartstrings.  He's hard working with an aw shucks attitude that's utterly charming.  He's everything you want in a cowboy and he quickly found himself claiming Zara.

Zara Phillips is at the top of the world...or so she thought.  With a few pictures, and a painful truth coming out, Zara finds herself running from the paparazzi and unsure who to trust when those closest to her betray her.  Looking for some peace of mind, and a place to hide, soon leads to a cowboy with a cup of coffee and an offer to stay at his Nashville farm.  It's an invitation that leads to far more than she expected in a slow burn romance with much appreciated moments of steam.  Zara's a heroine you feel sympathy for as she gets put through the emotional wringer by those who should've supported her most.  She's resilient though and never let those determined to wreck her HEA win.  I also enjoyed her burgeoning connection to Levi's daughters in a storyline that all should follow when becoming a new addition to a family with kids.  She works to be a part of their lives, let them decide where she fits best, and their empowering journey warmed my heart.  Overall, Zara was an emotionally strong heroine with a big, supportive heart.  She was put through a lot throughout the story, but came out the other side all the stronger because of it.

This was a slow-burn romance of opposites attracting with a steady pace of warm and loving moments balanced with steamy interludes.  The main couple were likable and pure perfection.  Despite being opposites in many ways, I was still rooting for them wholeheartedly to give into what fate kept pointing them towards.  Along with characters to root for there were also villains, ones from within Zara’s circle and ones she thought would never betray her.  She WAS betrayed though, and with each turn of the page I found myself booing those characters who hurt her most.  Of the remaining secondary characters, I adored Barbara and her love and support for Levi's daughters, and for Levi himself.  Zara's brother, Darian, was another compelling character who got caught up in all the turmoil that befell her.  I found myself drawn to him the first time I saw him and look forward to coming back to the Nashville Nights series with him taking center stage!

My rating for this is an A.

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi's first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital.

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Blog Tour for Deep In the Heart by Alexa Padgett (REVIEW)

Painful pasts courtesy of cruel young men, duplicitous family members, and the horrors of war have left their marks on two people still trying to deal with the pain while finding peace and attraction in this emotionally Intense contemporary romance.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Deep In the Heart by Alexa Padgett, along with my impressions of this tale set in the music world, then get ready to add this first installment in the Austin After Dark series to your bookshelf!

She's mending guitars and her life. He's trying to forget the war with music. Will one broken instrument make their love a smash hit?

Jenna Olsen isn't sure she'll ever escape her terrible choices in love. Becoming a skilled guitar craftsperson helped with the anxiety, but she dreams of the day when she can trust someone again. When an up-and-coming country star asks for a custom guitar in an impossible time-frame, Jenna falls for the challenge… and the man.

Camden Grace loves his music and adores his fans. His passions help him cope with the physical wounds he sustained in Iraq, but he remains haunted by his fractured family history. After his latest angry outburst leaves an expensive guitar shattered, he doesn't expect to find a strong-willed woman whose struggle echoes his own.

As the instrument and their feelings start to come together, an old would-be flame attempts to sabotage their relationship with increasingly aggressive behavior. Will a jealous rival kill more than their careers or will Jenna and Camden rise above the rage to heal their hearts forever?

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Whew!  With a final turn of the page in this emotionally intense tale of two people with painful pasts finding solace in each other’s arms, I’m left drained. From the first page to the last there’s one emotional speed bump after another as this main couple tends to jump to quick conclusions, generally assumes the worst, and in the case of the heroine there’s moments where she lacked maturity.  It all makes for a story full of high highs and low lows as these two people were clearly damaged and leery of putting themselves out there which made for a very melodramatic story.

Jenna Olsen is an in-demand artisan when it comes to making guitars, secure in her talents while feeling uncertain in oh so many other ways.  While she’s well-known for her musical contributions, it’s her very public teen years that has given her the most notoriety.  A string of very negative interactions with men left her bruised, bleeding, feeling betrayed, and the star witness in bringing a drug dealer to justice.  Returning home, and still dealing with anxiety issues, she relies on her family for support while hiding out and focusing on her craft...at least she was hiding out until country music star, Camden Grace, shows up at her shop.  A connection based on music has them drawn to each other in crackling moments teeming with sexual tension.  Though she fears getting closer to Cam she can’t help falling for his protectiveness and sweet words of affection.  It’s a slow burn between these two as outside forces try to tear them apart in a tale full of danger and suspense as Jenna’s past returns to ruin her HEA.  Jenna’s clearly been through so much, been left lonely and betrayed by those she called friends and I applaud her surviving it all.  I was sympathetic to her still having to deal with ptsd, felt for her as sadness took her down some very dark moments, but I was equally left frustrated by her.  She saw every bad thing that happened as being her fault and it led to many misunderstandings that put up a wall between her and those who cared about her.  Her knee-jerk reactions added unnecessary melodrama that dragged down the story at times.  Despite all that I was still rooting for Jenna as she was a kindhearted heroine, one full of sympathy towards the issues Cam carried, but it’s her heartwarming relationship with her grandfather that had me most liking her.

Camden Grace is a rising country music star.  A former soldier who returned home wounded yet full of written songs, he’s immensely appealing.  He’s also clearly broken, constantly on edge by the duplicitiousness of his family while he was overseas.  When heartbreaking news brings out his anger it’s his guitar that pays the price, but it’s an act that introduces him to Jenna and changes his life irrevocably.  When he first meets her his protective side is immediately on display in a scene that clearly has him claiming her.  From there he subtly works his way into her life, trying to protect her from every little hurt, in an up and down roller coaster ride to HEA.  Through it all I found Cam to be likable, sweet, sexy, and charming.  His calling Jenna by the pet name “sugar” got a bit old at times but his ability to admit he’s wrong, and to show his love for her in a very grand gesture, endeared him to me.  His past is just as chaotic as Jenna’s, just as soap opera-ish and frustrating, and it’s another thing that binds them to each other and had me cheering them on every step of the way.

There’s a lot going on in this story with matters of the heart and inner turmoil being juggled.  This couple is coping with their painful pasts while trying to find a HEA in the future, all under the spotlight of Cam’s fame and Jenna’s notoriety. All the aspects of his fame are vividly on display with scenes both on stage and off that easily pulls readers into this world.  The romance between these two takes a slow journey, full of mere cuddling and heartfelt talks at first before becoming more sensual later on.  Theirs is a journey fraught with over-the-top actions of others too in scenes that had jaw-dropping reveals, bloodshed, and tears that had me cringing a time or two.  Despite that, I still found this an enjoyable read with a couple whose love had them overcoming everything in a satisfying ending that will make readers cheer.

My rating for this is a B-

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

With a degree in international marketing and a varied career path that includes content management for a web firm, marketing direction for a high-profile sports agency, and a two-year stint with a renowned literary agency, award-winning author Alexa Padgett has returned to her first love: writing fiction.

Alexa spent a good part of her youth traveling. From Budapest to Belize, Calgary to Coober Pedy, she soaked in the myriad smells, sounds, and feels of these gorgeous places, wishing she could live in them all—at least for a while. And she does in her books.

She lives in New Mexico with her husband, children, and walk-loving Great Pyrenees pup, Ash. When not writing, schlepping, or volunteering, she can be found in her tiny kitchen, channeling her inner Barefoot Contessa.

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Book Tour for As Dust Dances by Samantha Young (Review & GIVEAWAY)

It’s an emotionally intense journey back for a former rock star regaining her place in the world and a man trying to fulfill his own dreams while fulfilling his family obligations when past pain and hard truths come to the forefront.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of As Dust Dances by Samantha Young, along with my impressions of it, then add this angsty romance to your bookshelf.  In honor of this second installment in the Play On series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win 1 of 3 signed copies of this book too!

Once upon a time Skylar Finch was the lead singer of a hugely successful American pop-rock band. But fame made her miserable. When years of living a lie suddenly ended in tragedy, Skylar fell off the map.

Eighteen months later she’s sleeping in a tent in a cemetery in Glasgow, making just enough money to eat by busking on the streets. She manages to avoid recognition, but not the attention of one of Glasgow’s ambitious A&R executives.

Killian O’Dea works at Skyscraper Records, Scotland’s most successful record label. Raised by his uncle and owner of the label, Killian’s upbringing would have been devoid of affection entirely if it wasn’t for his loving sister. Killian is unflinchingly determined to bring the label more success than ever, and the young homeless woman who busks on Buchanan Street is going to help him do that. Her music speaks to him in a way he refuses to over-analyze. All he knows is that if it can touch his dark soul, it’ll set everyone else’s alight.

Skylar makes it clear that she doesn’t want to sign with him. But when she experiences the dangerous reality of a woman sleeping rough, Skylar has no one else but Killian to turn to. An undeniable connection forms between them. But Skylar doesn’t want the career Killian is trying to forge for her, and when her past comes back to haunt her Killian will be faced with a decision that could ruin him. He must either free Skylar from his selfish machinations and destroy everything he’s ever worked for, or lose a woman who has come to mean more to him than he ever thought possible…

EXCERPT:

“I’m going to get a drink.” I grabbed my purse and was moving to slide out of the booth when Killian got up first.

“I’ll get it. What would you like?”

“Uh …” I looked past him to the bar, hoping to see a list of beers. “What do they have? What are you drinking?”

“King Tut’s Lager. It’s brewed in Glasgow.”

Ooh. “Well, I have to have that, then. Half a pint though.” I made a gesture with my finger and thumb. “I’m only little.”

Killian’s eyes flickered down what he could see of my body and I thought I saw a flush high on his cheeks. But the lighting was low so I couldn’t be certain. He cleared his throat and turned away with a muttered, “Right.”

My cheeks felt hot and I put a hand to one as I watched him walk over to the bar. The place wasn’t too packed, but it was possible everyone was already in the venue waiting for the band. I could hear the soft thrum of music and guessed it must’ve been the opening act. Although eager to get up there, I really needed a drink before I had to stand next to Killian in a darkened room.

God, he had an ass on him.

He wasn’t wearing his usual uniform of black suit trousers and shirt that fit him like a glove and showcased his lean, strong physique. He was wearing dark jeans that cupped his muscular ass and a red plaid shirt over a Kaleo T-shirt. He looked good in red. He usually wore darker colors but the red made his hair look blacker, his skin more golden. Dressed like that—indie, relaxed—he looked younger.

I felt more than a tingle of heat between my legs as I studied him standing at the bar. His rugged, sharp profile was somehow more familiar to me than any other person’s profile on the planet. I imagined walking up beside him, sliding my hands down his fine ass and reaching up on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his neck. Breathe in the scent of soap, spicy aftershave, and Killian. Run my tongue along the rim of his ear. Feel his heavy, warm heat lean back into me, the rumble of his groan vibrating through me....

Oh, fuck.

I shook off the thought, knowing my cheeks were probably rosy red. My whole body was left needy and wanting. I crossed my legs under the table and looked anywhere but at Killian, hoping my peaked nipples weren’t visible through my bra and way-too clingy dress.

My gaze landed on a booth a few down from ours because there was a group of young women laughing and shooting hungry looks at the bar.

At Killian.

A roar of possessiveness I didn’t know I was capable of shot through me as I watched them. In fact, I think they were eyeing him and the bartender.

To be fair, they were both very juicy eye candy.

But Killian was my eye candy!

Shit.

I slumped back in my seat.

No, he wasn’t.

And I shouldn’t want him to be.

What a clusterfuck.

FIND AT GOODREADS here.

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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Fans of romances set in the world of music will find themselves captivated by this angsty tale of tarnished dreams and disillusionment that pulled at my heartstrings from the first page to the last.  With an engaging main couple, one who’s far from perfect because of their anger over the past and tendency to closely guard their hearts, I found myself consumed by each word on the page and drawn to this couple because of their imperfections.  Add in the vivid imagery of the Scottish landscape and readers will be completely immersed in this emotionally intense tale that ultimately had me cheering.

Skylar Finch always dreamed of becoming a music star, and with her talent and her mother’s determined support, she finally made it big with her band Tellurian.  Fame wasn’t all she thought it would be though as the fan’s judgments took a toll on her self-esteem while her bandmate Micah’s feelings for her (his overly possessive behavior) crushed her spirits even more.  The final act that broke her completely was the murder of her mother and the unresolved issues between them that she’ll never be able to heal.  Time away from being a rock star seemed like the perfect healing balm, but a short leave soon became months of running away in an attempt to become someone else.  Her voice soon gave her away though, introducing her to a music producer who frustrates her at times but who irrevocably changes her life.  The chance he offers her this time around promises to give her more control, the chance to fix past wrongs, while opening her heart to new possibilities in a tale that put me through the wringer.  Skylar’s a tough cookie, talented and strong-willed.  She loves music, but isn’t enamored of touring or having her life viewed under a microscope.  Her and her mother were a solid support to each other, unconditionally, and the fracture in their relationship was heartbreaking to see because of this.  When readers first see Skylar she’s literally wasting away but is too sad and angry to go back.  She’s determined but it’s palpably clear that she’s putting herself in danger living on the streets.  Even when she went back to living comfortably she never forgot the eclectic people she left behind as seen through the author’s discussions related to homelessness.  Readers saw Skylar at her high points and low points and through it all she remained snarky, with a tell it like it is attitude. She was drawn to Killian, though frustrated by him as well, in a relationship full of push and pull.  Her feelings for him snuck up on her and I thoroughly enjoyed the combustible and conflicted connection that followed.

Killian O’Dea loves music too and has had great success as a producer before rising through the ranks of his uncle’s record company.  He’s a very hard worker, very exacting, which makes him seem standoffish at times.  He’s determined to succeed though, courtesy of his uncle’s constant criticism, which made me sympathetic towards him.  After losing his parents, all he had left was his uncle and sister and would do anything to earn their love and respect.  When it came to his sister Autumn, that love was unconditional, but with his uncle it was something that he was never going to attain no matter how hard he worked.  He was drawn to Skylar the moment he heard her voice, knew her true identity, but wanted to bring her talent back to the masses as it’s talent that’s matured.  Though he tries to keep things strictly professional between them, their mutually painful pasts bind them together and have them helping each other heal.  Killian’s a likable hero once you get past his harsh and demanding facade.  Underneath the anger is a caring and kind hearted man who’s immediately protective of Skylar.  The more time spent with him the more clear it is that he wears his heart on his sleeve through subtle words and deeds. These romantic moments were nicely balanced with combustible banter and scorching sexual tension between him and Skylar.  Though he could be a jerk at times, at his core Killian’s a loving hero whose POV I wish we’d gotten to see as his character called to me wholeheartedly.

This was a tale full of unrelenting angst that pulled at my heartstrings from the very first page to the last.  There was a sense of loss and sadness early on, visually enhanced by the dreary weather of Scotland, before reaching a crescendo where the heroine finally chose to accept her second chance.  Killian and Skylar are a combustible pairing, never letting the other get the upper hand at the start.  The more time they spent together though the more they found to bond over which helped both of them to heal.  Theirs was a hard-fought romance, one that traveled at a leisurely pace that allowed them to get to know each other fully.  Time allowed them to form a solid foundation, one they’d need when her past comes calling.  Surrounding this likable and complex main couple is a small cast of secondary characters who all had a hand in returning Skylar to the world of music.  The most notable of the bunch being Autumn who’s dealing with her own lost dreams after her dance career came to an end.  She’s sweet, kind, and is good at seeing past a person’s facade to who they really are underneath.  She’s a supportive and accepting character that I look forward to seeing more of in the next installment.  The glimpses we got of Skylar’s previous bandmates gave intriguing insight into her and have me longing to know more about them...particularly good guy, Brandon.  He seemed like the big brother type who had her back when things got rough.  Micah though was horrible.  His tough childhood didn’t lessen the fact that he was hurtful and manipulative, but despite that I still long to know more.  On a whole this is a captivating romance that takes readers on an emotional roller coaster ride that I look forward to experiencing again soon.

My rating for this is an A-

*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Samantha Young is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of adult contemporary romances, including the On Dublin Street series and Hero, as well as the New Adult duology Into the Deep and Out of the Shallows.  Every Little Thing, the second book in her new Hart’s Boardwalk series, will be published by Berkley in March 2017. Before turning to contemporary fiction, she wrote several young adult paranormal and fantasy series, including the amazon bestselling Tale of Lunarmorte trilogy. Samantha’s debut YA contemporary novel The Impossible Vastness of Us will be published by Harlequin TEEN in ebook & hardback June 2017.
Samantha has been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award 2012 for Best Author and Best Romance for On Dublin Street, Best Romance 2014 for Before Jamaica Lane, and Best Romance 2015 for Hero. On Dublin Street, a #1 bestseller in Germany, was the Bronze Award Winner in the Leser Preis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2013, Before Jamaica Lane the Gold Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2014 and Echoes of Scotland Street the Bronze Medal Winner for the LeserPreis German Readers Choice Awards for Best Romance 2015.

Samantha is currently published in 30 countries and is a #1 international bestselling author.

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Book Review for A Face in the Crowd by Christina Kirby

Alexis Hightower considers trust a four-letter word, and she has no intention of getting serious with anyone. After all, her day job as a nurse is plenty serious enough. On one of her nights off, she attends a concert for her favorite band and ends up on stage. She never expected to meet the legendary singer in person or that he would be the one to make her question her way of life. But how do you learn to trust again when the one you want is desired by thousands?

Oliver Honeycutt has it all, success, fame, admirers, but when his family is faced with the unthinkable, none of it matters. Stranded in Atlanta, he meets Alexis, who’s unlike any woman he’s known before. As his attraction grows, plans for the future change, which leaves someone desperate to keep them apart. But Oliver won’t be easily discouraged. To have a future with Alexis, he’ll do whatever it takes to make her see the man behind the image. 

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As a fan of rockstar romances I was immediately drawn to this story, expecting the usual depiction of vices and eroticism.  What I got instead was an emotionally intense story of life and death set amidst the bright lights and exhilaration of being onstage.  From the first page to the last readers are taken on a journey of highs and lows, melodrama and cheer-inducing moments, that kept me glued to the pages and ready for more once I reached The End.

Alexis Hightower’s a dedicated nurse, competent and caring to her patients.  In scenes that were vividly depicted, showing the hustle and bustle of nursing, readers will get caught up in Lexie’s emotions and dedication to caring for those dealing with serious illnesses.  It’s clear it’s one of the few things she’s devoted to courtesy of an emotionally rocky past.  After a childhood spent with a self-involved mother more concerned with finding a rich husband than caring for her child, Lexie developed a thick skin that permeates her relationships and colors her views on love and HEA.  An ex who cheated on her has also contributed to her doubts about HEA.  Besides work and time spent with her best friend Simone, the only other love in Lexie’s life is the rock band Survival of the Fittest.  When yet another amazing concert finds her being pulled up on stage by the band’s lead singer her life takes an unexpected turn that will have her questioning all her beliefs and finally willing to take a chance.  Lexie’s a likable heroine for the most part, willing to stick up for her patients and herself in a romance that moved pretty slowly.  While she’s confident in her nursing skills she has issues with her self-esteem that have her questioning the attraction Oliver constantly directs at her and which she can’t help but reciprocate.  With her past of feeling lacking though, and with a few secondary characters fueling her negativity, it leads to a frustrating and rocky road to HEA that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

Oliver Honeycutt seems to be living a charmed life with his band touring arenas, beloved by millions, and able to afford whatever he wants.  The night he brings a young woman on stage makes him feel even more on top of the world as he feels an undeniable connection to the mystery woman.  It all comes crashing down into meaninglessness though when his little brother, and bandmate, Bailey gets diagnosed with Leukemia.  From that moment on music takes a backseat to getting Bailey healthy in a vividly depicted journey full of heartbreak and uncertainty.  Discovering that his brother’s nurse is his mystery woman gives him a bit of joy though amidst fear over his brother and he turns on the charm to turn their casual connection into something more.  Issues with their manager, along with jealousies from one of Lexie’s co-workers, leads to unnecessary melodrama and roadblocks to a HEA he’s more than willing to fight for.  Oliver’s a charming hero who’s loving and supportive to his family and friends.  He’s far from the typical rockstar as he hasn’t let fame change him.  He enjoys the life, the traveling, but longs to find a woman of substance who sees him instead of his persona.  Lexie’s the woman who calms him from the very start and fits in perfectly with his family and bandmates but it’s a struggle to get her to see their similarities instead of the differences that have her scared to reach for HEA.  Time and again though Oliver proved himself to be a delicious hero.  He was sweet and caring and shows Lexie how much she means to him in many subtle ways as their sensual relationship slowly morphs into more.

This was an enjoyable read full of immensely appealing characters along with moments of melodrama balanced with the realities of dealing with a life-altering illness.  Lexie’s an admirable heroine held back by her past who has quite a struggle with overcoming her issues with self-esteem and believing in HEA.  It’s a struggle that sometimes frustrated me as she was quick to assume the worst and slow to accept the obvious love of Oliver.  Luckily she had her friend Simone as a supportive sounding board.  Simone was the more vocal of the two, the one to quickly stand up in defense of another and who’s starting a flirtation with another character which I hope to see more of.  When it comes to Oliver, he’s near-perfect as a book boyfriend as he’s charming and willing to wear his heart on his sleeve as he makes numerous grand gestures to show her how much he cares for her.  Their relationship was slow to start with a definite warmth, and numerous sweet interludes, that finally culminated in a richly rewarding encounter very late in the story that had me cheering.  Alongside this engaging main couple was a colorful cast of secondary characters that added heart and soul, as well as melodrama, to the story.  The other members of Survival of the Fittest often brought a smile to my face with their playful interactions and unwavering support.  Each member’s unique personality shown through throughout the story with Leo being the larger than life flirt of the band while Dave was the quiet and reliable one who seems to already have his HEA.  Bailey’s the final bandmember and the one to capture my attention the most.  His struggle with a life-threatening illness was realistically depicted and his reactions to it made me chuckle one moment and brought a tear to my eye the next.  He’s boyishly sweet and it’s clear he longs for what Oliver has with Lexie which has me hoping that more stories are coming for these other lovable and compelling bandmates.  When it came to Lexie’s mother and the band’s manager though, I was often left annoyed.  Their few scenes made me want to pull my hair out as they were predictable in their villainy and obvious in their manipulations and over the top reactions.  Their inclusion dimmed my overall enjoyment and took the story in a soap opera-ish direction that thankfully didn’t last long and that I quickly forgot once the deliciously charming Oliver came back on the scene.  On a whole I found this a satisfying read that I hope doesn’t end here as the other members of Survival of the Fittest deserve their own HEAs after fully tempting readers throughout this story.

My rating for this is a B+

*I got this book from Buoni Amici Press for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Release Blitz for In Tune out of Sync by Kate Forest (GIVEAWAY)

As a disabled person I’m drawn to stories with characters reminiscent of myself, which is why today is a day to celebrate.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of In Tune out of Sync by Kate Forest, with its romance set in the world of music and depicting the realities of having a disability, then add it to your bookshelf.  In honor of this engaging tale make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $15 Amazon GC too!

No one wants to play second fiddle in love.
Veronica “Ronnie” Lukas has one dream: playing violin with the New York Philharmonic. She’ll do whatever she can to hide her dyslexia and inability to read music, because nothing, not even sexy and talented Scott Grossman, will stand in her way.
Since he first tucked a violin under his chin, Scott’s tics caused by Tourette’s Syndrome quieted. His talent has thrust him into the harsh spotlight, becoming a reluctant poster child for living with Tourette’s.
When Scott wins first chair of a small regional orchestra, Ronnie begrudgingly accepts second. She wants to hate the humble man who is disarmingly open about his disability. Instead, she falls for his heavenly music—and toe-curling kisses. Scott is smitten with the brilliant woman who doesn’t treat him with kid gloves, although he wishes she didn’t hide her dyslexia from the world.
There’s only one spot open in the New York Philharmonic, but Scott and Ronnie find it’s not the competition but their differing views that come to a crescendo—secrets versus truth, spotlight versus shadows. Finding their rhythm is tough when they’re each marching to their own beat.

EXCERPT:

The haunting and beautiful music wafts to my ear, sending my daydreams to a wildflower meadow, warmed by a spring sun. And then my mind drifts to ways to murder the violinist playing. Because whoever is performing Bach’s Sonata Number 3 in C Major from behind the closed door plays the complicated piece better than I can.

And my audition is next.

I pull out the repertoire list sent by the Delaware Symphony Orchestra three weeks ago. The first round gave no options, and yesterday I played the Scherzo from Schumann’s Second perfectly, and wasn’t too surprised when they asked me to come back for round two today.

I scan the list as quickly as I can, running my finger from side to side to make sure I’m tracking the correct lines. Scrambling to choose a new piece from the options they provide is not how I wanted to prepare for this moment. No way am I going to follow that version with the same piece. Because even though I rule that sonata, the harmonics emanating from the room came straight from heaven.

Crap, it’s good.

I decide page one of Strauss’s Don Juan will do. I know it by heart. I have to know all the music by heart so the notes on the page don’t swim before my eyes and muddle my brain circuitry. Plus, it will showcase my ability to play first violin.

They’re looking for two musicians, and I’m aiming high. Like always.

“Your turn should be in just a few moments.” The personnel manager smiles in what is probably meant as a warm, friendly gesture. Except her lips are stretched across her teeth like she’s shooting down a roller coaster instead of sitting at a folding table. She holds out a check. “Here’s your deposit back, Veronica.”

“Thanks. Call me Ronnie.” I turn to take the money I sent in to reserve my spot in the audition. They keep all the money of the no-shows, the merely curious, and the too-chicken-to-try.

I open my bag to put the Bach and my best chance away. Pages of music spill out to the floor as the auditioning musician finishes the last few measures of the happy and deceptively simple-sounding music. I crouch and gather them together. The last thing I need anyone to see is my color-coded sheet music that keeps my dyslexic brain from skipping a line, or more often, repeating a line a dozen times before it occurs to me that that I might have played that bit before.

I’ve practiced Don Juan often enough and it will be a good bold contrast to the piece just played. It doesn’t matter if Marcia wasted my time. I’ve got this.

I need this spot. The Delaware Symphony Orchestra might not be the New York Philharmonic, but it will be a huge step toward that goal. I need more performance experience, and venues bigger than college campuses and community events. If I’m ever going to earn a living playing the violin, this is one of my best chances. One of my best chances to prove my parents wrong. Getting this spot would be a great accomplishment, but watching my parents’ faces as I prove that I didn’t need to finish my certificate in computer science to earn a living would be almost as good.

And the jerk who played Bach better than I could isn’t going to swipe this chance away. I’ll salvage this. Pressure only makes me perform better.

BUY LINKS:  AMAZON  |  BN  |  KOBO

AUTHOR INFO:

Author Kate Forest has worked in a psychiatric hospital, as a dating coach, and spent a disastrous summer selling above-ground swimming pools. But it was her over twenty-year career as a social worker that compelled her to write love stories with characters you don't typically get to read about. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, two kids, and a fierce corgi.

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