Friday, August 30

Feature Post: Playing Chase (Against the Wall #4) by Julie Prestsater



An Against The Wall novella ... 

There are many words that have been used to describe Chase Marino: cheater, backstabber, dirt bag, heart breaker. He earned those titles cheating on his high school love Shelly and his co-worker Summer. He broke both their hearts and knows it’s his lot in life to make it up to them somehow. But while the ladies intend to make his life miserable, Chase is pretty good at doing it to himself. With his dad around treating him like a frat brother rather than a son, it’s easy for Chase to beat himself up over the shameful mistakes he made in the past.

That is until Tiffany Gutierrez, the new student teacher arrives. Feeling an immediate attraction to the young beauty Chase does everything in his power to fight it and do the right thing for once. But when Tiffany shows the attraction is mutual all bets are off. Chase soon realizes that while he’s teaching Tiffany how to be a good teacher, he’s learning a thing or two from her as well. Maybe it’s time to move on and let go of the past and realize that he may just deserve a real shot at love.

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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/playing-chase-julie-prestsater/1116742215?ean=2940148579717"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-21811" title="bnbbb" src="http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/bnbbb.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="58" /></a></p>

About Julie:
Julie is a high school teacher by day, and a writer by night. She writes both young adult and adult romances. When she's not writing, she can be found out and about with her family, reading, and watching football. As a reading intervention teacher, she prides herself on matching her students with great books to encourage them to become life-long readers.   Visit Julie at her website http://juliepbooks.com/   Follow Julie on Twitter @juliepbooks 

Prize Information:
Tour Grand  Prizes: 
1 Winner: $25 gift card for Amazon
5 Winners: 1 ecopy of any of my backlist books
5 Winners: Swag


http://www.authorsangels.com/2013/08/16/blog-tour-playing-chase-by-julie-prestsater/

Monday, August 26

Release Day: Relinquishing Liberty


Relinquishing Liberty
By: Maureen Mayer

Release: August 26th, 2013

On the outside, Liberty Davis appeared to have it all…a loving family, a tight knit circle of friends, and a bright future ahead of her. Everything was perfect. That is until her brother tragically took his own life, turning her whole world upside down. 

Left to pick up the pieces of her broken family, Liberty is faced with focusing all of her attention on helping her parents cope with the loss of their son, while putting her own life on the back burner. But what no one seems to realize is that she is just as broken inside.

Now, four years later, twenty year old Liberty is taking back the reins of her life. She leaves behind everything she’s ever known, hoping to make a fresh start…one where she isn’t faced with the constant reminder that her brother is nothing more than faded memory. What she didn’t expect to find along the way was Shayne.

Tall, dark and tattooed, Shayne Thompson has developed quite a reputation for being a player. Despite everyone’s negative perception, Liberty still finds herself drawn to him. When she learns that Shayne knows all too well what it feels like to lose someone you love, she finds that they have a lot more in common than just a physical attraction.

When Liberty discovers a secret from Shayne’s past that threatens to tear them apart, she begins to question everything she’s ever felt for him. Will Liberty choose to follow her heart or will she give up the one person who finally made her feel whole again?

**This story contains language and sexual scenes, some of which may be unsuitable for younger readers.**


About this author

Maureen Mayer was born, raised and currently resides in Buffalo, NY with her loving and supportive family and boyfriend of 8+ years. She’s always had a love for the outdoors, and when the city isn’t buried under snow, she can be found hiking, fishing, camping or lying on the beach. She’s a sucker for off-color humor, but holds a sweet spot for sick and twisted horror films.

Thanks to authors like J. K. Rawling, Stephanie Meyer and E. L. James, Maureen has rediscovered her love for reading. When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in bed with her kindle, diving into a steamy romance novel. She is currently working on her first new adult novel and hopes to self-publish it late this summer. (Description from Goodreads)

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Review: Something Great by M. Clarke

Title: Something Great
By: M. Clarke
My Copy: Ebook from Author
Book Whisperer's Rating: 


She didn’t know what she was missing…until he found her.

Maxwell Knight was positively trouble, dangerously good-looking, and seductively charming. He was everything Jeanella didn’t need in her life. Only Maxwell didn’t see it that way. His pursuit was relentless, making her even more determined to push him away.

Fresh out of college, life was simple and plain for Jeanella Mefferd. Every part of her life was smooth sailing; her friends, her job, and even the guy she’d started dating. Then one night, while at dinner, she spotted someone who made her feel things she’d never felt before—dangerous, heart pounding and breathless heat. Thinking she would never see him again, she brushed it off, but when she started to run into him unexpectedly, all she could think of was how he made her feel with his sweet flirtations. Everything about Maxwell Knight screamed trouble, especially when she found out he was her new boss’s son. Now, heading to a New York fashion show, would she be able to focus on her career instead of Maxwell, who had been scheduled to attend with her? As much as she tried to forget their encounters, his good looks, smooth words and determination to win her over gravitated her toward him. The next thing she knew, her mind was utterly consumed by him. Would she be willing to ignore all the dangerous signs and jump into his arms? Or would she miss out on the chance of finding something great?


I so badly wanted to like this book a lot but I just didn’t get sucked into as I hoped I would.  It was hard for me to connect with the characters and to see the connection between Jenna and Max.  Max sees Jenna one day and just instantly falls for her.  She has done nothing at all to make him fall in love with her besides just existing and I couldn’t quite grasp that reasoning of head over heels in love.  Unless it was the fact that all she did was constantly giggle, trip, and make a fool out of herself. 

Jenna and Max were very childish in ways that I didn’t get.  She is allergic to alcohol but while on a business trip she gets jealous and starts to drink, only to end up turning bright red.  Instead of taking Jenna to receive medical attention, Max takes her to the men’s restroom and sits her on the floor where they start flirting with each other…she is having an allergic reaction, DON’T FLIRT, SEEK HELP!

Anyways, this book wasn’t for me but I am sure others will really enjoy it.  

Saturday, August 24

Review: Rock Chick Revolution (Rock Chick #8) by Kristen Ashley

Title: Rock Chick Revolution
By: Kristen Ashley
Series: Rock Chick #8
My Copy: Amazon.com
Book Whisperer's Rating: 


Ally Nightingale has secrets. Secrets she doesn't even share with the Rock Chicks. But two men know what she's up to. One has her back. The other has her heart, but he doesn't know it.

As Ally rewinds the last year of her life, she knows two things. One, she’s never going to get what every Rock Chick should have—her own Hot Bunch guy. And two, she’s a Nightingale through and through. She just isn’t sure what to do about that.

But as her secrets are revealed, the men in her life react. Darius Tucker, a lifelong friend, as usual takes her back. Ren Zano, the man she loves, isn’t quite so sure. The Rock Chicks, Hot Bunch and the entire gang at Fortnum’s weigh in, and a Rock Chick Revolution starts brewing.

It’s up to Ally to control it and prove what she knows down to her bones.

She’s a Rock Chick, she deserves her hot guy and she’s going to keep the one she wants…

Because she’s a Nightingale.


I remembered when the last Harry Potter book came out.  I had ordered it online and it was mailed to me bright and early on a Saturday morning.  I sat in my chair ALL DAY LONG reading it.  I hardly ever got up.  When the last chapter came, I stopped because I realized that I didn’t want this fabulous journey to end.  Knowing that if I read the last chapter that it would end and it broke my heart.  I knew that there would never be another HP book; it was done.

That is exactly how I felt about the last Rock Chick book.  It was wonderful for KA to save Ally’s story until the very last.  We started this series with a Rock Chick lifer (Indy) and we closed the series with a Rock Chick lifer (Ally.)  The morning that it was released, I got up early, purchased it, and couldn’t upload it to my Kindle.  Jackie will be able to tell you of the small meltdown that I had because when a KA book comes out, the world stops so that I can read it and experience it in its fullness.  AND I COULDN’T LOAD IT TO MY KINDLE…oh, it was horrible (this is how obsessed I am with this series that I freak out when I can’t get it.)  Finally, I was able to download it and it was brilliant.

KA is every great adjective that I can ever think of.  She sucks me right in and just simply blows my mind.  Every Rock Chick book has been fantastic and Rock Chick Revolution was no exception.  Ally was an amazing badass character and falls for Ren who is absolutely the same.  I loved the dynamic connection between Ally and Ren, Ally and Darius, Ally and Indy, Ally and her brothers. 

Normally, I am not a re-reader of books.  I have read it once, why read it again?  However, I will read this series again.  I know it because they are all awesome.  Way to go KA!
Also, to help ease my depression to an ending of one of my favorite series…KA is writing a series that follows Mace and Stella to LA and their (hopefully) badass men and women!  SQUEAL! 

Blog Tour Review: Smash Into You by Shelly Crane


Title: Smash Into You
By: Shelly Crane
My Copy: Ebook for Review Tour
BookWhisperer Rating:


Jude has spent the whole twenty one years of his life running. From what, he wasn't quite sure. His mother tried to keep him safe; a low profile, a constant move on the horizon, a week's pay always stashed away. She tried to instill in him that he was special somehow, though would never elaborate. He never felt different. He was so completely normal and vanilla that he wondered if it had all been in her head. But then she was murdered and all he saw was a running silhouette of a man as his mother said three final words to him. Three words that changed his whole being. 

Never stop running…

Now he's semi-settled into a big town. The college is huge and easy to blend into. It's been three months since he had to move because 'Biloxi', as he calls the man who killed his mother, found him once more. 

Then Marley, an eighteen year old girl who is as infuriating as she is blissfully ignorant of her gorgeousness, smashes into his car with hers. Then smashes into his life as he realizes that whatever it is he has that Biloxi wants, she has it, too. And now, they're after them both.

 


Shelley Crane is a well known to The BookWhisperer for her Significance series. 
This was quite a different path from what I have learned to expect. It was quickly noticed that this book seemed quite a bit more mature of a read, but it was creative and enticing from page one. Unfortunately, to accurate rate this story I must touch on all aspects and I found some disturbing moments in this journey. To jump right in and get them out of the way my first and largest complaint about this story was with Jude. This young man has been on the run from the time he was ten years old; now I know this was to add to the suspense of the story and an interesting idea, but we are striving for a realistic storyline this was far from it. What ten year old could run away, and find ways to survive. No one is going to hire them, and it would be utterly impossible for them to find ways to feed himself no matter how smart he is. In the same token, Marley is living in her car while attending school. I understand that it was pointed out that she gives a fake address, but with all the hoops we jump through everyday how is that even possible. I don't see this as being another realistic situation. So, other than a few moments of far fetched thinking it was easy to absorb into this story, and ride the thrill of their suspense. I loved the creative storyline, and noticed the lack of tight conclusion that has left me with the anticipation of more to come. Smash Into You is not a mind binder, but is easily enjoyable and captivating without the exhaustion of a deep and tedious story.
 
About the Author
Shelly is a NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling YA author from a small town in Georgia and loves everything about the south. She is wife to a fantastical husband and stay at home mom to two boisterous and mischievous boys who keep her on her toes. She loves paperbacks, coffee, and candy corn, and to spend time with her family and friends, go out to eat at new restaurants and site see in the new areas they travel to, listen to music and also LOVES to read.
Her own books happen by accident and she revels in the writing and imagination process. She doesn't go anywhere without her notepad for fear of an idea creeping up and not being able to write it down immediately, even in the middle of the night, where her best ideas are born.
LINKS:
 
Exclusive Excerpt:
I showed up to work with exactly thirty-seven seconds to spare. I blamed gorgeous-crash-into-me-girl. I swore my truck was acting funny and I had no cash to fix it.
                I nodded to Pepe, the owner, and winked at Mesha, the wife of the owner. She giggled behind her hand, and so our day began just like every other day. Pepe owned a feed store and the guy had muscles the size of tangerines. So, that was my job description. In fact, on occasion, he even called me that instead of-
                "Hey, we need muscle up here!"
                I shook my head. "Yep!"
                I trotted up front to help the dude in duds load thirteen bags of chicken feed. It wasn't a glamorous job by any means, and the pay was caca, but it kept me fit and busy. That was what I needed. If I had to up and leave, I wouldn't be leaving the guy in a jam because guys like me were a dime a dozen.
                The day wore on and at punch-out time, I felt a familiar hand reach across my back. Slither was more like it. "Hey, Jude."
                "Mesha," I mumbled back without turning and rolled my annoyed eyes. Were all women the same? They never wanted me for anything but a good time and then see ya later. Which was great for my life, but dang did it get old. Especially since the tune never changed.
                "Pepe's playing cards tonight." The insinuation hissed from her lips in what I'm sure she thought was a sexy whisper. It made my skin crawl.
                "That's great for him." I grabbed my metal lunchbox and turned the other way, the long way around the back, but it was worth it to evade her.
                "That's it?" she practically yelled. "I thought you'd jump on it?"
                I stopped. Dang. She just caught me on a wrong day. I turned. "Why? Because of what you've got between your legs? Honey, there's a hundred girls on speed dial. Sorry. I'm a busy guy."
                And wait for it..."You're such an ass, Jude! I was just testing you anyway!"
                I waved above my head and kept going. Women. Typical.
                I threw my lunchbox through the open truck window and prayed the truck would start as I climbed in. She sputtered, but held out, I'll give her that. I tapped and rubbed the dash. "Come on, girl. Come on."
                She cranked and I drove straight to the auto parts place. I popped the hood and waved away the heated smoke. I sighed and closed my eyes. Mother...this was going to cost a paycheck to fix, which I didn't have to spare. I went inside and priced a radiator. I almost punched the man in his teeth when he told me the price. "Are they made with titanium now and I'm just out of the loop?"
                "Economy's bad for everyone, son."
                I held the counter with both hands and hung my head. "Well...dang."
                "Look, uh, I might need a little help here tomorrow. If you come help me for the day, I'll take half off the radiator, all right?"
                I looked up, unable to stop the incredulous look. People didn't do good deeds for nothing. It just wasn't the world we lived in any longer. But I looked up into the older man's eyes and saw that he was serious. There was a story there. A son, maybe, a nephew, he was trying to make up for. I didn't want to know. I didn't want to get attached.
                "You serious?"
                "Dead," he countered.
                I spoke slowly, "OK. I can be here at around two when I get off from my job. That all right?"
                "Yep. I need some help stocking the shelves, so that's perfect. I'll work you a full eight hours," he warned.
                "It's worth it." I swallowed and hesitated. "Thank you."
                "Sure thing, son."
                I nodded and turned to head back to my busted truck, not real sure what to think. But for now, I'd take it.
 
Don't miss out on the giveaway for your chance to end up with a copy of Smash Into You!