Wednesday, February 26

Review: Hard As You Can (Hard Ink #2) by Laura Kaye

Title: Hard As You Can
By: Laura Kaye
Series: Hard Ink #2
My Copy: Ebook from Publisher
BookWhisperer's Rating: 

Five dishonored soldiers.
Former Special Forces.
One last mission.
These are the men of Hard Ink.

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.

Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn't want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can—and never let go.


I thought I truly was in love with Nick from the first book of this series, I really did.  After reading Hard As You Can, I think I love Shane more.  His southern charm stole my heart in the first book but hearing his story made me fall for him even more.  His instant protectiveness of Crystal from the moment he met her made me melt. 

There is so much behind the character of Crystal that she became a multi-dimensional in her own little way.  Stuck working for Church and in a horrible relationship with Bruno, Crystal stays in this life for the protection for her sister.  (You gotta love a character that protects her younger sister.)  Once she meets Shane, she finds her life unraveling.

Again, this book was not all about the romance between Shane and Crystal; it was based around all the drama that started in book one.  There was so much action and drama in this second installment that this book grabbed my attention immediately.  Kaye is brilliant with the story plot that is continuing throughout this series.  I mean, she has set up some amazing characters that I have fallen in love with and can’t wait to continue this journey with them…and of course, get down to how they will destroy Church’s plot and reinstall the guy’s status in the military. 


The next book is about Easy…SIGN ME UP!

Tuesday, February 25

Release Day Launch: White Hot Kiss by Jennifer Armentrout

We are beyond excited to participate in the Release Day Launch for Jennifer L. Armentrout's WHITE HOT KISS! WHITE HOT KISS is a young adult paranormal romance being published by Harlequin Teen TODAY! This is the first full-length novel in The Dark Elements Series and one you'll want to grab as soon as you finish reading this post.  
White Hot Kiss

ABOUT WHITE HOT KISS:
 One kiss could be the last. Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world.  

EXCERPT:
 “I don’t think of Zayne that way!” She laughed. “What man-parts-loving female in this world doesn’t think of Zayne that way? I can barely keep myself breathing when I see him. All the guys in school have squishy waists. I can tell Zayne doesn’t. He’s the awesome sauce with extra sauce.” That he was and he so didn’t have a squishy waist, but I tuned Stacey out at that point. I really did need to cram for this test and I also didn’t want my fantasies involving Zayne to occupy my mind right now. Especially after I’d woken up this morning, carefully tucked under the covers. The bed had smelled like him: sandalwood and crisp linen. “Oh, sweet baby Jesus in a manger,” Stacey murmured. I clenched my jaw, cupping my hands over my ears. She jabbed me in the side with her elbow. At this rate I’d be covered in bruises before lunchtime. “Our bio class just got a billion times more interesting. And hotter, lots and lots hotter. Holy mother, I want to have his babies. Not now of course, but definitely later. But I’d like to start practicing soon.” The cell wall is a thick and rigid layer covering the plasma something, something plant cells… Stacey stiffened all of a sudden. “Oh my God, he’s coming—” Composed of fat and sugar— Something slender and shiny fell from who knew where, landing in the middle of Sam’s notes. Blinking tightly, it took me a couple of seconds to recognize the faded and half peeled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sticker covering the back of the silver cell phone. My heart slammed against my ribs. Gripping the edges of the notebook, I slowly lifted my gaze. Unnaturally beautiful golden eyes met mine. “You forgot this last night.”

Now that you have a taste for this fabulous new series, here are the details for the AMAZING international giveaway!!! Harlequin Teen is giving away a large Harlequin Teen Tote. Tote Includes: • Harlequin TEEN branded tote • The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa (trade) • Pawn by Aimee Carter (hard cover) • Crash Into You by Katie McGarry (hard cover) • Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter (hard cover) • 2 copies of White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout • 1 pair of black harlequin branded socks (they are so comfy!)
White hot Kiss Release Day banner
Author Photo

 About Jennifer L. Armentrout:
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.   She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.  

Links:   
 Series Website: http://www.thedarkelementsseries.com 
 Website: http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/ 
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlarmentrout 
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLArmentrout 
 Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4476934.Jennifer_L_Armentrout 
 WHITE HOT KISS Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17455585-white-hot-kiss?bf=500&from_search=true

Saturday, February 22

Review: The Deep End of the Sea by Heather Lyons

Title: The Deep End of the Sea
By: Heather Lyons
My Copy: Ebook from Publisher
BookWhisperer's Review:

What if all the legends you’ve learned were wrong?

Brutally attacked by one god and unfairly cursed by another she faithfully served, Medusa has spent the last two thousand years living out her punishment on an enchanted isle in the Aegean Sea. A far cry from the monster legends depict, she’s spent her time educating herself, gardening, and desperately trying to frighten away adventure seekers who occasionally end up, much to her dismay, as statues when they manage to catch her off guard. As time marches on without her, Medusa wishes for nothing more than to be given a second chance at a life stolen away at far too young an age.

But then comes a day when Hermes, one of the few friends she still has and the only deity she trusts, petitions the rest of the gods and goddesses to reverse the curse. Thus begins a journey toward healing and redemption, of reclaiming a life after tragedy, and of just how powerful friendship and love can be—because sometimes, you have to sink in the deep end of the sea before you can rise back up again.


It is no surprise that I love Mythology so when I was saw this book, I knew I needed it immediately.  There is always something so brilliant about taking a story that has been told for hundreds of years and putting a different spin on it, and that is exactly what Lyons has done.  This is not the Medusa that I grew up reading about; this is a completely different Medusa, a Medusa I would love to be friends with. In fact, none of the gods or goddesses are the same and it was so wonderful to read about a whole new world than the one I was used to reading.

I fell in love with the character Medusa.  The kindness, sorrow, longing, and gentle heart that she showed really made me want the best of life that one could ever have.  She is technically a monster, turning anyone she sees into stone, but that is not what she wants.  Medusa wants a normal life and the closest that she can get is by befriending a blind old man, a blind cat, and Hermes. 

Oh, Hermes, so wonderful throughout the entire book!  His want to reverse the curse that was placed on Medusa starts the war of the gods. This war was so fascinating and of course, as the reader, you take a side and you want justice to be served but knowing that these are gods, nothing will ever be completely fair.


Bottom line, if I were asked to describe this book in two words, I would pick ‘ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!’ I look forward to reading more of Lyons books in the future.

Blog Tour: Under My Skin Excerpt

Under My SkinTitle: Under My Skin (Skin Deep #2)
Author: J.M. Stone
Genre: Erotica
Release Date: December 2013

One little piercing. That’s all Allie wanted when she dragged her best friend into Skin Deep. She never imagined that it would result in a busted lip and an engagement ring for Emma, or that it would come with a double side of six-foot plus, tattooed, sexy-as-sin, H.O.T. maleness for her! Now she’s torn because Brandon and Jackson have both let it be known that they want her. And both are used to getting what they want. But what about what Allie wants?
Brandon is hot for Allie. So is Jackson. Neither of them are willing to step aside for the other and they’re tired of Allie running. So they hatch a plan…
Add in wedding bells, a dog named Doug, and you’ve got a recipe for a good time. Or a disaster.
*Recommended for readers 18+ due to HOT sexual encounters, adult situations, and language. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17860516-under-my-skin

Under My Skin_BT Banner
Author Bio:
J.M. Stone is a legal assistant by day, and a writer by night. She started writing at a young age, mostly poetry and song lyrics, some of which were published. She currently lives in Ohio where she's lived for
most of her life, and enjoys spending time with her other-half, their mouthy daughter, two spoiled and crazy dogs, and the rest of her abnormal family. (Don't worry, abnormal is good!) In her spare time, she loves to read, write, sing, and make people laugh, which usually happens at her own expense!
Author Media Links:
Facebook: Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/JM-Stone/622443461116902?ref=ts&fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorJMStone
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4560885.J_M_Stone
Email: jadelynna23@yahoo.com
Giveaway: 5 ebooks of each (Skin Deep & Under My Skin) and 2 sets of the series in paperback (paperbacks are US ONLY)
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, February 21

Sneak Peak: Unravel by Calia Read

Calia Read SneakPeek Unravel bannerjpg
Take a sneak peek into Calia Read's new book UNRAVEL, scheduled for release on Monday, February 17th. Are you ready to unravel the truth?
unravel

SynopsisSix months ago, I was happy. I was simply Naomi Carradine.
One month ago, I was admitted into a psych ward.
Yesterday, Lachlan visited me. Kissed me. And told me that I’m starting to lose my mind.
Hours later, Max haunted my thoughts, reminding me I’m not crazy and that he needs my help.
A few minutes ago, I drifted further from reality, trying to unravel the past.
And now...everyone thinks I’m insane. But, I know he's real, and I know he needs me.
Do you believe me?
Trailer

ExcerptHer office has been quiet the entire time I’ve been here. But a static noise reaches my ears. It’s loud and makes me shriek. It sounds like a radio not quite in tune. And then I hear a voice behind me.
“Naomi.” The hairs on my arm rise. “No one will believe you.” The voice becomes louder, powerful, darker. Paranoia makes me turn in my seat. Nothing is there, at least in the physical sense. But I feel something. The presence is so ominous it feels like it’s only a matter of seconds until the bowels of hell reach up and swallow me whole. I remember the girl I saw in the hallway. Her eyes flash through my mind. “How the hell am I still here?” I don’t want to get to that point. I know I’m close. Darkness is ready to pull me under. “Naomi? Are you okay?” I look up at Dr. Rutledge, but I hear Lachlan’s voice. “The Naomi I know would have never just given up so quickly. She would have fought to stay in the present.” And then Max’s. “If you love me then don’t give up.” Their words mesh together. Their voices become one. And it becomes a small piece of hope for me. I give her a blunt nod. My body is shaking. “I’ll tell you.” She sits there calmly, waiting for me to tell my story. But before I say a word, I hold her gaze. Pay attention, I say with my eyes. Listen closely. Hang onto every word. But most of all, please believe me. AboutTheAuthorcalia read   Calia Read lives in Germany with her husband and their four kids. She's currently working on the third book in the Sloan Brothers Series, Ruin You Completely.

Thursday, February 20

Blog Tour Review: Ravage me

RavageMe_TourBanner Synopsis
After spending the last two years stuck behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit, Harlow ‘Princess’ Gavelson’s time inside has finally come to an end, and she’s ready for revenge. Unfortunately, being the daughter to the Vice President of the Ravage Motorcycle Club cuts into her plans, as orders must be followed. Trying to settle back into this life is proving difficult when the tables are turned and the woman who framed her is out for blood. Lucky for Princess, growing up in a MC has taught her how to hold her own.
After spending years in hell overseas, Donavon ‘Cruz’ came home to lose the very thing he went into hell for, sending him to the darkest moments of his life. Joining Ravage two years ago was his safe haven, and he protects his family at all costs.
When a dark-haired bombshell struts into the club’s shop, he’s caught off guard but immediately knows she’s the one he’d do anything for. Tough as nails, and taking no crap from anyone, he’s captivated by a woman who could handle this life. Trying to meet the needs of the MC business and follow his heart proves to be difficult when the two collide, and lives are at stake.
Can these two find a way to be together, or will the needs of Ravage cost them everything, including their lives?
*Contains mature content including, sex and violence. Mature audiences only.*
Buy Now
Ravage Me Ebook
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Teaser
Ravage Me Blog Tour TeaserExcerpt
“Sugar, you just stirred up a shit storm.” The southern drawl to his voice mixed with the smell of leather, cigarettes, and radiating testosterone would have made my pussy clench, but he ruined that by pressing a damn gun to my head.
“Low, don’t.” I ignored Casey just as I always did. Quickly, I turned my body. As my arm reached back to knock the gun out of his hand, I instantly froze. The three patch rag falling on his chest was a red light flashing in my eyes. Immediately, I stopped, putting my hands in front of me. I would never touch a brother, outside of the ring that is.
The man standing in front of me caught my breath and short-circuited my senses. His broad shoulders were covered with a skin-tight, black t-shirt and leather rag adorned with several patches that fit him like a glove. His bulging arms were covered in tattoos from the wrist up. They were flexed, one pointed the gun with precision, and the other was fisted at his side. His light caramel hair was cut short on the sides, but longer on the top, begging for a woman’s fingers to run through it. His beard was cut very short to his skin making my mouth water, wondering what it would feel like between my thighs. His sapphire eyes narrowed at me as I stared effortlessly in them, becoming entranced unable to speak.
“What the fuck is going on here?” Breaking from this man’s stare, I focused on the familiar voice I’ve missed for too long. Pops eyes swept the room quickly, and when his eyes landed on mine, the anger in them instantly faded. “What the hell’s going on?” He eyed the man with the gun pointed directly at my head and he clenched his hands into fists.
“Hey, Pops,” I said, turning my eyes back to the beautiful specimen in front of me, wanting him to know that I wasn’t afraid. If I needed a bullet in my head, so be it. I wouldn’t shy away.
“You know this bitch?” the hot asshole in front of me clipped, and my lip curled slowly. If he wasn’t wearing that rag, I’d show him how much of a bitch I could be.
“Put the damn gun down, Cruz,” Pops said jokingly. The anger dripping off this man’s face in front of me told me he didn’t see anything funny about this. He began to take a step closer. “Cruz. Stop!” Pops barked loudly as the other guys started walking up behind him. Cruz instantly stopped, but kept the gun on me. “Cruz, this is my daughter, Princess.”
“Shit. Are you fucking kidding me?” Cruz’s anger was actually pretty funny, and I had to stifle the small laugh that wanted to escape. I had too much respect to let it fly. But the shocked look on his face was pretty priceless coming from a tattooed hot-ass. I probably should have told him that sooner, but what can I say … I was born a bitch.
“No, I’m not fucking kidding you. Get the fuck away from her, and put the goddamn gun down.” Moving my head to Pops, I could see he was fuming. Whenever Pops was mad, his forehead turned bright red, and the lines throughout it became more prominent along with the vein that ticked with this heartbeat. It’s a look I always hated growing up, and it used to scare the ever-loving shit out of me.
My eyes flicked back while Cruz took one more look at me. “If you’re still pissed later, we can meet in the ring.” I smiled my damnedest. I could see the smoke threatening to come out of his ears. Confusion laced his eyes, but I wasn’t about to explain right now. I held out my hand to Cruz, “Nice to meet ya. I’m Harlow.” He stared me down as if he was hoping he could make me combust into a million pieces. Sorry Buddy, your super powers won’t work. I’ve been here too long to let that get me.
He tentatively lowered the gun, putting it behind his back, bringing his hand to mine. My hand slipped into his warm, rough, strong grip, a shock raced through my body, beginning at my connected hand and racing all the way through to my feet setting my body on fire. “Cruz.”
MeetTheAuthor
Ryan Michele’s a mom and wife who works full time. She lives in the Midwest and enjoys being outside when the weather’s nice. She even helps out in the corn field when it’s necessary.
Ryan Michele has a huge obsession with reading, which only came to life after her best friend said she had to read Twilight. After reading that series, her entire world changed in the blink of an eye. Not only was she sucked into new worlds and all of the wonderful words authors put down on paper, she felt the urge to begin to write down the characters that played inside of her head. In doing so, Safe was born. Then Wanting You and currently Ravage Me.
Giveaway
Ravage Me Paperback
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S.O.A. fans this is your book. Ravage Me was the most comparable novel to the series that I have come across. Honestly, I must admit that I love Harlow far more than any female lead in the SOA series. She is so powerful and independent. I don't know if I have come across a more bad ass female lead than this character. And yes, I absolutely loved her. Besides her character, this book has an incredibly large cast list. Each and every single one of them have their own detailed and carefully constructed personalities. They along make this series entertaining, and also builds personalities that promise more to come.This carefully constructed world was full of action and intensity. Everything that transpired here leaves me with anticipation for the a whirlwind of a series. The trials and tribulations of the Ravage Motorcycle Club are only beginning. I can not wait to see what will be next, and with the epilogue I can guarantee it will continue to rock my world. 

Tuesday, February 18

Review: Worth the Chance (MMA Fighter #2) by Vi Keeland

Title: Worth the Chance
By: Vi Keeland
Series: MMA Fighter #2
My Copy: Ebook from Publisher
BookWhisperer's Rating: 

Meet Liv Michaels
It may have been seven years, but I’d know him anywhere. Sure, he’s grown, filled out in all the right places, but his captivating blue eyes and cocky grin are exactly the way I remember. Even though I’d much rather forget.

Liv Michaels is almost there. She’s smart, determined and weeks away from landing the job she’s dreamed about for years. Time healed old wounds, even her broken heart from the devastation of being crushed by her first love.

Meet Vince Stone
Women love a fighter, especially a good one. Lucky for me, I’m damn good. But there’s one woman that isn’t interested. Not again, anyway.

Vince ‘The Invincible’ Stone is every woman’s fantasy…strong, sexy, confident and completely in control. Growing up surrounded by chaos, he’s learned never to get too attached. Love will drag you down. He adores women, treats them well, puts their own needs before his own…for the night anyway. With the biggest fight of his life coming up, his focus should be on training.

When fate brings Vince & Liv back together again, there’s no denying the chemistry is still there. But can Vince erase the old scars their past left behind? Or will Liv hurt him instead?


I will say that this book was so much more than I expected it to be and that made me pleased beyond measures.  These characters were more complex than just a fighter and a writer who knew each other from the past.  Vinny’s past was rough in all scenes except those that involved his young tutor Liv and, actually, his present Liv.  He is definitely a “wrong side of the tracks” kind of guy and once he realizes that Liv is enamored by him, he pulls away feeling as if Liv is too good for him to be with.  Fast-forward seven years, Liv receives a writing assignment to get the juicy details on a fighter, not knowing that this fighter is Vinny, the wrong side of the tracks boy. 


But this story isn’t about them finding each other again and rekindling what they had in the past.  It’s so much more than that.  There are some true obstacles that each character has to over come and I enjoyed reading how both characters worked through them.  Plus, Vinny was just hot to read about.