Review and Giveaway: KALEIDOSCOPE by Kevin Berry (Stim #2)

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Once I finished STIM (review here), I knew book two was in my future!

KaleidoscopeTourBannerKaleidoscope
by Kevin Berry
(Stim #2)
Publication date: January 3rd 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:

The sequel to STIM…an Aspie new adult contemporary novel set in an earthquake zone.Chloe is different. She has Asperger’s Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder and probably a few other inconvenient conditions as well. She’s a quirky, resourceful and clever psychology student, but her world is literally about to be shaken apart. A devastating earthquake sparks a chain of events that spiral her life out of control. She’s off her meds. Her oddly-named cat is missing. She doesn’t know what she wants out of life any more. Misfortune and uncertainty don’t mix well with bundles of energy and Chloe’s tendency to ignore consequences. It’s as if mayhem and trouble are her constant companions.Will Chloe be able to cope with the earth-shaking events that rock her world?

Review:
Kaleidoscope begins just before Chloe and Robert’s new semester at school, as Chloe is returning from an unsatisfactory summer visit with her father. She’s looking forward to getting back to her usual setting and routines…little does she realize as the novel starts out that life will soon be anything but routine–troubling for anyone, but particularly problematic for Chloe.

Chloe has Asperger’s Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder (which she doubts, because she “can concentrate on most things for as much as several minutes at a time”), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and dyscalculia, as well as other disorders she doesn’t list for us. In short, she’s on a lot of meds, and maintaining a specific order for just about everything in her life is very important to her.

Unfortunately, her world is thrown almost right away when she finds out that her roommates Stef (also her cousin) and Robert (also an Aspie, and Chloe’s boyfriend) have moved to a new house in her absence–events at the end of book one (Stim, Robert’s book) have led to making the move necessary–but no one told Chloe until she got off the plane. Now Chloe can’t walk to university anymore, and she has to figure out where to put all of her things (she has certain clothes for each day of the week, and each day must have its own drawer–but her new dresser has only six drawers–a problem), and Robert’s already started reshelving her books for her, which means she’ll probably have to rearrange them as soon as he’s done…

I felt hesitant about letting anyone, even Robert, sort through my books one by one. They’re too personal. Seeing and touching all of someone’s books is a bit like fondling their underwear.

(A disturbingly apt simile…it was too good not to use it!)

And that’s all before the earthquake hits.

It happens in the middle of a school and work day, just as Chloe was sitting down to get started on her course reading for the new school year.

I sat and pulled out a photocopy of “Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognising One’s Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments” (Kruger & Dunning, 1999) an article I was supposed to read for Psychology. This actually sounded intriguing. I’d always wondered why losers and idiots think they’re talented at everything.

(Chloe doesn’t see the point in prevarication, as you discover about one-point-two seconds into the novel.)

Next thing she knows, her dresser being one drawer short is no longer such a big issue–she’s lost all of her clothes. And her cat. And her cousin–Stef’s older sister is MIA. It takes her a few more days to realize she doesn’t have her meds, either.

But by then she’s discovered coffee, and an energy she never had before. Why fix what’s not broken? Clearly the drugs were only holding her back…

Some of my favorite bits were when she talked about becoming a bestselling novelist, one of her new post-meds life goals:

“What makes you think you can write a bestseller?” demanded Stef. “Apart from your university essays, you’ve never written anything longer than a shopping list.”
“I’m going to buy heaps of books about writing bestsellers. I’ll read them, and then I’ll just do it. Obviously.”

Because that’s totally how it works, right? ;)

Dealing with a devastating act of nature would be hard enough for anyone, but for someone like Chloe who’s also suddenly taken off meds? Recipe for disaster. Watching her nearly lose everything and then try to wrest her life back is quite a journey–with many funny and moving moments along the way. Kaleidoscope is definitely a worthy sequel to Stim.

(Kaleidoscope could probably work as a standalone if needed, but getting the full picture of these two characters’ lives from both sides–Stim is from Robert’s point of view–will definitely enhance the reading experience.)

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Kaleidoscope
Purchase:
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AUTHOR BIO:Kevin
Kevin Berry is an indie author. His particular niche is writing Aspie New Adult contemporary novels set in an earthquake zone. The first of these is STIM, published in October 2013.His first novels, co-written with Diane Berry, are Dragons Away!, Growing Disenchantments and Fountain of Forever (humorous fantasy). These are available as paperbacks and ebooks at Amazon and elsewhere.Author Links:
Website: http://www.kevinberrybooks.com/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kevinberryxxx
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1104822.Kevin_Berry

 

 

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Cover Reveal: DARE TO SUBMIT by Carly Phillips (Dare series #3–and #1 and #2 get brand new covers too!)

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 The third Dare book is due out next month–and the first two are getting brand new covers! It’s a perfect time to get started on an awesome series :)

CarlyPhillips_DareToSubmit_HR

 

Dare to Submit

Release: Sept 8

Synopsis:

Decklan Dare knows about the unexpected loss of loved ones and for this reason, he values control in all areas of his life. Amanda Collins enjoys the freedom she finds in casual encounters without the emotional connection a relationship brings. They meet and their physical attraction is mutual but both experience feelings that could run deeper – if they drop their guard and let each other in. Decklan is first to trust, but when he discovers the secret Amanda’s been hiding, will he forgive? Or will he rebuild every wall before she has a chance to explain?

Preorder: iTunes (will be $2.99 for preorder, and will go up after release)

 

daretolove

Dare To Love

When it comes to family, Ian Dare gives his all but in relationships he offers the bare minimum. Until one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts. He will do anything to possess her … and does. But any future with Riley must include him dealing his half-brother who is a constant reminder of the pain he’d rather forget.
Riley Taylor believes herself immune to domineering men – until charismatic Ian Dare turns a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses and she discovers she likes his brand of control in the bedroom. As their affair heats up, they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither imagined. But Riley’s past is closer than she cares to remember, and her struggles with Ian’s dominance might just cost her everything.

 (I reviewed this one here–loved it!)

AMAZON

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iTunes

 

daretodesire

Dare To Desire

 

Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all — an all-star football career and his choice of willing women — until a severe injury forces him into early retirement. Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows what it means to have-not. She isn’t impressed by Alex Dare’s wealth or charm. Not since she fell hard for him once before, only to discover she was just one of his too-easy conquests.
This time around Madison refuses to succumb to Alex so easily. But Alex wants Madison. And if there is one thing Alex does well, it’s to get what he wants. Can he convince Madison to take a risk and dare to love?

 

Amazon

B&N

iTunes

 

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly is making the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Her Serendipity books will still finish up in January/February 2014 via Berkley as planned. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.

Links:

Website: http://www.carlyphillips.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlyPhillipsFanPage

Twitter: https://twitter.com/carlyphillips

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10000.Carly_Phillips

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carly-Phillips/e/B001I9W0MS

New Release Spotlight: BURNING LOVE by Cassandra Carr (Calendar Men: Mr. August)

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 This is my kind of calendar! ;)

Burning Love Banner

BURNING LOVE

CASSANDRA CARR

Blurb: Jude Fisher thinks his life is over. He’s been injured on the job as a firefighter and not recovering as well as he’d like. His friend cajoles him into doing a calendar shoot for a friend and Jude actually enjoys himself, even more so after literally running into a beautiful woman on his way out.

Michaela owns a restaurant and works long hours to make it successful. The attraction between Jude and Michaela is instant, but their schedules are hell and they struggle to find time to connect. Then business at the restaurant skyrockets and Jude faces an uncertain future. As they battle for their livelihoods, both wonder if they’ll ever be free to pursue a real relationship or if they should just cut their losses.

 

Excerpt:

They walked to his truck and shared an easy silence on the way home. Michaela couldn’t remember a time she’d been more at ease with someone she didn’t know well.

At her door, he pulled her to him. “Thanks for coming out with me. This was the most fun I’ve had in weeks. I’ll call you, and we’ll do it again soon.”

“I had a great time, too.”

“I’m glad.”

Jude lowered his head and kissed her, capturing her chin in his large palm and turning her mouth to more fully meet his. His other arm remained around her waist, tightening and bringing their bodies fully flush from chest to hip. He ran his tongue along her lips, and she opened to him with a moan. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew they were taking things really fast, but try as she might, she couldn’t think of a good reason to slow down. Their tongues tangled in an intimate dance before he retreated to his own mouth and she chased him, moaning again when he briefly sucked on her tongue.

His hand moved lower on her back, cupping her ample ass and pushing his groin into hers, making his erection obvious. They battled for control of the kiss, but Jude eventually won out, pushing the hand that had cupped her chin around to the back of her head to tilt her to his liking. Finally they broke apart, both breathing hard.

Jude gasped for air. “Holy hell.”

“Uh-huh.”

“We need to stop, or I’m gonna start begging to take you right here.”

“Okay.” At Jude’s expression of surprise, she realized what she’d said and had to resist the urge to roll her eyes at herself. “I meant, yes, we should stop.” Very witty commentary. “So you’re going to call me?”

Jude held up the phone containing her number. “Count on it.” He waited for her to open her door before backing away.

“See you soon, I hope.”

Famous last words.

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Buy Links:

Amazon

All Romance

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Author bio

Cassandra Carr is a multi-award winning erotic romance writer with Ellora’s Cave, Sybarite Seductions/Twenty or Less Press, Decadent Publishing, Siren Publishing, and Loose Id. She lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out online. Cassandra is the co-founder of two successful group blogs, Romancing the Jock and Dirty Birdies, and participates in several others as a contributor. Currently Cassandra also serves as president of Western New York Romance Writers.

For more information about Cassandra, check out her website, “like” her Facebook fan page or follow her on Twitter.

 

Links:

Website: http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cassandra_carr
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/booksbycasscarr/

 

Cover Reveal! BEAUTIFUL ILLUSIONS by Addison Moore (Beautiful Oblivion #2)

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BEAUTIFUL ILLUSIONS will be released later this summer/fall. 

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000032_00034]
BOOK BLURB: 
Beautiful Illusions  (Beautiful Oblivion #2) Can be read as a stand alone. (New Adult Romance)
 
Sometimes the past comes back to haunt you—in the most heartbreakingly beautiful way.
Gavin’s story.
I fell in love hard and fast as lightning. As quick as she came into my world she was gone. Demi said she has secrets—that she’s done horrible things. Who hasn’t? I’m not going to let the past determine our future. Sometimes love lays forever at your feet and sometimes you need to fight for it. Demi is worth every damn battle we’ll have to go through. I’d burn down the world just to keep her safe. And, after what I’ve discovered, I just might have to. All I need with Demi is one more night to convince her we’re worth it. And that one night is going to cost me everything.
About the author:
Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Her work has been featured inCosmopolitan Magazine. For nearly a decade, she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children, and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she’s not writing, she’s reading.

AUTHOR LINKS: 

Book Blitz and Giveaway: PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND THE PERFECT BET by Marilyn Brant (Perfect #2)

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I am such a sucker for Jane Austen remakes! :)

PerfectBetBlitzBanner

Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet
by Marilyn Brant
(Perfect #2)
Publication date: July 20th 2014
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance
Synopsis:
 

The course of true love doesn’t always run smooth…

Everyone thought Beth Ann Bennet and Dr. Will Darcy had an unexpected romance in Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match (Perfect #1).

Now, Beth’s best friend, Jane Henderson, and Will’s first cousin, Bingley McNamara, begin their own unlikely love story in Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet (Perfect #2), which starts at the Bennet/Darcy wedding when the two of them find themselves in the roles of maid of honor and best man for the newlyweds.

Jane is an interning school psychologist and a woman who wears an angelic mask in public, but she’s not as sweet tempered as she’d like everyone to believe. Turns out, she may have just crossed paths with the one person who’ll unnerve her enough to get her to reveal her true self.

As for Bingley, he’s a wealthy, flirtatious, compulsively social guru of finance, who likes to wager on stocks and, let’s face it, on just about anything that strikes his fancy. But this dedicated ladies’ man may have finally met the woman who’ll challenge his bachelor ways!

Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet…where life’s biggest gamble is the game of love.

 
**Note: PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND THE PERFECT BET is part of the “Perfect” series, but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel**
Excerpt:

Bingley couldn’t help but sneak a few more looks at the fiery maid of honor, remembering the way they’d first met four months ago. Jane had seemed so…nice, for want of a better word. Too sweet for him to want to tamper with or tease too much, although Beth hinted there was more to Jane than her pleasant veneer might suggest.

He hadn’t believed that at first but, oh, he believed it now, as she swiveled to face her friend, sending another death stare in his direction, then a much kinder, warmer look to his cousin.

“You’re gonna be really happy, Cuz,” he whispered to Will, who was smiling at his bride Beth as if he’d just won the lottery and it was being hand delivered to him in a pretty package of white tulle.

“Thanks, Bingley,” his cousin murmured. “I owe you, you know. None of this would’ve happened without you.”

Bingley swallowed away a sappy emotion he didn’t want to succumb to in public and clenched his jaw to keep from saying anything either overly sentimental or just plain stupid. Much as the whole commitment thing gave him hives, Bingley couldn’t have been happier for Will. The guy deserved every ounce of wedded bliss.

“Anything for you,” he finally managed, meaning it, but unable to stop the wave of irritation that hit him in the gut when he caught Jane rolling her eyes at him from the periphery.

No, she wasn’t nearly as nice as she appeared, although he’d thought she was pretty awesome during the engagement party a couple of months back. Jane had downed, perhaps, a few too many glasses of celebratory champagne, and the two of them had ended up in the coat room, making out like teenagers. He quickly learned three other very interesting facts about her:

She wore some really racy undergarments beneath her simple, classically cut clothes.

She could do several wickedly imaginative things with her tongue. Both excellent discoveries, in his opinion.

But her emotions jumped up and down like an insanely volatile stock during a wild trading day.

Bingley exhaled and tried to stop his mind from playing the X-Ray Vision game every time he caught a glimpse of Jane standing demurely by the altar.

Although, how could he keep himself from wondering if she had that leopard-spotted bra on underneath her red dress, like the one she’d been wearing in July, hmm? Or, why she had all but sprinted away from him when he saw her again a few days later, and why she’d studiously avoided him at the few other events they’d both had to attend since then… They’d barely made it past second base at the engagement party. Was she embarrassed? Had he unknowingly done something wrong?

C’mon, man, get a grip!

He knew from years of experience that he was better off not caring about what women thought of him. Keeping his emotions out of any relationship was the key.

Seeing Will with Beth together had lulled him—temporarily—into believing that whole “happily ever after” thing might happen for him, too. Their connection through that online dating site had encouraged him—briefly—that a “Love Match” wasn’t impossible. So he’d entertained the idea of dating more seriously when he met Jane.

Big mistake.

PrideCover

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Purchase:
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AUTHOR BIO:Marilyn
Marilyn Brant is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of contemporary women’s fiction, romantic comedy & mystery. She was named the Author of the Year (2013) by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. She loves all things Jane Austen, has a passion for Sherlock Holmes, is a travel addict and a music junkie, and lives on chocolate and gelato.
Author links:

 

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Cover Reveal: LET ME IN by Erin McCarthy (Blurred Lines #3)

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I loved book one of this series–YOU MAKE ME, a modern-day WUTHERING HEIGHTS–my review’s here, if you missed it :)
LetMeIn AmazonGRSW
Let Me In
by Erin McCarthy
(Blurred Lines #3)
Publication date: September 25th 2014
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:

A girl in danger…

Aubrey Walsh never dreamed that she would find herself in an abusive relationship, but after her boyfriend hits her so hard he breaks her tooth, she flees the University of Maine to hide on a remote island with her best friend.  Only to discover that she is pregnant.  Terrified of what will happen if Jared finds out, she is walking along the rocks, deciding her future, when she slips.

A guy with a secret past…

After a job gone wrong, Riker has left the assassin business and is incognito as a ferryboat operator off the shores of Maine.  It’s a lonely life, and when he sees a young woman almost fall off the rocks, he doesn’t hesitate to save her and take her in, though he’s determined to stay unemotionally uninvolved.  But when the truth about her situation is revealed, he will do anything to protect Aubrey and her unborn child.

Even marry her. Even kill for her.

When Jared comes looking for the only girl who has ever rejected him, Riker won’t allow it.  And Aubrey is torn between protecting herself and her child, or protecting the mysterious husband she has come to love.

And when chance brings them together but fate tears them apart, can their love survive the storm?

AUTHOR BIO:Erin
USA Today and New York Times Bestselling author Erin McCarthy sold her first book in 2002 and has since written almost fifty novels and novellas in teen fiction, new adult, and adult romance. Erin has a special weakness for New Orleans, tattoos, high-heeled boots, beaches and martinis. She lives in Ohio with her family, two grumpy cats and a socially awkward dog.
Author links:

Cover Reveal: GUARDIAN by Courtney Cole (YA Paranormal Romance)

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We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Cover Reveal for Courtney Cole’s GUARDIAN! GUARDIAN is a YA Paranormal Romance, and a book close to Courtney’s heart. It is being released on August 28th!

 

Guardian

GUARDIAN Synopsis:

Sometimes, things that go bump in the night are real.

My name is Whitney Lane. I’m sixteen years old and at first, I thought I was crazy.

I kept seeing shadows move along walls, and hearing whispers around corners, but whenever I looked, there was never anything there.

Until one day, there was.

Our world isn’t what we think. There are things around us, good things, bad things, scary things.

Things that we tell ourselves aren’t real, but they are.

They’re very real, and they’re terrifying.

I’ve been swept up now, in a battle of good and evil, confused about love and what is supposed to be love, but isn’t. I don’t know what to think anymore. I can’t trust my emotions and I don’t know what is true.

There’s only one thing I know for sure.

Nothing is what it seems.

 

HeadshotABOUT COURTNEY COLE:

Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could. She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds. She loves chocolate and roller coasters and hates waiting and rude people.

Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo.

 

 

 

 

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New Release Review and Giveaway: READY TO WED by Cindi Madsen

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Cindi Madsen’s latest should not be missed!

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Ready to Wed
by Cindi Madsen
Release Date: 7/22/14
Genre: Contemporary

 

Book Synopsis:

Just jilted.

 

Dakota Halifax loves to be in love. In fact, as one of Las Vegas’s premier wedding planners, she’s built a whole career around romance. Which is why her own wedding has to be nothing short of perfect. And then her fiancé jilts her. While she’s waiting in her wedding dress. On a cruise ship already out at sea.

Once back on dry land, Dakota tries to pour her heart into her business and weekly wedding advice column, Get Ready to Wed. But how can the heartbroken celebrate others’ true love? When she reconnects with her childhood best friend, surprisingly sexy and all-grown-up casino bouncer Brendan West, Dakota wonders if maybe she can fall back in love with being in love. But then her ex reappears, begging for another chance and suddenly Dakota questions if she’ll ever understand love. Can someone once-burned and twice-shy ever find her way down the aisle again?

 

Review:

This was another so-fun-to-read book; I’m having a real run of good luck lately. A perfect summer, in other words :)

First person POV, when done well and with an interesting character, can really make a book–and that’s exactly what we have here. Seeing everything from Dakota’s perspective is what makes this book so entertaining. Her color-coded to-do lists, both for work and for her personal life were a riot–and perfectly demonstrated her need to be in control of everything. Some examples of items on her list:

get over my bitterness toward love

I supposed I’d try extra hard not to punch her (Dakota’s witchy-with-a-B coworker). Even make it a goal on my to-do list and everything

attempt a decent conversation (with same coworker)

Get clothes from Grant’s (the ex who left her on the altar–er, beach), and start to get closure from him

Stop being scared of a real relationship with Brendan and just let it happen

I loved her lists. To make her life even more manageable, Dakota also used color coding, which she explained to Brendan at one point:

“Code Fuchsia?” he asked, and it took me a second to realize I’d brought it up, and that of course he didn’t know what it meant.

“It s-started as a joke,” I stuttered. “For bridal meltdowns. Like the terror code alert, but fancier colors. The brighter the color, the more dire the situation. It sorta seeped into my daily life, too. I even color code my to-do list. Keeps me on top of the high-action items.”

He nodded like it wasn’t an odd thing to do, but his twitching mouth said he was fighting the urge to mock me for it.

“The full code is actually Fanatic Fuchsia, Temperamental Tangerine, Wary Canary, Cautious Cobalt, down all the way to Low-Key Lime. Although sometimes Lime is just a level of shock that appears low-key but is masking Tangerine or even Fuchsia.”

“No purple?” Definitely mocking me now, a sexy smile curving his lips.

“Not on the code scale, but there’s Purple Passion of course. So something I or my bride care a lot about, but there’s not the meltdown factor involved. It’s more like good job, there’s some Purple Passion going on over there.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe I just told you all of that.”

“I can’t believe I’ve missed out on Purple Passion all my life.”

The lists, color coding, and her “Ready to Wed” newspaper articles are woven throughout the book, showing just how out-of-her-control Dakota’s life is at the beginning and how hard she’s trying to wrestle it back into submission as the story continues. It was a definite benefit here not being able to see things from either of the guys’ POVs–we’re in the dark just as much as Dakota is about their feelings and motivations, which kept me turning the pages, as anxious as she was.

Well, almost as anxious. I didn’t assign any colors to my emotional state. ;)

Ready to Wed has a definite chick-lit feel to it, but since I love well-written chick lit, this was nothing but a giant plus as far as I’m concerned. I adore flawed characters who admit their flaws (because already knowing you’re crazy puts you a step above those who think they’re “normal”, am I right?) and manage to figure out a way to make things better for themselves without depending on others to do it for them.

Throw in a book-boyfriend-worthy, supportive hero, and I’m a goner.

Such a fun read–I’d give it three thumbs up that were possible :)

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Book Link

Amazon Buy Link

Barnes & Noble Buy Link

 

Author Bio:

Cindi Madsen is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

Author Website: http://cindimadsen.com/

Author Blog: http://cindimadsen.blogspot.com/

Author Twitter: @CindiMadsen

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CindiMadsenBooks

Author Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1029223.Cindi_Madsen

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Schedule:

July 22

Book featured at Margay Leah Justice

Book reviewed at My Life. One Story at a Time.

Guest blogging at What is That Book About

Book featured at Escape by Fiction

Book featured at 3 Partners in Shopping

Book reviewed  at Always YA at Heart

Guest blogging at Joyfully Reviewed

Book reviewed at Wolfel’s World of Books

Book reviewed and Interviewed at Steamy Guys After Dark

July 23

Book reviewed at Sleep Deprived Book Lovers

Book reviewed at In My Humble Opinion

Interviewed at Simply Ali

Guest blogging at Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf

July 24

Book reviewed at Refreshingly Riki

Book reviewed at What I’m Reading

Guest blogging at Kate M. George

July 25

Book reviewed at Bookish Things and More

Guest blogging at Book Reviews and More by Kathy

Book featured at Talking Books Blog

Book featured at Lisa Loves Books

July 28

Book reviewed at Fictitious Delicious

Book featured at Book Nook Nuts

Book featured at Queen of All She Reads

Book featured at Booklover Sue

July 29

Book featured at Girls with Books

July 30

Book reviewed at Book Lunatic Ramblings

Book reviewed at Michelle Chew Writes

Book reviewed at Becky on Books…and Quilts

July 31

Book reviewed at My Devotional Thoughts

Book reviewed at I Heart Reading

August 1

Book reviewed at The Autumn Review

Book featured at Romantic Reads and Such

Book reviewed at Forever Me Romance

Book reviewed at So Many Reads

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Cover Reveal: WITHIN THESE WALLS by J.L. Berg

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We’re so excited to reveal the cover for WITHIN THESE WALLS by J.L. Berg, which releases August 18th!

 

WTW iBooks

About WITHIN THESE WALLS:

Within these walls, he became my solace, my sanctuary and my strength.

I am not strong. I am just a survivor of circumstance.

Isn’t that what we all do? Survive?

Each of us has our own set of circumstances to muddle through. Mine are just more…complicated.

Born with a severe heart defect, I’ve seen the inside of a hospital room more than my own bedroom.

I was drowning, a prisoner to the illness that owned me, until he appeared. He thinks he’s blocked out the world with his tattoos and hard exterior, but I see the real Jude, the one he so desperately wants to forget.

But is he the answer to my prayers or will he break my already damaged heart forever?

My name is Lailah Buchanan, and this is our story of hope, redemption and sacrificing it all for the one you love.

 

Prologue

Within these walls he became my solace, my sanctuary and my strength.

Like a white knight, he saved me from a life of gray and showed me a world full of color.

Within these walls, I gave myself to a man who said he would always fight for me.

Love me until the end of time.

But sometimes, not even love is enough when life gets in the way.

When your heart is already damaged beyond repair, what is there left to break?

Within these walls, I gave my less than perfect heart to the man I loved.

And then…he walked away.

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About J.L. Berg

J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she’s not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.

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New Release Review: THE TYCOON’S CONVENIENT BRIDE…AND BABY by Shosanna Evers

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The Tycoon’s Convenient Bride…and Baby
by Shoshanna Evers

Synopsis:

After her brother and his wife go missing and are presumed dead, Lauren Peters plans to raise their infant daughter. Her brother’s will, however, stipulates that baby Callie can only be raised by a married couple. Lauren’s as single as they come.

Mack Hansen can’t stand idly by while his business partner’s baby is thrown into a foster home. As he sees it, there’s only one solution—he and Lauren will marry for the sake of the baby—and he’ll keep his attraction to her at bay.

Lauren knows that Mack is all about business, including their marriage of convenience. But her unexpected feelings for him have her turned upside down. With passion sizzling between them, can Mack keep Lauren from stealing his heart…and becoming his wife for real?

Review:

This book has me torn. On the one hand, I like the premise–it makes somewhat more sense than many of the other “fake marriage” stories out there. (Key word there being somewhat. In this day and age it’s hard to come up with a 100% plausible reason.) I also enjoyed the characters–both Lauren and Mack are likable, down-to-earth kinds of people (for all that Mack is insanely rich) and don’t even get me started on baby Callie. Absolutely adorable, though she does tend to let them both off a little easily in the brand-new-to-parenting department. Still, so far, so good.

Then we get to the but…

If my brother and wife were missing at sea and presumed dead–or my business partner/best friend, for that matter–I would absolutely want more proof sooner, not later, that they actually were in some sort of witness protection program. I wouldn’t be okay with going on the assumption that that’s what was going on after being told of (or having) one conversation with the brother saying it was a possibility. I’d expect some kind of confirmation somehow and not be satisfied until I got it. (Especially since they’re twins, and presumably even closer than your average siblings. Lauren mentions more than once about the whole “twin connection” thing, so you’d think…)

Almost all of the relationship conflict could have been solved in a single, honest, actual conversation. Instead, every time the two characters talked each only heard what they expected to hear and completely twisted around what was actually said to fit their preconceived ideas. Drove. Me. Crazy. Just talk, already!

In all, it was a decent book–it made for a pleasant morning’s read–but it didn’t quite live up to its potential. I would definitely give another book by this author a chance, however, in the hopes that this one was just a one-off.

Rating: 3 stars / C

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

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