Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Dylan (Inked Brotherhood #4)



Description:


When you’ve tried your best for years and never managed to please your demanding parents… When you’ve fallen head over heels for someone who keeps ignoring you… When you’ve hit rock bottom.


Tessa is this close to giving up – on her authoritative parents and their demands, on her studies, on everything in her life. 

Including Dylan. The one boy she has loved since she can remember. The one who dated her and promised her forever when they were fourteen, and then dumped her without an explanation only to ignore her ever since. 

The one who shows up to save her from the hands of her abusive ex before the stroke of midnight, who kisses her and holds her close, only to tell her in the course of the same night he doesn’t love her. 

Tessa knows Dylan has gone through some tough times, and they’re only getting tougher - but is he telling the truth about his lack of feelings for her, or is he running from his own demons? 

The way Tessa sees it, she has two options: run away, leaving it all behind - or stay to fight against her controlling family, and win back Dylan. She has a feeling he needs her, and how can she leave when he's the only man who’s ever made her feel alive?

Review:

This can be read as a stand alone, I haven't read the rest in this series, but I was able to follow the story line, and now that I have read this book, I want to go back and read the others!


Dylan is a member of the Inked Brotherhood, and has had a rough several years. His mother left his family and his father went into a deep depression, leaving Dylan to raise his brothers. He had to drop out of college and take odd jobs to pay for all of the bills. 

His ex, Tessa, who he broke up with a few years ago to spare her from the life that he knew he had to take on, still wants to be a part of his life. Dylan does all he can to push her away, knowing that no matter what happens she will take one look at his life and leave him.

"I mean, if my own mother left me, why would anyone else stay?"

He eventually relents and allows her to help out him and his brothers, but only as friends. 

Tessa, has her own issues. Sure her family has a lot of money, but there is no love there. Her father is a strong business man, who is essentially trying to force her to be with another man (who she hates for reasons revealed throughout the book). He wants to join businesses with the man's father and knows that Tessa is the way to get that to happen.

But Tessa isn't having it. She wants to be with Dylan, even if Dylan only wants to be friends. She wants to be with him, no matter what his life is like. 

"I love you, Dylan. And no matter how hard I try, I can't just be friends with you. I'm sorry. I promise I'll leave you in peace."

Dylan and Tessa go through many changes in their lives and they find that the only way to get through their own demons and battles is together. 

"All I have is yours."

**** 4 stars

Link to Amazon           Link to Barnes and Noble  

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Aflame Cover Reveal





Are you ready for Jared and Tate's final race? I know I can't wait to see them get their HEA! 

Here it is! The big cover reveal and blurb! Look for it April 21st! Also, click on the link at the bottom for a Rafflecopter giveaway!

VA






Synopsis:
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Bully, Until You, Rival, and Falling Away comes the sizzling conclusion to the Fall Away series.


The tables have turned. Now I have the power—and it’s his turn to beg…


Everyone wants to be me.


Maybe it’s the sway of my skirt or the way I flip my hair, but I don’t care. Even though their attention is the last thing I crave, I just can’t stop. I dominate the track, the speed rattles my bones, and the wind and the crowd screams my name.


I’m her. The girl driver. The queen of the race. And I’m surviving—something he thought I’d never do.


They all talk about him. Did you see Jared Trent on T.V? What did you think of his last race, Tate? When is he coming back to town, Tate?


But I refuse to care too much. Because when Jared does come home, I won’t be here.


Tatum Brandt is gone. I’m someone new. 


Pre-Order Links - AFLAME:







Buy Links - FALL AWAY Series:
Author Bio:


Penelope Douglas is a writer in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a shops at Target almost daily.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Falling Away by Penelope Douglas


Description:

Jaxon is the guy she’s supposed to avoid.

K.C. is the girl he won’t let get away....

K. C. Carter has always followed the rules—until this year, when a mistake leaves her the talk of her college campus and her carefully arranged life comes crashing to a halt. Now she’s stuck in her small hometown for the summer to complete her court-ordered community service, and to make matters worse, trouble is living right next door.

Jaxon Trent is the worst kind of temptation and exactly what K.C. was supposed to stay away from in high school. But he never forgot her. She was the one girl who wouldn’t give him the time of day and the only one to ever say no. Fate has brought K.C. back into his life—except what he thought was a great twist of luck turns out to be too close for comfort. As the bond between them grows, he discovers that convincing K.C. to get out from her mother’s shadow is hard, but revealing the darkest parts of his soul is nearly impossible.…


Review:

I think I have found my first book boyfriend of 2015! We first met Jax in Bully but really didn't get to know his story until we read Jared's story Until You.  Jax had a hard life up until his brother had saved him from his home, and we didn't even know how bad it was until this book. I was worse than we had originally feared.

" I have tattoos, too many"

We also get to find out K.C's story as well (and yes we actually get to find out the story behind her name too!). This story starts two years after Bully's story. K.C. is home from her college and instead of having a carefree summer, she has to do community service for her actions over the school year. Max is doing well for himself, he now is the owner of Jared's mothers old place and has changed The Loop a lot. He has become quite the entrepreneur. Some through legal ways and others through questionable ways...

K.C. and Jax have a few encounters over the beginning of the summer, most of which include Jax playing hot and cold with her. 

"Man, I wanted to unravel you, K.C. I wanted inside you so badly... But then I got to know you. Your gutless and helpless and I've never met anyone so desperate to get out of her own skin."

Don't get me wrong, when he is hot with her, he is HOT!!! There are plenty of steamy scenes too where you can feel the heat coming off the pages, and don't even get me started on Jax teaching K.C. how to drive a stick shift! WOW!

"Driving a stick is like sex, every person you're with is different. They're like a code that needs to be broken... What parts like to be touched. Licked. Sucked. Bitten. Hell some people don't even need to be touched." 

Sign me up for those lessons!!! 

He see's how broken she is and wants to help her realize just how wonderful she is. However, he also has his own hang ups and feels as though he doesn't deserve her. 

"Find what makes you hungry. Go off the rails. Fight, scream rage...Why don't you just do it?"

K.C. and Jax go on a journey not only apart but together as well throughout this book. They learn that yes they both have a past that they are none to thrilled with, but learn that together, they can over come anything and in order to have a future together. 

" I love you, and if you love me, and I've been good for you, and you're not lying to me about that, then I'm keeping you. I'm f**king keeping you."

Tate and Jared also make an appearance in this book (and things aren't looking to good for them right now yikes!) , and they have another book coming out in April. make sure to keep a look out for Aflame! 

**** 4 stars

VA

Link to Amazon            Link to Barnes and Noble

Saturday, January 10, 2015

More Than This by: Jay McLean



Well, I have a bunch of books sitting on my kindle to read and today I read this book by Jay McLean and boy I'm sure glad I did. " I like it.  I more-than-a-lot like-so much more-than a lot."  Great quote from the book, and while I am not using it for the same reasons as in the book, it pretty much sums up how I really like this book.

"Then she asks, "Have you ever been in love?"
"I don't know...Maybe.  Yes, with you."

This book really tugged at the heart strings.  We meet a girl Mikayla who has lived the worst day imaginable AND on the night of her senior prom, which leads to major heartbreak.  But despite living her worst day, she ends up meeting a knight and shining armor.  But I don't mean that in the literal sense, I mean that in the BEST BOOK BOYFRIEND sense.  I know that I have many book boyfriends stashed away in my kindle, but I will tell you Jake is up there in the top 5.  

"He's quiet for so long again that I don't know if he heard me.  Then he says, "I more-than-a-lot like you, too- so much more-than-a-lot."

This knight and shining armor helped her through one of the darkest times of her life and only after knowing her for a couple hours.  And while, I know you are all thinking, "WHAT?"  ONLY A COUPLE HOURS?"  I know, I was thinking it too, but yet I couldn't put it down and Jake really proved what a great guy he is.  Not only is he hot, a big deal baseball player, he is also the sweetest, patient and romantic package wrapped up in one big red bow.  Yes... he's the whole package ladies.

"Our skin is only lightly grazing-a soft touch, yet it feels so intimate, like we're more than what we are.  I know I want to be more-more than this."  

This book definitely has some twists and turns along the way.  In fact, the one at the end of the book,  I didn't see coming.  This book made me laugh, gasp, and had me reaching for some Kleenex a time or two.  A great story or friendship and romance!

4****

~PA

Get a copy from Amazon or Barnes and Noble

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Countdown Celebration For Falling Away By Penelope Douglas!

Hello Fabulous Readers!

I can't wait for this next book in the Fall Away Series to come out! We are only 2 days away from it going live who's excited? I sure am! I have been waiting for this book since I finished Rival. Oh who am I kidding, I have been looking forward to this since I first met Jaxon in Until You

As you may recall for those of you who have read Bully and Until You, Jaxon is the half brother of Jared and has had a hard go at life, but even this guy is in need of a HEA, don't you think? Well, he will get his chance in this book and we are so excited to share an excerpt from this latest book.

Just look below the description and read this excerpt from Chapter 6, and tell me that Jax won't become your new book boyfriend! (Pre order links are at the bottom of this post).

VA


Description:


Jaxon is the guy she’s supposed to avoid. K.C. is the girl he won’t let get away....

K. C. Carter has always followed the rules—until this year, when a mistake leaves her the talk of her college campus and her carefully arranged life comes crashing to a halt. Now she’s stuck in her small hometown for the summer to complete her court-ordered community service, and to make matters worse, trouble is living right next door.

Jaxon Trent is the worst kind of temptation and exactly what K.C. was supposed to stay away from in high school. But he never forgot her. She was the one girl who wouldn’t give him the time of day and the only one to ever say no. Fate has brought K.C. back into his life—except what he thought was a great twist of luck turns out to be too close for comfort. As they grow closer, he discovers that convincing K.C. to get out from her mother’s shadow is hard, but revealing the darkest parts of his soul is nearly impossible.


Falling Away - Chapter 6 Excerpt: 

As he made his way back through town, the only sound we could hear was the water on the streets being kicked up under the tires. He’d silenced the radio, we weren’t talking . . . and I felt as if he’d switched off.

Everything had felt alive when he kissed me. His heart under my palm. His breath in my mouth. His hands roaming over my skin as if they were trying to memorize every inch of me.

Now he was a bullet. Going from point A to point B without hesitation.

Until his flat tone finally filled the car. “Come home with me.” It wasn’t a question, and I couldn’t hear a trace of emotion.

I turned to him, stunned. “Are you serious?” I asked. “I don’t think I’d be enough for you.”

“Don’t do that,” he shot back. “Don’t ruin what happened between us. You were fire in my hands, and I want you to remember it, K.C.”

I could feel his eyes on me as I clasped the strap of Tate’s messenger bag sitting on the floor.

“Clothed, naked, I don’t care . . . ” He trailed off, sounding almost sad. “As long as your lips are on me again.”

I shifted in the seat, trying to buy myself time. What I wanted and what I should do were two different things. I’d fought that battle with Liam, my mother, and hell, the list went on. It was true when I told Jax that I wanted to be a mess. But I didn’t want to get hurt.

“Thanks for the lesson,” I said. “And the ride. But I’m not like you, Jax. I don’t just ignore the rules and take what I want.”

“You don’t know me.” His tone turned defensive. “You know nothing about me.”

“And what do you know about me?” I threw back. “Other than you wanted me to spread my legs in high school? You want to have fun with me and nothing more, Jax. Find someone else.”

He jerked the steering wheel to the right, and I grabbed the door handle to keep from vaulting over to his side of the car as he sped up into his driveway.

My heart jumped into my throat, and I shot out my hand, grabbing the dash when he skidded to a quick halt in front of his garage.

“Jax, Jesus!” I scolded.

He shut off the car, yanked the parking brake up, and turned to look at me, leaning his forearm on the steering wheel. “You think I don’t know you?” he challenged.

I pursed my lips. “Other than that I’m gutless and helpless, no.”

He shook his head. “You want to travel. To unusual and dangerous places. You hid a binder full of National Geographic pages in your locker in high school because you didn’t want your mom to see all the pictures you’d torn out to keep track of the places you wanted to visit.”

My jaw dropped slightly, and I widened my eyes. What?

He continued. “You didn’t eat lunch for an entire month senior year, because you saw Stu Levi not eating and found out his single mom was out of work and couldn’t afford to put money on his lunch card. So you put your own money on it. Anonymously.”

How did . . . ?

“You love dark chocolate,” he kept going, “Ricky Gervais, and any movie with singing and dancing.” His voice filled the car, and my heartbeat was in my ears. “Except The Wizard of Oz, because the witch freaks you out, right? And you’ve collected almost an entire set of vintage Nancy Drew books. You had the most badges in your troop in Girl Scouts, and you had to quit swimming when you were fourteen because your mom said that your shoulders were getting too muscular and you wouldn’t look feminine. You loved swimming,” he added.

I wrapped my arms around my stomach, the air turning cold. Tate and Liam didn’t even know all that.

“I didn’t drool all over you in high school, K.C. I listened to you. I paid attention to you. What the hell do you know about me?”

And he swung the car door open, climbed out, and slammed it shut, not waiting for an answer.
I sat there, watching him walk into his house and close the door.

Then the tears spilled over, and as much as I wanted to prove him wrong, I couldn’t go after him. He didn’t know that I’d watched him, too. He didn’t know that I’d paid attention as well.

I always saw him.

“Music centers you,” I whispered to an empty car, staring at his front door. “You listened to your iPod between classes and while you sat on the bleachers before school every morning.” I smiled, letting more tears run down my cheeks and thinking back to him and his black hoodies, looking so dark. 

“You love popcorn. Almost every kind and flavor but especially with Tabasco sauce,” I said, remembering the times he would come into the theater where I worked. “You hold the door open for women—students, teachers, and even old ladies coming out of Baskin-Robbins. You love movies about natural disasters, but they have to have some comedy in them. Your favorite one is Armageddon.” I swallowed and thought about how little I’d ever seen Jax truly smile. “And while you love computers, it’s not your passion,” I concluded. “You love being outdoors. You love having space.” My whole face hurt, the last words barely audible. “And you deserve someone who makes you happy. I’m just not that person.”

 Author info:

Penelope Douglas was born in Dubuque, Iowa and has a Masters of Science in Education from Loyola University in New Orleans. She lives with her family in Las Vegas.

Links: