Tag Archives: NA

A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden – Review & Giveaway

Posted on by
17

A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden – Review & Giveaway

 

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Bookbub

 

Description:
A prophecy of death. A weapon of hope. A sacrifice of love.

Arwen Valondale is sailing for the mysterious Kingdom of Citrine after the battle of Siren’s Bay. Reeling from shocking revelations and her newfound powers, Arwen directs all of her pain and rage toward the man who betrayed her: King Kane Ravenwood.

Kane’s presence is unavoidable as he travels with Arwen and her friends to seek the Blade of the Sun, a legendary weapon inextricably tied to her fate and the future of the realm. Even an uneasy truce proves difficult as Arwen fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane, who is willing to become darkness itself to protect her.

As Arwen faces creatures, foes, and magic beyond her wildest imaginings, she must discover the secrets of her past to defeat the monstrous Fae king Lazarus. But finding the light within might mean the death of her and everyone she loves.

 

 

Review:

A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden is the 2nd book in her The Sacred Stones series. After the climatic ending from A Dawn of Onyx, Arwen, Kane, Griffin, Mari and the rest of their group escape to find a sanctuary, which leads them to Citrine, in hope of finding some allies to defeat the Fae King Lazarus.  Arwen and Kane are both emotionally destroyed, after shocking revelations with Arwen discovering her new found powers, and her angry at Kane’s betrayal.  Arwen (the last full fae blooded born) who is destined to kill Lazarus, accepting her fate in a prophecy meant to be her doom.

Arwen has no choice to travel with Kane, since she is with the remaining group; Kane continues to protect Arwen, always able to handle her anxiety and keeping her calm. They do have an uneasy truce, with the prophecy on the horizon, and the group determined to find the Blade of the Sun; which is a weapon that would be able to use to kill King Lazarus.

The truce between Arwen and Kane is difficult for both of them, as Kane still has strong feelings for Arwen, including protecting her; she fights against her unresolved feelings for Kane.  In a short time, with the danger escalating when they cannot find the Blade, the chemistry and heat between them eventually opens their true feelings of love.  The side characters were very good, equally as good as Kane and Arwen. I did love Kane and Arwen together, but I also like Griffin and Mari together.

What follows is intense, non- stop action, as they travel through other kingdoms in the hunt for the Blade; including the journey through the cave and island. The last third of the book was full of adventure, danger, intrigue, fast-paced, twists and turns.  I was unable to put the book down, as it kept my attention throughout. It was also emotional, as well as steamy; with Kane and Arwen finally being together.

As we reach the last ¼ of the book, Arwen and Kane’s last battle was epic, with another betrayal that changes things.  The epilogue was wild and crazy, with a cliffhanger that was complex and an ending that threw us for a loop.   A Promise of Peridot is an exciting, non-stop action filled, with twists that had me unable to put the book down.  A Promise of Peridot was so very well written by Kate Golden. With that intense and wild ending, I can’t wait to read the final book in this trilogy.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

The Reading Cafe is offering a paper copy of A PROMISE OF PERIDOT to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page at the top of your computer.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please LIKE us on GOODREADS  for an additional entry.

6. Giveaway is open to USA only

7. Giveaway runs from April 10th – 14th, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Share

The Left Hand Man by Carol T. Luna – a Review

Posted on by
11

The Left Hand Man by Carol T. Luna – a Review

 

Amazon

Description:
Escaping a monster. Killing a king. Ao thought he was free.

Two months after the Spades’ raid, Ao and the Legionnaires discover a plot that could destroy the Legion: an alliance between Talus and Harena, two of the most powerful nations in the world. The accord is all but official. Regicide is their only option.

But when a betrayal frames Ao as the killer and turns Harena against the Legion, Ao must ally with the Spades once more. Together, they must wrest the capitol from Talus’ control. Fail, and not only will his friends fall, but an entire nation will too. Worse, a familiar horror has finally caught up to him.

Ao escaped nothing at all.

 

 

Review:

The Left-Hand Man by Carol T. Luna is the second book in her Project Blue series. Do you need to read book 1 before book 2? I did and it made a lot of sense, so it’s personal preference, but I’d say it’s probably better if you read the first book before grabbing book 2……

I loved all the info the author supplied at the front of the book including a quick rundown of book 1. The characters names and a quick description helped jog my memory from the first book. 

Ao is being framed again for a crime he hasn’t committed. Is this the act of the warring faction to spread disharmony? Is it keep everyone guessing as to their intentions? I don’t want to give anything away as I want you to experience the thrilling ride for yourself. 

There is a lot of fighting, and plenty of action. In fact I’d say there are some of the best fight scenes I’ve read in a while. There is also moments when I had to close the book and think about what I had just read…..

Great characters that will draw you in and keep you there until you’ve read the final page. The development from book one to two is a slow process, but they definitely grow and mature before your very eyes…..

You do have to concentrate on this book, it’s more apocalyptic than romantic, more adventure than romance, and it’s almost a YA or NA in its approach, but saying that it’s still a great read. The story itself keeps unfolding, keeps giving you snippets and moments of clarity, but can you solve who did it? Why did they do it? And will there be more deaths? 

And the ending? Well that’s just going to make you wonder what’s going on and probably pick the book up again to read what you probably missed the first time around!! (I did ?) 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy supplied for review

 

 

Share

A Void of Magic by Sandy Williams – a Review

Posted on by
11

A Void of Magic by Sandy Williams – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Google Play / Apple

 

Description:
They trusted her to keep the peace between the paranorms. They made a mistake.

Kennedy escaped the family business when she turned eighteen. Now, an ill-timed vacation pulls her back to The Rain Hotel, the only known null zone on the planet. It’s a place where vampires can see the sun rise and werewolves can avoid the lure of the full moon. And it would be the perfect place for a paranormal wedding…if the bride wasn’t the local alpha’s daughter and the groom the scion of a vicious master vampire.

With a sexy werewolf determined to sabotage the wedding and dark forces threatening The Rain, Kennedy’s life is thrown out of balance when she’s forced to confront a past, she swore to avoid. Ultimately, she must choose: will she maintain the stability of the supernatural world…or will she destroy it.

 

 

Review:

A Void of Magic by Sandy Williams is the 1st book in her new Kennedy Rain series. Kennedy Rain, our heroine, has returned home to her family’s unique Rain Hotel. Her parents, who have run the hotel for many years, have gone on vacation and Kennedy, has been summoned to run the hotel in their absence.  What makes the Rain Hotel unique?   The hotel is a null zone for paranormals, with a treaty that has been in effect for hundreds of years; a place to recover, be at peace, or just time to relax with no pressure; a werewolf can avoid the full moon or a vampire can see the sun, or recover from an injury. The Werewolves and Vampires, plus some other unknow species take turns to come and stay at the hotel.  Kennedy knows how good her mother and father are in handling every issue, and keeping the peace; but she hated it, and left to go to school at 18. 

Kennedy was a great heroine, though a bit more stubborn and tough then her parents, and at times I thought she went a bit overboard, but she really stood up to them all, not letting them intimidate her.  Nora (a werewolf) comes to the hotel and gives Kennedy money for a wedding she wants to have at the hotel.  Kennedy does everything in her power to tell Nora that this was not a good idea, especially since her groom to be was an ancient Vampire.  This would cause bitter fights and chaos.  Kennedy also learns while running things, that the hotel is in financial straits. 

With both Vampires and Werewolves are determined to stop this wedding, Kennedy finds herself in the middle of a battle she really wanted no part of.  Blake, the second in command, for the werewolves tries to get Kennedy to help stop the wedding, which will blow up, causing her to have more angst.  Blake was a charming hunk, who truly liked Kennedy, and I expect a possible romance in future books; but Blake answers to his boss, no matter what.

What follows is a wonderful fun, tense and exciting story, with Kennedy in the middle of it all.  A tragedy will occur that will change the game, making Kennedy’s life more difficult and dangerous.  There is a dark enemy out there who will stop at nothing to sabotage the treaty, including causing her harm, and she has no idea who to trust. Will she help keep the Rain Hotel stable for the paranorms?

I do not want to say too much more, as it would spoil things, since you do need to read this book from start to finish.  A Void of Magic was a sensational start to this new series, which was very well written by Sandy Williams.  I for one cannot wait for the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 


Sandy Williams writes urban fantasy and science fiction, both with a strong shot of romance. She’s a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope and loves books with high stakes and fantastical settings. When she’s not being a bookworm, she loves playing board and card games like Dominion, Quacks of Quedlinburg, Dungeon Petz, etc (but not Goblins because she ALWAYS loses that damn game). Her next book, A Void of Magic, releases in the summer of 2021.

 

 

 

 

Share

Not My Hero(Black Mountain Academy) by Michelle Heard-review tour

Posted on by
13

Not My Hero (Black Mountain Academy) by Michelle Heard-review tour


Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 9, 2020

He walked into school on his first day and didn’t care what the other students thought of him.

Dark. Broody. Dangerous.

He didn’t care where I cared too much.
Then the rumors started.
He failed his senior year at his previous school. His brother committed suicide. It’s his fault.

And for one blessed week, I wasn’t the topic of discussion.

You see, I’m the daughter of a socialite who has no soul. I’m the one paying for her sins. They never let me forget where I come from, and she never stops telling me what a failure I am.

But then Colton Lawson looks at me, and unlike the other students, his dark gaze seems to see through the lies spun around me.

He starts appearing out of nowhere, fighting my battles for me only to stalk away, making me feel like I’m nothing but a nuisance.

My name is Brie Weinstock, and this is my story of how a boy walked into my hell and fought for me, even though I never expected him to.

The question is, am I strong enough to repay the favor?

This is a high school romance that deals with sensitive subjects. Adult readers only.

••••••••

REVIEW: Not My Hero by Michelle Heard is a stand alone full length novel in The Black Mountain Academy Series. This series is also a spin off of the Trinity Academy and Cold Hearted Heir series.

Brie Weinstock has had a horrendous life. Facing almost daily physical and mental abuse from her mother Serena Weinstock who we met in The Trinity Academy. Serena hates her life, hates what she has become and she takes it all out on her daughter – daily! Brie does everything in her power to avoid the bully she lives with and the bullies at school. The bullies at school are brutal. Constant taunts, pushes and disgusting pranks. Brie has no safe haven. No place to go where she feels safe and can just breathe. That is until Black Mountain Academy gets a new make student.

Colton Lawson (who we met in Coldhearted Heir) has moved to a new town with his mom. Which means a new school. But his first day doesn’t go quite as he thought it would. He sees a girl that is constantly being bullied. She reminds him so much of his brother Brady. Brady and him suffered years of mental and physical abuse at the hands of their father. Until Brady could no longer take it and he committed suicide. Colton sees so much of Brady in Brie and he just wants to see her stand up for herself, and at the same time he wants to protect her.

Brie is such a sweet, innocent character who does not deserve the life she has been dealt. Her mother is brutal and evil. My heart broke for her and all she had to endure.

Colton is strong, protective and struggling with the loss of his brother. He instantly sees Brady in Brie and how she reacts to the world around her. He becomes the only friend she has. But the closer Brie and him become the more feelings he begins to experience. After a truly bad incident with Brie and her mother – he takes her to his house to stay. Vowing to keep her safe. But can he keep her safe from herself and her self loathing thoughts?

I enjoyed the way Colton took care of Brie. You could feel her struggle on every page. Thoroughly enjoyed! And while it deals with some horrific social issues it also shows you the power in helping another human in their time of need. I recommend all of the aforementioned series listed. It doesn’t get any better than continuing the lineage and the stories

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Erin K

About the Author:

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she’s always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

 Connect w/Michelle:

Website: https://michelleheardauthor.wordpress.com

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

FB Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/118971435201074

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormichelleheard

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleAHorst

Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/michellehorst

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18108320.Michelle_Heard

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/michelle-heard

Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P

Share

IF YOU DARE & The Dare Series (1-3) by Shantel Tessier-Review tour

Posted on by
10

IF YOU DARE & The Dare Series (1-3) by Shantel Tessier-Review tour

IF YOU DARE
The Dare Series #3
by Shantel Tessier
Release Date: August 26, 2019
Genre: contemporary, YA/NA, dark romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.au /Amazon.uk/

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The game was over. The dares were getting old, and the secrets were piling up faster than the bodies.

But someone had other plans. They wanted to paly a new game.

Becky Holt was the love of his life until he found out what she was hiding. Now he wants to seek his revenge in the most daring way.

Deke Biggs has always been a shark. He’s not afraid to kill, and he’s about to become her worst nightmare.

But there’s a new player, and she plans on taking everything, no matter what the cost.

Try to beat him- If You Dare!

Who will win and who will lose?

••••••••••••

REVIEW: *Rubs hands together to savor the moment* I knew it was coming, but I wasn’t ready for it, and booklover, neither are you.

If You Dare is the third in the Dare Series by Shantel Tessier and it packs a bunch right to the gut! Drama, secrets, sex, violence, fighting, action, welcome back to the GWS series.

Shantel has pulled me into a dark, wonderful place I never want to leave. We welcome back all the best, Austin, Cole, Deke, Becky and even Demi to this violent adventure.

Now in Texas Deke and the rest of the gang are trying to move on to bigger and better things, the friendship between the guys is now stronger than ever and their connection infallible.

Becky goes balls to the wall crazy, takes her hatred towards her sister and holds it close to her chest and finally seeks out her revenge, but would the cost be too much? There are twists and turns to this story I was totally blindsided by, but WOW what a way to go!

This series is crazy and amazing and a read I would recommend with caution, but to all my book friends.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah L

 

 

Prologue:
DekeDeath Is A debt we are all born owing.It is something that money can’t buy nor can it be traded.

You can’t bargain for more time. When it’s up you accept it like a fucking man.

I’ve never been afraid to die. Or to love, for that matter.

Aren’t they the same?

You surrender to a fate you have no control over.

You don’t get to choose when or how you die, just as you can’t choose when and who you fall in love with.

Some couples get a happily ever after while others are toxic for one another.

My love was like that.

She lied; I believed every word.

I hurt her; she forgave too easily.

It was a vicious circle of deceit and sex wrapped up in a pretty black bow. Neither one of us could quit.

I wrapped my hand around her throat, and she begged me to breathe.

She stabbed me in the heart and demanded I bleed.

She might as well have been fucking poison, but I would have drunk her anyway.

That was the kind of obsession I had for her.

I knew how it would end-total devastation.

A war zone of Broken bones and bleeding souls.

I should have hated her, but that’s the funny thing about love-it’s out of your control.

Even when it leaves you with two black eyes, you beg for more.

People are afraid of the unknown, but I’ve never feared death, and love was no different.

She was going to destroy me, and I was going to let her. It was a game that could only end one way-a slow and torturous death.

 


 

____________

I DARE YOU
The Dare Series #1
by Shantel Tessier
Release Date: April 27, 2018
Genre: contemporary, YA/NA,dark romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N /

ABOUT THE BOOK:

What do you do when the devil has you in his sights?

You show him that you can play his game.

Austin Lowes is new to town. She’s running from a mom who hates her to her dad who cares nothing about her. Only a few months and she will be free, or at least, that’s what she hopes … until she meets him.

Cole Reynolds is the devil disguised as a man. He wants her fear, he wants her blood, and he wants her soul.

Just a little game, he says, I dare you.

Will Austin survive him, or will she lose herself and the game?

Secrets are revealed and justice will be served, but at what cost?

Who survives and who doesn’t?

••••••••

REVIEW: First and foremost; trigger warning, this is violent and bloody, if those types of things are hard on you, read at your own risk.

As a first-time reader to Shantel Tessier I was unprepared for the raw emotion that comes through in her writing.

Austin Lowes is the new girl in the city, with a crazy Mom who hates her Dad and a life she just wants to be free of. It took me a few chapters to really get into her character, she comes off as wild and ballsy but also crazy as all get out. I think that is why he character works so well with Cole.

Cole Reynolds is the guy you hate, but secretly think is hotter than the sun, but boy oh boy is he a freaking nutter. Cole is obsessed with blood, control, violence and fighting and soon Austin. When they first got together, I thought they were going to kill each other, but instead? Well instead their sexual chemistry ignites into something I never would have expected.

Austin is the only badass willing enough to take on Cole, and lordy does she take him on. From fighting, sexy hot scenes that wet your knicker to ones that may be just a touch too much, this is a page turner for sure.

My all time favorite of this book;

“I wanna watch tears roll down your beautiful face because I think you’re gorgeous when you cry. I wanna see blood on your flawless skin because you look like a priceless piece of work. And I wanna look down at you while you’re on your knees because you want to please me. I wanna make you a beautiful, broken doll, Austin. All mine to play with. All mine to fuck. All mine to destroy.”

Can you feel that?! I sure did and what an amazing read it was!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah L

_____________

I PROMISE YOU
The Dare Series #2
by Shantel Tessier
Release Date: April 26, 2019
Genre: contemporary, YA/NA, dark, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It was supposed to be a game.
I Dare You.
We bought her in ’cause I wanted to play with her.
Destroy her.
But plans change and she got caught in the cross fire.
Then I did something far worse. I fell in love with her, but she doesn’t know I still have secrets.
Ones that could rip us all apart.
We’re sharks.
Raised to hunt and kill.
We take what we want without asking.
We’ve never needed permission before, so I’m not about to start now.
You think you know everything, but we’re about to do what we do best and prove you wrong- I Promise You!

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: The Second in the Dare series, this doesn’t pick right up where the first left off, but close enough that I would recommend reading the first one.

Cole is going nuttier than a fruit cake, looking for revenge, Austin is in major health trouble and someone ends up dead. I’m not one to post spoiler because I personally don’t think it’s cool. The group is divided, Cole is a mess in every-since of the word, but who wouldn’t be after his friend’s betrayal.

Tension is thick in this book throughout the entire of the story, lies are revealed, secrets told and what comes from it will shock everyone to their cores. Some parts where harder than other for me to follow due to the way the flashbacks come and go throughout the book, but in the end, I really enjoyed the story. The dark, violent Cole finally comes to his senses and manages to start treating Austin the way she DESERVES to be treated. This for me, made this book. Epic, suspenseful, action packed and sexy, everything I like in a book topped with a hottie to boot. As a side notes-I really hope Deke has a story coming, love the name, love the character and his story is just starting to burn, I can feel it.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

Shantel is a Texas born girl who now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her high school sweetheart, who is a wonderful, supportive husband and their two daughters. She loves to spend time cuddled up on the couch with a good book.

 She considers herself extremely lucky to do what she does while getting to work from home. Going to concerts and the movies are just a few of her favorite things to do. She hates coffee but loves wine. She and her husband are both huge football fans, college and NFL. And she has to feed her high heel addiction by shopping for shoes weekly.

 Although she has a passion to write, her family is most important to her. She loves spending evenings at home with her husband and daughter, along with their cat and dog.

 

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

Readers group: Shantel’s Sinful Side – https://bit.ly/2l9EUBJ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Shantel_Tessier

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantel_tessier/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7086716.Shantel_Tessier

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KKeTpa

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shantel-tessier

 

 

Share

Absinthe of the Heart (Sins of the Heart #1) by Monica James-a review

Posted on by
10

ABSINTHE OF THE HEART (Sins of the Heart #1) by Monica James-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 14, 2018-05-08

Two households, unlike in dignity, in the City of Angels is where we lay our scene…

London Sinclair was the boy my mother warned me about for as long as I can remember. His name alone has brought my family nothing but shame and suffering, so it’s no surprise we’ve been sworn enemies since the first moment we met.

With his bedroom eyes and cocky smile, he has all the girls under his spell. I have one more year of school left, and then I’m home free because I’m guarding a secret, one I’m ashamed to keep.

The boy who is completely off-limits is the one who drives me, Holland Brooks, wild. I want London, and I think…he wants me, too.

Some may compare it to a Shakespearian tragedy, as our surnames have fated our future, but when a single night changes my life forever, I can’t leave the City of Angels fast enough.

Ten years later, I have atoned for my sins and return to Los Angeles a changed woman. I’ve come home to get married. But the moment London walks back into my life, one thing is clear. Ten years can’t undo that night—that single, sinful night when I gave into temptation—because I want to do it again.

•••••••••

REVIEW: ABSINTHE OF THE HEART is the first instalment in Monica James’ contemporary YA to NA to adult SINS OF THE HEART romance series focusing on London Sinclair, and Holland Brooks.

Told from first person perspectives (Holland Brooks), and several third person perspectives ABSINTHE OF THE HEART is a forty-year saga of two families torn apart by love, infidelity, lies and hate. Holland Brooks grew up the daughter of two people whose lives imploded years before. A result of a teen-aged love affair Holland would bear the sins of her parents including the destruction of a love for a boy she was unable to hold.

ABSINTHE OF THE HEART follows a ‘Romeo and Juliet’ vibe in that two families have been destroyed by jealousy, rivalry, power and hate. From the rich and famous to the other side of the tracks, lives will be ruined, reputations destroyed as the cycle of hate and love perpetuates with the succeeding generation. London Sinclair has only ever loved one woman, a woman off-limits and forbidden by a feud not of their making. Sins of the past, control the present; threats are made forcing London to choose between family and love.

ABSINTHE OF THE HEART, in many respects, reads like a young adult story line with the love triangles, jealousy, mean girls, and belligerent adults who have yet to grow up. Secrets will be revealed throwing our story line heroine down a rabbit hole where the truth will kill any hope of a happily ever after. There is a fine line between love and hate, and that line is blurred one too many times.

Monica James writes an emotional and heart breaking story of jealousy and revenge; hatred and love; secrets and lies; money and power. ABSINTHE OF THE HEART is an intoxicating, stunning and tragic tale of young lovers destroyed by sins of the past. Absinthe of the Heart ends of a cliff hanger-you have been warned.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.

She is a bestselling author in the U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.

Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.

TWITTER/ FACEBOOK/ PINTEREST/AUTHORGRAPH/ WEBSITE

Share

The Backup Plan by Jen McLaughlin – a Review

Posted on by
10

The Backup Plan by Jen McLaughlin – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

 

Description:
I’m beyond help…

I threw a football before I could walk. Everything in my life revolved around football–and I loved every second. I was a star. Until, suddenly…I wasn’t. Now everyone thinks I’m the monster who killed his best friend. I’m an outcast on campus, silent and alone. Then Taylor Selmer walks back into my life. When will she learn–I’m beyond saving.

I need to save him…

Chase and I used to be friends. But after the accident, nothing was the same. We used to have something special–until we didn’t. But he doesn’t smile anymore. Doesn’t talk. Doesn’t play. It hurts me to see him this way, and I will do everything I can to get him back in the game. Whether he likes it or not.

 

Review:

The Backup Plan by Jen McLaughlin is the first book in her Back in the Game New Adult series. I loved McLaughlin’s Sons of Steel Row series, and decided to check out her new series.  I did enjoy this book, but it was a different type of read for me by McLaughlin, as it is New Adult, which I am not really a big fan of.

In The Backup Plan, we meet our heroine, Taylor Selmar, who enrolls in the same college as her childhood friend Chase.   Taylor’s parents have worked in the Maxwell house as servants, and Taylor grew up there.   But she hasn’t seen Chase in a long time, and when she is offered a deal by his father to enroll at the college, get her degree, and  to help Chase with his studies and help him get out of his funk; she accepts.

Chase Maxwell is suffering from a shoulder injury from a car accident where his best friend was killed.  Though Chase was not at fault, he blames himself for his friend’s death, and is in a rut, where he rarely talks to anyone for the past 6 months.  His school friends treat Chase like an outcast, as they feel he was at fault and give him a hard time.  When Taylor finds Chase, he is surprised to see her, and in the beginning, as she does everything she can to motivate him, he is belligerent to her, as he is to others in the school.

What follows is a slow built sweet romance that is intense at times. I did like Taylor and Chase together and watching Taylor slowly bring Chase back was heartwarming to see.  Taylor was a great heroine, with the perfect amount of sass to handle Chase, and their banter between them was fun.  At the same time, she was very vulnerable to her situation with Chase’s father.  As they both began to realize that they were falling in love, the pressure mounts for Taylor, as she loves Chase, but the threats to her family will cause her to step back, causing their relationship to suffer.  Will Taylor tell Chase the truth?  Will she give up Chase to save her family?

Besides Chase’s father, there is an ex-girlfriend who is also determined to win Chase back, creating more havoc for Taylor and Chase.  I thought early on Chase was nasty, but he turned around and ended up to be great.  The Backup Plan was well written by McLaughlin, and the two main characters were very likable. If you enjoy the new adult genre, with some angst, and a nice romance, I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Share

Secret Lucidity by E.K. Blair-Review Tour

Posted on by
9

SECRET LUCIDITY by E.K. Blair-review tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / iBooks

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33539943-secret-lucidity

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 26, 2018

(A forbidden romance stand-alone.)

This wasn’t supposed to happen.
But it did.
This wasn’t supposed to be my life.
But it was.

I was just a typical girl, living a typical life. Nothing was out of the ordinary until tragedy threw me into a turnstile I couldn’t see my way out of. That was, until him.

I never could’ve imagined my heart falling the way it did. Hard, fast, and with unbounding beauty.

The only problem?
He was off limits.
Forbidden.

But he became my everything, and I became his, so we risked it all. It was only a matter of time until I realized that our risk came with unimaginable consequences.

My name is Camellia Hale and his is David Andrews, and this is our love story.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: SECRET LUCIDITY by E.K. Blair is a stand alone, YA/NA forbidden romance story line focusing on the taboo relationship between seventeen-year old Camellia ‘Cam’ Hale, and thirty-one year old high school English Lit. teacher/swimming coach David Andrews.

Told from first person point of view (Camellia) with a closing chapter by David SECRET LUCIDITY follows the taboo relationship between thirty-one year old high school English Lit teacher and swimming coach David Andrews, and seventeen-year old Camellia ‘Cam’ Hale. Rising swim star Cam Hale had everything until the day she lost it all to a drunk driver that destroyed her sense of well-being and took the life of her beloved father. Unable to handle the grief of loss, and the harrowing aftermath of whispered pity and self-loathing, Cam struggles to find her place in a world turned upside down leaving her to battle her demons alone. The one bright spot in her life, swimming, no longer harbors the appeal until new swim coach and English Lit teacher David Andrews becomes her beacon in the storm. What ensues is the forbidden romance between David and Cam, and the fall out when their relationship is discovered.

The relationship between David and Cam is slow to build as both struggle with their growing attraction to one another; the taboo of the student/teacher romance; and the potential fall-out if and when their affair is discovered. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The mandatory YA story line characters are present: the adult figure in our heroine’s life is a mess; a lost cause, self-absorbed and without the capacity to parent. The requisite mean girls are alive and well; the best friend is caught between hatred and support; the one-time boyfriend is a lost puppy who is unable to let go of the girl he loves.

The dictionary defines lucidity as ‘clearness of thought’: a presumed capacity to perceive the truth directly and instantaneously, and with that in mind, perception is real when rumors begin to circulate. Our couple are well aware of the likelihood that if caught their lives and futures could be destroyed. Staying away from one another is a continuous battle, a battle they will lose in the end. Love and the heart know no boundaries including the taboo of a student/teacher relationship that will eventually damage and dismantle all thoughts of a happily ever after. The heartbreaking premise will captivate your attention; the characters are shattered and lost; the romance struggles in the face of the forbidden and the law. SECRET LUCIDITY is an emotional and powerful look at two people caught in a firestorm of controversy, disapproval and the taboo.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

EK BlairE.K. Blair, takes her readers on an emotional roller coaster with her dynamic and intense writing style. Noted for her ability to create fleshed-out characters that will evoke a realm of reactions, you can be assured that her stories will linger with you far beyond the last word.

A former first grade teacher with an imagination that runs wild. Daydreaming and zoning out is how she was often found in high school. Blair tends to drift towards everything dark and moody. Give her a character and she will take pleasure in breaking them down, digging into their core to find what lies underneath.

Aside from writing, E.K. Blair finds pleasure in music, drinking her Starbucks in peace, and spending time with her friends. She’s a thinker, an artist, a wife, a mom, and everything in between.

Follow: Website/Blog / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / BookBub

Share