Monday, April 28, 2014

Review: Family Portrait Series #1 & #2 by Gillian Felix

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Adriana Banovic’s 15th birthday sucked! She got fired after eight years of playing Shayanne Montgomery on the #1 soap in the country, found out that her family was on the verge of bankruptcy and worst of all, forced to return to Westwood Academy. Her only saving grace was a chance glance at dreamy mystery boy Haze Lyndon. Armed with only his picture and a determination to find him—even if it means turning Los Angeles over on its ass.

In this young adult novel, you’ll meet Robin Banovic, Adriana’s father; financially challenged, dealing with the death of a family member and his brother’s disappearance. You’ll meet Savannah DaCosta aka Savi, mother/manager; Savi enjoys the life her rock star daughter Leighann has provided. When Leighann makes a choice to end her career, Savi sees it as a personal attack. You’ll meet college boy Haze Lyndon; New to Los Angeles, Haze soon realizes how quickly money changes hands in the City of Angels. Will he return to questionable ways to survive or go back to the safety of his family in Wisconsin?
 AMAZON (FREE) | GOODREADS


MY REVIEW
3.5 stars

There's a lot of drama going and it doesn't pertain to only one person. It is told in a multiple perspective which made me understood the story better.

Changes fits the name of the book as the Banovic Family experienced many changes from their life as a family and individually. Add to the mix, there's the DaCosta family who's also experiencing changes in their life.

And the issues in the story was what made it more interesting and in one way or another all this people relates to each other. I can't go on to the details because it would spoil the story. It made me read the book in one sitting and it was a fast paced story.

The Banovic family each have their own talent but they all are experiencing something. It's either good or bad for them.

We have a basic knowledge of each family member of the Banovic and the DaCosta. Although I wanted to hit some of them because of their bad decisions like Robin's pride regarding his father. I pity Viktor. He was only doing what he thought was best for his children because he had nothing and Robin being the young punk he is chose his pride over his father.

I really hate Astrid and Savi. I have a feeling I won't hear the last of them especially Savi. She spells trouble with a capital T.

It's easy to understand the flow of the story once you're able to connect one to the other but I seriously find the issues that they are facing very difficult.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 
College boy Kevin Banovic’s casual affair with Savi DaCosta suited him perfectly. Things change when he finds out that Savi is his mom’s high school bestie. When Kevin tries to end their affair, Savi blackmails him. After Kevin rescues Savi’s stepdaughter, L’Wren, from her abusive boyfriend, he can’t stop thinking about her. He must find a way to handle Savi, protect L’Wren, and keep his sanity.

Bad girl Adriana Banovic is pleased with herself for getting her nemesis expelled from Westwood Academy. As feelings between her and her latest victim Haze Lyndon escalate, an unexpected rival discovers her secret and threatens to expose her. With emotions on the line, will her new rival beat her at her own game or end up another casualty of Adriana’s wrath?

Zax Banovic has it all. Tall and handsome, he’s an academic genius, with a killer smile and a heart of gold. When his best friend gets into trouble, he feels responsible and covers for him. But his best friend is not as honorable and has other plans for Zax.

The Banovic Siblings learn that blackmail is a gift that keeps on giving. This is the second book in the Family Portrait novel series.

If you like shows like the original Melrose Place, Beverly Hills 90210 and Nashville, where the guys and girls are hot and the schemes are hotter, you will like The Banovic Siblings.

MY REVIEW
4 STARS

I enjoyed this more than book 1 minus the flair of drama involve. There's just too much drama.

As the saying goes, this book focus more on the Banovic Siblings and their problems, (*coughs) make that their love life.

It's so cute to see Adriana and Haze's relationship. I wish that she would tell Haze the truth so it would lessen their problems. I really like them together. I'm glad that Adriana has a strong character she would need it especially fighting of Carys. Another character I hate. It was worst because she was related to (view spoiler).

I'm mad at Zax. I wished he would get over his crush to Kristin and picked Leighann instead. I don't think Kristin deserves especially if she used Frankie to get to him. What I like about Zax despite Frankie being an a**, he's a true and loyal friend. Frankie does not deserve his friendship even if the reason he acted that way was due to familial problems. That's no excuse.

Kevin. You are such in trouble. Your life is more complicated than all your siblings. Of all the people you have to bang it had to be her mother. And now, you're developing feelings for L'wren and the choice you made regarding her problem. I don't know if I want to give you hug or smack you.

I want to know more about the mysterious brother, Adrian. Till the end of the book, nothing much about him was said.

This book is more complicated than the last one but despite that I couldn't help but reading it. I really hope that the people I'm rooting for get their HEA.

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

[Book Blast] Giveaway: Goddess Series Bundle Special by M.W. Muse

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Goddess Series Bundle Special:
Books 1-4 in the Bestselling Teen Romance Series Plus a Bonus Story Special
Print Length: 842 pages
Publisher: Penning Princess
Publication Date:  April 7, 2014
ASIN: B00JK2JOZQ

*Get the first FOUR books in the #1 Bestselling Teen Romance series for one incredibly low price starting April 21, 2014! PLUS, a never before released bonus story as a special thank-you for all the readers who've expressed their love of this series! This limited time special includes the following:

Goddess Legacy: Legacy Kore believes she's just an average seventeen year old with your basic insane crush on the hottest guy in school, Adin Shepard, until she learns her mother is a Greek Goddess and that Legacy is changing into one, too! When Adin asks Legacy out on a date, she is thrilled her fantasy is becoming a reality, regardless of the Greek Goddess nonsense, but when she meets a new guy in town, River, she discovers everything isn't always as it seems, and the legacy she wants just might not be the legacy she is destined to have.

Goddess Secret: Legacy only thought she had this goddess thing under control. Well, as much as any other chick could have given the crazy circumstances. But when she learns the truth about her abilities, she is forced to keep a secret so powerful that she and the people closest to her could get hurt if it falls into the wrong hands.

Goddess Sacrifice: Legacy wouldn't let a little thing like changing into a goddess distract her from the joys of her senior year in high school, hanging with her friends, or getting closer to Adin. She's ready to take their relationship to the next level, regardless of any bonds they have with other people. But the prophecy is still there, lurking in the background. And while Legacy is wrapped up with living her life in the now, forces are at work solidifying her future.

Goddess Revenge: Hell hath no fury like a goddess scorned... at least that's the way Legacy sees it. Her dreams collide into a message she did not want to acknowledge, but the implication ignites within her hotter than the knowledge of the betrayal itself. The only thing to do to cure getting mad? Getting even. Legacy dives into a betrayal of her own making as she teaches her lesson. But can she deliver her punishment without loosing her true self in the process, or will the bitter feeling of keeping her enemy close backfire and propel her down a road she never dreamed she'd travel? One thing's for certain--revenge doesn't come without a price.

Goddess Dream (Bonus Special): Legacy's sacrifice hasn't gone unnoticed by others of her kind. Morpheus visits her, allowing her to relive a specific day with another outcome. It isn't real, but the reunion is just as sweet.

SPECIAL SALE PRICE OF $0.99 BEGINNING 4/21 THROUGH 5/5


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

M.W. Muse is the bestselling author of the Goddess Series with book one, Goddess Legacy, reaching number one in Teen Romance. Her alter-ego, Mandy Harbin, is not only bestselling but award-winning, writing in adult genres for multiple publishers, but her love of younger stories made her seek a new outlet for those characters swimming around in her head. She still spends most of her time living in her other reality, but enjoys spending more time focusing on the younger side of love.








GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
$50.00 gift card to Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

[Book Blitz] Giveaway & Excerpt: Ex - Factor by Elisa Dane

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Ex Factor
Release Date: 04/22/14

Summary from Goodreads:
Nevaeh Evan’s life is uprooted after her father’s death, when she moves in with her aunt and cousin, Livvie. Her plan to lay low at her new high school isn’t working. Her friend’s jerky boyfriend keeps asking her out, the guy she likes treats her like garbage, and the thought of tumbling again makes her want to hurl.

So when her aunt pushes her into joining the elite X-FACTOR cheer leading squad, Navaeh goes along with it.  But Nev feels she doesn’t deserve to be happy. Not after what happened the night her father died.

Bodie Scott knows about grief all too well. Critically injured in an alcohol related accident the year before, Bodie struggles with the fact that he’ll never play football again, and he’s so far behind in credits he can’t see straight. That is, until he meets Nev. Haunted by their bloody pasts and wary of a shared future, Nev and Bodie turn to one another for comfort and support, and realize they’re not so alone after all. And when the party scene at school threatens the life of a loved one, the two stop at nothing to keep the past from repeating itself.


Available from:
Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Excerpt


“Ahh... Mr. Scott!” My gaze automatically swept to the front of the classroom, Keltar’s loud, obnoxious voice almost impossible to ignore. “So good of you to grace us with your presence today. I trust you’ve learned something during your time away from school? Violence is never the answer, young man.” Frowning, the surly Santa wannabe begrudgingly swept a pink slip of paper from a tall, muscular boy dressed in dark clothing.

My heart jumped a little in my chest as I surveyed the colossal mass of male student at the front of the class. What the hell were the people of Indigo Falls feeding their sons? Some type of über growth hormone? Over half the guys in the school looked as though they belonged on the cover of a weightlifting magazine—chiseled, as if cut from granite. And what was that about violence, and time away from school? Had he gotten into a fight? From his size, he looked like someone who could deliver massive amounts of pain with ease.

The new guy stood in complete silence as Keltar continued on, delivering the same tired speech he’d given me upon entering the room. The same nervous feeling that had plagued me when I entered the school just a short time ago returned with a vengeance, and I caught myself struggling to breathe. What the hell? The new guy, whoever he was, had a bizarre effect on me, and to be honest, it was freaking me out a little. I mean, hell... I hadn’t even seen his face and I had butterflies whirling in my stomach. How was that possible? What kind of person had that type of effect on people?

He turned around then, and the answers to my unspoken questions all but slapped me upside the face.
Holy Mary, Mother of Pearl...

If boys were classified into two shades: light and dark, my Paper Thief, Eli would hover somewhere in the realm of ivory or beige. But this new guy was dark. We’re talking black down to the very pit of his soul type dark.

Ebony eyes void of emotion swept over the room before finally settling on his seat: the empty chair next to Erin. Short, dark hair hugged his skull, bringing attention to the chiseled line of his jaw. His features were strong, hard, and entirely masculine—beautiful. No joke, he looked like an avenging angel hell bent on mayhem and destruction. Bad. The boy was bad to the bone.

Heat scorched my neck and cheeks and my pulse ratcheted up another notch.
Electricity arced through the air as he neared the table, and the oxygen in the room seemed to thin even more. Incapable of speech or movement, I sat open-mouthed, gaping at him like an imbecilic fool. The black T-shirt he wore stretched across his broad chest like a second skin, and revealed a set of arms, one of which sported a wicked tribal tattoo. His gait was confident, yet lazy, and clearly shouted “I don’t give a fuck. I’m only here because I have to be, so stay the hell out of my way.”

Erin cleared her throat and cast me a knowing “Well, well, well. Look who thinks the bad boy is hot” smirk.

The boy’s most stand out feature was a jagged scar which ran from the center of his skull, down along the top of his left ear. It ended just below the left half of his jaw. The skin was thick, raised and silvery pink making it obvious that whatever trauma had placed it there hadn’t happened that long ago.

Heat scored the base of my skull, and I reached, as if on autopilot, for the fat, rigid bump that crawled across my hairline. How had he gotten his scar? A hundred different scenarios played out in my head, none of which included the circumstance that had earned me mine.
About the Author
I'm a lover of books (YA & Adult romance), chocolate, reality television, and am a proud mother to three All Star cheerleaders. Woot!
I write Contemporary YA romance with cheerleaders. Yep. I write what I know, and it's my hope that my stories will not only take you on a romantic journey that will warm your heart, but that you'll find a new respect and interest in the sport of Cheerleading you may not have had before.

Author Links:
   

***GIVEAWAY***
1 ebook of Ex-Factor & $10 Amazon gift card (INT)

Book Blitz Organized by:

Monday, April 21, 2014

Release Day Blast + Giveaway: His Final Bounty (Bounty For HIre #4) by AJ Williams

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BOOK TITLE: His Final Bounty
SERIES:  Bounty for Hire, #4
AUTHOR NAME:  AJ Wiliams
BOOK GENRE: Contemporary Suspense Romance
PUBLISHER: AJ Williams
PUBLICATION DATE: 3/24/14
AVAILABLE FORMATS: epub, pdf, mobi

Eva Rosenberg hacks a secret file of Jefferson's and discovers the man who shattered her heart and her world has one giant secret.

Jefferson Anders’ current bounty hunting status has allowed him to hide in the shadows, never forcing him to face the secrets of his past. Having spent five years hiding the truth, he never dreamed the secrets of his past would catch up to him. Secrets which cost him both the love of his life and connection to his family. Now, he must face the mistakes of his past.

With a confrontation looming with Eva and a possible death threat, they must work as a team to find forgiveness and defeat the enemy that waits in the shadows.


HIS FINAL BOUNTY Facebook Release Day Party
Monday, April 21st - 6:00pm - 8:00pm EST

Come join author A.J. Wiliams to celebrate the release of HIS FINAL BOUNTY.  There will be Guest Authors, Trivia Games, a Q&A with AJ and LOTS of prizes to giveaway!

Click the link below and "Join" the fun:


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

AJ grew up in a small southern town in Missouri. It was there that she discovered her love of writing. Having the ability to create a story from nothing into something held her spellbound. She holds a bachelors degree, and will on occasion find it useful. Currently, AJ lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband, their two small children and two dogs.

AJ loves learning about new things, playing games with her family, and listening to music. She loves romantic movies as well as science fiction. If truth be told, she loves fantasy and science fiction movies just a little bit more.

At given time she can be found reading to her kids, instilling in them the importance of a good story. Yet do not worry—she is also found by her kids and husband at the computer at any given time typing away.

AUTHOR CONTACT LINKS:

Giveaway Details: Open Internationally
GRAND PRIZE: On winner will receive a 5.00 Amazon Gift Card, the Bounty for Hire Series eBook Collection (all 4 eBooks), and His Final Bounty hand lotion.

RUNNERS UP:  3 runner's up will receive an eBook of choice from the Bounty for Hire Series

Sunday, April 20, 2014

[Blog Tour] Guest Post & Review & Giveaway: Demon Persuasion by Mahalia Levy

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DEMONIC PERSUASION
Prophesies Implied, #1
Print Length: 253 pages
Publisher: Mahalia Levey
Publication Date:  March 22, 2014
ASIN: B00J6S995O

Born of a Navajo healer and a high-level prince of Hell, Fatal is forced to return to her mother’s tribe to study their healing arts, away from demon hands. But, with her tutelage comes cruel segregation and disrespect. When her life suddenly comes under demon attack, she’s cast away from the only home she knows. Exiled, Fatal sets out armed with her knowledge and fighting skills to annihilate any threat against her.

Oracle by birth, Prince Orobus rules as his Liege commands, until intel comes his way providing him with images of his mate’s participation at a seedy club, well known for it’s sexual domination fight pit. Incensed, he’s thrust in the fight of his life—to claim his woman. Come Hell or high water, he will take care of what is rightfully his, even if it means making her face both sides of her heritage and teaching her there is no shame.
Amazon | B&N | ARe
Tag Words: Native American Romance/ Paranormal/Demonic/Erotic/Light Bondage/ Dark Punishment by whip/Anal Sex/Voyeurism

Excerpt:
With a sense of ease, Fatal ambled down the darkened streets, gaining blatant glances as well as a few admiring stares.

“Hey sexy.” An unkempt male with brown crooked teeth and greasy hair grabbed his crotch and wiggled his tongue at her as she passed.

A shudder went through her as she steered clear of him. Once she’d hit puberty, the males she grew up with treated her different. In privacy, they’d single her out, pretending to want a friendship, only to say they fucked the freak, as if she couldn’t hear their hurtful words. The females her age acted far crueler than their counterparts. Bad omens had few friends, no dates or boyfriends. People in her hometown hadn’t hesitated to ask her for advice or to chant with them when it suited their needs. She lived in solitude, with the exception of occasional visits from her grandfather, Sani, and Taima, her mentor. Pushing her musings aside, she moved through an alleyway that broke off to the next major street.

The darkness encroached without as much as a whisper of sound. No telltale wind blowing discarded trash along the road, horns honking, or the zoom of cars passing by. Silence surrounded her, unsettling in such a night-busy town. She turned to head south when the flash of bright red color caught her eye. Intrigued, she meandered down a side street, arriving at a demonic-looking, gargoyle-protected granite structure. An eerie crimson-red sign hung above thick vault doors with the words “Demonic Persuasion” in black paint. She’d heard of the club. It catered to just about anyone’s needs.

Fatal stepped into the female line. An eon later, she reached the entrance of the club, flashing a smile at the doorman. When he didn’t move or speak, she shifted on her heels and pursed her lips.

“The fee’s ten bucks.”

Fatal dug in her boot, her gaze straying to the bunched biceps peaking out of his black T-shirt then roving over his cut physique. Her mouth watered, and her girly parts tingled. She played off his affect on her. Slapping the cash into his hand, she smiled. “Happy now?”

“I’ll be when you check your weapons, if it's even possible for you to have anything hidden underneath that getup.” His gaze swept over her black corset and micro-miniskirt, lingering a little too long on where she'd cinched up her cleavage.

“Oh, you’d be surprised what one can hide against near-naked skin. My name’s Ackchetta, most call me Fatal.” Smirking, she hiked up her skirt. Buried between her thighs were two small blades. Thin metal stars she'd concealed on her hipbones slid into her palms without effort. Annoyed, she dropped them in his outstretched hand. “There you go. I want them returned, though.”

“The one behind your back, too, sweet stuff.”

What, did he have X-ray vision? His droll expression did nothing to alleviate the naked discomfort without her weaponry. “Aren't you going to be polite and tell me your name?”

“No.”

When he spun her around and tapped the slender weapon, her hackles rose.

“No one said you could touch.” Letting out a growl, she removed the extra-slim blade hidden under her corset top.

“My club, my rules. No fighting, no weapons, and no magic—if you know any.”

“I think I can behave myself for a few hours.”

He sent a dazzling smile her way then turned to a young woman. Dropping her weapons into an outstretched hand, he whispered into the sleek brunette woman’s ear.

Fatal narrowed her eyes. “It’s rude to whisper.”

“Follow Marzena. She’ll take you to the weaponry hold and issue you a ticket.”

“I still didn’t catch your name.”

“I know.”

Rude and hot. About to turn away, her breath hitched when the shimmering tattoos sprang to life on his skin. From head-to-toe, he stole her breath. Long black hair touched his shoulders. When he smiled, his blue eyes sparkled. Thick muscles bunched with every movement. Long legs and muscular thighs encased in black trousers brought a silent moan of want to her lips. She’d never ached like this. She stole a look at his goatee, wondering how it’d feel scraping across her face, his breath on her mouth before he kissed her with the same intensity he stared at her with. She’d sell her soul to have those lips on hers, to touch his once-broken, too-many-times-healed, nose.

While they were walking, Fatal glanced over her shoulder to continue drinking in the handsome man.

Marzena stopped at the station for weapons, secured them, and wrote out a ticket.

“Here.” She handed the paper to Fatal. “When you’re done eye-fucking my boss, I’ll show you around the club.”

REVIEW TO FOLLOW

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Being smart and sassy with a great sense of humor comes easily for Mahalia Levey. An avid reader of books, she found herself enchanted with disappearing completely into the worlds authors created. One day she vowed to herself she’d be one of them. Then family life came, and college right after. Swayed from her childhood course of action, it took many years for her to get back to that place she held dear as a child. Now she is running full steam ahead to keep up with the many ideas flowing freely. She plans on taking her work to higher levels and expanding her genres. Her main focus is giving her readers variety. Her works in progress include paranormal, fantasy and mainstream romance. Taking characters and watching them grow past what she’s imagined is her true passion.

Connect with Mahalia:
Website | Blog | Facebook Fan Page | Facebook Page | GoodReads | Twitter


TOUR GIVEAWAY:
GRAND PRIZE:  winners choice of either a Kindle Paper-white ($129.00 value) or Kindle Fire ($139.00 value) US RESIDENTS ONLY
First Place Runners-up:   Three (3) swag envelopes-
2 US Residents and 1 International
2nd Place Runner-up:  one eBook from Mahalia's backlist (excluding Demon Persuassion)
open internationally

 

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

[Book Blitz] Excerpt: The Accidental Socialite by Stephanie Wahlstrom

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The Accidental Socialite
Release Date: 04/15/14
Swoon Romance
Summary from Goodreads:
Quirky and clumsy twenty-two-year-old Paige Crawford arrives in London on a cold Saturday in January. Just when Paige starts to think that moving thousands of miles away from home with no real plan was a bad idea, Jason Frost appears. Confident and classy, Jason is the complete opposite of Paige and just what she needs in her life, or so she thinks.

But before their romance has time to blossom, Paige trips and falls into the arms of a mysterious man on a drunken night out. She’s snapped by paparazzi, and newspaper headlines the next day suggest that she’s having an affair with a married footballer.

Paige finds herself instantly elevated to tabloid celebrity status which isn’t exactly a picnic, particularly when trying to juggle her new job at Fashionista magazine, a catalog of dating disasters and a nagging doubt that she maybe she can’t conquer London after all.

When a trip back to Canada for Christmas reminds Paige why she left her old life behind, she returns to London with renewed vigor realizing that while jobs, flats and men may come and go, friends in London are forever.

The Accidental Socialite excerpt
It was 3 A.M. and all I wanted was a cheeseburger.
“Miss, we only sell Big Macs after midnight,” said the McDonalds employee. My stomach grumbled. My diet since I got off the plane had consisted mostly of Champagne, Vodka, and seared tuna.
“Yes, I understand that and I will pay for a Big Mac, but I would like a cheeseburger, so can you, like, remove a patty and mid bun and hold the secret sauce? Please?”
“Miss, I am sorry but we do not have this item.”
Liar. He didn’t look sorry. I immediately wanted to get on the next flight home. It rained cheeseburgers in Canada.
A tall, drunk and incredibly beautiful blonde South African girl appeared at the till next to me.
“I’ll have a hot dog.” That was my new best friend, Lucinda.
We walked out of McDonalds with a small fries to ‘split’, which really meant Lucinda was going to watch me eat them. As I was elegantly shoving eight fries into my mouth at once, not unlike a four-year-old, a swarm of camera wielding hyenas approached. One flash triggered the rest and little white dots burned into my retina. I stumbled, almost dropping my fries.
What was going on? I looked for the celebrity garnering all this attention. I couldn’t believe my luck, I was about to spot someone famous on my first day in London! But when Lucinda slapped the second fist full of fries out of my hand and pulled me towards a taxi, I realized with confusion that the so-called celebrity was me.

About the Author
Growing up in Edmonton, Canada, a significant amount of Stephanie’s time was spent making up and acting out stories. She was studying to be an actress when she realized there weren’t any parts for women being written. So, Stephanie wrote herself a short screenplay just to be in it and quickly realized that writing was her true passion. She graduated from the University of Alberta with an English and Sociology degree and she also has a Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts from Red Deer College. She moved to New York on a whim after University and has written a variety of TV shows including an environmentally friendly lifestyle series and a tween magazine style show about celebrities. Stephanie moved to London in 2008 and aside from being obsessed with Eggs Benedict, shoes, Fruit Roll Ups and travelling, she also works in Children’s Television. 

Author Links:
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