Creed - Kristen Ashley

Way too young, eleven year old Tucker Creed and his six year old neighbor, Sylvie Bissenette, find they have something awful in common. Creed then decides he’s going to do everything in his limited power to shield his Sylvie from her ordeal. So he does and Creed and Sylvie form a bond that grows and blossoms with their ages.
They plot to leave their lives behind, the town they live in that will hold them down and the histories they share that, unless they break free, will bury them. Sylvie goes to their special place, Creed never shows and she doesn’t see him again until it’s too late.
With Creed gone, Sylvie is forced to endure a nightmare and do the unspeakable to end it. To deal, she develops a hard shell with sharp edges that very few can break through. So when Creed again finds his Sylvie, he discovers the girl he loved is locked away and he has to find his way back into her heart without getting shredded in the process.

Wow!  All I can say is wow!  Even though I waited way too long to pick up this book, I can honestly say that it is a KA beauty. I was so afraid of the darkness and depth that I let this slip through my fingers for 5 months. My Mistake! 
Let me just say Creed is much different that any other KA book that I have read- and I have read almost all of them. She introduces us to a darker and more complex relationship that has been in any other book. The only ones I can think to compare are "For You" & "Golden Trail". All three of these books see true love torn apart or separated for years and the desire to find it's way back.
This is a story of two young people setting up to leave their abusive and stormy lives and run off to find their own brand of happiness. Their love and devotion is so solid that they know that just being together will be enough for them to endure the hardships they come across. Then on the day of their departure, Creed never shows up and leave Sylvie alone and unsure of everything.

Through the years, Sylvie is forced into an abusive marriage and never hears from Creed again so she takes matters in her own hands and builds a fortress of armor around her heart and feelings. Once she has freed herself and moved on, she continues to live her life as if she will never be effected with emotions again.

When Tucker Creed is asked to work on a special case with a new client he immediately knows that Sylvie will be back in his life. What he didn't expect is all these years and the pain she endured has formed a hardened shell of what he once knew as  "his Sylvie".
This journey is sad, emotional, steamy, raw, and extremely satisfying. Even though I am left with a few unanswered questions, I can honestly say that Tucker Creed is probably one of KA's most enduring characters. She allows his emotions to be forefront of the reconciliation.
I am very glad that I read this book and I am excited for the series to continue.

Creed was written with such depth and passion that my heart broke for the characters.

True Love Story- Willow Aster

Sparrow Fisher is transforming. No longer dressed up in antiquated clothes and ideals, she is finally trying on her freedom.

Before she moves to New York City, she meets Ian Sterling, a musician Sparrow has dreamed about since she first saw him. The attraction is instant, but their relationship isn't so simple.

Over a five year span, Sparrow and Ian run into each other in unusual places. Each time, Sparrow has to decide if she can trust him, if he feels the same for her, and finally, if love is really enough.







Oh Willow Aster, you have just made the jump to my FAVORITES list!!! True Love Story is a truly beautiful story that captured my heart for the entire read. I will admit, I had some ups & downs, but nothing could have prepared me for the journey I took with Sparrow & Ian in this incredible debut novel.

Let me start by saying that this book brought out so many emotions in me that I had to take a step back and wonder if I was actually a character in middle of this love affair.Let me rephrase that- I WANTED to be a character in this love affair. From the very beginning Sparrow felt like my BFF. I wanted to laugh with her, cry with her, shake some sense into her, and then cradle her from my own heartbreak. As a woman who has had my heart broken more than once, I felt every single emotional tear throughout Sparrow and Ian's relationship.
There was so much to this story that was beautiful. Sparrow's innocence and unconditional devotion to Ian was crushing. Ian's dark and brooding attitude and his eventual revelation of love was exceptional. I was so proud of him when he finally stepped up to the plate and became the man I saw in his character. Even though there was definite foreshadowing throughout the book that made me uneasy, I wanted to believe in the power of this love. Then BOOM!

****Spoiler Alert****
WHY oh WHY oh WHY??? Ian you have broken my heart. I am laid bare to the hurt and angst you have caused with your personal insecurities and selfishness. Poor Sparrow ( see I really did feel like her BFF). She is such an open, positive, and caring person, how could you throw all this away for your personal pleasure?
I must say, once the deception is revealed is where I think Willow's talent started to shine brighter. I was completely enveloped in the emotional turmoil and pain going through both Ian and Sparrow. Even though Ian  may not have deserved to be given a second chance, I found myself wanting to comfort him. As the story continued to play out, I was unsure how I wanted it to end. But I will say that I am very pleased with the HEA.

I only have two issues with the ending of this book. I felt it was too sudden. After the 5 year journey waiting for a beautiful resolution, I think we deserved more that 4 pages of happiness. I would like to see more of the next steps for Ian and Sparrow. Also, can someone please bitch slap Laila? Why didn't we get any revenge on this cheating, spiteful woman?

With all that said- this is a wonderful book that I will recommend to anyone looking for a beautiful love story. Well Done Willow!

Hustle Me- Jennifer Foor

John (Jammer) Thomas is not one of the good guys your parents want you to end up with. He's been on his own since he was seventeen, traveling from city to city, making enough money to survive by doing the only thing he's ever been good at.
Playing pool.
He's covered in tattoo's and has a mouth that would make a grandmother cry.
He doesn't do relationships.
He doesn't care about anyone besides himself.
He's a drifter.
A Hustler.
At first look, she's just a pretty little thing behind the bar, but Charlene (Charlie) is so much more.
After her parents died in a fire she was put into the foster care system. Thanks to her good grades and hard work, she earned herself a scholarship.
Feeling like she was finally going to make something for herself, she finds out she has inherited a bar and a kid brother, from a father she never even knew.
While she tries to manage her new life, people from her father's past come to collect old debts and threaten everything Charlie has left.
Can she really trust Jammer, or is he just helping her for what it pays out?

This was my first book by Author Jennifer Foor and I am glad I picked it up. With all the series currently out there, it was refreshing to finally get an ending that didn't leave me hanging. Jennifer Foor does a great job with character development and I felt like I truly knew Jammer and Charlie throughout the book.

 

Let's start with Charlie- what a heartbreak. After losing her parents, surviving the foster care system, and finally making a break for a new life, her world crashes around her. Even though she has been beat down, she makes the decision to raise her brother and give him the best life she possibly can. She does not want to see him go through the same childhood she did in the foster system. She knows nothing about the man who was her father and how to run a bar, but she is trying her best. Due to her  father's past business decisions, she is about to lose the bar and her home with nowhere to go and no other options.

Here comes Jammer!

Initially it would seem that Jammer is your typical arrogant asshole just trying to sleep his way from town to town while hustling at the pool tables. But when he makes a detour to reconnect with an old friend and mentor, he finds himself in a predicament. His old friend has died and left his daughter and son in a dangerous situation that Jammer is in the center of. Without knowing it Jammer is 100% invested with the bar, the debts, and Charlie. He has the power to change Charlie's situation from the very first encounter, but he decides to remain anonymous  and find out why he is involved in the first place. He finds himself wanting to stick around to protect Charlie and her brother

 

When Charlie and Jammer meet the hostility jumps off the pages. She is a total bitch to him but he keeps coming back for more. He is determined to knock down her defenses and get her to trust and open up to him. It only takes a short time, but once the chemistry is set to action- it is HOT!  I wanted these two to have a HEA because I knew their lives had enough suffering for a lifetime. They were awesome together and you could actually feel their love grow through the pages. It was a relief to see Jammer drop his playboy ways and find a true love with Charlie.

 

This book was hot and steamy with just the right amount of angst. It is more than a romance novel because when the plot line starts to unravel there is so much more to this story. I really enjoyed it and want to thank Jennifer Foor for giving me a satisfying ending without having to wait months for the conclusion. I know there  is room to continue this story, but there was resolution for the reader at the end.

 

Forever Black- Sandi Lynn

When Ellery moved to New York with her boyfriend, she thought they’d live happily ever after in their small New York apartment. She never thought he’d pack his bags and leave because he “needed space.” With her newfound single status and fear of being alone, Ellery buries herself in her artwork and paintings until one night she helps a mysterious intoxicated stranger get home safely. Little did she know the mysterious stranger is none other than CEO and millionaire Connor Black. After finding Ellery in his kitchen the next morning and assuming she broke his #1 rule about sleepovers, he becomes intrigued, not only by her stubbornness and defiance, but by her kindness.

Connor Black, emotionally dead and damaged, that stemmed from a personal tragedy, made a vow to never love or fall in love with a woman, until Ellery Lane walked into his life by accident. After she opens up and shows him her world, Connor starts to feel emotions and feelings he never knew existed. Despite the rumors and warnings regarding Connor Black and his use and misuse of women, Ellery finds herself being drawn into his world.

Ellery knows they can never be together because she is harboring a deep secret that could destroy Connor emotionally forever.

Join Connor and Ellery as they embark on a journey of courage, love and strength. Will it be enough to save them?

Let me catch my breath here...... Okay, I think I am composed. I have just read one of my favorite books for 2013. I did not want this book to end. I wanted to revel in the story of Connor and Ellery for at least 100 more pages. I only have a few complaints and they are pretty insignificant compared to the magical story that unfolded from "Forever Black."
This story starts off with Ellery's boyfriend walking out on her and citing "irreconcilable differences" and leaving her to wallow in self- doubt and misery. She throws herself into her art and her job in order to get on with her life. Then, with the decision to go go one night with her best friend, her whole life changes FOREVER!
Connor Black is a very private man hiding a deep rooted guilt that has led him to a life of no relationships. He is a self-admitting playboy that uses women for sex with no room for anything else. Lucky for him, when he gets blistery drunk one night in a bar there is an angel to take care of him. And because of this chance meeting, his life too is changed FOREVER!

So begins the journey of Connor and Ellery and the bumpy road that gives readers laughter, tears, angst, pity, sadness, and understanding. Connor and Ellery are two completely opposite soles that mesh perfectly when thrown together. She is kind, gentle, loving, free-spirited, open minded, and determined to take chances and live an open life. He is rigid, focused, close minded, domineering, and used to getting his way.
They both hold secrets that  make them the way they are. The only problem is that Ellery's secret is in the present and Conner's secret is 12 years in the past.  

The great thing about Sandi Lynn's writing style is this book is that we didn't have to wait until the 50% mark for the secrets to be revealed. We learn the truth and this is what drives the rest of the book. As the reader I was able to feel all the emotions that both characters displayed as they found the way to each other.

**Spoiler Alert**
 One reason I loved this book so much is the way Sandi was able to write in the emotional issues facing cancer patients and the ones who love them. This is a very hard subject to address because of the nature of the disease. In this book, you see the strain on both Ellery & Connor and the love it takes to move forward. Connor was truly a force and his love came flying off the pages. You can only hope for the HEA that they both deserve.

Okay with all the praise, here are my complaints. I felt that the ending was rushed. Even though there was a brief Epilogue, I think their journey and love deserved  to play out for a few more chapters. For example, how do all Connor's past lovers handle his new status?  How did Ellery find out she was in Remission? Tell me about the wedding??? Maybe there is a continuation in the works for this wonderful romance.
  Sandi Lynn has a wonderful debut novel that has made me a fan for life!

Ruining You - Nicole Reed

I want to start  this post by Thanking Nicole Reed for this EXCELLENT sequel to Ruining Me!!!! If you read my post on 10/21/12, you will see that I was floored with the ending of RM. I literally sat up at night wondering when I would get closure on such an emotional and riveting ending. I begged for the sequel just to calm my nerves.  Well, It was worth the wait. Ruining you will be one of my top books for 2013.

Ruining You brings you immediately to your knees during the first chapter. JJ has lived through her own hell and she is still not sure she should have survived with so much loss around her. In the first few chapters, she takes on the emotional roller coaster of her therapy, her relationship with her parents, her guilt and love that lingers, her pent up emotions regarding Kane, and the anger she regards.

Nicole Reed introduces a new character in RY  whom is pivotal to JJ's acceptance and willingness to move forward with life.  When JJ meets Eli in therapy, her inner bitch comes out. But over time, these two become so close and he is a glue that helps her move on. I loved Eli and I am so glad he was in this story.

Throughout the book, we are reacquainted with all the friends from RM. We see Rhye (yeah), Kane (yummy), Molly, Reed, and Cal. We also get a bigger presence from JJ's parents. Did I mention KANE????? Once again, there is a book boyfriend that makes you wonder if there are real men out of fictitious characters that can be this awesome. Even though the reader has to suffer through angst with the Kane/JJ/Rhye triangle. It is well worth the wait.

The only complaint I have is the ending. I felt like there could be a longer epilogue with details. But there is now room for a book three if Nicole would like to give us more (hint, hint, hint).

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16242085-ruining-you

Love Unexpected - Anne Leigh

Synopsis:

There are times, when you least expect it, where fate hands you the one person you cannot live without.

Sedona Mackenzie had her life perfectly planned; down to the coffee that she drank, the curfew that she lived by, and formulas that she solved to release stress. She had everything figured out, in a neat, little timeline. Then, fate chose to intervene in the form of a chance meeting with a guy who stirs unknown emotions inside her, leaving her reeling and wanting for more.

Zander Zebowski is not your typical college jock. For one, he's a good guy. Second, he's pretty smart. And, he's level-headed. The farthest thing on his mind was smacking into a woman who may just be his undoing.

This is not your typical bad boy meets good girl love story. This is a story between two people who are great on their own. But, with each other, they are absolutely perfect.


I must say, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book or this author. I was aware this was more NA than YA, and I was looking for a read that didn't have me waiting for  more in the end. When I read other reviews about Love Unexpected, it became clear that it may have a jaw- dropping ending. I was curious so I went ahead and bought the book.Well, I was pleasantly surprised. Anne Leigh is a great story teller with a good imagination for her characters.

Once again, you are introduced to a female lead with a male best friend that is perfect! Sedona has her life planned out with little room for disruption or a highly unexpected relationship. She is not your typical college senior because she has mapped out her life to the nth degree and really has closed herself off from everyone but her 3 best friends and her father. Then comes........ Zander.
****SWOON***
Zander is the school quarterback, rich, almost famous, gorgeous, thoughtful, smart, goal driven, and totally enamoured with Sedona. He is persistent to a degree and it is HOT! Even though Sedona gives him many reasons to give up on their relationship throughout the book, he sticks to his plans to win her over. Even when he is betrayed and left alone, he finds a way to understand her reasoning and lights up the pages.

I can't review this book without mentioning the perfect best friend. I love Keiran!  He is the one person that I watched the whole book to see if there was going to be any kind of love triangle. He is such a great character and I felt his presence was essential to the love story blooming. With that being said- there is a revelation that rocked me to my core. I just want to jump into the pages of this book and make him love me!

So yes, I liked this book and I am glad I picked it up. Even though I had to remind myself many time that it was fiction (football season does not last the entire school year and there is no NFA), I wasn't disappointed.
Oh yeah- even though you get a solid ending, there is a lot of room for a sequel or spin off with theses characters.

Beautiful Bastard- Christina Lauren

Wow!  After all the reviews I read regarding BB, I am not sure I even read the same book. I really liked this book!  I think that Christina & Lauren did a nice job. This is not FSOG or BTY, but there are some similarities. I think it is a stand alone book that does a good job at giving the reader insight into two very strong characters.

Chloe and Bennett are two very head-strong characters that love perfection and expect performance in both their roles. Even though Bennett is a raging asshole, I seemed to love him by the end of the book. The reader discovers that he has a human vulnerability and her name is Chloe Mills! 
Chloe is great!  She can dish it as well as she takes it. Her determination to get her MBA and prove her worth is awesome!  She is loved by her friends and co-workers and this shows all throughout the book.

There is a shift about 3/4 of the way through the book that turns from the annoying banter and hate and leads to a more functional relationship. This is where I realized I was enjoying this read.
Overall, I do recommend Beautiful Bastard as a 3.5-4.0 star rating.

BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY- THE WAY BACK TO ME K.L Conlon & T.D Waesch

Lexi Reynolds is facing a game changer. Three years ago, under the insistence of her husband, she walked away from a promising career as a special education specialist with her eyes set on becoming an administrator so that she could be a stay-at-home wife and mother. Now with the demise of her marriage along with her self-esteem and heart, Lexi must face the task of building a new life.

Layla Karsten is not one to sit idly on the side lines. Seeing the crushed spirit of her sister, Lexi, she is bound and determined to push her sister back in life....even if it means tapping into Lexi's inner slut to do it.

Intended for ages 18 and over. Mature content and language.

These are a few things that rang through my head while reading this book:

Wow!
I think I just peed in my pants.
Did that just happen?
Did she really say that?
Did he really say that?
Why doesn't someone slap him? ( and there are several hims)
Don't be a douche- please.  Too Late

Okay- ready to tell you about this book. I loved this book there are only a few minor complaints, but they will come later.

In the very beginning of this book you are introduced to a 30-something divorcee  (Lexi)who  has lost all self confidence and personal drive. She has been cheated on  by her husband- who by the way had an affair with his personal trainer-and she has no career because she gave it up to be a mother and wife. You instantly learn that her sister is not going to let this go on because she has formed her own form of "rehabilitate Lexi" plan. This is where it gets GOOD!!
There were parts of this book that had me laughing out loud with tears in my eyes. (Anyone want to go jogging with Lexi & Layla?) Then there was raw emotion of finding yourself in a situation where Lexi has to accept that her perfect planned life has changed and never will be the same.
Layla is such a main character- I don't even consider her secondary. She is righteous! We are introduced to 2 very sexy men that help lead Lexi on this path of discovery and understanding about her internal make-up and what she needs to be happy now. Both Patrick and Sebastian- albeit assholes- have an intricate part of helping Lexi.  They both introduce her to side of herself she never knew existed. I will tell you now, I hated both men in this book in many ways. I don't like "loose ends" and "controlling values" but they rocked it!  In the end it is almost like a flip-flop of which guy you are pulling for.
Throughout her journey to discover what changes are in store for her  and you root for her to come out on top because she is JUST THAT AWESOME!

Okay, now here is what I have a problem with- I felt like the end just hit-BAM!!!! I needed a little more from the confessions. And I needed clarification on Benjamin's feelings for Gracie. She's a twit! 
I needed to know where Lexi's head is at and what Patrick and Sebastian are thinking.
I am a girl that wants closure...... I understand we can expect a second book this spring. So please hurry up!

ABOUT THIS BOOK:

Release Date: November 18 2012

Series / Stand Alone: Series (Book #2 to be released early March 2013)

Genre: Erotic and Contemporary Romance

Add it on Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16207944-the-way-back-to-me
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am a stay-at-home mom for the second year in a row. My three young children keep me on my toes as well as our crazy dog and hamster. Thank goodness I have such a loving and supportive husband!!

Writing has been my secret goal that I put on my bucket list of things to do before I hit 40. As my loving sister pointed out to me last summer, I turn 40 in a few short months. There are definitely things that were on the bucket list that I had to just remove. For instance, I will never be a size 6 again. I removed it from my list by tearing it off and shredding it.

However, writing was one that I just couldn't bring myself to erase from the list. Knowing this about me, my sister pushed and prodded me to just start writing something...she strongly suggested something with adult content.

So caving to her pressure, I started to write The Way Back To Me. I gradually pulled her into the writing process as she had spent an enormous amount of time reading "mommy porn" and together we completed The Way Back To Me in November 2012. We have already started a sequel that should be ready to go by the end of February 2013.

I am also in the beginning process of another romance novel that I hope to complete by the summer of 2013.

Find the Author:

Goodreads • Goodreads Blog • Facebook 

This book tour post was organized and designed by:

Enter The Giveaway• [book:The Way Back To Me|16207944]

Collide- Gail McHugh

Okay, I am not even sure where I want to start with this review. I can't honestly say I am disappointed, but I am not thrilled either. I probably would not have chosen to read this immediately if I would have know there is a sequel expected sometime soon. With that being said- I did like this book and will buy the sequel when it is released.
This was my first book by Gail McHugh and I truly enjoyed her writing. I liked the consecutive POV's throughout the book and knowing that Gavin was captivated from the beginning. As a matter of fact, I think Gavin captivated me from the first mention of him....... swoon.There is now another character to add to the growing list of fictitious boyfriends and his name is Gavin Blake! 
Gavin aside, I have to touch on Emily- whew, this woman is a bundle of confusion, anxiety, tension, depression...... should I go on?  Not to mention she is a HUGE PUSHOVER!  So many times in this book I wanted to punch her into waking up. I understand her devastation over the death of her mother, but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WOMAN!  Please get over yourself. Stick up for yourself!!!
This is a true love story with steam,sass, tension, angst, and hurt. All secondary characters are awesome! 
Gail does a good job of making the reader feel like they are literally a silent spectator of what is happening, as if in front of your own eyes.
I will pick up "Pulse"  when it is released just to follow Gavin. But I will also beg Gail to hurry up and get the rest of the story to us.

If you are looking for a HEA ending or even closure to this twisted love affair- I recommend you wait until the next book arrives. And I am serious, there is NO closure.