{Review} Untamed by S.C. Stephens

#1 New York Times bestselling author S.C. Stephens brings us the next book in her Thoughtless series! 

{Review} Darkest Before Dawn by Maya Banks

{Review}{Giveaway} Nuts by Alice Clayton

{Review} How to be a Grown Up by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus

{Blog Tour} The Dark Ones by Rachel Van Dyken

{Blog Tour}{Giveaway} The Affiliate by K.A Linde.

{Blitz} Steam by Stacey Rourke

{Review} Fractured Suns (Book 2) by Theresa Kay

{Review} Sustained by Emma Chase

A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight.

{Review} Reawakened by Colleen Houck

{Cover Reveal} The Affiliate by K.A. Linde

Today we’re revealing the cover of Kyla Linde’s The Affiliate! I am so excited about this fantastic YA fantasy!!

Title: The Affiliate (Ascension, 1)

Author: K. A. Linde

Release Day: September 15^th

Genre: YA Fantasy

{Blitz} Bad Medicine (Lizzie Hart Mysteries book 3) by Caroline Fardig

BAD MEDICINE is the third book in THE LIZZIE HART MYSTERIES series.

Tagline:

What do a smokin’ hot detective, an evil chiropractor, and a couple of blind dates from hell have in common?

Lizzie has to wrangle them all in the third book of THE LIZZIE HART MYSTERIES series!

{Review} PLAYING WITH TROUBLE by Chanel Cleeton

{Review} Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid

{Review} {Blog Tour} Ultimate Temptations by K. Anne

{Blitz Post} Sweet Sinful Nights by Lauren Blakely

{Review} Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley

{Recruit Blog Tour}{Review} The Forgotten Mountain by Heather Lyons

{Review} That One Night by Josie Wright

{Review} The Accidental Assassin by Nichole Chase

{Blitz} Scorched by Jennifer Armentrout

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Release Week Blitz for Jennifer L. Armentrout's SCORCHED!! SCORCHED is a standalone New Adult Contemporary Romance and is a part of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Frigid Series. And be sure to grab FRIGID, the first standalone in this amazing series!!

{Review} Dirty Thoughts by Megan Erickson

{Review} Never Let You Go by Katy Regnery

{Review} Road to Desire by Piper Davenport

{Reviews} Behind the Blindfold Volumes 1 & 2 by Natalie E. Wrye

{Review} Amber Smoke by Kristin Cast

{Review} The Normal Kind of Crazy by L.J Voss

{Review} Happily Ever, Never by Jennifer Foor

{Cover Reveal} Dare to Run (The Sons of Steel Row) by Jen McLaughlin

{Blitz} The Illusion of Annabella by Jessica Sorensen

{Review} Getting Played by Mia Storm

{Review} Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry

{Review} Afraid to Fly by S.L. Jennings

Coming May 26th
I’d like to tell you that I’m ok.
That the meaningless sex with countless women has somehow numbed the pain. That it’s deciphered the constant confusion in my head. Eased the self-hatred that sinks into my gut every time I look in the mirror.
I’d like to tell you that time heals all wounds. 
That we evolve and grow into well-adjusted, stable adults, set on a path to right the world’s wrongs. That we are not our past…we are not our pain. 
I want to tell you all those things. Hell, I want to believe all those things. But I’d be lying. I’m good at that. Living a lie is the only way I truly know how to survive. 
But the day I saw her, I stopped surviving. I stopped existing. And for the first time in 24 years, I started living. 
She brought me back to life. Set me free and sent my soul soaring. Made this useless shell of a man feel like…something. Something whole and real and good. 
She saved me.
Although she believes I wasn’t even worth saving.
This story chronicles the journey of Dominic Trevino, a character from Fear of Falling. However, it can be read as a standalone.

I don't even know where to start with this review... 

The tears, the hurt, the pain, the highlights, the heartache??? 

I crawled my bloody, bruised, and half-dead body through the ending of this book. Reaching for someone, anyone, to help me back up after being knocked straight on my ass. 

It was intense, it was hard, it was emotional, Oh GOD, was it emotional, and some parts had me internally cringing, not sure if I wanted to keep reading.

It was so much, too much... 

But it was also raw, powerful, amazing, and just enough angst and drama to break up all the heartbreak. 

Had you guessing WTF until the very end... 

Then, just when Jennings breaks your heart into a million and one tiny pieces and burns each and every piece, she pours water on your soul and soothes your little, broken, book heart.

Of course she couldn't put it back together the way it was, it's still a little cracked and damaged, but it is fuller and pumps a little stronger...

I vaguely remembered the story behind Dom in Fear of Falling, and I knew this book was going to be hard for me because of the content that needed to be explored. 

And it was...

It was really hard to read and really hard to digest. The details were graphic, hard to fathom, and just thinking about how a lot of kids have experienced something like that... 

It's tragic.

Sickening..

Heartbreaking...



But Jennings does a spectacular job of giving you just enough to not make it too much, where you do not want to keep reading because it is to graphic. 
My heart appreciated that. 

I really don't want to give much away about this book. I want you to experience EVERYTHING yourself, just prepare yourself. 

It is Dirty Dom and his story will break your little heart and even though it is hard to swallow, it is worth every word!

I give this 5 "Where are my cuddles???" Stars!!

Excerpt

It was if my body had known what my soul needed to mend itself from the verbal assault that had left me open and bleeding. Sex was that healing balm for me. And this was exactly the place where I could find it.

None of the dancers here were prostitutes, and I never paid to get laid. Ever. They fucked me because they wanted me. And I fucked them because I needed them. It was an even trade.

Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t stick my dick in just anything, and other than Cherri, had only been intimate with two other girls there: Skylar, a hot sophomore at UNC Charlotte, stripping her way through college, and Velvet, a tattooed, purple-haired vixen from England who fucked like a porn star and cursed like a sailor.

Right now, I needed Velvet. If anyone could make me forget the last twenty minutes, Raven’s razor-sharp words and myself, it was her.

My legs carried me inside, despite the numbness I felt. I didn’t want to be here, but I needed to be. And once I had the soft silkiness and warmth of a woman’s skin against me, I’d feel a helluva lot better. Luckily, Velvet was there for a day shift, working the lunch crowd in her usual getup of velvet and chains. Today she wore a cut-out thonged romper that left little to the imagination. And that was fine by me. I was tired of thinking anyway.

“Hey love,” she smiled as I approached. Her lips were painted a deep, dark eggplant purple that almost looked black. I’d have the color smeared all over me within the hour, most of it in places invisible to the public. 

I didn’t waste any time. I didn’t have it in me to go through the motions and pretend I was here for anything other than sex. I leaned in close to her ear, letting my lips brush her earlobe in that sensual way I knew would get her hot, and whispered, “Back room in 10.” Then I quickly made my way to the bar to slam a shot of tequila.

She was there when I arrived, lounging on a plush loveseat with her heeled boots propped up on the arm. She looked at me with sin gleaming in her heavily lined eyes and gave me a slow, Cheshire grin. “Someone’s awfully anxious today.”

I was already loosening my tie as I stalked towards her and said, “Clothes off, boots on and get on your knees.”

{Review} Under the Influence by L.B. Simmons

Dalton,
I loved you once. A love I thought irrevocable. A love I mistakenly believed could transcend both time and circumstance. Under the influence of my dimwitted, naïve, traitorous heart, I became intoxicated with what I now know was simply a figment of my self-indulgent imagination. So drunk on the feeling, I couldn’t see what was right in front of my face. So foolishly enamored, I blindly followed my heart into the depths of an emotion that would ravage me. 
Years later, I know now what I wish I knew then. I am stronger. Smarter. Tougher. I will not allow myself to be broken again. 

I loved you.

I raged for you.

I wept for you.

And now, I’m letting you go.

Author’s Note: Under the Influence is the journey of two childhood friends that spans the course of five pivotal years in their lives. It is a story about their discovery of true friendship as it blossoms into first love, their experience of crucial sacrifice and ultimate betrayal, and their endurance of agonizing heartbreak on the way to finding lasting redemption.

I have to admit, this book was really rough. The grab your heart, squeeze it as tight as it possibly can, let it go, and just when the pressure is easing, start squeezing all over again... This process is continued until the very end, when the heart is finally set free. 

It was all very emotional and heartbreaking but with a silver lining that you are holding out hope it will end happily...

This story is told in a dual POV, with alternating chapters and it packed more of a punch being written this way because we get all the feels from both main characters in the story. When I say pack a punch, I really mean it. Because just as I was recovering from one POV, the other one gut punches me and I spent majority of the book with tears in my eyes that at different points of the story it became hard to read through them and I was forced to take a break. 

It was all very raw and powerful with a hint of poeticness that bleeds through the paper. It was true love, tragedy, hopelessness, and revenge all rolled up in a little book that made me want to rip my own emotions out so I didn't have to feel them anymore. 

I am no newbie when it comes to L.B's writing. I have read all but one of her books and I know how much of an amazing writer she is. I knew it was going to be good going into it because it had her name on it. I wasn't wrong. I was wrapped up in the story almost immediately and I didn't want the journey to end but I wanted the powerful punches to stop knocking me sideways. 

At some point, I think it was a little too much, too many feelings being discussed at once and it just needed to be broken up a little bit so I could catch my breath. 

Dalton was fierce and protective. He had a fucked up childhood and took comfort from someone who was just using him. He had so many demons to overcome and I liked the journey I was taken on with him. I got to see him grow, love, and accept everything that happened in his life. 

Spencer is like one of those people who has a positive outlook on everything and tries to get people to see their full potential without pushing them. I saw her change in this story. Turn bitter and angry. It was heartbreaking. 

I think the letters were the worst and best part of this story. They held so much depth and added so much character to the story. Reading them were like getting a glimpse inside both of their souls and having them exposed right there for everyone to read. They were sad but I liked how LB did this because even as years passed, I got to see the mindset of both characters. 

All in all I really enjoyed this Dalton and Spencer's story. Even with the material being so heavy with emotions, it was still a great story. I would advise not reading it if you are in a great mood because it will quickly diminish by the end. 

I give this book a 4 "Emotional gut punches" Stars!!! 

This book will be LIVE on May 11th!!!!

Excerpt

Spencer POV:

Dalton’s voice is thick as he begins to speak. “I’m sorry, Spence. I know I hurt you—”

I shake my head dismissively. “You didn’t hurt me. I’m just tired.”  

The corners of his mouth dip downward and he lifts his hand, placing his palm against my cheek and swiping the moisture with his thumb. My heart would typically melt at the tenderness of the gesture, but now I find it only aggravates me. I narrow my eyes and shove his hand away from my face. 

“Don’t do that. Don’t do something you don’t mean.”

Channeling my sorrow, anger begins to churn as I step away and turn my back on him. My bare feet carry me to the wooden rail that lines my porch and I brace my good hand against it, leaning forward and inhaling deeply. 

Dalton growls with frustration. “What the fuck? Of course I mean it. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, Spence. I’m trying to apologize here.” 

I laugh humorlessly and turn to face him. “For what, exactly? For stalking me on my date tonight?”  

His blue eyes now heat with a different emotion as they slice to mine. “The date in which you were being manhandled by some fucking loser who asked you out for no other reason than to get back at me?” He scoffs openly. “You should be thanking me.” 

I cease the fight to hold back my tears, permitting them to flow freely as I respond. “I handled it, did I not? I don’t need you to protect me, Dalton. I can take care of myself.”

He chuckles, unsmiling, as he removes his cap and throws it to the ground, dragging his fingers through his hair in irritation. My glare hardens as I continue my rant. 

“And yes, he asked me out to get back at you. Are you apologizing for that? Or are you apologizing for the fact that because of your stupid crusade against me dating anyone EVER, I was so excited to be asked out that I accepted a date with said fucking loser because I wanted to know what it would be like to actually be wanted for once?” Not entirely true, but true enough to make my point.

My breaths are heavy and my pulse is thrumming rapidly through my entire body. I angrily wipe away the tears as I inquire, “Why is that, Dalton? Why is it that you don’t want me, but no one else is allowed to have me?” I shake my head in frustration as I stumble on my words. “I just…I don’t understand.” My voice trembles and my chin quivers with the admission. 

Dalton heavy boots sound as he stalks across the porch. I avert my gaze, but once he’s in front of me, he curls his fingers around my chin and pulls my face into his line of sight. His eyes burn into mine as they narrow in earnest. “You think I don’t want you? Goddamn it, Spencer,” he bites, “I want you so much I can’t fucking breathe when I’m not with you. Every single time I force myself to walk away from you, I feel nothing but agony as the anger that simmers here,” he breaks to pound his closed fist on his chest, “breaks free and chars my insides with each step I take.”

His eyes begin to glisten and his jaw tightens as he shakes his head. “I can’t fucking breathe without you, don’t you get it? I want you so much that being without you is absolute torture.” 

He swallows deeply and moisture seeps from my eyes at the sight of his exposed emotion as he continues. “I want you, Spence, but I can’t have you. I won’t allow it. You’re too good, too pure, too innocent, and just as your presence soothes me, mine will eventually flaw you. It’s inevitable, and I care too much for you to let that happen.” 

I watch a lone tear fall from the corner of his eye before he concludes, “But you’re right. Even thinking about you with someone else, with someone else’s arms around you as you look into their eyes the same way you’re looking into mine right now, I just…” He casts his stare downward and shakes his head. “I just can’t. So I guess I’m just a selfish, heartless prick, because where does that leave you?”

The tear finally falls free from his chin, and I watch it strike the wood beneath our feet before placing my hands on the side of his face and forcing his eyes to mine. My voice trembles as I speak. “I know you like to control things, Dalton. That’s how you’ve learned to cope and I understand that, but you don’t control me. My feelings. My heart. And even though you feel you don’t deserve those things, that they’re not yours to have, you’re mistaken.”

I tighten my grip as he tries to look away and state with emphasis, “You ask where that leaves me? Well, it leaves me right in the same place, on this same porch, as I was six years ago when I met you. The day that all of those things you think you can’t have I willingly handed over without question.”

Releasing my hold, I turn away from him, knowing his refusal will absolutely destroy me as I state into the night air, “I have always belonged to you. I will always belong to you.  Regardless of what you’ve done, what you do, or what you will do, I will forever be yours. And that’s my choice to make, whether you choose me or not.”

{Cover Reveal} Drowning to Breathe by A.L Jackson

The danger in pretending is it becoming
real...

Sebastian Stone, Sunder front man and guitarist with a rap sheet
about ten miles long, escaped to Savannah,
Georgia, to get away from the trouble he’d caused.

Not find more of it.

    The moment he saw Shea Bentley, he saw beneath
all her sweet and innocence to something that went deeper.

Darker.

Their relationship was
built on secrets; their love built on lies.

Sebastian never imagined
how deep her secrets went.

When the past and
present collide, Sebastian and Shea find themselves fighting for a future
neither believed they deserved. Their passion is consuming and their need
unending.

Now, holding the truth
in his hands, Sebastian is faced with sacrificing everything he’s come to love
to protect Shea and his family.

Two

pasts intertwined.

Two

lives bound.

Will their demons drown
them or will Shea and Sebastian finally learn to breathe?

Drowning to Breathe

A Bleeding Stars Novel,
Book 2

 ADD TO GOODREADS

iBooks Exclusive Pre-Order

He wanted nothing at all…

Until he found she had everything to give…

Sunder lead singer and guitarist Sebastian Stone has

everything—fans, fame, and fortune. He also has a heart full of bitterness and

a reputation for a short-fused temper. But an outward reputation rarely reveals

the true man inside. Facing assault charges after trying to protect his younger

brother, Sebastian is sent to Savannah, Georgia to lie low until the dust

settles in L.A.

Shea Bentley is beautiful, kind, and hiding from the very

lifestyle Sebastian has always embraced.

When the mysterious, tattooed stranger begins hanging out at the

bar where she works, Shea is quick to recognize he is nothing but trouble, but

she's helpless to the way her body lights up every time his intense gray eyes

tangle with hers.

They both soon find themselves drowning in a sea of desire and

passion that won’t let them up for air.

Sebastian knows firsthand secrets never die, and he’s not the only

one who’s hiding them.

Loving someone always comes with a price. But will it be Shea’s

past that costs them everything?

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A.L. Jackson

is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary and new adult romance.

She first

found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college

student.  She filled the journals she

carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the

difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later,

she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends

and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel.

A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her

husband and three children.

Connect with

A.L. 

Jackson online:www.aljacksonauthor.com

To stay up to date with important news

on A.L. Jackson, including new releases, sales, and exclusive specials and

excerpts, text “jackson” to 96000 to subscribe! 

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