Friday Finds #16

This is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading. What ya do is post up books that you discovered through bookstores, friends, goodreads etc, whichever way you discovered them. But only post up the books that you discovered during that Friday week only.

Book I found this week:

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Tru died at a very young age, and when she was resuscitated, she came back with a powerful gift – the ability to travel to Shaolin, a parallel realm, in her dreams.

Taus, her sentinel in Shaolin, was assigned to Tru the moment she was blessed with this gift, and has watched her from afar for the better part of her life. Taus himself was a child when he received his charge and was raised with his duties in mind: to physically and mentally prepare to defend Tru’s safety, should there ever be a need. But through the years, as he fortified his personal knowledge of her, he has grown to love her deeply.

That love pushes Taus to his very limits of self-discipline and focus when he finds Tru in Shaolin, stranded in a corporeal state, having fallen victim to an insidious race's curse as they sought to procure her gift. Encountering various mystical creatures in their travels, they traverse the dangerous magical realm seeking a cure – Taus stoically trying to save that which is his, and his feisty companion fighting him every step of the way. Coming from different worlds and experiences, Taus and Tru don’t see eye-to-eye on much, but to reach a minimum level of safety, they will need to find a way to break down their own defensive barriers and discover the intimate bond they share.

ARC Review: Beneath Beautiful

Beneath Beautiful by Allison Rushby

Publisher: Allison Rushby, 2014
211 pages, kindle edition
Source: Netgalley
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Link: Goodreads

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
When a handsome stranger approaches Cassie Tavington in Paris's beautiful Père Lachaise cemetery, she has no idea who he is. It doesn't take long to find out. A whispered name from a passerby shocks her into the realisation that it's Cameron Callahan, high-profile modern artist, who she's busy showing around the cemetery.

Mortified, Cassie runs, but Cameron soon tracks her down. He's intent on having Cassie sit for him, but Cassie isn't sure. His provocative sculptures are often in the media, which isn't somewhere that Cassie, the daughter of a politician, should be.

But there's no denying the attraction between the pair, and Cassie soon finds herself in a strange whirlwind of a relationship. Between Paris, London and New York, Cassie finds sitting for an artist isn't as simple as it seems. There's much to contend with—including Cameron's ex-girlfriend, Plum, her own father, and her new love interest, James.

With the clock ticking down to the opening of Cameron's new exhibition, Cassie must struggle to decide just how much of herself she can give over to Cameron and his sculpture while still remaining whole.

My Review:

The story beings with Cassie, a somewhat famous children's author looking to step out of that genre but seriously lacking in inspiration. She finds herself reading one of favorite spots, Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris. She discovers a handsome, older man standing over her. has he been watching her? Surely not. He asks for directions and that quickly turns into Cassie escorting him and giving him a tour. They hit it off and they have some serious chemistry. Suddenly Cassie realises how she knows him. He is the famous artist, Cameron Callahan, best known for his erotic scuplptures. Cassie freaks out and flees, but little does she know that she has just become Cameron's new Muse.

Overallthis was a quick and nice change from the other basic books in this genre. Although it lacked proper romance, it made up for it in the humour department.

My Rating:

ARC Review: Tempting Fate (Serendipity #2)

Tempting Fate (Serendipity #2) by Brinda Berry

Publisher: Sweet Biscuit Publishing LLC, 2014
220 pages, kindle edition
Source: Netgalley
Genre: New Adult
Link: Goodreads

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
When two worlds collide, it can only be fate.

Collin knows trouble when he sees it. A beautiful girl crashing into his car? She should be flashing a neon DANGER sign. He knows better than to get involved with a fresh-faced babe who could break his already-tattered heart. After graduating from college, he's on track to start over in a new place. He's discovering what he wants from life, away from the shadow of his overbearing father and the betrayal of his cheating ex-fiancé.

Veronica's home life morphs from trailer park to homeless after a bloody fight between her brother and her ex. She's on the run from a situation that promises to be deadly. Without a home, money, or friends, she's at Collin's mercy.

Fate brought them together. Will a secret from her past tear them apart?

My Review:

Veronica is only 19 years old, but she has had a hard life, growing up and having only her step-brother Gunner to look out for her.

Colin has had a hard year. He caught his ex-fiancée cheating on him. First is a hard limit for both of these characters.

The merging of their two lives makes for humor, hot kisses, and some razzing from friends. Can Veronica learn Collin is worth it? Can she ever trust a man again? Collin works so hard to help her trust him and takes everything slow just for her. This story is so amazing and full of surprises!! This is the 2nd book in the Serendipity series.

My Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday #16

This weekly event is hosted by Breaking The Spine where bloggers spotlight upcoming releases that they are eagerly waiting paitently for.

Book that I am most eagerly anticipating this week is:

Release Date: March 31st 2015

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Horror

Link: Goodreads

Synopsis:

To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die....

But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?

Book Blitz: Samantha Chase

Moonlight In The Winter Park by Samantha Chase

Publisher: Not available at the moment

Release Date: November 24th 2014

Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Links: Goodreads | Amazon

Synopsis:

“Moonlight in Winter Park” – A modern-day Beauty and the Beast style Christmas.

All Hope Cooper needed this year was to have the kind of Christmas her family always cherished. But with her parents gone and her only brother having to work, it doesn’t look like it’s going to work out for her. There’s nothing she can do about her parents, but she most certainly can voice her annoyance at her brother’s boss for making him work out of town all through the holidays.

Beckett James hates the holidays and everything that goes with them. They were important at one time, but now the only thing that mattered was his company and it’s continued growth and anyone who worked for him better feel the same way. If not, then they could find employment elsewhere and good riddance. With a major expansion deal on the line, Beckett needs to focus. What he doesn’t need is Hope to come barging into his mountain retreat demanding that her brother come home immediately due to an emergency.

Suddenly it’s two alone in a snowstorm. Two alone for Christmas. And two alone to fight an attraction that had been there all along. Hope soon begins to realize she may have misjudged Beckett while he comes to see that there really is something special and magical about Christmas. But once they leave their private winter wonderland and return to their normal lives, will the magic still be there?

Exceprt:
He stood there in front of her, looking all kinds of handsome. His dark hair slightly mussed, a gray wool scarf around his neck and a black wool jacket covering his muscular build. It wasn’t fair that he could look so good all the damn time – so calm and completely in control – when her life was spinning in the complete opposite direction.

“I…I really need to go,” she said finally and then forced herself to look up and meet his eyes. Damn. They were so dark, so intense and it would be so easy to just look into them forever. A sigh escaped before she could stop it. “Merry Christmas, Beckett,” she said with a bit of a forced smile.

“You too, Hope.”

“And I guess a Happy New Year, too,” she added and turned to climb into her car when his hand on her arm stopped her again. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask what he wanted, but suddenly his lips were on hers and Hope had to remember how to breathe.

His lips were gentle at first but once she seemed to overcome her shock and relax, Beckett’s hands came up and cupped her face, caressed her cheeks. Hope sighed as her own hands crept up and clutched the front of his coat. It was so unexpected, such a complete surprise to her that Hope needed to keep herself anchored to something or her knees would surely give out and she’d be in a puddle on the ground.

After Beckett seemed satisfied with introducing himself to her through his kiss, he deepened it. His hand traveled up and into the riotous curls on her head as he moved closer to her. The feel of his lean body pressed up against hers sent Hope’s own body into overdrive. Over and over he slanted his lips over hers, his tongue teased hers, his breath mingled with hers. It was glorious and all-consuming and yet all she could do was purr against him.

Long moments later when Beckett finally lifted his head from hers, he stared down into her face. “Happy New Year, Hope,” he said, his voice slightly rough and gravelly. His hand trailed down her cheek to her chin before he let her go and stepped back.
And walked away.

“Hope? Hope, come on, sweetheart, open your eyes. Talk to me,” he coaxed as he quickly got the rope off of her and her suitcase. His hand was bleeding and he was starting to get numb from the cold but he needed her to wake up so that he could get her on the snowmobile and get them back to the house. He felt for her pulse and almost cried with relief when he found it. Patting her cheek, he gently called her name again.

Long eyelashes fluttered open as she seemed to blink him into focus. “Beckett?” she whispered. “What…? How…?”

“Come on,” he said and carefully pulled her into a sitting up position. “You're soaked to the skin and we need to get you warmed up. Can you stand for me?”

“No, I can’t stand you,” she muttered as she gingerly came to her feet.

Beckett couldn’t help but laugh. The snarky comeback meant that she was going to be all right.

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40's to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she's not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaways:
Individual giveaways
WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN RANDOMLY BY RANDOM.ORG & ANNOUNCED BY EMAIL
1. Moonlight in Winter Park 
Leave your name in the comment section below with a number start from 1. 

Blitz-wide giveaway (International)
ENDS DECEMBER 9th
1. $100 Amazon gift card

Release Day Blitz: Kelly Elliott

The Journey Home by Kelly Elliott

Publisher: Kelly Elliott (CreateSpace)

Release Date: November 25th 2014

Genre: Young Adult, New Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Links: iBooks | B&N | Amazon | Goodreads

Synopsis:

Fate has a way of stepping in and righting itself when we least expect it.

Maddison Powers has been regretting the biggest mistake of her life when she walked away from the only man who has ever sparked something deep inside her. After comparing every guy she dates to Cale Blackwood, she finally gives up all hope of ever finding him.

One dare by Maddison throws Cale back into her life...and into the arms of her best friend.

Cale Blackwood thought he had found the woman of his dreams, until she walked away from him one night and didn't look back. Attempting to find love again, Cale finds himself in a relationship built on one lie after another. Forced to take on the biggest challenge of his life, Cale must seek help from the woman who walked away from him and broke his heart.

Sometimes it takes more than one journey in life to truly be home.

Excerpt:

Maddie's POV

“Cale, you need to go home.”
He closed his eyes and shook his head. “You’re doing it again. You’re pushing me away. I’m tired of it, Maddie. I’m so tired of it.”
I swallowed hard and turned to find my phone. I needed Jack to come pick up Cale.
I was about to dial my phone when Cale grabbed me. He turned me around and backed me up until I hit the living room wall.
His eyes were filled with lust. That look had my panties soaked in seconds.
He lifted up my dress and, in one quick movement, he ripped my panties from my body. I wanted to cry out yes. I wanted to let him take me, but I couldn’t.
“Cale,” I said. “Don’t do this.”
He kissed my neck and I started to give in. When his hand touched my inner thigh, I startled. His lips moved to mine and I moaned, desperately, into his mouth as he lifted my leg.
“Oh God,” I whispered. I tried to come to my senses. “Cale, please don’t do this. We can’t do this.”
He moved his lips to my jaw line as he kissed around to my ear. “Are you turned on by me? Or by him?”
The moment he asked, I felt like a whore. I dropped my leg and pushed him back.
I wiped the tears from my eyes.
“Jesus. I didn’t mean that Maddie. I just—”
“Get out,” I said. “Get out of my house and don’t you dare set foot near me again. I hate you, Cale.”

Author Bio:

Kelly Elliott is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!

She’s also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.

In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner overlooking the Texas hill country and write.

One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her property with Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose, her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush, move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, you’ll find her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.

Author Links: Facebook | Twitter @author_kelly | Website | Amazon | Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesdays #15

Top 10 Releases for 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish.

No specific order but add to your GOODREADS.

1. A Court of Thrones & Roses by Sarah J. Mass

2.  Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

3. End of Days by Susan Ee

4. Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins

5. An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

6. Deep by Kylie Scott

7. The Girl At Midnight by Melissa Grey 

8. The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

9. Instinct by Sherrilyn Keneyon 

10. The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige

Book Blitz: Marata Eros

The Token 8: Kiki by Marata Eros

Publisher: Not available at the moment

Release Date: November 28th 2014

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Links: Goodreads | Amazon

Synopsis:

One Promise.

Kandace “Kiki” King lives a dream life. Rising above the ashes of a neglected childhood, she’s graduated from a prestigious Seattle university to obtain her pre-law degree. Her best friend, Faren, has overcome tragedy and found her happily ever after.

Kiki’s not looking for love.

The Lie.

Love has other plans. After Thorn’s revelation about the ties of their past, Kiki feels as though she’s been set adrift. When Mick McKenna’s billionaire friend shows interest, she dismisses him. Her exotic dancing paid for her lifestyle. What does Chet Sinclair know about sacrifice and hard work?

A Truth.

Until they discover a similar appetite. For the first time in her life, Kiki feels helpless against the pull of a sexuality she doesn’t understand, couldn’t anticipate, yet hungers for. Will she allow herself to succumb to what Chet Sinclair offers?

Or is the oath she made to herself in danger of being broken?

Excerpt:

“I like this Chet.” My finger touches the tip of his nose.

His expression freezes.

“What Chet?” he asks neutrally.

“This one,” I say softly, touching his arm lightly as he stands.

He doesn't respond, quickly drying himself.

I blush at his flaccid penis. That his tube of love did those things to me... seems inconceivable, but Chet has the moves. Boy, does he.

He strides around my small condo, picking up trousers, socks, underwear, and the cufflinks he'd left behind.

“Ah,” he says when he plucks them off the entrance table. “I wondered where they'd gone off to.” He lifts them with his fingers then loosely closes his fist around them.

“You put them there when we were christening the wall,” I say, my voice as droll as they come.

My cell dings between us on the kitchen table. I don't move to answer, but Chet does.

I go to intercept, but I’m too late.

Chet scoops it up, frowning at whatever he sees on the screen.

Shit.

But why should I feel bad? I mean, he's got Chloe for shit's sake. And Ax and I—we're nothing.

Though it could be something.

I bite my lip, and Chet's eyes zero in on my mauling of the soft flesh. I let it plop out.

“Who is Ax?”

I lift a naked shoulder, my boob jiggling a little from the motion. Chet's eyes flick to my breast then back to my eyes.

“A guy.”

His eyebrow cocks. “Clearly.”

The silence has words.

“He's a guy I was friends with in the projects,” I say.

Chet pulls a face. “Projects?”

Right, rich boy doesn't know the term. “Yʼknow, slums.” I sound a little more harsh than I mean to. Try as I might, I can't wash the dirt off the word.

“I see.” Chet's gaze doesn't hold the condemnation I think it will. It's neutral.

I try not to be defensive about my past. I can't help my birthing circumstance, my old hood, my stripping to pay for school at Udub—none of it. It's my past. But knowing all that shit doesn't make me feel any less self-conscious.

I inhale deeply, poised to speak, but Chet holds up a hand. “I'm not interested in an explanation of your background.”

I see red, literally. He gets a load of my pissed off expression, no doubt.

Chet rakes his longish hair back from his forehead. “What I mean is that I do want to know you, were you come from. However, I don't want you to feel you're lesser for it.”

I don't cry, but my throat feels as if a fist is crammed inside it. Something tells me I've misunderstood Chet....

Author Bio:

Marata Eros (a pen name for Tamara Rose Blodgett), is the NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author of A Terrible Love. Marata has more than thirty-five titles in multiple genres including Dark Fantasy, Dark Romance as well as her highly successful Dark Erotica series.

Marata lives in South Dakota with her husband, children and fur kids. She is an ardent reader of many genres. Tamara enjoys interacting with her readers via Twitter, blog and newsletter as often as possible. Please stop by and say hi

Author Links: Website | Twitter @MarataEros | facebook.com

Giveaway:

Blitz-wide giveaway (International) ENDS DECEMBER 9th

1. A signed copy of The Token 2: Kiki

2. $25 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: More Than Exes (Chasing The Dream #0.5)

More Than Exes (Chasing The Dream #0.5) by Elizabeth Briggs

publisher: Elizabeth Briggs Books, 2014

123 pages, kindle edition

Source: Netgalley

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Music, Contemporary 

Links: Goodreads

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Keyboardist Kyle Cross may look like a bad boy with his tattoos and piercings, but he’s really the good guy who’s always stuck fixing his band’s problems and never gets the girl. His band is competing in a college Battle of the Bands, but when their bassist doesn't show, Kyle must track her down with the help of the person he least expects: his ex-girlfriend Alexis Monroe.

Kyle hasn't seen Alexis since she dumped him in high school, and she’s dropped her preppy image for fiery red hair and a bold new attitude to match. With only hours before his band goes on stage, Kyle has to be a little bad if he wants to win both the Battle and the girl he's never gotten over. But when their old problems resurface, the good guy might just get his heart broken all over again

My Review:
For a novella, More Than Exes was very well done. The story flowed easily and the writing was excellent. In this book you get to read from Kyles point of view, which I loved. I also really enjoyed the storyline, it was real and believable. Two exes who never got over each other find themselves face to face after three long years. Feelings run deep and the sexual tension off the charts.

Its also a great way to set up the overall theme of the whole series and introduce characters in the succeeding books. More than Exes was actually quite a great read for something so short, the background story was set up in such a way that the story flowed really well without the jarring over introduction that tends to happen in some prequels. The characters were very vivid, likable, unlikable, desirable and very down to earth. It gave off the right tone in this particular story. Very enjoyable, very entertaining and engaging.

My Rating:

ARC Review: The Curse Defiers (The Curse Keepers #3)

The Curse Defiers (The CUrse Keepers #3) by Densie Swank

Publisher: Amazon Publishing, 2014

382 pages, kindle edition

Source: Netgalley

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, New Adult, Young Adult, Romance

Link: Goodreads

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

For centuries the gods have waited—for the betrayal that will release them, for the traitors who will defend them, for the warrior who will challenge them. Now at long last the gate between the human and spirit worlds is open, and with it, an army of vengeful demons poised to swarm the earth. Only the Curse Keepers, Ellie Lancaster and Collin Dailey, can stop it…if they can break free from a tangled web of treachery, jealousy, and lies.

Torn between two men—her heart belongs to David, yet her soul is bound to Collin’s—Ellie no longer knows who she can trust. Demons slipping through the gate are leaving a trail of bodies in their wake, each death a chilling reminder of the power of the ancient spirits to bring humanity to its knees. Faced with an unimaginable future, Ellie realizes the time has come to turn her back on prophecy and choose her own destiny—even if it means defying the gods themselves.

In the thrilling conclusion to the Curse Keepers trilogy, humanity faces its final battle for survival!

My Review:

This is the conclusion to what has been a simply amazing trilogy. It started with The Curse Keepers where we first met Ellie and Collin and has slowly built up the tension until this reader had no idea just what to expect next. These books are definitely best read in order but reading them is a must!

Ellie and Collin are tied together through a soul bond that is about to get even more messy. Ellie was tricked by Collin into opening a gate into hell which allowed Gods, Demons and Spirits access into the mortal realm . Ellie knows that Collin is bad news and untrustworthy but the pull between them is so hard to ignore but ignore it she must . Ellie has met David and he's a man of honour who clearly loves her. Ellie trusts David but realises closing the gate might not be possible without Collins help but it's vital its sealed as the Gods are about to rage war and Ellie and the rest of humanity are in dire straits. It doesn't help that one of the Gods wants Ellie to be mother to his children and that's so not going to happen! Not knowing just who is really on her side anymore Ellie faces the startling truth that she has been lied to and manipulated all along and now Ellie has to take a stand no matter what the consequences.

This is a fabulous book and it's definitely my favourite. This started out as a passionate love story between Ellie and Collin and then the author sneakily moved the goalposts by adding David and suddenly it's a triangle ! I know theres a mixture of Team Collin and Team David fans out there but I confess I was undecided right up until the end and what an awesome ending it is. Sheer edge of the seat moments filled with twists that you won't see coming. The death toll is rising but Ellie is getting stronger as she embraces her new powers but it's the addition of new characters that add humour to this book and one "small" addition steals every scene he is in! This started out as a reworking of a native American legend but has grown into something filled with intrigue, suspense and heart breaking romance. What a ride and this is an author to watch !

My Rating:

ARC Review: The Curse Keepers (The Curse Keepers #1)

The Curse Keepers (The Curse Keepers #1) by Denise Swank

Publisher: Amazon Publishing, 2013

312 pages, kindle edition

Source: Netgalley

Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Romance

Link: Goodreads

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

The wall between our world and that of vengeful spirits has protected humanity for more than 400 years. It’s about to come crashing down.

Ellie Lancaster has lived her whole life by the site of the mysterious Lost Colony of Roanoke, the Virginia settlement that vanished without a trace around 1590. Only the descendants of the two men who banished the spirits of an enemy tribe from the material realm know what really happened to the colony. Ellie is one of those descendants—a Curse Keeper. Her father took pains to teach her what he knew of the curse and the responsibilities of its guardians. He taught her that if the two Curse Keepers ever meet, the curse will be lifted, the gate will open, and the raging Native American spirits will be unleashed to seek their revenge.

Despite her father’s seriousness, Ellie has always taken the legend for a harmless fairy tale. Until she meets the darkly handsome, but downright infuriating, Collin Dailey and realizes everything she was told is true. For when they meet, it’s like the air is sucked from the room. Collin’s presence is electrifying… and it’s not just attraction Ellie feels, but the inexorable pull toward her destiny. The prophecy is real, and now Ellie and Collin must battle supernatural forces and their loathing—and passion—for each other to set things right.

The Curse Keepers are all that stand between the world and its destruction.

My Review:
I am a fan of The Curse Keepers and a fan of Denise Grover Swank's other works too. What sets The Curse Keepers and her other works apart from many other books, is Swank's ability to keep the relationship of the two main characters at the forefront. They're not sure if they love or hate each other, but either way the sex is awesome. The secondary characters are believable too. I like that all of the characters are shown in a balance manner with good and bad.

The setting of The Lost Colony is most assuredly present in the storyline and who doesn't love a good unsolved mystery. The pace of the novel has a tension that keeps building through to the end so I feel like I do when walking to Lady Gaga's Applause--kind of like my heart is going to explode--but in the best way!

My Rating:

Cover Reveal: E.V. Fairfall

Publisher: Not available at the moment

Release Date: February 15th 2015

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Link: Goodreads | Amazon

Synopsis:

Hitchhiking is a bad idea but Caden is desperate.

When she accepts a ride from the first car to come by she meets Gabriel. He’s her age, hot, and the closest thing she has to a savior. Problem is, he is a total jerk. With nowhere to go, Caden convinces Gabriel to let her stay with him for one night. He reluctantly lends a couch.

That night Caden wakes up to strange noises. Concerned, she rushes into Gabriel’s room, already anticipating his bad temper. Instead, he’s kind, sweet, and suspiciously harmless—nothing like the man who gave her a ride. He seems like a different person altogether, and claims he is. By night he is Tom, and by day he is Gabriel. Caden finds herself drawn to the mysteries hidden in his eyes.

For Gabriel, Caden is an annoying mistake. One night turns into many, and despite all his anger towards her, she stays. She even seems to accept him and his flaws, but he still doesn’t trust her—is she staying for him, or has she already discovered more than he’s willing to share?

Author Bio:

I love to write just as much as I love to read. I try to read a book per week, which doesn’t always work out, but it’s the thought that counts. Aside from all that I am a huge animal person.

Transformed is my first novel, but it isn’t my first publication; I’ve had several short stories published over the last two years. My main goal as a writer is to explore humanity and to give people something fun to read.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Friday Finds #15

This is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading. What ya do is post up books that you discovered through bookstores, friends, goodreads etc, whichever way you discovered them. But only post up the books that you discovered during that Friday week only.

Book I found this week:

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

You don't know what you must give up to become a witch.

Avery Roe wants only to claim her birthright as the witch of Prince Island and to make the charms that have kept the island's sailors safe at sea for generations, but instead she is held prisoner by her mother in a magic-free life of proper manners and respectability.

Avery thinks escape is just a matter of time, but when she has a harrowing nightmare, she can see what it means: She will be killed. She will be murdered. And she's never been wrong before.

Desperate to change her future, Avery finds a surprising ally in Tane—a tattooed harpoon boy with magic of his own, who moves her in ways she never expected. But as time runs out to unlock her magic and save herself, Avery discovers that becoming a witch requires unimaginable sacrifice.

Avery walks the knife's edge between choice and destiny in Kendall Kulper's sweeping debut: the story of one girl's fight to survive the rising storm of first love and family secrets.

Friday Finds #15

This is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading. What ya do is post up books that you discovered through bookstores, friends, goodreads etc, whichever way you discovered them. But only post up the books that you discovered during that Friday week only.

Book I found this week:

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Princess Snow is missing.

Her home planet is filled with violence and corruption at the hands of King Matthias and his wife as they attempt to punish her captors. The king will stop at nothing to get his beloved daughter back—but that’s assuming she wants to return at all.

Essie has grown used to being cold. Temperatures on the planet Thanda are always sub-zero, and she fills her days with coding and repairs for the seven loyal drones that run the local mines.

When a mysterious young man named Dane crash-lands near her home, Essie agrees to help the pilot repair his ship. But soon she realizes that Dane’s arrival was far from accidental, and she’s pulled into the heart of a war she’s risked everything to avoid. With the galaxy’s future—and her own—in jeopardy, Essie must choose who to trust in a fiery fight for survival.

Cover Reveal: Alex Rosa

Publisher: Intermix (Penguin)

Release Date: March 17t 2015

Genre: New Adult, Romance

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Read first 3 chapters online: Book Country | Wattpad

Synopsis:

In this sensational New Adult debut by Alex Rosa, boyfriends are too much trouble. So what’s the harm in a little fun?

With an abusive relationship behind her, Skyler moves out of her Orange County apartment, changes her phone number, cuts ties with her friends, and moves in with her brother Josh, a talent agent with a spare room in his incredible house in Hollywood.

Josh is happy to take Skyler under his wing, but he has one rule: she can’t sleep with his roommate, Blake. That’s fine by Skyler. She doesn’t want a man in her life right now—and certainly not cocky Blake who’s with a different girl every night. But his all-American boy charm and his ripped model physique are difficult to refuse. Josh will never know if no one ever tells him. And a little secret now and then never hurt anyone…

Excerpt:

I realize I’m parched. The large living room opens into the kitchen, where a dark granite island and counters greet me. The kitchen is spotless, with minimal kitchenware—a toaster, coffeemaker, and of course, a stainless steel fridge. I wonder if this place is clean only because they knew I would be arriving. That would be something Josh would do.

I open cabinets, searching for a glass, and on the second attempt, a voice startles me.

“Cups are on the right, near the fridge.”

I turn around, and my breath catches in my throat at the sight. A barely dressed boy—er, man?—stands there, idly watching me.

“Um, thank you.” I grab a glass and fill it with water.

He gives me this all-American-boy grin, seeming to enjoy my obvious discomfort. “No problem. Skyler, isn’t it?”

I take a sip and respond. “Yes. Roommate, I presume?” Getting those words out wasn’t so hard. As I wait for his response, my eyes drag down his tan, toned physique, and I linger a little too long at the V at the edge of his navy blue boxer briefs.

His voice brings me back to his stark forest-colored eyes that complement his dark brown hair. Those eyes are distracting.

“I’ve got a name. Blake. Blake Everett. Nice to meet you.”

Was that a hint of attitude? Without a second thought and no shame, he leans his half-naked body over and raises his hand to shake mine. I can tell he is enjoying this, and it only makes me more uneasy.

I shake his hand as confidently as possible, and my imbedded manners kick in. “Nice to meet you too, Blake. Thanks for letting me stay here.”

He smirks, and I notice him giving me the once-over. I suddenly wish I wore nicer jeans, rather than this torn-up pair. I don’t like the feeling of being under his judgmental eyes because I nowhere near compare to this Greek god. I run my hands through my curly black hair, and wish I’d brushed it before leaving this morning. He’s so pretty it hurts.

I am aching to hear some sort of response, but I’m not sure he has one because of the delay. I worry that I’m not welcome, but as he opens his mouth to respond, a voice from a bedroom down the hall interrupts. It’s high pitched and squeaky.

“Blaaaaaaake, I’m thirsty. Come love me now!”

I flush crimson, realizing the implications of the whiney girl voice and his attire. If I am not mistaken, he flushes too, but the arrogant smirk remains. Why are his lips so distracting?

He laughs, no doubt over my shocked expression, and then shrugs as if that explains everything.

“You mind if I take this?” he asks. He snatches the glass of water out of my hand, takes a quick sip, and winks at me. With that, he turns on his heels to walk back toward his bedroom, and I hear his door shut.

It has me fuming. What an asshole is the only thought I can muster. That water was mine, not for some floozy he’s bedding. I take a deep breath, annoyed with my body’s hormones and myself.

I hear Josh coming in through the front door, and I try to gather my equilibrium. He appears in the kitchen and utters the same statement that Blake had moments before. “Cups are on the far right next to the fridge.”

I scowl. “I’m aware. Thanks.”

Author Bio:

When Alex Rosa isn’t scouring city parks or cafes to write, she is most likely trying to convince her friends to join her on her next adventure. A sufferer of wanderlust, she is always looking for a new mountain to climb, a canyon to hike, or a plane to board. Her résumé consists of coroner, zoo worker, and most recently executive assistant, but she finds her home amongst words, whether it is in books or in film. Her obsessions are on the brink of bizarre, but that’s just the way she likes it.

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